Browse Articles

Probabilistic modelling of material properties based on structural design and testing standards and its impact on the assessment of structural service life

Abstract The reliability of engineering structures and infrastructure is a critical requirement to ensure a continuous functionality throughout their expected service life. The lifespan extension of concrete structures—especially those belonging to critical infrastructure—is vital to the sustainability and resilience of the whole built environment. This investigation explores the potential to extend the service lifetime of concrete structures by considering the role of modern design codes and conformity standards on concrete production in combination with reliability-based safety concepts applied to the resistance side. The study demonstrates how evaluation criteria derived from empirical concrete samples influence the service life of structures and, in consequence, the safety format established in international codes. The results suggest that by considering measures of concrete variability—as the coefficients of variation—and integrating them into a quality control system, hidden safety margins can be identified and, ultimately, activated to extend the service lifetime of structures. Therefore, this investigation contributes to the sustainable development of infrastructure ensuring that future demands on infrastructure can be met while maintaining high safety standards.

Broadly stable atmospheric CO2 and CH4 levels over the past 3 million years

Tumor-specific cytokine therapy mediated by engineered Salmonella with a synthetic protein delivery system

Natural convection heat transfer performance of finned heat sinks with different fin materials and geometries

SPIONs-labeled hUCMSCs for in vitro safety analysis and in vivo tracking in scarred monkey uteri

Dissecting gene regulatory networks governing human cortical cell fate

Abstract Human cortical neurogenesis involves conserved and specialized developmental processes during a restricted window of prenatal development. Radial glia (RG) neural stem cells shape cortical cell diversity by giving rise to excitatory neurons, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, as well as olfactory bulb interneurons (INs) and a recently characterized population of cortical INs 1,2 . Complex genetic programs orchestrated by transcription factor (TF) circuits govern the balance between self-renewal and differentiation, and between different cell fates 3–8 . Despite progress in measuring gene regulatory network activity during human cortical development 9–12 , functional studies are required to evaluate the roles of TFs and effector genes in human RG lineage progression. Here we establish a human primary culture system that allows sensitive discrimination of cell fate dynamics and apply single-cell CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) screening 13,14 to examine the transcriptional and cell fate consequences of 44 TFs active during cortical neurogenesis. We identified several TFs with new roles in cortical neurogenesis, including ZNF219 —previously uncharacterized—that represses neural differentiation and NR2E1 and ARX that have opposing roles in regulating RG lineage plasticity and progression across developmental stages. We also detected convergent effector genes downstream of multiple TFs enriched in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders and observed conserved mechanisms of RG lineage plasticity across primates. We further uncovered a post-mitotic role for ARX in safeguarding IN subtype specification through repressing LMO1 . Our study provides a framework for dissecting regulatory networks driving cell fate consequences during human neurogenesis.

An eight-week placebo-controlled RCT on the efficacy of a probiotic nutritional intervention for subclinical gastrointestinal symptoms in students

Abstract Despite evidence for substantial placebo effects in the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) complaints, there is still no methodologically sound study on placebo effects in their probiotic treatment. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to determine the contribution of a placebo effect in probiotic fruit bit intake in a sample of individuals with mild to moderate gastrointestinal complaints. A sample of 83 individuals were randomly assigned to a probiotic, placebo or to a no-intervention group. All participants received the same information, and the intervention groups took the respective fruit bits daily for eight weeks. Before and after the intervention gastrointestinal symptoms and burden were assessed. Participants in the probiotic ( d = -1.08) and placebo group ( d = -1.17) benefitted significantly more compared to the no-intervention group with respect of gastrointestinal symptoms, but no significant difference was seen between the probiotic and the placebo group ( d  = 0.04). At the end of the intervention phase, no significant group differences regarding stress, somatization, and well-being were noted. In both intervention groups, self-reported treatment expectation was not correlated with symptom improvement. Interestingly, in the probiotic group only, subjectively perceived improvement correlated significantly with the change in GI symptoms. While individuals benefitted from a novel probiotic food supplement, data indicated a substantial placebo response. Explicit treatment expectation seems to play a minor role in accounting for the observed intervention effects, yet might contribute to continued use of probiotics.

