Search Results (826)

In predictive maintenance frameworks, risk curves are used as interpretable, real-time indicators of equipment degradation. However, existing approaches generally assume a monotonically increasing trend and neglect the corrective effect of maintenance, resulting in unrealistic or overly conservative risk estimations. This paper addresses this limitation by introducing a novel method that dynamically corrects risk curves through a quantitative measure of maintenance effectiveness. The method adjusts the evolution of risk to reflect the actual impact of preventive and corrective interventions, providing a more realistic and traceable representation of asset condition. The approach is validated with case studies on critical feedwater pumps in a combined-cycle power plant. First, individual maintenance actions are analyzed for a single failure mode to assess their direct effectiveness. Second, the cross-mode impact of a corrective intervention is evaluated, revealing both direct and indirect effects. Third, corrected risk curves are compared across two redundant pumps to benchmark maintenance performance, showing similar behavior until 2023, after which one unit accumulated uncontrolled risk while the other remained stable near zero, reflected in their overall performance indicators (0.67 vs. 0.88). These findings demonstrate that maintenance-corrected risk curves enhance diagnostic accuracy, enable benchmarking between comparable assets, and provide a missing piece for the development of realistic, risk-informed predictive maintenance strategies. Full article

Background: The treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections is extremely challenging due to its antibiotic resistance, and the combination of plant active ingredients with antibiotics represents a potential strategy to address this issue. Methods: We determined the combinatorial relationship between baicalin (BA) and kanamycin (KM) using the checkerboard dilution method. The antibacterial activity of the baicalin–kanamycin (BA/KM) combination was evaluated through growth curve determination assays and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of the BA/KM combination on the cell membrane and cell wall of MRSA were analyzed using reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection assays, intracellular protein leakage experiments, alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity assays, laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) observations, and molecular docking simulations. The antibiofilm activity and related mechanisms of the BA/KM combination were elucidated via crystal violet staining, MTT assay, phenol-sulfuric acid method, congo red staining, staphyloxanthin determination assays, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The safety of the BA/KM combination was assessed through hemolytic activity analysis, and its anti-MRSA efficacy was evaluated on lettuce. Results: BA/KM combination showed a synergistic antibacterial effect on MRSA USA300. Mechanistic studies revealed that BA may interact with amino acid residues of peptidoglycan synthetase PBP2a to hinder peptidoglycan synthesis, thereby facilitating KM penetration through the cell wall. Subsequently, BA binds to amino acid residues of the membrane transporter NorA, leading to disruption of cell membrane homeostasis and enhancing KM’s ability to induce intracellular ROS accumulation in MRSA. Furthermore, the BA/KM combination reduced MRSA biofilm formation by 77.85% and decreased the metabolic activity of biofilm cells by 42.93% through inhibiting the synthesis of biofilm components EPS and PIA. Additionally, this combination suppressed the synthesis of staphyloxanthin and downregulated the expression of agrA and agrC genes. When 1/8 MIC BA was combined with 1/4 MIC KM, the count of MRSA on lettuce surfaces was reduced by 0.88 log CFU/cm², an effect comparable to that of 0.2% (v/v) hydrogen peroxide. Conclusions: According to these findings, the BA/KM combination may offer a promising option for enhancing antibacterial efficacy through synergism, reducing antibiotic usage concentrations, and limiting MRSA transmission in fresh agricultural products. Full article

