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An exploratory study of rural landscape health assessment based on multi-functionality and the integrated weighting method in nine villages of Guangzhou
ASO therapy rescues NOTCH2NLC GGC repeat expansion-induced genomic damage, 3D chromatin structural abnormalities, and senescence
Retraction: Stacked-gait: A human gait recognition scheme based on stacked autoencoders
Language model estimates indicate increased outgroup animosity among a sample of politicians, journalists, and partisan users on Twitter and Reddit
African-specific genetic loci determine iron status and risk of severe malaria and bacteremia in African children
Abstract Iron is essential for both humans and pathogens, yet its genetic regulation remains understudied in African populations. Here, we report genome-wide association studies of six iron-related biomarkers in 3928 children from five sites across Africa, with replication in 2868 African American adults and investigate associations with severe malaria and bacteremia. We identify previously unreported loci at genome-wide significance, for transferrin at GTF3C5 , and for hepcidin at CHCHD7 / SDR16C5 . Variants tagging the DUP4 haplotype, encoding the Dantu blood group (rs552439837) are associated with soluble transferrin receptor levels. Variants at GTF3C5 (rs2905094) and DUP4 confer protection against severe malaria and bacteremia. The CHCHD7 / SDR16C5 variant (rs73596248) increases hepcidin levels and is associated with reduced risk of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. Polygenic risk scores derived from European data show limited transferability to African populations. In this work, we demonstrate new genetic insights into iron regulation and highlight iron’s role in host-pathogen interactions.
Retraction: Molecular detection of eukaryotes in a single human stool sample from Senegal
Retraction Note: Defensive proclivity of bacoside A and bromelain against oxidative stress and AChE gene expression induced by dichlorvos in the brain of Mus musculus
Reply to MacColl: Repeated evolution from standing genetic variation
Genetic analysis of F1 cluster phages that infect Mycobacterium smegmatis identifies two distinct holin-like proteins that regulate the host lysis event
Phages Girr and NormanBulbieJr (NBJ) infect Gram-positive Mycobacterium smegmatis mc 2 155. Both phages contain conserved lysis cassettes that harbor two endolysin genes ( lysin A and lysin B ) and two genes encoding transmembrane domain (TMD) holin-like proteins. The first holin-like protein, termed LysF1a is 88 amino acids, has two TMDs and a predicted N-in-C-in membrane topology. The second, termed LysF1b, has a single N-terminal TMD and a predicted N-out-C-in topology making it distinct from the type III holins or spanins in size and membrane topology. Deletion of lysF1b results in severe lysis defect phenotypes manifest by reduced plaque size and changes to lysis timing in liquid culture. Deletion of both lysF1a and lysF1b genes results in phages that show the same lysis phenotypes as the single lysF1b deletion. Phages with only lysF1b are lysis competent and trigger lysis prematurely when exposed to energy poisons while phages with lysF1a or lysF1a/lysF1b deletions do not trigger prematurely. Deletion of genes upstream of the lysis cassette did not impact lysis phenotypes. Lysis recovery mutants were isolated from phages lacking the lysF1b gene and these mutants generated wild type plaque size but triggered lysis prematurely and showed ~65% reductions in burst size. Genome sequencing identified different point mutations that mapped to TMD1 or the C-terminal region of the lysF1a gene. Infection of an M. smegmatis strain that does not produce lipomannan and lipoarabinomannan by either wild type phages or phages carrying the lysF1b deletion showed modest plaque size increases but did not fully complement the lysis defect of phages lacking the lysF1b gene. Collectively, the findings show that both LysF1a and LysF1b proteins are required for efficient bacterial lysis by these F1 cluster phages. LysF1a does not function as a pure antiholin but requires the expression of the LysF1b protein for efficient lysis functioning.
Correction: Clinical implications of systolic blood pressure for diabetic retinopathy across HbA1c levels in a Japanese population
Wombs for rent: Exploring the motivations behind Ghanaian Women’s decisions to become surrogate mothers
This study explores the motivations behind Ghanaian women’s decisions to engage in surrogacy, a growing practice within the country’s assisted reproductive technology landscape. Using a phenomenological qualitative approach, 21 surrogates from three privately owned agencies in Accra were interviewed to uncover the underlying factors influencing their choices. Thematic analysis, guided by Braun and Clarke’s framework, revealed three primary motivators: socio-economic factors, altruism, and religious beliefs. Financial incentives emerged as a significant driver, with participants citing surrogacy as a means to alleviate economic hardship, fund education, or support family needs. However, altruistic motivations were also prevalent, as some women expressed a deep empathy for childless couples and a desire to provide them with a sense of familial completeness. Religious motivations, rooted in Christian doctrines of love and service, further shaped the decisions of a subset of participants, who perceived surrogacy as a moral duty aligned with their faith. The findings underscore the complex interplay between economic vulnerability, cultural norms surrounding motherhood, and ethical considerations in shaping surrogacy decisions. The study situates these motivations within Ghana’s socio-economic context, highlighting how financial necessity intertwines with seemingly altruistic and religious frameworks. It concludes that while altruism and spirituality often surface as explicit motivations, economic realities play a critical underlying role, reflecting broader dynamics of commodification in global reproductive markets. This research contributes to a nuanced understanding of surrogacy in Ghana, providing insights into the ethical and socio-economic dimensions of this reproductive practice.
