Search Results (615)

High-temperature heat pump systems are essential for industrial processes that usually require high-temperature and high-pressure steam. An efficient design of these systems is critical for minimizing fossil fuel consumption, thereby contributing to a significant reduction in carbon emissions. One of the key components of these systems is the horizontal falling film evaporator, which is commonly employed due to its high thermal efficiency and low refrigerant charge. This study presents a preliminary design of a falling film evaporator to meet the target of the heat duty value of 2.2 MW. The phase-change dynamics inherent to the falling film evaporation process were critically analyzed using ANSYS Fluent (2024 R2). The low-global warming potential refrigerant R1336mzz(Z) was incorporated as a refrigerant on the shell side, while hot water was used in the tubes. The study identified key regions of film flow to maximize vapor production and design optimizations. The discussed performance parameters and operational mechanisms of the evaporator are prevailing features, particularly with the adoption of environmental regulations. Overall, the simulation results offer valuable insights into heat transfer mechanisms and evaporator effectiveness for advancing heat pump technologies in industrial applications. Full article

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease driven by immune dysregulation, microbiota imbalance, and intestinal barrier dysfunction. Despite its global burden, effective therapies remain limited. This study explores the therapeutic potential of Agrocybe cylindracea polysaccharides (ACP) in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced murine colitis model. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-characterized ACP was administered orally to BALB/c mice following colitis induction. ACP treatment significantly reduced Disease Activity Index (DAI) scores, preserved colon length, and restored intestinal barrier integrity by upregulating tight junction proteins. Mechanistically, ACP modulated immune homeostasis, suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-17, IL-23, CRP) while enhancing anti-inflammatory mediators (IL-4, TGF-β). Furthermore, ACP inhibited hepatic TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling, attenuated systemic inflammation, and reshaped gut microbiota composition by enriching beneficial taxa and reducing pathogenic Bacteroides. These findings demonstrate ACP multi-target efficacy in colitis, positioning it as a promising natural therapeutic for UC. Full article

Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) is among the most prevalent and widely distributed begomovirus infecting chili pepper (Capsicum annuum) and tomato in the Indian subcontinent. In this study, a guide RNA (gRNA) sequence-CRISPR-Cas9 approach was used to target and cleave two essential coding regions in the begomovirus genome. The gRNAs were designed to target conserved regions of the ToLCNDV replication-associated protein (rep) gene or ORF AC1, and/or the coat protein (cp) gene or AV1 ORF, respectively. Based on an alignment of 346 representative ToLCNDV genome sequences, all predicted single nucleotide polymorphisms off-target sites were identified and eliminated as potential gRNA targets. Based on the remaining genome regions, four candidate gRNAs were designed and used to build gRNA-Cas9 duplexed constructs, e.g., containing two gRNAs cloned in tandem, in different combinations (1–4). Two contained two gRNAs that targeted the coat protein gene (cp; AV1 ORF), while the other two constructs targeted both the cp and replication-associated protein gene (rep; AC1 ORF). These constructs were evaluated for the potential to suppress ToLCNDV infection in Nicotiana benthamiana plants in a transient expression-transfection assay. Among the plants inoculated with the duplexed gRNA construct designed to cleave ToLCNDV-AV1 or AC1-specific nucleotides, the construct designed to target both the cp (293–993 nt) and rep (1561–2324) showed the greatest reduction in virus accumulation, based on real-time quantitative PCR amplification, and attenuated disease symptoms, compared to plants inoculated with the DNA-A component alone or mock-inoculated, e.g., with buffer. The results demonstrate the potential for gRNA-mediated suppression of ToLCNDV infection in plants by targeting at least two viral coding regions, underscoring the great potential of CRISPR-Cas-mediated abatement of begomovirus infection in numerous crop species. Full article

This study presents a novel multi-material additive manufacturing (MMAM) strategy by combining virgin polylactic acid (vPLA) with recycled polylactic acid (rPLA) in a layered configuration to improve both performance and sustainability. Specimens were produced using fused deposition modelling (FDM) with various vPLA: rPLA ratios (33:67, 50:50, and 67:33) and two distinct layering approaches: one with vPLA forming the external layers and rPLA as the core, and a second using the reversed arrangement. Mechanical testing revealed that when vPLA is used as the exterior, printed components exhibit tensile strength and elongation improvements of 10–25% over conventional single-material prints, while the tensile modulus is largely influenced by the distribution of the two materials. Thermal analysis shows that both vPLA and rPLA begin to degrade at approximately 330 °C; however, rPLA demonstrates a higher end-of-degradation temperature (461.7 °C) and increased residue at elevated temperatures, suggesting improved thermal stability due to enhanced crystallinity. Full-field strain mapping, corroborated by digital microscopy (DM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), revealed that vPLA-rich regions display more uniform interlayer adhesion with minimal voids or microcracks, whereas rPLA-dominated areas exhibit greater porosity and a higher propensity for brittle failure. These findings highlight the role of optimal material placement in mitigating the inherent deficiencies of recycled polymers. The integrated approach of combining microstructural assessments with full-field strain mapping provides a comprehensive view of interlayer bonding and underlying failure mechanisms. Statistical analysis using analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirmed that both layer placement and material ratio have a significant influence on performance, with high effect sizes highlighting the sensitivity of mechanical properties to these parameters. In addition to demonstrating improvements in mechanical and thermal properties, this work addresses a significant gap in the literature by evaluating the combined effect of vPLA and rPLA in a multi-material configuration. The results emphasise that strategic material distribution can effectively counteract some of the limitations typically associated with recycled polymers, while also contributing to reduced dependence on virgin materials. These outcomes support broader sustainability objectives by enhancing energy efficiency and promoting a circular economy within additive manufacturing (AM). Overall, the study establishes a robust foundation for industrial-scale implementations, paving the way for future innovations in eco-efficient FDM processes. Full article

Background: Due to neurohormonal disturbances that occur following brain death, thyroid hormone therapy has been proposed as a means to enhance cardiac function in brain-dead organ donors. However, it remains unclear whether thyroid hormone administration improves clinical outcomes in potential heart donors. Methods: A comprehensive review of clinical trials was conducted to evaluate the impact of thyroid hormone therapy on heart viability and transplantation outcomes. A total of nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 1189 potential heart donors were included. Results: Thyroid hormone supplementation effectively restored circulating thyroid hormone levels in brain-dead donors. However, findings regarding improvements in cardiac function and transplantation outcomes were inconsistent across studies. While some RCTs reported marginal improvements in hemodynamic parameters and heart transplant viability, these results were not consistently replicated. Furthermore, most studies did not demonstrate a significant enhancement in recipient survival or graft function associated with thyroid hormone therapy. Conclusion: Although thyroid hormone therapy restores thyroid hormone levels in brain-dead donors, current evidence does not consistently support its effectiveness in improving donor heart viability or recipient outcomes. Further research is necessary to clarify the role of thyroid hormone therapy in donor management and its impact on long-term transplant success. Full article

Decreasing crude protein (CP) in broiler diets can improve sustainability but may compromise growth performance. Feed additives like coated cysteamine hydrochloride (CSH) and exogenous alkaline protease (EAP) can enhance protein utilization and promote gut health. While CSH modulates metabolism, EAP improves digestibility, but their combined effects in low CP diets remain unclear. This study examines the synergistic impact of CSH and EAP on broiler growth, gut histology, carcass traits, immune response, and nutrient digestibility, aiming to optimize performance while reducing environmental impact. Six-hundred, 1-day-old broiler Ross-308 chicks (male) were allotted to four treatments, each consisting of six replicates of twenty-five birds, in a factorial arrangement using a completely randomized design. The treatments comprised two inclusion levels of coated CSH (0.2 and 0.4 g/kg with or without EAP (0 and 0.2 g/kg) in reduced CP diets. A ten percent reduction in CP from the standard requirements of Ross-308 (20.7% vs. 23% in the starter, 19.35% vs. 21.5% in the grower, and 17.55% vs. 19.5% in the finisher phase) was made in all the dietary treatments. A notable interaction (p ≤ 0.05) between CSH and EAP was detected in body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass characteristics, and gut morphology during the whole study duration. Similarly, nutrient digestibility and immune response were also influenced by the combined use of CSH and EAP. The synergistic use of coated CSH at 0.2 g/kg or 0.4 g/kg with EAP in reduced CP broiler diets can enhance performance, intestinal health, carcass characteristics, immune response, and nutrient digestibility. Implications of these findings in commercial feeding practices could substantially improve the efficiency and sustainability of broiler production systems. Full article

The remaining useful life (RUL) of complex mechanical systems is the primary aspect of prognostics and health management, which is critical for ensuring reliability and safety. Recent developments have shifted towards a data-driven approach, emphasizing empirical insights over expert opinions. The similarity-based data-driven approach operates on the premise that systems with similar historical behaviors will likely exhibit similar future behaviors, making it suitable for RUL estimation. Conventionally, most similarity-based approaches utilize all historical data to identify reference systems for RUL estimations. However, not all historical events within a system hold equal significance for RUL. Certain events have a substantial impact on the remaining lifespan of a system. These significant and impactful events are called degradation events (DEs) in this study. Based on the hypothesis that systems undergoing similar DEs may share the same RUL, this study presents an innovative framework for RUL estimation that leverages only the DEs of a test system to identify reference systems that have experienced similar DEs. Furthermore, the model incorporates novel strategies for adjusting the RUL of the reference system based on the initial wear and degradation rates, thereby improving estimation accuracy. The effectiveness of the proposed model, in comparison with similar state-of-the-art models, is demonstrated through experiments on widely recognized jet engine datasets provided by NASA and bearing degradation data from the XJTU-SY. Full article

