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Null geometric algebra (NGA) refers to a basis-free version of Clifford algebra where the base vector space is spanned by vectors whose inner product with itself equals zero. It provides powerful tools for manipulating expressions in conformal geometric algebra (CGA) when making symbolic reasoning in classical geometry. This paper develops several new techniques in NGA and uses them to explore the geometric interpretations of basic algebraic objects in NGA-null monomials, their scalar parts and pseudo-scalar parts, centred null binomials-and illustrates how these objects are used in making geometric reasoning for problems in classical geometry. This article is part of the theme issue 'Modern applications of geometric algebra'.

HLA-G is a non-classical MHC class I molecule with potent immunoregulatory functions that is aberrantly expressed in multiple malignancies, yet its tumor-intrinsic role remains poorly defined. To characterize this potential oncogenic role of HLA-G in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), we utilized integrated transcriptomic, in vitro, and in vivo approaches. Analysis of the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) ccRCC cohort revealed that elevated HLA-G expression was associated with immunosuppressive programs and cell populations. Interrogation of a publicly available ccRCC single-cell RNA sequencing dataset revealed that HLA-G expression within tumor epithelial clusters is associated with hypoxia-driven, metabolic transcriptional programs. Multiplex immunofluorescence of human ccRCC specimens confirmed the presence of tumor cell-intrinsic HLA-G expression in advanced disease. Functional studies using RCC7 cells expressing the full-length canonical HLA-G isoform (RCC7/HLA-G1) demonstrated increased proliferation, migration, clonogenicity, cell-cycle progression, and resistance to apoptosis compared with HLA-G-negative RCC7wt cells. RCC7/HLA-G1 xenografts exhibited accelerated tumor growth accompanied by the activation of proliferative, stemness-related, and metabolic programs. Multi-omics analyses further revealed enhanced mitochondrial activity and redox metabolic adaptation in HLA-G-expressing tumors. Mechanistically, HLA-G expression was associated with increased VEGF-C expression and enhanced VEGFR3 signaling, suggesting the activation of a VEGF-C/VEGFR3-associated pro-survival pathway. In three-dimensional tumor spheroid immune cell co-culture models, HLA-G expression reduced CD8⁺ T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity while promoting regulatory T-cell expansion and macrophage polarization toward an immunosuppressive M2-like phenotype. Collectively, these findings establish HLA-G as a key contributor to tumor progression and immune suppression in ccRCC and support HLA-G as a promising therapeutic target.

Two non-IPR fullerenes, Cs-#10528C72 and D2-#10611C72, and their corresponding endohedral fullerenes, Dy2O@Cs-#10528C72 and UCCe@D2-#10611C72, have been analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS) spectra, as well as optimized geometric structures at the density functional theory (DFT) level. The spectral components of the total spectra corresponding to carbon atoms in different local environments have been examined. Then, the ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectroscopy of the two derivatives, Dy2O@Cs-#10528C72 and UCCe@D2-#10611C72, was theoretically simulated using the time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) approach, and the calculations are consistent with the experimental results. The findings reveal a notable isomer dependence in the XPS and NEXAFS spectra, while the UV-vis spectra are useful for differentiating the structural isomers. Furthermore, the Quantum Theory of Atoms-in-Molecules (QTAIM) and the noncovalent interaction (NCI) analysis further elucidated the bonding nature and interaction characteristics between the encapsulated metal cluster and the carbon cage. Consequently, this study concludes that both X-ray and UV-vis spectroscopies are important theoretical tools for probing the electronic properties and conducting structural analysis of fullerene-based materials, while also providing valuable information for further experimental and theoretical research on fullerenes.

