AbstractThe integrity of research is increasingly under scrutiny, as unethical practices challenge the credibility of global academic systems. The Highly Cited Researchers (HCR) list by Clarivate recognizes individuals whose work ranks in the top 1% of citations, serving as a prestigious benchmark for scientific excellence. However, the intense pursuit of HCR status has exposed systemic issues, including excessive self-citations, citation rings, and affiliation games. These behaviors compromise the academic value of the HCR designation, highlighting a need for reform. This article explores the implications of research misconduct among HCRs, emphasizing how these issues affect the global research landscape. Countries like Saudi Arabia and China have leveraged HCR recruitment for academic rankings, while some researchers and institutions employ unethical strategies to secure HCR recognition. Recent investigations into the publishing ecosystem revealed concerning practices such as "Edit-for-Pal," hyper-authorship, and manipulation of peer-review processes, resulting in the suspension of journals and retraction of numerous papers. Key cases of misconduct include hyperprolific publishing networks and affiliation manipulation. Researchers such as Yong Sik Ok, Daniel C.W. Tsang, Joerg Rinklebe, Kadambot H.M. Siddique, Nanthi Bolan, and Pau Loke Show have faced scrutiny for their roles in citation networks and questionable editorial practices. Meanwhile, institutions like King Saud University have been criticized for fostering unethical affiliations to boost rankings. The study also highlights severe individual cases, such as Ashok Pandey's retractions during his tenure as editor-in-chief of Bioresource Technology and Rafael Luque's suspension for unauthorized affiliations. STOTEN editors Damia Barcelo, Daniel C.W. Tsang, Deyi Hou, and Huu Hao Ngo have faced scrutiny for frequently handling manuscripts authored by their close collaborators while simultaneously being co-authors on other papers. The findings underscore the urgent need for robust oversight, transparency, and ethical reforms in research evaluation systems.    IntroductionThe integrity of research is increasingly under threat, presenting new challenges for the global academic community.  The Highly Cited Researchers (HCR) list by Clarivate is one of the most prestigious rankings in academia, highlighting individuals whose publications are among the top 1% most cited in their respective fields. For many researchers and institutions, being named on this list is a badge of honor. However, this recognition has fueled a relentless hunt and obsession, leading to unethical and concerning behaviors in the academic world.HCR status has become a powerful symbol of excellence, often used by universities and governments as a metric to assess the impact and quality of their research programs. For individuals, it can boost career prospects, increase funding opportunities, and enhance reputation. For institutions, hosting HCRs strengthens their global rankings and visibility.Countries like China and Saudi Arabia have strategically invested in recruiting HCRs, offering lucrative incentives to top researchers in exchange for listing their affiliation. This raises the institutions' profiles and boosts national standings in global academic rankings, such as the QS World University Rankings or the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).While the pursuit of excellence is admirable, the intense focus on HCR status has led to unintended consequences. Researchers often feel pressured to produce high-impact publications at an unsustainable pace, prioritizing citation metrics over genuine scientific exploration. To secure HCR status, some individuals and institutions engage in questionable practices, such as Excessive Self Citations, operating Citation Rings where groups of researchers agree to cite each other's work. Some resort to Affiliation Games, where institutions recruit HCRs solely to list them as affiliates, even if their actual contributions to the institution are minimal.  The obsession with citations often overlooks other vital aspects of scientific contribution, such as mentoring students, community engagement, and contributions to applied or local research that may not garner significant citations but are invaluable to society. The Broader ImplicationsThis metric-driven culture risks creating an environment where the pursuit of numbers outweighs the pursuit of science. Rapid technological advances and shifts in the publishing landscape require continuous refinement of evaluation systems, including those used for the annual HCR program. In recent years, manipulation tactics employed by some researchers and institutions have been on the rise. These manipulations became more sophisticated, including hyper-publishing, peer review manipulation via collaborating with editors,  and scientific misconduct: plagiarism, data fabrication, and image manipulation.  In October 2024, Clarivate, placed the journal Science of the Total Environment (STOTEN) on hold, suspending its indexing pending a re-evaluation. This decision was prompted by concerns regarding the quality of content published in the journal. Other journals on hold include Chemosphere, eLife, Heliyon, Cureus. In June 2024, Clarivate, withheld Environmental Science and Pollution Research (ESPR)'s Impact Factor due to concerns over citation manipulation.  Further investigations revealed that ESPR had published a substantial number of articles with questionable scientific integrity. By August 2024, the journal had retracted nearly 140 articles, with ongoing evaluations of additional publications. These retractions were primarily due to issues such as suspicious citations, the use of tortured phrases, and undisclosed utilisation of artificial intelligence in the manuscripts. Global ImplicationsSeveral key measures are employed to maintain the credibility of the HCR selection process. These include:Misconduct Exclusions: Individuals found guilty of scientific misconduct by their institutions, publishers, or funding bodies are disqualified from selection.Hyper-authorship: Papers authored by individuals producing an extraordinarily high volume of publications—sometimes several papers per week over extended periods—raise questions about meaningful contributions. Such patterns deviate from conventional norms of authorship and academic rigor.Excessive Self-Citation: Researchers with highly cited papers showing disproportionate self-citation levels are flagged. In particular, instances where recent publications of limited incremental value are accompanied by excessive self-citation are subjected to closer evaluation.Collaborative Citation Patterns: Unusual reliance on coauthor citations, where more than half of a researcher’s citations come from collaborators, is scrutinized. Such patterns suggest a narrow, localized influence rather than the broad, community-wide recognition expected of HCRs.Crackdown listThe crackdown on manipulation has had notable effects worldwide. For instance, Saudi Arabian institutions faced scrutiny for recruiting top researchers to list them as primary affiliates, a practice that artificially boosted their positions in global university rankings.  