Microscopy Images Research Articles

Multimodal Image Fusion Workflow Incorporating MALDI Imaging Mass Spectrometry and Microscopy for the Study of Small Pharmaceutical Compounds.

Multimodal imaging analyses of dosed tissue samples can provide more comprehensive insights into the effects of a therapeutically active compound on a target tissue compared to single-modal imaging. For example, simultaneous spatial mapping of pharmaceutical compounds and endogenous macromolecule receptors is difficult to achieve in a single imaging experiment. Herein, we present a multimodal workflow combining imaging mass spectrometry with immunohistochemistry (IHC) fluorescence imaging and brightfield microscopy imaging. Imaging mass spectrometry enables direct mapping of pharmaceutical compounds and metabolites, IHC fluorescence imaging can visualize large proteins, and brightfield microscopy imaging provides tissue morphology information. Single-cell resolution images are generally difficult to acquire using imaging mass spectrometry but are readily acquired with IHC fluorescence and brightfield microscopy imaging. Spatial sharpening of mass spectrometry images would thus allow for higher fidelity coregistration with other higher-resolution microscopy images. Imaging mass spectrometry spatial resolution can be predicted to a finer value via a computational image fusion workflow, which models the relationship between the intensity values in the mass spectrometry image and the features of a high-spatial resolution microscopy image. As a proof of concept, our multimodal workflow was applied to brain tissue extracted from a Sprague-Dawley rat dosed with a kratom alkaloid, corynantheidine. Four candidate mathematical models, including linear regression, partial least-squares regression, random forest regression, and two-dimensional convolutional neural network (2-D CNN), were tested. The random forest and 2-D CNN models most accurately predicted the intensity values at each pixel as well as the overall patterns of the mass spectrometry images, while also providing the best spatial resolution enhancements. Herein, image fusion enabled predicted mass spectrometry images of corynantheidine, GABA, and glutamine to approximately 2.5 μm spatial resolutions, a significant improvement compared to the original images acquired at 25 μm spatial resolution. The predicted mass spectrometry images were then coregistered with an H&E image and IHC fluorescence image of the μ-opioid receptor to assess colocalization of corynantheidine with brain cells. Our study also provides insights into the different evaluation parameters to consider when utilizing image fusion for biological applications.

Fusarium kamalianum, a new species of Fusarium from India from ornamental Chamaedorea seifrizii

A novel species, Fusarium kamalianum, belonging to the Fusarium oxysporum species complex (FOSC), is established to accommodate a fungal pathogen that was isolated from infected Chamaedorea seifrizii (Bamboo palm). The identification of this pathogenic strain was determined based on the cultural features, asexual-morphs, and phylogenetic analysis based on translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef-1α), RNA polymerase second largest subunit (rpb2), internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), 28S large subunit (LSU), and β-tubulin (tub2) sequence data. The detailed taxonomic descriptions, cultural, microscopic images, and phylogenetic trees are presented for the introduced taxon. The sequencing data of this isolate exhibited substantial distinctness from the previously discovered species of Fusarium and created a unique distinct clade. This is the first study that reports infection in Chamaedorea seifrizii plants caused by Fusarium species.

Cyclodextrin inclusion complex and amorphous solid dispersions as formulation approaches for enhancement of curcumin’s solubility and nasal epithelial membrane permeation

BackgroundCurcumin is a compound that occurs in the rhizomes of the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa) and has shown potential for the treatment of illnesses including certain neurodegenerative diseases. The bioavailability of curcumin is hindered by its extremely poor aqueous solubility.ResultsThis study aimed to apply formulation strategies such as inclusion complex formation with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD), as well as amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) formation with poly(vinylpyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate) (PVP VA64) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) to increase curcumin’s solubility and thereby its nasal epithelial membrane permeation. The curcumin formulations were evaluated by means of DSC, TGA, FT-IR, XRPD, microscopic imaging, aqueous solubility and membrane permeation across nasal respiratory and olfactory epithelial membranes. The solubility of curcumin was substantially increased by the formulations from 8.4 µg/ml for the curcumin raw material to 79.0 µg/ml for the HPβCD inclusion complex, 256.4 µg/ml for the HPMC ASD and 314.9 µg/ml for the PVP VA64 ASD. The HPMC ASD only slightly changed the membrane permeation of curcumin, while the PVP VA64 ASD decreased the membrane permeation of curcumin. The HPβCD inclusion complex enhanced the nasal epithelial membrane permeation of curcumin statistically significantly across the olfactory epithelial tissue and extensively across the respiratory epithelial tissue.ConclusionComplexation of curcumin with HPβCD enhanced the solubility of curcumin and thereby also increased its permeation across excised nasal respiratory and olfactory epithelial tissue. This indicated high potential of the curcumin-HPβCD complex for nose-to-brain delivery of curcumin for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases by means of intranasal administration.Graphical abstract

