Browse Articles

Stimuli-responsive chitosan-coated ferrite nanocarriers for targeted capsaicin delivery and core-dependent HepG2-selective bioactivity

Abstract Capsaicin is a promising anticancer agent, but its clinical translation is hindered by poor aqueous solubility, low bioavailability, rapid clearance, and dose-limiting irritation, which restrict sustained exposure at tumor sites. Existing formulations only partially overcome these limitations and often lack tumor-microenvironment–responsive release or a clear understanding of how carrier composition modulates biological outcomes. Here, chitosan-coated zinc ferrite (ZFO@CS) and manganese ferrite (MFO@CS) nanocarriers were developed as pH- and glutathione-responsive platforms for capsaicin delivery. The nanocarriers exhibited nanoscale hydrodynamic diameters (~ 120–500 nm) and highly positive zeta potentials (+ 30 to + 50 mV), enabling high encapsulation efficiencies (up to ~ 88%) and colloidal stability. Under physiological pH 7.4, less than 10% of the loaded drug was released over 48 h, whereas ~ 30–40% was liberated under acidic, glutathione-rich conditions mimicking the tumor microenvironment, indicating dual stimulus-triggered behavior. Encapsulation improved capsaicin’s selective cytotoxicity toward HepG2 liver cancer cells, with CAP-MFO@CS achieving a higher therapeutic index than free capsaicin, while maintaining acceptable compatibility with normal WI-38 fibroblasts. The nanocarriers also enhanced antibacterial and antioxidant activities. DNA binding and stopped-flow kinetics revealed that ferrite core composition modulates binding affinity and kinetic stability of DNA–nanocomposite complexes, providing a mechanistic link between material properties and bioactivity. These findings demonstrate that core-dependent design of ferrite–chitosan nanocarriers can improve capsaicin bioavailability, selectivity, and multifunctional therapeutic performance.

MSRRT-DETR: A high-precision apple detection method with strong cross-domain generalization capability in complex orchard scenes

Accurate fruit detection is a key component of precision agriculture applications such as crop yield estimation, orchard management, and intelligent harvesting. In scenarios where immature fruits exhibit visual similarity to the background or where significant varietal differences exist, traditional models often lack sufficient generalization ability, resulting in reduced detection accuracy and unstable predictions. To address this problem, this paper proposes a fruit detection model, MSRRT-DETR, which achieves a balance of high accuracy, real-time performance, and strong generalization capability. To improve detection accuracy and robustness in complex orchard environments, MSRRT-DETR introduces three major enhancements to the RT-DETR framework: a Multi-Scale Convolutional Attention Module (MSBlock) to enhance feature representation at different scales; a Spatial and Channel Synergistic Attention Module (SCSA) to improve object focus and discriminative capability; and a Re-parameterized Feature Pyramid Network (RepGFPN) to achieve efficient multi-scale feature fusion. Experimental results show that MSRRT-DETR achieves a mAP50 of 87.3% on the self-constructed TSApple dataset, outperforming mainstream lightweight models YOLOv8, YOLO11, and YOLO12 by 2.0–7.9 percentage points, exceeding two-stage detectors including Faster R-CNN, Mask R-CNN, and Cascade R-CNN by 5.1–8.6 percentage points, and surpassing the RT-DETR series by 1.1–2.6 percentage points. With an inference speed of 30.2 FPS, comparable to the YOLO series, MSRRT-DETR achieves an excellent balance between accuracy and real-time performance. In addition, MSRRT-DETR demonstrates outstanding cross-domain generalization capability on four public datasets including MinneApple, validating its stable applicability across diverse scenarios and fruit varieties. MSRRT-DETR combines high recognition accuracy, fast inference, and strong cross-domain generalization, fully meeting the requirements of fruit detection in complex agricultural scenarios. The model provides robust technical support for intelligent monitoring and automated orchard management in precision agriculture, and holds significant practical value and broad potential for application.

