Effect of Strength Training on Body Composition, Volumetrics and Strength in Female Breast Cancer Survivors.

Background/aims: This cross-sectional study investigates body composition and strength in female breast cancer survivors, focusing on the effects of radical mastectomy and the presence of upper extremity lymphoedema. The main objective was to understand body composition, volumetry, and strength, as well as response to strength training in female breast cancer survivors.

Methods: Twenty-three women (aged 42-74 years old) with radical mastectomy in the last five years were assessed by measuring body composition (weight, water percentage, fat, muscle, and lean mass), maximal strength, perimeters, and brachial volumes.

Mechanical Properties of Concrete Mixes with Selectively Crushed Wind Turbine Blade: Comparison with Raw-Crushing.

The glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) materials of wind turbine blades can be recovered and recycled by crushing, thereby solving one of the most perplexing problems facing the wind energy sector. This process yields selectively crushed wind turbine blade (SCWTB), a novel waste that is almost exclusively composed of GFRP composite fibers that can be revalued in terms of their use as a raw material in concrete production. In this research, the fresh and mechanical performance of concrete made with 1.

Management of wind-turbine blade waste as high-content concrete addition: Mechanical performance evaluation and life cycle assessment.

The management of end-of-life wind-turbine blades in the coming years will be necessary, as a clear solution for their recycling is yet to be found due to their complex composition. The suitability of their mechanical recycling is therefore evaluated in this paper, obtaining Raw-Crushed Wind-Turbine Blade (RCWTB) for subsequent incorporation in high amounts of up to 10% vol. in concrete, replacing the aggregates to achieve Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (FRC).

Breast Ironing from the Perspective of Transcultural Nursing by Madeleine Leininger: A Narrative Review.

(1) Background: This article addresses the harmful traditional practice of breast ironing, which primarily affects girls and adolescents in several countries, particularly in Cameroon. The practice involves applying heat and pressure to developing breasts to delay their growth, with the goal of protecting girls from sexual abuse, early pregnancy, and forced marriages. While culturally accepted, breast ironing has severe physical, psychological, and social consequences, including damage to mammary glands, pain, infections, and potential long-term health complications.

Route Optimization for UVC Disinfection Robot Using Bio-Inspired Metaheuristic Techniques.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need for effective surface disinfection solutions, which has led to the use of mobile robots equipped with ultraviolet (UVC) lamps as a promising technology. This study aims to optimize the navigation of differential mobile robots equipped with UVC lamps to ensure maximum efficiency in disinfecting complex environments. Bio-inspired metaheuristic algorithms such as the gazelle optimization algorithm, whale optimization algorithm, bat optimization algorithm, and particle swarm optimization are applied.

Insights into Carvone: Fatty Acid Hydrophobic NADES for Alkane Solubilization.

The urge to adopt cleaner technologies drives the search for novel and sustainable materials such as Hydrophobic Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (HNADESs), a new class of green solvents characterized by their low toxicity, biodegradability, and tunable properties, aiming to be applied in various fields for handling non-polar substances. In this work, the solubilization of hydrocarbons in type V HNADESs (non-ionic organic molecules) formed by mixing carvone, a natural monoterpenoid, with organic acids (hexanoic to decanoic acids) is examined by applying both experimental and theoretical approaches. The synthesis and physicochemical characterization of different HNADESs allowed us to tailor their properties, aiming for optimal interactions with desired hydrocarbons.

Challenges and global trends in combating enteric hepatitis.

Enteric hepatitis, represented by the hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV), remains a significant global public health concern. While much progress has been made, many aspects of the biology and pathophysiology of HAV and HEV are still not fully understood. One of the major challenges is the absence of a reliable system for virus replication.

Italian translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) and the Stroke Upper Limb Capacity Scale (SULCS) for individuals post-stroke.

Purpose: This study aims to culturally adapt and validate the Stroke Upper Limb Capacity Scale (SULCS) and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) for use with post-stroke patients in Italy.

Methods: The original scales were translated and culturally adapted following the "Translation and Cultural Adaptation of Patient Reported Outcomes Measures - Principles of Good Practice" guidelines. We assessed internal consistency and test-retest reliability, while concurrent validity was evaluated using Pearson correlation coefficients with the Italian version of the Disability Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH).

