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A dream EEG and mentation database
Abstract Magneto/electroencephalography (M/EEG) studies of dreaming are an essential paradigm in the investigation of neurocognitive processes of human consciousness during sleep, but they are limited by the number of observations that can be collected per study. Dream research also involves substantial methodological and conceptual variability, which poses problems for the integration of results. To address these issues, here we present the DREAM database—an expanding collection of standardized datasets on human sleep M/EEG combined with dream report data—with an initial release comprising 20 datasets, 505 participants, and 2643 awakenings. Each awakening consists, at minimum, of sleep M/EEG ( ≥ 20 s, ≥100 Hz, ≥2 electrodes) up to the time of waking and a standardized dream report classification of the subject’s experience during sleep. We observed that reports of conscious experiences can be predicted with objective features extracted from EEG recordings in both Rapid Eye Movement (REM) and non-REM (NREM) sleep. We also provide several examples of analyses, showcasing the database’s high potential in paving the way for new research questions at a scale beyond the capacity of any single research group.
An improved mathematical model for hypothetical oil reservoir for optimum oil recovery using magnetic nanomaterials
In the oil and gas industry, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) strategies for unconventional reservoirs, characterized by complex geometries, differ significantly from those used in conventional reservoirs. This research focuses on the impact of 3D hexagonal prism geometries on EOR in hypothetical oil reservoirs using silicon dioxide (SiO₂) magnetic nanoparticles under liquid-phase flow conditions, a topic not extensively explored in existing literature. We developed an improved magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) mathematical models to simulate oil recovery processes in these geometries, using ANSYS Fluent for finite volume analysis. We developed an improved magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model by incorporating magnetic field-induced pressure terms, nanoparticle transport losses, and a 3D hexagonal prism geometry that reflects complex reservoir behavior. These enhancements extend beyond traditional Darcy-based models by integrating magnetic permeability, viscosity alteration, and magnetic field-pore interactions. The model evaluates the impact of key reservoir parameters including porosity (ϕ = 0.1–0.4), injection flow rate (0.01–0.05 mL/min), and nanoparticle concentration (Ψ = 0.01–0.04), under different magnetic field configurations. Porosity and flow rate were also found to significantly influence recovery performance, highlighting the practical adaptability of the model for diverse reservoir conditions. Findings indicate that proximity of a magnetic field to cavity structures enhances oil recovery rates, with a significant 29.08% increase in recovery from nanoflooding compared to water flooding.Future research will extend this framework to study green, eco-friendly nanoparticles under elevated temperature and pressure, aiming to improve thermal stability, reduce environmental risks, and enhance recovery efficiency in more extreme reservoir conditions.
Domestic wastewater is an overlooked source and quantity in global river dissolved carbon
Gout management: Patent analytics and computational drug design explores URAT1 inhibitors landscape
Gout, caused by hyperuricemia, has a detrimental impact on patients’quality of life. The urate transporter 1 (URAT1) stands out as a key therapeutic target. However, its clinical development remains uncertain. This study aims to explore the landscape of URAT1 inhibitors by combining global patent analytics with computational drug design. We utilized the Derwent Innovation platform to analyze patents (from 2005 to 2024). Molecular docking was performed on 73.96% of novel compounds using AutoDock Vina. Additionally, scaffold diversity was analyzed using the Bemis-Murcko (BM) scaffold approach. A total of 2,195 entries were screened and eventually narrowed down to 1,056 high-value entries. The global research on URAT1 inhibitors is highly active, with China, the US, Japan, and Europe leading. Most patents are new compounds, indicating significant potential for novel drug development. Molecular docking showed ideal binding affinities for most compounds. The top five BM scaffolds were identified and compared with marketed drugs. This study highlights the potential for developing new URAT1 inhibitors. The identified compounds and scaffolds offer promising starting points for further drug development. Future work should focus on experimental validation and exploring clinical potential.
