Search Results (33,805)

This study examines the perceived competitiveness of information technology companies in Kazakhstan from a governance and innovation-ecosystem perspective. In emerging digital economies, firm competitiveness depends not only on technological capabilities, but also on the state’s ability to coordinate fragmented actors, support human capital development, improve innovation infrastructure, and create functional mechanisms for cooperation between business, government, universities, and research institutions. Using a mixed-methods design, the study combines survey data from 200 respondents across all 20 regions of Kazakhstan with 26 semi-structured expert interviews. All constructs are perception-based: the study assesses how sectoral stakeholders evaluate the determinants of competitiveness and does not measure firm performance. The results show that stakeholders perceive IT-company competitiveness as a systemic outcome shaped by human capital, technological competencies, innovation infrastructure, government support, business–science interaction, and clusterization. Human capital, innovation infrastructure, technological competencies, and clusterization-related mechanisms received the strongest evaluations. Correlation analysis further indicates that competitiveness factors are positively interconnected, supporting an ecosystem-based interpretation rather than a firm-centered explanation. The findings also reveal persistent constraints, including talent shortages, weak investment depth, regulatory instability, technological dependence, and insufficient coordination among ecosystem actors. The study contributes to administrative and strategic management research by showing that stakeholders regard clusterization as a governance mechanism for strengthening state capacity, public–private–academic coordination, and digital-sector development in an institutionally uneven emerging economy. Full article

Under climate change, the demand for high-quality urban ecological security is rising. This study focuses on how rapid urbanization and climate change affect ecological risk, resilience, and land use functions (LUFs) spatial co-variation in the Pearl River Delta. Land use was simulated under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) using system dynamics (SD) and the interaction network–Patch-generating Land Use Simulation (intPLUS) model. Ecological risk was quantified via the landscape ecological risk index (LERI) and habitat degradation index (HDI), while ecological resilience was obtained using an adaptability–resistance–recovery framework, producing a comprehensive ecological risk–resilience index (CERRI). Ecosystem services were assessed using the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model. Spearman correlation, geographically weighted regression (GWR), constraint lines, and extreme gradient boosting with SHapley Additive exPlanations (XGBoost-SHAP) revealed LUFs patterns, nonlinear relationships and threshold effects, and driving factors. The results indicate that construction land expands mainly at the expense of cropland (~4049–4157 km²) from 2023 to 2035, while woodland and water remain largely stable. CERRI shows a concentric pattern (2023 domain mean = 0.638), with safer peripheral belts and a more risk-dominated central–southern core; under coupling-weight uncertainty with 2023-fixed common-reference normalization, SSP245 was preferred in all Monte Carlo iterations (best-scenario probability = 1.000). EF–LF, EF–PF and LF–PF retain stable nonlinear forms. Elevation, economic vitality and transport accessibility are the leading drivers, with model-derived breakpoints near low-elevation, high-vitality and moderately accessible transport nodes. This study provides the CERRI framework to support ecological security monitoring and adaptive land-use management, contributing to more sustainable regional development under climate change. Full article

Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC), commonly defined as ≥3 symptomatic episodes per year, affects an estimated 138 million women worldwide. This structured narrative review (PubMed/MEDLINE and open-indexed sources, January 2020–July 2026, as well as selected pre-2020 landmark studies) synthesizes epidemiological and metabolic risk factors (including SGLT2-inhibitor-associated susceptibility), host immunogenetic and vaginal microbiome mechanisms, emerging preventive pharmacotherapies, and patient-reported outcomes within a unified clinical framework. RVVC arises from interacting host, microbial, metabolic, behavioral, and iatrogenic domains—diabetes-related hyperglycemia, innate immune polymorphisms (MBL2, TLR2), altered bacterial–fungal vaginal communities, and non-albicans Candida in difficult-to-treat cases. Fluconazole maintenance remains a guideline-supported suppressive option but relapse after discontinuation is common; oteseconazole and ibrexafungerp expand prevention choices, while probiotics show inconsistent, low-certainty benefit. RVVC consistently impairs health-related quality of life, sexual function, and mental health and imposes substantial economic burden; regional data from Southeastern Europe underscore diagnostic and access gaps. We propose a multifactorial host–pathogen–microbiome model that favors individualized, diagnosis-driven management and routine incorporation of validated patient-reported outcomes. Research priorities include harmonized case definitions, head-to-head trials of new agents, validated quality-of-life instruments, longer post-treatment follow-up, and real-world cost-effectiveness evaluations. Implementation research, equitable access strategies, clinician education, and national health policy are essential to translate evidence into improved patient outcomes globally. Full article

