Browse Articles

Delineation and evaluation of management zones for site-specific nutrient management using a geostatistical and fuzzy C mean cluster approach

Physical activity moderates the mediating role of depression between experiential avoidance and Internet addiction

Hybrid metaheuristic optimized Catboost models for construction cost estimation of concrete solid slabs

Abstract Accurate construction cost prediction is essential for effective project planning and resource allocation, particularly in the competitive construction industry. This study introduces an advanced approach to predicting the costs of concrete solid slabs by combining the Categorical Boosting (CatBoost) model with three hybrid metaheuristic optimization models: Phasor Particle Swarm Optimization (PPSO-CatBoost), Dwarf Mongoose Optimization (DMO-CatBoost), and Atom Search Optimization (ASO-CatBoost). These hybrid models were designed to optimize critical hyperparameters, including depth, learning rate, and iterations, and were benchmarked against a standalone CatBoost model using various performance metrics, such as residual error cumulative distribution (REC) curves, scatter plots, violin plots, and quantitative measures. The results reveal that the hybrid models consistently outperform the standalone CatBoost model, with ASO-CatBoost achieving the best overall performance with determination coefficient (R 2) of 0.981 and root-mean-squared-error (RMSE) of 1.222 $/m2. The ASO-CatBoost exhibited superior accuracy and generalization, characterized by minimal residual errors and close alignment with actual cost values during both training and testing phases. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis identified the Tributary Area ($/m2) as the most influential variable, followed by Concrete ($/m3), underscoring the importance of these inputs in cost prediction. Additionally, a Python-based graphical user interface (GUI) was developed, enabling practical and user-friendly cost estimation in real-world applications.

Resilient and green structural potential of steel fiber reinforced geopolymer concrete

Deep learning based classification of tibio-femoral knee osteoarthritis from lateral view knee joint X-ray images

Real-world Lyme disease testing results using modified vs standard two-tier test protocols

The modified two-tier test (MTTT) and standard two-tier test (STTT) protocols are being used for Lyme disease serology testing in the clinic. We aimed to compare the real-world testing results of MTTT, a recently approved protocol, vs STTT, a mainstay protocol over the past decades. To this end, we obtained results of Lyme disease testing performed in a US national reference laboratory in 2022 and 2023 and constructed a matched cohort with 66,708 individuals tested using MTTT and 66,708 individuals tested using STTT. We found that, compared with STTT, MTTT identified more test positives in adults aged 18 and older and similar number of test positives in the children and adolescents. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of testing positive using MTTT vs STTT was 1.88 (1.79–1.98) in adults and 1.09 (0.97–1.23) in non-adults. In addition, more patients tested positive for immunoglobulin M antibody alone or positive for both immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G antibodies using MTTT than STTT.

Algorithm for using dual energy computed tomography to determine chemical composition: A feasibility study

Using dual-energy computed tomography (CT), this study aims to develop an algorithm to identify the chemical constituents of an unknown material (compound or mixture) and improve the accuracy of material discrimination. The algorithm requires mass attenuation coefficients (MAC) that were obtained using a dual energy CT as an input, identifies the elemental composition, and then calculates its weight fraction. To evaluate the functionality of the developed algorithm, it was used to determine the chemical constituents for human tissues. Furthermore, the results were compared with those provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). We used dual energies 80/140 kVp for spectral CT scans, as inputs to the algorithm, in addition to a set of 50/80 and 80/100 keV for mono-energetic X-rays. The algorithm correctly determined the chemical constituent elements of unknown materials. Results were obtained for the fractional weights of each component for mono-energetic X-rays and spectral X-ray use. For mono-energetic X-rays, the differences were < 0.01% for compounds and 6.02% for mixture, respectively. For the spectral X-rays, the differences in 2.98% for compounds and 6.03% for mixtures, respectively. We developed an algorithm to determine the type and weight fraction of an element using the MAC of dual-energy CT. The algorithm can exclude the inherent uncertainty of SPR calculations and improve the accuracy of dose calculations in radiation therapy planning.

