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Experimental study on layered cemented tailings backfill damage and failure mechanisms under blast loading

Scientific Reports Hongjie Qiu, Xianyang Qiu, Rihong Cao et al. Feb 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-40868-x

Life cycle assessment of MSW-to-biofuel conversion pathways: a comparative analysis

Scientific Reports Rahul S. Raj, Siddharth Jain, Amit Kumar Sharma et al. Feb 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-32082-y

Abstract Rapidly increasing municipal solid waste (MSW) generation, reaching 160,039 tonnes per day in India, and the environmental burdens of conventional disposal highlight the need for efficient waste-to-biofuel solutions. This study conducts a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of seven MSW-to-biofuel pathways: open landfilling, landfill gas recovery, incineration, torrefaction, gasification, hydrothermal carbonization, and integrated gasification. Using a functional unit of 1 tonne of MSW, the assessment quantifies environmental impacts across five midpoint categories (GWP, SOD, FEP, LU, WC) following ISO 14040/44 guidelines. The methodology integrates experimental MSW characterization, national waste statistics, and ± 10% sensitivity analysis to address uncertainties in methane capture, energy recovery, and grid displacement. Results show substantial differences across pathways, with integrated gasification (MIG) emerging as the most sustainable option, achieving an avoided GWP of − 1095 kg CO 2 eq, water savings of − 1125.61 m 3 , and the lowest land-use requirement (− 32.39 m 2 ·a). Material Flow Analysis further validates MIG’s superior mass-energy conversion when combined with recycling. The study’s novelty lies in its first holistic comparison of seven thermochemical and conventional MSW pathways tailored to India, integrating LCA and MFA evidence. the findings support prioritizing advanced thermochemical routes, particularly MIG, for climate-resilient, resource-efficient, and circular MSW management.

Multi-objective sizing and location of DG in distribution network by hybrid gorilla troops optimization-genetic algorithm: a real case study

Scientific Reports Abdelmalek Gacem, Mabrouka Romdhane, Ridha Kechida et al. Feb 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-41868-7

Image prediction algorithm for foggy road scenes based on improved transformer

Scientific Reports Bo-Tao Zhang, Ai-Ying Zhao, Pei Xiong Feb 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-25974-6

Most purported brain-released plasma circular RNAs detected in stroke likely originate from white blood cells

Scientific Reports Grant C. O’Connell, Kara Williams, Rachel A. Boyette et al. Feb 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-41061-w

Interpretable machine learning for shoreline forecasting

Scientific Reports Mahmoud Al Najar, Dennis G. Wilson, Rafael Almar Feb 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-37403-3

Research on the early warning indicator system for red tide disasters in the nearshore sea area in Qinhuangdao

Scientific Reports Liu Yu, Wu Yuchen, Zhang Ning et al. Feb 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-40344-6

Abstract In order to construct an early warning indicator system for red tide disasters in the nearshore sea area of Haigang District in Qinhuangdao, this study analyzes data collected from online buoy monitoring from April to October 2024, including temperature, salinity, chlorophyll-a, pH, turbidity, nitrate, and dissolved oxygen (DO) data, along with red tide information from monitoring based on satellite remote sensing. The results indicated that during the monitoring period, red tides occurred 16 times, with a cumulative duration of 55 days and a total affected area of 10,047 km 2 . The typical duration and affected area of a single red tide ranged from 1 to 2 days and 195 to 850 km 2 , respectively. The occurrence of red tides in the nearshore sea area of Haigang District is associated with environmental factors such as chlorophyll-a, nitrate, DO and its range, among others. Taking each environmental factor as an early warning indicator for red tides, both chlorophyll-a and nitrate showed an increasing trend in missing alarm rate (MAR) with the increase in the red tide incidence. The study results showed that red tides in the nearshore sea area of Haigang District present the characteristics of high frequency, long durations, and large average areas from late summer to early autumn (August to October). The DO range and nitrate are reliable early warning factors of red tide occurrence in the sea area.

Optimized wheat seed classification using YOLO with morphological image feature enhancement

Scientific Reports B. Deepika, N. Shanmugapriya, R. Gopi Feb 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-41846-z

Formation tracking control of multiple USVs using ADRC with prescribed performance

Scientific Reports Mingen Huo, Wenlong Mao, Xiaojuan Wang Feb 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-37252-0

MAGUK p55 subfamily member 7 attenuates allergic airway inflammation by modulating lung dendritic cells functions

Scientific Reports Yingli Men, Yongfeng Chen, Yi Shao et al. Feb 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-40491-w

