The distributed architecture of the SKA Regional Centre Network (SRCNet) aims to provide scientific communities worldwide with efficient computational and storage resources to exploit the massive data volumes produced by the SKA Observatory (SKAO). Given the amount of SKAO data, traditional data management paradigms - where data is transferred to computational resources- are no longer feasible. Instead, computational workflows must increasingly be relocated closer to data storage locations, emphasizing efficient data access strategies and avoiding unnecessary duplication or redundancy. In this context, we present PrepareData, a modular and extensible data delivery service developed within SRCNet prototyping activities. Our proposal for this service addresses the critical challenge of redundant data transfers and duplication at both node and user levels by enabling seamless delivery of requested datasets from local Rucio Storage Elements (RSEs) directly into users' working environments. PrepareData operates as a local service within each SRCNet node and it is integrated into a broader ecosystem of federated services. Specifically, we designed and evaluated two distinct yet complementary implementations to avoid unnecessary data duplication and to enable a dynamic data bridge between the RSEs and the user storage areas, through: (1) a filesystem-based solution leveraging CephFS, which uses shared filesystem mount points and bind mounts to ensure consistent and immediate data availability of the data across computational nodes, and (2) a Kubernetes model using Persistent Volumes and Persistent Volume Claims, dynamically injecting data into a user's areas. To tackle this work we detail the architectural design and development, the technical implementation, the integration of both solutions with science enabling tools, such as JupyterHub, CARTA or virtually any application, and finally we provide a performance evaluation. This contribution provides a scalable and sustainable blueprint for data delivery in federated scientific infrastructures, supporting the broader goals of green computing and efficient resource utilisation. Modern scientific projects such as the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) produce extremely large amounts of data — far more than traditional research systems have handled before. Scientists around the world need efficient ways to access and work with these vast datasets without unnecessary delays or wasteful copying of information. In the SKA Regional Centre Network (SRCNet), data are stored in distributed storage systems. However, these storage systems are not directly visible to the software tools scientists use for analysis, such as interactive notebooks, visualisation platforms, or specialised processing services. To make the data usable, it must be moved or linked into the scientists’ working environments. Our research focuses on a service called PrepareData, designed to manage this delivery process in a way that is both fast and resource-efficient. We describe and test different technical methods for exposing data to users, including techniques that avoid repeatedly copying large files. We ran experiments to measure how fast and scalable each method is under realistic conditions. The results show that by linking data instead of copying it, PrepareData can reduce delays and lower the burden on storage systems. This leads to better performance for scientists and less wasted computing and storage resources. These improvements are especially important for major international science projects, where efficient data delivery can accelerate research and reduce environmental impact.
The rapid expansion of the European Union's digital regulatory framework and recent adoption of the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) has introduced complex, overlapping compliance obligations for AI systems, and consequently, their developers and users. These challenges are amplified for dual-use AI systems, which may be developed for civilian markets yet deployed in military contexts, requiring alignment with both EU regulatory instruments and defence-specific frameworks such as NATO policies. Existing approaches to regulatory compliance remain largely manual, fragmented, and difficult to scale, particularly when legal requirements must be translated into actionable, system-level specifications for dual-use contexts. This paper proposes a novel ontology-based methodology for automated regulatory compliance requirements specification for dual-use AI systems. The methodology systematically integrates legal and technical perspectives by structuring compliance obligations across deployment domains (civilian and defence), system lifecycle phases, and requirement categories, including privacy- and security-related obligations. Implemented as a machine-readable knowledge graph using RDF/Turtle, the approach enables executable compliance modelling, where regulatory obligations are formalised as machine-interpretable entities that can be queried, validated, and deployment-specifically configured through semantic reasoning and SPARQL-based analysis. The methodology is validated through a detailed case study of an AI-powered espionage detection system, demonstrating how context-aware semantic reasoning and SHACL-based validation can ensure that regulatory requirements are consistently specified and mapped to concrete system components. The proposed framework advances the state of the art by providing a rigorous, extensible foundation for compliance-by-design and automated analysis, thereby reducing compliance risk and supporting responsible AI engineering in complex omni-use regulatory environments.
