Search Results (1,427)

Background: Depression, a major global health issue, is commonly treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Given the link between depression and inflammation, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may have adjunctive benefits. Clinically, SSRIs and NSAIDs are often co-prescribed for comorbid pain or inflammatory conditions. However, both drug classes pose risks of adverse effects, and their interaction may lead to clinically significant drug–drug interactions. Objectives: This study analyzed FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) data (2004–2024) to assess gastrointestinal bleeding, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury (AKI) potential risks linked to SSRIs (citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, fluvoxamine, and sertraline) and NSAIDs (propionic/acetic/enolic acid derivatives, COX-2 inhibitors) in depression patients, alone and combined. Methods: Disproportionality analysis (crude reporting odds ratios, cROR) identified possible associations; drug interactions were evaluated using Ω shrinkage, additive, multiplicative, and combination risk ratio (CRR) models. Results: Gastrointestinal bleeding risk was potentially elevated with citalopram (cROR = 2.81), escitalopram (2.27), paroxetine (2.17), fluvoxamine (3.58), sertraline (1.69), and propionic acid NSAIDs (3.17). Thrombocytopenia showed a potential correlation with fluoxetine (2.11) and paroxetine (2.68). AKI risk may be increased with citalopram (1.39), escitalopram (1.36), fluvoxamine (3.24), and COX-2 inhibitors (2.24). DDI signal analysis suggested that citalopram in combination with propionic acid derivatives (additive model = 0.01, multiplicative model = 1.14, and CRR = 3.13) might increase the risk of bleeding. Paroxetine combined with NSAIDs (additive model = 0.014, multiplicative model = 2.65, and CRR = 2.99) could potentially increase the risk of thrombocytopenia. Sertraline combined with NSAIDs (Ω₀₂₅ = 0.94, multiplicative model = 2.14) might be associated with an increasing risk of AKI. Citalopram combined with propionic acid derivatives (Ω₀₂₅ = 1.08, multiplicative model = 2.17, and CRR = 2.42) could be associated with an increased risk of acute kidney injury. Conclusions: Certain combinations of SSRIs and NSAIDs might further elevate these risks of gastrointestinal bleeding, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury in patients with depression. Given the potential drug–drug interactions, heightened clinical vigilance is advised when prescribing SSRIs and NSAIDs in combination to patients with depression. Full article

Multibeam echosounder systems (MBESs) are widely used in unmanned surface vehicle swarms (USVs) to perform various marine bathymetry surveys because of their excellent performance. To address the challenges of systematic error superposition and edge beam error propagation in multibeam bathymetry surveying, this study proposes a novel error adjustment method integrating crossover error density clustering and beam incident angle (BIA) compensation. Firstly, a bathymetry error detection model was developed based on adaptive Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN). By optimizing the neighborhood radius and minimum sample threshold through analyzing sliding-window curvature, the method achieved the automatic identification of outliers, reducing crossover discrepancies from ±150 m to ±50 m in the deep sea at a depth of approximately 5000 m. Secondly, an asymmetric quadratic surface correction model was established by incorporating the BIA as a key parameter. A dynamic weight matrix ω = 1/(1 + 0.5θ²) was introduced to suppress edge beam errors, combined with Tikhonov regularization to resolve ill-posed matrix issues. Experimental validation in the Western Pacific demonstrated that the RMSE of crossover points decreased by about 30.4% and the MAE was reduced by 57.3%. The proposed method effectively corrects residual systematic errors while maintaining topographic authenticity, providing a reference for improving the quality of multibeam bathymetric data obtained via USVs and enhancing measurement efficiency. Full article

Background and Objective: Obesity is currently one of the major challenges in medicine. Research indicates that assessing eating habits can contribute significantly to the development of more effective treatment. This study aims to validate the Eating Behaviors Assessment for Obesity (EBA-O) in a sample of Spanish adults with overweight or obesity. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 384 participants. To evaluate the structure, reliability, and measurement invariance of the Spanish EBA-O, we conducted a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), calculated McDonald’s omega for reliability, and carried out a hierarchical sequence of multigroup CFAs. Two-way MANOVA was used to assess the effects of sex and body mass index (BMI) categories on EBA-O scores. Results: CFA supported a second-order five-factor structure for the EBA-O, demonstrating excellent fit indices. It respected the configural, metric, and scalar invariance. The Spanish version of the EBA-O exhibited significant correlations with measures of binge eating, food addiction, and eating disorder psychopathology. Internal consistency was high (ω = 0.80). Significant effects of sex and BMI were observed across EBA-O subscales. Conclusions: The EBA-O appears to be a valid, reliable, and easy-to-use instrument for assessing eating behaviors among Spanish-speaking individuals with overweight or obesity. Its strong psychometric properties support its use in both clinical settings and research, enhancing the development of tailored interventions for this population. Full article

