Browse Articles

Characterizing alterations in attention networks under high mental workload

Abstract With the rapid development of modern society, occupational populations commonly face work states characterized by high mental workload (HMW). HMW can rapidly mobilize and deplete an individual’s cognitive resources within a short timeframe. As attention constitutes a fundamental cognitive quality, it is inevitably impacted by HMW, leading to issues such as impaired attentional function and decreased task performance. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of alterations in attention network under HMW. Participants were recruited from a medical university using convenience sampling. The 1-back Stroop (BS) cognitive task was employed to induce an HMW state. The Attention Network Test-Revised (ANT-R) was completed before and after the induction of the HMW to assess attention network behavior. Eye tracking was assessed using an eye tracker, and subjective assessment was conducted using a visual analog scale (VAS). Statistical analysis was performed using a paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Subjective VAS ratings showed significant increases in mental fatigue (MF), mental effort (ME), mental stress (MS), boredom, and mind wandering (MW) following HMW induction compared to baseline. Behavioral results showed that, compared with before HMW state induction, there were significant differences in alert (sustained attention for maintaining arousal), moving+engaging (selective attention for adjusting and focusing on valid stimuli), flanker conflict (directional conflict between target stimuli and surrounding distracting stimuli) and location conflict (directional conflict between target stimuli and stimulus locations) changes. Alert efficiency values decreased significantly, while moving+engaging, flanker and location conflict values increased significantly. No significant differences were observed in the number of correct trials. Eye tracking results showed that, compared with the state before HMW induction, there were significant differences in average saccade duration and blink count, with a notable increase in both. The ANT-R demonstrates utility both as an experimental paradigm for assessing attention networks and as a behavioral indicator for evaluating HMW. Under the HMW state, significant changes were observed in a subset of behavioral, subjective rating scale, and eye-tracking indicators related to the attention network. This study validated the effectiveness of the BS cognitive task paradigm in inducing the HMW and provided new experimental evidence for revealing the characteristics of attention network changes in the HMW, laying the foundation for the development of assessment and intervention strategies.

Vaccination trends and operational challenges in Peste des Petits Ruminants eradication in Ethiopia

Abstract Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a major transboundary disease in Ethiopia, where the national goal is eradication by 2027. However, evidence on vaccination performance and operational challenges remains limited. This study assessed vaccination trends over six years (September 2018–August 2024) and conducted surveys with animal health professionals (AHPs) (January–May 2024) to identify key enabling factors and constraints influencing eradication efforts in the North Shewa Zone. The findings revealed that a risk-based vaccination strategy (RBVS) has been implemented since 2018, focusing on high-risk areas and employing rapid antigen detection tests to confirm outbreaks. Once an outbreak is confirmed, AHPs collaborate with regional coordinators to isolate at-risk populations and administer a live attenuated PPR vaccine. Over the study period, 62 vaccination campaigns were conducted, averaging 10.3 campaigns per year. The highest number occurred in 2019 (16 campaigns, 25.81%), while the lowest was in 2022 (one campaign). Kewet district recorded the highest number of campaigns (six), whereas six districts received no vaccinations. A total of 2,917,330 small ruminants were vaccinated, with Minjar-Shenkora district reporting the highest number (384,989 animals). The year 2023 saw the peak in vaccination coverage, with 1,284,339 animals vaccinated. The study identified factors affecting eradication efforts, with key enablers including a national policy (82.6%), sufficient vaccine production (71.74%), and adequate vaccination tools (80.43%). Major challenges included budget constraints (84.78%) and security concerns (65.22%), along with operational issues such as lack of animal identification, absence of post-vaccination sero-monitoring (PVS), high herd mobility, and rapid turnover of young stock. In conclusion, these challenges may compromise vaccination effectiveness and hinder eradication efforts. Nevertheless, strong regional commitment and enabling factors provide a promising foundation for progress. To enhance PPR control and achieve eradication, the study recommends strengthening surveillance, improving post-vaccination sero-monitoring, optimizing vaccine distribution, and addressing key operational barriers.

Green synthesis of amorphous Ce-MOFs as efficient adsorbents towards Ofloxacin antibiotics

Integrating grafting and vermicompost for the sustainable management of drought in eggplant cultivation

Impact of global climate change induced variations in reservoir-river systems on fish habitats

Genetic analysis of key players in PI3K signaling cascade of colorectal carcinoma

Machine learning-based Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) forecasting using satellite data for Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants with Thermal Energy Storage (TES)

Green corrosion protection of copper in chloride media with Calystegia sepium extract using electrochemical and GC-MS/MS analyses

