Search Results (1,269)

Background: COVID-19 is associated with coagulopathy and increased mortality. The ABO blood group system has been implicated in modulating susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease severity, but its relationship with viral RNAemia, spike gene mutations, and thrombosis remains underexplored. Methods: We analyzed 446 hospitalized COVID-19 patients between 2021 and 2022. SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia was assessed via RT-qPCR on whole blood, and spike gene mutations were identified through whole-genome sequencing in RNAemia-positive samples. ABO blood groups were determined by agglutination testing, and thrombotic events were evaluated using coagulation markers. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests and Kruskal–Wallis tests, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: RNAemia was detected in 26.9% of patients, with no significant association with ABO blood group (p = 0.175). Omicron was the predominant variant, especially in blood group A (62.5%). The N501Y mutation was the most prevalent in group O (53.2%), and K417N was most prevalent in group B (36.9%), though neither reached statistical significance. Thrombotic events were significantly more common in blood group A (OR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.3–3.4, p = 0.002), particularly among RNAemia-positive patients. Conclusions: ABO blood group phenotypes, particularly group A, may influence thrombotic risk in the context of SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia. While no direct association was found between blood group and RNAemia or spike mutations, the observed trends suggest potential host–pathogen interactions. Integrating ABO typing and RNAemia screening may enhance risk stratification and guide targeted thromboprophylaxis in COVID-19 patients. Full article

By 2030, millions of new cancer cases will be diagnosed, as well as millions of cancer-related deaths. Traditional drug delivery methods have limitations, so developing smart drug delivery systems (SDDs) has emerged as a promising avenue for more effective and precise cancer treatment. Nanotechnology, particularly nanomedicine, provides innovative approaches to enhance drug delivery, including the use of nanoparticles. One such type of SDD is thermosensitive nanoparticles, which respond to internal and external stimuli, such as temperature changes, to release drugs precisely at tumor sites and minimize off-target effects. On the other hand, hyperthermia is a cancer treatment mode that goes back centuries and has become popular because it can target cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. This paper presents a comprehensive review of smart thermosensitive nanoparticles for cancer treatment, with a primary focus on organic nanoparticles. The integration of hyperthermia with temperature-sensitive nanocarriers, such as micelles, hydrogels, dendrimers, liposomes, and solid lipid nanoparticles, offers a promising approach to improving the precision and efficacy of cancer therapy. By leveraging temperature as a controlled drug release mechanism, this review highlights the potential of these innovative systems to enhance treatment outcomes while minimizing adverse side effects. Full article

The swift advancement of fifth-generation (5G) wireless technology brings forth a range of enhancements to address the increasing demand for data, the proliferation of smart devices, and the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT). This highly interconnected communication environment necessitates using multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems to achieve adequate channel capacity. In this article, a 2-port MIMO system using two flipped parallel 1 × 2 arrays and a 2-port MIMO system using two opposite 1 × 4 arrays designed and fabricated antennas for 5G wireless communication in the sub-6 GHz band, are presented, overcoming the limitations of previous designs in gain, radiation efficiency and MIMO performance. The designed and fabricated single-element antenna features a circular microstrip patch design based on ROGER 5880 (RT5880) substrate, which has a thickness of 1.57 mm, a permittivity of 2.2, and a tangential loss of 0.0009. The 2-port MIMO of two 1 × 2 arrays and the 2-port MIMO of two 1 × 4 arrays have overall dimensions of 132 × 66 × 1.57 mm³ and 140 × 132 × 1.57 mm³, respectively. The MIMO of two 1 × 2 arrays and MIMO of two 1 × 4 arrays encompass maximum gains of 8.3 dBi and 10.9 dBi, respectively, with maximum radiation efficiency reaching 95% and 97.46%. High MIMO performance outcomes are observed for both the MIMO of two 1 × 2 arrays and the MIMO of two 1 × 4 arrays, with the channel capacity loss (CCL) ˂ 0.4 bit/s/Hz and ˂0.3 bit/s/Hz, respectively, an envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) ˂ 0.006 and ˂0.003, respectively, directivity gain (DG) about 10 dB, and a total active reflection coefficient (TARC) under −10 dB, ensuring impedance matching and effective mutual coupling among neighboring parameters, which confirms their effectiveness for 5G applications. The three fabricated antennas were experimentally tested and implemented using the MIMO Application Framework version 19.5 for 5G systems, demonstrating operational effectiveness in 5G applications. Full article

