Browse Articles

Fault location method for hybrid MTDC system based on LCC signal injection strategy

Controversial quantum-computing paper gets hefty correction — but concerns linger

The impact of lifestyle factors on trajectories of cognitive subtypes in the older adult population

Characteristics of heavy metal element content and health risk assessment in groundwater in Zhaojue area, Sichuan Province, China

A synergistic combination of dichloromethane and Aliquat 336 for selective extraction of copper, nickel, zinc, and cadmium from industrial waste

Brain editing now ‘closer to reality’: the gene-altering tools tackling deadly disorders

Predicting thermal and electromagnetic performance of omndirectional magnetic field generators via figure of merit

Spatiotemporal patterns and propagation of meteorological and hydrological drought in a humid basin of Southeast China

Abstract Droughts have caused great damage due to climate change and intensified human activities. Quantifying the propagation law of meteorological drought (MD) to hydrological drought (HD) is essential for drought warning, defense and adaption. In this study, based on the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) and standardized runoff index (SRI), we analyzed the spatiotemporal characteristics and propagation patterns of MD and HD 1975–2020 in Minjiang River Basin (MRB) located in Southeast China. Furthermore, the effects of climate change and large reservoirs on the spread of drought were discussed. The results indicated that MRB experienced relatively severe MD and HD after 2000. All subbasins experienced MD and HD in spring, while they exhibit a trend of hydrological humidification in winter. The drought propagation time (DPT) from MD to HD generally 3 months. And spring and summer generally have a shorter DPT (2 months) than autumn and winter (3–5 months). Precipitation is the key meteorological factor affecting drought conditions in all four seasons, contributing over 80% to MD and HD, while the total impact of temperature and actual evapotranspiration (ETa) is less than 20%. ENSO is the most influential circulation factor affecting the drought variability of MRB, contributing over 50% to MD and HD, and followed by PDO. Reservoir discharge is the key factor leading to the trend of hydrological humidification in autumn and winter. The operations of large reservoirs since 1996 have extended the DPT by 4, 2, 3, and 5 months in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, respectively.

Synthesis and photophysical studies of new fluorescent naphthalene chalcone

Abstract This study reports the base-catalyzed Aldol condensation route for synthesizing a new naphthalene chalcone derivative (C1). The molecular structure of C1 was ascertained by FTIR, NMR (1H and 13C NMR) spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Optical properties were explored through UV-Visible absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The UV-Vis spectrum indicated the presence of absorption bands from 300 to 350 nm due to π–π* transitions. In the solid state, C1 had a broad excitation that resulted in a solitary emission peak, whereas in solution, it emitted fluorescence at 495 nm. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to investigate the electronic configuration and optical properties further. These findings suggest that the synthesized compound may possess favorable properties in optoelectronic and sensing applications.

Determinants of vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers in an international multicenter study within the EuCARE project

Abstract A total of 2079 healthcare workers (HCWs) responded to an anonymous survey on vaccine hesitancy conducted between December 2022 and October 2023 at centers in Lithuania, Portugal, Poland, Germany, and Brazil. Only 55.7% were confident about the long-term safety of the COVID-19 vaccine; 10% believed the risk of having COVID-19 vaccines was greater than the risk of COVID-19 itself. 54.2% believed that COVID-19 vaccination should be compulsory for all staff working in healthcare settings (unless medically exempt), for all patient-facing HCW (59.0%), and for all medical, nursing, and midwifery students (56.7%); fewer supported compulsory influenza vaccination, i.e., 38.0%, 41.5% and 39.7% for equivalent groups. Under half had been vaccinated for influenza in recent years. Respondents were supportive of childhood vaccinations. Level of education, specific HCW occupation and geography were associated with the degree of vaccination hesitancy. The majority trusted advice from health professionals or scientists/doctors and distrusted statements from politicians. Key factors that HCWs thought would encourage vaccination included: vaccine availability at their workplace, vaccination of professional colleagues, sufficient opportunity to ask about vaccine safety and efficacy, supportive information from international bodies, and HCW plans to visit vulnerable family/friends. Generic vaccine promotion activities, whilst valuable, require nuanced modification for different HCW subgroups, vaccines, education levels, and geography.

