Browse Articles

Multi-objective gold rush optimization algorithm: Theoretical Extensions and applications in UAV path planning

Multi-objective optimization problems have extensive application value in the fields of engineering and science, among which UAV path planning, as a typical application scenario, has attracted considerable attention. This study innovatively proposes a multi-objective extension of the Gold Rush Optimization algorithm (GRO), namely the Multi-Objective Gold Rush Optimization algorithm (MOGRO). By introducing a reference-point-guided two-level selection mechanism and an external archive strategy, the algorithm effectively addresses the challenge of obtaining Pareto-optimal solutions in multi-objective optimization problems. A systematic validation method is adopted: firstly, a comparative analysis is conducted between MOGRO and seven advanced multi-objective optimization algorithms on a benchmark test set consisting of 18 standard test problems. Subsequently, a UAV path planning multi-objective optimization model is constructed, taking into account both path length and obstacle threats, and the top four algorithms from the benchmark tests are selected for application validation. Experimental results show that the MOGRO algorithm significantly outperforms the comparison algorithms in terms of convergence, distribution, and solution quality, demonstrating excellent optimization performance. This study not only enriches the theoretical system of the GRO algorithm but also provides an innovative solution for UAV path planning in complex environments, with important theoretical value and practical significance.

Structural basis for chaperone-guided assembly of RNA-induced silencing complex

Real-world outcomes after switching to faricimab in treatment-resistant diabetic macular edema: A 1-year observational study with choroidal thickness assessment

Approximately 40% of diabetic macular edema (DME) cases are resistant to conventional anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. Although faricimab (an antibody against VEGF-A and angiopoietin-2 [Ang-2]) has shown efficacy in treatment-naïve DME, real-world evidence on switching strategies in resistant cases remains limited. We evaluated the 1‑year real‑world effectiveness of switching to faricimab in resistant DME and explored central choroidal thickness (CCT) changes and their relationship to retinal and choroidal responses. This retrospective study included 28 eyes from 19 patients with treatment-resistant DME who switched from aflibercept or ranibizumab to faricimab between May 2022 and August 2023. Central retinal thickness (CRT), CCT, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and injection frequency were evaluated 1 year before, immediately before, and 1 year post-switching. Mean CRT significantly decreased from pre-switching levels of 453 ± 112 μm to 322 ± 60 μm 1-year post-switching (28.9% reduction). The dry macula rate (CRT ≤ 325 μm) was achieved in 53.6% of eyes at 1 year. Injection frequency was significantly higher in the year after switching than in the year before switching (3.5 vs. 5 injections). LogMAR BCVA showed no significant change (0.31 ± 0.27 vs. 0.34 ± 0.32). Ellipsoid zone (EZ)/external limiting membrane (ELM) disruption increased from 28.6% at 1 year before switching to 35.7% immediately before switching, with minimal progression to 39.3% at 1 year post-switching. Mean CCT demonstrated no significant change (238 ± 82 μm vs. 230 ± 62 μm). Faricimab achieved significant anatomical improvements in resistant DME supporting its efficacy in real-world practice. Stable CCT may indicate preserved choroidal perfusion and represent a favorable characteristic of dual VEGF-A and Ang-2 inhibition. The potential suppression of the outer retinal structural deterioration may represent a marker of vascular health during chronic anti-VEGF therapy.

Enhanced collaboration of physicians and speech-language therapists promotes early oral intake in older adults with aspiration pneumonia: A retrospective cohort study

