Search Results (77)

Over recent decades, phase-change materials (PCMs) have gained prominence as latent-heat thermal energy storage systems in building envelopes because of their high energy density. However, only PCMs that complete a full daily charge–discharge cycle can deliver meaningful energy and carbon-emission savings. This simulation study introduces a methodology that simultaneously optimizes PCM integration for storage efficiency, indoor thermal comfort, and energy savings. Two new indicators are proposed: overall storage efficiency (EC_n), which consolidates heating and cooling-efficiency ratios into a single value, and the performance factor (PF), which quantifies the PCM’s effectiveness in maintaining thermal comfort. Using EnergyPlus v8.9 coupled with DesignBuilder, a residential ASHRAE 90.1 mid-rise apartment was modeled in six warm-temperate (Cfb) European cities for the summer period from June 1 to August 31. Four paraffin PCMs (RT-22/25/28/31 HC, 20 mm thickness) were tested under natural and controlled ventilation strategies, with windows opening 50% when outdoor air was at least 2 °C cooler than indoors. Simulation outputs were validated against experimental cubicle data, yielding a mean absolute indoor temperature error ≤ 4.5%, well within the ±5% tolerance commonly accepted for building thermal simulations. The optimum configuration—RT-25 HC with temperature-controlled ventilation—achieved PF = 1.0 (100% comfort compliance) in all six cities and delivered summer cooling-energy savings of up to 3376 kWh in Paris, the highest among the locations studied. Carbon-emission reductions reached 2254 kg CO₂-e year⁻¹, and static payback periods remained below the assumed 50-year building life at a per kg PCM cost of USD 1. The EC_n–PF framework, therefore, provides a transparent basis for selecting cost-effective, energy-efficient, and low-carbon PCM solutions in warm-temperate buildings. Full article

The water regime in Pakistan’s northern region has experienced significant changes regarding hydrological extremes like floods because of climate change. Coupling hydrological models with remote sensing data can be valuable for flow simulation in data-scarce regions. This study focused on simulating the snow- and glacier-melt runoff using the snowmelt runoff model (SRM) in the Gilgit and Kachura River Basins of the upper Indus basin (UIB). The SRM was applied by coupling it with in situ and improved cloud-free MODIS snow and glacier composite satellite data (MOYDGL06) to simulate the flow under current and future climate scenarios. The SRM showed significant results: the Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient (NSE) for the calibration and validation period was between 0.93 and 0.97, and the difference in volume (between the simulated and observed flow) was in the range of −1.5 to 2.8% for both catchments. The flow tends to increase by 0.3–10.8% for both regions (with a higher increase in Gilgit) under mid- and late-21st-century climate scenarios. The Gilgit Basin’s higher hydrological sensitivity to climate change, compared to the Kachura Basin, stems from its lower mean elevation, seasonal snow dominance, and greater temperature-induced melt exposure. This study concludes that the simple temperature-based models, such as the SRM, coupled with improved satellite snow cover data, are reliable in simulating the current and future flows from the data-scarce mountainous catchments of Pakistan. The outcomes are valuable and can be used to anticipate and lessen any threat of flooding to the local community and the environment under the changing climate. This study may support flood assessment and mapping models in future flood risk reduction plans. Full article

Urbanization is causing a decrease in agricultural land. This leads to changes in cropping patterns, irrigation water availability, and water allowance. Therefore, change in cropping pattern, irrigation water availability, and water allowance were investigated in the Multan region of Pakistan using remote sensing and GIS techniques. The multi-temporal Landsat images with 30 m resolution were acquired for both Rabi (winter) and Kharif (summer) seasons for the years of 1988, 1999 and 2020. The image processing tasks including layer stacking, sub-setting, land use/land cover (LULC) classification, and accuracy assessment were performed using ERDAS Imagine (2015) software. The LULC maps showed a considerable shift of orchard area to urban settlements and other crops. About 82% of orchard areas have shifted to urban settlements and other crops from 1988 to 2020. The LULC maps for Kharif season indicated that cropped areas for cotton have decreased by 42.5% and the cropped areas for rice have increased by 718% in the last 32 years (1988–2020). During the rabi season, the cropped areas for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) have increased by 27% from 1988 to 2020. The irrigation water availability and water allowance have increased up to 125 and 110% due to decrease in agricultural land, respectively. The overall average accuracies were found as 87 and 89% for Rabi and Kharif crops, respectively. The LULC mapping technique may be used to develop a decision support system for evaluating the changes in cropping pattern and their impacts on net water availability and water allowances. Full article

