Abstract: (Background/Objectives): This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of an ultrasound-guided infiltration method with hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids in the treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD). (Methods): Twenty-eight patients (16 females and 12 males), aged between 25 and 55 years, with TMD and evidence of retrodiscal tissue hyperemia on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) were enrolled. Before treatment, the intensity of preauricular pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the presence of associated symptoms such as tinnitus, vertigo, headache, and joint clicking was recorded. After the creation of individualized interocclusal devices, a bilateral ultrasound-guided infiltration of low molecular weight hyaluronic acid and corticosteroid was performed. (Results): Immediately after treatment, joint clicking disappeared in 80% of patients. Follow-up assessments at 30, 60, and 90 days, supported by control ultrasound, showed a substantial and statistically significant (p < 0.001) improvement in pain symptoms. (Conclusions): The ultrasound-guided infiltration technique proved to be a valid short-term therapeutic option for patients with TMD and inflammation of the retrodiscal tissue. A larger sample size and long-term follow-up are necessary to confirm these preliminary results.

Abstract: While falling costs have increased access to genomic sequencing, the impact of clinical sequencing is often hindered by the challenge of interpreting complex genetic data. The high prevalence of variants of unknown significance (VUSs) can lead to false reassurance or psychological distress, as patients and non-expert clinicians may misinterpret inconclusive results. We propose that artificial intelligence (AI) may serve as a critical clinical decision-support tool to improve the efficiency of genetic testing, especially in variant analysis. We advocate integrating AI throughout the genetic diagnostic workflow and outline current approaches to AI-assisted variant analysis to enable efficient personalized treatment. We also discuss anticipated challenges in this pursuit and offer recommendations to ensure precision, accuracy, reproducibility, and transparency.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Pes planovalgus is one of the most common misalignments in children. In this study the established biomechanical foot orthoses (BMFO) are being compared with a more recent treatment: sensorimotor foot orthoses (SMFO). SMFO are a more recent treatment and aim to correct malalignment by specifically modulating muscle activity rather than relying solely on passive mechanical support, as is the case with BMFO. Methods: Thirty-two children and adolescents aged six to six-teen participated in this study. After randomized group allocation, the rearfoot angle was analyzed by two-dimensional gait analysis in the SMFO-group (n=18) and the BMFO group (n=14) under three conditions: without foot orthoses (baseline), with foot orthoses (immediate) and after four weeks of use. Results: (1) SMFO and BMFO significantly improved the rearfoot angle immediately after application, (2) the achieved correction was maintained over four weeks in both groups, and (3) despite baseline differences, the superior rate of improvement in the SMFO-group resulted in comparable rearfoot alignment between SMFO and BMFO at the four-week follow-up. Conclusions: Based on the results, it can be concluded that SMFO and BMFO are comparable methods for treating pes planovalgus in children and adolescents.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT), integrating systemic chemotherapy and radiotherapy before surgery or surveillance, has become a standard approach for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). However, optimal sequencing strategies and long-term outcomes of watch-and-wait (W&W) following sandwich TNT remain insufficiently characterized. We evaluated oncologic outcomes and treatment response in patients treated with an institutional sandwich TNT protocol. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with LARC treated with sandwich TNT (induction chemotherapy followed by hypofrac-tionated intensity-modulated radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost [IMRT-SIB] chemoradiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy) at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana between 2016 and 2023. The primary endpoint was an overall complete response (CR; pathological [pCR] and clinical [cCR]). Secondary endpoints included tumor regression grade (TRG), major pathological response (MPR), R0 resec-tion rate, organ preservation, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS). Results: Among 205 patients (median age 61 years), overall CR was 29.5% (pCR 19.3% and cCR 10.2%). Major pathological response (TRG 3–4) occurred in 37.6%. R0 resec-tion was achieved in 94.5%. In the W&W cohort (n=21), local regrowth occurred in 33.3% (95% CI 14.6–57.0%) over a median follow-up of 4.96 years. Surgery-free sur-vival at 5 years was 73.1% (95% CI 55.0–97.2%). Estimated five-year OS was 81.1% (95% CI 75.5–87.2%) and 5-year DFS was 75.2% (95% CI 69.0–82.0%). In multivariable analysis, non-R0 resection (HR 6.06), MRI circumferential resection margin positivity (HR 3.11), and extramural vascular invasion positivity (HR 1.97) remained independ-ent predictors of DFS. Conclusions: Sandwich TNT yields meaningful tumor response and durable survival in MRI-defined high-risk LARC. Structured W&W offers organ preservation with acceptable oncologic control under intensive surveillance.

