Search Results (29,560)

Background: Desmoid tumors (DTs) are rare, locally aggressive soft-tissue neoplasms that often affect women of reproductive age. Pregnancy and prior abdominal surgery or trauma have been associated with tumor development and growth, while imaging frequently overlaps with abdominal-wall endometriosis. We present the case of a 39-year-old woman with an abdominal-wall DT and provide a narrative review of the literature focused on pregnancy/postpartum patterns, differential diagnosis, and management. Methods: A narrative review of PubMed/MEDLINE and Web of Science (January 1982–December 2024) was conducted. We included English-language case reports/series, narrative/descriptive reviews, and consensus statements relevant to DTs in pregnancy or reproductive-age women, emphasizing abdominal-wall disease. Results: The patient’s right abdominal-wall mass enlarged during pregnancy and further post-partum imaging repeatedly suggested endometriosis. En bloc resection revealed desmoid-type fibromatosis composed of bland spindle cells in a collagenous stroma, with nuclear β-catenin and lymphoid enhancer–binding factor 1 (LEF1) positivity on immunohistochemistry. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 12 months showed no recurrence. Across included studies, pregnancy and post-partum enlargement is common, abdominal-wall DTs frequently mimic scar endometriosis, and pre-operative ultrasound has limited specificity. Current practice supports watch-and-wait for stable, asymptomatic lesions and function-preserving surgery for symptomatic progression, while systemic options (anti-estrogens, low-dose chemotherapy, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors) are reserved for progressive or unresectable disease. Recurrence risk relates to age, size, site, and β-catenin status; future pregnancy is not contraindicated. Conclusions: Abdominal-wall DTs, although rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of reproductive-age women presenting with abdominal-wall masses, particularly during or after pregnancy. Full article

The growing prominence of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations has introduced new challenges for firms worldwide. While ESG practices are often framed as long-term drivers of competitiveness, uncertainty surrounding their regulatory requirements has created significant operational risks. The primary objective of this study is to examine how ESG uncertainty (ESG) affects inventory management in listed firms. The study analyzed data from Chinese A-share listed companies over the period 2010 to 2024. A series of econometric estimations, including fixed effect models, two-stage least squares (2SLS), and system GMM, were employed to ensure the robustness of the results and to address issues of heteroscedasticity, endogeneity, and dynamic effects. The empirical results consistently revealed that ESG uncertainty exerted a significant negative effect on inventory management. Firms facing greater unpredictability in ESG-related requirements experienced disruptions in supply chain coordination, difficulties in demand forecasting, and inefficiencies in inventory turnover. Beyond this, larger firms and those with higher environmental expenditures exhibited weaker inventory efficiency, while debt ratio, cost of capital, and firm performance were positively associated with improved inventory outcomes. For corporate managers, the study highlighted the importance of embedding sustainability considerations into inventory strategies and adopting flexible procurement systems, predictive analytics, and stronger governance mechanisms. The findings underscored the broader societal need for clarity and stability in ESG regulations. For this, reducing policy unpredictability could enable firms to align sustainability commitments with operational efficiency, thereby improving competitiveness while minimizing waste and resource misallocation. This study was among the first to empirically establish the link between ESG uncertainty and inventory management, bridging the gap between sustainability research and operational efficiency. Full article

In the environment of modern climate uncertainty, institutional uncertainty, and digital disruption, resilience along the supply chain has become a strategic imperative for organisations operating in large-scale, high-risk infrastructure ecosystems. According to the dynamic capabilities’ theory, the current study examines the degree to which big data analytics management capability (BDMC) supports supply chain resilience (SCR) through three intermediary mechanisms, including fintech adoption (FTA), circular economy activities (CEA), Internet of Things (IoT), and environmental dynamism acts as a moderating factor to determine the effect that external volatility conditions have on such associations. This study addresses several notable research gaps: (1) the insufficient theorization of how digital tools such as BDMC, FTA, IoT, and CEA interact in building SCR; (2) a lack of empirical clarity on the mediating mechanisms that link digital capabilities with resilience; and (3) limited understanding of the moderating role of environmental dynamism in volatile contexts like the CPEC. A survey was conducted among 441 mid and senior level professionals residing in Pakistan and working in industries related to the China-Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC). Structural equation modelling (SEM) revealed that BDMC has a significant, positive impact on SCR, as well as a mediated influence in this direction. Among mediating sets, the significant pathway discovered CEA supported by the next important pathway IoT and FTA, which also explained the layered (complementary) nature of both digital and sustainability targeting skills. Moreover, the factor of environmental dynamism was also found to have a positive moderating effect on the relationship between BDMC and SCR, indicating that the factor of dynamic capabilities becomes more significant in an environment where environmental uncertainty is high. The research questions driving this study are: (1) How does BDMC enable SCR in the CPEC context? (2) What are the mediating roles of FTA, CEA, and IoT in this relationship? (3) How does environmental dynamism moderate the BDMC-SCR nexus? Theoretically, this study extends DCT to an emerging megaproject context and conceptualizes BDMC as an orchestrating capability. The main innovation lies in integrating digital technologies and sustainability practices into a unified capability system, especially within high-risk, underdeveloped regions. The study provides a practical resilience roadmap for policymakers and firms, outlining the strategic integration of digital and circular practices, rather than merely adopting them. However, this study is limited by its cross-sectional survey design and its focus on a single geographic context, which may affect generalizability. Findings offer timely insights for resilience-building strategies in unstable organisational environments. Full article

