Search Results (2,129)

Soil salinization is a major threat to agricultural sustainability. Poly-gamma-glutamic acid (γ-PGA), a biopolymer produced by microbial fermentation, has received attention as a biostimulant due to its positive effects on crop performance. However, the function of γ-PGA in crop salt stress tolerance and its effect on the rhizosphere are unclear. This study explores the effects of γ-PGA application on rhizosphere soil nutrients and the soil–physical environment and examines the salt tolerance response of maize seedlings grown in saline–alkali soil under such an application regime. The results show a significant promotion of maize seedling growth and of nutrient accumulation with γ-PGA application under salt stress; plant dry weight, stem diameter, and plant height increased 121%, 39.5%, 18.4%, respectively, and shoot accumulation of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and carbon increased by 1.38, 2.11, 1.50, and 1.36 times, respectively, under an optimal-concentration γ-PGA treatment (5.34 mg kg⁻¹ (12 kg ha⁻¹)) compared with the control. γ-PGA treatment significantly decreased rhizospheric pH and soil electrical conductivity and significantly increased nutrient availability in the rhizosphere, especially available nitrogen (AN) and available potassium (AK). Compared with the control, AN, available phosphorus (AP), and AK increased by 13.9%, 7.70%, and 17.7%, respectively, under an optimal concentration treatment with γ-PGA. γ-PGA application also significantly increased the activities of urease, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, dehydrogenase, and cellulose in rhizosphere soil by 35.5–39.3%, 35.4–39.3%, 5.59–8.85%, 18.9–19.8%, and 19.2–47.0%, respectively. γ-PGA application significantly decreased Na⁺ concentration and increased K⁺ concentration in shoots, resulting in a lowering of the Na⁺/K⁺ ratio by 30.5% and an increase in soluble sugar and soluble protein contents. Therefore, rhizosphere application of water-soluble and biodegradable γ-PGA facilitates the creation of an optimized rhizospheric environment for maize seedling and overcomes osmotic and ionic stresses, offering possibilities for future use in drip-irrigation systems in the cultivation of crops on saline-alkali land. Full article

Hydrogen storage is vital to the development of renewables, especially in low-infrastructure countries. Metal hydrides offer a small but safe solid-state candidate for hydrogen storage at medium pressures and near-ambient temperature, yet large-scale applications face heat-management challenges. In this article, we numerically analyze examples of two large-scale lanthanum pentanickel (LaNi₅)-based metal hydride reactor configurations with shell-and-tube heat exchangers. This research studies two large-scale shell-and-tube metal hydride reactor configurations: a tube-side cooling reactor with hydride powder packed in the shell and coolant flowing through internal tubes, and a shell-side cooling reactor using annular hydride pellets with coolant circulating through the shell. The thermal and kinetic performance of these large-scale reactors was simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics (version 6.1) and analyzed under different geometries and operating conditions typical of industrial scales. The tube-side solution provided 90% hydrogen absorption in 1500–2000 s at 30 bar, while the shell-side solution reached the same level of absorption in 430 s at 10 bar. Results show that tube-side cooling has higher storage, while shell-side cooling improves heat removal and kinetics. For energy and maritime transport applications, these findings reveal optimization insights for large-scale, efficient hydrogen storage systems. Full article

Plant growth-promoting (PGP) bacteria are beneficial microbes that can help plants mitigate various biotic and abiotic stresses through different PGP functions. Flavins (FLs) are involved in flavoprotein-mediated reactions essential for plant metabolism and could act as PGP molecules. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize potential FLs secreting bacteria from apple (Malus domestica [Suckow] Borkh) roots based on their fluorescence and to evaluate their PGP properties, including FLs secretion. A total of 26 bacteria with increased fluorescence in liquid culture were isolated from the apple roots. Based on 16S rRNA sequencing analysis, 11 genetically different strains mostly from Burkholderia and Rhizobia spp. were identified. All isolates secreted considerable amounts of riboflavin. In vitro plant assays showed that under nitrogen (N) limitation, inoculated alfalfa (Medicago sativa) plants yielded at least 25% more dry mass than non-inoculated plants, and inoculation with AK7 and FL112 enriched plant tissue N content compared to non-inoculated plants. This improved N acquisition was not linked to symbiotic N fixation. Additionally, the isolates exhibited some other PGP properties. However, no specific PGP functions were linked to improved plant N acquisition but could potentially be linked to the FLs secretion. For future investigation, the mechanisms underlying improved plant N uptake should be assessed to gain a more in-depth understanding. Full article

