Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the association of preoperative morphometric and morphovolumetric parameters with post-endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) sac remodeling, endoleak development, and secondary interventions, and to assess the role of volumetric analysis in post-EVAR surveillance. Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 383 patients who underwent elective EVAR for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm between 2016 and 2024, with available pre- and postoperative computed tomography angiography and at least 1 year of follow-up. Diameter- and volume-based sac dynamics were analyzed using standardized morphometric and 3-dimensional morphovolumetric measurements. Endoleak subtype distribution, risk factors, secondary interventions, and survival were assessed using regression and survival analyses. Results: Endoleaks were detected in 26.1% of patients (n = 100), with type II endoleak being the most frequent subtype (12.3%, n = 47), followed by type Ib (6.8%, n = 26), type III (5.5%, n = 21), type Ia (4.2%, n = 16), and 1 patient with type V endoleak in the revised manuscript framework. Secondary interventions were required in 14.1% of patients (n = 54), mainly for type I and III endoleaks, with a mean time to reintervention of 21.7 ± 10 months. Diameter and volume changes were strongly correlated; a 10% increase in aneurysm volume corresponded to an average 4 mm increase in diameter (R² = 0.72, p < 0.001). Volumetric analysis detected sac change earlier than diameter measurements, particularly in stable sacs and type II endoleaks. Significant predictors of overall endoleak included dual antiplatelet therapy, aneurysm length >133 mm, elevated pre- and postoperative D-dimer levels, aneurysm diameter >59 mm, aneurysm volume >164 cm³, and thrombus volume >89 cm³. Subtype-specific analyses identified distinct risk profiles for type Ia, Ib, II, and III endoleaks. Overall survival did not differ significantly between patients with and without endoleaks (p = 0.227), although worse survival was observed in type Ia and III endoleaks than in type II and Ib endoleaks. Conclusion: Preoperative morphovolumetric parameters are significant predictors of post-EVAR endoleaks and secondary interventions. Volumetric analysis appears more sensitive than diameter-based assessment for early detection of sac remodeling, especially in type II endoleaks. Post-EVAR management should integrate endoleak subtype, sac behavior, and patient-specific morphovolumetric risk factors to improve surveillance and treatment selection.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Artificial intelligence reshapes clinical practice and its effect on physician-patient relationship requires reconsideration of frameworks that have shaped modern medical ethics. When physician delegate expertise to algorithms they cannot verify, it becomes unclear who bears clinical responsibility. Methods: This article applies theoretically grounded normative approach to explore ethical conditions under which artificial intelligence can be integrated into clinical practice without compromising the moral foundations of medicine. The analysis is primarily based on Pellegrino and Thomasma’s concept of internal morality of medicine and the physician’s act of profession. It further draws on Kantian ethics of human dignity, Levinasian relational ethics, virtue ethics, and Vallor’s concept of technomoral wisdom. Results: AI systems do not satisfy the conditions under which moral responsibility can be ascribed to them. Clinical moral agency lies in the capacity to bear three distinct responsibilities – epistemic, relational, and phronetic – none of which can be fulfilled by AI. The implementation of AI in healthcare, therefore, must occur strictly under the condition of Meaningful Human Control, rather technical function of human oversight over algorithmic outputs. To ensure that MHC can function as an effective and ethically grounded safeguard, we propose five normative requirements: primacy of clinical judgement, prohibition of forced automation, traceability and explainability, transparency towards patients, and clinical authority over diagnostic tools. A dialog between the physician and the patients should remain the foundation of clinical decision-making. Proposed normative requirements aim to preserve internal morality of medicine in a form that harmoniously combines both technological progress and established medical ethics.

Abstract: SRBD encompasses a spectrum of diseases that disrupt ventilation during sleep, that lead to fragmented sleep and impaired gas exchange. Their high prevalence and substantial neurocognitive and mental health outcomes make SRBD clinically significant across multiple medical disciplines. Traditional management includes lifestyle modifications and PAP. When non-surgical measures fail or anatomical factors predominate, a range of surgical approaches may be employed, such as UPPP or MMA. There are many notable emerging surgical advancements, such as hypoglossal nerve stimulation, transoral robotic surgery, and minimally invasive radiofrequency technologies that have offered improved outcomes for select patients. There are evolving advances in diagnostic tools, such as portable home sleep technologies and drug-induced sleep endoscopy, that further support precision-based care. Collectively, the expanding range of therapeutic and diagnostic innovations is enabling clinicians to deliver individualized care and improve long-term outcomes for patients with SRBD.

Abstract: The combination of ultra-dense network deployments and high mobility results in an unfavorable outcome, rendering the task of handover more difficult than in environments typical of previous generations. 5G and 6G necessitate the deployment of heterogeneous networks and small cells to meet the demand, which at the same time introduces certain challenges. This scenario introduces small cells (such as femtocells, picocells, and microcells) that have very limited coverage areas, which, combined with the high speed of user equipment, create an excessive number of handover triggers, leading to the “ping-pong effect,” which wastes network resources and degrades the overall Quality of Service. Furthermore, high mobility means that a user might enter and exit a cell in less time than the mobile terminal’s dwell time, dropping the connection and resulting in handover failures and radio link failures. The conventional handover methods that rely on thresholds of certain factors such as the received signal strength could be insufficient for these environments. Different criteria should be balanced to avoid the drop, such as the user’s velocity, dwell time, target cell load, available bandwidth, device battery, and application latency requirements. Predictive methods could be a more efficient alternative to the existing reactive ones. This paper presents a decision-tree-based algorithm as one predictive method that learns the patterns among all the criteria mentioned and is particularly useful for avoiding ping-pongs and limiting handover failures. The classifier is trained on real multi-operator drive-test data with ping-pong events excluded from the positive class, and evaluated under Leave-One-Trace-Out cross-validation on 16 traces covering UMTS, HSUPA, HSPA+, and LTE cells. The proposed system achieves F1=0.642 and AUC =0.797 under LOTO, with a +0.052F1 lift over the best threshold-based baseline, while remaining interpretable and deployable in real time. The paper aims to present a solution applicable also to 5G NR and 6G.

Abstract: This study examined the biofilm-forming capacity and antibiotic resistance of 93 L. monocytogenes isolates from poultry to better understand how this pathogen persists and how it can be more effectively controlled throughout the poultry production process. Biofilms were evaluated on polystyrene microtiter plates at 12 and 30 °C in a nutrient-rich laboratory medium (Brain Heart Infusion, BHI). Susceptibility to eight clinically and food-relevant antibiotics was tested using disk diffusion and interpreted according to European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) breakpoints when available. Most isolates produced detectable but generally weak biofilms at both temperatures, with a subset shifting to moderate biofilm formation after prolonged incubation at 12 °C; no strong biofilm producers were identified. This highlights the significant influence of incubation time and temperature on surface colonization. Overall, the isolates remained largely susceptible to ampicillin, penicillin G, vancomycin, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol, although resistant or low-susceptibility subpopulations were noted for trimethoprim–sulphamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) and, particularly, erythromycin and streptomycin. No consistent correlation was found between biofilm-forming ability and antibiotic susceptibility, indicating that these phenotypic traits are largely independent in this collection. These findings reveal that poultry-derived L. monocytogenes isolates can form weak to moderate biofilms under the tested monoculture conditions while generally maintaining susceptibility to first-line antibiotics. However, the development of macrolide- and aminoglycoside-resistant subpopulations, along with the potential for increased colonization within complex multispecies biofilms in real processing environments, emphasizes the importance of ongoing integrated surveillance across animal food systems.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: L-carnitine is a naturally occurring compound involved in energy metabolism, while Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is primarily indicated for CoQ10 deficiency and as adjuvant therapy in chronic heart failure. Both are widely used off-label in sports to enhance performance, reduce fatigue, and improve recovery. Despite their popularity, their safety profiles are mainly derived from pre-marketing studies conducted in deficient or clinical populations, not in athletes. Given this limitation, the present study aimed to evaluate and compare the real-world safety profiles of L-carnitine and CoQ10 using spontaneous reports of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) from the EudraVigilance database. Methods: EudraVigilance, managed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), collects spontaneous reports of suspected ADRs related to authorized medicines. ADRs associated with L-carnitine and CoQ10 were analyzed and compared at the System Organ Class (SOC) level using reporting odds ratio (ROR) and proportional reporting ratio (PRR). Results: For L-carnitine, the most frequently reported ADRs were gastrointestinal disorders, followed by skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders, general disorders, and nervous system disorders. For CoQ10, the most common ADRs were general disorders and administration site conditions, followed by nervous system disorders, investigations, and gastrointestinal disorders. Comparative analysis (ROR and PRR) showed that CoQ10 was associated with a higher probability of reporting certain ADR categories, particularly blood and lymphatic disorders, musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders, and nervous system disorders. Conclusions: Although L-carnitine and CoQ10 are widely perceived as safe and commonly used by athletes, real-world data highlight the need for increased awareness of potential risks. Continuous monitoring and periodic reassessment of their benefit–risk profile are essential, especially considering their widespread off-label use.

Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) research in logistics has rapidly shifted since 2024 toward operationally specific systems for forecasting, routing, warehouse optimization, supply-chain visibility, port scheduling, and smart-port maintenance. This paper presents an evidence-oriented operational review of studies published since 2024 on AI applications in logistics. Instead of classifying the literature by model type alone, the review organizes studies by logistics decision function and evaluates the evidence profile of each application: whether real operational data were used, whether the study relied on simulation or benchmark instances, whether the data scale was reported, and whether field validation was conducted. The analysis shows that recent AI logistics studies increasingly address concrete operational tasks, including demand forecasting, late-delivery prediction, route deviation prediction, dynamic vehicle routing, warehouse order picking, robotic fulfillment scheduling, vessel arrival prediction, berth allocation, quay crane scheduling, container dwell-time prediction, and predictive maintenance at smart ports. However, the evidence base remains uneven. Several studies use real operational or survey data, while many warehouse and routing studies rely on simulation, generated instances, or benchmark settings. Field validation remains rare. The paper argues that the next stage of logistics AI research should move beyond model accuracy and report operational evidence: data provenance, data scale, logistics KPIs, field validation, integration requirements, and human oversight.

Abstract: Background: In 2016, the World Bank Group estimated that health costs related to PM2.5 pollution totalled approximately $5.7 trillion worldwide. Information on the estimated health costs from the environmental burden of disease caused by ambient air pollutant PM2.5 in Malaysia is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the environmental health costs associated with PM2.5 for all-cause and respiratory mortality at the national level. Methods: The population-weighted exposure level (PWEL) of PM10 concentrations across all Malaysian states for 2000, 2008, and 2013 was calculated using publicly available remote sensing data, air quality data from the Department of Environment, and burden-of-disease mortality statistics from the Institute of Public Health. The PWEL was then converted to PM2.5 using the World Health Organization's ambient air conversion factors. The AirQ+ 2.2.4 software was used to calculate mortality proportions for all-cause mortality, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer (LC), and acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) in children under five, based on the National Burden of Disease data from 2000, 2008, and 2013. Results: The cost per disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) ranged from one (low estimate) to three times the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita (high estimate). These costs were projected for 2022 using a GDP deflator. The estimated PWEL for PM2.5 in 2000, 2008, and 2013 was 22µg/m³, 18µg/m³, and 24µg/m³, respectively. The mortality cost of all-cause deaths increased from MYR 3.3 billion in 2000 to MYR 5.1 billion in 2008, and then to MYR 12.8 billion in 2013, accounting for nearly 1% of Malaysia's 2013 GDP. Conclusions:This indicates a rise in disease burden and mortality costs due to ambient air PM2.5 levels. Therefore, policymakers should remain highly vigilant.

