Search Results (1,322)

The aim of this work was to systematically evaluate the effects of Lion’s Mane Mushroom powder (LMM, 0–40%) on the physicochemical properties, structural characteristics, and flavor profile of soy protein isolate-based high-moisture meat analogues (HMMAs). Optimal incorporation of 20% LMM significantly enhanced product quality by acting as a secondary phase that inhibited lateral protein aggregation while promoting longitudinal alignment, achieving a peak fibrous degree of 1.54 with dense, ordered fibers confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Rheological analysis showed that LMM improved viscoelasticity (G′ > G″) through β-glucan; however, excessive addition (≥30%) compromised structural integrity due to insoluble dietary fiber disrupting protein network continuity, concurrently reducing thermal stability as denaturation enthalpy (_ΔH) decreased from 1176.6 to 776.3 J/g. Flavor analysis identified 285 volatile compounds in HMMAs with 20% LMM, including 98 novel compounds, and 101 flavor metabolites were upregulated. The mushroom-characteristic compound 1-octen-3-ol exhibited a marked increase in its Relative Odor Activity Value of 18.04, intensifying mushroom notes. Furthermore, LMM polysaccharides promoted the Maillard reaction, increasing the browning index from 48.77 to 82.07, while β-glucan induced a transition in protein secondary structure from random coil to β-sheet configurations via intramolecular hydrogen bonding. In conclusion, 20% LMM incorporation synergistically improved texture, fibrous structure, and flavor complexity—particularly enhancing mushroom aroma. This research offers valuable insights and a foundation for future research for developing high-quality fungal protein-based meat analogues Full article

This study presents the development and deployment of a modular digital twin system designed to enhance sustainable facility management within a smart campus context. The system was implemented at the Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, and integrates 3D spatial modeling, real-time environmental and energy sensor data, and multiscale dashboard visualization. Grounded in stakeholder-driven requirements, the platform emphasizes energy management, which is the top priority among campus administrators and technicians. The development process followed a four-phase methodology: (1) stakeholder consultation and requirement analysis; (2) physical data acquisition and 3D model generation; (3) sensor deployment using IoT technologies with NB-IoT and LoRaWAN protocols; and (4) real-time data integration via Firebase and standardized APIs. A suite of dashboards was developed to support interactive monitoring across faculty, building, floor, and room levels. System testing with campus users demonstrated high usability, intuitive spatial navigation, and actionable insights for energy consumption analysis. Feedback indicated strong interest in features supporting data export and predictive analytics. The platform’s modular and hardware-agnostic architecture enables future extensions, including occupancy tracking, water monitoring, and automated control systems. Overall, the digital twin system offers a replicable and scalable model for data-driven facility management aligned with sustainability goals. Its real-time, multiscale capabilities contribute to operational transparency, resource optimization, and climate-responsive campus governance, setting the foundation for broader applications in smart cities and built environment innovation. Full article

This multidisciplinary comparative study investigates consumption patterns, health-related properties, and quality attributes of trademarked and local extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) samples. It highlights the importance of localization in promoting agricultural sustainability, strengthening regional economies, and enhancing socio-economic impacts within EVOO production and consumption systems. In terms of quality characteristics, significant differences were observed in color parameters (L*, a*, b*, Chroma, Hue angle) among EVOO samples (p < 0.05). Regarding nutritional and functional properties, total phenolic content (TPC) measured with the Folin–Ciocalteu method ranged from 58.15 to 176.29 mg of gallic acid equivalents/kg of oil, while total antioxidant capacity (TAC) measured by CUPRAC and DPPH assays varied between 3.42 and 6.54 and 8.56–10.71 µmol of Trolox equivalents/g of oil, respectively. TPC and TAC were also evaluated for their stability during in vitro gastro-intestinal digestion, demonstrating that EVOO’s bioactive potential remains stable under gastric and intestinal conditions. Local samples exhibited significantly higher TACs than trademarked products across undigested, gastric, and intestinal phases (p < 0.05). Concurrently, a face-to-face consumer survey assessed purchasing behaviors and preferences, revealing that 71.3% of consumers preferred local EVOO and showed a low tendency to purchase commercial brands (p < 0.05). Cooperatives were identified as the main distribution channel, playing a crucial role in sustaining local production systems. This study offers valuable insights into EVOO’s bioactive content and consumer behavior, providing a foundation for developing both localized and commercial products that support health outcomes. Additionally, the findings contribute to policy development concerning sustainable food systems and geographical indications. Full article