Osteoporosis is classically defined by reduced bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration, but osteoimmune dysregulation within the bone marrow microenvironment is increasingly recognized as an important contributor to bone loss. The RANKL/RANK/OPG axis represents a dominant pathway governing osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption, yet its activity is shaped by macrophage activation, T-cell subset imbalance, and cytokine feedback loops. Existing reviews often examine these components separately; fewer conceptualize their network-level convergence on RANKL-dependent osteoclastogenesis across osteoporosis subtypes and disease stages. Literature was searched in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus using combinations of "osteoporosis", "osteoimmunology", "RANKL", "macrophage polarization", "Th17", "Treg", "cytokine", and related terms. Priority was given to mechanistic studies, animal models, clinical observational studies, and recent reviews directly relevant to RANKL-dependent osteoclastogenesis and bone marrow immune regulation. Pro-inflammatory M1-like macrophages, Th1/Th17 responses, and cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17 may promote osteoclastogenesis by upregulating RANKL expression, increasing the RANKL/OPG ratio, and enhancing the responsiveness of osteoclast precursors to RANKL. Together, these mechanisms form a pro-inflammatory and pro-osteoclastogenic amplification loop. Conversely, M2-like macrophages, osteal macrophages, Treg/Th2 responses, and factors such as IL-10, TGF-β, IL-4, IL-13, and OPG may restrain excessive osteoclast formation and contribute to inflammation resolution, immune tolerance, and bone repair. Different forms of osteoporosis may share RANKL-dependent bone resorption as a common final effector process, yet differ substantially in their upstream immune drivers. Interpreting RANKL as a convergent effector node, rather than a RANKL-exclusive explanation, provides a framework for understanding osteoporosis heterogeneity and guiding osteoimmune-based stratification. Future studies incorporating human bone marrow samples, longitudinal cohorts, single-cell and spatial omics, immunometabolic analyses, and bone-targeted delivery technologies are needed to validate network states and translate immunomodulatory strategies into individualized osteoporosis management.

We introduce splossoms, the spherical analogue of polynomial blossoms, extending Ramshaw's theory of blossoming into spherical geometry. We note that the classical blossom axioms require spherical reinterpretation: strict symmetry does not hold on S2, and we identify the appropriate spherical analogues that the splossom satisfies. Splossoms provide a structured approach to designing spherical curves, generalizing Shoemake's SLERP interpolation. In addition, we define spolynomials, iterated spherical interpolants that mirror polynomial structures such as Bézier and B-spline forms, and we study their continuity. Potential applications include robotics, CNC milling, virtual/augmented reality and computer animation, where orientation curves on spheres are central. The splossom is naturally expressed in the framework of geometric algebra (GA), where rotors and spinors generalize quaternionic rotation and make spherical curve construction both simpler and more powerful. We argue that while splines on Lie groups and algebras are of general mathematical interest, GA provides a direct and computationally efficient setting for implementation. This article is part of the theme issue 'Modern applications of geometric algebra'.

Chronic stress exposure has been linked to cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular diseases, but not to coronary artery calcification (CAC). Hair cortisol concentrations is a potential biomarker of chronic stress. Atherosclerosis is the predominant cardiovascular disease and the leading cause of death in developed countries. Coronary artery calcification is a sign of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries and predicts coronary heart disease. Most men and women are to some degree affected by coronary artery calcification at the age of 65. To analyse if increased hair cortisol levels are associated with CAC in a middle-aged population with special focus on women. Further, to analyse the relative importance of HCC for CACs in relation to established cardiovascular risk factors. Hair samples, cardiac computed tomography data, health questionnaires, and anthropometric measures were collected in 4821 men and women aged 50-65 years, from the Swedish Cardio Pulmonary bioImage Study. A competitive radioimmunoassay was used to analyze cortisol levels in extracts of hair. Correlation, descriptive, regression and path analyses were applied. A significant association between high HCC and high CAC score was found among women (p=0.007), but not among men. HCC was significantly directly associated with a higher CAC score among women, as were the other classical cardiovascular risk factors. The amount of calcified plaque (CAC score) in the coronary arteries of women was significantly associated with higher cortisol levels in hair, while this association was not observed in men.