Eukaryotic genomes are organized into chromatin, a highly compact structure in which DNA is packaged into nucleosomes. Nucleosome formation, where DNA is wrapped around histone proteins, is essential for genome stability. This compaction protects DNA from damage and regulates accessibility of genes. Nucleosomes must be disassembled and reassembled during DNA replication and repair. These processes require precise regulation of histone folding, transfer, and deposition by a diverse network of histone chaperones. Chromatin assembly factor 1 (CAF-1) is a conserved histone chaperone that specifically deposits newly synthesized histones during replication-coupled and repair-coupled nucleosome assembly. The sliding clamp proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) serves as a regulatory scaffold during these processes by recruiting CAF-1 and many other proteins to sites of DNA replication and repair. Recent structural and biochemical studies have revealed increasingly complex mechanisms underlying PCNA-mediated CAF-1 recruitment, involving multiple protein interaction motifs, DNA-binding domains, and regulatory mechanisms that ensure efficient nucleosome assembly. This review summarizes current advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms by which human and yeast CAF-1 complexes are recruited to sites of DNA synthesis and how CAF-1 function is coordinated with other histone chaperones during replication and repair. These studies have provided important insights into how cells coordinate DNA metabolism with epigenome maintenance to preserve genome integrity. Full article

Accurate semantic segmentation of large-scale outdoor LiDAR point clouds remains a challenging endeavor, primarily due to ambiguous class transitions at object interfaces, non-uniform sampling density across the surveyed area, and shared geometric signatures among distinct object categories. This paper proposes GFE-Net (Geometry-Enhanced Feature Extraction Network), a hierarchical encoder–decoder architecture that systematically improves per-point feature characterization through three complementary design contributions: First, to mitigate the shortcomings of conventional fixed-neighborhood queries in regions of variable point density, a Structure-Guided Neighborhood Adaptation (SGNA) module is devised. At its core lies a morphology-driven contextual gating (MCG) unit that synthesizes neighbor-wise calibration weights from hierarchical shape descriptors fused with elevation difference statistics, allowing the network to preferentially amplify morphologically congruent neighbors while dampening spurious or cross-boundary contributions. Second, to strengthen semantic discrimination beyond what spatial locality alone affords, a Local–Global Interactive Enhancement (LGIE) module is presented. The LGIE module simultaneously distills precise local structure through Euclidean-space neighborhood graphs and captures scene-wide co-activation patterns via compact bilinear factorization of the latent feature space, merging both streams through a residual refinement mechanism that markedly improves inter-class separability. Third, to enforce label consistency at object interfaces without relying on post-processing heuristics, a Neighborhood Prediction Consistency (NPC) loss is introduced. Built upon a Gaussian distance-decay weighting kernel, the NPC loss assigns progressively stronger penalties to label mismatches between a query point and its geometrically proximate neighbors, thereby promoting spatially coherent predictions and attenuating boundary noise. GFE-Net is rigorously benchmarked on two widely adopted large-scale datasets—S3DIS and SensatUrban—yielding OA/mIoU of 89.6%/73.1% and 93.3%/61.1%, respectively. These results demonstrate competitive performance under the reported protocols. Detailed ablation studies and computational profiling further substantiate the efficacy of each individual component. Full article

