Search Results (805)

Background: Obesity, defined as an abnormal accumulation of body fat, is becoming a global epidemic. Individuals with obesity may present with increased abdominal fat, which is associated with hypertension, altered respiratory mechanics, higher resting heart rate, and may contribute to an increased cardiovascular risk. Physiological parameters, such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation, can change hours before the occurrence of a clinically relevant adverse event. Thus, physiological parameters can be considered good predictors of clinical deterioration. Obesity is also associated with physical dysfunctions that can impair physical performance. The non-pharmacological therapeutic strategy for the treatment of obesity involves lifestyle modifications, including a healthy diet and regular physical exercise. Whole-body vibration (WBV) exercise, a type of physical activity, has demonstrated benefits in several specific populations, including obese individuals. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the immediate effects of a single whole-body vibration (WBV) exercise session, consisting of 15 sets, using a vibration platform (VP) with alternating vertical or lateral displacement, on physiological parameters, perceived exertion, strength, and functionality in obese adults. Methods: Seventy-two obese adult participants were randomly divided into three groups (vertical group, alternating lateral group, and placebo group). Physiological parameters were assessed before, during, and after the intervention, in addition to perceived exertion, functionality, and muscle strength. Results: When comparing the results before and after the intervention, the heart rate–pressure product increased significantly in the alternating lateral group (p = 0.005), and heart rate increased significantly (p = 0.0001) and then decreased significantly (p = 0.030) only in the alternating lateral group. Post hoc analysis revealed a significant increase in perceived exertion in the lateral alternation group, from the period before the intervention to the 10th set (p = 0.006) and from the period before to the period after the intervention (p = 0.011). In the vertical group, a significant increase was observed from the period before the intervention to the 10th set (p = 0.020). Conclusions: In conclusion, considering all the findings of this study, whole-body vibration (WBV) exercise promoted some immediate changes in physiological parameters and perception of effort in obese adults. WBV exercise with the alternating vibration platform induced significant fluctuations in heart rate and increased the heart rate–blood pressure product, although with values within the normal range. Perception of effort increased in all groups. Considering the absence of discrepant changes in physiological parameters, impact on the cardiovascular system, and fatigue, the WBV exercise intervention in side-alternating or vertical vibration vibratory platforms can be considered a viable non-conventional exercise option for the obese population. Full article

Gypsum has been used as a building material for a long time due to its environmental friendliness, exceptional fire performance, and ease of use. However, it is also known to have poor moisture resistance and lower mechanical performance. Construction and demolition wastes, which can cause many environmental issues if not properly managed, are increasingly recycled as reinforcement materials in gypsum mortar. This study aims to assess the effect of incorporating fine glass waste aggregates into gypsum mortars on their physical, mechanical, and adhesive properties. The effect of replacing sand from 0% to 100% by glass waste in gypsum mortar was investigated using various tests and analyses including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (DTA and TGA), setting time, flexural and compressive strengths, adhesive, surface hardness, water absorption, thermal conductivity, and ultrasonic pulse velocity. The results obtained emphasize that glass waste can substitute sand in gypsum mortar, even when used at high replacement levels. Replacing all the sand in mortar with glass waste results in a 11% increase in porosity, a 9% decrease in density, and a 53% decrease in thermal conductivity, while still maintaining acceptable mechanical performances. The adhesive strength shows a great dependence on the nature of the substrate. Full article

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are rare and heterogeneous tumors for which achieving complete tumor resection with negative surgical margins remains the cornerstone of curative treatment and a key predictor of survival. Current intraoperative resection margin status assessment techniques remain limited, as traditional intraoperative frozen section analysis is of limited accuracy for most STS histological subtypes. This comprehensive review evaluates current and emerging margin assessment techniques used intra-operatively during STS resection. A systematic search of PubMed and PubMed Central databases from 2000 to 2025 identified studies using fluorescence imaging, spectroscopy, and ultrasound-based modalities. Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence-guided surgery appeared to be the closest to widespread use, with the most clinical evidence showing potential to reduce positive margins. Use of acridine orange (AO) as a fluorescent dye also showed potential in decreasing local recurrences, but it remains in the experimental stage of research with little clinical data available. Raman spectroscopy has recently shown high accuracy in identifying STS from healthy tissue, but the impact of its use on patient outcomes has not been studied yet. Other techniques, such as diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry (REIMS), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) yielded encouraging results but still require further prospective studies to validate their safety, reproducibility, and clinical utility in improving surgical precision and patient outcomes. Full article

