Browse Articles

The impulse response of the organ of Corti at the apex of the intact cochlea

Abstract Georg von Békésy’s initial observations of inner-ear vibrations were carried out at the apex of human-cadaver cochleae but contemporary studies have focused on responses at the base of the cochlea of live rodents. Apical cochlear recordings have proven difficult to achieve because opening the otic capsule often produces surgical injury and experimental artifacts. Using optical coherence tomography, I recorded mechanical responses to click stimuli at the organ of Corti (OoC) in the intact chinchilla cochlea at sites with characteristic frequencies (CFs) around 500 Hz. In general, OoC velocity responses to clicks consist of two segments: an initial component with a band-pass tuning centered at around 500 Hz, and a later component with low-pass characteristics. Spectral analysis of the transient responses revealed that responses had greater amplitudes and wider frequency bandwidth near the Hensen’s cells region than in the proximity of the basilar membrane, their frequency selectivity increased with stimulus level and death, and CF changes were negligible postmortem. Noise analysis, using Wiener kernels, indicates that click responses contain nonlinearities absent in first-order Wiener kernels. Click responses were well approximated by a frequency independent delay followed by a minimum-phase filter. The average length of the delay was approximately 1.1 ms.

Chronic central retinal artery occlusion: Clinical manifestations, ocular neovascular complications, and risk of stroke

Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a vision-threatening emergency that can lead to chronic ischemic complications. This retrospective cohort study investigated clinical characteristics, neovascular complications, and stroke risk in patients with chronic CRAO defined as the post-acute phase state characterized by FA-confirmed persistent retinal ischemia ≥1 month after acute onset. We reviewed medical records of 570 eyes initially diagnosed with acute non-arteritic CRAO between September 2003 and December 2024, with 289 eyes meeting inclusion criteria. Chronic CRAO was defined as persistent prolonged arm-to-retina or arteriovenous transit times on fluorescein angiography performed >1 month after symptom onset, and further classified as delayed perfusion or nonperfusion based on venous filling patterns. Among 289 patients, 215 eyes (74.4%) had acute CRAO with spontaneous reperfusion, while 74 eyes (25.6%) had chronic CRAO, including 55 eyes (74.3%) with delayed perfusion and 19 eyes (25.7%) with nonperfusion. Chronic CRAO patients were older with higher prevalence of systemic comorbidities. Previous stroke (43.2% vs. 26.0%, p = 0.009) and concurrent stroke (20.3% vs. 12.1%, p = 0.122) were more common in chronic CRAO patients compared to acute CRAO. Neovascularization of the iris occurred exclusively in chronic CRAO (32.4% vs. 0.0%, p < 0.001), with the nonperfusion group showing significantly higher rates of neovascularization of the iris (90% vs. 13%, p < 0.001) and neovascular glaucoma (68% vs. 9%, p < 0.001) compared to delayed perfusion group. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed earlier onset of neovascularization in nonperfusion cases (median 1.6 months) with a 20-fold increased hazard ratio. Approximately one quarter of acute non-arteritic CRAO patients progress to chronic CRAO, which is associated with increased stroke risk and ocular neovascularization, particularly when retinal arterial nonperfusion persists. These findings emphasize the importance of fluorescein angiography monitoring and systemic evaluation in CRAO management.

Preserving Pompeii’s past, one step at a time

A deep embedded clustering algorithm in conjunction with an ensemble technique for mineral prospectivity mapping

Mycoplasma Pneumoniae bronchiolitis and hypoxemia: A retrospective cohort study on risk and prognosis

Objective Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) bronchiolitis can potentially lead to severe respiratory symptoms and long-term complications. This study aimed to determine the risk factors for the development of hypoxemia in MP bronchiolitis and report its prognosis. Methods From January 2017 to December 2024, a total of 178 children with MP bronchiolitis, including 53 cases in the hypoxemia group and 125 cases in the control group, were selected. The clinical data, laboratory indicators, and imaging findings of the two groups were compared. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for the development of hypoxemia, and the receiver operating characteristic curve was employed to validate the predictive effect of the risk factors on hypoxemia. Results The hypoxemia group exhibited a higher incidence of a history of allergic diseases and wheezing sounds, accompanied by substantial elevations in C-reactive protein levels and greater areas of CT involvement ( P  < 0.05). The presence of a history of allergic diseases, wheezing sounds, and the number of infected lung lobes were independent risk factors for the development of hypoxemia. The group with hypoxemia demonstrated a delayed improvement in symptoms, signs and lung function during follow-up ( P  < 0.05). Seven cases of bronchiolitis obliterans were diagnosed in the hypoxemia group while none in the control group. Conclusion MP bronchiolitis patients with a history of allergic diseases, wheezing sounds, and involvement of at least three lung lobes are prone to developing hypoxemia. And those who experience hypoxemia recover more slowly during short-term follow-up and have a higher incidence of bronchiolitis obliterans.