Background & aims Early swallowing assessment and initiation of oral intake are important in the management of aspiration pneumonia in older adults. However, the factors influencing early initiation of oral intake have not been widely studied. We implemented a system of enhanced collaboration between physicians and speech-language therapists (ECPS) as a structured inter-professional clinical pathway to standardize decision-making and facilitate early oral intake. We hypothesized that ECPS would increase the rate of early oral intake within two days of admission. Methods This retrospective cohort study included inpatients aged ≥65 years with aspiration pneumonia (ECPS and control groups). Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations of ECPS with early oral intake. Secondary outcomes assessed safety in an exploratory analysis, examining whether early oral intake was associated with disadvantages such as longer duration of antibiotic therapy, recurrence of aspiration pneumonia, decline in swallowing function, need for artificial nutrition, change in residence, or longer hospital stay. Results The ECPS group comprised 160 of the 300 eligible patients. ECPS was associated with increased odds of early oral intake success (OR = 3.85, 95% CI: 2.22–6.70, p  < 0.001). Furthermore, delayed swallowing assessment was associated with decreased odds of early oral intake success (OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.53–0.90, p  < 0.01). In exploratory analysis, early oral intake was not associated with any clear increase in disadvantages. Conclusion Structured collaboration between physicians and swallowing specialists regarding early oral intake could represent a factor worth considering in achieving effective management in older adults with aspiration pneumonia.

Research on fault diagnosis of substation grounding grid based on graph neural network and multi source information fusion

Hidden faults in substation grounding grids pose a serious threat to the safe and reliable operation of power systems. Traditional fault diagnosis methods ignore the correlation between grounding grid topology structures, resulting in low fault location accuracy. To address this issue, this study proposes a high-precision fault diagnosis and localization method that integrates graph neural networks (GNNs) with multi-source information. Innovatively abstracting the physical structure of the substation grounding grid into a topological graph model, with connection points and grounding electrodes as nodes, and conductor segments and their properties as edges, accurately representing the topological relationship of the grounding grid. A multimodal graph neural network (MM-GNN) was designed based on this, which captures topological features through graph convolution operations guided by grounding grids and adaptively integrates multi-source monitoring data such as electrical, infrared thermal imaging, and electromagnetic fields. In addition, this article innovatively developed an end-to-end conductor level positioning mechanism, incorporating physical connection rules into model training using topological constraint loss functions to ensure accurate output of fault locations. The experimental results based on a 220kV substation show that the proposed method significantly improves the diagnostic accuracy and provides an effective solution for the diagnosis and localization of grounding grid faults.

The Copepoda mitogenome as a dynamic evolutionary landscape

Copepods are an extraordinarily diverse group that exhibit a broad spectrum of morphological, physiological, life-history traits, and habitat specializations. Despite their ecological, evolutionary, and economic importance, molecular resources are scarce, limiting our understanding of their diversification and adaptation. We analysed the evolution of copepod mitogenomes at different phylogenetic scales using 19 complete mitogenomes deposited in GenBank along with five de novo assemblies from species of the genus Leptodiaptomus from Central Mexico. All five new mitogenomes are circularized and include all canonical metazoan coding regions but differ in the composition and size of non-coding regions (NCRs). The mitochondrial genomes of the four populations of the L. sicilis -group are the largest reported to date in Copepoda (>36,000 bp). The NCRs of Leptodiaptomus spp. contain repeated regions, pseudogenes, long palindromes with secondary structures, and open reading frames, although much of their content is still unexplained. Gene ordering in Copepoda is highly dynamic, and even gene blocks highly conserved across metazoans are either absent or occur at a low frequency. In Calanoida, the NCRs have expanded considerably, whereas in podoplean clades (Cyclopoida, Harpacticoida, and Siphonostomatoida), they remain similar to the hypothetical ancestral state. While some genes display evident signatures of purifying selection, most exhibit evidence of positive selection across all branches of the phylogeny. These findings offer a basis for further research on the molecular mechanisms driving copepod adaptation and diversification, as well as for refining predictions of their responses to environmental change.

