Search Results (8,011)

For the first time, hybrid nanocomposites based on poly(2,5-dichloro-3,6-bis(phenylamino)-p-benzoquinone) (PCPAB) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were obtained and the influence of the preparation method on their structure and functional properties was demonstrated. The nanocomposites were obtained both by ultrasonic mixing of PCPAB and MWCNTs, and via in situ oxidative polymerization of CPAB in the presence of MWCNTs or MWCNTs with the addition of ZnO. The formation of hybrid nanocomposites occurs due to non-covalent interaction (π-stacking) between the graphene structures of the MWCNT surface and the phenyl rings of PCPAB. It was found that during the in situ oxidative polymerization of CPAB in the presence of MWCNTs, the growth of polymer chains occurred in close proximity to the filler surface, which led to the formation of a polymer coating. ZnO particles, localized on MWCNTs, on the one hand, prevent their aggregation, and on the other hand, create additional polymerization reaction centers due to the coordination of the Zn-O bond at the H and O atoms of the monomer. An increase in the concentration of reaction centers as a result led to a 2–2.5-fold reduction in the induction polymerization period. According to SEM data, in this case, a more ordered and denser polymer layer is formed due to intermolecular complexation between the main and side chains of the growing polymer with the participation of Zn²⁺ ions formed as a result of the transformation of ZnO to ZnCl₂ in the acidic reaction medium of polymerization. The results of the study of the frequency dependences of conductivity indicate a hopping mechanism of conductivity of nanocomposites. The electrical conductivity of nanocomposites depends on their production method and the MWCNT content and varies between 0.5 and 1.1 S∙cm⁻¹, which is 6–12 times higher than the conductivity of the original polymer. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the nanocomposites exhibit enhanced thermal stability compared to PCPAB. The best results were shown by nanocomposites with a higher content of MWCNTs, for which the residual mass at 450 °C was 51–53%. Full article

Human organoids and organ-on-chip/microphysiological systems (OoC/MPS) are increasingly used as new-approach methodologies for biotoxin assessment. They retain human-relevant tissue organization and enable interpretable analysis of exposure geometry, barrier transport, perfusion, and (when needed) multi-organ coupling. In this review, we synthesize primary evidence across major toxin classes, including bacterial enterotoxins (e.g., cholera toxin, heat-stable enterotoxins, Shiga toxins), mycotoxins (e.g., aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol), and algal/cyanobacterial toxins (e.g., saxitoxin, domoic acid, microcystins, biliatresone). We emphasize studies that clearly define toxin identity and exposure context and that demonstrate mechanism-critical model competencies under assay conditions. We highlight decision-informative functional endpoints that align with the dominant pathophysiology. These include cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-dependent secretion in human enteroids/colonoids, transporter-linked proximal tubular injury in kidney MPS, gut–kidney axis injury from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in microfluidic systems, and multi-electrode array (MEA) network readouts in human 3D neural tissues. We then summarize best practices that improve cross-study comparability. These include reporting delivered versus nominal exposure, assessing recovery/mass balance and device/material interactions, applying proportional biological qualification (polarity, transporter/enzymatic competence, functional stability), defining a minimal comparable endpoint core, and preserving QIVIVE readiness in reporting. Finally, we outline near-term priorities for the field, including chronic low-dose and mixture designs, harmonized reference panels and acceptance criteria, and fit-for-purpose escalation to coupled OoC/MPS only when perfusion or organ–organ coupling is expected to change the interpretation. Full article

This paper investigates the stability of telehandlers operating on inclined terrain through a sequential methodological approach. In a first stage, stability is assessed using quasi-static methods based on force and moment equilibrium, including the load transfer matrix and the stability pyramid. These approaches account for gravitational and inertial effects through equivalent external forces and moments applied at the global centre of gravity, enabling efficient evaluation of load redistribution and proximity to rollover thresholds under generalized quasi-static conditions. The application of these methods highlights intrinsic limitations when addressing structurally complex machines such as telehandlers equipped with a pivoting rear axle and evolving mass distribution due to boom motion. In particular, quasi-static approaches require a priori assumptions regarding the effective rollover axis and cannot fully capture the coupled geometric and contact interactions between rear axle articulation limits, centre of gravity migration, tyre–ground interface behaviour, and support polygon evolution. To overcome these limitations, a nonlinear dynamic multibody model based on the three-dimensional Bond Graph (3D Bond Graph) methodology is introduced. The model is implemented within a virtual tilt–rotation test platform and validated against experimental results obtained from ISO 22915-14 stability tests. The comparison confirms compliance with normative requirements and demonstrates that the dynamic framework captures condition-dependent rollover mechanisms and transitions between distinct virtual rollover axes that cannot be fully explained by quasi-static formulations. Unlike most previous studies, which focus on fixed configurations or forward-driving scenarios, the proposed framework analyzes stability evolution under spatial inclination while accounting for structural articulation constraints. The explicit identification of rollover axis transitions induced by rear axle articulation provides a deeper mechanistic interpretation of telehandler stability and supports the use of high-fidelity dynamic simulation as a complementary tool for test interpretation, experimental planning, and the development of predictive stability and operator assistance systems. Full article

