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Review
Computer Science and Mathematics
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Angelower Santana-Velásquez

,

Maria Bernarda Salazar-Sánchez

,

John Freddy Duitama M

Abstract: Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) has emerged as a critical enabler for the adoption of machine learning models in high-stakes domains such as healthcare. While significant progress has been made in XAI for computer vision and natural language processing, tabular data—the predominant format of electronic health records—presents unique challenges and opportunities. This systematic review provides a comprehensive analysis of XAI methods specifically applied to tabular healthcare data for classification tasks. We examine 15 representative studies published between 2025 and 2026, covering three complementary perspectives: (1) intrinsically interpretable models such as Concept and Argumentation Models (CAM), (2) post-hoc methods including LIME, SHAP, and their variants like TransLIME, and (3) evaluation frameworks that assess both model-centered fidelity and human-centered clinical alignment. Our analysis reveals that SHAP remains the dominant post-hoc method for tabular healthcare data, achieving strong model fidelity but showing inconsistent alignment with clinical expert reasoning. Intrinsically interpretable models, such as CAM, offer transparency by design but require semantic feature descriptions. Emerging trends include integrating XAI with federated learning to preserve privacy, applying transfer learning to improve explanations in data-scarce settings, and deploying real-time XAI systems in occupational health. We identify critical gaps, including limited adoption of XAI in automated machine learning pipelines (in only 30.7% of studies), a lack of standardized evaluation metrics that combine technical fidelity with clinical utility, and the predominance of single-institution validation studies. This review provides researchers and practitioners with a structured roadmap for selecting, evaluating, and deploying XAI methods for trustworthy tabular healthcare classification.

Article
Medicine and Pharmacology
Clinical Medicine

Gergana Chausheva

,

Sevim Shefket

,

Yana Bocheva

,

Kaloyan Tsochev

,

Tatiana Chalakova

,

Natalya Usheva

,

Yoto Yotov

,

Violeta Iotova

Abstract: Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is associated with chronic inflammation, platelet activation, and increased cardiovascular risk (CVR). The relationships between adipokines and platelet indices in long-standing T1D remain incompletely defined. Objective: To explore the relationships between adipokines (adiponectin and leptin), platelet indices, and inflammatory status in adults with long-standing T1D. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 124 adults with long-standing T1D and 59 non-diabetic controls. Platelet indices were obtained from automated blood count, and serum leptin (LEP), adiponectin (ADNC), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured using standardized assays. Associations were evaluated using correlation and multivariable regression analyses with adjustment for body mass index (BMI). Results: Platelet count (PLT) and plateletcrit (PCT) were higher in T1D compared with non-diabetic individuals (p=0.003 for both), while mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) showed non-significant upward trends. ADNC levels were higher in T1D (p< 0.001), whereas LEP and the leptin–adiponectin ratio (LAR) did not differ between groups. In T1D, LEP correlated with PLT (rho=0.235), PCT (rho=0.263), and CRP (rho=0.474), all p< 0.05. Similar associations were observed for LAR. No significant associations were found in non-diabetic controls. In multivariable analyses, PCT remained associated with LEP in T1D after adjustment for BMI, whereas in the control group LEP was associated with BMI only. Conclusion: LEP and platelet-related indices were associated in individuals with long-standing T1D, whereas ADNC showed no such relationships. These findings suggest a distinct pattern of adipokine–platelet associations in long-standing T1D.

Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Cell and Developmental Biology

