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GIS-MCDA assessment of landfill suitability in flood-prone coastal Alappuzha, Kerala

Protecting honey bees (Apis mellifera) from thermal stress: Probiotics and prebiotics buffer the survival and antioxidant enzyme activity

Environmental temperature profoundly influences honey bee ( Apis mellifera ) physiology, behavior, and survival. In recent years, nutritional interventions have gained attention as potential strategies to mitigate stress-induced physiological disruptions in honey bees. This study evaluated the efficacy of dietary supplementations enriched with combined prebiotics and probiotics in alleviating temperature-related stress. Newly-emerged worker bees were first maintained under optimal conditions (35 °C) and received dietary supplements for 21 days, after which they were exposed to four temperature regimes (4, 15, 35, and 40 °C) to evaluate their stress resilience. Bee survival and the activity of key antioxidant enzymes (i.e., superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, and peroxidase) were assessed. Bees received a commercial probiotic (Progen®) and the prebiotic Inulin in equal proportions at concentrations of 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 g L -1 . The results demonstrated that bees exposed to thermal stress and supplemented with the highest combined dose of probiotic and prebiotic (10 g L -1 of each supplement) exhibited significantly higher survival compared with bees receiving lower doses (2.5 g L -1 ), or an unsupplemented diet. In unsupplemented control groups, temperature stress induced marked increases in antioxidant enzyme activities, indicating significant oxidative stress. In contrast, supplementation resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in enzyme activities across all temperatures, strongly suggesting a protective, and stress-buffering effect. These physiological benefits were accompanied by an increase in gut microbial abundance and enhanced indicators of energy metabolism in the supplemented bees. Overall, our findings demonstrated that combined probiotic and prebiotic supplementation can effectively buffer honey bees against temperature-induced physiological stress, highlighting a practical nutritional strategy to enhance colony resilience under the fluctuating environmental conditions associated with seasonal variation and ongoing global climate change.

Perceptions and care-seeking experiences of people living with type 2 diabetes in urban and rural settings in Central Uganda

Using a co-design approach to develop aquatic reactive balance training for fall prevention

Background Falls are a major health concern among older adults, leading to injury, reduced independence, and increased healthcare cost. Reactive balance training can reduce fall risk, but barriers such as fear, joint discomfort, and harness burden limit its use – barriers that training in aquatic environment  may help overcome. Objective To design an aquatic reactive balance training (AquaReBal) program for older adults, integrating end-user perspectives to enhance safety, accessibility, and engagement. Methods Using a participatory design approach grounded in Participatory Action Research principles, we engaged three older adult partners, physiotherapists, and researchers in iterative phases including literature review, stakeholder consultations, practical pool sessions, and feedback meetings. Data collected through online meetings, surveys, field notes, and observations were reviewed using an inductive qualitative content analysis approach to inform iterative refinement of the intervention, following the Guidance for Reporting Involvement of Patients and the Public 2 framework. Results Three older adult partners and a multidisciplinary team co-designed the AquaReBal protocol through two participatory design sessions, one practical pool session, and two internal team sessions. Key recommendations from partners included using a vest instead of a hip belt for perturbations, addressing pool depth visibility, and creating an introductory package with practical information for participants. Partners emphasized safety, instructor support, and social engagement as critical for adherence and satisfaction. Conclusion The co-design process enabled the development of an AquaReBal protocol tailored to older adults’ needs and preferences, providing initial insights relevant to future feasibility and implementation.

Neopterin, tryptophan and kynurenine as biomarkers in glioblastoma

Recognition of unfamiliar predators in domestic horses through only visual predator cues