In Vitro regeneration of bio-immunized banana cv. Grand Naine using a novel double-decker temporary immersion bioreactor
Effects of controversial contexts on opinion changes through discussion and evaluation of decisions: A group decision experiment regarding the issue of removed soil in Fukushima
Designing settings that enable structured deliberation is crucial, particularly for contentious public issues, as debates can sometimes shift opinions toward extremes, create social division, and make it difficult to evaluate decisions positively. Constructive controversy has been proposed to avoid such breakdowns. However, only a few empirical studies have been conducted in the context of contentious public issues. This study aims to examine how competitive and cooperative controversies influence opinion change and decision evaluation in the context of public decision-making by conducting a group decision experiment. The discussion topic was the final disposal of the removed soil outside Fukushima Prefecture, which was caused by a nuclear power plant accident. The removed soil is currently stored in facilities in the towns of Okuma and Futaba, Fukushima Prefecture. By law, the government must complete the final disposal of the removed soil outside Fukushima Prefecture by 2045. The participants were 128 Japanese university students. This study manipulated controversial contexts as independent variables. One was a competitive context condition, whereby participants refuted opposing opinions, and the other was a cooperative context condition, whereby participants contemplated both pros and cons thoroughly. Each group consisted of four participants, and there were 32 groups in total (16 per condition). Participants in both conditions discussed and decided whether to approve the final disposal of the removed soil outside Fukushima Prefecture. The results indicated no significant differences in opinion changes between the conditions. However, participants in the cooperative condition evaluated their decisions more positively than those in the competitive condition did. Notably, under competitive conditions, participants whose pre-discussion opinions were not reflected in the groups’ decisions tended to rate outcomes less favorably. These findings contribute to a deliberative design and lead to more structured discussions on public issues.
Microtensile bond strength and dentin–adhesive interface of universal adhesives before and after artificial aging: an in vitro study
Computational and immunoinformatics approaches for designing phytocompound-based drugs and a multi-epitope vaccine targeting FemA, a cell wall protein of Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus , a bacterial pathogen, is increasingly linked to severe healthcare-associated diseases, from mild skin infections to toxic shock syndrome. Due to limitations in conventional methods, we use computational techniques to screen potential phytocompounds for new drug development and to construct a multiepitope vaccine. Aminoacyltransferase FemA, essential for peptidoglycan formation, was chosen as the target protein for drug and vaccine development. Meanwhile, 1100 phytocompounds were retrieved from 54 plants using the NPASS database and analyzed for drug-likeness and ADMET properties. Paulownin was selected for its higher binding affinity (−7.78 Kcal/mol) than the control drug, Doxycycline (−7.5 Kcal/mol) in molecular docking. It also showed lower RMSD, RMSF, and stronger hydrogen bonding (1.11/0.8 Å, 1.594/1.613 Å, and 3/2, respectively) in molecular dynamics simulations. It demonstrated potential higher affinity, scoring −39.74 ± 6.05 Kcal/mol, outperforming Doxycycline's −28.15 ± 5.90 Kcal/mol in MM-GBSA. For the vaccine, 12 selected epitopes were compiled utilizing GPGPG, two KK peptides, and AAY linkers. The N-flanking immunogenicity of the vaccine was enhanced by adding a lipoprotein adjuvant, LprG. The vaccine alone and the vaccine with the receptor molecule TLR2 showed RMSF (4.247 Å/2.42 Å), RMSD (12.9 Å/7.52 Å), SASA (228.48 nm²/220.29 nm²), Rg (33.76 Å/28.48 Å), and hydrogen bonds (171/165), indicating the vaccine’s predicted immune response patterns. These findings computationally prioritize Paulownin and the multi-epitope construct as candidates for further experimental evaluation. As the study is entirely in silico, experimental validation is required to confirm biological activity and immunogenicity.
