Search Results (1,931)

Background/Objectives: Tripping is a major cause of falls and necessitates accessible training. This study aimed to fundamentally evaluate the biomechanical fidelity of a simplified simulated obstacle-crossing paradigm using visual height cues. Methods: Two experiments that included healthy young adults evaluated toe clearance (TC) responsiveness during simulated crossing to four visual cue heights (Experiment 1: n = 16) and compared it with actual crossing (4–16% leg length) to assess biomechanical fidelity (Experiment 2: n = 18). Linear mixed models were used to analyze the effects of obstacle height, task condition, and walking course on vertical TC metrics, including minimum and maximum clearance and quartile coefficient of variation (QCV) for both the lead and trail limbs. Results: In Experiment 1, TC parameters scaled systematically with cue height (p < 0.001), confirming that visual cues elicited adaptive gait adjustments. In Experiment 2, although the maximum TC scaled similarly across conditions, the minimum TC was systematically reduced in the simulated condition compared to actual obstacle crossing (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the simulated condition exhibited increased QCV (p < 0.001), particularly for the trail limb at the highest obstacle height. Conclusions: Motor intention and execution precision were dissociated in the simulated obstacle crossing. Without physical risk, the central nervous system appeared to prioritize effort economy over the precise fine-tuning of safety margins. These results suggest that task repetition in risk-free simulations alone may be insufficient for acquiring safe obstacle-crossing strategies and highlight the importance of task-relevant feedback for ensuring biomechanical fidelity in fall-prevention research. Full article

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are commonly detected in airport stormwater runoff due to historical and ongoing use of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs). Conventional stormwater control measures (SCMs) are generally effective at removing PFASs associated with the particulate fraction, but may provide limited removal of dissolved-phase PFASs. Sorbent polishing beds represent a potential downstream treatment option; however, their applicability and performance for PFASs in stormwater have not been well studied. In this study, measured PFAS concentrations and runoff volumes from an AFFF-affected airport apron were combined with literature-derived sorption parameters to develop a screening-level framework for evaluating adsorber beds as polishing units for SCM effluent. Bed sizing was calculated using a representative empty bed contact time (EBCT) of 10 min and a design volume based on the 85th percentile storm event. Sorbent performance was evaluated using literature equilibrium partition coefficients (K_d) for activated carbons, ion exchange resins, and specialty materials to estimate operational lifetimes prior to regeneration or replacement. Model-based results indicated lifetimes ranging from approximately 7 years for activated carbon to more than 50 years for specialty materials, depending on PFAS chain length and affinity. Sensitivity analysis using quartile K_d ranges showed predicted lifetimes spanning orders of magnitude, emphasizing the screening-level nature of the estimates. This work links field monitoring data with conceptual adsorber design to support early-stage evaluation of sorbent polishing strategies for airport runoff management, supporting compliance under tightening discharge regulations. Full article

Myocardial infarction (MI) remains one of the most severe acute cardiac events, despite significant progress in diagnostics and therapy. Early identification of patients at risk within the broader cardiovascular disease (CVD) population is crucial for prevention and management. This study aimed to characterize the nonlinear distributions of glucose and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in patients experiencing their first MI compared with individuals hospitalized for other CVD conditions, using a bootstrap-augmented analytical approach. This retrospective study included 743 adults with confirmed CVD. Biochemical variables, including lipid profile, glucose, hsCRP, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), were analyzed in relation to the occurrence of MI. Statistical analyses were supported by bootstrap-based validation to ensure the robustness of findings. Among the examined variables, serum glucose and hsCRP levels showed the strongest ability in discriminating MI(+) and MI(–) groups. Both variables exhibited complex, non-linear associations with the occurrence of MI, with the most pronounced differences observed in the lower and intermediate quartiles. Bootstrap-supported analyses confirmed the stability of these effects. In CVD patients, both blood glucose and hsCRP levels display non-linear relationships with the first occurrence of MI. The strongest distinctions between MI(+) and MI(–) groups were found at moderate concentrations of these variables, emphasizing the need for cautious interpretation and highlighting their role in characterizing biochemical patterns in MI(+) and MI(–) patients. Full article