Hypercortisolism is an underdiagnosed contributor to metabolic dysfunction in people with Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Although overt Cushing syndrome is rare, milder forms of cortisol excess, commonly termed mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS), appear substantially more common in selected high-risk populations. Chronic cortisol excess contributes directly to insulin resistance, hepatic gluconeogenesis, visceral adiposity, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and cardiovascular disease. Many patients with hypercortisolism lack classic cushingoid features and instead present with resistant diabetes, resistant hypertension, obesity or progressive cardiometabolic disease. Emerging evidence suggests that abnormal cortisol suppression following a 1-mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test (DST) occurs more frequently in patients with difficult-to-control T2D and resistant hypertension than previously appreciated. Current evidence supports a targeted case-finding approach rather than universal screening. Patients most likely to benefit from evaluation include those with persistent hyperglycaemia despite intensive therapy, severe insulin resistance, resistant hypertension, adrenal incidentalomas or physical findings suggestive of cortisol excess. The overnight 1-mg DST remains the preferred initial screening test because it is practical, inexpensive and widely available. Interpretation is supported by a confirmatory dexamethasone level ≥ 140 ng/dL and requires careful consideration of medication interactions, obesity, psychiatric disease, alcohol use, sleep disorders and assay variability. Hypercortisolism likely contributes to metabolic dysfunction in a subset of patients with T2D, particularly those with resistant cardiometabolic disease. Recognition of high-risk phenotypes and appropriate use of the DST may improve identification of patients with potentially treatable cortisol excess. Additional prospective studies are needed to clarify optimal screening strategies and determine whether earlier diagnosis and treatment improve long-term cardiometabolic outcomes. Many people with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) also have obesity, high blood pressure, and difficulty controlling blood sugar despite intensive treatment. In some cases, these problems may be partly caused by excess cortisol, a stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Severe cortisol excess, known as Cushing syndrome, is rare and usually causes recognizable physical features. However, milder forms of cortisol excess are increasingly recognized and may be more common than previously thought, especially in people with difficult‐to‐control diabetes or resistant hypertension. This review summarizes current evidence regarding how often hypercortisolism occurs in people with T2D, which patients may be at highest risk, and how clinicians can screen for the condition using the overnight dexamethasone suppression test (DST). The DST is a simple and widely available test that evaluates whether cortisol production can be appropriately suppressed. Recent studies suggest that abnormal cortisol suppression occurs more frequently in selected high‐risk T2D populations than previously appreciated, even in patients without classic signs of Cushing syndrome. Current evidence does not support universal screening of all patients with T2D. Instead, a targeted approach may be most useful for patients with resistant diabetes, resistant hypertension, adrenal incidentalomas, severe insulin resistance, or progressive metabolic disease. Identifying hypercortisolism may help uncover a potentially treatable contributor to poor metabolic control and cardiovascular risk in some patients with T2D.

Computing the transformation between noisy collections of geometric primitives is a classic problem in three-dimensional computer vision and geometric computing. In this paper, we consider minimum sets of noisy objects and provide closed-form formulae to compute the Euclidean transformation that best transforms from one of these sets to another set. We enumerate these for all primitive object groups that appear in common three-dimensional computer vision problems and describe example applications. This article is part of the theme issue 'Modern applications of geometric algebra'.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a rare Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis that typically affects the upper and lower respiratory tract and kidneys. In adolescents, atypical presentations with predominant neuro-otological features may delay diagnosis. We report a 15-year-old boy who presented with progressive bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, facial nerve palsy, multiple lower cranial nerve deficits, dysphagia, and hoarseness, initially suggestive of chronic meningitis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed pachymeningeal enhancement with skull-base involvement. There was no renal or classical sinonasal involvement. Pulmonary infiltrates were initially attributed to aspiration pneumonia, and an infectious etiology was suspected. Prolonged antimicrobial therapy, however, did not result in sustained improvement. Lung biopsy demonstrated necrotizing granulomatous inflammation, and PR3-ANCA positivity confirmed GPA. Immunosuppressive therapy led to marked clinical improvement. Predominant neuro-otological involvement with misleading pulmonary findings can pose a significant diagnostic challenge in adolescent GPA.