Acoustic, olfactory, and visual predator cues trigger various adaptive responses among a variety of prey species even when they are under human protection since birth. Previous studies have found that domesticated animals show increased vigilance, stress, flight, and aggregation behaviors in response to predation threats. These investigations, however, did not directly test visual threatening cues alone in animals that communicate more with body language than vocalizations while considering individual temperament and social status. The current study aims to address this issue. Eighteen horses housed at the Ohio State University Equine Center with mixed age and sex were the subjects of the experiments (mean age = 7 years). The horses were shown affiliative and aggressive behaviors of a pack of wolves (unfamiliar predator) and grazing wombats (unfamiliar non-predator) on a projector without any acoustic cues while their reactions were recorded with an equine heart monitor and camera. Data were also collected on assessments of anxiety/fear, social dependency, and social status in the herd. Results showed that domestic horses distinguished an unfamiliar predator from an unfamiliar non‑predator based on visual cues alone, showing significantly higher heart rate (HR) responses to wolf videos than to wombat videos ( P  = 0.0022). HR also increased relative to baseline during wolf videos ( P  = 0.0005), whereas HR during wombat videos did not differ from baseline ( P  = 0.28). There were no significant differences in HR responses to affiliative vs. aggressive behaviors displayed by wolves ( P  = 0.4033). The age of the horses was negatively associated with fearfulness ( P  = 0.0048) and social dependency ( P  = 0.0076). Male horses showed a more heightened HR to unfamiliar predator cues compared to females ( P  = 0.0088). High social status was associated with an increased HR response to unfamiliar predator stimuli ( P  = 0.033) but was unrelated to control stimulus HR ( P  = 0.26), baseline HR ( P  = 0.32), fearfulness ( P  = 0.26), social dependency ( P  = 0.85), age ( P  = 0.42), and sex ( P  = 0.61). Lateralized gaze revealed a near total absence of left eye viewing across all stimuli, with no difference between right gaze and binocular look durations for wolves ( P  = 0.83). In contrast, horses showed a significant binocular preference over right-gaze when viewing wombats ( P  < 0.0001). These results demonstrate that, based on visual cues alone, horses exhibit physiological alertness toward potential predatory threats while responding to non-threatening stimuli with exploratory gaze behaviors.

Fuzzy topological analysis of fuzzy Helm graphs with applications to protein interaction networks

Abstract In biological and chemical networks, in which the strength of interactions is often not absolute, uncertainty is an inherent feature of many real-world networks. A fuzzy graph consists of vertices with fuzzy memberships and fuzzy relationships among vertices and edges; therefore, fuzzy graph theory is a natural approach for modelling systems in which the connections between the vertices are fuzzy or not precisely known. Helm graphs are constructed by adding pendant vertices to the outer cycle of a wheel graph and have a layered hierarchy similar to that found in hub-and-spoke networks, such as those of protein interaction and communication networks. Encouraged by this structural similarity, in the present study, some degree-based fuzzy topological indices are investigated on fuzzy Helms graphs. Specifically, we obtain closed-form analytical expressions for the fuzzy Zagreb, fuzzy Randić, fuzzy Harmonic, fuzzy F -index, fuzzy Sombor, fuzzy Misbalance Prodeg, and fuzzy Nirmala indices. The formulas are derived directly from the partition of the type of vertices of the fuzzy Helm graph and are checked symbolically and by a numerical example. The deduced expressions show the dependence of these descriptors on structural properties, such as pendant attachments, edge weight distribution, and connectivity of the hubs. As a concrete application, the proposed framework is used in the case of the P53 protein interaction network, a central pathway in cancer biology. The numerical results illustrate the ability of fuzzy descriptors to differentiate between the dominant regulatory role of P53 and the role played by interacting partners, which cannot be achieved by classical crisp indices because they lose the graded aspect of biological interaction confidence. Therefore, this study suggests the use of fuzzy topological indices for network analysis in a wider context and suggests the natural development of the said approach to other families of fuzzy graphs, as well as to uncertain networks in chemical and biological applications.

Modeling and analysis of UAV-Assisted sparse ground networks

With the continuous improvement of communication requirements, it is difficult for traditional ground cellular networks to achieve seamless wide-area coverage, particularly in remote regions. To solve the insufficient coverage problem of sparse ground cellular network, we propose the Air-and-Ground Cooperative Network (AGCN) architecture to enhance the network coverage performance. Besides, and Cell Range Expansion (CRE) technology is combined to achieve load balancing between aerial Base Stations (BSs) and ground BSs. By setting user connection bias, communication users can access different BSs to coordinate the coverage performance of each layer in the AGCN. Based on stochastic geometry theory, we analyze the user access probability and distance distribution, and then derive the analytical formulas of network throughput and traversal rate. Furthermore, we analyze the influence of user connection bias on network performance in CRE technology. Simulation resulsts verify the correctness of the theoretial analysis and the efficiency of the AGCN in coverage enhancement. It indicates that there is an optimal bias setting to maximize the overall coverage performance of the AGCN, which provides valuable guidance for the future network design.