Preparation of Langmuir-Blodgett Films from Quinoxalines Exhibiting Aggregation-Induced Emission and Their Acidochromism.

The development of aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-exhibiting compounds heavily relies on our evolving comprehension of their behavior at interfaces, an understanding that still remains notably limited. In this study, we explored the preparation of two-dimensional (2D) sensing films from 2,3-diphenylquinoxaline-based diazapolyoxa- and polyazamacrocycles displaying AIE via the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. This systematic investigation highlights the key role of the heteroatom-containing tether of 2,3-diphenylquinoxalines in the successful fabrication of Langmuir layers at the air-water interface and the transfer of AIE-emitting supramolecular aggregates onto solid supports. Using both diazapolyoxa- and polyazamacrocycles, we prepared AIE-exhibiting monolayer films containing emissive supramolecular aggregates on silica, mica, and quartz glass and characterized them using ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopies, atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging, and fluorescence microscopy. We also obtained multilayer AIE-emitting films through the LB technique, albeit with increased complexity. Remarkably, by employing the smallest macrocycle N2C3Q, we successfully prepared LB films suitable for the visual detection of acidic vapors. This sensing material, which contains a much lesser amount of organic dye compared with traditional drop-cast films, can be regenerated and utilized for real-life sample analysis, such as monitoring the presence of ammonia in the air and the freshness of meat.

Copper Oxide Electrochemical Deposition to Create Antiviral and Antibacterial Nanocoatings.

The impact of the reaction environment on the formation of the polycrystalline layer and its biomedical (antimicrobial) applications were analyzed in detail. Copper oxide layers were synthesized using an electrodeposition technique, with varying additives influencing the morphology, thickness, and chemical composition. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images confirmed the successful formation of polyhedral structures. Unmodified samples (CuL) crystallized as a mixture of copper oxide (I) and (II), with a thickness of approximately 1.74 μm. The inclusion of the nonconductive polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) during synthesis led to a regular and compact CuO-rich structure (CuL-PVP). Conversely, adding glucose resulted in forming a Cu2O-rich nanostructured layer (CuL-D(+)G). Both additives significantly reduced the sample thickness to 617 nm for CuL-PVP and 560 nm for CuL-D(+)G. The effectiveness of the synthesized copper oxide layers was demonstrated in their ability to significantly reduce the T4 phage titer by approximately 2.5-3 log. Notably, CuL-PVP and CuL-D(+)G showed a more substantial reduction in the MS2 phage titer, achieving about a 5-log decrease. In terms of antibacterial activity, CuL and CuL-PVP exhibited moderate efficacy against Escherichia coli, whereas CuL-D(+)G reduced the E. coli titer to undetectable levels. All samples induced similar reductions in Staphylococcus aureus titer. The study revealed differential susceptibilities, with Gram-negative bacteria being more vulnerable to CuL-D(+)G due to its unique composition and morphology. The antimicrobial properties were attributed to the redox cycling of Cu ions, which generate ROS, and the mechanical damage caused by nanostructured surfaces. A crucial finding was the impact of surface composition rather than surface morphology on antimicrobial efficacy. Samples with a dominant Cu2O composition exhibited potent antibacterial and antiviral properties, whereas CuO-rich materials showed predominantly enhanced antiviral activity. This research highlights the significance of phase composition in determining the antimicrobial properties of copper oxide layers synthesized through electrodeposition.

High ambient temperature may induce presbyopia via TRPV1 activation.

