Search Results (77)

[¹⁸F]-PSMA PET/CT is a high-impact modality for the staging and restaging of prostate cancer, but its wide anatomic coverage and tracer biology generate frequent incidental findings on both PET and the accompanying low-dose CT (LDCT). This narrative review is restricted in scope to fluorine-18 PSMA tracers because tracer-specific biodistribution and pitfall profiles shape what is perceived as incidentaloma: how confidently lesions can be categorized, and how often borderline findings trigger downstream testing, particularly for skeletal foci with [¹⁸F]-PSMA-1007. Specifically, [¹⁸F]-PSMA-1007 shows substantially higher rates of focal unspecific bone uptake than [⁶⁸Ga]-PSMA-11—reported in multicenter studies as affecting up to 40–50% of patients—which directly inflates the pool of potential incidentalomas and creates a tracer-specific false-positive problem with no parallel in gallium-68 practice. Additionally, [¹⁸F]-DCFPyL has different urinary clearance kinetics that affect bladder and ureteral uptake patterns, altering what qualifies as physiologic versus incidental in the pelvis. These differences mean that the threshold for Category B versus C classification—and the appropriate cascade-resistant language—must be tuned to the specific tracer in use. A framework built on [⁶⁸Ga]-PSMA-11 data would systematically underestimate bone pitfall frequency in [¹⁸F]-PSMA-1007 practice and could therefore paradoxically increase rather than reduce cascades if applied uncritically across tracers. These biodistribution differences have direct and concrete consequences for reporting behaviour and downstream management. In [¹⁸F]-PSMA-1007 practice, a focal bone uptake without a CT correlate in a mechanically plausible location—such as an anterior rib or vertebral endplate—should trigger Category B language in the report conclusion: the finding is documented in the body with explicit safety netting (“most consistent with unspecific uptake; no routine workup unless interval growth, new pain, or aggressive CT morphology”), and no referral to bone scintigraphy or MRI is generated. Without tracer-specific awareness, the same finding would typically prompt a reflex bone scan or whole-body MRI referral, delaying definitive prostate cancer management by weeks and adding imaging costs without diagnostic gain. By contrast, in [⁶⁸Ga]-PSMA-11 practice, an equivalent focal bone uptake without a CT correlate carries a higher prior probability of true metastatic disease given the lower background rate of unspecific uptake and should more often be reported at Category B with a lower threshold for escalation or more cautious language. For [¹⁸F]-DCFPyL, the higher urinary activity in the pelvis means that ureteral segments can mimic lymph node disease; recognizing this as a physiologic variant (Category C) rather than an equivocal nodal finding (Category B) avoids unnecessary pelvic MRI referrals that would otherwise be triggered by an uncontextualized report. In practical terms, the tracer-specific calibration of the overlay therefore changes not only the category assigned but also the specific safety-netting language and the escalation trigger, which directly modifies the downstream management pathway for each affected finding type. The scanned population—predominantly older men with a high prevalence of degenerative, inflammatory, and vascular abnormalities—creates substantial background noise that can drive low-value diagnostic cascades if incidental findings are communicated without actionability context. We integrate society-endorsed frameworks (EANM/SNMMI procedure guideline 2.0; E-PSMA; PSMA-RADS; and PROMISE/miTNM with miPSMA score) and propose a cascade-aware overlay for incidental findings that can be appended to existing PSMA reporting standards rather than replacing them. The A/B/C actionability overlay is a structured expert-consensus framework informed by existing evidence-based guidelines for specific finding types and by tracer-specific cohort data; it has not yet been prospectively validated as a standalone tool, and its current level of evidence is therefore analogous to a structured expert recommendation rather than an evidence-based clinical guideline. We operationalize a three-tier actionability scheme across PET- and CT-dominant findings, provide cascade-resistant language for conclusions, and clarify why SUVmax-only “probability scales” for lymph nodes are not recommended in routine reports. Three practical tables summarize PET incidental findings, lymph node reporting frameworks, and LDCT incidental findings, and two structured report templates are provided (concise and extended), with the extended version explicitly labelling actionability tiers and escalation triggers. Finally, we outline concrete AI use cases for standardization and triage while emphasizing governance to avoid the amplification of false positives and paradoxical growth of cascades. Full article

