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A partner-driven decision support model to inform the reintroduction of bull trout
Assessments of species reintroductions involve a series of complex decisions that include human perspectives and ecological contexts. Here, we present a reintroduction assessment involving bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) using a structured decision-making process. We approached this assessment by engaging partners representing public utilities, government agencies, and Tribes with shared interests in a potential reintroduction. These individuals identified objectives, decision alternatives, and ecological scenarios that were incorporated into a co-produced simulation-based model of potential reintroduction outcomes. The model included mathematical representations of habitat availability, life history expression, and assumptions regarding constraints on potential bull trout populations. Within each recipient stream, partners chose to explore a wide range of decision alternatives and simulated scenarios affecting reintroduction success. Results suggested that 1) reintroductions using eggs or adults were most optimal, 2) adding more individuals resulted in diminishing returns, 3) access to migratory habitat could improve success, and 4) the diversity of opportunities for life history expression led to improved reintroduction opportunities. In addition, modeled scenarios indicated some recipient streams consistently produced lower abundance of reintroduced bull trout. This work contributes a novel example to a growing portfolio of reintroduction assessments that may inform future conservation for bull trout and many other species facing similar challenges.
Multitask semantic change detection guided by spatiotemporal semantic interaction
Estimating transmissibility of Zika virus in Colombia in the presence of surveillance bias
Decline of German and rise of North-American hegemony in science: Insights from Nobel Prize nominations (Physics/Chemistry, 1901–1969)
This paper examines the shift in global scientific leadership from Germany to the United States using data on Nobel Prize nominations in Physics and Chemistry from 1901 to 1969. Building on the theoretical frameworks of Ben-David and Hollingsworth, we explore how nomination patterns reflect global shifts in scientific hegemony. In the early 20th century, Germany dominated the Nobel nomination process, with its scientists frequently acting both as nominators and nominees. During the 1930s, however, the United States rose to prominence, becoming the leading force in global science. By the mid-20th century, American scientists constituted a substantial share of both nominees and nominators, reflecting the nation’s emergence as a global research leader. Self-nomination trends align with this hegemonic transition. Despite their dominance in the nomination process during their respective periods of global leadership, neither country demonstrated a particular capacity to influence selection outcomes. Regression analysis reveals limited advantages for nominees from hegemonic nations and no consistent effects for nominators, illustrating the distinction between controlling nominations and shaping laureate selections. This study offers insights into the dynamics of scientific prestige and the relationship between national hegemony and institutional frameworks.
Synergistic effects of abietic acid combined with doxorubicin on apoptosis induction in a human colorectal cancer cell line
Abstract Cancer is a significant global disease with high mortality and limited therapeutic options. Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment option; however, there are still issues, including severe side effects, inadequate response, and drug resistance. Abietic acid is a natural diterpene with diverse pharmacological properties and can be used for cancer treatment. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the anticancer efficacy of abietic acid in combination with doxorubicin, a highly clinically used chemotherapeutic agent. Biochemical investigations include initial viability assays, combination therapy using isobologram analysis, apoptosis and cell cycle assays, gene expression assay, ELISA analysis of protein expression, DNA fragmentation, and wound healing assays. The data showed that doxorubicin-abietic acid (DOX-AB) is an effective and safe anticancer combination for Caco-2 cells. DOX-AB had a high safety index with minimal cytotoxicity at the combination dose on normal WI-38 fibroblasts cells. DOX-AB significantly decreased the proliferation and viability of Caco-2 cells, with an increase in the apoptosis rate in the late stage and necrosis with cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Significant changes in the expression of modulators related to apoptosis, inflammation, and epigenetics were observed in gene and protein levels. DOX-AB combination had more efficient anticancer activity than doxorubicin alone. This study suggested that the use of abietic acid in combination with doxorubicin is a promising treatment for colorectal cancer because it enhances doxorubicin activity at relatively low doses with minimal cytotoxicity and overcomes multidrug resistance in tumors; these findings merit further investigation.
Saddle curvature association of nsP1 facilitates the replication complex assembly of Chikungunya virus in cells
Measuring spatiotemporal accessibility and equity of emergency medical services in Shanghai, China
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are a critical component of public healthcare. This study aimed to precisely measure the spatiotemporal accessibility and equity of EMS in Shanghai. We constructed a research model that combines web mapping application programming interfaces (APIs) and empirical Bayesian kriging (EBK) interpolation methods to calculate EMS accessibility, and used the Theil index to assess the equity of EMS accessibility. Additionally, we used the Minimum Cumulative Resistance (MCR) Model to evaluate the rationality of EMS stations layout. The results indicated that the per capital response time (PRT) in Shanghai increased from 11.46 minutes during smooth traffic periods to 13.08 minutes during peak traffic periods, and the 12 min EAI population coverage rate dropped from 60.6% to 41.9%. Thile index results demonstrated that there is significant inequity in Shanghai’s EMS, primarily driven by the disparity in accessibility between central and suburban districts. The results based on the MCR model indicated that the EMS stations in central districts had smaller shortest-time service areas, fewer resource demands, and lower PRTs. Obtained results revealed that EMS accessibility in Shanghai exhibited clear spatiotemporal variation, driven by disparities across urban districts and multi-period traffic conditions. Additionally, the irrational layout of EMS stations exacerbated the equity and opportunity to EMS services for citizens in suburban districts of Shanghai.
Reconstruction of the X and Y haplotypes in the genetically improved Abbassa nile tilapia genome assembly
Abstract The success of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) as an aquaculture species is partly the result of continuous selective breeding leading to high performing strains. These elite strains have been derived from breeding populations of diverse origins and crosses with other Oreochromis species. Owing to the complex and unique evolutionary histories of each strain, existing reference genomes of wild populations are unsuitable to implement genomic selection for beneficial traits such as growth or environmental resilience in aquaculture programmes. Here we generated a high-quality genome assembly and annotation of the WorldFish Genetically Improved Abbassa Nile tilapia (GIANT) elite strain using a combination of PacBio HiFi, and Omni-C Illumina sequencing. As a male Abbassa Nile tilapia was used for the generation of the genome assembly, we reconstructed both X and Y haplotypes, identifying both amhY and amhΔy on LG23 indicating that Abbassa likely shares the same sex determination system as GIFT, and thereby differs from the existing reference genome, whose sex determination loci are located on LG1.
A membrane-free electrochemical reactor for efficient oxygen removal via gravity-assisted product self-separation
Prevalent genetic alterations in pediatric thyroid carcinoma: Insights from an Argentinean study
Thyroid cancer is the primary endocrine malignancy, exhibiting distinct genomic drivers. The frequency of genetic alterations varies between adult and pediatric groups and across geographic regions and ethnicities. Molecular markers may serve as prognostic tools and/or specific treatment-selection tools in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in children. We sought to characterize molecular alterations in pediatric PTC from Argentina and test a future laboratory algorithm for molecular diagnosis and stratification. Immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and Sanger sequencing were performed on 57 pediatric PTC samples. This study assesses multiple genetic alterations, including fusions in RET, ALK, MET, BRAF, and NTRK genes, as well as the BRAF V600E single nucleotide variant. Fusions in known oncogenes were observed in 29.8% of cases (6 in RET, 5 in ALK, 4 in NTRK3, 1 in BRAF, and 1 in MET). The BRAF V600E SNV was detected in 12.3% of cases. Larger tumor size and higher initial risk were associated with genetic alterations (P = 0.027 and P = 0. 036, respectively). Designing a laboratory algorithm following an increasing order of complexity provided a reliable molecular testing platform that reduces the requirement for NGS screening. These results also broaden the data on PTC alterations in children from Argentina.
