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Biofilms, formed by foodborne pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus, present significant challenges due to their resistance to conventional antimicrobial treatments. In this study, we evaluated the biofilm eradication efficiency of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized through green and traditional methods. Green AgNPs were produced using eco- friendly plant extracts, while traditional AgNPs utilized chemical reduction with sodium borohydride (NaBH₄). The results demonstrated that traditional AgNPs achieved higher biofilm eradication rates at lower concentrations. For example, S. Typhimurium biofilms exhibited an 82.54% eradication rate at 0.5 mM, while green AgNPs required a higher concentration of 5 mM to achieve a comparable 81.95% eradication rate. Similarly, for Escherichia coli, traditional AgNPs at 0.5 mM achieved 82.

Dear josha-journal readers, A warm welcome back to the latest edition of JOSHA, September 2025. We once again have a wealth of exciting contributions!

With this publication, the JOSHA editorial team brings back its Spotlight series—curated thematic groupings of relevant articles that delve into today’s most pressing academic and societal challenges. This Spotlight focuses on the shifting landscape of academia, research, and policy, particularly under the growing influence of political agendas. From immigration crackdowns affecting legal scholars and students, to sweeping NIH policy changes that cut off international collaborations, the articles reveal how science and education are being reshaped by nationalism and fear. They also expose the halting of critical global disease surveillance efforts, threatening decades of public health progress. We highlight the vulnerability of science under political pressure and the urgent need to reaffirm academia’s role in society. As the U.S. retreats from its leadership role, Germany is called upon to offer new possibilities for displaced international scholarship and innovation.

The Demetrios Award, organized by the Journal of Science, Humanities, and Arts (JOSHA) in collaboration with The International Academy of Sciences, Humanities, and Arts (IASHA e.V.), and supported by the BioThera-Roland Mertelsmann Foundation, honors academic excellence by recognizing outstanding research contributions across disciplines. This award celebrates the power of scholarly work to foster innovation and generate lasting societal impact. It aims to acknowledge the dedication of emerging scholars and to showcase their groundbreaking research on a global stage. Eligible applicants include recent graduates who have completed a Bachelor, Master, or Doctoral thesis within the last three years. All submissions to the Demetrios Award are simultaneously considered for publication in the Journal of Science, Humanities, and Arts.

This paper introduces melodic graphs—directed graphs with vertices representing individual notes and paths representing sequences of notes—to model note transitions in a context-specific and phrase-driven way. The generative capacity of melodic graphs is demonstrated here through the Carnatic raga Haṃsadhvani. A melodic graph was created by representing 16 short phrases in the raga as a connected graph with directed edges. A sample of 10 phrases generated using the melodic graph and 10 random sequences were evaluated by 8 musicians trained in Carnatic music. The phrases were rated on a scale of 1-10, with 1 representing no fit, and 10 representing a good fit of the phrase within the raga. The generated phrases received a significantly higher average rating than the random sequences (average rating of graph-generated sequences: 8.2/10; vs. random sequences: 3.6/10; p << 0.01). Thus, the melodic graph models Haṃsadhvani effectively.

This article analyzes the 2025 Budapest Pride through the lens of Guglielmo Ferrero’s theory of power and legitimacy. Ferrero argued that illegitimate regimes rely on fear to maintain control, a concept used here to examine the Hungarian government's attempt to ban the Pride event. Despite legal threats and institutional repression, the parade was held peacefully, demonstrating a significant act of civil resistance. The article argues that the regime's intense response revealed its awareness of its own fragility and lack of legitimacy. Ultimately, the mass participation in the Pride demonstrated the power of citizens who recognize their own legitimacy over that of a coercive political system.

Dear josha-journal readers, A warm welcome back to the latest edition of Josha, July 2025. We once again have a wealth of exciting contributions

In the following article, artist Lea Stephany discusses her new exhibition Ephemer in an exclusive interview. She explains the main ideas behind her latest works, emphasizing that while research and science rely on clear structures and firm logic, it is creative and unconventional thinking that leads to truly innovative solutions. The exhibition highlights the deep and meaningful connection between art and science.

Improving diversity among award recipients is a key focus in the scientific community. The Society of Experimental Biology, which historically awarded over 65% of its prizes to men, established the Awards Nomination Taskforce in 2023 to proactively improve representation amongst its nominations and awardees in terms of both gender balance and underrepresented groups. The taskforce identifies and nominates scientists from diverse backgrounds, with nominations reviewed by an independent panel of judges. Here, we discuss the motivations and significance of forming such task forces alongside the outcomes of the first nominations in 2023-2024. From our first-year results, we conclude that the activity of the task force was successful in recognising marginalised individuals and improving diversity among award recipients. We also highlight future goals for the task force and how its activities expand to the wider scientific community.

This paper presents JOSHA’s curated synthesis of recent scientific, technological, and socio-political articles offering readers a comprehensive overview of key debates and emerging insights across disciplines. Topics range from biological aging patterns, data privacy risks in the context of genetic information and corporate bankruptcy, and the socio-cultural framing of large AI models, to policy-driven tensions between science and governance. Additionally, the collection explores challenges in fostering deep-tech entrepreneurship among PhDs, novel immunological findings on food tolerance, and reflections on societal dynamics in Germany. The compilation also includes critical analysis of artificial intelligence's role in education, law, and academic institutions, as well as discussions on AI's potential in countering misinformation.