Wellbore stability is a crucial factor affecting the safe exploitation of offshore natural gas hydrates. As a sustainable energy source, natural gas hydrate has significant reserves, high energy density, and low environmental impact, making it an important candidate for alternative energy. Although research on the stability of screen pipes during horizontal-well hydrate production is currently limited, its importance in sustainable energy extraction is growing. This study therefore considers the effects of hydrate phase change, gas–water seepage, energy and mass exchange, reservoir deformation, and screen pipe influence and develops a coupled thermal–fluid–solid–chemical field model for horizontal-well natural gas hydrate production. The model results were validated using experimental data and standard test cases from the literature. The results obtained by applying this model in COMSOL Multiphysics 6.1 showed that the errors in all simulations were less than 2%, with errors of 12% and 6% observed at effective stresses of 0.5 MPa and 3 MPa, respectively. The simulation results indicate that the presence of the screen pipe in the hydrate reservoir exerts little effect on the decomposition of gas hydrates, but it effectively mitigates stress concentration in the near-wellbore region, redistributing the effective stress and significantly reducing the instability risk of the hydrate reservoir. Furthermore, the distribution of mechanical parameters around the screen pipe is uneven, with maximum values of equivalent Mises stress, volumetric strain, and displacement generally occurring on the inner side of the screen pipe in the horizontal crustal stress direction, making plastic instability most likely to occur in this area. With other basic parameters held constant, the maximum equivalent Mises stress and the instability area within the screen increase with the rise in the production pressure drop and wellbore size, and the decrease in screen pipe thickness. The results of this study lay the foundation for wellbore instability control in the production of offshore natural gas hydrates via depressurization. The study provides new insights into sustainable energy extraction, as improving wellbore stability during the extraction process can enhance resource utilization, reduce environmental impact, and promote sustainable development in energy exploitation. Full article

A comprehensive understanding of the evolution and phase transitions of hydrometeors during the development of tropical cyclones (TCs) is essential for advancing research on the mechanisms of TC intensity change. In this study, utilizing the Weather Research and Forecasting numerical model, we simulate the evolution of Super Typhoon Nangka (No. 1511), explore the relationship between the TC intensity variations and the internal hydrometeor distribution, and examine the secondary circulation characteristics. The results indicate that the total content of hydrometeor particles increased during the intensification of Typhoon Nangka. Ice-phase particles expanded outward radially as the typhoon intensified, while liquid-phase particles contracted inward. Ice-phase hydrometeor distributions varied in conjunction with TC intensity variations, whereas liquid-phase hydrometeor variations were closely related to the complex dynamic–thermodynamic–microphysical processes within the typhoon. The spatial pattern of the secondary circulation exhibits high consistency with the distribution of hydrometeor particles. Low-level radial inflow, upper-level radial outflow, and middle-level vertical updrafts played dominant roles in regulating the distribution and transport of particles at different stages. The intensification of Typhoon Nangka was primarily driven by water vapor convergence and the latent heat released by ascending liquid-phase particles near the eyewall, while the stagnation of its intensification was mainly attributed to the resistance exerted by descending ice-phase particles from upper levels and the heat consumption associated with their melting. These findings provide a foundation for better understanding how hydrometeors modulate TC intensity variations and offer valuable insights into energy conversion mechanisms during hydrometeor phase transitions under the influence of secondary circulations. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global threat to human and animal health, necessitating robust surveillance and stewardship tools. While existing systems address aspects of veterinary AMR, a comprehensive, user-centric dashboard for U.S. veterinarians remains a critical unmet need. This study aimed to identify U.S. veterinarians’ preferences and perceived needs for such a dashboard, to help guide its design and development. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and March 2024, targeting U.S. veterinarians through professional channels. The survey instrument captured demographics, experiences with existing tools, preferences for data types and visualizations, desired technical specifications, and open-ended feedback. Of the 677 respondents, a near-unanimous consensus (over 75%) emerged on the importance of functionalities like antimicrobial stewardship education, off-label use guidance, surveillance data, and empirical treatment support. Over 70% expressed comfort sharing aggregated geographic and de-identified animal data. A strong preference was observed for making the dashboard accessible by veterinary colleges (78.87%), diagnostic laboratories (72.61%), and federal agencies (USDA: 71.47%, CDC: 66.67%, FDA: 62.11%), indicating a desire for a collaborative, authoritative system. The findings provide a robust foundation for developing a U.S. veterinary AMR dashboard. Future phases should adopt an iterative, user-centered design, incorporating qualitative research with diverse stakeholders and piloting a prototype with preferred institutional partners. This approach will ensure a trusted, sustainable tool that effectively translates surveillance data into actionable insights for improved animal and public health. Full article

Amphibian welfare, particularly pain assessment in anurans, remains understudied despite their ecological and biomedical significance. This study aimed to identify and validate operational pain indicators for adult anurans under professional care. A four-phase approach was used: a systematic literature review, expert validation with risk analysis, field validation in a zoological facility, and development of a preliminary pain index. From 158 publications, 16 potential indicators were identified, encompassing behavioural, clinical, and physiological signs. Expert evaluation by 28 professionals from 12 institutions refined this to seven indicators, achieving over 60% consensus: feeding behaviour changes, abnormal behaviour, impaired locomotion, oedema, reduced movement, retained skin post-moulting, and altered respiration. Field validation in 53 anurans confirmed high observability and ease of measurement, with feeding behaviour changes and oedema scoring highest for practicality (93.5% and 93.0%, respectively). These validated indicators provide a science-based foundation for routine welfare monitoring, enabling timely interventions. Their integration into husbandry protocols can enhance ethical standards, improve conservation outcomes, and increase public confidence in amphibian care, paving the way for a standardised anuran pain index. Full article

Exercise-induced fatigue can degrade athletic performance and increase injury risk, yet traditional fatigue assessments often rely on subjective measures. This study proposes an objective fatigue recognition approach using high-fidelity motion capture data and deep learning. This study induced both cognitive and physical fatigue in 50 male participants through a dual task (mental challenge followed by intense exercise) and collected three-dimensional lower-limb joint kinematics and kinetics during vertical jumps. A bidirectional Gate Recurrent Unit (GRU) with an attention mechanism (BiGRU + Attention) was trained to classify pre- vs. post-fatigue states. Five-fold cross-validation was employed for within-sample evaluation, and attention weight analysis provided insight into key fatigue-related movement phases. The BiGRU + Attention model achieved superior performance with 92% classification accuracy and an Area Under Curve (AUC) of 96%, significantly outperforming the single-layer GRU baseline (85% accuracy, AUC 92%). It also exhibited higher recall and fewer missed detections of fatigue. The attention mechanism highlighted critical moments (end of countermovement and landing) associated with fatigue-induced biomechanical changes, enhancing model interpretability. This study collects spatial data and biomechanical data during movement, and uses a bidirectional Gate Recurrent Unit (GRU) model with an attention mechanism to distinguish between non-fatigue states and fatigue states involving both physical and psychological aspects, which holds certain pioneering significance in the field of fatigue state identification. This study lays the foundation for real-time fatigue monitoring systems in sports and rehabilitation, enabling timely interventions to prevent performance decline and injury. Full article

Sustainability is a foundational principle in Chilean education, reflected in curricular objectives related to environmental care, economic development, and social well-being. This study analyzes the integration of sustainability concepts and dimensions into the curricular bases of the third year (11th grade) and fourth year (12th grade) in Chilean secondary education. Using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design and content analysis, the quantitative phase identified six key sustainability-related terms and their presence across curricular components and subject areas. The qualitative phase examined the inclusion of the environmental, social, and economic dimensions within those areas. The results show that sustainability concepts appear in seven subject areas, with greater emphasis on learning objectives and educational purposes. However, the environmental dimension dominates, while the social and economic aspects are underrepresented. These findings reveal conceptual ambiguities and uneven integration, highlighting challenges for implementing a multidimensional sustainability approach in Chilean classrooms. Full article