Introduction: Cushing syndrome (CS) is a medical condition resulting from prolonged hypercortisolemia. The most common reason for endogenous CS is ACTH overproduction by pituitary adenoma, and then it is called Cushing disease (CD). The gold standard of CD diagnostic remains bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPSS); nevertheless, non-invasive diagnostic methods are being sought to provide a higher safety profile. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether [¹¹C]C-MET PET/CT can serve as a non-invasive alternative to BIPSS and MRI in CD diagnosis. Methods: This prospective study included 21 patients with CD who underwent BIPSS, MRI of the pituitary, and [¹¹C]C-MET PET/CT. Results: Sensitivity of BIPSS, MRI and [¹¹C]C-MET PET/CT was 100%, 59% and 24%, respectively, while specificity was 100%, 75%, and 13%. Next, we retrospectively compared PET/CT results for patients with corticotrope pituitary adenomas (n = 18) with those for individuals with no pituitary pathology (n = 18), and the results showed significantly higher SUV_max in the study group (3.74 ± 0.90 vs. 1.87 ± 1.17; p < 0.001). In ROC curve analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.889 (p <0.001; 95% CI 0.784–0.994). For SUV_max 2.60, the calculated sensitivity and specificity were 89% and 78% respectively, and for SUV_max 3.56, sensitivity and specificity were 67% and 89%, respectively. Conclusions: [¹¹C]C-MET PET/CT seems not to be a reliable diagnostic option in the diagnosis of pituitary corticotropic adenomas. BIPSS proved still to be the best diagnostic option for CD. Nevertheless, a higher than normal pituitary accumulation of the radiotracer may suggest the presence of increased amino acid metabolism, thus, the presence of adenoma. Full article

Wave-induced silty seabed liquefaction is one of the key threats to offshore infrastructure stability. The excess pore pressure (EPP) response is the key parameter for judging seabed liquefaction. Many studies have examined the EPP response to surface waves in initially well-consolidated seabed; few works have explored initially less-consolidated seabed, which is widely distributed in estuaries due to the massive river sediment discharge and, thereafter, rapid accumulation. Here, we investigate the EPP response of silty seabed with various initial consolidation degrees using wave flume experiments. We found that (1) in initially liquefied seabed, the EPP magnitude monotonically increases with wavelength, while in initially consolidated seabed, there is a maximal response wavelength which is inversely related to consolidation degree. (2) Furthermore, we found two opposite EPP responses to cyclic surface wave loading under varying seabed conditions in initially liquefied and consolidated seabeds. That is, under the same waves, the EPP magnitude is inversely related to the consolidation degree in initially liquefied seabed, while the EPP magnitude is positively related to the consolidation degree in initially consolidated seabed. In other words, the influence of initial seabed consolidation degree on EPP magnitude behaves like a “√” shaped curve. Our findings provide some implications for further understandings of wave-induced silty seabed liquefaction. Full article

Background/Objectives: Methionine (MET) positron emission tomography (PET) and cerebral blood volume (CBV) imaging provide complementary glioma assessment. This study compared MET and CBV across glioma subtypes defined by the 2021 World Health Organization Classification. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 106 patients (mean age 41.9 ± 12.4 years; 57 males) with MRI non-contrast-enhanced gliomas: 21 glioblastoma, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wildtype (G); 50 astrocytoma, IDH-mutant (A); and 35 oligodendrogliomas, IDH-mutant, and 1p/19q-codeleted (O). Relative CBVs (rCBVs) were measured in VOI-T2 and VOI-MET, and the MET tumor-to-normal (T/N) ratio was calculated. Results: MET and rCBV were significantly correlated (r = 0.5, p < 0.001); rCBV was higher in MET-positive tumors and predicted MET accumulation (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.72, cutoff = 2.99). In VOI-T2, rCBV and MET T/N ratio were the highest in G and lowest in A (p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analyses showed no overall significant difference between MET and rCBV for differentiating G/A/O, but rCBV trended toward higher AUC values in key distinctions, such as G (0.736 vs. 0.612) or grade 4 (0.718 vs. 0.617). The increase in rCBV within the MET-positive region (VOI-MET/VOI-T2 rCBV ratio) was significantly higher in A (119.8%, p = 0.002) than in the other groups (p = 0.01). Conclusions: rCBV differentiated glioma subtype with accuracy comparable to MET and could predict MET accumulation. However, its reliability for identifying MET-positive regions varied by subtype, being useful in A but limited in O. Recognizing these subtype-specific differences, rCBV can serve as a practical tool for evaluating non-contrast-enhanced gliomas. Full article

