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Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype characterized by poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Chemotherapy regimens are associated with significant adverse effects negatively impacting patients’ quality of life (QoL). This systematic review aims to evaluate and compare QoL outcomes of patients with TNBC receiving novel therapies—including immunotherapy, antibody–drug conjugates, and targeted therapies—versus standard chemotherapy. Methods: We systematically reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published within the past 15 years, identified through comprehensive searches in PubMed, Google Scholar, Research4Life, and Elicit. Included studies involved FDA-approved novel therapies (pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, sacituzumab-govitecan, olaparib, and talazoparib) administered to TNBC patients, and assessed QoL using validated tools such as EORTC QLQ-C30. Observational studies, case reports, and non-standardized assessments were excluded. Results: Eight RCTs comprising 3929 patients met the inclusion criteria. Sacituzumab govitecan and PARP inhibitors (olaparib and talazoparib) significantly improved QoL, notably delaying deterioration across physical, emotional, and functional domains compared to standard chemotherapy. Conversely, immunotherapies (pembrolizumab, atezolizumab) showed non-significant trends toward QoL improvement, with effects varying by patient subgroup and disease stage. Interpretation was limited by study design differences, inconsistent compliance, and incomplete data reporting. Conclusions: Immunotherapy showed a neutral effect on quality of life, providing neither significant improvement nor additional decline. Olaparib was associated with a delayed deterioration in quality of life, showing a more favorable tolerability profile compared to chemotherapy. Talazoparib leads to clinically meaningful enhancements in quality of life, while sacituzumab govitecan effectively improves patient-reported outcomes relative to standard chemotherapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Systematic Review or Meta-Analysis in Cancer Research)

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34 pages, 4354 KB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Designer Mismatch Characteristic and Talent Cultivation Strategy in China’s Construction Industry

by Sidong Zhao, Xianteng Liu, Yongxin Liu and Weiwei Li

Buildings 2025, 15(20), 3686; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15203686 (registering DOI) - 13 Oct 2025

Abstract

Architectural design stands as a highly knowledge-intensive field, with designers serving as the linchpin for its premium development. China’s construction industry is now navigating a transitional phase of slower growth, where a misalignment in designer capabilities significantly obstructs the nation’s shift from being a mere “construction giant” to becoming a true “construction powerhouse”. Based on the spatial mismatch model and Geodetector, this study empirically analyzes the mismatch relationship among designers and its influencing factors using panel data from 31 provinces in China from 2013 to 2023, and proposes strategies for cultivating architectural design talents. Findings reveal that China’s architectural designers exhibit spatial supply imbalance, and complex trends in designer allocation-simultaneous growth and decline coexist. China exhibits diverse types of architect mismatch: 22.58% of regions are in a state of Positive Mismatch, and 12.90% experience Negative Mismatch. In over one-third of regions, the architectural design talent market can no longer self-correct architect mismatch through market mechanisms, urgently requiring collaborative intervention policies from governments, design associations, and enterprises to address architect supply–demand governance. For a smooth transition during the transformation and upgrading of the construction and design industries, the architectural design talent market should accommodate frictional designer mismatch. The contribution of designer mismatch varies significantly, with factors such as innovation, industrial structure, and fiscal self-sufficiency exerting more direct influence, while other factors play indirect roles through dual-factor enhancement effects and nonlinear enhancement effects. The insights from the analysis results and conclusions for future designer cultivation include fostering an interdisciplinary teaching model for designers through university–enterprise collaboration, enhancing education in AI and intelligent construction literacy, and establishing an intelligent service platform for designer supply–demand matching to promptly build a new differentiated and precise designer supply system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate)

18 pages, 13398 KB

Open AccessArticle

Surrounding Vitality Reasoning of Attractions Supported by Knowledge Graph

by Yi Liu, Lili Wu and Youneng Su

ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2025, 14(10), 400; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi14100400 (registering DOI) - 13 Oct 2025

