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A universal gating framework for multi-expert fusion in heterogeneous multimodal time series forecasting
Screening of wild cicer germplasm from the fertile crescent against four pathotypes of Ascochyta rabiei
Abstract Ascochyta blight is one of the most devastating diseases in chickpea-growing regions. Yield losses due to this disease can reach up to 100% in fields where susceptible genotypes are cultivated. To mitigate these impacts, resistant or tolerant varieties are recommended for effective disease control. However, Ascochyta rabiei , the causal pathogen, has the capacity to evolve into new pathotypes due to its genetic variability. Therefore, identifying novel sources of resistance is crucial for breeding programs. In Türkiye, four distinct pathotypes of Ascochyta rabiei are known, which differ in aggressiveness, with Pathotype IV being the most virulent. In this study, 159 wild accessions of C. reticulatum and C. echinospermum , together with seven C. arietinum genotypes comprising six registered cultivars and one desi-type genotype, were phenotypically screened against four A. rabiei pathotypes to evaluate their resistance responses. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences (p < 0.01) among genotypes in their reactions to the four pathotypes. Furthermore, cluster analysis identified promising genotypes that may serve as potential resistance sources. Among the clusters, C1 exhibited the lowest mean reaction scores, highlighting its promise for breeding purposes. Notably, genotype 592, a C. reticulatum accession collected from Savur, Mardin, demonstrated resistance to all pathotypes, making it a valuable candidate for further research. Future studies will focus on elucidating the genetic background of these promising genotypes to support their integration into breeding programs aimed at enhancing resistance against Ascochyta blight.
Retraction Note: Reinforcement learning-driven deep learning approaches for optimized robot trajectory planning
Explainable EEG-based machine learning for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia
Dynamic tensile mechanical properties and energy dissipation characteristics of sandstone with varying degrees of initial damage
Isoniazid-derived ionic liquids for enhanced C-steels surface finishing via electrochemistry, supported by Monte Carlo, mechanistic study, theoretical, and docking methodology
Abstract Ecological concerns, stringent environmental laws, and the ongoing need for innovation motivated this investigation into improved metal-finishing techniques. Proper polishing methods can improve qualities such as corrosion and wear resistance by drastically reducing surface roughness and the coefficient of friction. However, traditional polishing methods have certain limitations that cause them to consume the metal. In this study, we introduced a newly aromatic pyridinium salt based isoniazid hybrid compounds ( APyHC ) as eco-friendly synthesized ionic liquids (ILs) to diminish the electrochemical dissolution rates (Electropolishing EP) of carbon steels (CSs) improving surface protection and demonstrate inhibition efficiencies (%IE) mostly 80% at relatively low concentration 5.93 × 10 − 5 M in 8M H 3 PO 4 , offering a sustainable alternative to harmful inhibitors. To comprehensively evaluate the inhibitor’s performance, we employed Galvanostatic mass-transfer analysis over a temperature range of 293–308 K. This test revealed a significant improvement in surface finish. The kinetic and thermodynamic coefficient values were calculated. The results show that increasing APyHC concentration enhanced inhibition efficiency, whereas rising temperature reduced it, confirming a temperature-sensitive process. Adsorption followed a mixed physicochemical mechanism obeying the El-Awady model ( R² = 0.99 at 298 K). Thermodynamic parameters confirmed endothermic, spontaneous adsorption, with E a below 80 kJ/mol, positive ΔH° , and ΔG° ranging from − 37.40 to -39.77 kJ/mol. The surface characteristics of CSs, as measured by composition ( EDX , XPS ), morphology ( SEM ), and topography ( AFM ), confirmed the presence of surface shielding. In line with experimental techniques, theoretical insights, such as DFT calculations and quantum-based Monte Carlo simulations ( MC ), were integrated with experiments to clarify reactivity, adsorption mechanisms at the atomistic scale, deepening understanding of inhibition and supporting a sustainable strategy for designing green ionic-liquid-based protection systems. Additionally, docking simulations examined APyHC ’s biological affinity for the sulfate-reducing bacteria ( SRB ) protein, evaluating its potential as a dual-purpose inhibitor of CSs dissolution in harsh media.
