Search Results (4,053)

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of three drying methods, namely sun drying, microwave–vacuum drying, and hot-air-oven drying, on the physical and nutritional properties of cricket powder for use in poultry feed. The results showed that the drying method significantly affected color parameters (L*, a*, and b*; p < 0.05), and particle size distribution at 850 µm and 250 µm (p = 0.04 and p = 0.02, respectively). Microwave–vacuum drying produced the lightest powder with a higher proportion of coarse particles, while sun drying resulted in a darker color and greater particle retention at 850 µm. Hot-air-oven drying yielded the lowest moisture content (1.99%) and the highest gross energy (6126.43 kcal/kg), with no significant differences observed in crude protein (p = 0.61), ether extract (p = 0.08), crude fiber (p = 0.14), ash (p = 0.22), or amino acid profiles (p > 0.05). These findings indicate that all drying methods preserved the nutritional value of cricket powder, and based on the overall results, hot-air-oven drying is the most suitable method for producing high-quality cricket meal with optimal physical properties and feed value, while also providing a practical balance between drying efficiency and cost. Full article

The large number of underutilized tree residues in Japan is a matter of concern, and their appropriate application needs to be promoted. Trees are very diverse, and there are differences in the volatile essential oil compounds and biological activities among different tree species. However, the effects of these tree species’ characteristics on human sensitivity and mental and physical functionality remain underexplored. This study investigated the effects of essential oils from multiple tree species on subjective and physiological responses. The essential oils from nine tree species were tested, subjective scent assessments were conducted, and their effect on autonomic nervous activity was measured. The volatile profiles of the oils were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Our findings revealed clear differences in the composition of volatile essential oils among species, which influenced the scent evaluation and individual preferences. We suggest that scent preferences have the potential to influence physiological responses. The findings indicate that volatile essential oils could play a potential role in making use of tree resources effectively, and they may also be beneficial for maintaining human health. Full article

The purpose of this study was to examine vegetable consumption and its relationship with lifestyle characteristics among children and adolescents. Data from a health survey administered to a representative sample of 177,091 schoolchildren between the ages of 8 and 17 were employed in this observational, cross-sectional investigation. Physical activity level, screen time, and sleeping patterns were assessed using self-completed questionnaires. Vegetable consumption and dietary habits were analyzed using the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for Children and Adolescents. Participants consuming vegetables more than once daily were categorized as consumers vs. non-consumers. Physical education teachers measured anthropometric and physical fitness factors. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis were conducted, and the odds ratio with the corresponding 95% confidence interval was calculated and adjusted for confounders. Vegetables were consumed once or more times a day by more females than males (25.5% vs. 24.0%, p < 0.001). In both sexes, vegetable consumers slept more, ate healthier, spent less time on screens, and had better anthropometric and aerobic fitness measurements than non-consumers. Healthy eating practices, such as regularly consuming fruits, legumes, nuts, and dairy products, were strongly correlated with vegetable intake. For every one-year increase in age, the odds of being a vegetable consumer decreased by 8% and 10% in boys and girls, respectively. Overweight/obese participants had lower odds of being a vegetable consumer by 20%. Increased screen time, inadequate physical activity, and insufficient sleeping hours decreased the odds of being a vegetable consumer by 22%, 30%, and 25%, respectively (all p-values < 0.001). Overall, a healthier lifestyle profile was associated with higher vegetable intake for both sexes among children and adolescents. Full article

Background: Breast cancer is the most common neoplasm in women. Despite effective treatments, sequelae such as decreased muscle strength, upper limb dysfunction, and tissue changes are common, highlighting the need for functional assessments during rehabilitation. This study analysed the morphofunctional profile of the upper limbs in breast cancer survivors, comparing muscle strength and ultrasound findings between groups with and without lymphoedema, as well as between ipsilateral and contralateral limbs. Methods: This cross-sectional study included female breast cancer survivors treated at an oncology physical therapy clinic. Muscle strength was measured using dynamometry (handgrip and arm flexor strength), and ultrasound assessed the thickness of the dermal–epidermal complex (DEC), subcutaneous tissue (SUB), and muscle (MT). Results: The upper limbs of 41 women were evaluated. No significant differences were observed between those with and without breast cancer-related lymphoedema (BCRL). When comparing the ipsilateral and contralateral limbs, significant reductions were observed in arm flexor strength (p < 0.001; 95% CI: −9.77 to −2.50), handgrip strength (p < 0.001; 95% CI: −4.10 to −1.22), and tissue thickness, with increased DEC thickness on the forearm (0.20 mm; p = 0.022) and arm flexors (0.25 mm; p < 0.001) of the ipsilateral limb. Conclusion: Significant differences in muscle strength and tissue structure between ipsilateral and contralateral limbs may reflect surgical and local pathophysiological effects. A trend toward reduced values for these parameters was also noted in limbs with BCRL, reinforcing the importance of future research to elucidate underlying mechanisms and guide more effective therapeutic strategies. Full article

