Nevin Manimala

Mar Pollut Bull. 2026 Apr 2;229:119663. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2026.119663. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The ultraviolet C (UVC) treatment is used commonly as a Ballast Water Treatment System as a way for the ships to comply with the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) D-2 standards. Developments in the Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) technology in the range UVC suggest they may become a more sustainable alternative to the conventional UVC sources based on mercury lamps. The objective of this study is to compare the inactivation efficacy of UV treatment using LEDs emitting at 265 and 275 nm with a conventional low-pressure mercury vapor lamp emitting at 254 nm, employing a natural phytoplankton assemblage from the Algeciras (Spain) port-water as the target. Most Probable Number (MPN) indicated a reduction from 490 cell mL^-1 into values in compliance with the BWMC D-2 standards by applying UV doses as of 100 mJ cm^-2. The growth inhibition was greater than the 90% between 5 and 8 days after the treatment with UV doses as of 100 mJ cm^-2; however, greater UV doses resulted effective for limiting the subsequent phytoplankton regrowth. The application of 202.1 ± 25.7 mJ cm^-2 caused the reduction of the photosynthetic yield into 0.25, used as a reference for a safe ballast water discharge in indicative analyses. The metabarcoding analysis reported a significant reduction of the phytoplankton taxa with a UV doses as of 200 mJ cm^-2. The statistical analyses indicated absence of significant differences between the three wavelengths used in this study, indicating that the UV LEDs are as effective as conventional UVC lamp.

PMID:41931909 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2026.119663

J Hazard Mater. 2026 Mar 30;508:141918. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.141918. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microbially Induced Carbonate Precipitation (MICP), recognized as a highly promising green remediation technology, exhibits lead (Pb) immobilization efficiency governed by the complex and nonlinear coupling of multiple biogeochemical factors. Consequently, achieving precise optimization through traditional experimental approaches remains a formidable challenge. To address this challenge, this study established a data driven framework coupling Bayesian Optimization (BO) with SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). Based on a meticulously curated dataset of 168 high quality experimental records, we systematically evaluated six base models and four Stacking ensemble strategies, while comparing three hyperparameter optimization algorithms. The results indicate that, in small sample scenarios, a refined parameter optimization strategy outperforms complex model stacking. The Bayesian optimized Random Forest (BO-RF) model exhibited the superior generalization capability (R²=0.9035, RMSE=7.988). Furthermore, SHAP analysis successfully decoded the black box of the model, identifying pH, urea dosage, and initial lead concentration as the three dominant factors. The model, for the first time, quantitatively revealed the bell-shaped biphasic response of urea concentration, successfully reconstructing the underlying physicochemical logic of classical enzymatic kinetics (Michaelis Menten and Haldane mechanisms) and microenvironmental Pb speciation evolution (Biotic Ligand Model, BLM) within the algorithmic framework. More importantly, the identified global optimal thresholds (pH > 8.0, urea ≈ 20 g) precisely point to the formation boundary of thermodynamically stable calcite from statistical and thermodynamic perspectives, effectively averting the risks of explosive precipitation and metastable vaterite formation associated with excessive substrate concentrations. This study not only provides a high fidelity predictive tool (the MICP-Pb AI platform) but also elucidates the critical process windows for ensuring crystalline stability and acid resistance, thereby achieving the synergistic optimization of rapid Pb removal and long term secure sequestration.

PMID:41931893 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.141918

Theriogenology. 2026 Mar 31;260:117918. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2026.117918. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The vaginal bacterial flora plays a role in reproductive health in mammals; alterations of the vaginal microbiota are associated with urogenital diseases in several species. In cats, information on vaginal microbiota is limited, mainly due to anatomical constraints complicating uncontaminated sampling. This study evaluated a novel vaginal sampling method and compared vaginal and vestibular bacterial populations in queens of different breeds, ages, reproductive statuses, and health statuses. Vaginal and vestibular samples underwent bacteriological analysis. The proposed sampling method identified microbial populations at both sites that were not statistically different; however, descriptive analyses suggested that vestibular samples alone may poorly represent vaginal microbiota, potentially influenced by sex hormones (oestrogen, progesterone) but not by health status or sampling efficacy. Predominant bacterial species isolated from both sampling sites were Escherichia coli, Streptococcus canis, and Staphylococcus felis, regardless of oestrus stage or health status. The novel vaginal sampling technique detected 12 bacterial species at the vaginal level versus 9 at the vestibular level, suggesting it may better reflect the vaginal habitat. Compared with vestibular sampling, vaginal sampling showed high sensitivity and specificity for identifying the main bacterial species. Descriptive analyses indicated decreased bacterial positivity and species richness in cases of reproductive disorder, particularly at the vaginal level. Healthy status was significantly associated with the domestic shorthair breed (p < 0.001). Despite the limited sample size and the statistical results, the descriptive analysis supports the validity of this sampling method. Larger studies with quantitative analyses are needed to enhance the diagnosis and management of feline genital disorders.

