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12 pages, 1239 KB  
Article
Study on the Effect of CTBN and h-BN Synergistic Toughening on the Damping Properties of Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites
by Wei Wang, Xueping Gao, Zhimin Li, Yishi Wang and Bo Zhu
Polymers 2026, 18(5), 578; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18050578 - 27 Feb 2026
Abstract
Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites possess outstanding specific stiffness and strength but typically exhibit low intrinsic damping, which limits vibration attenuation in lightweight dynamic structures. Herein, a hybrid toughening strategy combining carboxyl-terminated butadiene nitrile rubber (CTBN) and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is developed to [...] Read more.
Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites possess outstanding specific stiffness and strength but typically exhibit low intrinsic damping, which limits vibration attenuation in lightweight dynamic structures. Herein, a hybrid toughening strategy combining carboxyl-terminated butadiene nitrile rubber (CTBN) and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is developed to enhance the damping of CFRP laminates while preserving cure feasibility and thermomechanical stability. An E51/DICY/accelerator epoxy system (100:6.5:1.2, mass ratio) is used as the baseline matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry shows that both CTBN and h-BN shift the cure peak temperature upward (Tp: 160.6 → 170.3 °C) and reduce the reaction enthalpy (ΔH: 386.5 → 255.1 J/g), indicating dilution/transport effects and altered cure kinetics. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) reveals that CTBN exhibits an optimum damping enhancement at 25 phr (tan δ_max = 0.300), whereas h-BN provides a stronger monotonic increase up to 25 phr (tan δ_max = 0.437). Notably, the CTBN/h-BN hybrid (25/25 phr) delivers a high tan δ_max of 0.468 together with the broadest effective damping window (ΔT_half = 28.6 °C), exceeding 85% of the linear additivity criterion proposed herein. When the materials are transferred into CFRP laminates, free-vibration tests (using the logarithmic decrement method) demonstrate a clear structural damping improvement (ζ: 0.021 → 0.035; δ: 0.132 → 0.221; t1/2: 0.48 → 0.27 s). Overall, the results suggest that the damping enhancement arises from a combination of EPBN-mediated ductile energy dissipation and h-BN-related interfacial/interlayer frictional losses, which can be jointly tuned to balance processability, thermal response, and damping performance in CFRPs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Polymer Analysis and Characterization)
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16 pages, 3031 KB  
Article
Multi-Scale Copper–Cobalt-Supported Carbon Catalysts for Efficient CO2 and O2 Reduction
by Lingke Sun, Wenqi Song, Yangfei Wang and Yujun Song
Coatings 2026, 16(2), 260; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16020260 - 19 Feb 2026
Viewed by 270
Abstract
A sequenced ultrasonic atomization coupled with a pyrolysis process is developed to synthesize a series of cross-scale (Co/Cu)-NC catalysts. The catalysts demonstrate high metal utilization efficiency with a metal loading of 22.45 ± 0.07 wt%. Electrochemical evaluations for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) [...] Read more.
A sequenced ultrasonic atomization coupled with a pyrolysis process is developed to synthesize a series of cross-scale (Co/Cu)-NC catalysts. The catalysts demonstrate high metal utilization efficiency with a metal loading of 22.45 ± 0.07 wt%. Electrochemical evaluations for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) suggest that the best (Co/Cu)-NC catalysts are prepared with a Co/Cu ratio of 1/1 and a calcination temperature of 800 °C, which achieve a half-wave potential of 0.87 V and an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy semicircle radius as low as 30 ohms. Linear sweep voltammetry measurements indicate that (Co/Cu)-NC catalysts exhibit the highest current density. Under a potential of −0.73 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode, (Co/Cu)-NC catalysts demonstrate long-term stability with the CO Faradaic efficiency of about 70% for catalyzing carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR). Overall, the above metrics identify CoCu-800 as the optimal bifunctional catalyst among the tested samples for ORR and CO2RR under the investigated conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmentally Friendly Energy Conversion Materials and Thin Films)
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12 pages, 267 KB  
Article
Nutritional Risk in Older Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Sex-Specific Patterns and Clinical Implications of the Prognostic Nutritional Index
by Joan M. Nolla, Lidia Valencia-Muntalà, Laura Berbel-Arcobé, Diego Benavent, Paola Vidal-Montal, Pol Maymó-Paituvi, Montserrat Roig-Kim, Martí Aguilar-Coll, Javier Narváez and Carmen Gómez-Vaquero
Nutrients 2026, 18(4), 673; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18040673 - 19 Feb 2026
Viewed by 127
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Nutritional risk is increasingly recognized as a relevant but under-assessed dimension of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), particularly in older adults managed in outpatient settings. Simple nutritional indices such as the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) may help identify individuals at increased nutritional risk beyond [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Nutritional risk is increasingly recognized as a relevant but under-assessed dimension of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), particularly in older adults managed in outpatient settings. Simple nutritional indices such as the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) may help identify individuals at increased nutritional risk beyond conventional disease activity measures. This study aimed to characterize nutritional risk in older adults with RA using the Prognostic Nutritional Index, explore sex-specific patterns, and identify clinical associations of PNI variability, with complementary analyses focusing on high nutritional risk. Methods: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study including 275 consecutive adults aged ≥50 years with RA attending routine follow-up at a tertiary rheumatology clinic. Nutritional risk was assessed using the PNI, calculated from serum albumin and total lymphocyte count, and analyzed primarily as a continuous variable and secondarily using established cut-off values. Clinical characteristics, inflammatory markers, body mass index, laboratory parameters, and patient-reported outcomes were recorded. Analyses were stratified by sex. Multivariable linear regression models were used to identify factors associated with PNI variability, and complementary logistic regression analyses were performed to explore factors independently associated with high nutritional risk (PNI < 40). Results: More than half of the cohort (53.3%) exhibited PNI values compatible with nutritional risk. Men showed lower PNI values than women, with a markedly greater prevalence of high nutritional risk (18.0% vs. 5.0%, p < 0.001). In multivariable linear regression analyses, higher C-reactive protein levels and increasing age were independently associated with lower PNI values, whereas sex was not an independent determinant of PNI. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, increasing age and male sex were independently associated with high nutritional risk. In multivariable linear regression models restricted to men, hemoglobin emerged as the principal independent correlate of PNI. In complementary logistic regression analyses focusing on high nutritional risk (PNI < 40), hemoglobin remained the sole independent predictor (OR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.91–0.98; p < 0.01), supporting a robust association with clinically relevant nutritional risk. Conclusions: Nutritional risk assessed by the PNI is common among older adults with RA. Although sex does not independently determine PNI as a continuous measure, male sex is associated with severe nutritional risk. The PNI captures a clinically relevant dimension of disease burden that extends beyond joint inflammation and traditional activity indices, supporting its use as a pragmatic nutritional screening tool in routine rheumatology practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Nutritional Immunology)
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21 pages, 2871 KB  
Article
From Signal to Semantics: The Multimodal Haptic Informatics Index for Triangulating Haptic Intent at the Edge
by Song Xu, Chen Li, Jia-Rong Li and Teng-Wen Chang
Electronics 2026, 15(4), 832; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics15040832 - 15 Feb 2026
Viewed by 194
Abstract
Modern interaction with smart devices is hindered by the “Midas Touch” problem, where sensors frequently misinterpret incidental physical movements as intentional commands due to a lack of human context. This research addresses this conflict by introducing the Multimodal Haptic Informatics (MHI) index within [...] Read more.
Modern interaction with smart devices is hindered by the “Midas Touch” problem, where sensors frequently misinterpret incidental physical movements as intentional commands due to a lack of human context. This research addresses this conflict by introducing the Multimodal Haptic Informatics (MHI) index within a novel Scene–Action–Trigger (SAT) framework. The goal is to contextualize mechanical movements as human intent by integrating physical, spatial, and cognitive data locally at the edge. The methodology employs an “Action-as-primary indexing” mechanism where the Action channel (IMU) serves as a temporal anchor t, triggering high-resolution Scene (computer vision) and Trigger (audio) processing only during critical haptic events. Validated through a complex origami crane task generating 29,408 data frames, the framework utilizes a three-stage informatics derivation process: single-modal scoring, score weighting, and hand state mapping. Results demonstrate that applying an adaptive “Speedometer” logic successfully reclassifies the “Transitional State”. While this state constitutes over half of the behavioral dataset (54.76% on average), it is effectively disambiguated into meaningful intent using a self-trained local Large Language Model (LLM) for semantic verification. Furthermore, the event-driven sampling of 93 keyframes reduces the processing overhead by 99.68% compared to linear annotation. This study contributes a low-latency, privacy-preserving “Protocol of Assent” that maintains user agency by providing intelligent system suggestions based on confirmed haptic intensity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Human-Computer Interactions for Smart Devices)
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15 pages, 330 KB  
Article
Do Higher-Quality Regulatory Measures Promote a Healthier School Food Environment?
by Ana Carolyne Lima Lino Sandes, Ariene Silvado Carmo, Larissa L. Mendes and Mariana C. de Menezes
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(2), 244; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23020244 - 14 Feb 2026
Viewed by 279
Abstract
This present study analyzed the association between the presence and quality of regulatory measures and the promotion of healthy eating in canteens of 2241 private elementary and secondary schools located in 27 Brazilian state capitals. Three strategic axes were evaluated: food and nutrition [...] Read more.
This present study analyzed the association between the presence and quality of regulatory measures and the promotion of healthy eating in canteens of 2241 private elementary and secondary schools located in 27 Brazilian state capitals. Three strategic axes were evaluated: food and nutrition education (implementation of actions promoting healthy eating), food commercialization (healthiness index, number of unprocessed, minimally processed or processed foods and culinary preparations based on these foods—UMPCP; ultra-processed foods and culinary preparations based on these foods—UpCP; comparison of UMPCP versus UpCP variety; and prohibition of food sales), and marketing communication strategies (advertising strategies for UMPCP and UpCP). The presence and quality of municipal and state regulations in force up to the month prior to data collection were assessed using a score, with a score ≥8 indicating higher quality. Analyses were conducted using binary logistic regression and adjusted generalized linear models in Stata 17.0. More than half of the canteens (51.1%) were located in areas without regulations, and only 17.8% had high-quality regulations. Canteens in areas with regulations, especially those with a score ≥8, had 1.73 times higher odds of implementing food and nutrition education actions, 2.49 times higher odds of prohibiting the sale of certain foods, and 36% lower odds of selling a higher variety of UpCP compared to UMPCP. The healthiness index was higher, the number of UpCP sold was lower, and the number of UMPCP sold was higher, while the adoption of advertising strategies was less frequent in canteens with higher-quality regulations. These findings indicate that the presence and particularly the quality of regulatory measures is associated with healthier school food environments, highlighting the positive impact of well-structured public policies. Full article
21 pages, 533 KB  
Article
Enhancing Intraday Momentum Prediction: The Role of Volume-Based Information Uncertainty in the Chinese Stock Market
by Decheng Yang and Qiang He
Int. J. Financial Stud. 2026, 14(2), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijfs14020047 - 14 Feb 2026
Viewed by 388
Abstract
This study introduces a novel intraday volume-based uncertainty (IVU) proxy—the ratio of opening-half-hour volume to total volume of the preceding seven intervals—to predict final half-hour return direction in the Chinese stock market. Using threshold regression, we identify a statistically significant IVU critical value [...] Read more.
This study introduces a novel intraday volume-based uncertainty (IVU) proxy—the ratio of opening-half-hour volume to total volume of the preceding seven intervals—to predict final half-hour return direction in the Chinese stock market. Using threshold regression, we identify a statistically significant IVU critical value of 0.476225 (p < 0.001), which splits the sample into distinct uncertainty regimes. Logistic regression incorporating this threshold reveals that the joint condition of high opening volume and low IVU (high uncertainty) significantly amplifies the predictive power of initial returns, achieving 63.04% accuracy in the high-uncertainty, high-volume regime. XGBoost further captures complex non-linear interactions, with IVU-related features ranking among the most important predictors and achieving 71.43% out-of-sample accuracy under high-volume, high-uncertainty conditions. A machine learning trading strategy leveraging these predictions yields a total return of 117.99% with a Sharpe ratio of 3.02 over seven years, significantly outperforming benchmarks. Our findings highlight information uncertainty as a critical moderator of intraday momentum and a valuable source of actionable alpha. Full article
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17 pages, 285 KB  
Article
Symptom Burden, Self-Efficacy, and Satisfaction with Nursing Care in Adults Undergoing Hemodialysis in Oman: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Eilean Rathinasamy Lazarus, Joshua Kanaabi Muliira, Jihad Hassan, Ramesh Chandrababu, Zakariya Al-Naamani and Ram Kumar Palani
Nurs. Rep. 2026, 16(2), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep16020065 - 13 Feb 2026
Viewed by 236
Abstract
Background: Adults on maintenance hemodialysis experience multiple physical and psychological symptoms that can affect confidence in self-management and perception of care received from healthcare providers. Understanding the interplay between symptom burden, self-management self-efficacy, and perceptions about care received is essential to inform patient-centered [...] Read more.
Background: Adults on maintenance hemodialysis experience multiple physical and psychological symptoms that can affect confidence in self-management and perception of care received from healthcare providers. Understanding the interplay between symptom burden, self-management self-efficacy, and perceptions about care received is essential to inform patient-centered nephrology nursing. Aim: This cross-sectional study aimed to describe dialysis symptom burden, self-efficacy to manage chronic disease, and satisfaction with nursing care, and to examine associations among these variables in adults undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in Oman. Methods: A cross-sectional study using consecutive sampling was conducted among 232 adults on maintenance hemodialysis at two dialysis units in Muscat, Oman. Data were collected using the Dialysis Symptom Index, the nursing care satisfaction questionnaire, and the self-efficacy scale. Descriptive, correlation, and multivariable linear regression analysis were used to summarize the findings. Results: The mean age was 55.9 years and the most common comorbidities were diabetes (58.2%) and hypertension (74.1%). Symptom burden was substantial, with over half reporting muscle soreness, anxiety, sleep disturbance, dry mouth, pruritus, appetite loss, and dyspnea, although severity was generally mild–moderate (1.1–1.6/4). Satisfaction with nursing care was high (90.2%), while self-efficacy was moderate (mean 30.52/44). Patient satisfaction correlated positively with self-efficacy (r = 0.25, p < 0.001), but not with symptom burden (r = 0.08, p = 0.24); Self-efficacy showed a small positive correlation with dialysis symptom burden (r = 0.14, p = 0.03), suggesting that patients who were more aware of and reported more symptoms also perceived themselves as more actively engaged in managing their illness. In multivariable analysis, higher satisfaction and more favorable laboratory indicators independently predicted higher self-efficacy. Conclusions: Adults on hemodialysis reported high satisfaction with nursing care but continued to experience multiple physical and psychological symptoms and had only moderate self-efficacy to manage their condition. There is a need to integrate structured symptom assessment and targeted, nurse-led self-management support intervention into routine dialysis care to reduce symptom burden and enhance patients’ confidence in managing their illness. Full article
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16 pages, 1948 KB  
Article
Development and Validation of a UPLC-MS/MS Method for the Quantification of Amantadine in Rat Plasma: Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study Under High-Altitude Hypoxia and Mechanistic Insights
by Chang Wang, Wen Yan, Yingfei Zhang, Jinwen Wang, Jingyang Fang, Yuliang Ma, Qian Ji, Yuemei Sun, Wenbin Li and Rong Wang
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(2), 312; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19020312 - 13 Feb 2026
Viewed by 182
Abstract
Background/Objectives: This study aimed to develop an ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for quantifying amantadine (AMA) in rat plasma and to investigate its pharmacokinetics under simulated high-altitude hypoxia, contrasting its behavior with that of its structural analog memantine (MEM). Methods [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: This study aimed to develop an ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for quantifying amantadine (AMA) in rat plasma and to investigate its pharmacokinetics under simulated high-altitude hypoxia, contrasting its behavior with that of its structural analog memantine (MEM). Methods: The method entailed using memantine (MEM) as an internal standard. Sample preparation involved protein precipitation, followed by gradient elution with detection via positive electrospray ionization and selective reaction monitoring (SRM). The method validation complied with the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) M10 guidelines. Pharmacokinetic studies were conducted in rats exposed to either low altitude (1500 m) or simulated high altitude (6500 m) after a single oral dose of AMA (10 mg/kg). Results: The assay demonstrated linearity from 5 to 1000 µg/L, with accuracy, precision, recovery, and stability all meeting the respective acceptance criteria. Hypoxia did not significantly alter systemic exposure to AMA, as measured by parameters such as the area under the concentration–time curve (AUC), maximum concentration (Cmax), and apparent clearance (CLz/F). However, hypoxia prolonged the elimination half-life by 55% and increased the variance in the mean residence time. This finding contrasts sharply with our previous results on MEM under identical hypoxic conditions, which showed a 72.15% increase in AUC and a 41.99% decrease in CLz/F. Conclusions: A robust UPLC-MS/MS method for quantifying AMA was successfully established. AMA exhibits unique pharmacokinetic resilience to acute hypoxia, characterized by increased variability in elimination without changes in overall exposure. This profile starkly differs from the heightened exposure and reduced clearance observed for drugs like MEM, which are predominantly cleared by hepatic metabolism (under the studied conditions). These findings are consistent with the concept that a drug’s primary elimination pathway (renal excretion vs. hepatic metabolism) critically determines its pharmacokinetic susceptibility to hypoxic stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Pharmaceutical Technology)
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19 pages, 549 KB  
Article
Pain Management in Italian Elite Athletes: Trends in the Use of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), Glucocorticoids, and Narcotics in Anti-Doping Reports (2013–2023)
by Mario Ruggiero, Stefania Santamaria, Pietro Montesano, Leopoldo Ferrante, Yuri Russo and Filomena Mazzeo
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(2), 298; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19020298 - 11 Feb 2026
Viewed by 328
Abstract
Background: Analgesics are widely used in competitive sports, but their patterns of use and detection in anti-doping controls vary significantly across drug classes. This study examined a decade of Italian anti-doping reports with three aims: to describe trends involving non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [...] Read more.
Background: Analgesics are widely used in competitive sports, but their patterns of use and detection in anti-doping controls vary significantly across drug classes. This study examined a decade of Italian anti-doping reports with three aims: to describe trends involving non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), glucocorticoids, and narcotics; to characterize the distribution of specific active ingredients; and to analyze the relative contribution of these classes to anti-doping violations, placing the findings within the regulatory framework. Methods: Data from national anti-doping reporting systems were analyzed from 2013 to the first half of 2023. Yearly data included tested athletes, athlete declarations of NSAID use, and laboratory analytical findings for prohibited substances (glucocorticoids and narcotics). NSAID prevalence was calculated relative to tested athletes, while glucocorticoid and narcotic findings were assessed as absolute counts and proportions of total violations. Temporal trends were assessed using the Cochran–Armitage test. Results: NSAIDs consistently ranked as the most frequently reported medication, with nearly half of the tested athletes reporting their use and no significant linear trend in overall prevalence. However, a significant shift was observed within the NSAID class, with a marked decrease in declarations of COX-2 selective agents over time. Glucocorticoids accounted for a significant portion of prohibited substances, with fluctuating proportions (showing no significant linear trend), betamethasone being the most common active ingredient. Narcotics appeared only sporadically, although the use of non-prohibited opioids such as tramadol and codeine—absent from official reports—remains relevant for understanding analgesic practices. Conclusions: Analgesic use in Italian elite sports shows distinct patterns driven by therapeutic needs and anti-doping regulations. NSAIDs remain the primary choice for routine pain management, though the type of NSAID reported has shifted significantly. Glucocorticoids represent a notable share of prohibited findings with a fluctuating, rather than steadily increasing, pattern. Narcotics appear only sporadically in violation data. Ongoing monitoring will be crucial to understanding how evolving clinical practices and recent regulatory changes influence future detection trends and athlete health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacology and Toxicology of Opioids, 2nd Edition)
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12 pages, 240 KB  
Article
Association Between Workplace Gaslighting and Perceived Quality of Care, Patient Safety and Quiet Quitting: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Nurses in Greece
by Ioannis Moisoglou, Aglaia Katsiroumpa, Ioanna V. Papathanasiou, Olympia Konstantakopoulou, Aris Yfantis, Angeliki Katsapi and Petros Galanis
Healthcare 2026, 14(4), 450; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14040450 - 11 Feb 2026
Viewed by 155
Abstract
Background: Workplace gaslighting, as a form of psychological manipulation, may negatively affect nurses’ work behaviors and perception of care. However, its connection to perceived quality of care, patient safety and quiet quitting has not been sufficiently explored. Objectives: To examine the impact of [...] Read more.
Background: Workplace gaslighting, as a form of psychological manipulation, may negatively affect nurses’ work behaviors and perception of care. However, its connection to perceived quality of care, patient safety and quiet quitting has not been sufficiently explored. Objectives: To examine the impact of workplace gaslighting on perceived quality of care, patient safety and quiet quitting in nurses. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a convenience sample was conducted in Greece. We used the Gaslighting at Work Scale and the Quiet Quitting Scale to measure workplace gaslighting and quiet quitting, respectively. We used IBM SPSS 28.0 to perform logistic regression analysis and linear regression analysis. Significance level was set at 0.05. Results: Mean age of nurses was 42.98 years, while females comprised 82.1% of them. More than half of our nurses (52.0%) evaluated the quality of care in their unit as good, while 33.1% perceived patient safety as good. A higher level of workplace gaslighting was significantly associated with lower odds of reporting perceived quality of care to be good or excellent. Increased workplace gaslighting was also associated with decreased odds of good-to-excellent patient safety. Moreover, workplace gaslighting was significantly and positively associated with quiet quitting. Conclusions: Our study supports the negative impact of workplace gaslighting on perceived quality of care, patient safety and quiet quitting. Establishment of clear policies and procedures that encourage staff to report such behaviors, is essential to dismantle the barriers created by psychological manipulation. Full article
13 pages, 1297 KB  
Article
Load-Velocity Profiling in Female Traditional Rowers: Cross-Sectional Associations Between Prone Bench Pull and Half Squat with Rowing Performance
by Sergio Calavia-Carbajal, Alfonso Penichet-Tomas, Javier Olaya-Cuartero and Lamberto Villalon-Gasch
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(3), 1529; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16031529 - 3 Feb 2026
Viewed by 213
Abstract
This study aimed to develop load–velocity (L-V) profiles for prone bench pulls and half squats in elite female traditional rowers, and to assess their association with rowing performance. Eight highly trained female rowers, members of the team that won the Spanish Traditional Rowing [...] Read more.
This study aimed to develop load–velocity (L-V) profiles for prone bench pulls and half squats in elite female traditional rowers, and to assess their association with rowing performance. Eight highly trained female rowers, members of the team that won the Spanish Traditional Rowing Championship, completed a graded exercise test (GXT) on a rowing ergometer, followed by one-repetition maximum (1RM) and incremental loading tests. L-V profiles were established using mean velocity (MV) data collected with a linear velocity transducer. Correlation analyses were conducted to examine the associations between movement velocities at specific relative loads and GXT performance. The slope of the linear regression was slightly higher for the prone bench pull (MV = −0.0127 m·s−1) than for the half squat (MV = −0.0104 m·s−1). A similar correlation could be observed, although slightly higher, for the half squat (r = 0.929; p < 0.001) exercise compared to the bench pull (r = 0.922; p < 0.001). In this exploratory analysis, a statistically significant correlation was observed between rowing performance and MV at 30% 1RM for both exercises (r = 0.856 and r = 0.866, respectively; p < 0.05). No other load intensities demonstrated statistically significant correlations with performance. The findings highlight the utility of L-V profiling at lower relative loads in traditional rowing performance among elite female athletes. The results support the application of velocity-based training (VBT) in rowing-specific strength programs and suggest that performance optimization may be achieved through high-velocity movements performed with submaximal loads. Furthermore, this study reinforces the value of individualized L-V profiles and real-time velocity monitoring for tailoring resistance training interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Technologies for and Approaches to Sports Performance)
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26 pages, 978 KB  
Article
Cognitive-Emotional Teacher Burnout Syndrome: A Comprehensive Behavioral Data Analysis of Risk Factors and Resilience Patterns During Educational Crisis
by Eleni Troubouni, Hera Antonopoulou, Sofia Kourtidou, Evgenia Gkintoni and Constantinos Halkiopoulos
Psychiatry Int. 2026, 7(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint7010026 - 2 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 441
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Teacher burnout represents a complex cognitive-emotional syndrome characterized by the interplay between mental exhaustion and emotional dysregulation, threatening educational sustainability during crisis periods. This study employed comprehensive behavioral data analysis to investigate burnout syndrome patterns among Greek teachers during the COVID-19 educational [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Teacher burnout represents a complex cognitive-emotional syndrome characterized by the interplay between mental exhaustion and emotional dysregulation, threatening educational sustainability during crisis periods. This study employed comprehensive behavioral data analysis to investigate burnout syndrome patterns among Greek teachers during the COVID-19 educational crisis, aiming to identify risk factors and resilience patterns through multiple analytical approaches that capture the syndrome’s multidimensional nature. Methods: A cross-sectional study examined primary and secondary school teachers in Western Greece during the autumn of 2021. Stratified random sampling ensured representativeness across school levels, geographic locations, and employment types. Participants completed the Greek-adapted Maslach Burnout Inventory for Educators, which measured emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. Behavioral data analysis integrated traditional statistical methods with advanced pattern recognition techniques, including classification trees for non-linear relationships, association analysis for behavioral patterns, and cluster analysis for profile identification. Results: The majority of teachers experienced high stress with inadequate coping capabilities. Classification analysis achieved high accuracy in predicting burnout severity, identifying emotional exhaustion as the primary predictor. Deputy teachers demonstrated severe cognitive-emotional strain compared to permanent colleagues across all dimensions, with dramatically reduced personal accomplishment and minimal resources. Association analysis revealed that combined low support and high workload more than doubled burnout risk. Three distinct profiles emerged: Resilient teachers, characterized by older age and permanent employment; At-Risk teachers, showing early warning signs; and Burned Out teachers, predominantly young and in precarious employment. Remote teaching, exceeding half of the workload, significantly increased strain. Multiple regression confirmed emotional exhaustion as the dominant syndrome predictor. Conclusions: Behavioral data analysis revealed complex cognitive-emotional patterns constituting burnout syndrome during educational crisis. Employment precarity emerged as the fundamental vulnerability factor, with young deputy teachers facing dramatically higher syndrome probability compared to supported senior permanent teachers. The syndrome manifests through cascading processes where cognitive overload triggers emotional exhaustion, subsequently reducing personal accomplishment. These findings provide an evidence-based framework for early syndrome identification and targeted interventions addressing both cognitive and emotional dimensions of teacher burnout. Full article
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18 pages, 1912 KB  
Article
Characterization of the Microbiota Dynamics in Cold-Smoked Salmon Under Cold Chain Disruption Using 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing
by Joanna Bucka-Kolendo, Paulina Średnicka, Adrian Wojtczak, Dziyana Shymialevich, Agnieszka Zapaśnik, Ewelina Kiełek, Dave J. Baker and Barbara Sokołowska
Processes 2026, 14(3), 452; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14030452 - 28 Jan 2026
Viewed by 242
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Cold-smoked salmon (CSS) is a ready-to-eat product with minimal preservation hurdles and a microbiota shaped by raw-material contamination and processing environments. Short breaks in refrigeration commonly occur during shopping and transport, yet their microbiological impact remains unclear. Here, we used ASV-resolved 16S [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Cold-smoked salmon (CSS) is a ready-to-eat product with minimal preservation hurdles and a microbiota shaped by raw-material contamination and processing environments. Short breaks in refrigeration commonly occur during shopping and transport, yet their microbiological impact remains unclear. Here, we used ASV-resolved 16S rRNA gene metataxonomics to characterize storage-driven microbiota dynamics in CSS—quantifying ASV-level genetic diversity and phylogeny-aware (UniFrac) community structure—and to evaluate the effect of a brief, consumer-mimicking 2 h room-temperature cold-chain disruption. Methods: Three CSS types (organic, conventional Norwegian, and conventional Scottish) were stored at 5 °C for 35 days. On day 16, half of each batch was exposed to 2 h at room temperature (RT) before analysis; paired controls remained refrigerated. Culture-based counts (total mesophiles, lactic acid bacteria, Photobacterium spp.; indicator/pathogen screens) were performed per ISO methods. Community profiling used 16S rRNA (V3–V4) amplicon sequencing with QIIME 2/DADA2 and SILVA taxonomy. Linear mixed effects modelled alpha diversity; beta diversity by PERMANOVA on UniFrac distances; differential abundance by ANCOM-BC. Results: ASV-resolved 16S rRNA gene profiles of CSS were dominated by Pseudomonadota and Bacillota, with storage-driven shifts and taxon-specific trajectories (e.g., increasing Latilactobacillus). Both time and product type significantly explained phylogeny-aware community structure (unweighted and weighted UniFrac), consistent with storage-driven phylogenetic convergence across products. At day 16, ASV-level genetic diversity (Shannon/Observed features) and genus-level composition did not differ between RT-disrupted and continuously refrigerated samples. Culture-dependent counts increased from baseline to day 16 and largely plateaued by day 35, with lactic acid bacteria in Norwegian CSS continuing to rise; no systematic effect of the 2 h RT exposure was observed in culture-based comparisons. Indicator/pathogen screens detected no unexpected pathogenic species throughout the study period. Conclusions: Refrigerated storage drives pronounced, phylogeny-aware microbiota shifts and cross-product convergence in cold-smoked salmon, whereas a single 2 h RT interruption at mid-storage did not measurably alter ASV-level genetic diversity or community structure under the tested conditions. Integrating culture-based enumeration with ASV-resolved 16S rRNA gene metataxonomics provides complementary insights for shelf-life evaluation and risk assessment in ready-to-eat seafood. Full article
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16 pages, 729 KB  
Article
Assessment the Level of Comorbid Depression, Quality of Life and Associated Factors Among Patients with Heart Failure: An Outpatient-Based Study
by Zekiye Yılmaz, Anmar Al-Taie and İrem Bayol
Healthcare 2026, 14(3), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14030297 - 24 Jan 2026
Viewed by 237
Abstract
Background: Heart failure (HF) affects not only the cardiovascular system but also mental health. The majority of patients with HF experience symptoms of mental disorders, such as depression, which are proportionally related to the severity of HF. This results in a significant [...] Read more.
