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{"title":"Seroprevalence of Poliovirus Types 1, 2, and 3 Among Children Aged 6-11 Months: Cross-Year Trends in High-Risk Areas of Pakistan","authors":"Imtiaz Hussain, Ahmad Khan, Muhammad Umer, Muhammad Sajid, Haider Abbass, Muhammad Masroor Alam, Altaf Bosan, Jeff Partridge, Rehan Hafiz, Anwar-ul Haq, Sajid Soofi","doi":"10.20944/preprints202509.2602.v1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202509.2602.v1","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The current polio epidemiology in Pakistan poses a unique challenge for global eradication, with polio transmission dynamics influenced by regional variations in immunity and disparities in immunization coverage. This study assesses the immunity level for all three poliovirus types among children 6-11 months in polio high-risk regions of Pakistan. Methods: Four consecutive rounds of cross-sectional serological surveys were conducted in polio high-risk areas of Pakistan between November 2016 and October 2023. 12 high-risk areas were covered in the first three rounds of the survey, while 44 high-risk areas were covered in the fourth round. 25 clusters from each geographical stratum were selected utilizing probability proportional to size. Results: Across the four rounds of the survey, 32,907 children aged 6–11 months from 2,084 clusters and 32,371 households were covered. Temporal analysis showed that seroprevalence of poliovirus type 1 was high in provinces (>95%), albeit consistently lower in Balochistan (going down to 89.7% in Round 4). Type 2 seroprevalence was significantly lower and more heterogeneous, from 34.6% in Sindh to 83.4% in Punjab, with sharp declines by Round 4, particularly in Balochistan (40.4%). Type 3 seroprevalence was overall high (>94% in Punjab, Sindh, and KPK) but dropped in the last round, while Balochistan exhibited continually lower immunity (81.1%). Conclusion: The findings reflect the variations in population immunity to poliovirus in the country, with notable fluctuations over the years. The gaps in type 2 immunity over time and consistently lowest in Balochistan highlight the need for continued monitoring of immunity levels and adaptable vaccination strategies.","PeriodicalId":521283,"journal":{"name":"Preprints.org","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.preprints.org/frontend/manuscript/273925d8f06dcf49f744c346ec87b3df/download_pub","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147883551","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Solar Heat for Industrial Processes (SHIP): An Overview of Its Categories and a Review of Its Recent Progress","authors":"Osama A. Marzouk","doi":"10.20944/preprints202509.2252.v1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202509.2252.v1","url":null,"abstract":"SHIP (solar heat for industrial processes) refers to the use of collected solar radiation for meeting industrial heat demands, rather than for electricity generation. The global thermal capacity of SHIP systems at the end of 2024 stood slightly above 1 GWth, which is comparable to the electric power capacity of a single power station. Despite this relatively small presence, SHIP systems play an important role in rendering industrial processes sustainable. There are two aims in the current study. The first aim is to cover various types of SHIP systems based on the variety of their collector designs, operational temperatures, applications, radiation concentration options, and solar tracking options. SHIP designs can be as simple as unglazed solar collectors (USC), having a stationary structure without any radiation concentration. On the other hand, SHIP designs can be as complicated as solar power towers (SPT), having a two-axis solar tracking mechanism with point-focused concentration of the solar radiation. The second aim is to shed some light on the status of SHIP deployment globally, particularly in 2024. This includes a drop during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings of the current study show that more than 1,300 SHIP systems were commissioned worldwide by the end of 2024 (cumulative number), constituting a cumulative thermal capacity of 1,071.4 MWth, with a total collector area of 1,531,600 m2. In 2024 alone, 120.3 MWth of thermal capacity was introduced in 106 SHIP systems having a total collector area of 171,874 m2. In 2024, 65.9% of the installed global thermal capacity of SHIP systems belonged to the parabolic trough collectors (PTC), and another 22% of this installed global thermal capacity was attributed to the unevacuated flat plate collectors (FPC-U). Considering the 106 SHIP systems installed in 2024, the average collector area per system was 1,621.4 m2/project. However, this area largely depends on the SHIP category, where it is much higher for parabolic trough collectors (37,740.5 m2/project), but lower for flat plate collectors (805.2 m2/project), and it is lowest for unglazed solar collectors (163.0 m2/project). The study anticipates large deployment in SHIP systems (particularly the PTC type) in 2026 in alignment with giga-scale solar-steam utilization in alumina production. Several recommendations are provided with regard to the SHIP sector.","PeriodicalId":521283,"journal":{"name":"Preprints.org","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.preprints.org/frontend/manuscript/ed0faaf1554f233bee83e90213656f37/download_pub","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147881122","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Study on Self-Assembly Behavior of Polymer on the Surface of Polymer-Inorganic Composite Films via Molecular Dynamics Simulation","authors":"Fanghua Luo, Xueli Ma, Zhitao Dong","doi":"10.20944/preprints202509.1891.v1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202509.1891.v1","url":null,"abstract":"The self-assembly behavior of polymer on the surface of polymer-inorganic composite films provides great opportunities for the design of functional composite materials. However, it is challenging to study the formation mechanism of this phenomenon at the molecular level. In this work, we elucidate the mechanism of polymer self-assembly on the composite films’ surface via molecular dynamics simulation (MDS). Experimental results show that the self-assembly behavior of polymer depends strongly on the interaction energy between polymer and water molecules during solution evaporation. In addition, we also demonstrate experimentally that polymers self-assembled on the surface of composite films affect their electrical conductivity, and reveal it may be a universal phenomenon of polymer self-assembly on the surface of polymer-inorganic composites, using a series of polymer-inorganic composite films prepared by solution casting. This study offers valuable ideas for designing and preparing multifunctional composites such as thermal interface materials (TIMs), electronic skins, and flexible wearable materials.","PeriodicalId":521283,"journal":{"name":"Preprints.org","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.preprints.org/frontend/manuscript/0032b22b959a1806d3e53ccf37fbb236/download_pub","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147883051","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"ESR1 Regulates Fecundity and Functions in Endometrial Stromal Cells of Sheep","authors":"Li Kang, Xiaoxiao Gao, Zhibo Wang, Dongxu Li, Jiahe Guo, Feng Wang, Tianlong Guo","doi":"10.20944/preprints202509.1951.v1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202509.1951.v1","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) plasticity is critical for embryo survival and conceptus elongation; however, their genetic regulation remains unclear. Method: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which ESR1 regulates sheep fecundity through endometrial function, we investigated the effects of ESR1 on ovine ESCs in vitro. Results: Tissue distribution analysis revealed elevated ESR1 expression in the reproductive organs, particularly the endometrium, compared with that in non-reproductive tissues. Both ESR1 mRNA and its encoded ERα protein were significantly upregulated in the endometrium of high-fecundity Hu sheep compared to that in low-fecundity Hu sheep endometrium. Given the specific localisation of ERα in ESCs, we examined the functional roles of ESR1 in these cells in vitro. ESR1 knockdown in ESCs inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis, concomitant with increased Caspase3 and Caspase9 mRNA expression. Furthermore, ESR1 interference triggered G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest via upregulation of P53 and P21 and significantly impaired cell migration capacity. Collectively, these results demonstrate that ESR1 critically regulates ESCs proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, and migration. Conclusions: Our findings establish ESR1 as a key determinant of sheep fecundity and provide mechanistic insights into the high reproductive efficiency of Hu sheep.","PeriodicalId":521283,"journal":{"name":"Preprints.org","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.preprints.org/frontend/manuscript/f7ea23b324def6e1e4273bbd093cc853/download_pub","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147887604","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Preparation and Characterization of Antarctic Krill Peptides with Multiple Bioactivities","authors":"Rui Liu, Wen-Xiao Zhao, Wenjie Cao, Li J, Xiaojie Yuan, Yu‐Zhong Zhang, Qi‐Long Qin, Xiao‐Yan Song, Xi‐Ying Zhang, Hailun He, Xiu‐Lan Chen, Z. David Luo","doi":"10.20944/preprints202509.1812.v1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202509.1812.v1","url":null,"abstract":"Bioactive peptides have been widely used in food, medicine, healthcare products and other fields due to their diverse bioactivities. Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is a huge Antarctic biological resource with high nutritional value, which is now commonly used for krill oil production. However, its potential as a high-quality protein source remains underexploited. This study established a technological process for preparing AKPs based on the optimization of hydrolysis parameters and determined their physicochemical properties and biological activities. Additionally, multiple bioactive peptides in AKPs were identified. The prepared AKPs are rich in low-molecular-weight peptides, and contain 20 amino acids including 9 human essentials. The AKPs have high antioxidant activity, with scavenging rates for free radicals ABTS+, DPPH· and ·OH reaching 93.33% (at 10 mg/mL), 99.58% (at 30 mg/mL) and 92.33% (at 40 mg/mL), respectively. The AKPs exhibited significant inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), evidenced by an IC50 value of 0.27 mg/mL, suggesting antihypertensive potential. Furthermore, at a concentration of 40 mg/mL, the AKPs also suppressed the activities of α-glucosidase and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) by 12.15% and 16.89%, respectively, demonstrating hypoglycemic effects. The antibacterial activity of the AKPs against Escherichia coli was also observed. Further analysis revealed that the AKPs contain a spectrum of bioactive peptides, comprising 39 distinct sequences with functions in antioxidant, antihypertensive, and hypoglycemic activities. These included 11 antioxidants, 19 ACE inhibitors, 2 α-glucosidase inhibitors, and 7 DPP-IV inhibitors. The prepared AKPs have multiple bioactivities, and may have wide applications. This research presents a viable strategy for the valorization of defatted Antarctic krill powder, enhancing its commercial value and paving the way for high-value applications.","PeriodicalId":521283,"journal":{"name":"Preprints.org","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.preprints.org/frontend/manuscript/859280ae2733bfe9afdfd64399cbca7b/download_pub","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147878967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cancer in 4D: Towards Spatiotemporal Hallmark Ecosystems","authors":"Mustafa Sibai, Martin Zacharias, Nicholas McGranahan, Mariam Jamal‐Hanjani, Eduard Porta‐Pardo","doi":"10.20944/preprints202509.1469.v1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202509.1469.v1","url":null,"abstract":"The Hallmarks of Cancer framework distilled the complexity of tumour biology into a shared set of capabilities, but in its static form it cannot capture where in a tumour these traits occur, when they arise, or how they reorganize during cancer initiation and progression. We propose Spatiotemporal Hallmark Ecosystems (SHEs) as a unifying lens that integrates spatial architecture, temporal dynamics, and hallmark biology into a single operational unit of tumour evolution. In this view, hallmarks are not fixed consequences of specific mutations, but emergent, context-dependent programs shaped by interactions between genetic drivers, tissue structure, and systemic cues. SHEs help provide insight into why identical mutations can yield divergent outcomes, why some premalignant states persist for years, and how transitions, whether toward invasion, metastasis, or resistance, reflect coordinated reconfiguration of multiple hallmarks. By reframing cancer as a set of evolving ecosystems rather than isolated traits, this perspective outlines a path toward more predictive, adaptive, and context-aware oncology.","PeriodicalId":521283,"journal":{"name":"Preprints.org","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.preprints.org/frontend/manuscript/52a3c40a4e6400d21b337acfe141ee6d/download_pub","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147880814","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Probabilistic Algorithm with Dynamic Load Balancing for GPU-Accelerated Tumor Growth Simulations","authors":"Manuel I. Capel, L. Domingo","doi":"10.20944/preprints202509.1003.v1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202509.1003.v1","url":null,"abstract":"Efficient simulation of tumor growth using cellular automata (CA) requires high computational power, especially when scaling to large biological systems. In this paper, we present a GPU-accelerated dynamic load balancing strategy for tumor growth simulation, using CUDA to optimize execution and scalability. We compare our approach with traditional CPU implementations and static load balancing methods, and demonstrate significant performance gains. Our results show that the proposed strategy reduces execution time by up to 54% for a 1024×1024 grid of CUDA thread blocks while maintaining accuracy, making it a promising approach for large-scale biomedical simulations.","PeriodicalId":521283,"journal":{"name":"Preprints.org","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.preprints.org/frontend/manuscript/ef3078fabf524053a4c6c12d1dde2a67/download_pub","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147910800","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modeling Continuous-Electrode Magnetohydrodynamic Channels with a Demonstration through the “Sakhalin” Generator","authors":"Osama A. Marzouk","doi":"10.20944/preprints202509.0666.v1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202509.0666.v1","url":null,"abstract":"The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computer language OpenFOAM is used to develop a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) solver, which we applied to the Sakhalin pulsed solid-propellant plasma (SPP) power system, with a supersonic divergent channel. The proposed solver corresponds to the low magnetic Reynolds number (Rem), and it utilizes the scalar electric potential as the working variable for