Barriers and facilitators to healthcare access among Sub-Saharan African migrants in Europe: A scoping review

Background Sub-Saharan African (SSA) migrants represent a significant and growing proportion of Europe's diverse migrant population; yet face substantial barriers in accessing healthcare services. Understanding these barriers is essential for developing equitable healthcare policies and anticipating long-term care needs as these populations age. Methods This scoping review systematically mapped and synthesised existing evidence on healthcare access, utilization, barriers, and facilitators among SSA migrants across European settings. The primary review question was: What are the barriers and facilitators to healthcare access and utilization among Sub-Saharan African migrants in Europe? Following Arksey and O'Malley framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we systematically searched Europe PMC, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Fourteen studies met inclusion criteria. Data were synthesised using thematic analysis to identify descriptive and analytical themes. Results Three overarching analytical themes emerged: (1) structural determinants as persistent barriers to care, including health insurance gaps, legal precarity, and administrative complexity; (2) intersectional vulnerabilities shaping healthcare experiences, particularly among undocumented migrants, women, and those living with HIV; and (3) cultural mediation and system misalignment, characterized by language barriers and inadequate cultural competency. Only one study specifically examined ageing and chronic care decision-making. Studies predominantly employed qualitative designs (n = 7) and cross-sectional surveys (n = 4). SSA migrants encounter multi-layered barriers that compound over time, with critical implications for health trajectories as populations age. Conclusion Findings underscore the urgent need for migrant-sensitive healthcare approaches that address structural inequities, enhance cultural competency, and integrate long-term care planning. Future research should prioritize longitudinal studies examining healthcare needs across the life course and policy evaluations of migrant-inclusive interventions.

Nature Index 2026 Research Leaders rankings: are China’s East Asian neighbours keeping pace with it?

Magnitude of nonadherence to diet and exercise recommendations and associated factors among type 2 diabetes patients on treatment follow-up at Asella Referral and Teaching Hospital, Arsi, Ethiopia: A cross sectional study

Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem worldwide. Nonadherence to lifestyle modifications in individuals with type 2 diabetes poses a great problem. Objective This study assessed magnitude and factors associated with nonadherence to diet and exercise. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 302 type 2 diabetic patients at Asella Referral and Teaching Hospital of Arsi University. The data were collected via structured questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the effects of independent variables on nonadherence to diet and exercise recommendations. Results Of the individuals in the study, 247(81.8%) patients did not follow the exercise recommendations, and 157(52%) patients did not follow the diet recommendations for type 2 diabetes. Duration since diagnosis > 5 years (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI [1.18–3.36]), doctors’ advice (AOR = 2.3, 95% CI [1.24–4.47]) and family history of DM (AOR = 4.3, 95% CI [2.55–7.29]) were independent determinants of nonadherence to dietary recommendations. Similarly, female sex (AOR = 3.6, 95% CI [1.60–8.60]), duration > 5 years since the diagnosis (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI [1.03–4.43]) and educational status attending only primary school (AOR = 3.33, 95% CI [1.33–8.34]) and only reading and writing or illiteracy (AOR = 6.7, 95% CI [1.86–24.29]) were independently associated with nonadherence to the exercise recommendation of type 2 diabetes patients. Conclusions Overall, in our study, many patients were nonadherent to diet and exercise recommendations. Female patients and patients who attended primary school or less and > 5 years since diagnosis were more likely to be nonadherent to exercise. The determinants of diet nonadherence were a lack of doctors’ advice, > 5 years since diagnosis and a lack of family history.

Correction: Family support after a family member’s suicide: A qualitative exploration

How I use AI to turn failed drugs into new medicines

Domestic ecologies of gender: Women, material life, and eco-folklore in Saudi proverbs

This article advances an ecocritical reading of women-focused Saudi proverbs as a distinctive form of eco-folklore, where gendered norms are naturalized through domestic material and environmental imaginaries. Analyzing a corpus of 60 proverbs from the Saudi National Encyclopedia’s regional archives, the study integrates feminist critical discourse analysis with material ecocriticism to reveal how proverbial discourse mobilizes everyday objects and processes bread and heat as emblems of maternal care, cooking vessels as symbols of household responsibility, pests like flies and scorpions as metaphors for moral contamination, and adornments such as kohl and henna as mechanisms of reputational surveillance—to position women as the pivotal agents in a gendered domestic ecosystem. The findings highlight an ambivalent moral economy: proverbs ostensibly praising women for motherhood, marital devotion, and “building” the home often reinforce unequal labor and accountability, while cautionary sayings discipline female mobility, visibility, and autonomy through idioms of scarcity, risk, and depletion. By framing Saudi paremiology as vernacular environmental reasoning embedded in gender ideology, this study contributes to Gulf cultural studies, folklore scholarship, and ecofeminist approaches to vernacular knowledge, demonstrating how proverbs function as micro-archives of everyday ecological governance.

