Browse Articles

Enhanced multifaceted model for plasmon-driven Schottky solar cells with integrated thermal effects

Abstract This paper explores the development of an opto-thermal-electrical model for plasmonic Schottky solar cells (PSSCs) using a comprehensive multiphysics approach. We simulated the optical properties, power conversion efficiencies, and energy yield of PSSCs with varying nanoparticle (NP) configurations and sizes. Our spectral analysis focused on the absorption characteristics of these solar cells, examining systems sized 3 × 3, 5 × 5, and 7  × 7, with NP radii ranging from 10 to 150 nm. The study addresses a significant gap in solar cell research by presenting a novel multi-physics energy yield model for PSSCs decorated with gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) on silicon absorbers. This integrated framework uniquely couples optical, electrical, and thermal responses for the prediction of global energy yield maps. Total spectral heat absorption was evaluated over a range of 300 nm to 1200 nm. This spectral heating was further deconvoluted into nanoparticle heating and thermalization heating in a silicon absorber. The findings indicated that the 5 × 5 NP array with a 70 nm radius enhances electrical performance, with the short-circuit current density (J sc ) reaching 11.54 mA/cm 2 —A 47% improvement compared to traditional bare silicon Schottky cells of 2 μ m thickness. However, this electrical enhancement was also accompanied by a significant increase in heat generation within the nanoparticles, with thermal gains up to 182.5% relative to the bare silicon cells. This substantial rise in thermal energy highlights the critical need for advanced thermal management strategies to mitigate overheating and ensure the overall efficiency of plasmonic-enhanced solar cells. Enhanced energy yield maps confirm the model’s predictions, showing improved outputs globally, especially in sunny regions with potential annual energy yield gains up to 80 kWh/m 2 .

Feasibility of rabbit auricular VX2 tumor model as an experimental model for intra-arterial embolization

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of VX2 tumor in rabbit auricles as an experimental model for intra-arterial embolization. This study was approved by our Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. VX2 tumors were implanted in both auricles of 12 New Zealand White Rabbits. To investigate the angiographic and pathologic characteristics, angiography, ultrasonography, and thermography were performed 1–2 weeks after inoculation, and image analysis was performed. The animals were sacrificed thereafter, and histologic analysis was conducted by a pathologist. Tumors did not grow in 3/24 auricles of 12 rabbits used in the experiment, and one rabbit died during anesthesia for an ultrasonographic examination. Therefore, images were obtained from a total of 19 auricles. Angiography was successfully performed in 11 rabbits, and hypervascularity and tumor feeding vessels were clearly observed in all tumors. The enhancement effect increased significantly as the volume increased. In histologic evaluation, the average area of necrosis was 27%. In conclusion, a rabbit auricular VX2 tumor model is easy to create, and its features can be conveniently observed on visual inspection. Moreover, it appears hypervascular on angiography, and the tumor feeding vessel is easy to approach. Thus, it is useful for studying intra-arterial embolization.

Identification and suppression of low-frequency oscillations using PMU measurements based power system model in smart grid

Abstract Low-frequency oscillations (LFO) are inherent to large interconnected power systems. Timely detection and mitigation of these oscillations is essential to maintain reliable power system operation. This paper presents a methodology to identify and mitigate low-frequency oscillations ( forced and inter-area) using a wide area monitoring system (WAMS) based power system model utilizing phasor measurement units (PMUs). These models accurately identify the behavior and location of generators contributing to low-frequency oscillations in real-time and hence can efficiently improve the performance of WADC to mitigate them. The proportional resonant power system stabilizer (PR-PSS) is utilized to suppress these LFOs, as determined from the Wide Area Power System Model. The damping structure based on PR-PSS with measurements from WAMS effectively suppresses both forced and inter-area oscillation modes.

Genome-wide DNA methylation and transcriptome sequencing analyses of lens tissue in an age-related mouse cataract model

