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Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play key roles in diverse biological processes, transport biomolecules between cells and have been engineered for therapeutic applications. A useful EV bioengineering strategy is to express engineered proteins on the EV surface to confer targeting, bioactivity and other properties. Measuring how incorporation varies across a population of EVs is important for characterising such materials and understanding their function, yet it remains challenging to quantitatively characterise the absolute number of engineered proteins incorporated at single-EV resolution. To address these needs, we developed a HaloTag-based characterisation platform in which dyes or other synthetic species can be covalently and stoichiometrically attached to engineered proteins on the EV surface. To evaluate this system, we employed several orthogonal quantification methods, including flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy, and found that HaloTag-mediated quantification is generally robust across EV analysis methods. We compared HaloTag-labelling to antibody-labelling of EVs using single vesicle flow cytometry, enabling us to measure the substantial degree to which antibody labelling can underestimate proteins present on an EV. Finally, we demonstrate the use of HaloTag to compare between protein designs for EV bioengineering. Overall, the HaloTag system is a useful EV characterisation tool which complements and expands existing methods.

Context: Knowing the methods to assess the external load in Paralympic sports can help multidisciplinary teams rely on scientific evidence to better prescribe and monitor the athlete's development, improving sports performance and reducing the risk of injury/illness of Paralympic athletes. Objectives: This review aimed to systematically explore the current practices of quantifying the external load in Paralympic sports and provide an overview of the methods and techniques used. Evidence Acquisition: A search in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and EBSCO was carried out until November 2022. The measures of interest were objective methods for quantifying the external load of training or competition. The inclusion criteria for the studies were as follows: (1) peer-reviewed article; (2) the population were Paralympic athletes; (3) evaluated during training or competition; (4) reported at least one external load measure; and (5) published in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. Evidence Synthesis: Of the 1961 articles found, 22 were included because they met the criteria, and 8 methods were identified to quantify the external load in training or competition in 8 Paralympic sports. The methods varied according to the characteristics of the Paralympic sports. To date, the devices used included an internal radiofrequency-based tracking system (wheelchair rugby) a miniaturized data logger (wheelchair tennis, basketball, and rugby); a linear position transducer (powerlifting and wheelchair basketball); a camera (swimming, goalball, and wheelchair rugby); a global positioning system (wheelchair tennis); heart rate monitors that assess external load variables in set (paracycling and swimming) and an electronic timer (swimming). Conclusions: Different objective methods were identified to assess the external load in Paralympic sports. However, few studies showed the validity and reliability of these methods. Further studies are needed to compare different methods of external load quantification in other Paralympic sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development process of a system is shaped by numerous variables that influence its progress and outcome. As a result, complexity can increase throughout the development process, potentially leading to negative consequences, which makes the management of complexity critical. Most development processes begin with the definition of needs and requirements. In this paper, the authors present a novel approach that enables the automated extraction of structure from requirements specifications. The approach uses Natural Language Processing to elicit three structural layers from a set of requirements, which are subsequently analyzed using metrics to assess complexity. In a case study, the approach is demonstrated using a set of 79 requirements, within which 246 individual entities are identified. These entities and the requirements are structured and analyzed using network density and spectral entropy. The metrics allow for interpretation and insight generation, such as identifying an increase in the number of potentially problematic loops. The approach achieved a detection and structural accuracy of over 98% in the given case study and is planned to be expanded with future cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT As efforts to study the mechanisms of melanoma metastasis and novel therapeutic approaches multiply, researchers need accurate, high‐throughput methods to evaluate the effects on tumor burden resulting from specific interventions. We show that automated quantification of tumor content from whole slide images is a compelling solution to assess in vivo experiments. In order to increase the outflow of data collection from preclinical studies, we assembled a large dataset with annotations and trained a deep neural network for the quantitative analysis of melanoma tumor content on histopathological sections of murine models. After assessing its performance in segmenting these images, the tool obtained consistent results with an orthogonal method (bioluminescence) of measuring metastasis in an experimental setting. This AI‐based algorithm, made freely available to academic laboratories through a web‐interface called MetFinder, promises to become an asset for melanoma researchers and pathologists interested in accurate, quantitative assessment of metastasis burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantifying the degree of deterioration is crucial for developing prevention strategies for archaeological leather. In this work, the morphology, chemical compositions, and physical properties of artificially aged leather samples were analyzed using a series of test methods to determine non-destructive or micro-destructive technologies for quantifying the degree of deterioration in archaeological leather. Results show that the hydroxyproline (Hyp) content of leather decreases with the increase of deterioration degree because deterioration leads to the gradual destruction of the collagen fiber network of leather. Moreover, the Hyp content of leather can be micro-destructively determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Therefore, the determination of Hyp content is recommended to quantify the degree of deterioration in archaeological leather. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Monosaccharides such as glucose, fructose, and galactose are the building blocks of oligosaccharides and act as the major energy sources in our body. These three monosaccharides are the most prominent in food processing and widely consumed analytes, found in fruits or milk. Although several analytical methods are available to identify and quantify sugar solutions, their drawbacks urge the search for better possible alternatives. A simple, rapid, and efficient method for identifying monosaccharides (ᴅ‐fructose, ᴅ‐galactose, and ᴅ‐glucose) was investigated using low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF‐NMR), exploring the applicability and reliability of this machine. The transverse (T2) relaxation curve was analysed to distinguish monosaccharides from each other. The increasing monosaccharide concentration in the sugar solution causes leftward shifts in signals, indicating a gradual reduction in the mobility of water molecules. The addition of sugar generated a secondary peak, which assisted in identifying monosaccharides. Notably, fructose exhibited distinct behaviour from that of glucose and galactose. The regression coefficient consistently exceeded 0.98, indicating the reliability of this experiment. LF‐NMR encountered challenges in differentiating stereo‐isomeric glucose and galactose. However, quantification of monosaccharides from known binary mixtures (water and one monosaccharide) is possible by preparing standard curves of different concentrations of sugars. These standard curves can be either T2 or the total surface area of the peaks as a function of sugar concentration. The study concludes that LF‐NMR has potential for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of monosaccharides in pure solutions or powdered samples. It is hoped that the rapid and easy way of monosaccharide identification by simple analysis of peaks obtained from NMR spectra will enhance its accessibility for users. However, it also acknowledges limitations in applying this method to complex systems (mixtures of different sugars in a solution). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To develop a standardised, automated protocol for detecting protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5) positive intra‐epidermal nerve fibres (IENFs) in skin biopsies, transitioning from the established manual technique to an automated platform. This automated method, although currently intended for research applications, may improve the accessibility of this diagnostic test for small fibre neuropathy in clinical settings. Methods: Skin biopsies (n = 274) from 100 participants (fibromyalgia syndrome n = 62; idiopathic small fibre neuropathy: n = 16; healthy volunteers: n = 22) were processed using an automated immunohistochemistry platform. IENF quantification was performed by blinded examiners, with reliability assessed via a two‐way mixed‐effects model to evaluate inter‐ and intra‐observer variability. Results: The automated staining system reproduced intra‐epidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD) counts consistent with free‐floating sections (mean ± standard deviation: free‐floating: 5.6 ± 3.4 fibres/mm; automated: 5.9 ± 3.2 fibres/mm). A median difference of 0.3 with a lower bound 95% Confidence Interval (CI) at −0.00005 established non‐inferiority against a margin of −0.4 (p =.08). Specifically, the inter‐class correlation coefficient (class denotes consistency in measured observations) was 99% (95% CI: 0.9–1), indicating excellent agreement between free‐floating and automated methods. The inter‐ and intra‐class coefficient between examiners were both 99% (95% CI: 0.9–0.1) for IENFD, demonstrating high reliability using sections stained using the automated method. Interpretation: Automated immunohistochemistry provides high‐throughput reliable and reproducible intra‐epidermal nerve fibre quantification. This method, although currently proof‐of‐concept, for research use only, may be more widely deployed in histopathology laboratories to increase the adoption of IENFD assessment for the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Over 50% of breast cancer cases are "Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) low breast cancer (BC)", characterized by HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) scores of 1+ or 2+ alongside no amplification on fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) testing. The development of new anti‐HER2 antibody‐drug conjugates (ADCs) for treating HER2‐low breast cancers illustrates the importance of accurately assessing HER2 status, particularly HER2‐low breast cancer. In this study we evaluated the performance of a deep‐learning (DL) model for the assessment of HER2, including an assessment of the causes of discordances of HER2‐Null between a pathologist and the DL model. We specifically focussed on aligning the DL model rules with the ASCO/CAP guidelines, including stained cells' staining intensity and completeness of membrane staining. Methods and Results: We trained a DL model on a multicentric cohort of breast cancer cases with HER2‐IHC scores (n = 299). The model was validated on two independent multicentric validation cohorts (n = 369 and n = 92), with all cases reviewed by three senior breast pathologists. All cases underwent a thorough review by three senior breast pathologists, with the ground truth determined by a majority consensus on the final HER2 score among the pathologists. In total, 760 breast cancer cases were utilized throughout the training and validation phases of the study. The model's concordance with the ground truth (ICC = 0.77 [0.68–0.83]; Fisher P = 1.32e‐10) is higher than the average agreement among the three senior pathologists (ICC = 0.45 [0.17–0.65]; Fisher P = 2e‐3). In the two validation cohorts, the DL model identifies 95% [93% ‐ 98%] and 97% [91% ‐ 100%] of HER2‐low and HER2‐positive tumours, respectively. Discordant results were characterized by morphological features such as extended fibrosis, a high number of tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes, and necrosis, whilst some artefacts such as nonspecific background cytoplasmic stain in the cytoplasm of tumour cells also cause discrepancy. Conclusion: Deep learning can support pathologists' interpretation of difficult HER2‐low cases. Morphological variables and some specific artefacts can cause discrepant HER2‐scores between the pathologist and the DL model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This review addresses the knowledge gap surrounding ergothioneine which is a naturally occurring antioxidant, by examining both its beneficial properties and the challenges associated with its study. Ergothioneine, often termed a 'longevity vitamin', is present in various foods such as mushrooms, grains and certain animal tissues and is synthesised by specific microorganisms. Despite its recognised potential in promoting healthier and extended lifespans, the mechanisms and full spectrum of its effects remain inadequately understood. This article provides a balanced overview of ergothioneine, covering its prevalence, methods for quantification and a wide range of bioactivities, while its antioxidant capabilities, including the neutralisation of free radicals and reactive oxygen species, highlight its promise for enhancing cellular health and preventing age‐related diseases. In addition to that, this review also discusses the limitations and gaps in current research. Notably, ergothioneine's bioaccumulation in tissues vulnerable to oxidative stress suggests its significant role in longevity. Preliminary studies suggest benefits such as reduced inflammation, protection of mitochondrial function and support for brain health, yet comprehensive studies are required to fully understand its mechanisms. This review aims to present an unbiased and thorough understanding of ergothioneine, emphasising the need for further research to unlock its full potential in human health and ageing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Bone inflammation (osteitis) in early RA (ERA) manifests as bone marrow oedema (BME) and precedes the development of bone erosion. In this prospective, single-centre study, we developed an automated post-processing pipeline for quantifying the severity of wrist BME on T2-weighted fat-suppressed MRI. Methods A total of 80 ERA patients [mean age 54 years (s. d. 12), 62 females] were enrolled at baseline and 49 (40 females) after 1 year of treatment. For automated bone segmentation, a framework based on a convolutional neural network (nnU-Net) was trained and validated (5-fold cross-validation) for 15 wrist bone areas at baseline in 60 ERA patients. For BME quantification, BME was identified by Gaussian mixture model clustering and thresholding. BME proportion (%) and relative BME intensity within each bone area were compared with visual semi-quantitative assessment of the RA MRI score (RAMRIS). Results For automated wrist bone area segmentation, overall bone Sørensen–Dice similarity coefficient was 0.91 (s. d. 0.02) compared with ground truth manual segmentation. High correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient r  = 0.928, P  < 0.001) between visual RAMRIS BME and automated BME proportion assessment was found. The automated BME proportion decreased after treatment, correlating highly (r  = 0.852, P  < 0.001) with reduction in the RAMRIS BME score. Conclusion The automated model developed had an excellent segmentation performance and reliable quantification of both the proportion and relative intensity of wrist BME in ERA patients, providing a more objective and efficient alternative to RAMRIS BME scoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, I attempt to explain one of the most controversial views attributed to the Stoic Chrysippus: that the impossible can follow from the possible. My solution finds in Chrysippus a distinction later made by the medieval logician John Buridan: that between beingpossible (there being a state of affairs that may occur) and beingpossibly-true (there being some proposition whose truth-conditions are that state of affairs). Buridan and Chrysippus have radically opposing views on the nature of propositions. What their conceptions share is the conclusion that at least some propositions must be contingent beings. They argue for this while maintaining a rigorous commitment to the view that propositions are strictly bivalent. In 2. I explain the Chrysippean passage in terms of a distinction Buridan makes explicitly. In 3. I show how the distinction follows implicitly from the Stoic theory of quantification. In 4. I compare the modality with other aspects of Stoic logic. In 5. I discuss how the distinction behaves in the future tense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitragyna speciosa is a perennial plant native to Asia, well known for its psychoactive properties. Its major alkaloid mitragynine is known to have sedative and euphoric effects. Hence, the plant has been a subject of abuse, leading to addiction, necessitating efficient analytical methods to detect its psychoactive constituents. However, current chromatography‐based methods for detecting the alkaloids are time consuming and costly. Quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) spectroscopy emerges as a promising alternative due to its nondestructive nature, structural insights, and short analysis time. Hence, a rapid and precise qNMR method was developed to quantify selected major psychoactive alkaloids in various parts of M. speciosa. Mitragynine, specioliatine, and speciogynine were quantified in relation to the integral value of the ‐OCH3 groups of the alkaloids and the internal standard 1,4‐dinitrobenzene. The precision and reproducibility of the method gave a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2%, demonstrating the reliability of the method. In addition, the method showed excellent specificity, sensitivity, high linearity range (R2 = 0.999), and limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) values. The analysis revealed that the red‐veined M. speciosa leaves contained higher levels of mitragynine (32.34 mg/g), specioliatine (16.84 mg/g) and speciogynine (7.69 mg/g) compared to the green‐veined leaves, stem bark, or fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The partial-volume effect (PVE) is an important factor impairing tumour quantification in molecular imaging. The commonly used contour-volume-of-interest (contour-VOI) approach to correct for this effect employs phantom-based recovery coefficients. Applying oversize-VOIs could offer superior quantification accuracy in small lesions. The oversize-VOI approach uses a large oversize volume to determine the total tumour activity after applying a background correction. Aims of this study were to provide a procedure for the application of the oversize-VOI approach and to compare its performance to the contour-VOI approach in PET imaging. Approach. A sphere tumour model was simulated to determine the oversize diameter that contained 90%, 95%, and 98% of the total activity as a function of the tumour size. Experimental investigations involving phantom and clinical data were conducted on a digital PET/CT scanner. In the phantom investigation, 12 spherical tumour inserts (diameters ranging from 3.7 to 37.4 mm) containing 18F-solution were used. The accuracy of the contour- and oversize-VOI approach was evaluated for different signal-to-background ratios (20–3). Clinically, both approaches were applied on PET/CT images acquired with 18F-labelled prostate-specific membrane antigen in prostate cancer patients. Main results. From the tumour model, we deduced that an oversize-VOI of two PET spatial resolutions larger than the physical lesion diameter contains at least 98% of the total activity for lesions with diameters down to one PET spatial resolution, while minimizing the background contribution. Both approaches were robust against varying phantom and clinical imaging conditions. Performance of the oversize-VOI approach was favorable for lesions below 10 mm in diameter, whereas the contour-VOI approach was slightly more accurate for sizes above 10 mm. Significance. The oversize-VOI approach facilitates image quantification of small tumours. It is simple and effective to correct for the PVE and may be used in pre-therapeutic (small) tumour dosimetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) remains a significant area of research since it's discovery 50 years ago. The surface-based technique has been used in a wide variety of fields, most prominently in chemical detection, cellular imaging and medical diagnostics, offering high sensitivity and specificity when probing and quantifying a chosen analyte or monitoring nanoparticle uptake and accumulation. However, despite its promise, SERS is mostly confined to academic laboratories and is not recognised as a gold standard analytical technique. This is due to the variations that are observed in SERS measurements, mainly caused by poorly characterised SERS substrates, lack of universal calibration methods and uncorrelated results. To convince the wider scientific community that SERS should be a routinely used analytical technique, the field is now focusing on methods that will increase the reproducibility of the SERS signals and how to validate the results with more well-established techniques. This review explores the difficulties experienced by SERS users, the methods adopted to reduce variation and suggestions of best practices and strategies that should be adopted if one is to achieve absolute quantification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energetically most favorable reaction pathways have been determined for the hydrogen-bonded "acyl chloride–hydroxyl-containing compound" system. New schemes were established for catalytic processes in a homogeneous medium and at interface. The formation of trimolecular hydrogen-bonded complexes increases the process efficiency. The efficiency of the catalytic process is determined by the geometrical requirements to the reduction of energy expenditure for the transition state. The importance of determining the transition state geometry for each elementary stage of the reaction is shown. The relationship between the free activation energy ∆G≠ and half-reaction time t1/2 was quantified for the first time for bi- and trimolecular reactions. The insurmountable activation barriers for the elementary stages of the reaction were calculated using the B3LYP functional. The reaction control by means of hydrogen bonding is performed by introducing donor-acceptor groups in the system to change the structure of the ground and transition states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether mudstone is rich in or free of organic matter has a great influence on the occurrence of water. Comparing different types of water in organic-rich and organic-free mudstones is helpful for further understanding the role of water in hydrocarbon generation. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) combined with mass spectrometry (MS) afford the opportunity to identify the mass change, reactions and products of the sample in a real-time monitored heating process. This study compared the pyrolysis characteristics of an organic-rich mudstone (CN1) and an organic-free mudstone (CW1) by using the TGA/DTA-MS method to estimate the content of different types of H2O and CO2 in organic-rich mudstones. The results show that the mass changes in CN1 and CW1 can be divided into the three thermogravimetric (TG) stages of 0°C-200°C, 200°C-650°C, and 650°C-900°C, while the peak temperatures of H2O and CO2 obtained through MS are different for CN1 and CW1. The differences in mineral components and organic matter between CN1 and CW1 suggest that the MS peaks of H2O and CO2 in CW1 are mainly influenced by clay and carbonate minerals, and that those of CN1 are also influenced by organic matter. In addition, quantification equations for CO2 and H2O contents from both the organic and inorganic origin of the organic-rich mudstone can be established by using the MS peak area of CO2 and H2O, mass loss in TGA and the mineral composition of the organic-free mudstone. This work provides useful insights for further understanding the hydrocarbon generation mechanism, as well as quantifying different types of water in organic-rich mudstones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy is a well-established technique for elucidating the structure and composition of Natural Products (NP). However, while NMR spectra offer qualitative insights, there is often a growing demand within the NP research community for quantitative analysis using NMR techniques. Unfortunately, this demand is sometimes met with misconceptions and lacks the methodological rigor typically associated with analytical procedures, particularly concerning validation and mandatory adjustments of quantitative NMR (qNMR) parameters. Therefore, this minireview highlights the practical approaches concerning preparation and validation for qNMR analyses of plant extracts. Specifically, we provide a concise protocol detailing experimental settings crucial for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of quantitative measurements. It is noteworthy that such guidance is often absent in existing literature, and our minireview wants to bridge this gap by offering clear methodological recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work outlines the development of a voltammetric method for a sensitive, rapid, and environmentally friendly determination of the antihypertensive sotalol (SOT) in several sample types employing the anodically pretreated boron‐doped diamond electrode. Cyclic voltammograms of SOT presented a well‐defined irreversible oxidation peak at 1.21 V (Ag/AgCl (3.0 mol L−1 KCl)) in Britton–Robinson buffer solution (pH 3.0). Figures of merits recommended by the validation guidelines were evaluated for the validation of the present method. Employing differential pulse voltammetry linearity of SOT was obtained in the concentration range of 0.39–4.22 μmol L−1 in 0.1 mol L−1 H2SO4 solution, with a limit of detection of 0.031 μmol L−1. The selectivity of the method was assessed against interferers and show relative standard deviation (RSD) values lower than 6 %. Recovery tests yielded percentages ranging from 93 % to 96 % in urine sample and from 100 % to 107 % in tap water sample. The proposed method was successfully applied in pharmaceutical, environmental, and biological samples offering a suitable green analytical chemistry profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between labour and social policy is at the heart of the social question. Scholars often treat this link as either a causal relation out there or a conceptual connection in policy makers' minds. This article examines its sociotechnical materiality instead. It follows anthropologists who ask how bureaucrats practice policy and scholars of science and technology studies who explore how social and technical aspects are interrelated in knowledge processes. China studies has suggested that the minimum livelihood guarantee (dibao) was originally designed as a market-oriented response to transformations of labour such as mass layoffs, peasant proletarianisation and associated unrest but later revamped to only combat extreme poverty. Ethnographic insights into dibao policy in a village in Sichuan show how its designed links to labour were erased and transformed through different methods of bureaucratic targeting, as well as expectations about the bureaucratic ability to know. For a time, dibao was even integrated into alternative rural development projects aimed at decommodification. Studying social policy as a knowledge process uncovers how its sociotechnical links to labour reconfigure it as an answer to the social question. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to calculate the gains of the quantified visually enhanced vestibulo-ocular reflex (qVVOR) and the quantified vestibulo-ocular reflex suppression (qVORS), using a specific system to generate a visual suppression index (SI) in healthy subjects obtained through the gains of qVVOR and qVORS, and to determine the normal values of the index, as well as the influence of age and sex variables on the SI. Methods. This prospective observational clinical study includes 83 healthy subjects who underwent the head impulse and suppression tests (HIMP and SHIMP, respectively), qVVOR, and qVORS tests, all of the vHIT. The sinusoidal tests (qVVOR and qVORS) were conducted at an intended frequency of 0.75 Hz. The gains of these tests were calculated using a system specifically designed for this purpose. A formula for the SI was established using a ratio of the gains from these tests. Two SI values are presented: unilateral, distinct for each direction of head movement, and bilateral, representing the suppression of both sides simultaneously. Results. Mean gains for the qVVORs were 0.981 ± 0.070 and 0.978 ± 0.077 for the rightwards and leftwards qVVORs, respectively. The gains for the suppressed tests were 0.334 ± 0.112 and 0.353 ± 0.110 for the rightwards and leftwards qVORSs, respectively. A difference of 0.05 Hz was observed between the expected (0.75 Hz) and the obtained frequency of head movement, which is statistically significant (p < 0.001). The SI was 0.342 ± 0.118 for the right side (right SI) and 0.363 ± 0.117 for the left side (left SI). The bilateral SI had a mean value of 0.295 ± 0.104. No significant differences in the SI were noted according to the subject's age. The SI for women was lower than in the case of males. Conclusions: The VVOR/VORS quantification algorithm allows for the reliable calculation of the numerical gain of qVVOR and qVORS with mathematical soundness and consistency of results. Our data support the use of a single or specific measure for direction of head movement; although significant differences exist, these differences are not clinically relevant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deformulation stage of original drug products, which includes the quantification of critical excipients, is crucial for the successful development of generic drug products of solid dosage form. Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) belongs to the group of critical excipients due to its influence on the bioavailability of drugs, such as metformin. The purpose of this work is to carry out a feasibility study in order to develop a simple, economical, and robust analytical method for the quantification of SLS in metformin-containing tablets after their dissolution in water. Firstly, SLS is extracted with chloroform in acidic conditions, followed by the addition of methylene blue (MB) in order to form a SLS-MB ion pair, which is then measured photometrically at a wavelength of 651 nm. Additionally, interference from matrix components (excipients and APIs) was assessed, and it was found that metformin also forms a blue complex; therefore, this specific extraction method was developed. Other matrix components did not interfere with SLS determination. This method shows a well-estimated precision of 3.3% and accuracy of 5%, a calibration linearity of R2 = 0.99990, and a working range of 0.38 µg/mL to 10 µg/mL of SLS in water. The midpoint of the calibration graph corresponds to the concentration of SLS obtained by dissolving a single tablet in 1 L of water. This method seems appropriate for total SLS determination in tablets and can be applicable for deformulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approaches aimed at regulating artificial intelligence (AI) include a particular form of risk regulation, i.e. a risk-based approach. The most prominent example is the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act). This article addresses the challenges for adequate risk regulation that arise primarily from the specific type of risks involved, i.e. risks to the protection of fundamental rights and fundamental societal values. This is mainly due to the normative ambiguity of such rights and societal values when attempts are made to select, interpret, specify or operationalise them for the purposes of risk assessments and risk mitigation. This is exemplified by (1) human dignity, (2) informational self-determination, data protection and privacy, (3) anti-discrimination, fairness and justice, and (4) the common good. Normative ambiguities require normative choices, which are assigned to different actors under the regime of the AI Act. Particularly critical normative choices include selecting normative concepts by which to operationalise and specify risks, aggregating and quantifying risks (including the use of metrics), balancing value conflicts, setting levels of acceptable risks, and standardisation. To ensure that these normative choices do not lack democratic legitimacy and to avoid legal uncertainty, further political processes and scientific debates are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics are emerging contaminants that undergo progressive aging under environmental conditions such as sunlight irradiation, mechanical forces, temperature variations, and the presence of biological organisms. Since aging modifies microplastic properties, such as their own toxicity and the toxicity of trapped pollutants, advanced methods to analyze microplastics are required. Here we review methods to analyze microplastic aging with focus on the aging process, qualitative identification, quantitative characterization, and chemometrics. Qualitative identification is done by mechanical techniques, thermal techniques, e.g., thermal degradation and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and spectral techniques, e.g., infrared, Raman, fluorescent, and laser techniques. Quantitative characterization is done by microscopy and mass spectrometry. Microplastic aging results in a series of surface physical changes, biofilm formation, chemical oxidation, thermal alternation, and mechanical deterioration. Changes in mechanical and thermal properties allow to differentiate aged microplastics. Infrared and Raman spectroscopy are rapid and sensitive for chemical identification of microplastics in complex environmental samples. Combining two techniques is preferable for accurate detection and categorization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many contemporary efforts to govern global challenges are driven by combinations of numbers and futures. This special section proposes the novel concept of 'quantified futures' as a way of grasping this widespread entanglement. Because existing scholarship has largely treated quantification and futurisation as discrete governing technologies, their intersections have remained undertheorised and underexplored. In this introductory article, we discuss similarities between quantification and futurisation to build an integrated analytical framework that outlines how quantified futures operate across transnational policy domains by shaping the salience, scope and urgency of global challenges and their solutions. The special section at large cautions against overly optimistic expectations regarding the capacity of quantified futures to tackle global challenges. Rather, it underscores the need to enquire into the mutually reinforcing effects between, on the one hand, the growing use of quantified futures and, on the other hand, the increase and diversification of global challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we argue that number-making is a mode of imagining political futures – not only futures that are probable but, crucially, futures that are desired. In this way, rather than simply a mode of 'technicising' policy challenges, quantification fleshes out the utopian dream of a better world. Global governance is faced with the paradox of, on one hand, the utopian aspiration of the Sustainable Development Goals to create a perfect world (free of poverty, inequality, diseases and climate disaster) and, on the other hand, the dystopian effects of inaction – both tracked carefully through a complex network of indicators. This article focuses on the materiality of the Sustainable Development Goals as a productive device through which a monitoring agenda such as the Sustainable Development Goals has become ever more influential and has led to the emergence of a global public policy space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the Covid crisis, while countries set up an unprecedented social protection response, international organisations quickly turned towards envisioning how to 'build back better' using social protection. Building on a qualitative document analysis, the article finds that international organisations frequently imagine the future through anticipations of protracted and multidimensional crises – often in quantified form. Arguing that futures are an ideational influence on policymaking, the article reconstructs two ways in which these crisis anticipations inform international organisations' social protection policy proposals: first, as legitimising narratives for expanding social protection; second, in the form of policy proposals that embed crisis anticipation in their design, as in the case of 'adaptive social protection'. The article shows that adaptive social protection departs from traditional social protection policy: it promotes strengthening individual, household and systemic resilience, and implementing preparedness as a governing rationale, thus moving from a focus on compensation and provision towards prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much contemporary economic policy analysis deploys demographic projections. To explore their macroeconomic significance, this article draws on documentary evidence from two case studies: (1) the World Bank's Human Capital Index and (2) European Union models of population ageing within debt sustainability analysis. Combining constructivist and Foucauldian insights, we develop a threefold argument about the constitutive effects of quantified demographic futures on macroeconomic policy analysis. First, the World Bank's and the European Union's respective demographic futures mobilise urgency for contingent policy choices with reference to expected future 'gaps'. Second, they build credibility for contested bodies of expertise on the basis of long-term population forecasts. Third, they delineate agency such that the effects of structural inter-dependencies between economies are rendered as national-level policy risks. These findings demonstrate how quantified demographic futures circumscribe national policy space, mediate the politics of macroeconomic ideas and contribute to the depoliticisation of economic policymaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With conflict prevention as a commonplace agenda of international organisations, numerous instruments for gathering knowledge about potential armed conflict have emerged. This article focuses on the mode of knowing war through quantification in the form of fatality statistics or 'death counts', which are taken by analysts and policymakers to indicate the severity and extent of conflicts. Drawing on official documents and interviews, I argue that fatality numbers are productive of the reality of violent conflict as they shape what counts as conflict and what does not. In the reporting by prevention actors, such numbers indicate past and future trends of armed violence and, in this way, bolster the imperative to prevent by creating quantified futures of conflict. However, fatality numbers also normalise deadly violence as a baseline criterion, thus also limiting the scope of what is known as future conflict and omitting lived experiences from the abstractions behind such numbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the questions linguists try to answer is to what extent conceptual content is expressed similarly across languages. The null hypothesis is that languages express the same sorts of things but may differ in the particular morphological and syntactic constructions they use. This paper describes one semantic domain, quantification over objects in Oneida (Northern Iroquoian), where there is both variation in expression and variation in expressibility. Through a detailed and comprehensive description of quantificational expressions, we show that in Oneida quantification is pervasively and almost exclusively expressed by productive verb forms that are not number words; moreover, these verb forms head clauses (count clauses) adjoined to main clauses. We argue that to this morphosyntactic difference between Oneida and most languages corresponds a semantic difference, namely that in Oneida quantificational expressions denote properties of sets, whereas in most other languages they denote relations between sets (or between entities and sets), and this difference accounts for the systematic absence of proportional and partitive quantifiers in Oneida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim is to analyze automated quantification of choriocapillaris flow deficit (CCFD) on swept-source (SS)-optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in tubercular serpiginous-like choroiditis (TBSLC). In this prospective study, automated CCFD calculations were performed on SS-OCTA and compared with CCFD areas on indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). Patients were divided into two groups based on the occurrence of paradoxical worsening (PW). Twenty-nine eyes (29 subjects; 18 males; mean age: 33±12 years) were included. The mean CCFD at baseline was 34.9 ± 4.3% on OCTA in eyes without PW and 35.4 ± 5.0% on SS-OCTA with PW (p =.77). At 4 and 12 weeks, CCFD on SS-OCTA improved to 30.6 ± 3.9% and 28.0 ± 4.2% (p <.001) without PW, respectively, and increased to 42.9 ± 4.4% and 48.8 ± 4.1% (p <.001) with PW, respectively. The SS-OCTA CCFD correlated well with ICGA (r = 0.48; p <.001). Automated quantitative serial assessment of CCFD on SS-OCTA can serve as a useful biomarker of disease activity in eyes with TBSLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article addresses the decarbonization of the French public research sector via a novel form of scientific mobilization: Labos 1point5, a group of research personnel, whose strategy is partly based on developing and then distributing a carbon calculator to estimate the quantity of greenhouse gases emitted by French public research laboratories, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) or "carbon footprint." Here, I question the effects of this quantification on laboratories' approach to decarbonization. Commensuration of research practices through an estimation that is not centered on a specific practice (such as travel) or limited to certain instruments (e.g., telescopes, supercomputers, computer hardware) opens up the boundaries of responsibility attribution. I identify three forms of tensions that arise during this process: a tension in terms of level of responsibilities, a material and disciplinary tension, and finally, a definitional tension, in the sense of "boundary-work" (Gieryn, 1983), in which this initiative is simultaneously labeled as scientific and activist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenic, the 20th most common element in Earth's crust and historically regarded as the King of Poisons, occurs naturally in two oxidation states, Arsenate (V) and Arsenite (III), and is prevalent worldwide through natural and anthropogenic means. The cations of the metalloid exhibit unique chemical behaviour in water and are found to be components of approximately 245 natural minerals, making its occurrence in drinking water a compelling challenge, especially in groundwater. This comprehensive review collates information regarding the prevalence of arsenic contamination in water worldwide and its impact on human health, its chemical behaviour, methods for detection and quantification, and treatment strategies. A comprehensive search was conducted, and the selection of eligible studies was carried out using the PRISMA (the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines. Essential characteristics of eligible research studies were extracted based on geographical areas, origins, concentration levels and the magnitude of populations vulnerable to arsenic contamination in groundwater sources. Arsenic contamination of water affects over 100 countries including Canada, the United States, Pakistan, China, India, Brazil and Bangladesh, where hydrogeological conditions favour prevalence and groundwater is the primary water source for food preparation, irrigation of food crops and drinking water. This leads to human exposure through absorption, ingestion and inhalation, causing numerous health disorders affecting nearly all systems within the human body, with acute and chronic toxicity including cancers. The presence of arsenic in water poses a considerable challenge to humanity, prompting scientists to devise diverse mitigation approaches categorized as (a) oxidation processes, (b) precipitation methods, (c) membrane technologies, (d) adsorption and ion exchange methods, and (e) social interventions. This comprehensive review is expected to be a valuable source for professionals in the water industry, public management, and policymaking, aiding their ongoing and future research and development efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the match-physical response of international-level footballers with cerebral palsy (CP) according to contextual factors such as team ranking, the quality level of opposition, and match outcome. Eighty-two male outfield footballers with CP from top-ranked teams (n = 26) and bottom-ranked teams (n = 56) took part in this study. The match-player response was recorded using global positioning devices considering the total distance, distance covered at different velocities and number of short-term actions. Players from top-ranked teams covered more distance at low intensities compared to players from bottom-ranked teams (p < 0.05; 0.45 < ES < 0.49). Higher sprint distance, moderate and high accelerations/decelerations were found in players from top-ranked teams playing against teams of similar levels (p < 0.05; 0.73g< 0.86). When players from bottom-ranked teams played against teams of equivalent rank, more physical requirements were presented in total distance, running from medium to sprint intensities, and the number of short-term actions (p < 0.0.05; −0.55S < −0.89). Players from the top-ranking teams presented greater sprint demands in losing matches (p<0.05; dg=-1.01). Considering the bottom-ranking opposition, players presented more running demands in matches with losing results in moderate running, sprinting, and moderate-to-high deceleration (p < 0.05; −0.61 < dg < −0.64). The match-physical response of players with CP varies according to the contextual factors studied. The results provide advice for coaches and classifiers to understand more comprehensively the competing demands in CP football. This knowledge could help practitioners to prepare competition matches and planning training load or post-match recovery strategies, but also for the observation assessments of the classification process in this team para-sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trade negotiators are confronted with the policy challenge of determining which non-tariff measures (NTMs) and products to focus on, particularly in the agriculture and food sectors, which face a prevalence of NTMs. Quantitative advice on the trade effects of different measures can inform one aspect of a negotiator's multifaceted prioritization process. Despite well-established methods for the quantification of trade policies at an aggregate bilateral trade level, the product-level literature suffers from a general misapplication of economic theory, leaving much of it divergent from microeconomic foundations. Furthermore, the literature generally makes compromises that inhibit the ability to draw useful insight on importer-specific policy variables like NTMs. In light of this gap in the literature, we propose an approach that leads to a proof-of-concept quantification methodology for bilateral product-level analysis, fulfiling a need in the body politic to defensibly identify trade effects of NTMs at a bilateral and product level. International grains markets are used as an example to demonstrate the proof-of-concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As buildings account for 39% of greenhouse gas emissions, the building sector is essential for pursuing carbon neutrality. Carbon footprints of buildings are currently emerging in the legislation of European countries. However, the concept of carbon neutrality calls for both reducing emissions and increasing carbon sinks and storages. The concept of 'carbon handprint' describes potential climate benefits that are related to a product, service, or an organization. Although an increasing body of scientific and professional literature exist on the concept, there are no standards for guiding its quantification in the context of buildings. Furthermore, examples demonstrating the potential of building related carbon handprints are still scarce. In this article, we examine and evaluate different climate benefits that can be utilized in life-cycle assessment of buildings. We test them through a case study of a wooden apartment building. Our results indicate that methodologically most mature handprints include carbon storage in bio-based products, carbonation of concrete, surplus energy, as well as reuse, recycling, and energy recovery. In our study, the relative size of the calculated handprints varies considerably between 39% and 87% of the building's footprint. However, uncertainties and methodological development needs should be addressed in the standardization work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numbers don't speak for themselves – yet taking numbers for granted (numerism) is widespread. In fact, journalists often rely heavily on numbers precisely because they are widely considered objective. As a team of journalists and social scientists, we undertook a qualitative exploration of clauses and entire news reports that are particularly quantitatively dense. The dense clauses were often grammatically complex and assumed familiarity with sophisticated concepts. They were rarely associated with explanations of data collection methods. Meanwhile, the dense news reports were all about economy or health topics, chiefly brief updates on an ongoing event (e.g., stock market fluctuations; COVID-19 cases). We suggest that journalists can support public understanding by: Providing more detail about research methods; Writing shorter, clearer sentences; Providing context behind statistics; Being transparent about uncertainty; and Indicating where consensus lies. We also encourage news organizations to consider structural changes like rethinking their relationship with newswires and working closely with statisticians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) is widely used for gene expression profiling and quantification. Quantitative RNA sequencing usually requires cell counting and spike-in, which is not always applicable to many samples. Here, we present a novel quantitative RNA sequencing method independent of spike-ins or cell counting, named siqRNA-seq, which can be used to quantitatively profile gene expression by utilizing gDNA as an internal control. Single-stranded library preparation used in siqRNA-seq profiles gDNA and cDNA with equal efficiency. Results: To quantify mRNA expression levels, siqRNA-seq constructs libraries for total nucleic acid to establish a model for expression quantification. Compared to Relative Quantification RNA-seq, siqRNA-seq is technically reliable and reproducible for expression profiling but also can sequence reads from gDNA which can be used as an internal reference for accurate expression quantification. Applying siqRNA-seq to investigate the effects of actinomycin D on gene expression in HEK293T cells, we show the advantages of siqRNA-seq in accurately identifying differentially expressed genes between samples with distinct global mRNA levels. Furthermore, we analyzed factors influencing the downward trend of gene expression regulated by ActD using siqRNA-seq and found that mRNA with m6A modification exhibited a faster decay rate compared to mRNA without m6A modification. Additionally, applying this technique to the quantitative analysis of seven tumor cell lines revealed a high degree of diversity in total mRNA expression among tumor cell lines. Conclusions: Collectively, siqRNA-seq is a spike-in independent quantitative RNA sequencing method, which creatively uses gDNA as an internal reference to absolutely quantify gene expression. We consider that siqRNA-seq provides a convenient and versatile method to quantitatively profile the mRNA landscape in various samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus is also named Xiebai in China. It is an edible vegetable, and also a famous herb for treating coronary heart disease. Allium chinense G. Don (ACGD) and Allium macrostemon Bunge (AMB) are it botanical sources. The aim of this study was to explore the cardioprotective effects, and decipher the visual spatial distribution and absolute content of primary metabolites derived from these two herbs. Methods: H9c2 cells were used to perform the hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R)-induced myocardial injury model. Their protective effects were evaluated by apoptosis levels. Furthermore, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry imaging approach (MALDI-TOF MSI) was carried out to present the spatial location of primary metabolites including fatty acids, amino acids, carotenoids, and vitamins in these two Allium herbs. Multiple analytical methods were applied to perform quantitative analysis of these primary metabolites in AMB and ACGD bulbs by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS). Results: First, AMB and ACGD extracts both could increase the cell viability in H9c2 cells, and attenuate H/R-induced injury. They markedly decreased apoptosis, accompanied by activating the BCL-2/BAX pathway. Further, MALDI-TOF MSI-based relative quantification results showed several amino acids, fatty acids, carotenoids, and vitamins were largely rich in the tunics and outside scales of fresh bulbs, while some primary metabolites were abundant in their developing flower buds. Absolute quantification results displayed total contents of amino acids in ACGD bulbs were higher than those in AMB, while total contents of fatty acids and vitamins provides opposite trends in these two Allium herbs. The total contents of carotenoids and trace elements showed no significant differences between AMB and ACGD samples. Conclusions: This study would be helpful to understand the myocardial injury protection effects of these two Allium herbs, and the spatial accumulation and quantitative content levels of their main nutrients. Highlights: Myocardial injury protection effects of two Allium extracts were characterized. Visual spatial distribution of main primary metabolites was performed. Absolute quantification was achieved by multiple conventional approaches. Similarities and differences of these two Allium extracts were summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a cascaded deep convolution neural network (CNN) for assessing enlarged perivascular space (ePVS) within the basal ganglia region using T2-weighted MRI. Enlarged perivascular spaces (ePVSs) are potential biomarkers for various neurodegenerative disorders, including dementia and Parkinson's disease. Accurate assessment of ePVS is crucial for early diagnosis and monitoring disease progression. Our approach first utilizes an ePVS enhancement CNN to improve ePVS visibility and then employs a quantification CNN to predict the number of ePVSs. The ePVS enhancement CNN selectively enhances the ePVS areas without the need for additional heuristic parameters, achieving a higher contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of 113.77 compared to Tophat, Clahe, and Laplacian-based enhancement algorithms. The subsequent ePVS quantification CNN was trained and validated using fourfold cross-validation on a dataset of 76 participants. The quantification CNN attained 88% accuracy at the image level and 94% accuracy at the subject level. These results demonstrate significant improvements over traditional algorithm-based methods, highlighting the robustness and reliability of our deep learning approach. The proposed cascaded deep CNN model not only enhances the visibility of ePVS but also provides accurate quantification, making it a promising tool for evaluating neurodegenerative disorders. This method offers a novel and significant advancement in the non-invasive assessment of ePVS, potentially aiding in early diagnosis and targeted treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The progress of research focused on cholangiocytes and the biliary tree during development and following injury is hindered by limited available quantitative methodologies. Current techniques include two-dimensional standard histological cell-counting approaches, which are rapidly performed, error prone, and lack architectural context or three-dimensional analysis of the biliary tree in opacified livers, which introduce technical issues along with minimal quantitation. The present study aims to fill these quantitative gaps with a supervised machine-learning model (BiliQML) able to quantify biliary forms in the liver of anti-keratin 19 antibody-stained whole slide images. Training utilized 5,019 researcher-labeled biliary forms, which following feature selection, and algorithm optimization, generated an F score of 0.87. Application of BiliQML on seven separate cholangiopathy models [genetic (Afp-CRE;Pkd1l1null/Fl, Alb-CRE;Rbp-jkfl/fl, and Albumin-CRE;ROSANICD), surgical (bile duct ligation), toxicological (3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine), and therapeutic (Cyp2c70−/− with ileal bile acid transporter inhibition)] allowed for a means to validate the capabilities and utility of this platform. The results from BiliQML quantification revealed biological and pathological differences across these seven diverse models, indicating a highly sensitive, robust, and scalable methodology for the quantification of distinct biliary forms. BiliQML is the first comprehensive machine-learning platform for biliary form analysis, adding much-needed morphologic context to standard immunofluorescence-based histology, and provides clinical and basic science researchers with a novel tool for the characterization of cholangiopathies. NEW & NOTEWORTHY: BiliQML is the first comprehensive machine-learning platform for biliary form analysis in whole slide histopathological images. This platform provides clinical and basic science researchers with a novel tool for the improved quantification and characterization of biliary tract disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Images are at the core of most modern biological experiments and are used as a major source of quantitative information. Numerous algorithms are available to process images and make them more amenable to be measured. Yet the nature of the quantitative output that is useful for a given biological experiment is uniquely dependent upon the question being investigated. Here, we discuss the 3 main types of information that can be extracted from microscopy data: intensity, morphology, and object counts or categorical labels. For each, we describe where they come from, how they can be measured, and what may affect the relevance of these measurements in downstream data analysis. Acknowledging that what makes a measurement 'good' is ultimately down to the biological question being investigated, this review aims at providing readers with a toolkit to challenge how they quantify their own data and be critical of conclusions drawn from quantitative bioimage analysis experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Functional positron emission tomography (fPET) with [18F]FDG allows quantification of stimulation-induced changes in glucose metabolism independent of neurovascular coupling. However, the gold standard for quantification requires invasive arterial blood sampling, limiting its widespread use. Here, we introduce a novel fPET method without the need for an input function. Methods: We validated the approach using two datasets (DS). For DS1, 52 volunteers (23.2 ± 3.3 years, 24 females) performed Tetris® during a [18F]FDG fPET scan (bolus + constant infusion). For DS2, 18 participants (24.2 ± 4.3 years, 8 females) performed an eyes-open/finger tapping task (constant infusion). Task-specific changes in metabolism were assessed with the general linear model (GLM) and cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (CMRGlu) was quantified with the Patlak plot as reference. We then estimated simplified outcome parameters, including GLM beta values and percent signal change (%SC), and compared them, region and whole-brain-wise. Results: We observed higher agreement with the reference for DS1 than DS2. Both DS resulted in strong correlations between regional task-specific beta estimates and CMRGlu (r = 0.763...0.912). %SC of beta values exhibited strong agreement with %SC of CMRGlu (r = 0.909...0.999). Average activation maps showed a high spatial similarity between CMRGlu and beta estimates (Dice = 0.870...0.979) as well as %SC (Dice = 0.932...0.997), respectively. Conclusion: The non-invasive method reliably estimates task-specific changes in glucose metabolism without blood sampling. This streamlines fPET, albeit with the trade-off of being unable to quantify baseline metabolism. The simplification enhances its applicability in research and clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC)-based method was developed for the quantification of five water-soluble vitamins, B2, B3, B6, B12, and C, using ethanol–water (70:30, v/v) as the mobile phase. The method was validated according to the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines and the limits of detection/limits of quantification were determined as 5.27/15.97 ng (Vitamin B2), 13.03/39.47 ng (Vitamin B3), 59.61/180.64 ng (Vitamin B6), 14.17/42.93 ng (Vitamin B12), and 119.27/361.42 ng (Vitamin C) per band, respectively. The usefulness of the validated method for quality control was demonstrated with the successful quantitative analysis of the five vitamins in a range of nutraceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing development of bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a global challenge. Research in that field is thus necessary. Analytical techniques are required for such a purpose. From this perspective, the focus was on atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Although it is old, AAS often offers unexpected potential. Of course, this should be exploited. The aim was therefore to demonstrate the versatility of the technique in antibacterial research. This is illustrated by various examples of its practical application. AAS can be used, for example, to confirm the identity of antibacterial compounds, for purity controls, or to quantify the antibiotics in pharmaceutical preparations. The latter allowed analysis without laborious sample preparation and without interference from other excipients. In addition, AAS can help elucidate the mode of action or resistance mechanisms. In this context, quantifying the accumulation of the antibiotic drug in the cell of (resistant) bacteria appears to play an important role. The general application of AAS is not limited to metal-containing drugs, but also enables the determination of some organic chemical antibiotics. Altogether, this perspective presents a range of applications for AAS in antibacterial research, intending to raise awareness of the method and may thus contribute to the fight against resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study presented an artificial intelligence-based classification emphasizing error identification and quantification of cellularity and nuclear morphological features in digital pathological images of common astrocytic tumors. The identification of incorrect predictions was essential for the subsequent development of better techniques. Quantifying cellularity and nuclear morphological features brought deeper insights into neoplastic morphology and paved the way for further development of a scoring system for objective classification and precision diagnosis to improve interobserver variations. Interobserver variations in the pathology of common astrocytic tumors impact diagnosis and subsequent treatment decisions. This study leveraged a residual neural network-50 (ResNet-50) in digital pathological images of diffuse astrocytoma, anaplastic astrocytoma, and glioblastoma to recognize characteristic pathological features and perform classification at the patch and case levels with identification of incorrect predictions. In addition, cellularity and