Search Results (6,467)

Artificial intelligence has taken a seat at the executive table and is threatening the fact that human beings are the only ones who should be in a position of power. This article gives conjectures on the future of leadership in which managers will collaborate with learning algorithms in the Neural Adaptive Artificial Intelligence Leadership Model, which is informed by the transformational literature on leadership and socio-technical systems, as well as the literature on algorithmic governance. We assessed the model with thirty in-depth interviews, system-level traces of behavior, and a verified survey, and we explored six hypotheses that relate to algorithmic delegation and ethical oversight, as well as human judgment versus machine insight in terms of agility and performance. We discovered that decisions are made quicker, change is more effective, and interaction is more vivid where agile practices and good digital understanding exist, and statistical tests propose that human flexibility and definite governance augment those benefits as well. It is single-industry research that contains self-reported measures, which causes research to be limited to other industries that contain more objective measures. Practitioners are provided with a practical playbook on how to make algorithmic jobs meaningful, introduce moral fail-safes, and build learning feedback to ensure people and machines are kept in line. Socially, the practice is capable of minimizing bias and establishing inclusion by visualizing accountability in the code and practice. Filling the gap between the theory of leadership and the reality of algorithms, the study provides a model of intelligent systems leading in organizations that can be reproduced. Full article

The depletion of water resources caused by climate change and human activities is a pressing global issue. Lake Ereen is one of the ten natural landmarks of the Gobi-Altai of western Mongolia is included in the list of “important areas for birds” recognized by the international organization Birdlife. However, the construction of the Taishir Hydroelectric Power Station, aimed at supplying electricity to the western provinces of Mongolia, had a detrimental effect on the flow of the Zavkhan River, resulting in a drying-up and pollution of Lake Ereen, which relies on the river as its water source. This study assesses the pollution levels in Ereen Lake and determines the feasibility of its rehabilitation by redirecting the flow of the Zavkhan River. Field studies included the analysis of water quality, sediment contamination, and the composition of flora. The results show that the concentrations of ammonium, chlorine, fluorine, and sulfate in the lake water exceed the permissible levels set by the Mongolian standard. Analyses of elements from sediments revealed elevated levels of arsenic, chromium, and copper, exceeding international sediment quality guidelines and posing risks to biological organisms. Furthermore, several species of diatoms indicative of polluted water were discovered. Lake Ereen is currently in a eutrophic state and, based on a water quality index (WQI) of 49.4, also in a “polluted” state. Mass balance calculations and box model analysis determined the period of pollutant replacement for two restoration options: drying-up and complete removal of contaminated sediments and plants vs. dilution-flushing without direct interventions in the lake. We recommend the latter being the most efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective approach to rehabilitate Lake Ereen. Full article

Pain following orthodontic treatment is the chief complaint of patients undergoing this form of treatment. Although the use of diode lasers has been suggested for pain reduction, the mechanism of laser-induced analgesic effects remains unclear. Neuropeptides, such as substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), contribute to the transmission and maintenance of inflammatory pain. Heat shock protein (HSP) 70 plays a protective role against various stresses, including orthodontic forces. This study aimed to examine the effects of diode laser irradiation on neuropeptides and HSP 70 expression in periodontal tissues induced by experimental tooth movement (ETM). For inducing ETM for 24 h, 50 g of orthodontic force was applied using a nickel–titanium closed-coil spring to the upper left first molar and the incisors of 20 male Sprague Dawley rats (7 weeks old). The right side without ETM treatment was considered the untreated control group. In 10 rats, diode laser irradiation was performed on the buccal and palatal sides of the first molar for 90 s with a total energy of 100.8 J/cm². A near-infrared (NIR) laser with a 808 nm wavelength, 7 W peak power, 560 W average power, and 20 ms pulse width was used for the experiment. We measured the number of facial groomings and vacuous chewing movements (VCMs) in the ETM and ETM + laser groups. Immunohistochemical staining of the periodontal tissue with SP, CGRP, and HSP 70 was performed. The number of facial grooming and VCM periods significantly decreased in the ETM + laser group compared to the ETM group. Moreover, the ETM + laser group demonstrated significant suppression of SP, CGRP, and HSP 70 expression. These results suggest that the diode laser demonstrated analgesic effects on ETM-induced pain by inhibiting SP and CGRP expression, and decreased HSP 70 expression shows alleviation of cell damage. Thus, although further validation is warranted for human applications, an NIR diode laser can be used for reducing pain and neuropeptide markers during orthodontic tooth movement. Full article

Cancer disparities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) arise from multifaceted interactions between environmental exposures, infectious agents, and systemic inequities, such as limited access to care. The exposome, a framework encompassing the totality of non-genetic exposures throughout life, offers a powerful lens for understanding these disparities. In LMICs, populations are disproportionately affected by air and water pollution, occupational hazards, and oncogenic infections, including human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and neglected tropical diseases, such as schistosomiasis. These infectious agents contribute to increased cancer susceptibility and poor outcomes, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Moreover, climate change, food insecurity, and barriers to healthcare access exacerbate these risks. This review adopts a population-level exposome approach to explore how environmental and infectious exposures intersect with genetic, epigenetic, and immune mechanisms to influence cancer incidence and progression in LMICs. We highlight the critical pathways linking chronic exposure and inflammation to tumor development and evaluate strategies such as HPV and HBV vaccination, antiretroviral therapy, and environmental regulation. Special attention is given to tools such as exposome-wide association studies (ExWASs), which offer promise for exposure surveillance, early detection, and public health policy. By integrating exposomic insights into national health systems, especially in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and South Asia, LMICs can advance equitable cancer prevention and control strategies. A holistic, exposome-informed strategy is essential for reducing global cancer disparities and improving outcomes in vulnerable populations. Full article

The growing number of senior experts leaving the workforce (especially in more developed economies, such as in Europe), combined with the ubiquitous access to artificial intelligence (AI), is triggering organizations to review their knowledge transfer programs, motivated by both financial and management perspectives. Our study aims to contribute to the field by analyzing options to integrate intergenerational tacit knowledge transfer (InterGenTacitKT) with AI-driven approaches, offering a novel perspective on sustainable Knowledge and Human Resource Management in organizations. We will do this by building on previous research and by extracting findings from 36 in-depth semi-structured interviews that provided success factors for junior/senior tandems (JuSeTs) as one notable format of tacit knowledge transfer. We also refer to the literature, in a grounded theory iterative process, analyzing current findings on the use of AI in tacit knowledge transfer and triangulating and critically synthesizing these sources of data. We suggest that adding AI into a tandem situation can facilitate collaboration and thus aid in knowledge transfer and trust-building. We posit that AI can offer strong complementary services for InterGenTacitKT by fostering the identified success factors for JuSeTs (clarity of roles, complementary skill sets, matching personalities, and trust), thus offering organizations a powerful means to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of InterGenTacitKT that also strengthens employee productivity, satisfaction, and loyalty and overall organizational competitiveness. Full article

Background/Objectives: Optical genome mapping (OGM) has recently emerged as a new technology in the clinical cytogenomics laboratories. This methodology has the ability to detect balanced and unbalanced structural rearrangements using ultra-high molecular weight DNA. This article discusses the uses of this new technology in both constitutional and somatic settings, its advantages as well as opportunity for improvements. Methods: We reviewed the medical and scientific literature for methodology and current clinical uses of OGM. Results: OGM is a recent addition to the methods used in cytogenomics laboratories and can detect a wide range of structural and copy number variations across a plethora of diseases. Conclusions: Clinical cytogenomics is an important laboratory specialty for which various technologies have been validated over the last several decades to improve detection of copy number and structural variations and their association to human disease. OGM has proven to be a powerful tool in the arsenal of clinical laboratories and provides a unified workflow for the detection of chromosomal aberrations across a wide range of diseases. Full article

This study presents the design, fabrication, and clinical validation of a lightweight, body-powered prosthetic index finger actuated via metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint motion. The proposed system incorporates an underactuated, cable-driven mechanism combining rigid and compliant elements to achieve passive adaptability and embodied intelligence, supporting intuitive user interaction. Results indicate that the prosthesis successfully mimics natural finger flexion and adapts effectively to a variety of grasping tasks with minimal effort. This study was conducted in accordance with ethical standards and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB), Project No. 670161, titled “Biologically-Inspired Synthetic Finger: Design, Fabrication, and Application.” The findings suggest that the device offers a viable and practical solution for individuals with partial hand loss, particularly in settings where electrically powered systems are unsuitable or inaccessible. Full article

The phrase shiri bing chu 十日並出 (ten suns rose in the sky at once) from the Qiwu lun 齊物論 can also be interpreted as shiri dai chu 十日代出 (ten suns alternately appearing). Here, “ten suns rose in the sky at once” is not merely a spatial concept but also a temporal one. Thus, the concept of De 德 (virtue), connected to the idea of “ten suns shining together,” is a transcendent force with its own inner sense of time. It acts as the foundation for all things to exist and grow continuously. Under the endless cycle of day and night and the nourishing power of tiande 天德 (heavenly virtue), everything flourishes according to its true nature. Here, De combines two aspects: mingde 明德 (luminous virtue) and xuande 玄德 (inconspicuous virtue). “luminous virtue” focuses on order and building, highlighting the uniqueness within human growth. “inconspicuous virtue” emphasizes harmony and equalizing with all things, revealing our shared connection with the world. These two concepts are not opposites. The highest goal of luminous virtue lies in mysterious virtue, which itself contains the roots of luminous virtue. Both work together to reflect the natural flow of the Dao 道 (the Way), thus demonstrating that Zhuangzi’s philosophy is not merely about criticism or deconstruction—it has a deeply constructive side. Virtue transcends both individuality and universality. Human nature holds both virtues. By balancing the order of growth and equalizing with all things, we can harmonize our uniqueness with our shared bonds, revealing our true value in both action and spirit. Full article

Operations management personnel emphasize the maintenance of workforce empowerment on the shop floor. This is made possible by implementing effective operations and human resource management practices. However, organizations are adept at controlling the workforce empowerment domain within operational scenarios. In the current industry revolution scenario, industry personnel often face failure due to a laggard mindset in the face of industry revolutions. There are higher possibilities of failure because of standardized operations controlling the shop floor. Organizations utilize well-established human resource concepts, including McClelland’s acquired needs theory, Herzberg’s two-factor theory, and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, in order to enhance the workforce’s performance on the shop floor. Current SME individuals require fast-paced approaches for tracking the performance and idleness of a workforce in order to control them more efficiently in both flexible and transformational stages. The present study focuses on investigating the parameters and factors that contribute to workforce empowerment in an industrial revolution scenario. The present research is used to develop a framework utilizing operations and human resource management approaches in order to identify and address the issues responsible for deteriorating workforce contributions. The framework includes HRM and operations management practices, including Herzberg’s two-factor theory, Maslow’s theory, and lean and smart approaches. The developed framework contains four phases for achieving desired outcomes on the shop floor. The developed framework is validated by implementing it in a real-life electric vehicle manufacturing organization, where the human resources and operations team were exhausted and looking to resolve employee-related issues instantly and establish a sustainable work environment. The current industry is transforming from Industry 3.0 to Industry 4.0, and seeks future-ready innovations in operations, control, and monitoring of shop floor setups. The operations management and human resource management practices teams reviewed the results over the next three months after the implementation of the developed framework. The results revealed an improvement in workforce empowerment within the existing work environment, as evidenced by reductions in the number of absentees, resignations, transfer requests, and medical issues, by 30.35%, 94.44%, 95.65%, and 93.33%, respectively. A few studies have been conducted on workforce empowerment by controlling shop floor scenarios through modifications in operations and human resource management strategies. The results of this study can be used to fulfil manufacturers’ needs within confined constraints and provide guidelines for efficiently controlling workforce performance on the shop floor. Constraints refer to barriers that have been decided, including production time, working time, asset availability, resource availability, and organizational policy. The study proposes a decision-making plan for enhancing shop floor performance by providing suitable guidelines and an action plan, taking into account both workforce and operational performance. Full article

Background: Crystalline glucosamine sulfate (cGS) claims to be a stabilized form of glucosamine sulfate with a defined crystalline structure intended to enhance chemical stability. It is proposed to offer pharmacokinetic advantages over regular glucosamine sulfate (rGS) which is stabilized with potassium or sodium chloride. However, comparative human bioavailability data are limited. Since both forms dissociate in gastric fluid into constituent ions, the impact of cGS formulation on absorption remains uncertain. This pilot study aimed to compare the bioavailability of cGS and rGS using a randomized, double-blind, crossover design. Methods: Ten healthy adults received a single 1500 mg oral dose of either cGS or rGS with a 7-day washout between interventions. Capillary blood samples were collected over 24 h. Glucosamine and its metabolite concentrations were quantified by Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS), and pharmacokinetic parameters—including maximum concentration (C_max), time to reach C_max (T_max), and area under the curve (AUC)—were calculated. Results: Mean AUC_0–24, C_max, T_max, and T_½ values for glucosamine and glucosamine-6-sulfate (GlcN-6-S) were comparable between cGS and rGS. Although the AUC_0–24 for glucosamine was modestly higher with rGS (18,300 ng·h/mL) than with cGS (12,900 ng·h/mL), the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.136). GlcN-6-S exposure was also similar between formulations (rGS: 50,700 ng·h/mL; cGS: 50,600 ng·h/mL), with a geometric mean ratio of 1.39, a delayed T_max (6–8 h) and longer half-life, consistent with its role as a downstream metabolite. N-acetylglucosamine levels remained stable, indicating potential homeostatic regulation. Conclusions: This pilot study found no significant pharmacokinetic advantage of cGS over rGS. These preliminary findings challenge claims of cGS’ pharmacokinetic superiority, although the small sample size limits definitive conclusions. Larger, adequately powered studies are needed to confirm these results. Full article

Wearable sensors are central to health-monitoring systems, but the limited capacity of compact batteries poses a challenge for long-term and maintenance-free operation. In this study, we investigated ambient electromagnetic wave (AEMW) energy harvesting using a human body antenna (HBA) as a means to supply power to wearable sensors. The power density and frequency distribution of AEMWs were measured in diverse indoor, outdoor, and basement environments. We designed and fabricated a flexible HBA–circuit interface electrode, optimized for broadband impedance matching when worn on the body. Experimental comparisons using a simulated AEMW source demonstrated that the HBA outperformed a conventional small whip antenna, particularly at frequencies below 300 MHz. Furthermore, the outdoor measurements indicated that the power harvested by the HBA was estimated to be −31.9 dBm (0.64 μW), which is sufficient for the intermittent operation of low-power wearable sensors and Bluetooth Low Energy modules. The electromagnetic safety was also evaluated through numerical analysis, and the specific absorption rate was confirmed to be well below the international safety limits. These findings indicate that HBA-based AEMW energy harvesting provides a practical and promising approach to achieving battery-maintenance-free wearable devices. Full article

Fibrate pharmaceuticals (fibrates), as a widespread class of emerging contaminants, pose potential risks to both ecological systems and human health. The photocatalytic system based on nitrogen (N) and fluorine (F) co-doped TiO₂ nanotube arrays (NF-TNAs) provides a renewable solution for fibrate pharmaceutical removal from water, powered by inexhaustible sunlight. In this study, the degradation of two typical fibrates, i.e., bezafibrate (BZF) and ciprofibrate (CPF), under simulated sunlight irradiation through NF-TNAs were investigated. The photocatalytic degradation of BZF/CPF was achieved through combined radical and non-radical oxidation processes, while the generation and reaction mechanisms of associated reactive oxygen species (ROS) were examined. Electron paramagnetic resonance detection and quenching tests confirmed the existence of h⁺, •OH, O₂^•−, and ¹O₂, with O₂^•− playing the predominant role. The transformation products (TPs) of BZF/CPF were identified through high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis combined with quantum chemical calculations to elucidate the degradation pathways. The influence of co-existing ions and typical natural organic matters (NOM) on BZF/CPF degradation were also tested. Eventually, the ecological risk of BZF/CPF transformation products was assessed through quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) modeling, and the results showed that the proposed photocatalytic system can largely alleviate fibrate toxicity. Full article

