Search Results (32,694)

Bacground/Objectives: This study aimed to develop age- and sex-specific spherical equivalent (SE) percentile curves and estimate the prevalence of refractive errors (REs) in Portuguese schoolchildren aged 6–17 years. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three schools in Lisbon, including 2205 children (mean age = 9.3 ± 2.6 years; 49.3% boys). Vision was assessed using non-cycloplegic static retinoscopy (chosen due to feasibility in school settings) and visual acuity tests. SE percentile curves (P5–P95) were generated by age and sex. SE values and RE distribution (hyperopia, emmetropia, and myopia) were compared across four age groups (6–8, 9–11, 12–14, and 15–17 years). Results: SE values decreased significantly with age (p < 0.001). Median SE ranged from +0.50 D (6–8 years) to 0.00 D (15–17 years), with no sex differences. Hyperopia predominated in younger children (60.6% at 6–8 years), whereas myopia increased in older ages (32.2% at 15–17 years). Conclusions: This study presents the first SE percentile curves for Portuguese schoolchildren, providing a practical, age-specific reference for vision screening. The progressive shift from hyperopia to myopia highlights the importance of early detection and monitoring to prevent visual impairment. Full article

Background/Objectives: Gait dysfunction is a major contributor to disability and reduced quality of life in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Although pharmacological treatments and exercise-based rehabilitation programs provide partial improvement, residual gait dysfunction often persists. Given these limitations, there has been growing interest in non-pharmacological and non-invasive strategies such as vibration therapy (VT). However, previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses have yielded inconsistent findings, largely summarizing the presence or absence of treatment effects without clarifying the clinical or therapeutic conditions under which VT may be most effective. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically review and synthesize evidence on the efficacy of VT for improving gait in PD and to identify clinical and therapeutic factors influencing treatment outcomes. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was conducted with no restrictions on the search period, including studies published up to July 2025. Eligible studies included randomized and quasi-experimental clinical trials that evaluated the effects of VT on gait-related outcomes in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Data extraction followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, and the risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 and ROBINS-I tools. Multilevel random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to estimate pooled effect sizes for gait outcomes, and meta-regression and subgroup analyses were performed based on disease stage, medication status, and vibration parameters. Results: A total of 14 studies (11 randomized and 3 non-randomized) were included. The pooled analysis showed that VT significantly improved gait performance in PD (Hedges’ g = 0.270, 95% CI: 0.115–0.424; 95% PI: −0.166–0.705). The sensitivity analysis restricted to randomized controlled trials yielded a comparable significant effect (g = 0.316, 95% CI: 0.004–0.628). Greater benefits were observed in patients with higher clinical severity, while the moderating effect of levodopa dosage was not significant. Optimal effects were identified with frequencies of 51–100 Hz, session durations ≤3 min, and 2–3 sessions per week. Improvements were evident in gait speed, cycle, and magnitude, whereas no consistent effects were observed for freezing of gait or gait variability. Conclusions: VT yields small but statistically significant improvements in fundamental gait parameters in Parkinson’s disease, particularly under optimized stimulation conditions and in individuals with greater disease severity. Although the pooled effect was modest and the certainty of evidence was rated as very low according to GRADE, these findings cautiously support the potential of vibration-based interventions as a supportive, non-pharmacological, and non-invasive adjunct within broader rehabilitation programs, rather than as a stand-alone treatment. Full article

Drought stress induced by climate change is a major limiting factor for crop growth. Selenium (Se) is recognized as an important exogenous regulator that can mitigate drought and other abiotic stresses, but the effects of Se application at different growth stages remain unclear. In this study, greenhouse-grown tomato plants were subjected to four Se treatments (T1: control; T2: Se at seedling stage; T3: Se at flowering stage; T4: Se at both stages) combined with three irrigation regimes (W1: 50–55%, W2: 65–70%, W3: 80–85% of field capacity). The impacts of Se timing on antioxidant enzymes, osmotic regulators, and growth parameters were evaluated. Drought stress induced oxidative damage, reduced photosynthesis, and inhibited biomass accumulation, while proline content increased with drought severity. Se application showed clear growth-stage specificity: under mild stress, Se at the flowering stage most effectively enhanced antioxidant activity, regulated proline metabolism, improved photosynthetic performance, and promoted growth. Dual-stage application did not provide additional benefits. These findings indicate that applying Se during the flowering and fruiting stage is optimal for alleviating drought-induced growth inhibition in tomato. The results contribute to understanding Se-mediated drought tolerance and may support the development of stage-specific Se fertilizer management strategies. Full article

