Explore the vast range of titles available.

The development of new detectors based on Silicon Carbide (SiC) is currently a topic of interest within the scientific community. The significant features of SiC make it highly promising for detecting charged particles, neutrons, and \\(\\)/X radiation. In this framework, within the SAMOTHRACE (Sicilian Micro and Nano Technology Research and Innovation Center) ecosystem, an array of new-generation SiC detectors is under development, specifically designed for nuclear and medical investigations using radioactive ion beams. This paper describes the results obtained in the characterization of SiC prototypes regarding energy and timing measurements. A new method, based on coincidence data analysis, is employed to evaluate the timing performances of SiC detectors. The obtained results have been compared with tests performed using a micro-channel plate as a start detector reference for timing measurements.

This paper provides a scoping review of behavioural interventions that target household energy demand. We evaluate 584 empirical papers that test the effectiveness of a behavioural intervention to change behaviour associated with household energy demand. The most studied behavioural tools are providing timely feedback and reminders and making information intuitive and easy to access , followed by (in order) communicating a norm, reframing consequences, making behaviour observable, obtaining a commitment, setting proper defaults , and transitions and habit disruption . The most studied demand-side behaviour is electricity use. There is high heterogeneity in effect sizes. We classified the target behaviours of each study as avoid, shift , or improve behaviours and find that avoid behaviours (in particular, reducing electricity usage) are the predominant focus of researchers. The effectiveness of interventions differs across avoid, shift , and improve responses and by the behavioural tool. Specifically, shifting behaviours are less effectively motivated than avoiding behaviours by using an information intervention but more effectively by using a norm intervention. We review the literature to provide further information about which behavioural tools are most effective for specific contexts. The effectiveness of most behavioural tools are augmented when they are used in the right combination with other tools. We recommend that researchers focus future work on high impact behaviours and the evaluation of synergistic combinations of behavioural interventions.

Lysozyme dextran nanogels (NG) have great potential in vitro as a drug delivery platform, combining simple chemistry with rapid uptake and cargo release in target cells with \"stealth\" properties and low toxicity. In this work, we study for the first time the potential of targeted NG as a drug delivery platform in vivo to alleviate acute pulmonary inflammation in animal model of LPS-induced lung injury. NG are targeted to the endothelium via conjugation with an antibody (Ab) directed to Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1(ICAM-NG), whereas IgG conjugated NG (IgG-NG) are used for control formulations. The amount of Ab conjugated to the NG and distribution in the body after intravenous (IV) injection have been quantitatively analyzed using a tracer isotope-labeled [125I]IgG. As a proof of concept, Ab-NG are loaded with dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory therapeutic, and the drug uptake and release kinetics are measured by HPLC. In vivo studies in mice showed that: i) ICAM-NG accumulates in mouse lungs (∼120% ID/g vs ∼15% ID/g of IgG-NG); and, ii) DEX encapsulated in ICAM-NG, but not in IgG-NG practically blocks LPS-induced overexpression of pro-inflammatory cell adhesion molecules including ICAM-1 in the pulmonary inflammation.

This review concerns modeling studies of the fundamental problem of entangled (reptational) homopolymer diffusion in melts and nanocomposite materials in comparison to experiments. In polymer melts, the developed united atom and multibead spring models predict an exponent of the molecular weight dependence to the polymer diffusion very similar to experiments and the tube reptation model. There are rather unexplored parameters that can influence polymer diffusion such as polymer semiflexibility or polydispersity, leading to a different exponent. Models with soft potentials or slip-springs can estimate accurately the tube model predictions in polymer melts enabling us to reach larger length scales and simulate well entangled polymers. However, in polymer nanocomposites, reptational polymer diffusion is more complicated due to nanoparticle fillers size, loading, geometry and polymer-nanoparticle interactions.