This study examined the effects of information literacy (IL) on entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurial skills among business students in Sargodha, Pakistan. A quantitative research design was employed along with a survey method. The data were gathered using a structured and self-administered questionnaire to collect data from a sample of 277 students, recruited through a convenient sampling process. Data analysis involved the application of descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS (Version 21). The results suggested that the business students’ IL levels were not optimal, with no significant differences noted based on age, gender, semester, and academic disciplines. However, IL skills showed a positive correlation with students’ CGPA. The results also showed that IL had a positive effect on entrepreneurial intentions and entrepreneurial skills. In essence, students with higher levels of IL tended to exhibit better entrepreneurial intention and skills compared to those with lower IL levels. These results inform educators and policymakers in shaping policies and practices for business education in general and entrepreneurial education in particular. This research would be a valuable addition to the existing body of knowledge on IL research in the context of academia in general and business and entrepreneurial education in particular, as a limited number of studies have appeared in the existing literature. Full article

Climate-induced wetting and drying (WD) cycles significantly affect the long-term performance of geotechnical structures. This study explores expansive Oxford clay’s mechanical and volumetric responses stabilised with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and guar gum (GG) under repeated WD cycles. We prepared 108 samples in total—36 untreated, 36 treated with OPC, and 36 treated with GG. These samples were compacted to 90% of their maximum dry density and subjected to 1, 5, 10, and 15 WD cycles, with nine samples for each treatment at each cycle. During the WD cycles, we monitored volumetric strain and moisture content. Mechanical performance was assessed through unconsolidated undrained triaxial tests conducted at matric suctions of −1500 kPa, −33 kPa, and under saturated conditions. We evaluated the undrained shear strength (S_u), secant modulus of elasticity (E₅₀), and modulus of toughness (U_t). The results showed that OPC-treated samples consistently exhibited the highest S_u at −1500 kPa across all WD cycles, followed by untreated and GG-treated samples. At −33 kPa, OPC-treated samples again outperformed the others in S_u, while GG-treated samples performed better than the untreated ones. Under saturated conditions, GG-treated samples displayed a similar S_u to OPC-treated samples, significantly higher than untreated samples. Energy absorption capacity, measured through U_t, peaked for OPC-treated samples at −1500 kPa but favoured GG treatment at −33 kPa and under saturation. X-ray computed tomography (CT) revealed severe degradation in untreated samples, characterised by extensive cracking, minor cracking in OPC-treated samples, and minimal damage in GG-treated samples. This highlights the superior resilience of guar gum to wetting–drying cycles. These findings underscore the potential of guar gum as a sustainable alternative to cement for enhancing the WD resilience of expansive soils, particularly under low-suction or saturated conditions. Full article

Under the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, Pakistan owned the Western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) and India the Eastern rivers (Ravi, Suleimanki, and Beas). Pakistan’s per capita water availability will reduce from 5260 m³ to less than 1000 m³ by 2025, causing water stress. The Indus Basin’s water availability was examined at inflow and outflow gauges between 1991 and 2015. The Indus Basin inflow and outflow gauges indicated exceptionally low and high flows before, during, and after floods. Lower flow values vary greatly for the Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum rivers. During Rabi and Kharif, the Indus and Chenab rivers behaved differently. Lower flows (Q90 to Q99) in Western Rivers are more periodic than higher flows (Q90 to Q99) and medium flows (Q90 to Q99). The outflow gauge Kotri reported 35% exceedance with zero flows during pre-flood and post-flood seasons and 50% during flood season, indicating seasonal concerns. Outflow and inflow both fell, particularly after the year 2000, according to data collected over a longer period (1976–2015). Low storage and regulating upstream capacity caused the Indus Basin outflow to reach 28 MAF (million acre feet) between 1976 and 2015, which is 70% more than the permitted 8.6 MAF downstream Kotri gauge. For 65 percent of the year, the Indus Basin does not release any water downstream of Kotri. As a result, the ecosystem relies on an annual influx of at least 123 MAF to sustain itself, and an outflow of 8.6 MAF from the Indus Basin necessitates an inflow of 113.51 MAF. At high-flow seasons, the Indus Basin experiences devastating floods, yet it dries out at a frightening rate before and after floods. The preservation of ecosystems and riparian zones downstream depends on the large environmental flows in eastern rivers. This is achievable only by fully implementing IWT and improving water management practices at western rivers. Full article

