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This study examines the influence of layer thickness (0.9, 1.6, 2.4, and 4 mm) on the distribution of residual stress, microstructural evolution, and tensile properties of Cu18150/Al1060/Cu18150 multilayered composites fabricated via a combined cast-rolling and hot-rolling technique. The grain refinement, dislocation density, and residual stress gradients across the interfaces were characterized and analyzed using integrated electron backscatter diffraction and kernel average misorientation mapping. The results demonstrated that specimens with a lower layer thickness (0.9–1.6 mm) possess a significantly improved tensile strength of 351 MPa, which is mainly due to the significant grain refinement and the presence of compressive residual stresses at the region of the Al/Cu interfaces. However, tensile strength decreased to 261 MPa in specimens with thicker layers (4 mm), accompanied by improved ductility, e.g., elongation of 30%. This is associated with a reduction in the degrees of interfacial constraint and the formation of more homogeneous deformation structures that accommodate a larger strain. The intermediate layer thickness of 2.4 mm offers an optimal compromise, achieving a tensile strength of 317 MPa while maintaining balanced mechanical performance. These results emphasize the importance of layer thickness in controlling such stress profiles and optimizing the mechanical behavior of hybrid metal composites, providing useful guidance on the design and fabrication of superior structural-form materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mechanical Behavior of Laminated Materials)

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18 pages, 3321 KB

Open AccessArticle

New Solution for Segmental Assessment of Left Ventricular Wall Thickness, Using Anatomically Accurate and Highly Reproducible Automated Cardiac MRI Software

by Balázs Mester, Kristóf Attila Farkas-Sütő, Júlia Magdolna Tardy, Kinga Grebur, Márton Horváth, Flóra Klára Gyulánszky, Hajnalka Vágó, Béla Merkely and Andrea Szűcs

J. Imaging 2025, 11(10), 357; https://doi.org/10.3390/jimaging11100357 (registering DOI) - 11 Oct 2025

Abstract

Introduction: Changes in left ventricular (LV) wall thickness serve as important diagnostic and prognostic indicators in various cardiovascular diseases. To date, no automated software exists for the measurement of myocardial segmental wall thickness in cardiac MRI (CMR), which leads to reliance on manual caliper measurements that carry risks of inaccuracy. Aims: This paper aims to present a new automated segmental wall thickness measurement software, OptiLayer, developed to address this issue and to compare it with the conventional manual measurement method. Methods: In our pilot study, the algorithm of the OptiLayer software was tested on 50 HEALTHY individuals, and 50 excessively trabeculated noncompaction (LVET) subjects with preserved LV function, whose morphology makes it more challenging to measure left ventricular wall thickness, although often occurring with myocardial thinning. Measurements were performed by two independent investigators who assessed LV wall thicknesses in 16 segments, both manually using the Medis Suite QMass program and automatically with the new OptiLayer method, which enables high-density sampling across the distance between the epicardial and endocardial contours. Results: The results showed that the segmental wall thickness measurement values of the OptiLayer algorithm were significantly higher than those of the manual caliper. In comparisons of the HEALTHY and LVET subgroups, OptiLayer measurements demonstrated differences at several points than manual measurements. Between the investigators, manual measurements showed low intraclass correlations (ICC below 0.6 on average), while measurements with OptiLayer gave excellent agreement (ICC above 0.9 in 75% of segments). Conclusions: Our study suggests that OptiLayer, a new automated wall thickness measurement software based on high-precision anatomical segmentation, offers a faster, more accurate, and more reproducible alternative to manual measurements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Medical Imaging)

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25 pages, 2590 KB

Open AccessArticle

Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment of E. coli in Riverine and Deltaic Waters of Northeastern Greece: Monte Carlo Simulation and Predictive Perspectives

by Agathi Voltezou, Elpida Giorgi, Christos Stefanis, Konstantinos Kalentzis, Elisavet Stavropoulou, Agathangelos Stavropoulos, Evangelia Nena, Chrysoula (Chrysa) Voidarou, Christina Tsigalou, Theodoros C. Konstantinidis and Eugenia Bezirtzoglou

