Historic Breakthrough Research Articles

Integration and performance analysis of artificial intelligence and computer vision based on deep learning algorithms

This paper focuses on the analysis of the application effectiveness of the integration of deep learning and computer vision technologies. Deep learning achieves a historic breakthrough by constructing hierarchical neural networks, enabling end-to-end feature learning and semantic understanding of images. The successful experiences in the field of computer vision provide strong support for training deep learning algorithms. The tight integration of these two fields has given rise to a new generation of advanced computer vision systems, significantly surpassing traditional methods in tasks such as machine vision image classification and object detection. In this paper, typical image classification cases are combined to analyze the superior performance of deep neural network models while also pointing out their limitations in generalization and interpretability, proposing directions for future improvements. Overall, the efficient integration and development trend of deep learning with massive visual data will continue to drive technological breakthroughs and application expansion in the field of computer vision, making it possible to build truly intelligent machine vision systems. This deepening fusion paradigm will powerfully promote unprecedented tasks and functions in computer vision, providing stronger development momentum for related disciplines and industries.

Synthesis of Alkynylsilanes: A Review of the State of the Art

AbstractThis contribution offers a comprehensive overview of methods for forging sp C−Si bonds. Over time, alkynylsilanes (silylacetylenes), once considered mere byproducts of hydrosilylation processes, have become essential building blocks in organic synthesis. This literature review traces the evolution of their synthesis, from traditional methodologies relying on organolithium and organomagnesium compounds to more advanced cross‐coupling reactions involving hydro‐ and carbosilanes. Focused primarily on the past 25 years (2000–2024), it also extensively references significant historical breakthroughs. By analyzing synthetic methodologies, the review not only offers a comprehensive survey of the current state of knowledge but also identifies areas for improvement. Furthermore, to emphasize the importance of 1‐alkynylsilanes (1‐silyl‐1‐alkynes), selected applications of these compounds are highlighted, confirming their significant potential in organic synthesis.

Breakthroughs in satellite remote sensing of floods

Flooding is among the top-ranking disasters worldwide, evident through frequent and devastating events causing significant localized impacts and broader repercussions. Floods lead to substantial insured and uninsured losses, with a few hundred billions of $US in flood-related losses over the last 5 years, only a moderate amount of which were insured. Remote sensing, especially via satellite technology, has great potential for flood mapping and monitoring. Although many initiatives utilize satellites for flood response, few have resulted in operational protocols for mandated response organizations. Historic breakthroughs in satellite remote sensing have occurred since the 1970s, with six major milestones enhancing flood monitoring over the last half century. This article looks back at these technological development breakthroughs and the barriers to progress they lifted. Advancements in machine learning, cloud computing, and increased satellite missions promise more developments. Anticipated innovations include satellite constellations with various sensors and self-learning processing models to relay real-time insights for disaster response. Looking forward, a transformative shift in flood mapping from space may be expected as early as 2025, driven by enhanced orbital computing for predictive capabilities, improving disaster preparedness and response.

Over 132 Years Ago, the Inaugural Immunotherapy Treated Its First Head and Neck Cancer Patient.

Immunotherapy in oncology has a more extensive history than is commonly perceived. Rooted in the observations and experiences of multiple physicians in the late 19th century, immunological interventions are currently integral to the oncological therapeutic repertoire. This article seeks to delineate the evolution of cancer immunotherapy, tracing its inception in 1891 with the pioneering work of an American surgeon, William B. Coley, who achieved the first documented cure of a cancer case involving a malignant head and neck tumor. The narrative extends to encompass successive historical breakthroughs and prospective developments in this dynamic field.

