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Background: Real-time review of frozen sections underpins the quality of Mohs surgery. There is an unmet need for low-cost techniques that can improve Mohs surgery by reliably corroborating cancerous regions of interest and surgical margin proximity. Objective: To test that deep learning models can identify nonmelanoma skin cancer regions in Mohs frozen section specimens. Methods: Deep learning models were developed on archival images of focused microscopic views (FMVs) containing regions of annotated, invasive nonmelanoma skin cancer between 2015 and 2018, then validated on prospectively collected images in a temporal cohort (2019-2021). Results: The tile-based classification models were derived using 1423 focused microscopic view images from 154 patients and tested on 374 images from 66 patients. The best models detected basal cell carcinomas with a median average precision of 0.966 and median area under the receiver operating curve of 0.889 at 100x magnification (0.943 and 0.922 at 40x magnification). For invasive squamous cell carcinomas, high median average precision of 0.904 was achieved at 100x magnification. Limitations: Single institution study with limited cases of squamous cell carcinoma and rare nonmelanoma skin cancer. Conclusion: Deep learning appears highly accurate for detecting skin cancers in Mohs frozen sections, supporting its potential for enhancing surgical margin control and increasing operational efficiency.

We study the fragmentation fractions (fBb) of the b-quark to b-baryons (Bb). By the assumption of fΛb/(fu+fd)=0.25±0.15 in accordance with the measurements by LEP, CDF and LHCb Collaborations, we estimate that fΛb=0.175±0.106 and fΞb−,0=0.019±0.013. From these fragmentation fractions, we derive B(Λb→J/ψΛ)=(3.3±2.1)×10−4, B(Ξb−→J/ψΞ−)=(5.3±3.9)×10−4 and B(Ωb−→J/ψΩ−)>1.9×10−5. The predictions of B(Λb→J/ψΛ) and B(Ξb−→J/ψΞ−) clearly enable us to test the theoretical models, such as the QCD factorization approach in the b-baryon decays.

Hepatobiliary cancers, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), are among the deadliest malignancies worldwide, leading to a significant number of cancer-related deaths. While bone metastases from these cancers are rare, they are highly aggressive and linked to poor prognosis. This review focuses on RNA-based molecular mechanisms that contribute to bone metastasis from hepatobiliary cancers. Specifically, the role of two key factors, microRNAs (miRNAs) and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), which have not been extensively studied in the context of HCC and CCA, is discussed. These molecules often exhibit abnormal expression in hepatobiliary tumors, influencing cancer cell spread and metastasis by disrupting bone homeostasis, thereby aiding tumor cell migration and survival in the bone microenvironment. This review also discusses potential therapeutic strategies targeting these RNA-based pathways to reduce bone metastasis and improve patient outcomes. Further research is crucial for developing effective miRNA- and RBP-based diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and treatments to prevent bone metastases in hepatobiliary cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive manufacturing (AM) methods are widely used to produce metal products. However, the cost of equipment for processes based on material melting is high. In this paper, a promising, less expensive method of producing metal products from metal-filled Ultrafuse 316L filament by FDM was investigated. The aim of this work was to compare the debinding methods and investigate the microstructure, phase composition, and geometric and mechanical properties. The results showed that catalytic debinding can be replaced by thermal debinding as no significant effect on the structure and properties was found. In addition, a filament study was performed and data on the particle size distribution, morphology, and phase composition of the metal particles were obtained. Thermodynamic modeling was performed to better understand the phase distribution at the sintering stage. The δ-Fe fraction influencing the corrosion properties of the material was estimated. The conformity of geometric dimensions to the original 3D models was evaluated using 3D scanning. The applied printing and post-processing parameters allowed us to obtain a density of 98%. The material and technology represent a promising direction for applications in the field of lightweight engineering in the manufacturing of parts with bioinspired designs, shells, and sparse filler structures with useful porosity designs (like helicoidal structures). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review aims to examine existing research on the development of ocular drug delivery devices utilizing hyaluronic acid (HA). Renowned for its exceptional biocompatibility, viscoelastic properties, and ability to enhance drug bioavailability, HA is a naturally occurring biopolymer. The review discussed specific mechanisms by which HA enhances drug delivery, including prolonging drug residence time on ocular surfaces, facilitating controlled drug release, and improving drug penetration through ocular tissues. By focusing on these unique functionalities, this review highlights the potential of HA-based systems to revolutionize ocular treatment. Various fabrication techniques for HA-based ocular drug delivery systems, including hydrogels, nanoparticles, and microneedles, are discussed, highlighting their respective advantages and limitations. Additionally, this review explores the clinical applications of HA-based devices in treating a range of ocular diseases, such as dry eye syndrome, glaucoma, retinal disorders, and ocular infections. By comparing the efficacy and safety profiles of these devices with traditional ocular drug delivery methods, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential benefits and challenges associated with HA-based systems. Moreover, this review discusses current limitations and future directions in the field, such as the need for standardized fabrication protocols, long-term biocompatibility studies, and large-scale clinical trials. The insights and advancements presented in this review aim to guide future research and development efforts, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of ocular drug delivery and improving patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, with the increased interest in smart home technology and the increased need to remotely monitor patients due to the pandemic, demand for contactless systems for vital sign measurements has also been on the rise. One of these kinds of systems are Doppler radar systems. Their design is composed of several choices that could possibly have a significant impact on their overall performance, more specifically those focused on the measurement of cardiac activity. This review, conducted using works obtained from relevant scientific databases, aims to understand the impact of these design choices on the performance of systems measuring either heart rate (HR) or heart rate variability (HRV). To that end, an analysis of the performance based on hardware architecture, carrier frequency, and measurement distance was conducted for works focusing on both of the aforementioned cardiac parameters, and signal processing trends were discussed. What was found was that the system architecture and signal processing algorithms had the most impact on the performance, with FMCW being the best performing architecture, whereas factors like carrier frequency did not have an impact.This means that newer systems can focus on cheaper, lower-frequency systems without any performance degradation, which will make research easier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Exploring daily lifestyle characteristics in