The aim of the study was to characterize the prevalence of comorbidities and molecular genetic status in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and non-familial hypercholesterolemia (non-FH). This cross-sectional observational study included 323 patients. Assessments comprised personal and family histories, physical examination, fasting lipid profiling, and molecular genetic testing. Patients with FH were not characterized by an increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In contrast, the non-FH group demonstrated a pronounced cardiometabolic comorbidity profile with a high prevalence of recurrent chronic pancreatitis. Patients with probable or definite FH had a higher prevalence of coronary heart disease and peripheral atherosclerosis, whereas myocardial infarction (MI) was common across all studied groups. Among patients with definite and probable FH, pathogenetic variants were identified in 78.2% and 71.4%, respectively, predominantly in the LDLR gene, with one variant in the APOB gene. In the possible FH group, pathogenic variants were identified in 46.7% of cases (LDLR gene in 64.3% and APOB gene in 28.6%). Patients with FH were characterized by a lower prevalence of concomitant cardiometabolic diseases. The high diagnostic yield of genetic testing in the possible FH category (figured Clinic Network score 3–5) suggests that expanding indications for molecular genetic testing to include this patient group should be considered. Full article

Background and Objectives: Scalp nerve block (SNB) is hypothesized to attenuate the physiological response to skull pinning more effectively than local anesthetic (LA) infiltration. This study aimed to compare the two techniques using Bispectral index (BIS) as a primary surrogate measure of cortical arousal. Materials and Methods: In this prospective observational study, patients undergoing elective craniotomy received either bilateral SNB (Group S, n = 53) or LA infiltration (Group LA, n = 35) based on anesthesiologist preference. Depth of anesthesia was monitored via BIS. The primary outcome was the change in BIS after skull pin insertion. A ΔBIS > 20% from baseline triggered rescue medication (remifentanil/propofol). Secondary outcomes included hemodynamic parameters and rescue requirements. Results: There was a significant main effect of time on BIS values (p < 0.001), indicating that BIS values changed significantly across measurement points. Post-hoc examination of parameter estimates revealed that the Group LA showed significantly greater increases in BIS values compared to the Group S at T1 (p = 0.030) and T3 (p = 0.024). No significant between-group differences in BIS changes were observed at T5, T10, or T15 time points (p > 0.05). Hemodynamic responses (mean arterial pressure and heart rate) were also transiently but significantly higher in Group LA at these time points (p < 0.001). The most clinically notable finding was that significantly more patients in Group LA required rescue medication (p < 0.001), indicating a greater frequency of clinically significant physiological trespass. Conclusions: Compared to LA infiltration, SNB was associated with statistically significant reductions in immediate BIS and hemodynamic responses to skull pinning. The key potential clinical implication is the corresponding reduction in the need for rescue anesthetic intervention. These findings support SNB as a technique for enhancing physiological stability, though the direct impact on patient-centered outcomes requires further study. BIS may serve as a useful adjunctive indicator of the cortical response to noxious stimuli. Full article

Laboratory and field investigations were used to assess the toxicity of leachate from a closed sanitary landfill on benthic macroinvertebrates in coldwater trout streams located near a landfill in southeastern Minnesota, USA. Field-collected invertebrates were exposed to a range of concentrations (0–100%) of leachate during a series of 24 h and 7-day laboratory toxicity tests. Benthic macroinvertebrates also were collected from two stream sites on either side of the landfill and at a third site downstream to assess potential pollution exposure of the stream communities. Ten different taxa exposed to 100% leachate for 24 h exhibited survival ranging from 0 to 100%, with survivorship not correlated to published invertebrate pollution tolerance values. More extensive 24 h tests with the least tolerant Brachycentrus caddisfly larvae found 100% mortality at leachate concentrations > 70%, with the first mortalities observed after 3 h. Brachycentrus had 100% survival at leachate concentrations < 40%. During 7-day tests, Brachycentrus had 100% survival at all leachate concentrations of 40% and lower, but all Brachycentrus died after 2 days at concentrations of 60% and higher. Instream benthic communities, averaging 12 to 17 different taxa at the various stream sites, were rated from good to excellent based on biotic index values, with intolerant taxa present at all three stream sites. Landfill leachate has not impacted the benthic invertebrate communities in streams nearby, but leachate at higher concentrations has the potential to be toxic to a variety of local taxa. Full article

