Browse Articles

Artificial intelligence-based dairy cattle behavior recognition for estrus detection via ensemble fusion of two camera views

Monitoring cattle behavior plays an important role in improving farm productivity, maintaining animal welfare, and supporting efficient management practices. This study presents a multi-view behavior recognition system that uses synchronized top-view and front-view CCTV footage, combined with deep learning techniques. The system includes four main components: cow identification, behavior classification, identity-behavior association using Intersection-over-Union (IoU), and a decision-level ensemble to combine information from both views. YOLOv8 models are applied separately to each camera angle to detect individual cows and classify six key behaviors: drinking, eating, standing, lying, riding, and chin resting, with the latter two being relevant for estrus detection. The system matches cow identities to their behaviors within each view and then integrates the results to produce a final activity label for each cow.

Comparative chemical and biological study of essential oils and n-hexane extracts of Thymus vulgaris and Thymus serpyllum (Lamiaceae)

Abstract This study presents a comparative chemical and biological evaluation of essential oils (EOs) and n -hexane extracts from Thymus vulgaris and Thymus serpyllum (Lamiaceae), alongside a reference commercial thyme oil. GC-MS analysis revealed significant differences in chemical composition among the samples, with T. serpyllum oil characterized by high thymol (74.47%) and caryophyllene (9.89%) content, while the commercial oil was dominated by carvacrol (80.37%). Cytotoxicity was assessed using the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay on human skin fibroblast (HSF) cells to evaluate safety. Most samples exhibited low cytotoxicity (IC 50 > 100 µg/mL), except for T. serpyllum oil, which showed strong cytotoxicity (IC 50 = 18.48 µg/mL). Antidiabetic activity was evaluated via α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition assays. T. serpyllum oil demonstrated moderate α-glucosidase inhibition (IC 50 = 536.9 ± 1.04 µg/mL), while other samples showed weak or negligible activity. Wound healing potential was assessed using an in vitro scratch assay on HSF cells. T. serpyllum oil at 0.05 µg/mL achieved complete wound closure within 72 h, outperforming other samples, including the commercial reference. Molecular docking of its major compounds (thymol, caryophyllene, α-selinene, and 3’,5’-dimethoxyacetophenone) revealed favorable binding affinities to key wound healing targets (collagenase, MMP-12, TGF-β), supporting the observed biological activity. Overall, T. serpyllum EO (TSV) exhibited superior wound healing capacity and moderate antidiabetic activity, with acceptable safety at low concentrations. These findings highlight its potential as a natural therapeutic agent and underscore the importance of standardizing thyme products for consistent pharmacological efficacy.

Circularly Polarized Luminescence with Large Dissymmetry Factor over 10 ⁻¹ Based on Flexible Point‐Chirality via Programming at Molecular Level

Abstract In this work, we report a series of small Spirocyclic Chiral Fluorophores (SCFs) with donor‐acceptor type small‐ π emitters. These SCFs induce mimic α ‐helix supramolecular packing modes via adjustments at the molecular level (e.g., hydrogen bonding sites, positions of fused rings). This approach not only enhances circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) with the luminescence dissymmetry factor ( g lum ) up to 0.18 in assembled materials but also enables inversion of the chiral signal. Moreover, unlike most CPL materials with a single point‐chiral center that are CPL‐silent at the molecular state, the spirocyclic configuration can enhance efficient point‐chirality transfer to the fluorophores owing to the self‐rigidified skeleton, consequently enable efficient CPL with the g l um in the order of 10 −3 even in the molecular solutions. The mechanistic insights are revealed by experimental investigation including the femtosecond transient absorption (fs‐TA) spectroscopy and single‐crystal analysis, as well as DFT calculation. This study opens new avenues for developing organic CPL materials with large g values based on low‐molecular‐weight flexible point‐chiral fluorophores, offering great potential for future applications in biotechnology and circularly polarized organic light‐emitting diodes (CP‐OLEDs).

