Search Results (19,157)

Zinc oxide (ZnO), silver (Ag) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles (NPs), are three of the most widely manufactured NPs, while composite NPs have gained popularity due to their enhanced properties. NP release in environmental matrices increases chances of bioavailability and subsequent impact on human health. The current study focuses on manufacturing, characterization and cyto-genotoxic assessment of Ag, ZnO/Ag, TiO₂ and TiO₂/Ag NPs with and without humic acids (HAs), aiming for a holistic approach that leads to a comprehensive profile of said NPs. It entails (a) the synthesis of the aforementioned NPs via single-nozzle Flame Spray Pyrolysis (SN-FSP); (b) the characterization of NPs (in powder form and in dispersion media) using Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS); and (c) the assessment of their genotoxicity and cytotoxicity against human lymphocytes in presence of two HAs, thus simulating actual environmental conditions, and without HAs, through the cytokinesis block micronucleus assay (CBMN) with cytochalasin-B. No genotoxicity was observed in any case, whereas cytotoxicity induction varied depending on the NP and the presence or absence of the two HAs. Therefore, it is indispensable to evaluate the toxic profile of NPs considering different environmental scenarios, while conducting an integrated characterization of NPs. Full article

This study addresses several key limitations identified in previous research on additively manufactured PLA composites. Unlike most earlier studies that focused primarily on the characterization of as-printed materials, the present work systematically investigates both mechanical and surface behavior before, during, and after artificial aging. In addition, six different printing configurations and reinforcement types (PVC and fiberglass mesh) were analyzed under controlled conditions, enabling a more reliable assessment of their combined influence on composite performance. Printed specimens were artificially aged for 45 and 90 days. The aging protocol combined cyclic changes in moisture, temperature, UV, and IR agents, trying to mimic real exploitation conditions as realistically as possible. The chemical and surface changes during aging were tracked using FTIR spectroscopy, colorimetry, contact angle, and surface free energy measurements. Mechanical performance at 0, 45, and 90 days was evaluated through tensile, three-point bending, and Charpy impact tests, as well as full-scale cantilever loading tests of real printed drone arms. Results show that artificial aging causes measurable chemical and surface modifications, as indicated by changes in the FTIR degradation index and surface wettability. However, these changes do not result in severe mechanical degradation within the investigated aging period. Reinforcement in the form of incorporated PVC and fiberglass mesh significantly affected failure behavior. Specimens printed with higher infill density and thicker infill lines generally exhibit improved mechanical properties. Specimens stiffness and impact resistance were also altered. Results demonstrate that reinforced PLA structures are suitable for lightweight drone applications. Full article

This paper introduces the Polynomial Perceptron (PP), a structured extension of the classical perceptron that incorporates explicit polynomial feature expansions to model nonlinear interactions while preserving analytical transparency. By expressing feature interactions in closed functional form, PP captures higher-order dependencies through a compact set of learned coefficients, establishing a principled trade-off between expressivity and parameter efficiency. The proposed architecture is evaluated across heterogeneous domains, including text, image, and structured data tasks, under controlled experimental settings with parameter-matched baselines. Performance is assessed using standard metrics such as classification accuracy and model complexity (parameter count). Empirical results demonstrate that low-degree PP models achieve competitive accuracy compared to multilayer perceptrons and convolutional neural networks, while requiring significantly fewer parameters. An ablation study further analyzes the impact of polynomial degree on predictive performance, revealing diminishing returns beyond moderate degrees and highlighting favorable efficiency–accuracy trade-offs. A key advantage of PP lies in its intrinsic interpretability. Unlike conventional deep learning models that rely on post hhoc explanation methods, PP provides direct analytical insight through its explicit polynomial structure, enabling decomposition of predictions into feature-, token-, or patch-level contributions without surrogate approximations. Overall, the results indicate that PP offers a lightweight, interpretable, and computationally efficient alternative to standard neural architectures, particularly well-suited for resource-constrained environments and applications where transparency is critical. Full article

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health threat arising from inappropriate antibiotic use. Data on the prescription of antibiotics in emergency departments (EDs), critical care points for infection management, are limited. Objective: This study aimed to assess systemic antibiotic use in an Indonesian ED. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted in the Cilacap Teaching Hospital ED in 2022. Data, including patient demographics and systemic antibiotic prescription details (World Health Organization Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (WHO ATC): J01) were extracted from electronic medical records. Antibiotic use was analyzed according to age groups (children [0–14 years], adults [15–64 years], and the elderly [≥65 years]), administration route, and the World Health Organization Access, Watch, and Reserve classification. Results: Among all ED visits during the study period, 52.1% (14,396/27,640) received systemic antibiotics, and adults comprised 68.5% (9861/14,396) of antibiotic-exposed cases. Cephalosporins were the most frequently prescribed antibiotics in all age groups (42.4–50.9%). Penicillins were more frequently prescribed in children (29.9%) than in adults (10.0%) and the elderly (6.6%), whereas fluoroquinolones were more commonly prescribed in the elderly (21.1%) than in adults (16.2%) and children (3.8%). Watch-class antibiotics, comprising 63.9% of all prescriptions, were commonly prescribed in the elderly (71.9%). Oral route was the predominant form (65.8%), particularly in children (76.5%). The most frequently prescribed antibiotics differed across age groups, with amoxicillin followed by cefixime in children, and cefixime followed by ceftriaxone in both adults and the elderly. Conclusions: This study showed high antibiotic exposure and identified age-related differences in antibiotic prescribing, and patterns that warrant further evaluation within antimicrobial stewardship frameworks, to optimize antibiotic use and mitigate AMR. Full article

Probiotics are known to improve gut microbiota balance, enhance food digestion, and support overall health. Among these, Bacillus species are particularly promising due to their safety, spore-forming ability, environmental resilience, and diverse enzymatic activities. However, most Bacillus probiotics used in industry are of terrestrial origin, leaving marine-derived strains largely unexplored. Utilising the untapped potential of marine microbial biomass, this study presents a multi-stage methodology for identifying and evaluating marine-derived Bacillus strains with probiotic potential. A structured screening pipeline was applied to 67 microbial isolates from the Great Barrier Reef sponges. Initial selection focused on essential probiotic characteristics, including growth, stability, safety, and survival under gastrointestinal conditions. Strains meeting these criteria were then assessed for desirable properties, including digestive enzyme production and pathogen inhibition. Using this workflow, three marine-derived Bacillus strains were identified as potential probiotics, one of which demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity against Salmonella enterica at 5 and 10 mg/mL (p < 0.01). These findings demonstrate the capability of marine-associated Bacillus as novel bioproducts with functional antimicrobial properties. Full article

Autonomous supply chains (ASC) are the next generation of digitally empowered logistics and operations systems that can make adaptive, data-driven, and intelligent decisions. Innovations in artificial intelligence (AI), digital twins (DT), and predictive analytics (PA) are transforming traditional supply chains into integrated and interactive networks to detect disruptions, simulate the future, and automatically modify operational decisions. This paper reviews the ASC mechanism and summarizes the increasing literature on the technologies and analytical capabilities available to support intelligent supply chain decision systems. A structured literature review was conducted using Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, resulting in 52 relevant studies after screening and eligibility assessment. The paper discusses the recent advances in AI-based forecasting, simulation environments using digital twins, data integration using the Internet of Things (IoT), and predictive analytics. These technologies can help an organization gain real-time visibility of the supply chain networks. They improve the precision of demand forecasting, optimize inventory and production planning, and dynamically coordinate logistics operations. Digital twins allow the development of virtual models of supply chain ecosystems, which could be used to test scenarios, analyze risks, and plan strategies. These capabilities combined can be used to create predictive and self-adaptive supply networks capable of being responsive to uncertainty and market volatility. Besides examining the technological foundations, the paper also tracks key challenges related to the move towards autonomous supply chains, such as data governance, system interoperability, cybersecurity risks, algorithm transparency, and the necessity of successful human-AI collaboration in decision-making. The synthesis leads to a multi-layered framework that integrates data acquisition, analytics, simulation, and execution for autonomous decision-making in supply chains. Future research directions in relation to resilient supply networks, intelligent automation, and adaptive supply chain ecosystems are also provided in the study. Through integrating existing information on the new forms of intelligent technology and how it can be incorporated into the supply chain systems, this review contributes to the literature on next-generation supply chains. It will also offer information to both researchers and practitioners aiming at designing autonomous as well as data-driven supply networks. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mammalian sirtuins (SIRTs) are evolutionarily conserved proteins that are epigenetically involved in biological processes such as metabolism and longevity. SIRT1 expression is reduced in metabolic disorders and in complicated diseases such as obesity. However, whether the SIRT1 level in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) matches with its circulating form in obesity is unknown. The aim of our study is to evaluate SIRT1 derived from SAT and plasma of the same subject in individuals with and without obesity to assess whether plasma measurements may provide clinically significant information. Methods: Eleven subjects with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) and six controls without the disease (BMI < 30 kg/m²) were enrolled, and SIRT1 was measured in SAT and plasma by ELISA. Anthropometric parameters, glycemia and transaminases were also assessed. Results: Patients with obesity showed similar levels of SIRT1 in SAT and plasma (1.28 ± 0.45 and 1.9 ± 0.25 ng/mL, respectively, p = 0.243). Patients without obesity showed higher SIRT1 levels in SAT than in plasma (4.19 ± 1.33 and 1.06 ± 0.12 ng/mL, respectively, p = 0.039). An inverse correlation between SAT-derived SIRT1 and BMI was found (r = −0.632, p = 0.007). Conclusions: In this pilot study, our results show that the plasma SIRT1 levels substantially reflect those of SAT in patients with obesity. Given the metabolic role of SIRT1, further comprehensive investigations in larger longitudinal cohorts are needed to support plasma SIRT1 as an eligible diagnostic tool for stratifying metabolic risk associated with fat mass expansion in obesity. Full article

Background: Health and social outcomes of previous opiate users (POUs) are not well-documented. We characterize the life situation, health status, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of POUs entering antiviral hepatitis C (HCV) treatment, compared with HCV patients without past illicit opiate use (NOU), and with HCV patients currently in opiate agonist treatment (OAT). Methods: Data are taken from the German Hepatitis C-Registry (“Deutsches Hepatitis C-Register”, DHCR), a multi-centre registry study focussing on the course and outcome of HCV treatment with directly acting antivirals. At treatment entry, patients underwent a standardized clinical assessment, including the Short Form 36 (SF-36) for self-reported HRQoL. Results: POUs (n = 734) and OAT patients (n = 554) were similar with regard to age, sex, migrant background, and psychiatric comorbidity. Employment rate and cannabis, alcohol, and smoking abstinence rates were higher for POUs than for OAT patients, but still lower than for NOU (n = 4147) patients. Mental and physical HRQoL was better for POUs than for OAT patients, but worse than for NOU patients. Compared with SF-36 normative data, POUs showed decreased HRQoL, especially regarding mental health. Conclusions: Compared with opiate-dependent patients in OAT, POUs showed less psychotropic substance use and better HRQoL. Compared with NOU patients and the general population, mental health problems were especially increased. Challenges persist for POUs even during abstinence from opiates, highlighting the need for targeted interventions tailored to the specific needs of this population. Full article

This contribution studies the behavior of the four main general light verbs (LVs) in the history of Galician (dar, facer and haber/ter). The research is structured around the following three fundamental axes: first, we study the evolution, comparison with equivalent full verbs and the morphosyntactic behavior of 26 different LV constructions (with examples that the literature identifies with different degrees of fixation) from medieval to contemporary Galician, all of which form a corpus with 8728 occurrences. Next, we discuss the results of a survey distributed to 162 respondents, which allows an assessment of these LVs from several perspectives, especially syntactic. Finally, we offer an original proposal to measure the degree of syntactic analyzability, based on the quantified review of the various parameters analyzed (of which we also provide a scale, applied synchronically and diachronically) and the results in the specific survey question. We call it Syntactic Analyzability Index (SAI) and, thanks to this index, we obtain an objective scale that projects each example on a gradation that explains the greater or lesser distance or proximity of a construction with LV from freely combined elements or from the most fixed of phrasemes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Terbium-161 is an interesting and promising theranostic radionuclide, thanks to its decay characteristics (T_1/2 = 6.95 d, E(β)_max = 593 keV, E(β)_av = 154 keV, E(γ) = 74.6 keV (10.2%)). Having similar chemical properties, it is considered as an alternative to currently used ¹⁷⁷Lu. In addition, ¹⁶¹Tb emits a significant amount of conversion and Auger electrons, which contribute to the enhancement of localised therapeutic effect. The aim of this paper is to describe the preparation of ¹⁶¹Tb in quantity and quality relevant for preclinical and early clinical studies and to provide practical notes on the preparation. Methods: No-carrier-added ¹⁶¹Tb has been repeatedly prepared by neutron irradiation of highly enriched ¹⁶⁰Gd targets (up to 98 mg of ¹⁶⁰Gd₂O₃) at nuclear reactor LVR-15 (CV Řež, Czech Republic) in four different irradiation positions. The separation and purification process of ¹⁶¹Tb from the bulk of ¹⁶⁰Gd target was performed by cation exchange chromatography with Dowex 50 W × 8 (H⁺ cycle, 200–400 mesh). Terbium-161 was obtained in ¹⁶¹TbCl₃ form and formulated into 0.1 M HCl solution. The γ-ray spectrometry was used for radionuclide identification and radionuclidic purity and the ICP-MS method for chemical purity measurements and specific activity determination. The DOTA labelling assay was performed, as described by Gracheva et al., providing an assessment of the apparent molar activity of the preparation in terms of its competitive interaction with stable daughter nuclide ¹⁶¹Dy. Results: Irradiations (59.2 h to 421.52 h) of enriched ¹⁶⁰Gd targets with mass ranging from 43.4 to 144.0 mg for ¹⁶⁰Gd(NO₃)₃ and from 12.5 to 98.3 mg for ¹⁶⁰Gd₂O₃ yielded 1.3–23.7 GBq of ¹⁶¹Tb. The separation yields of purified ¹⁶¹Tb varied from 85 to 99%, with the activities of 9.9–22.1 GBq and the highest achieved specific activity of the final product was 4.1 GBq/μg (of Tb). The DOTA chelator was radiolabelled with ¹⁶¹Tb at time points from 2 to 14 days after the end of separation (EOS). Conclusions: Based on our results, we describe practical aspects of terbium production at the laboratory scale with a particular focus on practical aspects and issues arising during the process that may surprise even experienced radiochemists, as lanthanoid separation is not always straightforward, even though it is well-known and has been extensively studied. The preparation of ¹⁶¹Tb in a n.c.a. form proceeds, according to the reported data, with high reproducibility and achieves significant activity levels suitable for both preclinical and clinical investigations by irradiation of highly enriched ¹⁶⁰Gd targets in LVR-15 reactor with subsequent separation and purification of ¹⁶¹Tb on cation exchange resin Dowex 50 W × 8(H⁺). The produced [¹⁶¹Tb]TbCl₃ is employed in subsequent experimental research and development for the labelling of preparations intended for preclinical applications. Full article

The increase in utility-scale PV generation and the displacement of synchronous machines reduce system strength, reactive power headroom, voltage resilience, and overall power system stability, motivating a robust comparison of various mitigation technologies beyond static load-flow or PV assessments. RMS time-domain simulations are performed for balanced and unbalanced contingencies, and performance is quantified using post-fault voltage dip depth, undervoltage area (V < 0.9 pu.), recovery time to nominal, and RoCoF. These metrics are aggregated into a single weighted composite severity score, which is then normalised to the baseline to form the dynamic voltage resilience index (DVRI) and the Frequency Disturbance Relative Index (FDRI). The results show that the converter-based reactive power support devices deliver the fastest and most controllable post-fault voltage restoration, with the STATCOM achieving the lowest composite penalty and best DVRI under severe fault conditions but the poorest FDRI during PV plant trip/reconnection events. The synchronous condenser (SC) improves post-fault recovery through excitation driven reactive capability and increased short-circuit contribution, but its recovery to nominal voltage levels is slower and can produce negative-sequence current under unbalanced fault conditions whilst producing the smallest frequency disturbance and best FDRI. The SVC provides effective steady-state regulation but becomes less effective during extremely low voltages due to the voltage-dependent reactive power output, and its FDRI remains close to baseline. The BESS-GFM is dependent on the inverter current limits and the control priorities, which influence both voltage recovery and response times, achieving an FDRI scoring second to the SC. These metrics are combined into baseline normalised composite indices (DVRI and FDRI) using explicitly dimensionless sub-metrics (dip magnitude, exposure area, and recovery delay for voltage and deviation magnitude, windowed RoCoF, and exposure for frequency). Equal weights are used as a neutral baseline, and a weight sensitivity study is included to confirm that technology rankings are robust to plausible variations in weighting choice. Full article

Urban heat dynamics are strongly influenced by the interaction between built structures, surface materials, and vegetation cover. This study investigates the relationship between land surface temperature (LST) and key urban morphological and structural parameters in a municipality of Thessaloniki, Greece. LST was retrieved from Landsat imagery using the NDVI-based emissivity method within Google Earth Engine (GEE). To characterize the urban form of the study area, a WorldView-2 summer image was classified to extract indices of surface roughness, built-up density, greenness density, building orientation and roof material type. Statistical analyses, including regression models and one-way ANOVA, were applied to assess the influence of these parameters on LST variability. Results reveal significant correlations between LST and both structural and vegetative factors, highlighting the cooling role of urban greenness and the amplifying effect of dense built-up areas and specific roof materials. The findings provide valuable insights into the spatial drivers of urban heat at a high-resolution scale, and offer practical guidance for planning strategies designed to lessen heat intensity in compact urban environments. Full article

