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Hybrid lightweight vision transformers with attention mechanism for feature extraction and classification of product designs

In modern consumer markets, product packaging strongly influences customer attention and buying decisions. Attractive and informative designs help brands stand out in competitive environments. Recently, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been widely used to support packaging evaluation, especially for design analysis, personalized user experiences, and product recommendation systems. However, traditional deep learning models, such as CNN-based ResNet-50 architectures, often fail to capture long-range relationships and global visual context. These limitations reduce their effectiveness in complex visual tasks like packaging classification. To address this issue, this study investigates the use of vision transformer-based models for packaging design analysis. We propose LeViT, an efficient hybrid architecture that combines convolutional neural networks with vision transformers. This design enables the model to learn both local visual details and global contextual features. The proposed approach improves feature representation while maintaining computational efficiency. Experiments were conducted on an image dataset of packaging designs. The performance of LeViT was compared with state-of-the-art models, including CNN-ResNet-50, RegNet, and ConvNeXt. The results show that the proposed model achieves the highest classification accuracy of 95%, outperforming all comparison methods. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of transformer-based architectures for packaging classification. The proposed approach offers practical benefits for retail analytics, brand assessment, and marketing decision-making.

Camel milk extracellular vesicles as a promising antibiotic alternative: gastrointestinal stability, antimicrobial, and immunoregulatory activities

Integrated light and electron microscopy workflow for morphological, molecular and ultrastructural analysis of spheroids

Traditional two-dimensional cell cultures are limited in their ability to accurately model cancer progression and treatment response, which has prompted researchers to develop three-dimensional in vitro models, such as spheroids. These models better mimic the cellular interactions and microenvironment found in solid tumors, including features like hypoxic cores and acidic pH, which activate survival pathways and closely mirror in vivo tumor cell behavior. To fully harness the potential of spheroids in cancer research, comprehensive characterization at the morphological, molecular, and ultrastructural levels using various microscopy workflows is essential. Given the challenges associated with traditional handling and processing methods due to the small size of spheroids, we have developed and present here detailed protocols for light and electron microscopy analysis of spheroids formed from the human noncancerous urothelial cell line SV-HUC-1 and the malignant urothelial cancer cell line T24. Spheroids were analyzed by light microscopy using histological staining and immunofluorescence labelling, following either cryosectioning or paraffin embedding. Whole-mount immunofluorescence combined with optical clearing and confocal microscopy enabled visualization of protein expression and localization throughout the entire spheroid. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy provided high-resolution insights into surface morphology and internal ultrastructure, respectively. Each imaging modality, paired with optimized sample preparation, contributed to a comprehensive workflow offering distinct and complementary views of spheroid morphology, protein distribution, and cellular organization. This integrated approach, combining various light and electron microscopy workflows, enables accurate and thorough characterization of spheroids and establishes a comprehensive baseline for downstream functional investigations. The described protocols are adaptable to spheroids derived from various cell types and tissue origins, making them a versatile tool for a broad range of applications.

Correction: Transdiagnostic dimensions of psychopathology in chronic tinnitus patients with and without hearing loss

RETRACTED: A novel method based on clustering and decision-making for construction project portfolio selection

Nowadays, the problem of project portfolio selection is one of the important tasks in many construction organizations, especially project-based ones. On the other hand, project portfolio selection usually faces many challenges due to the complexity of project evaluation as well as limited resources. The present research aims to present a new method based on clustering and decision-making for project portfolio selection in project-based companies. The proposed integrated method includes the K-means method for clustering projects, the SWARA method for prioritizing the identified criteria, and the MULTIMOORA method for ranking and selecting the projects of the studied company. In addition, the results of the MULTIMOORA method was compared with the results of the WASPAS method for verification. First, five criteria (including 18 sub-criteria) were selected using literature review and expert judgment for clustering and ranking project portfolios. Then, the research data was collected from a questionnaire containing identified criteria and sub-criteria. Based on the obtained results, 25 available construction projects were placed and ranked in 4 clusters. The findings show that the proposed integrated method was able to cluster the project portfolios and select the best project portfolios by ranking the project portfolios based on the identified criteria and sub-criteria. Also, the findings indicate that the rankings using five main criteria were different from the rankings using 18 sub-criteria, and therefore due to the nature of the sub-criteria and the importance of paying attention to the “desirability or undesirability of the criteria/sub-criteria in using the MULTIMOORA”, the rankings using the sub-criteria were more preferable.

