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Optimizing feature selection in cancer microarray data using a heap-driven evolutionary framework for high-dimensional spaces

Energy–structure coupling mechanism and damage evolution model of red sandstone during soaking–softening process

To reveal how different soaking times affect red sandstone’s softening characteristics, this study analyzed red sandstone’s mineral composition, meso-structure, mechanical properties, and energy evolution laws. A damage constitutive model was established based on mechanical property testing and microstructure determination experiments of rock samples. It considers the initial compaction nonlinear section. The prediction bias in the energy dissipation theory damage model during the compaction stage was corrected based on the correction coefficient. The deterioration of mechanical properties of rock samples is positively correlated with immersion time. The results showed that water soaking caused feldspar, calcite, and other minerals to dissolve. It also reduced clay minerals and made pore development more intense. The mechanical properties of rock samples gradually decrease. This happened as soaking duration increased. When the soaking time reached 150 days, the cumulative deterioration degrees reached 44.25% and 30.78% respectively. The turning point of dissipated energy moved forward. The growth inflection point of the damage variable also advanced. The rock sample damage model fitted well with the experimental curve. It could accurately characterize the softening process. The research results explained the “time–structure–energy–damage” coupling mechanism. This mechanism applies to red sandstone softening under water–rock interactions. The explanation covered both macro and meso perspectives. It provided key theoretical support for red sandstone engineering stability assessment and long-term service safety.

Additive effects of high intensity interval training and therapeutic adenosine on gene and protein expression in lipid metabolism and weight loss in high fat diet-induced obese rats

Maternal slow-release nitrogen diets during late gestation optimize the energy metabolism in calves’ skeletal muscle

The current study aimed to determine the enriched biological process, through proteomic and transcriptome data, associated with maternal slow-release nitrogen diets received during late gestation on the skeletal muscle of the offspring. At day 180 to day 268 of gestation a total of 16 pregnant Brahman cows, were assigned into Control treatment (CON; n = 7), where cows were fed ad libitum a low crude protein basal diet plus mineral mixture; or Slow-released nitrogen (SRN, n = 9) based diet, where cows were fed a basal diet plus a slow-release nitrogen supplement. Muscle biopsy was performed at day 45 of age in calves and used to perform RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and proteomic (HPLC-MS/MS) analyses. Although the experimental treatment did not show effects on transcript abundance, proteomic analysis revealed significant differences in protein expression. Enriched (adjusted p -value ≤ 0.05) biological processes from the exclusive proteins identified in calves’ skeletal muscle from SRN group are related to central energy metabolism (synthesis of Acetyl-CoA, tricarboxylic acid cycle, isocitrate metabolic process), regulation of calcium and nitrogen transport, and protein folding. Protein-protein interaction network assessed in the differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) revealed 4 main enriched biological processes, including ATP metabolic process, glucose metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and sarcomere organization. These findings suggest that maternal supplementation whit slow-release nitrogen during late gestation can positively influence postnatal energy metabolism in calf skeletal muscle.

IL2Pepscan: A machine learning framework for predicting IL-2 inducing peptides and their identification across global viral proteomes

Study on the influence of anti stripping agent on the rheological properties of asphalt at high and low temperatures

In order to compare the effects of different anti stripping agents on the rheological properties of asphalt at high and low temperatures, four typical anti stripping agents, amine PA-1, non amine XT-2, hydrated lime, and cement, were selected. The complex modulus (G*), phase angle (δ), rutting factor (G*/sinδ), creep stiffness (S), and creep rate (m) were measured using the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) and the bending beam rheometer (BBR). The microscopic mechanism was analyzed using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and fluorescence microscopy (FM). The results showed that lime and cement significantly improved the high temperature performance of asphalt, with an average increase of 1.4 and 0.8 times in G */sinδ. However, PA and XT reduced the high temperature performance, with an average decrease of 19% and 11% in G */sinδ. PA and XT have little effect on the low temperature performance of asphalt, but lime and cement will reduce the low temperature performance, with an average increase of 64% and 49% in S. The results of FTIR and FM indicate that lime and cement undergo chemical reactions with asphalt, while PA and XT do not, but PA and XT can promote the swelling of modifiers in asphalt.

Secure IoMT smartwatch-based blood glucose monitoring using multimodal activity and nutrition data with transfer learning

Phytophthora capsici carries and differentially expresses genes for the RNA interference pathway

The RNA interference (RNAi) pathway is an epigenetic mechanism that has recently gained attention for its role in regulating the virulence of plant pathogens. However, little is known about this gene silencing pathway in Phytophthora capsici , a broad-host-range pathogen that affects many important food crops. In the present study, we identified key genes and proteins involved in the synthesis, transport, and processing of sRNAs using in silico approaches based on the reference genome and proteome, and through transcriptional analysis of P. capsici . Our results showed that the P. capsici genome encodes Dcl1, Dcl2, Exportin-5, Rdr, and six Ago proteins, suggesting the presence of a complete RNAi pathway in this pathogen. These genes were syntenic and phylogenetically related to those of other oomycetes in the genus Phytophthora . We also analyzed their expression levels after infecting chili pepper and broccoli across two generations, revealing different expression patterns depending on the infection history of the pathogen. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the EXPORTIN-5 gene in P. capsici and other oomycetes. Additionally, the expression of all these RNAi-related genes in the pathogen after isolation from different hosts suggests that the host may influence the RNAi pathway of P. capsici . This study paves the way for functional studies to confirm the role of RNAi in regulating virulence in P. capsici .

High on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity among diabetic female patients with acute ischaemic stroke

Application of the Er:YAG laser in pulpotomy for mature permanent teeth with pulpitis: An animal study

Objective To apply Erbium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Er:YAG) laser in pulpotomy for experimentally induced pulpitis in mature permanent teeth of rats, and investigate whether Er:YAG laser can improve the effect of pulpotomy in mature permanent teeth with pulpitis. Methods Thirty-six 3-month-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were selected, with bilateral maxillary first molars as experimental teeth. 4 rats (8 experimental teeth) were selected to construct the pulpitis model. After confirming the successful establishment of the model by this method, 32 rats were randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group, and the pulpitis models were constructed in the same way. The control group(mechanical group, 16 rats, 32 experimental teeth) received pulpotomy with conventional sterile excavators. The experimental group (laser group, 16 rats, 32 experimental teeth) received pulpotomy using Er:YAG laser. At 3, 7, 14, and 28 days post-operation, four rats from each group were randomly euthanized. Pathological changes in the dental pulp were observed using hematoxylin - eosin (HE) staining. Immunohistochemical (IHC) assessment and mean optical density (MOD) measurement were performed to evaluate the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and partitioning defective protein 3 (Par3). Inter-group differences were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test or the independent samples t-test. Results Histological examination by HE staining demonstrated favorable pulpal repair in the laser-treated group. The total histopathological scores were significantly lower in the laser group compared to the mechanical group at days 3 and 7 post-operation ( p  < 0.05). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups at days 14 and 28. IHC analysis revealed that the mean optical density (MOD) values for IL-1β were consistently lower in the laser group at all four time points ( p  < 0.05), while the MOD values for Par3 were consistently higher in the laser group ( p  < 0.05). Conclusion The Er:YAG laser used during pulpotomy in mature permanent rat teeth with pulpitis preserves the remaining healthy pulp tissue, reduces IL-1β expression, and enhances Par3 expression, thereby alleviating inflammation and promoting tissue repair.

Modeling of conductivity for carbon black nanocomposites incorporating network concentration, interphase conductivity and tunneling dimensions

Physiological responses of Cucurbita pepo seeds to cadmium and copper stress: Differential impacts on reserve mobilization, metabolic efficiency, and growth

Heavy metal contamination poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity. This study investigated the physiological and biochemical responses of Cucurbita pepo seeds to cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) stress (100–200 µM) during germination. Although germination rates remained high (86.67–93.33%), seed vigor indices declined significantly under metal stress. Cadmium exhibited stronger growth inhibition, reducing total seedling length by 63.02% at 200 µM, whereas copper primarily affected biomass accumulation, reducing the seedling weight-based vigor index (SVI W ) by 40.4%. Biochemical analyses revealed metal-specific impacts on reserve mobilization. Cadmium exposure (200 µM) decreased soluble sugars in cotyledons by 16%, while maintaining protein content at 106% of control levels, indicating inhibition of protein degradation and impaired reserve utilization. In contrast, copper at 100 µM increased cotyledonary sugars by 63%, reflecting its dual role as both a micronutrient and stressor. Principal component analysis confirmed the greater toxicity of Cd, which explained 79.7% of the variance in metabolic disruption. These findings demonstrate that cadmium consistently impairs seedling establishment by disrupting nutrient mobilization pathways, while copper exhibits concentration-dependent effects, being stimulatory at low concentrations but inhibitory at higher levels. This study provides crucial insights into heavy metal phytotoxicity mechanisms and underscores the importance of monitoring metal pollution in agricultural systems to enhance crop resilience.

