Advancing Open Science

The stability of spore-forming soil bacteria is crucial for their effective use in agricultural biopreparations. This study evaluated the long-term survivability of selected strains (Paenibacillus amylolyticus, Priestia megaterium, Bacillus velezensis, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus licheniformis) with potential applications in biopreparations for crop residue decomposition. The effects of different storage and preservation conditions on vegetative cells and bacterial spores were studied over 12 months. Bacteria were stored at different temperatures (15 °C, 21 °C, 30 °C), pH levels (5, 9, and post-cultivation liquid pH), and osmotic pressures (2%, 5%, and 10% of carbamide, calcium chloride, and multicomponent fertilizer). Additionally, freeze-drying, spray-drying and freezing were performed using cryoprotectants (skimmed milk, trehalose, and glycerol). The results showed that bacterial stability depended on both the strain and storage conditions. Vegetative cells of P. amylolyticus and B. velezensis were most sensitive to temperatures of 30 °C, whereas the spores of most strains demonstrated high temperature resistance. The tested strains exhibited better survivability at pH 5 than pH 9. The addition of calcium chloride, carbamide, or multicomponent fertilizer proved beneficial for maintaining viability, especially increasing spore numbers. Trehalose and skimmed milk were the most effective cryoprotectants overall, though efficacy varied by strain and cell form. These findings provide insight into the optimal conditions for preserving the bacterial viability of spore-producing bacteria in bioformulations, which is crucial for maintaining their effectiveness in agricultural applications.

The development of a geomechanical model is aimed at enhancing the safety of mining operations through the determination of optimal slope angles and the probabilistic assessment of pit wall stability. For the conditions of open-pit mining, three-dimensional geomechanical models were constructed based on the calculation of the slope stability factor using the Rocscience Slide2/Slide3 (v.9.027, 2023) software package. The stress–strain state of the rock mass at the final stage of extraction was evaluated using the finite element method. Strength reduction factors (SRF) were determined considering the physico-mechanical properties of the rocks forming the near-contour zone of the massif. The stability of the pit slopes was assessed along individual geological cross-sections in accordance with the design contours of the Northern Katpar open pit. Calculations performed using several methods confirmed the overall stability of the pit walls. The final design parameters of the projected open pit were determined. For the first time, it was established that in the southern and southwestern sectors of the Northern Katpar pit, within the elevation range of +700 to +400 m, a reduction in the SFR (from 1.18 to 1.41) occurs due to the predominance of siltstones and the presence of tectonic disturbances. The generalized results of numerical slope stability analyses for the design pit contour, together with the developed geological–structural model of the deposit, provide a basis for ensuring the safe conduct of mining operations at the site.

Introduction: Alcohol-induced headaches are one of the most prevalent types of headaches. The International Classification of Headache Disorders defined them as throbbing and bilateral, and their phenotype combines characteristics of migraines and headaches secondary to low cerebrospinal fluid pressure. We aimed to evaluate the factors associated with the presence of a headache as a hangover symptom. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study, including 32 healthy individuals who voluntarily consumed alcohol and completed self-administered questionnaires during three separate alcohol consumption and hangover episodes. Results: A headache was a hangover symptom in 55/96 (57.3%) episodes. The phenotype was predominantly holocranial (94.5%), frontal (98.2%), and pressing (67.2%), with a median intensity of 6 (IQR 4–8). Headaches worsened with physical activity (100%) and had orthostatic changes (89.1%). A prior history of headaches was associated with headache occurrence (odds ratio: 3.480; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.084 to 11.177), and headache precipitation by standing up was associated with a shorter duration (hazard ratio: 0.257; 95% CI: 0.073 to 0.901). Conclusions: Delayed alcohol-induced headaches had a migraine-like phenotype. An orthostatic pattern suggestive of a low cerebrospinal fluid pressure was associated with a shorter duration of the headache.

Optical metrology and perception technologies employ light as an information carrier to enable non-contact, high-precision measurement of geometry, dynamics, and material properties. They are widely deployed in industrial and consumer domains, from nanoscale defect inspection in semiconductor manufacturing to environmental perception in autonomous driving and spatial tracking in AR/VR. However, existing reviews often treat individual modalities—such as interferometry, imaging, or spectroscopy—in isolation, overlooking the increasing cross-domain integration in emerging systems. This review proposes a hierarchical taxonomy encompassing four core systems: interferometry, imaging, spectroscopy, and hybrid/advanced methods. It introduces a “theory–application–innovation” framework to unify fundamental principles, application scenarios, and evolutionary trends, revealing synergies across modalities. By mapping technological progress to industrial and societal needs, including AI-driven optimization and quantum-enhanced sensing, this work provides a structured, evolving knowledge base. The framework supports both cross-disciplinary understanding and strategic decision-making, offering researchers and engineers a consolidated reference for navigating the rapidly expanding frontiers of optical metrology and perception.

