Search Results (952)

The high spatiotemporal resolution of optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) makes them an essential tool for functional brain imaging, enabling accurate recordings of neuronal activity. However, physiological signals such as eye blinks and cardiac activity overlap with neural magnetic signals in the frequency domain, resulting in contamination and creating challenges for the observation of brain activity and the study of neurological disorders. To address this problem, an automatic physiological artifact removal method based on OPM magnetic reference signals and a channel attention mechanism is proposed. The randomized dependence coefficient (RDC) is employed to evaluate the correlation between independent components and reference signals, enabling reliable recognition of artifact components and the construction of training and testing datasets. A channel attention mechanism is subsequently introduced, which fuses features from global average pooling (GAP) and global max pooling (GMP) layers through convolution to establish a data-driven automatic recognition model. The backbone network is further optimized to enhance performance. Experimental results demonstrate a strong correlation between the magnetic reference signals and artifact components, confirming the reliability of magnetic signals as artifact references for OPM-MEG. The proposed model achieves an artifact recognition accuracy of 98.52% and a macro-average score of 98.15%. After artifact removal, both the event-related field (ERF) responses and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) are significantly improved. Leveraging the flexible and modular characteristics of OPM-MEG, this study introduces an artifact recognition framework that integrates magnetic reference signals with an attention mechanism. This approach enables highly accurate automatic recognition and removal of OPM-MEG artifacts, paving the way for real-time, automated data analysis in both scientific research and clinical applications. Full article

This study investigates the development and application of the GDELT (Global Database of Events, Language, and Tone) news database. Through experiments, we conducted a quantitative statistical analysis of the GDELT event database to evaluate its practical characteristics. The results indicate that although the database achieves comprehensive coverage across all countries and regions and includes most major global media outlets, the accuracy rate of its key fields is only approximately 55%, with a data redundancy as high as 20%. Based on these findings, while the GDELT data demonstrates good coverage and data integrity, data correction and deduplication are recommended before its use in research contexts and industrial applications. Subsequently, a survey of the existing literature reveals that current studies using GDELT primarily focused on event-related metrics, such as event quantity, tone, and GoldsteinScale, for application in international relations analysis, crisis event prediction, policy effectiveness testing, and public opinion impact analysis. Nevertheless, news constitutes a fundamental channel of information dissemination in media networks, and the propagation of news events through these networks represents a critical area of study for information recommendation, public opinion guidance, and crisis intervention. Existing research has employed the Event, GKG, and Mentions tables to construct cross-national news flow network models. However, the informational correlations across different data table fields have not been fully leveraged in preliminary data selection, leading to substantial computational overhead. To advance research in this field, this study employs chained list queries on the Event and Mentions tables within GDELT. Using social network analysis, we constructed a media co-occurrence network of event reports, through which core hubs and associative relationships within the event dissemination network are identified. Full article

Objective: The exoscope is an emerging digital visualization technology in neurosurgery that provides high-definition 3D 4k magnified views of the surgical field on external monitors, promoting improved ergonomics and enhanced team involvement. This study presents a single center experience of 26 patients undergoing brain tumor resection using the Olympus Orbeye exoscope with surgical approaches of different complexities and provides a review of the current literature on exoscopic adoption in neurosurgical oncology. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinical, surgical, and outcome data from a consecutive series of 26 patients who underwent brain tumor resection with the ORBEYE exoscope. Metrics analyzed included extent of resection, surgical technique, and complications in two different complex scenarios: superficial and deep lesions. Results: In our institutional case series, use of the exoscope enabled gross total or subtotal resection in all the patients, with a surgical complication rate comparable to that reported for operative microscopes (14.3–23.1%), which was stated to be non-significant and independently correlated to the use of the exoscope. No device-related adverse events were observed, and postoperative neurological outcomes were in line with the overall survival pathological examination of the lesion treated. Conclusions: In this cohort, the exoscope enabled the safe and effective resection of superficial and deep lesions with outcomes comparable to those historically reported with operating microscopes. Gross total resection rates were high in the superficial cohort and substantially higher than in the deep cohort, while complication rates did not differ significantly between groups. Future prospective studies with long-term follow-up are needed to assess oncological outcomes and define the optimal role of exoscopic technology in neurosurgical oncology. Full article

