Abstract: Mergers and acquisitions, as strategies for external growth of companies, often hinder cooperation between the acquiring company and the target companies. If management rejects the takeover bid, the acquirers approach the shareholders directly, turning the transaction into a hostile takeover. As a central phenomenon in the field of mergers and acquisitions, hostile takeovers significantly influence the functioning of capital markets and corporate governance through their role as a mechanism for sanctioning and correcting inefficient management. The disciplinary role is related to agency theory, which highlights conflicts of interest between shareholders and managers. The purpose of this study is to conduct a systematic review of the literature on hostile mergers and acquisitions, using the PRISMA methodology supplemented by a bibliometric approach and a content analysis of the effect of hostile takeovers on post-takeover performance. Additionally, we investigate the implications of corporate governance and the legislative and institutional environment on hostile takeover decisions, under conditions of adequate risk management. The 37 articles analyzed highlight the orientation of studies towards Anglo-Saxon influences and the concentration of publications in a small number of prestigious journals. Content analysis reveals conflicting ideas about the role of hostile takeovers as an effective disciplinary mechanism and their varied impact on performance. Risk-taking depends on companies' objectives and the strategy pursued to achieve success. Governance structures act both to protect the company and to expose it to hostile takeovers when the focus is on short-term profit at the expense of long-term shareholder value. In contrast, anti-takeover provisions generate declines in hostile M&A activity, and transaction efficiency is reduced in emerging institutional environments, where internal governance and the regulatory framework decisively shape the form and success of takeovers.

Abstract: The complexity of the Water – Energy – Food (WEF) Nexus demands a comprehensive framework for its implementation, particularly concerning place-based governance and sustainable transitions. An integrated methodology encompassing literature review, qualitative analysis, conceptual mapping, and co-creation was outlined, and tested cross selected case study basins in Africa within the ONEPlanET Horizon Europe Project. This novel approach was conceptualized through the lens of Socio-Technical Systems Transition Theory and its interconnections with geo-ecological system components, enabling the recognition of the WEF Nexus as a place-based meta-system. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were introduced as landscape drivers of the WEF Nexus, as they acknowledge the crucial role of society, technology and ecological systems in its interconnected domains. The X-curve framework assisted in the discussion and visual presentation of the status quo and the identified possibilities for transition within the selected hydrological basins, as representative geographies of the whole continent. The methodology resulted suitable for supporting a concrete exploration of pathways for change towards a Sustainable WEF Nexus, facilitated through multi-stakeholder engagement and the development of multi-level action plans.

Abstract: Objective: To compare metastatic lesion detection on [68Ga]Ga-DOTA.SA.FAPi and [18F]FDG PET/CT in metastatic breast and lung cancers and to assess the relationship between PET-derived imaging parameters and progression-free survival (PFS). Methods: In this prospective dual-cohort study, 45 patients (23 breast cancer, 22 lung adenocarci-noma) underwent paired [68Ga]Ga-DOTA.SA.FAPi and [18F]FDG PET/CT within four weeks. Semiquantitative (SUVmax, SUVmean) and volumetric (MTV, TLG, STV, TLF) PET parameters were measured. Metastatic detection was compared, and correlations with PFS were assessed. Results: In breast cancer [18F]FDG demonstrated higher primary tu-mor uptake, whereas 68Ga-FAPi showed lower background activity, resulting in higher tumor-to-background ratios for brain and bone metastases. Whole-body volumetric indi-ces (wbTLG, wbTLF) showed strong inverse correlations with PFS. In lung adenocarcino-ma, volumetric FAPi-derived parameters (wbTLF, wbSTV) demonstrated modest but sig-nificant correlations with PFS. [68Ga]Ga-DOTA.SA.FAPi PET/CT detected more brain me-tastases than [18F]FDG PET/CT in both cohorts (breast: 15/15 vs. 8/15; lung: 14/14 vs. 4/14). Conclusions: [68Ga]Ga-DOTA.SA.FAPi and [18F]FDG PET/CT provide comple-mentary diagnostic and prognostic information. In metastatic breast cancer, FAPi-derived volumetric parameters strongly correlate with PFS and improve detection of brain metas-tases. In lung adenocarcinoma, [68Ga]Ga-DOTA.SA.FAPi PET/CT offers low background uptake and prognostically relevant stromal metrics. These findings support a potential role for integrating [68Ga]Ga-DOTA.SA.FAPi PET/CT into disease staging, prognostica-tion, and treatment monitoring. This study did not involve prospective assignment to health-related interventions and therefore did not require clinical trial registration.

