Over the years, building appliances have become the major energy consumers to improve indoor air quality and occupants’ lifestyles. The primary energy usage in building sectors, particularly lighting, Heating, Ventilation, and Air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, is expected to double in the upcoming years due to inappropriate control operation activities. Recently, several researchers have provided an automated solution to turn HVAC and lighting on when the space is being occupied and off when the space becomes vacant. Previous studies indicate a lack of publicly accessible datasets for environmental sensing and suggest developing holistic models that detect buildings’ occupancy. Additionally, the reliability of their solutions tends to decrease as the occupancy grows in a building. Therefore, this study proposed a machine learning-based framework for smart building occupancy detection that considered the lighting parameter in addition to the HVAC parameter used in the existing studies. We employed a parametric classifier to ensure a strong correlation between the predicting parameters and the occupancy prediction model. This study uses a machine learning model that combines direct and environmental sensing techniques to obtain high-quality training data. The analysis of the experimental results shows high accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score of the applied RF model (0.86, 0.99, 1.0, and 0.88 respectively) for occupancy prediction and substantial energy saving. Full article

Various methods exist for multiscale characterization of surface topographies, each offering unique insights and applications. The study focuses on fractal-based approaches, distinguishing themselves by leveraging fractals to analyze surface complexity. Specifically, the Richardson Patchwork method, used in the ASME B46.1 and ISO 25178 standards, is compared to the Sdr parameter derived from ISO 25178-2, with a low-pass Gaussian filter for multiscale characterization. The comparison is performed from the relative area calculated on topographies of TA6V samples grit blasted with different pressures and blasting materials (media). The surfaces obtained by grit blasting have fractal-like characteristics over the scales studied, enabling the analysis of area development at multiple levels based on pressure and media. The relative area is similar for both methods, regardless of the complexity of the topographies. The relevance scale for each calculation method that significantly represents the effect of grit blasting pressure on the increased value of the relative area is a tiling of 7657.64 µm² of triangle area for the Patchwork method and a 124.6 µm cut-off for the low-pass Gaussian filter of the Sdr method. These results could facilitate a standard, friendly, new fractal method for multiscale characterization of the relative area. Full article

While significant strides have been made in comprehending the pathophysiology and treatment of epilepsy, further investigation is warranted to elucidate the factors impacting its development and transmission, particularly within familial contexts. This study sought to explore the prevalence and risk factors associated with epilepsy in the offspring of patients with epilepsy who were treated at a tertiary epilepsy center. Adult patients with confirmed epilepsy (PWE) receiving outpatient care were consecutively enrolled, starting from January 2021 to January 2023. Data were recorded for various variables, including age, gender, epilepsy pathophysiology, cognitive impairment, and family history of epilepsy. Descriptive statistics, various statistical tests, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to analyze the data. A total of 1456 PWE were included. Among them, 463 patients (31.8%) had children. Twenty-five patients had offspring diagnosed with epilepsy, representing a prevalence of 5.4%. Analysis of the offspring with epilepsy revealed older ages, a higher proportion of parents with idiopathic epilepsy, and a greater prevalence of a positive family history of epilepsy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between a family history of epilepsy and increased epilepsy risk in offspring. Genetic syndrome-immanent predisposition, advanced age, and a family history of epilepsy were identified as significant risk factors for epilepsy in offspring by means of this mono-center study. Full article

Endophytic fungus is crucial for maintaining plant health and defense mechanisms, acting as protective barriers against pathogens, and producing medicinally beneficial bioactive compounds. Genome sequencing and metagenomics have significantly enhanced the understanding of fungal diversity and metabolic capabilities, enabling the identification of new genes and substances. Traditional culture-dependent methods have been complemented by culture-independent techniques, offering a more comprehensive view of fungal diversity. Using both culture-dependent and culture-independent techniques, the present research investigation explored the diversity of endophytic fungi encountered in the foliage of Hardwickia binata. The study examined the topographical characteristics and nutritional content of soil samples collected from the locality of the selected plant sample, H. binata, to better comprehend the effects on the plant’s growth. The balanced nutrient constituted approximately a pH of 7.2, which suggested an alkaline nature and promoted plant development. The ratio of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium remained 3:1:1. A total of 25 fungal isolates, categorized into 17 morphotypes, were obtained using the culture-dependent approach; Curvularia and Nigrospora emerged as the most common genera. Furthermore, the prediction of the ITS2 secondary structure supports the identification of species, highlighting a wide variety of fungal species present in H. binata. The culture-independent approach generated 69,570 high-quality sequences, identifying 269 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs). The dominant Ascomycota phylum, along with various genera, indicated a rich fungal community associated with H. binata. This study advances the understanding of the endophytic fungus communities that are associated with H. binata and the nature of soil ecology. The findings emphasize the significance of holistic techniques in the study of microbial dynamics within plant systems as well as their implications for ecosystem management and plant health. Full article