Linking cardiological parameters and choroidal changes in patients with precapillary pulmonary hypertension: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Diagnosing precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is challenging, and prognosis remains poor. This study aims to explore the pathogenesis of choroidal changes in these patients and assess whether choroidal parameters could serve as noninvasive biomarkers reflecting cardiovascular status. This prospective, single-center study included 29 adult PPH patients and 37 healthy controls. One eye per patient was analyzed. All participants underwent a full ophthalmological examination, including spectral domain-optical coherence tomography, and a cardiological evaluation comprising medical history, physical examination, echocardiography, right heart catheterization, laboratory, and functional tests. Univariable regression analyses assessed associations between choroidal parameters and clinical, demographic, and ocular features. PPH patients showed significantly reduced choroidal thickness and volume in the ETDRS subfields compared to controls (p < 0.01 for all). However, luminal, stromal, and total choroidal areas, as well as the choroidal vascularity index, did not differ significantly between groups. No significant relationships were found between cardiological and choroidal parameters. The choroid is affected in PPH patients, but choroidal parameters do not appear to be reliable biomarkers for PPH evaluation. Further studies are needed to clarify the potential role of choroidal vascularity index in PPH.

Molecular dynamics simulations based siRNA design against GPR10 reveals stable RNAi therapeutics for hormone-dependent uterine fibroids

Abstract Uterine fibroids, though benign in nature, are burdensome tumors of the myometrium and continue to weigh heavily on the landscape of women’s health. They affect millions and yet receive a fraction of the therapeutic innovation afforded to malignant diseases. Despite their prevalence, the molecular underpinnings of fibroid pathogenesis have long been met with a blind eye in drug development. Recent insights, however, reveal G-protein-coupled receptor 10 (GPR10) as a central driver of fibroid growth, promoting cell survival through the PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways following REST repression. In this study, we present a rigorous, computationally guided approach to design small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that silence GPR10 expression at the transcriptomic level. Beginning with a library of 275 siRNA candidates, we undertook a layered in-silico refinement process, combining thermodynamic assessment, secondary structure modeling and off-target filtration, to distill a shortlist of ten high-confidence molecules. These were subjected to structural docking against Argonaute 2, the catalytic engine of the RNA-induced silencing complex, revealing siRNA8 and siRNA12 as lead candidates distinguished by robust binding affinity, high predicted silencing efficacy, which was greater than 93.5%, and precise conformational fit. Subsequent molecular dynamics simulations under CHARMM-GUI/CHARMM36m force field, confirmed the structural stability and sustained silencing potential of the complex. Collectively, these findings identify GPR10 as a therapeutically actionable driver in fibroid biology and lay the groundwork for precision RNAi strategies targeting non-malignant, yet clinically neglected, hormone-dependent disorders.

Behavioral and psychological determinants of pedestrian collisions on arterial roads with evidence from random parameter models

Association of HLA-B gene polymorphism and blood groups with COVID-19 susceptibility and severity

AI-Driven Tai Chi mastery using deep learning framework for movement assessment and personalized training

Abstract This paper presents a novel system for optimizing Tai Chi movement training using computer vision and deep learning technologies. We developed a comprehensive framework incorporating multi-view pose estimation, temporal feature extraction, and real-time movement assessment to address the challenges of traditional Tai Chi instruction. The system employs spatial-temporal graph convolutional networks enhanced with attention mechanisms for accurate movement evaluation, combined with personalized feedback generation through augmented reality and multi-modal interfaces. Validation experiments with 120 participants across different skill levels demonstrated 42% faster skill acquisition and 28.5% greater improvement in movement quality compared to traditional training methods. The system achieved 92.8% accuracy in error detection and maintained high user satisfaction ratings across all experience levels. Our approach successfully bridges ancient wisdom with modern technology, providing scalable, standardized instruction while preserving the cultural essence of Tai Chi practice.

The effect of hemoglobin level in early life on periventricular leukomalacia: a case control study

Levels and health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in grilled meat in the Kurdistan region of Iraq

Cell-Free bone regeneration using dental MSCs secretomes from pulp and gingiva in rabbit tibial defects

Abstract Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-secretome represent a promising cell-free strategy for bone regeneration, overcoming cell therapies’ drawbacks. This study compares the bone repair capabilities of secretomes derived from human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and human gingival stem cells (hGMSCs) in a rabbit tibial defect model. Secretomes were prepared, and levels of RUNX, osterix, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were quantified using ELISA. Six-mm defects were created in rabbit tibiae treated with either hDPSCs or hGMSCs secretomes, collagen scaffolds, or left untreated. The mineral apposition rate (MAR) was assessed using fluorescent labeling. Histomorphometric analysis (including bone area percentage, mature/immature bone and bone marrow quantification) and qRT-PCR for osteocalcin were conducted at 3 and 6 weeks. Results showed significantly higher concentrations of RUNX, osterix, and ALP in hDPSCs secretome compared to hGMSCs. Additionally, defects treated with hDPSCs secretome exhibited a higher MAR and greater new bone formation, accelerated maturation (higher mature bone area; p < 0.05), and reduced bone marrow spaces at 3 weeks than those treated with hGMSCs, collagen, or control groups. By 6 weeks, both secretomes achieved comparable bone maturation (83–85% bone area), significantly surpassing controls. Both secretomes upregulated osteocalcin gene expression. These findings show the therapeutic potential of dental MSCs secretomes, and particularly hDPSCs secretomes, as a cell-free, clinically relevant method for improving bone regeneration. This approach addresses limitations associated with traditional bone grafting and possibly presents a new pathway for regenerative therapies in dentistry and orthopedics.

Identification and replication of sex-dimorphic protein quantitative trait loci across multiple ancestries and their associations with diseases

Abstract Males and females exhibit differences in proteome profiles associated with disease risk. However, sex-dimorphic protein quantitative trait loci (SD-pQTL) and their effects on sex differences in health disorders have not been thoroughly investigated. We conducted a sex-stratified, genome-wide association study on 2,922 proteins using data from 30,272 individuals of Caucasian ancestry from the UK Biobank and compared the estimated effects on protein levels of these variants in the men and women to identify SD-pQTLs. The identified SD-pQTLs were replicated using data from two Japanese cohorts (comprising 2,886 and 1,394 individuals, respectively), as well as from 1,990 Finnish, 630 South Asian, and 662 Black ancestry individuals. Sex-dimorphic pleiotropy and the causal relationship between protein levels and health disorders were assessed using the identified SD-pQTLs. We identified 113 SD-pQTLs associated with 65 proteins. Of the 113 SD-pQTLs, 52 were significant in both sexes, five were not significant in either sex, and 42 and 14 were significant only in males and females, respectively. Variant rs2270416 was significantly associated with the CDH15 protein in both sexes but showed opposite effect direction in men and women. Of the 113 SD-pQTLs identified, a total of 41 were replicated in a meta-analysis encompassing Japanese, South Asian, and Black ancestry individuals. SD-pQTLs for proteins APOE (rs157581) and SNAP25 (rs4420638) exhibited sex-dimorphic associations with dementia, indicating sex dimorphic pleiotropy in both proteins and health disorders. From sex-stratified Mendelian randomization using the SD-pQTLs, proteins NCAM1 and PZP showed significant causal relationship with dementia in males and females, respectively. The present study provides evidence of sex-dimorphic genetic architecture in protein-level regulation, elucidating the proteo-genetic architecture for sex differences in human variation.

A foundation model to predict and capture human cognition

Abstract Establishing a unified theory of cognition has been an important goal in psychology1,2. A first step towards such a theory is to create a computational model that can predict human behaviour in a wide range of settings. Here we introduce Centaur, a computational model that can predict and simulate human behaviour in any experiment expressible in natural language. We derived Centaur by fine-tuning a state-of-the-art language model on a large-scale dataset called Psych-101. Psych-101 has an unprecedented scale, covering trial-by-trial data from more than 60,000 participants performing in excess of 10,000,000 choices in 160 experiments. Centaur not only captures the behaviour of held-out participants better than existing cognitive models, but it also generalizes to previously unseen cover stories, structural task modifications and entirely new domains. Furthermore, the model’s internal representations become more aligned with human neural activity after fine-tuning. Taken together, our results demonstrate that it is possible to discover computational models that capture human behaviour across a wide range of domains. We believe that such models provide tremendous potential for guiding the development of cognitive theories, and we present a case study to demonstrate this.