Abstract: Abandoned mine sites pose environmental and public health hazards due to the presence of metals in them. We extend our study beyond merely assessing total elemental contents to evaluate the contamination and potential spread of metals from contaminated mining sites into adjacent and surrounding ecosystems. Rather, we employ geo-chemical fractionation methods to measure the elemental fractions and binding forms of Pb, Cd, Mn, Cu, and Zn. We go on to estimate the mobility of these metals in soils collected from abandoned mine sites. The soil pH of the sites ranges from acidic to slightly acidic (4.88–6.48), exhibits moderate electrical conductivity and has varying cation exchangeable capacities (16.97–29.57 meq/100g). The overall concentrations of Pb, Cd, Mn, Cu, and Zn surpass FAO/WHO standards, suggesting a notable human impact stemming from past mining activities. The geochemical fractionation analyses indicate a higher proportion of Pb (88%) and Cd (75%) are present in the residual fraction, suggesting low mobility and indicating a possible source to be associated with geogenic or the parent material or geological sources. The dominance of Mn (83%), Cu (73%), and Zn (66%), on the other hand, in mobile fractions and non-residual forms, suggests that pollution is possibly traced to anthropogenic activities at the mining sites. The mobility and by extension the ecotoxicology of Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu, may be tied to changes in pH, salinity (EC), as well as bulk density and porosity of the mining sites.

Abstract: Seagrasses play a fundamental role as ecosystem engineers and habitat architects in coastal environments. In the Mediterranean Sea, Posidonia oceanica is an endemic, vulnerable, and legally protected species that is highly sensitive to environmental degradation and is widely used as an indicator of pristine ecological conditions. Ongoing global warming and increasing anthropogenic pressures highlight the need for precautionary, non-destructive methods to assess P. oceanica meadows. Traditional SCUBA-based surveys, although accurate, are time-consuming, labour-intensive, and limited by diver availability and underwater working time, particularly when estimating biometric parameters such as shoot density and leaf length. In this study, we applied a conservative acoustic-based approach to quantitatively estimate P. oceanica meadow characteristics, moving beyond purely qualitative acoustic mapping previously restricted to distributional assessments. Acoustic data collected during winter and summer 2015 along the entire Turkish Mediterranean coast were analysed to estimate seagrass biometrics and to derive indicators of ecological status. Acoustic outputs were validated through comparison with SCUBA-diving observations, allowing evaluation of the reliability and cost-effectiveness of the method. The acoustic system enabled rapid, large-scale assessment of seagrass distribution, coverage, habitat structure, and ecological condition, overcoming limitations associated with other remote sensing techniques. The results demonstrate that acoustic data can support the estimation of multiple biometric and ecological parameters and facilitate classification of ecosystem status from poor to high (pristine), in line with updated international assessment criteria. For the first time, this study provides high-resolution spatiotemporal distribution and coverage of P. oceanica meadows and associated benthic habitats along a substantial portion of the Turkish Mediterranean coast using acoustics alone. The approach offers a valuable non-destructive alternative for monitoring seagrass ecosystems and supports sustainable conservation and management of Mediterranean coastal habitats.

Abstract: A classical fluid splitter produces the same patterns of energy redistribution as a Stern-Gerlach quantum device, with rotationally invariant coefficients of correlation between molecular paths. Alternative settings obey a cosine squared rule, leading to Tsirelson-type Bell violations with outcome independence. This is a confirmation of the Correspondence Principle of quantum mechanics, where individual quanta express system-level properties according to Born’s Rule. Kochen-Specker contextuality and Bell Locality are not contradicted by this result, but their interpretation is in question. The formal definition of “Local Realism” is limited to intrinsic particle properties. In contrast, quantum-like correlations require the acknowledgement of ensemble effects on dynamically inseparable propagating entities, even when they appear to operate one at a time.