Clinical guidelines, which represent the normative process models for healthcare organizations, are typically available in a textual, unstructured form. This issue hampers the application of classical conformance-checking algorithms to the medical domain, which take in input of a formalized and computer-interpretable description of the process. In this paper, (i) we propose overcoming this problem by taking advantage of a Large Language Model (LLM), in order to extract normative rules from textual guidelines; (ii) we then check and quantify the conformance of the patient event log with respect to such rules. Additionally, (iii) we adopt the approach as a means for evaluating the quality of the models mined by different process discovery algorithms from the event log, by comparing their conformance to the rules. We have tested our work in the domain of stroke. As regards conformance checking, we have proved the compliance of four Northern Italy hospitals to a general rule for diagnosis timing and to two rules that refer to thrombolysis treatment, and have identified some issues related to other rules, which involve the availability of magnetic resonance instruments. As regards process model discovery evaluation, we have assessed the superiority of Heuristic Miner with respect to other mining algorithms on our dataset. It is worth noting that the easy extraction of rules in our LLM-assisted approach would make it quickly applicable to other fields as well. Full article

Background: A single lumbar-mounted inertial sensor offers a practical alternative to optoelectronic systems for gait analysis, simplifying measurements and improving usability in the clinical field. However, its validity can be influenced by sensor placement and signal choice. This study aimed to develop and validate a novel algorithm for estimating spatiotemporal parameters using anteroposterior linear acceleration and angular velocity around the sagittal axis using a single inertial measurement unit (IMU) placed on the lumbar region. The proposed algorithm was validated comparing the parameters computed by the algorithm with the ones computed using a commercial wearable system based on a two-foot-mounted IMU configuration. Thirty healthy subjects underwent a 2 min walk test, and five spatiotemporal parameters were computed using the two methodologies. Study results showed that cadence and gait cycle time exhibited very high agreement, with only a small, statistically significant bias in cadence negligible for practical purposes. In contrast, swing, stance, and double-support parameters showed disagreement due to the presence of systematic proportional errors. This work introduces a novel algorithm for gait event detection and spatiotemporal parameter estimation, addressing uncertainties related to sensor placement, metric models, processing techniques, and signal selection, while avoiding synchronization issues associated with using multiple sensors. Full article

Current changes in climate are leading to increased deposition of water and snow, which increases the concerns of flooding in agricultural soils. One way to help avoid flooding of urban areas is the implementation of river diversion system. Although the practice of river diversion alleviates the potential for flooding in a specific area, it increases the potential for flooding in other areas. In many cases agricultural areas end up receiving the diverted water and flooding of agricultural soils happens. A cascade of events can take place when agricultural areas are flooded, which can significantly alter the productivity and even land-use potential of the areas receiving the diverted waters. This literature review has three separate sections: (i) the first section reviews manuscripts published in scientific journals relating the impact of flooding on soil properties; (ii) then the information gathered from the literature review is used to evaluate the potential impacts that flooding would have on agricultural land located within the area affected by a river diversion system; (iii) the third section information is presented for potential management practices that can be used to help determine if the land is being impacted and management practices that could be used to help in problem mitigation. This manuscript provides a general overview of potential implications of flooding and does not indicate with 100% certainty that the potential issues raised would happen at any given field used for agricultural production. Rather, this report provides what can potentially happen at any given field that is flooded in general. Specific site issues should be investigated individually for a more thorough assessment. Full article

