Sci

Giant dielectric oxides are attractive for next-generation capacitors and related applications, but their practical use is limited by high loss tangent (tanδ), strong temperature dependence of dielectric permittivity (ε′), and the need for energy-intensive high-temperature sintering. To address these challenges, this study focuses on the development of (In_0.5Ta_0.5)_xTi_1−xO₂ (ITTO, x = 0.02–0.06) ceramics via a green egg-white solution route, targeting high dielectric performance at reduced processing temperatures. The as-calcined powders exhibited the anatase TiO₂ phase with particle sizes of ~20–50 nm. These powders promoted densification at a sintering temperature of 1300 °C, significantly lower than those of conventional co-doped TiO₂ systems. The resulting ceramics exhibited refined grains, high relative density, and homogeneous dopant incorporation, as confirmed by XRD, SEM/TEM, EDS mapping, and XPS. Complementary density functional theory calculations were performed to examine the stability of In³⁺/Ta⁵⁺ defect clusters and their role in electron-pinned defect dipoles (EPDDs). The optimized ceramic (x = 0.06, 1300 °C) achieved a high ε′ of 6.78 × 10³, a low tanδ of 0.038, and excellent thermal stability with Δε′ < 3.9% from 30 to 200 °C. These results demonstrate that the giant dielectric response originates primarily from EPDDs associated with Ti³⁺ species and oxygen vacancies, in agreement with both experimental and theoretical evidence. These findings emphasize the potential of eco-friendly synthesis routes combined with rational defect engineering to deliver high-performance dielectric ceramics with reliable thermal stability at reduced sintering temperatures. Full article

Assisted reproduction is a rapidly expanding pillar of medical tourism. Greece combines a liberal legal framework, internationally accredited clinics, and comparatively competitive costs, attracting cross-border patients seeking ART services. Following the 2022 amendment (Law 4958/2022) which amends the original law n.3305/2005, treatment is permitted up to age 54 under specific authorization, while court-approved surrogacy, anonymous gamete donation, and the adoption of decision-support technologies (e.g., AI-assisted embryo assessment, PGT-A) underpin the sector’s growth. This review synthesizes legal, medical, economic, and social dimensions, drawing on Q1 literature and official datasets (WHO, OECD, ESHRE/ICMART), and compares Greece with Spain, the USA, the Czech Republic, and Ukraine. Quantitative indicators include age-stratified success rates and indicative treatment costs. We discuss benefits and risks for patients and the health system, highlighting policy options for sustainable, ethically robust reproductive tourism in Greece. Full article

The emergence of large language models (LLMs) has redefined the potential of artificial intelligence in clinical domains. In this context, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) systems provide a promising approach to enhance traceability, timeliness, and accuracy in tasks such as biomedical question answering (QA). This article presents a narrative and thematic review of the evolution of these technologies in maternal health, structured across five axes: technical foundations of RAG, advancements in biomedical LLMs, conversational agents in healthcare, clinical validation frameworks, and specific applications in obstetric telehealth. Through a systematic search in scientific databases covering the period from 2022 to 2025, 148 relevant studies were identified. Notable developments include architectures such as BiomedRAG and MedGraphRAG, which integrate semantic retrieval with controlled generation, achieving up to 18% improvement in accuracy compared to pure generative models. The review also highlights domain-specific models like PMC-LLaMA and Med-PaLM 2, while addressing persistent challenges in bias mitigation, hallucination reduction, and clinical validation. In the maternal care context, the review outlines applications in prenatal monitoring, the automatic generation of clinically validated QA pairs, and low-resource deployment using techniques such as QLoRA. The article concludes with a proposed research agenda emphasizing federated evaluation, participatory co-design with patients and healthcare professionals, and the ethical design of adaptable systems for diverse clinical settings. Full article

