Tooth instance segmentation from cone-beam CT images through point-based detection and Gaussian disentanglement

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Individual tooth segmentation and identification from cone-beam computed tomography images are preoperative prerequisites for orthodontic treatments. Instance...     

Flame‐Spray‐Processed CuO–WO3 Nanopowders as Photocatalysts

The scalable synthesis of Cu‐doped WO₃ nanomaterials from molecular precursors is addressed here. A desktop flame spray pyrolysis process was used to synthesize of the oxide with 20 nm average diameter of the orthorhombic phase polymorph, which is the stable phase for WO₃. The as‐sprayed nanoparticles exhibit superior photoelectrical response to visible light illumination compared with nanoparticles of the same system processed by other routes.     

Mapping the Patterns of Mobile Phone Usage Among Fishermen in Malaysia

The main attempt of this paper is to identify the patterns of mobile phone usage among fishermen in Pangkor Island in Malaysia. This study is quantitative in nature, where a total of 250 fishermen were selected as the respondents. The findings confirm that although the majority of fishermen do not spend much time and money on making and receiving calls and messaging, the mobile phone is still a crucial tool for them, particularly in its role in enhancing their safety and easing the communication process with their family while conducting their fishing operation. Although the mobile phone has superior functions in marketing, fishermen in Pangkor Island seem to place less importance on it. The findings also show the similarities and differences relevant to the patterns of mobile phone usage in Pangkor Island, and hopefully this can be applied to other fishing areas and further intensify the development in the fisheries industry.     

Recyclable Cytokines on Short and Injectable Polylactic Acid Fibers for Enhancing T‐Cell Function

The current practice of cytokine‐based immunotherapy relies on high doses and multiple injections of cytokine agents, which raises patients' inconvenience and economic burden. Here, sustainable and recyclable cytokine delivery based on short and injectable polymer fibers immobilized with interleukin (IL)‐2 and IL‐15 is demonstrated, which can be retained at the target tumor sites upon injection. In detail, electrospun polylactic acid (PLA) fibers are treated with aqueous ethanol solution for their dispersion, increasing the interfiber space for highly efficient biomolecule conjugation, and further immobilized with protein G via enzymatic dopamine coating. The protein G‐immobilized PLA fibers are cut into short fibers using a microtome, and filtering is performed to collect injectable short PLA (sPLA) fibers with the lengths of 15–100 µm. These sPLA fibers are further loaded with cytokines via the interaction between protein G and Fc, and cytokine‐loaded sPLA (Cyto‐sPLA) fibers are injected near the tumor sites using a syringe. The administration of Cyto‐sPLA fibers efficiently suppresses the tumor growth up to 70% by reinvigorating nonfunctional T cells to a functional state that can kill tumors in a sustainable and recyclable manner. The injectable sPLA‐fiber platform can be employed as a carrier for the efficient delivery of various agents in vivo.