Toxics 2025, 13(10), 863; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13100863 (registering DOI) - 11 Oct 2025

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) for Escherichia coli in northeastern Greece’s riverine and deltaic aquatic systems, evaluating potential human health risks from recreational water exposure. The analysis integrates seasonal microbiological monitoring data—E. coli, total coliforms, enterococci, Salmonella spp., Clostridium perfringens (spores and vegetative forms), and physicochemical parameters (e.g., pH, temperature, BOD₅)—across multiple sites. A beta-Poisson dose–response model within a Monte Carlo simulation framework (10,000 iterations) was applied to five exposure scenarios, simulating varying ingestion volumes for different population groups. Median annual infection risks ranged from negligible to high, with several locations (e.g., Mandra River, Konsynthos South, and Delta Evros) surpassing the World Health Organization (WHO)’s benchmark of 10⁻⁴ infections per person per year. A Gradient Boosting Regressor (GBR) model was developed to enhance predictive capacity, demonstrating superior accuracy metrics. Permutation Importance analysis identified enterococci, total coliforms, BOD₅, temperature, pH, and seasons as critical predictors of E. coli concentrations. Additionally, sensitivity analysis highlighted the dominant role of ingestion volume and E. coli levels across all scenarios and sites. These findings support the integration of ML-based tools and probabilistic modelling in water quality risk governance, enabling proactive public health strategies in vulnerable or high-use recreational zones. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Methodologies in Toxicology for Environmental Safety Assessment)

15 pages, 3307 KB

Open AccessArticle

Genomic Characterization of a Novel Yezo Virus Revealed in Ixodes pavlovskyi Tick Virome in Western Siberia

by Maxim Apanasevich, Nikita Dubovitskiy, Anastasiya Derko, Anna Khozyainova, Alexander Tarasov, Alina Kokhanenko, Gleb Artemov, Evgeny Denisov, Alexander Shestopalov and Kirill Sharshov

Viruses 2025, 17(10), 1362; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17101362 (registering DOI) - 11 Oct 2025

Abstract

Ixodid ticks are blood-sucking ectoparasites of vertebrates. They constitute an integral part of natural foci and are responsible for the worldwide transmission of infections to humans, which can result in severe symptoms. For instance, the Tomsk region, where three abundant tick species (Dermacentor reticulatus, Ixodes pavlovskyi, I. persulcatus) occur, is an endemic area for tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). An increasing number of novel infectious agents carried by ticks have been identified using metagenomic sequencing. A notable example is the Yezo virus (Orthonairovirus yezoense, YEZV), which was discovered in patients with fever after tick bites in Japan and China between 2014 and 2025. For the first time, we have performed metagenomic sequencing of the virome of ticks collected in the Tomsk region. In a sample obtained from a pool of I. pavlovskyi ticks, all three segments of the YEZV genome were detected. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the newly identified isolate formed a sister group to previously described virus isolates, indicating the presence of a new genetic variant. This study presents the first report of YEZV detection in I. pavlovskyi ticks in the Tomsk region, thereby expanding the geographical range and number of vector species for YEZV and highlighting the importance of monitoring viral agents circulating among ticks in Western Siberia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tick-Borne Viruses: Transmission and Surveillance, 2nd Edition)

12 pages, 625 KB

Open AccessArticle

Magnesium Preserves Calcium Homeostasis and Contributes to Protect Myotubes from Inflammation-Induced Damage

by Giuseppe Pietropaolo, Sara Castiglioni, Jeanette A. Maier, Federica I. Wolf and Valentina Trapani

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(20), 9912; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26209912 (registering DOI) - 11 Oct 2025