With the recently acquired knowledge of the use of a multiphase mixture of precursors under electron beam irradiation (EBI), new possibilities were opened for this technique. In the present work, we obtained quantum dots, nanocrystals, nanoparticles, and grains of PbSe with a sintered appearance using a biphasic mixture of PbSe and PbSeO₃ under EBI. High-energy milling was used to obtain the biphasic mixture of precursors, which is composed of agglomerates with sizes ranging from ~400 to ~1700 nm, but nanoparticles were also present. The structural details of the biphasic mixture were studied using X-ray diffraction and the Rietveld method. The driving force of the EBI caused instantaneous physical and chemical changes due to the high internal energy of the biphasic mixture of precursors. The abrupt release of high internal energy, due to localized heating effects during EBI, gave way to the formation of multi-scale PbSe structures. Large particles with a sintered appearance formed near the electron beam impact point and in regions between ~800 nm and ~1400 nm, while well-defined faceted nanostructures were predominantly observed beyond ~1400 nm. The latter tended to be surrounded by {200} facets as the main growth direction. Furthermore, coalescence was anticipated to occur during EBI. It occurred simultaneously with the sublimation mechanism when the particle size was below the critical size of 10 nm. Multi-scale PbSe structures, obtained via EBI, are promising for developing thermoelectric devices due to their crystallinity and nanostructured features. Full article

Perceived dry air is a common complaint in indoor environments, yet its health associations and environmental factors related to this perception are unclear. We surveyed 7865 families and measured the indoor environment in 399 dwellings in Tianjin, China, from 2013 to 2016. It was found that 10% of the surveyed families reported frequently perceived dry air. The dry air perception was significantly associated with wheeze (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.60), rhinitis (AOR = 1.91), eczema (AOR = 1.89), and common cold infections (AOR = 1.64) in children and sick building syndrome symptoms in adults (AOR: 2.63–8.59). Higher concentrations of di-isobutyl (DiBP) and benzyl butyl phthalate (BBzP) were observed in homes with dry air perception. Although higher relative humidity might reduce the perception of dry air (AOR = 0.66), lower air exchange rates attenuated the protective effect. Additionally, building characteristics related to pollution exposures, such as living near highways (AOR = 1.31), visible mold spots (AOR = 1.50), and suspected moisture problems (AOR = 1.88), were associated with indoor dry air perception. Our findings suggest that perceived dry air was correlated with indoor exposure to pollution and could be used as an indicator for sick buildings. Full article

Background/Objectives: In left-sided breast cancer radiotherapy, deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) reduces radiation dose to the heart; however, its success depends on the patient’s ability to maintain reproducible and stable breath-holds. Although visual and auditory guidance systems have been introduced to improve performance, quantitative data on their combined effects remain limited. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 400 breath-hold sessions in 20 patients undergoing DIBH treatment using synchronized visual and auditory coaching. Real-time respiratory displacement data were used to calculate reproducibility and stability. Temporal trends and correlations between reproducibility and stability were also assessed. Results: The mean reproducibility was 0.51 ± 0.22 mm (range, 0.20–1.10 mm), and the mean stability was 0.77 ± 0.21 mm (range, 0.50–1.16 mm). Both measures showed significant improvement over the course of treatment, indicating a learning effect. Linear regression analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between poorer reproducibility and greater intrafractional instability (R² = 0.26, p = 0.021). Daily cone beam computed tomography-based image-guided radiotherapy demonstrated minimal isocenter shifts, confirming consistent patient setup with DIBH. Conclusions: Combined visual and auditory coaching during DIBH yielded low variability in reproducibility and stability, with progressive improvements over time. These findings highlight the ability of multimodal feedback systems to enhance respiratory consistency and support their integration into clinical practice, optimizing treatment precision. Full article

