Browse Articles

TRMT6 mitigates susceptibility and progression of DSS-induced colitis multifacetedly via translational regulation

Intensity-dependent tACS entrainment effects in a cortical microcircuit: a computational study

Abstract Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a promising noninvasive technique for modulating disrupted neural oscillations in psychiatric disorders and enhancing cognitive functions. However, its efficacy remains debated, partly because neuronal morphology and other microscopic factors critically affect the response to external electric fields. To address this issue and investigate cellular- and network-level mechanisms underlying tACS-induced neural entrainment, we developed a cortical microcircuit model integrating realistic neuronal morphologies, synaptic connectivity, and intrinsic oscillatory dynamics. Using the NEURON simulation environment, we constructed a microcircuit comprising five distinct biophysical cortical neuron models. Neural responses to a range of tACS intensities were assessed with metrics based on cross-correlation, phase coherence, and phase-locking value. While tACS modulates spike timing without significantly altering firing rates, pyramidal neurons are particularly sensitive to external fields compared to interneurons. In addition, tACS can either disrupt or enhance synchronization depending on the endogenous oscillation and stimulation intensity. Our computational study reveals that tACS effects arise from a complex interplay between intrinsic neuronal properties and network dynamics. These findings underscore the importance of neuronal morphology in determining tACS responses and provide insights that may help optimize stimulation parameters for precise neuromodulation in both clinical and research settings.

Differential sensitivity of impedance plethysmography and photoplethysmography sensors to temperature-induced peripheral vasoconstriction

Abstract Impedance plethysmography (IPG) and photoplethysmography (PPG) are non-invasive techniques for measuring blood volume changes. This study investigated the differential responses of IPG and PPG to temperature-mediated vasoconstriction induced by localized cooling. Twenty-one participants underwent control and treatment conditions, with fake or real ice cubes applied to the forearm. Blood pressure remained stable, while heart rate decreased. PPG signal amplitude significantly decreased with cooling (p adj = 0.004), indicating sensitivity to superficial blood flow changes. In contrast, IPG signal amplitude remained stable (p adj = 1.0). No statistically significant differences were observed in timing-derived metrics. These findings suggest IPG is less sensitive to superficial changes in blood flow than PPG, and may be more suitable for monitoring deeper blood flow. This study provides insights into the distinct sensitivities of IPG and PPG, with implications for wearable device development and cardiovascular monitoring.

Comparison of plyometric repeated sprint and plyometric aerobic training on physical performance in youth soccer players

The difference in light intensities during culture affects the production of health-beneficial metabolites in a diatom used in producing aquaculture feed

Abstract Microalgae are increasingly being utilized as sustainable materials for aquaculture feed production. As microalgae-derived compounds, including those with health benefits to humans, can accumulate in the bodies of fish and shellfish, enhancing the production of these compounds will further add value to the utilization of microalgae as aquaculture feed. Although light intensity has been known to affect the composition of intracellular compounds, the relationship between light intensity and the production of health-beneficial metabolites in microalgae remains unclear. Hence, in this study, the changes in the production of water- and lipid-soluble compounds in Chaetoceros gracilis , a diatom species used as aquaculture feed, under high and normal light conditions were quantified by performing metabolome analyses. While there was no significant difference in the growth of C. gracilis between the light conditions, the overall composition of compounds differed between the light intensities, and several health-beneficial metabolites were specifically produced under each light condition. Interestingly, these included compounds such as nobiletin and carnosine, which are not commonly reported to be produced by microalgae. Our results suggest the potential that by varying light intensity, we selectively modulate the types and amounts of health-beneficial metabolites in microalgal cells without altering the overall yield of the feed.

The expression profiling of serum circPHLPP2 and LncRNA ILF3 in colorectal cancer patients

Benchmarking action recognition models for self-harm detection in studio and real-world datasets

Assessment of the durability of polyurea resin coatings against selected aggressive solutions in the sewage infrastructure environment

Abstract This article presents the results of a study on how selected chemical solutions affect the durability of specific properties of polyurea resin coatings used for surface protection of concrete in wastewater treatment plants. The solutions tested included sulphuric acid at 1% and 10%, phenol at concentrations of 0.1% and 1%, and urea at 3%. Three randomly chosen coatings were treated with these solutions for 7 and 28 days. After treatment, changes in appearance, weight, hardness, and tensile strength were assessed. Tests were performed using our proprietary methods and in accordance with the standards EN 868 and EN 527-3. It was observed that phenol solutions had the most pronounced negative impact on all polyurea resin coatings, causing significant soaking (up to 30%) and reductions in hardness (up to 40 Shore units) and tensile strength (up to 80%). The 3% urea solution led to a decrease in hardness (up to 17 Shore units) and resulted in notable reductions in tensile strength (ranging from 10% to 30%). Sulphuric acid solutions within the tested concentration range (1% to 10%) caused minor changes in the coatings’ functional properties, including a 10–30% decrease in tensile strength and up to a 14% reduction in hardness.

