Simplified Model for the Behaviour of Asphalt Mixtures Depending on the Time and the Frequency Domain.

Sigmoid functions are widely used for the description of viscoelastic material properties of asphalt mixtures. Unfortunately, there are still no known closed functions for describing connections among model parameters in the time and the frequency domains. In most cases, complicated interconversion methods are applied for the conversion of viscoelastic material properties.

Evaluating Tech Neck: A Pilot Study Using a Self-Developed Questionnaire on Symptoms, Posture, and Preventive Measures.

Background/objectives: Musculoskeletal symptoms, such as neck pain, back pain, and eye strain, are prevalent in modern work environments, particularly among individuals engaged in prolonged sitting and repetitive tasks. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of these symptoms and the impact of ergonomic tool usage, break frequency, posture awareness, and proactive measures on symptom intensity and daily functioning.

Methods: This cross-sectional pilot study used a self-developed questionnaire to assess the prevalence and intensity of musculoskeletal symptoms among participants aged 6-18 years.

Assessing Nutritional Knowledge and Physical Health Among Football Players: A Pilot Study from Three Sports Clubs in Western Romania.

Background: Football players require optimal nutrition and physical fitness to enhance their performance and maintain their health. Understanding the relationships among nutritional knowledge, dietary habits, physical health, and substance use in athletes is essential for developing effective strategies. This study investigates these factors in male football players aged 16-33 years.

New Directions for Ophthalmic OCT - Handhelds, Surgery, and Robotics.

The introduction of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the 1990s revolutionized diagnostic ophthalmic imaging. Initially, OCT's role was primarily in the adult ambulatory ophthalmic clinics. Subsequent advances in handheld form factors, integration into surgical microscopes, and robotic assistance have expanded OCT's utility and impact outside of its initial environment in the adult outpatient ophthalmic clinic.

Identification of Protein Networks and Biological Pathways Driving the Progression of Atherosclerosis in Human Carotid Arteries Through Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomics.

Vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques, especially hemorrhaged lesions, are the major cause of mortalities related to vascular pathologies. The early identification of vulnerable plaques helps to stratify patients at risk of developing acute vascular events. In this study, proteomics analyses of human carotid artery samples collected from patients with atheromatous plaques and complicated lesions, respectively, as well as from healthy controls were performed.