Machine learning–based regression analysis of cyclopentane and cyclohexane molecular graphs
Efficient multi-lineage cardiovascular differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells in animal serum-free conditions
Abstract Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) technologies offer human-relevant cardiac models for biomedical applications. However, workflows for differentiation of cardiac stromal cells and fabrication of engineered heart tissue (EHT) commonly rely on animal serum, contrary to growing policy demands to reduce use of these products. Applying marker analysis via COL-I, DDR2 and GATA4 for cardiac fibroblasts or CD31, CD34 and CD144 for endothelial cells, we tailored Panexin, a defined serum substitute, to support high efficiency differentiation of cardiac stromal lineages to 85% purity without additional purification steps. We evaluated fabrication of EHTs using hiPSC-cardiomyocytes only (monoculture) or further combined with cardiac fibroblasts and endothelial cells (triculture; 70%:15%:15%, respectively). Panexin poorly supported fabrication and contractility of EHTs, a finding unaltered by modulating spontaneous cardiac myofibroblast activation via TGFβ inhibition. In contrast, human serum enabled fabrication of mono- and tri-culture EHTs, wherein constructs made without TGFβ signalling inhibition delivered the strongest contractile forces and exceeded comparator tissues engineered using animal serum. Our data show that iterative evaluation of serum substitutes, human serum, cell combinations and signalling pathway modulators can mitigate use of animal serum for functional EHT generation, aligning with the UK government’s roadmap for alternative methods.
Altered sensory neuron activity in a mouse model of post-burn pain and itch
Impact of using recycled plastic particles as a partial replacement of aggregates on the mechanical performance of the eco-friendly concrete
Abstract The current work contributes to the protection of natural raw resources and reduces environmental effects by recycling plastic in sustainable construction techniques. By investigating the exact transition point from a strength reducer to a functional benefit of plastic waste in the production of lightweight concrete, using coarse aggregates versus fine aggregates separately under the same curing conditions. Recycled polyethene (PE) waste, produced through thermomechanical extrusion and pelletizing, was used as a partial replacement of coarse and fine aggregates at 2.5%, 7.5% and 15% by weight. Seven concrete mixes of M25 were cast and tested for compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and absorption rate after 7 and 28 days of curing. Findings indicated that the highest workability was achieved by replacing 15% of plastic particles with coarse aggregate (about 135 mm), while 2.5% PW had the lowest workability (about 45 mm) by replacing fine aggregate. While the highest compressive strength was obtained with a 2.5% replacement of fine aggregate, reaching about 26.22 MPa. In contrast, it decreased more severely when reaching 15% by about 21.11 MPa, compared to replacing coarse aggregates with plastic particles by about 22.44 MPa. Furthermore, substituting sand with recycled plastic particles at 2.5% replacement level resulted in the best splitting tensile strength of 1.69 MPa. It is noted that substituting coarse aggregates reduced the density more than fine aggregates, with the peak reduction rate being 3.66% for cube specimens after replacing 15% of coarse aggregates at 28 days, making it the most efficient replacement for producing lightweight concrete. All replacement levels of sand increase absorption rates by 10.4% over coarse aggregate. Therefore, these results are highly transferable to field conditions for non-structural applications such as pedestrian pathways and paving blocks, provided that workability is optimized.
Study on the mechanical characteristics of the stress relaxation in the carbonate rock after high-temperature acidification
Deep learning enabled intelligent robotic system for aeroengine blade surface inspection
High efficacy of an in-house antigen B ELISA for diagnosing human cystic echinococcosis compared with a commercial kit and a cell-free DNA assay
Abstract Cystic echinococcosis (CE) continues to pose a serious zoonotic health risk in endemic areas. Serodiagnosis, while commonly utilized, faces challenges such as antigenic variability and stage-dependent sensitivity. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate an in-house ELISA using the isolated 12-kDa subunit of Antigen B (AgB) from Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto, as well as to compare its performance to that of a commercial ELISA kit and acell-free DNA (cfDNA)-based PCR test. The 12-kDa AgB component was isolated from sheep hydatid cyst fluid and used to create an in-house IgG ELISA. The diagnostic performance was tested using ROC analysis. A total of 51 surgically and CT-confirmed CE patients and 50 healthy controls were included. Plasma cfDNA was collected and amplified using PCR targeting the COX1 gene. Cohen’s kappa and Spearman’s correlation were used to determine agreement. The in-house 12-kDa AgB ELISA demonstrated a sensitivity of 90.2%, a specificity of 100%, and an AUC of 0.936. Similarly, the commercial ELISA kit showed a sensitivity of 92.2% and a specificity of 100%. For its part, cfDNA-PCR successfully identified 88.2% of cases and exhibited a specificity of 100%. There was excellent agreement between the in-house and commercial ELISA kits (κ = 0.878) and serological and molecular techniques (κ = 0.78–0.81). The in-house 12-kDa AgB ELISA is a highly reliable and cost-effective diagnostic tool for CE, with performance equivalent to commercial ELISA kits and cfDNA-PCR assays. Future work should prioritize developing standardized recombinant subunits to improve the reliability and accessibility of AgB-based diagnostics in endemic areas. Moreover, direct cyst-tissue DNA warrants evaluation as a more sensitive and stable template for molecular confirmation, potentially overcoming limitations of serological and plasma cfDNA approaches.
Interface-controlled broadband photodetection in Si3N4/n-Si hybrid devices
Abstract In this study, Si 3 N 4 /n-Si hybrid photodiodes with distinct interfacial layer configurations (Si 3 N 4 -1, Si 3 N 4 -2, and Si 3 N 4 -3) were constructed and comprehensively examined to evaluate the influence of interface engineering on their optical performance. Measurements of current–voltage (I–V) under dark and illuminated settings show that the ideality factor (n) declines with increasing illumination intensity. However, the barrier height (Φ B ) shows structure-dependent variation, indicating enhanced carrier transport and interface modulation. To assess device performance under varying light intensities, responsivity (R), photosensitivity (K), noise specific detectivity (D*) and equivalent power (NEP) were determined. The Si 3 N 4 -3/n-Si structure had the highest photosensitivity, while the Si 3 N 4 -2/n-Si device showed superior overall performance with enhanced responsivity, higher detectivity, and lower NEP, indicating an optimal balance between photocarrier generation and transport. Spectral investigation confirmed a broadband response with higher external quantum efficiency (EQE) in the UV–Vis-NIR region. The linear relationship between log(I ph ) and log(P) features indicates a dominating photoconduction mechanism impacted by trap states within the mobility gap. The results show that precisely controlling the Si 3 N 4 interfacial layer improves photodiode performance by minimizing recombination losses and improving carrier dynamics. These findings show that Si 3 N 4 -based interface engineering is a promising method for producing high-performance, broadband silicon photodetectors for advanced optoelectronic applications.
Sisyphean Task of Cardiovascular Prevention: Real Gains, Unequal Progress
Phone-Based Intervention Under Nurse Guidance for Control of Hypertension After Stroke: A Randomized Multicenter Phase 3 Trial in Ghana
BACKGROUND: Addressing the rising burden of stroke in low-income countries will require pragmatic and scalable interventions targeting major risk factors. Under routine care settings, <10% of adults living with hypertension ever achieve blood pressure control, accentuating risks for adverse vascular events. The effectiveness of mobile health–centered, nurse-led interventions for the control of hypertension among patients with recent stroke in a resource-limited African setting is unknown. METHODS: The PINGS (Phone-Based Intervention Under Nurse Guidance After Stroke II) trial compared the efficacy and safety of usual care versus a 12-month intervention comprising home blood pressure self-monitoring with nurse case management for elevated home blood pressure recordings, use of phone alarms as medication reminders, and once-weekly education about cardiovascular risk reduction delivered by regular telephonic audio messages in selected Ghanaian dialects. This was a multicenter, randomized, open-label, blinded end point evaluation trial conducted at 10 hospitals between October 23, 2020, and April 5, 2024. We enrolled 500 patients ≥18 years with stroke within 1 month of onset and elevated blood pressure ≥140 or ≥90 mm Hg. The primary outcome was systolic blood pressure <140 mm Hg at month 12 by intention-to-treat principle. Secondary outcomes included major adverse cardiovascular events and serious adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 244 participants were assigned to the intervention group (PINGS) and 256 to the usual care group, of whom 43% were women, with mean (SD) age 58 (11) years. Mean change in systolic blood pressure at month 12 from baseline was –5.5 mm Hg (95% CI, –9.6 to –1.4 mm Hg; P =0.008). The primary outcome was achieved in 163 (67%) patients with PINGS versus 109 (43%) in the usual care arm, with a between-group difference of 24% (95% CI, 15%–33%; P <0.001). No significant between-group differences were noted in the secondary outcome of major adverse cardiovascular events or the presumed key mediator of medication adherence. Serious adverse events were 27 of 244 (11.1%) with PINGS versus 18 of 256 (7.0%) in usual care ( P =0.12). CONCLUSIONS: Leveraging mobile health intervention with minimal sophistication and task shifting to nurses on top of usual care safely improved blood pressure control among stroke survivors in a low-resource setting. Further study is warranted to confirm these findings and understand outcome drivers. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT04404166.
