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Article
Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Markos A. Kousounadis-Knousen

,

Velissarios Theocharis

,

Athina P. Georgilaki

,

Pavlos S. Georgilakis

Abstract: Reliable photovoltaic (PV) power forecasting based on deep learning typically requires large historical datasets to capture the high temporal and spatial variability of solar irradiance. However, in many real-world applications, data availability is limited to short observation periods, hindering the effective training of deep learning models. This paper investigates how sky image data augmentation techniques can improve the generalization capability of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) trained under data scarcity. Three augmentation-based oversampling methods—SMOTE, Mixup-kNN, and Mixup-RP—are evaluated, along with two novel hybrid strategies that combine them in-parallel and in-series configurations. The proposed framework is validated on two distinct PV power nowcasting case studies, in which the original sky image training datasets span less than one month. Experimental results show average performance improvements of up to 50% on external validation data when training the CNN on the augmented datasets compared to the original base datasets, demonstrating that accurate PV power nowcasting is feasible even under data-scarce conditions typical of newly installed PV systems, and highlighting the potential of data-efficient learning approaches for renewable energy applications.

Article
Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Chumakov V.E.

,

Prokopenko N.N.

,

Kleimenkin D.V.

Abstract: It is shown that one of the promising areas in the design GaAs of high-temperature operational amplifiers (Op-Amps) are circuit solutions based on an "folded" stage. 12 (Op-Amp) new circuits are considered, which are implemented on GaAs nJFET and GaAs bipolar p-n-p transistors. Due to the original circuit design solutions in the proposed Op-Amp, the systematic components of the zero offset voltage are minimized due to the influence of the GaAs p-n-p BJT base currents and the asymmetry of the gate-drain JFET transistors of the input differential pair. Mathematical constraints on the static mode of the Op-Amp have been obtained, in which the total zero offset voltage takes on minimal values. As an example, a computer simulation of one of the Op-Amp circuits of the class in question was performed in the LTspice environment. The proposed GaAs Op-Amp family is recommended for use in analog automation devices operating at elevated temperatures. (up to 250-300°C).

Article
Medicine and Pharmacology
Oncology and Oncogenics

Karthik Murugadoss

,

A. J. Venkatakrishnan

,

Venky Soundararajan

Abstract: Metabolic dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for poor outcomes in breast cancer, but whether incretin-based therapies confer survival benefit beyond weight loss remains unresolved. Using a federated electronic health record platform spanning nearly 29 million patients, we evaluated breast cancer survival after semaglutide and tirzepatide initiation in routine care. In 1:1 propensity-matched pooled-comparator analyses, semaglutide was associated with improved overall survival versus metformin, sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitor users, with 54 deaths among 2,433 semaglutide users (2.2%) versus 395 deaths among 2,433 comparators (16.2%) over 24 months (log-rank P < 0.001). Tirzepatide showed a favorable survival association relative to pooled anti-diabetic comparators that did not meet statistical significance (P = 0.24), with 3 deaths among 220 users (1.4%) versus 64 deaths among 220 comparators (29.1%). In a head-to-head propensity-score–matched comparison, overall survival did not differ significantly between semaglutide- and tirzepatide-treated patients with pre-existing breast cancer (2,117 per arm; P = 0.12). In semaglutide-treated patients alive and observable at the 1-year landmark, higher maximum dose achieved was significantly associated with lower post-landmark mortality (P = 0.034), with an event rate of approximately 1.0% in the high-dose group (≥1.7 mg) versus approximately 4.5% in the low-dose group (0.25–1.0 mg). Despite a linear dose–weight loss relationship for semaglutide, however, weight-loss strata did not separate survival outcomes (global P = 0.22). In tirzepatide-treated patients alive and observable at the same landmark, neither maximum dose achieved nor weight-loss strata separated post-landmark survival (P = 0.98 and P = 0.50, respectively). Structured EHR and AI-based clinical-note analyses further showed significantly lower frequency of documented metastatic disease in semaglutide-treated patients relative to pooled anti-diabetic comparators, including any metastasis (7.0% versus 15.0%, rate ratio 0.5, P < 0.001), bone metastasis (1.0% versus 5.2%, rate ratio 0.2, P < 0.001), and liver, lung, or brain metastases (all P < 0.001). LLM-derived cause-of-death extraction further showed a 60% lower relative proportion of cancer-associated deaths in semaglutide-treated patients (19% of ascertainable deaths) than in matched pooled anti-diabetic comparators (47% of ascertainable deaths), with comparator deaths more often attributed to cancer progression involving metastatic breast cancer, leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, and cancer-driven organ failure. Overall, this study demonstrates that semaglutide use in patients with pre-existing breast cancer is associated with a dose-correlated but weight-loss independent improvement in overall survival. These findings motivate prospective trials of GLP-1 receptor agonists in breast cancer across various stages and treatment settings.

Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Neuroscience and Neurology

Guo-Quan Yao

,

Zhen-Ru Yuan

,

Xin-Tong Qiu

,

Cheng-Guo Jiang

,

Chong Zhang

,

Guang-Xi Piao

,

Hong Ma

,

Zi-He Zhu

,

Yu-Gang Diao

,

Felipe Fregni

+1 authors

Abstract: Background: Neuropathic pain (NP), a debilitating condition from nervous system le-sions, is poorly managed by current therapies. The cingulate cortex is crucial for affec-tive pain processing, yet a comprehensive spatiotemporal understanding of its molec-ular changes in NP is lacking. Methods: This study performed RNA sequencing to pro-file transcriptomic alterations in the anterior cingulate (ACC) and midcingulate (MCC) cortices of mice at two and four weeks after spared nerve injury. Bioinformatics anal-yses, including differential expression, functional enrichment, weighted gene co-expression network analysis, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network con-struction, were employed. Results: We identified widespread, time-dependent tran-scriptional dysregulation in both regions, with differentially expressed genes increas-ing over time. Analyses confirmed central roles for synaptic plasticity and neuroin-flammatory pathways. Importantly, we uncovered significant dysregulation in prote-ostasis and mitochondrial function pathways, mechanisms shared with neurodegen-erative diseases. PPI analysis identified stage-specific hub genes (e.g., early interfer-on-stimulated genes and late ribosomal proteins in ACC; persistent extracellular ma-trix components in MCC). Conclusions: This study provides a detailed transcriptomic atlas of the cingulate cortex in NP, reinforcing known mechanisms while elucidating novel dysregulation in protein homeostasis and mitochondrial pathways. The findings highlight convergent pathophysiology with neurodegeneration and offer a new theo-retical framework with potential therapeutic targets for chronic NP.

Article
Environmental and Earth Sciences
Waste Management and Disposal

Arystan Dikhanbaev

,

Bayandy Dikhanbaev

,

Marat Koshumbayev

,

Kuat Baubekov

,

Khakim Yessentay

,

Sultan Ybray

Abstract: In the Republic of Kazakhstan, more than 300 million tons of ash are stored in dumps, containing substantial quantities of valuable metals. The aim of this work is to achieve waste-free and carbon-neutral processing of Ekibastuz coal. The innovations include: a smelter using new "ideal mixing–ideal displacement" method, lowering energy consumption by two to three times compared to current models; extraction degree exceeding 70% for germanium and zinc, and successful production of stone-cast products; a distiller based on the "counter colliding jets" method, with tenfold reduction in energy consumption, compared to a traditional one; a zinc-method for hydrogen production, reducing electricity to one-third of that required by electrolysis; carbon reduction from its dioxide by hydrogen. The analysis suggests that reaching carbon neutrality by 2060 for a boiler with a power rating of 125 MW will necessitate increasing its power output by approximately 2.58 times. A comprehensive assessment of the economic efficiency related to the processing of Ekibastuz coal, including 15% gas decarbonization, suggests that the system could realize a payback period of around eight years.