Principals experience high levels of anxiety, frustration, and stress, often struggling with their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Balancing work–life responsibilities is critical, yet we know little about how school principals understand and navigate work–life balance (WLB). Building on boundary and spillover theories, we employed an interpretive qualitative research design and interviewed 10 school principals in Missouri to better understand their experiences with WLB and its impact on their well-being. Our findings revealed that while principals themselves understand the importance of WLB, they shared that achieving it is challenging for individuals on their own. Instead, there is a need for a community of understanding and systematic support to help them achieve a better balance. Full article

The Battle of Rhode Island in 1778 was an important event in the revolutionary war leading to the international recognition of U.S. American independence following the 1776 declaration. It culminated in a month-long campaign against British forces occupying Aquidneck Island, serving as the first combined operation of the newly formed Franco-American alliance. The military fortification at Butts Hill in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, served as a strategic point during the conflict and remains well-conserved today. While LiDAR has assisted in the geospatial surface reconstruction of the site’s earthwork fortifications, it is unknown whether other historically documented buildings within the fort remain preserved underground. We therefore conducted a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey to ascertain the presence or absence of architectural features, hypothesizing that GPR imaging could reveal structural remnants from the military barracks constructed in 1777. To test this hypothesis, we used public satellite and LiDAR imagery alongside historical maps to target the location of the historical barracks, creating a grid to survey the area with a GPR module in 0.5 m transects. Our results, superimposing remote sensing imagery with historical maps, indicate that the remains of a barracks building are likely present between circa 5–50 cm beneath today’s surface, warranting future investigations. Full article

Polypharmacology in Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) demands models that capture irreducible higher-order drug co-action. We introduce a categorical–topological pipeline that encodes regimens as truncated multicomplexes with a hypergraph–simplicial envelope; irreducible effects are identified by Möbius inversion, and CatMixNet predicts dose-response under monotone calibration while aligning multimodal omics via sheaf constraints. Under face-disjoint evaluation, omics fusion reduced RMSE from 0.164 to 0.149 (≈9%), increased PR-AUC from 0.38 to 0.44, and lowered calibration error to 2.6–3.1% with <10 dose-monotonicity violations per ${10}^3$ surfaces. Triad-irreducible signal strengthened (95th percentile ${\mathsf{\Delta }}^{★}=0.151$; antagonism retained at 24%). A risk-sensitive selector produced triads with toxicity headroom and projected ALSFRS-R slope gains of +0.04–0.05 points/month. Ablations confirmed the necessity of Möbius consistency, sheaf regularization, and monotone heads. Distilled monotone splines yielded compact titration charts with mean error 0.023. The framework supplies reproducible artifacts and actionable shortlists for iPSC and SOD1 validation. Full article

The evaluation of bioavailable forms of heavy metals in zones of anthropogenic pollution is the basis of ecological risk assessment. The characterization of the consequences of the operation of the Pechenganikel smelting plant was carried out using AAS and two methods of soil bioavailable forms of heavy metal extraction (3% nitric acid and ammonium acetate buffer with pH 4.8) along three directions from the plant, corresponding to the wind prevalence. Buffer extraction provided more significant correlations between Ni, Co, Cu, Pb, and Zn, compared to nitric acid application, indicating a negative correlation between soil Cu, Co, and the distance from the plant, while no significant correlations were recorded for nitric acid extracts. A higher significant correlation number arose between soil elements in buffer extracts along the N-E direction than the S-W one. In the former direction, the number of the mentioned correlations decreased according to the following sequence: Zn (6) > Cu (5) > Se and Co (4) > Ni and Fe (3); in nitric acid extract, only significant correlations of Cu, Zn, and Se with Co and Ni were recorded. Biocrust formation was revealed only along the N-E direction, characterized by unexpected high Se concentrations and intensive correlation between Zn and all the elements extracted by the buffer. Biocrust accumulated high levels of all the elements tested and showed antioxidant activity and polyphenol content significantly correlated with soil organic matter. The biocrust mineral content demonstrated a complex relationship with soil Fe, Cu (buffer extract), and Se, as well as Co and Zn (nitric acid extract). Application of linear mixed-effects modelling and transfer factor analysis indicate that biocrusts may serve as effective bioindicators of both absolute metal contamination and its bioavailable fractions. The results indicate the expediency of using both methods of soil extraction for assessing the ecological risk and soil–biocrust relationships. Full article

