The interactions between topology and algebraic geometry expose various interesting properties. This paper proposes the deformations of topological n-manifolds over the automorphic polynomial ring maps and associated isomorphic imbedding of locally flat submanifolds within the n-manifolds. The manifold deformations include topologically homeomorphic bending of submanifolds at multiple directions under algebraic operations. This paper introduces the concept of a topological equivalence class of manifolds and the associated equivalent class of polynomials in a real ring. The concepts of algebraic compositions in a real polynomial ring and the resulting topological properties (homeomorphism, isomorphism and deformation) of manifolds under algebraic compositions are introduced. It is shown that a set of ideals in a polynomial ring generates manifolds retaining topological isomorphism under algebraic compositions. The numerical simulations are presented in this paper to illustrate the interplay of topological properties and the respective real algebraic sets generated by polynomials in a ring within affine 3-spaces. It is shown that the coefficients of polynomials generated by a periodic smooth function can induce mirror symmetry in manifolds. The proposed formulations do not consider the simplectic class of manifolds and associated quantizable deformations. However, the proposed formulations preserve the properties of Nash representations of real algebraic manifolds including Nash isomorphism. Full article

Estrogen receptor (ER) β (ERβ) is the second ER subtype that mediates the effects of estrogen in target tissues along with ERα that represents a validated biomarker and target for endocrine therapy in breast cancer. ERα was the only known ER subtype until 1996 when the discovery of ERβ opened a new chapter in endocrinology and prompted a thorough reevaluation of the estrogen signaling paradigm. Unlike the oncogenic ERα, ERβ has been proposed to function as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer, and extensive research is underway to uncover the full spectrum of ERβ activities and elucidate its mechanism of action. Recent studies have relied on new transgenic models to capture effects in normal and malignant breast that were not previously detected. They have also benefited from the development of highly specific synthetic ligands that are used to demonstrate distinct mechanisms of gene regulation in cancer. As a result, significant new information about the biology and clinical importance of ERβ is now available, which is the focus of discussion in the present article. Full article

Introduction: Up to 50% of community-dwelling older adults report living with some chronic pain that interferes with their daily functioning and leads to disabilities. Hence, it is crucial to provide these individuals with strategies to effectively manage pain. An interdisciplinary approach is warranted considering the numerous factors contributing to pain among older adults. Although several studies have been conducted on various interdisciplinary pain self-management programs, little effort has been made to synthesize knowledge about such programs for older adults. Objective: The objective of this review was to synthesize the characteristics and effects of interdisciplinary chronic pain self-management interventions targeting community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the steps recommended by Arksey and O’Malley (2005) and Levac et al. (2010). Keyword searches were performed in MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Results: Sixty-six articles were included. Most interventions were based on a cognitive-behavioral group approach and used a combination of modalities, including education and training on the use of self-management strategies. The professionals most frequently involved in group interventions were psychologists, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists. Several benefits of these programs have been reported concerning pain intensity, independence in daily functioning, mental health, and quality of life. Conclusions: Interdisciplinary chronic pain self-management programs appear promising in guiding clinical and rehabilitation interventions for older adults living with chronic pain. Full article

Recently, nonlinear fractional models have become increasingly important for describing phenomena occurring in science and engineering fields, especially those including symmetric kernels. In the current article, we examine two reliable methods for solving fractional coupled nonlinear Schrödinger models. These methods are known as the Sardar-subequation technique (SSET) and the improved generalized tanh-function technique (IGTHFT). Numerous novel soliton solutions are computed using different formats, such as periodic, bell-shaped, dark, and combination single bright along with kink, periodic, and single soliton solutions. Additionally, single solitary wave, multi-wave, and periodic kink combined solutions are evaluated. The behavioral traits of the retrieved solutions are illustrated by certain distinctive two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and contour graphs. The results are encouraging, since they show that the suggested methods are trustworthy, consistent, and efficient in finding accurate solutions to the various challenging nonlinear problems that have recently surfaced in applied sciences, engineering, and nonlinear optics. Full article