Beyond skincare routines: Follow your gut to healthy skin – A review of the interplay between gut microbiome and skin

The gut microbiome, comprising trillions of microorganisms with diverse genetic material, plays a pivotal role in human health. Its impact on immunity, metabolism, and even psychological well-being has garnered significant attention. This review delves into the evolution of microbiome research, highlighting historic breakthroughs and modern revelations. The gut microbiota’s influence extends beyond digestion, impacting immune system development, hormone regulation, and maintenance of protective barriers. Disturbances in this balance, known as dysbiosis, can disrupt immune responses, fostering harmful bacteria over beneficial ones. Dysbiosis has been linked to various diseases, motivating exploration of the gut-skin axis. Research suggests that the gut microbiome significantly influences dermatological conditions. Imbalances can contribute to skin diseases like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Short-chain fatty acids produced by gut bacteria have anti-inflammatory effects and maintain skin health. Gut dysbiosis can lead to systemic inflammation, affecting skin physiology. Ultraviolet (UV) damage and skin aging are also affected by the gut microbiome. Studies reveal that certain Lactobacillus strains, ingested orally, possess anti-inflammatory properties, mitigating UV-induced skin aging. Moreover, supplementation with specific bacteria enhances skin elasticity and hydration. Conditions such as rosacea, hidradenitis suppurativa, and chronic spontaneous urticaria have been linked to gut dysbiosis. Research indicates a potential for treatments that target the gut microbiome, such as fecal microbiota transplantation and probiotics, to alleviate dermatological disorders. In conclusion, the gut microbiome exerts a profound influence on skin health and diseases. Its intricate interactions with the immune system, systemic inflammation, and barrier maintenance underscore its significance. Harnessing these insights could lead to innovative therapies for various skin conditions, paving the way for enhanced well-being.

Stimulus-Responsive Nanodelivery and Release Systems for Cancer Gene Therapy: Efficacy Improvement Strategies.

Introduction of exogenous genes into target cells to overcome various tumor diseases caused by genetic defects or abnormalities and gene therapy, a new treatment method, provides a promising strategy for tumor treatment. Over the past decade, gene therapy has made exciting progress; however, it still faces the challenge of low nucleic acid delivery and release efficiencies. The emergence of nonviral vectors, primarily nanodelivery and release systems (NDRS), has resulted in a historic breakthrough in the application of gene therapy. NDRS, especially stimulus-responsive NDRS that can respond in a timely manner to changes in the internal and external microenvironment (eg, low pH, high concentration of glutathione/reactive oxygen species, overexpressed enzymes, temperature, light, ultrasound, and magnetic field), has shown excellent loading and release advantages in the precision and efficiency of tumor gene therapy and has been widely applied. The only disadvantage is that poor transfection efficiency limits the in-depth application of gene therapy in clinical practice, owing to the presence of biological barriers in the body. Therefore, this review first introduces the development history of gene therapy, the current obstacles faced by gene delivery, strategies to overcome these obstacles, and conventional vectors, and then focuses on the latest research progress in various stimulus-responsive NDRS for improving gene delivery efficiency. Finally, the future challenges and prospects that stimulus-responsive NDRS may face in clinical application and transformation are discussed to provide references for enhancing in-depth research on tumor gene therapy.

Fraunhofer FEP: Innovative roll-to-roll plasma process for graphene layers / TNO develops first method for fully circular electronics / drupa 2024: “Record number of deals signed” / IDEEL project: Industry-relevant scaling of laser drying processes for lithium-ion batteries within reach / FlexEnable achieves “historic breakthrough“ in flexible display technology / “The most powerful organic photovoltaic system in Germany to date”

Fraunhofer FEP: Innovative roll-to-roll plasma process for graphene layers / TNO develops first method for fully circular electronics / drupa 2024: “Record number of deals signed” / IDEEL project: Industry-relevant scaling of laser drying processes for lithium-ion batteries within reach / FlexEnable achieves “historic breakthrough“ in flexible display technology / “The most powerful organic photovoltaic system in Germany to date”

O Metamorfozach Owidiusza z Haarlemu

The article considers a series of relief prints by Hendrik Goltzius. The artist intended for these prints to become an ‘illustrated companion’ to Ovid’s Metamorphoses, or, alternatively, a sort of mirror image that reflects the poetic world of Metamorphoses in another creative medium. The first part of this analysis surveys Goltzius’ creative career and examines which life events might have encouraged the artist to start working on his adaptation of Metamorphoses. In the second part of the article, we discuss the creation of Goltzius’ drawings and copperplate engravings, explaining why the work of this Haarlem artist represents a historic breakthrough in the illustrative tradition of Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Finally, the third part of the article assesses whether Goltzius’ Metamorphoses prints adhere to established conventions of the emblematic art (ars emblematica).

