Search Results (66,453)

The review evaluates current clinical and epidemiological evidence regarding the use of plant-derived compounds in pediatric practice. Data from randomized controlled trials indicate symptomatic efficacy of selected agents—particularly in acute respiratory infections—alongside generally favorable safety profiles when standardized preparations are used. Emerging research also explores applications in neurodevelopmental disorders, gastrointestinal conditions, and dermatology, and as supportive therapy in pediatric oncology. However, variability in product quality, limited pediatric-specific trials, potential toxicity, and regulatory inconsistencies remain significant challenges. The integration of phytotherapy into pediatric care therefore requires rigorous study design, careful safety monitoring, and clear quality standards to ensure an evidence-based risk–benefit balance. Full article

This work reports, for the first time, the use of agave bagasse from “Tequila Weber Var” as an efficient and eco-friendly template for the microwave-assisted solvothermal synthesis of C@TiO₂ photoelectrodes. The characterization of the C@TiO₂ materials was performed using composition and elemental analysis, diffuse reflectance/UV-visible spectroscopy, N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction patterns, cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, and variations of the open-circuit potential in a conventional electrochemical cell. Three 1:1, 4:1, and 8:1 agave:Ti volume ratios were used to explore the influence of carbon content upon the optical and photoelectric properties of TiO₂. The composite with a 1:1 ratio showed a charge transfer kinetic capacity of 0.86 C·cm⁻²·s⁻¹ with the highest current density flow of 2.2 mA·cm⁻², and the lowest optical band gap (E_bg) value of 2.92 eV, boosting the optoelectronic behavior of TiO₂. The photoanode composed of FTO/C@TiO₂ with the hybrid material with a 1:1 ratio was preliminarily evaluated in a photovoltaic solar cell, showing a light-to-electricity conversion efficiency higher than the other two composites and up to 12.5 times higher than the photoanode only composed of neat TiO₂. The present results contribute to the state-of-the-art of eco-friendly organic–inorganic thin film photoelectrodes for the sustainable synthesis of third-generation solar cells using bagasse-derived waste as an efficient carbon source for the synthesis of hybrid photoactive semiconductors. Full article

Urban experiments are increasingly embraced for their potential to transform incumbent socio-technical systems by offering multifaceted, ‘high-quality’ learning. The early literature on sustainability transitions painted an optimistic picture of the impact of experiments, prescribing their role in managing transitions. More recently, scholars have elaborated on the different purposes and functions of experiments; however, they generally stress that, as of yet, there is scarce evidence for their effectiveness concerning transformation in practice. This paper develops a tool for more effective follow-ups after an experiment in practice, by anticipating contextual constraints on upscaling innovations. The tool has been developed through a design science research method by first doing action research on sustainable mobility innovations in four European cities and subsequently testing the prototype of the tool in five other places. Our findings suggest that this new tool improves conditions for wider implementation of the innovation being experimented with, and associated transformation. This is one key starting point for increasing the impact of experiments and accelerating urban sustainability transformation. Full article

Disseminated human Lyme borreliosis is primarily associated with invasive spirochetes from the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex. Host–Borrelia interactions have been studied in a diverse range of vertebrate reservoirs. But despite the key role of the complement system in innate immunity, comparative studies evaluating the susceptibility of individual Borrelia species to human complement-mediated killing are limited. Using serum sensitivity assays, we analyzed complement-mediated killing of 10 B. burgdorferi s.l. genospecies in healthy individuals of different ages and sexes. The tested genospecies showed markedly different sensitivities to human complement. Statistical clustering divided the genospecies into three distinct groups based on whether their sensitivity to human complement was high, medium, or low. Complement resistance did not correlate with the recognized pathogenicity of the genospecies; species with unclear pathogenic potential exhibited resistance levels comparable to the major species causing human Lyme borreliosis, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. afzelii and B. garinii. Females generally showed reduced complement-mediated killing compared to males. In addition, complement activity tended to decline with age, identifying host age and biological sex as important factors influencing the human innate immune response against Borrelia. Our findings suggest that the ability to evade human complement may be more widespread among Borrelia species than previously assumed. These results support an emerging model in which complement-mediated selection may shape host associations and transmission success without serving as an absolute predictor of Borrelia virulence. Full article