Abstract: Resistance spot welding of dissimilar steels is a key Linkage process in the manufacturing of rail passenger car bodies. However, there are problems such as core deviation caused by material physical property differences in the welding of dissimilar steels (stainless steel/low-carbon steel). This study improves the weldability of stainless steel and low-carbon steel by adding a nickel intermediate layer between them. The results show that adding a nickel intermediate layer can Valid compensate for heat Loss, suppress the deviation of the weld nucleus, optimize the size of the weld nucleus, and improve the Stability of the welding quality.

Abstract: Built heritage is increasingly affected by climate-driven processes, yet its capacity to inform broader understandings of urban environmental change remains insufficiently explored. Here, we synthesize recent literature (2020–2024) on the application of the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach to the integrated management of cultural heritage under climate risk, reframing the historic built environment as a multiscale diagnostic medium for climate–urban interactions. We analyze the steps and tools employed to support decision-making across territorial planning, risk assessment, and heritage governance in the papers selected from Web of Science, Science Direct, and Scopus databases. Results show that the approach is a flexible analytical framework that allows the integration of heterogeneous data, multi-criteria evaluations, and diverse stakeholder perspectives across spatial and temporal scales. Information modelling tools are shown to play a central role in structuring territorial knowledge, identifying patterns of vulnerability, and supporting comparative analyses across urban contexts. Nonetheless, significant challenges persist, including limited quantification of climate-induced degradation mechanisms, uncertainties in linking vulnerability assessments to predictive models, structural constraints on participatory implementation, and a tendency to apply the approach as a checklist due to inadequate understanding of its holistic dimensions. Overall, the HUL approach emerges as a scalable and transferable framework for embedding cultural heritage within climate research, advancing the conceptual integration of built heritage into resilience science and sustainability-oriented urban systems.

Abstract: The increasing digitalization of photovoltaic (PV) inverters and their integration into distributed energy resource (DER) ecosystems expose these devices to a rapidly expanding cyber‑physical attack surface. Existing security requirements are fragmented across heterogeneous technical standards—including IEC 62443, IEC 62351, UL 2900‑1, UL 1741 SB, IEEE 1547, IEEE 2030.5, and SunSpec profiles—and only partially aligned with emerging regulatory obligations such as the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and NIS2 Directive. This fragmentation complicates assurance, hinders interoperability, and leaves critical security controls inconsistently implemented across vendors and deployments. This paper introduces a Unified Security Baseline (USB) that harmonizes essential technical and lifecycle security controls for PV inverters, including secure boot, firmware signing, anti‑rollback protection, strong authentication, TLS‑secured communication, SBOM governance, secure over‑the‑air updates, and coordinated vulnerability disclosure. The USB provides a device‑centric, standards‑agnostic framework designed to strengthen the security posture of inverter‑dominated DER environments while supporting regulatory compliance. By consolidating cross‑standard requirements into a coherent baseline, this work establishes a foundation for future conformity assessment, certification efforts, and secure‑by‑design engineering practices in critical IoT/OT infrastructures.

Abstract: Background: The late-time fate of black holes and the operational limits of General Relativity (GR) in the far future remain open problems in thermodynamic cosmology, and are central to the causal gap discussed in Penrose’s conformal framework. Objective: We determine, within Gibbs Energy Redistribution Theory (GERT), the lower density boundary of GR validity and the thermodynamic fate of supermassive black holes in the Hyperdilute Regime. Methods: Using the asymptotic gas-dominated GERT term, we derive the critical crossing λ_CMB(a) = H⁻¹(a), compute a_crit and ρ_GR,min analytically, and evaluate black-hole thermodynamic states (in cluding ∆G and inversion scales) across mass ranges, with no additional premises beyond the base framework. Results: We obtain a_crit = 10^12.88±0.12 and log₁₀(ρ_GR,min) = −65.2 ± 0.4 kg/m³, closing the Layer 3 validity domain from Planck density to a symmetric lower operational threshold (161.9 density decades). At acrit, all black holes with M > M^∗ ≈ 1.7×10⁵ M⊙ are in thermodynamic absorption, with strongly non-spontaneous redistribution (e.g., ∆G ≈ +5800 Mc² for 10⁹ M⊙). Thermal inversion occurs later in the Quasi-Vacuum, where cosmological cooling outpaces Hawking thermal change by ∼10¹⁰⁶; at a_inv(M), supermassive-black-hole Schwarzschild radii exceed the Hubble radius by factors of 4 to 10¹⁰. Conclusions: In this regime, Hawking evaporation is not the operative end-channel for high-mass black holes. GERT instead identifies a Gibbs-driven macroscopic phase transition (∆G < 0 in the Quasi-Vacuum) and establishes a symmetric but dynamically inverted boundary structure for Layer 3: Inward-dominated at emergence (dH/da < 0) and Outward-dominated at dissolution (dH/da > 0). This provides a quantitative thermodynamic completion scenario and a causal contribution to the CCC end-state problem.