Pakistan’s banking sector faces a critical juncture as rising competition intersects with uneven efficiency, jeopardizing financial stability. This study employs a two-stage empirical framework: (1) evaluating cost-efficiency (CE) evolution via a novel stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) framework incorporating desirable and undesirable outputs (e.g., nonperforming loans) and (2) assessing competition’s impact using a novel multi-product Lerner index across loan, deposit, and asset markets, analyzed via a two-step dynamic panel data system generalized method of moments. The first stage reveals an average CE of 81%, with significant ownership-based disparities. The second stage shows that market power enhances CE overall, supporting the banking-specificity hypothesis, suggesting that regulators balance competition with operational scale benefits. However, market power exhibits duality such as elevating CE in high-efficiency quartile banks but reducing it in low-efficiency quartile ones, confirming the efficient structure hypothesis. This highlights the need for policies promoting efficiency-driven consolidation and addressing structural bottlenecks in underperforming banks. Bank-specific and macroeconomic factors also significantly influence CE. The findings offer a policy roadmap to cultivate a competitive, efficient banking ecosystem, fostering sustainable economic growth. Full article

Salinity is a major abiotic stress that affects the growth and yield of horticultural crops. By raising the levels of sodium and chlorine ions in plant cells, salinity disrupts various morphological, physiological, epigenetic, and genetic traits, leading to excessive oxidative stress production. Through a variety of redox methods, the plants can partially alleviate this disorder and restore the cell to its initial state. At cell level, cellular redox adaptation plays a potential role coping with salinity stress in all plants; however, if the salt dose is excessive, the plants might not be able to respond appropriately and may even perish from salt stress. Scientists have proposed many solutions to this issue in recent years. One of the newest and most effective technologies to enter this field is nanotechnology, which has produced some extremely impressive outcomes. However, the molecular mechanism and interaction between nanoparticles in horticultural crops remains unclear. In order to take a step toward resolving the current doubts for researchers in this field, we have attempted to conclude the most recent articles regarding how iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO-NPs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO–NPs) could aid salt-stressed plants in restoring cellular function under saline conditions in horticulture crops. Further, different inoculation modes of NPs mediated changes in physiological attributes; biochemical and genetic expressions of plants under salt stress have been discussed. This article also discussed the limitations, risk, and challenges of NPs in the food chain. Full article

The study aimed to examine the effects of dietary supplementation with microencapsulated butyric acid (EBA) and yeast culture (YC) in broiler diets. A total of 450 Ross-308 broiler chicks were selected and randomly allocated to five dietary treatments with six replicates (15 birds per replicate) in a complete block design. The experimental diets included the following treatments: (1) Negative control (NC) with basal diet without any additives. (2) Positive control (PC) with basal diet + 0.2 g/kg enramycin. (3) EBA, basal diet + 0.3 g/kg EBA. (4) YC, basal diet + 1 g/kg YC. (5) EBA+YC, basal diet + 0.3 g/kg EBA and 1 g/kg YC. The results indicated a non-significant effect on feed intake (FI) during the experiment periods. However, the EBA+YC treatment exhibited significantly increased body weight gain (BWG), better feed conversion ratio (FCR), and enhanced carcass traits (p < 0.05) compared to other treatments. A significant effect was observed for the immune organ weights and ND titters. Villus height (VH) and the ratio of villus height-to-crypt depth (VH: CD) were noted for EBA+YC across all other treatments. Ileal microbial analysis revealed a significantly lower count of E. coli and Salmonella in the ileal digesta of broiler chickens in the EBA+YC treatment compared to the NC group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with any supplement positively influences the broiler’s performance, carcass characteristics, gut health, and immune status over the NC group. More pronounced improvements were obtained from the EBA+YC group, indicating that EBA and YC had a synergistic effect on broilers. Full article

We prove a conjecture on the second minimal odd periodic orbits with respect to Sharkovski ordering for the continuous endomorphisms on the real line. A $(2k+1)$-periodic orbit $\{{\beta }_1<{\beta }_2<\cdots <{\beta }_{2k+1}\}$, ($k\ge 3$) is called second minimal for the map f, if $2k-1$ is a minimal period of ${f|}_{[{\beta }_1,{\beta }_{2k+1}]}$ in the Sharkovski ordering. Full classification of second minimal orbits is presented in terms of cyclic permutations and directed graphs of transitions. It is proved that second minimal odd orbits either have a Stefan-type structure like minimal odd orbits or one of the $4k-3$ types, each characterized with unique cyclic permutations and directed graphs of transitions with an accuracy up to the inverses. The new concept of second minimal orbits and its classification have an important application towards an understanding of the universal structure of the distribution of the periodic windows in the bifurcation diagram generated by the chaotic dynamics of nonlinear maps on the interval. Full article