Search Results (14,404)

Propolis is a resinous substance collected by honeybees from plant exudates and enriched with beeswax, pollen, and enzymes. Known for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-aging properties, it has attracted interest for applications in food, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries. In this work, Portuguese propolis from the Guarda region was characterized to evaluate how different solvents influence extraction efficiency and bioactive potential. Samples were extracted by cold maceration using 96% ethanol, 70% ethanol, and ultrapure water, and their physicochemical profile was determined. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were measured by the Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods, while antioxidant activity was assessed through DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. Tyrosinase and elastase inhibition tests were performed to assess anti-aging potential. Ethanolic extracts contained markedly higher phenolic and flavonoid levels than aqueous extracts, with 70% ethanol showing a slight advantage for flavonoid recovery. Both TPC and TFC correlated strongly with antioxidant activity (R² > 0.95), highlighting phenolics, particularly flavonoids, as the main contributors to bioactivity. The 96% ethanol extract showed the highest tyrosinase inhibition (46.9 ± 0.9%), while elastase inhibition remained consistently high for ethanolic extracts. Overall, these findings indicate that Portuguese propolis is a rich source of bioactive compounds and emphasize the importance of solvent selection to optimize its functional properties. Full article

Encapsulation of fish oil within oleogels can potentially prevent oxidation and enable its use in food with programmable release within the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we report on the formation of oleogels from two different fish oils—salmon oil (SO) and cod liver oil (CLO)—using different concentrations of either rice bran wax (RBW) or myristic acid (MA) as gelators. The gels were assessed with respect to their structural, thermal, viscosity, digestive, and oxidative properties. Polarized light microscopy (POM) revealed that RBW consistently produced dense, interconnected crystalline networks across both oils, while MA formed larger, spherulitic crystals that were more sensitive to the oil type. This was further supported by time-lapse imaging, showing faster crystal growth of MA in cod liver oil. Viscosity studies indicate that the molecular weight and concentration of gelator, as well as the type of fish oil (SO vs. CLO), significantly impact the shear stability of the oleogels. Thermal and viscosity analyses confirmed that RBW-based oleogels exhibited higher crystallization temperatures and stronger viscoelastic behaviour. Based on oxidative stability measurements—as measured by peroxide value (PV) analysis—encapsulation within oleogels does not lead to significant oxidation of the fish oils and also attenuates further oxidation upon storage. The fish oil oleogels were stable when exposed to either simulated gastric or intestinal fluids (SGF and SIF, respectively), but decomposed after sequential exposure first to SGF and then to SIF. These findings could broaden the range of food products which can be fortified with fish oils. Full article

Background: Road traffic accidents continue to be a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Psychological and behavioural factors play a crucial role in traffic safety and are not yet fully understood. Among these, the relationship between individuals and road rules plays a key role in driving behaviour and risk perception. We introduce and validate the MORDE (Moral Disengagement in Road Driving Evaluation) scale, a novel instrument designed to assess the specific cognitive mechanisms through which drivers morally justify risky or rule-violating behaviours. Methods: The scale was developed and validated through a three-step process involving 1336 licensed drivers. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to test its factorial structure, and internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha. Convergent and predictive validity were assessed using self-reported measures of traffic violations and road safety attitudes. Results: The final 14-item version of the MORDE scale shows a robust two-factor structure: (1) Normative Justification of Transgressive Driving and (2) Attribution of Blame and Displacement of Responsibility. The instrument demonstrates strong internal reliability and significant predictive power for driving behaviours and road safety attitudes, beyond what is explained by general moral disengagement. The MORDE scale thus shows good psychometric properties and incremental validity. Conclusions: By identifying psychological risk factors that contribute to unsafe and unsustainable driving, the MORDE scale provides a validated tool that can support educational interventions, traffic safety campaigns, and behaviour change programs. Its use may contribute to the promotion of a safer, more responsible, and environmentally sustainable road culture. Full article

Background/Objectives: Intense physical exercise leads to oxidative stress, causing cellular and DNA damage in athletes. Melatonin (MLT), a hormone with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, is increasingly used to counteract these effects. However, its specific role in protecting DNA integrity and modulating repair mechanisms post-exercise remains unclear. This systematic review aimed to synthesize clinical evidence on the effects of exogenous MLT supplementation in reducing exercise-induced oxidative stress, reducing DNA damage, and influencing DNA integrity in healthy, physically active individuals. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed and Scopus up to 25 March 2025, for randomized or controlled clinical trials assessing exogenous MLT in healthy, physically active adults, with outcomes related to oxidative stress, DNA damage, or DNA repair. Risk of bias was evaluated using the RoB2 tool. Due to heterogeneity in study designs and outcomes, results were synthesized narratively. Results: Six clinical trials met the inclusion criteria, with MLT administered as a single dose (6–10 mg) or in repeated doses over 6 days to 4 weeks. Across the studies, MLT consistently reduced oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation protein products), muscle damage indicators (creatine kinase, LDH), and inflammation, while increasing antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, GPx). Only one study directly assessed DNA damage, reporting significantly reduced DNA fragmentation (comet assay) in the MLT group compared to placebo. No studies directly evaluated DNA repair pathways. Conclusions: Exogenous MLT supplementation appears effective in attenuating exercise-induced oxidative stress and may reduce DNA damage in athletes. While findings support its antioxidant and cytoprotective roles, further rigorous trials are needed to clarify its direct effects on DNA repair mechanisms in sports medicine. Funding: This review received no specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Registration: This review was prospectively registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD420231039805). Full article

