Browse Articles

Study on the evolution mechanism of permeability and displacement efficiency in CO2-ECBM in low-permeability coal seam

Multiscale artificial spider web for comprehensive pressure sensing and human-machine interaction

Abstract Flexible pressure sensors are key components of Internet of Things systems for monitoring environmental and physiological signals, yet simultaneously achieving a high sensitivity, a fast response time, and a high mechanical durability remains challenging owing to the lack of sophisticated structural designs that balance sensing performance and robustness. Here, we demonstrate a multiscale artificial spider web (MASW) fabricated via copper-mesh-assisted electrospinning of biodegradable polylactic acid, forming a nanofiber network that efficiently transmits stress while enhancing mechanical stability. The resulting pressure sensor simultaneously shows a high sensitivity of 39.85 [kPa] −1 , a fast response of 42 ms and high durability over 6000 loading cycles, enabling reliable and versatile neural-network-assisted real-time monitoring of multiple physiological signals, including pulse, breathing, and vocalization. Furthermore, leveraging precise joint movement signal acquisition, a human-machine interaction system was developed with potential applications in fine motor rehabilitation for Parkinson’s disease, suggesting strong promise for sustainable healthcare and IoT systems.

Hyaluronic acid–functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticles loaded with trans-chalcone: in vitro anticancer activity and lncRNA modulation in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

The BRCA1-A complex restricts replication fork reversal-dependent DNA repair in ATM deficient cells

Abstract Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) kinase deficiency results in cancer susceptibility and drug hypersensitivity. Deficiency in either the BRCA1 interacting A complex or XRCC4/Ligase 4 confers resistance to Topoisomerase I or PARP1 inhibitors in ATM-deficient cells. This suggests that BRCA1-A directs toxicity to fork-damaging agents in ATM mutated cells via illegitimate end-joining. Here, we show that ATM inhibition triggers combined SUMO and ubiquitin mediated BRCA1-A damaged fork recognition to restrict end-resection and cause Topoisomerase I inhibitor hypersensitivity. BRCA1-A deficient cells display elevated chromatin accessibility and nuclease activity at damaged forks, coupled with restored resection and drug resistance. Electron microscopy evidence demonstrates that ATM inhibition prevents replication fork reversal, which is restored by BRCA1-A loss to generate substrates for end resection. These findings reveal that BRCA1-A enforces a restrictive chromatin state to suppress the genesis of resection substrates, implicating fork reversal as a key determinant of chemotherapy response in ATM deficient cells.

Selective state space U net for linear complexity globally coherent high resolution image segmentation

Dielectric-dependent hybrid functional based on meta-GGA

Abstract Semilocal density functionals such as the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) functional substantially underestimate experimental band gaps. Hybrid functionals address this band gap problem by admixing a fraction of Fock exchange to semilocal exchange. The optimal mixing parameter depends on the specific material and can be identified as the inverse dielectric constant (dielectric-dependent hybrid functional, DDH). Here, we show that dielectric constants obtained using the r 2 SCAN meta-GGA functional are significantly more accurate than dielectric constants obtained using the semilocal PBE functional. We propose the DD-r 2 SCANH functional, a dielectric-dependent hybrid functional based on r 2 SCAN. DD-r 2 SCANH can outperform the standard PBE-based DDH in terms of band gaps and other electronic structure properties. Particularly marked improvements are obtained for narrow-gap semiconductors such as Ge and InAs, where PBE wrongly predicts a metallic phase, but r 2 SCAN opens a band gap.

From polyamine metabolism genes to immunoproteasome subunits: a transcriptome-based screening of candidate biomarkers in Crohn’s disease

Grassland afforestation more than forestry intensification shapes soil multifunctionality via microbial compositional change under abiotic constraints

Simplex-anchored regressors for fast global optimization-oriented miniaturization of microwave circuits

Prediction of difficult airways in elderly patients using bedside ultrasound: a prospective single-blind observational study

Determinants of perceived urban public transportation costs in a rapidly urbanizing African City: evidence from Adama, Ethiopia

