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Science in service: Behavioral research applications across federal agencies
Advanced fraud detection in financial systems: a comparative study of machine learning models on imbalanced data
Strengthening of negative fire–fuel feedbacks by large fires in eastern Canadian boreal forests
Fire-induced reductions in biomass limit the likelihood of reburning during early vegetation recovery in several crown-fire ecosystems; however, it is unclear how this negative fire–fuel feedback will buffer the rising fire activity expected with climate change. Although the feedback weakens with increasing time since the last fire and with increasing fire-weather severity, how the spatial configuration of fuel influences fire-return intervals remains unknown. Using a detailed 204-y fire history reconstruction along a 300-km longitudinal transect in eastern Canadian boreal forests, we show that interior areas of large fires (>8 km from the fire edge) are much less likely to reburn at short intervals than edges (<2 km from the edge), indicating a strengthening of the feedback within large burns. This process results in fewer fires in immature stands that are vulnerable to poor tree regeneration, thus conferring substantial resistance against compositional changes. However, the reduction in short-interval fires also fosters the development of large patches of mature forest that become extremely fire-prone after 4 to 5 decades and thereby predisposes landscapes to recurrent large fires. This study highlights an overlooked mechanism by which increases in fire size due to climate change may expose boreal forests of eastern Canada to large fires burning at longer intervals rather than to more frequent short-interval fires, which should sustain their capacity to recover.
Study on the application effect of intelligent follow-up based on KPAI theory in patients with diabetic retinopathy
Educational expansion and the hidden reversal of the Flynn effect—Differential trends across socioeconomic strata
In recent decades, the United States and several European countries have seen a plateau and reversal of the population-level gains in cognitive test scores that accumulated over the 20th century—the Flynn effect. We examined whether the Flynn effect and its reversal—declining mean scores across cohorts—differ by socioeconomic status, and whether changes in education can account for this. Using compulsory military conscription cognitive tests linked to administrative records with near-complete population coverage, we studied 579,379 Norwegian men from 25 birth cohorts (1967–1991). Trend reversals appeared first among sons of high-income fathers, with low- and middle-income groups peaking later and showing smaller postpeak declines. These socioeconomic differences were consistent with convergence in educational attainment at conscription: across paternal-income ranks, cohort changes in test scores aligned with cohort gains in education at conscription age, with estimated schooling effect sizes in line with quasi-experimental evidence. Results were robust to adjustment for parental education, and birth weight and height at testing as proxies for prenatal conditions and childhood nutrition. Together, the findings suggest an underlying population-level decline in cognitive scores that began earlier than previously assumed but was temporarily offset in lower-income strata by expanding educational attainment. After educational expansion plateaued, scores declined across all groups, most steeply among higher-income strata. Upper-secondary education completion thus emerges as a potential lever for improving cognitive performance and reducing income-related disparities in cognitive ability scores, while highlighting that broader societal pressures on cognitive test performance may have started earlier than recognized.
Investigation of the effect of individual and combined weathering factors on mechanical properties and degradation of PLA FFF 3D prints
Fracture-driven weakening amplifies projected ice loss from West Antarctica
Ice shelves buttress the flow of the Antarctic ice sheet, but this stabilizing effect weakens as fractures form, reducing ice viscosity and accelerating ice discharge toward the ocean. Here, we incorporate physically consistent damage mechanics into an ice-sheet model and apply it across the Amundsen Sea Embayment, the largest current contributor to Antarctic mass loss. Simulations reproduce key satellite-derived damage patterns under present-day conditions. Projections to 2300 show that allowing damage to evolve strongly amplifies future ice loss, increasing sea-level contributions by up to a factor of ∼ 4.5. Even when damage is held fixed at its present-day extent, projected contributions increase by 50 to 130 % , indicating that existing fractures already commit the system to enhanced ice loss. Basal crevasses dominate this response, accounting for ∼ 90% of damage-induced amplification. Healing mechanisms substantially moderate damage, as neglecting gravitational crevasse closure and compressive healing overestimates ice loss by almost 50%. Together, these results suggest that fracture-driven weakening substantially alters Antarctic ice-sheet dynamics and should be represented in projections of future sea-level rise.
