Local Effects Research Articles

Treatment for paraganglioma with stereotactic radiotherapy

BACKGROUND Paragangliomas (PG) are rare neoplasms of neuroendocrine origin that tend to be highly vascularized, slow-growing, and usually sporadic. To date, common treatment options are surgical resection (SR), with or without radiation therapy (RT), and a watch-and-wait approach. AIM To evaluate the local control and effectiveness of exclusive fractionated stereotactic RT (FSRT) treatment in unresectable PG (uPG). METHODS We retrospectively evaluated patients with uPG (medically inoperable or refused SR) treated with FSRT with a Cyberknife System (Accuray Incorporated, Sunnyvale, California). Toxicity and initial efficacy were evaluated. RESULTS From May 2009 to January 2023, 6 patients with a median age of 68 (range 20-84) were treated with FSRT. The median delivered dose was 21 Gy (range 20-30 Gy) at a median isodose line of 75.5% (range 70%-76%) in 4 fractions (range 3-5 fractions). The median volume was 13.6 mL (range 12.4-65.24 mL). The median cumulative biological effective dose and equivalent dose in 2-Gy fractions were 70 Gy and 37.10 Gy respectively. Site of origin involved were the timpa-nojugular glomus (4/6), temporal bone, and cervical spine. In 1 of the 6 patients, the follow-up was insufficient; 5 of 6 patients showed a 5-year overall survival and 5-year progression-free survival of 100%. We observed negligible toxicities during and after RT. The majority of patients showed stable symptoms during follow-up. Only 1 patient developed spine metastases. CONCLUSION Our preliminary results on this small cohort of patients suggest that FSRT could be an effective and safe alternative to SR.

Government reform and innovation performance in China

Innovation is key for economic growth and well-being. The capacity for innovation, however, is profoundly influenced by the quality of local institutions. Although the impact of national institutions on innovation is well-documented, the effects of subnational institutional variations on innovation remain underexplored. This paper studies the impact of government agency reforms, designed to enhance local government effectiveness, on the innovation performance of city-regions in China. We examine the adoption of these reforms between 2009 and 2016 as an exogenous shock to regional institutions. Our analysis identifies a positive and significant relationship between improvements in institutional quality and the innovation performance of Chinese city-regions, particularly pronounced in regions with medium to high levels of innovation. The results are robust to a series of checks including placebo and endogeneity tests and potential confounding policies. This research highlights the critical role of government institutions in driving innovation across China, bringing to the fore important regional variations in the adoption of government agency reforms that are defining the country’s innovation landscape.

GARLIC: Nature's potent antifungal and antibacterial ally - cream formulation and evaluation

In the pursuit of effective and safe treatments for infectious diseases, herbal remedies have garnered significant attention due to their diverse phytochemical composition and potential therapeutic properties. This study aimed to explore the phytochemical profile and evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal properties of herbal garlic extracts. Traditional natural products continue to be sought after for their bioactive compounds, which offer promising avenues for therapeutic intervention in both human and veterinary medicine. Our investigation not only sheds light on the regional variation of stomach disease occurrence, highlighting the role of dietary factors, but also underscores the importance of herbal preparations in medicinal practice. By combining various plant classes, herbal formulations can exert localized effects upon application, penetrating the skin or mucous membranes to target underlying conditions. The effectiveness of these combined medications may lie in their synergistic mechanisms, offering a comprehensive therapeutic approach. This research contributes valuable insights into the potential of herbal remedies as adjuncts or alternatives to conventional treatments, paving the way for further exploration in infectious disease management and prevention strategies.

Applications of optical control materials based on localized surface plasmon resonance effect in smart windows

Applications of optical control materials based on localized surface plasmon resonance effect in smart windows

Thermal conductivity in one-dimensional nonlinear disordered lattices: two kinds of scattering effects of hard-type and soft-type anharmonicities

Amorphous solids can be theoretically modeled by anharmonic disordered lattices, but most of the theoretical studies on thermal conductivity in such lattices only consider hard-type (HT) anharmonicity. In this study, we investigate the thermal conductivity κ of one-dimensional disordered lattices with both HT and soft-type (ST) anharmonic on-site potentials. Our results from molecular dynamics simulations and the quasi-harmonic Green–Kubo (QHGK) method show that while the HT model exhibits non-monotonic dependence of κ on anharmonicity, the ST model shows a monotonically increasing trend. This trend provides a novel approach to enhancing thermal conductivity in disordered systems. Additionally, the QHGK predictions for κ in the HT model are consistent with simulation results over a wide range of anharmonicity values; however, for the ST model, deviations appear as the anharmonicity becomes softer. This peculiar feature may be attributed to delocalization effects being dominant in contrast to the competing roles played by both delocalization and localization effects observed in the HT model.