Despite extensive research, indoor localization techniques remain an open problem, with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) continuing to be a dominant technology even in the presence of ultrawideband and Bluetooth 5.1. This study proposes a novel approach for indoor mobile device localization using BLE. Unlike traditional methods relying on the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), this technique employs spatial signal coverage analysis from multi-power Bluetooth emulators, with data collected by an array of receivers. These coverage patterns form a probability grid, which is processed to accurately determine the mobile device’s location. The method accounts for the intrinsic properties of antennas and the operational ranges of multiple beacon emulators, thereby enhancing localization precision. By utilizing receiver range data rather than RSSI, localization outcomes demonstrate greater consistency. Static measurements show an average error of 1.83 m, a median error of 1.73 m, and a mode error of 2.35 m. In dynamic settings, a moving robot exhibited a measurement error of 3.6 m for 70% of samples and 4.6 m for 94% of samples. This solution is currently being implemented to track attendees at trade fairs, providing metrics to inform stand rental pricing and insights for optimizing stand distribution to encourage visitor exploration. Full article

Successful non-union therapy consists of a combination of optimizing mechanical stability and activating biological factors. The conventional method for treating non-union is debridement and stabilization with metal hardware. The human allogeneic cortical bone screw (Shark Screw^®) merges human cortical bone properties with screw stability, addressing non-union surgery principles by integrating mechanical and biological aspects. The objective of this retrospective study was to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of the conventional method with those of the new method using the Shark Screw^®. This retrospective, multicentre, level III study included 41 patients with non-unions in upper extremities, 11 treated with the conventional method (metal hardware ± graft), and 30 patients with the Shark Screw^® (±graft). Patient demographics, non-union location, autograft and/or allograft use, follow-up time, complications, union rate, time to union, and time to return to work were recorded. Follow-up was 18 months in the conventional group and 10 months in the Shark Screw^® group. The union rate was 72.7% in the conventional group and 96.7% in the Shark Screw^® group. Time to union was significantly shorter in the Shark Screw^® group. In the conventional group, the complication rate was 36%, and it was 3.4% in the Shark Screw^® group. Hardware removal in the conventional group was 64%, and it was 0% in the Shark Screw^® group. The Shark Screw^® presents a reliable option for treating non-unions in the shoulder, forearm, hand, and fingers. Full article

The incorporation of educational robotics (ER) into classroom learning has emerged as a significant goal in contemporary education, with instructors assuming a pivotal role. Recent research has shown the influence of teachers’ perceptions of ER and their self-efficacy on the learning process, while the primary goal in these inquiries is to the development of appropriate scales that guarantee correct measurements. Serving this goal, the present study presents the TRi-Robotics scale and its psychometric properties, which assesses teachers’ readiness to integrate ER into their classrooms. TRi-Robotics is a novel multidimensional tool that integrates self-efficacy, commitment, and affective conditions, validated through both CFA and network psychometrics. The proposed 14-item scale is three-dimensional and includes self-efficacy (SE), commitment (C), and affective conditions (AC). The validation procedure included the customary Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis, applied to a sample of 817 in-service teachers. Reliability analysis showed satisfactory internal consistency, while measurement invariance for gender was sustained. Furthermore, network psychometrics was applied via Exploratory Graph Analysis (EGA), which supported the proposed structure and its dimensionality and measurement invariance. The TRi-Robotics scale proved a valid instrument with satisfactory psychometric properties, and it is a significant asset to implement in educational and psychological research for testing further research hypotheses. Full article