Abstract

Magnesium (Mg²⁺) is a key regulator of cellular biochemical processes and an essential cofactor in skeletal muscle physiology. Although Mg²⁺ deficiency has been linked to reduced muscle strength, its role in the regulation of calcium (Ca²⁺) signaling and in inflammation remains incompletely understood. In this study, we examined the effects of Mg²⁺ availability using the murine myoblast cell line C2C12. Cells were differentiated under low, normal, or high Mg²⁺ conditions, and myotube formation, intracellular Ca²⁺ fluxes, and resistance to inflammatory stimuli were assessed. Mg²⁺ deficiency impaired myotube differentiation, while Mg²⁺ supplementation preserved Ca²⁺ response during stimulation and contributed to protect myotubes against inflammation-induced damage. Collectively, these findings highlight a dual role of Mg²⁺ in sustaining functional performance under repeated stress and protecting myotubes against inflammatory injury. This study supports the importance of adequate dietary Mg²⁺ intake as a potential strategy to mitigate muscle loss associated with aging and chronic inflammation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Immunology)

17 pages, 324 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Prenatal Dietary Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors and Its Lasting Impact on Offspring Health

by Anastasios Potiris, Nikoletta Daponte, Efthalia Moustakli, Athanasios Zikopoulos, Eriketi Kokkosi, Nefeli Arkouli, Ismini Anagnostaki, Aikaterini Lydia Vogiatzoglou, Maria Tzeli, Angeliki Sarella, Ekaterini Domali and Sofoklis Stavros

Toxics 2025, 13(10), 864; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13100864 (registering DOI) - 11 Oct 2025

Abstract

Environmental stressors during the crucial period of fetal development can have a substantial impact on long-term health outcomes. A major concern is dietary exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which can readily cross the placenta and disrupt fetal hormonal signaling and developmental programming. Examples of these chemicals include bisphenols, phthalates, pesticides, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Prenatal exposure to EDC has been associated with long-term effects in children, including immune disruption, metabolic dysregulation, impaired neurodevelopment, and reproductive alterations, as evidenced by human cohort studies and experimental models. Epigenetic reprogramming, direct interference with endocrine signaling, and oxidative stress (OS) are hypothesized pathways for these adverse consequences, which often combine to produce long-lasting physiological changes. This narrative review summarizes current research on maternal dietary exposure to EDCs during pregnancy, highlighting associations with adverse child health outcomes. It also discusses the growing evidence of transgenerational effects, the potential mechanisms linking prenatal exposure to long-term outcomes, and the importance of understanding the roles of timing, dosage, and chemical type. By highlighting the necessity of focused interventions to lower maternal EDC exposure and lessen threats to the health of offspring, the review concludes by discussing implications for future research, preventive measures, and public health policy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity)

24 pages, 3070 KB

Open AccessArticle

Examining the Probabilistic Characteristics of Maximum Rainfall in Türkiye

by Ibrahim Temel, Omer Levend Asikoglu and Harun Alp

Atmosphere 2025, 16(10), 1177; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16101177 (registering DOI) - 11 Oct 2025

Abstract

Hydrologists need to predict extreme hydrological and meteorological events for design purposes, whose magnitude and probability are estimated using a probability distribution function (PDF). The choice of an appropriate PDF is crucial in describing the behavior of the phenomenon and the predictions can differ significantly depending on the PDF. So, the success of the probability distribution function in representing the data of extreme value series of natural events such as hydrology and climatology is of great importance. Depending on whether the series consists of maximum or minimum values, the theoretical probability density function must be appropriately fit to the right or left tail of the extreme data, which contains the most critical information. This study includes a combined evaluation of the performance of four different tests for selecting the appropriate probability distribution of maximum rainfall in Türkiye: Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) test, Anderson–Darling (AD) test, Probability Plot Correlation Coefficient (PPCC) test, and L-Moments Z^DIST test. Within the scope of the study, maximum rainfall series of seven rainfall durations from 15 to 1440 min, at rain gauge stations in 81 provinces of Türkiye, were examined. Goodness of fit was performed based on ranking using a combination of four different numerical tests (KS, AD, PPCC, Z^DIST). The probabilistic character of maximum rainfall was evaluated using a large dataset consisting of 567 time series with record lengths ranging from 45 to 80 years. The goodness of fit of distributions was examined from three different perspectives. The first is an examination considering rainfall durations, the second is a province-based examination, and the third is a general country-based assessment. In all three different perspectives, the Wakeby distribution was determined as the best fit candidate to represent the maximum rainfall in Türkiye. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Meteorology)