Abstract: Transition to higher education represents a critical period marked by academic, emotional, and social challenges that can affect students’ well-being. Although social and emotional competence (SEC) and self-care practices have been identified as protective factors of well-being, there is a gap in understanding how these concepts intersect within higher education. In a two-phase mixed-methods study, we began by exploring the main challenges perceived by higher education students in adapting to university and which SEC and self-care practices they perceived as most relevant to promoting their personal and academic well-being. Building on these insights, we then investigated the mediating role of self-care practices in the relationship between students’ SEC and their well-being. In the first stage of the study, 16 higher education students (81.3% female, M = 22.19 years) participated in semi-structured interviews; additionally, 204 higher education students (77.9% female, M = 22.10 years) responded to an online survey. Qualitative findings suggested that the most significant challenges in the adaptation to university were of a social and emotional nature, related to emotional challenges, interpersonal relationships, and personal organization. To overcome these, students primarily valued intrapersonal competencies such as self-awareness and self-regulation. Participants predominantly described using personal self-care practices, focusing on psychological and emotional care. Generalized linear model-based mediation analysis sustained that both personal and academic self-care practices mediated SEC effects on students’ personal well-being. However, only academic self-care practices mediated SEC effects on their academic well-being. Self-regulation competencies had the strongest effect on students’ personal and academic well-being. This research contributes to a strengthened theoretical understanding of the interplay between higher education students’ SEC, self-care practices, and well-being, offering new empirical evidence on how these relate.

Abstract: Canine periodontal disease is a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory condition with a multifactorial etiology, influenced by host factors and complex subgingival bacterial communities; however, evidence from populations in underrepresented regions remains limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between host factors (age, diet, and cranial morphology) and the presence and severity of periodontal disease, as well as to characterize the subgingival bacterial profile using culture-based methods in an urban clinical population in Ecuador. A cross-sectional, analytical, observational study was conducted on 100 dogs treated at veterinary clinics in Loja. Periodontal status was classified according to AVDC criteria, defining the outcomes as the presence of periodontal disease (stages 1–4 vs. 0) and advanced periodontitis (stages 2–4 vs. 0–1). Subgingival samples were collected using sterile paper points and processed under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, with analyses performed individually. Periodontal disease was present in 68.0% of dogs, with 37.0% in advanced stages. Age was the only factor independently associated with both the presence (OR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.02–1.36; p = 0.021) and severity (OR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.05–1.41; p = 0.009), while diet, sex, and cranial morphology showed no significant associations (p > 0.05). The bacterial profile was polymicrobial (3.86 positive isolates per individual), and no taxon showed a significant association after FDR correction. Taken together, these results support a multifactorial and polymicrobial model, highlighting age as the main associated factor and emphasizing the need for molecular approaches in future studies.

Abstract: Questioning is widely recognised as a key dimension of learning in science education, yet learner questioning has often been treated as a secondary aspect of classroom participation rather than as a central pedagogical and epistemic practice. This article offers a conceptual examination of questioning in relation to science education for sustainability, informed by a critical interpretive engagement with literature on questioning, participation, classroom dialogue, engagement, and science education. It argues that science education for sustainability requires more than the transmission of scientific knowledge, calling instead for pedagogical spaces in which learners can engage with complexity, uncertainty, interpretation, and the ethical and social dimensions of socio-scientific issues. The article’s main contribution lies in repositioning learner questioning as a central condition of science education for sustainability and in showing that questioning is shaped not only by knowledge and motivation, but also by participation, hesitation, silence, and broader dynamics of voice, legitimacy, and power. In this perspective, fostering questioning becomes essential to more inclusive, dialogic, reflexive, and transformative approaches to science education for sustainability. The article further argues that fostering questioning in this way contributes directly to the educational ambitions embedded in SDG 4, SDG 13, and SDG 16 - making questioning-centred pedagogy not merely a methodological choice, but a condition for more democratic, just, and transformative science education for sustainable development.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Obesity and inflammatory conditions, including steatotic liver disease are known to impact the hematopoietic niche and immune surveillance. Therefore, assessing the impact of steatotic liver disease on recipients of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) with bone marrow origin neoplasms is clinically relevant and an underexplored area of investigation. Methods: We evaluated steatotic liver disease prevalence in allo-HSCT recipients and report post-transplant outcomes in this cohort. Results: Of 306 allo-HSCT recipients from 2014 to 2020 at our center, 18 (5.8%) had steatotic liver disease detected on non-contrast CT imaging pre-transplant. With a minimum of 5 years follow-up for all, eight patients experienced post-transplant relapses (44%). Relapses (78%) followed by infections (55%) were the major contributors of mortality in this cohort. Pre-transplant transaminases were normal (AST median 28, ALT median 37) in all, while most patients (89%; 16/18) developed abnormal transaminases in the first-year post-transplantation without evidence of permanent liver injury. None experienced veno-occlusive disease of the liver. The cumulative incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) was 33% (6/18), with 55% (10/18) experiencing chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). Conclusions: Our study highlights that radiologically detected steatotic liver disease is not a contraindication to proceeding with allogeneic stem cell transplant, and its association with transaminitis, relapse, immune complications, and post-transplant metabolic health requires future mechanistic studies.