AI can supercharge inequality — unless the public learns to control it

Engineered prime editors with minimal genomic errors

Logistics and CO2e emissions from beef cattle transportation in Brazil between 2018 and 2020

Abstract This study analysed the logistics of beef cattle transportation in Brazil from 2018 to 2020, based on 288,267 freight orders involving over 19 million animals from 42,805 farms and 38 slaughterhouses in ten states. The analysis included vehicle categorization, travel distances, carcass weights, available space per animal, and CO 2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions, which amounted to approximately 87,000 tonnes across 244,394 valid records. We hypothesized that emissions would vary substantially by truck class and transport conditions. Given that the median one-way transport distance was 160 km, all emission estimates were calculated for a 320 km round trip to reflect the full journey. Small trucks (up to 18 animals) were the most frequently used but also the least efficient; emissions for this class reached a median of 56.89 kg per ton of carcass and 13.99 kg per animal, with 75th percentiles as high as 98 kg/ton. In contrast, the Trailer54 class showed the highest efficiency, with a median of 37.77 kg/ton of carcass (IQR: 20.5–62.5). Across all classes, the wide gaps between the 25th and 75th percentiles point to substantial room for optimization. Emission intensity also varied between and within states, with median values per animal ranging from 8.74 kg in Minas Gerais to 17.31 kg in Rondônia. Intra-state variability was also considerable, as indicated by the wide interquartile ranges. Although emissions from livestock transport represent a small fraction of Brazil’s total GHG inventory, their spatial variability and operational inefficiencies make them strategically relevant for climate and logistics policy. These findings underscore the importance of region-specific strategies, fleet modernization, and improved logistical planning to support low-carbon beef supply chains.

Newborn screening for sickle cell disease in Caluquembe, southwestern Angola, 2024–2025

Objectives Angola is one of the countries with the highest prevalence of sickle cell disease (SCD). Neonatal SCD testing is recommended by the Angolan government, but it is not routinely performed. Nearly all previous studies of SCD have been conducted in cities. We implemented a neonatal SCD screening program in a referral hospital in Huíla province to examine the epidemiology of SCD in this Umbundu-speaking population and to demonstrate the feasibility of using point-of-care (POC) tests for SCD in a rural setting. Methods Between October 2024 and February 2025, we screened 353 infants less than one month old at Hospital Evangélico de Caluquembe for the hemoglobin S (HbS) gene using HemoTypeSC rapid diagnostic tests. We also reviewed all pediatric outpatient visits from 2024 to identify newly-diagnosed SCD cases. Results Twenty-one (6.0%) of the 353 neonates had sickle cell trait (HbAS); none had SCD (HbSS). The outpatient register review identified 26 incident cases of SCD. Conclusions The prevalence of HbS is lower in Caluquembe than in Luanda and Cabinda, but the combined results of our newborn screening and pediatric records provide evidence that there is a burden of disease from SCD in Caluquembe and the surrounding areas. Sickle cell screening and treatment programs should be available in all high-burden areas, not just large cities. The per-test costs may still be too expensive for universal newborn screening to be scaled up nationwide, but our pilot study demonstrates that POC tests can be a cost-effective method that yields immediate results.

Impact of snow manipulation on overwintering disease and frost damage across pasture grass species

Abstract Snow manipulation regulates soil temperature, reducing overwintering diseases and supporting pasture growth, though it has a limited effect on supporting grass growth. This study assessed the snow manipulation effects on overwintering damage and disease control in timothy (TY), orchardgrass (OG), and perennial ryegrass (PR). Snow manipulation decreased Mild-T days (soil temperatures near 0 °C), which correlated with reduces disease severity, particularly in TY. In plots with < 20 consecutive Mild-T days, maximum disease severity was lowest in TY (0.13) compared with that in OG (1.78) and PR (1.63). However, total overwintering damage also depended on disease and frost resistance. Although snow mold reduction did not consistently decrease damage, PR exhibited severe frost damage, making it highly vulnerable to snow manipulation. Contrastingly, OG compensated for overwintering losses with strong regrowth, maintaining similar dry matter yield. Snow manipulation effectively controls overwintering diseases but may raise frost damage in less cold-resistant species. TY showed the greatest adaptability, PR was highly frost-susceptible, and OG maintained productivity despite overwinter losses. These findings highlight the need to consider disease and frost resistance when using snow manipulation for disease control.

Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, and validity of the Turkish version of moral courage scale for physicians

Aim Physicians, like other healthcare professionals, frequently encounter situations requiring moral courage in their professional lives. However, studies on the moral courage of physicians are limited in the literature. This study aims to evaluate the Turkish adaptation, validity, and reliability of the Moral Courage Scale for Physicians (MCSP) and to contribute to national and international studies on moral courage among physicians. Materials and methods This methodological study involved the adaptation, validation, and reliability assessment of the MCSP in Turkish. The scale’s internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach’s α coefficient, and the total correlation coefficients for the items were calculated. Test-retest reliability was assessed using a two-group design. Results The Turkish version of the MCSP demonstrated high internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s α coefficient of 0.91. The total correlation coefficients for the items ranged from 0.387 to 0.797. A significant positive correlation was found between the test and retest scores of the MCSP (p < 0.05). Conclusion The Turkish version of the MCSP is a valid and reliable tool for assessing moral courage among physicians.

Direct observations of bedform migration driven by turbidity currents in a lacustrine channel

Abstract Turbidity currents, gravity-driven sediment-laden flows, govern material transport and shape underwater landscapes across diverse environments. While extensively studied in marine settings, their dynamics in freshwater systems remain underexplored. We present multi-temporal, multi-scale observations from the Aare Delta of Lake Brienz (Switzerland), combining Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler measurements with high-resolution repeated bathymetric surveys to capture turbidity currents and resulting morphological changes. A single turbidity current reached near-bed velocities of 0.65 m/s and induced upslope migration of a cyclic step by at least 4 m within minutes. Characterisation of overall bedform migration across the channel network over five years highlights the cumulative imprint of turbidity currents and frames these short-term changes within the broader context of channel reworking. Together, our results show striking similarities in overall flow structure, bedform morphologies, and dynamics between freshwater and marine systems, underscoring the value of lacustrine settings as accessible, scaled-down environments for advancing turbidity current research.

Gestational age, birth weight, and infant 1-year mortality risk: A large-scale analysis of 6.9 million births from the Japanese National registry

Background Japan’s low infant mortality rates (IMR) reflect advancements in neonatal care. However, a comprehensive understanding of factors influencing long-term infant mortality nationwide is lacking. We examined the 1-year relationships between gestational age (GA), birth weight, small-for-gestational-age (SGA) status, and infant mortality risk. Objective This study aimed to estimate the 1-year survival probability of infants stratified by GA, birth weight and SGA status. Methods This study is an observational study using Japan’s vital registration data between 2012 and 2018. Whole national birth and death registration data was analyzed. 6,918,305 births and 12,440 deaths within the first year of age were included. The main outcome is 1-year infant mortality and survival curve. Results Infants born preterm, and SGA exhibited elevated mortality rates (15 and 8.5 per 1,000, respectively). Survival probability varied significantly based on GA, birth weight, and SGA status. Overall 1-year mortality risk was 1.8 per 1,000 live births with survival probabilities notably increasing with GA. Late preterm and early term births also exhibited increased mortality risks compared to full term infants (e.g., 2.2 per 1,000 live births if born at 37 weeks vs 0.76 at 39 weeks). Notably, late preterm births constituted the majority of preterm births and were associated with major mortality risks. Conclusions This study, extending beyond previous short-term research, provides insights into long-term infant mortality risks in Japan, underscoring the importance of gestational age, birth weight, and SGA status in infant mortality risk among live births. Further study to elucidate the reasons behind pregnancy termination decisions and the specifics of antenatal and neonatal care is needed to better understand the factors influencing infant mortality.

Infiltration capacity and salinization dynamics of the ishaqi aquifer with sustainable groundwater desalination strategies in central Iraq

Exploring the potential of microbial inoculant to enhance common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L:) yield via increased root nodulation and soil macro-nutrients

Soil fertility constraints for common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production are often resolved using chemical fertilizers, but microbial inoculants can be used as a sustainable option/complement. Microbial inoculant formulation was tested on common bean in a randomized-complete-block-design field experiment with eight treatments and four replicates. The treatments included no input(control), chemical fertilizer(NPK), poultry manure(PM), Microbial inoculants(MI), NPK + PM, NPK + MI, PM + MI, and NPK + PM + MI. Microbial inoculant treatment had the highest fertilizer replacement value (proportion of chemical fertilizer that an alternative input can substitute) relative to poultry manure(41.6%) and chemical fertilizer(26.7%). The highest bean yield(3.46 tons ha -1 ) that was observed in the NPK + PM + MI treatment was significantly ( P  < 0.001) different from the microbial inoculant treatment(1.71 tons ha -1 ) and the control(1.42 tons ha -1 ). The highest 1000-grain weight (494 g) that occurred in NPK + PM + MI inoculant treatment was significantly ( P  < 0.05) different from the MI(457 g), NPK(448 g), PM(436 g), and control(421 g) treatments. Effective root nodules correlated positively ( P  < 0.05) with bean yield ( r  = 0.77) and 1000-grain weight ( r  = 0.90). Application of NPK + PM + MI had higher nodule number (9) and effectiveness than the control (2). Soil pH (6.6) was significantly ( P  < 0.05) higher in NPK + PM + MI than MI + PM (6.5), control (5.5) and NPK (5.0). Soil nitrogen and available phosphorus increased significantly ( P  < 0.05) in NPK + PM + MI 0.25% and 8.68 mg/kg, respectively, than the control(0.13% and 6.31 mg/kg), while higher potassium(2.80 cmol/kg) occurred in NPK than control(1.70 cmol/kg). These findings highlight the potential to explore the ability of bio-inoculant to boost root nodulation, enhance soil macro-nutrients, and modulate soil pH in bean production systems.