The expected population rise will require a maximum exploitation of agricultural lands with a consequent increase in the demand for freshwater for irrigation uses. Future trends predict increasing periods of drought stress, which may impact on crop performance and limit the future production. Pepper is one of the most economically important crops and globally consumed vegetables. This crop is highly demanding in terms of water supply, and so far, developing tolerant cultivars is one of the main targets for breeding. The aim of this study is to accurately determine how pepper plants react to water stress at the vegetative stage in order to select genotypes that better cope with drought. We implemented the PhenoHort Plant Eye phenotyping platform to precisely assess changes in plant architecture and morpho-physiological parameters on 25 cultivated pepper genotypes (Capsicum annuum) under drought stress conditions. Three different irrigation supply levels were considered, including the control, intense, and severe water stress, by irrigating every 24, 72, and 96 h, respectively. Daily monitoring of 20 traits allowed ~190,000 multispectral and tridimensional data points through scans over 6 weeks of cultivation, thus shedding light on changes in plant architecture and vegetation indices’ values during stress. The dissection of genotype (G) and treatment (T) interactions revealed that digital biomass and plant height traits were strongly affected by the T factor (more than 50% of total variance), whereas color and multispectral parameters were under greater genotypic control, accounting for 58.27% and 64.97% of the total variance for HUE and NPCI, respectively. The comparison of each accession with respect to the control and the application of multivariate models allowed us to select four drought-tolerant lines (G1, G2, G22, and G25) able to reduce the effects of drought on the morphological parameters and architecture of the plant with positive effects on vegetative indices. This work represents the first attempt to dissect the response of pepper under drought stress at the vegetative stage using a high-throughput and non-invasive phenotyping system, offering new insights for selecting resilient genotypes. Full article

Background: A sexually active lifestyle is generally associated with positive effects on physical condition and health. However, engaging in sexual activity prior to a sports competition could affect athletic performance. This systematic review examines the current literature on the impact of pre-exercise sexual activity on sports performance, with particular attention paid to its effects on physiological, hormonal, cognitive, and perceptual markers. Method: Based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we systematically reviewed original studies published within the last 25 years. Eligible studies were randomized or non-randomized controlled design and indexed on PubMed, Scopus, Dialnet, and Cochrane. Additional sources were consulted including a network diagram with Connected Papers^®. Two methodological quality scales, McMaster University Occupational Therapy Evidence-Based Practice Research Group and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), were used. The study was registered in PROSPERO (#CRD42023426555). Results: A total of 244 records were identified through the search process, of which 7 studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies involved 117 (115 men) physically and sexually active subjects including 29 elite top athletes. When comparing the sexual activity condition/group (SexG) to abstinence (AbsG), significant (p < 0.05) decreases were observed in average speed and maximum strength. In contrast, non-significant trends towards improvement (p > 0.05) were observed in exercise capacity, reaction time, and muscular endurance. No significant changes (p > 0.05) were found in physiological and hormonal biomarkers and fatigue perception. However, perceived exertion was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in SexG compared to AbsG. Conclusions: Current evidence does not conclusively support the influence of pre-exercise sexual activity on sports performance, or physiological and hormonal biomarkers. However, it could contribute to increased perception of exercise intensity. Full article

Although widely used across disciplines, the terms emotion and feeling remain conceptually ambiguous, particularly within developmental science. Emotion is defined as an evolutionarily conserved, biologically embedded system of action readiness and intersubjective communication, shaped by attentional, neural, and physiological reactivity to environmental salience. In contrast, feeling is conceptualized as the consciously experienced, representational outcome of emotional activation, emerging through cognitive appraisal and symbolic processing. Building upon this distinction, the review explores how emotion develops within parent–child dyads through coregulated neurocognitive and psychophysiological mechanisms. Drawing on empirical evidence from eye-tracking studies of visual attention to emotional faces, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) research on social-emotional activation in prefrontal brain regions, and cortisol-based assessments of hormonal synchrony, the paper highlights how emotional attunement and transmission are embedded in early caregiving interactions. The review also emphasizes the moderating role of environmental sensitivity—both in children and parents—in shaping these developmental pathways. By positioning emotion as a dynamic, intersubjective process and feeling as its emergent experiential correlate, this review offers a novel developmental framework for understanding affect and proposes directions for future research on resilience, dysregulation, and intervention. Full article

Although fast-paced ongoing industrial growth, on the one hand, enhances the lifestyle of the population, on the other hand, it affects human health and the environment as a result of the discharge of pollutants. To address this, designing a novel and effective photocatalyst is necessary to mitigate increasing environmental pollutants. In the present work, we aim to synthesize a single-phase high-entropy zirconate pyrochlore oxide (Ce_0.2Pr_0.2Zn_0.2Nd_0.2Tb_0.2)₂Zr₂O₇ using a modified Pechini method. The physicochemical properties of the prepared nanoparticles were investigated using X-ray diffraction, UV-visible spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The photocatalytic properties were examined using cationic dye (methylene blue), anionic dye (Congo red), and Cr(VI). Photocatalytic degradation experiments demonstrate exceptional efficiency in the removal of persistent organic pollutants. The photocatalytic results indicate that the prepared high-entropy (Ce_0.2Pr_0.2Zn_0.2Nd_0.2Tb_0.2)₂Zr₂O₇ zirconate pyrochlore oxide could effectively degrade dyes and reduce Cr(VI). Radical trapping experiments indicate that the degradation of dyes was driven by the hydroxyl radicals, superoxide radicals, and holes. Furthermore, the position of the valence band and conduction band promoted efficient photocatalytic reaction kinetics. The prepared photocatalyst remains structurally stable and can be reused three times without losing activity. Full article

This study presents a belt sanding robot for large convex surfaces together with a proportional–integral force control method. Sanding belt tension strongly affects area coverage and spatial normal-force uniformity on large curved surfaces; existing approaches typically use fixed tool positions or lack active tension regulation, which limits coverage and makes force distribution difficult to control. The mechanism consists of two series elastic actuator arms and an active re-tensioner that adjusts belt tension during contact. In contrast to a conventional belt sander, the series elastic configuration enables indirect estimation of the reaction force without load cells and provides compliant interaction with contact transients. The system is evaluated on curved steel plates using vertical scans with a belt width of 50 mm and a drive wheel speed of 300 rpm. Performance is reported for two target curvature values, namely 0.47 and 1.37, with five trials for each condition. The control objective is a constant normal force along the contact, achieved through proportional–integral control of the arms for normal-force tracking and the re-tensioner for belt tension regulation. To quantify spatial force uniformity, the distribution rate is defined as the ratio of the difference between the maximum and minimum normal forces to the maximum normal force measured across the belt–workpiece contact region. Compared with a simple belt sander baseline, the proposed system increased the sanded area coverage by 31.85%, from 62.20% to 94.05%, at the curvature value of 0.47, and by 8.49%, from 81.21% to 89.70%, at the curvature value of 1.37. The distribution rate improved by 113% at the curvature value of 0.47 and by 16.7% at the curvature value of 1.37. Under identical operating conditions of 50 mm belt width, 300 rpm, and five repeated trials, these results indicate higher area coverage and more uniform force distribution relative to the baseline. Full article

This study examined air quality data collected from 2015 to 2023 across Shenyang, Dalian, Changchun, and Harbin to assess interannual and monthly variations in PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂, and O₃, along with their correlations, seasonal meteorological influences, and potential source regions. Annual mean concentrations of PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂, and NO₂ declined substantially (by 39.9–79.3%), whereas O₃ showed a fluctuating pattern, remaining persistently high in the coastal city of Dalian. Seasonally, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂, and NO₂ concentrations peaked in winter and decreased in summer, while O₃ displayed the opposite trend. Particulate levels in Liaoning rebounded earlier in spring than in Jilin and Heilongjiang. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive relationships among particulate and gaseous pollutants, but O₃ generally exhibited negative correlations with other species. Haze events occurred mainly in winter, whereas complex pollution episodes were more frequent in summer. Meteorological analysis indicated that relative humidity was negatively correlated with PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂, and NO₂ in summer but positively correlated in winter. Elevated temperatures outside the winter months promoted NO₂ dispersion and enhanced O₃ formation. Strong winds in spring and winter markedly reduced PM_2.5 and SO₂ levels, though this effect was less evident in Shenyang. WPSCF results identified significant cross-regional transport from the southwest contributing to PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and NO₂ during spring and winter, while O₃ was primarily affected by long-range transport in spring and only marginally in winter. In Dalian, sea–land breeze circulation further intensified transport processes in summer and autumn. Overall, this work provides an integrated, multi-year, and multi-city assessment of pollution dynamics, meteorological drivers, and transboundary transport in Northeast China, offering new insights into regional air quality improvement and its spatial heterogeneity relative to other regions of China. Full article

