Sci

Tocilizumab (TCZ) has demonstrated potential efficacy in managing large-vessel (LV) vasculitis such as giant-cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu arteritis (TAK). Despite the shared characteristics between the LV-GCA phenotype and TAK, there are differences between both entities that may affect therapeutic responses to TCZ. We aim to assess and compare the effectiveness and safety of TCZ in patients with LV-GCA and TAK. Multicenter, observational study on 70 LV-GCA patients and 57 TAK patients treated with TCZ. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post-treatment initiation. The variables analyzed included the following: (a) the achievement of clinical remission and improvement in laboratory markers; (b) imaging-based disease activity; (c) a glucocorticoid (GC)-sparing effect; and (d) side events and a safety profile. At the treatment initiation, TAK patients were younger, exhibited longer disease duration, had received more prior biologics, and were on higher doses of prednisone compared to LV-GCA patients. While TAK patients showed a slower initial clinical response, remission rates at 12 months were comparable between groups (74.5% for LV-GCA vs. 76.9% for TAK). Both groups experienced rapid laboratory marker improvement and a significant GC-sparing effect. However, complete imaging resolution was observed in only 18.9% of LV-GCA patients and 21.1% of TAK patients. The safety profile was similar in both groups, with severe infections leading to TCZ discontinuation in four LV-GCA and three TAK patients. In clinical practice, TCZ demonstrates similar efficacy in promoting remission and reducing GC dependency in both LV-GCA and TAK patients. Nonetheless, discrepancies between clinical outcomes and imaging improvement highlight the need for further investigation into disease monitoring and management strategies. Full article

Skin Conductance Response (SCR) is a physiological index associated with arousing emotions. Previous studies have not explored the relationship between SCR signals and emotions in situations where multiple emotions dynamically fluctuate. Moreover, methods suitable for analyzing such conditions have not yet been established. In this study, we recorded the temporal changes in multiple emotions as subjectively reported by participants using the Temporal Dominance of Emotions (TDE) method. We then matched these subjective reports with the evolving SCR signals through regression analysis. This approach reveals which emotions contribute to increased SCR signals in prolonged, emotionally charged scenarios, such as watching videos or playing video games. To validate our method, we recorded SCR signals while participants played a video game. Participants then performed the TDE task to recall their emotions while viewing recorded footage. This study involved 20 participants. Our analysis showed that emotions such as excitement, tension, and frustration significantly covaried with the physiological signals. These arousing emotions are known to evoke SCR, supporting the validity of our method. This approach introduces a novel experimental methodology for comparing subjective reports and high-responsive physiology signals in settings where multiple emotions dynamically change. Full article

Depression and chronic pain are prevalent and often co-occurring conditions that pose substantial treatment challenges and economic burdens in the developed world. Research suggests that depression and chronic pain share overlapping pathways, particularly within the anterior cingulate cortex, which plays a critical role in emotional regulation and pain perception. Research indicates that exercise may alleviate depression. Given the shared neurobiology between depression and chronic pain, it is plausible that exercise could improve outcomes for individuals experiencing depression and chronic pain. Therefore, this review aims to provide clinicians with evidence-based tools to assess the role of exercise in the management of patients with coexistent pain and depression. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has a negative impact on the quality of life (QoL) of patients. We evaluated the health status and quality of life (QoL) in relation to accessibility to primary health care (PHC) units among patients with T2DM in mountainous Greece. We analyzed data obtained from 340 patients with diabetes living in the region of Epirus, Greece. The diabetes-specific quality of life was assessed with the Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of Life questionnaire (ADDQoL-19) and the generic health status with the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). Ninety-three percent of the respondents reported that diabetes had a negative impact on their QoL. Lower scores were seen in relation to “leisure activities” (−1.200 ± 1.251) and “freedom to eat” (−1.088 ± 1.058). The mean physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component scores were 45.6 ± 8.0 and 43.9 ± 8.0, respectively. According to the linear regression analysis, health status was related to the accessibility to the nearest hospital or health care unit, exercise, blood glucose level, and HbA1c level. The QoL was related to the accessibility to the nearest hospital and diet. T2DM has a negative impact on patients’ QoL. Accessibility to PHC units and hospitals as well as the efficient management of patients with diabetes by said PHC units are imperative to control T2DM’s course and improve patients’ generic health status. Full article

