Scientific Reports[JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Grassland afforestation more than forestry intensification shapes soil multifunctionality via microbial compositional change under abiotic constraints.
Ribero MN, Schiaffino MR, Filloy J
Sci Rep · 2026 Jul · PMID 42401690 · Full text
Soil ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) is driven by the interplay of abiotic and biological factors, yet how these interactions respond to anthropogenic pressures remains poorly understood. Here, we evaluated how grassl...
Soil ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) is driven by the interplay of abiotic and biological factors, yet how these interactions respond to anthropogenic pressures remains poorly understood. Here, we evaluated how grassland afforestation and its intensification shape soil edaphic conditions, microbial diversity, and EMF along a 200 km grassland-eucalypt plantation transect in Argentina. EMF was estimated, accounting for six ecosystem functions related to nutrient provisioning, organic matter cycling, and pathogen control. Microbial diversity was studied through the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic dimensions of prokaryotes, mycorrhizae, and fungal saprotrophs. Abiotic and biotic drivers of individual ecosystem functions and EMF were assessed using correlations, linear mixed models, structural equation models, and Multiple Regressions on distance Matrices. Individual ecosystem functions responded differentially to environmental drivers: functions linked to soil physicochemical processes were primarily associated with edaphic conditions, whereas biologically mediated functions were more closely linked to climate and grassland afforestation. Soil multifunctionality, however, was driven by edaphic and climatic conditions, particularly soil sand percentage and precipitation, with no direct association with microbial alpha diversity or afforestation. In contrast, similarity in fungal composition explained similarity in EMF, suggesting a coupling between microbial composition and soil conditions associated with grassland afforestation. Grassland conversion to commercial forest, rather than forestry intensification, altered individual soil functions and microbial functional composition without further reducing EMF. Overall, our findings indicate that afforestation influences soil EMF through changes in microbial composition, but that these effects are constrained by abiotic drivers.
Experimental study on the mechanical properties and dry-wet cycle influence of attapulgite-HDTMA modified loess.
Zhang Z, Liu Z, Zhang L
Sci Rep · 2026 Jul · PMID 42401689 · Full text
Attapulgite-modified loess has been shown to improve impermeability, offering a viable approach for engineering applications; however, cracking often occurs after repeated wetting-drying cycles. In this study, hexadecylt...
Attapulgite-modified loess has been shown to improve impermeability, offering a viable approach for engineering applications; however, cracking often occurs after repeated wetting-drying cycles. In this study, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA) was introduced to investigate its effectiveness in enhancing the wetting-drying crack resistance and hydraulic stability of attapulgite-modified loess for landfill liner applications. A series of wetting-drying cycle tests, direct shear, consolidation, and permeability tests, along with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses, were conducted to evaluate the modified loess systematically. According to the experimental results, when the attapulgite and HDTMA contents are 10% attapulgite + 2% HDTMA, the permeability coefficient of the modified loess remains below 1 × 10 cm/s after five wetting-drying cycles, indicating excellent impermeability stability and crack resistance. In addition, the composite modification effectively enhances the mechanical properties and structural stability of loess. These findings suggest that attapulgite-HDTMA composite modification is a feasible and promising strategy for enhancing the suitability of loess as a landfill liner material, demonstrating considerable potential for practical engineering applications. Nevertheless, further investigations are still required, particularly regarding long-term durability, consolidated drained shear behavior, field-scale performance, and the effects of a wider range of modifier concentrations.
Hyaluronic acid-functionalized FeO nanoparticles loaded with trans-chalcone: in vitro anticancer activity and lncRNA modulation in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
Daghari M, Salehzadeh A, Pourahmad A … +1 more , Yari R
Sci Rep · 2026 Jul · PMID 42401688 · Full text
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Targeting cancer cells using functionalized nanoparticles has gained attention. In this study, the anticancer potential of Iron oxide N...