Vaccination against COVID-19 – historical foundations

Vaccinations are a relatively recent development in human history. Variolation, i.e. contacting healthy persons with biological material from mildly ill individuals was the prototype of a vaccine. Although used for centuries, it was only at the end of the 19th century that Louis Pasteur developed the first successful vaccines (including against rabies). Over the years, new preparations against many diseases were developed and improved by modifying, among others, route of administration or antigen vector. The general mechanism of action, i.e. preparing the immune system to fight off a given pathogen, remained unchanged. Vaccination has contributed to the reduced spread of multiple infectious diseases, and even complete elimination of some of them. The discovery of vaccination had a significant impact on reducing mortality, extending lifespan and improving the quality of life. We are again facing the threat of infectious epidemics in this era of advancing globalisation, climate crisis and population migratory movements. These predictions were confirmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Intensive work of many research centres has led to a rapid development of an innovative mRNA vaccine against this clinical entity. These vaccines act by introducing an mRNA template into the host cell to stimulate antigen synthesis in vivo. Once again, science has succeeded in limiting the spread of a disease, which was a historic breakthrough. This paper presents a historical outline of the stages of the development of vaccinology leading to the modern concept and technology of vaccine production.

Engineering Natural Layered Framework for Low and Anisotropic Thermal Conductivity

AbstractThe development of nano–manufacture technology in the twenty‐first century has paved the way for artificial nanostructure constructions like man–made superlattices, providing historical breakthroughs in thermal physics and thermoelectrics by the modulation of phonons. Still, high–performance thermal insulators haven't come into operation due to the arduousness, costing and unscalability of artificiality. Herein, intentional engineering on a so–called ‘natural superlattice’ with alternating PbSe– and Bi2Se3–layer crystal structure is brought forth to recreate the mechanism of artificial superlattices and boost phonon localization. The thermal conductivity notably shows a direction–specific reduction, leading to minimum approaching and enhanced anisotropy. The modification of the natural framework and its effects have been supported by various transport and structure studies. This work sets a generalizable example for natural layered material engineering that bridges between the inflexible, changeless but self–assembled natural layered compounds, and the highly efficient, delicately tailored but unscalable artificial superlattice complexes. The methodology promises new horizons for practicable thermal management.

Federal fiscal capacity and the challenge of the green transition in the EU

ABSTRACT The debate on the necessity of a federal fiscal capacity in the EU has featured prominently on the EU’s agenda over the past decade. New Generation EU marks a historic breakthrough in that regard. This breakthrough has been accomplished in order to fulfil macroeconomic stabilization functions, but the bulk of the funding has been earmarked for green transition projects. This paper asks whether a federal budget has added value in relation to the green transition and provides a theoretically informed answer. It ends with a call to revise articles 311 and 312 TFEU so as to grant fiscal powers to the EU

Pułapka „ciepłych portretów”. Wybrane przykłady ukraińskich heteroobrazów w literaturze i kinie polskim na początku XXI wieku

The expressions of Polish solidarity with Ukrainians after the aggression of the Russian Federation on February 24, 2022 was absolutely unprecedented. Undoubtedly, such a radical historical breakthrough would not have been possible without the contribution of Ukrainian migration diplomacy, implemented, often unknowingly, by hundreds of thousands of migrants who, through direct contact with Poles, reduced the conflict-causing potential of Ukrainian-Polish history. The aim of this paper is to examine the evolution of Ukrainian heteroimages appearing in Polish cinema and literature at the beginning of the 21st century, e.g. Lady from Ukraine by Paweł Łoziński, Ukrainian girl by Barbara Kosmowska and reportages written by Marta Mazuś and Monika Sobień-Górska. The author also focuses attention on the migration counter-discourse in Guest Worker Literature, the role of the Polish-Ukrainian theater and the intercultural perspective for future literary and artistic searches.

