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Development and performance evaluation of variable width raised bed former with optimal parameters predicted by RBF neural network-PSO technique
Optimized economic scheduling of demand response in integrated energy systems considering dynamic energy efficiency and dynamic carbon trading
Enhanced remaining useful life prediction of lithium-ion battery based on a dual attention hybrid data-driven method
Evaluation of teaching effect factors based on probabilistic language set
Novel ten second antimicrobial coating for endotracheal tubes to prevent ventilator associated pneumonia
Abstract This novel approach aims to mitigate ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in critically ill patients by improving the coating of endotracheal tubes (ETT). The research focuses on creating durable, antimicrobial coatings to prevent bacterial colonization on endotracheal tube surfaces. Using a 10-second exposure to solvents such as dimethylformamide (DMF) and tetrahydrofuran (THF), the study successfully demonstrated a robust coating on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubing. This coating inhibits the growth of Escherichia coli while maintaining biocompatibility and avoiding the toxic effects of traditional silver nitrate coatings. Quantitatively, the coatings achieved pH values of 5–5.5, viscosities of 0.6-1 mPa·s, and reduced microbial counts to 4 CFU/µL, compared to 5 CFU/µL in the controls. Biocompatibility remained high, with cell viability exceeding 98% for DMF and THF coatings. The research highlights a significant advance in combating ventilator-associated pneumonia, although clinical trials are needed to validate these promising results for clinical applications in intensive care settings.
Strain-dependent modeling of a mechano-electrochemical energy harvester based on carbon nanotube yarn
Targeting the undruggable transcription factor, KLF5, with a peptidomimetic small molecule, NC114, attenuates pressure overload-induced cardiac remodeling and fibrosis
Abstract Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) is an intrinsically disordered transcription factor involved in cardiac remodeling, cancer, and metabolic diseases. Targeting KLF5 has been a persistent challenge in drug development due to its structural inaccessibility. We investigated cardioprotective effects of NC114, a rationally designed small molecule that mimics a short, hydrophobic α-helical motif in KLF5, thereby disrupting its protein–protein interactions. Adult C57BL/6J male mice underwent transverse aortic constriction (TAC) or sham surgery, followed by administration of NC114 or vehicle. NC114-treated TAC mice exhibited preserved cardiac function, reduced heart weight-to-body weight ratio, and markedly attenuated interstitial fibrosis. Gene expression analysis demonstrated decreased cardiac expression of Klf5 , Nppb , Tgfb1 , PAI-1 , Col1a1 , and Fn1 . NC114 also suppressed oxidative stress and reduced phosphorylation of PKCδ and expression of HIF-1α during the early phase post-TAC. Metabolomic profiling revealed that NC114 treatment reversed TAC-induced accumulation of organic and amino acids. NC114, a novel peptidomimetic molecule, targets the undruggable transcription factor KLF5 to attenuate cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and metabolic dysregulation in pressure overload-induced heart failure. This study highlights the potential of KLF5 inhibition as a therapeutic strategy in cardiovascular disease.
Adsorptive performance of SPE via modified POM biochar for Pb(II) and tetracycline with concurrent antimicrobial action
Abstract This study developed a novel, eco-friendly solid-phase extraction (SPE) sorbent, modified pomegranate biochar (POM), from the agricultural waste of pomegranate peel for the efficient removal of toxic lead (Pb(II)) and the tetracycline (TC) antibiotic from aqueous solutions. Synthesized POM was comprehensively characterized using (SEM, TEM, FT-IR, and XRD) and confirmed POM’s hierarchical core-shell nanostructure, enriched surface functional groups. Optimized SPE conditions using POM achieved maximum adsorption capacities of 3900 ± 71 (RSD = 1.8%, n = 3) µmol/g for Pb(II) at (pH 7, 20 s microwave-assisted) and 87.6% ± 0.18 (RSD = 0.001%, n = 3) removal for TC at (pH 4, 30 min shaking). while PO achieved (2000 ± 71 (RSD = 2.8%, n = 3) µmol/g Pb(II); and 45.9% ± 1.8 (RSD = 0.03%, n = 3) TC removal). Although the pseudo-second-order (PSO) model accurately describes the kinetic data for Pb(II) adsorption on POM and PO, this alone does not prove a chemisorption mechanism. In general, the thermodynamic parameters, especially ΔH°, have proved that the primary mechanism is physisorption; nevertheless, the excellent fit to the PSO model suggests that the adsorption process may incorporate certain characteristics of chemisorption or that the rate-limiting step involves the sharing or exchange of electrons. While TC obeys the pseudo-first order model, indicating a physisorption mechanism for both POM and PO. Additionally, the Langmuir model provides the best fit for both POM and PO with Pb(II) and TC, indicating the formation of a monolayer on the adsorbent surface. Efficient desorption used 1 M HCl for Pb(II) (98.7% recovery) and acidified methanol (1:1 v/v HCl: methanol) for TC (99.3% recovery). The Limit of Detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for TC were 1.725 ppm and 5.227 ppm, while Pb(II) ions were 16.27 ppm and 50.06 ppm, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters for the adsorption of Pb(II) and TC onto both POM and PO confirm a spontaneous and endothermic process driven by an increase in entropy. POM also exhibited antibacterial activity comparable to that of a standard antibiotic, particularly against Gram-negative bacteria ( E. coli and P. aeruginosa ).
