Wildfires can significantly alter surface and subsurface hydrological processes at the catchment scale, with changes lasting for years and threatening water resources. Under climate change, wildfire frequency and intensity are increasing and expected to worsen. Assessing their hydrological impacts is therefore crucial for water resources management. However, the effects of wildfire-induced surface hydrology modifications on groundwater remain poorly understood. This study sheds light on surface and subsurface water hydrological behaviour changes caused by wildfires. The impact of a large 2018 wildfire in a Mediterranean mountain area is analysed. The study site, near Pisa in Tuscany (Italy), saw 1200 ha of forested and cultivated land burned. Using the paired-catchment method, two burnt catchments were compared with two unburnt control ones selected for their physiographic similarity. Data on streamflow, water chemistry (rain, soil, stream, and groundwater), and stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen (in rain, soil, and stream water) were collected 2 to 4 years post-fire, alongside hydrogeological measurements. This integrated approach enabled an assessment of the main wildfire-induced changes to hydrological behaviour. Key findings include: i) increased stormflow in burnt catchments; ii) baseflow with greater rock-water interactions than in controls; iii) more enriched isotopic values in baseflow, suggesting increased evaporation due to reduced groundwater recharge. A conceptual model of hydrological behaviour in burnt vs. unburnt catchments is proposed. Increased stormflow in burnt areas led to reduced infiltration and groundwater recharge. These wildfire impacts on the hydrological cycle remained evident 2 to 4 years after the event.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) in patients following gynecological tumor surgery and its risk factors. Methods: We searched the PubMed,Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases for relevant studies that reported the incidence of SSI after gynecological tumor surgery, and manually screened reference lists for additional studies. Relevant incidence estimates were calculated. sensitivity analysis of pooled incidence, and the forest plots of related risk factors were also performed. Results : Our meta-analysis included 8 studies, with 548 SSI cases in 7198 patients. The pooled SSI incidence was 7.3%. Sensitivity analysis results indicated that the exclusion of individual studies did not significantly alter the overall SSI incidence. Underlying conditions: The patient has a history of hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus; Preoperative risk factors include: age over 60 years, body mass index (BMI) ≥ 24 kg/m 2, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification > 2, serum albumin level ≤ 30 g/L, and requirement for blood transfusion before surgery. Among the surgical-related factors: Laparotomy, operation duration exceeding 60 minutes; FIGO stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ are the risk factors for surgical site infection after gynecological tumor surgery. Conclusion: This systematic review identified evidence informed SSI risk factors following gynecological tumor surgery. These may be used to develop improved SSI risk prediction tools and to identify patients who may benefit from evidence informed SSI prevention strategies.

Different treatment modalities might lead to partial or complete remission or progressive disease in patients with cancer. In the present study, based on transcriptomics data analysis, top 10 genes whose expression most significantly differ between patients with complete remission/response and patients with progressive disease, following the first course of treatment, were identified in different cancer types, namely, bladder urothelial carcinoma, cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma, brain lower grade glioma, lung adenocarcinoma, prostate adenocarcinoma and stomach adenocarcinoma. The majority of the identified genes in different cancer types were found to be highly understudied in the context of those cancer types. Besides, there does not seem to be any overlap in the top differentially expressed genes between different cancers, suggesting that genes/proteins associated with disease progression might be highly cancer type-dependent. Combined, findings from this study indicate the need for further research on the identified genes in given cancer types to better understand if or how their differential expression between cancer patients with complete response and patients with progressive disease clinically influence disease outcomes, with the ultimate aim of finding actionable targets to improve treatment success for patients with given malignancies.

As the Arctic rapidly warms, a major change in its vegetation and biomass is expected. Understanding the current state of Arctic plant biomass is crucial due to its role in the surface energy budget and ecosystem carbon storage yet challenging due to logistical and methodological limitations. Arctic polar deserts are one of the most vulnerable terrestrial biomes on Earth, highly sensitive to climate change, and likely also the most understudied. During the 2021 Arctic Century expedition, we performed vegetation surveys and collected aboveground plant and lichen biomass samples at 8 sites on the Severnaya Zemlya archipelago, Franz Josef Land, Vize, and Uedineniya Islands, filling an important spatial gap in biomass measurements in the Arctic. For these study sites, we explored three different methods for estimating plant and lichen biomass: using 1) in-situ species richness, 2) in-situ cover, and 3) remotely sensed NDVI and plant cover. We found no relationship between total in-situ species richness and in-situ biomass, but in-situ lichen species richness significantly predicted lichen biomass. Remotely sensed NDVI had a limited explanatory power for in-situ biomass. However, drone-derived plant cover predicted in-situ biomass measurements well and could thus be used to effectively estimate landscape-level biomass of Arctic polar deserts. Our findings reveal that biomass varies widely among the sites, with an almost complete absence of biomass on Graham-Bell and Komsomolets islands, intermediate levels on October Revolution Inland and Pioneer islands, and maximum biomass found on Vize Island, although the results for this site are highly uncertain. Our findings could be used as a baseline to document future biomass changes in polar deserts. We propose our cover-based approach as an alternative to NDVI-based estimates of polar desert plant and lichen biomass and discuss its uncertainties and limitations.