Article
Medicine and Pharmacology
Oncology and Oncogenics

Eirini Papadopoulou

,

Georgios N Tsaousis

,

Romina Alevizou

,

Dimitrios Alexandrou

,

Theodoros Argyriou

,

Anna Giannopoulou

,

Markos Thanos

,

Sofia Kakoulaki

,

Christos Kalivopoulos

,

Maria Kanara

+20 authors

Abstract: Background: Breast cancer and gynecological malignancies, including cervical, ovarian, and endometrial cancers, remain leading causes of cancer incidence and mortality among women worldwide. This study investigated hereditary predisposition rates in women diagnosed with breast or gynecological cancer, focusing on the effect of age on pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variant detection. We sought to determine whether younger age at diagnosis should be used as a criterion for patient selection for genetic testing. Methods: A total of 9084 consecutive females with breast cancer or gynecological tumors underwent NGS-based genetic testing (53 cancer-relevant genes) at Genekor laboratory from 2020-2026. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated factors associated with P/LP variant detection, adjusting for tumor type and family history. Results: Overall P/LP prevalence was approximately 20% (one in five patients), with tumor-specific rates of 19.24% in breast cancer, 27.59% in ovarian cancer, and 26.67% in endometrial cancer. P/LP prevalence declined significantly with age from 24.37% in patients <40 years to 15.90% in those ≥70 years, while VUS remained stable (40-43%). P/LP patients had earlier diagnosis (median 45 vs 46 years, p<0.001), driven predominantly by high-risk genes (13.87% in <40y vs 7.11% in ≥70y). BRCA1 showed stronger age enrichment than BRCA2 (8.14% vs 3.16% in <40y; median diagnosis 43 vs 45 years). Age remained independently associated with P/LP detection in multivariable analysis, with an 18% reduction in odds per 10-year increase for any P/LP (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.78-0.86) and a stronger 28% reduction for high-risk variants (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.67-0.78). Family history also independently predicted P/LP detection (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.19-1.66). Conclusions: While younger patients have a higher prevalence of high-risk variants, clinically actionable findings were identified across all age groups, including patients ≥70 years These findings indicate that focusing on age to determine eligibility for genetic testing is insufficient. Expanding testing accessibility to individuals regardless of their age at diagnosis may enhance the identification of genetic cancer risk and optimize patient management.

Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Animal Science, Veterinary Science and Zoology

Miao Yu

,

Yaojun Li

,

Bing Yu

,

Daiwen Chen

Abstract: To screen high-quality porcine-derived lactic acid bacteria for swine production, this study compared growth performance, acid production, acid and bile salt tolerance, and genome characteristics of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (MRS002), Lactobacillus amylovorus (MRS003), and Ligilactobacillus salivarius (MRS004). All three strains showed typical anaerobic growth. L. amylovorus had a longer growth cycle and higher biomass, while L. plantarum and L. salivarius grew faster and produced more acid, with pH values reaching 4.2 and 4.3 at 24 h. L. plantarum and L. salivarius also exhibited higher survival rates under 0.3% bile salt and pH 2.0 stress. Genome annotation revealed that more than 50% of genes were related to metabolism in all strains. L. plantarum possessed the most comprehensive metabolic and stress-resistance gene networks; L. amylovorus was enriched in starch-degradation pathways; and L. salivarius showed unique advantages in aromatic amino acid metabolism. In summary, L. salivarius MRS004 displays superior probiotic traits, L. plantarum MRS002 has broad adaptability, and L. amylovorus MRS003 is suitable for high-starch feed fermentation. This study provides theoretical support and strain resources for probiotic development and antibiotic-free breeding.

Article
Engineering
Other

Leonardo Alfredo Forero Mendoza

,

Antonio Guilherme Garcia Lima

,

Harold D. de Mello, Jr.

,

Marco Aurelio C. Pacheco

Abstract: Understanding climate-streamflow dependencies is crucial for evaluating reservoir impacts and adaptive water management. This study analyzed streamflow in two key Brazilian reservoirs, Três Marias (São Francisco Basin) and Serra da Mesa (Tocantins Basin), using monthly records from 1979 to 2020. A 12-month moving average temporal filter enhanced low-frequency climate signals to assess hydrological variability and memory. Temporal smoothing substantially clarified climate–streamflow dependencies, with correlation gains reaching 106% for PDO, 204% for ENSO, and more than 4,200% for the Antarctic Oscillation (AAO) in Três Marias. The filtered analysis revealed contrasting hydrological memory structures: Três Marias exhibited multi-year memory with maximum correlations at approximately 22–27 months, while Serra da Mesa showed faster response times of 4–12 months. To evaluate predictive implications, streamflow forecasting was performed using two deep learning architectures: LSTM (recurrent neural network baseline) and TCN (temporal convolutional network). TCN substantially outperformed LSTM in Três Marias (R2 = 0.95 vs. 0.05), demonstrating that convolutional architectures effectively exploit low-frequency persistence when scale-aware preprocessing reveals it. These findings show that temporal filtering provides an effective framework for detecting climate–streamflow dependencies and hydrological memory, with direct implications for seasonal-to-decadal forecasting and climate-informed reservoir management under changing conditions.

