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Gastroprotective and antioxidant effects of stachydrine against indomethacin-induced gastric injury via ERK, AKT and iNOS signaling pathways

Occupancy estimation of wild species in a palm oil plantation using unstructured data

In 2020–2024, plantation workers at a large oil palm plantation in West Kalimantan recorded sightings of wild species of several species groups. They did not use a standardized field method and produced no comprehensive reports but recorded only one or a few species per visit. Such unstructured data are generally viewed as challenging for statistical analysis. Here, we used occupancy models to estimate what proportion of spatial units (both non-natural and forest) a given species occupied annually in the plantation. We tested models with different covariates for species for which most data were available: 13 birds, 3 reptiles and 7 mammals, among which the iconic Orangutan ( Pongo pygmaeus ). For each species, the model which best fitted the data was selected. Two shortcomings in our data complicated the analyses. First, occupancy models require detection and non-detection records, but because no fixed species lists were used, there is no unique way to generate non-detections. We generated non-detection records in several ways and ran the models again to evaluate the consequences for occupancy estimates. Second, imbalances in sampling may occur because of a lack of sampling design to select study sites. Most concerning are sites surveyed only once in 2020–2024. We ran the models without those sites to examine whether results were different. Although the shortcomings mentioned turned out not to distort our results, the occupancy estimates were imprecise for many study species because of low detection rates, and extra efforts are needed to improve that.

Cardiovascular risk assessed using the SCORE system and blood renalase concentration in the Polish subpopulation of the PURE study

Shortcomings of the controlled foreign company legislation concerning foreign tax refund systems

The aim of this study is to demonstrate that the CFC tax rules are legally ineffective in relation to those of foreign countries that operate a tax refund system at the shareholder level of the CFC (e.g., Malta). Under such a tax refund system, the CFC itself is highly taxed, but its shareholder receives a tax refund from the CFC’s country of residence upon profit distribution. Therefore, the research question is that the current CFC rules, owing to their legal structure, cannot effectively cover foreign countries of residence of the CFC that apply a tax refund system at the shareholder level. Using theoretical and legal research, this study shows that CFC taxation is largely ineffective in relation to foreign tax refund systems unless all of a CFC’s shareholders’ tax refunds are included in the calculation of the CFC’s tax burden. To illustrate this phenomenon, a comparative analysis of the CFC legislation in Germany, Austria and South Africa is conducted. The issue of foreign tax refund systems represents a significant challenge, as they have the potential to undermine the efficiency of CFC taxation as a pivotal instrument in the fight against tax avoidance. To solve this problem, a legal framework for the taxation of CFCs in countries with a tax refund system is being developed within this study to strengthen the taxation of CFCs and fight international tax avoidance. This study is a pioneering investigation of the legal efficiency of CFC taxation in the context of foreign jurisdictions that operate a tax refund system at the shareholder level of the CFC. It identifies the fundamental shortcomings of CFC tax law in the context of foreign tax refund systems and proposes legal solutions.

Physical model test on the effect of geosynthetic reinforcement on embankment constructed with modified lateritic soil under wetting-vibration

Identification and characterization of tryptophan metabolism-related genes in carotid artery plaques

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, often caused by atherosclerosis, are the stern cause of death worldwide, and carotid plaque play a crucial role in the development of these diseases. Tryptophan metabolism is an important pathway involved in the regulation of immune response, inflammation and vascular health. In this study, we analyzed bulk and scRNA data from carotid plaque to investigate the relevance between tryptophan metabolism and plaque formation. We identified 446 differentially expressed genes that are enriched in immune and tryptophan-related pathways. Focusing on tryptophan metabolism, we identified six key tryptophan-related differentially expressed genes: TPH1, MAOB, TDO2, KMO, KYNU, and CYP1B1. Using the six genes, we constructed a logistic regression model with an AUC of 0.75, which successfully predicted the risk of carotid plaque formation. Analysis of global and single-cell data revealed differential expression patterns and related modes of action of the six genes in carotid plaque, suggesting that they influence the development of carotid plaque through their involvement in tryptophan metabolism, lipid biosynthesis, and inflammatory responses. These tryptophan-related differentially expressed genes can be used as potential biomarkers to assess plaque risk and as therapeutic targets to manage carotid atherosclerosis by regulating tryptophan metabolism and reducing inflammation.