Human α-galactosidase A is stimulated by folic acid supplementation – possible implications in Fabry disease management

Fabry disease (FD) in an inherited lysosomal storage disorder with severe lifelong issues if not therapeutically managed. The disorder results from mutation in the gene GLA causing the deficiency of lysosomal enzyme α-galactosidase A (AGLA) leading to accumulation of specific glycosphingolipids in several organs. Individuals suffering from FD are treated with either an enzyme replacement therapy providing injected recombinant enzyme or small molecule chaperone therapy through a specific inhibitor, 1-deoxygalactonojiromycin (DGJ), which allows partial folding of functional enzyme that is retained as misfolded protein consequent to mutations. These therapies suggest that any incremental increase in AGLA activity will be of benefit to individuals with FD. This study is aimed at providing evidence that the synthetic B-complex vitamin, folic acid (FA) necessary in preventing neural tube defects in babies, can significantly stimulate the expression and enzyme activity in human lymphoblastoid cells as well as recombinant AGLA, in a concentration dependent manner. The extent of FA mediated AGLA stimulation was similar in cells from male or female subjects. In the recombinant enzyme, the stimulation follows mixed type with increase in Vmax but without any effect on Km. We did not find any evidence of cytosine methylation in one CpG island in the GLA gene. FA also stimulated and protected AGLA activity that was inhibited with specific inhibitor, DGJ. FA was able to further stimulate DGJ mediated restoration of AGLA activity in lymphoblastoid cells from individual with FD. Such FA mediated stimulation of AGLA activity may offer benefit to individuals with FD.

Mumtathil: Automatic PDPL compliance identification system of Arabic privacy policies documents

In the digital era, the extensive collection and use of personal data by websites and applications has prompted various countries to implement data protection laws. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia introduced the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) to regulate the handling of personal data. However, manually assessing compliance with these laws is time-consuming, and costly. This paper presents an automated system named Mumtathil (مُمتثِل) that evaluates the compliance of Arabic privacy policies with the PDPL using multi-label classification (MLC) techniques. Our experiments demonstrated that the Support Vector Machine (SVM) outperformed other machine learning models and transformer-based models like CamelBERT and AraBERT, achieving an F-score of 92%. The system addresses dataset imbalance by augmenting the Saudi Privacy Policy Dataset with recent privacy policies and synthetic data generated using ChatGPT. The Mumtathil tool simplifies compliance assessment, reducing time, cost, and effort while enhancing transparency and data protection in the digital landscape.

Research on user acceptance intention of artificial intelligence generated content for museum cultural and creative products

Recent advancements in the field of artificial intelligence have driven the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence generated content in the cultural and creative industries, making it a core driver of innovation. However, empirical research on user acceptance of artificial intelligence generated content remains limited. To address this research gap, this study, based on a review of the literature, constructs a four-dimensional analytical framework comprising technical functionality, cultural and aesthetic value, perceived psychological value, and user acceptance. Using structural equation modeling, this study analyzed data from 323 users with experience using artificial intelligence generated content to reveal the underlying relationships among these variables. The results indicate that technical functional experience has a significant positive impact on both user acceptance and cultural aesthetic value; cultural aesthetic value directly enhances psychological perceived value and positively influences user acceptance through a mediating effect; and psychological perceived value has a direct positive effect on user acceptance. The findings of this study provide empirical evidence to help stakeholders in the cultural and creative sector optimize their strategies for applying AI-generated content.