Abstract: This tutorial presents a first-principles framework for rigorous scientific inference, grounded in a minimal set of explicit, falsifiable methodological principles. These principles enforce transparency of priors and the strict avoidance of post-hoc modification. We argue that the century-long stagnation in Voynich Manuscript (VMS) research is not a failure of scholar effort or data acquisition, but a systemic artifact of model selection. Specifically, the field has been constrained by the Patching Fallacy: the introduction of unconstrained auxiliary parameters to salvage a hypothesis already contradicted by evidence. By adopting a strict Zero-Patch Standard rooted in information theory [2] and Bayesian probability [5], we demonstrate how to deduce a prior directly from the topological invariants of the data. When applied to the VMS, this principled discipline shows that common linguistic and cryptographic models are strongly disfavored under the Zero-Patch Standard. Instead, it supports a Structured Reference System (e.g., a Relational Database or Inventory) as the leading hypothesis consistent with the documented corpus invariants. This assignment is not offered as a settled historical claim but as the information-theoretically minimal explanation under the Zero-Patch constraint derived from the entropy, morphology, and serialization constraints of the evidence.

Abstract: Today, in many countries mammals are recognised as sentient in law. The question addressed here is: “is a cow’s death considered by her similar to how I perceive mind, where is it similar and where different?” It is pointed out how sentience is a necessary requirement for many mental attributes including learning, memory, acquiring knowledge and beliefs, having experiences, consciousness and self-consciousness, having a social contract, communicating, knowing others intentions (theory of mind), and being a moral agent. Some of these mental attributes have and still are considered unique to humans. Therefore, recognising sentience necessitate a re-examination of humanism and human exceptionalism. On re-examination, the fundamental human exceptional skills are bipedalism (which allows developing elaborate manipulative skills) and a context independent language. The mixing and merging of these two skills have given rise to the sciences and religions. By understanding the implications of sentience and recognising the resulting mental similarities between humans and cows, and where their differences really are. it is possible to assess the cows or any mammals, concerns about how she lives and dies and our moral obligations to each other and the world. Each species has an exceptional ontology which ways which can be assessed by careful study. The Anthropocene demands that we al-so take careful account of the environmental effects of the life and death of cows and humans to fulfil our moral obligations.

Abstract: The rugged morphology and dispersed settlements of the Calabrian region pose long-standing barriers to timely and equitable access to healthcare, particularly for elderly and fragile populations living in mountainous areas. In this paper, we present a telemedicine ecosystem specifically designed for Calabria that integrates certified wearable wristbands, secure communication infrastructure, and intelligent back-end services to enable continuous home monitoring and rapid clinical intervention. Building on the SidlyCare platform, the system acquires real-time physiological signals (heart rate and oxygen saturation), streams them to a central server through encrypted channels, and applies machine learning and deep learning-based anomaly detection models to identify both acute and insidious deteriorations in patient status. Alerts are propagated via a multi-stakeholder workflow involving patients, family caregivers, general practitioners, non-profit organizations, and local health authorities, who interact with the platform through role-specific dashboards that support longitudinal visualization, risk stratification, and integration with existing electronic health record infrastructures. A pilot case study in a tele-home care programme for elderly patients in Calabria demonstrates the feasibility and potential of this architecture to improve safety, foster patient engagement, and strengthen continuity of care in geographically isolated communities, offering a scalable blueprint for territorial telemedicine in similar rural and mountainous contexts.

