In recent years, deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) have shown promising performance in medical image analysis, including breast lesion classification in 2D ultrasound (US) images. Despite the outstanding performance of DCNN solutions, explaining their decisions remains an open investigation. Yet, the explainability of DCNN models has become essential for healthcare systems to accept and trust the models. This paper presents a novel framework for explaining DCNN classification decisions of lesions in ultrasound images using the saliency maps linking the DCNN decisions to known cancer characteristics in the medical domain. The proposed framework consists of three main phases. First, DCNN models for classification in ultrasound images are built. Next, selected methods for visualization are applied to obtain saliency maps on the input images of the DCNN models. In the final phase, the visualization outputs and domain-known cancer characteristics are mapped. The paper then demonstrates the use of the framework for breast lesion classification from ultrasound images. We first follow the transfer learning approach and build two DCNN models. We then analyze the visualization outputs of the trained DCNN models using the EGrad-CAM and Ablation-CAM methods. We map the DCNN model decisions of benign and malignant lesions through the visualization outputs to the characteristics such as echogenicity, calcification, shape, and margin. A retrospective dataset of 1298 US images collected from different hospitals is used to evaluate the effectiveness of the framework. The test results show that these characteristics contribute differently to the benign and malignant lesions’ decisions. Our study provides the foundation for other researchers to explain the DCNN classification decisions of other cancer types. Full article

Poppy is a minor agronomic field crop that is cultivated under a UN license. It is known for its alkaloids and seeds, and, rarely, for the latter’s use in ethnomedicine. Changing climate conditions could lead to the need for alternate areas for poppy cultivation in Türkiye. This experiment was conducted in Ankara, which is not a poppy production area. The morphological characteristics and oil characteristics of 19 Turkish poppy genotypes were determined over two years. According to the results, the emergence time was between 10 and 22 days, the flowering time ranged from 197 to 214 days, while the harvest maturation time was between 250 and 269 days. The plant height varied from 75.8 to 97.5 cm, the weight of 1000 seeds ranged from 305.0 to 428.0 mg, and the weight of the seeds per plant was between 2.95 and 5.78 g. Furthermore, the yield ranged from 100.7 to 202.3 kg da⁻¹, the fat content was between 38.8 and 44.1%, and the protein content ranged from 15.9 to 18.4%. The linoleic acid content ranged from 66.77% to 75.60%, the oleic acid content ranged from 10.78% to 19.46%, and the palmitic acid content ranged from 8.38% to 9.90%. The highest yield in Ankara was obtained from the Çelikoğlu cultivar. Full article

Excess adipose tissue, particularly of the visceral type, triggering chronic low-grade inflammation and altering its secretory profile, is a contributing factor to the initiation and progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This study aimed to compare the levels of selected adipokines and cytokines in individuals with normal weight and obesity, assessing their potential for diagnosing MASLD and establishing a cutoff point for body fat content associated with hepatic steatosis development. The research involved 99 participants categorized by body mass index and MASLD presence, undergoing body composition analysis, liver elastography, biochemical tests, and evaluation of adipokines and cytokines in serum. The results indicated elevated IL-6 (interleukin 6) serum levels in individuals with obesity with MASLD compared to the normal-weight group without MASLD. The multivariate regression analysis demonstrated a connection between hepatic steatosis and total adipose tissue content, VAT (visceral adipose tissue), VAT/SAT (subcutaneous adipose tissue) ratio, HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance), IL-6, Il-1β (interleukin 1β), and MMP-2 (matrix metalloproteinase 2). Among the adipokines and cytokines examined in this study, interleukin 6 was the strongest predictor of MASLD regardless of gender. In addition, an association between the development of hepatic steatosis and higher serum IL-1β levels and higher adipose tissue was observed in women. However, further studies on a larger group of patients are needed to consider the use of these cytokines as markers of MASLD. The HOMA-IR index demonstrated potential diagnostic utility in identifying hepatic steatosis. Full article

This research focuses on the key aspects of the basis of women’s entrepreneurship in the particular case of the Ukrainian ecosystem of entrepreneurship. Even in wartime, entrepreneurship is a chance to overcome circumstances, and it should be developed for women and men. A correlation regression analysis and simulation modeling were carried out in order to rank the priorities for the development of types of economic activity of small business entities managed by women, making it possible to substantiate the forecast of the development of women’s entrepreneurship in Ukraine for 2024–2026. The findings show the positive impact of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and the need to continue to strengthen policies that encourage and facilitate female entrepreneurship. This analysis provides three types of development scenarios for women’s entrepreneurship in Ukraine. Full article

