Search Results (411)

Wood is a renewable and sustainable environmentally friendly building material. With proper design, it can help buildings achieve lower carbon emissions. However, since wood is a flammable material, its combustion performance in fires has attracted attention. In modern timber structures, glulam is a widely used engineered wood product. Thus, in this paper, glulam specimens made of four kinds of commonly used soft-wood species were used to compare their combustion performance, and the cone calorimeter method was employed. The indicators including time to ignition, heat release rate per unit area, total heat release per unit area, specific extinction area per unit mass, mass of residue, yield of CO and yield of CO₂ were evaluated and compared. The results showed that all the glulam specimens would experience cracking wood and adhesive layer. The time to ignition and peak mass loss rate of the four softwood species in the study was positively correlated with their density. Among these species, Spruce exhibited the highest peak heat release rate and the highest peak CO₂ yield but lowest smoke production, while Douglas fir had a relatively late CO production time and the lowest mass loss percentage, Larch had the lowest heat release rate and total heat release. This study provides fundamental data for the selection of wood structural materials and for future research on wood flame-retardant treatments. Full article

The use of artificial oxygenation to counteract the effects of hypoxia and improve living standards in high-altitude, low-oxygen settings is widespread. A recognized consequence of this intervention is that it elevates the risk of fire occurrence. In this study, we simulated a real fire environment with low-pressure oxygen enrichment in a plateau area. A new multi-measuring apparatus was constructed by integrating an electronic control cone heater and a low-pressure oxygen enrichment combustion platform to enable the simultaneous measurement of multiple parameters. The combined effects of varying oxygen concentrations and thermal irradiance on the combustion behavior of wood plastic composites (WPCs) under specific low-pressure conditions were investigated, and alterations in crucial combustion parameters were examined and evaluated. Increasing the oxygen concentration and heat flux significantly reduced the ignition and combustion times. For instance, at 50 kW/m², the ignition time decreased from 75 s to 16 s as the oxygen concentration increased from 21% to 35%. This effect was suppressed by higher heat fluxes. Compared with low oxygen concentrations and low thermal radiation environments, the ignition time of the material under high oxygen concentrations and high thermal radiation conditions was shortened by more than 78%, indicating that its flammability is enhanced under extreme conditions. Higher oxygen concentrations enhanced the heat feedback to the fuel surface, which accelerated pyrolysis and yielded a more compact flame with reduced dimensions and a color transition from blue-yellow to bright yellow. This intensified combustion was further manifested by an increased mass loss rate (MLR), elevated flame temperature, and a decline in residual mass percentage. The combustion of WPCs displayed distinct stage characteristics, exhibiting “double peak” features in both the MLR and flame temperature, which were attributed to the staged pyrolysis of its wood fiber and plastic components. Full article

American Staffordshire Terriers (ASTs) with a c.296G>A variant in ARSG develop progressive ataxia, cerebellar atrophy, and neuronal accumulation of autofluorescent storage material. Human subjects with ARSG variants exhibit hearing loss and rod–cone dystrophy without apparent other neurological involvement and arsg knockout mice exhibit progressive ataxia, lysosomal storage, and photoreceptor loss. Owners of 8 of 11 affected ASTs evaluated for the ARSG risk variant reported observing visual impairment in their dogs, suggesting that the canine disease may involve retinal dysfunction consistent with human subjects and mice with ARSG variants. To assess whether this might be the case, electroretinography was performed on four affected and three unaffected ASTs. Three affected dogs that were exhibiting signs of ataxia had attenuated electroretinogram (ERG) amplitudes indicative of rod and cone photoreceptor dysfunction, while ERG responses were not attenuated in a younger dog that had not yet shown signs of ataxia or visual impairment. Autofluorescent inclusions were observed in the retinal pigment epithelium and retinal ganglion cell layer of two affected dogs that were euthanized due to neurological disease progression. The results from these cases indicate that standardized electroretinography can be used to detect retinal dysfunction in dogs with the ARSG-related disorder and in other disorders in which dogs exhibit apparent impairment in visually mediated behavior. Full article

Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the involuntary loss of urine during increased abdominal pressure, affecting 46% of adult women, particularly those over 40. Pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training is the first-line treatment supported by numerous high-quality studies. However, the effectiveness of biofeedback devices, such as vaginal weight cones, remains controversial. Peflex weights are a new type of vaginal extracorporeal weights developed for PFM training. Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of PFM training with Peflex weights in reducing SUI symptoms, improving muscle power and endurance, and comparing its efficacy to standard PFM training without weights. Methods: A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 35 women aged 18 to 50 diagnosed with SUI. Participants were randomly assigned to either the Peflex group (PFM training with Peflex weights) or the control group (PFM training without weights). Both groups engaged in six weeks of home-based training. The primary outcome was assessed using the self-reported International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-UI-SF). Secondary outcomes included evaluations based on the PERFECT scheme, perineometer measurements, and levator hiatus diameters obtained via ultrasound. Results: In the intragroup analysis, the Peflex group significantly improved all outcome measurements. Compared to the control group, the Peflex group demonstrated significantly higher improvement in muscle power and repetition of muscle contraction (p = 0.015 and p = 0.007, respectively), as well as in the proportional change in levator hiatus contraction (p = 0.022). There was no significant difference in the improvement in ICIQ-UI-SF and perineometer measurements between the groups (p > 0.05). Additionally, there was a trend of higher satisfaction with the treatment in the Peflex group (p = 0.054). Conclusions: Peflex weights effectively reduce SUI symptoms and improve muscle power and endurance, with high user satisfaction. However, there was no significant difference in the main outcome measure (ICIQ-UI-SF) between the Peflex and control groups. Further research is needed to identify which patients benefit most from this treatment. Full article

The pistachio psyllid (Agonoscena pistaciae) is a significant pest in pistachio (Pistacia vera) orchards, leading to serious economic losses. Understanding its overwintering behaviour is essential for developing effective pest control strategies. This study aimed to identify the overwintering habitats of A. pistaciae and to explore an alternative nature-based trapping method to managing its population. Field surveys were conducted over two years (2020–2022) in five key pistachio-growing regions of southern Türkiye. Our findings suggest that the A. pistaciae primarily overwinters in the mature cones of Turkish pine (Pinus brutia) and Mediterranean cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), as well as on the semi-evergreen leaves of oak trees (Quercus brantii, and Q. infectoria). Based on these observations, we developed cone-based overwintering traps and deployed them in pistachio orchards. These traps captured ten times more psyllids than those that were naturally overwintering in cones, which highlights their potential as a pest management tool. This study provides the first evidence of A. pistaciae overwintering in conifer cones and suggests that cone-based traps could serve as a practical and eco-friendly alternative to chemical control methods. Implementing this strategy in pistachio orchards may help reduce psyllid populations while preserving the ecological balance. Full article

In bone conduction (BC) hearing, sound is transmitted directly to the cochlea via skull vibrations, bypassing the outer and middle ear. This provides a therapeutic option for patients with conductive or mixed hearing loss and single-sided deafness. Although finite-element models have advanced understanding of the mechanisms underlying BC, progress toward personalized treatment strategies remains limited by a lack of standardized, experimentally validated, subject-specific models. This study proposes a hierarchical validation framework to support the development and validation of individualized computational models of the human head under BC stimulation. The framework spans four anatomical levels: system, subsystems, structures, and tissues. This approach enables systematic acquisition of data from intact cadaver heads down to isolated material domains. To demonstrate the applications of the framework, an experimental study was conducted on a single cadaver head, targeting three levels: the intact head (system), extracted bone pieces (structures), and isolated cortical layers (tissues). Subsystems were not addressed. High-resolution photon-counting computed tomography (CT) and energy-integrating cone-beam CT were used to acquire anatomical data. One-dimensional laser Doppler vibrometry was used to capture vibrational responses of bone pieces and cortical layers under wet and dry conditions. Representative results were analyzed to assess the impact of preparation state on resonance behavior. Comparative analysis showed that photon-counting CT provided superior structural resolution compared with energy-integrating cone-beam CT, particularly at the full-head (system) level. Vibrational measurements at the structure and tissue levels from the same anatomical region revealed broadly consistent resonance vibration patterns, enabling comparison of resonance frequencies. The influence of hydration state and thickness reduction on vibrational behavior was highlighted. The proposed framework provides a scalable methodology for validation of subject-specific BC models with the potential for more accurate BC simulations based on the hypothesis of functional variability rooted in anatomical variability. Obvious use cases would include the development of improved hearing aid designs and personalized treatments. In parallel, a successful correlation of anatomical and functional variability can serve as inspiration for design principles of metamaterials. Full article

