Search Results (28,561)

Aim: This study analyzed the concurrent validity of the Optojump infrared photocell system for estimating lower limb peak power by comparing it with the 15 s Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT) and examining relationships with sprint performance indicators. Methods: Twelve physically active university students (ten males, two females; age: 23.39 ± 1.47 years; body mass: 73.08 ± 9.19 kg; height: 173.67 ± 6.97 cm; BMI: 24.17 ± 1.48 kg·m⁻²) completed a cross-sectional validation protocol. Participants performed WAnT on a calibrated Monark ergometer (7.5% body weight for males, 5.5% for females), 30 s continuous jump tests using the Optojump system (Microgate, Italy), and 30 m sprint assessments with 10 m and 20 m split times. Peak power was expressed in absolute (W), relative (W·kg⁻¹), and allometric (W·kg^−0.67) terms. Results: Thirty-second continuous jump testing produced systematically higher peak power values across all metrics (p < 0.001). Mean differences indicated large effect sizes: relative power (Cohen’s d = 0.99; 18.263 ± 4.243 vs. 10.99 ± 1.58 W·kg⁻¹), absolute power (d = 0.86; 1381.71 ± 393.44 vs. 807.28 ± 175.45 W), and allometric power (d = 0.79). Strong correlations emerged between protocols, with absolute power showing the strongest association (r = 0.842, p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis revealed that 30 s continuous jump-derived measurements explained 71% of the variance in Wingate outcomes (R² = 0.710, p < 0.001). Sprint performance showed equivalent predictive capacity for both tests (Wingate: R² = 0.66; 30 s continuous jump: R² = 0.67). Conclusions: The Optojump infrared photocell system provides a valid and practical alternative to laboratory-based ergometry for assessing lower limb anaerobic power. While it systematically overestimates absolute values compared with the Wingate anaerobic test, its strong concurrent validity (r > 0.80), large effect sizes, and equivalent predictive ability for sprint performance (R² = 0.66–0.71) confirm its reliability as a field-based assessment tool. These findings underscore the importance of sport-specific, weight-bearing assessment technologies in modern sports biomechanics, providing coaches, practitioners, and clinicians with a feasible method for monitoring performance, talent identification, and training optimization. The results further suggest that Optojump-based protocols can bridge the gap between laboratory precision and ecological validity, supporting both athletic performance enhancement and injury prevention strategies. Full article

Second-, third-, and fourth-generation biofuels represent an important response to the challenges of clean energy supply and climate change. In this context, the Horizon 2020 “TO-SYN-FUEL” project aimed to produce advanced biofuels together with phosphorus from municipal wastewater sludge through a combination of technologies including a Thermo-Catalytic Reforming system, Pressure Swing Adsorption for hydrogen separation, Hydrodeoxygenation, and biochar gasification for phosphorous recovery. This article presents the environmental performance results of the demonstrator installed in Hohenberg (Germany), with a capacity of 500 kg per hour of dried sewage sludge. In addition, four alternative scenarios are assessed, differing in the source of additional thermal energy used for sludge drying: natural gas, biogas, heat pump, and a hybrid solar greenhouse. The environmental performance of these scenarios is then compared with that of conventional fuel. The comparative study of these scenarios demonstrates that the biofuel obtained through wood gasification complies with the Renewable Energy Directive, while natural gas remains the least sustainable option. Heat pumps, biogas, and greenhouse drying emerge as promising alternatives to align biofuel production with EU sustainability targets. Phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge ash proves essential for compliance, offering clear environmental benefits. Although sewage sludge is challenging due to its high water content, it represents a valuable feedstock whose sustainable management can enhance both energy recovery and nutrient recycling. Full article

This paper presents the application of conic programming methods to the limit analysis of plane rigid-plastic problems in structural and geotechnical engineering. The approach is based on the formulation of yield criteria as second-order cone constraints and on the dual optimization problem, which directly provides collapse mechanisms and limit loads. Two benchmark examples are investigated. The first concerns a deep beam under uniform top pressure, analyzed with linear and quadratic finite elements. The results confirm the ability of the method to reproduce realistic collapse mechanisms and demonstrate the effect of mesh refinement and element type on convergence. The second example addresses the ultimate bearing capacity of a strip footing on cohesive-frictional soil. The numerical implementation was carried out in MATLAB using CVX with MOSEK as the solver, which ensures practical applicability and efficient computations. Different soil models are considered, including Mohr–Coulomb and two Drucker–Prager variants, and the results are compared with the classical Terzaghi solution. Additional elastoplastic FEM simulations carried out in a commercial program are also presented. The comparison highlights the differences between rigid-plastic optimization and incremental elastoplastic analyses, showing that both conservative and liberal estimates of bearing capacity can be obtained. The study shows that conic programming is an efficient and flexible framework for limit analysis of plane rigid-plastic problems, providing engineers with complementary tools for assessing ultimate loads, while also ensuring good computational efficiency. Full article