Neofusicoccum laricinum, the pathogen responsible for larch shoot blight, is a hemibiotrophic pathogen. A hypersensitive reaction of plants does not inhibit the growth of the pathogen, while phytoalexin is an antifungal compound secreted by plants, which can directly destroy the cells of pathogens and help plants achieve resistance. This study aimed to investigate the chemical defense mechanisms in resistant larch, identify key biocontrol agents, and assess their potential for field application. By integrating multi-omics technologies with time-dependent models and dose–response curve analysis, the accumulation and antimicrobial properties of rutaevin were examined. Its application potential was verified through cross-species resource screening and field trials. The results revealed that rutaevin acts as a phytoalexin against larch shoot blight. It began to accumulate linearly 0.62 days after pathogen exposure, with its antifungal activity demonstrating a dose-dependent response, achieving 100% inhibition at 0.5 mg/mL. The activation of terpene metabolic pathways in disease-resistant plants resulted in a significant increase in rutaevin content compared to susceptible plants. Cross-species screening showed that the highest concentration of this compound is found in the fruit of Evodia rutaecarpa var. rutaecarpa, with its crude extract exhibiting strong field efficacy. The findings provide theoretical and technical support for disease-resistant breeding and the development of plant-derived fungicides. Full article

A physics-based vehicle–track coupled dynamic model embedding a hydraulic electromechanical regenerative damper (HERD) is developed to quantify electrical power recovery and wear depth in high-speed service. The HERD subsystem resolves compressible hydraulics, hydraulic rectification, line losses, a hydraulic motor with a permanent-magnet generator, an accumulator, and a controllable; co-simulation links SIMPACK with MATLAB/Simulink. Wheel–rail contact is computed with Hertz theory and FASTSIM, and wear depth is advanced with the Archard law using a pressure–velocity coefficient map. Both HERD power regeneration and wear depth predictions have been validated against independent measurements of regenerated power and wear degradation in previous studies. Parametric studies over speed, curve radius, mileage and braking show that increasing speed raises input and output power while recovery efficiency remains 49–50%, with instantaneous electrical peaks up to 425 W and weak sensitivity to curvature and mileage. Under braking from 350 to 150 km/h, force transients are bounded and do not change the lateral wear pattern. Installing HERD lowers peak wear in the wheel tread region; combining HERD with flexible wheelsets further reduces wear depth and slows down degradation relative to rigid wheelsets and matches measured wear more closely. The HERD electrical load provides a physically grounded tuning parameter that sets hydraulic back pressure and effective damping, which improves model accuracy and supports calibration and updating of digital twins for maintenance planning. Full article