Despite the recent need for sustainable energy resources, bioenergy gained its spotlight in the 2000s. Sugarcane is a significant crop in terms of sugar and energy capacity, and it can be an alternative energy source to mitigate the effects of climate change. Bioenergy production from sugarcane in Brazil is one of the most efficient options. This production lends a centrality to biofuels’ importance in confronting climate change effects. The present article reviews the Brazilian history of this crop as a biofuel source, focusing on plants as a biomass. We highlight the historical changes related to scientific, technological, industrial, and environmental advances since the beginning of the 20th century. We describe how creating governmental institutes and disseminating scientific knowledge strengthened public policies that led Brazil to occupy leadership positions in producing, distributing, and using bioenergy throughout the country. The compiled data show the improvements and the new approaches needed to improve ethanol sugarcane use. We performed a bibliometric analysis to evaluate Brazilian science’s contribution to this process compared to other countries. Brazil’s history of science and investment in sugarcane biofuel development for transportation may be divided into two phases: ethanol-only and flex-fuel cars. A third phase is starting, directed to the SAF and ethanol-to-hydrogen era. Full article

The Baiyun gold deposit is a medium-sized deposit in northeastern Hubei around the southern margin of the Tongbai-Dabie metallogenic belt. However, its genesis has not been determined. The metallogenic process of the Baiyun gold deposit can be divided into three stages: quartz + feldspar, quartz + native gold + electrum + polymetallic sulfides, and quartz + pyrite + calcite + iron dolomite + illite. In this study, LA-ICP-MS was used for in situ trace element and isotope analyses in the main and late ore stage hydrothermal sulfides to evaluate the genesis and evolution of ore-forming fluids. Gold is positively correlated with Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Te and the Co/Ni ratio is greater than 1. The S isotope values of Py1 and Py2 are −0.23–3.04‰ and 1.27–6.09‰, respectively. As mineralization progressed, S isotope values increased. In situ S isotope values of the two types of galena symbiotic with pyrite in the main metallogenic stage are 2.97–3.47‰. In situ Fe isotopic values of pyrite are −0.05–0.82‰; values in the two stages are similar without significant fractionation. We inferred that the Baiyun gold deposit formed via magmatic mineralization related to the subduction of the Pacific Plate during the Yanshanian. Full article

The Shouyang Block was selected as the research subject. Comprehensive analysis was conducted using coalbed methane (CBM) well production data, geochemical test data on water produced from the coalbed methane well, and fundamental geological information. The findings reveal the water dynamics in the Shouyang Block are characterized by weak groundwater runoff or retention in most areas. The groundwater head height exhibits a gradual decrease from the north to south, which is closely associated with the monoclinic structure of the Shouyang Block. Overall, water production is relatively high. As the average water production increases, the average gas production gradually decreases. A concentration of high water production wells is observed in the northern part of the Shouyang Block, which gradually increases towards the southeast direction. A comprehensive analysis was conducted on the factors influencing water production, including total water content of coal seams, coal seam porosity, groundwater stability index, groundwater sealing coefficient, D value of the fracture fractal dimension, fault fractal dimension, and sand–mud ratio. The correlation degree was calculated and ranked in order of magnitude through grey correlation analysis. The order of factors that influence water production, from strongest to weakest, is as follows: sand–mud ratio > porosity > fractal dimension of fault > fracture fractal dimension D value > groundwater sealing coefficient > groundwater stability index > total water content of coal seams. The dissolution amounts of carbonate and sulfate are both small, and the water source may mainly come from the sandstone aquifer. Attention should be paid to the distribution and lithological combination of sandstone aquifers in coal-bearing strata in the future exploration and development process of the Shouyang Block. This will help to avoid the potential influence of fault structures and enable the identification of favorable areas for low water and high gas production. Full article

