Browse Articles

Influence of main parameters on the displacement process by spontaneous imbibition based on LBM

The imbibition of water into the pores of tight oil/gas reservoir can displace the oil/gas out. Thus it is an important method to improve the recovery efficiency of tight shale gas and oil. This paper investigated the influence of four main dimensionless parameters on the spontaneous imbibition based on a pores distribution of a real shale sample. The results show that the connectivity has the greatest impact on the average imbibition velocity while the impact of the contact angle is the smallest. The capillary number has the greatest impact on the oil displacement efficiency. The impact of main factors on imbibition and displacement is not monotonic, but rather a combination of these factors.

Seeding of visceral adipose tissue with perinatally generated regulatory T cells shapes the metabolic tenor in mice

The Foxp3 + CD4 + regulatory T cells (Tregs) generated around birth are phenotypically and functionally distinct from those engendered during adulthood. That perinatally produced Tregs persist for a protracted period in peripheral lymphoid organs has been well documented, as has their superior ability to protect the organism from many autoimmune diseases. However, their contribution to pools of nonlymphoid-tissue Tregs and their homeostatic functions therein have been little studied. We show that perinatal Tregs preferentially derive from a CD25 + Foxp3 − thymocyte progenitor; that they seed and persist to varying degrees in every nonlymphoid tissue examined; and that transient depletion of perinatally generated Tregs in adults, but not in neonates, is followed by poor reconstitution of Treg numbers and phenotypes in epididymal visceral-adipose tissue (eVAT) and the skin but not in several lymphoid and other nonlymphoid tissues. Potential clinical implications of such a deficiency are highlighted by findings on mice subjected to weight cycling: Imposing a low-fat–high-fat–low-fat diet regimen in adult, but not juvenile, mice results in an impoverished eVAT, but not spleen, Treg compartment, accompanied by normal weight gain and glucose tolerance but profound insulin resistance. These findings point to a layered immune system, the different layers exerting specialized, nonredundant functions.

Deep learning model for screening causes of activated partial thromboplastin time prolongation using clot waveform analysis at multiple wavelengths

A quantitative projection of the net health effects of cannabis legalization in Germany

Background/Aim Cannabis consumption in Germany has been on the rise, culminating in the legalization of recreational cannabis in 2024. This shift aims to minimize the harms associated with black-market cannabis, such as exposure to contaminants, while regulating consumption to reduce health risks. The primary aim of this study is to quantitatively assess the net health effects of cannabis legalization in Germany by balancing harm reduction from fewer contaminants against potential risks from increased consumption. Methods A quantitative projection model was employed to evaluate the potential net health effects of cannabis legalization in Germany. By estimating the likely increase in consumption and corresponding health risks, the study calculated quality-adjusted life year (QALY) losses due to cannabis use disorder (CUD) and long-term health impacts from both cannabis dependence and contamination exposure. Results Projected increases in adult cannabis consumption may lead to 400,000–800,000 new users, resulting in approximately 2,300 additional cases of severe long-term mental health conditions. The corresponding QALY losses from CUD-related harms are estimated to be approximately nineteen times greater than the health gains from reduced contamination-related harm. Sensitivity analysis shows that consumption rates have a strong influence on net QALY outcomes, with even a 1% increase in cannabis use sufficient to produce net population-level harm. Conclusions The findings suggest that cannabis legalization in Germany may not achieve the intended health benefits. Increased consumption, particularly among new users, may result in considerable public health burdens, with QALY losses associated with CUD outweighing gains from reduced contamination. Effective regulation and public health interventions are needed to minimize adverse health outcomes while avoiding a resurgence of black-market sales.

STIM1 transmembrane helix dimerization captured by AI-guided transition path sampling

Stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) is a Ca 2+ -sensing protein in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. The depletion of ER Ca 2+ stores induces a large conformational transition of the cytosolic STIM1 C-terminus, initiated by the dimerization of the transmembrane (TM) domain. We use the AI-guided transition path sampling algorithm aimmd to extensively sample the dimerization of STIM1-TM helices in an ER-mimicking lipid bilayer. In nearly 0.5 ms of all-atom molecular dynamics simulations without bias potentials, we harvest over 170 transition paths, each about 1.2 μs long on average. We find that STIM1 dimerizes into three distinct and coexisting configurations, which reconciles conflicting results from earlier crosslinking studies. The dominant X-shaped bound state centers around contacts supported by the SxxxG TM interfacial motif. Mutating residues in this contact interface allows us to tune the STIM1-dimerization propensity in fluorescence experiments. From the trained model of the committor probability of dimerization, we identify the transition state ensemble for TM-helix dimerization. At the transition state, interhelical contacts in the luminal halves of the two monomers dominate, which likely enables the luminal Ca 2+ -sensing domain in STIM1 to condition the dimerization of the TM helices. Our work demonstrates the unique power of AI-guided simulations to sample rare and slow molecular transitions and to produce detailed atomistic insight into the mechanism of STIM1 TM-helix dimerization as a key step in ER Ca 2+ -sensing.

Hydrogeochemical evaluation of groundwater in Deccan Volcanic Province, Maharashtra, India through GIS and statistical techniques

Evaluating the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on rumination and negative emotions in Chinese University Students: A randomized controlled trial

Objectives Rumination and negative emotions are prevalent among university students and are strongly linked to mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety. Group counseling involving a mindfulness-based strategies may help prevent university students from developing rumination and negative emotions and subsequent mental health disorders. This study aims to evaluate the alleviating effect of mindfulness intervention on rumination and negative emotions in university students in China. Methods A randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 2 arms (Intervention Group and Control Group), three assessment time points (pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up) is proposed. A total of 196 university students are randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 98) receiving a 2-week, daily 1.5-hour mindfulness training (MT) and a control group (n = 98) receiving peer support (PS) sessions. Participants complete the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale (DASS-21), and Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS) before, immediately after, and three months post-intervention. Statistical analysis will compare outcomes between groups to evaluate the effectiveness using a repeated-measures ANOVA. Results Before the intervention, no significant differences are observed between groups. After the intervention, the MT group shows significant improvements in MAAS scores and reductions in DASS-21 scores (p < 0.05) compared to the PS group. While immediate improvements in rumination (RRS) are not significant, the MT group exhibits significant reductions in rumination three months post-intervention. Conclusion This study contributes to a better understanding of the effectiveness of mindfulness intervention in alleviating rumination and negative emotions in university students, and it is expected that with the proposed intervention university students can improve their psychological well-being. Besides, mindfulness interventions can potentially be extended to participants suffering from other psychological issues in the future.

Ovarian germline stem cell dedifferentiation is cytoneme dependent

Progenitor cell dedifferentiation is important for stem cell maintenance during tissue repair and age-related stem cell decline. Here, we use the Drosophila ovary as a model to study the role of cytonemes in bone morphogenic protein (BMP) signaling–directed germline stem cell (GSC) maintenance and dedifferentiation of germ cells to GSCs. We provide evidence that differentiating germ cell cysts extend longer cytonemes that are more polarized toward the niche during dedifferentiation to reactivate BMP signaling. The presence of additional somatic cells in the niche is associated with a failure of germ cell dedifferentiation, consistent with the formation of a physical barrier to cytoneme–niche contact and outcompetition of germ cells for BMP. Using BMP beads in vitro, we show that these are sufficient to induce cytoneme-dependent contacts in Drosophila tissue culture cells. We demonstrate that the Enabled (Ena) actin polymerase is localized to the tips of germ cell cytonemes and is necessary for robust cytoneme formation, as its mislocalization reduces the frequency, length, and directionality of cytonemes. During homeostasis, specifically perturbing cytoneme function through Ena mislocalization impairs GSC fitness by reducing GSC BMP signaling and niche occupancy. Disrupting cytonemes by targeting Ena during dedifferentiation reduces germ cell BMP responsiveness and the ability of differentiating cysts to dedifferentiate. Overall, our results provide evidence that cytonemes play a fundamental role in establishing polarized signaling and niche occupancy during stem cell maintenance and dedifferentiation.

