Determining cause of death is fundamental for health services to guide the formulation of appropriate public policies to reduce and prevent mortality. In Brazil, some deaths still do not have their underlying cause defined, and in these cases, performing a complete diagnostic autopsy (CDA) is essential. However, there are challenges that hinder its performance, and in this scenario, minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) could be a promising alternative. Here, we explored the knowledge, acceptability, and attitudes towards CDA and MITS in Northeast Brazil. We conducted a cross-sectional study using structured questionnaires that were disseminated using snowball sampling through medical societies networks, social networks, instant messaging groups, and email. Chi-square tests or Fisher's exact tests were performed, as appropriate, to determine the difference between the five groups (i.e., pathologists, non-pathologist physicians, other health professionals, medical students, and the general population). 1,519 individuals participated, predominantly female (67.9%) with a median age of 41 (range 21 - 83) years. There was widespread recognition of the importance of CDA (79.6%) and a predisposition to authorize it among family members (67.0%). 1.5% reported knowing about MITS, and 83.4% believed that greater publicity for MITS would increase accessibility. Among physicians and pathologists (n = 141), 52.2% agreed that trained professionals could perform the technique, and 79.3% agreed that MITS had a lower cost and required less hands-on time than CDA. Regarding implementation, blood (52.2%) and liver (26.1%) were identified as the easiest organs to sample, while brain (50.0%) and spleen (24.0%) were considered the most technically difficult. Although widely accepted among scholars in the field, MITS is little known outside of this environment. Investments in training, standardization of protocols for consent and conduct, and communication strategies that are sensitive to the sociocultural context are fundamental for its adoption as a complementary tool in determining the cause of death in countries like Brazil.
Minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) is a postmortem technique that involves percutaneous needle sampling of key organs and fluids, offering a practical alternative to complete autopsy for determining cause of death (CoD), a critical factor in reducing mortality. In low- and middle-income settings, autopsies are rarely performed, particularly in the first hours after death. To assess the impact of postmortem interval (PMI) on MITS diagnostic performance, we compared CoD determinations from repeated MITS procedures at different PMIs in the same individuals and analyzed changes in histological and microbiological findings over time. We conducted serial MITS at 24, 48, and 72 h after death in nine adults who died at Maputo Central Hospital, Mozambique, between June 2017 and January 2018. The process included thorough histological and microbiological analyses. Results showed that MITS maintained consistent diagnostic accuracy across all PMIs. While histological findings showed minor changes over time, these did not significantly affect CoD determination. Microbiological analyses revealed a substantial increase (p < 0.0001) in Enterobacteriaceae isolation with longer PMIs, whereas fungal and parasitic detection remained stable, and viral isolations declined. These findings highlight that MITS remains reliable for postmortem diagnosis even when performed up to 72 h after death, offering crucial utility in settings where immediate autopsies are unfeasible.
Conventional diagnostic autopsy (CDA) is the gold standard for determining the cause of death but is limited by sociocultural constraints. Minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) is a feasible alternative for CDA. This study aimed to standardize the intestinal MITS technique for neonatal autopsies. This prospective study included 20 deceased neonates, in which the feasibility and diagnostic utility of intestinal minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) using a transabdominal Bard Monopty 16G needle were compared with CDA. Diagnostic accuracy was measured with 95% confidence intervals, and measures of agreement were evaluated. Small intestinal and large intestinal tissue retrieval was successful in 95% and 85% of cases, respectively. MITS showed high sensitivity and specificity for detecting normal histology, early intestinal ischemic changes and small-intestinal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The standardized intestinal MITS is feasible and a reliable alternative to CDA, particularly in culturally sensitive or low-resource settings.
In sub-Saharan Africa, stillbirth rates remain high. To design effective interventions to reduce stillbirths, accurate determination of their aetiology is important. Conventional autopsy for accurate confirmation of cause is not acceptable or feasible in several societies in sub-Saharan Africa; minimal invasive tissue sampling (MITS), is a recently developed, less invasive alternative. In this study, we explored the acceptability of MITS in the community and among healthcare workers in Uganda to guide the future implementation. A qualitative study was done among community members and healthcare workers in Mbale in Eastern Uganda. We undertook in-depth interviews and focus group discussions in English or local languages. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed as necessary prior to formal content analysis. The themes were organised using NVivo software and presented according to Sekhon's theoretical framework. Overall, participants preferred the idea of MITS to conventional autopsy because of the perception that it was fast, maintained the facial appearance and kept the body intact. It was thought that the procedure would improve the detection of the cause of stillbirths, which in turn would help to prevent future stillbirths. It would also resolve conflicts in the community between community members or the women and the healthcare workers about the cause of a stillbirth. It was suggested that some community members may not approve of MITS because of their religious beliefs; the fear that the body parts may be extracted and stolen for witchcraft or organ donation; and a lack of trust in the healthcare system. To implement the procedure, it was suggested that extensive community sensitization should be done, space limitations in healthcare facilities overcome, healthcare workers should be trained and limited human resource should be addressed. The implementation of MITS in Mbale, Eastern Uganda, is likely to be acceptable given sufficient training and sensitisation.