Cell-free and cell-based antidiabetic effects and chemical characterization of rice bran from Thai cultivars.

Rice bran is a valuable by-product of rice milling, prized for its nutritional value and health benefits. This study investigates the antidiabetic properties of rice bran from fifteen commercially available Thai rice cultivars (six brown, four red and five purple). Bran samples were initially screened on their antioxidant potential and ability to inhibit α-glucosidase, as well as on γ-oryzanol levels, total phenolic and total flavonoid contents.

Metal(loid) tolerance, accumulation, and phytoremediation potential of wetland macrophytes for multi-metal(loid)s polluted water.

Natural based solutions, notably constructed/artificial wetland treatment systems, rely heavily on identification and use of macrophytes with the ability to tolerate multiple contaminants and grow for an extended period to reduce contamination. The potential to tolerate and remediate metal(loid) contaminated groundwater from an industrial site located in Flanders (Belgium) was assessed for 10 wetland macrophytes (including Carex riparia Curtis, Cyperus longus Baker, Cyperus rotundus L., Iris pseudacorus L.

Endurance in Long-Distance Swimming and the Use of Nutritional Aids.

Background: Long-distance swimmers exert energetic, physiological, and neuromuscular demands that must be matched with adequate body composition to improve their performance in long-distance swimming.

Objectives: This review aims to compile all available information on energetic and physiological demands, optimal body composition, nutrition, and ergogenic supplements in long-distance swimming. This will provide an understanding of the specific challenges and needs of this sport and will help swimmers and coaches design more effective training and nutrition plans to optimise performance and achieve their goals.

Intraoperative interaction modeling between surgical instruments and soft tissues in neurosurgery based on energy functions.

A physical model of soft tissue that provides realistic and real-time haptic and visual feedback is crucial for neurosurgical procedures. This paper investigates the interaction between surgical instruments and soft brain tissue, proposing a soft tissue deformation simulation method based on the principle of energy minimization and constrained energy function. The model includes a permanent deformation energy function induced by friction and a volume preservation energy function to more accurately depict tissue response during procedures such as resection of convex meningiomas and evacuation of intracerebral hematomas.

A multidisciplinary telemedicine approach for managing frailty in Parkinson's disease. A longitudinal, case-control study.

Introduction: The interaction between frailty and Parkinson's disease (PD) is still unknown. This study aimed to study the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary telemedicine program in reducing frailty in Parkinson's disease.

Methods: Longitudinal, randomized, case-control study.

Embark on the adventure! Advancing inclusive secondary education through narrative game learning for students with intellectual disabilities.

This study explores Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Game-Based Learning (GBL) to promote the inclusion of secondary school students with intellectual disabilities. Through qualitative methods, including participant observation and post-workshop interviews, the impact of these methodologies was assessed on 31 students, including 5 with intellectual disabilities. The findings highlight how these methodologies enhance accessibility, motivation, and learning outcomes, developing narrative skills and fostering creativity.

How reliable is the evaluation of DNA binding constants? Insights and best practices based on an inter-laboratory fluorescence titration study.

In all experimental sciences, the precision and reliability of quantitative measurements are paramount. This is particularly true when examining the interactions between small molecules and biomolecules/polyelectrolytes, such as DNAs/RNAs, and yet it is overlooked in most publications of thermodynamic binding parameters. This paper presents findings from COST Action 18202 "Network for Equilibria and Chemical Thermodynamics Advanced Research," which assessed the consistency of data derived from the interactions of calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) with the fluorescent intercalator ethidium bromide (EB) through spectrofluorimetric titrations.

Parental attachment, attachment to friends, and well-being among Chilean adolescents and emerging adults.

Adolescence and emerging adulthood are two life stages marked by notable cognitive and socioemotional changes. During both periods, friendships play an increasingly significant role and can significantly impact individuals positively or negatively. Despite the evolving nature of these relationships, parents remain crucial to the development of both adolescents and emerging adults, playing a key role in their well-being.

Comparison of SF-36 and RAND-36 in Cardiovascular Diseases: A Reliability Study.

: Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Health-related quality of life is crucial to assess the impact of cardiovascular diseases and to guide therapeutic strategies. The Short Form 36 Health Survey and the RAND 36-Item Health Survey questionnaires are common tools for measuring health-related quality of life in patients with cardiovascular disease, but their reliability may vary according to the population studied.