Search Results (126,037)

Public Open Spaces (POSs) on university campuses play a vital role in promoting student well-being, fostering social interaction, and enhancing academic engagement. Yet, in Indian technical institutions, these spaces are often underutilized due to poor design integration, lack of thermal comfort, and minimal user-centered planning. This study applies the Campus Open Space Index (COSI) to assess the functionality, inclusivity, and experiential quality of POSs at two premier Indian institutions, IIT Delhi and IIT Roorkee. COSI evaluates campus POSs across five dimensions: Physical Planning, Engagement, Need Perception & Behavior, Thermal Comfort, and Management. Through a mixed-methods approach involving surveys (n = 522), field observations, and spatial mapping, six open spaces from each campus were analyzed. The aspect-wise COSI results indicate that IIT Delhi performs better in Management (75.84%) and Thermal Comfort (60.56%), while IIT Roorkee performs better in Engagement (71.68%); both campuses show deficits in universal accessibility and climate responsiveness. The study reveals that POS effectiveness depends not only on spatial layout but also on user behavior, comfort, and perceived safety. COSI provides a replicable and scalable assessment model that supports data-driven decision-making for campus planners and administrators. This research advocates for participatory, student-centric planning approaches to transform campus POSs into more inclusive, responsive, and sustainable environments aligned with educational and social goals. Full article

Background: Frontal lobe involvement represents an important but heterogeneously expressed feature across neurodegenerative and vascular cognitive disorders. While frontal atrophy has been described in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), detailed volumetric assessment of frontal subregions across Alzheimer’s disease, amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and vascular dementia (VaD) remains insufficiently characterized. The aim of this study was to evaluate frontal lobe and frontal subregional volumetric alterations across these diagnostic groups using automated MRI-based volumetry. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 120 participants divided into four groups: AD, VaD, aMCI, and cognitively healthy controls (n = 30 per group). All participants underwent standardized neuropsychological assessment and 3T brain MRI. Automated volumetric analysis of the frontal lobe and its subregions was performed using the Vol2Brain pipeline. Group differences in total intracranial volume–adjusted frontal volumes were assessed using analysis of covariance, controlling for age and sex, followed by Bonferroni-corrected post hoc comparisons. False discovery rate (FDR) correction was applied across subregional comparisons. Results: A significant main effect of diagnostic group was observed for total frontal lobe volume, with lower adjusted volumes in patients with AD compared with aMCI and cognitively healthy controls. After correction for multiple comparisons, only total frontal lobe volume remained statistically significant. At the nominal level, group differences were observed in several frontal subregions, predominantly involving prefrontal and orbitofrontal areas. However, these findings did not survive FDR correction and should be interpreted as exploratory. No consistent frontal volumetric pattern was observed in VaD. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated moderate discriminatory ability of total frontal lobe volume for distinguishing AD from cognitively healthy controls. Conclusions: Automated MRI-based volumetry revealed global frontal lobe reduction in Alzheimer’s disease, whereas subregional findings were exploratory after correction for multiple testing. Frontal volumetric measures did not demonstrate a characteristic pattern in VaD. Global frontal volume may provide complementary structural information within clinically define cognitive disorders. Full article

Background/Objectives: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the treatment of various malignancies, but their use is frequently accompanied by immune-related adverse events, among which immune-mediated colitis (IMC) represents one of the most common and clinically significant gastrointestinal toxicities. IMC may lead to treatment interruption, increased morbidity, and compromised quality of life. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnosis, management, and emerging therapeutic strategies with particular emphasis on the role of the gut microbiota and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Methods: This review integrates current international guidelines, meta-analyses, clinical trials, and recent translational studies addressing IMC. The available evidence on immunological mechanisms, predictive biomarkers, clinical presentation, diagnostic algorithms, and treatment options was critically synthesized to outline a structured and multidisciplinary management approach. Results: IMC is driven by dysregulated immune activation, cytokine release, and alterations in gut microbiota. Incidence and severity vary according to ICI class, combination regimens, tumor type, and patient-related factors. Diagnosis requires exclusion of infectious causes, laboratory assessment, and endoscopic and histologic evaluation with CTCAE-based severity grading. Corticosteroids remain the cornerstone of first-line therapy, while infliximab and vedolizumab are effective in steroid-refractory cases. Emerging therapies, including JAK inhibitors and FMT, have shown promising results in refractory disease. Conclusions: IMC is a complex and potentially severe complication of ICI therapy that necessitates early recognition, accurate grading, and individualized, multidisciplinary management. Severity-guided treatment, timely escalation to biologics, and careful balancing of immunosuppression with antitumor efficacy are essential for optimal outcomes. Future research should focus on biomarker validation, microbiome-targeted therapies, and prospective trials to refine therapeutic algorithms and define the optimal role and timing of FMT in clinical practice. Full article

