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Neural oscillation as a selective modulatory mechanism on decision confidence, speed and accuracy
Full text linkNeural oscillations have been associated with decision-making processes, but their underlying network mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigates how neural oscillations influence decision network models of competing cortical columns with varying intrinsic and emergent timescales. Our findings reveal that decision networks with faster excitatory than inhibitory synapses are more susceptible to oscillatory modulations. Higher in-phase oscillation amplitude reduces decision confidence without affecting accuracy, while decision speed increases. In contrast, anti-phase modulation increases decision accuracy, confidence and speed. Increasing oscillation frequency reverses these effects. Changing oscillatory phase difference gradually modulates decision behaviour, with decision confidence affected nonlinearly. Moreover, neural resonance can further enhance modulatory susceptibility for network with faster excitatory than inhibitory synapses. These effects decouple decision accuracy, speed and confidence, challenging standard speed-accuracy trade-off. These phenomena can be explained by excitatory neural populations contributing more to in-phase modulation, while inhibitory neural populations to anti-phase modulation. State-space trajectories' momentum swinging with respect to network steady states and decision uncertainty manifold further provide insights into the neural circuit mechanisms. Our work provides mechanistic insights into how neurobiological diversity shapes decision-making processes in the presence of ubiquitous neural oscillations. Significance Statement Neural oscillations shape how the brain balances decision speed, accuracy, and confidence. Here, we show that tuning oscillatory amplitude, frequency, or phase can selectively alter these decision measures. In some cases, these modulations even break the usual trade-off between speed and accuracy, revealing a more flexible decision-making mechanism than previously assumed. Our findings highlight how synaptic time scales and rhythmic brain activity can give rise to distinct patterns of decision performance. This insight may guide new strategies for improving decisional processes in both healthy populations and clinical conditions. </p
Combating Health Misinformation with Fusion-Based Credible Retrieval Techniques
Full text linkThis study aims to combat health misinformation by enhancing the retrieval of credible health information using effective fusion-based techniques. It focuses on clustering-based subset selection to improve data fusion performance.Five clustering methods — two K-means variants, Agglomerative Hierarchical (AH) clustering, BIRCH, and Chameleon — are evaluated for selecting optimal subsets of information retrieval systems. Experiments are conducted on two health-related datasets from the TREC challenge. The selected subsets are used in data fusion to boost retrieval quality and credibility. AH and BIRCH outperform other methods in identifying effective IR subsets. Using AH-based fusion of up to 20 systems results in a 60% gain in MAP and over a 30% increase in NDCG_UCC, a credibility-focused metric, compared to the best single system.Clustering-based fusion strategies significantly enhance the retrieval of trustworthy health content, helping to reduce misinformation. These findings support incorporating advanced data fusion into health information retrieval systems to improve access to reliable information. The source code of this research is publicly available at https://github.com/Gary752752/DataFusion
A bench-scale assessment of enhanced coagulation-filtration for greywater in decentralized system
Full text linkThis study evaluates the effectiveness of an enhanced coagulation-filtration (CF) process with post-filtration for treating bathroom greywater (BGW) for non-potable reuse applications. A bench-scale experiment assessed two cost-effective inorganic coagulants, ferric chloride (FeCl₃) and hydrated lime (Ca(OH)₂), as well as their combination, using synthetic bathroom greywater (SBGW) to determine optimal treatment conditions. The CF process, with an optimal combined concentration of FeCl₃ at 250 mgL-1 and Ca(OH)₂ at 148 mgL-1 achieved an ideal zeta potential range of -5 mV to 5 mV for SBGW, resulting in superior impurities removal. Jar tests under varying conditions (mixing speed, contact time, and sedimentation) confirmed these findings, and optimized conditions were validated with real bathroom greywater (RBGW) samples, exhibiting slight variations due to BGW quality differences. The FeCl₃ dosage was adjusted (220-250 mgL-1), while the Ca(OH)2 dose was kept constant (148 mgL-1) for all RBGWs. The tested enhanced CF process demonstrated high removal efficiencies for turbidity (99±0.5%), chemical oxygen demand (COD) (96±3.4%), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) (98±1.3%), and anionic detergents (99±0.5%) values of BGW samples, as well as reducing the number of colonies for Escherichia coli (99%), and Coliforms/Total Count TTC (99%), meeting EU Regulation 2020/741 requirements for water reuse in irrigation. Statistical analysis supports the novelty of enhanced CF, proving its superior effectiveness compared to single ferric chloride coagulation method, making it a promising decentralized greywater treatment solution for European countries
Gender differences in clinical features, comorbidities and prognostic outcomes in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis—a retrospective cohort analysis from the British Thoracic Society Interstitial Lung Disease Registry
