MEDLINE

The complex dynamics of global development have turned crude oil from a critical strategic commodity into a powerful tool for political‒military influence. This study aims to forecast the price of OPEC crude oil by simultaneously considering the complex interaction between financial markets, the multifaceted political landscape of the Middle East, and the inherent complexity of oil markets. What they all have in common is their inherent uncertainty. To address this challenge, since this work seeks to identify a robust set of explanatory variables affecting oil prices, the adaptive neural-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was employed. A set of input variables with different points of view, which are the time series of monthly data from 2001 to 2019, are considered. In ANFIS, the Sugeno system and the C-Means clustering method are used. The results show the influence of different oil markets on each other, and among the unconventional variables, economic policy uncertainty is not influential, whereas terrorist attacks and geopolitical risk influence it. The numerical results following the implementation of the proposed model show a significant increase of 0.4417 compared with the conventional modeling approaches in this field. This discrepancy highlights the advantages of the proposed methodology.

The reusability of enzymes is a fundamental aspect of sustainable biotechnology and the development of biosensors. This study presents one of the first quantitative evaluations of DNA polymerase reusability by utilizing integrated quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) kinetics and real-time monitoring of exonuclease activity. The results showed that immobilized T7 DNA polymerase retained approximately 50% of its initial activity after three 90-min cycles and around 20% after five cycles. Significantly lower activities were observed for shorter, 45-min cycles. This indicates an unexpected time-dependent enhancement in stability for longer reaction times. The findings suggest a promising trend in enzyme stability and reusability, establishing a quantitative relationship between reaction duration and enzyme performance. This relationship offers a scalable pathway for the regeneration of biosensors and for sustainable enzymatic catalysis. Additionally, the work provides a transferable framework that can be applied to other DNA-processing enzymes, which supports long-term biosensor performance and industrial biocatalysis. The demonstrated approach offers a transferable and scalable methodology for the development of reusable polymerase-based biosensors and sustainable biocatalytic systems.

Conventional sandwich-type ultrasonic motors suffer from structural complexity, limited design flexibility, and inefficient assembly when configured for dual-rotor operation, which restricts their application scope. To address these challenges, this study proposes a novel piezoelectric actuation mechanism, an expandable design scheme, and a cooperative assembly method tailored for sandwich-type dual-rotor ultrasonic motors. The principle of longitudinal-bending modal coupling is employed to replace the commonly adopted bending-bending mecha- nism in dual-rotor actuation, thereby simplifying the coupling elements. An expandable design method is established, enabling rapid iteration of transducer count, ring structure dimensions, and key vibration modes according to specific requirements, enhancing prototype development flexibility for engineering applications. A case study is presented accordingly, its core structural advantage lies in a synergistic assembly system formed by three components: the frame, prestressed nuts, and ring-horn composite structure, enabling efficient and stable multi-transducer cooperative assembly through single-step torque loading. This approach avoids the inefficiency and low reliability associated with conventional individual transducer assembly via standard bolts. The validity of the driving principle is verified through finite element analysis, and the structural parameters are optimized. The feasibility of the assembly strategy and design method is validated through impedance-phase and vibration measurements on the prototype. Mechanical performance tests show the prototype’s output torque reaches 1.5 N⋅m (600 V in peak-to-peak value) with reliable continuous operation. Notably, the prototype exhibits excep- tional stepping capability, achieving single-step angular displacements of 0.065/0.114μrad in single-/dual-rotor configurations. The study expands the design paradigm for sandwich-type dual-rotor ultrasonic motors, providing a systematic solution for engineering applications.

This study investigated the effects of iron-based materials—microscale zero-valent iron (mZVI), nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI), and nanoscale magnetite (nano-Fe 3 O 4 , in two size ranges: 50 $$:-$$ 100 nm and 14 $$:-$$ 29 nm)—on the anaerobic digestion (AD) of thermally hydrolyzed sewage sludge (THSS). Batch experiments were conducted under mesophilic conditions with three dosages (5, 15, and 30 mg/g-TS) of each material. Methane production kinetics were analyzed using the modified Gompertz model. A sequential extraction procedure was used to assess the speciation of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), namely, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Cr, in the digestates. The results showed that both mZVI and nZVI enhanced cumulative CH 4 production more than either size of nano-Fe 3 O 4 . The highest cumulative CH 4 yields (223 mL/g-VS added ), approximately 9% higher than the control, were achieved at nZVI dosages of 5 and 15 mg/g-TS. Among iron-based materials, nZVI most effectively shortened the lag phase (1.6-fold decrease at 15 mg/g-TS), whereas both sizes of nano-Fe 3 O 4 had minimal effect (maximum 1.06-fold decrease for the 50–100 nm Fe 3 O 4 at 30 mg/g-TS). The addition of mZVI and nZVI increased the mobility of Zn, Cu, and Ni in the digested THSS samples, while both nano-Fe 3 O 4 materials reduced mobility of all studied PTEs. Overall, the results indicate a trade-off between enhanced methane production and environmental risk; mZVI and nZVI improve AD but increase PTE mobility, whereas nano-Fe 3 O 4 mitigates PTE mobility with little or no effect on CH 4 production.

Energy storage investments are essential for achieving sustainable development goals; however, their high costs and long-term returns create significant uncertainty for investors. As a result, investment decisions are shaped not only by rational evaluations but also by psychological and emotional factors. Despite this reality, behavioral economics-based variables remain largely underexplored in the energy storage literature. To address this gap, this study identifies the most critical behavioral determinants influencing the performance of energy storage investments. A novel decision support system is developed for G7 countries by integrating z-scoring, criteria impact multiplicative assessment (CIMAS), interval-valued spherical fuzzy numbers, and the ranking of alternatives through functional mapping of criterion sub-intervals into a single interval (RAFSI). The proposed framework enhances the representation of uncertainty and reduces individual biases through statistically derived expert weighting. The results indicate that risk perception and overconfidence are the most influential behavioral factors, while Germany and the United States exhibit the strongest behavioral economics-based performance in energy storage investments.

Plasma membrane integrity is vital for cell viability, yet its controlled disruption enables targeted delivery of therapeutic agents. Here, we examined membrane durability and repair capacity in normal and malignant urothelial cells using short, high-voltage nanosecond pulses. Pulses were applied to monolayer cultures, spheroids, and patient-derived organoids. Plasma membrane permeability was assessed via YO-PRO-1 dye uptake, and mechanical effects of permeabilization were analyzed using atomic force microscopy. Urothelial cancer cells exhibited nearly fourfold higher dye uptake than non-malignant cells, along with more pronounced osmotic swelling and loss of cellular stiffness. Membrane resealing in cancer cells was delayed and exhibited stronger dependence on extracellular Ca²⁺. The higher susceptibility of urothelial cells was correlated with their larger size, which enable them to reach the electroporation threshold at lower electric fields. These findings highlight key differences in membrane vulnerability and repair dynamics, providing foundation for the development of membrane-targeted therapies for urothelial cancer.

Background and aims The year 2023 marked the 10-year anniversary of the launch of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for the treatment of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV treatment trends by country, region, and globally are important to monitor progress toward the World Health Organization’s 2030 elimination targets. Additionally, the historical patterns can help predict the treatment uptake for future therapies for other liver diseases. Methods The number of people living with HCV (PLHCV) treated between 2014–2023 across 119 countries was estimated using national HCV registries, reported DAA sales data, pharmaceutical companies’ reports, and estimates provided by national experts. For the countries with no available data, the average estimate of the corresponding Global Burden of Disease region was used. Results An estimated 13,816,000 (95% uncertainty intervals (UI): 13,221,000–16,415,000) PLHCV were treated, of whom 12,748,000 (12,226,000–15,231,000) were treated with DAAs, of which 11,081,000 (10,542,000–13,338,000) were sofosbuvir-based DAA regimens. Country-level data accounted for 97% of these estimates. In high-income countries, there was a 41% drop in treatment from its peak, and reimbursement was a large predictor of treatment. In low- and middle-income countries, price played an important role in expanding treatment access through the public and private markets, and treatment continues to increase slowly after a sharp drop at the end of the Egyptian national program. Conclusions In the last 10 years, 21% of all HCV infections were treated with DAAs. Regional and temporal variations highlight the importance of active screening strategies. Without program enhancements, the number of treated PLHCV stalled in every country/region which may not reflect a lower prevalence but may instead reflect the diminishing returns of the existing strategies. Impact and implications Long-term hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Since 2014, these infections can be effectively treated with 8-12 weeks of oral therapies. In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) established targets to eliminate HCV by 2030, which included treatment targets for member countries. The current study examines HCV treatment patterns across 119 countries and regions from 2014 to 2023 to assess the impact of national programs. This study can assist physicians and policymakers in understanding treatment patterns within similar regions or income groups and in utilizing historical data to refine their strategies in the future.

Menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MenSCs) have emerged as a novel source for regenerative medicine, offering a unique alternative to traditional stem cell types, including adipose-derived and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells. MenSCs are characterized by their pluripotency, multi-lineage differentiation potential and immunomodulatory properties, which enable them to contribute to the regeneration of various tissues such as skin, uterus, muscle, connective tissues and nerves. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by MenSCs contain biologically active molecules, including proteins, lipids, and miRNAs, which play a key role in mediating these regenerative effects. Compared to other MSC-derived EVs, MenSC-EVs offer distinct advantages due to their enhanced regenerative capabilities and lower immunogenicity. Moreover, MenSC-EVs are a promising source for disease biomarkers in various diseases, including female reproductive system issues such as infertility. This manuscript reviews the latest findings on MenSCs and their EVs, highlighting their cargo composition, regenerative potential and as a source of biomarkers across multiple tissues, comparing their cargo profiles with EVs derived from other MSC sources.

A novel method for solving the multiple-attribute decision-making problem is proposed using the complex Diophantine interval-valued Pythagorean normal set (CDIVPNS). This study aims to discuss aggregating operations and how they are interpreted. We discuss the concept of CDIVPN weighted averaging (CDIVPNWA), CDIVPN weighted geometric (CDIVPNWG), generalized CDIVPN weighted averaging (CGDIVPNWA) and generalized CGDIVPN weighted geometric (CGDIVPNWG). This study aimed to examine several aggregation operators using complex Diophantine interval-valued Pythagorean normal sets. We calculated the weighted average and geometric distance based on an aggregating model. We demonstrate that complex Diophantine interval-valued Pythagorean normal sets satisfy algebraic structures such as associative, distributive, idempotent, bounded, commutative and monotonic properties. In this study, we discuss the mathematical properties of the score and accuracy values. We provide an example of how enhanced score and accuracy values are used in the real world. Machine tool technology and computer science play essential roles in robots. To evaluate robotic systems, four factors must be considered such as tasks, precision, speed and completion of the work. Consequently, it is evident that the models are significantly influenced by the natural number. To further demonstrate the effectiveness of the suggested approach, flowchart based multi-criteria decision-making is provided and applied to a numerical example. Additionally, a comparative study has been carried out to demonstrate the better results that the proposed approach provides when compared to current approaches.

Background Preclinical studies demonstrate that exercise reduces tumor incidence and growth. Rapid release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) during exercise suggests their potential role as mediators of exercise-induced systemic effects and physiological adaptation. This study investigated the impact of exercise-induced plasma EVs on tumor growth and immune tumor microenvironment in murine models of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC): EO771 (a C57BL/6-derived TNBC cell line) and 4T1 (a BALB/c-derived TNBC cell line). Methods Size exclusion chromatography was used to isolate exercise-induced EVs from plasma of healthy female mice (BALB/c and C56BL/6, n = 30 per strain) that underwent ten 30-min moderate-intensity treadmill running sessions over 2 weeks. Nanoparticle tracking analysis, Western blot, and electron microscopy confirmed the presence of EVs in the samples. Tumor-bearing mice (n = 72 per strain) were administered with exercise-induced EVs before or/and after tumor implantation. Local and systemic immune responses were assessed using flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Results Administration of exercise-induced EVs, particularly before tumor implantation, significantly suppressed tumor growth and reduced tumor burden in both TNBC models. In EO771, endpoint tumor volumes were 278–330 mm³ in treated groups compared to 799 mm³ in untreated (p < 0.0001), while in 4T1, treated groups showed volumes of 287–564 mm³ vs. 696 mm³ in untreated (p = 0.0002). Notable differences in tumor-infiltrating lymphoid and myeloid cell subpopulations indicated immunomodulatory effects of exercise-induced EVs, particularly in the 4T1 model, where their continuous administration significantly increased intratumoral cluster of differentiation 8 (CD8) T lymphocyte proportion (5.77% vs. 0.90% in untreated, p < 0.0001). Similarly, in the EO771 model, exercise-induced EVs administered before tumor implantation led to a marked rise in intratumoral CD8 T lymphocytes (2.24% vs. 1.08% in untreated, p = 0.0181). Conclusion Our findings indicate that exercise-induced EV treatment elicits a pro-inflammatory antitumor immune response, suggesting a shift of immunologically cold TNBC tumors towards a more inflamed phenotype associated with better outcomes. Our study supports the further investigation of EVs as modulators of antitumor immunity and their potential utility in enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy.