Browse Articles

Nucleotide-resolution mapping of regulatory elements via allelic readout of tiled base editing

An optimization scheduling model of multi-energy virtual power plants considering uncertainty constraints and multi-energy coupling characteristics

Existing research on virtual power plants (VPPs) has not fully integrated the coupling relationships among electricity, heat, hydrogen, and carbon, and scheduling strategies under uncertainty conditions remain imperfect. To address this gap, this paper proposes an optimization scheduling model for a multi-energy virtual power plant (MEVPP) that incorporates uncertainty constraints and multi-energy coupling characteristics. The proposed model integrates biomass co-combustion carbon capture power plants (BCCPP), power-to-ammonia (P2A), and low-carbon chemical production (urea synthesis) within a unified stochastic VPP scheduling framework, achieving multi-energy synergy and flexible coupled operation involving electricity, heat, hydrogen, and carbon. A scenario generation method based on Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) is adopted to formulate a stochastic scheduling model aimed at maximizing the expected total system revenue under wind and solar uncertainties. Simulation results demonstrate that compared to the baseline scenario without carbon capture, the proposed model reduces CO₂ emissions by 38.5% (from 10,000 t to 6,150 t) and total costs by 75.1% (from $800,000 to $199,200) in the optimal scenario. Carbon trading price sensitivity analysis shows that emission reductions can reach 30–38% through constraint adjustments. These findings provide practical insights for system operators and policymakers in advancing low-carbon energy transitions, particularly for China’s dual-carbon goals.

Psychometric properties of the WHO-VFQ-20 questionnaire for assessing vision-related quality of life in Brazilian urban populations with different vision status

Abstract This study aimed to analyze the psychometric properties of the 20-item WHO-Visual Functioning Questionnaire (WHO-VFQ-20). Ordinal data and Rasch analysis were performed to determine instrument precision (internal consistency and reliability) and validity (fit statistics and dimensionality). The WHO-VFQ-20 was administered to 606 adult participants with different ocular conditions and visual acuity levels, stratified by age, sex, and socioeconomic status, from three Brazilian urban populations—a public hospital and two non-governmental institutions located in the outskirts of Sao Paulo city. Ordinal data analysis showed a mean global score of 59.6 ± 25.0 s.d., which consistently reduced with decreasing visual acuity. Higher scores were significantly associated with better overall health, higher education, and being married/cohabitating. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.94 indicated excellent internal consistency. Rasch analysis demonstrated good measurement precision with reliability coefficients of 0.99 and 0.85 for items and persons, respectively. Three items related to ocular pain and mental well-being were identified as misfitting. The variance explained by the measures suggested multidimensionality. Analyzing the instrument as two components (visual functioning and psychosocial functioning) yielded improvement on model fit, indicating acceptable precision and validity of the WHO-VFQ-20 for assessing vision-related quality of life in adults from urban areas of a middle-income country.

Dual slab stagnation depths controlled by grain-size-induced sporadic low-viscosity zones at around 1000 km depth

Tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells alleviate skin inflammation by modulating neutrophil extracellular trap formation and T cell migration

Skin inflammation arises from complex interactions among immune cells, particularly T cells and neutrophils. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit potent immunomodulatory properties, but the specific roles of tonsil-derived MSCs (T-MSCs) in regulating neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation and cell death, as well as T cell migration in inflammatory skin conditions, remain poorly defined. In this study, the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of T-MSCs were investigated in a 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced skin inflammation model, with a focus on NET formation and T cell migration. T-MSCs were intravenously administered to mice with DNCB-induced skin inflammation; inflammation severity and immune cell dynamics were evaluated using histological analysis, flow cytometry, immunostaining, microarray profiling, NET assays, and T cell migration assays. T-MSC treatment reduced DNCB-induced skin inflammation, as demonstrated by decreased epidermal thickness and neutrophil infiltration. Although T-MSCs enhanced NET formation in vitro , they suppressed neutrophil accumulation in vivo . T-MSCs also modulated the distribution and activation of T cell subsets in the skin and secondary lymphoid organs. Gene expression profiling revealed that T-MSCs regulated pathways associated with inflammation and neutrophil activity, including those involved in immune cell trafficking and NET formation. Moreover, T-MSCs promoted T cell migration, although this effect was influenced by neutrophil presence, indicating complex interplay among immune cells. These findings demonstrate that T-MSCs exert anti-inflammatory effects in DNCB-induced skin inflammation by modulating NET formation and T cell migration, revealing a novel immunoregulatory mechanism and supporting their therapeutic potential for inflammatory skin diseases.

