Strong Linear Correlation Research Articles

Abstract 5935: Analytical validation of a robust, integrated multiomics tissue assay powered by the Guardant Infinity platform

Abstract Introduction: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) of tumor tissue is an integral technique to identify actionable alterations and inform oncology treatment. While established, tissue NGS is limited by variability in quantity and quality of both samples and test platforms, which limits its effectiveness. A robust workflow with high sample success rate, providing comprehensive molecular profiling, and fast turn-around time can improve this technology and support patient care. Here, we report the analytical validation of Guardant360 Tissue, a comprehensive molecular profiling test comprising DNA and RNA analysis of 950 genes and epigenomic methylation profiling po​​wered by Guardant Infinity technology. Methods: The analytical and clinical performance for DNA and RNA profiling was assessed using clinical FFPE samples and reference material at 50-100 ng inputs for DNA (N=556) and 25-50 ng inputs for RNA (N=282). Samples from over 10 common cancer types were analyzed, with tumor fractions as low as 5%, using as little as 6 slides (30 µm) of FFPE tissue as input. Results: Guardant360 Tissue demonstrated high sample success rates detecting somatic alterations in >98% of DNA and >91% of RNA samples, including challenging specimen types like fine needle aspirates and core needle biopsies. Panel-wide limits of detection (LoD) were 1.8% MAF for SNVs, 1.5% MAF for indels, 0.4% MAF for DNA fusions, 3.5 copies for CNAs, 37.9% TF for gene deletions, 3.3% TF for microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), 1.8% for promoter methylation, and 15.1 copies for RNA fusions and splice isoforms. Clinical samples demonstrated 100% sensitivity for SNVs (N=4149), indels (N=646), and MSI-H (N=19), and ≥95% sensitivity for CNAs (N=121), DNA rearrangements (N=34) and RNA fusions/splice isoforms (N=59) against FISH, ddPCR or multiple DNA/RNA/methylation based NGS platforms. High clinical specificity was also established at 100% for all guideline approved biomarkers and ≥99.99996% across the entire panel. Guardant360 Tissue TMB score demonstrated a strong linear correlation (R=0.95, Spearman method) and 94.2% categorical concordance (cutoff of 10 mut/Mb) with an orthogonal NGS panel. Conclusions: Guardant360 Tissue offers a high success rate with minimal input, delivering competitive performance in detecting a wide range of actionable alterations. With a low limit of detection and excellent specificity, this assay achieves comprehensive molecular profiling using as little as 30 μm of FFPE tissue. Its robust capabilities not only enable precise clinical insights but also support the acceleration of novel biomarker discovery through a multiomics approach. Citation Format: Tingting Jiang, Gayatri Premasekharan, Jeffrey Werbin, Yelia Huo, Ankit Jambusaria, Che-Yu Lee, Claire Olson, Arancha Sanchez, Yueyuan Zhang, Jing Zhao, Andreas Papoutsis, Lauren Lawrence, Jill Tsai, Soni Shukla, Drew Kennedy, Stefanie Mortimer. Analytical validation of a robust, integrated multiomics tissue assay powered by the Guardant Infinity platform [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 5935.

Quantification of Health Care Worker Model to Secondhand Exposure of Aerosols During Nebulization Treatment.

Background: Nebulization therapy is crucial for treating respiratory conditions by delivering medication directly to patients' lungs. However, it also exposes health care workers (HCWs) to secondhand aerosols, potentially posing health risks. This study aimed to quantify inhalation exposure of model HCWs during nebulization treatments, an area where exposure levels remain uncertain. Methods: Experiments were conducted in a climate controlled ICU room at 22°C using 3 adult models simulating a patient and 2 HCWs positioned at 1 ft and 3 ft from the patient model. Nebulization was administered through either an aerosol mask for mouth-breathing or a tracheostomy tube with a T-piece or tracheostomy mask. A jet nebulizer delivered albuterol sulfate (15 mg/3 mL) in 2 consecutive sessions, totaling 30 mg in 30 min. Inhaled drug doses were captured by filters placed between the trachea and model lung, and the inhaled dose was measured using ultraviolet spectrophotometry (276 nm). Particle concentrations at 1 ft and 3 ft from the patient were continuously measured with particle counters. Each experiment was repeated 3 times, with 30-min intervals to reset baseline conditions. Results: Albuterol inhaled doses for the HCW model ranged from 0.1% to 0.3%, consistent across interfaces and distances (P > .05). The highest dose occurred with the tracheostomy mask (0.29 ± 0.05% at 1 ft and 0.22 ± 0.05% at 3 ft). Particle concentrations were similar across distances, except with the tracheostomy mask, which showed higher concentrations at 1 ft compared with 3 ft. A strong linear correlation was found between inhaled doses and fugitive aerosol concentrations at 1 ft (r2 = 0.794). Conclusions: The HCW models were exposed to fugitive aerosol particles during nebulization, with inhaled doses from 0.1% to 0.3%. Although exposure was low, further in vivo studies are needed to assess potential health risks with prolonged exposure.

