Search Results (409)

With the growing requirements for multi-particle process simulation, improving computational accuracy, efficiency, and scalability has become a critical challenge. This study generally focused on comprehensive analyses of existing numerical methods for simulating particle–substrate interactions in gas–thermal spraying (including gas–dynamic spraying processes), covering both single-particle and multi-particle models to develop practical recommendations for the optimization of modern coating spraying processes. First of all, this paper systematically analyzes the key limitations of current approaches, including their inability to handle high deformations effectively or high computational complexity and their insufficient accuracy in dynamic scenarios. A comparative evaluation of four numerical methods (Lagrangian, Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE), Coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian (CEL), and Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH)) revealed their strengths and weaknesses in modeling of real gas–thermal spraying processes. Furthermore, this study identifies the limitations of the widely used Johnson–Cook (JC) constitutive model under extreme conditions. The authors considered the Zerilli–Armstrong (ZA), Mechanical Threshold Stress (MTS), and Preston–Tonks–Wallace (PTW) models as more realistic alternatives to the Jonson–Cook model. Finally, comparative analyses of theoretical and realistic deformation and defect-generation processes in gas–thermal coatings emphasize the critical need for fundamental changes in the simulation strategy for modern gas–thermal spraying processes. Full article

For patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) follicular lymphoma (FL) after ≥2 prior lines of therapy, T-cell-redirecting therapies—including the bispecific CD3xCD20 antibody (BsAbs) mosunetuzumab (mosu) and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies such as axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel), lisocabtagen maraleucel (liso-cel), and tisagenlecleucel (tisa-cel)—are approved by the FDA and EMA. Treatment selection should consider patient-related factors, prior therapeutic exposure, and toxicity profiles. We describe the 20-year history of a patient with R/R FL. At the fourth relapse, both BsAbs and CAR-T cells were available; however, due to the cumulative toxic burden and the high risk of cytopenias, mosu was selected as the preferred option. During mosu, the patient developed pure red cell aplasia unrelated to infections. Despite achieving a partial response after eight cycles of mosu, this complication led to the decision to proceed with allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The course was ultimately complicated by severe early toxicity with massive hemoptysis, acute respiratory failure, and hemorrhagic alveolitis, resulting in a fatal outcome. This case illustrates the delicate balance required in selecting between BsAbs and CAR-T therapy in R/R FL. Contributing factors to the patient’s fragility included profound immune status, transfusion-dependent red cell aplasia, prior cumulative chemotherapy, and pulmonary toxicity associated with conditioning regimens. The case underscores the importance of individualized treatment strategies and suggests that earlier integration of novel T-cell-redirecting therapies may mitigate cumulative toxicity and infection risk. Individualized therapeutic planning is critical in heavily pretreated R/R FL. In select cases, bridging strategies using BsAbs can provide disease control and facilitate transplantation. Still, careful assessment of patient fitness, marrow reserve, and cumulative toxicity is essential to minimize the risk of fatal complications. Full article

The phylum Armatimonadota represents one of the least characterized bacterial lineages, with only three formally described species despite its widespread distribution in various environments. Deep subsurface thermal environments harbor significant microbial diversity and represent promising sources for novel enzyme discovery through metagenomic approaches. This study reports the identification, cloning, and biochemical characterization of Cel7465, a novel endoglucanase from an uncultured GBS-DC family within the order Fimbriimonadales. The enzyme was identified through metagenomic analysis of microbial mats from the Biragzang deep thermal well (North Ossetia, Russia, 48 °C) and successfully expressed in cells of Escherichia coli strain ArcticExpress (DE3). Phylogenetic analysis assigned Cel7465 to glycoside hydrolase family 5 subfamily 36. The purified recombinant enzyme exhibited optimal activity at 55 °C and pH 8.0, with high specific activity of 4347 U/mg. The enzyme demonstrated broad pH tolerance (50% activity retained from pH 4.0 to 10.0) and notable thermal stability, retaining 60% activity after one hour at 80 °C and 20% after four hours. Remarkably, the presence of Mn²⁺ ions enhanced enzyme activity more than 7-fold, while Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions provided moderate activation. Cel7465 represents the first biochemically characterized glycoside hydrolase from the order Fimbriimonadales, expanding our understanding of enzymatic capabilities within the understudied phylum Armatimonadota and demonstrating the continued potential of extreme environments as sources of novel industrial biocatalysts. Full article