Engineering a Thermally Activatable SpyCatcher/SpyTag Protein Ligation for Injectable and In Situ‐Forming Hydrogels

Abstract Injectable and in situ‐forming hydrogels are attractive for tissue engineering and drug delivery, yet challenges remain in balancing gelation speed, mechanical strength, and cytocompatibility. Here, we report a thermally activatable SpyCatcher/SpyTag (TASpy) system that undergoes rapid chemical crosslinking at physiological temperature. Inspired by the CnaB2 domain, thermally activatable SpyCatcher (TASpyC) fuses SpyCatcher with a non‐reactive SpyTag mutant, creating a single polypeptide that remains folded and minimally reactive at lower temperatures yet partially unfolds at 37 °C to expose a covalent binding site. This design enables controlled isopeptide‐bond formation, facilitating the formation of robust injectable protein hydrogels. We demonstrate improved mechanical properties, enhanced cell encapsulation, and accelerated gelation upon heating—supporting high cell viability and in vivo retention. Notably, subcutaneous injections of TASpy‐based precursors solidify within minutes, degrade over five weeks, and exhibit excellent biocompatibility, underscoring the potential of TASpy hydrogels for advanced biomedical applications.

Experiences providing care to patients with mental health conditions in a tertiary care hospital emergency department in Jerusalem

The emergency department (ED) often serves as the first point of care for those with mental health conditions. Mental health-related visits to the ED tend to increase during and after public health crises. In Israel, the war that started in 2023 has had substantial adverse effects on the population’s mental health, increasing the need for emergency services for people with mental health conditions. This article examines the perceptions and experiences of Israeli staff providing care to patients with mental health conditions in an ED of a tertiary-care hospital in Jerusalem. Based on an inductive thematic analysis of 24 semi-structured interviews with staff members, this study sheds new light on the staff’s challenges in treating these patients. The study found that providers navigated a high level of stigma towards people with mental illness. Many providers were aware that negative perceptions of these patients were potentially harmful and may lead to diagnostic overshadowing, and in some cases, they tried to mitigate the effects of stigma. Staff often viewed patients with mental illness as inappropriate users of the ED, assuming limited responsibility for these patients. The findings also illuminate the providers’ inadequate training and skills for treating and managing mental health, as well as organizational and structural constraints. The article recommends ways to improve the treatment of mental health in EDs, such as educational workshops, more support of mental health specialists in EDs, providing calm environments, working alongside experts by experience, and conducting person-centered risk assessments. EDs should strengthen collaboration and referral pathways to community-based mental health services. Moreover, the healthcare system must provide patients with alternative sources of care, such as community crisis centers. These steps can mitigate the expected post-war mental health crisis in Israeli EDs and are relevant to many other countries.

A numerical assignment on local pressure capacity of the concrete under the head of straight anchor bolts

Abstract High-strength straight anchor bolts materials require longer embedment lengths in the concrete so the headed bars are employed to significantly reduce the required embedment length of these bars. But they impose concentrated stress on a small concrete surface under the head. In this study, behavior of headed bolts was numerically studied using 3D finite element method (FEM). First, an experimental program consists of four concrete specimens with variations only in head diameter was conducted. Second, FEM program consists of 22 concrete specimens was conducted. The effect of concrete cover thickness around the head was ranging from 85 mm to 510 mm. This variation resulted in a broad range of concrete cover-to-stud diameter ratios from 5 to 30. Additionally, studying the impact of head geometry (hexagonal, square, circular, and pentagonal) was performed. The effect of head diameter from 12 mm up to 50 mm was examined. This study also assessed the effect of using high strength concrete under the head region. The results showed that all specimens exhibited localized compressive failure of the concrete beneath the headed bars. Due to its increased number of sides, the hexagonal head performed better than the square head. When compared to a headed bar with a diameter of 12 mm, the ultimate local pressure of headed bars with diameters of 15, 17, 20, 25, 30, 40, and 50 mm dropped by 53, 60, 68, 76, 78, 87, and 90%, respectively. When the concrete cover-to-stud diameter increased from 5 to 30, there was a noticeable improvement in the final local pressure and the related slip under the rebar head. Overall performance of the bars improved with increase of the members number of the head. When high strength concrete was used under the head, the ultimate local pressure of headed bars increased by 29–152%. Many new formulas were proposed for estimating ultimate local pressure of headed bars.