Abstract The use of sustainable and eco-friendly materials for corrosion inhibition has garnered significant attention in recent years. This study investigates the corrosion inhibition performance of Hedge Bindweed ( Calystegia sepium ) water extract as a green inhibitor for copper in a neutral saline medium containing 3.5 wt% NaCl. Electrochemical techniques, including potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), were employed to evaluate the inhibition behavior of the extract over a temperature range of 25–65 °C. The results revealed a maximum inhibition efficiency of 91.9% at an extract concentration of 5 × 10 − 3 M. Weight loss measurements further confirmed the effectiveness of the inhibitor, yielding an inhibition efficiency of 90.4%. Notably, even at elevated temperatures, the extract maintained satisfactory performance, retaining approximately 50% inhibition efficiency at 65 °C, indicating reasonable thermal stability. Temperature-dependent linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) measurements provided insight into the thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of the corrosion process, showing an increase in activation energy in the presence of the inhibitor, consistent with a hindered corrosion reaction. Surface morphology and elemental composition analyses using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed the formation of a protective layer on the copper surface. Furthermore, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) analysis identified several bioactive compounds responsible for the inhibition effect. Thermodynamic adsorption studies demonstrated that the inhibitor adsorption followed the Langmuir isotherm, suggesting a predominantly physisorption-controlled mechanism. Overall, these findings highlight Hedge Bindweed extract as a highly efficient, sustainable, and eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor for copper in saline environments.

Remote sensing and geochemical constraints on polymetallic mineralization in Abu Rusheid and Sikait granites of Egypt

Abstract The post-tectonic granites and pegmatites of the Abu Rusheid-Sikait area, in the South Eastern Desert of Egypt, represent highly mineralized plutons within the Arabian Nubian Shield (ANS). This study integrates remote sensing datasets, field work, petrographic, and geochemical analyses to investigate these plutons. Machine learning algorithms (MLAs), including Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Random Forest (RF), applied to Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF)-enhanced PRISMA data, successfully discriminated lithological units with an overall accuracy of up to 89%. Spectral analysis identified four main hydrothermal alteration zones (phyllic, argillic, propylitic, and ferrugination), which were validated by field and laboratory data. Geochemically, the post-collisional granites show geochemical characteristics of highly evolved peraluminous A-type granites generated in a within-plate environment similar to other A-type granites in the ANS. All the studied granites display negative Eu/Eu* (0.02–0.19) anomalies, reflecting plagioclase fractionation. The geochemical similarities between the pegmatites and the surrounding granites support their genetic relation. Zinnwaldite-muscovite and garnet-muscovite granites, along with associated pegmatites, are highly enriched in rare earth and high field strength elements (e.g., ΣREEs up to 1310 ppm, Zr up to 4477 ppm, Nb up to 1500 ppm, Ta up to 216 ppm, U up to 411 ppm). This mineralization occurs as both disseminated accessory minerals within host granitoids and concentrated along structurally controlled zones that are affected by the Nugrus shear zone, faults (NW-SE, N-S, and NE-SW), and fractures, as confirmed from automatic surface structure lineament extraction maps, field work, and petrography. The enrichment is primarily controlled by extreme magmatic fractionation, which produced primary rare metal-bearing minerals (zircon, columbite, xenotime, monazite). This magmatic signature was subsequently overprinted by hydrothermal alteration, which redistributed and further concentrated metals along structurally controlled pathways concentrated metals along brittle fracture zones formed by the late-stage reactivation of the Najd Fault System, forming secondary minerals like kasolite and galena. Ferrugination is considered the main alteration related to uranium and REEs remobilization and concentration in specific locations, sometimes alongside iron oxides (hematite, goethite). This work presents an integrated model that links magmatic processes, structural controls, and hydrothermal alteration, providing a valuable framework for rare metal exploration in the ANS.

Electric-load forecasting using interval models based on granularity and justifiable principles

Predicting the global distribution of Coffee Bee Hawk Moth (Cephanodes hylas L.) under climate change using MaxEnt

Joint block estimation and attention-based long short-term memory network for doppler shift mitigation in UWA communication systems

Revisiting dimensionality in measurement of sense of coherence among rural healthcare workers using network analysis

Multicenter clinicopathological study of odontogenic myxoma spectrum lesions using quantitative pathology

Abstract Odontogenic myxoma (OM) and odontogenic myxofibroma (OMF) are rare benign odontogenic tumors characterized by heterogeneous stromal composition, for which objective and reproducible pathological evaluation remains challenging. This multicenter study aimed to quantitatively assess fibrous tissue proportion (FTP) using AI-assisted digital pathology and to explore its clinicopathological relevance across odontogenic myxoma spectrum lesions. A total of 143 surgical specimens were collected from 34 institutions, and 100 cases were included after centralized pathological review. FTP was independently estimated by two board-certified oral pathologists to generate expert reference data. Whole-slide images of Masson’s trichrome–stained sections were analyzed using a multi-stage deep learning pipeline implemented within a unified digital pathology platform. Agreement between expert assessment and quantitative measurements was evaluated, and associations between FTP and clinical variables were explored. Quantitative FTP measurements showed good agreement with expert pathological evaluation and revealed substantial inter-institutional variability in pathological diagnoses. In clinicopathological analyses, higher FTP was independently associated with unilocular radiological morphology. These findings demonstrate that AI-assisted quantitative pathology provides a reproducible framework for visualizing stromal heterogeneity in odontogenic myxoma spectrum lesions and may support more consistent clinicopathological interpretation across institutions.