Active antimicrobial films based on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were developed through atomic layer deposition (ALD) and plasma sputtering to obtain ZnO (≈15 nm) and ZnO/Cu (≈18 nm) coatings. Surface characterization by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed zinc in ZnO form and copper as Cu₂O/CuO, while mass spectrometry quantified approximately 10 µg/cm² of Zn in both samples and about 130 ng/cm² of Cu in the ZnO/Cu films. The antimicrobial performance of the coatings was evaluated on burrata cheese and turkey fillets stored under refrigeration, assessing microbial growth and sensory quality over time. The films exhibited different effects depending on food type and the initial contamination levels. On burrata cheese, PET-ZnO moderately extended the shelf life by inhibiting Pseudomonas spp., while PET-ZnO/Cu further enhanced preservation. Cheese packaged with PET-ZnO/Cu remained acceptable for over 21 days compared to 19–20 days for the controls. More pronounced effects were observed in turkey fillets, characterized by a higher initial contamination. In control samples, Staphylococcus spp. rapidly proliferated, leading to spoilage within one day. Both active films significantly delayed microbial growth and sensory decay, with PET-ZnO/Cu providing the best performance, extending acceptability beyond two days compared to less than one day for the controls. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to prospectively investigate the associations among obesity, physical activity, and short-term high medical expenditures in Japanese employees and their dependents. Methods: Participants were 245,044 employees and their dependents aged 40–74 years who underwent the Specific Health Checkup in fiscal year 2008. Health checkup and medical expenditure data for 2008–2010 were provided by health insurers. They were divided into 12 groups according to the combination of body mass index categories (normal, overweight, and obesity) and engagement in exercise and/or daily physical activity (inactive, daily physical activity only, exercise only, and active). The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios of the groups for high total medical expenditures in the next year compared to the inactive normal body mass index group were estimated. High medical expenditures were defined as the top 5% of total annual expenditures, consistent with prior literature identifying high-cost users. Similar analyses were performed by sex and age (<65 years, ≥65 years). Results: Of the participants, 61.8% were men (mean age, 52.1 years). Multivariable-adjusted odds ratios were significantly high only in the inactive groups with overweight or obesity in men and younger individuals. In women and older individuals, the odds ratios were significantly high only in inactive women with obesity; however, the odds ratios were high in women who exercised only and in active older individuals, both with obesity. Conclusions: Exercise or daily physical activity might attenuate the possibility of incurring high short-term medical expenditures in men and younger individuals with overweight or obesity. These findings suggest that physical activity recommendations may need to be tailored for women and older individuals with obesity, and further longitudinal research is warranted. Full article

Background/Objectives: Biventricular volume (BVV) can be measured from non-contrast-enhanced CT images in patients undergoing coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring. BVV correlates with left ventricular mass and may predict mortality risk in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. This study examines the relationships among body size, age, and BVV using the Standard Human Index (SHI), which combines height and bodyprint (BP = k × height − body surface area, h-BSA; k = 1 for females, 1.1 for males). We hypothesize that this novel indexing method enhances the discrimination of increased BVV in overweight and obese patients and assesses the relevance of age in interpreting BVV changes. Methods: We analyzed CT data from 2466 patients (1606 women, 860 men; mean age 64 ± 11 years) referred for CAC scoring. Fatless BVV was measured semi-automatically, and we compared raw BVV values and BVV normalized for height, body surface area (BSA), and the SHI across sex, age, and body mass index (BMI) categories. Results: BVV was significantly higher in males (414 ± 97 mL) than females (297 ± 66 mL) (p < 0.001). BVV decreased non-linearly with age, stabilizing in older patients. Normal-weight males had higher BVV than females (p < 0.001). Normalization for height, BSA, and the SHI indicated that BSA did not effectively distinguish BVV changes in overweight and obese patients. Conclusions: The proposed index effectively diagnosed BVV increases in overweight individuals, while BSA indexing may be misleading. The age dependence of BVV challenges the validity of standards based on younger populations for detecting ventricular enlargement in older adults. Full article

