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An exploratory multimodal pipeline for recurrence prediction in CRC with XELOX therapy
Aflibercept biosimilar use and real-world outcomes in various retinal diseases: the AURA Korea study
Briefing Chat: The epic journey of Stonehenge’s central stone
Association of the C-reactive protein-triglyceride glucose index with new-onset myocardial infarction risk: a prospective cohort study
Transformer-based coreference resolution modeling for Amharic text
Abstract Coreference resolution is the task of identifying all textual expressions that refer to the same real-world entity within a document. Coreference resolution is essential for several NLP applications, including machine translation, question answering, information extraction, summarization, and dialogue systems. While substantial progress has been made in high-resource languages such as English and Arabic. Amharic is a morphologically rich, low-resource language remains underexplored due to the scarcity of annotated datasets and specialized language tools. This study proposes a transformer-based approach for Amharic coreference resolution using multilingual BERT (mBERT ) . The proposed system combines contextual embeddings extracted from mBERT with manually engineered mention-pair features, such as sentence-level distance and exact string matching, through a supervised mention-pair classification framework. The system is composed of two main phases: training and testing. The training phase includes preprocessing, tokenization, sentence segmentation, feature extraction, and model training. The testing phase involves similar preprocessing steps and the prediction of coreference clusters. We created a novel annotated Amharic corpus consisting of 312 documents, 5428 sentences, 18,763 mentions, and 4912 coreference clusters to train and evaluate the model. Standard coreference evaluation metrics, including MUC, B 3 , CEAF-m, CEAF-e, and BLANC, were employed. The results show that the proposed model outperforms existing state-of-the-art Amharic systems, achieving F1-scores of 80%, 85.71%, 90.9%, 88.86%, and 81.7% across the respective metrics. This study demonstrates that transformer-based contextual embeddings can effectively capture the semantic relationships necessary for Amharic coreference resolution.
Daily briefing: How Venus flytraps snap shut
Anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody treatment enhances CD8+ T cell antitumor immunity and suppresses tumor growth in pulmonary fibrosis-associated lung cancer in mice
PERMA-Profiler as a multidimensional measure of well-being in a French context
Abstract Subjective well-being is a central component of physical and mental health and is increasingly recognized as a key indicator of quality of life. Despite the widespread use of the PERMA framework, no validated French version of the PERMA-Profiler is currently available. The aim of this study was to translate and culturally adapt the PERMA-Profiler into French and to examine its psychometric properties in a large sample of adults. A total of 612 French-speaking adults completed the French version of the PERMA-Profiler as well as measures of flourishing, anxiety and depression. The sample was randomly divided into two independent subsamples to conduct exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The EFA suggested a parsimonious three-factor solution, while comparative model tests confirmed the theoretical five-factor structure of the PERMA model. The CFA conducted on an independent subsample strongly confirmed a correlated five-factor model, as well as a second-order hierarchical model reflecting a general well-being factor. The PERMA-Profiler demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency for most dimensions and for the total score, although the “engagement” dimension showed lower reliability, which is consistent with previous validation studies. Test–retest analyses indicated good temporal stability for the total score and most subscales. Convergent validity was confirmed by strong positive associations with flourishing and perceived happiness. Discriminant validity was evidenced by weaker associations with anxiety, depression, loneliness and negative emotions than with flourishing, although some correlations with HADS anxiety and depression scores reached moderate to strong magnitude. Overall, the French version of the PERMA-Profiler has robust psychometric properties and supports the multidimensional structure of psychological well-being proposed by the PERMA framework. This instrument is a reliable and theoretically grounded tool for assessing the well-being of French-speaking adult population, while highlighting the distinct psychometric behavior of the Engagement dimension.
Bioinformatic pipeline to identify potential therapeutic targets with subsequent isolation and characterization of novel human anti- DDR1 antibodies
Leveraging reinforcement learning for an efficient windows registry analysis during cyber incident response
Abstract Microsoft Windows remains the dominant desktop operating system and therefore a frequent focus of digital forensic and incident response investigations. Windows Registry analysis is particularly valuable because it captures persistence mechanisms, execution traces, user activity, device usage, and system configuration changes that are often central to incident reconstruction. Nevertheless, modern investigations are challenged by the scale of Registry data, the fragmentation of evidence across hives and complementary sources, and the need to prioritise investigative actions under time pressure. This paper presents WinRegRL, a hybrid framework that combines a Markov Decision Process (MDP) solved by dynamic programming with bounded Reinforcement Learning (RL) refinement and Rule-based Artificial Intelligence (RB-AI) for automated Windows Registry and timeline-centred forensic analysis. Methodologically, the core planner is a finite-state dynamic-programming solver over an expert-specified model; reinforcement learning enters only as bounded, local tabular refinement for low-support state-action regions, so the framework is positioned as an MDP/dynamic-programming approach with bounded RL rather than as an end-to-end learned agent. The framework models the investigation process as a Markov Decision Process (MDP) with explicitly defined states, actions, transition dynamics, and reward design, and incorporates expert-derived policy graphs to initialise and refine the search strategy. We evaluate the framework on four heterogeneous forensic datasets spanning multiple Windows versions and incident scenarios, and we compare it against analyst-assisted baselines and controlled examiner-led workflows. Under the evaluation protocol adopted in this study, WinRegRL reduced investigation time by up to 68%, increased the number of adjudicated relevant artefacts identified by up to 35%, and achieved high artefact-level precision on the evaluated datasets. Rather than claiming universal superiority, we show that the proposed framework provides a reproducible and explainable decision-support mechanism that improves investigation efficiency while maintaining strong evidential coverage in the tested scenarios. These findings position WinRegRL as a promising decision-support framework for large-scale and time-critical Windows incident response.