Matheus Felipe Zazula

,

Stephanie Rubianne Silva Carvalhal

,

Djennifer T. Maciel

,

Douglas Moritz

,

Hellen Yukari Ito Beirauti

,

Luiza Amorim

,

Mateus Teixeira da Rocha

,

Mônica Maciel

,

Otávio Sales

,

Paulo Dobgenski

+7 authors

Abstract: The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease framework proposes that environmental exposures during critical periods of development can shape physiological systems and influence the risk of chronic diseases later in life, including diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Most research on metabolic programming has focused on classical metabolic organs such as the liver, pancreas, and adipose tissue. However, skeletal muscle plays a central role in systemic glucose homeostasis and metabolic flexibility, accounting for the majority of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in the body. Because muscle metabolism is closely regulated by neural activity through the organization of motor units, the development of the motor neuromuscular axis may represent an underexplored dimension of metabolic programming. This review examines evidence linking early-life metabolic environments to neuromuscular development and discusses how alterations in the maturation of motor neurons, neuromuscular junctions, and muscle fiber phenotype may influence long-term metabolic outcomes. Evidence from epidemiological studies, experimental models, and mechanistic research suggests that maternal metabolic disturbances, including hyperglycemia, obesity, and systemic inflammation, can influence fetal development through metabolic and inflammatory pathways affecting both neural and muscular components of the motor system. These findings support the hypothesis that the motor neuromuscular axis may represent a structural interface linking early developmental exposures to long-term metabolic regulation and risk of metabolic syndrome.

Article
Medicine and Pharmacology
Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases

Niko Kohmer

,

Lena Mistry

,

Thorsten Mosler

,

Sabine Kramer

,

Annette Weiss

,

Alfred Lennart Bissinger

,

Nora Doberschuetz

,

Ulrich Rochwalsky

,

Holger F. Rabenau

,

Horst Buxmann

Abstract: Congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is the leading non-genetic cause of sensorineural hearing loss in newborns. Systematic nationwide screening programs are lacking. Antiviral valganciclovir therapy could improve auditory outcomes if initiated within the first 30 days of life, making timely diagnosis crucial. To address this, we investigated whether a hearing screening-based protocol is suitable. Between 2015 and 2019, newborns ≤21 days of age with repeated abnormal Newborn Hearing Screening (NHS) were prospectively enrolled at University Hospital Frankfurt. Oral mucosal swabs were tested for CMV DNA by real-time PCR, with confirmatory urine and blood-diagnostics in positive cases. Of 2,741 infants presenting for repeat NHS, 2,059 (75.1%) showed normal bilateral findings. Of the 682 (24.9%) with abnormal results, 575 (84.3%) were >21 days and thus ineligible. 107 infants (3.9%) met both criteria — abnormal NHS and age ≤21 days — of whom 100 entered per-protocol analysis. Two (2%) were confirmed cCMV-positive and received valganciclovir. Among the 48 infants who additionally underwent DBS testing, diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 100%. The presented NHS–driven cCMV protocol reliably identified cCMV-infected newborns timely to offer antiviral therapy. In the absence of universal cCMV screening, this targeted approach offers a challenging, but WHO-screening-criteria-compliant strategy to enable timely antiviral intervention.

Article
Medicine and Pharmacology
Pharmacy

Sangam K. C.

,

Nisha Adhikari

,

Arjun Adhikari

,

Deependra Muraw

,

Pradeep Narayan Joshi

,

Dirgha Joshi

Abstract: Background: Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) provides a globally recognized framework to promote the safe, effective, and rational use of medicines while strengthening the role of pharmacists in patient-centered health care. To enhance awareness and practical understanding of GPP principles in the local context, a one-day workshop titled “GPP: Strengthening the Role of Pharmacists in Health Care Delivery” was conducted. Methods: The workshop was facilitated by subject experts and faculty members and included focused presentations and interactive discussions addressing key components of GPP, such as rational use of medicines, medication counseling, professional ethics, and the evolving responsibilities of pharmacists. Particular emphasis was placed on the current status, challenges, and opportunities for GPP implementation in Nepal in comparison with international standards. Participant feedback was collected at the end of the program. Results: Participants reported a high level of satisfaction with the workshop, highlighting the relevance and clarity of the content as well as its perceived professional and career-related benefits. Interactive discussions enabled participants to identify context-specific challenges and opportunities in pharmacy practice in Nepal. Minor logistical limitations, including sound system and internet connectivity issues, were noted but did not significantly affect overall engagement. Conclusion: The workshop underscored the importance of continuous professional development initiatives to strengthen the implementation of GPP and enhance pharmacists’ contributions to health care delivery. Conducting similar capacity-building programs, particularly in remote and underserved regions, may support the promotion of standardized pharmacy practice and contribute to improved health care outcomes in Nepal.