Direct utilization of biomass-derived silica in neutral surfactant-templated mesoporous synthesis remains underexplored with respect to mesostructure control and functional integration. High-purity silica extracted from acid-treated rice husk ash (~98.4 wt% SiO₂) was employed as the sole precursor in a fluoride-assisted sol–gel route to synthesize MSU-X frameworks without chemical modification. Systematic parametric variation—pH, Si/surfactant ratio, hydrothermal temperature, and aging duration—establishes quantitative structure–processing correlations. Under optimized conditions (pH 2, Si/Tergitol = 8, 60 °C, 96 h), the resulting material exhibits a wormhole-like mesoarchitecture with a BET surface area of 816 m² g⁻¹, mean pore diameter of ~3.6 nm, and three-dimensionally interconnected channels, confirmed by SAXS, TEM, and N₂ sorption. EDXRF analysis confirms effective impurity removal and high silica incorporation efficiency (~95–96%); thermal stability persists to 700 °C, with incipient crystallization near 800 °C. As a functional demonstration, MSU-X served as an anti-agglomeration scaffold for ZIF-8 crystallization during DDT adsorption. Despite attenuated kinetics relative to pristine ZIF-8—where severe agglomeration occludes active imidazole nodes—the Z8/MSU-X composite achieved near-quantitative DDT removal (74.10 mg g⁻¹). This performance stems from the mesoporous matrix driving size-confined, highly dispersed ZIF-8 growth, thereby maximizing active-site exposure. Operating within a reagent-limited regime rather than a capacity-saturated boundary, this efficient depletion confirms that the scaffold successfully suppresses site loss. Ultimately, these findings validate biogenic silica as a directly integrable precursor for tailored mesostructure assembly, positioning agricultural waste as a high-performance feedstock for hierarchical adsorption architectures. Full article

As a promising class of catalysts for enzymatic glucose sensors, Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) exhibit exceptional biomimetic activity. However, their performance is often constrained by poor intrinsic conductivity, which typically limits their sensitivity. To address this limitation, this study presents an effective approach using direct in situ growth of PBAs on the electrode substrates, which enables the effective integration of PBA-based electrochemical systems. A porous Ni framework was first electrodeposited onto a screen-printed gold electrode substrate, followed by the reduction of Pt onto the porous Ni. Subsequently, NiFe PBA was synthesized in situ using the porous Pt/Ni structure as a sacrificial template. Functionalized with glucose oxidase (GO_x), the PBA/Pt/Ni biosensor exhibited excellent performance for glucose detection in buffer solution, with a high sensitivity of 262.6 μA mM⁻¹·cm⁻² and an ultra-low detection limit of 1.45 μM (calculated at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, S/N = 3). Notably, its sensitivity corresponds to a two-fold enhancement relative to the electrodes modified with commercial Prussian blue using the conventional drop-casting method. Even when tested in human sweat samples, the biosensor achieved a high sensitivity of 236.4 μA mM⁻¹·cm⁻² and a linear detection range of 20–1000 μM, with the broad sensing range fully encompassing the typical physiological concentrations of glucose in human sweat. This excellent performance arises from the high specific surface area of the porous Pt/Ni structure and the tight connection between PBA and the sacrificial Ni anode. This research presents a promising design strategy for advanced, wearable, and non-invasive health-monitoring platforms. Full article

Composite ZnO/Fe nanostructured thin films are synthesized via physical vapor deposition using radio frequency magnetron sputtering in conventional, as well as in glancing angle deposition (GLAD) geometries. ZnO is employed as a compact nanocolumnar template to direct Fe growth in bilayer and multilayer architectures. Morphological analysis reveals well-defined ZnO/Fe interfaces for normal deposition geometry, with diminished interface clarity and reduced layer thickness in GLAD samples. Crystallographic characterization indicates clear ZnO-{002} and α-Fe-{110} texture. Magnetostatic characterization investigates the effects of morphology on coercivity and domain nucleation. GLAD-deposited Fe films exhibit clear in-plane magnetic anisotropy, with remanence to saturation magnetization (M_REM/M_SAT) equal to 1 for the easy axis and equal to 0.24 for the hard axis, consistent with inclined nanocolumn morphology. Our findings show that deposition geometry, rather the ZnO template, mostly affects the morphology of Fe films. The above, highlight the potential of engineered ZnO/Fe nanocomposites for magnetic, spintronic, and magnetoplasmonic applications, by tuning morphology and interface quality through deposition parameters. Full article