Given the critical role of manganese (Mn) as an essential micronutrient in wheat growth and development and the high efficiency of foliar fertilization in optimizing nutrient uptake and improving crop quality, this study aimed to elucidate the regulatory effects of exogenous manganese sulfate application on wheat grain yield and carotenoid accumulation. Methods: Field experiments were conducted from 2022 to 2024 at the Shuitou Experimental Station of the Cotton Research Institute, Shanxi Agricultural University (35°11′ N, 111°05′ E), using the wheat cultivar ‘Jinmai 110’. Foliar applications of manganese sulfate were administered at concentrations of 0.5 g/kg, 1.0 g/kg, and 1.5 g/kg, with water serving as the control (CTRL). Spraying was conducted on the upper canopy during the flowering and grain-filling stages, applied every 7 days for a total of three times. Samples for transcriptomic analysis were collected within 24 h of the final application. At maturity, yield-related traits and grain carotenoid contents were assessed. Results: Foliar application of 1.0 g/kg MnSO₄ significantly enhanced both grain yield and carotenoid content in wheat. Transcriptome sequencing revealed that treatment with 1.0 g/kg manganese sulfate (M2) resulted in 4761 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 2933 upregulated and 1828 downregulated genes, relative to CTRL. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that in the M2 vs. CTRL comparison, 819 GO terms were significantly enriched among upregulated DEGs and 630 among downregulated DEGs. Specifically, upregulated genes were associated with 427 biological process terms and 299 cellular component terms, while downregulated genes were linked to 361 biological processes and 211 cellular components. Enriched functions primarily included cellular processes, metabolic processes, catalytic activity, and binding. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed 809 annotations for upregulated DEGs and 330 for downregulated DEGs, mainly related to photosynthesis, carotenoid biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and plant hormone signal transduction. In total, 43,395 alternative splicing (AS) events were identified from 17,165 genes, including 445 upregulated and 319 downregulated AS events, primarily enriched in photosynthesis and plant hormone-related pathways. Conclusion: Foliar application of manganese sulfate significantly modulates gene expression in wheat grains, thereby improving both yield and carotenoid accumulation. Key biological processes affected include photosynthesis, plant hormone signal transduction, and the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. The interactions among these regulatory networks constitute a complex molecular mechanism through which exogenous Mn influences agronomic traits. These findings provide mechanistic insights and practical implications for enhancing wheat productivity and nutritional quality through foliar manganese application. Full article

We report the exceptional observations of amplified eastward subauroral polarization streams (SAPS) made by the F15 spacecraft at ~840 km altitude near magnetic midnight during 2015–2016 in 17 events. The results show the dawn-cell-associated amplified eastward SAPS flows streaming alongside the duskward-extending dawn cell. The amplified eastward SAPS flows maximized at ~3200 m/s within their respective deep plasma density troughs, mimicking the SAPS flows and thus implying positive feedback mechanisms in action, where the electron temperature reached ~7000 K. One set of correlated magnetosphere–ionosphere conjugate observations is also presented. This illustrates the magnetotail-reconnection-related inward-directed cross-tail convection electric field (E_C) reaching the near-earth plasmasheet’s tailward end, while the inward-directed SAPS E field was absent on the inner-magnetosphere plasmapause, and the emerging eastward SAPS flow in the conjugate ionosphere. These results provide observational evidence that the earthward-propagating inward-directed dawn–dusk cross-tail E field (1) mapped down to auroral latitudes with an equatorward direction, (2) propagated to subauroral latitudes, and (3) played a key role in the development of the emerging eastward SAPS flow and in the amplification of the fully-developed eastward SAPS flows near magnetic midnight, while positive feedback mechanisms supported further SAPS growth. Full article

