For a (molecular) graph $G$ and any real number $α\ne 0$ , the zero-order general Randić index , denote by $^0R_α$, is defined by the following equation: \begin{align*} {^0R_α} (G) =\sum_{v\in G}d_G (v) ^α (α\in \mathbb{R}-\left\{0\right\}) . \end{align*} In this paper, we use this index to give sufficient conditions for a graph $G$ to satisfy the Hamiltonian (or $k$-Hamiltonian) property, and show that none of these conditions can be dropped. Finally we give similar results for the case when $G$ is a balanced bipartite graph.
Abstract Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM) has revolutionized structural biology by enabling atomic-resolution visualization of biomacromolecules. To automate atomic model building from cryoEM maps, artificial intelligence (AI) methods have emerged as powerful tools. Although high-quality, task-specific datasets play a critical role in AI-based modeling, assembling such resources often requires considerable effort and domain expertise. We present CryoDataBot, an automated pipeline that addresses this gap. It streamlines data retrieval, preprocessing, and labeling, with fine-grained quality control and flexible customization, enabling efficient generation of robust datasets. CryoDataBot’s effectiveness is demonstrated through improved training efficiency in U-Net models and rapid, effective retraining of CryoREAD, a widely used RNA modeling tool. By simplifying the workflow and offering customizable quality control, CryoDataBot enables researchers to easily tailor dataset construction to the specific objectives of their models, while ensuring high data quality and reducing manual workload. This flexibility supports a wide range of applications in AI-driven structural biology.
Polygonatum hunanense H.H. Liu & B.Z. Wang (syn. P. kingianum var. grandifolium), is a perennial Liliaceae species with ethnopharmaceutical and nutraceutical value. It exhibits traditional medicinal properties such as qi-tonifying, yin-nourishing, kidney-benefiting, and antioxidant activities. P. hunanense maintains evergreen foliage year-round and shows significantly higher biomass accumulation than congener taxa. These traits are linked to phytohormone regulation, as indicated by previous studies. The absence of validated reference genes in P. hunanense has hindered molecular-level investigations in this species to date. In this study, 11 candidate reference genes (GAPDH, H2A, EF-1α, ACT, TUA, UBC, RPL, PP2A, 18S, TUB, and UBQ) were identified from the P. hunanense transcriptome dataset. Expression profiles of these genes were analyzed by qRT-PCR across three experimental conditions: different tissues, hormone treatments, and abiotic stresses. Gene expression stability was analyzed using GeNorm, NormFinder, Delta Cᴛ, BestKeeper, and RefFinder software. The stability of candidate reference genes was validated through expression analysis of target genes (KO, KAM, GA13-ox, GA44-dio, ALDH7A1, IPM) involved in phytohormone metabolic pathways. Overall, the stability of the 11 candidate reference genes varied among different P. hunanense samples. EF-1α, 18S and ACT were identified as the most stable in tissue samples. EF-1α, H2A and PP2A showed the highest stability under hormone treatments, and 18S, UBC, and EF-1α exhibited consistent stability in abiotic stresses. This study establishes EF-1α as the optimal pan-experimental reference gene for qRT-PCR normalization in P. hunanense, demonstrating consistent expression stability across diverse tissues, hormone treatments, and abiotic stresses, thereby providing a significant reference for future gene expression studies.
Artificial intelligence (AI), propelled by advancements in machine learning, has made significant strides in solving complex tasks. However, the current neural network-based paradigm, while effective, is heavily constrained by inherent limitations, primarily a lack of structural organization and a progression of learning that displays undesirable properties. As AI research progresses without a unifying framework, it either tries to patch weaknesses heuristically or draws loosely from biological mechanisms without strong theoretical foundations. Meanwhile, the recent paradigm shift in evolutionary understanding -- driven primarily by evolutionary developmental biology (EDB) -- has been largely overlooked in AI literature, despite a striking analogy between the Modern Synthesis and contemporary machine learning, evident in their shared assumptions, approaches, and limitations upon careful analysis. Consequently, the principles of adaptation from EDB that reshaped our understanding of the evolutionary process can also form the foundation of a unifying conceptual framework for the next design philosophy in AI, going beyond mere inspiration and grounded firmly in biology's first principles. This article provides a detailed overview of the analogy between the Modern Synthesis and modern machine learning, and outlines the core principles of a new AI design paradigm based on insights from EDB. To exemplify our analysis, we also present two learning system designs grounded in specific developmental principles -- regulatory connections, somatic variation and selection, and weak linkage -- that resolve multiple major limitations of contemporary machine learning in an organic manner, while also providing deeper insights into the role of these mechanisms in biological evolution.
Massimiliano Ciribè, Erika Cirillo, Martina Mammone
et al.
