Abstract: We propose that the origin of life represents a universal integrable transition governed by Painlevé transcendental equations. Four independent prebiotic subsystems: mineral catalysts, information polymers, energy transducers, and lipid boundaries, undergo autocatalytic coupling that induces a mathematical cascade: PVI → PV → PIII^D6 → PIII^D7 → PIII^D8, culminating in LUCA (Last Universal Common Ancestor). Each degeneration in the Chekhov confluence diagram corresponds to a specific biochemical integration event; the cascade is governed by a universal separation parameter ∆_min ≈ 0.15 between anabolic and catabolic rates, with concentration oscillations scaling as ω ∝ ∆^−1/2. We validate this framework through three independent lines of evidence: (1) retrospective analysis of 26 Belousov-Zhabotinsky oscillating-reaction data points from seven published studies yields ∆_min = 0.135 ± 0.012 (R² = 0.92); (2) six natural extreme environments spanning hydrothermal vents, hot springs, and hypersaline systems (pH 0.5–11, temperatures 0–90◦C) give ∆_min = 0.147 ± 0.020; and (3) prebiotic autocatalytic systems including the formose sugar reaction and clay-catalyzed RNA oligomerization yield ∆_min = 0.152 ± 0.018, consistent with observed oscillation periods of 5–15 minutes. Combined validation across all 33 measurements gives ∆_min = 0.141 ± 0.023, only 6% deviation from the theoretical value. The framework unifies the RNA World, Metabolism-First, and Protocell theories as sequential stages of a single cascade (rather than competing hypotheses), provides a quantitative timeline (4.4–3.5 Ga) anchored to isotopic and phylogenomic data, and makes ten falsifiable predictions testable in laboratory and field settings. This suggests that Painlevé coalescence may represent a general principle of integrative transitions in complex systems.

Abstract: This paper focuses on the problem of anticipating the local occurrence of future large earthquakes. "Local" is defined as the probability of a large earthquake occurring with a defined circle of arbitrary radius surrounding a point of interest. The main (and for that matter, the only) assumption for all these works is that the Gutenberg-Richter (GR) magnitude-frequency relation holds. Here we describe a method for computing calendar time forecasts in a local area for large earthquakes of a target magnitude MT using a count small earthquakes MS < MT in the area. Using the idea that the GR relation is valid throughout the surrounding region, we define an ensemble of earthquakes in larger surrounding regions to be used in computing the forecast. What follows is simple data mining. The method has significant skill, as defined by the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) test, which improves as time since the last major earthquake increases. The probability is conditioned on the number of small earthquakes n(t) that have occurred since the last large earthquake. The probability is computed directly as the Positive Predictive Value (PPV) associated with the ROC curve. The method is validated by comparison to the UCERF3 forecasts for the UCERF3-defined geographic boxes centered on Los Angeles and San Francisco. The method is then applied to a 125-KM radius circular area around Los Angeles, California, following the January 17, 1994 magnitude M6.7 Northridge earthquake, and short term forecasts (1 year and 5 year ) are computed.

Abstract: This manuscript evaluates the electrochemical corrosion resistance of diamond-like car-bon (DLC) coatings deposited via High-Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HiPIMS) on AISI 52100 steel in synthetic seawater. While AISI 52100 steel is valued for its hardness, it is highly susceptible to localized and uniform corrosion in chloride-rich marine environ-ments. In this study, samples were characterized using Raman spectroscopy to analyze sp2/sp3 bonding, and their corrosion behavior was assessed through potentiodynamic po-larization, linear polarization resistance (LPR), and electrochemical impedance spectros-copy (EIS) over 24 hours of immersion. Results demonstrated that the DLC coatings signif-icantly enhanced electrochemical stability, shifting corrosion potentials toward more no-ble values and reducing corrosion current densities by several orders of magnitude com-pared to the uncoated substrate. EIS data revealed high polarization resistance and effec-tive barrier properties, despite a calculated total porosity of 3.06% resulting from intrinsic micro-defects. Although localized subsurface degradation and minor flaking were ob-served at defect sites, the HiPIMS-deposited DLC coatings effectively mitigated the corro-sive impact of synthetic seawater, providing a robust protective barrier for high-precision steel components.

Abstract: The Hsp20 protein family, recognized in all organisms for its chaperone activity in the heat-stress response, is part of the Heat Shock Protein (Hsp) superfamily, defined by a conserved alpha-crystallin domain (ACD). Hsp20s are the smallest proteins in the superfamily (mostly between 15 and 22 kDa) and assist in protein refolding during stress and developmental processes. In this study, we characterize the Hsp20 gene family in Chenopodium quinoa (2n = 4x = 36) using an integrative omic approach. C. quinoa is well known for its global contributions to food production and tolerance to various abiotic stresses. We identified 69 CqHsp20 genes distributed across the nine chromosomes of each subgenome (A and B), organized mainly into homologous pairs, with paralogs on eight chromosomes, likely from tandem duplications, suggesting a well-conserved evolutionary pattern within the species. The phylogenetic analysis grouped CqHsp20 proteins into two main clusters, split into four sub-clusters based on peptides’ cellular localization, consistent with a characteristic gene structure and conserved motif analysis. The integration of transcriptomic data from published experiments enabled us to detect a cluster of putatively ubiquitously expressed CqHsp20, as well as other groups that showed differential responses across abiotic stress conditions. The pattern shows more genes with transcriptional activity under drought and salinity than under heat, key adaptive traits underlying quinoa’s known ecological versatility. Some of these genes, with null or low transcriptional activity under heat stress, encode organelle-targeting peptides, a phenomenon not reported in other model plant studies. Varying expression within CqHsp20 homologous and paralogs supports the idea that gene duplication creates genomic diversity, facilitating adaptation to variable extreme environments. However, while theoretical and in silico analysis provide valuable insight into quinoa Hsp20 response, empirical data are essential to unequivocally understand how these gene expression variations affect quinoa response to abiotic stressors.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3D printing, has rapidly transformed modern manufacturing, creating a growing demand for engineers with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Despite its increasing relevance, AM is often incorporated into engineering curricula as a supplementary tool rather than a fully integrated subject, limiting students’ understanding of fundamental material–process–performance relationships. This study presents the development, implementation, and assessment of an integrated lecture–laboratory framework for AM education at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). Two complementary courses were developed: an undergraduate course (Introduction to 3D Printing, CHE 415) and a graduate course (Additive Manufacturing and Applications, CHE 722). The curriculum integrates instruction in AM technologies, materials, and digital workflows with hands-on design challenges, team-based projects, and structured literature review, enabling students to engage in the complete design-to-fabrication process. Student learning outcomes were evaluated over multiple academic years using ABET-aligned assessments, grade distributions, and student self-assessments. Results demonstrate consistently high levels of student proficiency and engagement, with strong performance in design, problem-solving, and communication skills. The courses also attracted students from diverse disciplines, underscoring the interdisciplinary nature of AM education. While limitations remain in providing hands-on exposure to a broader range of AM technologies, ongoing expansion of laboratory infrastructure is expected to address these challenges. Overall, this work demonstrates that an integrated, project-based approach effectively bridges theory and practice and provides a scalable model for incorporating AM into engineering curricula.

Abstract: Seed enhancement technologies play a crucial role in improving germination performance and early seedling establishment of forest tree species. This study evaluated the effects of seed priming, microbial inoculation, and polymer coating on the germination behavior and seedling quality of Falcataria falcata. Fifteen treatments, including hydropriming (HP), plant growth regulators (GA₃), beneficial microorganisms, and polymer-based coatings, were assessed under controlled conditions. Results revealed that all seed enhancement treatments significantly improved germination and seedling growth parameters compared to the untreated control (p < 0.01). Hydropriming alone increased germination from 49.5% to over 93%, while combined treatments (HP + microbial inoculants + GA₃ + coating) achieved up to 97.5% germination and significantly enhanced germination index, vigor indices, root development, and nodulation. The highest seedling vigor (Vigor Index I = 2055.57) and root–shoot ratio (0.60) were observed in integrated treatments, indicating improved biomass allocation and stress adaptation potential. Principal Component Analysis explained over 90% of the variability in germination traits and 75% in seedling growth, clearly distinguishing superior treatments. The findings demonstrate that integrated seed enhancement strategies synergistically improve physiological performance, nutrient acquisition, and early growth dynamics. These results highlight the potential of combining priming, bioinoculants, and coating technologies to optimize seedling production and establishment of tree plantations and agroforestry ecosystems.

