Search Results (31,211)

Crowdsourced geospatial platforms constitute complex socio-technical systems in which data quality and reliability emerge from collective user behavior rather than centralized control. This study proposes a system-oriented, unsupervised machine learning framework to assess the reliability of crowdsourced building data using only intrinsic indicators. The framework is demonstrated through a large-scale analysis of OpenStreetMap building polygons in Tehran. Six intrinsic indicators—reflecting contributor activity, temporal dynamics, semantic instability, and geometric evolution—were normalized using fuzzy membership functions and objectively weighted based on their discriminative influence within a K-means clustering process. Five reliability classes were identified, ranging from very low to very high reliability. The resulting classification exhibited strong internal validity (average silhouette coefficient = 0.58) and pronounced spatial coherence (Global Moran’s I = 0.85, p < 0.001). This approach eliminates dependence on authoritative reference datasets, enabling scalable, reproducible, and feature-level reliability assessment in open geospatial systems. The framework provides a transferable methodological foundation for trust-aware analysis and decision-making in participatory and data-intensive systems. Full article

Nest-site selection in birds is a hierarchical process shaped by environmental filters operating across multiple spatial scales. In species that depend on burrows excavated by ecosystem engineers, understanding how these filters interact is essential for effective conservation. We evaluated nest-site selection by the Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) within colonies of the Mexican prairie dog (Cynomys mexicanus) in the southern Chihuahuan Desert using a multiscale analytical framework spanning burrow, site, colony, and landscape levels. During the 2010 and 2011 breeding seasons, we located 56 successful nests and paired each with an inactive non-nest burrow within the same colony. Eighteen structural and environmental variables were measured and analyzed using binary logistic regression models, with model selection based on an information-theoretic approach (AICc) and prior screening for predictor collinearity. Nest-site selection was associated with greater internal burrow development and reduced external exposure at the burrow scale, proximity to satellite burrows and low-to-moderate vegetation structure at the site scale, higher densities of active prairie dog burrows at the colony scale, and reduced predation risk and agricultural disturbance at the landscape scale. The integrated multiscale model showed substantially greater support and discriminatory power than single-scale models, indicating that nest-site selection emerges from interactions among spatial scales rather than from isolated factors. These findings support hierarchical habitat-selection theory and underscore the importance of conserving functional Mexican prairie dog colonies and low-disturbance grassland landscapes to maintain suitable breeding habitats for Burrowing owls in the southern Chihuahuan Desert. Full article

Non invasive prenatal testing, NIPT, is widely used for fetal aneuploidy screening, but its clinical utility depends on gestational timing and maternal characteristics. Low fetal fraction can lead to unreportable tests and increased false negative risk, while GC-content-related sequencing bias may contribute to both false positive and false negative findings. We propose a Bayesian decision-theoretic optimization framework to recommend personalized NIPT timing across maternal body mass index (BMI) strata, explicitly incorporating test credibility and detection errors. We performed a retrospective analysis of de-identified NIPT records from a hospital in Guangdong Province, China, covering 1 January 2023 to 18 February 2024, including 1082 male fetus tests. Y chromosome concentration was used as a proxy for test reportability, with a 4 percent reporting threshold. Detection state proportions were empirically summarized from clinical reference information, with false positives at 10.35 percent and false negatives at 2.77 percent. A logistic regression model quantified the probability of obtaining a reportable result as a function of gestational week, maternal age, height, and weight, and the estimated probabilities were used to parameterize the Bayesian risk model. The optimized BMI-stratified schedule produced six BMI groups with recommended testing weeks ranging from 11 to 16, and the overall expected risk converged to 0.531. These results indicate a nonlinear BMI–timing relationship and suggest that a single universal testing week is suboptimal. The proposed framework provides quantitative decision support for BMI-stratified NIPT scheduling in clinical practice. Full article