Polyploid plants often exhibit enhanced stress tolerance. Switchgrass is a perennial rhizomatous bunchgrass that is considered ideal for cultivation in marginal lands, including sites with saline soil. In this study, we investigated the physiological responses and transcriptome changes in the octoploid and tetraploid of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L. ‘Alamo’) under salt stress. We found that autoploid 8× switchgrass had enhanced salt tolerance compared with the amphidiploid 4× precursor, as indicated by physiological and phenotypic traits. Octoploids had increased salt tolerance by significant changes to the osmoregulatory and antioxidant systems. The salt-treated 8× Alamo plants showed greater potassium (K⁺) accumulation and an increase in the K⁺/Na⁺ ratio. Root transcriptome analysis for octoploid and tetraploid plants with or without salt stress revealed that 302 upregulated and 546 downregulated differentially expressed genes were enriched in genes involved in plant hormone signal transduction pathways and were specifically associated with the auxin, cytokinin, abscisic acid, and ethylene pathways. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) detected four significant salt stress-related modules. This study explored the changes in the osmoregulatory system, inorganic ions, antioxidant enzyme system, and the root transcriptome in response to salt stress in 8× and 4× Alamo switchgrass. The results enhance knowledge of the salt tolerance of artificially induced homologous polyploid plants and provide experimental and sequencing data to aid research on the short-term adaptability and breeding of salt-tolerant biofuel plants. Full article

Exact biopsy planning and careful execution of needle injection is crucial to ensure successful procedure completion as initially intended while minimizing the risk of complications. This study introduces a solution aimed at helping the operator navigate to precisely position the needle in a previously planned trajectory utilizing a mixed reality headset. A markerless needle tracking method was developed by integrating deep learning and deterministic computer vision techniques. The system is based on superimposing imaging data onto the patient’s body in order to directly perceive the anatomy and determine a path from the selected injection site to the target location. Four types of tests were conducted to assess the system’s performance: measuring the accuracy of needle pose estimation, determining the distance between injection sites and designated targets, evaluating the efficiency of material collection, and comparing procedure time and number of punctures required with and without the system. These tests, involving both phantoms and physician participation in the latter two, demonstrated the accuracy and usability of the proposed solution. The results showcased a significant improvement, with a reduction in number of punctures needed to reach the target location. The test was successfully completed on the first attempt in 70% of cases, as opposed to only 20% without the system. Additionally, there was a 53% reduction in procedure time, validating the effectiveness of the system. Full article

The occurrence of the term σχήμα in Phil 2:7d is analyzed in comparison with two other crucial Pauline occurrences: 1 Cor 7:31 and Phil 3:21 (here as a semanteme included in the verb μετασχηματίσει). This comparative study aims to provide a revision of the current interpretation of the word as designating the outward, sensory, accidental appearance in which Christ’s human nature was manifested to those who dealt with him. This traditional reconstruction is unsatisfactory in two respects: (1) it is tributary to a substantialist ontology that identifies corporeality as a mere spatial extension, unrelated to historicity and (2) it is fraught with highly problematic theological, potentially docetic, implications. As an alternative, the term σχήμα is here interpreted within the framework of the great Pauline theology of history: as a temporal–eschatological marker designating the peculiar temporal state of transience and suffering corruptibility inherent in physicality and corporeal life. This change also clarifies the conceptual articulation of σχήμα with the parallel expression μορφὴν δούλου. According to this interpretation, contrary to the prevailing view, the locution “slave form” does not designate ‘the’ or ‘one’ ‘human form’ but the ‘creature form’, as cosmic submission to temporal finitude. Full article