Strain-promoted azide–alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) is widely used in solution-phase bioconjugation. However, its application in surface chemistry remains limited because substrate-independent azide films that remain stable upon reaction with bulky strained alkynes have not yet been developed. In this study, we address this challenge using a melanin-inspired coating based on tyrosine–azide derivatives with different linkers. In particular, we investigated how differences in linker length and hydrophilicity affect the hydrophobic interactions within the film network and, ultimately, determine film stability. Specifically, Tyr-3-N₃, a tyrosine–azide derivative having an azide group tethered to tyrosine through a short three-carbon alkyl linker, was identified as optimal, forming azide-presenting films via tyrosinase-mediated oxidation and retaining integrity during SPAAC with external dibenzocyclooctyne (DBCO) ligands. The optimized poly(Tyr-3-N₃) coatings enabled efficient methoxypolyethylene glycol (mPEG) immobilization, thereby exhibiting excellent antifouling performance against protein adsorption, and further supported spatially controlled protein patterning through soft lithography techniques such as micromolding in capillaries (MIMIC) and microcontact printing (µCP). The approach was broadly applicable with a range of inorganic and polymeric substrates, as well as living cell surfaces; even after encapsulation and SPAAC-based functionalization, the cells remained viable. Collectively, these findings establish a substrate-independent and biocompatible coating platform that preserves film stability through SPAAC functionalization, supporting applications in antifouling coatings, biosensing, and cell surface engineering.

Microvascular obstruction (MVO) accounts for up to 50% of patients diagnosed with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The pathogenesis is multifactorial and includes myocardial ischemia, distal embolization, and ischemia–reperfusion injury, in a context of individual susceptibility. Its occurrence has been related to adverse outcomes. Despite an extensive body of research, no single pharmacological or interventional strategy has proven effectiveness. The inconclusive nature of the evidence can be attributed to lack of standardization among studies in terms of drugs used and their dosage, the variability in study designs, and the fact that available studies performed a decade ago feature reperfusion strategies and drugs used that differ significantly from the current standard of care. In this context, our review aims to discuss the pharmacological and interventional approaches to MVO.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease whose molecular mechanisms of action remain incompletely characterized. This study was designed to develop potential diagnostic biomarkers and unravel the pathogenic causes of UC activity through the integration of transcriptome analysis with machine learning and genetic causal inference. Methods: Gene expression datasets (GSE75214, GSE53306, GSE179285) from the GEO database were evaluated. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis were applied to discover activity-associated genes. Protein–protein interaction networks and ensemble machine learning methods were utilized to refine the potential list. Furthermore, summary-data-based Mendelian Randomization (SMR) analysis and immune infiltration research were conducted. Results: Eight characteristic genes were identified, with CXCL11, PARP14, and IFITM1 emerging as hub genes. These hub genes exhibited strong diagnostic accuracy, with consistent area under the curve (AUC) values exceeding 0.83 across 3 independent cohorts. SMR analysis demonstrated a probable causal connection between higher PARP14 and UC susceptibility. The hub genes were strongly correlated with immune cells, including M1 macrophages and NK cells. FLI1 was discovered as a critical upstream transcription factor regulating this network. Conclusions: The findings outline a FLI1-PARP14-immune axis central to UC activity, providing unique insights into its pathophysiology and highlighting PARP14 as a promising diagnostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target.

Potassium (K) is present in soils mainly in minerals, including feldspar. However, most of it is unavailable to plants. In the in-dyked alluvial soils of the Mekong Delta, available K is typically low despite the abundance of K-bearing feldspar, leading to nutrient imbalances and yield constraints. This study aimed to (i) select potential feldspar-potassium-solubilizing purple nonsulfur bacteria (K-PNSB), (ii) determine their ability to enhance hybrid maize seed vigor (Zea mays L.), and (iii) evaluate their effects on the growth of maize seedlings. Fifty-eight K-PNSB strains were isolated from maize-cultivated in-dyked alluvial soils, with soluble K concentrations ranging from 0.108 to 15.0 mg L⁻¹. Among these, strain M-Sl-03 released the highest K concentration under microaerobic light conditions, whereas strains M-Sl-01 and M-Sl-06 produced best under aerobic dark conditions. In addition, two more strains, M-Sl-02 and M-Wa-06, were also selected for their K solubilization ability. The selected strains were identified as Cereibacter sphaeroides strains M-Sl-01 and M-Sl-02, Rhodopseudomonas palustris strain M-Sl-03, and Rhodoplanes pokkaliisoli strains M-Sl-03 and M-Wa-06, according to their 16S rDNA region. None of them exhibited toxicity to germinating maize seeds. Both individual strains and the five-strain mixture significantly improved seed vigor. At a 1:1000 dilution, individual and mixed inoculants increased the vigor index of maize seeds by 47.5–68.8%. In addition, the selected PNSB strains contributed to improving the growth of maize seedlings, particularly plant height and root dry biomass. These promising strains have potential for application as biofertilizers to support hybrid maize cultivation.