Abstract: Feline pulmonary carcinomas are rare and often carry a poor prognosis, particularly when associated with feline lung–digit syndrome. We report a cat with primary pulmonary carcinoma and extensive metastases—including digits, pleura, mandible, scapula, spleen, skeletal muscle, and distant lymph nodes—supporting the broader “MODAL syndrome” concept. Adjuvant therapy with toceranib phosphate and meloxicam achieved prolonged survival and excellent quality of life, with no adverse effects despite dose escalation. Rapid progression after discontinuation suggests a role for toceranib in delaying tumour growth. Immunohistochemistry revealed c-kit expression in one metastatic lesion but not in the primary tumour or most metastases, highlighting intratumoral heterogeneity and the complexity of targeted therapy. The observed benefit likely reflects toceranib’s multi-target activity (VEGFR2, PDGFR), impacting angiogenesis and tumour progression. This case represents the first report of toceranib use in feline pulmonary carcinoma and underscores its potential as a palliative option.

Abstract: Quantum entanglement is a fundamental resource in quantum information theory, yet its general characterization and quantification remain challenging, especially in multipartite systems. In this work we investigate entanglement from a geometric perspective, focusing on the Riemannian structure induced by the Fubini--Study metric on the projective Hilbert space of multi-qubit quantum states. By exploiting the local-unitary invariance of this metric, we derive the entanglement distance (ED), a geometric measure that quantifies entanglement as an obstruction to locally minimizing the sum of squared Fubini--Study distances generated by local operations. We analyze the properties of ED for pure multi-qubit states and discuss its behavior under local operations and classical communication. In particular, we show that ED reproduces established entanglement measures in well-defined and restricted settings. For pure states of two qubits, ED reduces to an exact monotone function of the concurrence and, independently, to an explicit monotone function of the entropy of entanglement. These results provide a clear geometric interpretation of standard bipartite entanglement measures within the present framework, while highlighting the limitations of such correspondences beyond the two-qubit case.

Abstract: Multi-Group Homomorphic Encryption (MGHE) is a pivotal advance in secure multi-party computation, integrating merits of Multi-Party Homomorphic Encryption (MPHE) and Multi-Key Homomorphic Encryption (MKHE) to eliminate MPHE’s fixed-party limitation and mitigate MKHE’s ciphertext expansion from dynamic enrollment. However, the efficient single-key FINAL scheme cannot extend to multi-party scenarios, due to the challenge of defining valid multiplication for vector NTRU ciphertexts, which hinders its use in multi-group bootstrapping and curbs efficiency. To address this, additive secret sharing is adopted to convert vector NTRU ciphertext multiplication into secret share multiplication, enabling shared bootstrapping key generation within groups. For the first time, a multi-group ciphertext bootstrapping algorithm based on LWE and NTRU is proposed. Bootstrapping tasks are decomposed for parallel processing, and a hybrid product algorithm is designed to aggregate subtask outputs, boosting multi-group bootstrapping speed to match that of single-key ciphertexts. Noise accumulation is analyzed, with 100-bit and 128-bit security parameter sets selected for validation. Experiments show that 30/50-party multi-group bootstrapping takes only 1.87/2.58 seconds respectively.

Abstract: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection remains a major global health concern due to its strong association with cervical and other anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. The outcome of HPV infection is largely determined by complex interactions between the virus and host immune responses. This review summarizes current knowledge on the immune landscape of HPV infection, focusing on innate immune recognition, adaptive immune responses, and viral immune evasion strategies. HPV is sensed by host pattern recognition receptors, yet it efficiently suppresses interferon signaling and cytokine responses to establish persistent infection. Adaptive immunity, including HPV-specific CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell responses and neutralizing antibodies, plays a critical role in viral clearance, while defects in these responses contribute to persistence and disease progression. The virus employs multiple immune evasion mechanisms, such as downregulation of antigen presentation and modulation of cytokine signaling, facilitating immune escape and oncogenesis. The review also highlights immune correlates of protection, vaccine-induced immunity, and emerging immunotherapeutic strategies targeting HPV-associated diseases. A comprehensive understanding of HPV–host immune interactions is essential for optimizing vaccine design, improving therapeutic interventions, and reducing the global burden of HPV-related malignancies.

