Search Results (470)

Heart valve prostheses play a key role in regulating the normal cardiac function for patients with valvular diseases, yet even slight alterations in their flow dynamics can result in serious physiological consequences. This paper provides an overview of in vitro studies using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) to investigate the hemodynamics of heart valve prostheses. We first trace the historical evolution of prosthetic valve designs and highlight key milestones in their development. Key experimental considerations for PIV apparatus design are summarized. Subsequently, we review major in vitro PIV studies that have enhanced understanding of prosthetic valve hemodynamics, including flow patterns, turbulence characteristics, and flow–structure interactions. Finally, we outline current challenges and propose future research recommendations, highlighting the potential of integrating advanced PIV methods with high-fidelity imaging for improved assessment of prosthetic valve performances. Overall, the study of heart valve prostheses remains inherently complex due to the multiscale nature of hemodynamic phenomena. Recent advances in experimental fluid mechanics, particularly PIV, have significantly enhanced the ability to visualize and quantify the hemodynamics of prosthetic valves, providing valuable insights for optimizing design and improving the durability of next-generation valve prostheses. Full article

Crop residue plays a significant role on soil health, nutrient cycling, and crop yield, making residue management a key consideration in agricultural production. This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on two different aspects of crop residue in grain production systems: common management practices and their effects. A comprehensive literature survey was conducted using the Scopus database, covering worldwide publications from 1990 to 2025. First, this review explores various crop residue management practices, including burning, stubble retention, and different tillage methods (conservation tillage vs. conventional tillage). This section mainly focuses on tillage practices with an emphasis on the environmental, economic, and agronomic consequences of each approach. Then this review paper explores the effects of crop residue on soils and ecosystems, including the role of crop residues in improving soil quality and enhancing soil organic carbon sequestration. The interaction between crop residues and hydrological processes such as water infiltration and runoff is also examined in this section. The relationships between residue management practices and crop growth and yield responses are also critically assessed. This review highlights the shift from conventional, environmentally detrimental practices toward conservation-oriented approaches, especially reduced tillage, no tillage, and residue retention. Key knowledge gaps and research priorities are identified, particularly regarding crop residue effects on deep soil carbon sequestration, hydrology, crop growth and yields, and the lack of practical management guidelines across agroecosystems. This review provides an integrated framework to support crop residue management and guide future research in conservation agriculture. Full article

Background/Objectives: The multifaceted concept of body image (BI) refers to an individual’s attitudes and impressions of their body. Negative BI is associated with a number of harmful health consequences, including obesity, eating disorders, and symptoms of sadness. The contemporary digital era, marked by the dominance of platforms, has brought about a considerable transformation in the landscape of BI issues. This study’s goal is to compile and assess the connections between social media (SM) use, body weight, and BI in adult populations. Methods: This is a narrative review that comprehensively searches across multiple academic databases, such as PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Studies that used SM (online blogs, microblogs, content communities, or social networking sites) for engagement (e.g., sharing, commenting, liking) or image-related activities (e.g., viewing, posting, or engaging with images) with healthy adults (aged 18–70 years) of any body mass index (BMI kg/m²) met the inclusion criteria. Included were observational and experimental studies that examined habitual SM use. Only peer-reviewed works published in English between 2015 and 2025 met the search criteria. Results: The currently available findings suggest that obese people are more dissatisfied with their bodies than people of normal weight, and obese women are more dissatisfied with their bodies than their peers of normal weight. Furthermore, experimental studies have demonstrated that immediate BI is adversely affected by acute exposure to idealized social media photographs. Conclusions: Policies should support specialized training that emphasizes a holistic approach to health and puts functionality and health above attractiveness. This training is crucial for dispelling weight-related stigmas and enabling healthcare providers to offer compassionate treatment that supports mental and physical health. Future research must concentrate on internalization and social pressure or reinforcement because these subjects have not gotten as much emphasis in prior studies. Such mechanism research could help better contextualize the role of recently introduced SM items. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) have emerged as pervasive contaminants across diverse environments—including soil, water, and the atmosphere—posing substantial risks to resident organisms. Concurrently, alien plant invasion represents a significant driver of environmental change, introducing considerable ecological risks to terrestrial ecosystems. Synthesizing evidence from 26 original research articles, this review examines the bidirectional interactions between micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) and terrestrial invasive plants. A growing body of evidence indicates that MNPs alter the growth and performance of both invasive and native plants. In most documented cases, MNPs appear to enhance the competitive ability of invasive plants, thereby elevating invasion potential. However, counterexamples exist wherein MNPs strengthen the competitiveness of native plants, consequently mitigating invasion risk. These divergent outcomes are likely attributable to a suite of influencing factors, notably the characteristics of the MNPs (e.g., type, size, concentration), the specific invasive and native plant species involved, and variations in experimental conditions. Key mechanistic pathways involve MNPs-induced disturbances in soil microecology—particularly nutrient dynamics and rhizosphere microbiomes—and allelopathic interactions. Conversely, invasive plants may adsorb/absorb MNPs and subsequently modify their environmental fate and behaviors (e.g., degradation, transport). Finally, we delineate critical knowledge gaps and propose prioritized directions for future research. This review advances our understanding of the ecological risks associated with plant invasions in an era of pervasive MNP pollution and offers a scientific foundation for developing informed management strategies. Full article