Interactive Surgical Training in Neuroendoscopy: Real-Time Anatomical Feature Localization using Natural Language Expressions.

This study addresses challenges in surgical education, particularly in neuroendoscopy, where the demand for optimized workflow conflicts with the need for trainees' active participation in surgeries. To overcome these challenges, we propose a framework that accurately identifies anatomical structures within images guided by language descriptions, facilitating authentic and interactive learning experiences in neuroendoscopy. Utilizing the encoder-decoder architecture of a conventional transformer, our framework processes multimodal inputs (images and language descriptions) to identify and localize features in neuroendoscopic images. We curate a dataset from recorded endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) procedures for training and evaluation. Utilizing evaluation metrics, including "R@n," "IoU= θ," "mIoU," and top-1 accuracy, we systematically benchmark our framework against state-of-the-art methodologies. The framework demonstrates excellent generalization, surpassing the compared methods with 93.67 % accuracy and 76.08 % mIoU on unseen data. It also exhibits better computational speed compared with other methods. Qualitative results affirms the framework's effectiveness in precise localization of referred anatomical features within neuroendoscopic images. The framework's adeptness at localizing anatomical features using language descriptions positions it as a valuable tool for integration into future interactive clinical learning systems, enhancing surgical training in neuroendoscopy. The exemplary performance reinforces the framework's potential in enhancing surgical education, leading to improved skills and outcomes for trainees in neuroendoscopy.

Dynamic Release from Acetalated Dextran Nanoparticles for Precision Therapy of Inflammation.

Polymer-based nanoparticles (NPs) that react to altered physiological characteristics have the potential to enhance the delivery of therapeutics to a specific area. These materials can utilize biochemical triggers, such as low pH, which is prone to happen locally in an inflammatory microenvironment due to increased cellular activity. This reduced pH is neutralized when inflammation subsides. For precise delivery of therapeutics to match this dynamic reaction, drug delivery systems (DDS) need to not only release the drug (ON) but also stop the release (OFF) autonomously. In this study, we use a systematic approach to optimize the composition of acetalated dextran (AcDex) NPs to start (ON) and stop (OFF) releasing model cargo, depending on local pH changes. By mixing ratios of AcDex polymers (mixed NPs), we achieved a highly sensitive material that was able to rapidly release cargo when going from pH 7.4 to pH 6.0. At the same time, the mix also offered a stable composition that enabled a rapid ON/OFF/ON/OFF switching within this narrow pH range in only 90 min. These mixed NPs were also sensitive to biological pH changes, with increased release in the presence of inflammatory cells compared to healthy cells. Such precise and controllable characteristics of a DDS position mixed NPs as a potential treatment platform to inhibit disease flare-ups, reducing both systemic and local side effects to offer a superior treatment option for inflammation compared to conventional systems.

Impact of Covid-19 in Changing Lifestyle Notions of Green Consumers: A Case Study of Dhankuta Municipality

This study investigates the impact of COVID-19 on green consumer lifestyle choices in Dhankuta Municipality, Nepal, employing a mixed approach to understand global and local effects. Utilizing a theoretical framework encompassing Economic Theory, Planned Behavior Theory, and Ecological Modernization Theory, the research aims to uncover the true influence of COVID-19 on lifestyle notions and sustainable practices. The methodology involves stratified sampling to ensure diverse perspectives, with a sample size of 406 respondents aged 18 and above. Demographic findings reveal a nearly balanced gender distribution (60% male, 40% female), with a significant proportion (39.7%) in the 26-35 age group, indicating their crucial role in consumer decisions. Notably, 37.2% of respondents have experienced COVID-19 infection, providing insights into the pandemic's impact. Findings demonstrate a substantial positive correlation (r = 0.675, p < 0.01) between COVID-19 and willingness to pay for green products. Regression analysis reveals a significant relationship between the pandemic and changes in lifestyle notions, explaining 72.3% of the variance. These results underscore the need for sustained exploration of post-COVID green consumer behavior and inform strategies for policymakers and businesses in fostering sustainable consumption in Dhankuta Municipality, Nepal.

