Search Results (295)

Full-section interval casting technology was adopted for the integral immersed tube of the Chebei Immersed Tunnel. Field tests (Chebei Immersed Tunnel) were conducted to establish the time-dependent development of the concrete shrinkage strain of the full-section casting segments. And laboratory experiments were then carried out to investigate the influence of factors such as the reinforcement ratio and stress, expansive agent content and composition, fly ash content, and curing temperature and humidity on the expansive effect of calcium–magnesium composite expansive agents. Field tests revealed that casting segments exhibit initial expansion followed by shrinkage, reaching a final strain of 348 με (microstrain). Laboratory investigations demonstrated that reinforcement (20–30 MPa stress) in post-casting belts effectively restrains segments without compromising the performance of calcium–magnesium composite expansive agents. The optimal 5:3:2 ratio of CaO, MgO 90s, and MgO 200s agents controlled shrinkage strain within 80 με by combining CaO’s rapid early expansion with MgO’s sustained effect. Field validation confirmed the mix’s effectiveness in preventing cracking, with key findings: (1) fly ash content and curing conditions significantly influence expansive behavior, and (2) shrinkage development can be precisely regulated through agent composition adjustments. Full article

Identifying natural alternatives to conventional chemical fertilizers is critical to preventing the widespread soil degradation and environmental damage caused by modern agriculture. Microbe-based biofertilizers have emerged as promising candidates due to their natural ability to improve nutrient bioavailability and promote plant growth. However, how biofertilizers affect the soil microbiome remains unclear. To investigate the impact of biofertilizer application on soil microbiome, LNP-1, a strain of Bacillus subtilis, was used as a biofertilizer in conjunction with no fertilizer, organic fertilizer, and chemical fertilizer for the cultivation of cabbage. Soil samples were collected and analyzed using next-generation sequencing to determine microbial abundance and diversity. Our results showed that LNP-1 supplementation not only improved cabbage yield significantly but also improved soil microbe diversity, a key indicator of soil health. Overall, soils treated with LNP-1 showed the enrichment of microbes involved in nutrient cycling and plant growth when compared to untreated groups. Notably, the yield of organically fertilized cabbage plants increased by 39.7% when treated with LNP-1. These results therefore demonstrate the potential for using biofertilizers to establish a more well-rounded, multifunctional soil microbiome to reduce reliance on chemical inputs and achieve high crop yield sustainably. Full article

Background: Population differences in gut microbiota composition and related metabolites may influence their potential causal relationship with chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, this relationship remains poorly understood in the Chinese population. Materials and Methods: We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study using summary statistics of 500 gut microbial features (9 phyla, 3 classes, 14 orders, 32 families, 95 genera, 248 species, and 99 gut metabolic modules (GMMs)) from the 4D-SZ (from Shenzhen, China) discovery cohort (n = 1539). CKD summary statistics were obtained from the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) (489 cases and 75,531 controls). Associations between gut microbiota and CKD were evaluated via inverse variance weighted, MR-Egger, weighted median, and MR-PRESSO. To validate our findings, we replicated the analyses in two independent East Asian CKD GWAS datasets: the Biobank of Japan (BBJ) dataset (2117 cases and 174,345 controls) and the J-Kidney-Biobank (JKB) dataset (382 cases and 3471 controls). We further validated the results via a meta-GWAS of BUN and eGFR in Biobank Japan (BBJ) and the Taiwan Biobank (TWB). Additionally, we analyzed 304 serum proteins from the Guangzhou Nutrition and Health Study (GNHS) and conducted mediation MR analyses to explore potential mediators. Result: At the locus-wide significance threshold, we identified 18 gut microbiome features associated with CKD onset in the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB). Genus Alistipes (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00–1.03, p = 0.03) was associated with incident CKD risk in the JKB cohort. Species Bifidobacterium catenulatum–Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum complex (OR 1.0074, 95% CI 1.0070–1.0142, p = 0.01) was associated with incident CKD risk in a meta-GWAS of BUN. Sensitivity analyses, including Cochran’s Q test, MR-Egger intercept analysis, leave-one-out analysis, and funnel plots, yielded consistent results. Mediation analysis revealed that 26.7% (95% CI: 0.006–0.6700, p = 0.04) of the effect of Alistipes on CKD risk was mediated through the serum protein FBLN1. Conclusions: Our study provides Mendelian randomization-based evidence supporting a potential causal relationship between gut microbiota and CKD, highlighting the potential mediating role of FBLN1 in the association between genus Alistipes and CKD. Further studies are needed to explore whether and how genus Alistipes and FBLN1 contribute to CKD development. Full article