Abstract: Nanoscale conductors and interfaces frequently exhibit anomalous AC transport behavior and enhanced superconducting critical temperatures that are not fully captured by conventional electron-phonon descriptions. In this exploratory work, we consider a complementary mechanism based on the possible inertial response of a Z₃-graded vacuum sector to time-varying electromagnetic fields. Within this speculative phenomenological framework, surface criticality is tentatively proposed as a mechanism that may drive high-energy vacuum modes toward low-energy collective excitations at surfaces and interfaces, giving rise to an approximate coherence length ξ_vac∼70 nm. This geometric length scale, if physically meaningful, could influence effective conductivity in the non-local regime and might contribute to observed features such as high-frequency skin depth saturation and interface-driven T_c enhancement. Preliminary evaluations based on the algebraic structure suggest qualitative consistency with certain experimental observations in high-purity metals and nanowire systems, although we emphasize that these consistencies may be coincidental. The framework is offered as a tentative, exploratory perspective on mesoscopic anomalies, with the aim of stimulating further discussion and investigation into possible connections between algebraic high-energy structures and low-energy quantum materials phenomena.

Abstract: Optical imaging is among the safest and most highly impactful biomedical imaging modalities. Aberration in the optical imaging systems leads to distorted images. This distortion is almost nonlinear and hence affects the relative size, intensity and appearance of image details. Image aberration has many types with some or all of them can be imposed on the image based on the quality of the imaging system and/or surrounding conditions. Many approaches have been introduced to remove or minimize aberration from optical images. If the transfer function of an imaging system and the function of the noise added during the imaging process are known, then an ideal image can be obtained from the image produced by this system. The point spread function (PSF) of the optical imaging system is the image it produces for a point object. PSF is the observable form of the transfer function. The transfer function itself is the exit pupil function or typically the system aberration. The nonlinearity and multiplicity of the aberration imposed on the image together with the added noise makes it difficult to obtain the transfer function from the degraded images. In this work, optimization and global search techniques are utilized in an iterative image restoration algorithm. The proposed technique updates an initially suggested solution of transfer function by optimizing the aberration coefficients. The final solution of the transfer function and hence the PSF is reached when the optimum restored image is obtained. The proposed algorithm is validated by a testing image and then its performance is assessed by a set of aberrated images with different degradation. The results obtained in this work showed 100% success rate to obtain the PSF.