A BDS–eLoran fusion positioning method for resilient PNT under reduced satellite availability

Abstract Satellite navigation and positioning systems have become an essential component of modern infrastructure, supporting a wide range of civil and industrial applications. However, satellite-based positioning systems are vulnerable to interference, spoofing, and equipment failures, making reliance on a single system increasingly risky. To enhance system availability and continuity, the concept of resilient Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) has therefore been proposed. This paper presents a unified BDS (BeiDou Navigation Satellite System)–eLoran (enhanced Loran) fusion framework for positioning under reduced satellite observability. The framework systematically integrates BDS and eLoran measurements across different observability conditions, ranging from full satellite availability (≥ 4 satellites) to degraded scenarios with three, two, or a single satellite. Experimental results show that incorporating eLoran measurements significantly improves the robustness and availability of BDS positioning under limited satellite visibility. In particular, when the number of available BDS satellites is insufficient for conventional GNSS positioning, eLoran-assisted fusion enables continuous positioning with meter-level horizontal accuracy under favorable geometric conditions. Overall, the proposed approach demonstrates a practical fusion strategy that supports graceful performance degradation and rapid recovery under satellite-degraded conditions, especially in maritime environments.

Non-immersive virtual reality telerehabilitation for motor accuracy and precision in individuals with Cerebral Palsy: A non-randomized clinical trial

This study aimed to describe motor performance, accuracy and precision, in individuals with Cerebral Palsy (CP) compared to typically developing individuals (controls), and to examine longitudinal changes during a non-immersive virtual reality (VR) telerehabilitation protocol. Methods: The final sample included, 38 with CP and 21 controls. Controls completed a single practice session, while 29 participants with CP completed the 10-day home-based protocol, and 20 returned for a follow-up session to assess retention. Analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle, including all 38 CP participants. The intervention used the MoveHero game, performed two to three times per week, with sessions lasting at least 9 minutes under remote therapist supervision. Motor performance was assessed in a coincident timing task using absolute error (AE, accuracy), variable error (VE, precision), and percentage of hits. The study was registered in the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (ReBec: RBR-4kf52bv). Results: The CP group had higher mean AE and VE values than controls but showed progressive improvements across practice days. Mean accuracy improved across most target positions (p < 0.05), with mean AE decreasing from 1350 ms on Day 1–895 ms on the best practice day. Controls had a mean AE of 584 ms, and participants with CP achieved similar performance in two of the four target positions. Mean VE improved notably for Target 3 (1124 ms on Day 1–811 ms on Day 9, p = 0.007), and the mean percentage of correct responses increased from 45.8% to 58.5% (p = 0.019), while controls reached 69.1%. No significant differences were found among GMFCS subgroups. Gains were maintained at follow-up (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Home-based non-immersive VR telerehabilitation using MoveHero effectively enhanced upper-limb motor performance in individuals with CP, regardless of functional level. These findings support VR as an accessible, motivating, and adaptable tool for promoting motor learning and continuity of care in home-based rehabilitation.

Challenges associate with microbiome diversity, glucocorticoids, and condition in a wild songbird

Abstract Wild animals experience daily fitness challenges, and the resulting stress responses can disrupt an animal’s gut microbiome. Given the links between health and microbiome composition, it is essential to understand how challenges affect microbial communities. We showed that a fitness challenge significantly alters the cloacal microbiome of free-living Northern cardinals ( Cardinalis cardinalis ), and these shifts covary with changes to the glucocorticoid stress response, condition, and beak ornamentation. Treatment significantly related to beta diversity, while it only influenced alpha diversity indirectly through interactions with health-related traits. Birds held for an extended time before release showed greater cloacal microbiome community changes 11 days later vs. birds administered a simulated territorial intrusion challenge, or control birds administered no challenge. We also detected relationships between beta diversity and change in body condition and beak ornamentation. Birds showing the greatest alpha diversity decrease and largest beta diversity between timepoints experienced the greatest corticosterone response to handling. Finally, several Amplicon Sequence Variants were differentially abundant in challenged birds compared to control birds. To our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate proximate effects of fitness challenges on the microbiome of an adult, free-living songbird, while simultaneously tracking changes in glucocorticoid levels, body condition, and ornamentation—providing a uniquely integrative perspective on how stress shapes host-microbe interactions in the wild.