The formability of reinforcement is essential for controlling shaping processes and assessing their suitability for industrial applications. The complexity of the geometries dictates the deformation modes and thus the reinforcements’ behaviours. This study is an experimental campaign to investigate the shaping of five different geometries with three reinforcements that have varying meso-structures: plain weave, interlock and Non-Crimp Fabric. The comparison concentrates on shear behaviour and defects induced. The measured parameters are chosen in relation to their potential impact on the composite’s properties at both local and macro levels. The findings reveal that geometry significantly influences the quality of the preform. Each geometry shows unique behaviours due to a different, but limited, range of mechanisms. This highlights the importance of identifying and analysing the interesting parts of these geometries and their role in triggering the different behaviours. Full article

Water scarcity in Mediterranean regions such as Morocco makes treated wastewater a strategic alternative for irrigation. This field study evaluated the effects of two treated wastewater sources, membrane bioreactor T2 and activated sludge T3, compared with groundwater (T1, control) on growth, yield, and fruit quality of two tomato cultivars (Solanum lycopersicum L., Bobcat and Galilia). Irrigation with activated sludge effluent T3 significantly improved agronomic performance relative to both MBR-treated water and groundwater. Under T3, plant height reached 158 ± 3.5 cm in Galilia and 150 ± 3.2 cm in Bobcat, while fruit yield increased to 9.93 ± 0.38 kg plant⁻¹ in Bobcat and 7.12 ± 0.25 kg plant⁻¹ in Galilia, more than double the yield recorded under T2. Physiological parameters such as chlorophyll a, proline, and soluble sugars increased markedly under T3, indicating enhanced photosynthetic activity and improved stress tolerance. Fruit quality was enhanced under T3, with higher soluble sugar and protein levels, while lycopene and acidity were greatest under groundwater irrigation. Overall, the results demonstrate that secondary treated wastewater, particularly from activated sludge processes, can sustainably improve tomato yield and quality while conserving freshwater resources in arid regions. These findings demonstrate the potential of treated wastewater as a sustainable irrigation source for water-scarce Mediterranean agriculture. Full article

Mineralization within the orbital ligament (OL) is occasionally observed on canine head computed tomography (CT) examinations, typically without associated clinical signs. This feature has been only briefly mentioned in the veterinary literature. The present retrospective descriptive study evaluated 402 dogs to determine the prevalence and CT characteristics of OL mineralization, including its location, morphology, margins, symmetry, size, and attenuation. Associations with signalment, medical history and concurrent mineralization were also assessed. Orbital ligament mineralization was identified in 157 of 402 dogs (39.1%). The lesion was consistently located dorsally (100%), and was most often symmetrical, triangular, well-defined and heterogenous. The presence of OL mineralization was significantly associated with increasing age and body weight, as well as with concurrent mineralization in other sites, such as lungs and ears. The lesion was significantly less frequent in brachycephalic dogs. No associations were found with facial trauma, orbital disease or other pathological conditions. Orbital ligament mineralization appears to be a common incidental finding in canine head CT studies, most likely representing a benign, age-related, and non-pathological change. Full article

Light–matter interactions in optical microcavities attract much attention due to their potential for controlling properties of materials. Among the various types of optical microcavities, porous silicon microcavities (pSiMCs) are of special interest because of their relatively simple fabrication procedure, tunable porosity, and large specific surface area, which make them highly suitable for a wide range of optoelectronic and sensing applications. However, the fabrication of pSiMCs with precisely controlled parameters, which is crucial for effective light–matter coupling, remains challenging due to the multiple variables involved in the process. In addition, the parameter characterizing the capacity of pSiMCs for confining light inside the cavity (the quality factor, QF) rarely exceeds 100. Here, we present advanced methods and protocols for controlled fabrication of pSiMCs at room temperature, combining theoretical and numerical simulations and experimental validation of microcavity structural parameters for enhancing light–matter interactions. This systemic approach has been used to design and fabricate pSiMCs with an about twofold increased QF and correspondingly improved optical performance; the theoretical modeling shows that its further development is expected to increase the QF even more. In addition, we fabricated hybrid fluorescencent structures with the R6G dye embedded into the optimized pSiMCs. This provided a 5.8-fold narrowing of the R6G fluorescence spectrum caused by light–matter coupling, which indicated enhancement of the fluorescence signal at the eigenmode wavelength due to an increased rate of spontaneous emission in the cavity. The proposed methodology offers precise theoretical simulation of microcavities with the parameters required for specific practical applications, which facilitates optimization of microcavity design. The controllable optical properties of pSiMCs make them promising candidates for a wide range of applications where improved spectral resolution, and increased luminescence efficiency are required. This paves the way for further innovations in photonic systems and optoelectronic devices. Full article

(1) Background: Low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid displays moisturizing and anti-aging properties and reduces UV-induced inflammation when applied topically. A 3 kDa sodium hyaluronate oligosaccharide (Extra-Low HA) was designed, and studies were performed to evaluate its safety for cosmetic applications. (2) Methods: The ability of the Extra-Low HA (ExLMW-HA) to penetrate skin was evaluated. Then, pro-inflammatory cytokines were quantified in the culture medium of skin explants following ExLMW-HA application with or without inflammation inducer (PMA). Finally, four predictive in vitro tests (Keratinosens^™, kDPRA, Ames’ test, micronucleus test) were conducted to assess the safety of ExLMW-HA. (3) Results: The molecule permeates skin down to the living epidermis and possibly interacts with the dermal compartment. The oligosaccharide did not induce TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-1α, CXCL2, CCL3, or IL-15, neither in basal nor in stressed conditions. ExLMW-HA is not predicted to be a skin sensitizer or a mutagenic or genotoxic substance. (4) Conclusions: This 3 kDA HA is considered safe for use in topical application at the tested dosage. Full article

The performance of heterogeneous polymer-based materials is largely governed by the efficiency of interfacial adhesion and the strength of interactions between their constituent phases. This work mainly focuses on correlating the properties of dielectrically active interfaces, identified through broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS), with the mechanical behavior of heterogeneous polymer-based materials. Blends of polypropylene (PP) and biodegradable poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) were investigated across a wide composition range (100/0, 80/20, 70/30, 50/50, 20/80, and 0/100 PP/PBS). The interface between the immiscible PP and PBS phases induces a Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars (MWS) interfacial polarization in the permittivity spectrum. For the 80PP/20PBS formulation, the high activation energy of this polarization is well correlated with the material’s elevated tensile strength measured under uniaxial tension. A series of nanocomposites based on the 80PP/20PBS blend and reinforced with organically modified montmorillonite (Cloisite 20A) were thoroughly investigated. A strong correlation was established between their mechanical performance and the additional interfacial polarization arising from charge accumulation at the clay–matrix interface. The 80PP*/20PBS–3%C20 nanocomposite demonstrated superior matrix–filler adhesion, reflected by the highest activation energy of interfacial polarization and a marked increase in Young’s modulus (~22%) and zero-shear viscosity η₀ (~44%). Complementary rheological measurements confirmed a substantial increase in viscosity and relaxation time for the 80PP/20PBS–3%C20 nanocomposites, indicating restricted chain mobility and the formation of a percolated network. Morphological analysis by SEM provided insights into the overall microstructure of the polymer blends and nanocomposites. These results demonstrate a direct correlation between interfacial structure, chain dynamics, and macroscopic performance in immiscible polymer blends and nanocomposites. Full article

This study investigated the effect of nanofiller on the structural properties of thermally aged polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/Aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) nanocomposites prepared with different amounts of nanoparticles (2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 wt%) using various techniques. Experimental studies were designed to monitor structural changes in PVC/Al₂O₃ nanocomposites by means of dielectric characterization, charging and discharging currents measurements, SEM and FTIR analyses, and visual observations as a function of nanofiller amount and aging time. The results obtained demonstrated that the dielectric permittivity of PVC was increased for unaged samples with the addition of 2.5% and 7.5% Al₂O₃ nanoparticles. An increase in dielectric losses is also observed at the same level of filler content, attributable to interfacial polarization driven by improved charge transport and dipole relaxation. A decrease in charging and discharging currents with higher Al₂O₃ content is attributed to an increase in matrix rigidity, which restricts charge carrier mobility. The charging and discharging currents progressively increased during thermal aging, as polar aging products were formed during this process, which could improve charge mobility and conductivity. FTIR and SEM analyses indicated that with thermal aging, polar groups formation was more likely due to structural decomposition of the matrix and mild dehydrochlorination. The changes in color were indicative of surface degradation. These results provide new insight into the electrical and aging behaviors in PVC/Al₂O₃ nanocomposites. Full article

High-resolution Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of methyl fluoride (CH₃F) were recorded in the mid- and far-infrared regions using the Bruker IFS 125HR spectrometers at GSMA (Reims, France) and at the SOLEIL synchrotron facility (Saint-Aubin, France). The measurements cover both the pure rotational transitions of the ground state (10–100 cm⁻¹) and the vibrational triad region (1950–2450 cm⁻¹), which includes the 2${\nu }_3$, ${\nu }_3+{\nu }_6$, and 2${\nu }_6$ bands. Spectra were recorded under various pressure conditions to optimize line visibility, with a high resolution. Line assignments were performed using predictions from the tensorial effective Hamiltonian implemented in the MIRS package, together with a newly developed automated assignment tool, SpectraMatcher, which facilitates line matching and discrimination of CH₃F transitions from overlapping CO₂ features. More than 5000 transitions (up to $J=52$ in the ground state and up to $J=45$ in the triad and $K=19$) were assigned and included in a global fit. The sixth-order tensorial effective Hamiltonian model yielded excellent agreement with experiment, with root mean square (RMS) deviations better than 7 × 10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹ across all regions. This paper presents the first continuous rovibrational study of CH₃F over both the triad and far-infrared ground state regions. The improved accuracy from previous studies stems from the improved set of effective Hamiltonian parameters which will also form a good basis from future applications in atmospheric modelling and spectroscopic databases. Full article

We report the construction of comprehensive line lists for the three stable isotopologues of silicon tetrafluoride (²⁸SiF₄, ²⁹SiF₄, and ³⁰SiF₄) using a new effective Hamiltonian and dipole moment model built from accurate ab initio potential energy and dipole moment surfaces developed in this work. The vibrational energy levels were grouped into a series of polyads up to P_max = 19, while the ro-vibrational energy levels were computed up to J_max = 99. Each line list covers the spectral range 0–2500 cm⁻¹ and contains almost 500 million transitions at T = 296 K, with each being generated from 685 vibrational states and sub-states. Most of the cold and hot band transitions computed in this work were not available in the literature beforehand. The absorption cross-sections computed from the produced line lists were successfully validated by direct comparison with the experimental data measured by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory at room temperature. Most of the ro-vibrational band structures observed in the experimental spectra can now be elucidated using the line lists proposed in this work. Full article

Background and Objectives: Facebook groups have become support spaces for people with rare diseases such as amelogenesis imperfecta (AI). While their potential for revealing patient needs is recognized, no systematic analysis has been conducted in France. This study aims to better understand the psychological and practical needs of French AI patients by analyzing interactions within a dedicated Facebook group. Methods: A semantic and thematic analysis was conducted on 881 texts (39,647 words) from the French Facebook group Amelogenesis Imperfecta. A custom tool, TEXTRA©, and IRaMuTeQ© software were used for analysis, including similarity analysis (lexical co-occurrences), Descending Hierarchical Classification (DHC), Correspondence analysis to reveal discourse structures. Results: Correspondence analysis revealed two main discourse trends: individual experiences (symptoms, treatment logistics, and medical engagement) and collective narratives (focused on awareness, mobilization, and institutional recognition). DHC identified four thematic classes: (a) difficulties accessing healthcare, (b) genetic framing and family implications, (c) dental symptoms and treatment experiences, and (d) community advocacy. These findings highlight how the group fosters emotional support, peer exchange, and empowerment. Conclusions: Online communities play a vital role in supporting patients with rare diseases. This study shows that the analysis of user-generated content can guide improvements in clinical practice, psychosocial support, and health policy. Full article