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Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Animal Science, Veterinary Science and Zoology

Áron Sárközy

,

Eszter Nagy

,

Attila Bende

,

Ágnes Csivincsik

,

Brigitta Bóta

,

Gábor Nagy

,

Melinda Kovács

,

Tamás Tari

Abstract: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a silently escalating global crisis, presenting a specific challenge for the One Health approach. Landscapes can serve as reservoirs of AMR, while synurban wildlife may act as vectors of bidirectional exchange. However, these species can also be utilised as sentinels of landscape AMR load. Herbivorous avian bioindicators, such as the Common Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus), continuously sample the landscape during foraging and drinking, providing unbiased data on the state of AMR. This study aimed to investigate the potential of this species for assessing the impact of landscape diversity on bacterial communities and their AMR patterns. Toward this objective, two landscape units of 4-km-diameter located at an upstream and a downstream section of a river, relative to a provincial town, were compared using 16 cloacal samples per site. Heterotrophic plate count techniques resulted in 60 isolates, of which 48 were identified, and 35 were tested for AMR using the VITEK 2 Compact system. Rényi diversity profiles of landscape compositions, bacterial communities, and AMR patterns revealed that higher landscape diversity was associated with lower bacterial but higher AMR pattern diversity. Additionally, the structure of more diverse bacterial communities shifted toward Gram-negative taxa. These findings support the hypothesis that culture-based methods using Common Wood Pigeons, complemented by Rényi diversity analysis and the determination of Gram-positive/Gram-negative ratios, provide valuable data on landscape health, even with small sample sizes.

Case Report
Medicine and Pharmacology
Pathology and Pathobiology

Danijela Cvetković

,

Marina Gazdić Janković

,

Marina Miletić Kovačević

,

Amra Ramović Hamzagić

,

Irena Urošević

,

Vesna Rosić

,

Biljana Ljujić

Abstract: Lipoblastomas are rare, rapidly growing benign tumors rising from embryonic white fatty cells that continue to proliferate in the postnatal period. We presented a case of a toddler with an undifferentiated myxoid neoplasm with features of a minimally differentiated lipoblastoma. Our patient was an 18-month-old female with a painless solid tumefaction in the middle third of the right leg. Histopathologically, the nodular tumor mass consisted of lipobastic cells embedded in a myxoid stroma. Immunohistochemistry showed strong diffuse positivity for vimentin, S100, CD34, CD56, NSE and rare Ki67+ cells. FOXO1 polyploidy was detected in 30% of cells by FISH. Using target RNA sequencing, we detected a fusion gene, CHCHD7-PLAG1, in the tumor sample. Sequence analysis showed that the first exons of CHCHD7 were fused to either exon 2 or exon 3 of PLAG1. Our case demonstrates that due to the histomorphologic overlaps, the molecular diagnostics is essential for confirmation of lipoblastomas.

Article
Physical Sciences
Other

Dora Pancheva

,

Plamen Mukhtarov

Abstract: This paper investigates the seasonal and daily responses of the zonal‑mean O₃ mass‑mixing ratio to polar‑vortex disturbances during the boreal winter of 2023/2024, using MERRA‑2 data for the period 1 October 2023–30 April 2024. In addition to the expected latitudinal coupling during SSW events, the seasonal ozone field exhibited a pronounced zonally asymmetric distribution, referred to as the zonally asymmetric ozone oscillation (ZAOO), most evident in the lower stratosphere throughout the winter months. The seasonal behaviour of the ozone tendency was also investigated. To provide a plausible explanation for the observed features, a combination of the Quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO), dynamical transport, and photochemical processes was considered. For the first time, TEM diagnostics were applied to individual winter seasons and specific SSW events, enabling detailed examination of ozone‑tendency variability across latitude and altitude. The results provide clear quantification of the dynamical and net chemical contributions to both the seasonal (October–April) and specific SSW event ozone tendencies. These findings support systematic assessments of each intriguing winter and SSW event, offering new opportunities to identify links between SSW type and the dominant mechanisms shaping the ozone‑tendency response.

Article
Engineering
Bioengineering

Esteban Padullés-Roig

,

Pablo Sevilla

,

Eugenio Velasco-Ortega

,

Miguel Cerrolaza

,

Darcio Fonseca

,

Jeanne Parache

,

Conrado Aparicio

,

Javier Gil

Abstract: The increasing prevalence of peri-implantitis has led to a growing clinical use of implantoplasty, a procedure involving intraoral machining of the dental implant sur-face to remove biofilm. The absence of standardized clinical protocols may contribute to premature fatigue failure of dental implants. The present study aimed to determine the influence of machining depth on the cyclic mechanical behavior of dental im-plants. A total of 250 commercially pure Grade 3 titanium dental implants were dis-tributed into four groups according to machining depth: untreated (original), 0.2 mm, 0.4 mm, and 0.6 mm wall reduction. The implant system featured an internal connec-tion with a thread height of 0.4 mm. Finite element analysis was performed for each machining depth to evaluate Von Mises stress distribution and to simulate fatigue be-havior. The numerical models were validated through experimental fatigue testing using a servohydraulic MTS Bionix testing machine under ISO 14801:2016 standard conditions. Fractographic analysis was conducted by scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed that maximum Von Mises stresses were concentrated at the junc-tion between the implant thread and the implant body. The fatigue limit of the un-treated implants was approximately 400 N. Implants subjected to 0.4 mm machining exhibited a fatigue limit of 350 N, whereas lower fatigue limits were observed for 0.2 mm (290 N) and 0.6 mm (180 N) reductions. These findings demonstrate the signifi-cant mechanical effect of thread removal. At higher applied loads, fracture occurred in the coronal region of the implant, whereas at lower loads failure shifted to the im-plant–abutment connection. Finite element predictions showed high agreement with experimental results. The findings highlight a clinically relevant criterion: implanto-plasty depth should not exceed the original thread height, as excessive wall reduction markedly compromises fatigue resistance and long-term mechanical reliability.

Article
Computer Science and Mathematics
Mathematics

Ibar Federico Anderson

Abstract:

For every prime p and every integer a, the backward finite difference δp(a) := aᵖ − (a − 1)ᵖ equals the cyclotomic binary form Φp(a, a − 1) and hence the norm N_Q(ζp)/Q(a − ζp(a − 1)). For p = 3 this specialises to δ3(a) = N_Z[ω](a − ω(a − 1)), connecting the individual cubic finite difference — obtained by differencing the classical sum formula of Nicomachus of Gerasa (∼100 CE) — with the Eisenstein norm that appears in Euler's factorisation of a³ + b³.Starting from the historical identity S3(n) = Tₙ² where Tₙ = n(n + 1)/2, and applying the backward finite difference operator ∇f(n) := f(n) − f(n − 1) — formalised by Taylor (1715) and systematised by Boole (1860) — the Cubic Identity is derived: n³ = (n²/4)[(n + 1)² − (n − 1)²] = Tₙ² − Tₙ₋₁².This identity is extended to all p ≥ 1 via the Universal Faulhaber–Bernoulli Identity (UFBI): nᵖ = 1/(p+1) Σⱼ₌₀ᵖ C(p+1,j) Bⱼ⁺ δp+1−j(n), δm(n) := nᵐ − (n−1)ᵐ.The central contribution of this work is the Unified Chain Formula: ∇Tₙ² = δ3(a) = N_Z[ω](a − ω(a−1)) = Φ3(a, a−1) = N_Q(ζ3)/Q(a − ζ3(a−1)), which connects, in a single proved identity, five centuries of mathematics: Nicomachus (1st century), Boole (19th century), Euler/Eisenstein (18th century), and Gauss/cyclotomic theory (19th–20th centuries). This chain is not present as such in the existing literature; its originality lies in the explicit articulation of these connections, not in the individual equalities, each of which follows from classical results.Beyond the Unified Chain, the following new elements are introduced: (i) the Tower of Norms a³ = Σₖ₌₁ᵃ N(αk), making explicit how each perfect cube is a stack of hexagonal norms; (ii) the Cyclotomic Compatibility Index ICC(n, p), which quantifies the arithmetic obstruction to hᵖ = aᵖ + bᵖ having integer solutions; (iii) the Window Incompatibility Theorem, formalising why the hexagonal windows {a−1, a, a+1} and {b−1, b, b+1} can never merge into a single window {h−1, h, h+1} in Z[ω] for a, b ≥ 2; (iv) the Order Theorem for δm(n), providing a complete characterisation of prime divisibility of finite differences via multiplicative orders; (v) the Extreme Reduction Theorem (ERT), showing that the Order Filter eliminates every pair (a, b) with a ≥ 2 from the equation a³ + b³ = c³, reducing the problem to the case a = 1; (vi) the Fermatian Rigidity Index R(p), a quantitative measure of how far (aᵖ + bᵖ)^(1/p) is from an integer. All results are illustrated throughout by the single running example a = 6, b = 10, and the key number 91 = 7 × 13. Verified over 179,700 pairs with 50-digit precision: zero exceptions. This work does not claim to prove Fermat's Last Theorem, definitively established by Wiles [1].

Article
Business, Economics and Management
Human Resources and Organizations

Sebastian Oltedal Thorp

,

Lars Morten Rimol

,

Martine Klock Fleten

,

Simen Kristoffer Berg Hoel

Abstract: This study examines predictors of workplace adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in a Norwegian employee sample (N = 196). Hierarchical logistic regression tested whether education, sector, sex, age, leadership, strengths-based leadership (SBL), training, and engagement predicted AI use. Education was the strongest predictor. Employees with a bachelor’s degree were 3.64 times, and those with a master’s degree more than 11.15 times, more likely to use AI than those with secondary education. Knowledge-intensive sector employees were 2.52 times more likely to adopt AI than those in skills-focused sectors. Men were 2.94 times more likely than women to use AI. Neither age nor leadership role showed significant effects. SBL independently predicted adoption (OR = 1.89). Training and engagement were unrelated to adoption. Overall, findings show that structural, sociodemographic, and organizational factors shape AI adoption, underscoring the need for targeted strategies to ensure equitable, effective uptake across the workforce.

Review
Medicine and Pharmacology
Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Fernando M. Runzer-Colmenares

,

Nelson Luis Cahuapaza-Gutierrez

,

Cielo Cinthya Calderon-Hernandez

,

Mariam Miyanay Umeres-Bravo

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Vaccination against respiratory viruses—such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), pneumococcal disease, influenza, and COVID-19—may reduce the risk of adverse outcomes in older adults with cardiovascular disease. This study conducted a scoping review of the effects of respiratory vaccines in older adults with cardiovascular disease. Methods: We included studies evaluating adults aged ≥60 years with cardiovascular disease who received different types of respiratory vaccines. Eligible designs comprised clinical trials, observational cohort studies, and other relevant studies. Editorials, commentaries, and non-original publications were excluded. A comprehensive and targeted literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Science from database inception through January 2026. Results: A total of 26 studies were included, encompassing 1,782,787 adults aged ≥60 years with cardiovascular disease who received various respiratory vaccines. RSV vaccines were associated with a lower incidence of cardiorespiratory hospitalization and stroke among vaccinated individuals. Pneumococcal vaccines showed that sequential dual vaccination strategies were associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events. Influenza vaccination was associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes, lower mortality, and reduced adverse events. COVID-19 vaccines were associated with reductions in mortality and hospitalizations. These benefits are particularly relevant in an older population with a high burden of comorbidities; therefore, complete vaccination schedules, including booster doses, should be considered a central strategy for prevention and comprehensive management in this high-risk group. Conclusions: Vaccination against respiratory viruses in older adults with cardiovascular disease demonstrates an overall favorable/acceptable profile of efficacy and safety, with reductions in mortality, hospitalizations, and cardiovascular events, without a significant increase in serious adverse events.

Article
Physical Sciences
Quantum Science and Technology

Guang-Liang Li

Abstract: Bell tests and Bell's theorem used to interpret the test results opened the door to quantum information processing, such as quantum computation and quantum communication. Based on the erroneous interpretation of the test results, quantum information processing contradicts a well-established mathematical fact in point-set topology. In this study, the feasibility of quantum computation and quantum communication is investigated. The findings are as follows. (a) Experimentally confirmed statistical predictions of quantum mechanics are not evidence of experimentally realized quantum information processing systems. (b) Physical carriers of quantum information coded by quantum bits (qubits) do not exist in the real world. (c) Einstein's ensemble interpretation of wave-function not only will eliminate inexplicable weirdness in quantum physics but also can help us see clearly none of quantum objects in the real world carry quantum information. The findings lead to an inevitable conclusion: Without carriers representing quantum information, physical implementations of quantum information processing systems are merely an unrealizable myth. Examples are given for illustrating the reported results. For readers who are unfamiliar with point-set topology, the examples may alleviate difficulty in understanding the results.

Article
Medicine and Pharmacology
Surgery

Guglielmetti Laura

,

Sina Schmidt

,

Al-Hammoud Jasmin

,

Senne Moritz

,

Busch Mirjam

,

Wagner Joachim

,

Harsch Simone

,

Andreas Zielke

,

Smaxwil Constantin

Abstract: Background: Post-thyroidectomy vocal cord dysfunction (PT-VCD) is an important side effect of thyroid surgery. With the introduction of IONM, hopes have been raised that either the rate or severity of PT-VCD could be reduced. However, data to support these concepts are scarce. To better understand the relationship between IONM outcomes and the severity of PT-VCD, a detailed time course evaluation of recovery of PT-VCD was performed in a continuous clinical quality registry from a specialized high-volume endocrine surgery center. Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively documented data from a clinical quality assurance registry from June 2015 to May 2016 with a 12-month follow-up of all cases. All patients underwent vocal cord (VC) laryngoscopy (VCL) by independent ENT specialists before and after surgery. Cases with newly diagnosed PT-VCD were enrolled in a detailed follow-up program (recruiting from June 2015 to May 2016) and structured telephone interviews every 4-6weeks to assess the exact time course of PT-VCD recovery and VC status for periods of at least 12 months. Clinical data were analyzed for variables affecting the time course of recovery by univariate analysis. Results: From 6/2015 - 5/2016 there were 1097 consecutive thyroid procedures. During this period, there were 78 PT-VCD (1591 nerves at risk (NAR); 4,9 %) entered into the detailed follow-up-program. Of these, 3 PT-VCD persisted at 12 months (PT-VCD 0,18 % NAR), with 6 LOF (maximum rate of potentially persisting PT-VCD of 0,54% NAR). 15% of PT-VCD recovered within 4 weeks, mean recovery time was 4.4 months and 6 months after thyroidectomy 18 % still had impaired VC laryngoscopy tests. Individual cases were followed > 12 months showing late full recovery of PT-VCD, challenging the definition of permanent VCD. Logistic regression analysis revealed non-transitory loss of signal (ntLOS) (OR for recovery within 12 weeks 0.39 (95%CI 0.15-0.98), p= 0.046) and more specific, secondary ntLOS to be a significant independent predictor of PT-VCP recovery > 12 weeks (OR for recovery within 12 weeks 0.303 (95%CI 0.115-0.797), p= 0.016). Conclusion: For the first time, these data provide a detailed description of the time course of PT-VCD recovery in a large cohort and a correlation with operative data and IONM. We found that recovery takes a long time and non-transitory loss of signal – especially secondary ntLOS - during IONM was associated with prolonged PT-VCD recovery. Therefore, IONM provides an additional benefit and early initiation of speech therapy may be advisable for these patients.

Article
Public Health and Healthcare
Other

Hilda Meriyandah

,

Yuri Nurdiantami

,

Smarika Shresta

,

Maiko Shigeeda

,

Tokie Anme

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Children’s social development is a significant aspect that supports appropriate behavior in the community, and parents, as the main caregivers, play a central role in developing children’s social skills. However, caregivers experiencing psychological distress – such as depression, anxiety, stress - may find it challenging to provide a nurturing rearing environment. This longitudinal study examined whether caregivers’ baseline mental health predicts children’s social skills 1 year later in an urban Indonesian context. Methods: A one-year follow-up study was conducted in an urban area of Indonesia in 2023–2024, inviting all nine kindergartens in the area to participate. Caregivers completed the demographic and Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21), while teachers assessed children’s social skills using the Social Skills Scale (SSS). Linear mixed-effects models with random intercepts for kindergarten were estimated to account for clustering. Results: Finally, a total of 270 parent–child dyads were included. After adjusting for baseline social skills and covariates, higher levels of baseline caregiver depression (B = -0.15, p < .001), anxiety (B = -.22, p < .001), and stress (B = -.27, p < .001) were associated with lower children's social skills in the follow-up. Conclusions: Even subclinical variations in caregiver psychological distress may meaningfully influence children’s social development over time. Strengthening caregiver mental health support, particularly in urban communities, may represent an important pathway for promoting early social competence and long-term developmental outcomes.

Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Biophysics

Sheng-Nan Wu

,

Rasa Liutkevičienė

,

Vita Rovite

,

Chung-Hung Tsai

,

Sheng-Che Lin

Abstract: Telmisartan (TEL) is a non-peptide, orally administered antihypertensive agent primarily known as angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) blocker. In this review, we provide a detailed overview of how TEL modulates voltage-gated Na+ current (INa) and affects action potential (AP) firing behavior. TEL exerts differential stimulatory effects on the peak and late components of INa when subjected to brief depolarizing pulses across a range of cell types, such as mHippoE-14 hippocampal neuron, cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons, and HL-1 atrial cardiomyocytes. TEL can augment the inactivating (persistent) INa elicited by ascending long ramp pulse in mHippoE-14 cells. By using a parvalbumin-expressing interneuron-based modeled cell combined with bifurcation analysis, it is possible to predict how applied current influences subthreshold oscillations and the generation of somatic spiking in the presence of TEL. According to the Hodgkin-Huxley model, mimicking the action of TEL—characterized by an increased peak amplitude of INa and a slowed inactivation time course—leads to the emergence of periodic oscillations in membrane potential. Using a Markovian process, a separate model can also be mathematically constructed, showing that changes in certain rate constants can simulate the effect of TEL on INa in cardiac cells. The molecular docking prediction between TEL and the NaV1.7 channel was made by expected formation of hydrophobic interactions as well as hydrogen bonding. Beyond its antagonistic action on AT1 receptor and agonistic activation of peroxisome proliferator-activator-γ, the direct stimulation of INa may also contribute to its modulation of AP firing in various excitable cells. Current evidence supports TEL’s modulatory impact on NaV channel activity and cellular excitability, while also acknowledging that the mechanism—whether direct or indirect—remains under investigation.

Article
Chemistry and Materials Science
Nanotechnology

Alaa Y. Mahmoud

,

Walaa Al-masri

Abstract: Hydrophobic carbon quantum dots (hbCQDs) with tunable photoluminescence were synthesized via a solvothermal approach and further hybridized with Rhodamine B (RhB) to extend emission into the visible range. The hbCQDs exhibit quasi-spherical morphology with an average particle size of 8 nm and predominantly disordered graphitic structure, as confirmed by TEM and XRD analyses. FTIR and XPS characterizations reveal surface functional groups including C–N, C=O/C–O, and S–H, which govern the photoluminescence properties. Pure hbCQDs display blue emission at 453 nm under excitation, with a quantum yield (QY) of 6.2%. Incorporation of RhB leads to dual-emission behavior: the surface-state emission remains in the blue region, while molecular-state emission from RhB appears in the orange-red region. The 0.2 mL RhB–CQD composite exhibits optimal properties, including a QY of 13% and a production yield of 82%, emitting white light under 365 nm UV excitation. Increasing RhB loading to 0.4 mL results in a shift of emission peaks and a reduced QY (<9%), with weaker orange fluorescence. These findings demonstrate that controlled RhB hybridization effectively tunes the emission spectrum of hbCQDs, offering a simple and reproducible strategy to achieve dual-color and white-light emission. The optimized hbCQDs/RhB composites hold significant potential for applications in hydrophobic media-compatible optoelectronics, light-emitting devices, and bioimaging.

Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Life Sciences

Amanda Silva Costa

,

Luciana Veloso da Costa

,

Rebeca Vitória da Silva Lage de Miranda

,

Talita Bernardo Valadão

,

Stephen James Forsythe

,

Marcelo Luiz Lima Brandão

Abstract: Inadequate surface sanitization represents a significant risk to sterility assurance and regulatory compliance. Therefore an effective cleaning and disinfection programme is a critical component of contamination control strategies in pharmaceutical facilities manufacturing sterile medicinal products. This study aimed to standardize a carrier-based methodology for evaluating the efficacy of disinfectants against in-house environmental isolates recovered from a pharmaceutical industry facility. Nine representative strains (six bacteria and three fungi), selected based on historical environmental monitoring data (2012–2022), were characterized using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization - time-of-flight / mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and molecular sequencing (16S rRNA or D2 LSU rDNA). Disinfectant efficacy was assessed on stainless-steel and low-density polyethylene surfaces using NF T 72-281:2014 with adaptations, testing alcohol 70%, sodium hypochlorite 0.5%, quaternary ammonium 0.05%, peracetic acid 0.5%, and accelerated hydrogen peroxide wipes. All agents demonstrated ≥5 log₁₀ reductions against vegetative bacteria and fungi on both surfaces. However, variable sporicidal performance was observed, particularly for one Bacillus cereus group strain (B1342/15), which showed limited reduction on stainless-steel. These findings highlight inter-strain variability and the greater tolerance of surface-associated spores. The study reinforces the importance of carrier-based testing using in-house isolates to ensure realistic validation of disinfectants and to strengthen microbiological risk management within pharmaceutical contamination control strategies.

Article
Engineering
Marine Engineering

Junwei Dong

,

Ze Sun

,

Peng Zhang

,

Jiale Zhang

,

Chen Chen

,

Run Qian

Abstract: In the marine navigation environment, static obstacles such as shallow waters, islands, and restricted zones coexist with dynamic threats like typhoons. Rapidly planning safe, shortest routes is crucial for ensuring vessel and personnel safety while enhancing navigation efficiency. However, existing path planning algorithms face limitations when addressing dynamic threats like typhoons, struggling to achieve an effective balance between efficiency and effectiveness. To address this, this study proposes an improved Time-Dynamic Theta algorithm (TDM-Theta*) based on the Theta algorithm. By incorporating wave height as a key constraint, it comprehensively evaluates the actual impact of dynamic marine environments on routes, thereby efficiently planning safe, shortest paths that proactively avoid typhoon impacts. Through testing and analysis of eight case studies across three typical scenarios, this algorithm demonstrates high efficiency and effectiveness in planning the shortest safe routes across diverse operational environments. The research findings provide theoretical foundations and methodological support for intelligent planning of safe vessel routes.

Hypothesis
Medicine and Pharmacology
Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases

Amr Ahmed

Abstract: Despite the availability of antibiotics, pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading infectious cause of mortality globally. Treatment failure and the emergence of drug-resistant strains are largely driven by the heterogeneous architecture of caseating granulomas and the complex biophysical mechanisms by which Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) evades host immunity. Highly lipophilic frontline drugs, such as bedaquiline and clofazimine, exhibit severe sequestration within the lipid-rich necrotic caseum, preventing them from reaching the dormant persister bacilli at the lesion's core. Furthermore, recent biophysical discoveries reveal that Mtb utilizes extracellular vesicles and specialized lipids to mechanically stiffen host macrophage membranes, thereby arresting phagosome-lysosome fusion. This review proposes an AI-optimized, "Trojan Horse" hybrid nanocarrier strategy—comprising a lipidic core, a mucoadhesive chitosan shell, mannose-targeted ligands, and pH-responsive release mechanisms—to bypass these dual barriers. By bridging lesion-centric pharmacokinetics ( , ), novel bioorthogonal diagnostic probes, and machine learning formulation designs, we present a translational roadmap aimed at achieving complete sterilization of caseous cavities.

Article
Environmental and Earth Sciences
Environmental Science

Bilal Jan Haji Muhammad

,

Muhammad Jalal Mohabbat

,

Lia Duarte

,

Ana Cláudia Teodoro

Abstract: Changes in land use and land cover (LULC) are among the leading contributors to global envi-ronmental transformation. Analyzing these dynamics is essential for understanding historical land utilization patterns and identifying the key drivers behind such shifts. This research focuses on LULC changes in the Kunar region of eastern Afghanistan. To classify the LULC types, the study area was divided into nine major classes using the Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm, based on Landsat 07 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) data for 2004 and Landsat 8 Oper-ational Land Imager (OLI) data for 2014 and 2024. Past and present changes were evaluated using ArcGIS 10.8, while future scenarios for 2034 and 2044 were simulated using the Land Change Modeler (LCM) embedded in the TerrSet platform, combined with the Cellular Automata–Markov Chain (CA-MC) model with 90% kappa agreement validation value. From 2004 to 2024, grassland expanded significantly from 68.93% (3,406 km2) to 73.94% (3,654 km2). Built-up areas grew from 0.59% (29.10 km2) in 2014 to 1.02% (50.39 km2) in 2024. Conversely, dense forest cover declined from 27.50% (1,358.90 km2) to 22.96% (1,134.75 km2), a decrease of 224.15 km2. Barren land, after a temporary increase, also showed a net decline. Projections for 2034 and 2044 suggest a further reduction in forested areas to 1,077 km2, while grasslands and urbanized zones are ex-pected to increase to 3690 km2 and 60.63 km2, respectively. These trends emphasize a swift transi-tion in land use patterns, primarily driven by the conversion of forested and barren landscapes into settlements and grasslands. The findings underline the urgent need for implementing sus-tainable land management strategies to curb environmental degradation and ensure balanced land resource utilization in the future.

Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Horticulture

Adelina Venig

Abstract: Efficient irrigation management is critical for increasing water production and providing high-quality planting material in fruit tree nurseries. This study looked at how four different irrigation depths (0, 10, 20, and 30 mm each irrigation event) affected graft establishment, nursery survival rate, total water consumption, and irrigation water productivity in peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch). Field studies were carried out in a commercial nursery in northeastern Romania over two consecutive growth seasons, with two cultivars ('Redhaven' and 'Cresthaven') and four fertilization levels in a factorial design. Irrigation considerably increased graft take and the number of marketable nursery trees compared to rainfed circumstances. Moderate irrigation (20 mm per irrigation event) resulted in the highest nursery survival rate and water efficiency. Higher irrigation inputs increased total water use, but reduced irrigation water productivity. Regression analysis revealed nonlinear connections between water consumption and nursery performance, implying that productivity advantages drop with increasing irrigation levels. The findings suggest that moderate watering can boost nursery yield while conserving water. These findings offer practical recommendations for irrigation management in commercial peach nursery production systems.

Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Neuroscience and Neurology

Vivek Raghavan

Abstract: Visual field testing is critical in diagnosing and managing glaucoma, which affects over 80 million people worldwide, as well as other ocular diseases and stroke. Visual field test perimeters detect blind spots (scotomas) and map the boundaries of a patient’s visual field. Standard perimetry machines are accurate, but prohibitively expensive and inaccessible in low-resource settings, while traditionally accessible forms of perimetry are less reliable. Virtual reality (VR)- based perimetry systems offer a potential low-cost, accessible alternative. This study reviews the development, clinical potential, and accuracy of VR perimetry. Findings showed that VR-based perimetry systems were comparable to, and in some cases even more effective than, standard perimetry tests, but these results were not universal, suggesting that greater standardization of testing protocols is necessary.

Article
Social Sciences
Psychology

João Hipólito

,

Tito Laneiro

,

Samuel Antunes

,

Yohana Souza

Abstract: The main aim of this study was to investigate the association between areas of work life and engagement in the development of burnout syndrome in self-employed and sub-ordinate psychologists. Using a cross-sectional approach with quantitative and qualitative elements, three scales validated for the Brazilian population were applied: Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT), Areas of Worklife Survey (AWS) and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES). 180 psychology professionals took part, with a predominance of females (88.3%) and a majority aged between 24 and 29. The results revealed a strong negative correlation between the BAT domains and aspects assessed by the UWES, confirming the inverse association between engagement and burnout. In addition, the positive associa-tion between areas of work life and engagement was confirmed. However, there was no confirmation of the negative association between areas of work life and burnout, and no evidence was found that these areas act as mediators in the relation between engagement and burnout. Thus, although the areas of work life have been shown to influence en-gagement and burnout independently, their role as mediators in this relationship has not been confirmed. Although some hypotheses were confirmed and significant associations were found, the research also encountered unexpected results and limitations that deserve to be considered in future investigations such as this one.

Article
Computer Science and Mathematics
Algebra and Number Theory

Frank Vega

Abstract: The Riemann Hypothesis, one of the most celebrated open problems in mathematics, addresses the location of the non-trivial zeros of the Riemann zeta function and their profound connection to the distribution of prime numbers. Since Riemann’s original formulation in 1859, countless approaches have attempted to establish its truth, often by examining the asymptotic behavior of arithmetic functions such as Chebyshev’s function θ(x). In this work, we introduce a new criterion that links the hypothesis to the comparative growth of θ(x) and primorial numbers. By analyzing this relationship, we demonstrate that the Riemann Hypothesis follows from intrinsic properties of θ(x) when measured against the structure of primorials. This perspective highlights a striking equivalence between the distribution of primes and the analytic behavior of ζ(s), reinforcing the deep interplay between multiplicative number theory and analytic inequalities. Beyond its implications for the hypothesis itself, the result offers a fresh framework for understanding how prime distribution governs the analytic landscape of the zeta function, thereby providing new insight into one of mathematics’ most enduring mysteries.

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