Nitrogen supplements such as yeast extract and peptone/tryptone are the main cost drivers in bacterial cellulose (BC) fermentation. This study evaluated fourteen cereal, pseudo-cereal and legume flours as media substitutes for Komagataeibacter xylinus DSMZ 2325 using two strategies: (i) constant total nitrogen (CTN; 0.6 g·L⁻¹) and (ii) constant nitrogen-source mass (CNSM; 5.0 g·L⁻¹). BC yield (dry g·L⁻¹) was determined under static cultivation and analyzed by ANOVA, correlation statistics and techno-economic assessment. Flour type and substitution level significantly influenced BC production (p < 0.05). CTN substitution enhanced production, with the highest peak yields obtained for W-BC, C-BC, M-BC and SP-BC (6.68–8.97 g·L⁻¹). CNSM substitution limited production, with O-BC and T-BC performing best (4.24–5.14 g·L⁻¹). Techno-economic analysis further showed that the CTN regime substantially improved cost efficiency and reduced BC unit production cost, with the maximum reduction observed for TR-BC at 75% substitution (from 0.27 to 0.08 €/g; 70.37%) relative to the corresponding CTN HS control. Under the CNSM regime, the maximum reduction was observed for BY-BC at 50% substitution (from 0.25 to 0.07 €/g; 72.00%) relative to the corresponding CNSM HS control. These findings demonstrate that graded nitrogen substitution is an effective strategy for economically sustainable and scalable BC production. Full article

Background/Objectives: Lung cancer remains a major global health burden, largely driven by cigarette use. Although electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are viewed as safer alternatives due to their reduced chemical load, growing evidence shows their vapor can disrupt cellular transcriptomes, including long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). In this study, we examined the regulation and function of vape-associated lncRNA transcript 1 (VALT1), a novel transcript upregulated in the oral transcriptomes of e-cigarette users and similarly elevated in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors. Methods: Publicly available RNA-seq datasets were analyzed, and VALT1 was identified as an e-cigarette-responsive lncRNA. Its dose-dependent induction by e-cigarette smoke extract (eCSE) and cytoplasmic localization were confirmed via RT-qPCR. Its effects on cancer-associated phenotypes including proliferation, ROS detoxification, resistance to apoptosis, migration, cytoskeletal disorganization, and nuclear remodeling were assessed through overexpression and siRNA-mediated knockdown in A549 and BEAS-2B cells. Results: Acute eCSE exposure induced a biphasic, dose-dependent increase in VALT1 expression, accompanied by enhanced proliferation, ROS detoxification, apoptosis resistance, migration, cytoskeletal disorganization, and nuclear remodeling in A549 cells. VALT1 overexpression reproduced these phenotypes in both cell lines without eCSE treatment, whereas knockdown attenuated them. VALT1 promoted survival under cytotoxic stress in A549 but not BEAS-2B cells. Conclusions: These findings support an active role for VALT1 as an e-cigarette vapor-upregulated transcript that contributes to its phenotypic readout and enhances cellular survival under extracellular chemical stress—thereby aggravating tumorigenic phenotypes even in the absence of mutations that contribute to malignant transformation. Full article

A thorough understanding of the microbial ecology of meat products, dominated by critical pathogens such as Salmonella spp., Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes, and marked by risks of resistant biofilm formation and vulnerabilities specific to informal commercial sectors, underscores the need to transition from conventional inert barriers to active nanostructured packaging systems. This review critically analyses the current state of antimicrobial nanomaterials, dissecting their molecular mechanisms of action and dynamic interactions designed to preserve sensory and nutritional food quality. Beyond technical effectiveness, the paper highlights the inherent tension between technological innovation and toxicological uncertainties, addressing major challenges related to migration kinetics in complex lipid matrices and the uneven global regulatory landscape. Main limitations of frequently investigated materials, along with regulatory discrepancies among international authorities and safety variables, are discussed to contextualise the current barriers to industrial implementation. We conclude that although nanotechnology represents a transformative force for extending shelf life, safety validation through rigorous assessment of migration remains imperative to harmonise scientific progress with public health protection. This integrative perspective highlights the imperative of calibrating nanostructural architecture to the bioactive profile, providing strategic design directions essential for the sustainable translation of experimental innovation to industrial scale. Full article