Background: Intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia have rarely been reported. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and risk factors for mortality among patients with S. maltophilia IAIs. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on inpatients with IAIs caused by S. maltophilia at Tri Service General Hospital from 2004 to 2017. Clinical and microbiologic data of the included cases were reviewed via medical charts and microbiology databases. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for in-hospital death. Results: In total, 110 patients were diagnosed with S. maltophilia IAIs. Malignancy (56.3%) and liver cirrhosis (35.3%) were the most commonly identified underlying diseases. The major causes of S. maltophilia IAIs were biliary tract infection (42.7%), recent abdominal surgery (35.4%), and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (20.0%). Polymicrobial infections were observed in 84 (76.4%) patients. In addition to S. maltophilia, co-cultured bacteria (n = 140) included Enterobacterales, representing 19.3% (27/140) of the total isolates, and non-fermentative aerobes, comprising 29.3% (41/140). In addition, anaerobic bacteria and fungi accounted for 9.2% (13/140) and 10% (14/140), respectively. The overall mortality rate was 40.9%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that high Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores and malignancies were independent risk factors for mortality, while the immediate administration of appropriate antibiotics targeting S. maltophilia was a protective factor (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Patients with an underlying malignancy or liver cirrhosis were at risk for IAIs caused by S. maltophilia. The prompt initiation of effective antibiotics against S. maltophilia is critical for achieving favorable outcomes. Full article

Background: Although upper and lower respiratory tract diseases coexist, studies discussing the relationship between chronic rhinitis (CR) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are limited. Fluticasone nasal sprays are common treatment options for patients with rhinitis. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of fluticasone nasal spray on patients with both CR and COPD. Methods: A retrospective review was performed using data from former smokers with CR and COPD at China Medical University Hospital (CMUH). Based on their medication history, patients were allocated into Group A, who had received treatment with fluticasone nasal spray, and Group B, who had never received this treatment. Pulmonary function test results, including forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC), were collected for both groups before treatment and one year after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of fluticasone nasal spray treatment on pulmonary function. Results: A total of 123 former smokers were included, with 62 patients in Group A and 61 patients in Group B. At baseline, there was no significant difference in age, sex, and pulmonary function between the two groups. After one year of treatment, Group A showed an upward trend in pulmonary function, with the FEV1 increasing from 1.613 ± 0.554 to 1.708 ± 0.675 (p < 0.05) and the FVC increasing from 2.540 ± 0.694 to 2.670 ± 0.839 (p < 0.05). On the other hand, Group B exhibited a downward trend in pulmonary function after one year, with the FEV1 decreasing from 1.609 ± 0.554 to 1.544 ± 0.517 (p < 0.05) and the FVC decreasing from 2.586 ± 0.665 to 2.495 ± 0.679 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This retrospective study suggests that the combined use of fluticasone nasal spray may be associated with improved pulmonary function in former smokers with both CR and COPD. This finding supports the concept of “united airway disease”. Full article