Competing Dipolar and van der Waals Forces in Dynamic Self‐Healing of Poly(Ionic Liquid) Copolymers

Abstract These studies elucidate the origin of molecular processes involved in the self‐healing of imidazolium‐based poly(ionic liquid) copolymers (PILCs) subjected to dynamic surface oscillating forces (SOF). In contrast to their counterpart homopolymers, which are either brittle or exhibit irreversible responses, PILCs composed of short (‐CH 3 ; Me) and long (–CH) 2 ) 3 CH 3 ; Bu) aliphatic side chains attached to the cation‐anion pair composed of a 50/50 monomer molar ratio (poly(Me/Bu 50/50)) exhibit remarkable recovery. These dynamic responses arise from the competing polar and dipolar forces attributed to a balanced coexistence of ordered and disordered states involving the reversible rearrangements of H‐bonding, ionic interactions, and London dispersion forces. These copolymer composition‐driven processes exhibit dynamic recovery due to significant entropy increases, causing energy dissipation and reversible segmental rearrangements to achieve energetically favorable states. Spectroscopic FT‐IR measurements combined with 2D correlation spectroscopic (2D‐COS) analysis supported by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations reveal the significance of short‐ and long‐forces involved in polar‐dipolar interactions that enable dynamic recovery. The combination of directional and non‐directional entropy‐driven interchanges appears promising for identifying PILC architectures capable of mechanical adaptability, dynamic self‐healing, and ionic conductivity.

Mathematical modeling and cost-effective intervention strategies for diabetes management: A data-driven and numerical analysis approach

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic, non-communicable disease that continues to pose a major global health burden. Effective management strategies require not only clinical interventions but also robust modeling frameworks to guide public health decisions. In this study, we develop a compartmental model to describe the dynamics of diabetes under both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. The model is solved using a Nonstandard Finite Difference (NSFD) scheme, which preserves key properties such as positivity and boundedness, and demonstrates superior stability compared to classical numerical methods (RK4 and Forward Euler). The model parameters are estimated by fitting to annual diabetes prevalence data from the United States (2000–2022). A global sensitivity analysis using Partial Rank Correlation Coefficients (PRCC) identifies the most influential parameters driving disease dynamics. To evaluate intervention strategies, the model is extended with three time-dependent control measures, followed by a cost-effectiveness analysis to assess their relative efficiency. Our findings highlight the critical parameters influencing diabetes progression and suggest optimal intervention strategies that balance effectiveness with economic feasibility. These results provide valuable insights for improving diabetes management and support evidence-based public health planning.

Teacher activities and student participation in university classrooms: a cross-sectional study in the technological era