Traditional scientific publications adhere to rigid formats that struggle to support modern data compilation and sharing and accommodate the unprecedented rates of change in biodiversity data driven by ecological impacts and digital innovation. This mismatch creates delays in uncovering critical insights, weakens design and implementation conservation strategies, and hinders timely decision-making. Existing infrastructures often operate in isolation without integrating open-access repositories, automated analytics, and collaborative frameworks, resulting in fragmented and outdated datasets. Cultural and institutional barriers further impede the adoption of dynamic systems. The research community urgently requires a shift toward integrative, version-controlled platforms that support continuous data sharing, real-time analysis, and adaptive reporting to accelerate scientific discovery, inform policy action, and address escalating environmental challenges. We address potential alternatives to deal with this situation in the following sections of the manuscript.

We explore a quantum mechanical framework for modeling mutation dynamics in viral genomes. Motivated by experimental observations, such as interference-like mutation patterns and an inverse relationship between genome size and per-site mutation rate, we represent the viral genome as a superposition state in a high-dimensional Hilbert space, and model mutations as quantum operators acting on this state. This is not a microscopic theory of replication but an effective, physically inspired model aimed at capturing non-classical features such as interference and entanglement in sequence evolution. We introduce structured mutation operators diagonal, random, and spatially correlated, and study their action on quantum sequence states using numerical simulations. Correlated operators with phase structure produce interference patterns in mutation probabilities, analogous to the electron double-slit experiment. Entangled mutation dynamics, modeled via cluster-state-like correlations, alter the scaling behavior of the per-site mutation rate with genome size. We show that while classical models predict a constant per-site mutation rate for small genomes, entangled models yield size-dependent rates that decrease as \( L^{-\alpha} \), where \( \alpha > 0 \) reflects the strength of correlation. This matches trends observed in RNA viruses with genomes below \(\sim 30\) kb. Finally, we propose two experimental tests: (1) detection of replication-speed-dependent interference fringes using modified viral polymerases, and (2) ensemble-level coherence signatures measurable by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Our results offer a testable hypothesis that quantum correlations may influence mutation dynamics in viral genomes below 30 kb in size.

Background: Like most aesthetic sports, judging performance in equestrian vaulting is subjective. The complexity of judging often exceeds human cognitive capacities and can give rise to bias. The horse score makes up 25% of the total score, including the quality of the canter and training level of the horse (A1 score), the execution of the performance and the horse’s willingness and behaviour (A2 score). Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare A1 and A2 scores from judges with objective measurements. Study design: cross-sectional study design Methods: The study explored the alignment between the 6 scores of A1, the A2 score, and 10 measured locomotor parameters in 33 international level vaulting horses. The horses were equipped with an inertial measurement unit (128 Hz) fixed to the sternum to calculate positions and movements and to calculate a quality index. Five international judges scored the relaxation, connection, straightness, impulsion, rhythm, collection and vaultability from the videos in random order. Results: A horse with at least one good score had only good scores and each note was correlated with the same locomotor parameters. A canter considered to be good by the judges was one with good elevation (14 ± 1 vs 13 ± 2 cm; 0.013), good propulsion (6.7 ± 1.4 vs 5.7 ±1.7 m/s 2; 0.005) and good regularity of the three beats (0.016 ± 0.004 vs 0.019 ± 0.004 m/s 3; 0.018), with the horse slightly inclined to the inside of the circle, balanced on their hindlimbs and with a light forehand. Main limitations: Use of videos for judging Conclusions: These observables seemed to be decisive in assessing the quality of the canter and are of interest in terms of decision support in the context of initial and ongoing training for judges and for considering continuous optimisation of the scoring system.

Objective To explore women’s experiences with first – and second- degree perineal tears and episiotomy in the post-partum period Design Qualitative interview study Setting An outpatient clinic in a tertiary hospital in Norway Population Women with first or second degree perineal tear, or episiotomy who received follow-up care from an outpatient clinic in 2024 Methods Semi-structured individual interviews, with 18 women. The interviews were analysed using Malteruds systematic text condensation Main Outcome Measures A qualitative analysis of women’s experiences Result Three sub themes and one overarching theme were identified. The overarching theme was that the women experienced a feeling of being left alone with the responsibility of both their physical and psychological needs regarding their perineal tear. The women described (I) a lack of affirmation and emotional support, (II) lack of guidance on normal processes and (III) a lack of systematic follow up of perineal tears. Conclusion The women felt left alone with their perineal tear and did not receive support nor recognition from healthcare professionals regarding the challenges they faced. The physical and psychological consequences experienced by women related to their perineal tear highlight the need for better, more systematically and individually tailored care for women in the post-partum period, from both midwives and doctors.

Background: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is an important factor in causing many types of cancer, and over 99% of cervical cancers are associated with HPV infection. Although Jiangsu Province has taken the lead in implementing a free HPV vaccination policy, the 17-24 year old population is not covered by the free vaccination, and the vaccination rate is still significantly lower than the international target, with urban-rural differences and cognitive drivers not yet clarified. The aim of this study was to assess the current status of adolescents’ awareness and willingness to vaccinate against HPV in the province and identify key influencing factors. Methods: Multi-stage stratified whole cohort sampling was conducted among 2186 you adolescents in Jiangsu province to describe their HPV-related knowledge and vaccination intentions. A self-administered questionnaire was taken from 1853 students of 6 vocational schools in Huai’an City, Nantong City, Suqian City, Suzhou City and Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province from November 2024 to January 2025 to analyse students’ knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccine, as well as their willingness to be vaccinated against HPV and their influencing factors. Potential categories were analysed to identify different respondents based on their willingness to be vaccinated against HPV. Results: Of the 2186 participants, 281 (12.9%) had been vaccinated against HPV. Of the remaining 1905 questionnaires, 52 invalid questionnaires were excluded, resulting in 1853 valid surveys. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that enhancing perceived benefits, lowering perceived barriers, strengthening HPV knowledge and education, and developing differentiated strategies for groups such as females and urban dwellers could significantly increase vaccination intentions. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that although the adolescent population presents a positive attitude towards HPV vaccination, there is still a need to enhance their knowledge of the multiple hazards of HPV through multi-channel education strategies. Simultaneous reproductive health education and vaccine accessibility safeguards provide a scientific basis for advancing the comprehensive prevention and treatment of cervical cancer and the elimination of HPV-related diseases.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing public health threat, particularly in Africa, where it increasingly poses a greater risk than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Despite global efforts through initiatives like the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS) and the Global Action Plan (GAP), Africa continues to face significant surveillance and implementation challenges. This study aims to explore AMR surveillance trends, identify persistent challenges, and propose actionable recommendations. Methods: A comprehensive review of both published and grey literature was conducted using databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and WHO AMR resources. Additionally, data from the Tracking AMR Country Self-Assessment Survey (TrACSS) were analysed to evaluate the progress of AMR surveillance systems in Africa. Results: By 2024, 96% of African countries had developed National Action Plans, with 74% initiating implementation. However, only 47% had functional multisectoral and One Health coordination mechanisms. While 95.7% of countries could perform antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) for critically important bacteria, only 51.1% had capacity for fungal AST. Furthermore, 10.6% lacked a national surveillance system for AMR in humans, and AMR surveillance in animals remains significantly underdeveloped. Key challenges include inadequate laboratory infrastructure, insufficient funding, fragmented data systems, a shortage of skilled personnel, and weak intersectoral collaboration. Conclusion: Despite notable progress, major gaps hinder effective AMR surveillance and control in Africa. Strengthening laboratory systems, improving data collection, enhancing workforce capacity, enforcing supportive policies, and fostering sustained regional collaboration and funding are essential to mitigate the growing threat of AMR across the continent.

Objective: Otitis media and conductive hearing loss are common in patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). We aimed to assess the pulmonary, ear-nose-throat, and otologic features of individuals with PCD and their effect on quality of life (QOL). Methods: Demographic data, spirometry values, a health-related quality of life questionnaire for PCD patients (QOL-PCD), physical examination data of sinonasal and otologic systems, the sinonasal outcome test-22, and audiologic tests were recorded in this prospective, and cross-sectional study. The pure tone audiometry, distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), tympanogram, and the Turkish matrix test (TUR-matrix) evaluating speech understanding in noise were performed. Results: Fifty-six patients with PCD were included in the study. The scores of the social, upper, and lower respiratory domains of the QOL-PCD were significantly lower in adults than in children and adolescents (p-value <0.001, 0.02, and 0.01, respectively).The hearing and the TUR-matrix were pathologic in 26 (46.4%) and 36 (64.3%) cases, respectively. Patients with pathological hearing had significantly worse results in regards to the FEV 1 z-score (-1.7 vs. -0.8, p=0.01), the TUR-matrix test (20 vs 16 cases, p=0.001), the DPOAE (25 vs 11 cases, p<0.001), and the tympanogram (26 vs 12 cases, p<0.001) than patients with normal hearing. Conclusion: Sinopulmonary involvement and hearing manifestations are very common in patients with PCD, and speech understanding in noise is often impaired. These manifestations impact QOL in various areas.

Background Sustainability in Public Health Rehabilitation Programs (PHRPs) is essential to ensure the ongoing delivery of equitable, accessible, and high-quality care, especially amid rising demands from aging populations, chronic disease burdens, and resource constraints. However, PHRPs frequently face challenges such as fragmented service delivery, unstable funding, and shifting political priorities, which threaten long-term effectiveness. Systems Thinking (ST)—an approach that emphasizes feedback loops, stakeholder engagement, and leverage points—offers a promising pathway to strengthen the sustainability of these programs. Methods We conducted a narrative review and thematic synthesis of peer-reviewed literature and global health case studies published between January and March 2025. Guided by the World Health Organization’s 10-step Systems Thinking framework and the Systems Thinking for Health (ST4H) model, we analyzed how ST has been operationalized to support the sustainability of PHRPs in various global contexts. Results Three core systems mechanisms—feedback loops, stakeholder engagement, and leverage points—were identified as critical contributors to the sustainability of PHRPs. Case studies from Canada, Brazil, South Africa, the UK, India, and Jordan demonstrated how tools like systems mapping, real-time feedback, and collaborative planning led to tangible improvements such as reduced service duplication, better patient retention, and more efficient care transitions. Thematic synthesis highlighted that ST supports adaptive learning, cross-sector alignment, and strategic resource use. However, challenges included limited systems literacy, weak inter-organizational coordination, and complexity in tool application, particularly in resource-constrained settings. Overall, the degree of sustainability improvement was linked to how deeply ST was integrated into program design and supported by enabling structures such as data infrastructure and leadership engagement. Conclusion Embedding ST into rehabilitation policy and program design can help navigate the complexity of public health systems and foster long-term sustainability. To support scalable and person-centered rehabilitation, increased systems literacy within the health workforce and greater cross-sector collaboration are essential. ST provides a practical, adaptive framework for addressing systemic barriers and enhancing the resilience and effectiveness of PHRPs globally.

Alpay Algebra is introduced as a self-contained axiomatic framework with the ambition of serving as a universal foundation for mathematics. Developed in the spirit of Bourbaki's structural paradigm and Mac Lane's emphasis on form and function, Alpay Algebra posits a single abstract system from which diverse mathematical domains emerge. We present the precise axioms defining Alpay Algebra and develop its core constructs-including a recursive transformation operator ϕ, its transfinite iteration ϕ ∞ , an iterative state hierarchy χ λ , a limit object Ξ ∞ , and an evaluation functional ψ λ. From these primitives, we rigorously rebuild key fields: we derive fixed-point theorems and internal stability results, realize category theory within the algebra by interpreting compositional morphisms as iterative state transitions, recast homological algebra through cycles and invariants of the recursion, and outline an internal logic akin to topos theory grounded in stable truth values emerging from ψ λ. All definitions, theorems, and proofs are given entirely within the Alpay Algebra system without appeal to external frameworks. The development showcases how Alpay Algebra can subsume algebraic geometry, category theory, homological algebra, logic (including topos theory), and general structural mathematics under one unifying language. We conclude by highlighting new conjectures and problems that naturally arise from this universal algebraic perspective, underscoring the foundational depth and future potential of Alpay Algebra.

Montane red foxes (Vulpes vulpes ssp.) native to western North America are of broad conservation interest, occupying a narrow ecological niche and restricted to small, isolated populations across much of their distribution. Despite the need for robust information in guiding effective carnivore conservation, many aspects of montane red fox ecology are poorly understood due to their rarity. To improve ecological knowledge of Sierra Nevada red fox (V. v. necator), a montane red fox subspecies, we examined fox diet in an unstudied portion of their range in the central Cascades of Oregon, USA. In addition, we evaluated dietary overlap between montane red foxes and coyotes (Canis latrans), a presumably dominant carnivore that is expected to increase distributional overlap with montane red foxes under changing climatic regimes. We collected Sierra Nevada red fox and coyote scats via detection dog team surveys during 2017 in Oregon and used DNA metabarcoding to determine scat composition. Sierra Nevada red fox and coyote diets differed with respect to the most frequently occurring prey species and prey species that comprised the largest proportions of their diets (golden-mantled ground squirrel [Callospermophilus lateralis] and snowshoe hare [Lepus americanus], respectively). Despite some differences, Sierra Nevada red fox and coyote diets exhibited similar taxonomic richness and their dietary overlap was high (Pianka’s index = 0.74 via weighted percent occurrence, 0.69 via frequency of occurrence), with golden-mantled ground squirrel appearing to be an important prey item for both species. High dietary overlap suggests potential for competition between Sierra Nevada red foxes and coyotes where the two species occur sympatrically, which could be consequential for foxes in the future if spatial overlap indeed increases and results in niche compression. Our work addresses an aspect of data insufficiency for an imperiled species that can inform conservation strategies and species management.

This paper introduces and formalizes six novel mathematical frameworks synthesizing categorical, homotopical, operator-algebraic, and spectral constructs with emergent symmetry and criticality. We define ultranaut operators as higher-categorical homotopy-enriched transitions; construct spectral decompositions over Σ-enriched matrices; develop integral operator algebra formalism; introduce the daisy network, a self-similar symmetry-generating topological graph; analyze paradoxical scale-interaction criticality (1 ≪ Q ≪ 1); and establish anterolateral spectral algebra with logic-vector fields and spectral varieties. The work provides categorical foundations for operator algebras and network dynamics while developing new tools in analytic geometry and homotopy-coherent algebra.

Efficient spreading and wetting of chemical pesticides is the key development demand for increasing efficiency and reducing environmental threats. In this study, an octopus sucker bionic T/SDS aggregate was prepared to regulate droplets’ impacting and wetting process by aggregation-induced adsorption ( AIA) behavior. The T/SDS droplets showed a distinguished interfacial adsorption ability to the hydrophobic wheat leaves can lead to a remarkable decrease in the rebound height of droplets and an impressive increase in the final spread area. The aggregation-induced adsorption behavior in the spreading phase revealed the mechanism of wetting behavior of the T/SDS-regulated droplets, and was consistent with the COMSOL computation results. The T/SDS NPs also demonstrated excellent drug-delivery capacity and disease control ability against the pathogen Rhizoctonia solani in the practical application process. The aggregation-induced wetting and depositing by octopus sucker-liked T/SDS surfactant introduces a novel direction for developing of an efficient, cost-effective, and practical spreading agent to realize accurate delivery on demand in the agricultural spraying process.

Instinto médico: la medicina en la evolución   La naturaleza ha insertado en cada forma de vida el instinto de la protección mutua y la colaboración, como lineamientos esenciales para la supervivencia y resiliencia de las especies. En estos fundamentos se han basado los seres vivos para el desarrollo de sistemas moleculares, estructuras y comportamientos con los cuales se protegen, tanto entre individuos de la misma especie como entre especies filogenéticamente alejadas. Por ejemplo: insectos y plantas, arácnidos y anfibios, o humanos y caninos.De esta manera, las estrategias que emplean las especies pueden encontrar sus reflejos en las técnicas de la medicina humana. Son paralelismos que pueden identificarse intuitivamente en un breve recorrido por la historia evolutiva de los seres vivos.Medicina bacteriana: vacunas, antídotos, terapia génica, inmunoterapia y cirugía genéticaPara iniciar este recorrido debemos partir de los procariotas, los ancestros de todos los linajes de seres vivos, donde las bacterias exhiben procesos que podríamos calificar, sin exagerar, como medicina moderna.Un ejemplo notable es la transferencia genética lateral, que permite beneficios comparables a los de una vacuna o de la terapia génica. Al compartir un gen de resistencia a los antimicrobianos, la bacteria asume el rol de un médico que prescribe un antídoto; al transmitir un gen de resistencia a los bacteriófagos, actúa como quien vacuna a otra para prevenir una infección viral. Incluso puede transferir una copia funcional de un gen defectuoso, como lo hace la terapia génica. Así, las bacterias anticiparon los conceptos de la vacuna, la vacunación masiva, la inmunidad de rebaño y la terapia génica.Por su parte, el sistema CRISPR-Cas representa una forma de cirugía molecular: reconoce, corta y elimina fragmentos de ADN con precisión. Además, la maquinaria molecular del sistema CRISPR-Cas edita la información genética de los bacteriófagos y la emplea para la defensa de la bacteria, lo cual recuerda a las más prometedoras inmunoterapias en el tratamiento de diversos tipos de cáncer. De hecho, un ejemplo de esta tecnología médica de vanguardia emplea el sistema CRISPR-Cas9 bacteriano para la construcción de células inmunitarias con la virtud de identificar y eliminar selectivamente a las células cancerígenas —tal como se describió en el ºhistórico artículo Seek and Destroy (Science, 2012)—, un desarrollo de tal trascendencia que valió a sus autoras, Emmanuelle Charpentier y Jennifer Doudna, el Premio Nobel de Química en 2020.Asepsia en la endosimbiosis: un entorno estéril para los endosimbiontesEn un siguiente paso evolutivo, la medicina microbiana dio lugar a su segunda gran estrategia: la asepsia. En el evento de endosimbiosis que dio origen a las células eucariotas, una arquea y una bacteria protagonizaron un acto de cooperación tan profundo que transformó el curso de la vida. La arquea ofreció un entorno interno estéril, protegido por su membrana, donde la bacteria endosimbiótica estaba protegida de los bacteriófagos, virus que no podían atravesar esa frontera. Esta estrategia de ambiente libre de patógenos, recuerda los principios de la medicina moderna y marcó el nacimiento de las células eucariotas.Medicina simbiótica: el microbioma como sistema de saludCon la aparición de los primeros organismos multicelulares se abrió una nueva vía evolutiva para el desarrollo de la medicina bacteriana: los microbiomas. Estas comunidades microbianas comenzaron a colonizar de forma estable las superficies de los nuevos linajes animales, actuando como barreras vivientes frente a patógenos, reguladores del sistema inmune y proveedores de compuestos esenciales. Las bacterias asumieron así el rol de médicos internos y externos, conformando una red preventiva de vigilancia, defensa y nutrición que evoca un sistema de salud personalizado.Desde la piel hasta el intestino, los microbiomas representan una forma sofisticada de medicina preventiva. En este sentido, un microbioma puede interpretarse como millones de médicos microscópicos que protegen la salud del organismo donde habitan.Medicina vegetal: hongos, insectos y tratamientos simbióticosEn el linaje vegetal, la medicina se expresa a través de interacciones simbióticas con animales y otros organismos. Un ejemplo clásico es el de las mariquitas que, al alimentarse de pulgones, ejercen una forma de tratamiento contra infestaciones. Por otro lado, las asociaciones con hongos micorrízicos actúan como nutricionistas vegetales, regulando la absorción de agua y nutrientes y optimizando la relación de la planta con su entorno edáfico. Además, en muchos casos mejoran la resistencia frente a patógenos.Algunos hongos endófitos, por su parte, colonizan tejidos sin causar daño y producen compuestos antimicrobianos que previenen infecciones. Así, los hongos cumplen funciones tanto nutricionales como médicas, velando por el bienestar vegetal.Medicina reproductiva: la polinizaciónLa reproducción vegetal también ha contado con la asistencia de otros organismos. Los insectos polinizadores actúan como intermediarios entre gametos y cumplen una función que recuerda la reproducción asistida. Al transportar el polen de una flor a otra permiten la fecundación cruzada, aumentan la diversidad genética y aseguran el éxito reproductivo. Esta cooperación interespecífica puede interpretarse como una estrategia, en la que el insecto cumple el papel de un técnico en medicina reproductiva.Una red afectiva para la colaboración: oxitocina y saludEn el linaje animal, la evolución del sistema oxitocínico determinará las futuras asociaciones entre especies e individuos. Conocida como la “hormona del amor y la empatía”, la oxitocina desempeña un papel crucial en la formación de vínculos afectivos, el cuidado parental y la cooperación social. Presente a lo largo del linaje animal, esta hormona facilita interacciones que promueven la protección y el bienestar colectivo.Medicina preventiva entre especies: la rana y la tarántulaUn ejemplo fascinante de cooperación con implicancias médicas se observa en la selva amazónica, donde una rana (Chiasmocleis royi) y una tarántula (Xenesthis immanis) establecen una relación simbiótica. La rana actúa como médico preventivo: se alimenta de parásitos que podrían invadir a la tarántula. A cambio, la tarántula le brinda protección.Afecto y salud: el inicio de la medicina humanaEn los primates, el afecto se manifiesta en conductas de cuidado mutuo. El grooming, o acicalamiento, consiste en la limpieza mutua de piel y pelaje, mediante la cual los individuos más cercanos eliminan parásitos de sus compañeros. Esta práctica, cargada de oxitocina, tiene un efecto directo en la salud y constituye una medicina preventiva basada en el afecto.Medicina humana: vocación, empatía y red colaborativaAsí llegamos a nuestra especie, donde este instinto de protección da forma a la medicina. Por lo cual, la vocación médica podría entenderse como la manifestación humana de un impulso que ha caracterizado a las especies resilientes. En el corazón de esta vocación reside una empatía genuina, que impulsa al médico a dedicar su vida al cuidado de los demás.De manera similar a como un ave limpia los dientes de un cocodrilo, un perro lame a su familia, una rana ayuda a una tarántula o una bacteria transfiere un plásmido, la medicina humana se basa en la necesidad instintiva de proteger y colaborar. Y la vocación médica es la continuidad humana de un instinto compartido por todas las formas de vida.

This paper presents the design and partial implementation of a sustainable electric vehicle (EV) charging system utilizing an inductive charging lane powered by solar panels. The proposed model enables EVs to charge while in motion using embedded coils and wireless energy transfer, thereby aiming to eliminate range anxiety and enhance green mobility. A prototype is under development, focusing on solar integration, proximity sensing, and intelligent energy management. System testing and performance evaluation are yet to be conducted. The work lays a foundation for future implementation of scalable and eco-friendly transportation infrastructure.

The integration of large language models-cognitive assistants (LLM-CAs) in manufacturing within quality management systems (QMS – ISO 9001:2015) presents both transformative opportunities and significant challenges. This study systematically analysed 53 studies (2022–2024) to derive literature-based requirements for LLM-CAs in manufacturing within QMS according to the Humans, Technology, and Organization concept (HTO). Findings highlight persistent challenges, such as transparency, compliance risks, and workforce adaptation, with strong alignment between LLM-CAs and QMS principles. Requirements were categorized into HTO subsystems and their overlaps, ensuring a structured approach for seamless integration. As a result, the potential of LLM-CAs to enhance decision-making, operational efficiency, and human-centred governance within QMS is underscored. On that basis, an essential synergy between traditional practices in manufacturing such as QMS and novel technology is highlighted. This synergy represents a fundamental step to guarantee the deployment of LLM-CAs in manufacturing. Future research should explore stakeholder-driven validation, digital feedback loops, and LLM-CAs-driven continual improvement in manufacturing.