In the present work, a comparative study of a model of the nonlinear solidification of a binary melt in the presence of a quasi-equilibrium mushy region and a binary phase field model of an aqueous solution of NaCl in water is performed. Nonlinear model is solved analytically in integral form with the effective coefficients of heat and mass transfer. Temperature and concentration distributions in the mushy zone are interpolated in the consideration of quasi-stationery boundary propagation. The binary phase field model introduces the temperature- and concentration-dependent mobility coefficients and allows the simultaneous solution of heat and solute transfer. The quantitative agreement between the analytical nonlinear model solved in integral form and the phase field model is shown. The applicability of the methods and details of the numerical implementation are discussed. Full article

This paper proposes an impulsive SIRQ model for the analysis of computer network resilience against malware propagation and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. The model extends classical epidemic frameworks by combining the continuous-time dynamics of malicious object spreading with discrete control actions corresponding to mass updates, node isolation, and access control policies. A qualitative analysis of the resulting system of impulsive differential equations is performed. The basic reproduction number ${\mathcal{R}}_0$, identified as a threshold parameter characterizing the intensity of attack propagation, and sufficient conditions for the global asymptotic stability of the infection-free state are established. It is shown that, under periodic impulsive control, the infection-free state can be stabilized with respect to the target population coordinates even when ${\mathcal{R}}_0>1$. An exponential decay estimate for the total active threat is derived, guaranteeing the asymptotic extinction of the infected and quarantined node populations. The proposed approach provides quantitative criteria for the effectiveness of impulsive cyber defense strategies and offers a theoretical foundation for the design of adaptive multi-layer protection systems for critical information infrastructures. Practical interpretation of the results illustrates the dependence of the critical impulsive control period on the model parameters and demonstrates the applicability of the approach to cybersecurity strategy design. Full article

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from sanitary waste (SW) are not usually quantified in institutional inventories, which limits the ability to assess its management and associated carbon footprint. This study establishes emission factors (EF) for SW generated in a higher education institution (HEI), focusing on toilet paper. In 2022, 19 sanitary waste sources were monitored, obtaining a per capita generation of 3.02 g person⁻¹ day⁻¹ and an annual total of 356.87 kg of SW. Samples were characterized through proximate and elemental analyses, applying stoichiometric calculations for two disposal-site degradation pathways: Aerobic: 841.95 kg (total climate indicator) t⁻¹ SW, and Anaerobic: 7041.97 kg (total climate indicator) t⁻¹. The arithmetic mean of the aerobic and anaerobic EFs was 3941.96 kg (total climate indicator) t⁻¹ SW. Based on an estimated annual mass of 1.12 t yr⁻¹, emissions ranged from 0.35 to 6.71 t yr⁻¹ (total climate indicator: CO₂ + CH₄-derived CO₂e) depending on the scenario. Emissions could be reduced by over 90% when aerobic degradation or controlled methane capture predominates. The results suggest that separating SW at its point of generation and ensuring that it undergoes aerobic or energy-recovery treatment processes can limit its contribution to institutional GHG inventories. Having material-specific EF enables quantitative comparison among management strategies and guides continuous-improvement decisions. Full article