An explainable hybrid deep learning framework for computational aesthetics, thematic mining, and sentiment analysis in english poetry

Association of mainly vegetarian and vegan diets with loneliness, social isolation and social withdrawal in a German population survey

Aim There is a very limited number of studies examining how diet is associated with social factors. The aim of this study was therefore to examine the association between type of diet and loneliness, social isolation and social withdrawal. Methods Cross-sectional data from the general adult population in Germany were used. The sample included 5,000 individuals aged 18–74 years. To quantify loneliness, the De Jong Gierveld tool was used. Social isolation was measured using the Lubben Social Network Scale and Bude/Lantermann tool. Social withdrawal was operationalized using the 25-item Hikikomori Questionnaire. Three types of diet were considered (mainly vegetarian; mainly vegan; neither vegetarian nor vegan, reflecting an omnivorous diet). The analysis was adjusted for sociodemographic, lifestyle-related, health-related and mental health-related covariates in multiple linear regressions. Results Overall, 15.4% of the individuals reported following a mainly vegetarian diet and 3.5% of the individuals surveyed followed a mainly vegan diet, with the remaining participants (81.1%) following an omnivorous diet. When adjusting for sociodemographic, lifestyle-related and health-related factors, individuals following a mainly vegetarian diet had significantly higher levels of perceived social isolation and social withdrawal compared to individuals following an omnivorous diet. However, these significant associations disappeared when adjusting for mental health-related covariates. Mainly vegan eaters feel more isolated and withdraw more from society compared to individuals following an omnivorous diet, even in the fully adjusted model. Conclusion Following a mainly vegan diet was associated with perceived social isolation and social withdrawal, even when adjusting for sociodemographic, lifestyle-related, health-related and mental health-related covariates. However, the variance explained by diet type was minimal (R 2 close to zero and partial eta 2  < 0.01), indicating limited practical relevance.

Chitosan-quinoxaline Schiff base hydroxyapatite composite with antimicrobial properties for bone regeneration

Abstract Implant-associated infections remain a major challenge in bone regeneration, often compromising the long-term success of hydroxyapatite-based biomaterials. A new sulfonated quinoxaline aldehyde, 2-ethoxy-4-formylphenyl 2,3-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline-6-sulfonate (B6), was synthesized and covalently grafted onto chitosan via Schiff base condensation to yield derivatives with controlled degrees of substitution (d1–d4). Which were subsequently incorporated into hydroxyapatite to form composite systems (dH0–dH4). Structural characterization using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed successful Schiff base formation, while thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated enhanced thermal stability. Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM–EDX) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analyses revealed homogeneous hydroxyapatite dispersion and a mesoporous architecture (44.8 m 2 g − 1 , ~ 20 nm pores) for the optimized composite. Among the investigated formulations, dH2 exhibited the most balanced physicochemical and biological performance. The dH2 composite exhibited pronounced antimicrobial activity, achieving biofilm inhibition of 89.65% against Bacillus cereus and 86.65% against Staphylococcus aureus , with MIC values lower than those of reference antibiotics under the tested conditions. Cytotoxicity assessment using Vero and MG-63 cells demonstrated excellent biocompatibility, with > 99% cell viability at ≤ 125 µg/mL and IC 50 values of 344.99 and 156.62 µg/mL, respectively. These findings indicate that the developed chitosan–quinoxaline Schiff base hydroxyapatite composite represents a multifunctional, infection-resistant platform suitable for bone regeneration applications.

