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Directed Energy Deposition is an additive manufacturing subgroup that uses a laser beam to melt the wire or powder to create a melt pool. In the current study, a scientometric analysis has been carried out to analyze the contribution of countries, publication type analysis, distribution of publications over the years, keywords analysis, author analysis, cited journal, categories, institutes of publication, and report the practical implications. Firstly, the database was extracted from the Web of Science and then post-processed with CiteSpace 6.2.R4 and VOSviewer 1.6.20 software. Afterward, the associated results had been extracted and reported. It was found that China is the leader according to publication, followed by the USA and Germany, which mostly published their achievements in article and proceeding paper formats, which are increasing annually. According to the keywords, additive manufacturing, Laser Metal Deposition, and fabrication are the most commonly used. Based on the CiteSapce and VOSviewer results, Lin, Xin and Huang, Weidong are the authors with the highest publication rates. In addition, Additive Manufacturing, Materials & Design, and Materials Science and Engineering: A are the most cited journals, and regarding the categories, materials science, multidisciplinary, applied physics, and manufacturing engineering are the most commonly used DED processes. Northwestern Polytechnical University, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, and the United States Department of Energy (DOE) have performed the most research in the field of DED. Full article

Compared to commuting, grocery shopping trips, despite their profound implications for mixed land use and transportation planning, have received limited attention in travel behavior research. Drawing upon a travel diary survey conducted in a fast-growing metropolitan region of the United States, i.e., Salt Lake County, UT, this research investigated a variety of influential factors affecting mode choices associated with grocery shopping. We analyze how built environment (BE) characteristics, measured at seven spatial scales or different ways of aggregating spatial data—including straight-line buffers, network buffers, and census units—affect travel mode decisions. Key predictors of choosing walking, biking, or transit over driving include age, household size, vehicle ownership, income, land use mix, street density, and distance to the central business district (CBD). Notably, the influence of BE factors on mode choice is sensitive to different spatial aggregation methods and locations of origins and destinations. The straight-line buffer was a good indicator for the influence of store sales amount on mode choices; the network buffer was more suitable for the household built environment factors, whereas the measurement at the census block and block group levels was more effective for store-area characteristics. These findings underscore the importance of considering both the spatial analysis method and the location (home vs. store) when modeling non-work travel. A multi-scalar approach can enhance the accuracy of travel demand models and inform more effective land use and transportation planning strategies. Full article

Background. Physicomechanical properties and clinical service of bulk-fill composites depend on their adequate polymerization and depth of cure. Some manufacturers claim that these composites can be adequately cured when used in bulks exceeding 4 mm. Objective. The aim of this study was to compare Vickers microhardness (VMH) and depth of cure (DOC) of six contemporary bulk-fill resin composites at depths of 4 mm and 6 mm. Material and methods. Six bulk-fill composites were evaluated in this study: 1. Tetric EvoCeram Bulk (Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein), (TEC); 2. Filtek Bulk Fill Posterior (3M ESPE Dental Products Division, St. Paul, MN, USA), (FBF); 3. Filtek One Bulk Fill (3M ESPE Dental Products Division, St. Paul, MN, USA, (FOB); 4. SonicFill 2 (Kerr, Orange, CA, USA), (SF2); 5. Admira Fusion X-tra (Voco, GmbH, Cuxhaven, Germany), (AFX); 6. GrandioSO X-tra (Voco, GmbH, Cuxhaven, Germany), (GSX). The 18 specimens (3 of each composite) were prepared in split Teflon moulds of 4 mm diameter and 6 mm thickness. All composites were cured in standard mode for 20 s using LED LCU (D-Light Duo, RF-Pharmaceuticals Sarl, Geneva, Switzerland; 1200–1300 mW/cm). The VMH was measured using a digital Micro Hardness Tester Shimadzu (HMV-2T E, Shimadzu Corporation, Kyoto, Japan). A 50 g (0.5 N) load force was applied for 30 s. Each specimen was measured at five places selected by chance at each level (N = 15). The hardness ratio or DOC was calculated for all samples as the ratio of bottom and surface microhardness at levels of 4 and 6 mm. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test. Results. Significant reduction in VMH was observed for all tested materials when comparing top surface and bottom (p < 0.01). The highest VMH was obtained for GSX and AFX, and the lowest for TEC. The results show that the degree of polymerization was adequate for all tested materials at a depth of 6 mm, since the hardness ratio exceeded 0.80 in all cases. The hardness ratio at 4 mm was high for all tested composites ranging from 0.91 for TEC to 0.98 for GSX. All composites showed adequate DOC at the bottom of the 6 mm bulk samples. However, the hardness ratio was the highest for Admira Fusion X-tra (0.96) and GrandioSO X-tra (0.97). Conclusions. All tested materials showed a significant decrease in microhardness from the top surface to the bottom. The DOC was adequate for all bulk-fill composites at a depth of 6 mm cured under standard mode for 20 s. All bulk-fill resin composites evaluated in this study can be used in bulk, up to 6 mm. Full article

