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Viscoelastic characterization of the human osteosarcoma cancer cell line MG-63 using a fractional-order zener model through automated algorithm design and configuration
Abstract Understanding the viscoelastic properties of cells is essential for studying their mechanical behavior and identifying disease-related biomechanical markers. This paper proposes an integrated framework that combines fractional modeling with automated algorithm design to fit force-relaxation data acquired through atomic force microscopy. We employ the fractional-order zener model to describe cell relaxation curves and formulate the parameter estimation as a black-box optimization problem. To solve it, we implement a Randomized Constructive Hyper-Heuristic with Local Search (RCHH-LS) that automatically generates tailored metaheuristics (MHs) by exploring combinations of search operators. Our results show that the best-performing MH, composed of two swarm-based dynamics and a local random-walk operator ( $$\text {MH}_{*}^3$$ ), achieves a performance of $$3.00\times 10^{-3}$$ , representing a 75% improvement over the mean of all candidate configurations. Subsequent hyperparameter tuning with Optuna reduces this value to $$2.86\times 10^{-3}\pm 2.43\times 10^{-7}$$ , a further 4.7% gain relative to the untuned version while preserving high stability and repeatability. In an evaluation of 21 instances (force-relaxation curves), the tuned $$\text {MH}_{*}^3$$ provided the best result in 19 cases, achieving an average of $$3.31\times 10^{-3}$$ , about 12% better than the best two-operator alternative and a coefficient of variation below 0.01%, underscoring its generalization capability. The FOZ model fitted using this solver generalizes well to independent datasets and captures critical viscoelastic parameters. We also confirm that $$E_1$$ , $$\tau$$ , and $$\alpha$$ are sensitive to the applied force via a statistical analysis, while $$E_0$$ remains stable, reinforcing its association with intrinsic cell properties. These results highlight the effectiveness of combining fractional viscoelastic modeling with automated MH design for robust and interpretable mechanical characterization of cells. The proposed approach reduces manual intervention, ensures generalizability, and offers a scalable solution for computational biomechanics.
Effect of miR-6767-5p on breast cancer cell phenotype and its regulatory mechanism
A method for preliminary assessment of the vulnerability to climate change of tree species for urban afforestation
Disentangling interoception and its links to cognitive functioning in fibromyalgia
Abstract Patients with fibromyalgia experience pain, cognitive dysfunction, and atypical interoception. However, it is still unclear whether the changes in interoceptive processes have consequences in managing cognitive tasks. The current study investigates the relationship between interoception and cognition in fibromyalgia. Twenty-nine fibromyalgia patients completed clinical questionnaires, the Digit-span, and the Stroop test. Interoceptive Accuracy (IAc) was measured by the heartbeat detection task, Interoceptive Awareness (IAw) via confidence ratings, and Interoceptive Sensibility (IS) via the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness questionnaire. IAc was found to be positively associated with Digit-span forward (p = 0.008), total (p = 0.004), and Stroop scores (all p ≤ 0.045). IS correlated negatively with Digit-span backward (p ≤ 0. ≤ 0.022) while IAw was negatively associated with Digit-span forward (p ≤ 0.034), total (p ≤ 0.008), and Stroop scores (all p ≤ 0.038). Moderation analysis revealed that IAc predicts Digit-span backward as symptom severity increases (p = 0.045). Despite the absence of a control group, this study provides evidence of the detailed relationships between interoception and cognitive abilities in fibromyalgia. While detecting and efficiently using body signals may be an essential tool for self-regulation in managing cognitive tasks, a higher ability to regulate body signals may exhaust cognition and predispose the patients to lower cognitive performance.
Combining circ_0054633 and clinical features to predict refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children
Real-time visualization and modulation of endocytic dynamics in osteocytes in vivo
An experimental study on the effect of symptom expectations on mental fatigue and motivation in people with primary biliary cholangitis
Abstract Fatigue is the most common symptom in people with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and resistant to current treatment modalities. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of negative and positive fatigue expectations in people with PBC on experienced fatigue and the motivational urge to stop a cognitive task. A subsample of the SOMA.LIV study of N = 46 people with PBC was randomly assigned to two experimental conditions. They received either fatigue-inducing or fatigue-reducing task instructions for a subsequent cognitive task. Participants rated their fatigue expectations prior to the task and their fatigue and motivational urge to stop after each of five task blocks. The total sample showed an increase in subjective fatigue and urge to stop across all task blocks. Participants receiving fatigue-inducing task instructions reported higher urge to stop compared to the group with fatigue-reducing task instructions. Both groups did not differ significantly in fatigue expectations and subjective fatigue. Our findings suggest that people with PBC may benefit from encouragement to engage in cognitive activities and maintain mental effort by verbal suggestions - an effect that can be of use in clinical practice to reduce potential avoidance behaviour.
Correction: Enhancing tunnel sprayer performance through optimization of constructional parameters
Cyclic response of ventilated precast shear walls with emphasis on sleeve connection efficiency
Abstract Precast concrete walls are widely used in modular construction due to their speed of assembly and structural efficiency. However, the presence and size of openings can significantly influence their seismic performance. This study investigates the effect of opening dimensions on the seismic behavior of precast wall specimens subjected to cyclic lateral loading, with a focus on failure mechanisms, hysteretic response, load capacity, and deformability. Two groups of specimens were evaluated: Group A with precast wall (PW-6) 600 mm wide and Group B (PW-4) with 400 mm wide. The experimental results revealed a three-stage failure mechanism, where Group A experienced pronounced diagonal cracking due to reduced confinement, while Group B showed more localized crushing near the opening edges. Hysteresis behavior indicated greater pinching and reduced energy dissipation in Group A, whereas Group B exhibited fuller loops with better energy absorption. Group A’s initial stiffness of 25.6 kN/mm declined to 9.8 kN/mm at failure, while Group B maintained higher stiffness retention and achieved a 12% higher peak lateral load. Ductility ratios were also superior in Group B compared to Group A, highlighting the critical role of confinement and detailing. The objective of this study is to quantify the influence of opening size on seismic response, and the methodology involved reduced-scale cyclic testing of precast wall panels with consistent reinforcement but varying opening widths. The findings provide valuable design insight for enhancing the seismic resilience of precast walls in high-risk zones.
Analysis of key parameters influencing performance for assembled aluminum alloy buckling-restrained braces
The individuality of plantar pressure indices enables the reduction of descriptive gait data required for diagnostic purposes
High-content confocal analysis of tumorigenesis, cancer stem cells, and drug response in 3D cholangiocarcinoma cultures
Characterization of toxin systems of Paenibacillus strains isolated from honeybees
Abstract Paenibacillus is a large genus of Gram-positive bacteria isolated from a wide range of sources. Members of this genus have attracted significant research as plant growth promoters as well as pathogens of both plants and animals. Extensive studies have been conducted on Paenibacillus larvae, the causative agent of American Foul Brood in honeybees, but little is known about other closely related species associated with honeybees, such as Paenibacillus apiarius or Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus. These bacterial species have been isolated from dead honeybee larvae and are believed to be secondary invaders as opposed to primary pathogens. We utilized genome mining efforts to explore the number and diversity of toxins present in multiple species of Paenibacillus, with major emphasis on a potentially entomopathogenic clade that includes Paenibacillus alvei, P. apiarius, and P. thiaminolyticus. Our results show that strains of these species contain a variety of potentially insecticidal toxins, including highly conserved Spp-like and Mpp-like toxins. These toxins are absent in P. larvae. We also found several ADP-ribosylases which were shared between P. larvae and several strains from this entomopathogenic clade. Tc toxins, a class of insecticidal toxin not often found in Gram-positive bacteria were found in in P. apiarius and P. alvei. These findings suggest the potential for Paenibacillus species in this clade to be harnessed as sources of host specific and pollinator-friendly biopesticides.
Next-generation RNA sequencing of spatially mapped material from human body donors for testing the impact of fetal environments on the liver transcriptome
Identification of SNCA and DRD2 as key genes linking parkinson’s disease and circadian rhythm through bioinformatics analysis
Serum metabolic profiling in rheumatic heart disease and degenerative aortic stenosis
Spectroscopic, antioxidant and cytotoxicity studies of vanillic acids
Abstract Vanillic acid is a phenolic compound recognized for its use as a flavoring agent in the food industry. It can be found in a variety of products, such as thyme, rice, oranges, cherries, green tea, wine, and beer. Vanillic acid has been substantiated to show various beneficial pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, antitumorigenic, free radical scavenging, antioxidant and even antivenomous activity. Since vanillic acid has low bioavailability, and bioavailability of a compound depends (among other factors) on its chemical structure, testing isomers of vanillic acid may yield promising results. Several structural and biological studies were carried out to determine the correlation between the molecular structure and biological activity of vanillic acid and its isomers (isovanillic acid and o-vanillic acid). Studies have shown that changes in the electronic structure of vanillic acids affect their different reactivity, antioxidant activity, and cytotoxicity. O-vanillic acid, characterized by the highest reactivity, is a weak antioxidant and the best cytotoxic compound. No direct correlation was observed between the antioxidant activity of vanillic acids and their toxic effect on model cell lines, probably due to the different mechanisms of action in the phenomena studied.