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Effect of graphene addition on tensile, flexural, and hardness behavior of GFRP composites
Polymer Matrix Composites represent a new generation of engineering materials in which matrix materials are altered by reinforcing filler materials to enhance strength and other properties. In the present work, the Glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites were fabricated by adding different compositions of Graphene as a Nano filler material using the Hand layup technique, followed by the Vacuum bagging process. The Graphene filler material was varied from 0 wt. %, 2 wt. %, and 4 wt. %. The prepared composites were characterized by subjecting them to various mechanical tests such as tensile test, flexural test, and micro hardness test. The experimental results revealed an increase in tensile strength by 5.48%, flexural strength by 27.74%, and a reduction in microhardness by 20% for 4 wt. % filler added GFRP compared to neat GFRP, indicating reduced brittleness and enhanced ductility. Furthermore, addition of graphene resulted in a 9% increase in elongation and improved interfacial bonding between glass fiber and epoxy matrix was observed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed uniform graphene dispersion, reduced voids, and improved fiber–matrix adhesion. The results demonstrate that the inclusion of 4 wt. % graphene filler achieves an optimal balance between strength, flexibility, and interfacial bonding, making these composites suitable for structural and lightweight applications.
Evaluation of disinfection methods and effects for handwashing sinks contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa
The impact of banking uncertainty on firm investment: A look into intangible assets
This study examines the impact of banking uncertainty on intangible investments, in the context that there has been a growing body of literature addressing the ramifications of aggregate uncertainty on overall investment or physical investment. Based on data from 619 non-financial listed companies and 40 commercial banks in Vietnam between 2007 and 2022, we perform empirical regression analysis using the dynamic generalized method of moments (GMM) estimations since firms’ investment behavior is significantly persistent. We make our investigations more relevant and comprehensive by considering banking uncertainty in Vietnam’s bank-based market and delving into the underlying mechanisms through which banking uncertainty impacts corporate investments. Our findings reveal that firms tend to curtail their intangible asset investments in response to higher banking sector uncertainty, albeit the magnitude of the impact is economically weak. Differently, banking uncertainty substantially constrains investments in tangible fixed assets. We further provide evidence on financial conditions (captured by the cost of debt, financing constraints, and firms’ bank debt) as a driving force underlying the relationship between banking uncertainty and tangible assets, but not intangible investments. Our results remain robust after considering alternative variables, accounting for potential structural disruptions arising from crises, and addressing potential endogeneity concerns.
Probing into the binding mechanism of phosphorus(V)-corrole with hemoglobin using photophysical and computational approach
Coping strategies among family caregivers of community-dwelling older adults in Lebanon amid the economic crisis
Background Adopting effective and adaptable coping strategies can help reduce the distress associated with the caregiving burden. Studies assessing coping strategies among caregivers of older adults in the Arab world remain limited. This study aims to assess the coping strategies employed by caregivers of older adults in Lebanon, investigate factors associated with these coping mechanisms, and examine whether social support mediates the relationship between psychological distress and coping amid Lebanon’s ongoing economic crisis. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 544 caregivers of community-dwelling older adults participated. Data were collected online via Google Forms and included several instruments: a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory Scale, the Katz Index of Activities of Daily Living, the Autonomy in Daily Functioning-Contemporary Scale, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Generalized linear models were used to identify factors associated with different coping strategies. Results Caregivers primarily relied on problem-focused coping strategies to manage stress, with an average score of 5.73 (standard deviation [SD] = 1.22). Among the various coping methods, religious coping was the most frequently used, with a mean score of 6.82 (SD = 1.50), while substance use was the least commonly adopted, scoring an average of 2.57 (SD = 1.24). Higher household income was significantly associated with greater use of problem-focused coping (B = 0.352; p-value = 0.003). Additionally, higher educational attainment was linked to increased use of problem-focused (B = 0.240; p-value = 0.044) and emotion-focused coping strategies (B = 0.284; p-value = 0.024). Psychological distress was inversely related to emotion-focused and problem-focused coping but showed a positive correlation with avoidance coping. Social support was positively correlated with both emotion-focused coping (B = 0.881; p-value < 0.001) and problem-focused coping (B = 1.005; p-value < 0.001) and partially mediated the association between coping methods and psychological distress. Conclusion Lebanese caregivers primarily rely on adaptive coping strategies to manage ongoing difficulties and rarely resort to maladaptive approaches. The findings emphasize the need for caregiver support initiatives that are culturally relevant and psychologically supportive, acknowledging the significant influence of socioeconomic status, psychological distress, and social support on coping behaviors.