Developing efficient multimetallic electrocatalysts is a key challenge for the industrialization of CO₂ electrochemical reduction (CO₂RR). In this paper, a Cu-Sc bimetallic catalyst system prepared by molten salt electrolysis combined with anodic oxidation treatment was reported, and the impact of Sc content on CO₂RR selectivity was extensively investigated. Controlling the Cu/Sc mass ratio (95:5 to 85:15) resulted in the synergistic optimization of the electronic structure and geometrical configuration of the catalyst surface. The experimental results showed that the CuSc₅ catalyst exhibited excellent CH₄ selectivity (Faraday efficiency of 70.84%) and long-term stability (40 h) at -1.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl. In situ Raman spectroscopy and density-functional theory calculations show that Sc doping induces an upward shift of the d-band center (~0.08 eV) , which reduces the adsorption energy barriers of CO* intermediates. The anodic oxidation procedure creats surface O vacancies that interact with the Sc vacancies, optimizing the conversion pathway of CO2→CHO*→CH₄. The energy barrier of the decisive velocity step (CO*→ CHO*) is the lowest (0.36 eV) with a Cu-Sc atomic ratio 15:1, which is consistent with the experimental observations. This study introduces a new theoretical framework and practical approach for designing extremely efficient rare-earth doped CO₂RR catalysts.

Electric vehicles (EVs) represent a pivotal shift in the automotive landscape, particularly within the European Union (EU), where they are seen as a crucial element in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to sustainable transport. As of 2023, EV registrations accounted for 23.6% of new car sales in Europe, reflecting a significant trend towards electric mobility that could potentially reduce life-cycle emissions by up to 73% by 2050, according to the European Environment Agency (EEA) [1]. This movement is not only driven by environmental concerns but also supported by a variety of government incentives and legislative frameworks aimed at fostering EV adoption and infrastructure development across member states, including Spain [1][2].

Abstract During the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicting narratives shaped global debates on prevention and treatment. Beyond denialist groups, medical professionals also played a key role in legitimising unproven therapies and vaccine hesitancy. What forms of legitimacy underpin such positions? We analyse the academic output of a Brazilian medical association known for promoting ineffective drug treatments for COVID-19 and casting doubts on vaccination. Based on a bibliometric and qualitative content analysis, we demonstrate that their publications primarily focus on “early treatments” and vaccine-related complications, relying heavily on case reports and in silico studies. Supported by Social Studies of Science and Technology and Sociology of Health approaches, we demonstrate how the scientific discourse produced by these doctors is selectively constructed to challenge biomedical consensus. This case highlights how the Association cooperates with an international network that undermines science, reinforces global medical misinformation, and fuels public mistrust in vaccination and health interventions. Understanding such a configuration is essential for anticipating future challenges and strengthening coordinated global responses to upcoming public health crises. IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic exposed conflicts over medical rationalities, prevention, and treatment, intertwining political disputes and social mobilisation. In this context, “Doctors for Life” (MPV) emerged, a Brazilian medical association advocating for “early treatment11The so-called “early treatment” consists of, among other indications, the prescription of the “COVID kit”, which includes drugs such as hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, nitazoxanide, azithromycin and systemic corticosteroids.” and denying COVID-19 vaccines, questioning technological innovations and the motivations “behind” global vaccination campaigns. However, vaccine hesitancy and the critics against evidence-based medicine (EBM) are not new. Hesitancy and critics have existed since vaccination’s advent and the standardisation of medical practice (Timmermans and Berg 2003). These nuances became more apparent during COVID-19, accelerating global medical scepticism, reinforcing ideological divisions, and attracting new adherents. This multifactorial context involves epistemic tensions within EBM (Goldenberg 2005), medical conflicts of interest and regulation (Ribeiro 2022), and vaccine hesitancy as a sociopolitical phenomenon.MPV exemplifies how medical professionals mobilise legitimacy and political connections to challenge scientific consensus, reinforcing broader trends in vaccine hesitancy and EBM criticism. Their actions shaped public discourse and policy during Brazil’s pandemic, highlighting the impact medical advocacy groups can have on public health (Manzoni 2024). The Association received financial support from companies linked to medical products and alternative therapies, reinforcing alignment with non-mainstream medical practices (Soares 2022). Their ties with the Bolsonaro government, engagement with misinformation networks, and influence within Brazil’s medical regulation bodies contributed to vaccine hesitancy and ineffective treatments, exacerbating the public health crisis and bolstering similar groups worldwide.Despite MPV’s role in shaping Brazil’s COVID-19 discourse, no research has systematically analysed their academic production, methodological approaches, and influence on medical narratives. While similar movements have emerged globally, few studies have critically examined their academic foundations and strategies for scientific legitimation. Most research on vaccine hesitancy has focused on public attitudes, social media discourse, or the spread of misinformation (Gargiulo et al. 2019; Vignoli et al. 2021). However, these studies do not systematically examine the academic production of the actors involved or how their medical credentials and scientific discourse are strategically mobilised to contest biomedical consensus.Identifying MPV members and their academic backgrounds requires in-depth theoretical studies and empirical advances. This study addresses these gaps by asking: what kind of scientific and academic foundations sustain the public claims and therapeutic recommendations of medical professionals who oppose vaccination and promote ineffective treatments? How is their scientific output organised, and to what extent does it meet the standards of rigour expected in evidence-based medical practice? What themes, methods, and justifications are mobilised to legitimise these controversial positions — and how are they circulated as legitimate forms of care in the midst of a global health crisis? By examining these questions through the case of a Brazilian medical group, this article sheds light on broader patterns of medical professionals that strategically challenge biomedical consensus — a phenomenon not restricted to Brazil, but increasingly observable in different parts of the world.The article also raises questions about the social relations influencing medical practice: who are the subjects involved with MPV? How do vaccine hesitancy and therapy debates reflect broader discussions on medical care models, the profession, and political disputes? What symbolic and structural contexts (Donati and Ruiz 2021) in Brazil fuel this issue? We explore MPV’s academic-scientific production regarding COVID-19, analysing authorship networks, topics, methodological approaches, and findings based on bibliometric and content analysis. We investigate how MPV members mobilise science and evidence, suggesting interpretations of how their results are used in crises where political ideologies and social dimensions interact. This offers a broader perspective on how doctors connect with national and international networks of healthcare professionals engaged in vaccine hesitancy and EBM questioning, shaping COVID-19 narratives and influencing public health.The discussion section positions MPV within the heterogeneous spectrum of vaccine hesitancy, where multiple dimensions operate together. This study contributes to sociological debates on medical authority, vaccine hesitancy, and misinformation networks. We highlight how medical professionals, rather than solely political or non-expert actors, play a central role in shaping narratives and public health controversies. We aim to inform future research on the politicisation of medicine, epistemic tensions within EBM, and the mechanisms through which alternative medical movements influence health policies and public trust in science. Understanding MPV’s role in shaping COVID-19 narratives is crucial, as similar strategies may re-emerge in future pandemics, highlighting the need for preparedness and broader recognition of public health measures. MPV serves as a particularly illustrative case of how medical actors, in times of crisis, can mobilise professional legitimacy in ways that undermine public health consensus.

Background and Purpose: Oleamide, an endogenous fatty acid amide, had been previously reported to exert various neuromodulatory effects; however, its therapeutic potential in neurological disorders remained unclear. Previously our study demonstrated that oleamide attenuated kainic acid (KA)-induced seizures and excitotoxicity via calpain inhibition. This study aimed to determine whether oleamide exerted neuroprotective and antiseizure effects by inhibiting ferroptosis. Experimental Approach: We investigated the effects of oleamide using HT22 hippocampal neuronal cells and mouse models of epilepsy induced by KA and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Mice were administered oleamide either before or after seizure induction to evaluate both prophylactic and therapeutic potential. Molecular and histological analyses were conducted to assess ferroptosis-related markers, oxidative stress levels, and synaptic protein integrity. Key Results: Pre- or post-treatment with oleamide significantly reduced lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) and restored the expression of key ferroptosis-related proteins, including ACSL4, HO-1, and FTH1. These changes were accompanied by a substantial reduction in seizure severity. Additionally, oleamide preserved synaptic integrity by maintaining the levels of CRMP2, synapsin-1, synaptophysin, and PSD95 in the hippocampus. Moreover, oleamide reversed seizure-induced dysregulation of the mTOR and GSK3β signaling pathways, indicating a multifaceted mechanism of action. Conclusion and Implications: Oleamide exerted both neuroprotective and antiseizure effects in experimental epilepsy models by inhibiting ferroptosis and preserving synaptic function. The results highlighted oleamide as a promising candidate for epilepsy therapy with potential for both prophylactic and therapeutic application.

This paper presents intelligent blockage detection and mitigation techniques for near-field XL-MIMO systems, where the spatial non-stationarity and spot-like beam behavior exacerbate the impact of environmental blockages. By leveraging the power delay profile (PDP) shaped by spherical wavefronts across the array, we propose two complementary methods for blockage detection: a model-based approach using belief propagation within a Markov Random Field (MRF), and a learningbased approach using a tailored 3D CNN. Both methods operate without external sensing hardware. Based on the estimated blockage map, two self-healing beamforming strategies are explored: (i) a greedy antenna selection method that maximizes postblockage SNR, and (ii) a lightweight codebook-based beam realignment approach. These techniques redistribute transmission energy away from blocked elements, enabling robust communication. Simulation results show that the model-based approach is robust under low-SNR conditions, while the CNN-based model excels at higher SNRs. Importantly, both approaches restore the spectral efficiency to near pre-blockage levels through adaptive beamforming, demonstrating their effectiveness in maintaining high-throughput links under dynamic blockage scenarios.