Multi-stream activated adaptive graph network based on incomplete skeletons for thermal adaptive behavior recognition
Differences in physiological tolerance to global warming caused the Permian–Triassic transition between the Paleozoic and Modern faunas
The rapid global climate change at the end of the Permian Period (~251.9 Mya) coincided with the greatest macroevolutionary faunal turnover event in Earth’s history. As the oceans warmed, lost dissolved oxygen, and became more acidic, the dominant animal groups in the Paleozoic fauna (including brachiopods and crinoids) suffered differentially high rates of extinction, allowing the Modern fauna (including bivalves and gastropods) to rise to ecological dominance. The end-Permian kill mechanism(s) are not fully understood, but differences in extinction intensity among Linnaean classes suggest an important physiological component. Here, we use a trait-based model of species’ metabolic O 2 balance to demonstrate that temperature-dependent hypoxia can explain the taxonomic selectivity of the end-Permian mass extinction. Direct respirometry experiments and physiological trait estimates derived from biogeographic data reveal that species belonging to the Paleozoic fauna have a higher temperature dependence of hypoxia than those belonging to the Modern fauna. In simulations of the climate transition, this trait difference leads to a greater loss of aerobic habitat for Paleozoic fauna, consistent with their observed greater extinction intensity. These results demonstrate that differences in average physiological tolerances to environmental change across biogeography, taxonomy, and functional ecology drove end-Permian extinction patterns and could eventually characterize the modern biodiversity crisis. Temperature-dependent hypoxia is the only kill mechanism that has been shown to explain the magnitude, biogeography, and now taxonomic selectivity of the end-Permian mass extinction, ultimately underlying the permanent shift in marine ecosystems across this transition.
Enhancing fertilizer use efficiency in Mentha spicata L. through biochar-based integration with NPK in sandy soils
Abstract Sandy soils are widely distributed in Egypt and are characterized by poor physical properties and a limited capacity to retain irrigation water and nutrients, which severely constrains agricultural productivity. Addressing these limitations has become increasingly critical to ensure sustainable crop production under arid and semi-arid conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of biochar as a soil amendment for improving growth performance, yield, nutrient accumulation, photosynthetic pigments, and essential oil production of Mentha spicata cultivated under sandy soil conditions over two successive seasons (2024–2025). The field experiment consisted of four treatments: untreated control, NPK at 5 g L -1 , biochar at 12.5 ton ha -1 , and combined NPK (5 g L -1 ) and biochar (12.5 ton ha -1 ). The results showed that biochar application, either alone or in combination with mineral fertilizer, significantly improved all vegetative growth parameters, fresh and dry herbage yields, essential oil percentage and yield, leaf macronutrient content (N, P, and K), and chlorophyll b concentration. Biochar applied alone consistently outperformed mineral fertilizer alone, while the combined biochar–NPK treatment produced the highest values for all measured traits, with improvements exceeding the additive effects of individual applications. These enhancements were closely associated with increased nutrient accumulation and improved nutrient use efficiency, reflecting the ability of biochar to retain nutrients, reduce leaching losses, and synchronize nutrient availability with plant demand. The synergistic interaction between biochar and mineral fertilization highlights the potential of biochar as a sustainable soil amendment for improving productivity, quality, and resource-use efficiency of mint grown in low-fertility sandy soils.
Histone chaperone HIRA regulates adiponectin expression and obesity-associated adipose expansion by facilitating Pol II pause release
Adipose tissue is essential for maintaining glucose and lipid homeostasis in mammals. However, epigenomic mechanisms underlying adipose tissue function remain largely unclear. Here, we identify the histone chaperone HIRA as an epigenomic regulator of adipose tissue function. Adipose tissue-specific knockout of Hira in mice impairs insulin sensitivity and restrains adipose tissue expansion during high-fat diet-induced obesity. Mechanistically, HIRA is required for the expression of Adipoq , encoding the adipokine adiponectin, and lipid metabolism genes in adipose tissue. Genomic mapping reveals that HIRA binds to promoters and enhancers of Adipoq and lipid metabolism genes in adipocytes. Acute HIRA depletion using the dTAG system, followed by nascent RNA-Seq and ChIP-Seq, demonstrates that while HIRA is largely dispensable for enhancer activation and coactivator binding, it promotes transcription of target genes by facilitating RNA polymerase II pause release and subsequent elongation likely independently of H3.3 deposition. Our findings uncover a mechanism by which HIRA regulates transcription and establish HIRA’s critical role in insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism, providing a potential therapeutic target for obesity and insulin resistance.
Open dataset and deep learning model for intelligent diagnosis of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and aspiration syndrome in newborns
Dolphins use names to remember whom to avoid
Habenula volume alterations in adults born very preterm
Abstract Preterm birth is a major risk factor for childhood psychopathology, including higher rates of anxiety and avoidant personality traits persisting into adulthood. While extensive research has documented volumetric reductions in various brain structures associated with emotional processing in preterm individuals, the habenula, a key component in affective and reward processing, has not yet been studied in this context. This study examines whether adults born very preterm show alterations in the habenula volume and whether these alterations are linked to higher anxiety, depression and avoidant personality traits. This study utilized data from the Bavarian Longitudinal Study, comprising 103 preterm-born individuals (defined as very preterm (VP) < 32 weeks of gestational age and/or very low birth weight (VLBW) <1500 g) and 110 term-born (TB) controls. Habenula volumes were assessed using manual segmentation on T1-weighted MRI scans. Additionally, participants completed standardized psychological assessments measuring anxiety, depression, and avoidant personality traits (Achenbach Young Adult Self-Report (YASR) and Beck Depression Inventory ). A higher relative right habenula volume was observed at trend-level in the VP sub-sample when compared to TB controls (Bonferroni-corrected p = 0.080). VP/VLBW showed a significant positive correlation between the relative right habenula volume with intensity of neonatal treatment. Additionally, VP and VP/VLBW exhibited higher scores on YASR anxiety and avoidant personality scales when compared to TB controls, yet were not correlated with habenula volumes. Our findings indicate that very preterm birth is associated with a trend towards relatively increased right habenula volume and higher levels of anxiety and avoidant personality traits in adulthood. While habenula volume was not directly linked to these traits, its association with intensity of neonatal treatment suggests a genuine role of perinatal stress on adult habenular morphology.