This study investigated the impact of pH adjustment and carrier type on the physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, thermal stability, hygroscopicity, and particle size distribution of spray-dried model solutions and carrot juice formulations. Model systems were created at varying pH levels (3, 4, 6, 8, and 10) using water alone or with carriers such as octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA)-modified starch (O), trehalose (T), or a combination (OT in a 1:1 ratio at 9–10%). These systems were compared to carrot juice and formulations of carrot juice that included the same carriers. Spray drying was performed at 160 °C using constant feed flow and atomization conditions. In the liquid samples, we measured pH, dry matter, density, conductivity, and color parameters, while the bioactive compounds were analyzed in carrot juice systems. For the powders, we evaluated the dry matter content, color, particle size distribution, morphology, thermal stability, hygroscopicity, and antioxidant activity. Results showed that in model systems, dry matter, density, and conductivity were more affected by the carrier chemistry than pH. Formulations with OSA had lower pH and higher conductivity due to ionizable groups, while trehalose acted neutrally. OSA-trehalose mixtures yielded the highest solids content and stable properties across pH levels, with particle size (D₅₀ range of 18–21 µm) and morphology of the model powders remaining largely unaffected by pH. In carrot juice formulations, however, particle properties were pH-dependent. Acidic conditions (pH 3–4) led to agglomeration and broader size distributions (indicated by increased span values), while neutral to alkaline conditions produced smaller, more uniform particles with improved thermal stability. Neutral to alkaline conditions favored the formation of smaller, more homogeneous particles and improved thermal resistance. The carotenoid content in carrot juice powders increased from approximately 21–23 mg/100 g dry matter (d.m.) under acidic conditions to about 27–30 mg/100 g d.m. at pH 8–10, which was accompanied by higher ABTS antioxidant activity (around 6–9 mg Trolox equivalents (TE)/g d.m.). In contrast, the polyphenol content was highest at low pH levels (approximately 350–420 mg chlorogenic acid (CA)/100 g d.m.), corresponding to elevated DPPH scavenging activity and reducing power, both of which decreased under alkaline conditions. These findings indicate that pH levels and carrier choice significantly affect spray-dried powders. This highlights the importance of validating model system observations in complex food matrices. By adjusting pH and selecting suitable carriers, we can create powders with improved structures, stability, and antioxidant functionality, particularly in foods like carrot juice. Full article

This paper presents, for the first time, the structure-dependent parameter trade-off optimization on figure-of-merit (R_onC_off) and power compression of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) for radio frequency (RF) switch applications. For GaN HEMTs operating in switching mode, it was demonstrated that R_onC_off can be effectively reduced by increasing the gate foot length (L_{g_foot}), decreasing the gate cap length (L_{g_cap}), reducing the gate bias resistance (r_g), and adopting a high work function metal for the gate electrode (Φ_g). However, these parameter adjustments affect power compression and R_onC_off in opposing manners. This paper also presents supplementary research on the effects of source-drain spacing (L_ds) and gate width (W_g) on switching performance. This research achieves a dynamic balancing method for structural parameters, delivering application-specific design rules for different scenarios ranging from high-frequency to high-power applications. Full article

This study presents the complete sequencing and comparative genomic analysis of Leimania (Viannia) naiffi and Leishmania (Viannia) shawi, species of epidemiological relevance in the Brazilian Amazon. Genome assemblies yielded sizes of 32.13 Mb and 32.51 Mb, with 8170 and 7767 annotated genes, respectively. Predicted gene functions were primarily related to catalytic, binding, and ATP-dependent activities. Pangenome analysis revealed a core genome of 6256 genes alongside notable species-specific differences, including 46 and 25 unique genes in L. naiffi and L. shawi. Functional screening identified pharmacologically promising proteins such as calpains, ABC transporters, and notably, GSK-3. Ploidy analysis indicated tetraploidy on chromosome 8 in L. naiffi and chromosome 2 in L. shawi. Genetic variability assessment detected 34,480 SNPs in L. naiffi and 26,562 in L. shawi, indicating greater genomic diversity in the former. Phylogenetic inference based on the polA1 gene confirmed the placement of both species within the Leishmania (Viannia) subgenus. These findings advance Leishmania genomics knowledge by highlighting unique genetic signatures, regions of high variability, and potential therapeutic targets. This work establishes a foundation for future research on evolution, pathogenicity, and drug development for leishmaniasis. Full article

