Search Results (2,094)

This work presents a fused-filament fabrication (FFF) hot end that combines an unrestricted-rotation C-axis with a rectangular-slot nozzle and an induction-heated melt sleeve. The architecture replaces the popular resistive cartridge and heater block design with an external coil that induces eddy-current heating in a thin-walled sleeve, threaded to the heat break and nozzle, reducing thermal mass and eliminating wired sensors across the rotating interface. A contactless infrared thermometer targets the nozzle tip; the temperature is regulated by frequency-modulating the inverter around resonance, yielding stable control. The hot end incorporates an LPBF-manufactured nozzle, which transitions from a circular inlet to a rectangular outlet to deposit broad, low-profile strands at constant layer height while preserving lateral resolution. The concept is validated on a desktop Cartesian platform retrofitted to coordinate yaw with XY motion. A twin-printer testbed compares the proposed hot end against a stock cartridge-heated system under matched materials and environments. With PLA, the induction-heated, rotating hot end enables printing at 170 °C with defect-free flow and delivers substantial reductions in job time (22–49%) and energy per part (9–39%). These results indicate that the proposed approach is a viable route to higher-throughput, lower-specific-energy material extrusion. Full article

This study compared executive functions, anthropometric profile, and dietary habits in adolescent girls with and without eating disorder (ED) symptoms. The main objective was to determine the relationship between the presence of ED symptoms and the degree of executive function impairment. A case–control design was used with 209 Mexican adolescents who completed ED screening questionnaires. Of the total sample, 54 participants scored above the clinical cutoff, and 39 of them completed both the BANFE-2 assessment and the anthropometric measurements. These 39 adolescents with ED symptoms were matched with an equal number of adolescents without symptoms to form the control group. Additionally, 21 adolescents in the ED symptoms group and 25 in the control group completed the 24 h dietary recall and food frequency questionnaires. The main findings were as follows: the prevalence of ED symptoms was 25.8%. Adolescents with ED symptoms showed higher body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage, and neck circumference compared with those without symptoms. They also exhibited poorer inhibitory control, reflected in a greater number of errors, along with non-significant trends toward lower performance on the maze test, Card Sorting, and Card Game. Dietary inadequacy was also more pronounced in the ED symptoms group. Furthermore, the presence of ED symptoms significantly increased the likelihood of severe executive function impairment. In conclusion, adolescents with ED symptoms demonstrated an altered anthropometric profile, dietary deficiencies, and reduced inhibitory control. Full article

Background/Objectives: Lactoferrin, a key bioactive component in human milk, may bridge functional gaps in infant formula; however, its long-term effects on growth and the gut microbiota in term infants remain underexplored, particularly in real-world settings. Methods: This real-world evidence (RWE) study assessed the impact of lactoferrin-fortified formula (LF) on infant growth, the gut microbiota, and feeding tolerance compared with control formula (CF) and exclusive breastfeeding (BF). After propensity score matching (PSM) for maternal education level and infant age, 111 matched Chinese infants (37 per group: LF, CF, and BF; age: 6–12 months) were analyzed. Growth was evaluated using WHO Z-scores (WAZ, LAZ, WLZ, and zBMI). The gut microbiota was profiled via 16S rRNA sequencing (n = 81). Feeding challenges were quantified using the Montreal Children’s Hospital Feeding Scale (MCH-FS). Results: The LF group exhibited significantly higher length-for-age Z-scores (LAZ) compared with both the BF and CF groups (p < 0.001), indicating superior linear growth. LF infants also showed reduced MCH-FS scores (18.0 vs. 36.2 in CF; p < 0.001), signifying fewer feeding difficulties. Gut microbiota analysis revealed enrichment of Bifidobacterium breve and butyrate-producing taxa (e.g., Faecalibacterium and Ruminococcaceae), higher alpha diversity, and metabolic divergence, involving enhanced lysine fermentation to acetate/butyrate in LF infants, suggesting a higher level of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Beta diversity analysis demonstrated that the LF microbiota clustered close to BF. Conclusions: Lactoferrin-fortified formula was associated with improved linear growth and feeding tolerance while shaping a healthy gut microbiota, showing similarities to breastfed infants’ microbiota. These findings support LF fortification as a strategy to improve functional outcomes in formula-fed infants. Full article

Background/Objectives: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is common in PCOS, yet mean group comparisons can mask variability at the individual level. We aimed to identify and characterize person-centered profiles of sexual function from the six FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index) domains, and secondarily to describe the distribution of PCOS across profiles. Methods: In an age- and anthropometry-matched case–control sample, unsupervised clustering on FSFI domains was performed; clinical and psychosocial correlates were compared, and logistic regression tested prediction of FSFI-defined FSD. Results: Two profiles emerged—Sexual Dysfunction vs. Preserved Function—with clear multivariate separation. Dysfunction showed lower FSFI, higher adiposity, and worse body-image discomfort. PCOS was more frequent in Dysfunction but not significantly. Cluster membership predicted FSD. Conclusions: Person-centered profiling reveals clinically meaningful heterogeneity that transcends diagnosis and highlights adiposity and body-image distress as salient, potentially modifiable correlates. Full article