PMID:41931884 | DOI:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2026.117918

J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2026 Apr 3:1-9. doi: 10.3171/2025.11.PEDS25497. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) is a surgical procedure to reduce spasticity and improve function in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Randomized trials have shown that SDR is superior to physical therapy alone for reduction of spasticity and improvement in gait, but there is wide variation in surgical technique. The purpose of this study was to describe the scope of patient factors and surgical technique of SDR performed for the management of spasticity in children with CP.

METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional analysis of data included in the Cerebral Palsy Research Network (CPRN) registry from all subjects who underwent SDR at a CPRN member site. Data from consecutive cases were collected at each site and submitted to the CPRN registry. All cases of SDR submitted to the registry were included. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data. When possible, results were compared across CPRN centers and patients using descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS: A total of 564 patients underwent SDR and had data in the CPRN registry. Most (n = 356, 63%) children were male and White (n = 427, 76%). The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level was I in 63 (14%), II in 108 (23%), III in 134 (29%), IV in 81 (17%), and V in 76 (16%) children. Dystonia was present in 25 (6.2%) children. SDR was performed at the level of the conus medullaris or upper cauda equina in 193 (50%) children. Multilevel laminotomy was performed in 194 (50%) children. Intramuscular monitoring electrodes were placed in 486 (94%) children. The median number of nerve rootlets tested on each side was 27 (IQR 31-34, range 4-139). The median proportion of rootlets cut was 0.63 (IQR 0.52-0.67, range 0.21-1.0). The proportion of rootlets cut was associated with GMFCS level; patients who had a GMFCS level of V had a greater proportion of rootlets cut compared to those with levels of I (mean difference [MD] 0.079, p < 0.01), II (MD 0.129, p < 0.01), and III (MD 0.096, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: There are many variations in SDR technique for the management of spasticity in CP, including differences in approach to surgical site, number of rootlets tested, and proportion cut. Detailed outcome data are needed to compare variations and determine if an optimal technique is associated with ideal treatment results.

PMID:41931847 | DOI:10.3171/2025.11.PEDS25497

J Neurosurg Spine. 2026 Apr 3:1-10. doi: 10.3171/2025.11.SPINE25662. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a progressive condition that results in significant neurological decline and disability. Racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare access and outcomes are well documented, yet their impact on DCM patients remains insufficiently explored. This study aimed to investigate racial and ethnic disparities in self-reported health status and quality of life (QOL), health literacy, and healthcare access among individuals with DCM using data from the All of Us Research Program (AoURP).

METHODS: In this retrospective study, the authors analyzed the data of AoURP participants with a diagnosis of DCM based on ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes. Race and ethnicity were categorized as White/Caucasian (WC), Black/African American (BAA), and non-White Hispanic (NWH). Participants’ demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status (SES), self-reported health status and QOL, health literacy, and healthcare utilization patterns were assessed through survey responses. To assess whether SES mediates the association between race and ethnicity and outcomes, a causal mediation analysis was conducted, operationalizing SES as a composite of standardized income, education, and employment measures. Statistical analyses were conducted using chi-square and independent t-tests to compare categorical and continuous variables, respectively.

RESULTS: Among 3092 DCM patients, 26% identified as BAA, 64% as WC, and 10% as NWH. Significant socioeconomic disparities were observed, with WC participants reporting higher educational attainment, income, and homeownership rates (p < 0.001). Healthcare access varied substantially, with BAA and/or NWH participants reporting lower rates of insurance coverage, specialist consultations, and primary care access compared to WC participants (p ≤ 0.05). Financial and transportation barriers to care access were more frequently reported among minority groups. BAA and NWH participants also had lower health literacy, reporting greater difficulty in understanding medical information and completing medical forms and requiring assistance with health materials (p < 0.001). Furthermore, both BAA and NWH groups reported poorer self-perceived health and QOL and higher pain levels (p < 0.001). Causal mediation analysis demonstrated that SES partially mediated the relationship between race and ethnicity and key outcomes, including health literacy, healthcare access, and self-perceived health, indicating that socioeconomic disadvantage explains much, but not all, of the observed disparities.

CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights substantial racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare access, health literacy, and self-reported health status and QOL among DCM patients, which are partially mediated by socioeconomic factors. Recognizing and addressing these disparities is essential to improving DCM outcomes and ensuring equitable care.

PMID:41931843 | DOI:10.3171/2025.11.SPINE25662

J Neurosurg Spine. 2026 Apr 3:1-10. doi: 10.3171/2025.10.SPINE25539. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) is a powerful technique for sagittal plane deformity correction. The authors aimed to investigate the differences in radiographic outcomes and rates of distal junctional problems (DJPs) between L3 and L4 PSOs.

METHODS: Patients who underwent L3 or L4 PSO at a quaternary care center between 2005 and 2021 were retrospectively identified. DJPs were defined as either hardware failure or pseudarthrosis distal to the PSO level.

RESULTS: In total, 116 patients were included: 86 (74.1%) underwent L3 PSO and 30 (25.9%) underwent L4 PSO. The mean imaging follow-up was 4.1 (range 1.0-10.9) years. There were no statistically significant differences in age, sex, BMI, operative time, and estimated blood loss. Preoperatively, there were no significant differences in mean sacral Hounsfield units and spinopelvic parameters, with the exception of pelvic incidence (PI; L3: 51.1° ± 11.2° vs L4: 57.9° ± 14.1°, p = 0.012) and the L1 pelvic angle (L3: 23.6° ± 10.1° vs L4: 34.8° ± 13.5°, p < 0.001). Postoperatively, there were no statistically significant differences in primary rod type, 2-rod versus multirod constructs, unilateral versus bilateral iliac fixation, number of levels fused, graft material, L5-S1 interbody fusion approach, and PI-lumbar lordosis mismatch. There were no significant differences between the cohorts in uni- versus bilateral pelvic fixation or type of fixation (iliac vs S2AI); however, patients who underwent L4 PSO had, on average, more pelvic screws placed (mean 1.9 ± 0.7 vs 1.5 ± 0.6, p = 0.002). L4 PSO resulted in larger postoperative L4-S1 segmental lordosis (37.2° ± 13.3° vs 21.4° ± 11.4°, p < 0.001) and reduced rates of postoperative low lordosis distribution index (20.0% vs 60.0%, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in postoperative complication rates including CSF leak, iatrogenic dorsiflexion weakness, and 30- or 90-day readmissions. The L4 PSO cohort experienced lower DJP rates (6.7% vs 29.1%, p = 0.012), including hardware failure (3.3% vs 20.9%, p = 0.024) and pseudarthrosis (3.3% vs 25.6%, p = 0.008). Multivariate analysis found that multirod construct versus dual-rod configuration (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.09-0.96) and L4 PSO (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.02-0.80) were independently associated with decreased DJP rates. Age was also a risk factor for DJPs. The number of pelvic screws and pelvic screw fixation type did not predict DJPs.

CONCLUSIONS: In addition to multirod configurations, L4 PSO resulted in a lower rate of DJPs compared with L3 PSO. This result might be due to a more physiological distribution of lumbar lordosis with L4 PSO.

PMID:41931838 | DOI:10.3171/2025.10.SPINE25539

Phys Rev Lett. 2026 Mar 20;136(11):110201. doi: 10.1103/58vf-m1yx.

ABSTRACT

Mielnik’s cannonball argument uses the Zeno effect to argue that projective measurements for time of arrival are impossible. If one repeatedly measures the position of a particle (or a cannonball!) that has yet to arrive at a detector, the Zeno effect will repeatedly collapse its wave function away from it: the particle never arrives. Here we introduce quantum stroboscopic measurements where we accumulate statistics of projective position measurements, performed on different copies of the system at different times, to obtain a time-of-arrival distribution. We show that, under appropriate limits, this gives the same statistics as time measurements of conventional “always on” particle detectors that bypass Mielnik’s argument using nonprojective, weak continuous measurements. In addition to time of arrival, quantum stroboscopy can describe distributions of general time measurements. It can also be adapted to obtain the conditional probability distribution of arrival times, given that the particle was not previously detected at the detector.