Understanding the role that settlement can have on the base resistance of piles is a crucial matter in the design and safety control of deep foundations under various buildings and infrastructure, especially for long to super-long piles (60–90 m length) in soft soil. This paper presents a novel assessment of this issue by applying explainable machine learning (ML) techniques to a robust database (1131 datapoints) of fully instrumented pile tests across 37 real-life projects in the Mekong Delta. The analysis of data based on conventional methods shows distinct responses of long piles to rising settlement, as compared to short piles. The base resistance can rapidly develop at a small settlement threshold (0.015–0.03% of pile’s length) and contribute up to 50–55% of the total bearing capacity in short piles, but it slowly rises over a wide range of settlement to only 20–25% in long piles due to considerable loss of settlement impact over the depth. Furthermore, by leveraging the advantages of ML methods, the results significantly enhance our understanding of the settlement–base resistance relationship through explainable computations. The ML-based prediction method is compared with popular practice codes for pile foundations, further attesting to the high accuracy and reliability of the newly established model. Full article

Using the solid-state reactions method Na_0.55(Co,M)O₂ (M = Cr, Ni, Zn, W, and Bi) ceramics were prepared and their crystal structure, microstructure, electrophysical, thermophysical, and thermoelectric properties were studied. Doping of Na_0.55CoO₂ by transition or heavy metal oxides led to the increase in the grain size of ceramics, a decrease in electrical resistivity and thermal diffusivity values, and a sharp increase in the Seebeck coefficient, which resulted in essential enhancement of their thermoelectric properties. The largest power factor (1.04 mW/(m·K²) at 1073 K) and figure of merit (0.702 at 1073 K) among the studied samples possessed the Na_0.55Co_0.9Bi_0.1O₂ compound, which also demonstrated the highest values of the Seebeck coefficient (666 μV/K at 1073 K). The obtained results show that the doping of layered sodium cobaltite by different metal oxides allows for improving its stability, microstructure, and functional properties, which proves the effectiveness of the doping strategy for developing new thermoelectric oxides with enhanced thermoelectric performance. Full article

Understanding the role of oxygen vacancies in the phase transformation of metal oxide nanomaterials is fundamental to design more efficient opto-electronic devices for a variety of applications, including sensing, spintronics, photocatalysis, and photo-electrochemistry. However, the structural mechanisms behind the phase transformation in reducible oxides remain poorly described. Here, we compare P25 and black TiO₂ during the thermal anatase-to-rutile transformation using in situ synchrotron powder diffraction. The precise measurement of the phase fractions, unit cell parameters, and Ti-O bond sheds light on the phase transformation dynamics. Notably, we observe distinct temperature-dependent shifts in the relative phase fractions of anatase and rutile in both materials highlighting the role of the oxygen vacancy in promoting the phase transformation. We employ bond valence concepts for structural modeling, revealing unique trends in temperature evolution of Ti-O distances of black rutile, confirming that this TiO₂ phase is preferentially reduced over anatase. These findings not only enhance our understanding of phase transitions in TiO₂ but also open new ways for the design of advanced photocatalytic materials through targeted phase control. Full article

It is essential and forward-thinking to investigate the personalized use of four-wheel driving and steering wire-controlled unmanned chassis. This paper introduces a personalized path-tracking approach designed to adapt the vehicle’s control system to human-like characteristics, enhancing the fit and maximizing the potential of the chassis’ multi-directional driving and steering capabilities. By modifying the classic vehicle motion controller design, this approach aligns with individual driving habits, significantly improving upon traditional path-tracking control methods that rely solely on reference vector fields. First, the classic reference vector field’s logic was expanded upon, and it is shown that a personalized upgrade is feasible. Then, driving behavior data from multiple drivers were collected using a driving simulator. The fuzzy c-means clustering method was used to categorize drivers based on typical states that match vehicle path-tracking performance. Additionally, the random forest algorithm was used as the method for recognizing driving style. Subsequently, a personalized path-tracking control strategy based on the reference vector field was developed and a distributed execution architecture for four-wheel driving and steering wire-controlled unmanned chassis was established. Finally, the proposed personalized path-tracking approach was validated using a driving simulator. The results of the experimental tests demonstrated that the personalized path-tracking control approach not only fits well with various driving styles but also delivers high accuracy in driving style identification, making it highly suitable for application in four-wheel driving and steering wire-controlled chassis. Full article