Abstract: This paper introduces a hybrid framework for assessing the technical feasibility and system readiness of emerging multimodal mobility concepts, with a focus on the Pods4Rail project. The methodology combines qualitative and quantitative approaches to address the inherent uncertainty of early design phases. The qualitative component evaluates Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) for individual subsystems using expert judgment and visual heat maps, identifying critical challenges in automation, digitalization, and sustainability. The quantitative approach distinguishes between the probabilistic model—representing the uncertainties in TRL and IRL—the problem of propagating these uncertainties to estimate the System Readiness Level (SRL), and the algorithm used to solve this problem, which in this case is Monte Carlo simulation. This framework enables SRL estimation under uncertainty, where explicit quantification of uncertainties is essential for sound decision-making. Results indicate that Pods4Rail project currently falls between SRL 1 and SRL 2, corresponding to concept refinement and technology development stages. While subsystems such as the Transport Unit and Rail Carrier Unit exhibit higher maturity, planning and logistics remain less developed. By combining interpretative insights with statistical rigor, this framework provides a comprehensive readiness assessment and supports informed decision-making for future integration and risk management. The proposed approach is transferable to other innovative mobility systems facing similar challenges in early development stages.

Abstract:

This paper explores a new paradox in special relativity, examining implications for our understanding of the universe’s age. The paradox involves a spaceship traveling towards a planet; light signals are exchanged when they are 10 light-years apart. The signals meet after 5 years from the planet’s perspective, but the distance from the spaceship to the meeting point is less than 5 light-years. A solution exists which will prompt a re-evaluation of Einstein’s demonstration of non-simultaneity. The planet’s perspective shows the meeting point at 5 light-years, while the spaceship’s perspective indicates a shorter distance due to its motion. The solution tells us that both perspectives are valid within special relativity. But that leads to two possible ages for the universe. Those two possible ages question the validity of our measurements, and the validity of the current universe’s age, suggesting that the current framework may need refinement before a final result can be given.

Abstract: Core body temperature (CBT) is a fundamental physiological parameter tightly regulated by thermoregulatory mechanisms and is critically important for heat stress assessment, clinical management, and circadian rhythm research. Although invasive measurements such as pulmonary artery, esophageal, and rectal temperatures provide high accuracy, their practical use is limited by invasiveness, discomfort, and restricted feasibility for continuous monitoring in daily-life or field environments. Consequently, extensive efforts have been devoted to developing non-invasive CBT measurement and estimation techniques. This review provides an application-oriented synthesis of invasive reference methods and representative non-invasive approaches, including in-ear sensors, infrared thermography, ingestible telemetric sensors, heat-flux-based techniques, and model-based estimation using wearable physiological signals. For each approach, measurement principles, accuracy, invasiveness, usability, and application domains are comparatively examined, with particular emphasis on trade-offs between measurement fidelity and real-world implementability. Rather than ranking methods by absolute performance, this review highlights their relative positioning across clinical, occupational, and daily-life contexts. While no single non-invasive technique can universally replace invasive gold standards, recent advances in wearable sensing, heat-flux modeling, and multimodal estimation demonstrate growing potential for practical CBT monitoring. Overall, the findings suggest that future CBT assessment will increasingly rely on hybrid and context-aware systems that integrate complementary methods to enable reliable monitoring under real-world conditions.

Abstract: Rural defensive heritage sites are highly vulnerable assets that require decision-making under conditions of limited data and high uncertainty, particularly in the context of large-scale infrastructure projects and accelerating environmental processes. This study proposes a modular decision-support model for defining conservation priorities in a transparent, traceable, and data-sensitive manner, based on four selected fortress sites in the Yusufeli district of Artvin, Türkiye. The model employs a risk-based approach to quantify anthropogenic risks (AR) through the combined assessment of impact (I) and probability (P). Topographic and contextual vulnerability (TC) is structured through sub-indicators including visual dominance disruption, access discontinuities, landscape fragmentation, and microclimatic exposure, while material and intervention compatibility (MS) is evaluated as a distinct compatibility–risk component. These three modules are integrated through normalization and weighted aggregation into a single Priority Index (PI). In addition, the study introduces a Data Completeness Index (DCI) to explicitly address heterogeneity and gaps in field data, allowing prioritization outcomes to be interpreted with an associated confidence level. Laser-scanning-based documentation, deterioration mapping, and photographic records support the evidence-based construction of indicators. The proposed framework offers a transferable approach for generating intervention and monitoring priorities for rural defensive heritage under rapid landscape transformation, while explicitly managing data uncertainty rather than obscuring it.

Abstract: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent yet frequently underdiagnosed condition that is associated with significant cardiopulmonary, metabolic, and neurocognitive outcomes. Risk factors for OSA overlap with illnesses commonly observed in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, resulting in a disproportionately elevated burden in healthcare. This study evaluates the prevalence, diagnostic challenges, and management limitations of OSA in the ICU to identify strategies to improve awareness and outcomes in critically ill populations. An analysis of published literature was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus. Key search terms included “obstructive sleep apnea,” “ICU,” and “critical illness.” Results showed that OSA is present in up to 60–70% of ICU patients, yet only ~5% are formally diagnosed during hospitalization. Underdiagnosis is linked to prolonged mechanical ventilation, extubation failure as high as 30%, 2-fold higher perioperative complication rates, cardiovascular instability, 1.8-fold greater 30-day ICU readmission, and 2.2-fold mortality. Standard screening tools have limited applicability in ICU patients. Emerging alternatives, such as overnight oximetry, polygraphy, and machine learning models lack validation. Our analyses reveal that current diagnostic and treatment strategies are poorly adapted to critically ill patients. Integration of OSA as a part of ICU management, diagnosis, and intervention may reduce readmissions and mortality.

Abstract:

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, motor hyperactivity and verbal and cognitive impulsivity. Impairments in executive functions (EFs), in particular working memory, monitoring and organization of daily life-are frequently observed in children diagnosed with ADHD, and are reflected in behavioural, social-emotional and learning difficulties. The development and use of technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) for ADHD have increased in recent years, using a variety of tools to support including PC, video games, wearable devices and tangible interfaces. Objectives: To systematically map the current state of research on the use of AR, VR and MR technologies to assess and/or enhance EFs in children with ADHD. To evaluate the effects on their quality of life and on families’ and caregivers’ burden reduction. To explore the interventions’ clinical validity. Methods: A scoping review according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines was conducted. A systematic search was carried out in the Scopus and Web of Science databases for studies published between 2015 and 2025.Empirical studies published in English that examined children with ADHD aged < 13 years were included. AR, VR, or MR-based interventions focused on EF were considered. For each study, the following features were recorded: year and country of publication, design, objectives, EFs considered, technology and hardware used, main results, and limitations. Results: Twenty studies were identified. The most frequently addressed functional domains were sustained and selective visual attention, working memory, and inhibition. Assessment interventions primarily involved the use of a head-mounted display (HMD) in conjunction with the Continuous Performance Test (CPT). Training interventions included immersive VR, serious video games, VR with motor or dual-task training, and MR. The results suggest that VR can enhance cognitive performance and sustained attention; however, longitudinal studies are required to evaluate its long-term effectiveness and integrate emotional skills. Conclusions: The use of these technologies is a promising strategy for assessment and training of EFs in children with ADHD. These tools provide positive, inclusive feedback and motivating tasks. Nevertheless, larger sample studies, longitudinal follow-ups to confirm the suitability and effectiveness of the technology-based programs are warranted.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) remains an essential component of breast cancer surgery for selected patients, particularly those with clinically involved nodes or residual disease after neoadjuvant therapy. However, ALND is consistently associated with postoperative lymphatic morbidity, including seroma formation, prolonged drainage, and breast cancer–related lymphedema (BCRL), which adversely affect quality of life and increase healthcare utilization. This review aims to evaluate contemporary ALND strategies with a particular focus on the Total Sealing Technique (TST), a technique-centered approach that emphasizes comprehensive lymphatic sealing rather than device substitution. Methods: A narrative review of the literature was conducted to synthesize available experimental, histopathological, and clinical evidence related to TST. Studies evaluating biological mechanisms, perioperative outcomes, long-term lymphatic complications, and health economic implications of TST were reviewed and contextualized alongside data from conventional electrocautery-based techniques and energy-device substitution strategies. Results: Across published studies, TST is consistently associated with reductions in postoperative drainage volume, duration of drain placement, incidence of seroma formation, and length of hospital stay. Importantly, long-term follow-up data demonstrate a marked reduction in the incidence of BCRL compared with conventional ALND techniques. These benefits are achieved without increases in operative time, perioperative complications, or compromise of oncological safety. From a health economic perspective, reductions in inpatient hospitalization, outpatient seroma management, and long-term lymphedema-related care translate into meaningful per-patient cost savings. Conclusions: The available evidence supports TST as a reproducible and scalable surgical strategy that effectively reduces both short-term postoperative morbidity and long-term lymphatic complications following ALND. By addressing lymphatic injury at the time of initial surgery, TST aligns with contemporary priorities in breast cancer care, including survivorship, quality of life, and value-based healthcare delivery.

Abstract: Direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation is a fundamental problem in array signal processing with applications spanning radar, sonar, and wireless communications. Traditional subspace methods like MUSIC assume white Gaussian noise and often fail to exploit the noncircular property of many communication signals. This paper presents a tractable expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm that jointly estimates DOAs and the spatially colored noise covariance matrix while exploiting signal noncircularity through an extended observation model. We derive closed-form expressions for the E-step and M-step, establish convergence properties, and provide comprehensive performance analysis. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves superior resolution and accuracy compared to conventional MUSIC and noncircular MUSIC, particularly in scenarios with strong spatial noise correlation. Monte Carlo simulations show RMSE improvements of up to 60% over standard methods at low SNR conditions. The algorithm successfully resolves sources separated by as little as 2 degrees with 100% detection rate, significantly outperforming existing techniques.

Abstract: Tourism destinations exposed to chronic natural hazards require robust analytical frameworks to understand and prioritize the factors that sustain post-disaster resilience. This study examines Baños de Agua Santa (Ecuador), a volcano-exposed destination whose long recovery trajectory illustrates the complexity of socioecological adaptation. Using a multidi-mensional FAHP model grounded in expert judgments, eight dimensions and fifty-six criteria were evaluated through fuzzy triangular numbers and the extended analysis method of Chang to capture uncertainty and ambiguity in decision-making. Results show a consistent and hierarchical structure of resilience, with experiential, economic-entrepreneurial, and sociocommunitarian dimensions emerging as the most influential drivers of post-disaster adaptability. Fifteen criteria—primarily perceptual, community-based, and endogenous—achieved “very high impact” status, including risk perception, basic education, individual resilience capacities, institutional coordination, and entrepreneurial environment. Conversely, limited healthcare infrastructure, low economic diversification, and national-level vulnerabilities were identified as critical weaknesses. The study concludes that post-disaster recovery in Baños is shaped by a bot-tom-up dynamic emphasizing agency, learning, and socioecological memory, and proposes an evidence-based Action Matrix for adaptive governance to guide prioritized, time-phased interventions. The FAHP model proves effective for transparent, context-sensitive prioritization in highly uncertain tourism environments.

Abstract: Against the background of dramatic climate change, resource constraints and industrial upgrading, optimising the coupling and coordination of the water-energy-food (WEF) system in the northeast region is crucial to ensuring regional security and sustainable development. Existing research lacks long-term continuity and inter-provincial analysis. This article uses data from 2005 to 2023 to evaluate the development of the three northeastern provinces through 24 index frameworks covering safety, coordination and resilience. The methods include entropy weight method, coupling coordination model and constraint model. The result shows: (1) The overall development level fluctuates and has an upward trend, reaching a medium-coordinated level, and there are significant differences between provinces. (2) Coordination initially differentiated, and then gradually converged. From close to the improvement of the disorder to the level of moderate coordination, Liaoning Province declined under the impact of policies. (3) Systemic obstacles are structural and cross-regional, with energy self-sufficiency and water efficiency as key limiting factors. In order to achieve a high level of coordination between water, energy and food systems, it is necessary to formulate tailor-made subsystem governance policies, enhance the technological empowerment of water and energy conservation and efficiency improvement, and promote the development of resilient infrastructure. This integrated approach will systematically resolve resource competition conflicts, thus enhancing the overall resilience and sustainability of regional development.

Abstract: Colloidal PbSe quantum dots are promising candidates as saturable absorbers for ultrafast fiber lasers, but their performance is often limited by surface-related defects and chemical instability, leading to aggregation under optical pumping. In this study, we present a freestanding PbSe/PbS quantum dot-polystyrene composite saturable absorber film, with PbS overcoating on PbSe to enhance surface passivation and oxidation resistance. The composite exhibits a saturation intensity of 5.76 kW·cm-2, a modulation depth of 33%, and an optical damage threshold of 13.6 mJ·cm-2. When integrated into a bidirectionally pumped erbium-doped fiber laser in the anomalous-dispersion regime, the device demonstrates self-starting soliton mode locking at an ultralow pump threshold of 6 mW, generating 1.06 ps pulses with a radio-frequency signal-to-noise ratio of approximately 65 dB. The spectra remain stable over a six-month period, showing excellent environmental and operational durability. These findings confirm that PbSe/PbS quantum dots in a polymer matrix offer a robust, low-threshold saturable absorber platform for ultrafast fiber lasers.

Abstract: Climate change has caused tremendous concerns in many societies on all continents. However, the decline in biodiversity, which is at least as serious a crisis, is mostly ignored. An increasing number of technological approaches for carbon dioxide reduction (CDR), which are in fact geoengineering, are being studied, partially at the pilot scale. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) supports technologies such as direct air capture (DAC), carbon capture and storage (CCS) and the use of captured CO2 (CCU). A new concept for objectively judging “sustainability” is described: entropy as a generally applicable criterion for sustainability, followed by an analysis of whether CDR technologies are sustainable. It becomes clear that such technologies are seriously unsustainable. Therefore, after the CDR potential of natural ecosystems is explored, the contributions of bioagriculture to CO2 capture and long-term storage (deeply in soil) are shown, as well as their impact on biodiversity recovery via fully integrated bioagriculture – which proves to be sustainable according to the entropy criterion. Practical examples are taken from the German Kattendorf biofarm (450 hectares leased pastures and fields). Their experience with solar and bioenergy will be reported, bird/plant species diversity will be detailed for selected areas, and CO2eq emissions vs. storage figures will be given for milk production, cheese manufacturing and for the whole farm. CDR by natural/renaturalized ecosystems, including bioagriculture, is not only sustainable but also much more capable than CDR technologies and contributes to biodiversity recovery, in contrast to technological approaches. We must address species decline and climate change without mitigating one crisis with approaches that exacerbate the other.

Abstract: All-inorganic metal halide perovskites exhibit excellent morphology-dependent pho-tophysical properties. Thus, detailed knowledge of photophysical behavior and mor-phological dependence of CsPbBr3 crystals is crucial for device engineering. However, the inability to directly control the morphology of CsPbBr3 crystals arises from a lim-ited understanding of their crystallization mechanism. Herein, we varied the prepara-tion parameters to investigate the perovskite growth mechanism and the impact of these parameters on size and shape of CsPbBr3 single crystals. By optimizing the solu-tion processing, the shape was tuned from the typical cubic microcrystals to more ir-regular ones. We have shown that three main factors favor the growth and formation of CsPbBr3 microcubes, namely high precursor concentration, high temperature and the use of DMSO solvent. The crystal size and density can be tuned by adjusting the precursor concentration, heating temperature, heating time and drop volume. The ob-tained crystals were of high quality and exhibited a strong photoluminescence at room temperature. This work not only introduces a distinct new morphology within the CsPbBr3 microcrystals family but also provides a fundamental understanding of the growth mechanism of these newly emerging functional materials.

Abstract: The Mediator complex is a central regulator of eukaryotic transcription, functioning as a dynamic molecular bridge between gene-specific transcription factors and RNA polymerase II (Pol II). Although decades of research have established its modular architecture and fundamental role in transcriptional control, recent advances have significantly expanded our understanding of its structural conformations, subunit-specific functions, and links to human disease. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the Mediator complex, highlighting key structural and functional discoveries from the past decade and synthesizing its diverse roles in transcriptional regulation. We further discuss emerging concepts and future directions for therapeutically targeting Mediator, particularly in cancer. Together, these insights position the Mediator complex as a highly conserved yet adaptable, signal-responsive regulatory hub with broad implications for both normal physiology and disease pathogenesis.

Abstract: Resistant mechanisms to venetoclax, a selective BCL-2 inhibitor approved for hematological malignancies, are frequently mediated by the G101V mutation in BCL-2. Sonrotoclax illustrates superior potency against both wild-type and G101V-mutated BCL-2, yet the mechanistic basis remains unclear. This study employed computational methods to investigate the binding dynamics of both inhibitors. Structures were predicted with AlphaFold, refined via molecular dynamics simulations (MDS), and ligands were docked with AutoDock Vina. Four systems were subjected to triplicate 200 ns MDS, with analyses including RMSD, RMSF, buried surface area, protein-ligand interaction fingerprint, and MM/GBSA binding free energies. Results indicate venetoclax exhibits progressive dissociation from G101V BCL-2, with elevated RMSD, reduced buried surface area, and increased unbound states. In contrast, Sonrotoclax maintains a steady correlation, shows persistence with entropy-enthalpy compensation, displays negligible unbound time, higher binding free energies, and constant van der Waals anchors. Having all these results in mind, a "Dynamic Blockade" hypothesis is proposed, where Sonrotoclax's flexibility enables sustained BH3 groove occupancy, blocking pro-apoptotic BH3-only proteins and overcoming allosteric perturbations induced by G101V. This mechanistic perspective proposes the optimal approach for designing resilient inhibitors to accelerate drug repurposing and development in oncology.

Abstract: The blackbody radiation problem gave rise to Planck's hypothesis of energy quantization, which is regarded as the inception of quantum theory and ultimately led to a fundamental conceptual schism between the emerging quantum description and the established classical framework of physics. This paper argues that this historical turning point stems from a profound misunderstanding of the concept of the "quantum". Through a systematic critique of the three fundamental errors in the Rayleigh-Jeans formula, we propose, based on a revised classical electrodynamics framework, that the elimination of the ultraviolet catastrophe does not require the introduction of the assumption of energy discreteness. The key lies in recognizing that continuous energy transfer occurs only when electrons undergo accelerated or decelerated motion, and that the essence of the minimum energy unit ε is a natural measurement benchmark for this continuous process, rather than a physically discrete "energy packet". Building on this, we have derived a blackbody radiation formula that fully matches experimental data. This formula is consistent with the Rayleigh-Jeans formula in the low-frequency region and naturally exhibits exponential decay in the high-frequency region, successfully eliminating the ultraviolet catastrophe. This research fundamentally clarifies the physical origin of the "quantization" feature: it arises from the measurement discreteness of the energy transfer process and the constraints of thermodynamic statistics, rather than a change in the intrinsic nature of energy itself. This achievement not only fulfills Planck’s unfulfilled desire for a classical explanation but also demonstrates that blackbody radiation, and even a series of "quantum phenomena", can be fully explained within a purely self-consistent classical physics framework. This lays a crucial foundation for bridging the "classical-quantum" divide and reconstructing a unified theoretical system in physics.