Abstract

The vitality of areas around tourist attractions plays a crucial role in promoting the sustainable development of both tourism and the regional economy. However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies on the methods for mining vitality around attraction perimeters, and existing approaches are often inadequate to meet the evolving needs of contemporary tourism development. To address this gap, we proposed a method for inferring vitality around attractions based on a knowledge graph. Our approach began by analyzing the functional and morphological characteristics of the areas surrounding the attractions, followed by the design of a vitality calculation model for these regions. Next, we developed a knowledge graph structure tailored for vitality reasoning around the attractions and established reasoning rules based on this graph. Finally, we conducted experiments to apply the vitality inference method to the main urban area of Kaifeng City as a case study. The results indicated that our method could effectively reason about vitality around the attractions. Notably, the vitality levels around the attractions in Kaifeng’s main urban area exhibited clear spatial differentiation. Attractions such as the Yang Family’s Tianbo Mansion, the Millennium City Park, and Lord Bao’s Memorial Temple showed higher vitality values, largely due to their advantageous functional integration and synergistic morphological characteristics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial Information for Improved Living Spaces)

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23 pages, 4014 KB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical Performance of Fiber-Reinforced Shotcrete for Underground Mines

by Feng Zhou, Baisheng Zhang, Yuewen Pan and Yafei Zhou

Buildings 2025, 15(20), 3689; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15203689 (registering DOI) - 13 Oct 2025

Abstract

In underground mine roadways, enlarged cross-sections have led to escalating surrounding rock stress, resulting in frequent support failures, elevated accident risk, and increased maintenance costs. However, the potential of fiber reinforcement to improve shotcrete under these high-stress conditions remains under-investigated. To address these issues, this study developed a novel fiber-reinforced cement-based composite using field construction-grade washed sand. The effects of binder-to-material ratios, fiber types (polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polypropylene (PP), and basalt (BF)), and fiber dosages (1%, 2%, and 3%) were systematically investigated under uniaxial tension, uniaxial compression, and variable-angle shear. Based on the experimental results, an optimal mix formulation was determined via orthogonal experimental design to meet mining operational requirements. The findings demonstrate that fiber incorporation significantly enhances mechanical performance. Notably, PP fiber reinforcement increased the tensile strength by up to 675%, while BF fibers improved compressive strength by up to 198.5%, relative to unreinforced shotcrete. This study provides a theoretical foundation for optimizing fiber-reinforced shotcrete mix designs for mining and offers technical insights for field applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Building Structures)

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16 pages, 682 KB

Open AccessArticle

Confusion Assessment Protocol: Italian Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation

by Giulia Ferri, Anna Carannante, Manuela Iannetti, Sara Schiattone, Paola Ciurli, Fabiana Mogavero, Valentina Massimi, Marta Aloisi, Rita Formisano and Marco Giustini

Brain Sci. 2025, 15(10), 1102; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15101102 (registering DOI) - 13 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background: This study validated the Italian version of the Confusion Assessment Protocol (CAP), a tool designed to assess Post-Traumatic Confusional State (PTCS) in patients with severe acquired brain injury (sABI) who are not evaluable with standard neuropsychological evaluations. Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to promote the CAP as a tool for assessing patients who are not still eligible for standard neuropsychological evaluation and to adapt it to Italian-speaking sABI patients by translating it into Italian and conducting a cross-cultural adaptation and evaluating its psychometric properties. The secondary objective was to correlate the CAP scores with broader functional scales, such as the Levels of Cognitive Functioning Assessment Scale (LCF) and Disability Rating Scale (DRS). Methods: A total of 42 sABI patients were enrolled at IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia. The CAP was translated and culturally adapted using international back-translation guidelines. Cross-cultural validity was assessed in 20 patients. The final version was administered by three trained raters over two days to evaluate inter- and intra-rater reliability. Results: The Italian version of the CAP demonstrated high internal consistency and substantial inter-rater reliability for key symptoms, including night-time sleep disturbances, decreased daytime arousal, and psychotic-type symptoms. Cognitive impairment showed moderate inter-rater agreement, likely due to symptom fluctuations typical of this recovery phase. The convergent validity of the CAP was confirmed through its correlations with the Levels of Cognitive Functioning (LCF) and the Disability Rating Scale (DRS), demonstrating its clinical utility in integrating cognitive and behavioral symptom assessments. Conclusions: The Italian version of the CAP is a reliable and valid tool for assessing PTCS in sABI. Future developments should address limitations related to symptom intensity, behavioral domains, and differential symptom weighting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue At the Frontiers of Neurorehabilitation: 3rd Edition)

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31 pages, 1671 KB

Open AccessReview

Neuromuscular Performance of High-Level Football Goalkeepers by Age Category and Sex: A Systematic Review

by Pablo González-Jarrín, Jaime Fernández-Fernández, José Vicente García-Tormo and Carlos Gutiérrez García