Background: Maternal nutritional status before pregnancy may influence offspring long-term health; however, the association between pre-pregnancy dietary patterns and body composition in preschool children remains unclear. Methods: This study used data from the Taicang and Wuqiang Mother–Child Cohort Study (TAWS), comprising 582 mother–child pairs. Dietary intake during the month before pregnancy was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were derived via principal component analysis. Standardized pattern scores (mean = 0, SD = 1) were analyzed as continuous variables (per 1-SD increase) and categorized into quartiles (Q1–Q4, with Q1 as reference). Body composition indicators (percent body fat [PBF], fat mass index [FMI], fat-free mass index [FFMI], and skeletal muscle index [SMI]) were measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis in children aged 3–6 years. Multiple linear regression was used to examine associations under two models: an unadjusted model and a multivariable model adjusted for child characteristics, maternal sociodemographic and gestational factors, family factors, feeding mode, and other dietary patterns. Interaction terms were introduced to test for potential effect modification by child sex and maternal pre-pregnancy BMI. Results: Results showed that five maternal pre-pregnancy dietary patterns were extracted: animal-based food, grain-vegetable-fruit, processed meat-dairy, vegetable-legume, and cured vegetable. In multivariable-adjusted models, the processed meat-dairy pattern was positively associated with FMI (Q4 vs. Q1: β = 0.262, 95% CI: 0.036 to 0.488). The grain-vegetable-fruit pattern was inversely associated with FFMI (Q4: β = −0.265, 95% CI: −0.510 to −0.020) and SMI (Q4: β = −0.256, 95% CI: −0.564 to −0.113). The vegetable-legume pattern was associated with higher PBF (Q3: β = 0.234, 95% CI: 0.007 to 0.461) and lower SMI (Q4: β = −0.338, 95% CI: −0.564 to −0.113). No significant associations were observed for the animal-based food or cured vegetable pattern after adjustment. Sex-stratified analyses showed that the animal-based food pattern was associated with FFMI and SMI in opposite directions between boys and girls (p for interaction = 0.048 and 0.013, respectively). Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI significantly modified only the association between the processed meat–dairy pattern and SMI (p for interaction = 0.032). Conclusions: Maternal pre-pregnancy dietary patterns were selectively associated with body composition in preschool children: the processed meat–dairy pattern was associated with higher fat mass, while the grain-vegetable-fruit and vegetable-legume patterns were associated with lower muscle indices. These associations are observational in nature and do not imply causality. In particular, the associations of plant-based dietary patterns with muscle indices should be interpreted with caution and should not be regarded as negative effects of plant-based diets. Full article

In Arabidopsis thaliana, the physiological functions and regulatory network of the transcription factor bZIP68 remain poorly understood. To investigate its potential functions and regulome, we integrated multiple publicly available omics datasets, including protein–protein interaction and co-expression networks, transcriptomic data from bzip68 mutants, bZIP68 ChIP-seq data, and ChIP-seq/DAP-seq and transcriptomic datasets for candidate regulatory factors. These integrated analyses suggested that bZIP68 is involved in floral morphology, flowering regulation, and responses to abiotic stress. Notably, SWI3D, MINU2, and CAMTA1 were identified as highly probable components of the bZIP68 core regulome. Subsequent transcriptomic network analysis revealed their putative signaling cascades. To validate the predicted role of bZIP68 in flowering regulation, we analyzed five independent homozygous EMS mutant (HEM) lines. All five mutant lines exhibited altered flowering phenotypes compared to the wild type. In conclusion, this study establishes an integrative framework for identifying the bZIP68 regulatory network and uncovers its novel physiological role in modulating flowering. Full article

