Search Results (49,517)

Wind energy is a cornerstone of the global transition to renewable and sustainable energy systems. However, the same meteorological processes that generate this clean energy can also produce extreme wind events that threaten the structural integrity and operational reliability of wind turbines and power grids. Therefore, accurately predicting extreme wind speeds is a critical link between promoting clean energy and ensuring infrastructure resilience. Traditional models often struggle to capture the multimodal characteristics of extreme wind speeds under complex meteorological conditions due to fixed distribution assumptions or unstable training of mixture models, leading to estimation biases that undermine planning reliability and may result in catastrophic turbine failures or overly conservative designs. To address these issues—particularly weight imbalance and overfitting–this study proposes an enhanced regularized extreme value mixture model (ERDC-EVMM). This method integrates elastic network regularization and Kullback–Leibler divergence constraints within a Mixture of Experts framework, and employs K-means initialization and momentum-based training to enhance convergence stability. Validated using daily extreme wind speed sequences from coastal and inland wind farms, the model outperforms standard GEV and mixture models in terms of goodness-of-fit, percentile accuracy, and return period estimates, while achieving a convergence speed that is more than 30% faster (82 iterations). By balancing accuracy and training stability, the ERDC-EVMM model provides a reliable statistical tool for extreme wind speed forecasting, supporting the safe expansion of wind energy infrastructure and the design of climate-resilient communities. Full article

The treatment of high-salinity wastewater generated from the use of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in rare-earth metallurgy poses significant environmental and resource-recovery challenges. Conventional methods are often economically unfeasible due to their high energy consumption and limited value recovery. To address these limitations, this study proposes an innovative integrated electrochemical process designed not only to desalinate the wastewater efficiently but also to valorize it through the simultaneous co-production of NaOH, chlorine (Cl₂), and hydrogen (H₂). Systematic optimization reveals a critical trade-off between ion transport efficiency and side reactions, with optimal performance achieved at 2 mol L⁻¹ NaCl, 80 mA cm⁻² current density, 2 mm electrode spacing, 30 mL min⁻¹ flow rate, and 5000 mg L⁻¹ initial NaOH concentration. The system maintains exceptional long-term stability, sustaining 97.5% Cl⁻ removal over 4410 min of continuous operation without membrane fouling, a key advantage over conventional processes. Validation with authentic rare earth wastewater achieves 90.3% desalination within 5 h. Techno-economic analysis shows that the market value of recovered NaOH nearly offsets the energy cost, achieving near-cost-neutrality. This work establishes electrolysis–membrane coupling as a technically viable and economically attractive strategy for transforming high-salinity industrial waste streams into valuable resources. Full article

Jordan is witnessing a growing market trend of retrofitting existing buildings. The annual construction work on existing buildings in Amman, based on building consents, increased by approximately 46% between 2007 and 2017, while the annual newly built areas decreased by around 33%. This paper aims to establish a solid understanding of the current shift towards existing building adaptation in Jordan by exploring the drivers for this trend and the Government’s role in regulating and, possibly, encouraging it. Ten local experts with extensive experience in retrofitting projects in Jordan and around the region were interviewed. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of experts’ answers was performed using the software NVivo. Findings highlight nine main drivers for retrofitting existing buildings in Jordan, namely: (1) land value and location; (2) reducing capital costs compared to new builds; (3) architectural heritage conservation; (4) social and cultural considerations; (5) adapting to population increase; (6) reusing, adapting, and retrofitting to extend the life of buildings; (7) increasing tourism capacity; (8) improving building performance and resource efficiency; and (9) municipal incentives. Not all these drivers have the same value as they depend on the client and the project context. The experts’ ranking of drivers in terms of priority showed higher consideration for land value and location benefits, social–cultural aspects, and population increase, while municipal incentives emerged as low priority. Further research is needed to design context-specific effective retrofit policies, contributing to the literature in this emerging field in Jordan and beyond. Full article