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10(4), 398; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10040398 (registering DOI) - 13 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background: Goalkeeper actions directly influence match outcomes and overall team performance. Neuromuscular determinants (e.g., perception–action coupling, reaction speed, rate of force development (RFD), balance, etc.) translate into higher save probability, faster second actions, and more accurate distribution. Objectives: This systematic review analysed neuromuscular performance factors in 11-a-side football goalkeepers and examined how these factors evolve across age and sex groups. Methods: The review adhered to the PRISMA 2020 Statement guidelines. A systematic search was conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, Dialnet, LILACS, and Scopus databases. Studies that assessed any aspect of goalkeepers’ neuromuscular performance except for aerobic endurance and VO₂ max (due to the short duration of goalkeeping actions) were included, regardless of the type of observational design. Results: Thirty-five studies were finally included in the synthesis, encompassing neuromuscular performance factors such as agility, speed, anaerobic power, strength, flexibility, and dynamic balance and coordination. The findings underscore the need for neuromuscular training for goalkeepers, particularly agility training. Neuromuscular performance improves with age, especially in linear speed, agility, change-of-direction speed, strength, and power; however, flexibility shows no significant progression. This review identifies key tests for evaluating goalkeepers’ neuromuscular capacities across major performance domains. Conclusions: Although sex differences are apparent, the main limitation is the lack of research on neuromuscular performance in male and female goalkeepers, making it difficult to define indicators for different age and sex categories. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport-Specific Movement Analysis)

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20 pages, 652 KB

Open AccessReview

Short Peptides as Excipients in Parenteral Protein Formulations: A Mini Review

by Dorian Migoń, Zbigniew Jaremicz and Wojciech Kamysz

Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(10), 1328; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17101328 (registering DOI) - 13 Oct 2025

Abstract

Biopharmaceutical medicines represent one of the most dynamic sectors of the pharmaceutical industry, with therapeutic proteins forming the largest and most important group. Their structural complexity and inherent sensitivity to chemical and physical stressors, however, continue to pose major challenges for formulation development and long-term stability. Short peptides have emerged as a promising yet underutilized class of excipients for protein-based drug products. Their modular architecture allows for precise tuning of physicochemical properties such as polarity, charge distribution, and hydrogen-bonding potential, thereby offering advantages over single amino acids. Experimental studies indicate that short peptides can serve multiple functions: stabilizers, antioxidants, viscosity-lowering agents, and as lyo/cryoprotectants or bulking agents in lyophilized formulations. Notably, the relatively small and chemically defined space of short peptides—approximately 400 possible dipeptides and 8000 tripeptides—makes them particularly amenable to systematic screening and computational modeling. This enables rational identification of candidates with tailored excipient functions. This review summarizes current knowledge on the use of short peptides as excipients in parenteral protein formulations, with a focus on their functional versatility and potential for rational design in future development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biopharmaceutics)

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16 pages, 2011 KB

Open AccessArticle

Preschool Problem Solvers: Developing Assessment Tasks to Measure Young Children’s Learning of Computational Thinking Skills and Practices

by Ximena Dominguez, Danae Kamdar, Tiffany Leones, Shuchi Grover and Phil Vahey

Educ. Sci. 2025, 15(10), 1360; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15101360 (registering DOI) - 13 Oct 2025

Abstract

Research that explores which computational thinking (CT) skills resonate with the abilities and interests of preschoolers is limited. Even more limited is the availability of assessments that can be used to measure young children’s CT learning. This study describes the process employed to generate a series of developmentally appropriate assessment tasks designed to draw inferences of young children’s learning of CT components and engagement in CT practices. Assessment tasks were designed and pilot-tested with a sample of 57 preschool children in Virginia and California. Item responses were coded and analyzed using classical test theory to examine item difficulty and discrimination. The reliability of the final set of items was calculated using Cronbach’s alpha. The overall difficulty of the items was relatively high, and discrimination values were generally adequate. The total summated score was also found to be reliable. Our assessment and design process reveals challenges and shares ideas for item formats that allow gathering evidence of young children’s CT learning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Measuring Children’s Computational Thinking Skills)

57 pages, 1829 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing: A Systematic Literature Review

by Habib Afsharnia and Javaid Butt

J. Manuf. Mater. Process. 2025, 9(10), 334; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmmp9100334 (registering DOI) - 13 Oct 2025