Dashiling Gully, located in Miyun District, Beijing, exhibits a high susceptibility to debris flow due to its unique geological and topographical characteristics. The area is characterized by well-developed rock joints and fissures, intense weathering, a steep gradient, and a constricted gully morphology. These factors contribute to the accumulation of surface water and loose sediment, significantly increasing the risk of debris flow events. Following a comprehensive field geological investigation of Dashiling Gully, key parameters for simulation were obtained, including fluid weight, volume concentration, and rainfall. The formation and development conditions of potential mudslides were analyzed, and numerical simulations were conducted using FLO-2D software (version 2009) to assess scenarios with rainfall probabilities of 1 in 30, 50, and 100 years. The simulations accurately reconstructed the movement velocity, deposition depth, and other critical movement characteristics of mudslides under each rainfall scenario. Using ArcGIS, pre- and post-treatment hazard zoning maps were generated for Dashiling Gully. Furthermore, the efficacy of implementing a retaining wall as a mitigation measure was evaluated through additional numerical simulations. The results indicated that mudslide velocities ranged from 0 to 3 m/s, with deposition depths primarily between 0 and 3 m. The maximum recorded velocity reached 3.5 m/s, corresponding to a peak deposition depth of 4.31 m. Following the implementation of the retaining wall, the maximum deposition depth significantly decreased to 1.9 m, and high-risk zones were eliminated, demonstrating the intervention’s effectiveness. This study provides a rigorous evaluation of mudslide movement characteristics and the impact of mitigation measures within Dashiling Gully. The findings offer valuable insights and serve as a reference for forecasting and mitigating similar mudslide events triggered by heavy rainfall in gully mudslides. Full article

The Yellow River, a critical water resource, faces challenges stemming from increasing water demand, which has led to detrimental effects on hydropower generation and ecological balance. This paper will address the complex task of balancing the interests of hydropower generation, water supply, and ecology within the context of cascade reservoirs, specifically Longyangxia and Liujiaxia reservoirs. Employing a systemic coupling coordination approach, we constructed a multi-objective synergetic model of the upper Yellow River in order to explore synergies and competitions among multiple objectives. The results reveal that there is a weak competitive relationship between hydropower generation and water supply, a strong synergy between hydropower generation and ecology, and a strong competitive relationship between water supply and ecology. The Pareto solution set analysis indicates a considerable percentage (59%, 20%, and 8% in wet, normal, and dry years, respectively) exhibiting excellent coordination. The probability of excellent coordination decreases with diminishing inflow. The optimization scheme with the highest coupling coordination demonstrates significant improvements in power generation, water supply, and ecological benefits in the upper Yellow River without compromising other objectives, fostering the sustainable operation of hydropower generation, water supply, and ecology in the upper Yellow River. Full article

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of autosomal recessive genetic defects in cortisol synthesis and shows elevated ACTH concentrations, which in turn has downstream effects. The most common variant of CAH, 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD), is the result of pathogenic variants in the CYP21A2 gene and is one of the most common monogenic disorders. However, the genetics of 21OHD is complex and challenging. The CYP21A2 gene is located in the RCCX copy number variation (CNV), a complex, multiallelic, and tandem CNV in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class III region on chromosome 6 (band 6p21.3). Here, CYP21A2 and its pseudogene CYP21A1P are located 30 kb apart and share a high nucleotide homology of approximately 98% and 96% in exons and introns, respectively. This high-sequence homology facilitates large structural rearrangements, copy number changes, and gene conversion through intergenic recombination. There is a good genotype–phenotype correlation in 21OHD, and genotyping can be performed to confirm the clinical diagnosis, predict long-term outcomes, and determine genetic counseling. Thus, genotyping in CAH is clinically relevant but the interpretations can be challenging for non-initiated clinicians. Here, there are some concrete examples of how molecular diagnosis can sometimes require the use of multiple molecular strategies. Full article

Upper airway collapse and apneas in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) induce intermittent hypercapnia and hypoxia, eventually contributing to excessive uric acid production. This study aimed to evaluate the association between hyperuricemia and OSA in the general population via analysis of the eighth KNHANES dataset (2019–2021). OSA risk was identified via the STOP-Bang questionnaire, with a score ≥3 indicating high risk. Among 11,981 total participants, 4572 (38.2%) had a high OSA risk. Participants with a high OSA risk had higher uric acid levels compared to those with a low risk (5.5 ± 1.4 mg/dL vs. 4.8 ± 1.2 mg/dL, p < 0.001). Serum uric acid levels were positively correlated with STOP-Bang score (r: 0.317, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that hyperuricemia was associated with a high OSA risk after adjusting for confounders (odds ratio: 1.30, 95%CI: 1.11–1.53, p = 0.001). Therefore, serum uric acid levels are significantly higher in those with a high OSA risk and correlate with the risk of OSA. Further, hyperuricemia is an independently associated risk factor for high OSA risk. More research is warranted to evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of hyperuricemia in OSA and to determine whether treatment targeting hyperuricemia is effective in the clinical course of OSA. Full article

