Search Results (290)

The hyperinsulinemic–euglycemic clamp technique is considered the gold standard for measuring insulin sensitivity in large animals. We developed a practical method for conducting concurrent glucose clamp experiments in a pair of sedated farm swine positioned in a sling. Descriptions of customized equipment and central venous access surgical procedures for blood collection are provided. Personnel functions are described for execution of the clamp protocol. A total of 24 hyperinsulinemic–euglycemic clamp studies were performed over 6 weeks. Infusaports remained functional for 1454 blood samples. There were three CSII catheter occlusions during bolus administration, and the swine showed no signs of infection or disease. IM telazol at 1.0 mg/kg, administered 1–2 h prior (mean of 3.26 mL ± 1.59) was effective in keeping animals comfortable. SpO₂ and heart rate remained within normal ranges. Means ± SD total infused volumes for octreotide, 10% dextrose, and saline were 9.7 ± 0.93 mL, 2328.0 ± 672.8 mL, and 690.3 ± 206.8 mL. Mean blood glucose was maintained between 75.7 and 87.8 mg/dL (CV 3.17%) for the 24 experiments. The GIR infusion rate peaked between 15 and 60 min after insulin bolusing, with insulin C_max of 108.5 pmol/L and t_max at 10 min. All aspects of the protocol were effectively carried out. The animals remained in good health, and the implanted infusion ports remained patent for over 700 blood draws per animal. This method could potentially reduce the number of animals used and the costs of other similar experiments. Full article

The increasing urgency of global sustainability challenges has elevated the role of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as benchmarks for both academic research and policy development. Within the European Union, measuring how national research systems contribute to SDG-related knowledge is critical for guiding evidence-based policymaking and evaluating progress toward the 2030 Agenda. Since the adoption of the UN 2030 Agenda, research related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has expanded significantly, reflecting their central role in guiding both global and European science policy. Despite this growing attention, systematic comparative evidence on how EU27 countries contribute to SDG-related knowledge production remains limited. This study provides a bibliometric analysis of research related to the SDGs across EU27 countries between 2019 and 2023. Drawing on data from Elsevier’s Scopus and SciVal platforms, we examine publication volume, relative share (RS), citation impact (FWCI), growth dynamics (CAGR), and thematic distributions. The dataset includes all document types associated with SDG1–SDG16. Germany, Italy, and France lead in absolute publication output, while smaller member states such as Cyprus, Malta, and Luxembourg display disproportionately high RS values. Health-related research (SDG3) dominates, followed by SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), whereas socially oriented goals (SDG2 and SDG5) remain underrepresented. Hierarchical cluster analysis, validated through silhouette and agglomeration tests, identifies three groups of countries: (1) high-output, high-impact Northern and Western leaders; (2) diversified performers with balanced portfolios; and (3) emerging contributors from Eastern and Southern Europe. Explanatory analyses link bibliometric outcomes to contextual variables, showing strong correlations with Horizon Europe funding per capita and international collaboration, and moderate associations with GDP per capita and GERD. Institutional-level findings highlight the prominence of leading universities and research institutes, particularly in health sciences. The study introduces a robust cluster-based typology and a multidimensional framework that connects bibliometric performance with economic capacity, research investment, EU funding participation, and collaboration intensity. Policy recommendations are proposed to strengthen thematic balance, improve equitable participation in EU research programs, and foster international cooperation across the European Research Area. Full article

This article presents the results of numerical modeling for a hypothetical CO₂-EGS system in the volcanic rocks of the Gorzów Block, Poland. Modeling was carried out in the following stages: in phase 0, modeling of the fracturing process was performed, as a result of which the permeability distribution for the newly created fractured zone was obtained. Next, the process of saturating the EGS reservoir with CO₂ was modeled until pure CO₂ could enter the production well (phase 1). Then, a multi-variant simulation of heat production was performed (phase 2). The obtained results allowed for drawing interesting conclusions: (1) the duration of phase 1 may take several years unless a sufficiently high injection rate of CO₂ is supplied, (2) the higher the injection rate of CO₂, the lower the cumulative storage ratio of CO₂, and (3) most of the CO₂ storage in the formation takes place in phase 1, while even 92% of the CO₂ injected in phase 2 can be recovered via the production well. Despite the environmental benefits connected with structural trapping of CO₂, the Gorzów Block has probably too low formation temperature (145 °C) and too low stimulated volume (~0.1 km³) to deliver satisfactory and stable thermal output. Full article