This paper presents an optimization-based scheduling strategy for battery energy storage systems (BESS) in alternating current microgrids, considering both grid-connected and islanded operation. The study addresses two independent objectives: minimizing energy losses in the distribution network and reducing carbon dioxide emissions from dispatchable power sources. The problem is formulated using a full AC power flow model that simultaneously manages active and reactive power flows in BESS located in the microgrid, while enforcing detailed operational constraints for network components, generation units, and storage systems. To solve it, a parallel implementation of the Particle Swarm Optimization (PPSO) algorithm is applied. The PPSO is integrated into the objective functions and evaluated through a 24-h scheduling horizon, incorporating a strict penalty scheme to guarantee compliance with technical and operational limits. The proposed method generates coordinated charging and discharging plans for multiple BESS units, ensuring voltage stability, current limits, and optimal reactive power support in both operating modes. Tests are conducted on a 33-node benchmark microgrid that represents the power demand and generation from Medellín, Colombia. This is compared with two methodologies reported in the literature: Parallel Crow Search and Parallel JAYA optimizer. The results demonstrate that the strategy produces robust schedules across objectives, identifies the most critical network elements for monitoring, and maintains safe operation without compromising performance. This framework offers a practical and adaptable tool for microgrid energy management, capable of aligning technical reliability with environmental goals in diverse operational scenarios. Full article

Trophic ecology is an important aspect to consider when studying interactions between species, especially in ecologically similar species. We studied the trophic ecology of three sympatric insectivorous lizards in a dune system in the Eastern Iberian Peninsula: Acanthodactylus erythrurus, Psammodromus algirus and Psammodromus edwardsianus. We obtained a total of 485 faecal samples and found 18 different prey groups. The trophic niche breath analysis showed that A. erythrurus was the most specialised species of the three. We also considered two different habitat types and, interestingly, both Psammodromus species had wider trophic niches in the more extreme habitat type where arthropod diversity is expected to be lower. Trophic niche overlaps were especially low between P. algirus and A. erythrurus, indicating resource partitioning, and higher between both Psammodromus species in the suboptimal habitat type. Our results lead to the conclusion that environmental stress could favour trophic generalism (increased trophic niche breadth). This is a very interesting result, especially in the context of climate change and habitat alteration. Full article

The Child-Focused Injury Risk Screening Tool (ChildFIRST) assesses movement competence in children and currently uses a dichotomous scoring scale, which, while simple and practical, may lack the precision needed for nuanced movement skill analysis. This study compared the inter- and intra-rater reliability of the ChildFIRST when scored using a dichotomous scale versus a seven-point Likert scale. Fourteen trained raters evaluated video recordings of eight children performing ten standardized movement tasks using both scales across two sessions. Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). The dichotomous scale demonstrated moderate to excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.50–1.00) and good to excellent intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.75–1.00). The seven-point scale showed similar inter-rater reliability but generally lower intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.50–1.00). In addition, raters preferred the dichotomous scale in terms of practicality (91.6%), feasibility (75%), and overall usability (66.6%). These findings suggest that while both scales provide comparable inter-rater agreement, the dichotomous format offers greater consistency across repeated ratings and is more favorably received by users. The dichotomous scoring system is therefore recommended for continued use in field-based screening and future applications of the ChildFIRST. Full article

Breastfeeding is recommended because of its benefits for the woman and the newborn, but during lactation, pre-existing or lactation-related health conditions that require medication can expose the minor to the risk of acute or chronic intoxication. While drug safety during pregnancy is a well-discussed topic, there is scarce evidence about the safety of common licit and illicit substances during breastfeeding. Hence, we performed a systematic review on the toxicity of licit and illicit substances during lactation. Applying PRISMA criteria for systematic reviews, we found 26 eligible papers published in the last ten years. Our review showed that human milk should be considered a specific (and dynamic) matrix for toxicological analysis, and relatively little is known about the actual levels of common substances in this matrix. Current recommendations on drug safety are mainly based on a benefit–risk ratio based on the little available information. Experimental research in this field should be promoted, which is also because of the relatively high frequency of sudden infant deaths that is currently unexplained. Full article