Room-temperature polariton condensate in a quasi-2D hybrid perovskite

Abstract Quasi-2D halide perovskites are chemically synthesized realizations of quantum well stacks with giant exciton oscillator strengths, tunable emission spectra, and very large exciton binding energies. While these features render quasi-2D halide perovskites a promising platform for room-temperature polaritonics, bosonic condensation and polariton lasing in quasi-2D perovskites have so far remained elusive at ambient conditions. Here, we demonstrate room-temperature cavity exciton-polariton condensation in mechanically exfoliated crystals of the quasi-2D Ruddlesden-Popper iodide perovskite (BA) 2 (MA) 2 Pb 3 I 10 in an open optical microcavity. We observe a polariton condensation threshold of 0.41 µJ cm −2 per pulse and detect a strong non-linear response. Interferometric measurements confirm the spontaneous emergence of spatial coherence across the condensate with an associated first-order autocorrelation reaching 0.6 with 1 ps coherence time and an effective de Broglie wavelength of 13 µm. Our results lay the foundation for a new class of room-temperature polariton lasers based on quasi-2D halide perovskites with great potential for hetero-integration with other van-der-Waals materials and combination with photonic crystals or waveguides.

Printed origami thermoelectric generator achieves > 20 Wm−² from low-grade heat via material and process design

Abstract Printing facilitates low-cost thermoelectric generators to power battery-free internet-of-things devices, wearables, and Industry 4.0 systems. However, scaling up requires printable thermoelectric materials with good mechanical properties and high performance. Here, we report a high-performance Ag 2 (Se 1- x S x ) 1.05 -based n-type printed thermoelectric film through a combination of engineering non-stoichiometric defects and sulfur substitution. An optimal sulfur substitution of 2 at. % facilitates an excellent flexibility and a power factor of~16 µWcm −1 K −2 at 360 K, a 65 % increase compared to a pristine Ag 2 Se film. A fully printed origami-thermoelectric generator produces a maximum power output $${P}_{\max }$$ P max of 907 µW at a temperature difference of 80 K. A record-high power density p d of 21 W m −2 (corresponding to 800 µW g −1 as a weight-normalized power density) is achieved, twice that of previously reported origami-thermoelectric generators. These results highlight cost-effective manufacturing of thermoelectric generators with the capability to power next-generation autonomous electronic devices.

Transition to bio-based plastic packaging reveals complex climate–biodiversity trade-offs

Abstract Plastics are a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss, with packaging accounting for around 40% of European plastic production. Bio-based plastics are often promoted as a climate-friendly alternative, yet their broader environmental implications remain unclear. Here, we conduct a harmonized life cycle assessment of fossil- and bio-based plastic packaging, integrating end-of-life fate and plastic leakage. We find that while bio-based plastics reduce greenhouse gas emissions, they increase ecosystem damage, primarily driven by land use. At the product level, outcomes are sensitive to feedstock origin and waste management. When mismanaged, environmentally persistent bio-based plastics contribute substantially to ecosystem damage. Scaling scenarios for Europe show that even complete substitution with bio-based plastics cannot offset the environmental burden of continued demand growth. Only strong demand-side measures, particularly demand reduction and improved circularity, can mitigate trade-offs across climate change and biodiversity, calling for a shift from material substitution to systemic interventions in production and consumption.

DNA diamond formulates a decomposable composite letter constellation model for DNA data storage

Abstract Oligonucleotide multiplicity is an inherent property of current DNA synthesis technology. Composite letter DNA storage exploits this property to improve logical density and reduce costs. However, letter indistinguishability and high molecular diversity pose challenges for reliable recovery. Here, we formulate a composite letter constellation model, named DNA diamond, consisting of 15 decomposable points. Inspired by set partitioning in telecommunications, we propose a two-stage letter detection framework that partitions these letters into four distinguishable subsets based on their discrete entropy. Furthermore, we incorporate encoded double-end indices to eliminate crosstalk between synthesis sites and simultaneously apply length filtering to suppress error propagation during readout. We validate the eight-letter and 15-letter composite letter DNA storage under DNA diamond model, each with 10,000 composite strands. The eight-letter system achieves a payload density of 2.5 bits per letter and enables error-free recovery at 14× coverage, surpassing the storage density of prior six-letter systems while requiring lower coverage. The full 15-letter constellation enables 3.125 bits per letter for payload with error-free recovery at 33× coverage, corresponding to a density of 2.23 bits per letter for payload plus indices. The proposed decomposable DNA diamond model advances a practical and scalable framework for high-density composite DNA data storage.

