Abstract: This study examines the impact of rolling direction on Barkhausen noise emission from the low-alloyed steel MC 500 during a uniaxial tensile test. The samples of gauged shape were cut along both the rolling and transverse directions to investigate the process of magnetic anisotropy alterations, as expressed in terms of Barkhausen noise and the extracted features. Barkhausen noise was studied as a function of both elastic and plastic straining, and the role of domain wall realignment with respect to the rolling direction, as well as the direction of the tensile load, was analysed. Barkhausen noise emission is linked to both the stress state and the microstructure, and the role of external stressing is contrasted with the residual stress state. Barkhausen noise in measured directly during tensile test (in situ) as well as after unloading (post situ). It was found that Barkhausen noise is significantly affected by stress directly during the tensile test (in situ), whereas the contribution of residual stresses is less pronounced. Barkhausen noise measured in situ during the tensile test in the direction of the tensile load is higher compared to the transverse direction. However, this relationship is reversed for the post situ measurements, especially for the more developed plastic strains. The influence of rolling direction on Barkhausen noise is relatively minor, and Barkhausen noise after matrix yielding is primarily affected by increasing dislocation density.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Oxidative stress and iron overload remodel erythrocyte mem-branes in β-thalassemia, but their systemic metabolic correlates are not well defined. We applied untargeted metabolomics to identify serum biomarkers reflecting these patho-physiological processes. Methods: Thirty-one adults with β-thalassemia [18 transfu-sion-dependent (TDT), 13 non-transfusion-dependent (NTD)] and 8 age/sex-matched healthy controls were studied. Fasting serum was profiled using untargeted UHPLC-Orbitrap MS. Multivariate modeling (SIMCA-P) and FDR-controlled univariate statistics identified discriminant features, followed by pathway enrichment analysis. Associations with clinical variables (chelation regimen, ferritin, cardiac MRI T2* and liver iron concentration) were examined. Results: A total of 183 metabolites were detected; versus controls, 124 were decreased, 54 increased, and 5 remained unchanged in patients. Key discriminants included lysophosphatidylcholines (LysoPC 18:1, 18:3), polyunsatu-rated fatty acid (PUFA)-bearing phosphatidylcholines (PC 20:4/18:0, PC 18:0/20:4), con-jugated bile acids (glycocholic acid, glycochenodeoxycholic acid, glycoursodeoxycholic acid), and bilirubin. Pathway analysis revealed significant enrichment (FDR-corrected) in linoleic acid metabolism (q = 0.024, impact = 1.000) and arachidonic acid metabolism (q = 0.022, impact = 0.433), with supportive nominal signals from glycerophospholipid (impact = 0.401) and porphyrin/heme (impact = 0.242) pathways. No significant metabolic dif-ferences were observed between TD and NTD patients. Conclusions: β-thalassemia serum metabolomics reflects oxidative membrane lipid remodeling with a prominent PLA₂/LysoPC–arachidonic axis and evidence of heme turnover and altered bile-acid signaling. These data propose a practical biomarker panel - LysoPCs, arachidonic ac-id-enriched PCs and conjugated bile acids - warranting targeted validation alongside conventional clinical parameters for disease monitoring and therapeutic assessment.

Abstract: This work presents the development and validation of a 1D, co-flow, finite-volume model for the simulation of planar SOFCs, developed for integration in more complex systems and process simulations. The model is calibrated and validated using experimental SOFC polarization curves in a wide range of operating conditions in terms of H2 and H2O molar fraction in the fuel, temperature, and fuel utilization factor, demonstrating good accuracy and the possibility to simulate the most relevant physical processes occurring within an SOFC and to investigate its internal operating conditions in terms of temperature, current density, and gas composition profiles.

Abstract: The rapid development of smart cities addresses urban challenges from population growth, resource management, and sustainability needs. Smart cities rely on Systems of Systems (SoS)—interconnected, independent systems—to achieve capabilities beyond individual components. This analysis explores SoS principles like operational autonomy, geographic distribution, and evolutionary growth in smart cities, with applications spanning healthcare, transportation, public safety, and energy efficiency. Case studies from India, Atlanta, and Porto illustrate successful SoS implementations using data-driven methods like open data platforms and IoT devices to tackle issues such as traffic congestion and resource allocation. Applying SoS frameworks in urban traffic light management can significantly reduce congestion and enhance transportation efficiency through dynamic data sharing and predictive analytics. By transforming traffic lights into interconnected ’smart sensors,’ real-time responses to traffic conditions, proactive congestion management, and improved emergency access are enabled. Addressing interoperability, scalability, and data security challenges ensures seamless system integration, supporting sustainable urban mobility.