This paper proposes an innovative hybrid optimization framework for the optimal installation and operation of thyristor-switched capacitors (TSCs) within medium-voltage distribution networks, targeting both energy losses reduction and cost efficiency. The core of the approach combines the exploratory capabilities of the atan-sinc optimization algorithm (ASOA), a recent metaheuristic inspired by mathematical functions, with the local refinement power of the IPOPT solver within a master–slave architecture. This integrated method addresses the inherent complexity of a multi-objective, mixed-integer nonlinear programming problem that seeks to balance conflicting goals: minimizing annual system losses and investment costs. Extensive testing on IEEE 33- and 69-bus systems under fixed and dynamic reactive power injection scenarios demonstrates that our framework consistently delivers superior solutions when compared to traditional and state-of-the-art algorithms. Notably, the variable operation case yields energy savings of up to 12%, translating into annual monetary gains exceeding USD 1000 in comparison with the fixed support scenario.The solutions produce well-distributed Pareto fronts that illustrate valuable trade-offs, allowing system planners to make informed decisions. The findings confirm that the proposed strategy constitutes a scalable, and robust tool for reactive power planning, supporting the deployment of smarter and more resilient distribution systems. Full article

Football-themed eSports, combining entertainment and learning elements, are booming, offering benefits in terms of cognitive and motor skill development. Despite this, with the increasing use of eSports and their impact on cognitive and motor skills, there is still a paucity of empirical studies that systematically explore how cognitive stimulation from eSports can translate into psychomotor performance on the field, particularly with regard to linear speed. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an ecological–dynamic training protocol, integrated with football eSports, on the development of linear sprint speed in young soccer players. Thirty-two male youth football players (age range: 12–16 years) participated in the study. Participants were divided into an experimental group, which followed a combined ecological–dynamic training protocol including football eSports, and a control group, which performed standard training sessions. Pre- and post-intervention assessments of 30 m sprint performance were conducted using electronic timing gates. Statistical analysis using repeated-measures ANOVA indicated a marked improvement in 30 m sprint performance within the experimental group, decreasing from 4.908 s to 4.651 s. A significant time × group interaction was observed (F = 74.076, p < 0.001). Moreover, a robust main effect of time emerged (F = 141.12, p < 0.001), confirming consistent gains in linear sprint speed. Post hoc comparisons revealed significant differences across all assessment points (p < 0.001). The findings suggest that embedding football eSports into an ecologically grounded training framework may enhance the development of linear speed in young soccer players. This integrated approach shows potential as an innovative tool for performance enhancement, although further investigations are needed to confirm long-term efficacy and generalizability to other sporting populations. Full article

Electrical grids are currently facing new demands due to increased power consumption, growing interconnections, and limitations regarding transmission capacity. These factors introduce considerable challenges for the dispatch and operation of large-scale power systems, often resulting in congestion, energy losses, and high operating costs. To address these issues, this study presents a transmission line switching strategy, which is formulated as an optimal power flow problem with binary variables and solved via mixed-integer nonlinear programming. The proposed methodology was tested using MATLAB’s MATPOWER toolbox version 8.1, focusing on power systems with five and 3374 nodes. The results demonstrate that operating costs can be reduced by redistributing power generation while observing the system’s reliability constraints. In particular, disconnecting line 6 in the 5-bus system yielded a 13.61% cost reduction, and removing line 1116 in the 3374-bus system yielded cost savings of 0.0729%. These findings underscore the potential of transmission line switching in enhancing the operational efficiency and sustainability of large-scale power systems. Full article

Water supply networks in both developed and developing major cities worldwide were constructed many years ago. Currently, these systems face numerous challenges, including population growth, climate change, emerging technologies, and the policies implemented by local governments. Such factors can impact the design life of water infrastructure, leading to service pressure deficiencies. Consequently, water infrastructure must be reinforced to ensure an adequate and reliable service. This research presents the development of an analytical formulation for hydraulic installations with a pumping station, enabling the calculation of requirements for a new parallel pipeline within an existing water system without altering the current pipe resistance class. To implement the proposed solution, it is essential to maintain the initial pump head by adjusting the impeller size. A construction cost assessment is also undertaken to identify the most cost-effective reinforcement strategy, acknowledging that pipe costs vary significantly with diameter and material, and are proportional to the square of the diameter. The proposed methodology is applied to a 30 km pipeline with a 10% increase in demand, showing that a new parallel pipe of the same diameter as the existing hydraulic installation must be installed to minimise construction costs. A multi-parametric analysis was conducted employing machine learning presets with 309 dataset points. Full article

