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Prediction of recovery grade in Bell’s palsy using machine learning models

Scientific Reports Sang-Yoon Han, Jeong Rye Park, Heonjeong Oh et al. Jan 06, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-34934-z

Spatiotemporal evolution of decoupling economic development from environmental degradation: insights from the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) Region, China

Scientific Reports Jingsen Fan, Yating Liu, Changhe Wei et al. Jan 06, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-34831-5

Flatfish intestinal microbiota depend on various host traits, and vary with sediment type and bottom trawling effort

Scientific Reports Michelle Gwinner, Holger Haslob, Hermann Neumann et al. Jan 06, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-34195-w

Abstract The intestinal microbiota of fishes support digestion, nutrient uptake and play an important role in the immune system, development and reproduction. Flatfish live in close contact with the seafloor, and are particularly exposed to anthropogenic disturbances such as bottom trawling. Bottom trawling impacts the ecosystem in various ways and recent evidence indicates that the microbial composition and diversity in marine sediments varies with fishing intensity. It is presently unknown whether this trawling signal applies to the seafloor alone or also extends to microbiota of marine holobionts inhabiting it, such as flatfishes. Here, three flatfish species ( Buglossidium luteum , Limanda limanda and Pleuronectes platessa ) were sampled across the southeastern North Sea. We characterized the intestinal microbiota using 16S rDNA metabarcoding of 162 individuals, and disentangled how intestinal microbial composition and diversity are jointly shaped by various host traits (species, sex, age, weight, and condition factor) and environmental factors (sediment type and trawling intensity). Intestinal diversity varied among species and changed with age, weight and sediment type. Community composition was dependent on species, age, condition factor and sediment type. In addition, we found that trawling intensity explained shifts in intestinal microbial community composition, suggesting that the known impacts of bottom trawling on the benthic environment may cascade to intestinal microbiota of flatfish. Our findings provide important insight into host-microbiota interactions in marine ecosystems and highlight the interplay between host traits and environment as drivers of intestinal microbial diversity and community composition in flatfish.

An intelligent life prediction approach employing machine learning models for the power transformers

Scientific Reports Md Manzar Nezami, Sultan Ahmad, Arshi Salamat et al. Jan 06, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-34033-z

A comparative multi-objective investigation for metallic and non-metallic materials on the erosion resistance of wind turbine blade with performance evaluation

Scientific Reports Ahmed S. A. Abou Taleb, Islam H. Abdelgaliel, Mohamed F. Aly Jan 06, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-27700-8

Abstract Turbine blade erosion is a significant concern in the power generation industry, as it can reduce efficiency and increase maintenance costs. This study investigates the effect of impact speed, impact angle, and particle size on the erosion rate of turbine blades, using a combination of simulation models and experimental validation. Regression models were developed to analyze the influence of these factors on the erosion rates of both metallic and non-metallic turbine blade materials. The results indicate that erosion rates increase with particle size and impact speed, with impact angle playing a crucial role in the erosion behavior. For metallic alloys, erosion rates decrease with increasing impact angle, whereas, for non-metallic materials, the erosion rate increases proportionally with impact angle. To optimize erosion resistance and aerodynamic performance, three multi-objective optimization algorithms; Multi-objective Genetic Algorithm (MOGA), Multi-objective Pareto Search Algorithm (MOPSA), and Weighted Value Gray Wolf Optimizer (WVGWO), were applied. The optimization process incorporated both the erosion rate and lift-to-drag ratio as objective functions, with the optimal impact angles identified for different materials: 22.5° for Kevlar and fiber glass reinforced epoxy, 28° to 29° for stainless steel, and 32.5° for aluminum alloy. These findings offer valuable insights into the design optimization of wind turbines, aiming to minimize turbine blade erosion and reduce maintenance costs, while improving aerodynamic performance.

Optimizing butorphanol-dexmedetomidine dosing for managing catheter-related bladder discomfort post-anesthesia: a randomized trial

Scientific Reports Yu-Long Wang, Yan Zhang, Qiu-Bo Wang et al. Jan 06, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-35071-x

Enhancing creative writing through AI-powered co-creation with cognitive and emotional outcomes

Scientific Reports Xinqiao Cen, Goodarz Shakibaei Jan 06, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-34416-2

Implementation of community-based fall prevention program for Thai older persons: a cluster randomized controlled trial

Scientific Reports Phenrung Wandee, Ann Jirapongsuwan, Arpaporn Powwattana et al. Jan 06, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-34663-3

PRRs-related genes and immune landscape in heart failure and COPD

Scientific Reports Heqing Yang, Tingting Mei Jan 06, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-34671-3

Predicting carbonation depth in fiber-reinforced ultra-high performance concrete (FR-UHPC) using state-of-the-art machine learning techniques

Scientific Reports Arsalan Mahmoodzadeh, Raouf Hassan, Nejib Ghazouani et al. Jan 06, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-33958-9

Role of frailty in otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery in a secondary and a tertiary care center: a prospective observational two-cohort study

Scientific Reports Justus Herweg, Mohamed Nasreldin Mohamed, Katharina Geißler et al. Jan 06, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-34813-7

Abstract The proportion of elderly patients undergoing otolaryngology and head and neck surgery (OLHNS) is continuously increasing. The present prospective study evaluated whether frailty in patients ≥ 65 years of age was an important predictor of perioperative complications. An unselected series of 276 elderly patients (67% male; median age: 74 years; Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) 2+: 85%) undergoing OLHNS surgery in a 6-month period in 2022 and 2023, respectively, in a secondary and in a tertiary care hospital completed the Groningen Frailty Indicator questionnaire. Primary outcome measure was postoperative complications measured with the Clavien-Dindo classification (CDC), which were analyzed using univariate and multivariate binary logic regression models. 34.7% of the patients were frail. Female gender (Odds ratio [OR] = 2.158; confidence interval [CI] = 1.229 to 3.791; p  = 0.007) and the CCI (OR = 1.258; CI = 1.135 to 1.396; p  < 0.001) were independent predictors for frailty. 22.8% had CDC complications. Frailty (OR = 1.805; CI = 1.001 to 3.252; p  = 0.049) and a CCI 2+ (OR = 4.821; CI = 1.102 to 21.079; p  = 0.037) were independent predictors for postoperative CDC complications. The inclusion of a frailty assessment into the pre-operative risk assessment is recommended for all patients ≥ 65 years of age planned for OLHNS.

