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Correction: On escape criterion of an orbit with s−convexity and illustrations of the behavior shifts in Mandelbrot and Julia set fractals
Responses of rice plant to multiple abiotic stresses revealed by transcriptome meta-analysis and identification of novel genetic factors
A verifiably secure and robust authentication protocol for synergistically-assisted IoD deployment drones
Drones have limited computing and storage resources, which makes them unable to perform complex tactical tasks; drones working in clusters can be employed for such complex tactical task completion. But, the synergy between these drones working in clusters is mandatory. Otherwise, the adversary can easily target them, disturb their routine work, and even disturb the whole system. Only a robust and lightweight authentication protocol can handle both information fusion and collaboration and coordination of drones working in clusters efficiently and effectively and is one of the essential components of the Internet of Drones (IoD) environment as it is deployed for quick and intelligent decisions. In this regard, the already available security mechanisms for IoD deployment drones have either design flaws or failed to provide security against session key disclosure, spoofing, man in the middle (MITM), and denial of service (DoS) attacks. Therefore, this article presents a protocol based on elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), one-way hash, concatenation, and exclusive-OR (XOR) operations to establish a secure communication session among drones which makes them a powerful system to perform complex tactical tasks and information fusion intelligently. The security analysis of the proposed protocol has formally been scrutinized via BAN logic and ProVerif and informally via realistic discussion and illustrations. The results obtained from the analysis sections demonstrate that the proposed protocol is robust in security and is 63.87% more efficient in terms of communication cost compared to its competitors, and 66.46% better in terms of computational cost.
Leveraging large language models for knowledge-free weak supervision in clinical natural language processing
Genomic insights into Mediterranean pepper diversity using ddRADSeq
This work investigated the genetic diversity and population structure of 99 pepper lines (Capsicum annuum L.), acclimated to Mediterranean climate conditions, using double-digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRADSeq). The aims were to understand the genetic relationships among these lines, correlate genetic clusters with botanical classifications, and provide insights into pepper domestication in the region. Obtained were 318.76 million raw sequence reads overall, averaging 3.21 million reads per sample. A total of 8475 high-quality SNPs were identified and used to assess genetic diversity and population structure. Chromosome NC_061113.1 displayed the highest amount and Chromosome NC_061118.1 the fewest of these SNPs, which were not equally spaced around the genome. Heterozygosity measures and a negative inbreeding coefficient point to the great genetic diversity seen, therefore highlighting the genetic health of the population. Different genetic clusters found by phylogenetic study and STRUCTURE analysis can be used in breeding programs to mix desired features from many genetic backgrounds. This work showed how well ddRADSeq generates high-quality SNPs for genomic research on peppers, therefore offering useful molecular tools for genomic selection and marker-assisted selection. The analysis identified significant genetic diversity and distinct genetic clusters which are valuable for breeding programs focused on crop improvement. These findings enhance our understanding of pepper domestication and provide valuable genetic resources for breeding programs aimed at improving pepper varieties.
Compensatory lymphangiogenesis is required for edema resolution in zebrafish
Multimodal prehabilitation in people awaiting acute inpatient cardiac surgery: Study protocol for a pilot feasibility trial (PreP-ACe)
Background The concept of “prehabilitation,” or optimising individual physical and mental wellbeing prior to surgery is well established in cancer and orthopaedic populations. However, amongst the cardiac surgery population, the concept is relatively new. Of the few studies available, all focus on the elective surgical population. This pilot feasibility trial is novel as it will focus on the impact of multimodal prehabilitation on the acute inpatient cardiac surgical population. Methods This single centre, prospective, single arm pilot feasibility trial will recruit 20 inpatients awaiting cardiac surgery. Measurements will be collected at the start of the trial (baseline), 7 days after intervention, and 14 days after the intervention or before the day of surgery. The primary outcome measure will be feasibility and practicality of the programme in an acute inpatient population. We will be looking into participant eligibility, acceptability, recruitment rates, completion rates and barriers to implementing a prehabilitation programme. Secondary outcomes include incidence of study-related adverse events, improvement in 6 minutes walk test (6MWT), hand grip strength, quality of life, anxiety scores and spirometry. At the end of the trial, we will be seeking the feedback of the participants on key components of the programme to help us inform future work. We hypothesise that light to moderate structured exercise training is low risk and feasible in patients awaiting inpatient cardiac surgery. The study was approved by Health Research Authority and Heath and Care Research Wales (Yorkshire & the Humber- Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee: REC reference 23/YH/0255) on the 8th November 2023. Discussion Multimodal prehabilitation could improve individual physical and mental wellbeing whilst awaiting inpatient cardiac surgery. Prehabilitation can provide individuals with a sense of ownership and control over their condition, improve their motivation and independence, and enhance their mental and physical recovery after surgery. Traditionally, patients waiting for cardiac surgery are discouraged from physical activity/ structured exercise training and receive limited information regarding their health. Appropriate physical and psychological support could improve their confidence to mobilise sooner after surgery. This may then facilitate earlier discharge leading to improved hospital bed utilisation and patient flow. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06275100
Density and structure of DNA immobilised on gold nanoparticles affect sensitivity in nucleic acid detection
Abstract Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are used as colorimetric biosensors that, combined with immobilised single-stranded DNA (ssDNA-AuNPs), can be used in genetic diagnosis because of their rapid and sequence-specific aggregation properties. Herein, we investigated the effect of the steric structure and density of immobilised DNA on AuNPs in non-crosslinking aggregation-based nucleic acid detection. Detection sensitivity improved with decreasing DNA density for linear conformations, but worsened for those with more rigid stem structures. We controlled the density of immobilised DNA using two different methods and investigated the aggregation behaviour of ssDNA-AuNPs. Interestingly, controlling the immobilised DNA density through ethylene glycol treatment had different effects on ssDNA-AuNP aggregation compared to those of alkanethiol substitution. This study suggests that the sensitivity of ssDNA-AuNPs for detecting target DNA could be affected by density and structure of the immobilised DNA.