Sex-specific associations between maternal prenatal and postnatal psychological distress and autism spectrum disorder in the Japan Environment and Children’s Study

AnomLocal: A hybrid local-global anomaly detection model for network security using federated learning

Securing distributed network infrastructures has become a major priority in modern cybersecurity, where diverse data sources and increasingly sophisticated attacks challenge the reliability of traditional anomaly detection systems. Centralised and local-only detection models often fail to balance environment-specific accuracy with cross-network generalisation, leading to reduced performance and privacy risks. This study presents AnomLocal, a hybrid anomaly detection framework that combines local learning with global federated aggregation to deliver scalable, privacy-preserving, and adaptive network protection. Each client node independently trains a neural model on its local data and shares only model parameters for aggregation through an enhanced FedAvg mechanism, ensuring global learning without exposing sensitive information. Experimental evaluation on the UNSW-NB15 dataset shows that AnomLocal achieves 93.5% accuracy, 92.8% precision, and 91.5% recall, outperforming both centralised and standalone local models. The framework also reduces detection latency by 25%, supporting real-time operation in large-scale distributed environments. By effectively unifying local sensitivity with global adaptability, AnomLocal provides a robust, interpretable, and efficient solution for next-generation distributed intrusion detection systems.

A multi-stakeholder fuzzy best–worst method analysis of key factors in remanufacturing production processes

Abstract Remanufacturing is a core principle for achieving sustainable manufacturing. However, a comprehensive understanding of remanufacturing production process factors is lacking, as is adequate consideration of stakeholder perspectives and the relative importance of key factors. This study addresses these gaps by examining remanufacturing production processes from a multi-stakeholder viewpoint. It identified the key factors and then evaluated them using the Fuzzy Best-Worst Method (FBWM). The Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) was used for secondary verification. Evaluation results were compared across five stakeholder groups: a scholar, an engineer, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) manager, an independent remanufacturer (IR) manager, and a consumer. The analysis reveals that “Process Planning” (23.71% average weight) and “Generic Process” (20.24% average weight) are the foundational factors. While specific priorities differ slightly, the engineer and managers (OEM and IR) align on prioritizing these two factors. In contrast, the scholar focuses on innovation within a Specific Process, and the consumer prioritizes factors directly related to the final product. Based on these findings, the study proposes three guiding principles for implementing remanufacturing production processes and explores how stakeholder priorities influence academia, business operations, and the overall remanufacturing market. The main contribution lies in providing critical support for government policy-making and offering reference material for academic research in this area.

Physics-informed self-supervised diagnosis of rotating machinery using latent ODEs and transformer encoders

This paper proposes a novel Physics-Informed Self-Supervised Diagnosis (PI-SSD) framework for rotating machinery fault detection, combining physical modeling, self-supervised representation learning, and uncertainty-aware classification. The architecture integrates a multi-resolution convolutional encoder, a windowed Transformer for temporal context modeling, and a latent neural ordinary differential equation (ODE) module that embeds mechanical priors, such as Jeffcott rotor dynamics, directly into the learning process. A masked segment reconstruction objective enables self-supervised pretraining using unlabeled healthy signals, while an evidential classifier head produces fault probabilities with calibrated uncertainty. We evaluate PI-SSD on two publicly available datasets, the NASA PHM’09 Gearbox dataset and the Aalto Rotor dataset, covering 6 fault types and over 5,500 multichannel vibration recordings. Compared to seven strong baselines, PI-SSD achieves the highest Macro-F1 score (0.91) and lowest Expected Calibration Error (ECE = 0.022) on the NASA dataset, while maintaining strong domain transfer performance on Aalto (Macro-F1 = 0.81, PR-MSE = 0.067) without fine-tuning. Ablation studies confirm the contribution of each component, and physics consistency analysis demonstrates low violation rates under varying speeds. These results highlight the potential of embedding physics knowledge into self-supervised neural systems for robust, interpretable, and transferable fault diagnosis in industrial applications.

Elevated expression of immune checkpoints and pro-inflammatory cytokines as potential biomarkers in pediatric Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus

Abstract Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus (VLS) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis of unknown etiology affecting the external genitalia. In pediatric patients, it can lead to significant discomfort and progressive structural changes in tissues. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the participation of immune checkpoints and inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases, including VLS. Immune checkpoints, such as PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4, CD200, and CD200R, play a crucial role in modulating the immune response and may serve as potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4, CD200, and CD200R molecules on CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and CD19+ B lymphocytes in prepubertal girls diagnosed with VLS. Additionally, the concentrations of their soluble forms and the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α, in serum were determined to assess their potential as diagnostic biomarkers. The study included patients with VLS (study group) and healthy children (control group). The expression of checkpoints was analyzed using flow cytometry, while the concentrations of soluble forms and cytokines were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Statistical significance tests and Spearman’s rank correlation analysis were used. Patients with VLS showed markedly higher serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels compared with healthy controls (49.99 ± 6.09 mg/L vs. 2.70 ± 0.96 mg/L, p  < 0.001). A significant increase in checkpoint expression was observed on lymphocyte subsets, including CD4+ T cells expressing PD-1 (4.90 ± 1.67% vs. 0.85 ± 0.56%, p  < 0.001) and CTLA-4 (11.58 ± 4.70% vs. 0.96 ± 0.48%, p  < 0.001), as well as CD8+ T cells expressing PD-1 (17.31 ± 4.81% vs. 0.76 ± 0.67%, p  < 0.001) and CD19+ B cells expressing PD-L1 (16.10 ± 9.50% vs. 1.41 ± 0.45%, p  < 0.001). Soluble checkpoint molecules were consistently elevated, for example, sPD-1 (26.69 ± 3.88 pg/mL vs. 4.40 ± 0.75 pg/mL, p  < 0.001) and sCTLA-4 (43.96 ± 3.77 pg/mL vs. 5.09 ± 1.09 pg/mL, p  < 0.001). Similarly, cytokine levels were significantly increased in VLS patients, including interleukin-2 (28.80 ± 6.36 pg/mL vs. 4.32 ± 1.33 pg/mL, p  < 0.001), interleukin-6 (25.35 ± 7.52 pg/mL vs. 2.35 ± 0.78 pg/mL, p  < 0.001), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (31.26 ± 3.10 pg/mL vs. 12.80 ± 1.30 pg/mL, p  < 0.001). Correlation analyses confirmed significant positive associations between cytokine concentrations and checkpoint expression, highlighting their interdependence in VLS immunopathogenesis. The obtained results confirm an increased immunoactivation profile in children with VLS, characterized by elevated checkpoint expression and increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines. The studied parameters show potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, which may constitute the basis for the development of new diagnostic tools and targeted therapeutic strategies in VLS in pediatric patients.

Assessment of muscle oxygenation following eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage using near-infrared spectroscopy

Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) disrupts muscle structure and function, impairing recovery and performance. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) offers a non-invasive method to assess muscle oxygenation, yet its sensitivity to EIMD-related changes under practical conditions remains unclear. This study examined whether resting tissue saturation index (TSI) and sprint-phase oxygenation kinetics are altered following EIMD. Seventeen recreationally active males were assigned to a control (n = 5) or experimental group (n = 12). The experimental group performed 10 × 10 eccentric squats at 80% 1RM. Resting TSI, sprint-phase desaturation/resaturation, countermovement jump (CMJ), wellness, and creatine kinase (CK) were measured at baseline and 1, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours post-exercise. Control data provided typical error and smallest worthwhile change thresholds for reliability and interpretation. No statistically significant differences were found over time or between groups for CK, performance, or NIRS variables ( P  > 0.05). However, effect size-based inferences revealed small to extremely large effect sizes in CMJ, wellness, CK, and key NIRS metrics. Notably, desaturation amplitude and rate during Sprint 1 showed large effects at 1 h post-EIMD, while resting TSI demonstrated a small increase at 24 h. These observations indicate that resting TSI and selected sprint-phase NIRS indices exhibit small but systematic changes in temporal association with an eccentric squat protocol that induces EIMD, and suggest that NIRS may have the potential to contribute to non-invasive characterisation of muscle status in this context.

Synergistic effects of limestone calcined clay cement on alkalinity, mechanical performance, and vegetative compatibility of ecological concrete

Factors affecting the motivation of community health workers: Perspectives from Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) in Uttar Pradesh, India

Background Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) are critical to extending health services to rural and underserved populations in India. Understanding what motivates these community health workers is essential for health organizations seeking to optimize their performance and retention. Objective To explore factors affecting the motivation of ASHAs in Uttar Pradesh, India, from the perspectives of the ASHAs themselves. Methods Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 40 ASHAs across ten districts in Uttar Pradesh between September 6–24, 2023. ASHAs were selected based on the performance of their supervising ASHA Sanginis. Interviews were transcribed, translated from Hindi to English, and analyzed using thematic analysis in NVivo 12. Results Two categories of motivating factors emerged. Personal and community factors included self-efficacy from acquiring new knowledge, satisfaction from contributing to community health, increased autonomy and empowerment, and gaining respect within their communities. Organizational factors included training and skills development, supportive supervision from ASHA Sanginis, and financial incentives. While ASHAs remained positive about their work despite challenges, delayed payments and inadequate training were identified as key demotivating factors. Conclusions Health organizations can leverage organizational factors – adequate and timely training, supportive supervision, well-stocked drug kits, and timely remuneration – to support ASHAs’ intrinsic motivation. Failure to address these factors risks demotivation, reduced performance, and poorer health outcomes for the communities ASHAs serve.