Accurate surface area data are imperative for the development of meaningful property–function relationships. Nitrogen gas (N₂) adsorption/Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET) surface area analysis is a widely used technique for surface area characterization of materials because of straightforward sample preparation, automation, and low cost. However, iron disulfide (FeS₂) does not typically exhibit quantifiable N₂ monolayer formation in BET measurements. FeS₂ has been applied in fields such as batteries, catalysis, and adsorption, all of which would benefit from techniques that reliably assess surface area (SSA) of the active material. To address this, we evaluated FeS₂ samples by combining alternative surface characterization techniques to quantify SSA. Ten different FeS₂ samples from various manufacturers are characterized via BET, laser diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, non-contact profilometry, and liquid dye adsorption. Compared to BET, which resulted in a wide range of SSAs between 0.049–1.213 m² g⁻¹, liquid dye adsorption was found to be accurate for pyrite samples at low sample masses (<50 mg), with SSA values between 0.99–10.20 m² g⁻¹. Using an optical characterization approach, which combined particle size and surface roughness data, we readily estimated SSA of the particles and found these values correlated linearly with liquid adsorption but not BET values. This work serves to help researchers choose a more fitting method for examining low surface area materials like FeS₂ and can easily be applied to other minerals for quantitative and qualitative surface area comparisons. Full article

The inherent challenges of financial time series forecasting demand advanced modeling techniques for reliable predictions. Effective financial time series forecasting is crucial for financial risk management and the formulation of investment decisions. The accurate prediction of stock prices is a subject of study in the domains of investing and national policy. This problem appears to be challenging due to the presence of multi-noise, nonlinearity, volatility, and the chaotic nature of stocks. This paper proposes a novel financial time series forecasting model based on the deep learning ensemble model LSTM-mTrans-MLP, which integrates the long short-term memory (LSTM) network, a modified Transformer network, and a multilayered perception (MLP). By integrating LSTM, the modified Transformer, and the MLP, the suggested model demonstrates exceptional performance in terms of forecasting capabilities, robustness, and enhanced sensitivity. Extensive experiments are conducted on multiple financial datasets, such as Bitcoin, the Shanghai Composite Index, China Unicom, CSI 300, Google, and the Amazon Stock Market. The experimental results verify the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed LSTM-mTrans-MLP network model compared with the benchmark and SOTA models, providing important inferences for investors and decision-makers. Full article

This study aims to contribute to the physical understanding of the behavior of nanoparticles in lipid–nanoparticle composite systems. Therefore, composite films were formed on hydrophilic or hydrophobic surfaces through the sequential adsorption of liposomes and silica nanoparticles. The process was performed using dispersions with different pHs by using optical fixed-angle reflectometry. In the first step, liposomes were deposited on the surface, resulting in a lipid monolayer or bilayer depending on the surface’s properties. The kinetic experiments indicated that the adsorption of liposomes is a diffusion-limited process that depends on the pH and the properties of the substrate. In the second step, negatively charged nanoparticles were adsorbed on the membrane as a result of the electrostatic interactions with the positively charged domains on the membrane. The amounts of liposomes and particles adsorbed depend on the charge density of the particles and net charge density of the membrane: an increase in the pH and hydrophobicity of the surface leads to a decrease in the amounts adsorbed because of the increase in the electrostatic repulsion between particles and lipids. The procedure was supplemented with the formation of two liposomes/nanoparticles bilayers. Full article