nuclear morphological features, including axis ratio, circularity, entropy, area, irregularity, and perimeter, were quantified via a hybrid task cascade (HTC) framework and compared between different characteristic pathological features with importance weighting. A total of 95 cases, including 15 cases of diffuse astrocytoma, 11 cases of anaplastic astrocytoma, and 69 cases of glioblastoma, were collected in Taiwan Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital from January 2000 to December 2021. The results revealed that an optimized ResNet-50 model could recognize characteristic pathological features at the patch level and assist in diagnosis at the case level with accuracies of 0.916 and 0.846, respectively. Incorrect predictions were mainly due to indistinguishable morphologic overlap between anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma tumor cell area, zones of scant vascular lumen with compact endothelial cells in the glioblastoma microvascular proliferation area mimicking the glioblastoma tumor cell area, and certain regions in diffuse astrocytoma with too low cellularity being misrecognized as the glioblastoma necrosis area. Significant differences were observed in cellularity and each nuclear morphological feature among different characteristic pathological features. Furthermore, using the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) algorithm, we found that entropy was the most important feature for classification, followed by cellularity, area, circularity, axis ratio, perimeter, and irregularity. Identifying incorrect predictions provided valuable feedback to machine learning design to further enhance accuracy and reduce errors in classification. Moreover, quantifying cellularity and nuclear morphological features with importance weighting provided the basis for developing an innovative scoring system to achieve objective classification and precision diagnosis among common astrocytic tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantification, that is, the shaping of human environments in numerical terms, is so widespread in contemporary societies that it has contaminated almost all spheres of human life. We explore the links between performance quantification and individuals' feelings of being treated in a dehumanized way, that is, metadehumanization. We present an integrative research that assessed the relationships between performance quantification, metadehumanization, and on two of metadehumanization's consequences, that is, stress and disidentification, in three contexts, that is, organizations, sport, and social networks. In addition, we test the moderating roles of two individual variables, that is, competitiveness and tender‐mindedness, in this model. In three samples (Ns = 204, 300, 297, for Samples A, B, and C, respectively), we show a mediation effect of metadehumanization on the links between performance quantification and stress and disidentification that holds despite of contextual variations. Unexpectedly, our two moderated mediation hypotheses did not hold or showed inconsistent effects across samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avocado oil is a nutritious, edible oil produced from avocado fruit. It has high commercial value and is increasing in popularity, thus powerful analytical methods are needed to ensure its quality and authenticity. Recent advancements in low‐field (LF) NMR spectroscopy allow for collection of high‐quality data despite the use of low magnetic fields produced by non‐superconductive magnets. Combined with chemometrics, LF NMR opens new opportunities in food analysis using targeted and untargeted approaches. Here, it was used to determine poly‐, mono‐, and saturated fatty acids in avocado oil. Although direct signal integration of LF NMR spectra was able to determine certain classes of fatty acids, it had several challenges arising from signal overlapping. Thus, we used partial least square regression and developed models with good prediction performance for fatty acid composition, with residual prediction deviation ranging 3.46–5.53 and root mean squared error of prediction CV ranging 0.46–2.48. In addition, LF NMR, combined with unsupervised and supervised methods, enabled the differentiation of avocado oil from other oils, namely, olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, high oleic (OL) safflower oil, and high OL sunflower oil. This study showed that LF NMR can be used as an efficient alternative for the compositional analysis and authentication of avocado oil. Practical Application: Here, we describe the application of LF‐NMR for fatty acid analysis and avocado oil authentication. LF‐NMR can be an efficient tool for targeted and untargeted analysis, thus becoming an attractive option for companies, regulatory agencies, and quality control laboratories. This tool is especially important for organizations and entities seeking economic, user‐friendly, and sustainable analysis solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, instrument manufacturers have been providing laboratory‐based HAXPES (hard X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy) instruments that have monochromated silver Lα, chromium Kα and gallium Kα X‐ray sources. To be more than a qualitative tool, two things are required: calibration of the signal intensity as a function of kinetic energy (spectrometer response function) and relative sensitivity factors. This is now possible because of routines being available to generate the spectrometer response functions for dual Al Kα/Ag Lα X‐ray sources and the availability of Cant average matrix relative sensitivity factors (AMRSFs). However, to improve accuracy when using the Cant AMRSF care needs to be taken in the definition of the peak areas being used. This is because they need to include the total intrinsic signal that often extends beyond the main peak. This is a particular challenge when quantifying using the Al 1s peak generated with Ag Lα X‐rays as some of the intrinsic signal overlaps with the Al KLL Auger peak. When materials include both aluminium and silicon atoms, the Si 2s and 2p peaks sit upon extended signals coming from the Al 2s and 2s peaks, respectively. Thus, quantification should be limited to using the main peak area, which necessitates different relative sensitivity factors (RSFs). Using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and sapphire (Al2O3) as model systems, experimental RSFs have been determined for use with the main peaks for O 1s, Al 1s, Al2s Al 2p, Si 1s, Si 2s and Si 2p subshells normalized to the RSF of the carbon 1s main peak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) provides quantitative information from photoemission peaks and shapes observed within the background due to the inelastic scattering of photoelectrons. To quantify the signal, both photoemission peaks and background in spectra must be adjusted for instrumental transmission variations that are a consequence of changes in efficiency when recording electrons with different kinetic energy. While it is generally assumed that correcting spectroscopic data for transmission is a necessary part of quantification by XPS, there are consequences for the quantification of spectra measured using an instrument for which transmission has significant curvature. In this Insight, the implications of curvature in transmission characteristics are discussed and a method based on XPS microscopy is proposed that ensures the transmission response of an instrument is free from significant curvature. An example of an instrument for which a flat transmission response is presented is achieved through collecting spectra using lens modes designed to measure stigmatic images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First, to test the feasibility of cerebral blood flow (CBF) estimation using the pulse wave amplitude in flow-related enhancement (FREE) brain MRI in comparison to pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL-MRI). Second, the potential for acceleration was evaluated retrospectively. 24 healthy study participants between 20 and 61 years had cerebral MRI. Perfusion imaging was performed with a balanced steady-state free precession sequence for FREE-MRI and with pCASL-MRI for comparison. The value distribution of the estimated CBF showed a high overlap in the histogram between 0 and 20 mL/100 g/min. However, disparity of the values occurred with more values between 20 and 60 mL/100 g/min using pCASL-MRI and more high values > 60 mL/100 g/min applying FREE-MRI. A Kolmogorov–Smirnov test confirmed a differing probability distribution (P = 0.62). The approximated CBF from FREE-MRI remained stable until only 50% of the acquired data was used. Values from using 40% of the data increased significantly compared to 90% or more (P ≤ 0.05). Values within the white matter presented no significant change after data reduction. The global and voxel-wise correlation coefficients towards pCASL-MRI presented stability during data reduction of FREE-MRI. In conclusion, the proposed technique allows a rough approximation of the CBF compared to pCASL-MRI. Further sequence optimization must be achieved to improve the measurement of relatively lowly perfused tissues. Nevertheless, it offers large potential for imaging speed optimization and enables perfusion-weighted images similarly to the color Doppler mode in ultrasound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]