Browse Articles

The relationship between task value of learning English and English achievement among art majors: A moderated chain mediation model analysis

Art majors often face a distinct learning context for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning, characterized by structural and cognitive barriers that increase the difficulty of engaging in English study. However, the motivational mechanisms linking task value of learning English to English achievement within this specific context remain underexplored. This study employed the expectancy-value-cost theory (EVCT) to investigate the role of task value in their unique learning context. By testing a moderated chain mediation model, it systematically analyzed the relationships among task value of learning English, learning engagement, learning procrastination, self-efficacy, and English achievement. An online survey was administered to 588 art majors from a university in China. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0, AMOS 24.0, and the PROCESS macro (Model 6 and 91) with bootstrap methods. The results revealed that task value was associated with English achievement not directly, but through a sequential pathway: it was positively related to learning engagement, which in turn was linked to reduced procrastination, and ultimately to better achievement. Learning engagement emerged as a pivotal sequential mediator, whereas procrastination did not mediate the relationship independently. Furthermore, self-efficacy moderated the association between learning engagement and procrastination, with a stronger negative link observed among students with high self-efficacy. These findings highlight the importance of fostering engagement and building self-efficacy to translate task value into successful learning outcomes for art majors, offering practical implications for instructional design in this unique context.

CRISPR-based environmental detection of Burkholderia pseudomallei identifies sanitation gaps and melioidosis risk in northeast Thailand

Abstract Environmental exposure to Burkholderia pseudomallei , the causative agent of melioidosis, remains poorly characterised due to the low sensitivity of conventional detection methods. Here, we develop CRISPR-BEEPs, a sensitive and resource-efficient CRISPR-based assay, and evaluate its performance against conventional culture-based plate inspection using double-qPCR as the reference standard. CRISPR-BEEPs demonstrated higher sensitivity (93.5% vs 19.4%) and high specificity (100% vs 98.0%). We apply the assay to water samples from natural and piped sources across 15,118 km² in northeast Thailand, collected from or near the households of 439 participants with melioidosis. We compared these with households of 190 participants with other bacterial infections and 506 healthy control participants living in the same endemic region who had never developed melioidosis. CRISPR-BEEPs detects B. pseudomallei in 73.3% of groundwater, 32.9% of surface water, and 26.2% of piped water samples, with results comparable to double-qPCR. The improved sensitivity reveals a significant association between environmental detection within 10 km of households and melioidosis risk (OR 2.74; 95% CI:1.38-5.48), an association undetectable using conventional methods. These findings expose critical sanitation gaps and highlight the value of high-resolution environmental surveillance for disease prevention.

An alternative strategy for balancing profit maximization and risk reduction

Portfolio diversification is a central theme in modern investment theory. We revisit the classic return–risk trade-off and propose an alternative objective Q λ ( w ) = μ ⊤ w + λ ( w ⊤ Σ w ) − 1 / 2 that balances higher expected returns with a direct penalty on portfolio volatility via the inverse standard deviation. This objective belongs to the axiomatic class of mean–variance preferences (as formalised by [1] for additively separable forms) and admits tractable solutions, including a closed-form characterisation in the two-asset case. In rolling out-of-sample backtests on standard Fama–French equity portfolios with realistic trading costs and long-only constraints, Q λ delivers statistically significantly lower realised volatility (paired t-test p  < 0.01) and shallower maximum drawdowns than the Sharpe-maximising benchmark, while maintaining average performance comparable to Markowitz, equal-weight, and risk-parity strategies. These advantages persist across major stress episodes (GFC, COVID-19, 2022 rate shock) and are robust over a wide range of the trade-off parameter λ . The results position Q λ as a pragmatic alternative for investors who value smoother wealth paths and robust downside protection.