The amphidynamic nature of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) arises from incorporated mobile rotors on organic linkers that connect metal or cluster building blocks into rigid crystalline networks. Quantifying such dynamics is crucial for advancing ultimate applications of MOFs in gas storage, separation, and molecular machinery. However, the lack of a versatile, label-free characterization technique capable of resolving the motions of multiple distinct rotors in a single framework results in an acute shortage of quantitative dynamical data sets, which hinders structure-property correlation. Here, we establish a high-resolution solid-state 13C MAS NMR (Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) method that employs a classic transverse relaxation theory, enabling quantitative mapping of multirotor dynamics in MOFs. This method is validated on a series of Zn4O(COO)6-based MOFs with increasing structural complexity. In particular, the rotor-specific phenylene motion of multiple linkers is simultaneously determined, yielding distinctive activation energies and motion frequencies spanning 102-107 Hz. DFT calculations of activation energies and known 2H NMR data, where available, corroborate the 13C dynamical analysis. The resulting dynamics maps correlate mobility with local structural features and sorption properties, revealing that higher porosity and weaker π-conjugation enhance rotation, and that high mobility reduces unusable methane uptake at low pressure, thereby enhancing deliverable methane capacity. This versatile methodology is broadly applicable to dynamic systems, providing site-specific insights into complex motional landscapes to establish structure-dynamics-property relationships.

We revisit the geometric foundations of mesh representation through the lens of plane-based geometric algebra (PGA), investigating its efficiency and expressiveness for discrete geometry. We find how k-simplices (vertices, edges, faces, …) and k-complexes (point clouds, line complexes, meshes,…) can be written compactly as joins of vertices and their sums, respectively. We show how a single formula for their k-magnitudes (amount, length, area,…) follows naturally from PGA's Euclidean and ideal norms. This idea is then extended to produce unified coordinate-free formulae for classical results, such as volume, centre of mass (c.o.m.) and moments of inertia for simplices and complexes of arbitrary dimensionality. Finally, we demonstrate the practical use of these ideas on some real-world examples. This article is part of the theme issue 'Modern applications of geometric algebra'.

Natural killer (NK) cells are uniquely equipped to eliminate transformed cells without prior antigen sensitization, yet their therapeutic potential in solid tumors remains only partially realized. At the center of this paradox lies a complex network of inhibitory pathways, dominated by killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and the CD94/NKG2A axis, which continuously calibrate NK-cell self-tolerance and effector competence. Tumors exploit these regulatory circuits through dynamic remodeling of HLA-I expression: while loss of classical HLA-I impairs CD8+ T-cell recognition, preservation or upregulation of non-classical HLA, particularly HLA-E, sustains inhibitory signaling and promotes immune escape. These mechanisms are further amplified by the tumor microenvironment (TME), where stromal barriers, hypoxia, metabolic stress, and immunosuppressive networks collectively restrict NK-cell infiltration, persistence, and cytotoxicity. Such multilayered suppression helps explain why therapeutic blockade of KIR or NKG2A alone has yielded only modest clinical benefit in most solid tumors, despite compelling biological rationale. Emerging evidence suggests that the KIR- and CD94/NKG2-centered network should be viewed not only as a therapeutic target but also as a framework for the next-generation of NK-cell-based immunotherapies. Future strategies will likely combine checkpoint modulation with donor- and patient-tailored NK-cell selection, engineered NK-cell products with enhanced metabolic resilience and reduced checkpoint sensitivity, and interventions aimed at remodeling the tumor niche to restore trafficking, persistence, and functional fitness. In this mini-review, we discuss how KIR- and CD94/NKG2-mediated signaling is shaped by the TME and examine emerging combinatorial and personalized approaches designed to unlock the full therapeutic potential of NK cells in solid tumors.