In the evolving field of quantum computing, optimizing Quantum Error Correction (QEC) parameters is crucial due to the varying types and amounts of physical noise across quantum computers. Traditional simulators use a forward paradigm to derive logical error rates from inputs like code distance and rounds, but this can lead to resource wastage. Adjusting QEC parameters manually with tools like STIM is often inefficient, especially given the daily fluctuations in quantum error rates. To address this, we introduce MITS, a reverse engineering tool for STIM that automatically determines optimal QEC settings based on a given quantum computer's noise model and a target logical error rate. This approach minimizes qubit and gate usage by precisely matching the necessary logical error rate with the constraints of qubit numbers and gate fidelity. Our investigations into various heuristics and machine learning models for MITS show that XGBoost and Random Forest regressions, with Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.98 and 0.96, respectively, are highly effective in this context.
Stillbirth rates remain unacceptably high in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Understanding the causes of death (CoD) is mandatory to develop effective strategies to reduce this high mortality. Minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) is a promising alternative to conventional autopsy (CA) but its validation in stillbirths remains limited. Existing evidence indicates that most samples of conventional MITS (c-MITS) lack diagnostic relevance in stillbirths. This study aimed to validate c-MITS against CA in stillbirths and design and assess a cost-efficient, simplified MITS (s-MITS) protocol. The study comprised two subsets of stillbirths occurring at Maputo Central Hospital, Mozambique. The CaDMIA-Plus cohort (Cause of Death investigation using Minimally Invasive Autopsy, n=90; 2017-2018), in which both c-MITS and CA were performed, was used to validate c-MITS against the gold standard and to determine the diagnostic value of each sample and design a s-MITS. The MIBio cohort (Mortality Identification Biomarkers, n=98; 2021-2022), which included only s-MITS, was used to evaluate the performance and cost of the s-MITS in comparison to c-MITS in an independent cohort. Almost perfect overall agreement (Kappa=0.82) was observed between the c-MITS and CA-attributed CoD. Lung and placenta samples were identified as the most informative in c-MITS. When using only lung and placenta results to model an s-MITS, substantial agreement (Kappa=0.79) was found between the s-MITS-derived CoD and those attributed by CA. Similar CoD distributions were observed when applying the s-MITS to the MIBio cohort, while costs were reduced by 55.7%. The leading CoDs were primarily related to maternal conditions and pregnancy complications (70.0-72.4%) and infectious diseases (25.6-27.6%). c-MITS is a simpler and cost-effective alternative to CA for determining CoD in stillbirths. s-MITS has a diagnostic accuracy similar to that of c-MITS, while significantly reducing costs, making it adequate for implementation in routine clinical practice in LMICs.
Minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) has been used to determine cause of death in various low- and middle-income countries. However, information on the acceptability of this procedure in community-based deaths is limited; most studies have focused on facility-based deaths among children. This qualitative study describes factors affecting the prospective acceptability of MITS for community deaths across all ages in a rural South African community and reviews the utility of the Theoretical Framework for Acceptability (TFA). This qualitative study was conducted in the rural Agincourt Health and socio-Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) site in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Thematic analysis was conducted on 20 in-depth interviews with residents who had experienced a death within the previous 2 years and 6 focus group discussions (FGDs) with key stakeholders. FGD groups included community members, healthcare workers, traditional healers, religious leaders and mortuary workers. MITS was considered acceptable by interviewees, who posited that bereaved families had a strong desire to know cause of death, which would drive participation. Limited manipulation of the body and minimal disruption of burial practices were conditions that would make MITS more readily acceptable. Facilitators of participation included engaging with local traditional leaders, rigorous community education, transparency and openness regarding MITS activities, and the provision of emotional and psychological support to the bereaved. Whilst local beliefs did not forbid participation in MITS, acceptability was limited for deaths in traditional healers and infants as it would disrupt burial in these groups. Rumours of organ-trafficking during autopsies made some participants wary of the MITS and a lack of trust in the research team could discourage participation. In Agincourt, MITS is an acceptable procedure among community members that are interested in knowing cause of death. Thorough community engagement, open communication and an empathetic approach to bereaved families are crucial for building community support for the implementation of MITS. The TFA provides a valuable outline for the assessment of acceptability but failed to account for trust dynamics between providers and participants. We propose the modification of the TFA to include the domain "trust in providers".
Minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) has been used as an alternative to complete autopsy to track causes of death (CoDs) in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa as part of the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance program. However, community acceptance, rapid identification of deaths, and adequate functional laboratory infrastructures (e.g., pathology, conventional microbiology, and molecular microbiology) are critical for successful implementation. We describe the experience of implementing MITS in an urban district with socioeconomic and cultural diversity in Zambézia Province, central Mozambique. For successful implementation of mortality surveillance using MITS, high-level advocacy involving the Provincial Government and all stakeholders as well as engagement and sensitization of all segments of the communities, including traditional healers, community leaders, and mass media, were critical for the acceptability of the procedure. Additionally, social and behavior studies were conducted to assess perceptions, sociocultural factors, acceptability, and feasibility of the MITS procedure. These studies helped adapt the MITS protocol to the local context to minimize the risk of misunderstanding the mortality surveillance using MITS procedures. There was significant investment in capacity building, including financial support for laboratory equipment acquisition and maintenance, reagents, and consumables required for microbiological screening protocols of MITS and to support the needs for diagnostics of patients with severe disease seeking care. Experiences from Quelimane and other sites and data generated in the Countrywide Mortality Surveillance for Action to support evidence-based decision-making processes on health policy were critical for the community to understand the benefit of determining young children CoD to guide future interventions.
Minimally invasive therapies (MITs) for overactive bladder (OAB) are effective for patients who have failed or cannot tolerate medical management. Despite this, rates of MIT are low and have remained stagnant. Using the AQUA database, we examine trends in utilization of MIT over time with a focus on patient and provider factors that affect selection of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) over other MITs for OAB. The AQUA Registry was queried for adults with idiopathic OAB who received MIT from 2014 to 2023. Patients were analyzed by age, race, sex, insurance, and MIT trends over time. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate patient and provider factors associated with SNM selection. Of 2,006,684 patients with idiopathic OAB, 58,840 (2.9%) received MIT; 19,582 (0.98%) SNM; 28,463 (1.4%) bladder onabotulinum toxin injection (BTX-A); and 17,045 (0.85%) percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation. There was an increase in those undergoing BTX-A and a decline in those undergoing SNM and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation over time. Patients receiving SNM vs other MITs were more likely to be younger than 51 years, male, in a rural area, and seen in a high-volume OAB practice. Patients in the Southeastern and South Central sections were more likely to receive SNM. Overall utilization of MIT was 2.9% over a 9-year period. While SNM has seen a decline in relative utilization compared with BTX-A, overall MIT use has stayed stagnant. Patient and provider demographics impact choice of SNM over other MITs. These findings highlight an opportunity to better understand trends and limitations when providing MITs.
Neonatal mortality is a significant public health concern which requires accurate identification of the cause of death (CoD). There has been a decline in conventional diagnostic autopsy (CDA) globally due to ethical and cultural barriers, resulting in lack of comprehensive data on neonatal deaths. Minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) of organs has emerged as an innovative alternative to CDA as it is less invasive and feasible. This study evaluates the effectiveness of MITS versus CDA in determining the cause of death in neonates. This was a single-center observational study conducted on 100 neonatal autopsies. The demographic, clinical, imaging data and ancillary tests were analyzed prior to performing both the techniques. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and interrater reliability were assessed. The concordance rate for lesions in the brain, lung, and liver in MITS versus CDA was 79%, 84%, and 94% respectively. There was high sensitivity and specificity for intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and hyaline membrane disease (HMD) by the MITS technique, however it was not useful in detecting focal and peripheral lesions in organs. MITS is a promising alternative to CDA with comparable diagnostic accuracy in determining causes of death in neonates.
