Search Results (12,847)

Objectives: To assess the impact of organized (OgS) versus opportunistic screening (OpS) on grade, extent, and surgical management of cervical lesions, and to evaluate human papillomavirus (HPV)-based versus cytology-based screening within OgS. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 9830 women undergoing conization (1992–2021). Data included screening modality, histology, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3) linear extension, and cone volume. Statistical analysis employed chi-square test, Student’s t-tests, Cochran–Armitage test for trend, and Firth’s penalized multivariate logistic regression to identify independent predictors of invasive disease. Results: Of 9830 patients, 5097 (52%) were referred from OgS and 4733 (48%) from OpS. OgS patients were significantly older (40.0 vs. 37.0 years; p < 0.001). In the final decade, OgS achieved a significantly lower rate of invasive carcinomas compared to OpS (1.1% vs. 2.7%; p < 0.001). Mean CIN3 extension and cone volume were significantly lower in OgS (6.5 mm; 1150 mm³) than in OpS (7.1 mm; 1580 mm³; p < 0.001). Within OgS, HPV-detected CIN3 lesions were smaller than cytology-detected ones (5.9 vs. 6.4 mm; p < 0.001). Long-term analysis showed a borderline downward trend in invasive cancer for OgS (p = 0.089), whereas OpS remained stable at higher risk levels. Multivariate analysis confirmed the screening model as an independent predictor of invasiveness: OpS was associated with a two-fold increased risk of invasive cancer compared to OgS (adjusted odds ratio: 1.99; 95% confidence interval: 1.41–2.83; p < 0.001). Conclusions: OgS identifies high-grade precancers earlier and with smaller excisional requirements. OpS is associated with significantly higher invasive cancer rates and larger conizations. Multivariate data reinforce OgS as a superior framework, effectively halving the risk of invasive disease compared to OpS. Full article

To enhance the low-carbon operational performance of integrated energy systems (IESs) under multi-source uncertainties, this study proposes a bilevel stochastic optimization framework incorporating a dynamic mean–CVaR risk model and a tiered carbon pricing mechanism. The upper level adopts an improved NSGA-II to jointly optimize economic cost, carbon emissions, and system flexibility through capacity planning decisions. The lower level performs scenario-based operation evaluation with a time-varying risk aversion coefficient, enabling differentiated risk responses across operating periods. A stepwise carbon price function and a capped carbon revenue mechanism are introduced to represent real carbon market regulations and avoid excessive emission reduction benefits. Multidimensional uncertainty scenarios—covering renewable variability, load fluctuations, and market price disturbances—are generated for risk-aware evaluation. Simulation results show that the proposed approach effectively reduces cost and emission volatility and achieves a more balanced trade-off between economy and low-carbon performance compared with conventional static-risk models. Sensitivity analyses further reveal that increased risk aversion shifts system operation strategies from economy-oriented to robustness-oriented modes, highlighting the importance of dynamic risk modeling and carbon policy design for future low-carbon multi-energy systems. Full article

As semiconductor devices continue to scale down and integrate more densely, the atomic-level planarization of metal interconnects and dielectric layers is critical. Consequently, the development of chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) materials must address both high polishing performance and environmental sustainability. In this study, γ-Fe₂O₃@SiO₂ core–shell abrasive particles were designed to overcome the performance and recyclability limitations of conventional SiO₂ abrasives. The γ-Fe₂O₃ core enables an efficient magnetic separation from spent slurry, while the tunable SiO₂ shell enhances the dispersion stability and modulates the polishing characteristics. When applied to the CMP of tungsten (W) thin films, the optimized γ-Fe₂O₃@SiO₂ abrasives achieved a higher removal rate and lower surface roughness than commercial SiO₂-based slurries. Notably, the abrasives maintained a high performance even after 10 reuse cycles through simple magnetic recovery. This demonstrates a highly efficient and sustainable design strategy for next-generation CMP materials. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dental aesthetics has been shown to be associated with psychosocial functioning and self-perception, underscoring the importance of integrating psychosocial considerations into holistic patient care. This study assessed self-perceived dental aesthetics, self-esteem, and dental habits among dental medicine students in relation to socio-demographic factors and dental knowledge. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 172 students from the Dental Medicine Faculty in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, was conducted. The sample was divided into two groups, based on their prior education in dentistry: Level 1 students at the beginning of their studies, without any prior dental medicine experience, and Level 2 students with basic knowledge in the field of dentistry at the end of their preclinical years. After informed consent, participants completed the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and questions on oral hygiene and socio-demographics. Subscale and overall questionnaire scores were computed and statistically analysed using Pearson’s correlations and independent-samples t-tests to examine relationships among self-perceived dental aesthetics and self-esteem and differences between variables. Results: A negative correlation was found between the psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics and overall self-esteem scores (p = 0.006). Greater aesthetic concerns were associated with lower self-esteem (p = 0.003), although the magnitude of correlation was small. Female participants had higher social impact scores for dental aesthetics (p = 0.039), whereas male students reported higher self-esteem (p = 0.047). Students from Level 2 group presented higher self-esteem than Level 1 (p = 0.016). Regarding oral hygiene, a small but statistically significant association was found between dental flossing frequency and aesthetic concern scores (p = 0.044). Additionally, individuals who frequently attended dental check-ups reported a more favourable self-image. Conclusions: Self-perceived dental aesthetics correlates with self-esteem among dental students, varying by gender and academic level. The Dental Self-Confidence subscale of the PIDAQ had the greatest perceived impact, underscoring the importance of self-image for dental students’ psychological and social well-being. Dental flossing and regular dental consultations appear to be linked to improved self-perceived dental aesthetics. Full article

Surface pitting is a physiological disorder characterized by depressions on the fruit surface, caused by subepidermal cell collapse and exacerbated during cold storage. This study evaluated antioxidant responses and cell wall disassembly in sweet cherry cultivars exhibiting contrasting susceptibility to surface pitting. Four cultivars were evaluated over two growing seasons under controlled cold storage and shelf-life conditions, with pitting experimentally induced. Surface pitting severity was strongly genotype-dependent. After 15 d at 1 °C in the first season, pitting severity was higher in ‘Sweetheart’ and ‘Lapins’ (2.4 and 1.9, respectively) than in ‘Regina’ (0.6), while in the second season, ‘Sweetheart’ reached the highest damage at shelf life (3.5) and ‘Santina’ remained low (0.8), confirming lower susceptibility in ‘Regina’ and ‘Santina’ than in ‘Sweetheart’ and ‘Lapins’. Cell wall-related traits and pectinolytic enzyme activities exhibited strong seasonal variability and were not consistently associated with pitting incidence. In contrast, resistant cultivars exhibited higher non-enzymatic antioxidant levels. Total phenolic content reached 4.1 ± 0.4 mg g⁻¹ in ‘Regina’ at the end of storage, while antioxidant capacity reached 51.5 ± 3.3% DPPH inhibition, up to 2-fold higher than susceptible cultivars. Enzymatic antioxidant activities were influenced by cultivar and season and showed limited association with pitting development. These results indicate that phenolic-based non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity plays a central role in conferring tolerance to surface pitting in sweet cherry during cold storage. Full article

Background: Persistent gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common in adults and are often considered functional conditions. Emerging evidence suggests that gastrointestinal function may be intertwined with systemic metabolic regulation, yet the association between chronic GI symptoms and cardiometabolic risk assessed using routine clinical biomarkers remains insufficiently explored. Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, 93 adults were consecutively enrolled during routine clinical evaluations. Anthropometric parameters, fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, and blood pressure were assessed. Participants were classified as having persistent gastrointestinal symptoms (GI+) or being asymptomatic (GI−) based on symptom duration and clinical documentation. A composite metabolic stress score, derived from routinely available biomarkers, was used to summarize multidimensional cardiometabolic burden. Group comparisons and correlation analyses were performed using non-parametric methods. Results: Participants with persistent gastrointestinal symptoms exhibited higher triglyceride levels, lower HDL-cholesterol concentrations, and higher fasting plasma glucose compared with asymptomatic individuals (all p < 0.05). The composite metabolic stress score was significantly higher in the GI+ group, indicating greater overall cardiometabolic burden, while body mass index and HbA1c did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusions: Persistent gastrointestinal symptoms were associated with an unfavorable cardiometabolic profile characterized by atherogenic dyslipidemia and impaired fasting glycemia. An exploratory composite metabolic stress score based on routine clinical biomarkers effectively summarized this pattern. These findings support the biological plausibility of shared metabolic vulnerability between gastrointestinal symptom burden and cardiometabolic risk and highlight the need for longitudinal and mechanistic studies incorporating objective gastrointestinal and metabolic biomarkers. Full article