Correction: Evaluation of the remineralization potential of bioactive materials using different methods
Evidence of an allostatic response by intestinal tissues following induction of joint inflammation
Disrupted intestinal epithelial barrier function has been proposed to be integral to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) progression and pathogenesis. To further define the molecular pathways in synovial inflammation and the response of the intestinal tissues, we have used a rat model of mono-joint inflammatory arthritis, induced by intra-articular injection of Complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA). The predominant inflammatory response of a single injection of the adjuvant into the knee joint resulted in rapid and reproducible formation of a fibrotic myeloid-infiltrated synovial pannus. Our aim was to determine how intestinal tissues, including the proximal and distal ileum and distal colon, responded to inflammatory changes in the synovium in a temporally coordinated manner by comparing their transcriptomic landscapes using RNASeq analyses. We confirmed the timeline of joint inflammation by knee joint swelling measurement, increased synovial fluid levels of bikunin (a component of both the acute phase protein pre-alpha-inhibitor and inter-alpha-inhibitor) and demonstrated a self-correcting response of trabecular and cortical bone to the CFA challenge. Intestine-specific responses were monitored by 16S microbiome amplicon sequencing, histopathology for mucus layer integrity, and immune cell immunohistochemistry. We present data that shows the intestinal tissue displays an allostatic response to the acute joint inflammation and was region specific. The ileum primarily responded with increased mucus secretion and silencing of T-cell specific pathways, whereas the colon showed a transient upregulation of macrophages, with a broader suppression of immune related and metabolic pathway related transcripts. Interestingly, many neuropathways were activated early but then suppressed later in both the ileum and colon. There were only insignificant changes in the fecal microbiome composition in ileum or colon post-CFA administration. In summary, our data show for the first time a suppression of intestinal inflammatory and immune responses following the induction of joint inflammation and only minimal and transient changes in the microbiome. The results help clarify the molecular responses of intestinal tissues to inflammatory stresses that accompany the pathogenesis of inflammatory joint diseases.
Correction: Pyrotinib promotes the antitumor effect of T-DM1 by increasing drug endocytosis in HER2-positive breast cancer
A novel template-free synthesis of Na-A Zeolite for enhanced removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions
The removal of toxic heavy metals from wastewater remains a major environmental challenge due to their non-bio-degradability, persistence, and adverse health effects. In this work, a novel DES-assisted microwave hydrothermal route was developed for the rapid synthesis of hierarchical Na A. zeolite (NaAZ), offering a new pathway toward enhanced adsorption performance. Structural characterization (X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy” (FT-IR(Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method (BET) Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed the formation of highly crystalline cubic NaAZ with improved surface area and accessible porosity. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the uptake of Pb 2 ⁺ , Cu 2 ⁺ , Cd 2 ⁺ , Ni 2 ⁺ , and Zn 2 ⁺ ions under varying operational conditions, including contact time, adsorbent dose, initial concentration, pH, and temperature. Results showed fast adsorption kinetics, with equilibrium reached within 90 min for most ions. Kinetic modeling revealed that the pseudo-second-order model best described the process, while equilibrium data were well-fitted to the Langmuir isotherm, indicating monolayer adsorption. Thermodynamic parameters confirmed the spontaneous and endothermic nature of the adsorption. Fixed-bed column studies demonstrated efficient dynamic adsorption, with breakthrough behavior successfully modeled using Thomas, Yoon–Nelson, and Bohart–Adams equations, confirming the material’s suitability for continuous treatment applications. Furthermore, the synthesized NaAZ exhibited excellent regeneration and reusability, maintaining high removal efficiency over multiple cycles. Compared to conventional adsorbents such as activated carbon, graphene oxide, chitosan composites, bio-char, and natural zeolite. The superior adsorption performance and distinct selectivity pattern observed for NaAZ (Pb 2 ⁺ > Cu 2 ⁺ > Cd 2 ⁺ > Zn 2 ⁺ > Ni 2 ⁺) can be attributed to the synergistic effects of its hierarchical porosity and defect-engineered active sites, rather than simple ionic size or hydration radius considerations. The results indicated that the high efficiency of NaAZ was significantly for the removal of heavy metals from synthetic solutions, Overall, the optimal conditions with a contact time of 120 min, a pH of 6.0, temperature 35 0 C and an adsorbent dose of 250 mg.