Insights into the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial potential of Nigella sativa essential oil against oral pathogens

Oral disorders can exert systemic ramifications beyond their localized effects on dental tissues, implicating a wide array of physiological conditions. The utilization of essential oils (EOs) for protection of oral health represents a longstanding practice. Consequently, in this investigation, essential oil derived from Nigella sativa seeds (NSEO) underwent isolation via the hydro-distillation process, followed by a comprehensive evaluation of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antibacterial activities, and cytocompatibility. The isolated NSEO manifested as a pale-yellow substance and was found to harbor a diverse spectrum of bioactive constituents, including steroids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, phenols, proteins, alkaloids, tannin, sesquiterpenoid hydrocarbons, monoterpenoid alcohol, and monoterpenoid ketone (thymoquinone). Notably, the total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of NSEO were quantified at 641.23 μg GAE/gm and 442.25 μg QE/g, respectively. Furthermore, NSEO exhibited concentration-dependent inhibition of protein denaturation, HRBC membrane stabilization, and hemolysis inhibition. Comparative analysis revealed that NSEO and chlorhexidine (CHX) 0.2% displayed substantial inhibition of hemolysis compared to aspirin. While NSEO and CHX 0.2% demonstrated analogous antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, NSEO showcased heightened efficacy against Lactobacillus acidophilus and Candida albicans. Additionally, NSEO exhibited pronounced effects against periodontal pathogens such as Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Prevotella intermedia. Importantly, no cytotoxicity was observed on human gingival fibroblast cell lines. These findings underscore the potential of NSEO as a potent antibacterial and antifungal agent in the management of oral microbial pathogens, thereby offering avenues for the development of innovative therapies targeting diverse oral inflammatory conditions. Nevertheless, further investigations are imperative to unlock its full therapeutic repertoire.

The Impact of Green Finance and Financial Technology on Regional Green Energy Technological Innovation Based on the Dual Machine Learning and Spatial Econometric Models

Regional green energy technological innovation is an important means to alleviate economic–environmental contradictions. The purpose of this study was to explore the mechanisms of green finance, financial technology, and regional green energy technological innovation. In this study, we constructed dual machine learning models, spatial econometric models, and panel threshold effect models to investigate the effects of green finance and financial technology on regional green energy technological innovation, using panel data from 266 cities nationwide from 2009 to 2021. The research findings are as follows: (1) Both green finance and financial technology significantly promote regional green energy technological innovation. (2) Based on a spatial weight matrix embedded in economic geography, both green finance and financial technology generate positive spatial spillover effects on regional green energy technological innovation. (3) The interaction between green finance and financial technology significantly contributes to regional green energy technological innovation. Financial technology can strengthen the positive local and neighboring effects of green finance on regional green energy technological innovation. (4) Based on the threshold effect of financial technology, green finance cannot significantly promote regional green energy technological innovation when financial technology is in an underdeveloped stage. With the advancement of financial technology, green finance continues to have a positive impact on regional green energy technological innovation. Based on this analysis and our conclusions, we propose practical policy recommendations that can provide a more sustainable approach to green energy technology innovation.

Simplified seismic scenario analysis of existing masonry buildings accounting for local site effects

Simplified seismic scenario analysis of existing masonry buildings accounting for local site effects

Charge density wave ordering in NdNiO2: effects of multiorbital nonlocal correlations

In this work, we investigate collective electronic fluctuations and, in particular, the possibility of the charge density wave ordering in an infinite-layer NdNiO2. We perform advanced many-body calculations for the ab-initio three-orbital model by taking into account local correlation effects, nonlocal charge and magnetic fluctuations, and the electron-phonon coupling. We find that in the considered material, electronic correlations are strongly orbital- and momentum-dependent. Notably, the charge density wave and magnetic instabilities originate from distinct orbitals. In particular, we show that the correlation effects lead to the momentum-dependent hybridization between different orbitals, resulting in the splitting and shifting of the flat part of the Ni-dz2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${d}_{{z}^{2}}$$\\end{document} band. This strong renormalization of the electronic spectral function drives the charge density wave instability that is related to the intraband Ni-dz2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${d}_{{z}^{2}}$$\\end{document} correlations. Instead, the magnetic instability stems from the Ni-dx2−y2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${d}_{{x}^{2}-{y}^{2}}$$\\end{document} orbital, which remains half-filled through the redistribution of the electronic density between different bands even upon hole doping. Consequently, the strength of the magnetic fluctuations remains nearly unchanged for the considered doping levels. We argue that this renormalization is not inherent to the stoichiometric case but can be induced by hole doping.