Abstract

Due to its unique benefits over conventional subtractive manufacturing, additive manufacturing methods continue to attract interest in both academia and industry. One such method is called Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing (CSAM), a solid-state coating deposition technology to manufacture repair metallic components using a gas jet and powder particles. CSAM offers low heat input, stable phases, suitability for heat-sensitive substrates, and high deposition rates. However, persistent challenges include porosity control, geometric accuracy near edges and concavities, anisotropy, and cost sensitivities linked to gas selection and nozzle wear. Interdisciplinary research across manufacturing science, materials characterisation, robotics, control, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) is deployed to overcome these issues. ML supports quality prediction, inverse parameter design, in situ monitoring, and surrogate models that couple process physics with data. To demonstrate the impact of AI and ML on CSAM, this study presents a systematic literature review to identify, evaluate, and analyse published studies in this domain. The most relevant studies in the literature are analysed using keyword co-occurrence and clustering. Four themes were identified: design for CSAM, material analytics, real-time monitoring and defect analytics, and deposition and AI-enabled optimisation. Based on this synthesis, core challenges are identified as small and varied datasets, transfer and identifiability limits, and fragmented sensing. Main opportunities are outlined as physics-based surrogates, active learning, uncertainty-aware inversion, and cloud-edge control for reliable and adaptable ML use in CSAM. By systematically mapping the current landscape, this work provides a critical roadmap for researchers to target the most significant challenges and opportunities in applying AI/ML to industrialise CSAM. Full article

25 pages, 7807 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Evolution Patterns of Cavitation Clouds in Friction-Shear Cavitating Water Jets

by Xing Dong, Yun Jiang, Chenhao Guo and Lu Chang

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(20), 10992; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152010992 (registering DOI) - 13 Oct 2025

Abstract

Current cavitating water jet technology for mineral liberation predominantly relies on the micro-jet impact generated by bubble collapse. Consequently, conventional nozzle designs often overlook the shear effects on mineral particles within the internal flow path. Moreover, the cavitation cloud evolution mechanisms in nozzles operating on this innovative principle remain insufficiently explored. This study systematically evaluates the cavitation performance of an innovatively designed cavitating jet nozzle with friction-shear effects (CJN-FSE), whose optimized internal structure enhances the interlayer shear and stripping effects crucial for the liberation of layered minerals. Utilizing high-speed imaging, we visualized submerged friction-shear cavitating water jets and systematically investigated the dynamic evolution patterns of cavitation clouds under jet pressures ranging from 15 to 35 MPa. The results demonstrate that the nozzle achieves effective cavitation, with jet pressure exerting a significant influence on the morphology and evolution of the cavitation clouds. As the jet pressure increased from 15 to 35 MPa, the cloud length, width, and average shedding distance increased by 37.05%, 45.79%, and 211.25%, respectively. The mean box-counting dimension of the cloud contour rose from 1.029 to 1.074, while the shedding frequency decreased from 1360 to 640 Hz. Within the 15–25 MPa range, the clouds showed periodic evolution, with each cycle comprising four stages: inception, development, shedding, and collapse. At 30 MPa, mutual interference between adjacent clouds emerged, leading to unsteady shedding behavior. This study thereby reveals the influence of jet pressure on the dynamic evolution patterns and unsteady shedding mechanisms of the clouds. It provides a theoretical and experimental basis for subsequent research into the nozzle’s application in liberating layered minerals and proposes a new design paradigm for cavitation nozzles tailored to the mechanical properties of specific minerals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Fluid Mechanics, 2nd Edition)

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22 pages, 497 KB

Open AccessArticle

Trauma-Informed and Healing Architecture in Young People’s Correctional Facilities: A Comparative Case Study on Design, Well-Being, and Reintegration

by Nadereh Afzhool and Ayten Özsavaş Akçay

Buildings 2025, 15(20), 3687; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15203687 (registering DOI) - 13 Oct 2025