Understanding cow-level factors associated with enteric methane (CH₄) is important for precision-based methane mitigation in dairy systems. This study evaluated associations between laser methane detector (LMD)-based CH₄ concentration, relative CH₄ concentration-based indices, biochemical markers, sensor-derived variables, and milk traits in clinically healthy Holstein cows, with an emphasis on parity. Ninety-one cows within 100 days in milk (DIM) were examined: 46 primiparous and 45 multiparous cows. Methane concentration was measured using a portable LMD. Data were evaluated using parity comparisons, principal component analysis (PCA), DIM-adjusted multiple linear regression with parity interaction terms, and DIM-adjusted partial correlation analyses with Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) correction. Mean CH₄ concentration did not differ between primiparous and multiparous cows (370.83 vs. 361.16 ppm; p = 0.765), despite higher estimated group-level dry matter intake (DMI; +11.2%) and milk yield (+23.1%) in multiparous cows. The milk-yield-adjusted CH₄ concentration index was higher in primiparous cows (11.26 vs. 8.91 ppm CH₄/kg milk; p = 0.022). In the primary PCA-based regression model, the energy metabolism/lipid mobilisation component showed a positive but non-significant association with CH₄ concentration (p = 0.077), while the overall model’s explanatory capacity was limited (R² = 0.105; adjusted R² = 0.018). Exploratory DIM-adjusted subgroup analyses identified associations involving non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), triglycerides, serum iron, and milk lactose that remained significant after FDR correction. However, formal predictor × parity interaction analyses did not confirm effect modification by parity. These findings suggest that LMD-based CH₄ concentration is best interpreted within a broader metabolic, behavioural, and production context and warrants validation in larger longitudinal studies. Full article

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is a globally significant horticultural crop whose fruit quality and postharvest shelf life are profoundly influenced by oxidative stress. Abscisic acid (ABA)-responsive element binding factors (ABFs), which represent the Group A subfamily of the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor family, serve as pivotal components in the ABA signaling pathway. These factors play essential roles in regulating plant responses to abiotic stress as well as fruit development and maturation processes. In this study, a total of nine CmABF gene family members (CmABF1–CmABF9) were successfully identified within the melon genome using genome-wide identification techniques. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that all CmABF proteins contain a conserved bZIP domain. Physicochemical property analysis revealed that most of these proteins are unstable hydrophilic proteins and all are localized to the cell nucleus. Phylogenetic analysis categorized the CmABF family into three distinct evolutionary branches (Groups A, B, and C), exhibiting high conservation with homologous genes in Arabidopsis thaliana, Solanum tuberosum, and other species. Promoter analysis demonstrated that CmABF genes are rich in hormone-responsive elements (such as abscisic acid-responsive element (ABRE) and gibberellin-responsive element (GARE)) and stress-responsive elements (such as MYB binding sites (MBS) and anaerobic-response element (ARE)). To investigate their responses to oxidative stress and ABA signaling, we analyzed the expression patterns of these genes in melon fruit at 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days of postharvest storage under ozone (O₃, an oxidative stressor), exogenous abscisic acid (ABA), and the ABA synthesis inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) using RNA-seq and qRT-PCR. The results showed that ozone treatment significantly induced the up-regulation of CmABF9 while inhibiting the early expression of CmABF2 and CmABF4. ABA treatment generally promoted the transcription of family members during the late stages of storage (35 d). NDGA treatment suppressed the expression of CmABF2 and CmABF4 during the early storage stage (7 d), while markedly increasing their expression levels at later storage stages (28 d and 35 d), suggesting a compensatory feedback response under endogenous ABA deficiency. Furthermore, protein–protein interaction predictions indicated potential close interactions between CmABF proteins and SnRK2 protein kinases. This study provides a theoretical basis for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of the CmABF family in regulating postharvest oxidative stress in melon and provides candidate gene resources for molecular breeding aimed at enhancing resistance and extending the shelf life of melon fruit. Full article

