Browse Articles

Pharmacokinetic model selection for infliximab based on inflammatory bowel disease phenotype and severity: Toward model-informed precision dosing

Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) differ in intestinal location and depth of involvement. Patients with UC who have or experienced a flare-up according to Truelove–Witts criteria (ACUS), as well as those with fistulizing Crohn’s disease (FIST), may represent difficult-to-treat populations. This study investigates the phenotype- and severity-driven selection of infliximab (IFX) population pharmacokinetic models to optimize predictive performance and support precision dosing in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care. A retrospective analysis was conducted at University Hospital Medical Centre “Zvezdara”. Twenty published IFX models were evaluated across five datasets (overall, ASUC, CD, FIST, UC), primarily using trough concentrations obtained via routine therapeutic drug monitoring. Predictive accuracy was assessed using median prediction error (MDPE) and median absolute prediction error (MAPE). Bayesian forecasts were evaluated using median individual prediction error (MDIPE) and its absolute value (MAIPE). Normalized prediction distribution errors (NPDE) and visual predictive check (VPC) were used for simulation-based diagnostics. Moreover, probability of probability of target-attainment (PTA%) per model and subgroup was calculated. No model met all predefined prediction-based performance criteria. In a priori analysis, the Matsuoka model showed the satisfactory overall performance, while the Xu model was most suitable for CD patients. In a posteriori analysis, the Ternant 2008 model had the well overall accuracy, with other models (Dreesen 2021 for ASUC, Matsuoka for CD, Brandse 2016 for UC) performing satisfactory in respective subgroups. Simulation NPDE diagnostics identified the Aubourg model as suitable for the overall dataset, while VPC results mainly supported the a priori analysis conclusions. These findings highlight the relevance of disease phenotype and severity in selecting IFX pharmacokinetic models. Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach, tailoring model choice to patient subgroups enhances predictive performance. This supports a more individualized, model-informed precision dosing (MIPD) strategy for optimizing IFX dosing in IBD.

Training a continuous conditional diffusion-based model to simulate horizontal strike-slip ground motions for scenario seismic events

Near‐100% C1‐Pathway Selective Ethanol Oxidation on Turing‐Type Pd‐Based Crystalline/Amorphous Heterointerfaces

ABSTRACT Direct ethanol fuel cells are hindered by the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) that favors the low‐efficiency C2 pathway over the desirable C1 pathway. Here, we report a catalyst design integrating an ultrathin Turing‐type nanonet with a Pd‐based crystalline/amorphous (C/A) heterointerface, achieving a near‐complete C1‐pathway selectivity of 97.1% for alkaline EOR, which is the highest reported to date. Inspired by spatially decoupling C─C cleavage and CO oxidation, we engineer two intimately integrated phases: strained interstitial‐carbon‐doped PdO (C int ‐PdO) enriched with oxygen vacancies and defective amorphous PdC x (a‐PdC x ). This heterostructure is realized via a “carbon engineering” strategy combining salt‐melt templating with secondary annealing. Atomic‐resolution studies confirm atomically sharp C/A interfaces and the highly unsaturated a‐PdC x phase. In situ Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) directly visualizes CO 2 emergence at ultralow overpotentials, while high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) verifies the near‐complete C1 pathway. Density functional theory (DFT) reveals a dual‐cooperative mechanism: C int ‐PdO steers the EOR toward C1 pathway by facilitating CH 3 CO* dehydrogenation and subsequent C─C cleavage via CH 2 CO*, thereby suppressing acetate formation; concurrently, a‐PdC x dramatically accelerates CO oxidation and may also contribute to C─C cleavage via an alternative direct CH 3 CO* pathway. This work establishes carbon‐engineered C/A heterointerfaces as a powerful platform for overcoming the EOR selectivity bottleneck.

