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Advancements in generative artificial intelligence have led to a rapid proliferation of machine learning models capable of synthesizing text, images, sounds, and other kinds of content. While the increasing realism of synthetic content stokes fears about misinformation and triggers debates around intellectual property, generative models are adopted across creative industries and synthetic media seep into cultural production. Qualitative research in the social and human sciences has dedicated comparatively little attention to this category of machine learning, particularly in terms of what types of novel research methodology they both demand and facilitate. In this article, we propose a methodological approach for the qualitative study of generative models grounded on the experimentation with field devices which we call synthetic ethnography. Synthetic ethnography is not simply a qualitative research methodology applied to the study of the social and cultural contexts developing around generative artificial intelligence, but also strives to envision practical and experimental ways to repurpose these models as research tools in their own right. After briefly introducing generative models and revisiting the trajectory of digital ethnographic research, we discuss three case studies for which the authors have developed experimental field devices to study different aspects of generative artificial intelligence ethnographically. In the conclusion, we derive a broader methodological proposal from these case studies, arguing that synthetic ethnography facilitates insights into how the algorithmic processes, training datasets and latent spaces behind these systems modulate bias, reconfigure agency, and challenge epistemological categories.

Amine-based carbon capture has proven to be a mature technology, but challenges remain. Emission control of potentially hazardous compounds is critical to ensure the long-term viability of the technology. The ability to predict which compounds to expect in gas emissions and at what levels is fundamental. This work aims to provide a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the volatility of both MEA and HS3 blend degradation products. VLE experiments were performed with different degraded solutions over a temperature range from 40 to 100 °C. Samples were analyzed using extensive LC-MS methods to quantify over 40 degradation compounds. Henry's constants were calculated to assess their volatility. The compiled results allow the ranking of most of the compounds studied in terms of volatility, and the quantification of their relative volatility compared to each other. Pyrazines and alkylamines are among the most volatile, followed by aldehydes, ketones, nitrosamines, and finally, larger amides. When compared, the volatilities of the degradation compounds are consistent from one degraded solution to another, highlighting the possibility of generalization from one solvent to another. This consistency is also observed with the dilute version of the degraded solutions simulating water-wash conditions. Finally, this work provides insight into the temperature dependence of the volatilities of the compounds studied. The methodology used provides a valuable and new type of data that have never been published before on the volatility of amine degradation compounds. The results can be used to better understand emissions and the design of emission control technologies.

Amine-based chemical absorption stands out as the leading technology for post-combustion CO2-capture. A blend of 3 M 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) and 1.5 M piperazine (PZ), also known as CESAR1, has proven to outperform the current benchmark ethanolamine (MEA), exhibiting better energy performance and lower degradation rates. This review aims to gather all the experimental laboratory and pilot available data for CESAR1 and its constituent components. Experimental gaps to develop reliable process models are detected and future experiments are proposed. An overview of the knowledge related to amine and degradation compound emissions and environmental impacts of CESAR1, together with hands-on experience in operating the solvent, is presented in this review.The main findings of the review are that sufficient physical properties, N2O-solubility, and speciation data for the CESAR1 solvent are not available in the open literature, even though necessary for the development of reliable process models. A review of the degradation compounds for AMP, PZ and AMP/PZ blends outlines that the nitrogen balance for AMP and PZ is not closed, meaning that there still are compounds that need identification and quantification in the degraded solvent. Given the higher volatility of AMP compared to MEA, a better understanding of the formation and behaviour of aerosol and gas phase emissions is required. A review of pilot plant campaigns for AMP/PZ blends shows that CESAR1 performs better in terms of energy compared to MEA and degrades less. There is, however, the need for high-quality pilot campaigns where all data needed for process model validation is provided for the scientific community. Finally, amine emission mitigation strategies and data on the environmental impact and toxicity of AMP and PZ are presented and discussed.