Foreign object detection in power transmission lines using SESYOLO

In-cell bypass diodes for high-efficiency and shading-tolerant back contact silicon photovoltaic modules

The role of prehabilitation in improving brain health and cognition after chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer: Study protocol of the Chemo Brain Prehab Project

Introduction Regional disparities in the incidence of colorectal cancer remain a concern within the United Kingdom, particularly in the North West of England, with 37% higher incidences than the national average. Given the growing burden of treatment-related side effects such as cognitive impairment, this study aims to investigate whether prehabilitation can improve brain health and cognitive function in patients with colorectal cancer receiving adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Methods This randomised control trial will recruit eighty-six patients with stage II and III colorectal cancer, who will receive adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (fluorouracil, capecitabine, or oxaliplatin) and will be randomised between prehabilitation and standard care groups. The prehabilitation group will be provided an individualised, home-based exercise programme before and during chemotherapy, multivitamin supplementation, telephone check-ins, and activity devices. The standard care group will be provided with information about physical activity and nutrition at the start of the intervention. Habitual physical activity will be tracked in all patients. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, 72 hours before the first chemotherapy administration, and 72–96 hours after the final treatment. Outcome measures will include cardiopulmonary fitness, neurotrophic biomarkers, electroencephalographic activity, cognitive function tests, and a cognitive-related quality of life assessment. Discussion This study protocol is designed to test whether home-based prehabilitation can improve brain health and reduce chemotherapy-related cognitive impairments in patients with colorectal cancer. Insights from this work may support the development of more accessible and effective prehabilitation programmes to address treatment specific cognitive impairment. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07341217

Characterization of the microstructural, magnetic, and thermal properties of Fe–45Ni fabricated by laser powder bed fusion

Abstract Fe–Ni alloys are binary alloys composed of iron and nickel in various proportions and are widely used in industry owing to their excellent magnetic properties, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability. Among the various Fe–Ni alloys, the Fe–45Ni alloy is suitable for applications requiring both thermal stability and strong magnetic properties. Therefore, this study investigates the effects on metallurgical, magnetic, and thermal properties of an Fe–45Ni alloy manufactured using laser power bed fusion (L-PBF). The microstructure of the sample manufactured under the process conditions with the highest relative density (99.28%) (laser power of 85 W and scan speed of 300 mm/s) was analyzed using electron backscatter diffraction, focusing on both the ZY and XY planes. For the magnetic properties, the permeability and coercivity along the Z- and Y-axes differed, with values of 60.77 × 10 − 3 emu/(g∙Oe) and 20.93 Oe for the Z-axis, and 28.2 × 10 − 3 emu/(g∙Oe) and 34.91 Oe for the Y-axis. For the thermal properties, the Fe–45Ni alloy had excellent thermal properties with a low thermal expansion coefficient of 6.0834 × 10 − 6 and a Curie temperature of 414 ℃. The findings of this study suggest the feasibility of manufacturing Fe–45Ni soft magnetic components with stable thermal properties and high magnetic properties through Fe–45Ni alloy production via the L-PBF process.

Cross-species gene redesign leveraging ortholog information and generative modeling

Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for chronic pain management in chronic kidney disease

