Search Results (485)

Non-communicable diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and metabolic syndrome (MS), remain a major challenge for primary health care (PHC). This study aimed to assess cardiometabolic risk and health behaviours in adult PHC patients using routine preventive screening. This prospective observational study included 506 adults attending routine consultations in an urban PHC centre in Poland. Preventive assessment included anthropometric measurements (body weight, height, BMI, and waist circumference), blood pressure, lipid profile, and fasting glucose levels. Health behaviours were recorded using the standardised NFZ CHUK questionnaire. The 10-year CVD risk was estimated using the SCORE2 algorithm. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent factors associated with high cardiovascular risk (SCORE2 ≥ 5%) and of a composite endpoint defined as the presence of any non-optimal biochemical parameter. Nearly half of the participants had excess body weight (overweight or obesity), and more than half met criteria for central obesity. Borderline or elevated total cholesterol was found in 47% of patients, abnormal LDL in 27%, low HDL-C (<40 mg/dL) in 80% (84% when applying sex-specific cut-offs), and impaired fasting glucose or diabetes in about 12%. High SCORE2 risk (≥5%) was observed in approximately 9% of the cohort. In multivariable models, SCORE2 components (age, sex, and smoking) were, as expected, associated with high SCORE2 risk, and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²)—a factor not included in SCORE2—was additionally associated with higher risk. Additionally, age, male sex, and obesity also predicted the presence of at least one non-optimal biochemical marker. The prevalence of high SCORE2 risk increased from 1.2% in patients with 0–1 modifiable risk factor to 25.7% in those with 4–5 factors. Lower educational attainment was associated with a higher proportion of high-risk individuals in univariate analysis. Routine preventive activities in PHC enable the identification of important lipid and glucose abnormalities and the clustering of modifiable risk factors, even in a relatively young, highly educated population. Systematic cardiovascular screening and a focus on patients with accumulated risk factors should remain a priority in PHC to enable early identification of high-risk patients and timely implementation of lifestyle and therapeutic interventions. Full article

The growing depletion of fossil fuel resources and rising energy costs underscore the need for efficient renewable energy technologies, such as unglazed transpired solar collectors (UTSCs). UTSCs harness solar energy to preheat outdoor air, thereby improving building energy efficiency and reducing reliance on conventional heating systems. This study presents a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of UTSC performance under Lithuanian winter conditions (ambient air temperature −2.64 °C, solar irradiance 733.45 W/m², wind speed 1.93 m/s) using two- and three-dimensional models developed in ANSYS FLUENT. The 3D model simulates a realistic wall fragment with multiple repeating sheet metal profiles and an air gap, while the 2D model represents a longitudinal section applicable to generic UTSC configurations. Both models were validated against experimental data and used to evaluate airflow velocity, pressure distribution, and air temperature rise. The results indicate overall thermal efficiencies of 54.32% for the 3D model and 54.07% for the 2D model, demonstrating that simplified 2D models can achieve comparable accuracy while significantly reducing computational cost. These findings highlight the potential of high-resolution CFD modelling for optimizing UTSC design and enabling faster, more reliable assessments for integration in industrial and commercial building applications. Full article

The paper offers a practical method for selecting an electric pump and battery pack for low-thrust liquid rocket engines. The approach combines 0D/1D modeling of hydraulic, electromechanical, and thermal subsystems in a single environment and is supplemented by sensitivity analysis, correlation analysis, and Monte Carlo simulation with N = 3000 iterations to verify the stability of the estimates. The methodology has been tested on mission profiles in the 5–50 kN thrust range and shows that the electric pump scheme is most effective at low thrusts, while an increase in thrust leads to a disproportionate increase in energy and thermal loads and narrows the scope of applicability. The determining factors remain the hydraulic efficiency of the pump η_pump and the oxidizer pressure; electrical parameters such as bus voltage and internal battery resistance have less influence and become noticeable at high power levels. Modeling confirms the stability of the obtained estimates; at a thrust of 20 kN, the spread of the battery block mass is close to ±10%. The proposed methodology provides quantitative guidelines in the early stages of design and helps to justify the scope of application of electric pump liquid rocket engines; expansion beyond low thrust requires progress in battery technologies. Full article

The construction sector is central to achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal (EGD). While existing research on transition risks predominantly focuses on project- or firm-level challenges, less is known about the transition risks implied by high-level EU policy documents. This study addresses this gap by systematically analysing 101 EGD-related policy and guidance documents published between 2019 and February 2025. A mixed human–AI content analysis approach was applied, combining human expert manual coding with automated validation using large language models (Kimi K2 and GLM 4.6). The final dataset contains 2752 coded risk references organised into eight main categories and twenty-six subcategories. Results show that transition risks are most frequently associated with environmental, economic, and legislative domains, with Climate Change Impact, Cost of Transition, Pollution, Investment Risks, and Implementation Variability emerging as the most prominent risks across the corpus. Technological and social risks appear less frequently but highlight important systemic and contextual vulnerabilities. Overall, analysis of the EGD policy texts reveals the green transition as being constrained not only by environmental pressures but also by financial feasibility and execution capacity. The study provides a structured, policy-level risk profile of the EGD and demonstrates the value of hybrid human–LLM analysis for large-scale policy content analysis and interpretation. These insights support policymakers and industry stakeholders to anticipate structural uncertainties that may affect the construction sector’s transition toward a low-carbon, circular economy. Full article

Wellbore integrity maintenance constitutes a fundamental safety and technological challenge throughout the entire lifecycle of oil and gas wells (including production, injection, and CO₂ sequestration operations). As a critical completion phase, perforation generates a high-temperature, high-pressure shaped charge jet that impacts and compromises wellbore structural integrity. This process may induce failure in both the cement sheath body and its interfacial zones, potentially creating fluid migration pathways along the cement-casing interface through perforation tunnels. Current research remains insufficient in quantitatively evaluating cement sheath damage resulting from perforation operations. Addressing this gap, this study incorporates dynamic jet effects during perforation and establishes a numerical model simulating high-velocity jet penetration through casing–cement target–formation composites using a rock dynamics-based constitutive model. The investigation analyzes failure mechanisms within the cement sheath matrix and its boundaries during perforation penetration, while examining the influence of mechanical parameters (compressive strength and shear modulus) of both cement sheath and formation on damage characteristics. Results demonstrate that post-perforation cement sheath aperture exhibits convergent–divergent profiles along the tunnel axis, containing exclusively radial fractures. Primary fractures predominantly initiate at the inner cement wall, whereas microcracks mainly develop at the outer boundary. Enhanced cement compressive strength significantly suppresses fracture initiation at both boundaries: when increasing from 55 MPa to 75 MPa, the undamaged area ratio rises by 16.6% at the inner wall versus 11.2% at the outer interface. Meanwhile, increasing the formation shear modulus from 10 GPa to 15 GPa reduces cement target failure radius by 0.4 cm. Cement systems featuring high compressive strength and low shear modulus demonstrate superior performance in mitigating perforation-induced debonding. Full article

This study presents a unified parametric optimization framework for the thermal design of microchannel spreaders used in high-power processor cooling. The fin geometry is expressed in a shape-agnostic parametric form defined by fin thickness, top and bottom gap widths, and channel height, without prescribing a fixed cross-section. This approach accommodates practical fin profiles ranging from rectangular to tapered and V-shaped, allowing continuous geometric optimization within manufacturability and hydraulic limits. A coupled analytical–numerical model integrates conduction through the spreader base, interfacial resistance across the thermal interface material (TIM), and convection within the coolant channels while enforcing a pressure-drop constraint. The optimization uses a deterministic continuation method with smooth sigmoid mappings and penalty functions to maintain constraint satisfaction and stable convergence across the design space. The total thermal resistance ($R_{\mathrm{tot}}$) is minimized over spreader conductivities $k_s=400–2200$ W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ (copper to CVD diamond), inlet fluid velocities $U_{\mathrm{in}}=0.5–5.5$ m s⁻¹, maximum pressure drops of 10–50 kPa, and fluid pass counts $N_p\in \{1,2,3\}$. The resulting maps of optimized fin dimensions as functions of $k_s$ provide continuous design charts that clarify how material conductivity, flow rate, and pass configuration collectively determine the geometry, minimizing total thermal resistance, thereby reducing chip temperature rise for a given heat load. Full article

Background: Unhealthy diets characterized by high salt, fat, and fructose content are established risk factors for metabolic and cardiovascular disorders and may have indirect effects on cognitive function. However, the combined impact of a high-salt, high-fat, and high-fructose diet (HSHFHFD) on systemic physiology and brain health remains to be fully elucidated. Methods: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats received a customized high-salt, high-fat diet supplemented with 30% fructose water for 18 weeks. Physiological and brain parameters were assessed, in combination with multi-omics analyses including brain proteomics and metabolomics, serum metabolomics, and gut microbiota profiling. Results: HSHFHFD significantly elevated blood glucose, blood pressure, and serum levels of TG, TC, and LDL in rats. Serum metabolomic profiling identified over 100 differentially abundant metabolites in the Model group. Proteomics, metabolomics, and gut microbiome integration revealed pronounced alterations in both brain proteomic and metabolomic profiles, with 155 differentially expressed proteins associated with glial cell proliferation and 65 differential metabolites linked to fatty acid and amino acid metabolism, among others. Experimental validation confirmed marked upregulation of GFAP and Bax protein, concomitant with downregulation of ZO-1 and occludin. Furthermore, HSHFHFD perturbed the CREB signaling pathway, leading to diminished BDNF expression. The levels of inflammatory factors, including IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β and TNFα, were significantly elevated in the brain. Oxidative stress was evident, as indicated by elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and altered NAD⁺/NADH ratio. Additionally, HSHFHFD significantly reduced the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria, including Lactobacillus, Romboutsia, and Monoglobus. Conclusions: HSHFHFD-induced depletion of gut Lactobacillus spp. may disrupt the linoleic acid metabolic pathway and gut–brain axis homeostasis, leading to the impairment of neuroprotective function, blood–brain barrier dysfunction, and exacerbated neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in the brain. These effects potentially increase the susceptibility of rats to neurodegenerative disorders. Full article

Background: This study examined the interplay between sociocultural internalization, perfectionism, and eating disorder (ED) symptoms. We pursued two complementary aims: (1) to identify latent profiles of women based on adaptive/maladaptive perfectionism and sociocultural internalization, and (2) to test perfectionism as a mediator between sociocultural internalization and ED symptoms. Methods: Participants comprised 203 Polish women aged 18–35 years (M = 25.1, SD = 3.5). Measures included the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), the Polish Adaptive and Maladaptive Perfectionism Questionnaire (KPAD), and the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-3 (SATAQ-3). Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify subgroups, followed by Kruskal–Wallis tests for between-profile comparisons. Mediation models were tested using the PROCESS macro (Model 4). Results: A three-profile solution provided the best fit (Entropy = 0.94). Profile 3 (high internalization and both perfectionism types; n = 58) reported the highest ED severity (EAT-26 total: M = 25.6, SD = 7.4), particularly in Dieting and Bulimia subscales. Profile 1 (low internalization, low maladaptive perfectionism; n = 64) showed the lowest scores (M = 12.3, SD = 5.2). No significant differences were found for the Oral Control subscale (H(2) = 2.53, p = 0.283). Mediation analyses indicated that maladaptive perfectionism significantly mediated associations between sociocultural internalization and ED symptoms (indirect effects b = 0.13–0.32, 95% CI excluding zero). Adaptive perfectionism was not a significant mediator. Conclusions: Results underscore maladaptive perfectionism as a key mechanism through which sociocultural pressures contribute to eating pathology. Implications include targeting internalization and perfectionistic concerns in prevention and treatment. Full article

Large-scale bulk models offer a promising approach for the experimental investigation of flow in porous media. However, conventional configurations frequently lack adequate confinement systems, resulting in model instability under dynamic flow conditions. This paper introduces a novel experimental apparatus designed for large-scale porous media flooding studies. The porous medium is represented by a tubular granular bulk model measuring one meter in length and 95 mm in diameter. An integrated array of distributed pressure, temperature, and electrical resistance sensors allows for the acquisition of a longitudinal pressure profile, the evaluation of the model’s consolidation state, and the assessment of its stress sensitivity. Comparative studies of filtration processes are presented for a granular bulk model under both confined and unconfined conditions. The results indicate that in the absence of confinement, the model exhibits high sensitivity to pressure differentials, manifesting as a nonlinear relationship between flow rate and pressure drop alongside significant fluctuations in electrical resistance. Conversely, cyclic loading under confining pressure promotes uniform and stable consolidation of the model, thereby minimizing hysteresis and particle displacement. These findings underscore that effective confinement is critical for ensuring the representativeness of data derived from large-scale bulk models of unconsolidated porous media. Full article

As one of the world’s most extensive and fragile ecosystems, East Asian karst regions are pivotal for carbon sustainability, yet they are exhibiting starkly divergent responses to environmental pressures. While Southwest China has undergone extensive, policy-driven ecological restoration, many parts of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region face severe degradation from unregulated agricultural expansion. To understand the underlying drivers of this divergence, this study conducts a comprehensive comparative analysis of the carbon–water trade-offs in these contiguous karst areas from 2000 to 2023. We identify two dominant eco-functional profiles: a “stable carbon sink–moderate water consumption” pattern in Southwest China (15.38% of the area) and a “potentially unstable carbon sink–high water consumption” pattern widespread in ASEAN (24.00%). By integrating the carbon–water risk zoning with MSPA and MCR models, we identified key ecological sources and corridors to map the regional ecological security pattern. The results show high-risk zones (e.g., eastern Myanmar) not only align with fragmented ecological corridors but also exacerbate structural connectivity loss. This approach innovatively links metabolic risks to landscape resilience. Importantly, we found threat drivers differ in the two areas: atmospheric drought (VPD) has become the dominant constraint in ASEAN and soil moisture deficit in the Southwest China. These findings offer a spatially explicit framework for targeted governance and caution against transferring restoration strategies between divergent ecohydrological contexts. Full article

This study numerically analyzes the thermal-fluid performance of supercritical hydrogen in regenerative cooling channels with aspect ratios (AR) ranging from 1 to 8 for rocket engine combustion chambers. The study investigates the effects of channel geometry and inlet Reynolds number on heat transmission efficiency, flow behavior, and pressure drop. The SST k-ω turbulence model was validated and utilized in ANSYS FLUENT (2024 R1, (Ansys Inc., Canonsburg, PA, USA) CFD simulations to examine temperature distributions, turbulent kinetic energy, and velocity profiles. The results show that convective heat transfer is improved with higher Reynolds numbers, while pressure drops are increased; the best range for balanced performance is found to be between 35,000 and 45,000. The aspect ratio significantly influences thermal performance; increasing it from 1 to 8 reduces peak wall temperatures by 12–15% but exacerbates thermal stratification and pressure losses. An intermediate aspect ratio (AR = 2–4) was found to optimize both heat transfer enhancement and hydraulic performance. The study provides critical insights for optimizing cooling channel designs in high-performance rocket engines, addressing the trade-offs between thermal efficiency and flow dynamics under extreme operating conditions. Full article

(1) Background: Malignant arrhythmia complicating fulminant myocarditis is associated with high in-hospital mortality, but evidence regarding its long-term prognosis and specific risk factors is limited. (2) Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study (2016–2025) analyzed 241 consecutive fulminant myocarditis patients, stratified by malignant arrhythmia status (n = 58 vs. 183). The malignant arrhythmia group was further subclassified into malignant tachyarrhythmia (n = 22) and bradyarrhythmia (n = 36). Endpoints included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), cardiac dysfunction, and structural abnormalities. (3) Results: At 3-month follow-up, malignant arrhythmia patients had a significantly higher incidence of MACE compared to non-malignant arrhythmia patients (15.5% vs. 4.9%, p = 0.008), but no significant differences were found in cardiac dysfunction or structural abnormalities. Multivariate analysis identified low triglyceride level as an independent risk factor for in-hospital malignant tachyarrhythmia. For in-hospital malignant bradyarrhythmia, independent risk factors were delayed, such as intrinsicoid deflection, low diastolic blood pressure, bradycardia, and an elevated E/Em ratio, with the predictive model showing high discriminatory power. (4) Conclusions: Malignant arrhythmia is an independent predictor of adverse short-term, but not long-term, prognosis in fulminant myocarditis patients, with distinct risk factor profiles identified for malignant tachyarrhythmia and malignant bradyarrhythmia subtypes. Full article

Deep coalbed methane (CBM) development faces significant challenges due to extreme geological conditions (high stress, elevated pressure, high temperature) that differ fundamentally from shallow reservoirs. Traditional productivity models developed for shallow CBM often fail to accurately predict deep reservoir performance. The complex “stress-desorption-flow” multi-field coupling mechanism, intensified under deep conditions, critically controls production dynamics but remains poorly understood. This study develops a multi-layer, commingled, coupled geomechanical-flow model for the Hujiertai deep CBM block (2140~2170 m) in Xinjiang, China. The model, integrating gas-water two-phase flow, Langmuir adsorption, and transient geostress evolution, was validated against field production data, achieving a low relative error of 1.2% in the simulated average daily gas rate. Results indicate that: (1) Geomechanical coupling is critical. The dynamic competition between effective stress compaction and matrix shrinkage limits fracture porosity reduction to ~2%, enabling a characteristic “rapid incline, 1–2-year plateau, gradual decline” production profile and significantly enhancing cumulative gas production. (2) Porosity (10~30%) is positively correlated with productivity: a 10-percentage-point increase raises the peak gas rate by 2.1% and cumulative production by 2.8%. Conversely, high initial cleat permeability boosts early rates but accelerates geomechanical damage (cleat closure), lowering long-term productivity. (3) Stimulation parameters show a trade-off. SRV only dictates short-term, near-wellbore production. Higher fracture permeability (peak rate +17% per 500 mD) boosts early output but accelerates depletion and stress-induced closure. The multi-field coupling mechanisms revealed and the robust model developed provide a theoretical basis for optimizing fracturing design and production strategies for analogous deep CBM plays. Full article

Adolescence is a critical window for cardiovascular (CV) development, yet the molecular drivers of vascular adaptation to regular exercise in youth remain poorly understood. This cross-sectional study assessed vascular structure and function alongside endothelial, metabolic, and lipoprotein biomarkers in 203 healthy young athletes (aged 10–16). Vascular phenotyping included carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), pulse wave velocity, and carotid deformation indices (strain, strain rate). Circulating nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1, free triiodothyronine (fT3), leptin, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein were analyzed. Associations were examined using hierarchically adjusted multivariable linear regression, mediation and moderation were tested and sex-stratified/matched analyses were conducted. While training volume was not associated with endothelial markers, leptin was correlated positively with NO and negatively with diastolic strain rate, suggesting dual vascular actions. fT3 was inversely associated with IMT, indicating a potential protective role in vascular remodeling. Lipoprotein profiles showed no independent associations with vascular parameters. Hemodynamic load, particularly systolic blood pressure, emerged as the dominant determinant of arterial stiffness. Sex-specific differences across biomarkers and vascular indices support a multifactorial model: in active youth, vascular phenotype reflects hemodynamics, body composition, and endocrine–metabolic signals more than training; longitudinal mechanistic studies should clarify causal pathways and guide individualized cardiovascular risk profiling. Full article

Background: Obesity represents a multisystemic disorder that extends beyond metabolic dysfunction, involving hepatic, renal, and cardiovascular axes. This study introduces the Cardio–Reno–Metabolic–Liver–Obesity (CaRaMeL-O) framework as an integrated tool to assess multi-organ metabolic stress in adults with obesity. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 287 adults with obesity (mean BMI 35.1 ± 4.6 kg/m²) were evaluated. The CaRaMeL-O score (0–13 points) incorporated metabolic (TyG index), hepatic (FIB-4, transaminases), and renal (eGFR, UACR) parameters, as well as classical and lifestyle risk factors. Participants were stratified into low, moderate, and high risk categories. Group comparisons were conducted using ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis tests, while multivariate regressions identified independent predictors of FIB-4 and eGFR. Distributional characteristics were further analyzed using Weibull modeling. Results: Higher CaRaMeL-O scores were associated with a progressive increase in TyG (p < 0.001) and FIB-4 (p < 0.001), while eGFR showed a mild, nonsignificant downward trend. In multivariate models, age was the strongest predictor of FIB-4 (β_std = 0.33), whereas age, FIB-4, BMI, blood pressure, and UACR independently predicted eGFR. TyG did not remain significant after full adjustment. Weibull analysis revealed distinct distributional profiles, with TyG showing a narrow, homogeneous curve and FIB-4 and eGFR broader, right-skewed patterns. Conclusions: The CaRaMeL-O framework effectively captures inter-organ metabolic stress, demonstrating that hepatic and metabolic alterations precede overt renal decline. This integrated score may support early stratification and targeted prevention in obesity-related cardio-metabolic risk. Full article