Abstract: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most prevalent form of hair loss on a global scale. However, the current FDA-approved therapies, including minoxidil (MXD) and finasteride, are often limited by suboptimal follicular targeting, variable patient compliance, and systemic adverse effects. Recent advancements in nanotechnology have yielded promising strategies for the management of AGA. These strategies involve the delivery of drugs to specific follicles, the controlled release of drugs, and the modulation of the follicular microenvironment. Herein, we summarize recent progress in nanotechnology-based approaches for AGA treatment, with emphasis on the following: disease pathophysiology; nanocarrier design principles; nano-enabled microneedle systems; and multifunctional nanomaterials capable of regulating oxidative stress, angiogenesis, inflammation, as well as hair follicle stem cell activity. A discourse is also initiated on the subjects of safety considerations, manufacturing challenges, and regulatory perspectives that are pertinent to clinical translation. Overall, nanotechnology provides a versatile framework for addressing the key limitations of conventional AGA therapies and exhibits considerable potential for future clinical application.

Abstract: We discuss gravitational concepts and candidate specifications for dark matter that, together, can help explain known ratios of dark-matter effects to ordinary-matter effects and can help explain eras in the rate of expansion of the universe. The ratios pertain to galaxies and galaxy evolution, galaxy clusters, and densities of the universe. The candidate specifications for dark matter reuse, with variations, a set of known elementary particles. Regarding galaxy evolution and the rate of expansion of the universe, we deploy multipole-expansion methods that combine Newtonian gravity, aspects of motions of sub-objects of gravitationally interacting objects, and Lorentz invariance. One outgrowth from our work suggests relationships among some physics constants. Another outgrowth from our work suggests a basis for a candidate specification for quantum gravity.

Abstract: Background and Objectives: Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) and infective endocarditis (IE) lead to substantial morbidity, prolonged hospitalizations, and increased mortality. This study aimed to determine the incidence of IE among hospitalized HD patients with CRBSI and identify risk factors associated with 90-day all-cause mortality. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with CRBSI. Clinical, microbiological, and echocardiographic data were evaluated. Risk factors for 90-day mortality were analyzed using univariate analysis and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results: A total of 130 patients were included. Gram-positive organisms were the predominant pathogens (59.6%), with Staphylococcus aureus identified in 27.5% (n=30) of cases. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 21.1% of infections. IE was diagnosed in 17 patients, representing an incidence of 13.1% within the CRBSI cohort. Significant differences were observed between the IE and non-IE groups regarding the need for surgery, hemoglobin levels, length of hospital stay, and microbial etiology (p < 0.05). The 90-day all-cause mortality rate was 10.8% (n=14). Univariate analysis identified older age, female gender, history of heart failure, and hypoalbuminemia as factors associated with increased mortality (p < 0.05). In the multivariable Cox regression, age remained the sole independent predictor of 90-day mortality (Hazard Ratio: 1.047; 95% CI: 1.0–1.096; p=0.048). Conclusions: Staphylococcus aureus is the leading pathogen in HD patients with CRBSI and IE. Given the 13.1% IE incidence, routine echocardiographic screening represents a clinically sound and justified strategy for patients with CRBSI, regardless of initial culture results, to ensure early diagnosis and intervention.

Abstract: Long-term COVID are frequently causing neuro- logical problems that persist for long time, like cognitive damage and changes in the structure of the brain that are very difficult to find with conventional clinical testing. When coupled with AI, neuroimaging might serve as a useful tool for finding small prob- lems.To build a deep learning-based neuroimaging framework that automatically recognizes and describe neurological diseases in long-term COVID patients. Deep learning models, such as CNNs, transformers, and graph neural networks, were used to find problems, and explainable AI tools gave us biomarker insights that we could use. The suggested framework proved better than traditional methods at enhancing classification accuracy, sensitivity, and AUC. Connectivity-based deep models 10 revealed that long-term COVID subjects damaged up brain pathways that corresponded to cognitive decline. Deep- learning-assisted neuroimaging can effectively find and articulate changes in the neurological systems of persistent COVID patients, which makes it a useful tool for early diagnosisand decision making.