Background/Objectives: To evaluate whether peripheral pulmonary artery and vein morphology improves image-based diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (PH), in accordance with the recently updated hemodynamic definition. Methods: 229 patients underwent CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) within 30 days of RHC. Pulmonary vessels ranging between 2 and 10 mm in diameter were extracted and labeled as either arteries or veins by an independently validated fully automated algorithm. Segmentation labels were validated by a radiologist. Results: The segmentation algorithm reached a median accuracy of 90%, aligning with the radiologist’s assessments. Vessel density of pulmonary arteries with diameters between 6 and 10 mm was higher in patients with versus those without PH (median [inter-quartile range]: 8.9 [6.1–10.8] 1/L vs. 6.2 [3.1–7.0] 1/L; p = 0.007). Artery-to-vein ratio was higher in PH (1.32 [0.93–2.06] vs. 0.88 [0.48–1.17], p = 0.004). The artery-to-vein ratio for vessels with diameters between 6 and 10 mm identified PH with an AUC of 0.73 (95% CI: 0.60–0.87). Combining this readout with the DMPA resulted in a numerically higher AUC (sole DMPA AUC: 0.79 (95% CI: 0.68–0.90)) vs. DMPA + artery-to-vein ratio for vessels with diameters of 6–10 mm: 0.81 (95% CI: 0.71–0.92); however, this improvement was not statistically significant (p = 0.4). Conclusions: PH is associated with an increased ratio of peripheral pulmonary arteries to veins within the 6–10 mm diameter range. Pulmonary vascular morphology may complement the established morphological criterion of MPA diameter and improve the diagnostic accuracy of PH on CT. Full article

The massive elemental dataset of stream sediments and soils accumulated by the projects of the Regional Geochemistry–National Reconnaissance (RGNR) and the National Multi-Purpose Regional Geochemical Survey (NMPRGS) provide core support for the compilation of geochemical maps and hold irreplaceable significance in the field of mineral exploration and soil environment. Geochemical maps produced by traditional methods are heavily dependent on data volume, which limits the comparisons across different areas and different elements. To facilitate the comparisons, a 19-level fixed-value classification method was proposed for Sn, Li, Mo, Ni, etc. However, the method for Cu is still lacking. Here the method for Cu is proposed to divide Cu content into 19 levels on 18 fixed values which are determined based on many typical values such as the detection limit, quartiles from the RGNR and NMPRGS projects, and cutoff grades. The Jinchuan Cu-Ni deposit is a giant deposit in China which is selected as an illustration on the new method. The elemental data of rocks and stream sediments in the Jinchuan area are used to compile elemental concentration maps and elemental concentration-level maps for the elements of Cu and Ni. The results show that the 19-level fixed-value method can not only effectively evaluate the concentration levels of elements but also enable the comparisons among elements. The Jinchuan Cu-Ni deposit is located in the mineralization areas and high anomaly areas of Cu and Ni. Compared with the previous reported maps of Ni, Sn, and Li in other areas, the new method facilitates the recognition of target metals in geochemical exploration. An element with a concentration level of no less than 15 may be mineralized or is the target metal on the 1:200,000 survey data from sediments. The 19-level fixed-value method may hold significant applications in the fields of mineral exploration and environment assessment. Full article

Urban cyclists experience elevated traffic-related air pollutant (TRAP) exposures due to proximity to emissions and increased breathing rates during exercise. Conventional assessments rely on concentration summaries, which may misrepresent actual inhaled doses and misclassify individuals in health studies. Street-level concentrations exhibit high temporal variability, producing non-normal distributions that challenge conventional averaging approaches. This study compares concentration- and dose-based methods to characterize cyclist exposure during urban commuting. Fifty-seven healthy adults completed cycling trips on two 9-km routes (high- and low-traffic) using conventional or electrically assisted bicycles. Real-time monitoring measured black carbon, ultrafine particles, PM_2.5, and PM₁₀. Heart rate-derived breathing rates enabled individualized inhaled dose calculations using three temporal integration methods. Mean concentrations correlated strongly with time-integrated concentrations (r = 0.988–0.998). Simplified dose calculations closely approximated full temporal integration (r > 0.999), with median dose ratios of 0.99–1.01. However, correlations between mean concentrations and inhaled doses were weaker (r = 0.72–0.78). Between 29% and 50% of participants changed exposure quartiles when comparing concentration- and dose-based classifications, with the highest reclassification for ultrafine particles (46–50%). These findings demonstrate that physiological variability substantially influences exposure classification during active commuting, supporting the integration of inhaled dose metrics in cyclist exposure assessment and epidemiological studies. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the association between the triglyceride–glucose index (TyG) and the risk of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: This study included 1347 patients with type 2 diabetes who attended the endocrinology clinic at Jordan University Hospital between May 2025 and October 2025. Medical records were reviewed to identify patients with documented DKD, and the TyG index was calculated for each patient. Results: Our results showed that patients with both late-stage kidney disease (mean 9.47 ± 0.74) and early-stage kidney disease (mean 9.42 ± 0.67) demonstrated elevated TyG index values compared to those without kidney disease (mean 9.27 ± 0.70). In the fully adjusted model, the association remained robust with an OR of 1.611 (95% CI: 1.330–1.951, p < 0.001), indicating that higher TyG index values are independently associated with increased kidney risk even after controlling for major confounding variables. When comparing TyG index quartiles, the second quartile showed no significant difference from the reference group, while the third quartile showed 66% increased odds (OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.176–2.345, p = 0.004) and the fourth quartile demonstrated 117% increased odds (OR = 2.174, 95% CI: 1.512–3.125, p < 0.001). The association between the TyG index and DKD was more significant in patients younger than 60 years, and in women. In conclusion, the TGI was associated with increased risk of DKD; however, its discriminative ability was modest (AUC 0.57). This indicates that the TGI alone is insufficient as a predictive tool and should be interpreted alongside established screening tools. Prospective studies are needed to clarify its causal role in DKD development. Full article

