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The role of Gln269Leu mutation on the thermostability and structure of uricase from Aspergillus flavus
Perception of distance during self-motion depends on the brain’s internal model of the terrain
The body’s geometrical relationship with the terrain is important for depth perception of human and non-human terrestrial animals. Static human observers in the dark employ the brain’s internal model of the terrain, the intrinsic bias, to represent the ground as an allocentric reference frame for coding distance. However, it is unknown if the same ground-based coding process operates when observers walk in a cue-impoverished environment with visible ground surface. We explored this by measuring human observers’ perceived locations of dimly-lit targets after a short walk in the dark from the home-base location. We found the intrinsic bias was kept at the home-base location and not the destination-location after walking, causing distance underestimation, fitting its allocentric nature. We then measured perceived distance of dimly-lit targets from the destination-location when there were visual depth cues on the floor. We found judged locations of targets on the floor transcribed a slanted surface shifted towards the home-base location, indicating distance underestimation. This suggests, in dynamically translating observers, the brain integrates the allocentric intrinsic bias with visual depth cues to construct an allocentric ground reference frame. More broadly, our findings underscore the dynamic interaction between the internal model of the ground and external depth cues.
Intermuscular adipose tissue affected muscle density more than intramuscular adipose tissue content with opportunistic screening at abdominal CT
More direct attacks increase likelihood of goals in 2018- and 2022-Men’s World Cup Soccer Finals
In soccer, attacking tactics can vary between elaborate, high passing play and play that involves very direct, straight-line action towards the towards the opponent’s goal. It is of considerable interest to individuals involved which type of play is more effective in scoring given that goals are a rare event. We propose a geometric measure of directness (DIR) using the ratio between the straight-line distance from the point where possession begins to the centre of goal, and the total distance covered by the ball during that possession. Using 128 matches from the 2018- and 2022-Men’s World Cup, we analyzed the influence of directness (DIR), speed of the ball traveling towards the goal (SPG) and the starting position of the possession (XPOS) on the likelihoods of shots and goals. A mixed-effect multivariate logistic regression model was used for both analyses. Following model simplification (AIC = 14579.7, R2 = 0.279), the log odds of a shot resulting from a possession was significantly increased by XPOS (β = 0.019, p < 0.0001), SPG (β = 0.322, p < 0.0001) and a three-way interaction between DIR, XPOS and SPG (β = 0.007, p < 0.0001). The likelihood of a shot was decreased by interactions between DIR and XPOS (β = −0.024, p < 0.0001), DIR and SPG (β = −0.587, p < 0.0001) and XPOS and SPG (β = −0.003, p < 0.0001. The model for the likelihood of a goal (AIC = 1736.9, R2 = 0.020) was simple with DIR being the only significant factor (β = 1.009, p < 0.0001). The results suggest that to increase the likelihood of scoring goals, attacking tactics must be more direct.
Transformer fault diagnose intelligent system based on DGA methods
Designing tuberculosis elimination framework through participatory processes in Ethiopia: Results from stakeholders’ discussions
Background Tuberculosis elimination requires implementation of multi-pronged, complex interventions, but there is limited understanding of frameworks for guiding implementation. Our aim was to explore the feasibility of applying multipronged package of TB elimination interventions guided using the Medical Research Council (MRC) framework. Methods This study is a component of a larger quasi-experimental study aimed at demonstrating what TB elimination interventions would entail under routine TB program conditions titled Demonstrating Multipronged and Optimized Novel Strategies to Reinforce Actions Targeted at Eliminating Tuberculosis. During its preparatory phase in February 2023, we employed a participatory action research design which involved gathering feedback and insights from TB program managers, healthcare workers and community representatives about the study interventions. The study participants were selected from three districts of Amhara, Oromia, and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regions of Ethiopia. Two senior researchers took detailed notes during the meetings using topic guided questions. Each topic guided question was thoroughly explored until no new issues emerged. Thematic analysis was conducted to summarize the reflections of the study participants from the three sessions conducted in the three regions. Results 108 participants attended the preparatory phase discussions which were summarized under five sub-themes under the main theme of “Looking for local evidence compulsory for TB elimination.” These included; (1) the importance of community engagement which describes the need to include health extension workers, health development army, and other community structures to support the study, (2) government interest toward local evidence, which describes how local evidence is essential to support the TB program and address challenges, (3) homogeneity of officials’ commitment across the regions which is reflected in their immense support to undertake the study and suggested working together for the study follow-up,(4) cross-cutting issues or multiple factors such as nutrition, sociocultural factors, livelihood, and housing, were considered, and (5) the importance of establishing TB treatment supporter, which describes the critical role that TB treatment supporters play in ensuring successful treatment outcomes. Conclusions This study highlights the importance of MRC tailored protocol development and feasibility in effective implementation. Key lessons include the need for early stakeholder engagement, streamlined communication, and proactive risk management. Strong community engagement, government commitment, and addressing social determinants were critical to TB elimination. These findings emphasize the value of a collaborative, multi-pronged approach during the adoption and implementation of the TB elimination framework.