Human capital, technological progress and industrial restructuring

Human capital and technological progress drive industrial restructuring toward rationalization and advancement, clarifying their theoretical interaction and examining the influence mechanism based on China’s three major industries data from 2008 to 2022, employing the PVAR and Hansen threshold models. The study shows that: (1) technological progress and industrial restructuring are mutually causal, while technological progress and human capital, and human capital and industrial restructuring are not mutually causal. (2) Within the research cycle, human capital has a ‘fast then slow then smooth’ influence on industrial structural adjustment, while technological progress has a ‘V’ influence on industrial structural adjustment, and technological progress has a ‘U’ influence on human capital. (3) Human capital and technological progress have played a facilitating role in industrial structural adjustment. Technological progress serves as the threshold, resulting in a double threshold effect of human capital on industrial structure rationalization, a single threshold effect is observed in its advancement. The policy implications are as follows: first, accelerate the mechanism of industrial structure upgrading, and drive the quality improvement and structure optimization of industrial human capital; second, give full play to the iterative role of technological innovation, and build a ‘technology-capital’ complementary mechanism; third, ‘according to the time - according to the place - according to the production’, Integration of human capital, technological progress and industrial restructuring synergistic development paths.

Correction: Exploring prevalent injuries among tennis players and optimal rehabilitation approaches: A systematic review protocol

The effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles on bone mineral density and microstructure in osteoporosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies

Objective The treatment of osteoporosis is challenged by limited bone regeneration and side effects. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (BMSC-EVs) have gained widespread attention as a potential therapeutic approach. This study aims to evaluate the effects of BMSC-EVs on bone density, trabecular microstructure, and biomechanical properties in animal models of osteoporosis, providing evidence to support clinical translation and mechanism exploration. Methods A systematic search was conducted in the PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Embase (inception to January 2025) databases for preclinical studies on BMSC-EV intervention in osteoporosis models. A random-effects model was used to synthesize and analyze seven key parameters (BMD, BV/TV, Tb.N, Tb.Sp, Tb.Th, Ct.Th, and ultimate load-bearing capacity). Subgroup analysis was performed based on species (rats/mice), EVs engineering targets/methods, injection frequency, and treatment duration. The quality of the studies was assessed using SYRCLE’s risk of bias tool. Results The meta-analysis of 10 studies (355 animals) showed that, compared to the control group, BMSC-EV treatment significantly increased BMD, BV/TV, Tb.N, Tb.Th, Ct.Th, and ultimate load-bearing capacity, while reducing Tb.Sp in the osteoporosis model. A publication bias was found in the summary analysis for Tb.N. However, sensitivity analysis confirmed that all summary results were relatively stable. Conclusions Compared to the control group, BMSC-EV treatment demonstrated positive effects in increasing BMD, improving trabecular microstructure, cortical thickness, and biomechanical properties in the osteoporosis model. However, clinical translation still requires standardized EV characterization and preclinical safety assessments.

Study on the mechanical properties of lithium slag recycled fine aggregate concrete

To promote the sustainable utilization of industrial solid wastes in concrete applications, this study systematically investigates the combined use of lithium slag (LS) as a cement replacement and recycled fine aggregates (RFA) as a substitute for river sand (RS). Through experimental analysis with a fixed water-cement ratio (0.46), we evaluated the effects of varying LS content (0–40%) and RFA replacement rates (0–30%) on concrete performance. The results indicate that the optimal LS incorporation (20%) enhances compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength by 12.7%, 11.9%, and 9.16%, respectively, while maintaining adequate workability. In contrast, RFA addition caused a linear reduction in mechanical properties, with 30% RFA leading to a 19.07% decrease in compressive strength. However, the addition of LS effectively mitigated the performance losses induced by RFA, providing a compensatory effect. The conversion formulas established between cubic compressive strength and other mechanical parameters demonstrated high correlation coefficients, offering practical guidelines for lithium slag-recycled fine aggregate concrete (LSRFAC) applications. This dual-waste utilization strategy presents an environmentally responsible solution for construction material innovation, addressing both the recycling of industrial byproducts and the conservation of natural resources. Overall, this study provides a sustainable approach to concrete production by reducing environmental burdens and supporting the circular use of industrial and construction waste in structural engineering.

Helpful assistant or fruitful facilitator? Investigating how personas affect language model behavior

One way to steer generations from large language models (LLM) is to assign a persona: a role that describes how the user expects the LLM to behave (e.g., a helpful assistant, a teacher, a woman). This paper investigates how personas affect diverse aspects of model behavior. We assign to seven LLMs 162 personas from 12 categories spanning variables like gender, sexual orientation, and occupation. We prompt them to answer questions from five datasets covering objective (e.g., questions about math and history) and subjective tasks (e.g., questions about beliefs and values). We also compare persona’s generations to two baseline settings: a control persona setting with 30 paraphrases of “a helpful assistant” to control for models’ prompt sensitivity, and an empty persona setting where no persona is assigned. We find that for all models and datasets, personas show greater variability than the control setting and that some measures of persona behavior generalize across models.

