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An improved crayfish optimization algorithm for solving engineering optimization problems
By emulating crayfish behaviors such as social foraging, rapid retreat from threats, and adaptive sensing, the Crayfish Optimization Algorithm (COA) achieves a dynamic balance between global search and local exploration, improving optimization efficiency. However, COA suffers from diversity degradation, insufficient exploration capability, low optimization finding accuracy, and easy fall to a local minimum. To solve these problems, an improved crayfish optimization algorithm (ICOA) is proposed. Firstly, the position of the population is achieved through the application of the Sobol sequence mapping in the initialization phrase, which enhances the diversity within the population. Secondly, a Lévy flight strategy is proposed in the foraging phase, which avoids algorithms fall into local optimization and enhances the individuals’ capacity for extensive exploration within the solution space. Subsequently, during the competition phase, using the Euclidean distance-fitness balanced competition strategy improves simultaneous development and exploration performance. To evaluate ICOA performance, the IEEE CEC2019 and CEC2020 benchmark functions and experiments were used in different dimensions for verification, followed by sensitivity analysis, quantitative analysis, and nonparametric statistical analysis. Furthermore, the effectiveness is validated in five engineering optimization problems, in which ICOA improved by 0.28%, 17.86%, 0.01%, 88.8% and 0.1%, respectively, compared to COA. ICOA exhibits enhanced optimization capabilities to tackle complex spatial and practical challenges. Incorporating multiple strategies markedly improve the efficacy of ICOA. This finding has significant implications in the field of engineering optimizations.
Primary Measles Infection
An innovative framework for secure data transmission using machine learning based classification and ElGamal encryption with Ramanujan primes
Effect of taxonomy and feeding guilds on waterbirds of the Southern Caspian Sea, Iran
This study measured the concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in the secondary flight feathers of waterbirds wintering along the southern Caspian Sea coast of Iran, in February 2013. Target species included Anas acuta , Anas platyrhynchos , Anser anser , Aythya ferina , Ciconia ciconia , Cygnus olor , Hydroprogne caspia , Mareca penelope , Mergus merganser , Phalacrocorax carbo , and Tringa totanus . Element concentrations ranged from highest in P. carbo (Pb 5.65, Cd 3.29, Cr 5.90, Ni 6.57, As 0.60, Mn 9.30, Zn 147.67, Fe 267.29 µg/g dw) to lowest in M. penelope (As 0.13), C. olor (Cd 0.78, Cr 2.32, Ni 1.22), T. totanus (Fe 115.13), C. ciconia (Mn 4.43), A. anser (Pb 1.24), and A. acuta (Zn 37.40). Element levels varied by feeding guild and avian family: piscivores showed the highest Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, As and Zn, whereas invertebrate predators had the lowest Cd, As, Zn, Fe. Phalacrocoracidae exhibited the highest overall levels, while Scolopacidae (As, Cd, Fe, Zn), Anatidae (Pb, Ni), and Ciconiidae (Cr, Mn) showed the lowest. Cadmium exceeded 2 µg/g in six species; Cr exceeded 2.8 µg/g in all but A. anser , C. ciconia and C. olor ; Pb exceeded 4 µg/g in P. carbo , with marginal exceedances in four others. Findings indicate elevated trace metal burdens in wintering waterbirds, suggesting ecological risks associated with trophic exposure and habitat contamination.
Tecovirimat for the Treatment of Mpox
Beam shape effect on enhanced laser wakefield acceleration of electrons driven by 10-fs mJ-class pulses
Abstract Laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) of electrons was investigated using quasi-3D Fourier–Bessel Particle-In-Cell (FBPIC) simulations to optimise the interplay between laser beam structure and plasma target parameters. Gaussian (G) and Bessel–Gauss (BG) beams driven by a 40 mJ, 10 fs laser pulse were compared, representing few-cycle mJ-class (10–100 mJ) laser systems, across a range of the normalised vector potentials a 0 = 1.75–5.6. The results show that, for a fixed laser system with 40 mJ pulse energy and 10 fs duration, BG beams extend the effective acceleration length and improve electron energy gain by 20–27% relative to G drivers, despite variations in 0 arising from different focal geometries. The extended focal zone of BG beams mitigates diffraction losses, while ionisation injection from a 1% nitrogen admixture produces stable injection over a distance of ~ 100 μm at a 0 =2.0. However, laser pulse evolution leads to an intensity drop by a factor of 2–2.5 over 300–500 μm, ultimately limiting the maximum acceleration length. These findings confirm that BG beams offer a robust pathway to enhance LWFA performance at sub-100 mJ laser energies, with direct implications for compact high-repetition-rate plasma accelerators.