Melatonin plays a crucial role in modulating plant stress responses; however, its potential for mitigating salt–alkali stress remains incompletely understood. This study evaluates the efficacy of exogenous melatonin in alleviating moderate salt–alkali stress (120 mM) in poplar (Populus davidiana × P. bolleana ‘Baicheng Shanxinyang No. 1’) seedlings, investigating both pre- and post-stress treatments across a concentration range of 0–1000 μM. Physiological and morphological parameters, including chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activities, and osmolyte accumulation, were analyzed to assess stress responses. Under salt–alkali stress, seedlings exhibited elevated stress markers and osmolyte levels, reflecting activated stress responses. Melatonin at concentrations of 200–400 μM was the most effective in mitigating stress, significantly enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), restoring chlorophyll content, and reducing oxidative damage markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA). It also regulated osmotic balance in leaves, indicating improved cellular stability under stress. Notably, post-stress application required slightly higher melatonin concentrations to achieve comparable recovery, highlighting the critical influence of application timing. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing melatonin use to improve poplar growth in saline–alkali environments and support molecular breeding efforts aimed at developing salt–alkali-tolerant poplar varieties. Full article

Horses presenting with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunctions are often clinically evaluated for TMJ osteoarthritis (OA). Due to the unique characteristic of TMJ-related pain, the clinical diagnosis of equine TMJ OA is challenging; however, it may be supported by computer-aided tools incorporating biomarker data. This study aims to evaluate a machine learning-based approach to address a binary classification distinguishing healthy TMJs from TMJ OA. Among 50 equine cadaver heads, 82 TMJs were included and annotated as healthy or OA based on histological and computed tomography (CT) findings. For each TMJ, nine CT findings were assessed, and synovial fluid was collected for the evaluation of twelve biomarkers. Using a biomarker dataset, correlations among biomarkers were calculated and supported with a mixed-effects logistic regression model. Using a combined dataset, twelve machine learning models, incorporating two feature selection methods and six classification algorithms, were evaluated. Specific biomarker levels showed predominately positive correlations with TMJ OA, age, and with each other; however, only age had a significant effect on OA assignment in the mixed model. The best-performing machine learning model achieved an accuracy of 0.82 and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.85 for binary TMJ classification. The proposed classification model outperforms conventional diagnostic methods and may therefore be considered beneficial in aiding the diagnosis of equine TMJ OA. Full article

Although greenhouse vegetable production is rapidly shifting toward innovative soilless systems, soil-based conventional cultivation still dominates globally. This production system faces growing pressure to transition to sustainable practices. However, introducing biofertilisers into intensive systems often yields inconsistent results. Specifically, their effects on different lettuce traits vary due to complex relationships between genotype, biofertiliser, environmental conditions, and market demands. Single-parameter evaluations fail to balance conflicting criteria, necessitating multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods for selecting optimal choices. This study aims to overcome these inconsistencies through an integrated fuzzy MCDM-based optimisation model. Three lettuce cultivars (‘Carmesi’, ‘Aquino’, and ‘Gaugin’) were grown in an unheated Surčin (Serbia) greenhouse during a 58-day autumn experiment using a complete block design. Four treatments were applied: a control (without fertilisation), effective microorganisms, a Trichoderma-based fertiliser, and their combination. Biofertilisers were applied before transplanting and four times foliarly during the vegetation period via battery sprayer. This defined 12 production models (cultivar–fertiliser pairs), evaluated across 10 criteria: agronomic (core ratio, number of leaves), quality (nitrate content, total antioxidant capacity, total soluble solids, and chlorogenic acid), sensory (overall taste, overall quality), and economic (total variable costs, total income). Four decision-making experts from the Faculty of Agriculture and the ready-to-eat salad industry assessed weighting coefficients using the fuzzy PIPRECIA (PIvot Pairwise RElative Criteria Importance Assessment) method. The fuzzy MARCOS (Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to COmpromise Solution) method was used to rank the alternatives. To confirm the stability of the obtained ranking with the fuzzy MARCOS method, we performed sensitivity analysis through 20 different scenarios. Applied fuzzy methods identified alternative A11—‘Aquino’ cultivar with combined biofertilisers—as the best-ranked option, followed by A6 and A7. This study validates fuzzy PIPRECIA and fuzzy MARCOS as effective tools for optimising lettuce production models. They support farmers in selecting the most favourable solution based on multiple criteria, aiding the shift from mineral fertilisers to sustainable biofertiliser-based systems in intensive production—especially helpful for producers making this transition. Full article