PMID:41931808 | DOI:10.1103/58vf-m1yx

Phys Rev Lett. 2026 Mar 20;136(11):117101. doi: 10.1103/g468-nbm2.

ABSTRACT

The analysis of local minima in time series data and random landscapes is essential across numerous scientific disciplines, offering critical insights into system dynamics. Recently, Kundu et al. derived the exact distribution of the number of local minima for a broad class of Markovian symmetric walks [Phys. Rev. E 110, 024137 (2024)PRESCM2470-004510.1103/PhysRevE.110.024137]; however, many real-world systems are non-Markovian, typically due to interactions with possibly hidden degrees of freedom. This Letter investigates the statistical properties of local minima in discrete-time samples of fractional Brownian motion, a non-Markovian Gaussian process with stationary increments, widely used to model complex, anomalous diffusion phenomena. We derive a complete asymptotic characterization of the fluctuations of the number of local minima m_{N} in an N-step discrete-time fractional Brownian motion. We show that the fluctuations of m_{N} exhibit a sharp transition at the Hurst exponent H=3/4: for H≤3/4 they satisfy a central limit theorem with Gaussian limiting law, whereas for H>3/4 they converge to a non-Gaussian Rosenblatt process. The convergence at the process level gives us full statistical description at all times. We exemplify it on the covariance of the rescaled minima process, which displays two qualitatively distinct regimes matching Brownian and Rosenblatt covariances on either side of this threshold. Our analysis relies on a Hermite or Wick decomposition of the local-minimum indicator, which isolates a quadratic functional of an effective long-memory mode as the unique driver of the anomalous statistics. These results identify the count of local minima as a simple and robust diagnostic of long-range dependence in non-Markovian Gaussian processes, a conclusion supported by numerical simulations.

PMID:41931793 | DOI:10.1103/g468-nbm2

Phys Rev Lett. 2026 Mar 20;136(11):111401. doi: 10.1103/f74l-3c4y.

ABSTRACT

Because they are likely to accrete substantial amounts of interstellar gas, merging supermassive binary black holes are expected to be strong multimessenger sources, radiating gravitational waves, photons from thermal gas, and photons from relativistic electrons energized by relativistic jets. Here we report on a numerical simulation that covers the late inspiral, merger, and initial postmerger phase of such a system where both black holes have the same mass and spin, and both spin axes are parallel to the orbital angular momentum. The simulation incorporates both 3D general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics and numerical relativity. The thermal photon power during the late inspiral, merger, and immediate postmerger phases is drawn from strong shocks rather than dissipation of turbulence inside a smoothly structured accretion disk as typically found around accreting single black holes. We find that the thermal photon and jet Poynting flux outputs are closely related in time, and we posit a mechanism that enforces this relation. The power radiated in both photons and jets diminishes gradually as merger is approached, but jumps sharply at merger to a noisy plateau. Such a distinct lightcurve should aid efforts to identify supermassive black hole mergers, with or without accompanying gravitational wave detections.

PMID:41931783 | DOI:10.1103/f74l-3c4y

Phys Rev Lett. 2026 Mar 20;136(11):110402. doi: 10.1103/tqrb-4m9p.

ABSTRACT

We explore the joint measurability of incompatible qubit observables on ensembles of parallel and antiparallel spin-1/2 pairs. In parallel configuration, both spins are prepared in the same state, whereas in antiparallel case, each spin is paired with its flipped counterpart. We show that the antiparallel configuration uniquely enables exact simultaneous prediction of three mutually orthogonal spin components-an advantage not achievable with parallel states. Extending beyond three observables, we examine joint measurability for larger sets of spin measurements and further generalize our analysis to state configurations beyond the parallel and antiparallel cases. As we show, our results reveal a deep connection to the “mean King retrodiction task” proposed by Vaidman, Aharonov, and Albert and have implications for a cryptographic protocol introduced by Jeffrey Bub. We further demonstrate how the enhanced compatibility in the antiparallel configuration can facilitate efficient estimation of unknown measurement devices. Finally, we discuss prospects for experimentally realizing the enhanced measurement compatibility in antiparallel configuration by analyzing the effect on finite subensembles of states.

PMID:41931781 | DOI:10.1103/tqrb-4m9p