Ribosome biogenesis is a fundamental process underlying plant growth, development, and environmental adaptation, and processing of precursor rRNA (pre-rRNA) represents one of its most critical regulatory steps. This review provides a systematic overview of the multi-layered regulatory mechanisms controlling pre-rRNA processing in plants, with Arabidopsis thaliana as the primary model system. We focus on the genomic organization of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and its epigenetic regulation, illustrating how highly repetitive and sequence-diverse rDNA arrays maintain genomic stability while enabling tissue-specific expression of distinct rDNA variants. We further summarize the dynamic pathways of pre-rRNA processing and their plastic regulation under environmental conditions such as elevated temperature. In addition, we review the quality control systems that monitor pre-rRNA maturation, including non-templated tailing and exonuclease-dependent degradation pathways, which play essential roles in removing aberrant processing intermediates. We further examine how perturbations in pre-rRNA processing give rise to plant ribosomopathies and discuss complementary models of ribosome homeostasis and ribosome heterogeneity as frameworks for interpreting shared developmental phenotypes. Finally, by synthesizing genetic and molecular evidence, we highlight the pivotal role of pre-rRNA processing in orchestrating plant development and propose directions for future research. Full article

Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) with Raman crystals is widely recognized as an effective technical approach for achieving high-efficiency lasers at specific wavelengths. However, due to crystal size limitations, it is challenging to generate large-energy Raman lasers while simultaneously considering the laser damage threshold of optical components. To overcome this limitation, in this paper we describe the successful fabrication of a large-aperture barium nitrate Raman gain medium using the directional template growth technique. Employing this large-aperture Raman medium and a 532 nm pulse laser as the excitation source, a large-energy, high-efficiency yellow–orange waveband laser system was constructed. When injected with 886.7 mJ pump energy at 532 nm, the Raman laser achieved a maximum output energy of 556.2 mJ, corresponding to an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 62.7%. This represents a significant advancement in single-pulse energy for barium nitrate Raman lasers. Large-energy yellow–orange wavelength lasers have applications in the clinical treatment of skin diseases and microfluidic chip manufacturing. Full article

Core–shell metal–organic framework (MOF) composites, owing to their unique structural advantages, have emerged as a prominent research focus in the field of chemistry, advanced materials and chemical engineering. By integrating MOFs with other functional components such as MOFs, covalent organic frameworks (COFs), metal oxides, carbon materials, ionic liquids or polymers into synergistic heterogeneous architectures, coreshell MOFs can markedly enhance physicochemical stability and enable diversified functional performances. This work provides a systematic overview of the major construction strategies for these materials, including in situ growth, self-templating, seed-mediated methods, one-pot synthesis and post-synthetic modification. It also summarizes recent applications in catalysis (thermal, electrocatalytic and photocatalytic processes) as well as gas adsorption and separation (such as CO₂ capture from flue gas, natural gas purification and acetylene separation). The final section discusses future research directions, including a deeper understanding of interfacial growth mechanisms, the development of green and scalable synthesis routes, the validation of engineering-oriented applications, and the integration of machine learning with high-throughput computation for structural prediction and accelerated materials screening, thereby providing important guidance for the development of high-performance core–shell MOFs. Full article

Low-dimensional lead-free metal halide perovskites have demonstrated excellent performance in indirect X-ray detectors; however, the imaging resolution remains limited due to the lack of effective scintillation waveguiding. In this work, array-structured scintillation screens were fabricated using anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates via a spatial confinement–assisted in situ growth strategy. The resulting directional optical confinement effect significantly enhances the scintillation performance of the screen. The fabricated Cs₃Cu₂Br_1.25I_3.75-AAO scintillator arrays achieve a spatial resolution of 14.10 lp/mm and a minimum detectable dose rate of 243 nGy/s under X-ray irradiation. In addition, the scintillator arrays exhibit excellent radiation stability, providing a reliable and cost-effective solution for high-resolution array-based X-ray imaging. Full article