Wet milling of aluminum alloys involves complex interactions among thermal, fluid, and mechanical fields that strongly affect cutting temperature, stress distribution, and surface integrity. To achieve reproducible and physics-based predictions of these coupled phenomena, this study develops a three-dimensional thermo–fluid–solid-coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian (CEL) framework for the wet milling of Al6061. The model system in this study evaluated the effects of milling cutter feed rate and spindle speed, feed per tooth of the milling cutter, axial cutting depth, and coolant flow rate on equivalent stress and peak milling temperature., as well as their correlation with surface roughness metrics (Ra, Sa). Simulation results reveal that higher feed rates significantly raise T_peak (+12.9%) while reducing σ_eq (−22.7%) and deteriorating surface quality (Ra +104.2%, Sa +29.9%). Increasing spindle speed lowers both T_peak (−2.2%) and σ_eq (−8.5%) and improves surface finish (Ra −39.3%, Sa −16.6%). A greater depth of cut amplifies mechanical and thermal loads, increasing T_peak (+10.3%) and σ_eq (+17%). Enhanced coolant flow reduces T_peak (−23.5%) and σ_eq (−6.1%) and markedly improves surface quality (Ra −88.8%, Sa −51.3%). Research findings indicate that coolant coverage is the dominant factor determining surface integrity. Although experimental data for T_peak and σeq were not directly validated, this framework clearly articulates modeling assumptions, quantifies parameter sensitivities, and provides a reproducible methodology for future experimental-numerical verification. Full article

While community energy initiatives and pilot projects have demonstrated technical feasibility and economic benefits, their site-specific nature limits transferability to systematic, scalable investment models. This study addresses this gap by proposing a modular framework for Renewable Energy Valleys (REVs), developed from real-world Community Energy Lab (CEL) demonstrations in Crete, Greece, which is an island with pronounced seasonal demand fluctuation, strong renewable potential, and ongoing hydrogen valley initiatives. Four modular business schemes are defined, each representing different sectoral contexts by combining a baseline of 50 residential units with one representative large consumer (hotel, rural households with thermal loads, municipal swimming pool, or hydrogen bus). For each scheme, a mixed-integer linear programming model is applied to optimally size and operate integrated solar PV, wind, battery (BAT) energy storage, and hydrogen systems across three renewable energy penetration (REP) targets: 90%, 95%, and 99.9%. The framework incorporates stochastic demand modeling, sector coupling, and hierarchical dispatch schemes. Results highlight optimal technology configurations that minimize dependency on external sources and curtailment while enhancing reliability and sustainability under Mediterranean conditions. Results demonstrate significant variation in optimal configurations across sectors and targets, with PV capacity ranging from 217 kW to 2840 kW, battery storage from 624 kWh to 2822 kWh, and hydrogen systems scaling from 65.2 kg to 192 kg storage capacity. The modular design of the framework enables replication beyond the specific context of Crete, supporting the scalable development of Renewable Energy Valleys that can adapt to diverse sectoral mixes and regional conditions. Full article

In offshore jack-up operations, it is common to reinstall spudcans close to existing footprints, which could result in asymmetric soil distribution and potential instability risks. This study investigates the mechanical behavior and stability of spudcans during reinstallation, focusing on the influence of footprint geometry, spudcan type, and offset distance. The coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian (CEL) method in ABAQUS is utilized together with soil strength reduction to assess stability. Both single-factor and orthogonal experimental designs are employed to systematically evaluate parameter effects. Results show that the footprint diameter has a greater impact than the depth, increasing the peak horizontal force by 33.4% and the moment by 10.9% due to enhanced soil asymmetry. Rectangular spudcans with tapered bases generate twice the vertical resistance and exhibit 8.8% smaller lateral displacements compared to circular spudcans. Offset distance significantly affects reinstallation performance, with adverse conditions occurring at 0.5 times the diameter of the spudcan. Orthogonal analysis further confirms that the offset distance has the greatest influence among the factors studied. These findings emphasize the necessity of considering footprint geometry, spudcan design and positioning to ensure safe and stable reinstallation, and provide guidance for engineering design and risk assessment of repeated spudcan operations. Full article

Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus Kunth) is a promising forage alternative for Brazil’s Cerrado regions, attracting increasing research interest due to its potential to complement or replace widely planted species such as Urochloa and Megathyrsus. Despite the release of three cultivars, significant improvements in dry matter (DM) yield and forage quality are needed to fully realize its agronomic potential. This study aimed to evaluate genetic variability, estimate narrow sense heritability, and predict expected genetic gains for DM yield and key forage quality traits in two gamba grass populations derived from the cultivars BRS Sarandi and Planaltina. Trials were established in spring 2017 in Planaltina, DF, and evaluated during February–March 2018 and January–March 2019. Crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), cellulose (CEL), and hemicellulose (HEMIC) were quantified alongside DM yield. BRS Sarandi exhibited higher CP (12.3% vs. 9.8%) and lower NDF (57.1% vs. 63.4%), ADF (36.2% vs. 41.5%), CEL (20.8% vs. 23.7%), and HEMIC (20.9% vs. 21.9%) compared to Planaltina, while DM yield did not differ significantly between populations (4.57 t·ha⁻¹ vs. 4.50 t·ha⁻¹ per harvest, p > 0.05). Heritability estimates for individual harvests ranged from 0.31 to 0.68 for DM yield and 0.28 to 0.62 for quality traits, whereas multi-harvest models across years yielded lower estimates (0.07–0.27). Expected annual genetic gains were modest, with the highest predicted increase for CP (0.45% per year) and the largest decrease for NDF (−0.78% per year), reflecting the quantitative nature of trait inheritance and strong environmental influence. This study provides novel insights by simultaneously comparing two populations for multiple harvests and quantifying both yield and detailed forage quality traits, offering practical guidance for gamba grass breeding strategies. Results indicate that breeding programs should prioritize multiple selection cycles, precise phenotyping, genotypic and potentially genomic selection to accelerate improvement in both DM yield and forage quality, overcoming the constraints of low heritability and multi-trait selection. Full article

Background: Refugees often face major health challenges owing to displacement, poor living conditions, limited access to healthcare, and the psychological toll of forced migration. Access to healthcare has been a major concern because of disrupted medical services, pre-existing health conditions, and integration challenges in host countries. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of infectious diseases on refugees in the context of the war in Ukraine by analyzing data from patients who accessed health services from a county hospital. Methods: We analyzed the data of Ukrainian refugees who presented for an infectious disease between February 2022 and March 2025 in the largest hospital unit in Romania located immediately near the border with Ukraine. Results: A total of 2052 refugee patients of Ukrainian nationality presented to the Emergency Reception Unit of “St. Ioan cel Nou Suceava” for consultations; 672 patients required an evaluation by an infectious disease specialist and 48 were hospitalized in the Department of Infectious Diseases. The most common disease encountered in children was influenza, whereas the most common disease in adults was SARS-CoV-2 infection. The most frequently encountered comorbidities in pediatric patients were anemia (26.9%) and dehydration syndrome (46.2%). In adults, comorbidities included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (18.2%), hypertension (13.6%), chronic coronary disease (4.5%), diabetes (9.1%), and chronic hepatitis (4.5%). Patients were treated with antivirals, rehydration solutions or only symptomatic treatment. Conclusions: Romania is implementing public health measures to address these challenges, focusing on vaccination and disease screening, and ensuring access to essential healthcare services. These services include access to primary care physicians, specialist consultations, hospitalization, and essential medications. Full article

Ferulic acid esterase (FAE) catalyzes the hydrolysis of the feruloyl ester bond in lignocellulose, exposing cellulose. The objective of this research was to examine the impacts of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens A30 producing FAE on the fermentation quality, fiber degradation, enzyme activity and microbial diversity of corn bran silage and whole-plant corn silage. The experimental treatments were as follows: control (CK), cellulase (CEL), strain A30 (A30) and CEL + A30. Corn bran and whole-plant corn were ensiled for 14 d and 60 d, respectively. The results showed that all additive treatments effectively reduced the pH, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and cellulose contents of both corn bran silage and whole-plant corn silage in comparison with control, with CEL + A30 group performing the best effects. Meanwhile, higher FAE activity was detected in A30 and CEL + A30 groups during ensiling. Furthermore, the supplementation of A30 increased the degradation ratio of NDF, ADF, ADL, and cellulose of corn bran silage and whole-plant corn silage. Additionally, treatments with A30 and CEL + A30 increased the abundance of Lactobacillus, and reduced the proportion of pathogenic genera, including Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, and Sphingobacterium. In conclusion, the application of A30 may effectively promote fiber degradation and the stability of microecological system for corn silage. Full article

The earthquakes that impacted Kahramanmaraş on 6 February 2023, caused multidimensional destruction across the southeastern provinces of Türkiye and incurred severe business losses. This study provides a comparative assessment of four heavily affected provinces (Adıyaman, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, and Malatya) in terms of business losses. Eleven criteria, grouped as human and operational losses (HOL) and commercial and economic losses (CEL), were considered in the evaluation. For the first time, the Ranking Comparison (RANCOM) method was integrated into the Modified Kemeny Median Ranks Accordance (KEMIRA-M) framework to determine the weights of the criteria and ensure consistency in the ranking process. The findings indicate that Hatay suffered the highest level of losses, followed by Adıyaman, Kahramanmaraş, and Malatya, respectively. This study fills a gap in the disaster economics literature by emphasizing workforce and business continuity dimensions, an area where business losses have received relatively less attention. The results highlight that post-disaster recovery policies should not be limited to physical reconstruction but should also emphasize human capital, supply chain resilience, and sustainability-focused recovery strategies. Full article