Long-term stability and performance of Cas9/guide RNA-based gene drives in anopheline mosquitoes
Gene-drive population modification strategies are being developed to control the transmission by anopheline mosquitoes of the parasites that cause human malaria. These approaches are designed to reduce disease prevalence and incidence by spreading dominant antiparasite effector genes throughout vector populations. The strains must sustain drive and parasite suppression properties over extended periods of time to have an epidemiological impact. Three gene-drive strains, AcTP13 and AcTP43 in Anopheles coluzzii and AgTP13 in Anopheles gambiae , carrying autonomous Cas9/guide RNA-based drive systems linked to multiple antiparasite effector genes were remarkably stable in all A. coluzzii replicates over a 2-y (35 generation) period in laboratory cage trials. Two of three A. gambiae replicates performed equally well. Stability was assessed as a function of population dynamics (size), molecular integrity of the gene-drive cassettes, maintenance of drive efficiency (gene conversion), generation and accumulation of mutant drive-resistant target alleles, drive system-generated off-target effects, and effector gene parasite suppression activity. All lines met stability requirements with the exception of one AgTP13 cage replicate that was affected by drive-resistant target-site mutations. Notably, all strains retained parasite suppression activity and high drive efficiencies throughout the duration of the trials. These results support the further development and deployment of these strains for malaria control.
Highway collaborative transportation regulation strategies and dynamic simulation in provincial region
Spatial transcriptomic mapping of postnatal mouse uterine development
Postnatal uterine development requires precise coordination of epithelial differentiation, gland formation, and stromal organization, yet how transcriptional programs are spatially integrated during this process remains poorly understood. Here, we generated a spatially resolved transcriptomic map of the mouse uterus across key postnatal stages from day 3 to day 21 by combining high resolution in situ transcriptomics with histology, proteomics, genetic models, and functional assays. This approach defines the temporal emergence and spatial arrangement of all major uterine cell types and demonstrates that endometrial glands arise from luminal epithelium through progressive transcriptional reprogramming rather than from a prespecified progenitor population. Spatial analysis reveals marked compartmentalization of signaling pathways during adenogenesis. Luminal epithelium is enriched for Wnt ligands and hormone receptors, whereas glandular epithelium engages inhibitory and negative feedback programs that constrain Wnt activity while supporting proliferation and differentiation. Functional genetic studies establish that epithelial canonical Wnt signaling is essential for prepubertal gland establishment and long-term epithelial maintenance but is dispensable for postpartum gland regeneration. Retinoic acid synthesis becomes increasingly concentrated within glands, while hedgehog signaling polarizes into an epithelial to stromal axis during gland morphogenesis. Additional pathways including RTK, Notch, TGFβ, BMP, hypoxia, Hippo, and PI3K-mTOR exhibit distinct spatial biases that collectively shape epithelial identity and tissue maturation. Together, these findings provide a comprehensive spatial framework for uterine gland development and reveal how compartment specific signaling networks coordinate postnatal uterine morphogenesis.
A magnetically recoverable Zn(II) nanocatalyst for efficient synthesis of polysubstituted pyridines in water
Payment integrity in government programs: Takeaways from incorporating the behavioral sciences in US federal evaluations
A primary way the US federal government delivers public goods and services is via monetary payments. Ensuring that these payments are calculated accurately, delivered on time, and made to the correct recipients is important for government fiscal health. Inaccurate or delayed payments can weaken public trust in the government and undermine government accountability. In this article, we examine findings from a set of impact evaluations assessing interventions designed to improve payment integrity in US federal programs. The low-cost, evidence-based interventions draw on insights from the social and behavioral sciences and include modification of forms, changes to how and when agencies request information, and altering existing communications. The evaluations were conducted by the US General Services Administration’s Office of Evaluation Sciences in collaboration with agency partners. We extract three takeaways across four representative evaluations. First, the real-world evaluations validate a key implication of the behavioral science literature: interventions that reduce burdens for individuals have small effects that meaningfully improve payment integrity at scale. Second, effects attenuate across interventions and over time, suggesting a need for iterative evaluation. Finally, bureaucratic hurdles and administrative complexity are the main barriers to translating academic insights into real-world government programs. Addressing these challenges will require close collaboration between behavioral scientists and practitioners throughout the intervention design and evaluation process.