This study revisits the Efficient Markets Hypothesis by employing a GRU-D neural network to predict stock return distributions across global equity markets, accounting for missing and irregular data. It examines whether stock returns exhibit statistically significant departures from purely random behavior. By combining price, technical and fundamental inputs, it tests both weak and semi-strong market efficiency. We implement the GRU-D model on a global dataset of stock returns, where daily returns are classified into quartiles. Model performance is assessed using Micro-Average Area Under the Curve (AUC) and Relative Classifier Information (RCI). Robustness checks include sub-sample tests across countries and sectors, an examination of the COVID-19 sub-period, and a price-memory persistence analysis. The results reveal that the GRU-D model achieves a ranking accuracy of approximately 75% when classifying returns, with statistical significance at the 99.99% confidence level, and exhibits modest but robust deviations from strict market efficiency. These deviations persist for up to 200 trading days. Notably, the findings indicate that the GRU-D model is more robust during the COVID-19 period. These findings are consistent with the Adaptive Markets Hypothesis and underscore the relevance of machine-learning frameworks, particularly those designed for imperfect data environments, for identifying time-varying departures from strict market efficiency in global equity markets. Full article

Background: Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Despite advances in surgical management, economically disadvantaged patients experience inequalities in the receipt of treatments. We evaluated the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and type of surgery: robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS), video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), and open thoracotomy. Methods: Data came from the National Cancer Database (2015–2022) and included Stage 0–IIIa NSCLC patients. SES was measured by quartiles of median household income in the patient’s zip code. Adjusted multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Among 84,931 patients with a mean age of 67.8 years, 38.4% underwent open thoracotomy, 33.3% underwent VATS, and 28.2% underwent RATS. Patients residing in the low-income areas (<$46,277) were significantly less likely to undergo RATS (aOR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.77–0.86) or VATS (aOR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.59–0.66) compared to patients living in high-income areas (≥$74,063). Community hospitals were less likely to provide RATS (aOR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.29–0.35) or VATS (aOR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.54–0.63) than academic centers. Conclusion: Socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with lower use of minimally invasive surgical approaches for NSCLC. Efforts to expand access to advanced surgical care may be necessary to reduce treatment disparities and improve outcomes. Full article

Background: Thyrotropin (TSH), even in the normal range, is associated with components of cardiometabolic syndrome. We aimed to assess the relation between TSH and cardiovascular (CV) risk in euthyroid patients with overweight/obesity without previous cardiac events. Methods: A total of 1588 subjects (1132 females, mean age 53 ± 14 years) were recruited. This was an observational study. TSH, body mass index, waist circumference (WC), creatinine, hepatic enzymes, homocysteine, C reactive protein, glycated hemoglobin, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), basal and 2 h glucose and insulin, fibrinogen, uric acid, a complete blood count, a complete lipid profile, and blood pressure were measured in all subjects. The Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) risk score was calculated. Results: More severe degrees of obesity were associated with higher TSH quartiles; specifically, 33% of subjects with grade III obesity had TSH in the 75th percentile. Multiple regression showed that female gender (t-value 3.6, p < 0.001), HOMA-IR (1.9, ≤0.05) and aspartate transaminase (AST; 2.8, <0.01) represent independent determinant factors affecting TSH levels in the population at higher CV risk (intermediate–high ASCVD risk score > 7.5%; n = 709). Similarly, TSH determinants in subjects with central obesity (n = 1197, WC >102 cm males, >88 cm females) were female gender (2.2, <0.05), HOMA-IR (2.7, <0.01) and smoking habit (−2.3, <0.5). Moreover, there was no significant relationship between TSH and ASCVD risk score. Conclusions: Higher TSH levels in the euthyroid range are related to high degrees of obesity and some CV risk factors, in subjects at higher cardiometabolic risk; however, for the different weight and sign of CV determinants (e.g., smoking habit) on the TSH system, the ASCVD risk score cannot evidence this relationship. Full article