This paper discusses the combined application of the Acoustic Emission (AE) technique and a Lattice Discrete Element Method (LDEM) to study the damage process in cement mortar specimens subjected to three-point bending tests. The experimental work was carried out in a previous study by the research team. The specimens contain macro-capsules filled with a polyurethane resin that promotes a self-healing mechanism upon crack formation. The numerical model here developed provides an estimate of the fracture energy of the resin, which is difficult to obtain by relying purely on experimental results. Furthermore, this study includes the analysis of both fracture energy and Acoustic Emission energy based on experimental tests using the same specimens. Through the comparison of experimental and numerical results, a correlation between the toughness of the specimens and AE activity is established. The findings indicate that, for the self-healing specimens, there is a decrease in fracture energy as the emitted Acoustic Emission (AE) energy increases. Full article

A study of the antifriction properties of suspension solid-lubricating coatings based on molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) at high temperatures depending on the type of substrate, binder, additives, and load parameters was carried out. The solid lubricants were sprayed on two different substrates, high-temperature alloy (Inconel X-750) and stainless steel (AISI 430), tested under 10 N and 23 N loads at temperatures ranging from 25 °C to 800 °C. For comparison, different types of solid lubricants were used. In this work, it was established that the antifriction properties of solid lubricant suspension coatings at high temperatures significantly depend on the type of solid lubricant and the binder used. Moreover, it was shown that the use of Inconel X-750 as a substrate can lead to an increase in the critical operating temperature of coatings containing MoS₂, graphite, and titanate as solid lubricant, additive, and binder, respectively. For instance, at load 23 N, the operating temperature increased from 480 °C to 496 °C. On the other hand, the coating based on graphite, containing ceramic as an additive, and an inorganic binder showed the best performance in terms of a combination of properties (low coefficient of friction and longer operation with a coefficient of friction below 0.3 under increasing temperature) when it was applied on the Inconel X-750 substrate. In addition, it was established that the coefficient of friction of graphite-based coatings gradually increases as they lose their antifriction properties due to their failure, while the coatings based on molybdenum disulfide show the opposite behavior, where the coefficient of friction increases sharply when it loses its lubricating properties. Full article

The conversion of betulinic acid (BA) to organic salts is a strategic approach to modulate its physicochemical properties and biological activity. In our previous study, we demonstrated the enhanced cytotoxicity of certain amino acid ethyl ester betulinates ([AAOEt][BA]) compared to BA against hormone-dependent breast cancer cells (MCF-7). In this study, we extended our investigation to evaluate the cytotoxic response and thermodynamic properties of hormone-independent breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) following 72 h of treatment with the same series of betulinates. Our data reveal a lower cytotoxic response in MDA-MB-231 cells, indicated by higher half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values, which ranged between 31 and 109 μM. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis supported these findings, showing negligible changes in the thermodynamic parameters of the treated MDA-MB-231 cells. However, consistent with our previous observations, [LysOEt][BA]₂, exhibited the highest cytotoxicity and induced the most pronounced morphological alterations in the cancer cells. Overall, our results suggest that MDA-MB-231 cells are less sensitive to [AAOEt][BA] compared to MCF-7 cells, likely due to their distinct phenotypic and genotypic profiles and differences in oncogenic signalling pathways. Nonetheless, the fact that [LysOEt][BA]₂ enhances the cytotoxic activity of BA even in hormone-independent breast cancer cells underscores its therapeutic potential and warrants further investigation, particularly in the context of adjuvant breast cancer therapy. Full article

The multielement pyrochlore of the composition Bi_1.57Mn_1/3Cr_1/3Cu_1/3Nb₂O_9−Δ (sp. gr. Fd-3m:2, 10.4724 Å) containing transition element atoms—chromium, manganese and copper in equimolar amounts—was synthesized for the first time using the solid-phase reaction method. The microstructure of the ceramics is grainless and has low porosity. The sample is characterized by reflection in the red (705 nm) color region. The band gap for the direct allowed transition in the sample is 1.68 eV. The parameters of the Bi5d, Nb3d, Сr2p, Mn2p, and Cu2p X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra for the mixed pyrochlore are compared with the parameters of transition element oxides. For the complex pyrochlore, a characteristic shift in the Bi4f and Nb3d spectra to the region of lower energies by 0.15 and 0.60 eV, respectively, is observed. According to the XPS Cu2p and Mn2p spectra of pyrochlore, copper, and manganese cations are in a mixed charge state; they mainly have an effective charge of +2/+3, and the Cr2p spectrum is a superposition of the spectra of chromium ions in the charge state of +3, +4, +6. At 24 °С, the permittivity of the sample in the frequency range (10⁴–10⁶ Hz) weakly depends on the frequency and is equal to ~100, the dielectric loss tangent is 0.017. The activation energy of conductivity is equal to 0.41 eV. The specific electrical conductivity of Bi_1.57Cr_1/3Cu_1/3Mn_1/3Nb₂O_9−Δ increases with the temperature increasing from 1.8 × 10⁻⁵ Ohm⁻¹·m⁻¹ (24 °С) to 0.1 Ohm⁻¹·m⁻¹ (330 °С). Nyquist curves for the sample are modeled by equivalent electrical circuits. Full article