Using a simulation model to assess the significance of temperature and host availability for population dynamics of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae) (SWD), is an important pest of soft-skinned fruit around the globe because of its propensity to oviposit into ripe fruit, directly impacting the marketable portion of a crop. Temperature and host availability are two major factors that influence SWD population dynamics, but predictive tools are absent for blueberries in southern Georgia, USA, where multiple non-crop hosts occur in habitat adjacent to blueberry farms and where high summer temperatures present challenges for SWD population growth. We used temperature and crop and non-crop host phenology in southern Georgia, USA, to drive a physiological age-structure simulation to assess the importance of these factors for SWD. We used the Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test to assess how different simulation conditions compared to trap catch data from 2015–2017. The standard simulation, in which crop host availability peaked in late spring and non-crop host availability peaked in autumn and winter, predicted the decline in trap catches in early summer but did not predict the increase in trap catches during the autumn and winter. High summer temperatures and reduced or declining host availability constrained SWD reproduction, as indicated by increased proportions of adults and decreased proportions of immatures in the simulated population during these periods. The KS test showed that simulation conditions with only non-crop hosts available to SWD matched the trap data the best, compared to the standard simulation with crop and non-crop hosts. Further research to describe adaptations of SWD populations to local conditions and the importance of non-crop hosts for sustaining SWD populations is necessary to improve our understanding of SWD. Improving our knowledge of SWD in these regards will increase the accuracy of predictive tools and advance sustainable management of this worldwide pest.

Correction: Mechanical properties of thermoformed and direct-printed aligner materials after immersion in 37 °C water: a 14-day in vitro study

The sensory gene repertoire of deep-sea hydrothermal shrimp

Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are among the most extreme and geochemically dynamic environments on Earth, characterized by steep gradients in temperature and chemical concentration. Alvinocaridid shrimp dominate the macrofaunal biomass at these sites and rely on their sensory systems to navigate these dark habitats. In this study, we provide the first comprehensive characterization of sensory gene repertoires associated with chemical and thermal detection in four deep-sea shrimp species occupying different ecological niches at hydrothermal vents on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge: Rimicaris exoculata , Rimicaris chacei , Mirocaris fortunata , and Alvinocaris markensis . Through de novo transcriptome assembly of sensory organs, we identified a great expansion of the variant Ionotropic Receptor (IR) family. Notably, we annotated 442 candidate IR transcripts in R. exoculata , the largest repertoire documented in any decapod crustacean. This expansion is primarily driven by the IR40a clade, suggesting adaptive radiation centred on the detection of the complex chemical waterscape of vents. Furthermore, we have identified a diverse set of Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels, including 18 TRPA genes in R. exoculata , which likely facilitate fine-tuned thermosensation in a high-gradient environment. In contrast, Chemosensory Proteins and Niemann-Pick type C2 proteins exhibited ubiquitous expression patterns, suggesting broader physiological roles beyond olfaction. These findings offer insights into the molecular adaptations that enable Alvinocarididae to thrive in the deep sea.

Mechanical and biological enhancement of glass ionomer cement through nanofiller integration: a preliminary study for improved restorative applications

Effectiveness of exercise-based rehabilitation for depressive symptoms, anxiety, and health-related quality of life in adults with rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background Rheumatoid arthritis is frequently accompanied by depressive symptoms, anxiety, and impaired health-related quality of life. Although exercise is recommended as part of comprehensive care, its effects on psychological outcomes and quality of life remain uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated structured exercise interventions for adults with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, and EBSCOhost were searched from inception to November 26, 2025. Randomized controlled trials comparing structured exercise with non-exercise control conditions were included. Random-effects meta-analyses used Hedges’g standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool, and certainty of evidence was rated using GRADE. The protocol was retrospectively registered with INPLASY (INPLASY202610082). Results Fifteen trials involving 1652 participants were included. Compared with non-exercise controls, structured exercise reduced depressive symptoms (11 trials, 685 participants; standardized mean difference, −0.49; 95% confidence interval, −0.70 to −0.28; P < 0.001; I² = 42%; moderate certainty). Low-certainty evidence suggested reductions in anxiety (7 trials, 403 participants; standardized mean difference, −0.45; 95% confidence interval, −0.65 to −0.25; P < 0.001; I² = 0%) and improvements in quality of life or health-related quality of life (7 trials, 564 participants; Hedges’ g standardized mean difference, 0.45; 95% confidence interval, 0.18 to 0.71; P = 0.001; I² = 50%). Subgroup analyses showed no statistically significant difference between conventional exercise and mind-body exercise. Conclusions Structured exercise probably reduces depressive symptoms and may reduce anxiety and improve quality of life in adults with rheumatoid arthritis, supporting its use as an adjunct to comprehensive care. Larger, better-reported trials with longer follow-up are needed to clarify durability, clinical importance, and optimal delivery.

