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Evaluation of methods for early detection of Tropilaelaps mites in European honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies

AI literacy and school tier moderate educators’ ethical coping mechanisms through sedative and reverse Matthew effects

Abstract The rapid penetration of artificial intelligence in education has triggered unprecedented ethical risk perception and response challenges for educators, but existing research lacks systematic exploration of deep ethical cognitive mechanisms. To address this, this study operationalizes macro level sociotechnical imaginaries into micro level psychological perceptions to construct and test a theoretical model that integrates dual-dimensional risk perception, AI Literacy, and situational factors. PLS-SEM analysis of 502 Chinese educators reveals that: both Inhibitory Ethical Risk and Promotional Professional Risk are significantly and positively associated with Defensive and Constructive Coping strategies simultaneously, challenging the traditional one dimensional risk hypothesis; AI Literacy significantly attenuated the positive association between Inhibitory Ethical Risk and Constructive Coping, supporting the hypothesis of the Literacy Sedative Effect; The strength of the positive association between Promotional Professional Risk and Constructive Coping in lower tier schools is 2.78 times stronger than that in first tier schools, providing empirical evidence for the Reverse Matthew Effect. This study proposes a dual-dimensional risk-coping framework, revealing the cognitive decoupling mechanism of AI Literacy and challenging the classical Matthew Effect, providing a new perspective for understanding individual behavior in disruptive technological change; at the same time, it also provides practical guidance for cultivating cautious and proactive adopters and developing differentiated AI Literacy training strategies.

Exploring the regulatory role of Lagenaria siceraria seed in enhancing blood health, growth, antioxidant capacity, gut integrity, immune function, and resistance to Vibrio alginolyticus in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Impacts of iodine factory effluents on the water quality and ecosystem health of Incheh Lagoon in Iran

Abstract Industrial effluents containing heavy metals pose a growing threat to aquatic ecosystems, especially in ecologically sensitive wetlands such as the Incheh lagoon in north- east Iran. In this study, physico- chemical parameters, heavy metal concentrations, and water quality of wastewater from a local iodine production plant discharged into the lagoon are comprehensively analysed. The concentration of 30 heavy metals were measured using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS) and standardised analysis protocols. In particular fluoride (1.36–4.6 mg/L) and manganese (2.25–3.89 mg/L) exceeded the limits set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA, 2017) and the Water Resources Commission (WRC, 2003). Although Artemia species were present in the lagoon, their short residence time and relatively low metal accumulation compared to FAO/WHO guidelines indicated minimal risk to migratory bird populations. Uncontrolled drainage channels have been identified as the main source of contamination. To tackle this problem, the study recommends joint actions involving forest authorities, municipal bodies and local stakeholders to introduce sustainable watershed management practices.

Unique UV-diffused effluent degradation and antimicrobial properties of green synthesized ZnO and MgO nanoparticles using Ganoderma adspersum

Abstract In the present study, zinc oxide (ZnO) and magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles (NPs) were produced by the eco-friendly green synthesis method using the aqueous extract of Ganoderma adspersum . ZnO and MgO NPs were characterized using XRD and SEM, which are among the most well-known structural and morphological characterization methods. Besides, the photocatalytic and antibacterial activities of NPs produced were investigated in detail. XRD measurements confirmed that both nanoparticles were produced as intended. Furthermore, it was determined that the ZnO NPs were in the form of nanonails with a homogeneous distribution, while the MgO NPs appeared to be arranged in a specific order and had an irregular planar morphology by means of SEM measurements. As for the photocatalytic performances of green synthesized ZnO and MgO NPs, it was found out that both NPs had high photocatalytic activity. As for the photocatalytic results, ZnO and MgO NPs produced with G. adspersum scavenged approximately 98.7% at 140 min and 91.6% at 200 min. Furthermore, it was determined that the synthesized both NPs exhibited significant antibacterial impacts in terms of inhibition zone against six different microorganisms ( A. baumannii ATCC BA1609, E. coli ATCC BAA-2523, E. faecalis ATCC 49452, P. aeruginosa NCTC 12924, S. aureus NCTC 10788, Y. enterocolitica ATCC 27729). Antimicrobial activity investigation showed that ZnO and MgO NPs green synthesized by G. adspersum revealed the highest antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa NCTC 12924 with the inhibition zone value of 12.0 and 10.0 mm, respectively).