In this paper, a series of polyaniline (PANI)/Ti₃C₂ MXene composites (PMCs) with a biomimetic structure were prepared and employed as an anticorrosion coating application. First, the PANI was synthesized by oxidative polymerization with ammonium persulfate as the oxidant. Then, 2D Ti₃C₂ MXene nanosheets were prepared by treating the Ti₃AlC₂ using the optimized minimally intensive layer delamination (MILD) method, followed by characterization via XRD and SEM. Subsequently, the PMC was prepared by the oxidative polymerization of aniline monomers in the presence of Ti₃C₂ MXene nanosheets, followed by characterization via FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, CV, and UV–Visible. Eventually, the PMC coatings with the artificial biomimetic surface structure of a macaw feather were prepared by the nano-casting technique. The corrosion resistance of the PMC coatings, evaluated via Tafel polarization and Nyquist impedance measurements, shows that increasing the MXene loading up to 5 wt % shifts the corrosion potential (E_corr) on steel from −588 mV to −356 mV vs. SCE, reduces the corrosion current density (I_corr) from 1.09 µA/cm² to 0.035 µA/cm², and raises the impedance modulus at 0.01 Hz from 67 kΩ to 3794 kΩ. When structured with the hierarchical feather topography, the PMC coating (Bio-PA-MX-5) further advances the E_corr to +103.6 mV, lowers the I_corr to 7.22 × 10⁻⁴ µA/cm², and boosts the impedance to 96,875 kΩ. Compared to neat coatings without biomimetic structuring, those with engineered biomimetic surfaces showed significantly improved corrosion protection performance. These enhancements arise from three synergistic mechanisms: (i) polyaniline’s redox catalysis accelerates the formation of a dense passive oxide layer; (ii) MXene nanosheets create a tortuous gas barrier that cuts the oxygen permeability from 11.3 Barrer to 0.9 Barrer; and (iii) the biomimetic surface traps air pockets, raising the water contact angle from 87° to 135°. This integrated approach delivers one of the highest combined corrosion potentials and impedance values reported for thin-film coatings, pointing to a general strategy for durable steel protection. Full article

Under the trend of lightweight and high-efficiency development in industrial equipment, precise regulation of lubrication in gear reducers is a key breakthrough for enhancing transmission system efficiency and reliability. This study establishes a three-dimensional numerical model for high-speed gear jet lubrication using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and dynamic mesh technology. By implementing the volume of fluid (VOF) multiphase flow model and the standard k-ω turbulence model, the study simulates the dynamic distribution of lubricant in gear meshing zones and analyzes critical parameters such as the oil volume fraction, eddy viscosity, and turbulent kinetic energy. The results show that reducing the oil injection distance significantly enhances lubricant coverage and continuity: as the injection distance increases from 4.8 mm to 24 mm, the lubricant shifts from discrete droplets to a dense wedge-shaped film, mitigating lubrication failure risks from secondary atomization and energy loss. The optimized injection distance also improves the spatial stability of eddy viscosity and suppresses excessive dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy, enhancing both the shear-load capacity and thermal management. Dynamic data from monitoring point P show that reducing the injection distance stabilizes lubricant velocity and promotes more consistent oil film formation and heat transfer. Through multiphysics simulations and parametric analysis, this study elucidates the interaction between geometric parameters and hydrodynamic behaviors in jet lubrication systems. The findings provide quantitative evaluation methods for structural optimization and energy control in gear lubrication systems, offering theoretical insights for thermal management and reliability enhancement in high-speed transmission. These results contribute to the lightweight design and sustainable development of industrial equipment. Full article