As the core abrasive in chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) processes, the morphology, size uniformity, and chemical reactivity of CeO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) are crucial factors determining the surface precision and yield of devices. In this work, a KNO₃–LiNO₃ eutectic molten salt was used as the reaction medium. By systematically adjusting key processing parameters (such as the type of cerium source, the species and dosage of surfactants, and calcination conditions), the regulatory effects of these factors on particle growth mechanisms were clarified. This adjustment enabled the controlled synthesis of spherical CeO₂ NPs with customized morphology, particle size, and surface defect states. The multi-stage reaction process of the precursor during calcination was identified by applying thermal analysis techniques, including TG-DSC and TG-FTIR. This process includes dehydration, ion exchange, and thermal decomposition. Microstructural analysis shows that the type and dosage of the cerium source and template agent significantly affect the uniformity of particle size and spherical morphology. Moreover, by using an optimized process with a heating rate of 6 °C/min and maintaining at 400 °C for 3 h, spherical CeO₂ NPs with an average particle size of 60 nm, uniform size distribution, and high sphericity were successfully synthesized via a single-step calcination process. Based on these findings, a further proposal was put forward regarding a crystal growth mechanism mediated by micelle-directed assembly and oriented attachment. This method only requires a single calcination step, has mild reaction conditions, and involves a simple process without the need for specialized equipment—features that show great potential for scalable production. It provides both a theoretical basis and experimental support for the controlled preparation of high-performance CeO₂ abrasives. Full article

CeO₂ is a crucial functional material in catalysis and energy applications, whose performance is highly morphology-dependent. Traditional synthesis methods often rely on organic templates or surfactants, which complicate the processes and pose environmental concerns. This study introduces an eco-friendly approach utilizing a methanol–water (MeOH-H₂O) mixed solvent system combined with NH₄HCO₃ to achieve controllable synthesis of multi-morphology CeO₂ without surfactants or templates. The effects of different solvent systems (pure H₂O, pure MeOH, and their mixtures) and NH₄HCO₃ as an inexpensive regulator on precursor phase behavior and crystallization were systematically investigated. By optimizing the Ce:N molar ratios (1:1 to 1:7) as well as reaction times (0.5 to 36 h), our findings indicate that H₂O significantly enhances crystallinity (from 40.9% to 61.4% for precursors, reaching 70.3% after calcination) and promotes octahedra formation in the MeOH-H₂O mixed system, while NH₄HCO₃ acts as a structure-directing agent to control size (e.g., ~240 nm octahedra at Ce:N = 1:1, up to 375 nm at Ce:N = 1:2) and partially substitutes for high-temperature calcination in improving crystallinity. Variety morphologies, including plates, dendrites, octahedra, and hollow structures, were successfully synthesized. This work elucidates the synergistic mechanism by which solvents and NH₄HCO₃ influence CeO₂ nucleation and growth, thereby providing an environmentally friendly synthesis route with significant potential applications in catalysis and energy storage. Full article

Direct growth of high-quality, Bernal-stacked bilayer graphene (BLG) on dielectric substrates is crucial for electronic and optoelectronic devices, yet it remains hindered by poor film quality, uncontrollable thickness, and high-density grain boundaries. In this work, a facile, catalyst-assisted method to grow high-quality, single-crystalline BLG directly on dielectric substrates (SiO₂/Si, sapphire, and quartz) was demonstrated. A single-crystal monolayer graphene template was first employed as a seed layer to facilitate the homoepitaxial synthesis of single-crystalline BLG directly on insulating substrates. Nanostructure Cu powders were used as the remote catalysis to provide long-lasting catalytic activity during the graphene growth. Transmission electron microscopy confirms the single-crystalline nature of the resulting BLG domains, which validates the superiority of the homoepitaxial growth technique. Raman spectroscopy and electrical measurement results indicate that the quality of the as-grown BLG is comparable to that on metal substrate surfaces. Field-effect transistors fabricated directly on the as-grown BLG/SiO₂/Si showed a room temperature carrier mobility as high as 2297 ± 3 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹, which is comparable to BLG grown on Cu and much higher than that reported on in-sulators. Full article

Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) scaffolds preserve native tissue structure and biochemical cues while minimizing immune responses, creating biomimetic templates that promote cell integration and tissue remodeling. This review examines the current state of dECM research, encompassing decellularization methods, scaffold quality evaluation assays, and tissue-specific applications across dermis, nerve, heart, lung, adipose, and placental ECMs. We analyze commercially available dECM products and ongoing clinical trials, while highlighting recent advances including 3D bioprinting and the integration of dECM with stem cells and growth factors. Despite these promising developments, several challenges continue to limit broader clinical translation: protocol standardization, residual immunogenicity, mechanical durability, and regulatory, manufacturing, and cost barriers. To address these limitations, we outline future directions focusing on patient-specific scaffolds, scalable bioprocessing, and integrated biofabrication strategies that will enable the development of safe and effective dECM-based therapies. Full article