individuals with gaming disorder (GD) might identify underlying causes and intervention points. However, integrative and subjective assessments are lacking in studies on this topic. This study aimed to assess circadian typology and physical activity in young adults with GD. Materials and Methods: We recruited 60 participants with GD and 120 age- and sex-matched controls. GD and delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) were diagnosed through structured interviews. Physical activity and sleep patterns were measured using actigraphy. Self-reported measures were chronotype and insomnia by using composite scale of morningness (CSM) and the Pittsburg insomnia rating scale (PIRS). Results: We found that DSPS and eveningness chronotype was more prevalent in the GD group than in the control group. The GD group also contained more participants with insomnia with higher PIRS and a longer time to fall asleep compared with the control group. The GD group had lower physical activity levels for daily calorie expenditure, daily steps, and daily walking distance compared with the control group. No significant differences were observed in body weight and sleep duration between these groups. Conclusions: Individuals with GD, compared to HC, exhibit an eveningness chronotype, poorer sleep quality, lower physical activity, and higher obesity risk, suggesting that lifestyle adjustments like increased exercise and earlier sleep might help modify habitual behaviors and potentially further provide a way to treat GD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against the background of the sky, imaging and perception of aircraft are crucial for various vision applications. Thanks to the ever-evolving nature of the convolutional neural network (CNN), it has become easier to distinguish and recognize different types of aircraft. Nevertheless, accurate classification for sub-categories of aircraft still poses great challenges. On one hand, fine-grained recognition focuses on exploring and studying such problems. On the other hand, aircraft under different sub-categories and granularities put forward higher requirements for feature representation to classify, which led us to rethink the in-depth application of features. We noticed that information in the swin-transformer effectively represents the features in neural network layers, fully showcasing encoding and indexing for information. Through further research based on this, we proposed a better understanding of encoding and reuse for features, and innovatively performed feature coding graphically for classification. In this paper, our approach shows the effects on aircraft feature representation and classification, manifested from the flexible recognition effect at different aircraft category granularities, and outperforms other famous fine-grained classification models on this vision task. Not only did the approach we proposed demonstrate adaptability to aircraft at different classification granularities, but it also revealed the mechanisms and characteristics of feature encoding under different sample space partitions for classification. The relationship between the oriented representation of aircraft features and various classification granularities, which is manifested through different classification criteria, shows that feature coding and graph construction via the transformer opens a new door for specific defined classification tasks where objects are divided under various partition criteria, and provides another perspective on calculation and feature extraction in fine-grained classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Hepatitis B virus (HBV)—hepatitis delta virus (HDV) coinfection accounts for an estimated 8–10% of cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. Recent meta-analyses suggest that HDV increases the risk of HCC associated with HBV, but its pathogenic role remains poorly elucidated. HCC related to HBV–HDV coinfection tends to be diagnosed by surveillance but in the background of severe liver dysfunction, which has therapeutic implications, with a high rate of liver transplantation, and high mortality in patients not eligible for liver transplantation. Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection requires the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), and chronic HBV–HDV coinfection is considered the most severe form of viral hepatitis. When compared with HBV mono-infection, HBV–HDV coinfection is associated with higher rates of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this review, we aim to elucidate the complex relationship between HDV infection and the development of HCC. The exact mechanisms underlying the carcinogenic potential of HDV remain to be fully elucidated. Evidence suggests that HDV has both indirect and direct oncogenic effects. Indirect effects promote accelerated progression to liver cirrhosis, which results in a different tumor microenvironment. Direct oncogenic effects are suggested by a distinct molecular signature. The recent epidemiological data regarding HBV–HDV coinfection should make us reconsider the HCC screening strategy, with special focus in younger non-cirrhotic patients. Finally, treating HCC in patients with chronic HDV poses unique challenges due to the complex interplay between HBV and HDV and the severity of liver disease. An in-depth understanding of the epidemiology and pathophysiology of HDV infection and carcinogenesis is essential to improve disease management in this high-risk population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution presents a severe risk to public health, with particulate matter (PM) identified as a significant hazardous element. However, despite the eye organ being constantly exposed to air pollution, only recently has the impact of PM on ocular health caught the attention of researchers and healthcare professionals. By compiling pertinent data, this paper aims to enhance our understanding of the underlying pathological mechanisms of PM-mediated ocular disorders and facilitate the development of effective treatment strategies. Recent data support the association between exposure to PM and the development of ocular pathologies such as dry eye syndrome, retinal atherosclerosis, and glaucoma. Based on the results of multiple studies, PM exposure can lead to oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy, cell death, and, ultimately, the development of ophthalmic diseases. This review aims to consolidate the latest findings on PM-mediated ocular diseases by summarizing the outcomes from epidemiological, in vitro, and in vivo studies on ocular surface and retinal disorders as well as other relevant ophthalmic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dental care has been transformed by neural networks, introducing advanced methods for improving patient outcomes. By leveraging technological innovation, dental informatics aims to enhance treatment and diagnostic processes. Early diagnosis of dental problems is crucial, as it can substantially reduce dental disease incidence by ensuring timely and appropriate treatment. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) within dental informatics is a pivotal tool that has applications across all dental specialties. This systematic literature review aims to comprehensively summarize existing research on AI implementation in dentistry. It explores various techniques used for detecting oral features such as teeth, fillings, caries, prostheses, crowns, implants, and endodontic treatments. AI plays a vital role in the diagnosis of dental diseases by enabling precise and quick identification of issues that may be difficult to detect through traditional methods. Its ability to analyze large volumes of data enhances diagnostic accuracy and efficiency, leading to better patient outcomes. Methods: An extensive search was conducted across a number of databases, including Science Direct, PubMed (MEDLINE), arXiv.org, MDPI, Nature, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Wiley Online Library. Results: The studies included in this review employed a wide range of neural networks, showcasing their versatility in detecting the dental categories mentioned above. Additionally, the use of diverse datasets underscores the adaptability of these AI models to different clinical scenarios. This study highlights the compatibility, robustness, and heterogeneity among the reviewed studies. This indicates that AI technologies can be effectively integrated into current dental practices. The review also discusses potential challenges and future directions for AI in dentistry. It emphasizes the need for further research to optimize these technologies for broader clinical applications. Conclusions: By providing a detailed overview of AI's role in dentistry, this review aims to inform practitioners and researchers about the current capabilities and future potential of AI-driven dental care, ultimately contributing to improved patient outcomes and more efficient dental practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Anesthesia plays a very important role in the successful management of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM). The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of anesthesia induction and maintenance on the quality of signals during surgeries on the thyroid and parathyroid glands using neuromonitoring. Methods: The study included 72 patients who underwent surgery with IONM for one year. All the patients were intubated using a Glidescope videolaryngoscope with a hyperangulated blade. Two different approaches were used to facilitate intubation: succinylcholine-1 mg/kg and rocuronium bromide-0.3 mg/kg. For anesthesia maintenance, total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) or combined anesthesia was used. Patients' body movements during operations, as well as electromyography signals from the vagus and recurrent laryngeal nerves before resection, were recorded as V1 and R1. Results: Intraoperative unwanted movements were recorded in 25% of patients. Undesired movements were more frequently recorded in the TIVA group compared to the combined anesthesia group (p < 0.001) as well as in patients who received succinylcholine compared to patients who received rocuronium bromide (p = 0.028). Type of anesthesia maintenance as well as type of muscle relaxant did not affect the quality of recorded nerve signals. (p = 0.169 and p = 0.894, respectively). Conclusions: The type of muscle relaxant used significantly affects the occurrence of undesirable movements during thyroid surgery with IONM, while the type of anesthesia maintenance did not influence either the quality of the obtained signal or the occurrence of undesirable movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nacre has excellent balanced strength and toughness. In this paper, the mechanical performance of the typical "brick-and-mortar" structure, including the stress–strain and strain at the interface as well as the stress in the bricks, was calculated by a simplified analytical model of the nacre. This paper proposes a new method to control the crack deflection based on the toughening mechanism of the nacre. The crack extension of the "brick-and-mortar" structure was simulated using cohesive elements based on the traction–separation law with elastic and softening stiffness as variables, and it was found that both stiffness could effectively control the crack extension. The strength and toughness of the models with different stiffness combinations were calculated and plotted as a function of elastic stiffness and softening stiffness, showing that elastic stiffness significantly affects strength and softening stiffness is a determinant of toughness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the significant progress in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, vascular diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and respiratory diseases, still cannot be successfully eliminated. Vascular cells play a key role in maintaining vascular homeostasis. Notably, a variety of cells produce and secrete platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs), which promote mitosis and induce the division, proliferation, and migration of vascular cells including vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), aortic SMCs, endothelial cells, and airway SMCs. Therefore, PDGF/PDGR receptor signaling pathways play vital roles in regulating the homeostasis of blood vessels and the onset and development of CVDs, such as atherosclerosis, and respiratory diseases including asthma and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Recently, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that microRNA, long-chain non-coding RNA, and circular RNA are involved in the regulation of PDGF/PDGFR signaling pathways through competitive interactions with target mRNAs, contributing to the occurrence and development of the above-mentioned diseases. These novel findings are useful for laboratory research and clinical studies. The aim of this article is to conclude the recent progresses in this field, particular the mechanisms of action of these non-coding RNAs in regulating vascular remodeling, providing potential strategies for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of vascular-dysfunction-related diseases, particularly CVDs and respiratory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this review, we discuss the role of isocitrate dehydrogenase in a normal biological context and its subsequent role in oncogenesis when certain mutations are acquired. In particular, we focus on the many downstream effects of the oncometabolite D-2-Hydroxyglutarate, the byproduct of mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase. D-2-Hydroxyglutarate interferes with essential biological pathways that result in significant alterations to epigenetics, metabolism, RNA transcript stability, and DNA damage repair. Additionally, we review the diagnostic methods available for detecting isocitrate dehydrogenase mutations and/or D-2-Hydroxyglutarate. The clinical implications, including the classification of isocitrate dehydrogenase mutants in glioma and pharmaceutical inhibitors, are also discussed. In 2021, the World Health Organization classified isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutant gliomas as a distinct subgroup of tumors with genetic changes sufficient to enable a complete diagnosis. Patients with an IDH mutant glioma have improved survival which has been further enhanced by the advent of targeted therapies. IDH enzymes contribute to cellular metabolism, and mutations to specific catalytic residues result in the neomorphic production of D-2-Hydroxyglutarate (D-2-HG). The accumulation of D-2-HG results in epigenetic alterations, oncogenesis and impacts the tumor microenvironment via immunological modulations. Here, we summarize the molecular, cellular, and clinical implications of IDH mutations in gliomas as well as current diagnostic techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) can present prenatally, often with cardiac rhabdomyomas, which, if large, may cause complications such as hydrops fetalis and reduced cardiac output. Prenatal treatment of these lesions with mTOR inhibitors, approved for other TSC manifestations, is under investigation. We hypothesize that mTOR inhibitors could help manage or prevent other TSC-related conditions, particularly neurological issues like epilepsy and CNS lesions, potentially improving neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, the safety of prenatal mTOR treatment remains a concern, especially for foetal development, and limited data are available on neurological