Nickel-doped silver nanoclusters as a mechanism to capture photons

AbstractNarrow width of optical absorption of conducting polymers and photons energy losses have been the challenges for fabricating highly efficient thin-film organic solar cell. Nickel-doped silver nanoclusters (Ni/Ag NCs) are employed here to capture more photons using polymers blend solar absorber medium to improve solar cell performances. The poly-3-hexylthiophene and (6-6)phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester molecules blend were used a solar absorber layer in this investigation. The solar cells fabricated with NCs exhibited enhanced opt-electronic properties compared to the reference solar cell. Consequently, the experimental results suggest that the power conversion efficiency (PCE) has substantially increased with the incorporations of NCs in absorber layer, which is dependent on the concentrations of NCs in the medium. The maximum PCE achieved, in this work, is $$\eta $$ η = 6.2% at 2% of NCs by weight, which has exhibited to the lowest energy losses compared to other doping levels. This improvement in PCE is attributed to the occurrence of local surface plasmon resonance effect due to the inclusion of Ni/Ag NCs in polymer matrix. The results provide valuable insights on the use of Ni/Ag NCs for efficient photons capture in thin-film polymers blend medium.

High-Speed and High-Responsivity Blue Light Photodetector with an InGaN NR/PEDOT:PSS Heterojunction Decorated with Ag NWs.

InGaN nanorods possessing larger and wavelength selective absorption by regulating In component based visible light photodetectors (PDs) as one of the key components in the field of visible light communication have received widespread attention. Currently, the weak photoelectric conversion efficiency and slow photoresponse speed of InGaN nanorod (NR) based PDs due to high surface states of InGaN NRs impede the actualization of high-responsivity and high-speed blue light PDs. Here, we have demonstrated high-performance InGaN NR/PEDOT:PSS@Ag nanowire (NW) heterojunction blue light photodetectors utilizing surface passivation and a localized surface plasmon resonance effect. The dark current is significantly reduced by passivating the InGaN NR surface states using PEDOT:PSS. The photoelectric conversion efficiency is significantly increased by increasing light absorption due to the electromagnetic field oscillation of Ag NWs. The responsivity, external quantum efficiency, detectivity, and fall/off time of the InGaN NR/PEDOT:PSS@Ag NW PDs are up to 2.9 A/W, 856%, 6.64 × 1010 Jones, and 439/725 μs, respectively, under 1 V bias and 420 nm illumination. The proposed device design presents a novel approach toward the development of low-cost, high-responsivity, high-speed blue light photodetectors for applications involving visible light communication.

A data science approach to climate change risk assessment applied to pluvial flood occurrences for the United States and Canada

Abstract There is mounting pressure on (re)insurers to quantify the impacts of climate change, notably on the frequency and severity of claims due to weather events such as flooding. This is however a very challenging task for (re)insurers as it requires modeling at the scale of a portfolio and at a high enough spatial resolution to incorporate local climate change effects. In this paper, we introduce a data science approach to climate change risk assessment of pluvial flooding for insurance portfolios over Canada and the United States (US). The underlying flood occurrence model quantifies the financial impacts of short-term (12–48 h) precipitation dynamics over the present (2010–2030) and future climate (2040–2060) by leveraging statistical/machine learning and regional climate models. The flood occurrence model is designed for applications that do not require street-level precision as is often the case for scenario and trend analyses. It is applied at the full scale of Canada and the US over 10–25 km grids. Our analyses show that climate change and urbanization will typically increase losses over Canada and the US, while impacts are strongly heterogeneous from one state or province to another, or even within a territory. Portfolio applications highlight the importance for a (re)insurer to differentiate between future changes in hazard and exposure, as the latter may magnify or attenuate the impacts of climate change on losses.

Advanced Enzyme Mimicking Engineering: 3D Biomimetic Pt Single‐Atom Nanozymes Initiating Pressure‐Driven Device