Data-driven forecasting is becoming increasingly central to modern energy management, yet nonspecialists without a background in artificial intelligence (AI) face significant barriers to entry. While Python is the dominant machine learning language, R remains a practical and accessible tool for users with expertise in statistics, engineering, or domain-specific analysis. To inform tool selection, we first provide an evidence-based comparison of R with major alternatives before reviewing 49 peer-reviewed articles published between 2020 and 2025 in Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE)-level journals that utilized R for energy forecasting tasks, including electricity (regional and site-level), solar, wind, thermal energy, and natural gas. Despite such growth, the field still lacks a systematic, cross-domain synthesis that clarifies which R-based methods prevail, how accessible workflows are implemented, and where methodological gaps remain; this motivated our use of text mining. Text mining techniques were employed to categorize the literature according to forecasting objectives, modeling methods, application domains, and tool usage patterns. The results indicate that tree-based ensemble learning models—e.g., random forests, gradient boosting, and hybrid variants—are employed most frequently, particularly for solar and short-term load forecasting. Notably, few studies incorporated automated model selection or explainable AI; however, there is a growing shift toward interpretable and beginner-friendly workflows. This review offers a practical reference for nonexperts seeking to apply R in energy forecasting contexts, emphasizing accessible modeling strategies and reproducible practices. We also curate example R scripts, workflow templates, and a study-level link catalog to support replication. The findings of this review support the broader democratization of energy analytics by identifying trends and methodologies suitable for users without advanced AI training. Finally, we synthesize domain-specific evidence and outline the text-mining pipeline, present visual keyword profiles and comparative performance tables that surface prevailing strategies and unmet needs, and conclude with practical guidance and targeted directions for future research. Full article

Three-dimensional (3D) surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates have demonstrated remarkable abilities of ultrasensitive and reproducible molecular detection. The combination of both electromagnetic and chemical enhancement processes, light trapping, and multiple scattering effects of 3D structures are what enhance their performance. The principles of underlying enhancements are summarized systematically, and the main types of 3D substrates—vertically aligned nanowires, dendritic and fractal nanostructures, porous frameworks and aerogels, core–shell and hollow nanospheres, and hierarchical hybrid structures—are categorized in this review. Advances in fabrication techniques, such as template-assisted growth, electrochemical and galvanic deposition, dealloying and freeze-drying, self-assembly, and hybrid integration, are critically evaluated in terms of structural tunability and scalability. Novel developments in the field of biosensing are also highlighted, including non-enzymatic glucose sensing, tumor biomarker sensing, and drug delivery. The remaining limitations, such as low reproducibility, mechanical stability, and substrate standardization, are also noted, and future directions, such as stimuli-responsive designs, multifunctional hybrid platforms, and data-driven optimization strategies of SERS technologies, are also included. Full article

Rapid urbanization and industrial development have significantly altered land use and cover across the globe, intensifying urban thermal environments and exacerbating the urban heat island (UHI) effect. Gujranwala, Pakistan, represents an industrial growth that has driven substantial land use/land cover (LULC) changes and temperature increases; however, the directional and distance-based patterns of these changes remain unquantified. Therefore, this study is conducted to examine spatiotemporal changes in LULC and variations in the Urban Thermal Field Variation Index (UTFVI) between 2001 and 2021 and to project future scenarios for 2031 and 2041 using (1) Earth Observation Indices (EOIs) with machine learning (ML) classifiers (Random Forest) for precise LULC mapping through the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, (2) Cellular Automata–Artificial Neural Networks (CA-ANNs) for future scenario projection, and (3) Gradient Directional Analysis (GDA) to quantify directional (16-axis) and distance-based (concentric zones) patterns of urban expansion and thermal variation from 2001–2021. The study revealed significant LULC changes, with built-up areas expanding by 7.5% from 2001 to 2021, especially in the east, northeast, and southeast directions within a 20 km radius. Due to urban encroachment, vegetation and cropland decreased by 1.47% and 1.83%, respectively. The urban thermal environment worsened, with the highest land surface temperature (LST) rising from 41 °C in 2001 to 55 °C in 2021. Additionally, the UTFVI showed expanding areas under the ‘strong’ and ‘strongest’ categories, increasing from 30.58% in 2001 to 33.42% in 2041. Directional analysis highlighted severe thermal stress in the southern and southwestern areas linked to industrial activities and urban sprawl. This integrated approach provides a template for analyzing urban thermal environments in developing cities, supporting targeted mitigation strategies through direction- and distance-specific planning interventions to mitigate UHI impacts. Full article