Phenothiazine-Indole Acetonitrile Based Ratiometric Chemosensor for S2- Ions: Applications To Environmental Samples and Living Cells.

The detection of sulfide ions in environmental and biological systems has garnered significant interest, but finding probes that combine rapid response with high selectivity remains difficult. Despite progress, the quest for efficient sulfide detection methods is still ongoing. This article introduces the synthesis and development of the ratiometric fluorescent probe PTZ-ICN, utilizing the phenothiazine framework to address the challenge of selective detection. The PTZ-ICN probe's structural integrity and spectral properties were confirmed via FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, and HRMS analyses. PTZ-ICN exhibits remarkable selectivity and sensitivity towards sulfide ions (S²⁻), even in the presence of competing anions, within a DMSO: HEPES buffer system (9:1, v/v). The interaction between the PTZ-ICN probe and sulfide ions was thoroughly analyzed using Job's plot, HRMS, ¹H-NMR titration, and DFT analysis. The PTZ-ICN probe successfully quantified sulfide ions with a detection limit as low as 11.63 nM, demonstrating a strong linear correlation (R² = 0.99941). Moreover, PTZ-ICN has shown great utility in real-time scenarios, including the detection of sulfide ions in water samples, test strips, solid-state platforms, and living A549 cells. This study emphasizes PTZ-ICN's significant promise for real-world applications in environmental monitoring and bioimaging, establishing it as a valuable probe for reliable sulfide detection across diverse environments.

A variety of adjustable terahertz absorbers based on bulk Dirac semi-metal

Abstract This paper presents the design of a terahertz absorber based on Dirac semimetals, capable of achieving triple-band narrowband absorption in the 6–10 THz range. The absorber integrates a protective alumina dielectric layer on top of the conventional ‘sandwich’ structure, providing enhanced durability. The center frequencies of the three absorption peaks are located at 7.16 THz, 8.5 THz, and 9.615 THz, with corresponding absorption rates of 97.33%, 98.03%, and 93.80%. The quality factors (Q) of the three peaks are 40.89, 162.84, and 125.20, respectively. The underlying mechanisms of this triple-band absorption are explored through impedance matching theory and surface plasmon resonance theory. Furthermore, by leveraging the tunable Fermi level of the Dirac semimetal, dynamic tuning of the absorber is demonstrated. Owing to the rotational symmetry of the structure, the absorber exhibits robustness in complex electromagnetic environments. Additionally, refractive index sensitivity studies reveal a strong linear correlation between the central frequencies of the absorption peaks and the surrounding refractive index. The highest sensitivity achieved is 1854.6 GHz/RIU. Within the refractive index range of 1.0–1.2, the figure of merit (FOM) reaches a maximum of 29.68, indicating that the absorber maintains excellent narrowband characteristics while providing high sensitivity. In summary, the proposed absorber shows significant potential for further application in fields such as biomedical sensing and space exploration.

A Quantitative Relationship Between Electron Localization Function and the Strength of Physical Binding.