Abstract: Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 places industrial upgrading at the center of economic diversification, yet the competitiveness impacts of energy inputs, renewable penetration, and innovation outputs remain insufficiently integrated in a single time-series framework. This study examines the determinants of Saudi industrial competitiveness, proxied by manufacturing value added (% of GDP), using annual data for 1990–2024 from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators. Methodologically, the analysis applies Augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) tests and an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds-testing approach with an error-correction model (ECM) to distinguish long-run equilibrium linkages from short-run adjustments. The ADF results indicate a mixed order of integration across variables, supporting the ARDL strategy. The bounds test provides evidence of cointegration at conventional significance levels. In the short run, technological innovation (total patent applications) is the only robust driver of competitiveness, while inflation is negative but only marginally significant and energy use, renewable energy consumption, GDP growth, and urbanization are statistically insignificant. The ECM term is negative and significant, implying rapid mean reversion, with about 55.5% of disequilibrium corrected annually. The findings suggest that innovation capability is the most immediate competitiveness lever, while energy-transition gains likely depend on longer-horizon efficiency, electrification readiness, and stable macro conditions.

Abstract: Reindeer in the southern Palearctic remain poorly documented, especially regarding helminths. Limited data exist for their small, isolated, and conservation-important populations. Because helminths affect survival, reproduction, and population stability, and act as biogeographic indicators, knowledge of their diversity in these southern regions is considered essential for research and management purposes. A total of 242 fecal samples were obtained from 2012 to 2025 from reindeer inhabiting China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Russia. These samples were examined by coproscopy. Morphological diagnoses were supplemented with DNA analyses. Trematodes of Paramphistomoidea, cestodes of Moniezia, and nematodes identified as E. rangiferi, O. macrotis, the dimorphic O. gruehneri/O. arctica, as well as Nematodirus, Capillaria, and unidentified small strongylids were revealed. All taxa detected in this study have been reported previously for R. tarandus and for the Palearctic, exception for Nematodirus sp. for the southern area. However, examinations of reindeer from selected regions in Russia, as well as Mongolia and Inner Mongolia (China) were carried out for the first time. Southern range limits were established for E. rangiferi in China and O. macrotis in Russia. Species O. macrotis has been proposed as a biogeographical marker for wild reindeer in the Eastern Siberia, while Capillaria may indicate domestic herds.

Abstract: This research answers the knowledge gap regarding the explanation of the quantum jump of the electron. This scientific paper aims to complete Einstein’s research regarding general relativity and attempt to link general relativity to quantum laws.

Abstract: This study establishes a dynamic assessment framework for glucose-lipid metabolism using wearable multimodal sensing (optical glucose, EDA, HRV, sleep, energy expenditure) to predict metabolic responses following oral anti-obesity medication (AOMs) treatment. Data from 380 overweight/obese individuals were collected over 24 consecutive weeks to construct behavior-metabolism coupling features. The TFT-Mixture model was applied to predict short-term weight changes and glucose improvement trends (R² = 0.83). SHAP analysis further examined the impact of lifestyle features (evening step count, sleep duration) on drug efficacy variability. This study reveals the contribution of multimodal behavioral phenotypes to AOMs treatment response, providing a technical pathway for intelligent personalized medication management.