Piezoelectric ceramic actuators are widely used in precision positioning and sensor-integrated micro-motion systems, but their accuracy is limited by asymmetric, rate-dependent hysteresis and by residual disturbances that remain after feedforward linearization. This study develops a self-contained modeling and control framework that combines an explicit rising/falling branch polynomial model, frequency-dependent coefficient maps, direct inverse feedforward compensation, and disturbance-observer-based adaptive sliding-mode feedback. The actuator is represented as a multilayer piezoelectric stack coupled to an equivalent electrical-mechanical-sensing plant. A branch-state logic resolves the multivalued inverse mapping, and a numerical order-sensitivity study shows that the seventh-order model provides the lowest validation RMSE while avoiding the endpoint growth observed at higher orders. Laboratory measurements at 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 Hz, together with attenuated, triangular, random-amplitude, step, and 2 Hz sinusoidal tests, are used for validation. The proposed branch model reduces static maximum relative fitting error from 4.50-6.21% for the classical P-I model to 1.28-2.58%. Direct inverse compensation reduces linearity error from 8.56-13.88% to 0.53-1.024%, and the hybrid controller achieves a 1% settling time of 8.6 ms, a maximum tracking error of 0.0051 micrometers, and an RMSE of 0.0012 micrometers. The results demonstrate an embedded-oriented compromise between model accuracy, online computational simplicity, and robust closed-loop precision.

Transsynaptic deficits arising from an imbalance in excitatory/inhibitory inter-neuronal circuitry have been extensively shown to underlie the phenomena of altered cortical motor excitability in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), with glutamate-induced excitotoxicity believed to represent a primary mechanism of ALS pathogenesis. In vivo evidence of glutamate abnormality in ALS patients, however, remains inconsistent, likely reflecting heterogeneity in the severity of underlying cortical dysfunction. The current study assessed the utility of short interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), a validated marker of upper motor neuron (UMN) dysfunction in ALS, to stratify cortical motor metabolite abnormalities, as determined by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). Serial 1H-MRS data were acquired over 2.5 years for two ALS participants with contrasting profiles of progressive motor dysfunction as a pilot study. Longitudinal monitoring of these participants demonstrated stable cortical motor metabolite concentrations in the participant with lower motor predominant disease presentation but progressive changes in glutamate-glutamine (Glx) and N-acetylaspartate (NAA) concentrations in the participant with a classical ALS presentation. Fifty-four participants (34 ALS; 20 control) were prospectively recruited for a formal study. All patients underwent threshold-tracking transcranial magnetic stimulation) and were classified as having high (>5.5%; H-SICI) or low (&#x2264;5.5%; L-SICI) cortical motor inhibition. Matching 3T single-voxel 1H-MRS data were acquired from the hand region of the motor cortex for all participants at baseline, with a subset of patients (n = 10) longitudinally assessed at 6 months. Dissociable patterns of pathological change in NAA and Glx/NAA metabolites were observed at baseline and longitudinally in ALS. At baseline, L-SICI ALS participants with increased cortical motor excitability demonstrated a significant bilateral reduction in NAA and elevated Glx/NAA metabolite concentrations (P-values < 0.03), contrasting to H-SICI ALS participants, where the neurochemical concentration was preserved. At follow-up, H-SICI patients demonstrated a trend towards elevated Glx and Glx/NAA in the left motor cortex (P-values &#x2264; 0.06). In contrast, L-SICI patients demonstrated stable concentrations of Glx but further reductions in NAA ratio (P = 0.04). Cortical excitability and brain neurochemical profile abnormalities reflect evolving states of UMN dysfunction in ALS. Elevated Glx/NAA metabolite concentration underlies greater cortical motor dysfunction in ALS. Longitudinal 1H-MRS holds potential prognostic utility for clinical monitoring of ALS disease trajectory.