Background Chronic pain affects up to 60% of people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), yet remains under-recognised and under-treated. Pain management in this population is complicated by altered drug pharmacokinetics, polypharmacy, and the potential nephrotoxicity of conventional analgesics. Despite the high prevalence and significant impact on quality of life, evidence-based guidance specific to pain management in CKD remains limited. Objectives This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions in reducing chronic pain intensity among people with CKD on dialysis, not on dialysis, and kidney transplant recipients, across all stages of CKD. Methods The primary outcome is the effectiveness of interventions in reducing chronic pain intensity as assessed by pain assessment tools. We will conduct a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov from their inception to the present date to identify studies for chronic pain management in people living with CKD. Study screening will be conducted independently by two reviewers. One reviewer will extract data from each study, with a second reviewer cross-checking for accuracy and completeness. Data will be extracted on study characteristics, participant demographics, intervention components, pain outcomes, and adverse events. The certainty of evidence will be evaluated independently by two reviewers using the GRADE approach. Where applicable, data will be combined in meta-analyses using random-effects models. Additionally, a network meta-analysis will be performed if enough studies are available. Expected results This review will synthesise the current evidence for pain management strategies in CKD, by evaluating effectiveness of interventions among people receiving different renal replacement therapy modalities with varying pain and disease phenotypes. Findings will highlight the comparative effectiveness of various interventions while considering their safety profiles specific to the CKD context. The review will identify gaps in the literature and provide recommendations for clinical practice and future research. Significance This review seeks to deliver a thorough evaluation of pain management strategies for people living with CKD. This systematic review is supported by the UK Kidney Association (UKKA), and findings will inform the upcoming UKKA guideline on symptoms management in people with CKD, alongside the other symptoms including itch, fatigue, and gastrointestinal symptoms. This review will aid clinicians in making well-informed decisions regarding pain management strategies, ensuring a balance between effectiveness and the specific risks associated with CKD.

Environmental DNA metabarcoding facilitates integrative conservation assessments and species rediscoveries in tropical biodiversity hotspots

Abstract Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is an emerging and versatile tool in biodiversity research. With recent advances in field sampling techniques, this approach becomes increasingly suited for application in tropical ecosystems where biodiversity monitoring gaps remain significant and species detection is particularly challenging. Using amphibians as a model, we harness eDNA metabarcoding in 52 localities in the Tropical Andean biodiversity hotspot to rapidly trace elusive, threatened, or presumed extinct species as a baseline for conservation action. Metabarcoding ‘bycatch’ of non-target species further revealed specific environmental threats through the detection of invasive species and pathogens, thus facilitating integrative conservation assessments despite the incompleteness of reference data and the vast species richness hampering biodiversity assessments in complex tropical communities. Consequently, we call for more intense employment of eDNA metabarcoding in conservation to rapidly bridge critical knowledge gaps on elusive species or declining populations in tropical biodiversity hotspots.

A hotspot phosphorylation site on SHP2 drives oncoprotein activation and drug resistance

Abstract SHP2 is a phosphatase and a critical mediator of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)-driven RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Despite promising preclinical data, SHP2 inhibitors have shown minimal clinical efficacy, with no defined clinical mechanisms of primary resistance. Here, we elucidate phosphorylation of SHP2 at tyrosine 62 (pY62) as a hotspot phosphorylation site in the proteome and RTK-driven tumor types in patients. We demonstrate that SRC family kinases directly phosphorylate SHP2 at Y62, downstream of but not directly phosphorylated by RTKs. Using biochemical and biophysical analyses, we show that SHP2 Y62D enforces an open, active conformation, resulting in constitutive phosphatase activation that is sufficient to activate MAPK signaling and confer resistance to allosteric SHP2 inhibitors. These findings establish that SHP2 pY62 is a phosphorylation hotspot phenocopying mutational activation, a mechanism of primary resistance to SHP2 inhibitors, and a cancer drug target distinct from wildtype SHP2.

COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices among people vulnerable to HIV in Uganda: A cross-sectional cohort analysis

