Browse Articles
Discover research articles across all indexed journals
Comprehensive monitoring of the spatiotemporal variation of water quality and its associated human health risks in Luvuvhu river catchment, Vhembe biosphere reserve, South Africa
Direct observation of substitutional and interstitial dopant diffusion in oxide grain boundary
Study on the influence of near-fault vertical ground motion on the dynamic response of separation and collision of bridge
Visualization of lysosomal membrane proteins by cryo electron tomography
A dynamic lightweight blockchain sharding protocol for autonomous collaborative combat of UAV swarms in denied environments
A frugal Spiking Neural Network for unsupervised multivariate temporal pattern classification and multichannel spike sorting
Meiotic progression in multinuclear mouse spermatocytes without the spindle pole clustering motor protein KIFC1 or cytokinesis forms single-cell late-stage spermatids
Abstract Mammalian spermatogenesis is a highly dynamic process involving male germ cell self-renewal and terminal differentiation into progenitor cells that produce testicular sperm in coordination with testicular somatic support cells. Multinuclear giant cells identified in mutant, toxin-exposed or genetically altered mice post-meiosis, reflect abnormal spermiogenesis. Here, analysis of fixed isolated testicular cells immunolabeled for microtubules, molecular motors, spindle binding proteins, and DNA from non-transgenic and GFP-CETN2-expressing CB6F1 or C57BL mice identify polynuclear primary spermatocytes within the normal testicular cell population. We hypothesize polynuclear primary spermatocytes arise from spermatogonia through aberrant cytokinesis or cell fusion of tethered spermatogonia. Polynuclear primary spermatocytes apparently progress in pre-prophase-I stages, completing first centriole duplication and homologous chromosome pairing/DNA cross-over events, forming multiple bipolar metaphase-I spindles of distinct phenotypes based on hypothesized spermatogonia derivation but without the microtubule clustering motor protein KIFC1. Remarkably, polynuclear spermatocytes are consistent with completing meiosis without undergoing first or second cytokinesis, seemingly generating polyploid spermatids post-meiosis. Polyploid spermatids perhaps undergo cytodifferentiation, forming sperm axonemes, acrosomes, centrosome nuclear binding, transient manchette microtubule assembly for nuclear shaping, associating with Sertoli cells and entering suspected spermiation. Collectively, these findings demonstrate remarkable testicular plasticity post-differentiation and the lax cell-cycle control of spermatogenesis, regardless of nuclear constituency.
Synergy of pyrophosphate and unsaturated nitrogen sites for efficient uranium recovery from concentrated nitric acid
Fuzzy soft tensor based group decision making approach with application to heterogeneous wireless network evaluation
Empowering low-crosstalk, dynamic-decision random access of DNA storage via 384-multiplexed nanopore signatures
Psychometric properties of the perception of telework practices (PTP) scale: measuring advantages and drawbacks in the Lebanese context
Weather drivers of reproductive variability in perennial plants and their implications for climate change risks
Quercetin-coated CuO–ZnO nanoparticles enhance post-thaw quality of ram semen
Investigating the population structure of Moraxella catarrhalis using a cgMLST scheme and LIN code system
Abstract Moraxella catarrhalis is an important cause of infectious exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and otitis media. To investigate the population structure of M. catarrhalis, we developed a core-genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) scheme using 1319 core genes, and a life identification number (LIN) barcode classification system. Whole-genome analyses of nearly 2000 genomes confirmed divergent seroresistant (SR) and serosensitive (SS) M. catarrhalis lineages with distinct evolutionary trajectories. SR genomes are more conserved, while SS genomes exhibited greater genetic variability. Virulence gene analyses revealed lineage-specific variations in ubiquitous surface proteins (UspA1 and UspA2) and lipooligosaccharide (LOS) types. The bro β-lactamase, and mcb bacteriocin cluster, are more common in SR lineages, which suggested different selective pressures and adaptation. Here, we show that this cgMLST scheme and LIN code system provide a robust method for characterising M. catarrhalis, distinguish between SR and SS lineages, and offer a unified framework for population structure analyses.
