Browse Articles

Nutritional quality and in vitro gas production of Piptocoma discolor (Kunth) Pruski forage across contrasting landscapes in the Colombian Amazon Piedmont

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional quality and in vitro total gas production of Piptocoma discolor (Kunth) Pruski forage collected from two contrasting landscapes (alluvial plain and hill) in the Colombian Amazon piedmont. To achieve this, leaf and non-lignified stem samples were collected from scattered trees in each landscape and analyzed for their nutritional composition, degradability, and gas production. Crude protein (CP) levels differed significantly between landscapes (p < 0.05), with higher concentrations in the alluvial plain compared to the hill (14.6% vs. 9.5%, respectively). A similar trend was observed for ash, phosphorus, and nitrogen content (p < 0.05). However, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content was higher in the hill landscape. The concentrations of magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium, zinc, manganese, copper, and iron did not differ significantly between landscapes (p < 0.05). Regardless of the landscape, P. discolor exhibited moderately acceptable degradability (72%). Cumulative gas production (CGP) at 96 h was significantly higher (p < 0.05) for forage collected in the hill landscape compared to the alluvial plain (66 vs. 53 ml CGP/g dry matter incubated, respectively). These results confirm the potential of P. discolor to improve ruminant nutrition and support sustainable silvopastoral practices in the region.

Artificial intelligence perceptions and career anxiety among health sciences students

Unveiling the role of interleukin-13 in liver fibrosis of chronic hepatitis B patients: Development of a predictive model

Background Developing a non-invasive model is essential for assessing liver stiffness in conditions without transient elastography, which will determine further management in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Objectives This study aims to evaluate the interleukin-13 role in liver fibrosis and develop a new predictive model that includes interleukin-13 and standard data such as age and platelet count. Methods Patients were recruited from Hasan Sadikin General Hospital’s CHB registry from October 2021 to January 2022. Patients underwent demographic data collection, complete blood count, interleukin-13, and transient elastography examinations on the same day. The platelet count variable was listed in ×10 9 / dL, and the interleukin-13 in pg/mL. Interleukin-13 values were categorized as positive for IL-13 with a cut-off of 5 pg/mL (ILcut5). The liver stiffness measurement was inverted to obtain a normal distribution and became inverseLSM as the model’s outcome. The prediction model was formed through multiple linear regression analysis. Results and Discussion The number of patients studied was 88. A prediction model for inverseLSM was formulated, had an R 2 of 0.37, and consisted of age, platelet count, and ILcut5 with correlation coefficients of -0.221, 0.326, and −0.288, respectively. The model had no autocorrelation, multicollinearity, or significant outliers, a normal distribution appearance, and met the homoscedastic criterion. Elevated IL-13, decreased platelet count, and aging are linked to increased liver stiffness.

Polarons in Heterogeneous Photo(electro)Catalysts

ABSTRACT Heterogeneous photo(electro)catalysis involves sequential steps of photon absorption, charge separation, polaron formation, trapping, bulk and surface recombination, charge extraction, and surface catalysis. Among these, the formation and dynamics of polarons, quasiparticles resulting from strong electron‐lattice interactions, play a pivotal yet often underappreciated role. With ultrafast lifetimes ranging from femtoseconds to picoseconds, polarons are challenging to control, but they crucially influence photon absorption, charge carrier mobility, recombination rates, and catalytic reactivity. Recent advances in time‐resolved spectroscopy, scanning probe microscopy, and theoretical modeling have enabled direct observation and mechanistic interpretation of polaronic states in various photoactive semiconductors. This minireview aims to provide a comprehensive and pedagogical overview of polaron phenomena in heterogeneous photo(electro)catalysts, with a focus on how they affect key material functionalities. Special emphasis is placed on correlating material performance with polaron behavior through state‐of‐the‐art experimental characterization and modeling techniques. By highlighting mechanistic insights and unifying design principles, this minireview aims to guide the rational engineering of semiconductors with tailored polaronic properties for enhanced photo(electro)catalytic performance.

GRNN–DP–MPC Co-optimization for predictive energy management in hybrid UAVs

Cost-utility and budget impact analyses of significant fibrosis detection in individuals with metabolic syndrome or obesity in Thailand

Introduction Evidence on screening for significant fibrosis in individuals with metabolic syndrome or obesity at risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease is limited in low- and middle-income countries. We conducted a cost-utility analysis and a 5-year budget impact analysis of 3 one-time screening strategies versus no screening in Thai adults with metabolic syndrome or obesity. Methods We built a lifetime economic model from a societal perspective to estimate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and costs. Strategies were: (1) Fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) followed by transient elastography (TE), (2) Steatosis-Associated Fibrosis Estimator score followed by TE, and (3) TE alone. Inputs came from a literature review and primary data analysis. Costs and outcomes were discounted at 3% annually. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were compared with a willingness-to-pay threshold of 160,000 THB (4,619 USD) per QALY gained. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were undertaken, and a 5-year budget impact analysis was performed from the payer perspective. Results In metabolic syndrome, FIB-4 + TE yielded an ICER of 104,588 THB (3,019 USD) per QALY gained versus no screening. The Steatosis-Associated Fibrosis Estimator score plus TE yielded 128,274 THB (3,703 USD). Extended dominance identified FIB-4 + TE as the sole cost-effective strategy. In obesity, all strategies were cost-effective, with TE alone preferred. The transition from fibrosis stage F3 to F4 most influenced ICERs. The probability that FIB-4 + TE was cost-effective ranged from 59% to 78%. Estimated annual budget impact over 5 years ranged from 564 to 2,314 million THB (16.3–66.8 million USD). Conclusions One-time screening was not uniformly cost-effective. In metabolic syndrome, only FIB-4 + TE was cost-effective. In obesity, all strategies were cost-effective. Given non-robustness in the estimated cost-effectiveness and the substantial budget impact, implementation should balance expected health gains against affordability.

Enhancing educational assessment through automated question classification using a RoBERTa-based ensemble model

Prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension and risk assessment using a validated survey in community-based screening in Amman, Jordan

Background and objectives The rising incidence of hypertension in Jordan has contributed to high rates of associated morbidity/mortality and increased societal costs. Hypertension affects approximately 30% of Jordan’s adult population. This study assessed the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension through blood pressure measurement and evaluated future hypertension risk using a validated survey in a community setting. The survey instrument incorporates demographic and clinical factors to predict the likelihood of hypertension development within a nine-year timeframe. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional local community screening in Amman, Jordan (Sept 2022-Sept 2023). Trained university pharmacy students had measured blood pressure and distributed a validated 9-risk predictors questionnaire to adults without diagnosed hypertension during a single visit. Participants were categorized using American Heart Association criteria. Results Among 932 adult participants of the study, approximately 57% were female, 34% were overweight, 16% were obese, and 5.3% were extremely obese. Risk factors included current smoking (38%), diabetes mellitus comorbidity (8%), family history of hypertension (61%), and insufficient exercise (62%). Systolic readings were classified as elevated (45%), stage 1 (15%), or stage 2 (5.5%). Diastolic readings had stage 1 (42%) or stage 2 (7.6%). Participants with risk scores ≥17 (n = 39) were those who had current hypertension (BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg). Those were classified as high-risk based on established cutoffs. Conclusion Our community screening revealed a high prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension (20.6%) and identified a substantial proportion at high risk for future hypertension. The risk assessment tool showed good screening ability to reveal the participants’ hypertension status, supporting its utility for risk stratification in resource-limited settings. Moreover, our validated risk tool effectively classified between those with and without current hypertension and identified individuals needing intensive preventive interventions. This dual approach of BP measurement and risk assessment may guide targeted screening intervals and preventive interventions in Jordan and similar settings.

Subway door fault prediction employing stacking ensemble learning

Correction: Gagea kotuchovii (Liliaceae) a new species from the Karatau Mountains (western Tian Shan, Kazakhstan) evidenced by morphological and molecular analyses

Effect of root canal filling techniques and materials on endodontic treatment outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Root canal filling is a critical determinant of endodontic treatment success, yet limited evidence exists regarding the superiority of specific techniques or materials over others. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the clinical and radiographic outcomes of different root canal obturation techniques and materials in primary treatments and retreatments. We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect up to the last week of November 2025 following PRISMA guidelines. Studies were included if they reported primary or retreatment outcomes with at least 6 months of follow-up, < 25% loss to follow-up, and explicit documentation of obturation techniques and clinical/radiographic success. Risk of bias was assessed with ROBINS-I (cohort studies) and RoB 2.0 (randomized studies), and the overall evidence certainty was rated using GRADE. Success rates were compared across techniques using mixed-effects meta-regression, estimating differences in outcomes (beta coefficients) with 95% confidence intervals and accounting for between-study heterogeneity. Eighty-four studies (11,965 samples) met all inclusion criteria. In primary treatments, overall success rates were 87.1% at 6 months and 87.2% at 12 months, without significant differences among techniques. At 24 months, success increased to 92.0%; cold lateral condensation (CLC) (difference: 5.0%, p  = 0.021) and carrier-based (CB) techniques (difference: 7.5%, p  = 0.011) showed higher success than single-cone (SC). Beyond 3 years, success decreased to 84.9%, with no statistically significant differences among warm vertical compaction (WVC), warm lateral compaction (WLC), CLC, SC, and CB techniques. In retreatments, success rates were 92.9% at 6 months, 77.0% at 12 months, and 83.5% at 24 months. At 12 months, SC showed a marginally higher success than CLC ( p  = 0.045), while at 24 months, CB significantly outperformed WVC ( p  = 0.004). Beyond 3 years, success decreased to 73.7%, with no significant differences between CLC and CB techniques. Overall, primary treatments presented higher success than retreatments. At 24 months, CLC and CB techniques showed modest advantages, which were not maintained at longer follow-ups. Success appears multifactorial, with operator expertise and case selection having greater impact than obturation technique. The overall certainty of evidence remained low to very low, particularly for long-term outcomes. Bioceramic sealers used with SC techniques have not demonstrated clear clinical benefits or improved retreatment outcomes. High heterogeneity and risk of bias suggest a need for well-powered, multicenter, long-term randomized trials with standardized outcome reporting to establish clinical standards (PROSPERO registration: CRD42024524608).

Utilization of palliative care services and associated factors among cancer patients in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction Palliative care is vital for cancer management in low- and middle-income countries like Ethiopia, but underutilization leads to unmanaged symptoms and reduced patient quality of life, and fragmented studies hinder evidence-based planning and policy development. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to synthesize existing literature to estimate the utilization rate of Palliative care among cancer patients in Ethiopia and to identify key influencing factors. Review method and data sources This study employed a systematic review and meta-analysis design to assess Palliative care utilization and its influencing factors among cancer patients in Ethiopia, sourcing evidence from various electronic databases until April 07, and studies published between 2015 and 2024 were included. The data was extracted from June 10–20 and analyzed from June 21–30, with report generation till July 27, 2025, using R software. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model, with forest plots illustrating pooled prevalence and associated factors. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic, and study quality was evaluated by using a validated tool, the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist. Results A total of nine cross-sectional studies involving 2,839 cancer patients were included. The pooled Palliative care utilization rate was 42% (95% CI: 30%–54%). Educational attainment (pooled AOR = 2.57; 95% CI: 1.42–3.75) and male gender (pooled AOR = 5.58; 95% CI: 3.01–10.33) were factors significantly associated with Palliative care utilization. Conclusion This review showed the Palliative care utilization rate was 42%. Palliative care utilization in Ethiopia remains insufficient, reflecting systemic, socioeconomic, and geographic inequities. Expanding access will require decentralization of services to reach rural communities, integration of Palliative care into primary healthcare, investment in workforce capacity, and improved patient and family awareness. Strengthening these areas is essential to ensure equitable, patient-centered, and sustainable Palliative care delivery in Ethiopia. PROSPERO registration number CRD420251027739.

Reducing noise levels in eddy current measurements using self-differential probes of the substrate conductivity under a layer of conductive coating in moved objects

Specific genes of the dopaminergic (dop-3) and serotonergic (tph-1) pathways contribute to the effects of ethanol consumption in Caenorhabditis elegans

Background Excessive alcohol consumption is a global health issue and a leading cause of disease, disability, and mortality. This study aimed to determine the effects of a 24-hour ethanol exposure, post-exposure withdrawal (cessation of alcohol intake), and post-exposure withdrawal relief on the sensorimotor performance of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans . Methods A modified kinetic chemotaxis assay (commonly referred as “diacetyl race”) was conducted with worm populations subjected to three different doses of ethanol pre-exposure to assess the impact of ethanol on locomotion. Additionally, we employed lifespan, mobility, gene expression analysis and imaging assays to evaluate health status and molecular alterations occurring in the worms under different levels of ethanol exposure. Results Wild-type, dopamine receptor mutant and serotonin biosynthesis null mutant worms presented different responses to ethanol in the kinetic chemotaxis assay. Furthermore, exposure to ethanol altered vesicle exocytosis in dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons and the expression of a panel of genes associated with stress responses. Additionally, 24-hour ethanol exposure differentially influenced the lifespan of wild-type and mutant worms. Conclusions Different responses, which may be relevant to the pathogenesis of human alcohol use disorder, were observed in wild-type worms, a dopamine receptor mutant, and a serotonin biosynthesis null mutant in a variety of assays performed. Furthermore, we present a 3-step experimental model for drug tolerance, based on the well-established kinetic chemotaxis behavioral paradigm (“diacetyl race”). This model provides new insights into the effects of alcohol in worms, particularly regarding the roles of dopamine and serotonin neurotransmission. Importantly, this model holds potential for investigating the effects of other addictive substances beyond alcohol.

Numerical modeling of CZTS based heterostructured solar cell for high efficiency PV performance

Beyond linearity - a new Partial Least Squares - Path Modelling (PLS-PM) inner weighting scheme for detecting and approximating nonlinear structural relationships in Structural Equation Models

A new inner weighting scheme for Partial Least Squares – Path Modelling (PLS-PM) is proposed to detect and approximate nonlinear structural relationships in Structural Equation Models (SEM). PLS-PM is an iterative method used for the estimation of Structural Equation Models (SEM), a widely used analytical tool for assessing causal relationships between latent variables. However, PLS-PM struggles to address the structural nonlinear relationships. To address this limitation, a new PLS-PM inner weighting scheme, smooth weighting , is proposed as an additional option to the traditional centroid , factor , and path weighting schemes. A real marketing dataset is used to demonstrate the usefulness of the method for finding evidence of nonlinearity, and a simulated dataset is used to assess its ability to approximate underlying (unknown) nonlinear structural relationships. The results show that the proposed scheme can recover several nonlinear functional forms, outperforming existing inner weighting schemes for commonly used sample sizes (larger than 75 units), regardless of the level of error contamination in the observed manifest variables.

Synthesis of magnetite nanocomposite supported on apple peel-derived activated carbon for removal of methylene blue from aqueous solutions

Elucidating the potential carcinogenic molecular mechanisms of parabens in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma through network toxicology and molecular docking

Objective This study aims to systematically investigate the molecular mechanisms through which parabens may contribute to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) carcinogenesis using integrated network toxicology and molecular docking. Materials and methods Six commonly used parabens (ethyl-, propyl-, methyl-, heptyl-, butyl-, and benzylparaben) were selected for toxicity prediction via ProTox 3.0 and ADMETlab2.0. Their potential targets were retrieved from Swiss Target Prediction, ChEMBL, and the Similarity Ensemble Approach (SEA). HNSCC-related targets were collected from GeneCards, OMIM, and CTD, while differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using TCGA-HNSC data. Functional enrichment, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction, hub gene identification, molecular docking, and immune infiltration analyses were performed using DAVID, STRING, Cytoscape, CB-DOCK2, and TIMER2.0. Results We identified 80 common targets through which parabens may exert toxic effects in HNSCC. Among these, 12 hub genes (CCNB1, CDK1, CCNA2, CDK2, CDK4, TYMS, AURKA, CCNA1, CHEK1, CCNB2, PLK1, CDC25A) were significantly overexpressed in HNSCC tissues and were primarily enriched in cell cycle regulation, p53 signaling, and viral carcinogenesis pathways. CCNA1 was further validated as an independent prognostic factor associated with poor survival. Molecular docking revealed strong binding affinities between parabens and hub proteins. Immune infiltration analysis indicated a negative correlation between CCNA1 expression and CD8 + T cell and B cell infiltration. Conclusions Parabens may promote HNSCC progression by disrupting cell cycle regulation and immune responses via direct interactions with key hub genes. These findings provide a novel mechanistic basis for the carcinogenic potential of parabens in HNSCC and underscore the need for further experimental and epidemiological validation.

Emergency response capacity among nurses in tertiary hospitals: a latent profile analysis

Drivers and dynamic mechanisms of sports tourism integration in cross-border regions: Evidence from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

The integration of sports tourism industry plays a crucial role in fostering high-quality regional economic growth, enhancing industrial coordination, improving quality of life and promoting sustainable tourism development, particularly in cross-border regions. However, existing research has predominantly focused on macro-level policy and market analyses, paying limited attention to micro-level drivers and underlying mechanisms. To address this gap, this study adopts a mixed-methods approach, using the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) as a case study. Grounded Theory is first employed to identify key drivers and construct a conceptual model of their dynamic mechanisms. Subsequently, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is applied to empirically test the model. The results confirm six significant drivers that positively influencing integration outcomes: government behavior, resource environment, enterprise development, market demand, technological innovation, and human capital. Notably, the analysis reveals substantial differences in their impact strength. Human capital (β = 0.619, p < 0.001) and technological innovation (β = 0.541, p < 0.001) emerge as the dominant drivers, followed by enterprise development needs (β = 0.321, p < 0.001). In contrast, market demand (β = 0.065, p < 0.001), resource environment (β = 0.041, p = 0.017), and government behavior (β = 0.052, p = 0.002) show the weakest direct effects, with government behavior further constrained by policy fragmentation. To facilitate high-quality and sustainable integration, targeted policy recommendations are proposed, including enhancing cross-border policy coordination and institutional alignment, leveraging technological innovation through digital integration platforms, strengthening enterprise-led collaboration and cross-border industrial clusters, cultivating and mobilizing interdisciplinary talent across the region, and expanding segmented markets through differentiated regional branding. This study contributes to the theoretical framework of sports tourism integration by empirically elucidating the interplay and relative strength of the drivers and their dynamic mechanisms in cross-border contexts. Furthermore, it offers actionable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders in the GBA.