Abstract: We present a unified, self-contained analytic treatment of the restricted weighted Goldbach representation function R_a,q(N) := ∑_{p₁ + p₂ = N, p₁ ≡ a (mod q)} (log p₁)(log p₂), q ≥ 1, (a,q) = 1,and its ternary analogue W_a,q(n) := ∑_{p₁ + p₂ + p₃ = n, p₁ ≡ a (mod q)} (log p₁)(log p₂)(log p₃). The binary theory is organized into three analytic levels: Level 1 (unconditional almost-all theorem with effective constants K ≤ 3.3624); Level 2 (valid for all sufficiently large N under a zero-density hypothesis); Level 3 (GRH-conditional pointwise asymptotic with explicit threshold N₀(4) ≈ 10^19.9). We incorporate four structural corrections over previous versions: (C1) replacement of an invalid pointwise Weyl–Pólya–Vinogradov bound by a rigorous appeal to Iwaniec–Kowalski; (C2) replacement of a misapplied hybrid large sieve by Parseval's identity; (C3) a parameter-compatibility lemma closing the gap in the arbitrary-A minor-arc saving; (C4) a corrected second-moment derivation for the restricted error R_a,q(N) – M_a,q(N) via the character decomposition. Beyond the corrections, we prove three new results: (N1) a Chen-type theorem giving N = p + P₂ with p ≡ a (mod q) for every sufficiently large even N; (N2) a short-interval theorem guaranteeing R_a,q(n) > 0 in every interval [N, N + N^0.525]; (N3) an analytic bridge from the explicit formula for Ψ*(x) deriving the precise reason why the Mellin transform of the residuals ε(p) detects the imaginary parts of the non-trivial zeros of ζ(s). We also present a rigorous three-level ternary hierarchy via prime anchoring and a completed ternary singular series analysis for q = 4. A complete table of effective constants with their epistemic status is provided, and the paper lists four precisely formulated open problems. Riemann Hypothesis, effective constants, Siegel zeros, ternary Goldbach, singular series, zero-density estimates, Mellin transform, spectral analysis, Riemann zeta function.

Abstract: A ketogenic diet (KD) is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat dietary approach. Beyond treating neurologic disorders, KD has attracted significant media attention for its potential to improve obesity and diabetes. The diet induces a metabolic shift from glucose toward fatty acid oxidation and ketone body production. This shift leads to ketosis, which may reduce hunger, cause weight loss, and improve glycaemic control and insulin sensitivity. In particular, the positive effects of KD lower insulin demand and may thereby improve β-cell function. However, the long-term efficacy, safety, and sustainability of KD, especially for diabetes, remain debated. This review offers current insights into the effects of ketogenesis and ketosis and the potential mechanisms underlying them. We examine the metabolic effects of KD in obesity and diabetes, drawing on preclinical and clinical studies, and suggest that combining KD with antidiabetic agents may provide synergistic benefits. We explore how KD alters the composition of the gut microbiota, thereby impacting host metabolism and systemic inflammation. We conclude by highlighting challenges and future directions for optimizing KD-based therapies through personalized nutrition and pharmacological combination treatments.

Abstract: The human temporomandibular joint requires stable kinematics for optimal function; however, structural anomalies such as the bifid mandibular condyle severely compromise this biomechanical harmony. This study aims to quantify the precise biomechanical behaviour and fracture susceptibility of the bifid condyle using patient-specific finite element analysis. A high-fidelity 3D computational model was constructed from the cone-beam computed tomography data of a patient presenting with a right bifid condyle and concurrent fracture. To establish a comparative baseline, a geometrically healthy control model was computationally derived. Both models were subjected to a simulated, physiological multiaxial masticatory load of 1000 N. The simulation revealed that while the healthy control safely dissipated forces (peak cortical von Mises stress of 62.49 MPa), the bifid morphology fundamentally disrupted load transfer. Extreme mechanical forces concentrated directly at the anomalous inter-condylar notch, generating peak equivalent von Mises stresses approaching 500 MPa and peak compressive stresses nearing 600 MPa. Furthermore, localised strain energy density at the notch peaked at 12 MPa. These internal stress magnitudes significantly exceed the ultimate yield strength of human cortical bone, providing a direct biomechanical rationale for the clinically observed fracture. This computational evidence establishes that the bifid condyle acts as a critical structural vulnerability and energy sink. Consequently, the identification of a bifid condyle warrants proactive clinical management, as even asymptomatic presentations are highly predisposed to structural fatigue and macroscopic failure.

