Search Results (3,046)

Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen and causative agent of cryptococcosis and cryptococcal meningitis (CM). Cryptococcal disease accounts for up to 19% of AIDS-related mortalities globally, warranting its label as a pathogen of critical priority by the World Health Organization. Standard treatments for CM rely heavily on high doses of antifungal agents for long periods of time, contributing to the growing issue of antifungal resistance. Moreover, mortality rates for CM are still incredibly high (13–78%). Attempts to create new and effective treatments have been slow due to the complex and diverse set of immune-evasive and survival-enhancing virulence factors that C. neoformans employs. To bolster the development of better clinical tools, deeper study into host–Cryptococcus proteomes is needed to identify clinically relevant proteins, pathways, antigens, and beneficial host response mechanisms. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics approaches serve as invaluable tools for investigating these complex questions. Here, we discuss some of the insights into cryptococcal disease and biology learned using proteomics, including target proteins and pathways regulating Cryptococcus virulence factors, metabolism, and host defense responses. By utilizing proteomics to probe deeper into these protein interaction networks, new clinical tools for detecting, diagnosing, and treating C. neoformans can be developed. Full article

The growing urgency of the climate crisis has heightened the importance of integrating sustainability into health education. Allied health professionals are well positioned to lead sustainable healthcare efforts, yet evidence suggests a persistent gap between student awareness and formal training. This study explored the perspectives, knowledge, and attitudes of Portuguese allied health students regarding sustainability. An online and anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted among undergraduate and graduate students across multiple allied health disciplines. The questionnaire assessed general knowledge, perceptions of curricular integration, and attitudes toward sustainable clinical practice. A total of 247 (response rate of 8.23%) students participated, with the majority expressing high concern about climate change and strong support for environmentally responsible healthcare. However, the results revealed inconsistent awareness of healthcare’s environmental footprint and a limited exposure to structured sustainability education. Friedman tests indicated significant variability in students’ knowledge, perceived responsibility, and curricular experiences. Students identified priority themes for curricular inclusion—such as the environmental impact of the health system—and recognized their alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). The findings highlight the need for the systematic, competency-based integration of sustainability into allied health curricula to support a climate-resilient and ecologically responsible future healthcare workforce. Full article

Amid structural changes driven by the greening and digital transformation of the maritime industry, the demand for career transitions of seafarers with onboard experience to shore-based positions—particularly ship superintendents—is steadily increasing. However, the current lack of a systematic education and career development framework to support such transitions poses a critical challenge for shipping companies seeking to secure sustainable human resources. The aim of this study was to develop a competency-based training program that facilitates the effective transition of seafarers to shore-based ship superintendent roles. We integrated a developing a curriculum (DACUM) analysis with competency-based job analysis to achieve this aim. The core competencies required for ship superintendent duties were identified through three expert consultations. In addition, social network analysis (SNA) was used to quantitatively assess the structure and priority of the training content. The analysis revealed that convergent competencies, such as digital technology literacy, responsiveness to environmental regulations, multicultural organizational management, and interpretation of global maritime regulations, are essential for a successful career shift. Based on these findings, a modular training curriculum comprising both common foundational courses and specialized advanced modules tailored to job categories was designed. The proposed curriculum integrated theoretical instruction, practical training, and reflective learning to enhance both applied understanding and onsite implementation capabilities. Furthermore, the concept of a Seafarer Success Support Platform was proposed to support a lifecycle-based career development pathway that enables rotational mobility between sea and shore positions. This digital learning platform was designed to offer personalized success pathways aligned with the career stages and competency needs of maritime personnel. Its cyclical structure, comprising career transition, competency development, field application, and performance evaluation, enables seamless career integration between shipboard- and shore-based roles. Therefore, the platform has the potential to evolve into a practical educational model that integrates training, career development, and policies. This study contributes to maritime human resource development by integrating the DACUM method with a competency-based framework and applying social network analysis (SNA) to quantitatively prioritize training content. It further proposes the Seafarer Success Support Platform as an innovative model to support structured career transitions from shipboard roles to shore-based supervisory positions. Full article

