Search Results (983)

Psychedelic-assisted therapies (PATs) can produce rapid and sustained antidepressant effects, yet variability in response remains substantial. Identifying predictors and moderators is essential for optimising patient selection, preparation, and delivery. To map and synthesise the evidence on the predictors of antidepressant response to classic/serotonergic psychedelics administered with psychotherapeutic support in adults with depressive disorders, including treatment-resistant depression. Following PRISMA-ScR principles, we conducted a scoping review of major biomedical and psychology databases (PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, PsycINFO, and Web of Science) and trial registries (searches September–October 2025), supplemented by reference-list screening. We included randomised trials, open-label studies, and naturalistic cohorts reporting associations between candidate predictors (baseline traits/clinical features, set/setting variables, acute in-session phenomenology, and biological measures) and validated depression outcomes. We charted study characteristics, analytic approaches (including moderation/mediation where available), and indicators of robustness (e.g., adjustment for overall intensity, preregistration, external validation). A total of 48 studies were included in the review. Across study designs, process-level features during the dosing session were the most consistent correlates of antidepressant improvement. Greater emotional breakthrough, mystical/unitive experiences, and ego dissolution-linked reappraisal/insight generally predicted larger and more durable symptom reductions, whereas anxiety-dominant or dysphoric states tended to attenuate benefit, often independent of overall subjective intensity. Set and setting—particularly a stronger therapeutic alliance and music experienced as resonant—predicted both the emergence of therapeutically salient acute experiences and downstream clinical gains. Baseline moderators showed smaller and mixed effects: PTSD comorbidity sometimes weakened trajectories; extensive prior psychedelic exposure was associated with smaller incremental gains; demographics were typically uninformative. Converging biological findings associated better outcomes with markers consistent with increased neural flexibility and plasticity (e.g., less segregated network dynamics; EEG indices), alongside peripheral changes implicating neurotrophic, inflammatory, and HPA axis pathways. Current evidence suggests that antidepressant response in PATs is driven less by static patient characteristics and more by what occurs during dosing and how the context shapes that experience. Optimising preparation, alliance, and music; facilitating emotional breakthrough and meaning making; and mitigating anxious dysregulation are actionable levers. Future trials should harmonise measures, pre-specify and validate moderators/mediators, intensively sample in-session experience and physiology, and report benefits and harms more consistently. Full article

Objectives: The general objective of the study was to analyze the influence of sociodemographic factors and care and hygiene practices on the appearance of Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis (IAD). The specific objectives were to identify the relationship between sociodemographic variables (age, sex, comorbidities) and the incidence of IAD, and to evaluate hygiene protocols (cleaning products and absorbent use and practices) and compare time to IAD onset according to the hygiene practices used. Methods: A multicenter, prospective cohort study was conducted across 10 social health centers. The study population consisted of older institutionalized patients with urinary and/or mixed incontinence who used absorbents continuously. The variables included risk assessment using validated scales, such as the Braden scale and the Perianal Assessment Tool (PAT), as well as ad hoc questionnaires. Survival analysis of time-to-event onset was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier curve and the Log-Rank test. Results: A statistically significant association was found between the occurrence of IAD and the Braden scale (p = 0.004) and the PAT scale (p = 0.02). However, no statistically significant association was found with age, sex, or the Barthel Index. Regarding hygiene, soapy wipes were associated with the highest incidence of IAD. In contrast, dry wipes were the most effective, with the lowest cumulative risk and the longest time-to-event (p = 0.001). The brand of the absorbent used had a significant influence (p = 0.024), suggesting that the “B” brand prevented one IAD per six patients compared with the “A” brand. The frequency of absorbent changes did not show a statistically significant association. Conclusions: The risk of developing IAD was strongly linked to the scores of the Braden and PAT scales, the brand of the absorbent (“B” being more effective), and the cleaning product used, with dry wipes being the most protective compared to soapy wipes. On the other hand, factors such as age, sex, degree of dependence (Barthel), or frequency of absorbent change did not show a significant influence on the appearance of IAD. Full article