Abstract: There is a worldwide hazard with microplastics (MPs), plastic production units less than 5 mm, as it increases with the increase in output (>380 million tons/year), which is even division into micro- and nanoplastics. This is a review of over 200 peer-reviewed articles through systematic database searches that combines both experimental, modeling and observational data to help fill knowledge gaps in MP migration, transformations, bioavailability, and health risks in aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric environments. Results indicate heterogenous distributions: coastal clumps (e.g., 0.011 +- 0.017 items/m3 oceans), bioturbation-induced soil penetration (600 particles/kg), and peaks in wet season. Prevalent (less than 100 mm) fragments/fibers of polyethylene/polypropylene support wind/river transport and sorption of contaminant. Losses Phthalates are lost through transformations by photo-oxidation, abrasion, and biofilms leading to enhanced ecotoxicity via trophic magnification. Bioaccumulation, endocrine disruption, oxidative stress, and chronic illnesses phenotypes are all potential risks of human exposure, which primarily occurs through the ingestion of fish (millions of particles per week through the ocean) pathways. This framework gives greater emphasis on ecological back-human associations whereby there is routine of such ways, prognostic models and ameliorations such as waste curbs and biodegradables to conserve the surroundings and health.

Abstract: Soil moisture (SM) governs land–atmosphere exchanges and strongly influences agricultural management and hydrological assessment, yet high-resolution mapping remains challenging due to sensor-specific confounding effects and limited field observations. This study develops a practical workflow for point-scale SM estimation and wall-to-wall mapping by integrating multi-sensor remote sensing predictors with ensemble learning. A compact predictor set was constructed from Sentinel-2 optical indices (MSI and NDWI), Sentinel-1 SAR descriptors (σVV and the polarization ratio σVH/σVV), and topographic information (DEM), collocated with in situ SM measurements along a transect in the study area. Three tree-based regressors—Random Forest, XGBoost, and CatBoost—were trained under an identical feature configuration and evaluated using R², RMSE, and MAE together with predicted–observed diagnostics. A stacking ensemble was then implemented using leakage-controlled K-fold out-of-fold predictions to generate meta-features, with a Decision Tree as the meta-learner tuned via a grid search. Results show that base learners achieve comparable skill (R² ≈ 0.60–0.62; RMSE ≈ 0.038–0.039), while stacking improves test accuracy (RMSE = 0.0346) and provides a stable mapping-ready model. The trained framework was transferred to stacked raster predictors to produce spatially continuous SM maps, revealing coherent moisture heterogeneity across the region.

Abstract: Vitamin K (VK), traditionally recognized for its role in coagulation, is increasingly implicated in extrahepatic processes, including glucose metabolism and calcium regulation. Suboptimal VK status is common in the general population and may limit these functions, yet evidence linking VK to glucose metabolism and other endocrine axes remains heterogeneous and incompletely synthesized. This narrative review integrates mechanistic, observational, and interventional evidence to examine the role of VK across the endocrine system, with particular emphasis on glucose metabolism. Mechanistic studies indicate that VK supports pancreatic β-cell function, modulates peripheral insulin sensitivity, and enables proper calcium distribution. Observational studies consistently associate higher VK status with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, while interventional studies suggest that VK supplementation may improve glucose metabolism, primarily in metabolically impaired populations. In bone and mineral metabolism, VK acts synergistically with calcitriol, with combined supplementation showing more consistent benefits on skeletal outcomes than either vitamin alone. Evidence for VK involvement in other endocrine axes, including reproductive and inflammatory pathways, remains limited and largely mechanistic. Overall, the available evidence supports a context-dependent role for VK in glucose metabolism, influenced by base-line nutritional and metabolic status and outcome selection, as well as a synergistic interaction with calcitriol and parathormone in calcium regulation. Future clinical studies should incorporate baseline VK status stratification, dynamic measures of insulin sensitivity, and adequately powered designs to clarify the therapeutic relevance of VK across endocrine and metabolic outcomes.