Crystal–amorphous transformation achieved via the melt-quench pathway in phase-change memory involves fundamentally inefficient energy conversion events; and this translates to large switching current densities, responsible for chemical segregation and device degradation. Alternatively, introducing defects in the crystalline phase can engineer carrier localization effects enhancing carrier–lattice coupling; and this can efficiently extract work required to introduce bond distortions necessary for amorphization from input electrical energy. Here, by pre-inducing extended defects and thus carrier localization effects in crystalline GeTe via high-energy ion irradiation, we show tremendous improvement in amorphization current densities (0.13–0.6 MA cm −2 ) compared with the melt-quench strategy (∼50 MA cm −2 ). We show scaling behaviour and good reversibility on these devices, and explore several intermediate resistance states that are accessible during both amorphization and recrystallization pathways. Existence of multiple resistance states, along with ultralow-power switching and scaling capabilities, makes this approach promising in context of low-power memory and neuromorphic computation. Phase change memories involve crystalline-to-amorphous transformations which require high current densities. Here, the authors introduce extended defects in GeTe crystals, reduce the current densities necessary for amorphization and obtain low-power, scalable memories with multiple resistance states.

The risk of floods from tropical storms is increasing due to climate change and human development. Maps of past flood extents can aid in planning and mitigation efforts to decrease flood risk. In 2021, Hurricane Ida slowed over the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast United States and released unprecedented rainfall. Satellite imagery and the Random Forest algorithm are a reliable combination to map flood extents. However, this combination is not usually applied to urban areas. We used Sentinel-2 imagery (10 m), along with derived indices, elevation, and land cover data, as inputs to a Random Forest model to make a new flood extent for southeastern Pennsylvania. The model was trained and validated with a dataset created with input from PlanetScope imagery (3 m) and social media posts related to the flood event. The overall accuracy of the model is 99%, and the flood class had a user’s and producer’s accuracy each over 97%. We then compared the flood extent to the Federal Emergency Management Agency flood zones at the county and tract level and found that more flooding occurred in the Minimal Hazard zone than in the 500-year flood zone. Our Random Forest model relies on publicly available data and software to efficiently and accurately make a flood extent map that can be deployed to other urban areas. Flood extent maps like the one developed here can help decision-makers focus efforts on recovery and resilience. Graphical abstract

Please confirm that an ethics committee approval has been applied for or granted: Yes: I’m uploading the Ethics Committee Approval as a PDF file with this abstract submissionApplication for ESRA Abstract PrizesBackground and AimsEye surgery is increasingly taking place without anaesthesiologists. Providing safe and cost-effective analgesia, avoiding the risks of traditional sharp-needle blocks is important. This study explores a safe tangential sharp-needle approach for STB, screening for complications and inadequate analgesia through VAS/PROM screeningMethodsIn 2023, a representative demographic cohort (>18 y) of consenting ASA 1–2 patients (n=907) (median-age 75.5 y) scheduled for anterior chamber eye surgery (refractive, glaucoma and iris surgery) received STB-injection of 1–1.5 ml ropivacaine 2% containing 50 μg dexmedetomidine. STB injected at 8 mm lateral limbus, lateral M rectus inf. insertion (see figure 1)Results- STB-onset averaged 4 min, -STB-duration > 3 h, - small sub-conjunctival hemorrhage 42%, - conjunctival chemosis 19.4% -18% of the patients demanded additional analgesia iv (2 γ/kg fentanyl + 1 mg midazolam), reporting VAS scores >/= 3 during surgeryAbstract P264 Figure 1Schematic depiction of short sharp-needle STB injected lateral to musc-rect. inf., remainiung parallel to anetrior scleral plane-compare to photographic depiction[Image Omitted. See PDF.]ConclusionsAnterior sharp-needle STB is a valid alternative to blunt-cannula post-aequator STB or epi-caruncular sharp-needle STB in anterior segment eye surgery. 82% of the 907 patients were able to undergo interventions on lens, capsula, cornea, iris and trabeculae without additional systemic analgesia. No grave sharp-needle complications (bulbar perforation, intraorbital bleeding, brainstem anaesthesia, strabism) occurred due to the needle-trajectory running parallel to the scleral surface. Conjunctival hemorrhage and negligible chemosis were comparable to other STB-techniques.

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is a promising real-time, non-invasive, non-ionizing optical imaging technique. In surgical oncology, HSI can capture both structural and functional tissue information, allowing the characterization of tumor lesions both intraoperatively and on a histopathological level. We review the latest technological and clinical advancements of HSI as a guidance tool for tumor resection. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science using logical keyword combinations related to \"hyperspectral imaging\" and \"surgical oncology.\" Eighty-five articles published between January 1, 2014, and April 30, 2024, were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Technical and clinical data were extracted and analyzed. The reviewed studies include preclinical and clinical investigations involving various tumor models and 2163 patients, including 24 pediatric cases. HSI has demonstrated broad applicability across various anatomical regions in both and settings, with its most valuable application being tumor tissue delineation. HSI remains in its early technological stages, requiring high-quality evidence and multidisciplinary collaboration to support clinical adoption. A deeper understanding and improved characterization of biological tissue hyperspectral properties are essential to better inform and orient future hardware and software designs.

Over a year of the COVID-19 pandemic, distinct severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) lineages have arisen in multiple geographic areas around the world. SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs), i.e., B.1.1.7 (alpha), B.1.351 (beta), P.1 (gamma), and B.1.617.2 (delta), harboring mutations and/or deletions in spike protein N-terminal domain (NTD) or receptor-binding domain (RBD) regions showed evidence of increased transmissibility and disease severity and possible reduced vaccine efficacy. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs), harboring spike protein N-terminal domain (NTD) or receptor-binding domain (RBD) mutations, exhibit reduced in vitro susceptibility to convalescent-phase serum, commercial antibody cocktails, and vaccine neutralization and have been associated with reinfections. The accumulation of these mutations could be the consequence of intrahost viral evolution due to prolonged infection in immunocompromised hosts. In this study, we document the microevolution of SARS-CoV-2 recovered from sequential tracheal aspirates from an immunosuppressed patient on steroids and convalescent plasma therapy and identify the emergence of multiple NTD and RBD mutations. SARS-CoV-2 genomes from the first swab (day 0) and from three tracheal aspirates (days 7, 21, and 27) were compared at the sequence level. We identified a mixed viral population with five different S protein mutations (141 to 144 deletion, 243 to 244 deletion, E484K, Q493K, and Q493R) at the NTD or RBD region from the second tracheal aspirate sample (day 21) and a predominance of the S protein 141 to 144 LGVY deletion and E484K mutant on day 27. The neutralizing antibodies against various S protein lentiviral pseudovirus mutants, as well as the anti-SARS-CoV-2 total Ig and IgG, showed “U” shape dynamics, in support of the endogenous development of neutralizing antibodies. The patient’s compromised immune status, the antirejection regiment, convalescent plasma treatment, and the development of neutralizing antibodies may have resulted in unique selective pressures on the intrahost genomic evolution, and this observation supports the hypotheses that VOCs can independently arise and that immunocompromised patients on convalescent plasma therapy are potential breeding grounds for immune escape mutants. IMPORTANCE Over a year of the COVID-19 pandemic, distinct severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) lineages have arisen in multiple geographic areas around the world. SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs), i.e., B.1.1.7 (alpha), B.1.351 (beta), P.1 (gamma), and B.1.617.2 (delta), harboring mutations and/or deletions in spike protein N-terminal domain (NTD) or receptor-binding domain (RBD) regions showed evidence of increased transmissibility and disease severity and possible reduced vaccine efficacy. In this study, we report the emergence of five different NTD and RBD mutations in an uncommon SARS-CoV-2 B.1.369 lineage from an immunosuppressed patient undergoing steroid and convalescent plasma therapy. The observation highlighted that VOCs can independently arise in immunocompromised populations undergoing anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapy, and enhanced measures will be required to reduce the transmission.

Landsat‐derived products are the most prominent, publicly available sources of large‐scale surface water extent data. However, few studies have assessed the limitations of spatial scale on such products. Here, we mapped seasonal surface water extents utilizing high‐resolution (4.77 m) PlanetScope Basemap imagery and machine learning. We conducted a pixel‐wise comparison of these high resolution classifications with a set of classifications from a moderate resolution (30 m) Landsat product. The vast majority (>${ >} $ 93%) of areas classified as water by the Landsat product were similarly classified by PlanetBasemap; however, only 65%–75% of the PlanetBasemap water area was also classified by the Landsat classes. Of the Landsat classes, only the partial surface water class comparably detects smaller water bodies (widths <${< } $50–70 m) with PlanetBasemaps. Our results indicate that higher resolution imagery detects more small water bodies, which are instrumental to better understanding flood dynamics, methane emissions, and downstream water volume and quality.