Circular-Scan photoacoustic tomography (PAT) can provide high-resolution images of optical absorption, but its analytical reconstructions, such as delay-and-sum (DAS), are highly sensitive to scanning radius (SR) inaccuracies, which cause severe geometric distortions and artifacts. In this work, we propose a deep learning framework, termed smooth deconvolution ResNet (SD-ResNet), to correct DAS reconstruction degradation induced by SR errors. SD-ResNet uses an ImageNet-pretrained ResNet-50 encoder and a lightweight deconvolutional decoder with additional smoothing convolutions to suppress checkerboard artifacts and restore fine structural details. A paired training dataset is generated using k-Wave simulations driven by human thoracic computed tomography (CT) slices: for each phantom, radiofrequency data are simulated once, and DAS images reconstructed with the true SR serve as ground truth, whereas images reconstructed with biased SR values serve as inputs. This design provides structurally diverse training samples and enhances generalization. In silico experiments show that SD-ResNet effectively recovers image quality across a range of SR deviations. Phantom experiments with polyethylene microspheres further confirm that the proposed method can substantially reduce artifacts and recover correct source shapes under practical SR mismatches, offering a robust tool for SR-error-resilient PAT imaging. Full article

Obesity has become so prevalent in many developed countries that it is increasingly perceived as a new norm, despite decades of interventions and drug development. Although research continues to explore novel strategies, no single approach to date has demonstrated sustained success in reducing its population-level dominance. This underscores the need to better evaluate and integrate the growing body of knowledge surrounding obesity’s multifaceted nature. Stamped under one ‘fat’ name, adipose tissue varies by color, location, morphology, composition, and function. This variability suggests a level of complexity that demands deeper investigation. Although the relevance and roles of different adipose types have been extensively discussed throughout the literature, their interdependence, synergy, and collective impact on the body remain to be fully expounded. This review aims to further consolidate and elucidate the available information on the different adipose tissue types and their association with obesity and metabolic health. We also discuss existing and emerging therapeutic strategies, highlighting their respective strengths and limitations. Full article

Molecular mechanisms determining pathogenicity of the Dutch elm disease fungus Ophiostoma novo-ulmi are poorly understood. Prior identification of the pathogenicity locus pat1 prompted a chromosome walking approach to elucidate gene function in this region. Among 17 identified genes, ONUg0282 (amtA) was predicted to encode a high-affinity ammonium transporter. In silico analyses confirmed the presence of four additional amt genes (amtB, amtC, amtD, and amtE) in both O. novo-ulmi and the less aggressive O. ulmi and that amtA and amtB belong to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae mep2 clade. The predicted amtA gene product showed features of Mep2-type transceptors, including amino acid residues corresponding to His-168 and His-318 in Escherichia coli AmtB protein, 11 transmembrane helices, and a conserved 22 amino acid motif immediately downstream of the last transmembrane helix. A knockdown amtA mutant with 25% residual expression was significantly less aggressive than wild-type O. novo-ulmi strain H327 when infecting Ulmus americana × U. parvifolia saplings. Predicted AmtA transporters from two CRISPR-Cas9 knockout mutants contained only five intact transmembrane helices. The ΔamtA mutants retained several wild-type phenotypic traits, including yeast–mycelium dimorphism, but were significantly less aggressive than H327 towards U. americana saplings. We concluded that ONUg0282 is an important determinant of aggressiveness in O. novo-ulmi. Full article

As the world grows more and more out of kilter with wars and fake news, the climate crisis is being ignored, leaving eco-media scholars striving to uncover new ways of keeping it firmly in the spotlight. This paper draws on extensive scholarship across eco-film studies, using narratives I have not analysed before—The Age of Stupid and Zone of Interest—to speak to contrasting ways of representing and communicating the crisis. While in the academy and within particular strands of environmental communications (EC), eco-textual analysis is often sidelined and replaced with a focus on empirical audience and behavioural research, together with more political economy types of investigations. Nevertheless, there remains a central place for understanding and appreciating how stories and images function, both in stylistic and thematic terms, while deploying new creative imaginaries to represent the climate crisis and provoke debate over future, more sustainable models of living. These readings will be analysed through an ethics of care lens while being underpinned by environmental media literacy, which can be argued to drive pro-active engagement and consideration. Full article