In this paper, voxel-based Asymptotic Homogenization (AH) is employed to calculate the thermal expansion and thermal conductivity characteristics of lattice materials that have a Representative Volume Element (RVE) with non-orthogonal periodic bases. The non-orthogonal RVE of the cellular lattice is discretized using voxel elements (iso-parametric hexahedral element, on a cartesian grid). A homogenization framework is developed in python that uses a fast-nearest neighbor algorithm to approximate the (non-orthogonal) periodic boundary conditions of the discretized RVE. Validation studies are performed where results of the homogenized Thermal Expansion Coefficient (TEC) and thermal conduction performed in this paper are compared with results generated by commercially available software. These included comparison with the results for (a) bi-material unidirectional composite with orthogonal RVE cell envelope; (b) bi-material hexagon lattice with orthogonal cell envelope; (c) bi-material hexagon lattice with non-orthogonal cell envelope; and (d) bi-material square lattice. A novel approach of visualizing the contribution of each voxel towards the individual terms within the homogenized thermal conductivity matrix is presented, which is necessary to mitigate any potential errors arising from the numerical model. Additionally, the effect of the thermal expansion and thermal conductivity for bi-material hexagon lattice (orthogonal and non-orthogonal RVE cell envelope) are presented for varying internal cell angles and all permutations of material assignments for a relative density of 0.3. It is found that when comparing the non-orthogonal RVE with the Orthogonal RVE as a reference model, the numerical error due to approximating the periodic boundary condition for the non-orthogonal bi-material hexagon is generally less than 2% as the numerical error is pseudo-cyclically dependent on the discretization along the cartesian axis. Full article

This study investigates the influence of rotation on wave propagation in a semiconducting nanostructure thermoelastic solid subjected to a ramp-type heat source within a two-temperature model. The thermoelastic interactions are modeled using the two-temperature theory, which distinguishes between conductive and thermodynamic temperatures, providing a more accurate description of thermal and mechanical responses in semiconductor materials. The effects of rotation, ramp-type heating, and semiconductor properties on elastic wave propagation are analyzed theoretically. Governing equations are formulated and solved analytically, with numerical simulations illustrating the variations in thermal and elastic wave behavior. The key findings highlight the significant impact of rotation, nonlocal parameters $e_{0}a$, and time derivative fractional order (FO) $\alpha$ on physical quantities, offering insights into the thermoelastic performance of semiconductor nanostructures under dynamic thermal loads. A comparison is made with the previous results to show the impact of the external parameters on the propagation phenomenon. The numerical results show that increasing the rotation rate $\mathsf{\Omega }=5$ causes a phase lag of approximately 22% in thermal and elastic wave peaks. When the thermoelectric coupling parameter ${\mathsf{\epsilon }}_3$ is increased from $-0.8\times {10}^{-42}$ to $1.2\times {10}^{-42}$. The temperature amplitude rises by 17%, while the carrier density peak increases by over 25%. For nonlocal parameter values $\mathsf{\epsilon }=0.3\to 0.6$, high-frequency stress oscillations are damped by more than 35%. The results contribute to the understanding of wave propagation in advanced semiconductor materials, with potential applications in microelectronics, optoelectronics, and nanoscale thermal management. Full article

A novel unified progressive hybrid censoring is introduced to combine both progressive and hybrid censoring plans to allow flexible test termination either after a prespecified number of failures or at a fixed time. This work develops both frequentist and Bayesian inferential procedures for estimating the parameters, reliability, and hazard rates of the inverted Nadarajah–Haghighi lifespan model when a sample is produced from such a censoring plan. Maximum likelihood estimators are obtained through the Newton–Raphson iterative technique. The delta method, based on the Fisher information matrix, is utilized to build the asymptotic confidence intervals for each unknown quantity. In the Bayesian methodology, Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques with independent gamma priors are implemented to generate posterior summaries and credible intervals, addressing computational intractability through the Metropolis—Hastings algorithm. Extensive Monte Carlo simulations compare the efficiency and utility of frequentist and Bayesian estimates across multiple censoring designs, highlighting the superiority of Bayesian inference using informative prior information. Two real-world applications utilizing rare minerals from gold and diamond durability studies are examined to demonstrate the adaptability of the proposed estimators to the analysis of rare events in precious materials science. By applying four different optimality criteria to multiple competing plans, an analysis of various progressive censoring strategies that yield the best performance is conducted. The proposed censoring framework is effectively applied to real-world datasets involving diamonds and gold, demonstrating its practical utility in modeling the reliability and failure behavior of rare and high-value minerals. Full article