Strengthening vaccine capacity building on the African continent
Hepatitis A beyond childhood causing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Background Hepatitis A is an acute viral infection of the liver caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV) that is acquired through the feco-oral route. It has the highest incidence among the four major acute viral hepatitis types (A, B, C, and E) and usually occurs in early childhood. However, the prevalence of acute hepatitis A has recently increased among teenagers and young adults, and it is usually misdiagnosed. This study emphasizes the significance of awareness among healthcare workers about the increasing incidence of acute hepatitis A among this group to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate management. Methods A hospital-based retrospective cross-sectional study was employed. Fifty-eight confirmed acute HAV patients who visited Adera Medical and Surgical Center (AMSC) between August 2023 and January 2024 were enrolled. Sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters and documented management data, including hospitalization and any trial of antibiotic treatment before considering HAV or in the course of the illness, were collected. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS (SPSS, Version 26.0). Results The sex ratio was similar, with a slight male predominance (M/F = 1.07). The mean age [± SD] of the patients was 19.3[± 8.8] years. Thirty-nine (67.2%) of the patients were students, and all of the patients were from Addis Ababa. Vomiting (82.8%), anorexia (70.7%) and yellowish discoloration of the eyes (62.1%) were the most common presenting symptoms, while icteric sclera 44 (75.9%) and epigastric tenderness 17 (29.3%) were the most common physical findings. More than half of the patients (55.2%) were initially misdiagnosed with typhoid fever (TF) (46.8%), peptic ulcer disease (PUD) (31.2%) or urinary tract infection (UTI) (15.6%). All patients recovered fully, and liver function tests (LFTs) normalized with supportive care within 2–4 weeks. Conclusion This study revealed the shift in the age of HAV susceptibility and subsequent infection towards adolescents and young adults (mean [± SD] age 19.31 [± 8.8] years) in our cohort, with more than half of the patients (55.2%) initially being misdiagnosed with TF, PUD or UTI, causing diagnostic and treatment challenges. This necessitates heightened awareness among healthcare workers and the public. Early HAV diagnosis through targeted laboratory investigations and avoiding unnecessary antibiotics are crucial for effective management and prevention via hygienic and immunization strategies.
Dopamine signaling drives skin invasion by human-infective nematodes
Abstract Skin-penetrating nematodes are one of the most prevalent causes of disease worldwide. The World Health Organization has targeted these parasites for elimination by 2030, but the lack of preventative measures is a major obstacle to this goal. Infective larvae enter hosts through skin and blocking skin penetration could prevent infection. However, in order to prevent worm ingress via the skin, an understanding of the behavioral and neural mechanisms that drive skin penetration is required. Here, we describe the skin-penetration behavior of the human-infective threadworm Strongyloides stercoralis . We show that S. stercoralis engages in repeated cycles of pushing, puncturing, and crawling on the skin surface before penetrating. Pharmacological inhibition of dopamine signaling inhibits these behaviors in S. stercoralis and the human hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum , suggesting a critical role for dopamine signaling in driving skin penetration across distantly related nematodes. CRISPR-mediated disruption of dopamine biosynthesis and chemogenetic silencing of dopaminergic neurons also inhibit skin penetration. Finally, inactivation of the TRPN channel TRP-4, which is expressed in the dopaminergic neurons, blocks skin penetration. Our results suggest that drugs targeting TRP-4 and other nematode-specific components of the dopaminergic pathway could be developed into topical prophylactics that block skin penetration, thereby preventing infections.
Comparative analysis of technological fitness and coherence at different geographical scales
Debates over the trade-offs between specialization and diversification have long intrigued scholars and policymakers. Specialization can amplify an economy by concentrating on core strengths, while diversification reduces vulnerability by distributing investments across multiple sectors. In this paper, we use patent data and the framework of Economic Complexity to investigate how the degree of technological specialization and diversification affects economic development at different scales: metropolitan areas, regions and countries. We examine two Economic Complexity indicators. Technological Fitness assesses an economic player’s ability to diversify and generate sophisticated technologies, while Technological Coherence quantifies the degree of specialization by measuring the similarity among technologies within an economic player’s portfolio. Our results indicate that a high degree of Technological Coherence is associated with increased economic growth only at the metropolitan area level, while its impact turns negative at larger scales. In contrast, Technological Fitness shows a U-shaped relationship with a positive effect in metropolitan areas, a negative influence at the regional level, and again a positive effect at the national level. These findings underscore the complex interplay between technological specialization and diversification across geographical scales. Understanding these distinctions can inform policymakers and stakeholders in developing tailored strategies for technological advancement and economic growth.