The reverse association between riboflavin intake and Helicobacter pylori infection in US adults: A cross-sectional study

Objectives This study aimed to examine the association between dietary riboflavin (vitamin B2) intake and Helicobacter pylori infection prevalence among U.S. adults, addressing the growing interest in nutritional strategies for microbial pathogenesis modulation. Methods We analyzed data from 2,895 participants in the 1999–2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with complete dietary and H. pylori serology records. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic, clinical, and nutritional covariates were employed to assess riboflavin-infection relationships. Dose-response patterns were evaluated using restricted cubic splines, and subgroup analyses tested heterogeneity across population strata. Results The overall H. pylori seropositivity rate was 44.2%. Higher riboflavin intake exhibited a dose-dependent inverse association with infection risk. Compared to the lowest quartile (Q1 ≤ 1.13 mg/day), adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) for Q2 (1.14–1.64 mg/day), Q3 (1.65–2.34 mg/day), and Q4 (≥2.35 mg/day) were 0.77 (0.60–0.99), 0.63 (0.48–0.84), and 0.62 (0.41–0.94), respectively. Spline analysis confirmed a near-linear risk reduction with increasing intake. Conclusion These findings suggest that dietary riboflavin may inversely correlate with H. pylori infection in a dose-responsive manner, potentially mediated through mitochondrial function preservation, oxidative stress reduction, and gut microbiota modulation. While observational design precludes causal inference, the results underscore the need for prospective studies evaluating riboflavin’s role in infection prevention.

Development and acceptability of ViviendoPositivos: A culturally tailored telenovela (soap opera) intervention to improve self-management among Latinos with HIV

Because people with HIV are living longer, there is a growing need for effective health self-management interventions. An urgent gap in care for Latino people with HIV (LWH) is the lack of culturally adapted interventions to support their health information needs. To respond to this need, we developed ViviendoPositivos, a culturally tailored telenovela (soap opera) intervention to promote HIV self-management among LWH. We used a mixed methods approach to gather data for the development of the intervention from 24 Spanish or English-speaking LWHs aged ≥ 18 years. Telenovela vignettes were co-created in collaboration with a community advisory board (CAB), our research team, and a telenovela director. Through focus groups, individual interviews, and a survey, we explored the acceptability of the telenovela vignettes (n = 24 LWH). Participants were mostly male (88%, n = 21), with an average age of 49 years (SD = 12) and living with HIV for 16 years (SD = 12). During the development of ViviendoPositivos, CAB members identified five priority content areas: mental health and social support, HIV knowledge, adherence to antiretroviral treatment, partner communication and negotiation, and healthy aging. Contextual and cultural aspects were also incorporated into the telenovela vignettes. Participants reported high satisfaction with the information and stories presented (92%, n = 22) and mentioned that the topics were relatable. All participants expressed willingness to watch the telenovela with a preference for online streaming via a website. The final product was an HIV self-management telenovela series of five 10-minute filmed episodes that incorporated the ideas and feedback of LWH.

Bias-corrected-based collaborative filtering recommendation (Bias-Corr-CF)

The goal of the collaborative filtering problem is to find accurate and efficient mappings from previously rated data at items of the users. Improving item-based collaborative filtering (IBCF) and user-based collaborative filtering (UBCF) involves understanding the mathematics of distance measures and finding the right balance between calculating similarity and providing recommendations very accurate. However, the popular distance measures for recommendation models only focus on measuring pairwise rating values between one user and another, or between one item and another. In this article, the authors have proposed a new recommendation model, which consists of building a collaborative filtering model with the bias-corrected distance correlation statistic. The correlation method focuses on measuring the rating values of one object with all ratings of the other object; the Bias-Corrected Distance Correlation (BCDCOR) provides an improved estimate of the distance correlation; it corrects the bias present in the original distance correlation. Experimental results are developed on the Jester5k dataset, with two popular evaluation methods for the recommendation models, namely precision and recall values. The experimental results show that with the Bias-corrected-based recommendation model between users and users, the Precision and Recall values of the proposed model are higher than those of the compared collaborative filtering recommendation systems.

