We present a comprehensive NLO pQCD study on inclusive dijet photoproduction in ultraperipheral nucleus-nucleus collisions (UPCs). Our analysis takes into account the finite size of both the photon-emitting and the target nucleus, estimated using the Wood-Saxon nuclear density profile. We show that a significant part of the measured dijets at large z_\gamma in UPC Pb+Pb collisions at 5.02 TeV come from events with relatively small impact parameters of the order of a few nuclear radii, and the cross section predictions thus become sensitive to the modelling of the collision geometry and photon flux near the source nucleus. In addition, we include the modelling of electromagnetic breakup survival factor needed for a direct comparison with the experimental data and study the resolution power of this process in terms of the impact-parameter dependent nuclear parton distribution functions.

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• Pub. Date : 2025
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IntroductionThis study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties of ursodeoxycholic (UDCA) and chenodeoxycholic (CDCA) bile acids in a rat model of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI).MethodsThe study included six groups of Wistar rats exposed to different pretreatments. The control and endotoxin groups were pretreated with propylene glycol, a solvent for bile acids, while the other groups received UDCA or CDCA for 10 days. On the 10th day, an endotoxin injection was given to evaluate the impact of these pretreatments. Lung tissue sections were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, targeting the pro-inflammatory marker nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), the anti-apoptotic marker B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2), pro-apoptotic markers BCL-2-associated X protein (BAX) and caspase 3, as well as the aquaporins 1 and 5 (AQP1 and AQP5). Oxidative stress was assessed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF).Results and discussionThis study demonstrates that UDCA and CDCA can mitigate endotoxin-induced lung injury in rats. These effects are achieved through modulation of AQP1 and AQP5 expression, reduction of oxidative stress, regulation of apoptotic pathways (BAX, caspase 3, BCL-2), and attenuation of pro-inflammatory activity of NF-κB. Although the results indicate a significant association between the expression of these proteins and histopathological changes, the potential influence of additional factors cannot be excluded. These findings suggest that UDCA and CDCA provide lung protection by acting through complex mechanisms involving inflammatory, oxidative, and apoptotic pathways.

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• Pub. Date : 2025
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Once, discreet circuit elements, called components, were heaped up on boards inside steel cages using wire-lead technology in just five short years. Fast forward to today, and your computer CPU fits about half an inch square on a chip. Both this constant miniaturization of electronic circuits and the rapid growth in the prevalence of third-party intellectual property parts have made hardware protection more worrisome than ever.Among all these issues, Hardware Trojans (HTs)—which represent corrupted or harmful additions during various design and fabrication stages—pose significant threats to system integrity, privacy of data, and essential infrastructure. Recent studies have investigated machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques designed to enable Hardware Trojans to be found, located, and eliminated in all stages from the register transfer level (RTL) and beyond.This survey gives an in-depth look at how AI can enhance RTL security. It classifies these AI-based techniques into four main categories:Graph-Based Techniques:GNNs, for instance, can be used to estimate the topology of circuits, extract structural characteristics, and thus find where some corruption has occurred.The SALTY framework applies Jumping-Knowledge GNNs to improve the accuracy location for hardware Trojans.Deep Learning in Side-Channel and Power-Analysis Techniques:Deep learning methods—such as Siamese Neural Networks (SNNs) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) models—have been developed to detect abnormalities brought about by Trojans in power consumption or electromagnetic (EM) radiation, granting non-invasive practices clear security benefits.Studies show that these techniques are superior to the traditional golden-model side-channel detection techniques.Machine Learning Analysis of RTL Code:In conjunction with AI, research teams are now building nearest-neighbor classifiers and decision trees and using reinforcement learning (RL) to recognize occurrences of Trojans inside RTL code.Some research uses Verilog/VHDL conditional statements as features for ML, making it possible for early warning signals to be effectively detected and introducing a proactive security mechanism during the design phase.Comprehensive Security Measures and Logic Locking:A step-by-step methodology has evolved for prevention measures such as logic locking and layout hardening, which aims against a splendid prospect within reach.The TroLLoc framework uses logic obfuscation combined with security-aware placement and routing, thus mitigating security exposures post-design.However, comprehensive studies point out several outstanding problems: key recovery attacks and unintended data leakage related to security in logic locking.In this way, the paper evaluates various AI-driven security strategies in an organized, facilitative manner, thereby highlighting significant challenges and proposing future research directions.

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• Pub. Date : 2025
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Microbial contamination of chronic wounds complicates their treatment. Traditional knowledge systems and the diversity of indigenous medicinal plants create a haven for traditional medicine practices in South Africa (SA). This systematic review aims to present a comprehensive ethnobotanical report of traditional medicines used in the documented empirical wound healing studies in SA. Google Scholar, PubMed, Medline EBSCOhost, Science Direct, and Scopus were sourced using the keywords/terminologies “South Africa”, “medicinal plants”, “traditional medicine” “indigenous”, “skin”, “wound”, “ethnobotany”, “survey”, “interview”, and “treatment” in different combinations. Relevant and unpublished records were retrieved from the Global Electronic Thesis Database. The searching process identified 32,419 records, of which 4005 studies were screened. Following the removal of 1795 duplicates, the remaining 2210 sources were screened by title and abstract, and 133 full-text reports were accessed and evaluated. Plants traditionally used for wound-healing purposes comprised 222 species belonging to 71 families, namely Asteraceae (predominantly the Helichrysum species), Asphodelaceae, Fabaceae, Solanaceae, and Euphorbiaceae. Plant organs used for medicinal remedies included leaves, roots, and bark prepared as poultices, infusions, decoctions, gel/ointments/lotions, and pastes. This review provides a valuable reference for future phytochemical and pharmacological studies and highlights the need for further ethnobotanical research to treat wounds in SA.

• Book : 14(5)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.818-818
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Abstract Background The double uncrossed patellar tendon is a rare anatomical variant of the patellar tendon. This case report serves to underscore the importance of recognizing the double uncrossed patellar tendon variant, as it can mimic other knee pathologies, leading to potential misdiagnosis and unnecessary interventions. Case presentation We report three cases of the uncrossed double patellar tendon encountered on knee MRIs in the last 12 months. All three cases were confirmed to be incidental findings in patients with underlying knee complaints, for which they underwent conservative and interventional treatments and had near complete to complete recoveries. Conclusion The presence of the double patellar tendon did not have an identifiable detrimental effect in the cases of interest, but we believe more research is needed to further understand the clinical implications and prevalence of this anatomical anomaly to help in differentiating between congenital findings and acquired patellar tendon pathologies.

• Book : 56(1)
• Pub. Date : 2025
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• Book : 1075()
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.170370-170370
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Abstract Background Bipartite navicular bone is a relatively uncommon pathological condition, characterized by splitting of the navicular bone into two parts. Patients with this anomaly typically present with chronic pain at the dorsomedial aspect of their foot and a flatfoot deformity. This study aimed to describe the imaging findings related to the presence of this uncommon anatomical variant. Results Magnetic resonance imaging was done for all 24 patients with bilateral involvement in four patients, yielding 28 feet. On MRI, separation of the navicular bone with unequal size of the two fragments was observed in all examined feet and secondary talonavicular degenerative osteoarthrosis identified in 16 feet. Bone marrow edema was seen at the parent navicular bone in 10 feet, while the lateral fragment showed bone marrow edema in 18 feet. Ten patients, with bilateral involvement in four of them, yielding a total of 14 feet did MDCT studies which were reviewed. Separation of the navicular bone into two parts by oblique cleft with unequal size of the two fragments in all examined feet. Comma-shaped appearance of the main navicular bone with medial translation relative to the talar head was identified in 8 feet. Secondary talonavicular degenerative osteoarthrosis was observed in 10 feet. Plain X-ray of the symptomatic foot was reviewed in eight patients yielding a total number of 12 examined feet due to bilateral involvement in four patients. On AP view, the lateral bone fragment was obscured in all examined feet. On lateral view, an irregular bone separated from the dorsal aspect of the navicular bone was identified in 10 feet, while failure of identification of the cleft between the two fragments on the lateral view in 2 feet but was nicely demonstrated on oblique view. Irregularity in the talonavicular joint space was observed in 8 feet. Conclusions Bipartite navicular bone is rare anatomic variant that causes mid-foot pain and osteoarthritic changes around the navicular bone. In cases where pathology in relation of the presence of this anatomical variant is suspected, detailed clinical correlation and careful assessment with MRI and MDCT will play an important role.

• Book : 56(1)
• Pub. Date : 2025
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Abstract Background The autoimmune thyroid diseases consists of two main clinical presentations: Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. in the absence of classic triad of Graves’ disease including goiter, ophthalmopathy, and dermopathy, differentiating Graves’ disease from thyroiditis can be clinically difficult. Thyroid ultrasound with gray-scale and color Doppler are the most helpful imaging modalities to differentiate normal thyroid parenchyma from diffuse thyroid disease. Also, SWE is a promising non-invasive technique in assessment of gland stiffness. Methods We studied 48 patients with autoimmune thyroid disease consists of 47 females and 1 male along with 48 healthy control group, with a mean age 35.7 ± 9.2 years (20–53 years). All of our patients and control individual underwent conventional ultrasound, color Doppler, SWE examinations and the obtained results were correlated with clinical and laboratory findings. Results The results showed the good evaluating ability of gray-scale ultrasound (regarding echogenicity and total gland volume), Doppler examination (Superior and inferior thyroid arteries showed statistically significant higher peak systolic velocity and end diastolic velocity (PSV, EDV) in cases compared to controls with p values < 0.05) in the assessment of patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases as well as in the differentiation between chronic thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. Moreover, we found that applied shear wave elastography of the whole gland can also significantly predict autoimmune thyroiditis with sensitivity 81.3% and specificity 94%. Conclusion Gray-scale ultrasound, Doppler parameters as well as elastography had a significant diagnostic value in detection and evaluation of autoimmune thyroid diseases.

• Book : 56(1)
• Pub. Date : 2025
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Background: Neuropathic pain is a condition of complex nature arising from damage to or dysfunction of the sensory nervous system. Conventional treatment options (like antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and opioids) frequently have limited efficacy and substantial side effects. Thereat, increasing attention is being paid to botulinum toxin therapy (BTT) as a promising option for the treatment of neuropathic pain. Purpose: To develop the Ukrainian national consensus statement on the use of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) to treat neuropathic pain through the review of available literature, compilation of experience of Ukrainian specialists, and formulation of relevant practical recommendations. Methods: Our working group reviewed the current literature (including randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses) and personal clinical observations related to the use of BoNT to treat painful neuropathic syndromes. Results: BoNT demonstrated high efficacy in the treatment of neuropathic pain, particularly in postherpetic neuralgia, painful diabetic neuropathy, trigeminal neuralgia, post-amputation pain, trauma sequelae, spinal cord injury and other conditions. Its major pain relief mechanisms include modulation of neuronal activity, blocking the release of pain neuromediators, and neuroplastic effects. The optimal dosage amount was found to vary from 50 to 300 units, depending on the affected area, with mostly subcutaneous or intradermal BoNT injections used. Conclusion: BTT is a safe promising treatment option for neuropathic pain and can be used either alone or in combination with other pain relief modalities. Our working group developed practical recommendations on BoNT indications, doses and injection techniques in painful neuropathic syndromes which can be implemented into clinical practice to improve patients’ quality of life.

• Book : 31()
• Pub. Date : 2025
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AbstractWe present an artificial neural network model that reconstructs >30 keV electron flux measurements near the geomagnetic equator from low‐Earth‐orbit (LEO) observations, exploiting the global coherent nature of the high‐energy trapped electrons that constitute the radiation belts. To provide training data, we analyze magnetic conjunctions between one of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites (POES) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Van Allen Probes. These conjunctions occur when the satellites are connected along the same magnetic field line and allow for a direct comparison of satellites' electron flux measurements for one integral energy channel, >30 keV and over 76,000 such conjunctions have been identified. For each conjunction, we fit the equatorial pitch angle distribution (PAD) parameterized by the function . The resulting conjunction data set contains the POES electron flux measurements, L and magnetic local time coordinates, geomagnetic activity Auroral Electrojet index, and C and N coefficients from the PAD fit for each conjunction. We test combinations of input variables from the conjunction data set and achieve the best model performance when we use all the input variables during training. We present our model's prediction for the out‐of‐sample data that agrees well with observations, giving R2 > 0.70. We demonstrate the ability to nowcast and reconstruct equatorial electron flux measurements from LEO without the need for an in‐situ equatorial satellite. The model can be expanded to include existing LEO data and has the potential to be used as a basis of future real‐time radiation‐belt monitoring LEO constellations.

• Book : 23(3)
• Pub. Date : 2025
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