Review
Medicine and Pharmacology
Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health

Jean-Claude Lavoie

,

Ibrahim Mohamed

Abstract: Numerous adverse effects caused by oxidative stress are commonly observed in preterm infants. This stress is caused by the oxidative burden resulting mainly from supplemental oxygen and parenteral nutrition (PN), and by their precarious antioxidant defense system. The natural antioxidant defense against these oxidant molecules relies on glutathione, levels of which are low in preterm infants. Given that several short- and long-term biological complications, including lung damage, are associated with this oxidative stress, the aim of this review was to discuss possible methods for reducing it. Consequently, after briefly discussing the effectiveness of reducing oxidative stress-related effects achieved through adequate photoprotection of PN, it is proposed to correct glutathione deficiency by adding glutathione to PN intended for premature infants. This article addresses the 1) importance and efficacy of parenteral glutathione in preventing oxidative stress, 2) causes of glutathione deficiency and ways to prevent it, 3) reasons why the disulfide form (GSSG) is recommended over the reduced form (GSH) for enriching PN, and 4) safety profile of glutathione infusion. In conclusion, we believe that the time has come to improve the health of premature infants by providing them with GSSG supplemented PN that is adequately photoprotected.

Article
Physical Sciences
Theoretical Physics

Jau Tang

Abstract: We develop a unified first-order framework for relativistic fields of different spin, in which the dynamics are governed by a common operator-based equation. This formulation provides a coherent description of scalar, spinor, vector, and tensor fields within a single structure and reproduces the corresponding second-order wave equations in appropriate limits. A central result is the emergence of a consistent spin-2 sector from the same underlying dynamics. By constructing the tensor field as a bilinear combination of internal spacetime degrees of freedom, we obtain a symmetric rank-2 field with the correct number of independent components. In the massless limit, the resulting equation matches the structure of linearized gravity, while source-like terms arise naturally from quadratic combinations of field derivatives, providing an intrinsic origin for an effective energy–momentum tensor. The Lagrangian formulation yields conserved quantities via Noether’s theorem and reproduces derivative structures consistent with the weak-field Einstein–Hilbert action. These results suggest that gravitational dynamics may emerge from a more fundamental first-order field theory.

Article
Physical Sciences
Fluids and Plasmas Physics

Miao Qin

,

Dehao Tian

,

Beinuo Lin

,

Kai Yuan

Abstract: During atmospheric reentry, a spacecraft is enveloped by a turbulent plasma sheath that induces severe signal degradation and communication blackout. Conventional mitigation strategies primarily focus on reducing average attenuation but fail to address the dynamic fluctuations in plasma density (typically 20%–40%), which cause significant group velocity dispersion (GVD), pulse broadening, and intersymbol interference. To overcome this limitation, this paper proposes an active decoupling framework that dynamically tunes an external magnetic field to suppress turbulence-induced signal distortion in the reentry plasma sheath. By establishing a wave propagation model for right-hand circularly polarized (RCP) waves in magnetized collisional plasma and introducing a sensitivity analysis of propagation parameters with respect to plasma density fluctuations, we derive the condition under which the first-order sensitivity of GVD vanishes. Under this condition, a dynamic balance between collisional effects and frequency detuning renders the system immune to density perturbations, effectively decoupling signal transmission from plasma turbulence. Numerical simulations demonstrate that, under optimal parameter matching, pulse broadening is suppressed by several orders of magnitude, and the broadening factor remains near unity over extended propagation distances. Furthermore, reentry trajectory analysis reveals that static matching is insufficient in dynamically evolving environments, motivating the necessity of adaptive magnetic field control. This work provides a novel physical-layer paradigm for mitigating reentry blackout by actively decoupling signals from turbulence via dynamically tuned magnetic fields.