Climate-aware hybrid Kolmogorov–Arnold networks for interpretable solar radiation forecasting
Abstract Accurate short-term solar radiation forecasting is essential for the reliable integration of photovoltaic systems into modern power grids, particularly in regions characterized by strong climatic heterogeneity. This study proposes a Climate-Aware Hybrid Kolmogorov–Arnold Network (CA-HKAN) framework for forecasting hourly Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) under diverse atmospheric regimes. The framework integrates an intrinsically interpretable spline-based Kolmogorov–Arnold Network with a feed-forward neural network through a deterministic switching mechanism governed by Extreme Value Theory (EVT). EVT is employed to derive climate-specific clearness-index thresholds, which are scaled to delineate stable and volatile irradiance regimes. These thresholds deterministically activate the interpretable spline-based component under physically stable conditions, while a neural network fallback is engaged during volatile or extreme atmospheric states. The proposed approach is evaluated using hourly meteorological and irradiance data from five climatically distinct regions in Saudi Arabia, representing desert, coastal, mountainous, and transitional environments. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed CA-HKAN framework achieves predictive accuracy competitive with modern deep learning baselines, such as CNN–BiLSTM models, across all regions while maintaining physical consistency, including non-negativity and realistic irradiance bounds. Compared with standalone models, the hybrid approach offers a favorable balance between accuracy, robustness, and transparency. Ablation analyses further confirm the complementary roles of the hybrid components and the effectiveness of EVT-based regime control. Overall, the CA-HKAN framework provides a practical and interpretable solution for climate-aware solar radiation forecasting, supporting trustworthy deployment in sustainable energy systems operating under heterogeneous and non-stationary atmospheric conditions.
Optical quality of Fresnel-structured hyperopic implantable collamer lenses: A ray-tracing analysis
To achieve positive refractive power, implantable collamer lenses (ICLs) for hyperopia increase central thickness, which in turn raises the risk of pupil blockage and lens contact in eyes with shallow anterior chambers. Additionally, incorporating a central hole raises concerns about stray light and halo formation due to increased thickness. This study used optical simulation to evaluate the imaging performance of hyperopic ICLs, highlighting the Fresnel structure’s potential to reduce thickness while maintaining imaging performance. Optical simulations were performed using Ansys Zemax OpticStudio 2024 R2 (Ansys, Inc.). An ICL with +10.00 D correction was designed for the Liou & Brennan model eye. The vault was set to 0.50 mm, and the central hole diameter was set to 0.36 mm. Fresnel ICLs (Fr. ICLs) with step heights ranging from 25 to 100 µm were compared with the reference ICL (Ref. ICL). Modulation transfer function (MTF) analyses were performed at internal artificial pupil diameters of 3.00 mm and 4.50 mm, both with and without holes. By reducing the central thickness from 0.80 mm to 0.40 mm, the Fr. ICL for hyperopia showed higher MTF values than the Ref. ICL at both pupil diameters. The difference was particularly significant at 4.50 mm. A slight MTF decrease due to the central hole was observed at 3.00 mm internal artificial pupil diameter. A step height of 50 µm or more suppressed contrast reduction at high spatial frequencies. Although further research is needed in illumination optics and clinical studies, ray-tracing simulations have demonstrated that the designed hyperopia-correcting Fr. ICL can reduce central thickness while maintaining or improving optical performance, making it a promising candidate for clinical application.
Multivector model predictive control for multiphase induction machines with dead-time knowledge
Abstract As requirements in the field of energy efficiency and transport have become more demanding, multiphase technology has begun to emerge in commercial applications in order to meet these demands. In terms of multiphase electric drive regulation, model predictive control has gained traction thanks to its fast dynamic response, flexibility and easy control design. Furthermore, the development of implicit modulators such as multivector solutions has provided these schemes with competitive current quality results. However, the use of higher sampling frequencies in the pursuit of an improved performance presents a blind spot for these control solutions. More concretely, the dead time of voltage source converters (VSCs) has an increasing impact on multiphase electric drives as the sampling frequency becomes higher. The present work first analyses how this phenomenon affects the uniquely available subspaces which characterize multiphase systems. Following these results, dead-time information is added in a multivector predictive scheme and the cost function is reformulated to mitigate its impact. Different operating metrics have been employed to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm to increase current quality in a six-phase drive when dead-time effect appears.
Trends and correlations of infection rates and drug resistance of Escherichia coli among ICU and Non-ICU patients in Guizhou, China
Objective Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) is a common opportunistic pathogen. The objective of this study was to analyze the characteristics, trends, and correlations E. coli infection rates and drug resistance patterns between intensive care unit (ICU) and non-ICU patients in Guizhou, China. These findings can provide valuable information for treating E. coli infections and enriching the theoretical framework for controlling bacterial infections and drug resistance. Methods Samples were collected from both outpatients and inpatients. Identification of bacterial species, extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) testing, and drug susceptibility testing for 17 antibiotics were performed using the VITEK-2 Compact system. Trends were examined using correlation analyses with a two-tailed Pearson’s test in SPSS 26.0. Results E. coli was the most frequently detected pathogen. Infection rates showed a decreasing trend, which positively correlated with declining ESBL-positive rates, comprehensive drug resistance rates (defined as the ratio of total resistant results to total tests across 17 antimicrobial agents), and multidrug resistance (MDR) rates. Furthermore, the trend in ICU detection rates was positively correlated with declines in comprehensive drug resistance and MDR rates. Conclusion Declining infection and ICU detection rates of E. coli were associated with reduced drug resistance rates. Controlling infection and drug resistance rates in E. coli may synergistically improve clinical outcomes.