Layered double hydroxides in nanofiltration as a new approach to nitrate removal
Global average socio-economic farm size may triple by 2100
Hidden markov modeling of emotional state transitions in interactive installation art
Abstract Interactive installation art provides a distinctive context for examining collective emotion, yet most prior studies have relied on laboratory or longitudinal data that are impractical in public cultural settings. This study applied Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) to self-reported well-being data from HappyHere, a participatory light installation at the National Galleries of Scotland. Despite the cross-sectional design, the HMM framework enabled inference of latent affective states and probabilistic differentiation patterns, stability, and convergence patterns. The results show four key findings. First, three qualitatively distinct latent states were identified: a low/negative cluster (M ≈ 1.5), a moderately positive cluster (M ≈ 3.5), and a ceiling-level, highly positive cluster (all M = 5.0), confirming clear differentiation (H1). Second, positive states proved the most stable, with the highest self-transition probability (0.875) and the longest dwell time (≈ 3.4 steps), supporting H2. Third, neutral states were comparatively unstable, showing the lowest self-transition probability (0.093) and a tendency to shift toward positivity, consistent with H3. Finally, the stationary distribution strongly favored positivity, with positive states Reaching 86.3%, neutral states 7.5%, and negative states 6.2%. Minor diurnal variation was observed, but effect sizes were negligible, confirming the enduring predominance of positivity (H4). The findings demonstrate that even cross-sectional cultural datasets can yield meaningful insights through probabilistic modelling. Positive affect emerged as the most stable and dominant attractor, underscoring the capacity of participatory art to regulate emotion and foster collective well-being.
Dietary variability and micronutrient status of individuals with Yaws infection in Ghana: A case-control study
Background Yaws is a neglected tropical skin disease mainly affecting children under 15 years. It is targeted for eradication by 2030 through Mass Drug Administration (MDA) of a single oral dose of azithromycin (30 mg/kg), which has achieved about a 95% cure rate. Despite this, the disease persists in endemic countries. Eradication requires addressing contributing factors, including the role of nutrition in yaws; yet this remains underexplored. This study assessed the nutritional status of individuals in yaws-endemic areas using a case-control design. Methods A case-control study was conducted from May to November 2024 in 33 communities across two districts in Ghana. Cases were Dual Path Platform (DPP) positive individuals, matched by age and sex with healthy controls. Data collection included demographic and anthropometric measurements and a Ghana-specific multi-pass 24-hour dietary recall. Results A total of 64 cases and 64 matched controls [median age 11.5 years, Interquartile range (IQR) 9–13.8] were enrolled. Moderate stunting was found in 27% of cases and 22% of controls; severe stunting in 6% and 5%, respectively. Roots and tubers were consumed by all participants, while fruit intake was low (5% overall; 3% in cases, 8% in controls). Controls generally had slightly higher micronutrient intake than cases, except for energy (1754 ± 657 kcal vs. 1726 ± 707.3 kcal), fat (55.15 ± 28.04 g vs. 51.83 ± 27.04 g), and vitamin C (108.7 ± 42.24 mg vs. 107.7 ± 53.18 mg). No statistically significant differences in nutrient adequacy were found between healed and non-healed yaws cases (p > 0.05), though participants with non-healed lesions more often had inadequate intakes of energy (88% vs. 80%), fibre (100% vs. 96%), iron (63% vs. 54%), zinc (75% vs. 71%), and vitamin B12 (63% vs. 55%). Conclusion In these yaws-endemic districts, we observed high levels of undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies among both cases and controls. Although nutritional status was not independently linked to poorer treatment outcomes, the burden of malnutrition underscores the need for integrated health interventions. Further research is warranted to clarify the relationship between chronic nutritional deficiencies and yaws outcomes.