AbstractCurrent research on single‐atom nanozymes has predominantly concentrated on 2D structures, with limited exploration into the influence of 3D biomimetic structures on their catalytic performance. In this work, a 3D nanostructure of Pt single‐atom nanozyme (Pt‐NC SAzyme) is fabricated by encapsulating platinum 2,4‐pentanedionate in each molecular cage of ZIF‐8 and then pyrolyzing. X‐ray absorption fine structure analysis confirmed the presence of Pt as single atoms, with each Pt atom exclusively coordinated with four nitrogen atoms, while the *O is identified as an intermediate in the catalytic reaction. Additionally, theoretical calculations demonstrated that Pt‐NC SAzyme exhibited a lower potential energy and a shorter pathway for catalyzing the production of O2 from H2O2 than that of 2D Pt‐NC due to the localization effect, confirming a superior catalase‐like activity of Pt‐NC SAzyme. Based on the efficient O2 production from Pt‐NC SAzyme, a dual‐mode pressure immunosensor is established to achieve sensitive detection of aminopyrine by converting gas‐induced pressure into visual and timing readouts. This work introduced a novel approach to enhance the catalytic activity of SAzymes through bionic structural design and coordination environment, while also proposing a new concept for point‐of‐care testing in food safety, environmental monitoring, and disease diagnosis.

Mechanism and growth kinetics of Al3Ti phase in fifteen-layered Ti Gr.1/A1050 clads produced with the explosive welding technique

This study was dedicated to the detailed characterization of the microstructural changes and the phase analysis of the interfaces formed in explosive welding of multilayered Ti Gr.1/A1050 clads. The significant effect of the detonation source localization on the microstructure of the welded materials interfaces after collision, and consequently on the diffusion processes induced by the elevated temperature was showed. Annealing process at 550 °C for series of time intervals of the Ti/Al clad allowed to determine the growth mechanism of the Al3Ti phase formed along particular interfaces. Moreover, the microstructure observations and calculations evidenced different growth mechanisms related to the localization of the Ti/Al interface in respect to the detonation source.

Review on treatment of pleural metastasis and malignant pleural effusion with Pressurized IntraThoracic Aerosol Chemotherapy (PITAC)

Abstract Background Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a common and debilitating condition seen in advanced cancer disease, and life-expectancy is short. Symptoms include pain and severe shortness of breath. Current first-line treatment options include pleural drainage using catheters as well as pleurodesis. However, these treatment modalities are often inefficient and patients need repeated procedures. Pressurized IntraThoracic Aerosol Chemotherapy (PITAC) is a minimally invasive procedure, where antineoplastic agents are nebulized under pressure into the pleural space. Content We present the preliminary safety, feasibility, and response assessment data for PITAC based on a comprehensive literature review. Summary Five retrospective studies reported data on 38 PITACs in 21 patients. Data were heterogeneous and incomplete on several important aspects such as procedure, safety, local effect and long-term outcomes. PITAC seems technically feasible with a low risk of complications and may provide some reduction in MPE in selected cases. Outlook PITAC seems feasible, but prospective phase I and II studies are needed to define safety, indications, and efficacy.

Toxicological inhalation studies in rats to substantiate grouping of zinc oxide nanoforms

BackgroundSignificant variations exist in the forms of ZnO, making it impossible to test all forms in in vivo inhalation studies. Hence, grouping and read-across is a common approach under REACH to evaluate the toxicological profile of familiar substances. The objective of this paper is to investigate the potential role of dissolution, size, or coating in grouping ZnO (nano)forms for the purpose of hazard assessment. We performed a 90-day inhalation study (OECD test guideline no. (TG) 413) in rats combined with a reproduction/developmental (neuro)toxicity screening test (TG 421/424/426) with coated and uncoated ZnO nanoforms in comparison with microscale ZnO particles and soluble zinc sulfate. In addition, genotoxicity in the nasal cavity, lungs, liver, and bone marrow was examined via comet assay (TG 489) after 14-day inhalation exposure.ResultsZnO nanoparticles caused local toxicity in the respiratory tract. Systemic effects that were not related to the local irritation were not observed. There was no indication of impaired fertility, developmental toxicity, or developmental neurotoxicity. No indication for genotoxicity of any of the test substances was observed. Local effects were similar across the different ZnO test substances and were reversible after the end of the exposure.ConclusionWith exception of local toxicity, this study could not confirm the occasional findings in some of the previous studies regarding the above-mentioned toxicological endpoints. The two representative ZnO nanoforms and the microscale particles showed similar local effects. The ZnO nanoforms most likely exhibit their effects by zinc ions as no particles could be detected after the end of the exposure, and exposure to rapidly soluble zinc sulfate had similar effects. Obviously, material differences between the ZnO particles do not substantially alter their toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics. The grouping of ZnO nanoforms into a set of similar nanoforms is justified by these observations.

Deep soil seismic hazard assessment: analyzing the impact of local site effects by stochastic site response analysis—a comparative approach

Deep soil seismic hazard assessment: analyzing the impact of local site effects by stochastic site response analysis—a comparative approach