Background and Aims: Vitamin D plays a pivotal role in liver health, influencing multiple steps in the development of steatosis, fibrosis, and extrahepatic complications in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). However, serum vitamin D concentrations that confer optimal hepatic protection in MASLD remain unclear. We therefore aimed to investigate the association between vitamin D status and MASLD and to explore whether higher vitamin D concentrations confer incremental protection beyond current sufficiency cut-offs. Method: We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study of 1039 adults with at least one cardiometabolic risk factor for MASLD diagnosis, recruited between 2022 and 2024. Participants that reported excessive alcohol intake (>30 g/day for men, >20 g/day for women) and other etiologies of liver disease were excluded. Serum vitamin D levels were measured, with ≥20 ng/mL defined as sufficiency. MASLD (controlled attenuation parameter [CAP] ≥ 248 dB/m) and significant fibrosis (liver stiffness measurement [LSM] ≥ 8 kPa) were assessed using vibration-controlled transient elastography. Missing vitamin D values were imputed with multiple imputation. Associations between vitamin D status, MASLD and fibrosis were examined using multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders. Results: Participants had a mean age of 52.2 ± 13.0 years; 51.6% were male and mean BMI was 30.1 ± 5.8 kg/m². Vitamin D sufficiency and obesity were present in 81.2% (95% CI: 78.4–84.9) and 54.7% (95% CI: 51.3–58.0), respectively. Vitamin D sufficiency was associated with lower odds of MASLD (crude OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.33–0.67) and significant fibrosis (crude OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.28–0.76). After adjusting for potential confounders, the association between Vitamin D sufficiency and MASLD remained clinically relevant but did not reach statistical significance (adjusted OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.36–1.03, p = 0.06). In contrast, the association between Vitamin D sufficiency and significant fibrosis was both clinically relevant and statistically significant (adjusted OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.246–0.916, p = 0.03). When Vitamin D was categorized into quartiles, participants in the highest quartile (≥44 ng/dL) had 61% lower odds of MASLD in the adjusted model (adjusted OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.21–0.71) compared with participants in the lowest quartile (≤22 ng/mL). No significant dose-dependent associations were observed for fibrosis. Conclusions: Vitamin D levels showed a dose-dependent decrease in the odds of MASLD among at-risk adults. While the protective effect on fibrosis was not dose-dependent, these findings collectively suggest vitamin D as a potentially modifiable factor in MASLD prevention and management. Full article

Transboundary animal diseases (TADs) pose persistent threats to global livestock production, and chemical disinfection remains a critical component of biosecurity. However, virucidal efficacy is commonly assessed using single-condition endpoints, limiting comparative interpretation across biologically heterogeneous viruses. In this study, an experimental framework explicitly structured across virus species, disinfectant concentration, and contact time was applied to systematically compare virucidal response patterns across four major TAD viruses—avian influenza virus, African swine fever virus, foot-and-mouth disease virus, and lumpy skin disease virus. Four representative disinfectant active ingredients from distinct chemical classes were evaluated across multiple concentrations and defined contact times using quantitative suspension assays. Virucidal efficacy was quantified using log₁₀ reduction values, and critical concentrations required to achieve ≥4 log₁₀ reduction were derived for comparative analysis. Distinct concentration–response profiles were observed among disinfectant classes, with some ingredients showing relatively consistent activity across viruses, while others exhibited pronounced virus-specific thresholds. Notably, enveloped viruses did not uniformly display higher susceptibility, and extension of contact time enhanced efficacy predominantly in an ingredient-dependent manner. To integrate these multifactorial outcomes at the virus level, a quartile-based analysis was applied, providing a conservative indicator of relative viral resistance across disinfectants and exposure conditions. Overall, these findings demonstrate that virucidal susceptibility is shaped by interactions between disinfectant chemistry and exposure parameters, and support concentration–time-resolved, pattern-based evaluation frameworks—supplemented by quartile-based resistance ranking—beyond single-condition endpoints for assessing disinfectant efficacy against animal viruses. Full article