The relativistic positive-energy wave equation proposed by P. Dirac in 1971 is an old but largely forgotten subject. The purpose of this note is to speculate that particles described by this equation (called here Dirac particles) are natural candidates for the dark matter. The reasoning is based on a fact that the internal structure of such particles simply prohibits their interaction with electromagnetic fields (at least with the minimal coupling) which is exactly what is required for dark matter. Dirac particles have quite unusual properties. In particular, they are transformed by an infinite-dimensional representation of the homogeneous Lorentz group, which clearly distinguishes them from all known elementary particles described by finite-dimensional representations and hints to a physics beyond the Standard Model. To clarify the topic, a brief review of the main features of the above-mentioned Dirac equation is given. Full article

When droughts occur, freshwater inputs to coastal wetlands can become scarce and hypersalinity can become a problem. In 2023, a severe drought negatively affected a Texas watershed known as Lake Austin that fed a large expanse of wetlands on East Matagorda Bay. To study the hypersalinity problem in these wetlands, we identified freshwater inflows and mapped vegetation changes over time. We found that from 1943 to 2023, the upper portion of the Lake Austin watershed lost freshwater wetlands to agricultural conversion, and ranged from fresh to brackish, with salinity rapidly rising to a maximum of 31 mS during the summer drought of 2023. The lower portion of the watershed gained saltwater wetlands due to sea level rise, and marshes became hypersaline (64–96 mS) during the 2023 drought, endangering its biota. But after large precipitation events, the entire Lake Austin basin rapidly freshened but then returned to its normal salinities within a week as the tides re-delivered saltwater into its basin. Given current climatic trends, we expect that freshwater inflow will continue to slightly increase for the Lake Austin watershed but also that there will be more extreme periods of episodic drought that negatively affect its wetlands. Accordingly, we assessed several potential restoration actions that would improve freshwater flow and delivery to the Lake Austin coastal wetlands. Full article

The application of autonomous driving system (ADS) technology can significantly reduce potential accidents involving vulnerable road users (VRUs) due to driver error. This paper proposes a novel hierarchical deep reinforcement learning (DRL) framework for high-performance collision avoidance, which enables the automated driving agent to perform collision avoidance maneuvers while maintaining appropriate speeds and acceptable social distancing. The novelty of the DRL method proposed here is its ability to accommodate dynamic obstacle avoidance, which is necessary as pedestrians are moving dynamically in their interactions with nearby ADSs. This is an improvement over existing DRL frameworks that have only been developed and demonstrated for stationary obstacle avoidance problems. The hybrid A* path searching algorithm is first applied to calculate a pre-defined path marked by waypoints, and a low-level path-following controller is used under cases where no VRUs are detected. Upon detection of any VRUs, however, a high-level DRL collision avoidance controller is activated to prompt the vehicle to either decelerate or change its trajectory to prevent potential collisions. The CARLA simulator is used to train the proposed DRL collision avoidance controller, and virtual raw sensor data are utilized to enhance the realism of the simulations. The model-in-the-loop (MIL) methodology is utilized to assess the efficacy of the proposed DRL ADS routine. In comparison to the traditional DRL end-to-end approach, which combines high-level decision making with low-level control, the proposed hierarchical DRL agents demonstrate superior performance. Full article

This study is part of the preliminary research for the Chang’e 7 project in China. The Chang’e 7 project plans to drill to penetrate the lunar polar soil and collect lunar soil samples using a spiral groove structure. Ice in the cold environment of the lunar polar region is one of the important targets for sampling. In the vacuum environment of the lunar surface, icy soil samples are sensitive to ambient temperature and prone to solid–gas phase change as the temperature increases. To predict the temperature range of lunar soil samples, this study analyzed the effect of thermal parameters on the temperature rise of lunar soil particles and the drill using discrete element simulation. The parameters included in the thermal effect analysis included the thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity of the drilling tools and lunar soil particles. The simulation showed that the temperature of the icy lunar soil sample in the spiral groove ranged from −127.89 to −160.16 °C within the thermal parameter settings. The magnitude of the value was negatively correlated with the thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity of the lunar soil particles, and it was positively correlated with those of the drilling tools. The temperature variation in the drill bit ranged from −51.21 to −132 °C. The magnitude of the value was positively correlated with the thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity of the lunar soil particles and the thermal conductivity of the drilling tool. Full article