The electron localization function (ELF) measures electron localization within matter and provides insights into the nature of bonds in materials and molecules. This study examines the relationship between ELF and binding energy in bimolecular systems, focusing on van der Waals interactions, including Keesom forces, Debye forces, and London dispersion forces. These interactions play significant roles in crystalline molecular materials. This work addresses the challenge of accurately calculating binding energies in molecular materials and supramolecular synthons by exploring their correlation with ELF. We use density functional theory (DFT) with seven exchange-correlation functionals to identify which functional provides the most accurate binding energies in comparison to values obtained with coupled cluster, while balancing precision and computational efficiency. The findings revealed that rev-vdW-DF2 offers high precision, whereas PBE-D3(BJ) is computationally efficient. These functionals were utilized to demonstrate how ELF can be effectively employed to accurately determine binding energies. By analyzing the ELF and its correlation with binding energies in 95 bimolecular systems held together with physical bindings ranging from weak to strong interactions, we demonstrate a strong linear correlation, with a coefficient of determination (R2) reaching 0.960. These findings suggest that ELF can effectively differentiate between weak and strong van der Waals interactions, providing a reliable quantitative metric for evaluating interaction strengths. The results indicate that ELF can be used as method to determine the strength of intermolecular interactions, with potential applications in materials science. The main contribution of this work is the exploration of methodologies for analyzing and predicting molecular interaction strengths within molecular materials and supramolecular synthons. Deriving binding energies within the unit cell directly from the ELF has the potential to simplify practical calculations. Furthermore, the study revealed a possible systematic error for current xc-functionals in describing systems with double O--H···O hydrogen bonds between interacting molecules.

A Multifunctional Hydrogel for Infected Chronic Wounds Management: Integrated pH Sensing, Photothermal Therapy, and Ion Release

ABSTRACTChronic wound healing is often compromised by bacterial infection, and wound pH changes strongly correlate with infection. Therefore, the development of wound dressings capable of real‐time pH monitoring, antimicrobial activity, and tissue repair is crucial for the effective management of infected chronic wounds. This study reports a novel multifunctional composite hydrogel (GM‐C‐mBG@P) synthesized by incorporating microwave‐synthesized carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and polydopamine‐modified mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (mBG@P) into modified gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA). The incorporated polydopamine (PDA) confers excellent photothermal properties to the hydrogel, enabling effective antimicrobial activity. Under 360 nm UV excitation, the fluorescence intensity of CQDs in GM‐C‐mBG@P exhibits a strong linear correlation with pH, enabling real‐time wound pH monitoring. Furthermore, mBG@P can gradually dissolve calcium, silicon, boron, and other functional ions to enhance the bioactivity and functionality of the hydrogel and accelerate wound healing. These findings suggest that the GM‐C‐mBG@P hydrogel has the potential to serve as a promising wound dressing for the treatment of infected chronic wounds.

Real‐Time Quantification of Polyethylene Crystallinity via In Situ Mid‐ and Near‐Infrared Correlation Spectroscopy: Melting and Dissolution

ABSTRACTElucidating the crystalline‐amorphous interface during decrystallization processes in semi‐crystalline polyethylene (PE) is crucial for the advancement of polymer theory and plastic‐to‐plastic recycling technologies. In this study, we carried out an in‐depth investigation of PE thin films undergoing melting or dissolution using a temperature‐controlled liquid flow‐cell experimental setup which provided in situ mid‐infrared (MIR, 4000–700 cm−1) and near‐infrared (NIR, 6000–4000 cm−1) spectra in real time. The spectroscopic results yielded molecular‐level information regarding PE decrystallization and chain disentanglement via fundamental vibrations, combination bands, and overtones which were correlated using hetero‐spectral two‐dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D‐COS). A quantitative procedure for the calculation of PE degree of crystallinity was developed to track transformations of crystalline domains during melting and dissolution. This semi‐empirical model achieved a strong linear correlation of at least +0.93 in four spectral regions: 750–700 cm−1, 1500–1400 cm−1, 3000–2800 cm−1, and 4400–4200 cm−1. This analysis revealed important spectral trends about the interfacial solvation environment during these processes. Lastly, the time evolution of the unraveling, terminal methyl (CH3) groups of PE cilia was examined in relation to the decrystallization mechanism of PE. The insights obtained from this study advance the fundamental understanding necessary for developing new depolymerization and dissolution‐precipitation recycling strategies.