Objectives: This study investigated levels of work engagement and the occurrence of compassion fatigue among nursing professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational study was conducted at a Brazilian university hospital between February and April 2022. The Brazilian versions of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9) and the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL-BR) were administered. Results: High levels of compassion satisfaction (44.9 points), low levels of burnout (21.0 points), and low levels of secondary traumatic stress (22.8 points) were observed. No professional demonstrated a profile consistent with compassion fatigue. Engagement levels were high for dedication (5.3) and moderate for vigor (4.9), absorption (4.5), and overall engagement (4.9). Burnout showed moderate negative correlations with vigor (r = −0.611, p = 0.005) and dedication (r = −0.599, p = 0.019). Compassion satisfaction showed moderate positive correlations with vigor (r = 0.522, p < 0.001) and dedication (r = 0.572, p < 0.001). The overall engagement score was moderately and positively correlated with compassion satisfaction (r = 0.532, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study identified high levels of work engagement, especially regarding dedication, and low levels of compassion fatigue among nursing professionals. The data suggest that even amid the emotional and physical demands imposed by the pandemic, participants preserved their emotional well-being and maintained a positive relationship with their work. Full article

Tennis is a demanding sport that requires physical abilities and optimal body composition. The aim of this study was to investigate the anthropometric characteristics, body composition, and somatotype development of young Slovenian tennis players (754 boys and 514 girls aged 12 to 18 years) over the last two decades. Using standardised anthropometric measurements and the Heath-Carter method, somatotypes were calculated and analysed by age and gender. The results showed clear age- and gender-specific trends and differences in both somatotype profiles and detailed anthropometric characteristics. Significant differences were found in height, body mass, BMI, skinfolds, girths, and limb lengths, with gender differences becoming more pronounced in the older age groups. In boys, mesomorphy increased with age, reflecting an increase in musculature, while in girls, a shift from ectomorphic to endomorphic profiles was observed during adolescence, probably influenced by pubertal and hormonal changes. Significant sex-specific differences were observed in all three somatotype components in most age groups, especially in fat mass and muscle. The longitudinal design provides valuable data and insights into the evolving physical profiles of adolescent tennis players that support more effective talent identification and training. Despite the changes that have taken place in tennis over time, standardised measurement protocols ensured comparability, making the results relevant for practitioners working with adolescents in tennis development. Full article

Childhood obesity increases chronic disease risk, but no comprehensive synthesis has evaluated the impact of school-based combined nutrition education and physical activity interventions on cardiometabolic biomarkers in children aged 3 to 12 years. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251085194). Five databases were systematically searched through June 2025. Twelve randomized controlled trials involving 18,231 children were included and assessed using the PEDro scale. Ten trials demonstrated significant improvements in at least one cardiometabolic biomarker. Blood pressure (8 studies) outcomes showed systolic reductions of 1.41–6.0 mmHg in six studies. Glucose metabolism (5 studies) improved in two studies with reductions of 0.20–0.22 mmol/L. Lipid profiles (7 studies) improved in three studies, including total cholesterol (−0.32 mmol/L). Insulin levels (5 studies) decreased significantly in two investigations. Anthropometric improvements included BMI and body fat. Physical activity increased by >45 min/week and dietary habits improved significantly. Programs with daily implementation (90-min sessions 4x/week), longer duration (≥12 months), family involvement (parent education), and curriculum integration (classroom lessons) showed superior effectiveness. Interventions targeting children with overweight/obesity demonstrated higher changes compared to the general population. However, methodological limitations included a lack of assessor blinding, absence of subject/therapist blinding, and inadequate retention rates. School-based interventions combining nutrition and physical activity can produce significant improvements in cardiometabolic biomarkers, supporting comprehensive, sustained multicomponent programs for early chronic disease prevention. Full article