Soils play a fundamental role in plant nutrition as primary sources of potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg), whose availability depends on soil properties and environmental conditions. The composition of major cations in the soil solution is governed by interacting factors, including soil texture, acidity, mineralogical composition, and seasonal variability during the growing cycle. This study examines the availability, mobility, and seasonal dynamics of K and Mg in the soil solution of seven naturally managed soils across four distinct periods of a complete growing season beginning in spring. An integrated field and laboratory approach was applied to assess the influence of clay mineralogy on K and Mg behavior and overall soil fertility. Seasonal soil samples were analyzed for mineral composition, total elemental chemistry, exchangeable cation pools, and soil solution chemistry. Total elemental concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and clay mineral assemblages were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD), focusing on 2:1 clay minerals, mixed-layer phases, and hydroxy-interlayered minerals (HIMs). The soils were dominated by 2:1 and mixed-layer assemblages, including illite/smectite (Ill/Sm), mica/illite–vermiculite (M/Vm), and chlorite/smectite (Chl/Sm), as well as transitional HIMs such as hydroxy-interlayered smectite (HIS) and hydroxy-interlayered vermiculite (HIV). Exchangeable Mg (0.28–1.30 cmolc kg⁻¹) and K (0.12–0.97 cmolc kg⁻¹) occurred in relatively high amounts, with maximum base saturation values of 13.14% (Mg) and 4.55% (K). Soil solution concentrations ranged from 1.60 to 3.00 ppm for K⁺ and 0.90–1.70 ppm for Mg²⁺, indicating substantial mobility and enrichment from the solid phase. These findings demonstrate that 2:1 clay minerals and mixed-layer phases act as key reservoirs regulating K and Mg exchangeability and release under natural acidic conditions, thereby sustaining soil fertility and nutrient availability for plant uptake. Full article

Background/Objectives: Although lifestyle patterns, including sleep and meal timing, have been associated with diet quality, previous studies have frequently relied on time-averaged data, which can obscure day-to-day intake variability. Using data from a food-logging mobile application, we aimed to elucidate the association between mealtime irregularity and nutrient intake variability. Furthermore, we explored whether the association between meal timing and diet quality differs depending on mealtime regularity. Methods: Chrononutritional characteristics were calculated for 742 female mobile application users who provided daily dietary records for approximately 1 month. Nutrient intake variability was evaluated using the coefficient of variation (CV). Diet quality was assessed based on the energy-adjusted ratio of nutrient intake to the reference values from the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese. Generalized additive models adjusted for age, body mass index, and physical activity were employed for analyzing associations. Results: Greater mealtime irregularity was associated with higher CVs in the daily intake of most nutrients investigated. Regarding diet quality, a marginal interaction was observed between mealtime regularity and dinner timing (p for interaction = 0.062). Specifically, the irregular mealtime group demonstrated a significant linear decline in diet quality with later dinner times (p for trend = 0.0112), whereas no significant decline was observed in the regular mealtime group (p for trend = 0.5219). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that mealtime regularity, alongside meal timing, is a significant factor involved in nutrient intake variability and diet quality, underscoring its significance as a health-related behavior in chrononutrition. Full article

Immortelle (Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don, family Asteraceae) essential oils (HiEOs) and hydrosols (HiHYs) are widely used in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and agricultural formulations. However, their composition and quality vary depending on geographical origin and production practices, while standardized reference values—particularly for hydrosols—are still lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the physicochemical properties and chemical composition of commercial HiEOs and HiHYs from the Adriatic and continental regions of Croatia. Samples were analysed using standard pharmacopoeial methods and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Physicochemical analyses (relative density, acid value, refractive index, pH, turbidity, and essential oil content) showed that all samples were within generally accepted quality ranges, with no significant differences observed between regions using the Mann–Whitney U test. HiEOs were dominated by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (53.15–55.60%), whereas HiHYs contained predominantly oxygenated monoterpenes (43.54–69.86%). The main compounds identified in both fractions were α-pinene, neryl acetate, γ-curcumene, and β-selinene, which formed a consistent chemical signature and served as practical biomarkers for the quality of H. italicum EO and hydrosol. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) distinguished sample groupings based on physicochemical properties and chemical composition, indicating regional variability without exceeding accepted quality limits. This study presents the first comparative dataset of Croatian commercial HiEOs and HiHYs, and defines practical parameter ranges to support standardized specifications, ensure consistent quality, and enhance the industrial applicability of immortelle-based products. Full article