The MeerKAT Absorption Line Survey (MALS) data release 3: Cold atomic gas associated with the Milky Way

We present results of a blind search for Galactic 21-cm absorption lines toward 19130 radio sources brighter than 1,mJy at 1.4,GHz, using 390 pointings of the MeerKAT Absorption Line Survey (MALS), each pointing centered on a source brighter than 200,mJy. The spectral resolution, the median spatial resolution, and the median 3σ optical depth sensitivity (τ_3σ) are 5.5 ∼9^ and 0.381, respectively. We used the spectra of the central sources and the other off-axis radio sources within the telescope pointings to constrain the properties of gas in the local interstellar medium (LISM) of the Galaxy. Through an automated procedure, we detected 3640 absorption features over ∼800,deg^2. This represents the largest Galactic absorption line catalog to date. We used 21-cm emission line measurements from HI4PI, an all sky single-dish survey, and far-infrared maps from COBE/DIRBE and IRAS/ISSA in addition to the Gaussian decomposition of the HI4PI into cold (CNM), lukewarm (LNM), and warm (WNM) neutral medium phases for our analyses. We find a strong linear correlation with a coefficient of 0.84 between the 21-cm emission line column densities (N_ and the visual extinction (A_ measured toward the pointing center, along with the confinement of the absorption features to a narrow range in radial velocities (-25<v_ kms $<$+25). This implies that the detected absorption lines form a homogeneous sample of clouds in the LISM. For central sight lines (median τ_3σ=0.008), the detection rate is 82±5%. All the central MALS sight lines with absorption have N_ HI CNM ),+,N_ HI LNM ) ≥ N_ HI WNM ). The 21-cm absorption optical depth is linearly correlated to N_ and A_ with a correlation coefficient in excess of 0.8 up to N_ HI ≃ 2⋅ 10^ cm^ or, equivalently, A_ V ≃ 1,mag. Above this threshold, A_ traces the total hydrogen content, and consequently, A_ and the single-dish N_ scale differently. The slopes of N_ distributions of central sight lines with 21-cm absorption detections and non-detection differ at $>2σ$. A similar difference is observed for H_2 detections and non-detections in damped Lyman-alpha systems at z implying that turbulence-driven WNM-to-CNM conversion is the common governing factor for the presence of 21-cm and H_2 absorption. Through a comparison of central and off-axis absorption features, we find the optical depth variations (Δτ) to be higher for pointings centered on regions with a higher N_ and CNM fraction. However, no such dependence is observed for the covering fraction of the absorbing structures over 0.1 - 10,pc. The slope (2.327 ± 0.153) of root mean square (rms) fluctuations in optical depth variations in the quiescent gas associated with LISM is shallower than the earlier measurements in the disk. The densities (20-30,cm^-3) inferred from |Δτ| at the median separation (1.5,pc) of the sample are typical of the CNM values. The negligible (median ∼ 0 velocity shifts between central and off-axis absorbers are in line with the hypothesis that the CNM/LNM clouds freeze out of the extended WNM phase.

Infrared spectroscopy of natural Type Ib diamond: insights into the formation of Y-centers and the early aggregation of nitrogen