A novel technique for ransomware detection using image based dynamic features and transfer learning to address dataset limitations

Adverse drug events associated with sodium zirconium cyclosilicate: A real-world pharmacovigilance study based on the FAERS database

Background Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC, Lokelma) is a novel hyperkalemia therapy, but comprehensive real-world safety data are lacking. This study aimed to characterize SZC-associated adverse events (AEs) using post-marketing surveillance. Research Design and Methods AE reports for SZC/Lokelma were extracted from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) (2004–2023). Four disproportionality algorithms (ROR, PRR, BCPNN, MGPS) identified safety signals. Significant system organ class (SOC) signals required ROR ≥ 2; preferred term (PT) signals met all algorithm thresholds, with false discovery rate adjustment. Results Among 1,564 AE reports (49% males, 29.5% females), four SOCs showed significant signals: metabolism/nutrition, renal/urinary, cardiac, and general disorders. Eighteen PT signals included hypokalemia, cardiac failure, and hypertension. Previously unreported AEs (e.g., ileus, ventricular fibrillation) emerged. AEs peaked early (41.87% within 30 days). Subgroup analyses confirmed robustness. Conclusions This study highlights both previously recognized and potentially novel adverse event signals associated with SZC, particularly during the early phase of treatment. While limited by the inherent constraints of spontaneous reporting systems—such as underreporting and missing data—our findings suggest that clinicians may consider closer monitoring of metabolic, renal, and cardiac adverse events during initial therapy. Observed early signals merit further validation in prospective studies, while long-term risks remain to be clarified.

Ice as a kinetic and mechanistic driver of oxalate-promoted iron oxyhydroxide dissolution

Ice often mediates unexpected reactions in the Cryosphere, acting as a fascinating geochemical reactor. Mineral–organic interactions in frozen environments, such as soils and permafrost, are crucial for explaining the flux of soluble iron during melting events, yet the mechanisms remain misunderstood. This study elucidates the unique roles of freezing in the dissolution of iron oxyhydroxide nanoparticles (α–FeOOH) by oxalate, a low molecular weight dicarboxylate, under acidic conditions. From time-resolved experiments conducted over 4 d, we demonstrate that soluble iron was released through reactions in minute volumes of liquid water trapped between ice micrograins. Freeze concentration of nanoparticles, oxalate, and protons into this liquid water drove oxalate- and proton-promoted dissolution reactions at temperatures as low as −30 °C. Remarkably, ice at −10 °C dissolved more iron than liquid water at 4 °C under high oxalate loadings, and even more than at 25 °C under low oxalate loadings. In contrast, high salinity subdued dissolution. Also, sequential freeze-thaw cycles enhanced dissolution by releasing unreacted oxalate that was previously locked in ice. By resolving the chemical controls on mineral dissolution in ice, this work can help explain how freeze-thaw events are supplying new fluxes of soluble iron to nature.

Synthesis and characterisation of new modified polyesteramide resins based on sunflower oil for anticorrosive protective coatings

Abstract Polyesteramide resins were successfully synthesized via aminolysis of sunflower oil with diethanolamine under mild catalytic conditions, yielding N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) sunflower amide (HESA) with a hydroxyl value of 9.02 mg KOH/g. HESA was then polymerised with N,N-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)maleamic acid (BHPMA) and N,N-Bis(4-sulfonicphenyl)maleamic acid (BSPMA) to form modified polyesteramide resins for protective coating applications. The synthesized coatings, with a thickness of approximately 30 ± 5 µm, were evaluated for mechanical and chemical properties, including drying times ranging from 58 to 60 h under air-drying conditions, and enhanced corrosion resistance confirmed by 500-h salt spray tests. Analytical techniques such as FTIR, 1H NMR, and SEM confirmed the structure and morphology of the resins. The improved anticorrosive performance was attributed to the incorporation of sulfonic and aromatic groups, which enhance film density, chemical stability, and resistance to ionic penetration. The results support the application of these bio-based resins as eco-friendly and efficient protective coatings for industrial surfaces.

Nurses’ attitudes about RSV vaccination for pregnant women and infants: Evidence from a cross-sectional survey

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines for pregnant women and infants became available in 2023 in the United States. However, the uptake of these vaccines has been low. Nurses play an important role in provider-patient vaccine communication. We conducted a survey on nurses’ attitudes about whether pregnant women and infants should receive an RSV vaccination. We distributed a survey to nurses in South Dakota, United States in May 2024. We used multivariate ordered logistic regression to determine the factors influencing nurses’ attitudes toward RSV vaccination. We received 1,908 responses; 44% of participants agreed that pregnant women should receive an RSV vaccination, and 72% agreed that infants should do so. The agreement was associated with personal vaccination status, age, education, and partisan self-identification. Among nurses 60 years and older, the agreement was associated with personal RSV vaccination uptake. Participants were more supportive of infants receiving RSV vaccine than pregnant women. The nurses who attained lower education status, did not receive COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, and identified as Republican or independent were less likely to think that pregnant women and infants should receive RSV vaccination. Strengthening provider knowledge about RSV vaccines for pregnant women and infants can help increase RSV vaccine uptake.

An exploration of basic human values in 38 million obituaries over 30 years

How societies remember the dead can reveal what people value in life. We analyzed 38 million obituaries from the United States to examine how personal values are encoded in individual and collective legacies. Using Schwartz’s theory of basic human values, we found that tradition and benevolence dominated legacy reflections, while values like power and stimulation appeared less frequently. Major cultural events—the terrorist attacks of September 11th, the 2008 financial crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic—were systematically linked to changes in legacy reflections about personal values, with security declining after 9/11, achievement declining after the financial crisis, and benevolence declining for years after COVID-19 began and, to date, not yet returning to baseline. Gender and age of the deceased were also linked to differences in legacy: Men were remembered more for achievement , power , and conformity , while women were remembered more for benevolence and hedonism . Older people were remembered more for tradition and conformity than younger people. These patterns shifted dynamically across the lifespan, with obituaries for men showing more age-related variation than legacies for women. Our findings reveal how obituaries serve as psychological and cultural time capsules, preserving not just individual legacies, but also indicating what US society values collectively regarding a life well lived.

Disease-specific N-glycopeptides in serum of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract The incidence of oropharyngeal cancers is increasing due to human papilloma virus (HPV); however, this phenomenon does not explain the rising incidence of oral cancers, for which the reason remains unknown. These cancers are typically diagnosed at an advanced stage, which adversely affects the prognosis. Improved methods for early detection, such as blood-based biomarkers, could significantly improve patient outcomes. We investigated quantitative and qualitative differences in serum protein N-glycosylation between patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and healthy controls using label-free mass spectrometry-based proteomics and N-glycopeptidomics. Twenty-five N-glycopeptides from seven different proteins were identified, all glycoforms associated with abundant serum proteins. While protein expression differences between OSCC and controls were modest (≤ 2-fold), certain glycoforms showed pronounced changes, with fold differences ranging from 7 to 33, highlighting their role as potential biomarkers. Importantly, the glycosylation patterns observed in OSCC were distinct from those previously reported in oropharyngeal cancer, suggesting a level of disease specificity. These observations support the future potential of N-glycosylation changes to serve as cancer-specific biomarkers.

Retraction: Indigenous knowledge and quantitative ethnobotany of the Tanawal area, Lesser Western Himalayas, Pakistan

Mass support for conserving 30% of the Earth by 2030: Experimental evidence from five continents

Rapid global expansion of protected areas is critical for safeguarding biodiversity but depends on political action for successful implementation. Following widespread ratification of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, an unprecedented increase in area-based conservation is required to reach its target of conserving 30% of land, waters, and seas by 2030. These expansions prompt difficult trade-offs between conservation, social, and economic interests. A key factor in securing legitimacy and practical feasibility for expansion regimes is understanding what factors determine public support for them. Using survey and experimental data, we show that in eight countries across five continents, public opinion is 1) strongly in favor of the “30-by-30”-target and 2) highly consistent regarding policy priorities for the design of international- and domestic-level expansion regimes. We find that for international-level policy regimes, support increases with protection responsibilities equally split between countries, rich countries bearing higher costs, more countries actively cooperating, and placement trade not allowed. For domestic-level policy regimes, support generally increases when nature values are prioritized over social or economic values and, in many countries, decreases when costs are borne by a general tax increase, parks are managed by private companies, and when access to parks is restricted. Together, these results demonstrate how protected area expansion policies can be shaped to facilitate reaching 30% protected areas by 2030.