Article
Medicine and Pharmacology
Clinical Medicine

Tao Zeng

,

Jin-Bao Cheng

,

Jie Yang

,

Liang-Cheng Yu

,

Man-Di Liang

,

Zhen-Yi Cao

,

Feng Ni

Abstract: Background: Heme oxygenase (HO) is an antioxidant enzyme ubiquitously present in the body. Oxidative stress is one of the main causes of male infertility. Here, we aimed to analyze the correlation between serum heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) level and sperm count, motility, normal morphology, and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) in infertile male patients. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, serum HO-1 concentrations, routine semen parameters, sperm morphology, and DFI were analyzed in 178 patients. Subjects were stratified into high-HO-1 (≥278 ng/L; n=77) and control (<278 ng/L; n=101) groups. Intergroup comparisons and Spearman's correlation analyses were performed. Results: The high-HO-1 group demonstrated significantly increased normal sperm morphology (P<0.05) and reduced sperm DFI (P<0.05) versus controls. No significant intergroup differences existed in sperm concentration or progressive motility (P>0.05). Correlation analysis revealed positive associations between HO-1 levels and normal morphology (r=0.190, P<0.05), and negative correlations with DFI (r= -0.195, P<0.05).Conclusions: We first identified significant correlations between serum HO-1 levels and both sperm DFI and normal morphology in infertile men, suggesting HO-1's protective role in spermatogenesis. Serum HO-1 quantification may offer a novel strategy for male fertility assessment.

Article
Computer Science and Mathematics
Mathematics

Luming Li

,

Fangfang Jiang

Abstract: In this paper, we are concerned with the existence of crossing periodic solutions for a class of second order discontinuous undamped Duffing equations. By applying the Poincaré-Bohl theorem, we obtain several existence results of 2π crossing periodic solutions.

Article
Public Health and Healthcare
Public, Environmental and Occupational Health

Federica Fiori

,

Diana Menis

,

Elisa Mansutti

,

Caterina Liudmila Graziani

,

Peter Cautero

,

Daniela Zago

,

Marco Driutti

,

Lucia Lesa

,

Enrico Scarpis

,

Alessandro Conte

+6 authors

Abstract: Healthy and sustainable food consumption implies not only making conscious food choices but also limiting waste. In fact, interventions targeting choices are effective only if the healthier food selected is not wasted on the plate. The aims of the study were: to quantify plate and service waste in hospital canteens; to characterize plate waste (PW) composition and environmental indicators; to compare PW before and after an intervention to improve food choices. Trays of users who gave consent were photographed (N=1,624) in three hospital canteens in Italy. PW was quantified visually, and energy, nutrients, and environmental indicators were estimated using portion sizes and recipes provided by canteen staff. PW was 4.7% (2.0-6.1% by canteen), corresponding on average to 33.1 g/tray, 43.6 kcal/tray, 69.6 gCO2 eq./tray and 61.8 LH2O/tray. Side dishes contributed the most to total PW (30%). The canteen where PW had decreased significantly (median among wasters: -48.9 g/tray) was the one with the poorest result in food choices. PW increased, though not significantly, in the other two canteens. Service waste analysis revealed considerable variability, probably driven by canteen management. In conclusion, the present study highlights the importance of including plate and service waste in public health campaigns.

Article
Business, Economics and Management
Economics

Alina Zaharia

,

Laura Brad

,

Marius Bogdan Petre

,

Ioan-Daniel Chiciudean

,

Gabriela-Ofelia Chiciudean

Abstract: In the context of SDG 7 and SDG 13 of the 2030 sustainable development agenda, a new performance indicator started to gain momentum in scientific research: the renewable energy productivity. Understanding the drivers and the challenges of green energy productivity could help add on to the classical focus of renewable energy research on infrastructure, technical and economic feasibility, environmental and social impacts, by considering more the performance indicators in this field. Only very few studies explored the influencing factors of the renewable energy productivity. Thus, this research aims to reveal the impact of social, economic, energy, and environmental variables on the green energy productivity. The methodological approach involves bibliometric analyses of the literature on green energy productivity (GEP), and panel data regression models involving 16 independent variables. The main findings indicate positive effects of green taxes, female participation in the workforce, and highly educated people on GEP, pointing out the importance of green taxation, education, and gender equality in sustainable development. On the other side, negative relationships of green energy productivity with economic growth, traditional energy variables, and air pollution were found for the European Union’s member states over 2007 and 2023. The results suggest that the analyzed European countries based their economic growth on traditional resources, with less importance provided to the renewable resources and green technologies, as the share of renewable resources of GDP was also negatively correlated. While private financial resources increases the green energy productivity, questions about research and development investments, urbanization, and diversity index are still debatable.