Exploring the drivers of price variation in orthopaedic radical bone tumor resection: A nationwide database study
Background Radical resection of bone tumors is a clinically effective but costly procedure. Despite the implementation of federal price transparency mandates, little is known about the nationwide variation in negotiated prices for these specialized oncologic surgeries. This study aimed to quantify the variation in negotiated rates for radical resection of the humerus and femur/knee and identify associated hospital, payor, and state-policy drivers. Methods This cross-sectional study analyzed hospital-negotiated payor rates from the Turquoise Health database for current procedural terminology (CPT) codes 24150 (humerus resection) and 27365 (femur/knee resection). Multivariate linear regression was used to determine the associations between hospital size and type, payor class, and state-level policies (Medicaid expansion, Certificate of Need [CoN] laws, All-Payer Claims Database [APCD] mandates, and Nurse Practitioner [NP] scope of practice) on negotiated payor rates. Results A total of 285,857 negotiated rates were analyzed. Significant price variation was observed across all factors. Large hospitals (>1000 beds) and Critical Access Hospitals (for femur/knee resection only) had significantly higher rates. CoN laws were associated with higher prices for both procedures (+$348.25 and +$667.98, respectively), as were APCD mandates for femur/knee resections (+$1231.24). Medicare Advantage plans paid inconsistently compared to commercial plans, paying more for humerus but substantially less for femur/knee resections. Discussion Negotiated prices for radical bone tumor resection are highly variable and influenced by a complex interplay of market dynamics, challenging the assumption that price transparency alone can standardize healthcare costs for specialized care.
Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis after Measles Infection
Spatiotemporal land use land cover dynamics and rainfall-runoff responses in the urbanizing Gdynia, Poland
Temporal dynamics and functional annotation of transcriptome rhythmicity in HEK293T cells
The endogenous circadian clock drives rhythmic processes in nearly all human cells; however, the temporal organization of the transcriptome in HEK293T cells, a widely used cell line, remains incompletely defined. We synchronized HEK293T cells and performed RNA sequencing at thirteen time points across a 48-hour cycle to map their transcriptome dynamics. Across the time course, principal component analysis revealed clear time point dependent separation of the global transcriptomes; however, coefficient of variation analyses indicated substantially increased divergence among biological replicates starting at T28. In addition, canonical core clock genes showed no detectable circadian rhythmicity when the analysis window extended beyond 28 hours. Genome-wide, only 785 expressed genes displayed rhythmic expression. These rhythmic genes were enriched for cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments, cytoskeletal and membrane related structures, and molecular functions including GTPase activator activity and metal ion binding. Further analysis of expression patterns among arrhythmic genes revealed that only 645 arrhythmic genes displayed time-dependent expression; notably, these genes were enriched in biologically important pathways, including G alpha signaling and structural constituents of chromatin. Together, these results indicate that HEK293T cells exhibit weak intrinsic circadian transcriptome rhythmicity, with most transcripts remaining time independent across the sampled window. This dataset provides a time resolved reference framework to distinguish time-dependent from time-independent gene regulation in HEK293T cells, informing time aware experimental design and interpretation.
An Incidental Finding Unraveled
Effect of tooth agenesis on facial soft tissue profile
Study protocol for a randomized clinical pilot trial investigating feasibility and efficacy of augmenting a virtual reality-assisted intervention targeting auditory verbal hallucinations with biofeedback: The Neuro-VR study
Introduction Auditory Verbal Hallucinations (AVH) are among the most frequent and severe symptoms in schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders. Virtual Reality (VR)-assisted interventions have emerged, demonstrating promising potential in reducing AVH severity. This treatment approach may be challenged with regards to feasibility, particularly when therapeutically managing the anxiety-related reactions associated with AVH. This pilot study evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of augmenting VR-assisted therapy with real-time biofeedback to address these challenges. The integration of biofeedback enables continuous adaptation of therapy based on physiological responses while allowing participants to train self-regulation of these parameters. Methods Neuro-VR is a randomized clinical pilot trial utilizing a mixed-methods design. Thirty participants with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and AVH will be randomized to either eight sessions of VR-assisted therapy or eight sessions of VR-assisted therapy augmented with real-time biofeedback. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and post-treatment. Outcome measures include both clinical metrics, electroencephalogram recordings, and qualitative interviews to evaluate feasibility, acceptability, and potential treatment effects of the combined approach. Discussion This study will explore whether integrating biofeedback into VR-assisted therapy enhances personalization, supports emotion regulation, and improves tolerability. The findings will provide preliminary evidence on the utility of physiological markers to guide VR-based interventions for AVH and inform the development of individualized, effective treatments for patients with schizophrenia. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06628323 .