Cloud computing has revolutionized the digital era by providing a more efficient, scalable, and cost-effective infrastructure. Secure systems that encrypt and protect data before it is transmitted over a network and stored in the cloud benefit the entire transmission process. Transmission data can be encrypted and protected with a secure dynamic substitution box (S-box). In this paper, we propose the QuantumGS-box, which is a dynamic S-box for high-speed cloud-based storage encryption generated by bit shuffling with a genetic algorithm and a quantum random number generator (QRNG). The proposed work generates the S-box optimized values in a dynamic way, and an experimental evaluation of the proposed S-box method has been conducted using several cryptographic criteria, including bit independence criteria, speed, non-linearity, differential and linear approximation probabilities, strict avalanche criteria and balanced output. The results demonstrate that the QuantumGS-box can enhance robustness, is resilient to differential and provide improved linear cryptoanalysis compared to other research works while assuring non-linearity. The characteristics of the proposed S-box are compared with other state of the art S-boxes to validate its performance. These characteristics indicate that the QuantumGS-box is a promising candidate for cloud-based storage encryption applications. Full article

The work is dedicated to the investigation of the possibility of producing and studying the properties of the thin-walled elements of Diamond-type lattice structures, manufactured from the aluminum alloy AlSi10Mg using the selective laser melting method. The accuracy of fabricating the thin-walled elements was assessed depending on the specified model thickness, power, and scanning strategy. It was demonstrated that the minimum wall thickness with minimal porosity was achieved at a laser power of 260 W and a laser scanning speed of 1500 mm/s. Based on the selected SLM parameters, Diamond-type lattice structures with a wall thickness of 200 µm were produced. Tomographic methods confirmed minimal deviation in the thickness and shape of the lattice structure from the model. Mechanical compression tests were conducted to determine the deformation characteristics, as well as the Young’s modulus, yield strength, and ultimate tensile strength. It was shown that the chosen parameters allow for the production of functional lattice structures. Full article

The identification of dynamical systems from data is essential in control theory, enabling the creation of mathematical models that accurately represent the behavior of complex systems. However, real-world applications often present challenges such as the unknown dimensionality of the system and limited access to measurements, particularly in partially observed systems. The Hankel alternative view of Koopman (HAVOK) method offers a data-driven approach to identify linear representations of nonlinear systems, but it often overlooks the influence of external control signals (inputs) and disturbances. This paper introduces a novel input-aware modeling method for unstable linear systems using data-driven Koopman analysis. By explicitly incorporating the impact of inputs and disturbances, our method enhances the accuracy and robustness of system identification, even in the face of incomplete observations. The proposed approach leverages Koopman operator theory on augmented state-input data to capture both the intrinsic dynamics and the system’s sensitivity to external control. Through extensive numerical examples, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our method in accurately identifying and predicting the behavior of various dynamical systems, including real-world nonlinear systems and simulated unstable linear systems with and without disturbances. The results highlight the potential of our approach to advance the field of system identification and control, offering a powerful tool for modeling and analyzing complex systems in diverse applications. Full article