The tightening of HCR has led to significant changes. According to Clarivate in 2024, over 2,000 candidates were excluded from consideration due to concerns identified during the evaluation—up from 500 in 2022 to over 1,000 in 2023. These escalating numbers underscore the scale of integrity challenges in the research landscape. Transparency of the names removed from the list promotes fairness, ensuring that honest researchers and institutions are not unjustly scrutinized due to ambiguity or suspicion surrounding the list.This article provides analysis of some individuals who were removed from the Clarivate HCR list. Their names were matched with PubPeer records.ResultsBased on careful investigation of HCR list and PubPeer records, Table 1 provides some key personnel removed from HCR list from 2022. The list particularly highlights the tightly knit biochar ring, which was exposed in previous publications (Abduh 2023, 2024). Yong Sik Ok (Korea University, South Korea) is a standout figure who was given 3 HCR categories in 2022 in biology, environment, and engineering. Ok boasts over 90 highly cited papers, but all three titles were removed by Clarivate in 2023. Ok has a substantial Pubpeer record, amounting to 262. Ok formed a network with key players Daniel CW Tsang, Jorg Rinklebe (Wuppertal), Hailong Wang, Nanthi Bolan, Deyi Hou. In South Korea, he is the head of network with Ki-Hyun Kim, Hocheol Song, and Eilhann Kwon from Hanyang University, Jechan Lee (Sungkyunkwan University  SKKU), Sang Soo Lee (Yonsei University). Ok is tightly linked with Baoshan Xing (University of Massachusetts Amherst), Amit Bhatnagar (Lappeenranta University of Technology),  and Ajit Sarmah (University of Auckland), Nabeel Khan Niazi (University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan), Meththika Vithanage (University of Southern Queensland).Joerg Rinklebe (University of Wuppertal, Germany) has a massive 528 Pubpeer records,known as a hyperprolific authors with over 100 papers a year, and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Hazardous Materials and Environmental Pollution. Rinklebe’s close collaborators are Sabry M. Shaheen (King Abdulaziz University), along with Yong Sik Ok and his wide network. Daniel C. W. Tsang (Hong Kong Polytechnic University) is a hyperprolific author, editor, and reviewer. He publishes over 100 papers a year, with over 90 highly cited papers, edited more than 40 journal special editions, and sat in numerous editorial boards including STOTEN. Tsang is the current Editor-in-chief of npj Materials Sustainability. He also edits for Cement and Concrete Composites, Journal of Environmental Management, Waste Disposal and Sustainable Energy, Carbon Research, Biochar, Carbon Capture Science & Technology, Journal of Hazardous Materials, Bioresource Technology, Environmental Pollution, Advanced Sustainable Systems, Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, Journal of Soils and Sediments, Environmental Geochemistry and Health. Tsang also contributed editing to Heliyon, Chemosphere, Science of the Total Environment, all of them are put on hold by Clarivate. Tsang managed to accumulate a substantial amount of Pubpeer records of 228. His tenure at STOTEN is marked by frequent editing of his close coauthors: Deyi Hou, Yong Sik Ok and others. Investigations have identified 64 instances by the end of September 2024 where  Tsang engaged in "Edit-for-Pal" practices.  This term refers to an editor handling manuscripts authored by their frequent co-authors or colleagues from the same institution, potentially compromising the impartiality of the peer-review process (5GH).Iris K. M. Yu (Hong Kong Polytechnic University), Yuqing Sun (Sun Yat Sen University), both trained by Daniel C.W. Tsang managed to earn HCR in 2023, only to be remove din 2024 for their involvement in the network of citations led by Tsang.Deyi Hou and David O’ Connor from Tsinghua University are part of the Biochar Ring. Deyi Hou is also the editor of STOTEN, frequently editing for Daniel Tsang. Deyi Hou and David O’Connor are also editors of Soil Use and Management. Deyi Hou, in an editorial, cited 37 papers of Soil Use and Management to boost its impact factor (Hou, 2023). The group is involved in frequent edit-for-pal unethical relationships. For example, between 19 May 2022 and 16 January 2024 Deyi Hou acted as an editor of STOTEN for 5 papers authored by Jörg Rinklebe while at the same time they co-authored multiple papers together (PubPeer). In another case, Deyi Hou served as an editor for Nanthi S Bolan (Ying et al. 2024, Received 9 August 2023), but  actually published papers together at the same time (Le et al., 2023, Received 2 July 2023). To make matters even worse, the paper authored by Bolan and Hou was edited by Daniel CW Tsang, who also published with both authors at the same time.The editors of STOTEN who are also removed from HCR list are Damia Barcelo (King Saud University), alsong with  Huu Hao Ngo (University of Technology Sydney). Between 2016 and 2022, Barceló declared his primary affiliation as King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, despite his actual position being at ICRA. Such actions are part of a broader issue where researchers falsely claim affiliations with certain institutions to enhance university rankings and personal recognition. In Barceló's case, this misrepresentation led to his exclusion from Clarivate's 2023 list of Highly Cited Researchers (EL PAIS). Huu Hao Ngo is also engaged in frequent "Edit-for-Pal" practices for STOTEN (5GH).From Australia, Kadambot H. M. Siddique (University of Western Australia) is a hyperprolific authos, writing over 130 papers a year. His frequent coauthor and collaborator Muhammad Farooq (Sultan Qaboos University) was removed by Clarivate in 2022. Kadambot is part of the network led by fellow Nanthi Bolan (University of Western Australia), the biochar ring arm of Yong Sik Ok. Joining the group is Binoy Sarkar (University of South Australia).The group led by Pau Loke Shaw (King Saud University) include Kit Wayne Chew (Nanyang Technological University), Wei-Hsin Chen (National Cheng Kung University), and Hwai Chyuan Ong (National Yunlin University Science & Technology) have also been removed. In November 2024, Chemosphere, retracted three of Show's papers. The retractions were based on violations of the journal's conflict of interest policies, specifically concerning the submission and review process. It was found that Guest Editor Kuan Shiong Khoo, who had an extensive collaborative history with Show, handled the review of these submissions. Additionally, the reviewers closely linked to the authors influenced the acceptance of these articles, compromising the editorial process's integrity. Show has been associated with researchers and practices that have raised concerns within the academic community. His collaborations with individuals like Jörg Rinklebe and Christian Sonne, who have been scrutinized for their publishing practices, suggest involvement in networks that may prioritize quantity over quality in research outputs (FOR BETTER SCIENCE).Dai-Viet N. Vo a close collaborator of Pau Loke Show has been associated with concerns regarding research integrity. Notably, a paper he edited was retracted by Frontiers in Energy Research on June 12, 2024, due to multiple undisclosed conflicts of interest that compromised the peer review process. When Vo Nguyen Dai Viet was the author, Dr. Pau Loke Show was the editor. When   Pau Loke Show was the author,   Vo Nguyen Dai Viet became the editor. Four articles by Paul Loke Show were removed by the journal Frontiers in Energy Research (https://tienphong.vn) Ashok Pandey (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research) has 133 Pubpeer records are known for his editing   of Bioresource Technology. Pandey has been implicated in significant research misconduct. Between 2009 and 2020, 43 of his research papers published in the journal Bioresource Technology were retracted. While serving as the journal's editor-in-chief, Dr. Pandey handled the review process of manuscripts, for which he was later added as a co-author without proper disclosure, violating standard editorial ethics. His dual role as both editor and author in the same journal led to conflicts of interest, compromising the integrity of the peer-review process (THE HINDU).Adding to the list of HCR removal by Clarivate include Eder C. Lima (King Saud University, Saudi Arabia), includes collaborations with Papermill Navid Rabiee and Joerg Rinklebe, suggesting research activity in questionable or retracted publication practices as indicated by the note. Lima's publication record includes instances of excessive self-citation, with some papers citing his own work disproportionately (FOR BETTER SCIENCE).Rafael Luque is in biomass valorization, a field focusing on converting biomass into valuable products like fuels, chemicals, or materials. However, he is also Extreme Publisher,  with 54 PubPeers record.   In April 2023, the University of Córdoba, where Luque was employed, suspended him without pay for 13 years. This severe sanction resulted from Luque's unauthorized affiliations with external institutions, notably King Saud University in Saudi Arabia and the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, despite holding a full-time contract with the University of Córdoba. Luque's prolific publication record, boasting approximately 700 studies, has been a subject of scrutiny (EL PAIS). M. Santosh, a geologist at University of Adelaide and the China University of Geosciences in Beijing, has been under scrutiny for potential research misconduct. In 2024, concerns arose due to his exceptionally high publication rate, exceeding 60 papers within the year. Investigations by the 5GH Foundation, a Chinese non-profit agency dedicated to exposing academic misconduct, revealed that over 65% of Santosh's publications since 2020 in four journals managed by Chinese research institutions involved an "author-editor conflict." This term refers to situations where the author and editor roles overlap, potentially compromising the integrity of the peer-review process (5GH). Table 1. List of researchers with substantial highly cited papers who were removed from HCR list. Year HCR removed firstname lastname  category primary affiliation Network No. PubPeers 2024 Ki-Hyun Kim Engineering Hanyang University, South Korea Ok 68 2024 Ki-Hyun Kim Environment and Ecology Hanyang University, South Korea Ok 68 2024 Jechan Lee Cross-Field Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), South Korea Ok 9 2024 Sang Soo Lee Cross-Field Yonsei University, South Korea Ok, Ki-Hyun Kim 12 2024 David O'Connor Cross-Field Tsinghua University, China Mainland Ok, Rinklebe, Hou 29 2024 Ajit Sarmah Cross-Field University of Auckland, New Zealand Ok, Rinklebe 16 2024 Baoshan Xing Environment and Ecology University of Massachusetts Amherst, United States Ok 22 2024 Xinde Cao Cross-Field Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China Mainland Ok, Rinklebe 47 2024 Yuqing Sun Cross-Field Sun Yat Sen University, China Mainland Tsang, Ok 27 2024 Iris K. M. Yu Cross-Field Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Tsang, Ok 8 2024 Kit Wayne Chew Cross-Field Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Tsang, Ok 154 2024 Binoy Sarkar Cross-Field University of South Australia, Australia Ok, Rinklebe, Bolan 54 2024 Kadambot H. M. Siddique Agricultural Sciences University of Western Australia, Australia Farooq, Bolan, Rinklebe 47 2024 Kadambot H. M. Siddique Plant and Animal Science University of Western Australia, Australia Farooq, Bolan, Rinklebe 47 2024 Yakov Kuzyakov Agricultural Sciences King Saud University, Saudi Arabia Extreme publishing in China and Russia 2 2024 Eder C. Lima Cross-Field King Saud University, Saudi Arabia Papermill, Rinklebe 54 2024 Kakarla Raghava Reddy Cross-Field University of Sydney, Australia Papermill 6 2024 M. Santosh Geosciences University of Adelaide, Australia Papermill 267 2024 Dai-Viet N. Vo Cross-Field King Saud University, Saudi Arabia Pau-Loke Show 61 2024 Wasim Iqbal Cross-Field Shenzhen University, China Mainland Papermill 28 2024 Mohamed M. Abdel-Daim Cross-Field Suez Canal University, Egypt papermill 45 2023 Amit Bhatnagar Engineering Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finland Sillanpaa, Ok 53 2023 Nanthi Bolan Environment and Ecology University of Western Australia, Australia Rinklebe, Ok, Hou 143 2023 Wei-Hsin Chen Engineering National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan Ok, Pau Loke 65 2023 Deyi Hou Environment and Ecology Tsinghua University, China Mainland Rinklebe, Ok, Bolan 130 2023 Eilhann E. Kwon Cross-Field Hanyang University, South Korea Ok, Rinklebe 57 2023 Yong Sik Ok Biology and Biochemistry Korea University, South Korea Rinklebe, Wang, Hou, Bolan 262 2023 Yong Sik Ok Environment and Ecology Korea University, South Korea Rinklebe, Wang, Hou, Bolan 262 2023 Yong Sik Ok Engineering Korea University, South Korea Rinklebe, Wang, Hou, Bolan 262 2023 Joerg Rinklebe Environment and Ecology University of Wuppertal, Germany Ok, Hou, Bolan 528 2023 Sabry M. Shaheen Environment and Ecology King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia Rinklebe, Ok 108 2023 Daniel C. W. Tsang Environment and Ecology Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Ok, Rinklebe 228 2023 Daniel C. W. Tsang Engineering Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Ok, Rinklebe 228 2023 Hailong Wang Agricultural Sciences Foshan University, China Mainland Ok, Rinklebe 130 2023 Hailong Wang Environment and Ecology Foshan University, China Mainland Ok, Rinklebe 130 2023 Pau Loke Show Biology and Biochemistry Taif University, Saudi Arabia Shu Shiung Lam, Rinklebe, Ok 384 2023 Muhammad Shahid Environment and Ecology King Saud University, Saudi Arabia Ok, Rinklebe 55 2023 Damia Barcelo Environment and Ecology King Saud University, Saudi Arabia STOTEN, Ok, Rinklebe 172 2023 Huu Hao Ngo Biology and Biochemistry University of Technology Sydney, Australia STOTEN 174 2023 Huu Hao Ngo Environment and Ecology University of Technology Sydney, Australia STOTEN 174 2023 Hwai Chyuan Ong Engineering National Yunlin University Science & Technology, Taiwan Ok, Wei-Hsin Chen 35 2023 Rafael Luque Chemistry King Saud University, Saudi Arabia Extreme publisher 147 2023 Wenshan Guo Biology and Biochemistry University of Technology Sydney, Australia Ngo 62 2023 Wenshan Guo Environment and Ecology University of Technology Sydney, Australia Ngo 62 2023 Ashok Pandey Biology and Biochemistry Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) - India, India Bioreseource Technology editor 133 2022 Muhammad Farooq Agricultural Sciences Sultan Qaboos University, Oman Siddique 34 2022 Nabeel Khan Niazi Environment and Ecology University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan Ok, Bolan 40 2022 Mika Sillanpaa Environment and Ecology King Saud University, Saudi Arabia Bhatnagar, Ok 83 2022 Meththika Vithanage Cross-Field University of Southern Queensland, Australia Ok, Bolan 71