In the near future, fully autonomous vehicles may revolutionise mobility and contribute to the development of the smart city concept. In this work, we assume that vehicles are not only fully autonomous but also centrally controlled by a single operator, who can also define the traffic light control parameters at intersections. With the aim of optimising the system to achieve a global optimum, the operator can define both the routes of the fleet of vehicles and the traffic light control parameters. This paper proposes a model for the joint optimisation of traffic light control parameters and autonomous vehicle routes to achieve the system optimum. The model, which is solved using a gradient algorithm, is tested on networks of different sizes. The results obtained show the validity of the proposed approach and the advantages of centralised management of vehicles and intersection control parameters. Full article

In road transport, most vehicles today still rely on internal combustion engines. However, these engines have lower efficiency and generate higher pollution levels compared to electric motors. Consequently, there is a growing interest in the transition from conventional vehicles to electric ones. However, the transition to an electrified road transport system is not without challenges. Among these, the impact that electric vehicle charging will have on the electricity grid is of particular concern. This paper analyzes different charging scenarios for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and proposes charging strategies to minimize their impact on the electricity grid. The analysis is based on a large dataset of trips in urban areas in Italy. The study shows that smart charging of PHEVs can be implemented to minimize the impact on the electricity grid. The implementation of optimized charging strategies can contribute to making PHEVs a valid, eco-sustainable alternative to conventional vehicles while also promoting the stability and efficiency of the electricity grid. The study aims to verify the effectiveness and efficiency of the flexible charging strategy by comparing the common charging operation (first in–first out) with other, less impactful charging schemes. Full article

This paper aims to emphasize the need for enhancing inclusivity and accessibility within smart-city societies. It represents the first attempt to apply Amartya Sen’s capability approach by exploring the implications of digital divides for promoting inclusive and climate-friendly cities that prioritize well-being, equity, and societal participation. Sen’s framework recognizes individual variations in converting resources into valuable ‘functionings’, and herein emphasizes the importance of aligning personal, social, and environmental conversion factors for individuals to fully navigate, participate in, and enjoy the benefits provided by smart cities. Adopting the capability approach and employing a cross-disciplinary analysis of the scientific literature, the primary objective is to broaden understanding of how to improve inclusivity and accessibility within smart-city societies, with a specific focus on marginalized community members facing first- and second-level digital divides. This paper underscores the importance of adopting a systemic perspective on climate-smart city navigation and stresses the importance of establishing a unified governing body responsible for monitoring, evaluating, and enhancing smart-city functionality. The paper concludes by summarizing some policy recommendations to boost social inclusion and address climate change in smart cities, such as creating capability-enhancing institutions, safeguarding redundancy in public-choice options, empowering citizens, and leveraging academic knowledge in smart-city policy formulation. Full article

Outlier detection plays a critical role in building operation optimization and data quality maintenance. However, existing methods often struggle with the complexity and variability of building energy data, leading to poorly generalized and explainable results. To address the gap, this study introduces a novel Vision-based Outlier Detection (VOD) approach, leveraging computer vision models to spot outliers in the building energy records. The models are trained to identify outliers by analyzing the load shapes in 2D time series plots derived from the energy data. The VOD approach is tested on four years of workday time-series electricity consumption data from 290 commercial buildings in the United States. Two distinct models are developed for different usage purposes, namely a classification model for broad-level outlier detection and an object detection model for the demands of precise pinpointing of outliers. The classification model is also interpreted via Grad-CAM to enhance its usage reliability. The classification model achieves an F1 score of 0.88, and the object detection model achieves an Average Precision (AP) of 0.84. VOD is a very efficient path to identifying energy consumption outliers in building operations, paving the way for the enhancement of building energy data quality, operation efficiency, and energy savings. Full article