The prevalence of presbyopia and nuclear cataracts (NUC) is reported to be higher in tropical areas than that in other regions, suggesting a potential influence of high temperatures on lens health. Transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) channels play a crucial role in detecting ambient temperatures across various species, with TRPV1 and TRPV4 expressed in lens epithelial cells. In this study, we investigated whether ambient temperatures affect TRPV1 and TRPV4 activity in the lens, potentially contributing to the development of presbyopia and NUC. We conducted experiments using cultured human lens epithelial cell lines under different temperature conditions. Our results revealed that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 pathways, downstream molecules of TRPV1, were activated, while Src family kinase, a downstream molecule of TRPV4, was inhibited at 37.5°C culture compared to 35.0°C. Confocal microscope images demonstrated higher expression of TRPV1 in 3D-structured cells under high-temperature culture conditions. Additionally, in organ culture lenses, higher elasticity was observed at elevated temperatures compared to that at lower temperatures. These results suggest that high ambient temperatures may induce lens sclerosis via TRPV1 activation, potentially contributing to the development of presbyopia and NUC.

An effective investigation of chatter prediction system on Al6061 alloy in an end milling process

Visual examination of the surface topography, in conjunction with the other sensors, may confirm the existence of chatter. Online chatter detection during real machining operations is possible with the use of sensors, and the presence of noise in their output and restricted bandwidth are the major drawbacks of these sensors. Productivity drops and manufacturing costs go up when there is a lot of chatter in the machining process. In the present paper, an integrated spindle tool system is modeled using finite element method with Timoshenko beam theory including rotational and shear deformation effects. To maximize the average stable depth of cut in an end milling process while simultaneously minimizing the chatter vibration levels, real time and offline strategies have been investigated. Machining experiments performed on Al6061-alloy specimens provide an empirical confirmation of the stability boundaries. The surface topography methods such as scanning electron microscope (SEM) and optical microscope images along with vibration levels are considered, to identify chatter marks under various machining conditions, which helps to assure cutting process stability. Stability lobe diagrams are plotted with these derived conditions and observed at an incremental level in the axial depths of the cut. The methodology shown in this paper improves the machining stability of the end milling with the reduction in the tool tip vibrations.

Detection of proteins with ascorbic acid-capped gold nanoparticles: a simple and highly sensitive colorimetric assay.

We report a simple and highly sensitive colorimetric method for the detection and quantification of proteins, based on the aggregation of ascorbic acid (AA) capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by proteins. The interactions between our AuNPs and nine different proteins of various sizes and shapes (cytochrome C (12 kDa), lysozyme (14.3 kDa), myoglobin (17 kDa), human serum albumin (66 kDa), bovine serum albumin (66.4 kDa), human transferrin (80 kDa), aldolase (160 kDa), catalase (240 kDa), and human H-ferritin (500 kDa)) generated similar AuNPs-protein absorption spectra in a concentration-dependent manner in the range of 1-15 nM. Upon the addition of a protein, the UV-visible spectra of AuNPs-protein conjugates shifted from 524 nm for the AuNps alone to longer wavelength (600-750 nm) due to the presence of one of these proteins. This bathochromic shift is accompanied by a color change from a cherry red, to dark purple, and then light grey or colorless if excess protein has been added, indicating the formation of AuNPs-protein conjugates followed by protein-induced aggregation of the AuNPs. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images revealed uniformly distributed spherical nanoparticles with an average size of 27.5 ± 15.2 nm, increasing in size to 39.6 ± 12.9 nm upon the addition of a protein, indicating the formation of AuNPs-protein conjugates in solution. A general mechanism for the protein-induced aggregation of our AuNPs is proposed. The consistent behavior observed with the nine proteins tested in our study suggests that our assay can be universally applied for the quantification of pure proteins in a solution, regardless of size, shape, or molecular weight.