Abstract Asthma remains the most prevalent chronic respiratory condition affecting pediatric populations, with no curative therapy currently available. Dendritic cells (DCs) are pivotal in initiating Th2 polarization during asthmatic responses, though molecular mechanisms governing DC activation remain incompletely elucidated. As a constituent of the membrane palmitoylated protein family, membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) p55 subfamily member 7 (MPP7) has potential therapeutic implications for respiratory disorders, yet its specific involvement in asthma pathogenesis requires further investigation. This study aimed to elucidate MPP7’s protective effects against allergic airway inflammation by analyzing its impact on Th2 immune responses and DC functionality. Clinical data revealed notably reduced MPP7 levels in asthmatic patients’ peripheral blood samples. Experimental models using house-dust-mite (HDM)-exposed mice demonstrated that MPP7 deficiency intensified airway inflammatory responses, with pathological manifestations including amplified leukocyte infiltration, heightened Th2 cytokine production, and elevated serum levels of HDM-specific IgE. Notably, MPP7 caused a marked reduction in pulmonary CD11b + CD103 − DCs populations while inhibiting DC activation via interference with NF-κB pathway signaling. These results collectively suggest that MPP7 exerts its anti-inflammatory effects through dual mechanisms involving both cellular subset modulation and intracellular signaling pathway inhibition in DCs, positioning it as a promising candidate for managing allergic respiratory disorders and associated immune-mediated conditions.

Epitope dynamics and antigenic shifts in dengue virus serotype 2 cosmopolitan genotype with structural changes in Bangladesh from 2017 to 2023

Scientific Reports Shaheen Alam, Selim Reza Tony, Sabik Khair et al. Feb 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-38446-2

Enhancing groundwater recharge mapping in arid regions with geospatial multi-criteria analysis in the Eastern desert of Egypt

Scientific Reports Mohamed Saber, Sameh A. Kantoush, Tetsuya Sumi et al. Feb 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-39134-x

A modified Yoong ultrasound guided injection for hydrodilation of subacromial subdeltoid bursa at the rotator interval for frozen phase of adhesive capsulitis

Scientific Reports Azwan Aziz Mohamad, Norlelawati Mohamad, Badrul Akmal Hisham Md Yusoff Feb 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-41184-0

The impact of different exercise modes on prostate cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis

Scientific Reports Jie Liu, Qiang Li, Yu Han Feb 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-41076-3

A fine-grained transformer combined with multimodal data for predicting hospital length of stay in acute coronary syndrome

Scientific Reports Lijue You, Xingxing Cen, Sufen Wang Feb 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-41279-8

Subcellular localization and differential expression provide insights into the putative function of the nematode resistance gene Hs4

Scientific Reports Annika Schildberg, Kevin Dorn, Christian Jung Feb 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-40666-5

Abstract Plant-parasitic nematodes are economically important threats to global crop production. The beet cyst nematode ( Heterodera schachtii ) is a crucial pest in sugar beet ( Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris ). While all species of the genus Beta are highly susceptible, the three species of the beet wild relative genus Patellifolia are entirely resistant. Recently, we cloned the Hs4 gene from P. procumbens, which confers complete resistance. In this study, we aimed to determine whether putative Hs4 orthologs exist in Beta and Patellifolia species. The Hs4 gene consisted of 4999 bp, with six exons and five introns. Patellifolia species contain highly similar Hs4 homologs. Single nucleotide polymorphisms and insertions/deletions between accessions and species could be detected. We found an exonic integration of three bases, resulting in the addition of one amino acid. Interestingly, this variant was present in single accessions of all three Patellifolia species. Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris contains an Hs4 homolog ( BvHs4 ) with 60 % protein identity to Hs4. BvHs4 homologs were present in all Beta species analyzed. Further, we examined the expression patterns of Hs4 and BvHs4 homologs. While Hs4 homologs from Patellifolia species are strongly expressed in roots, BvHs4 homologs are expressed mainly in leaves. When the spatio-temporal expression of Hs4 was examined, no response to nematode inoculation was observed. These results are highly relevant for searching for functional Hs4 alleles and breeding nematode-resistant varieties.