Background/Objectives: Perineoplasty can be performed as an adjunct to native tissue pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery; the optimal indication for perineoplasty is unknown due to limited evidence regarding its benefits and the absence of clear clinical guidelines. This study aims to describe patient-related factors associated with surgeons’ decisions to add perineoplasty to POP surgery and to quantify the frequency of intraoperative changes from preoperative surgical plans. Methods: In this multicenter observational cohort study, women ≥ 18 years scheduled for primary native tissue POP surgery between April 2023 and November 2024 were included. Baseline characteristics, pelvic floor anatomy (POP-Q), genital hiatus (GH), perineal body (PB) measurements, and surgeon-reported considerations regarding perineoplasty were collected. Surgical plans (“with”, “without”, or “undecided”) were documented and compared with the actual performed procedure. Logistic and linear regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with perineoplasty. Results: Among the 305 enrolled women, 285 underwent surgery, of whom 135 (47%) received perineoplasty. Patients who underwent perineoplasty had a larger GH size (5.2 cm) compared to patients without perineoplasty (4.5 cm). Obesity was associated with an increased rate of perineoplasty compared to normal weight (OR 2.3 95%CI 1.2–4.6). There was a strong exponential association between childbirth and perineoplasty, with a fivefold increase for two children (95%CI 1.3–17.1) and thirtyfold increase for four or more children (95%CI 6.3–142) compared to one child. Nearly all procedures (92%) followed the preoperative plan; surgeons were more likely to omit than add perineoplasty intraoperatively. Surgeons frequently reported GH/PB size and age as key considerations to perform perineoplasty and lack of evidence and fear of dyspareunia as reasons to not perform perineoplasty. Conclusions: Surgeons more often perform perineoplasty in patients with factors that have been associated with a higher risk of recurrent prolapse. Prospective comparative studies are required to determine whether perineoplasty reduces recurrent POP after primary surgical repair. Full article

Wireless sensor networks comprise many resource-constrained nodes that must protect both local readings and routing metadata. The sensors collect data from the environment or from the individual to whom they are attached and transmit it to the nearest gateway node via a wireless network for further delivery to external users. Due to wireless communication, the transmitted messages may be intercepted, rerouted, or even modified by an attacker. Consequently, security and privacy issues are of utmost importance, and the nodes must be protected against unauthorized access during transmission over a public wireless channel. To address these issues, we propose the Probabilistic Bit-Similarity-Based Key Agreement Protocol (PBS-KAP). This novel method enables two nodes to iteratively converge on a shared secret key without transmitting it or relying on pre-installed keys. PBS-KAP enables two nodes to agree on a symmetric session key using probabilistic similarity alignment with explicit key confirmation (MAC). Optimized Garbled Circuits facilitate secure computation with minimal computational and communication overhead, while Secure Sketches combined with Fuzzy Extractors correct residual errors and amplify entropy  producing reliable and uniformly random session keys. The resulting protocol provides a balance between security, privacy, and usability, standing as a practical solution for real-world WSN and IoT applications without imposing excessive computational or communication burdens. Security relies on standard computational assumptions via a one-time elliptic–curve–based base Oblivious Transfer, followed by an IKNP Oblivious Transfer extension and a small garbled threshold circuit. No pre-deployed long-term keys are required. After the bootstrap, only symmetric operations are used. We analyze confidentiality in the semi-honest model. However, entity authentication, though feasible, requires an additional Authenticated Key Exchange step or malicious-secure OT/GC. Under the semi-honest OT/GC assumption, we prove session-key secrecy/indistinguishability; full entity authentication requires an additional AKE binding step or malicious-secure OT/GC.  Full article

Biochar, a highly effective amendment, is widely used for soil improvement and environmental remediation. However, research on its application in litchi (Litchi chinensis) cultivation is relatively scarce, particularly regarding its potential to enhance the rhizospheric soil ecological environment. In this study, a pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of biochar derived from maize (Zea mays) and rice (Oryza sativa), applied at different rates (3%, 6%, 10%), on the physical and chemical properties, enzyme activities, and microbial community structure and diversity in the rhizospheric soil of litchi seedlings. The results showed that biochar application significantly (p < 0.05) improved soil nutrient conditions, including total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK), pH, and soil sucrase (SC) enzyme activity. Notably, treatment with 10% maize biochar exhibited the most pronounced improvement across all parameters, barring AP. Furthermore, biochar application stimulated the proliferation of specific bacterial taxa (Acidobacteriota, Bacteroidota, and Chloroflexota) and fungal phyla (Ascomycota and Mortierellomycota), increasing bacterial diversity while decreasing fungal diversity and richness. Correlation analysis further revealed the close relationships between soil microbial communities and fertility factors. This study provides substantial evidence regarding the efficacy and feasibility of biochar in improving the rhizospheric soil ecological environment of litchi. It offers a theoretical foundation for the scientific application of biochar in orchard soil management. Full article