Background/Objectives: Thalassemias, a hereditary condition commonly linked to chronic anemia, require regular blood transfusions and repeated blood draws for assessments of hemoglobin (Hb) content, which can be uncomfortable. A promising substitute for laboratory hemoglobin testing is non-invasive spectrophotometric hemoglobin (SpHb) monitoring; however, its applicability particularly among blood transfusion-dependent thalassaemic patients needs to be investigated. This study’s primary goal was to investigate the relationships and agreements between SpHb, g/dL, and an automated hematology analyzer (Hb, g/dL) in this particular patient population. The secondary goal was to track how blood transfusions affect SpHb, g/dL, laboratory Hb, and pleth variability index (PVI, %). Methods: In this study, sixty patients were included. A Masimo Radical-7 pulse CO-oximeter was used to measure the SpHb, and a Sysmex XN-1000 hematological analyzer measured the laboratory Hb. Results: The results revealed a significant correlation between SpHb and laboratory Hb (n = 108, r = 0.587, p < 0.001) but also demonstrated that SpHb consistently overestimated laboratory Hb levels, with a mean bias of −1.18 g/dL (95% CI: −1.4344 to −0.9267). The Bland–Altman analysis showed a good degree of reliability between this bias (SpHb–Hb) and laboratory Hb (g/dL), with an Intra Class Correlation (ICC) of 0.613 but with a wide 95% CI ranging from 0.557 to 0.736 (t = 3.817, p < 0.001). The 95% limits of agreement ranged from −3.7893 to +1.4228 g/dL. Conclusions: This significant bias restricted the application of SpHb as a trustworthy method for assessing hemoglobin levels in patients with blood transfusion-dependent thalassemia. Nonetheless, the capability to monitor SpHb and PVI variations during blood transfusions offered a real-time assessment of the impact of transfusions on patients’ hemoglobin levels and volume status. Full article

As the prevalence of public discourse pertaining to loneliness increases, digital interventions, such as artificial intelligence companions, are being introduced as methods for fostering connection and mitigating individual negative experiences of loneliness. These tools, while increasing in volume and popularity, operate within and are shaped by the same engagement-driven systems that have been found to contribute to loneliness. This meta-narrative review examines how algorithmic infrastructures, which are optimized for retention, emotional predictability, and behavioural nudging, not only mediate responses to loneliness but participate in its ongoing production. Flattening complex social dynamics into curated, low-friction interactions, these systems gradually displace relational agency and erode users’ capacity for autonomous social decision making. Drawing on frameworks from communication studies and behavioural information design, this review finds that loneliness is understood both as an emotional or interpersonal state and as a logical consequence of hegemonic digital and technological design paradigms. Without addressing the structural logics of platform capitalism and algorithmic control, digital public health interventions risk treating loneliness as an individual deficit rather than a systemic outcome. Finally, a model is proposed for evaluating and designing digital public health interventions that resist behavioural enclosure and support autonomy, relational depth, systemic accountability, and structural transparency. Full article

In a recent multicenter analysis of 454 patients undergoing post-prostatectomy salvage radiotherapy, the open surgical approach, as opposed to minimally invasive surgery, emerged, unexpectedly, as the strongest predictor of acute gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicity. Patients treated with laparoscopic or robotic prostatectomy experienced significantly lower rates of ≥grade 2 toxicity compared to those who had undergone open retropubic surgery, irrespective of total dose, treatment margins, or radiation delivery platform. This finding, which to our knowledge has not been previously reported, raises the hypothesis that surgical technique leaves a lasting biological imprint on irradiated tissues. Drawing on current knowledge in radiobiology, cytokine signaling, wound healing, and pelvic dosimetry, we explore potential mechanisms by which open surgery may create a more hypoxic, inflamed, and fibrotic microenvironment, thereby amplifying radiation damage. We further discuss how target volume margins may biologically interact with this tissue state to increase normal tissue exposure. This Perspective aims to provide a conceptual framework for understanding this unexpected association, highlighting its clinical relevance for individualizing margins, counselling high-risk patients, and designing future studies at the interface of surgery and radiation oncology. This paper does not introduce additional patients or statistical models; instead, it offers an in-depth clinical and mechanistic interpretation of previously published ICAROS findings. Full article