As the linewidth of semiconductor nanostructures continues to decrease, the criteria for acceptable surface homogeneity of silicon (Si) epi-films are becoming increasingly stringent. To address this challenge, the effect of different tilted ceiling heights on the Si epi thickness homogeneity in an atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) reactor is investigated numerically. In this study, the deposition temperature on the wafer is controlled at 1373 K. When a tilted ceiling with decreasing height along the streamwise direction is used, the average gas mixture velocity increases with the streamwise direction, which can reduce the impact of flow distortion caused by the rotation of the susceptor. At the same time, the growth of the reaction boundary layer on the wafer is suppressed, which helps with the diffusion of trichlorosilane (TCS) on the wafer surface. This makes the drop in the TCS concentration along the streamwise direction more linear, thereby improving the linearity of the growth rate on the wafer surface along the streamwise direction. Therefore, the present results for a reactor without an inlet plate show that the thickness homogeneity across the entire surface of the wafer after a complete susceptor rotation can be significantly improved by linearly reducing the ceiling height in the streamwise direction. A further increase in the inclination of the inclined ceiling leads to a further improvement in the deposition homogeneity. However, the growth rate values at the same position perpendicular to the streamwise direction are inconsistent, which is not conducive to deposition homogeneity. This shortcoming can be improved upon by using a four-inlet plate reactor with an inclined top plate and by properly selecting the position of each partition and the inlet gas mixture velocity of each inlet channel, thereby greatly increasing the deposition homogeneity of the Si epi-layer. For the cases considered in this study, the deposition thickness non-homogeneity across the wafer surface decreased from 38% to 3%. Full article

(1) Background: The relationship between air pollution and the risk of developing aphasia is still unclear. We aimed to evaluate air pollution exposure as a risk factor for developing aphasia in Taiwan. (2) Methods: This retrospective population-based cohort study used the Longitudinal Generation Tracking Database (LGTD) and the Taiwan Air Quality Monitoring Database (TAQMD). The incidence rate ratio (IRR) and adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) were calculated to examine the association between aphasia and exposure to six air pollutants: sulfur oxide (SO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen oxide (NOx), and particulate matter (PM_2.5, PM₁₀) from 2003 to 2017. (3) Results: The incidence rate ratio (IRR) of aphasia showed that individuals with high levels of SO₂, CO, and NO were at a higher risk of developing aphasia. Increased exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) also increased the risk of developing aphasia. The adjusted HRs of the aphasia risk were statistically significant for all the air pollutants at higher concentrations. (4) Conclusions: Individuals exposed to ambient air pollutants have a significantly higher risk of developing aphasia. The greater the exposure to airborne particulate matter and gaseous pollutants, the more likely individuals are to develop aphasia. Full article

This study investigated common diagnoses from surgical biopsies of domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculi) in Taiwan and examined the role of leporipoxvirus in tumor pathogenesis. Biopsy specimens from 70 rabbits collected between 2014 and 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, yielding 85 diagnoses. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect leporipoxvirus in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues diagnosed with fibroma, fibrosarcoma, or myxosarcoma. The most commonly affected systems were the integumentary (n = 41) and reproductive (n = 36) systems. Common integumentary tumors included fibrosarcomas (n = 12), trichoblastomas (n = 8), mammary gland tumors (n = 5), and fibromas (n = 4). In the reproductive system, the most common lesions were uterine adenocarcinomas (n = 16), uterine endometrial cystic hyperplasia and hypertrophy (n = 5), and uterine adenomyosis (n = 4). The 15 cases of fibroma, fibrosarcoma, and myxosarcoma were tested for leporipoxvirus using PCR. No viral sequences were detected in these tumors. This study identified the common diagnoses from rabbit biopsy specimens and found no leporipoxvirus infection in samples of fibrosarcoma and fibroma. This is the first study on tumors in pet rabbit biopsies and the first in Taiwan to investigate leporipoxvirus infection, providing valuable insights for future diagnosis and management. Full article

