Search Results (4,324)

Acute stress impairs executive functions, and these higher-order cognitive processes are often positively associated with intelligence. Even though intelligence is generally stable over time, performance in an intelligence test can be influenced by a variety of factors, including psychological processes like motivation or attention. For instance, test anxiety has been shown to correlate with individual differences in intelligence test performance, and theoretical accounts exist for causality in both directions. However, the potential impact of acute stress before or during an intelligence test remains elusive. Here, in a research context, we investigated the effects of test anxiety and acute stress as well as their interaction on performance in the short version of the Intelligence Structure Test 2000 in its German version (I-S-T 2000 R). Forty male participants completed two sessions scheduled 28 days apart, with the order counterbalanced across participants. In both sessions, participants underwent either the socially evaluated cold-pressor test (SECPT) or a non-stressful control procedure, followed by administration of I-S-T 2000 R (parallelized versions on both days). The SECPT is a widely used laboratory paradigm that elicits a stress response through the combination of psychosocial and physical components. Trait test anxiety scores were obtained via the German Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI-G). Stress induction was successful as indicated by physiological and subjective markers, including salivary cortisol concentrations. We applied linear mixed models to investigate the effects of acute stress (elicited by our stress manipulation) and test anxiety on the intelligence quotient (IQ). The analysis revealed that neither factor had a significant effect, nor was there a significant interaction between them. Consistent with these findings, Bayesian analyses provided evidence supporting the absence of these effects. Notably, IQ scores increased significantly from the first to the second testing day. These results suggest that neither test anxiety nor stress is significantly impacting intelligence test performance. However, improvements due to repeated testing call for caution, both in scientific and clinical settings. Full article

Pesticide poisoning remains a significant public health issue, characterized by high morbidity and mortality, particularly among patients presenting to the emergency department. This study aimed to develop a 14-day in-hospital mortality prediction model for patients with acute pesticide poisoning using early clinical and laboratory data. This retrospective cohort study included 1056 patients who visited Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital between January 2015 and December 2020. The cohort was randomly divided into train (n = 739) and test (n = 317) sets using stratification by pesticide type and outcome. Candidate predictors were selected based on univariate Cox regression, LASSO regularization, random forest feature importance, and clinical relevance derived from established prognostic scoring systems. Logistic regression models were constructed using six distinct feature sets. The best-performing model combined LASSO-selected and clinically curated features (AUC 0.926 [0.890–0.957]), while the final model—selected for interpretability—used only LASSO-selected features (AUC 0.923 [0.884–0.955]; balanced accuracy 0.835; sensitivity 0.843; specificity 0.857; F1.5 score 0.714 at threshold 0.450). SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis identified paraquat ingestion, Glasgow Coma Scale, bicarbonate level, base excess, and alcohol history as major mortality predictors. The proposed model outperformed the APACHE II score (AUC 0.835 [0.781–0.888]) and may serve as a valuable tool for early risk stratification and clinical decision making in pesticide-poisoned patients. Full article

Engineering education depends on hands-on experimentation, but laboratory access is often limited by time, availability, and resources. Remote laboratories mitigate these barriers by enabling online access to real experiments, with the Virtual Instrument Systems in Reality (VISIR) standing out as a long-established system for teaching electronics and electrical circuits. Based on an extensive literature review and on substantial experience, this study qualitatively analyzes VISIR and identifies limitations related to scalability, interoperability, and integration with emerging technologies. From these insights, the paper proposes a set of improvements and technologies to enhance or replace key components while preserving its core infrastructure. The conclusions contribute to practical recommendations for those developing remote laboratories for electrical circuits and analog electronics education, thus offering achievable design suggestions and outlining directions for future research and development. Full article

Children with intoeing gait are at increased risk of tripping and consequent injury, reduced mobility, and psychological issues. Quantification of tripping is needed outside the gait lab during daily life for improved clinical assessment and treatment evaluation and to enrich the database for artificial intelligence (AI) learning. This paper presents the development of a low-cost, wearable tripping monitor to log a child’s Tripping Hazard Events (THEs) and steps taken during two weeks of everyday activity. A combination of sensors results in a high probability of THE detection, even during rapid gait, while guarding against false positives and minimizing power and therefore monitor size. A THE is logged when the feet come closer than a predefined threshold during the intoeing foot swing phase. Foot proximity is determined by a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader in “sniffer” mode on the intoeing foot and a target of passive Near-Field Communication (NFC) tags on the contralateral foot. A Force Sensitive Resistor (FSR) in the intoeing shoe sets a time window for sniffing during gait and enables step counting. Data are stored in 15 min epochs. Laboratory testing and an IRB-approved human participant study validated system performance and identified the need for improved mechanical robustness, prompting a redesign of the monitor. A custom Python (version 3.10.13)-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) lets clinicians initiate recording sessions and view time records of THEs and steps. The monitor’s flexible design supports broader applications to real-world activity detection. Full article