Secant Optimization Algorithm for efficient global optimization

Process evaluation of a supportive intervention targeting social isolation among older people in Danish senior centres: Explanatory factors of implementation failure

This article explores the implementation of a supportive intervention in Danish municipal senior centres targeting social isolation among older people. The intervention, implemented between April 2022 and April 2023, comprised three key components: a start conversation for all new users; an assigned “buddy” among existing users; and monthly follow-up conversations. Skills development workshops for staff members were held prior to implementation of the intervention. The feasibility evaluation revealed concerns about the intervention implementation. This study describes the low level of implementation and explanatory factors contributing to the failure. We conducted a process evaluation as part of a feasibility evaluation of the intervention. The intervention was implemented in three municipal senior centres, ten senior centre staff members and 18 senior centre users participated. Data collection involved 23 semi-structured interviews with users and staff. Thematic analysis was conducted. Results are presented in two parts: 1) Overview of implemented components showing a low degree of fidelity in implementation, 2) Explanatory factors influencing implementation. The three factors identified were: A “too” systematic approach; Navigating frailty; and Lack of integration. These factors resulted in challenges recruiting participants and issues with performing some of the intervention elements. This evaluation provides insights into delivering interventions in municipal senior centres, emphasising explanatory factors to avoid implementation failures. The findings can support future development of contextually responsive interventions that can function as intended when delivered in real-world settings.

Intelligent decision-making for mine ventilation systems based on graph neural network and deep reinforcement learning fusion

Abstract Mine ventilation systems face significant challenges in dynamic control due to complex network topologies and uncertain underground environments. This paper proposes an intelligent decision-making framework that synergistically integrates graph neural networks (GNN) with deep reinforcement learning (DRL) for optimal ventilation control. A multi-level hierarchical graph representation method is developed to capture topological structures and spatial dependencies of ventilation networks, while an improved Actor-Critic algorithm with prioritized experience replay enables adaptive policy learning under safety constraints. The GNN encoder extracts graph-structured features that enhance the DRL agent’s state representation, facilitating efficient exploration and decision optimization. Experimental validation on simulation platforms and six-month field deployment in an operational coal mine demonstrate substantial improvements: 34.7% higher cumulative rewards compared to conventional methods, 23.7% reduction in energy consumption, and 98.4% safety compliance rate across diverse operational scenarios. The proposed framework advances intelligent mine ventilation management by simultaneously achieving enhanced safety assurance, improved energy efficiency, and robust adaptability to complex dynamic conditions.

Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of major envelope protein gene (B2L) and ATPase protein gene (A32L) of orf virus isolates from goats in Southern, Thailand

Orf virus (ORFV), a member of the Poxviridae family, causes contagious ecthyma (CE), a viral skin disease in small ruminants. Due to its self-limiting nature, low mortality rate and economic consequences, CE is considered as a neglected disease, resulting in underreporting in Thailand. Despite its global presence, the genetic characterization of ORFV in Thailand, especially in the southern region where there is high density of goat farming, is largely unknown. To address the knowledge gap, we conducted genetic and evolutionary analysis including phylogenetic, BEAST, and discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC), on ORFV isolated from Southern Thailand, utilizing conserved B2L gene (major envelope protein) and A32L gene (C-terminal ATPase protein). All suspected CE meat goats across 2 farms in Songkhla and Pattani provinces in 2024 tested ORFV positive via PCR using ORFV-specific primers. These isolates along with a positive control isolate (Pattani 2020) were used for molecular characterization and genetic analysis. The 2024 isolates clustered with Malaysian strains based on phylogenetic and population analysis. BEAST analysis of these isolates further indicated a shared evolutionary origin around 2007, suggesting transboundary spread. Although the 2024 isolates were highly related, some differentiation observed for both genes and they evolved separately from 2020 Pattani isolate suggesting ongoing local evolution and genetic variation in the regional population. Moreover, the Pattani 2020 isolate was phylogenetically distinct and revealed a distinct ancestral origin, suggesting a separate introduction event into the region. Notably, heterogeneity in C-terminal region of ATPase gene was observed, including 4 amino acid deletions in Songkhla 2024 and Pattani 2020 isolates, and unique substitutions (G258S and G260S) in Pattani 2024 which may cause a distinct cluster based on DAPC analysis. Collectively, our findings indicate diverse ORFV evolution in Southern Thailand, necessitating continued molecular surveillance and genetic characterization to improve national control strategies.

