Search Results (47,030)

High-chromium cast iron is widely used in cement, mining and metallurgy, but its as-cast state has defects such as coarse carbides, uneven distribution and severe elemental segregation, resulting in insufficient toughness and poor wear stability. Taking Cr20 type high-chromium cast iron as the research object, two sample groups (without/with La) were designed. XRD, OM, SEM, EDS, mechanical property tests and impact wear experiments were used to study the effects of La addition and different quenching temperatures (900 °C, 950 °C, 1000 °C, 1050 °C) on its properties. The results show that La does not change the phase composition but refines carbides, alleviates segregation and promotes secondary carbide precipitation. Suitable heat treatment enhances properties, while excessive temperature (1050 °C) causes performance degradation. Sample 2 (with La, quenched at 1000 °C) has the optimal comprehensive properties, with superior hardness, impact energy and wear resistance. This study provides an experimental basis and technical reference for optimizing high-chromium cast iron properties. Full article

Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) is a non-selective cation channel, and its activator, the alcohol breakdown product acetaldehyde, plays a key role in the pathomechanism of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). We hypothesized that TRPA1 is expressed in the liver, can be activated by alcohol breakdown products, and plays a role in ALD. We aimed (1) to confirm the presence of TRPA1 in liver samples from C57BL6/J mice by RNAscope in situ hybridization combined with immunostaining, (2) to prove that alcohol breakdown products may activate human TRPA1 by calcium-imaging, and (3) to investigate the role of TRPA1 in a chronic continuous 20% alcohol drinking model involving Trpa1 gene-deficient (KO) mice. The liver enzyme levels were evaluated; moreover, the steatosis, portal and interface inflammatory infiltrations were assessed in PAS–hematoxylin-stained sections. We detected Trpa1 expression in both hepatocytes and liver macrophages. We observed elevated liver enzyme levels in wild-type mice. Significant inflammatory infiltration and steatosis developed in both WT and KO mice in response to alcohol; however, no significant differences were found between the genotypes. We conclude that Trpa1 is expressed in hepatocytes and liver macrophages; however, the chronic alcohol-induced steatosis and inflammatory infiltration develop through a TRPA1-independent mechanism. Full article

Remote photoplethysmography (rPPG) enables contactless estimation of cardiovascular signals from video, but most existing studies assume a fixed, stationary camera. This study investigates the feasibility of performing real-time moving-average rPPG (MA-rPPG) using a drone-mounted camera, where platform motion, vibration, and viewing distance introduce additional challenges. Building on our previously validated real-time MA-rPPG smart mirror platform, we reuse the smart mirror interface as a unified frontend for visualization, synchronization, and logging while adapting the MA-rPPG pipeline to operate on live video streamed from an off-the-shelf DJI Tello micro-drone. Feasibility experiments were conducted with 10 participants under controlled indoor lighting and constrained flight conditions, where the drone maintained a stable hover in front of a standing subject and facial video was processed in real time to estimate heart rate from a forehead region of interest. To avoid cross-modality bias and clarify the effect of the aerial imaging platform, drone-derived MA-rPPG outputs were compared against a fixed desktop-camera MA-rPPG reference using the same trained model, enabling a controlled, like-for-like evaluation. The results indicate that continuous heart-rate estimation from a drone camera is feasible in our controlled hover-only setup, while agreement tended to vary with hover stability and effective facial resolution. This work is presented strictly as a feasibility-stage investigation and does not claim clinical validity. The findings provide an experimental baseline and operating-envelope insight for future motion-robust rPPG on mobile and aerial health-sensing platforms. Full article

