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Mango peels-assisted synthesis of carbon quantum dots for potential optical sensing of diazinon
Dynamic chain for scheduling of the multi-AGV systems with load-aware motion profiling
Development of a nomogram to predict in-hospital mortality of trauma patients in the ICU: an analysis of the MIMIC-IV database
Distance-amplified power-law distributions better characterize human long-distance travel
Abstract Human mobility patterns have been the subject of research for many decades. Understanding long-distance trips is critical in our globalized world, for example, to model the spread of diseases. Traditional models generally assume that trip lengths follow a power-law distribution. We analyze over one million long-distance trips using three datasets: two survey-based (from Germany and the U.S.) and one from mobile network data in the U.K. We find that the observed trip length distributions deviate from typical power-law behavior, motivating a new approach. In addition, we examine COVID-19 spreading patterns in Germany and identify mobility dynamics that traditional power-law models fail to capture. To address these limitations, we introduce a model that extends the power-law framework by amplifying long-distance trips – based on the intuition that once a journey exceeds a certain length, the remaining distance is also likely to be substantial. Our experiments underscore the need for advanced models of long-distance travel and demonstrate that distance amplification can enhance the accuracy of conventional models.
Evaluating the prognostic significance of HIST1H4C in breast cancer: implications for neoadjuvant therapy
Energy, exergy, and environmental performance of a solar dryer for orange slices across tray levels and thicknesses
Abstract This research introduces the development of an automated forced and natural solar dryer (AFNSD) equipped with a photovoltaic-powered IoT technology, temperature-responsive control system that seamlessly alternates between natural and forced convection to improve efficiency and minimize energy consumption. In contrast to traditional fixed systems, it avoids both over-drying and product spoilage. The affordable, solar-driven design makes it ideal for off-grid communities. By combining drying kinetics analysis with economic and environmental evaluations, the system aligns with and promotes sustainability objectives. The thermodynamic performance and sustainability indicators were also evaluated. The developed AFNSD was used for drying orange slices at different tray positions (lower, middle, and upper), and three slice thicknesses (4, 6, and 8 mm). the obtained results showed that thinner orange slices (4 mm) placed on the lower trays reached the equilibrium moisture content more quickly, with an average drying time of about 13 h. In contrast, thicker slices (8 mm) positioned on the upper trays required the longest drying time, averaging around 25 h to reach the equilibrium moisture content. The thermodynamic analysis showed that the maximum energy efficiency of the solar collector (SC) ( $$\:{\eta\:}_{en,\:\:SC})\:$$ was about 70.98%. And the maximum exergy efficiency of the SC ( $$\:{\eta\:}_{ex,\:\:SC})\:$$ and the drying chamber (DCh) ( $$\:{\eta\:}_{ex,\:\:DCh}$$ ) were about 21.93% and 43.64%, respectively. additionally, the sustainable indicators of both SC and DCh of the developed AFNSD, showed that the improved potential (IP) was in the range of 2.03 to 12.61 W in the SC and from 0.03 to 1.85 W in the DCh. The average waste energy ratio (WER) was 0.9 for the SC and 0.7 for the DCh. And the sustainability index (SI) ranged from 1.02 to 1.28 in the SC and from 1.2 to 1.77 in the DCh.
Peptidomics and pharmacological profiling of Odontobuthus doriae (Buthidae) scorpion venom at the kappa opioid receptor
Abstract Scorpion venoms are rich in bioactive peptides, many of which act on ion channels and neurotransmitter systems, yet their capacity to interact with G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) has been largely unexplored. Here, we profiled the venom peptides of five species in the family Buthidae and evaluated their activity at the kappa opioid receptor (KOR). Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) revealed species-specific peptide fingerprints in the mass range between 2.5 and 4 kDa, underscoring interspecies peptide toxin variation. Following pre-purification by solid-phase extraction, radioligand displacement assays demonstrated that fractions from Odontobuthus doriae bound to KOR, with Od-e (36% acetonitrile) and Od-f (45% acetonitrile) displacing ~ 35–40% of [³H]-diprenorphine. However, BRET-based functional assays demonstrated only weak receptor activation, suggesting that these peptides may function as partial agonists or antagonists rather than full agonists. Collectively, these findings highlight scorpion venoms as a previously underexplored source of opioid receptor-interacting peptides. Systematic investigation of their structural diversity and pharmacological profiles in the future may not only expand our understanding of venom evolution but also provide novel scaffolds for GPCR ligand discovery and potential analgesic development.
SSG–CAM: enhancing visual interpretability through refined second-order gradients and evolutionary multi-layer fusion
Study of aerodynamic characteristics of variable cross-section box girders under three-dimensional fluctuating wind field
Effects of date palm and green tea polyphenol extracts on the thermal stability and mechanical properties of poly lactic acid
Identification of multiple ocular diseases using a hybrid quantum convolutional neural network with fundus images
Exogenous ascorbic acid enhances drought tolerance in Hypericum perforatum L. by modulating antioxidant defense and osmotic adjustment
Abstract Drought stress poses a significant threat to the cultivation of Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John’s wort), a valuable medicinal plant. While ascorbic acid (AsA) is a known mitigator of abiotic stress, its protective role and underlying mechanisms in H. perforatum remain unexplored. This study elucidates the biochemical and physiological basis of exogenous AsA-induced drought tolerance in H. perforatum subjected to full irrigation (100% FI), moderate (75% FI), and severe (50% FI) deficit irrigation. Severe drought significantly inhibited growth, reducing biomass, chlorophyll content, relative water content, and leaf area. Foliar application of AsA, particularly at 400 mg L − 1 , markedly ameliorated these inhibitory effects. The AsA-mediated mitigation was mechanistically linked to a robust enhancement of the plant’s antioxidant defense system, evidenced by significantly increased activities of ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase, alongside elevated levels of endogenous AsA, total phenolics, and osmolytes (proline and soluble carbohydrates). Consequently, AsA-pretreated plants exhibited substantially reduced oxidative damage, with lower levels of malondialdehyde and electrolyte leakage under severe stress. Our findings demonstrate that exogenous AsA fortifies drought tolerance in H. perforatum primarily by orchestrating a synergistic enhancement of osmotic adjustment and reactive oxygen species scavenging capacity. This effective and practical strategy highlights the potential of AsA application to sustain the production of this economically important species in water-limited environments.