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Complexity of leaf surface texture affects microbial colonization in temperate forest tree species
Throughout their life cycle, tree leaves are subject to colonization and degradation by microorganisms, including fungi, bacteria, and algae. These relationships co-evolved with chemical properties, leaf shape, and surface structures. Here we developed (i) a novel quantitative trait describing leaf surface texture complexity based on variables extracted from scanning electron microscopic images, resulting in a quantitative score of surface texture complexity on a tree species level. This complexity score was then used (ii) to test functional hypotheses, quantifying the contribution of leaf surface texture complexity in context of growth habitat preferences and colonization patterns by fungi and bacteria. We show that (iii) leaf surface texture complexity correlated with anatomical features such as stomatal density and leaf orientation as well as with Ellenberg temperature habitat indicator. Increasing leaf surface texture complexity was negatively correlated with leaf-associated fungal and bacterial specialists. Moreover, leaves with higher leaf surface texture complexity values showed reduced richness of colonization with plant pathogens (broad-leaved species) or lichenization (conifers), suggesting protection effects. Our results highlight leaf surface texture complexity as a previously underappreciated trait that may be a key to understanding microbial diversity between tree species and interaction patterns with leaf-associated microbes. This opens promising avenues for future research on plant-microbe co-evolution, trait-based ecosystem modeling, and the potential use of surface traits in forest management and disease resistance strategies.
Correction: Sequential gait interventions reveal non-reciprocal transfer between instructional and sensorimotor adaptation mechanisms
The prokaryotic origins of the COMMD protein family involved in eukaryotic membrane trafficking
Participant lived experiences of high-intensity interval training in UK cardiac rehabilitation (HIIT or MISS UK): A qualitative study
Background Exercise programmes are an important component of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR). High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has been proposed as an alternative to conventional moderate intensity steady state (MISS) exercise. In the ‘HIIT or MISS UK’ trial, low-volume HIIT was safe, and clinically and cost effective. However, there is a lack of insight into the lived experiences of those who engage in non-conventional approaches to CR exercise training. The aim of this research was to explore the benefits and challenges associated with HIIT and MISS in CR. Materials and methods A qualitative descriptive methodology was adopted to document participant lived experiences. Participants were purposefully recruited from two ‘HIIT or MISS UK’ trial CR centres. After consent, participants took part in semi-structured interviews conducted via Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technologies (e.g., Microsoft Teams (MT), Skype or Zoom). A critical realist approach to inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Findings 19 people took part (8 MISS and 11 HIIT; male 18 [95%]; age 59.6 years [SD 10.4]). Analysis revealed a range of perceived psychosocial (e.g., enjoyment, confidence, purpose) and physiological (e.g., weight loss, increased fitness) benefits that were present across both groups (i.e., HIIT and MISS). Participants in both groups identified challenges, for example, a need for exercise to continue beyond what was offered in the trial. There were notable differences across the groups, namely HIIT participants enjoyed feeling challenged, yet grappled with feelings of monotony, whilst MISS participants experienced increased social interaction. Conclusion HIIT in CR offered a range of perceived psychosocial and physiological benefits. Integrating more opportunities for social interaction into the HIIT program could enhance participant experience. Practitioners could investigate the feasibility of support for patients after CR has finished.
High frame rate action classification and state tracking in competitive sports using SlowFast dual-stream mesh structure
Structural characterization of kappa-opioid receptor dimer in complex with two G proteins
Prevalence of re-laparotomy and its risk factors in patients who underwent gastrointestinal procedure at Referral Hospital in Ethiopia
Background Re-laparotomy is one of the causes of morbidity and mortality among patients who have had abdominal surgery. Due to the unavailability of laparoscopic surgery in the region, laparotomy remains the standard treatment. As a result, re-laparotomy is commonly performed, significantly increasing the labor load, financial costs, and the risks of morbidity and mortality for patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with re-laparotomy procedures, in order to better understand their impact on patient health and healthcare resources. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on patients who underwent gastrointestinal procedures in a hospital in Ethiopia between September 2020 and August 2022. The association between independent variables with re-laparotomy (dependent variable) was analyzed using bi-variate and multivariate logistic regression. Those variables that had a p-value of less than 0.2 were put into a multivariate analysis. The strength of the association was displayed using crude and adjusted odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval. P-values less than 0.05 were used to determine statistical significance. Results A total of 1276 charts were reviewed, and 127 (10%) of those were found to have re-laparotomy. A greater proportion of re-laparotomy was associated with the occurrence of prior abdominal surgery (AOR = 67.94, 95% CI: 39.07, 118.13), the existence of ischemic bowel during surgery (AOR = 4.36, 95% CI: 2.10, 9.02), and the intraoperative use of inotropic/vasopressor medications (AOR = 7.03, 95% CI: 2.52, 19.59). Conclusions The prevalence of re-laparotomy was found to be 10% which is higher compared with some previous reports. Prior abdominal surgery, ischemic bowel presence during surgery, and the use of inotropic/vasopressor drugs intra-operatively were all found to be risk factors for re-laparotomy.
Complementary diesel-fuel compositional profiling by one-dimensional and comprehensive two-dimensional GC-TOF/MS
Abstract One-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (1D GC-TOF/MS) and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with TOF/MS (GC×GC-TOF/MS) were evaluated as complementary platforms for diesel-fuel compositional profiling. Across all samples, 1D GC-TOF/MS reported 1,850 library-annotated features (similarity score ≥ 700), whereas GC×GC-TOF/MS reported 27,146 deconvoluted features, comprising 8,108 annotated features and 19,038 unnamed Peak-ID features. Only 595 annotated features were common to both workflows, yet workflow-specific statistical evaluation and PCA of GC×GC feature-occurrence profiles consistently highlighted the same atypical samples. Broad chemical grouping of annotated and predicted GC×GC features showed that paraffinic and olefinic/naphthenic hydrocarbon families dominated most fuels. In contrast, sample 51 × 57, and to a lesser extent K8LZ1 depending on feature inclusion, exhibited redistributed class patterns and a higher proportion of oxygenated or FAME-associated features. Integrating chromatographic profiling with routine physicochemical descriptors indicated that meaningful compositional divergence may occur even within a narrow specification window. Overall, 1D GC-TOF/MS remains effective for robust comparative screening, while GC×GC-TOF/MS provides additional selectivity and peak capacity to interrogate compositionally congested diesel matrices and to support future chemometric modelling.
A ferroelectric-ionic-trapping transistor for low power and secure neuromorphic computing
Abstract The convergence of artificial intelligence and pervasive data analytics has created an urgent demand for energy-efficient and secure computing hardware. Neuromorphic synaptic devices emulate the human brain with high parallelism and 3D connectivity to reduce power consumption, yet they lack intrinsic mechanisms to protect stored information from malicious read-out. Here we report a ferroelectric–ionic–trapping field-effect transistor (FITFET) that integrates ferroelectric polarization, oxygen-vacancy migration, and charge trapping to enable both synaptic and secure functionality. The FITFET operates in two programmable regimes: a plain mode combining fast, low-power ferroelectric switching with analog weight modulation, and a secure mode in which the memory window collapses under specific read biases, concealing stored states and suppressing read attacks. This reversible, voltage-controlled transition provides a hardware-native data protection mechanism. Multiscale analyses demonstrate reliable switching between learning and concealment, while system-level simulations show reduced model inversion attacks with minimal accuracy loss.
TransGrid-CostOpt: A hybrid transformer framework for cost prediction and optimization of distribution network assets
The prediction and optimization of distribution network asset costs is a complex problem in the power industry, involving the optimization of multiple objectives and the response to dynamic demands. Traditional methods often struggle to effectively address fluctuations in power load and the uncertainties in the supply chain, limiting their effectiveness in complex environments. To solve this issue, we propose the TransGrid-CostOpt model, an intelligent cost optimization model that integrates deep learning, multi-objective optimization, time-series forecasting, and optimization decision-making modules. TransGrid-CostOpt optimizes load forecasting and cost allocation for the distribution network by combining multi-source data, time-series load forecasting, and reinforcement learning decision strategies, reducing operational costs, improving load forecasting accuracy, and enhancing decision adaptability. Experimental results show that TransGrid-CostOpt outperforms traditional models and other advanced methods on the BuildingsBench and PJM Hourly Load Data datasets, exhibiting higher accuracy and efficiency in forecasting, cost optimization, and multi-objective balancing. Compared to classical baseline models and cutting-edge approaches, TransGrid-CostOpt demonstrates a 15% to 30% overall performance improvement. Ablation experiments confirm the critical role of each module, especially the time-series forecasting module and optimization decision-making module, in significantly enhancing the model’s performance. TransGrid-CostOpt strengthens the cost management capability of the distribution network and shows strong adaptability in dynamic electricity market environments, with broad application potential.