Background: The latissimus dorsi (LD) flap remains a reliable option for breast reconstruction in irradiated, salvage, and non-microsurgical candidates. Despite the availability of multiple LD-based variants, practical guidance for technique selection remains limited. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 40 consecutive LD-based breast reconstructions performed over 5 years at two Italian centers. Cases were categorized as classic LD, hybrid LD, extended LD, V-FALD, or KISS flap. Clinical variables, reconstructive setting, complications, and reoperations were described, and a decision-making algorithm was derived from institutional practice and literature integration. Results: The cohort was characterized by a high-complexity profile, with 36/40 patients (90%) exposed to radiotherapy and 22/40 (55%) treated in a salvage setting. Hybrid LD was the most frequently used technique, accounting for 23/40 cases (57.5%), followed by KISS flap in 6/40 (15%), extended LD in 5/40 (12.5%), V-FALD in 4/40 (10%), and classic LD alone in 2/40 (5%). Technique selection was primarily driven by skin-envelope adequacy, breast volume requirement, and the feasibility of a fully autologous reconstruction. Major complications occurred in 2/40 patients (5%), revision surgery occurred in 3/40 (7.5%), and no total flap necrosis was observed. Donor-site morbidity occurred in 10/40 (25%) of cases and was managed conservatively. Conclusions: LD-based breast reconstruction should be viewed as a versatile reconstructive platform rather than a single technique. A pragmatic algorithm may support surgical planning and help tailor the most appropriate LD variant to defect characteristics and reconstructive goals. Full article

Background: Post-infarction heart failure (HF) remains a major contributor to morbidity and mortality despite advances in reperfusion and pharmacological management. However, the combined influence of clinical background, myocardial injury, neuro-hormonal activation, and angiographic disease on HF severity is not fully defined. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 181 patients with confirmed myocardial infarction treated in a tertiary cardiology center. Demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, prior chronic HF, inflammatory markers (CRP, fibrinogen, ESR, leukocyte indices), and high-sensitivity troponin (hs-Tn) were measured at admission (pre-intervention), immediately after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and at 48 h, angiographic lesion distributions were collected. HF severity was graded on a five-level scale and further dichotomized as no/mild HF (grade 0–1) versus moderate–severe HF (grade ≥ 2). Group comparisons and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify independent determinants of severe HF. Results: Moderate–severe HF occurred in 42.5% of patients (77/181). Compared to HF 0–1, the HF ≥ 2 group was older (64.0 vs. 60.5 years, p = 0.042) and exhibited substantially higher systemic inflammation (CRP 41.5 vs. 9.75 mg/L, p < 0.001; fibrinogen 435 vs. 346 mg/dL, p = 0.0002; ESR 28 vs. 18 mm/h, p = 0.0004). hs-Tn levels and NT-proBNP were significantly elevated in HF ≥ 2 (NT-proBNP 3449 vs. 1243 pg/mL, p = 0.0003), while left ventricular ejection fraction was reduced. Prior HF increased the likelihood of HF ≥ 2 (54.5% vs. 33.7%, p = 0.0078), and conservative therapy was associated with adverse outcomes (87.5% vs. 40.5%, p = 0.0235). In multivariable analysis, NT-proBNP remained the only independent predictor of moderate–severe HF, while CRP showed a positive but non-significant trend after adjustment. Conclusions: Post-MI HF severity reflects the combined influence of myocardial injury, neurohormonal stress, and systemic inflammatory activation. However, in multivariable analysis, NT-proBNP emerged as the dominant independent predictor of moderate–severe HF, while CRP reflected an associated but non-independent inflammatory signal. Full article

Against the backdrop of global climate change and the “carbon neutrality” target, the ecological quality improvement of the Loess Plateau—a key region for ecological restoration in China—and its impact on vegetation carbon sources hold significant importance for regional carbon balance and ecological security. Based on MODIS and meteorological reanalysis data from 2002 to 2024, this study constructed the Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI). Combined with a carbon source/sink model, it systematically assessed the spatiotemporal coupling evolution characteristics of ecological environment quality and vegetation carbon storage capacity in the Loess Plateau, and explored the synergistic driving mechanisms of major hydrothermal and surface factors. The results indicate the following: (1) From 2002 to 2024, the ecological environment of the Loess Plateau improved significantly, with the RSEI rising from moderate to good. This improvement was accompanied by a marked decrease in surface dryness, an increase in surface wetness, and notable growth in vegetation cover, revealing a positive coupling relationship characterized by “reduced surface dryness—increased surface wetness—enhanced vegetation restoration.” (2) Regional vegetation carbon storage capacity strengthened markedly. Gross Primary Productivity (GPP), Net Primary Productivity (NPP), and Net Ecosystem Productivity (NEP) all showed significant increasing trends, and the proportion of area classified as carbon sink increased substantially. (3) Spatially, carbon sink distribution exhibited a pattern of “higher in the southeast, lower in the northwest.” Sub-regions A and D were identified as core areas with higher ecological quality and carbon sink capacity, whereas sub-regions B and C were more ecologically fragile and served as primary carbon source areas. (4) The implementation of soil and water conservation measures on the Loess Plateau has effectively enhanced regional carbon storage capacity. Vegetation restoration, improved water conditions, and reduced surface dryness have jointly driven the transition of the Loess Plateau ecosystem from a “vulnerable type” to a “recovering type”, while ecological restoration projects have played a certain role in enhancing the carbon sink. This study provides a theoretical basis and scientific–technological support for ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin. Full article