Effects of unconditional cash transfers on family processes and wellbeing among mothers with low incomes
Abstract This study examines causal impacts of unconditional cash transfers on economic hardship and key family processes that may affect children’s development. The study randomized 1000 mothers of newborns, with prior-year household income below the federal poverty threshold, to receive unconditional cash transfers of $333 or $20 per month (Clinical Trial Registry number NCT03593356). Data collected approximately 12, 24 and 36 months after the child’s birth show a moderate increase in household income and reductions in poverty; no statistically significant improvements in subjective economic hardship reports or quality of play with infants; and small, mostly statistically non-significant, increases in parental psychological distress and declines in mothers’ relationship quality. However, mothers receiving the higher amount reported more frequently engaging in enriching child activities than mothers receiving the lower amount. Cash support may provide other benefits for families and children, but moderate support levels do not appear to address self-reported economic hardship or standard survey measures of maternal well-being. However, these results do not rule out the possibility of very small effects.
Association between gastrointestinal diseases and osteoarthritis risk based on data from NHANES 2011–2018
Osteoarthritis (OA) and gastrointestinal diseases are two significant public health problems. However, the association between the two is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the biological relationship between gastrointestinal diseases and OA using data derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. A total of 8,833 participants registered in the NHANES between 2011 and 2018 were enrolled; 5,044 participants were included in the study after excluding ineligible samples. Three models were constructed to investigate the correlation between gastrointestinal diseases and OA. Risk stratification analysis was conducted, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was employed. Among 5,044 participants, even after stratification, gastrointestinal diseases significantly affected OA occurrence; this effect persisted despite adjusting for all covariates in model 3 (odds ratio = 2.01; 95% confidence interval = 1.23–3.3, p = 0.0069) and was confirmed by risk-stratification analysis. The ROC curve and the smooth curve showed that gastrointestinal diseases increased OA risk. Gastrointestinal diseases are significant risk factors for OA, which indicates a potential theoretical basis for OA prevention.
Elucidation of the Structure–Activity Relationship for Cu-Erionite in the Direct Conversion of Methane to Methanol: An Operando XAS Study
Emergent topological polarization textures in relaxor ferroelectrics
Abstract Relaxor ferroelectrics underpin high-performance actuators and sensors, yet the nature of polar heterogeneities driving their broadband dielectric response remains debated. Using a unified, multimodal structural refinement framework— simultaneously fitting complementary X-ray and neutron total scattering, X-ray absorption spectra, and diffuse scattering—we reconstruct 3D mesoscale polarization maps in the classic relaxor system PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3–PbTiO3. We uncover self-organized swirling polarization textures with half-skyrmion (meron) vortices, challenging models of independent polar nanoregions. These textures, characterized by smooth changes in the polarization direction, originate from overlapping volumes in which the projections of locally correlated polarization vectors onto each volume’s long axis share the same sign. Vortex cores correlate strongly with local charge and strain gradients imposed by compositional heterogeneities. In this work, our results suggest that chemical disorder, acting via depolarizing and strain fields, stabilizes topological vortex textures of the polarization field, offering a route for engineering new dielectric and ferroelectric functionalities.
Hidden diversity in neglected structures: A morphological study of the terminalia of Limnocoris Stål, 1860 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Naucoridae), with descriptions of two new species from Brazil and taxonomic notes
Limnocoris Stål, 1860 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Naucoridae) occurs from the United States to Argentina and is the most speciose genus of Naucoridae, with 75 valid species. Four taxonomic revisions were recently published, which facilitates the identification of described species and the discovery of new ones. Nonetheless, the female terminalia of the genus remains mostly unknown and the male genital capsule has been often ignored due to its uniformity among species. This study aims to fill this gap by providing descriptions and photographs of the female terminalia and male genital capsule for 28 species from Brazil, including two that are described here: L. curvipenis n. sp. and L. sitesi n. sp. Both of them display diagnostic characters in the female terminalia, and a distinct male phallosoma is herein recorded for the first time in the genus. The following new synonymies are proposed: Limnocoris intermedius Nieser & Lopez-Ruf n. syn. and L. lanemeloi Nieser & Lopez-Ruf n. syn. as junior synonyms of L. decarloi Nieser & Lopez-Ruf, and L. nigropunctatus Montandon n. syn. as junior synonym of L. pauper Montandon. The following species are resurrected from synonymy and their species status are restored: Limnocoris admontandoni La Rivers stat. restit. from synonymy with L. insignis Stål, and L. sattleri De Carlo stat. restit. from synonymy with L. nigropunctatus. Our work reveals a notable diversity in the female terminalia of the taxa examined and provides a basis for future taxonomic and systematic studies on this and other genera of Naucoridae.
