Browse Articles

Evaluating the impact of PBM wavelengths on CTGF-driven tenogenic differentiation of ADMSCs through multi-level analyses

Optimization of weld bead geometry in single-pass WAAM-CMT deposits of Inconel 625 and DSS 2507 on mild steel using RSM and ANN models

Direct Evidence of Photoinduced Protonation-Site Switching in Flavins

Strategic decision-making and personnel planning in the healthcare sector: an integrated AHPSort II and resource optimization approach

The influence of platelets and platelet-derived extracellular vesicles on the injury of cardiomyocytes under static hypoxia/reoxygenation conditions

Design of a cost-effective hybrid-magnet multi-flux barrier IPM motor for rare-earth usage reduction in electric vehicles

Normalization of muscle strength measures in barbell exercises by sex, age, and anthropometry: notes on allometry

Abstract Accurate strength assessment requires consideration of individual anthropometric and demographic differences. Traditional absolute and body mass-normalized measures often fail to capture inter-individual variability, thereby limiting the precision of strength testing and classification. This study aimed to investigate the influence of age, body mass, height, and anthropometric characteristics on strength capacity and to systematically integrate these variables into a classification framework. A total of 393 individuals (197 females, 196 males), aged 16–64 years and ranging from beginners to elite powerlifters, were recruited. One-repetition maximum (1-RM) strength was assessed in the bench press (BP), back squat (SQ), and deadlift (DL). Age, height, body mass, and selected anthropometric variables including arm and leg lengths, were recorded. Multiple regression analyses were used to quantify the influence of these variables on 1-RM performance. Based on significant predictors, individualized z-scores were computed to standardize 1-RM values relative to relevant anthropometric and demographic factors. The applicability of these z-scores to interval-based classification frameworks was evaluated. Age, body mass, and height were identified as significant determinants of maximal strength across all 3 exercises. Incorporation of these variables into z-score calculation enabled a more precise and individualized assessment of strength performance. Attempts to apply z-scores to interval-based classification frameworks revealed substantial within-category heterogeneity, indicating that such frameworks are unsuitable for accurate strength classification. This study establishes an anthropometry- and demography-adjusted framework for strength assessment in BP, SQ, and DL among healthy adults aged 16–64 years. Standardized z-scores provide a biologically meaningful alternative to conventional normalization methods. The proposed z-score framework provides a reproducible, data-driven tool for individualized strength assessment in the BP, SQ and DL, with direct applications in sport science research, performance monitoring, and strength-based rehabilitation for healthy adults aged 16–64 years.

Precision lung cancer classification using convolutional neural networks with enhanced image pre-processing and model optimization

A moderated mediation model of climate resilience, one health responsiveness and antimicrobial resistance among livestock farmers

Conflict related healthcare disruption among sudanese patients with hypertension and diabetes

Differentially private federated learning for localized control of infectious disease dynamics

Abstract In times of epidemics, swift reaction is necessary to mitigate epidemic spreading. For this reaction, localized approaches have several advantages, limiting necessary resources and reducing the impact of interventions on a larger scale. However, training a separate machine learning (ML) model on a local scale is often not feasible due to limited available data. Centralizing the data is also challenging because of its high sensitivity and privacy constraints. In this study, we consider a localized strategy based on the German counties and communities managed by the related local health authorities (LHA). For the preservation of privacy to not oppose the availability of detailed situational data, we propose a privacy-preserving forecasting method that can assist public health experts and decision makers. ML methods with federated learning (FL) train a shared model without centralizing raw data. Considering the counties, communities or LHAs as clients and finding a balance between utility and privacy, we study a FL framework with client-level differential privacy (DP). We train a shared multilayer perceptron on sliding windows of recent case counts to forecast the number of cases in the future, while clients exchange only norm-clipped updates and the server aggregates updates with DP noise. We evaluate the approach on COVID-19 data on county-level during two phases: November 2020 and March 2022 (Omicron). As expected, very strict privacy ( $$\varepsilon \le 0.5$$ ) yields unstable, unusable forecasts. At a moderately strong but still privacy-preserving level ( $$\varepsilon = 2$$ ), the DP model closely approaches the non-DP model: $$R^2\approx 0.93$$ (vs. 0.96) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) $$\approx 26\%$$ in November 2020; $$R^2\approx 0.85$$ (vs. 0.90) and MAPE $$\approx 24\%$$ in March 2022. Overall, our results support the feasibility of privacy-preserving collaboration among health authorities for local forecasting. In the evaluated COVID-19 phases, client-level DP-FL delivered useful county-level predictions with formal privacy guarantees under the stated threat model. The appropriate privacy budget should nevertheless be re-evaluated for other epidemic phases and applications.

Comparison of capillary microsampling and venous blood for multi-pathogen serosurveillance

Abstract Serosurveillance for vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) can inform public health strategies by identifying gaps in immunization programs. However, venous blood sampling, though reliable and sensitive for serosurveillance, presents logistical challenges in resource-limited settings. Capillary microsampling using dried blood spots (DBS) offers a simpler, less invasive alternative that reduces cold-chain and personnel requirements. This study evaluated the performance and stability of DBS collected on filter paper and Mitra microsamplers compared with venous plasma. IgG antibody levels against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella were quantified using a validated fluorescent bead-based multiplex immunoassay. At baseline, strong agreement was observed between DBS and plasma, with ≥ 93% of observations within the 95% limits of agreement. Sensitivity was high (≥ 95.8%) for all pathogens except pertussis (72.2–77.8%). For DBS stored at − 20 °C with desiccants, agreement remained high at 90 days, with gradual declines observed beyond one year. At room temperature, IgG levels declined, with sensitivity ≥ 91.2% at 7 and 30 days but dropping below 90% by 90 days for several analytes. Beyond one year, IgG recovery was minimal, with sensitivity < 50% for most pathogens. These findings support DBS utility for VPD serosurveillance, with stability up to 90 days at − 20 °C and 30 days at room temperature.