Abstract: Accurate traffic sign detection is important for the safety of autonomous driving systems. However, fully supervised methods require a large amount of manual annotation, which is cost-prohibitive and time-consuming. Semi-supervised methods employ a small amount of labeled data and a large amount of unlabeled data to train the models, hence largely reducing the annotation costs. However, these methods have the following challenges: (1) with an imbalanced long-tail class distribution of traffic signs, they tend to achieve poor performance on tail classes; (2) they often fail to detect small traffic signs. To solve these issues, we propose a Semi-Supervised Traffic Sign Detection method with Dynamic Pseudo-Label Selection and Gated-Feature-Fusion-based Proposal Refinement. Firstly, we design a Class-Distribution-based Dynamic Pseudo-Label Selection module (CD-DPLS) to select pseudo-labels for different classes based on the class distribution information, which reduces the tendency to select more pseudo-labels from head classes instead of tail classes, thereby improving the tail class detection performance. Secondly, we employ a Gated-Feature-Fusion-based Proposal Refinement strategy (GFF-PR) to refine detection proposals by fusing different-scale features with a gating mechanism, which facilitates the detection of small traffic signs. Besides, we use an Adaptive-Weight Focal Loss (AWFL), with which the weight of each pseudo-label is determined by the ratio between its classification confidence and the corresponding class-specific classification-confidence threshold. Experiments on traffic sign datasets demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms state-of-the-art semi-supervised approaches, with mAP50 scores of 11.5% and 36.3% using only 1% and 10% labeled data, respectively.

Abstract: Recently, the Japanese government has introduced ambitious policies for agricultural sustainability, specifically the MIDORI Strategy, aimed at reducing chemical fertilizer use, expanding organic farmland, and increasing calorie-based food self-sufficiency. To evaluate the feasibility of these goals, this study quantified nitrogen and phosphorus flows within the 2021 food and feed system using a normalized “Nutrient Index.” A scenario analysis was conducted using policy targets as parameters, where currently non-circulated waste streams were modeled as potential sources for domestic nutrient recovery. The results indicate that Scenario A (a 30% reduction of chemical fertilizers) is the most feasible, achieving significant improvements in circulation ratios through recovery of nutrients from sewage and livestock waste. While Scenario B (increasing organic farmland) shows similar trends, its success depends on technological advancements to mitigate the yield gap between organic and conventional systems. Scenario C (increasing calorie-based food self-sufficiency) presents the greatest challenge: maintaining current dietary patterns requires a 20% expansion of farmland and total nutrient recovery from waste. However, shifting dietary habits toward higher domestic rice consumption (Scenario C-2) significantly mitigates land and fertilizer demand. Achieving these targets requires a holistic approach that integrates technological infrastructure with socio-political shifts in land use planning and consumer behavior.

Abstract: After the 2018 to 2020 protest peak, climate activism became less visible as a synchronized transnational movement, despite continuing protest, litigation, local organizing, and institutional advocacy. This article examines why a movement that reached exceptional visibility during the school-strike wave later appeared quieter without disappearing. The study uses a theory-guided qualitative explanatory synthesis and focused comparison of Fridays for Future, Greta Thunberg’s catalytic leadership, Extinction Rebellion, Stop Oil, Last Generation, Sunrise, Ende Gelände, and related campaigns. Rather than treating strike estimates, protest trackers, institutional reports, and legal reporting as a harmonized dataset, the study uses them as complementary indicators of visibility, participation, repression, tactical change, and organizational retrenchment. Deductive thematic coding identifies five interacting mechanisms: symbolic overconcentration around Thunberg-centered visibility; post-2019 protest-cycle contraction; tactical fragmentation across mass protest, litigation, institutional advocacy, and disruptive direct action; escalating criminalization; and selective media amplification. These mechanisms weakened global visibility, reduced transnational synchrony, raised participation costs, and shifted activism toward localized, less publicly legible repertoires. This study conceptualizes structured attenuation as a post-peak movement condition in which activism persists organizationally and tactically while losing public visibility, transnational synchrony, and mobilizing capacity. Climate activism’s apparent silence should therefore be understood as structured attenuation rather than political extinction. The movement remains substantively active, but its capacity to generate broad, synchronized, globally recognizable contention has diminished. The findings distinguish reduced public visibility from complete movement decline and show how repression, media selectivity, organizational strain, and post-peak comparison can make activism appear absent.

Abstract: A smallholder farmer in rural Karnataka spots something wrong with her tomato crop. She photographs the leaf, but the nearest agronomist is fifty kilometres away and charges fees she cannot afford. AgriAdvisor Pro is the system we built to close that gap. It pairs a fine-tuned EfficientNet-B2 classifier (97.88% accuracy, 65 classes) with Google Gemini 2.0 Flash for language generation, and stitches them together through a parallel orchestration layer running on Python’s asyncio. In concrete terms, this means advisory turnaround went from about 18 seconds down to 4.2—a difference that matters when your connection drops every few minutes. A FAISS-backed RAG pipeline ties each recommendation to verified regional documents rather than letting the model guess. We tested the system across 127 farms over one kharif season and saw a 34% drop in preventable crop losses along with less indiscriminate pesticide spraying. One season in one state is hardly definitive, and we are aware of that limitation. But even these preliminary numbers hint that designing around the farmer’s real constraints—patchy bandwidth, regional languages, limited digital literacy—can turn AI from a lab curiosity into something genuinely useful on the ground.

Abstract: Introduction: Survival at high altitudes depends on efficient energy resource management, where hypobaric hypoxia acts as a metabolic accelerator, altering thermodynamic efficiency and increasing basal caloric cost. This study compared variations in resting energy expenditure (REE) and physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) in permanent residents of an altitudinal gradient that includes the cities of Lima (154 m), Arequipa (2,335 m), Puno (3,827 m), and La Rinconada (5,100 m). Methodology: One hundred and forty-one healthy subjects aged 18 to 38 years were evaluated using photoplethysmography (PPG) to estimate REE and PAEE, the latter after a 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), and oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels were also analyzed as indicators of physiological status and acclimatization. Results: A progressive and significant increase in REE and PAEE was observed proportional to altitude, with the highest values ​​recorded in La Rinconada. It was determined that for every 1% decrease in SpO2, REE increased by approximately 1,286 kcal. Despite the high metabolic cost at altitude, the distance covered in the 6MWT did not vary significantly between cities, demonstrating a greater biological effort for the same mechanical workload. At extreme altitudes, men exhibited a significantly higher PAEE than women (50.60 ± 10.17 kcal vs. 40.78 ± 5.21 kcal). Furthermore, hemoglobin levels above 18 g/dL were associated with an exponential increase in caloric expenditure due to blood hyperviscosity. Conclusions: Living at critical altitudes induces a state of systemic hypermetabolism primarily regulated by SpO2 deficit. The findings suggest a metabolic threshold near 2,500 m, above which energy efficiency declines sharply. The observed sexual dimorphism suggests a possible hormonal effect on total energy expenditure (TEE) behavior.

Abstract: This study examines the role of women executives in shaping crisis management strategies and firm outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Türkiye. Drawing on survey data from 207 SMEs across 12 sectors in Istanbul and using nonparametric tests and regression models controlling for firm age, size, and sector, we analyze whether the presence of women in executive positions influenced firm resilience and strategic responses under crisis conditions. The findings reveal that firms with women executives demonstrated significantly stronger cash flow sustainability and cost management outcomes. However, no significant differences were observed in revenue generation or overall performance. In terms of strategy, women executives were more likely to adopt cost-control measures such as operational cost reduction, telecommuting, and staff expense adjustments. At the same time, they were more likely to pursue ambidextrous strategies combining cost control with revenue gene-ration rather than relying solely on defensive approaches. Despite this balanced strategic orientation, only the cost-related dimension translated into measurable outcomes. This indicates an intention–outcome gap, where revenue-generating efforts did not yield significant advantages under severe crisis conditions. The results suggest that women’s leadership advantages during crisis may be domain-specific, emerging primarily in areas of internal organizational control rather than market-dependent outcomes.

Abstract: It is shown that the empirical Williams-Landel-Ferry (WLF) and Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann (VFT) formulas, as well as the semiempirical formulas of other researchers, for the viscosity η in the glass transition region are, in fact, hyperbolic functions of temperature with corresponding relationships between their parameters. The hyperbolic dependence can be derived from the universal expansion of ln(η) into a Taylor series in a small temperature parameter near the glass transition temperature. The applicability of the principle of corresponding states follows from this expansion. A new two-parameter formula in the form of a second-degree polynomial is proposed for ln(η) in the glass transition region. This formula contains physically significant parameters and adequately describes the available experimental data for individual glass-forming substances.

Abstract: Purpose – This article aimed to offer insight into and discuss how the concepts of Industry 5.0 and Society 5.0 are perceived and understood by managers in the Norwegian construction industry. The research questions were limited to the perceptions and opinions of a group of bachelor's students in construction site management. Design/methodology/approach – The study used qualitative data collection, encompassing participants with different functions and experiences in the Norwegian construction industry. The student group was thus interdisciplinary. Everyone was a part-time student and had a full job at the same time. The participants represented two classes, with a total of 70 students divided into 15 work/study groups. Findings – The empirical evidence shows that the groups had insight into the concepts of Industry 5.0 and Society 5.0. They reflected on opportunities and obstacles. A transition to Industry 5.0 and Society 5.0 will require a focus on competence and self-directed learning, as well as a willingness to invest in competence and technology. This can be seen in light of a knowledge-intensive society and sustainable development. The participants emphasised the Norwegian working life model as a strength in the possible implementation of Industry 5.0 as it has several similarities with the concept of Industry 5.0 in terms of being human-centred. Originality/value – The article contributes insights into how the concepts of Society 5.0 and Industry 5.0 are perceived and understood by bachelor's students in construction site management. The study provides an in-depth analysis of the concept of resilience and the sub-concepts of vulnerability and capacity in a Norwegian context. Practical implications – The practical impact of the study can be linked to the students' participation as both informants and in assisting analysis of the empirical material, which has given them a foundation to communicate the topic of Industry 5.0 and Society 5.0 in their workplaces and other forums in which they participate as leaders in the construction industry.

Abstract: The origin of zongzi — rice and millet wrapped in leaves — has long been debated owing to a millennium-long gap between its legendary association with Qu Yuan (c. 340–278 BC) and the earliest unequivocal evidence, which dates only to the Song Dynasty. Here we present well-dated archaeological evidence of plant bundles (c. 2200 cal. BP) from the Wuwangdun Site, the first well-excavated tomb of King Kaolie of Chu. These plant bundles share the essential characteristics of modern zongzi and overlap both temporally and geographically with the Qu Yuan legend. They consist of Quercus dentata leaves containing rice (Oryza sativa, 43.6%), broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum, 26.1%) and foxtail millet (Setaria italica, 28.5%), secured with cords made from Panicoideae and Chloridoideae plants — a wrapping practice structurally identical to that of modern zongzi. Most seeds were preserved as whole husks, indicating that the bundles were used as funerary offerings rather than for consumption, which aligns with the legend that zongzi were thrown into the river to commemorate Qu Yuan. Notably, Q. dentata leaves are still used to wrap zongzi in regions that once formed the northern border of the Chu Kingdom. Our findings demonstrate that the plant bundles from the Wuwangdun Site most likely represent the prototype of zongzi, bridging the gap between legend and material culture and showing that the tradition of wrapping grains for ritual purposes began in the Chu Kingdom no later than 2200 years ago.

Abstract: In this study, to evaluate physiological and microbial responses under heat stress conditions, blood biochemical parameters, rumen fermentation characteristics, and microbial composition in Holstein dairy cows during the dry period and early lactation stages under summer conditions in Korea. Fourteen cows were observed during the hot summer month (from the first to the third week of August), with the temperature-humidity index (THI) recorded in the barns during the dry and early lactation periods being 80.80 and 81.66, respectively. Blood and rumen fluid samples were collected to evaluate physiological responses and changes in blood parameters, rumen fermentation, and microbial composition. Blood analysis revealed significant variations between the two stages. Early-lactating cows exhibited lower glucose, blood urea nitrogen, and cholesterol levels but higher ketone and aspartate aminotransferase levels, indicating increased energy demands and protein metabolism. A complete blood count showed reduced red blood cell count, hematocrit, and hemoglobin levels during the early lactation period, whereas white blood cell counts increased. The levels of heat shock proteins (HSPs), such as HSP27, HSP70, and HSP90, also differed significantly. Rumen fermentation analysis revealed lower ammonia nitrogen concentrations but significantly higher propionate and total vol-atile fatty acid concentrations during the early lactation period, indicating adaptive changes in rumen function. Microbial analysis revealed significant differences in bacterial diversity and composition. Early-lactation cows exhibited relatively high abundances of Bacteroidota and Prevotella, whereas the dry period was dominated by Clostridia and Eubacteriales. Network analysis highlighted shifts in microbial interactions, with specific keystone species identified at each stage. These findings suggest distinct physiological and microbiological adaptations in response to HS, with early lactation characterized by heightened metabolic demands and significant shifts in rumen bacterial communities. Such insights could inform tailored management strategies to mitigate the impact of HS on dairy cows during their critical production stages.

Abstract: The removal of thorium from contaminated water sources is crucial for environmental protection and nuclear waste management. Herein, we present a dual-strategy design of a thiophene-integrated porphyrin covalent organic framework (TAPP-BTD-COF) that combines rigid macrocyclic scaffolds with flexible thiophene linkages, incorporating complementary N and S donor sites. This tailored COF achieves efficient and selective capture of Th(IV) from acidic aqueous solutions. By leveraging the topological arrangement of the porphyrin core to modulate the conformation of thiophene-based connectors, a coordination environment with N–S synergistic sites is created, which significantly enhances Th(IV) selectivity over competing ions. At pH 4.5, the synthesized TAPP-BTD-COF exhibits a high adsorption capacity of 437.18 mg g-1 and reaches equilibrium within 20 minutes. It demonstrates exceptional selectivity for Th(IV), with a separation factor exceeding 2.6×10³ relative to common interfering ions, and retains over 90% adsorption capacity after three consecutive cycles. Mechanistic studies confirm that the high performance originates from N–Th / S–Th dual-dentate coordination. This work provides a strategic design of functional COFs for thorium recovery and represents a highly efficient adsorbent system for Th(IV) removal from aqueous streams.