For Martin Heidegger’s quest to understand the meaning of being, Aristotle’s repeated claim that being “is spoken of in many ways” was both an inspiration and a provocation. Yet the places where Heidegger directly confronts and seeks to understand Aristotle’s claim are surprisingly few, with the most extensive and open-ended reflection now to be found in the recently published volume 91 of the Gesamtausgabe. Heidegger here, unlike too many others and himself elsewhere, does full justice to the radicality of Aristotle’s claim that refers not only to the different senses of being according to the categories (‘substance’, ‘quality’, ‘quantity’, etc.), but also to non-categorial senses (‘truth’, ‘accidental being’, ‘dunamis and energeia’) and sub-senses and refuses to reduce this plurality within plurality of senses to a unity. The Aristotle highlighted here is not the systematic but rather the ‘broken’ one. In the notes, Heidegger furthermore considers the possibility that this indeterminacy and darkness at the heart of Aristotle’s ontology, rather than a limitation due to an understanding of being as presence from the perspective of logos, reflects the indeterminacy and darkness at the heart of being itself. Heidegger’s ‘broken’ and even contradictory reading of Aristotle in these notes thus becomes his own attempt to think through the meaning of being in its withdrawal. Full article

Introduction: In recent decades, demographic aging has led to an inversion of the population pyramid, with a marked increase in the proportion of older adults. This shift has been accompanied by a higher prevalence of chronic and life-limiting diseases, while there have also been significant technical and scientific advances. However, these developments have not been matched by a proportional expansion of healthcare human resources, including in palliative care (PC). Consequently, healthcare systems face increasing pressure, particularly in the provision of end-of-life care. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising tool to support and improve healthcare delivery. Objective: This study aims to review the literature on the impact of AI on palliative care, with particular emphasis on its clinical applications and ethical implications in end-of-life care. Methods: A narrative review was conducted using a structured search of PUBMED, CINAHL and Web of Science databases, covering publications from the last ten years (2015–2025). Search terms included combinations of “artificial intelligence”, “machine learning”, “palliative care”, “end-of-life care”, and “ethics”. Articles were included if they addressed clinical applications, implementation challenges or ethical aspects of AI in PC. Reference lists of selected articles were screened to identify additional relevant studies. The findings were analyzed and synthesized thematically into key domains of application and ethical concern. Results: The literature suggests that AI is currently a promising tool in PC, particularly in prognostication, symptom assessment, clinical decision support, and communication. These applications may represent a paradigm shift compared to conventional approaches. However, it is important not to forget that patients in PC need much more than algorithmic decision trees. Thus, current evidence is largely exploratory, with limited real-world validation. Empathetic emotional support, physical comfort and compassion are things that artificial intelligence cannot provide. AI does not replace humans in interpersonal relationships and dignity; it only complements them. Conclusions: AI-based technologies hold significant potential to address contemporary challenges in PC, including inequitable access, workforce strain, and the need for more efficient service delivery. Nevertheless, their implementation raises substantial ethical concerns related to autonomy, transparency, data governance, and the preservation of human dignity. AI should therefore be understood as a complementary tool that supports—but does not replace—the human dimension of PC. Full article

Background and Objectives: Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is widely used as a marker of long-term glycemic control and metabolic risk, and represents a cornerstone in the diagnosis and management of diabetes mellitus, as endorsed by major international diabetes guidelines. However, its interpretation is typically uniform across patient populations, despite growing evidence that the biological and clinical significance of a given HbA1c value may vary depending on individual characteristics. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, 839 adult subjects from a real-world clinical cohort were analyzed to assess HbA1c variability and its association with cumulative diabetes-related complication burden (neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, peripheral arterial disease), used here as a proxy for biological risk. Biological risk was assessed using the cumulative number of documented diabetes-related complications. To evaluate whether similar HbA1c values reflect comparable biological risk, comparisons were conducted within a predefined HbA1c stratum (6.0–6.9%). Linear regression and stratified analyses were used to explore context-dependent associations between HbA1c and cumulative complication burden. Results: HbA1c distributions showed substantial overlap across sex and obesity categories, with no marked differences in central tendency. Within the HbA1c range of 6.0–6.9%, differences in cumulative complication burden were observed across subgroups, with males and obese individuals showing a numerically higher mean number of complications despite comparable glycemic levels. Subgroup-specific regression analyses suggested heterogeneous associations between HbA1c and complication burden, indicating potential modification of HbA1c-related risk by clinical context. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that the clinical interpretation of HbA1c should be contextualized. Identical HbA1c values may be associated with different complication profiles depending on sex and obesity status. Incorporating clinical context into HbA1c-based risk assessment may help inform more personalized approaches to metabolic risk stratification. Full article

Background: Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a malignant extramedullary tumor that occurs in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), or chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The standard first-line treatment for MS is intensive chemotherapy according to the AML protocol, regardless of bone marrow involvement. The role of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) in the treatment of pediatric patients with MS requires further investigation. The aim of the study was to evaluate treatment outcomes for MS in pediatric patients with a focus on assessing the impact of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) on treatment efficacy. Material and Methods: The study included 64 patients aged 0 to 19 years from 15 pediatric oncology centers in Poland who were diagnosed with MS between 1998 and 2024. An Excel database was created to collect data on clinical features and treatment methods and outcomes. Results: The probability of 5-year overall survival (pOS) for the entire cohort was 0.63 ± 0.07, while the 5-year event-free survival (pEFS) and 5-year relapse-free survival (pRFS) were 0.62 ± 0.07 and 0.72 ± 0.07, respectively. Treatment outcomes were compared between patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) in first complete remission (ICR) (n1 = 17/64; 27%) and those who did not receive alloHSCT (n2 = 47/64; 73%). In the alloHSCT group (n1), the estimated survival probabilities were pOS = 0.49 ± 0.13, pEFS = 0.44 ± 0.14, and pRFS = 0.40 ± 0.14. In the non-alloHSCT group (n2), these values were pOS = 0.68 ± 0.08, pEFS = 0.68 ± 0.08, and pRFS = 0.84 ± 0.06. The difference in pRFS between groups n1 and n2 was statistically significant (p = 0.0049). Extramedullary relapses were more frequently observed in patients who had undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) (p = 0.0001). Conclusions: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) does not improve the outcome of patients with MS. Further research is needed to identify effective strategies for sustaining remission in patients with MS after alloHSCT. Full article

Background and Objectives: The management of periprosthetic tibial fractures distal to revision Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) presents a biomechanical challenge, often requiring extramedullary locking plates when long stems preclude nailing. While in femoral fractures the gap between the stem and plate is a well-documented stress riser, requiring implant overlap to prevent an inter-implant fracture, this specific biomechanical scenario has not been studied in the tibia, and it remains unclear if the femoral dogma of mandatory overlap applies to the straight, centrically loaded tibial anatomy. This study utilized Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to evaluate stress distribution in the tibial inter-implant gap. Materials and Methods: A comparative FEA was performed using a validated standardized tibia model simulating a healed distal fracture. Two cemented revision TKA constructs (50 mm and 80 mm stems) were modeled. These were paired with medial locking plates of varying lengths (10, 12, and 14 holes) to create different inter-implant distances. Eight distinct configurations, including non-plated controls, were subjected to physiological axial compression and three-point bending. Outcome measures included von Mises stress and total displacement. Results: The analysis revealed no significant stress concentration in the bone within the inter-implant zone across all plated models, regardless of the gap size. Instead, the addition of plates universally reduced bone stress compared to controls, effectively transferring load to the fixation hardware. Peak stresses were consistently observed in the proximal locking screws rather than the bone gap. The longest plates (14 holes) offered superior construct rigidity and stress distribution. Conclusions: Under the conditions evaluated in this preclinical finite element model, the tibia does not exhibit a biomechanical requirement for implant overlap to prevent stress risers. Our findings suggest that extramedullary fixation with the longest available anatomical locking plate represents a biomechanically plausible strategy for these fractures, even if an inter-implant gap remains. Full article

The blood–retinal barrier (BRB) maintains neurovascular homeostasis by regulating solute and ion exchange between the retina and circulation. This selectivity depends on tight junctions (TJs), with claudin (Cldn) proteins forming the core structure that defines paracellular permeability. Distinct Cldn isoforms show cell-specific expression, with Cldn-5 predominating in the endothelial cells of the inner BRB and Cldn-19 is the signature Cldn in the retinal pigment epithelium forming the outer BRB. Disruption of these isoforms contributes to vascular leakage, inflammation, and neuronal loss across various ocular diseases. Cldn function in vascular homeostasis is multifaceted; barrier dysfunction does not always result from Cldn loss, as excessive expression or mislocalization, particularly of Cldn-5, can also impair BRB integrity. Cldns act as dynamic signaling hubs that respond to metabolic, oxidative, and mechanical stress and are regulated through VEGF, Wnt/β-catenin, and RhoA/ROCK pathways. This review summarizes current understanding of Cldn biology in retinal vascular regulation and highlights emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at stabilizing Cldn expression and junctional localization. Small molecules and blocking antibodies that enhance localization or prevent degradation are redefining barrier repair. Key questions remain regarding isoform specificity, inter-barrier communication, and systemic safety. Integrative omics and spatial imaging may reveal disease-specific Cldn signatures and guide molecular restoration of BRB integrity. Full article

The CSN2 gene encoding β-casein has gained increasing attention in dairy cattle breeding due to the global adoption of A2-oriented selection strategies. However, robust large-scale evidence assessing potential unintended effects on functional traits, particularly fertility, under intensive commercial conditions remains limited. This study evaluated whether selection for the CSN2 A2 β-casein variant is associated with biologically relevant differences in fertility traits in Holstein cows. Reproductive and genomic data from 7826 lactation records of 2773 Holstein cows collected between 2022 and 2025 in a large commercial dairy herd were analyzed. Fertility indicators included days open, number of services per conception, calving interval, first-service conception rate, and pregnancy by 100 days in milk. Mixed-effects models accounting for repeated lactations and cow- and sire-level clustering were applied, and predefined equivalence margins were used to distinguish statistical non-significance from biological irrelevance. Across all evaluated fertility traits, differences among CSN2 genotypes (A1A1, A1A2, and A2A2) were consistently small, biologically negligible, and well within predefined equivalence margins. Differences in days open were within ±2 days, and effect sizes for count and binary traits were close to unity. Parity and calving year significantly influenced reproductive performance, whereas no CSN2 genotype × parity interactions were detected. These findings indicate that selection for the CSN2 A2 β-casein variant does not compromise reproductive performance under intensive commercial management conditions. From a breeding and industry perspective, the results support the implementation of A2-oriented selection strategies without biologically meaningful adverse effects on fertility. Full article

Denmark is internationally recognized for its stringent pesticide regulatory and monitoring regime, yet it remains unclear how sustained media attention has shaped the discursive feasibility of pesticide-free farming (PFF) as a scalable transition pathway. This study analyses the construction of PFF as a policy issue in Danish news media using 453 newspaper articles (2000–2025). Using a discursive-institutionalist framework, the analysis integrates quantitative text-analytic methods with qualitative contextual interpretation. The results show that media visibility does not translate into an expanded articulation of feasible transition pathways. Coverage is structured primarily around solution-oriented and regulatory debates, yet many solution narratives remain conditional and incremental, while health-related concerns, everyday farming practices, and livelihood dimensions remain marginal and weakly integrated. Government authorities, farming organizations, and industry actors occupy the communicative core of the discourse, whereas NGOs, consumers, and public health actors remain peripheral. Media attention peaks around regulatory debates but fails to generate cumulative discursive momentum toward integrated and scalable transition pathways. The study suggests that media narratives play a constitutive role in shaping the publicly articulated feasibility of pesticide-free agricultural transitions, highlighting the importance of plural, health-integrated, and practice-oriented media discourse. Full article

The World Bank asserts that reducing extreme poverty and achieving shared prosperity are both made possible through financial inclusion. Digital finance may enhance financial stability, thereby supporting more inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Despite its potential benefits, the link between digital finance and financial stability remains underexplored in the literature. The present study addresses this research gap in the literature by exploring the relationship between digital finance and financial stability. Panel data of 160 countries over the period of 2004–2024 have been collected and analyzed by using Moment Quantile Regression (MMQREG). The robust outcomes show that digital finance significantly improves financial stability. This study aims to contribute to the existing literature. The findings of this study will help policymakers in designing effective or supportive policies for digital financial services. Findings may inform policies aligned with SDG 8: promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth. Full article

Background: Patients undergoing hemodialysis commonly exhibit deficiencies in water-soluble vitamins, primarily as a result of inadequate dietary intake and loss into the dialysate. Given the essential role of vitamin C in numerous metabolic pathways, routine supplementation has been proposed as a potentially beneficial intervention in this population. Aim: We aimed to evaluate the current evidence on vitamin C supplementation in patients undergoing hemodialysis, with particular attention to clinical conditions associated with renal replacement therapy, including anemia, chronic inflammation, restless legs syndrome (RLS), and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The MEDLINE (via PubMed) and EMBASE databases were searched. The initial search yielded 844 articles, of which 37 studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. Results: Evidence indicates that hemodialysis patients exhibit vitamin C deficiency, both in dietary intake and in plasma or serum concentrations. Despite its intrinsic antioxidant properties and proposed anti-inflammatory effects, vitamin C supplementation has demonstrated inconsistent effects on inflammatory markers. Most clinical studies support a beneficial role of vitamin C supplementation in functional iron deficiency and in alleviating symptoms of RLS within this population. Conclusions: Evidence on vitamin C supplementation for functional iron deficiency and RLS suggests that it might be an effective therapeutic approach. However, despite low serum vitamin C level in hemodialysis patients, current data does not justify the routine use of vitamin C in the hemodialyzed population for other comorbidities, including chronic inflammation and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Further high-quality studies are required to establish the broader clinical utility of targeted vitamin C supplementation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease for which there are no highly effective treatments, which highlights the need for novel therapeutics. Cannabidiol (CBD) has demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. Chronic CBD treatment (20 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) reverses social recognition memory deficits of APP_Swe/PS1∆E9 (APP/PS1) transgenic mice; however, it does not produce effects on AD-relevant brain pathology. Methods: Here, we investigated whether chronic high-dose CBD treatment (i.e., 100 mg/kg intraperitoneally) in early symptomatic 7.5-month-old APP/PS1 males would reverse cognitive deficits while also influencing neuropathological markers relevant to AD. Mice were assessed for anxiety, recognition memory, and social and aggressive behaviours before carrying out neuropathological analyses of collected brain tissue. Results: Vehicle-treated APP/PS1 transgenic males demonstrated reduced aggressive behaviour and increased socio-positive behaviour. A moderate deficit in social recognition memory was restored by CBD. APP/PS1 mice also exhibited elevated cortical proBDNF levels under vehicle treatment, and hippocampal levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were reduced in all APP/PS1 mice. AD transgenic mice exhibited no changes in soluble or insoluble Aβ₄₂ levels or PPARγ isoforms. Conclusions: This study found that high-dose CBD restored a moderate social recognition memory deficit. However, CBD did not have marked effects on AD-relevant neuropathological markers assessed, most likely because the AD transgenic mice were evaluated at a disease stage too early to detect significant pathological changes. Thus, the underlying mechanisms for CBD’s effect on social recognition memory require further investigation. Full article

Simulation-based driver training has shown promise for improving hazard perception in novice drivers; however, how learners with autism adapt behaviorally, visually, and physiologically during such training remains poorly understood. This study examined the effects of a game-based, hazard-focused driving simulation on hazard detection accuracy, gaze behavior, and heart rate in novice drivers with autism using a single-case, multi-phase design. Five participants completed repeated trials across baseline, treatment, and withdrawal phases while behavioral performance, eye movements, and physiological response were recorded. Across outcome domains, participants demonstrated highly individualized learning trajectories with substantial variability in both the direction and magnitude of change. Improvements in hazard detection accuracy were not consistently accompanied by changes in gaze organization or physiological response. While one participant exhibited a canonical pattern of coordinated improvement across behavioral, visual, and physiological measures, others showed dissociation between modalities, including reduced physiological arousal without performance gains or modest accuracy improvements despite sustained physiological engagement. Exploratory peri-hazard analyses further revealed participant-specific heart rate responses aligned to hazard detection, with no uniform temporal signature associated with learning. These findings suggest that hazard perception learning in drivers with autism does not follow a single pathway and cannot be inferred from any single performance or physiological metric. Instead, multimodal, within-participant analysis is critical for capturing meaningful individual adaptation during simulation-based training. The results have implications for the design and evaluation of driver training systems, supporting flexible, learner-specific assessment frameworks and adaptive approaches that accommodate diverse patterns of engagement and learning. Full article