SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “simulation”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2026

Formation of environmental persistent free radicals in soil of ammunition demolition site: Roles of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and heavy metals.

Environmental Persistent Free Radicals (EPFRs) are a particular type of contaminant present in soil. This study investigated the formation process, environmental behavior, and main influencing variables of EPFRs in soils contaminated with heavy metals and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) from an ammunition demolition site. The results showed that the concentration of total organic carbon (TOC) in the soil was negatively correlated with EPFRs (r = -0.29). In contrast, the content of TNT and copper was significantly positively correlated with EPFRs (r = 0.90 and 0.78, respectively), indicating that TNT acts as a precursor macromolecule in the formation of EPFRs in this type of contaminated soil. Transition metal Cu may be an essential carrier in EPFR production. In order to explore the possible formation mechanism of EPFRs, a simulation experiment was carried out under different temperature and light conditions. The results showed that the photolysis process of TNT was impacted by external energy sources such as heat and light. TNT was firstly adsorbed onto the surface of a transition metal (Cu), and then EPFRs were formed through further electron transfer. This is the first study to detect significant levels of EPFRs in the soil at ammunition demolition sites.

Trinitrotoluene↗

PubMed2026

Marine air promotes structural compaction and coating growth of soot aerosols after long-range transport from East Asia.

Soot aerosol, a key global warming contributor, undergoes morphological and chemical transformations during atmospheric transport, particularly in humidified marine environments. This study investigates morphology, mixing state, and aging mechanisms of soot particles collected in the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea. Transmission electron microscopy analyses reveal that coated soot particles dominate the marine atmosphere, accounting for over 98 % of soot-containing particles, with a mean mixing state index (χ) of 0.83. The fractal dimension (Df) of soot particles is 1.84 ± 0.05 in the Northern Yellow Sea, 1.90 ± 0.08 in the Bohai Sea, and 1.96 ± 0.07 in the Southern Yellow Sea, indicating structural compaction during long-range transport. Correspondingly, the average Dp/Dcore ratios (particle to core size ratio) are 5.3 in the Bohai Sea, 4.2 in the Northern Yellow Sea, and 3.9 in the Southern Yellow Sea. Notably, those ratios are higher in marine environments compared to those observed during continental regional transport from northern to southern China (3.54), suggesting enhanced coating growth in humid marine air. The results highlight the important role of marine atmospheres in accelerating soot aging, which in turn leads to significantly stronger light absorption compared to soot in continental air. Our results highlight the necessity of incorporating compact morphologies, uniform mixing states, and thick coatings into optical models for accurate radiative forcing simulations.

Aerosols↗

PubMed2026

Three-dimensional source apportionment and quantitative characterization of horizontal and vertical transport fluxes of O3 and its precursors in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, China.

Persistent surface ozone (O3) pollution in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region is driven by coupled precursor emissions and multi-scale transport, yet its altitude-dependent transport and source contributions remain insufficiently quantified. Here we integrated the Weather Research and Forecasting and the Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions with the Ozone Source Apportionment Technology and a quantitative transport-flux framework to characterize three-dimensional source apportionment and horizontal/vertical fluxes of O3, Volatile Organic Compounds‌ (VOCs), and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) across dynamic meteorological scenarios. Simulations showed that VOCs and NOx were dominated by local emissions near the surface (73.61 %-82.18 %), whereas surface O3 was primarily controlled by regional transport, with local contributions of only 11.01 %-13.75 %. Notably, the transport dominance further strengthened with altitude, exceeding 93 % at 1.8 km. Industrial and transportation emissions together contributed more than 75 % of precursor emissions and account for approximately 80 % of O3 formation, while favorable/unfavorable meteorological years modulated long-range transport efficiency and the vertical distribution of contributions. Horizontal flux analysis highlighted three major pathways (Northwest-Southeast, Southeast-Northwest, and Southwest-Northeast), with Shijiazhuang serving as a critical pollutant "sink" across altitude layers. Vertical fluxes revealed an altitude transition near 600 m: net downward transport dominated below 600 m, whereas enhanced summer convection promoted upward transport above 600 m. These results support altitude-dependent, scenario-specific strategies for coordinated regional O3 mitigation in the BTH region.