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is a critical micronutrient involved in hematopoiesis and neurological function. Its deficiency, commonly presenting with anemia and neurological symptoms, is particularly relevant in oncology. While anemia affects up to 60% of cancer patients, the contribution of vitamin B12 deficiency to cancer-related anemia remains underexplored. Additionally, cobalamin-related neuropathy manifests or exacerbates existing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a serious side effect of chemotherapy. Prevalence estimates in cancer populations range widely (6–48%), with higher rates in elderly and gastrointestinal cancer patients. This review summarizes current evidence on the prevalence and implications of both vitamin B12 deficiency and excess in patients with solid tumors. It discusses laboratory markers (such as serum vitamin B12, holotranscobalamin, methylmalonic acid, and homocysteine) that could improve diagnostic accuracy in oncology settings. Additionally, it evaluates supplementation strategies and discusses its role in mitigating CIPN. Additionally, it addresses B12′s emerging immunological role in cancer therapy. Full article

Increased seawater temperatures and nutrient loading are stressors that affect coral reefs and their microbiomes. In this study, filamentous algae were collected and exposed to different temperatures and nutrient concentrations through a laboratory experiment. Microbial DNA was extracted and analyzed using amplicon sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene. In total, 1 domain, 51 phyla, 131 classes, 335 orders, 549 families, and 1905 species were identified. Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota were the dominant taxa reported. Elevated seawater temperatures and nutrient enrichment impacted microbial communities associated with turf algae under laboratory culture. Bacterial species diversity and abundance differed under different temperature and nutrient conditions. Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were abundant in lower-temperature conditions, while Desulfobacterota, Spirochaetota, and Firmicutes were abundant in higher-temperature conditions. Ruegeria was abundant in low-temperature conditions, whereas Vibrio abundance was low. Regarding nutrient conditions, Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria were abundant under high-nutrient conditions, while Firmicutes and Desulfobacterota were abundant under ambient-nutrient conditions. The higher nutrient concentration increased the abundance of pathogenic bacteria, such as Vibrio and Photobacterium, while Pseudoalteromonas, which is beneficial for reefs, was present under ambient nutrient conditions. This study demonstrates that temperature and nutrient enrichment can shape microbial communities under laboratory conditions, providing an experimental setting for further studies of bacterial functions and metabolic processes in natural conditions under thermal and nutrient stresses. Full article

Common polymeric materials (neat polymers) are quite well known, and their properties are often available in appropriate material databases. However, material data, e.g., rheological data, for materials such as polymer blends, polymer composites (including wood plastic composites), and filled plastics are simply lacking in material databases. This paper addresses the problem of determining viscosity curves for one of the most widely used advanced polymeric materials: wood plastic composites. Studies were conducted in laboratory and production settings, i.e., on-line. Laboratory tests were conducted in two ways: on the basis of classical rheometric measurements, i.e., High-Pressure Capillary Rheometry (HPCR), and on the basis of Melt Flow Index (MFI) measurements, also including tests based on a limited number of measurement points. Tests in production conditions, i.e., on-line, were conducted during the extrusion process using the measurement of the process output (material flow rate) and pressure in a specialized extrusion die. The test results (viscosity curves) obtained from Melt Flow Index (MFI) measurements and on-line measurements were presented and evaluated against the background of the results (viscosity curves) obtained from classical capillary rheometry measurements (HPCR). Due to the lack of rheological data of wood plastic composites in available databases, in-house research methods based on the two-point viscosity curve determination in the plastometric (MFI) tests and the tests under production conditions, that is, on-line, have been proposed. The two-point method, based on the power law model, is quick and easy to implement, and allows for solving many polymer processing issues analytically. On-line tests have the significant advantage of being conducted under the actual flow conditions of the tested material, rather than under laboratory conditions, as is the case with rheometric and plastometric tests, which do not take into account the processing history of the tested material. The issues of rheology and modeling of wood plastic composite processing, e.g., extrusion and injection molding, which have not yet been resolved and require practical solutions, were also discussed. The results of this part of the study (viscosity curves and models) will be used in the second part of the study to evaluate the impact of rheological testing methods and rheological models on the accuracy of process modeling (extrusion). Full article

Background and Objectives: Dyslipidemia and hyperuricemia frequently co-exist in uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), amplifying renal and cardiovascular risk. This study aimed to develop and evaluate an optimized Renal–Metabolic Risk Score (RMRS) integrating renal and lipid parameters to identify patients with both conditions. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study including 304 patients with uncontrolled T2DM hospitalized at the Emergency County Hospital Oradea, Romania (2022–2023). Hyperuricemia was defined as uric acid > 6 mg/dL in females and >7 mg/dL in males; dyslipidemia was diagnosed according to standard lipid thresholds. RMRS was calculated from standardized values of urea, TG/HDL ratio, and eGFR, with variable weights derived from logistic regression coefficients. The score was normalized to a 0–100 scale. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis assessed discriminative performance; quartile analysis explored stratification ability. Results: The prevalence of dyslipidemia and hyperuricemia co-occurrence was 81.6%. RMRS was significantly higher in the co-occurrence group compared to others (median 16.9 vs. 10.0; p < 0.001). ROC analysis showed an AUC of 0.78, indicating good discrimination. Quartile analysis demonstrated a monotonic gradient in co-occurrence prevalence from 64.5% in Q1 to 96.1% in Q4. Conclusions: The Renal–metabolic Risk Score (RMRS) demonstrated moderate discriminative performance in identifying patients with uncontrolled T2DM at risk for combined hyperuricemia and dyslipidemia. Because it relies on inexpensive, routine laboratory parameters, RMRS may be particularly useful in resource-limited settings to support early risk stratification, dietary counseling, and timely referral. Further validation in larger and more diverse cohorts is required before its clinical adoption. Full article

Atmospheric corrosion in sand dust environments is driven by deposits that bear chloride, which sustain thin electrolyte layers on metal surfaces. We established a laboratory protocol to replicate this by extracting, formulating, and depositing a preliminary layer of mixed salts from natural dust onto samples, with humidity precisely set using the salt’s deliquescence behavior. Degradation was tracked with SEM/EDS, 3D profilometry, XRD, and electrochemical analysis. Bare steel showed progressive yet decelerating attack as rust evolved from discrete islands to a lamellar network; while this densification limited transport, its internal cracks and interfacial gaps trapped chlorides, sustaining activity beneath the rust. In contrast, QPQ-treated steel remained largely protected, with damage localized at coating defects as raised rust nodules, while intact regions maintained low electrochemical activity. By coupling salt chemistries derived from the field with humidity control guided by deliquescence and diagnostics across multiple scales, this study provides a reproducible laboratory pathway to predict atmospheric corrosion. Full article

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) is a well-established marker of autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. It is also an important tool for investigating cardiovascular and neurological health. Changes in HRV have been associated with epilepsy and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), conditions in which autonomic dysregulation is believed to play a significant role. HRV is traditionally measured using electrocardiography (ECG) under standardized laboratory conditions. Recently, however, wearable devices such as the Empatica E4 wristband have emerged as promising tools for continuous, noninvasive HRV monitoring in real-life, ambulatory, and clinical settings where laboratory infrastructure may be lacking. Methods: We evaluated the validity and clinical utility of the Empatica E4 wristband in two cohorts. In the first cohort of healthy controls (n = 29), we compared HRV measures obtained with the E4 against those obtained with a gold-standard laboratory ECG device under seated rest and metronomic breathing conditions. In persons with epilepsy (PWE, n = 42), we assessed HRV across wake and sleep states, as well as during exposure to sodium channel blockers. This was done to determine whether the device could detect physiologically and clinically meaningful changes in autonomic nervous system (ANS) function. Results: In healthy participants, the Empatica E4 provided heart rate (HR), root mean square of successive R-R intervals (RMSSD), and standard deviation of all interbeat intervals (SDNN) values that were strongly correlated with laboratory measurements. Both devices detected the expected increase in RMSSD during metronomic breathing; however, the E4 consistently reported higher absolute values than the ECG. In patients with epilepsy (PWE), the E4 reliably captured parasympathetic activation during sleep and detected a significant reduction in heart rate variability (HRV) in patients taking sodium channel blockers, demonstrating its sensitivity to clinically relevant autonomic changes. Conclusions: The Empatica E4 wristband is valid for measuring HRV in research and clinical contexts. It can detect modulations of ANS activity that are physiologically meaningful. While HRV metrics were robust, other signals, such as electrodermal activity and temperature, were less reliable. These results highlight the potential of wearable devices as practical alternatives to laboratory-based autonomic testing, especially in emergency and resource-limited settings, and emphasize their importance in epilepsy care risk assessment. Full article

An experimental investigation was conducted to study the effect of initiator content and polymerization temperature on the mechanical and bonding properties of polyacrylate mortar. Initiator content was controlled in 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9 and 1.0% and polymerization temperature was set at −20, 0, 20, 40, and 60 °C in aggregation process, respectively. The mixture of butyl methacrylate (BMA), benzoyl peroxide (BPO) and N, N-dimethylaniline (DMA) was added to the aggregate composed of quartz sand and silica fume (SF) according to the ratio of monomer to aggregate of 1:4. Results showed that compressive, flexural, tensile, and bonding strengths of polyacrylate mortar decreased with increasing temperature but increased with higher initiator content. The optimal initiator content was 0.6%. Although the highest strength was observed at −20 °C, this curing condition is not easy to achieve in practice and should be considered as laboratory optimization. According to the room temperature, 20 °C can be selected as the best polymerization temperature. SEM observations indicated that the polyacrylate cementitious material cross-linked to form a film, with a dense polymer distribution at the interface that improved interfacial continuity. These findings provide mechanistic insight for optimizing initiator content and curing conditions to enhance the mechanical and bonding performance of polyacrylate-based cementitious composites. Full article

Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) films offer a promising actuation method for dynamically controlling natural light, particularly in applications like smart greenhouses that require optimized Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR). Building upon previous work that established a control-oriented model and validated it under laboratory conditions, this study presents significant extensions. Key novel contributions include (1) the design and implementation of a Mini Greenhouse (MGH) test rig featuring PDLC films angled at 45° to accommodate typical sun angles; (2) extensive in situ validation of the previously developed Proportional–Integral (PI) control scheme under real-world environmental conditions, including varying natural sunlight, cloud cover, rain, and snow over several weeks; (3) analysis of system performance at different PAR setpoints (4 PAR and 10.5 PAR) under these conditions; (4) characterization of the system’s controllable PAR range and transmittance under natural light; (5) calculation of a light reduction ratio attributable to the MGH structure for accurate disturbance modeling; and (6) validation of an extended simulation model using the collected in situ data. The results demonstrate the system’s capability to effectively track setpoints and reject disturbances under dynamic natural light, confirming the robustness of the PDLC control approach. The validated simulation provides a reliable tool for predicting performance and optimizing control strategies for energy-efficient smart greenhouse applications. This work significantly advances the practical assessment of PDLC actuators for agricultural light management beyond laboratory settings. Full article

As digital learning continues to expand, virtual laboratories have become increasingly prominent in STEM education. This scoping review explores the development and application of virtual labs within online and blended learning settings. It looks into how these resources encourage experiential learning, increase student interest, and offer substitutes for conventional laboratory limitations. The evaluation concentrates on important aspects such as learning objectives, instructional techniques, technology infrastructure, and real-world implementation difficulties. It also identifies recurring limitations in the current body of research, including the lack of adaptable virtual lab designs and limited empirical evaluation. The study highlights the essential role of virtual laboratories in advancing e-learning innovation and outlines future research directions aimed at maximizing their educational impact in STEM fields. Full article

Background/Objectives: Clozapine remains the gold standard for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. However, its narrow therapeutic window and risk of severe side effects require close monitoring of both clozapine and its primary metabolite, norclozapine. Existing therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) methods are limited by delays, high costs, and operational complexity. This study introduces three rapid point-of-care (POC) assays utilizing a miniature mass spectrometer (Mini-MS) to quantify clozapine and norclozapine in plasma, whole blood, and dried blood spots (DBSs), facilitating applications across diverse clinical settings. Methods: The analytical performance of the assay was evaluated for sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility, and correlation with reference methods. Clinical samples from two hospitals were analysed and validated against conventional liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) reference standards at New South Wales Health Pathology (NSWHP) and Tsinghua University laboratories. Results: The Mini-MS assay accurately quantified both analytes within therapeutic ranges across all matrices. Inter-assay coefficients of variation ranged from 7.9 to 14.1% for clozapine and from 1.6 to 14.6% for norclozapine. Accuracy fell between 85 and 117% in plasma and blood extracts. Strong linearity was demonstrated (R² = 0.98–0.99) over the concentration range of 10–1000 ng/mL. Results from the Mini-MS analysis showed excellent correlations with LC-MS/MS results (r = 0.998). Conclusions: In this proof-of-concept study, the Mini-MS-based POC assays enable rapid, reliable quantification of clozapine and norclozapine, with performance comparable to conventional laboratory methods. This platform supports real-time TDM, facilitating timely dose adjustments, adherence monitoring, and ultimately improving patient outcomes. Full article

This study explores the potential of paper chromatography for evaluating the condition of used engine oils. A set of 25 oil samples was collected from vehicles operated under real driving conditions and analyzed using both laboratory methods (FTIR spectroscopy, viscosity measurements) and commercial paper test kits. The aim was to quantitatively assess chromatographic spot parameters and investigate their relationships with physicochemical changes in the oil. Refined indicators based on diffusion and contamination zones were proposed and compared with parameters such as oxidation, sulfonation, nitration, and viscosity. The results showed mostly moderate correlations, with only partial consistency between chromatographic and laboratory-derived data. Nevertheless, the analysis highlights that paper chromatography may provide rapid and accessible additional insights for oil condition monitoring, although it cannot substitute standard laboratory testing. Full article