Abstract: Background and Objectives: We aimed to analyze the screening accuracy of the STOP and STOP-Bang questionnaires within three distinct populations from the Mediterranean region: Croatia, Greece, and Türkiye. Additionally, we aimed to optimize previously suggested and to establish population-specific cut-off points for body mass index (BMI) and neck circumference (NC) in the questionnaires to enhance their screening accuracy. Materials and Methods: A total of 9,102 patients who underwent polysomnography or polygraphy to evaluate suspected OSA were enrolled from: Split Sleep Medicine Centre (Croatia), Ege University Faculty of Medicine (Türkiye), and Thessaloniki G Papaniko-laou Hospital Aristotle University (Greece). Patients completed the STOP and STOP-Bang questionnaires before sleep assessments. Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated to assess the screening properties. Additionally, optimized cut-offs for age, NC, and BMI were determined. Results: The highest AUC values were observed using the STOP-Bang≥5 method, with AUC values of 0.712 for detecting any OSA (AHI≥5/h), 0.684 for moderate or severe OSA (AHI≥15/h), and 0.663 for severe OSA (AHI≥30/h). For individual centers, the STOP-Bang≥5 method performed best in Split, while the STOP≥2+NC method yielded the highest AUCs in Izmir and Thessaloniki for moderate and severe OSA. Optimized cut-off values for age, NC, and BMI improved sensitivity and specificity across all cen-ters. Conclusions: This study highlights the necessity of population-specific considerations in the screening of OSA. Significant differences in demographics, anthropometrics, symptoms, and comorbidities across populations could impact the questionnaire's screening accuracy. Adjusting age, NC, and BMI cut-off points optimizes the STOP-Bang questionnaire.

Abstract: This paper develops a robust numerical scheme based on a frame collocation method for solving multi-term fractional ordinary differential equations (FODEs) whose solutions exhibit multiple singularities at the origin. To adaptively capture the singular behavior, we construct a hybrid basis function frame by combining shifted fractional Legendre polynomials. An efficient computational formula for the Caputo fractional derivative is derived, which transforms the original problem into a nonlinear algebraic system at the collocation points. The resulting system matrix is severely ill-conditioned due to the redundancy of frame, to mitigate this issue, we employ truncated singular value decomposition (TSVD) regularization, thereby enabling stable and high-precision solutions. Extensive numerical experiments on several benchmark problems, including the fractional Bagley–Torvik equation, linear multi-term FODEs, and nonlinear cases, demonstrate that the proposed method achieves exponential convergence rates. Notably, when the singular exponent of the solution matches a tunable parameter $\delta$ in the basis functions, superconvergence is observed, significantly outperforming standard spectral methods. Compared with traditional spectral approaches, the proposed frame collocation framework retains spectral accuracy while exhibiting superior capability in handling complex singular structures, providing a powerful and reliable tool for high-precision simulations of multi-term fractional differential equations.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), the predominant malignant subtype of kidney cancer, is the leading cause of death among renal cell carcinoma patients. Although a subset of ccRCC patients benefit from select immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), prognosis remains poor. While PD-1 and PD-L1 have been extensively studied, the prevalence and distribution of other immune checkpoints (ICs) and their relationship with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) remain poorly characterized. Here, we investigated the interplay between twenty ICs and EMT markers and assessed their combined prognostic relevance in ccRCC patients. Methods: Transcriptomic profiling and integrated bioinformatic analyses were performed, including differential expression, correlation analyses, survival analyses, forest plot analyses, ROC curve evaluation, and OncoPrint visualisation, complemented by analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing data, immunohistochemistry, and multiplex secretory IC (LegendPlex) assays. Results: Transcriptomic profiling of over 500 ccRCC tumors versus normal kidney tissue revealed dysregulation of ICs, particularly LAG3 and NT5E. Notably, expression of ICs, including LAG3 and NT5E, was associated with poor overall survival in 415 ccRCC patients. ICs that synergised with EMT phenotype provided improved prognostic discrimination compared to individual ICs. Correlation analyses, single-cell RNA sequencing and immunohistochemistry demonstrated that EMT-associated tumor cells exhibit coordinated expression of LAG3 and NT5E. Receiver operating characteristic analysis highlighted the potential clinical utility of LAG3 and NT5E. Conclusions: Collectively, this study defines an EMT-IC axis in ccRCC and demonstrates its relevance to tumor biology and patient outcomes, highlighting LAG3 and NT5E as potential prognostic markers and therapeutic targets.