Abstract: Public participation in planning, though a foundational democratic principle, faces implementation challenges across diverse planning systems worldwide. This study examines participatory planning practice in Ireland and Serbia – two contexts shaped by distinct planning traditions yet confronting similar tensions between democratic ideals and practice realities. Through comparative analysis of four local land-use planning instruments (Development Plans and Local Area Plans in Ireland; Spatial Plans and General Regulation Plans in Serbia), the research investigates how institutional design, power relations, and democratic commitments embedded within planning systems fundamentally shape participatory outcomes. Beyond external pressures such as neoliberalisation and democratic decline, the study demonstrates that the internal dynamics of participation, seen in the quality of dialogue, distribution of knowledge, strength of civic networks, and negotiation of power among stakeholders, ultimately determine whether participatory processes enable genuine democratic engagement or reproduce existing hierarchies. Methodologically, the research triangulates statutory regulations, public hearing documentation, and non-statutory participation records across multiple planning scales. Employing a four-dimensional analytical framework, including informing, consultation, collaboration, and monitoring, the analysis traces information dissemination strategies, consultation mechanisms, collaborative practices, and transparency structures. Findings reveal that, while both systems remain largely at the informing and consulting levels, critical differences emerge: Ireland demonstrates multi-channel, immersive approaches, feedback-oriented consultation, and structured collaborative experimentation, whereas Serbia exhibits statutory-minimal information provision, objection-based adversarial procedures, and exceptional rather than systematic collaboration. The study advances comparative European planning scholarship by identifying how planning cultures, legislative frameworks, and institutional responsiveness generate divergent participatory outcomes even under similar global pressures, offering practical insights for strengthening inclusive urban governance across varied institutional contexts.

Abstract: Virtual Reality (VR) is increasingly recognized as a valuable tool for sports training, providing immersive environments that support skill acquisition and performance improvement. Comparative studies across hand-intensive sports such as basketball, volleyball, and table tennis show substantial research on VR’s effectiveness in basketball and table tennis, yet volleyball remains relatively underexplored, particularly in terms of skill transfer to real-world play. Research in basketball and table tennis indicates that VR can improve motor coordination, tactical awareness, and user motivation. However, volleyball-specific literature is limited. Existing studies generally focus on areas such as eye–hand coordination and tactical decision-making but provide little evidence on whether VR-acquired skills translate effectively to the court. This paper addresses the gap in volleyball-focused VR research and emphasises the need for further investigation to maximise VR’s potential for volleyball training. Ten beginner-level volleyball players (mean age = 20.4 years) participated in this study, which examined the effectiveness of VR-based serving training. Participants completed an initial physical pre-test to determine their baseline serving performance, followed by a three-week VR training program consisting of structured serving drills. After the program, a post-test assessment was conducted to measure improvement. A paired t-test comparing pre- and post-training results showed a statistically significant improvement in serving performance (p = 0.0147), meeting the 0.05 significance threshold. This indicates that the observed performance gains were unlikely due to chance and demonstrates the positive impact of VR training on serving skills in beginner volleyball players.

Abstract: This report describes a 33-year-old male initially suspected of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) due to radiological findings, but finally diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) based on the Rome IV criteria, normal colonoscopy findings and inflammatory biomarkers. When symptomatic pharmacotherapy for pain, constipation and heartburn alone did not bring lasting relief, he was referred for lifestyle therapy. Dietary, lifestyle advice, and physical activity are mainstay in the current guidelines on the management of IBS. However, beyond these generalities, patients receive little guidance on day-to-day decision making and essential elements of healthy living. We addressed the limitations in current guidelines on IBS by following the 21-point Health Building Guideline, along with Yoga and delivered through a seven-point protocol that uses the traffic light approach to promote and sustain behavioural changes in chronic diseases. After seven months of consistent adherence to intervention; following the traffic light approach, the patient achieved remission.