outcomes. Methods: We conducted a literature review using PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL, focusing on studies involving mTOR inhibitors for prenatal TSC management. The search included case reports and series involving pregnant women diagnosed with TSC or early manifestations like cardiac rhabdomyomas. Keywords included "mTOR Inhibitor", "Rapamycin", "tuberous sclerosis complex", "prenatal", and "rhabdomyoma". Results: Three prenatal mouse studies and eight papers reporting on ten pregnant women treated with mTOR inhibitors were identified. Conclusions: The literature confirms that prenatal mTOR inhibitors may reduce cardiac rhabdomyomas. However, further studies are needed to explore their broader potential, particularly in preventing neurological complications, while carefully considering their impact on intrauterine growth and neurodevelopment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Heart Failure Post-Acute Care [HF-PAC] program is a specialized healthcare program aimed at providing comprehensive care and support for patients with heart failure [HF] as they transition from acute hospital settings to home. But the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19] pandemic on the HF-PAC program remains unknown. Furthermore, the effects of the comprehensive COVID-19 vaccination program on these patients with HF-PAC warrants further investigation. Methods: A total of 265 patients with acute decompensated HF were admitted to the hospital between May 2020 and October 2022. Of these, 159 patients underwent planned HF-PAC follow-up for 6 months, followed by scheduled follow-up visits every 3 months and unscheduled telephone randomized visits for at least another 6 months. Results: The program completion rate was nearly 92%. COVID-19 significantly impacted patients with HF-PAC, leading to an increased mortality [13.3%] compared to before the pandemic [6.5%]. In our patient cohort, 83% had received at least 1 dose of vaccine and 61% had received > 3 doses. Of these patients with HF-PAC, 34% contracted COVID-19 infection post discharge, and 8.8% died owing to the infection. Of the mortality group, 42.9% patients were not vaccinated, and 28.6% received 1 vaccine dose, and their vaccination rate was lower than in the survival group [p = 0.01]. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on patients enrolled in the HF-PAC program; receiving more than 3 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine was associated with a significant reduction in mortality rates among these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the effects of mild fatigue on the biomechanics of the lower limbs of young male volleyball players while performing single leg landing tasks. Methods: A total of ten young male volleyball players were recruited as participants in this study. After the single leg landing was performed, we compared the performance between those with and without fatigue (post- and non-fatigue, respectively). Kinematics and kinetics were collected using instruments, and related captured data were imported into OpenSim to analyze the hip, knee, and ankle joints. Results: We found that the ankle dorsiflexion angle at initial contact was significantly decreased in the post-fatigue group compared to the non-fatigue one. Meanwhile, the peak gluteus maximus force, peak gluteus medius force, peak tibialis posterior force, and peak gastrocnemius force significantly increased. There were no significant differences in the hip and knee joint flexion angles as well as the quadriceps and biceps femoris long head forces between the two groups. Conclusions: Mild fatigue can affect the performance of single leg landing, and players need to control the lower limbs by generating a higher muscle force to cope with the instability induced by fatigue. In a fatigued state, following initial contact with the ground, a decreased ankle dorsiflexion angle necessitates an increase in gastrocnemius and tibialis posterior muscle force to maintain stance during landing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep sea water (DSW) is a globally utilized source of renewable energy and other resources. To understand the characteristics of DSW resources in the South China Sea, in July 2022, the Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey (GMGS) investigated temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), inorganic salts (DIN, PO43−-P, and SiO3-Si), heavy metals (Hg, Pb, As, and Cd), trace elements (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Se, and Mo), and other related indicators. The results of this investigation elucidate the horizontal and vertical changes in the physical and chemical properties of deep sea water in the Xisha Sea. The surface seawater quality in Xisha was found to be excellent and to meet first-class seawater survey standards. However, the concentrations of various nutrient salts in the surface layer were relatively low. As the seawater depth increased, different trace elements and heavy metals exhibited variations, and the concentrations of various nutrients also gradually increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inverse kinematics of robotic manipulators involves determining an appropriate joint configuration to achieve a specified end-effector position. This problem is challenging because the inverse kinematics of manipulators are highly nonlinear and complexly coupled. To address this challenge, the bald eagle search optimization algorithm is introduced. This algorithm combines the advantages of evolutionary and swarm techniques, making it more effective at solving nonlinear problems and improving search efficiency. Due to the tendency of the algorithm to fall into local optima, the Lévy flight strategy is introduced to enhance its performance. This strategy adopts a heavy-tailed distribution to generate long-distance jumps, thereby preventing the algorithm from becoming trapped in local optima and enhancing its global search efficiency. The experiments first evaluated the accuracy and robustness of the proposed algorithm based on the inverse kinematics problem of manipulators, achieving a solution accuracy of up to 10 − 18 m. Subsequently, the proposed algorithm was compared with other algorithms using the CEC2017 test functions. The results showed that the improved algorithm significantly outperformed the original in accuracy, convergence speed, and stability. Specifically, it achieved over 70% improvement in both standard deviation and mean for several test functions, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Lévy flight strategy in enhancing global search capabilities. Furthermore, the practicality of the proposed algorithm was verified through two real engineering optimization problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste slag and rubber particles are commonly used to modify concrete, offering benefits such as reduced cement consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions during cement production. In this study, these two environmentally friendly, sustainable waste materials were proposed for the preparation of mortar intended for snow-melting pavements. A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of the material and to determine whether its compressive and flexural strengths meet the requirements of pavement specifications. The mortar's suitability for snow-melting pavements was assessed based on its thermal conductivity, impermeability, and freeze–thaw resistance. The results indicate that slag, when used in different volume fractions, can enhance the compressive and flexural strength of the mortar. Slag also provides excellent thermal conductivity, impermeability, and resistance to freeze–thaw cycles, contributing to the overall performance of snow-melting pavements. When the slag content was 20%, the