Search Results (1,212)

The utilisation of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) during cardiac surgery is often associated with complex haemostatic perturbations, frequently manifesting as a paradoxical risk of both bleeding and thrombosis. This is postulated to be driven by systemic inflammation, endothelial activation and contact activation of the coagulation cascade due to extracorporeal circulation. However, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic revealed a unique hypercoagulable state, termed COVID-19-associated coagulopathy (CAC), also observed in those vaccinated against COVID-19. CAC displays similar physiological manifestations to those of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), characterised by elevated fibrinogen and D-dimer values. The precise pathogenesis of CAC requires further elucidation though proposed mechanisms include: an exaggerated inflammatory response to COVID-19 infection or antibody proliferation due to vaccination, direct epithelial cell damage mediated by angiotensin converting enzyme 2, and ‘hypoxithrombosis’. CAC has since provided a unique framework to understand and potentially mitigate coagulation complications encountered during CPB in the post-pandemic era, as it is no longer sufficient to view COVID-19 as a transient influence on surgical risk. Rather, it must be recognized as a persistent modifier of the haemostatic environment across the population, with direct implications upon patient selection, intraoperative management and postoperative care in cardiac surgery. This review examines the pathological drivers behind CAC alongside the insights obtained from CAC management during ECMO deployment, to investigate the potential translation of such knowledge into improved anticoagulation strategies and monitoring during cardiac surgery. The use of alternative anticoagulants including factor XI inhibitors and the modulation of heparinase activity offers promising avenues to attenuate coagulopathies more commonly observed during CPB in the post-pandemic climate, whilst anti-Xa assays and viscoelastic testing have offered applicability to modern perfusion practices. By bridging the knowledge gained during the pandemic with that of conventional CPB, this review aims to inform future strategies for haemostasis management in cardiac surgery in a novel cohort of surgical patients. Full article

Santa Ana winds are extreme meteorological events that strongly affect the U.S.–Mexico border region, often associated with droughts, high fire risk, and hydrological imbalance. Understanding the temporal behavior of key atmospheric variables during these events is crucial for integrated water resource management in semi-arid regions such as the Guadalupe Basin in northern Baja California. In this study, we explored the predictive capability of several hybrid deep learning architectures—Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Convolutional Neural Network combined with LSTM (CNN–LSTM), and Bidirectional LSTM with Attention (BiLSTM–Attention)—to model the temporal evolution of wind speed, wind direction, temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure using Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) reanalysis data from 1980 to 2020. Model performance was evaluated using RMSE, MAE, and R² metrics and compared against persistence and climatology baselines. The BiLSTM–Attention model achieved the best overall performance, showing particularly high accuracy for temperature (R² = 0.95) and relative humidity (R² = 0.76), while maintaining angular errors below 35° for wind direction. The results demonstrate the potential of hybrid deep learning models to capture nonlinear temporal dependencies in meteorological time series and provide a methodological framework to enhance hydrometeorological understanding and water resource management in the Guadalupe Basin under Santa Ana wind conditions. Full article

Settlements and settlement systems are key arenas of human–environment interaction, and reconstructing their spatial patterns is essential for understanding historical socio-environmental dynamics. Using the Complete Map of the Great Qing Empire (1905), this study employs digital extraction and spatial-statistical analysis to examine the nationwide settlement system of late Qing China. The results reveal that: (1) The system features dispersed high-level settlements and highly clustered low-level ones; provincial and prefectural cities follow administrative divisions, while counties, towns, and villages display strong spatial self-organization. (2) Mid-to high-level systems exhibit hierarchical fractures, whereas low-level settlements conform to Zipf’s law, highlighting the regularity and universality of grassroots networks. (3) Road accessibility, slope, and elevation significantly influence settlement hierarchy, whereas river proximity plays a limited role—indicating greater dependence on transportation and terrain adaptability. Overall, the study elucidates the spatial structure and formative mechanisms of the Qing settlement system and provides empirical insights into the evolution of surface patterns and regional resilience since the modern era. Full article