Characterisation of pelagic seascapes through micronektonic and zooplanktonic scattering layers
Abstract Landscape ecology is a key discipline for studying the relationships between spatial patterns and ecological processes, as well as for monitoring macro-scale changes in ecosystems. Unlike terrestrial landscapes, which have been extensively studied, the open-ocean pelagic environment presents unique complexities that require innovative approaches for its understanding. Aggregations of micronektonic and macrozooplanktonic organisms in layers are prominent features of the open-ocean pelagic zone. Such visually cryptic features can be revealed by echosounders as pelagic Sound Scattering Layers (SSLs). We characterise various pelagic seascapes and their relationships with environmental parameters across three oceanographically contrasting tropical regions, characterised by diverse ecological patterns, using an integrated methodological framework that combines dual-frequency acoustic analysis (18 and 38 kHz). Diel vertical migration is a common feature that involves epipelagic and mesopelagic SSLs. Nevertheless, there are significant regional contrasts in SSL spatial distribution as oceanographic features influence SSL patterns and micronektonic acoustic backscatter. Acoustically defined pelagic seascapes reveal biological-physical coupling and SSL responses to oceanographic variability at meso- and macro-scales. SSL distribution was significantly driven by oceanographic variables such as temperature, chlorophyll a, salinity, oxygen, and PAR, as well as by mesoscale eddies that structured their spatial patterns, with anticyclonic eddies concentrating SSLs’ acoustic backscatter at their centres and cyclonic eddies exhibiting scattered acoustic backscatter at their peripheries. This framework enhances our ability to assess how climate variability and changing ocean conditions influence open-ocean pelagic ecosystems. Developed and demonstrated at a broad regional scale, this validated approach establishes a transferable framework for characterising pelagic habitats through integrated SSL structures, enabling its application across wider spatial and temporal domains to advance understanding of global biophysical and ecosystem dynamics.
Explainable AI framework for improved Thalassemia mental health classification and feature selection
Mental health challenges in Thalassemia patients are often overlooked, despite their significant impact on quality of life. Traditional statistical and machine learning approaches often fail to capture the complex, nonlinear relationships between psychosocial and clinical variables, limiting both accuracy and interpretability. To overcome this, we propose the Adaptive Multi-Stage Ensemble with Dynamic Feature Interaction (AMSE-DFI)—a novel feature selection framework that dynamically integrates mutual information, ensemble learning, and graph attention mechanisms to capture intricate feature interdependencies often missed by traditional approaches. Using the SF-36 health survey data from 356 Bangladeshi patients, AMSE-DFI effectively identified key predictors such as total SF score, role emotional, and physical health summary, which collectively reflect both physical and psychological well-being. The model outperformed conventional approaches, showing strong predictive reliability and robust generalization, with SMOTE effectively addressing class imbalance in the clinical data. Importantly, Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations (LIME) based explainable AI offered clear, interpretable insights into how key features affect individual patient outcomes, making the model more understandable and actionable for clinicians. This framework provides a practical, transparent tool to support early detection and personalized management of mental health challenges in Thalassemia care.
Activation of LH orexin neurons and VTA dopamine neurons is involved in anesthesia/surgery-induced sleep–wake disorders and delirium-like behaviors in mice
Lgr5+ ductal cells of von Ebner’s glands: Candidate stem cells for turnover of posterior tongue taste buds
Taste bud cells have a limited lifespan and must be continuously replaced along with the papilla epithelium in which they reside. Previous work has shown that expression of leucine-rich G protein-coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5), a Wnt pathway agonist, serves as a marker of adult stem/progenitor cells for taste buds located in posterior tongue (circumvallate and foliate), but not anterior tongue (fungiform), taste papillae. However, the specific location/niche of the Lgr5 -expressing cells supporting renewal and their phenotypic properties have not been fully explored. To address this, the genesis and fate of Lgr5 + cells were examined in developing and adult mice using genetic reporter strains. Evidence from Lgr5-lacZ and Lgr5-GFP mice shows that, while Lgr5 is broadly expressed in the epithelium of nascent circumvallate papillae and their trenches during embryonic development, it becomes concentrated within the ducts of adjacent von Ebner’s salivary glands during the first postnatal week, co-incident with the appearance of differentiated taste buds. In posterior tongue taste papillae of adult animals, sites of highest Lgr5-lacZ and Lgr5-GFP expression are found in excretory ducts, restricted to the outer (basal) layer of the bi-layered excretory zone. These Lgr5 + cells are immunoreactive for keratin 14, like cells in the basal layer of extragemmal taste epithelium, and are often seen to express Sox9, a marker of exocrine gland duct cells. Lineage tracing experiments with an Lgr5-EGFP-IRES-CreERT2; mTmG reporter show that Lgr5 + ductal cells become labeled one day following Cre induction, prior to the appearance of descendent cells in taste buds. Overall, the data support a role for Lgr5 + ductal cells as stem cells and suggest that a cooperative interaction exists between posterior taste epithelium and its associated salivary glands in taste cell turnover.