Rhamnolipids are a class of glycolipids known for their surface and emulsifying activity. These molecules, produced by a few Gram-negative genera, mostly Pseudomonas, offer natural alternatives to synthetic surfactants in different industrial fields. This study examines the emulsifying and encapsulation performance of Rhamnolipids derived from the marine Antarctic bacterium Pseudomonas gessardii M15, comparing its emulsification ability and stability with those of commercial surfactants, Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sucrose esters (SE), under extreme conditions of temperature and pH. The Rhamolipids were used to encapsulate Coenzyme Q10 with Arabic gum as the carrier matrix. Rhamnolipids exhibited surface and emulsifying activity comparable to that of SDS and superior to SE at neutral and basic pH levels. Their performance declined under acidic conditions, whereas exposure to 90 °C had no significant effects. The encapsulation efficiency of Coenzyme Q10 was significantly higher in the case of Rhamnolipids, with a percentage of encapsulated compound of 99.6 ± 0.2%, compared to the 38.2 ± 7.1% found when SDS was used. Rhamnolipids extracted from Pseudomonas gessardii M15 exhibit strong potential as a natural surfactant, particularly in formulations that require thermal stability and effective encapsulation. These findings support its use as a sustainable alternative to synthetic agents in diverse industrial settings. Full article

The use of copper and its alloys in architecture, especially in arid regions, is growing, driven by visual appeal, functional advantages, and sustainability. Changes in visual and colorimetric appearances and patina formation were evaluated for architectural Cu metal, brass (CuZn15), bronze (CuSn4), and a golden alloy (CuZn5Al5). Coupons were exposed over 4 years in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at a test site located 2 km from the seashore under unsheltered conditions, and at various surface inclinations. Comparative exposures were conducted in Brest, France, at sites of increasing distance from the seashore. Visual appearance was assessed by colorimetry and optical imaging; patina cross-sections were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy and elemental analysis (SEM/EDS), and crystalline phase identification was conducted by means of x-ray diffraction (XRD). All Dubai surfaces developed red-yellowish, heterogeneous patinas with embedded sand and dust, reducing lightness and visual appeal. Inclination had minor effect, although some extent of spallation occurred on downward-facing CuSn4. Even the corrosion-resistant CuZn5Al5 alloy lost its golden hue due to the incorporation of sand and dust into the patina. In Brest, appearance depended on the distance from the seashore, with green-blue patinas near the sea and red-yellowish farther inland, similar to Dubai. Cleaning may restore some luster, but the desert exposure generally reduced the long-term aesthetic performance of all materials. Full article

This longitudinal study examines the acquisition of target-like patterns of phonological variation by 17 second language (L2) French learners during a semester or year of study abroad (SA) in France. In this study, speech data from sociolinguistic interviews conducted before, during, and after the SA period provide evidence for the emergent acquisition of a phonological variable showing sociostylistic variation in first language (L1) speech: the reduction of word-final obstruent-liquid clusters, as in: notre maison [no tʁ(ə) mɛ ʒɔ̃] ~ [not mɛ ʒɔ̃] ‘our house’; c’est incroyable [se tɛ̃ kʁɔ ja bl(ə)] ~ [se tɛ̃ kʁɔ jab] ‘it’s incredible’. Additionally, speech data are compared and correlated with the results of a social network strength scale designed by the researcher for the SA learning context. Results suggest that sociostylistic variation patterns among learners are constrained by linguistic factors similar to those operating on L1 speech, such as lexical effects, and that time in the target language (TL) environment is a significant predictor of variation. Results also demonstrate that although social network strength is not a significant predictor of variation at a group level, speaker gender is, and learner patterns reflect the gendered speech norms of the TL community. Full article