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20 pages, 2684 KB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the SRS Gene Family in Hylocereus undatus

by Fanjin Peng, Lirong Zhou, Shuzhang Liu, Renzhi Huang, Guangzhao Xu and Zhuanying Yang

Plants 2025, 14(20), 3139; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14203139 (registering DOI) - 11 Oct 2025

Abstract

SHORT INTERNODE (SHI)-Related Sequence (SRS) transcription factors play crucial roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses and have been extensively studied in various plant species. However, the molecular functions and regulatory mechanisms of SRS genes in the economically important tropical fruit crop pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) remain poorly understood. This study identified 9 HuSRS genes in pitaya via bioinformatics analysis, with subcellular localization predicting nuclear distributions for all. Gene structure analysis showed 1–4 exons, and conserved motifs (RING-type zinc finger and IXGH domains) were shared across subclasses. Phylogenetic analysis classified the HuSRS genes into three subfamilies. Subfamily I (HuSRS1–HuSRS4) is closely related to poplar and tomato homologs and subfamily III (HuSRS6–HuSRS8) contains a recently duplicated paralogous pair (HuSRS7/HuSRS8) and shows affinity to rice SRS genes. Protein structure prediction revealed dominance of random coils, α-helices, and extended strands, with spatial similarity correlating to subfamily classification. Interaction networks showed HuSRS1, HuSRS2, HuSRS7 and HuSRS8 interact with functional proteins in transcription and hormone signaling. Promoter analysis identified abundant light/hormone/stress-responsive elements, with HuSRS5 harboring the most motifs. Transcriptome and qPCR analyses revealed spatiotemporal expression patterns: HuSRS4, HuSRS5, and HuSRS7 exhibited significantly higher expression levels in callus (WG), which may be associated with dedifferentiation capacity. In seedlings, HuSRS9 exhibited extremely high transcriptional accumulation in stem segments, while HuSRS1, HuSRS5, HuSRS7 and HuSRS8 were highly active in cotyledons. This study systematically analyzed the characteristics of the SRS gene family in pitaya, revealing its evolutionary conservation and spatio-temporal expression differences. The research results have laid a foundation for in-depth exploration of the function of the SRS gene in the tissue culture and molecular breeding of pitaya. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Genetics, Genomics and Biotechnology)

22 pages, 1091 KB

Open AccessArticle

Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Endoscopic Findings of Helicobacter pylori Infection Among Lebanese Patients Undergoing Gastroscopy: A Retrospective Study from a Single Tertiary Center

by Rim Boutari, Nadeen Zayour, Ali Naji Hmedeh, Diana Khaled Bashashi, Fatima Assaf, Jana Al Tahan, Nancy Zrara, Nour Al-Mokdad, Omar Al Khatib, Abbas Zreik, Laura Akiki, Bilal Hoteit, Maha Hoteit, Zahra Sadek, Nikolaos Tzenios and Mahmoud Hallal

Antibiotics 2025, 14(10), 1013; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14101013 (registering DOI) - 11 Oct 2025