Background and Objectives: Performance of robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures has continued to increase in popularity. However, tourniquet use is necessary for longer periods of time in robot-assisted TKA than conventional manual TKA because the robot-assisted procedure requires an additional registration process. The use of tourniquets for long periods increases the risk of hidden blood loss and ischemic soft tissue injury in the lower extremity. The purpose of this study was to compare the value of performing robot-assisted TKA without the use of a tourniquet to that of performing this surgery with the use of a tourniquet. Parameters we assessed were blood loss, degree of postoperative thigh and knee pain, and occurrence of early post-operative complications. Materials and Methods: Data from 100 consecutive patients who underwent primary unilateral robot-assisted TKA between July 2024 and July 2025 were included in this study’s analyses. Patients were divided into three groups chronologically. The first 29 patients comprised group 1, the early tourniquet group; the next 30 patients were assigned to group 2, the no tourniquet group; and group 3 was the late tourniquet group and comprised the remaining 41 subjects. However, because allocation was chronological rather than randomized, the outcomes of later groups may partly reflect the surgeon’s accumulated experience (learning curve), which should be considered when interpreting the results. The primary outcome measure was estimated blood loss (EBL). The secondary outcome measures included transfusion rate, visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores for the knee and thigh on the third postoperative day, readmission rate due to surgical complications, superficial and deep infection rate, length of operation, and length of tourniquet use. Results: Group 2 participants, the no tourniquet participants, experienced significantly greater EBL on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 2, and 3 compared to the subjects assigned to groups 1 and 3 (p = 0.003, p < 0.001, and p = 0.005, respectively). However, there were no significant differences in transfusion rates (p = 0.290) among the 3 groups. VAS scores for knee and thigh pain were also not significantly different among the three groups (all p-values > 0.05). Three patients in group 1 (10.3%), one patient in group 2 (3.3%), and one patient in group 3 (2.4%) were readmitted for complications related to wound healing (p = 0.289). Additionally, two patients in group 1 developed superficial wound infections from which the causative bacteria were cultured. No infections were observed in the other groups (p = 0.082), however. Two patients in group 1 and two patients in group 2 experienced symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (p = 0.235). No group 3 patients experienced DVT, and only one patient in group 2 was confirmed with DVT using an enhanced CT scan (p = 0.308). Group 3 patients had shorter lengths of surgery (p < 0.001) than group 1 and 2 patients and had shorter periods of tourniquet use (p = 0.034) than group 1 patients. Conclusions: Tourniquet non-use in robot-assisted TKA surgeries was associated with greater EBL in acute postoperative periods, but this finding was not accompanied by any change in transfusion rate. Tourniquet non-use was not clinically beneficial for reducing immediate postoperative thigh and knee pain or reducing the prevalence of early post-operative complications. Tourniquet use in robot-assisted TKA may be beneficial because of the advantages its use provides in maintaining a clear surgical field and in facilitating the cementing process. Full article

Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE) is caused by pathogenic mutations in the nuclear TYMP gene, which encodes the cytosolic enzyme thymidine phosphorylase. In addition to the systemic accumulation of thymidine and deoxyuridine, several case studies have reported abnormalities in a range of other metabolites in patients with MNGIE. Since metabolites are intermediates or end-products of numerous biochemical reactions, they serve as highly informative indicators of an organism’s metabolic activity. This study aimed to perform an untargeted metabolomic profiling to determine whether individuals with MNGIE exhibit a distinct plasma metabolic signature compared to 15 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Metabolites were profiled using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-MS). A total of 160 metabolites were found to be significantly upregulated and 260 downregulated in patients with MNGIE. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed disruptions in 20 metabolic pathways, with arachidonic acid metabolism and bile acid biosynthesis being the most significantly upregulated. Univariate receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses identified 23 individual metabolites with diagnostic potential, each showing an area under the curve (AUC) ≥ 0.80. We propose that an impaired resolution of inflammation contributes to a chronic inflammatory state in MNGIE, potentially driving disease progression. Additionally, we suggest that the gut–liver axis plays a central role in MNGIE pathophysiology, with hepatic function being bidirectionally influenced by gut-derived factors. Full article