Machine learning algorithm reveals neurodevelopmental signatures of combined family income and neighborhood disadvantage in adolescents

Scientific Reports Kavari Hercules Feb 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-42346-w

Comprehensive profiling of circRNAs reveals stimulus-specific networks and core regulators of cellular senescence

PLoS ONE Mingxia Ge, Zimo Liu, Xiaoxiao Zhao et al. Feb 27, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0343300

Cellular senescence, a hallmark of aging and age-related disorders, is characterized by irreversible cell cycle arrest and profound molecular alterations. Although previous transcriptomic studies have largely focused on protein-coding genes, the expression landscape of circular RNAs (circRNAs) during senescence remains poorly defined. Here, we systematically profiled circRNA expression across multiple senescence models using two human fibroblast lines (WI38 and IMR90) subjected to four distinct senescence-inducing stimuli: replicative senescence (RS), oncogene-induced senescence (OIS), doxorubicin-induced senescence (DOX), and ionizing radiation (IR). Through rigorous analysis, we identified 39,187 high-confidence circRNAs, classifying them into stimulus-specific (SS-circRNAs) and general senescence-associated circRNAs (GS-circRNAs). Among them, 24 GS-circRNAs exhibited conserved expression trends across different senescence models, and eight core circRNAs displayed consistent expression changes in both fibroblast lines, suggesting their potential as universal senescence biomarkers. Functional enrichment and co-expression network analyses revealed that SS-circRNAs participated in pathway-specific processes such as ribosome biogenesis, mitochondrial regulation, ubiquitin-mediated signaling, and RNA metabolism. Collectively, our findings provide a comprehensive atlas of circRNA dynamics across diverse senescence programs and identify candidate circRNAs that may serve as novel diagnostic or therapeutic targets for age-related diseases.

Distinct mutational landscapes and phylogenomic insights of the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant in Pakistan and India: Regional evolution, novel mutations, and epidemiological implications

PLoS ONE Nazia Fiaz, Atia Basheer, Imran Zahoor et al. Feb 27, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0340704

Delta SARS-CoV-2 triggered a devastating wave of COVID-19 in India, infecting approximately 26% of the population (~357 million people) within four months, with ~0.4 million new cases per day, and around 250,000 reported deaths. In contrast, Pakistan experienced a much milder Delta wave, recording only 320,333 infections and 6,287 deaths. Against this epidemiological background, the current study aimed to identify genomic mutations in the delta-variant isolates reported from India and Pakistan and to compare their mutational profiles and phylogenomic patterns, without inferring direct clinical causality, in these neighboring countries. We analyzed 1,312 Pakistani and 3,140 Indian delta-variant genomes from the GISAID database to characterize their mutational spectrum and phylogenomic relationships in a global context. A total of 3,412 mutations were identified in Pakistani isolates compared with 6,856 mutations in Indian samples, reflecting differences in sample size, with NSP3 and spike protein emerging as the most frequently mutated regions. After normalization on a per-genome basis, Pakistani Delta genomes showed a slightly higher mutation density across most ORFs. Several globally common mutations, including ORF8: S84L, ORF1b: P1000L, and S: D157–158 deletions, were absent in both countries. Indian delta-genomes exhibited distinctive variants such as an M1M mutation in ORF7a and multiple stop-gain mutations in ORF3a, ORF7a, ORF8, ORF10, and NSP4, which may reflect population-specific evolutionary patterns rather than definitive effects on pathogenicity or transmissibility. In contrast, Pakistani isolates carried three novel missense mutations, NSP12b: Q348H, ORF6: K42E, and ORF3a: Y211H, at low prevalence. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that Pakistani isolates clustered primarily with Middle Eastern lineages, particularly from Saudi Arabia and Oman, suggesting international travel–linked introductions, rather than implying exclusive transmission routes. These findings highlight distinct regional evolutionary trajectories of delta-variant and demonstrate that differences in total mutation counts do not directly translate into per-genome mutational burden or disease severity. Our results emphasize the need for continued genomic surveillance to monitor region-specific viral adaptations and inform public health strategies.

Long-term clinical outcomes of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for pancreatic duct stone treatment in children with chronic pancreatitis

PLoS ONE Yong Lv, Fangdi Yu, Bo Xiang Feb 27, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0336638

Background Evidence on long-term outcomes of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for pancreatic duct stones (PDS) in children with chronic pancreatitis (CP) remains scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of ERCP in this population. Methods A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted on children with CP and PDS who underwent ERCP at our Hospital (2008.1.1–2024.12.31). Follow-up assessed stone clearance, complications, pain relief, pain type, growth, quality of life (QoL), and long-term complications. Results A total of 90 children with CP and PDS were enrolled in this single-center retrospective cohort study. ERCP achieved 72.1% complete stone clearance; overall complications were 9.6%. Among the 90 patients, 77 (85.6%) completed the full follow-up. Post-ERCP, all abdominal pain subtypes significantly decreased (P < 0.001), with 70.1% complete pain relief. Height and weight increased (P < 0.01); QoL (PedsQL™4.0) scores rose from 69 to 85 points (P < 0.001). Long-term complications included new diabetes (5.2%) and steatorrhea (5.2%); PDS recurrence was 7.8%. Conclusion ERCP is safe and effective for children with CP and PDS, significantly improving long-term pain, growth, and QoL, supporting its role as a first-line therapy.