Browse Articles

Autoantibodies against nephrin and podocin are associated with disease severity and steroid dependence in adult-onset nephrotic syndrome

Abstract Nephrotic syndrome is a glomerular disorder characterized by heavy proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia. Autoantibodies against slit diaphragm proteins such as nephrin and podocin have been identified in subsets of patients, but their prevalence and clinical significance in adult-onset disease are not fully understood. We retrospectively studied 114 adults with biopsy-proven nephrotic syndrome, including minimal change nephrotic syndrome, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, and phospholipase A2 receptor- and neural epidermal growth factor-like 1-associated membranous nephropathy. Serum anti-nephrin and anti-podocin autoantibodies were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Anti-nephrin autoantibodies were detected predominantly in minimal change nephrotic syndrome (38.2%) and less frequently in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (14.3%), but were rare in membranous nephropathy. In contrast, anti-podocin autoantibodies were observed across disease types and were most frequent in neural epidermal growth factor-like 1-associated membranous nephropathy (30.8%). Autoantibody-positive patients presented with more severe nephrotic syndrome, and antibody positivity was associated with a higher incidence of steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome in exploratory multivariable analyses. In patients with paired samples, autoantibody titers decreased or disappeared in remission. Notably, anti-nephrin antibodies were preferentially associated with MCNS, whereas anti-podocin antibodies were detected across disease entities and may reflect the extent of podocyte injury rather than disease specificity. Moreover, combined assessment of anti-nephrin and anti-podocin antibody status provided improved stratification of baseline disease severity and relapse-prone disease compared with anti-nephrin antibody status alone.

High density two-dimensional Dirac fermion gas in HgTe quantum wells of critical width

We report on magnetotransport and cyclotron resonance studies of 2D Dirac fermions in HgTe quantum wells with a near-critical thickness of 6.2 nm. By investigating carrier densities up to Ns = 5.6 × 1012 cm−2—nearly an order of magnitude higher than previously explored—we demonstrate that the energy spectrum remains strictly linear even at these elevated concentrations. Our findings reveal anomalous Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations at Ns = 2.9 × 1012 cm−2, likely stemming from scattering on remote impurities. Furthermore, we identify Ns≈ 5.6 × 1012 cm−2 as a fundamental density limit, which remains stable despite further doping increases up to (1–3) × 1013 cm−2.

Evaluating the 2024 dog oral rabies vaccination campaign in the Zambezi region, Namibia using GIS and household surveys

Abstract The 2024 oral rabies vaccination (ORV) campaign in Namibia’s Zambezi region aimed to address persistent rabies transmission through a large-scale effort combining direct dog vaccination and owner-assisted distribution. A total of 9,393 baits were distributed, and the campaign demonstrated feasibility and operational efficiency, achieving an estimated vaccination coverage of 47.9% of dogs in just four days, increasing to 56.8% when accounting for prior parenteral vaccination efforts. Spatial analysis revealed an average vaccination coverage of 60% across 10 × 10 km grid cells, and encompassed 81% of the human population of the Zambezi region within the vaccination coverage area. Post-vaccination surveys indicated a rise in vaccination rates (54.5% of dogs vaccinated, up from 18.9%) and lower presence of rabies. Improved education and awareness campaigns, targeted interventions in low-coverage areas, and enhanced surveillance are recommended to further reduce rabies incidence. The findings highlight the promise and proficiency of ORV campaigns in resource-constrained settings and demonstrate that its application can be key for sustained rabies control efforts in Namibia.

Structural distortion-induced acoustic velocities and elasticity softening in compressed (TiZrNbTaW)C high-entropy carbide

Unraveling pressure-induced elastic weakening mechanisms is crucial for understanding and exploring the structure–property–pressure relationships of high-entropy carbides (HECs). Using in situ synchrotron x-ray diffraction and ultrasonic interferometry, we investigate the microstress-promoted structural evolution, sound velocities, and elastic properties of (TiZrNbTaW)C at high pressure. Interestingly, an anomalous softening behavior in both sound velocities and elastic moduli of (TiZrNbTaW)C is observed upon nonhydrostatic compression, which is an unexpected phenomenon that is absent after annealing of the cold-compressed specimen at a high temperature of ∼1300 K. The underlying mechanism is attributed to microstress-enhanced lattice distortion at high pressure, which drives the elastic softening. These findings provide a mechanistic framework for the lattice distortion–elasticity interaction in HECs at high pressure, and offer actionable guidance for their applications at extreme environments.