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Targeting cancer cells using functionalized nanoparticles has gained attention. In this study, the anticancer potential of Iron oxide NPs functionalized with Glucose and co-conjugated with Hyaluronic acid and trans-Chalcone (FeO@Glu-HA-TC NPs) and their influence on the expression of the lncRNAs ANRIL and ANCR was investigated. The synthesized NPs were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, SEM, EDS, DLS, zeta potential, TGA and VSM analysis. Viability level of the HepG2 and HDF cell lines was studied by MTT assay and cell cycle phases and apoptosis/necrosis percentage and ROS levels in the HepG2 cell treated with FeO@Glu-HA-TC NPs were determined. Relative expression of the lncRNAs ANCR and ANRIL was determined by Real-Time PCR assay. The NPs were spherical, moderately agglomerated, with an average particle diameter of 42.05 nm, surface charge of -56.8 mV, hydrodynamic size of 150.9 nm and saturated magnetization at 38.88 emu/g. Fe₃O₄@Glu-HA-TC NPs exhibited greater cytotoxicity toward HepG2 cells compared to normal HDF cells with an IC of 255 and 488.79 µg/mL, respectively. Exposure to the NPs caused an apparent blockage at the sub-G1 phase, notably elevated early and late apoptosis (as observed in a representative flow cytometry experiment), and induced ROS generation by approximately 3.4-fold. In addition, treatment with FeO@Glu-HA-TC NPs significantly upregulated the lncRNA ANCR (1.52-fold) while slight downregulation the ANRIL (0.89-fold). The present work provides evidence that Fe₃O₄@Glu-HA-TC NPs induce cytotoxicity, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis in HepG2 cells, with associated ROS generation and lncRNA expression changes. However, mechanistic validation (e.g., antioxidant rescue, lncRNA functional assays) is needed to establish causality. It should be noted that while hyaluronic acid functionalization was employed as a rationale for potential CD44-mediated uptake, direct evidence of receptor-mediated targeting was not obtained in this study.
First evidence of nanoplastics in Antarctica soil.
Le QNP, Evangeliou N, Halsall C … +9 more , Quinton JN, Surridge BWJ, Ashton L, Eckhardt S, Ruggiero L, Sciarra A, Florindo F, Zaccone C, Materić D
Sci Rep · 2026 Jul · PMID 42401687 · Full text
Plastic contamination has become a global concern, with evidence even in remote regions like Antarctica. While macro- and microplastics have been documented in Antarctic marine ecosystems, their presence in soils - parti...
Plastic contamination has become a global concern, with evidence even in remote regions like Antarctica. While macro- and microplastics have been documented in Antarctic marine ecosystems, their presence in soils - particularly submicro- and nanoplastics - remains poorly studied. This study analyses soil samples from the McMurdo Dry Valleys collected on January 8th to 28th, 2023, and reports the first detection of nanoplastics - including polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and tyre wear particles - using thermal desorption proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry. These plastics were detected at multiple topsoil sampling sites (n = 13), with concentrations reaching up to 295 ng g⁻¹ with nanoplastics detected above polymer-specific method detection limits at 54% of sites (median: 26.6 ng g⁻¹). They were also detected at lower concentrations in deeper soil layers (> 20 cm; n = 4), where nanoplastics were present at 50% of the sampled sites (median: 1.95 ng g⁻¹). Lagrangian particle dispersion model FLEXPART suggested seasonal deposition patterns, with inputs from both local sources and long-range atmospheric transport. This evidence shows that soils in one of Earth's most pristine environments are not exempt from plastic contamination, with the reported concentrations providing a crucial baseline for global pollution assessments. These findings also highlight the urgent need to study plastic fate, transport, and ecological impacts in polar regions.
Physical performance and DEXA-derived body composition in adults with Parkinson's disease participating in a community-based exercise program and community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study.
Fritz-Silva N, Gallegos-Vega G, Mansilla-Antilef C … +2 more , Ule-Marín C, Bittner-Hoffman C
Sci Rep · 2026 Jul · PMID 42401686 · Full text
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder strongly associated with ageing that directly affects mobility and physical function. Although regular exercise is widely recognized as an important st...
