Browse Articles

Design, fabrication and testing of an optimized single-axis MEMS capacitive accelerometer using wet etching for improved noise stability

Molecular-level freezing and melting dynamics of aqueous lithium chloride solutions using in-situ Raman spectroscopy

Atmospheric kraft pulping in glycerol

Abstract Kraft pulping is the predominant technique for producing chemical pulps from wood. It offers low operational costs, versatility, high-quality pulps, and an efficient closed chemical recovery system. However, the process requires significant investment due to the necessity for pressurized environments and the associated costly equipment. This study explores a novel approach by replacing water with glycerol, allowing kraft pulping to occur at atmospheric pressure. However, the higher viscosity of glycerol compared to water partially limits impregnation. This research investigates the impact of temperature, chemical charge, and chip size on this process for both hardwood and softwood sapwood. The results indicate that lignin dissolution is expedited by reducing chip size for both softwood and hardwood. However, decreasing the chemical charge negatively impacts lignin dissolution. Conversely, increasing the temperature accelerates lignin release.

Microstructural changes in irradiated teeth revealed by swept-source optical coherence tomography

A novel immunoassay for neostatin-7 quantifies basement membrane remodeling and reveals an association with reduced pulmonary function in systemic sclerosis

Disturbance observer-based adaptive sliding mode control for variable dihedral and dual-mode yaw vectoring medium-size tricopter UAV

Identification of five lipotoxicity-related genes as prognostic markers for hepatocellular carcinoma based on transcriptomic analyses and experimental validation

Lactobacillus reuteri lozenges and chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in breast cancer outpatients: an exploratory randomized controlled trial

Thermal sensitivity and supply scaling effects on 7 nm FinFET based triple tail dynamic CMOS comparator for automotive/aerospace/electronics industrial applications

Fluorescent probes as markers of cell envelope structure and function in halophilic archaea

Abstract Prokaryotes, particularly those in extreme environments, are capable of diverse metabolic states resulting in altered cell envelope structure and function. However, these changes are difficult to assess as standard fluorescent probes are often incompatible with extreme conditions and/or extremophile cell physiology. Halophilic archaea present the challenge of near-saturated intra-/extra-cellular salts, high membrane potential, and extended survival in altered metabolic states including entrapment within salt crystal fluid inclusions. We evaluated the compatibility of six fluorescent markers of cell envelope stability and activity with two model species, Halobacterium salinarum and Haloferax volcanii . Redox activity markers alamarBlue and pure resazurin solutions, membrane potential probes MitoTracker Orange-CMTMRos and Rhodamine 123, and SYTO 9 and propidium iodide (LIVE/DEAD kit) to assess cell membrane integrity were evaluated for use in bulk (microplate reader) and cell-specific (microscopy) applications. Limitations of each probe were identified, clarifying the utilization of each based on cell physiology, growth phase, medium composition, and probe exposure time including extended timescales needed to simulate the environmental conditions of haloarchaea. Of particular note, propidium iodide behavior was unreliable leading to double-labeling of cells and false interpretation of cells as dead. These data provide important insights into the study of prokaryotes in non-standard conditions.

Sustainable gold nanoparticles using Jania rubens, targeted therapeutic potential in prostate cancer and mechanistic insights via GO/KEGG pathway analysis