In the field of gender-based violence research, the social constructionist strand focuses on how stereotypes and discourses impact the psychological, socio-economical and sanitary levels of actors involved. Narratives of victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) often revolve around feelings such as shame, guilt and fear; these are related to emotion regulation. Considering this, narratives on how the roles of victims, but also offenders, are shaped are pivotal for clinical interventions. Considering gender-based violence as a product of human discursive interaction, this exploratory work investigates the terms used to describe these two roles and the ways in which those terms are conveyed. Ad hoc open-ended questionnaires were administered to 35 respondents from an Italian anti-violence centre, including IPV victims and offenders and healthcare experts. Their answers were analysed through MADIT (Methodology for the Analysis of Computerised Text Data), while the software IRaMuTeQ (version 0.7 alpha 2) was used for content analysis. Starting from the research question of “how do victims, offenders and experts groups narrate the roles of victim and offender”, the research hypothesis states that all three groups will adopt modalities that define the two roles into fixed and typical emotional categories. As anticipated, the results show that victims, offenders and experts depict both roles as immutable, categorising and judging the victims with words related with fear and self-guilt, while offenders are described with words related to anger and pathology. Lastly, we propose a framework for clinical intervention focused on fostering change towards a broader narrative to reduce the psychological impact of IPV events for victims, as well as modifying offenders’ violent behaviours. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized the field of oncology by harnessing the immune system to attack cancer cells, increasing survival in a broad spectrum of malignancies. However, despite its positive therapeutic benefit, immunotherapy is also associated with a spectrum of adverse events affecting various vital organs, including the cardiovascular system. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive review of the available literature on the epidemiology, pathophysiological mechanisms, and current management approaches for cardiovascular adverse events associated with cancer immunotherapy. In addition, we evaluated emerging personalized strategies and interventions aimed at mitigating these risks and improving patient outcomes. Results: Immunotherapy is associated with a broad spectrum of potentially serious cardiovascular adverse events, including immune-mediated myocarditis, heart failure, arrhythmias, pericarditis, and accelerated atherosclerosis. Among these, immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis is the most well characterized and potentially fatal form of cardiotoxicity, with reported mortality rates approaching 50%. Similarly, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, despite its powerful antitumor efficacy, is frequently associated with cytokine release syndrome—a profound immune activation that can lead to significant systemic and cardiovascular complications. In response to these challenges, several personalized strategies are currently under development, including artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches, genetic and transcriptomic profiling, novel biomarker discovery, and integrated risk scoring systems, all aimed at enhancing risk stratification and improving patient care. Conclusions: Cancer immunotherapy has been associated with a range of immune-related cardiac adverse events, both non-severe and severe. As such, it is critically important to adopt a personalized approach to patient management before, during, and after the administration of immunotherapy. Early recognition through heightened clinical vigilance, along with the implementation of individualized risk assessment tools, is essential for identifying patients at high risk of immunotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. These strategies are imperative for optimizing patient outcomes and ensuring safe and effective cancer treatment. Full article

This study investigates the uplift and exhumation history of the southern segment of the western margin of the Ordos Basin using low-temperature thermochronology, including zircon (U-Th)/He (ZHe), apatite fission-track (AFT), and apatite (U-Th)/He (AHe) data, combined with thermal history modeling. The study area exhibits a complex structural framework shaped by multiple deformation events, leading to the formation of extensively developed fault systems. Such faulting can adversely affect hydrocarbon preservation. To better constrain the timing of fault reactivation in this area, we carried out an integrated study involving low-temperature thermochronology and burial history modeling. The results reveal a complex, multi-phase thermal-tectonic evolution since the Late Paleozoic. The ZHe ages (291–410 Ma) indicate deep burial and heating related to Late Devonian–Early Permian tectonism and basin sedimentation, reflecting early orogenic activity along the western North China Craton. During the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous (165–120 Ma), the study area experienced widespread and differential uplift and cooling, controlled by the Yanshanian Orogeny. Samples on the western side of the fault show earlier and more rapid cooling than those on the eastern side, suggesting a fault-controlled, basinward-propagating exhumation pattern. The cooling period indicated by AHe data and thermal models reflects the Cenozoic uplift, likely induced by far-field compression from the rising northeastern Tibetan Plateau. These findings emphasize the critical role of inherited faults not only as thermal-tectonic boundaries during the Mesozoic but also as a pathway for hydrocarbon migration. Meanwhile, thermal history models based on borehole data further reveal that the study area underwent prolonged burial and heating during the Mesozoic, reaching peak temperatures for hydrocarbon generation in the Late Jurassic. The timing of major cooling events corresponds to the main stages of hydrocarbon expulsion and migration. In particular, the differential uplift since the Mesozoic created structural traps and migration pathways that likely facilitated hydrocarbon accumulation along the western fault zones. The spatial and temporal differences among the samples underscore the structural segmentation and dynamic response of the continental interior to both regional and far-field tectonic forces, while also providing crucial constraints on the petroleum system evolution in this tectonically complex region. Full article