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder strongly associated with ageing that directly affects mobility and physical function. Although regular exercise is widely recognized as an important strategy to attenuate functional decline, limited evidence has simultaneously examined physical performance and body composition assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in adults with Parkinson's disease participating in community-based exercise programs, particularly in Latin American settings. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted. Adults with PD participating in a community-based exercise program and community-dwelling older adults were evaluated. Physical performance was assessed using gait speed, handgrip strength, the five-times chair stand test, the single-leg balance test (SLBT), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, the 2-minute step test, and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Body composition and bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed using DEXA. Propensity score matching was applied using body mass index (BMI) and sex. Descriptive statistics, Spearman correlations, and multiple linear regression models were used for data analysis. Adults with PD showed significantly lower physical performance than community-dwelling older adults, with gait speed exhibiting the largest between-group difference. In the present model, Parkinson's disease status was the strongest negative predictor of gait speed, whereas muscle strength and functional endurance were positively associated with locomotor performance. DEXA-derived lean mass was not independently associated with gait speed. Within the present sample, adults with PD participating in a community-based exercise program exhibited lower physical performance than community-dwelling older adults. Parkinson's disease status emerged as the strongest predictor of gait speed, whereas muscle strength and functional endurance were positively associated with mobility performance.
Characterizing the flow-pressure relationship for flexible and navigable suction ureteral access sheaths in retrograde intrarenal surgery.
Huang H, Ding T, Luo D … +6 more , Xu Y, Fan Y, Su B, Song H, Zhang G, Li J
Sci Rep · 2026 Jul · PMID 42401684 · Full text
To characterize the relationship between irrigation flow and intrarenal pressure (IRP), and determine the maximum irrigation flow rate for maintaining IRP below threshold of 30 mmHg during retrograde intrarenal surgery (...
To characterize the relationship between irrigation flow and intrarenal pressure (IRP), and determine the maximum irrigation flow rate for maintaining IRP below threshold of 30 mmHg during retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) with the flexible navigable suction ureteral access sheath (FANS). Fresh ex vivo porcine kidney model were used to establish a manometric system for measuring IRP. IRP was measured through needle tubes punctured into the upper and lower calyces. Flexible ureteroscopes (F-URS) and FANS with varying scope-to-sheath ratios were used to simulate RIRS. The FANS was connected to a vacuum suction device with a suction pressure set at 0.02 MPa (150 mmHg). IRPs were recorded at different irrigation flow rates under no-suction, vent-open, and vent-close conditions, while adjusting the positions of the F-URS and sheath within the kidney. At a scope-to-sheath ratio of 0.716, IRPs exceeded the safe threshold of 30 mmHg at irrigation flow rates of 150 and 250 ml/min under no-suction and vent-open conditions. However, at a flow rate of 300 ml/min, IRPs remained below the safe threshold under vent-closed conditions. At a scope-to-sheath ratio of 0.75, IRPs exceeded 30 mmHg at irrigation flow rates of 150, 250, and 300 ml/min under no-suction, vent-open, and vent-close conditions, respectively. The maximum irrigation flow rate to maintain IRP below the 30 mmHg threshold for the FANS during RIRS increased with the application of negative pressure. Furthermore, under the same negative pressure conditions, the maximum irrigation flow rates decreased as the scope-to-sheath ratio increased.
Spatiotemporal analysis within spatial autocorrelation of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia's provinces.
Almutlaq F
Sci Rep · 2026 Jul · PMID 42401683 · Full text
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the critical importance of understanding how infectious diseases spread across space and time, as transmission patterns often vary considerably between regions. Despite the signific...
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the critical importance of understanding how infectious diseases spread across space and time, as transmission patterns often vary considerably between regions. Despite the significant impact of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia, limited research has comprehensively examined the evolution of its spatial clustering and hotspot dynamics at the provincial level throughout different phases of the pandemic. This study investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics of COVID-19 across Saudi Arabia's administrative provinces from March 2020 to August 2022 using an integrated spatial autocorrelation and hotspot analysis approach. Spatiotemporal patterns were examined using Global and Local Moran's I, Getis-Ord Gi* hotspot analysis, and clustering techniques to identify statistically significant spatial clusters, coldspots, and outliers, as well as their temporal evolution across distinct phases of the pandemic. The results reveal that COVID-19 transmission in Saudi Arabia was highly non-random and characterized by strong spatial dependence. Persistent hotspots were consistently identified in the Riyadh Region and the Eastern Province, reflecting the influence of population density, economic activity, and mobility networks. In contrast, southwestern provinces such as Asir, Jazan, and Al-Baha repeatedly emerged as coldspots, suggesting that geographic isolation and lower population density limited widespread transmission. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating spatiotemporal analysis with spatial autocorrelation methods for understanding pandemic dynamics. The proposed framework provides valuable insights for identifying high-risk areas, optimizing resource allocation, and supporting spatially targeted interventions. This approach offers a transferable model for enhancing epidemic surveillance and preparedness in Saudi Arabia and similar geographic contexts.