Mesoporous peptide frameworks engineered from crystallizable collagen-mimetic peptide amphiphiles

Abstract The rational design of porous frameworks with tunable pore dimensions and chemical functionalities is a critical step toward their implementation in diverse applications. While traditional porous materials are typically constructed from abiotic components, there is increasing interest in employing biologically derived building blocks ( e.g ., peptides and proteins) that offer unmatched structural and functional diversity. Here, we report the construction of crystalline mesoporous frameworks that are self-assembled from amphiphilic collagen-mimetic peptides. Comprehensive structural characterization via microscopy, spectroscopy, and computational techniques provides insights into the assembly packing model, in which hexagonally packed channels are interconnected by antiparallel-aligned collagen triple helices via hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. Lastly, we demonstrate the functional potential of aCMP frameworks through the encapsulation of various molecular guests, including doxorubicin, an anti-cancer drug. Overall, this work establishes a class of mesoporous frameworks, derived from synthetically engineerable peptide conjugates, marking a significant step forward in broadening the architectural scope and application potential of peptide-based materials.

Equity premium forecasting with reliability-screened forward-looking signals

Forecasting the equity risk premium is challenging because predictive relationships are unstable out of sample. We propose a two-stage framework that generates forward-looking signals from standard macro-financial predictors and admits them only when they satisfy predictor-level reliability criteria. In Stage 1, each predictor is forecast one step ahead to obtain an expected movement and an uncertainty proxy. In Stage 2, lagged predictors are augmented with the admitted signals and mapped into next-period excess returns using random forests, optionally combined with SHAP-guided screening and dimension reduction. Using monthly U.S. data from 1952 to 2024, we evaluate both benchmark-relative out-of-sample accuracy and the economic value of forecasts in a constrained mean-variance allocation. Selective admission improves out-of-sample accuracy and, in selected specifications, yields economically meaningful gains in risk-adjusted performance and drawdown control. Tail-conditional diagnostics show that these gains are concentrated disproportionately in downside market states, helping explain when statistical improvements translate into economic value. The main qualitative patterns remain robust across alternative learners, across the S&P 500 and the CRSP value-weighted market index, and under net of transaction cost evaluation and alternative portfolio volatility checks. Taken together, the findings suggest that forward-looking predictor information is most useful when admitted selectively on the basis of predictor-level reliability, with its practical value lying less in universal forecast improvements than in more robust and downside-sensitive equity premium forecasting.

Structural basis for RNA synthesis and inhibition of the orthobunyavirus polymerase

Analysis of Torquetenovirus DNA levels in NSCLC patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

In recent years, Torquetenovirus (TTV) load has emerged as a potential biomarker of immune competence across various clinical contexts, albeit its significance in cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the level of TTV viral load in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). A total of 64 NSCLC patients were enrolled. Serum TTV DNA levels were quantified by real-time PCR at baseline (T0) and after three months of ICI therapy (T1). As control, TTV levels were also measured in a cohort of healthy donors at a single time point. Statistical analyses were performed to compare TTV copy numbers across groups and time points. At baseline, cancer patients exhibited significantly higher TTV viral loads than healthy donors, consistent with an immunocompromised status. Following ICI treatment, a significant decline in TTV levels was observed in the oncologic cohort, reaching values comparable to those of healthy individuals, with a more pronounced decrease observed in patients responsive to therapy. This study provides the first evidence that TTV viral load decreases following immunotherapy in NSCLC patients, potentially reflecting a restoration of immune competence. These findings support the hypothesis that TTV monitoring could serve as a surrogate marker of immune function during ICI treatment. Further large-scale, longitudinal studies are warranted to validate its clinical meaning in oncologic settings.

The actual Co(10-12) surface structure and CO activation

Comprehensive metabolomic characterization of defense reprogramming in Castanea mollissima under Oligonychus ununguis feeding stress

Piercing-sucking arthropods such as the chestnut red mite (CRM) Oligonychus ununguis impair leaf tissues by extracting nutrients from mesophyll cells, thereby lowering the photosynthetic capacity and nut yield in Chinese chestnut ( Castanea mollissima Bl.). Despite its economic significance, the metabolic mechanisms underlying chestnut responses to mite infestation remain poorly understood. Comparative leaf metabolomic analyses were conducted on four cultivars exhibiting different resistance levels to elucidate these mechanisms. The leaf chlorosis index was used to assess resistance, and three pairwise comparison groups were established accordingly. Secondary metabolomic profiling demonstrated that resistant varieties exhibited more pronounced metabolic reprogramming following infestation than susceptible cultivars. Among the secondary metabolites detected, flavonoids and phenolic acids were predominant. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis identified numerous differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) associated with flavonoid, flavonol, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways. Remarkably, 27 phenylpropanoids and flavonoids were significantly accumulated in resistant cultivars but were largely undetected or showed no substantial variation in vulnerable cultivars. These findings indicate that specific phenylpropanoids and flavonoids, along with their corresponding biosynthetic networks, are integral to the resistance of the species against infestation by chestnut red mites. This study provides a metabolic foundation for breeding mite-resistant chestnut varieties.