Developing effective adaptation and mitigation strategies depends on climate predictions capable of representing future conditions across multiple temporal scales. Decadal climate predictions bridge seasonal forecasting and long-term climate projections, providing near-term climate information for decision-making and adaptation planning at multi-year timescales. This study assesses the predictive skill of CMIP6 decadal precipitation forecasts from the Decadal Climate Prediction Project for three strategic catchments in state of Ceará, in the Brazilian semi-arid region. Forecast skill was assessed using deterministic and probabilistic metrics for three averaging horizons corresponding to years 1, 1–5, and 1–10 after initialization. Systematic biases were assessed and corrected. The results indicate that predictive skill varies across forecast systems, averaging horizons, and catchments. While skill was generally lower for the 1–5-year averaging horizon, several forecast systems showed positive skill relative to climatology for the 1-year and the 1–10-year averaging horizons, especially for below-normal and above-normal precipitation categories. Although bias correction reduced effectively systematic errors, it did not consistently improve forecast skill. These findings suggest potentially useful predictive skill at decadal timescales and highlight the potential of decadal climate information to provide complementary information for near-term water resources planning and drought preparedness in the Brazilian semi-arid region. Full article

 The present research provides the results of an experimental study of diffusion-welded joints between Cu–Nb microcomposite conductors designed for potential application in electrical connections for magnetic systems. The joints were produced in the solid state using uniaxial diffusion bonding and glow-discharge diffusion welding with metal foil interlayers, which made it possible to avoid remelting the Cu–Nb conductor and limit the degradation of its filamentary microstructure. The effect of the interlayer materials on the microstructure, as well as on the mechanical and electrical properties of the joints, was evaluated. Among the configurations studied, the Cu–Ti–Cu interlayer provided the best combination of properties, with a tensile strength of 400 MPa, a yield strength of 220 MPa, an elongation of 2.5%, and an electrical conductivity of 51.6% IACS. Compared to the initial conductivity of the conductor (65.1% IACS), this corresponds to a reduction in conductivity of approximately 20.7%. The results demonstrate a clear trade-off between mechanical and electrical characteristics when using interlayers containing titanium. Thus, diffusion bonding using a glow discharge and foil interlayers is considered a promising approach for Cu–Nb conductor joints that are not directly exposed to the maximum magnetic and tensile forces generated in high-power solenoids.  Full article

A formal development of the HypoEquilibrium (HE) state concept within the Steepest-Entropy-Ascent Quantum Thermodynamics (SEAQT) framework is presented, emphasizing its rigorous mathematical formulation. Using a general decomposition of the Hilbert space, HE states are defined in operator language and the reduced evolution of the associated intensive parameters for the regime where the dissipative dynamics commutes with the Hamiltonian is derived. It is proved that the M-th-order HE family (where M is the number of spectral sectors) constitutes an invariant manifold under the SEAQT equation of motion, ensuring that states initially representing a “mixture of canonicals” maintain this structure throughout their evolution. Furthermore, a formal connection is established between the HE ansatz and the rate-controlled constrained equilibrium (RCCE) method, identifying HE variables as constraint potentials. Finally, the model is extended to Non-Hamiltonian SEAQT (NH-SEAQT) interactions to describe thermodynamically consistent energy and entropy exchanges between subsystems and heat baths. This work provides the formal foundation for reduced-order modeling of far-from-equilibrium relaxation and transport processes, and supports a methodology previously applied across various physical and chemical systems. Full article