Minutes matter for life safety and risk exposure in Milford Sound, New Zealand

What do students expect from teaching assistants (TAs)? Considerations of gender, race, and international status

Teaching Assistants (TAs) make important contributions to STEM teaching in higher education. While TAs often play both peer and authority figure roles, however, relatively little is known about exactly what students expect from TAs. To fill this gap, the first major goal of this study was to comprehensively understand these expectations from a large population of undergraduate engineering students. In addition, this study sought to understand how these expectations vary with students’ gender, race/ethnicity, and international status during distinct time periods associated with the recent COVID-19 pandemic (pre-COVID, during COVID, and post COVID). Student expectations were measured via a short-answer survey question in a cross-sectional dataset at a single, large institution comprised of sophomore to senior level students ( n   = 1,678) enrolled in engineering courses between 2016 and 2023. Thematic analyses were used to analyze student expectations and statistical, quantitative techniques were used to identify demographic differences. While no single majority theme emerged, many (42.9%) students thought that interactions were most important for TAs to emphasize while 37.6% believed TA preparation to be most important. A smaller but noteworthy percentage (7.61%) of students expected TAs to be caring and hospitable. Significant differences emerged in different time periods and across students’ race/ethnicity, international status, and gender. The results of this study indicate that students have a wide range of expectations of TAs and that these expectations are different for different times and classroom conditions. The results of this study can directly inform TA professional development as well as faculty guidance and supervision of TAs.

How to grow crystals when and where you want them

Video based heart rate detection in unrestrained laboratory rats: a feasibility analysis

Abstract Continuous monitoring of vital signs in laboratory animals is often essential for reliable scientific results and severity assessment. It still depends on invasive approaches such as transponder implementation, which affect the animals well-being. To minimize this impact, a camera-based method is proposed for heart rate detection by analyzing skin color variations in unrestrained rats. Pulse signals were extracted from video recordings taken with a smart home cage designed in a preceding study and processed using classical signal processing methods. For the successfully detected heart rates, we achieved a mean absolute error (MAE) of 10.6 beats per minute (bpm) and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 13.8 bpm . The results suggest that heart rate detection is feasible. Despite challenges such as difficult lighting conditions and small regions of interest, this study demonstrates the potential for non-invasive heart rate monitoring in freely moving laboratory animals.

Enhanced audience sentiment analysis in IoT-integrated metaverse media communication

The convergence of Metaverse technologies, Internet of Things (IoT), and consumer electronics has given rise to an imperative need for scalable, real-time sentiment analysis that can process heterogeneous, high-velocity media flows. The traditional approaches tend to fail in preserving the contextual, emotional, and temporal dynamism that pervades cross-platform settings. For these shortcomings, this work proposes a deep learning-based framework for sentiment analysis that integrates IoT-enabled consumer devices and Metaverse media interactions seamlessly. The overall BG-Hybrid model, fundamentally, blends BERT-led bidirectional encoding and GPT-based generative modeling to attain subtle emotion detection and context-aware comprehending. The five interconnected modules constituting the architecture include (i) multi-source data collection using RESTful APIs; (ii) weighted preprocessing pipelines using tokenization, lemmatization, and normalization; (iii) Adam algorithm-optimized model training and cross-entropy loss minimization-based training; (iv) adaptive real-time processing using dynamic window segmentation; and (v) an ongoing refinement loop using continuous user inputs, triggered by a feedback mechanism. Predictive thresholding is employed to manage temporal sentiment variations, and anomaly detection ensures data trustworthiness. Experimental analyses on Twitter Sentiment140 and Amazon Reviews datasets validate the effectiveness of the system, obtaining 94.5% accuracy, 91.5% F1-score, an average response latency of 250 ms, and proved scalability exceeding 91.5%.