Embryonic nano lauric acid delivery modulates lipid metabolism, oxidative balance, and gut morphogenesis in broiler chicks

Abstract The in ovo-injection technique was employed as an early-life nutritional strategy to improve the health and productivity of birds by delivering nutrients and bioactive compounds directly to the developing embryo. This study explored the innovative use of in ovo administration of nano-lauric acid (NLA) as a strategy for the metabolic programming of broiler chicks. The goal was to improve hatchability, stimulate hepatic antioxidant activity, regulate growth-related genes, and support intestinal development in newly hatched chicks. A total of 400 fertile eggs from a 40-week-old Arbor Acres breeder flock were randomly divided into four treatment groups: a non-injected control group (CN), a vehicle-injected control group (CP; 0.1 mL of sterile distilled water), and two NLA-treated groups receiving either 2.5 mg/egg (NLA 2.5) or 5 mg/egg (NLA 5) of NLA, each dissolved in 0.1 mL of sterile distilled water. Injections were administered into the yolk sac on day 12 of incubation. Post-hatching, the hatchability percentage was recorded. Serum lipid profiles, hepatic redox status, and the expression level of hepatic genes, nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2), mitochondrial superoxide dismutase 2 (mt-SOD2), and insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2 (IGF-1 and IGF-2) were evaluated. Additionally, the intestinal morphology of the newly hatched chicks was examined. Hatchability % was significantly reduced in the NLA 5 group (80%) compared to the CN (98%), CP (97%), and NLA 2.5 (96%) groups. The findings showed that in ovo injection of NLA at 2.5 mg/egg was therefore identified as optimal, significantly improving lipid metabolism by reducing serum triglycerides, LDL, VLDL, and cholesterol, while increasing HDL cholesterol compared to controls ( P  < 0.05). Hepatic antioxidant defense was significantly improved through the decrease of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increase of reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations ( P  < 0.05). This enhancement was associated with the upregulation of NRF-2 and mt-SOD2 by (4.04; 3.69-folds, respectively) and stimulation of anabolic signaling genes IGF-1 and IGF-2 by (4.08 and 2.3-folds; respectively) ( P  < 0.05). In addition, intestinal development has been significantly promoted via increased villus height and crypt depth ( P  < 0.05). Our findings demonstrate that  in ovo  NLA supplementation at 2.5 mg/egg effectively enhances lipid utilization, activates NRF2-mediated antioxidant pathways, and stimulates anabolic signaling. This targeted nutritional strategy proves to be a safe and effective method for pre-hatch metabolic programming, with significant potential to improve post-hatch health and performance in broilers.

Calculation of ultimate bearing capacity and analysis of bearing characteristics for pile group foundation to underlying offset cave

Based on the pile group effect and the principle of limit analysis, a equation is derived for calculating the ultimate bearing capacity of pile group foundations under the condition of offset karst caves beneath. Relying on the pile foundation project in the Guangzhou Baiyun District Science, this study conducts an analysis of the ultimate bearing capacity and bearing characteristics of pile group foundations under karst terrain conditions. The results indicate that an increase in the offset distance of the underlying karst cave leads to a higher ultimate bearing capacity of the pile group foundation. The results of the comparative analysis demonstrate that the proposed method for calculating the ultimate bearing capacity of pile groups is reliable. This method is suitable for evaluating the ultimate bearing capacity and performing safety checks of pile group foundations under the condition of offset karst caves.

Reply to: Neutron diffraction evidence of the 3-dimensional structure of Ba2MnTeO6 and misidentification of the triangular layers within the face-centred cubic lattice

A quantum leap at a time: In memory of Bruce D. Hammock

Distinguished Bruce D. Hammock (1947–2026) was a prolific scientist, gifted teacher, and extraordinary collaborator whose work transformed entomology, immunochemistry, and inflammation biology. Author of more than 1,500 peer-reviewed publications and collaborator with over 3,500 scientists worldwide, he combined scientific rigor with rare generosity and vision. His pioneering studies on juvenile hormone biology, immunochemical biomarkers of environmental exposure, and especially soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) reshaped understanding of inflammation and led to promising clinical therapies. A gifted communicator and mentor, Bruce, inspired generations of students and colleagues through his intellect, humility, and boundless enthusiasm. During the 28,635 days of his life, science and the world were richer for his presence.

