Hasselt University

Liquid-liquid interfaces covered by nanosheets such as MXenes represent versatile building blocks for multiphase materials in many applications. Due to their high hydrophilicity, MXene nanosheets assemble at the interface only when interacting with other stabilizers such as cationic surfactants. Depending on the surfactant properties, such as the number of charged head groups, the nanosheet-surfactant interactions result in distinct interfacial network structures and interfacial rheological properties, which influence the dynamics of MXene-covered droplets. This study uses interfacial shear and dilatational rheological techniques, such as double wall ring (DWR) rheometry and pendant drop tensiometry, to characterize the mechanical properties of the interfacial network formed by different MXene-surfactant complexes. The dynamics of single MXene-covered droplets are investigated by analyzing the deformation, breakup, and retraction behavior in a shear flow cell. Our findings suggest that the rheological properties of nanosheet-covered interfaces can be tailored by using surfactants with a different number of charged head groups, thereby changing the interfacial network structure. The interfacial network, and more in particular the interfacial shear properties in the non-linear regime, influence the dynamics of droplets under shear flow, ranging from solid-like droplets with a brittle interfacial network to droplets with an elastic interface that show a residual deformation after cessation of shear.

The precise modulation of phosphorus species and physicochemical properties in metal-free carbon materials holds significant potential for enhancing their electrocatalytic performance in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this study, we precisely tune the phosphorus species during the pyrolysis of phytic acid (PA). Pluronic® F127 acts as a protective agent, preventing the close proximity of phosphorus groups in PA molecules during pyrolysis. This interaction inhibits the formation of polyphosphoric groups during carbonization and leads instead to isolated P functionalities embedded in carbon basal planes. Comprehensive characterization, including cross-polarization magic angle spinning solid-state 31 P-NMR, XPS, and DFT simulations identified the phosphorus species and elucidated their structural and electronic properties. The precise tuning of phosphorous functional groups enabled by Pluronic® F127 in metal-free carbon materials boosting the phosphorous based state-of-the-art HER catalytic performance. These findings underscore the underexplored potential of surfactants beyond morphological templating, offering a powerful strategy for tailoring surface chemistry and advancing the design of next-generation metal-free electrocatalysts. • Pluronic® F127 prevents phosphorus aggregation, enabling isolated P sites. • Surfactants modulate phosphorus species, enhancing HER electrocatalysis. • P-doped carbon catalyst achieves -0.19 V vs. RHE, rivaling metal-based HER. • Study paves the way for metal-free catalysts in sustainable hydrogen production.

E-cigarette use has risen sharply among young never-smokers, largely driven by the availability of several thousand appealing flavours. This narrative review synthesises evidence on the health effects of vaping, flavour toxicology and attractiveness, designs and outcomes of flavour bans, and complementary measures. Peer-reviewed publications and institutional reports (up to January 2026) were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and reference lists of included articles. Evidence from about 200 references was synthesised by a multidisciplinary working group. Although flavouring substances are generally considered safe for ingestion, their inhalation toxicity remains uncertain. In vitro and in vivo studies have reported oxidative stress, inflammation, cytotoxicity, impaired ciliary function, transcriptomic changes, genotoxicity, and DNA damage. These findings-along with the strong youth appeal of fruit/sweet flavours, the inconclusive effects of flavours on smoking cessation, and persisting uncertainties-support banning non-tobacco e-cigarette flavours under the precautionary principle. Flavour bans can reduce e-cigarette use and initiation, especially among young adults, although partial substitution towards combustible cigarettes has been reported in some U.S. states. Policy success requires effective enforcement, prevention of industry circumvention, curbing cross-border sales, and closing regulatory loopholes-ideally at the international level (e.g., EU-wide). E-cigarette flavours may increase vaping toxicity and strongly appeal to youth, justifying flavour bans to prioritise youth protection. To maximise effectiveness, accompanying measures and sustained investment in tobacco prevention, youth education, and accessible evidence-based smoking cessation support are essential.