Abstract Urban transport affordability remains a major policy concern in rapidly urbanizing Sub-Saharan African cities. Despite extensive theoretical work on transport economics, empirical evidence quantifying structural determinants of perceived public transportation cost in secondary African cities remains limited. This study examined the association between economies of scale, road maintenance and upkeep, fuel and energy subsidy, and fare infrastructure integration on perceived public transportation cost in Adama City, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among transport associations, driver training institutions, and regulatory officials ( n  = 181; response rate 88%). Data were analysed using multiple linear regression. The regression model was statistically significant (F (4,176) = 63.42, p  < 0.001) and explained 59% of the variance in transportation cost (R² = 0.59; adjusted R² = 0.57). Economies of scale showed the strongest inverse association (β = −0.41, p  < 0.001), followed by fuel and energy subsidy (β = −0.29, p  < 0.01), road maintenance (β = −0.18, p  < 0.05), and fare infrastructure integration (β = −0.16, p  < 0.05). Structural and policy-level interventions targeting system scale, infrastructure quality, and coordinated fare systems may substantially reduce perceived urban transport costs. The findings contribute empirical evidence from Ethiopia to the broader literature on urban transport economics.

Multimodal fusion of handwriting images and kinematic features for Parkinson disease detection

Abstract Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects fine motor control and produces measurable abnormalities in handwriting and drawing. This study proposes a rigorously evaluated multimodal framework for PD detection that combines a Vision Transformer (ViT) for spiral and meander image analysis with an XGBoost classifier operating on 54 carefully engineered kinematic features extracted from multichannel handwriting signals. To assess how multimodal integration should be performed, both intermediate feature-level fusion and late decision-level fusion were evaluated under a strict 5-fold subject-wise cross-validation protocol, with supplementary sample-level analysis, on the NewHandPD dataset. The visual stream consistently outperformed the acquisition stream as a single modality, while both fusion strategies improved performance by exploiting complementary spatial (visual) and motor information. Intermediate fusion achieved the highest apparent discriminative performance, reaching 97.7% accuracy on spiral drawings and 98.5% accuracy on meander drawings, whereas late fusion provided more interpretable and modular behavior, with best subject-level results of 93.94% accuracy and AUC = 0.9687 for spiral, and 92.42% accuracy with AUC = 0.9770 for meander. These findings suggest that multimodal handwriting analysis can be an effective approach for Parkinson’s disease detection on the NewHandPD dataset, although further validation on larger and independent cohorts is required.

Adsorption of cationic and anionic dyes using chemically modified activated carbon from agricultural waste

Abstract Methylene blue (MB), a cationic dye, and Congo red (CR), an anionic dye, were adsorbed from aqueous solution using activated carbons that were prepared from date pits (date pits AC) biomass. These adsorbents’ surface chemistry was described using a variety of analytical methods, and the corresponding adsorption interactions were examined using the findings. The adsorption mechanism was discussed based on adsorption isotherm, kinetic, and surface characterization results. In order to assess the adsorption behaviour of the biomass, batch adsorption studies were carried out and a number of parameters, including pH, initial concentration of the adsorbates, adsorbent dose, time, and temperature, were optimized. Results showed that the maximal uptakes of MB were 833 mg g −1 at pH between 5.5 to 10 and 743 mg g −1 for MB and CR at pH between 2 and 4.5 respectively. The pseudo-second-order model provided the best fit to the kinetic data, indicating that chemisorption may play a role in the adsorption process for both MB and CR dyes. The findings demonstrated that the inexpensive biomass-derived adsorbent has the potential to effectively remove both cationic and anionic dyes from wastewater.

Evaluation of autophagy in neonatal rat glial cells in an in vitro model of hypoxic–ischemic injury

In vivo MRI assessment of position dependent capsulolabral gap differences between neutral and flexion abduction external rotation hip positions

Economic insecurity is negatively related to cultural engagement

Abstract Economic insecurity—understood as the anxiety associated with the anticipation of adverse financial events and uncertainty about recovery—has become increasingly relevant in recent years, particularly in the wake of rising living costs. While its impact on economic and social outcomes is well documented, less is known about its effects on cultural engagement. This study explores the relationship between economic insecurity and participation in cultural activities in Italy—a country rich in cultural heritage yet marked by low levels of engagement. Using ten waves of nationally representative cross-sectional surveys (2013–2022) from the Italian Institute of Statistics, we construct a novel index of cultural engagement through Item Response Theory. This methodology identifies the most discriminative cultural practices and generates a composite measure of individual engagement. We find that visits to museums, exhibitions, archaeological sites, and monuments are the strongest indicators of cultural involvement in Italy. We then examine how subjective economic insecurity—captured by individuals’ reported economic concerns—relates to cultural participation. Tobit regression models reveal a significant and negative association: individuals experiencing higher levels of economic insecurity are less likely to engage in cultural activities, even after controlling for current economic status and key socio-demographic factors. This relationship is especially pronounced among individuals with lower educational attainment and among childless couples. Our findings suggest that subjective economic insecurity, beyond material deprivation, plays a central role in shaping cultural practices.