Each layer of the constructed asphalt pavement is evaluated by measuring its quality indicators, as specified in the construction regulations ĮT ASFALTAS 08, and comparing the obtained values with the corresponding design or threshold values. Due to inherent variability in material properties and systematic or random errors during the production, transport, and installation of the asphalt mixture, the quality indicators of the asphalt layers often deviate from their optimal values. When deviations exceed permissible deviations (PD) or limit values (LV), monetary deductions (MDs) are applied. This study presents normalised values and variation dynamics for 10 quality indicators of the asphalt layer subject to MDs in Lithuania. Using the expertise of 71 road construction professionals and multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods, the influence of these deviations on road quality was assessed. The experts ranked all indicators using percentage weights and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. Expert consensus was verified using concordance coefficients and consistency ratios. After eight statistical outliers were excluded, adjusted weights were calculated based on responses from 63 experts. The proposed method, termed CIBRO (Criteria Importance But Rejected Outliers), enables the objective prioritisation of asphalt quality indicators. The CIBRO method enhances expert concordance and results reliability by aligning criterion ranks with the normal distribution, complementing the Kendall rank correlation approach. The findings highlight that insufficient compaction, inadequate layer thickness, and binder content deviations are the most influential factors that affect layer quality. In contrast, deviations in pavement width, friction coefficient, and surface evenness (measured with a 3 m straight edge) were found to have a lesser impact. The CIBRO method offers a robust approach to assessing the importance of the quality of the asphalt layer, supporting improvements in construction standards and pavement assessment systems. Full article

Polymer worm gears are increasingly utilized in electric power steering (EPS) systems due to their favorable manufacturing features and performance. Ensuring consistent mechanical properties under various operating conditions is critical for steering reliability throughout a vehicle’s lifespan. This study investigates the durability of injection-molded polyamide 66 worm gears within a Pinion-EPS configuration, where torque from the assist motor is transmitted through a worm–worm gear set to the rack and ultimately to the vehicle wheels. Given the complexity of steering maneuvers and the absence of mechanical integrity in steer-by-wire systems, durability testing becomes essential to understand if the considered worm gear for a certain steering system application provides safety and the needed performance within a specified product service life. This paper compares multiple testing methodologies. Traditional approaches, such as maximum torque and rotational speed, prove insufficient for comprehensive durability assessment, especially considering the thermal sensitivity of polymer materials. The findings highlight the limitations of conventional testing methods and emphasize the need for application-specific testing methods that reflect real-world boundary conditions. This research contributes to the development of more accurate and reliable evaluation techniques for polymer gear components in modern EPS systems, with implications for both conventional and autonomous vehicle platforms. Full article

Building fires are considered major disasters because of their significant effects on people, property, and the environment. This understanding has led to increased attention on developing preventive measures, particularly through the creation of effective methods for assessing fire risk. However, the effectiveness of these methods relies heavily on detailed physical and functional information of the building and data-driven decision-making. Building Information Modeling (BIM) has proven effective in representing structures, even in three dimensions. When integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), it enhances spatial intelligence, leading to improved decision-making through robust multi-criteria approaches. Hence, this study develops a framework to assess fire risk in an indoor environment that deploys a BIM-based GIS and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making; this is specifically known as Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The developed framework consists of four steps: identifying fire risk parameters, calculating weights, conducting spatial fire risk assessments, and visualizing the results, where the developed concepts are tested and validated. According to the significant findings, the developed framework estimates that 18% of building rooms are at moderate risk, while the compared model identifies only 1%. This considerable difference could potentially arise from the detailed data structure of BIM and the spatial insights gained from GIS. By implementing the designed framework, key fire risk factors can be identified in three dimensions, accompanied by a comprehensive quantitative evaluation platform for fire risks within indoor environments. Full article

This study analytically investigates shear horizontal (SH) wave propagation in a layered structure consisting of a piezoflexoelectric (PFE) layer bonded to an elastic substrate, considering an imperfect interface. A frequency equation is derived by applying appropriate boundary and interfacial conditions, capturing the effects of flexoelectric coupling, interface imperfections, the layer thickness, and the material properties. The resulting dispersion relation reveals that both interface imperfections and the flexoelectric strength significantly alter the phase velocity of SH waves. Numerical simulations show that increasing flexoelectric coefficients or interface imperfections lead to notable changes in dispersion behavior. Comparative analyses under electrically open (EO)- and electrically short (ES)-circuited boundary conditions demonstrate their impacts on wave propagation. These findings offer new insights into the design and analysis of piezoflexoelectric devices with realistic interface conditions. Full article

Protein adsorption on orthopedic biomaterials during the initial intraoperative contact critically influences biological responses and osseointegration. Osteoconductive grafts such as β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and poly (ε-caprolactone)-β-TCP (PCL-TCP) can be functionally activated by exposure to autologous tissue. However, the composition and relevance of the resulting protein layer still remain unclear. In this study involving 10 patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty, β-TCP and PCL-TCP samples were incubated both in the femoral medullary cavity and within a surgical tissue collector harvesting autologous tissue (blood, bone fragments, muscle, and fat). Surface morphology was assessed microscopically, and protein adsorption was characterized via high-resolution LC-MS/MS with subsequent bioinformatics and statistical analysis. Both materials adsorbed over 2000 different autologous proteins. β-TCP showed higher overall protein concentrations, while PCL-TCP demonstrated greater proteomic diversity and incubation method-dependent shifts in protein profiles, influenced by surface roughness and wettability. Samples incubated in the tissue collector exhibited less protein variability and smaller material-specific differences compared to incubation in the femoral cavity, particularly for PCL-TCP. Predominant proteins were linked to immune regulation, stress response, and protein metabolism. These findings emphasize the impact of material properties and incubation environment on protein adsorption, with ex vivo incubation leading to more consistent protein adsorption patterns. Full article