Background People with behavioral vulnerability to HIV face barriers to healthcare engagement that may impede uptake of non-pharmaceutical and other interventions to prevent COVID-19. Understanding COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices in this population can inform disease prevention efforts during future pandemics. Materials and methods From October 2022 to September 2024, we enrolled participants aged 14–55 years without HIV who endorsed recent sexually transmitted infection, injection drug use, transactional sex, condomless sex, and/or anal sex with male partners. At enrollment, we collected socio-behavioral data, including assessments of COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Robust Poisson regression with purposeful variable selection was used to estimate prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals for factors associated with COVID-19 preventive practices. Results Among 418 participants, 228 (56.9%) were female, the median age was 21 years (interquartile range 19−24), and 362 (84.9%) reported sex work. Knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 transmission routes was high (95.4%) but lower for the consequences of genetic variants (48.5%−69.7%) and possibility for asymptomatic infection or transmission (66.7%−80.8%). Handwashing was practiced by 90.8% of participants in the preceding month, whereas mask-wearing (76.5%), avoiding symptomatic people (73.7%), and any history of COVID-19 vaccination (46.9%) were less prevalent. Males were more likely to report avoiding symptomatic people (adjusted prevalence ratio 1.16 [95% confidence interval 1.03–1.31]) and COVID-19 vaccination (1.30 [1.05–1.60]). Enrollment during the BQ.1/BQ.1.1 Omicron wave was associated with less mask-wearing (0.81 [0.67–0.99]) but more vaccination (1.59 [1.29–1.95]). Discussion We observed variable COVID-19 knowledge and attitudes among Ugandan adolescents and adults with little impact on COVID-19 preventive practices. Efforts to address suboptimal uptake of disease preventive practices during this and future disease outbreaks will require more than just improving knowledge.

Frequency domain analysis of torsional vibration of single pile in orthotropic viscoelastic layered foundation

In-situ formatting benzisoxazole-linked covalent organic framework for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide generation

Integrating sequence-based GWAS and comparative genomic analysis reveals conservation and species-specificity of putative functional variants influencing tail length and tail abnormalities in pigs and sheep

Long tails trigger tail biting in pigs and increase the risk of flystrike infections in sheep. Tail docking has been a common management practice in both species for decades, but increasingly conflicts with legal animal welfare guidelines. Sustainable solutions require breeding strategies targeting shorter tails. In consequence, the aims were to conduct whole-genome sequencing ( WGS )-based genome-wide association studies ( GWAS ) and comparative genomic analyses ( CGA ) to explore functional elements influencing tail traits. Phenotypically divergent experimental populations of pigs and sheep were established through unified selection and mating experiments. Tail traits included tail length ( TL ) measured at birth, and tail abnormalities ( TA ) assessed radiographically at 14 weeks of age. WGS-based GWAS identified a significant locus on SSC18 in pigs and suggestive loci for TL in both species, which, together with previously reported loci for TA, were further analyzed by CGA. The genomic windows of the significant locus on SSC18 in pigs and the TL GWAS locus on OAR4 in sheep were found to be conserved, harboring six common genes with predicted functional variants. These variants were jointly associated with TL ( P lm   < 0.05 ) in both species in linear regression models adjusted for sex, age of the dam, body length, and body weight. In other GWAS locus windows (±1 Mb), species-specific TL candidate genes were identified in sheep ( HOXB13, MUC5B, EPB41L3, MTCL1, PIEZO2, MPPE1, and LOXHD1 ) and in pigs ( KNL1, DISP2, SPRED1, TGFB2, and HAND1 ), each harboring associated putative functional variants. For TA, sheep-specific candidates ( PGM2, LRRC66, CRACD, LOC105601916, and SH2D4B ) and pig-specific candidates ( MYOT, TMCO6, and PCDHAC2 ) were revealed using logistic regression models ( P glm   < 0.05 ). GO analyses of candidate genes predicted shared biological processes between sheep and pigs, whereas pathway analyses indicated that common carbohydrate metabolism pathways, along with species-specific immune and inflammatory signaling, and pig-specific TGF-β signaling and endochondral ossification, may contribute to tail length variation and abnormalities. These findings provided deeper insights into the genetic basis of differential embryonic tail morphogenesis and perinatal tail development across species.

Instability and performance limits of convolutional neural networks on non-sequential medical tabular data: an empirical investigation

Velocity sensitivity of mechanotransduction in the afferent terminal underlies vibration detection in the Pacinian corpuscle

Profile of Emily E. Brodsky

To study the interplay of mechanical stress and strain in faults, seismologist Emily Brodsky looks for earthquakes with a known trigger, such as a volcano or injection of underground wastewater. These triggers help explain how a fault breaks. Brodsky examines the other parts of the equation by taking the temperature of faults. Brodsky also carries out lab experiments. For example, her acoustical studies have offered insights into the forces at play when fast-moving sand particles behave more like a gas than like a solid. Insights from both approaches inform her Inaugural Article, which suggests that earthquakes not only relieve stress along a fault but also redistribute it.