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Early warning of complex climate risk with integrated artificial intelligence
Abstract As climate change accelerates, human societies face growing exposure to disasters and stress, highlighting the urgent need for effective early warning systems (EWS). These systems monitor, assess, and communicate risks to support resilience and sustainable development, but challenges remain in hazard forecasting, risk communication, and decision-making. This perspective explores the transformative potential of integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI) modeling. We highlight the role of AI in developing multi-hazard EWSs that integrate Meteorological and Geospatial foundation models (FMs) for impact prediction. A user-centric approach with intuitive interfaces and community feedback is emphasized to improve crisis management. To address climate risk complexity, we advocate for causal AI models to avoid spurious predictions and stress the need for responsible AI practices. We highlight the FATES (Fairness, Accountability, Transparency, Ethics, and Sustainability) principles as essential for equitable and trustworthy AI-based Early Warning Systems for all. We further advocate for decadal EWSs, leveraging climate ensembles and generative methods to enable long-term, spatially resolved forecasts for proactive climate adaptation.
Clinical and molecular spectrum of TK2-deficiency: a large Brazilian cohort
Phototropin connects blue light perception to starch metabolism in green algae
Abstract In photosynthetic organisms, light acts as an environmental signal to control their development and physiology, as well as energy source to drive the conversion of CO 2 into carbohydrates used for growth or storage. The main storage carbohydrate in green algae is starch, which accumulates during the day and is broken down at night to meet cellular energy demands. The signaling role of light quality in the regulation of starch accumulation remains unexplored. Here, we identify PHOTOTROPIN-MEDIATED SIGNALING KINASE 1 (PMSK1) as a key regulator of starch metabolism in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii . In its phosphorylated form (PMSK1-P), it activates GLYCERALDEHYDE-3-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE (GAP1), promoting starch biosynthesis. We show that blue light, perceived by PHOTOTROPIN, induces PMSK1 dephosphorylation that in turn represses GAP1 mRNA levels and reduces starch accumulation. These findings reveal a previously uncharacterized blue light-mediated signaling pathway that advances our understanding of photoreceptor-controlled carbon metabolism in microalgae.
An experimental analysis of the performance of direct absorption parabolic trough collectors with laser-processed copper surfaces
High-dose vitamin D3 to improve outcomes in the convalescent phase of complicated severe acute malnutrition in Pakistan: a double-blind randomised controlled trial (ViDiSAM)
Abstract We have previously shown that high-dose vitamin D3 improved weight gain and neurodevelopmental indices in children receiving standard therapy for uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Here we present results of a randomised placebo-controlled trial in Lahore, Pakistan, to determine whether two oral doses of 200,000 international units (IU) vitamin D3 (the first administered on or before the day of hospital discharge and the second administered 14 days later) would benefit children aged 6-59 months during the convalescent phase of complicated SAM. Eligible participants were individually randomised to intervention vs. control arms with a one-to-one allocation ratio and stratification by hospital of recruitment using computer-generated random sequences. Double-blinding to treatment allocation was maintained by concealing allocation from participants’ parents or guardians, their medical care providers, and all trial staff. The primary outcome was mean weight-for-height or -length z-score (WHZ) at 2-month follow-up. Secondary efficacy outcomes included mean WHZ at 6-month follow-up and mean lean mass index, Malawi Development Assessment Tool (MDAT) scores and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations at 2- and 6-month follow-up. The trial has now completed. 259 children were randomised (128 to vitamin D, 131 to placebo), of whom 251 (96.9%) contributed data to analysis of the primary outcome (123 allocated to vitamin D, 128 to placebo). At 2-month follow-up, participants allocated to vitamin D had significantly higher mean serum 25(OH)D concentrations than those allocated to placebo (adjusted mean difference [aMD] 100.0 nmol/L, 95% confidence interval [CI] 72.2–127.8 nmol/L). This was not associated with an inter-arm difference in mean WHZ at 2-month follow-up (aMD 0.02, 95% CI −0.20 to 0.23), or in any anthropometric or neurodevelopmental secondary outcome assessed at 2- or 6-month follow-up. The intervention was safe. In conclusion, high-dose vitamin D3 elevated mean serum 25(OH)D concentrations in children receiving standard therapy for complicated SAM in Pakistan, but did not influence any anthropometric or neurodevelopmental outcome studied. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier NCT04270643.