Background and Clinical Significance: Ischemic optic neuropathies (IONs) are significant causes of vision loss resulting from compromised blood flow to the optic nerve. Diabetes mellitus (DM) exacerbates the risk of IONs through chronic hyperglycemia and associated vascular dysfunction. Recently, semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, has been linked to ocular complications, including non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), potentially due to the rapid glycemic changes or vascular effects. Case Presentation: A 55-year-old female with type 2 DM, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia presented with blurred vision and optic disc edema after four months of semaglutide therapy (Ozempic^®, Sydney, Australia). Initially diagnosed with diabetic papillopathy (DP), her condition progressed to NAION, leading to partial visual recovery with corticosteroid treatment and improved glycemic management. Diagnostic evaluations, including visual field testing, optical coherence tomography, and fluorescein angiography, supported the diagnosis. Conclusions: This case report describes the clinical course of a diabetic patient treated with a semaglutide who developed an ischemic optic event. The timing of symptom onset in relation to the initiation of semaglutide therapy raises the possibility of a causal association between the drug and this rare ocular complication. Close monitoring of ocular health is crucial for patients on GLP-1 receptor agonists, particularly those with pre-existing vascular risk factors. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and guide clinical practice. Full article

The present article is an opinion piece mainly based on selected articles in the field of sarcopenia, with possible relevance for pregnancy. Sarcopenia has gained increasing interest in recent years, since it has emerged that sarcopenia may determine significant health consequences, with related substantial health care expenditure. In particular, some studies suggested that sarcopenia may cause increased risk for several diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and major cardiovascular events. On the other hand, some studies have reported that the association between sarcopenia and these diseases may be bidirectional. In particular, this holds for type 2 diabetes, because sarcopenia and type 2 diabetes share many etiological and pathogenetic factors, such as insulin resistance, oxidative stress, low-grade chronic inflammation, and adiposity. It is also worth noting that some studies have shown a non-negligible sarcopenia prevalence even in people below 40 years of age, and therefore of reproductive age. Taken together, the above considerations support the hypothesis that sarcopenia may be present in women with gestational diabetes (GDM), which shares common traits with type 2 diabetes. Notably, we hypothesize that sarcopenia may exacerbate GDM-related complications and may influence maternal–fetal outcomes, such as preterm birth or cesarean delivery. Additionally, since pregnancy often presents with insulin resistance independently of any comorbidity, it is plausible that sarcopenia may be present during pregnancy even in cases of normal glycemia. However, there is a lack of data about sarcopenia prevalence in pregnancy and its potential impact on outcomes. Therefore, future studies addressing these aspects are advisable. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to establish a transgenic mouse model expressing nucleus-localized human α-synuclein (α-syn) to investigate its impact on the central nervous system and behavior and the underlying mechanisms involved. Methods: A nuclear localization sequence (NLS) was added to the end of the human SNCA (hSNCA) gene. Subsequently, an empty vector and a mammalian lentiviral vector of the hSNCA-NLS were constructed. Transgenic mice were generated via microinjection, with genotyping and protein expression confirmed by PCR and western blotting. Only male mice were used in subsequent behavioral and molecular experiments. Immunofluorescence identified the colocalization of human α-syn with the cell nucleus in mouse brain tissues. Behavioral changes in transgenic mice were assessed using open field, rotarod, and O-maze tests. qPCR and Western blotting detected expression levels of genes and proteins related to inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), and apoptosis. Bulk RNA sequencing was used to screen for differentially expressed genes and signaling pathways. Results: We successfully constructed a transgenic mouse model expressing human α-syn. Human α-syn was widely expressed in the heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, and brain of the mice, with distinct nuclear localization observed. Behavioral assessments demonstrated that, by 2 months of age, the mice exhibited motor dysfunction alongside astrocyte proliferation and neuroinflammation. At 6 months, the elevated expression of ERS-related genes (ATF6, PERK, and IRE1) and activation of the PERK-Beclin1-LC3II pathway indicated progressive ERS. By 9 months, apoptotic events had occurred, accompanied by significant anxiety-like behaviors. Bulk RNA sequencing further identified key differentially expressed genes, including IL-1α, TNF, PERK, BECLIN, GABA, IL-6α, P53, LC3II, NOS, and SPAG, suggesting their involvement in the observed pathological and behavioral phenotypes. Conclusions: The nuclear localization human α-syn transgenic mice were successfully established. These findings demonstrate that nucleus-localized α-syn induces early motor deficits, which are likely mediated by neuroinflammation, whereas later anxiety-like behaviors may result from ERS-induced apoptosis. This model provides a valuable tool for elucidating the role of nuclear α-syn in Parkinson’s disease and supports further mechanistic and therapeutic research. Full article