Advancing age in men significantly contributes to declining sperm fertility. Information on age-related proteomic changes in spermatozoa is limited. This study involved normal fertile Arab men in three age groups: young adult (21–30 years; n = 6), late adult (31–40 years; n = 7), and advanced age (40–51 years; n = 5). Gradient-purified spermatozoa were analyzed using LC-MS/MS and proteomic data were processed using Progenesis QI (QIfp) v3.0 and UniProt/SwissProt. Significantly enriched annotations and clustering of proteins in the proteomic datasets were identified (2-fold change; p < 0.05). A total of 588 proteins were identified, with 93% shared across the three groups. Unique proteins were MYLK4 for the young adult group, PRSS57 for the late adult group, and HMGB4, KRT4, LPGAT1, OXCT2, and MGRN1 for the advanced age group. Furthermore, 261 (44%) proteins were differentially expressed (p < 0.05) across the three groups. Functional enrichment analysis suggested an aging-related significant increase in pathways associated with neurodegenerative diseases and protein folding, alongside decreases in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, flagellated sperm motility, acetylation, phosphoprotein modifications, oxidation processes, and Ubl conjugation. Cluster analysis highlighted significantly upregulated proteins in young adults (e.g., H2BC1, LAP3, SQLE, LTF, PDIA4, DYNLT2) and late adults (e.g., ATP5F1B, ODF2, TUBA3C, ENO1, SPO11, TEX45, TEKT3), whereas most proteins in the advanced age group exhibited downregulation (e.g., SPESP1, RAB10, SEPTIN4, RAB15, PTPN7, USP5, ANXA1, PRDX1). In conclusion, this study revealed aging-associated proteomic changes in spermatozoa that impact critical processes, including spermatogenesis, motility, metabolism, and fertilization, potentially contributing to fertility decline. These changes provide a molecular framework for developing therapies to preserve sperm proteostasis and enhance fertility in older men. Full article

Background: Coronary and carotid artery diseases are manifestations of a systemic atherosclerotic process, often coexisting in patients affected by both conditions. This association emphasizes the importance of evaluating both coronary and carotid atherosclerosis in high-risk individuals. Ultrasound 2D shear-wave elastography (2D-SWE) has shown promise as a noninvasive technique for assessing carotid plaque stiffness. This prospective pilot study aimed to assess carotid plaque stiffness in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and those not scheduled for the procedure as a control group. Methods: 32 patients (17 CABG and 15 controls) were recruited, collectively presenting 43 carotid plaques. Bilateral carotid ultrasound was performed using a high-resolution linear transducer. Plaque stiffness was quantified via 2D-SWE, expressed in shear-wave velocity (SWV, m/s) and Young’s modulus (YM, kPa). Plaque characteristics, including GSM, were quantified. Intra-observer reproducibility was evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland–Altman plots. Statistical differences and correlations were assessed using Mann–Whitney U and Spearman’s correlation tests. Results: Carotid plaques in the CABG group exhibited significantly lower stiffness compared to controls (median stiffness SWV: 3.64 m/s vs. 4.91 m/s, p < 0.0001; YM: 20.96 kPa vs. 72.54 kPa, p < 0.0001). ICCs demonstrated excellent reproducibility for stiffness measurements (SWV: ICC = 0.992; YM: ICC = 0.992), with minimal bias in measurements. A positive correlation was observed between 2D-SWE and GSM values (SWV: r = 0.343, p = 0.024; YM: r = 0.340, p = 0.026). Conclusions: Ultrasound 2D-SWE has shown promise as a reliable tool for quantifying carotid plaque stiffness, demonstrating high reproducibility and a significant correlation with GSM. The observed reduction in plaque stiffness among CABG patients highlights its potential as a valuable parameter for identifying high-risk plaques and assessing cerebrovascular risk in patients undergoing CABG. Full article