Mechanical and self-healing behaviour of denitrifying bacteria-based mortar with nano-graphene oxide and fly ash

Flux-state decoupling reveals water-balance resilience in Tibetan headwaters

Effect and mechanism analysis of usual temperature pitch (a warm-mix asphalt additive) modifiers on asphalt microscopic properties

Nickel‐Catalyzed Boron‐Mediated Saturative Trifunctionalization of Alkynes

ABSTRACT Converting simple alkynes into fully substituted alkanes—installing three distinct groups via a sequential one‑pot process—remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we report a boron‐mediated, nickel‐catalyzed strategy that achieves this transformation, enabling the modular assembly of valuable 1,1‐diarylalkanes from both simple alkynyl tetracoordinate borons and N ‐acylglutarimides. The reaction proceeds with high regio‐ and chemoselectivity under mild conditions, exhibiting good functional group tolerance across both coupling partners. Mechanistic studies support a unique reaction pathway involving dual 1,2‐metallate shifts, with water serving as the terminal proton source. The synthetic utility is demonstrated through one‐pot synthesis, late‐stage functionalization of drugs, gram‐scale reactions, and versatile downstream transformations of the products. This strategy represents a distinct strategy that differs from stepwise alkyne reduction, offering a useful disconnection for complex alkane synthesis starting from alkynyl tetracoordinate borons or terminal alkynes via one‑pot borylation.

A case–control study of mid-pregnancy circulating cardiovascular proteins in women with subsequent preeclampsia and small for gestational age births

Abstract Preeclampsia and small for gestational age (SGA) births share pathophysiologic pathways involving the cardiovascular system, inflammation, and placentation. To evaluate their pathophysiological differences and similarities, we compared alterations in mid-pregnancy circulating protein levels in women with subsequent preeclampsia and/or SGA birth. We used the Olink cardiovascular panel II to measure 92 mid-pregnancy plasma proteins in healthy pregnant women with subsequent uncomplicated pregnancies (controls; n  = 480), term (≥ 37 weeks) preeclampsia ( n  = 233), preterm (< 37 weeks) preeclampsia ( n  = 40), SGA birth ( n  = 106), or combined preeclampsia and SGA birth ( n  = 31). False discovery rate-adjusted Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn’s post-hoc tests identified protein level differences between controls and each adverse outcome group. Compared with controls, mid-pregnancy protein alterations were most common in women with subsequent term preeclampsia, particularly involving the cardiovascular proteins angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and B-type natriuretic peptide. Across all outcomes, matrix metalloproteinase-12 and placental growth factor were lower compared to controls, particularly in those with combined disorder. In summary, cardiovascular and inflammatory protein alternations were most common in women with subsequent preeclampsia. Shared dysregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-12 and placental growth factor, both known regulators of placentation and the vascular system, suggests their involvement in both preeclampsia and SGA births, albeit the pathways may differ.

Quantitative prediction of differential settlement based on machine learning techniques

Brahmi Ghrita exerts nephroprotective effect on polycystic phenotype in the Malpighian tubules of caspase 3 deletion mutants of Drosophila melanogaster

Neutral X‐Site ABX ₃ ‐Type Perovskites

ABSTRACT ABX 3 ‐type perovskite materials have garnered significant and sustained attention over the years owing to their diverse functional properties and chemical versatility. This class encompasses inorganic oxides, organic–inorganic hybrids, and emerging metal‐free variants. However, it is noteworthy that nearly all perovskite materials developed thus far are constituted exclusively of ionic components occupying the A‐, B‐, and X‐sites. Here, we introduce a new class of three‐dimensional ABX 3 perovskites with a neutral molecule as the X‐site, exemplified by (PF 6 )Na(1,4‐dioxane) 3 and (ClO 4 )Ag(1,4‐dioxane) 3 . Neutral 1,4‐dioxane molecules coordinate with monovalent B‐site metal cations to form corner‐sharing B(1,4‐dioxane) 6 octahedra, generating positively charged three‐dimensional frameworks that encapsulate spherical A‐site counter‐anions. Specifically, (PF 6 )Na(1,4‐dioxane) 3 undergoes a 4/ mmm F2/ m ferroelastic transition at 290 K. Meanwhile, (ClO 4 )Ag(1,4‐dioxane) 3 exhibits successive m m F4/ mmm and 4/ mmm F2/ m ferroelastic transitions at 302 and 292 K, accompanied by clearly observable stripe‐like ferroelastic domains and switchable birefringence. Notably, constructing ABX 3 perovskites with a neutral X‐site enables stable 3D frameworks within the Goldschmidt tolerance criteria and greatly expands chemical flexibility, allowing precise modulating of structural and functional properties. The introduction of this fundamentally new perovskite subclass opens up vast possibilities for achieving exotic properties and functionalities, further enriching this highly promising material platform.