Brain organoids have become essential in vitro models for investigating human brain development, function, and disease, including both unguided cerebral organoids and guided region-specific neural models. However, their utility is fundamentally constrained by oxygen and nutrient diffusion limits inherent to closed three-dimensional architectures. As organoids increase in size and complexity, restricted oxygen delivery induces metabolic stress, disrupts progenitor dynamics, impairs neuronal maturation, and promotes the formation of hypoxic or necrotic cores, thereby limiting developmental fidelity and long-term experimental stability. This review synthesizes current insights into hypoxia and metabolic stress in brain organoid systems, with an emphasis on the physical determinants of gas exchange and their biological consequences. We critically evaluate engineering strategies developed to overcome diffusion-related constraints, focusing on air-liquid interface (ALI) culture and organoid slicing approaches and emerging ALI-microfluidic platforms that integrate controlled perfusion and geometric confinement to actively regulate mass transport. ALI culture improves surface oxygenation while preserving intact tissue architecture, supporting extended viability and functional maturation in intact organoids and assembloids. Sliced organoid platforms directly expose internal tissue compartments, substantially reducing diffusion distances and enabling uniform metabolic conditions that facilitate advanced neuronal differentiation, circuit-level maturation, and high-resolution functional interrogation. Complementing these diffusion-based strategies, ALI-microfluidic systems further enhance metabolic stability and enable dynamic environmental control, scalable organoid production, and integrated electrophysiological assessment under physiologically regulated conditions. By comparing the advantages and limitations of ALI-based systems, this review highlights how oxygen-engineering strategies reshape tissue organization, maturation trajectories, and experimental accessibility, advancing the physiological relevance of human brain organoid models.
Sarcopenia is highly prevalent among postmenopausal women due to hormonal changes and aging, and is associated with adverse health outcomes. Exercise has been proposed as a key strategy to mitigate sarcopenia; however, its effectiveness in this population remains inconclusive. To systematically evaluate the effects of different exercise modalities on muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical function in postmenopausal women with sarcopenia. A systematic search was conducted across six electronic databases from inception to April 1, 2025. Randomized controlled trials evaluating exercise interventions in postmenopausal women with sarcopenia were included. Primary outcomes were muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan and Stata. A total of 17 RCTs involving 744 postmenopausal women with sarcopenia were included in this systematic review. The pooled analysis revealed that exercise interventions significantly improved skeletal muscle mass index. Additionally, significant improvements were found in muscle strength, including grip strength and knee extension strength. Physical function also improved, as evidenced by improvements in gait speed, the Timed Up and Go test, and single-leg stance. No significant differences were observed for body mass index (BMI) between intervention and control groups. Exercise interventions were associated with improvements in muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical function in postmenopausal women with sarcopenia. These findings support the integration of structured exercise programs into clinical practice to improve sarcopenia-related outcomes in this population. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024608200, identifier: CRD42024608200.
Acute postoperative pain remains a major clinical therapeutic challenge. Current peripheral nerve blockade (PNB) techniques are effective for some patients but are limited by invasiveness, short duration, reliance on highly trained providers, and off-target motor and sensory effects. Focused ultrasound (FUS) is a novel neuromodulatory technology with the potential to achieve noninvasive, selective, reversible, and prolonged inhibition of peripheral nociceptive fibers to prevent and treat acute pain. We hypothesized that noninvasive transcutaneous targeting of the rat sciatic nerve using co-aligned diagnostic ultrasound (dUS) and FUS transducers could produce selective and reversible inhibition of nociceptive pain behaviors while preserving motor and non-nociceptive sensory functions. In an in vivo rat hindpaw incisional (HPI) pain model, using a novel, transcutaneous dUS-guided FUS system, the sciatic nerve was located with dUS, and FUS energy was applied to it just prior to hindpaw incision. FUS parameters were iteratively adjusted to achieve reversible, selective inhibition of nociceptive behaviors without changing motor and non-pain sensory behaviors. Animals were randomized into six groups: No Intervention (Control), HPI Only (Disease Control), Sham FUS, FUS Only, FUS+HPI (Intervention), and LA+HPI (Positive Control). Primary outcomes were changes in nociceptive sensory functions, assessed by thermal and mechanical sensitivity. Secondary outcomes were changes in non-nociceptive sensory and motor functions, assessed by hindpaw flexion and extension reflexes. Compared with the HPI Only group, the FUS+HPI group demonstrated (1) significant attenuation of hindpaw thermal hypersensitivity from day 0 - week 5.0 and week 8.0 - 16.0 (p < 0.05-0.001); (2) significant attenuation of mechanical hypersensitivity from day 0 until week 4.0 (p < 0.05-0.001); (3) no significant attenuation of flexion; and (4) no significant attenuation of extension. Transcutaneous dUS-guided FUS enables selective, reversible inhibition of Aδ and C nociceptive fiber mediated behaviors while sparing Aα motor and Aβ sensory behaviors. FUS-induced PNB prevented both acute and persistent pain behaviors. These findings support FUS as a promising noninvasive peripheral nerve blockade strategy for acute pain management.