Climate change is one of the most important environmental problems of the modern world. Without an effective solution to this problem, it is not possible to implement sustainable development. For this reason, in the European development strategies, including the European Green Deal (EGD), the reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is one of the priorities. This also applies to sectoral strategies, including those related to agriculture. In this context, the monitoring of changes in GHG emissions becomes particularly important, and its key condition is an applicative estimation method, adapted to the available data and levels of assessment (globally, country, sector, economic unit). GHG emission calculations at the level of the agricultural sector are officially estimated by the state and non-governmental organisations. However, calculations at the level of the agricultural unit-farm remain a challenge due to the lack of detailed data or its incomplete scope to estimate GHG emissions. The other issue is the necessity of a representative data nature, taking into consideration the different profiles of various farms. The research focused on presenting a methodological approach to utilising FADN (Farm Accountancy Data Network) data for estimating GHG emissions at the farm level. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) methodology was adopted to use available farm-level data. Some assumptions were needed to achieve this goal. The article presents the subsequent stages of GHG calculation using the FADN data. The results reveal significant differences in GHG emissions among farm types. The presented results indicated the primary sources of emissions from agriculture, including energy (e.g., fuel and electricity consumption), thus outlining the scope of action that should be taken to reduce emissions effectively. The study confirms that the method used helps estimate emissions at the farm level. Its application can lead to better targeting of climate policy in agriculture. Full article

Non-celiac villous atrophy (NCVA) is a multifaceted and under-recognized clinical entity with an etiology beyond celiac disease. This review critically examines the diverse pathophysiological mechanisms underlying NCVA, including autoimmune enteropathies, immune deficiency-related disorders, infectious processes, drug-induced trauma, and metabolic or environmental influences. A comprehensive synthesis of peer-reviewed literature, clinical studies, and case reports was conducted, adopting a multidisciplinary perspective that integrates immunologic, infectious, metabolic, and pharmacologic insights. The literature search was performed in three phases: identification of relevant studies, critical assessment of selected publications, and synthesis of key findings. Searches were carried out in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. The final search, completed in June 2025, included international, English-language articles, electronic books, and online reports. Studies were included if they addressed NCVA in the context of pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, or management strategies, with priority given to publications from the last ten years (2015–2025). The search strategy used the primary term “non-celiac villous atrophy” combined with supplementary keywords such as autoimmune enteropathy, common variable immunodeficiency, tropical sprue, drug-related enteropathy, pathophysiology, immunological mechanisms, chronic inflammation, genetic factors, environmental influences, and clinical management. Histopathological evaluations reveal that NCVA often manifests with varying degrees of villous blunting, crypt hypertrophy, and intraepithelial lymphocytosis, albeit without the gliadin-specific immune response seen in celiac disease. Various immune pathways are involved, such as autoimmune deregulation and chronic inflammatory responses, while drug-induced and environmental factors further complicate its clinical picture. These findings highlight significant diagnostic challenges and underscore the need to adapt diagnostic algorithms that combine clinical history, serologic evaluations, and histopathologic analysis. In conclusion, an in-depth understanding of the heterogeneous etiology of NCVA is critical to improving diagnostic accuracy and optimizing therapeutic strategies. Future research should prioritize the identification of specific biomarkers and the development of targeted interventions to address the unique mechanisms underlying NCVA, thereby improving patient management and outcomes. Full article

Sustainable development has emerged as a critical priority for the global community, influencing all aspects of development worldwide. Within this context, the role of education and training in advancing sustainable development can contribute to this. This research aims to explore whether the integration of Information and Communication Technology educational tools into the curricula of engineering technicians helps trainees better understand the concepts of climate change and resource management, which are directly linked to the green transition and the green economy, compared to traditional educational methods. The study was conducted with trainees from Higher Vocational Training Schools (SAEKs) in the wider Athens area, Greece. According to the results, using educational technology to teach engineering courses aids students in developing the competencies needed to change production processes and business models in the direction of a greener future. This is especially crucial as future technicians will be able to use cutting-edge methods to lower emissions and boost resource use efficiency. The findings of the study could provide important information for all those involved in the design of educational curricula of engineering technicians. Concerns and thoughts on the effective use of educational technology in the educational process are also expressed. Full article