Malaria, a preventable parasitic disease, causes most child deaths in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Reliable cause-of-death data are essential to evaluate progress toward the national and global malaria control goals. However, civil registration and vital statistics are often weak and incomplete in many low- and middle-income countries. In such circumstances, verbal autopsy (VA) provides an alternative means of mortality surveillance. In some settings, VA has been paired with Minimally Invasive Tissue Sampling (MITS) to obtain detailed biological confirmation of the causes of death. Here, we compare malaria-attributed and all-cause mortality among children younger than five years in six SSA countries, using three computer models (GPT-4o, InSilicoVA, and InterVA-5) to assign causes of death, against MITS as the reference standard. We examined 3129 under-five deaths enrolled in six Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) country sites in SSA between December 2016 and December 2022. Contrived free-text narrative summaries were generated for each record and coded into International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) codes by GPT-4o. InSilicoVA and InterVA-5 outputs, provided in the World Health Organization 2016 VA codes, were harmonized to ICD-10 for comparison. The primary comparison was the underlying cause of death in VA models and MITS. Sierra Leone had the highest proportion of post-neonatal deaths attributed to malaria at 30.3% (67/221), followed by Kenya at 17.3% (42/243), then Mozambique at 13% (18/138) and Mali at 5.5% (3/55) as defined by MITS. No malaria-attributable deaths were observed in neonates and stillbirths. GPT-4o correctly classified 60 (46.2%) of 130 malaria deaths, compared with 39 (30.0%) for InSilicoVA and 30 (23.1%) for InterVA-5. At the population level, the GPT-4o model achieved a higher cause-specific mortality fraction accuracy (0.36) compared to InSilicoVA (0.07) and InterVA-5 (0.08). GPT-4o performed comparatively better in attributing malaria, HIV/AIDS, and diarrhoeal diseases compared to other communicable diseases. GPT-4o demonstrated superior performance over probabilistic VA models in identifying malaria-attributed deaths. National vital registration authorities and health ministries should consider integrating large language model-driven tools into their VA systems to enhance diagnostic precision. While less practicable at scale, focal and periodic MITS comparisons are useful for improving verbal autopsy systems. National mortality data are essential to track progress in reducing childhood deaths from malaria and other conditions.
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a leading cause of mortality among gynecological malignancies, predominantly due to late-stage diagnoses and complex management challenges. Traditional treatment strategies, primarily centered on extensive cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy, have seen notable improvements through the integration of laparoscopy and robotic-assisted procedures. The safety and efficacy of minimally invasive techniques (MITs) have been demonstrated in early-stage EOC, although their applicability in advanced stages requires further investigation. Additionally, molecular-based and immunotherapies, including poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors, angiogenesis inhibitors and RNA-based treatments, offer promising adjuncts to MITs by targeting cancer-specific pathways with precision. Despite these innovations, patient selection, surgical expertise and adherence to oncological safety standards remain key factors in determining the efficacy and safety of MITs in EOC management. Future directions emphasize the need for standardized protocols, enhanced imaging techniques and real-time molecular monitoring, which aim to transition EOC management toward a minimally invasive, patient-centered approach. The present review discussed the advancements in MITs and their role in the management of EOC, with a focus on their impact on surgical outcomes, survival rates and patient quality of life.
The rise in minimally invasive treatments (MITs) in aesthetic medicine has introduced new complexities for subsequent facial surgeries such as facelifts. Despite their popularity, there are limited data on how these treatments impact surgical outcomes. The authors of this paper explore the impact of MIT modalities on subsequent facial surgeries and provide guidelines for perioperative planning and management to optimize outcomes for patients with a history of MITs. An expert panel of 7 plastic surgeons and 1 dermatologist conducted a comprehensive review of existing literature, combined with author surveys and case-based discussions, to develop perioperative recommendations for patients with previous MITs. Consensus was reached for each recommendation with a ≥75% agreement threshold. The authors of this paper present recommendations for perioperative planning, surgical techniques, and postoperative care for patients with previous MITs. Complication risks were found to vary by MIT modality: biostimulatory injectables, temporary fillers, and superficial energy-based devices (EBDs) generally present lower risks, whereas permanent fillers, deeply delivered EBDs, and recently placed temporary fillers or threads were associated with increased risks. The recommendations highlight strategies to support both aesthetic and functional surgical outcomes. Patients with previous MITs can be candidates for facelift surgery if perioperative strategies are followed to mitigate risks associated with plane distortion and vascular compromise. These guidelines provide a framework to support aesthetic providers in enhancing surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction. Given the limited literature on MIT-related surgical implications, the authors emphasize individualized approaches to mitigate risks associated with previous MITs until further research is available.