Objectives: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become the standard of care for severe aortic stenosis across all surgical risk categories. Continuous innovation in prosthesis technology necessitates a comprehensive and clinically oriented analysis of contemporary TAVI systems to guide device selection and understand evolving trends. This review aims to provide a practical, device-specific decision-making framework for TAVI prosthesis selection, synthesizing the latest evidence (2023–2025) to address the challenge of individualized choice in an era of device proliferation. We conducted a detailed review of current TAVI models from leading manufacturers (Medtronic, Abbott, Boston Scientific, Biotronik, etc.), examining their technical specifications, design innovations, and data from recent international clinical trials and registries. A comparative analysis was performed based on key parameters: delivery profile, resheathability/repositionability, sealing mechanisms, hemodynamic performance, and complication rates. Modern TAVI prostheses demonstrate significant advancements. Self-expanding nitinol frames offer superior adaptability and lower profiles (as low as 14 Fr). Innovations in sealing technology have drastically reduced the incidence of moderate-to-severe paravalvular leak (PVL) to below 2–3%. Supra-annular leaflet designs provide superior hemodynamics. Clinical outcomes show excellent 30-day mortality rates (1.1–2.0%) and durability estimates of 10–15 years. Variation exists between devices in rates of permanent pacemaker implantation and coronary access. The current generation of TAVI prostheses represents a mature technology offering high safety and efficacy. The key development vectors are focused on further device miniaturization, enhancing long-term durability, and expanding indications. This analysis provides a novel, clinically oriented comparison that moves beyond technical specifications to guide optimal device selection based on specific patient anatomy and clinical characteristics. Full article

Accurate geoid determination is essential for height system unification and for converting Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) ellipsoidal heights to orthometric heights. This study demonstrates a national-scale workflow that integrates digitized Soviet-era gravimetric maps at 1:200,000 scale with modern satellite and ancillary datasets to compute a high-resolution gravimetric geoid for Kazakhstan. Legacy gravity maps were systematically digitized, harmonized, and quality-controlled, then integrated with a global geopotential model (XGM2019e_2159) for long-wavelength information and a digital elevation model (FABDEM) for terrain corrections. Geoid computation employed the Least-Squares Modification of Stokes’ Formula, with spectral testing used to select optimal parameters; external control and validation relied on an extensive set of GNSS observations and geometric levelling benchmarks from the national network. The resulting geoid surface captures the country’s full topographic range, from the Caspian Depression to the Tien Shan and Altai. After regression-based removal of residual tilts linked to distortions in the Baltic 1977 height system, we achieved a root-mean-square error of 0.066 m. The integrated use of 1:200,000 gravity maps and modern satellite-derived models yields accuracy improvements over widely used global solutions, establishing a consistent vertical reference for Kazakhstan and supporting datum modernization, GNSS-based heighting, infrastructure development, and environmental monitoring. These results show that digitized Soviet-era gravity maps, when fused with modern satellite datasets, can provide robust, high-accuracy geoid solutions. Full article

The Irbene single-baseline radio interferometer (ISBI), operated by the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre (VIRAC), offers a rare and versatile configuration in modern radio astronomy. Combining the 32-m and 16-m fully steerable parabolic radio telescopes separated by an 800-m baseline, this system possesses a unique capability for high-sensitivity, time-domain interferometric observations. Unlike large interferometric arrays optimized for sub-arcsecond resolution imaging, the Irbene system is tailored for studies that require high temporal resolution and a strong signal-to-noise ratio. This paper reviews key scientific applications of the Irbene interferometer, including simultaneous methanol maser and radio continuum variability studies, high-cadence monitoring of quasi-periodic pulsations (QPPs) in stellar flares, ionospheric diagnostics using GNSS signals, orbit determination of navigation satellites and forward scatter radar techniques for space object detection. These diverse applications demonstrate the scientific potential of compact interferometric systems in an era dominated by large-scale observatories. Full article