Comparison of the establishment of a rabbit model of carpal tunnel syndrome under ultrasound-guided and landmark-guided methods
Dual-branch dynamic hierarchical U-Net with multi-layer space fusion attention for medical image segmentation
Our experience of teaching neuroscience in a maximum-security prison
#ScientistAtWork 2025: Nature is seeking stunning photographic images that capture researchers’ working lives
Daily briefing: Thousands protest Trump cuts at #StandUpForScience rallies
Improved Patient-Reported Outcomes With Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide: A Quality-of-Life Evaluation and 2-Year Outcomes of BMT CTN 1703
The BMT CTN 1703 phase III trial confirmed that graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis with post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy), tacrolimus (Tac), and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) results in superior GVHD-free, relapse-free survival (GRFS) compared with Tac/methotrexate (MTX) prophylaxis. This companion study assesses the effect of these regimens on patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Using the Lee Chronic GVHD Symptom Score and PROMIS subscales (physical function, GI symptoms, social role satisfaction) as primary end points and hemorrhagic cystitis symptoms and Lee subscales as secondary end points, responses from English and Spanish speakers were analyzed at baseline and days 100, 180, and 365 after transplant. PRO scores were compared between the arms using inverse probability weighted-independent estimating equation models. The PTCy arm had significantly lower scores on the Lee Chronic GVHD Symptom Scale ( P = .01), indicating lower GVHD symptom burden. Lee Scale nutrition and mouth subscores were also better in the PTCy arm compared with the Tac/MTX arm ( P < .01 for both). Older participants (age >65 years) reported better Lee Scale psychological subscores than younger participants ( P = .003). No significant differences were identified in hemorrhagic cystitis or in the PROMIS subscales between treatment arms. The updated clinical end points at 2 years for the parent trial confirmed that PTCy/Tac/MMF maintained a significant advantage over Tac/MTX in GRFS (42.4% v 28.8%, P = .001). In addition to improved GRFS, patients randomly assigned to the PTCy arm reported lower symptom burden during the first year after transplant.
An industrial carbon block instance segmentation algorithm based on improved YOLOv8
Enhanced long-term corrosion resistance and self-healing of epoxy coating with HQ-Zn-PA nanocomposite
Experimental analysis of solar still equipped with porous rubber sheet as energy storage material
Hospesneotomae n. gen. of the Triatomini tribe presents a turnaround in the taxonomy of the Triatoma protracta species complex
Cordycepin combined with antioxidant effects improves fatigue caused by excessive exercise
The marine xanthophyll diatoxanthin as ferroptosis inducer in MDAMB231 breast cancer cells
Electric Eel foraging optimization based control design of islanded microgrid
Abstract Designing control systems for islanded microgrids poses significant challenges due to the absence of inertia and parameter uncertainties. These factors increase the complexity of traditional methods when applied to highly nonlinear and interdependent systems. To address this issue, a novel Electric Eel Foraging Optimization (EEFO) technique is proposed for tuning control parameters within a hierarchical structure of primary and secondary control levels. The control system employs proportional resonant (PR) controllers for voltage and current regulation, alongside a synchronization loop to enable seamless grid reconnection. Comparative analysis with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) confirms EEFO’s superior convergence speed and solution quality performance. Simulation results using MATLAB/SIMULINK demonstrate effective active power sharing, minimal overshoot and settling times for voltage (2.4%, 0.25 s) and frequency (0.42%, 0.53 s), and seamless grid reconnection. Experimental validation using hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) real-time emulation further verifies the feasibility and robustness of the proposed approach for practical microgrid applications.