We Do Care
TREM1-PET imaging maps whole-body innate immune responses in a mouse model of metastatic melanoma
Abstract Poor treatment response in brain metastases is largely attributed to anti-tumor T-cell suppression through the modulation of tumor-associated myeloid cells (TAMCs), resulting in immune evasion. Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM1) is a membrane receptor highly expressed on TAMCs that is associated with poor clinical outcomes and of interest as a potential imaging biomarker of myeloid cell function, prognosis, and treatment response. Here we evaluate TREM1-targeted positron emission tomography (PET) tracer, [ 64 Cu]TREM1-mAb, for TAMC detection in a murine model of intracranial metastatic melanoma. Forty-eight hours after tracer administration, PET imaging revealed significantly higher [ 64 Cu]TREM1-mAb signal in implanted tumors compared to contralateral brain parenchyma or sham brains. Ex vivo gamma counting and autoradiography confirmed significantly elevated, tumor-localized signal, while markedly lower uptake with [ 64 Cu]-isotype control-mAb confirmed tracer specificity. Similar patterns were seen in the lymphoid organs, including bone marrow and spleen. Flow cytometry confirmed TREM1 expression in myeloid cells alone in brain and spleen. We conclude that [ 64 Cu]TREM1-mAb is a promising PET tracer for the detection of increased TREM1 + myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment and peripheral tissues.
Urban–rural transportation accessibility: A novel geographical indicator for characterizing urban–rural integration
The literature on urban–rural integration lacks not only a geographic indicator that incorporates geographical characteristics (e.g., location, topography, and road infrastructure) to characterize urban–rural integration but also methods of measuring the access costs of planning rural transportation infrastructure and individual village settlements (VSs). In response, our urban–rural transportation accessibility (URTA) model, using VSs as the unit of transportation accessibility, offers a new indicator to guide local transportation infrastructure planning and to capture the provincial-level heterogeneity of urban–rural access costs based on geographical characteristics. The model is constructed with data from over 140,000 VSs in the Chinese province of Yunnan and multilevel road network data for Yunnan from 2015 and 2023 based on GIS analysis. Moreover, because mountainous VSs may lack paved roads to connect to the road network, our model integrates results from the minimum cumulative resistance model to simulate least cost paths through the network. Using origin–destination analysis, we also calculated the travel time from each VS to its county center as a measure of URTA reflecting urban–rural integration. Among our findings, significant differences in travel time and path length between developed and impoverished counties reflect disparity in urban–rural integration. Longer travel times indicate less integration, and though times were consistently under 2.5 h in Guandu District, they ranged from 2 to more than 10 h in Gongshan County. Furthermore, on average, reaching county centers from the VSs took 2.13 h in 2015 and 1.46 h in 2023. Although URTA expanded in central Yunnan and improved considerably in the northwest, the southwest showed little change, which highlights significant disparity in urban–rural integration. Those results suggest that our method and indicator, by elucidating urban–rural integration in regions with high geographic spatial heterogeneity, can guide transportation planning in mountainous rural areas worldwide.
Restoring Function to a Variant of p53 in Solid Tumors
Long-term organic nutrient management in tomato enhances yield, quality, profitability, and soil health in a semi-arid conditions
The association between epicardial adipose tissue thickness and diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hepatosteatosis, pancreatic steatosis and pancreatitis
Background Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is associated with cardiometabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus (DM), hyperlipidemia, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. However, its potential relationship with pancreatic steatosis and pancreatitis remains unclear, and existing studies offer inconsistent findings. Therefore, a clearer understanding of whether EAT reflects broader systemic ectopic fat burden or inflammatory processes is needed.This study evaluated the relationships between EAT thickness and DM, hyperlipidemia, hepatosteatosis, pancreatic steatosis, and pancreatitis. Methods This retrospective, single-center study included 200 patients who underwent abdominal CT between 2022 and 2024. EAT thickness was measured at the mid-RCA and LAD levels, and subcutaneous fat was measured at the umbilical level. Liver and pancreatic steatosis were assessed with CT or MRI. Demographic and clinical data (age, gender, LDL cholesterol, diabetes, and history of pancreatitis) were collected. Mann-Whitney U, Spearman correlation, and logistic regression were used in analyses; p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results Of the 200 patients, 31.4% had diabetes, 42% had hepatosteatosis, and 73.5% had a history of pancreatitis. EAT and subcutaneous fat were significantly higher in women at all levels (p < 0.05). Diabetes was associated with increased EAT in both the RCA (p = 0.002) and the LAD (p = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, RCA-EAT (OR=1.18, p = 0.002) and age (OR=1.03, p = 0.003) were significantly associated with diabetes. High LDL was associated with LAD-EAT (p = 0.030). For pancreatitis, multivariate analysis identified pancreatic steatosis (OR=5.78, p < 0.001) and LAD-EAT (OR=1.52, p = 0.002) as variables significantly associated with a history of pancreatitis. Conclusions EAT thickness is significantly associated with DM, LDL cholesterol, pancreatitis history, and age, supporting its role as a potential imaging biomarker of cardiometabolic risk. These findings suggest that EAT may serve as an imaging marker of broader metabolic and inflammatory burden, supporting its relevance for cardiometabolic risk assessment.