The wine’s volatilome, most of the time, defines not only its aroma, but also, its major attributes. In the case of wines, the authentication process has become imperative, in light of increased production of alcoholic beverages; consequently, reliable analytical methods have served for it. Therefore, the goal of this research was to establish the global volatile profile of traditional Romanian white wines from Fetească varieties (Fetească albă, Fetească regală) in order to identify its unique characteristics by means of a headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography analysis (HS-SPME/GC-MS) and e-Nose devoted techniques. Statistics was also employed aimed at differentiating the analyzed wine by varietal groups. Consequently, 23 volatile compounds were detected and quantified in 39 Fetească white wine samples originating from various production areas (Muntenia, Oltenia, Transylvania, Banat and Dobrogea), then further classified according to their odor thresholds in five aromatic classes (floral, fruity, sweet, lactic (cheesy) and other). In addition, statistics (Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Hieratical Clustering Analysis (HCA)) were used aiming to differentiate the analyzed varietal groups. The outcomes have pointed out the existence of distinct clusters connected with ethyl esters or alcohol composition and production year, depending on each examined variety. Full article

3D modeling and reconstruction are critical to creating immersive XR experiences, providing realistic virtual environments, objects, and interactions that increase user engagement and enable new forms of content manipulation. Today, 3D data can be easily captured using off-the-shelf, specialized headsets; very often, these tools provide real-time, albeit low-resolution, integration of continuously captured depth maps. This approach is generally suitable for basic AR and MR applications, where users can easily direct their attention to points of interest and benefit from a fully user-centric perspective. However, it proves to be less effective in more complex scenarios such as multi-user telepresence or telerobotics, where real-time transmission of local surroundings to remote users is essential. Two primary questions emerge: (i) what strategies are available for achieving real-time 3D reconstruction in such systems? and (ii) how can the effectiveness of real-time 3D reconstruction methods be assessed? This paper explores various approaches to the challenge of live 3D reconstruction from typical point cloud data. It first introduces some common data flow patterns that characterize virtual reality applications and shows that achieving high-speed data transmission and efficient data compression is critical to maintaining visual continuity and ensuring a satisfactory user experience. The paper thus introduces the concept of saliency-driven compression/reconstruction and compares it with alternative state-of-the-art approaches. Full article

The use of biochar in soilless media is becoming more common in greenhouse production. This study was conducted to evaluate Eastern red cedar biochar as a soilless-media supplement for the growth of geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L.) and petunia (Petunia sp. J.) as potted plants in greenhousese. Eastern red cedar biomass was produced at three different temperature ranges 300–350 °C, 400–450 °C, and 500–550 °C and applied at 15%, 30%, 45%, and 60% v/v to a soilless media plus a control. Additionally, Eastern red cedar (ERC) bark was also applied at 15%, 30%, 45%, and 60% v/v to a soilless media. The growth characteristics of the plants along with the physical and nutrient properties of the growth media were recorded. For physical properties, 100% soilless media had the greatest bulk density, 60% biochar at 400–450 °C showed the greatest total porosity, and 60% ERC bark showed the greatest air porosity. For geranium, 15% biochar at 500–550 °C showed the greatest height, water use efficiency, and shoot dry weight, while 15% biochar at 300–350 °C showed the greatest width. The greatest number of flowers was at 45% biochar at 500–550 °C. For petunia, 15% biochar at 300–350 °C showed the greatest height, and 15% biochar at 500–550 °C showed the greatest width. The greatest number of flowers and flower diameter was achieved with 100% soilless media. The 15% biochar at 500–550 °C had the greatest shoot dry weight and water use efficiency, and 60% biochar at 400–450 °C had the greatest root dry weight. Biochar treatment outperforms the ERC bark treatment for both species. Within biochar treatment, 15% biochar outperforms dry biomass, while for flowering, 100% soilless media performs best for petunia, and biochar performs best at less than 45% for geranium. Full article