Online roll profile measurement technology enables real-time acquisition of the roll profile, guiding optimised roll change intervals to enhance production efficiency and product quality. To improve the accuracy of online roll profile measurement, this paper conducted research on laser measurement technology for online roll profile measurement in strip rolling mills. The factors influencing sensor measurement errors were analysed, and a protective housing for the sensor was designed. The experimental results showed that after installing this protective housing, the temperature fluctuation around the sensor was less than 0.2 °C, and the measurement error in a water environment was less than ±5 μm. The straightness error compensation model of the measurement system was established, and online roll profile measurement experiments were conducted on a four-high rolling mill in the laboratory. The experimental results indicated that the measured roll profile closely matched the actual roll profile, with a measurement error of less than 6.3 μm. This paper offers a novel approach to the study of online roll profile measurement technology. Full article

This study proposes a multi-station high-frequency microtremor surface-wave exploration method for high-resolution characterization of shallow subsurface structures in coastal engineering environments. Three representative layered geological models were established, and Rayleigh-wave theoretical dispersion curves were calculated using a fast vector transfer algorithm to analyze dispersion characteristics associated with different stratigraphic conditions. Five array geometries were then employed to acquire high-frequency ambient-noise data, and dispersion curves were extracted using the Extended Spatial Autocorrelation (ESPAC) method. Comparative analysis revealed that the rectangular, triangular, and circular arrays provided the most stable and accurate dispersion imaging, with mismatch errors below 0.5%, and their inverted S-wave velocity structures closely matched theoretical models. Field application on the Dongzhou Peninsula in Fujian Province further demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed method. The inverted shear-wave (S-wave) velocity profiles from three survey lines successfully delineated the original and reclaimed coastlines, showing strong agreement with known geological boundaries. These results demonstrate that the proposed approach provides a non-invasive, cost-effective, and high-resolution tool for evaluating geological conditions in coastal engineering settings. It shows substantial potential for broader application in coastal site characterization and marine engineering development. Full article

A method to design diffractive multifocal lenses using phase retrieval was proposed. The phase-retrieval lens could achieve the desired diffraction efficiencies at the targeted foci while maintaining a continuous profile without abrupt steps. An example of an optimum triplicator provided an overall efficiency of 92.59%, matching previously published findings. Another example of a trifocal design showed competitive performance against state-of-the-art methods, and a 5-foci design demonstrated the versatility of the method. With its merits, the proposed method can enhance the performance of multifocal intraocular lenses and cater to other applications requiring multifocality, such as optical tweezers. Full article

This paper presents a 3-bit transmissive intelligent surface (TIS) using a novel technique that employs a unit cell comprising loaded semi-loop dipole resonators. The two resonators are anti-symmetrically oriented along the H-plane, functioning as transmitter and receiver on opposite sides of the TIS. The unit cell, with 13.2 mm periodicity, achieves 360° phase variation in 45° steps while maintaining insertion loss below 2 dB at 10 GHz. A 17 × 17 array TIS is designed using ray tracing and phase shift compensation techniques, with phase profiles distributed across eight discrete varactor states. The implemented TIS demonstrates a 10.8 dB gain enhancement for a horn antenna source at 10 GHz while preserving antenna matching, polarization, and radiation efficiency. The design achieves beam steering capabilities up to 60° with ±2° precision across elevation, azimuth, and inclined angles, maintaining an average steering gain loss of 3 dB over a 400 MHz bandwidth. These characteristics make the proposed design particularly effective for modern wireless coverage extension and tracking applications. 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

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is rapidly permeating research practices, yet knowledge about its use and topical profile remains fragmented across tools and disciplines. In this study, we present a cross-disciplinary map of GenAI research based on the Web of Science Core Collection (as of 4 November 2025) for the ten tool lines with the largest number of publications. We employed a transparent query protocol in the Title (TI) and Topic (TS) fields, using Boolean and proximity operators together with brand-specific exclusion lists. Thematic similarity was estimated with the Jaccard index for the Top–50, Top–100, and Top–200 sets. In parallel, we computed volume and citation metrics using Python and reconstructed a country-level co-authorship network. The corpus comprises 14,418 deduplicated publications. A strong concentration is evident around ChatGPT, which accounts for approximately 80.6% of the total. The year 2025 shows a marked increase in output across all lines. The Jaccard matrices reveal two stable clusters: general-purpose tools (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot) and open-source/developer-led lines (LLaMA, Mistral, Qwen, DeepSeek). Perplexity serves as a bridge between the clusters, while Grok remains the most distinct. The co-authorship network exhibits a dual-core structure anchored in the United States and China. The study contributes to bibliometric research on GenAI by presenting a perspective that combines publication dynamics, citation structures, thematic profiles, and similarity matrices based on the Jaccard algorithm for different tool lines. In practice, it proposes a comparative framework that can help researchers and institutions match GenAI tools to disciplinary contexts and develop transparent, repeatable assessments of their use in scientific activities. Full article