Metabolomic signatures prior to in-hospital cardiac arrest: insights into potential therapeutic targets
Abstract Plasma metabolomic alterations occurring up to 48 h before in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) and their associations with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and in-hospital mortality (IHM) were evaluated in this exploratory case-control study. Adults with IHCA at a tertiary university hospital were identified, and archived serum samples collected within 48 h before the event were analyzed. For the ROSC analysis, patients with ROSC were matched to non-ROSC patients, while for the IHM analysis, patients with IHM were matched to survivors according to age, sex, initial IHCA rhythm, interval between sample collection and cardiac arrest, and major comorbidities. Untargeted metabolomic profiling was performed, and data was analyzed using complementary multivariate and univariate approaches. Candidate metabolites were further evaluated through qualitative assessment of their distribution across groups. Six metabolites initially differed between groups; however, after this refinement step, only two remained consistently associated with clinically relevant outcomes. Lower circulating tryptophan concentrations were associated with IHM, whereas higher levels of 2-methylbutyryl-L-carnitine were associated with failure to achieve ROSC and increased IHM. Pathway enrichment analysis suggested disruptions in mitochondrial energy metabolism, particularly within the tricarboxylic acid cycle, as well as alterations in amino acid–related pathways, including tryptophan, histidine, and alanine–aspartate–glutamate metabolism. These findings indicate that detectable metabolic disturbances are present up to 48 h before IHCA and are associated with clinical outcomes. As all patients in this study experienced IHCA, these results should be interpreted as differences between outcome groups rather than predictors of IHCA occurrence. Within this context, the findings support the concept that IHCA may represent the culmination of a progressive metabolic deterioration rather than an abrupt event, highlighting a potential window for earlier risk stratification and future investigation of preventive strategies.
Higher psychological frailty index is associated with incident cardiometabolic diseases in Chinese adults aged 45 years and older
Abstract To prospectively investigate the association between the Psychological Frailty Index (PFI) and incident cardiometabolic diseases in middle-aged and older adults. Data were obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). A total of 4,060 participants aged ≥ 45 years who were free of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke at baseline were included. The PFI was constructed from 15 items covering psychological distress, cognitive orientation, subjective physical vulnerability, and memory function. Incident CMD was defined as the occurrence of diabetes, heart disease, or stroke during follow-up. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Restricted cubic spline analyses assessed dose–response relationships, and receiver operating characteristic analyses evaluated the incremental predictive value of PFI. During a median follow-up of 24 months, higher PFI was significantly associated with increased risk of incident CMD. In the fully adjusted model, each 0.1-point increase in PFI was associated with higher risks of CMD (HR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.09–1.23), diabetes (HR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.02–1.26), heart disease (HR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.05–1.24), and stroke (HR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.24–1.64). Participants in the highest PFI group had significantly greater risks of CMD and its components than those in the lowest group, with the strongest association observed for stroke. Spline analyses suggested a progressive increase in CMD risk across higher PFI levels. Adding PFI to traditional risk factors significantly improved discrimination for overall CMD and stroke, but not for diabetes or heart disease. Higher PFI was independently associated with incident CMD, particularly stroke, among middle-aged and older adults. PFI may serve as a complementary marker for cardiometabolic risk assessment, especially for identifying individuals at elevated risk of overall CMD and stroke.