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by restricted social communication and repetitive behaviors. Prenatal stress is critical in neurodevelopment and increases risk for ASD, particularly in those with greater genetic susceptibility to stress. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is one of the most abundant ω-3 fatty acids in the membrane phospholipids of the mammalian brain, and dietary DHA plays an important role in brain development and maintenance of brain structure. In this study, we investigated whether peri-natal supplementation of DHA can alleviate autistic-like behaviors in a genetic risk/stress mouse model and how it alters lipid peroxidation activity and GABAergic system gene expression in the forebrain. Pregnant heterozygous serotonin transporter knockout (SERT-KO) and wild-type (WT) dams were placed in either non-stressed control conditions or chronic variable stress (CVS) conditions and fed either a control diet or a DHA-rich (1% by weight) diet. Offspring of each group were assessed for anxiety and autism-associated behavior at post-natal day 60 using an open field test, elevated plus maze test, repetitive behavior, and the 3-chamber social approach test. A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based method was used to follow changes in levels of lipid peroxidation products in the cerebral cortex. Male offspring of prenatally stressed SERT-het KO dams exhibited decreased social preference behaviors and increased repetitive grooming behaviors compared to WT control offspring. Moreover, DHA supplementation in male SERT-het mice decreased frequency of grooming behaviors albeit showing no associated effects on social behaviors. Regardless of stress conditions, supplementation of DHA to the WT mice did not result in alterations in grooming nor social interaction in the offspring. Furthermore, no apparent changes were observed in the lipid peroxidation products comparing the stressed and non-stressed brains. Gad2 was downregulated in the cortex of female offspring of prenatally stressed SERT-KO dams, and this change appeared to be rescued by DHA supplementation in offspring. Gad2 was upregulated in the striatum of male offspring of prenatally stressed SERT-KO dams, but DHA did not significantly alter the expression compared to the control diet condition. Full article

The ongoing efforts to convert High-Performance Research Reactors (HPRRs) using Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) to Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) fuel require reliable thermal–hydraulic assessments of modified core designs. The involute-shaped fuel plates used in several major HPRRs present unique modeling challenges due to their compact core geometries and high heat flux conditions. This study evaluates the capability of three commercial CFD tools, STAR-CCM+, COMSOL, and ANSYS CFX, to predict cladding-to-coolant heat transfer using Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) methods within the thermal–hydraulic regimes of involute-shaped plate reactors. Broad sensitivity analysis was conducted across a range of reactor-relevant parameters using two turbulence models ($k-ϵ$ and $k-\omega$ SST) and different near-wall treatment strategies. The results were benchmarked against the Sieder–Tate correlation and experimental data from historic studies. The codes produced consistent results, showing good agreement with the empirical correlation of Sieder–Tate and the experimental measurements. The findings support the use of these commercial CFD codes as effective tools for assessing the thermal–hydraulic performance of involute-shaped plate HPRRs and guide future LEU core development. Full article

Background/Objectives: Neuropsychological assessment tools adapted for digital formats are crucial to expanding access and improving cognitive evaluation in post-stroke patients. This study aimed to examine the reliability, convergent validity, and criterion-related validity (concurrent and known-groups) of TRIACOG-Online, a computerized cognitive screening tool designed to assess multiple domains in post-stroke adults in person or remotely. Methods: 98 participants (47 neurologically healthy adults and 51 post-stroke patients) completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Mini-Mental State Examination—MMSE, G-38—Nonverbal Intelligence Test, and the TRIACOG-Online assessment. Evaluations were conducted in person, computer mediated. Results: TRIACOG-Online demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.872; McDonald’s ω = 0.923). Statistically significant differences were found between groups in episodic memory, attention, executive functions, and numerical processing, with healthy individuals outperforming post-stroke participants. Effect sizes were medium to large in several domains, especially for visual memory. Validity evidence based on the relationship with external variables was supported by negative correlations with age and positive correlations with education and reading and writing habits, particularly in the clinical group. Educational level showed stronger associations with verbal memory and language, suggesting a protective role in post-stroke cognitive performance. TRIACOG-Online scores demonstrated evidence of convergent validity with MMSE and G-38. Conclusions: TRIACOG-Online shows strong psychometric properties for the cognitive assessment of post-stroke adults. Its computerized format represents a promising tool for clinical and research use in neuropsychology, especially for bedside applications. Full article