Article
Medicine and Pharmacology
Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems

Can Zhao

,

Wei Yao

,

Jianping Xu

,

Guangyu Pan

,

Shen Liu

Abstract: Background: Postoperative hyperbilirubinemia is a serious complication after cardiac surgery and has been associated with increased perioperative morbidity and mortality. However, data specifically addressing patients undergoing redo valve surgery remain limited. This study aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors of postoperative hyperbilirubinemia after redo valve surgery, and evaluate its association with early postoperative outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 259 adult patients who underwent elective redo valve surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) between March 2018 and July 2024. Postoperative hyperbilirubinemia was defined as a serum total bilirubin level > 3 mg/dL at any time after surgery. Patients were divided into a hyperbilirubinemia group and a non-hyperbilirubinemia group. Perioperative variables were compared between groups. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for postoperative hyperbilirubinemia. Postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality were also compared. Results: Postoperative hyperbilirubinemia occurred in 101 of 259 patients (39.0%). Compared with patients without hyperbilirubinemia, those with hyperbilirubinemia had longer mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit stay, and higher rates of pneumonia, reintubation, tracheostomy, continuous renal replacement therapy, and in-hospital mortality. Univariable logistic regression showed that higher EuroSCORE II, higher preoperative total bilirubin and direct bilirubin levels, lower hemoglobin and platelet count, pulmonary hypertension, anemia, longer operative time, CPB duration, and aortic cross-clamp time, lower nasopharyngeal temperature, greater intraoperative blood loss, larger red blood cell and plasma transfusion volumes, and concomitant surgery on all three valves were associated with postoperative hyperbilirubinemia. Multivariable analysis identified elevated preoperative direct bilirubin, prolonged CPB duration, and more plasma transfusion as independent risk factors. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that peak postoperative total bilirubin was associated with in-hospital mortality, with an optimal cut-off value of 3.95 mg/dL (AUC 0.756, sensitivity 66.7%, specificity 80.2%, p = 0.003). Conclusions: Postoperative hyperbilirubinemia is common after redo valve surgery and is associated with worse early postoperative outcomes and higher in-hospital mortality. Elevated preoperative direct bilirubin, prolonged CPB duration, and more plasma transfusion are independent risk factors for postoperative hyperbilirubinemia in this high-risk population.

Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Life Sciences

Wim Hordijk

Abstract: Autocatalytic sets are chemical reaction networks in which the molecules mutually catalyze each other's formation supported by an ambient food set. They are believed to have played an important role in the origin of metabolism and life, and have been studied extensively both theoretically and experimentally. Autocatalytic sets often consist of a hierarchical structure of smaller and smaller autocatalytic subsets. Of particular interest are irreducible autocatalytic sets and closed autocatalytic sets. Previously, it has been shown that finding {\it all} such autocatalytic subsets is, in principle, intractable. Here, several algorithms are presented to enumerate irreducible and closed autocatalytic sets, either exhaustively (but only practical in limited cases) or in the form of a random sample. Their implementation in a C++ program, made available as a GitHub repository, is then tested on instances of a computational model of chemical reaction networks known as the binary polymer model.

Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Agricultural Science and Agronomy

Vannak Sour

,

Anoma Dongsansuk

,

Supat Isarangkool Na Ayutthaya

,

Soraya Ruamrungsri

,

PANUPON HONGPAKDEE

Abstract: Containerized ornamental plant production requires efficient irrigation strategies to balance plant quality with water and nutrient conservation. This study evaluated the effects of different leaching fraction (LF) levels (0%, 20%, 40%, and 60%) on plant growth, ornamental quality, water use, and macronutrient leaching in off-season potted Curcuma cv. ‘Jasmine Pink’. Irrigation volumes were determined using crop coefficient (Kc)-based estimates derived from evaporation pan measurements. The results showed that the highest LF level (60%) significantly improved several ornamental quality traits, including flower number per cluster, leaf greenness, specific leaf area, and compactness index, while also increasing aerial dry weight and photosynthetic performance during the flowering stage. These improvements were associated with reduced substrate electrical conductivity, indicating that higher LF might effectively mitigated root-zone salt accumulation and promoted favorable physiological conditions for plant growth. However, increasing LF also resulted in greater irrigation water consumption and higher macronutrient losses through leachate, particularly for potassium. In contrast, lower LF treatments (0–20%) improved water use efficiency and reduced nutrient losses but showed moderate salt accumulation in the root zone, which slightly limited photosynthetic performance and ornamental development. Overall, the results indicate that a higher LF (60%) provides optimal plant growth and ornamental quality for off-season potted Curcuma production, although integrated strategies may be required to reduce water and nutrient losses. These findings provide practical insights for optimizing irrigation management in container-grown ornamental crops.

Article
Medicine and Pharmacology
Neuroscience and Neurology

Saed Sayad

,

Mark Hiatt

,

Dhruvajyoti Roy

Abstract: Background. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with a complex etiology, often diagnosed late in its course. Early detection of AD biomarkers could aid in timely intervention and management. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) offers a powerful tool to unravel cellular heterogeneity and identify molecular signatures associated with disease states. Here, we employ scRNA-seq on peripheral blood samples to investigate potential predictive biomarkers for AD. Methods. We analyzed the publicly available scRNA-seq dataset GSE181279, comprising peripheral blood cells from three individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and two healthy controls. Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on these samples to profile the transcriptomic landscape of individual cells. Bioinformatics analyses were employed to identify differentially expressed genes and cellular subtypes associated with AD pathology. Machine learning algorithms were utilized to develop predictive models based on gene expression patterns, aiming to discriminate between AD patients and healthy controls. Results. Our scRNA-seq (GSE181279) analysis revealed distinct gene expression profiles and cellular subtypes in peripheral blood samples from AD patients compared to healthy controls. We identified several dysregulated genes and cell populations associated with AD pathology, including immune cell activation and neuroinflammatory processes. Differential-expression and enrichment analyses identified candidate genes and pathways associated with immune activation, stress-response signaling, and altered cellular homeostasis in AD. In an exploratory leave-one-out analysis, a two-gene model incorporating BTG1 and DUSP1 separated AD from healthy controls within this very small dataset; these findings require validation in larger independent cohorts. Conclusions. This exploratory analysis suggests that peripheral-blood scRNA-seq may help identify candidate biomarkers associated with AD. The identified gene expression signatures and cellular subtypes associated with AD pathology provide valuable insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of the disease. Furthermore, the development of accurate predictive models based on scRNA-seq data suggests a promising avenue for early diagnosis and intervention in AD. Further validation and prospective studies are warranted to assess the clinical utility and generalizability of these findings in larger cohorts.

Article
Social Sciences
Tourism, Leisure, Sport and Hospitality

Asmar Yulastri

,

Ganefri Ganefri

,

Feri Ferdian

,

Elfizon Elfizon

,

Yudha Aditya Fiandra

,

Feliciano Quintas do Céu

Abstract: This study examines the role of entrepreneurship education quality in shaping students’ tourism development orientation through cognitive and capability-based mechanisms. In the context of developing countries such as Indonesia and Timor-Leste, strengthening entrepreneurial capacity is essential to support sustainable tourism growth. Using a quantitative cross-sectional design, data were collected from 348 university students enrolled in entrepreneurship-related programs across the two countries. The study employs Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), multi-group analysis (PLS-MGA), and fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) to test direct, mediating, and moderating relationships. The findings reveal that entrepreneurship education quality significantly enhances entrepreneurial self-efficacy, which in turn strengthens innovation capability, leading to higher entrepreneurial intention and ultimately tourism development orientation. However, no direct effect of education quality on entrepreneurial intention or tourism orientation was found, indicating full mediation. Entrepreneurship course experience positively moderates the relationship between education quality and self-efficacy, while prior entrepreneurial experience shows no significant moderating effect. Cross-national analysis indicates that the link between entrepreneurial intention and tourism orientation is stronger in Indonesia than in Timor-Leste. Overall, the study highlights the importance of fostering self-efficacy and innovation capability as key pathways through which entrepreneurship education contributes to tourism development.

Article
Environmental and Earth Sciences
Other

Francesco La Vigna

,

Saverio Romeo

,

Mauro Bonasera

,

Maria Paola Campolunghi

,

Gianluigi Di Paola

,

Paolo Maria Guarino

,

Gabriele Leoni

,

Raffaele Proietti

Abstract: Urban areas are increasingly affected by geological and climate-driven processes that influence their safety, functionality, and long-term resilience. Conventional sustainability indicators mainly focus on anthropogenic impacts on the environment, while the role of subsurface conditions and physical processes shaping urban vulnerability remains underrepresented. To address this gap, the Urban Geo-climate Footprint (UGF) introduces an inverse perspective, assessing how geological and climatic factors exert pressure on urban systems. The methodology is based on the breakdown of geological effects into five drivers, Geology, Deep Geological Processes, Surface Processes, Exogenous and Climatic Processes, and Subsurface Anthropogenic Pressure. These drivers, in the derived tool, are articulated into 22 parameters evaluated from public datasets and expert judgment. These parameters are combined into a synthetic, standardised, reproducible and comparable index, the UGF Score Index (UGF-SI), ranging from 0 to 500 which enables direct comparison across cities and contexts. The application to 21 Italian cities highlights distinct spatial patterns, dominant drivers, and groups of cities facing similar geo-climatic challenges. The UGF framework represents a significant advancement in urban geoscience, supporting urban planning, risk awareness, and climate adaptation strategies by enhancing the understanding of subsurface-related pressures and promoting informed decision-making.

Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Horticulture

Ma. del Carmen Ángeles González-Chávez

,

Jesús Adrián Barajas González

,

Rogelio Carrillo-González

,

Yazmín Stefany Perea Vélez

Abstract: Salinity represents a critical agricultural threat that reduces the productivity of several crops. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), recognized as the world´s second most significant horticultural commodity globally, is salt-sensitive. This research evaluated seed priming treatments (hydro, halo, bacterio, and halo-bacterio) at different phenological stages under two salinity conditions (0 and 16 mM NaCl) as a biotechnological alternative to mitigate salt stress and increase production. Using physiological variables and multivariate statistical analyses, this research demonstrated that priming treatments modified the physiological, nutritional, and productive metabolism of tomato plants. Bacteriopriming, using an endophytic and halophytic bacterial consortium isolated from halophytes, enhanced germination variables and N, P, Ca and Zn absorption in seedlings. In the vegetative and reproductive stage and under stress, halo-bacteriopriming consistently enhanced concentrations of K, Mg, and Zn in leaves and fruits, but decreased Na absorption. This nutritional balance allowed not only a higher concentration of chlorophyll but also a significant increase in yield and beta-carotene concentration in tomato fruits. For the first time, this research demonstrated that the halo-bacteriopriming with this kind of bacteria is a biotechnological strategy to mitigate saline stress, optimizing not only tomato growth, but also its nutraceutical quality. It significantly outperformed the plant response in all stages of development compared to those from control, hydro, and halo-primed treatments.

Review
Chemistry and Materials Science
Organic Chemistry

Carlos Alberto López-Rosas

,

Enrique Delgado-Alvarado

,

Felipe Barrera-Méndez

,

Israel Bonilla-Landa

,

José Luis Olivares-Romero

Abstract: Chirality has emerged as a critical determinant in the design, efficacy, and environmental behavior of modern insecticides. While a significant proportion of agrochemicals are inherently chiral, most are still commercialized as racemic mixtures, despite well-documented differences in biological activity, toxicity, and degradation pathways between enantiomers. In this review, we provide a comprehensive and critical analysis of advances in the stereoselective synthesis and resolution of chiral insecticides, with particular emphasis on neonicotinoids, pyrethroids, and oxadiazines, including indoxacarb. A systematic survey of the literature (1985–2025), including peer-reviewed articles and patents, reveals that multiple strategies have been developed to access enantiomerically enriched compounds, including asymmetric organocatalysis, transition-metal catalysis, chiral-pool approaches, biocatalytic transformations, and chromatographic resolution techniques. Among these, recent developments in photoredox catalysis, recyclable metal complexes, and enzyme-mediated processes have significantly improved enantioselectivity and scalability, bridging the gap between academic methodologies and industrial applications. Despite these advances, challenges remain in achieving cost-effective, sustainable, and universally applicable asymmetric processes. Importantly, the relationship between stereochemistry and biological performance underscores the need for integrating synthetic chemistry with toxicological and environmental studies. Future directions point toward the incorporation of green chemistry principles, continuous-flow processes, and computational tools, including machine learning and molecular modeling, to accelerate the rational design of enantiopure agrochemicals. This review highlights both the progress achieved and the critical gaps that must be addressed to realize the potential of stereoselective insecticide development fully.

Article
Chemistry and Materials Science
Materials Science and Technology

Mubarak Ali

Abstract: A carbon element exhibits complex behavior. It can be due to its various allotropes. From various carbon precursors, a carbon material can result. The published studies on carbon-based materials are not groundbreaking enough. The discussed results also lack the original science and engineering of carbon materials. The study of each carbon allotrope is a first need. It should follow the binding of the same-state atoms. Depending on the processing conditions of a carbon precursor, a carbon atom can change its state behavior. In the state conversion of a carbon atom, the energy bits shaped-like dashes transfer electrons to nearby unfilled states. The involved dash-shaped energy bit maintains partially conserved behavior. Atoms in the graphite state also study a one-dimensional structure under the execution of electron dynamics. A structure in the nanotube atoms is two-dimensional. A fullerene structure is four-dimensional. In the structural formation of diamond, lonsdaleite, or graphene, the energy bits shaped like a golf stick bind their atoms. The binding of the diamond atoms is from the surface to the south, whereas the formation of a diamond structure is from the south to the surface. In the structural formation of a glassy carbon, the layers of gaseous, graphitic, and lonsdaleite atoms bind simultaneously. The motivation behind this study is to explore the atomic structure in carbon, state conversion, binding in carbon atoms, the glassy carbon structure, and the hardness of carbon materials. It provides a new insight into the basic and applied science of carbon-based materials.

Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Immunology and Microbiology

Dan Jin

,

Bayli DiVita

,

Alexandra Reid

,

John W. Figg

,

Connor Francis

,

Laura Falceto Font

,

Caitland Love

,

Kaytora Long-James

,

David William Hilferty

,

Sofia Stansbury

+5 authors

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Glioblastoma (GBM) remains a lethal primary CNS malignancy with limited response to immunotherapy. Adoptive cellular therapy (ACT) improves survival in preclinical models, yet tumors ultimately recur. While T cell exhaustion is a common mechanism of resistance, the contribution of dendritic cell (DC) dysfunction remains unclear. We aimed to define mechanisms of immune escape following ACT, focusing on DC function and the role of hypoxia. Methods: Using a murine glioma model (KR158B), mice were treated with ACT consisting of tumor RNA–pulsed DC vaccines and adoptively transferred T cells. Tumor-infiltrating immune populations were analyzed by flow cytometry. DC function was assessed using T cell activation assays. Bulk RNA sequencing and gene set enrichment analysis were performed on sorted DCs. Hypoxia was modeled in vitro, and HIF1α was perturbed using CRISPR-mediated knockout. Results: ACT significantly increased survival but did not prevent tumor recurrence. Escaped tumors contained abundant cytotoxic, non-exhausted T cells, indicating that T cell dysfunction was not the primary driver of resistance. Instead, tumor-associated DCs exhibited impaired T cell activation despite preserved antigen uptake. Transcriptomic analyses revealed reduced antigen presentation and co-stimulatory signaling, alongside increased expression of tolerogenic factors. ACT-treated tumors demonstrated heightened hypoxia pathway activation, with elevated HIF1α expression in DCs. Hypoxia induced DC tolerogenic programs and reduced their ability to activate T cells, an effect partially reversed by HIF1α disruption. Increased immune infiltration and inflammation following ACT further amplified hypoxia signaling. Conclusions: DC dysfunction is a key mechanism of immune escape following ACT in glioma. Hypoxia-driven tolerization of DCs impairs sustained anti-tumor immunity, highlighting the hypoxia–DC axis as a promising therapeutic target to enhance immunotherapy efficacy.