This study analyzes whole-body vibration (WBV) exposure of an agricultural tractor operator during three different primary tillage systems: Standard Tillage (ST), Conservation Tillage Deep (CTD), and Conservation Tillage Shallow (CTS). Measurements were conducted in accordance with ISO 2631-1 and ISO 2631-4 along three orthogonal axes (x, y and z) at the operator’s seat. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses indicate that while none of the mean vibration values exceeded the regulatory limit value of 1.15 m/s² defined in Directive 2002/44/EC, several measurements—particularly in the y-axis during ST (0.715 m/s²)—surpassed the exposure action value of 0.5 m/s². These findings suggest that prolonged daily exposure under similar operational conditions may pose long-term health risks for tractor operators. The highest mean WBV values were recorded in the x- and y-axes during CTS (0.354 m/s² and 0.446 m/s², respectively), whereas the z-axis exhibited the highest values during ST (0.426 m/s²). Conservation Tillage Deep (CTD) demonstrated the most favorable vibration profile in the vertical axis (0.344 m/s²), indicating its potential dual benefit for soil structure preservation and operator ergonomics. Although all measured values remained below the regulatory limit, the frequent exceedance of the action value underscores the importance of exposure time management, regular maintenance of suspension systems, and implement selection as practical mitigation strategies. This comparative assessment provides baseline WBV data for reduced-tillage systems on hydromorphic soils and offers axis-specific guidance for optimizing operator comfort in sustainable mechanization practices. Full article

The Yellow River Basin in Inner Mongolia (YRBIM) is a typical arid—semiarid ecological transition zone highly sensitive to climate change. Using long-term Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data together with meteorological and land cover data, this study applied the Sen+Mann–Kendall method and path coefficient analysis to quantify the direct and indirect effects of climatic factors on vegetation coverage. The YRBIM experienced a non-significant warm–wet trend from 1998 to 2019, characterized by slight increases in precipitation and temperature with asynchronous spatial patterns. Vegetation coverage generally improved, with high coverage areas expanding by 12.66% and low coverage areas decreasing by 10.04%. Improvement occurred mainly in eastern croplands and grasslands, while degradation in the northwest coincided with urban expansion and mining. Precipitation showed a highly significant positive correlation with the NDVI at 0.7510. The direct effect of precipitation was dominant at 0.7515, while the indirect effect was negligible at 0.0005. Temperature showed a weak inhibitory effect with a comprehensive effect of 0.0302, where the indirect inhibitory effect at 0.0400 slightly exceeded the direct promotional effect at 0.0098. These response patterns were consistent across most land cover types, except in rural settlements and unused land where temperature showed a weak positive influence. This study provides a scientific basis for ecological conservation and sustainable management in arid—semiarid transition zones. Full article

Riemerella anatipestifer (RA) is the primary causative agent of infectious serositis in ducks, causing significant economic losses. In this study, a rapid and visual loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay targeting the conserved region of the ompA gene was developed. Specific primers and a FAM-labeled probe were designed, and amplification products were visualized using phenol red-based colorimetric detection and a lateral flow dipstick (LFD) system. Among the five candidate primer sets, primer set 2 was selected because it showed the highest amplification efficiency and specificity, with no cross-reactivity detected against 12 common waterfowl pathogens. Under optimal conditions, the phenol red-based LAMP assay yielded visible results after incubation at 65 °C for 30 min, while the LAMP-LFD assay required an additional 3~5 min probe hybridization step, with detection limits of 7.76 × 10² copies/μL for the phenol red-based method and 7.76 × 10⁰ copies/μL for the LAMP-LFD method. Thirty clinical samples suspected of RA infection were analyzed using conventional PCR and the developed visual LAMP assays. The positive detection rates obtained with the LAMP-LFD and phenol red-based LAMP methods were 63.3% and 60%, respectively, showing high concordance with conventional PCR (56.7%). In conclusion, the LAMP assay integrating phenol red visualization and lateral flow dipstick detection is rapid, sensitive, and easy to perform, and both detection formats show potential for point-of-care or on-site applications, and can be used for the early diagnosis and detection of RA. Full article

