Browse Articles

A cross-sectional study on the impact of early systematic antidepressant therapy on positive/negative affect and impulsivity in euthymic bipolar disorder patients

Background and objectives Due to an initial misdiagnosis, bipolar patients who experienced a depressive episode as their first onset were often treated with antidepressants, and continued to exhibit sleep disturbances and elevated impulsivity, even during periods of euthymia. The study aims to assess the effect of systematic antidepressant treatments in the early stages on impulsivity and positive/negative affect in patients with bipolar euthymic disorder. Additionally, it explores the potential mediating effects of positive/negative affect on the relationship between antidepressant uses and impulsivity. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 124 Han Chinese patients with bipolar disorder (BD), who were equally divided into two groups based on a history of systematic antidepressant treatments in the early stages: the systematic antidepressant treatment (AT) group and the no antidepressant treatment (NT) group. Participants were assessed using the Positive and Negative Affect Scale and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Statistical analyses included Chi-square tests, t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and mediation analysis using bootstrapping. Results Patients in the AT group exhibited significantly higher levels of negative affect (p = 0.017), attentional impulsivity (p = 0.035), non-planning impulsivity (p = 0.010), and total impulsivity (p = 0.011) compared to those in the NT group. No significant differences were found in positive affect or motor impulsivity between the two groups. There was a significant inverse correlation between negative affect and motor impulsivity (p < 0.01). Mediation analysis indicated that negative affect did not play a significant mediating role between systematic antidepressant treatments and impulsivity. Conclusions Systematic antidepressant treatment in the early stages is associated with increased negative affect and impulsivity during bipolar euthymia. These findings highlight the importance of cautious antidepressant prescription and the need for early diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies for BD patients. Longitudinal research is warranted to further elucidate the relationships between antidepressant use, affect state and impulsivity.

LSTM-GRU hybrid model for multi-layer microclimate prediction in solar greenhouse

Cadmium-induced DAG-PKC/IP3-Ca2+ double signaling pathway and cell injury in gill of freshwater crabs Sinopotamon henanense

Cadmium (Cd) is an extremely toxic heavy metal and widespread in the environment, which has been demonstrated closely associated with numerous organs damage and even death. To evaluate the signaling pathway and the toxicity induced by Cd 2+ in aquatic organisms, freshwater crabs Sinopotamon henanense were exposed to Cd 2+ (0, 14.5, 29 and 58 mg/L) for 4 d. The results showed that Cd 2+ induced the increase of diacylglycerol (DAG) and inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate (IP 3 ), the rapid change of Ca 2+ concentration in the cytoplasm and activation of protein kinase C (PKC) in the gill of crab. Also, Cd 2+ raised the expressions of 6 genes relating with protein detoxification and folding, including cytochrome P450 (CYP450), BAG regulator 3 (BAG3), protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and 3 genes encoding heat shock proteins (Hsp21, Hsp27 and Hsp70). And, it was observed that Cd 2+ exposure aggravated filament swelling and raised the number of dead epidermal cell in gill. Meanwhile, Cd 2+ exposure degraded DNA which was accompanied by an obvious decrease in ATP level. In conclusion, Cd 2+ triggered DAG-PKC/IP 3 -Ca 2+ double signaling pathway, caused gene expression, DNA degradation and ATP decrease, and finally induced the cell injury in S. henanense based on histological observation. This study would provide us fundamental information to discover the underlying mechanism of Cd 2+ -induced cytotoxicity.

A low-profile omnidirectional circularly polarized antenna using integrated patch and CRLH loop structures

Forecasting under-five stunting in Ethiopia using classical and machine learning time series models

Background The prevalence of under-five stunting in Ethiopia remains above 30%, which, according to World Health Organization (WHO), constitutes a major public health concern. Stunting has long-term consequences for child growth, development, and overall health. Accurate forecasting of its prevalence is therefore essential to guide policymakers and inform targeted interventions. This study aimed to forecast the prevalence of under-five stunting in Ethiopia for the period 2025–2030 using historical data and time series modeling. Methods Annual under-five stunting prevalence data for Ethiopia from 2000 to 2024 were retrieved from the WHO Global Health Observatory. Time series forecasting models, including Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA), Exponential Smoothing (ETS), Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), were developed and evaluated. Model performance was assessed using time series cross-validation with mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and R² as evaluation metrics. The best-performing model was applied to forecast stunting prevalence for 2025–2030. Results The ETS model demonstrated the best predictive performance (MAE = 1.09, MAPE = 2.71%, R² = 0.903) and was selected for forecasting. Forecasting indicated a gradual decline in under-five stunting prevalence in Ethiopia from 33.95% in 2025 to 31.95% in 2030. The projected prevalence for 2029 is 32.35% (95% CI: 26.90–37.79%), above the national target of 19%, and the 2030 forecast remains well above the SDG target of ending all forms of malnutrition. Conclusion and recommendation Under-five stunting in Ethiopia is projected to remain above national and SDG targets by 2030, indicating current nutrition efforts are insufficient; national program evaluation and evidence-based policy adjustments are recommended.

Exploring the impact of frequency of robot’s proactive utterances in product introduction dialogues

Abstract This study investigates the impact of the frequency of proactive utterances by interactive agents in product introduction dialogues. Proactive interactive services, unlike traditional reactive services, actively provide information based on user states and situations. This research aims to understand how different frequencies of proactive behaviors affect user evaluation, objective attainment, and the impression of the agent. We developed an interactive agent system capable of delivering proactive utterances at two different frequencies: low and high. The low-frequency condition involved the agent making proactive utterances following its own reactive responses, while the high-frequency condition included additional proactive utterances during silent periods in the dialogue. The experiment compared these two conditions in terms of dialogue duration, information conveyed, user participation, and user impressions. Results indicated that high-frequency proactive utterances led to higher agent proactivity but reduced user proactivity. Moreover, the high-frequency also improved the perceived speaking skills and animacy for the agent. The detailed analysis of high-frequency condition implied that moderate frequency of proactive behaviors are rated higher by users than extremes frequency. These findings highlight the importance of balancing proactive behavior to enhance interactive service experiences without overwhelming the user. Future research should explore these dynamics in more diverse and naturalistic settings to further validate and expand upon these results.

In vivo mouse model of calcific myonecrosis induced by injury

Skeletal muscle is the major tissue that provides a space and source for bone, which is formed by osteoblasts through the secretion of extracellular matrices, such as type I collagen, and the deposition of hydroxyapatite calcium phosphate crystals. In the present study, we injected notexin, a snake venom, into skeletal muscle to induce local injury. Notexin injection caused local ectopic calcification in muscle fibers within a couple of days, which remained for more than 16 months. In contrast to ectopic bone formation, the damaged muscles after injection of notexin contains neither bone marrow cells, osteoblasts, nor osteoclasts. Histological and chemical analyses of the notexin-induced calcified objects revealed the deposition of stable hydroxyapatite crystals in muscle fibers, which was distinct from ectopic bone formation. We conclude that this in vivo mouse model of calcific myonecrosis induced by injury is useful for studying the molecular mechanisms of and potential therapeutics for calcific myonecrosis.

High-strength salt-tolerant mineralisation strain and microbial reinforcement mechanism of saline soil

Single-cell multiomics data analysis of potential receptors and therapeutic drugs for epilepsy patients comorbid with depression

Depression frequently cooccurs with epilepsy (EP) and has become a focus of clinical management, but effective pharmacological interventions remain limited. In this study, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data were analyzed to identify changes in oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) in EP and major depressive disorder (MDD) patients, and intercellular communication and trajectory analyses were performed. Key therapeutic targets and pathways were identified via differentially expressed genes (DEGs), protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, and gene ontology (GO) enrichment. A connectivity map (CMap) was generated to identify optimal drugs. Molecular dynamics simulation (MDs) and cell thermal stability migration assay (CETSA) were conducted to evaluate protein-drug interactions. The results revealed significant changes in gene expression in OPCs, with neuroligin3 (NLGN3)-neurexin (NRXN) signaling being the main pathway involved. Three hub genes correlated with NLGN3 were enriched in oxidative phosphorylation and mTORC1 signaling. Ziprasidone could effectively treat EP with MDD by strongly binding to NLGN3, forming two hydrogen bonds with a binding energy of −7.5 kcal/mol. This stable interaction was further confirmed by MDs and CETSA experiments. In conclusion, the NLGN3 protein interacts with ziprasidone to form stable complexes, which may activate the NLGN3-NRXN signaling pathway in OPCs and enhance synaptic remodeling by reducing neuroinflammatory responses.

Analytical validation of aldolase, microalbumin and myeloperoxidase in canine saliva and their evaluation in canine gingivitis

Expression of Concern: Toll-Like Receptor 2 Targeted Rectification of Impaired CD8+ T Cell Functions in Experimental Leishmania donovani Infection Reinstates Host Protection

The protective effect of pregnancy on risk for suicide attempt in a Swedish national cohort

Abstract We used national Swedish registry data to investigate the nature of the association between pregnancy and decreased risk for suicide attempt (SA). Analyses included pregnant individuals aged 18–35, biological fathers, and matched controls born 1975–1995. Data were available for between 366,125 and 2,129,244 females (depending on the model) and 359,622 males. We evaluated risk for SA as a function of pregnancy status using three methods designed to strengthen causal inference: a matched cohort design, co-relative analyses, and within-individual analyses. In within-individual analyses, we also examined potential moderators of the pregnancy-SA association, and we conducted separate analyses in the unborn children’s biological fathers. Across all analyses, pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of SA (ORs = 0.15–0.30). Moderation analyses indicated that the potentially protective effect of pregnancy was stronger in unmarried individuals, those with prior registration for externalizing or internalizing disorders, and younger individuals. Decreased SA risk was also observed during the postpartum period (ORs = 0.16–0.31) and in biological fathers (ORs = 0.67–0.82). These findings suggest that risk for non-fatal SA is substantially lower during pregnancy in expectant mothers and fathers, and the association between pregnancy and reduced SA risk may be causal.

Overexpression generates aberrant distribution of endocytic regulators - the case of the Rab11/LAMP1 compartment

While the uptake of cargos via endocytosis and the subsequent trafficking through the cell is crucial for normal cellular function and tightly regulated, the study of this bears challenges. Most studies of Rab GTPases, the primary coordinators of endocytic progression, rely on ectopic expression of fluorescently tagged proteins via transient transfection. Previous studies already showed that the design of the fluorescent tag as well as the unpredictable nature of transient transfection can cause problems. Even though the pitfalls of overexpression have been reported for several research fields, the consequences of overexpression on endocytic trafficking are under-reported. To highlight the importance of working with endogenous levels of proteins to draw conclusions about endosome colocalization and identity, we present an example where the colocalization of two endosomal regulators/markers, Rab11 and LAMP1, varied drastically when these proteins were analyzed at their endogenous levels or following ectopic expression. When both proteins were ectopically expressed, up to 90% colocalization was observed. However, when analyzed at the endogenous level no colocalization was detectable. This study shows how important vesicular trafficking perturbation can occur following ectopic expression of endosomal proteins.

Corn or maize leaf disease classification based on CNN and vision mamba model

Attenuation of higher-order acoustic modes in a cylindrical waveguide using lined panel-cavity coupling

This work presents a mode-matching framework for analyzing acoustic attenuation in a waveguide that incorporates a centrally lined chamber, membrane discs at the interfaces, and extended inlet–outlet sections. The formulation also covers configurations with a lined cavity backed by rigid or soft discs, coupled to a single membrane disc at an interface adjoining an extended radiating region. The acoustic field within the waveguide is expressed through eigenfunction expansions, while the membrane response is modeled using a Galerkin procedure. The membrane displacement is projected onto orthogonal modal solutions constructed via Fourier series expansion. Applying interface continuity and orthogonality relations leads to truncated linear algebraic systems, which are solved numerically. These truncated solutions are then used to reconstruct matching conditions and confirm power conservation, thereby ensuring consistency of the formulation and convergence of modal amplitudes. The analysis reveals strong coupling between incident duct modes and localized cavity resonances, producing a panel–cavity interaction mechanism that drives selective attenuation. Numerical results highlight the efficiency of the proposed configuration in improving sound suppression over targeted frequency ranges under various lining conditions. The study offers practical insights for computational design and optimization of advanced noise-control solutions in ducted systems.

Numerical and experimental investigation of compaction-induced load effects on reinforced earth walls with rigid and flexible facings

When merchandise crowds the aisle and carts crowd the shopper: Joint effects on sales

This research examines how fixture-induced spatial crowding suppresses in-store purchasing and how shopping aids—particularly carts—amplify this effect by expanding users’ peripersonal space and diminishing perceived control. In doing so, it addresses a central trade-off in retail design: while secondary in-aisle fixtures can increase incremental category-level exposure and sales, they simultaneously constrain shoppers’ effective space, leaving the net effect on overall aisle-level purchasing unclear. Across three studies—a 12-week scanner-based field experiment, a behavioral-tracking field experiment, and a scenario-based laboratory experiment—supported by an additional pilot, we provide causal, in-store evidence that fixture-induced spatial crowding reduces purchase behavior, lowering both in-aisle activity and sales. In one field experiment, removing mid-aisle fixtures increased sales despite reduced displayed merchandise. These effects are unlikely to be explained by differences in human crowding, assortment, or promotions. We further demonstrate that the “effective” space a shopper experiences is determined by the retail layout and the shopper’s physical footprint. Shopping aids, especially carts, expand peripersonal space and heighten sensitivity to spatial constraints, reducing perceived control. A moderated-mediation analysis shows that perceived control mediates the effects of spatial crowding on purchasing, with stronger indirect effects for cart (vs. basket) users. The results have clear implications for fixture planning by challenging the widespread assumption that maximizing the use of in-aisle fixtures supports sales at the aggregate level.

Mine intelligent ventilation event capture and scheme reasoning knowledge base

Casting a long shadow: Exploring the link between childhood maltreatment and cancer in adulthood

Childhood adversities, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, and exposure to parental domestic violence (PDV), have been linked to negative health outcomes in adulthood, yet their specific association with cancer in older Canadians remains understudied. The current study investigated the associations between these specific childhood adversities and cancer in Canadian older adults. We conducted a secondary analysis of the nationally representative cross-sectional 2022 Canadian Mental Health and Access to Care Survey (MHACS). The sample size was 2,636 Canadians aged 65 and older. Bivariate and logistic regression models assessed the relationship between self-reported cancer diagnoses and self-reported childhood adversities – childhood sexual abuse (CSA) (including unwanted touch/fondling and Childhood Sexual Violence with Coercion (CSVC)), childhood physical abuse (CPA), and PDV. Logistic regression analyses controlled for demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, health behaviors, chronic pain, mental health conditions, and psychosocial factors. In the bivariate analyses, those who had experienced childhood adversities had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher prevalence of cancer than those who had not (CPA 28% vs. 20.7%; PDV 26.5% vs. 20.6%; CSVC 35.5%; unwanted touch/fondling 25.5%, no CSA 20%). After comprehensive adjustment for demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, and psychosocial factors, CSVC was associated with double the odds of cancer diagnosis (odds ratio = 2.05; 95% confidence interval 1.41–2.98), but the other forms of childhood adversity no longer reached statistical significance. Childhood adversities are associated with an elevated prevalence of cancer in later life, and the association between CSVC and cancer remained significant even after adjustments for most of the known risk factors for cancer. Further longitudinal research exploring stress-induced biological changes and immune dysregulation is needed among those with a history of childhood adversities. These findings lend support to the integration of trauma-informed care into oncology services.

Sustainable heteroatom doped biochar for methylene blue adsorption with structure function insights

Abstract This study investigates the enhancement of agro-derived biochars as sustainable, low-cost adsorbents for dye-contaminated wastewater treatment. Four agricultural residues—rice straw (RS), date palm fiber (DP), sugarcane bagasse (SCB), and giant reed ( Arundo donax L., GR)—were evaluated as biochar precursors. RS, the most carbon-rich, exhibited limited surface reactivity, prompting further modification via hydrothermal nitrogen (N) doping and phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) activation. The modified biochars were characterized for surface chemistry, porosity, and morphology using elemental analysis, FTIR, SEM, and iodine number, and their methylene blue adsorption performance was systematically investigated under varying pH, adsorbent dosage, and initial dye concentration. The novelty of this work lies in the systematic comparison of hydrothermal N-doping, microwave-assisted treatment, and low-cost phosphoric acid activation on the same precursor, elucidating how complementary acidic and basic surface functionalization strategies govern adsorption performance. Adsorption was governed by electrostatic interactions, π–π stacking, hydrogen bonding, and surface complexation, influenced by the biochar’s porosity, surface functional groups, and chemical composition. Hydrothermally N-doped RS (N-RS-HT) exhibited enriched nitrogen content (3.56%), increased basic site density (1.495 mmol g⁻ 1 ), specific surface area (434.9 × 10 3 m 2  kg⁻ 1 ), and adsorption capacity (136.9 ± 6.9 mg g⁻ 1 ), while RS-P showed higher acidity (8.2 mmol g⁻ 1 ), surface area (462.8 × 10 3 m 2  kg⁻ 1 ), and MB uptake (145.8 ± 7.3 mg g⁻ 1 ). Adsorption followed Langmuir isotherms, pseudo-second-order kinetics, and was spontaneous and endothermic, demonstrating complementary strategies for designing high-performance biochar for practical wastewater treatment applications.