Objectives. This study evaluated radiation protection knowledge among oral and dental healthcare professionals in Turkey, focusing on medical imaging technicians (MITs), dentists and dental assistants (DAs). Methods. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 236 participants using the validated Turkish version of the healthcare professional knowledge of radiation protection (Tr-HPKRP) scale. Knowledge was assessed across three domains: radiation physics and principles; radiation protection; and safe use of ionizing radiation. Mann-Whitney U tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied for group comparisons. Results. MITs achieved significantly higher scores than dentists and DAs across all domains (p < 0.01). Structured education through academic programs or formal in-service training was positively associated with knowledge (p < 0.01), while reliance on informal sources such as media or colleagues showed no effect (p > 0.05). Professional experience was not correlated with knowledge (p > 0.05). Conclusions. Substantial knowledge gaps exist among dentists and DAs compared with MITs. Integrating standardized and regularly updated radiation safety training into undergraduate curricula and continuing professional development is essential to improve compliance with best practices and ensure patient and practitioner safety in dental diagnostic imaging.
Studies of child mortality that employ minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) produce highly accurate cause of death data; however, selection bias may render these as non-representative of their underlying populations. Estimate cause-specific mortality fractions and rates for the five most frequent causes-underlying and others in the chain of events leading to death-among stillbirths, neonatal, infant and child deaths-in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, adjusted for any identified selection biases. The Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) Network collects standardised, population-based, longitudinal data on causes of death among stillbirths and under-five children in 12 catchments in seven countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Cause-specific mortality fractions and rates were calculated for the five most frequent causes among stillbirths, neonatal, infant and child deaths, and for the five most frequent maternal conditions among perinatal deaths; all estimates were subsequently adjusted for selection bias. Selection probabilities were estimated from membership in subgroups defined by factors hypothesised to affect selection. In 2017-2020, of 10,122 deaths ascertained, 5847 (57.8%) were enrolled in CHAMPS and 2654 (26.2%) additionally consented to MITS. Estimates were calculated for 265 and 65 site/age-specific causes of death and maternal conditions, respectively; five (1.9%) and four (6.2%) required adjustment, respectively, but they did not meaningfully change. Estimates were calculated for 34 site-specific causes of death among all stillbirths and under-five deaths combined; 28 (82.4%) required adjustment (all included age at death), and change-in-estimates demonstrated considerable variability. Selection bias is not a concern in the CHAMPS Network. Deaths where MITS were performed accurately represent the distribution of causes of death in their respective target populations, specifically when stratified by age or adjusted accordingly. Future studies of child mortality that employ MITS should consider adjusting for age at death for their measures of frequency.
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a life-threatening condition where prompt diagnosis and timely therapy are essential for improving patient outcomes. Previous studies have suggested that weekend hospital admissions may be associated with limited resources, leading to worse clinical outcomes. Given ongoing advancements in healthcare infrastructure, we aimed to re-evaluate the impact of weekend admissions and hospital characteristics on TTP mortality. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2016 to 2019. A chi-squared test was applied to compare demographics (age, sex, racioethnic group), hospital-related factors (bed size, region, location), primary payer type, income quartiles, Mortality in Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Score (MITS), time to initiation of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) between weekday and weekend admissions. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality while adjusting for covariates. Among 3725 hospitalizations, 68% of patients were female, 43.5% were white, and 20.8% belonged to the 50-59 age group. In-hospital mortality was 6.2%. Patients who died had higher odds of being white (p = 0.03), admitted to small or medium bed-size hospitals (p < 0.01), having higher MITS (p < 0.01), and having longer time to TPE initiation (p < 0.01). Multivariable regression analysis showed no significant association between the day of admission (weekday vs. weekend) and mortality (p = 0.35). While weekend hospital admission did not impact mortality, resource limitations in smaller hospitals may contribute to poor outcomes, as hospital bed size was a significant predictor of mortality. Addressing these disparities through targeted interventions could help optimize patient care and reduce mortality rates in TTP.