Digitalizing the community health information system improved women’s retention on the maternal continuum of care pathway in northwest Ethiopia: A quasi-experimental study
Background Retaining women on the maternal continuum of care pathway remains a significant challenge for the healthcare system. Digitalizing primary healthcare system using community health workers is a key strategy to enhance maternal healthcare utilization in Ethiopia. However, the effectiveness of digitalizing community health system using frontline health system workers is uncertain. Objective To determine the effect of electronic community health information system intervention on maternal continuum of care in northwest Ethiopia. Methods A pre-post experimental study was conducted in Wogera district, northwest Ethiopia. Data were collected at household level from April to May 2022 including a total of 830 women with children with age less than one-year. A log-binomial logistic regression model was used to estimate the effect of electronic community health information system on the maternal continuum of care and its predictors. Relative risk with a 95% confidence interval was reported, with a p-value of <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results The study revealed that 10.6% women were fully retained on the maternal continuum of care before the intervention while 32.5% after the intervention(p < 0.001). Women in the intervention cluster had 3.12 times higher coverage of maternal continuum of care(ARR: 3.12,95%CI: 2.20–4.41). In addition, primary education(ARR: 1.54, 95%CI:1.14, 2.08), secondary and above education(ARR: 1.61, 95%CI:1.08,2.39); pregnancy intention (ARR: 1.67, 95%CI: 1.11,2.51), and women’s autonomy in healthcare decision making (ARR: 2.02, 95%CI: 1.03, 3.97) were significantly associated with maternal continuum of care. Conclusions Electronic community health information system improved maternal continuum of care. Maternal health service programs in rural should consider the implementation of electronic community health information system. Provision of women’s education, prevention of unintended pregnancy, and enhancement of autonomy of women in healthcare decision making should be emphasized to improve maternal continuum of care.
Deep reinforcement learning trajectory planning for robotic manipulator based on simulation-efficient training
Effects and functional mechanisms of digital fitness platforms on online fitness payment behavior under the perspective of “She-economy”
Women have become an important force for economic development. Online fitness payment behavior is an important part of women’s pursuit of “beautiful skin and healthy body”, and is also an important embodiment of the integration of the digital industry and the fitness industry. Based on Stimuli-Organism-Response and Technology Acceptance Model theories, this study systematically explored the relationship and mechanism of action between digital fitness platforms and online fitness payment behavior through a survey of 259 women using Structural Equation Modeling and Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis. It was found that women’s perceived use of digital fitness platforms was positively related to satisfaction, continued use intention, and online fitness payment behavior, except for the relationship between perceived usefulness and satisfaction, which was not significant. With the exception of satisfaction, which did not mediate between perceived enjoyment and online fitness payment behavior, satisfaction, and continued using intention mediated and chained mediation between the other independent variables and the dependent variable. The “comprehensive” digital fitness platforms were the most popular and favorite among women, followed by the “hedonic” and “pragmatic” platforms. On this basis, corresponding countermeasures and recommendations are proposed to promote the healthy, sustainable, and stable development of the digital fitness industry.