Acinetobacter baumannii is listed by the World Health Organization as an emerging bacterial priority pathogen, the prevalence and multidrug resistance of which have been increasing. This functional genomics study aimed to understand the drug-resistance mechanisms of an extensively drug-resistant (XDR) A. baumannii strain (IRMCBCU95U) isolated from a transtracheal aspirate sample from a female patient with end-stage renal disease in Saudi Arabia. The whole genome of IRMCBCU95U (4.3 Mbp) was sequenced using Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing to identify and compare the antibiotic-resistance profile and genomic features of A. baumannii IRMCBCU95U. The antibiogram of A. baumannii IRMCBCU95U revealed resistance to multiple antibiotics, including cefepime, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, imipenem, meropenem and piperacillin/tazobactam. A comparative genomic analysis between IRMCBCU95U and A. baumannii K09-14 and ATCC 19606 identified significant genetic heterogeneity and mosaicism among the strains. This analysis also demonstrated the hybrid nature of the genome of IRMCBCU95U and indicates that horizontal gene transfer may have occurred between these strains. The IRMCBCU95U genome has a diverse range of genes associated with antimicrobial resistance and mobile genetic elements (ISAba1 and IS26) associated with the spread of multidrug resistance. The presence of virulence-associated genes that are linked to iron acquisition, motility and transcriptional regulation confirmed that IRMCBCU95U is a priority human pathogen. The plasmid fragment IncFIB(pNDM-Mar) observed in the strain is homologous to the plasmid in Klebsiella pneumoniae (439 bp; similarity: 99.09%), which supports its antimicrobial resistance. From these observations, it can be concluded that the clinical A. baumannii IRMCBCU95U isolate is an emerging extensively drug-resistant human pathogen with a novel combination of resistance genes and a plasmid fragment. The complex resistome of IRMCBCU95U highlights the urgent need for genomic surveillance in hospital settings in Saudi Arabia to fight against the spread of extensively drug-resistant A. baumannii. Full article

Background: The increasing complexity of global supply chains and environmental expectations has highlighted the strategic importance of digital transformation in the transport, forwarding, and logistics (TFL) sector. Despite a growing portfolio of available tools, adoption rates—particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Central and Eastern Europe—remain low. This study investigates the barriers and motivations related to the implementation of digital planning tools supporting intermodal transport planning. Methods: A structured online survey was conducted among 80 Polish TFL enterprises, targeting decision-makers responsible for operational and digital strategies. The questionnaire included 17 closed and semi-open questions grouped into three thematic sections: tool usage, implementation barriers, and digital readiness. Results: The findings indicate that only 20% of respondents use dedicated route planning tools, and merely 10% report satisfaction with their performance. Key barriers include lack of awareness, organizational inertia, and the prioritization of other initiatives, with financial cost cited less frequently. While environmental sustainability is declared as a priority by most enterprises, digital support for emission tracking is limited. The results highlight the need for targeted education, integration support, and differentiated platform functionalities for SMEs and larger firms. Conclusions: This study offers evidence-based recommendations for developers, policymakers, and logistics managers aiming to accelerate digital adoption in the intermodal logistics landscape. Full article

Understanding forest-cover change and its drivers is vital for global forest management and policy development. This study analyzed perceptions of historical drivers behind land-use/land-cover change (LULCC) and forest change in gazetted forests from 1966 to 2022 to evaluate the impact of human activities around the gazetted forest reserves, comparing three forests in Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions. Three gazetted forests (Doma, Risha, and Odu) were sampled to represent the three geopolitical zones of the state. SPSS IBM version 29, NVivo 1.7, and Python 3 were used for data analyses to generate statistics and identify coherent themes across the forests. Results show that changes were perceived to be triggered by sixteen drivers (direct and indirect) related to social, economic, environmental, policy/institutional, and technological elements. Agricultural expansion, lumbering, and charcoal production were the most reported direct drivers, while population growth, poverty, and government policies were the most perceived indirect drivers. The results showed variations in human activities across forest sites. For example, agricultural expansion, lumbering, and grazing were more widespread, while construction and settlement activities differed between forests. The Risha forest community saw agriculture expansion ahead of other drivers, Doma forest people saw population growth above other drivers, and the Odu forest community saw lumbering aiding other drivers that led to change. Implementation of policies focusing on these key drivers must match local perceptions and priorities to engage people in forest conservation. These efforts could ensure effective forest protection that is vital for achieving global biodiversity and climate targets and safeguarding local livelihoods. The specific drivers of changes in each forest need to be targeted in conservation efforts. Full article