Influence of confining pressure and stress amplitude on the mechanical properties and permeability characteristics of coal
Challenges and solutions in determining urolithiasis caseloads using the digital infrastructure of a clinical data warehouse
Background: To provide more evidence in urolithiasis research, we have established the German Nationwide Register for RECurrent URolithiasis (RECUR) using local clinical data warehouses (CDWH). For RECUR and other registers relying on digitalized clinical data, it is crucial to ensure the data’s reliability for answering scientific questions. In this work, we aim to compare the results of different CDWH-based queries on urolithiasis cases next to manual case extraction from the primary source. Methods: Sources for data extraction included the Medical Center University of Freiburg (MCUF) hospital information system (HIS), MCUF performance data (a clinical data set with merged data from patients including data from various time points throughout their treatment), and MCUF reimbursement data. We extracted data on caseloads in urolithiasis algorithmically (performance and reimbursement data) and compared those to a reference group compiled of manually extracted data from the local HIS and algorithmically extracted data. Results: Algorithmic extraction based on performance data resulted in correct and complete case identification as compared to the reference group. The case numbers from manual extraction from HIS data and algorithmic extraction from reimbursement data differed by 14% and 12%, respectively. The reasons for deviations in HIS data included human errors and a lack of data availability from different wards. Deviations in reimbursement data arose primarily due to the merging of cases in the context of reimbursement mechanisms. As the CDWH at MCUF is part of the German Medical Informatics Initiative (MII), the results can be transferred to other medical centers with similar CDWH structure. Conclusions: The current study provides firm evidence of the importance of clearly defining a study’s target variable, e.g., urolithiasis cases, and a thorough understanding of the data sources and modes used to extract the target data. Our work clearly shows that, depending on various data sources, a case is not a case is not a case.
Antibacterial, antibiofilm, and metabolomic profiling of the novel freshwater fungi Longipedicellata megafusiformis and Wicklowia fusiformispora
Croaking for haste: How long does it take to describe a frog species since its discovery?
Global biodiversity faces severe anthropogenic threats, with alarming extinction rates projected for the near future. Most of Earth’s diversity remains undescribed, meaning countless species are doomed to extinction before being documented. Since current conservation laws typically consider only described species, the lag time in achieving a representative global biodiversity inventory is a crucial issue impeding effective conservation. Amphibians, the most endangered vertebrate class, exemplify the challenge: while the number of threatened species rises, new species descriptions rapidly increase, and hundreds of candidate species are flagged annually. We analyzed all anuran species described from 2000 to 2023 across four biodiversity-rich tropical regions to investigate the time required to describe new frog species. We quantified the time needed to collect the type series, the number and timing of expeditions, the lag between collection and publication, and the total time. Additionally, we explored temporal trends and the effect of selected abiotic variables. The time-lag from the collection of the first specimen to the formal publication of a frog species description ranged from 0.4 to 125.7 years (median = 7.3, mean = 11.3), type series collection from 0 to 104.9 (median = 0.1, mean = 4.5), and description and publication from 0.2 to 54.6 (median = 4.4, mean = 6.8). Alarmingly, the time required to describe new species is globally increasing. Thirty-six percent of species were named within five years of first collection, highlighting the need for continued collecting, biological collections as reservoirs of undescribed diversity, and calling for specimen revision after expeditions. These results raise concerns about the effectiveness of current taxonomic and conservation practices addressing the biodiversity crisis. We call for a global effort to prioritize taxonomic research and discuss taxonomic and conservation approaches. Under current practices, and given the observed timelines, we will lose the race against extinction for many species.
Hybrid machine learning and Gaussian process for antenna parameter estimation
Do opinion leaders know more? Knowledge accuracy, self-confidence, and media use in agricultural issues
This empirical study examines the relationship between knowledge accuracy, self-confidence, and perceived opinion leadership in the context of agricultural issues. Using data from a representative online survey of the German population (n = 2,022), the study analyses how objective factual knowledge and subjective confidence are associated with individuals’ self-reported role as opinion leaders, with particular attention to confidence calibration and the Dunning–Kruger Effect (DKE). The theoretical framing integrates Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and the Two-Step Flow of Communication Model (TSFCM) as heuristic perspectives for understanding social learning and information exchange, while explicitly acknowledging their limitations in contemporary media environments. Across nine factual knowledge statements, the average correct response rate was 64%, while a substantial share of respondents exhibited measurable overconfidence, particularly for false statements. Individuals classified as opinion leaders report significantly higher confidence levels and more intensive use of both, traditional and digital media than the general population, yet they do not demonstrate higher knowledge accuracy. Regression analyses show that confidence and media use are substantially stronger predictors of perceived opinion leadership than factual knowledge. These findings highlight a systematic mismatch between confidence and knowledge among influential communicators in an information-sensitive domain. Rather than demonstrating misinformation effects directly, the results point to the importance of confidence calibration and critical source evaluation in public communication on agriculture and food. The study contributes to the literature by empirically linking confidence miscalibration and opinion leadership within a general population context. From an applied perspective, the findings underline the relevance of targeted communication and literacy initiatives that address overconfidence among highly confident communicators.