This study presents the synthesis of metal nanoparticles (NPs) with antimicrobial properties from cyanobacterial biomass. Silver (AgNP), copper (CuNP), and zinc (ZnNP) nanoparticles were prepared from exopolysaccharides (EPSs) obtained from isolated cyanobacterial strains. The antimicrobial activity of AgNPs against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated, and compared with CuNPs and ZnNPs, AgNPs were found to have a greater capacity to inhibit bacterial growth. The main factors influencing antimicrobial activity are the concentration and type of metal used. Using an optimized experimental design, specific conditions were established to maximize the antimicrobial efficacy of the synthesized NPs. The characterization of the nanoparticles included UV–VIS, FTIR, and EDX techniques, which confirmed the formation and purity of the AgNPs. This study highlights the effectiveness of cyanobacterial EPS as a reducing and stabilizing agent and provides a sustainable and efficient alternative for producing nanoparticles with biomedical applications. Full article

This paper presents research on the effects of the addition of various contents of graphene oxide and sintering temperature on the mechanical, tribological, and electrical characteristics of WC-ZrO₂ composites. Wet processing and spark plasma sintering provided dense samples with simultaneous reduction of graphene oxide (rGO) during sintering. The obtained results showed that the best mechanical properties were observed at a sintering temperature of 1700 °C in samples with 0.5 vol.% rGO content; namely, indentation fracture toughness (5.8 ± 0.4 MPa·m^1/2) and flexural strength (872 ± 43 MPa) increased by 9% and 24.3% compared with the sample without rGO. In addition to improved mechanical performance, rGO-reinforced composites exhibited lower wear rates and friction coefficients than non-rGO composites, due to the formation of a graphitic lubricating tribolayer on worn surfaces and counterbodies in a friction pair, which provided sufficient lubrication to reduce the coefficient of friction and wear rate. The resulting composites also showed low electrical resistivity, suggesting the possibility of using electrical discharge machining to manufacture ceramic products of complex shapes from them. Full article

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects over 71 million people worldwide, leading to severe liver diseases, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The virus’s high mutation rate complicates current antiviral therapies by promoting drug resistance, emphasizing the need for novel therapeutics. Traditional high-throughput screening (HTS) methods are costly, time-consuming, and prone to false positives, underscoring the necessity for more efficient alternatives. Machine learning (ML), particularly quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) modeling, offers a promising solution by predicting compounds’ biological activity based on chemical structures. However, the “black-box” nature of many ML models raises concerns about interpretability, which is critical for understanding drug action mechanisms. To address this, we propose an explainable multi-model stacked classifier (MMSC) for predicting hepatitis C drug candidates. Our approach combines random forests (RF), support vector machines (SVM), gradient boosting machines (GBM), and k-nearest neighbors (KNN) using a logistic regression meta-learner. Trained and tested on a dataset of 495 compounds targeting HCV NS3 protease, the model achieved 94.95% accuracy, 97.40% precision, and a 96.77% F1-score. Using SHAP values, we provided interpretability by identifying key molecular descriptors influencing the model’s predictions. This explainable MMSC approach improves hepatitis C drug discovery, bridging the gap between predictive performance and interpretability while offering actionable insights for researchers. Full article

This paper presents a pH sensor with a Mach–Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) that operates in solutions of 4.0, 7.0, and 10.0. The sensor device consists of two tapered sections with dimensions of 1 mm/1 mm/1 mm for down-taper, waist-length, and up-taper, respectively, with a separation of 10 mm. The diameter of the waist is 40 $\mathsf{\mu }$m. This work includes the experimental evaluation of an MZI fiber optic pH sensor at 1559 nm, where 1559 nm represents a specific wavelength chosen for its optimal sensitivity in evaluating the sensor pH detection performance. It is not the central wavelength of the optical fiber, but one of the minimal values selected to enhance the interaction between the evanescent field and the sample, ensuring the reliable detection of pH variations. These sensor dimensions and the functionalized solution of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) increase the detection of pH in dyes used in the textile industry. Alizarin is a strong anionic red dye that is part of the anthraquinone dye group. The experimental results demonstrated effective detection of pH levels in water contamination involving dye. This development could resolve the problem with Alizarin. The simple fabrication, low cost, and stability of the optical response make this sensor relevant for pH measurements in water contamination. Full article