Four types of phosphomolybdates (iron, cobalt, nickel, and zinc) were each combined with antimony trioxide (Sb₂O₃) to prepare polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composites. The effects of the phosphomolybdates on the combustion behavior, smoke release, and mechanical properties of the PVC composites were studied by thermogravimetric analyzer, limiting oxygen index (LOI) tester, smoke density tester, cone calorimeter, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and universal tensile tester. The results indicate that phosphomolybdates exhibit a significant synergistic flame-retardant effect with Sb₂O₃ in the PVC matrix. Compared with Sb₂O₃ alone, the addition of phosphomolybdates can significantly improve the LOI of PVC composites. It can also reduce smoke release, lower the heat release rate (HRR) of PVC composites, and produce more char residual, which is more continuous and denser. Meanwhile, there is no significant loss of mechanical properties. Overall, nickel phosphomolybdate has been determined to be the most effective of these four phosphomolybdates. Compared with PVC-1, the peak heat release rate (PHRR) of PVC-4 with nickel phosphomolybdate decreased by 13.3%, the total smoke production (TSP) decreased by 37.3%, and the peak smoke production rate (PSPR) decreased by 28.9%. This study demonstrates that replacing some of the Sb₂O₃ with phosphomolybdate can achieve efficient flame retardancy and smoke suppression in PVC. And the results of this study can also provide a reference for future research on the application and promotion of flame-retardant PVC. Full article

With the growing significance of hydrogen in the global energy transition, research on its pricing mechanisms has become increasingly crucial. Focusing on hydrogen markets predominantly supplied by electrolytic production, this study proposes a nodal marginal hydrogen price decomposition algorithm that explicitly incorporates the time-delay dynamics inherent in hydrogen transmission. A four-dimensional price formation framework is established, comprising the energy component, network loss component, congestion component, and time-delay component. To address the nonconvex optimization challenges arising in the market-clearing model, an improved second-order cone programming method is introduced. This method effectively reduces computational complexity through the reconstruction of time-coupled constraints and reformulation of the Weymouth equation. On this basis, the analytical expression of the nodal marginal hydrogen price is rigorously derived, elucidating how transmission dynamics influence each price component. Empirical studies using a modified Belgian 20-node system demonstrate that the proposed pricing mechanism dynamically adapts to load variations, with hydrogen prices exhibiting a strong correlation with electricity cost fluctuations. The results validate the efficacy and superiority of the proposed approach in hydrogen energy market applications. This study provides a theoretical foundation for designing efficient and transparent pricing mechanisms in emerging hydrogen markets. Full article

With the large-scale integration of single-phase distributed photovoltaic systems into distribution grids, issues such as mismatched generation and load, overvoltage, and three-phase imbalance may arise in the distribution network. A multi-objective optimization method for flexible distribution networks incorporating a four-leg soft open point (F-SOP) is proposed based on fuzzy chance constraints. First, a mathematical model for the F-SOP’s loss characteristics and power control was established based on the three-phase four-arm topology. Considering the impact of source load uncertainty on voltage regulation, a multi-objective complementary voltage regulation architecture is proposed based on fuzzy chance constraint programming. This architecture integrates F-SOP with conventional reactive power compensation devices. Next, a multi-objective collaborative optimization model for distribution networks is constructed, with network losses, overall voltage deviation, and three-phase imbalance as objective functions. The proposed model is linearized using second-order cone programming. Finally, using an improved IEEE 33-node distribution network as a case study, the effectiveness of the proposed method was analyzed and validated. The results indicate that this method can reduce network losses by 30.17%, decrease voltage deviation by 46.32%, and lower three-phase imbalance by 57.86%. This method holds significant importance for the sustainable development of distribution networks. Full article