Bottom-up pledge and review’ approach of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in the Paris Agreement: A historic breakthrough or a setback in new climate governance?

bottom-up pledge and review’ approach of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in the Paris Agreement: A historic breakthrough or a setback in new climate governance?

Dynamics of reduced graphene oxide: synthesis and structural models.

Technological advancements are leading to an upsurge in demand for functional materials that satisfy several of humankind's needs. In addition to this, the current global drive is to develop materials with high efficacy in intended applications whilst practising green chemistry principles to ensure sustainability. Carbon-based materials, such as reduced graphene oxide (RGO), in particular, can possibly meet this criterion because they can be derived from waste biomass (a renewable material), possibly synthesised at low temperatures without the use of hazardous chemicals, and are biodegradable (owing to their organic nature), among other characteristics. Additionally, RGO as a carbon-based material is gaining momentum in several applications due to its lightweight, nontoxicity, excellent flexibility, tuneable band gap (from reduction), higher electrical conductivity (relative to graphene oxide, GO), low cost (owing to the natural abundance of carbon), and potentially facile and scalable synthesis protocols. Despite these attributes, the possible structures of RGO are still numerous with notable critical variations and the synthesis procedures have been dynamic. Herein, we summarize the highlights from the historical breakthroughs in understanding the structure of RGO (from the perspective of GO) and the recent state-of-the-art synthesis protocols, covering the period from 2020 to 2023. These are key aspects in the realisation of the full potential of RGO materials through the tailoring of physicochemical properties and reproducibility. The reviewed work highlights the merits and prospects of the physicochemical properties of RGO toward achieving sustainable, environmentally friendly, low-cost, and high-performing materials at a large scale for use in functional devices/processes to pave the way for commercialisation. This can drive the sustainability and commercial viability aspects of RGO as a material.

Liturgical Ministries of Men and Women: Lectorate and Acolytate Then and Now

The article reflects on a recent change in the Catholic Church that women have been admitted to the liturgical ministry of lectors and acolytes by Pope Francis’ Motu proprio ‘Spiritus Domini’. The main research question of the article is: to what extent is this a complete innovation, a return to tradition, or an organic development of the liturgy? The research method rests on two pillars: first, the detailed study of the historical roots of these ministries in Christian antiquity; second, the study of the gradual adaptation of the lectorate and the acolyte in the second half of the 20th century. The conclusion of the article states that this is a logical consequence of the change that occurred in 1972 with Pope Paul VI’s Motu proprio ‘Ministeria quaedam’ and that we cannot speak of a historical breakthrough, given that women exercised these services before. In the appendix, the article offers a brief discussion of the female diaconate in relation to other liturgical ministries.

The critique of the Westphalian peace narrative

The article studies perceptions of the Peace of Westphalia that were formed in the fields of international relations history and the general theory of international law as a result of conflicting doctrines, with some claiming the Westphalian treaties of 1648 are of universal significance for these scientific fields, and others, conversely, denying that these treaties had any sort of influence on the formation of a modern system of international relations and the formation of international law as a legal system. The article concludes that the treaties of the Peace of Westphalia does not actually contain many of the provisions attributed to them. These norms often arise only from their interpretation. However, the critics of the treaties’ significance for the history of international relations and their international legal regulationwho focused their attention only on the verbatim text of these documents while ignoring the historical conditions surrounding their development and adoption, failed to properly assess their impact. The Westphalian Congress was the first congress in world history that was pan-European in character. Its widely representative nature, the lengthy period of time during which it was held, the content of the treaties and the universally binding nature of their provisions, as well as the protocol rules, allow us to claim that the states of this world region started to identify themselves as part of a single pan-European international community. Moreover, the Congress also saw the creation, in a relatively short time, not only of treaties, but also of customary norms of general international law that were of fundamental importance for the formation of a new system of international relations. Despite the fact that most of the provisions of the Peace Treaty of Westphalia of 1648 havean applied nature, it is by no means an insignificant medieval treaty, the only virtue of which lies in it ending the Thirty Years' War. The Peace of Westphalia is an example of the first pan-European international treaty in world historywhich formulated a number of binding norms for all states of this part of the world. To sum up, the Westphalian Peace Treaty was, a historic breakthrough the creation of treaty norms of general international law, and therefore the it should be deemed a historical milestone in the creation of international law as a legal system.

Pore Structure Characteristics and Affecting Factors of Shale in the First Member of the Qingshankou Formation in the Gulong Sag, Songliao Basin.

A major historical breakthrough has been made in the exploration of the GK (the first member of the Qingshankou Formation (K2qn1), Gulong Sag) shale oil of the Songliao Basin. However, few reports have been reported on the pore structure characteristics of this large-scale lacustrine medium–high maturity shale. In addition, the difference between the pore structure characteristics of the GK shale and medium–low maturity marine/continental shale is unknown, and the affecting factors of pore development are still unclear. Therefore, in order to clarify the pore structure characteristics of the GK shale and its affecting factors, this study characterized them experimentally and revealed the law of pore evolution using the mineral composition and geochemical analysis, microscopic observations, and pore quantification techniques. Results indicate that (1) the pore system of GK shale reservoirs is divided into micropores (pore diameter < 10 nm), mesopores (10 nm < pore diameter < 50 nm), and macropores (pore diameter > 50 nm); (2) the pore structure of the GK shale is mainly affected by the clay content, siliceous mineral content, and thermal maturity; and (3) when the content of clay minerals and siliceous minerals in the GK shale reservoir is high, and ∼0.8% < Ro < ∼1.4%, the storage capacity and oil content of the GK shale show high values, and it can be considered as a strong candidate for further exploration and development. This research can push the shale oil revolution to a new height and is significant to promote the development of the petroleum industry.

Identification of Hub Genes of Lung Adenocarcinoma Based on Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network in Chinese Population.

Purpose: Lung adenocarcinoma is one of the most common malignancies. Though some historic breakthroughs have been made in lung adenocarcinoma, its molecular mechanisms of development remain elusive. The aim of this study was to identify the potential genes associated with the lung adenocarcinoma progression and to provide new ideas for the prognosis evaluation of lung adenocarcinoma. Methods: The transcriptional profiles of ten pairs of snap-frozen tumor and adjacent normal lung tissues were obtained by performing RNA-seq. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to construct free-scale gene co-expression networks in order to explore the associations of gene sets with the clinical features and to investigate the functional enrichment analysis of co-expression genes. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) analyses were performed using clusterProfiler. The protein-protein network (PPI) was established using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) and hub genes were identified using Cytohubba in Cytoscape. Transcription factor enrichment analysis was performed by the RcisTarget program in R language. Results: Based on RNA-seq data, 1,545 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found. Eight co-expression modules were identified among these DEGs. The blue module exhibited a strong correlation with LUAD, in which ADCY4, RXFP1, AVPR2, CALCRL, ADRB1, RAMP3, RAMP2 and VIPR1 were hub genes. A low expression level of RXFP1, AVPR2, ADRB1 and VIPR1 was detrimental to the survival of LUAD patients. Genes in the blue module enriched in 86 Gene Ontology terms and five KEGG pathways. We also found that transcription factors EGR3 and EXOSC3 were related to the biological function of the blue module. Overall, this study brings a new perspective to the understanding of LUAD and provides possible molecular biomarkers for prognosis evaluation of LUAD.

Food and feed safety of the Bacillus thuringiensis derived protein Vpb4Da2, a novel protein for control of western corn rootworm.

Western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, LeConte, is an insect pest that poses a significant threat to the productivity of modern agriculture, causing significant economic and crop losses. The development of genetically modified (GM) crops expressing one or more proteins that confer tolerance to specific insect pests, such as WCR, was a historic breakthrough in agricultural biotechnology and continues to serve as an invaluable tool in pest management. Despite this, evolving resistance to existing insect control proteins expressed in current generation GM crops requires continued identification of new proteins with distinct modes of action while retaining targeted insecticidal efficacy. GM crops expressing insecticidal proteins must undergo extensive safety assessments prior to commercialization to ensure that they pose no increased risk to the health of humans or other animals relative to their non-GM conventional counterparts. As part of these safety evaluations, a weight of evidence approach is utilized to assess the safety of the expressed insecticidal proteins to evaluate any potential risk in the context of dietary exposure. This study describes the food and feed safety assessment of Vpb4Da2, a new Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal protein that confers in planta tolerance to WCR. Vpb4Da2 exhibits structural and functional similarities to other insect control proteins expressed in commercialized GM crops. In addition, the lack of homology to known toxins or allergens, a lack of acute toxicity in mice, inactivation by conditions commonly experienced in the human gut or during cooking/food processing, and the extremely low expected dietary exposure to Vpb4Da2 provide a substantial weight of evidence to demonstrate that the Vpb4Da2 protein poses no indication of a risk to the health of humans or other animals.

The Dawn of Science as Cultural Authority in China: Tianyanlun (On Heavenly Evolution) in the Post-1895 Debate over the Engagement with Western Civilization

There is an intriguing puzzle to be found in the historiography of science in modern China: Yan Fu's 嚴復 (1854--1921) Tianyanlun 天演論 (On Heavenly Evolution), which was published in 1898 as the Chinese translation of Thomas Huxley's Evolution and Ethics (1893), is widely celebrated as the most influential book in modern Chinese intellectual history. And yet, this science-based book has received little,—if any,—credit in the history of science. Taking this puzzle as a clue, this article argues that On Heavenly Evolution constituted a historic breakthrough in a three-centuries-long struggle to win cultural authority for Western science in China, with the ultimate goal of persuading the Chinese to embrace Western civilization as a whole. The context within which On Heavenly Evolution played this pivotal role was the historical debate over the preservation or abandonment of China's quintessential teachings (jiao 教), which took place in the aftermath of China's catastrophic defeat in the first Sino-Japanese war of 1895. It is well-known that Yan Fu and Zhang Zhidong 張之洞 (1837--1909), the powerful architect of the New Policy Reform (1898--1912), held polarized positions in this debate over whether or not to abandon the most cherished institutions and ethical norms of Chinese civilization. What most scholars do not realize, however, is that these two towering figures based their positions on two opposing conceptions of Western science/technology: Following the strategy set up by Matteo Ricci (1552--1610) in the seventeenth century, Yan Fu fashioned Western science as Neo-Confucian gezhi 格致 (Investigation of Things to Acquire Knowledge) to win cultural authority for it, and thereby created a unique local conception of Western science as “Western gezhi” (xixue gezhi 西學格致). Vehemently rejecting Yan Fu's conception of “Western gezhi” and the resulting status of Western science as cultural authority, Zhang Zhidong created the notion of “Western mechanical arts” (xiyi 西藝) instead and promoted it as an official category in his reform agenda. By making visible their debate over the proper conception of Western science/technology, this article draws readers’ attention to the historic breakthrough moment when Western science became a major source of cultural authority in China. Along the way, it further argues that what was at stake in the debate over China's quintessential teachings—from Yan Fu's perspective,—was nothing less than the universality of “Western civilization” and therefore a wholesale adoption of it in China,—the very first time this radical idea was proposed in Chinese history. When On Heavenly Evolution—as a concrete manifestation of Yan's conception of “Western gezhi”—rose in importance to become the most influential book of modern Chinese thought, Western science finally succeeded in becoming the trusted foundation not only for the universalism of Western civilization, but at the same time also for the Neo-Confucian Way, while also paving the road for “Mr. Science” to exercise a previously unimaginable influence in twentieth-century China. Situating this Chinese debate in the context of the rise of the globally circulating conception of “Western science” in the late nineteenth Century, this article demonstrates the importance of investigating how non-Europeans embraced, challenged, and reconfigured the primacy of science relative to technology, which was taken for granted in that conception.