Background: Patients with autoimmune disorders are highly susceptible to infections including cytomegalovirus leading to serious complications ranging from asymptomatic to severe systemic diseases. Case presentation: The first case was a 44-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus referred to the Rheumatology ward due to a necrotizing ulcer on the hand finger and multiple ulcerative lesions on her lips and tongue. She had pancytopenia and positive results for both herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus PCR (CMV-PCR); she was treated with Ganciclovir and ultimately recovered. The second case was a 55-year-old man, a known sarcoidosis case, admitted to the hospital due to lower extremities weakness and intraoral ulcers. The lab findings revealed leukopenia and elevated levels of ESR and CRP. Viral markers were all negative except for the CMV-PCR test. EMG-NCV showed subacute axonal motor polyneuropathy in the lower limbs. Due to the high titers of CMV, he was treated with Ganciclovir and the symptoms improved dramatically. Conclusion: CMV infection in rheumatic patients may lead to rare manifestations that can be misdiagnosed as a flare of the underlying disease .

This paper introduces a novel method for evaluating the rigor of written text using Markov chain Monte Calro simulations. Traditional approaches to text analysis, such as readability metrics or grammatical checks, often fall short in assessing the logical consistency, structural complexity, and overall coherence that characterize rigorous writing[SWSK24]. I propose a probabilistic model that leverages Markov chains to quantify text rigor by analyzing word and phrase transitions within the text. Specifically, we model each word or n-gram as a state within a Markov chain and compute transition probabilities that capture patterns of consistency and complexity[Scind].