Chemical contamination of milk represents a relevant food safety concern, particularly in countries where systematic monitoring programs are still limited. In Algeria, information on human exposure to aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contamination remains fragmented or lacking. This study assessed the occurrence of AFM₁ and 17 PFAS in cow and goat milk and explored farm-level management practices potentially influencing contamination. Bulk-tank milk samples were collected from 26 dairy cattle and 11 dairy goat farms. Farm characteristics, including feeding strategies, water sources, grazing practices, and herd size, were recorded using structured questionnaires to characterize farm-level practices and explore their potential association with contamination patterns. AFM₁ was detected in all samples. In cow milk, 96.1% exceeded the EU limit (0.05 µg/kg), with concentrations ranging from 0.048 to 0.410 µg/kg (mean: 0.102 µg/kg), although none exceeded the Codex Alimentarius limit (0.50 µg/kg). Goat milk showed a lower prevalence of samples above the EU limit (36.4%), but higher concentrations were observed (range 0.030–0.578 µg/kg; mean 0.193 µg/kg), with two samples (18.2%) exceeding the Codex limit. PFAS contamination was generally low: 73.0% of cow and 64.0% of goat samples were below detection limits, with only PFBS (cow milk) and PFDA (goat milk) quantified above LOQ. Because of the limited number of farms and the single sampling period, no robust associations could be established between farm-level variables and contaminant concentrations. This preliminary study provides an exploratory overview of AFM₁ and PFAS occurrence in bovine and goat bulk milk from the sampled Algerian farms. These findings reveal widespread AFM₁ contamination within the investigated farms, consistent with possible feed-borne AFB₁ exposure, whereas PFAS occurrence appeared sporadic and generally low. Full article

This study examines the applicability of Plasma Transferred Arc (PTA) surface treatment as an advanced technique for the refurbishment of railway wheel treads. Conventional wheel reprofiling, typically performed on semi-automatic lathes, requires the removal of a minimum of 6 mm of material from the running surface, which accelerates rim thinning and ultimately necessitates wheel replacement. Moreover, the reprofiled surfaces are not subjected to any subsequent treatment aimed at enhancing their durability. To overcome these limitations, PTA cladding was selected due to its ability to generate surface layers with superior mechanical and tribological properties. In contrast to widely used diode laser technologies, PTA enables the deposition of alloying materials in powder form, ensuring a stable, controllable, and efficient cladding process. The resulting microstructure consists of a heat-affected zone, a transition zone, and a re-melted zone, each exhibiting significantly increased hardness relative to the untreated base material. The process facilitates the incorporation of metallic particles into the surface layer, promoting the formation of a dense, wear-resistant coating. These materials possess huge potential utility regarding the wear resistance reaching even ca 10% of the base material wear in the case of 505 PTA and over 20% in the case of the 15 E material. The findings indicate that PTA surface treatment has substantial potential to extend the operational lifespan of railway wheels by providing a highly durable and mechanically robust surface, thereby reducing maintenance frequency and the associated costs. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to improve the biological profile of oleanolic acid (OA) through structural modification at the C-17 carboxyl group and the C-3 hydroxyl group, with a focus on the design of short-chain alkyl esters and 3-O-furoyl hybrids. Methods: Two series of OA derivatives were synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic methods, including ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and MS. In silico structure–activity relationship (SAR) analysis, ADMETox profiling, and molecular docking to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase domain were performed as predictive and hypothesis-generating tools. Anticancer activity was evaluated in vitro using the MTT assay against human cancer cell lines, including HeLa, MCF-7, A-549, SKBR-3, PC-3 and SKOV-3, as well as non-malignant human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). Antioxidant properties were assessed using cell-free CUPRAC and DPPH assays. Results: The C-17 esterification markedly enhanced cytotoxic potency compared to the parent OA, while the introduction of the 3-O-furoyl moiety further improved antiproliferative activity in several derivatives. Selected compounds showed low-micromolar IC₅₀ values and moderate selectivity toward cancer cells. Molecular docking suggested favorable accommodation of selected derivatives within the EGFR ATP-binding pocket, mainly through hydrophobic and π-related interactions; however, these results do not confirm direct EGFR binding and require experimental validation. The CUPRAC and DPPH assays provided preliminary insight into chemical redox behavior but should not be directly extrapolated to intracellular antioxidant or pro-oxidant activity. Predicted ADMETox profiles indicated moderate permeability and relatively low predicted risk for selected toxicity endpoints, while also highlighting high lipophilicity, poor aqueous solubility and potential metabolic liabilities. Conclusions: Overall, the results identify several OA derivatives as promising anticancer lead compounds for further optimization and mechanistic investigation. Full article

Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites are increasingly required to process and securely stream video data for remote sensing, surveillance, and onboard perception applications. However, the strict constraints of onboard computing capability, power budget, and thermal dissipation make conventional encryption schemes difficult to apply to real-time video streaming tasks. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a low-complexity real-time video encryption algorithm for resource-constrained LEO satellites. The proposed method integrates selective encryption with a lightweight permutation–diffusion mechanism to reduce computational overhead while maintaining effective protection of continuous video streams. To enhance security, a chaotic pseudo-random sequence generator is employed to improve encryption randomness, and a dynamic key scheduling strategy is introduced to increase temporal key variability and strengthen resistance to statistical and differential attacks across successive frames. The algorithm is further designed for efficient deployment on embedded onboard platforms with limited hardware resources. Experimental results show that the proposed method achieves favorable performance in encryption speed, computational complexity, information entropy, adjacent pixel correlation, and differential attack resistance. Compared with conventional full-encryption methods, the proposed algorithm offers a more balanced trade-off between security and real-time efficiency, demonstrating its potential for secure video streaming in resource-constrained LEO satellite systems. Full article

Groundwater-potential assessment in karst aquifers is complicated by pronounced spatial heterogeneity driven by structural permeability, lithological variability, recharge redistribution, and unresolved subsurface conduit connectivity. Although machine-learning approaches have improved regional groundwater mapping, most existing models provide only deterministic predictions and offer limited information on predictive uncertainty and hydrogeological reliability. To address this limitation, we propose CT-TreeFlow. This probabilistic groundwater assessment framework goes beyond conventional machine-learning models by explicitly learning the full conditional probability distribution of groundwater favourability rather than a single deterministic estimate. The framework integrates sparse probabilistic environmental routing, conditional density estimation, hydrogeologically constrained pseudo-absence generation, geographically structured spatial validation, and explainability-driven interpretation within a unified modelling architecture, enabling simultaneous groundwater prediction, uncertainty quantification, and hydrogeological interpretation. The framework was applied to the Zagros karst system in Khuzestan Province, Iran, using remote-sensing-derived environmental predictors, Copernicus DEM-based morphometric variables, geological–structural datasets, and hydroclimatic indicators. Performance was evaluated against LightGBM and XGBoost using GroupKFold spatial cross-validation. CT-TreeFlow achieved a mean RMSE of 2.737 and a mean R² of 0.852, while also providing spatially explicit uncertainty estimates and probabilistic prediction intervals. Explainability analyses identified fracture density, lithology, drainage organisation, and terrain-controlled recharge conditions as the dominant controls on groundwater favourability. Predicted high-favourability zones showed strong spatial correspondence with major carbonate formations and independent spring–cave inventories, supporting the hydrogeological plausibility of the mapped patterns. These results demonstrate that probabilistic modelling can provide more reliable and physically interpretable groundwater assessments than deterministic approaches in structurally complex karst environments. CT-TreeFlow offers a transferable framework for uncertainty-aware groundwater exploration and regional hydrogeological decision support in heterogeneous aquifer systems. Full article