Integrated comparative genomic and transcriptomic analysis reveals a wsv249 mutation drives enhanced pathogenicity in white spot syndrome virus.
Puttirungroj P, Kawato S, Mwamburi SM … +6 more , Nozaki R, Naphanang A, Thawonsuwan J, Koiwai K, Kondo H, Hirono I
Sci Rep · 2026 Jul · PMID 42401682 · Full text
Despite causing catastrophic losses across shrimp-farming regions worldwide, the molecular determinants that drive virulence differences among WSSV isolates remain poorly understood. Despite the remarkable conservation o...
Despite causing catastrophic losses across shrimp-farming regions worldwide, the molecular determinants that drive virulence differences among WSSV isolates remain poorly understood. Despite the remarkable conservation of WSSV genomes, outbreaks frequently exhibit differences in virulence among virus isolates. However, the molecular determinants underlying these differences remain unclear. This study aims to discover factors that enhance WSSV virulence and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that regulate WSSV pathogenicity. Comparative genome analysis of four WSSV isolates from Thailand (SK1, SK2, CB1, and CB2) revealed that all isolates shared a highly conserved genome and structural stability. However, phylogenetic analysis revealed distinct evolutionary structuring, notably clustering SK1 and CB2 despite their different geographical origins. Infection experiments demonstrated differences in mortality rates among isolates, with the CB2 isolate exhibiting the highest mortality rate. Selection pressure analysis identified the immediate-early gene WSV249, encoding a RING finger E3 ubiquitin ligase, as positive selection (ω > 1) in high-virulence isolates. Functional validation through RNA interference (RNAi) targeting WSV249 resulted in 100% shrimp survival and a significant suppression of essential viral genes, including VP28 and thymidylate kinase. Furthermore, transcriptomic profiling revealed that WSV249 silencing prevented the host transcriptional disruption typically induced by WSSV, particularly in metabolic and immune-signaling pathways. These findings provide mechanistic insight into WSSV virulence determinants and identify WSV249 as a target for disease control strategies in shrimp aquaculture.
PCOSFusion: a hybrid HOG-LBP feature-based approach for PCOS classification using StackPCOS and StackBoostPCOS.
Soni P, Sharma C, Prashar D … +3 more , Khan AA, Kim J, Kadry S
Sci Rep · 2026 Jul · PMID 42401681 · Full text
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent condition affecting female reproductive health, where early and accurate detection through image analysis can significantly aid diagnosis. This study proposes a hybrid appr...
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent condition affecting female reproductive health, where early and accurate detection through image analysis can significantly aid diagnosis. This study proposes a hybrid approach for automated binary classification of PCOS that integrates advanced feature extraction techniques with stacking ensemble learning models. Two strategies are investigated. The first approach employs a stacking ensemble of four classifiers, while the second approach introduces Gradient Boosting (GB) as an additional base learner, increasing the ensemble to five classifiers. The PCOSFusion algorithm is utilized during feature extraction to identify distinctive patterns in ovarian medical images. Extracted features are then input to the classifiers for training and evaluation. Both strategies effectively distinguish between PCOS (abnormal) and non-PCOS (normal) cases. Results demonstrate that the stacking ensemble method harnesses the complementary strengths of individual classifiers, with the second approach, which incorporates Gradient Boosting, achieving a slight performance improvement. The best-performing model achieved 98.44% accuracy, 99.35% precision, and 98.49% recall, highlighting the potential of stacking-based ensemble techniques combined with effective feature extraction to improve diagnostic accuracy in medical imaging tasks. These findings support the viability of the proposed method as a valuable tool for assisting medical professionals in the early detection of PCOS.
Adoption and heterogeneous impacts of hired mechanization services among smallholder farmers in Kenya, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Simutowe E, Pangapanga-Phiri I, Manyanga M … +12 more , Mulungu K, Chipindu L, Tufa A, Alene A, Matin MA, Chikoye D, Phiri H, Mkomwa S, Mutai W, Thierfelder C, Marenya P, Ngoma H
Sci Rep · 2026 Jul · PMID 42401680 · Full text
How, where and what to mechanize in African smallholder agriculture are pertinent development questions. We examine the adoption and impacts of smallholder mechanization hire services using survey data from 642 farmers a...