Background: Constipation is a common gastrointestinal (GI) state for which probiotics have shown promise as a relief. This study examined the laxative effects of the strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145 (BPL1^®) in a loperamide-induced rat model of constipation. Methods: Fifty-nine rats were divided into control and loperamide-induced constipation groups. Animals received a 3-day intervention with either placebo or probiotic BPL1^® at two doses: 1.5 × 10⁸ CFU (colony-forming units) (low) and 3 × 10⁹ CFU (high). The study assessed several parameters to determine the probiotic’s effect, including: stool and gut characteristics, gastrointestinal transit time (GTT), gene expression and gut microbiome composition. Results: While loperamide significantly decreased stool number, weight and humidity, BPL1^® supplementation effectively restored these parameters, being more pronounced at a high dose. Microbiome analysis showed that BPL1^® at a low dose reduced the abundance of Muribaculaceae and Muribaculum gordoncarteri, associated with constipation. In addition, Muribaculaceae abundance was negatively correlated with stool humidity. Functional microbiome profiling indicated that BPL1^® suppressed pathways related to mucin degradation, vancomycin resistance and isoleucine biosynthesis while promoting L-lactate and pyridoxal-P (vitamin B6) biosynthesis, which may support gut motility and barrier integrity. Conclusions:Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BPL1^® exhibits potential as a functional probiotic for relieving constipation through improving stool excretion and consistency, inducing taxonomic changes and beneficial functional modulation of the intestinal microbiome. These findings justify further investigation into the mechanisms of BPL1^® as a probiotic for constipation management. Full article

Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most prevalent primary headache disorder worldwide, contributing substantially to individual disability and global socioeconomic burden. Despite its high prevalence, TTH remains clinically heterogeneous, with episodic and chronic forms influenced by the dynamic interplay of peripheral, central, psychosocial, and lifestyle-related mechanisms. Peripheral musculoskeletal factors, including craniocervical muscle alterations and myofascial trigger points, interact with central sensitization processes, while psychosocial stressors, coping strategies, and lifestyle habits such as sleep and physical activity modulate pain perception and chronification risk. Current approaches often address these domains in isolation, limiting therapeutic effectiveness and the understanding of interindividual variability. This narrative review critically synthesizes evidence on the multifactorial determinants of TTH, providing an integrative conceptual framework. We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for articles published between 2010 and 2025, including conceptually or methodologically foundational studies outside this range. Relevant studies were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria and synthesized narratively to highlight key mechanisms and contributing factors. The proposed model emphasizes multidimensional assessment, incorporating peripheral musculoskeletal evaluation, central pain modulation, psychosocial profiling, and lifestyle factors, thereby providing a conceptual basis for future personalized management approaches. Recognizing TTH as a dynamic, multidimensional condition may inform clinical assessment and patient-centered interventions, while also highlighting key gaps for future longitudinal and multimodal research aimed at validating the framework and improving individualized therapeutic strategies. The evidence presented is primarily narrative and observational, and clinical applicability should be confirmed in future studies. Full article

Activewear has become a common component of women’s everyday clothing, yet emerging evidence suggests that exposure to activewear imagery may adversely affect body image. This study aimed to describe women’s activewear engagement across contexts and to investigate how different markers of engagement correspond with positive outcomes such as fitness behavior, body appreciation, and self-esteem, as well as negative outcomes including media pressure, idealized appearance aspirations, and self-objectification. We collected survey data from student (N = 455) and community (N = 37) samples to assess activewear-related behaviors, including online browsing, social media following, purchasing, and wearing, as well as measures of fitness behaviors, body appreciation, self-esteem, idealized body aspirations, appearance comparisons, perceived media pressure, and self-objectification. Across samples, 40–87% of women engaged with activewear in some form, and 30% reported feeling self-conscious at least half the time they wore it; notably, activewear was worn for exercise less than 50% of the time. Activewear engagement showed positive correlations with fitness behaviors but also with idealized body aspirations, appearance comparisons, media pressure, and self-objectification, while showing no associations with body appreciation or self-esteem. These findings highlight the growing cultural prominence of activewear and suggest that engagement with this clothing trend is linked to both adaptive and risk-related psychological factors, underscoring the need for further research into its broader psychological implications. Full article