Background/Objectives: The demand for accessible and reliable digital health services has increased significantly in recent years, particularly in regions facing physician shortages. HomeDOCtor, a conversational AI platform developed in Slovenia, addresses this need with a nationally adapted architecture that combines retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and a Redis-based vector database of curated medical guidelines. The objective of this study was to assess the performance and impact of HomeDOCtor in providing AI-powered healthcare assistance. Methods: HomeDOCtor is designed for human-centered communication and clinical relevance, supporting multilingual and multimedia citizen inputs while being available 24/7. It was tested using a set of 100 international clinical vignettes and 150 internal medicine exam questions from the University of Ljubljana to validate its clinical performance. Results: During its six-month nationwide deployment, HomeDOCtor received overwhelmingly positive user feedback with minimal criticism, and exceeded initial expectations, especially in light of widespread media narratives warning about the risks of AI. HomeDOCtor autonomously delivered localized, evidence-based guidance, including self-care instructions and referral suggestions, with average response times under three seconds. On international benchmarks, the system achieved ≥95% Top-1 diagnostic accuracy, comparable to leading medical AI platforms, and significantly outperformed stand-alone ChatGPT-4o in the national context (90.7% vs. 80.7%, p = 0.0135). Conclusions: Practically, HomeDOCtor eases the burden on healthcare professionals by providing citizens with 24/7 autonomous, personalized triage and self-care guidance for less complex medical issues, ensuring that these cases are self-managed efficiently. The system also identifies more serious cases that might otherwise be neglected, directing them to professionals for appropriate care. Theoretically, HomeDOCtor demonstrates that domain-specific, nationally adapted large language models can outperform general-purpose models. Methodologically, it offers a framework for integrating GDPR-compliant AI solutions in healthcare. These findings emphasize the value of localization in conversational AI and telemedicine solutions across diverse national contexts. Full article

In the process of the work of a coal power station is formed ash and slag, which, along with process water, are deposited in the dumps. Coal ash waste dumps significantly degrade the surrounding environment due to their unprotected surfaces, which are highly susceptible to wind and water erosion. This results in the dispersion of contaminants into adjacent ecosystems. Pollutants migrate into terrestrial and aquatic systems, compromising soil quality and water resources, and posing documented risks to the environment and human health. Primary succession on the coal ash dumps of the Apatity thermal power plant (Murmansk Region, NW Russia) was initiated by cyanobacterial colonization. We studied cyanobacterial communities inhabiting three spoil sites that varied in time since decommissioning. These sites are characterized by exceptionally high concentrations of calcium and magnesium oxides—levels approximately double those found in the region’s natural soils. A total of 18 cyanobacterial taxa were identified in disposal sites. Morphological analysis of visible surface crusts revealed 16 distinct species. Furthermore, 24 cyanobacterial strains representing 11 species were successfully isolated into unialgal culture and tested with a molecular genetic approach to confirm their identification from 16S rRNA. Three species were determined with molecular evidence. Cyanobacterial colonization of coal fly ash disposal sites begins immediately after deposition. Primary communities initially exhibit low species diversity (four taxa) and do not form a continuous ground cover in the early years. However, as succession progresses—illustrated by observations from a 30-year-old deposit—spontaneous surface revegetation occurs, accompanied by a marked increase in cyanobacterial diversity, reaching 12 species. Full article

Background: Centromeric alpha satellite DNA is organized into higher-order repeats (HORs), whose precise structure is often difficult to resolve in standard genome assemblies. The recent telomere-to-telomere (T2T) assembly of the human genome enables complete analysis of centromeric regions, including the full structure of HOR arrays. Methods: We applied the novel high-precision GRMhor algorithm to the complete T2T-CHM13 assembly of human chromosome 21. GRMhor integrates global repeat map (GRM) and monomer distance (MD) diagrams to accurately identify, classify, and visualize HORs and their subfragments. Results: The analysis revealed a novel Cascading 11mer HOR array, in which each canonical HOR copy comprises 11 monomers belonging to 10 different monomer types. Subfragments with periodicities of 4, 7, 9, and 20 were identified within the array. A second, complex 23/25mer HOR array of mixed Willard’s/Cascading type was also detected. In contrast to the hg38 assembly, where a dominant 8mer and 33mer HOR were previously annotated, these structures were absent in the T2T-CHM13 assembly, highlighting the limitations of hg38. Notably, we discovered a novel 52mer HOR—the longest alpha satellite HOR unit reported in the human genome to date. Several subfragment repeats correspond to alphoid subfamilies previously identified using restriction enzyme digestion, but are here resolved with higher structural precision. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the power of GRMhor in resolving complex and previously undetected alpha satellite architectures, including the longest canonical HOR unit identified in the human genome. The precise delineation of superHORs, Cascading structures, and HOR subfragments provides unprecedented insight into the fine-scale organization of the centromeric region of chromosome 21. These results highlight both the inadequacy of earlier assemblies, such as hg38, and the critical importance of complete telomere-to-telomere assemblies for accurately characterizing centromeric DNA. Full article