To evaluate the effect of minimally invasive techniques (MITs) on the treatment outcomes and postoperative complications (POCs) of patients with orthopedic trauma. A total of 103 patients with orthopedic trauma were retrospectively selected and allocated to a control (receiving traditional surgery) and an observation group (receiving MITs). Inter-group comparisons were performed regarding therapeutic efficacy, operation-related indices, postoperative recovery, Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) scores, modified Barthel Index (MBI), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, as well as POCs. Multivariate analysis was conducted to identify independent factors associated with therapeutic efficacy. The observation group demonstrated statistically superior overall therapeutic efficacy and operation-related indices compared with the control group, with lower incidence of POCs. Additionally, patients in the observation group exhibited a greater increase in MBI scores and more significant reductions in SMFA scores at 1 month postoperatively. The VAS scores in the observation group also decreased greatly on postoperative, compared with the control group. Disease duration, VAS, and treatment mode were identified as independent predictors of therapeutic efficacy in patients with orthopedic trauma. Compared with conventional surgery, MITs provide superior clinical efficacy and reduce the incidence of POCs in the management of orthopedic trauma.
Cochlear implant (CI) candidacy increasingly includes patients with residual hearing, making atraumatic electrode insertion essential. Motorized insertion tools (MITs) aim to standardize electrode insertion and reduce mechanical stress, but their effects compared with manual insertion remain insufficiently understood. We hypothesized that MIT-assisted insertion results in lower postoperative impedance values and improved hearing preservation. In this matched cohort study, 56 patients were analyzed. Patients were matched based on demographic and clinical characteristics including age, preoperative low-frequency pure-tone average (LF-PTA), cochlear duct length, and angular insertion depth. Clinical impedance measurements were obtained intraoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Associations between insertion technique, impedance values, and hearing outcomes were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model. Impedance values showed a characteristic postoperative course with an early peak followed by stabilization over time. MIT-assisted insertion was associated with consistently lower postoperative impedance values in the basal cochlear region than manual insertion (p≤0.004). Lower impedance values were associated with better residual hearing. Insertion technique was not significantly associated with hearing preservation. In patients with substantial preoperative residual hearing, thresholds remained more stable in the MIT cohort at 6 months. MIT-assisted insertion was associated with lower postoperative impedance values in the basal cochlear region, suggesting a reduced insertion-related intracochlear tissue response. These findings indicate that insertion technique primarily affects the basal cochlea, where mechanical stresses during electrode advancement are greatest. Spatially resolved impedance measurements may provide a clinically accessible biomarker to characterize intracochlear responses to different insertion techniques.
The thermoresistive effect is widely utilized in thermal sensors due to its simplicity in implementation and adaptability across a broad range of applications and spectral regions. However, the practical performance of thermoresistive materials is often hindered by hysteresis and nonlinearity in their temperature response, primarily due to metal-insulator transitions (MITs). Here, we show that single-crystalline, two-dimensional (2D) vanadium dioxide in its bronze phase (VO2(B)) exhibits a hysteresis-free and highly linear thermoresistive response and can serve as an effective material for sensitive THz detection. The suppression of the metal-insulator transition (MIT) in 2D VO2(B) is likely associated with the inhibition of vanadium-vanadium dimerization. Due to the suppressed MIT, 2D devices display an electrical conductivity (4.24 × 10-3 Ω·cm) and a TCR (∼4.0%/K). In addition, a THz microbolometer based on 2D VO2(B) exhibits a noise equivalent power of 722 pW/√Hz and a response time of ∼109 μs at room temperature. These results indicate the potential of 2D VO2(B) for high-performance thermal detection applications.
In this study, we report an aminobenzamide-based Schiff base probe, designated as L [(E)-2-((2,3-dihydroxybenzylidene)amino)benzamide], developed for the selective and sensitive recognition of Cu2+, Al3+, and Fe3+ ions. The interaction of L with various metal ions was systematically investigated using UV-Visible spectroscopy. The UV-Vis analysis revealed the effective detection of Cu2+, Al3+, and Fe3+ ions, establishing L as a colorimetric probe in a DMSO: H2O (1:1, v/v) solvent system. Upon metal coordination, new absorption bands emerged at 418 nm (Cu2+), 388 nm (Al3+), and 680 nm (Fe3+). These bands originate from metal-induced modulation of the ligand’s native intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT) transition. Coordination through the phenolic oxygen, imine nitrogen, and amide nitrogen withdraws electron density from the donor segment, thereby altering and partially restricting the ICT process and generating distinct metal-specific charge-transfer transitions. The detection limits were determined to be 0.90 µM for Cu2+, 0.51 µM for Al3+, and 0.45 µM for Fe3+. Job’s plot analysis and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) confirmed a 1:1 stoichiometric complexation between L and each of the target metal ions. The proposed coordination modes were further supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Moreover, the practical utility of L was validated through successful detection of trace Cu2+, Al3+ and Fe3+ ions in environmental water samples.