Abstract: Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities Supportive Service Programs (NORC-SSPs) are one of the most popular models of aging in place. This study explored the built environment, social integration, and socio-demographic factors of older people living in NORCs in New York and their association with their health and well-being. The mixed-methods research included qualitative (interviews with NORC directors and res-idents) and quantitative (151 resident surveys and an architectural assessment) data on 26 housing developments in New York. The findings show that socialization and exercise increase NORC residents’ health and quality of life. The study also revealed that older people living in public housing have different needs than those in cooperative housing, namely, a worse perception of their health and poorer physical condition of their dwell-ings. Therefore, the focus of the services offered by NORC programs should vary according to housing type. Future research should address interventions to improve NORC residents’ physical environments.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Dementia remains one of the major global health challenges of the modern era. Researchers worldwide continue to seek effective therapeutic strategies to combat this neurodegenerative condition. Silymarin, a natural compound with strong neuroprotective and antioxidant properties, holds great potential for dementia management; however, its poor aqueous solubility and limited ability to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) have restricted its clinical use. This study focused on the formulation and evaluation of a heparin–pullulan silymarin liposomal nano-gel (HPSL) to enhance silymarin’s bioavailability and brain delivery. Methods: The HPSL nano-gel was synthesized using the thin-film hydration technique and optimized based on entrapment efficiency, particle size, zeta potential, and in-vitro release kinetics. Neuroprotective efficacy of HPSL nano-gel was assessed in mice through behavioral evaluations, biochemical estimation of oxidative stress, analysis of cholinergic enzyme activity and histopathological examination of brain tissues. Results: Morphological characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed uniform nanoscale structure. The optimized formulation (HPSL-3) exhibited a particle size of 406.07 ± 19.33 nm, zeta potential of –23.72 ± 7.64 mV, and entrapment efficiency of 73.53 ± 12.05%, indicating good stability and efficient drug loading. The in-vitro release followed non-Fickian diffusion, suggesting a sustained drug-release profile. Behavioral studies in scopolamine-induced amnesic mice (elevated plus maze, hole board, and light/dark paradigms) demonstrated significant (p ≤ 0.001) improvements in learning and memory retention. Biochemical analyses revealed elevated levels of ChAT, SOD, CAT, and GSH, along with reduced AChE and MDA levels, supporting the formulation’s neuroprotective potential. Histopathological evaluation showed marked attenuation of neuronal degeneration, inflammation, and edema (HAI = 4) compared to the scopolamine group (HAI = 11). Conclusions: Overall, the HPSL formulation effectively enhanced silymarin delivery across the BBB, providing potent antioxidant, neuroprotective, and cholinergic modulatory effects. These findings suggest that HPSL represents a promising nano-carrier system for the treatment of dementia and other oxidative stress–related neurological disorders.

Abstract: Food insecurity remains a persistent challenge in South Africa, particularly in rural and township communities constrained by limited resources and environmental degradation. This qualitative study explores the potential of conservation agriculture (CA) as a sustainable farming method to enhance food security among small- to medium-scale farmers within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in the Eastern Cape. Through purposive and snowball sampling, interviews were conducted with CA practitioners to understand their practices, motivations, and perceptions. Thematic analysis revealed diverse adoption patterns, ranging from full implementation to selective integration of CA principles, influenced by contextual, economic, and knowledge-based factors. Participants highlighted CA's role in restoring soil health, reducing dependence on agrochemicals, and fostering long-term resilience against climate variability. However, the high initial costs, delayed yield improvements, and limited institutional support emerged as significant barriers. The study underscores the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach, including government, NGOs, academia, and the private sector, to foster wider adoption of CA. Such collaboration should prioritize tailored support mechanisms, knowledge-sharing platforms, and enabling policies that center on resource-constrained farmers, particularly women and youth. Ultimately, CA presents a viable pathway to achieving both environmental sustainability and household-level food security in vulnerable communities.

Abstract: Previous studies have found that interaural cross-correlation (IACC) and lateral energy fraction (LF) can serve as objective measures to predict apparent source width (ASW). However, there is a lack of literature regarding how well objective measurements correlate with subjective evaluation in a context-dependent scenario. Expanded upon a prior work, this study looked to examine the extent to which commonly assumed predictors of ASW remain valid when applied to real concert hall measurements across listener positions. ASW ratings were obtained through psychoacoustic tests employing both stereo loudspeakers and headphones to assess the perceived width of a symphony orchestra produced with different recording techniques and ensemble sizes. Key room acoustic parameters were calculated from impulse response measurements conducted in the EMPAC concert hall in Troy, NY, where the orchestral recordings were made. Results show that the existence and emergence of ASW is based on the opposite perceptual mappings between the two reproduction conditions, even though stereo loudspeakers resembled real hall listening more closely. The findings also suggest that assuming a fixed role of binaural decorrelation for enhancing ASW is impractical because ASW is governed by context-dependent object integration, where binaural decorrelation is only beneficial when it supports rather than disrupts object unity.