We developed a self-consistent double-null description of an evaporating white-hole spacetime by embedding the outgoing Vaidya solution in a coordinate system that remains regular across the future horizon. Starting from the radiation-coordinate form, we specialize in retarded time so that a monotonically decreasing mass function $M\left(u\right)$ encodes outgoing positive-energy flux. Expressing the metric in null coordinates $(u,v)$, Einstein’s equations for a single-directional null-dust stress–energy tensor, $T_{uu}=\rho \left(u\right)$, then reduce to one first-order PDE for the areal radius: ${\mathsf{\partial }}_{v}r=B\left(u\right)\left(1-2M\left(u\right)/r\right)$. Its integral, $r+2M\left(u\right)ln|r-2M(u\left)\right|=v-C\left(u\right)$, defines an implicit foliation of outgoing null cones. The metric coefficient follows algebraically as $f(u,v)=1-2M\left(u\right)/r$. Residual gauge freedom in $B\left(u\right)$ and $C\left(u\right)$ is fixed so that u matches the Bondi retarded time at null infinity, while v remains analytic at the apparent horizon, generalizing the Kruskal prescription to dynamical mass loss. In the limit $M\left(u\right)\to M$, the construction reduces to the familiar Eddington–Finkelstein and Kruskal forms. Our solution, therefore, provides a compact analytic framework for studying white-hole evaporation, Hawking-like energy fluxes, and back-reaction in spherically symmetric settings without encountering coordinate singularities. Full article

Accurate numerical simulations of soil-tire interactions are essential for optimizing agricultural machinery to minimize soil compaction and enhance crop yield. This study developed and compared two approaches for identifying and validating parameters of a LS-Dyna soil model. The laboratory-based approach derives parameters from triaxial, consolidation, and cone penetrometer tests (CPT), while the optimization-based method refines them using in-situ CPT data via LS-OPT to better capture field variability. Simulations employing Multi-Material Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (MM-ALE), Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH), and Hybrid-SPH methods demonstrate that Hybrid-SPH achieves the optimal balance of accuracy (2% error post-optimization) and efficiency (14-h runtime vs. 22 h for SPH). Optimized parameters improve soil–tire interaction predictions, including net traction and tire sinkage across slip ratios from −10% to 30% (e.g., sinkage of 12.5 mm vs. 11.1 mm experimental at 30% slip, with overall mean-absolute percentage error (MAPE) reduced to 3.5% for sinkage and 4.2% for traction) and rut profiles, outperforming lab-derived values. This framework highlights the value of field-calibrated optimization for sustainable agriculture, offering a cost-effective alternative to field trials for designing low-compaction equipment and reducing yield losses from soil degradation. While sandy loam soil at 0.4% moisture content was used in this study, future extensions to different soil types with varied moisture are recommended. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cystoid macular lesion (CML) is a treatable cause of central vision loss in inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). We aimed to determine the frequency of CML in a large Hungarian IRD cohort and examine associations with causative genes. Methods: This longitudinal, retrospective, monocentric study included patients with genetically confirmed IRD identified from our database. Targeted next-generation sequencing (351-gene panel) and comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation were performed, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). CML was defined as intraretinal hyporeflective spaces with well-defined borders visible on at least two B-scans within the SD-OCT macular volume and was categorized as cystoid macular edema (CME) or non-CME. Results: We enrolled 430 patients with genetically confirmed IRDs. CML was detected in 93 eyes of 57 patients. Mean age at OCT was 36.6 ± 18.7 years (range, 3–76); 32 were male (56.1%). Inheritance patterns were autosomal recessive in 24 (42.1%), X-linked in 19 (33.3%), and autosomal dominant in 14 (24.6%). Frequently implicated genes were RS1 (12/57), USH2A (7/57), NR2E3 (7/57), PRPF31 (4/57), RPGR (4/57), and RHO (4/57). CME predominated in retinitis pigmentosa (32/57, 56%), with mean BCVA 0.44 ± 0.29 (decimal) and central retinal thickness (CRT) 401 ± 181 µm. Non-CME CML occurred in 25/57 (44%)—notably in X-linked retinoschisis and enhanced S-cone syndrome—with BCVA 0.40 ± 0.23 and CRT 465 ± 258 µm. BCVA did not correlate with CRT (r_S = 0.18). Conclusions: CML occurred in 13.2% of patients within a large Hungarian cohort of genetically confirmed IRDs. Patients with IRD—mainly RP—are at higher risk for CML. Gene therapy is promising for retinal diseases, but CMLs can compromise effectiveness. Reducing and managing CME before gene therapy corroborates retinal stability and the functional state essential for the proper delivery and penetration of corrective genes to the target cells. Full article