The rapid identification of stroke is critical to improving stroke patient outcomes. Existing protocols for assessing the risk of stroke are subjective and may be further complicated by nonspecific symptoms, increasing the risk of misdiagnosis. Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) has emerged as a promising stroke biomarker. However, current detection methods such as the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) are time-consuming and costly. In this research, we developed an electrochemical biosensor for the rapid quantification of NSE in whole blood. Mouse stroke models were established, and blood samples collected were analyzed using both hospital-standard ECLIA as well as the biosensor. The biosensor limit of detection was 1.15 ng/mL. NSE measurements were highly correlated between the two methods and were obtained in 5 min using 20 μL of unprocessed whole blood samples. Notably, the biosensor could accurately quantify elevated blood NSE blood that was associated with more severe stroke. Our results demonstrate the utility of the proposed biosensor in pre-hospital settings. Combined with existing stroke assessment methods, the biosensor may enable emergency personnel to identify stroke risk with greater accuracy to optimize the chances of receiving necessary treatment within the effective window. Full article

With the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, large language models have been developed and used in education. In this study, we employ the Google Gemini AI tool (version 1.0) to annotate teachers’ programming of teaching materials. When students learned these annotated teaching materials, the ThinkGear ASIC module (TGAM) and galvanic skin response (GSR) sensors were deployed to measure student mindfulness meditation, relaxation levels, and learning stress. We constructed a backpropagation neural network (BPNN) model with three hidden layers to predict student concentration and relaxation levels using GSR data and the time that students spent answering questions. In the developed system, we deployed a Node-Red dashboard to monitor all sensing data and predict results for mindfulness meditation and relaxation levels. The results were stored in an SQLite database. The BPNN model effectively predicted students’ mindfulness meditation and relaxation levels. For multiple-choice questions about teaching materials, the mean absolute error (MAE) of the BPNN model was 14.29 for mindfulness meditation and 10.54 for relaxation. Full article

Many movements of the human body’s muscles rely on the leg muscles for power or weight-bearing. However, leg muscle symmetry is often ignored. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor uneven or asymmetric muscle strength between the legs. We developed a system using electromyography (EMG) and an HW827 sensor for detecting leg muscles and monitoring the heart rate. In the system, the data are displayed on the Node-RED dashboard and are stored in the SQLite database. These experimental results show that for two subjects at a moderate level of exercise intensity, their non-dominant leg EMG values are higher than those for the dominant leg. Full article

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent respiratory disorder characterized by persistent airway inflammation and progressive airflow limitation, resulting in a significant global health burden and high mortality. This narrative review synthesizes the current evidence on the roles of leukocyte subtypes—including neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and basophils—in the pathogenesis and clinical management of COPD. Relevant original studies and reviews are included, providing data on leukocyte functions, associated biomarkers, and therapeutic implications. Neutrophils contribute to airway damage and remodeling by releasing proteases and reactive oxygen species, particularly in response to environmental exposure such as cigarette smoke or air pollution. Lymphocytes, especially CD8⁺ T cells, drive chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation. Monocytes differentiate into macrophages that promote airway fibrosis and persistent inflammation, further impairing lung function. Eosinophils, though classically linked to asthma, are now recognized for their role in eosinophilic COPD, where they are associated with an increased exacerbation risk and corticosteroid responsiveness. Basophils, though less studied, may influence airway inflammation through interactions with eosinophils and cytokine release. Understanding these immune cell dynamics provides insights into the heterogeneity of COPD and highlights potential targets for precision therapy. Tailored interventions based on inflammatory phenotypes may improve clinical outcomes and advance personalized treatment strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Gastric cancer is one of the most common and lethal cancers worldwide, with particularly high incidence and mortality rates in East Asia and Europe. DNAJB4 has been shown to have prognostic implications in other cancer types; however, its expression patterns and role in gastric cancer have not been extensively studied. This study aimed to analyze DNAJB4 expression in gastric cancer and explore its association with clinical characteristics, molecular markers, and patient outcomes. Methods: We selected suitable tumor samples from 189 gastric cancer patients who had not undergone chemotherapy or radiotherapy, with 188 patients ultimately included in the analysis. Tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate DNAJB4 expression, and the samples were divided into high- and low-expression groups based on the H-score. Multivariate logistic regression and survival analysis were conducted to identify influencing factors. Results: High DNAJB4 expression was significantly correlated with increased CD31 levels but was inversely associated with advanced cancer stages. Subgroup analysis revealed that in patients with advanced gastric cancer, high DNAJB4 expression was associated with increased caspase-3 levels and with elevated CD31 and decreased E-cadherin levels. Conclusions: High DNAJB4 expression was associated with both angiogenesis and apoptosis, indicating its complex role in gastric cancer progression. Although DNAJB4 promoted angiogenesis by increasing CD31 levels, it may also enhance apoptosis in tumor cells through caspase-3-induced apoptosis. Full article

Background and Objectives: Unassisted breathing through a T-piece was the most used spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) in endotracheal intubated prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) patients. However, the optimal duration of an SBT in PMV patients remains uncertain. In this study, we compared the extubation outcome between a 12 h T-piece SBT and a 24 h T-piece SBT in PMV patients. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the medical records of PMV patients who were extubated after passing a 12 h or 24 h T-piece SBT. The extubation, weaning, and hospital outcomes between the 12 h T-piece SBT group and the 24 h T-piece SBT group were compared. Kaplan–Meier survival plots and Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the risk of extubation failure between groups. Results: In this study, 120 patients were extubated after passing the 12 h T-piece SBT and 234 patients were extubated after passing 24 h T-piece SBT. Patients in the 24 h T-piece SBT group had higher APACHE II score and lower Glasgow coma scale upon RCC arrival than patients in the 12 h T-piece SBT group. There was no difference in gender, age, or ventilator days before extubation between these two groups of patients. After extubation, patients in the 12 h T-piece SBT group and 24 h T-piece SBT group had similar extubation failure rates within 5 days (26.7% vs. 26.1%, p = 0.904). There was no difference in the RCC weaning rate (85% vs. 85.5%, p = 0.929) and hospital mortality rate (19.8% vs. 21.8%, p = 0.821) between the 12 h T-piece SBT group and the 24 h T-piece SBT group. Subgroup analysis showed that 24 h T-piece SBT was associated with a lower extubation failure rate in PMV patients with myocardial infarction or heart failure, but not in older PMV patients or those with cerebrovascular disease. Conclusions: The extubation and weaning outcomes were similar in PMV patients extubated after passing 12 h T-piece SBT or 24 h T-piece SBT. Full article

As a large number of large-scale photovoltaic (PV) stations are integrated into the power grid, the penetration rate of PV power is growing higher and higher. The intermittency and volatility of PV power generation bring great pressure to the safe and stable operation of the distribution network. In order to realize scientific energy dispatching and optimization, the predicted output of large PV stations is the data basis and prerequisite. The output prediction method of large PV stations is studied in this paper, and a prediction method based on gradient-boosting decision trees is proposed. In the method, the original data are first collected, and the sample set is established through the steps of data interpolation, supplement, and integration, and then the sample set is pre-processed by data cleaning and normalization. The model training and PV output prediction during the test period are carried out based on the pre-processed data. Finally, the prediction results are imported into the error analysis module. The feasibility and accuracy of the proposed method are analyzed by comparing it with the traditional method. The results show that the normalized mean absolute error ($\mathrm{n}\mathrm{M}\mathrm{A}\mathrm{E}$) and normalized root mean square error ($\mathrm{n}\mathrm{R}\mathrm{M}\mathrm{S}\mathrm{E}$) of the proposed method are 7.31% and 11.78%, respectively, while the $\mathrm{n}\mathrm{M}\mathrm{A}\mathrm{E}$ and $\mathrm{n}\mathrm{R}\mathrm{M}\mathrm{S}\mathrm{E}$ of the traditional method are 11.67% and 20.39%, respectively. Thus, the prediction performance of the proposed method is superior to that of the traditional method. Full article