Multi-AGV task scheduling and dynamic map path planning based on task pre-allocation

Multi-AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) systems operating in complex warehouse environments equipped with movable containers encounter several challenges, including high system no-load rate, low task response efficiency, and imbalanced path utilization. To address these issues, we propose an integrated optimization approach for task scheduling and path planning. First, a task segmentation strategy is introduced to decompose complex tasks into long-distance transport and precision in-racking sub-tasks which are then allocated to heterogeneous AGV types for execution. Second, a task pre-allocation algorithm is designed to enable AGVs to participate in the subsequent task assignment prior to the completion of their current tasks, thereby reducing the system no-load rate. Third, a dynamic map path planning mechanism is developed, which incorporates a temporary path traffic control module and a localized Floyd update algorithm to achieve real-time path adjustment and effective path utilization optimization. Comparative experiments were conducted in a multi-zone warehouse simulation environment. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach can reduce the system no-load rate, mitigate path congestion, and enhance overall operational performance.

Optimization of on-street parking layout based on transport-energy integration

Single‐Atom Cu‐Induced Electronic Localization Enhances Charge Transfer in g‐C ₃ N ₄ /PyBT S‐Scheme Photocatalyst

ABSTRACT Efficient singlet‐oxygen‐assisted photocatalytic oxidation requires both effective charge separation and well‐controlled excited‐state pathways, yet achieving both remains challenging in organic semiconductor heterojunctions. Herein, a Cu single‐atom‐engineered S‐scheme heterojunction is developed by coupling Cu‐modified graphitic carbon nitride (Cu─CN) with an imine‐linked covalent organic framework (PyBT). The atomically dispersed Cu sites induce pronounced interfacial charge localization, strengthen the internal electric field (IEF), and accelerate directional charge transfer across the heterojunction. Quantitative analysis shows that the IEF intensity of Cu─CN/PyBT is enhanced to 1.97 times that of its Cu‐free counterpart, enabling markedly improved spatial separation of photogenerated carriers. More importantly, the enhanced charge separation promotes intersystem crossing and boosts singlet oxygen generation. Consequently, the optimized heterojunction achieves 94.2% styrene conversion with 79.2% benzaldehyde selectivity under simulated sunlight. This work provides a feasible strategy for strengthening charge‐transfer kinetics while activating singlet‐oxygen chemistry in organic semiconductor heterojunction photocatalysts.

It takes a village: Community science informs tick encounter, pathogen, and exposure risk in North Carolina, USA

As tick-borne disease cases continue to increase over time, there is a growing need to understand the ecological and epidemiological factors that contribute to disease risk. North Carolina is currently experiencing a rise in cases, yet tick-borne research in the state remains limited. In this study, we developed a framework for a community science program in collaboration with 22 county public health agencies to recruit participants to submit incidentally encountered ticks. As part of kit submissions, participants also completed a form describing where and when they encountered the tick, as well as the behaviors that led to the encounters. Submitted ticks were tested for several putative bacterial pathogens, including Borrelia burgdorferi , Ehrlichia spp., and Rickettsia amblyommatis . We additionally assessed how advertising methodology and frequency by county health agencies influenced tick kit submissions and evaluated correlations between agency perceptions of project performance and submission rates. Over two years, we received 444 ticks across 319 unique submissions. While species distributions were largely consistent with prior observations, we report the first published instance of Amblyomma americanum within the mountainous region of NC, indicating a potential range expansion into cooler, higher-altitude areas. Relative risk modeling identified recreational activities as consistently associated with higher likelihood of tick kit submissions. Multiple advertising types appeared to influence the number of kits submitted; however, these results should be interpreted cautiously due to small sample sizes. Overall, our study demonstrates a successful collaboration with state and county health agencies to engage the community in tick-borne disease research. Future studies should build on this framework to further optimize participation.

FRED enables standardized FAIR metadata generation and management for omics research

Abstract Scientific research relies on transparent dissemination of data and its associated interpretations, including raw data, metadata, experimental design, and data processing details. Production and handling of research data represents an ongoing challenge, extending beyond publication into individual facilities, institutes and research groups, often termed Research Data Management (RDM). It is foundational to scientific discovery and aligned with the FAIR principles. Although the majority of peer-reviewed journals require raw data deposition in public repositories in alignment with FAIR principles, metadata frequently lacks standardization, hindering effective utilization and sharing of research findings. Here we present FRED, a generalized toolkit for FAIR metadata management in omics research based on a flexible, machine-readable YAML format. FRED enables (i) guided, dialog-based creation of metadata files, (ii) structured semantic validation, (iii) logical cross-file search, (iv) API-based integration with external systems, and (v) self-hosted web deployment. We demonstrate the utility of FRED through a complete annotation workflow applied to a published single-nucleus RNA-seq dataset, covering metadata generation, validation, repository-based discovery, and export to NCBI GEO submission format. FRED is designed for non-computational scientists and specialized facilities alike, and integrates into existing RDM infrastructure without requiring dedicated IT resources.

A Microscopic Heterogeneous LiBO ₂ ‐Mediated Electrolyte for High‐Voltage and Low‐Temperature Lithium‐Ion Batteries

ABSTRACT Conventional electrolytes remain fundamentally constrained by the trade‐offs among high‐voltage stability, low‐temperature operation, and fast ion transport, limiting the practical deployment of advanced lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Here, we report a micro‐heterogeneous lithium metaborate (LiBO 2 )‐mediated electrolyte (LBME) that leverages colloid interfacial chemistry to regulate the Li + solvation structure. Stable LiBO 2 colloids competitively coordinate with anions through coordinatively unsaturated surface sites, thereby weakening Li + –solvent/anion interactions and accelerating ligand‐exchange kinetics. Consequently, the LBME exhibits enhanced ionic conductivity and reduced Li + desolvation barrier, enabling uniform lithium deposition at −30°C and facilitating a compact inorganic‐rich cathode‐electrolyte interphase (CEI) during ultrahigh‐voltage operation. Consequently, a 5.0 V Li || LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 (LNMO) cell with LBME achieves exceptional cyclability, retaining 99.1% of its capacity after 5000 cycles at 5 C, and maintaining 72% of its room‐temperature capacity at −30°C. The technological viability is further demonstrated in practical pouch cells, where 1 Ah graphite || LiNi 0.8 Co 0.1 Mn 0.1 O 2 (NCM811) and 5 Ah silicon‐graphite (Si‐C) || LiNi 0.91 Co 0.06 Mn 0.03 O 2 (NCM90) pouch cells demonstrate superior stability, achieving 87.8% capacity retention (500 cycles) and a striking energy density of 394 Wh kg −1 (89% retention after 120 cycles), respectively. This work demonstrates a heterogeneous electrolyte strategy promising for stable LIBs under harsh conditions.

Sleep satisfaction and problematic smartphone use among adolescents in the Republic of Korea: The mediating roles of anxiety and loneliness

Problematic smartphone use (PSU) has become a growing public health concern among adolescents, with global prevalence estimates ranging from 10% to 30%. Sleep dissatisfaction has been identified as a potential risk factor for PSU. However, the psychological mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. This study examined the relationship between sleep satisfaction and PSU among Korean adolescents, and investigated the mediating roles of anxiety and loneliness. Data were collected from 48,829 adolescents who were categorized into three groups: general users (72.1%), potential-risk users (24.8%), and high-risk users (3.1%). Group differences were examined using chi-square tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the factors associated with PSU risk. Mediation analyses were conducted using a counterfactual framework to estimate the total, natural direct, and natural indirect effects of sleep satisfaction on PSU risk through anxiety and loneliness. Increased PSU risk was significantly associated with being female, high smartphone usage time (≥4 hours/day), and reporting poor perceived health. High-risk users reported markedly longer daily smartphone use (7.01 ± 0.12 hours) and significantly higher anxiety and loneliness scores compared to other groups ( p  < .001). Poor sleep satisfaction and insufficient physical activity were also significantly associated with higher PSU risk. Mediation analyses indicated significant natural indirect effects through anxiety and loneliness, with proportions mediated of 30.0% and 15.2%, respectively. Sleep dissatisfaction is significantly associated with problematic smartphone use among adolescents, and this relationship is partly explained by heightened anxiety and loneliness. Interventions aimed at improving sleep satisfaction and addressing emotional vulnerability may be effective strategies for reducing the PSU risk in this population.