Resilient federated intrusion detection with explainable AI: a robust CNN-LSTM architecture for extreme non-IID data distributions

Out-of-pocket expenditure experienced by couples seeking In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) services at tertiary care facilities in India

Objective Out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) incurred by infertile couples seeking In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment in selected public and private hospitals in India. Design Cross-sectional observational study. Setting Two private and three public tertiary care hospitals across varied geographical regions of India that provide IVF services. Participants A total of 148 couples undergoing IVF were enrolled via semi-purposive consecutive sampling over a six-month period after providing informed written consent. Primary outcome measures Using validated structured tool, direct health costs (procedures, drugs, diagnostics), non-medical costs (travel, food, lodging), and indirect costs (loss of wages) were explored. Catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and predictors of OOPE were also assessed. Results The mean OOPE per IVF cycle was ₹1,10,104 (±₹75,503) [~USD 1,321(±906)] in public hospitals and ₹2,30,668 (±₹1,09,556) [~USD 2,768 (±1315)] in private hospitals. The majority of expenses were on drugs and diagnostics. Approximately 30% of couples experienced CHE, with drug costs contributing 55% of total expenditure. Only 5% had insurance coverage, with an average cover of ₹1,00,625 (±35,500) [~USD 1,208 (± 426)]. Over half (58%) relied on external financial support, mostly from friends and family.Couples without insurance had significantly higher OOPE than those with coverage (p=0.029). Higher household income was also linked to increased OOPE (p=0.001). Couples undergoing treatment at private facilities had 7.7 (CI: 2.5-23.15) times higher odds of experiencing CHE compared to public facilities. Lack of insurance coverage was associated with higher odds of CHE, although not significant. Conclusions Couples undergoing IVF in public and private hospitals face substantial financial burdens, often resulting in CHE. This justifies the need to improve access to comprehensive infertility services, including IVF, through public health facilities to meet the demand for this emerging health problem.

Integrating skeleton based representations for robust yoga pose classification using deep learning models

Aging-induced multi-scale study on the interfacial adhesion mechanism of steel slag and RAP recycled asphalt mixtures

To investigate the interfacial adhesion mechanism of steel slag and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) dual solid waste recycled asphalt mixtures under aging conditions, the chemical and mineral properties of three aggregates (basalt, steel slag, and RAP) were characterized using XRF, XRD, and SEM-EDS. Interfacial adhesion behavior between asphalt and aggregates was studied through contact angle tests, AFM, and pull-off tests, and the evolution of interfacial properties during secondary aging of reclaimed asphalt was analyzed. The results show that Cl and S elements detected in the residual aged asphalt film on RAP aggregates represent the chemical imprint of the service environment. Chemical bonding occurs between steel slag and asphalt, forming a reaction transition layer, while basalt is dominated by physical adsorption with a clear and dense interface. Although the adhesion work of steel slag (69.12 mJ/m²) is slightly lower than that of basalt (71.01 mJ/m²), its pull-off strength (2.48 MPa) is higher due to mechanical interlocking from its rough and porous surface, revealing a synergistic enhancement mechanism. During reclaimed asphalt re-aging, functional group indices and micromorphology exhibit regular evolution, with 30h as the critical threshold for performance degradation. Adhesion work, AFM adhesion force, and pull-off strength show consistent positive correlations (R² = 0.92 and 0.89), forming a multi-scale interfacial performance evaluation system from thermodynamics to macro-mechanics.