Higher-education institutions are increasingly embracing digital transformation to meet the evolving expectations of students, academics, and administrators. The smart campus paradigm offers a strategic framework for this shift, yet most existing assessment models originate from high-income contexts and remain largely untested in the Global South, where infrastructural and technological conditions differ substantially. This study addresses this gap by evaluating the contextual relevance of a comprehensive smart campus assessment framework at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT). A questionnaire survey of 278 participants—students and staff—was conducted using a 5-point Likert scale to assess the perceived importance of performance indicators across four key dimensions: Smart Economy, Smart Society, Smart Environment, and Smart Governance. A hybrid methodology combining the Best–Worst Method (BWM) and Public Opinion (PO) data was used to prioritise framework components. The research hypothesises that contextual factors predominantly influence the framework’s relevance in developing countries and asks: To what extent is the smart campus assessment framework relevant and adaptable in the Global South? The study aims to measure the framework’s relevance and identify contextual influences shaping its application. The findings confirm its overall applicability while revealing significant variations in stakeholder priorities, emphasising the need for context-sensitive and adaptable assessment tools. This research contributes to the refinement of smart campus frameworks and supports more inclusive and responsive digital transformation strategies in developing country higher education institutions. Full article

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents a significant complication of cancer immunotherapy, with emerging evidence suggesting distinct pathophysiological mechanisms compared to traditional chemotherapy-associated thrombosis. This narrative review examines the epidemiology and pathogenesis of VTE in patients receiving immunotherapies for cancer including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs), among others. Real-world studies demonstrate a wide range of VTE incidence rates in ICI recipients, with potential mechanisms including exacerbated underlying interleukin-8-mediated inflammatory pathways and consequent neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation. CAR T-cell therapy is associated with unique hemostatic challenges, including concurrent thrombotic and bleeding risks related to cytokine release syndrome. Current risk assessment tools show limited predictive utility in patients receiving immunotherapies for cancer, highlighting the need for novel stratification models. Future research priorities include developing immunotherapy-specific risk prediction tools, elucidating mechanistic pathways linking immune activation to thrombosis, and establishing evidence-based and tailored thromboprophylaxis strategies. As cancer immunotherapy continues to evolve, understanding and mitigating thrombotic complications remains crucial for optimizing patient outcomes. Full article

Land requirements and impacts from future development are a significant concern throughout the world. In Florida (USA), the state’s population increased from 18.8 M to 21.5 M between 2010 and 2020, and is projected to reach 26.6 M by 2040. To accommodate these new residents, 801 km² of wetlands were converted to developed uses between 1996 and 2016. These conversions present a significant threat to Florida’s unique ecosystems and highlight the need to prioritize conservation and water resource protection, both for the natural and human services that wetland and upland landscapes provide. To better understand the relationship between future development and water resources, we used future development and event mean concentration (EMC) models for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida (USA) to assess impacts from development patterns on water quality/runoff and water resource protection priorities. This study found that if future development densities increased by 30%, reductions of 7713 acres for developed land, 17,768 acre feet of stormwater volume, ~88k lb/yr total nitrogen, and ~15k lb/yr total phosphorus could be achieved. It also found that urban infill, redevelopment, and stormwater management are essential and complementary tools to broader growth management strategies for reducing sprawl while also addressing urban stormwater impacts. Full article