Parental educational involvement is a pivotal factor associated with an individual’s academic development; however, its specific association with academic delay of gratification and the underlying mechanisms remain not fully understood. Drawing upon ecosystem theory, this study examined a serial mediation model to explore the links between parental educational involvement and academic delay of gratification, focusing on the mediating roles of self-control and consideration of future consequences. A cross-sectional design was employed, involving 726 junior high school students. Data were collected using the Parental Educational Involvement Scale, Academic Delay of Gratification Scale, Self-Control Scale, and Consideration of Future Consequences Scale, with statistical analyses performed via SPSS 26.0 and the PROCESS macro. The results indicated that: (1) parental educational involvement, academic delay of gratification, self-control, and consideration of future consequences were positively correlated with each other in a pairwise manner; (2) academic delay of gratification was significantly predicted by parental educational involvement (β = 0.117, p < 0.001); (3) self-control and consideration of future consequences play a mediating role in the relationship between parental education involvement and academic delay of gratification. There are three mediating pathways involved in this process: the individual mediating role of self-control (β = 0.092, 95% CI [0.054, 0.133]), the individual mediating role of consideration of future consequences (β = 0.030, 95% CI [0.015, 0.050]) and the chain mediating role of self-control and consideration of future consequences (β = 0.015, 95% CI [0.008, 0.024]). This study examined the internal mechanism between parental educational involvement and academic delay of gratification, which is helpful in improving junior middle school students’ ability to engage in academic delay of gratification. Full article

Background/Objectives: Abortion legislation represents a complex intersection of medical practice, ethical considerations, and legal frameworks that demonstrate significant legal heterogeneity across Europe. This study undertakes a comprehensive comparative assessment of the statutory schemes governing abortion across the European continent, examining gestational limits, exceptional circumstances, and regulatory requirements. Methods: A comparative legal analysis was conducted across 31 European jurisdictions. Primary legislative instruments were identified and authenticated through official governmental sources, parliamentary databases, and legal repositories to ensure analysis of current consolidated legislation. Data extraction focused on gestational limits, exceptional circumstances, procedural requirements, and constitutional provisions to categorize jurisdictions into regulatory models. Additionally, a structured literature search was performed in PubMed and Scopus (2015–2025) using the keywords “abortion,” “law,” and “Europe.” From 297 screened records, 30 articles were selected to contextualize legislative evolution and scholarly discourse. Results: The comparative analysis identified substantial heterogeneity in European abortion legislation, revealing four distinct regulatory models. Most jurisdictions establish a legal limit for elective abortion of approximately 12 weeks of gestation, with variations ranging from 10 weeks to 24 weeks. Exceptions to gestational limits are widely recognized for maternal life-threatening conditions, severe fetal anomalies and pregnancies resulting from sexual violence. Conclusions: European abortion legislation reflects persistent regulatory pluralism rather than convergence toward a unified model. While commonality exists regarding early gestational limits for elective abortion, significant variation remains in exceptional circumstances, procedural requirements, and underlying regulatory philosophies. This heterogeneity impacts healthcare provision, cross-border reproductive care, and medico-legal practice. The identified regulatory models illustrate diverse balances between reproductive autonomy and state interests. Future research should examine the practical consequences of these diverse schemes on health outcomes and cross-border patient mobility. Full article

Over the past few decades, the extensive use of plastics has led to significant environmental challenges due to their limited biodegradability and long-term persistence. Consequently, biodegradable materials have attracted considerable attention as sustainable alternative solutions to mitigate these environmental concerns. Also, the use and disposal of these materials present some sustainability challenges. Biopolymers have some advantages over standard polymers, such as biodegradability, non-toxicity and environmental sustainability, and they can be used in various industries. Taking into account the fact that the biopolymers are produced by living organisms and microorganisms, they are considered as the natural materials that can be composted. This review paper explores the increased demand for biopolymers and summarizes their benefits along with application. Overall, the focus is on the composting process as the promising sustainable technology for recovery of biodegradable waste as well as for biopolymers. Also, some biopolymers and their degradation in different conditions are presented, and the biodegradation test methods for these materials are mentioned in accordance with relevant international standards. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current developments and future development directions for the biopolymer field. Full article

Suicide is a serious and global health problem, with important consequences for individuals and for society. Understanding health workers’ perspectives is important for understanding how clinicians think about this topic and their attitudes toward and adherence to current guidelines. These findings can also have implications for future directions in guideline development and suicide-prevention policy. The purpose of this study was to investigate health workers’ experiences with and perceptions of suicide risk assessments. We conducted an electronic survey in which we asked health workers (N = 183) 18 questions about their experiences with and opinions about suicide risk assessments, suicide prevention, risk factors for suicide, and questions relating to the Norwegian guidelines for suicide risk assessment. The health workers in this study consisted of psychologists, doctors, nurses, and social workers from three different Norwegian hospitals. We found that the professional groups differed significantly in their responses. We also found significant differences between staff at the different hospitals in how they perceived the risk factors and standardized questions. In general, the respondents were skeptical regarding the emphasis on standardized suicide risk assessments. Furthermore, respondents perceived suicide as at least partly preventable. There were some differences between professions and hospitals. This may be due to cultural and educational aspects. Suicide risk prevention is complex, involving a variety of factors. Methodological limitations should be taken into consideration. Future research should further explore health workers’ concerns about standardized suicide risk assessments. Full article

The clinical safety of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is well-established, offering potential as a “one-drug, multi-target” intervention for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, its efficacy remains inconclusive and appears closely related to specific functional properties. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review based on the analysis of prior animal and clinical trials to provide insights for future IVIG-based therapeutic development. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PsycInfo, ClinicalTrials.gov, SinoMed, and Wanfang databases for the relevant literature published up to 30 October 2025, using terms related to Alzheimer’s, IVIG, and β-amyloid protein. Consequently, IVIG demonstrated clinical safety, though methodologies—including dosages, models, and manufacturers—varied significantly across studies. In most cases, IVIG treatment delayed cognitive degradation in both AD mice and patients. Biologically, Aβ and tau levels increased in plasma while decreasing in the brain or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), suggesting a peripheral clearance mechanism distinct from that of monoclonal antibody interventions. Additionally, brain atrophy was alleviated, and pathological plaques were reduced. In the context of plasma exchange (PE) combination therapy, the administration of IVIG further contributed to improvements in language, memory, and praxis. IVIG possesses a favorable safety profile and can ameliorate AD symptoms, yet efficacy varies considerably between trials. To advance treatment, future research should investigate the reasons for these variances and establish a standardized system for evaluating preclinical IVIG interventions, thereby facilitating the development of specific IVIG products for AD. Full article

Traditionally, Lasiocephalus ovatus Schltdl. (Asteraceae) has been used as an aromatic medicinal plant, particularly in the treatment of kidney-related ailments. However, scientific evidence validating its chemical composition and bioactivity remains limited. According to our literature search, there are no previous studies on the in vitro antibacterial, antioxidant, or anti-inflammatory activities of the essential oil from the aerial parts of Lasiocephalus ovatus; therefore, this study provides the first experimental evidence of these biological activities for this species. An essential oil (EO) was steam-distilled from the aerial parts of L. ovatus, grown at 4410 m above sea level in the paramos of Chimborazo Province (Ecuador), and subsequently analyzed. The distillation yield was 0.21% (w/w) based on dry plant material. Gas chromatography was employed for qualitative (GC-MS) and quantitative (GC-FID) analyses, using two different capillary columns, coated with 5% phenyl methyl polysiloxane (non-polar) and polyethylene glycol (polar) stationary phases. Dual stationary phases were required to provide complementary selectivity, which reinforced the identification and quantification of compounds. The major components of the EO were silphinene (3.4–3.5%), δ-selinene (3.6–3.1%), β-cyclogermacrene (18.7–18.1%), kessane (4.5–4.2%), spathulenol (13.3–13.3%), viridiflorol (3.1–3.0%) and neophytadiene (4.8–4.4%), values referred to the non-polar and polar phase respectively. The enantioselective analysis revealed that (1S,5S)-(−)-α-pinene, (1S,5S)-(+)-β-pinene and (R)-(−)-α-phellandrene were enantiomerically pure, whereas germacrene D was present as a scalemic mixture. The essential oil of L. ovatus exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 250 µg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus and 500 µg/mL against Escherichia coli. Its antibacterial activity is likely associated with the presence of bioactive sesquiterpenes such as silphinene, δ-selinene, and spathulenol, which are known for their membrane-disruptive properties. Regarding its antioxidant potential, the observed moderate radical scavenging activity (SC₅₀ = of 375.7 µg/mL) can be attributed to its complex mixture, particularly to oxygenated terpenoids like viridiflorol and spathulenol, which are recognized for their radical-neutralizing capacity. In the anti-inflammatory assay, the EO’s moderate potency (IC₅₀ = 165.29 ± 4.75 μg/mL) is also consistent with the anti-inflammatory profile reported for several of its major constituents, including spathulenol and viridiflorol. While significantly lower than that of aspirin (28.85 ± 7.66 μg/mL), this bioactivity is considerable within the context of a plant extract. Overall, the antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects are consistent with the EO’s terpene-rich composition, particularly oxygenated sesquiterpenes, while the enantiomeric distribution of chiral monoterpenes may further modulate bioactivity; consequently, future studies should include enantioselective quantification, broader antioxidant assays (e.g., ABTS, FRAP, ORAC, CUPRAC), cytotoxicity at active concentrations, and mechanistic and in vivo validation. Full article

Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a frequent and often persistent consequence of limb amputation, characterized by pain perceived in the absent limb. Despite decades of research, its biological basis remains incompletely understood, and available treatments often provide inconsistent relief. This reflects the complex and heterogeneous nature of phantom limb pain, which cannot be explained by a single anatomical site or pathological process. Current evidence suggests that phantom limb pain emerges from the interaction of changes occurring at multiple levels of the nervous system. Peripheral nerve injury associated with amputation induces molecular and cellular alterations that may influence early nociceptive signaling. These changes can interact with adaptive and maladaptive responses within the spinal cord, including altered synaptic transmission and neuron–glia interactions, which may facilitate sustained amplification of pain-related signals. At supraspinal levels, long-term adaptations within distributed neural networks involved in sensory, motor, and affective processing may contribute to the persistence of pain perceptions in the absence of ongoing peripheral input. Immune-related signaling and long-term regulation of gene expression further modulate these processes and may contribute to inter-individual variability. In this narrative review, we synthesize current experimental and clinical evidence addressing the molecular and cellular processes associated with phantom limb pain following lower limb amputation. Findings are integrated across peripheral, spinal, and supraspinal levels, with consideration of immune-related and regulatory influences. By highlighting areas of convergence, uncertainty, and existing knowledge gaps, this review aims to provide a coherent biological framework that may support future experimental and translational research in this challenging field. Full article

Phthalate esters (PAEs) are emerging pollutants which are widely distributed in agricultural environments, and their impacts on crops have attracted considerable attention. PAEs on crops can disrupt their normal physiological metabolism, deteriorate the quality of agricultural products, and pose potential risks to human health through the food chain. Here, based on existing studies, we consolidate recent findings on the occurrence, sources, phytotoxicity, and control measures of PAEs in cash crops. Specifically, the pollution status of PAEs in cash crops was investigated. PAEs enter plants through water, soil, the atmosphere, and packaging materials via wastewater contamination, the degradation of plastic waste, and emissions from industrial processes. PAEs can induce oxidative stress in cash crops, disrupt photosynthetic pathways, and alter soil- and plant-associated microbial communities, leading to physiological and metabolic disorders that significantly reduce the yield and quality of cash crops. Consequently, recent studies have explored and developed more advanced mitigation strategies, such as enzymatic degradation, the use of microbial communities, and the development of new treatment materials and technologies. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive assessment of current research on PAEs in cash crops and offers insights into existing challenges and future prospects for ensuring the quality and safety of agricultural products. Full article

Locust outbreaks cause a significant threat to global food security and ecosystem stability, with particularly severe consequences in grassland regions, where grasshoppers also exert considerable ecological pressure. In comparison to grasshoppers, locusts typically occur at much larger spatial scales, as their strong migratory ability and collective movement behavior lead to greater spatial connectivity and autocorrelation. The forecasting of both locust and grasshopper outbreaks remains a formidable scientific challenge, primarily due to the complex, nonlinear spatiotemporal interactions among environmental drivers such as weather, vegetation, and soil conditions. This review compares the evolution of prediction methodologies for locust and grasshopper outbreaks, focusing on the application of deep learning (DL) methods to ecological forecasting tasks. It traces the development from traditional statistical models to classical machine learning, and ultimately to DL, assessing the strengths and limitations of key DL architectures—including Deep Neural Networks (DNNs), Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks, and Gated Recurrent Units (GRUs)—in modeling the intricate dynamics of locust populations. While most studies have concentrated on locust outbreaks, this review emphasizes the adaptation of these models to grassland ecosystems, such as those in Inner Mongolia, where grasshopper outbreaks exhibit similarities to locust plagues but have been largely overlooked in DL research. Despite the potential of DL, challenges such as data scarcity, limited model generalizability across regions, and the “black box” issue of low interpretability remain. To address these issues, we propose future research directions that integrate Explainable AI (XAI), transfer learning, and generative models like GANs to development more robust, transparent, and ecologically grounded forecasting tools. By promoting the use of efficient architectures like GRUs within customized frameworks, this review aims to guide the development of effective early warning systems for sustainable locust management in vulnerable grassland ecosystems. Full article

This paper numerically analyses numerous parameters with the most sensitive impact on the in-plane lateral behaviour of light timber-framed (LTF) wall elements. Different types of sheathing material (fibre-plaster boards, OSB) are studied according to the parametrically chosen distance between the fasteners, using three different calculation procedures: (a) a previously developed semi-analytical procedure using the Modified Gamma Method (MGM) accounts for bending, shear, and timber-to-framing connection flexibility simultaneously; (b) a previously developed FEM Spring Model as the most accurate approach; and (c) in this study, a specially developed innovative FEM 2D Hinge Model using the two-dimensional hinge layer to simulate the deformability between the sheathing boards and the timber frame, which enables significantly faster FEM analysis compared to the already developed FEM Spring Model. This, in turn, realistically allows for much faster analysis of real multi-storey timber structures. In order to only judge the influence of the sheathing material and fastener disposition, in all cases, the tensile and compressive vertical supports are considered to be stiff-supported wall elements as prescribed by the valid Eurocode 5 standard; however, it is possible to additionally include all three possible supporting flexibilities. The study places particular emphasis on the deformation of sliding fasteners between the sheathing boards and the timber frame, which arises from fastener flexibility and can significantly reduce the overall in-plane stiffness of LTF wall elements. For specially selected parametric values of fastener spacing (s = 20, 37.5, 75, and 150 mm), parametric FEM analysis using a special 2D hinge layer is additionally developed and performed to validate the previously developed semi-analytical expressions by the MGM for the in-plane wall stiffness, which seems to be the most appropriate for designing engineering implementation. All applied approaches to modelling wall elements considered the same parameters for evaluating the stiffness of an individual wall element, which represents a fundamental input parameter in the modelling of frame wall elements within the overall structure. The aim of the study is to determine the most suitable and accurate model, as the response of the entire structure to horizontal loading depends on the design of the individual wall element. Among these, it has been demonstrated that the thickness of the load-bearing timber frame and the type of resisting LTF walls (internal or external) have practically no significant effect on the in-plane stiffness of such wall elements. Consequently, the type of sheathing material (FPB or OSB) and especially the spacing between the fasteners are much more sensitive parameters, which would probably need to be given further consideration in future FEM studies. Full article

Since land use considerably affects the spatial variation of PM_2.5 levels, it is crucial to predict PM_2.5 concentrations under future land use changes. However, prior research has primarily concentrated on meteorological factors influencing PM_2.5 predictions, while neglecting the effect of land use configurations. Consequently, in our study, a novel Patch-generating Land Use Simulation–Land Use Regression (PLUS-LUR) method was developed by integrating the PLUS model’s dynamic prediction capability with the LUR model’s spatial interpretation strength. The incorporation of landscape indices as key variables was essential for predicting PM_2.5 concentrations. First, the random forest-optimized LUR method was trained with PM_2.5 datasets from the Pearl River Delta (PRD) monitoring stations and multi-source spatial datasets. We assessed the modeling accuracy with and without considering landscape indices using the test dataset. Subsequently, the PLUS approach was applied to forecast land use as well as associated landscape indices in 2028. Based on these projections, grid-scale influencing factors were input into the previously constructed LUR model to forecast future PM_2.5 distributions at a grid scale. The results reveal a spatial pattern with higher PM_2.5 levels in central areas and lower levels in peripheral regions. Furthermore, the PM_2.5 concentrations in the PRD are all below the Grade II threshold of the China Ambient Air Quality Benchmark in 2028. Notably, the predictions incorporating landscape indices demonstrate higher accuracy and reliability compared to those excluding them. These results provide methodological support for future PM_2.5 assessment and land use management. Full article