Abstract: A relativistic stress-energy configuration is identified in which halo-like scaling in galaxies can arise from the rotational sector of matter without modifying the Einstein equations. In stationary axisymmetric systems, the mixed stress-energy components associated with vorticity define a conserved Killing current describing angular-momentum transport. The corresponding stream potential admits a multipole structure in which the dominant odd mode controls the radial flux and fixes its asymptotic amplitude. If this transport channel approaches a finite large-radius flux, the leading mode scales as r^-2. With the Alena Tensor closure, the same rotational sector that carries this transport mode contributes to the active weak-field source through the rotational part of the stress-energy tensor, giving an effective density with the same radial scaling and therefore approximately flat rotation curves. The baryonic Tully-Fisher relation is treated here as a constraint on the asymptotic transport amplitude, not as a first-principles derivation. The resulting framework gives testable predictions for disk-aligned lensing anisotropy, residual correlations with baryonic angular momentum, and suppressed halo-like scaling in systems without coherent rotation.

Abstract: Phytonutrient-enriched prebiotic mixtures (PEPs), composed of phytonutrients and prebiotics that serve as substrates for beneficial gut microbes, are widely recognized for their potential to promote gut health. However, despite this established role, direct evidence demonstrating their synergistic effects when co-administered with probiotics remains limited. To address this gap, we employed a three-phase design integrating ex vivo evaluation and clinical validation to assess how individual components influence microbial responses, how PEP interacts with probiotics, and whether these effects translate to humans. In ex vivo analyses, PEP components were associated with increased levels of acetate, butyrate, total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and lactate, with fiber-rich components showing the strongest effects. Co-treatment with probiotics further enhanced these metabolite levels compared to single treatments, particularly for butyrate and total SCFAs, along with elevated lactate levels. Notably, these effects became more pronounced with higher doses of co-administered probiotics, suggesting a dose-dependent enhancement of microbial metabolic activity and cross-feeding–mediated metabolic flux. In a randomized clinical study including PEP-only, probiotic-only, and combined PEP plus probiotic groups, all groups showed increases in fecal metabolites. However, the combined PEP and probiotic group exhibited the greatest increases in butyrate (~6 µmol/g) and total SCFAs (22.9 µmol/g). Across all groups, participants with constipation-type stool patterns shifted toward normal stool types, as assessed by the Bristol stool scale. These findings demonstrate that PEP modulates microbiome-derived metabolic activity, and that its combination with probiotics further enhances the production of butyrate and total SCFAs. Overall, this study provides both mechanistic and clinical evidence supporting synbiotic strategies and demonstrates the potential of PEP as an effective approach to improve gut microbial metabolism.

Abstract: Fenestration systems play a critical role in building thermal performance, particularly in cooling-dominated climates where envelope inefficiencies directly amplify electricity demand. In Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, cooling accounts for the majority of building energy consumption. Nevertheless, the façade and insulated glass industries are experiencing rapid market expansion. Despite this technological evolution, prevailing regulatory frameworks, including the Saudi Building Code (SBC), ASHRAE 90.1, and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), primarily rely on area-weighted U-values and solar heat gain coefficients (SHGC), without explicitly integrating multidimensional thermal bridge effects such as linear thermal transmittance (ψ). This paper investigates the structural omission of ψ within current energy compliance systems, evaluates its implications in cooling-dominated climates, and proposes a phased regulatory integration pathway aligned with sustainability objectives under Vision 2030. Literature synthesis indicates that thermal bridges may increase cooling loads by up to 25% and total building energy use by 5–30%, while remaining structurally omitted from compliance metrics. The findings highlight the need to transition from simplified prescriptive compliance toward physics-informed governance capable of addressing evolving façade complexity in hot-arid environments. The proposed framework offers a systematic pathway for integrating linear thermal transmittance requirements while supporting regional sustainability goals and the advancement of high-performance building technologies.