In an era of global warming, sustainable agriculture, which emphasises the conservation of biodiversity and the rational use of natural resources, is growing in importance. One of the key elements is to increase the genetic diversity of crops through the use of crop wild relatives (CWRs) and local varieties, which provide a source of genes for resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Modern agricultural systems are characterised by low biodiversity, which increases the susceptibility of plants to diseases and pests. Growing mixtures of varieties, both intra- and interspecific, is a practical strategy to increase plant resistance, stabilise yields and reduce pathogen pressure. This manuscript has a review character and synthesises the current literature on the use of CWRs, local varieties, and variety mixtures in sustainable agriculture. The main research question of the study is to what extent plant genetic resources, including CWRs and local varieties, as well as the cultivation of variety mixtures, can promote plant resistance, stabilise yields and contribute to sustainable agriculture under climate change. The objectives of the study are to assess the role of genetic resources and variety mixtures in maintaining biodiversity and yield stability, and to analyse the potential of CWRs and local varieties in enhancing plant resistance. Additionally, the study investigates the impact of variety mixtures in reducing disease and pest development, and identifies barriers to the use of genetic resources in breeding along with strategies to overcome them. The study takes an interdisciplinary approach including literature and gene bank data analysis (in situ and ex situ), field trials of cultivar mixtures under different environmental conditions, genetic and molecular analysis of CWRs, the use of modern genome editing techniques (CRISPR/Cas9) and assessment of ecological mechanisms of mixed crops such as barrier effect, and induced resistance and complementarity. In addition, the study considers collaboration with participatory and evolutionary breeding programmes (EPBs/PPBs) to adapt local varieties to specific environmental conditions. The results of the study indicate that the integration of plant genetic resources with the practice of cultivating variety mixtures creates a synergistic model that enhances plant resilience and stabilises yields. This approach also promotes agroecosystem conservation, contributing to sustainable agriculture under climate change. Full article

This paper examines the translation theories and practices of Xu Zongze 徐宗澤 (1886–1947), a key figure in the Jesuit community of the Zi-ka-wei compound 徐家匯. Descending from the prominent Catholic Xu family and serving as chief editor of the Revue Catholique 聖教雜誌, Xu was uniquely positioned to engage in religious and cultural dialogues. By situating Xu within modern China’s translation history, this paper highlights his significant contributions to translation scholarship, especially in merging Western religious thought with Chinese traditions. Xu utilized the “Discussion” column of the Revue for his “Treatise on Translation” 譯書論, celebrating Jesuit translation accomplishments and examining historical policies. His works advocate for using the Jesuit legacy in contemporary translation debates to enhance cultural understanding. Xu’s efforts, including the Synopsis of Jesuit Translations during the Ming and Qing Dynasties 明清間耶穌會士譯著提要 and the “New Terms” series, resist linguistic dominance while facilitating intercultural understanding. Through his translation experience and Jesuit cultural initiatives, Xu Zongze advocated for the establishment of a Catholic translation institute aimed at developing talent and enhancing communication with Catholic publishers. By centering on Xu, this study reexamines the role of Zi-ka-wei within the context of modern Chinese translation history, evaluating how its engagement with Western knowledge effectively addressed the intellectual demands of the era, which called for contemporary interpretations. Full article

The white poplar (Populus alba L.) is an economically significant tree species with a natural distribution spanning an extensive region of Eurasia. Nevertheless, there is currently no hypothesis regarding the historical shaping of this range. In this study, we collected and sequenced 36 individuals of white poplar from disparate regions of Russia and Kazakhstan. Additionally, we employed available genomic data of white poplars from Italy, Hungary, and China. A genomic approach was employed to collate data on the location of glaciers in different periods, along with information on the natural and artificial distribution of white poplar. This enabled the formulation of the first hypothesis regarding the formation of the modern range of this plant. It is hypothesized that during the period of maximum glaciation, three refugia existed: the South European, Transcaucasian, and Altai–Middle Asian refugia. Postglacial migration from these refugia led to the formation of modern populations of P. alba in Eastern Europe (including the European part of Russia), the Caucasus, and Siberia, respectively. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aims to critically appraise the role of para-aortic surgical staging in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) in the era of advanced imaging, and to outline how selective surgery and biomarkers could be integrated within modern, quality-assured treatment pathways. Methods: Narrative review of randomized trials, large databases, and prospective/retrospective series comparing para-aortic lymphadenectomy with imaging-based staging; focused appraisal of Uterus-11, NCDB analyses, and ongoing prospective trials (PAROLA with Senti-PAROLA as one of its sub-studies and PALDISC). Emerging technologies (PET/MRI, radiomics/AI) and molecular assays (OSNA, HPV-ctDNA) were also assessed. Results: PET/CT remains the standard for distant staging, but sensitivity for low-volume nodal disease (<5 mm) is poor; in pelvic-positive/para-aortic-negative patients, occult para-aortic metastases approach ~21%. Para-aortic surgical staging modifies radiotherapy planning in ~18% of cases and can act as a de-escalation tool by avoiding unnecessary extended-field CRT (EF-CRT) when para-aortic nodes are negative. Uterus-11 showed no overall survival difference versus CT-based staging, but suggested benefit in FIGO 2009 stage IIB; its design (CT comparator, optimistic assumptions, limited power) constrains inference. Minimally invasive extraperitoneal/transperitoneal staging is feasible with low morbidity in expert centers, yet real-world management may worsen outcomes. The role of systemic intensification in node-positive disease remains undefined: PALN-positive patients were excluded from the INTERLACE trial. In the KEYNOTE-826 study, subgroup analyses according to nodal status were not reported, although the benefit of pembrolizumab remained consistent irrespective of bevacizumab use. Sentinel para-aortic mapping and biomarkers (e.g., HPV-ctDNA) may refine selection and reduce morbidity. Conclusions: Surgical staging is the most accurate method to detect occult para-aortic disease. Its routine use is not justified, but it may benefit selected high-risk patients, particularly where decisions on EF-CRT or systemic therapy hinge on para-aortic status. Future practice should integrate advanced imaging, selective surgery, and biomarkers within accredited centers, guided by large collaborative trials conducted under international quality frameworks such as ESGO/ESTRO/ESP guidelines. Full article

Modern high-performance network infrastructures must address the challenges of scalability and quantum-resistant security, particularly in multi-tenant and virtualized environments. In this work, we introduce a novel implementation of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)-IPsec using the NVIDIA BlueField-3 Data Processing Unit (Santa Clara, CA, USA), capable of achieving 400 Gbit/s. We demonstrate line-rate performance through quantum-resilient communication channels using Kyber1024 (ML-KEM) and Dilithium5 (ML-DSA). We evaluate our implementation on two experimental setups; a host-to-host configuration and a 16 Virtual Machines (VMs)-to-host setup, both across a direct high-speed link. We set the Data Processing Unit (DPU) on both Network Interface Card (NIC) mode with no/crypto/full packet offload and on DPU mode by configuring Open vSwitch (OvS) on the ARM cores and offloading the packet processing to the hardware. We achieve 97.5% of the available line-rate for 14 VMs and 99.9% for 16 VMs, in DPU mode. Our findings confirm that PQC-enabled IPsec can operate at line-rate speeds in modern data centers, providing a practical and future-proof foundation for secure, high-throughput communication in the post-quantum computing era. Full article

Multilocus pathogenic variation—when multiple genetic disorders coexist in a single individual—remains rare but is increasingly recognized in the era of genomic medicine. Reporting such cases is essential for improving diagnostic accuracy, refining clinical management, and informing genetic counseling. We describe a pediatric case with a complex phenotype resulting from the coexistence of two distinct genetic diagnoses—cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX), a rare autosomal recessive lipid storage disorder caused by biallelic mutations in the CYP27A1 gene and Klinefelter syndrome a common sex chromosome aneuploidy occurring in approximately 1 in 600 males, characterized by hypogonadism, gynecomastia, pubertal delay, infertility, micrognathia, and neurodevelopmental challenges—and an additional incidental finding with clinical relevance. The patient was born to consanguineous parents, presented with neurological symptoms, gastrointestinal dysfunction, endocrine abnormalities, and dysmorphic features. Trio-based exome sequencing identified a homozygous pathogenic variant in CYP27A1 consistent with CTX, while conventional G-banded karyotyping revealed a 47,XXY chromosomal pattern, confirming Klinefelter syndrome. Additionally, a heterozygous pathogenic variant in BRCA2 was incidentally detected, associated with hereditary cancer predisposition. The overlapping manifestations of CTX and Klinefelter syndrome produced a non-classical presentation that delayed diagnosis. Although the BRCA2 variant did not contribute to the current phenotype, it has important implications for future cancer surveillance and family risk assessment. This case underscores the importance of combining classical cytogenetic and modern genomic methods to elucidate complex phenotypes, particularly in consanguineous populations, and highlights the need for the multidisciplinary management of patients with multilocus or incidental findings. Full article