Climate change as a global issue is increasingly redefining the nutritional constraints in citriculture, thereby increasing the reliance on optimized use of nutrients and irrigation, while rising atmospheric CO2 continues to influence the carbon(C)-nutrient balance. Citrus is an evergreen perennial with relatively shallow root system and prolonged fruit development period, the abiotic stresses interact across seasons to alter soil nutrient supply, root nutrient uptake kinetics, whole-tree mineral status, and eventually the fruit nutritional quality. We synthesized current evidences on climate-driven pathways affecting citrus nutrition, impact of high temperature, and water scarcity restricting nutrient mobility and acquisition, nutrient leaching due to heavy rainfall, poor aeration-induced anoxia-related nutrient constraints, and salinization disrupting ionic homeostasis via elevated (sodium/potassium ratio) Na/K and (sodium/calcium ratio) Na/Ca ratios in plant roots. We further collated multi-point facts, that elevated CO2 stimulated biomass increase, yet dilutes tissue nutrient concentration, thereby increasing risks for nutrient deficiencies in citrus production system. Across regions, in economic terms, climate change translates into yield instability, fruit grade loss, and adding extra cost investments on irrigation and nutrient management. Finally, we identified priorities for climate-resilient citrus nutrition, as: monitoring-based diagnostics, precision fertigation using 4R (right source, right time, right rate, and right place) strategies, soil organic carbon-centered integrated soil fertility management (ISFM), phytobiome manipulation for microbial consortia development, and nutriomics-mediated climate proofing of rootstock-scion combinations. Together, these approaches provide a conceptual framework to sustain citrus productivity and fruit nutritional quality under current conundrum of climate change.
Protein translation is a highly regulated process influenced by multiple factors at the initiation, elongation, and termination stages. One notable regulatory element of the ribosome is the CAR interaction surface, a three-residue motif in the structure of the ribosome composed of C1274 and A1427 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae 18S rRNA (corresponding to C1054 and A1196 in Escherichia coli 16S rRNA) and R146 of ribosomal protein Rps3. CAR is highly conserved and positioned adjacent to the amino-acyl (A site) decoding center. It establishes hydrogen bonds with the +1 codon next in line to enter the ribosome A site, acting as an extension of the transfer RNA (tRNA) anticodon and forming base-stacking interactions with nucleotide 34 of the tRNA. However, despite CAR's enzymatically strategic positioning within the ribosome, its functional relationship with the A site remains poorly characterized. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we examined the interplay between the A site and CAR site, revealing sequence-dependent modulation of H-bonding and π-stacking interactions within and between the two sites. These findings highlight the interplay between the A site and CAR site, suggesting a structural and functional connection between these two regions of the ribosome that may contribute to messenger RNA sequence-specific tuning of translation elongation.