Abstract

This study investigates how trauma-informed and healing-centred architectural design is associated with rehabilitation and reintegration outcomes in young people’s correctional facilities. Drawing on international case studies, the analysis demonstrates that architecture is not a neutral backdrop but a contributing determinant within broader justice ecosystems. Trauma-informed environments are consistently linked to reductions in re-traumatisation and improvements in emotional regulation, while small-scale, community-oriented facilities are associated with enhanced skill development, autonomy, and reintegration potential. Culturally responsive designs that incorporate Indigenous practices and symbolic architecture are observed to support identity, resilience, and community belonging, underscoring the importance of cultural continuity in rehabilitation processes. In parallel, sustainable features such as biophilic design, renewable energy systems, and natural light are correlated with improvements in ecological performance and psychosocial well-being, indicating that sustainability and rehabilitation may be mutually reinforcing goals. Notably, the analysis highlights that supportive environments are also associated with staff well-being and institutional stability, underscoring the broader organisational benefits of healing architecture. The findings suggest that young people’s correctional facilities should not replicate adult prisons but instead provide safe, developmental, and culturally grounded spaces that respond to adolescents’ unique needs. This study contributes a novel conceptual model—the Trauma-Informed Healing Architecture (TIHA) framework—that integrates trauma-informed, cultural, and ecological design strategies within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The framework defines global standards as universal principles—safety, dignity, cultural responsiveness, and natural light—while remaining adaptable to local resources and justice systems. In this way, it provides internationally relevant yet context-sensitive guidance for young people’s correctional reform. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems)

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21 pages, 1120 KB

Open AccessArticle

Risk Management Challenges in Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASSs): Training and Regulatory Readiness

by Hyeri Park, Jeongmin Kim, Min Jung, Suk-young Kang, Daegun Kim, Changwoo Kim and Unkyu Jang

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(20), 10993; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152010993 (registering DOI) - 13 Oct 2025

Abstract

Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASSs) raise safety and regulatory challenges that extend beyond technical reliability. This study builds on a published system-theoretic process analysis (STPA) of degraded operations that identified 92 loss scenarios. These scenarios were reformulated into a two-round Delphi survey with 20 experts from academic, industry, seafaring, and regulatory backgrounds. Panelists rated each scenario on severity, likelihood, and detectability. To avoid rank reversal, common in the Risk Priority Number, an adjusted index was applied. Initial concordance was low (Kendall’s W = 0.07), reflecting diverse perspectives. After feedback, Round 2 reached substantial agreement (W = 0.693, χ² = 3265.42, df = 91, p < 0.001) and produced a stable Top 10. High-priority items involved propulsion and machinery, communication links, sensing, integrated control, and human–machine interaction. These risks are further exacerbated by oceanographic conditions, such as strong currents, wave-induced motions, and biofouling, which can impair propulsion efficiency and sensor accuracy. This highlights the importance of environmental resilience in MASS safety. These clusters were translated into five action bundles that addressed fallback procedures, link assurance, sensor fusion, control chain verification, and alarm governance. The findings show that Remote Operator competence and oversight are central to MASS safety. At the same time, MASSs rely on artificial intelligence systems that can fail in degraded states, for example, through reduced explainability in decision making, vulnerabilities in sensor fusion, or adversarial conditions such as fog-obscured cameras. Recognizing these AI-specific challenges highlights the need for both human oversight and resilient algorithmic design. They support explicit inclusion of Remote Operators in the STCW convention, along with watchkeeping and fatigue rules for Remote Operation Centers. This study provides a consensus-based baseline for regulatory debate, while future work should extend these insights through quantitative system modeling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk and Safety of Maritime Transportation)

23 pages, 3293 KB

Open AccessArticle

Organic and Mineral Fertilization on the Photosynthetic, Nutritional, and Productive Efficiency of (Ficus carica L.) Subjected to Conduction Systems in a Semi-Arid Region of Brazil

by Agda Malany Forte de Oliveira, Vander Mendonça, Patrycia Elen Costa Amorim, Raires Irlenizia da Silva Freire, Lucas Rodrigues Bezerra da Silva, David Emanoel Gomes da Silva, Fagner Nogueira Ferreira, Semako Ibrahim Bonou, Luderlândio de Andrade Silva, Pedro Dantas Fernandes, Alberto Soares de Melo and Francisco Vanies da Silva Sá

Agriculture 2025, 15(20), 2128; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15202128 (registering DOI) - 13 Oct 2025