Abstract: Sustainable human resource management is critical in infrastructure sectors, yet firm-level resilience may conceal uneven health burdens within the workforce. This study examines a »resilience paradox« in a large Slovenian energy company using a two-level design. At the macro level (2012–2022), we explore associations between absenteeism categories and three efficiency ratios. At the micro level, we estimate a Poisson quasi-maximum-likelihood model with log planned hours as an exposure offset and cluster-robust inference on a balanced group-month panel (960 observations) built from 82,033 payroll records (2018–2022). Macro indicators remain stable, and we do not detect negative correlations between absenteeism and efficiency ratios, suggesting that operational continuity can be maintained despite absence shocks. However, micro-level estimates reveal pronounced inequalities: compared with employees aged ≤30, absenteeism rates are higher for ages 31–45 (incidence rate ratio—IRR 1.335), 46–55 (IRR 1.538), and >55 (IRR 1.829). Field/operational groups have higher rates than office/administrative groups (IRR 1.829), and female groups show higher rates than male groups (IRR 1.252). During COVID-19, absenteeism declined for office groups (IRR 0.840), while the additional effect for field groups was small and statistically uncertain (interaction IRR 1.179). The results call for targeted sustainable HRM interventions addressing aging, occupational risk, and equitable health protection across job types.

Abstract: Feeding and Eating Disorders (FEDs) require integrated and recovery-oriented care models that extend beyond clinical treatment and incorporate supportive environments capable of enhancing psychosocial wellbeing. In this perspective, nature-based and socio-agricultural practices represent promising yet underexplored therapeutic resources, particularly when embedded within a spatial planning framework. This study develops and tests a Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based Decision Support System (DSS) that matches the specific needs of individuals undergoing treatment for FEDs with the territorial distribution and characteristics of green and agricultural environments. The research is based on a case study of the FED care center “Il Pellicano A.P.S.” in Perugia (Italy). Demand data were collected through questionnaires administered to patients, while supply data were gathered from 65 agricultural and social farms and gardens. The spatial matching process was implemented in a GIS environment using a multi-criteria approach integrating thematic activities, accessibility, organizational models, attendance levels, spatial capacity, and distance. Results reveal a significant mismatch between demand and supply, with the current system able to satisfy only 37% of expressed needs. The main gaps concern the lack of medium-sized, low-attendance, and freely accessible environments. Beyond the local case study, the proposed DSS serves as a transferable planning support tool for designing personalized therapeutic pathways and integrating green infrastructure, social farming, and healthcare services. The study highlights the strategic role of spatial planning in promoting health equity, social inclusion, and community wellbeing.

Abstract: Yam bean is a leguminous crop that produces toxic seeds with potential for biopesticide development. This study evaluated seed yield of nine yam bean progenies and their activity against Ralstonia solanacearum (RS) phylotype II isolate FIO104B, which was collected from tomato in Iranduba, Amazonas, Brazil. A field experiment was conducted using a trellis system following a randomized complete block design with four replications and four plants per plot. Antibacterial activity was evaluated by exposing 30 µL of RS (1 × 10⁶ cells·mL⁻¹) to 20 mL of yam bean seed extracts at 0.5% and 5% (w/v) in sterile yeast-peptone-glucose medium for 6, 12, and 24 h. Seed yield ranged from 0.56 to 0.98 t·ha⁻¹. Antibacterial assays revealed biphasic, concentration-dependent activity: 0.5% (w/v) extracts stimulated bacterial growth at 6 and 12 h but suppressed multiplication at 24 h, whereas 5% extracts at 6, 12, and 24 h promoted bacterial growth. Progenies P14, P20, and P23 demonstrated both relatively high seed yields and strongest antibacterial efficacy (88-90% growth reduction at 24 h and 0.5% concentration). These findings establish baseline seed productivity for Amazonian yam bean and demonstrate that optimal biopesticide formulations require low concentrations (0.5%) with extended exposure periods (≥ 24 h).

