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The fast and the focused: Balancing timely and accurate classification of deforestation and degradation drivers using remote sensing

Identifying drivers of deforestation is crucial for developing targeted conservation and land management strategies, and satellite data provide a long time series of data to understand deforestation dynamics. However, the timing of imagery after forest loss may affect classification accuracy, and optimal timing may be different for different drivers. Studies of broad-scale drivers across large and pan-tropical regions have shown that using time series can improve driver classification from satellite imagery, but requiring multi-year information means waiting longer after forest loss to classify what drives it. Our previously introduced model, Cam-ForestNet, was developed to use single-date imagery to classify fifteen direct detailed deforestation and degradation drivers for Cameroon. Here, we test whether the overall and per-class classification performance of Cam-ForestNet can be improved by either using imagery taken longer after a forest loss event or by incorporating a greater number of images, with performance evaluated using macro-average and per-class F1 scores to enable broad comparability across different contexts. Combining data up to four years after forest loss leads to improved model performance overall (macro-average F1 score) and for nearly all individual classes (per-class F1 scores). The classification of degradation drivers and slow-growing plantation benefitted most by incorporating time series data. However, when comparing approaches using only a single image from different years after a forest loss event, images from the first year following an event performed best, both overall (macro-average F1 score) and for most classes (per-class F1 scores), offering a promising strategy for relatively fast analysis of deforestation and degradation drivers following forest loss. We conclude that whilst multi-year imagery is beneficial, relying on a single image from the first year after forest loss still provides valuable and timely insights into the nature of drivers of forest loss.

Efficacy of phytochemicals derived from Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit) as inhibitors against NS2B/NS3 protease of dengue virus: an in-silico investigation

Transport stress induces paradoxical increases in airway inflammatory responses in beef stocker cattle

The development of Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) in beef cattle is associated with stressful events, including auction and transport. In addition to the effects of commingling on pathogen exposure, stress also impacts immune function and has classically been associated with an immunosuppressed state. Much of the research on cattle immunity in stress has focused on peripheral blood immune functionality rather than mucosal immune responses. To characterize immunity at the primary site of pathogen colonization in BRD, we evaluated stress responses in lung cells from beef stocker cattle to understand mucosal immune changes. Stocker calves were sampled via bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) collection within 24 hours of auction and transport to a new facility (Stressed, n = 12), or allowed to acclimate for 2 months at the new facility before sampling (Acclimated, n = 7). Lavage cellular RNA was extracted and sequenced for bulk RNA-seq gene expression. Differential gene expression analysis of RNA sequencing data demonstrated a profound upregulation of inflammatory genes in Stressed calves compared to Acclimated calves, including expression of CXCL8 , CSF3R , IL1B , and CCL22 . Top pathway upregulation in Stressed calves involved neutrophil migration and chemotaxis, and cytokine signaling. To predict cellular population proportions from the data, CIBERSORTx was used to deconvolute bulk RNA-seq gene counts. This analysis showed that Stressed calves had significantly increased BALF neutrophils compared to Acclimated calves ( p  = 0.003). Neutrophilic infiltration occurred in the absence of pathogen colonization of the lungs in most calves, as demonstrated by a multi-pathogen respiratory qPCR screen. As such, the stress induced an inflammatory response in lungs not explained by pathogen exposure. This study provides strong evidence that shipping stress in beef stocker calves can trigger increased inflammatory pulmonary mucosal immune responses, which has important implications for the pathogenesis of BRD.

Investigating the oncogenic role of aberrant EZH2 in hepatoblastoma

Abstract Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common pediatric liver malignancy. However, its cellular origin and molecular drivers remain poorly defined. Using single-nuclear RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), we identified a proliferative, hepatocyte-derived tumor cell population (cycling Hep T ) enriched for Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 ( EZH2) expression, particularly in the aggressive embryonal subtype. Integrative genomic and transcriptomic profiling confirmed EZH2 overexpression. Disruption of the PRC2 complex was evident through mislocalization and reduced expression of SUZ12, a core component. EZH2 overexpression correlated with upregulation of mitotic regulators such as AURKB and Ki67 in human HB gene expression analysis as compared to background liver. Targeted sequencing identified variants of uncertain significance in EZH2 and SUZ12 in 11 of 11 patient tumors. Pharmacologic inhibition of EZH2 with EPZ-6438 reduced proliferation and sensitized HB cells to cisplatin through gene regulation, potentially modulating platinum accumulation both in vitro and in vivo. In summary, EZH2 promotes HB progression through epigenetic silencing and noncanonical signaling pathways. These findings support EZH2’s contribution to HB pathogenesis, therefore identifying it as a novel therapeutic target.