Leuconostoc mesenteroides is a key microorganism in food biotechnology, valued for its production of flavor-forming metabolites and exopolysaccharides, and its inclusion in starter cultures and biocatalytic systems. However, the application of advanced genetic tools to L. mesenteroides remains hindered by multiple barriers, including inefficient DNA transfer, elevated endogenous nuclease activity, and restriction–modification systems sensitive to plasmid methylation patterns. As a result, even widely accepted electroporation methodologies often yield inconsistent or irreproducible transformation results, limiting the strain’s amenability to metabolic engineering and synthetic biology applications. In this study, a reproducible electroporation protocol for the L. mesenteroides strain H32-02 Ksu is developed and experimentally validated. The protocol concept relies on the sequential optimization of key process steps: targeted weakening of the cell wall followed by osmotic protection, the development of a gentle electrical stimulus that ensures membrane permeability without critical damage, and the creation of recovery conditions that minimize loss of viability and degradation of incoming DNA. Matching plasmid methylation to the recipient’s restriction profile proved critical: choosing a source for plasmid DNA production with a compatible methylation pattern dramatically increased the likelihood of successful transformation. In our case, the selection of an E. coli strain with a more suitable methylation profile increased the yield of transformants by 3.5 times. It was also shown that reducing the pulse voltage increase transformant number by 3 times. The combined optimization resulted in an approximately 40-fold increase in transformation efficiency compared to the baseline level and, for the first time, provided consistently reproducible access to transformants of this strain. The highest transformation efficiency was achieved: 8 × 10² CFU µg⁻¹ DNA. The presented approach highlights the strain-specificity of barriers in Leuconostoc and forms a technological basis for constructing strains with desired properties, expressing heterologous enzymes, and subsequently scaling up bioprocesses in food and related industries. The methodological principles embodied in the protocol are potentially transferable to other lactic acid bacteria with similar limitations. Full article

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous condition marked by airway inflammation, airflow limitation, and structural remodeling. Exosomal microRNAs (exo-miRNAs) are stable, cell-free biomarkers reflecting airway molecular changes. While serum and BALF exosomal miRNAs have been examined, sputum-derived profiles remain underexplored. Methods: Induced sputum was collected from 20 clinically stable COPD patients and 10 age-matched healthy controls. Exosomes were isolated by polymer-based precipitation and verified by transmission electron microscopy and Western blotting for CD9 and CD81. Nine candidate miRNAs (miR-21, miR-155, miR-34a, miR-126, miR-210, miR-146a, miR-199a-5p, miR-223, miR-1246) were quantified by RT-qPCR. Group comparisons used the Mann–Whitney U test, correlations Pearson’s r, and diagnostic accuracy ROC analysis. Results: Sputum-derived exosomes displayed characteristic morphology and canonical protein markers. COPD patients showed significant dysregulation of exosomal miRNAs, including upregulation of miR-21 (fold change = 3.4; 95% CI: 0.12–0.64 vs. 0.18–0.22; p < 0.001) and miR-223 (fold change = 2.1; 95% CI: 0.00–3.79 vs. 0.86–1.22; p = 0.004), and downregulation of miR-155 (fold change = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.43–0.67 vs. 0.86–1.22; p = 0.002), miR-126 (fold change = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.30–0.39 vs. 0.80–1.42; p = 0.009), and miR-146a (fold change = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.49–1.12 vs. 0.87–1.35; p = 0.006). miR-21 correlated with symptom burden (CAT; r = 0.445; p = 0.049). Among individual biomarkers, miR-155 exhibited the best diagnostic performance for COPD detection (AUC = 0.730; 95% CI: 0.53–0.93), which further improved when combined with miR-126 and miR-146a (AUC = 0.841; 95% CI: 0.69–0.98). For disease stratification, miR-126 most effectively discriminated mild from moderate-to-severe COPD (AUC = 0.728; 95% CI: 0.50–0.96). These results indicate that sputum-derived exosomal miRNAs—particularly miR-155, miR-126, and miR-146a—may serve as promising non-invasive biomarkers for COPD diagnosis and clinical phenotyping. Conclusions: Sputum exosomal miRNAs reveal a distinct COPD-specific signature reflecting inflammation, impaired repair, and immune dysregulation. Composite panels incorporating miR-155, miR-126, and miR-146a enhance diagnostic accuracy and could be integrated into non-invasive workflows for COPD detection and staging. Full article