handling the electric aspect of the problem. After validation and verification, we use the solver to explore various aspects of the thermal, fluidic, and electric features of the problem. These include the pressure, temperature, density, velocity, Mach number, electric-current density, specific turbulent kinetic energy, and turbulence dissipation. After validation and verification, we use the solver to explore various aspects of the thermal, fluidic, and electric features of the problem. These include the pressure, temperature, density, velocity, Mach number, electric-current density, specific turbulent kinetic energy, and turbulence dissipation. Despite earlier studies about this Sakhalin pulsed magnetohydrodynamic generator (PMHDG), the current study provides novel comprehensive aspects and presents a useful MHD solver.","PeriodicalId":521283,"journal":{"name":"Preprints.org","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.preprints.org/frontend/manuscript/2cf7b02a3467393d0ec4ce4747369b2d/download_pub","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147892976","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Mother of Ancient City and the World’s Growing Cities: An Archaeological Study","authors":"Kazi Abdul Mannan, Khandaker Mursheda Farhana","doi":"10.20944/preprints202509.0493.v1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202509.0493.v1","url":null,"abstract":"This study investigates the origins, development, and legacy of ancient urban centres—termed the “Mother of Ancient Cities”—through a comprehensive archaeological lens, and connects these insights to the trajectories of contemporary global urbanisation. Drawing from archaeological case studies in Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, ancient Egypt, Mesoamerica, and elsewhere, the research highlights the infrastructural, religious, and socio-political innovations of early cities. It explores how ancient urban models inform present-day urban planning and resilience strategies while critically examining urban decline and collapse. The study adopts an interdisciplinary methodology, integrating archaeological data, urban theory, and comparative analysis to offer a reframed narrative of urban evolution—not as a linear progression, but as a cyclical, adaptive, and culturally diverse phenomenon. Emphasising the relevance of ancient experiences in the context of rapid modern urban expansion and environmental challenges, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of how past urban forms can guide sustainable and inclusive future cities.","PeriodicalId":521283,"journal":{"name":"Preprints.org","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.preprints.org/frontend/manuscript/d25fe3eca70afdc52b21b1416dd76a0f/download_pub","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147885536","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing Callus Proliferation and Somatic Embryogenesis in <em>Litchi chinensis</em> cv. “Feizixiao” with Phenylacetic Acid and Its Derivatives","authors":"Wang Guo, Yaoting Liu, Huanling Li, Lei Zhang, Z. Li, Jiabao Wang","doi":"10.20944/preprints202509.0401.v1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202509.0401.v1","url":null,"abstract":"The efficiency of in vitro regeneration in litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is highly influenced by the type and concentration of plant growth regulators (PGRs), particularly auxins. Although the effects of various growth regulators on the in vitro regeneration have been studied, more types of auxins need to be investigated for their influence on somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration of litchi. In this study, the effects of phenylacetic acid (PAA) and its derivatives—4-chlorophenylacetic acid (CPA) and 4-iodophenylacetic acid (IPA)—were assessed in relation to callus proliferation, somatic embryogenesis (SE), and plantlet regeneration in ‘Feizixiao’ litchi. The inclusion of CPA or IPA in callus proliferation medium significantly enhanced the proliferation rate, with 20 mg·L−1 CPA the most effective treatment. Embryonic calli following CPA and IPA treatments exhibited a deeper yellow color, smaller cell clusters, and thicker cytoplasm compared to the control and PAA-treated calli. The highest number of somatic embryos per gram of fresh embryonic callus weight (gFW−1) (1131 embryos·gFW−1) was observed when 40 mg·L−1 PAA was added to the proliferation medium. The addition of 10 mg·L−1 IPA to the proliferation medium yielded the highest plantlet regeneration rate (50 plantlets·gFW−1). The optimal supplementation of the somatic embryo induction medium was 5 mg·L−1 PAA, which resulted in 460 somatic embryos·gFW−1 and 86 regenerated plantlets·gFW−1. These findings indicate that PAA and its derivatives are effective PGRs in the in vitro regeneration of litchi, and provide a valuable protocol for the propagation of elite cultivars.","PeriodicalId":521283,"journal":{"name":"Preprints.org","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.preprints.org/frontend/manuscript/af7ed3577c007a6c28b569ac25c39eaa/download_pub","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147917120","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}