Skeletal muscle-kidney crosstalk in a cohort of critical illness survivors

Background The skeletal muscles and kidneys are frequently affected during critical illness; however, their crosstalk remains poorly explored, especially in the long-term evolution. Therefore, we investigated the crosstalk between skeletal muscle and kidney function in COVID-19 survivors. Methods A cross-sectional analysis of a prospective cohort study with s urvivors of moderate to severe COVID-19 hospitalization. Skeletal muscle assessments included handgrip strength, calf circumference, ultrasound-measured quadriceps thickness, and gait speed test. Sarcopenia was diagnosed by modified EWGSOP2 (low handgrip strength plus low ultrasound-measured quadriceps thickness). Kidney function was assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), and urine sediment analysis. Abnormal kidney function was defined as an eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73m 2 , albuminuria (≥30 mg/g), and/or leukocyturia or hematuria. Results A total of 734 survivors (46% female, 43% ≥ 60 years, 35% with diabetes) were assessed 7 ± 2 months post-hospital discharge. Sarcopenia was diagnosed in 21.4% of the cohort. Positive significant associations with eGFR were observed for calf circumference (β = 0.42 ml/min/1.73m 2 , 95%CI: 0.06 to 0.78) and thicknesses (mm) of rectus femoris (β = 0.47, 95%CI: 0.01 to 0.94) and vastus intermedius (β = 0.55, 95%CI: 0.14 to 0.96). None of the skeletal muscle parameters were associated with UACR (mg/g). Survivors with sarcopenia had lower eGFR (‒5.8 ml/min/1.73m 2 , 95%CI: ‒10.8 to ‒0.9), but similar frequencies of low eGFR (24% vs . 18%; p  = 0.137), albuminuria (27% vs . 31%; p  = 0.434) and abnormal urine sediment (17% vs . 22%; p  = 0.217) as compared to those without sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was not associated with higher odds of low eGFR, albuminuria, or abnormal urine sediment. Conclusions In survivors of moderate to severe COVID-19 hospitalization, skeletal muscle mass was associated with eGFR, whereas sarcopenia per se was not independently associated with poor kidney function. These findings suggest the existence of a skeletal muscle-kidney crosstalk in this population.

Association between reduced chewing-induced brain blood flow and cognitive performance in mandibular prognathism patients in a pilot study

Exploring the association between housing insecurity and mental health among renters: A systematic review of quantitative primary and secondary studies

Adverse social and economic conditions negatively impact mental health and well-being. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present systematic review is the first to investigate the association between housing insecurity and mental health outcomes among renters, with a focus on housing affordability and instability. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted in December 2022 across four databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and ASSIA). Quantitative studies from OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) member countries were eligible for inclusion if they investigated housing insecurity by examining at least one independent variable related to housing affordability and/or instability, and included at least one mental health-related outcome among adult renters. Studies needed to specifically distinguish effects for renters, not simply adjust for tenure or include an interaction. Studies were excluded if they analyzed other forms of housing insecurity, examining residential satisfaction and general health outcomes, or populations other than adult renters (< 15 years of age). The methodological quality of the included studies was rated with the JBI Critical Appraisal Tools, and the certainty of evidence was rated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. Due to heterogeneity of the identified studies, we performed a narrative synthesis. Twenty-two studies with sample sizes ranging from n  = 89 to n  = 179,037 met the inclusion criteria (resulting in a total sample size of at least N  = 336,775), of which 14 applied a longitudinal design, five a cross-sectional design, and three a quasi-experimental design. Based on the JBI ratings, the overall methodological quality of the included studies was good. The overall ratings of certainty of evidence, based on the GRADE ratings, were between low and very low – mainly due to the non-controlled study designs of included studies. Among the nine studies examining housing affordability, six reported significant associations between unaffordable rent and poor mental health in low-income renters. Regarding housing instability, 12 out of 14 studies reported significant associations between unstable housing and renters’ mental health issues. Measures of housing insecurity varied, with rent-to-income ratio and forced moves being most commonly employed. Mental health outcomes focused primarily on overall mental health, well-being, and depressive symptoms, while few studies explored other mental health outcomes. Despite methodological limitations due to the non-controlled studies included in the review, the findings suggest overall that experiencing unaffordable or unstable housing has a negative impact on renters’ overall mental health and depressive symptoms. Housing insecurity poses a significant challenge for renters in OECD countries, highlighting the need for policymakers to implement supportive housing policies and tenure protection measures in order to improve renters’ housing security and ultimately public health. Nevertheless, more research with robust study designs is needed to draw further conclusions. The systematic review has been conducted without external funding. It has not been pre-registered and no study protocol has been published.

Sedentary behavior and physical activity in survivors of childhood hodgkin lymphoma: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is one of the most common cancers during adolescence. Advances in treatment have achieved survival rates exceeding 90%. However, long-term treatment-related sequelae, including cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome, significantly affect the quality of life of survivors. Physical activity (PA) is considered a key strategy to mitigate these risks. Current studies predominantly rely on subjective assessments of movement behavior, which may lack accuracy. This cross-sectional study aims to use device-based monitoring to characterize levels of sedentary behavior and physical activity in survivors of childhood-diagnosed HL. Specific objectives were to evaluate these behaviors across age and gender groups and to assess compliance with physical activity guidelines for the adult population. The study involved 51 participants (59% female), with a median age of 25 years, a median age at diagnosis of 16 years, and a median time since diagnosis of 11 years. PA and sedentary behavior (SB) were measured over seven days using the Axivity AX3 accelerometer with a 24-hour wear protocol. Movement behavior was categorized into SB, light PA (LPA), moderate PA (MPA), and vigorous PA (VPA). Group differences in movement behaviors were examined using non-parametric tests, and results are presented as medians with interquartile ranges. Participants had a median daily time of 704.8 min in SB (IQR 127.9), 181.2 min in LPA (IQR 81.3), 110.2 min in MPA (IQR 68.8), and 2.8 min in VPA (IQR 2.8). Combined moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) accounted for a median of 115 min per day (IQR 69.8). Significant differences in LPA were observed: men spent less time in LPA compared to women ( p  = 0.032), and younger participants spent less time in LPA compared to older participants ( p  = 0.006). While 100% of participants met the WHO-recommended threshold of > 150 min of MPA per week, only 14% met the guideline of > 75 min of VPA per week. Our study indicates that survivors diagnosed with childhood HL can achieve the levels of MVPA recommended by current adult PA guidelines, despite undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Additionally, significant differences in low-intensity PA were identified: men and younger participants spent less time in LPA compared to women and older participants, respectively. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring movement behaviors in long-term follow-up care to identify survivors with insufficient physical activity and excessive sedentary behavior and to implement targeted interventions to reduce long-term cardiovascular and metabolic risk. Given the cross-sectional design, causal relationships and changes in physical activity behavior over time cannot be inferred.

Longitudinal trends in vaping, smoking, and harmful alcohol use across sexual orientations in the UK (2014–2021)

Background Sexual minorities, including lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals, often face higher substance use rates due to societal stressors. Recent societal changes, including the COVID-19 pandemic and rising hate crimes in the UK, may have impacted these disparities across sexual orientations. This study aims to examine changes in vaping, smoking, and alcohol use disparities across sexual orientations in the UK from 2014 to 2021. Method Data from the UK Longitudinal Household Survey (2014–2021) were analyzed, covering 42,052 participants aged 16 + . Sexual orientation categories included heterosexual, gay/lesbian, bisexual, and other sexual minorities. The outcomes were smoking, vaping, and harmful alcohol drinking. Longitudinal logit models with generalized estimating equations were used, adjusting for demographic factors. Predictive prevalences were calculated and used to examine the disparities between each sexual minority group and the heterosexual group over time. Results We did not find consistent increases in substance use disparities across sexual orientation groups in the UK from 2014 to 2021. Small differences were observed among bisexual individuals who had a higher predicted prevalence of harmful alcohol drinking in 2019–2020 (~11–13% higher), while gay/lesbian individuals showed higher vaping prevalence in 2019 (~5% higher) than heterosexual individuals. For smoking, no disparities were observed. Conclusion Unlike prior studies that reported disparities, our longitudinal analysis found little to no evidence that sexual minorities had elevated or widening substance use disparities. While some subgroups exhibited elevated risks in specific years, these patterns were not sustained over time. Future research should explore how social stressors, policy contexts, and community norms interact to inform targeted, inclusive interventions that reflect the diversity within LGBTQ+ populations.