Pre-treatment of cabozantinib prior to hypofractionated radiotherapy increases immunomodulatory effects and tumor size reduction in a 4T1 breast cancer murine model

Deviatoric stress evolution and time step control technology of retreat roadway surrounding rock in fully mechanized working face

Functional brain abnormalities in patients with somatic symptom disorder presenting with chest pain: a resting-state fMRI study

Abstract Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is characterized by persistent physical symptoms that cannot be fully explained by structural abnormalities or laboratory findings. However, the underlying neural mechanisms of SSD remain poorly understood. This study aimed t o investigate functional brain abnormalities in SSD patients presenting predominantly with chest pain using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). A total of 102 participants were prospectively enrolled, including 56 patients with SSD and 46 healthy controls (HCs). All participants underwent clinical assessments and structural MRI examinations, including T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), and rs-fMRI. The rs-fMRI metrics included regional homogeneity (ReHo), amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF), and fractional ALFF (fALFF). Group comparisons were conducted to identify differences in brain activity, and correlation analyses were performed to examine associations between brain activity and clinical symptoms. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in demographic variables, including age, gender, and education level. Clinical assessments revealed that SSD patients scored significantly higher than HCs on the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15), Somatic Symptom Scale (SSS), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD). ALFF, fALFF, and ReHo analyses demonstrated significant alterations in spontaneous neural activity in SSD patients compared with HCs. Specifically, increased activity was observed in the left inferior frontal gyrus and precuneus, whereas decreased activity was detected in the hippocampus and insula. Correlation analyses revealed significant associations between these abnormal brain activity patterns and clinical symptom severity in SSD patients. This study highlights regional functional brain abnormalities in SSD, particularly in regions associated with emotion regulation, memory, and sensory processing. These findings provide novel insights into the neural mechanisms underlying SSD and suggest potential neuroimaging targets for therapeutic interventions that may help alleviate symptoms and improve patient outcomes.

Supervised attention method with co-reference resolution for aspect extraction

Urobiome composition varies with vesicoureteral reflux grade and history of febrile urinary tract infection

An enhanced ensemble deep learning model integrating three strategies for runoff modeling in the Qinghai Lake Basin

Application of a PSO–FAHP-based evaluation system for office chair design demand analysis

Unveiling Layer‐Dependent Phase Transition and Lattice Dynamics in Two‐Dimensional InSe

ABSTRACT Two‐dimensional (2D) indium selenide (InSe) has attracted considerable interest due to its superior ballistic transport properties, superplasticity, and thermoelectric properties. Ferroelectricity and a variety of other intriguing physical characteristics. These arise from its van der Waals (vdW) layered structure, interlayer coupling, and intralayer interactions. The vibrational modes of 2D InSe are highly sensitive to thickness. The phase transitions in 2D materials, which are critical to their properties and applications, are closely related to interlayer and intralayer vibrations. However, the effect of the thickness on these vibrational behaviors during phase transitions remains insufficiently understood. In this study, we investigate the Raman spectra of β ‐InSe with layer numbers (LN) ranging from 4 to 33 under high pressure and construct a pressure LN phase diagram. Unexpectedly, due to the quantum confinement and defect effects, InSe flakes with fewer layers require more energy to undergo phase transitions which is confirmed by PL experiments and DFT calculations, irrespective of whether pressure is being increased or decreased. This research establishes a solid foundation for exploring and characterizing interlayer and intralayer lattice dynamics through pressure engineering in vdW materials.

Foundation and early survival of Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) colonies in contrasting environments

Relationships between leader behaviors, employee well-being, and profit target achievement: evidence from a company-wide survey in Japan

Abstract What kinds of leader behaviors can simultaneously promote employee well-being and financial performance? Sustained organizational success requires advancing both outcomes, yet how leadership behaviors are associated with these outcomes remain unclear. Using four consecutive years of company-wide survey data from a Japanese homebuilder, we examined relationships between nine leader behaviors and branch-level employee well-being, as well as branch-level financial performance. After confirming the factor structure of the behavior items, we conducted hierarchical linear models and cross-lagged panel models. We found that three types of leader behaviors (employee development, communication, and sustainable work efficiency) were positively related to branch-level employee well-being, after controlling for branch demographics and year effects. In contrast, one behavior (workplace strategy, defined as clarifying the branch strategy and individual goals) was positively related to financial performance. In the longitudinal analyses, leader behaviors were not associated with subsequent employee well-being, whereas higher employee well-being was consistently associated with higher subsequent ratings of leader behaviors. We discussed priorities for allocating limited leadership resources to foster a happy workplace and contribute to financial outcomes, as well as the potential mechanisms underlying the observed associations between leader behaviors and both outcomes.

Addition of Metastasis-Directed Therapy to Standard of Care for Oligometastatic Disease: Primary Aggregated Analysis of All Baskets from the Phase II Randomized EXTEND Trial

PURPOSE We tested the hypothesis that adding metastasis-directed therapy (MDT) to standard-of-care (SOC) systemic therapy improves progression-free survival (PFS) among patients with oligometastatic disease. METHODS EXTEND was a multicenter randomized phase II trial. Patients with 1-5 metastases were randomly assigned to MDT + SOC versus SOC in one of the six baskets (breast, pancreas, kidney, two prostate baskets, and an other basket) with basket-specific stratification and powering. PFS, the primary end point, was prespecified in the per-protocol set within each basket, across all baskets, and across all baskets excluding the prostate baskets. Exploratory end points included circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and immune profiling. RESULTS From 2018 through 2023, 521 patients were screened, 350 were randomly assigned, and 334 were analyzed per protocol (MDT + SOC, n = 166; SOC, n = 168). Radiotherapy was used as MDT for 98% of metastases (370/379). Overall, after a median follow-up of 53 months, PFS was improved with MDT + SOC (hazard ratio [HR], 0.54 [95% CI, 0.41 to 0.72], P < .001). Similarly, PFS was improved when excluding the prostate baskets (HR, 0.60 [95% CI, 0.40 to 0.89]). Within each basket, PFS superiority was identified for the pancreas, prostate, and other baskets, whereas the breast and kidney baskets were inconclusive. At enrollment, detectable ctDNA correlated with shorter PFS and survival; by contrast, ctDNA clearance 3 months postenrollment correlated with improved survival. MDT + SOC-induced systemic immune activation was most pronounced among baskets demonstrating PFS superiority. CONCLUSION The phase II EXTEND trial supports the addition of MDT to SOC for oligometastatic disease. Histology-specific efficacy signals were identified for phase III testing. Translational insights suggest the potential for optimizing the definition of oligometastasis using ctDNA and point to systemic immune responses as a possible mechanism of benefit from MDT.

Incidence and predictors of diabetic retinopathy among patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension: a 10-year retrospective follow-up study

DTA-CIFE modeling for predicting freezing dynamics and frost tolerance in deciduous fruit buds

Surface pseudo-3D time-lapse ERT reveals the spatiotemporal evolution mechanism of lagged water inrush in ultra-thick coal seams

Abstract The development of water-conducting fractures induced by fully mechanized top-coal caving mining of ultra-thick coal seams in the aeolian sand area of northern Shaanxi is characterized by significant nonlinearity and hysteresis, making water inrush disasters highly concealed and difficult to predict. To overcome the challenges of high-resistance shielding from dry surface sand and the extraction of weak deep signals, this study established a surface pseudo-3D time-lapse high-density electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) monitoring system at the 122105 working face of Caojiatan Coal Mine, utilizing the “artificial wet soil + deep-buried electrode” technique. Combined with anisotropy-constrained inversion and time-lapse ratio imaging technology, the dynamic process of mining-induced overburden failure was visualized and verified by in-situ mine hydrological data. The results indicate that: (1) The center of water inrush is not located at the mining advance line but exhibits a significant “spatiotemporal lag” characteristic, with a lag distance of approximately 110 m, which aligns closely with the limit breaking span of the high-position key stratum. (2) The lagged water inrush channel presents a “funnel-shaped” structure (large at the top and small at the bottom) in 3D space, revealing that its formation results from the fluid-solid coupling connection between the upper separation “catchment basin” and the lower shear “diversion pipe” at the moment of key stratum breaking. (3) The moment of channel connection captured by resistivity imaging (T2) is perfectly synchronized with the onset of the mine water inflow surge, and the water inflow rapidly reached its peak (310 m³/h) within the subsequent 24–48 h, verifying the significant consistency between the flow field and the geoelectric field response. (4) The water-conducting channel in the goaf possesses self-healing properties; as the lag distance exceeds 150 m, the bottom of the channel closes preferentially due to compaction of the caving zone. Based on these findings, a prevention concept of shifting the monitoring field of view to 0–150 m behind the working face is proposed, along with a stereoscopic control strategy of “high-level interception in the funnel zone and low-level drainage in the compacted zone.”

Arginine protects against colonic barrier injury induced by long-term peritoneal dialysis

Abstract Long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) triggers colonic dysfunction and multiple complications, yet the underlying pathogenesis and effective therapies remain elusive. We established a long-term peritoneal dialysis fluid (PDF)-treated mice model to explore molecular alterations via untargeted gas chromatography‒mass spectrometry (GC‒MS) and the data were analysed by MetaboAnalyst 5.0. After validating features against the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) library and Human Metabolome Database (HMDB) libraries, we used MetaboAnalyst 5.0 to pinpoint the key discriminating metabolites and their enriched pathways, and we found abnormal arginine metabolism was closely related to colonic dysfunction. Subsequently, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC‒MS/MS) and western blotting were used to determine abnormal arginine metabolism in colonic dysfunction. Additionally, the benefits of arginine were determined in PDF-treated T84 cells and the PDF-treated mouse model, evaluated the effects by histopathological staining and western blotting. Untargeted metabolomics revealed that long-term PD disrupts multiple colonic pathways, especially the arginine pathway. LC-MS/MS confirmed a marked fall in colon arginine after long-term PDF exposure. Western blot showed the downregulation of argininosuccinatelyase (ASL) and the upregulation of arginase-1 (Arg-1). Further study found that supplementing exogenous arginine to T84 cell and to PDF-treated mice reinstated mucosal morphology, restored tight junction (TJ) proteins expression, and reversed PDF-induced epithelial-barrier injury. Long-term PD leads to the injury of colonic barrier and metabolic disturbance, especially the metabolism of arginine, and exogenous arginine supplementation rescues the colon injured by PD.