performance was optimal, with the compressive strength and flexural strength reaching 58.5 MPa and 8.1 MPa, respectively. The strength loss rate under freeze–thaw cycles was 8.03%, the thermal conductivity reached 2.2895 W/(m * K), and the impermeability pressure value reached 0.5 MPa. Conversely, the addition of rubber particles was found to decrease the material's mechanical and thermal properties. However, when used in small amounts, rubber particles improved the mortar's impermeability and resistance to freeze–thaw cycles. When the rubber content was 5% by volume, the impermeability pressure value reached 0.5 MPa, which was 166.7% lower than that of ordinary cement mortar. Under freeze–thaw cycles, the strength loss rate of the test block with a rubber content of 25% volume fraction was 9.83% lower than that of ordinary cement mortar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Chiggers are common ectoparasites on rodents and other small mammals, and they transmit scrub typhus, a zoonotic disease. Dehong in Yunnan Province of southwest China is located on the China–Myanmar border, and it is a focus of scrub typhus. The present paper reports the infestation and distribution of chiggers on small mammals in Dehong for the first time. From 1760 rodents and other sympatric small mammals, a total of 9309 chiggers were identified, representing 117 species. Most chigger species had low host specificity. Leptotrombidium deliense, a major vector of scrub typhus in China, was the dominant chigger species in Dehong, and it was mainly distributed in flatland areas and indoors. The infestation and community indexes of chiggers in mountainous areas and outdoors were higher than those in flatland areas and indoors. The species abundance distribution of the chigger community conformed to log-normal distribution, and the total number of chigger species was roughly estimated to be 147. The species diversity of the chigger community is high in Dehong, with an obvious environmental heterogeneity. The low host specificity of chiggers and the occurrence of a large number of L. deliense in Dehong would increase the transmission risk of scrub typhus on the China–Myanmar border. Chiggers (chigger mites) are a group of tiny arthropods, and they are the exclusive vector of Orientia tsutsugamushi (Ot), the causative agent of scrub typhus (tsutsugamushi disease). Dehong Prefecture in Yunnan Province of southwest China is located on the China–Myanmar border and is an important focus of scrub typhus. Based on the field surveys in Dehong between 2008 and 2022, the present paper reports the infestation and ecological distribution of chiggers on the body surface of rodents and other sympatric small mammals (shrews, tree shrews, etc.) in the region for the first time. The constituent ratio (Cr), prevalence (PM), mean abundance (MA), and mean intensity (MI) were routinely calculated to reflect the infestation of small-mammal hosts with chiggers. Additionally, the species richness (S), Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H), Simpson dominance index (D), and Pielou's evenness index (E) were calculated to illustrate the chigger community structure. Preston's log-normal model was used to fit the theoretical curve of species abundance distribution, and the Chao 1 formula was used to roughly estimate the expected total species. The "corrplot" package in R software (Version 4.3.1) was used to analyze interspecific relationships, and the online drawing software was used to create a chord diagram to visualize the host–chigger associations. From 1760 small-mammal hosts, a total of 9309 chiggers were identified as belonging to 1 family, 16 genera, and 117 species, with high species diversity. The dominant chigger species were Leptotrombidium deliense, Walchia ewingi, and Gahrliepia longipedalis, with a total Cr = 47.65% (4436/9309), among which L. deliense is the most important vector of Ot in China. The overall infestation indexes (PM, MA, and MI) and community parameters (S, H, and E) of chiggers in the mountainous areas and outdoors were higher than those in the flatland areas and indoors, with an obvious environmental heterogeneity. Leptotrombidium deliense was the dominant species in the flatland and indoors, while G. longipedalis was the prevalent species in the mountainous and outdoor areas. The species abundance distribution of the chigger community conformed to log-normal distribution with the theoretical curve equation: S (R) ′ = 28 e − [ 0.23 (R − 0) ] 2 , indicating the existence of many rare species and only a few dominant species in the community. The expected total number of chigger species was roughly estimated to be 147 species, 30 more than the 117 species actually collected, suggesting that some uncommon species may have been missed in the sampling survey. The host–parasite association analysis revealed that one host species can harbor different chigger species, and one chigger species can parasitize different host species with low host specificity. A positive or negative correlation existed among different chigger species, indicating a cooperative or competitive interspecific relationship. The species diversity of chiggers is high in Dehong on the China–Myanmar border, and a large host sample is recommended to find more uncommon species. There is an obvious environmental heterogeneity of the chigger community, with different species diversity and dominant species in different environments. The low host specificity of chiggers and the occurrence of a large number of L. deliense in Dehong, especially in flatland areas and indoors, would increase the risk of persistent transmission of scrub typhus in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leonurine is a natural product unique to the Lamiaceae plant Leonurus japonicus Houtt., and it has attracted attention due to its anti-oxidative stress, anti-apoptosis, anti-fibrosis, and metabolic regulation properties. Also, it plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) through a variety of biological mechanisms, but its mechanism of action remains to be elucidated. Therefore, this study aims to preliminarily explore the mechanisms of action of leonurine in NAFLD. Mice were randomly divided into four groups: the normal control (NC) group, the Model (M) group, the leonurine treatment (LH) group, and the fenofibrate treatment (FB) group. The NAFLD model was induced by a high-fat high-sugar diet (HFHSD) for 12 weeks, and liver pathological changes and biochemical indices were observed after 12 weeks. Transcriptomic analysis results indicated that leonurine intervention reversed the high-fat high-sugar diet-induced changes in lipid metabolism-related genes such as stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (Scd1), Spermine Synthase (Sms), AP-1 Transcription Factor Subunit (Fos), Oxysterol Binding Protein Like 5 (Osbpl5), and FK506 binding protein 5 (Fkbp5) in liver tissues. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis results suggest that leonurine may exert its lipid-lowering effects through the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. Liver lipidomic analysis showed that leonurine could alter the abundance of lipid molecules related to fatty acyl (FAs) and glycerophospholipids (GPs) such as TxB3, carnitine C12-OH, carnitine C18:1-OH, and LPC (20:3/0:0). Molecular biology experiments and molecular docking techniques verified that leonurine might improve hepatic lipid metabolism through the alpha-1A adrenergic receptor (ADRA1a)/AMPK/SCD1 axis. In summary, the present study explored the mechanism by which leonurine ameliorated NAFLD by inhibiting hepatic lipid synthesis via the ADRA1a/AMPK/SCD1 axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease and is regarded as a liver manifestation of metabolic syndrome. It is linked to insulin resistance, obesity, and diabetes mellitus, all of which increase the risk of cardiovascular complications. Endothelial dysfunction (EnD) constitutes the main driver in the progression of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). Several pathophysiological alterations and molecular mechanisms are involved in the development of EnD in patients with NAFLD. Our aim is to examine the association of NAFLD and CAD with the parallel assessment of EnD, discussing the pathophysiological mechanisms and the genetic background that underpin this relationship. This review delves into the management of the condition, exploring potential clinical implications and available medical treatment options to facilitate the deployment of optimal treatment strategies for these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Special Issue "Bioinformatics Study in Human Diseases: Integration of Omics Data for Personalized Medicine" in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences showcases cutting-edge research in bioinformatics and multi-omics integration for precision medicine. The issue includes 12 papers demonstrating the application of computational approaches in various medical research areas, such as COVID-19-induced pulmonary fibrosis, cancer research, periodontitis, microbiome interactions, Alzheimer's disease, reproductive health, and kidney renal clear cell carcinoma. While multi-omics offers promise for personalized healthcare, challenges include data integration, volume management, and ethical considerations, requiring validation and real-world applications for successful integration into healthcare infrastructures. The continued development of computational approaches is crucial for shaping the future of precision medicine. [Extracted from the article]

Intellectual capital (IC) has been an important element of business management for some time. Understanding the role of IC and consciously incorporating it into organisational and management processes is one of the key aspects of building unique competitive advantages in the context of sustainable development. The basic goal of the research was to determine which IC components are given greater importance by the management staff of selected Polish enterprises when shaping their operating strategy and which elements are the object of greater concern during everyday functioning. A statistical analysis of the survey results obtained was carried out, allowing for the characterisation of both the phenomena and trends in the entire surveyed population and taking into account the division criteria related to the size of enterprises and the specificity of their activities. The basic research instrument consisted of a questionnaire. This study covered the territory of southern Poland. The results showed that there are certain elements of IC that managers focus on in particular, and there are differences in the approach that is related to the selected criteria of analysis. This study adds to the existing knowledge of the key elements of strategy for companies managing strategic capital in the context of sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic waste, a persistent and escalating issue, and the high costs of installing electric power, particularly in remote areas, have become pressing concerns for governments. This research proposes a novel method for generating electric power from sugarcane bagasse waste and reducing plastic waste. The key to this method is the use of the fungus Pleurotus ostreatus in microbial fuel cells. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) demonstrated their effectiveness by generating peaks of electric current (4.325 ± 0.261 mA) and voltage (0.427 ± 0.031 V) on day twenty-six, with a pH of 5.539 ± 0.278. The peak electrical conductivity of the substrate was 130.574 ± 4.981 mS/cm. The MFCs were able to reduce the chemical oxygen demand by 83%, showing a maximum power density of 86.316 ± 4.724 mW/cm2 and an internal resistance of 37.384 ± 62.522 Ω. The infrared spectra of the plastic samples showed a decrease in the peaks 2850–2920, 1470, and 720 cm−1, which are more characteristic of plastic, demonstrating the action of the Pleurotus ostreatus fungus on the plastic samples. Also, the micrographs taken by SEM showed the reduction in the thickness of the plastic film by 54.06 µm and the formation of microstructures on the surface, such as pores and raised layers of the sample used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium phosphates (CaPs) and their substituted derivatives encompass a large number of compounds with a vast presence in nature that have aroused a great interest for decades. In particular, hydroxyapatite (HAp, Ca10(OH)2(PO4)6) is the most abundant CaP mineral and is significant in the biological world, at least in part due to being a major compound in bones and teeth. HAp exhibits excellent properties, such as safety, stability, hardness, biocompatibility, and osteoconductivity, among others. Even some of its drawbacks, such as its fragility, can be redirected thanks to another essential feature: its great versatility. This is based on the compound's tendency to undergo substitutions of its constituent ions and to incorporate or anchor new molecules on its surface and pores. Thus, its affinity for biomolecules makes it an optimal compound for multiple applications, mainly, but not only, in biological and biomedical fields. The present review provides a chemical and structural context to explain the affinity of HAp for biomolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids to generate hybrid materials. A size-dependent criterium of increasing complexity is applied, ranging from amino acids/nucleobases to the corresponding macromolecules. The incorporation of metal ions or metal complexes into these functionalized compounds is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bioaccessibility of phytochemicals is an important factor for new functional food design. The interaction of white mugwort extract (FE) and food ingredients (coconut oil, egg white albumen, brown rice powder, inulin, and mixtures thereof) was determined after in vitro digestion to inform the development of a functional soup for an aging population. Coconut oil exerted a protective effect on polyphenols, showing the highest bioaccessibility (62.9%) and antioxidant activity after intestinal digestion (DPPH 12.38 mg GAE/g DW, FRAP 0.88 mol Fe(ll)/g DW). In contrast, egg white albumen had the most significant negative effect on the polyphenol stability, resulting in the lowest bioaccessibility (12.49%). Moreover, FE promoted the emulsion stability and delayed starch digestion by inhibiting amylase activity via non-specific polyphenol–protein interactions, resulting in a decrease in the total reducing sugars (TRS) released during digestion. It also limited the protein digestion, probably due to the complex formation of polyphenols and proteins, consequently reducing the bioaccessibility of both amino acids and polyphenols. These findings provide useful information for designing functional food products that could promote the bioaccessibility and bioactivity of natural extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food waste is a significant concern when it comes to food safety. It is a well-known fact that fruit and vegetable wastage is high worldwide; however, quantitative data, especially on such waste in the retail sector, are limited. Wasted vegetables are sources of essential dietary compounds, benefiting from their revalorization. Studies related to the evaluation of the quantity and quality of these vegetables discarded in the retail sector can allow for the proposal of relevant alternatives for their use and the guarantee of food safety. This study aimed to assess wasted vegetables (beetroot, carrot, chayote, and cucumber) in the city of Pirassununga (Brazil) and characterize the