Predictors of reverse cardiac remodeling after sacubitril/valsartan in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

Abstract Sacubitril/valsartan (Sac/Val) is associated with reverse cardiac remodeling in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, the predictors of reverse cardiac remodeling after Sac/Val have not yet been fully established. We aimed to evaluate the predictors of reverse cardiac remodeling in patients with HFrEF, with a focus on HF duration and the dose of Sac/Val. In this retrospective, multicenter cohort study, 600 patients with HFrEF who received a Sac/Val prescription were enrolled at six tertiary hospitals in Korea between February 2017 and April 2019. After excluding patients without baseline or 12-month follow-up echocardiographic data, 294 patients were enrolled. Reverse cardiac remodeling was defined by comparing the baseline and follow-up echocardiographic data: an absolute increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 10% and a relative decrease in left ventricular end-diastolic volume index ≥ 10%. The average daily Sac/Val dose was calculated during the first 6 and 12 months after initiation. Among the 294 patients, 107 presented with reverse cardiac remodeling at 12 months. Patients with HF duration < 12 months at the time of Sac/Val initiation showed a higher proportion of reverse cardiac remodeling than patients with HF duration ≥ 12 months (46.1% vs. 25.7%; P  < 0.001). Patients with an average daily Sac/Val dose ≥ 200 mg/day over 6 months also had a higher proportion of reverse cardiac remodeling than patients with Sac/Val < 200 mg/day (44.0% vs. 31.9%; P  < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression revealed low baseline LVEF, HF duration < 12 months, and higher Sac/Val dose as independent predictors of reverse cardiac remodeling. In conclusion, early initiation of Sac/Val following HF diagnosis and higher Sac/Val doses were associated with a higher likelihood of reverse cardiac remodeling in HFrEF.

Sarcopenia as an independent prognostic marker in liposarcoma: A longitudinal analysis of body composition and survival

Background Sarcopenia is increasingly recognized as an important prognostic factor in oncology; however, its clinical relevance in liposarcoma remains insufficiently defined. This study aimed to evaluate longitudinal changes in CT-derived body composition parameters in liposarcoma patients, to assess the influence of tumor grade, recurrence, and treatment modalities on these parameters and to determine the association of baseline sarcopenia and progressive muscle loss with overall survival and functional status. Methods In a retrospective, single center study between 2010 and 2024, 64 patients were analyzed. All patients underwent surgical tumor resection of a histologically confirmed liposarcoma. Included were patients with two consecutive CT scans. The following morphometric parameters were measured on CT axial images at the height of lumbar vertebral 3: Skeletal muscle index (SMI), paraspinal muscle index (PSMI), psoas muscle index (PMI), skeletal muscle density (SMD), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Standardized Hounsfield unit thresholds were used for the assessment. Additionally, the influence of tumor grade, recurrence, and treatment modalities on body composition was assessed. A Kaplan Meier survival analysis was performed using data from the residents´ registration office. Survival was further analyzed by Cox regression using uni- and multivariate models. Metric data was compared using student´s t-test. Results Significant reductions in SMI, PSMI, PMI, and VAT were observed over the disease course, particularly among patients with high-grade tumors, chemotherapy, or local tumor recurrence. Baseline sarcopenia and a progressive SMI loss were independently associated with reduced overall survival. In multivariate analysis, baseline sarcopenia (HR: 2.331, p  = 0.007) and a ≥ 15% SMI decline (HR: 2.601, p  = 0.006) remained significant predictors of mortality. Both markers did not correlate with changes in Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status. Conclusion CT-morphometric parameters deteriorate substantially during the disease course of liposarcoma patients and serve as independent predictors of survival. These findings support the integration of CT-based body composition analysis into routine oncologic assessment and highlight its potential role in identifying high-risk patients for early supportive intervention.