Naïve CD4+ T-cells and disease status at CART infusion correlate with clinical outcomes in real-world large B-cell lymphoma patients receiving second-line CAR T therapy

Development of a multiplex fluorescent qPCR assay for the simultaneous detection of bovine viral diarrhea virus and pathogenic Escherichia coli

Neonatal calf diarrhea, primarily caused by bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K99, poses a significant threat to the cattle industry. This study aimed to develop a multiplex qPCR assay for the simultaneous detection of both pathogens. We established specific primers and probes and generated optimized qPCR standard curves, achieving high analytical sensitivity, with limits of detection of 10² copies/μL for the BVDV target fragment and 10¹ copies/μL for the E. coli K99 plasmid DNA, without cross-reactivity with other bovine pathogens. The assay demonstrated good repeatability and was validated using clinical samples, confirming its effectiveness for accurate diagnostics. This multiplex qPCR assay enhances monitoring of BVDV and E. coli infections in livestock, potentially reducing economic losses from outbreaks.

Dynamic variations of metal-O bonding in electro- and thermo-catalytic activation processes

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding occupational protection among orthopedic theatre nurses using orthopedic power tools (OPTs): A cross-sectional study

Introduction The objective of this study was to explore the factors associated with the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of orthopedic theatre nurses with regard to occupational protection when orthopedic power tools (OPTs) are used to provide a reference for ensuring the occupational safety of nurses working in orthopedic surgery rooms. Methods This cross-sectional survey involved 272 orthopedic theatre nurses across eight tertiary hospitals in Shanxi Province, China, between September and December 2024. An occupational protection assessment tool that was self-developed and included 3 dimensions (Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice), containing a total of 45 items, was utilized among operating theatre nurses with OPTs. Results The median as the cutoff, 52.9% (144/272) of respondents had an adequate Knowledge score, while 47.1% (128/272) had a good score; 54.0% (147/272) of the respondents had a positive Attitude score, and 46.0% (125/272) had a negative attitude; 53.7% (146/272) of the participants demonstrated good performance in the Practice score, whereas 46.3% (126/272) showed poor performance. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that the knowledge scores of those with a bachelor’s degree (aOR=7.040; 95% CI: 3.204–15.466; p < 0.001), senior professional title (aOR=5.216; 95% CI: 1.228–22.155; p = 0.025), occupational protection training frequency less than 6 months (aOR=10.085; 95% CI: 4.146–24.533; p < 0.001) or 6–12 months (aOR=6.550; 95% CI: 3.262–13.153; p < 0.001) and actively consulting the latest professional protection knowledge (aOR=2.652; 95% CI: 1.426–4.931; p = 0.002) were higher and statistically significant. Senior title (aOR=5.226; 95% CI: 1.409–19.387; p = 0.013), occupational exposure (aOR=2.770; 95% CI: 1.484–5.169; p = 0.001) and Knowledge scores (aOR=2.663; 95% CI: 1.581–4,448; p < 0.001) yielded attitude scores that were higher and statistically significant. Attitude scores (aOR=3.683; 95% CI: 2.106–6.441; p < 0.001), actively consulting the latest professional protection knowledge (aOR=2.962; 95% CI: 1.686–5.201; p = 0.001), and higher Knowledge scores (aOR=2.255; 95% CI: 1.294–3.930; p = 0.004) were independently associated with better practice scores. Conclusion Nurses in the orthopedic operating room had a positive attitude toward the occupational protection of using power tools, but their knowledge was insufficient, and their practice behavior was poor. Normative guidelines for occupational protection in the workplace of an orthopedic theatre and a training and evaluation system should be developed. Moreover, future measures should focus on education and training for occupational protection. Additionally, developing and designing occupational protective equipment that is more convenient for orthopedic surgery is important. Reporting method This research was designed as a cross-sectional survey study that was conducted in strict accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.