Objectives: The Pulmonary Auscultatory Triangle (PAT) is a bilateral region on the back delimited by the trapezius, latissimus dorsi, and scapula. Beyond its relevance for pulmonary auscultation, PAT also represents an important anatomical window for posterior thoracic approaches. While its anatomy has been extensively described in adults, data on its developmental morphology during fetal life remain scarce. This original morphometric study aimed to characterize the morphometry and morphology of the PAT in human fetuses and to evaluate differences according to sex, side, and gestational age. Methods: A total of 80 PATs from 40 human fetuses (20 male and 20 female) were examined. Using ImageJ software 1.54k, we measured margin lengths (inferior trapezius, medial scapular, and superior latissimus), area, and perimeter. Morphological classification was performed based on internal angles. Associations with sex, side, and gestational age were statistically assessed. Results: The mean gestational age was 28.6 weeks. PAT had a mean area of 103.2 mm² and a mean perimeter of 49.1 mm. Mean margin lengths were 20.1 mm for the trapezius, 12.4 mm for the scapular margin, and 16.6 mm for the latissimus dorsi. Three morphologies were observed: acute (42.5%), obtuse (25.0%), and rectangular (32.5%). A significant asymmetry in shape distribution was found between sides (p = 0.034). Weak but statistically significant positive correlations with gestational age were found for perimeter and for the trapezius and latissimus dorsi margins, indicating progressive enlargement with fetal growth. Conclusions: This study provides the first detailed morphometric and morphological description of the PAT in human fetuses. The findings establish a developmental anatomical baseline for the posterior thoracic wall and highlight growth-related changes and side-related variability. Full article

Self-esteem and attachment are core constructs in adult relational functioning, yet their interrelations across levels of cognitive processing have remained understudied. This study investigated how explicit and implicit attachment styles relate to self-esteem in individuals seeking a romantic partner (N = 399) and in a partnered sample (N = 108). Participants completed explicit attachment and self-esteem scales, along with three single-target Implicit Association Tests (IATs) assessing implicit self-esteem and avoidant and anxious attachment styles. Regression analyses were conducted using explicit and implicit attachment as predictors of explicit and implicit self-esteem while controlling for covariates. In singles, explicit anxious attachment was negatively associated with explicit self-esteem, while implicit anxious attachment and implicit avoidant attachment were negatively associated with implicit self-esteem. No cross-level associations were found, supporting a parallel-level interpretation in which explicit and implicit variables relate primarily within, rather than across, processing levels. The same regression models applied to the partnered sample showed generally similar trends, although the associations observed in singles for explicit anxious and implicit avoidant attachment were not detected in the partnered group. The inclusion of implicit measures provides new insight into non-conscious relational insecurity, with both implicit anxious and avoidant attachment showing negative associations with implicit self-esteem. Full article

Several Fusarium species have demonstrated the ability to thrive in saline soils and to tolerate or prefer high salt concentrations. In this context, the potential halophilic or halotolerant lifestyle of Fusarium pseudograminearum was investigated. Four isolates (3B, PVS-Fu 7, ColPat-1, and CBS 109956) were grown at different temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 °C) and NaCl concentrations (0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 g L⁻¹), and daily growth, mycotoxin production, and K⁺ and Na⁺ accumulation within hyphae were assessed. All F. pseudograminearum isolates exhibited strong adaptability to saline conditions, with significantly enhanced growth in the presence of NaCl. All isolates accumulated Na⁺ within their hyphae while retaining K⁺. The production of deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) was generally suppressed following NaCl exposure, consistent with the known inhibitory effect of reduced water activity on mycotoxin biosynthesis. However, at 22 °C, two isolates, 3B and CBS 109956, showed no significant differences in ZEA production between the control (no salt) and the medium containing the lowest NaCl concentration tested (7 g L⁻¹). Notably, isolate 3B, obtained from the halophyte Salicornia europaea, retained the highest levels of both Na⁺ and K⁺ within hyphae and showed the greatest overall adaptation to salinity. These results confirm the hypothesis that the ability of F. pseudograminearum to colonize and infect a halophytic host is indicative of a halophilic lifestyle. In the context of increasing soil salinization, these findings help identify conditions that permit pathogen persistence without hazardous mycotoxin accumulation. Full article