not-yet-known not-yet-known not-yet-known unknown A 57-year-old woman with frequent palpitations was referred for radiofrequency ablation. The baseline 12-lead electrocardiogram and echocardiography were normal. The baseline atrio-His (AH) and His-ventricular (HV) intervals were 70 and 35 ms, respectively. Dual atrioventricular (AV) nodal physiology was not observed during programmed atrial stimulation. Ventriculoatrial conduction showed a decremental and concentric pattern, with the earliest atrial activation recorded in the His bundle region. There was no evidence of a jump-up phenomenon during programmed ventricular stimulation. Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with variable AH and His-atrial (HA) intervals was induced by extra atrial stimulation without any jump-up in the AH interval. The earliest atrial activation during SVT was recorded at the coronary sinus (CS) 7,8 region, corresponding to the CS ostium, which differed from the atrial activation sequence during ventricular pacing. The atrial-atrial (AA) intervals demonstrated variability exceeding 50 ms without any alteration in the atrial activation sequence (Figure 1A). Ventricular entrainment pacing was performed during SVT (Figure 1B). Transient 2:1 AV conduction was observed during SVT (Figure 1C). Based on these findings, what is the mechanism of the variability in the AA, AH, and HA intervals during tachycardia?

Introduction : This study aims to assess trends in the epidemiology of pneumococcal pneumonia in children aged 0-18 over a five-year period (2019-2024), including pre- and post-COVID eras. Secondary aim is to monitor a surgical approach used in the treatment. Tertiary aims include analyzing demographic factors, clinical characteristics, treatment regimens, and outcomes. The study also presents the multidisciplinary care required for complicated pneumonia. Methods : This retrospective single-center study was conducted at a tertiary Thomayer University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic. A review and analysis of the medical records of children aged 0-18 diagnosed with pneumonia between 01/2019 and 09/2024 was conducted. The data pertaining to pneumonias caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae were subjected to statistical description in accordance with trends in incidence, clinical features, treatment outcomes, the necessity for surgical intervention and antibiotic resistance patterns. Three comprehensive figures, which illustrate the extent of pathological changes in the most complicated patients from this study, are provided herewith. Results : Significant trends in the incidence and management of pneumococcal pneumonia were observed over the five-year period. There were notable differences between the pre- and post-coronavirus disease (COVID-19) eras. A statistically significant increase was observed in the overall number of cases of pneumococcal pneumonia and their complicated necrotizing forms, which led to surgical management, as demonstrated in figures. Conclusion : A single-center five-year trend analysis of pneumonias in children offers insights into epidemiological patterns, risk factors, and treatment outcomes. Furthermore, this analysis discusses several potential explanations for the rising incidence of pneumonias caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The findings highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing complex cases, with a particular focus on the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques.

not-yet-known not-yet-known not-yet-known unknown Global loss of biodiversity prioritizes the need for comprehensive and effective biomonitoring methods. Airborne eDNA has shown promise for monitoring terrestrial vertebrates but has not yet been rigorously compared to established biomonitoring methods. This study aims to compare species detection from airborne eDNA (eDNA) with observer-based monitoring (OBM), camera trapping (CT) and passive acoustic monitoring (PAM), focusing on birds and mammals. Monitoring was performed over the course of four weeks within an agroforestry ecosystem in the Netherlands. Birds were monitored using eDNA, OBM and PAM, while eDNA and CT were used for mammals. Four mammal species were detected by both CT and eDNA, while eDNA identified an additional 17 species, primarily small-bodied, including two invasive species. A total of 78 bird species was detected, with 28 identified by all three methods. In terms of species uniquely identified per method, eDNA detected the most (19 species), followed by PAM (10, but including 4 misidentifications) and OBM (2). All but three bird and four mammal species detected were consistent with known occurrences near the study site . Rarefaction shows that eDNA has the highest potential species diversity, but OBM is most efficient when limited time is available. Unique species can largely be explained by method characteristics or limitations; PAM detections are limited to species that make sound, while eDNA requires further research on detection range and sensitivity. This is the first study to compare airborne eDNA with OBM and acoustic data, further confirming the high potential of airborne eDNA for biodiversity monitoring.

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not-yet-known not-yet-known not-yet-known unknown Rationale: Stable isotope-labeled organic compounds, containing D, 15N or 13C, have widespread applications in chemistry, biology, environmental science, and agriculture. However, the isotopic purity calculations for these labeled organic compounds are usually complicated, especially in mixed isotopes-labeled scenarios. Herein, the electrospray ionization-high resolution mass spectrometry (ESI-HRMS) was applied to determinate the isotopic purity for stable isotope-labeled organic compounds, containing D, 15N or 13C. Methods: The representative isotopolog ion with its specific molecular formula was proposed to represent various labeled states. The isotopic purity was calculated with the corrected intensities of representative isotopolog ions by removing the natural isotopic contributions from preceding peaks. A unified equation has been proposed for the calculation of isotopic purity for various labeled situations including D, 15N or 13C. Results: Several case studies were presented and our calculated isotopic purities were all consistent with the isotopic purities provided in the certificate. In-source CID method was applied for the labeled compound (molecular weight＞400 u), when the maxim resolution setting was insufficient to differentiate isobaric isotopolog ions. Conclusion: Finally, a workflow with a Python calculation program was summarized for determinations of the isotopic purity for mono isotope-labeled or mixed isotopes-labeled organic compounds, involving D, 15N or 13C, by using ESI-HRMS to assigning the representative isotopolog ions with accurate mass and excluding the isobar interference.

IntroductionOmental lymphangiomas are rare vascular anomalies of benign nature. The etiology remains a subject of controversy, but they are considered to arise due to anomalies that occur during the normal embryogenic developmental process of lymphatic vessels. They are thin-walled cystic formations and only 5% of them originate from sites within the abdomen(1). This lymphatic malformations mostly arise in the head and neck as well as axillary reigon of neonates and adults (2).This case report aims to highlight the uncommon site and age of clinical presentation of cystic lymphangioma and discuss the diagnostic process, and management strategies. The case report also shows the need for a high index of suspicion and early diagnostic imaging for pediatric patients who present with recurrent abdominal pain.Case History/ examinationA 9-year-and-5-month-old male schooler came to Gondar University Specialized Hospital with acute abdomen like symptom of sudden onset of severe, sharp lower abdominal pain lasting 4 days and associated with intermittent fever. Initially, the pain started in the left lower abdomen and progressively involved the whole abdomen within one day, making it difficult for him to walk. He also developed vomiting of ingested matter which started a day prior to presentation. The patient had previous history of recurrent bouts of acute abdominal pain which started around the age of seven For which he visited nearby health centers 6 times where he was investigated with complete blood count and stool exams and recieved treatment for intestinal parasites with out any siginficant improvement. He had no abdominal imaging done during those times because the scan was deemed unnecessary by the treating physicians.Upon Physical Examination he was Acutely sick-looking and in pain, otherwise conscious, not in respiratory distress, well-nourished. His blood pressure was: 90/50 mmHg, pulse rate was 112 beats per minute, respiratory rate 25 breath per minute and a fever of 38.3 degree celcius. Upon Abdominal Examination bowel sounds were normal and on Superficial Palpation, there was involuntary muscle rigidity and direct tenderness over the left lower quadrant (LLQ) and rebound tenderness but no superficial palpable mass. Upon Deep Palpation there was Smooth, round, tense, tender, ill-defined 4 centimeter by 4 centimeter palpable mass over LLQ extending to the left flank area. Mass was not bimanually palpable. There was no organomegaly. Digital rectal examination was normal.