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents an increasing health burden. Evidence suggests the importance of miRNA in diagnosing CKD, yet the reports are inconsistent. This study aimed to determine novel miRNA biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets from hypothesis-free miRNA profiling studies in human and murine CKDs. Comprehensive literature searches were conducted on five databases. Subgroup analyses of kidney diseases, sample types, disease stages, and species were conducted. A total of 38 human and 12 murine eligible studies were analyzed using Robust Rank Aggregation (RRA) and vote-counting analyses. Gene set enrichment analyses of miRNA signatures in each kidney disease were conducted using DIANA-miRPath v4.0 and MIENTURNET. As a result, top target genes, Gene Ontology terms, the interaction network between miRNA and target genes, and molecular pathways in each kidney disease were identified. According to vote-counting analysis, 145 miRNAs were dysregulated in human kidney diseases, and 32 were dysregulated in murine CKD models. By RRA, miR-26a-5p was significantly reduced in the kidney tissue of Lupus nephritis (LN), while miR-107 was decreased in LN patients’ blood samples. In both species, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, Notch, mTOR signaling, apoptosis, G2/M checkpoint, and hypoxia were the most enriched pathways. These miRNA signatures and their target genes must be validated in large patient cohort studies. Full article

The survival rate of cardiac arrest (CA) can be improved by utilizing percutaneous left ventricular assist devices (pLVADs) instead of conventional chest compressions. However, existing pLVADs require complex fluoroscopy-guided placement along a guidewire and suffer from limited blood flow due to their cross-sectional area. The recently developed self-expandable Impella CP (ECP) pLVAD addresses these limitations by enabling guidewire-free placement and increasing the pump cross-sectional area. This study evaluates the feasibility of resuscitation using the Impella ECP in a swine CA model. Eleven anesthetized pigs (73.8 ± 1.7 kg) underwent electrically induced CA, were left untreated for 5 min and then received pLVAD insertion and activation. Vasopressors were administered and defibrillations were attempted. Five hours after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), the pLVAD was removed, and animals were monitored for an additional hour. Hemodynamics were assessed and myocardial function was evaluated using echocardiography. Successful guidewire-free pLVAD placement was achieved in all animals. Resuscitation was successful in 75% of cases, with 3.5 ± 2.0 defibrillations and 1.8 ± 0.4 mg norepinephrine used per ROSC. Hemodynamics remained stable post-device removal, with no adverse effects or aortic valve damage observed. The Impella ECP facilitated rapid guidewire-free pLVAD placement in fibrillating hearts, enabling successful resuscitation. These findings support a broader clinical adoption of pLVADs, particularly the Impella ECP, for CA. Full article

This study focused on the osmotic dehydration (OD) of ready-to-eat spinach leaves combined with the pulsed electric field (PEF) pre-treatment. Untreated and PEF-treated (0.6 kV/cm, 0–200 pulses) spinach leaves were osmotically dehydrated at room temperature for up to 120 min. The application of PEF (0.6 kV/20 pulses) prior to OD (60% glycerol, 25 °C, 60 min) lowered water activity (a_w = 0.891) while achieving satisfactory product acceptability (total sensory hedonic scoring of 8). During the storage of the product (at 4, 8, 12, and 20 °C for up to 30 d), a significant reduction in total microbial count evolution was observed (9.7 logCFU/g for the untreated samples vs. 5.1 logCFU/g for the PEF-OD-treated samples after 13 d of storage at 4 °C). The selection of these PEF and OD treatment conditions enabled the extension of the product shelf life by up to 33 d under chilled storage. Osmotically treated spinach could find application in ready-to-eat salad products with an extended shelf life, which is currently not possible due to the high perishability of the specific plant tissue. Full article

Consumers are increasingly looking for healthy foods without the addition of synthetic additives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of coffee extracts as a natural antioxidant in fresh pork sausage. Firstly, the conditions for obtaining coffee green extracts were optimized (Central Composite Rotatable Design 2³, variables: extraction time, ethanol–water ratio, and sample–solvent ratio) in an ultrasound bath (70 °C). The response variables were the bioactive compounds levels and antioxidant activity. Valid models were obtained (p ≤ 0.05, R² > 0.751), with higher bioactive content and antioxidant activity in the central point region. Extracts of Robusta and Arabica coffee green (RG and AG) and medium roast (RR and AR) obtained, and central point (10 min, an ethanol concentration of 30%, and a sample–solvent ratio of 10 g/100 mL) and optimized (14.2 min, 34.2%, and 5.8 g/100 mL) parameters were characterized. The RG presented a significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher content of caffeine (3114.8 ± 50.0 and 3148.1 ± 13.5 mg/100 g) and 5-CQA (6417.1 ± 22.0 and 6706.4 ± 23.5 mg/100 g) in both extraction conditions, respectively. The RG and RR coffee presented the highest antioxidant activity. Two concentrations of RG and RR coffee extracts were tested in fresh pork sausage. The Robusta coffee extract presented the highest antioxidant activity in both roasted and green states. However, when applied to a meat product, the extract prepared with RG coffee showed better results, with efficiency in replacing synthetic antioxidants (content of malonaldehyde/kg of sample below 0.696 ± 0.059 in 20 days of storage), without altering the sensory attributes of the product (average scores above 7.16 ± 1.43 for all attributes evaluated). Therefore, the RG coffee extract was a suitable alternative as a natural antioxidant applied to fresh pork sausage. Full article