Federated unlearning removes a client’s influence from a trained federated model without full retraining, which is required by data deletion regulations but remains difficult due to gradient coupling and recovery instability. Existing methods often rely on historical training records or suffer from severe utility degradation and model reverting after recovery. We propose FedRazor, a two-stage federated unlearning framework that achieves stable client-level unlearning through representation divergence and gradient direction control. In Stage I, FedRazor weakens dependence on forgotten data using two complementary objectives. A Divergence-Smoothing Loss reduces prediction confidence on forgotten labels, while a Feature Mean Divergence loss pushes forgotten representations away from the retained feature center. To protect retained performance, we introduce PCGrad Razor, which trims gradient components that conflict with retained gradients during aggregation. This stage produces an intermediate unlearned model without storing historical updates. In Stage II, FedRazor restores retained utility using directional gradient trimming. Gradients aligned with the unlearning displacement direction are removed, preventing forgotten information from re-entering the model during recovery. Experiments on MNIST, CIFAR-10, and CIFAR-100 under IID and non-IID settings show that FedRazor consistently reduces attack success rate to near zero while preserving retained accuracy. On CIFAR-10 Pat-50, FedRazor achieves ASR = 0.026 with retained accuracy 0.659 after post-training, outperforming strong baselines in stability and unlearning robustness. Full article

This research presents the development of a new Hybrid Operational Strategy model for energy management optimization designed to evaluate the feasibility of implementing hybrid renewable energy modules in ports, aiming to improve their efficiency, sustainability, and innovation. The proposed system integrates photovoltaic, wind, and hydrokinetic energy sources, incorporating electronic components and assessing two energy storage technologies—Pump-as-Turbine (PAT) and battery systems—to determine the most viable solution for practical deployment. The optimization algorithm allows a concurrent refinement process for the power generation data of each renewable source. Four scenarios were analyzed within this optimization framework: two assessing the performance of single modules employing each storage technology individually, and two exploring configurations with multiple modules operating in parallel, either with independent storage units or a single centralized system. Battery storage was identified as the most feasible option based on the optimization outcomes. Considering the demand characteristics and generation capacity of the hybrid module, the configuration yielding the best overall performance consisted of a single module incorporating battery storage, achieving 90% demand coverage and demonstrating economic viability with a Net Present Value (NPV) of 9182.79 € and an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 10.88%. Full article

Introduction: Women with breast cancer experience psychological distress, and resilience-strengthening psychosocial support may improve their quality of life (QoL). Identifying those at risk of low QoL is challenging. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of a machine learning-based QoL predictor to support clinical decision-making regarding psychosocial support (sample size: 660). Methods: A decision tree cost–utility model was developed to compare four decision-making strategies in offering psychosocial support: the clinician alone, the QoL predictor alone, the clinician supported by the predictor, and no prediction with no psychosocial support. QoL after one year was used as a proxy for resilience. Costs, health outcomes, and net monetary benefits (NMBs) were estimated using a one-year time horizon. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated and dominance assessed. A societal scenario analysis incorporated productivity losses. A probabilistic sensitivity analysis generated cost-effectiveness acceptability curves. Results: Clinicians supported by the QoL predictor produced the highest NMB (EUR 16,349) and the greatest quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gain (0.759), with an ICER of EUR 22,892 compared with the next least costly strategy. Clinician-only prediction and predictor-only approaches were dominated or extendedly dominated. Under the societal perspective, all strategies produced negative NMB values due to productivity losses, but the overall ranking remained unchanged. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that the combined clinician and predictor strategy had a 69% probability of being cost-effective at a willingness to pay threshold of EUR 30,000. Conclusions: Combining clinician judgement with the machine learning-based QoL predictor improved the targeting of psychosocial support and was the most cost-effective strategy. Further prospective and comparative studies are needed to confirm its long-term effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in clinical practice. Full article