Background/Objectives: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the survival and marginal bone loss (MBL) of sloped-shoulder implants placed in the posterior mandible, and to explore the influence of both patient- and implant-related factors. Materials and Methods: All patients treated with sloped-shoulder-profile implants (Astra Tech Implant System, Dentsply Sirona, Bensheim, Germany) in the posterior mandible between 2012 and 2023 at two private clinics were included. Implant survival was analyzed with Kaplan–Meier estimates. MBL was measured from prosthesis delivery (baseline radiograph) to the most recent available radiograph. Outcomes were compared across thresholds of 0, 0.5, and 1.5 mm, which were considered radiographic success criteria. According to the 2017 World Workshop, peri-implantitis was not diagnosed solely based on MBL. Associations with potential risk factors (periodontitis, bruxism, and smoking) were explored. The study was approved by a local ethics committee (PI 106/2023); informed consent was waived due to the retrospective design and anonymization of data. Results: A total of 43 patients with 48 implants were included, with a mean follow-up of 40.1 months. The cumulative survival rate was 93.7%, with all failures occurring before 24 months. Mean MBL at the mesial and distal aspects was 0.27 mm and 0.39 mm, respectively. In 82.2% of implants, MBL remained ≤0.5 mm at a mean follow-up of 44.2 months. No statistically significant associations were found between risk factors such as periodontitis, bruxism, or smoking and implant outcomes. Conclusions: Sloped-shoulder implants in the posterior mandible showed high survival and stable marginal bone levels over the medium term. Their design may simplify treatment in oblique ridges, potentially reducing the need for GBR procedures. Full article

Objectives: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is commonly initiated by rod photoreceptor degeneration due to genetic mutations, followed by secondary cone loss and progressive blindness. Preserving rod function during the earlier stages of RP is a key therapeutic goal, as rod survival supports cone maintenance and delays vision loss. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of transient knockdown of retinoid-related orphan receptor beta (RORB) using a cell-penetrating asymmetric small interfering RNA (cp-asiRORB) in Rho^P23H mice, a model of autosomal dominant RP. While the role of RORB in the adult retina remains unclear, prior studies of related nuclear receptors suggest potential involvement in proteostasis. Based on this, we hypothesized that persistent RORB expression may influence photoreceptor homeostasis under degenerative stress. Methods: We first optimized the cp-asiRORB design to enhance gene silencing and cellular uptake. In vitro studies were conducted under proteotoxic stress. In vivo studies involved intravitreal administration of cp-asiRORB in Rho^P23H mice. Furthermore, single-cell RNA sequencing of rod photoreceptors was performed. Results: In vitro studies demonstrated that RORB knockdown improved cell viability, reduced apoptosis, and diminished aggresome formation under proteotoxic stress. Intravitreal administration of cp-asiRORB in Rho^P23H mice effectively reduced RORB expression in the retina, leading to improved photoreceptor survival and preserved visual function. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed upregulation of proteasomal subunit genes in cp-asiRORB-treated eyes, indicating enhanced proteostasis. Conclusions: Together, these results demonstrate that transient suppression of RORB mitigates proteotoxic stress and slows RP progression, highlighting a novel RNAi-based therapeutic strategy for retinal degeneration. Full article

Successful health management in older adults requires adequate nutrition, which is often compromised by oral health issues like edentulism. Tooth loss can reduce masticatory function, especially when rehabilitation treatments fail. The present study aims to generate initial information on the potential effects of the placement of mandibular mini-implants in patients with complete maxillary and mandibular dentures on mandibular kinetics, electromyographic activity, and quality of life. Participants with complete dentures, adequate mandibular bone height, and good general health were recruited. All underwent cone beam computed tomography for diagnosis and planning to place two mandibular mini-implants. Mandibular movements were analyzed using electromagnetic articulography and electromyography before treatment and five months after implant placement. Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) was assessed using the OHIP-7sp at baseline and six months post-treatment. Five subjects were included (mean age 69.7 ± 10.8 years). All mini-implants demonstrated a 100% initial success rate. At five months, significant improvements were observed in the vertical range of maximum opening, as well as in the area, trajectory, and range of frontal and sagittal movement envelopes (p < 0.05)—along with increased movement symmetry. OHRQoL also improved, with greater esthetic satisfaction, communication, and social engagement. Mandibular mini-implants improved mandibular movements and prosthetic stability, enhancing patients’ oral health-related quality of life without altering muscle activity. Full article