Micromachined mmWave 28.0/38.0 GHz MIMO antenna loaded with frequency selective surface for gain enhancement and SAR analysis for future wireless applications

The presented work describes the four-port multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna designed on Rogers substrate with a thickness of 0.787 mm. The core of the MIMO antenna includes a hexagonal-patch etched by a rectangular slot and an etched hexagonal-ring in full-ground, which are printed on opposite surfaces, generating measured millimeter-wave (mmWave) bandwidth of 26.45 GHz-29.27 GHz and 37.04 GHz-39.12 GHz. The dielectric material is micromachined, and the four-port radiating elements maintain isolation of more than 20.0 dB with an overall size of 17.0 mm × 22.0 mm × 0.787 mm. The novel 11 × 11 hexagonal-ring frequency-selective-surface (FSS) is placed below the MIMO antenna, enhancing the peak-gain by 5.16 dBi with a size of 42.50 mm × 42.50 mm printed on Rogers5880 0.787 mm thickness. The MIMO antenna also features good diversity-performance with ECC mmWave-FSS  < 0.18, DG mmWave-FSS  > 9.995 dB, TARC mmWave-FSS  < −4.76 dB, and CCL mmWave-FSS  < 0.30 b/s/Hz. The cumulative features with dual millimeter wave bands, enhanced peak-realized gain, suppressed back-lobe radiations, and good diversity performance make the proposed MIMO antenna loaded with FSS suitable for 5G, satellite-communication, IoT, and smart cities applications. The MIMO antenna loaded with FSS is also subjected for SAR analysis for input power of 50 mW and 500 mW.

Research on the pressure relief mechanism and application of roof dense drilling of gob side entry retaining by roadway-side filling

Giving AI agents a sense of control facilitates reinforcement learning in multitasking scenarios

Having to control multiple tasks in parallel poses challenges for humans and artificial agents alike. In artificial intelligence, specific forms of reinforcement learning (RL), most notably hierarchical and model-based RL, have shown promising results in scenarios where tasks or skills need to be switched adaptively. However, RL agents still encounter difficulties when faced with serial multitasking that involves switching control between continuously running subtasks, such as changing the radio station while driving in traffic. Inspired by human cognitive processes, we hypothesize that maintaining a sense of control is a key mechanism facilitating such task-switching decisions. We propose a mathematical formulation of a situational sense of control that consists of two components: an evaluative indicator of the predictability of action outcomes and a predictive indicator of a need for control in individual subtasks. We integrate this model of a sense of control into a hierarchical RL agent and evaluate its performance in a Collect Asteroids game environment, in which one must alternate between navigating two spaceships to collect as many asteroids as possible. Comparing RL agents with and without a sense of control, as well as with human participants, shows that equipping RL agents with a sense of control results in significant performance improvements. Our findings indicate that agents equipped with a sense of control prioritize more complex tasks, exhibit increased switching behavior, and make switches at strategically optimal times, leading to superior overall performance. The incorporation of cognitive mechanisms, inspired by human behavior, into RL agents thus appears to yield considerable enhancements in performance when acting in complex and dynamic environments.

The role of diagnosticity in judging robot competence

The identity blueprint: Decoding the professional identity of Basic Sciences Medical Teachers in Pakistan by developing and pilot testing a questionnaire

Introduction The goal of the current study was to identify factors forming the professional identity of medical teachers teaching basic health sciences by developing and validating a questionnaire. Methodology A self-administered questionnaire was developed with items on community of practice, passion for teaching, students’ feedback, work-life balance, religious values, administrative support, work environment, job satisfaction, societal apathy, and opportunities for professional growth. The questionnaire was created after conducting interviews with faculty of basic health sciences, pilot tested, modified and verified by expert panel. Overlapping items and those which did not represent themes were removed and a final 20-item questionnaire was created. Finally, exploratory factor analysis was performed. The sample size was 301, and the participants recruited, regardless of gender, were medical teachers teaching basic health sciences, and had teaching experience of more than one year. Results A total of 20 high-loading components made up the five variables of Exploratory Factor Analysis, which explained 50% of the variance. The 20-item questionnaire was found to have satisfactory psychometric qualities. Five major constructs grouped as “CLaSiC-R” were unveiled and termed as identity blueprint of basic sciences medical teachers. They are Community of practice, Legacy, job Satisfaction, Commitment to excellence and Resilience. Cronbach’s alpha of the 20 items was 0.648. Conclusion The CLaSiC-R determines the five major constructs that form the professional identity of basic sciences medical teachers. The scale serves as a valuable indicator of key areas of professional development namely, socialization, religious values, emotional intelligence, motivation, job roles, committment to excellence, and work environment. Reforms in service structure and structured faculty development programs might facilitate their professional journey.

ConvAHKG: Action-based hybrid knowledge graph with a dual-channel convolutional approach for drug repurposing

Assessing knowledge levels on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among community members: The influence of community engagement efforts in Seke district, Zimbabwe: A cross-sectional study

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant public health challenges globally, with effective containment relying heavily on community knowledge and engagement. This study assessed COVID-19 knowledge levels among community members in Seke District, Zimbabwe, and evaluated the influence of community engagement efforts. Methods A community-based cross-sectional survey of 748 adults was conducted from January to March 2024 across rural, peri-urban, and farming settlements in Seke District, using structured interviews. Participants were selected using multistage cluster sampling and simple random sampling within clusters. Data were collected through structured face-to-face interviews using a pre-tested questionnaire assessing knowledge of COVID-19 (symptoms, transmission, prevention) and community engagement. Knowledge was scored on a 17-item questionnaire with a total possible score of 61 points; participants scoring 50% or more of the total possible score were classified as knowledgeable, a threshold based on prior similar studies. Data analysis included ANOVA, Student’s t-test, and post hoc tests with significance set at p < 0.05. Results Only 27% scored above the knowledge threshold. Knowledge varied significantly by gender, age, residence, religion, education, and engagement with Village COVID-19 Taskforce Committees (p < 0.05). Males, younger adults, peri-urban residents, and those engaged with taskforce services showed higher knowledge levels. Conclusion This study highlights notable knowledge gaps on COVID-19 in Seke District despite ongoing community engagement efforts. Unlike previous studies in the district, it uniquely links community engagement activities with knowledge outcomes across diverse demographic groups. Findings suggest the need for tailored, targeted public health education strategies to enhance health literacy and community participation. Strengthening inclusive community engagement can optimize pandemic preparedness and response in this and similar settings.

Targeted metagenomics reveals hidden chickenpox epidemic amid Mpox surveillance in Uganda

Anticonvulsant effects of novel and repurposed drugs on docetaxel-induced neuropathy in C. elegans

Chemotherapeutic agents used for most common cancers are frequently associated with neurotoxicity, which often include debilitating side effects such as seizures. Docetaxel, one of the most widely and effectively used chemotherapeutic drugs, is associated with an array of symptoms referred to as Docetaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathies (DIPNs), including motor neuropathy, tingling, muscle weakness, and numbness. In this study, we use the electroconvulsive assay to model DIPN-related muscle weakness in C. elegans, via shock induction . We show that acutely or chronically exposing nematodes to docetaxel increases time to recovery from shock-induced seizure-like behaviors. Additionally, we find that sildenafil citrate, a PDE-5 inhibitor, and a novel bicyclic bridge compound, Resveramorph-3 (RVM-3), are both effective at rescuing the animals from prolonged seizure-like movement duration following acute and chronic exposure to docetaxel. The results demonstrate that sildenafil citrate and RVM-3 are potential candidates for mitigating the neurological deficits resulting from DIPNs.

Fracture propagation characteristics in shale bedding planes within structurally complex zones

Nanophotonic perfect absorber with ultra-broadband terahertz-to-infrared response via hybrid-material design for advanced optical sensing

The terahertz (THz) frequency range has gained significant attention in recent years, particularly for applications in biological diagnostics, remote sensing, security systems, and wireless communications. One key advantage of THz radiation is that it is safer than X-rays while offering higher data rates and enhanced channel capacity. THz systems encapsulate several components, including absorbers, which play a crucial role in stealth technologies, detection, and high-resolution imaging. Many absorber designs in the literature are based on metamaterials; however, these structures tend to be physically large and thick, limiting their integration into devices. This research introduces an innovative, compact THz-range sensor designed for biomedical applications. The sensor features a geometrically simple structure, utilizing silver (Ag) and nickel (Ni) resonators embedded on a silicon dioxide (SiO2) dielectric substrate. The device measures only 100 × 100 nm², with the Ag, SiO2, and Ni layers totaling just 26 nm thickness. This material and geometric arrangement achieve near-perfect absorptivity (>99.9%) across the operating range up to 30 THz. Extensive numerical studies demonstrate the sensor’s excellent performance, analyzed through surface current, electric, and magnetic field distributions. Compared to state-of-the-art benchmarks, comprehensive comparative studies reveal the sensor’s superior performance in terms of operating range, compact size, absorption efficiency, and angular stability. Its exceptional sensitivity and ability to detect subtle changes in tissue refractive index make it ideal for early-stage cancer detection and other biomedical applications. Additionally, it is well-suited for real-time detection of environmental pollutants and security screening.

Enhancing the mechanical and shear behavior of clay soil using lime, Nano-MgO, and recycled PET fibers: experimental and UPV-based assessment

Salt loading as a promising approach to study the dopaminergic phenotype of neurons of the supraoptic nucleus in mice

Until the beginning of this century, neurons of the supraoptic nucleus (SON) were repeatedly shown to express tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in salt loaded rats. However, its role remains unsolved due to methodological problems. Given that these issues can now be solved using transgenic mice and more advanced methods, the aim of this study was to reproduce the salt loading models used in rats, in C57BL/6 mice and transgenic mice expressing the green fluorescent protein gene under the TH promoter. Our study also attempted to identify a model that would most significantly increase TH synthesis in vasopressinergic neurons. This was assessed with immunocytochemistry by measuring the number of TH-immunoreactive neurons in the SON and the intraneuronal content of TH-immunoreactive material in individual neurons. In the first model, when using 3% NaCl as drinking water, the highest number of TH-immnopositive neurons was detected on the 3rd day, while the intraneuronal TH content did not change. In the second model, 10 hours after the intraperitoneal administration of 8.5% NaCl (experiment) or 0.9% NaCl (control), the number of TH-immunopositive neurons was significantly higher than in the first model. Moreover, the intraneuronal content of TH increased. Additional PCR analysis showed in the second model an increase in the expression of the TH gene and genes of some transcription factors (Sp1, Atf4, c-Fos, c-Jun) that initiate the TH gene expression in SON. Thus, we developed and characterized a salt loading model in mice with the highest level of TH synthesis, which will be used in the future to assess the functional significance of this protein.

High precision classification of hot rolled strip steel surface defects using dual path features and entropy attention fusion

Workforce, succession planning, and optimism for the future among Swiss general practitioners with additional training in complementary medicine in 2016: A nationwide cross-sectional study

The shortage of general practitioners (GPs) and the aging workforce of established GPs in Switzerland are persistent. Furthermore, data on GPs with additional training in complementary medicine (CM) are lacking. This study aimed to obtain information on GPs with training in CM. A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous online survey to assess the demographics, practice structures, workloads, and future perspectives. The participants were members of four CM societies representing doctors with CM certificates (n = 1,067) in traditional Chinese medicine/acupuncture (TCM/A), homeopathy (HOM), anthroposophical medicine, and phytotherapy. Overall, 206 GPs were included and divided into three groups: TCM/A (n = 73), HOM (n = 76), and others (n = 57). Most participants were male, and approximately half worked in double or group practices. They worked an average of 36 h per week, which had decreased by 13 h over the past 5 years, with plans for further reduction in the future. Approximately 18% planned to continue working beyond the retirement age, and 4% wanted to retire before that age. The majority expressed optimism about the future of CM in Swiss healthcare but less for individual CM disciplines. Compared to the 2015 Swiss Workforce Study, more CM GPs were female, worked less often in group practices, made fewer house calls, and were more optimistic about the future. CM-GPs in Switzerland face the same challenges as conventional GPs. National action and collaboration are needed to improve working conditions and to address the trend towards part-time work and an ageing workforce to safeguard healthcare for the population.

Machine learning model provides stress biomarkers for the classification of abiotic stress in Micro-Tom