This study investigates the solubility correlation of oil extracted from Sabah green Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora) beans through supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) extraction. Sabah, recognized as the largest coffee-producing region in Malaysia, serves as a significant source of Robusta beans for this research. The solubility of coffee bean oil was evaluated under varying pressures (10–30 MPa) and temperatures (40–80 °C). The maximum solubility, 2.681 mg/g CO₂, was recorded at 30 MPa and 40 °C, whereas the lowest solubility, approximately 0.440 mg/g CO₂, occurred at 20 MPa and 80 °C. A clear inverse relationship between solubility and temperature was observed, with solubility decreasing as temperature increased to 80 °C. Conversely, elevated pressure, particularly at 30 MPa, enhanced solubility due to the increased density and solvent power of SC-CO₂. Experimental data exhibited strong agreement with Chrastil’s equation, yielding a relatively low percentage error of 3.37%, compared with 14.57% for the del Valle-Aguilera model. These findings demonstrate the reliability of Chrastil’s model in predicting the solubility of Sabah green coffee bean oil in SC-CO₂. Overall, the research highlights the potential of SC-CO₂ extraction as a sustainable, solvent-free approach for obtaining high-quality coffee oil extracts, with promising applications in the food industry and possible extension to the recovery of other bioactive compounds in food processing. Full article

The proliferation of social network data has unlocked unprecedented opportunities for extensive, data-driven exploration of human behavior. The structural intricacies of social networks offer insights into various computational social science issues, particularly concerning social influence and information diffusion. However, modeling large-scale social network data comes with computational challenges. Though large language models make it easier than ever to model textual content, any advanced network representation method struggles with scalability and efficient deployment to out-of-sample users. In response, we introduce a novel approach tailored for modeling social network data in user-detection tasks. This innovative method integrates localized social network interactions with the capabilities of large language models. Operating under the premise of social network homophily, which posits that socially connected users share similarities, our approach is designed with scalability and inductive capabilities in mind, avoiding the need for full-graph training. We conduct a thorough evaluation of our method across seven real-world social network datasets, spanning a diverse range of topics and detection tasks, showcasing its applicability to advance research in computational social science. Full article

Modern military operations place significant physiological and cognitive demands on soldiers, necessitating innovative strategies to monitor and optimize health and performance. This narrative review examines the role of continuous physiological state monitoring and precision health strategies to enhance soldier resilience and operational readiness. Advanced wearable biosensors were analyzed for their ability to measure vital physiological parameters—such as heart-rate variability, core temperature, hydration status, and biochemical markers—in real-time operational scenarios. Emerging technological solutions, including AI-driven analytics and edge computing, facilitate rapid data interpretation and predictive health assessments. Results indicate that real-time physiological feedback significantly enhances early detection and prevention of conditions like exertional heat illness and musculoskeletal injuries, reducing medical attrition and improving combat effectiveness. However, ethical challenges related to data privacy, informed consent, and secure data management highlight the necessity for robust governance frameworks and stringent security protocols. Personalized training regimens and rehabilitation programs informed by monitoring data demonstrate potential for substantial performance optimization and sustained force readiness. In conclusion, integrating precision health strategies into military operations offers clear advantages in soldier health and operational effectiveness, contingent upon careful management of ethical considerations and data security. Full article

Fitting a sinusoidal model to a set of data points is a common practice in engineering, where one wants to estimate some quantities of interest by carrying out a sequence of measurements on a physical phenomenon. Analytical expressions are derived for the statistics of the root mean square value of the residuals from the least-squares sine-fitting procedure, when the data points are affected by phase noise or sampling jitter. The two analytical expressions derived, for the mean and for the variance, are numerically validated using a Monte Carlo-type procedure with simulated data for varying amounts of noise present, a varying number of data points, and varying signal amplitude. It will be shown that there is an excellent agreement between the numerical values obtained and those given by the analytical expressions proposed. These can be of use to engineers who need to compute confidence intervals for their estimations or who need to choose the number of signal data points that should be acquired in a given application. Full article