Phytochemical composition, antioxidant potential, and enzyme inhibitory properties of Onosma thracica extracts: A comparative study of extraction methods

Onosma thracica is a promising natural source of bioactive phenolic compounds, including flavonoids, yet the influence of extraction technique on its chemical profile and biological properties remains unclear. In this study, methanol extracts prepared by maceration (MAC), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and Soxhlet extraction (SOE) were comparatively investigated in terms of their detailed phenolic composition, antioxidant capacity, enzyme inhibitory activity, and in silico interaction patterns of individual compounds. Among the tested methods, UAE yielded the highest total phenolic content (45.41 mg GAEs/g extract), whereas SOE produced the richest flavonoid content (71.05 mg REs/g extract). LC–ESI–MS/MS analysis showed that luteolin-7-glucoside and apigenin-7-glucoside were the dominant flavonoids, while chlorogenic acid and rosmarinic acid were the major phenolic acids. Biological assays revealed method-dependent differences in activity. UAE was more effective in total antioxidant capacity and reducing power, while SOE showed stronger radical scavenging and metal chelating performance. In enzyme inhibition assays, SOE displayed the strongest acetylcholinesterase inhibition, whereas tyrosinase inhibition was similar across the extracts. Correlation analysis indicated that the observed bioactivities were closely associated with the overall phenolic composition (including flavonoid constituents), particularly with luteolin-7-glucoside and rosmarinic acid. Docking studies showed favorable interactions of apigenin-7-glucoside and luteolin-7-glucoside with human α-amylase, apigenin-7-glucoside and luteolin with acetylcholinesterase, and rosmarinic acid with human tyrosinase-related protein 1, suggesting that these major phenolic constituents may contribute to the observed bioactivities of O. thracica . The results demonstrate that extraction method markedly shapes the phytochemical composition and bioactivity of O. thracica , and they support further work aimed at optimizing its potential pharmacological use.

Whole-genome duplication shaped cell-type evolution in the vertebrate brain

Abstract The complex brains of vertebrates have more cell types than those of their closest relatives. Whole-genome duplications (WGDs) occurred during early vertebrate evolution 1 , but it is unclear whether the duplicated genes (ohnologues) facilitated cell-type evolution. Here using brain single-cell transcriptomes from five chordates—human 2 , mouse 3 , lizard 4 , lamprey 5 and amphioxus—we report that many cell-type families with conserved core transcription factors in vertebrates do not show one-to-one homology with amphioxus. Moreover, ohnologues, particularly those from the first WGD, were more important than small-scale duplication paralogues for vertebrate cell-type evolution. To explore whether ohnologues are mechanistically important for this process, we predicted ancestral cell-type states and compared them to amphioxus and experimentally investigated macroglia. The findings indicate that ohnologues had a role in early vertebrate cell-type diversification. Moreover, by examining paralogue expression across cell types and species, we show that expression changes were mainly driven by dosage selection and subfunctionalization. We also link ohnologues to cellular diversity at different anatomical and cell-type scales. Our findings demonstrate the importance of WGDs for the evolution of early vertebrate brain complexity and highlight that the resultant ohnologues continued to capacitate cell-type evolution long after they were formed.

Quality of follow-up care for premature infants in primary health care: A cross-sectional study from nurses' perspective in Paraná state, Brazil