Abstract The growing interest in the spectroscopic properties of Type Ib diamonds has revealed several complexities associated with nitrogen (N)-related defects that have yet to be identified. One defect in particular, the Y-center, produces a characteristic spectrum in the N-region (∼1000-1400 cm−1) that is extremely common in the IR spectra of diamonds with a dominant Type Ib component. In this study, a suite of 178 Type Ib + IaA diamonds with variable N-aggregation states (%IaA) and N contents is examined to evaluate the effect of Y-center absorbance on the results obtained from standard deconvolution of the N-region. To do this, a new deconvolution routine is developed that incorporates the Y-center spectrum (obtained by decomposition of Type Ib spectra) and an updated spreadsheet (Caxbd_Inherit_2024-Ib) for processing the IR spectra of Type Ib diamonds is provided. It is shown here that neglecting Y-center absorption during least squares fitting of the IR spectra of Type Ib + IaA diamonds results in poor quality fits of the N region that may result in erroneous C- and A-center contents. The identity of the Y-center, and the relevant absorption coefficient, have not been constrained. However, several studies have shown that Y-centers are structurally related to single-substitutional N (called NS0 or C-centers), thus the Y-center contents are calculated using the C-center absorption coefficient. Using the new deconvolution method, it is shown that neglecting Y-centers may result in N-aggregation states that may vary by ±10 %IaA and total N contents (Ntot) that may be overestimated by >100 at.ppm. The samples studied here have an average Ntot of ∼100 at.ppm and errors in %IaA and Ni may be much larger for diamonds with higher Ni. Such errors translate to potentially significant discrepancies in the calculated mantle residence times on the order of hundreds of millions of years. Comparisons of the normalized Y-center content and %IaA show that Y centers are an intermediate defect that is produced from 0 to 40 %IaA at the expense of C-centers and then consumed from 40–100 %IaA to produce A-centers. A strong linear correlation with some IR peaks observed between 1400 and 1350 cm−1 (e.g., 1358 cm−1) is observed. Evidence supporting the assignment of such peaks to defects containing interstitial carbon and nitrogen (Ci and Ni) is described and suggests that the formation of Y-centers is driven by interstitial-assisted aggregation. Moreover, the Y-center itself may be an intermediate form of NS0 linked to Ci or Ni or larger interstitial complexes that become unstable with increasing N-aggregation (mantle residence time/temperature). Evidence for alternative hypotheses for the identity of the Y-center involving O- and Ni-related defects and X-centers are also discussed.

Correlation of Integral Hemodynamic Indices of Blood Flow in Personal-Specific Models of Carotid Bifurcation

The paper studies the interdependence of integral hemodynamic indices characterizing the risk zones for atherosclerosis development in the carotid artery bifurcation region. Geometric models of vessels are constructed using the CT angiography data from patients to perform numerical calculations of steady-state periodic blood flow and hemodynamic indices related to parietal shear stress. Then, the regions with critical values of the indices higher than values for healthy arteries are mapped on the walls of the models using numerical calculations results. The integral values of the indices calculated over those regions are compared with similar values calculated using healthy vessels models and models constructed using data of endarterectomy patients. There is a strong linear correlation of the indices observed within a sample of101 models. The influence of critical values characterizing the critical region on the relationship of integral parameters is also investigated in the paper.

810 A Bidirectional Translational Approach to Evaluate Perioperative Fluorescence Imaging for Burns

Abstract Introduction The primary method to evaluate healing capacity of a burn wound is visual assessment; a subjective interpretation that risks over-excision. This ongoing study investigates the use of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging to evaluate burn depth and healing potential. Early enrollment challenges encountered with the heterogeneity of human burn wounds, difficulty of patient recruitment early after a trauma, and variable timing of assessment post-injury led to the addition of a parallel translational pre-clinical swine model. Methods Human subjects (n = 13) and adult pigs (n = 2) with burns of various depths received a 7 mg injection of ICG for angiography (ICGA) followed by a 5mg/kg intravenous (IV) infusion of ICG on post-burn day (PBD) 2 or 3. Second window indocyanine green (SWIG), a novel method of delayed fluorescence imaging, was performed the day after ICG injection on a region of interest (ROI) during wound care. A full thickness skin biopsy was taken from the center of the ROI and ICG microscopy and histologic staining was performed for tissue architecture and viability. MATLAB R2023b was used for data processing and GraphPad Prism 8.0 was used for statistical analyses. Results In patient samples, there was high interpatient variability between histologic cellular viability and perfusion as measured by ICGA peak fluorescence intensity when looking at the ROI (R2 = 0.04). Microscopically, the tissue exhibited intense inflammatory cell infiltrate at the interface of viable and nonviable tissue in some tissues without correlation to need for skin grafting. Patients had a wide range of SWIG fluorescence intensities and patterns. Qualitatively within patients, ICGA and SWIG signals exhibit inverse fluorescence intensities. In our pig model, there was a strong linear correlation between increasing burn depth and decreasing ICGA peak fluorescence intensity (R2 = 0.84). Additionally, samples with a burn depth < 50% demonstrated significantly higher SWIG fluorescence intensity compared to those > 50% (p = 0.003). Conclusions Variability in perfusion and inflammation contributes to heterogeneity in the ICGA and SWIG parameters in patients. The swine model supports our hypothesis that ICG signal is dependent on inflammation, permeability and destruction of the vessels affecting ICG delivery to the wound. However, the animal model simplifies the true complexity of the burn microenvironment and may contribute to clinical failure during translation to human subjects. Applicability of Research to Practice The experimental approach we have pivoted to given the known challenges with human subjects research, exacerbated in trauma and burn injury, represents a paradigm shift. This iterative, bidirectional approach using human subjects and animal models in parallel, allows more nimble experimental design modifications and data interpretation to ensure translational success. Funding for the Study NIGMS 5R01GM145723