In higher education, the emotional intelligence (EI) of university professors, defined as the ability to perceive, understand, manage and utilize emotions effectively, is increasingly recognized as a pivotal factor in enhancing students’ academic achievement and psychological well-being. However, the scarcity of studies directly linking professors’ EI to students’ well-being highlights a critical research gap. This systematic review investigates how professors’ emotional competencies influence student outcomes—such as academic performance, engagement, motivation, and mental health—and identifies the factors that mediate or moderate these effects. Findings indicate that professors’ EI, particularly empathy, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills, significantly enhances student engagement, motivation, and academic satisfaction, with indirect effects on psychological well-being. Cultural context, teaching modality (e.g., online vs. in-person), and professors’ age and experience moderate these effects and influence effect sizes. Qualitative synthesis further highlighted contextual gaps in the literature. The limited focus on well-being and outcomes and reliance on self-report measures underscore the need for longitudinal, culturally diverse studies and performance-based EI assessments. The value of this research lies in its potential to inform evidence-based educational practices and institutional policies. By elucidating the role of professors’ EI, the review lays the groundwork for developing faculty training programs aimed at strengthening emotional competencies and fostering inclusive, supportive learning environments that promote student growth and resilience. This is especially relevant given the growing prevalence of stress, anxiety, and disengagement among university students, exacerbated by post-pandemic challenges and academic pressures. Understanding the impact of EI can inform culturally responsive interventions, improve student retention, and enhance institutional effectiveness, thereby addressing a pressing need in contemporary higher education. In today’s rapidly evolving technological, social, and cultural landscape, universities have both the opportunity and the responsibility to act as catalysts for the creation of an educational culture that promotes social well-being. This requires adopting educational and organizational models that prioritize human care and the quality of interpersonal relationships. To be effective, these priorities must be integrated into all university operations, from governance to student support and talent development. Full article

Uncoordinated electric vehicle (EV) charging can significantly complicate power system operations. In this paper, we develop a hybrid EV charging method that seamlessly integrates centralized EV charging and distributed control schemes to address EV energy demand challenges. The proposed method includes (1) a centralized day-ahead optimal scheduling mechanism and EV shifting process based on mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) and (2) a distributed control strategy based on a genetic algorithm (GA) that dynamically adjusts the charging rate in real-time grid scenarios. The MILP minimizes energy imbalance at overloaded slots by reallocating EVs based on supply–demand mismatch. By combining full and minimum charging strategies with MILP-based shifting, the method significantly reduces network stress due to EV charging. The centralized model schedules time slots using valley-filling and EV-specific constraints, and the local GA-based distributed control adjusts charging currents based on minimum energy, system availability, waiting time, and a priority index (PI). This PI enables user prioritization in both the EV shifting process and power allocation decisions. The method is validated using demand data on a radial feeder with residential and commercial load profiles. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed hybrid EV charging framework significantly improves grid-level efficiency and user satisfaction. Compared to the baseline without EV integration, the average-to-peak demand ratio is improved from 61% to 74% at Station-A, from 64% to 80% at Station-B, and from 51% to 63% at Station-C, highlighting enhanced load balancing. The framework also ensures that all EVs receive energy above their minimum needs, achieving user satisfaction scores of 88.0% at Stations A and B and 81.6% at Station C. This study underscores the potential of hybrid charging schemes in optimizing energy utilization while maintaining system reliability and user convenience. Full article

Background: Liver trauma is prevalent following blunt and penetrating injuries. This study examined liver trauma in a South African urban trauma centre, focusing on the unique prevalence of penetrating injuries and surgical interventions. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 512 priority-one patients with liver trauma from January 2017 to December 2023 at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. The data collected included demographics, injury mechanisms, liver injury grades, associated injuries, injury severity scores (ISS and NISS), surgical interventions, and mortality rates. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata (V.18) and R software (version 4.3.2). Results: The median age of the patients was 31 years, with a predominance of male patients (91%) and patients of African ethnicity (95%). Penetrating trauma accounted for 73% of the cases. Most liver injuries were minor (grades I–III). There was a 5% overall mortality rate, with a higher rate observed in patients requiring emergency surgery (10% vs. 1% for non-operative management, p < 0.001). Just over half of the patients required emergency laparotomy, and the majority of these patients sustained penetrating liver trauma. Complications occurred in 6.6% of the patients, predominantly biliary in nature. Conclusions: This study highlights the high incidence of penetrating liver trauma in South Africa, which reflects the context of interpersonal violence. The mortality rate aligns with international standards and demonstrates the need for effective management strategies. These findings emphasise the need for tailored approaches to liver trauma based on injury patterns and demographics, and further research is needed to explore the associated mortality and complications. Full article