DNA methylation is known to be associated with cataracts. In this study, we used a mouse model and performed DNA methylation and transcriptome sequencing analyses to find epigenetic indicators for age-related cataracts (ARC). Anterior lens capsule membrane tissues from young and aged mice were analyzed by MethylRAD-seq to detect the genome-wide methylation of extracted DNA. The young and aged mice had 76,524 and 15,608 differentially methylated CCGG and CCWGG sites, respectively. The Pearson correlation analysis detected 109 and 33 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with negative methylation at CCGG and CCWGG sites, respectively, in their promoter regions. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional enrichment analyses showed that DEGs with abnormal methylation at CCGG sites were primarily associated with protein kinase C signaling (Akap12, Capzb), protein threonine kinase activity (Dmpk, Mapkapk3), and calcium signaling pathway (Slc25a4, Cacna1f), whereas DEGs with abnormal methylation at CCWGG sites were associated with ribosomal protein S6 kinase activity (Rps6ka3). These genes were validated by pyrosequencing methylation analysis. The results showed that the ARC group (aged mice) had lower Dmpk and Slc25a4 methylation levels and a higher Rps6ka3 methylation than the control group (young mice), which is consistent with the results of the joint analysis of differentially methylated and differentially expressed genes. In conclusion, we confirmed the genome-wide DNA methylation pattern and gene expression profile of ARC based on the mouse cataract model with aged mice. The identified methylation molecular markers have great potential for application in the future diagnosis and treatment of ARC.

Diffusion Smart-seq3 of breast cancer spheroids to explore spatial tumor biology and test evolutionary principles of tumor heterogeneity

Abstract Combining 3D cultures such as tumor spheroids and organoids with spatial omics holds great potential for tissue biology and cancer research. Yet, this potential is presently limited by technical and financial challenges of spatial omics methods and 3D cultures. To address this, we combine dye diffusion, the Smart-seq3xpress protocol for deep single-cell gene expression profiling, and dedicated probabilistic inference methods into diffusion Smart-seq3 (Smart-seq3D), to reveal the transcriptome of single cells along with their position along the core-periphery axis of spheroids. Applying Smart-seq3D to triple-negative breast tumor spheroids identifies thousands of spatial genes and reveals continuous, ungated spatial gene expression. Spatial gene and pathway expression patterns suggest biologies specific to spheroid regions, which we validate by immunostainings and pharmacological interventions. We use the Smart-seq3D data to test evolutionary principles of spatial tumor heterogeneity. Finally, we characterize aspects of tumor heterogeneity captured by 3D spheroids that are missing from 2D cultures but found in tumors in vivo . Smart-seq3D can offer a cost-efficient approach to explore how cells adapt their transcriptome to different micro-environments, reveal spatial determinants of drug resistance and could serve to characterize spatial interactions between cancer and stromal/immune cells in 3D co-cultures.

Correction: Impact of smoking cessation, coffee and bread consumption on the intestinal microbial composition among Saudis: A cross-sectional study

A deep learning based model for diabetic retinopathy grading

Judges versus artificial intelligence in juror decision-making in criminal trials: Evidence from two pre-registered experiments

Background Artificial intelligence (AI) is anticipated to play a significant role in criminal trials involving citizen jurors. Prior studies have suggested that AI is not widely preferred in ethical decision-making contexts, but little research has compared jurors’ reliance on judgments by human judges versus AI in such settings. Objectives This study examined whether jurors are more likely to defer to judgments by human judges or AI, especially in cases involving mitigating circumstances in which human-like reasoning may be valued. Methods Two pre-registered online experiments were conducted with Japanese participants (Experiment 1: N = 1,735, Mage = 48.4; Experiment 2: N = 1,731, Mage = 48.5). Participants reviewed two murder trial vignettes and made sentencing decisions (1 = suspended sentence; 8 = prison sentence) under two conditions: trials with and without mitigating circumstances. Results and conclusion Across both experiments, participants showed no preference for deferring to human judges’ or AI judgments when making sentencing decisions. While suspended sentences were more common in cases with mitigating circumstances, this tendency was unrelated to the judgment source. These findings suggest that jurors do not inherently avoid algorithmic judgments and may consider AI opinions on par with those of human judges in certain contexts. However, whether this leads to improved decision-making quality remains an open question, as objectivity (a strength of AI) and emotional considerations (a safeguard for fairness) may interact in complex ways during juror deliberations. Future research should further explore how these factors influence juror attitudes and decisions in diverse trial scenarios, taking into account potential biases in existing literature.

Development and validation of a frailty risk model for patients with mild cognitive impairment

Constructions of solitary wave solutions for huge family of NPDEs with three applications

This study offers closed-form solutions for the frequently utilised families of nonlinear partial differential equations (NPDEs). This form based on the He’s semi-inverse technique. This form can be considered as a box solver for physicists, engineers and mathematicians. This closed form has several advantages, including eliminating complicated calculations and clearly presenting crucial solutions. Three physical applications are provided in order to validate this closed form technique. The theoretical investigation and given results demonstrate that the suggested technique is efficient and appropriate. For appropriate values of the free parameters, some graphs are used to characterize the dynamical changes of the derived solutions. Finally, our methodology may be extended to various equations emerging in several branches of applied science.

Re-architecture for requirements of academic space development in the universities: design and validitation of RASD questionnaire

Abstract Universities are the cornerstone of social development and progress; however, it is essential to enhance the academic environment to support this mission. The objective of this research is to identify the Requirements for Academic Space Development (RASD) in universities. The present study was conducted in 2022–2023 using a mixed-method with a qualitative-quantitative sequence. The qualitative section was conducted using purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews with 20 experts of Iranian universities. The data were analyzed using content and thematic analysis at three levels of codes (Items), components, and themes (Main concepts), and then, it was examined quantitatively using a survey on 265 faculty members. For data analysis and validate the instrument, the face and content validity (CVI/CVR), reliability and construct validity were examined. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were used to validate the questionnaire using SPSS 24 and Liseral 8.5 software. In qualitative stage, 67 codes, 4 concepts (formal, political, cultural, and scientific), and 14 components were extracted, which resulted in the word “Re-architecture” based on the acronym of the first letter. The content validity of the RASD questionnaire was confirmed with CVI = 0.941 and CVR = 0.940. The overall reliability was 0.962. For construct validity, first, the sample adequacy was confirmed with KMO = 0.928 and the Bartlett test (P < 0.001). In general, the quantitative section also extracted 14 factors that estimated 70.229% of the total variance. The “Happiness” had the highest factor loading (30.35%), followed by “Unity” (6.11%), “Thinking” (4.23%), Refining” (3.87%), “Expediency” (3.22%), and “Interaction” (2.83%) with the highest factor loadings. Universities need a rethinking, a concept that has been addressed in this research as “Re-architecture”. Perhaps the choice of this term is appropriate because we also need changes in universities, by combining science, re-engineering, cultural considerations, and an artistic integration of all factors influencing academic development.

Improved GOA-based fuzzy PI speed control of PMSM with predictive current regulation

To address the susceptibility of conventional vector control systems for permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) to motor parameter variations and load disturbances, a novel control method combining an improved Grasshopper Optimization Algorithm (GOA) with a variable universe fuzzy Proportional-Integral (PI) controller is proposed, building upon standard fuzzy PI control. First, the diversity of the population and the global exploration capability of the algorithm are enhanced through the integration of the Cauchy mutation strategy and uniform distribution strategy. Subsequently, the fusion of Cauchy mutation and opposition-based learning, along with modifications to the optimal position, further improves the algorithm’s ability to escape local optima. The improved GOA is then employed to optimize the contraction-expansion factor of the variable universe fuzzy PI controller, achieving enhanced control performance for PMSMs. Additionally, to address the high torque and current ripple issues commonly associated with traditional PI controllers in the current loop, Model Predictive Control (MPC) is adopted to further improve control performance. Finally, experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme, demonstrating precise motor speed control, rapid and stable current tracking, as well as improved system robustness.

Association between cardiovascular health and osteoporotic fractures: a national population-based study

Improving myocardial infarction diagnosis with Siamese network-based ECG analysis

Background Heart muscle damage from myocardial infarction (MI) is brought on by insufficient blood flow. The leading cause of death for middle-aged and older people worldwide is myocardial infarction (MI), which is difficult to diagnose because it has no symptoms. Clinicians must evaluate electrocardiography (ECG) signals to diagnose MI, which is difficult and prone to observer bias. To be effective in actual practice, an automated, and computerized detection system for Myocardial Infarction using ECG images, must meet a number of criteria. Objective In an actual clinical situation, these requirements—such as dependability, simplicity, and superior decision-making abilities—remain crucial. In the current work, we have developed a model using a dataset that consists of a combination of 928 ECG images taken from publicly available Mendeley Data. It was converted into three classes Myocardial Infarction, Abnormal heartbeat, and Normal. Methods The dataset is then imported, pre-processed, and split into a 70:20:10 ratio of training, validation, and testing. It is then trained using the Siamese Network Model. Results The classification accuracy comes out to be 98%. The algorithm works excellently with datasets having class imbalance by taking pair of images as input. The validation and testing classification matrix is then generated and the evaluation metrics for both of them come out to be a near-perfect value. Conclusion In this study, we developed the ECG signals based early detection of cardiovascular diseases with Siamese network model.

