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Technical Note
Biology and Life Sciences
Immunology and Microbiology

Maxwel Adriano Abegg

Abstract: The hypothesis that antibiotics evolved from or co-opted bacterial intercellular signaling molecules predicts that signaling-active compounds should exhibit physicochemical properties favorable for drug development. We explored this prediction through a comparative cheminformatics analysis of 74 bacterial signaling molecules — comprising 48 small-molecule diffusible signals, 17 peptide autoinducers and intracellular messengers, and 9 antibiotics with documented signaling activity — against 71 randomly selected drug-like molecules. Small-molecule signaling molecules showed significantly higher Lipinski Rule-of-5 compliance than random drugs (95.8% vs. 73.2%; Odds Ratio = 8.40, 95% CI: 1.86–38.1, p = 0.001; Bonferroni-adjusted p = 0.009), while peptide autoinducers and intracellular messengers showed near-zero compliance (5.9%), confirming that the enrichment is specific to small-molecule diffusible signals. Predicted membrane permeability was over 2-fold higher for small-molecule signals (72.9% vs. 32.4% classified as “Good”), and enrichment was observed across six of seven drug-likeness filters (Enrichment Factors 1.12–1.31). We identified 10 signaling-active molecules with favorable profiles whose direct antibiotic activity has not been systematically tested; six are free of PAINS alerts. This analysis was conducted with substantial AI assistance, molecular properties were compiled from databases rather than computed de novo, and results require independent verification with validated cheminformatics tools. We present these findings as a hypothesis-generating study to stimulate experimental testing of the signaling-first triage concept for antibiotic discovery. For all abbreviations and acronyms used throughout this manuscript, please refer to the Glossary section.

Review
Public Health and Healthcare
Public Health and Health Services

Luis Miguel Gallardo

Abstract: Hypnosis and hypnotherapy have emerged as powerful, evidence-based therapeutic modalities with demonstrated efficacy across a broad spectrum of mental and somatic health conditions. This comprehensive review synthesizes the latest research from 2018 to 2026, examining the neurobiological mechanisms, clinical applications, and therapeutic outcomes of hypnotic interventions. Recent meta-analytic evidence reveals effect sizes ranging from medium to large (d = 0.5 to 2.72) for various conditions, with particularly robust evidence for chronic pain management, depression, anxiety disorders, and perioperative care. Neuroimaging studies have elucidated the neural substrates of hypnotic analgesia and emotional regulation, demonstrating modulation of the anterior cingulate cortex, default mode network, and pain matrix. Randomized controlled trials consistently show that hypnotherapy achieves outcomes comparable to or exceeding cognitive behavioral therapy for depression, with sustained benefits extending up to 3.5 years post-treatment. Importantly, hypnotic interventions demonstrate excellent safety profiles with no significant adverse events reported across studies. This review establishes hypnosis as a credible, hope-inspiring healing modality that warrants broader integration into mainstream clinical practice for patients seeking effective, non-pharmacological treatment options.

Article
Medicine and Pharmacology
Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases

Samuel O. Adeleye

,

Susan J. Akhere

Abstract:

Background: Lassa fever remains a major public health challenge in West Africa, particularly in Nigeria where recurrent outbreaks continue to place pressure on health systems. Facility-based analyses are important for understanding morbidity and mortality trends in endemic regions. Objective: To assess morbidity and mortality trends of Lassa fever among patients managed at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital over a five-year period. Methods: A retrospective hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, Nigeria. Case records of all patients with confirmed Lassa fever managed between January 2018 and August 2022 were reviewed. Data were extracted using a structured checklist and analysed using SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise socio-demographic, clinical and outcome variables. Results: A total of 191 Lassa fever case records met the eligibility criteria. The estimated mean age was 26.0 ± 18.8 years, with most patients younger than 30 years. There was a slight male predominance (52.4%). Admissions peaked in 2018 (47.1%) and declined thereafter. Most patients presented within five days of symptom onset (46.1%), although 17.8% presented after more than 11 days. The most common symptoms were fever (91.1%), vomiting (50.3%), headache (46.6%), and anorexia (46.1%), while haemorrhagic manifestations were uncommon (4.7%). The overall case fatality rate was 13.6%. Most hospital admissions lasted 6–15 days. Conclusion: Lassa fever remains an important cause of hospital admission and mortality in Edo State. Although mortality in this cohort was within previously reported hospital-based ranges, delayed presentation and non-specific clinical features remain challenges for early diagnosis. Strengthening surveillance systems, improving early detection, and enhancing infection prevention practices are essential to reducing Lassa fever morbidity and mortality in endemic settings.

Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Anatomy and Physiology

Noa Martonovich

,

Clara De Luca

,

Caterina Fede

,

Andrea Angelini

,

Pietro Ruggieri

,

Carla Stecco

,

Carmelo Pirri

Abstract:

Background and Objectives: The thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) has been implicated in low back pain, but imaging-based characterization in specific degenerative lumbar pathologies—particularly in surgical cohorts—remains limited. To evaluate TLF thickness on Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Ultrasound (US) across common lumbar pathologies, examine associations with age, body mass index, disability, and assess MRI–US agreement for TLF thickness. Materials and Methods: In this prospective single-centre cohort, adults scheduled for elective lumbar surgery underwent preoperative US (short- and long-axis at L3) and review of routine lumbar MRI (axial and sagittal T1-weighted measurements at L3) using standardized protocols. Disability was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Group comparisons, correlation analyses, and intraclass correlation coefficients were used to evaluate between-diagnosis differences, patient-factor associations, and MRI–US agreement. Results: Thirty-seven patients were eligible (15 lumbar spinal stenosis, 5 discs herniations, 4 spondylolisthesis, 2 scoliosis, 9 revision surgeries, 2 trauma comparators). Median TLF thickness was 0.86 mm (0.16–1.40) on axial MRI, 1.12 mm (0.47–2.33) on sagittal MRI, 2.38 mm (1.01–5.91) on US short-axis, and 2.87 mm (1.12–5.74) on US long-axis. Axial MRI thickness differed across groups (p=0.010), driven by thinner measurements in trauma versus disc herniation (p=0.031); no significant group effects were observed on sagittal MRI or US. Age correlated positively with axial MRI thickness (p=0.021). No significant correlations were detected between ODI and TLF thickness on MRI or US. MRI–US agreement was poor, indicating the modalities are not interchangeable for TLF thickness measurement. Conclusions: TLF thickness measured on MRI and US did not consistently differentiate diagnostic groups and was not associated with disability. Thickness estimates differed substantially by modality, with poor MRI–US agreement. Larger studies with standardized acquisition and reliability testing are needed to clarify the clinical and mechanistic relevance of TLF imaging in degenerative lumbar disease and to determine whether it can support phenotype-based stratification within degenerative spine disease.

Article
Computer Science and Mathematics
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Ramzi Djemai

,

Hamza Kheddar

,

Mohamed Chahine Ghanem

,

Karim Ouazzane

,

Erivelton Nepomuceno

Abstract: Emergency evacuation in complex and dynamic building environments requires robust and adaptive routing strategies capable of responding to evolving hazards, blocked passages, and changing crowd behaviour. Most existing evacuation planners rely on static geometric representations and lack semantic awareness of the environment, limiting their ability to perform informed re-planning and backtracking when routes become unsafe. This paper proposes a neuro-symbolic evacuation planning framework that integrates Lifelong Planning A* (LPA*) with ontology-driven semantic reasoning and a Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) prediction model. The building’s spatial and semantic knowledge is represented using the Web Ontology Language (OWL) and Resource Description Framework (RDF), enabling automated inference of implicit connections and enforcement of safety policies. The BiLSTM model learns temporal patterns from ontology-consistent evacuation trajectories and provides guidance for remaining-cost estimation and early prediction of routes likely to require backtracking, which is combined with a bounded semantic heuristic to preserve admissibility and optimality guarantees. Simulation results in a multi-floor academic building show that the proposed BiLSTM-guided semantic LPA* framework reduces average evacuation time by up to 9.6%, decreases node expansions by up to 32%, and increases evacuation success rates to 96.2% compared with a purely semantic baseline. The BiLSTM model also achieves strong predictive performance, with a test AUC of 0.92 for backtracking prediction and a next-state accuracy of 87.1%. The proposed framework provides a scalable, explainable, and real-time solution for personalised and policy-compliant evacuation guidance under rapidly evolving emergency conditions.