Simultaneous sequestration of heavy metals and organic pollutants from vehicles industrial wastewater via iron-based electrocoagulation: optimization of operating dynamics and environmental compliance

Abstract This study investigates the simultaneous removal of Nickel (Ni +2 ), hexavalent chromium Cr(VI), and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) from automotive industrial wastewater using an advanced electrocoagulation (EC) process. A key novelty of this work lies in the development of a distinct, optimized iron electrode configuration represented by circular iron electrodes instead of square or rectangular, integrated with optimum operation criterions to maximize pollutant mitigation while minimizing resource consumption. Batch experiments were conducted using iron electrodes on real effluent characterized by baseline concentrations of 12 ± 0.40, 11 ± 0.30 and 2500 ± 75 mg L − 1 for Ni +2 , Cr(VI) and COD respectively. Through systematic optimization, the critical design criteria for a scalable system were established at an initial pH of 7, a current density (CD) of 3 mA cm − 2 and an electrolysis time of 40 min. These optimal parameters successfully balanced peak treatment efficiency with the lowest possible electrode consumption and electrical energy demand. The residual Ni +2 , Cr, COD was 0.096 ± 0.02, 0.025 ± 0.01 and 940 ± 15 mg L − 1 respectively, while energy consumption reached 1.65 kWh m − 3 and the electrode consumption was recorded at 0.60 kg m − 3 . Transitioning from batch to a continuous-flow regime under optimal batch operating conditions yielded residual concentrations of Ni +2 , Cr and COD was 0.2 ± 0.02, 0.15 ± 0.01 and 915 ± 15 mg L − 1 respectively, achieving full compliance with stringent national environmental discharge regulations. Techno-economic analysis demonstrated a highly competitive operational cost 0.36 USD m − 3 . Solid-state sludge characterization via SEM, EDX, XRD, and FTIR confirmed the stable immobilization and encapsulation of heavy metals within a robust iron-rich crystalline matrix. Ultimately, the novel electrode geometry and derived design framework provide a technically viable, economically sustainable, and scalable solution for automotive wastewater remediation.

Deep learning & PSO-based optimisation of data centre energy costs using renewable sources

Modeling injury severity in embankment-related roadway departure crashes

Metabolic profiling and microbiological evaluation of Staphylococcus aureus in a poly-microbial system in soft white cheese

Abstract There is a significant lack of data on microbial interactions in polymicrobial food systems. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus on Staphylococcus aureus growth and metabolite production in soft white cheese, a food model. The growth dynamics of single and mixed cultures of these pathogens in various microbial systems were examined, including single, binary, and tertiary combinations. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyze the metabolic profiles of these poly-microbial systems. Additionally, we assessed the impact of nisin/EDTA on the tertiary microbial system in soft white cheese and evaluated its microbiological safety and quality. All microbiological experiments were performed in triplicates and data expressed as mean ± Std ( P  < 0.05). The results showed that B. cereus growth was significantly reduced in binary ( Bc -Sa ) and tertiary ( Bc- Sa-Ec ) systems, with reductions of 95.91% (1.42 Log cycle) and 94.77% (1.4 Log cycle), respectively. E. coli growth was also reduced in binary ( Ec- Sa ) and tertiary ( Bc- Sa-Ec ) systems, with reductions of 66.67% (0.48 Log cycle) and 96.67% (1.48 Log cycle), respectively. S. aureus growth was inhibited by 54.17% (0.33 Log cycle), 79.17% (0.67 Log cycle), and 91.67% (1.07 Log cycle) in ( Bc -Sa ), ( Bc- Sa-Ec ), and ( Ec- Sa ) systems, respectively. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of various metabolites, including hydroxyurea, methane nitroso, and pyridinium derivatives, with different ratios depending on the poly-microbial system. The addition of nisin/EDTA effectively reduced growth in both single and poly-microbial systems, and its application in soft white cheese enhanced microbiological safety and quality. Our findings suggest that studying microbial interactions and metabolite production in poly-microbial systems can inform the development of effective preservation methods that improve food safety and quality while enhancing sensory characteristics.