Thermo-hydro-mechanical response of energy-piled walls under varying wall configurations, pipe layouts, and seepage conditions

Abstract Energy-piled walls combine earth-retaining and thermal energy-harvesting functions; however, their thermo-mechanical behaviour remains less understood than that of energy foundation piles. This study investigates the coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical response of energy-piled walls using 3D, time-dependent, coupled finite-element models over a six-month heating period, focusing on the effects of wall type, pipe layout, seepage, and thermo-induced pore water pressure. Key findings indicate that: (i) wall type and thermal boundaries influence lateral displacements, with magnitudes remaining below ±2mm under all conditions examined; (ii) the 4U-shaped pipe layout may be preferred over the spiral layout due to generally lower thermo-induced stresses; (iii) seepage enhances heat exchange capacity but introduces wall-slab-seepage interactions that invert bending moment distributions at excavation depth, with behaviour controlled by permeability thresholds ( $$k \ge {9.09}\times {10}^{-13}{\textrm{m}}^{2}$$ for seepage-dominated; $$k < {9.09}\times ^{-17}{\textrm{m}}^{2}$$ for pore-pressure-dominated behaviour); (iv) peak tensile stresses can exceed concrete capacity, particularly at slab-pile connections, indicating potential localised cracking. The findings are synthesised into a conceptual framework that accounts for these coupled interactions and provides quantitative design guidance across diverse wall configurations, pipe layouts and ground conditions.

High-Q terahertz sensor based on semiconductor material with annular geometry

This paper proposes a terahertz sensor incorporating an annular grating that enables strong absorption at 5.485 and 6.895 THz. The physical origin of the resonance peaks is elucidated by impedance matching theory together with the electric-field distribution. The tolerance of the device to structural-parameter variations is systematically evaluated, and its insensitivity to small changes in the incident angle is further verified. Furthermore, the sensing performance of the sensor is comprehensively analyzed, and the detectable refractive-index range is determined to be from 1.30 to 1.40. The sensor provides dual sensing channels, maintains the full width at half maximum below 0.013 THz, and exhibits maximum quality factor (Q-factor), sensitivity (S), and figure of merit (FOM) of 825.34, 1.6 THz RIU−1, and 224.88 RIU−1, respectively. In the biological detection, the refractive index of most analytes falls between 1.30 and 1.40. Owing to the simultaneously high Q-factor and FOM, the proposed sensor holds significant potential for biological detection.

Federated edge-AI for reliable and privacy-preserving pipeline leak detection in drone swarms using neutrosophic sugeno-weber norms

Abstract The ability to monitor the safety of natural gas pipelines is guaranteed by leak detection. Systems are capable of responding quickly, and very precisely to events because delays during such events can lead to serious environmental consequences, hurt, damage, or even danger. Federated is a special framework that exists in this work. Leak Detection of Natural Gas pipelines Edge-A-enabled autonomous drone swarms will be real-time, where smart drones will be able to cooperate and reduce latency, keep sensitive data, and improve detection of anomalies in dynamic operational conditions such as complex decentralized control. system also needs advanced systems of decision-making that are capable of dealing with uncertainty, shifting goals, and information gaps or ambiguous information. The research will, in an attempt to achieve this, emphasize the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods that have been used over the years as an alternative method of analysis, which is systematic and founded on alternative performance measures. The precedent versions of MCDM, which applied the theory of fuzzy set, allowed the analysts to convey their judgments with vagueness and partial truth. As uncertainty and conflicting decision environments increased, however, neutrosophic sets were included to describe the degree of truth, falsity and indeterminacy on their own. This was a later representation that was refined to describe hesitation more by using ambiguous membership and non-membership functions of intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFS). The combined paradigms led to Intuitionistic Neutrosophic Set (INS), a paradigm of powerful mathematics that can reflect the complexity and ambiguity of the decision-making problems of the real world. In this research, the INS framework is used with Sugeno-Weber (SW) aggregation operators to come up with a hybrid DM framework that is optimally designed to respond to the real-time leaks detection and assessment in pipeline networks. The proposed INS-SW solution is contrasted with the time-tested approach to the evaluation of performance, the Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS), as it is easy to operate and can generate credible ranks. The comparative outcomes indicate that the INS-SW model can be better adapted to uncertain, interdependent and dynamic operation environments and is more robust and precise in that case. In general, the results suggest that the suggested framework adds to the fact and veracity of the drone-based leakage detection to a substantial degree and can provide a scalable and intelligent decision-making tool related to the imperative energy infrastructure. Besides this application in specific, the paper would also be applicable in developing uncertainty-sensitive decision science further, besides offering an insight into how to develop sustainable, intelligent, and resilient energy systems in future industrial processes.