Improving personalized recommendations system using graph attention networks driven by perceived complexity and innovation

In vitro characterization of the catalytic domain of human histone deacetylase 5

Abstract Both histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) control the acetylation state of conserved lysine residues in histone tails. Thereby, modulating chromatin structure and gene transcription. Disturbance of this precisely balanced acetylation state contributes to neuronal, cardiovascular, muscle degenerative, autoimmune diseases and cancer. To restore this delicate balance, HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) are employed. However, employing pan-HDAC inhibitors, that target a broad spectrum of HDACs, often leads to significant side effects. Therefore, the development of isoform specific inhibitors is urgently needed. Among the HDAC family, class IIa HDACs, particularly HDAC5, have emerged as promising drug targets due to their tissue-specific expression patterns and presence in large regulatory complexes. Recent progress in selective class IIa HDAC inhibition has led to the development of novel HDACi that contain a 5-(trifluoromethyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole (TFMO) zinc-binding group (ZBG) to interact with the Zn²⁺ ion in the active site, avoiding the drawbacks associated with promiscuous hydroxamic acid–based HDACi. This study focuses on the in vitro characterization of the catalytic domain of human HDAC5 and its inhibition by the TFMO-based HDACi FFK24 and NT160. Our findings contribute to a better biochemical understanding of the kinetic parameters of HDAC5 activity and support the development of selective inhibitors targeting class IIa HDACs.

Molecular dynamics study on the release of residual stress in milling of 7050 aluminum alloy by ultrasonic treatment

Abstract Machining deformation caused by the release of residual stress during the processing of large-scale 7050 aluminum alloy thin-walled components remains a critical bottleneck, limiting high-quality and high-precision manufacturing and significantly compromising the dimensional stability of the parts. As a novel stress-control technique, ultrasonic treatment has been proven effective in improving the residual stress distribution within aluminum alloys, thereby reducing the machining deformation of thin-walled structures. However, a systematic analysis of the dynamic evolution and underlying release mechanisms of residual stress under ultrasonic action is still lacking. To analyze defect evolution and the origins of milling-induced residual stress, a molecular dynamics model of milling for 7050 aluminum alloy containing η-phase (MgZn₂ precipitates) was constructed. Following the simulation of the stress release process under ultrasonic treatment, our results reveal that the reduction and homogenization of residual stress are fundamentally attributed to dislocations absorbing energy within the applied ultrasonic field. This energy absorption activates dislocations, enabling them to overcome the potential energy barrier for motion. Consequently, extensive annihilation reactions occur primarily among Shockley partial dislocations, leading to a decrease in the total dislocation density. Ultimately, the internal stress of the material is relaxed and released through plastic deformation mediated by these dislocation reactions.

Testing of milling cutter with the conformal cooling channels produced by the selective laser melting technology

Optimising thermal and irradiance conditions for enhanced oxygen production in Tetradesmus bajacalifornicus

The effect of seed priming on yield and germination properties of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd)

Abstract Seed priming is a widely used pre-germination technique that enhances sprouting efficiency, synchrony, and the initial development of plantlets, particularly under suboptimal environmental conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different seed priming treatments on the germination, growth, and yield performance of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) through a series of laboratory, greenhouse, and field experiments conducted during the 2024 cropping season. The laboratory experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. Treatments included potassium nitrate (5% w/w), potassium chloride (1% w/w), zinc sulfate (6% w/w), gibberellic acid (30 mg.kg⁻¹), polyethylene glycol 6000 (10% v/v), salicylic acid (200 mg. L⁻¹), humic acid (54 mg. L⁻¹), hydropriming (distilled water), and a non-primed control. The same treatments were evaluated in a greenhouse trial (CRD with four replications) and a field trial (randomized complete block design with three replications). The overall results of the first experiment showed that treatments of potassium chloride, hydropriming, potassium nitrate, and gibberellic acid had positive effects on the germination characteristics of quinoa seeds. The greenhouse experiment also clearly demonstrated the superiority of potassium chloride and gibberellic acid treatments. In the field experiment, salicylic acid and potassium chloride treatments led to the highest economic yield. Based on the combined results of the experiments in this study, priming quinoa seeds with potassium chloride and salicylic acid is recommended.