This paper presents a co-design approach for a microwave amplifier–phase shifter that integrates an arbitrary termination impedance reflection-type phase shifter as the input matching network of a microwave transistor. Since the proposed reflection-type phase shifter input matching network is capable of transforming both real and/or complex impedances to a system impedance of 50 Ω, the co-design approach can directly match the optimum source impedance of the microwave transistor to 50 Ω through a reflection-type phase shifter input matching network. To validate the proposed method, prototypes of microwave amplifier–phase shifters with different input matching networks configurations are designed, fabricated, and measured with a center frequency of 2.45 GHz. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed co-design microwave amplifier–phase shifter achieves improved electrical performances compared to the conventional approach, where a 50-to-50 Ω termination impedance phase shifter is cascaded with a 50-to-50 Ω termination impedance conventional microwave amplifier. Measurement results demonstrate that the gains of a standalone conventional microwave amplifier, a cascaded phase shifter with a conventional microwave amplifier, and the proposed co-design microwave amplifier–phase shifter are 14.13 dB, 13.28 dB, and 13.74 dB, while the 1 dB compression points are 25.72 dBm, 24.77 dBm, and 25.26 dBm, respectively. Within the 200 MHz bandwidth, the proposed co-design microwave amplifier–phase shifter exhibits a maximum phase shift range of 185.62° and a phase deviation error of ±4.3°. The circuit size of the co-designed microwave amplifier–phase shifter is 38.5% smaller than the conventional cascaded phase shifter with a conventional microwave amplifier. Full article

Background: Over the last 30 years, stress and anxiety in children have risen exponentially, especially as a result of school expectations. As no studies have examined the effect of increased outdoor recess on children’s chronic stress levels, this preliminary work focused on comparing hair cortisol concentration (HCC) scores of elementary children who received varied amounts of daily recess. Methods: HCC scores were collected from 4th grade elementary children (N = 130) from three intervention schools (45 min daily recess) (N = 64; M = 35; F = 29) and three control schools (30 min daily recess) (N = 66; M = 31; F = 35). Results: A two-way ANOVA, F(1, 123) = 5.47, p = 0.021, ω² = 0.034, showed that the intervention group reflected lower HCC levels (marginal M = 5.69, 95% CI [−1.92, 13.30]) than the control group (marginal M = 18.22, 95% CI [10.83, 25.61]). Post hoc analysis revealed an estimated marginal mean difference of −12.53 (SE = 5.36, p = 0.021). Sample t-tests compared HCC levels against the pre-COVID normative value of 7.5 pg/mg. The intervention group HCC mean (M = 5.85, SD = 6.26) was significantly lower than the normative value, t(61) = −2.08, p = 0.042. The control group’s mean HCC (M = 18.22, SD = 41.39) was significantly higher than the normative value, t(64) = 2.09, p = 0.041. Conclusions: Increasing daily recess may contribute to lower chronic stress levels among 4th grade children. With obesity and mental health disorders on the rise and American students’ academic performance on the decline, these pilot results cannot be overlooked or dismissed. Full article

This paper introduces novel, non-classical Julia and Mandelbrot sets using the Jungck–Noor iterative method with s-convexity, and derives an escape criterion for higher-order complex polynomials of the form $z^n+\Im z^3-\Re z+\omega$, where $n\ge 4$ and $\Im ,\Re ,\omega \in \mathbb{C}$. The proposed method advances existing algorithms, enabling the visualization of intricate fractal patterns as Julia and Mandelbrot sets with enhanced complexity. Through graphical representations, we illustrate how parameter variations influence the color, size, and shape of the resulting images, producing visually striking and aesthetically appealing fractals. Furthermore, we explore the dynamic behavior of these sets under fixed input parameters while varying the degree n. The presented results, both methodologically and visually, offer new insights into fractal geometry and inspire further research. Full article

Transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) are essential components in modern optoelectronic devices, including organic light-emitting diodes and solar cells, sensors, and flexible displays. Indium tin oxide has been the dominant material for TCEs due to its high transparency and conductivity. However, its brittleness, high cost, and increasingly limited availability pose significant challenges for electronics. Crack-template (CT)-assisted fabrication has emerged as a promising technique to develop metal mesh-based TCEs with superior mechanical flexibility, high conductivity, and excellent optical transmittance. This technique leverages the spontaneous formation of random and continuous microcrack networks in sacrificial templates, followed by metal deposition (e.g., Cu, Ag, Al, etc.), to produce highly conductive, scalable, and low-cost electrodes. Various crack formation strategies, including controlled drying of polymer suspensions, mechanical strain engineering, and thermal processing, have been explored to tailor electrode properties. Recent studies have demonstrated that crack-templated TCEs can achieve transmittance values exceeding 85% and sheet resistances below 10 Ω/sq, with mesh line widths as low as ~40 nm. Moreover, these electrodes exhibit enhanced stretchability and robustness under mechanical deformation, outperforming ITO in bend and fatigue tests. This review aims to explore recent advancements in CT engineering, highlighting key fabrication methods, performance metrics across different metals and substrates, and presenting examples of its applications in optoelectronic devices. Additionally, it will examine current challenges and future prospects for the widespread adoption of this emerging technology. Full article