Real-valued inter-residue distance maps provide essential spatial information for understanding protein folding mechanisms and guiding downstream applications such as function annotation, drug discovery, and structural modeling. However, existing prediction methods often struggle to capture long-range dependencies and to maintain topological consistency across different structural scales. To address these challenges, we propose a novel prediction framework that integrates a Mamba architecture, based on a selective state space model, to effectively model global interactions, and incorporates the Kolmogorov–Arnold Network (KAN) to enhance nonlinear structural representation. Extensive experiments on standard benchmark datasets, including CASP13, CASP14, and CASP15, demonstrate prediction accuracies of 86.53%, 85.44%, and 82.77%, respectively, outperforming state-of-the-art approaches. These results indicate that the proposed framework substantially improves the fidelity of real-valued distance prediction and offers a promising tool for downstream structural and functional studies. Full article

This study aimed to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous leaf extract of Galega officinalis and to evaluate their insecticidal activity against key stored-product pests. AgNP formation was confirmed through UV–vis spectroscopy, which showed a surface plasmon resonance peak at 380 nm. FTIR analysis indicated the presence of plant-derived functional groups likely involved in the reduction and stabilization of Ag⁺ ions. Dynamic light scattering revealed an average hydrodynamic diameter of 25.07 nm, a PDI of 0.39, and a zeta potential of −22 mV, while TEM images showed predominantly spherical and polydisperse particles ranging from 4.3 to 42.4 nm. Insecticidal bioassays performed on Sitophilus granarius, Tribolium confusum, Plodia interpunctella, and Ephestia kuehniella revealed concentration-dependent mortality. The highest mortality rates were recorded at 1000 ppm, reaching 100% in T. confusum, 83.33% in P. interpunctella, and 76.67% in both S. granarius and E. kuehniella. These findings demonstrate the potent insecticidal activity of G. officinalis-mediated AgNPs and support their potential as environmentally friendly alternatives for stored-product pest management, warranting further studies on safety, large-scale synthesis, and integration into pest-control programs. Full article

Milk is an essential component of the diet. Among its diverse molecular constituents, it contains nanoscale entities, known as extracellular vesicles (EVs), which play a pivotal role in intercellular communication. In particular, milk-derived EVs (MEVs) influence intestinal homeostasis by mitigating inflammatory responses, modulating gut microbiota composition, and contributing to epithelial integrity preservation and restoration. Currently, there are no information regarding their impact on intestinal connective tissue. Here, we investigate bovine MEV effects on the porcine gut stromal compartment, exposing intestinal decellularized bio-scaffolds repopulated with primary intestinal stromal fibroblasts, to different MEV concentrations (10⁶, 10⁸, and 10¹⁰ particles/mL). We observed a dose-dependent effect of MEVs on stromal fibroblast proliferation rate at concentrations higher than 10⁶ particles/mL. In addition, when MEVs were used to pre-condition the decellularized intestinal bio-scaffolds prior to cell repopulation, fibroblast growth was further boosted. Overall, these findings suggest that MEVs may play a significant role in promoting tissue remodeling and repair. This activity appears particularly relevant for enhancing intestinal homeostasis and resilience, as stromal fibroblasts contribute to the maintenance of gut integrity, barrier function, and immune balance. Moreover, the data here presented suggests the possibility of using MEVs to develop serum-free, chemically defined culture media for the generation of advanced three-dimensional (3D) models and intestinal artificial organs. Full article

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic orthoflavivirus that poses a significant global health threat. It causes severe neuroinflammatory disease in humans and reproductive failure in swine. Because of the broad host range and cell tropism of JEV, identifying animal cell lines resistant to infection has been a persistent challenge. In this study, we demonstrate that Madin–Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells are resistant to JEV infection yet remain fully permissive to viral replication when transfected with viral genomic RNA. Using immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry, we show that MDBK cells, unlike the highly susceptible baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cells used as controls, do not support viral entry but sustain all post-entry stages of the replication cycle. Further investigation confirmed that MDBK cells possess a functional clathrin-mediated endocytic pathway, as evidenced by their susceptibility to bovine viral diarrhea virus, which relies on clathrin-dependent endocytosis for host cell entry. These findings establish MDBK cells as a nonsusceptible cell line for JEV entry despite intact endocytic function, providing a valuable platform for studying virus–host cell interactions and for identifying and validating host cell entry factors, a major challenge in JEV research. Full article

The significance of gut epithelial cell autoantibodies (GECAs), human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles, and other scientifically relevant factors has been largely overlooked, despite their potential importance in the medical management of HIV-infected individuals, in understanding the pathogenesis of AIDS, and in improving epidemiological and diagnostic approaches. This review may be considered as a hypothesis-driven narrative paper mostly considering GECAs and some easily detectable genetic markers. Thus, the aim is to highlight these neglected medical and scientific issues. Addressing them may contribute to a deeper understanding of HIV pathology at both the individual and population levels. Autoantibodies against enterocytes (GECAs) are present in the majority of HIV-positive patients. These intestinal epithelial cells are crucial for nutrient absorption and because of their role as antigen-presenting cells (APCs) within the immune system. Furthermore, the number of CD4-positive lymphocytes depends largely on daily antigenic stimulation rather than on thymic function, which becomes residual or inactive after puberty. The fall of CD4+ lymphocyte counts observed in HIV-infected patients may therefore be exacerbated by enterocyte dysfunction/damage, as indicated by the presence of GECAs. These autoantibodies either cause or reflect damage to these important antigen-presenting cells, which may impair intestinal antigen presentation by their surface HLA proteins to the clonotypic T-cell receptor of lymphocytes. Additionally, the association between specific HLA alleles and a CCR5 variant affects HIV disease progression or transmission and should be considered in both adults and mother–infant pairs. In particular, HLA-B35 and HLA-B57 allelic groups have been implicated in influencing both the transmission and progression of HIV infection. Moreover, several aspects of the natural history of HIV infection remain unresolved and controversial, and these issues warrant urgent clarification. For instance, diagnostic tests are not yet standardised globally, and viral abundance in HIV-infected individuals or AIDS patients’ cells may be relatively low. In summary, the neglected facets of HIV infection demand renewed investigation, particularly now that an HIV diagnosis is no longer the devastating prognosis it once was. The objective of this work is to emphasise additional factors that may influence the course of AIDS, such as enterocyte injury reflected by presence of GECAs. Ultimately, we propose that GECAs may impair enterocytes’ HLA (MHC II)-mediated antigen presentation by enterocytes to CD4+ T lymphocytes (through T-cell receptors), thereby diminishing T-cell proliferation, reducing CD4+ cell numbers, and impairing immune function. Full article

Among existing preference elicitation methods, the trade-off method offers an advantage over others in mitigating the influence of probability weighting on preferences, as it does not require assuming a specific form for the probability weighting function. However, when accounting for the dependence of probability weighting on the choice-set outcome range (CSOR), the conventional trade-off method may lead to improper elicitation of preferences due to its inability to control the CSOR. In order to concurrently circumvent the impacts of the CSOR and probability weighting on preferences in the elicitation procedure, we introduce the Range-Fixed Trade-off Method (RFTM) and provide its full derivation and concrete implementation steps under the framework of rank-dependent utility theory (RDU). The RFTM not only retains the advantages of the conventional trade-off method but also evades the effects of the CSOR on preferences by fixing the CSOR. The results of empirical investigations into the efficacy of RFTM indicate that, compared to the existing trade-off method, utility functions derived from RFTM exhibit a lower degree of risk aversion. This result is compatible with existing experimental observations and conclusions, thus implying that RFTM can effectively elicit individual preferences, thereby preventing or mitigating the bias in preferences arising from CSOR variations in the conventional trade-off approach. Furthermore, the experimental results demonstrate that the probability weighting function remains nonlinear even within a fixed CSOR. This indicates that, under the premise of preferences depending on the CSOR, non-expected utility theories still hold promising development prospects in the future. In summary, RFTM not only provides a more effective and reliable approach for preference elicitation but also makes it feasible to study the impact of changes in the CSOR on preferences, thereby providing methodological support for the future development of CSOR-dependent non-expected utility theories. Full article

Neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) are highly specialized synapses that enable efficient communication between motor neurons and skeletal muscle fibers. Impaired formation or maintenance of NMJs is implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple neuromuscular disorders and contributes to age-related declines in skeletal muscle mass and strength. NMJ functionality is governed by complex regulatory crosstalk among different cells and is mediated by a diverse network of proteins. Moreover, immune cells often reside at NMJs and exhibit phenotypically different characteristics depending on the regenerative state of the muscle. These complex interfaces have posed a significant challenge for elucidating pathogenic mechanisms and developing biomarkers or effective targeted treatments. Many animal models have been developed to address this challenge by characterizing the fundamental structural features of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) and their transmission capacity under both healthy and disease conditions. In contrast, studies of human NMJs remain limited, although emerging evidence is increasingly revealing substantial morphological and functional differences from animal NMJs. This review provides an overview of animal research on NMJs over the past decades, highlighting interspecies differences and key advances in our understanding of human NMJs. Full article

Elder abuse is an increasingly common problem in modern society, in the context of rapid population aging. Despite increasing awareness, this phenomenon remains heavily underreported, and effective interventions are yet to be made, thus leading to significant medical, social, and legal implications. The purpose of this review is to present an updated situation of the depths of elder abuse, presenting its prevalence both at the global and European level, the two main environments in which it is the most common (community and institutional settings), different forms of abuse, risk factors, and consequences for each one of them, as well as medico-legal aspects on the matter. A narrative review was conducted based on PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, in association with data presented in reports from international organizations. The review included only articles published in English, in peer-reviewed journals, addressing elder abuse in adults aged 60 years and older, and those that didn’t respect the criteria were excluded. Elder abuse comes in different forms, most of the time overlapping, with psychological abuse being the most prevalent. Each one of them has its own risk factors and specific consequences, but all of them will eventually lead to increased morbidity, accelerated cognitive impairment, and functional decline. In community settings, the elders usually experience abuse related to dependency on the family and social isolation, while in institutional settings, abuse is frequently associated with understaffing and inadequate care. From a forensic perspective, functional and cognitive decline complicate the proper documentation of the abuse. Thus, the role of the physician in providing legal support to the victim is essential. Elder abuse continues to be heavily overlooked, losing sight of the fact that its consequences extend beyond immediate physical harm, affecting the general physical and mental health of the victims. A possible solution to this problem is envisioned, with the purpose of raising awareness of this situation and contributing to a change in the perspective from which society looks at the elderly. Full article

Oxidative stress from environmental pollutants is linked to chronic degenerative diseases. Research indicates that specific phytochemicals in our diets can reduce and mitigate the harmful effects of pro-oxidant insults on health. However, limited randomized clinical trials show the protective effects of these compounds. This lack of in vivo evidence is partly due to the low bioavailability of these compounds, which can obscure their actual benefits. The present work investigates whether selected dietary phytochemicals are equally effective in activating cellular defense against oxidative stress at low doses. In a previous study, we found that Curcumin (Curc) at a concentration of 1 μM protected human myeloid cells from cytotoxicity induced by pro-oxidant species by activating the expression of Nrf2/ARE-dependent transcripts, including NADPH: quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO-1) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Now, we aim to extend our observation to other natural activators of the Nrf2 pathway, such as Sulforaphane (SFN) and three structurally related molecules belonging to the flavonoid family: Quercetin (Q), Catechin (C), and Fisetin (F). These compounds were applied at low concentrations (1 μM) to assess their antioxidant activity against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress, their effects on cellular viability, and the capacity to drive the expression of NQO-1/HO-1 in various cellular models. Our findings indicate that low-dose phytochemicals differ in their cytoprotective efficacy, which depends on both dosage and intracellular uptake or metabolism. We propose that only specific natural antioxidants can protect cells from oxidative stress, underscoring the need to clarify the mechanisms behind this selectivity to better design nutraceuticals and functional foods. Full article