Background and Objectives: Fears of cancer recurrence (FCR) represents one of the most common psychological problems in cancer patients. Therefore, valid and reliable measurement tools are needed to assess FCR in this population. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of FCR scales (Fears of Cancer Recurrence-7 Item Version [FCR-7]; FCR-4 Item Version [FCR-4]; FCR-6 Item Version [FCR-6]) in Turkish hematological cancer patients. Materials and Methods: The study sample consisted of 239 hematological cancer patients undergoing treatment at four different state hospitals in Türkiye. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis results showed that all three scales had a single-factor structure (FCR-7: CFI = 0.981, TLI = 0.969, RMSEA = 0.071, SRMR = 0.028; FCR-4: CFI = 1.000, TLI = 1.001, RMSEA = 0.000, SRMR = 0.004; FCR-6: CFI = 0.981, TLI = 0.965, RMSEA = 0.087, SRMR = 0.028). The model allowing for correlated error terms between the first and second items provided the best fit. Research findings also indicated that the scales possessed strict measurement invariance across gender. Convergent and discriminant validity analyses also demonstrated expected associations between FCR scale scores and psychological well-being (r = −0.25 to −0.34) and psychological distress (r = 0.33 to 0.46) variables. The known-groups validity analysis indicated that the scales were effective at differentiating between groups and that they replicated the well-established finding from previous research that women report significantly higher levels of FCR than men (d = 0.42–0.47). Reliability analyses indicated that all three versions of the FCR scales had high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.91–0.93) and strong test–retest reliability (r = 0.85–0.87). Conclusions: Overall, the findings indicated that FCR-7, FCR-4, and FCR-6 are psychometrically sound, valid, and reliable instruments for assessing FCR in Turkish hematological cancer patients. These instruments can be used in clinical practice and research studies, as well as for evaluating intervention effectiveness in this population. Full article

Aerogels (AGs) are highly porous, low-density, disordered, ultralight macroscopic materials with immense surface areas. Traditionally synthesized using aqueous sol–gel chemistry, starting by molecular precursors, the nanoparticles (NPs) dispersions gelation method is nowadays the most used procedure to obtain AGs with improved crystallinity and broader structural, morphological and compositional complexity. The Sol–gel process consists of preparing a solution by hydrolysis of different precursors, followed by gelation, ageing and a drying phase, via supercritical, freeze-drying or ambient evaporation. AGs can be classified based on various factors, such as appearance, synthetic methods, chemical origin, drying methods, microstructure, etc. Due to their nonpareil characteristics, AGs are completely different from common NPs, thus covering different and more extensive applications. AGs can be applied in supercapacitors, acoustic devices, drug delivery, thermal insulation, catalysis, electrocatalysis, gas absorption, gas separation, organic and inorganic xenobiotics removal from water and air and radionucleotides management. This review provides first an analysis on AGs according to data found in CAS Content Collection. Then, an AGs’ classification based on the chemical origin of their precursors, as well as the different methods existing to prepare AGs and the current optimization strategies are discussed. Following, focusing on AGs of inorganic origin, silica and metal oxide-based AGs are reviewed, deeply discussing their properties, specific synthesis and possible uses. These classes were chosen based on the evidence that they are the most experimented, patented and marketed AGs. Several related case studies are reported, some of which have been presented in reader-friendly tables and discussed. Full article

The ordered tetragonal FeNi L1₀ phase, tetrataenite, is a promising candidate for rare earth-free permanent magnets due to its competitive magnetic properties and the low cost of the constituent elements. In this work, we have investigated the effect of molybdenum and aluminum substitution on the formation of the ordered L1₀ phase. The alloys were prepared with die casting and melt spinning techniques, further processed using cold rolling and cryomilling, and finally annealed below the estimated order–disorder temperature (T_OD). To study the influence of composition and processing of the alloys, structural characterization and microstructural analysis were performed with synchrotron radiation X-ray diffractometry (SR-PXD) and Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM), respectively. The presence of tetrataenite in the alloys investigated in this work could not be confirmed. In situ SR-PXD and STEM indicated minimal structural changes in the temperature stability range of the materials. A full-loop hysteresis curve acquired using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) indicated no signs of magnetic hardening of the alloys with the measured coercivity being below 10 Oe, and thus consistent with FeNi without ordering. Full article