The use of active learning activities for evaluation purposes has been reported to improve results in all areas within the education field. In this paper we describe a generic multilevel structure for educational escape rooms, along with a use case where such a design was applied for assessment in a course within the STEM area. Furthermore, a project-based learning activity was also added to complement that assessment. The results obtained expose an increase in both academic performance and success rate, where the percentage rises in both cases go in line to the literature. Additionally, a high level of engagement was measured during those active learning activities, which is reported to lead to better performance and improved learning. Hence, this high engagement seems to be the primary source of the increments experienced. Full article

Background: Olfactory dysfunction is a well-known phenomenon in neurological diseases with anosmia and hyposmia serving as clinical or preclinical indicators of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders. Since glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease of the visual system, it may also entail alterations in olfactory function, warranting investigation into potential sensory interconnections. Methods: A review of the current literature of the last 15 years (from 1 April 2008 to 1 April 2023) was conducted by two different authors searching for topics related to olfaction and glaucoma. Results: three papers met the selection criteria. According to these findings, patients with POAG appear to have worse olfaction than healthy subjects. Furthermore, certain predisposing conditions to glaucoma, such as pseudoexfoliation syndrome and primary vascular dysregulation, could possibly induce olfactory changes that can be measured with the Sniffin Stick test. Conclusions: the scientific literature on this topic is very limited, and the pathogenesis of olfactory changes in glaucoma is not clear. However, if the results of these studies are confirmed by further research, olfactory testing may be a non-invasive tool to assist clinicians in the early diagnosis of glaucoma. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation in dairy cows with two Se forms (organic and inorganic) and I at the maximum levels permitted in the European Union, with the aim to obtain naturally enriched milk and derived products. A total of 20 Holstein Friesian cows in lactation were fed 2 diets for 64 days: a control diet with a supply of 0.57 mg of inorganic Se and 0.57 mg of I per kg of ration in dry matter (DM), and an experimental diet (SeI) with a supply of 0.34 mg of inorganic Se, 0.23 mg of organic Se, and 5.68 mg of I per kg of ration in DM. The SeI diet did not modify the performance or, in general, the metabolic profile of cows. Se and I levels in milk were affected by diet type and time of measurement (p < 0.01). Thus, a marked increase of both microminerals was evident between the beginning and the end of the test, when the SeI diet was administered. For Se, this increase ranged from 1.95 to 3.29 μg/100 g of milk; and for I, from 19.69 to 110.06 μg/100 g of milk. The SeI diet increased (p < 0.01) the Se and I content in the cheese, reaching levels of 16.4 μg/100 g for Se and 269.7 μg/100 g for I. An increase in I was observed in yogurt from the SeI diet (p < 0.001). The supplementation of two forms of Se and I in the cows’ ration, at the levels evaluated, produced milk and dairy products enriched in these microelements without altering their quality parameters. However, a responsible intake of these products is necessary to avoid risks of deficiencies or excesses that could negatively affect the health of consumers. Full article

The objectives of this study were to design, investigate, and compare different designs of coupling circuits for textronic RFID transponders, particularly focusing on magnetic coupling between an antenna and a chip. The configuration of the inductively coupled antenna module and the microelectronic module housing the chip can be varied in several ways. This article explores various geometries of coupling circuits and assesses the effects of altering their dimensions on mutual inductance, chip voltage, and the transponder’s read range. The investigation comprised an analytical description of inductive coupling, calculations of mutual inductance and chip voltage based on simulation models of transponders, and laboratory measurements of the read range for selected configurations. The results obtained from this study demonstrate that various designs of textile transponders are capable of achieving satisfactory read ranges, with some configurations extending beyond 10 m. This significant range provides clothing designers with the flexibility to select transponder designs that best meet their specific aesthetic and functional requirements. Full article

Although improving racial equity in critical college courses such as introductory statistics is a laudable goal, making research-based progress toward that aim in a scalable manner remains a challenge. To translate psychological insights to benefit racially marginalized students, we implemented the “Better Book” approach, where instructors, researchers, and developers work together to improve an online textbook used in introductory statistics. The “Better Book” approach to equity assumes that racially marginalized students are a “canary in the coal mine”, alerting us to systemic issues that can affect a broader array of students. We started by finding places in the textbook where racially marginalized students reported higher perceptions of costs (the effort and time required to learn the content) than non-marginalized students. Then we drew upon suggestions from users to redesign the textbook where gaps in cost perceptions peaked. We then analyzed data from both the original and redesigned versions of the textbook to evaluate the impact on students who were subsequently enrolled in the course. Results showed that perceptions of cost were dramatically reduced in the experience of racially marginalized students but also the redesign resulted in an improved experience for all students. Full article

The flexible mode of operation of coal-fired units can accommodate large-scale renewable power integration into the grid, providing more grid capacity. The flexibility transformation of coal-fired units in thermal power plants can be achieved through main steam extraction and reheated steam extraction. A 300 MW subcritical unit, 600 MW subcritical unit and 660 MW ultra-supercritical unit with six flexible operation modes were chosen as the research model to investigate the thermal adaptability for flexible operation. The results show that from the perspective of the source of steam extraction, the main steam extraction scheme is suitable for the flexible adjustment of peak load capacity, and the reheated extraction scheme is suitable for the flexible operation of low load and high thermal efficiency. Moreover, from the perspective of thermal performance adaptability, the 600 MW unit has a wider load regulation capacity than the 300 MW and 660 MW units, and is suitable as the peak shaving unit. This work can provide theoretical guidance for different types of coal-fired units in choosing flexible operation schemes. Full article

Cholera is highly endemic in many sub-Saharan African countries. The bacterium Vibrio cholerae is responsible for this severe dehydrating diarrheal disease that accounts for over 100,000 deaths each year globally. In recent years, the pathogen has been found to invade intestinal layers and translocate into the bloodstream of humans. The non-toxigenic strains of V. cholerae (non-O1/O139), also known as NOVC, which do not cause epidemic or pandemic cases of cholera, are the major culprits of V. cholerae bacteremia. In non-cholera-endemic regions, clinical reports on NOVC infection have been noted over the past few decades, particularly in Europe and America. Although low–middle-income countries are most susceptible to cholera infections because of challenges with access to clean water and inappropriate sanitation issues, just a few cases of V. cholerae bloodstream infections have been reported. The lack of evidence-based research and surveillance of V. cholerae bacteremia in Africa may have significant clinical implications. This commentary summarizes the existing knowledge on the host risk factors, pathogenesis, and diagnostics of NOVC bacteremia. Full article

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) has emerged as a pivotal technology in the battle against climate change and fosters circular economies. Operating within a unique reaction environment characterized by water as a solvent and moderate temperatures at self-generated pressures, HTC efficiently converts biomass residues into valuable bio-based products. Despite HTC’s potential—from the management of challenging biomass wastes to the synthesis of advanced carbons and the implementation of biorefineries—it encounters hurdles transitioning from academic exploration to industrial implementation. Gaps persist, from a general comprehension of reaction intricacies to the difficulty of large-scale integration with wastewater treatments, to the management of process water, to the absence of standardized assessment techniques for HTC products. Addressing these challenges demands collaboration to bridge the many scientific sectors touched by HTC. Thus, this article reviews the current state of some hot topics considered crucial for HTC development: It emphasizes the role of HTC as a cornerstone for waste management and biorefineries, highlighting potentialities and challenges for its development. In particular, it surveys fundamental research aspects, delving into reaction pathways, predictive models, analytical techniques, and HTC modifications while exploring HTC’s crucial technological applications and challenges, with a peculiar focus on combined HTC, wastewater integration, and plant energy efficiency. Full article