The anterior-posterior gradient of the fusiform gyrus modulates the transition between mnemonic and perceptual features during reminiscences
Effects of low-temperature stress at different growth stages on rice physiology, pollen viability and yield in China’s cold region
Low-temperature stress (LTS) is a major limiting factor for rice production in high-latitude regions. Many studies have reported the impacts of LTS on leaf photosynthesis and yield, but few of them explored the response of photosynthesis, chloroplast ultrastructure, pollen fertility, cold stress adaptation to LTS at different growth stages of rice. In this study, we conducted a two-year temperature-controlled field experiment (in 2023 and 2024) to investigate the effects of LTS at the tillering, booting, and heading stages on physiological and biochemical characteristics, plant growth, pollen fertility, and grain yield for a japonica rice cultivar (Longgeng31). The results showed that rice photosynthesis gradually decreased as the LTS temperature was decreasing and the LTS duration was increasing. The net photosynthetic rate (Pn) decreased the most at the booting stage, followed by the tillering, and the heading stages. Compared with controlled group (CK), the LTS treatment at 11.5°C for 3–10 days significantly reduced Pn by 52.2% ~ 62.7%, 85.3% ~ 93.9% and 39.3% ~ 44.9%, at the tillering stage, booting and heading stages respectively. Increasing LTS intensity and duration caused distorted chloroplast morphology and reduced plant height. The concentrations of the antioxidant and osmotic regulation systems in rice peaked after 7 days of LTS treatment, indicating that the stress response to LTS showed a trend of initially increasing and subsequently decreasing. The grain yield decreased the most under LTS at the booting stage by 59.30%−88.76% on D10, followed by the heading and tillering stages. After 10 days of exposure to LTS, the pollen viability decreased most significantly at the heading stage by 44.67%, followed by the booting and the tillering stages. These findings could provide a theoretical basis for identifying and evaluating LTS in rice under field conditions, and provide a methodological reference for the identification and monitoring of LTS in other crops, thereby holding significant practical implications.
Translational fidelity and longevity are genetically linked
Abstract Aging is a series of adverse changes over time that increases mortality risk. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain aging, including Leslie Orgel’s Error-Catastrophe Theory, which asserts that translation errors erode the translational machinery, become self-amplifying, and eventually lead to death. Evidence for the theory is scarce, especially regarding intra-specific fidelity-longevity correlations. Here, we demonstrate that the correlation can be hidden by the constrained evolution of translational fidelity, but remains detectable in long-lived samples. Measuring the lifespan and translational fidelity of a panel of BY × RM yeast recombinant haploid progenies, we validate the fidelity-longevity correlation. QTL analyses reveal that both fidelity and longevity are most strongly associated with a locus encoding vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 70(VPS70). Replacing VPS70 in BY by its RM allele reduces translation error by ~8.0% and extends lifespan by ~8.9% through a vacuole-dependent mechanism. Our results support the impact of translational fidelity on intra-specific longevity variation.
Correction: Code-mixing unveiled: Enhancing the hate speech detection in Arabic dialect tweets using machine learning models
Photoredox catalytic asymmetric dearomative [3 + 2] cycloaddition of isoquinolines with enones
Association between mean corpuscular volume and mortality in chronic kidney disease ICU patients: A retrospective multicenter cohort study
Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects over 10% of the global population and is closely linked to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), a key hematological parameter, has been associated with various clinical outcomes. However, the relationship between MCV and mortality in CKD patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) has not been thoroughly investigated, with previous studies primarily limited to single-center designs. Methods This retrospective multicenter cohort study analyzed data from the eICU-CRD and MIMIC-IV databases. Statistical analyses involved Kaplan-Meier survival curves and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Restricted cubic splines (RCS) were employed to assess the potential nonlinear relationships between MCV and mortality. Results A total of 23,724 patients were included in the analysis. Higher MCV levels were significantly associated with increased 30-day and 90-day in-hospital mortality. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a higher mortality risk in patients with the highest MCV levels. Cox models confirmed that MCV was a significant risk factor for mortality, with hazard ratios indicating an increased risk with each unit increase in MCV. Subgroup analyses consistently showed that elevated MCV levels were associated with a higher mortality risk across different patient groups. Conclusion This first multicenter study demonstrated that elevated MCV levels are significantly associated with higher short-term mortality in CKD ICU patients, suggesting that MCV could serve as a potential biomarker for risk stratification. Future research should validate these findings and explore the underlying mechanisms.