Exploratory applications of large language models within the specialized field of metabolic and bariatric surgery have begun to emerge. Nevertheless, existing research remains fragmented, lacking comprehensive integration. To conduct a scoping review of studies on the application of large language models in the field of metabolic and bariatric surgery, aiming to provide a reference for clinical practice and future research. This scoping review adhered to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodological framework and followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines.PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP databases were searched for relevant studies, with the search timeframe from database inception to November 2025. The included literature was summarized and analyzed. A total of 21 English-language studies were included. LLMs were primarily applied in scenarios such as patient education and information consultation, clinical decision support, and professional knowledge assessment. While LLMs performed well in information-provision tasks, they showed low consistency with expert opinions in complex clinical tasks such as individualized surgical recommendations. Performance varied across different models, with GPT-4 generally demonstrating superior performance, and domain-specific models showing professional potential. Current research still faces challenges regarding information accuracy, readability, and clinical applicability. Large language models hold auxiliary potential in the field of metabolic and bariatric surgery, particularly for knowledge dissemination and patient education. However, their reliability in complex clinical decision-making remains limited. Future efforts should focus on conducting high-quality studies, advancing model specialization and standardized evaluation, and exploring safe and effective human-AI collaboration models.
Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) impairs muscle function and subsequent performance. While research investigating the protective role of animal-derived protein is widespread, investigations into sustainable alternatives are lacking. The present study examined the effects of a novel, salmon-derived protein peptide (SPP) on muscle recovery. In a single-blind, parallel-design, 33 recreationally active adults (age: 23.9 ± 4.0 years, body mass index: 23.7 ± 4.0) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (a) SPP, (b) whey protein, or (c) carbohydrate control. In addition to a controlled 1.0 g·kg body mass-1·day-1 dietary protein intake, participants consumed either 0.9 g·kg body mass-1·day-1 supplemental protein or isoenergetic carbohydrate for 4 days following EIMD (10 × 10 unilateral eccentric knee extensions). Maximal voluntary contraction, countermovement jump height, muscle soreness, thigh circumference, creatine kinase, and lactate dehydrogenase were assessed at baseline and +1, +4, +24, +48, and +72 hr post EIMD. Significant time effects were observed for all variables. Countermovement jump height was greater in the SPP versus carbohydrate groups at +72 hr and across all time points when pooling the two protein groups, creating a higher protein versus normal protein group comparison. There were no significant group effects for all remaining outcomes. High-quality protein supplementation >1.0 g·kg body mass-1·day-1 appears to have only a modest effect on the rate of recovery following EIMD, with a potential role in alleviating muscle damage, particularly in the later stage of recovery. Furthermore, the SPP supplement was not inferior to a high-quality protein source (whey protein), indicating that it may represent a sustainable and effective alternative for muscle recovery.
A phase 3b extension of the ZOE-50/70 trials evaluated long-term efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) in participants ≥50 years, with a 6-year follow-up after completion of the primary studies. A subset of participants was evaluated for immunogenicity and safety of 1 or 2 additional doses administered 5-6 years after primary vaccination. Participants were randomized to 1 additional dose (1-additional dose group, n = 61), 2 additional doses (revaccination group, n = 60), or no additional vaccination (control, n = 119). Humoral and cell-mediated immunity were evaluated by antiglycoprotein E (gE) antibodies, gE-specific CD4[2+] T-cells, and memory B-cells. Reactogenicity was evaluated for 7 days postvaccination and overall safety was evaluated throughout the study. NCT02723773. Anti-gE geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) were 10 000-11 500 mIU/mL in all groups preadditional vaccination. Geometric mean concentrations peaked at 1 month after 1 dose (73 834.4 and 79 419.8 mIU/mL in the 1-additional dose and revaccination groups, respectively), declined at Year 1, but remained above preadditional vaccination levels thereafter. Geometric mean concentration was 64 603.0 mIU/mL 1 month after the second dose in the revaccination group. Geometric mean concentrations in the control group were 8825.4 mIU/mL at Year 1 and 6858.8 mIU/mL at Year 6. The frequency of gE-specific CD4[2+] T-cells and memory B-cells followed a similar pattern. Pain and fatigue were the most common solicited adverse events. No serious adverse events related to RZV were reported. A single additional RZV dose elicited strong and durable humoral and cell-mediated anamnestic responses, with a reactogenicity and safety profile as established in primary studies. NCT02723773.
The extension of working life has become a key policy agenda in Western societies. Studies have shown that purpose and competence development are important factors for the extension of working life. Hence, this article provides a theoretical and critical lens for understanding older workers' perceptions of meaningful competence development. It is based on qualitative fieldwork conducted with older workers and their managers in Denmark, with Hartmut Rosa's theory of acceleration, alienation, and resonance as its analytical standpoint. We demonstrate that current labor market dynamics and paradigms of accelerating, continuous competence development risk alienating older workers and shortening their working lives instead of extending them. Furthermore, these dynamics disregard that later working lives are already full of competences, experience, and wisdom. Therefore, we encourage meaningful competence development that blossoms in slow, informal, and mutual encounters and a different logic to counterbalance the current push for acceleration and growth, as older workers can mediate and enable resonance in the workplace. We apply Donna Haraway and Ursula K. Le Guin's theories of swords and carrier bags to problematize dominant stories promoting self-development and a competence orientation for the sake of competition and discuss alternative stories of later working lives that recognize the importance in caring, storing, creating, and sustaining relations. In sum, we contribute with a story that emphasizes the value in consolidating, employing, and nurturing existing skills and relationships in the workplace and recommend a broader repertoire of being in later working life.
Distinguishing between sellar/suprasellar arachnoid cysts (ACs) and Rathke cleft cysts (RCCs) can be challenging due to their similar clinical presentations and imaging characteristics. Endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEAs) are typically used to marsupialize RCCs, while ACs require fenestration to the suprasellar cisterns, often via a transcranial approach (TCA). This study aimed to identify indications and outcomes of EEA versus TCA for sellar/suprasellar AC management. The authors performed a retrospective analysis focusing on patients with sellar/suprasellar ACs who underwent surgical intervention, focusing on indications, clinical outcomes, and complications. A total of 17 patients with a median age of 58 years underwent surgical treatment of sellar (n = 6) or sellar with suprasellar extension (n = 11) ACs. Most patients presented with visual deficits (88%) and headaches (65%). EEA was performed in 11 cases, while TCA was used in 6 cases. The most common indications for EEA were an initial impression of RCC (n = 9), or cystic pituitary adenoma (n = 2), as well as a primarily sellar location/perceived narrow transcranial window (n = 6). During a median follow-up of 39 months, vision improved or remained stable in all patients who underwent either TCA or EEA. Complications in the EEA group included CSF leakage in 6 patients (with sellar-type AC) and transient diabetes insipidus in 1 patient. The TCA group reported no postoperative complications, but did have 1 recurrence, which was managed by an EEA. Both EEA and TCA provide long-term control and favorable clinical and visual outcomes in the management of sellar/suprasellar ACs. TCA remains the primary strategy for ACs with suprasellar extension, when feasible, due to the high CSF leak rates associated with EEA. EEA was able to successfully manage both purely sellar cases and those with suprasellar extension, while TCA cases all had suprasellar extension. All CSF leaks in this series occurred in purely intrasellar AC cases. EEA offers a viable option, particularly for purely sellar cases, unclear diagnosis, narrow transcranial window for safe fenestration, or in recurrent lesions following TCA.
Single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) has transformed our understanding of biomolecular mechanics. However, current high-throughput implementations rely on beads to apply force, introducing size and surface chemistry variability, requiring per-bead calibration, and are prone to multitether artifacts. Long handles further complicate measurements by convolving target conformational changes with handle stretching. We introduce tether force spectroscopy (TFS), a bead-free SMFS platform in which a single DNA tether serves as both the force applicator and an internal calibrator. In TFS, shear flow acting on identical DNA tethers applies piconewton-scale forces directly to surface-anchored molecules whose conformational dynamics are simultaneously monitored by single-molecule fluorescence. This guarantees single-tether results with uniform, internally calibrated forces and is inherently compatible with single-molecule fluorescence. We achieved high-resolution, high-throughput measurements across hundreds of molecules, enabling both force-extension and rupture experiments without specialized instrumentation. The combination of simplicity and simultaneous force-fluorescence capability makes TFS broadly accessible for correlating structure and function in diverse biomolecular systems.