Natural fiber-reinforced geopolymer and alkali-activated composites have emerged as promising alternatives for reducing the environmental impact of cement-based materials; however, their long-term durability remains insufficiently understood. This systematic review evaluates the durability behaviour of natural fiber-reinforced geopolymer and alkali-activated composites based on 42 studies published between 2017 and 2025, identified from 356 records retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science following the PRISMA methodology. The literature analysis reveals a significant increase in research activity in recent years, with 12 studies published in 2025 alone, indicating a growing transition from mechanical-performance evaluation toward durability-oriented design. The reviewed studies investigated multiple degradation environments, including moisture cycling, freeze–thaw exposure, chemical attack, carbonation, and thermal ageing. Across the evidence base, durability performance was mainly governed by the interaction among binder chemistry, pore structure, curing conditions, fiber characteristics, surface treatments, and exposure severity. Notably, the intrinsic surface properties of different natural fibers, including hydrophilic character, surface chemistry, and surface roughness, were found to strongly influence moisture absorption, fiber–matrix adhesion, and susceptibility to alkaline degradation, thereby contributing to distinct durability outcomes among fiber types. Fiber modification strategies and optimized matrix designs were frequently associated with improved interfacial stability and mechanical retention after ageing, whereas excessive fiber contents and poorly controlled moisture transport were recurrent factors contributing to degradation. Despite these advances, the review identified significant methodological limitations, particularly the lack of standardized durability protocols and long-term exposure assessments. Future research should prioritize harmonized testing approaches and integrated durability-based design frameworks to enable reliable prediction of service performance in natural fiber-reinforced alkali-activated composites. Full article

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is an essential sliding clamp that coordinates nearly all DNA-templated processes. It does so by recruiting a diverse array of factors to DNA through PCNA-interacting protein (PIP) motifs on PCNA-binding proteins. Chromatin assembly factor 1 (CAF-1) is a histone chaperone that deposits histones onto silent regions of the genome immediately following DNA replication. PCNA recruitment of CAF-1 to the replication fork is essential for nucleosome assembly and epigenetic inheritance. In yeast, CAF-1 recruitment to PCNA is assumed to be facilitated using one PIP motif. Here, we identify a second PIP motif in CAF-1, designated PIP1, located within the N-terminal intrinsically disordered region of the protein. Binding kinetics demonstrate that the PIP1 motif sequence binds PCNA with substantially lower affinity than the previously characterized PIP motif, designated PIP2. Structural and binding data reveal PIP1 as an extended PIP motif, in which C-terminal flanking residues make extensive, atypical contacts with PCNA that significantly increase its affinity. Neither PIP1 nor PIP2 alone is required for CAF-1–mediated gene silencing in vivo, but simultaneous disruption of both abolishes CAF-1 function. Together, these findings suggest CAF-1 engages PCNA multivalently and provide new insight into how PCNA selectively recognizes binding partners during nucleosome assembly. Full article

As energy systems transition toward low-carbon configurations, strategic energy investments are increasingly important for decarbonization, energy security and system resilience. Evaluating these investments has become complex because their expected outcomes depend on technical performance, anticipated returns, uncertainty, competition, and policy design. This review covers recent advances in literature employing mathematical modelling approaches and optimization frameworks to evaluate and quantify strategic energy investments. In particular, it considers stochastic, robust, bilevel and equilibrium-based approaches used to represent uncertainty, strategic interactions and market responses in investment planning. While previous reviews largely examine investment valuation, system planning, uncertainty and strategic market modeling separately, the present review examines how long-term investment decisions interact with electricity-market operation, strategic competition and sustainability policies. The findings show that these interactions can affect investment profitability and technology choices, while operational flexibility and risk exposure further influence long-term investment value. The review therefore provides a structured synthesis of how technical, market and policy factors are incorporated into optimization models for strategic energy investment decisions. It also identifies limitations in current modeling approaches and highlights the need for more realistic, scalable and policy-relevant models. Full article

Previous studies suggest that educator–infant interactions during mealtime have significant potential to promote early language learning. As most of this research has focused on Western contexts, little is known about whether and how educators’ interactions with infants during mealtime in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings vary across cultures. To address this knowledge gap, using a multi-case study approach, we compared the natural mealtime interactions of 12 educators with infants in ECEC settings in Australia and China, with six educators participating in each country. Drawing on systemic functional linguistic (SFL) theory and multimodal discourse analysis (MDA), this study examined (1) the situational context of the mealtime practices (each meal’s duration, educators’ movement and whether they modelled eating behaviours, and infants’ eating behaviours); (2) educators’ infant-addressed language and gesture use; and (3) infants’ use of vocalisation and gesture. The analysis revealed several differences: (1) the Australian educators sat with the infants, while the Chinese educators moved around the tables and served the infants; (2) the Australian educators’ talk included a higher percentage of mental processes, statements, and gestures, while the Chinese educators used more material processes and commands in their speech and fewer gestures; and (3) the Australian infants vocalised more and used more gestures. Adopting a systemic functional and multimodal discourse analysis (SF MDA) approach enabled us to relate such differences to both the situational and broader cultural context of educator–infant interactions. This study thus contributes to a richer, more nuanced understanding of the factors that shape educator–infant interactions and the potential of mealtime in ECEC settings to provide infants with opportunities for language learning across cultures. Full article