Abstract: Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) faces challenges related to irregular flowering, which compromises crop productivity. Gibberellic acid (GA₃) is a plant growth regulator known for its role in inducing reproductive processes, although its effects on this species are not yet fully understood. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of different GA₃ doses on flowering and vegetative growth in black pepper plants. The experiment was conducted with black pepper seedlings of the Bragantina cultivar in a randomized block design, with four doses of GA₃ (0, 10, 20, and 30 mg L⁻¹) and six replications, using eight-month-old plants grown in pots under full sun. GA₃ applications were performed in two floral induction cycles. Variables related to flowering, chlorophyll a fluorescence, vegetative growth, biomass allocation, and carbohydrate distribution were evaluated. The data were subjected to analysis of variance, regression, mean grouping test, and principal component analysis. The results showed that inter-mediate doses (10 and 20 mg L⁻¹) significantly stimulated flowering at early developmental stages, whereas the 30 mg L⁻¹ dose enhanced vegetative growth while reducing floral induction. Additionally, GA₃ affected physiological parameters by increasing photosynthetic efficiency and altering carbohydrate balance, with higher accumulation of soluble sugars in leaves and reduced starch content in roots. It is concluded that GA₃ application is a promising strategy to modulate reproductive transition in black pepper, with 10 to 20 mg L⁻¹ doses recommended to promote flowering without compromising plant development.

Abstract: This study investigated the effects of dietary nano-antimicrobial peptides (NAPs) on the microbial communities and metabolic profiles in Tibetan sheep. Using 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics, the contents of the small intestine, rumen, and rectum were systematically analyzed in a control group (Group A) and a NAP-supplemented group (Group B). Multi-omics integration methods, including O2PLS and Pearson correlation analysis, were employed to explore the association between microbial communities and metabolites. Alpha and beta diversity analyses revealed significant differences (P < 0.05) in the microbial community structure of the small intestine between the two groups. In contrast, the rumen and rectal microbiota remained relatively stable, indicating that the regulatory effects of NAPs on the intestinal microecology are site-specific. In the small intestine, NAPs altered the composition of dominant functional microbiota and the abundance of taxa related to energy metabolism. Metabolomic analysis identified significant shifts in metabolic profiles, specifically within the bile acid, fatty acid, and phospholipid pathways (P < 0.05). Group A exhibited baseline steady-state characteristics (e.g., cholic acids and phospholipids), whereas Group B showed activation of unsaturated fatty acids and related metabolites. Multi-omics integration revealed a stable systematic association between intestinal microbial genera and metabolites. Specifically, bile acid and prostaglandin metabolites were negatively correlated with Firmicutes-related taxa, suggesting a potential role for bile acid metabolism in regulating intestinal microecology and host immunity. These findings suggest that NAP supplementation may contribute to maintaining host energy metabolism and intestinal homeostasis by regulating intestinal microecology.

Abstract: Special and general relativity (SR/GR) work for observers, but they do not provide diagrams of nature that work for all observers. This is because there is no concept of absolute space in SR/GR, where all action is due to an absolute parameter. We show: Euclidean relativity (ER) achieves precisely that. ER describes a mathematical Master Reality, which is absolute 4D Euclidean space (ES). All objects move through ES at the dimensionless speed C. There is no time coordinate in ES. All action in ES is due to an absolute, external evolution parameter θ. In addition, ER describes an observer’s physical reality. He experiences two projections of ES as space and time. The axis of his current 4D motion is his proper time τ. Three orthogonal axes make up his 3D space x₁, x₂, x₃. Without gravity, his physical reality is a Minkowskian reassembly of his axes x₁, x₂, x₃, τ. In this “τ-based Minkowskian spacetime” (τ-MS), τ is the time coordinate and θ converts to parameter time ϑ. Minkowski spacetime and τ-MS are mathematically identical. Thus, ER retains the SR formalism. ER also retains the GR formalism, but only in a specific reference frame defined by τ. The Einstein field equations hold true in this specific frame, but not in ES. ER reproduces both the Lorentz factor and gravitational time dilation. ER rejects cosmic inflation, expanding space, dark energy, and non-locality. And yet, ER predicts time’s arrow, galactic motion, the Hubble tension, and entanglement. Thus, ER significantly improves cosmology and quantum mechanics. We conclude: ER is indispensable for unifying physics.