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), as an important utilization of hydrogen energy, contribute to the sustainable development of global energy. Pulsed ejectors have a high potential for improving the hydrogen utilization of PEMFCs in the full operating range by circulating unconsumed hydrogen. In this study, a pulsed ejector applied to a 120 kW fuel cell was designed, and the flow characteristics were analysed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Based on the data from the CFD model, the global optimization of the ejector was carried out using the Gaussian process regression (GPR) surrogate model and the grey wolf optimization (GWO) algorithm. The local structure was then further optimized using an adjoint method coupling streamlining modification that takes into account the local flow characteristics. The CFD results showed that, under a fixed structure, increasing the pressure difference between the secondary flow and the ejector outlet would promote boundary layer separation, shorten the shockwave chain length, change the effective flow area of the secondary flow, and lower the entrainment ratio (ER). The analytical results from the GPR model indicated significant interactions among the structural parameters. The globally optimized ejector using GPR and GWO improved the hydrogen entrainment ratio from 1.42 to 3.12 at the design point. Furthermore, the results of streamlining local optimization show that the entrainment ratio increased by 1.67% at the design point and increased by up to 3.99% over the full operating range compared to the optimized ejector by global optimization. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on small businesses, significantly influencing entrepreneurial aspirations and presenting numerous challenges. This calls for additional research into perceptions, intentions, and the challenges faced in this context. This study aims to explore the comprehension of key entrepreneurial concepts among business students in the post-pandemic era. The paper presents an empirical study which employs qualitative in-depth interviews with 34 undergraduate business students from one public university in the Midwest of the United States. The findings reveal a complex view of entrepreneurship that extends beyond traditional business creation, encompassing elements of social innovation and personal fulfillment. Students displayed a generally positive attitude towards entrepreneurship, influenced strongly by their involvement in practical entrepreneurship-related activities and their familial backgrounds. However, they also identified significant barriers, including financial constraints, fear of failure, and a lack of practical experience, which hinder their intentions to pursue entrepreneurial ventures. The study underscores the importance of entrepreneurship education programs incorporating more comprehensive practical experiences, enhancing financial literacy, and providing psychological support to overcome these challenges. These insights contribute to the ongoing discussion on how to effectively support and prepare aspiring entrepreneurs in a changing educational landscape. Full article

For the secure deployment of network platforms tailored for IoT devices, the encryption of data transmission is equally as crucial as the process of authentication. In this context, we introduce the Secure and Scalable IoT network (SSI) network platform, designed to accommodate a diverse range of IoT devices. It provides scalability and implements effective many-to-many and end-to-end encryption across extensive regions. With the emergence of quantum computing, secure public key exchange mechanisms have become important. Among the various post-quantum cryptography (PQC) algorithms assessed, Nth Degree Truncated Polynomial Ring Units (NTRUs) have emerged as an optimally suited PQC algorithm for IoT devices constrained by limited computational capabilities. We have integrated NTRUs with SSI as a lightweight PQC solution. Moreover, SSI-PQM (Post-Quantum MACsec) enhances the SSI’s initial authentication structure to minimize PQC-TLS session attempts and protect the SSI’s important configuration information. When applying TLS with PQC for secret key exchange purposes, it was verified that this approach ensures stable performance in IoT environments. Upon the implementation of our proposed SSI-PQM on Raspberry Pi 3B+ based IoT devices, SSI-PQM exhibited acceptable performance at security levels from 80 to 128 and achieved a minimum speed improvement of 161% over RSA at security levels above 160. It can be concluded that SSI-PQM stands out as an effective Zero Trust-based IoT network platform, demonstrating its viability and efficiency in safeguarding data transmission against potential quantum computing threats. Full article

Esophageal cancer ranks among the ten most common cancers worldwide. Despite the adoption of neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (nCCRT) followed by surgery as the standard treatment approach in recent years, the local recurrence rate remains high. In this study, we employed RNA-seq to investigate distinctive gene expression profiles in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) with or without recurrence following a standard treatment course. Our findings indicate that recurrent ESCC exhibits heightened keratinizing and epidermis development activity compared to non-recurrent ESCC. We identified TP63 as a potential candidate for distinguishing clinical outcomes. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry confirmed the trend of TP63 overexpression in ESCC recurrence. Patients with elevated TP63 expression had poorer overall survival and lower 3-year recurrence-free survival. This study underscores the potential of TP63 as a biomarker for detecting cancer recurrence and suggests its role in guiding future treatment options. Full article