Background and Objectives: The relationship between ABO or Rh blood groups and susceptibility to Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize available evidence on this association. Materials and Methods: Studies reporting ABO and/or Rh blood groups and CHIKV infection were searched through PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Ovid, ProQuest, and Google Scholar up to 8 July 2025. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to calculate pooled odds ratios (Ors) with 95% CIs. Heterogeneity was assessed using I² statistics. Subgroup analyses were performed based on study design and study quality. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using a leave-one-out method. Publication bias was evaluated via funnel plots and Egger’s test. Results: Seven studies, including 24,828 participants, were included. No significant associations were observed between blood groups A, B, AB, or Rh(D) and CHIKV infection. However, blood group O was significantly associated with an increased risk of CHIKV infection (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.01–2.29, p = 0.043, I² = 95.38%) compared to non-O blood groups. Subgroup analyses showed stable results. Nevertheless, the sensitivity analysis indicated that certain studies had a greater influence on the overall results. In addition, significant publication bias was also detected. Conclusions: Current evidence indicates that blood group O is significantly associated with an increased susceptibility to CHIKV infection. In contrast, no consistent associations were observed for other ABO or Rh blood groups. Due to substantial heterogeneity and methodological limitations, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Further well-designed, large-scale studies with standardized diagnostics are needed to clarify these associations and underlying mechanisms. Full article

Modified nano-clays, alone or combined with probiotics, may offer a novel and sustainable approach to improve ruminal fermentation and mitigate CH₄ emissions in high-fiber diets. This study evaluated the properties and effects of modified nano-bentonite (MNB), with or without yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), compared to natural bentonite (NB) and monensin, using the in vitro gas production (GP) technique. The substrate used was a basal diet composed primarily of forage (Trifolium alexandrinum clover) in a 70:30 forage-to-concentrate ratio. The treatments were a control group receiving the basal diet without additives; a monensin-added diet containing 40 mg/kg of dry matter (DM); a yeast-added diet with Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 2 × 10⁸ CFU/g of DM; a NB clay-added diet at 5 g/kg of DM; and MNB diets added at two levels (0.5 g/kg of DM (MNB_Low) and 1 g/kg of DM (MNB_High)), with or without S. cerevisiae. MNB showed a smaller particle size and improved properties, such as higher conductivity, surface area, and cation exchange capacity, than NB. Sulfur and related functional groups were detected only in MNB. No differences were observed in total GP, while both the monensin diet and the MNB_High-with-yeast diet significantly reduced CH₄ emissions compared to the control (p < 0.05). The MNB_High-without-yeast combination significantly (p < 0.05) reduced hemicellulose degradation, as well as total protozoal counts, including Isotricha and Epidinium spp. (p < 0.05), compared to the control. Ammonia levels did not differ significantly among treatments, while NB and MNB_High diets tended to have (p = 0.063) the highest short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations. These findings suggest the potential modulatory effects of yeast and MNB on rumen fermentation dynamics and CH₄ mitigation. Full article

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) presents a significant global health challenge, with obesity being a major contributing risk factor alongside genetic and non-genetic elements. Current treatments focus on reducing hyperglycemia and preventing T2DM progression, often involving drug combinations for enhanced efficacy. This study introduces two novel nitrogen-containing heterocyclic scaffolds: neocryptolepine–thiazolidinedione (NC-TZD) 8 and acridine–thiazolidinedione (AC-TZD) 11. Methods: These compounds were synthesized and characterized using various spectroscopic techniques. Their antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects were assessed in an obesity-induced zebrafish model. Hyperglycemia was induced by immersing zebrafish in 100 mM glucose monohydrate for two weeks. Fish were then divided into groups receiving either 20 mg or 80 mg of the drugs per kg of body weight, alongside negative and positive control groups. Results: Both doses of hybrids 8 and 11 effectively restored glucose, triglyceride, insulin, and nuclear factor kappa beta (nfκβ) mRNA levels to normal. However, only the lower doses restored peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidase (acox1) mRNA levels, with higher doses proving less effective. A molecular modeling study supported the antidiabetic potential of hybrids 8 and 11, suggesting interactions with target proteins PPAR-α and acox1. In silico ADMET analysis revealed promising oral bioavailability and drug likeness for both compounds. Conclusions: The findings indicate that both hybrids exhibit significant antihyperglycemic and antihypertriglyceridemic effects, particularly at lower doses. These results highlight the promising therapeutic potential of these novel oral bioavailable compounds in managing T2DM. Further research is warranted to elucidate their mechanisms of action. Full article

Background: Many new mRNA-based vaccine candidates in liquid mRNA-LNP formulations are under development; however, their stability limitations necessitate frozen storage, posing a significant challenge for long-term storage and transportation. Methods: In this study, an mRNA-LNP rabies vaccine, ABO1005, was prepared, freeze-dried and stored at 2–8 °C for 12-month storage stability evaluation. The immunogenicity, vaccine potency (the NIH method), and protective efficacy of ABO1005 were assessed in mice or dogs and compared to a commercialized inactivated vaccine. Results: Research conducted in mice indicated that the lyophilized vaccine exhibited comparable immunogenicity to its liquid form counterpart. Furthermore, the vaccine candidate elicited a robust humoral response lasting at least 175 days, and the specific antibody titers were not affected by the pre-administration of hyperimmune serum. In comparison to the commercialized inactivated vaccine (HDCV or PVRV), ABO1005 elicited significantly higher levels of humoral and cellular immunity. Vaccine potency testing (NIH) revealed that the potency of ABO1005 at 15 μg/dose was 8.85 IU/dose, which is substantially higher than the standard required for the lot release of rabies vaccines for current human use. In a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) study in Beagle dogs, the lyophilized vaccine provided 100% protection for dogs following a two-dose regimen (D0-D7), whereas commercially approved inactivated vaccine offered 83% protection. After storage at 2–8 °C for 12 months, no notable changes were observed in the particle size, encapsulation efficiency, and integrity of mRNA or in the immunogenicity of the lyophilized vaccine. Conclusions: This study successfully developed a formulation and process of freeze-drying for a rabies mRNA vaccine, paving the way for future lyophilized mRNA vaccine development. Full article

When Wittgenstein (2009, § 116) writes that “[w]hat we do is to bring words back from their metaphysical to their everyday use”, many will presumably read this is an anti-religious statement. According to the everyday use of the word “metaphysical”, religion is metaphysical, one would then argue. However, the target of Wittgensteinian investigations is language “on holiday” (2009, § 38), that is, when language does not do any job. This explains why Wittgenstein can claim that philosophy “leaves everything as it is” (2009, § 124): removing “a wheel that can be turned though nothing else moves with it” means removing something that is “not part of the mechanism” and therefore does not change the mechanism (2009, § 271). In other words, “metaphysics” does here not stand for a specific subject matter, such as religion. But what does it mean that something is “not part of the mechanism”? How does one show that something is not? Is it possible that religion is an instance of language on holiday? These questions are far more complex than they may seem at first, and the answer to the last question is not a general one—ultimately, it has to be answered in the first person. How do these difficulties manifest themselves? After a methodological discussion of the above points (sec. 1), two sections (2–3) discuss two examples of contexts in which these difficulties come into view. The discussions of these two examples thus aim to clarify what the distinction between the metaphysical and the non-metaphysical amounts to in two specific cases. In particular, the difference between a relation to a belief and to a person is highlighted. Paying attention to this difference is one way of getting out of the difficult constellation of religious belief and metaphysics. Full article

The recent advancements and emergence of rapidly evolving AI models, such as large language models (LLMs), have sparked interest among researchers and professionals. These models are ubiquitously being fine-tuned and applied across various fields such as healthcare, customer service and support, education, automated driving, and smart factories. This often leads to an increased level of complexity and challenges concerning the trustworthiness of these models, such as the generation of toxic content and hallucinations with high confidence leading to serious consequences. The European Union Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) is a regulation concerning artificial intelligence. The EU AI Act has proposed a comprehensive set of guidelines to ensure the responsible usage and development of general-purpose AI systems (such as LLMs) that may pose potential risks. The need arises for strengthened efforts to ensure that these high-performing LLMs adhere to the seven trustworthiness aspects (data governance, record-keeping, transparency, human-oversight, accuracy, robustness, and cybersecurity) recommended by the AI Act. Our study systematically maps research, focusing on identifying the key trends in developing LLMs across different application domains to address the aspects of AI Act-based trustworthiness. Our study reveals the recent trends that indicate a growing interest in emerging models such as LLaMa and BARD, reflecting a shift in research priorities. GPT and BERT remain the most studied models, and newer alternatives like Mistral and Claude remain underexplored. Trustworthiness aspects like accuracy and transparency dominate the research landscape, while cybersecurity and record-keeping remain significantly underexamined. Our findings highlight the urgent need for a more balanced, interdisciplinary research approach to ensure LLM trustworthiness across diverse applications. Expanding studies into underexplored, high-risk domains and fostering cross-sector collaboration can bridge existing gaps. Furthermore, this study also reveals domains (like telecommunication) which are underrepresented, presenting considerable research gaps and indicating a potential direction for the way forward. Full article