Highly luminescent carbazole-functionalized tris(tribromophenyl)methyl radicals with stable circularly polarized photoluminescence

Abstract Brominated trityl radicals form stable enantiomers and present promising candidates for molecular qubits in spintronic and quantum technologies. However, their inherently weak photoluminescence ( ϕ  < 3 %) limits optical spin readout. Here, we report the synthesis of three carbazole-functionalized tris(2,4,6-tribromophenyl)methyl (TTBrM) radicals via Buchwald-Hartwig cross-coupling. These chiral open-shell emitters exhibit high photoluminescence quantum yields of up to ϕ  = 72%, comparable to their chlorinated analogues, with red-shifted emission ( λ PL  = 646-688 nm) due to enhanced charge-transfer character. Enantiomeric resolution via chiral chromatography yields stable atropisomers (T rac > 90 °C) with strong circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence showing dissymmetry factors ( g abs , g lum ) of order 10⁻⁴. EPR confirms spin localization on the trityl unit ( g  ≈ 2.006) with phase memory times T m of 1.5 – 1.6 µs, while donor methylation improves photostability ( t 1/2 up to 49 min). These bright, chiral TTBrM derivatives offer a significant advance toward stable molecular qubits.

A sustainable yarn tension control technique for optimizing textile dyeing efficiency and water use

The textile dyeing sector contributes significantly to excessive water and energy use and environmental pollution. Managing yarn tension during the rewinding process is a crucial challenge in textile dyeing, as it has a direct impact on yarn quality, resource consumption, and overall efficiency. Traditional tension control techniques ignore how tension variation affects the production of wastewater and the need for chemical treatment. Using a digital signal processor (TMS320F28335), this study introduces a novel event-driven yarn tension control method for soft winding machines that maintains ideal, constant tension across fine, medium, and thick cotton yarn counts. The suggested method dramatically reduces tension variance, as demonstrated by experimental validation conducted at a leading Egyptian cotton yarn producer. This decreases yarn defects by 35% and allows for a 27% increase in machine speed without sacrificing yarn quality. Most significantly, liquor ratio data show that optimized tension management reduces water consumption during dyeing by 65–70%, thereby lowering chemical use and wastewater generation. Additionally, energy use dropped by almost 20%, improving process sustainability. This integrated strategy promotes the triple bottom line of social, economic, and environmental advantages and is consistent with cleaner manufacturing principles. The results provide a scalable methodology for environmentally friendly textile production, especially appropriate for developing nations with limited resources.

Satisfaction with life in relation to sleep health among a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults

Abstract To investigate associations between life satisfaction and sleep health among adults in the United States, we analyzed cross-sectional, nationally-representative data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey. Life satisfaction was dichotomized as ‘very satisfied/satisfied’ vs. ‘dissatisfied/very dissatisfied.’ Sleep duration was defined as ‘recommended’ vs. ‘short’ (≥ 7 vs.<7 h), infrequent insomnia symptoms as difficulty falling/staying asleep: ‘yes’ [never/some days for both] vs. ‘no’ [most days/every day to either], and restorative sleep as feeling well rested in the past 30 days: ‘yes’ [most days/every day] vs. ‘no’ [never/some days]. Using survey-weighted Poisson regression with robust variance adjusting for confounders, we estimated prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) overall and by age, sex, race, and ethnicity to test for effect modification. Among 25,090 adults (mean age of 48.1 ± 0.17 years; 54% women), 96.0% reported life satisfaction with comparable prevalence across age (18–30 years [96.6%], 31–49 years [96.4%], and ≥ 50 years [95.0%]) and among men [95.6%] along with women [95.6%]. Prevalence by race and ethnicity ranged from 93.9% [non-Hispanic (NH)-multiracial/other] to 98.0% [NH-Asian]. Life satisfaction vs. dissatisfaction was associated with recommended sleep duration (aPR:1.14 [95% CI:1.07–1.21]), infrequent insomnia symptoms (aPR:1.25 [95% CI:1.16–1.33]), and restorative sleep (aPR:1.61 [95% CI:1.45–1.79]) even after further adjustment. Age, sex, race, and ethnicity did not modify associations between life satisfaction and sleep. Life satisfaction was associated with recommended sleep duration, infrequent insomnia symptoms, and restorative sleep. Pathways underlying the life satisfaction-sleep relationship should be identified to inform interventions.