Cumulative social adversity as a correlate of self harm: Validity of the Reward Probability Index

Adversity is a risk factor for Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI). However, studies differ in their conceptualisation and indices of adversity, creating heterogeneity. The current study sought to validate the environmental adversity (ES) subscale of the Reward Probability Index (RPI) as a correlate of NSSI (and related risk factors: depression, anxiety, and impulsivity) to demonstrate the utility of this short ES questionnaire in self-harm research as a novel measure of cumulative social environmental adversity. A single, cross-sectional, online survey was completed by 149 participants, 50.3% of whom reported past year NSSI engagement. In adjusted models, environmental adversity (OR=3.8), depression (OR=1.1), low subjective socioeconomic status (SES) (OR=1.4) and indirect NSSI (OR=3.7) were associated with an increased odds of past year NSSI engagement. Pearson correlations within the NSSI subsample revealed environmental adversity, depression, and anxiety were associated with each other and NSSI, while impulsivity was not. Finally, a robust parallel mediation analysis indicated that the relationship between environmental adversity and NSSI was mediated by depression β = .165, 95%CI [.033,.336] ( R 2  = 76.87%), but not anxiety β = .017, 95%CI [−.143,.173] ( R 2  = 8.07%). These findings are consistent with empirical longitudinal and theoretical evidence proposing NSSI is associated with aversive environmental experience and depression. The finding that the environmental adversity subscale of the RPI is a valid correlate of NSSI, and is associated with other established risk factors for NSSI, validates the ES subscale for use in future longitudinal studies of NSSI as a short general assay of cumulative adversity.

Flexible and printable thermoelectric films based on FeCl3 doped P3HT

Investigating rehabilitation by activities involving the trunk to improve balance and gait control in young children with cerebral palsy: A randomized open-label crossover trial protocol

Introduction Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have gross motor and balance disorders altering standing, walking and activities. Since trunk control is central for balance, rehabilitation targeting the trunk is developing. In children with CP aged 5–12 years, rehabilitation by activities involving the trunk (RAIT) based on activities in intermediate postures for 3 months has been demonstrated to significantly improve trunk control while standing and early trunk deceleration and coupled negative ankle power due to plantar flexors while walking autonomously. As motor disorders develop early, the effects of RAIT are investigated in younger children and for longer time: the adapted design of this study is presented. Initial motor disorders in children with CP aged 18 months to 5 years and 6 months are expected to show at least a 30% reduction after RAIT compared to UR (based on prior findings in older children), with progressive improvements of 40% and 50% at 6 and 12 months, respectively, reflecting cumulative training effects. Methods The studied motor disorders include −1- during gait, excessive early anterior deceleration of the sternum (primary outcome) measured by inertial measurement unit, excessive anterior location of center of pressure on affected leg(s), Enhanced Gait Variability Index and step width measured by a walkway equipped with pressure sensors, −2- Altered gross motor, balance and trunk function measured by the item set version of the Gross Motor Function Measurement 66 and by the Early Clinical Assessment of Balance. Expected results All these variables would be influenced by trunk balance and control, and therefore reduced after RAIT. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06438432 .

Tunable surface electromagnetic waves at a graphene–hypercrystal boundary under magnetic bias

Agricultural products: A study on the impact of social presence on customer engagement in livestream marketing

With the development of the digital economy, livestream marketing for agricultural products has become an important channel for promoting the digital transformation of rural industries. Drawing on user value theory, this study examines how social presence influences customer engagement in agricultural livestream marketing by incorporating customer satisfaction as a mediating variable and trust atmosphere as a moderating variable, and proposes a conceptual model. Based on data from 312 valid questionnaires, the results show that social presence positively affects customer engagement both directly and indirectly through customer satisfaction. Moreover, trust atmosphere strengthens the direct effect of social presence on customer engagement as well as the mediating role of customer satisfaction. This study extends consumer behavior research by integrating livestream marketing into the theoretical framework and highlighting the role of livestream-specific relational factors in shaping customer behavior. The findings also provide actionable insights for optimizing agricultural livestream marketing, including fostering trust, enhancing interactivity, and supporting farmers and e-commerce platforms.

Menstrual blood-derived stem cell exosomes improve ovarian function in chemotherapy-Induced POF rats via apoptosis regulation

Machine learning driven optimization of biomedical waste ash concrete for sustainable construction

Concrete produced using ash from biomedical waste is a sustainable construction solution that can help reduce the environmental impact associated with cement production. The study develops a database of Biomedical Waste Ash (BMWA) concrete from literature sources and applies advanced Machine Learning (ML) techniques to predict the mechanical properties of the mixes. Four ML models (Random Forest (RF), Self-Attention and Intersample Attention Transformer (SAINT), TabNet, and an Ensemble model) were subjected to performance evaluation, hyperparameter optimization, and ten-fold cross-validation. RF and TabNet achieved the highest predictive performance, with an R² of 0.82 across strength parameters, while SAINT demonstrated stable generalization but reduced accuracy for certain strength parameters. The ensemble model showed poorer performance than each model, which emphasizes the capability of robust standalone models in specific and limited databases. The external validation showed good agreement between them and hence supports the reliability of our models. Sustainability Index (SI) incorporates cement substitution, durability improvement, and retained strength to evaluate the overall performance of the BMWA concrete at 15% BMWA. The study proposes an integrated data-driven framework that combines advanced ML methods, interpretability analysis, external validation, and sustainability indexing to optimize BMWA concrete and indicate its dual role in reducing the environmental footprint of the cement industry and utilizing biomedical waste in building materials, thus supporting the principles of the circular economy and the global sustainability goals.

Evodiamine alleviates MPTP-induced Parkinson’s disease in mice by regulating gut microbiota and suppressing TLR4/MyD88/NF-kB pathway

The effect of exercise intervention on atherosclerosis prevention in overweight or obese adults: A Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background Obesity is a major modifiable risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This study evaluated the efficacy of different exercise modalities in improving vascular health parameters in overweight/obese adults. Methods We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis of 51 randomized controlled trials (n = 2638) following PRISMA and a prospectively registered PROSPERO protocol (CRD420251066443). PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and EBSCO SPORTDiscus were searched from inception to 31 May 2025, supplemented by Google Scholar and reference screening. Eligible trials enrolled adults aged 18–65 years with overweight/obesity, included interventions lasting ≥4 weeks, and compared CET, RT, INT, CT, or HYB with usual lifestyle/standard care. The primary outcome was FMD, with CIMT and PWV as secondary outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2 and certainty of evidence using CINeMA. Effects were synthesized as SMDs with 95% CIs, and modalities were compared using network meta-analysis. Results The certainty of evidence was assessed using CINeMA, with a low confidence rating. Fifty-one trials (n = 2,638) met the inclusion criteria. Compared to the control group, exercise interventions led to significant improvements in Flow-Mediated Dilation (FMD) (SMD = 0.99, 95% CI 0.69–1.29), reductions in Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) (SMD = −0.31, 95% CI −0.44 to −0.18), and decreases in Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) (SMD = −0.20, 95% CI −0.36 to −0.05). Network meta-analysis revealed that HYB was most effective for improving FMD, INT was most effective for reducing PWV, and CET and RT exhibited similar effects on CIMT. Subgroup analyses indicated that the effects were more pronounced in women and in Asian populations. Conclusions Exercise interventions improve vascular health in overweight/obese adults, with modality-specific patterns across vascular domains. HYB appears most favorable for enhancing endothelial function (FMD), INT may offer greater benefits for reducing arterial stiffness (PWV), and both CET and RT show comparable effects on structural remodeling (CIMT).