Elemental Associations with Groundwater Nitrate in Northeastern Region of Saudi Arabia: Implications for Sustainable Water Management

Nitrate pollution in drinking water is a major environmental and health issue. High levels of nitrates in water sources present serious risks to both the environment and public health, highlighting the need for immediate research and management efforts to reduce pollution sources and safeguard water resources for sustainable growth. This study investigates the elemental associations with nitrate concentrations in groundwater across the northeastern region of Saudi Arabia, employing diverse analytical techniques to assess water quality and develop sustainable management strategies. Spatial variations in nitrate levels were observed in both deep and shallow wells using GIS-based interpolation, revealing distinct patterns influenced by geological, hydrological, and anthropogenic factors. A strong linear correlation with a high coefficient of determination (R2 of 0.99) between electrical conductivity and dilution factor suggests the potential interchangeability of ion-selective electrode methods and conductivity meters for EC determination. The study identified a positive correlation between nitrate concentration and electrical conductivity in groundwater samples (R2 of 0.70), indicating that conductivity measurements could potentially serve as a proxy for estimating nitrate levels. However, a very weak negative correlation between nitrate and pH suggests other factors may have a more significant impact on groundwater pH. The research also highlights the strong positive correlation between nitrate and nitrate-nitrogen concentrations, reflecting their close chemical association in water. These findings contribute to the understanding of nitrate dynamics in groundwater and emphasize the importance of comprehensive water quality assessments. Future research should focus on elucidating factors influencing nitrate distribution in groundwater systems and developing more robust predictive models based on readily measurable water quality parameters.

Interfractional body surface monitoring using daily cone-beam computed tomography imaging for pediatric adaptive proton therapy.

Interfractional body surface monitoring using daily cone-beam computed tomography imaging for pediatric adaptive proton therapy.

Utility of the acute illness observational scale in predicting pneumonia outcomes in children

Background. In order to proper diagnose the children with community acquired pneumonia (CAP), an approach was needed. Current study validate the efficacy of Acute Illness Observational Scale (AIOS) score to determine the severity of the illness and the outcome of CAP in children. Method. This descriptive observational study was conducted on 100 children aged 2 months to 5 years who presented with cough and fever, along with lethargy, chest indrawing, fast breathing, or inability to drink. AIOS scores were assessed on days 1, 2, and 5. Laboratory tests and chest X-rays were performed, and outcomes were recorded. Results. Chest X-rays revealed infiltrates in 52% of cases and consolidation in 16%. At initial assessment, 45% of cases had an abnormal AIOS score (>16), while 15% scored between 11 and 15. Among children with scores >16, 2% required inotropic support, and another 2% needed mechanical ventilation. Out of the treatment modalities, 39 out of 58 children (58.2%) who received intravenous fluids had AIOS score >16. Additionally, 45 out of 80 children treated with intravenous antibiotics also had scores >16, indicating a significant correlation (p < 0.05). In contrast, 20 children received oral antibiotics had AIOS scores <10. Overall, 55% of patients were discharged after an average hospital stay of 6.73 days (range: 6 to 15 days). A strong linear correlation was found between AIOS scores and WHO severity grading (r = 0.695), and a moderate positive correlation between the duration of hospitalization and AIOS scores (r=0.472). The duration of hospitalization was positively correlated with the AIOS score (r=0.5, P < 0.0001). Conclusion. The AIOS score is significantly associated with abnormal radiographic findings and various treatment strategies. Higher AIOS scores are predictive of longer hospital stays and greater illness severity. This study contributes to existing literature by demonstrating a strong correlation between AIOS scores and clinical severity of pneumonia in resource-limited settings.