How, where and what to mechanize in African smallholder agriculture are pertinent development questions. We examine the adoption and impacts of smallholder mechanization hire services using survey data from 642 farmers across Kenya, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. For identification, we employ a control-function instrumental variable approach to address the endogeneity of mechanization hiring decisions. The primary drivers of the decision to adopt mechanization include distance to service providers, labor demand, area cultivated, and social capital. Our instrumental variable estimates show that hiring mechanization services was associated with increased household income and maize yields across the three countries. The heterogeneous effects using a control-function quantile regression show that the benefits are highest in the lower quantiles. Hiring mechanization services significantly increased income at the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles, with the largest effects concentrated at the lower end of the income distribution, among poorer households. These findings contrast with concerns that agricultural technologies primarily benefit wealthier farmers. These results demonstrate that smallholder mechanization hire services can serve as an effective pathway out of poverty for smallholder farmers. Our findings suggest that expanding service provider networks and reducing economic and geographical barriers can generate substantial welfare gains. This is especially true for vulnerable farmers who can benefit from better connections between service providers and clients. More broadly, mechanization service provision offers a scalable model for increasing agricultural productivity while promoting inclusive growth in smallholder agriculture.
Sustainable hydrogen production and potential anticancer applications of biofuel-derived silver decorated BiFeO nanostructures.
Majani SS, Madesh DM, C MK … +8 more , Hublikar LV, Koppal VV, Alfaifi MY, Shati AA, Elbehairi SEI, Singh P, Said MA, Kollur SP
Sci Rep · 2026 Jul · PMID 42401679 · Full text
Multifunctional perovskite nanostructures capable of addressing sustainable energy and biomedical challenges are of great interest to researchers. In this study, BiFeO (BFO), Ag-modified BFO (BFO-Ag), fuel-assisted α-BFO...
Multifunctional perovskite nanostructures capable of addressing sustainable energy and biomedical challenges are of great interest to researchers. In this study, BiFeO (BFO), Ag-modified BFO (BFO-Ag), fuel-assisted α-BFO, and biofuel-assisted Ag-modified α-BFO (α-BFO-Ag) nanostructures were synthesized via solution combustion using Ravenia spectabilis leaf extract as fuel to investigate the effects of compositional and synthetic modifications on structural, magnetic, anticancer, and electrochemical properties. The evaluated band gap (3.09 and 3.15 eV) suggests effective charge-transport. The formation of rhombohedral BiFeO (JCPDS #01-074-2016) was confirmed by PXRD analysis in all samples with distinct diffraction planes. Conversely, the weak secondary reflections of BiO observed in pristine BFO were significantly diminished in the Ag-modified and fuel-assisted samples, indicating enhanced phase purity. Also, the same was affirmed by conducting Rietveld refinements for the obtained pattern. Morphological analysis revealed densely packed, agglomerated, and polyhedral nanostructures with distinct grain boundaries and compact surface features, characteristic of combustion-derived materials. BET studies revealed the mesoporous feature of the synthesized α-BFO-Ag nanostructure. Magnetic measurements indicated an enhanced magnetic response for α-BFO-Ag compared to the other synthesized samples, which may be associated with Ag incorporation and defect-induced modifications in the magnetic ordering. The nanostructures also exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells, with α-BFO-Ag demonstrating comparatively higher anticancer activity among the investigated samples. Based on electrochemical investigations, the BiFeO@Ag + Fuel electrode demonstrated low overpotentials of 82 mV at 10 mA cm and low charge-transfer resistance (11.97 Ω) along with enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) efficiency. Ag incorporation and fuel-assisted synthesis led to enhanced charge transport, surface activity, and biological response, making these nanostructures promising dual-functional materials for sustainable hydrogen production and anticancer applications.
SMARTMed: semi-fragile dual watermarking with deep tamper detection and adversarial DNN fingerprinting for secure medical image transmission.
Jagadeesh S, Parida AK, Kollati M
Sci Rep · 2026 Jul · PMID 42401678 · Full text
Cloud-based electronic health records (EHRs) are vulnerable to modification during transmission and use, compromising security and privacy. To reduce this risk, we implemented a semi-fragile watermarking method using Sla...