Background/Objectives: Accurate classification in cancer research is vital for devising effective treatment strategies. Precise cancer classification depends significantly on selecting the most informative genes from high-dimensional datasets, a task made complex by the extensive data involved. This study introduces the Two-stage MI-PSA Gene Selection algorithm, a novel approach designed to enhance cancer classification accuracy through robust gene selection methods. Methods: The proposed method integrates Mutual Information (MI) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) for gene selection. In the first stage, MI acts as an initial filter, identifying genes rich in cancer-related information. In the second stage, PSO refines this selection to pinpoint an optimal subset of genes for accurate classification. Results: The experimental findings reveal that the MI-PSA method achieves a best classification accuracy of 99.01% with a selected subset of 19 genes, substantially outperforming the MI and SVM methods, which attain best accuracies of 93.44% and 91.26%, respectively, for the same gene count. Furthermore, MI-PSA demonstrates superior performance in terms of average and worst-case accuracy, underscoring its robustness and reliability. Conclusions: The MI-PSA algorithm presents a powerful approach for identifying critical genes essential for precise cancer classification, advancing both our understanding and management of this complex disease. Full article

Background/Objectives: Front-of-package labeling (FOPL) policies are a useful strategy to inform consumers about foods high in nutrients of concern, but little is known about what type of label works best in Bangladesh, a country with increasing levels of unhealthy food intake and diet-related diseases. Methods: We conducted 10 focus groups with men and women in rural and urban Bangladesh (n = 76). Using a semi-structured discussion guide, we asked consumers for their perceptions of the healthfulness of nutrients and foods, two common FOPLs (a color-coded guideline daily allowance [GDA] label and a warning label), and different visual elements of the warning label (e.g., shape, icon, text). Results: Participants understood the health harms of sugar and salt consumption but were less clear on saturated fat. Both FOPLs were perceived as helpful for identifying unhealthy foods, but the warning labels were perceived as easier to understand and more likely to influence behaviors than the GDA. Regarding the design of warning labels, participants perceived warning devices, holding straps, and octagonal shapes as effective but had mixed reactions to which icons or textual statements were most effective. Conclusions: FOPLs are likely to facilitate Bangladeshi consumers’ ability to identify unhealthy products. Further research is needed to understand the impact on food choices as well as the most effective design in this population. Full article

Background/Objectives: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and affects approximately 50 million individuals worldwide. Interest in coconut oil (CO) as a potential dietary intervention has surged owing to its substantial medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) content. Therefore, sustaining cognitive function and potentially slowing the progression of AD are crucial. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of CO and its bioactive metabolites on AD and dementia. Methods: The review protocol is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023450435). Relevant research articles published between January 2015 and June 2023 were systematically searched. Seven studies met the predetermined eligibility criteria. Thematic analysis was utilized to synthesis the data about the qualitative features, while meta-analysis was employed for the quantitative findings. A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the standardized mean difference (SMD) and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Forest plots were generated using Review Manager 5.3 (RevMan 5.3). Results: The analysis revealed that all studies showed consistent results regarding the effects of CO on cognitive scores, with little variability in the true effects of CO on cognitive scores across the studies included in the meta-analysis. Conclusions: CO improved cognitive scores in patients with AD compared with those in the control group (p < 0.05). The results of this study add to the increasing amount of evidence indicating that MCTs found in CO might be a way to improve abilities and potentially slow the advancement of AD. The findings of this study may encourage the development of targeted dietary strategies and interventions for individuals at risk of or diagnosed with AD. Full article