Abstract Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are highly versatile nanomaterials due to their exceptional physicochemical and biological properties with promising biomedical applications. This study presents a rapid, eco-friendly biosynthesis of AuNPs using the red alga Jania rubens (Jan-AuNPs). GC analysis of the algal extract revealed a total fatty acid content of 1.41 mg/g DW, dominated by saturated fatty acids primarily methyl palmitate (53.22%) and methyl stearate (27.89%) alongside methyl oleate (9.42%). Phytochemical profiling demonstrated a rich biochemical composition, including a high total phenolic content of 299.82 ± 1.83 mg GAE/g DW, total flavonoid content of 35.61 ± 0.52 mg QE/g DW, and total carbohydrate content (TCC) of 166 ± 1.05 mg GE/g DW, collectively conferring potent reducing, capping and stabilizing capacities of the algal extract in mediating Jan-AuNPs biosynthesis. Formation of Jan-AuNPs was visually confirmed by a color change from pale yellow to ruby red or pinkish-red, which was further confirmed by UV–vis spectroscopy with a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 549 nm. TEM analysis revealed predominantly spherical particles with an average diameter of 16.26 nm, with a few rod-shaped particles also detected. The crystalline nature of Jan-AuNPs was validated by XRD and SAED analyses. Zeta potential measurements revealed a surface charge of -28 mV, indicating good colloidal stability. FTIR analysis confirmed the active involvement of diverse algal biomolecules in the formation and stabilization of Jan-AuNPs. Biosynthesis conditions were optimized using face-centered central composite design (FCCCD), achieving the highest yield of 289 µg/mL at pH 7, 60 °C, 3 h incubation, and 300 µg/mL gold ion concentration. In silico predictive analysis identified cancer-associated gene targets modulated by AuNPs, thereby predicting prostate cancer (PC) as the malignancy with the highest therapeutic susceptibility for AuNPs-based interventions. Experimental validation confirmed potent and selective antitumor activity against PC3 prostate cancer cells in vitro (IC 50 = 6.39 µg/mL; SI = 15.24) with minimal cytotoxicity toward normal HFB4 cells (IC 50 = 97.41 µg/mL). In vivo evaluation using the Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) model in Swiss albino mice demonstrated that combined treatment with Jan-AuNPs and doxorubicin achieved a tumor growth inhibition of 97.33%. These findings establish Jania rubens -mediated biosynthesis as a sustainable and scalable platform for producing bioactive AuNPs and highlight the pivotal role of bioinformatics in guiding experimental cancer nanomedicine research. The results highlight Jan-AuNPs as a promising, safe, and multi-targeted nanotherapeutic candidate with significant potential for the management of prostate cancer.

Psychiatric morbidity among medical clinic attendees at a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka during the economic crisis

Mobility and environmental availability of metal(loid)s at a historically recultivated Cu/Pb smelter site in Polichno, Holy Cross Mountains, Poland

Abstract This study investigates the long-term effects of partial recultivation on metal(loid) contamination and environmental risks at the historical (14-17th century) Cu–Pb smelting site at Polichno (Holy Cross Mountains, Poland). More than 50 years ago, the site underwent partial recultivation involving slag removal; however, residual slag fragments remain dispersed throughout the soil profile. The slag contains high mean concentrations of metal(loid)s, including 111,000 mg·kg − 1 Pb, 56,300 mg·kg − 1 Ba, 8370 mg·kg − 1 Zn, 465 mg·kg − 1 Cu, 110 mg·kg − 1 As, mainly hosted in sulfides, arsenides, sulfates, and a glassy matrix. Maximum soil concentrations reached 7010 mg∙kg − 1 Pb, 4180 mg∙kg − 1 Ba, 1500 mg∙kg − 1 Zn, 658 mg∙kg − 1 Cu, 45.4 mg∙kg − 1 As, with the highest levels in ash- and wood-containing horizons. Average pore water concentrations were 115 µg∙l − 1 Pb, 166 µg∙l − 1 Ba, 161 µg∙l − 1 Zn, 58.9 µg∙l − 1 Cu, and 1.9 µg∙l − 1 As. Batch leaching tests using deionized water classified the slag as non-hazardous waste rather than inert waste, as Pb release exceeded the regulatory threshold for inert waste. pH-static tests showed peak mobilization at pH 2 (Ba 39,000 mg·kg − 1 , Pb 4860 mg·kg − 1 , Zn 3870 mg·kg − 1 , As 21.7 mg·kg − 1 ), with minima at neutral pH. The formation of secondary phases during leaching indicates immobilization processes that limit metal(loid) mobility.

Scalable risk stratification of undiagnosed heart failure using routine health data and its association with imaging phenotypes and outcomes

Abstract Late diagnosis of Heart failure (HF) is associated with worse outcomes. We aimed to develop a scalable tool to identify those at high risk of undiagnosed HF using routine electronic health records (EHR). We developed and internally validated a logistic regression (FIND-HF) model for incident HF diagnosis within one year in United Kingdom primary care EHRs (CPRD-Aurum, n=3 520 186), with good prediction performance (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) 0.79), equal to more complex modelling techniques. We externally validated FIND-HF in United Kingdom (CPRD-GOLD, n=570 850, AUC 0.72), Japan (JMDC, n=6 820 694, AUC 0.73), United States of America (Epic Cosmos, n=7 710 398, AUC 0.78), and Taiwan (NTUH, n=170 518, AUC 0.85). In a cohort who had undergone HF diagnostics an optimised FIND-HF threshold had a positive predictive value of 21.4% and a negative predictive value of 96.9%. Amongst patients with HF who had undergone cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, high FIND-HF risk compared with low FIND-HF risk as reference, was associated with increased risk of a primary composite outcome of heart failure hospitalisation or cardiovascular death and more advanced adverse remodelling including lower left ventricular ejection fraction. FIND-HF is a scalable EHR-based model which has the potential to help rule out undiagnosed HF in low risk cases, whilst high risk cases are associated with more advanced cardiac dysfunction and worse prognosis.

An ultra high-gain switched-capacitor-inductor DC–DC converter with reduced voltage stress

Essential role for the urothelial plaque in Gram-negative urinary tract infections

Cosmic-ray modified flows with effective wave damping

Associations between the intratumoral microbiome and the host transcriptome in bladder cancer and their implications for prognostic prediction

Detection of congeners and contaminants in commercial and homemade alcoholic beverages under varying temperatures using metal-phenolic film-coated quartz crystal microbalances

Association of nurse-led targeted sedation-analgesia management with ventilation duration and sedation quality in mechanically ventilated patients

Purpose Variability in sedation–analgesia assessment and titration is common in mechanically ventilated ICU patients and may contribute to unnecessary deep sedation and delayed ventilator liberation. This study examined the association between a nurse-led targeted sedation-analgesia management workflow and clinical outcomes in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Methods This single-center retrospective observational cohort study was conducted and reported in accordance with the STROBE statement. Adult patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation for ≥24 hours in the ICU from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025 were included. Patients were classified into a usual-care group (physician-directed care) or a nurse-led targeted management group using prespecified documentation-based operational criteria, including daily RASS targets, assessment frequency, nurse-driven titration, and closed-loop reassessment. Primary outcomes were duration of invasive mechanical ventilation and sedation target attainment (proportion of RASS assessments within target). Secondary outcomes included deep sedation exposure (RASS ≤ −3), agitation exposure (RASS ≥ +1), ICU length of stay, delirium, unplanned extubation, reintubation within 48 hours, tracheostomy, and 28-day mortality. Results A total of 102 patients were analyzed (usual-care group, n = 48; nurse-led group, n = 54). The nurse-led group had shorter mechanical ventilation duration (4.3 [3.2–6.3] vs 5.9 [4.3–8.7] days; P < 0.01) and higher sedation target attainment (74.0% ± 11.5% vs 61.5% ± 12.8%; P < 0.01). Deep sedation exposure and agitation exposure were lower in the nurse-led group (16.1% ± 9.1% vs 27.6% ± 10.9%; P < 0.01, and 9.1% ± 6.0% vs 12.4% ± 7.3%; P = 0.03, respectively), and ICU length of stay was shorter (8.0 ± 4.2 vs 9.7 ± 4.9 days; P = 0.02). Delirium was numerically lower but not statistically significant (22.22% vs 35.42%; P = 0.19), and no significant differences were observed in unplanned extubation, reintubation within 48 hours, tracheostomy, or 28-day mortality. After adjustment, nurse-led targeted management was associated with shorter ventilation duration (adjusted ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.67–0.93; P = 0.004), whereas the association with delirium was not significant (adjusted OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.26–1.30; P = 0.190). Conclusion In this retrospective cohort study, nurse-led targeted sedation-analgesia management was associated with higher sedation target attainment, lower exposure to deep sedation and agitation, shorter invasive mechanical ventilation duration, and shorter ICU stay. No increase in measured safety events was detected. Given the retrospective design, small sample size, and limited adjustment, these findings should be interpreted as associations rather than evidence of causal effectiveness.