Fixed appliance (FA) therapy predisposes patients to white spot lesions (WSLs). The F-ACP complex (amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticles enriched with carbonate and fluorine and coated with citrate) has been effective for in vitro enamel remineralization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the F-ACP complex in remineralizing WSLs after FA therapy. One hundred and six adolescents (aged 12–20 years) were randomized into study and control groups after FA therapy. Patients in the study group were advised to use dental mousse containing F-ACP applied within Essix retainers for six months. The presence of WSLs was recorded at baseline (T0), 3 months (T1), and 6 months (T2) according to the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). Visual Plaque Index (VPI) and Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI) were recorded. Among 106 study participants, 91 (52 and 39 in study and control groups, respectively) completed the study. The results showed that the ICDAS score was significantly lower (<i>p</i> < 0.001) in the study group than in the control group between T0 and T2. The application of mousse containing the F-ACP complex inside Essix retainers for six months is effective in remineralizing white spot lesions in patients after FA therapy without side effects.
Abstract Background The intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes is an attractive vector for cancer immunotherapy as it can effectively deliver tumor antigens to antigen-presenting cells, leading to a robust antitumor response. Results In this study, we developed a novel vaccine platform called Listeria-based Live Attenuated Double Substitution (LADS), which involves introducing two amino acid substitutions (N478AV479A) into the virulence factor listeriolysin O (LLO). LADS is a safe vaccine platform, with an attenuation of nearly 7000-fold, while retaining complete immunogenicity due to the absence of deletion of any virulence factors. We developed two LADS-based vaccines, LADS-E7 and LADS-AH1, which deliver the human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 E7 oncoprotein and murine colon carcinoma immunodominant antigen AH1, respectively. Treatment with LADS-E7 or LADS-AH1 significantly inhibited and regressed established tumors, while also dramatically increasing the populations of tumor-infiltrated antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. RNA-sequencing analysis of tumor tissue samples revealed that LADS-E7 altered the expression of genes related to the immune response. Moreover, intratumoral injection of LADS-based vaccines induced strong antitumor responses, generating systemic antitumor responses to control distant tumor growth. Encouragingly, LADS-E7 or LADS-AH1 immunization effectively prevented tumor formation and growth. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that LADS-based vaccines represent a more powerful platform for the development of immunotherapeutic and preventive vaccines against cancers and infectious diseases.
We prove a number of results relating the concepts of Keisler measures, generic stability, randomizations, and NIP formulas. Among other things, we do the following: (1) We introduce the notion of a Keisler-Morley measure, which plays the role of a Morley sequence for a Keisler measure. We prove that if $μ$ is fim over $M$, then for any Keisler-Morley measure $λ$ in $μ$ over $M$ and any formula $\varphi(x,b)$, $\lim_{i \to \infty} λ(\varphi(x_i,b)) = μ(\varphi(x,b))$. We also show that any measure satisfying this conclusion must be fam. (2) We study the map, defined by Ben Yaacov, taking a definable measure $μ$ to a type $r_μ$ in the randomization. We prove that this map commutes with Morley products, and that if $μ$ is fim then $r_μ$ is generically stable. (3) We characterize when generically stable types are closed under Morley products by means of a variation of ict-patterns. Moreover, we show that NTP$_2$ theories satisfy this property. (4) We prove that if a local measure admits a suitably tame global extension, then it has finite packing numbers with respect to any definable family. We also characterize NIP formulas via the existence of tame extensions for local measures.
Markéta Swiacká, Daniel J. Ingram, Torsten Bohm
et al.
Abstract Habitat loss and overexploitation are the most severe threats to wild animals in Central Africa. One mammalian group under pressure from hunting is the Pholidota (pangolins), with three species of pangolin inhabiting the region. While local uses of pangolins have been investigated in several Central African countries, data originating from the Republic of the Congo are lacking. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a semistructured questionnaire survey in 65 rural communities around the Odzala‐Kokoua National Park. Our research focused on collecting baseline information on local knowledge of species ecology, and perceived economic values and uses of pangolins in local communities. We identified significant differences in our data corresponding to respondents' sociocultural and demographic profiles in the surveyed villages. Recognition of pangolins was high (98.2%), we recorded 22 traditional medicinal or cultural uses of pangolins by respondents, and the taste of pangolin meat was ranked highly (71.3%). Respondents based along the northern boundary of the park were more familiar with pangolins and the market value of their meat and scales, which could be due to better quality roads in the area and proximity to Cameroon. We then provide guidelines for further research to better understand the dynamics of local use, needed for conservation policy and actions.