Ozone↗

PubMed2026

Cytonuclear conflict and reticulate evolution in the Morelloid clade (Solanum, Solanaceae): Insights from genome skimming and network Phylogenomics.

The Morelloid clade (black nightshades) is one of the most strongly supported clades within the megadiverse Solanum genus. It comprises 76 globally distributed, non-spiny herbaceous and suffrutescent species. While often erroneously considered poisonous weeds, several species are economically important as orphan crops. The clade is closely related to tomato and potato but, due to a lack of focused breeding efforts, remains a putative reservoir of genetic diversity for crop improvement. Despite this potential, we lack fundamental knowledge on the evolution of the Morelloid clade. The group includes polyploid species with unknown parental origins-likely reflecting reticulate processes such as hybridization, introgression, and associated backcrossing events. Prior analyses have been unable to disentangle these processes, leaving the mechanisms underlying reticulate evolution in the Morelloid clade poorly understood. Here, we use genome skimming to produce a well-supported maximum likelihood plastid phylogeny from complete circularized plastomes and a coalescent-based species tree from combined Angiosperms353 and conserved ortholog set nuclear markers. Our dataset, composed of previously published data and deep genome skimming from herbarium samples, spans 26 Morelloid species. To investigate phylogenetic discordance, we used a nuclear phylogenetic network, multispecies coalescent simulations, a fused rooted nuclear chloroplast tree, and quantification of nuclear gene tree concordance. We show that incongruence between nuclear and plastid trees is pervasive and cannot be explained by incomplete lineage sorting alone. Instead, our results demonstrate that events consistent with repeated chloroplast capture have shaped the reticulate evolutionary history of the clade, especially among African polyploid and Pan-American diploid lineages.

Phylogeny↗

PubMed2026

Branded packaging raises likelihood of cigarette purchasing in an experimental retail setting by increasing craving.

INTRODUCTION: Exposure to branded cigarette packaging in retail settings has been shown to be associated with purchasing behavior, but the mechanisms underlying this effect are unclear. This study tested whether cigarette craving and perceived health harms mediate the effect of branded packaging on cigarette purchasing in a simulated retail environment. METHODS: Young adults aged 21-34 who currently smoke cigarettes (n = 290) completed an experimental shopping task in the RAND StoreLab, a life-sized replica of a convenience store. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: (1) branding present, in which branded cigarette packages were displayed; and (2) branding absent condition, in which branded elements were removed and packages were standardized in a brown-green color and uniform text. Cigarette purchases were recorded, and participants completed post-shopping measures of cigarette craving and perceived health harms. Causal effect decomposition analyses were used to assess whether these variables mediated the effect of study condition on the likelihood of purchasing cigarettes. RESULTS: Craving, but not perceived health harms, partially mediated the effect of branded packaging on cigarette purchasing. Exposure to branded packs increased the likelihood of purchasing by elevating craving (average mediated effect = 2.4%, 95% CI 0.2% - 5.0%, p = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Branded cigarette packaging appears to increase cigarette purchasing at least in part by increasing cigarette craving at point of sale. Interventions that address craving management in retail settings (e.g., just-in-time interventions, prn nicotine replacement therapy) may help mitigate the impact of branding on young adults' cigarette purchasing.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Health bill beneath the plastic feast: A phthalate contamination alert from takeout food containers.

The rapid growth of takeout food consumption in China has raised concerns regarding exposure to phthalic acid esters (PAEs) from food packaging. This study investigated the presence, source, contribution, and health risk of PAEs in commonly used takeout containers. Widespread contamination was observed, with total PAE concentrations ranging from below the limit of detection to 222,000 ng/g. Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were identified as the predominant compounds, accounting for 7.50 %, 14.7 %, and 18.7 % of the total concentration, respectively. These PAEs may originated from additives during manufacturing and potential contamination of raw materials. Human exposure assessment showed that daily exposure doses of DIBP, DBP, and DEHP via container ranged from 0.00 to 2340 ng/(kg·day) among frequent takeout consumers, contributing substantially to overall PAE body burdens. To further assess exposure and associated risks, a nationwide online questionnaire survey was conducted across China. Based on this national-scale behavioral dataset, the health risks among Chinese residents were evaluated. Although the modeled non-carcinogenic risks of DIBP, DBP, and DEHP remained within acceptable limits, the simulation suggested that approximately 70 % of participants may experience potential exceedance of the carcinogenic risk threshold for DEHP. The frequency of takeout food consumption was identified as the most important factor affecting PAE exposure. These findings underscore the importance of limiting takeout frequency and reducing reliance on plastic containers to mitigate health risks. This study provides scientific evidence to support the development of safer packaging materials and informs public health strategies.