Water stress represents one of the most critical limiting factors affecting plant distribution, growth rate, biomass accumulation, and crop yield across diverse growth stages. Variations in species’ drought tolerance fundamentally shape global biodiversity patterns by influencing survival rates, distribution ranges, and community composition under changing environmental conditions. This study investigated the physiological responses of six plant species (Haloxylon ammodendron (H.A.), Nitraria tangutorum Bobr. (N.T.B.), Sympegma regelii Bge. (S.R.B.), Tamarix chinensis (T.C.), Potentilla fruticosa (P.F.R.), and Sabina chinensis (Linn.) Ant. (S.C.A.)) to varying water stress levels through controlled water gradient experiments. Four treatment levels were established: W1 (full water supply, >70% field water holding capacity); W2 (mild stress, 50–55%); W3 (moderate stress, 35–40%); and W4 (severe stress, 20–25%). Height growth and leaf mass per area decreased significantly with increasing water stress across all species. S.C.A. consistently exhibited the highest leaf mass per area among the six species, while H.A. showed the lowest values across all treatments. Leaf water content declined progressively with intensifying water stress, with T.C. and P.F.R. showing the most pronounced reductions (T.C.: 16.53%, 18.07%, and 33.37% under W2, W3, and W4, respectively; P.F.R.: 19.45%, 28.52%, and 36.08%), whereas N.T.B. and H.A. demonstrated superior water retention capacity (N.T.B.: 2.44%, 6.64%, and 9.76%; H.A.: 1.44%, 4.39%, and 5.52%). Water saturation deficit increased correspondingly with declining soil moisture. Diurnal leaf water potential patterns exhibited a characteristic V-shaped curve under well-watered (W1) and mildly stressed (W2) conditions, transitioning to a double-valley pattern with unstable fluctuations under moderate (W3) and severe (W4) stress. Leaf water potential showed linear relationships with air temperature and relative humidity, and a quadratic relationship with atmospheric water potential. For all six species, the relationship between pre-dawn leaf water potential and soil water content followed the curve equation y = a + b/x. Under water-deficient conditions, S.C.A. exhibited the greatest water physiological changes, followed by P.F.R. Both logarithmic and power function relationships between leaf and soil water potentials were highly significant (all F > 55.275, all p < 0.01). T.C. leaf water potential was the most sensitive to soil water potential changes, followed by S.C.A., while H.A. demonstrated the least sensitivity. These findings provide essential theoretical foundations for selecting drought-resistant plant species in arid regions of the Qaidam Basin. This study elucidates the response mechanisms of six distinct drought-tolerant plant species under water stress. It provides critical theoretical support for selecting drought-tolerant species, designing community configurations, and implementing water management strategies in vegetation restoration projects within the arid Qaidam Basin. Furthermore, it contributes empirical data at the plant physiological level to understanding the mechanisms sustaining species diversity in arid ecosystems. Full article

Background/Objectives: Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) is a valuable imaging modality for detecting malignancies and diagnosing fever of unknown origin (FUO). However, data regarding FDG accumulation in bone marrow among pediatric acute leukemia (AL) cases are limited. In this study, we aimed to compare FDG-PET/CT findings between children with AL and those with inflammatory diseases (IDs), including FUO, and develop a scoring system for differential diagnoses. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed FDG-PET/CT findings in six children with AL and 22 with IDs. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max), visual score (VS), and spread score (SS) were evaluated across various bone marrow sites, including vertebrae, pelvic bone, humerus, forearm, and femur. Statistical analysis consisted of Mann–Whitney U test for group comparisons and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC)/area under the curve (AUC) analyses to assess diagnostic performance. Results: SUV max, VS, and SS were significantly higher in children with AL across all evaluated sites. The combined VS + SS scoring system yielded the highest diagnostic accuracy. A simplified version using only the VS of the middle humerus and femur plus the SS showed comparable effectiveness. Conclusions: FDG-PET/CT in children with AL showed high FDG accumulation in bone marrow areas in the whole body. The simple scoring system, which comprises FDG accumulation in the middle portion of the extremities and the whole body, appears to be helpful in distinguishing AL from IDs in children. FDG-PET/CT-based visual scoring may provide supportive information alongside conventional diagnostics in pediatric acute leukemia. Full article

This study investigates the constitutive model and relaxation modulus master curve of composite modified double-base (CMDB) propellants through uniaxial constant-rate tensile tests and stress relaxation tests. The experimental observations demonstrate that CMDB propellants exhibit pronounced strain-rate dependence and temperature dependence. Specifically, the yield stress and fracture strength of the propellant increase with increasing strain rate and decrease with increasing temperature. Conversely, the fracture strain increases with increasing temperature. The stress–strain curves of CMDB propellants display marked nonlinearity, attributed to progressive damage accumulation. The relaxation modulus increases significantly with decreasing temperature. Utilizing the time-temperature superposition principle, we constructed a master curve model for the relaxation modulus of CMDB propellants across varying temperatures. Furthermore, based on the observed stress relaxation behavior, a nonlinear constitutive model for CMDB propellants was developed. Theoretical predictions derived from this model show good agreement with experimental data. This model effectively captures the characteristic stress softening and damage evolution in CMDB propellants, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for assessing its mechanical performance and predicting its service life. Full article