Cloud-based electronic health records (EHRs) are vulnerable to modification during transmission and use, compromising security and privacy. To reduce this risk, we implemented a semi-fragile watermarking method using Slant Transform and chaotic sequences. This method creates a clinically sensitive tamper dataset. Transfer learning classifies images as original or tampered. Further, a black-box semi-fragile neural network watermarking is proposed, which can determine the model availability by distinguishing accidental modifications and malicious tampering using the generated fingerprints with the pretrained models such as ResNet, EfficientNet, and Vision Transformer architectures. If there is a tampering on the image, the semi-fragile watermarking supports tamper localization and self-recovery. Our approach resists clinically sensitive attacks and can self-recover tampered images, achieving high perceptual quality of ( PSNR of 44.91 dB and SSIM of 0.962), tamper detection (94.9%), and tamper localization (97.9%). The trained networks are watermarked to verify model integrity, and the model detects tampered images with 96.8% accuracy.
Defects under insulation evaluation using convolutional neural network-based microwave technique.
Yee TS, Akbar MF, Murugesh M
Sci Rep · 2026 Jul · PMID 42401676 · Full text
The detection of subsurface defects has increasingly benefited from the integration of machine learning techniques, particularly in data-driven inspection methods. While convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have shown pr...
The detection of subsurface defects has increasingly benefited from the integration of machine learning techniques, particularly in data-driven inspection methods. While convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have shown promising capabilities, their performance in identifying fine-scale defects remains suboptimal. This study proposes a microwave nondestructive testing framework integrating Q-band open-ended rectangular waveguide sensing with short-time Fourier transform (STFT) based time-frequency feature extraction and CNN classification to improve the detection of small-scale delamination beneath ceramic insulation. The methodology involves capturing reflected signals from ceramic insulation using an open-ended rectangular waveguide operating between 33 and 50 GHz. These reflections undergo preprocessing via a hybrid signal processing analysis, wherein the STFT extracts localized frequency-dependent features. Outlier suppression and data normalization are performed using the Z-score method to enhance data quality. The refined features are then input into a CNN classifier trained to distinguish between defective and non-defective regions. The findings reveal that this integrated approach achieves a classification accuracy of 97.84%, demonstrating a notable enhancement in detecting subtle delamination compared to conventional inspection techniques.
Determinants of perceived urban public transportation costs in a rapidly urbanizing African City: evidence from Adama, Ethiopia.
Sima G, Belda A, Demissie A
Sci Rep · 2026 Jul · PMID 42401674 · Full text
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 determin...
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.
Adsorption of cationic and anionic dyes using chemically modified activated carbon from agricultural waste.
Bahr TM, Hassan AM, Saied ME … +1 more , Abdelbary KM
Sci Rep · 2026 Jul · PMID 42401672 · Full text
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 che...
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 at pH between 5.5 to 10 and 743 mg g 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.
Targeted long-read sequencing with adaptive sampling enables the integrated genomic and epigenomic profiling of imprinting disorders.
Rondot F, Centofanti F, Micaletto A … +15 more , Angheben L, Fontana F, Rossi N, Cerrato F, Pignata L, Carta G, Di Tommaso S, Bontempo P, Pasini B, Novelli A, Mussa A, Riccio A, Ferrero GB, Brusco A, Delledonne M
Sci Rep · 2026 Jul · PMID 42401671 · Full text
Conventional molecular diagnostics for imprinting disorders rely on sequential DNA-intensive assays, which are expensive, time-consuming, and often insufficient for detecting mosaicism, resulting in suboptimal clinical m...
Conventional molecular diagnostics for imprinting disorders rely on sequential DNA-intensive assays, which are expensive, time-consuming, and often insufficient for detecting mosaicism, resulting in suboptimal clinical management. Here, we present a targeted long-read sequencing strategy that enables the integrated detection of DNA methylation, copy-number variants, and sequence variants in a single assay for Beckwith-Wiedemann spectrum (BWSp), a genomic imprinting disorder caused by genetic or epigenetic alterations affecting imprinting control regions 1 and 2 (IC1/IC2) within the 11p15.5 locus. We evaluated three Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) workflows: adaptive sampling on MinION (AS-MinION), adaptive sampling on PromethION P2 (AS-P2), and whole-genome sequencing on P2 (WGS-P2). Three cases of BWSp patients were analyzed, including two with mosaic paternal uniparental disomy (pUPD) and one with IC2 loss of methylation (LoM). We compared sequencing output, genome-wide and region-of-interest coverage, IC1/IC2 methylation profiles, and variant concordance with Illumina short read sequencing using the Simplex basecalling model. AS-P2 achieved the highest coverage of target regions while maintaining broad and uniform genome-wide coverage, outperforming AS-MinION and WGS-P2. This dual performance enables efficient and scalable simultaneous genetic and epigenetic analysis in a single sequencing run. Using Simplex basecalling, AS-P2 accurately identified all underlying molecular defects in conventionally characterized samples. In conclusion, AS-P2 enablesa cost-effective and sensitive approach for the molecular diagnosis of imprinting disorders, particularly in cases with mosaic or complex genetic and epigenetic architectures.
Experimental investigation on the remediation of Cd-contaminated paddy soil by electrogeochemical survey technology in Guilin city, Guangxi.
Luo G, Wen M, Jiang Y … +5 more , Ma Y, Sun Y, Zhang C, Liu P, Zhang X
Sci Rep · 2026 Jul · PMID 42401670 · Full text
The remediation of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated agricultural soils poses great challenges. Electrokinetic technology can effectively remediate Cd-contaminated soils, but the electrode polarization effect restricts its remed...
The remediation of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated agricultural soils poses great challenges. Electrokinetic technology can effectively remediate Cd-contaminated soils, but the electrode polarization effect restricts its remediation efficiency. Therefore, in this study, Cd-contaminated paddy soil samples from northern Guangxi were used as the research object. An L₉(3⁴) orthogonal experimental design was employed to investigate the effects of power supply duration, voltage gradient, power supply mode, and electrolyte type on the remediation efficiency of Cd-contaminated soil via electrogeochemical survey technology, and to determine the optimal electrokinetic remediation parameters. The results indicate that the optimal electrokinetic remediation parameters were a voltage gradient of 0.6 V/cm, a duration of 144 h, continuous power supply, and EDTA-2Na as the electrolyte. Among all experimental runs, the highest measured removal efficiency (49.14%) was achieved in the EK6 group. Statistical analysis revealed that the priority of influence of each factor is electrolyte type > voltage gradient > power supply duration, whereas the effect of the power supply mode was not significant. Mechanistic analysis reveals that EDTA-2Na forms EDTA at the cathode, which coordinates with Cd to generate the stable [Cd-EDTA] complex. This process effectively mobilizes the recalcitrant Cd fractions, and increases the proportion of the water-soluble fraction of Cd in soil from less than 0.1% to over 35%. Concurrently, the electrogeochemical survey configuration suppressed electrode polarization, and no white film deposition was observed on any of the electrodes. These combined effects resulted in an average Cd removal efficiency of 46.6% with EDTA-2Na, substantially outperforming both citric acid (39.4%) and double deionized water (41.2%). The combined application of electrogeochemical survey with EDTA-2Na forms a synergistic multiphase electrochemical reaction mechanism, significantly improving the overall remediation efficiency of Cd-contaminated soil.
Simultaneous sequestration of heavy metals and organic pollutants from vehicles industrial wastewater via iron-based electrocoagulation: optimization of operating dynamics and environmental compliance.
Wahab OBEA, Abou-Taleb E, Mahmoud UF … +1 more , Hellal MS
Sci Rep · 2026 Jul · PMID 42401668 · Full text
This study investigates the simultaneous removal of Nickel (Ni), hexavalent chromium Cr(VI), and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) from automotive industrial wastewater using an advanced electrocoagulation (EC) process. A key...
This study investigates the simultaneous removal of Nickel (Ni), 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 for Ni, 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 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, Cr, COD was 0.096 ± 0.02, 0.025 ± 0.01 and 940 ± 15 mg L respectively, while energy consumption reached 1.65 kWh m and the electrode consumption was recorded at 0.60 kg m. Transitioning from batch to a continuous-flow regime under optimal batch operating conditions yielded residual concentrations of Ni, Cr and COD was 0.2 ± 0.02, 0.15 ± 0.01 and 915 ± 15 mg L respectively, achieving full compliance with stringent national environmental discharge regulations. Techno-economic analysis demonstrated a highly competitive operational cost 0.36 USD m. 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.
