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16 pages, 1364 KB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Low-Temperature Cycling History on Slight Overcharging Cycling of Lithium–Ion Batteries

by Jialong Liu, Hui Zhang, Xiaoming Jin, Kun Zhao, Zhirong Wang and Yangyang Cui

Batteries 2025, 11(11), 427; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries11110427 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Cross-seasonal and cross-regional operations make it inevitable for low-temperature cycling of lithium–ion batteries, which accelerates battery aging and induces large inconsistency between batteries in the battery pack. This causes slight overcharging. However, the influence of long low-temperature cycling on the following slight overcharging [...] Read more.

Cross-seasonal and cross-regional operations make it inevitable for low-temperature cycling of lithium–ion batteries, which accelerates battery aging and induces large inconsistency between batteries in the battery pack. This causes slight overcharging. However, the influence of long low-temperature cycling on the following slight overcharging aging and aging mechanism under multi aging path is not studied clearly. This affects the function of the battery management system (BMS), including state of health (SOH) prediction, state of charge estimation, etc. This work takes 18,650-type batteries as the study objects. Battery aging at low temperature (−10 °C) and slight overcharging (4.4 V) aging after low-temperature cycling are studied in this work. Hybrid pulse power characteristic, incremental capacity analysis, scanning electron microscope, and X-ray diffraction are used to reveal the aging mechanisms. The results indicate that a negative electrode degradation affects the cycle life of batteries more compared to a positive electrode, and the primary aging mechanisms are “dead lithium” and electrolyte decomposition. Compared to low-temperature cycling, slight overcharging is the lower stress factor. Cycling at low stress factor suppresses aging of battery cycled at high stress factor. When the SOH of battery is near 90%, lithium plating growing at low temperature is consumed after slight overcharging cycling. The generated products suppress further lithium plating. When the SOH is near 80%, although lithium plating is consumed, it also grows continuously. Slight overcharging causes more transition metal dissolution and graphite exfoliation. When SOH is near 90%, thermal management strategies should operate to control operation temperature of battery to avoid further low-temperature cycling. The results in this work are important to battery design and battery management system development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Battery Health Algorithms and Thermal Safety Modeling)

21 pages, 9250 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Electron Beam Melting on the Purification of Recycled Zirconium

by Katia Vutova, Vladislava Stefanova, Evgeniy Manoilov, Irena Mihailova, Maria Naplatanova and Peter Iliev

Metals 2025, 15(11), 1273; https://doi.org/10.3390/met15111273 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

Zirconium belongs to the group of critical rare metals and is primarily used in industry. Its most important application, as the basis for specialized alloys, is in nuclear reactors, owing to its exceptionally very low thermal neutron absorption cross-section. Based on theoretical and [...] Read more.

Zirconium belongs to the group of critical rare metals and is primarily used in industry. Its most important application, as the basis for specialized alloys, is in nuclear reactors, owing to its exceptionally very low thermal neutron absorption cross-section. Based on theoretical and experimental investigation, the potential for removing metallic (Al, Ti, Hf, V, Fe, Cr, Cu, Ni) and non-metallic (O, C) impurities from technogenic zirconium during electron beam melting (EBM) was assessed. The influence of temperature (ranging from 2350 K to 2750 K) and refining duration (10, 15, and 20 min) under vacuum conditions (1 × 10⁻³ Pa) was investigated concerning the degree of impurity removal, the microstructure, and the micro-hardness of the resulting ingots. It was established that under optimal EBM conditions for technogenic zirconium (T = 2750 K, τ = 20 min), the total refining efficiency reached approximately 87%, and the achieved Zr purity was 99.756%. Among the impurities present in the technogenic zirconium, the lowest removal efficiencies were recorded for Al (54.90%) and Cr (88.89%), with the lower refining efficiency for Al influencing the microstructure and micro-hardness of the ingots produced after EBM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Extraction and Smelting Technology)

23 pages, 9074 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Performance Evaluation of Conductive Asphalt Mixtures Using Multi-Phase Carbon Fillers

by Xiao Zhang, Yafeng Pang, Hongwei Lin and Xiaobo Du

Processes 2025, 13(11), 3752; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13113752 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

This study explores the synergistic effects of recycled carbon fiber (RCF) and recycled carbon fiber powder (RCFP) on the performance of conductive asphalt mixtures (CAMs). Laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate optimal asphalt content (OAC), electrical and heating behavior, and key pavement properties, [...] Read more.

This study explores the synergistic effects of recycled carbon fiber (RCF) and recycled carbon fiber powder (RCFP) on the performance of conductive asphalt mixtures (CAMs). Laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate optimal asphalt content (OAC), electrical and heating behavior, and key pavement properties, including rutting, cracking, and freeze–thaw resistance. Results showed that OAC increased with RCF and RCFP dosage due to their high surface area and strong asphalt absorption. The composite achieved stable conductivity, where RCF formed a macro-scale skeleton and RCFP established a micro-bridging network, reducing resistivity to a minimum of 1.60 Ω·m. This dual conductive mechanism significantly enhanced heating efficiency, with a peak rate of 4.85 °C/min at 0.5% RCF + 3% RCFP. Mechanically, RCF provided three-dimensional reinforcement while RCFP improved cohesion, together enhancing high-temperature and freeze–thaw performance. However, low-temperature cracking resistance exhibited a parabolic trend due to the risk of material agglomeration at excessive dosages. Multi-indicator TOPSIS analysis identified 0.4% RCF + 3% RCFP as the optimal composition. Critically, this optimal mixture is also technically and economically feasible, demonstrating an excellent balance characterized by a low specific energy consumption of 2.38 W·h/°C and a competitive cost (≈CNY 528.4/t). This study provides a sustainable, energy-efficient, and multi-functional solution for pavement heating and de-icing in cold regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Materials Processes)

16 pages, 1773 KB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of Structural, Magnetic, Optical, and Photocatalytic Properties of Fe/CoFe₂O₄ Composite

by Liliya Frolova, Vyacheslav Protsenko and Tetiana Butyrina

Sustainability 2025, 17(22), 10415; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172210415 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

A Fe/CoFe₂O₄ nanocomposite was synthesized in one step by a hydrothermal method by processing the created iron and cobalt hydroxocomplexes. For precise characterization of the structure and morphology, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and ultraviolet–visible [...] Read more.

A Fe/CoFe₂O₄ nanocomposite was synthesized in one step by a hydrothermal method by processing the created iron and cobalt hydroxocomplexes. For precise characterization of the structure and morphology, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis-DRS) were used. It was found that the obtained samples have a pronounced spinel crystalline structure, with the presence of metallic iron. The crystal size was determined by various methods and was 93–104 nm. The saturation magnetization, determined from the hysteresis loop, was 189.24 Emu/g, and the force coefficient was 602 Oe. UV-vis-DRS studies showed a band gap of 2.1 eV. The photocatalytic degradation of ibuprofen, streptocide, furacilin, methylene blue, and tetracycline was investigated under the influence of UV radiation in the presence of a photocatalyst. It was confirmed that the rate of degradation of pollutants obeys pseudo-first-order kinetics. Analysis of the constant rate of reactions showed that in order of decreasing stability, pharmaceutical drugs can be dissolved as follows: ibuprofen → streptocide → furatsilin → methylene blue → tetracycline. It was found that the ratio of photocatalyst and hydrogen peroxide concentrations is important for the destruction of more stable pollutants. The effect of hydrogen peroxide and catalyst concentrations is extremely strong. For unstable compounds, the most influential factor is the duration of treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Development of Nanomaterials for Wastewater Treatment and Sustainable Environmental Protection)

21 pages, 847 KB

Open AccessArticle

Life Expectancy and Mortality in the Aspect of Diverse Environmental Exposure to PCDD/Fs and PCBs—Ecological Case Study from the Silesia Province, Poland

by Aleksandra Duda, Agata Piekut and Grzegorz Dziubanek

Toxics 2025, 13(11), 1002; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13111002 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

The present ecological study endeavours to evaluate the variability of life expectancy (MLE) and mortality rate (MR) on a micro scale, specifically between populations of neighbouring villages in the Silesia Province. This endeavour is of particular significance due to the chronic exposure to [...] Read more.

The present ecological study endeavours to evaluate the variability of life expectancy (MLE) and mortality rate (MR) on a micro scale, specifically between populations of neighbouring villages in the Silesia Province. This endeavour is of particular significance due to the chronic exposure to halogenated persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in one of the villages under study. The present study is innovative in comparison with previous research in this field, as it considers the impact of the most toxic dioxin, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD), and utilises a village-level reference area. A thorough investigation was undertaken to determine the possible consequences of inhalation exposure within the local community to polychlorinated dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). A robust correlation was evidenced between chronic exposure of case study residents to 2.3.7.8-TCDD and their mortality. Furthermore, an investigation revealed a strong correlation between the concentration of 2.3.7.8-TCDD in the air and actual MLE. An increase in the concentration of 2,3,7,8-TCDD by 10 fg I-TEQ/m³ has the potential to result in a reduction in the mean MLE of the exposed inhabitants of Silesia by 1 year and 9 months. In addition, the results of this study indicate that the female population exhibits a lifespan that is 7 years and 10 months longer than that of the male population. However, given the substantial differences in the mean MLE observed also in low-polluted areas of this region, it is probable that not only environmental factors, including exposure to PCDD/Fs and PCBs, but also various socio-economic factors may be involved. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Human Toxicology and Epidemiology)

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29 pages, 3483 KB

Open AccessArticle

QRetinex-Net: A Quaternion Retinex Framework for Bio-Inspired Color Constancy

by Sos Agaian and Vladimir Frants

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(22), 12336; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152212336 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

Color constancy, the ability to perceive consistent object colors under varying illumination, is a core function of the human visual system and a persistent challenge in machine vision. Retinex theory models this process by decomposing an image S into reflectance (R) [...] Read more.

Color constancy, the ability to perceive consistent object colors under varying illumination, is a core function of the human visual system and a persistent challenge in machine vision. Retinex theory models this process by decomposing an image S into reflectance (R) and illumination (I) components (S'=RI). However, conventional Retinex methods suffer from key limitations: independent RGB processing that disrupts inter-channel correlations, weak grounding in color perception models, non-invertible decomposition (S'≠S), and limited biological plausibility. We propose QRetinex-Net, a unified Retinex framework formulated in the quaternion domain—S = R ⊗ I, where ⊗ denotes the Hamilton product. Representing RGB channels as pure quaternions enables holistic color processing, biologically inspired modeling, and invertible image reconstruction. We further introduce the Reflectance Consistency Index (RCI) to quantitatively assess illumination invariance and reflectance stability. Experiments on low-light crack detection, infrared–visible fusion, and face detection under varying lighting demonstrate that QRetinex-Net outperforms RetinexNet, KIND++, U-RetinexNet, and Diff-Retinex, achieving up to 11% performance gains, LPIPS ≈ 0.0001, and RCI ≈ 0.988. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Computing and Artificial Intelligence)

25 pages, 1422 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Alternative Weed Control Under “Sauvignon Blanc” Vines on Grape Characteristics and Environmental Footprint

by Peter Berk, Denis Stajnko, Andrej Paušič and Mario Lešnik

Agronomy 2025, 15(11), 2666; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15112666 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

Chemical control of weeds with the herbicide glyphosate under vines in the vineyards is currently easy, effective, and cheap. There are currently no completely equivalent alternative herbicides or suitable mechanical control methods that have the same efficacy in suppressing weeds under vines in [...] Read more.

Chemical control of weeds with the herbicide glyphosate under vines in the vineyards is currently easy, effective, and cheap. There are currently no completely equivalent alternative herbicides or suitable mechanical control methods that have the same efficacy in suppressing weeds under vines in vineyards as glyphosate. Therefore, in this research, we tested two alternative technologies for controlling weeds under the vines as a counterweight to the predominant control approach with the herbicide glyphosate: (1) chemical control with pelargonic acid, acetic acid, and the plant extract-based fertilizer Stopeco^® with herbicidal action, and (2) mechanical control with a combined tool consisting of a rotary star tiller and finger weeder. A comparative analysis was conducted on time and fuel consumption, the extent of the carbon footprint, grape yield, and quality, which showed that the tested alternative methods of weed control were not comparable to the herbicide glyphosate in terms of effectiveness in weed suppression but were comparable at grape yield. In our trial, at the number of treatments we performed, differences in environmental footprint between different treatments were significant (glyphosate variant 10.55–11.21 gha anno⁻¹; other variants 7.48–8.08 gha anno⁻¹). Alternative mechanical and chemical methods need to be applied at least three to four times a year to achieve results comparable to those from two applications of glyphosate. For this reason, it is possible that, in the case of a slightly increased number of passes by mechanical tools or a slightly increased number of sprayings with alternative preparations to reach the efficacy level of glyphosate treatments, the foot print parameter, CO₂ emissions and global warming potential (GWP) parameter in alternative treatments would no longer be more favorable than when using the herbicide glyphosate twice a year. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Integrated Pest Management: New Tools and Tactics for Pest Control)

43 pages, 680 KB

Open AccessArticle

Synergistic Utilisation of Construction Demolition Waste (CD&W) and Agricultural Residues as Sustainable Cement Alternatives: A Critical Analysis of Unexplored Potential

by Francis O. Okeke, Obas J. Ebohon, Abdullahi Ahmed, Juanlan Zhou, Hany Hassanin, Ahmed I. Osman and Zhihong Pan

Buildings 2025, 15(22), 4203; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15224203 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

Decarbonising the construction industry’s substantial ecological footprint demands credible substitutes that preserve structural performance while valorising waste. Although construction and demolition waste (CD&W) has been widely studied, the vast potential of agricultural residues (e.g., corncob, rice husk) and, crucially, their synergy remains underexplored. [...] Read more.

Decarbonising the construction industry’s substantial ecological footprint demands credible substitutes that preserve structural performance while valorising waste. Although construction and demolition waste (CD&W) has been widely studied, the vast potential of agricultural residues (e.g., corncob, rice husk) and, crucially, their synergy remains underexplored. This study couples a systematic literature review with mathematical modelling to evaluate binary CD&W–agro-waste binders. A modified Andreasen–Andersen packing framework and pozzolanic activity indices inform multi-objective optimisation and Pareto analysis. The optimum identified is a 70:30 CD&W-to-agricultural ratio at 20% total cement replacement, predicted to retain 86.0% of OPC compressive strength versus a 79.4% average for single-waste systems (8.3% non-additive uplift). Life-cycle assessment (cradle-to-gate) shows a 20.3% carbon reduction for the synergistic blend (vs. 19.6% CD&W-only; 19.3% agro-only); when normalised by strength (kg CO₂-eq/MPa·m³), the blend delivers 6.3% better carbon efficiency than OPC (5.63 vs. 6.01), outperforming agro-only (5.79) and CD&W-only (6.61). Global diversion arithmetic indicates feasible redirection of 0.246 Gt y⁻¹ of wastes (5.7% of CD&W and 1.8% of agricultural residues) at 30% market penetration. Mechanistically, synergy arises from particle size complementarity, complementary Ca–Si reactivity generating additional C–S–H, and improved rheology at equivalent flow. Monte Carlo analysis yields a 91.2% probability of ≥40 MPa and 78.3% probability of ≥80% strength retention for the optimum; the 95% interval is 39.5–55.3 MPa. Variance-based sensitivity attributes 38.9% of output variance to the Bolomey constant and 44% to pozzolanic indices; interactions contribute 19.5%, justifying global (not local) uncertainty propagation. While promising, claims are bounded by cradle-to-gate scope and the absence of empirical durability and end-of-life evidence. The results nevertheless outline a tractable pathway to circular, lower-carbon concretes using co-processed waste. The approach directly supports circular economy goals and scalable regional deployment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate)

22 pages, 4602 KB

Open AccessArticle

Variable Structure Learning-Based Spatio-Temporal Graph Convolutional Networks for Chemical Process Quality Prediction with SHAP-Enhanced Interpretability

by Siyuan Tang, Zheren Zhu, Yuanqiang Zhou, Bingbing Shen, Ziyan Shen, Zeyu Yang and Le Yao

Processes 2025, 13(11), 3751; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13113751 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

Product quality control in chemical processes faces challenges from dynamic non-stationary data, underutilized variable spatial correlations, and overreliance on prior knowledge. This paper addresses these issues by proposing an enhanced Spatio-Temporal Graph Convolutional Networks (STGCN) for chemical process soft sensing. In this method, [...] Read more.

Product quality control in chemical processes faces challenges from dynamic non-stationary data, underutilized variable spatial correlations, and overreliance on prior knowledge. This paper addresses these issues by proposing an enhanced Spatio-Temporal Graph Convolutional Networks (STGCN) for chemical process soft sensing. In this method, the spatio-temporal graph attention mechanism is integrated into the Graph Convolutional Networks, enabling dynamic weighting of neighboring nodes to improve spatiotemporal feature mining and accelerate convergence. Unlike traditional STGCN models that rely on predefined graph structures and prior domain knowledge, this paper proposes the Variable Structure Learning-based Spatio-Temporal Graph Convolutional Networks (VSL-STGCN), which autonomously learns variable relational structures via end-to-end gradient descent and uses SHAP algorithm to select critical variables, reducing computational burden and overfitting risks. Finally, the proposed VSL-STGCN is validated on two real chemical processes, outperforming baseline models in prediction accuracy. Based on the experimental results, the proposed VSL-STGCN achieves about 15% lower RMSE and about 10% higher R² compared to baseline STGCN models. The learned adjacency matrix aligns with actual process mechanisms, ensuring interpretability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches to Modeling, Optimization, Control, and Monitoring in Industrial Processes)

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32 pages, 784 KB

Open AccessReview

Magnesium: Health Effects, Deficiency Burden, and Future Public Health Directions

by Marijana Matek Sarić, Tamara Sorić, Željka Juko Kasap, Nataša Lisica Šikić, Mladen Mavar, Jurgita Andruškienė and Ana Sarić

Nutrients 2025, 17(22), 3626; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17223626 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

Magnesium (Mg²⁺) is the fourth most abundant cation in the human body and a critical cofactor in hundreds of enzymatic reactions that regulate energy metabolism, neuromuscular function, cardiovascular health, bone integrity, immune defense, and psychological well-being. Despite its essential roles, magnesium [...] Read more.

Magnesium (Mg²⁺) is the fourth most abundant cation in the human body and a critical cofactor in hundreds of enzymatic reactions that regulate energy metabolism, neuromuscular function, cardiovascular health, bone integrity, immune defense, and psychological well-being. Despite its essential roles, magnesium deficiency remains common worldwide, driven by inadequate dietary intake, chronic diseases, medication use, and lifestyle factors. Low magnesium status is associated with hypertension, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, migraines, depression, and chronic inflammation, whereas sufficient intake supports cardiometabolic resilience, skeletal strength, neurological stability, and healthy aging. This review synthesizes current evidence on magnesium metabolism, physiological functions, and the health consequences of deficiency, and it summarizes global status with attention to biomarker limitations, widespread suboptimal intake, and key demographic and lifestyle determinants. It also discusses dietary sources, supplementation, and innovative approaches such as food fortification, personalized nutrition, and improved diagnostic strategies. The evidence highlights magnesium as a modifiable factor with potential to lessen the burden of chronic diseases. Recognizing magnesium deficiency as a pressing but underappreciated public health issue, this article underscores the need for integrated strategies to optimize magnesium balance at both individual and population levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Micronutrients and Human Health: From Metabolism to Public Health Strategies)

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21 pages, 1120 KB

Open AccessArticle

Groundwater Quality Near Riverbanks and Its Suitability for Agricultural Use in Semi-Arid Regions

by Layth Saleem Salman Al-Shihmani, Ali Jawad Al-Sarraji, Ahmed Abed Gatea Al-Shammary, Jesús Fernández-Gálvez and Andrés Caballero-Calvo

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(22), 12338; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152212338 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

Water scarcity has become one of the most pressing challenges to agricultural sustainability, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where climate change, dam construction, and rapid population growth have intensified the pressure on water and food resources. Groundwater adjacent to rivers represents a [...] Read more.

Water scarcity has become one of the most pressing challenges to agricultural sustainability, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where climate change, dam construction, and rapid population growth have intensified the pressure on water and food resources. Groundwater adjacent to rivers represents a potential supplementary resource that can reduce reliance on restricted surface water supplies. This study assessed the hydrochemical characteristics and agricultural suitability of shallow groundwater located near the Tigris River, Iraq. Fieldwork involved monitoring four active wells and collecting samples over six periods from October 2022 to May 2023, combined with twelve soil samples from surrounding agricultural fields. Laboratory analyses determined key water and soil properties, including pH, electrical conductivity, major cations and anions, and a range of salinity and sodicity indices such as total dissolved solids (TDS), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), potential salinity (PS), magnesium ratio, Simpson ratio (SR), Jones ratio (JR), and sodium percentage (Na%). Results indicated that groundwater levels fluctuated seasonally in tandem with the Tigris River, which directly influenced salinity levels. SI values were positive, TDS values were in the high salinity class, RSC values were consistently negative, PS values were in the medium to poor category, Na% values and MR values were within acceptable limits for irrigation, and SR values were moderately to highly contaminated. Groundwater quality, according to the U.S. Salinity Laboratory classification, was categorized between the C4S1 class (very high salinity, low sodium) and the C3S1 (high salinity, low sodium). Soil analyses showed predominantly light-textured soils with moderate Ec and SAR values below sodicity thresholds. The combination of soil permeability and groundwater characteristics suggests that irrigation is feasible under specific management practices. The study concludes that groundwater adjacent to rivers can serve as a valuable supplementary source for agriculture in semi-arid regions. Its use is most effective when applied to salt-tolerant crops, supported by leaching requirements, or blended with fresh water. These findings emphasize the importance of integrated groundwater management for enhancing agricultural resilience and sustainable land use under water-scarce conditions. Excessive extraction of groundwater near rivers can also pose long-term sustainability challenges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Approaches to Water Treatment: Challenges and Trends, 2nd Edition)

14 pages, 376 KB

Open AccessArticle

Validation of Combined Indicator Using Joint Index Vector and Pain Score for Risk Weight Calculation of Incident Bone Fragility Fracture in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

by Ichiro Yoshii, Naoya Sawada and Tatsumi Chijiwa

Osteology 2025, 5(4), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/osteology5040035 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

Background: Risk factors, including Joint Index Vector (JIV), a new disease activity indicator based on three-axis coordinates, and a pain score using a visual analog scale (PS-VAS), were evaluated for incident bone fragility fractures (inc-BFF) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in [...] Read more.

Background: Risk factors, including Joint Index Vector (JIV), a new disease activity indicator based on three-axis coordinates, and a pain score using a visual analog scale (PS-VAS), were evaluated for incident bone fragility fractures (inc-BFF) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a retrospective case–control study. Methods: RA patients who were followed for at least two consecutive years (RA) and a control group consisting of patients without RA but with similar background demographics (non-RA) were recruited and monitored. The prevalence of inc-BFF was compared between the two groups. Common potential risk factors in both groups and RA-specific factors within the RA group regarding inc-BFF were analyzed statistically. Results: A total of 278 patients were studied in each group. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of inc-BFF between the two groups. Presenting RA was not a major factor in developing inc-BFF. Higher Vz in the JIV, which reflects the difference in the involvement ratio between large and small joints, and higher PS-VAS showed significantly higher hazard ratios in a univariate model. Vz > 0.01, PS-VAS ≥ 25.5, and simplified disease activity index ≥ 2.11 at follow-up, along with PS-VAS at baseline > 21.0, are the key cutoff indices for RA-specific risk factors. When two of these factors were combined, the combination of Vz and PS-VAS at follow-up resulted in the highest hazard ratio (4.25; p < 0.001). Conclusions: These results suggest that combining Vz and PS-VAS is the key risk indicator for inc-BFF. Full article

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16 pages, 273 KB

Open AccessArticle

Suboptimal Caloric and Micronutrient Intakes in Female Student Athletes Across Several Division 1 Collegiate Sports

by Rachel L. Victor, Morgan M. Nishisaka, Alexandra F. McGrath, Mia K. Gladding, Liel Grosskopf, Hilla Ben-Moshe, Angelos K. Sikalidis, Aleksandra S. Kristo and Scott K. Reaves

Nutrients 2025, 17(22), 3625; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17223625 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

Optimal nutrition in athletes can contribute to training adaptations, recovery, performance, and injury prevention in addition to supporting their overall health and well-being. Macronutrient intake and the link to role in athletic performance has been investigated by several studies, while micronutrient intake in [...] Read more.

Optimal nutrition in athletes can contribute to training adaptations, recovery, performance, and injury prevention in addition to supporting their overall health and well-being. Macronutrient intake and the link to role in athletic performance has been investigated by several studies, while micronutrient intake in athletes appears to be understudied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess caloric and selected micronutrient intakes in female collegiate student-athletes across several sports. The participants from seven sports were instructed to complete 3-day food records; dietary intakes were compared to their individual nutritional needs. Results of this study indicated that average intakes of our participants for vitamin C (132.3%), vitamin K (110.5%), and sodium (173%) intakes were significantly above the recommended intakes. However, average intakes for calories (78.0%), calcium (63.1%), magnesium (68.7%), potassium (83.8%), and iron (80.8%) were all significantly below the recommended intakes. More specifically, indoor volleyball and golf athletes exhibited significantly lower vitamin A intake (53.3% and 43.6%, respectively), while iron insufficiency (% of recommendation) was more pronounced in the indoor volleyball (59.8%), golf (65.4%), and tennis (69.9%) teams. Chronic underconsumption of calories and micronutrients can lead to numerous health and athletic performance related consequences. Thus, recognizing and addressing inadequate intakes is imperative to help the student-athletes meet their needs in alignment with dietary guidelines through nutrition education and counseling, as well as dedicated funding and resources towards promoting their overall health, well-being, and athletic as well as academic performance and success. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sports Nutrition)

21 pages, 5556 KB

Open AccessArticle

Two Cohorts, One Network: Consensus Master Regulators Orchestrating Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

by Diana Tapia-Carrillo, Octavio Zambada-Moreno, Enrique Hernández-Lemus and Hugo Tovar

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(22), 11231; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262211231 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common endocrine malignancy, yet the transcriptional hierarchies linking endocrine signaling to tumor progression remain poorly defined. Here, we integrated gene-expression profiles from two independent cohorts (TCGA-THCA and GSE33630) to identify consensus transcriptional master regulators (TMRs) driving [...] Read more.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common endocrine malignancy, yet the transcriptional hierarchies linking endocrine signaling to tumor progression remain poorly defined. Here, we integrated gene-expression profiles from two independent cohorts (TCGA-THCA and GSE33630) to identify consensus transcriptional master regulators (TMRs) driving PTC. After normalization and differential expression analysis, we reconstructed regulon networks with ARACNe-AP, inferred TMR activity using VIPER, and integrated evidence across datasets via Fisher’s meta-analysis. This cross-cohort strategy yielded 50 shared TMRs, predominantly from the Zinc Finger, Forkhead, ETS, and nuclear receptor families. Network topology highlighted PBX4, GATAD2A, BHLHE40, HEY2, and TEAD4 as upstream regulators controlling other TMRs. Functional enrichment revealed activation of NOTCH, MAPK, PI3K, and TGF-β signaling and enrichment of early and late estrogen-response programs, uncovering a noncanonical role of SMAD9 in TGF-β signaling. Together, these findings delineate the transcriptional and hormonal circuitry underlying thyroid tumorigenesis, providing a regulatory framework for biomarker-driven therapies based on network activity states. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Endocrinology: Exploring the Molecular Dimensions of Thyroid Cancer)

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25 pages, 9095 KB

Open AccessArticle

Construction Control of Long-Span Combined Rail-Cum-Road Continuous Steel Truss Girder Bridge of High-Speed Railway

by Jun Zhou, Fangwen Weng, Yuxiong Liang, Zhiwei Liao, Feng Zhang and Meizhen Fu

Buildings 2025, 15(22), 4204; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15224204 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

The construction of long-span continuous steel truss rail-cum-road bridges for high-speed railways presents significant challenges, primarily due to structural complexity, stringent deformation tolerances, and intricate construction sequences. This paper presents a comprehensive construction control methodology developed and implemented for such bridges. Using a [...] Read more.

The construction of long-span continuous steel truss rail-cum-road bridges for high-speed railways presents significant challenges, primarily due to structural complexity, stringent deformation tolerances, and intricate construction sequences. This paper presents a comprehensive construction control methodology developed and implemented for such bridges. Using a real-world bridge project in China as a case study, the methodology integrates mechanical analysis of key construction stages, deformation prediction, real-time monitoring, and adjustment techniques. Furthermore, the application of machine learning (ML) for camber prediction is explored. Key findings indicate that the longitudinal displacement (X-direction) of the top chord at the upper-deck closure segment is highly sensitive to temperature variations, with a differential of about 10–12 mm observed under a 15 °C temperature change. Consequently, closure welding is recommended near the design reference temperature, with field measurements guiding final fit-up adjustments. A comparative analysis between ML predictions and theoretical methods for member elongation revealed that the Extra Trees (ET) model and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) model achieved excellent accuracy, with errors within 2 mm, demonstrating the feasibility of ML-based camber setting. The proposed integrated approach, combining finite element analysis, real-time monitoring, and detailed sensitivity analysis of closure accuracy, proves effective in ensuring structural safety and meeting precise alignment requirements, particularly for high-speed railway track. The findings offer valuable insights for the construction control of similar long-span steel truss rail-cum-road bridges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Experiment and Simulation Techniques in Engineering)

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13 pages, 2618 KB

Open AccessArticle

TIM-3 Promotes Proliferation of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Blasts

by Zong-Yan Shi, Kai Sun, Zhao-Yu Li, Dai-Hong Xie and Ya-Zhen Qin

Biomedicines 2025, 13(11), 2841; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13112841 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

Background: The immunocheckpoint TIM-3 is also expressed on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts. Its prognostic significance requires clarification through subgroup analysis, while its functional roles and underlying mechanisms remain to be further investigated. Methods: Expression of TIM-3 was assessed in fresh bone [...] Read more.

Background: The immunocheckpoint TIM-3 is also expressed on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts. Its prognostic significance requires clarification through subgroup analysis, while its functional roles and underlying mechanisms remain to be further investigated. Methods: Expression of TIM-3 was assessed in fresh bone marrow samples from 81 newly diagnosed patients with AML and 7 healthy donors using multi-color flow cytometry. TIM-3 overexpression was induced in Kasumi-1 and HL60 cell lines via lentiviral infection, and subsequent assays for cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, subcutaneous tumor formation, and Western blotting were performed. Sorted CD34⁺ cells from bone marrow mononuclear cells of 4 newly diagnosed AML patients were used for evaluating Ki67⁺ frequency with TIM-3 blocked or not. CD34⁺ cells from bone marrow mononuclear cells of other 4 newly diagnosed patients with AML were sorted into TIM-3⁺ and TIM-3⁻ cells and subjected to transcriptome sequencing. Results: High frequencies of CD34⁺TIM-3⁺ cells at diagnosis were related to high relapse rates in AML patients with t(8;21) (p = 0.025) but not in non-CBF-AML patients (p = 0.16). In vitro, TIM-3 upregulation in Kasumi-1 and HL60 cells enhanced cell proliferation (p = 0.002 and 0.013) and increased the S phase cell population (p = 0.006 and < 0.001), without affecting apoptosis (all p > 0.05). In vivo, TIM-3 upregulation promoted subcutaneous tumor formation in BALB/c nude mice, particularly in t(8;21) AML cells (p = 0.0068 and 0.045). In addition, blocking TIM-3 tended to decrease Ki-67⁺ frequency in CD34⁺ cells of AML patients (p = 0.058). KEGG enrichment analysis of transcriptome data revealed significant enrichment of cell cycle, with key genes including CDK1, CCNA2, CDCA5, AURKB, SGO1, TTK, TICRR, and NDC80 showing significantly higher expression in CD34⁺TIM-3⁺ cells compared to CD34⁺TIM-3⁻ cells. Notably, CDK1 and CCNA2, critical regulators of the cell cycle, were upregulated in TIM-3-overexpressing Kasumi-1 and HL60 cells. Conclusions: High TIM-3 expression in AML blasts at diagnosis is associated with relapse in the t(8;21) subtype. TIM-3 promotes AML blast proliferation by upregulating CDK1 and CCNA2, facilitating cell cycle entry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Cancer Biology and Oncology)

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15 pages, 1299 KB

Open AccessReview

Mechanisms of Intracranial Aneurysm Rupture: An Integrative Review of Experimental and Clinical Evidence

by Masahiko Itani and Tomohiro Aoki

J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(22), 8256; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14228256 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

Background: Intracranial aneurysm (IA) rupture is a devastating event in neurosurgery and a leading cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Although aneurysm size has been traditionally emphasized, recent research has highlighted multifactorial mechanisms involving hemodynamic stress, wall degeneration, inflammation, and genetic predisposition. Methods: [...] Read more.

Background: Intracranial aneurysm (IA) rupture is a devastating event in neurosurgery and a leading cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Although aneurysm size has been traditionally emphasized, recent research has highlighted multifactorial mechanisms involving hemodynamic stress, wall degeneration, inflammation, and genetic predisposition. Methods: Evidence from animal models, human pathological studies, computational fluid dynamics analyses, genetic association studies, and advanced imaging research was reviewed to provide an integrated view of rupture mechanisms. Results: Morphological and hemodynamic studies have shown that high aspect and size ratios, coupled with low wall shear stress and an elevated oscillatory shear index, contribute to focal wall weakening. Histopathological analyses of ruptured aneurysms consistently reveal endothelial loss, smooth-muscle-cell depletion, extracellular matrix degradation, and intense inflammatory cell infiltration, with patterns such as extremely thin, hypocellular, thrombosis-lined walls. Experimental studies have identified active inflammatory pathways, including neutrophil-driven cascades via CXCL1 signaling and complement C5a–C5aR1 activation, as direct triggers of wall failure. High-resolution vessel-wall magnetic resonance imaging correlates contrast enhancement with histological evidence of inflammation and neovascularization, suggesting its utility as a biomarker of instability. Conclusions: IA rupture is driven by a dynamic interplay between adverse hemodynamic environments, inflammatory degeneration, genetic susceptibility, and pathological vascular remodeling. Integrating these mechanistic insights may improve risk stratification and guide the development of targeted preventive strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intracranial Aneurysms: Diagnostics and Current Treatment)

20 pages, 666 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Market-Oriented Carbon Regulation on the High-Quality Development of the Manufacturing Industry—Based on Double Machine Learning

by Chunxin Lin, Keqiang Wang and Hongmei Liu

Sustainability 2025, 17(22), 10414; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172210414 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

Promoting high-quality development of the manufacturing industry is an important strategy for China’s economic transformation and upgrading, as well as the realization of sustainable development, and the manufacturing industry is also a critical field for environmental regulation. What impact does market-driven carbon regulation [...] Read more.

Promoting high-quality development of the manufacturing industry is an important strategy for China’s economic transformation and upgrading, as well as the realization of sustainable development, and the manufacturing industry is also a critical field for environmental regulation. What impact does market-driven carbon regulation have on the high-quality development of manufacturing firms? Taking the carbon emission trading pilot policy as a “quasi-natural experiment” of market-driven carbon regulation, this paper selects micro panel data from Chinese listed manufacturing enterprises spanning 2003 to 2021 and uses the double machine learning method to evaluate the effect of market-oriented carbon regulation on the high-quality development of the manufacturing industry. The study finds that the carbon emission trading pilot policy notably boosts the high-quality development of the manufacturing industry. Further mechanism analysis reveals that the policy has exerted a significant innovation effect, while the resource allocation effect is not yet significant. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the carbon emission trading pilot policy has a significant promotional effect on the high-quality development of the manufacturing industry in eastern and western regions, as well as state-owned and technology-intensive manufacturing industries. The research conclusions provide theoretical reference and practical insights for the construction of a national unified carbon market and the promotion of the green and low-carbon transformation of the manufacturing industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effectiveness Evaluation of Sustainable Climate Policies)

14 pages, 605 KB

Open AccessReview

Lacrimal Sac Tumors: A Histotype-Driven Literature Review

by Luca Giovanni Locatello, Enrico Redolfi De Zan, Riccardo Marzolino, Leigh J. Sowerby, Anna Tarantini, Paolo Lanzetta and Cesare Miani

Cancers 2025, 17(22), 3718; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17223718 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

Objectives: Because of their rarity, lacrimal sac tumors (LSTs) are challenging to diagnose and treat. We herein provide an overview of the recent literature. Methods: A scoping search of the Cochrane library, PubMed and Google Scholar database in the last 5 years was [...] Read more.

Objectives: Because of their rarity, lacrimal sac tumors (LSTs) are challenging to diagnose and treat. We herein provide an overview of the recent literature. Methods: A scoping search of the Cochrane library, PubMed and Google Scholar database in the last 5 years was conducted. Three independent reviewers extracted data, and the findings were summarized due to study heterogeneity. Results: A total of 55 articles were included. LST histology is diverse and there is no commonly accepted staging system. Recent discoveries in their biology are offering new treatment strategies but exclusive endoscopic resections remain feasible in only very limited cases of non-aggressive LSTs. Conclusion: LSTs require a high index of suspicion because of their rarity. A histotype-driven treatment plan must be carefully prepared, but complete excision remains the cornerstone of treatment in all cases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Personalizing Head and Neck Cancer Care)

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21 pages, 475 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Entertainment Media and Gender Norm Transformation Interventions for Young Women and Girls in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

by William Douglas Evans, Elizabeth A. Larson, Courtney J. McLarnon, Michael Hauer, Marian Marian, Sohail Agha, Rajiv Rimal, Beniamino Cislaghi, Elizabeth Costenbader, Amy Henderson Riley, Helen Wang, Sushmita Mukherjee, Sarah Smith, Claire Hunter Davis and Rebecka Lundgren

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(11), 1596; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15111596 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

Adolescent girls and young women are particularly vulnerable to the influence of social and gender norms. This systematic review builds on a broader review of social and gender norms interventions, with the overall aim of identifying and mapping empirical evidence on efforts to [...] Read more.

Adolescent girls and young women are particularly vulnerable to the influence of social and gender norms. This systematic review builds on a broader review of social and gender norms interventions, with the overall aim of identifying and mapping empirical evidence on efforts to improve health and livelihood outcomes of adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa. The review examines the strategies, methods, mechanisms of change, and research on the effectiveness of the interventions in the field. We conducted a systematic search of peer-reviewed literature using established PRISMA methods. The sample included 35 articles, which represented 24 distinct interventions—the unit of analysis for this systematic review—that spanned 15 countries across sub-Saharan Africa, with eleven in East Africa, six in West Africa, two in South Africa, and one in the Northern and Central regions. Interventions covered a wide range of outcomes, including sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, child early marriage, and other areas. The interventions generally served adolescents and young adults up to age 24. Evaluations included observational, quasi-experimental, and randomized controlled designs. Some interventions included social norms measures, and there was varying evidence of effectiveness (from emerging evidence to demonstrated effectiveness). This review suggests that entertainment media is an effective approach for shifting gender norms, attitudes, and behaviors among adolescent girls and young women. More rigorous intervention research is needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Cognition and Cooperative Behavior)

18 pages, 1413 KB

Open AccessArticle

Time-Dependent Changes in Salivary Antioxidants After 5-ALA Photodynamic Therapy vs. Clobetasol in Oral Lichen Planus: A Randomized Clinical Trial

by Patryk Wiśniewski, Magdalena Sulewska, Jagoda Tomaszuk, Anna Zalewska, Sara Zięba, Aleksandra Pietruska, Emilia Szymańska, Katarzyna Winnicka, Mateusz Maciejczyk, Małgorzata Żendzian-Piotrowska and Małgorzata Pietruska

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(22), 11232; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262211232 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

In this randomized clinical trial, we compared the effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) and topical clobetasol on the salivary antioxidant profile in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) and explored their relationships with clinical outcomes. Ninety adults with OLP were randomly [...] Read more.

In this randomized clinical trial, we compared the effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) and topical clobetasol on the salivary antioxidant profile in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) and explored their relationships with clinical outcomes. Ninety adults with OLP were randomly allocated to ALA-PDT (five weekly sessions) or clobetasol (twice daily for 14 days). Unstimulated whole saliva was collected at baseline (T0), immediately after treatment (T1), and at 3 (T3) and 6 months (T6). The activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (Px) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were determined, and nonparametric statistics were applied, including Friedman tests with Dunn’s post hoc comparisons and Spearman’s rank correlations. Both therapies induced an early decline in CAT, Px and GSH at T1, followed by partial recovery at later time points. SOD activity changed significantly over time in the clobetasol group, but not in the PDT arm. At T6, Px and GSH remained below baseline in both groups despite improvement from the immediate post-treatment nadir. No significant between-group differences were observed at individual time points, although GSH at T6 showed a non-significant trend favoring PDT. Exploratory analyses revealed modest, treatment-dependent associations between salivary antioxidant activity and lesion size, as well as between the former and pain intensity. Overall, ALA-PDT and topical clobetasol both modulated the salivary redox profile, primarily through short-term depletion of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants with incomplete recovery over 6 months, and no clear redox superiority of one modality over the other was demonstrated. These findings are hypothesis-generating and underscore the need for larger, longer-term studies with broader redox panels and more advanced between-group analyses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Innovations in Oral Diseases)

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25 pages, 4577 KB

Open AccessArticle

FP-ZOO: Fast Patch-Based Zeroth Order Optimization for Black-Box Adversarial Attacks on Vision Models

by Junho Seo and Seungho Jeon

Sensors 2025, 25(22), 7093; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25227093 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

Deep neural networks have outperformed conventional methods in various fields such as image recognition, natural language processing, and speech recognition. In particular, vision models are widely applied to real-world domains including medical image analysis, autonomous driving, smart factories, and security surveillance. However, these [...] Read more.

Deep neural networks have outperformed conventional methods in various fields such as image recognition, natural language processing, and speech recognition. In particular, vision models are widely applied to real-world domains including medical image analysis, autonomous driving, smart factories, and security surveillance. However, these models are vulnerable to adversarial attacks, which pose serious threats to safety and reliability. Among different attack types, this study focuses on evasion attacks that perturb the inputs of deployed models, with an emphasis on black-box settings. The zeroth order optimization (ZOO) attack can approximate gradients and execute attacks without access to internal model information, but it becomes inefficient and exhibits low success rates on high-resolution images due to its dependence on image resizing and its high memory complexity. To address these limitations, this study proposes a patch-based fast zeroth order optimization attack, FP-ZOO. FP-ZOO partitions images into patches and generates perturbations effectively by employing probability-based sampling and an

ϵ

-greedy scheduling strategy. We conducted a large-scale evaluation of the FP-ZOO attack on the CIFAR-10, CIFAR-100, and ImageNet datasets. In this evaluation, we adopted attack success rate,

L_{2}

distance, and adversarial example generation time as performance metrics. The evaluation results showed that the FP-ZOO attack not only achieved an attack success rate of 97–100% against ImageNet in untargeted attacks, but also demonstrated performance up to 10 s faster compared to the ZOO attack. However, in targeted attacks, it showed relatively lower performance compared to baseline attacks, leaving it as a future research topic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cyber Security and AI—2nd Edition)

16 pages, 2890 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Ragweed Finder: A Citizen-Science Project to Inform Pollen Allergy Sufferers About Ambrosia artemisiifolia Populations in Austria

by Lukas Dirr, Katharina Bastl, Maximilian Bastl, Uwe Edwin Berger, Johannes Martin Bouchal, Andreja Kofol Seliger, Donát Magyar, Jana Ščevková, Tamás Szigeti and Friðgeir Grímsson

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(22), 12333; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152212333 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

Ambrosia artemisiifolia (ragweed) is a highly invasive species that produces large amounts of allergenic pollen. This poses a serious health risk to allergy sufferers. The “Ragweed Finder” is an Austrian citizen science platform (website and app) that enables the public to report occurrences of [...] Read more.

Ambrosia artemisiifolia (ragweed) is a highly invasive species that produces large amounts of allergenic pollen. This poses a serious health risk to allergy sufferers. The “Ragweed Finder” is an Austrian citizen science platform (website and app) that enables the public to report occurrences of ragweed, which are then verified by experts. Over 90% of reports are confirmed as positive, with most originating from eastern Austria, where ragweed is widespread. The number of reports has generally increased over time, except in 2020 during the pandemic. Report frequency does not directly correlate with daily pollen concentrations, but peaks before and during pollen season. Most observations occur along traffic routes, likely due to seed dispersal by vehicle airflow or easier accessibility for users. Verified observations are displayed on an interactive map, helping allergy sufferers to avoid exposure and informing local authorities of the need for targeted control actions. The data are also used to raise awareness among policymakers and help to enact the first law for the control and prevention of ragweed in Burgenland (Austria), in 2021: the “Burgenland Ragweed Control Act”. This demonstrates the success of the “Ragweed Finder” as an important tool for monitoring this invasive species in Austria. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sciences)

26 pages, 934 KB

Open AccessArticle

Digital Technologies Selection for Sustainable Urban Logistics in Last-Mile Delivery Under Conditions of Uncertainty

by Adis Puška, Radovan Dragić, Nedeljko Prdić, Đorđe Ćosić, Nataša Novaković Božić and Anđelka Štilić

Sustainability 2025, 17(22), 10413; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172210413 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

In this research, the impact of applications on improving urban logistics was examined using the example of the company EX, with an emphasis on the sustainability of its business. To conduct this research, expert decision-making was used. The model used ten criteria and [...] Read more.

In this research, the impact of applications on improving urban logistics was examined using the example of the company EX, with an emphasis on the sustainability of its business. To conduct this research, expert decision-making was used. The model used ten criteria and eight applications. To incorporate uncertainty into this research, an intuitionistic fuzzy approach was used. Based on the obtained CC values, the criteria weights were determined using the SiWeC (Simple Weight Calculation) method, while the WASPAS (Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment) method ranked the applications. The results showed that “Security and data protection” and “System reliability and stability” were the most important criteria, while Application 1 achieved the best results. These results were confirmed by the consistency analysis of the WASPAS method and the sensitivity analysis, which considered 30 scenarios. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Logistics for Tomorrow: Navigating the Future of Sustainable Distribution)

12 pages, 363 KB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Hypnosis and Acupuncture on Perioperative Complications

by Jasmina Markovič-Božič, Meta Gradišar, Mihela Petovar, Polona Mušič, Nina Pirc, Joseph Meyerson, Maks Tušak, Andrej Lapoša, Matej Tušak and Alenka Spindler-Vesel

Healthcare 2025, 13(22), 2992; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13222992 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

Background: This randomised, single-centre study and original research manuscript aimed to evaluate whether perioperative hypnosis and acupuncture can reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), opioid use, and other complications in spinal surgery compared to standard pharmacological management. Methods: In total, 60 [...] Read more.

Background: This randomised, single-centre study and original research manuscript aimed to evaluate whether perioperative hypnosis and acupuncture can reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), opioid use, and other complications in spinal surgery compared to standard pharmacological management. Methods: In total, 60 patients undergoing spinal surgery were divided into three groups regarding antiemetic prevention: Hypnosis and acupuncture (HG), hypnosis, acupuncture, and antiemetic (HAG), and standard control with antiemetic (CG). Hypnosis was performed one day before surgery, or patients received premedication with midazolam on the day of surgery. Anaesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol and remifentanil. Acupuncture was performed bilaterally at points LI4 and PC6 after induction of anaesthesia. Postoperatively, the consumption of opioids and antiemetics, satisfaction and well-being, length of stay and complications were recorded. Results: In all groups, additional opioids were administered in the first hour after surgery (p = 0.4). In the ICU, only one patient in the HAG and two patients in the CG and HG required additional analgesics (p = 0.8). Overall satisfaction (9/9/0 vs. 10/6/4 vs. 9/7/3; p = 0.4) and well-being scores (10/8/0 vs. 13/5/2 vs. 13/5/1; p = 0.5) were high across all groups, with no significant differences. Two patients in CG experienced mild complications. The length of hospitalisation was similar (3 days in CG vs. 4 days in HAG and HG (p = 0.7). Only one patient in the HG required antiemetics; none were needed in CG or HAG (p = 0.4). Conclusions: Within the constraints of this exploratory single-centre trial, hypnosis appeared to provide anxiolytic benefits comparable to benzodiazepines, and intraoperative acupuncture did not increase PONV despite reduced pharmacological prophylaxis. No significant differences were detected in opioid and antiemetic consumption. Larger, adequately powered studies are needed to confirm these findings and optimise the timing and modality of non-pharmacological interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Hypnosis: Advancing Integrative Approaches in Modern Healthcare)

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14 pages, 3589 KB

Open AccessArticle

Algorithm-Guided Management of Thumb Amputation: A 20-Year Retrospective Review and Outcome Analysis

by Maja Smorąg, Piotr Węgrzyn, Marta Jagosz, Michał Chęciński, Szymon Manasterski, Jędrzej Króliński, Marcin Syrko, Patryk Ostrowski, Katarzyna Kościelska-Kasprzak, Dorota Kamińska and Ahmed Elsaftawy

J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(22), 8250; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14228250 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

Background: The thumb accounts for 40–50% of hand function. Traumatic amputation of the thumb results in significant disability and necessitates a structured approach to management. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 144 patients treated for thumb amputations between 2004 and 2025 at [...] Read more.

Background: The thumb accounts for 40–50% of hand function. Traumatic amputation of the thumb results in significant disability and necessitates a structured approach to management. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 144 patients treated for thumb amputations between 2004 and 2025 at a specialist hand surgery unit. Over 21 years, an institutional algorithm was developed and refined to guide treatment decisions based on amputation level, injury mechanism and patient factors. Results: Out of the 144 cases, 118 patients underwent replantation, achieving an 82% success rate. Alternative reconstructive procedures included toe-to-thumb transfers (eight cases), index finger pollicisation (six cases) and fourth finger pollicisation (five cases). Functional outcomes showed that 90% of patients returned to work, 83% regained temperature and touch sensation, and 94% could lift a 0.5 L bottle. Conclusions: Implementing a structured treatment algorithm facilitates personalised care and leads to favourable functional outcomes in patients with traumatic thumb amputations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery/Aesthetic Medicine)

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32 pages, 4453 KB

Open AccessReview

Are Image-Based Deep Learning Algorithms of Kidney Volume in Polycystic Kidney Disease Ready for Clinical Deployment? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Emil Colliander, Sebastian Tupper, Mira Lansner Kielberg, Marie Louise Liu, Enrique Almar-Munoz, Agnes Mayr and Rebeca Mirón Mombiela

J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(22), 8255; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14228255 (registering DOI) - 20 Nov 2025

Abstract

Objectives: In patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), total kidney volume (TKV) is the gold standard biomarker for assessing the risk of progression and the need for drug therapy. However, it is a time-consuming process. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, [...] Read more.

Objectives: In patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), total kidney volume (TKV) is the gold standard biomarker for assessing the risk of progression and the need for drug therapy. However, it is a time-consuming process. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we evaluate the current state of deep learning (DL) algorithms for automatic kidney volume segmentation. Methods: All original research, including the search terms ADPKD, diagnostic imaging, DL, and TKV, was identified in PubMed, Embase, and Ovid MEDLINE databases from January 2000 to 13 October 2024. Articles with insufficient information to assess methodological quality were excluded. Quality was assessed using the “Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies, Version 2” (QUADAS-2) and Checklist for Artificial Intelligence in Medical Imaging (CLAIM) tools. We focused on the Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC), bias differences, and time efficiency as outcomes. Results: Nineteen studies were included, with an overall low risk of bias; however, the mean adherence to the CLAIM checklist was 64%. The pooled DSC under the random-effects model was

0.953

(95% CI:

0.938 - 0.969

) with relatively low bias for TKV in 5622 ADPKD patients (mean age, 46.1 years; 45% male) and 9180 scans (79% MRI). The average segmentation time was decreased by 75% compared to the ground truth. Performance differences were evident among imaging modalities, MRI sequences, and 3D vs. 2D models, but not among imaging planes. The between-study heterogeneity was low (

I^{2} = 0 %

), and no statistically significant evidence of small-study effects or publication bias was detected. Conclusions: DL models for TKV in ADPKD patients demonstrated high precision compared to manual segmentation in a large, pooled sample with heterogeneous study designs and methods. While clinical implementation is not yet feasible, the current work demonstrates the technical and diagnostic efficacy of image-based DL segmentation models. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Nephrology & Urology)

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