Synergistic tension among the music and lyrics of late-Romantic choral songs
Abstract Songs combine two defining human capacities: music and language. As a song unfolds, interconnected musical and linguistic elements, such as dissonant chords and evocative words, generate fluctuating patterns of tension and relaxation that shape listeners’ expectations and emotional experience. However, how these patterns integrate across the musical and linguistic domains to produce a unified sense of tension remains poorly understood. We investigated this question in a tension-rich subset of Western vocal music – late-Romantic choral songs – hypothesising that tonal and semantic tension combine superadditively. Using a naturalistic listening paradigm, online participants continuously rated tonal, semantic, and holistic tension while listening to three selected songs by Reger, Wolf, and Brahms. Holistic tension ratings were more closely predicted by tonal than by semantic tension. Information-theoretic analysis using Partial Information Decomposition further revealed significant redundant and synergistic informational contributions specifically in the Reger piece. This suggests that, under certain musical conditions – such as dense chromatic harmony combined with homophonic text setting – musical and linguistic cues can interact to produce integrated experiences of tension. Although based on a specific tonal-poetic idiom, these results further our understanding of how music and language may combine during real-time song listening from the experiential perspective of tension. We discuss how both culture-specific and potentially culture-invariant mechanisms may contribute to this cross-domain aesthetic integration.
Directed trilithiation enables entropically stabilized heavy-atom-centered triangulenes
Correction: Validating self-reported exclusive breastfeeding in Eswatini using stable isotope techniques
Association between emotion recognition and cognitive functioning in multiple sclerosis: a multilevel correlational meta-analysis
Abstract Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disease marked by both cognitive and socio-cognitive impairments, including difficulties in recognizing emotions. While deficits in processing speed, executive functions, and episodic memory are well known, growing evidence also points to impairments in emotion-recognition, particularly for negative emotions such as fear, sadness, or disgust. However, the extent to which these socio-cognitive difficulties are linked to broader cognitive dysfunction remains unclear, as individual studies report inconsistent findings. This meta-analysis synthesized data from 23 independent studies ( k = 774 correlations) using multilevel random-effects models to quantify the association between emotion-recognition and cognitive functioning in MS. Overall, results revealed small to moderate associations between emotion-recognition and cognitive performance, with stronger effects for negative emotions and for total emotion scores. Processing speed and executive functions exhibited broad associations, while episodic memory effects were more emotion-specific. At the subdomain level, working memory and verbal fluency emerged as key correlates. However, substantial heterogeneity across studies should be noted. Additional meta-regressions indicated that higher disability and anxiety were associated with stronger emotion–cognition links, whereas longer disease duration and depression predicted weaker associations. These findings indicate that emotion-recognition deficits in MS seem partially connected to neurocognitive dysfunctions. Trial registration : The preregistered review protocol can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/3VNA4 .
Evolutionary acquisition of an interaction between conserved proteins drives plant-specific cell cycle progression
Evidence mapping of preference elicitation for non-pharmaceutical interventions targeting respiratory viral transmission: A scoping review protocol
Introduction Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) such as mask use, physical distancing, business or school closure, and isolation have been central to controlling respiratory viral infections, including influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Understanding the preferences of the public and stakeholders for these interventions is critical to ensure their acceptability, uptake, and effectiveness. Discrete choice experiments (DCEs) provide a robust method to quantify how individuals value different attributes of NPIs and the trade-offs they are willing to make. However, evidence from DCEs is fragmented across diseases, populations, and methodological approaches. This scoping review aims to systematically map and synthesise evidence from DCEs examining public and stakeholder preferences for NPIs used in the prevention and control of influenza, COVID-19, and RSV. Specifically, it will: (1) summarise the attributes and attribute levels used in DCEs, and the methods employed to select them; and (2) identify which NPI attributes are most valued by the public and key stakeholders, including patients, healthcare workers, and policymakers. Methods and analysis The review will follow the PRISMA-ScR framework. Comprehensive searches of electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Embase) will identify DCEs evaluating NPIs for influenza, COVID-19, and RSV. Data extraction will capture study characteristics, target populations, attributes, experimental design, and analytical methods. Reporting quality will be appraised using the DIRECT Checklist. Given anticipated heterogeneity, findings will be synthesised narratively. By providing a structured overview of existing DCE evidence, this review will inform the design of future preference studies and guide the development of acceptable and evidence-based NPI strategies for respiratory viral infections. Ethics and Dissemination No ethical approval is required. The completed review will be shared through peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations. Open Science Framework Registration https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/H36UC