Understanding intentions to use a multi-component supported self-management platform for long COVID-19: a mixed-methods evaluation in Hong Kong
Abstract A culturally appropriate, multi-component self-management platform was developed to facilitate Long COVID-19 recovery in Hong Kong, comprising a smartphone application, a website, and a customer relationship management (CRM)-based messaging system. Using a mixed-methods design, we evaluated users’ intentions to utilise the platform through the behavioural attributes of the Meta-UTAUT (Meta-analysis-based modified Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology) framework. Structured interviews were conducted to explore themes influencing users’ intentions to use the platform, focusing on different attributes. Themes from the interviews were summarised using directed content and thematic analyses. These results informed the design of a cross-sectional survey quantifying the influence of those attributes on users’ utilisation of the platform. Multivariate logistic regressions were conducted to investigate the associations between sociodemographic and health characteristics and the likelihood of responses to each attribute. Analysis of 45 interviews identified 17 themes influencing platform use, across six attributes: performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, perceived information security, and perceived enjoyment. The survey of 326 users revealed that each of these attributes influenced the intentions of over 80% of participants using the platform. Gender, age, educational attainment, and employment status were significantly associated with their responses to specific attributes. Supported self-management is an emerging intervention for Long COVID-19. While online platforms enhance access to health information, interactions through CRM-based messaging systems may optimise professional and emotional support, thereby improving user engagement. Resources may be directed towards alleviating digital barriers, particularly for older populations.
Chromatin state origins of uterine leiomyoma
Abstract Aberrations in the regulatory genome play a pivotal role in population-level disease predisposition. Annotation of the regulatory regions using appropriate primary tissues - instead of cell lines affected by selection and other confounding factors - could shed new light into mechanisms underlying common conditions. We test this approach in uterine leiomyomas, highly prevalent benign neoplasms of the myometrium, by creating 15-state chromatin annotations for myometrium and uterine leiomyomas. Integration with RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, HiChIP and methylation data enables us to compare the epigenomes of myometrium and ULs with distinct driver mutations, highlighting the role of bivalent regions in the neoplastic process. Subsequently, a genome wide association study meta-analysis is performed, using three different cohorts. Disease association loci are enriched at active chromatin, especially at enhancers, and harbor tumor- and driver mutation-specific chromatin states. At SATB2 locus we show the effect of the risk genotype already in the normal tissue. Integration of genome-wide association studies and deep regulatory genomics data from the correct tissue type represents a powerful approach in understanding population-level disease predisposition.
An active machine learning framework for automatic boxing punch recognition and classification using upper limb kinematics
Boxing punch type classification and kinematic analysis are essential for coaches and athletes, providing critical insights into punch variety and effectiveness, which are vital for performance improvement. Existing methods for punch recognition and classification typically rely on wearable sensor data or video data; however, no fully automated system currently exists. While coaches prefer video-based analysis for its ability to easily visualize punch action errors and refine technique, video-based classification suffers from lower accuracy compared to sensor-based methods due to limitations such as motion blur. Current classification approaches typically employ supervised learning, requiring experts to annotate 70–80% of the data for model training. However, the high sampling frequency of sensor data makes this process time-consuming and challenging, leading to potential fatigue and an increased risk of inconsistent annotations by domain experts. This paper proposes a novel multimodal approach that integrates wearable sensor data and video data for automatic punch recognition and classification. The method also includes automatic segmentation of punch videos, which improves classification accuracy by utilizing both data sources. To reduce labeling effort, we apply a Query by Committee-based active learning technique, significantly decreasing the required labeling effort by one-sixth. Using only 15% of the typical labeling effort, our system achieves 91.41% accuracy for rear-hand punch recognition, 91.91% for lead-hand punch recognition, and 92.33% and 94.56% for punch classification, respectively. This Smart Boxer system aims to enhance punch analytics in boxing, providing valuable insights to improve training, optimize performance, and increase fan engagement with the sport.
Comparison of long-term changes in peripapillary RNFL thickness between macula-on and macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment
Abstract To compare postoperative changes in peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness between macula-off and macula-on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Patients with RRD who had undergone a single, uncomplicated vitrectomy and been followed for ≥ 3 years postoperatively were included. Based on preoperative status, patients were categorized into a macula-on group (Group 1) and a macula-off group (Group 2). The baseline was established after complete gas dissipation from the vitreous cavity, followed by three additional examinations at 1-year intervals. In total, 62 eyes were analyzed: 30 in Group 1 and 32 in Group 2. Global pRNFL thicknesses in Group 1 were 100.0 ± 19.5, 99.4 ± 19.6, 98.4 ± 19.4, and 97.0 ± 20.3 μm at baseline, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years, respectively (P = 0.001). In Group 2, the corresponding values were 99.6 ± 15.0, 96.2 ± 16.4, 95.4 ± 16.3, and 94.1 ± 17.6 μm (P < 0.001). Sectoral analysis showed statistically significant changes in the inferotemporal (P < 0.001) and inferonasal (P = 0.003) sectors in Group 2. The reduction rates of global pRNFL thickness were − 0.89 μm/y in Group 1 and − 1.81 μm/y in Group 2; these rates significantly differed between the groups (P = 0.026). Among RRD patients, pRNFL thickness gradually declined over time, with a more pronounced reduction in the macula-off group. A substantial decrease in inferior pRNFL thickness was observed in macula-off patients.
Structural dynamics of human fatty acid synthase in the condensing cycle
Abstract Long-chain fatty acids are the building blocks of fat in human bodies. In mammals, fatty acid synthase (FASN) contains multiple enzymatic domains to catalyse all chemical reactions needed for de novo fatty acid synthesis1. Although the chemical reactions carried out by these enzymatic domains are well defined, how the dimeric FASN with an open architecture continuously catalyses such reactions to synthesize a complete fatty acid remains elusive. Here, using a strategy of tagging and purifying endogenous FASN in HEK293T cells for single-particle cryo-electron microscopy studies, we characterized the structural dynamics of endogenous human FASN. We captured conformational snapshots of various functional substates in the condensing cycle and developed a procedure to analyse the particle distribution landscape of FASN with different orientations between its condensing and modifying wings. Together, our findings reveal that FASN function does not require a large rotational motion between its two main functional domains during the condensing cycle, and that the catalytic reactions in the condensing cycle carried out by the two monomers are unsynchronized. Our data thus provide a new composite view of FASN dynamics during the fatty acid synthesis condensing cycle.
Carbon accumulation in recently deposited peat is reduced by increased nutrient supply
Abstract High-latitude mires store a considerable part of the global soil carbon. Current understanding suggests that wetter conditions promote carbon accumulation. This paradigm is based primarily on temperate ombrogenic bogs and overlooks the influence of minerogenic water from the catchment area, despite most northern mires being minerogenic fens. Here we show that minerogenic water is the main negative influence on past century carbon accumulation in boreal fens. This effect is most pronounced in mires formed during the last millennia. Rather than enhancing productivity, minerogenic water stimulates organic matter decay, apart from in elevated hummocks where both decay and productivity were stimulated. These findings reshape our understanding of carbon cycling at high-latitudes, highlighting how shifts in precipitation-evapotranspiration may impact carbon sequestration in fens, which are widespread in the circum-arctic. Contrary to expectations for temperate regions, we argue that increased catchment water input in sub-arctic peatlands is unlikely to enhance mire carbon accumulation.
Developing the DigIQ: A measure of digital competence
Digital competence reflects the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the digital world. Despite the criticality of this concept, the field lacks a robust and valid measure of digital competence that is suitable across the life span. Addressing this need, using data from more than 2500 participants across three studies, this work presents the development of the DigIQ – a psychometrically valid indicator of digital competence for use across the lifespan. The measure reflects the complexity of digital competence – covering nine skill domains (strategic information skills, critical information skills, netiquette, digital content creation skills, safety and control of information and devices, digital health and wellbeing, sustainable/green digital skills, digital problem-solving skills, and AI skills) and related digital knowledge. While promising, results highlight important future considerations – namely, the need to assess the tool’s suitability for younger demographics and individuals with limited literacy skills; the importance of complementing this tool with more nuanced indicators when making interpretations across age groups; and the need to adapt this tool to reflect emerging technological developments. Still, even with these caveats, the DigIQ represents an important advance in digital competence assessment, and thanks to its open access approach, can widely inform evidence-based decision-making and promote digital competence in an increasingly digitized world.