Stocking density is a key driver of performance in aquaponics, affecting both fish welfare and crop yield. This study evaluated the impact of three initial stocking densities (3.1, 4.1, and 6.2 kg/m³) on survival, growth, feeding behavior, carcass and filet quality of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), as well as on the yield of lettuce (Lactuca sativa), sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum), and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla) cultivated in vertical coupled aquaponic units. A total of 184 fish (109 ± 28 g) were reared for 176 days in nine independent recirculating systems. Fish reared at the lowest density achieved the highest final live weight and specific growth rate, with a better feed conversion ratio, whereas performance declined at higher densities despite similar survival rates. Feeding behavior was generally consistent across groups, although feed intake rate was reduced at the highest density. Carcass and filet quality traits were unaffected by stocking density. Vegetable yield was enhanced by higher fish biomass, with significant increases in lettuce production and a positive trend for basil. These findings indicate that intermediate stocking densities may represent the most sustainable compromise, ensuring fish welfare and acceptable growth while supporting efficient plant production in largemouth bass–based aquaponics. Full article

Background: A wide percentage (25–40%) of patients affected by head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are over 70 years old, and they present with different characteristics if compared to younger patients. Elderly patients often receive less intensive, non-surgical, and non-multimodal treatments. Although age does not mean frailty, the elderly are at a higher risk of developing toxicity. In fact, several studies enrolling patients treated with cisplatin + radiotherapy (CISPLATIN + RT) or cetuximab + radiotherapy (Cet + RT) showed reduced efficacy over 65 years. Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective analysis in patients with Locally Advanced HNSCC aged over 65 years, who underwent Cet-RT, diagnosed in the period between 2017 and 2024. The primary endpoint was to describe Overall Survival (OS), the secondary endpoints were Progression Free Survival (PFS) and the percentage and type of Adverse Events (AEs). Patients received a geriatric assessment using the G8 questionnaire. Results: Data regarding Eighty-Two (82) patients were analyzed, median age was 74 years (range 65–84), most patients had oral cavity (26.8%) and laryngeal cancer (37.8%). Fifty-six point one (56.1%) of patients were smokers, and 17.1% reported alcohol consumption. All patients completed radiotherapy, and 80.5% of them developed AEs, which in 25.6% of cases were G3–4 toxicities. No relationship was found between G3–4 AEs and age (p = 0.596), G8score < 14 (p = 0.804), and smoking (p = 0.245)/drinking habits (p = 0.341). Median OS was 58 months, with a slightly non-significant positive trend in OS for patients who were non-smokers and those who did not develop G3–4 AEs (p = 0.786 and 0.799, respectively). Association between folliculitis and OS was statistically significant (p = 0.001). Conclusions: In elderly patients, Cet-RT represents a feasible, well-tolerated option, although further prospective studies are needed. Full article

The cardinal Physiology of Gut Health in monogastric animals such as swine and poultry is vital. It is critical for digestive efficiency, immune status, and production levels. This system is related not only to the digestion and absorption of nutrients from feed ingredients contributing to growth and feed utilization efficiency but also to having a strategic microbiota that supports immunity and pathogen resistance, as well as metabolic support. Gut disease, for example, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection, diet, or stress, can reduce nutrient digestion and absorption. They can also suppress the immune system and render patients more prone to disease. These are efficiency degradations and increase veterinary and husbandry costs. In addition, nutrient absorption because of deteriorated gut health can affect the environment in different ways: removal of nutrients through leaching and the release of gases (including CH₄ and NH₄). These pressures have led to a focus on the gut in animal research to improve the welfare of animals and ensure sustainable practices in animal production. Recent studies have included the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and other feed additives to enhance the positive effects of the gut microbiota. These are also intervention points to increase nutrient absorption and animal well-being, in turn sustainability. Such approaches are expected to promote a stable microbial community with less dependence on the use of antibiotics, less waste generation, and less environmental impact from animal farming. This review provides a critical evaluation of the current literature on gut health in monogastric livestock, with pigs and poultry as the principal focus. We also considered the impact of gut health on production efficiency and Environmental sustainability. Current progress in nutritional modulation of gut health for increased productivity, enhanced animal welfare, and better profitability are presented. Gut-related biological mechanisms are linked to practical nutritional strategies, and subsequently to animal welfare, production efficiency, and environmental effects, offering a coherent concept for moving from mechanism to system-level sustainability. Full article