Global epidemiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis lineage 4 insights from Ecuadorian genomic data

The first complete hand-rearing of two neonatal finless porpoises

Hand-rearing of marine mammals is an essential technique for the husbandry of orphans in captivity or the wild, especially endangered cetacean species. The purpose of the present study was to establish a method for successful hand-rearing and evaluate the nutritional state of neonatal finless porpoises. Two neonate finless porpoises maternally neglected at 5 days of age (Day 5) (neonate A, animal A) and Day 4 (neonate B, animal B) were hand reared. The amount of each tube feeding and daily number of nursings for animals A and B during the lactation period were gradually increased to 1,355 and 1,120 ml and 16 and 14 times, respectively. The mean daily caloric intake during the lactation period and average increase in body weight of animals A and B were 2,048 ± 207 and 2,206 ± 169 kcal and 65.4 and 66.9 g/day, respectively. Hypoproteinemia and hypertriglyceridemia were observed in the two neonates during the early stage of hand-rearing. The plasma concentrations of 24 free amino acids in the neonatal porpoises were significantly higher compared with adult porpoises. Plasma valine, leucine, and isoleucine levels in the neonates were dramatically higher than those in adults. Hyperlipoproteinemia, characterized by a higher percentage of very-low-density lipoprotein and the appearance of midband, was also observed in the two neonates, along with hypertriglyceridemia. A hand-rearing method for finless porpoises was successfully established in this research. Nutritional evaluation of serum protein, free amino acids, and lipid components is needed to improve the survivability of hand-reared neonatal porpoises. The hand-rearing method established in the present study is an essential technique for the husbandry of finless porpoises and can be applied to the conservation of other members of the porpoise family, including vaquita and Yangtze finless porpoises, which are the most endangered dolphins in the world.

Versatile waste sorting in small batch and flexible manufacturing industries using deep learning techniques

Evaluation of the practical application of the category-imbalanced myeloid cell classification model

The incidence of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is increasing annually, and timely diagnostic and treatments can substantially improve patient survival rates. AML typing traditionally relies on manual microscopy for classifying and counting myeloid cells, which is time-consuming, laborious, and subjective. Therefore, developing a reliable automated model for myeloid cell classification is imperative. This study evaluated the performance of five widely-used classification models on the largest publicly available bone marrow cell dataset (BM). However, the accuracy of the classification model is significantly affected by the imbalance in the distribution of bone marrow cell types. To address this issue, this study analyzed five different Loss functions and seven different attention mechanisms. When the classification models is chosen, Swin Transformer V2 was found to perform the best. However, the lightweight model RegNetX-3.2gf had significantly fewer parameters and a significantly faster inference speed than Swin Transformer V2, and its F1 Score was only 0.032 lower than that of Swin Transformer V2. Accordingly, RegNetX-3.2gf is strongly recommended for practical applications. During the evaluation of Loss function and attention mechanism, the Cost-Sensitive Loss Function (CS) and the channel attention mechanism Squeeze-and-Excitation Networks (SE) demonstrated superior performance. The optimal model (RegNetX-3.2gf + CS + SE) achieved an average precision of 68.183%, an average recall of 63.722%, and an average F1 Score of 65.155%. This model exhibited significantly improved performance compared to the original dataset results, achieving an enhancement of 17.183% in precision and 10.655% in the F1 Score. Finally, the class activation maps demonstrate that our model focused on the cells themselves, especially on the nucleus when making classifications. It proved that our model was reliable. This study provided an important reference for the study of bone marrow cell classification and a practical application of the model, promoting the development of the intelligent classification of AML.

Peripheral nerve regeneration using a bioresorbable silk fibroin-based artificial nerve conduit fabricated via a novel freeze–thaw process

Risk of childlessness in help-seeking men with Peyronie’s disease—A Swedish longitudinal study

Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a disorder of the penis that is associated with poor mental health, lowered psychosocial- and sexual wellbeing, which may increase the risk of childlessness in men affected by the disorder. Although this is an issue of significant clinical importance, it has not been addressed in research to date. We conducted a longitudinal cohort study based on data from Swedish national registers utilizing a large sample of help-seeking men with PD, along with matched subjects from the general population. We assessed the probability and odds ratio of childlessness, modeled with logistic regressions, and offspring rate ratio, modeled with Poisson regression. We found that the probability of childlessness was somewhat lowered for men with PD aged between 35 and 71 years at end of follow-up. Men with PD aged 35 or less showed slightly elevated probabilities of childlessness. Specifically, odds ratios for childlessness were between 0.5 and 1.0 for men aged above 35, and between 1 and 1.5 for men aged less than 35, although the confidence intervals for increased odds partly included the null. Analyses of men’s rate of offspring showed similar pattern, with higher rate ratios for older men and lower for younger men. Although more research is needed, the findings of this study suggest that clinical urological practice may be enhanced by a proactive discussions about the potential issue of childlessness in younger men with PD.