Propranolol is a non-selective β-adrenergic receptor antagonist widely used in cardiovascular and neurological therapy. Its naphthalene-based structure contributes to its high lipophilicityand central nervous system penetration. Clinically, propranolol is indicated for hypertension, arrhythmias, anxiety, migraine, and other conditions. It undergoes extensive hepatic metabolism via cytochrome P450 enzymes, notably CYP2D6, with a significant first-pass effect limiting oral bioavailability. This review integrates pharmacological profiling with crystallographic analysis to explore propranolol’s molecular interactions and therapeutic versatility. High-resolution crystal structures of the human β₂-adrenergic receptor (hβ₂-AR), particularly PDB ID: 6PS5 obtained via serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX), reveal key binding determinants responsible for receptor affinity and antagonism. Comparative structural analysis with other β-blockers—alprenolol, timolol, and carvedilol—highlights how variations in aromatic and heterocyclic frameworks influence pharmacokinetics and receptor selectivity. Superimposition results (RMSD: 0.032 for propranolol–alprenolol, 0.078 for propranolol–carvedilol, and 1.078 for propranolol–timolol) quantitatively illustrate molecular similarity and divergence. The enantioselective behavior of propranolol is also discussed, with the S-enantiomer showing greater receptor affinity and pharmacological potency than the R-form. Beyond canonical β-adrenergic targets, propranolol interacts with non-canonical proteins such as the cellulase enzyme Cel7A and lactoferrin, suggesting off-target effects and novel therapeutic potential. These findings underscore the importance of propranolol’s amphiphilic character, stereochemistry, and electrostatic properties in shaping its pharmacological profile. Overall, the integration of crystallographic data with pharmacological insights supports the rational design of next-generation β-adrenergic ligands with enhanced selectivity, bioavailability, and clinical efficacy. Full article

Background and Objectives: Intraoperative bleeding during neurosurgical procedures poses a significant risk by increasing morbidity and mortality, obscuring the surgical field and prolonging operative time and hospitalization. Effective hemostasis is therefore essential, frequently necessitating the use of topical hemostatic agents. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of a plant-derived oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) hemostatic agent StypCel™ Absorbable Hemostat (Medprin Regenerative Medical Technologies Co., Ltd.) in various neurosurgical interventions, including intracranial tumor resections, spinal surgeries, trigeminal neuralgia operations, cerebrospinal fluid fistula repair and ventriculoperitoneal shunt implantation. The study aimed to assess its performance in these procedures due to the high risk of intraoperative bleeding and the challenges of achieving hemostasis in delicate neural structures. Materials and Methods: This prospective, single-arm clinical study included 46 patients who underwent neurosurgical procedures at three neurosurgerical clinics in Riga, Latvia. The primary endpoint was the rate of effective bleeding control achieved within 5 min of StypCel™ application. Safety assessments included monitoring for central nervous system infections (CNSI), intracranial granuloma formation, new-onset neurological deficits, seizures, anaphylactic reactions or device malfunction. All adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) were documented during the postoperative follow-up. Results: The cohort consisted of 46 patients (29 females and 17 males), including 20 with neoplastic intracranial lesions and 26 with other neurosurgical pathologies. Effective bleeding control within 5 min was achieved in 93.5% of cases (95% CI: 82.1–98.6%). In three patients, bleeding control exceeded 5 min due to unexpected arterial hemorrhage encountered during intracranial tumor resection. No device-related AEs, SAEs, CNSIs or granuloma formations were reported throughout the follow-up period. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that StypCel™ Absorbable Hemostat is a safe and effective adjunct for achieving intraoperative hemostasis in neurosurgical procedures. Its favorable safety profile and high hemostatic success rate support its clinical utility, particularly for controlling low-pressure venous or capillary bleeding. Further comparative and long-term studies are warranted to validate these results in broader surgical settings. Full article