Patients with inflammatory arthropathies exhibit an increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk as compared to the general population, which is not fully quantified by the conventional CVD risk scores. Biotechnological disease-modifying drugs (bDMARDs) have proved beneficial to reduce the overall CVD risk in these patients, although CVD remains a major cause of increased mortality. Since it has been shown that pulse wave parameters and in particular carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) are predictors of CVD risk, the aim of this study was to evaluate their changes in patients with inflammatory arthropathies before and after bDMARD therapy. Methods: Pulse wave parameters were evaluated with applanation tonometry in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), before and after two years of bDMARD therapy. Results: At baseline, cfPWV was significantly associated with age (p < 0.001) and, among pulse wave parameters, the subendocardial viability ratio was negatively associated with C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.04) and the HAQ-disability index (p = 0.03). At baseline, PsA patients showed a higher percentage of male subjects, higher CRP, and the highest cfPWV values (p = 0.048). After two years, pulse wave parameters improved in the AS and RA groups, but not in the PsA group. Conclusions: Our data confirm that pulse wave parameters are potentially reversible after bDMARD therapy, as they improved in AS and RA patients. In PsA patients, there were no changes, which may be due to the higher percentage of male subjects and higher baseline cfPWV values. Full article

Once-weekly semaglutide is a widely used glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D). In clinical trials, semaglutide improved glycemic control and obesity, and reduced major cardiovascular events. However, the reports are limited on its real-world efficacy relating to various metabolic factors such as dyslipidemia or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in Asian patients with T2D. In our retrospective longitudinal study, we selected patients with T2D who were given once-weekly semaglutide and compared metabolic parameters before and after the start of semaglutide. Seventy-five patients were eligible. HbA1c decreased significantly, by 0.7–0.9%, and body weight by 1.4–1.7 kg during the semaglutide treatment. Non-HDL cholesterol decreased significantly at 3, 6 and 12 months after the initiation of semaglutide; LDL cholesterol decreased at 3 and 6 months; and HDL cholesterol increased at 12 months. The effects on body weight, HbA1c and lipid profile were pronounced in patients who were given semaglutide as a first GLP-1RA (GLP-1R naïve), whereas improvements in HbA1c were also observed in patients who were given semaglutide after being switched from other GLP-1RAs. During a 12-month semaglutide treatment, the hepatic steatosis index (HSI) tended to decrease. Moreover, a significant decrease in the AST-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) was observed in GLP-1RA naïve patients. Our real-world study confirmed the beneficial effects of once-weekly semaglutide, namely, improved body weight, glycemic control and atherogenic lipid profile. The beneficial effects on MASLD were also suggested. Full article

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a disease characterised by diffuse nonspecific alveolar inflammation with interstitial fibrosis, which clinically manifests as dyspnoea and a significant decline in lung function. Many studies have shown that the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. Based on our previous findings, hypericin (Hyp) can effectively inhibit the process of the EMT to attenuate lung fibrosis. Therefore, a series of hyperoside derivatives were synthesised via modifying the structure of hyperoside, and subsequently evaluated for A549 cytotoxicity. Among these, the pre-screening of eight derivatives inhibits the EMT. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of Z6, the most promising hyperoside derivative, in reversing TGF-β1-induced EMTs and inhibiting the EMT-associated migration of A549 cells. After the treatment of A549 cells with Z6 for 48 h, RT-qPCR and Western blot results showed that Z6 inhibited TGF-β1-induced EMTs in epithelial cells by supressing morphological changes in A549 cells, up-regulating E-cadherin (p < 0.01, p < 0.001), and down-regulating Vimentin (p < 0.01, p < 0.001). This treatment significantly reduced the mobility of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)-stimulated cells (p < 0.001) as assessed by wound closure, while increasing the adhesion rate of A549 cells (p < 0.001). In conclusion, our results suggest that hyperoside derivatives, especially compound Z6, are promising as potential lead compounds for treating pulmonary fibrosis, and therefore deserve further investigation. Full article

Surveillance of avian influenza virus (AIV) was conducted in the 2021–2022 winter season at a wintering site of migratory Anatidae in Japan. An H5N8 subtype high pathogenicity AIV (HPAIV) with a unique gene constellation and four low pathogenicity AIVs (LPAIVs) were isolated from environmental samples. The genetic origin of the HPAIV (NK1201) was determined with whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Six of NK1201’s eight genes were closely related to HA clade 2.3.4.4b H5N8 subtype HPAIVs, belonging to the G2a group, which was responsible for outbreaks in poultry farms in November 2021 in Japan. However, the remaining two genes, PB1 and NP, most closely matched those of the LPAIVs H7N7 and H1N8, which were isolated at the same place in the same 2021–2022 winter. No virus of the NK1201 genotype had been detected prior to the 2021–2022 winter, indicating that it emerged via genetic reassortment among HPAIV and LPAIVs, which were prevalent at the same wintering site. In addition, experimental infection in chickens indicated that NK1201 had slightly different infectivity compared to the reported infectivity of the representative G2a group H5N8 HPAIV, suggesting that the PB1 and NP genes derived from LPAIVs might have affected the pathogenicity of the virus in chickens. Our results directly demonstrate the emergence of a novel genotype of H5N8 HPAIV through gene reassortment at a wintering site. Analyses of AIVs at wintering sites can help to identify the emergence of novel HPAIVs, which pose risks to poultry, livestock, and humans. Full article