Correction: Disease severity and demographic factors in relation to subjective well being among syrian psoriasis patients

Transcriptomic changes associated with infection of Nicotiana benthamiana plants with tomato ringspot virus (genus Nepovirus) during the acute symptomatic stage and after symptom recovery

We have characterized the transcriptome of Nicotiana benthamiana plants infected with tomato ringspot virus (ToRSV), a nepovirus. We analyzed two different stages of infection: the acute systemic symptomatic stage and the symptom recovery stage in which young leaves emerge without visible symptoms. In agreement with previous observations, we note a similar concentration of viral RNAs in symptomatic and recovered leaves. Extensive reprogramming of the plant transcriptome was observed in symptomatic leaves, including upregulation of genes characteristic of biotic stress responses and downregulation of genes associated with the function and translation of chloroplasts. The majority of plant genes that were differentially regulated during the symptomatic stage returned to their basal levels after recovery. Thus, the extent of changes in the plant transcriptome was correlated with symptom intensity. However, we also identified genes that remained upregulated after the symptomatic stage or that were specifically induced at the symptom recovery stage. The list of genes that were upregulated at the symptom recovery stage was diverse and included several types of cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptides, notably two defensin-like genes that were specifically upregulated in recovered leaves, as confirmed by droplet-digital PCR. Several plant miRNAs were also differentially expressed in ToRSV-infected plants. Notably, miR391 was upregulated at both stages of infection, whereas miR530 and miR1919 were specifically upregulated during the symptomatic stage of infection. Several predicted miRNA targets were differentially regulated in our dataset, including new targets as well as previously validated targets (e.g., zinc finger A20/AN1 domain-containing stress-associated protein 1, a known target of miR530). Many of the miRNA predicted targets were related to plant defense responses and may contribute to symptom induction and/or symptom recovery.

Thermodynamics of calcium binding to heparin: Implications of solvation and water structuring for polysaccharide biofunctions

Heparan sulfates are found in all animal tissues and have essential roles in living systems. This family of biomacromolecules modulates binding to calcium ions (Ca 2+ ) in low free energy reactions that influence biochemical processes from cell signaling and anticoagulant efficacy to biomineralization. Despite their ubiquity, the thermodynamic basis for how heparans and similarly functionalized biomolecules regulate Ca 2+ interactions is not yet established. Using heparosan (Control) and heparins with different positions of sulfate groups, we quantify how SO 3 − and COO − content and SO 3 − position modulate Ca 2+ binding by isothermal titration calorimetry. The free energy of all heparin-Ca 2+ interactions (Δ G rxn ) is dominated by entropic contributions due to favorable water release from polar, hydrophilic groups. Heparin with both sulfate esters ( O -SO 3 − ) and sulfamides ( N -SO 3 − ) has the strongest binding to Ca 2+ compared to heparosan and to heparin with only O -SO 3 − groups (~3X). By linking Ca 2+ binding thermodynamics to measurements of the interfacial energy for calcite (CaCO 3 ) crystallization onto polysaccharides, we show molecule-specific differences in nucleation rate can be explained by differences in water structuring during Ca 2+ interactions. A large entropic term (- T Δ S rxn ) upon Ca 2+ –polysaccharide binding correlates with high interfacial energy to CaCO 3 nucleation. Combining our measurements with literature values indicates many Ca 2+ –polysaccharide interactions have a shared thermodynamic signature. The resulting enthalpy–entropy compensation relationship suggests these interactions are generally dominated by water restructuring involving few conformational changes, distinct from Ca 2+ –protein binding. Our findings quantify the thermodynamic origins of heparin-specific interactions with Ca 2+ and demonstrate the contributions of solvation and functional group position during biomacromolecule-mediated ion regulation.