Background: Pertussis toxin (Ptx) is a major virulence factor and protective antigen of Bordetella pertussis. Understanding its antigenic landscape is essential for improving vaccine design. This study aimed to compare the linear epitope profiles of Ptx recognized by antibodies from vaccinated children and mice, identifying conserved and species-specific immune targets across subunits S1–S5. Methods: Two libraries of overlapping 14-mer peptides spanning the full-length Ptx sequence were synthesized. Sera from children and mice immunized with the whole-cell pertussis vaccine were analyzed to map antibody-binding regions. Comparative and structural analyses were performed to evaluate epitope distribution and recognition patterns. Results: Murine sera recognized 12 major epitopes, whereas children’s sera identified 24. Eleven epitopes were shared between species, mainly in subunits S1 (Ep3–5, 7, 9, 10), S3 (Ep20, 21, 25, 26), and S5 (Ep32), although minor positional shifts were observed. Eight epitopes were unique to children’s sera, located in S1 (Ep1, 6, 8), S3 (Ep22–24), and S4 (Ep27, 29–30). In the S2 subunit, four distinct epitopes were identified for each species, while only one mouse-specific epitope was detected in S4 (Ep28). Structural analysis revealed non-uniform antibody recognition, with dominant targeting of S3 and conserved antigenic hotspots, as well as selective recognition of the catalytic S1 subunit. Fourteen novel epitopes were identified. Conclusions: These findings highlight both shared and species-specific Ptx epitopes, revealing differences between murine and human immune responses. The identified conserved regions and novel epitopes provide a basis for improved pertussis vaccine design. Full article

This study proposes a unified analytical framework for plotting design flood hydrographs (DFH) based on four characteristic parameters: total duration (T_t), time to peak (T_p), flood volume (W), and peak discharge (Q_p) associated with specific exceedance probabilities. The objective is to improve the mathematical representation of hydrograph shapes for engineering applications and future updates of hydrological design standards. Leveraging a dataset of 150 representative cross-sections of Romanian rivers, the research employs normalized axes to facilitate a dimensionless comparative analysis. This study presents three modeling approaches: the Refined Rational Function (RRF), which significantly enhances the framework initially developed by Radu Cadariu; a [4/4] Padé approximant, transitioning from a second-degree to a fourth-degree rational framework and featuring a depressed quartic numerator and a fourth-degree denominator for superior degrees of freedom; and the plotting of non-parametric hydrographs via natural cubic spline interpolation. The results demonstrate that the RRF method extends the admissible range of the shape coefficient γ beyond the traditional interval 0.15–0.50, enabling representation of hydrographs with γ values up to 0.99. The [4/4] Padé approximant provides improved flexibility for asymmetric and multimodal hydrographs, while the natural cubic spline interpolation method ensures accurate reconstruction of atypical hydrographs with volume conservation errors below 3%. These methods offer a unified, objective framework, ensuring high accuracy and adaptability across diverse Romanian hydrological regimes. Full article

The Patagonian huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) and the Southern pudu (Pudu puda) are native South American cervids that differ in body size, ecology, and conservation status. However, quantitative evidence linking vertebral trabecular microarchitecture with biomechanical behavior in these species remains scarce. This study aimed to comparatively characterize vertebral trabecular bone structure and its mechanical response using an integrative, non-destructive approach. Vertebral bodies from cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions were analyzed using high-resolution micro-computed tomography to quantify structural parameters, followed by finite element analysis to estimate deformation and von Mises stress under standardized axial compression. Both specimens exhibited consistent regional variation, with cervical vertebrae showing lower density and organization, and thoracic–lumbar vertebrae displaying denser trabecular networks. The Southern pudu specimen appeared to present a more homogeneous microarchitecture and a relatively uniform mechanical response along the vertebral column. In contrast, the Patagonian huemul specimen tended to show greater structural heterogeneity, with apparently higher deformation and stress values, particularly in the cervical region. These findings suggest that trabecular organization may contribute to the differences in vertebral mechanical behavior observed between the analyzed specimens. This study provides a preliminary comparative baseline for understanding skeletal adaptation and structural vulnerability in South American cervid species. This exploratory analysis is based on single specimens per species and should be interpreted as preliminary evidence rather than population-level inference. Full article