Abstract: The nuclear symmetry energy is a key component of the equation of state of 1 neutron stars, controlling their macroscopic parameters and internal structure. Currently, it 2 remains an unknown issue in both experimental and theoretical studies within the density 3 range relevant to the interiors of neutron stars. This paper aims to investigate the density 4 dependence of the symmetry energy, analyzing it in terms of the curvature parameter 5 Ksym. The analysis is based on a neutron star matter equation of state constructed using the 6 proposed modified polytropic form. The used polytropic equations of state approximate 7 the complex, realistic ones. The realistic equations of state selected for the analysis in this 8 paper are those derived using the relativistic mean-field approach. The proposed method 9 exploits the existing strong correlations between the incompressibility of both symmetric 10 and asymmetric nuclear matter and the calculated values of the neutron star crust-core 11 transition density. Starting from the experimental constraint on the incompressibility of 12 symmetric nuclear matter K0 and based on observationally determined parameters, such as 13 the mass and radius of PSR J0740+6620 pulsar, the formulated method allows for a selection 14 of the range of Ksym values acceptable by both the constraints on K0 and the results of 15 astrophysical observations.

Abstract: Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles reinforced in a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) matrix structure were synthesized by the melting method. Fe₂O₃ was added in an amount of 2.5% by weight. Mixing times of 6 and 12 minutes were used, and materials with different homogenization properties were produced. In the final section, optimized binary nanocomposites were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), revealing the strong interaction of the PMMA matrix with nanometal particles. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) was used to determine the thermal behavior of Fe₂O₃-reinforced PMMA nanocomposite. Activation energies of thermal degradation were calculated by using the Kissinger, Takhor, and Augis-Bennett methods. The increasing of the mixing time in the extruder also contributed to material homogenization. In addition, the Fe₂O₃ supplement lowered the polymer degradation temperature and increased the activation energy. Depending on the increasing mixing time, a decrease was observed in the maximum mass loss temperature (Tx) of the samples.

Abstract: We present a clinical image demonstrating external scrotal use of a conventional three-dimensional (3D) transvaginal ultrasound probe in an adult male undergoing infertility evaluation. Volumetric acquisition with multiplanar reconstruction and volume rendering provided intuitive depiction of epididymal configuration relative to the testis, complementing standard two-dimensional scrotal ultrasound.

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to study a Schouten-Van Kampen connection ∇ on almost cosymplectic manifolds. We establish geometric properties of almost cosymplectic manifolds with respect to a ∇ with flatness conditions to be ϕ- concircular and ξ-concircular, pseudo-concircular curvature tensor.

Abstract: In electronic product manufacturing, quality control and production cost man-agement pose challenges for enterprises. First, key factors for production deci-sions are identified: component inspection, assembly, inspection of semi-finished and finished products, and handling defective goods at different stages. Next, dynamic programming and genetic algorithms optimise sampling inspection. A production decision model covers multiple processes and compo-nent combinations. The relationship between the inspection and the final product quality is explored, showing that different decision paths affect the total cost and defect rate. Real-time monitoring and a dynamic Bayesian network guide pro-duction strategy adjustments to boost efficiency and reduce defects. This study proposes adaptable inspection and disassembly strategies that reduce costs and optimise resource use across production scenarios.