A Genome-First Study of Familial Hypercholesterolemia Comparing African and European Ancestry Individuals
BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited disorder characterized by lifelong elevated LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and increased risk for premature myocardial infarction. FH research has focused on European populations and, consequently, estimates of global FH burden primarily reflect this ancestry, with limited data available from other groups. METHODS: We examined the prevalence and clinical outcomes of FH among 104 300 African ancestry individuals enrolled in 3 US-based cohorts: the National Institutes of Health’s All of Us, Mount Sinai’s BioMe, and Geisinger’s MyCode. Genetic variants were evaluated according to standards provided by the Clinical Genome Resource’s FH Variant Curation Expert Panel and grouped as pathogenic variants or variants of unknown significance (VUSs). Participants were assigned to European and African ancestry groups based on genetic similarity to reference populations. Clinical outcomes were LDL-C and myocardial infarction. Analyses were adjusted for age and sex. Results were meta-analyzed across cohorts. RESULTS: The prevalence of a pathogenic variant was similar in the African (1 in 306) and European (1 in 273) ancestry groups. The LDL-C elevation associated with pathogenic variants was 20.81 mg/dL (95% CI, 16.17–25.45) greater in individuals with African ancestry compared with their counterparts with European ancestry. Individuals with African ancestry had 1.61 (95% CI, 1.42–1.83; P =1.2×10 -12 ) higher odds of having a VUS compared with individuals with European ancestry and a 10.01 mg/dL (95% CI, 6.13–13.88) greater elevation in LDL-C compared with individuals with European ancestry with a VUS. Although pathogenic variants in both ancestries conferred a 2- to 3-fold increased risk of myocardial infarction, having a VUS only conferred increased risk among the African ancestry group (odds ratio, 1.91 [95% CI, 1.18–3.10]). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of pathogenic variants did not significantly vary between African and European ancestry groups. VUSs were both more prevalent among individuals of African ancestry and associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction equivalent to that of a pathogenic variant. These findings suggest that dependence on existing resources for variant classification could contribute to underdiagnosis of FH in individuals of African ancestry.
Clinical Guidelines, Market Forces, and Health Disparities
Multidimensional Social Adversity and Mortality in People With HIV Infection and Heart Failure: Insights From NYC Health + Hospitals HIV–Heart Failure Cohort
BACKGROUND: Heart failure is an increasingly common comorbidity among people with HIV infection, complicating care and heightening the vulnerability of this population to social adversity (SA). However, the impact of different SA domains on outcomes in this population remains poorly understood. METHODS: We analyzed data on people with HIV infection and heart failure from the NYC 4H (NYC Health + Hospitals HIV–Heart Failure) cohort. Baseline multidimensional SA was assessed by licensed clinical social workers using standardized evaluations and grouped into 5 domains: economic hardship, health care access barriers, neighborhood or built environment instability, social support challenge, and psychobehavioral instability. We used multivariable adjusted Cox models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) of all-cause, cardiovascular, and infection-related mortality and logistic regression to estimate odds ratios of 6-month rehospitalization risk. RESULTS: Among 1044 participants (62.9% male; mean age, 61.6 years), 601 (58%) reported at least 1 SA: economic hardship (n=130), limited health care access (n=155), unstable housing (n=129), social support challenge (n=179), or psychobehavioral instability (n=438). Over a mean follow-up of 3.8 years, exposure to any SA was associated with higher all-cause mortality (HR, 4.32 [95% CI, 3.03–6.14]), cardiovascular mortality (HR, 4.05 [95% CI, 2.17–6.83]), and infection-related mortality (HR, 2.37 [95% CI, 1.23–4.56]). Social support challenge (HR, 2.19 [95% CI, 1.35–3.55]) and psychobehavioral instability (HR, 1.96 [95% CI, 1.24–3.11]) were associated with higher cardiovascular mortality. Economic hardship (HR, 2.40 [95% CI, 1.22–4.70]) and social support challenge (HR, 3.09 [95% CI, 1.75–5.48]) were associated with higher infection-related mortality. Compared with patients without SA, those with environmental instability, psychobehavioral instability, or social support challenges had a 73% (adjusted odds ratio, 1.73 [95% CI, 1.15–2.06]), 75% (adjusted odds ratio, 1.75 [95% CI, 1.31–2.35]), and 44% (adjusted odds ratio, 1.44 [95% CI, 1.00-2.06]) higher risk of rehospitalization within 6 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SA was significantly associated with mortality and rehospitalization among people with HIV infection and heart failure, with domain-specific pathways influencing specific outcomes. Multidimensional assessment of SA may offer a framework for domain-specific risk stratification in people with HIV infection and heart failure.