Browse Articles

Detection of sample swapping in anti-doping investigations using machine learning

SIRT1 induces FOXO1/autophagy/NCOA4-induced ferroptosis and accelerates the progression of cerebral infarction by inhibiting the E2F1/NOTCH-1/YAP signaling pathway

Age estimation using the pulp-to-tooth volume ratio of canines based on cone-beam computed tomography: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Knowledge attitudes and practices towards long-acting antiretroviral therapy in HIV/AIDS patients

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding long-acting antiretroviral therapy (LA-ART) among HIV/AIDS patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Infection Center of Beijing Youan Hospital between December 2024 and May 2025. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising demographic variables and KAP-related items. A total of 919 questionnaires were collected; after excluding 93 responses (declined consent, abnormal height/weight entries, failed logic-check questions, and uniform responses), 826 valid questionnaires were included in the final analysis, yielding a valid response rate of 89.88%. Most participants resided in urban areas (62.0%) and were currently employed (72.0%), with over half (52.9%) holding an associate or bachelor’s degree. Their knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 14.38 ± 5.52 (possible range: 0–36), 39.71 ± 4.36 (possible range: 12–60), and 22.29 ± 2.99 (possible range: 9–27), respectively. The structural equation modeling results showed that knowledge had direct effects on attitude (β = 0.427, P  = 0.016) and practice (β = 0.132, P  = 0.003). Meanwhile, attitude had a direct impact on practice (β = 0.460, P  = 0.034). Furthermore, knowledge indirectly affected practice through attitude (β = 0.197, P  = 0.014). HIV/AIDS patients demonstrated insufficient knowledge, a generally neutral attitude, yet reported positive practices regarding LA-ART. Future clinical interventions should prioritize structured, evidence-based educational programs to enhance patient understanding and shift attitudes.

Population-attributable burden of modifiable risk factors for depression and anxiety among reproductive-age women in Nepal

Retraction Note: LungGANDetectAI: a GAN-augmented and attention-guided deep learning framework for accurate and explainable lung cancer detection

Glucocorticoid sparing in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with Janus kinase inhibitors: insights from the Japanese patient registry

Geological and climatic influences on natural radioactivity in drinking water and their health impacts: a study of Dessie and Kombolcha towns, Ethiopia

Abstract This study examines the geological and climatic factors that influence natural radioactivity levels in drinking water from Dessie and Kombolcha towns in Ethiopia’s northern plateau. The basaltic and sedimentary mudrock formations of the region contain high levels of natural radionuclide elevated natural radionuclide levels, while climatic factors such as precipitation, soil moisture, and humidity enhance their mobility and transport into water sources. Kombolcha, situated at a Lower altitude geographically, exhibits higher radionuclide concentrations for 238 U and 232 Th. All measured values are almost greater than the global permissible values 0.5 mBq/L and 0.05 mBq/L respectively, especially for samples collected from running water. This is due to surplus and downward transport along the Borkena River from Dessie to Kombolcha, which is intensified by climatic conditions and rainfall. 40 K shows high activity values in samples from underground and spring water in both towns, even if its global permissible value is clearly not known in ingestion food type. Uranium’s greater solubility compared to thorium results in higher activity levels above 0.5 mBq/L, across both towns in this study. Radiation dose assessments reveal significant health risks, particularly in spring and headwater areas. Annual effective doses exceed the permissible values recommended by international guidelines like IAEA and ICRP in both towns which is 1 mSv/yr. These findings suggest potential long-term health risks, with recommendations for continuous monitoring and mitigation measures to protect public health in the two towns and downstream from the Ethiopian northern plateau.

An evaluation of the performance characteristics of SCR utilizing a Fe2O3–SiO2/Al2O3 synthesized catalyst for effective diesel engine exhaust emission reduction

Abstract Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) helps to reduce Nitrogen Oxide (NO) emissions from diesel engines using catalytic materials made of thermally stable non-precious metals. A dual support SCR catalyst using iron oxide (Fe 2 O 3 ) and silica/alumina (SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 ) has developed from low-cost materials. This catalyst has a monolith design for application to engines at full scale. The dual support provides a high level of interface between the iron oxide and silica/alumina that allows higher iron loadings, better iron distribution, and greater thermal stability of the Fe 3+ /Fe 2+ redox couples across a wide temperature range (150–600 °C). Analytical techniques like (X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller Surface Area (BET) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy confirmed the presence of a thermally stable and mesoporous catalyst with an even distribution of Lewis and Bronsted acid sites. Industrial applications of this catalyst have been performed on a diesel engine fuel as a diesel and diesel plastic oil blend (DPB) (B50) with a power output of 5.2 kW and significant conversion rates of 85% of NO at maximum load, and Hydrocarbons (HC), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and smoke opacity have been reduced by 65%, 55%, and 60%, respectively. Statistical analysis of results across all experimental conditions, including ANOVA, was conducted to establish the reproducibility of the findings. This catalyst exhibited consistent activity when tested with conventional diesel fuel as well as blended fuels composed of diesel and post-industrial waste. No precious metals or polymers have been used in the synthesis of the dual support SCR catalyst or subsequent formulations for commercial application. Overall, the results demonstrated that low-cost precursors could serve as effective catalysts for reducing NO emissions from diesel engines.

SPHT-LSTM: a novel industrial equipment condition prediction method

AI-powered ultrasound radiofrequency analysis for non-invasive pediatric liver fat quantification

Buffering effects of shelter and palatable foods mitigate fear responses in foraging wild mice

Intrinsic capacity trajectory and hip fracture risk in Chinese middle-aged and older adults: a 10-year retrospective cohort study

The epidemiology of neurocognitive disorders in Hungary

Abstract There is a lack of data on the epidemiological characteristics of NCD (neurocognitive. disorder) in Hungary. We aimed to assess the prevalence and incidence of NCD in Hungary, by sex and age groups, and to determine the proportion of diagnostic procedures performed on patients, the prevalence of comorbidities within this population, and the medication used to treat these patients. Descriptive statistical analysis based on data from the National Health Insurance Fund and the Central Statistical Office. Data are for the years 2016 to 2021. The prevalence of NCD in people over 65 in 2016 was 6.64%, decreasing to 5.58% in 2021. The annual incidence in 2016 was 65,505, which decreased to 42,668 in 2021. 40% of incident. patients received a CT scan of the skull. Around 80% of patients were diagnosed with hypertension. 75% had cerebrovascular disease in 2016, which decreased to 59.3% in 2021. A third of patients were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. In 2016, 8.99% of patients filled their prescriptions for NCD, this figure did not change significantly by 2021. The prevalence of NCD in Hungary decreased significantly after 2019, presumably due to the decreased use of healthcare facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Next-generation platelet concentrate: Alb-PRF outperformed PRP and H-PRF in promoting endothelial function and wound healing

Deep learning analysis for enhanced prediction of heat transfer in Maxwell hybrid nanofluids with non-Fourier law and radiation effects

Magnetic BiFeO3 nanoparticles as a sustainable and efficient catalyst for the green synthesis of highly substituted imidazole derivatives

Long-term neurostructural and psychological effects of war stress in two generations of civilians from the former Yugoslavia

Abstract The long-term neurobiological and psychological effects of war-related stress on civilians remain understudied. This study focuses on survivors of the war in the former Yugoslavia (G1) who now reside in the Czech Republic and on the children of survivors (G2) who were born after the conflict. Participants from G1, G2, and a control group (CG) with no war experience underwent structural MRI, answered a semi-structured interview, and completed psychological questionnaires (PTGI, PCL-5, SWSL, MSPSS, Brief-COPE). Voxel-based morphometry was used to assess brain volume differences. Compared to CG, G1 showed reduced grey matter volume in regions associated with PTSD and autobiographical memory, including Crus II, parahippocampal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, and fusiform gyrus. Psychologically, G1 reported higher PTSD symptoms, lower life satisfaction, and greater post-traumatic growth. G2 showed no structural brain changes but scored higher on post-traumatic growth than CG, with no significant differences in other psychological measures. The findings suggest long-lasting neuroanatomical and psychological effects of war stress in directly exposed individuals (G1). Although G2 showed no brain alterations, the increased post-traumatic growth may indicate subtle adaptation effects of growing up in a post-war environment, but not necessarily only in a maladaptive sense.

Reinforcing smart grid resilience through blockchain-supported deep learning models for theft detection

Impact of processing parameters on the interfacial bonding and properties of recycled LCS/WC–Co bilayers developed through powder metallurgy

Abstract This study aims to develop a tough-hard (LCS/WC-Co) bilayer composite using recycled low-carbon steel (LCS) with WC–Co through conventional powder metallurgy (PM), offering a cost-effective and sustainable route to enhance mechanical performance. Processing parameters like sintering temperature, compaction pressure, and particle size, were optimized to control microstructural development and mechanical behavior. The microstructure results show that the defect-free interfaces, dense layer and strong interfacial bonding strength are achieved at the optimal parameters of 1300 °C, 313 MPa, and 25 μm particle size. Lower sintering temperatures (< 1280 °C) produced porosity and weak adhesion, whereas sintering above 1320 °C led to interfacial cracking. At the interface, mutual diffusion occurred with Fe diffusion into WC–Co and Co migrating into LCS. Concurrently, WC decomposition facilitated the formation of Fe(W) and CoFe intermetallic, together with minor Co₃W₃C and Fe₃W₃C phases. These interfacial reactions provided strong cohesion and enhanced mechanical performance, yielding compressive and tensile interfacial bonding strength of 209 MPa and 44 MPa, with hardness of 150 ± 6 HV for the LCS layer and 660 ± 70 HV for the WC–Co layer.