Background/Objectives: Studies demonstrate better health outcomes for infants consuming milk with higher concentrations of ω3 (ALA and DHA) and negative health outcomes associated with higher ω6 (LA and AA) PUFAs. We studied the relationship between maternal BMI and PUFA levels in maternal plasma and breast milk. Methods: Women at 7–8 weeks postpartum were grouped according to normal BMI (18–24.9 kg/m²) and overweight/obese (OW/OB; ≥25 kg/m²). Maternal blood and continuous breast milk samples obtained from foremilk to hindmilk were analyzed for lipidomics. Results: The plasma levels of ω3 and ω6 PUFA were significantly lower in OW/OB subjects, with a total ω3 and ω6 FA level of 50% for women with normal BMI. Conversely, breastmilk levels of total ω3 and ω6, including their respective precursors of LCFAs (ALA and LA), were significantly increased in both foremilk and hindmilk samples of OW/OB. Despite this, DHA (ω3 PUFA) levels in OW/OB women were similar in foremilk and significantly decreased in hindmilk samples as compared to normal BMI women. Consequently, the ratio of DHA/Total ω3 significantly decreased in foremilk and hindmilk samples of OW/OB women. However, proinflammatory AA (ω6 PUFA) levels increased, resulting in an increased ratio of AA/DHA in OW/OB women. Breast milk DHA was positively correlated, whereas AA was negatively correlated with maternal plasma. Conclusions: Marked differences in maternal plasma and breast milk ω3 and ω6 FA concentrations among women with OW/OB indicate significant differences in nutritional exposures for their infants. Reduced milk DHA may be a consequence of reduced mammary peroxisomal conversion of ALA to DHA due to increased insulin/reactive species within the maternal obese environment. The imbalance of ω3 and ω6 FAs suggests that DHA supplementation and approaches to limit plasma to breast milk AA transfer in OW/OB subjects may be of value. Full article

Cervical cancer (CC) remains a critical global health issue which disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries. In Chile, the Arica and Parinacota region experiences high CC mortality and low Papanicolaou (Pap) test coverage, with indigenous Aymara women facing significant screening barriers. Understanding health beliefs surrounding CC prevention is essential for improving adherence, particularly in under-represented populations. This study assesses the psychometric properties of the CPC-28, an instrument measuring beliefs about CC and Pap testing, among Aymara women in Chile. A cross-sectional survey of 299 Aymara women (25–64) was conducted using stratified probabilistic sampling. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed the CPC-28’s six-factor latent structure, demonstrating strong model fit (CFI = 0.969, TLI = 0.965, RMSEA = 0.058). Reliability indices ranged from acceptable to excellent (α = 0.585–0.921; ω = 0.660–0.923). Moderate correlations emerged between severity, susceptibility, and perceived benefits of Pap testing, although CPC-28 results did not predict adherence. These findings support CPC-28’s validity evidence for Aymara women but highlight cultural influences on screening behaviors. Structural barriers, including language and healthcare inaccessibility, are likely to affect perceived susceptibility. Future research should explore indigenous perspectives and socio-cultural determinants of Pap testing, incorporating mixed-method approaches to identify culturally relevant interventions and improve screening adherence. Full article

In the field of agriculture, various types of pesticides are used to control crop pests. These chemical agents are applied using nozzles with different geometries. Regardless of their configuration and operational liquid parameters, the applied liquid jet encounters issues with wind drift and penetration efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize the spraying process. In this study, 3D numerical calculations were performed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). A two-phase flow model based on the volume of fluid (VOF) method was used to simulate the mixing of water and air. The k-ω SST turbulence model was adopted to capture vortex phenomena. A hollow cone nozzle geometry, commonly used in orchards, was selected. Simulations allowed the analysis of pressure, velocity, and turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) in selected cross-sections. Results show that the maximum velocity of the liquid jet at the nozzle outlet exceeded 23 m/s, with the highest TKE reaching 35 m²/s² in the vortex chamber. The computed spray cone angle was approximately 88°, while the experimental value was 80°, and the simulated mass flow rate differed by 16.7% from the measured reference. The critical flow region was identified between the vortex insert and the ceramic stem, where the highest gradients of pressure and velocity were observed. Full article