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Prediction of pavement performance via smatrphone vibration-induced unevenness signature using machine learning

Tonic GABAA receptor currents in Cerebellar Purkinje cells of wild-type and DMDmdx mice

A prototype integrated approach for sustainable treatment of organic dyes system using ZnO–CuO–AgO heterostructure as photocatalyst

Abstract Water contamination by dyes poses a significant concern for both human health and the environment. Adsorption-based, coagulation, and membrane separation methods have been investigated for the degradation or removal of dyes. However, the use of metal oxide photocatalysts has emerged as a promising approach to address this issue. The efficiency of single metal oxide is limited by high electron-hole pair recombination rates and inefficient absorption of visible light. In the present study, we investigate the ZnO–CuO–AgO photocatalyst for enhanced photodegradation of organic dyes (azo carmine (AC), cresol red (CR), indigo carmine (IC), and neutral red (NR)). ZnO–CuO–AgO nanocomposite is prepared via the hydrothermal method. The structure of the nanocomposite is analyzed by XRD and FTIR spectroscopy. The morphology of the nanocomposite is examined by TEM analysis. Dye degradation is examined using UV-visible spectroscopy, and the degradation efficiency is estimated by analyzing the absorbance curve. Photodegradation studies of AC, CR, IC, and NR dyes show optimal performance at pH 7 with a photocatalyst loading of 0.2 gL − 1 for 25 ppm dye solutions. The degradation percentages of AC, CR, IC, and NR are 94.7%, 80.65%, 97.15%, and 60.16%, respectively. The photodegradation of quaternary dye solution by the nanocomposite exhibited a degradation efficiency of 86.72%. In addition, turbine-based and cloth-based prototypes decorated with ZnO–CuO–AgO exhibit high degradation efficiencies of 91.41% and 88.58%, respectively.

Exposing a silent cancer

An integrated graph neural network model for joint software defect prediction and code quality assessment

Channel-spatial attention modules in convolutional neural networks for image classification

Courtyard design for energy efficiency and thermal comfort: machine learning insights across hot and warm climates

Human occupations at the Alpysbaev Cave (western Tian Shan): Bioarchaeological insights from the Iron Age burial cluster

For millennia, southern Kazakhstan has been at the center of population movements and cultural exchange, hosting numerous tribal unions and confederations. The social structures of the societies that formed these early states have been the subject of extensive research, interpreted primarily from burial structures and funerary rites. In a landscape dominated by kurgans, catacombs, and necropoles, little is known about the disposal of the dead in natural shelters like caves. In this paper, we present the initial results from the newly excavated site of Alpysbaev Cave located in Turkestan Province, southern Kazakhstan. Test excavations yielded several intersecting pits which contained disturbed adult and nonadult human remains (MNI = 4) as well as ceramic sherds, lithics, and by-products of combustion features. We radiocarbon dated material from our five lithostratigraphic units, which come from at least three distinct use phases spanning the Neolithic to early medieval and Iron Age periods. While the earliest lithostratigraphic unit contained human cranial fragments and faunal remains, most skeletal remains come from the Iron Age. We then present an integrated bioarchaeological and genetic evaluation of these remains and show evidence for subsistence practices, physical labour and pathological lesions among our sample.

Is your brain tired? Researchers are discovering the roots of mental fatigue

Application of UMAP to identify refined gold sources using chemical composition analysis

The use of international comparison as interactive teaching method in pharmacy education

Background Learning through international comparison assignments can significantly impact students’ academic performance. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study used a mixed methods approach that included quantitative and qualitative data collection. The survey was divided into five domains: knowledge development, international perspective, future prospects, personal enjoyment, and skills. Students’ levels of agreement were gauged using a five-point Likert scale, with five indicating the strongest agreement and one indicating the strongest disagreement. Additionally, open-ended questions encouraging students to reflect about their experiences were included in the survey. Results A total of 214 students completed the questionnaire, achieving a response rate of 81.6%. Nearly 90% of the participants agreed or strongly agreed that a comparison of the two international perspectives was effective in supporting their knowledge of drug approval processes in Saudi Arabia and other countries. However, approximately three-quarters of the students strongly agreed or agreed that international comparison and contrast assignments would influence their career choices. The difference between male and female participants was statistically significant in the International Perspective domain and Skills domain (p = 0.02 and p = 0.018 respectively). The students were enthusiastic about the assignment’s development and improvement of a set of crucial abilities, including searching, analyzing, summarizing, critical thinking, and teamwork, which are crucial for healthcare students, particularly pharmacy students. Conclusion Overall, learning by using an international comparison of contrast assignments as an interactive teaching method can positively impact students’ academic and professional development by helping them develop critical thinking, research, writing, cultural awareness, and communication skills.