The present study holds significant implications, as it aims to investigate the comparative effect of biochar, zeolite, and bentonite minerals on the stabilization of Ni fractions, bioaccumulation, translocation indices, and the reduction in their absorption by pakchoi in smelter- and mine-contaminated soils. The results, which are of great interest, showed that the maximum fresh and dry biomasses of pakchoi were observed up to 28.21 and 18.43% for smelter-polluted soil and 61.96 and 67.90% for mine-contaminated soil amended with zeolite compared to the control. Applying zeolite increased pakchoi chlorophyll SPAD values 1.17-fold in smelter soil and 1.26-fold in mine-polluted soil. The highest Ni immobilization in smelter and mine soil was observed at 76.8 and 85.38% with the application of bentonite, which increased soil pH and CEC. The application of biochar, bentonite, and zeolite reduced the Ni residual, oxidizable, and acid-soluble fractions, but biochar and bentonite increased the reducible fraction of Ni in smelter soil. The highest reduction in Ni in the shoot and root was noted as 82.08 and 68.28% of smelter-polluted soil and 77.25 and 89.61% of mine-polluted soil with bentonite compared to control soil. Overall, it has been concluded that biochar, zeolite, and bentonite can be successfully used to mitigate the Ni concentration in smelter- and mine-polluted soil and reduce uptake by vegetable crops. Full article

Introduction: The primary aim of the study was to validate the Zulfiqar Frailty Scale (ZFS) and examine its concordance with the modified Short Emergency Geriatric Assessment (mSEGA) scale, Part A. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in Guadeloupe (France) over a two-month duration (from 20 February to 20 April 2024), involving elderly individuals aged 65 and older, deemed self-sufficient with an ADL (Activities of Daily Living) score exceeding four out of six. Results: Within this community cohort of 98 individuals, averaging 75 years in age, frailty according to the modified SEGA criteria was prevalent in 29%. Frailty according to the “ZFS” score was prevalent in 40%. Key predictors of frailty identified in our study included age, comorbidity (Charlson score), polypharmacy (total number of medications and therapeutic classes), and functional ability (ADL scores). Notably, experiences of falls and hospitalizations within the past six months significantly influenced the classification of frailty according to both ZFS and SEGA scales. Significant associations with the presence of home care aides (p < 0.0001), monopodal support test results (p < 0.0001), memory impairments (p < 0.0001), and recent hospitalizations (p = 0.0054) underscored the multidimensional impact of frailty. The Pearson correlation coefficient and its 95% confidence interval between the SEGA and Zulfiqar Frailty Scales stood at 0.73 [0.61: 0.81]. The discernment threshold for frailty was set at three out of six criteria, showcasing a sensitivity of 64% and a negative predictive value of 80%. The area under the curve (AUC) for the Zulfiqar Frailty Scale was reported as 0.8. Conclusion: The “ZFS” tool allows for the detection of frailty with a highly satisfactory sensitivity and negative predictive value. Full article

Soft to medium clay soil possesses major sources of damages to the pavement layers overlying them because of their potential failure under moisture changes and external heavy traffic load. In such situations, soil stabilization methods can be used to improve the soil properties and satisfy the desired engineering requirements. This study presents the use of sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA) and lime as chemical stabilizers for a clay soil subbase. Sugarcane bagasse ash and lime are used individually and as mixtures at varying percentages to stabilize a clay soil from Taxila, Pakistan. Various geotechnical laboratory tests such as Atterberg limits, compaction test, and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) are carried out on both pure and stabilized soils. These tests are performed at 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5% of either SBA or lime by weight of dry soil. In addition, mixtures of lime and SBA in ratios of 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 1:2, and 1:3 are used in 5%, 7.5%, and 10% of dry soil weight, respectively. Results indicate that soil improved with 7.5% SBA showed a 28% increase in the liquid limit, while soil mixed with 2.5% lime in combination with 7.5% SBA showed an increase of 40% in the plastic limit. For the plasticity index, the soil mixed with 7.5% SBA showed an increase of 42%. Moreover, 2.5% lime in combination with 2.5% SBA showed the best improvement in soil consistency as this mixture reduced the soil plasticity from high to low according to the plasticity chart. Furthermore, 2.5% SBA in combination with 5% lime demonstrated the largest improvement on the CBR value, which is about a 69% increase above that of the pure soil. Finally, the cost analysis indicates a promising improvement method that reduces pavement cost, increases design life, and mitigates issues of energy consumption and pollution related to SBA as a solid waste material. Full article

Background: Linezolid is used for Gram-positive bacterial infections. Thrombocytopenia is one of its main adverse effects resulting from myelosuppression. Several studies have assessed risk factors that may increase the risk of this adverse effect. However, most studies included patients with hemato-oncologic diseases, which may confound such assessments. This study aimed to investigate risk factors for linezolid-associated thrombocytopenia in patients without hemato-oncologic diseases. Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective case-control study of adult patients treated with linezolid twice daily for ≥3 days. Patients with hemato-oncologic diseases, active dengue fever, active COVID-19, baseline platelet count <100 × 10³/mm³, concurrent therapy with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole or valproic acid, and a recent platelet transfusion within 7 days were excluded. Thrombocytopenia was defined as a drop in platelet count below 100 × 10³/mm³. Results: Out of 158 evaluated patients, 33 developed thrombocytopenia, indicating an incidence rate of 20.9%. Of all the risk factors assessed, creatinine clearance of <60 mL/min and bacteremia/infective endocarditis were significantly associated with linezolid-associated thrombocytopenia (adjusted odds ratios, 3.25 and 5.95; 95% CI 1.12–9.45 and 1.23–28.66; p = 0.031 and 0.026, respectively). End of therapy platelet counts were significantly lower in the cases than in the controls (79 vs. 243 × 10³/mm³; p < 0.001). Similarly, the percentage of platelet count change was significantly different (−55.1% vs. −10.2%; p < 0.001). Conclusions: In our study, the incidence rate of linezolid-associated thrombocytopenia was 20.9%, and we found that patients with renal impairment and bacteremia may need close monitoring of platelet counts. Prospective studies are warranted to evaluate the potential need for renal dose adjustment. Full article

Hybrid renewable energy sources (HRES) are increasingly being utilized to meet global energy demands, particularly in rural areas that rely on diesel generators and are disconnected from the utility grid, due to their environmental and human health benefits. This study investigates the performance of an off-grid, hybrid PV/diesel generator/battery system for a decentralized power plant in Kuakata, Bangladesh, meeting a load demand of 3000 kWh/day with a 501.61 kW peak load demand. HOMER Pro (hybrid optimization model for electric renewable) software (version 3.11) was used to simulate and optimize system operations utilizing real-time solar radiation and load profile data from that location. This study also includes a sensitivity analysis of the off-grid HRES system under different electrical load demands, project longevity, and derating variables. The results reveal that CO₂ emissions have potentially decreased by more than 30% and over 10 tons per year, respectively, when compared to traditional power plants. The optimized system’s net present cost (NPC) was determined to be around USD 5.19 million, with a cost of energy (COE) of USD 0.367 per kWh per unit with a 100% renewable component. Furthermore, the current study’s findings are compared to previous research that has resulted in an economical hybrid renewable energy system with an affordable COE. The hybrid energy system under consideration might also be applicable to other parts of the world with comparable climate conditions. Full article

Weight loss is a significant health problem among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) that is attributable primarily to the tumor or tumor therapy. Critical weight loss (CWL) is defined as the unintentional loss of ≥5% of weight. Therefore, this study’s goal was to investigate and determine the possible factors influencing CWL among patients with HNC who have received radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). We conducted a retrospective analysis of 175 patients who received radiotherapy or CCRT as either their primary, adjuvant, or combined treatment at the Oncology Center in King Abdullah Medical City. All patients were ≥18 years of age and diagnosed with HNC with no metastasis. The study results showed that 107 patients (61%) had CWL, while 68 (39%) did not. The following factors were significantly predictive of CWL with a multivariate regression analysis: pretreatment BMI (AOR = 1.1, 95% CI = 1.02–1.17), oral cavity cancer (AOR = 10.36, 95% CI = 1.13–94.55), and male sex (AOR = 3.15, 95% CI = 1.39–7.11). In conclusion, weight loss is highly prevalent among HNC patients during treatment. Accordingly, pretreatment BMI, cancer in the oral cavity, and being male can be considered predictive factors for CWL. Full article