Search Results (3,331)

In this study, double-pass hot compression tests were conducted to systematically investigate the effects of hot deformation parameters on the static recrystallization (SRX) behavior of SA-508M Gr.3 steel used for nuclear reactor pressure vessels. The deformation temperatures were set to 950, 1050, and 1150 °C, with strain rates of 0.01, 0.1, and 1 s⁻¹. The first-pass strains were 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15; the inter-pass time was fixed at 60 s; and the second-pass strain was maintained at 0.05. Based on the experimental data, a kinetic model describing SRX softening behavior was established. The activation energy for SRX was determined to be 81.45 kJ·mol⁻¹, and the Avrami exponent was 0.5742. The characteristic time for 50% recrystallization (t_0.5) was quantified under different deformation conditions. In addition, the microstructural evolution of SRX after double-pass hot compression was characterized using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The results show that increasing the deformation temperature and strain rate leads to opposite trends in the flow stress during double-pass deformation, with the flow stress decreasing with temperature and increasing with strain rate. Meanwhile, inter-pass static softening is enhanced, resulting in a pronounced stress drop during the second pass. An increase in the first-pass strain further intensifies the stress drop and enhances the extent of SRX. EBSD analysis reveals consistent microstructural evolution: with increasing deformation temperature, strain rate, and the first-pass strain, the misorientation distribution shifts from low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) to high-angle grain boundaries (HAGBs), indicating an increased degree of SRX. These findings provide a theoretical basis and experimental support for process parameter optimization and engineering applications of SA-508M Gr.3 steel. Full article

Melatonin, a potent endogenous antioxidant, holds promise for enhancing stress tolerance in woody plants, yet its molecular mechanism under saline–alkali stress remains poorly understood. This study systematically investigated the effects of exogenous melatonin on Ulmus pumila ‘Zhonghua Jinye’ by integrating physiological assays, transcriptomics, and metabolomics. Two-year-old cuttings were subjected to 150 mmol·L⁻¹ saline–alkali stress and treated with varying melatonin concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, 400 μmol·L⁻¹; three replicates). Physiological evaluations identified 100 μmol·L⁻¹ melatonin (SMT100) as optimal, significantly enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, APX, GR) by 28.7–41.5% and reducing reactive oxygen species (H₂O₂ by 31.5%; O₂⁻ by 38.2%) compared to untreated stressed controls. Integrated omics analysis (CK, S, SMT100 groups) revealed that saline–alkali stress suppressed the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway, down-regulating key genes such as UpANS1 (10.74-fold), UpANS2, UpHCT1, and UpDFR2, thereby reducing the accumulation of protective flavonoids like quercetin and kaempferol. Conversely, melatonin treatment reactivated this pathway, significantly up-regulating UpANS1 (17.36-fold induction), UpDFR2 (5.55-fold), UpCHS1, UpF3H6, and UpLAR2. This genetic reconfiguration promoted the synthesis of antioxidant flavonoids, enhancing the plant’s overall stress resilience, thus identifying UpANS1 as candidates associated with treatment response. The study provides a scientific basis for cultivating U. pumila ‘Zhonghua Jinye’ in saline–alkali soils and clarifies the molecular mechanism by which melatonin alleviates combined saline–alkali stress via flavonoid pathway regulation. Full article

This study assesses the spatio-temporal distribution and transition dynamics of land use and land cover (LULC) in Egypt using satellite-based MODIS observations (SAT-MODIS) and WRF static datasets (WRF-MODIS) from 2001 to 2020. Dominant LULC types, barren areas (BAs), cropland (CR), urban and built-up land (UBL), water bodies (WBs), grassland (GR), and open shrubland (OS), exhibited notable changes associated with agricultural expansion, urbanization, and land reclamation due to human-induced activities. BAs remained dominant, covering more than 94% of Egypt throughout the study period. Comparative analysis between the three WRF-MODIS options (WRF-Opt1, WRF-Opt2, and WRF-Opt3) and SAT-MODIS revealed LULC classification discrepancies, which may be due to differences in algorithms, temporal representation, and spatial resolution. WRF-Opt3 showed the highest spatial consistency with SAT-MODIS, particularly before and around 2010. The findings highlight limitations of static WRF land cover datasets and emphasize the need for higher-resolution and dynamically updated LULC datasets to improve regional climate and land–atmosphere modeling applications over Egypt. Full article