Prognostic impact of sarcopenia and blood biomarkers in advanced non-small cell lung cancer on first-line immune checkpoint inhibitors

Two Trichoderma endophytic fungi alleviates drought stress and improves plant growth in Cinnamomum migao seedlings

AI set to map risks of future climate disasters

Exploring the effects of riverine flooding on traffic demand forecasting using activity-based modeling in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand

Abstract Riverine floods are a recurring and increasingly severe problem in Southeast Asia, often resulting in the submersion of large urban areas for extended periods. As a result, urban mobility is severely disrupted, significantly affecting the daily activities of residents. Integrating behavioral changes during floods into travel demand forecasting is essential for assessing flood adaptation measures in the transportation sector. However, no detailed analysis has been conducted on the impacts of urban flooding on daily activities and travel behavior, and no examples are available on how to incorporate these impacts into travel demand forecasts. This study proposes the development of an activity-based traffic demand forecasting model that explicitly incorporates behavioral changes in individual activity patterns during floods. The model is designed to reflect the disruptions caused by riverine floods and their impact on daily travel behaviors, road closures, and reduced accessibility, which are often overlooked in traditional forecasting methods. Then, the model evaluates adaptation measures in the transportation sector (such as the elevation of arterial roads), supporting strategic planning for resilient urban mobility during floods.

Fish adapt and dynamically avoid an approaching robotic fish across repeated exposures

Sentinel lymph node detection in gastric cancer using a dual tracer (Superparamagnetic iron oxide and methylene blue): a prospective study with histological and OSNA validation

Abstract Gastric cancer (GC) remains an oncological challenge, with lymph node involvement being a major prognostic factor. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping may improve staging and reduce morbidity. This study evaluated a dual-tracer technique (superparamagnetic iron oxide: SPIO and methylene blue) for ex vivo detection; assessed one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) versus conventional histology; and applied OSNA-pooling analysis in non-SLN. Prospective study of patients undergoing curative gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy (2017–2022). SLNs were identified in fresh specimens by Sentimag ® and/or macroscopic staining. Each lymph node was bisected, with one half analyzed by hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) and the other by OSNA. Non-SLN were assessed using pooled OSNA to enhance diagnostic performance. Diagnostic performance metrics and agreement (Cohen’s κ) were calculated. Survival was estimated by Kaplan–Meier. Thirty-eight patients were included (mean age 64.3 years; 58% male); 71.1% received neoadjuvant therapy. SLN detection rate was 84.2% (32/38), with 80 SLNs identified. The dual-tracer approach demonstrated high sensitivity (93.1%) and moderate specificity (44.4%), resulting in an accuracy of 81.6%. Tracer concordance was moderate (κ = 0.42; p  < 0.007). OSNA showed good agreement with H&E (sensitivity 80%, specificity 87%), and better performance for micrometastases. The pooling analysis evaluated 1155 non-SLN simultaneously; this novel strategy showed good concordance with conventional histology. After a median follow-up of 53 months, OSNA and H&E status were associated with overall survival in exploratory analyses; however, these findings should be interpreted with caution given the limited sample size and ex vivo proof-of-concept design. Combining SPIO and methylene blue is technically feasible for ex vivo SLN mapping. OSNA complements histology, and its pooled use represents an innovative methodological approach. These results are preliminary and hypothesis-generating; larger prospective in vivo studies are required before clinical applicability can be evaluated. Dual-tracer sentinel node mapping in gastric cancer proved feasible and accurate. OSNA complemented histology, pooled analysis improved detection efficiency, and neoadjuvant therapy did not affect diagnostic performance.

Hair-raising: how carbon contamination can drive static charging

Photocatalytic degradation of polyethylene films using green-synthesized ZnO and Fe3O4 nanoparticles from Acacia nilotica

Abstract This study reports the green synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) and iron oxide (Fe 3 O 4 ) nanoparticles using Acacia nilotica (L.) leaf extract and their application in the photocatalytic degradation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) films in aqueous medium. Phytochemical screening revealed that A. nilotica leaves contained high levels of phenolics (298.21 mg/100 g) and tannins (53.33 mg/100 g), providing strong reducing and stabilizing agents for nanoparticle formation. The synthesized ZnO and Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles exhibited UV–Vis absorption peaks at 385.09 and 467.92 nm with corresponding band gaps of 3.22 and 2.65 eV, confirming their semiconducting properties. Dynamic light scattering showed mean particle sizes of 13.64 nm (PDI 0.172) for ZnO and 19.21 nm (PDI 0.309) for Fe 3 O 4 , indicating uniform dispersion and good colloidal stability. XRD and HRSEM analyses confirmed their crystalline, well-defined morphologies, while EDX verified elemental purity. BET surface areas of 216.81 m²/g for ZnO and 199.41 m²/g for Fe 3 O 4 suggested mesoporosity suitable for catalytic applications. Photocatalytic degradation studies revealed substantial polyethylene breakdown after 30 days under sunlight, with LDPE weight reduced to 73.07% (ZnO) and 74.90% (Fe 3 O 4 ), and HDPE reduced to 91.20% and 91.76%, respectively. FTIR spectra of treated films showed the formation of carbonyl, hydroxyl, and C–O functional groups, while SEM images displayed surface cracks and cavities indicative of polymer chain scission. EDX spectra further confirmed Zn and Fe incorporation with intensified oxygen peaks, evidencing oxidative degradation. These findings demonstrate that A. nilotica -mediated ZnO and Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles are effective and sustainable photocatalysts for polyethylene degradation, offering a promising route toward eco-friendly plastic waste management.