Abstract: We propose a causal-diamond formulation of semiclassical gravity where a finite-resolution boundary regulator supplies the edge structure for a local Wheeler–DeWitt description. Because the diffeomorphism-invariant Hilbert space does not factorize, each diamond is equipped with a boundary-completed algebra ?_?, ensuring the reduced state ?_? and reference family ?_? [Λ] are defined on identical degrees of freedom. Dynamics are defined by an informational principle: the relative-entropy functional quantifies the mismatch ?rel (?_? ∥?_? [Λ]) between data and reference. By discretizing gravitational stiffness (implemented as a finite response capacity of the boundary completion at the diamond waist) rather than the metric degrees of freedom, the variational principle is rendered well-defined. In the modular/KMS regime, the vacuum is at entanglement equilibrium, and the leading dynamics reduce to linear response governed by the Hessian of relative entropy (Kubo–Mori metric). This Hessian decouples tensor, vector and scalar deformations, recovering Einstein stiffness, Yang–Mills susceptibilities and mass gaps. Finite-resolution open updating induces a canonical reduction of non-abelian symmetry data to commuting Cartan phases, yielding a natural three-stage generation hierarchy. A quasi-local heat-kernel expansion maps the near-equilibrium response to a matching-scale EFT, identifying the leading ?² saturation operator and accommodating a spinorial transport structure. Topological edge-mode counting fixes the effective internal degeneracy ?; combined with Newton’s constant ?, this calibrates the matching scale ?_? ∼ 3 × 10¹³ GeV. At ?_?, the framework yields analytic relations for couplings and mass ratios as functions of discrete group-theoretic data of the boundary completion. Identifying ?_? with stiffness saturation places the high-curvature regime in a plateau universality class with ? at the 10⁻³ level. The architecture yields correlated, falsifiable targets governed by a single scale.

Abstract: This study evaluated the seasonal variability, origin, and ecological risk of heavy metals in the Pom-Atasta lagoon system, a tropical estuary in southeastern Mexico subject to increasing anthropogenic pressure. The main objective was to determine how seasonal changes influence the distribution, bioavailability, and risk of metals in sediments and benthic organisms. Thirty sampling stations were monitored during dry, rainy, and north wind seasons. Sediment concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, and V were measured, and bioaccumulation was assessed in the bivalve Rangia cuneata. Ecotoxicological risk was evaluated using the Adverse Effects Index (AEI), Toxic Risk Index (TRI), and Potential Ecological Risk Index (ERI). Results showed higher metal concentrations during the rainy and north wind seasons, likely due to increased runoff and sediment resuspension. Cr and Ni exhibited the highest enrichment, with values ​​from 115.0 to 130.4 µg g-1 and from 60.5 to 75.9 µg g-1, respectively. The Ni showed the highest bioaccumulation factor (BSAF > 1.51) in R. cuneata, indicating high mobility and environmental availability. Weak correlations among some metals (As, Cr, Pb) suggest mixed natural and anthropogenic sources. TRI values indicated low to moderate toxic risk, and ERI classified most sites as low risk (ERI <60) at several stations. Organic carbon levels remained within tolerable limits (<10%) for benthic fauna. These findings highlight the role of seasonal dynamics in metal distribution and confirm R. cuneata as a suitable bioindicator for monitoring ecological health in tropical estuarine systems.

Abstract: Water pollution is one of the most critical societal, environmental challenges and remains a persisting problem worldwide. The origin of this pollution is diverse while organic matter occupies a significant portion originating from different sources. This creates major environmental and health risks, requiring reliable and sensitive analytical tools for effective monitoring. The permanganate index stands as a conventional assessment method for organic pollution, but it demonstrates compound non-specificity toward compounds and limited sensitivity to various contaminant structures. This research introduces cyclic voltammetry as a standalone electrochemical method which provides sensitive detection and characterization of organic oxidizing compounds. Six organic compounds including gallic acid, phenol, oxalic acid, ascorbic acid, salicylic acid and p-benzoquinone were used as model compounds and studied in aqueous media. These compounds were analyzed individually, in single-compound mode, to characterize its redox behavior and to identify the voltammetric peaks. Subsequently, a multi-compound analysis was studied to check for the validity of the concept in a more complex matrix. Notably, a strong linear correlation was observed between the measured charge and the theoretical permanganate index, highlighting the quantitative reliability of the electrochemical method. Comparing the obtained results with the permanganate index method confirmed the superiority of cyclic voltammetry in terms of response time and detection capability. The outcomes demonstrate that cyclic voltammetry functions as a robust alternative to the classical chemical oxidation method for environmental water assessment.