Systemic hypoxia influences the state of the intestinal epithelial barrier and the microbiome; however, the role of the initial tolerance of the organism to oxygen deficiency in the development of these changes remains poorly studied. The aim of the study was to evaluate the colon histophysiological features and the gut microbiome in rats that were tolerant and susceptible to hypoxia under intermittent hypoxic exposure of varying severity. In male Wistar rats, tolerance to oxygen deficiency was determined according to the Hif1a, Epas1, and Hif3a expression levels in peripheral blood leukocytes, after which they were subjected to intermittent hypoxic exposure at an “altitude” of 5000 m or 7000 m for 1 h daily for 21 days. Subsequently, the state of the intestinal epithelial barrier was assessed using histological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical methods, and the microbiota composition was analyzed by PCR. Under normoxic conditions, in comparison with rats that are tolerant to hypoxia, susceptible animals demonstrated a greater volume fraction of goblet cells and a low abundance of Parabacteroides spp. Intermittent hypoxic exposure induced multidirectional changes depending on the initial tolerance and the severity of the regimen. In tolerant-to-hypoxia animals, an increase in the goblet cells volume fraction was detected after the exposure at the 5000 m “altitude”, while at an “altitude” of 7000 m, a decrease in the number of cells in the lamina propria of the mucosa and Clostridium perfringens gr. abundance, as well as a reduction in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, was observed. In susceptible-to-hypoxia animals, a higher abundance of Clostridium perfringens gr. in comparison with tolerant rats was revealed after the exposure at an “altitude” of 7000 m, with no structural changes in the intestinal wall. Thus, intermittent hypoxic exposure led to a rearrangement of the gut microbiome and the morphofunctional characteristics of the intestinal barrier, and the severity of these changes depended on the initial tolerance of the organism to oxygen deficiency and the severity of the hypoxic regime, which should be taken into account when conducting biomedical research. Full article

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) production is constantly threatened by devastating diseases such as rice blast, bacterial blight, and brown planthopper infestation. The AP2-type transcription factor OsHTR (also known as SMOS1/SHB/RAL1/NGR5/GR5) has been previously implicated in hormonal signaling networks and nitrogen use efficiency; however, its role in disease resistance remains largely unexplored. In this study, we functionally characterized OsHTR in disease resistance using knockout (KO) and overexpression (OE) transgenic lines in the ZH11 background. Transcriptome analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes in the htr mutant were significantly enriched in plant–pathogen interaction pathways, with multiple NBS-LRR and NB-ARC resistance-related genes upregulated. Real-time PCR validation confirmed the upregulation of 15 candidate resistance genes in the htr mutant. Comprehensive resistance evaluations suggested that HTR-KO lines exhibited enhanced resistance to rice blast and bacterial blight compared to wild-type ZH11 and HTR-OE lines, which displayed moderate susceptibility. In contrast, all lines remained highly susceptible to brown planthopper, indicating a disease-specific regulatory function of OsHTR. Furthermore, targeted knockout of individual upregulated resistance-related genes (LOC_Os10g04090, LOC_Os12g29690, LOC_Os02g11980, and LOC_Os11g11770) and OsHTR-interacting gene LOC_Os06g03710 confirmed their distinct contributions to blast and bacterial blight resistance but did not establish them as direct targets of OsHTR. Collectively, our results indicate that OsHTR functions as a negative regulator of disease resistance in rice, likely acting through transcriptional repression of defense-related genes, although direct binding remains to be demonstrated. This study uncovers a novel regulatory module connecting AP2-type transcription factors to disease resistance and provides valuable genetic resources for molecular breeding of broad-spectrum-resistant rice cultivars. Full article