Adversarial robust EEG-based brain–computer interfaces using a hierarchical convolutional neural network

Estimation of enteric methane emissions in dairy cows under grazing a silvopastoral system and a grass monoculture in the Colombian Amazonian foothills

Mitigating enteric methane in the humid tropics, particularly in the Colombian Amazonian foothills, remains challenging due to limited field-based data under real grazing conditions. This study evaluated the performance of a laser methane detector (LMD) as a non-invasive alternative to traditional techniques, providing the first field-based validation of this approach in Amazonian grazing systems. Two contrasting production systems were compared: a silvopastoral system (SPS) with trees and shrubs, and a grass monoculture (traditional pasture, TP). A crossover design (two groups of five cows) was implemented across four periods. The LMD enabled repeated, activity measurements without disrupting natural behavior, capturing emissions during grazing, ruminating, resting, and milking. Daily CH₄ emissions were significantly lower in SPS than TP (233 ± 6.95 vs. 277 ± 8.87 g CH₄ animal ⁻ ¹ day ⁻ ¹; p < 0.0001). Methane intensity also decreased in SPS when expressed per kg milk (15.5 vs. 20.7 g CH₄ kg ⁻ ¹), energy-corrected milk (16.0 vs. 21.2 g CH₄ kg ⁻ ¹), and dry matter intake (18.9 vs. 26.7 g CH₄ kg DMI ⁻ ¹; all p < 0.0001). Classification was based on animal activity rather than diet, allowing detailed behavioral associations with CH₄ release dynamics. While the LMD requires strict environmental protocols and does not capture continuous 24-h data, its portability and non-invasive nature make it a practical, scalable tool for tropical field conditions. These results provide novel evidence supporting SPS as a mitigation strategy, strengthen GHG inventories in tropical livestock systems, and offer guidance for policymakers promoting sustainable production systems.

Feature extraction in sensor plant disease datasets using reformed membership functions independent of class variables

Water use and conservation in the operating room and perioperative setting: A scoping review

Public health and food security in the United States depend on a reliable supply of fresh water. Freshwater availability is worsening, and prolonged drought conditions have affected large portions of the country. Hospitals are major consumers of water, and processes related to the operating room may present an opportunity to improve water conservation. A scoping review of the MEDLINE, Science Citation Index-Expanded, Emerging Sources Citation Index, and Embase databases was conducted for articles addressing water use and interventions for water conservation from January 1, 1948, to March 26, 2025. The review identified twenty-six studies meeting inclusion criteria, addressing four subsets of operating room and perioperative processes. The preponderance of published studies addressed water use during surgical hand scrubbing, with the remainder evaluating water use related to textiles, equipment, or sterilization processes. Interventions supported by high-quality evidence for reducing water use included turning off idling sterilizer equipment when not in use. Moderate to low quality evidence favored converting to waterless scrub techniques and/or on-demand scrub sinks, reusable alternatives for equipment, and non-cotton reusable textiles. Our findings identify several focused areas with potential for improving water conservation in the operative and perioperative setting. Further research is needed to comprehensively evaluate operating room, perioperative and overall hospital processes for water use, and to describe effective interventions for conservation.

Mechanical and durability performance prediction of geopolymer incorporating ferrosilicon slag and aluminum powder using machine learning techniques

Design and optimization of a butterfly-shaped grafting clip and cutting mechanism based on finite element simulation

To improve the reliability and cost-efficiency of the grafting mechanism, this study proposes a novel butterfly-shaped polyethylene (PE) grafting clip and integrated cutting-type clip-feeding mechanism. The proposed system replaces traditional steel coil clips and vibration screen feeders with a lightweight, low-damage, and low-cost design capable of continuous clip feeding. The mechanical behavior of the PE clip material was characterized through tensile testing and modeled using the Johnson-Cook constitutive equation. A finite element model of the cutting process was established in Abaqus to investigate the effects of cutting force, speed, and angle on blade stress and clip deformation. Using the Box-Behnken response surface methodology, the cutting parameters were optimized to minimize stress concentration and material distortion. Simulation results showed that optimal performance was achieved at a cutting force of 110 N, a speed of 25.618 cm/s, and a cutting angle of 32.414 ° , yielding a maximum blade stress of 1.31 MPa and clip strain of 5.304%. Validation tests demonstrated that a 30 ° cutting angle produced the highest cutting quality, consistent with simulation predictions. Comparative performance evaluations with a commercial vibrating screen clip feeder confirmed the superiority of the proposed system in terms of reliability, energy efficiency, operational noise, and cost. The developed mechanism offers a compact and practical solution for automated grafting, particularly suitable for small and medium-sized seedling nurseries seeking affordable mechanization technologies.