Background: Nutritional interventions to mitigate age/disease-related skeletal muscle attrition are much needed given the growing older population. Beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), an endogenous metabolite of the essential amino acid leucine, has anabolic properties in skeletal muscle: acutely stimulating muscle protein synthesis and attenuating muscle protein breakdown. While the role of supplemental HMB on muscle protein turnover is established, mechanistic effects on the muscle transcriptome have not been examined. Methods: Total RNA was extracted from m. vastus lateralis muscle biopsies of young males (n = 14) before and ~2.5 h after oral consumption of ~3 g HMB. Global changes in the muscle transcriptome were assessed via RNA sequencing, and differential expression in genes between fasted and ‘fed’ (HMB) conditions was determined. To identify the functional biology of differentially expressed genes, gene set enrichment and active subnetwork-orientated enrichment analyses was performed. Results: Of 15,982 genes detected, 468 were significantly upregulated and 326 were significantly downregulated in response to HMB. These genes were found to be associated with molecular pathways regulating muscle protein turnover, most notably, JAK-STAT signalling (e.g., STAM), circadian rhythm (e.g., NR1D1, NR1D2, PER2, PER3), TNFα signalling (e.g., TNFRSF1A, CCL2, CXCL2), and protein synthesis (e.g., POLR1A, POLR2A, POLR3A, PIK3RR, SGK1). HMB also regulated the expression of AA transporters, evoking a robust increase in SLC36A1 (PAT1) and SLC7A5 (LAT1). Conclusions: HMB evokes transcriptional events important in the homeostasis of muscle, supporting a role in proteostasis and one akin to protein intake, i.e., upregulation of AA transporters. Future work should further define HMB’s transcriptomic/proteomic effects in ageing/disease and synergy with exercise. Full article

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is a sophisticated construction material known for its exceptional strength and durability. Conventional UHPC generally self-consolidates, which makes it unsuitable for roof and bridge deck rehabilitation applications due to its thin layers and inclined surfaces. UHPC overlay construction generally requires a highly thixotropic material that responds well to vibration and remains stable on slopes. Despite the complex rheological properties of thixotropic UHPC, there are limited testing methods for effectively assessing the workability of overlay mixes. Therefore, this paper provides a comprehensive evaluation of the workability of overlay UHPC using existing and newly developed tests. Besides the commonly used static and dynamic flow tests, this study introduces Patting Response (PR) and Vibration-Slope Stability (VSS) tests, designed to evaluate different qualities of UHPC overlay mixtures. Seven groups of mixtures with varying binder content, water-to-binder ratio (w/b), fiber reinforcement, and admixture dosages were prepared and tested. A lab-scale sloped slab was constructed to validate the buildability of the most promising mixtures. These tests and mixtures support effective overlay solutions for roof slab and bridge deck repairs, providing protection against infrastructure deterioration and improving overall performance by introducing a dense, durable UHPC overlay. Results indicate that mixtures with static flow below 6 in. and dynamic flow between 7 and 8 in. consistently passed both PR and VSS tests, demonstrating stable vibration response and slope retention. The constructability evaluation confirmed the effectiveness of the new testing methods. Additionally, the correlation between different tests, particularly flow and VSS, was examined. Recommendations for appropriate ranges for various workability tests were established based on the performance of the developed mixtures. The proposed static and dynamic flow ranges are performance-based and are expected to be broadly applicable to thixotropic UHPC overlay systems exhibiting comparable workability and rheological behavior under vibration and sloped placement conditions. Overall, these tests and thixotropic UHPC mixtures facilitate effective repair of roof slabs and bridge decks, providing overlay protection against deterioration and potentially enhancing structural capacity through composite behavior. Full article