Full text linkBACKGROUND: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), an unknown aetiology type of interstitial lung disease (ILD), carries the poorest prognosis and is more common in males and the elderly. Gender differences in baseline presentation, lung function and comorbidities may have an impact on prognostic outcomes.OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore gender differences in clinical features, comorbidities and outcomes in IPF in a UK cohort.METHOD: This was a retrospective cohort study analysing data from the British Thoracic Society UK IPF ILD Registry from January 2013 to February 2024. We compared baseline characteristics between males and females, and a survival analysis in both genders was performed using the Cox proportional hazards model.RESULTS: We identified 6666 IPF patients with a mean age at diagnosis of 74.1±8.1. Our cohort was predominantly male (5197, 78%), with a higher proportion of current and ex-smokers compared with females (69.9% vs 59.9%, p<0.001) and higher rates of comorbidities such as ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and diabetes (19.7% vs 14.6% and 19.9% vs 11.2%, respectively, p<0.001). Baseline forced vital capacity (FVC) % predicted was 77.76±17.4 in males and 81.83±19.7 in females (p=0.001), while diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) was similar between the two groups. In multivariate analysis, after adjusting for age, IHD and lower baseline FVC, DLCO was a poor survival predictor in males. Hiatus hernia is a protective factor. Conversely, disease duration of <12 months, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, not requiring oxygen at baseline and higher baseline DLCO predicted better survival in females.CONCLUSION: Gender differences in baseline characteristics and prognostic factors were observed in IPF. A gender-based approach in managing IPF is warranted, and further studies are needed to clarify these differences and their impact on IPF management.</p
'The life & art of Evie Hone’
Full text linkThis lecture looked at the life and legacy of the Irish stained glass artist Evie Hone (1894-1955) and was part of a series of lectures at the Stained Glass Museum at Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire that reconsidered the work of women stained glass artists
Towards a Biological Evaluation Framework for Oversampling (BEFO) gene expression data
Full text linkMachine learning (ML) techniques are progressively being used in biomedical research to improve diagnostic and prognostic accuracy when used in conjunction with a clinician as a decision support system. However, many datasets used in biomedical research often suffer from severe class imbalance due to small population sizes, which causes machine learning models to become biased to majority class samples. Current oversampling methods primarily focus on balancing datasets without adequately validating the biological relevance of synthetic data, risking the clinical applicability of downstream model predictions. To address these shortcomings, we propose the Biological Evaluation Framework for Oversampling (BEFO) designed to ensure that synthetic gene expression samples accurately reflect the biological patterns present in original datasets. This innovation not only mitigates bias but enhances the trustworthiness of predictive models in clinical scenarios. We have developed a ranking method for synthetic samples based on this and evaluated each sample’s inclusion based on its rank. This ranking method calculates the WGCNA gene co-expression clusters on the original dataset. Several random forests are constructed to assess the alignment of each synthetic sample to each cluster. Only synthetic samples more important than real samples are included in a study. The experimental results demonstrate that our proposed ML oversampling framework can improve the biological feasibility of oversampled datasets by an average of 11%, leading to improved classification performance by an average of 9% when compared against five state-of-the-art (SOTA) oversampling methods and ten classification algorithms across six real world gene expressions datasets. Thereby establishing a new standard for synthetic data evaluation in biomedical ML applications.</p
Cardiovascular Disease and Psoriasis
Full text linkPsoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by well-demarcated erythematous plaques with silvery scales that affects 2–3% of the global population. Beyond its dermatological manifestations, psoriasis has recently been recognised as a significant cardiovascular risk factor, patients with psoriasis have an approximately 50% increased relative risk of major cardiovascular events compared with the general population. This review examines the complex relationship between psoriasis and cardiovascular disease, exploring the epidemiological evidence, underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical implications and therapeutic considerations. The inflammatory milieu characteristic of psoriasis, involving T cell activation, cytokine dysregulation and systemic inflammation, creates a pro-atherogenic environment that accelerates cardiovascular disease development. Understanding the mechanisms of cardiovascular risk is crucial for clinicians managing psoriatic patients, as it necessitates comprehensive risk assessment and preventive strategies beyond traditional dermatological care.</p
Δ1: An Automated Theorem Generator