Photoinduced correlations in stochastic dynamics of a solid-state ionic conductor

Abstract Photoexcitation by ultrashort laser pulses plays a crucial role in controlling reaction pathways, creating nonequilibrium material properties, and probing complex molecular dynamics. The photoresponse following a laser pulse is generally nonidentical between exposures due to spatiotemporal fluctuations or the stochastic nature of dynamical pathways. However, most ultrafast pump-probe experiments struggle to distinguish intrinsic sample fluctuations from extrinsic apparatus noise, often missing deviations from the averaged response. Leveraging the stability and high photon flux of time-resolved X-ray micro-diffraction at a synchrotron, we characterized stochastic photoinduced dynamics in a solid-state ionic conductor. By analyzing temporal evolutions of the lattice parameter of a single grain, we found that shot-to-shot fluctuations are not independent. Instead, correlations exist between nonequilibrium lattice trajectories following adjacent shots, with a characteristic correlation length of approximately 1500 shots, corresponding to an energy barrier of 0.4 ± 0.1 eV, close to the activation energy of lithium-ion diffusion.

LAMP2A-dependent chaperone-mediated autophagy enhances oxidative stress resistance in gastric cancer cells through selective degradation of accumulated oxidized DJ-1

Chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) promotes cancer cell survival by selectively removing oxidatively damaged proteins, yet its precise molecular mechanisms and role in redox adaptation remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to elucidate the function of CMA in regulating oxidative stress resistance in gastric cancer (GC) cells, focusing on the LAMP2A–DJ-1 regulatory axis. LAMP2A expression was assessed in GC tissues and cell lines via immunohistochemistry, qPCR, and western blot. Oxidative stress models were established using hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Genetic manipulation of LAMP2A was performed to evaluate its impact on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and CMA substrate recognition. Protein interactions were examined by co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence. We found that LAMP2A was upregulated in GC and further induced by oxidative stress. Knockdown of LAMP2A impaired CMA activity, sensitizing GC cells to H₂O₂-induced apoptosis. DJ-1, an antioxidant protein, was identified as a CMA substrate containing a conserved KFERQ-like motif. Oxidative stress enhanced DJ-1–LAMP2A interaction and promoted their lysosomal colocalization. LAMP2A deficiency led to accumulation of hyperoxidized DJ-1, concomitant with upregulation of pro-apoptotic BAX and downregulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. We identify hyperoxidized DJ-1 as a novel CMA substrate and demonstrate that LAMP2A-dependent clearance of oxidized DJ-1 constitutes a key adaptive mechanism that maintains redox homeostasis and promotes survival in gastric cancer cells under oxidative stress.

Ice-free vitrification of embryos and its impact on post-warming outcomes

A robust physics-constrained neural operator framework for efficient geothermal resource development

Abstract Efficient evaluation of geothermal systems is critical for reliable and scalable development. However, conventional workflows are often constrained by the high computational cost of numerical simulations and the limited fidelity and generalizability of surrogate models. Here we present a physics-constrained neural operator framework that enables rapid, high-resolution, and physically consistent system-level evaluation of geothermal performance. By learning the solution operator of governing partial differential equations under physical constraints, the method captures both subsurface dynamics and surface energy production across diverse geological heterogeneity, reservoir conditions, and operational strategies. It achieves an average relative error of 1.76% over more than 7×10⁸ reservoir prediction points and 1.70% for over 6×10 4 target variables, while delivering approximately 1,400-fold acceleration compared to conventional numerical methods. By further integrating modules for power output estimation and economic evaluation, the framework enables consistent techno-economic assessment across multiple geothermal applications. This capability supports rapid ensemble-based analyses, including resource assessment, uncertainty quantification, and multi-objective optimization, providing a scalable pathway for geothermal development.