Abstract

(1) Background: Gastric cancer continues to pose a significant public health challenge, with its incidence influenced by various factors, including Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. In Lebanon, data on H. pylori prevalence and its associated risk factors remain limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection among Lebanese outpatients presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms undergoing gastroscopy, to explore correlations between the infection and demographic and clinical variables, and to evaluate the prevalence of associated conditions such as gastritis, duodenitis, and intestinal metaplasia. (2) Methods: Using a retrospective design, data from 786 patients admitted at a hospital in Beirut over a three-year period were extracted from records. (3) Results: The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 29.6% despite 91.5% of patients showing signs of gastritis on endoscopy. The infection showed significant associations with erosive gastritis, non-erosive gastritis, mosaic gastritis, as well as with both erosive and non-erosive duodenitis. No significant relationships were observed between H. pylori and demographic factors, atrophic, or nodular gastritis. (4) Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of targeted testing and early eradication of H. pylori to manage gastritis effectively and reduce the risk of progression to more serious gastric conditions in the Lebanese population. Full article

11 pages, 1109 KB

Open AccessArticle

Construction of High-Resolution Goos–Hänchen Shift Measurement System

by Xinmin Fan, Hui Liu, Zhonglin Lv, Shande Li, Yan Wang, Fuyong Qin, Chunyan Wang and Xiaodong Huang

Photonics 2025, 12(10), 1002; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics12101002 (registering DOI) - 11 Oct 2025

Abstract

Accurate measurement of the Goos–Hänchen (GH) shift serves as a crucial foundation for the deepening of its theories and the expansion of its applications. To meet the requirements for GH shift measurement, this study constructed a complete experimental system. Composed of a stable laser light source, a high-precision optical path control unit with adjustable incident angles, a high sensitivity detection scheme, and an integrated control and data processing module, this system possesses the capability of full-process measurement covering optical signal generation, adjustment, detection, and data analysis. To effectively obtain the GH shift, this research adopted the TE/TM polarization differential method for measurement experiments and discussed the performance indicators of the system. Experimental verification shows that the system can accomplish the GH shift measurement task accurately and reliably. The experimental platform established in this study provides a practical tool for in-depth theoretical research and application exploration of the GH shift. Furthermore, its high-precision measurement capability not only lays a foundation for the research and development of optical sensing technologies based on the GH shift phenomenon but also offers important support for further revealing the physical essence of the beam shift effect and exploring its potential technical application value. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Methods in Exploring Light–Matter Interactions and Nonlinear Effects Optics Applications)

14 pages, 2491 KB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Computed Tomography-Defined Osteopenia on Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

by Hiroshi Kurazumi, Ryo Suzuki, Takato Nakashima, Ryosuke Nawata, Toshiki Yokoyama, Kazumasa Matsunaga, Yosuke Miyazaki, Atsuo Yamashita, Takayuki Okamura, Akihito Mikamo, Motoaki Sano and Kimikazu Hamano

J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(20), 7182; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14207182 (registering DOI) - 11 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a standard treatment for severe aortic stenosis, especially in older adults and high-risk patients. However, many TAVI candidates have osteopenia or osteoporosis, indicated by low bone mineral density (BMD), which is linked to frailty and adverse outcomes. Although prior research suggests an association with poor clinical outcomes, data remain limited. We investigated the impact of osteopenia on TAVI outcomes, hypothesizing that a lower BMD is associated with poor perioperative outcomes and decreased long-term survival. Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, we analyzed data from 411 patients who underwent TAVI at Yamaguchi University Hospital from 2014 to 2024. Clinical and survival data were collected, and Cox regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of mortality. Preoperative BMD was measured using computed tomography, defining osteopenia as <135 Hounsfield units at L1. Patients were categorized as having mild, moderate, or severe osteopenia. Results: Early clinical outcomes and procedural success were similar; however, patients with osteopenia had longer intensive care unit stays (p = 0.04) and higher late cardiac mortality (p < 0.001). Six-year survival was 36.2% and 88.1% in patients with and without osteopenia, respectively (p < 0.0001). Cox regression analysis revealed osteopenia as a mortality risk factor (hazard ratio: 6.75, 95% confidence interval: 2.96–15.38, p < 0.0001). Severe osteopenia was associated with the poorest outcomes. Conclusions: Osteopenia is an independent predictor of poor long-term survival after TAVI. These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive risk assessment, suggesting that targeted interventions may improve outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Cardiology)