To achieve professional roe deer population management and to mitigate wildlife-related agricultural damage, a wildlife population estimation trial was conducted in Hungary using an ultralight aircraft with dual sensors (thermal and DSLR camera) to assess the method’s applicability, using the roe deer as a model species. The test took place in early spring, at an altitude of 400 m above ground level and a flight speed of 150 km/h. The survey targeted a total count of a 1040 hectare area using adjacent 200 m-wide strips. This strip-based design also allowed for a methodological comparison between total count and strip sample count approaches. Object-based image classification was applied, and species-level validation was performed. During the survey, a total of 213 roe deer were localised. The average group size was 9.17 ± 1.7 ($\overline{\mathrm{x}}$ ± SE), with two prominent outliers (28 and 34 individuals). Compared to the density value of 0.205 individuals/ha established through the full-area census, the simulated estimations (50% and 25%) showed considerable under- and overestimation, primarily due to the aggregative behaviour of roe deer. Based on the test, aerial population estimation using dual-sensor technology proved to be effective in agricultural habitats; however, the accuracy of the results is strongly influenced by the sampling design applied. Full article

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a heterogeneous myocardial disease in which conventional prognostic models, primarily focused on sudden cardiac death, often fail to identify patients at risk of clinically relevant events such as heart failure progression or rehospitalization. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) quantifies functional capacity, while stress echocardiography (SE) provides mechanistic insights into exercise-induced hemodynamic changes. Their combined application (CPET–SE) may enhance risk stratification in patients with HCM. Methods: In this retrospective study, 388 patients with obstructive and non-obstructive HCM (mean age 48 ± 15 years, 63.1% male) underwent baseline CPET–SE between 2010 and 2022 and were followed for a median of 7.4 years [IQR 4.3–10.2]. Echocardiographic parameters were assessed at rest and peak exercise, and CPET indices included peak oxygen consumption (pVO₂), ventilatory efficiency, and anaerobic threshold. The primary outcome was a composite of heart failure hospitalization or progression to end-stage HCM. Results: Over a median follow-up of 7.4 years, 63 patients (16.2%) experienced an event of the primary outcome. Patients who developed a primary outcome had greater left atrial diameter (45.0 vs. 41.0 mm, p < 0.001) and indexed volume at rest (36.4 vs. 29.0 mL/m², p < 0.001), with further dilation during stress (p = 0.046); increased LV wall thickness (p = 0.001); higher average E/e′ at rest and during stress (p ≤ 0.004); and higher pulmonary artery systolic pressure at rest (p = 0.027) and during stress (p = 0.044). CPET findings included lower pVO₂ (16.0 vs. 19.5 mL/kg/min, p = 0.001), reduced % predicted pVO₂ (p = 0.006), earlier anaerobic threshold (p = 0.032), impaired ventilatory efficiency (p = 0.048), and chronotropic incompetence (p < 0.001) in patients who experienced a primary outcome. Multivariable analysis identified dyslipidemia (OR 2.58), higher E/e′ (OR 1.06), and lower pVO₂ (OR 0.92) as independently associated with the primary outcome. Conclusions: CPET–SE provided a comprehensive evaluation of patients with HCM, associating aerobic capacity to its hemodynamic determinants. Reduced pVO₂ showed the strongest association with adverse outcomes, while exercise-induced diastolic dysfunction and elevated pulmonary pressures identified a high-risk phenotype. Incorporating CPET–SE into longitudinal management of patients with HCM may enable earlier detection of physiological decompensation and guide personalized therapeutic strategies. Full article