purees obtained from these vegetable wastes. The purees were characterized in terms of microbiological aspects, color, proximal and mineral composition, phenolic concentration, and antioxidant activity. It was observed that 90% of the discarded vegetables were free from microbiological contamination and could be considered suitable for consumption according to the adopted classifications. Additionally, the purees had high nutritional levels, such as phenolics and fiber. Thus, considering the high levels of vegetable waste generated in the retail sector, and high value nutritional, vegetable waste could be viable in the development of new products, making it an important retail strategy for the circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cytoophidium, composed mainly of CTP synthase (CTPS), is a newly discovered dynamic filamentous structure in various organisms such as archaea, bacteria, and humans. These filamentous structures represent a fascinating example of intracellular compartmentation and dynamic regulation of metabolic enzymes. Currently, cytoophidia have been proven to be tightly regulated and highly dynamic, responding rapidly to developmental and metabolic cues and playing a critical role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. In this review, we would like to discuss in detail the characteristics, mechanisms, functions, and potential applications of this conservative but promising organelle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological structures optimized through natural selection provide valuable insights for engineering load-bearing components. This paper reviews six key strategies evolved in nature for efficient mechanical load handling: hierarchically structured composites, cellular structures, functional gradients, hard shell–soft core architectures, form follows function, and robust geometric shapes. The paper also discusses recent research that applies these strategies to engineering design, demonstrating their effectiveness in advancing technical solutions. The challenges of translating nature's designs into engineering applications are addressed, with a focus on how advancements in computational methods, particularly artificial intelligence, are accelerating this process. The need for further development in innovative material characterization techniques, efficient modeling approaches for heterogeneous media, multi-criteria structural optimization methods, and advanced manufacturing techniques capable of achieving enhanced control across multiple scales is underscored. By highlighting nature's holistic approach to designing functional components, this paper advocates for adopting a similarly comprehensive methodology in engineering practices to shape the next generation of load-bearing technical components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The functioning of the energy sector in Poland has been changing over recent years, influenced by growing concern for the environment. The concept of inclusive leadership can play a key role in the emergence of behavioral changes related to the development of environmental awareness and the initiation of pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors by employees. The guiding objective of this study is to verify a moderated mediation model of the impact of pro-environmental consciousness (PEC) on the mediating role of the fulfillment of the psychological contract for the environment (PCFE) in pro-environmental inclusive leadership (PEIL) and pro-environmental work behavior (PEWB) relationships in the energy industry. By self-completing a survey questionnaire using the computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) method, responses were collected from 649 respondents employed in various energy industry organizations. Structural equation modelling based on maximum likelihood with bootstrap estimation was used to test the hypothesis model. The findings confirm the assumptions of the research model, demonstrating a direct relationship between pro-environmental inclusive leadership and pro-environmental work behavior. Additionally, a mediating condition was found, where the fulfillment of the psychological contract for the environment mediates the relationship between pro-environmental inclusive leadership and pro-environmental work behavior, and pro-environmental consciousness moderates this process. It was found that higher pro-environmental consciousness enhances the indirect effect of pro-environmental inclusive leadership on employees' pro-environmental work behavior through the fulfillment of the psychological contract for the environment. This highlights the importance of the fulfillment of the psychological contract for the environment and a pro-environmental consciousness in the effectiveness of pro-environmental leadership. The analysis indicates that managers who apply a pro-environmental inclusive management style contribute to an increasingly pro-environmental consciousness and the promotion pro-environmental work behavior among employees. Furthermore, the indirect effect of green leadership on employees' green actions, through the fulfillment of a psychological contract for the environment that is moderated by their pro-environmental consciousness, highlights the importance of environmentally conscious leaders in building effective employee–employer relationships. These relationships facilitate the implementation of initiatives that accelerate the pace of change and enhance efforts to build tomorrow's modern energy industry based on low- and zero-carbon energy sources. Additionally, this is one of the first studies in the Polish energy industry to provide insight into the role and importance of green leadership and green behavior in the energy industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promising synaptic behaviour has been exhibited by memristors based on natural organic materials. Such memristor‐based neuromorphic systems offer notable benefits, including environmental sustainability, low production and disposal costs, non‐volatile storage capability, and bio/Complementary Metal‐Oxide‐Semiconductor (CMOS) compatibility. Here, a 256‐level honey memristor‐based neuromorphic system is experimentally evaluated for image recognition. In detail, first, 256‐level honey memristors are manufactured and tested based on in‐house technology; next, the non‐linear characteristics and inherent variation of honey memristor devices, which lead to imprecise weight updates and limit the inference accuracy, are investigated. Experimental results indicate that the inference accuracy of the 256‐level honey memristor‐based neuromorphic system is greater than 88% without cycle‐to‐cycle variations and 87% with cycle‐to‐cycle variations for different optimization algorithms. The overall performance of optimization algorithms with and without variation is compared in terms of energy and latency, where the momentum algorithm consistently outperforms the rest of the algorithms. This 256‐level honey memristor is a promising alternative enabling sustainable neuromorphic systems, encouraging further research into natural organic materials for neuromorphic computing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory and systemic disease affecting more than 300 million people globally every year, and it also becomes a substantial economic burden. COPD is commonly comorbid with various underlying diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, etc. It has been shown that statins can improve a significant decline in pulmonary function among COPD patients due to their pleiomorphic effect. Some systematic reviews also reported that statins reduced the risk of COPD-related events such as cancer and cardiovascular events, eventually resulting in more favorable outcomes than for non-statin user COPD patients. However, the