Objective: This study systematically evaluated the nutritional compositions and bioactive compounds of six unconventional feed resources (Pepper residue (PR), Grape marc (MC), Pepper straw (PS), Lycium barbarum branches and leaves (LBBL), Licorice straw (LS), and Cyperus esculentus leaves (CES)). It also assessed the rumen degradability and rumen fermentation characteristics at different substitution levels through in vitro and in situ methods, to explore their potential application in sheep diets. Methods: Samples were analyzed considering nutrient composition, amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and bioactive compounds. In situ degradation was measured using rumen-fistulated sheep, and in vitro batch fermentation culture was conducted at varying substitution levels (0–100%) to measure gas production, pH, VFAs, NH₃-N, and microbial crude protein (MCP). Results: The six unconventional feed resources showed significant differences in nutrient composition, bioactive compounds, and fermentation performance. Crude protein (CP) ranged from 4.45% to 15.76%, with LS highest in total amino acids. LBBL contained 4.24 g/kg Lycium barbarum polysaccharides, LS had 9.24 g/kg liquiritin, GM was richest in proanthocyanidins, and PS had more capsaicin than PR. PR exhibited the highest DM degradation (74.77%, p < 0.001), followed by LS; CEL was lowest. PR and LS also had the highest CP degradation. In vitro fermentation revealed significant differences in fermentation characteristics among the six feeds. At 100% replacement, PR and LS exhibited high cumulative gas production, elevated MCP concentrations, and total VFAs of 54.41 and 64.02 mmol/L (p < 0.001), respectively. At 25% replacement, GM and CEL achieved high concentrations of VFAs and maintained MCP levels of 27.84 and 31.57 mg/dL (p < 0.001). PS reached its maximum total VFAs and MCP at 50% replacement, while LBBL reached 64.90 mmol/L total VFAs and 32.63 mg/dL MCP at 75% replacement. Conclusions: Nutrient composition and degradation kinetics varied significantly among substrates. PR had the highest DM degradability, while CEL had the lowest. PR and LS maintained stable fermentation at 100% substitution. GM and CEL were most effective at 25%; PS at 50%; and LBBL at 75% substitution levels. Full article

Laboratory incubation experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of coal fly ash (FA) amendment (0%, 2.5%, 7.5%, and 15%) and moisture regimes (40%, 70%, and 100% water holding capacity (WHC)) on the mineralization of carbon (C) in an acidic agricultural soil. The results showed that the soil C mineralization intensity initially increased and subsequently decreased throughout the incubation period, with the mineralization dynamics well described by the first-order kinetic model (0.9633 ≤ R² ≤ 0.9972). Carbon mineralization increased with the application rate of FA, while moisture effect followed the order 70% WHC > 100% WHC > 40% WHC. Indicators showing highly significant correlations with total C mineralization amount included FA application rate, pH, water-soluble organic carbon, (WSOC) and cellulase (CEL) activity. Specific bacterial (Acidobacteriota, Gemmatimonadota, Pseudomonadota, and Actinobacteriota) and fungal phyla (Chytridiomycota, Glomeromycota, and Olpidiomycota) exhibited stronger correlations with C mineralization. The microbial taxa exhibiting significant responses to FA and moisture conditions were not consistent. Although the addition of high proportions of FA, especially with adequate moisture conditions, can enhance soil microbial activity and C mineralization, the potential risks of soil C loss and the accumulation of toxic elements necessitate the prudent implementation of elevated FA application rates in practical scenarios. Full article

Background: Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a heterogeneous group of monogenic diabetes forms that are frequently misclassified as type 1 or type 2 diabetes due to overlapping phenotypic features. The true prevalence of MODY is likely substantially underestimated. As DNA-based diagnostics become increasingly accessible, an expanding number of novel genetic variants are being identified. Objectives: The aim of this study was to characterize the clinical and genetic features of patients carrying rare variants in the BLK, KLF11, PAX4, PDX1, and CEL genes, with attention to population-specific aspects, family history, and treatment outcomes. Methods: Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) using a custom-designed panel covering 27 genes implicated in MODY, neonatal diabetes, and related hereditary syndromes was performed on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform (Illumina). Results: We identified 21 variants in five genes associated with rare MODY subtypes among 24 unrelated patients. MODY9 was diagnosed in two unrelated patients of Russian ethnicity harboring an identical heterozygous missense mutation in exon 5 of the PAX4 gene (HG38, chr7:127615049G>A, c.191C>T, p.Thr64Ile), which has not been previously described in patients with diabetes. MODY11 was diagnosed in a patient carrying the c.773-1G>A variant in the BLK gene. A patient with a de novo c.40_41dupGC (p.Val15Glnfs*41) variant in the KLF11 gene was clinically diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Conclusion: Our findings expand the current understanding of rare MODY subtypes and contribute to the growing body of evidence on the spectrum and frequency of potentially pathogenic variants in BLK, CEL, KLF11, PDX1, and PAX4 genes across ethnically diverse populations worldwide. Full article