Given that the increasing non-agricultural conversion of cultivated land (NACCL) endangers food security, studying the spatial and temporal variation characteristics and driving mechanisms of NACCL in Sichuan Province can offer a scientific foundation for developing local farmland preservation measures and controlling further conversion. Guided by the theoretical framework of land use transition, this study utilizes land use datasets spanning multiple periods between 2000 and 2023. Comprehensively considering population scale factors, natural geographical factors, and socioeconomic factors, the county-level annual NACCL rate is calculated. Following this, the dynamic evolution and underlying driving forces of NACCL across 183 counties in Sichuan Province are examined through temporal and spatial dimensions, utilizing analytical tools including Nonparametric Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) and the Geographical Detector model with Optimal Parameters (OPGD). The study finds that: (1) Overall, NACCL in Sichuan Province exhibits phased temporal fluctuations characterized by “expansion—contraction—re-expansion—strict control,” with cultivated land mainly being converted into urban land, and the differences among counties gradually narrowing. (2) In Sichuan Province, the spatial configuration of NACCL is characterized by the expansion of high-value agglomerations alongside the dispersed and stable distribution of low-value areas. (3) Analysis through the OPGD model indicates that urban construction land dominates the NACCL process in Sichuan Province, and the driving dimension evolves from single to synergistic. The findings of this study offer a systematic examination of the spatiotemporal evolution and underlying drivers of NACCL in Sichuan Province. This analysis provides a scientific basis for formulating region-specific farmland protection policies and supports the optimization of territorial spatial planning systems. The results hold significant practical relevance for promoting the sustainable use of cultivated land resources. Full article

In response to the escalating plastic pollution crisis, the development of high-performance biodegradable materials is critical. Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) is an important biodegradable polymer as it possesses excellent biodegradability and processability. But it suffers from limitations such as low mechanical strength, poor thermal stability, and high production costs. In this study, taxus residue (TF), a waste by-product, was utilized as a reinforcing filler to reduce PBS costs while enhancing its overall performance. To address the interfacial incompatibility between TF and PBS, branched PBS (T-PBS) was introduced as a compatibilizer. The TF was surface-modified via alkali treatment and silane coupling (KH550), and a series of PBS/TF/T-PBS composites with varying T-PBS viscosity grades were prepared by melt blending. The compatibilization mechanism of T-PBS and its influence on the composite structure, crystallization behavior, thermal stability, rheological, and mechanical properties were systematically investigated. Results show that the branched structure significantly enhanced T-PBS melt strength and reactivity. The introduction of T-PBS effectively improved interfacial compatibility between TF and PBS matrix, reducing phase separation and interfacial defects. Compared to uncompatibilized PBS/TF composites, those with appropriately viscous T-PBS exhibited improved tensile strength (increased by 19.7%) and elongation at break (increased by 78.8%), while flexural strength was also maintained at an enhanced level. The branched points acted as nucleating agents, increasing the onset temperature and degree of crystallinity. In the high-temperature region, the synergistic barrier effect from TF and char residue improved thermal stability (T_85% reached 408.19 °C). Rheological analysis revealed enhanced viscosity and elasticity of the system. This study provides a promising strategy and theoretical foundation for the high-value utilization of taxus waste and the development of high-performance biodegradable PBS-based composites. Full article

The effects of (Zn + Mg) total content (9.6–11.7 wt.%) combined with multi-directional forging (MDF) on the microstructure and properties of high-strength Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloys were systematically investigated. Our results demonstrate that the alloy obtains significant grain refinement, which is attributed to the dynamic recrystallization in the MDF process. Specifically, Al-8.6Zn-1.55Mg-1.9Cu-0.11Zr (Zn + Mg = 10.15 wt.%) obtains the maximum recrystallization ratio (51.8%) and the weakest texture strength, and also forms the mortise and tenon nested grain structure. Increasing the total (Zn + Mg) content can achieve significant performance enhancement, which is attributed to the refinement of the η′ phase; however, a higher total (Zn + Mg) content will lead to the continuous distribution of coarse η-MgZn₂ phases formed along the grain boundary, accompanied by the broadening of precipitate-free precipitation zones (PFZs). Compared with other alloys, Al-8.6Zn-1.55Mg-1.9Cu-0.11Zr (Zn + Mg = 10.15 wt.%) maintains high strength while ensuring desirable plasticity due to its mortise and tenon nested grain structure. In addition, its desirable grain boundary precipitation behavior makes it exhibit the best corrosion resistance. These findings indicate that maintaining the total (Zn + Mg) content around 10 wt.% achieves a balance between strength and corrosion resistance, offering a theoretical foundation for the design of high-strength and corrosion-resistant Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloys. Full article