16 pages, 473 KB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Sub-Inhibitory Concentrations of Sanitizers and Oxacillin on the Resistance of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus spp.

by Maria Eugênia Betim, Daniel Lucino Silva dos Santos, Thiago dos Santos Lopes, Bruna Lourenço Crippa, Érika Romão Bonsaglia, Stéfani Thais Alves Dantas, Vera Lúcia Mores Rall, Fernanda Buzzola, Julia Arantes Galvão, Clarice Gebara, André Thaler and Nathália Cristina Cirone Silva

Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(10), 979; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12100979 (registering DOI) - 11 Oct 2025

Abstract

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. are microorganisms found in dairy products, bovine mastitis, and human infections. The prevalence of resistant strains from this genus in the food chain is increasing, drawing attention to transmission in the community and highlighting the importance of One Health studies. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the MIC of oxacillin (OXA) and the sanitizers benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and sodium hypochlorite (HP) against isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp., and to evaluate the possible influence of sub-MIC application of these compounds on bacterial cells, in order to observe possible microbial resistance. Ten isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. (S. epidermidis and S. chromogenes) were used. Among the sanitizers, BAC showed greater efficiency during the pre-inhibition test. Increased resistance to OXA was found in isolates of S. chromogenes and S. epidermidis after sub-MICs of 50% and 90% of OXA, while sub-inhibition of HP favored resistance to OXA. The application of HP and OXA, even at low concentrations, induced a reduction in biofilm production. This study shows that sub-inhibitory sanitizer exposure in Staphylococcus spp. induces antimicrobial resistance phenotypes linked to mutations in regulatory, mobile, and DNA repair genes. These findings suggest that selective pressure promotes resistant variants through genomic plasticity and regulatory activation, supporting the hypothesis that sanitizer residues may drive multidrug resistance emergence, although further functional validation is required. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Livestock Staphylococcus sp.)

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13 pages, 6985 KB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of the Role of miR-1236-3p in Heat Tolerance of American Shad (Alosa sapidissima) by Targeted Regulation of hsp90b1

by Mingkun Luo, Ying Liu, Wenbin Zhu, Bingbing Feng, Wei Xu and Zaijie Dong

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(20), 9908; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26209908 (registering DOI) - 11 Oct 2025

Abstract

High temperatures are one of the most important abiotic stressors affecting the survival and growth of American shad (Alosa sapidissima). Building on previous omics sequencing studies of A. sapidissima liver and gills under high temperature stress, this study focused on investigating the regulatory role of miR-1236-3p and its target gene hsp90b1. The results indicate that the full-length cDNA of the hsp90b1 gene is 2023 bp and comprises a 5’ end of 58 bp, a 3’ end of 84 bp, and a coding region of 1881 bp, encoding 626 amino acids. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree analysis reveal that the hsp90b1 sequence is highly conserved across species. In situ hybridization showed that hsp90b1 is mainly localized in the cytoplasm. Software prediction identified a potential binding site between miR-1236-3p and hsp90b1. Through the construction of wild-type and mutant 3’UTR hsp90b1 dual luciferase reporter plasmids, the targeted relationship between the two was confirmed. In addition, the spatiotemporal expression levels of the hsp90b1 was found to be highest in the multicellular stage and liver tissue at a cultivation temperature of 27 °C; miR-1236-3P was highly expressed in the hatching stage and heart tissue at 30 °C. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for further investigating the regulatory role of non-coding RNA in A. sapidissima heat stress and offer data for subsequent molecular breeding studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Harnessing Bioinformatics for miRNA Research: Methods, Insights and Applications)