Abstract: We leverage and clarify a unified nonequilibrium framework in which stochastic GENERIC dynamics, entropy production, gauge evolution, and relativistic structure are treated within a single thermodynamically admissible formalism. Entropy production is identified as a geometric driver capable of generating effective spacetime structure, observer acceleration, and horizon formation. Under entropy-balance conditions, the GENERIC system undergoes Hamiltonian closure, yielding unitary evolution and forcing gauge unification at a dynamically selected scale. The framework introduces a stochastic entropy-based controller whose deterministic limit reproduces renormalization-group (RG) flow under a logarithmic entropy clock $\sigma=\ln(\mu/\mu_c)$. Within this mapping, thermodynamic entropy flux corresponds directly to gauge-theoretic $\beta$-functions, and the standard one- and two-loop structures---including threshold effects---emerge as physically valid limits of the controller dynamics. This demonstrates that loop-level assumptions in gauge unification arise from entropy production under GENERIC self-consistency, rather than being imposed empirically.A corrective entropy channel is shown to be required for global entropy balance in cosmology. Incorporating this channel enforces gauge-level unification (``forced unification'') while preserving thermodynamic admissibility and field-theoretic consistency. The resulting three-channel entropy structure---matter, geometric (horizon), and dissipative---provides an operator-level mechanism for unification across quantum, gauge, and cosmological scales, identifying the additive entropy contribution as a potential source of previously unaccounted physical structure.At entropy balance, dissipation vanishes and the GENERIC dynamics reduce to purely Hamiltonian flow, yielding unitary evolution and fixing the unification scale without external normalization. In this sense, renormalization is not an auxiliary prescription but follows internally from the gauge framework itself, defining a no-normalization condition. The construction integrates emergent gravity, gauge equivalence, and thermodynamic closure within a single dynamical system, demonstrating that conventional unification appears as a static subset of a more general entropy-driven dynamical unification. As a consequences we realized that gravity is of discrete quanta, therefore, clarifying the physical meaning of geometric structure: as quantum in nature.

Abstract: Fast-curing polyurethane (PU) systems are attractive for high throughput manufacturing, but quantifying cure kinetics, gelation, and cure-dependent glass transition temperature (Tg) is difficult, especially at low degree of cure (DoC). Here, a fast-reacting BASF PU formulation was studied using non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at multiple heating rates, rheometry at 50 °C, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to extend Tg(α) in the low-DoC regime. DSC provided reaction enthalpy and conversion histories, and Kamal–Sourour (KS) parameters were identified by robust nonlinear fitting, reproducing conversion and curing-rate profiles (R² > 0.99 and > 0.95). Rheology indicated gelation at ~550–600 s (DoC ≈ 0.53), and DSC-based Tg at uncured, gelation, and fully cured states established the experimental Tg trend. MD (LAMMPS) with topological crosslinking and NPT thermal scans extracted Tg from density–temperature slopes at selected DoC points. Experimental and MD Tg data were fused with Gaussian process regression constrained by the DiBenedetto relationship (5-fold cross-validation), giving λ ≈ 0.28 and confidence intervals. This framework links kinetics, gelation, and Tg evolution for fast-curing PU and identifies the low-DoC region as the main source of uncertainty.

Abstract: The study aimed to verify the possible use of DFT calculation in the prediction of the orien-tation in electrophilic aromatic substitution. An activated ortho/para orienting substrate, and a deactivated meta orienting substrate were used in DFT calculations using B3LYP, B3PW91, BPV86, CAM-B3LP, HCTH, HSEH1PBE, LSDA, MPW1PW91, PBEPBE, TPSSTPSS, and WB97XD functionals were performed. The results showed that the reactiv-ity of anisole can be adequately described considering charge control in reaction per-formed in hard conditions (nitration), while frontier orbital control can play a role in reac-tions performed in softer conditions (chlorination). Nitration of benzaldehyde can be ra-tionalized through Hirshfeld charges analysis. Neither the frontier orbital nor Mulliken charges approach adequately account for behavior observed in chlorination of benzalde-hyde. The effect of different basis sets was tested performing calculations with B3LYP functional and aug-cc-pVDZ, 6-311G+(d,p), aug-cc-pVQZ,, DGTZVP, and LanL2DZ basis sets. For anisole, all basis sets provided a HOMO electron density distribution consistent with experimental reactivity, Hirshfeld charges analysis consistently reproduced the ob-served reactivity of anisole across all tested basis sets. All the basis sets were able to ex-plain the observed reactivity of benzaldehyde in hard experimental condition, while they failed to give a correct description when a softer reagent was used.