Non-invasive and continuous intra-abdominal pressure assessment using MC sensors

Monitoring intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) in critical care patients is crucial for preventing intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS), with their severe consequences. The muscle contraction sensor (MC) introduced in this study offers a novel, non-invasive method with promising accuracy based on previous findings. This study further evaluates the MC accuracy and reproducibility and examines its correlation with objective IAP measurements obtained through a CO2 insufflator. We enrolled 41 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic gallbladder removal under general anesthesia with complete muscle relaxation. Two MC sensors were placed on the right and left sides of the abdomen, and elevated IAP was induced by insufflating CO2 into the peritoneal cavity. IAP measurements from the MC sensors were compared to the randomized IAP values set on the CO2 insufflator. Data from both methods were analyzed to assess the accuracy and agreement with the insufflator measurements. The MC sensor provided continuous and accurate detection of IAP changes. A Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.963 indicated a strong positive linear correlation between the MC sensor readings and the IAP values set on the insufflator. The coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.927, showing that the model explains 92.7% of the variation in IAP values based on the MC sensor signals. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that the MC sensor system performed exceptionally well in identifying both IAH and ACS cases, with an area under the curve of 0.996 for IAH and 0.981 for ACS. The study introduces a transcutaneous pressure measuring device as an innovative, non-invasive method for assessing IAP. The system strongly correlates with IAP values measured by CO2 insufflation, indicating its accuracy. It thus could present an alternative to conventional IAP measurement in the future. The MC capability to deliver real-time, continuous data holds substantial potential for proactive patient care. By incorporating advanced analytics like machine learning, the system could detect trends and provide early warnings of dangerous IAP changes, enabling timely, targeted interventions to enhance outcomes for critically ill patients.

Tillage intensity reductions when combined with yield increases may slow soil carbon saturation in the central United States

Tillage intensity reduction when coupled with higher yields and better equipment, has increased the potential to sequester carbon in farm fields. However, a few experiments have demonstrated that this is occurring. This studies objective was to investigate the macro-scale effects of crop tillage intensity decreases and yield increases and on soil organic carbon (SOC) storage in Nebraska (NE), Iowa (IA), Minnesota (MN), and South Dakota (SD) from 2000 to 2021. The analysis was based on grower surveys, state yields from 2000 to 2021, and over 12 million surface soil samples that were aggregated by state and year. The model used first order kinetics, and it consisted of three pools [non-harvested carbon (NHC), SOC, and atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2)]. Annual NHC additions were estimated from the state-level crop yields and tillage intensity reductions were estimated from producer surveys. Across the four states and 21 years, there was an estimated decrease of 0.0339 soil mixing events per year, corn (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) yields increased by 63 and 38%, respectively, and SOC increased at a rate of > 460 kg SOC-C/(ha × year). In addition, strong (p < 0.01) linear correlations between NHC additions and SOC gains indicate that soil at the state-scale soil was not approaching carbon saturation.

Integrating Density Functional Theory Calculations and Machine Learning to Identify Conduction Band Minimum as a Descriptor for High-Efficiency Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Catalysts in Transition Metal Dichalcogenides

Identifying efficient and physically meaningful descriptors is crucial for the rational design of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts. In this study, we systematically investigate the HER activity of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) monolayers by combining density functional theory (DFT) calculations and machine learning techniques. By exploring the relationship between key electronic properties, including the conduction band minimum (CBM), pz band center, and hydrogen adsorption free energy (ΔG*H), we establish a strong linear correlation between the CBM and ΔG*H, identifying the CBM as a reliable and physically meaningful descriptor for HER activity. Furthermore, this correlation is validated in vacancy-defected TMD systems, demonstrating that the CBM remains an effective descriptor even in the presence of structural defects. To enable the rapid and accurate prediction of the CBM, we develop an interpretable three-dimensional model using the Sure Independence Screening and Sparsifying Operator (SISSO) algorithm. The SISSO model achieves a high predictive accuracy, with correlation coefficients (r) and coefficients of determination (R2) reaching 0.98 and 0.97 in the training and 0.99 and 0.99 in the validation tests, respectively. This study provides an efficient computational framework that combines first-principles calculations and machine learning to accelerate the screening and design of high-performance TMD-based HER catalysts.