Lithium (Li) demand is surging due to the adaptation of Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in electric vehicles (EV). To ease the supply from virgin sources and meet new legislative recycling targets it's imperative to secure supply from secondary sources. Recently oxalic acid leaching has been reported for early-stage recovery of Li from black mass (BM) of spent EV LIBs. Such processes often face challenges in electrodes separation, thermal treatment of cathode material, and leachate up-concentration. Herein, the synergistic application of benzoyltrifluoroacetone (HBTA) and trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) to extract Li from oxalate streams of an industrial BM has been demonstrated for the first time. Under optimum conditions, ∼92 % Li was extracted from the leachate in 6mins, aqueous/organic (A/O) phase ratio 1, and pH 11. McCabe Thiele diagram indicated two counter-current stages for the complete extraction of Li at A/O 1. The slope analysis method indicated equal moles of HBTA required to extract Li and FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed the synergism of the extractants. The organic phase was scrubbed with Li salt and stripped with hydrochloric acid (HCl) resulting in a concentrated (Li ∼4 mol/L) solution precipitated as lithium carbonate (>99 % pure). The transition metals during oxalic acid leaching were reduced and precipitated as respective oxalates due to low solubility. They were successfully recovered using a second leaching step with HCl. The excess acid was recovered as oxalic acid by cooling crystallization, not reported earlier for BM recycling streams, facilitating a closed-loop process. The developed flowsheet significantly advances the early-stage Li recovery processes from BM.

Actinic keratosis and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in situ are precancerous forms of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. In this single-centre retrospective study, patients with histopathologically confirmed actinic keratosis (n = 121) or cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in situ (n = 99) as their initial keratinocyte-derived lesion were compared and evaluated with regard to development of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma during a 5-year observation period. Patients with severely dysplastic actinic keratosis or cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in situ as their initial lesion developed cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma more rapidly than patients with actinic keratosis with mild or moderate dysplasia. With either actinic keratosis or cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in situ as an initial lesion, advanced age, male sex, comorbidity with basal cell carcinoma, and immunosuppressive medication were associated with elevated risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma development. Regarding solely patient with actinic keratosis as their initial lesion male sex, advanced age, immunosuppressive medication, location of the initial lesion, and degree of dysplasia were associated with the risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Among patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in situ as their initial lesion, only aspirin usage was associated with increased risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. This study indicates that, among the vast and increasing population of patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma precursors, male patients with immunosuppressive medication who develop basal cell carcinoma should be regarded as at heightened risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma development and warrant closer surveillance.

Abstract Our understanding of the surrounding world and communication with other people are tied to mental representations of concepts. In order for the brain to recognize an object, it must determine which concept to access based on information available from sensory inputs. In this study, we combine magnetoencephalography and machine learning to investigate how concepts are represented and accessed in the brain over time. Using brain responses from a silent picture naming task, we track the dynamics of visual and semantic information processing, and show that the brain gradually accumulates information on different levels before eventually reaching a plateau. The timing of this plateau point varies across individuals and feature models, indicating notable temporal variation in visual object recognition and semantic processing.

Immunization during pregnancy (IP) against pertussis is recommended in many countries to protect infants. Although maternal antibodies can influence the infants’ antibody responses to primary vaccinations, their effect on the development of functional antibodies and B cells remain poorly studied. We investigated the maternal immune response to IP and the effect of IP and pre-existing antibodies on infants’ primary vaccine responses in an open-label, non-randomized trial. Forty-seven mothers received tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine during pregnancy, and 22 mothers were included as controls. Sixty-nine infants received primary doses of DTaP at three and five months of age. Geometric mean concentrations of antibodies to pertussis toxin, filamentous haemagglutinin, pertactin, diphtheria, and tetanus toxins, pertussis toxin neutralizing antibodies (PTNAs), and plasma and memory B-cell frequencies were studied at delivery, and at three, five and six months. Levels of antibodies, PTNAs, and frequencies of memory B-cells were significantly increased at delivery and up to six months after in mothers with IP compared to those without IP (all p

Pertussis toxin (PT) is a unique virulence factor of Bordetella pertussis, and therefore a key component of acellular pertussis vaccines. Although immunity after infection seems to persist longer than after vaccination, the exact mechanisms are not fully known. In this study the overall binding strength (avidity) of anti-PT IgG antibodies was compared after acellular booster vaccination and infection, as a parameter to evaluate long-lasting protection.Danish and Finnish serum samples from a total of 134 serologically confirmed patients and 112 children who received acellular booster vaccines were included in this study. The concentration of anti-PT IgG was first determined by ELISA, followed by two separate ELISAs to evaluate antibody avidity: either with a dilution series of urea as a bond-breaking agent of antibody and antigen binding and a constant anti-PT IgG concentration between the samples or with a constant dilution ratio of sera and detergent. In addition to urea, the use of diethylamine and ammonium thiocyanate as disruptive agents were first compared between each other.A strong Spearman correlation (R > 0.801) was noted between avidity and concentration of anti-PT IgG antibodies if a constant serum dilution method was used, and avidity was noted to be higher in patients in comparison to vaccinees in Denmark, but not in Finland. However, no correlation between antibody concentration and avidity was found if a constant anti-PT IgG concentration was used (R = −0.157). With this method, avidity after vaccination was significantly higher in comparison to that after infection in both Danish and Finnish subjects (p