Prostate cancer, a prevalent malignancy affecting the prostate gland, is a significant global health concern. Androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) has proven effective in controlling advanced disease, with over 50% of patients surviving at the 10-year mark. However, a diverse spectrum of responses exists, and resistance to ADT may emerge over time. This underscores the need to explore innovative treatment strategies for effectively managing prostate cancer progression. Ongoing research endeavors persist in unraveling the complexity of prostate cancer and fostering the development of biologic and innovative approaches, including immunotherapies and targeted therapies. This review aims to provide a valuable synthesis of the dynamic landscape of emerging drug modalities in this context. Interestingly, the complexities posed by prostate cancer not only present a formidable challenge but also serve as a model and an opportunity for translational research and innovative therapies in the field of oncology. Full article

Molecular biomarkers are central to personalised medicine for human cancer patients. It is gaining traction as part of standard veterinary clinical practice for dogs and cats with cancer. Molecular biomarkers can be somatic or germline genomic alterations and can be ascertained from tissues or body fluids using various techniques. This review discusses how these genomic alterations can be determined and the findings used in clinical settings as diagnostic, prognostic, predictive, and screening biomarkers. We showcase the somatic and germline genomic alterations currently available to date for testing dogs and cats in a clinical setting, discussing their utility in each biomarker class. We also look at some emerging molecular biomarkers that are promising for clinical use. Finally, we discuss the hurdles that need to be overcome in going ‘bench to bedside’, i.e., the translation from discovery of genomic alterations to adoption by veterinary clinicians. As we understand more of the genomics underlying canine and feline tumours, molecular biomarkers will undoubtedly become a mainstay in delivering precision veterinary care to dogs and cats with cancer. Full article

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents significant challenges in diagnosis, staging, and appropriate treatment. Furthermore, patients with PDAC often experience complex symptomatology and psychosocial implications that require multi-disciplinary and inter-professional supportive care management from health professionals. Despite these hurdles, the implementation of inter-professional clinic approaches showed promise in enhancing clinical outcomes. To assess the effectiveness of such an approach, we examined the impact of the Wallace McCain Centre for Pancreatic Cancer (WMCPC), an inter-professional clinic for patients with PDAC at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (PM). Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all patients diagnosed with PDAC who were seen at the PM before (July 2012–June 2014) and after (July 2014–June 2016) the establishment of the WMCPC. Standard therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy remained consistent across both time periods. The cohorts were compared in terms of survival rates, disease stage, referral patterns, time to treatment, symptoms, and the proportion of patients assessed and supported by nursing and allied health professionals. Results: A total of 993 patients were included in the review, comprising 482 patients pre-WMCPC and 511 patients post-WMCPC. In the multivariate analysis, adjusting for ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) and stage, it was found that post-WMCPC patients experienced longer median overall survival (mOS, HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.72–0.98, p = 0.023). Furthermore, the time from referral to initial consultation date decreased significantly from 13.4 to 8.8 days in the post-WMCPC cohort (p < 0.001), along with a reduction in the time from the first clinic appointment to biopsy (14 vs. 8 days, p = 0.022). Additionally, patient-reported well-being scores showed improvement in the post-WMCPC cohort (p = 0.02), and these patients were more frequently attended to by nursing and allied health professionals (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The implementation of an inter-professional clinic for patients diagnosed with PDAC led to improvements in overall survival, patient-reported well-being, time to initial assessment visit and pathological diagnosis, and symptom management. These findings advocate for the adoption of an inter-professional clinic model in the treatment of patients with PDAC. Full article