Classification of bacterial biological warfare agent simulants through 2D Py-GC/MS data coupled with deep learning

Stretchable Piezoelectric Membrane of Ferroelectric Charge‐Transfer Cocrystals for Efficient Energy Harvesting and Self‐Powered Wearable Sensors

ABSTRACT Smart fiber actuators with self‐sensing and intelligent actuation have inspired great efforts toward perceiving environmental changes and responding real‐time movements, showing great promise in the man‐machine interaction and the Internet of Things. Organic ferroelectric species present an enticing prospect in flexible mechanical actuators, yet are rarely developed in smart fiber actuators. Herein, we proposed an organic charge‐transfer ferroelectric cocrystal composed of 7H‐Dibenzo[ c,g ]carbazole and tetracyanoquinodimethane, which demonstrated a non‐centrosymmetric alignment of P c space group with a low coercive field of 500 V/cm. Furthermore, the scalable piezoelectric nanofibers with a piezoelectric coefficient of 0.6744 nm/V were achieved after undergoing the location self‐assembly of ferroelectric cocrystal in polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix during electrospinning process. Significantly, these prepared nanofibers were purposefully employed to form the flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator, yielding an instantaneous peak voltage output of 60 V under 200 N, and a pressure sensitivity of 0.3060 V/N. We foresee application possibilities in accurately detecting physiological signals, such as finger bending and respiration. This work opens up avenues to the wonderful optoelectronic application for the cost‐effective ferroelectric cocrystal.

Unspoken cycles: A qualitative study exploring the lived experiences of women’s menstruation in the urban informal settlements of Bangladesh

Background Menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) is a critical component of public health and gender equity. However, limited research has explored the everyday experiences of women and adolescent girls managing menstruation within the constrained environment of urban informal settlements. This study explores the lived experiences of menstruation among women and girls in the Khulna Railway Slum in Bangladesh. Methods Guided by a Feminist Political Ecology framework, this qualitative study employed a combined inductive and deductive thematic approach. Data were collected between September and October 2025 through in-depth interviews with 18 women and adolescent girls aged 15–45 years living in urban informal settlements in Khulna. Five key informant interviews were also conducted with relevant stakeholders. Data were analyzed thematically using both pre-defined conceptual domains and emergent codes. Findings Findings revealed that menstrual experiences are shaped by three interrelated conceptual domains: structural-environmental constraints, socio-cultural stigma, and gendered inequities in access to resources. Inadequate WASH facilities, poor waste management, and lack of affordable menstrual products hinder safe and dignified menstrual practices. Stigma and taboos reinforced shame, exclusion, and silence, while gendered inequalities limited autonomy and resource access, especially among adolescents. Conclusion The study highlights menstruation as a socially and structurally shaped experience influenced by infrastructural constraints, cultural norms, and gendered inequalities. It contributes to scholarship on menstrual health by emphasizing the need to address menstrual inequities as part of broader efforts to improve gender equity and WASH services in urban informal settlement.