Abstract: This systematic review focuses on the effect of concurrent high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and resistance training on musculoskeletal function in adult individuals. Four electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, and PsycINFO) were searched for controlled trials in older or middle-aged adults, in recreationally exercising adults, and in athletic or tactical populations, which completed parallel HIIT and resistance training and described musculoskeletal responses to the intervention up to 30 November 2025. A total of 18 trials fulfilled the eligibility criterion and were synthesized narratively across the domains of maximal strength, explosive performance, neuromuscular activity, muscle morphology and architecture, tendon-related outcomes, and adherence and safety. Most 8- to 12-week interventions maintained two- to three-weekly resistance sessions and were designed in time-effective HIIT formats, increasing or preserving maximal strength in older subjects as well as younger ones that were trained. Explosive performance metrics, including both jump and sprint tasks, were usually preserved or even improved by the maintenance of the power-oriented component in resistance-based exercise sessions. The limited electromyography data indicated improved neuromuscular activation during submaximal tasks, particularly in older subjects, whereas some studies reported subtle increases or maintenance of muscle size and selective architectural patterns during application of progressive loading. Tendon-specific adaptations are difficult to measure as imaging was seldom available, but functional tasks influenced by the muscle–tendon unit have been studied in multiple studies. Adherence was good and adverse events were rare in all studies. Overall, the evidence suggests that well-planned concomitant HIIT and resistance training can improve or maintain musculoskeletal performance. However, no apparent interference effect has been suggested, provided the resistance loading quality and recovery are kept up.

Abstract: In modern electric vehicles (EVs), where the absence of a combustion engine reveals new acoustic challenges, gear and gearbox noise—especially tonal “whine”—has emerged as a prominent NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) concern. This review investigates the state-of-the-art multiphysics simulation workflows capable of predicting NVH from root excitation through structural vibration and up to radiated airborne noise. Emphasis is placed on software ecosystems developed between 2015 and 2025, including Romax, AVL EXCITE, Siemens Simcenter, SMT MASTA, MSC Adams/Nastran/Actran, KISSsoft + RecurDyn, and COMSOL Multiphysics. The review explores simulation layers ranging from analytic torsional models to coupled flexible multibody dynamics (MBD), finite-element structural response, and acoustic FEM/BEM methods. Recent trends such as per-tooth microgeometry definition, flank waviness modelling, use of measured topography (e.g., CMM data), and digital twin concepts are discussed in depth. Furthermore, the review highlights validation challenges—especially the limited system-level correlation between predicted and measured noise—and identifies research gaps regarding EV-specific excitations, manufacturing variation modeling, and NVH-oriented design optimization. This work aims to give engineers and researchers a structured overview of integrated CAE methods to “front-load” gearbox NVH prediction in electrified drivetrains, thereby improving design cycles and acoustic performance.

Abstract: Agritourism operations enhance economic viability and sustain the business by open-ing farms to visitors for education, recreation, entertainment, and direct sales of farm products and services. Previous studies in the US show that on-farm direct sales, in general, show a positive association, whereas off-farm direct sales show a negative as-sociation with the profitability of agritourism operations. Farmers consider U-pick, sales through a farm stand/store, and subscription farming or community supported agriculture (CSA) (on-farm pick up) as on-farm, and CSA (off-farm delivery) and sell-ing at a farmers’ market as off-farm direct sales approaches. However, which specific approach attracts more visitors to a farm and generates higher profitability remains underexplored. Multivariate analysis using the recently collected data from a U.S. na-tional survey of operators reveals that on-farm direct sales such as a U-pick and a farm stand/store attracted significantly more visits to an agritourism operation, which ulti-mately yielded higher profitability. In contrast, the selling of produce at farmers’ mar-kets attracted significantly fewer visits to the farm and reportedly reduced profitabil-ity. This evidence has implications to agritourism operators, policymakers, and Exten-sion educators engaged in starting, expanding, and promoting direct sales at agritour-ism operations for their economic viability and sustainability.