Melt electrowriting of poly(ϵ-caprolactone)—poly(ethylene glycol) backbone polymer blend scaffolds with improved hydrophilicity and functionality

Melt electrowriting (MEW) is an additive manufacturing technique that harnesses electro-hydrodynamic phenomena to produce 3D-printed fibres with diameters on the scale of 10s of microns. The ability to print at this small scale provides opportunities to create structures with incredibly fine resolution and highly defined morphology. The current gold standard material for MEW is poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL), a polymer with excellent biocompatibility but lacking in chemical groups that can allow intrinsic additional functionality. To provide this functionality while maintaining PCL’s positive attributes, blending was performed with a Poly(Ethylene Glycol) (PEG)-based Acrylate endcapped Urethane-based Precursor (AUP). AUPs are a group of polymers, built on a backbone of existing polymers, which introduce additional functionality by the addition of one or more acrylate groups that terminate the polymer chain of a backbone polymer. By blending with a 20kDa AUP-PEG in small amounts, it is shown that MEW attributes are preserved, producing high-quality meshes. Blends were produced in various PCL:AUP weight ratios (100:0, 90:10 and 0:100) and processed into both solvent-cast films and MEW meshes that were used to characterise the properties of the blends. It was found that the addition of AUP-PEG to PCL significantly increases the hydrophilicity of structures produced with these polymers, and adds swelling capability compared to the non-swelling PCL. The developed blend (90:10) is shown to be processable using MEW, and the quality of manufactured scaffolds is evaluated against pure PCL scaffolds by performing scanning electron microscopy image analysis, with the quality of the novel MEW blend scaffolds showing comparable quality to that of pure PCL. The presence of the functionalisable AUP material on the surface of the developed scaffolds is also confirmed using fluorescence labelling of the acrylate groups. Biocompatibility of the MEW-processable blend was confirmed through a cell viability study, which found a high degree of cytocompatibility.

Corrosion behavior of combination of laser beam welded UNS S32304 + SS304L in 3.5% NaCl solution

This study investigates the corrosion behavior of laser beam-welded UNS S32304 and SS304L in 3.5% NaCl solutions, focusing on the effects of temperature. The primary objective is to enhance the understanding of corrosion resistance in welded materials and inspire advancements in corrosion mitigation strategies. The methodology involves assessing corrosion resistance under varying temperatures and comparing the performance of laser beam welding (LBW) with that of the base metals. Scanning electron microscopy analysis reveals effective passivation, while quantitative analysis indicates differences in chloride ion coverage between the weld metal and base metals. Tafel plots and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy demonstrate enhanced corrosion potential and improved barrier properties for the weld metal. Results indicate a marginal reduction in corrosion resistance at 50 °C for both base metals. LBW metals corrosion resistance demonstrates superior performance, with only 5% reduction in breakdown potential compared to 10% in base metals. Compared to the base metal, it exhibits a substantial reduction in corrosion rate, ranging from 60 to 75%. This supports enhanced corrosion resistance and material stability. Additionally, similar results are observed after the analysis with scanning electron microscopy images, reinforcing the efficacy of LBW in improving corrosion resistance of LBW UNS S32304 and SS304L. These findings underscore the potential of LBW for applications requiring robust corrosion performance. By contributing to the understanding of the corrosion behavior of laser beam-welded materials, this study addresses a critical research gap in material science and corrosion engineering. Future research may explore long-term durability and corrosion resistance under diverse environmental conditions to further elucidate the mechanisms driving the observed differences in corrosion behavior.

Investigating the impact of 2-OHOA-embedded liposomes on biophysical properties of cancer cell membranes via Laurdan two-photon microscopy imaging

2-Hydroxyoleic acid (2-OHOA) has gained attention as a membrane lipid therapy (MLT) anti-cancer drug. However, in the viewpoint of anti-cancer drug, 2-OHOA shows poor water solubility and its effectiveness still has space for improvement. Thus, this study aimed to overcome the problems by formulating 2-OHOA into liposome dosage form. Furthermore, in the context of MLT reagents, the influence of 2-OHOA on the biophysical properties of the cytoplasmic membrane remains largely unexplored. To bridge this gap, our study specifically focused the alterations in cancer cell membrane fluidity and lipid packing characteristics before and after treatment. By using a two-photon microscope and the Laurdan fluorescence probe, we noted that liposomes incorporating 2-OHOA induced a more significant reduction in cancer cell membrane fluidity, accompanied by a heightened rate of cellular apoptosis when compared to the non-formulated 2-OHOA. Importantly, the enhanced efficacy of 2-OHOA within the liposomal formulation demonstrated a correlation with its endocytic uptake mechanism. In conclusion, our findings underscore the significant influence of 2-OHOA on the biophysical properties of cancer plasma membranes, emphasizing the potential of liposomes as an optimized delivery system for 2-OHOA in anti-cancer therapy.