In this paper, we describe a method for computing calendar time forecasts in a local area for large earthquakes of a target magnitude M_T using a count of small earthquakes in the magnitude range M_S to M_T in the area. Using the idea that the Gutenberg–Richter (GR) relation is valid throughout the surrounding region, we define an ensemble of earthquakes in larger surrounding regions to be used in computing the forecast. What follows is simple data mining. “Local” is defined by the probability of a large earthquake occurring within a defined circle of arbitrary radius surrounding a point of interest. The main (and for that matter, the only) assumption for all these works is that the GR magnitude–frequency relation holds. The method has significant skill, as defined by the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) test, which improves as the time since the last major earthquake increases. The probability is conditioned on the number of small earthquakes n(t), with M ≥ M_S = 3.49, that have occurred since the last large earthquake. The probability is computed directly as the Positive Predictive Value (PPV) associated with the ROC curve. The method is compared with the UCERF3 forecasts for the UCERF3-defined geographic boxes centered on Los Angeles and San Francisco and serves as an indicative benchmark. The method is then applied to a 125 km radius circular area around Los Angeles, California, following the 17 January 1994 magnitude M6.7 Northridge earthquake, and short-term forecasts (1-year and 5-year) are computed. We further apply the method to six additional geographic regions with validation by comparison with an estimate of the time-independent conditional Poisson probability. These regions are Athens, Greece; Chengdu, China; Jakarta, Indonesia; Lima, Peru; Santiago, Chile; and Tangshan, China. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pain is a common symptom in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and may influence their quality of life. Pain self-efficacy may play an important role in self-management and adherence behaviors. This study aimed to examine the association between pain self-efficacy and adherence to the HD regimen in patients undergoing HD. Methods: In this descriptive and cross-sectional study, 199 patients undergoing HD from a single private hospital (convenience sample) in Athens, Greece, completed the Greek-Simplified Adherence Questionnaire-HD (GR-SMAQ-HD) to assess adherence and the Pain Self-efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ) to assess pain self-efficacy. Sociodemographic and clinical data were also recorded. Bivariate analyses and multiple linear regression were performed to identify factors associated with adherence. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Patients demonstrated moderate levels of pain self-efficacy (mean PSEQ = 33.96 ± 9.74) and moderate adherence to the HD regimen (mean GR-SMAQ-HD = 4.78 ± 2.54). No significant correlation was found between pain self-efficacy and adherence in bivariate analysis (rho = 0.125, p = 0.221). However, in multivariate analysis, pain self-efficacy was a significant independent predictor of adherence (β = 0.056, p = 0.032). Longer duration of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (β = −0.158, p < 0.001), higher pill burden (rho = −0.237, p = 0.030) were associated with lower adherence. Marital status was also a significant predictor of adherence (β = 1.631, p = 0.016). The model explained 24% of the variance in adherence (Adjusted R² = 0.24). Conclusions: Pain self-efficacy may indirectly affect adherence to the HD regimen, although its direct effect is modest. Adherence appears to be negatively influenced by pill burden and ESRD duration, while social support may play an important role. Full article

Background/Objectives: Glucocorticoids, including dexamethasone (DEX), are known to demonstrate anti-inflammatory activity, suppress steroidogenesis, and mitigate the adverse effects of chemotherapy. They are therefore widely employed for managing solid malignancies. Emerging evidence indicates that DEX modulates both systemic and local renin–angiotensin system (RAS) activity, including genomic signaling via the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Methods: DEX-dependent transcriptional responses for the angiotensin receptor genes (AGTR1, AGTR2, MAS1, and LNPEP) were evaluated in ovarian (SKOV3, KURAMOCHI) and prostate (DU-145, PC3) cancer cell lines. The cells were cultured under different serum conditions to determine the influence of nutrient availability on tumor progression. Results: DEX demonstrated distinct mechanisms of action between the ovarian and prostate cancer models. It was found to promote cancer cell survival through tissue-specific modulation of metabolic activity, clonogenic capacity, cell cycle distribution, and apoptotic responses. These effects were accompanied by condition-dependent alterations in angiotensin receptor gene expression. Hence, DEX may mediate the remodeling of local RAS signaling, which may be significant in overall survival and disease-free survival. The findings also indicate a previously-unreported NR3C1–LNPEP correlation, which was consistently observed across in vitro systems and patient datasets, in both ovarian- and prostate-derived cancer models. Conclusions: DEX appears to exert context-dependent regulation of RAS-associated gene networks in ovarian and prostate cancer, suggesting a role in tumor adaptive responses and potentially in therapeutic contexts. Full article

Reuse of human excreta and derivatives is becoming a common practice in areas with agricultural predominance. While in situ treated faeces through ecological sanitation (Ecosan), known as “faecal by-products” are being used to sustain soil nutrients and improve on-site sanitation, the concern remains about the health risks related to the survival of pathogens in these by-products in the community of farmers. This study assessed the survival of faecal pathogens and estimated microbial risks associated with the use of Ecosan faecal by-products in agriculture. The quantitative microbial risks assessment (QMRA) framework was used to estimate the risks posed by each faecal pathogen in solid and semi-solid faecal by-products under the probabilistic model of Monte Carlo simulation. Ascaris lumbricoides (6.5 eggs/gr), Taenia species (0.3 egg/gr), Schistosoma species (9.3 cercariae/gr), Entamoeba species (4.4 cysts/gr), and Escherichia coli (451 Cfu/gr) were detected in semi-solid faecal products. Exposure scenarios were observed throughout four critical points: vault faecal by-products removal/unloading, transport, collection, and application of faecal by-products in the gardens. Due to the presence of eggs and cysts, an estimated annual risk of infections was found in semi-solid faecal by-products with Schistosoma species (88%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (90%). Both concentrations were above World Health organisation (WHO) standards of associated infective risks of 0–10% of helminths in faecal sludge applied in the gardens. The users of faecal by-products, particularly farmers are exposed not only to high concentrations of helminth eggs but also to protozoa and bacteria with infective risks of Entamoeba species (99%) and E. coli species (62%). A stepwise implementation of faecal pathogens die-off during treatment of faecal by-products in compliance with the WHO’s 2018 guidelines can prevent the use of unsanitary faecal by-products. According to these findings, the proper control of intestinal protozoa and soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) should be enforced through personal protective measures in Burera district, Rwanda. Full article