Background/objectives: Geographic and ethnic differences influence the genetic landscape of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and the frequency of familial HLH (FHL); this in turn can affect outcomes. Methods: We collected data on 98 patients treated for HLH between 1 January 2001 and 31 July 2024 at four tertiary centers, characterizing the genotype/phenotype correlations. Results: Half of the patients, 51 (52%), were symptomatic by age 1 year and 43 (44%) were diagnosed by that age. Our varied population included 43% Sephardic/Ashkenazi/Ethiopian Jews, 50% Muslim Arabs, and 7% Druze. Molecular analysis was performed on 90.5% of patients and revealed an FHL-related variant in 72%. The genetic variation included biallelic variants in PRF1 (21), UNC13D (12), STXBP2 (15), and STX (1). Eight hemizygous variants were found in X-linked lymphoproliferative disorder-related genes. A RAB27A monoallelic variant in an infant with a severe phenotype was considered pathogenic. The recently described HLH-related gene, ZNFX1, was mutated with varying penetrance in three symptomatic siblings. Overall, of the 94/98 with follow-up, 77% are alive. Strikingly, 5/12 (41.6%) patients with UNC13D variants died while 14/15 (93.3%) patients with STXBP2 variants survived. Logistic regression found poor prognosis associated with young age at diagnosis (p < 0.001), any variant (p = 0.016), UNC13D variant (p < 0.001), poor initial treatment response (p = 0.009), and no BMT (p = 0.005). Conclusions: Our cohort included an extremely high rate of genetic testing and detection of FHL-related variants. UNC13D variations are associated with exceedingly poor outcomes. Response to initial treatment seems crucial for positive outcomes, as does access to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Overall, we report a high survival rate, possibly due to a high index of suspicion and prompt diagnosis. Full article

Through the principle of mechanical vibrations, coffee can be efficiently harvested. However, this process is affected by factors related to the machine and the plant. Thus, the modal properties need to be determined. The aim of this study is to characterize the dynamic behavior of coffee plants based on their modal properties under field conditions, with the fruit at different ripening stages. Fifteen randomly selected coffee plants (Coffea arabica L.), Catuaí Vermelho variety, were instrumented to collect field data and evaluate different scenarios. This study presented an innovative methodology, where coffee plants were evaluated under field conditions using experimental modal analysis at different positions along the plants and considering the immature and mature ripening stages. Based on experimental modal analysis tests, it was possible to observe that there was a higher incidence of natural frequency peaks clustered between 20 and 40 Hz. The values of the damping ratios of the plagiotropic branches of coffee plants with predominantly ripe fruits relative to the upper, middle and lower thirds were 0.145, 0.134 and 0.127, respectively. The results suggest that selectively harvesting coffee fruits solely through vibration application is not a viable option, exclusively by mechanical vibrations. This conclusion arises from the lack of significant differences observed in the pending loads of fruits at various ripening stages, coupled with the overlapping values of frequencies identified within the studied frequency bands. This work can be employed to improve existing equipment and the design of new machinery for coffee harvesting by mechanical vibrations. Full article

Models suggest social anxiety is characterized by negative processing biases. Negative biases also arise from negative mood, i.e., state affect. We examined how social anxiety influences emotional processing and whether state affect, or mood, modified the relationship between social anxiety and perceptual bias. We quantified bias by determining the point of subjective equality, PSE, the face judged equally often as happy and as angry. We found perceptual bias depended on social anxiety and state affect. PSE was greater in individuals high (mean PSE: 8.69) versus low (mean PSE: 3.04) in social anxiety. The higher PSE indicated a stronger negative bias in high social anxiety. State affect modified this relationship, with high social anxiety associated with stronger negative biases, but only for individuals with greater negative affect. State affect and trait anxiety interacted such that social anxiety status alone was insufficient to fully characterize perceptual biases. This raises several issues such as the need to consider what constitutes an appropriate control group and the need to consider state affect in social anxiety. Importantly, our results suggest compensatory effects may counteract the influences of negative mood in individuals low in social anxiety. Full article