Article
Business, Economics and Management
Econometrics and Statistics

Anjali Chaudhary

,

Nisa Vinodkumar

,

Sayeda Meharunisa

,

Naila Iqbal Qureshi

,

Hena Naaz

,

Shoaib Ansari

Abstract: Achieving carbon neutrality has become a central policy objective for emerging economies, particularly the BRICS countries-BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) which collectively account for a substantial share of global carbon emissions and energy consumption. The transition toward green energy, rapid technological innovation, and the expansion of green finance mechanisms are increasingly viewed as critical drivers of sustainable development and environmental improvement. However, empirical evidence integrating these three dimensions within a unified analytical framework for BRICS remains limited. This study examines the contribution of green energy transition, technological innovation, and green finance to achieving carbon neutrality in BRICS countries using a Pooled mean group auto regressive distributed Lag (PMG ARDL) framework and Dumitrescu–Hurlin panel causality analysis. The results indicate that green energy transition significantly reduces carbon emissions in both the long run (−0.45) and short run (−5.65), emphasizing the importance of shifting toward renewable energy sources. Technological innovation exerts a significant negative effect in the long run (−0.17), reflecting efficiency gains and cleaner production, although its short-run impact remains insignificant. Similarly, green finance improves environmental quality in the long run (−0.10) by supporting low-carbon investments, while short-run effects are statistically insignificant due to adjustment frictions. Economic growth increases emissions in the long run (0.43), confirming the scale effect, whereas trade openness reduces emissions (−0.87), indicating the role of technology diffusion. The error correction term (−0.76) confirms a strong convergence toward long-run equilibrium. The causality analysis reveals unidirectional causality from green energy transition, technological innovation, and green finance to carbon emissions, while bidirectional causality exists between economic growth and emissions, highlighting a feedback mechanism. Policy implications suggest that BRICS economies should strengthen green financial systems, accelerate renewable energy adoption, promote innovation-driven sustainability, and design growth strategies that decouple economic expansion from environmental degradation.

Article
Public Health and Healthcare
Primary Health Care

Choshane Julia Motlakaladi

,

Mashamba Takalani Joyce

Abstract: Sanitation knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among primary school learners can aid in disease prevention through sanitation as well as in improving learner academic achievement. Despite this, evidence regarding sanitation KAP among rural South African primary school learners is inadequate. In this study, sanitation KAP among grade 6 learners in Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province, were investigated. The study adopted a quantitative cross-sectional design among 249 learners chosen randomly from nine primary schools. Data were collected utilizing a structured questionnaire which was pre-tested prior to the study. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 29 with the help of the Pearson chi-square test at a significance level of 5%. Of the total sample size, 59.0% exhibited adequate knowledge about sanitation (≥80% correct answers). Nonetheless, 41% held erroneous views regarding hand washing that it was enough for hands to look clean even without the use of soap, while only 41.0% used soap always after defecating. Open defecation was noted by 12.4% of the learners, where non-functional toilets accounted for 73% of these cases. Over half (45.8%) of the respondents were embarrassed about using school toilets. Knowledge about ill effects of poor hygiene on one's health correlated significantly with the age of learners.