Background Prematurity affects approximately 10% of births worldwide and represents the leading cause of mortality in children under five years of age. The considerable variability in follow-up programs for premature infants internationally indicates the need for standardized protocols. In Brazil, the discontinuity of follow-up care for children after hospital discharge constitutes a significant weakness, particularly in regions with socioeconomic disparities. Despite the essential role of Primary Health Care, there are gaps in evaluating the quality of follow-up care for premature infants from the perspective of health professionals, particularly nurses. This study aimed to the perceived quality of follow-up care for premature children in Primary Health Care from the perspective of nurses working in Paraná state, Brazil. Methods Cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study with a quantitative approach, conducted with 463 nurses working in Primary Health Care between 2024 and 2025 in Brazil. The “Qualipreterm” instrument was used to evaluate five quality domains: hospital discharge planning, home follow-up, child health follow-up, integration between services, and family support. Descriptive analyses, chi-square tests, and spatial distribution description through thematic maps were performed. Results From the nurses’ perspective, Domain I (hospital discharge planning) showed 58.9% of evaluations classified as inadequate. Domain V (family support) demonstrated the best performance, with 58.5% of evaluations classified as good and 3.5% as excellent. Domains II, III, and IV showed a predominance of regular classification (56.4% to 59.8%). Regional analysis revealed heterogeneity among the macro-regions studied, with some showing greater consistency in quality while others faced greater challenges in hospital discharge planning. Conclusions The study reveals weaknesses in the perceived quality of follow-up care for premature infants in Primary Health Care, from the perspective of nurses, indicating the need for implementation of standardized protocols that promote longitudinal care, increased coordination strategies between healthcare network service points, and strengthening of continuing education for healthcare professionals.

Structural bioinformatic studies of eight integral transmembrane NADPH oxidases and their AlphaFold 3 predicted QTY analogs with reduced hydrophobicity

The NADPH oxidase (NOX) family comprises integral membrane-bound enzymes responsible for generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), with critical roles in immune defense, vascular regulation, and cellular signaling. However, their intrinsic hydrophobicity and membrane association created longstanding challenges for extensive research. In this study, we applied the QTY code – a simple protein design strategy that replaces hydrophobic residues leucine (L), isoleucine (I), valine (V), and phenylalanine (F) with hydrophilic yet structurally compatible residues glutamine (Q), threonine (T) and tyrosine (Y) – to generate QTY analogs of NOX1, NOX2, NOX3, NOX4, NOX5, DUOX1, DUOXA1 and CYBA with reduced hydrophobicity. Using AlphaFold 3, we predicted and superposed the structures of native and QTY-engineered analog proteins. Our results show strong structural resemblance between each pair, with root mean square deviation (RMSD) values below 1Å for six out of eight proteins examined. In addition, QTY substitution significantly reduced surface hydrophobicity, indicating improved water-solubility while preserving 3D structural fold integrity. Our findings demonstrate the potential of QTY-designed NOX variants with reduced hydrophobicity as surrogates for use in structural biology, monoclonal antibody discoveries, drug discovery, and other applications where native membrane proteins present experimental limitations.

Gaelic games coaches’ attitudes towards, awareness of and use of injury prevention exercise programmes

Purpose Gaelic games (GG) are multidirectional, evasive sports with unpredictable high-intensity activity. Lower extremity injuries are common. Injury prevention exercise programmes (IPEPs) have been introduced, effectively reducing injuries and increasing neuromuscular performance. However, the awareness and use of IPEPs are anecdotally low among coaches. Methods Adult GG coaches (n = 342) completed an anonymous online survey, including awareness, use, and attitudes towards IPEPs and injury prevention. Frequencies and descriptive statistics were conducted, a chi-squared test was used to assess any differences in awareness and use of IPEPs, a Mann-Whitney U test was used to examine differences between groups for attitudes to injury prevention. Results Overall, 59.5% (n = 165) of coaches reported using any form of an IPEPs, including modified or self-developed programmes, while 44.1% of coaches (n = 130) were aware of formal IPEPs. Use was statistically higher in elite coaches than non-elite (p < 0.01, phi = 0.16). No significant differences in IPEP use were observed by coach gender, team gender, or coaching education. Many coaches developed their own IPEP or altered a current IPEP, particularly participants coaching females. Coaches had a positive attitude towards injury prevention, but 40.6% stated a lack of knowledge on how to use an IPEP, with 34.5% agreeing there was no training available to teach them. Discussion Despite generally positive attitudes towards injury prevention, awareness and implementation of formal IPEPs among GG coaches remain limited. These findings highlight the need for targeted coach education and improved dissemination strategies to enhance the adoption and effective implementation of IPEPs in GG, which is critical to mitigating the risk of injury.