Convergence education promotes learning experiences that integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to address complex real-world problems. However, secondary teachers often report limited access to professional development (PD) and curricular resources that support transdisciplinary instruction. This exploratory case study examines how four secondary teachers (three chemistry; one engineering) made sense of a transdisciplinary PD model, Convergence Research in STEM and Tradition (CReST), that leverages cultural heritage artifacts (Renaissance frescoes) as boundary objects to connect chemistry, engineering, world history, and technology. Teachers participated in a four-day immersive PD experience in Firenze (Florence) and Pisa, Italy, that included site-based learning, interaction with conservation scientists, and structured reflection. Data included daily reflective journals during the PD and semi-structured interviews following the experience, focused on teachers’ reflections on CReST and its implications for their instructional thinking. Using inductive thematic analysis, we identified patterns in teachers’ meaning-making about convergence instruction and the pedagogical possibilities the artifact opened for their classrooms. Findings indicate that (a) the fresco and associated conservation practices functioned as shared reference points for cross-disciplinary connections; (b) teachers reported shifts toward problem-centered, artifact-anchored pedagogy; and (c) sustained collaboration and shared tools were viewed as necessary for extending learning beyond the immersive experience. These findings indicate early, self-reported shifts in instructional planning, including artifact-based entry tasks, problem-centered instruction, and integration of real-world conservation practices. Implications are offered for designing science teacher PD that uses boundary objects to support coherent, culturally grounded STEM integration. Full article

Litchi chinensis var. fulvosus is an important wild litchi resource in Yunnan, China, valued for favorable agronomic traits such as early flowering, early ripening, multiple flowering cycles, and high fruit-setting ability. However, its genetic diversity and population structure remain poorly understood. In this study, 192 accessions were collected from ten counties in Yunnan Province to evaluate their geographic distribution, leaf phenotypic variation, molecular diversity, population structure, and core collection composition. Eight descriptive leaf traits, nine quantitative leaf traits, and ISSR genotyping data from seven primers were analyzed. The accessions were distributed across an altitudinal range of 169–1470 m, with clear habitat differentiation among trees of different ages. Morphological analysis revealed substantial leaf variation, with mean diversity indices of 1.19 for descriptive traits and 2.76 for quantitative traits. ISSR analysis generated 49 scorable bands, of which 34 were polymorphic, corresponding to a polymorphism rate of 68.45%. The mean Shannon–Wiener diversity index was 0.3101, indicating detectable but relatively limited molecular diversity. Integrated phenotypic and molecular analyses divided the germplasm into two subpopulations. A core collection comprising 30 accessions (about 15% of the initial population) showed the best balance between sampling efficiency and diversity retention. These results provide a practical basis for the conservation, evaluation, and efficient utilization of L. chinensis var. fulvosus genetic resources and will support breeding and genetic improvement of litchi. Full article

Background: Edwardsiella piscicida is a significant intracellular pathogen of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and a major threat to U.S. aquaculture. A recently developed recombinant attenuated vaccine strain (χ16016) uses arabinose-regulated murA expression to trigger delayed cell wall lysis in vivo, ensuring biological containment while conferring strong protection against virulent challenge. Although its efficacy has been demonstrated, the host immune programs underlying protection remain incompletely defined. Methods: We used RNA sequencing to characterize tissue-specific transcriptomic responses in the intestines and kidneys of channel catfish at 7 days post-vaccination. Fish were vaccinated with χ16016 by either bath immersion or intracoelomic (IC) injection, and differentially expressed genes and enriched immune pathways were analyzed to determine how the vaccine delivery route shapes systemic and mucosal immune responses. Results: Across comparisons, 19,101 differentially expressed genes revealed pronounced route- and tissue-dependent immune remodeling. As aquaculture vaccination strategies increasingly prioritize scalability and practical deployment, understanding how the delivery route shapes immune outcomes is critical. Here, IC vaccination induced broader systemic transcriptional changes, particularly in the intestine, whereas bath immunization elicited a more focused yet coordinated mucosal response. Overall, intestinal tissue exhibited greater transcriptional responsiveness than kidney tissue, underscoring its central role in early vaccine-induced immunity. Functional enrichment analyses identified the activation of innate recognition pathways, MAPK and calcium signaling cascades, complement components, antigen processing machinery, and cell adhesion networks. Notably, bath immunization enriched the intestinal immune network for IgA production pathway, which represents an orthology-based mapping of conserved mucosal immune components, alongside the upregulation of IL-6, CXCL12–CXCR4, integrins (α4β7), MHC class II, complement C3, and polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR). Given that catfish rely primarily on IgM in mucosal immunity, these findings indicate the induction of IgM-mediated mucosal defense rather than classical mammalian IgA responses. Concurrent complement and scavenger receptor signatures suggest a transition toward efficient opsonophagocytic clearance with controlled inflammation at this subacute stage. Conclusions: This study provides the first systems-level view of host transcriptomic responses to a regulated-lysis E. piscicida vaccine in channel catfish. The findings demonstrate that immersion vaccination, although transcriptionally less expansive than injection, effectively activates coordinated mucosal innate and adaptive immune programs, supporting its practical use as a scalable vaccination strategy for aquaculture. Full article