Abstract: Dengue infection places over 40% of the world’s population at direct risk. This was a cross-sectional study involving collection of socio-demographic and risk factors data via self-designed structured questionnaires. Also, blood samples were collected from 600 consenting febrile patients of different ages, in three selected Government public health facilities of Adamawa State. Furthermore, serum was screened for dengue antibodies by ELISA. Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTPCR) was used to detect dengue virus serotypes. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 20, Odds Ratios (OR) for associations between seroprevalence and all variables studied was determined. Of the 600 participants, 65% (390/600) were IgM positive for DENV infection with the highest prevalence obtained in Mubi (81.5%:163/200) and the lowest prevalence in Numan (52%:104/200). Higher insignificant prevalence was obtained in the males (66.8%:181/271) than females (63.6%:201/316). There was significant association of DENV antibodies, in terms of Tertiary education (χ² = 4.594, p=0.032; OR = 1.502; 95%CI= 1.050-2.151), among those who uses well water (p=0.023; OR=2.021, 95% CI 1.131-3.611), those who use traditional medicine for treatment of fever (p=0.014, OR=3.126; 95% CI=1.289-7.582), mosquito protection methods used against bite and those who never travel outside the state. Other risk factors studied were not significantly associated with DENV infection. DENV 1 and 4 serotypes were detected. The study reveals that low economic disadvantage and negligence could serve as predisposing factors to the DENV infection. Therefore, it identified potential virus reservoir which may likely spread in humans and cause epidemics.

Abstract: Waste pollution represents an increasingly serious problem affecting the health and well-being of people living in many developing countries. Many studies have examined and recommended waste-reducing solutions, yet environmental culture-based measures remain understudied. This study employs a novel approach that integrates the Culture Tower with the Contingent Valuation Method and a Bayesian model (CVBM) to explore and advance households’ environmental culture associated with waste management. Specifically, descriptive statistics capture respondents’ environmental perceptions and literacy, while the Bayesian model and CVM identify the determinants of households’ willingness to pay (WTP) and estimate WTP for waste treatment service (WTP4WTS), respectively. We found that despite the observed reduction in local waste pollution over time, respondents maintain a persistent concern regarding this issue. Over 13% of the households surveyed expressed dissatisfaction with waste treatment services (WTS), contrasting with nearly 50% of households that reported a neutral perspective. We also found that a significant majority (79.26%) of respondents were willing to pay for WTS, with an average WTP of 60,200 VND (US$2.32) per month. Importantly, the primary predictors of WTP4WTS were found to be the desire for improved waste services, current perceived waste pollution, and the belief that pollution has worsened over time. These findings offer important policy implications for mobilizing untapped household-level resources to foster environmental culture, thereby strengthening financing for better waste treatment services and facilitating the clean and green transformation for sustainable development in Vietnam and beyond in the years to come.

Abstract: Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide and remains clinically challenging due to its marked heterogeneity and limited correlation between structural pathology and symptoms. Increasing evidence suggests that neuroinflammatory mechanisms and central sensitization (CS) contribute to pain persistence in a clinically relevant subset of patients. This narrative review critically evaluates the current evidence on neuroinflammatory biomarkers in CLBP and discusses their translational potential for mechanism-based patient stratification. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar using terms related to neuroinflammation, biomarkers, CLBP, CS, and glial activation. Priority was given to human studies, systematic reviews, and mechanistic investigations. Results: Converging evidence supports the involvement of neuroinflammatory processes in subgroups of patients with CLBP. In vivo TSPO-PET imaging and experimental data support glial activation in pain-processing regions. Cerebrospinal fluid studies report elevated chemokines, particularly interleukin-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, highlighting periphery-to-central nervous system inflammatory cross-talk and the concept of compartmentalized neuroinflammation. In parallel, epigenetic markers such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor DNA methylation have emerged as indirect correlates of CS-related pain phenotypes. In contrast, traditional systemic inflammatory markers show inconsistent and nonspecific associations. Conclusions: Neuroinflammatory biomarkers hold promise for mechanism-based stratification of CLBP, particularly for identifying patients with CS-driven pain. However, major methodological and translational challenges remain, including lack of standardization, limited accessibility of central nervous system-compartment measures, and the need for longitudinal and interventional validation. Future research should prioritize multi-marker and multi-compartment approaches integrated with functional pheno-typing to establish clinical utility.