Background: Full versus partial range of motion (ROM) bench press (BP) training has only been investigated at submaximal loads with discrete joint angles during training. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a 4-week supramaximal progressive partial ROM (pROM) BP program to a traditional submaximal full range of motion (fROM) program on 1-RM strength and bar kinematics. Methods: Sixteen resistance-trained males (22.2 ± 1.4 years, 180.1 ± 6.3 cm, 88.5 ± 8.6 kgs, 1RM ≥ 1.25× body mass, 6 years’ experience) were randomized into pROM (n = 7) or fROM (n = 9). The pROM group performed BP at 105% 1RM using Bench Blokz to decrease the distance from the bar to the sternum by 1″ increments each week (5″ to 2″). The fROM group followed a strength oriented linear periodization model (80–87.5% 1RM). Both 1RM strength and 3D kinematics were assessed pre- and post-intervention using a 2 × 2 (Group × Time) ANOVA with Bonferroni corrected pairwise comparisons. Results: Both groups significantly increased 1RM strength (F = 45.82, p < 0.001), with no significant differences between groups. Pairwise comparisons revealed that only the fROM group experienced significant increases in 1st peak velocity (p = 0.023), eccentric velocity (p = 0.009), mean concentric force (p = 0.04) and quartile 2 mean concentric force (p = 0.01). Conclusions: Supramaximal pROM training is an effective strategy for increasing 1RM strength in experienced lifters, yielding results comparable to traditional fROM training over the course of a 4-week strength block. However, there are notable changes in bar kinematics surrounding the eccentric-concentric phase change that were only observed after fROM training. Full article

We compare the publication performance of open-access (OA) and subscription-based (SB) journals in Engineering using journal-level indicators from Scopus (CiteScore 2023 view; data collected on 2 December 2024). We analysed 3013 active Engineering journals with an assigned CiteScore quartile (Q1–Q4, where Q1 denotes the highest CiteScore quartile), of which 770 are labelled OA in Scopus; the remaining journals in each stratum were classified as SB. We stratified journals by CiteScore quartile and by the top 10% CiteScore percentile. We examined four indicators for 2020–2023: CiteScore 2023, total citations, number of published documents, and the percentage of cited articles. Because citation and publication counts are strongly right-skewed, we report medians and use Mann–Whitney tests with effect sizes (Cliff’s delta) and false discovery rate correction; Welch tests on log-transformed counts are used as sensitivity analyses. SB journals exhibit substantially higher citation and document medians across all quartiles and in the top 10% stratum, whereas CiteScore medians are very similar between access models. OA journals represent about one quarter of Engineering journals in Scopus, but remain underrepresented in the top 10% segment (125 of 484). Overall, OA provides a competitive level of impact, while SB titles still dominate accumulated visibility and editorial scale in Engineering. Full article

Objective: To assess the relationship between adherence to various plant-based diets, as measured by overall, healthy, and unhealthy plant-based diet indices (PDI, hPDI, uPDI), and ovarian cancer risk. Methods: We obtained data on 1031 cases of ovarian cancer and 2411 controls from a case-control study conducted in Italy. PDI, hPDI, and uPDI were calculated using data from a validated food frequency questionnaire. We used logistic regression to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of ovarian cancer for PDI, hPDI, and uPDI, adjusting for several possible confounders. Results: PDI and hPDI were inversely related to ovarian cancer risk (OR = 0.70 for the fourth compared to the first quartile, 95% CI: 0.55–0.89, and OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.53–0.84, respectively). On the other hand, a higher uPDI was related to a higher risk of ovarian cancer (OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.40–2.28). The estimates for a 5-point increment in the indices were 0.88 (95% CI: 0.81–0.95) for PDI, 0.90 (95% CI: 0.83–0.96) for hPDI, and 1.15 (95% CI: 1.07–1.23) for uPDI. Consistent associations for the three indices were observed across strata of age, family history of breast/ovarian cancer, educational level, parity, oral contraceptives use, and menopausal status. Conclusions: Plant-based diets favorably influence ovarian cancer risk; plant-based diets characterized by a high intake of unhealthy plant foods are linked to an increased risk. Promoting diets rich in healthy plant foods could support the reduction of ovarian cancer risk. Full article