Advanced surface color quality assessment in paper-based full-color 3d printing

Color 3D printing allows for 3D-printed parts to represent 3D objects more realistically, but its surface color quality evaluation lacks comprehensive objective verification considering printing materials. In this study, a unique test model was designed and printed using eco-friendly and vivid paper-based full-color 3D printing as an example. By measuring the chromaticity, roughness, glossiness, and whiteness properties of 3D-printed surfaces and by acquiring images of their main viewing surfaces, this work skillfully explores the correlation between the color representation of a paper-based 3D-printed coloring layer and its attached underneath blank layer. Quantitative analysis was performed using ΔE*ab, feature similarity index measure of color image (FSIMc), and improved color-image-difference (iCID) values. The experimental results show that a color difference on color-printed surfaces exhibits a high linear correlation trend with its FSIMc metric and iCID metric. The qualitative analysis of microscopic imaging and the quantitative analysis of the above three surface properties corroborate the prediction of the linear correlation between color difference and image-based metrics. This study can provide inspiration for the development of computational coloring materials for additive manufacturing

Real-world adherence and persistence for newly-prescribed HIV treatment: single versus multiple tablet regimen comparison among US medicaid beneficiaries

Background Once-daily, single-tablet regimens (STRs) have been associated with improved patient outcomes compared to multi-tablet regimens (MTRs). This study evaluated real world adherence and persistence of HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART), comparing STRs and MTRs. Methods Adult Medicaid beneficiaries (aged ≥ 18 years) initiating ART with ≥ 2 ART claims during the identification period (January 1, 2015–December 31, 2016) and continuous health plan enrollment for a 12-month baseline period were included. For STRs, the first ART claim date was defined as the index date; for MTRs, the prescription fill claim date for the last drug in the regimen was defined as the index date, and prescription fills were required to occur within a 5-day window. Adherence was assessed in 30-day intervals over a 6-month period, with adherence defined as having less than a 5-day gap between fills. Persistence was evaluated as median number of days on therapy and percent persistence at 12 months. Cox Proportional Hazard models were used to evaluate risk of discontinuation, controlling for baseline and clinical characteristics. Results A total of 1,744 (STR = 1290; MTR = 454) and 2409 (STR = 1782; MTR = 627) patients newly prescribed ART had available data concerning adherence and persistence, respectively. Average age ranged 40–42 years. The patient population was predominantly male. Adherence assessments showed 22.7% of STR initiators were adherent to their index regimens over a 6-month period compared to 11.7% of MTR initiators. Unadjusted persistence analysis showed 36.3% of STR initiators discontinued first-line therapy compared to 48.8% for MTR initiators over the 2-year study period. Controlling for baseline demographic and clinical characteristics, MTR initiators had a higher risk of treatment discontinuation (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.6, p < 0.0001). Among STRs, compared to the referent elvitegravir(EVG)/cobicistat(COBI)/emtricitabine(FTC)/tenofovir alafenamide(TAF), risk of discontinuation was higher for efavirenz(EFV)/FTC/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate(TDF) (HR = 3.6, p < 0.0001), EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF (HR = 2.8, p < 0.0001), and abacavir (ABC)/lamivudine (3TC)/dolutegravir (DTG) (HR = 1.8, p = 0.004). Among backbones, FTC/TAF was associated with lower risk of discontinuation than FTC/TDF (HR = 4.4, p < 0.0001) and ABC/3TC (HR = 2.2, p < 0.0001). Conclusions Among patients newly prescribed ART, STR initiators were significantly less likely to discontinue therapy and had greater adherence and persistence compared to MTR initiators. Regimens containing FTC/TAF as a backbone had higher persistence than those consisting of other backbones

Phototunable biomemory based on light-mediated charge trap

Phototunable biomaterial‐based resistive memory devices and understanding of their underlying switching mechanisms may pave a way toward new paradigm of smart and green electronics. Here, resistive switching behavior of photonic biomemory based on a novel structure of metal anode/carbon dots (CDs)‐silk protein/indium tin oxide is systematically investigated, with Al, Au, and Ag anodes as case studies. The charge trapping/detrapping and metal filaments formation/rupture are observed by in situ Kelvin probe force microscopy investigations and scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive spectroscopy microanalysis, which demonstrates that the resistive switching behavior of Al, Au anode‐based device are related to the space‐charge‐limited‐conduction, while electrochemical metallization is the main mechanism for resistive transitions of Ag anode‐based devices. Incorporation of CDs with light‐adjustable charge trapping capacity is found to be responsible for phototunable resistive switching properties of CDs‐based resistive random access memory by performing the ultraviolet light illumination studies on as‐fabricated devices. The synergistic effect of photovoltaics and photogating can effectively enhance the internal electrical field to reduce the switching voltage. This demonstration provides a practical route for next‐generation biocompatible electronics

Application of tangent-arc technology for deep inspiration breath-hold radiotherapy in left-sided breast cancer