Copper and its alloys are widely used in electrical, automotive, aerospace, and energy applications because of their excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. However, the low hardness and poor wear resistance of pure Cu limit its use under tribologically demanding sliding conditions. In this study, Cu matrix composites reinforced with 1 wt.% boron carbide (B₄C), boron (B), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), alumina (Al₂O₃), and graphite (Gr) were fabricated by powder metallurgy and comparatively evaluated under identical processing and testing conditions. Phase constitution and microstructural characteristics were analyzed by XRD, SEM, and EDS, while mechanical and tribological behavior was assessed by Vickers hardness and dry sliding wear tests. All reinforcements improved the hardness of the Cu matrix compared with unreinforced Cu. The hardness increase followed the order Cu–B₄C (68.91%) > Cu–B (66.43%) > Cu–Gr (63.97%) > Cu–Al₂O₃ (61.79%) > Cu–Cr (42.69%) > Cu–Co (36.04%). Dry sliding wear tests, performed under a 10 N normal load, 0.05 m s⁻¹ sliding speed, and 1000 m sliding distance against a 316L stainless-steel ball, showed that all reinforced composites exhibited lower mass loss and more stable sliding behavior than pure Cu. Among all samples, Cu–B₄C displayed the best wear performance, with a 154.8% improvement in wear resistance relative to pure Cu. SEM analysis of the worn surfaces revealed that reinforcement addition reduced severe plastic deformation, groove formation, and delamination, leading to a more stable wear regime. Graphite- and boron-containing composites benefited from interfacial lubrication and contact stabilization, whereas B₄C and Al₂O₃ improved wear resistance through rigid-particle strengthening and enhanced load-bearing capacity. By comparing ceramic, metalloid, metallic, oxide, and solid-lubricating reinforcements at the same low addition level and under identical processing and testing conditions, this study provides a reinforcement-selection framework for Cu-based composites requiring improved hardness and dry-sliding durability. Full article

Water resource management in the Sahelian-Sudanian transition zone faces growing uncertainty under climate change, yet hydrological projections remain scarce for the Oti-Pendjari basin (West Africa). This study develops an integrated modelling chain combining CMIP6 multi-model evaluation, bias correction, and GR4J hydrological modelling to project streamflow changes under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 over 2021–2100. Eleven CMIP6 models were evaluated against ERA5 reanalysis data (1960–2014) using NSE, KGE, and MAE; the three best-performing models were bias-corrected using Linear Scaling, Variance Scaling, Quantile Mapping, and Quantile Delta Mapping. Linear Scaling proved most effective, with CMCC-ESM2 best reproducing observed precipitation (NSE and KGE up to 0.9), while the multi-model approach performed best for temperature. The GR4J model, calibrated at Porga, Mandouri, and Mango (KGE: 0.609–0.668), satisfactorily reproduces intermediate flows and flood dynamics, although structural limitations persist for low flows (KGE [1/Q]: −0.65 to −0.71). Projections reveal a marked divergence between scenarios: SSP2-4.5 yields September peak flow increases of +5.7% to +16.7%, whereas SSP5-8.5 leads to slight decreases of −1.1% to −3.6%, likely driven by increased potential evapotranspiration partially offsetting precipitation gains. These findings underscore the critical importance of scenario selection and model uncertainty in regional water resource planning. Full article

To determine the optimal dietary protein level for early juvenile Chinese tapertail anchovy (Coilia nasus, initial body weight: 0.87 ± 0.01 g), five feeds containing graded protein levels (35.42%, 39.16%, 42.96%, 46.83%, and 50.65%) were used in an eight-week feeding experiment. Results showed that the growth performance and health status of C. nasus were significantly affected by dietary protein. Compared with the 35.42% group, the 42.96% and 46.83% groups’ WGR and SGR are notably higher, and FCR is notably lower. The 46.83% group showed higher crude protein and lower crude lipid contents. The activities of CAT and SOD, and the level of T-AOC, were significantly enhanced in the 42.96% and 46.83% groups. The 42.96–50.65% groups showed significantly higher GPx activities and lower MDA levels, and GR activity was increased in the 46.83% and 50.65% groups. In addition, the 39.16–50.65% groups upregulated the expressions of il-1β and tgf-β and downregulated tnf-α. For endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis, the 42.96–50.65% groups significantly downregulated the expressions of atf4, chop, and apaf1, and the 39.16–50.65% groups upregulated cflar, bcl-2, and tradd, downregulated bax, casp9, and casp3. Quadratic regression analysis using WGR and FCR as indices showed that the optimal protein levels in feed for early juvenile C. nasus were 44.31% and 46.56%, respectively. Full article

Six fatigue tests were performed on W6×15 steel beams fabricated from A572 Grade 50 steel, each 4 m in length and subjected to sinusoidal bending with stress amplitudes ranging from 0.10 Fy to 0.70 Fy at 4 Hz. In five of the six specimens, a Charpy V-notch-type defect was introduced at mid-span on the lower flange to initiate localized damage. Cyclic loading was applied until fatigue failure occurred. Throughout testing, two primary parameters were continuously monitored: (i) strain and (ii) surface magnetic flux density. Analysis of the magnetic flux evolution revealed distinctive signal patterns that emerged as fatigue damage progressed, particularly near the point of failure. These magnetic variations correlate with the accumulation of microstructural damage and enable the estimation of a safe-life prediction for each specimen under cyclic loading. Furthermore, a qualitative relationship between the fractographic features and the corresponding magnetic response was identified. The results demonstrate that monitoring surface magnetic flux provides a reliable early-warning indicator of fatigue damage in full-scale steel members, offering a promising tool for structural health monitoring and public safety in elements of steel infrastructure such as bridges. Full article

Liver fibrosis is the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) that occurs in most types of chronic liver diseases (CLDs) as a response to sustained liver injury. While the ECM comprises different proteins, collagen being the most abundant, the term matrisome refers to a plethora of ECM-related molecules, including collagen-associated proteins, growth factors, cytokines, enzymes and their endogenous inhibitors. The hepatic matrisome undergoes significant qualitative and quantitative changes during liver fibrosis. Despite intense research over recent years, our understanding of the matrisome in the liver—both in health and disease—and particularly of its function beyond its conventional structural role, remains poor. This review highlights how comprehending hepatic matrisome responses to liver injury can yield novel insights into disease progression and regression and could be exploited as a potential antifibrotic strategy. The antifibrotic potency of drugs that interfere with the matrisome at different levels has been demonstrated in preclinical studies, but translation to clinical trials remains still limited. So far, simtuzumab (LOXL2 inhibitor antibody), imatinib (small-molecule inhibitor against discoidin domain receptors—DDRs), bexotegrast (integrin inhibitor), GR-MD-02 (galectin 3 inhibitor), and BMS-986263 (siRNA-targeting HSP47) have been or are being evaluated in clinical trials related to CLD, and some of them have shown promising results. Full article

Strigolactones (SLs) have emerged as important regulators of plant adaptation to abiotic stress, functioning not as isolated hormones but as integrative signaling molecules. Beyond stress responses, SLs regulate key biological processes, including shoot branching, root architecture, leaf senescence, nutrient acquisition, rhizosphere communication, flowering-related development, and growth–developmental plasticity. This review synthesizes current knowledge on how SLs modulate plant responses to drought, salinity, heavy metal toxicity, high temperature, and low temperature through crosstalk with abscisic acid, auxin, cytokinin, ethylene, and gibberellin. We examine SL structural diversity, biosynthesis, transport, and signaling together with their roles in growth–stress coordination, hormonal networking, and stress-specific mitigation, while distinguishing endogenous SL functions from responses inferred from exogenous analogs such as GR24. Across stresses, SL-mediated resilience converges on adaptive modules, including water regulation, root–shoot architectural remodeling, redox protection, ion and osmotic homeostasis, photosynthetic maintenance, and rhizosphere-assisted resource acquisition. The mechanistic basis involves transcriptional reprogramming, ROS/RNS-linked redox regulation, metabolic protection, and root–microbe interactions. Translational prospects include SL analogs, genetic manipulation, and breeding for adaptive plasticity, nutrient efficiency, and stress tolerance. However, species specificity, dosage dependence, limited field validation, unclear structure–function relationships, and parasitic-weed stimulation remain major constraints. Full article