The rapid expansion of urbanization and inadequate planning have triggered a water balance crisis in many cities, manifesting as both the need for artificial lake supplementation and frequent urban flooding. Using the Xuanwu Lake watershed in Nanjing as a case study, this research aims to optimize the Blue–Green Infrastructure (BGI) network to maximize rainfall utilization within the watershed. The ultimate goal is to restore natural water balance processes and reduce reliance on artificial supplementation while mitigating urban flood risks. First, the Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS–CN) model is employed to estimate the maximum potential of natural convergent flow within the watershed. Second, drawing on landscape connectivity theory, a multi-level BGI network optimization model is developed by integrating the Minimum Cumulative Resistance (MCR) model and the gravity model, incorporating both hydrological connectivity and flood safety considerations. Third, a water balance model based on the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) framework and empirical formulas is constructed and coupled with the network optimization model to simulate and evaluate water budget performance under optimized scenarios. The results indicate that the optimized scheme can reduce artificial supplementation to Xuanwu Lake by 62.2% in June, while also ensuring effective supplementation throughout the year. Annual runoff entering the lake reaches 13.25 million cubic meters, meeting approximately 13% of the current annual supplementation demand. Moreover, under a 100-year return period flood scenario, the optimized network reduces total watershed flood volume by 35% compared to pre-optimization conditions, with flood-prone units experiencing reductions exceeding 50%. These findings underscore the optimized BGI network scheme’s capacity to reallocate rainwater resources efficiently, promoting a transition in urban water governance from an “engineering-dominated” approach to an “ecology-oriented and self-regulating” paradigm. Full article

The Aral Sea Basin (ASB), situated in Central Asia, serves as a prime example of a man-made environmental disaster. The practice of irrigation can be traced back to ancient times. However, the substantial water withdrawals that have occurred since the second half of the 20th century appear to have led to the irreversible drying up of the Aral Sea and the disruption of the flow of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers. This study conducts a comprehensive review of satellite data from the past sixty years, drawing upon a selection of peer-reviewed papers available on Scopus. The selection of papers is conducted in accordance with a methodology that is predicated on the combination of keywords. The study focuses on geoscientific aspects, including the atmosphere, water resources, geology, and geological hazards. The primary sensors employed in this study were Terra-MODIS, NOAA-AVHRR, and the Landsat series. It is evident that certain data types, including radar data, US or Soviet archives, and very-high-resolution data such as OrbView-3, have seen minimal utilisation. Despite the restricted application of remote sensing data in publications addressing the ASB, remote sensing data offer a substantial repository for monitoring the desiccation of the Aral Sea, once the fourth largest continental body of water, and for the estimation of its water surface and volume. Nevertheless, the utilisation of remote sensing in publications concerning the Aral region remains limited, with less than 10% of publications employing this method. Sentinel-2 data has been utilised to illustrate the construction of the Qosh Tepa Canal in Afghanistan, a project which has been the subject of significant controversy, with a particular focus on the issue of water leakage. This predicament is indicative of the broader challenges confronting the region with regard to water management in the context of climate change. A comparison of the Aral Sea’s case history is drawn with analogous examples worldwide, including Lake Urmia, the Great Salt Lake, and, arguably more problematically, the Caspian Sea. Full article

In the context of both domestic and international economic landscapes, regional policy has emerged as an increasingly influential factor shaping the developmental trajectories of Chinese enterprises. Despite its growing significance, the extant literature lacks a comprehensive and systematically visualized synthesis that encapsulates the scope and trends of research in this domain. This study addresses this critical gap by conducting an integrative bibliometric and qualitative review of the academic output related to regional policy and Chinese firm growth. Drawing on a final dataset comprising 3428 validated academic publications—selected from an initial pool of 3604 records retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection between 1991 and 2022, the research employs a two-stage methodological framework. In the first phase, advanced bibliometric tools, and software applications, including RStudio, Bibliometrix, VOSviewer, and CitNetExplorer, are utilized to implement techniques such as keyword co-occurrence analysis, thematic clustering, and the tracing of thematic evolution over time. These methods facilitate rigorous data cleansing, breakpoint identification, and the visualization of intellectual structures and emerging research patterns. In the second phase, a targeted qualitative review is conducted to evaluate the influence of regional policies on Chinese firms across three critical stages of business development: start-up, expansion, and maturity. The findings reveal that regional policy interventions generally exert a positive influence on firm performance throughout all stages of development. Notably, a significant concentration of citation activity occurred prior to 2017; however, post-2017, the volume of scholarly publications, journal-level impact (as measured by h-index), and author-level influence experienced a marked increase. Among the 3428 analyzed publications, a substantial portion—2259 articles—originated from Chinese academic institutions, highlighting the strong domestic research interest in the subject. Furthermore, since 2015, there has been a discernible shift in keyword co-occurrence trends, with increasing scholarly attention directed towards sustainable development issues, particularly those related to carbon dioxide emissions and green innovation, reflecting evolving policy priorities and environmental imperatives. Full article

As the global emphasis on sustainable development intensifies, the integration of digital technologies (DTs) into efforts to address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has gained increasing attention. However, existing research on the link between the SDGs and DTs remains fragmented and lacks a comprehensive perspective on their interconnections. We aimed to address this gap by conducting a large-scale bibliometric analysis based on Elsevier’s SDG research mapping technique. Drawing on approximately 1.17 million publications related to both the 17 SDGs and 11 representative DTs, we explored research trends in the SDG–DT association, identified DTs that are most frequently tied to specific SDGs, and uncovered emerging areas of research within this interdisciplinary domain. Our results highlight the rapid expansion in the volume and variety of SDG–DT studies. Our findings shed light on the widespread relevance of artificial intelligence and robotics, the goal-specific applications of technologies such as 3D printing, cloud computing, drones, and extended reality, as well as the growing visibility of emerging technologies such as digital twins and blockchain. These findings offer valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders aiming to strategically harness DTs to support sustainable development and accelerate progress toward achieving the SDGs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Conventional blood collection can be challenging in a non-clinical or home-based setting. In response, vacuum-assisted lancing devices for capillary blood collection (typically from the upper arm) have gained popularity to broaden access to diagnostic testing. However, these devices are often costly relative to the reimbursement rate for common laboratory testing panels. This study describes the design and evaluation of Comfort Draw™, a simplified and economical vacuum-assisted capillary blood collection device. Methods: Comfort Draw™ was evaluated by 12 participants in a preliminary study and by 42 participants in a follow-up study. Metrics assessed included the following: vacuum pressure of the device, skin temperature generated by the Comfort Draw prep warmer, blood collection volume, and analytical accuracy (for 19 common serum-based analytes). Results: Acceptable blood volume (>400 µL) and serum volume (>100 µL) were collected by Comfort Draw in 85.5% and 95.1% of cases, respectively. Seventeen of the nineteen analytes examined were within CLIA acceptance limits compared to matched venous samples. Self-reported pain scores associated with Comfort Draw collection averaged 0.39 on a scale from 0 to 10. Conclusions: In this preliminary clinical study, Comfort Draw was found to be a valid and relatively painless method for collecting capillary blood specimens. The device’s simple design and lower cost could enable broader applications compared to more complex alternative capillary blood collection devices. Full article

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), especially iron oxide (Fe₃O₄), display distinctive superparamagnetic characteristics and elevated surface-area-to-volume ratios, facilitating improved physicochemical interactions with solutes and pollutants. These characteristics make MNPs strong contenders for use in water treatment applications. This research investigates the application of iron oxide MNPs synthesized via co-precipitation as innovative draw solutes in forward osmosis (FO) for treating synthetic produced water (SPW). The FO membrane underwent surface modification with sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA), a zwitterionic polymer, to increase hydrophilicity, minimize fouling, and elevate water flux. The SBMA functional groups aid in electrostatic repulsion of organic and inorganic contaminants, simultaneously encouraging robust hydration layers that improve water permeability. This adjustment is vital for sustaining consistent flux performance while functioning with MNP-based draw solutions. Material analysis through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) verified the MNPs’ thermal stability, consistent morphology, and modified surface chemistry. The FO experiments showed a distinct relationship between MNP concentration and osmotic efficiency. At an MNP dosage of 10 g/L, the peak real-time flux was observed at around 3.5–4.0 L/m²·h. After magnetic regeneration, 7.8 g of retrieved MNPs generated a steady flow of ~2.8 L/m²·h, whereas a subsequent regeneration (4.06 g) resulted in ~1.5 L/m²·h, demonstrating partial preservation of osmotic driving capability. Post-FO draw solutions, after filtration, exhibited total dissolved solids (TDS) measurements that varied from 2.5 mg/L (0 g/L MNP) to 227.1 mg/L (10 g/L MNP), further validating the effective dispersion and solute contribution of MNPs. The TDS of regenerated MNP solutions stayed similar to that of their fresh versions, indicating minimal loss of solute activity during the recycling process. The combined synergistic application of SBMA-modified FO membranes and regenerable MNP draw solutes showcases an effective and sustainable method for treating produced water, providing excellent water recovery, consistent operational stability, and opportunities for cyclic reuse. Full article