Reproducibility of c-Met Immunohistochemical Scoring (Clone SP44) for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Using Conventional Light Microscopy and Whole Slide Imaging.

Emerging therapies for non-small cell lung cancer targeting c-Met overexpression have recently demonstrated promising results. However, the evaluation of c-Met expression can be challenging. We aimed to study the inter and intraobserver reproducibility of c-Met expression evaluation. One hundred ten cases with non-small cell lung cancer (40 biopsies and 70 surgical specimens) were retrospectively selected in a single laboratory (LPCE) and evaluated for c-Met expression. Six pathologists (4 seniors and 2 juniors) evaluated the H-score and made a 3-tier classification of c-Met expression for all cases, using conventional light microscopy (CLM) and whole slide imaging (WSI). The interobserver reproducibility with CLM gave global Cohen Kappa coefficients (ƙ) ranging from 0.581 (95% CI: 0.364-0.771) to 0.763 (95% CI: 0.58-0.92) using the c-Met 3-tier classification and H-score, respectively. ƙ was higher for senior pathologists and biopsy samples. The interobserver reproducibility with WSI gave a global ƙ ranging from 0.543 (95% CI: 0.33-0.724) to 0.905 (95% CI: 0.618-1) using the c-Met H-score and 2-tier classification (≥25% 3+), respectively. ƙ for intraobserver reproducibility between CLM and WSI ranged from 0.713 to 0.898 for the c-Met H-score and from 0.600 to 0.779 for the c-Met 3-tier classification. We demonstrated a moderate to excellent interobserver agreement for c-Met expression with a substantial to excellent intraobserver agreement between CLM and WSI, thereby supporting the development of digital pathology. However, some factors (scoring method, type of tissue samples, and expertise level) affect reproducibility. Our findings highlight the importance of establishing a consensus definition and providing further training, particularly for inexperienced pathologists, for c-Met immunohistochemistry assessment in clinical practice.

Elevating Oxygen Evolution using Iron Phthalocyanine Infused Vanillic acid Electrocatalyst.

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is the bottle neck step in water splitting reaction towards the realization of hydrogen based clean energy production and storage. Transition metal based N4 organics are explored extensively as oxygen electrocatalysts i.e.,(OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts because of their ease of synthesis, tuneable properties, low cost and high performance with long term stability. Here, vanillic acid functionalized iron phthalocyanine (FeVAPc) was synthesised and characterised. The novel FeVAPc exhibited good thermal stability and was coated on Ni foam for OER studies. The scanning electron microscopy images showed net-work like surface morphology and the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated the presence of Fe in +3 oxidation state. The Ni/FeVAPc demonstrated excellent electrocatalytic activity for OER with overpotential of 312 mV at 10 mA.cm-2 current density in 1.0 M KOH . The designed catalyst exhibited lesser Tafel slope value which is nearer to the benchmark catalyst, IrO2. The proposed catalyst exhibited good stability as phthalocyanines are highly stable and do not undergo decomposition even in strong acidic and basic corrosive media. Integration of FeVAPc onto Ni foam resulted in higher mass activity, lower charge transfer resistance, high active surface area leading to enhanced conductivity and activity.

Precise Serial Microregistration Enables Quantitative Microscopy Imaging Tracking of Human Skin Cells In Vivo

We developed an automated microregistration method that enables repeated in vivo skin microscopy imaging of the same tissue microlocation and specific cells over a long period of days and weeks with unprecedented precision. Applying this method in conjunction with an in vivo multimodality multiphoton microscope, the behavior of human skin cells such as cell proliferation, melanin upward migration, blood flow dynamics, and epidermal thickness adaptation can be recorded over time, facilitating quantitative cellular dynamics analysis. We demonstrated the usefulness of this method in a skin biology study by successfully monitoring skin cellular responses for a period of two weeks following an acute exposure to ultraviolet light.

Reconstructing Cancellous Bone From Down-Sampled Optical-Resolution Photoacoustic Microscopy Images With Deep Learning

ObjectiveBone diseases deteriorate the microstructure of bone tissue. Optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (OR-PAM) enables high spatial resolution of imaging bone tissues. However, the spatiotemporal trade-off limits the application of OR-PAM. The purpose of this study was to improve the quality of OR-PAM images without sacrificing temporal resolution. MethodsIn this study, we proposed the Photoacoustic Dense Attention U-Net (PADA U-Net) model, which was used for reconstructing full-scanning images from under-sampled images. Thereby, this approach breaks the trade-off between imaging speed and spatial resolution. ResultsThe proposed method was validated on resolution test targets and bovine cancellous bone samples to demonstrate the capability of PADA U-Net in recovering full-scanning images from under-sampled OR-PAM images. With a down-sampling ratio of [4, 1], compared to bilinear interpolation, the Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio and Structural Similarity Index Measure values (averaged over the test set of bovine cancellous bone) of the PADA U-Net were improved by 2.325 dB and 0.117, respectively. ConclusionThe results demonstrate that the PADA U-Net model reconstructed the OR-PAM images well with different levels of sparsity. Our proposed method can further facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of bone diseases using OR-PAM.

Polymorphic Localized Heterostructure Design for High-Performance Amorphous/Nanocrystalline Composite Film.

Analogous to linear dielectric, amorphous perovskite dielectrics characterized of high breakdown strength and low remanent polarization possess in-depth application in the sea, land, and air fields. Amorphous engineering is a common approach to balance the inverse relationship between polarization and breakdown strength in dielectric ceramic capacitor, however, the low polarization is the major barrier limiting the improvement of energy storage density. To address this concern, the polymorphic localized heterostructure confirmed by high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) and HADDF images is constructed in BaTiO3-Bi(Ni0.5Zr0.5)O3 amorphous/nanocrystalline composite film with SiO2 addition (BT-BNZ-xS, x = 3, 5, 7, 10 mol%). The stability of nanocrystalline region achieved by Si-rich transition region and the enhancive ultra-short-range ordering in the amorphous region synergistically result in large breakdown strength and nonhysteretic polarized response. This polymorphic localized heterostructure optimizes the thermal stability in a wide temperature range and contributes ultrahigh energy storage density of 149.9 J cm-3 with markedly enhanced efficiency of 79.0%. This study provides a universal strategy to design the polarization behavior in other amorphous perovskite-based dielectrics.

Surface Cleaning of Oil Contaminants Using Bulk Nanobubbles.

The removal of oil from solid surfaces, such as textiles and plates, remains a challenge due to the strong binding affinity of the oil. Conventional methods for surface cleaning often require surfactants and mechanical abrasion to enhance the cleaning process. However, in excess, these can pose adverse effects on the environment and to the material. This study investigated how bulk nanobubble water can clean oil microdroplets deposited on surfaces like glass coverslips and dishes. Microscopy imaging and further image analysis clearly revealed that these microdroplets detached from both hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces when washed with bulk nanobubble water within a fluidic microchannel. Oil contaminant cleaning was also conducted in water as mobile phase to mimic the circumstances that occur in a dishwasher and washing machine. Cleaning on a larger scale also proved very successful in the removal of oil from a porcelain bowl. These results indicate that nanobubble water can easily remove oil contaminants from glass and porcelain surfaces without the assistance of surfactants. This is in stark contrast to negligible results obtained with a control solution without nanobubbles. This study indicates that nanobubble technology is an innovative, low-cost, eco-friendly approach for oil removal, demonstrating its potential for broad practical applications.

Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Predict Ovarian Stimulation Outcomes in In Vitro Fertilization: Scoping Review.

In the realm of in vitro fertilization (IVF), artificial intelligence (AI) models serve as invaluable tools for clinicians, offering predictive insights into ovarian stimulation outcomes. Predicting and understanding a patient's response to ovarian stimulation can help in personalizing doses of drugs, preventing adverse outcomes (eg, hyperstimulation), and improving the likelihood of successful fertilization and pregnancy. Given the pivotal role of accurate predictions in IVF procedures, it becomes important to investigate the landscape of AI models that are being used to predict the outcomes of ovarian stimulation. The objective of this review is to comprehensively examine the literature to explore the characteristics of AI models used for predicting ovarian stimulation outcomes in the context of IVF. A total of 6 electronic databases were searched for peer-reviewed literature published before August 2023, using the concepts of IVF and AI, along with their related terms. Records were independently screened by 2 reviewers against the eligibility criteria. The extracted data were then consolidated and presented through narrative synthesis. Upon reviewing 1348 articles, 30 met the predetermined inclusion criteria. The literature primarily focused on the number of oocytes retrieved as the main predicted outcome. Microscopy images stood out as the primary ground truth reference. The reviewed studies also highlighted that the most frequently adopted stimulation protocol was the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist. In terms of using trigger medication, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was the most commonly selected option. Among the machine learning techniques, the favored choice was the support vector machine. As for the validation of AI algorithms, the hold-out cross-validation method was the most prevalent. The area under the curve was highlighted as the primary evaluation metric. The literature exhibited a wide variation in the number of features used for AI algorithm development, ranging from 2 to 28,054 features. Data were mostly sourced from patient demographics, followed by laboratory data, specifically hormonal levels. Notably, the vast majority of studies were restricted to a single infertility clinic and exclusively relied on nonpublic data sets. These insights highlight an urgent need to diversify data sources and explore varied AI techniques for improved prediction accuracy and generalizability of AI models for the prediction of ovarian stimulation outcomes. Future research should prioritize multiclinic collaborations and consider leveraging public data sets, aiming for more precise AI-driven predictions that ultimately boost patient care and IVF success rates.

Geomechanical properties of laminated shale and bedding shale after water absorption: A case study of the Chang 7 shale in Ordos basin, China

There are abundant oil and gas resources in China's continental shale formations, and these formations often contain sandy lamina, tuffaceous lamina and carbonate lamina parallel to the bedding planes, resulting in complex geomechanical properties. During the drilling process, the mechanical weak surface structure inside the shale and the hydration effect of drilling fluid may easily cause wellbore instability, which reduces the safety and benefit of drilling. To explore the geomechanical properties of laminated shale and bedding shale after water absorption, a series of tests were conducted on the Chang 7 laminated shale and bedding shale in the Ordos Basin. The result indicates that the compressive strength and elastic modulus of laminated shale and bedding shale show a trend of decreasing first and then starting to drop as β (the angle between bedding/lamina and the direction of stress) keeps increasing, and laminated shale has stronger anisotropy, lower compressive strength and elastic modulus. The moisture content of laminated shale and bedding shale increases as the soaking time increases, which leads to a decrease in the compressive strength. Compared to bedding shale, laminated shale reaches water saturation faster and has a higher moisture content. Based on the macroscopic and microscopic images before and after shale hydration, it can be concluded that natural microfractures are easily formed at the interface between the lamina and shale matrix, and brittle minerals at the edges of natural microfractures are prone to detachment, thereby increase the hydration area and intensify the hydration process. Compared to bedding shale formations, laminated shale formations have a higher hole-size elongation ratio and are more prone to collapse according to on-site data. This study reveals the geomechanical properties of laminated shale under the dual influence of anisotropy and hydration, provides support for drilling design in such formations.

Effect of ZrO2 nanoparticles on the self-lubrication behavior of the linseed oil-loaded microcapsule/ epoxy composite coatings

Smart polymeric coatings play a crucial role in protecting steel surfaces from corrosion and wear. One of progressive smart behavior is self-healing behavior especially in self-healing epoxy coatings. Creating or improving the second smart behavior is known as a new trend for these smart materials. This study aims to investigate the effects of ZrO2 nanoparticles on the self-lubricating behavior as the second smart behavior of the linseed oil-loaded microcapsule/epoxy composite coatings. To do so, the in-situ polymerization method was used for the synthesis of linseed oil-loaded microcapsule. Results showed that the average size of prepared linseed oil-loaded microcapsules was 563 nm. The composite coatings were prepared by different content of ZrO2 nanoparticles (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 wt%) and constant content of linseed oil-loaded microcapsules (5 wt%). The tribological performance of samples was studied using pin-on-disk test. The worn surface of the samples was also studied using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) images. Results proved that the frictional coefficient and wear rate of the samples were significantly decreased by increasing the concentrations of the ZrO2 nanoparticles up to 9 wt%. The lowest friction coefficient and wear rate values of 0.085 and 0.142 × 10−6 mm3/Nm were obtained for 5 wt% linseed oil-loaded microcapsules/epoxy with 9 wt% ZrO2 which were about 82 % and 88 % lower than those of pure epoxy coating.