Ethnoveterinary medicinal plants in Aseko District, Arsi Zone, southeastern Ethiopia
Abstract Ethnoveterinary medicine remains a key component of livestock healthcare in rural Ethiopia, particularly in areas with limited access to modern veterinary services. This study documented ethnoveterinary medicinal plants, associated indigenous knowledge systems, and conservation challenges in Aseko District, Arsi Zone, southeastern Ethiopia, using a bilingual (English–Afaan Oromo) disease classification framework to improve diagnostic clarity and strengthen veterinary relevance. Data were collected from 182 informants across seven purposively selected kebeles representing highland, midland, and lowland agroecological zones. Semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, guided field walks, preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, and local market surveys were employed following established ethnobotanical methods. Voucher specimens were collected, taxonomically authenticated, and deposited at the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI) National Herbarium. A total of 66 ethnoveterinary medicinal plant species belonging to 49 families were documented. Herbs constituted the dominant growth form (42.4%), and most remedies were prepared from fresh plant materials harvested from wild habitats (66.7%). Leaves were the most frequently used plant part (46.5%), followed by roots and bark, while oral administration was the predominant route (67.5%). Gastrointestinal disorders, ecto-/endoparasitic infections, and dermatological diseases together accounted for 68.2% of total use reports. Informant Consensus Factor values ranged from 0.25 to 0.67, with the highest agreement observed for reproductive disorders, indicating relatively strong consensus among informants for specific ailment categories. Preference ranking identified Hagenia abyssinica , Zingiber officinale , and Embelia schimperi as the most preferred species for treating livestock diarrhoea. Despite high plant diversity, dependence on wild habitats combined with agricultural expansion and biomass extraction was identified as a major threat to long-term resource sustainability. The study demonstrates both the resilience and vulnerability of ethnoveterinary knowledge in a biodiverse but increasingly pressured landscape. Strengthening community-based conservation, systematic documentation of indigenous knowledge, and integration of validated ethnoveterinary practices into local livestock healthcare systems are strongly recommended.
A dual-pronged host-directed therapeutic targeting cyclophilin A and pathogenic interferon response abrogates virus-triggered pregnancy pathologies
Feasibility of local anesthesia for full-endoscopic spine surgery: A retrospective cohort study of body weight-based thresholds
Background While transforaminal full-endoscopic spine surgery (TF-FESS) under local anesthesia offers the advantages of real-time neurological feedback and minimized physiological stress, concerns persist regarding whether the procedure can be consistently completed within safe local anesthetic dosage limits in all patient populations. This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of TF-FESS under local anesthesia independent of frailty status using body weight-based safety thresholds for lidocaine. Methods We retrospectively identified 108 patients who underwent single-level TF-FESS under local anesthesia and categorized them into a non-frail group (modified Frailty Index-5 [mFI-5] < 2, n = 80) and a frail group (mFI-5 ≥ 2, n = 28). Weight-based thresholds, calculated using actual body weight, were set at 7 mg/kg for non-frail patients and 5 mg/kg for frail patients. The anesthesia protocol consisted of sequential 1% lidocaine injection and conscious sedation. Complications were defined as clinically significant local anesthetic systemic toxicity, postoperative delirium, and permanent nerve root injury, with exclusion of transient intraoperative feedback. Results Surgery was successfully completed under local anesthesia in all 108 cases (100%), with continuous verbal communication maintained throughout the procedure. The mean lidocaine dose was 218 ± 40 mg, with no significant difference between groups (p = 0.722). In the frail group, 92.9% of patients remained within the stricter 5 mg/kg threshold. No documented cases of clinically significant local anesthetic systemic toxicity, permanent nerve root injury, or postoperative delirium were observed in either group. Conclusions TF-FESS under local anesthesia appears feasible, with no clinically significant complications observed in this cohort, irrespective of frailty status. Although the dosing thresholds were well-tolerated, they should be interpreted with caution given the study’s retrospective nature. Adherence to weight-based dosing and a standardized conscious sedation protocol is associated with a favorable safety profile while preserving real-time neurological feedback. This strategy may minimize perioperative physiological stress and cognitive risks in an increasingly aging population.