Background/Objectives: The incidence of cardiac arrest among critically ill patients has been increasing, with many patients experiencing clinical exacerbation prior to the event. Early detection and rapid treatment are essential to reduce the risks associated with cardiac arrest; however, difficulties such as limited ICU resources and inadequate monitoring of vital signs reduce the effectiveness of treatment. Various cardiac arrest prediction systems have been developed to overcome these issues. This study performed a summative evaluation of a Central Monitoring System with AI-based Cardiac Arrest Prediction. Methods: A summative usability evaluation was conducted in a simulated ICU environment with 22 ICU nurses experienced in using patient monitoring devices. Participants completed tasks based on the device workflow and then filled out the System Usability Scale (SUS) and satisfaction surveys, with task performance and survey responses analyzed to assess usability. Results: The usability test achieved a task success rate of 90%, with critical tasks achieving success rates ranging from 73% to 100%. The SUS score was 67.3 (“OK”), and the satisfaction survey showed an average score of 4.5, indicating generally positive user perception. Conclusions: Participants generally rated the system as acceptable, although some tasks showed lower success rates due to design issues such as poor button visibility. Further studies in clinical settings are needed to evaluate the system’s effectiveness, user experience, and contribution to the timely detection of cardiac arrest. Full article

Purpose: Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) responds poorly to conventional chemotherapy. We evaluated a cell-based enzyme–prodrug therapy using adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) engineered to express cytosine deaminase (CD) or carboxylesterase 2 (CE2), paired with their respective prodrugs 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) or irinotecan (CPT-11), to compare their antitumor efficacy. Materials and Methods: Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)-immortalized ADSCs were transduced with CD or CE2, and transgene expression and stem cell phenotype were confirmed. CD expression was verified at the transcript level and by functional 5-FC-to-5-fluorouracil (5-FU) conversion, whereas CE2 expression was verified by transcript analysis and immunoblotting. Tumor tropism toward PC3 prostate cancer cells was tested using migration assays and analysis of chemoattractant ligand/receptor expression. Prodrug-induced self-killing and bystander tumor cell killing were assessed through viability assays and co-culture with PC3 cells. For the CE2/CPT-11 system, SN-38 was not directly quantified; functional activity was inferred from prodrug-dependent cytotoxicity and in vivo efficacy. In vivo efficacy was evaluated in nude mice with PC3 tumors treated systemically with engineered ADSCs plus prodrug. Results: CD- and CE2-expressing ADSCs were successfully established and retained mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) characteristics. Both cell types exhibited significant migration toward PC3 cells. The CE2/CPT-11 system produced stronger prodrug-mediated cytotoxicity than CD/5-FC, with CE2-modified ADSCs showing higher sensitivity to CPT-11 and inducing greater apoptosis in co-cultured PC3 cells. In vivo, both treatments suppressed tumor growth, but CE2/CPT-11 achieved greater inhibition (tumor volume ~26% of control vs. ~32% for CD/5-FC at day 14). No overt clinical toxicity was observed based on body weight and daily clinical monitoring; however, hematology/serum chemistry were not assessed. Conclusions: Engineered ADSCs home to CRPC tumors and enable local prodrug activation, producing significant antitumor effects. Within the constraints of our in vitro assays and subcutaneous xenograft model, CE2/CPT-11 demonstrated stronger efficacy outcomes than CD/5-FC. Mechanistic attribution to intratumoral SN-38 exposure should be confirmed by direct metabolite measurements in future studies. Full article

The technological promise of nonlinear optical (NLO) compounds has stimulated intense interest in optoelectronic devices, data storage, photonics, and anticancer therapy. Thiosemicarbazone ruthenium materials are of growing interest because of their tunable ligand framework and coordination sphere, allowing fine control over geometry, electronics, and functional properties. Here, we report an N-substituted salicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone ligand and a series of octahedral Ru(III) complexes bearing triphenylphosphine or triphenylarsine and halide (Cl, Br) co-ligands. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV–Vis, EPR, mass spectrometry, and magnetic susceptibility measurements, which together confirm NS-chelation to a low-spin Ru(III) center in a distorted octahedral environment. Their photophysical and NLO responses were assessed by UV–Vis spectroscopy and powder second-harmonic generation measurements (Kurtz–Perry method), revealing promising NLO behavior. In parallel, antioxidant activity and in vitro anticancer effects against HeLa cells were evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cytotoxicity assays. These results provide insight into ligand-controlled structure–activity relationships, in which the halide (Cl/Br) and ancillary triarylphosphine co-ligands regulate electronic interactions and lipophilicity and ultimately increase biological performance, underscoring the dual materials and medicinal potential of these Ru(III) complexes. Full article

Because dust-emission processes driven by local, small-scale winds (e.g., terrain-induced winds) are difficult to accurately capture with mesoscale or larger-scale predictive models, this study employed a CFD-Lagrangian particle-tracking approach to numerically simulate near-surface dust release and transport under different atmospheric stability conditions in the same local flow field. The novelty of this work was the integration of MOST-based stable/neutral/unstable inflow construction with Lagrangian particle tracking, enabling a consistent comparison of stability effects within one framework. This framework is useful for assessing local blowing-sand impacts on short-range receptors. A near-surface source term was specified for PM10-class mineral dust, and particles were emitted using a vertically exponential allocation. Simulations were conducted over a kilometer-scale flow domain containing an idealized cosine hill, and the low-level concentration patterns and dispersion-height variations in the resulting dust cloud were analyzed. Compared with neutral conditions, stable stratification produced higher near-surface concentrations and a lower dispersion height, whereas unstable stratification yielded lower near-surface concentrations and a higher dispersion height; as the $\left|L\right|$ increased, the unstable cases gradually approached the neutral state. The influence of reference wind speed exhibited clear stability dependence: under stable conditions, stronger winds intensified the buoyancy-related suppression of dust dispersion, while under unstable conditions, stronger winds inhibited the vertical spreading of the dust cloud. In addition, reduced air density representative of plateau environments resulted in lower dust-cloud concentrations and higher dispersion heights. These findings highlight the coupled effects of stratification and wind speed on near-field dust dispersion and provide a reference for assessing local dust emissions over complex terrain. Full article

To investigate the mechanical performance and failure modes of Prestressed Concrete Cylinder Pipe (PCCP) bell-and-spigot joints under conditions such as differential settlement, this study conducted a full-scale rotation test on a DN1400 PCCP joint and established a three-dimensional non-linear finite element model using ABAQUS. The experimental results indicate that when the relative rotation angle reaches approximately 1.92°, the primary failure mode is the slipping of the rubber gasket from the spigot groove, leading to sealing failure. Meanwhile, the strains in the concrete, mortar coating, and prestressing wires at the joint increase significantly with the rotation angle. The finite element simulation results align well with the experimental data, with an average error of 1.88%. Based on the validated model, a parametric analysis was performed on PCCP joints with diameters ranging from 1400 mm to 4000 mm. The study determined the ultimate relative rotation angle for different diameters based on the concrete visible crack criterion and revealed a significant size effect, characterized by a decrease in the ultimate rotation angle with increasing pipe diameter. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the design, construction, and safety assessment of PCCP pipelines. Full article

Background: Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a metabolic disorder that severely threatens human health. Chronic uric acid (UA) overload promotes the progression of tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF), leading to impaired UA excretion. Our previous studies identified HIPK2 inhibitor XRF-1021, which exhibits robust anti-TIF activity and lowers UA levels in vivo. This study aimed to elucidate its UA-lowering mechanism and therapeutic potential for HUA. Methods: Uricase and xanthine oxidase (XOD) assays were performed to assess effects on UA degradation/production. HEK293T cells transiently expressing UA transporters and gene-knockdown rats were used to evaluate transporter inhibition, while HK-2 cells were analyzed by Western blot. Pharmacokinetics were characterized in rats. Efficacy was tested in potassium oxonate-induced acute HUA rats, diet/adenine-induced chronic HUA quails, and adenine-induced mice with HUA secondary to TIF. Maximum tolerated dose and long-term toxicity were assessed in rats. Results: XRF-1021 neither activated uricase nor inhibited XOD, indicating no direct effect on UA catabolism or synthesis. Instead, XRF-1021 inhibited URAT1 and GLUT9, reducing renal UA reabsorption, while sparing OAT3, OAT4, and ABCG2 activity and upregulating OAT3 and NPT4, suggesting minimal risk of disrupting drug or uremic toxin handling. XRF-1021 showed dose-dependent systemic exposure in rats, lowered serum UA, and provided renal protection in vivo. LD₅₀ values were 2345.4 mg/kg (male) and 1078.9 mg/kg (female), with no obvious toxicity after long-term dosing. Conclusions: XRF-1021 lowers UA by inhibiting URAT1 and GLUT9 to enhance renal UA excretion and provides kidney protection, supporting XRF-1021 as a promising candidate for HUA therapy. Full article