Phthalic Acids↗

PubMed2026

Fungal drivers of mycotoxin contamination in wheat: Early warning and plasma-based control.

Mycotoxin contamination in wheat is a major food safety concern; however, quantitative evidence linking fungal community signals, mycotoxin exceedance risk, and wheat quality traits in naturally contaminated wheat remains limited. In this study, wheat samples were collected from mycotoxin-prone monitoring sites under unusually rainy conditions in 2022 to explore early-warning indicators and post-harvest mitigation strategies. According to the National Food Safety Standard of China GB 2761-2017, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), deoxynivalenol (DON), and zearalenone (ZEN) exceeded the maximum limits in 52.24, 47.76, and 23.88% of samples, respectively; 38.81% exceeded the reference EU threshold for T-2 toxin, and 46.27% showed co-contamination with at least two mycotoxins above their respective thresholds. Although Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Epicoccum dominated the fungal community, Fusarium abundance was significantly associated with DON contamination and Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDKs). Mediation analysis identified DON as a significant mediator linking Fusarium abundance to FDKs, accounting for 68.41% of the total effect. In addition, Fusarium abundance above 3.70% showed strong predictive performance for DON exceedance, with an area under the curve of 0.906, indicating its potential as an early-warning indicator. Culture-based assays confirmed the toxigenic potential of Aspergillus and Fusarium isolates under simulated temperature and moisture conditions. After optimization using a toxin-spiked wheat flour model, dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma degraded AFB1, DON, and ZEN by 29.30-35.68%, disrupted the morphology of toxigenic fungi, and did not significantly affect wheat quality. This study provides practical insights into mycotoxin risk warning and post-harvest mitigation in wheat.

Triticum↗

PubMed2026

Applications of quantum AI in brain disorder diagnosis: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Brain disorder diagnosis and prediction remain challenging because neuroimaging, electrophysiological, behavioral, and multimodal data are high-dimensional, noisy, heterogeneous, and limited by small clinical cohorts. This systematic review synthesised applications of quantum artificial intelligence (QAI) for brain disorder diagnosis, prediction, detection, and monitoring. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, studies published from 2016 to 13 January 2026 were retrieved from Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore. After screening, 36 studies met the eligibility criteria and were qualitatively analysed according to disorder category, data modality, QAI method, implementation setting, validation strategy, and performance. RESULTS: At the broader disease-group level, neurodegenerative disorders were the most frequently investigated, followed by mental health and psychiatric disorders. At the individual level, Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia were the leading applications, followed by depression, anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, and stress-related tasks. MRI-based modalities were the most frequently used data source, followed by multimodal data and EEG. Methodologically, primary QAI approaches were dominated by quantum neural and QDL architectures, followed by quantum-inspired optimization or feature-selection methods and quantum-kernel/conventional QML classifiers. Qiskit/IBM Quantum and PennyLane were the most frequently reported quantum software frameworks. However, most studies relied on simulators, classical quantum-inspired implementations, or unclear implementation settings, with limited real-hardware evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: QAI shows emerging potential for brain disorder analysis, particularly through hybrid quantum-classical learning, quantum neural architectures, quantum-kernel methods, and quantum-inspired optimization. Nevertheless, current evidence remains preliminary and requires larger datasets, subject-level and external validation, fair classical benchmarking, noise-resilient circuits, real quantum hardware evaluation, explainability, and clinical validation.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Biomass burning contributions to Mexico City's atmospheric CO2 estimated using a multi-isotope approach.