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25 pages, 1422 KB

Open AccessArticle

Bayesian-Optimized Ensemble Models for Geopolymer Concrete Compressive Strength Prediction with Interpretability Analysis

by Mehmet Timur Cihan and Pınar Cihan

Buildings 2025, 15(20), 3667; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15203667 (registering DOI) - 11 Oct 2025

Abstract

Accurate prediction of geopolymer concrete compressive strength is vital for sustainable construction. Traditional experiments are time-consuming and costly; therefore, computer-aided systems enable rapid and accurate estimation. This study evaluates three ensemble learning algorithms (Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), Random Forest (RF), and Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM)), as well as two baseline models (Support Vector Regression (SVR) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN)), for this task. To improve performance, hyperparameter tuning was conducted using Bayesian Optimization (BO). Model accuracy was measured using R², RMSE, MAE, and MAPE. The results demonstrate that the XGB model outperforms others under both default and optimized settings. In particular, the XGB-BO model achieved high accuracy, with RMSE of 0.3100 ± 0.0616 and R² of 0.9997 ± 0.0001. Furthermore, Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) analysis was used to interpret the decision-making of the XGB model. SHAP results revealed the most influential features for compressive strength of geopolymer concrete were, in order, coarse aggregate, curing time, and NaOH molar concentration. The graphical user interface (GUI) developed for compressive strength prediction demonstrates the practical potential of this research. It contributes to integrating the approach into construction practices. This study highlights the effectiveness of explainable machine learning in understanding complex material behaviors and emphasizes the importance of model optimization for making sustainable and accurate engineering predictions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Building Materials, and Repair & Renovation)

16 pages, 612 KB

Open AccessArticle

Determinants of Quality of Life Among Saudi Adults with Sciatica: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Mohammad A. Jareebi, Abdullah J. Almalki, Abdulkarim Zain Suwaydi, Ehab F. Hakami, Mnar H. Moafa, Saud N. Wadani, Fatimah N. Hakami, Shatha K. Alharbi, Malik I. Hakami, Abdulmajid E. Abuhadi, Majed A. Ryani, Ahmed A. Bahri, Yahya H. Khormi, Ibrahim A. Hakami and Abdulwahab A. Aqeeli

Medicina 2025, 61(10), 1824; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61101824 (registering DOI) - 11 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Sciatica is a common condition associated with significant pain and reduced quality of life (QoL). However, its impact and associated determinants remain underexplored in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aimed to examine determinants of quality of life among Saudi adults with sciatica. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia between February and March 2024 using an online Arabic questionnaire disseminated via social media. Participants (n = 927) aged ≥18 years completed a 50-item questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, clinical history, lifestyle factors, and the Short Form-12 (SF-12) QoL scale. Results: Of the 927 adults (mean age 30 ± 11 years), 76% (n = 706) were female and 24% (n = 221) male; 10% (n = 92) reported sciatica. Overall, 57% (n = 531) reported good QoL. Multivariate analysis revealed that increasing age (Odds ratio (OR) = 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01–1.07), urban residence (OR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.11–2.00), and higher income (>15,000 Saudi Arabia Riyal (SAR); OR = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.03–2.27) were associated with better QoL. Conversely, diabetes (OR = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.22–0.79), arthritis (OR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.32–0.83), and sciatica duration >1 year (OR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.12–0.69) were associated with poorer QoL. Gender, body mass index (BMI), smoking, and physical activity showed no significant associations. Conclusions: Sciatica, prolonged symptom duration, and comorbidities such as diabetes and arthritis negatively affect QoL in Saudi adults, whereas socioeconomic and demographic factors contribute positively. The results underscore the importance of early intervention and tailored support for sciatica patients with long-standing symptoms or specific comorbidities to improve health outcomes. Longitudinal studies are warranted to assess causality and the impact of interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Our Understanding and Management of Low Back Pain: A Global Perspective)

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