RT-QuIC detection of chronic wasting disease prions in third eyelids from white-tailed deer
Asymmetric reductive arylation and alkenylation to access S-chirogenic sulfinamides
Economic and technical analysis of hydrogen production and transport: a case study of Egypt
Abstract This study investigates the economic, technical, and logistical aspects of hydrogen production, with a particular focus on Egypt’s potential to emerge as a global hydrogen leader. The research is motivated by Egypt’s abundant renewable resources, strategic location, and increasing interest in hydrogen as a cornerstone of the energy transition. Using the Hydra simulation model developed in MATLAB/Simulink, the study evaluates the Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) and Levelized Supply Costs of Hydrogen (LSCOH) across various scenarios, spanning from 2024 to 2050. These scenarios incorporate factors such as economic growth, technological advancements, energy policies, and infrastructure developments. Projections indicate that the hydrogen demand in Egypt is expected to reach 6.0 million tons by 2050, including both domestic consumption and export potential. Egypt’s low hydrogen production costs (4.5/kg) and strategic location position it to meet growing domestic demand while supporting exports. Comparative analyses with countries including France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Libya, and Jordan highlight Egypt’s competitive advantage, driven by its abundant solar and wind resources. The novel integration of LCOH and LSCOH methodologies, contextualized by Egypt’s renewable energy potential, fills a critical gap in the literature and offers a comprehensive framework for evaluating hydrogen production and trade competitiveness. The findings emphasize the importance of robust policy frameworks, including substantial incentives for renewable energy projects, de-risking mechanisms, and measures to reduce transport costs, in realizing Egypt’s hydrogen potential. Furthermore, the study explores the environmental and geopolitical implications of hydrogen production, underscoring Egypt’s strategic role in the global energy market. The results provide actionable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders to position Egypt as a leader in hydrogen production, contributing significantly to the global energy transition.
Heterogeneous effects of genetic variants and traits associated with fasting insulin on cardiometabolic outcomes
DNA metabarcoding and its potential in microbial risk assessment in waste sorting plants
Abstract Exposure to hazardous microorganisms during waste handling is a potential health concern. Molecular biological techniques provide means of profiling the microbial community at high taxonomic resolution, allow the identification of critical human pathogens on the species level and thereby aid the risk assessment of work tasks. The present study used high-throughput sequencing to characterise the microbiome in personal full-shift air samples collected at contemporary waste sorting plants (WSPs) and identified large variations in community composition within (alpha diversity) and between (beta diversity) WSPs. Seasonality did not contribute to differences in the community composition. Cladosporium sp. was dominant among fungi, whereas Aerococcus sp. was dominant among bacteria. The personal air-samples contained potential human pathogens, such as Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp. and Enterobacteriaceae, that encompass strains with the potential to develop drug-resistance. This study provided characterization of the microbial community composition of personal bioaerosol samples and provided evidence for the occurrence of potential human pathogens in contemporary waste sorting plants. Furthermore, this study highlighted the potential of microbial metabarcoding to detect critical human pathogens that may be encountered in working environments.