ObjectiveTo explore the advantages of dosimetry and the treatment efficiency of tangent-arc technology in deep inspiration breath-hold radiotherapy for breast cancer.MethodsForty patients with left-sided breast cancer who were treated in our hospital from May 2020 to June 2021 were randomly selected and divided into two groups. The first group’s plan was a continuous semi-arc that started at 145° ( ± 5°) and stopped at 325° ( ± 5°). The other group’s plan, defined as the tangent-arc plan, had two arcs: the first arc started at 145° ( ± 5°) and stopped at 85° ( ± 5°), and the second arc started at 25° ( ± 5°) and stopped at 325° ( ± 5°). We compared the target dose, dose in organs at risk (OARs), and treatment time between the two groups.ResultsThe target dose was similar between the continuous semiarc and tangent-arc groups. The V5 of the right lung was significantly different between the two groups (Dif 5.52, 95% confidence interval 1.92-9.13, t=3.10, P=0.004), with the patients in the continuous semi-arc and tangent-arc groups having lung V5 values of (9.16 ± 1.62)%, and (3.64 ± 0.73)%, respectively. The maximum dose to the spinal cord was (1835.88 ± 222.17) cGy in the continuous semi-arc group and (599.42 ± 153.91) cGy in the tangent-arc group, yielding a significant difference between the two groups (Dif 1236.46, 95% confidence interval 689.32-1783.6, t=4.57, P&lt;0.001). The treatment times was (311.70 ± 60.45) s for patients in the continuous semi-arc group and (254.66 ± 40.73) s for patients in the tangent-arc group, and there was a significant difference in the mean number of treatment times between the two groups (Dif 57.04, 95% confidence interval 24.05-90.03, t=3.5, P=0.001).ConclusionBoth the continuous semi-arc and tangent-arc plans met the clinical prescription dose requirements. The OARs received less radiation with the tangent-arc plan than the continuous semi-arc plan, especially for the lung (measured as V5) and the spinal cord (measured as the maximum dose). Tangent-arc plan took significantly less time than the continuous semi-arc, which can greatly improve treatment efficiency. Therefore, tangent-arc plans are superior continuous semi-arc plans for all cases

Identification of key genes responsible for green and white colored spathes in Anthurium andraeanum (Hort.)

Modern anthuriums, Anthurium andraeanum (Hort.) are among the most popular flowering plants and widely used for interior decoration. Their popularity is largely attributed to the exotic spathes with different colors. Previous studies have reported color development in red spathe cultivars, but limited information is available on key genes regulating white and green colored spathes. This study analyzed anthocyanin, chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents as well as transcript differences in spathes of eight cultivars that differed in spathe colors ranging from red to white and green. Results showed that increased expression of a transcription factor AaMYB2 was associated with elevated levels of anthocyanin in spathes, but decreased expression of AaMYB2 and increased expression of AaLAR (leucoanthocyanidin reductase) and AaANR (anthocyanidin reductase) were accompanied with the accumulation of colorless proanthocyanidin, thus the white spathe. As to the green colored spathe, chlorophyll content in the green spathe cultivar was substantially higher than the other cultivars. Correspondingly, transcripts of chlorophyll biosynthesis-related genes AaHemB (porphobilinogen synthase) and AaPor (protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase) were highly upregulated but almost undetectable in white and red spathes. The increased expression of AaHemB and AaPor was correlated with the expression of transcription factor AaMYB124. Subsequently, qRT-PCR analysis confirmed their expression levels in nine additional cultivars with red, white, and green spathes. A working model for the formation of white and green spathes was proposed. White colored spathes are likely due to the decreased expression of AaMYB2 which results in increased expression of AaLAR and AaANR, and the green spathes are attributed to AaMYB124 enhanced expression of AaHemB and AaPor. Further research is warranted to test this working model

Mendelian randomization and Bayesian model averaging of autoimmune diseases and Long COVID

BackgroundFollowing COVID-19, reports suggest Long COVID and autoimmune diseases (AIDs) in infected individuals. However, bidirectional causal effects between Long COVID and AIDs, which may help to prevent diseases, have not been fully investigated.MethodsSummary-level data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of Long COVID (N = 52615) and AIDs including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (N = 377277), Crohn’s disease (CD) (N = 361508), ulcerative colitis (UC) (N = 376564), etc. were employed. Bidirectional causal effects were gauged between AIDs and Long COVID by exploiting Mendelian randomization (MR) and Bayesian model averaging (BMA).ResultsThe evidence of causal effects of IBD (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.00–1.11, p = 3.13E-02), CD (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.01–1.19, p = 2.21E-02) and UC (OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.03–1.13, p = 2.35E-03) on Long COVID was found. In MR-BMA, UC was estimated as the highest-ranked causal factor (MIP = 0.488, MACE = 0.035), followed by IBD and CD.ConclusionThis MR study found that IBD, CD and UC had causal effects on Long COVID, which suggests a necessity to screen high-risk populations

Advanced Surface Color Quality Assessment in Paper-Based Full-Color 3D Printing

Color 3D printing allows for 3D-printed parts to represent 3D objects more realistically, but its surface color quality evaluation lacks comprehensive objective verification considering printing materials. In this study, a unique test model was designed and printed using eco-friendly and vivid paper-based full-color 3D printing as an example. By measuring the chromaticity, roughness, glossiness, and whiteness properties of 3D-printed surfaces and by acquiring images of their main viewing surfaces, this work skillfully explores the correlation between the color representation of a paper-based 3D-printed coloring layer and its attached underneath blank layer. Quantitative analysis was performed using ΔE*ab, feature similarity index measure of color image (FSIMc), and improved color-image-difference (iCID) values. The experimental results show that a color difference on color-printed surfaces exhibits a high linear correlation trend with its FSIMc metric and iCID metric. The qualitative analysis of microscopic imaging and the quantitative analysis of the above three surface properties corroborate the prediction of the linear correlation between color difference and image-based metrics. This study can provide inspiration for the development of computational coloring materials for additive manufacturing

CuO/ZnO Heterojunction Nanorod Arrays Prepared by Photochemical Method with Improved UV Detecting Performance

CuO/ZnO heterojunction nanorod arrays were synthesized using a facile photochemical deposition strategy. The morphology of CuO was related to the concentration of Cu2+ in the Cu(NO3)2 solution, UV illumination time, and the air annealing temperature. A possible reaction mechanism was proposed. In the photochemical deposition process, the OH&#8722; was generated in the vicinity of the ZnO nanorod arrays and reacted with Cu2+ and NO3&#8722; in the solution to form Cu2(NO3)(OH)3/ZnO heterojunction nanorod arrays firstly, which were converted into CuO/ZnO heterojunction nanorod arrays completely after air annealing at a low temperature. The fabricated CuO/ZnO heterojunction nanorod arrays exhibits a well-defined rectifying characteristic and an improved photo-response performance compared with pure ZnO nanorod arrays

Assessing treatment switch among patients with multiple sclerosis: A machine learning approach

Background: Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently switch their Disease-Modifying Agents (DMA) for effectiveness and safety concerns. This study aimed to develop and compare the random forest (RF) machine learning (ML) model with the logistic regression (LR) model for predicting DMA switching among MS patients. Methods: This retrospective longitudinal study used the TriNetX data from a federated electronic medical records (EMR) network. Between September 2010 and May 2017, adults (aged ≥18) MS patients with ≥1 DMA prescription were identified, and the earliest DMA date was assigned as the index date. Patients prescribed any DMAs different from their index DMAs were considered as treatment switch. . The RF and LR models were built with 72 baseline characteristics and trained with 70% of the randomly split data after up-sampling. Area Under the Curves (AUC), accuracy, recall, G-measure, and F-1 score were used to evaluate the model performance. Results: In this study, 7258 MS patients with ≥1 DMA were identified. Within two years, 16% of MS patients switched to a different DMA. The RF model obtained significantly better discrimination than the LR model (AUC = 0.65 vs. 0.63, p < 0.0001); however, the RF model had a similar predictive performance to the LR model with respect to F- and G-measures (RF: 72% and 73% vs. LR: 72% and 73%, respectively). The most influential features identified from the RF model were age, type of index medication, and year of index. Conclusions: Compared to the LR model, RF performed better in predicting DMA switch in MS patients based on AUC measures; however, judged by F- and G-measures, the RF model performed similarly to LR. Further research is needed to understand the role of ML techniques in predicting treatment outcomes for the decision-making process to achieve optimal treatment goals

Influences of defects evolvement on the properties of sputtering deposited ZnO:Al films upon hydrogen annealing

Understanding how the defects interact with each other and affect the properties of ZnO:Al films is very important for improving their performance as a transparent conductive oxide (TCO). In the present work, we studied the effects of hydrogen annealing on the structural, optical and electrical properties of ZnO:Al films prepared by magnetron sputtering. High resolution transmission electron microscopy observations reveal that annealing at ∼300 oC induces the formation of partial dislocations (PD) and stacking faults (SF), which disrupt the lattice periodicity leading to decreased grain size. Annealing at temperatures above ∼500 oC can remove the PD and SF, but large number of zinc vacancies will be generated. Our results show that when films are annealed at ∼500 oC, the oxygen-related defects (interstitials Oi, etc.) in the as-grown films can be remarkably removed or converted, which lead to increments in the carrier concentration, mobility, and the transmittance in the visible range. At annealing temperatures above 550 oC, the hydrogen etching effect becomes predominant, and Al donors are deactivated by zinc vacancies. We also find an abnormal endothermic process by thermal analysis and an abnormal increase in the resistivity during heating the sample under hydrogen atmosphere, based on which the interaction of Oi with the defects (mainly Al donors and PD) is discussed. It is also demonstrated that by annealing the as-grown AZO films at ∼500 oC under hydrogen atmosphere, high performance TCO films with a low resistivity of 4.48 × 10−4 Ωcm and high transmittance of above 90% in the visible light are obtained