This study aimed to optimize the inoculation dosage and fermentation duration to enhance the protein content and reduce soluble oligosaccharides in soybean meal using Aspergillus oryzae and assessed its performance in dog food extrusion. A 3 × 5 factorial design was used to determine the optimal fermentation conditions. These conditions were applied to ferment soybean meal in bulk for nutritional analysis. Finally, the impact of fermentation on extrusion processing was assessed by formulating and extruding four diets: SBM (30% soybean meal), AMF (30% soybean meal with 1% Amaferm^®—A. oryzae biomass), FSBM (30% fermented soybean meal), and SPI (18% soy protein isolate). Diets were extruded with a single-screw extruder, and physical characteristics of kibbles, particle size distribution, and viscosity of raw mixes were analyzed. The optimal fermentation conditions were 1 × 10⁴ spore/g substrate for 36 h, which increased the crude protein content by 4.63% DM, methionine and cysteine total content by 0.15% DM, and eliminated sucrose, while significantly reducing stachyose, raffinose, and verbascose (95.22, 87.37, and 41.82%, respectively). The extrusion results showed that FSBM had intermediate specific mechanical energy (SME), in-barrel moisture requirements, and sectional expansion index (198.7 kJ/kg, 28.2%, and 1.80, respectively) compared with SBM (83.7 kJ/kg, 34.5%, and 1.30, respectively) and SPI (305.3 kJ/kg, 33.5%, and 2.55, respectively). The FSBM also exhibited intermediate particle size distribution and the least raw mix viscosity. These findings demonstrate that A. oryzae fermentation enhances the nutrient profile of soybean meal while improving extrusion efficiency and kibble quality, supporting its potential use as a sustainable pet food ingredient. Full article

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, and psychological symptoms. Patients often present distinct personality traits and psychopathological patterns associated with symptom severity. Objective: To examine psychopathological profiles in FM patients based on functional, physical–somatic, and emotional impairment domains, as well as on cumulative disease severity. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 70 women clinically diagnosed with FM at a specialized Fibromyalgia Unit. Psychological functioning was assessed using the Personality Assessment Inventory, and disease impact was measured with the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. Hierarchical cluster analyses were used to classify participants into mild and severe clusters across FIQ domains, and psychological profiles were compared. Results: Patients with severe functional impairment had more affective dysregulation (76.43 vs. 70.20, p < 0.01) and somatic complaints (85.57 vs. 79.76, p < 0.05) than those with mild impairment. The severe–physical cluster showed greater mood instability, somatization, and suicidal ideation (60.94 vs. 53.61, p < 0.05). The severe–emotional cluster had higher rates of major depression (85.71% vs. 64.28%) and persistent depressive disorder (76.19% vs. 70.61%, p < 0.05). Severe showed more emotional instability and somatization, distinguishing it from mild. Greater cumulative severity intensified depressive and somatic disorders. Discussion: Findings support FM’s biopsychosocial profile, where emotional distress may relate to psychological and physical symptoms, reinforcing the need for personalized, multidisciplinary care and comprehensive assessment. Full article

The rising complexity of industrial systems following the Industry 4.0 era involves new challenges and the need for innovative solutions. In the context of arising digital technologies, Digital Twins represent a holistic solution to overcome heterogeneity and to achieve remote and dynamic control of cyber–physical systems. In common reference architectures, decision-making modules are usually integrated for system and process optimization. This work aims at introducing the adoption of a multi-purpose simulation module in a Digital Twin environment, with the objective of proving its versatility for different scopes. This is implemented in a relevant laboratory environment, strongly employed for the test and validation of mechatronic solutions. The paper starts from revising the common techniques adopted for decision-making modules in Digital Twin frameworks, proposing then a multi-purpose approach based on physics simulation. Performance profiling of the simulation environment demonstrates the potential of real-time-capable simulation while also revealing challenges related to computational load and communication latency. The outcome of this work is to provide the reader with an exemplary modular arrangement for the integration of such module in Digital Twin applications, highlighting challenges and limitations related to computational effort and communication. Full article

This study aimed to microencapsulate Boesenbergia rotunda (fingerroot) extract using maltodextrin (MD) and gum arabic (GA) as wall materials via spray-drying to improve powder physicochemical properties and protect bioactive compounds. MD and GA were employed as wall materials in varying ratios (MD:GA of 1:0, 0:1, 1:1, 2:1, 1:2) to evaluate their effects on the physicochemical properties of the resulting microcapsules. Spray-dried microcapsules were evaluated for morphology, flowability, particle size distribution, moisture content, hygroscopicity, solubility, encapsulation efficiency, major bioactive compound retention, and thermal stability. The extract encapsulation using MD:GA at 1:1 ratio (MD1GA1) demonstrated a favorable balance, with high solubility (98.70%), low moisture content (8.69%), low hygroscopicity (5.08%), and uniform particle morphology, despite its moderate EE (75.06%). SEM images revealed spherical particles with fewer surface indentations in MD-rich formulations. Microencapsulation effectively retained pinostrobin and pinocembrin in all formulations with pinostrobin consistently retained at a higher value, indicating its higher stability. The balanced profile of physical and functional properties of fingerroot extract with MD1GA1 microcapsule makes it a promising candidate for food and nutraceutical applications. Full article

This study investigates the metabolic responses of the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum under different growth conditions, comparing benthic (adherent) and planktonic states. Using a multiblock metabolomics approach combining LC-HRMS², NMR, and GC-MS techniques, we compared the metabolome of P. tricornutum cultivated on three laboratory substrates (glass, polystyrene, and polydimethylsiloxane) and under planktonic conditions. Our results revealed metabolic differences between adherent and planktonic cultures, particularly concerning the lipid and carbohydrate contents. Adherent cultures showed a metabolic profile with an increase in betaine lipids (DGTA/S), fatty acids (tetradecanoic and octadecenoic acids), and sugars (myo-inositol and ribose), suggesting modifications in membrane composition and lipid remodeling, which play a potential role in adhesion. In contrast, planktonic cultures displayed a higher content of cellobiose, specialized metabolites such as dihydroactinidiolide, quinic acid, catechol, and terpenes like phytol, confirming different membrane composition, energy storage capacity, osmoregulation, and stress adaptation. The adaptative strategies do not only concern adherent and planktonic states, but also different adherent culture conditions, with variations in lipid, amino acid, terpene, and carbohydrate contents depending on the physical properties of the support. Our results highlight the importance of metabolic adaptation in adhesion, which could explain the fouling process. Full article

(1) Background: A decrease in corneal hydration during refractive surgery is observed clinically as well as in laboratory settings, but the associated consequences are not yet fully understood. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of the gain of ablation efficiency due to hydration changes during cornea refractive surgery. (2) Methods: We developed a simulation model to evaluate the influence of hydration changes on the ablation algorithms used in laser refractive surgery. The model simulates different physical effects of an entire surgical process, simulating the shot-by-shot ablation process based on a modeled beam profile. The model considers corneal hydration, as well as environmental humidity, along with the laser beam characteristics and ablative spot properties for evaluating any hydration changes and their effect on laser refractive surgery. (3) Results: Using pulse lists collected from actual treatments, we simulated the gain of efficiency during the ablation process. Ablation efficiency is increased due to dehydration effects during laser treatments. Longer treatments suffer larger dehydration effects and are more prone to overcorrections due to gain of efficiency than shorter treatments. (4) Conclusions: The improper use of a model that overestimates or underestimates the effects derived from the hydration dynamics during treatment may result in suboptimal refractive corrections. This model may contribute to improving emmetropization and the correction of ocular aberrations with improved laser parameters that can compensate for the changes in ablation efficiency due to hydration changes in the cornea. Full article

Short-circuit current is a key characteristic value for synchronous generator-based power systems. It is employed for different applications during the planning and operation phases. The proportion of converter-interfaced units is increasing in order to integrate more renewable energy sources into the system. These units have different fault current characteristics due to their physical properties and operation strategies. Consequently, the network’s short-circuit current profile is changing, both in terms of magnitude and injection time. Therefore, accurately estimating fault currents is crucial for reliable power system planning and operation. Traditionally, two calculation methods are employed: the equivalent voltage source (IEC 60909/VDE 0102) and the superimposition (complete) method. In this work, the assumptions, simplifications, and limitations from both types of methods are addressed. As a result, a new load-flow-based method is presented, improving the static modeling of generating units and the accuracy in the estimation of short-circuit currents. The method is tested for mixed generation types comprising of synchronous generators, and grid-following (current source) and grid-forming (voltage source before and current source after the current limit) converters. All methods are compared against detailed time-domain RMS simulations using a modified IEEE-39 bus system and a real network from ENTSO-E. It is shown that the proposed method provides the best accuracy in the calculation of initial short-circuit currents for converter-based power systems. Full article

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent malignancy in women worldwide. Despite most cases being diagnosed in the early stages, patients typically require a multimodal treatment approach. This typically involves a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, systemic treatments (including chemotherapy or immunotherapy), targeted therapy, and endocrine therapy, depending on the disease subtype and the risk of recurrence. Moreover, patients with BC and germline mutations in the breast cancer genes 1 or 2 (BRCA1/BRCA2), (gBRCAm), who are typically young women, often require more aggressive therapeutic interventions. These mutations present unique characteristics that necessitate a distinct treatment approach, potentially influencing the side effect profiles of patients with BC. Regardless of the clear benefit observed with these treatments in terms of reduced recurrence and mortality rates, long-term, treatment-related adverse events occur that negatively affect the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of BC survivors. Thus, long-term adverse events need to be factored into the treatment decision algorithm of patients with early BC (eBC). Physical, functional, emotional, and psychosocial adverse events can occur and represent a significant concern and a challenge for clinicians, patients, and their families. This review article provides an overview of the various long-term adverse events that patients with eBC may experience, including their associated risk factors, as well as management and prevention strategies. We also explore the evidence of the long-term impact of treatment on the HRQoL of patients with gBRCAm. By providing a comprehensive overview of current evidence and recommendations regarding patients’ HRQoL, we aim to equip clinicians with scientific and clinical knowledge and provide guidance to optimize care and improve long-term outcomes. Full article