Upper extremity muscle thickness, handgrip strength, manual dexterity and cognitive functions in older adults living in community and nursing homes : a cross-sectional study

Abstract This study aims to compare upper extremity muscle thickness, hand grip strength, manual dexterity, and cognitive functions in elderly individuals living in the community and nursing homes. A total of 85 older adults with similar demographic characteristics, aged 65–80 years, 39 living in nursing homes and 46 community-dwelling older adults, were included in a cross-sectional study. Hand grip strength (HGS) was assessed via the Jamar hand dynamometer, and pinch strength was assessed via the Jamar digital pinch gauge. The Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT) was used to assess manual dexterity, and the Stroop T-Bag Test was used to assess cognitive function. In addition, upper extremity muscle thickness was assessed via ultrasonography. The forearm, biceps brachii, triceps brachii and deltoid muscle thicknesses were lower in elderly people living in nursing homes than in adults living in the community (p < 0.05). HGS and pinch strength were greater in adults living in the community than in adults living in nursing homes (p < 0.05). The total PPT score was higher in adults living in the community than in adults living in nursing homes (p < 0.05). The MOCA score and Stroop test composite score of elderly individuals living in nursing homes were worse than those of adults living in the community (p < 0.05). In this study, older adults living in nursing homes were observed to have lower upper extremity muscle thickness, handgrip strength, pinch strength, manual dexterity, and cognitive performance compared with community-dwelling older adults. This may be related to differences in living conditions, social resources, and environmental factors between the two groups. These findings suggest that maintaining upper extremity muscle thickness and strength, manual dexterity, and cognitive functions may be important for older adults living in nursing homes.

Electrolyte‐Regulated Self‐Healing Cu/Oxide Interfaces for Stable Electrocatalysis in Strong Acid

ABSTRACT Metastable metal active sites are inherently difficult to preserve under strongly corrosive electrochemical conditions, because continuous dissolution depletes the catalytically relevant surface population during operation. Here, we show that soluble metal ions can be used as an external chemical reservoir to sustain a dynamic catalytically active state through an electrolyte‐regulated dissolution–redeposition equilibrium. Using acidic nitrate‐to‐ammonia electrosynthesis as a model system, we demonstrate that dissolved Cu 2+ continuously replenishes Cu active sites, thereby mitigating catalyst degradation by maintaining a dynamic steady‐state active‐site population rather than relying on a static catalyst structure. Coupling this concept with acid‐stable WO 3 nanorods organizes the dynamic Cu reservoir into a hierarchically dispersed interfacial active state composed of anchored single atoms and replenishable nanoclusters, stabilized by strong Cu─O─W coupling. Operando spectroscopy, x‐ray absorption analysis, and theory reveal that this adaptive Cu/WO 3 interface strengthens nitrate capture and lowers the barriers of key hydrogenation steps. The resulting system delivers NH 3 Faradaic efficiencies above 90% over a broad potential window in strong acid and sustains ampere‐level operation for over 1000 h in a 25 cm 2 membrane electrode assembly with NH 3 production rates up to 0.37 g h −1 .

Pattern of family dynamics and treatment-seeking behaviour of caregivers of under-five children with uncomplicated malaria in a tertiary hospital in Ilesa, southwestern Nigeria

Background The morbidity and possible consequent mortality resulting from malaria in children are either due to delayed treatment-seeking or preceded by an inappropriate treatment-seeking process. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the pattern of family dynamics and treatment-seeking behaviour of caregivers of under-five children with uncomplicated malaria. Methods This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study that recruited 350 child-caregiver pairs. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection, and it was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 25. A p-value of < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results The family dynamics of the caregivers revealed that 82.3% of them had strong family support, four-fifths (80.3%) had functional families, and a little over half of them (58.3%) had monthly family incomes that fell below the defined household poverty line. Only 41.7% of the caregivers had appropriate treatment-seeking behaviour. Caregivers from lower-income families had 2.5 times higher odds of exhibiting inappropriate treatment-seeking behaviour compared to those from higher-income families (OR, 2.494; 95% CI, 1.486–4.184; p = 0.001). Caregivers with dysfunctional families were about four times more likely to have inappropriate treatment-seeking behaviour compared to their counterparts with functional families (OR, 3.766; 95% CI, 1.445–9.813, p = 0.007). Conclusion Significant inappropriate treatment-seeking behaviour existed among caregivers of under-five children with uncomplicated malaria. Family factors related to inappropriate treatment-seeking behaviour were family income and family functioning. Strengthening the family and counselling on appropriate treatment-seeking is crucial to reducing malaria morbidity and mortality among under-five children.