In the search for a more effective chemotherapy for the treatment of Chagas’ disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, the use of gold compounds may be a promising approach. In this work, four gold(I) compounds [AuCl(HL)], (HL = bioactive 5-nitrofuryl containing thiosemicarbazones) were studied. The compounds were theoretically characterized, showing identical chemical structures with the metal ion located in a linear coordination environment and the thiosemicarbazones acting as monodentate ligands. Cyclic voltammetry and Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) studies demonstrated that the complexes could generate the nitro anion radical (NO₂⁻) by reduction of the nitro moiety. The compounds were evaluated in vitro on the trypomastigote form of T. cruzi and human cells of endothelial morphology. The gold compounds studied showed activity in the micromolar range against T. cruzi. The most active compounds (IC₅₀ of around 10 μM) showed an enhancement of the antiparasitic activity compared with their respective bioactive ligands and moderate selectivity. To get insight into the anti-chagasic mechanism of action, the intracellular free radical production capacity of the gold compounds was assessed by ESR and fluorescence measurements. DMPO (5,5-dimethyl-1-pirroline-N-oxide) spin adducts related to the bioreduction of the complexes and redox cycling processes were characterized. The potential oxidative stress mechanism against T. cruzi was confirmed. Full article

In this study, Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides (TFPs) were extracted by ultrasound-assisted enzymatic extraction (UAE) at different extraction parameters in order to explore the potential of ultrasound in intensifying the extraction yield. The effects of experimental conditions on the extraction yields were optimized using response surface methodology, with the optimal ultrasonic power of 700 W, temperature of 45 °C and time of 50 min. The kinetic analysis revealed that UAE significantly promoted the dissolution, diffusion and migration with the maximum yield of 26.39%, which was enhanced by 40.45% and 156.96% compared with individual ultrasonic extraction (UE) and enzymatic extraction (EE). According to the modified Fick’s second law of diffusion, the extraction process of TFPs illustrated a good linear correlation (R² ≥ 0.9), and the rate constant gradually elevated as the temperature increased from 25 to 45 °C, while the presence of ultrasound exerted a vital role in extracting TFPs. Regarding to the thermodynamic results, the positive values of ΔH and ΔG demonstrated that UAE, UE and EE were endothermic and unspontaneous processes. This study provides a theoretical basis for polysaccharide extraction processing. Full article

In this paper, a novel method is demonstrated to sustain vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication on curvy roads via the arrangement of the lateral position of a self-angle-adjustable mirror–reflective road sign (SAAMRS) and light-direction-sensing wide-angle complementary photodiodes (CPDs). Visible light communication (VLC) between vehicles attracts attention as a complementary technology to radio-frequency-based (RF-based) communication technologies due to its wide, license-free spectrum and immunity to interferences. However, V2V VLC may be interrupted on curvy roads due to the limited field of view (FOV) of the receiver or the line of sight (LOS) being interrupted. To solve this problem, an experiment was developed using an SAAMRS along with wide-angle light-direction-sensing CPDs that used a precise peak detection (PPD) method to sustain communication between vehicles in dynamic environments by rerouting the incident light with the highest signal intensity level to the receiver vehicle on curvy roads. We also used real images of curvy roads simulated as polynomials to calculate the necessary rotation angles for the SAAMRS and regions where communication exist. Our experimental results overlapped almost completely with our simulations, with small errors of approximately 4.8% and 4.4% for the SAAMRS angle and communication region, respectively. Full article