Plant-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Alcea rosea leaf aqueous extract and evaluation of the biological activities

An interpretable machine learning framework for adverse drug reaction prediction from drug-target interactions

Background Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) present challenges to patient safety and healthcare systems. Current pharmacovigilance methods, such as the Yellow Card Scheme (YCS), provide valuable post-marketing data, but the mechanistic causes of these ADRs are not fully understood. Leveraging drug-target interaction data with interpretable machine learning offers a promising approach to anticipate ADRs and understand their underlying mechanisms. Objective This study proposes an interpretable machine learning (ML) framework to predict significant ADRs using drug-target interaction data. The framework aims to identify key pharmacological relationships, helping to inform drug safety. Methods Drug-target interaction data from STITCH was combined with ADR reports from the YCS. Disproportionality analysis identified significant ADR signals which were used to train Random Forest classifiers across System Organ Class (SOC) categories. Class imbalance was addressed with SMOTE and Tomek, and Bayesian optimisation refined hyperparameters. Feature importance scores provided interpretability, and the top features were validated using known target-disease associations from DisGeNET. Results Prediction performance varied across SOC categories, with ROC AUC scores up to 0.94. Feature importance analysis identified pharmacologically relevant targets, validated using DisGeNET and comparisons with SIDER highlighted the added value of real-world data. Conclusions The interpretable ML framework links drug-target interactions to ADRs, offering a promising approach for predictive pharmacovigilance (PPV) and supporting safer drug development.

Assessment of land use transition, trend, shift & directional distribution in the Ganga Basin

The impact of expanded access to antiretroviral treatment on engagement in HIV care and viral suppression among pregnant women living with HIV in South Africa

Background Timing of engagement in HIV care in relation to pregnancy impacts maternal outcomes and the risk of vertical transmission of HIV. Option B+, a policy that mandates offering all pregnant women living with HIV (PWLH) lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) irrespective of their CD4 count, has been adopted across sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa since 2015. This study aimed to assess the impact of expanded access to ART on engagement in HIV care and viral suppression among pregnant women in South Africa. Methods This observational study used data from pregnant women living with HIV who delivered at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa from 2013−2017. Linkage to a national HIV laboratory cohort (the NHLS National HIV cohort) was used to ascertain engagement in HIV care prior to antenatal care (ANC) entry and viral load outcomes. Analyses were stratified by the pre-Option B+ (2013−2014), Option B+ (2015−31 Aug 2016) and Universal Test and Treat (post-01 Sept 2016) eras. We compared engagement rates before and during the Option B+ era and assessed factors associated with HIV care engagement and viral suppression. Risk ratios were estimated using log-binomial regression. Results Among 4,865 PWLH, 65% had evidence of prior engagement in HIV care. Prior engagement in care was higher during the Option B+ (64%) and UTT (71%) eras compared to the pre-Option B+ era (55%). Younger women (18–24 years) were less likely to engage in HIV care than those aged 25–34 years (aRR 0.8, 95% CI: 0.6–0.9). Women with CD4 counts <200 cells/mm³ were less likely to have been engaged in care prior to pregnancy compared to those with CD4 ≥ 500 (aRR 0.6, 95% CI: 0.6–0.7). Primigravid women had a 30% lower likelihood of earlier HIV care engagement compared to those with 2–3 pregnancies (aRR 0.7, 95% CI: 0.5–0.8). Overall viral suppression was higher in women reporting ART use prior to pregnancy compared to those with no prior HIV care (33% vs. 19%, p < 0.001). During the four-year study period, the proportion of PWLH who had a viral load recorded but were not virally suppressed ranged from 22–36%. Conclusion We observed increased engagement in HIV care prior to pregnancy after implementation of policies that expanded access to ART. However, high prevalence of unsuppressed viral load across all policy eras highlights the need for continued monitoring and support to sustain the benefits of this policy. Pregnancy and antenatal care services remain an essential portal of entry to HIV care among PWLH in South Africa. Interventions to improve early ANC attendance and maternal engagement in HIV care prior to pregnancy are critical to eliminate vertical HIV transmission.