Search Results (66,814)

N-acylmalonamic acid derivatives are important structural fragments of a wide range of biologically active compounds. The advantage of this chemical system is its one-step formation using bis(4-hydroxy-6H-1,3-oxazine-6-ones) and oxygen-containing nucleophiles. The aim of this study was to develop a method of the synthesis and subsequent in silico screening of the antiviral activity of a novel N-acylmalonamic acid ester. The target compound was obtained by treating 2,2′-(benzene-1,4-diyl)bis(4-hydroxy-5-phenyl-6H-1,3-oxazine-6-one) with methanol under reflux for 5 h. The structure of the synthesized product was unambiguously proved by NMR spectroscopy on ¹H and ¹³C nuclei. The prediction of biological activity was performed using the online platforms GUSAR, PASS, and AntiCOVID; molecular docking was carried out in the SwissDock software package with a focus on interaction with the main protease of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The yield of the target ester was 79%. The results of the in silico analysis indicate that the compound has the potential to exhibit antiviral activity against influenza A virus and SARS-CoV-2. Quantitative assessment of the binding affinity of the molecule toward the SARS-CoV-2 protease demonstrated that the synthesized product is only slightly inferior to the reference drug. Thus, in the course of the work, a new ester of N-acylmalonamic acid was successfully obtained with a high yield. Its structure was reliably proven by a spectral method. The data of computer screening allow the synthesized compound to be considered as a promising candidate for further development as an antiviral agent. Full article

Nitrogen-doped carbon dots (CDs), synthesized by microwave-assisted carbonization of citric acid and urea, were integrated with polyaniline (PANI) through scalable ball milling. CSA-doped and undoped composites were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy in solution and solid films. CD incorporation produced broad visible absorption features that could not be explained by simple spectral superposition, suggesting electronic interactions at the PANI–CD interface and modification of the polymer’s electronic properties. CDs also improved PANI dispersibility and processability. Although further characterization is required, these preliminary results identify CDs as promising functional components for room-temperature, conducting polymer-based chemiresistive gas-sensing platforms. Full article

Carveol, a terpenoid alcohol, was selected as a platform molecule for the development of high-performance bio-based epoxy thermosets. A cycloaliphatic diepoxy monomer, carveol dioxide (CDO), was synthesized and subsequently cured with branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI) to afford epoxy thermosets exhibiting outstanding thermomechanical properties, including a storage modulus of 2.5 GPa at 30 °C and a glass transition temperature (T_g) of 97 °C. The resulting thermoset also exhibited strong adhesion to stainless steel, reaching a lap-shear strength of 10.1 MPa, which compares favorably with previously reported bio-based epoxy adhesives. To further enhance network performance, the pendant secondary hydroxyl group of CDO was exploited to introduce urethane crosslinks prior to epoxy curing. Urethane incorporation markedly increased the crosslink density and raised T_g to 137 °C, which, to the best of our knowledge, is the highest value reported for terpene-based epoxy thermosets. These results highlight carveol as a promising renewable platform for high-performance epoxy thermosets and adhesives because its unique combination of C=C bonds and a secondary hydroxyl group enables both epoxide formation and subsequent network modification. Full article

How retrieval performance varies with simulation settings, neural architecture, and measured-data adaptation remains unclear for hyperspectral crop trait retrieval. Here, we evaluated winter wheat leaf area index (LAI) and canopy chlorophyll content (CCC) retrieval using two simulated datasets and four dual-branch neural architectures. Models were pretrained on two PROSAIL-D datasets with default and previously optimized leaf-angle settings and then adapted separately to ground and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) observations. Evaluation used five repetitions with physical-plot grouping, with approximately 30% of plot groups allocated to measured-data adaptation. Simulation-trained random forest (RF) and partial least squares regression served as baselines without measured-data adaptation. Adaptation reduced mean test root mean square error (RMSE) in all 32 neural model–dataset–target–platform combinations relative to direct simulation-based prediction. Dataset II, which used the previously optimized leaf-angle setting, reduced mean RMSE in 13 of 16 neural configurations before adaptation and 11 of 16 afterwards. No neural architecture was uniformly best. RF achieved the highest mean R² in seven of eight simulation-only tasks and outperformed the adapted Dataset II CNN–Transformer on both UAV targets. Despite adaptation gains, all adapted neural configurations retained negative mean R² for UAV CCC. These findings support measured-data adaptation within the tested protocol, while showing that the effects of simulation design and architecture are task dependent and that relative improvements do not necessarily imply adequate absolute predictive accuracy. Full article