This study investigates the impact of small water bodies on outdoor temperatures in their vicinity, using a campus located in the subtropical region of Taichung City, Taiwan, as the research subject. By employing on-site measurements and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, we examined their temporal and spatial influence, as well as comparisons between actual measurements and software predictions. Key findings include the following: (1) Small water bodies exhibit discernible temperature-regulating effects on their surrounding areas. While the influence diminishes with distance, this attenuation is not stark, and is potentially constrained by the water body’s patch size. (2) Regulatory effects vary between day and night. In summer, temperature reductions of up to 3.5 °C (simulated) and 3.2 °C (measured) were observed. Conversely, in winter, daytime temperatures around water bodies may rise by up to 3.9 °C. (3) Discrepancies between CFD simulations and actual measurements, influenced by fluctuations in Global Horizontal Irradiation (GHI), range from +2.5 °C to −1.8 °C. During high GHI periods, measured values surpass simulations, whereas during low or zero GHI conditions, simulations exceed measurements. Moreover, high regression analysis R2 values validate the feasibility of CFD simulations for predicting water body-induced temperature changes. Insights from this study offer valuable guidance for urban planners and policymakers seeking sustainable urban climate management strategies. Full article

Acacia melanoxylon is highly valued for its commercial applications, with the heartwood exhibiting a range of colors from dark to light among its various clones. The underlying mechanisms contributing to this color variation, however, have not been fully elucidated. In an effort to understand the factors that influence the development of dark heartwood, a comparative analysis was conducted on the microstructure, substance composition, differential gene expression, and metabolite profiles in the sapwood (SW), transition zone (TZ), and heartwood (HW) of two distinct clones, SR14 and SR25. A microscopic examination revealed that heartwood color variations are associated with an increased substance content within the ray parenchyma cells. A substance analysis indicated that the levels of starches, sugars, and lignin were more abundant in SP compared to HW, while the concentrations of phenols, flavonoids, and terpenoids were found to be higher in HW than in SP. Notably, the dark heartwood of the SR25 clone exhibited greater quantities of phenols and flavonoids compared to the SR14 clone, suggesting that these compounds are pivotal to the color distinction of the heartwood. An integrated analysis of transcriptome and metabolomics data uncovered a significant accumulation of sinapyl alcohol, sinapoyl aldehyde, hesperetin, 2′, 3, 4, 4′, 6′-peptahydroxychalcone 4′-O-glucoside, homoeriodictyol, and (2S)-liquiritigenin in the heartwood of SR25, which correlates with the up-regulated expression of CCRs (evm.TU.Chr3.1751, evm.TU.Chr4.654_667, evm.TU.Chr4.675, evm.TU.Chr4.699, and evm.TU.Chr4.704), COMTs (evm.TU.Chr13.3082, evm.TU.Chr13.3086, and evm.TU.Chr7.1411), CADs (evm.TU.Chr10.2175, evm.TU.Chr1.3453, and evm.TU.Chr8.1600), and HCTs (evm.TU.Chr4.1122, evm.TU.Chr4.1123, evm.TU.Chr8.1758, and evm.TU.Chr9.2960) in the TZ of A. melanoxylon. Furthermore, a marked differential expression of transcription factors (TFs), including MYBs, AP2/ERFs, bHLHs, bZIPs, C2H2s, and WRKYs, were observed to be closely linked to the phenols and flavonoids metabolites, highlighting the potential role of multiple TFs in regulating the biosynthesis of these metabolites and, consequently, influencing the color variation in the heartwood. This study facilitates molecular breeding for the accumulation of metabolites influencing the heartwood color in A. melanoxylon, and offers new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying heartwood formation in woody plants. Full article

This study aims to address the issue of redundancy and interference in data-collection systems by proposing a novel feature-selection method based on maximum information coefficient (MIC) and graph symmetry structure in complex-network theory. The method involves establishing a weighted feature network, identifying key features using dominance set and node strength, and employing the binary particle-swarm algorithm and LS-SVM algorithm for solving and validation. The model is implemented on the UNSW-NB15 and UCI datasets, demonstrating noteworthy results. In comparison to the prediction methods within the datasets, the model’s running speed is significantly reduced, decreasing from 29.8 s to 6.3 s. Furthermore, when benchmarked against state-of-the-art feature-selection algorithms, the model achieves an impressive average accuracy of 90.3%, with an average time consumption of 6.3 s. These outcomes highlight the model’s superiority in terms of both efficiency and accuracy. Full article