Analysis of 3D printed longitudinal Flatfoot pads with lattice structures using various microfoaming filament
Air-fed cold atmospheric plasma device as a safe and effective anti-SARS-CoV-2 air filter
Abstract Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) displays antiviral properties, and its efficacy and safety in daily use are subject to full elucidation. In this work, we develop an air-fed CAP device, by inhaling and filtering, to directly inactivate SARS-CoV-2 in the air. The plasma shows a high intensity with reactive nitrogen and oxygen species in optical emission, with plasma electron temperature and density of 0.31 eV and 3.25 × 10 17 m -3 , respectively, confirming a strong discharge for SARS-CoV-2 disinfection. A qualitative analysis of the device’s discharge process is conducted using a two-dimensional fluid model. The disinfection results show that the typical SARS-CoV-2 morphological spikes disappear after plasma treatment, and the proteosomes of the SARS-CoV-2 virus change. In addition, we conduct experiments on rats to evaluate the safety of the air plasma device in daily use. Rats’ behavior, body weight, food consumption, organ histopathology, and blood biochemical indicators after exposure to this device are evaluated. These results demonstrate that under our experimental conditions, this prototype plasma–air circulation system altered the structural integrity of SARS-CoV-2 and did not produce overt acute toxicity in rats over 4 weeks, although some serum chemistry parameters changed and require further evaluation.
Neonatal sepsis and its associated factors among asphyxiated newborns admitted in West Oromia Tertiary Hospitals, Ethiopia
Changes in platelet count as a marker of myocardial iron uptake after administration of ferric carboxymaltose in patients with heart failure
Helminths of white stork Ciconia ciconia in north-eastern Poland
Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the structure of helminth communities of White Stork in north-eastern Poland in the years 2015–2018. The study material comprised 61 White Storks Ciconia ciconia from within the borders of Biebrza National Park. Seven parasite taxa were detected in the storks. The cestode Dictymetra riccii , the nematode Dispharynx cf. nasuta , and acanthocephalans are new parasites for storks in Poland. Prevalence of helminths was 32.8%, with a mean intensity of 12.2, in a range from 1 to 60 and with mean abundance of 3.8. The biodiversity of the component community expressed by Simpson’s diversity index was 0.639, and dominance expressed by the Berger–Parker index was 0.485. The dominant species in the component community was the cestode Dictymetra discoidea . The average biodiversity of infracommunities, expressed by Brillouin’s diversity index, was 0.07 ± 0.13. The greatest species richness of helminths in storks was recorded in July (five species). The greatest intensity of infection was noted in the case of infection with Tylodelphys excavata in June. The prevalence of the cestode Dictymetra discoidea in adult storks (35.5%) was significantly higher than in juvenile storks (4.17%) (chi 2 = 7.78, p = 0.005).
Prenatal exposure to oral glucocorticoids and risk of long-term neurodevelopmental disorders
First-principles simulation of radiation shielding performance in TaS2–HDPE composites using Geant4
Study on the durability and mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced concrete for shaft lining under chloride salt freeze–thaw coupling environment
Taxonomic, functional and interspecific response of zooplankton to management practices in carp ponds
Finding natural $$\hbox {H}_{2}$$ generation zones in Midcontinent Rift in the U.S. by identifying the geophysical signatures of a serpentinization system
Zebra bodies recognition by artificial intelligence (ZEBRA): a computational tool for Fabry nephropathy
Abstract Fabry disease (FD) is a rare lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the GLA gene, resulting in globotriaosylceramide accumulation. Kidney involvement (Fabry nephropathy) significantly contributes to morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis can be difficult, especially in females or late-onset variants. Renal biopsy remains essential, but interpretation requires expert pathologists. Digital pathology and artificial intelligence (AI) offer promising solutions to support diagnosis. The study analyzed Whole-slide images from renal biopsies of Fabry nephropathy patients to develop and validate a “foamy podocytes” screening AI tool. Two computational tasks were performed: glomerular-level classification, and podocyte-level segmentation. Performance was evaluated using standard metrics. A novel ZEBRA score (fpA/tgA%) was developed to quantify disease burden, and correlations with histological scores and clinical parameters were assessed. EfficientNetB2 achieved the highest classification accuracy (79%) in identifying foamy podocytes. SegFormerB4 had the best segmentation performance (Dice = 0.46, IoU = 0.37). The ZEBRA score effectively distinguished Fabry nephropathy from controls ( p < 0.001) and showed good correlation with manual scoring (rs = 0.66–0.71). The AI-assisted ZEBRA pipeline highlights high-risk Fabry nephropathy features to support nephropathologists as a screening tool.