Distribution of 7Li implants in Nb films for a sterile neutrino search

The Beryllium-7 Electron capture in Superconducting Tunnel junctions (BeEST) experiment searches for sub-MeV sterile neutrinos by measuring the 7Li recoil spectrum from 7Be decay in Ta-based superconducting quantum sensors. Its sensitivity is limited by spectral broadening from interactions between 7Be/7Li and the Ta host material. This study investigates Nb as an alternative sensor material using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and atom probe tomography (APT) on 7Li-implanted Nb films (∼0.5 at. %). STEM shows no 7Li cluster formation and no implantation-induced microstructural degradation, while APT reveals some limited 7Li segregation to grain boundaries. Although this segregation may slightly influence binding energies, it is unlikely to affect the broadening of the recoil spectrum significantly. These findings support Nb as a viable sensor material for future phases of the BeEST experiment.

Evaluation of HPV awareness among parents of adolescent girls in Tunisia: a cross-sectional study

Nonlinear tuning of magnon–photon coupling through pump-induced magnon modes

We investigate the nonlinear tuning of magnon–photon interactions in a dissipative magnon–photon system by introducing a nonlinear pump-induced magnon (PIM) mode. By aligning the pump microwave frequency with either the magnon or cavity mode, we identify two distinct dynamical responses modulated by the PIM. When the pump frequency aligns with the magnon mode frequency, the overall coupling strength of the three-mode system increases with pump power, showing an improvement of 36% at a pump power of 18 dBm. When the pump frequency aligns with the cavity frequency, the coherent coupling between the PIM mode and the magnon mode competes with the dissipative magnon–photon interaction, suppressing the latter and driving the system toward a coherent coupling regime. These results demonstrate a viable approach for controlling the coupling strength and switching between dissipative and coherent coupling regimes via nonlinear magnon interactions, offering potential for tunable magnonic devices.

Molecular and spatial heterogeneity of macrophage like vascular smooth muscle cells in abdominal aortic aneurysms associated with intraluminal thrombus

Understanding climate refugees from educators’ perspectives: Social studies teachers’ views

This study aimed to examine social studies teachers’ knowledge, attitudes, and approaches regarding the concept of climate refugees. Employing a phenomenological design within qualitative research, semi-structured interviews were conducted with volunteer social studies teachers from various provinces in Turkey. The data were analyzed through content analysis and rted with direct quotations from participants. Although their knowledge on the subject was limited, social studies teachers demonstrated sensitivity toward climate refugees and made efforts to address these gaps. They attributed the emergence of climate refugees to human activities, particularly political decisions. While they believed that citizenship could be granted to climate refugees under appropriate conditions, they expressed caution due to current refugee-related challenges. The teachers emphasized the necessity of systematically integrating climate refugee issues into the curriculum, raising teachers’ awareness, and adopting practical, empathy-based teaching methods.

Raman scattering fingerprints of the charge density wave state in one-dimensional NbTe4

Charge density waves (CDWs) are ordered quantum states of conduction electrons accompanied by periodic lattice distortions. Raman scattering (RS) spectroscopy is, therefore, well suited for probing CDW-induced structural modulations. The CDW state in quasi-one-dimensional NbTe4 is investigated using RS spectroscopy. At T = 5 K, the resonantly enhanced Raman spectrum exhibits 25 phonon modes. Polarization-dependent measurements reveal a strong coupling between phonon-mode symmetry and crystallographic symmetry, with modes polarized parallel or perpendicular to the crystallographic c axis, along which the one-dimensional structure is elongated. Temperature-dependent RS measurements identify a transition between commensurate and incommensurate CDW phases, accompanied by pronounced thermal hysteresis, with transition temperatures of approximately 45 K upon cooling and 90 K upon warming. The hysteresis width depends on the warming rate, indicating a finite nucleation rate of CDW domains and suggesting potential relevance for memory-device applications.

Hematologic and coagulation responses to Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccination in the Amhara region, Ethiopia

Fathers’ caregiving time before and after the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to greater day-to-day time spent together for many families. Some research in Euro-American settings indicated that fathers spent more time caring for their children during the pandemic than previously, with the potential for lasting effects on fathers’ caregiving. However, there are few longitudinal studies with post-pandemic paternal care data and analyses from non-Euro-American contexts. We drew on a large sample of men (N = 649; Obs. = 1286) enrolled in a longitudinal study in the Philippines with waves of data collection prior to the pandemic in 2009 (wave 1) and 2014 (wave 2) and a third wave post-pandemic in 2022−23 (wave 3). Our main analyses focus on within-individual change in paternal caregiving for men residing with young children (N = 307) from the pre-pandemic (wave 2) to post-pandemic period (wave 3). Fathers showed meaningful within-individual declines in routine (intensive) caregiving time from the pre-pandemic (wave 2) to the post-pandemic (wave 3). However, they reported comparable engagement in overall, recreational, and educational care post-pandemic relative to their pre-pandemic levels at wave 2. Men’s shifts in pre-to-post-pandemic employment status predicted their changes in caregiving time, particularly for educational care. The post-pandemic patterns we observed for educational care are potentially consistent with shifting dynamics for fathers’ caregiving in this domain following the pandemic and complement results elsewhere connecting fathers’ employment characteristics to their caregiving during and after the pandemic.