Fossil fuel combustion dominates anthropogenic emissions worldwide; however, special attention should be addressed to biomass burning, since it is an increasingly important contributor under warmer, drier fire-weather conditions exacerbated by climate change. These emissions could impact the atmospheric composition of heavily urbanized environments. To assess the influence of biomass burning, along with fossil fuels combustion and soil and plant respiration on Mexico City's atmospheric composition, we conducted a year-long (December 2023-December 2024) isotopic monitoring of atmospheric CO2, combining radiocarbon (Δ14C), CO2 stable isotopes (δ13C, δ18O), and CO/CO2 ratios. Once defined the isotopic signatures and the characteristic CO/CO2 that describe the sources, we performed Monte Carlo simulations under two tracer modalities (Δ14C + CO/CO2 and Δ14C + CO2 stable isotopes) for source apportionment. Results show that during the dry season, particularly in March-April, atmospheric Δ14C values approached and overlapped background levels despite Mexico City's fossil-fuel dominance, indicating enhanced non-fossil inputs. Moreover, backward HYSPLIT trajectories supported that these elevated Δ14C values coincided with regional wildfire activity. Monte Carlo results attributed up to ∼34 %-60 % of local CO2 to biomass burning in April, followed by March with contributions of ∼31 %-49 %. Since these biomass burning figures contrast with the official emissions inventory of Mexico City metropolitan area, which assigns <1 % of total CO2 emissions to biomass burning, this study could exhibit the emissions inventory underestimation of this source, and thus, the need to reassess and incorporate top-down isotopic constraints in fire-affected urban regions.

Mexico↗

PubMed2026

Leading with Innovation: Maternal Health Transformation in New York City Health + Hospitals.

New York City's (NYC) maternal health crisis drew close attention in the late 2010s, driven by alarming data: Approximately 30 women died annually during childbirth in NYC, Black non-Hispanic women were 12 times more likely to die than white women, and more than 3,000 women experienced life-threatening birth complications each year. In response, NYC committed $12.8 million in July 2018 to reduce maternal mortality and eliminate racial disparities.NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H)-the nation's largest public health system, serving 1.1 million patients annually with roughly 15,000 births per year-became the primary vehicle for this initiative. With 80 percent of the system's deliveries covered by Medicaid and a patient population that is 51.2 percent Hispanic and 27.1 percent Black, H+H is uniquely positioned to lead the fight against maternal health inequity.Three flagship programs anchor H+H's response to the city's maternal mortality rate. The OB Simulation Program, launched in 2012 and expanded in 2018, was the first in the nation to use mannequins of color to train thousands of providers in obstetric emergencies. The Maternal Home Program, piloted at H+H's Kings County Hospital in 2019 and scaled system-wide by 2021, has served more than 10,341 patients, generating more than 33,000 referrals for social, behavioral health, and community resources. The Cardio-Obstetrics Program located at Kings County Hospital targets cardiovascular disease-the leading cause of maternal death among Black women-through screening, education, and community outreach. These programs are a health equity imperative, made more urgent by impending federal Medicaid cuts resulting from the H.R.1 One Big Beautiful Bill Act (passed on July 4, 2025).

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Meta-analysis and pharmacoeconomic study of rasagiline versus selegiline in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Given the persistent absence of direct head-to-head trials, this study aimed to evaluate the comparative efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of rasagiline versus selegiline as early-stage monotherapy for Parkinson's disease (PD), informing clinical selection and healthcare policies in China. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to April 2026. Focusing on short-term outcomes (10-16 weeks), an adjusted indirect treatment comparison (ITC) using placebo as a common anchor evaluated symptom improvement (UPDRS total scores) and adverse event (AE) incidence. For economic evaluation, a 2-year Markov model was constructed from a Chinese healthcare-system perspective. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated alongside robust sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: Ten RCTs (rasagiline: 6; selegiline: 4) were included. The ITC revealed no statistically significant differences between rasagiline and selegiline in short-term symptomatic relief (Mean Difference = -0.82, 95% CI [-2.08, 0.44], p = 0.203) or AE risk (Odds Ratio = 0.83, 95% CI [0.50, 1.38], p = 0.475). The overall evidence certainty was rated as moderate. Economically, the base-case simulation indicated rasagiline yielded a marginal benefit of 0.0088 QALYs over selegiline but incurred an additional 17,111.10 Yuan. This resulted in an ICER of 1,951,505.55 Yuan/QALY, substantially exceeding the conventional willingness-to-pay threshold. CONCLUSION: Supported by moderate-certainty evidence, rasagiline and selegiline provide comparable short-term efficacy and safety for early-stage PD monotherapy. However, at its current pricing, rasagiline is not cost-effective. Significant price reductions or definitive proof of long-term superiority are required to justify its economic value.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Advancing nursing education through social and emotional learning: A systematic review guided by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning framework.