Experimental study on shear mechanical behavior of bolted rock joints and rock-bolt interaction mechanism

Scientific Reports Shan Deng, Zihao Sun, Linfeng Zhu et al. Jan 06, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-34502-5

Abstract Rock bolting controls shear slip along rock joints, yet the deformation coordination and mechanical response during shearing are not well understood due to complex bolt-rock interaction. This study systematically conducted direct shear tests to investigate how the joint roughness coefficient (JRC), normal stress, and bolt inclination affect the shear behavior of bolted joints. A custom-designed monitoring system was employed to continuously measure the bolt axial force throughout the shearing process. Results indicate that JRC strongly influences bolt deformation and axial-force mobilization through dilatancy, thereby governing the peak and reinforced strengths of the joint. Higher normal stress suppresses joint dilatancy and reduces the bolt’s shear contribution, while bolt inclination controls the balance between axial and shear forces. 45° inclination showed the best overall shear performance. Monitoring data reveal the bolt’s axial force variation during shear displacement progresses through four stages: initial adjustment–relaxation, elastoplastic, hardening, and deformation-failure. This classification tracks how axial force evolves under compatible coordination. Correspondingly, the bolted joint’s shear process develops through elastic, plastic, failure, and residual stages, revealing the mechanical interaction mechanism between the joint surface and bolt at different stages. The study provides an experimental basis for understanding shear behavior of bolted joints and optimizing rock bolt support design.

A brief visual evoked potential (VEP) modulation assessment of experience-dependent plasticity recorded via wireless dry-EEG headset in Phase 1 clinical units

Scientific Reports Esther C. McWilliams, Snezana M. Milanovic, Torbjørn Elvsåshagen et al. Jan 06, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-29950-y

Clinical evaluation and comparative study of a fully automated erythrocyte osmotic fragility analysis system based on scatter turbidimetry

Scientific Reports Lei Ma, Yueying Huang, Ting Chen et al. Jan 06, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-35163-8

Electrothermally tunable cholesteric liquid crystal laser achieving 130 nm range with high circular polarization purity (|g| ≥ 1.4)

Scientific Reports Mi-Yun Jeong, Keumcheol Kwak Jan 06, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-34461-x

Abstract Circularly polarized light lasers are attracting growing attention for quantum optics, spin-optoelectronics, and next-generation display technologies. However, despite many demonstrations of cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) lasers, two challenges remain: achieving broadband and continuous wavelength tunability and quantitatively determining the dissymmetry factor (g) under realistic conditions. Here, we present an actively tunable cholesteric laser based on supersaturated CLC (SCLC) cells driven by electrothermal control. In parallel SCLC cells, lasing wavelengths can be tuned about 130 nm (553–682 nm), but the spectral shift occurs discontinuously due to boundary constraints. In contrast, wedge-shaped SCLC cells form an electrothermally induced pitch gradient that enables rapid and continuous spectral tuning across ~ 100–126 nm. To rigorously quantify the polarization state, we employed the Stokes–Mueller analysis with three circular analyzers, correcting for non-ideal transmission and leakage. Across the full 130-nm tuning range, the generated laser maintained a consistently high degree of circular polarization purity, with the dissymmetry factor g quantified as 1.633 at 600–620 nm and 1.40 at 630–650 nm ranges. These results verify that the circular polarization performance of the SCLC-based tunable laser remains robust throughout the entire visible lasing spectrum. Differential scanning calorimetry further revealed second-order SmA–CLC–isotropic phase transitions, clarifying dynamic asymmetries between heating and cooling and guiding optimal voltage-sweep strategies. Together, these findings demonstrate a reliable pathway toward broadband, color-tunable, and spin-selective CLC lasers, bridging photonic bandgap engineering with practical applications in nanophotonics, spin-optoelectronics, and advanced display technologies.

Oncogenic and immunological roles of NSUN2 in triple negative breast cancer

Scientific Reports Ning An, Yi-Fan Zeng, Zhuo-wan Tian et al. Jan 06, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-23001-2

Maize yield estimation at different growth stage using weather variables by LASSO, elastic net and stepwise multiple linear regression techniques

Scientific Reports Ananta Vashisth, K. S. Aravind Jan 06, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-34239-1

Combination of bacteriophage and antibiofilm compounds from phyllosphere bacteria as a comprehensive strategy for aquaculture and food pathogen control

Scientific Reports Jeanetta May, Diana Elizabeth Waturangi, Watumesa Agustina Tan et al. Jan 06, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-34989-6

Testis-specific knockout of Elovl4 reduces sperm motility and fertility in male mice

Scientific Reports Shuangli Wen, Yuhong Wang, Shisai Yang et al. Jan 06, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-33558-7

Fast and accurate prediction of adsorption energy of AgPd nanoalloys by deep learning potentials and neural networks

Scientific Reports Wanxuan Zhang, Shuang Shan, Fanzhe Ma et al. Jan 06, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-05309-1