A blood-based co-expression signature of LncRNAs and transcription factors in neuromyelitis optica with diagnostic and mechanistic implications

Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device treatment in heavy menstrual bleeding: Correlation with endometrial pathology and quality of life

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of 52 mg Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (LNG-IUD), which is frequently used in patients with heavy menstrual bleeding, on quality of life according to benign endometrial pathology patterns. The study was designed retrospectively.143 patients between the ages of 28 and 54, who underwent endometrial sampling due to heavy menstrual bleeding and then the 52 mg LNG-IUD was placed, were included in the study. The most commonly observed results in endometrial pathology were divided into 2 groups: normal cycle patterns and hormonal imbalance patterns. Change in quality of life after LNG-IUD insertion was assessed using the Menorrhagia Multiattribute Scale (MMAS), the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and the Beck Depression Inventory. In both groups, a significant increase was observed in all parameters of the SF-36 quality of life scale and the MMAS total score after LNG-IUD use compared to the pre-IUD period (p < 0.05) (MMAS increased from 51.9 ± 27.8% to 83.8 ± 26.2% at 6 months), and a significant decrease was observed in the Beck Depression Inventory score and depression rate (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the changes in quality of life questionnaires before and after LNG-IUD use between the groups (p > 0.05). The LNG-IUD provides substantial improvements in bleeding control and quality of life among women with heavy menstrual bleeding, and these effects are not influenced by endometrial pathology results.

Effect of spin polarization on multifunctional physical properties of the quaternary Heusler alloys CrZCoSn (Z = Zr, Hf) for energy technologies: A comprehensive DFT study

ETHIAD: A novel explainable model for detecting illicit accounts on Ethereum

Ethereum has become a significant trading platform for financial activities such as Dapps, ICOs, and DeFi. However, it has also become a hub for criminal activities such as fraud, money laundering, and illicit fundraising. The construction of fraud detection models employing machine learning techniques is currently a mainstream research direction. Nevertheless, existing studies face significant challenges, including class imbalance in data samples and a lack of model interpretability. In this content, this work proposes a novel explainable model for Ethereum illicit account detection, ETHIAD (Ethereum Illicit Account Detection). Firstly, we pre-process the dataset by ADASYN oversampling and Lasso feature selection, etc., to more efficiently achieve feature modeling of transaction structures. Then, the ETHIAD model is trained using the XGboost algorithm, with an accuracy, precision, recall, F1 score, and AUC value of 99.70%, 99.51%, 99.02%, 99.26%, and 99.45%, respectively, the model outperforms the existing SOTA model by 0.05%−1.1%. Finally, we introduce SHAP framework to analyze the key influencing factors of illicit accounts from multiple perspectives, and the conclusions strongly enhance the explainability of the model.

A computational approach to voltage stability enhancement and loss reduction in distribution systems using PSO-optimized STATCOM and DG

Abstract Voltage stability enhancement and loss reduction present critical challenges in modern power distribution networks. This study develops a Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) based multi-objective framework for optimal sizing and placement of Distributed Generation (DG) units and Static Synchronous Compensators (STATCOMs) in radial distribution systems. The research contributes a comprehensive methodology that simultaneously maximizes voltage stability index (VSI), enhances voltage profiles, and minimizes power losses through intelligent optimization. The proposed approach is validated on real 35-bus and 53-bus radial distribution systems from Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, demonstrating significant improvements: VSI enhancement from 0.8083 to 0.840 p.u. (3.96% improvement) and power loss reduction from 150.28 kW to 27.65 kW (81.59% reduction) for the 35-bus system. The 53-bus system achieves VSI improvement from 0.61 to 0.84 p.u. (37.7% enhancement) and loss reduction from 612.43 kW to 121.43 kW (80.17% reduction). Contributions include: (i) joint optimization of DG and STATCOM placement considering multiple objectives, (ii) validation on real distribution feeders with practical constraints, and (iii) comprehensive performance analysis demonstrating the effectiveness of coordinated device deployment.