Virtual screening of novel alkaloids as potent inhibitors for G2032R-mutant ROS1 kinase in non-small-cell lung cancer

Harnessing Cooperative Energy Transfer and Hydrogen Atom Transfer for Direct Nitrogenations of Non‐Activated Alkanes

Abstract While important progress has been achieved recently on direct functionalization of alkanes via photocatalytic methods, direct amination of aliphatic compounds remains a great challenge. Herein we report a conceptually new strategy towards direct conversion of hydrocarbons into amines, based on in situ generation of nitrene radical. Energy transfer between thioxanthone (TXO) photocatalyst and iminoiodinane furnishes the triplet nitrene radical, able to undergo HAT reaction promoting alkane activation and subsequent C─N bond formation step. The user‐friendly nature of the metal‐free transformation, along with mild reaction conditions further highlight the sustainability of this scalable process delivering a diversity of cycloalkylamines. Combined experimental and computational mechanistic studies support the unusual reaction mechanism.

Experimental study on concentration and temperature fields of carbon dioxide leakage under different terrain conditions

Carbon capture and storage technology can improve the crude oil collection rate. It can also reduce carbon emission, and has great application prospect. However, under the complex terrain conditions of the oil field, the risk of CO 2 leakage is higher, which is easy to cause personnel asphyxiation. To effectively control the harm of CO 2 leakage and diffusion in this kind of situation, it is necessary to study the law of CO 2 leakage and diffusion under complex terrain conditions. In this study, a full-scale CO 2 leakage and diffusion experiment was carried out in combination with the topography of CO 2 capture and oil displacement in an oilfield. The results showed that under different leakage conditions, the time-average concentration of CO 2 satisfies the exponential distribution law from near to far. The influence range of 1% CO 2 volume concentration under stepped terrain is about 65 m, which is 30% more than that under on lawn ground. As the leakage time increases, the temperature gradually decreases. Besides, the closer to the leakage port, the faster the temperature drop rate. The average temperature gradient is about 0.39°C/ m.

Antimicrobial resistance profiles of non-aureus Staphylococci isolated from farm animals, farm environments and companion animals

Integrative pan-resistome and transcriptomic characterization reveals differential gene expression signatures in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: Insights into efflux pump regulation and therapeutic targeting strategies

Acinetobacter baumannii is a significant, multidrug-resistant pathogen that is increasingly recognized as an agent associated with hospital infections. Its increasing resistance to carbapenems and other necessary antibiotics poses a serious threat to public health worldwide. The present study provides an integrative analysis of the pan-resistome and transcriptomic landscape of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) under sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of clinically relevant antibiotics, i.e., ciprofloxacin, amikacin sulfate, meropenem, and polymyxin B. A focused investigation was conducted into the transcriptional modulation of efflux transport systems and cellular stress-response mechanisms. To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among the CRAB strains, parallel comparative RNA-Seq analysis with already available public datasets was undertaken. Concurrently, high-throughput virtual screening against the comprehensive marine natural product database (CMNPD) was done to identify inhibitors for MacB, a major ABC-type efflux transporter. Binding stability and interaction profiles of lead compounds were assessed via molecular dynamics simulations of 1000 ns. Transcriptomic profiling consistently showed increased levels of MacA-MacB efflux components, RcnB an intracellular stress-response protein LolA an outer membrane chaperone and surface antigen protein 1, especially under polymyxin B exposure. CMNPD27284 is the best candidate, having a strong binding affinity and stable interaction networks with critical MacB residues (−7.20 kcal/mol). These results highlight that efflux-mediated resistance and stress adaptation are crucial factors in CRAB, and they also indicate CMNPD27284 as a potential candidate for marine-derived scaffolding in developing drugs targeting the efflux pump.

Lactate to albumin ratio predicts one year mortality in ICU patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation