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Multi-layered ecological interactions determine growth of clinical antibiotic-resistant strains within human microbiomes

Abstract The spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the gut depends on their ability to establish within complex microbial communities. However, the role of various ecological factors in modulating this process, particularly in the absence of antibiotic selection, remains poorly understood. We hypothesize that different strains within the same species vary in their ability to colonize due to distinct interactions with resident microbiota. Using human gut-microbiome samples in replicated anaerobic microcosms with and without antibiotics, we test multiple clinically relevant and phylogenetically distinct Escherichia coli strains carrying extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) or carbapenemase plasmids. While antibiotics influence the growth of incoming resistant strains, some are successful even without antibiotics. Growth outcomes depend on a combination of intrinsic growth capacities in relevant abiotic conditions, competition with resident E. coli , and strain-specific shifts in resident community composition. We also detect horizontal transfer of resistance plasmids in some conditions, but transconjugants remain rare across treatments. Here, we show that the success of antibiotic-resistant bacteria depends on strain-specific ecological interactions, helping to explain the spread and persistence of resistance in human microbiomes.

Biocompatible and antibacterial co-electrospun tragacanth gum and polyaniline nanofibers for skin tissue engineering

Protein-level batch-effect correction enhances robustness in MS-based proteomics

Empirical analysis of the carbon-economy nexus in industrial parks using an integrated decoupling-decomposition framework from a major industrial region

Increasing extreme winds challenge offshore wind energy resilience

Data-driven formulation of steel fiber pull-out force in cementitious composites using genetic programming

Abstract This study aims to develop a data-driven approach for predicting and formulating the pull-out force of steel fibers in cementitious composites using a genetic programming variant, gene expression programming (GEP). A comprehensive dataset of 437 experimental data was collected from previous studies, including key variables such as embedment length, fiber inclination angle, tensile strength of fibers, aspect ratio, loading rate, water-to-cement ratio, compressive strength of matrix, and fiber geometry. The GEP model developed in this study demonstrated notable accuracy in predicting pull-out force, with an R 2 of 0.93. Model performance was evaluated using multiple statistical criteria, confirming its satisfactory predictive ability. Furthermore, a k-fold cross-validation was performed, and the results confirmed the model’s robustness and capability for generalizing to new data. Sensitivity analysis using SHAP interpretation revealed that the fibers’ tensile strength and the embedment length are the most influential factors affecting the pull-out force. The GEP method was adopted for its ability to generate accurate and interpretable mathematical formulas. Accordingly, a mathematical formula for the pull-out force is proposed, providing an efficient and interpretable tool for future studies. Overall, the GEP approach can significantly reduce reliance on costly and time-consuming experimental procedures while ensuring reliable performance predictions and practical formulations.

Lateral exchange bias for Néel-vector control in atomically thin antiferromagnets

Prognostic and predictive significance of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio for trastuzumab treatment efficacy in HER2-positive breast cancer

Dnmt1 determines bone length by regulating energy metabolism of growth plate chondrocytes

Clinical and laboratory characteristics of novel diabetes subgroups: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Coupling of polymerase-nucleoprotein-RNA in an influenza virus mini ribonucleoprotein complex

Abstract Influenza virus ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs), composed of the polymerase complex (FluPol), nucleoprotein (NP), and RNA, are essential for replication and transcription. We report atomic-resolution cryo-EM structures of mini-vRNPs in two states: FluPol located inside (State-In) or at the outer rim (State-Out) of the NP–RNA ring. In both states, the 5′ and 3′ termini of vRNA are bound to FluPol as previously reported. One NP (NP-0) contacts PA/PB1 of FluPol and binds the distal double-stranded vRNA promoter, with its D72–K90 loop inserting into the RNA fork; separated strands occupy NP-0 RNA-binding grooves. Grooves from other NPs form a continuous RNA-protective path, consistent with negative-strand RNA virus mechanisms. In State-In, interfaces for FluPol dimerization or Pol II interaction are blocked, but fully exposed in State-Out. These structures reveal detailed FluPol–NP–RNA coupling and suggest a conformational shift in RNPs during the viral life cycle.

Automatic detection of arrival time for noisy microseismic data using a transformed difference between multiwindow energy ratios method

Leveraging fundus images for on device eye disease diagnosis with AI powered lightweight software hardware framework

Expressions of consent and pleasure: the development and initial validation of sexual video clips specifically created for sex research

Abstract Sexually explicit videos are widely used in sexuality research to induce sexual arousal, yet there remains a critical need for validated and standardized audiovisual materials specifically designed for research purposes. This study validated a newly developed series of sexual video clips for use in psychophysiological sex research. Fifty heterosexual men viewed three sexual video clips depicting sexual interactions between a male and female actor and representing different levels of engagement and consent. Participants rated their sexual arousal, emotional responses, and perceptions of the female actor’s arousal and consent. Each video effectively conveyed engagement, ambiguity, or distress and elicited distinct emotional and perceptual responses. The engagement video elicited the highest levels of sexual arousal, pleasure, and positive emotions, while the distress video evoked the strongest negative affect and general arousal. The ambiguity video elicited responses similar to those for the distress video. Individual differences in sexual excitation and inhibition influenced emotional and sexual responses, and sexual aggression perpetration was linked to reduced sensitivity to lower-consent cues in the ambiguity video. These findings demonstrate the value of these novel sexual film clips in enhancing the precision and validity of sex research, especially in the study of sexual aggression.

Smart antenna with reconfigurable polarization for future generation of mm-wave communication

Abstract Reconfigurable antennas with polarization agility are critical for modern millimeter-wave (mm-wave) communication systems, enabling improved link reliability, interference mitigation, and system adaptability. This paper presents a dual-band, polarization-reconfigurable microstrip antenna based on a square patch notched at two opposite corners and loaded with four PIN diodes. A defected ground structure (DGS) is introduced to enhance circular polarization purity and extend bandwidth. The antenna operates over two frequency bands: 27–29 GHz (lower band) and 32–32.6 GHz (upper band). By appropriately biasing the PIN diodes, the antenna can generate either left-hand circular polarization (LHCP) or right-hand circular polarization (RHCP) in the lower band, while maintaining linear polarization in the upper band, providing multifunctional operation within a compact design. Simulated results confirm impedance matching in the 27–29 GHz band, with a 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth of 27.42–28.22 GHz and a minimum axial ratio of 0.2 dB near 28 GHz, indicating excellent polarization purity. The antenna achieves peak gain above 6.2 dBic in both circular polarizations at the lower band and 7.2 dBi in the upper band with linear polarization. Efficiencies reach 84% at 28 GHz and over 76% at 32.3 GHz. The antenna, feed network, defected ground structure, and biasing circuits are integrated in a three-layer PCB with sub-50 μm precision traces enabled by LPKF laser prototyping, ensuring minimal parasitics. Experimental measurements show good agreement with simulations. These results validate the proposed antenna as an efficient, compact, and versatile solution for polarization-reconfigurable mm-wave communication, with advantages in adaptability, integration, and performance stability.

Empowering people with intellectual disabilities using integrated deep learning architecture driven enhanced text-based emotion classification

Mechanism and prevention of bed separation water hazards in karst coal mining areas of Northern Guizhou Province, China

Nuclear and cytoplasmic remodeling of ectocervical cells by high activity of gelsolin

Valorizing the applicability of waste rubber tiles loaded with bagasse fibers in different epoxy resin systems

Abstract The efficient and economic exploitation of rubber tiles reinforced with epoxy resin with high adhesion properties is not just a theoretical concept, but a practical solution to the issue of waste rubber. The influence of different weight percentages for waste bagasse (0, 5, 10 and 15 wt%) on the mechanical performance of rubbery epoxy tile is investigated. Three commercial epoxy resins, Kemapoxy 131, Kemapoxy 175, and Kemapoxy, were blended with the aforementioned weight% of bagasse fibers (BF) parallel to waste tire powder (WTP) as a binding material at fixed 15% epoxy content at different agro-waste ratios. 12 formulas were mixed, pressed and molded. Hardness, swelling rate, abrasion resistance, and compression tests, along with the prepared tiles’ morphology, were measured at 10 wt% bagasse. Kemapoxy cast epoxy resin was used to provide a promising result for the abrasion test, which was 15 mg. However, at 15 wt% bagasse using Kemapoxy 175 polyurethane epoxy solvent free, it showed 20 mg at the same revolution test. The hardness of the tiles reached up to 87 Shore A. The swelling ratio decreased significantly with increasing bagasse content, achieving a minimum of 18% compared to 28% in the unfilled samples. Kemapoxy cast epoxy resin (R3) exhibited the most promising abrasion resistance, with a weight loss of only 15 mg/1000 cycles. Conversely, Kemapoxy 175 at 15 wt% BF showed slightly higher weight loss of 20 mg/1000 cycles. The prepared rubber tiles using Kemapoxy 175 displayed the highest compression strength, reaching 50 kN at 0% BF and 47 kN at 15 wt% BF, surpassing the values achieved with the other resins. These results confirm that the incorporation of BF significantly improves hardness and compression strength, while maintaining acceptable swelling and abrasion resistance. The given data can facilitate the industrial design of rubber tiles with desirable properties upon employing such resins, making the research highly relevant in the field of materials science and environmental engineering.

Green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles from Gilaburu under varying temperature and pH, with antimicrobial activity and spectral inconsistencies

Abstract The wild-grown Gilaburu ( Viburnum opulus L. ) fruit, traditionally consumed in Turkey and some Central and Northern European countries, has remarkable bioactive properties due to its high anthocyanin, phenolic compound, and organic acid content. This study produced silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Gilaburu fruit using a reduction-based biosynthetic approach with plant extract as a green synthesis method. The research aimed to determine the optimum AgNP production parameters under different temperatures (50 °C, 90 °C, and 100 °C) and pH (7, 8, 9, 10, and 11) conditions and to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of these nanoparticles. The characterization of the synthesized AgNPs was carried out using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy–Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) techniques. The size of the obtained nanoparticles varied between 20.25 and 25.24 nm on average, depending on each synthesis condition. Antimicrobial activity assessment was performed using the standard agar diffusion method. Four bacterial strains ( S. aureus , E. coli , B. subtilis , P. aeruginosa ) and one yeast strain ( C. albicans ) were used. Silver nanoparticle suspensions were applied to the agar surface, and the inhibition zones formed after the incubation period were measured to evaluate their antimicrobial effects. Synthesized AgNPs showed antibacterial activity against E. coli , S. aureus , and B. subtilis ; however, no antimicrobial activity was detected against P. aeruginosa and C. albicans . Spectral analysis results of some samples that were not completely crystalline were similar to those of crystalline AgNPs.