Plexiform fibromyxoma (PFM) is an uncommon, benign mesenchymal tumor typically arising in the gastric antrum and usually characterized by a multinodular, plexiform growth pattern of smooth muscle actin (SMA)-expressing myofibroblastic-like cells. Rare variants with uninodular architecture and absence of SMA expression pose significant diagnostic challenges, as they may mimic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and require comprehensive histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular evaluation to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate therapy. Here, we present a case of PFM with a rare uninodular architecture, complete absence of SMA expression and no detectable MALAT1-GLI1 translocation in a 25-year-old female with unremarkable laboratory work-up (hemoglobin 13.9 g/dL, normal blood count and biochemistry) presented with diffuse upper abdominal discomfort and a palpable epigastric mass noted on self-examination. Physical examination revealed a firm, non-tender mid-abdominal mass without peritonism. The tumor measured 13 cm and was discovered as a palpable mass on self-examination during diagnostic work-up for upper abdominal discomfort. Histologically, the lesion was composed of bland spindle cells embedded in a loose myxoid stroma, lacking the classic multinodular configuration. Immunohistochemistry was negative for SMA, DOG1, S100, CD34, desmin, and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). Molecular analysis revealed no pathogenic mutations in KIT or platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) and no detectable gene fusions. The final diagnosis was most consistent with uninodular PFM as diagnosed by exclusion. This case highlights the importance of an early multimodal diagnostic work-up (including histology, immunohistochemistry, and next-generation sequencing) in atypical gastric mesenchymal tumors, e.g., PFMs, to avoid misdiagnosis as a GIST and inappropriate tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. Complete surgical resection with negative margins using stomach-preserving techniques is curative and associated with an excellent prognosis.

The Internet of Vehicles (IoV) supports essential intelligent transportation applications but encounters challenges in federated learning (FL) due to non-independent and identically distributed (non-IID) data, vehicle mobility, resource heterogeneity, and strict privacy requirements in latency-sensitive scenarios such as misbehavior detection and accident response. Traditional FL methods, such as random client selection and standard FedAvg, often experience slow convergence and reduced performance under non-IID conditions. We introduce a hierarchical federated learning framework for software-defined vehicular fog computing. The framework incorporates FedNova (a normalized-averaging aggregation method for heterogeneous federated optimization) to produce normalized model updates under data heterogeneity, a Reward-Based Payoff Strategy (RBPS) for incentive-aware client selection, and game-theoretic vehicle-aggregator matching based on the college admissions problem. Privacy is strengthened through quantum key distribution (QKD)-assisted secure key establishment and classical gradient masking, with quantum circuit simulation used to assess future enhancements. The three-layer architecture includes vehicles, Roadside Unit (RSU)/ Base Station (BS)-level aggregators, and a Software-Defined Network Controller (SDNC) global aggregator. The framework uses both monetary and service-based incentives, such as toll exemptions, to encourage vehicle participation. Hybrid simulations using OMNeT++, Veins, SUMO, and the VeReMi misbehavior detection dataset show that the proposed approach achieves 94.8% classification accuracy [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 92.7-97.0 over 10 runs], converges in 120 rounds (33% faster than FedAvg), and reduces average latency by 29% (320 ms compared to 450 ms for FedAvg), with statistically significant improvements (p < 0.05). These gains enable faster model adaptation to evolving attacks (5-10 min shorter training cycles) and support real-time safety applications where delays above 400 ms can compromise road safety. Ablation studies confirm the complementary roles of FedNova, RBPS, and matching. Although quantum operations are currently simulated classically, the design remains compatible with future quantum hardware.