Designing and evaluating the acceptability of a psychosocial and socioeconomic support package for people with drug-resistant tuberculosis in Johannesburg, South Africa

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a global health problem that presents multifaceted challenges to people living with the disease. These challenges lead to sub-optimal adherence in some DR-TB patients who are then not cured of their TB. Besides the challenges associated with taking treatment, many patients with DR-TB also have to contend with psychosocial and socioeconomic challenges. The objective of this study was to develop a psychosocial and socioeconomic intervention for people with DR-TB in Johannesburg, South Africa, and evaluate if they find it acceptable. Guided by the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) and Perceptions and Practicalities Approach (PaPA) frameworks, and utilising a participatory research approach, We developed a support package with input from a qualitative needs assessment with DR-TB patients (n = 16) and family members (n = 8) and input from various stakeholders (n = 18), (health managers, clinicians and officials from social security departments). The support package was then evaluated for acceptability by patients who had successfully completed DR-TB treatment (n = 13) and their families (n = 6), using an exploratory qualitative method. Both successfully treated DR-TB patients and their family members found the intervention to be acceptable and believed it will reduce the barriers to retention in care that they faced during their treatment journey.

Above-canopy versus below-canopy nitrogen addition affects nitrate leaching and mineralization but not greenhouse gas fluxes in a sessile oak stand

Abstract Increasing nitrogen (N) deposition may alter soil N status and dynamics, as well as the emission of soil greenhouse gases (GHGs). Most of the experimental N manipulations performed so far have neglected the interaction with the canopy, which influences both quantity and quality of the N input into the soil. Here, we assess the effects of N fertilizer application method on N mineralization, and soil GHG fluxes. The experimental site is a sessile oak ( Quercus petraea L.) stand in Northern Italy and consists of a set of three plots, replicated three times. In each replication, one plot is not fertilized (control plot); one plot receives the fertilization on the forest floor (below-canopy treatment), and one plot receives the fertilization above the canopy (above-canopy treatment). After 5 years of experimental N applications, equal to 20 kg N ha −1  y −1 distributed equally five times during the vegetative season, net soil N mineralization was assessed with the in-situ soil core incubation method. Soil CO 2 flux was measured with a portable infra-red gas analyzer, while the soil CH 4 and N 2 O fluxes were assessed using static closed chambers. No treatment effect was evidenced on soil mineral N content. However, during the last two vegetative seasons, topsoil N leaching increased in the treatment below, and not in the treatment above. On the contrary, N mineralization was lower compared to the control only in the treatment below. These results indicate that the tree canopy can mitigate the effect of N deposition on soil N cycling, which may therefore have been overestimated in previous studies using ground N fertilization. On the other hand, differences in soil GHG fluxes among treatments were not significant, even when the effect of soil temperature and soil moisture was considered. Nevertheless, given the complex relationships between N depositions, soil N dynamics and GHG emissions, long-term investigation is needed to determine whether the presence of the forest canopy, and/or differences in forest type, can mitigate or delay N saturation in the medium to long term.

SEC3A acts as an effector of RabE1b to regulate auxin transport in arabidopsis

The establishment and architectural growth of terrestrial plants critically depend on polar auxin transport, a process primarily driven by the asymmetric distribution of PIN proteins within the plasma membrane. In Arabidopsis, the exocyst, an evolutionarily conserved octameric vesicle-tethering complex, orchestrates the recycling of PIN proteins, with subunits such as SEC6, SEC8, and EXO70A1 having established roles in this process. However, how the exocyst is mechanistically integrated into PIN recycling networks and the regulatory hierarchy remain unsolved. Here, SEC3A driven by pollen-specific ProLAT52 promoter was transformed into sec3a / + background, generating two independent pollen rescued ( PRsec3a ) mutant lines PRsec3a-1 and PRsec3a-2 , and enabling investigation of SEC3A function in sporophytic growth related to PIN protein dynamics. PRsec3a exhibited stunted primary root elongation, disrupted gravitropism, and reduced auxin accumulation. Notably, endocytic recycling of PIN1, PIN2, and BRI1 proteins from the Brefeldin A-induced compartments was compromised in PRsec3a . Furthermore, SEC3A was identified as an effector of the small GTPase RabE1b, defining a novel regulatory axis. Together, these findings advance the understanding of Exocyst-mediated membrane trafficking and its pleiotropic roles in plant development.

rGO/BC nanocomposite aerogels exhibit recyclable adsorption of organic solvents and oils with enhanced flame resistance

Familiar story structures possess an evolutionary edge in memory

Human beings demonstrate a universal impulse to share and consume stories. Over generations of transmission, within and across cultures, stories have evolved to develop regularities in their internal structures. Here, we investigated how two features of story structure – coherence and familiarity – impact recall as participants retold a story 5 days in a row. We predicted that familiar and coherent structures would be more stable over retellings. We measured stability using two novel story similarity measures of the (1) degree of structural change within storytellers, and (2) similarity in remembered structure across storytellers. Study 1 first validated our story similarity measure. Studies 2 and 3 then tracked the evolution of stories that varied in coherence and familiarity, respectively, using novel stories adapted from the popular “Cinderella” structure. Results showed that all stories became more structurally stable across retellings, with stories moving in a consistent direction ( i.e. , towards a consistent final form). However, retellings of a story with a more coherent and familiar structure showed both greater stability within and similarity across minds than retellings of a story with an incoherent (Study 2) or unfamiliar structure (Study 3). Thus, using novel tools to measure story evolution, our findings suggest that familiarity and coherence of a story structure offered it an advantage in memory, both within and across minds.