Dexmedetomidine is a commonly used sedative because it has minimal adverse effects on respiratory function. Nevertheless, its cardiovascular safety profile, particularly bradycardia risk and drug–drug interactions (DDIs), remains incompletely understood. Additionally, current studies, including our previous analysis using the FDA adverse event reporting system (FAERS), hold several limitations. In this study, the electronic health record (EHR) platform TriNetX was utilized for pharmacovigilance analyses of dexmedetomidine. The significantly elevated incidence of bradycardia in dexmedetomidine-treated patients was demonstrated compared to other prevalent anesthetics. Age-stratified analyses revealed pronounced susceptibility in geriatric patients, while a slightly increased susceptibility in male patients was observed. In addition, elevated DDIs of dexmedetomidine with risperidone and albuterol were identified using disproportionality analysis with propensity score matching. Finally, to investigate molecular mechanisms of dexmedetomidine-associated bradycardia, analyses were conducted on a public microarray dataset, and nine differentially expressed miRNAs were identified following dexmedetomidine administration. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis of target genes of all five up-regulated miRNAs revealed rhythmic process and muscle tissue development as potential explanations. Notably, the target genes of the up-regulated miRNAs miR-26a-5p and miR-30c-5p were significantly enriched in GO terms associated with bradycardia. Together, this study identified bradycardia as a significant adverse drug event (ADE) of dexmedetomidine administration, observed possible clinically meaningful DDIs with dexmedetomidine, demonstrated a greater risk in elderly patients, and provided transcriptomic evidence that miRNA-mediated pathway dysregulation may contribute to dexmedetomidine-associated bradycardia. Full article

Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a chronic multi-symptom condition affecting veterans of the 1990–1991 Gulf War, with ocular discomfort increasingly recognized among its manifestations. This pilot study evaluated whether lipid alterations in tears and plasma could serve as potential biomarkers of GWI. Participants included Gulf War-era veterans seen in the Miami Veterans Affairs Hospital eye clinic from 2018–2022. Cases met GWI criteria, while controls were non-deployed, age- and gender-matched veterans without GWI. Participants completed systemic and ocular symptom questionnaires, and lipidomic profiling of tears and plasma quantified sphingolipids and eicosanoids. Compared to controls (n = 21), GWI cases (n = 19) reported greater ocular symptom burden, while ocular signs were similar between groups. Lipidomic analyses revealed increased tear eicosanoids ((±)14(15)-EET and (±)8(9)-EET), elevated plasma sphingomyelins (SM C16:0 DH, SM C20:0, SM C22:0), and reduced plasma monohexosylceramide (MHC C16:0) and sphingomyelin (SM C14:0) in cases. Logistic regression and random forest models identified plasma SM C16:0 DH and SM C20:0 as top predictors distinguishing GWI cases from controls, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.89. These findings suggest lipid dysregulation in ocular and systemic compartments and support further investigation of tears as a minimally invasive source for biomarker discovery. Full article

Transportation is the highest emitting sector in the US, and electrifying transportation is an effective way to reduce emissions. However, electrification efforts have typically focused on battery electric vehicles (BEVs); but extended-range EVs (EREVs), EVs with a backup gasoline generator, could play a major role. Nonetheless, reducing transportation-related costs and carbon emissions hinges on understanding how an EREV’s range and charging profile affect electric miles driven and, by extension, emission savings. This study evaluates the distribution of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) between electric and gasoline modes for EREVs across electric range (25–150 miles) and charging frequency scenarios. Using 2023 U.S. trip data by distance and monthly VMT benchmarks, we apply a dynamic mean-distance estimation method to match observed totals and allocate VMT to EV or gasoline power based on trip length. We explore different charging, efficiency, and cost scenarios. Our results show, at current average efficiencies, that EREVs with a 50-mile range (13.7 kWh battery) could electrify 73.3% of national VMT, while 150-mile range EVs could electrify 86.8% illustrating that there are diminishing returns at higher ranges. We also compute corresponding carbon emissions savings using national fuel economy and emissions factors. Results highlight the nonlinear trade-offs between range and emissions reduction. Findings suggest that expanding the EREV range significantly boosts electrification potential up to 100 miles but offers marginal gains beyond. However, if users charge infrequently, larger range EVs are needed to maintain the benefits of vehicle electrification. Our results imply that policymakers and manufacturers should prioritize moderate range EREVs for households who frequently charge (e.g., homeowners) and long range BEVs for infrequent users (e.g., apartment dwellers). Full article