BACKGROUND: With Generation Z entering the nursing workforce in growing numbers, strengthening social and emotional learning is critical for academic success, professional adaptation, and safe practice. However, the existing evidence remains fragmented because of varied interventions and inconsistent approaches. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review examined (1) the social and emotional learning essential for nursing students and nurses within the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning framework, (2) their impact on educational and clinical outcomes, and (3) implications for advancing nursing education and practice. METHODS: Following Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, five international (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane) and three Korean (RISS, KoreaMed, KMBASE) databases were searched up to June 2025. Eighteen studies involving 2,952 participants met the inclusion criteria, including quasi-experimental quantitative studies, descriptive quantitative studies, qualitative studies, and mixed-methods studies. The methodological quality of the included studies was appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. RESULTS: Within the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning framework, relationship skills and self-management were the most frequently studied competencies, emphasizing teamwork, communication, and stress regulation. Self-awareness and social awareness were underexplored, despite their importance in empathy, resilience, and reflective practice. Responsible decision-making was the least studied competency, despite its importance in ethical reasoning. Social and emotional learning was consistently associated with enhanced adaptation, communication, leadership, relationships, and clinical performance. Effective strategies included blended learning, simulation, reflective activities, and mentorship, which are aligned with Generation Z's learning preferences. CONCLUSION: Although social and emotional learning integration is associated with improvements in educational and clinical outcomes in nursing, current research has largely centered on relational and stress-related competencies while underrepresenting responsible decision-making. To cultivate reflective, empathetic, and ethically grounded nurses, curricula should integrate social and emotional learning through a balanced and structured approach. REGISTRATION: This study was registered on PROSPERO (ID: CRD420251005683).

Humans↗

PubMed2026

A study on the differences in recovery effects of different types of nutritional supplements on competitive performance of esports athletes under mental fatigue.

BACKGROUND: To compare the effects of different nutritional supplements on the recovery of core competitive performance abilities in esports athletes following mental fatigue and to observe changes in the autonomic nervous system during recovery after nutritional supplementation by monitoring heart rate variability (HRV). METHODS: A randomized crossover within-subject controlled experimental design was adopted, including nutritional supplement type (caffeine, nitrate, Ginkgo biloba extract, catechins, placebo) × mental fatigue state (initial, fatigued, post-supplementation). Twenty high-level first-person shooter (FPS) esports athletes were recruited. Mental fatigue was induced using a Stroop task. After ingesting the different supplements and resting for 60 minutes, the participants completed assessments of shooting accuracy, shooting stability, spatial localization, and multitasking ability using the KovaaK's simulation trainer. HRV indices were also recorded to evaluate changes in autonomic regulation. RESULTS: For shooting accuracy, compared with the placebo condition, all four supplements significantly improved shooting accuracy scores following mental fatigue (all p < 0.05); however, no significant differences were observed among the effects of the different supplements. For shooting stability, caffeine, nitrate, and catechins produced significant recovery effects on shooting stability (all p  < 0.05); however, no significant differences were observed among the effects of these three supplements. For spatial localization and multitasking ability, the improvements in these two abilities in the post-supplementation state may have resulted from natural recovery, and none of the four nutritional supplements demonstrated a significant recovery effect. The HRV results showed that indices including RMSSD and SDNN changed under some supplement conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Mental fatigue significantly reduced the competitive performance of esports athletes. Four types of nutritional supplements all promoted the recovery of shooting accuracy, while caffeine, nitrate, and catechins promoted the recovery of shooting stability. However, no additional recovery advantages of the nutritional supplements over placebo were identified for spatial localization or multitasking ability. Changes in HRV may reflect changes in autonomic regulation during recovery, but further research is still warranted.

Humans↗