The rapid proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs) has introduced significant challenges to the efficient operation of hydrogen-containing integrated energy systems (H-IESs). To cope with these challenges, this paper develops a bi-level optimal scheduling strategy for H-IESs that simultaneously incorporates a ladder-type carbon emission trading mechanism, demand response, and the operational characteristics of EVs. A demand response model is formulated by considering the coupling characteristics of electric and thermal loads. Price-based incentive signals are further designed to coordinate the interactions between the H-IES operator and EV users, enabling flexible resources to actively participate in system scheduling. In the proposed bi-level framework, the upper-level problem aims to minimize the total operating cost of the H-IES, while the lower-level problem seeks to reduce the charging cost of EV users. The resulting bi-level optimization problem is reformulated and solved using the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker (KKT) conditions. Case study results demonstrate that, compared with the single-level benchmark, the proposed bi-level strategy reduces the total operating cost by 34.79% and lowers the EV charging cost by 4.50%. Full article

The coupling of electricity, heat, and hydrogen subsystems together with carbon capture technologies introduces complex operational interactions in modern multi-energy systems. Existing game-based scheduling studies mainly focus on electricity–heat or electricity–heat–gas coupling, often neglecting hydrogen blending, carbon capture integration, and strategic coordination among heterogeneous stakeholders. To address these gaps, this study develops a game-theoretic hierarchical optimization framework for electricity–heat–hydrogen integrated energy systems incorporating carbon capture. Compared with conventional multi-energy game models, the proposed framework integrates hydrogen blending and carbon capture into a unified electricity–heat–hydrogen–carbon coupling structure, enabling coordinated low-carbon operation. A Stackelberg leader–follower structure is adopted, where the upper-level operator determines electricity and heat prices, and lower-level participants optimize generation dispatch and demand response accordingly. The bi-level model is transformed into an equivalent single-level formulation using Karush–Kuhn–Tucker conditions and solved through a hybrid particle swarm optimization–mathematical programming approach. Simulation results based on an extended IEEE 30-bus system demonstrate improved coordination, enhanced scheduling flexibility, and reduced operating costs and carbon emissions. Compared with centralized optimization, the proposed framework enables the integrated energy operator and energy supplier to achieve revenues of 3.18 × 10⁵ CNY and 3.95 × 10⁵ CNY, respectively, while reducing the load aggregator’s cost by 41.71%, confirming its effectiveness for coordinated low-carbon IES scheduling. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dietary fibers play key roles in shaping gut microbiome and intestinal homeostasis. While purified diets offer experimental precision and reproducibility in rodent models, they omit the complex mixture of fermentable and non-fermentable fibers found in grain-based chow diets. We hypothesized that excluding fermentable fiber impairs intestinal homeostasis by reducing microbial metabolites and altering the colonic epithelial transcriptome, thereby increasing susceptibility to inflammation. Methods: Wildtype male C57BL/6 mice were maintained on either a standard grain-based chow diet or a purified low-fat diet (LFD) containing 5% non-fermentable cellulose for ten weeks. Fecal microbiomes, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) profiles, and colonic epithelial transcriptomes were analyzed. A separate group was challenged with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) following a five-week dietary intervention to compare colitis severity between the two diet groups. Results: Relative to mice fed the grain-based chow, those consuming the purified LFD (containing only non-fermentable cellulose) showed decreased gut microbial diversity and significantly lower SCFA levels. These changes were accompanied by marked differences in colonic epithelial cell transcriptomes. In LFD-fed mice, the top upregulated gene networks included ribosomal pathways and MHC complex protein binding, suggesting increased growth and gut inflammation. The most downregulated pathways included mineral absorption, actin and tubulin binding, and membrane organelle assembly, indicating major alterations in cellular structure and transport. LFD-fed mice also exhibited increased colonic expression of S100a9, a gut inflammation biomarker, and more severe disease symptoms when challenged with DSS compared to chow-fed mice. Conclusions: Fermentable fibers are one of the factors contributing to intestinal homeostasis and mitigating the severity of ulcerative colitis. Full article

Background/Objectives: Demineralization around orthodontic brackets may compromise enamel integrity and alter the mechanical stability of the bracket–adhesive–enamel interface, thereby influencing bond performance and clinical outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of enamel demineralization on the fatigue-based shear bond strength (SBS) of different orthodontic brackets. Methods: Seventy-five extracted maxillary premolars subjected to demineralization were allocated into five groups (n = 15 per group). Victory metal (Group 1), APC Clarity Advanced ceramic (Group 2), Clarity Self-ligating ceramic (Group 3), Gemini metal (Group 4), and Clarity Advanced ceramic (Group 5) brackets were bonded to the tooth surfaces using Transbond XT (3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA). The mean demineralization values of the specimens were recorded before demineralization (T0) and after exposure to an artificial cariogenic environment (T1). Fatigue-based SBS was evaluated under cyclic loading (10 N, 0.5 Hz) at a crosshead speed of 300 mm/min using a closed-loop controlled, low-cycle fatigue testing machine and expressed as the number of shear strokes to failure. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: No significant differences in demineralization were observed among the groups at T0 (p > 0.05); however, all groups showed significant increases at T1 (p < 0.05), with Group 1 demonstrating significantly lower demineralization than the other groups (p < 0.05). Fatigue-based SBS was higher in Groups 1, 3, and 5 than in Groups 2 and 4, as indicated by a greater number of shear strokes to failure (p < 0.05). In Groups 2 and 4, a statistically significant negative correlation was observed between changes in enamel demineralization and the number of shear strokes to failure (p < 0.05). No hard tissue damage was observed in Group 5 during fatigue testing. Conclusions: Increased demineralization may adversely affect fatigue-based SBS and increase the risk of hard tissue damage. Under plaque-related demineralization conditions, Victory metal and Clarity Advanced ceramic brackets may demonstrate more favorable fatigue bond behavior; however, further in vitro and in vivo studies are required to confirm these findings. Full article

This work investigated the effects of varying tungsten (W) and chromium (Cr) contents on the lattice constant, elastic properties, yield strength, and electronic structure of TiZrNb alloys via first principles and the Special Quasi-Random Structure (SQS). A modified Senkov approach, considering the local atomic environment to estimate yield strength was suggested. Analysis indicated that W and Cr decrease the lattice constant of the TiZrNb alloy. W could improve the elastic modulus of material and solid solution strengthening effect, but Cr only enhanced the bulk modulus at high levels. The alloying of W and Cr was not beneficial for enhancing the plasticity. Cr was more significant in damaging mechanical isotropy. The modified Senkov approach improved the estimation accuracy of yield strength. Electronic property analysis indicated that W and Cr could lower the Fermi level to enhance the stability of the phase. Their covalent interactions helped to enhance strength. At present, the accuracy of the theoretical predictions has improved, relative to the experimental values. This work will provide guidance for the design and optimization of TiZrNb-based alloys. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive substance that possesses properties suitable for the treatment of several disorders related to the central nervous system. However, successful administration of cannabidiol remains challenging due to low and variable bioavailability and potential adverse effects. Intranasal delivery of cannabidiol may help overcome these limitations, but the pharmacokinetics of such administration has not been fully established. Methods: Starch-based cannabidiol-loaded nanoparticles were used as carriers and were administered to rats via the intranasal route. Cannabidiol levels in plasma and the brain were examined at different time points and compared to cannabidiol levels in plasma and the brain following intravenous administration of cannabidiol solution for injection. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated for each delivery route, and a pharmacokinetic model was fitted for the intranasal administration. Results: Intranasal administration resulted in a bioavailability of 47.9%. Systemic absorption accounted for 44% of the absorbed drug, while 56% was absorbed by direct brain entry. Intranasal administration resulted in rapid brain penetration with a brain t_max of 10 min and demonstrated a brain bioavailability of 28.5% compared to bioavailability after intravenous bolus injection of cannabidiol solution. Conclusions: Intranasal administration of cannabidiol-loaded nanoparticles was found to be effective for the delivery of cannabidiol to the brain with significantly lower systemic exposure compared to intravenous administration. A proposed pharmacokinetic model was found to be appropriate in describing and predicting the disposition pathways following intranasal administration, especially when designing drug delivery systems for brain targeting. Full article

Enhancing the thermal performance of the Trombe Wall is crucial for improving the energy efficiency of passive solar heating systems. This study presents a three-dimensional numerical analysis to investigate the combined effects of internal rib density and geometrical configuration on the thermo-hydrodynamic behavior of a Trombe wall. Using a finite-volume method with laminar flow assumptions based on the Reynolds number, the research is conducted in two sections. First, four rib densities (Nr = 3, 5, 7, and 9) are evaluated using a rectangular rib geometry to identify the best rib number. Subsequently, four innovative designs are compared: rectangular (Model A), semi-circular (Model B), crossed semi-circular (Model C), and spaced semi-circular (Model D) ribs. The findings indicate that while increasing rib count enhances heat transfer through secondary-flow intensification, improvements become marginal beyond Nr = 5 due to excessive flow resistance. At Re = 1600, the Nr = 5 configuration achieves a 68% increase in the average Nusselt number over a smooth channel while maintaining acceptable friction levels. The thermal enhancement factor of case Nr = 5 is the highest in all evaluated Re numbers. Regarding geometry, the model with crossed semi-circular ribs (Model C) provides the maximum thermal enhancement at Re = 1600, with nearly a twofold increase in heat transfer (compared to the smooth channel), albeit at the cost of higher pressure losses. Conversely, the spaced semi-circular ribs case (Model D) achieves the best thermal enhancement factor of 1.51, a 12.7% increase in heat flux, and a lower Poiseuille number. Overall, this study demonstrates that enhanced ribbed configurations can significantly improve Trombe Wall efficiency, with the spaced semi-circular design and five ribs. Full article

DNA polymerase beta (Polβ) is a 39 kDa, single polypeptide enzyme that possesses both gap tailoring and nucleotidyl transferase activity and is the key polymerase involved in base excision repair (BER) and the final steps of active gene demethylation. We demonstrated that residues in the mouse Polβ protein, L301 and V303, are critical for Polβ’s interaction with the BER scaffolding protein X-ray repair cross-complementing 1 (XRCC1), and mutation of these residues impairs Polβ’s ability to bind to XRCC1, negatively impacting BER complex assembly. We developed Polβ^{L301R-V303R/L301R-V303R} knock-in mice to explore how defects with this essential protein complex impact genome stability in the mouse. We found these mice to be viable and fertile yet exhibited a modest reduction in body weight. Here, we examined the protein and mRNA levels in tissues from wild-type (WT), heterozygous (HET), and homozygous (HOM) Polβ^{L301R-V303R/L301R-V303R} mice and the derived fibroblast cell lines. We show that HOM mice have significantly diminished Polβ protein levels, as compared to WT mice, in several tissues, yet Polβ mRNA levels were not significantly different, suggesting the decreased levels of Polβ protein could not be attributed to lower gene expression. Upon examination of Polβ stability in mouse ear fibroblasts derived from WT and HOM mice, results are consistent with human cell studies that the Polβ^L301R-V303R protein is unstable and undergoes proteasome-mediated degradation. Finally, we evaluated WT, and HOM, liver and brain genomic DNA samples for 5-methylcytosine/5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5mC/5hmC) levels by nanopore sequencing to investigate the impact of suppressed Polβ protein levels on active gene demethylation. As expected, we found tissue-specific trends in methylation, when comparing the brain and liver. However, we were unable to discern substantial differences in methylation levels between WT and HOM mice, suggesting that in the absence of external stressors, low Polβ levels do not impact methylation patterns. Full article

Agricultural soil fertility is a key determinant of crop productivity and long-term sustainability. However, intensive farming practices often require repeated passes of heavy machinery, which can lead to soil compaction. This study examines the interplay between tractor traffic, tire inflation pressure, and their effects on soil physical properties and fertility indicators. Tire pressure management emerges as a crucial mitigation strategy: high inflation pressures concentrate the load and exacerbate subsoil compaction, whereas reduced pressures (within safe limits) enlarge the tire–soil contact area, distributing the vehicle’s weight more evenly. This in turn improves traction, lowers ground pressure, and reduces energy losses. As a result, both the depth and severity of soil compaction are reduced. Further advances may be achieved through innovative tires manufactured with eco-sustainable materials and tread patterns specifically designed to enhance traction and minimize slippage-related energy loss. In this context, CREA conducted comparative field tests on two tractor tire models from the same manufacturer: a conventional design and an evolved version featuring an innovative tread and larger footprint. The trials assessed the impact of each tire on soil compaction, traction performance, and energy efficiency. Tests were performed on a silty-clay agricultural soil naturally settled for a year, using a dynamometric vehicle to apply different controlled traction force levels, combined with two inflation pressure settings. To highlight performance differences between the two models, the tractor was rear-ballasted, and the study focused on the rear axle, which carried most of the traction stress. Results indicated that, under the specific test conditions, at high inflation pressure both tires performed similarly (with the innovative model slightly reducing fuel use and the conventional yielding marginally higher maximum tractive force), whereas at low pressure the innovative tire clearly outperformed the traditional model in traction efficiency and caused less soil compaction. The extent of the benefits associated with using the innovative tire model across various soil conditions, moisture levels, and in the absence of rear ballasting will be evaluated in further tests based on traction force control using the proposed testing system. Full article