Slope Stability Geology and Soil Conditions during Road Construction along the Lupeta–Wimba–Izumbwe Road Intersections in Mbeya District, Tanzania

In the realm of geotechnical engineering, maintaining slope stability is critical, especially in newly cut slopes during road construction. Consequently, the objective of this paper was to evaluate the Slope Stability Geology and Soil Conditions during Road Construction along the Lupeta–Wimba–Izumbwe Road Intersections in Mbeya District of Tanzania using appropriate standard procedures. Laboratory analysis determined shear strength parameters, with cohesion (c) ranging from 5 to 30 kN/ m², an angle of internal friction (Ø) between 20° and 35°, unit weight of soil (γ) varying from 16 to 20 kN/m³, and slope angles (α) between 25° and 45°. The study established a strong linear correlation between the angle of internal friction and the Dynamic Penetration Index (DPI), yielding a regression coefficient of 0.8, with the correlation equation Ø = 1.2515DPI + 0.3297. However, no reliable correlation was found between cohesion and DPI. The Finite Element Method (FEM) was employed to assess slope stability, revealing an overall factor of safety (FS) of 0.68, indicating slope instability. Acknowledging limitations related to pore water pressure and moisture content, the study introduces a quick methodology for slope stability monitoring using FEM, achieving early detection of slope failure.

Effect of Sucrose on the Rheology and 3D Printability of Pregelatinized Rice Flour Paste.

Although sucrose plays a crucial role in influencing the rheological and textural properties of sucrose-starch-based blends, its effects on the 3D printability and rheological behavior of α-rice flour paste remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the impact of varying sucrose concentrations (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4% w/w) on the printability and rheological properties of α-rice flour paste. Printability was evaluated using a 3D food printer, while rheological properties were analyzed using a rheometer. All the samples exhibited shear-thinning behavior. As the sucrose concentration increased, both the maximum storage modulus (G'Max) and yield stress (τy) decreased significantly, while the printing percentage error and deformation factor increased. A strong negative linear correlation was observed between G'Max, τy, and the printing percentage error (R2 = 0.94, 0.95), whereas the deformation factor exhibited a negative quadratic correlation (R2 = 0.99, 0.94). These results indicate that a decrease in α-rice flour concentration combined with sucrose addition weakens viscoelastic properties, resulting in lower structural stability and greater deformation. This study confirms the role of α-rice flour in enhancing starch's physical and functional properties and provides fundamental data for optimizing 3D printing with α-rice flour-sucrose paste.

Virulent Factor‐Targeted Point‐of‐Care Biosensor for Detection of Staphylococcus Aureus Infections

AbstractRapid detection of pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is crucial for timely diagnosis and infection control. Aureolysin (Aur), an extracellular metalloprotease involved in S. aureus pathogenesis, is a promising biomarker. This study presents a rapid, low‐cost, label‐free electrochemical immunosensor for aureolysin detection using antibody‐gold (Ab‐Au) bioconjugates. Anti‐aureolysin antibodies are immobilized on gold nanospikes via 1‐Ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide / N‐Hydroxysuccinimide (EDC/NHS) chemistry and screen‐printed gold electrodes (SPGEs). The detection relied on changes in peak current from antigen‐antibody complex formation, measured through differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Selectivity tests confirmed the sensor's specificity for S. aureus, with no cross‐reactivity against Escherichia coli or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A strong linear correlation (R2 = 0.9739) between peak current and logarithmic S. aureus concentrations is observed, with a detection limit of 5 pg·mL⁻¹ in buffer and 2 Colony‐forming unit (CFU) mL⁻¹ in bacterial cultures. The sensor also detected S. aureus in biofilms, highlighting its potential for real‐world use. Offering rapid detection within 1h, high sensitivity, and specificity, this immunosensor is a promising point‐of‐care tool for S. aureus detection in clinical settings. This approach greatly enhances the sensor's effectiveness in real‐world clinical applications, where biofilm formation often complicates diagnosis and treatment.