A fourier neural operator-based subband-BTE solver for sub-10 nm ultra-scaled devices

The Impact of Copolymer Molecular Sequence on Electronic Transport

ABSTRACT Established relationships describe how the energetics and spacing of polarons impact electronic transport in conjugated homo ‐polymers, yet no model exists extending these concepts to the growing field of sequence‐controlled co ‐polymers. This work employs oxidative molecular layer deposition (oMLD) to form thin films of sequence‐controlled copolymers of 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) and pyrrole (Py) and identifies that molecular sequence drives a three‐orders‐of‐magnitude change in conductivity at fixed composition. We extend Boltzmann hopping transport models for homopolymers to describe how electron energy well depth changes with EDOT and Py copolymer block lengths and separation distances. We measure a critical hopping distance of four monomer units (corresponding to ∼1.5 nm) and a critical polaron formation size of similar length. The model and conceptual insights we develop describe the electronic properties of sequence‐controlled copolymers and provide an upper length‐scale bound for molecular design of engineered organic nanomaterials.

FetalADM: a double-layer ensemble model based on SMOTE_KM and RF-RFE for fetal trisomy 21, 18, and 13 detections

Abstract Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT), which utilizes high-throughput sequencing technology to analyze cell-free DNA fragments from maternal peripheral plasma, has been widely adopted in clinical practice. However, accurately detecting fetal trisomy remains a challenge. To address this issue, we propose a novel double-layer ensemble model designed for detecting fetal trisomy13, 18 and 21. Firstly, we integrate the Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique with K-Means clustering to augment positive samples, effectively balancing the training dataset. Subsequently, we implement feature selection algorithms to identify the optimal feature combination. Leveraging these enhancements, we develop a fast and accurate multi-class classification model FetalADM based on machine learning. Evaluate its performance on three independent test datasets: T54, T210, and T136. Notably, on the T54 dataset, FetalADM achieved a perfect 100% accuracy in detecting trisomy 21, 18, and 13. On the T210/T136 dataset, the model misclassified only 2/1 out of 210/136 samples (accuracy = 99.0%/99.3%), respectively, compared to 31/12 misclassifications by traditional bioinformatics methods. Specially, as a four-class classifier, FetalADM enables direct prediction of specific trisomy types, distinguishing itself from most binary-class models while maintaining high efficiency and accuracy. These results demonstrate that it outperforms conventional bioinformatics methods, underscoring its potential to improve the clinical diagnostic accuracy of fetal aneuploidies.

An efficient serialized hardware implementation of the ASCON algorithm

Abstract The era of the Internet of Things (IoT) introduces new technologies alongside challenges in hardware and data transfer security. This work presents the hardware implementation of the Lightweight Cryptography (LWC) algorithm ASCON-128, specifically targeting IoT applications and edge devices with stringent power and area constraints. The proposed design utilizes a serialized hardware architecture that minimizes logic usage, resulting in a compact area and low power consumption. It maintains adequate throughput through a sponge-based construction in authenticated mode. On FPGA, the design operates on the ultra-low-power platform, Lattice iCE40, achieving maximum frequency (Fmax) of 228.8 MHz with only 582 Lookup Tables (LUTs), 418 flip-flops, and 2.28 mW at 13.7 MHz. The Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) implementation using 16 nm TSMC FinFET technology achieves a power consumption of 0.254 mW and an area of 1.341 kilo gate-equivalents (kGE), delivering an energy efficiency of 0.106 nJ/bit and a throughput of 2.381 Mbps at 100 MHz. These results highlight the effectiveness of the proposed ASCON-128 architecture for secure, low-power IoT and RFID applications.