Timely and reliable surface deformation monitoring is critical for hazard prevention and resource management in mining areas. However, traditional Time-Series Interferometric (TSI) Synthetic Aperture Radar techniques often suffer from low coherent point density in mining environments, limiting their effectiveness. To overcome this limitation, we propose an adaptive Polarimetric TSI (PolTSI) method that exploits dual-polarization Sentinel-1 data to achieve more reliable deformation monitoring in complex mining terrains. The method employs a dual-strategy optimization: amplitude dispersion–based optimization for Permanent Scatterer (PS) pixels and minimum mean square error (MMSE)-based polarimetric filtering followed by coherence maximization for Distributed Scatterer (DS) pixels. Experimental results from an open-pit mining area demonstrate that the proposed approach significantly improves phase quality and spatial coverage. In particular, the number of coherent monitoring points increased from 31,183 with conventional TSI to 465,328 using the proposed approach, corresponding to a 1392% improvement. This substantial enhancement confirms the method’s robustness in extracting deformation signals from low-coherence, heterogeneous mining surfaces. As one of the few studies to apply Polarimetric InSAR (Pol-InSAR) in active mining regions, our work demonstrates the underexplored potential of dual-pol SAR data for improving both the spatial density and reliability of time-series deformation mapping. The results provide a solid technical foundation for large-scale, high-precision surface monitoring in complex mining environments. Full article

Background/Objectives: DNA2 is a conserved nuclease–helicase that plays a crucial role in DNA replication and repair by responding to replication stress. Previous studies have established the role of DNA2 in Okazaki fragment processing, the recovery of stalled replication forks, and double-strand break repair. This study investigates the role of Drosophila melanogaster Dna2 in response to exogenous DNA damage and replication stress as well as during developmental stages involving intensive DNA replication. Methods: We used the Drosophila mutant alleles, Dna2^D1 and Dna2^D2, which differ in the presence of the helicase 1A domain, to assess sensitivity to mutagens that cause various types of replication stress and DNA damage. We examined reproductive fitness through Mendelian ratio calculations, fecundity, egg viability assays, and assessed DNA damage via immunostaining of ovarian germaria. Lifespan assays were also conducted to examine adult survival. Results: Dna2 mutants demonstrated significant sensitivity to replication stress induced by MMS, hydroxyurea, topotecan, and nitrogen mustard. Dna2^lS/S1 mutants exhibited higher survival than Dna2^lS/D2 upon exposure to topotecan and bleomycin, suggesting a possible helicase-specific role in damage response. Mutants exhibited decreased fecundity, reduced egg viability, and elevated DNA damage in mitotically active germline cells. Adult lifespan was not reduced in Dna2 mutants, implying potential compensatory stress-response mechanisms. Conclusions: Our findings support a requirement of Dna2 in managing replication stress during critical developmental phases in Drosophila. These insights clarify the nuanced contributions of the nuclease and helicase domains of DNA2, suggesting potential domain-specific functions in genomic stability and repair mechanisms. This work provides a foundation that will enable future researchers to further dissect the complex roles of DNA2 in replication and repair pathways. Full article

The increasing demand for sustainable materials has propelled the development of bio-based elastomers derived from renewable terpenes. This study presents the synthesis of high-cis poly(butadiene-co-terpene) copolymers using coordination chain transfer polymerization with neodymium-based catalysts, enabling precise control of molecular weight and microstructure. Two terpene monomers, β-myrcene and trans-β-farnesene, were incorporated up to 45 wt% without compromising the elastomeric 1,4-cis polybutadiene segments. The copolymers were evaluated as impact modifiers in acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) and as vulcanizable rubber formulations. ABS containing bio-based copolymers exhibited distinct rubber morphologies, including elongated and rod-like particles with average particle diameters greater than 1042 nm and rubber phase volume fraction values ≥ 0.49, resulting in improved impact resistance exceeding 580 J/m and elongation at break higher than 12%. Vulcanized rubbers incorporating terpene segments displayed tunable curing kinetics, mechanical properties, and dynamic mechanical behavior, with notable increases in elongation (up to ~520%) and elasticity attributed to lower crosslink density (<1.20 × 10⁻⁴ mol/mL). Additionally, its energy dissipation capacity has been enhanced compared to the high-cis polybutadiene. These findings highlight the potential of terpene-derived bioelastomers as sustainable alternatives to fossil-based rubbers, offering comparable or enhanced performance for engineering polymer applications. The study underscores important structure–property relationships, providing a foundation for further optimization toward industrial adoption. Full article