Soil contamination with petroleum-derived substances, including petrol, is one of the most serious environmental issues of the modern era. These products are characterised by their durability and stability in the environment, their capacity for bioaccumulation and their toxicity to many organisms, including plants. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of petrol contamination on trace element content in the above-ground parts of oats (Avena sativa L.) and to determine the effectiveness of in situ stabilisation methods using compost, bentonite and calcium oxide in reducing bioaccumulation of these elements. Petrol contamination of the soil significantly altered the biomass yield and the concentration of trace elements in the plants. It caused a decrease in the dry matter yield and an increase in the content of most trace elements in the above-ground parts of oats. The most pronounced effects were observed for Cd, Ni, Fe, Co, Cr and Mn, whose concentrations in the plants increased across the entire range of petrol doses. Petrol had a similar effect on Zn and Pb content in the above-ground parts of oats, but only up to a medium level of contamination (5 cm³ kg⁻¹). In contrast to the aforementioned elements, soil contamination with petrol contributed to a decrease in the copper content of the above-ground parts of oats. The materials applied to the soil had a beneficial effect on the biomass and the concentration of certain trace elements in plants. The compost and especially calcium oxide had a positive influence on plant yield. Compared to the series without their application to the soil, all materials reduced the content of Cr, Fe, Cd and, especially, Mn in the above-ground parts of plants. Compost also reduced the content of Pb, while bentonite and calcium oxide reduced the content of Co. Calcium oxide also reduced the content of Cu in the above-ground parts of oats. However, bentonite had a weaker effect than compost and calcium oxide. Changes in the content of other elements in plants after application of the aforementioned materials were often opposite (and dependent on the type of material), with the clearest effect being on nickel content. The materials used in the study produced good results in limiting the impact of minor soil contamination with petrol on the content of certain trace elements in plants. Full article

Every element of our contemporary lives has changed as a result of the widespread use of computing infrastructure and information technology in daily life. Less focus has been placed on the hardware components that underpin the computing revolution, despite the fact that its effects on software applications have been the most obvious. The computer chip is the most basic component of computer hardware and powers all digital devices. Every gadget, including mainframes, laptops, cellphones, tablets, desktop PCs, and supercomputers, is powered by different computer chips. Although there are many different types of these chips, the biggest producers in this field are AMD (Advanced Micro Devices), Intel, and ARM (Advanced RISC Machines). These companies make processors for both consumer and business markets. Users have compared their products based on a number of factors, including pricing, cache and memory, approaches, etc. This paper provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of Intel, AMD, and ARM processors, focusing on their architectural characteristics and performance within the context of burgeoning artificial intelligence applications. The detailed architectural features, performance evaluation for AI workloads, a comparison of power efficiency and cost, and analysis for current market trends are presented. By thoroughly examining core architectural elements and key performance factors, this work provides valuable insights for users and developers to seek optimal processor choices to maximize AI tool utilization in the contemporary era. Full article

Climate change is accelerating the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, posing a critical threat to the stability, efficiency, and resilience of modern renewable energy grids. In this study, we propose a modular, AI-integrated digital twin co-simulation framework that enables climate adaptive control of distributed energy resources (DERs) and storage assets in distribution networks. The framework leverages deep reinforcement learning (DDPG) agents trained within a high-fidelity co-simulation environment that couples physical grid dynamics, weather disturbances, and cyber-physical control loops using HELICS middleware. Through real-time coordination of photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, battery storage, and demand side flexibility, the trained agent autonomously learns to minimize power losses, voltage violations, and load shedding under stochastic climate perturbations. Simulation results on the IEEE 33-bus radial test system augmented with ERA5 climate reanalysis data demonstrate improvements in voltage regulation, energy efficiency, and resilience metrics. The framework also exhibits strong generalization across unseen weather scenarios and outperforms baseline rule based controls by reducing energy loss by 14.6% and improving recovery time by 19.5%. These findings position AI-integrated digital twins as a promising paradigm for future-proof, climate-resilient smart grids. Full article