Article
Business, Economics and Management
Economics

Suyanto

,

Danardana Murwani

,

Sopiah

,

Agung Winarno

,

Syaiful Hasani

,

Mirhamida Rahmah

Abstract: This study examines the causal mechanisms through which the effectiveness of public policy influences the economic welfare of tobacco farmers in Madura, Indonesia. Using survey data from tobacco farmers and applying structural equation modelling partial least squares (SEM-PLS), the study analyses the direct effects of policy effectiveness on innovation adoption, farmer productivity and economic welfare, as well as the mediating and serial mediating roles of innovation adoption and productivity. The findings demonstrate that public policy effectiveness significantly enhances innovation adoption, productivity and economic welfare. Innovation adoption improves productivity and welfare, while productivity directly strengthens welfare outcomes. Mediation analysis confirms that innovation adoption and productivity function as both individual and sequential mediators. This indicates that welfare gains are primarily achieved through policy-driven innovation uptake and productivity improvements, rather than through the direct effects of policy alone. Despite limitations relating to the cross-sectional nature of the data and the focus on economic welfare, the study provides valuable insights for the design of innovation-oriented agricultural interventions aimed at promoting sustainable welfare among smallholder farmers.

Review
Public Health and Healthcare
Public Health and Health Services

Kougioumtzoglou I.

,

Maniadakis N.

,

Kouvelas D.

,

Kostaki E.-G.

,

Selekos N.

,

Koulouvari A.

,

Lagiou A.

Abstract:

Background: Seasonal influenza remains a major public health challenge worldwide, causing significant morbidity each year and imposing substantial burdens on individuals, healthcare systems and national economies. Vaccination is considered the most effective available strategy for prevention; however, uptake rates vary considerably across countries, with many failing to achieve the recommended coverage levels. The aim of this review is to examine the beliefs, attitudes and behaviors of healthcare professionals worldwide regarding seasonal influenza vaccination. Methods: This is an umbrella review, according to the PRISMA Statement 2020, searching PubMed, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar. The following search terms were used: beliefs, attitudes, behaviors, influenza vaccination, flu vaccine, health professionals, primary health care. Selection criteria were the following: 1) Reviews, 2) Published after 1/1/2000, 3) English language 4) Healthcare professionals as target-population. Results: Twenty-five studies met the selection criteria and were included in this review. Twelve out of 25 studies were systematic reviews. Globally, vaccination uptake among healthcare professionals remains below recommended national and international targets. North America demonstrates the highest vaccination coverage, while the lowest coverage is reported in Africa and South America. Overall, low- and middle-income countries show significantly lower vaccination behavior compared with high-income countries. Attitudes and beliefs appear to shape vaccination behavior in high-income countries. The main driver of acceptance is perceived protection of oneself and family, whereas hesitancy is mainly driven by concerns about side effects and vaccine safety. Across studies, non-physician healthcare professionals consistently demonstrated lower influenza vaccine acceptance compared with physicians while pediatricians and general practitioners were found to receive the influenza vaccine more frequently. In addition, younger physicians and those with fewer years of professional experience showed higher vaccination coverage and a greater likelihood of recommending influenza vaccination to patients. Conclusions: Vaccination coverage, worldwide, is lower than what is recommended by the World Health Organization. Healthcare professionals, working in hospital settings, tend to be vaccinated at a higher rate and are more likely to recommend the vaccine to their patients. The recommendations that health professionals give are influenced by whether they accept influenza vaccines themselves. Beliefs and attitudes seem to influence behavior in countries where structural barriers, such as limited access to primary healthcare and socio-economic status are absent.

Article
Engineering
Bioengineering

Anton Kurakin

,

Anton Sergeev

,

Darya Korostovskaya

,

Anna Kurenkova

,

Vladimir Serdyukov

Abstract: The modern prosthetic foot market is characterized by a pronounced polarization between affordable but low-function devices and high-performance yet costly composite prosthe-ses. The aim of this study was to develop and comprehensively evaluate cost-effective, functional prosthetic feet manufactured by fused deposition modeling (FDM). An iterative design methodology was employed, combining finite element analysis to optimize the biomechanical response of the device, incorporation of user-specific requirements and ex-perimental validation. Two TPU 95A-based 3D-printed prosthetic foot designs were de-signed and developed, and their strength and functional characteristics were assessed numerically under the ISO 22675:2024 normative loading cycle. Bench-top mechanical tests were conducted on the fabricated prototypes. Functional performance was evaluated by a transtibial amputee using an inertial motion capture system to analyze gait kinemat-ics. The results demonstrated that both designs operate predominantly within the elastic range with an adequate safety margin. The pilot gait assessment indicated biomechani-cally acceptable walking kinematics for both prototypes, with a subjective preference for the smoother rollover provided by Model 2.

Article
Public Health and Healthcare
Public Health and Health Services

James Simwanza

,

Tisungane Chitimbe

,

Rejoice Msiska

,

Andrew Ngulube

,

Kalua Khumbo

Abstract: Background Malawi remains endemic for some preventive chemotherapy-neglected tropical diseases requiring mass drug administration. Challenges persist in controlling schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths, particularly in rural schools, despite efforts in the mass treatment with drugs such as praziquantel and albendazole. School feeding programs improve child health, education, and social stability, yet they have not been fully scaled nationwide, leaving gaps in coverage. Despite government efforts, overall drug treatment uptake is notably lower in non-feeding schools, with potential barriers linked to social, economic, and logistical factors. This study explored the challenges affecting the uptake of drugs in schools without a feeding program and identified key factors that may hinder treatment coverage and program effectiveness. Methods The study was nested in Malawi within the Deworm3 clinical trial (Clinicaltrials.gov number: NCT03014167), a multi-country cluster randomized study designed to assess the feasibility of interrupting the transmission of soil-transmitted helminths. Data were collected from key players in the implementation of school-based deworming programs, using semi-structured qualitative interviews, transcribed, translated, and analyzed using N-vivo 11. Results Several barriers affected uptake drug uptake. Only 40% of community health workers and teachers reported effectively educating communities about the program and the usefulness of taking the drugs, leading to misinformation, including fears of infertility (30%) and witchcraft (20%). Food scarcity (67%) in schools prevented children from taking the drugs, as they required food beforehand. Some families opposed drugs due to cultural and religious beliefs. Logistical challenges such as delayed drug supply (45%), lack of transport (38%), and no financial incentives (55%), further hindered implementation. Conclusion The study highlighted low treatment coverage in non-feeding schools is due to knowledge gaps, food insecurity, religious and cultural influences, logistical constraints, and financial barriers. Addressing these issues requires enhanced community engagement, improved drug distribution logistics, better incentives for implementers, and consideration of religious and cultural practices when scheduling drug distribution.

Article
Medicine and Pharmacology
Surgery

Gokay Cetinkaya

,

Ahmet Baskent

,

Mehmet Furkan Baskent

,

Hasan Fehmi Kucuk

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Incidental gallbladder cancer (IGBC) is an uncommon but clinically important malignancy, typically diagnosed unexpectedly after cholecystectomy performed for benign indications. Despite its incidental nature, IGBC may present with advanced pathological features and unfavorable outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, clinicopathological characteristics, surgical management, and prognostic factors of IGBC in a large cholecystectomy cohort from a tertiary referral center. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 19,798 cholecystectomy procedures conducted between January 2010 and December 2025. Patients with a preoperative diagnosis of gallbladder cancer or incomplete clinical or pathological data were excluded. Only cases with invasive incidental gallbladder cancer (IGBC) were included, whereas dysplasia and carcinoma in situ were excluded. Demographic, clinical, surgical, pathological, and survival data were systematically collected. Results: Incidental gallbladder cancer was identified in 43 patients (0.22%). The mean age was 71.4 ± 9.9 years, and 74.4% were female. Gallstones were present in 88.4% of patients. Adenocarcinoma was the predominant histology (90.7%), and pT2 disease was the most common stage (41.9%), while 25.6% had advanced-stage tumors (pT3–T4). Median OS was 26.0 months, and median DFS was 25.5 months in non-metastatic patients. Pathological T stage was significantly associated with both OS and DFS. Advanced T stage, positive surgical margins, perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion, and increasing tumor size were significantly associated with worse DFS. Re-resection rates were limited, mainly due to advanced age and comorbidities. Conclusion: Although incidental gallbladder cancer is rare, it leads to clinically and oncologically significant outcomes. In this study, pathological T stage emerged as a key prognostic factor influencing both overall survival and disease-free survival. In addition, perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion, and positive surgical margins were identified as the main pathological factors adversely affecting disease-free survival.

Article
Physical Sciences
Theoretical Physics

Andrew Wutke

Abstract: Motivated by the work of Matsas et al. (2024), which demonstrates that time can serve as the fundamental unit for physical quantities—obviating the need for traditional Length-Mass-Time (LMT) dimensions—this research evaluates the operational resolution of velocity within relativistic frameworks. Utilizing a Lorentz transformation matrix approach, we first validate the Matsas three-clock protocol, confirming the derivation of distance as a function of three proper clock times in Minkowski spacetime and uncovering two novel velocity expressions derived solely from these temporal intervals. The investigation was extended to Tangherlini’s 4D spacetime framework (1958) to test the hypothesis that absolute velocity could be resolved through subluminal signaling. While the initial three-clock scenario resulted in the systematic cancellation of the Base system's absolute velocity, a breakthrough was achieved by applying the Relativistic Doppler Effect within the Tangherlini metric. This approach effectively circumvents the mathematical cancellations prevalent in standard relativistic "null" experiments. The findings reveal that the Tangherlini and Minkowski frameworks are intimately related; the former serves as a necessary complement to the Special Theory of Relativity (STR) rather than an antagonist. This theoretical advancement suggests a plausible methodology for the measurement of absolute velocity without the requirement of instantaneous signals. By resolving the longitudinal Doppler shift within a preferred-frame geometry, this research provides fresh impetus for the historical debate on absolute motion initiated by Poincaré and Einstein.

Article
Medicine and Pharmacology
Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health

Nikhil Kumar M.

,

Viraraghavan Vadakkencherry Ramaswamy

,

Nasreen Banu Shaik

,

Laxman Basany

,

Abid Ali Hasan Ali

,

V. Sree Ramya

Abstract: Background: Bovine milk protein-based human milk fortifiers (HMFs) are routinely used in preterm infants in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) but are associated with potential adverse effects. Plant-derived amino-acid based HMFs are a promising alternative, but comparative data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are lacking. This pilot RCT aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and growth outcomes of a novel plant-derived amino-acid based HMF compared to a bovine-derived whole protein based HMF in preterm infants <34 weeks’ gestation. Methods: In this open-label, parallel pilot RCT, preterm infants <34 weeks’ gestation were randomized to a plant-derived amino-acid based HMF (n=66) or a bovine-derived whole protein based HMF (n=70). Primary outcomes were time to reach 180 mL/Kg/day enteral feeds and growth velocities to discharge and 40 weeks’ postmenstrual age (PMA). Feasibility and safety were also assessed. Analysis followed intention-to-treat approach. The trial was registered (CTRI/2025/06/089133). Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. Time to reach enteral feeds of 180 mL/Kg/day did not differ (adjusted Hazard Ratio 0.93, 95% CI 0.65–1.33; p=0.70). In-hospital weight gain was significantly higher in the plant-derived HMF group (adjusted mean difference 3.20 g/Kg/day, 95% CI 0.46–5.95; p=0.02). This benefit was most evident in exploratory subgroup analyses of infants with birth weight ≥1500g. Length, head circumference growth, and all safety outcomes were similar between groups. Conclusions: The plant-derived amino-acid based HMF was well-tolerated, with a comparable safety profile. Its use was associated with better in-hospital weight gain, indicating it is a potential alternative to bovine-derived whole protein based HMF. These data support the feasibility of definitive trials powered for critical clinical outcomes.

Article
Environmental and Earth Sciences
Remote Sensing

David Doxaran

,

Isabella Mayot

,

Liesbeth De Keukelaere

,

Robrecht Moelans

,

Niels Verdoodt

,

Els Knaeps

Abstract: Dredging activities regularly occurring in near-shore and coastal waters generate turbid waters within the surface layer with high concentrations of suspended particulate matter collected in bottom sediments. The potential impact of these dredge plumes on natural ecosystems must be monitored using cost-effective methods and observations. Here, we investigate the biogeochemical and optical properties of dredge plumes selected mainly in European and African coastal waters. Laboratory analyses realized on numerous water samples collected in dredge plumes reveal (extremely) high water turbidity and high concentrations of mineral-rich particles in suspension, sometimes mixed to high concentrations of phytoplankton particles. The most peculiar optical property of these particles is a spectral light absorption coefficient significantly flatter than that of suspended particles in natural turbid waters (e.g., river plumes or estuarine maximum turbidity zones). This peculiar optical property is also detected on ocean color satellite data corrected for atmospheric effects, with a water reflectance signal higher than natural turbid waters at short visible wavebands (400-550 nm). Such an atypical spectral signature, that can be detected and mapped from space, makes the operational monitoring of dredge plumes in coastal waters using high spatial resolution (e.g., Sentinel2-MSI) satellite data possible.

Article
Computer Science and Mathematics
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Harris Wang

Abstract: Constrained Object Hierarchies (COH) offer a unified theoretical foundation for artificial general intelligence (AGI), rooted in neuroscience principles and developed with full mathematical rigor. This paper presents the complete formalization of COH theory, showing how intelligence emerges from hierarchically composed structures governed by adaptive optimization constraints. We introduce precise definitions, establish core properties of soundness and completeness, and situate COH within established mathematical frameworks including category theory, dynamical systems, and information theory. Building on this foundation, we prove three central theorems that demonstrate COH’s practical significance for AGI: guaranteeing high‑fidelity world modeling, preventing jagged or non-smooth intelligence behaviors, and enabling the construction of coherent agentic systems. These results provide quantitative bounds on representational accuracy, generalization performance, and decision-making complexity. Collectively, the findings show that COH delivers a mathematically rigorous, interpretable, and scalable basis for modeling intelligent systems across six heterogeneous domains, while preserving the flexibility required for general intelligence and ensuring explicit guarantees for safety and transparency.

Review
Medicine and Pharmacology
Ophthalmology

Murad Mir

,

Hardeep Singh Mudhar

,

Mandeep S. Sagoo

,

Stephen Gichuhi

,

Yamini Krishna

Abstract: Invasive conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is an aggressive, ocular surface malignancy. The mean annual age-standardised incidence rate of 0.45 cases per million per year is increasing with an average annual percent rise of 4.5% and occurs mainly in over 65-year-olds in temperate climates but in a younger demographic in the tropics. Invasive CSCC can lead to vision loss either from the destructive effects of the tumour or side effects of therapy, facial disfigurement from radical surgery, and death from metastases. There is no standardised treatment and not all cases are referred to a specialist ocular oncology centre. Recent progress in cancer immunology and genetics has revolutionised the treatment of cutaneous and head and neck SCCs, which share some similarities to invasive CSCC. A better understanding of invasive CSCC and its preinvasive intraepithelial lesions is required to lead to the development of novel targeted and immunotherapies both for local tumour control, globe sparing alternatives and to prevent disseminated disease. This review aims to provide a comprehensive clinical overview of the current knowledge regarding CSSC, its epidemiology, pathogenesis, presentation, diagnosis, management, recent advances in targeted and immunotherapies for personalised treatment of this disease, and early diagnosis strategies to improve patient outcomes.

Article
Physical Sciences
Mathematical Physics

Felipe Oliveira Souto

Abstract: We present a first-principles derivation of the hydrogen \( 2S_{1/2}-2P_{1/2} \) Lamb shift correction from the spectral geometry of Riemann zeta zeros. The framework reveals an exact scaling factor 366 connecting pure mathematical expressions to physical observables. Starting from the first four non-trivial zeros \( \gamma_1, \gamma_2, \gamma_3, \gamma_4 \) of \( \zeta(1/2 + i\gamma_n) = 0 \), we derive: (1) the Lamb shift correction \( \Delta\nu_{\text{Lamb}} = 7.314 \) kHz, (2) the exact scaling factor \( 366 = 8\pi^2(\gamma_4/\gamma_1)^2 \), and (3) demonstrate that this factor emerges necessarily from the Enneper-Möbius geometric framework underlying fundamental constants. The derivation is mathematically self-contained, numerically exact to computational precision, and provides a unified geometric origin for \( \alpha^{-1} = 137.035999084 \), \( \ell_P = 1.616255\times10^{-35} \) m, and quantum electrodynamic corrections.

Article
Computer Science and Mathematics
Applied Mathematics

Dingfang Su

,

Jie Tao

,

Jiaxu Huang

,

Erzhan Gao

Abstract: Column generation is a fundamental technique for solving large-scale combinatorial optimization problems such as unit commitment and vehicle routing, yet its performance is often limited by dual oscillation. This study explores the intrinsic cause of this phenomenon from the perspective of shadow price theory and demonstrates that dual oscillation arises from the lack of marginal interpretability of Lagrange multipliers when multiple dual solutions coexist. To address this issue, an improved column generation framework is proposed in which traditional multipliers are replaced with minimum-norm multipliers that possess clear economic meaning and act as directional shadow prices. A generalized pricing subproblem is formulated, and partial minimum-norm multipliers are obtained through convex quadratic optimization to guide column generation. Numerical experiments on a simplified single-period unit commitment case show that the proposed approach eliminates invalid column generation and achieves speedy convergence to the optimal solution within only two iterations. The results indicate that the stabilization method enhances the consistency of dual variables and provides a more robust foundation for the theoretical and practical development of column generation algorithms.

Article
Engineering
Chemical Engineering

Phillimon Tlamelo Odirile

,

Nkgopolang Matthews Boima

Abstract: Water pollution due to insufficient wastewater treatment is a global concern. In this paper coagulation and flocculation as a tertiary unit process was investigated to find the solution for a non-complying wastewater treatment facility. The Palapye Pond Enhanced Treatment and Operation (PETRO) system has not been compliant for a long time with effluent characterised by high turbidity, Biological Oxygen Demand/Chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD/COD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Nitrates (NO3), and Phosphates (PO4.) The effluent from the plant is released into the stream that drains into the nearby Lotsane dam, posing a lot of danger to the water quality of the dam. The main objective of the project was to investigate the effect of coagulation and flocculation processes at the secondary stage of the wastewater treatment. Response Surface Methodology (RSM), Central Composite Design (CCD) and Multi Response Surface (MRS) were used to optimize the coagulation process and generate regression models to predict the coagulation and flocculation. The performance was evaluated using turbidity, Colour, COD and TSS as response variables. Response surface analysis indicated that the experimental data could be adequately Fitted to quadratic polynomial models. Under optimum conditions the removal efficiency for Al2(SO4)3·18H2O: 91.1% (turbidity), 88.2% (colour), 58.9% (COD), 83.0% (TSS); for FeCl3·6H2O: 93.2%, 88.7%, 63.8%, 91.3%; for Moringa: 91.8%, 85.4%, 56.6%, 83.7%. The optimal removals based on MRS for Al2(SO4)3.18H2O, FeCl3.6H2O and Moringa were 90.7%, 89.7%, 59.9% and 88.5%; 94.7%, 90.8%, 58.1% and 93.8%; 94.0%, 87.2%, 60.1% and 82.1% for turbidity, colour, COD and TSS respectively. This research has demonstrated that the coagulation/flocculation process can be incorporated into the secondary stage of the wastewater treatment facility and the treatment process optimized using RSM, CCD and MRS. The study introduces comparative evaluation of three coagulants within a single RSM-CCD optimization framework, employing desirability functions for multi-response optimization.

Review
Medicine and Pharmacology
Veterinary Medicine

Evelin Ramóna Péli

,

Dániel Cserhalmi

Abstract:

Photosensitisation is a clinically significant dermatological and systemic disorder affecting grazing livestock worldwide. The condition arises following the ingestion or dermal exposure to photodynamic compounds that, upon activation by ultraviolet (UV) or visible light, induce tissue injury. Plant‑associated photosensitisation remains one of the most important aetiological categories in veterinary toxicology and may occur via primary (direct phototoxic) or secondary (hepatogenous) mechanisms. This review synthesises current knowledge on the occurrence of photosensitising compounds in plants, their biochemical and toxicodynamic properties, and their clinical relevance in livestock species. Emphasis is placed on major primary photosensitising taxa, including Heracleum spp. and Hypericum perforatum, as well as hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid‑containing plants such as Senecio spp. Mechanistic pathways, plant metabolite ecology, and toxicopathological outcomes are discussed alongside illustrative case material. The review aims to provide a consolidated veterinary toxicology framework for understanding plant‑associated photosensitisation in grazing systems.

Concept Paper
Engineering
Aerospace Engineering

Jeongsik Choi

Abstract: Earth-centric satellite systems are increasingly constrained by orbital congestion, collision exposure that scales nonlinearly with constellation size, and geometry-driven power intermittency. This paper proposes Heliocentric Artificial Planets (HAPs): modular, actively controlled heliocentric hubs that deliver persistent solar power, autonomous coordination, and data aggregation for distributed satellite networks. We provide quantified scaling laws, explicit numerical evaluations, and a system-of-systems architecture that together demonstrate physical feasibility within known laws of orbital mechanics and electromagnetic transmission. The concept reframes future space systems from spacecraft-centric to infrastructure-centric design and positions heliocentric placement as a structural solution to Earth-orbit scalability limits.

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