physiological mechanism is still elucidated. Recently, it has been reported that statins influence the gut microbial composition with increased relative abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and act with pleiomorphic effects such as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects through modulating gut dysbiosis. We described this review to focus on whether statins can be a useful preventive option for COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is a pandemic of the 21st century, and the prevalence of this metabolic condition has enormously increased over the past few decades. Obesity is associated with a number of comorbidities and complications, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disorders, which can be associated with severe and fatal outcomes. Adipose tissue is an endocrine organ that secretes numerous molecules and proteins that are capable of modifying immune responses. The progression of obesity is associated with adipose tissue dysfunction, which is characterised by enhanced inflammation and apoptosis. Increased fat-tissue mass is associated with the dysregulated secretion of substances by adipocytes, which leads to metabolic alterations. Importantly, the adipose tissue contains immune cells, the profile of which changes with the progression of obesity. For instance, increasing fat mass enhances the presence of the pro-inflammatory variants of macrophages, major sources of tumour necrosis factor α and other inflammatory mediators that promote insulin resistance. The pathogenesis of obesity is complex, and understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms that are involved may provide novel treatment methods that could prevent the development of serious complications. The aim of this review is to discuss current evidence describing the involvement of various inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium tungstate (Na2WO4) normalizes glucose metabolism in the liver and muscle, activating the Mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) pathway. Because this pathway controls neuronal survival and differentiation, we investigated the effects of Na2WO4 in mouse Neuro2a and human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma monolayer cell cultures. Na2WO4 promotes differentiation to cholinergic neurites via an increased G1/G0 cell cycle in response to the synergic activation of the Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K/Akt) and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. In Neuro2a cells, Na2WO4 increases protein synthesis by activating the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and S6K kinases and GLUT3-mediated glucose uptake, providing the energy and protein synthesis needed for neurite outgrowth. Furthermore, Na2WO4 increased the expression of myocyte enhancer factor 2D (MEF2D), a member of a family of transcription factors involved in neuronal survival and plasticity, through a post-translational mechanism that increases its half-life. Site-directed mutations of residues involved in the sumoylation of the protein abrogated the positive effects of Na2WO4 on the MEF2D-dependent transcriptional activity. In addition, the neuroprotective effects of Na2WO4 were evaluated in the presence of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs diminished neurite differentiation owing to a reduction in the G1/G0 cell cycle, concomitant with lower expression of MEF2D and the GLUT3 transporter. These negative effects were corrected in both cell lines after incubation with Na2WO4. These findings support the role of Na2WO4 in neuronal plasticity, albeit further experiments using 3D cultures, and animal models will be needed to validate the therapeutic potential of the compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous in vitro studies in our laboratory demonstrated that ethyl acetate (P2) and water- soluble (PS/PT1) fractionated leaf extracts of Ocimum gratissimum inhibit the proliferation of prostate cancer cells. It has been reported that the crude aqueous extract induces apoptosis in lung adenocarcinoma cells; however, the efficacy of the fractionated extracts against these cells remains unclear. In the present study, we hypothesized that the ability of the fractionated extracts to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis is associated with the activation of pro-apoptotic proteins and induction of DNA condensation in A549 cells. Ocimum gratissimum was cultivated and its leaves were harvested, extracted, and fractionated to produce fractions P2 and PS/PT1. Anti-proliferative activity was assessed by direct cell count. For morphological characterization of apoptosis, 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining was employed. Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate the apoptotic activity of the fractionated extracts. In data generated from anti-proliferation studies, P2 significantly inhibited cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner; PS/PT1 elicited a decrease in the viability of cells, occurring at 500 µg/mL. 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining revealed the induction of apoptosis, as evidenced by the formation of apoptotic bodies. Increased levels of pro-apoptotic proteins were observed as the concentrations of the fractionated extracts increased. These results suggest that fractionated leaf extracts of Ocimum gratissimum inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of A549 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patulin (PAT) is a fungal toxin prevalent in apples and apple products and associated with several toxic effects, potentially harming multiple organs, including the kidneys, liver, and colon. However, the precise molecular mechanism through which PAT affects the intestines remains comprehensively unclear. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the molecular effects of PAT on the intestinal epithelium. Gene expression profiling was conducted, hypothesizing that PAT induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Cell cycle analysis, along with Annexin-V and propidium iodide staining, confirmed that PAT induced G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis in IPEC-J2 cells. Additionally, PAT activated the expression of cell cycle-related genes (CDK1, CCNB1) and apoptosis-related genes (BCL6, CASP9). Treatment with SC79, an AKT activator, mitigated cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. To identify natural products that could mitigate the harmful effects of PAT in small intestinal epithelial cells in pigs, the high-throughput screening of a natural product library was conducted, revealing 10-Eicosanol as a promising candidate. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that 10-Eicosanol alleviates PAT-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in IPEC-J2 cells by activating AKT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aligned discontinuous fibre-reinforced composites are becoming more popular because they have the potential to offer stiffness and strength comparable to their continuous counterparts along with better manufacturability. However, the modelling of highly aligned discontinuous fibre composites is still in its infancy. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the available literature to understand how modelling techniques have developed and consider whether all aspects which could affect the performance of aligned discontinuous fibre composites have been addressed. Here, for the first time, a broad view of the advantages, perspectives, and limitations of current approaches to modelling the performance and behaviour of aligned discontinuous fibre composites during alignment, forming, and mechanical loading is provided in one place as a route to design optimisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]