In Lied duos, the vocal and piano parts form an inseparable unit and are seamlessly interwoven, which requires a high level of communication skills from both the singer and the pianist during musical performances. Therefore, they are particularly interesting targets for investigating synchronization in musical ensembles. In this context, breathing plays a fundamental role for musicians when performing classical art songs, as it enables voice production while singing. In addition, it has been shown in other ensembles that respiratory patterns can support communication during a performance. However, little is known about the breathing patterns of Lied duos in terms of their synchronization. The aim of this study is to examine the interaction of respiration between singer and pianist and how the pianist's breathing patterns relate to those of the singer. In this exploratory research study, the respiratory patterns of 12 professional musicians (six Lied duos) performing classical art songs-Die Liebe hat gelogen ("Love has lied") by Franz Schubert and Scheideblick ("A parting glance") by Josephine Lang-were analyzed in terms of synchronized inhalations. The singers' inhalations served as basis for the analyses, because voice production and, consequently, the musical phrases depend on those breathing patterns. Overall, 282 inhalations (141 by singers and 141 by pianists; 130 phrase-initial, 152 phrase-medial) were analyzed focusing on the onsets (beginning of inhalation) and the peaks (end of inhalation) as well as on the duration of each inhalation. Results show more synchronized breathing between singer and pianist at the beginning of a musical phrase. Furthermore, pianists seem to anticipate the singing part, indicated by earlier onsets of inhalation compared to the singer. This highlights the importance of the piano part, ensuring a cohesive and synchronized performance with the vocal partner. Overall, this exploratory study shows that breathing is adjusted taking into account both the Lied duo partner and the interpersonal coordination of both musicians as well as the musical structure of the piece. These findings contribute to a better understanding of communication processes in musical ensembles by examining, for the first time, the relationship between respiratory patterns in terms of synchronization in Lied duos.

The crystallization of donor-acceptor semiconducting polymers occurs on subsecond time scales at elevated temperatures (>300 &#xb0;C), preventing a rigorous kinetic description using conventional experimental approaches. Here, we use a single-step fast scanning calorimetry (FSC) methodology that enables investigating the fast isothermal crystallization kinetics of advanced donor-acceptor semiconducting polymers such as PTQ10 and D18. This approach overcomes the intrinsic limitations of the indirect "by-step" method and provides reliable kinetic data within tenths of a second. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a modified version of the Malkin model, which we also introduce here, successfully captures the entire kinetic evolution and provides important information about how crystallization develops in these polymers. For example, we observe two well-differentiated crystallization regimes as a function of the crystallization temperature. A newly introduced geometrical parameter of the kinetic model reveals that the distinct crystallization kinetics result in different crystalline morphologies, which were further confirmed by X-ray diffraction, melting analysis, and electron microscopy. Our analysis suggests that crystallization proceeds via a nearly instantaneous formation of a dense population of nanoscopic crystallites and is effectively governed by a single dominant kinetic step that must therefore be strongly linked to nucleation. However, self-nucleation experiments reveal that this process does not conform to the classical nucleation behavior typically observed in semicrystalline polymers. These findings allow establishing a new framework for the understanding and control of the solid-state microstructure of semicrystalline polymers.

Outsourcing Internet-of-Things (IoT) data and computation to cloud and fog infrastructure exposes both the data and the access-control process to integrity, confidentiality, and privacy risks. Attribute-based encryption (ABE) provides fine-grained access control but, as deployed today, suffers from single-authority bottlenecks, expensive policy updates, weak auditability, and exposure to secret-key leakage, classical primitives are additionally threatened by future quantum adversaries. This paper does not propose a new cryptographic scheme. Instead, it contributes a conceptual reference architecture that systematizes how a set of existing, standardized primitives can be composed into a single access-control framework for IoT outsourcing, and it makes the resulting design precise enough to reason about. Concretely, we (i) define a system model and a threat model covering passive, active, colluding, bounded-leakage, and harvest-now-decrypt-later quantum adversaries; (ii) instantiate each layer with a named construction decentralized multi-authority ABE, attribute-based proxy re-encryption for policy updates, a bounded leakage resilient key model, ASCON lightweight AEAD, and ML-KEM/ML-DSA post-quantum primitives, together with a permissioned, on-chain digest/off-chain payload logging layer; (iii) specify the end-to-end data flow and module interfaces; and (iv) give a goal-by-goal security rationale and an analytical evaluation based only on standardized parameter sizes and asymptotic complexity. We are explicit about what is inherited from prior work, what remains to be proven for the composed system, and that a measured prototype evaluation remains future work. The intended value of this paper is to provide a clear, composable, and honestly scoped design that subsequent implementation studies can build upon.