Vaccinia-Related Kinase 3 (VRK3) is increasingly recognized as a crucial signaling modulator in both normal and pathological processes. This kinase was long thought of as a catalytically inactive pseudokinase, until recently it was established to phosphorylate Barrier to Autointegration Factor (BAF) proteins through its extracatalytic domain. VRK3 regulates diverse cellular pathways through scaffold interactions and context-dependent phosphorylation. This review is centered around the phosphoregulatory network that modulates VRK3 phosphorylation with implications in its abundance and function. A large-scale phosphoproteomic data integration was performed by combining phosphoproteomics profiling and differential phosphorylation from 115 mass spectrometry studies, identifying 32 high-confidence phosphorylation sites on VRK3. Notably, VRK3 (S59), (S82), and (S83) were predominantly observed highlighting plausible functional significance. These phosphorylation sites share 33 potential upstream kinases, and multiple interactor proteins, which in combination are known to regulate ERK, Hippo, and GPCR pathways. These insights advance the understanding of phosphorylation control by kinases and highlight opportunities to target VRK3-associated networks for therapeutic intervention in diseases such as glioma and liver cancer. Full article

Energy thriftiness and metabolic adaptations have had a crucial role in the emergence and spreading of the Homo lineage in the world. A higher-energy demand was required not only for the growing body mass, encephalization and human proliferation, but also for the survival adaptations to the environmental stresses. Because lean body mass lacks the energy-storage capacity required to supply the body’s demands, dedicated fat-storing cells originated. To feed such fat stores, the hominid evolution developed “meat-adaptive” genes to detect, digest and metabolize higher fat diets, and body-fat stores can be affected by lifestyle through hormonal-controlled daily energy balance. In energy surplus conditions, hypertrophy and hyperplasia of adipocytes can occur, with hypertrophic adipocyte signaling both a neo-adipocyte differentiation (leading to hyperplasia) and a local macrophage density (resident + infiltrated macrophages) for fat surplus scavenging. Adiposity-induced inflammation is caused by fat-overstored (hypertrophied) adipocytes that may operate as an overactive endocrine organ secreting an array of pro-inflammatory adipokines that, in combination with resident-macrophage activity and infiltrated blood-recruited, monocyte-derived macrophages, amplify the inflammatory process by spurting pro-inflammatory cytokines into the bloodstream. From an evolutionary perspective, obese humans represent a natural selection overexpressing the “thrifty” genes evolved for efficient food collection and fat deposition intended to help in survival in prolonged periods of famine. However, genetically speaking, obesity is a polygenic multifactorial disorder. Considering the rapidity of obesity-epidemic growth worldwide, epigenetic sets forth the key assumption of the mismatch between our human genome molded over thousands of generations, coping with the unprecedented dietary and physical conditions. Consequently, obesity would be due to our evolutionary-adapted polygenic-charge expressed by a deteriorated lifestyle characterized by high energy-dense food intake coupled with a reduction in caloric expenditure stemming from new mobility-reducing technologies. As a model of lifestyle change (LiSM), our 28-year on-going longitudinal study (“Moving for Health”) has shown effectiveness in the reduction not only of obesity but especially of its comorbidities, in a (10 week to 3 year) length-dependent LiSM. However, a disappointing progressive decrease in compliance with the study has been observed and attributed to the resistance of people to change their actual “obesogenic” lifestyle, basically represented by the individuals’ demand for labor-saving technologies and convenient, affordable, palatable foods. Full article

Microbial polysaccharides are attracting increasing interest as water-processable polymers for extrusion-based additive manufacturing due to their ability to form physically stabilized networks without covalent cross-linking. In this study, a kefiran–propylene glycol (PG) formulation was developed to investigate whether time-dependent supramolecular reorganization can be exploited to control print fidelity. Extrusion performance was assessed through quantitative filament collapse analysis, while rheological behavior was characterized by oscillatory strain, frequency, and time sweep measurements. Filaments printed 5 min after PG addition showed pronounced sagging (δ/(L/2) ≈ 0.35 at the largest spans), whereas after 15 min the normalized deflection decreased below 0.03, indicating a marked improvement in self-supporting capability. Time sweep experiments revealed a continuous increase in storage modulus from ~100 to ~1200 Pa over 1800 s, consistent with progressive viscoelastic stiffening. Freeze-dried constructs exhibited an interconnected porous architecture with a predominant pore population between 6 and 20 µm and an apparent porosity of 60.9 ± 1.2%. Upon rehydration at 37 °C, samples swelled to ~350% within 5 h and showed gradual mass loss over 56 days while remaining intact. ATR–FTIR confirmed the preservation of the polysaccharide backbone without evidence of new covalent functionalities. Extrusion fidelity is therefore governed by progressive supramolecular consolidation within a physically assembled network, rather than by any form of chemical cross-linking. Full article