Comparative evaluation of five rapid PCR platforms for respiratory virus detection

Background The demand for rapid molecular diagnostics for respiratory viruses has increased substantially. Several point-of-care PCR platforms have become available, yet comparative performance data remain limited. Objectives To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and operational reliability of four rapid PCR platforms for detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza A and B viruses (IAV, IBV), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), in comparison with the GeneXpert (Cepheid, USA) platform. Methods Nasopharyngeal swabs from patients with respiratory symptoms were tested using the GeneXpert, positive samples were subsequently analysed on four alternative systems: the 30-minute and 1-hour M10 (SD Biosensor, South Korea) assays, FlashDetect™ Flash10 (Coyote Bioscience, China), Vivalytic (Bosch Healthcare Solutions, Germany), and Galaxy Lite (Igenesis, China). Additional lower viral load samples and cultured IAV/ IBV strains were included. Results A total of 223 GeneXpert positive samples were prospectively analysed. Flash10 showed 94.6% overall agreement, missing SARS-CoV-2 (n = 4, GeneXpert Cycle threshold (Ct) min-max; 37.7–42.2), IAV (n = 5, 32.8–37.7), and IBV (n = 3, 26.5–36.7). Vivalytic showed 83.0% overall agreement, missing SARS-CoV-2 (n = 16, 30.4–42.2), IAV (n = 9, 26.8–37.7), IBV (n = 9, 27.2–36.7), and RSV (n = 4, 31.5–37.0). Galaxy Lite achieved 88.2% overall agreement but failed in 27.2% of test runs. With a smaller sample size the M10 (30-minute) assay showed 98.6% overall agreement with GeneXpert, missing one SARS-CoV-2 case (Ct 39.7). Conclusion Among four platforms, the M10 (30-min version) and Flash10 platforms demonstrated the highest agreement rates with the GeneXpert. The variability in performance highlights the importance of independent platform evaluation.

Four young universities share their strategies for success

Effects of Passiflora incarnata on salivary biomarkers and anxiety in patients undergoing third molar extraction surgery

An open-source bio-logger for studying cetacean behavior and communication

Over the past decade, bioacoustics associated with diverse marine life has become the focus of increasing research. While fixed acoustic devices play important roles in characterizing localized soundscapes, animal-worn devices that record audio alongside physiological metrics provide richer portals to understanding cetacean communication and characterizing sounds in their environment. To facilitate scaling the collection of such multimodal datasets for deep learning applications and to encourage rapid prototyping for new recording capabilities, we present an open-source non-invasive bio-logger that can be deployed on marine animals to record high-quality audio synchronized with an extensible suite of behavioral and environmental sensors. The current implementation is tailored to investigating sperm whale communication and biology. It features four suction cups, three high-bandwidth synchronized hydrophones for audio analysis including directionality, GPS logging and transmission, and sensors for pressure, motion, orientation, temperature, and light. Its hardware and software are both open-source, with designs, fabrication details, and code available online. Lab-based experiments characterize and validate performance including shear adhesion forces, withstanding pressures equivalent to 560 m depths, battery life up to 16.8 hours, audio sensitivity of –205 dB re FS/μPa with a 96 dB dynamic range, multi-threaded data acquisition, drone-based deployments, and GPS-based recoveries. Field experiments record sperm whale vocalizations and behaviors spanning 10 deployments, 44 hours of recording, 20 dives, and up to 967 m depths. Altogether, this platform aims to advance the understanding of marine animal biology and communication within the rapidly evolving and intersecting areas of robotics, bioacoustics, and machine learning.