The Fernald Feed Materials Production Center (FMPC), located in Fernald, Ohio, USA, released radon (Rn) as a byproduct of the processing of uranium materials during the years from 1951 to 1989. Rn is a colorless, odorless gas that emits charged alpha radiation that interacts with cells in the lung and trachea-bronchial tree, leading to DNA damage, mutations, and tumor initiation. The purpose of this project was to use evidence collected by the Fernald Dosimetry Reconstruction Project and other sources to estimate the outdoor Rn exposure to individuals in the community immediately surrounding the FMPC during the years of plant operation. Using previously tabulated source terms, diffusion and meteorological data, and self-reported detailed residential histories, we estimated radon exposure for approximately 9300 persons who lived at more than 14,000 addresses. The results indicated that a portion of the population cohort experiences mean annual Rn exposure exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) action limit of 4 pCiL⁻¹. These exposure estimates support the analysis of the incidence of lung cancer in the Fernald Community Cohort (FCC). Full article

Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis (MAH) is a zoonotic pathogen with a broad host range and diverse clinical manifestations. We report here the first documented case of MAH-induced fatal vasculitis in zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata). Histopathological examination revealed acid-fast bacilli within macrophages and endothelial cells, primarily affecting the heart and aorta. Mycobacterial DNA was detected in cloacal swabs from affected finches and environmental samples from their housing facility. PCR targeting the rpoB gene and insertion elements IS1245 and IS901, followed by sequencing, confirmed MAH infection. MAH DNA was identified in 4 of 13 finch cloacal swabs and 7 of 28 environmental samples. This study describes a novel, highly pathogenic manifestation of MAH in birds and underscores the potential for avian involvement in environmental and zoonotic transmission. Full article

Background: Cochlear implantation (CI) in pediatric patients with cochlear nerve deficiencies (CND) remains controversial due to a highly variable clinical population, lack of evidence-based guidelines, and mixed research findings. This study assessed current clinical perspectives and practices regarding CI candidacy in children with CND among hearing healthcare professionals in the USA. Methods: An anonymous 19-question online survey was distributed to CI clinicians nationwide. The survey assessed professional background, experience with aplasia and hypoplasia, and perspectives on CI versus auditory brainstem implant (ABI) candidacy, including imaging practices and outcome expectations. Both multiple-choice and open-ended responses were analyzed to identify trends and reasoning. Results: Seventy-two responses were analyzed. Most clinicians supported CI for hypoplasia (60.2%) and, to a lesser extent, for aplasia (41.7%), with audiologists more likely than neurotologists to favor CI. Respondents cited lower risk, accessibility, and the potential for benefit as reasons to attempt CI before ABI. However, many emphasized a case-by-case approach, incorporating imaging, electrophysiological testing, and family counseling. Only 22.2% considered structural factors the best predictors of CI success. Conclusions: Overall, hearing health professionals in the USA tend to favor CI as a first-line option, while acknowledging the limitations of current diagnostic tools and the importance of individualized, multidisciplinary decision-making in CI candidacy for children with CND. Findings reveal a high variability in clinical perspectives on CI implantation for pediatric aplasia and hypoplasia and a lack of clinical consensus, highlighting the need for more standardized assessment and imaging protocols to provide greater consistency across centers and enable the development of evidence-based guidelines. Full article

As organizations continue to embrace digital transformation, the need for robust cybersecurity strategies has never been more critical. This paper explores the Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) as a contemporary cybersecurity framework that addresses the challenges posed by increasingly interconnected systems. Zero Trust (ZT) operates under the principle of “never trust, always verify,” ensuring that every access request is thoroughly authenticated, regardless of the requester’s location within or outside the network. However, implementing ZT is a challenging task, requiring an adequate roadmap to prioritize the different initiatives in agreement with company culture, exposure and cyber posture. We apply multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) to evaluate the relative importance of various components within a ZT framework, using the Incomplete Analytic Hierarchy Process (IAHP). Expert opinions from professionals in cybersecurity and IT governance were gathered through structured questionnaires, leading to a prioritized ranking of the eight key ZT pillars, as defined by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Washington, DC, USA, along with a prioritization of the sub-elements within each pillar. The study provides actionable insights into the implementation of ZTA, helping organizations prioritize security efforts to mitigate risks effectively and build a resilient digital infrastructure. The evaluation results were used to create a prioritized framework, integrated into the ZEUS platform, developed with Teleconsys S.p.A., to enable detailed assessments of a firm’s cyber partner regarding ZT and identify improvement areas. The paper concludes by offering recommendations for future research and practical guidance for organizations transitioning to a ZT model. Full article

This study aims to characterize for the first time the insect assemblage associated with sown, introduced guayule (Parthenium argentatum A. Gray, Asteraceae) in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, and identify potential relationships with the crop. Insect sampling was conducted using nets and pan traps during spring and early summer, coinciding with the flowering period of the plant. A total of 352 insect species/morphospecies across 12 orders were identified. Diptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and Hymenoptera were the most species-rich and abundant orders. Within these orders, Muscidae, Syrphidae, Tenebrionidae, Dermestidae, Miridae, Halictidae, and Apidae were the most numerous families. Guayule flowering intensity increased gradually until mid-June, aligning with the peak activity of pollinating Diptera. The majority of the identified insects (74.4%) were potential pollinators, while nearly 50% were detritivores and approximately 30% were herbivorous. The similarity in insect families and functional roles observed in this study to previous studies in the USA and Mexico suggest that guayule may serve as a similar trophic resource for insects in Spain, despite being a non-native species. Full article

Healthy soils are an essential ingredient of land systems and ongoing global change. Urbanization as a global change process often works through the lens of urban planning, which involves urban agriculture, urban greening, and leveraging nature-based solutions to promote resilient cities. Yet, urbanization frequently leads to soil erosion. Despite recognition of this tension, the rate at which the urban growth boundary accelerates soil erosion above natural background levels has not yet been determined. Our goal here is to provide a first broad estimate of urbanization’s impact of soil erosion. By combining data on modern erosion levels with techniques for estimating long-term natural erosion rates through cosmogenic nuclide ¹⁰Be analysis, we modeled the impact of urbanization on erosion across a range of cities in different global climates, revealing an acceleration of soil erosion ~7–19x in environments with mean annual precipitation <1500 mm; growth in wetter urban centers accelerated soil erosion ~23–72x. We tested our statistical model by comparing natural erosion rates to decades of monitoring soil erosion on the margins of Phoenix, USA. A century-long expansion of Phoenix accelerated soil erosion by ~12x, an estimate that is roughly at the mid-point of model projections for drier global cities. In addition to urban planning implications of being able to establish a baseline target of natural rates of soil erosion, our findings support the urban cycle of soil erosion theory for the two USA National Science Foundation urban long-term ecological research areas of Baltimore and Phoenix. Full article

Titanium–aluminum–vanadium (Ti6Al4V) is a material chosen for spine, orthopedic, and dental implants due to its combination of desirable mechanical and biological properties. Lasers have been used to modify metal surfaces, enabling the generation of a surface on Ti6Al4V with distinct micro- and nano-scale structures. Studies indicate that topography with micro/nano features of osteoclast resorption pits causes bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) and osteoprogenitor cells to favor differentiation into an osteoblastic phenotype. This study examined whether the biological response of human MSCs to Ti6Al4V surfaces is sensitive to laser treatment-controlled micro/nano-topography. First, 15 mm diameter Ti6Al4V discs (Spine Wave Inc., Shelton, CT, USA) were either machined (M) or additively manufactured (AM). Surface treatments included no laser treatment (NT), nanosecond laser (Ns), femtosecond laser (Fs), or nanosecond followed by femtosecond laser (Ns+Fs). Surface wettability, roughness, and surface chemistry were determined using sessile drop contact angle, laser confocal microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Human MSCs were cultured in growth media on tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) or test surfaces. On day 7, the levels of osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF) in the conditioned media were measured. M NT, Fs, and Ns+Fs surfaces were hydrophilic; Ns was hydrophobic. AM NT and Fs surfaces were hydrophilic; AM Ns and Ns+Fs were hydrophobic. Roughness (Sa and Sz) increased after Ns and Ns+Fs treatment for both M and AM disks. All surfaces primarily consisted of oxygen, titanium, and carbon; Fs had increased levels of aluminum for both M and AM. SEM images showed that M NT discs had a smooth surface, whereas AM surfaces appeared rough at a higher magnification. Fs surfaces had a similar morphology to their respective NT disc at low magnification, but higher magnification revealed nano-scale bumps not seen on NT surfaces. AM Fs surfaces also had regular interval ridges that were not seen on non-femto laser-ablated surfaces. Surface roughness was increased on M and AM Ns and Ns+Fs disks compared to NT and Fs disks. OCN was enhanced, and DNA was reduced on Ns and Ns+Fs, with no difference between them. OPN, OPG, and VEGF levels for laser-treated M surfaces were unchanged compared to NT, apart from an increase in OPG on Fs. MSCs grown on AM Ns and Ns+Fs surfaces had increased levels of OCN per DNA. These results indicate that MSCs cultured on AM Ns and AM Ns+Fs surfaces, which exhibited unique roughness at the microscale and nanoscale, had enhanced differentiation to an osteoblastic phenotype. The laser treatments of the surface mediated this enhancement of MSC differentiation and warrant further clinical investigation. Full article

(1) The beach areas of Galveston, Texas, USA are heavily used for recreational activities and often experience elevated fecal indicator bacteria levels, representing a potential threat to ecosystem services, human health, and tourism-based economies that rely on suitable water quality. (2) During the span of 15 months (March 2022–May 2023), water samples that exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-accepted alternative Beach Action Value (BAV) for enterococci of 104 MPN/100 mL were analyzed via microbial source tracking (MST) through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays. The Bacteroides HF183 and DogBact as well as the Catellicoccus LeeSeaGull markers were used to detect human, dog, and gull fecal sources, respectively. The qPCR MST data were then utilized in a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) to assess human health risks. Additionally, samples collected in July and August 2022 were sequenced for 16S rRNA and matched with fecal sources through the Bayesian SourceTracker2 program. (3) Overall, 26% of the 110 samples with enterococci exceedances were positive for at least one of the MST markers. Gull was revealed to be the primary source of identified fecal contamination through qPCR and SourceTracker2. Human contamination was detected at very low levels (<1%), whereas dog contamination was found to co-occur with human contamination through qPCR. QMRA identified Campylobacter from canine sources as being the primary driver for human health risks for contact recreation for both adults and children. (4) These MST results coupled with QMRA provide important insight into water quality in Galveston that can inform future water quality and beach management decisions that prioritize public health risks. Full article

Quasi-solid aqueous zinc batteries (QSAZBs) have wide applications in the energy storage field due to their advantages of high safety, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendliness. Despite prolific research output in the field of QSAZBs, existing reviews predominantly focus on experimental advancements, with limited synthesis of global research trends, interdisciplinary connections, or knowledge gaps. Herein, we review the research on QSAZBs via bibliometric analysis using the VOSviewer software (version 1.6.20). First, the data from qualitatively evaluated publications on QSAZBs from 2016 and 2024 are integrated. In addition, the annual trends, leading countries/regions and their international collaborations, institutional research and patent distribution, and important keyword cluster analyses in QSAZB research are evaluated. The results reveal that China dominates in terms of publication output (71.16% of total papers), and Singapore exhibits the highest citation impact (103.2 citations/paper). International collaboration networks indicate the central role of China, with strong ties to Singapore, the USA, and Australia. Keyword clustering indicates core research priorities: cathode materials (MnO₂ and V₂O₅), quasi-solid electrolyte optimization (hydrogels and graphene composites), and interfacial stability mechanisms. By mapping global trends and interdisciplinary linkages, this work provides insights to accelerate QSAZBs’ transition from laboratory breakthroughs to grid-scale and wearable applications. Full article

The gross benefit of feeding multi-species probiotics has been reported, but the effect on the gut microbiota in pre-weaned dairy calves has not been elucidated. To address this gap, a randomized controlled trial was conducted in California, USA, to investigate the effect of feeding probiotics on the fecal microbiota of pre-weaned dairy calves. A total of 30 neonatal calves were randomly assigned to either the probiotic (PRO) or control (CON) treatment. Fecal samples were collected at four age timepoints: days 7, 14, 21, and 42. Fecal bacterial population was analyzed using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Differential abundance analysis was conducted to investigate the difference between the PRO and CON treatments, and diarrheic and non-diarrheic calves in each PRO and CON group. The PRO group had decreased Clostridium perfringens and Fusobacterium varium compared to the CON at 7 days of age. At 7 days of age, diarrheic calves in CON had more abundant F. varium compared to non-diarrheic calves, but there was no difference between diarrheic and non-diarrheic calves in the PRO group. In conclusion, probiotics administration decreased the population of pathogenic bacteria in feces from pre-weaned dairy calves on Day 7 of age. However, the treatment did not have an impact on bacterial diversity. These results suggest that the administration of probiotics has the potential to control gastrointestinal pathogens. Full article

Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) can cause detrimental health effects. The consumption of contaminated food is viewed as a major exposure pathway for humans, but the relationship between agriculture and PFASs has not been investigated thoroughly, and it is becoming a pressing issue since health advisories are continuously being reassessed. This semi-systematic literature review connects the release, environmental fate, and agriculture uptake of PFASs to enhance comprehension and identify knowledge gaps which limit accurate risk assessment. It focuses on the heavily agricultural state of Minnesota, USA, which is representative of the large Midwestern US Corn Belt in terms of agricultural activities, because PFASs have been monitored in Minnesota since the beginning of the 21st century. PFAS contamination is a complex issue due to the over 14,000 individual PFAS compounds which have unique chemical properties that interact differently with air, water, soil, and biological systems. Moreover, the lack of field studies and monitoring of agricultural sites makes accurate risk assessments challenging. Researchers, policymakers, and farmers must work closely together to reduce the risk of PFAS exposure as the understanding of their potential health effects increases and legacy PFASs are displaced with shorter fluorinated replacements. Full article

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) persists for several years but must be rotated to another crop before replanting. Kura clover (T. ambiguum M. Bieb) is a perennial legume that can persist indefinitely without replanting; however, establishment is slow, which limits economic returns during the process. Two studies, each with four randomized complete blocks, were planted in two consecutive years at New Mexico State University’s Rex E. Kirksey Agricultural Science Center at Tucumcari, NM, USA, as the first known assessment evaluating alfalfa as an economic nurse crop during kura clover establishment using various kura clover–alfalfa drilled and broadcast planting arrangements. Irrigation termination due to drought limited yield measurements to three years after seeding. In that time, kura clover–alfalfa mixtures generally yielded equally to monoculture alfalfa, except for alternate row planting. After 5 years, the alfalfa stand percentage remained >80%, except for the alternate row treatment (69% stand). Kura clover monocultures attained about 40% stand, and the mixtures had a <25% stand. Alfalfa may persist for more than 5 years before relinquishing dominance to kura clover in mixtures, but the alfalfa would continue to provide economic returns as kura clover continues stand development with minimal production, but develops its root system to maximize production when released from the alfalfa nurse crop. Full article