Ecology, General. Including nature conservation, geographical distribution
The construction of high dams results in changes to the ecohydrology processes of river reaches both upstream and downstream of the dam, in addition to causing stratification of reservoir waters. Changes in these hydrodynamic processes then lead to changes in the habitats and nutrients of the waters that are important for basal food chain organisms, consequently affecting bacterial diversity. Here, the Xiangjiaba Hydropower Station (XJB) was used to investigate the above influences on microbial communities. Here, bacterial community structures were examined in 15 samples from upstream of the XJB (UD section) and 15 samples downstream of the XJB (DD section) using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The bacterial community structures significantly differed between the surface water and 70 m of bottom water. Cyanobacteria was the dominant phylum in these communities and exhibited significantly higher abundances in the surface water. VPA (variance partitioning analysis) suggested that bacterial communities were influenced by and structured due to the combined effects of nutrient, hydrological, and environmental factors in addition to reservoir mixing dynamics. The abundance of Armatimonas, Roseomonas, Limonhabitans, and Flavobacterium were positively correlated with pH, flow velocity, and dissolved oxygen (DO). Total phosphorus (TP) was negatively correlated with the abundance of Acinetobacter, Roseomonas, Armatimonas. Burkholderia, Gemmatimonas, Nitrospira, hgcl.clade, and marine. group, all of which were highly sensitive to changes in water temperature. The results of this study can be used to understand the responses of bacterial communities to physicochemical conditions and water quality changes associated with reservoirs in order to provide a scientific basis for the protection of aquatic ecosystem stability.
The aims of this study were to propose a minimally invasive lateral approach technique for maxillary sinus floor elevation (MSFE) with simultaneous implant placement and to evaluate the surgical outcome and complications of this technique. This study reviewed 49 surgeries of MSFE with simultaneous implant placement (<i>n</i> = 83) using a minimally invasive lateral approach. A circular shape window with a diameter of 5 to 6 mm and an area of 20–30 mm<sup>2</sup> was made on the lateral wall of the maxillary sinus. After elevation of the Schneiderian membrane, the xenograft was used for bone grafting. The MSFE was possible with a minimum-sized window in 47 of 49 cases. For the remaining 2 cases, MSFE with a minimum-sized window was failed. In one case, it was expanded to be more than 30 mm<sup>2</sup> to repair the membrane perforation. In another case, MSFE was performed by forming two minimum-sized windows. Post-operative bleeding after MSFE occurred in one anticoagulant-treated patient. There was no failed implant during the follow-up period (mean 22 months). A minimally invasive lateral approach through a small circular window with a diameter of 5 to 6 mm is a feasible and safe technique for MSFE with simultaneous implant placement.
The following defines intent, an arbitrary task and its solutions, and then argues that an agent which always constructs what is called an Intensional Solution would qualify as artificial general intelligence. We then explain how natural language may emerge and be acquired by such an agent, conferring the ability to model the intent of other individuals labouring under similar compulsions, because an abstract symbol system and the solution to a task are one and the same.
Out of millions of ejaculated sperm, a few reach the fertilization site in mammals. Flagellar Ca2+ signaling nanodomains, organized by multi-subunit CatSper calcium channel complexes, are pivotal for sperm migration in the female tract, implicating CatSper-dependent mechanisms in sperm selection. Here using biochemical and pharmacological studies, we demonstrate that CatSper1 is an O-linked glycosylated protein, undergoing capacitation-induced processing dependent on Ca2+ and phosphorylation cascades. CatSper1 processing correlates with protein tyrosine phosphorylation (pY) development in sperm cells capacitated in vitro and in vivo. Using 3D in situ molecular imaging and ANN-based automatic detection of sperm distributed along the cleared female tract, we demonstrate that spermatozoa past the utero-tubal junction possess the intact CatSper1 signals. Together, we reveal that fertilizing mouse spermatozoa in situ are characterized by intact CatSper channel, lack of pY, and reacted acrosomes. These findings provide molecular insight into sperm selection for successful fertilization in the female reproductive tract.
Enteroviruses (EVs) are positive-sense RNA viruses, with over 50,000 nucleotide sequences publicly available. While most human infections are typically associated with mild respiratory symptoms, several different EV types have also been associated with severe human disease, especially acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), particularly with endemic members of the EV-B species and two pandemic types—EV-A71 and EV-D68—that appear to be responsible for recent widespread outbreaks. Here we review the recent literature on the prevalence, characteristics, and circulation dynamics of different enterovirus types and combine this with an analysis of the sequence coverage of different EV types in public databases (e.g., the Virus Pathogen Resource). This evaluation reveals temporal and geographic differences in EV circulation and sequence distribution, highlighting recent EV outbreaks and revealing gaps in sequence coverage. Phylogenetic analysis of the EV genus shows the relatedness of different EV types. Recombination analysis of the EV-A species provides evidence for recombination as a mechanism of genomic diversification. The absence of broadly protective vaccines and effective antivirals makes human enteroviruses important pathogens of public health concern.