Abstract

Fig tree growth and development are highly susceptible to variations influenced by abiotic factors and management practices, including fertilization and training systems. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of organic and mineral fertilization on the photosynthetic, nutritional, and productive efficiency of fig trees subjected to different training systems in semi-arid regions. The experimental design was randomized blocks in a 5 × 4 factorial scheme, with three blocks and three plants per plot. The treatments consisted of five fertilizer sources (mineral fertilizer (NPK) applied at a dose of 126 g N, 90 g P, and 90 g K per plant (M); and four organic sources—cattle manure (CM), organic compost (OC), chicken litter (CL), and sheep manure (SM), all applied at a dose of 10 kg per plant); and four types of training systems (plants with two branches (2B), three branches (3B), four branches (4B), and espalier). Our results demonstrated that the mineral fertilizer (M) and chicken litter (CL) treatments yielded the highest results, particularly in photosynthetic performance. Fig trees fertilized with mineral fertilizer and subjected to the 3B system showed enhanced net photosynthesis (36.96 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and, consequently, higher productivity of 21.28 t ha⁻¹. Similarly, plants fertilized with chicken litter (CL) under the 4B system produced comparable results. These findings demonstrate that the use of mineral and organic fertilizers, combined with an appropriate training system, is a viable strategy for optimizing fig productivity and profitability in semi-arid conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cultivation Technologies for Horticultural Crops Production)

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10 pages, 378 KB

Open AccessArticle

An Exploratory Study of Biceps Brachii Electromyographic Activity During Traditional Dumbbell Versus Bayesian Cable Curls

by Koulla Parpa, Antreas Vasiliou, Marcos Michaelides, Karuppasamy Govindasamy, Anton Chernov and Konstantina Intziegianni

Muscles 2025, 4(4), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/muscles4040045 (registering DOI) - 13 Oct 2025

Abstract

Although previous studies have examined various factors that influence biceps brachii activation, such as grip position, load, and exercise variation, to our knowledge, no prior studies have compared muscle activation during a traditional biceps curl and a Bayesian cable curl. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the differences in biceps brachii muscle activation between these two training modalities. Data from eleven volunteers (age: 25 ± 6 y; weight: 86 ± 13 kg; height: 177 ± 8 cm) were included in the analysis. Muscle activity was assessed using the normalized root mean square (RMS) values obtained from surface electromyography (sEMG). A within-subjects, counterbalanced design was utilized where all participants completed both testing conditions in a randomized order to control for potential order effects. Participants visited the laboratory and fitness center on two occasions. On the first day, anthropometric measurements were obtained, along with one repetition maximum (1-RM) for both the dumbbell biceps curl and the Bayesian curl. On the second day, participants performed an isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), followed by electromyographic assessment of muscle activity during the dumbbell biceps curl and the Bayesian curl, each performed at 80% of their respective 1-RM. When the normal distribution was confirmed via the Shapiro–Wilk test (p > 0.05), a paired t-test was used for statistical analysis. On the other hand, when normality was not confirmed, the Wilcoxon test was utilized. Statistically significant differences (p = 0.003) were observed in the EMG amplitude (%) between the biceps curl (111.46 ± 26.80) and the Bayesian curl (93.39 ± 15.65) with a large effect size (d = 0.82). Based on the EMG analysis, the dumbbell biceps curl elicited significantly greater muscle activation compared to the Bayesian curl, suggesting that the conventional movement places a higher mechanical and neuromuscular demand on the biceps brachii. Full article

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18 pages, 4982 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Multi-Modal Flexible Headband System for Sleep Monitoring

by Zaihao Wang, Yuhao Ding, Hongyu Chen, Chen Chen and Wei Chen

Bioengineering 2025, 12(10), 1103; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12101103 (registering DOI) - 13 Oct 2025

Abstract

Sleep monitoring is critical for diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. Although polysomnography (PSG) remains the clinical gold standard, its complexity, discomfort, and lack of portability limit its applicability for long-term and home-based monitoring. To overcome these challenges, this study introduces a novel flexible headband system designed for multi-modal physiological signal acquisition, incorporating dry electrodes, a six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU), and a temperature sensor. The device supports eight EEG channels and enables wireless data transmission via Bluetooth, ensuring user convenience and reliable long-term monitoring in home environments. To rigorously evaluate the system’s performance, we conducted comprehensive assessments involving 13 subjects over two consecutive nights, comparing its outputs with conventional PSG. Experimental results demonstrate the system’s low power consumption, ultra-low input noise, and robust signal fidelity, confirming its viability for overnight sleep tracking. Further validation was performed using the self-collected HBSleep dataset (over 184 h recordings of the 13 subjects), where state-of-the-art sleep staging models (DeepSleepNet, TinySleepNet, and AttnSleepNet) were applied. The system achieved an overall accuracy exceeding 75%, with AttnSleepNet emerging as the top-performing model, highlighting its compatibility with advanced machine learning frameworks. These results underscore the system’s potential as a reliable, comfortable, and practical solution for accurate sleep monitoring in non-clinical settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soft and Flexible Sensors for Biomedical Applications)

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