Background: Heart failure (HF) affects not only the cardiovascular system but also mental health. The majority of patients with HF experience symptoms of mental disorders, such as depression, which are proportionally related to the severity of HF. This results in a significant comorbidity of HF, which might be associated with poor clinical outcomes, including decreased health-related quality of life (HRQOL). In Türkiye, data concerning the extent of this complication among outpatients with HF are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of depression in outpatients with HF and consequently the HRQOL; the secondary aim was to identify the related factors contributing to the incidence of depression and HRQOL in patients with HF in Bursa, Türkiye. Methods: An outpatient, descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in a cardiology outpatient clinic in Bursa Province, Türkiye, between September and December 2022. The study was conducted via a validated questionnaire consisting of four sections. Depression was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scale, and the HRQOL of HF patients was evaluated using the Turkish version of the Minnesota Living with HF Questionnaire (MLHFQ). Simple linear regression and multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine the effects of variables. Limitations of the study include its design as a descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study from a single center that relies on self-reported data. Results: A total of 166 patients were enrolled, with a mean age of 64.96 ± 11.33 years. Nearly half of the participants had moderate or severe depression (33.1% and 15.7%, respectively). The mean MLHFQ score of the study participants was 54.15 ± 18.20. Patients suffering from severe depression had the lowest HRQOL (71.46 ± 12.4). There was a significant increase in depression level, and a decrease in HRQOL in patients with a duration of HF diagnosis of more than 3 years (p = 0.001), a number of HF hospitalizations (p = 0.001), and those diagnosed with NYHA class IV (p = 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between the duration of HF disease, number of comorbidities, number of medications used, and BDI [(0.30 < r: 0.31/0.43/0.43 ≤ 0.70), respectively]. The simple linear regression analysis revealed that the BDI has positive and significant explanatory power for the MLHFQ (F: 168.29; R2: 0.51; t: 12.97; p < 0.001), and 51% of the change in the MLHFQ score is recorded by the BDI (R2: 0.51). Conclusions: The results of this study revealed that comorbid depression and HRQOL are closely related. This was observed in nearly half of the patients with HF, who had comorbid moderate and severe depression, which is associated with poor HRQOL. The factors associated with high depression and poor HRQOL were the duration of HF diagnosis of more than 3 years, an increased number of HF hospitalizations, polypharmacy, and NYHA class IV diagnoses. Full article
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23 pages, 2379 KB  
Article
Computational Analysis of Microalgal Proteins with Potential Thrombolytic Effects
by Yanara Alessandra Santana Moura, Andreza Pereira de Amorim, Maria Carla Santana de Arruda, Marllyn Marques da Silva, Ana Lúcia Figueiredo Porto, Vladimir N. Uversky and Raquel Pedrosa Bezerra
Biophysica 2026, 6(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/biophysica6010007 - 23 Jan 2026
Viewed by 250
Abstract
Thrombosis is a cardiovascular disease characterized by the pathological formation of a fibrin clot in blood vessels. Currently available fibrinolytic enzymes have some limitations, including severe side effects, high cost, short half-life, and low fibrin specificity. Proteins from microalgae and cyanobacteria have various [...] Read more.
Thrombosis is a cardiovascular disease characterized by the pathological formation of a fibrin clot in blood vessels. Currently available fibrinolytic enzymes have some limitations, including severe side effects, high cost, short half-life, and low fibrin specificity. Proteins from microalgae and cyanobacteria have various biological effects and are emerging as promising sources for fibrinolytic enzymes. In this study, bioinformatics tools were used to evaluate the intrinsic disorder predisposition of microalgal fibrinolytic proteins, their capability to undergo liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS), and the presence of disorder-based functional regions, and short linear motifs (SLiMs). Analysis revealed that these proteins are predominantly hydrophilic and exhibit acidic (pI 3.96–6.49) or basic (pI 8.05–11.0) isoelectric points. Most of them are expected to be moderately (61.4%) or highly disordered proteins (6.8%) and associated with LLPS, with nine proteins being predicted to behave as droplet drivers (i.e., being capable of spontaneous LLPS), and twenty-five proteins being expected to be droplet clients. These observations suggest that LLPS may be related to the regulation of the functionality of microalgal fibrinolytic proteins. The majority of these proteins belong to the blood coagulation inhibitor (disintegrin) 1 hit superfamily, which can inhibit fibrinogen binding to integrin receptors, preventing platelet aggregation. Furthermore, the SLiM-centered analysis indicated that the main motifs found in these proteins are MOD_GlcNHglycan and CLV_PCSK_SKI1_1, which can also play different roles in thrombolytic activity. Finally, Fisher and conservation analysis indicated that CLV_NRD_NRD_1, CLV_PCSK_FUR_1, CLV_PCSK_PC7_1, and MOD_Cter_Amidation motifs are enriched in intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) of these proteins, showing significant conservation and suggesting compatibility with proteolytic activation and post-translational processing. These data provide important information regarding microalgal proteins with potential thrombolytic effects, which can be realized through protein–protein interactions mediated by SLiMs present in intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs). Additional analyses should be conducted to confirm these observations using experimental in vitro and in vivo approaches. Full article
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