The HS3 solvent is an innovative blend for CO2 capture made up of a primary (3-amino-1-propanol, AP) and a tertiary (1-(2-hydroxyethyl) pyrrolidine, PRLD) amine studied in the H2020-funded Realise project. The thermodynamic framework has already been validated using experimental observations. The proposed thermodynamic model has been built into Aspen Plus V11 using the ENTRL (Electrolyte Non-Random Two Liquid) package and, then, finalized by including a mass transfer model and kinetics. The resulting full flowsheet simulation model has been validated using experimental measurements from Tiller semi-industrial pilot plant (Trondheim, Norway). The experimental campaign succeeded in demonstrating lower energy requirement and liquid recirculation compared to conventional monoethanolamine (MEA) at 30% w/w. The present contribution aims at presenting the validation procedure of the developed model over experimental data from the large-scale facility at Tiller and showing that the HS3 solvent is a promising blend to mitigate energy consumption in the CO2 capture process. All KPIs of the CO2 capture plant (CO2 capture rate, CO2 flow released in the stripper and temperature profiles inside the two columns) are predicted with an Absolute Average Relative Deviation (AARD) lower than 5% and with an Average Relative Deviation (ARD) close to zero. This statistical analysis demonstrates that the developed HS3 Aspen model can be used for simulation, energy analysis, and techno-economic assessment purposes.

Pertussis incidence has increased in many countries and the disease occurs among all age groups, suggesting the need for booster immunizations through life. In addition to determining the concentration of anti-pertussis toxin (PT) antibodies, the ability of PT neutralizing antibodies (PTNAs) could be used to assess vaccine responses.Altogether 258 participants [7–10-year-old (N = 73), 11–15-year-old (N = 85), 20–35-year-old (N = 50) and 60–70-year-old (N = 50)] were included. Sera were collected before, one month, and one year after a single dose of a three pertussis component containing acellular pertussis vaccine. The adolescents were primed in childhood either by acellular or whole-cell vaccination. PTNA titres were determined by a Chinese hamster ovary cell assay and anti-PT IgG/IgA antibody concentrations by multiplex immunoassay.In all age groups, a significant increase in levels of PTNAs and anti-PT IgG was observed one month after vaccination and remained at least two-fold higher one year post-booster, in comparison to pre-booster. Young adults had the lowest response. The strongest increase in PTNAs was observed in participants who had ≥10 IU/mL concentration of anti-PT IgG antibodies pre-booster. At pre-booster, whole-cell-primed adolescents had higher PTNAs than acellular-primed peers (p = 0.047). One year post-booster, the Finnish whole-cell-primed adolescents had a higher level of PTNAs than acellular-primed adolescents (p = 0.049), however, this was not observed in Dutch adolescents. In conclusion, PTNAs increased after vaccination in all age groups, and the strongest increase was related to the presence of high pre-booster antibodies.

A prevalent aspect of contemporary digital campaigning is the use of humor to attract attention, elicit amusement, and mark group boundaries. This study investigates the humor in digital campaigns during two recent Finnish parliamentary elections, focusing on how different styles of humor are used to (de)legitimize political ideas and actors. Our original dataset consists of 125,604 posts by 1262 candidates on Facebook six months before the 2019 and 2023 election days. Using Facebook's haha reactions and manual coding to annotate humor style, we focused on 729 posts with seemingly intentional humor by candidates. We show how different parties and individual candidates used humor to varying degrees and in different styles. Overall, the proportion of humorous posts was not high, but the populist radical right Finns Party candidates used humor by far the most, and their style was primarily aggressive, aimed at delegitimizing the incumbent government, political opponents, and their reference groups. Candidates from other major parties also used some humor, but overall the tone was more positive. Some of these candidates were profiled as "humor specialists" who produced similar combinations of ridicule and anti-elitism as the Finns Party candidates or, alternatively, focused on disseminating self-deprecating and affiliative humor. Affiliative and self-deprecating humor was used to foster closeness, ordinariness, and spontaneity, thus legitimizing oneself as a relatable candidate. The paper discusses how candidates use humor strategically to stand out in a competition for attention between candidates, and elaborates on the implications of using different humor styles in strategic political communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stools from colorectal cancer patients are noninvasive samples that could be used to compare the frequency of hotspot mutations between two different ethnic cohorts. Materials and Methods: We collected stool samples from the Iranian cohort (52 patients and 49 controls) and the Finnish cohort (40 patients and 14 controls). Following stool DNA extraction, we used the AmpliSeq Colon and Lung Cancer panel to prepare DNA libraries before sequencing. Results: The Iranian cohort exhibited 35 hotspot mutations in the BRAF, ERBB4, FBXW7, FGFR1, FGFR3, KRAS, MAP2K, MET, NRAS, PIK3C, SMAD4, and TP53 genes. In the Finnish cohort, 13 hotspot mutations were found in the AKT1, APC, KIT, KRAS, SMO, STK11, and TP53 genes. Mutations in NRAS and FGFR3 were observed only in the Iranian cohort, while APC mutations were exclusive for the Finnish cohort. Conclusion: Genes involved in MAPK and PI3K-MAPK pathways showed a higher frequency of mutations in Iranian patients which may have therapeutic implications.

Abstract Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) harbors metastatic potential and causes mortality. However, clinical assessment of metastasis risk is challenging. We approached this challenge by harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm to identify metastatic primary cSCCs. Residual neural network-architectures were trained with cross-validation to identify metastatic tumors on clinician annotated, hematoxylin and eosin-stained whole slide images representing primary non-metastatic and metastatic cSCCs (n = 104). Metastatic primary tumors were divided into two subgroups, which metastasize rapidly (≤ 180 days) (n = 22) or slowly (> 180 days) (n = 23) after primary tumor detection. Final model was able to predict whether primary tumor was non-metastatic or rapidly metastatic with slide-level area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.747. Furthermore, risk factor (RF) model including prediction by AI, Clark’s level and tumor diameter provided higher AUROC (0.917) than other RF models and predicted high 5-year disease specific survival (DSS) for patients with cSCC with 0 or 1 RFs (100% and 95.7%) and poor DSS for patients with cSCCs with 2 or 3 RFs (41.7% and 40.0%). These results indicate, that AI recognizes unknown morphological features associated with metastasis and may provide added value to clinical assessment of metastasis risk and prognosis of primary cSCC.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is among the main available options to cut CO2 emissions from the industry and energy production sectors, but the high costs of current CCS technology still limit their large-scale applicability. For this reason, there is increasing interest in alternative absorbents with the potential to lower the energy and environmental impact of carbon capture. The estimation of costs, as well as process design and optimization, require accurate, reliable, and stable thermodynamic models. This article presents the development and testing of an ELECNRTL model in Aspen Plus for the characterization of HS3, an innovative blend made up of a primary (3-amino-1-propanol) and a tertiary (1-(2-hydroxyethyl) pyrrolidine) amine studied in the H2020-funded Realise project. The vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) model is fitted to in-house experimental data covering a wide range of loadings and operating temperatures. A plot for the system speciation in the liquid phase is obtained. Moreover, a comparison between the heat of absorption data and model prediction is also included. The proposed VLE model shows good accuracy and numerical stability in the whole temperatures and loading ranges of interest for industrial CO2 capture applications.

Hydrogen is an energy carrier that can be used to develop a low-carbon economy: the hydrogen-based industry. For this purpose, a source of hydrogen is needed. Steam methane reforming (SMR) is the current benchmark to produce hydrogen. This technology combines high efficiency and low production cost; however, it is CO2-intensive. Integrated with carbon capture, SMR could provide a low carbon H2, (blue Hydrogen). This paper studies the potential of an offshore blue hydrogen production with heat integration allowing recovery of heat in the SMR process to use in the CO2 capture process. For the studied case, the heat integration shows that almost half of CO2 can be captured based on chemical absorption with 30wt% MEA. Finally, an economic evaluation discusses the cost of hydrogen production highlighting that CO2 taxes play a crucial role.