Browse Articles

High-capacity and secure inter-satellite optical wireless communication using 2D DPS-OCDMA

Analysis of market equilibrium based on overconfidence behavior of market makers

This paper constructs a theoretical model that includes heterogeneous risk-attitude insider traders (risk-neutral and risk-averse), overconfident market makers, and noise traders. It compares the model with two single-risk-attitude models. It systematically studies the impact mechanism of market makers’ overconfidence behavior on market equilibrium. The paper focuses on the influence of the degree of market makers’ overconfidence on market liquidity and the effect of heterogeneous risk attitudes on market stability. The study finds that in the heterogeneous risk-attitude insider trading model, market liquidity λ decreases within a specific range as the market maker’s confidence level k increases. Within another range, market liquidity λ increases as the confidence level k increases. Through comparative analysis of the three models, it is found that insider traders in the heterogeneous risk-attitude model can more actively use private information for trading, and their trading intensity and profit level are significantly higher than those of traders in the single-risk-attitude model. At the same time, the market’s residual information is less. This indicates that the aggressive strategy of risk-neutral insider traders and the conservative behavior of risk-averse insider traders form a complementary effect, which not only buffers the price impact of significant transactions but also promotes the efficient integration of information through diversified order flows. The numerical simulation results further confirm that market makers’ overconfidence will strengthen the information advantage of insider traders. In contrast, the differentiation of insider traders’ risk attitudes optimises the market’s information digestion mechanism, ultimately improving the efficiency of price formation.

IASUNet: building extraction based on impoved attention Swin-UperNet

Breast cancer inter-image dissimilarity by feature optimization: An application of novel flea optimization algorithm

Background/Objective: Breast cancer is a serious disease that has caused thousands of deaths around the world. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 40,000 women and about 600 men lost their lives due to breast cancer in 2021, and it increased to 43,700 women and 530 men until 2023. Method : In this paper, a modified version of ResNet-50 has been exploited to extract features from breast tissue biopsy slides, contained in the BreakHis public dataset. The standard 177 layer model is amended upto 146 layers by reducing redundant activation, normalization operations and number of convolutional filters without compromising representational capacity. As a result the computational efficiency is achieved along with reduction in learnable parameters from 23.7M to 16.8M. The features vector is extracted using novel Flea optimization Algorithm that performs exploration from a d-dimensional search space to get global features. An inter-image dissimilarity evaluation has been performed to find out class compactness and separation, demonstrating its crucial role in achieving better classification performance. The results of the proposed framework are obtained on various performance indicators including average accuracy, precision, recall, F1 score etc while the statistical analysis is made to see the reliability of the framework based on MCC, Cohen’s Kappa and t-test. Results: The results of the proposed method are compared with DenseNet, VGG, CNN with LSTM, Primal Dual Multi-instance SVM, Single Task CNN and Multi Task CNN and shown dominance on various performance measures. An accuracy of 99.20% was achieved at 40× magnification, 99.62% at 100× magnification, 99.50% at 200× magnification, 99.34% at 400× magnification, respectively. Conclusions: The proposed approach, implemented on the real hardware, can provide an alternate to health experts in diagnosing breast cancer in the early stages.

Motion-robust myelin imaging in MRI using 1D projection gating

Abstract Myelin-weighted imaging with inversion-recovery ultrashort-echo-time (IR-UTE) is highly motion-sensitive, yet extra hardware or longer scans are impractical. We evaluated whether a 1D superior–inferior (SI) navigator with bit-reversed spoke-angles mitigates motion artifacts without extending acquisition. Dual-echo IR-UTE was implemented at 3T. After an adiabatic inversion pulse, 21 spokes were acquired per segment around the white-matter null point, and dual-echo subtraction suppressed residual long-T2 signals. Adding SI-navigators at the end of each segment allows motion detection without lengthening TR. And bit-reversal is used to pseudo-randomize the spoke-angles. Bloch simulations of a 2D synthetic brain removed 10% of spokes to mimic gating. Three volunteers were scanned: (i) sequential-ordering, no-motion; (ii) bit-reversed, no-motion; (iii) bit-reversed with deliberate head nods. The navigator rejected 1,280 of 12,000 spokes (10.7%) during nodding, and the same gating was reconstructed on motion-free data. Simulation showed coherent streaks for sequential ordering but an isotropic point-spread function for bit-reversal. In vivo, gating degraded only the sequential dataset. bit-reversal preserved subcortical and deep-white-matter detail. During intentional nodding, gating with bit-reversal enhanced myelin contrast, outperforming the image reconstructed from the ungated data. The SI-navigator plus bit-reversal enables effective motion gating without hardware or time penalty, supporting routine motion-robust myelin mapping.

Simulation of directional crack propagation by energy-absorbing blasting in deep gob-side entry retaining under different lateral pressure coefficients

To address the challenges associated with directional roof-cutting through energy-absorbing blasting under high-stress conditions in deep gob-side entry retaining, this study combines numerical simulations and field tests to investigate the effects of varying lateral pressure coefficients (k) on crack propagation. Numerical simulations, utilizing an HJC constitutive model and an element erosion criterion, demonstrate that: (1) a higher lateral pressure coefficient significantly inhibits crack propagation, resulting in a reduction of main crack length and a simplification of crack morphology, while simultaneously increasing the proportion of elastic vibration energy; (2) optimal crack control is achieved when the energy-absorbing direction aligns with the maximum in-situ principal stress direction. The on-site verification at the 13303 working face demonstrates that aligning the opening of the energy-concentrating pipe with the direction of the roadway, which corresponds to the direction of the maximum principal stress, results in a directional main fracture occurrence rate exceeding 95%. significantly enhancing the retained roadway’s quality. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for precise blasting design in deep high-stress mining environments.

Quantitative analysis of root system architecture and fresh weight biomass traits highlight phenotypic variation in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) germplasm

Effect of psychological first aid training for fellows on resident burnout and distress in the intensive care unit

Background Burnout is a common problem among medical trainees and can result in medical errors and intention to leave practice. Psychological first aid (PFA) is a form of mental health assistance provided after critical incidents with the goal of reducing distress and re-establishing functioning; the application of PFA to medical trainees has been suggested but studies are lacking. Methods Pulmonary and critical care medicine fellows were given a 2-hour PFA training. Fellows were administered a survey immediately after training and again 3 months later. The effect of fellow PFA training on burnout and distress scores among medical residents supervised by pulmonary fellows was measured during medical intensive care unit (ICU) rotations and compared to ICU medical resident burnout and distress scores prior to PFA training. Results Of the 11 fellows who completed the survey, 91% had a positive or extremely positive impression of the training. Six fellows noted a change of practice as a result of the training on the 3-month follow up survey. Resident burnout scores at the end of an ICU rotation were lower in the months following the PFA training compared to those at the end of an ICU rotation before the PFA training. Conclusions This study demonstrates that bringing PFA training to trainees is both feasible and well-received and suggests that PFA training may impact trainees in settings that are high risk for burnout. The PFA training in this study may serve as a model for further attempts to educate healthcare workers in PFA.

Fit analysis of 3D-printed versus thermoformed clear aligners for labial tooth movement using micro-CT: an in vitro study

Safety population size and duration of exposure prior to approval of new medicines: A database analysis of medicines centralised approved in the European Union between 2011 and 2023

Background This study aims to analyse the number of patients who had been exposed to a new medicine before the approval by the European Commission (EC), as well as the number of patients studied long-term for chronic medication use. The results were compared with the International Council for Harmonisation’s (ICH) E1 guideline recommendations. Methods All medicines containing new active substances approved between 2011 and 2023 were included in the study, including orphan medicines as a separate category. The total number of patients studied and the number of patients with long-term use (6 and 12 months) for chronic medication before approval were extracted. In addition, information regarding the type of Marketing Authorisation (MA), type of molecule, Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) code and additional pharmacovigilance activities were extracted from the European Public Assessment Report (EPAR). Results A total of 498 new medicines were identified, of those 322 were non-orphan medicines and 176 were orphan medicines. The median total number of patients studied before approval was 1,787 (interquartile range [IQR] 781–3,351) for non-orphan medicines and 333 (IQR 139–648) for orphan medicines. In the group of non-orphans, chronic medication was studied in a larger number of patients (median 2,253, IQR 1,523–3,662) than medication for intermediate (median 798, IQR 520–1,757) or short-term use (median 2,038, IQR 807–6,110). Among the 154 non-orphan medicines intended for chronic use, 83 (54%) met the patient exposure recommendations for 6-months use, and 113 (73%) met the criteria for 12-months patient exposure. Among the 101 orphan medicines intended for chronic use, only 1 (1%) met the patient exposure recommendations for 6-months use and 7 (6.9%) met the criteria for 12-months patient exposure. Conclusion Orphan medicines and “precision” medicines tend to have less clinical data available at the time of marketing authorisation. The median of the total number of subjects studied prior to approval has been decreasing overtime. Additional pharmacovigilance activities play, in these cases, a key role in the safety monitoring and assessment of the benefit-risk profile during the medicine’s lifecycle.

Effects of single and mixed metal exposure on neurocognitive health and quality of life among adults from Bihar India

Implementation science evaluation of an eHealth pediatric primary-care overweight and obesity intervention using the RE-AIM evaluation framework

Introduction The childhood overweight and obesity (OW/OB) epidemic in the United States disproportionately affects children from marginalized backgrounds, particularly those who lack the financial resources or support to engage in evidence-based interventions. Moreover, healthcare systems struggle to deliver these interventions equitably. To address this gap, this study evaluated the implementation science outcomes of Dynamo Kids! (DK!), a novel primary-care-based eHealth intervention intended for families with children ages 6–12 with OW/OB. Materials and methods DK! was developed within a major safety-net hospital system in Dallas, TX. Ten providers in three different clinics were instructed to offer DK! to 581 families with children ages 6–12 with OW/OB. Guided by the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework, we evaluated the implementation science outcomes of the DK! pilot conducted between August 2020 and April 2021, using eight different data sources—both qualitative and quantitative. Results Building on previously published findings that demonstrated an increase in Family Nutrition Physical Activity score and a decrease in child%BMIp95, this study engaged 46 families and ten providers with diverse backgrounds in a safety-net practice who, generally, self-reported improved knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy in treating overweight and obesity. Most parents were satisfied with the DK! intervention, using the website with high variability, on average for two hours 24 minutes of total user time over three months and endorsed the patient-centered care in qualitative interviews. Both families and providers generally found DK! to be important, trustworthy, tailored, and accessible and endorsed the DK! intervention. Discussion DK! demonstrated limited success in its initial setting, with strong support for its continuation and expansion from both the healthcare system and patient families. Future studies should incorporate user recommendations and consider comparing outcomes to a control group beyond the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

PCB-126 exposure promotes brown adipose tissue dysfunction and metabolic inflexibility in mice

Rapid detection of the beech leaf nematode, Litylenchus crenatae using recombinase polymerase amplification assay with lateral flow dipsticks

Beech leaf nematode, Litylenchus crenatae , is the causal agent of beech leaf disease (BLD), a condition characterized by interveinal dark-green banding, leaf thickening, bud abortion, and potentially tree mortality. Current identification methods for L. crenatae rely on morphometric analysis or molecular techniques such as conventional PCR and real-time PCR. To support timely management of BLD, there is a need for a rapid, field-deployable detection method. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) is a new isothermal in vitro nucleic acid amplification technique that has been adopted for rapid and reliable diagnostics of nematodes. In this study, RPA assay combined with lateral flow (LF) dipsticks has been developed targeting the ITS rRNA gene of L. crenatae . The assay demonstrated high specificity, sensitivity, enabling direct detection from crude nematode extracts and from DNA leaf plant extracts. Assay specificity was validated against a range of non-target nematode species. The LF-RPA assay showed reliable detection within 28–30 min with a sensitivity of 0.002 nematode per reaction tube for crude nematode extracts or 0.03 nematode per reaction tube using DNA extracts from leaves. The LF-RPA assay presents a practical diagnostic tool for plant clinics and forestry professionals, enabling rapid on-site detection of L. crenatae in infested beech trees to support timely disease management decisions.

Calibration of physical and mechanical property parameters of broccoli seedling stalks

Association of VDR gene polymorphisms with prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes mellitus in a sample of the Iranian population

Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a prevalent chronic disorder responsible for most diabetes cases. The role of vitamin D receptor ( VDR ) gene variants in T2DM susceptibility has been investigated previously; however, the results are contradictory, particularly among diverse ethnic groups. This study aimed to investigate the association between VDR gene polymorphisms and T2DM in a sample of the Iranian population. Methods Data from 976 participants of the phase 3 Iranian Multicenter Osteoporosis Study (IMOS) were analyzed. Five VDR polymorphisms (ApaI, TaqI, EcoRV, FokI, and BsmI) were genotyped and assessed among diabetic (DM), prediabetic (preDM), and healthy participants. We employed logistic regression models to evaluate the association of VDR polymorphisms with preDM and DM, accounting for potential confounding factors, including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and vitamin D levels. Results The multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated a significant relationship between the ApaI polymorphism (rs7975232) and the risk of developing preDM or DM. Specifically, individuals with the CC genotype exhibited a 66% increased likelihood of progressing to preDM or DM compared to those with the AA genotype [OR: 1.66 (1.07, 2.56)]. In examining the A dominant state, individuals carrying at least one A allele ( AA or AC genotypes) were found to be 35% less likely to develop preDM or DM when compared to those with the CC genotype [OR: 0.65 (0.43, 0.97)]. No significant associations were identified for the other polymorphisms (TaqI, EcoRV, FokI, and BsmI). Conclusion These findings indicate that the C allele of the ApaI polymorphism may be associated with an increased susceptibility to T2DM in this population, underscoring the VDR gene’s role in T2DM risk and pointing to potential personalized prevention and management strategies.

PCSA-Net: pyramid channel and spatial attention network for multiclass renal disease diagnosis using CT images

Disability level and visibility: Associations with unmet academic accommodation needs and attitudes toward requesting accommodations

Purpose/objective Despite legal mandates to provide appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities in the U.S., many report gaps between what they need and receive. This study examined the role of disability level, visibility, and demographic factors in predicting unmet academic accommodation needs and attitudes toward requesting accommodations. Research method/design A sample of 409 adults who had had disabilities during their school years and who still had them completed an online survey assessing their current disability level, current disability visibility (invisible, semi-visible, or visible), unmet academic accommodation needs across all levels of schooling in aggregate, and current attitudes toward requesting academic accommodations. Results Individuals with invisible disabilities in comparison to those with semi-visible or visible disabilities reported unmet needs for having a quiet or sensory room, extended time to take tests and exams, sensory objects (e.g., fidget toys), and an Individualized Education Plan. However, those with visible and semi-visible disabilities reported unmet need for having an educational assistant or tutor, recording equipment or a portable notetaking device, a modified or adapted course curriculum, and a computer, laptop or tablet with specialized software or apps. After controlling for disability severity and demographic variables, individuals with more visible disabilities had lower unmet academic accommodation needs compared to those with an invisible disability, as well as more positive attitudes toward requesting accommodations. Conclusion/implications Assisting students with disabilities—especially those with invisible disabilities—may enhance disabled students’ experience of academic accommodations and empower them to advocate when those needs are unmet.

Effects of silicon carbide nanoparticles on mechanical and vibrational characteristics of carbon glass epoxy hybrid composites

Abstract This study presents an experimental investigation into the mechanical, vibrational, and acoustic properties of carbon/glass fibre-reinforced epoxy hybrid laminates embedded with varying weight percentages of silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles. The laminates were fabricated using compression moulding, with a six-layer alternating stacking sequence of carbon and glass fibres. A comprehensive series of tests was conducted to assess flexural strength, tensile behaviour, impact resistance, free-vibration characteristics, and sound-absorption performance. Mechanical tests revealed that the laminate with 3 wt% SiC achieved the highest tensile strength of 258.8 MPa, flexural strength of 292.6 MPa, Young’s modulus of 19.13 GPa, and impact strength of 67.9 kJ/m 2 , indicating optimal reinforcement and efficient stress transfer due to uniform nanoparticle dispersion. These values correspond to improvements of approximately 19.05%, 15.22%, 15.37%, and 7.65%, respectively, compared to the unreinforced (0 wt%) composite. SEM analysis substantiated the improved fibre–matrix interaction and the minimal microstructural defects at the optimal filler content. Conversely, the 5 wt% SiC specimens exhibited reduced mechanical performance, attributed to particle agglomeration and weakened interfacial bonding. Vibration analysis indicated a peak in stiffness and natural frequency at 3 wt% SiC, while damping behaviour declined with increasing filler loading. Acoustic testing showed enhanced transmission loss with increasing SiC content, with 5 wt% yielding the best sound-attenuation performance. The study concludes that incorporating SiC nanoparticles into carbon/glass hybrid composites significantly improves their multifunctional performance when the filler content is optimized, with the 3 wt% SiC composition offering the best balance between strength, stiffness, and acoustic efficiency.This advances SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by developing resilient, lightweight composites for sustainable aerospace/transport infrastructure, reducing emissions via efficiency gains.

Labeling of nascent RNA in the C. elegans intestine

Transcriptional regulation in C. elegans has been difficult to study at the level of nascent RNA because nucleotide analogs do not readily penetrate the cuticle. Here, we establish an ex vivo 5-ethynyl uridine (EU)-click labeling protocol that enables sensitive microscopy detection of newly transcribed RNA in dissected intestines. Using worms expressing fluorescent nucleolar markers, we show that EU incorporation faithfully reports on nascent transcription in both the nucleoplasm (mRNA) and the nucleolus (rRNA) and is abolished by inhibition of RNA polymerases. Spatial analysis further reveals that the majority of nascent rRNA transcripts localize to the fibrillar zone (FZ) of intestinal nucleoli, consistent with the conserved role of this compartment in rRNA synthesis. In addition to imaging applications, this workflow can be adapted for gene expression assays, providing a versatile approach for quantitative analysis of nascent transcription in C. elegans . By enabling direct visualization of nucleolar transcription in intact intestine tissue, this method opens new opportunities to investigate how nucleolar activity is regulated across development, aging, and disease contexts.