Abstract: This study examines how the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and the implementation of policies shape inclusive educational outcomes for marginalized learners in Bangladesh, using evidence from Sherpur Sadar Upazilla. A convergent mixed-methods design integrated a student survey (N = 213; seven institutions; March–September 2024) with qualitative data from 37 stakeholders (teachers and policymakers) collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Quantitative findings show that AI tool adoption was the strongest predictor of a composite educational outcome score (β = 0.38, p < 0.001), followed by institutional support (β = 0.25, p = 0.01). In contrast, the policy implementation gap—defined as the mismatch between policy intent and on-the-ground delivery—was negatively associated with outcomes (β = −0.12, p = 0.04). Digital infrastructure quality was positively associated with the outcome but was not statistically significant in the multivariable model (β = 0.17, p = 0.12). The model demonstrated strong explanatory power (R² = 0.67; F(4, 208) = 42.3; p < 0.001). Disparity analyses revealed persistent urban–rural inequities in reliable internet access (94.6% vs. 69.7%) and device readiness, with tablet access emerging as a key enabler of advanced AI-supported learning. Qualitative results corroborated three binding constraints: limited teacher AI preparedness, affordability barriers, and trust concerns related to privacy and algorithmic bias. Building on these findings, the paper proposes a policy–innovation framework centered on localized AI toolkits, sustained teacher upskilling, device-access interventions, and enforceable fairness and transparency safeguards to advance equitable learning opportunities.

Abstract: Milk production in dairy cattle is increasingly challenged by thermal variability. This underscores the need for reliable assessment of microclimatic conditions and their interaction with animal- and management-related factors to ensure sustainable dairy production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of thermal variability and selected environmental and biological factors on key milk production traits in dairy cattle. The influence of fixed factors related to production conditions and microclimatic variability, including the Temperature–Humidity Index (THI), on daily milk yield (MY), milk fat content (MF), and milk protein content (MP) was assessed. The study used a dataset covering two observation periods of daily milk production traits in cows of different breeds (Simmental, Holstein-Friesian, Red Holstein, and Brown Swiss) reared in three regions of the Republic of Serbia (Mačva, Podunavlje, and Šumadija), enabling an assessment of thermal variability under diverse production and microclimatic conditions. The expression and variability of the investigated traits were determined using the PROC FREQ and PROC MEANS procedures, while the effects of individual factors were analysed using general linear and regression models, with results expressed as least squares means. All examined factors showed a highly significant effect on MY, MF, and MP (p < 0.0001). Although the overall level of heat stress was moderate, milk production was highest within the THI range of 51–60. These findings demonstrate that thermal variability significantly influences milk production and composition and highlight the importance of integrating microclimatic indicators into sustainability-oriented dairy management and breeding strategies.

Abstract: Since the pioneering work of Dean P. M. and Matthew E. K. (1970), four decades have elapsed without any consensus on the mechanism responsible for the oscillations of the plasma membrane voltage exhibited by pancreatic β-cells stimulated by glucose. In this review, the different hypothesis dealing with the cause of voltage oscillations that lead to insulin secretion pulsatility will be commented. The earliest explanation attributed the voltage oscillations (bursting) to glycolytic oscillations, taking as a reference skeletal muscle glycolysis oscillations. Later, the scientific interest moved to glucose oxidation after discovering that some mitochondrial parameters also oscillated in synchrony with membrane voltage oscillations. As [Ca2+]cyt increases resultant from membrane depolarization oscillated in synchrony with membrane bursting, it competed with metabolic oscillations (e.g. cytosolic ATP/ADP) for being the cause or the effect of insulin pulsatility; it was demonstrated that metabolic oscillations preceded [Ca2+]cyt oscillations. We are contributing with the hypothesis attributing the cause of voltage oscillations to a sequential competition of two β-cell plasma membrane channels: K+ATP channel and Cx36 hemichannel (Cx36H). Whereas increased glucose metabolism (increased ATP/ADP) closures K+ATP channels and depolarizes the plasma membrane (active phase of a bursting), Cx36Hs are opened and repolarize the membrane potential with a certain delay by inhibiting glucose metabolism (silent phase of a bursting). Repolarization, in turn, closes Cx36H and allows the recovery of glucose oxidation and beginning of a new active phase.