Towards realistic electrical double layer capacitor device with elevated energy and power densities designed from plasticized nanocomposite PVA-based electrolyte

Correction: The lived experience of rejection sensitivity in ADHD - A qualitative exploration

Correction: Temporal phenotyping of neutrophils in post-cardiac arrest syndrome and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-assisted resuscitation: A pilot study

Study on elastic-plastic displacement response spectra of base-isolated structures and its influencing factors

In seismic design, the acceleration response spectrum method is used to calculate the bearing capacity of structures to ensure their safety. However, under intense earthquake action, insufficient deformation capacity of structures is the main cause of their failure. For base-isolated structures, the failure is caused by the displacement of the isolation layer exceeding the limit value. To derive practical elastic-plastic displacement spectra for base-isolated structures and incorporate them into seismic design, this paper categorizes 1217 strong motion records, with peak accelerations exceeding 10 gal, into nine groups based on soil conditions and earthquake type. To make the obtained displacement response spectra more accurate, this paper establishes the motion equation of a two-degree-of-freedom system model, using non-proportional damping and the Bouc-Wen model to describe the damping and mechanical characteristics of the isolation layer, the elastic-plastic displacement response spectrum is calculated using numerical methods. Accordingly, a practical formula for the elastic-plastic displacement spectra of base-isolated structures is established by analyzing the factors influencing (soil conditions, earthquake type, parameters in Bouc-wen model) the spectra. Herein, the elasto-plastic displacement response spectrum for base-isolated structures was established, and a formula for calculating the displacement of the isolation layer in base-isolated structures with natural vibration periods within 10 seconds was provided, along with the design peak ground displacement under different conditions. Based on the elastic-plastic analysis of two distinct base-isolated structures, results demonstrate that the current formula is an effective and rapid predictor for estimating the displacement of the isolation layer in base-isolated structures considering various site conditions.

Correction: A two-stage forecasting model using random forest subset-based feature selection and BiGRU with attention mechanism: Application to stock indices

Optimal colors can predict luminosity thresholds in natural scenes

Luminosity thresholds define the luminance boundary at which a surface color shifts in appearance from being perceived as an illuminated surface to appearing self-luminous. Previous research suggests that the human visual system infers these thresholds based on internal references of physically realizable surface colors under a given illumination, referred to as the physical gamut. A surface is perceived as self-luminous when its luminance exceeds the upper limit of this empirically internalized gamut. However, the precise structure and boundaries of these gamuts remain uncertain. Optimal colors, which represent theoretical surface reflectances under specific illuminants, have been shown to provide an effective model for visualizing and computing the physical gamuts. In prior studies, optimal colors have successfully predicted luminosity thresholds; however, these findings were limited to highly simplified, abstract stimuli. Whether this framework generalizes to more naturalistic viewing conditions has remained an open question. In the present study, we demonstrate that the theory of an internal reference in the form of an empirically constructed physical gamut, visualized through optimal colors, remains valid under more natural conditions. Our results confirm that optimal colors can still accurately predict luminosity thresholds in such settings. Moreover, our findings suggest that the luminosity thresholds encompass both self-luminosity and naturalness concepts. Consequently, this may imply that the notion of physical gamut could encompass both concepts as well and could be defined as “all physically possible colors in a scene for an object that does not emit light.” These insights have profound potential implications for applied fields (e.g., XR or projection mapping). For example, they provide a theoretical framework that specifies the luminance and color boundaries virtual objects should not exceed to remain realistically integrated into AR/MR scenes. In fundamental science, these findings can improve our understanding of the perception of naturalness in images.