The purpose is to detect which surgical techniques produce more satisfactory results in isolated pediatric primary Ewing sarcomas of the orbital pyramid. In addition to this primary purpose, initial symptoms in order of prevalence, behavioral traits of the tumors mentioned above, and diagnostic challenges have been discussed. By conducting an extensive search through the central databases of PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Cochrane, we have identified a limited number of 50 cases involving pediatric primary Ewing sarcomas. These cases encompass tumors originating within the orbital cavity and those extending from adjacent bony structures or paranasal sinuses . The exclusion criteria comprised adults aged 19 years or older, cases of primitive neuroectodermal tumors or neuroblastoma, and individuals diagnosed through autopsy. The mean age was recorded as 10.26 years. The male-to-female ratio was 1.45:1. The swelling and exophthalmos were the most prevalent presentation, followed by nasal-related signs and symptoms such as blockage or discharges, whether they were clear, turbid, or bloody rhinorrhea. The involvement of the right and left sides displayed no significant disparity. Among the infiltration sites, the orbital roof presented the highest level of complexity, whereas the erosion levels of the floor, lateral, and medial walls were nearly equivalent. The tumor infiltrated the whole of the orbital cavity in just two cases. The prevailing methods employed by reconstructive surgeons throughout the 74-year review consisted primarily of frontotemporal craniotomy, with or without orbitozygomatic osteotomy, followed by anterior orbitotomy. Although rare, the primary Ewing sarcoma of the orbit tends to present with proptosis or prominence and affects the superolateral walls of the orbit. The pediatric population may not express pain; exophthalmos and tissue swelling were the most typical manifestations. Furthermore, based on the relative prevalence of orbital roof involvement, more frontotemporal surgical approaches were documented in the literature. Level of Evidence: III. Type of Study: Systematic review.

not-yet-known not-yet-known not-yet-known unknown The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has led to significant global health challenges. This study analyses the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 variants among patients admitted to Barts Health NHS Trust hospitals using data from the CLIMB-COVID decentralized digital infrastructure allowing precise identification of SARS-CoV-2 variants. A total of 423 patients admitted between October 2020 and March 2021 were included in the study and divided into two groups: the Alpha lineage group, which comprised the B.1.1.7 variant, and the other lineages group, which included all other variants. Whole-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 genomes was conducted using the COVID-CLIMB pipelines. Clinical outcomes, such as mortality rates and deterioration within 28 days, were analysed. To ensure robust findings, analyses were adjusted for confounding factors, including age and comorbidities. Our findings revealed a significant increase in mortality with age for the Alpha lineage and other lineages. The study underscores the importance of age adjustment in clinical studies to accurately assess the impact of different variants. Consistent genomic sequencing and data completeness are crucial for obtaining reliable results and guiding public health responses. These insights are vital for improving patient outcomes and providing a truthful picture of the pandemic, informing both current and future healthcare strategies.

Integrating voice assistants into content management systems is a new dimension that has opened the possibility of a voice-activated CMS designed for visually impaired users, further enhancing efficiency in digital content management. In the context of this research, the potential benefits and issues of the integration of voice assistants using Google Voice Assistant, one of the most widely used voice assistants, into the platform WordPress were tested. Using NLP, voice assistants improve their interaction with CMS platforms through intuitive voice commands to extend user experiences and user interactions for content creation, editing, and management. This, in turn, improved task efficiency by 30%, while user satisfaction went up by 25%. Users with disabilities were particularly pleased with the enhanced accessibility features. The following research paper describes, in sequence, how Google’s Voice Assistant can be integrated with WordPress using DialogFlow and the WordPress REST API to extend the functionality of voice-controlled creation and management of content. This practical implementation demonstrates a voice-controlled CMS’s feasibility and numerous advantages, laying the groundwork for future enhancements.

Mangrove ecosystems, vital for carbon sequestration and their unique adaptations to inundated environments, face increasing challenges from rising sea levels and elevated atmospheric CO 2 concentrations due to global climate change. Research is urgently needed to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind mangroves’ responses to these stressors, informing effective conservation and management strategies. In this study, we conducted phenotypic observations and transcriptome analyses on two pioneer mangrove species, Sonneratia apetala and Avicennia marina, under elevated CO 2 (eCO 2) and prolonged inundation conditions that simulate future climate scenarios of CO 2 rise and sea level increase. The two species exhibited distinct morphological and physiological responses: S. apetala showed minimal changes, while A. marina demonstrated accelerated growth and early flowering. Transcriptome analysis revealed molecular-level responses to these stressors, highlighting significant impacts on cell wall biosynthesis, plant hormones, and photosynthesis pathways. This study emphasizes the adaptability of mangroves to climate change and provides insights into their complex responses to eCO 2 and prolonged flooding. Ultimately, it offers valuable directions for future research on mangrove resilience and climate change adaptation.

Abstract Objective Assessment of whether maternal anaemia in early pregnancy causes offspring congenital heart disease (CHD) Design Matched case-control study Setting January 1998 - October 2020, England Population Women with a haemoglobin measurement in the first 100 days of pregnancy and a CHD-diagnosed child Methods Data was extracted from the United Kingdom Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD database. Cases were 2,776 women with a CHD-diagnosed child. These were compared to 13,880 matched controls, women without a CHD-diagnosed child. Anaemia was classified as <110 g/l haemoglobin following the WHO definition. A conditional logistic regression analysis was conducted, adjusted for potential maternal demographic and health-related confounders. Main Outcome Measures Offspring CHD diagnosed within 5 years of birth Results 123 (4.4 %) cases and 388 (2.8%) controls had anaemia. After adjusting for potential confounders, the odds of giving birth to a CHD-diagnosed child was 47% higher among anaemic mothers (adjusted OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.18,1.83, p<0.001). Conclusions The observed association between maternal anaemia in early pregnancy and increased risk of offspring CHD supports our recent evidence in mice. Approximately two-thirds of anaemia cases globally are due to iron deficiency. A clinical trial of periconceptional iron supplementation might be a minimally invasive and low-cost intervention for prevention of some CHD if iron deficiency anaemia is proven to be a cause. Funding: British Heart Foundation (FS/17/55/33100, FS/SBSRF/22/31022, RE/18/3/34214); the Medical Research Council (MR/W029294/1); the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR00172). Keywords: Congenital Heart Disease; Anaemia; Haemoglobin; Case-control studies; Risk Factor; Clinical Practice Research Datalink

not-yet-known not-yet-known not-yet-known unknown Outdoor data is essential to study the reliability of PV modules and systems. Each electrical performance measure is dependent on the conditions the measurement is conducted at and, therefore, needs to be considered in the context of dynamically changing outdoor conditions. In this paper, we introduce a statistical model designed to analyze PV outdoor data. This model uses a timeseries of current-voltage ( IV) characteristics, alongside meteorological data, including plane-of-array irradiance ( G POA ) and module temperature ( T Mod ). The model aims to utilize all available information to predict the respective performance measure as well as its uncertainty at arbitrary conditions and times. First, to ensure its quality and relevance, a suitable filtering approach is applied to the IV curves, G POA and T Mod data from 9 modules from 5 locations (Arizona USA, Germany, India, Italy, Saudi Arabia) observed for over two years. Following this, we utilize the Extended Solar cell Parameters (ESPs), a descriptive model for IV characteristics using 10 parameters. The ESPs, then, undergo a principal component analysis (PCA), which transforms the EPSs into a set of uncorrelated principal components (PCs). Individual Gaussian process regressions (GPRs) are then trained on these principal components (PCs). Once the GPRs are trained, the model is capable of reproducing and predicting the complete IV characteristics at any given time t, for specified values of G POA and T Mod . This prediction includes an assessment of its standard deviation, which is derived from data noise and the distance from the observations. This model serves as a versatile tool for various applications, such as analyzing acclimatization effects, degradation trends, seasonal variations, and the performance ratio (PR) of PV modules or systems.

not-yet-known not-yet-known not-yet-known unknown The electronic properties of DNA make it an attractive candidate for applications in biosensing and molecular electronics. One approach to utilizing DNA in these fields involves binding molecules, such as aptamers, to control DNA’s electrical conductance and serve as biosensors. To further explore the potential of DNA-aptamer complexes for such applications, we model and simulate the binding of G-quadruplex aptamers to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and examine its impact on the structural and electrical properties of dsDNA. By combining molecular dynamics simulations and density functional theory with Green’s function-based charge transport calculations, we gain insights into how the aptamer modifies the spacing between base pairs near the binding site, enhancing electronic coupling and creating a conductive path near the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO). This interaction results in a significant modulation of conductance by at least 47 times higher than that of dsDNA without the aptamer. We anticipate that our findings will promote the development of DNA-aptamer complexes for use in molecular electronics and biosensing applications.

An integrated hydrologic model of a rainfall-dominated catchment was used to quantify existing and predict future streamflows relative to salmonid needs and evaluate the efficacy of flow enhancement strategies. Future climate scenarios indicate declines in summer rearing habitat of up to 22% and a shift towards earlier flow recession with some scenarios forecasting a complete loss of passable flow conditions for outmigrating smolts during drought. Significant mitigation of these adverse changes appears possible; simulating reservoir releases and reduced evapotranspiration (ET) through forest management produces increases in summer flows large enough to fully offset the predicted declines associated with even the direst climate projections. Adapting to reductions in flow during the salmonid outmigration season is more challenging, although reservoir releases or forest management could provide passable flow conditions that extend 9-35 days further into the outmigration season. In contrast, cessation of all surface water diversion did not meaningfully offset the predicted future reductions in streamflow. Streamflow enhancement effects were much greater in the portions of the watershed underlain by Coastal Belt units of the Franciscan Complex compared to areas underlain by Central Belt units, suggesting that flow enhancement work may be less impactful in basins with storage-limited hydrogeologic conditions. Successful adaptation to climate change in terms of streamflow may require increased emphasis on strategies such as reservoir releases and/or vegetation management that would reduce forest ET. Significant additional research linking specific forest treatments to long-term ET reductions and streamflow consequences is needed to optimize streamflow benefits of forest treatments.

The escalating sophistication of cyber threats calls for innovative approaches to cybersecurity. Traditional ransomware detection methods often struggle to keep pace with the rapid evolution of malicious software. In response, a novel quantum-inspired probabilistic framework has been developed to enhance detection capabilities. This framework leverages principles from quantum mechanics to model the probabilistic behavior of ransomware, enabling more accurate identification of threats. Comprehensive evaluations demonstrate the framework's superior performance in detection accuracy and resource efficiency compared to existing methods. Notably, it exhibits resilience against advanced evasion techniques employed by modern ransomware variants. The integration of quantuminspired methodologies into cybersecurity practices represents a significant advancement in the field. This approach offers a robust solution to the challenges posed by increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. The findings demonstrate the potential of interdisciplinary strategies in enhancing system defenses. The adoption of such frameworks could lead to more effective and proactive cybersecurity measures. Future research may explore the application of quantum-inspired models to other forms of malware. The study contributes to the ongoing efforts to develop advanced tools for cyber threat detection and mitigation.