Human-induced intensification of sea surface temperature regime shifts threatens global Large Marine Ecosystems

Fibroblastic reticular cells direct the initiation of T cell responses via CD44

Abstract The movement of dendritic cells and T cells within secondary lymphoid organs is critical for the development of adaptive immune responses 1,2 . Central to this process is the fibroblastic reticular cell (FRC) network, which forms a highly organized conduit system that facilitates the movement of and interactions between dendritic cells and T cells 3–6 . Previous studies have partly characterized how FRCs support these interactions 7,8 . However, the molecular mechanisms that operate under physiological conditions remain unknown. Here we show that the viral protein m11, encoded by the herpesvirus murine cytomegalovirus (CMV), inhibits antiviral immunity by targeting the FRC network and interfering with a critical function of cellular CD44. We found that m11 binds to CD44 and established that m11 perturbs the molecular interactions of CD44 with its natural ligand, hyaluronic acid. The interaction of m11 with CD44 impairs the trafficking of dendritic cells within the spleen, thereby impeding efficient priming of naive T cells and the initiation of antiviral CD8 T cell responses. The targeting of CD44 by CMV reveals CD44 as a molecule that is essential to the functioning of the FRC network and uncovers a previously unrecognized stroma-based mechanism that is critical for the generation of effective T cell responses.

Dual-branch attention network with deep split convolution and multi-dimensional transformers for medical image segmentation

Abstract While the segmentation of anatomical structures and pathological regions is indispensable for reliable disease assessment, contemporary algorithms often fail to achieve sharp demarcation. This deficiency stems from the high degree of morphological heterogeneity across different cases, which results in obscured contours and compromised segmentation accuracy. To address this gap, we propose a dual-branch attention network (D3T-Net) that combines deep split convolution and multi-dimensional Transformer. This network introduces parallel CNN branches and Transformer branches in the encoder and decoder, respectively, to capture local details and model global contextual information. In the CNN branch, a deep split module (DSM) is designed to enhance local representations through multiple sub-branches and fusion attention mechanisms. The Transformer stream employs multi-dimensional modules to capture extensive spatial and channel-wise dependencies, thereby mitigating the localized limitations inherent in standard self-attention. To facilitate robust feature exchange between the two pathways, we introduce a direction-aware interaction attention (LA) module within the encoder, designed to accentuate critical structural characteristics across various orientations. In the decoder, a cross-attention mechanism is introduced to achieve feature reorganization and integration. Additionally, to enhance feature expression capabilities, the model adopts a multi-scale fusion skip connection mechanism between the encoder and decoder to achieve efficient feature transfer, improve boundary retention ability, and enhance the segmentation effect of small objects. Extensive evaluations reveal that D3T-Net surpasses contemporary benchmarks in segmenting the liver and associated lesions. Such advancements in automated image analysis effectively augment diagnostic accuracy, thereby offering robust support for precision medicine in hepatology.

Intrinsic stabilization of synaptic plasticity improves learning and robustness in artificial neural networks

Association between pre-operative mental health and recovery outcomes following total knee arthroplasty

Abstract This prospective study of 123 patients examined the relationship between mental health and the recovery process in terms of pain, function, and quality of life up to one year after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Mental health questionnaires such as the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Beck Depression Inventory Fast Screen (BDI-FS) were completed pre-operatively as well as at three months and 12 months post-operatively. In addition, patient-reported outcome measures such as the Oxford Knee Score (OKS), EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D-3 L), and pain intensity were examined to determine the association between functional and psychological symptoms. There were no significant correlations between pre-operative mental health and post-operative outcomes at three months. However, at 12 months follow-up, preoperative anxiety and depression correlated with worse pain, function, and quality of life scores. Group comparisons with groups defined by the cut-off ranges of the psychological health scores also showed these differences. Additionally, poor outcomes for joint function, quality of life, and pain were associated with high depression scores at 12 months post-operatively. This study highlights the importance of pre-operative mental health for the success of TKA, but also the association between poor functional outcomes and mental health post-operatively.