Abstract Background High-dose high-intensity upper limb neurorehabilitation can lead to meaningful clinical gains even in chronic stroke, yet substantial variability in recovery remains unexplained. Identifying neurophysiological markers linked to neuroplasticity and recovery could provide mechanistic insights and guide personalised rehabilitation. Objective To characterise stroke-related alterations in β-activity during movement and neural activity at rest and explore associations between brain activity and changes in upper limb clinical outcomes in chronic stroke survivors undergoing three-week high-dose rehabilitation. Methods Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded during the three-week rehabilitation programme in 40 chronic stroke survivors participating in the Queen Square Upper Limb (QSUL) Programme, as well as in 26 healthy controls. Recordings were taken during passive movement of the affected and unaffected index fingers (∼70 movements per hand) and at rest (∼7 min). Clinical assessments included the Fugl-Meyer Upper Limb Assessment (FM-UE), reflecting impairment-level deficits, and the Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory (CAHAI-13), capturing real-world upper limb activity, to examine their differential relationships with movement-related β-activity. Results Stroke survivors showed significant improvements in FM-UE and CAHAI scores following the rehabilitation programme (Mean Δ: FM-UE = 7.5, CAHAI = 7.4), exceeding minimum clinically important differences. Compared to controls, stroke survivors exhibited less strong β-event-related desynchronization/synchronization (β-ERD/ERS) during passive movement of the affected and unaffected index finger, with effects lateralised to the lesioned hemisphere. No significant differences at rest were observed between stroke participants and healthy controls. Only improvements in CAHAI, but not FM-UE, were associated with stronger β-ERD (more negative) and stronger β-ERS (more positive) responses during passive movement. Conclusions Stronger movement-related β-activity is associated with improvements in upper limb activity following high-dose high-intensity neurorehabilitation, suggesting β-activity as a potential marker of neuroplasticity.

ObjectiveA panel of antibodies against three antigens, University Hasselt (UH)-rheumatoid arthritis (RA).305, 318 and 329, has been associated with lack of response to first-line therapy in the Care in early RA trial. This study aimed to determine the association of this antibody panel with first-line therapy response in an independent cohort.MethodsAnti-UH-RA.305/318/329 antibody reactivity was determined using ELISA in 165 baseline samples of the CAP48 cohort, an observational cohort of patients with early and naïve RA treated mainly with methotrexate monotherapy. Multivariable analyses assessed associations between baseline antibody reactivity and failure to reach remission or low disease activity (LDA) at 3, 6, 9 and 24 months according to the Disease Activity Score 28-joint C-reactive protein (DAS28CRP) and clinical/simplified disease activity index (SDAI).ResultsIn the total RA cohort, baseline anti-UH-RA.305/318/329 antibody reactivity was significantly higher in patients not achieving LDA versus those achieving LDA at 9 months (31.6% vs 11.3% for DAS28CRP/SDAI; OR 3.64, 95% CI 1.34 to 9.91, p=0.045). In patients with seronegative RA, a significant association between antibody reactivity and not achieving LDA based on DAS28CRP (42.1% vs 12.5%; OR 5.09, 95% CI 1.2 to 27.0, p=0.05) was already observed at 6 months. After 24 months, baseline antibody positivity remained significantly associated with not achieving LDA based on SDAI (OR 29.9, 95% CI 2.5 to 109.2, p=0.01) in patients with seronegative status.DiscussionIn the CAP48 cohort, the anti-UH-RA antibody panel was associated with a lack of response to first-line therapy for certain clinical measures, observed at 9 months in the total RA cohort and at 6 and 24 months in patients with seronegative status. The antibody panel should be further validated for its use in early personalised RA treatment.

Ericoid mycorrhizal (ERM) fungi are essential mediators of nutrient cycling in heathland ecosystems, helping host plants access organic nutrients in nutrient-poor conditions. Traditionally, these fungi are regarded as mutualists; they also possess saprotrophic capabilities that may become increasingly important under changing environmental conditions. Such climate-driven lifestyle flexibility could reshape soil carbon cycling and feedbacks to the atmosphere. Yet, how these lifestyle shifts reshape ERM and broader fungal community composition, and their consequences for soil carbon dynamics, remain poorly understood.This study examines the impact of climate change on the decomposer activity and carbon allocation dynamics of ERM fungi using DNA-Stable Isotope Probing (DNA-SIP). Experiments were conducted within climate manipulation mesocosms representing past (2009-2013) and future (2080-2089) climate scenarios. Two complementary DNA-SIP experiments were employed. In the first experiment, mesh bags containing 13C-labeled cellulose or hemicellulose were used to trace the capacity of ERM fungi to decompose plant polymers. Samples were collected at 2 and 7 days post-labeling to capture the early and later stages of substrate utilization. In the second, entire mesocosms were fumigated with 13CO2 for 5 days, and samples were collected 2, 7, and 15 days post-fumigation to quantify carbon transfer from plants to ERM fungi and evaluate shifts in belowground carbon allocation under future climate conditions.By linking isotopic enrichment in fungal DNA with molecular community profiling, this project aims to identify which ERM taxa actively assimilate carbon from distinct sources under varying climates. We expect that future climate conditions will promote ERM taxa with greater saprotrophic potential and modify the temporal dynamics of carbon flow from plants to mycorrhizal fungi. Such shifts are likely to influence fungal community composition, intensify interactions with saprotrophic decomposers, and accelerate the turnover of soil organic matter.Understanding these potential lifestyle shifts is crucial for predicting how ERM fungi mediate soil carbon balance and ecosystem resilience in response to ongoing climate change.