Article
Medicine and Pharmacology
Pharmacy

Bishesh Bista

,

Dirgha Raj Joshi

Abstract: Background: Effective pharmacy regulation is a cornerstone of patient safety and rational medicine use. In Nepal, despite the existence of regulatory frameworks such as the Drug Act 2035 and policies restricting non-prescription sales of antibiotics, enforcement is weak and inconsistent, leading to widespread regulatory failure in community pharmacies. Problem: Multiple studies have documented widespread dispensing of antibiotics without valid prescriptions in community pharmacies across Nepal, with non-pharmacist staff frequently engaging in these practices. Analysis: Policy and practice gaps in Nepal’s pharmacy sector reflects systemic issues including insufficient regulatory capacity, workforce shortages of qualified pharmacists, market-driven dispensing behaviors, and low public awareness of rational medicine use. These structural barriers continue unsafe pharmaceutical care and weaken pharmacovigilance systems. Policy Implications: Strengthening enforcement must be reframed as a health systems and patient safety priority rather than a narrow regulatory task. A multi-pronged strategy including mandatory qualified pharmacist presence, enhanced inspection and compliance monitoring, integration of community pharmacies into national antimicrobial stewardship programs, and public awareness campaigns is urgently needed. Conclusion: Weak enforcement of pharmacy regulation in Nepal constitutes a significant but under-recognized threat to patient safety and antimicrobial stewardship. Translating existing policies into practice through systemic reforms can reduce medication-related harm and preserve antibiotic effectiveness.

Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Food Science and Technology

Sumaya Sameer Alshatari

,

Malgorzata Ziarno

Abstract: Background: Polyphenols interact bidirectionally with the gut microbiota and may enhance short‑chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, yet evidence from human randomized controlled trials (RCTs) has not been comprehensively synthesized. Objectives: This systematic review and meta‑analysis evaluated the effects of polyphenol supplementation on gut microbiota composition, microbial diversity, and fecal SCFA concentrations in adults, and examined moderators of these effects. Methods: Five databases were searched through October 2023 for RCTs assessing oral polyphenol supplementation in adults. Eligible studies reported outcomes related to gut microbiota composition or fecal SCFAs. Random‑effects meta‑analyses were conducted for SCFA outcomes, and subgroup analyses examined effects by polyphenol class, dose, duration, health status, and analytical methods. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool, and certainty of evidence using GRADE. Results: Fifty RCTs (n = 2,042 participants) were included. Polyphenol supplementation increased total SCFAs in 70.6% of studies and significantly increased butyrate concentrations (pooled SMD = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.32–0.64; I² = 58%). Acetate and propionate increased in 75% and 71.4% of studies, respectively. A consistent shift toward a more butyrogenic fermentation profile was observed. Polyphenols enriched beneficial genera, including Bifidobacterium (81.8%), Akkermansia muciniphila (50%), and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (45.5%), while reducing potentially pathogenic taxa such as Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridium spp. Improvements in alpha diversity were reported in 66.7% of studies, and beta diversity separation in 87.5%. Effects were stronger in individuals with metabolic disorders and in interventions lasting ≥12 weeks. Conclusions: Polyphenol supplementation consistently enhances beneficial gut bacteria, increases SCFA production, particularly butyrate, and improves microbial diversity in adults. These findings support classifying polyphenols as bioactive prebiotics that meet ISAPP criteria. This term underscores their distinction from traditional prebiotics within our proposed five-phase model: whereas fibers are characterized by their fermentability, polyphenols integrate direct antimicrobial activity against pathogenic species (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacteriaceae) with their role as selective substrates for beneficial microbes. This dual mechanism of action suggests that polyphenols do not merely supplement the microbiota but actively reshape it by pruning harmful taxa while fertilizing beneficial ones. Polyphenol-rich strategies represent promising microbiota-focused approaches; however, while shifts in microbial profiles coincide with better metabolic health, further research is required to bridge the correlation-causation gap and confirm whether these microbial changes directly drive clinical outcomes.

Article
Engineering
Other

Corné J. Coetzee

,

Matthew D. Purvance

Abstract: Events such as landslides and slope failures happen suddenly and can be catastrophic. To predict the onset of such events, as well as the flow and final deposition of the material, engineers make use of numerical modeling techniques. These events are associated with large deformation and mesh-based methods, such as the finite element method, are not capable of modeling them due to mesh distortion. The material point method (MPM) is a particle-based continuum method capable of modeling large deformation and material flow. In this paper, MPM is used to model the sudden and dynamic flow of material by modeling the collapse and runout of a non-cohesive sand column. The results from two- and three-dimensional models are compared to experiments, showing that MPM accurately predicts the free-surface profile of the material during collapse. Furthermore, the model accurately predicts the runout distance with an error of less than 5%.

Hypothesis
Biology and Life Sciences
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Hiroto Okayama

Abstract: How life originated in the ancient abiotic world is one of the most fundamental questions in modern bioscience. To address this problem, I propose a scientifically credible, fact-based scenario involving a pre life molecular entity that ultimately gave rise to living organisms. This entity consisted of DNA and RNA, in which double stranded linear DNA replicated in a calm environment with the assistance of RNA and served as a stable repository of information essential for evolution and survival. In the same environment, RNA molecules with catalytic activity replicated exclusively in stem–loop forms and gave rise to ribosomal and transfer RNAs. Under such calm, ribonucleotide rich conditions, the information stored in double stranded linear DNA was transcribed into messenger RNA. The seemingly improbable emergence of the extraordinarily complex translational system is hypothesized to have occurred through extended wobble-based recognition of all messenger RNA triplets by only two prebiotic tRNAs, enabling protein synthesis. Finally, independently evolved rRNA and tRNA are proposed to have been abiotically reverse transcribed and integrated into DNA based entities in a calm, deoxynucleotide rich environment. Thus, DNA and RNA are functionally interdependent: DNA stores genetic information encoding essential RNAs and produces self-beneficial protein products, whereas information stable double stranded DNA relies on RNA for its replication and transcription, particularly in calm prebiotic environments. This mutual dependence establishes a self-sustaining molecular system capable of problem solving, thereby enabling the emergence and evolution of life.

Article
Engineering
Architecture, Building and Construction

Xu Guo

,

Yingsheng Dang

,

Haijuan Wang

,

Feng Guo

,

Zihan Wang

Abstract: To alleviate the shortage of natural river sand and promote the utilization of aeolian sand, concrete was prepared by replacing river sand with Taklamakan Desert aeolian sand at different mass ratios. The effects of replacement ratio and curing age on compressive strength and microstructure were investigated using compressive strength tests, SEM, and EDS. A quadratic regression model was established by response surface methodology using replacement ratio, curing age, and Ca/Si ratio as variables. The results showed that compressive strength first increased and then decreased with increasing aeolian sand content, with the 20% replacement group achieving the highest strength. Strength increased with curing age, but the growth rate slowed after 28 days. SEM and EDS results indicated that suitable aeolian sand content promoted hydration product formation and matrix densification, whereas excessive replacement increased pores and interfacial defects. The Ca/Si ratio generally increased with curing age. The model showed good fitting accuracy, with R² = 0.9970, providing a reference for strength prediction and mix design optimization of aeolian sand concrete. Keywords: aeolian sand concrete; compressive strength; microstructure; Ca/Si ratio; response surface methodology

Article
Medicine and Pharmacology
Dentistry and Oral Surgery

Marisca Meyer

,

Casper Hendrik Jonker

,

Sandeepa Rajbaran-Singh

,

Anna Catherina Oettlé

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Endodontic success in maxillary first molars is often complicated by their complex anatomy, increasing the risk of procedural errors in "danger zones" where dentine is thin. While global data on root morphology exists, population-specific information for South Africans is lacking. This study aims to quantify root dentine thickness in a Black South African sample using a novel software program to enhance accuracy for preoperative planning and improved clinical outcomes. Methods: Micro-CT scans of 97 maxillary first molars (57 individuals) were analyzed. Den-tine thickness was measured at 0.1 mm intervals using a novel surface-to-interface software tool, which enabled automated, high-precision quantification of complex curved geometries. Data were standardized into 1 mm segments for analysis. Reliability trials confirmed high precision (within 0.0001 mm). Results: Buccal and lingual surfaces of mesiobuccal and distobuccal roots were consistently thicker than mesial and distal surfaces. All roots showed progressive thinning toward the apical third. Conversely, palatal roots exhibited an opposing pattern with mesial and distal surfaces that were thicker than buccal and lingual aspects. Age correlations were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The study identifies specific anatomical patterns in root dentine thickness within a South African sample. The thinner mesial and distal walls of buccal roots represent critical "danger zones" for clinicians. The novel software proved highly effective for precise morphometric mapping and offers a versatile framework for broader endodontic research. These findings provide essential data for optimizing endodontic treatment strategies and the development of population-specific dental instruments.

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