Background: Persistent liver pathology despite a sustained virologic response (SVR) to hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy is a major clinical concern. This is particularly relevant for people with HIV (PWH) with HCV coinfection, a population prone to accelerated liver disease progression. This study aimed to characterize the plasma miRNA profile in PWH with cirrhosis one year after successful completion of HCV therapy, and to explore their relationship with metabolite alterations. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 47 PWH who achieved HCV clearance with antiviral therapy. Using plasma samples collected approximately one year after completion of HCV therapy, participants were stratified into two groups based on liver stiffness measurement (LSM): compensated cirrhosis (n = 32, LSM ≥ 12.5 kPa) and non-cirrhosis (n = 15, LSM < 12.5 kPa). Plasma miRNAs and metabolites were determined using small RNA sequencing and untargeted capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS), respectively. Significantly differentially expressed (SDE) miRNAs were identified using generalized linear models (GLM) with a negative binomial distribution, and their correlation with metabolite levels was quantified using Spearman’s correlation. Results: In the cirrhosis group (n = 32), we identified a distinct signature of 15 SDE miRNAs (9 upregulated, 6 downregulated) compared to the non-cirrhotic group (n = 15), showing hsa-miR-10401-3p, hsa-miR-548ak, hsa-miR-141-3p, and hsa-miR-3940-3p the largest expression changes. miRNA-gene interaction and pathway enrichment analysis suggested that these 15 SDE miRNAs potentially regulate multiple genes involved in immune response and amino acid metabolism. In addition, correlation analyses with our metabolomic data revealed significant associations between specific SDE miRNAs and amino acids and their derivatives. Specifically, the expression of upregulated miRNAs (e.g., hsa-miR-10401-3p and hsa-miR-16-5p) was positively correlated with plasma levels of L-methionine and its derivatives, while downregulated miRNAs (e.g., hsa-miR-625-5p) were inversely correlated with L-tryptophan. Conclusions: In cirrhotic PWH with history of HCV coinfection, a distinct plasma miRNA signature linked to dysregulated amino acid metabolism is found one year after completion of HCV therapy. This underscores that the HCV cure does not equate to complete hepatic recovery, highlighting the critical need for long-term monitoring in this high-risk population. Full article