Container terminals are facing significant challenges in meeting the increasing demands for volume and throughput, with limited space often presenting as a critical constraint. Key areas of concern at the quayside include the berth allocation problem, the quay crane assignment, and the scheduling problem. Effectively managing these issues is essential for optimizing port operations; failure to do so can lead to substantial operational and economic ramifications, ultimately affecting competitiveness within the global shipping industry. Optimization models, encompassing both mathematical frameworks and metaheuristic approaches, offer promising solutions. Additionally, the application of machine learning and reinforcement learning enables real-time solutions, while robust optimization and stochastic models present effective strategies, particularly in scenarios involving uncertainties. This study expands upon earlier foundational analyses of berth allocation, quay crane assignment, and scheduling issues, which have laid the groundwork for port optimization. Recent developments in uncertainty management, automation, real-time decision-making approaches, and environmentally sustainable objectives have prompted this review of the literature from 2015 to 2024, exploring emerging challenges and opportunities in container terminal operations. Recent research has increasingly shifted toward integrated approaches and the utilization of continuous berthing for better wharf utilization. Additionally, emerging trends, such as sustainability and green infrastructure in port operations, and policy trade-offs are gaining traction. In this review, we critically analyze and discuss various aspects, including spatial and temporal attributes, crane handling, sustainability, model formulation, policy trade-offs, solution approaches, and model performance evaluation, drawing on a review of 94 papers published between 2015 and 2024. Full article

Accurate short-term passenger forecasts help regional airports align capacity with demand and plan investments effectively. Drawing on quarterly traffic data for 2010–2024 supplied by the Polish Civil Aviation Authority, this study employs Holt–Winters exponential smoothing to predict passenger volumes at Szczecin–Goleniów Airport for 2025. Additive and multiplicative formulations were parameterized with Excel Solver, using the mean absolute percentage error to identify the better-fitting model. The additive version captured both the steady post-pandemic recovery and pronounced seasonal peaks, indicating that passenger throughput is likely to rise modestly year on year, with the highest loads expected in the summer quarter and the lowest in early spring. These findings suggest the airport should anticipate continued growth and consider adjustments to terminal capacity, apron allocation, and staffing schedules to maintain service quality. Because the Holt–Winters method extrapolates historical patterns and does not incorporate external shocks—such as economic downturns, policy changes, or public health crises—its projections are most reliable over the short horizon examined and should be complemented by scenario-based analyses in future work. This study contributes to sustainable airport management by providing a reproducible, data-driven forecasting framework that can optimize resource allocation with minimal environmental impact. Full article

Objectives: To evaluate the reproducibility of measurements of breech progression angle (BPA) by transperineal ultrasound (US) before and after its standardization by applying an image-based checklist. Methods: Eighteen 3-dimensional (3D) volumes of transperineal US from women at 36–40 weeks of gestation with a singleton fetus in breech presentation were provided to eight operators from four maternity units in Spain and Italy. All operators measured the BPA using 3D US volume processing software, and interobserver reproducibility was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Following an online live review of all measurements by the operators, and the identification of sources of disagreement, an image-based scoring system for BPA measurement was collaboratively developed. The checklist included the following: (1) acquisition in the midsagittal plane, avoiding the posterior shadow of the pubic ramus; (2) visualization of the complete “almond-shaped” pubic symphysis; (3) drawing a first line along the longitudinal axis of the symphysis, dividing it equally; (4) extending this line to the inferior edge of the bone; and (5) drawing a second line tangentially from the lower edge of the symphysis to the lowest recognizable fetal part. The BPA measurements were then repeated using this checklist, and reproducibility was reassessed. Results: Eighteen volumes were analyzed by the eight operators, achieving a moderate reproducibility (ICC: 0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.48 to 0.86). A score was developed to include a series of landmarks for the appropriate assessment of BPA. Subsequently, the same eighteen volumes were reassessed using the new score, resulting in improved reproducibility (ICC: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.66 to 0.92). Conclusions: The measurement of BPA is feasible and reproducible when using a standardized image-based score. Full article