Inside Front Cover: Data‐Driven Modeling of <i>N,N’</i> ‐Dioxide/Metal‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Michael Additions (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 12/2026)

Growth of wurtzite Hf <i>x</i> Al1 <b>−</b> <i>x</i> N up to x  <b>=</b>  0.39 by sputtering with bandgap shift and c/a-ratio anomaly

Alloying hafnium nitride (HfN) into aluminum nitride (AlN) has been predicted to enhance the piezoelectric response beyond that achieved by scandium nitride (ScN) alloying into AlN, making hafnium aluminum nitride (HfxAl1−xN) a promising material system for acoustic devices. Understanding the effect of hafnium (Hf) incorporation in the wurtzite (wz) phase—specifically the structural modifications and their impact on optical and electrical properties—is therefore essential. In contrast to the extensively studied scandium aluminum nitride (ScxAl1−xN), HfxAl1−xN is expected to exhibit distinct behavior because Hf has one additional d-electron compared to scandium (Sc). Existing experimental work has predominantly focused on the rock salt (rs) phase or on the wz phase at low Hf concentrations. Here, it is demonstrated that HfxAl1−xN can be grown in the wz phase with promising structural quality by sputtering, up to a Hf content of x=0.39. Structural characterization by atomic force microscopy and x-ray diffraction confirms the growth of wz-HfxAl1−xN using DC magnetron sputtering. Up to x=0.15, the experimental observations are consistent with theoretical predictions. At higher Hf contents, however, a reversal in the trend of the c/a ratio is observed, driven by an unexpected increase in the c lattice parameter. No phase transition is detected up to this Hf concentration. Consistent with theoretical expectations, the bandgap decreases progressively with increasing Hf content. These results contradict the current theoretical description of HfxAl1−xN, which predicts a phase transition to a layered-hexagonal phase, while simultaneously confirming the theoretically predicted decrease in the bandgap.

Efficacy of IBA (indole-3-butyric acid) and kinetin for the success of T-budding in citrus

Optimized collagenase biosynthesis (Bacillus siamensis strain Z1) and its application in collagen hydrolysate-mediated silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesis and characterization with antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities

Globally, environmental pollution caused by resilient protein like collagen is escalating due to inefficient disposal practices. Accumulation of collagen waste poses ecological threat, necessitating management strategies. Current study discloses collagenolytic bacterium, Bacillus siamensis strain Z1, isolated from marine water (Goa) demonstrating collagen breakdown and inducing collagenase biosynthesis. Production kinetics revealed optimal collagenase production (4.55 U/mL) on 2 nd day with a protein content of 0.69 mg/mL. Influence of physiochemical parameters, including inoculum size, metal ions, carbon and nitrogen sources, pH and temperature on collagenase yield was optimized achieving 17.93 folds enhancement by central composite design. Silver (AgNP) and Zinc oxide (ZnONP) nanoparticles were biosynthesized using collagen hydrolysate derived from marine collagen through collagenase action and characterized using UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray, Thermogravimetric Analysis and Atomic Force Microscopy elucidated thermostability, structure and surface characteristics. Antibacterial effect of nanoparticles was observed against B. cereus and E. coli . AgNP and ZnONP demonstrated antioxidant properties assessed by ABTS and DPPH assays. AgNP and ZnONP exhibited cytotoxicity on MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines, with IC 50 values 8.87 µg/mL and 25.21 µg/mL respectively. The study highlights biotechnological potential of collagenase in generating bioactive products for therapeutical and biomedical advancements.

Temporal ghost imaging using integrated chaotic lasers

We experimentally demonstrate temporal ghost imaging (TGI) based on an integrated chaotic laser. The chaotic laser is a monolithically integrated four-section semiconductor laser, consisting of two distributed-feedback laser sections, an amplification section, and a phase section located between them. Compared with the traditional method of generating chaotic light, optical feedback lasers, this laser has a broader spectrum and does not exhibit feedback delay signature, both of which can improve TGI quality. Experiments reveal the effects of object rate, measurement times, and modulation depth on imaging quality and achieve TGI for 16-Gbit/s non-return-to-zero signals with a detection bandwidth of 1 GHz. It is also demonstrated experimentally that the integrated chaotic laser exhibits superior stability to discrete chaotic laser system; the fluctuation of imaging quality factor is reduced by 35%. Additionally, the TGI is robust to noise, and it maintains reliable performance even at a signal-to-noise ratio of −6.48 dB. It is believed that chaotic lasers are a highly promising TGI light source due to their small size and strong robustness.