Abstract: This pilot EEG study examined the feasibility of a soundscape-based 40-Hz auditory stimulation format by using a soundscape-only condition as a contrast control. We tested whether a nature-based soundscape with an additively layered pure 40-Hz sine component (40-Hz ON; not amplitude modulation) produces a more pronounced narrowband neural response around 40 Hz than the same soundscape without the 40-Hz layer (40-Hz OFF). Participants completed both conditions in a single-blind, randomized-order, within-participant crossover session with a washout interval. EEG outcomes included 40-Hz power, frequency-domain SNR around 40 Hz, scalp distribution of 40-Hz power, and phase-based connectivity in the gamma range. Across metrics, the 40-Hz ON soundscape showed a consistent ON>OFF directionality, including localized electrode-level signals and a temporal-region summary signal under nominal, uncorrected testing, accompanied by a clearer narrowband feature near 40 Hz in spectral profiles. These convergent patterns support the interpretation that embedding a 40-Hz layer into a naturalistic soundscape can engage frequency-specific gamma activity and may be a viable neuroacoustic stimulation approach. As an exploratory pilot study without multiplicity control, the findings are hypothesis-generating and motivate confirmatory studies with larger samples and preregistered endpoints.

Abstract: Background: Chemotherapy induced thrombocytopenia (CIT) leads to bleeding complications, treatment delay or de intensification, and platelet transfusion requirement. Evidence suggests that thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO RAs) can restore platelet counts in this scenario. Avatrombopag (AVA) is an oral TPO RA whose efficacy in treating CIT in haematological malignancy has been barely addressed. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate AVA’s efficacy in improving platelet recovery and reducing transfusion requirement in haematological patients with CIT. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, haematological patients who developed CIT persisting for 3 weeks and were treated with AVA between November 2023 and December 2024 were recruited. Results: Twenty three patients were recruited. Nineteen (82.6%) responded to AVA, most within the first four weeks: ten (43.5%) and nine (39.1%) achieved platelet counts >30×109/L (partial response) and >100×109/L (complete response), respectively. Response was maintained after a median (interquartile range [IQR]) follow up of 47 (26–99) days from therapy initiation. Transfusions were significantly fewer than in the previous period: 0 (0–8) vs. 11 (2–15), p = 0.007. Once on treatment, 13 (56.5%) patients no longer required transfusion. No patient delayed or de intensified chemotherapy. No safety concerns were reported. Conclusions: AVA shows promise in safely reducing CIT associated transfusion needs in haematological malignancy.

Abstract: In this review, the formation of the Oort Cloud is illuminated from several aspects. One is the history of the subject with an outline of the fundamental discoveries by Öpik [1], Oort [2] and Hills [3]. It is argued that the basic reason for judging Oort as the real discoverer is that he had access to observational data in the form of original orbits of long period comets. Further landmarks are identified, like the exploration of the role of the Galactic tide in the supply of observable comets by Heisler and Tremaine [4], the clarification of a synergy between tide and stars as the reason for a continued, efficient supply by Rickman et al. [5], the discovery by Kaib and Quinn [6] that inner core comets become observable due to planetary perturbations, disguised as new comets, and the demonstration of how Oort Cloud formation may work in the realm of the Nice Model by Brasser and Morbidelli [7]. It is finally argued that an important Galactic sculpting has occurred since the primordial Oort Cloud was formed by means of global shake-up events resulting from impulses imparted to the Sun by external perturbers like massive stars or Giant Molecular Clouds, and that this may be the real reason for the survival of an outer halo that reveals the existence of the Oort Cloud through the Oort spike.

Abstract: Fractional-order models provide an effective framework for studying epidemiological processes with memory effects. In this study, a nonlinear fractional-order SEIHR model for pneumonia transmission is proposed using the Caputo derivative. The model is analyzed within the framework of nonlinear functional analysis, where the system is represented by a nonlinear operator on a suitable Banach space. Fundamental qualitative properties, including positivity and boundedness of solutions, are rigorously established. Disease-free and endemic equilibrium points are derived, and the basic reproduction number is obtained via the next-generation operator approach. Local and global stability of equilibrium are investigated using fractional-order spectral conditions and Lyapunov functions. Numerical simulations based on the fractional Adams–Bashforth–Moulton method support the theoretical results and illustrate the influence of memory effects on pneumonia transmission dynamics.