Abstract: In this paper we study the performance and feasibility of integrating a novel key encapsulation protocol into Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). The key encapsulation protocol includes a challenge-response pair (CRP). In our design, Alice and Bob derive identical cryptographic tables from shared challenges, allowing the ephemeral key to be encoded and recovered without disclosing helper data. Software simulations show error-free key recovery for quantum channel bit error rates up to 40% when using longer response lengths. Additionally, we designed the protocol to detect eavesdropping solely from the statistics of the received quantum stream, without sacrificing key bits for public comparison. We formalize the encoding and decoding model, analyze trade-offs between response length and latency, and report key recovery and error detection performance across different noise levels. The results indicate that this CRP-based multi-wavelength QKD protocol can reduce the reliance on classical reconciliation while preserving security in noisy settings.

Abstract: AI-enabled fitness services rely on continuous collection of activity, physiological, and location data to support monitoring and personalized feedback, which raises persistent privacy and security concerns and ethical tensions regarding data use and user autonomy. Nevertheless, sustained engagement with these services remains common, indicating a divergence between privacy concern and continued use. Using online survey data from 596 adults aged 18 years and above, this study examines AI fitness use from an AI ethics perspective grounded in bounded rationality. A Deviation index is constructed as the standardized difference between privacy concern and risk acceptance. High willingness to use AI fitness services is analyzed using a parsimonious probability-based approach. Logistic regression models examine how the likelihood of high use varies across the Deviation range, while accounting for perceived transparency and safety, measured as Information Control Level, and stated privacy trade-off attitudes. The results show that continued use varies systematically across the Deviation spectrum. Higher Deviation values are not associated with a collapse in use probability. Instead, predicted probabilities change gradually across the observed range. Privacy concern and continued AI fitness use therefore coexist within this adult user sample. This pattern supports a descriptive AI ethics interpretation of privacy satisficing under bounded rationality rather than a binary privacy paradox.

Abstract: Evacuation planning is increasingly challenged by compound hazards in which interacting threats degrade infrastructure, influence human behavior, and destabilize transportation systems. Although agent-based models and dynamic traffic simulations have advanced substantially, much of the evacuation literature remains hazard-specific, case-bound, or difficult to transfer across regions. In parallel, transportation resilience research shows that multi-hazard effects are often non-additive and that cascading infrastructure failures can amplify disruption beyond directly affected areas. These realities motivate the development of evacuation modeling frameworks that are modular, adaptable, and able to represent co-evolving behavioral and network processes under compound conditions. This review synthesizes advances in evacuation agent-based modeling, dynamic traffic assignment, hazard-induced network degradation, and compound disaster research to propose an adaptable compound-hazard evacuation framework integrating three interdependent layers: hazard processes, transportation network dynamics, and agent decision-making. The proposed framework is organized around four principles: (1) modular hazard representation, (2) decoupling behavioral decision logic from hazard physics, (3) dynamic network state evolution, and (4) neighborhood-scale performance metrics. The framework prioritizes planning-relevant, spatially resolved outputs, including neighborhood clearance time, isolation probability, and shelter demand imbalance. By prioritizing modularity, configurability, and policy-aligned metrics, this review bridges the gap between methodological advances in evacuation modeling and the operational needs of local multi-hazard planning.

Abstract: The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the main driver of interannual climate variability, strongly influencing precipitation, temperature, and extreme events worldwide. In South America, its impacts are well documented. However, studies examining different ENSO types—Eastern Pacific (EP), Central Pacific (CP), and Mixed (MX), defined according to the location of sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the tropical Pacific—remain limited, particularly for the Brazilian subtropical climate. This study investigates rainfall variability in the Brazilian subtropical region associated with different ENSO types. Composite analyses of precipitation, wind, and SST anomalies were performed, and monthly rainfall data from 703 stations were used to identify homogeneous regions. The results show the intensity and spatial coherence of rainfall anomalies vary according to El Niño type, with EP events favoring widespread wet conditions and CP events producing more heterogeneous or locally negative anomalies. For La Niña, the intensity and seasonal distribution of negative rainfall anomalies vary by ENSO type: stronger impacts occur in summer (EP), spring (MX), and autumn (CP). These findings improve the understanding of ENSO-related rainfall variability in the Brazilian subtropical region and provide valuable insights for the management of climate-related risks in a region frequently affected by rainfall extremes.

Abstract: Indonesia's E10 blending mandate presents a strategic opportunity for decarbonization and inclusive rural development, contingent on a robust supply chain integrating smallholder farmers. This study developed a novel supply-chain framework for corn products in Sumenep to facilitate sustainable ethanol production. Methods involved comprehensive data collection, mathematical modeling using the p-median method, and farmer clustering techniques. Findings reveal that Sumenep Regency's substantial corn harvest of 8,475,914.5 tons, yielding 1,271,387.175 tons of kernels, can produce 381,416.1525 liters of bioethanol. By applying clustering supply chain model, the farmers' group profit is Rp 205,693,725,826, while Rp 177,394,823,353 profit for non-clustering model. It increasing profit 16% compared to the model without clustering. This localized production, enabled by a simplified, decentralized supply-chain architecture, significantly enhances national energy security, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and improves the economic stability of smallholder farmers through equitable value capture and minimized logistical costs. The framework offers a practical, implementable strategy for Indonesia's energy transition, fostering environmental sustainability and inclusive socio-economic development.

Abstract: Multi-agent LLM systems face communication bottlenecks using natural language tokens, lacking end-to-end differentiability. While dense vector communication helps, existing methods are inflexible due to fixed topologies and static transformations. We propose the Adaptive Sparse Dense Communication Network (ASDNet), a novel framework for efficient, flexible, and context-aware dense communication. ASDNet employs a dynamic Communication Hub per agent, intelligently selecting sparse partners and adaptively generating optimal dense vector transformations. This end-to-end differentiable architecture enables joint optimization of communication and inference. Experiments with an ASDNet variant, built on a foundational LLM, demonstrate consistent outperformance against state-of-the-art dense communication baselines and other open-source LLMs across diverse benchmarks, with efficient training. Ablation studies confirm dynamic target selection and adaptive transformations are critical. Further analyses highlight ASDNet's enhanced efficiency, superior qualitative outputs, and robust low-data performance, showcasing its potential for scalable multi-agent collaboration.

Abstract: The intensive use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers has raised environmental concerns. Sustainable alternatives, such as plant biostimulants and plant resistance inducers, offer promising solutions by enhancing growth, yield, stress tolerance, or activating defense responses against pathogens. However, the physiological impacts and combined effects of these products remain poorly understood, limiting evidence-based application strategies. Here, we evaluated the effects of a biostimulant and a plant defense inducer on durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum), a key cereal crop in the Mediterranean Basin. Using controlled experiments, we assessed plant growth, chlorophyll content, and resistance to Zymoseptoria tritici, while considering potential trade-offs between growth promotion and defense activation. As expected, our results indicate that the biostimulant improved growth and photosynthetic performance, whereas the plant resistance inducer enhanced protection against Z. tritici. But the combination of these two treatments can trigger mitigated interaction effects, influenced by varietal genetic background. This study provides novel insights into the interactions between plant growth promotion and defense induction in durum wheat. Understanding these multi-factorial effects (in particular genotype effect) enables the identification of optimal treatment strategies, supporting the development of sustainable crop management practices that reduce chemical inputs while maintaining productivity and resilience under biotic stress.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Age-related changes in body composition (bone, muscle, and adipose tissue) are often assumed to follow linear, sex-specific patterns. Some evidence suggests that these trajectories are nonlinear, and their timing and dynamics remain poorly characterized. Osteosarcopenic adiposity/obesity (OSA), defined by the coexistence of osteopenia/osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and excess/redistributed adiposity, is recognized as a body composition disorder associated with multiple morbidities, but its impact on age-related body composition trajectories has not been fully explored. We aimed to delineate sex-specific, age-related trajectories of bone, muscle, fat mass, and intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT), identify inflection points across adulthood, and compare patterns in individuals without and with OSA. Methods: Cross-sectional data from 9717 healthy Caucasian adults (aged 20–90 years) enrolled in a multicenter Italian study were analyzed. Body composition was measured using validated bioelectrical impedance analysis. LOESS regression was employed to identify age-related inflection points. Standard diagnostic criteria defined osteopenia/osteoporosis, sarcopenia, adiposity, and OSA. Results: Men exhibited earlier peaks and midlife stability in bone and muscle mass, followed by later decline. Women showed lower baseline values, multiple early-life inflection points, and sharper midlife downturns, particularly around menopause. Fat mass increased steadily in men but followed a multi-phasic pattern in women. IMAT rose progressively with age in both sexes. Adults with OSA, identified in participants even as young as 20 years, demonstrated destabilized trajectories, earlier downturns in bone and muscle, and more complex body fat and IMAT patterns. Conclusions: Distinct sex-specific patterns and mitigating effect of OSA on body composition trajectories were identified. Early detection of OSA may be crucial for preventing acceleration of musculoskeletal decline and rise in adiposity.