Study on the effect of solid particle proppant on fracture support and flow conductivity in coal seam

Correction: Identification of transposable elements and satellite DNA in the Neotropical species Drosophila amaguana from the Ecuadorian Andean Forests

Discordance in gender role attitudes between spouses and its relationship with the risk biomarkers of cardiovascular diseases: a couple-level analysis

Abstract Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is prevalent among older adults, but studies often focus on individual spouses rather than couple dynamics. This study examines how interplay between spouses—specifically discordance in gender role attitudes—relates to CVD risk biomarkers, using couple-matched data from the Korean Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (KSHAP) on 308 older married couples (616 individuals). Actor-partner interdependence models (APIM) reveal that discordant gender role attitudes are significantly associated with higher CVD risk markers—higher systolic blood pressure, higher triglycerides (TG), lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and a higher TG: HDL-C ratio—among wives only. These associations persist after adjusting for individual-level risk factors, including marital quality, sociodemographics, health behaviors, and depressive symptoms. However, no significant association is found with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Two groups of wives are identified as being at the greatest risk for CVD: traditional wives with egalitarian husbands and egalitarian wives with traditional husbands.

Oral and rectal colonization of Gram-negative antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in one long-term care facility and changes in professional oral hygiene care: Cross-sectional and interventional study

The spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria is a global threat. Our previous study investigated oral colonization by Gram-negative antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in long-term care facilities. In this study, antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in the oral cavity of bedridden severely dependent elderly residents were investigated and the relationship of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria with oral and systemic status was clarified. In addition, the effect of professional oral care on antimicrobial-resistant bacteria colonization was investigated. This was a cross-sectional study followed by an interventional study. Fifty-seven residents were randomly assigned to screening for the presence of Gram-negative antimicrobial-resistant bacteria with 3 rd -generation cephalosporin or carbapenem-resistance methods and the presence of oral and rectal MRSA using respective selective plates. Epidemiological data were collected from clinical records. The interventional study was conducted on 23 subjects who presented with Gram-negative antimicrobial-resistant bacteria or S. aureus in the cross-sectional study. The interventions included professional oral care once a week for 8 weeks in addition to daily oral care. Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria colonization before and after the intervention was compared. Among 57 subjects, antimicrobial-resistant bacteria were isolated from oral samples of 29 subjects and from rectal samples of 44 subjects. Among 29 subjects with oral antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, Gram-negative antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and MRSA were isolated from 21 and 17 subjects, respectively. Logistic regression analysis of the independent variables revealed that Non-oral nutritional intake was significantly related to Gram-negative antimicrobial-resistant bacteria positivity. In the interventional study, professional oral care failed to eliminate of oral antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in most subjects. This study showed that subjects with Non-oral nutritional intake had significantly higher rates of oral Gram-negative antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. These findings concluded that a short-term professional oral management has a limited capacity to eliminate antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Our results provide important information for the control of infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in the oral cavity.

Jichuan decoction alleviates constipation by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway: an integrated network pharmacology and experimental study

Design and evaluation of low-cost, DIY programmable tissue processor for solvent exchange in biological sample preparation

Imaging techniques are fundamental tools in biology for examining cell growth and responses to the environment. Many tissues require fixing, staining, and/or clearing before they can be visualized under a microscope. However, these protocols, such as those using propidium iodide (PI), a fluorescent cationic stain widely used across biological specimens including plant, mammalian, and bacterial, often require laborious dehydration and rehydration steps to facilitate stain penetration. These stepwise solvent exchanges, for example, by passing tissues through a graded ethanol series, are time-consuming and manually intensive. While automated tissue processors offer an alternative, they are outside of the budget for many labs. Here, we present an open-source, low-cost (~$400) automated tissue processor that performs sequential dehydration and rehydration of biological tissues, significantly reducing hands-on labor. The processor is made of readily available, standardized parts and includes custom software that allows users to define and save protocols. We demonstrate the use of the processor by automating a multi-day PI staining protocol across multiple plant species, tissue morphologies, and users, and by comparing tissue quality with hand-processed samples. Our design provides a low-cost, accessible alternative to expensive commercial tissue processors, offering a practical solution for a wide range of biology laboratories.