Protocol biopsies are a fundamental component in the management of kidney transplant recipients, offering critical insights into graft health by detecting subclinical pathological changes undetectable through routine clinical and laboratory assessments. Conducted at predetermined intervals, these biopsies enable early identification of subclinical rejection, chronic allograft nephropathy, drug-induced toxicities, viral infections such as BK polyomavirus nephropathy, and recurrence of primary glomerular diseases. Early detection facilitates timely therapeutic interventions, including immunosuppressive regimen adjustments, which are pivotal in preserving graft function and improving long-term outcomes. While the optimal timing and frequency of protocol biopsies vary, early post-transplant biopsies within the first year are widely advocated. High-risk groups, including ABO- and HLA-incompatible recipients and those with recurrent primary nephropathies, particularly benefit from surveillance biopsies. Despite the invasive nature and associated risks of biopsy procedures, most experts agree that the benefits outweigh the risks in selected populations. However, the role of routine protocol biopsies in low-risk patients remains debated due to unclear long-term outcome improvements and resource considerations. Retrospective observational studies have demonstrated the ability of protocol biopsies to detect subclinical pathological changes such as rejection, drug toxicity, viral infections, and recurrent diseases before clinical or laboratory abnormalities appear. These studies also highlight the impact of biopsy-guided interventions on graft survival and management in high-risk groups (e.g., HLA- and ABO-incompatible recipients, and patients at risk for disease recurrence). Furthermore, randomized controlled trials provide higher-level evidence showing that protocol biopsy-guided interventions improve graft function, reflected by better serum creatinine levels and glomerular filtration rates, compared to indicated biopsies alone. They also emphasize the importance of both early and late surveillance biopsies for predicting long-term outcomes. Expert opinion and consensus acknowledge the benefits of protocol biopsies for early detection and tailored management but also highlight ongoing debates regarding their routine use in low-risk patients due to risks, costs, and resource considerations. Overall, protocol biopsies represent a valuable tool for personalized graft monitoring and management, aiding in early detection of complications, guiding immunosuppressive therapy, and enhancing graft longevity. Further multicenter randomized trials are needed to refine guidelines and optimize their clinical utility. Full article

Nanomaterials are present everywhere today and represent the new industrial revolution. Depending on the application, there are many ways to synthesize nanomaterials with different properties. The industrial production of nanomaterials faces various challenges at different stages, going from conception and design to implementation and scaling-up of the production process, which can limit the growth of practical application at a large-scale scope, such as due to the lack of reproducibility, safety, and environmental impact. Here, we discuss current advances achieved for nanomaterial production at a large scale, encompassing a range of synthetic strategies and post-treatment modifications used to enhance the nanomaterials’ performance. A particular interest is devoted to highlighting the progress of MoS₂ nanomaterials’ application. Thus, overcoming those discussed challenges becomes a new prospect for the future perspectives of industrial nanomaterials and nanotechnologies. Full article

In recent years, inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have garnered widespread attention due to their high compatibility, excellent stability, and potential for low-temperature manufacturing. However, most of the current research has primarily focused on the surface passivation of perovskite. In contrast, the buried interface significantly influences the crystal growth quality of perovskite, but it is difficult to effectively control, leading to relatively slow research progress. To address the issue of poor interfacial contact between the hole transport-layer nickel oxide (NiOX) and the perovskite, we introduced a conjugated self-assembled monolayer (SAM), 4,4′-[(4-(3,6-dimethoxy-9H-carbazole)triphenylamine)]diphenylacetic acid (XS21), which features triphenylamine dicarboxylate groups. For comparison, we also employed the widely studied phosphonic acid-based SAM, [2-(3,6-dimethoxy-9H-carbazole-9-yl)ethyl] phosphonic acid (MeO-2PACz). A systematic investigation was carried out to evaluate the influence of these SAMs on the performance and stability of inverted PSCs. The results show that both XS21 and MeO-2PACz significantly enhanced the crystallinity of the perovskite layer, reduced defect densities, and suppressed non-radiative recombination. These improvements led to more efficient hole extraction and transport at the buried interface. Consequently, inverted PSCs incorporating XS21 and MeO-2PACz achieved impressive power-conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 21.43% and 22.43%, respectively, along with marked enhancements in operational stability. Full article