DTIAM: a unified framework for predicting drug-target interactions, binding affinities and drug mechanisms
The epidemiology of uveitis: comparison of its causes and visual outcomes between three-tiered medical facilities in Ube city
Site-specific synergy in heterogeneous single atoms for efficient oxygen evolution
Abstract Heterogeneous single-atom systems demonstrate potential to break performance limitations of single-atom catalysts through synergy interactions. The synergy in heterogeneous single atoms strongly dependes on their anchoring sites. Herein, we reveal the site-specific synergy in heterogeneous single atoms for oxygen evolution. The RuTIrV/CoOOH is fabricated by anchoring Ru single atoms onto three-fold facial center cubic hollow sites and Ir single atoms onto oxygen vacancy sites on CoOOH. Moreover, IrTRuV/CoOOH is also prepared by switching the anchoring sites of single atoms. Electrochemical measurements demonstrate the RuTIrV/CoOOH exhibits enhanced OER performance compared to IrTRuV/CoOOH. In-situ spectroscopic and mechanistic studies indicate that Ru single atoms at three-fold facial center cubic hollow sites serve as adsorption sites for key reaction intermediates, while Ir single atoms at oxygen vacancy sites stabilize the *OOH intermediates via hydrogen bonding interactions. This work discloses the correlation between the synergy in heterogeneous single atoms and their anchoring sites.
Non-communicable diseases challenges and opportunities in Iran: a qualitative study
Parvalbumin interneurons regulate rehabilitation-induced functional recovery after stroke and identify a rehabilitation drug
Abstract Motor disability is a critical impairment in stroke patients. Rehabilitation has a limited effect on recovery; but there is no medical therapy for post-stroke recovery. The biological mechanisms of rehabilitation in the brain remain unknown. Here, using a photothrombotic stroke model in male mice, we demonstrate that rehabilitation after stroke selectively enhances synapse formation in presynaptic parvalbumin interneurons and postsynaptic neurons in the rostral forelimb motor area with axonal projections to the caudal forelimb motor area where stroke was induced (stroke-projecting neuron). Rehabilitation improves motor performance and neuronal functional connectivity, while inhibition of stroke-projecting neurons diminishes motor recovery. Stroke-projecting neurons show decreased dendritic spine density, reduced external synaptic inputs, and a lower proportion of parvalbumin synapse in the total GABAergic input. Parvalbumin interneurons regulate neuronal functional connectivity, and their activation during training is necessary for recovery. Furthermore, gamma oscillation, a parvalbumin-regulated rhythm, is increased with rehabilitation-induced recovery in animals after stroke and stroke patients. Pharmacological enhancement of parvalbumin interneuron function improves motor recovery after stroke, reproducing rehabilitation recovery. These findings identify brain circuits that mediate rehabilitation-recovery and the possibility for rational selection of pharmacological agents to deliver the first molecular-rehabilitation therapeutic.
Development and validation of a risk score for predicting 30-day mortality in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction
Light-driven plasmonic microrobot for nanoparticle manipulation
Abstract Recently light-driven microdrones have been demonstrated, making use of plasmonic nanomotors based on directional resonant chiral light scattering. These nanomotors can be addressed individually, without requiring the tracking of a focused laser, leading to exceptional 2D maneuverability which renders microdrones a versatile robotic platform in aqueous environments. Here, we incorporate a light-operated manipulator, a plasmonic nano-tweezer, into the microdrone platform, rendering it a microrobot by enabling precise, all-optical transport and delivery of single nanoparticles suspended in solution. The plasmonic nano-tweezer consists of a resonant cross-antenna nanostructure exhibiting a central near-field hot spot, extending the ability of traditional optical tweezers based on focused laser beams to the trapping of nanoparticles. However, most of plasmonic nano-tweezers are fixed to the substrates and lack mobility. Our plasmonic microrobot utilizes circularly polarized light to control both motors and for stable trapping of a 70-nanometer fluorescent nanodiamond in the cross-antenna center. Complex sequences of microrobot operations, including trap-transport-release-trap-transport actions, demonstrate the microrobot’s versatility and precision in picking up and releasing nanoparticles. Our microrobot design opens potential avenues in advancing nanotechnology and life sciences, with applications in targeted drug delivery, single-cell manipulation, and by providing an advanced quantum sensing platform, facilitating interdisciplinary research at the nanoscale.