Background/Objectives: Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), diagnosed before age 50 years, is increasing in many countries, but its causes remain uncertain. Evidence on potentially modifiable determinants is heterogeneous and vulnerable to retrospective assessment and residual confounding. We synthesized metabolic, behavioral, dietary, medication-related, clinical, and socioeconomic factors, emphasizing consistency and life-course relevance. Methods: Two core PubMed searches covering publications from 1 January 2010 through 1 June 2026 were supplemented by targeted PubMed searches and reference-list screening. The present review cited 75 journal publications and synthesized the findings qualitatively; no formal risk-of-bias assessment, certainty-of-evidence grading, or de novo quantitative pooling was performed. Results: Evidence was most consistent for excess adiposity and cardiometabolic dysfunction, with earlier and persistent exposure and cardiometabolic clustering potentially more relevant. Inflammatory bowel disease emerged as a clinically distinct high-risk condition. Sedentary behavior, smoking, and higher alcohol consumption showed recurrent but heterogeneous associations. Dietary findings varied by pattern and component: sugar-sweetened beverages and lower-quality dietary patterns showed positive associations, whereas fiber- and plant-rich diets, calcium, folate, and vitamin D showed possible inverse associations. Dietary evidence was largely retrospective and does not establish causality. Evidence for aspirin and antibiotics was limited and vulnerable to confounding, precluding causal inference. Most patterns resembled later-onset CRC. Conclusions: Current evidence does not support a wholly distinct set of environmental determinants for EOCRC. Earlier exposure, longer duration, and cumulative interaction of CRC risk factors are plausible explanations but remain incompletely tested. Evidence supports life-course primary prevention, but no single factor should determine screening eligibility in isolation. Prospective studies with repeated exposure measurement are needed. Full article

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), a primary exacerbating factor in eczema, remains a prevalent pathogenic public-health threat. The mechanism of mast cell/basophil degranulation in the context of S. aureus-exacerbated eczema remains unclear. We sought to investigate the direct effect of mast cell/basophil activation by S. aureus isolated from patients with severe eczema undergoing topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) and understand the mechanism of berberine (BBR) in inhibiting this activation. Clinical S. aureus strains (N = 8) were isolated from skin swabs of severe eczema patients and confirmed by sequencing. Human basophils (KU812), rat basophils (RBL-2H3) and murine mast cells (MC/9) were pre-treated with BBR for 48 h. and stimulated with heat-killed standard S. aureus- and clinical strains for 45 min, and degranulation was measured. BBR’s molecular-targets on basophils were identified by computational modeling and validated by qRT-PCR. BBR prevented degranulation following standard S. aureus stimulation in KU812, RBL-2H3 and MC/9 cells. BBR dose-dependently inhibited degranulation in KU812. BBR inhibited TNF-α and IL-4 release, and markedly suppressed the expression of FcεR1 (α, β, γ), TNFα, MAPK1, MAPK3, AKT2, CASP9, and CCND1 following standard S. aureus stimulation. BBR dose-dependently inhibited KU812 cell degranulation, markedly reduced TNF-α, IL-4, and MAPK1 and enhanced NFκB1A expression following clinical S. aureus strain stimulation. BBR inhibition of S. aureus-induced KU812 activation was at least associated with inhibition of MAPK-associated gene expression. This study provides novel insights into BBR’s effect in preventing S. aureus and human basophil interaction. Full article