The identification of microRNAs (miRNAs) has resulted in significant advancements in research, particularly regarding their utilization as diagnostic and therapeutic targets. This has generated enthusiasm for exploring the potential of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in treating cancer and other diseases, with miRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) showing particular promise. Over the past twelve years, there has been significant research into RNA-based treatments. Antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNAs are the most commonly used. Certain products have received Federal and Drug Administration approval. Notably, the findings from clinical trials have been inconsistent, with certain investigations indicating notable effectiveness and others reporting only minimal efficacy or safety concerns. Consequently, clinical trials are currently underway to evaluate the efficacy of novel treatment options, including antimiRNAs, in addressing these challenges. There is an increasing interest in the use of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-based therapies. The potential for drugs developed using this technology is significant. Significant advancements in preclinical and clinical trials have emerged, indicating promising potential for future developments. MiRNAs are playing an increasingly important role in the diagnosis and prediction of acute coronary syndrome manifestations. Its utilization, whether as a comprehensive approach or in conjunction with existing biomarkers, may be implemented in the foreseeable future, especially in instances of uncertainty regarding diagnosis. The primary objective of this review is to deliver a thorough and detailed assessment of recent progress in the field of microRNA detection and characterization. A key focus of this assessment will be on their clinical translation. Secondly, an exploration of the prevailing knowledge in the field of RNA therapies as potential targets for diagnosis and treatment in the cardiovascular system will be conducted. The most recent challenges and perspectives on the road to clinical application are presented herein. The aim of the present seminar is to furnish a thorough report on the recent advancements in the detection and characterization of miRNAs and lncRNAs, with specific emphasis on their clinical translation. In summary, the paper herein presents an exploration of the most recent challenges and perspectives on the road to clinical application. Full article

The global expansion of K-pop has increased demand for AI-driven choreography learning. However, existing motion recognition models often struggle to capture fine-grained rhythm patterns and dynamic motion transitions across consecutive frames, limiting their ability to provide accurate and objective feedback. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a Large Language Model-based Dance Generative Control (L-DGC), an integrated framework for controllable dance generation and evaluation. The framework comprises four stages: a Visual Analysis Phase (VAP) for skeletal extraction; an Audio Analysis Phase (AAP) for rhythmic synchronization; a Multimodal Data Phase (MDP), which employs Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Transformer architectures to evaluate movement accuracy; and a three-dimensional (3D) Transformation Phase (3TP), which converts two-dimensional (2D) skeletal data into 3D character animations within the Unity engine. Guided by an LLM, the framework performs real-time inference and iterative refinement to optimize choreographic data without requiring subjective expert assessment. By quantifying choreographic components and transforming 2D motion data into 3D representations, L-DGC provides an objective evaluation framework for dance learning. The proposed system has significant potential for artificial intelligence (AI)-based dance education, real-time feedback applications, and automated audition platforms in the entertainment industry. Full article

Polar-orbiting microwave radiometers provide indispensable all-weather measurements of the atmospheric state, yet revisit intervals of many hours leave critical gaps during rapidly evolving weather events. To address this limitation, we developed MIDAS (Microwave Inference via Diffusion Across Satellites), a probabilistic framework that estimates microwave brightness temperature (BT) fields across the geostationary full-disk domain from infrared observations at 10 min intervals. This study focuses on the five Microwave Humidity Sounder-2 (MWHS-2) humidity-sounding channels near 183 GHz, which provide vertically resolved water vapor information. MIDAS achieves relative errors below 0.5% for the majority of cases, with a channel-averaged mean absolute error of 1.15 K, outperforming a deterministic U-Net baseline (1.43 K). Beyond per-sample evaluation, MIDAS reproduces large-scale climatological patterns across the full-disk domain over a three-month summer period, consistent with Radiative Transfer for TOVS–Scattering (RTTOV-SCATT) simulations. In deep convective scenes where reconstruction is most difficult, the ensemble spread naturally tracks reconstruction difficulty, providing a built-in indicator of prediction confidence. Notably, MIDAS incorporates real-time polar-orbiting observations as physical constraints via a merge-sampling mechanism, reducing ensemble RMSE by over 20% and improving probabilistic calibration by more than 30%. Proof-of-concept assimilation experiments for two high-impact weather cases show that MIDAS-generated fields yield forecast improvements comparable to those from real satellite observations, reducing tropical cyclone track errors from approximately 110 km to 40 km and improving heavy precipitation forecasts at extreme rainfall thresholds where direct infrared assimilation shows no benefit. Overall, our framework demonstrates the potential of generative models to supplement sparse observational coverage and provide physically plausible microwave humidity fields for downstream applications. Full article