Traditional pseudo-static loading tests fail to capture the unique characteristics of special ground motions, limiting their ability to accurately evaluate the seismic performance of steel-reinforced concrete (SRC) columns. In this study, eight SRC columns were subjected to pseudo-static tests using far-field, near-field, and traditional loading protocols to investigate their structural response under different seismic scenarios. The results show that far-field loading, characterized by repeated large displacement cycles, leads to increased damage accumulation, reduced hysteresis curve fullness, greater bearing capacity loss, significant stiffness degradation, and diminished ductility and energy dissipation. In contrast, near-field loading—dominated by an initial extreme displacement—results in fewer but less developed cracks and a larger concrete crushed zone at failure. The severe initial damage under near-field loading causes a noticeable decline in stiffness and strength during subsequent cycles. During the second loading stage, both the peak load and post-peak deformation capacity are further reduced, significantly impairing the columns’ ability to resist additional seismic demands. These findings highlight the critical role of loading history in shaping the seismic behavior of SRC composite columns. Full article

Background: Metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a major global health concern associated with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular morbidity. Early identification of at-risk individuals through simple, non-invasive methods is essential, particularly in working populations. Objectives: This study aimed to assess and compare the diagnostic accuracy of four widely used anthropometric and metabolic indicators—body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WtHR), triglyceride–glucose index (TyG), and waist–triglyceride index (WTI)—in identifying individuals at risk of metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), as determined by the Fatty Liver Index (FLI) and the Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP), within a large sample of Spanish workers. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was performed on data from 386,924 Spanish employees aged between 18 and 69 years. Standardized anthropometric and laboratory measurements were obtained as part of routine occupational medical examinations conducted from 2021 to 2023. The presence of NAFLD was inferred using two validated surrogate markers: FLI and LAP. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC) values were used to assess the discriminatory ability of each index, stratified by sex. Results: WTI and TyG demonstrated the highest diagnostic accuracy for both FLI- and LAP-defined NAFLD, with AUC values >0.95 in both sexes. WTI showed the best overall performance, followed closely by TyG. WtHR outperformed BMI but was less accurate than the metabolic indices. Sex-stratified analyses confirmed consistent patterns, with slightly higher AUCs for TyG and WTI in women. BMI consistently yielded the lowest discriminatory performance. Conclusions: WTI and TyG are superior to BMI and WtHR for non-invasive screening of MASLD in occupational settings. Their simplicity, low cost, and strong predictive value support their integration into routine workplace health surveillance. Sex-specific thresholds and prospective validation are warranted to enhance clinical application. Full article

The pipe-jacking inertial guidance method is a key technology to solve the guidance problems of complex pipe-jacking projects, such as long distances and curves. However, since its guidance information is obtained by gyroscope integration. System errors will accumulate over time and affect the guidance accuracy. To address the above issues, this study proposes an intelligent online system error correction scheme based on single-axis rotation and data backtracking. The method enhances system observability by actively exciting the sensor states and introducing data reuse technology. Then, a Bayesian optimization algorithm is incorporated to construct a multi-objective function. The algorithm autonomously searches for the optimal values of three key control parameters, thereby constructing an optimal correction strategy. The results show that the inclination accuracy improving by 99.36%. The tool face accuracy improving by 94.05%. The azimuth accuracy improving by 94.42% improvement. By comparing different correction schemes, the proposed method shows better performance in estimating gyro bias. In summary, the proposed method uses single-axis rotation and data backtracking, and can correct system errors in inertial navigation effectively. It has better value for engineering and provides a technical foundation for high-accuracy navigation in tunnel, pipe-jacking, and other complex tasks with low-cost inertial systems. Full article