Green synthesis of silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles using Justicia adhatoda leaf extract for antimicrobial and anticancer applications.
Bimal GC, Ojha I, Joshi S … +6 more , Briksha GC, Rosyara YR, Ojha A, Joshi PR, Pant HR, Saud PS
Sci Rep · 2026 Jul · PMID 42401667 · Full text
The clinical performance of standard chemotherapeutics is often limited by systemic toxicity and the rapid development of multidrug resistance. To address these challenges, we used an aqueous extract of Justicia adhatoda...
The clinical performance of standard chemotherapeutics is often limited by systemic toxicity and the rapid development of multidrug resistance. To address these challenges, we used an aqueous extract of Justicia adhatoda leaves to develop a sustainable, plant-based method for synthesizing Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and Silver (Ag) nanoparticles. This green approach provides a biocompatible alternative to traditional chemical methods, reducing hazardous waste. We characterized the resulting materials using XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis, FE-SEM, EDX, and Zeta potential analysis. Structural analysis confirmed that the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles formed a crystalline hexagonal wurtzite structure with an average particle size of 72.0 nm. In contrast, the Ag nanoparticles exhibited a face-centered cubic geometry with a mean particle size of 39.46 nm. Zeta potential measurements revealed high surface stability for both nanostructures, showing negative surface charges that prevent agglomeration. In the biological assay, ZnO NPs exhibited broader and more consistent antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae than Ag NPs in standard well diffusion. Time-kill kinetics further substantiated that ZnO NPs demonstrated more rapid, concentration-dependent bactericidal action over a 24-h window compared to Ag NPs. Conversely, MIC and MBC analyses showed that Ag NPs were highly effective against specific strains, such as S. aureus (1.56/3.125 µg/mL). Both nanostructures demonstrated potent, dose-dependent cytotoxicity against HeLa and A549 cancer cell lines. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comparative study between ZnO and Ag nanoparticles synthesized from Justicia adhatoda under identical conditions. These findings highlight Justicia adhatoda as a powerful reducing and stabilizing agent, supporting the development of a scalable platform for multifunctional nanomaterials in targeted therapeutics.
Design and assessment of amino acid-based gemini catanionic niosomes for dual-drug delivery of anticancer drug combination: a comprehensive computational study.
Poustforoosh A
Sci Rep · 2026 Jul · PMID 42401666 · Full text
Niosomes are versatile nanocarriers capable of enabling targeted delivery and controlled release of anticancer agents. Incorporation of ionic surfactants offers an effective strategy to functionalize these systems. In pa...
Niosomes are versatile nanocarriers capable of enabling targeted delivery and controlled release of anticancer agents. Incorporation of ionic surfactants offers an effective strategy to functionalize these systems. In particular, amino acid-derived gemini catanionic niosomes, composed of multifunctional surfactants, represent a promising platform for advanced drug delivery applications. An integrated computational framework combining molecular modeling with design of experiments (DoE) was employed to investigate key properties of amino acid-based gemini catanionic niosomal bilayer. An arginine-derived gemini surfactant was selected as the cationic component, while sodium laurate was used as the anionic surfactant. Two clinically approved anticancer drugs with distinct intracellular targets, niraparib and lapatinib, were evaluated. The findings demonstrate that the bilayer composition and structure strongly influence drug transport across the niosomal membrane. The ratio of diffusion coefficients of the two drugs was identified as a critical performance metric. Among the evaluated formulations, F7 exhibited the most favorable ratio (5.46). Numerical optimization of the diffusion responses yielded an optimized formulation with an improved ratio of 10.28. The corresponding diffusion coefficients for lapatinib and niraparib were 8.52 × 10- 12 and 8.28 × 10- 13 m²/s, respectively. Lapatinib diffusion was enhanced through synergistic interactions between surfactant components, whereas niraparib diffusion followed an additive trend predominantly governed by sodium laurate concentration. These results highlight the capability of molecular modeling integrated with experimental design to guide the rational optimization of nanocarrier systems. Moreover, amino acid-based gemini catanionic niosomal bilayer offer tunable properties that can be exploited for controlled and site-specific delivery of anticancer drug combinations.
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