Climate change has intensified extreme weather events and accelerated soil salinization, posing serious threats to crop yield and quality. Salinity stress, now affecting about 20% of irrigated lands, is expected to worsen due to rising temperatures and sea levels. At the same time, the global population is projected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, demanding a 70% increase in food production (UN, 2019; FAO). Agriculture, responsible for 34% of global greenhouse gas emissions, urgently needs sustainable solutions. Microbial inoculants, known as “plant probiotics,” offer a promising eco-friendly alternative by enhancing crop resilience and reducing environmental impact. In this study, we evaluated the plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits and melatonin-producing capacity of Bacillus aerius EH2-5. To assess its efficacy under salt stress, soybean seedlings at the VC stage were inoculated with EH2-5 and subsequently subjected to salinity stress using 150 mM and 100 mM NaCl treatments. Plant growth parameters, the expression levels of salinity-related genes, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were measured to determine the microbe’s role in promoting plant growth and mitigating salt-induced oxidative stress. Here, our study shows that the melatonin-synthesizing Bacillus aerius EH2-5 (7.48 ng/mL at 24 h after inoculation in Trp spiked LB media) significantly improved host plant (Glycine max L.) growth, biomass, and photosynthesis and reduced oxidative stress during salinity stress conditions than the non-inculcated control. Whole genome sequencing of Bacillus aerius EH2-5 identified key plant growth-promoting and salinity stress-related genes, including znuA, znuB, znuC, and zur (zinc uptake); ptsN, aspA, and nrgB (nitrogen metabolism); and phoH and pstS (phosphate transport). Genes involved in tryptophan biosynthesis and transport, such as trpA, trpB, trpP, and tspO, along with siderophore-related genes yusV, yfhA, and yfiY, were also detected. The presence of multiple stress-responsive genes, including dnaK, dps, treA, cspB, srkA, and copZ, suggests EH2-5′s genomic potential to enhance plant tolerance to salinity and other abiotic stresses. Inoculation with Bacillus aerius EH2-5 significantly enhanced soybean growth and reduced salt-induced damage, as evidenced by increased shoot biomass (29%, 41%), leaf numbers (12% and 13%), and chlorophyll content (40%, 21%) under 100 mM and 150 mM NaCl compared to non-inoculated plants. These results indicate EH2-5′s strong potential as a plant growth-promoting and salinity stress-alleviating rhizobacterium. The EH2-5 symbiosis significantly enhanced a key ABA biosynthesis enzyme-related gene NCED3, dehydration responsive transcription factors DREB2A and NAC29 salinity stresses (100 mM and 150 mM). Moreover, the reduced expression of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) by 16%, 29%, and 24%, respectively, and decreased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxy peroxidase (H₂O₂) by 12% and 23% were observed under 100 mM NaCl compared to non-inoculated plants. This study demonstrated that Bacillus aerius EH2-5, a melatonin-producing strain, not only functions effectively as a biofertilizer but also alleviates plant stress in a manner comparable to the application of exogenous melatonin. These findings highlight the potential of utilizing melatonin-producing microbes as a viable alternative to chemical treatments. Therefore, further research should focus on enhancing the melatonin biosynthetic capacity of EH2-5, improving its colonization efficiency in plants, and developing synergistic microbial consortia (SynComs) with melatonin-producing capabilities. Such efforts will contribute to the development and field application of EH2-5 as a promising plant biostimulant for sustainable agriculture. Full article