Dengue is one of the most rapidly spreading arboviral diseases worldwide, and the development of effective vaccines has long been constrained by antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) and the difficulty of inducing protective immunity against multiple viral serotypes. Although several live-attenuated dengue vaccines have received regulatory approval in different jurisdictions, including Dengvaxia (CYD-TDV), Qdenga (TAK-003), and, more recently, Butantan-DV in Brazil, important challenges remain regarding vaccine safety in relation to pre-vaccination dengue serostatus, balanced cross-serotype protection, and the durability of vaccine-induced immunity. This review focuses on the immunopathogenic mechanisms of dengue virus infection, with particular emphasis on how ADE and immune bias impose critical constraints on vaccine design. We systematically summarize the technological platforms, immunological rationale, and major limitations of licensed and investigational dengue vaccines. Building on this analysis, the potential advantages and remaining challenges of emerging vaccine technologies, particularly mRNA vaccines, in precise antigen design, multivalent immune regulation, and safety optimization are further discussed. This review aims to provide a theoretical basis and strategic reference for the development of next-generation dengue vaccines with improved safety and efficacy. Full article

This article systematically analyzes and discusses the application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in generating emergency escape routes within buildings. It is motivated by Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), that aims to achieve long-term sustainability of human settlements, enhancing the safety and disaster resilience of the built environment. Following the PRISMA methodology, this study consolidates current research on BIM-based path planning to establish a structured, comprehensive framework for BIM-to-route workflows. Our findings indicate that BIM operates as a central “source of truth” platform, successfully integrating spatial geometry, enriched semantic data, and real-time sensor information to enable dynamic, risk-aware rerouting that extends beyond conventional static shortest-path logic. However, the existing literature remains fragmented, characterized by a lack of standardized system architectures, inconsistent evaluation metrics, and persistent interoperability challenges. Furthermore, validation strategies are predominantly simulation-based (57.6%), with only 7.6% of reviewed studies achieving real-world operational validation. To fully realize the safety benefits of these technologies, future research must prioritize the standardization of data extraction, graph network construction, and evaluation metric sets, while expanding empirical validation using real-incident data across a wider spectrum of hazard scenarios. Full article

Rhizopus species are a leading cause of mucormycosis, an aggressive and life-threatening invasive fungal disease that affects immunocompromised individuals. Despite their clinical importance, mucoralean pathogens, especially R. delemar, are difficult to manipulate genetically because of coenocytic growth, multinucleate hyphae, difficulty with transformation, and limited selectable markers. These obstacles hinder the study of innate stress resistance and disease mechanisms. Previous efforts to express heterologous genes or implement gene-editing systems with vectors designed for model fungi have been largely unsuccessful or inefficient in R. delemar, suggesting unique requirements for gene expression in this organism. In this study, we tested nuclear-targeted fluorescent protein expression and identified differences in proline and arginine codon usage between heterologous and endogenous coding sequences. We then evaluated gene expression efficiency using various combinations of heterologous and endogenous regulatory elements and coding sequences, including six promoters, two terminators, three histone fusion proteins, and two fluorescent reporters, with or without an exogenous nuclear localization signal (NLS). Endogenous promoters orthologous to those with high transcriptional activity produced robust fluorescence, in contrast to weak fluorescence from constructs with heterologous sequences. Notably, fluorescence was also observed in a construct lacking an experimentally provided terminator, and the H2B-GFP fusion protein did not require an exogenous NLS for nuclear localization. These results show that efficient heterologous gene expression in R. delemar requires optimization at several levels, including promoter selection, coding sequence compatibility, and expression-cassette design. Although the direct impact of codon usage on expression efficiency remains to be tested, the expression systems developed here provide a platform for molecular analysis of R. delemar biology and pathogenesis. Full article

Long-acting peptide and protein delivery requires more than prolonged release; the therapeutic must remain chemically, physically, structurally, and functionally competent throughout processing, depot residence, and release. This review examines the stability–release paradox, in which material features introduced to extend residence can also alter cargo integrity. Rather than cataloging platforms or restating the need for biologic stabilization, the literature is organized around a cargo-specific compatibility question: whether a retention mechanism, depot microenvironment, and intended residence time remain compatible with preservation of therapeutic attributes required for activity. Published experimental studies and recent reviews available through 10 August 2026 were critically examined, with emphasis on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) systems, hydrogels, affinity-based depots, self-assembling formulations, and translational studies linking release with stability or pharmacological performance. Across these platforms, integrity is influenced by hydration, microclimate pH, reactive degradation products, drug–material affinity, interfacial exposure, local concentration, molecular crowding, processing stress, and host–depot interactions. Experimental studies of degradable polyesters show that prolonged mass release can coexist with peptide acylation or other chemical changes, whereas hydrogel and affinity systems demonstrate that reversible retention can suppress premature escape but still requires cargo-specific verification of recovery and biological function. The review therefore frames long-acting formulation design around three linked considerations: the depot as a dynamic pharmaceutical microenvironment, therapeutically competent release as an endpoint beyond cumulative mass recovery, and residence-time–stability matching as a compatibility test between planned confinement and the cargo’s demonstrated stability window. This framework supports material selection and evaluation based on therapeutic integrity, stability-indicating release measurements, clinically relevant loading, and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) evidence appropriate to the therapeutic claim. Full article

Objective: To investigate the associations between lower-limb muscle strength symmetry and postural control, determine whether lower-limb symmetry explains additional variance in dynamic postural control after adjustment for demographic characteristics and diagnostic group, and compare these outcomes among individuals with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, chronic ankle instability (CAI), and healthy controls. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 72 participants (mean age, 29.6 ± 5.9 years) equally distributed among the ACL, CAI, and healthy control groups. Isokinetic strength was assessed at 60°/s and higher joint-specific velocities (240°/s for the knee and 180°/s for the ankle), with LSI calculated from peak torque at 60°/s. Static and dynamic postural control were evaluated using the single-leg stance test and a computerized stabilometric platform. Pain intensity (VAS), kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale), physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ-SF)), and health-related quality of life (Short Form-36) were also assessed. Between-group comparisons, Spearman correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed. Results: Significant between-group differences were observed in all postural control outcomes, most lower-limb symmetry indices, pain intensity, kinesiophobia, physical activity, and patient-reported outcomes (all p < 0.05). Pairwise comparisons showed better eyes-open static balance in healthy controls than in both clinical groups, poorer eyes-closed static balance in ACL than in the other groups, and better dynamic postural control in controls than in both clinical groups and in CAI than in ACL. Lower-limb symmetry differences involved different pairwise contrasts among controls, CAI, and ACL depending on muscle group and testing velocity. Two nominal associations between lower-limb symmetry and balance did not remain significant after FDR correction. Adding diagnostic group significantly increased the explained variance in dynamic postural control (ΔR² = 0.581, p < 0.001), whereas adding lower-limb symmetry indices did not (ΔR² = 0.015, p = 0.583). The final model explained 68.4% of the variance (adjusted R² = 0.638). Conclusions: Individuals with ACL injury and CAI demonstrated poorer postural control than healthy controls, alongside between-group differences in several lower-limb muscle strength symmetry measures. Associations between lower-limb muscle strength symmetry and postural control were not significant after FDR correction, and symmetry indices did not explain additional variance in dynamic postural control beyond demographic characteristics and diagnostic group. Full article

Background: Augmented reality (AR) may support neuronavigation by displaying patient-specific anatomical information and surgical plans directly within the surgeon’s view of the operative field. Reliable registration between virtual content and patient anatomy remains a critical requirement. Patient-specific templates offer a non-invasive registration strategy, but positioning errors at the facial support may propagate to the surgical target. Methods: We performed a preclinical feasibility evaluation of the Video and Optical See-Through Augmented Reality Surgical System (VOSTARS), a head-mounted AR platform for surgical navigation, using patient-specific template-based registration. Six craniotomies were planned using CT datasets from two fresh-frozen human cadaver heads and two corresponding cranial phantoms were generated from the same datasets. Visualization accuracy, reported as target visualization error (TVE₃D), and trajectory-tracing performance were first assessed on the phantoms. The complete AR-guided planning-to-execution workflow was subsequently evaluated on the corresponding cadaveric specimens by assessing containment of the AR-traced craniotomy trajectories within patient-specific inspection windows corresponding to a tolerance of ±1.5 mm. Results: In the phantom experiments, the mean TVE₃D calculated across five of the six planned craniotomies was 1.64 mm, with individual mean values ranging from 1.33 to 1.91 mm. Craniotomy 1 had a mean TVE₃D of 6.92 mm; the higher error was attributed to incorrect phantom assembly. Four of the six craniotomy trajectories traced on the phantoms under AR guidance showed complete overlap with the corresponding virtual trajectories. For the other two, trajectory overlap was 62.5% and 67.0%, with a mean deviation from the planned trajectory of 0.79 mm in both cases. In the cadaveric experiments, the complete AR-guided planning-to-execution workflow was completed for all six planned craniotomies. Two of the six AR-traced craniotomy trajectories were completely contained within the inspection windows corresponding to the predefined ±1.5-mm tolerance. Of the remaining four trajectories, two were partially contained, one was minimally contained and one was not contained within the inspection window. Conclusions: This study supports the technical feasibility of a patient-specific AR workflow for craniotomy guidance across anatomically different cranial approaches. In this exploratory preclinical study, VOSTARS enabled the translation of patient-specific preoperative planning directly to the operative field and provided AR guidance during the initial stages of cranial surgery. The cadaveric findings also highlight template fit and positioning as important determinants of workflow performance. Further quantitative and comparative validation is required before clinical implementation. Full article

Guoxin No. 1, one of the largest smart aquaculture vessels currently in operation, represents an important development in large-scale mobile aquaculture platforms. Continuous circulation of oxygen-rich seawater is essential for maintaining suitable culture conditions in intensive aquaculture vessels. However, the complex pipeline arrangements used for distributing seawater among multiple farming tanks can result in uneven flow allocation. In this study, three-dimensional CFD simulations were conducted to investigate the internal flow behaviors and flow distribution in a T-type pipeline system for an aquaculture vessel. Extending previous studies based on coplanar branch configurations, a non-coplanar skew branch pipe arranged in the xy-plane was investigated. Particular attention was given to the influence of the spatial offset between the branch pipe and the main pipeline axis on velocity distribution, pressure variation, and outlet flow rates. The results show that the spatial offset modifies the momentum transfer process at the junction and generates a swirling motion inside the main pipeline. Compared with the conventional inclined branch configuration, the offset branch shifts the high-velocity core away from the pipe center and reduces the imbalance between the two outlet flow rates. The pressure field is also redistributed due to the asymmetric momentum injection, indicating a trade-off between improved flow uniformity and local pressure variation. The present study demonstrates the potential of non-coplanar skew branch configurations as a passive approach for improving seawater distribution in large-scale aquaculture vessel pipeline systems. Full article

Urban transport is increasingly shifting from an efficiency-oriented approach toward accessibility-based and socio-spatial justice paradigms. This paper aims to synthesize current trends and emerging directions in transport and mobility, with a particular emphasis on sustainability and equity. While existing state-of-the-art reviews have extensively documented the technical evolution of smart mobility systems and decarbonization in transport infrastructures, this study introduces an integrated perspective that connects transport and mobility transitions with the concept of socio-spatial justice. The study employs a systematic literature review grounded in the Knowledge Development Process–Constructivist (ProKnow-C) model, and structured through thematic analysis around three axes: digitalization; integrated mobility platforms; and socio-spatial justice. The bibliographic database for this analysis is composed of 88 publications. The research suggests that the field is undergoing a gradual shift from a predominantly technical transport and mobility engineering toward a socio-technical approach increasingly shaped by sustainability and social equity. The transition toward low-carbon infrastructures and accessibility-driven mobility models, supported by digital technologies and Mobility-as-a-Service platforms, presents significant opportunities to fulfill global climate objectives (SDG 13), promote sustainable urban development (SDG 11) and strengthen socio-spatial justice (SDGs 10, 11). However, evidence also indicates that technological innovation alone cannot guarantee equitable opportunities in urban transport transitions. In this context, public participation becomes essential to prevent greenwashing and the so-called “transport mirage,” while ensuring that equity and justice are embedded in transport and mobility planning. Full article

This study explores how European digital media targeting Generations Z and Alpha integrate sports journalism to engage an audience disconnected from traditional news outlets. Through a qualitative content analysis of 10 digital outlets and a panel of nine experts, the research reveals that moving away from hyper-specialization, these platforms turn traditionally satellite topics, such as racism, feminism, and geopolitics, into their main focus, consolidating a new journalistic language based on liquid formats and memes, although the web platform remains a fundamental pillar for their identity. Furthermore, the commercial viability of free consumption, sustained through branded content partnerships, may reduce incentives for further technological innovation, while reinforcing sport’s potential as a valuable entry point for cultivating media literacy and encouraging civic engagement among younger audiences. Full article

Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of tuberculosis (TB), but whether the class of glucose-lowering therapy is associated with TB outcomes remains uncertain. We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study to examine the association between glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) use versus dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP-4i) use and the risk of TB and mortality. We used de-identified records from the TriNetX Global Collaborative Network. Adults with diabetes who had a qualifying record for either a GLP-1 RA or a DPP-4i between 2016 and 2024 were eligible. Cohort entry was defined as the first qualifying drug-class record during this period. Patients with prior-year use of the comparator drug class, a history of TB, or death before cohort entry were excluded. Propensity score matching was performed at a 1:1 ratio. Outcomes assessed during days 1–365 included TB (ICD-10-CM A15–A19), the platform-defined death outcome, and a composite outcome of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary diagnoses. After matching, 466,903 patients remained in each group. GLP-1 RA exposure was associated with fewer recorded TB events, deaths, and gastrointestinal/hepatobiliary events than DPP-4i exposure during the first year after cohort entry. TB was recorded in 155 GLP-1 RA users and 320 DPP-4i users (HR, 0.472; 95% CI, 0.390–0.572). The corresponding numbers for the platform-defined death outcome were 7575 and 14,572 (HR, 0.505; 95% CI, 0.492–0.520), and those for gastrointestinal/hepatobiliary diagnoses were 15,914 and 20,559 (HR, 0.750; 95% CI, 0.735–0.766). The analysis restricted to patients with type 2 diabetes (ICD-10-CM E11) yielded a similar association for TB. Residual imbalance in body mass index (BMI) and residual confounding, including confounding by indication, limit a causal interpretation. Full article

Measuring plantar pressure with smart insoles is widely used in gait analysis, medical rehabilitation, and clinical monitoring, but the continuous elastomeric layers of hybrid footwear transmit force between adjacent sensors and produce mechanical cross-talk that distorts local readings. The objective of this study was to develop a deterministic framework that identifies the spatial mechanical influence between sensors and compensates for it after signal acquisition. Controlled vertical loads were applied individually to each sensor, while the responses of all sensors were recorded each time as a vector and placed in a matrix; the resulting force data, complemented by a distance-dependent transfer function, formed the direct influence matrix of the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method. Normalization and inversion generated a static decoupling operator applied to the vector of raw measurements. Secondary signals, which initially ranged from 40 N to 970 N, were reduced to a residual band from 3 N to 75 N (97.8% attenuation). The system, once calibrated in this way, provides a clearer spatial representation of local plantar pressure without applying changes to the physical structure of the insole and can be executed through a single matrix-vector multiplication on microcontrollers used in wearable platforms with limited resources. Full article