Superior growth performance in carp fry achieved with chitosan-alginate encapsulated A-ghrelin versus free peptide: Evidence from physiological, molecular, and morphological analyses

This study investigates the potential of delivering ghrelin via chitosan-alginate (Cs-Al) nanocapsules to enhance growth performance, immune function, and stress biomarker parameters in common carp fry (Cyprinus carpio). Characterization of the nanoparticles revealed an average size of 130 nm for Cs-Al particles and 150 nm for A-ghrelin-loaded nanoparticles, with polydispersity indices (PDI) of 0.3 and 0.4, respectively. The zeta potential was measured at +20 mV for Cs-Al nanoparticles and +22 mV for ghrelin-loaded nanoparticles. Morphological analysis using FE-SEM and AFM revealed that the nanoparticles exhibit a predominantly spherical and uniform morphology, while FTIR analysis confirmed their successful synthesis and functionalization. The A-Ghrelin-Cs-Al NP group showed superior growth performance, with higher weight gain vs. control (P < 0.05) and thicker intestinal walls (P < 0.05). While all ghrelin treatments elevated IGF-1 expression (P < 0.05 vs. control), the Cs-Al NP delivery system reduced IgM levels (P < 0.05) and C3 (P < 0.05) compared to free A-Ghrelin, suggesting encapsulation may modulate immune responses. No significant differences in gill morphology were observed between groups (P > 0.05). These findings highlight the potential of ghrelin, particularly when delivered through alginate-chitosan nanocapsules, as a promising tool to promote growth and physiological health in juvenile fish. This approach offers a novel strategy to enhance aquaculture productivity and sustainability through nanotechnology-based delivery systems.

Population size, habitat association, and local residents’ attitude towards rock hyrax (Procavia capensis) in Zegie Peninsula, Ethiopia

Given the current rate of habitat loss, particularly in the tropics, reliable data on the population size and habitats of wild animals are crucial for initiating conservation and management activities in specific areas. Wildlife ecologists have not studied the ecology of most medium-sized mammals in detail. The rock hyrax (Procavia capensis) is one such medium-sized mammal that has not been well-studied in Ethiopia. Therefore, we conducted this study to determine the population size and examine local residents’ attitudes toward the rock hyrax in the Zegie Peninsula, Ethiopia. We applied the strip-transect counting method to estimate the population size and determine the density of rock hyrax in the area. We used structured questionnaires and informant interviews to assess local people’s attitudes. We counted a total of 469 rock hyrax individuals in the study area. Adults accounted for 72.4% of the population, while juveniles comprised 27.6%. Through extrapolation, we estimated a total population of approximately 2,184 rock hyraxes within the Zegie Peninsula, with a density of 36.5 individuals/km2. The juvenile-to-adult ratio was 1:2.6 in the area. Rock hyraxes were most frequently observed in lakeshore habitats, followed by residential areas. Most respondents held negative attitudes toward the species, citing environmental pollution (notably a bad smell) in the church and residential compounds due to hyrax pellets and urine, as well as damage to fruits and vegetables. Respondents also described a traditional belief that rock hyraxes possess magical powers enabling them to steal food when they see people eating. Additionally, most reported that hyrax body parts are used to prepare traditional medicines for human and cattle ailments. Key informants specified their use in treating cattle anthrax and leprosy (via pellets). Most respondents opposed hyrax conservation in the area. These findings provide a baseline for developing conservation management strategies to ensure the species’ long-term survival.

Retraction: Validation of postnatal growth and retinopathy of prematurity (G-ROP) screening guidelines in a tertiary care hospital of Pakistan: A report from low-middle income country

Investigating the impact of adventure education on children’s physical, cognitive and socio-emotional development: A mixed method systematic review

This mixed-method systematic review examines how Adventure Education is perceived by children and its impact on their development. Children’s age ranged between 06–18 years. AE been reported to improve participants’ leadership, self-efficacy, peer support, relationship skills, independence, and the ability to follow instructions. Six quantitative research studies have shown a positive association of AE with various socio-emotional development outcomes. Participants exhibited enhanced resilience, hedonic balance, and life satisfaction. Individuals engaged in AE were found to experience reduced mental health issues and stress levels. One study found that the AE program significantly impacted physical activity outcomes, with effect sizes ranging from 0.029 to 0.663. However, long-term effects could not be definitively concluded due to the lack of follow-up measures of the interventions.

Behavioral and electrophysiological responses of Hippodamia variegata to plant volatiles

Natural enemies use odors to find prey in nature. The use of plant volatiles to attract natural enemy insects and promote their feeding on pests has great potential for practical application in integrated pest management. Of the 28 materials tested, ethyl benzoate, octyl formate, methyl jasmonate, and methyl dihydrojasmonate were significantly attractive to H. variegata. We tested the ladybeetle’s behavioral responses to three concentrations of the compounds (100, 10, and 1 µg/µL) and found that high and medium levels were both attractive to H. variegata. In electroantennography (EAG) tests, the response of H. variegata to the above four compounds increased with the increasing concentration. Also, feeding of H. variegata increased in the presence of these plant volatiles under the condition of enclosures. These findings provide a theoretical basis for future behavioral manipulation of this predator under field conditions.