Role of hydraulic parameters in the concentration and spatial distribution of heavy metals in sediments in a two-stage reservoir

Injury-specific effect of Schwann cell-derived exosome treatment for peripheral nerve injury

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is characterized by a loss of cellular and axonal integrity that can lead to limited functional recovery. Because many PNIs are not amenable to repair with traditional techniques, cell therapies have emerged as a treatment option. Exosomes, which can be secreted by Schwann cells (SC), carry cellular signaling molecules that facilitate intercellular communication. Our laboratory and others have success using SC-derived exosomes in preclinical PNI models; however, there is no study that directly compares recovery from different PNIs after exosome treatment. Thus, the currently study investigated if SC-derived exosomes can effectively treat different types of PNI, as measured by axonal regeneration and functional recovery. Adult male Fischer rats were divided into several treatment groups, including nerve transection, reversed autograft, conduit + exosomes, nerve crush, and nerve crush + exosomes. Animals underwent functional assessment through the duration of the experiment and at the conclusion (11 weeks), electrophysiological and histological characteristics were assessed. Results indicate an injury-specific effect of SC-derived exosome treatment. Specifically, exosome treatment improved axon regeneration/myelination, muscle recovery, and gait characteristics for severe, large-gap injuries. These SC-exosome based effects were not observed in crush injuries. Taken together, the results of the current study indicate that there may be differences in recovery based on injury type after PNI and treatment with SC-derived exosomes, potentially due to differences in exosome retention/distribution at the injury site. Future studies should explore how exosomes are distributed following administration across various PNI models, as their therapeutic effects may be more pronounced in upstream regions.

Explainable multi-modal approach for uncovering key predictors of stroke-risk from ECG, EMG, blood pressure, and respiratory signals

Trends in the burden of gastroesophageal reflux disease in China and Global from 1990 to 2021 and predictive analysis for 2040

Background This study analyzed the temporal trends in the age- and gender-specific disease burden of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in China from 1990 to 2021, comparing its incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) with global estimates. Methods Data were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database 1990–2021. The Joinpoint regression model was used to quantify trends via annual average percentage change (AAPC) and 95% confidence intervals. Multidimensional comparisons were conducted by age, gender, and time. Results From 1990 to 2021, China exhibited declining trends in age-standardized incidence, prevalence, and DALYs rates for GERD, in contrast to increasing trends globally. Disease burden was higher among females and increased with age, with the middle-aged and elderly experiencing the greatest rise. Projections indicate a continued increase in GERD burden in China by 2040. Conclusion Despite recent declines, GERD remains a significant public health challenge in China due to its large population and rapid aging. Targeted prevention and intervention strategies are urgently needed.

Immunoinformatics-guided design of a universal chimeric multi-epitope subunit vaccine against Marburg virus disease and Ravn virus co-infection

Impingement of systems containing suspending droplets and coming ones at the nanoscale

Impingement of binary droplets at the nanoscale is very important and is ubiquitous in daily life and practical applications, such as lab-on-a-chip and digital microfluidics. The current work performs molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to simulate free evolution of impacting deposited droplets with incoming ones with different height differences. The representative dynamics under different given conditions have been directly captured with the help of MD simulations. We observe that the targeted systems initially experienc primary spreading followed by secondary spreading, and ultimately, merged droplets can deposit upon the surface or form bouncing ones. Through recordation of the maximal spreading factor over primary and secondary spreading, the law of spreading at various separated distance ( D sep ) and impacting Weber number ( We ) is investigated. The increasing D sep can obviously postpone the collision obviously while the increasing We allows the collision to be advanced. The external factor of D sep can not affect the primary spreading but shows a significant influence on the secondary spreading. The prefactor of the secondary spreading at low-velocity impingement is 0.06 whose value is the same as that for primary spreading. On further increasing We , the high-velocity impingement alters the secondary spreading with prefactor increasing from 0.06 to 0.09. This is attributable to the fact that the collision between incomplete retracting droplets and incoming ones resists the secondary spreading. But at high velocity, the pattern of incomplete-retraction collision can promote the secondary spreading. The variation of contact time at a wide range of D sep and We is recorded, and the effect of these two mentioned parameters is investigated. This work can help researchers to understand the impact of binary nanodroplets with various D sep , which is very suitable for guiding the practical applications that need different impacting conditions.