Full text linkThis paper introduces Δ1, a novel automated theorem generator for propositional and first-order logic that operates without a traditional built-in theorem prover. Unlike conventional approaches that focus on proving the validity of existing statements, Δ1 innovates by creating new, provably correct theorems based on the full triangular standard contradiction, a unique principle and structure ensuring that all generated theorems are inherently sound, eliminating the need for time-consuming re-verification by theorem provers or manual checking. The value of this system is twofold: its guaranteed correctness and its prolific generation capacity. By ensuring the premises are satisfiable, Δ1 produces theorems that are not only true but also logically meaningful. This is a significant leap beyond typical systems that may generate trivial or uninteresting tautologies. The system’s efficiency is demonstrated by its ability to generate a vast number of unique theorems. For n distinct literals in propositional logic or n predicates satisfying specific conditions in first-order logic, Δ1 can automatically produce n! mutually non-equivalent theorems. This exponential growth in output offers a powerful tool for discovering new logical relationships. This approach aligns with the cutting edge of AI, particularly in areas like automated knowledge discovery and explainable AI (XAI). By generating theorems from a foundational, verifiable structure, Δ1 provides a clear and transparent pathway to its conclusions, offering insights into the reasoning process itself. Furthermore, these logical theorems can be interpreted across diverse fields, from natural sciences to social sciences, positions it as a foundational technology for automating scientific discovery and extending the boundaries of computational reasoning. The system’s unique architecture represents a paradigm shift from a reactive “prover” to a proactive “creator” of logical knowledge
But where are the parents? A narrative review of the literature on the experience of parents when their child is in contact with the justice system
Full text linkContact from the police to advise a parent that their child has come into conflict with the law can be devastating. Of the 904 individuals formally referred to youth justice services in Northern Ireland during 2020–21, one-quarter were reoffences. Most will involve boys’ aged 15 plus years with numbers reflecting the wider UK prevalence. Whilst “violent” offences account for the majority, typically this means minor assaults. Distressing as this is, for a small number of parents this marks the beginning or continuation of justice system involvement with their child, especially when younger at first involvement. Diversionary and court-ordered referrals represent the majority and in almost all cases parents/a parent will have a role in such required processes. Parents may also need to navigate separate agencies within the justice system depending on the seriousness of their child’s offending. Additionally, many will deal with their child’s ongoing challenges and needs, navigating a range of other services whilst potentially coping with multiple disadvantages and exclusions. This paper first considers the context, and circumstances of such parents. Next, it analyses key findings from a narrative review of the available international literature on parents’ experiences at critical points and during key processes of their child’s involvement with youth justice systems. Evidence indicates a unique stigma is attached to their experience. Parents feel shamed and responsible whilst having to cope with traumas, stresses and isolation in their role. Opportunities for peer-led support and peer advocacy are beneficial and offer hope and unique support where this is available. Further research that includes parents is required to better understand their needs at each stage of justice system involvement, and to provide opportunities for meaningful participation in upholding rights and supporting them in putting their children first.</p
Novel artificial tricalcium phosphate and magnesium composite graft facilitates angiogenesis in bone healing
No full textBackground: Critical bone defects pose a significant challenge for orthopedic surgeons. Autologous bone grafting is the golden standard. However, it is hindered by issues such as donor site morbidity and limited availability. Commercially available artificial bone grafts may encounter challenges in properly integrating the surrounding bone tissue, potentially leading to delayed or incomplete healing. Furthermore, magnesium deficiency has been shown to negatively affect localized angiogenesis and bone repair. As a result, creating a synthetic biomaterial that includes magnesium could serve as an excellent bone substitute. The study aims to evaluate and test the morphological, mechanical, and biological properties of a calcium phosphate cement (CPC) sponge composed of tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP) and monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (MCPM). Methods: This study aims to develop biomedical materials composed mainly of TTCP and MCPM powder, magnesium powder, and collagen. The materials were prepared using a wet-stirred mill and freeze-dryer methods. The particle size, composition, and microstructure of the materials were investigated. Finally, the biological properties of these materials, including 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay for biocompatibility, effects on bone cell differentiation by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity assay, and endothelial cell tube formation assay for angiogenesis, were evaluated as well. Results: The data showed that the sub-micron CPC powder, composed of TTCP/MCPM in a 3.5:1 ratio, had a setting time shorter than 15 min and a compressive strength of 4.39 ± 0.96 MPa. This reveals that the sub-micron CPC powder had an adequate setting time and mechanical strength. We found that the sub-micron CPC sponge containing magnesium had better biocompatibility, including increased proliferation and osteogenic induction effects without cytotoxicity. The CPC sponge containing magnesium also promoted angiogenesis. Conclusion: In summary, we introduced a novel CPC sponge, which had a similar property to human bone promoted the biological functions of bone cells, and could serve as a promising material used in bone regeneration for critical bone defects.</p