Controlling CO₂ channeling in heterogeneous reservoirs remains a major challenge for both enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and secure geological storage. AMPS-HPAM copolymers exhibit high-temperature resistance and brine tolerance compared with conventional HPAM gels, making them well suited for the harsh environments associated with CO₂ injection. Chromium-based crosslinkers (CrAc and CrCl₃) were investigated because sulfonic acid groups in AMPS can coordinate with trivalent chromium ions, enabling dual ionic crosslinking and the formation of a robust gel network. While organic crosslinked AMPS-HPAM gels have been widely studied, the behavior of chromium-crosslinked AMPS-containing systems, particularly their gelation kinetics under CO₂ exposure, remains less explored. This experimental study evaluates the gelation behavior and stability of chromium-crosslinked AMPS-HPAM gels by examining the effects of the polymer concentration, molecular weight, polymer–crosslinker ratio, temperature, pH, salinity, and dissolved CO₂. The results clarify the crosslinking behavior across a range of formulations and environmental conditions and establish criteria for designing robust gel systems. Gelation times can be controlled from 5 to 10 h, and the resulting gels maintained structural integrity under CO₂ exposure with less than 3.6% dehydration. Long-term thermal testing has shown that the gel remains stable after 10 months at 100 °C, with evaluation still ongoing. These results demonstrate that chromium-crosslinked AMPS-HPAM gels provide both durability and tunability for diverse subsurface conditions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Although scoliosis is essentially a three-dimensional (3D) deformation of the spine and has been reported to be associated with muscle activations around the vertebrae, no study has demonstrated the 3D structural deformations of the spine in relation to asymmetrical muscle activation nor revealed the neuromuscular characteristics associated with scoliosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between asymmetrical muscle activation and three-dimensional spinal deformity in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) of thoracic origin. Methods: Thirty-one patients with IS of thoracic origin (double major [DM] and single thoracic [ST] types) and 39 normal controls were included. Surface electromyographic (SEMG) signals were obtained in several back muscles while the patients were in a writing posture. 3D analyses of spinal curves with EOS imaging system were performed, and “AR_main” (indicative of axial rotation of the vertebral column), “ΔAR” (indicative of lateral bending), and “AK_max” (indicative of maximal angle of kyphosis) were evaluated. Results: Asymmetrical activations were observed in the middle trapezius with rhomboids, and the T6-7 and T12 paraspinalis muscles, with higher activation on the convex side of the scoliosis curve. On EOS 3D analysis, “AR_main” was 8.94° [IQR, 0.00–14.00] and 26 of 31 patients had AR_main ≥ 0°. “ΔAR” was 21.90° [IQR, 6.00–39.00]. As the AR_main increased, the Cobb angle became closer to the maximal angle of kyphosis (“AK_max”). Conclusions: Asymmetrical activations of several back muscles while patients were in a writing posture were observed. These asymmetrical muscle activation patterns were associated with axial rotation and lateral bending of the thoracic spine in patients with thoracic-origin AIS. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate in situ ruminal nutrient degradation, fractional disappearance rate, and effective ruminal degradation of hydroponically sprouted barley, wheat, and triticale. Two ruminally canulated lactating cows were used in a complete randomized block design with four treatments and nine incubation times (0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 240 h). Treatments were corn silage (control), and sprouted barley, triticale, and wheat. Quadruplicate samples (5 g each) were placed in Dacron bags and incubated in the rumen. Then, bags were rinsed and spun, dried (48 h × 55 °C; 3 h × 105 °C), and weighed to determine residual dry matter (DM). Data were analyzed using mixed models (MIXED, SAS 9.4) with treatment, time, and their interaction as fixed effects, and cow and replicate (cow) as random effects. Denominator degrees of freedom were adjusted using the Kenward–Roger method, and means were separated by Tukey–Kramer. Significance was declared at p ≤ 0.05 and tendencies at 0.05 < p ≤ 0.10. Sprouted triticale and wheat treatments had a greater rapidly soluble fraction for DM (p < 0.01), the greatest fractional disappearance rate for DM (p < 0.01) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF; p < 0.01), and greater effective ruminal degradability (ERD) for DM (p < 0.01) and crude protein (CP; p < 0.01). Sprouted wheat also had the greatest ERD for NDF (p < 0.01). In contrast, sprouted barley had the lowest rapidly soluble fractions for DM (p < 0.01), NDF (p < 0.01), and CP (p < 0.01), lower fractional disappearance rate for DM (p < 0.01) and NDF (p < 0.01) than sprouted triticale and wheat, and the lowest ERD for DM (p < 0.01) and CP (p < 0.01). Overall, sprouted triticale and wheat had greater in situ ruminal nutrient degradation, effective ruminal degradation, and nutrient degradation kinetics, indicating their potential for inclusion in dairy cattle diets to improve nutrient degradability. Full article

Additive manufacturing (AM) of polymers and polymer composites is changing how customized, lightweight, and complex parts are produced across various industries. However, predicting the final properties of printed parts remains challenging due to variations in material compositions, processing conditions, and microstructural characteristics. This review explores how machine learning (ML) is being used to address these challenges. It examines the application of various ML approaches in polymer and polymer composite design for AM, including supervised, unsupervised, semi-supervised, self-supervised, and reinforcement learning, for predicting key properties such as mechanical strength, thermal stability, and electrical performance. The review also highlights hybrid techniques that combine ML with physics-informed modeling, including the use of digital twins, to enhance AM process control. Challenges and future perspectives, such as data scarcity, model interpretability, and computational demands, are discussed. In summary, ML is showing strong potential to support faster, more reliable, and more sustainable development of advanced polymers and polymer composites for AM. Full article

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the association of commonly used comorbidity scores with survival, mortality, and recurrence in ovarian cancer patients aged 50 years and above. Materials and Methods: In this single-center, retrospective study, 130 female patients diagnosed between 2017 and 2024 who had received systemic therapy and had complete medical records were included. Comorbidity scores—including the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Cumulative Illness Rating Scale-Geriatric (CIRS-G), Adult Comorbidity Evaluation-27 (ACE-27), Elixhauser Comorbidity Index, Index of Coexistent Disease (ICED), and Functional Comorbidity Index (FCI)—were calculated for each patient. Survival analyses were conducted using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression modeling. The prognostic accuracy of comorbidity scores was assessed via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Patients with higher CCI scores had significantly shorter survival, and CCI was identified as an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analysis. While other comorbidity scores were associated with overall survival in univariate analyses, they lost statistical significance in multivariate models. Patients with a higher comorbidity burden experienced more frequent disease recurrence and shorter time to recurrence. Conclusions: Comorbidity burden is a key clinical determinant of survival and disease trajectory in older patients with ovarian cancer. The CCI demonstrated the highest prognostic accuracy in this population and may serve as a valuable tool in individualized treatment planning. Integration of comorbidity-based assessments into standard decision-making processes is recommended in geriatric oncology practice. Full article