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The moisture content of fabrics directly affects the physical properties of fabrics, it is important to accurately detect the moisture content of fabrics. To verify the feasibility of hyperspectral imaging technology for detecting the moisture content of cotton fabrics and thus improve the accuracy of moisture content detection, 100 groups of hyperspectral images of cotton fabrics with different thicknesses and moisture contents were acquired, the characteristics of the spectral curves of cotton fabrics were elaborated, and the effects of thickness and moisture content on the spectral curves of cotton fabrics were analyzed. Based on the research above, 1190, 1450 and 1940 nm bands were determined as the characteristic bands, the content gradient method was selected to divide the training set and sample set, PLS (Partial Least Squares) prediction models of the water content with MSC (Multiplicative Scatter Correction), SNV (Standard Normal Variate) and the first order derivative spectral pretreatment methods were established respectively, and the accuracy of the established three models was compared by correlation coefficient and standard error finally. The following conclusions were drawn: the change of water content in cotton fabric not only affects the overall reflectance of the cotton fabric spectral curve but also changes the position and peak of the characteristic peaks; with the increase of water content, the proportion of pure water in the mixed spectra of cotton fabric containing water increases, the position of the characteristic peaks is shifted and the peak increases; for cotton fabrics, the final spectral curves is the overlap of the water NIR (Near Infrared) and cotton absorption band at the position; the correlation coefficients of the training set and the test set of the established PLS-First Order Derivative model reached 0.98239 and 0.97637, the standard errors are 0.0003 and 0.00041, which proves the feasible of the method of utilizing hyperspectral imaging system with the prediction model for quantitative moisture content inspection of cotton fabrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT With the development of targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and antibody‐drug conjugates (ADCs), there is growing concern over the “more is better” paradigm developed decades ago for chemotherapy, prompting the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate Project Optimus to reform dose optimization and selection in oncology drug development. For early‐phase oncology trials, given the high variability from sparse data and the rigidity of parametric model specifications, we use Bayesian dynamic models to borrow information across doses with only vague order constraints. Our proposed adaptive design simultaneously incorporates toxicity and efficacy outcomes to select the optimal dose (OD) in Phase I/II clinical trials, utilizing Bayesian model averaging to address the uncertainty of dose–response relationships and enhance the robustness of the design. Additionally, we extend the proposed design to handle delayed toxicity and efficacy outcomes. We conduct extensive simulation studies to evaluate the operating characteristics of the proposed method under various practical scenarios. The results demonstrate that the proposed designs have desirable operating characteristics. A trial example is presented to demonstrate the practical implementation of the proposed designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water spot detection in fabrics is conventionally reliant on direct visual assessment, a practice ingrained in our daily lives and textile inspection field. While valuable, this method's accuracy can be significantly affected by factors like fabric color and patterns resulting from additive textile dyes. In response, we present a detection method employing near-infrared (NIR) hyperspectral imaging, effectively reducing the influence of textile dyes and highlighting water spots. Initially, we acquired NIR hyperspectral images of fabric samples post-dyeing and moisture content conditioning. Remarkably, we observed that typical textile dyes minimally affected the NIR reflectance within the wavelength range of 1265–1626 nm, with a discernible decrease correlated to higher fabric moisture content. Subsequently, we captured NIR hyperspectral images of nine fabrics exhibiting varied colors and water spot characteristics. These images were then transformed into grayscale representations. Among them, the NIR images at 1459 nm emerged as preferred feature images for water spot detection, determined through analyses of contrast, entropy, and principal component images. While conducting a spray-rating evaluation of water spots in water-sprayed samples, comparing them with their respective feature images; the results affirm the efficacy of our developed feature images in facilitating visual identification and analysis of water spots in diverse fabrics, ultimately enhancing the accuracy of fabric water-repellency evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Ilex belongs to the sole family and is the single genus within the order Aquifoliales, exhibiting significant phenotypic diversity. However, the genetic differences underlying these phenotypic variations have rarely been studied. In this study, collinearity analyses of three Ilex genomes, Ilex latifolia Thunb., Ilex polyneura (Hand.-Mazz.) S. Y. Hu, and Ilex asprella Champ. ex Benth., indicated a recent fusion event contributing to the reduction of chromosomes in I. asprella. Comparative genome analyses showed slight differences in gene annotation among the three species, implying a minimal disruption of genes following chromosomal fusion in I. asprella. Comprehensive annotation of transposable elements (TEs) revealed that TEs constitute a significant portion of the Ilex genomes, with LTR transposons being predominant. TEs exhibited an inverse relationship with gene density, potentially influencing gene regulation and chromosomal architecture. TE insertions were shown to affect the conformation and binding sites of key genes such as 7-deoxyloganetin glucosyltransferase and transmembrane kinase (TMK) genes, highlighting potential functional impacts. The structural variations caused by TE insertions suggest significant roles in the evolutionary dynamics, leading to either loss or gain of gene function. This study underscores the importance of TEs in shaping the genomic landscape and evolutionary trajectories of Ilex species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance the flexural properties of glass fiber‐reinforced vinyl ester resin (GF‐VER) composites, this study focused on the influence of the duration of surface treatment on the flexural properties using polydopamine (PDA) and nanosilicon dioxide (nano‐SiO2). The GF‐VER composites were prepared via hot pressing. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were utilized to characterize the microstructural and chemical attributes of the GF and GF‐VER composites. The mechanical properties of the GF‐VER composites were characterized using the flexural strength test. Furthermore, thermogravimetry was employed to investigate the thermal stability of the GF and the content of PDA nanoparticles on the GF. The results demonstrated that upon extending the treatment period, a greater quantity of PDA‐SiO2 nanoparticles adhered to the surface of the GF. The analysis of these results established that the optimal treatment duration is 12 h. This duration facilitated an enhanced adhesion between GF and VER owing to PDA‐SiO2, resulting in an optimal flexural strength of 562.8 MPa and signifying a 8.86% increase compared with the flexural strength of the untreated GF‐VER composites. Overall, the findings indicate that PDA‐SiO2 treatment greatly improves the flexural strength of GF‐VER composites. Highlights: The method for modifying the GF surface was simple and mild.Silica nanoparticles were grafted onto GFs using dopamine as a reaction platform.The effect of the duration of PDA‐SiO2 treatment on the flexural strength of GF‐VER composites was examined.SEM revealed an improved GF‐VER interface.The flexural strength of the GF‐VER composites improved by 8.86%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Targeted agents and immunotherapies have revolutionized cancer treatment, offering promising options for various cancer types. Unlike traditional therapies the principle of "more is better" is not always applicable to these new therapies due to their unique biomedical mechanisms. As a result, various phase I–II clinical trial designs have been proposed to identify the optimal biological dose that maximizes the therapeutic effect of targeted therapies and immunotherapies by jointly monitoring both efficacy and toxicity outcomes. This review article examines several innovative phase I–II clinical trial designs that utilize accumulated efficacy and toxicity outcomes to adaptively determine doses for subsequent patients and identify the optimal biological dose, maximizing the overall therapeutic effect. Specifically, we highlight three categories of phase I–II designs: efficacy-driven, utility-based, and designs incorporating multiple efficacy endpoints. For each design, we review the dose–outcome model, the definition of the optimal biological dose, the dose-finding algorithm, and the software for trial implementation. To illustrate the concepts, we also present two real phase I–II trial examples utilizing the EffTox and ISO designs. Finally, we provide a classification tree to summarize the designs discussed in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the textile industry, distinguishing between wool and cashmere can be a challenging task. Extensive research based on the microscopic images of the two has achieved very good results. However, the microscopic slide preparation process required for this approach is time-consuming and labor-intensive, limiting its practical application. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a new method that integrates artificial neural networks and hyperspectral imaging technology. The novelty of this approach lies in the fact that it does not require sample preparation, and is more simple, fast, and nondestructive. Firstly, a total of 225 wool samples and 160 cashmere samples were selected from the acquired hyperspectral images. The spectral curves (range 900–2500 nm) of these samples were extracted using the Region of Interest (ROI) tool in the ENVI software, and their characteristics were analyzed. Subsequently, due to the similarities and strong correlation between their spectral curves, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed to reduce the dimensionality of the data. A single-layer neural network and a multi-layer neural network were developed using the LR (Logistic Regression) and MLP (Multilayer Perceptron) models, respectively, with a training-to-validation set ratio of 7:3. The model trained with LR achieved an accuracy of 90.3% on the training set and 81.0% on the validation set, suggesting underfitting. The MLP model performed best with five principal components, attaining a training set accuracy of 94.1% and a validation set accuracy of 92.2%. Precision, recall, and F 1-score were used to evaluate the two models, and comparison of the classification performance of the two models revealed that the MLP significantly outperformed the LR model. Therefore, the application of hyperspectral imaging technology enables rapid and non-destructive identification of wool and cashmere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sphingan WL gum (WL) is an extracellular polysaccharide with a carboxyl group produced by Sphingomonas sp. WG. Recently, we have successfully obtained deacetylated WL (DWL) with good water solubility by alkaline treatment. In this study, a DWL-based microgel (named DWLM) with semi-interpenetrating network structure was constructed for the first time and used to deliver the oral drug ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CIP). DLS results suggested that DWLM had a dual response to pH and temperature. The in vitro cumulative drug release curves showed that the amount of CIP released from the microgel was higher at pH 6.8 than that at pH 3.0. Biocompatibility assessments using HEK293T showed that cell viability was 75.9 ± 1.7% at the DWLM-CIP concentration of 4 mg/mL. While, the cell viability of CIP at the same concentration was only 54.9 ± 1.0%, indicating that DWLM-CIP has good biocompatibility. Antimicrobial performance tests revealed that DWLM-CIP at a concentration of 1 mg/mL could effectively inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli for up to 4 days. When the concentration of DWLM-CIP reached 4 mg/mL, the growth of Staphylococcus aureus was effectively suppressed for up to 3 days, demonstrating the long-lasting antimicrobial efficacy of DWLM-CIP. All of these results indicate that DWL-based microgels have great potential as oral drug delivery carriers., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Background: Polypharmacy and anticholinergic medications are associated with cognitive decline in elderly populations. Although several medications have been associated with HE, associations between medication burden, anticholinergics, and HE have not been explored. We examined medication burden and anticholinergics in patients with cirrhosis and their associations with HE-related hospitalization., Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients aged 18-80 with cirrhosis seen in hepatology clinics during 2019. The number of chronic medications (medication burden) and anticholinergic use were recorded. The primary outcome was HE-related hospitalization., Results: A total of 1039 patients were followed for a median of 840 days. Thirty-seven percent had a history of HE, and 9.8% had an HE-related hospitalization during follow-up. The mean number of chronic medications was 6.1 ± 4.3. Increasing medication burden was associated with HE-related hospitalizations in univariable (HR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.05-1.12) and multivariable (HR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.03-1.11) models. This relationship was maintained in those with baseline HE but not in those without baseline HE. Twenty-one percent were taking an anticholinergic medication. Anticholinergic exposure was associated with increased HE-related hospitalizations in both univariable (HR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.09-2.57) and multivariable (HR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.11-2.63) models. This relationship was maintained in those with baseline HE but not in those without baseline HE., Conclusions: Anticholinergic use and medication burden are both associated with HE-related hospitalizations, particularly in those with a history of HE. Special considerations to limit anticholinergics and minimize overall medication burden should be tested for potential benefit in this population., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.)

We evaluated maternal pregnancy adaptations and their relationships with circulating hormones in women who conceived with or without in vitro fertilization (IVF). Pregnancies were grouped by corpus luteum (CL) number: 1 CL with physiological plasma relaxin concentration (P RLN ; spontaneous pregnancies); 0 CL without circulating RLN (programmed cycles); >1 CL with elevated P RLN (ovarian stimulation). Major findings were that declines in plasma osmolality (P osm ) and plasma sodium concentration ([Formula: see text]) were comparable in the 1 CL and 0 CL cohorts, correlated with plasma estradiol and progesterone concentrations but not P RLN ; gestational declines in plasma uric acid (UA) concentration (P UA ) were attenuated after IVF, especially programmed cycles, partly because of subdued increases of renal UA clearance; and P RLN and cardiac output (CO) were inversely correlated when plasma estradiol concentration was below ∼2.5 ng/mL but positively correlated above ∼2.5 ng/mL. Unexpectedly, P RLN and plasma sFLT1 (P sFLT1 ) were directly correlated. Although P sFLT1 and CO were not significantly associated, CO was positively correlated with plasma placental growth factor (PLGF) concentration after the first trimester, particularly in women who conceived with 0 CL. Major conclusions are that 1 ) circulating RLN was unnecessary for gestational falls in P osm and [Formula: see text]; 2 ) P RLN and CO were inversely correlated during early gestation, suggesting that P RLN in the lower range may have contributed to systemic vasodilation, whereas at higher P RLN RLN influence became self-limiting; 3 ) evidence for cooperativity between RLN and estradiol on gestational changes in CO was observed; and 4 ) after the first trimester in women who conceived without a CL, plasma PLGF concentration was associated with recovery of CO, which was impaired during the first trimester in this cohort.

In women who conceived with or without assisted reproduction, we evaluated endothelial function by EndoPAT [reactive hyperemia index (RHI)], circulating numbers of endothelial cells (CEC) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPC), and their function before during and after pregnancy. In vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancies were stratified by method of conception and corpus luteum (CL) number-controlled ovarian stimulation (>1 CL) or programmed (0 CL) cycles and spontaneous singleton pregnancies (1 CL). We observed 1 ) comparable gestational decline of RHI in the three participant groups secondary to gestational rise of baseline preocclusion pulse-wave amplitude (PWA) incorporated into the RHI calculation by EndoPAT software; 2 ) progressive rise in "normalized" RHI throughout pregnancy (calculated by substituting prepregnancy baseline preocclusion PWA into the RHI equation), greater in spontaneous conception vs. IVF cohorts; 3 ) similar gestational increase of maximum PWA and time to maximum PWA after the ischemia stimulus among the three participant groups; 4 ) modest gestational increase of ischemia response (reactive hyperemia) in the spontaneous conception group and no change or significant decline, respectively, in women who conceived using programmed or controlled ovarian stimulation cycles; 5 ) enhanced basal nitric oxide production by early (primitive) outgrowth EPC during pregnancy in women who conceived spontaneously, but not through IVF; and 6 ) gestational increase in CEC in all three participant cohorts, more pronounced in women who conceived by IVF using programmed cycles. On balance, the evidence supported enhanced endothelial function during pregnancy in spontaneous conceptions but less so in IVF pregnancies using either controlled ovarian stimulation or programmed cycles.