ABSTRACT This study investigates the impact of oil-using transports on air pollution levels in Madurai town. By analyzing vehicular density, fuel consumption, and emission factors, the research quantifies the contribution of different vehicle types to air pollution. Spatial analysis of pollutants and correlation with air quality indices identify critical pollution hotspots. This study focuses its attention mainly on analysing the air pollution caused by automobiles in Madurai town. Air pollution caused by automobiles is so high. Environmental issue is also a basic social issue similar on untouchability, illiteracy, child and women exploitation and bonded labour. The solution to the problem requires technological efforts and social responsibility of all concerned. Education becomes the main media, which can create awareness regarding the utilisation of human resources for environmental monitoring. The findings inform the development of targeted mitigation strategies to improve air quality and public health in Madurai.

not-yet-known not-yet-known not-yet-known unknown Traditional fossil identification relies on the rich experience and knowledge of paleontologists, and existing intelligent identification methods mainly rely on deep learning to train on a large number of fossil graphic samples achieve a high degree of precision. In order to solve the above problems, and still be able to accurately recognize small samples of rare fossils, we try to use the Generative Adversarial Network GAN combined with neural network method, which is applied to the identification of small samples of fossils. First of all, the generator of GAN is fully trained, using it to generate a large number of samples to expand the dataset, enriching the image features extracted by the model, and then through the neural network to analyze the image abstraction computation, and finally the best fossil identification model is trained through multiple iterations. Using the method of this paper on the same dataset with a data enhancement method for comparison experiments, the experimental results show that the accuracy rate reaches 91.3% in the case of rounds 20, higher than the other experimental results, and has a significant advantage in the recognition of fossils with scarce samples.

Psychotherapy provides a feeling of control in people with mental health problems, overwhelmed with psychological and emotional conflicts. It assists them in handling their impulses and regaining serenity through mindful alterations in their behaviors and emotions. Such emotional and behavioral improvements may be achieved by enhancing the listening abilities and observational skills, raising awareness and attention for change. Traditional psychotherapy calls for one-on-one therapeutic sessions during the course of healing and treatment. In the present era, information technology (IT) is governing all aspects of life, and it can be observed that many human interactions and activities are being supported and, to some extent, replaced by IT tools. Similarly, contemporary psychotherapy is utilizing specialized tools and techniques based on information technology and artificial intelligence (AI) technology, which helps in cognitive and behavioral assessments and modifications. The notion of integrating these two extensive realms of psychotherapy and vitality of artificial intelligence has attracted attention in the modern era. There has been a reluctance among psychologists and psychotherapists to use information technology and artificial intelligence due to a perceived threat of employment insecurities, being replaced by computer-led programs and artificial intelligence, and some other associated consequences. But on a positive note, the advancement and integration of AI technology in the practice of psychology and psychotherapy can have effects that may completely transform the mental health services and bring about social benefits. Psychologists and mental health practitioners need to play an active role in the development and renaissance of AI technology. This paper review focuses on the use of AI through computer-implemented psychotherapeutic tools, which may enhance self-awareness.

Under the control of the Loess Plateau, the northern part of the West Qinling Mountains has obvious transitional features in terms of topography, climate, soil and vegetation. In order to explore the effects of the Loess Plateau on habitat quality (HQ) of the West Qinling Mountains, we selected five typical counties with different percentages of the Loess Plateau area based on geomorphic types, climate, water system, vegetation zone, and elevation, and analyzed the spatial and temporal differentiation characteristics of HQ and their influence mechanisms with the help of the InVEST model and geographical detector (GD) model. The results showed that: (1) From 2000 to 2020, the three regions showed a decreasing trend of cultivated land and an increasing trend of forest as the area of the Loess Plateau within the region decreases. (2) From 2000 to 2020, HQ changes showed a bipolar sharpening phenomenon. (3) From 2000 to 2020, the mean HQ showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing. HQ of the Loess Plateau, the Transition Zone, and the West Qinling Mountains showed a three-level gradient of low, medium, and high. the Transition Zone generally showed the spatial distribution characteristics of low in the north and high in the south, and the low grade were mainly distributed in the Loess Plateau area within the county north. The formation of this geographical distribution verified that the ecological effects of the Loess Plateau have influenced the HQ of the West Qinling Mountains. (4) Land use intensity and population density were the dominant factors causing spatial differentiation of HQ in the three regions, NDVI and NPP have always played a key role in the variation of HQ in the Transition Zone, and the synergistic enhancement effect between various factors promotes the change of regional HQ.

1. INTRODUCTIONKenya is a high burden TB country, and ranks among the 30 countries which account for over 80% of all TB cases worldwide1. It is estimated that TB affects 267 people for every 100, 000 population in Kenya, yet up to 40% of the affected individuals remain undetected and untreated1.Poncet’s disease, a joint manifestation of active tuberculous infection presents as a non-erosive inflammatory arthritis2, and mostly affects the ankle joint although other joints like knees, shoulders, elbows, wrists, metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints can be affected3.In a region with high TB burden, the clinician must have a high index of suspicion not to miss this potentially treatable condition especially among patients presenting with inflammatory, non-erosive, non-deforming arthritis. We hereby present a case of Poncet’s disease managed in a peripheral centre in Kenya, and which was initially diagnosed as osteoarthritis.

Very high–Grade Upward Lumbar Disc Extrusion: An Unusual Case StudyJunge ZhouDepartment of Neurosurgery, Wuhan Brain Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei 430010, ChinaAcademic Degrees: MasterE-mail: 43494830@qq.comTel: +86-027-82451692Fax Number: +86-027 -82451001Patient consent: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for the publication of this manuscript.Ethics approval: This research was approved by the ethics committee of Wuhan Brain HospitalAcknowledgments: None.Funding source: None.Conflicts of interest: None.Data access statement:  The data used to support the findings of this study have been included in this article.Consent to Publish Declaration: All authors consent to the publication of this manuscript. We confirm the accuracy and authenticity of the data and comply with all publisher regulations.Data Availability Statement: Original data have been processed and stored securely. Data will be made available upon request, following publisher and discipline requirements. Details will be provided upon publication.Author Contribution Statement: The sole author, Junge Zhou, designed and conducted the research project, including data collection and analysis. Junge Zhou also authored the entire manuscript, ensuring that all sections—from the introduction to the discussion—were logically organized and accurately presented. Additionally, Junge Zhou was responsible for securing funding, adhering to ethical guidelines, and maintaining all necessary records and documentation throughout the research process.