Research and application of bolter miner airborne drilling rig
Kaempferia parviflora extract and its methoxyflavones as potential anti-Alzheimer assessing in vitro, integrated computational approach, and in vivo impact on behaviour in scopolamine-induced amnesic mice
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a growing global challenge, lacks effective preventive and therapeutic strategies. This study explored the promising potential of the Kaempferia parviflora (KP) and its methoxyflavones (MFs) against the disease. We evaluated KP extract and its five MFs for antioxidant capacity, cholinesterase inhibition (AChE, and BChE), amyloid plaque (Aβ) reduction, neuroprotection, and memory improvement in a mouse model. HPLC quantified the five MFs in KP extract, with 5,7-dimethoxyflavone (F1) being the most abundant. 5,7,4′-Trimethoxyflavone (F3) and 5-hydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyflavone (F4) exhibited the strongest AChE and BChE inhibitory activities, respectively. MFs hindered Aβ1-42 aggregation and destabilized fibrils, with F3 showing the potent anti-aggregation and the strongest fibril destabilization. They also protected SH-SY5Y cells from Aβ1-42-induced damage. Notably, F3 combined anti-cholinesterase and anti-Aβ activities, suggesting its potential as a multi-target agent. KP extract ameliorated scopolamine-induced memory deficits in mice, suggesting its potential for cognitive improvement. These findings revealed that KP can be a promising candidate for herbal medicine development against AD. Its multi-target MFs offered a unique advantage by targeting multiple AD pathways. KP may have a great potential to modify the disease and overcome the challenge of drug development as cognitive enhancing herbal medicine.
Identification of biomarkers and potential drug targets for esophageal cancer: a Mendelian randomization study
The impact of digital transformation on open innovation performance: The intermediary role of digital innovation dynamic capability
In the context of digital economy, both the process and boundaries of open innovation performance are changing, and digital transformation has become an important factor for enterprises to realize open innovation performance in a complex and changing environment. This study based on the dynamic capability theory, etc. to explore how digital transformation drives the open innovation performance of enterprises and analyze its impact effects as well as the internal mechanism of action. In this paper, A-share listed companies in China’s Shanghai and Shenzhen cities from 2008–2022 are selected as research samples for empirical tests, and the research results show that digital transformation significantly stimulates enterprises’ open innovation performance, which still holds true after relying on a series of robustness tests. The study on the mechanism of action shows that digital transformation mainly enhances the dynamic capability of digital innovation, and ultimately promotes the open innovation performance of enterprises. And environmental dynamics play a positive moderating role. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the incentive effect of digital transformation on open innovation performance is more obvious in enterprises with high-tech and non-state ownership. Based on the new perspective of digital innovation dynamic capability, this study further reveals the effect and mechanism of digital transformation on open innovation performance, and provides theoretical basis and decision-making reference for enterprises to utilize the opportunity of digitalization to achieve open innovation performance results.
Identification of diagnostic and prognostic genetic alterations in uveal melanoma using RNA sequencing
Correction: Comparison between melatonin versus melatonin and photobiomodulation versus photobiomodulation in the treatment of Alopecia X in German Spitz dogs: Clinical, randomized, double-blind, parallel, non-inferiority protocol
Time series analysis of Sentinel 1 A SAR data to retrieve annual rice area maps and long-term dynamics of start of season
Abstract Rice is a vital staple crop globally, and accurate estimation of rice area was crucial for effective agricultural management and food security. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data has emerged as a valuable remote sensing tool for rice area estimation due to its ability to penetrate cloud cover and capture backscattered signals from rice fields. The backscatter signature of rice showed a minimum dB value at agronomic flooding indicating the Start of Season (SoS). The parameters viz., the minimum values of −22.03 to −17.69 dB at the start of season, maximum value of −16.10 to −14.20 dB at the peak of season coinciding with heading and corresponding mean increase of 5.07 dB during growing stages were utilized for developing rule-based classification system. Rice area was estimated over the Cauvery Delta Zone of Tamil Nadu, India for the past six years during samba (August–January) season from 2017 to 2023 using Sentinel 1 A Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite data. Rice area maps were generated for the region utilizing parameterization with a classification accuracy of 88.5 to 94.5 per cent with a kappa score of 0.77 to 0.87 during the study period. The total classified rice area during samba season in the Cauvery Delta Zone was 508,581 ha, 456,601 ha, 506,844 ha, 511,714 ha, 524,723 ha and 476,586 ha for the years 2017–18 to 2022–23, respectively. The Start of Season (SoS) maps for samba season revealed that the major planting periods for rice were between the second fortnight of September to first fortnight of November in all the years except 2018 when early planting happened during the first fortnight of September due to favorable weather conditions and assured water supply. Near real-time information on rice area, start of season, and progress of planting derived using SAR satellite data will facilitate the development of decision support systems for sustaining the productivity of rice-based ecosystems.