Abstract: Manilkara (Sapotaceae) includes tropical tree species of high ecological and socio-economic value, yet genetic and phylogenetic evidence remains uneven across taxa and eco-geographic regions. Here, we synthesize studies conducted between 1999 and 2025 which summarize the use of molecular markers to infer genetic diversity, connectivity, population structure, and evolutionary relationships within this genus. The studies are dominated by PCR-based marker systems, including dominant markers (like RAPD and SCoT) and microsatellites from the nuclear genome and plastid genome. Other studies rely on PCR-amplified sequence loci, such as ITS and chloroplast regions, while others use high-throughput technologies, including NGS-assisted SSR development, sequences of complete plastomes, and targeted nuclear sequencing. Overall, studies using SSRs provide the most informative estimates for within-species diversity and fine-scale structure, whereas plastid datasets (cpSSR/cpDNA) mainly support inference on maternal lineages and plastid-based relationships but can be constrained by uniparental inheritance and limited variation, especially under small sampling. Some limitations found include heterogeneous sampling, inconsistency in reporting the methodological parameters, and limited connection with ecological or phenotypic parameters which restricts chances of inferences on demography and adaptation. Based on this review, future research in Manilkara would benefit from setting up a broader taxonomic and geographic coverage, incorporating genome-wide technology where feasible to strengthen conservation management, and breeding opportunities in Manilkara.

Abstract: While climate change creates the overarching biophysical stress on Ethiopian agriculture, institutional and governance structures primarily mediate agrobiodiversity outcomes, often trading evolutionary resilience for short-term productivity. This review synthesizes cross-sectoral evidence from Ethiopia’s major highland and rangeland systems to demonstrate that climate change acts as a systemic stress test, exposing latent vulnerabilities in agricultural policy, seed regulation, and land tenure systems. The widespread loss of agrobiodiversity, documented by genetic erosion rates ranging from 56% in barley to over 65% in teff and wheat, including total displacement in certain districts, is largely driven by a structural conflict between productivity imperatives and ecological stewardship. Our synthesis reveals that policy silos, top-down extension models, and regulatory biases toward genetic uniformity collectively erode the functional heterogeneity required for climate adaptation. This institutional failure necessitates a governance-centered framework that formalizes pluralistic seed systems and empowers decentralized farmer innovation. Realigning governance incentives to treat agrobiodiversity as a strategic national asset is essential for securing Ethiopia’s genetic capital against accelerating climatic stress.

Abstract: Cancer remains the leading cause of death in domestic dogs. Conventional therapeutic approaches, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy frequently fail to achieve sustained remission or stabilization. Oncolytic virotherapy, a rapidly advancing therapeutic modality in human oncology, is emerging as a novel strategy in veterinary medicine. This systematic review summarizes current knowledge on the application of oncolytic viruses (OVs) in canine cancer treatment, focusing on their mechanisms of action, safety profiles, and clinical efficacy. We evaluate diverse OV platforms, including myxoma virus, reovirus, vesicular stomatitis virus, canine adenoviruses, vaccinia virus, Sendai virus, and Newcastle disease virus, across preclinical and clinical studies in dogs with various malignancies. While several OVs have demonstrated favorable tolerability and modest antitumor activity, key challenges such as pre-existing immunity, optimization of dosing regimens, and rational combination strategies, remain to be addressed. This review emphasizes the translational significance of canine studies for both veterinary and human oncology, underscoring the critical need for rigorously designed clinical trials to refine virotherapy protocols and expand therapeutic options for canine cancer patients.