This study investigated the effects of ultrasonic treatment of olive paste prior to malaxation on oil yield (Y), enzyme activity and virgin olive oil (VOO) quality in four Croatian olive varieties: Istarska Bjelica, Rosulja, Oblica and Levantinka. The oils were extracted using the Abencor system according to a central composite experiment design, with treatment durations of 3–17 min and power levels of 256–640 W. The parameters analyzed included Y, oxidative stability index (OSI), antioxidant capacity (AC), phenolic and α-tocopherol content, volatile compounds, fatty acid profile, and the activity of lipoxygenase, β-glucosidase, polyphenol oxidase, and peroxidase. Olive variety was the most influential factor in all variables. The response surface methodology showed that ultrasonic treatment at low-to-medium intensity improved several quality attributes. For example, Y increased by 4% in Oblica, phenolic content increased by up to 17% in Istarska Bjelica, and OSI and AC increased by 13–15% in Istarska Bjelica and Levantinka. In contrast, longer treatment and higher ultrasound power had a negative effect. No significant differences were found in other parameters examined. Overall, the application of ultrasound led to measurable, though moderate, improvements in Y and VOO quality, with results strongly dependent on olive variety and treatment conditions. These results underline the need for further optimization tailored to each variety. Full article

Food waste from fish processing contributes significantly to environmental pollution, and fish skin is often discarded despite being a rich collagen source. This study evaluated the efficacy and consumer satisfaction of a ready-to-drink collagen supplement made from hydrolyzed collagen derived from seabass skin. The compositional analysis of this study revealed α-amino groups, hydroxyproline, and amino acids essential for skin elasticity, hydration, and tissue repair. A 30-day clinical trial was conducted in 36 Thai volunteers who were aged between 20 to 70 years, and their skin condition was assessed using a facial skin analyzer and a moisture analyzer on days 0, 15, and 30. Participants also completed self-perception and sensory satisfaction questionnaires. The results showed improved skin moisture, reduced pore size, and smoother skin texture. Participants reported high satisfaction, especially regarding increased moisture and skin smoothness. Sensory score evaluation showed favorable scores for color and taste; however, odor was the least preferred attribute with the lowest score. Notably, no adverse effects were reported throughout this study. The findings suggest that fish skin-derived collagen supplements can enhance skin appearance while offering a sustainable approach that converts fish by-products into functional skincare solutions aligned with global sustainability goals. Full article

Eutrophication is a significant issue in aquatic systems that receive wastewater from anthropogenic sources. The reduction of phosphate concentration in wastewater and water bodies is essential to reduce the risk of eutrophication. In this study, biomass obtained from Arthrospira platensis was used to reduce the phosphorus concentration in water. The biomass samples were characterized by spectroscopic and morphological techniques, such as vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR and Raman) and microscopy assay (SEM). Adsorption studies were conducted to evaluate the removal efficacy of the biomass. Phosphate removal capacity was strongly influenced by pH, with the highest effectiveness observed under acidic conditions (88% removal at pH 4.4) and rapid initial adsorption reaching equilibrium. Kinetic modelling showed a maximum removal efficacy (q_e = 2.4 mg g⁻¹ and k₂ = 0.305 min⁻¹). Isothermal adsorption analysis showed that the Langmuir model described properly experimental results showing physical chemical parameters (q_max = 2.8 mg g⁻¹ and K_L = 1.41 L mg⁻¹). Full article

Access to clean and safe drinking water is crucial for global health and well-being, formally recognised as a fundamental human right within the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. However, the integrity of water supply is increasingly threatened by microbial contamination, a risk aggravated by the conditions driven from climate change, which promotes the proliferation, resilience, and facilitation of the dissemination of microorganisms. Pathogens like Legionella, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Escherichia coli, and Vibrio cholerae can be present in water supplies, developing survival strategies (e.g., biofilm, cysts, inside protozoa). The risk of microorganisms in water requires both effective treatment at drinking water treatment plants and vigilant process control throughout drinking water distribution systems. Globally, a great number of disease outbreaks have been linked to contaminated drinking water. Despite strong regulations in the European Union and the Drinking Water Directive aim to guarantee the safety and quality of potable water, outbreaks persist; recent Legionella cases in Italy in 2024 and Cryptosporidiosis in 2019 linked to rainfalls and insufficient disinfection treatment, respectively, are an example of this. Although cholera is not common in Europe, there is evidence of high incidence of this disease in Africa mainly due to the poor hygienic conditions in the DWTS. In Europe, the data of waterborne diseases and outbreaks are submitted by European Countries to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) to give faster and effective response to outbreaks. Determining the origin of the contamination is essential to face the solution of outbreaks and ensure public health safety. Full article