Review
Medicine and Pharmacology
Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Carmelo Dueñas-Castell

,

José Correa-Guerrero

,

Dairo Rodelo-Barrios

,

Luis Valderrama-Ortiz

,

Cristhian Vallejo-Burgos

,

Diana Borré-Naranjo

,

Amilkar Almanza-Hurtado

,

Elber Osorio-Rodríguez

Abstract: Acute respiratory failure (ARF) often leads to ICU admission, ventilatory support, illness, and death. The usual classification into hypoxemic and hypercapnic types does not capture its full complexity. Precision medicine uses the idea of “treatable traits” to guide care based on traits that are clinically relevant, identifiable, measurable, and possibly changeable. Arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO₂) reflects factors like alveolar ventilation, dead space, respiratory mechanics, and how patients respond to ventilatory support. This makes it a clinically relevant variable in selected situations in certain situations. We carried out a scoping review using PRISMA-ScR and JBI guidelines (OSF post hoc protocol https://osf.io/vszkg) to summarize evidence on hypocapnia and hypercapnia as prognostic, stratification, or clinically relevant variables during respiratory support. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science (1994–2025), and checked references by hand. Thirty-four studies met our criteria and were grouped into four areas: pre-intubation or early acute presentation, non-invasive support (NIV/HFNC), invasive mechanical ventilation, and weaning or post-extubation. In summary, hypocapnia was linked to worse outcomes or failure of support in hypoxemic or cardiogenic cases. Hypercapnia helped identify patients who benefited from NIV, such as those with COPD or obesity-hypoventilation. For invasive mechanical ventilation, the effects depended on the presence and severity of acidosis and how long it lasted. We found that PaCO₂ is measurable and clinically important, but whether it can be targeted for treatment depends on the situation. More research is needed to set safe limits and practical targets.

Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Plant Sciences

Angel David Hernández-Amasifuen

,

Julio Cesar Santos-Pelaez

,

Jheyson Yopan

,

Jorge Alberto Condori-Apfata

,

Juan Carlos Guerrero-Abad

Abstract:

Extracting high-molecular-weight (HMW) DNA from cactus tissues remains technically challenging due to the abundance of mucilage, pectins, polyphenols, and other metabolites that compromise DNA purity, increase viscosity, and reduce integrity, thereby limiting its suitability for long-read sequencing. This constraint is particularly relevant in Selenicereus megalanthus, a crop of increasing agronomic and genomic importance for which optimized protocols for third-generation sequencing remain limited. Here, we compared four CTAB-based DNA extraction protocols using dehydrated cladode tissue and evaluated DNA quality using NanoDrop spectrophotometry, Qubit fluorometry, agarose gel electrophoresis, and functional validation via sequencing on the Oxford Nanopore PromethION 2 Solo platform. Among the tested methods, our proposed optimized mucilage-adapted CTAB (MuCTAB) protocol, comprising 4% CTAB, 4% PVP-40, 0.5% β-mercaptoethanol, and proteinase K, showed the best overall performance. MuCTAB yielded the highest dsDNA concentration (239.63 ± 34.37 ng/µL), optimal purity ratios (A260/A280 = 1.96 ± 0.05; A260/A230 = 2.01 ± 0.01), and superior DNA integrity. Nanopore validation confirmed its effectiveness, producing the highest sequencing yield (84.2 Gbp), read count, N50 (40.3 kbp), and maximum read length (1.9 Mbp). Overall, MuCTAB represents a low-cost, reproducible, and efficient method for HMW DNA extraction from mucilage-rich pitahaya tissues and other recalcitrant plant species.

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