Cascade reservoirs on the Drina River (Bosnia and Herzegovina) are heavily modified water bodies that require reliable biological tools for assessing trophic status and ecological potential. Under the Water Framework Directive (WFD), assessments of surface water ecological status and potential rely on biological quality elements, since aquatic communities integrate and respond to prevailing environmental conditions and thus serve as reliable indicators of water quality. This study aims to (i) describe phytoplankton diversity, biomass, and functional-group composition along the Drina reservoir cascade, (ii) examine monthly changes across the studied reservoirs, (iii) determine trophic status and ecological potential, and (iv) provide a preliminary estimate of total phosphorus thresholds that may support future setting of ecological potential boundaries. Phytoplankton composition and functional groups were analysed in three longitudinally connected reservoirs of the Drina River during four monthly surveys in 2024. A total of 80 phytoplankton taxa were recorded, with diatoms dominating most of the study period. The highest biomasses were recorded for Fragilaria crotonensis, Dinobryon divergens, Acanthoceras zachariasii and Sphaerocystis sp., while the dominant functional groups were P, E, A, and F. Phytoplankton assemblage structure showed moderate spatial differentiation among the reservoirs. Mean chlorophyll a and Carlson’s Trophic State Index indicated eutrophic conditions in the Višegrad Reservoir and mesotrophic conditions in the Perućac and Zvornik reservoirs, while biomass showed a pronounced summer maximum, particularly in Perućac. Ecological potential was generally classified as good or better, except for a moderate classification in the Zvornik Reservoir in late summer. The good/moderate TP boundary was estimated at 39 µg L−1, linking EQR-based ecological assessment with the onset of eutrophic conditions. Overall, this study represents the first application of the phytoplankton functional group approach in cascade reservoirs in Bosnia and Herzegovina and may provide a valuable basis for the development of a phytoplankton-based monitoring framework in lakes and reservoirs, which is currently lacking.

The search for new anticancer agents with improved efficacy and reduced toxicity has intensified interest in metal-based compounds. In this study, two novel palladium(II) complexes, synthesized from Schiff base ligands derived from 5-chloro-salicylaldehyde and p-hydroxybenzylamine or tyramine, were chemically characterized and biologically evaluated. Both complexes exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with Pd2 showing slightly higher potency. Morphological analysis of treated cells indicated that apoptosis is the predominant mechanism of cell death. To gain deeper insight into the potential mechanisms underlying the observed anticancer activity, several biologically relevant targets were investigated. Enzyme kinetics revealed that the complexes act as uncompetitive inhibitors of liver catalase, suggesting a possible role in the induction of oxidative stress. Fluorescence studies demonstrated that Pd2 interacts with CT-DNA through combined intercalative and minor groove binding modes and exhibits significant binding affinity toward human serum albumin, predominantly at Sudlow’s site I. Molecular docking analysis further supported favorable interactions with catalase, estrogen receptor α, and B-form DNA, providing structural insight into the experimentally observed biological effects. Overall, the study explores multiple potential mechanisms of anticancer action, underscoring the promising therapeutic potential of these palladium(II) complexes, while antitumor activity has been initially assessed using a MCF-7 cell line as a preliminary model.

Mineral substrates for indoor horticulture systems critically determine plant water availability and irrigation demand. However, integrative assessments linking pore structure, water retention, and evaporation dynamics of commonly used mineral growing media remain scarce. A total of nine distinct mineral substrates were investigated: expanded clay, expanded slate, pumice, perlite, zeolite, vermiculite, lava granules, brick chips, and clay granules. To assess the impact of granulometry, pumice was tested in three different grain sizes (1–3 mm, 4–7 mm, 7–14 mm), resulting in a total of 11 experimental samples. Samples were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), suction experiments, and evaporation tests at 30%, 50%, and 70% relative humidity (RH) at 23 °C. Bulk density ranged from <0.12 g·cm−3 (perlite, vermiculite) to >0.99 g·cm−3 (zeolite, brick chips), while volumetric water content varied from 11.0 vol.% (expanded clay) to 46.6 vol.% (vermiculite). Plant-available water content (AWC) ranged from 2.7 vol.% (expanded clay) to 30.9 vol.% (clay granules). These results demonstrate that pore interconnectivity, rather than total porosity, is the decisive driver of hydraulic performance. Finer pumice fractions increased water retention by ~16% compared to coarser fractions. All substrates exhibited a two-phase evaporation profile, with initial rates ranging from 1.9 to 5.6 g·h−1 at 30% RH. Clay granules showed the most temporally stable evaporation, with only a 37% rate reduction over 48 h, compared to 66% for perlite. While conducted under controlled laboratory conditions, these findings provide a quantitative basis for targeted substrate selection and blending to optimize root-zone hydration, irrigation efficiency, and hygrothermal performance in permanent indoor horticulture systems.

Background: The clinical course of COVID-19 is highly variable, ranging from asymptomatic infection to critical illness with hyperinflammation and multiorgan failure. Oxidative stress plays a central role in COVID-19 pathogenesis, and genetic polymorphisms in glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes, particularly GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes, may impair antioxidant defense and exacerbate inflammatory responses. This study aimed to investigate the association of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes with both disease severity and serum cytokine levels in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 137 COVID-19 patients hospitalized during the second pandemic wave (July–September 2020). Patients were stratified into mild (n = 67) and severe (n = 70) groups based on clinical criteria. GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms were determined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Serum levels of 13 cytokines were measured using flow cytometry. Logistic regression analyzed genotype associations with disease severity, and multivariate linear regression assessed relationships between null genotypes and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-17A, IFN-γ), adjusted for age, sex, hypertension, and diabetes. Results: The GSTT1 null genotype was significantly associated with severe COVID-19 (adjusted OR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.08–6.07, p = 0.032). Severe patients exhibited significantly elevated levels of IL-6 (75.6% increase, p = 0.008), TNF-α (69.4% increase, p = 0.005), IL-17A (54.4% increase, p = 0.016), and IFN-γ (10.1% increase, p = 0.021). Both GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes were associated with higher levels of these cytokines, with stronger effects observed for GSTT1 null. In multivariate analysis, GSTT1 null independently predicted elevated IL-6 (β = 52.6, p = 0.003), TNF-α (β = 13.8, p = 0.002), IL-17A (β = 2.4, p = 0.001), and IFN-γ (β = 56.4, p = 0.012). The combined both null genotype showed the strongest associations but was limited by small sample size (n = 10) and should be interpreted with caution. Conclusions: The GSTT1 null genotype is associated with severe COVID-19 and appears to be associated with heightened pro-inflammatory cytokine responses, particularly IL-6, TNF-α, IL-17A, and IFN-γ. These findings suggest a potential role for genetic impairment of antioxidant defense may contribute to hyperinflammation in COVID-19 hyperinflammation, although validation in larger cohorts is needed.

This response to the letter expands the discussion on the evolving demands of peer review for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. We emphasize that the main concern surrounding artificial intelligence is not its limited and disclosed use for language support, but undisclosed application and insufficient human verification, which may compromise citation accuracy, interpretation, and overall trustworthiness. We also argue that similarity reports should be interpreted contextually, particularly in evidence syntheses where standardized methodological language is unavoidable, and that low similarity does not necessarily exclude manuscript manipulation. Finally, we highlight reference verification as a central research-integrity challenge that should not rest on peer reviewers alone. Preserving the credibility of evidence synthesis requires shared responsibility across authors, reviewers, editors, and publishers.

Wood finger joints are widely used in both structural timber and high-quality furniture due to their ability to create long, continuous members from shorter pieces. The mechanical performance of these joints depends not only on the wood species but also on the geometry of the interlocking teeth and the quality of the adhesive bond. This study explores how the geometry of finger joints affects the tensile behavior and fracture characteristics of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and oak (Quercus robur L.). Specimens with varying tooth dimensions were tested using a 50 kN universal testing machine from Shimadzu. Key metrics such as ultimate tensile load, effective cross-sectional area, cohesive stress, energy required to cause failure, and fracture energy (Gc) at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mm displacements were systematically measured. The results revealed that beech specimens achieved ultimate tensile loads up to 21,320 N and cohesive stress of 204 MPa, while oak reached 21,631 N with a cohesive stress of 239 MPa. Fracture energy (Gc) values ranged from 0.036 N/mm for beech to 0.051 N/mm for oak, depending on joint geometry. Results show that both the type of wood and the tooth design, including width and length, play a decisive role in joint performance. In general, longer teeth and larger bonded areas improved tensile capacity and increased resistance to fracture. These findings offer deeper insights into the fracture mechanics of hardwood finger joints and provide practical guidance for optimizing glued connections in furniture and structural timber. The collected data can also support accurate modeling, quality assurance, and numerical simulations in future studies.

Toxicity and harassment are widespread in the video-gaming context. Especially in competitive online multiplayer scenarios, gamers oftentimes send harmful messages to other players (teammates or opponents) whose consequences span from mild annoyance to withdrawal and depression. Abundant prior work tackled these problems, e.g., pointing out the negative effects of toxic interactions. However, few works proposed countermeasures specifically developed and tested on textual messages sent during a match -- i.e., when the"harassment"actually occurs. We posit that such a scarcity stems from the lack of high-quality datasets that can be used to devise"automated"detectors based on natural-language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML), and which can -- ideally -- mitigate the harm of toxic comments during a gaming session. This work provides a foundation for addressing the problem of toxicity and harassment in video games. First, through a systematic literature review (n=1,039), we provide evidence that only few works proposed ML/NLP-based detectors of toxicity/harassment during live matches. Then, we partner-up with 8 expert League of Legend (LoL) players and create a fine-grained labelled dataset, L2DTnH, containing 1.4k toxic and 13.8k non-toxic messages exchanged during LoL matches. We use L2DTnH to develop a detector that we then empirically show outperforms general-purpose and state-of-the-art toxicity detectors reliant on NLP. To further demonstrate the practicality of our resources, we test our detector on game-related data beyond that included in L2DTnH; and we develop a Web-browser extension that flags toxic content in Webpages -- without querying third-party servers owned by AI companies. We publicly release all of our resources. Our contributions pave the way for more applied research devoted to fighting the spread of toxicity and harassment in video games.

Introduction: Fear of childbirth (FOC) is a common concern during pregnancy that can negatively affect women’s well-being and childbirth experiences. Understanding how different dimensions of FOC relate to one another before and after prenatal interventions may help optimize supportive care. The aim of this study was to examine correlations among specific domains of childbirth fear before and after participation in a prenatal childbirth preparation program. Methods: This prospective longitudinal study included 97 pregnant women with uncomplicated pregnancies who participated in a one-month prenatal childbirth preparation program between November 2024 and February 2025. The intervention consisted of theoretical education and physical exercise sessions, held twice a week. FOC was assessed before and 7 days after the intervention using the Childbirth Fear Questionnaire (CFQ). Spearman correlation coefficients were used to examine relationships among CFQ subscales. Results: Participants had a mean age of 30.5 ± 3.8 years and a mean gestational age of 32.5 ± 3.0 weeks at the time of study entry. Before the intervention, the total CFQ score was most strongly correlated with fear of medical interventions (p = 0.823). After the intervention, the strongest association shifted to fear of pain during vaginal birth (p = 0.859). Conclusion: Following participation in the prenatal childbirth preparation program, the pattern of associations among childbirth fears changed, with fear of medical interventions becoming less dominant and fear of pain during vaginal delivery emerging as a central concern. These findings suggest that prenatal interventions may influence not only the intensity but also the structure of childbirth-related fears, highlighting the importance of addressing multiple fear dimensions simultaneously.

Background/Objectives: Totally endoscopic mitral valve repair reduces surgical trauma and accelerates recovery but can be technically challenging, particularly for precise annuloplasty suturing. The VirtuoSEW® (LSI Solutions, Victor, NY 14564m, USA) automated annular suturing system was developed to standardize and simplify suture placement. This study was an early evaluation of this technology’s safety, efficacy, and feasibility in totally endoscopic microInvasive mitral valve repair (µMVr). Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of 20 patients with severe mitral valve disease of various etiologies. All patients underwent mitral valve repair using the VirtuoSEW® system for automated placement of annuloplasty sutures, combined with leaflet resection or chordal management as appropriate. Postoperative outcomes were assessed at one month using echocardiography and clinical evaluation. Perioperative and postoperative complications and early mortality were systematically recorded. Results: VirtuoSEW®-assisted mitral valve repair was safe and effective, achieving complete elimination of severe mitral regurgitation in all patients (N = 20, 100%). Annuloplasty rings included Physio-ring (N = 12, 60%), Memo 3D (N = 4, 20%), and Memo 4D (N = 4, 20%), combined with leaflet repair techniques: leaflet plication (N = 5, 25%), neochordae implantation (N = 7, 35%), sliding plasty (N = 2, 10%), commissural repair (N = 1, 5%), and hemibutterfly repair (N = 1, 5%). Concomitant procedures included: tricuspid valve repair (N = 1, 5%) and atrial septal defect closure (N = 1, 5%). Mitral annulus diameter decreased from 42.0 ± 5.3 mm to 34.2 ± 2.2 mm (p = 0.001). Mean total surgery, cardiopulmonary bypass, and aortic cross-clamp times were 170.3 ± 21.3, 143.4 ± 21.5, and 80.4 ± 7.9 min, respectively. ICU stay was 1.0 ± 0.2 days, with a hospital stay of 8.0 ± 1.9 days. No perioperative complications—including bleeding (N = 0, 0%), stroke (N = 0, 0%), infections (N = 0, 0%), or 30-day mortality (N = 0, 0%)—occurred. Conclusions: µMVR invasive mitral valve repair using the VirtuoSEW® system is safe, effective, and reproducible, as well as compatible with almost all repair techniques, providing complete restoration of valve competence with no early device-related complications. To our knowledge, this is the first clinical study reporting outcomes with this device, supporting its potential to streamline mitral repair and improve procedural efficiency.

Cell-Free Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (CF-MaMIMO) in Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) promises high spectral efficiency but is limited by frequent Channel State Information (CSI) exchanges, which strain fronthaul/midhaul/backhaul (X-haul) bandwidth and exceed the capabilities of existing approaches relying on uncompressed CSI or heavy predictors. To overcome these constraints, we propose LITE, a lightweight pipeline combining a 1-D convolutional Autoencoder (AE) at the O-RAN Distributed Unit (O-DU) with a Squeeze-and-Excitation (SE)-enhanced Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) predictor at the Near-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller (Near-RT-RIC), enabling short-horizon trajectory-unaware forecasting under strict transport and processing budgets. LITE applies 50% CSI compression and an asymmetric SE-BiLSTM, reducing model complexity by 83.39% while improving accuracy by 5% relative to a baseline BiLSTM. With compression-aware training, the Lightweight Intelligent Trajectory Estimator (LITE) incurs only 6% accuracy loss versus the BiLSTM baseline, outperforming independent and end-to-end strategies. A TensorRT-optimized implementation achieves 147k Queries per Second (QPS), a 4.6x throughput gain. These results demonstrate that LITE delivers X-haul-efficient, low-latency, and deployment-ready channel-gain prediction compatible with O-RAN splits.

We investigate the asymptotic behavior of a proposed ordinary differential equation (ODE) model for Genetic Toggle switches from Gardner et. al. and I. Rajapakse and S. Smale: dxdt=a1+ym−x and dydt=b1+xn−y where a,b,m,n>0 and x(t),y(t)≥0. We also investigate the asymptotic behavior of the Euler discretization of this system: xn+1=a1xn+b11+ynm=f(xn,yn) and yn+1=a2yn+b21+xnn=g(xn,yn), where 1−h=a1, 1−k=a2, ah=b1 and bk=b2, a1,a2∈(0,1) and h,k>0 are steps of discretizations. Here, x and y represent protein concentrations at a particular time in both genes and a,b,m,n>0, respectively, above. We will apply the theory of competitive maps to find the basins of attractions of different equilibrium points and period-two solutions of systems of difference equations.

The Tortonese’s stingray (Dasyatis tortonesei Capapé, 1975) is a poorly understood species, likely endemic to the Mediterranean Sea, where its distribution remains inadequately delineated due to historical taxonomic uncertainty and misidentification with its closely related congeners. The present study reports the first well-documented records of D. tortonesei in the Adriatic Sea, based on six specimens collected during systematic field surveys off Vlorë, Albania. All specimens were identified through a comprehensive assessment of diagnostic morphological features, and detailed biometric data are provided. Notably, one individual exhibited a fully healed traumatic loss of both the tail and stinging apparatus, suggesting a degree of resilience to sub-lethal injury. The present findings extend the range of D. tortonesei and establish a valuable baseline for future biodiversity assessments. In addition, this paper underscores the urgent need for integrative taxonomic approaches and regional capacity-building to improve species-level identification and inform effective conservation of Mediterranean elasmobranchs (sharks and rays).