Musculoskeletal injuries, a major impediment to medical military readiness, are often associated with muscle fatigue caused by prolonged, repeated activities, including running and walking with load carriage. Here, we investigated the biomechanics of women running without a load and walking with load carriage to identify kinetic and kinematic parameters affected by exertion-related changes under both conditions. We collected motion-capture data and computed tomography images from 20 young, healthy women running without a load for 5 km at a subject-specific pace and walking with a 22.7-kg load for 5 km at a speed of 1.5 m/s. We developed individualized musculoskeletal models for each condition and characterized changes in kinetic and kinematic parameters for each subject between the start (0 km) and end of each 5-km session. We found that peak trunk flexion angle increased for both conditions (effect size ≥ 0.80), with the same trend for 18 of the 20 subjects. Peak hip extension, ankle dorsiflexion, and subtalar inversion internal moments had the same directional changes in both conditions, although not always meeting the significance threshold adjusted for multiple comparisons or yielding an effect size ≥ 0.80. In conclusion, this exploratory study identified exertional effects in women running without a load or walking with load carriage that resulted in biomechanical gait changes in the same direction, which could be used to develop countermeasures to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury.
To evaluate the efficacy of different therapeutic modalities in the treatment of metastatic uveal melanoma (mUM). According to PRISMA criteria, We identified relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) by searching PubMed, Embase, and The Cochrane Library through March 31, 2026. Patients with liver metastatic uveal melanoma were enrolled. The analysis of clinical prognostic factors was performed using R 4.2.0. The main outcomes measured were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). A total of 16 articles were screened between 2000 and 2026, involving 2585 patients. The trials evaluated eight treatment approaches: tebentafusp, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), targeted therapy, targeted therapy plus chemotherapy, chemotherapy, liver-directed therapy (LDT), liver-directed therapy combined with ICIs, and liver-directed therapy plus chemotherapy. The results of the included trials showed that in terms of overall survival and progression-free survival, the liver-directed therapy combined with ICIs were the most effective regardless of the HLA genotype. Tebentafusp showed the second-best OS but the worst PFS among the compared treatments. Immune checkpoint inhibitors were inferior to tebentafusp in improving OS but were superior in PFS. Furthermore, compared with conventional systemic chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or their combination, regional liver-directed therapy demonstrated more favorable outcomes in both OS and PFS. Emerging immunotherapies (e.g., tumor vaccines, oncolytic virotherapy, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes) and novel targeted agents could not be included in the NMA due to the absence of comparative trials or ongoing investigations. The liver-directed therapy combined with ICIs achieved the best results compared to Tebentafusp, ICIs and other therapeutic modality for OS and PFS extension in metastatic uveal melanoma based on available data. Future comparative studies incorporating emerging therapies are warranted. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD420261393862.
Dry rot is one of the most destructive postharvest diseases of potato tubers, primarily attributed to fungal pathogens capable of surviving and initiating infection under low-temperature storage conditions. Although several Fusarium species have been recognized as major causal agents worldwide, the pathogenic diversity of fungi associated with cold-stored potatoes in Korea remains less characterized. In this study, twelve fungal isolates obtained from dry rot lesions were taxonomically placed using ITS sequencing and evaluated for their pathogenicity on wounded tubers of the cultivar 'Superior' during cold storage (4 °C for 5 weeks). Lesion development was quantified to compare pathogenic activity among isolates. All isolates induced rot, although pathogenicity varied significantly among species. Fusarium spp., including tested isolates belonging to the F. oxysporum species complex (FOSC), F. boothii, and the F. fujikuroi species complex (FFSC), produced substantial lesions, and Clonostachys rosea, typically regarded as a biocontrol agent, also caused measurable rot under cold conditions. These results provide foundational information regarding the fungal species associated with dry rot in cold-stored potatoes under the specific conditions tested. Our findings suggest that management strategies should consider not only well-known Fusarium species but also opportunistic fungi capable of colonizing potato tubers at low temperatures.
Pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious public health problem and represents a considerable burden on health systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite well-documented global disparities in CKD management, the extent of these differences across continents remains insufficiently explored, particularly in pediatric populations. To explore the body of recent evidence on clinical complications and anthropometric indicators of CKD in childhood and to identify gaps in knowledge that can guide the development of future studies of CKD in childhood, in the global context. Studies were searched in following electronic databases: PubMed/Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria consisted of observational quantitative articles (cohort, cross-sectional, case-control studies) in English that evaluated CKD in children. We excluded studies without reported data findings, case studies with fewer than 50 individuals and conducted with the same cohort. Children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years old with CKD. This research did not aim to evaluate the quality of individual studies, since the main objective of a scoping review is to map the evidence and identify strengths and weaknesses. We conducted a scoping review structured using the methodology developed by Arksey and O'Malley expanded by Levac et al. to map the existing literature. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) extension were adopted to increase methodological rigor. Two coders reviewed articles for descriptive information to create summary tables comparing variables of interest. Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria for this scoping review. Baseline clinical characteristics of individuals were analysed, with 889 from LMICs and 2564 from high-income countries (HICs). Inequality in access to treatment for pediatric patients with CKD between HICs and LMICs was evident. Scoping reviews typically have limitations due to their broad research focus and lack of in-depth analysis of a specific problem; therefore, a meta-analysis is not possible. We limited the included studies to those published in English to avoid translation/interpretation errors. Finally, information biases may be present since the data were mostly extracted from observational studies based on secondary information sources. Future studies should:1) Focus on standardizing variable definitions and measurement to reduce heterogeneity in the presentation of results; 2) Explore barriers and facilitators to access to treatment among of children with CKD from LMICs; 3) Promote the development of large multicenter collaborative cohorts of pediatric CKD in LMICs, enabling more representative data, longitudinal follow-up, and evidence-based strategies to improve outcomes. Open Science Framework protocol https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/Q4HN8.
The accurate determination of the sound insulation of building facades in the field can be affected by the limitations of standardized methods based solely on sound pressure measurements (e.g., ISO 16283-3:2016), particularly for lightweight, curved, and flexible systems, such as ethylene tetrafluoroethylene cushions. ISO 16283-3 defines a practical and time-efficient procedure for objectively assessing the sound insulation properties of envelopes and facade elements, assuming that the envelope separates two acoustic environments of different nature (assuming a free acoustic field on the exterior side and a diffuse sound field on the interior side). This study discusses three vibration-based sound power estimation models: the acoustic radiation matrix method, Rayleigh's integral method, and the discrete calculation method. The surface vibration velocities of a curved ethylene tetrafluoroethylene cushion and a polyurethane cushion were measured by scanning laser Doppler vibrometry. The models were validated against full field finite element simulations and standardized sound intensity measurements (ISO 9614-2:1996), enabling a direct comparison between numerical and experimental approaches. The results show strong agreement between the methods, with acoustic radiation matrix providing particularly consistent near-field pressure and sound-power estimates when compared with FEM. Additionally, parametric studies reveal that increasing internal pressure shifts radiated energy toward higher frequencies, while greater curvature enhances radiation efficiency. Although the present work focuses on the transmitted (radiated) component, the ability to estimate radiated sound power from measured surface vibrations provides an essential basis for future extensions toward full transmission-loss metrics, such as the sound reduction index, which depend on the ratio of incident and radiated acoustic power. The framework therefore offers a non-invasive tool to complement existing pressure- and intensity-based approaches for the acoustic characterization of lightweight and adaptive facade systems.
Globally, approximately 3.5 billion people lack safely managed sanitation services. In Africa, 45% of the population uses either shared or unimproved sanitation facilities. Ethiopia continues to be ranked among the countries with the lowest levels of hygiene and sanitation coverage. Moreover, many villages and kebeles who have latrine practicing open defecation. So the objective of this study is to assess sustainable latrine utilization and associated factors among open defecation free (ODF) declared villages in Ebinat District. A community based cross-sectional study triangulated with qualitative data was conducted from January 17 to February 11/2017 in Ebinat District. Multistage sampling was employed to select study subjects. A total of 752 households were selected by using systematic random sampling technique. Four focus group discussion and seven key informant interview participants were selected purposively to collect qualitative data. The Data entered using Epi Info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Crude and adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI were computed to identify the predictors of sustainable latrine utilization. Open Code software was used for thematic content analysis. The overall sustainable latrine utilization was 31.5 % with 95% CI of (28.2, 34.8). Factors associated by households were presence of children 7-18 years old, attending elementary school [AOR:1.63, 95% CI: (1.09-2.45)], HHs ever visited in a year by health extension workers [AOR:3.15, 95% CI: (1.80-5.53)], HHs ever visited in a year by health development armies [AOR:3.23, 95% CI: (1.99-5.26)] and family member attending Community-Lead Total Sanitation and Hygiene triggering [AOR:1.78, 95% CI: (1.16-2.67)] and distance of latrine from dwelling [AOR:3.22, 95% CI: (1.54-6.72)]. In this study, sustainable latrine utilization is lower than expected level. Therefore, program implementers should prioritize behavioral change interventions, and health workers and HDAs should conduct frequent follow-ups after the ODF declaration. Globally, 2.4 billion people do not have access to improved sanitation facilities. In African, 45% of the population uses either shared or unimproved sanitation facilities. Ethiopia continues to be ranked among the countries with the lowest levels of hygiene and sanitation coverage. So the objective of this study is to assess sustainable latrine utilization and associated factors among open defecation free (ODF) declared villages in Ebinat District, Northwest Ethiopia. A community based cross-sectional study triangulated with qualitative data was conducted from January 17 to February 11/2017 in Ebinat District. A total of 752 households (HHs) were selected by using multistage sampling technique. Four focus group discussion and in-depth interview participants were selected purposively to collect qualitative data. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and observational checklist. The Data entered using Epi Info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Crude and adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI were computed to identify the predictors of sustainable latrine utilization. Open Code software was used for thematic content analysis. The overall sustainable latrine utilization was 31.5 % with 95% CI of (28.2, 34.8). Factors associated by households were presence of children 7-18 years old, attending elementary school [AOR:1.63, 95% CI: (1.09-2.45)], HHs ever visited in a year by health extension workers [AOR:3.15, 95% CI: (1.80-5.53)], HHs ever visited in a year by health development armies (HDAs)[AOR:3.23, 95% CI: (1.99-5.26)] and family member attending community lead total sanitation and hygiene (CLTSH) triggering [AOR:1.78, 95% CI: (1.16-2.67)] and distance of latrine from dwelling [AOR:3.22, 95% CI: (1.54-6.72)]. In this study, sustainable latrine utilization is lower than expected level. Therefore, program implementers should prioritize behavioral change interventions.
This mini-review synthesizes evidence from recent studies to provide an updated perspective on current applications, methodological challenges, and future directions for artificial intelligence (AI) in multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) based prostate cancer (CaP) imaging. CaP remains the most frequently diagnosed noncutaneous malignancy among men worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. mpMRI has become the reference imaging modality for detection, localization, and risk stratification, with the Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) improving standardization. However, inter-reader variability and the time-intensive nature of mpMRI interpretation persist, even among expert radiologists. AI, encompassing machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) methods, offers the potential to enhance CaP imaging by improving accuracy, consistency, and efficiency. Applications include automated lesion detection and segmentation, PI-RADS scoring standardization, and radiomics-based risk prediction. Radiomics enables the extraction of high-dimensional quantitative features from mpMRI, which, when integrated with clinical or genomic data, can improve predictive modeling for clinically significant CaP, extracapsular extension, and lymph node metastasis. Despite rapid advancements, challenges remain in data heterogeneity, generalizability, lack of standardized feature extraction, and limited external validation. The "black-box" nature of many DL models also complicates clinical trust and regulatory approval. Future directions include the integration of explainable AI, federated learning for privacy-preserving multi-institutional training, and real-time AI assistance during targeted biopsies or active surveillance.