Causal inference-integrated temporal graph convolutional networks for dynamic prediction and optimization of enterprise total factor productivity
Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in horses in the district of Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Abstract Gastrointestinal parasitic infections constitute a major constraint to equine health and productivity, particularly in tropical regions where climatic and environmental conditions favor parasite survival and transmission. In Côte d’Ivoire, epidemiological data regarding gastrointestinal parasites in horses remain limited, especially in urban and peri-urban settings such as the district of Abidjan. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, diversity, and associated risk factors of gastrointestinal parasites affecting horses in the study area. A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2024 to February 2025 among 277 horses originating from 19 equine facilities, including 8 riding schools and 11 breeding farms, located in the district of Abidjan. Fresh fecal samples were collected and analyzed using four coprological techniques: direct examination, flotation, the simplified Ritchie concentration method, and Ziehl–Neelsen staining. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and logistic regression, were performed to identify factors significantly associated with parasitic infections at a significance threshold of p ≤ 0.05. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 88.80%, indicating widespread circulation of equine gastrointestinal parasites within the study area. Fifteen parasite species were identified, with predominance of Strongylus spp. (48.37%), Parascaris equorum (40.07%), cyathostomins (Cyathostominae) (30.68%), Fasciola hepatica (29.24%), and Cryptosporidium parvum (28.51%). Nematodes represented the predominant parasitic group. Significant associations were observed between parasitic infections and management-related factors, particularly feeding practices and type of equine activity. Horses from riding schools appeared more exposed to certain parasitic infections compared with horses raised on breeding farms. The high prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites observed among horses in the district of Abidjan highlight an important equine health concern in Côte d’Ivoire. These findings emphasize the need to strengthen integrated parasite control strategies, including regular parasitological monitoring, improved hygiene and management practices, rational use of anthelmintics to reduce the risk of resistance, and targeted deworming programs. Reinforcing veterinary surveillance and increasing awareness among horse owners and managers could substantially contribute to improving equine health and productivity in the study area.
Gaze dynamics of cued speech perception
Abstract For many deaf people, lip-reading plays a major role in verbal communication. However, lip reading is inherently ambiguous and does not allow for a complete understanding of speech. The consequences of these limitations are significant, potentially impeding language, cognitive, and social development. Cued speech (CS) was developed to eliminate this ambiguity by supplementing lip-reading with hand gestures, giving access to the entire phonological content of speech through the visual modality alone. Despite its documented efficacy in enhancing linguistic and communicative abilities, the mechanisms of CS perception remain largely unknown. The present study is the first to examine eye movements during CS perception, with a sample of deaf CS users, hearing CS users, and hearing naive controls. We presented silent videos of words, pseudowords, and sentences in their CS form, while recording the participants’ eye movements. All groups fixated almost exclusively on the face, and predominantly on the lips of the speaker, despite the effective processing of CS gestures by CS users. Deaf and hearing participants differed strikingly in the way fixation was distributed between the left and right halves of the face. While both hearing groups mostly fixated the left side of the speaker’s face, deaf participants showed a more symmetrical pattern. Finally, in CS users, stimuli that were phonologically, lexically or semantically more difficult tended to increase fixation in the inferior and left sector of the face. Apart from reading, CS stands as the sole system for visually conveying full phonological information of a spoken language. This study elucidates the fundamental behavioral tuning that facilitates the efficient recovery of phonology in this distinctive form.
Self-inconsistency and attachment insecurity mediate and moderate the association between anxiety and reasons for living in Chinese college students
Research on deformation and seepage properties of Larssen pile reinforcing cofferdam based on numerical analysis, Tianjin, China
A pH-responsive double network hydrogel for control of tomato bacterial wilt
Abstract Ralstonia solanacearum is a major plant pathogen causing bacterial wilt, whose unpredictable onset hinders timely detection and effective control. Here, we report the design, preparation and field use of a dual pH-responsive multifunctional double network (DN) hydrogel for the efficient and sustainable control of bacterial wilt. The primary network of carboxylated agarose chelates Zn 2+ and loosens under acidic conditions (pH ≤ 5) to release a pesticide (zhongshengmycin) and Zn 2+ , while the secondary L-phenylalanine (Phe)/ Zn 2+ network disassembles to provide additional bioactive components (Phe and Zn 2+ ). This dual-triggered release achieves a combined antibacterial effect, enhances plant growth, and activates plant disease resistance pathways. A simple root application protects plants for up to 14 days, and field experiments demonstrate disease control for up to 30 days, significantly preserving tomato yield. Here, we present a sustainable, effective system for managing bacterial wilt and highlight the potential of smart hydrogels in crop protection.
Selenium biofortification in conditions of soil salinity improve some nutritional value parameters of spinach for the fresh market
Abstract This study investigated the interactive effects of soil salinity (2.88 and 3.79 dS⋅m − 1 ) and foliar sodium selenate application (0.80 and 0.15 kg Se⋅ha⁻ 1 ) on the yield parameters and phytochemical composition of spinach ( Spinacia oleracea L. cv. Matador) under the conditions of semi-controlled pot trial under field conditions. The experiment confirmed that selenium biofortification is effective, increasing its levels in the plant ten-fold. Selenium has a positive effect, mitigating salt stress, and its uptake is closely linked to sulfur metabolism. Foliar application of selenium to spinach under salt stress conditions (up to 3.79 dS⋅m − 1 ) does not negatively impact yield, effectively increasing the content of bioactive components such as phenols and antioxidants. Studies confirm the synergistic effects of selenium and salinity, improving stress tolerance, mitigating sodium toxicity, and stimulating dry matter growth and S/Zn/Mn content. These findings demonstrate the viability of selenium foliar application for producing nutritionally enhanced spinach on salt-affected agricultural soils.