Kafkas University

Abstract This study investigates the mechanical performance of slag placed over subgrade soil, with a focus on the reinforcing role of woven geotextiles under cyclic loading. To achieve this, two complementary experimental approaches were employed: large-scale box tests simulating repeated traffic loads with a peak load of 20 kN applied over 100,000 cycles and resilient modulus ( M R ) tests conducted in accordance with AASHTO T 307. Results showed that the inclusion of a woven geotextile layer substantially enhanced both the permanent deformation and resilient behavior of the combined slag–subgrade system. In the large-scale tests, geotextile reinforcement reduced permanent deformation beneath the loading plate by 70.5%, compared to the unreinforced case. Similar improvements were observed around the loading plate, indicating enhanced lateral confinement. Stress–strain responses confirmed stabilized behavior in the reinforced sections, free from peak stress surges and instability. Furthermore, resilient modulus results demonstrated a consistent increase in M R values across all stress stages, confirming improved recoverability and stiffness under repeated loading. Overall, the combined findings reveal that the utilized geotextile reinforcement effectively suppresses plastic deformation while improving the resilient performance of granular layers, underscoring its potential as a structurally reliable solution for pavement base systems incorporating slag.

Purpose This study compared aromatherapy and music listening with routine care regarding sleep parameters and cerebral oxygenation in children with epilepsy. Design and methods This three-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted between February and December 2023. Ninety-six children with epilepsy were randomized to aromatherapy, music listening, or control (32 per group), and ninety were included in the per-protocol analyses (30 per group). Interventions were delivered at home during a single evening. Sleep was assessed using 24-h actigraphy, and regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) was monitored for 150 min. Data were collected using the Patient Introduction and Follow-up Form, actigraphy, and the Cerebral Oxygen Monitoring Form. One-way ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis, chi-square, Mann–Whitney U, LSD, Dunnett's C, and ANCOVA were used. Results Both interventions were associated with longer sleep duration, higher sleep efficiency, shorter sleep-onset latency, and higher rSO2 than routine care (p < 0.05). Aromatherapy was also associated with longer time in bed than routine care and longer sleep duration than music listening. Wake after sleep onset and nighttime awakenings did not differ significantly among groups. Conclusion Both interventions were associated with favorable short-term sleep outcomes and higher rSO2. The clinical significance and persistence of these findings remain uncertain. Practice implications These preliminary findings support further evaluation of brief bedtime interventions in pediatric epilepsy nursing, with family education, respect for children's willingness to participate, and monitoring. Trial registration Retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07827729; first posted September 11, 2026).

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) leads to neurological complications through multiple pathways. Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra, SN) is rich in bioactive compounds with potential neuroprotective properties. This study sought to evaluate the neural-protective potential of SN extract in STZ-diabetic rats using an integrated molecular, biochemical, and histomorphological approach. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (n = 10/group): control (C; 0.9

In this study, the synthesis of 2-(3,4-dicyanophenoxy)phenoxy)benzoic acid, a phthalonitrile derivative used as a starting material, and the subsequent formation of the copper phthalocyanine complex were accomplished. The structures of the phthalonitrile and copper(II) phthalocyanine compounds were confirmed by FT-IR, UV-Vis,13C-NMR,1H-NMR, and mass spectrometry. Electronic structure analysis and molecular optimization were performed using the B3LYP method within the framework of density functional theory (DFT) with the 6-311 G(d,p) and LanL2DZ basis sets. The molecular electrostatic potential surface map, HOMO-LUMO frontier orbitals, natural bond orbital analysis, and several key molecular parameters were also investigated. Additionally, the photovoltaic properties were theoretically evaluated. Photovoltaic data were obtained using three different computational setups (B3LYP/6-31G, CAM-B3LYP/6-31G, and omega b97x-D/6-31G) with DFT and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) in singlet-only models. The calculations demonstrated that the compound exhibits high potential for photovoltaic applications, owing to its narrow HOMO-LUMO gap and broad light absorption capacity.

Hospital septic surfaces represent critical reservoirs for persistent microbial contamination and may contribute to the spread of opportunistic pathogens in healthcare environments. Enzyme-producing bacteria colonizing such surfaces can enhance environmental persistence and resistance to routine sanitation procedures. This study aimed to investigate the diversity, enzymatic potential, and phylogenetic relationships of bacteria isolated from hospital septic surfaces using morphological, biochemical, and molecular approaches. Environmental samples were collected from selected hospital septic surfaces, and bacterial isolates were obtained using standard microbiological techniques. Morphological and biochemical characterization was performed using conventional assays, including catalase, protease, lipase, and amylase activity tests. Genomic DNA was extracted from purified isolates, and the 16 S rRNA gene region was amplified and sequenced. Sequence similarity analysis was performed using BLAST, and phylogenetic relationships were constructed using MEGA11 software based on the Maximum Likelihood method with bootstrap analysis. A total of 28 bacterial isolates were initially obtained, and genomic DNA was extracted from all isolates; however, reliable sequencing data suitable for molecular identification were successfully obtained for 26 isolates. A total of 26 bacterial isolates were successfully identified from hospital septic environments. Catalase and protease activities were widely observed among isolates, while lipase and amylase activities varied between species. Molecular identification based on 16 S rRNA gene sequencing revealed the predominance of bacterial species belonging to the genera Paenibacillus, Bacillus, and Staphylococcus. Several isolates, including Paenibacillus glucanolyticus and Staphylococcus haemolyticus, showed high sequence similarity (99–100