Predicting favorable reservoirs controlled by source-to-sink systems in rift basins is a current research focus. Using seismic, core, drilling, logging, and thin-section data, this paper systematically identifies fan types and their reservoir characteristics controlled by two boundary faults in the southern steep-slope zone of Wushi Sag, Beibuwan Basin, South China Sea. The analysis compares differences in (1) source–channel–margin–sink systems and (2) diagenetic facies, dividing the sink area into migratory and progradational fans. Results show that migratory fans are associated with denudation. Sediments migrate through wide, deep “V”-shaped valleys, forming fan deltas that are large in area but short in progradation. Lithology is dominated by fine sandstone with siltstone interbeds, reservoirs’ diagenetic evolution is weak, pores are mainly primary, and Type I-II reservoirs are developed. In contrast, progradational fans reflect weaker source area denudation, with sediments prograding through narrow, shallow “U”-shaped valleys. These form broom-shaped fan deltas that are small in area but long in progradation, with lithology dominated by fine sandstone interbedded with mudstone. Reservoirs show strong diagenetic evolution, well-developed secondary porosity, and Type II-III reservoirs. Reservoir prediction models indicate that high-quality migratory reservoirs are large, with excellent physical properties and oil-bearing capacity, mainly in fan stacking zones. High-quality progradational reservoirs are concentrated in the fan midsections, with strong cementation and secondary porosity. These findings provide a theoretical basis for reservoir prediction and oil and gas exploration in the southern steep-slope zone of Wushi Sag. Full article

The durability of cement-based materials can be reduced by the invasion of water and ions from external environments. This can be alleviated by reducing the surface wettability. To evaluate the anti-wetting performances of different graphene-based materials, a molecular dynamics simulation was performed to investigate the wetting behaviors of water and NaCl droplets on a tobermorite surface coated with graphene and functionalized graphene (G-NH₂ and G-CH₃). The results demonstrate that functionalized graphene displays weak surface binding with water and ions, significantly weakening droplet wettability. Moreover, functionalized graphene surfaces exhibit reduced ion immobilization capacity compared with a pristine tobermorite surface. It obviously increases the number of free ionic hydration shells, thus amplifying the influence of ionic cage restriction. Specifically for the G-CH₃ surface, the contact angle of the NaCl droplet reaches 94.8°, indicating significant hydrophobicity. Furthermore, the adhesion between functionalized graphene and tobermorite is attributed to the interlocking characteristics of these materials. Hopefully, this study can provide nanoscale insights for the design of functionalized graphene coatings to improve the durability of cement-based materials under harsh environments. Full article

Coronary artery disease (CAD), a major contributor to healthcare burdens worldwide, is closely linked with chronic inflammation. Probiotic supplementation has been investigated for its potential to modulate inflammatory responses, yet its role in patients with CAD remains unclear. To address this, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines, with literature searches performed across PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL up to 19 March 2025. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials that examined the effects of probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics in patients with CAD or ischemic heart disease. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool, and standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for pooled outcomes. A total of five randomized controlled trials involving 256 patients with CAD were included. The meta-analysis demonstrated significant improvements in inflammatory biomarkers among participants receiving probiotics compared with those in the placebo group. Specifically, probiotic supplementation led to greater reductions in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (pooled SMD [pSMD] = −0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.87 to −0.36) and malondialdehyde (pSMD = −0.52; 95% CI: −0.91 to −0.12). No significant increase was observed in nitric oxide (pSMD = 0.91; 95% CI: −3.72 to 5.54) or total antioxidant capacity (pSMD = 0.35; 95% CI: −2.16 to 2.86) in the intervention group over control. No significant difference was found in glutathione levels between the two groups (pSMD = 0.01; 95% CI: −0.51 to 0.53). Overall, these findings suggest that probiotic supplementation exerts a beneficial effect on inflammatory status in patients with CAD. The evidence highlights its potential in reducing systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, as reflected by improvements in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and malondialdehyde. Full article

Peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading has emerged as a novel approach to enhancing the coordination and utilization of distributed energy resources (DERs) within modern power distribution networks. This study presents a techno-economic analysis of different DER characteristics, focusing on the integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems and energy storage systems (ESS) within a community-based P2P energy trading framework in Aswan, Egypt, under a time-of-use (ToU) electricity tariff. Eight distinct cases are evaluated to assess the impact of different DER characteristics on P2P energy trading performance and an unbalanced low-voltage (LV) distribution network by varying the PV capacity, ESS capacity, and ESS charging power. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to comprehensively examine the effects of different DER characteristics on P2P energy trading and the associated impacts on an unbalanced distribution network. The findings demonstrate that integrating PV and ESS can substantially reduce operational costs—by 37.19% to 68.22% across the analyzed cases—while enabling more effective energy exchanges among peers and with the distribution system operator (DSO). Moreover, DER integration reduced grid energy imports by 30.09% to 63.21% and improved self-sufficiency, with 30.10% to 63.21% of energy demand covered by community DERs. However, the analysis also reveals that specific DER characteristics—particularly those with low PV capacity (1.5 kWp) and high ESS charging rates (e.g., ESS 13.5 kWh with 2.5 kW inverter)—can significantly increase transformer and line loading, reaching up to 19.90% and 58.91%, respectively, in Case 2. These setups also lead to voltage quality issues, such as increased voltage unbalance factors (VUFs), peaking at 1.261%, and notable phase voltage deviations, with the minimum Vb dropping to 0.972 pu and maximum Vb reaching 1.083 pu. These findings highlight the importance of optimal DER sizing and characteristics to balance economic benefits with technical constraints in P2P energy trading frameworks. Full article

Aquaculture has rapidly become a vital sector for ensuring global food security by meeting the growing demand for animal protein. Bangladesh, one of the world’s leading aquaculture producers, recorded a production of 4.91 million MT in 2022–2023, largely driven by inland farming systems. Despite this remarkable growth, the sector is highly vulnerable to disease outbreaks, which are aggravated by different factors. Pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites cause significant losses, while conventional disease diagnosis in Bangladesh still depends mainly on visual assessment and basic laboratory techniques, limiting early detection. This narrative review highlights recent advances in diagnostics as molecular tools, immunodiagnostics, nanodiagnostics, machine learning, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) that are widely applied globally but remain limited in Bangladesh due to infrastructure gaps, lack of skilled manpower, and resource constraints. Current treatment strategies largely rely on antibiotics and aquaculture medicinal products (AMPs), often misused without proper diagnosis, contributing to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Promising alternatives, including probiotics, immunostimulants, vaccines, and enhanced biosecurity, require greater adoption and farmer awareness. The near-term priorities for Bangladesh include standardized disease and AMR surveillance, prudent antibiotic stewardship, phased adoption of validated rapid diagnostics, and investment in diagnostic and human capacity. Policy-level actions, including a national aquatic animal health strategy, stricter antimicrobial regulation, strengthening diagnostic infrastructure in institution, are crucial to achieve sustainable disease management and ensure long-term resilience of aquaculture in Bangladesh. Full article

This study investigated the influence of different pectin concentrations (0%, 0.1%, and 0.5%) on the physicochemical, antioxidant, and sensory properties of blackberry jam (Rubus fruticosus L.) prepared from fruits harvested at three altitudinal locations (wild: 998 m; cultivated: 500 m and 1090 m). The jams were analyzed for phenolic profile, antioxidant capacity, color, texture, and sensory attributes. The results showed that altitude strongly affected the phenolic profile and antioxidant capacity, with wild blackberries exhibiting the highest levels of total phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Pectin addition in moderate levels (0.1%) enhanced sensory acceptance, particularly in jams from higher altitudes. Furthermore, jams with added pectin showed improved vitamin C retention and reduced bitterness associated with phenolic compounds. Overall, the findings highlight the dual role of pectin in modulating the functional and sensory qualities of blackberry jam, while also demonstrating the impact of altitudinal variation on fruit-derived products. Full article

Background/Objectives: Late-onset neonatal sepsis (LOS) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (<1500 g and/or gestational age <32 weeks), with limited preventive strategies. We evaluated whether early enteral bovine lactoferrin (bLf), given its antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties, reduces LOS and improves immunologic, antioxidant, and hematologic markers in these infants. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 103 VLBW infants received bLf (150 mg/kg/day; n = 50) or the placebo (n = 53) within 72 h of birth for four weeks or until discharge. Outcomes included culture-confirmed LOS, mortality, and major morbidities. Risk ratios (RRs) were calculated, adjusting for gestational age, human milk intake, and ventilatory support when ≥25 events occurred. Pre/post changes in cytokines, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and hemoglobin (Hb) were analyzed for interaction effects (time x intervention). Results: bLf reduced LOS (adjusted RR 0.54; 95% CI 0.31–0.93; p = 0.028), without differences in other morbidities or mortality. bLf preserved MCP-1 levels, declining in the placebo group (interaction p = 0.022). Among LOS infants receiving bLf, IL-6 remained stable and MCP-1 increased, while both declined in other groups (interaction p = 0.007 for IL-6; p = 0.052 for MCP-1). Although TAC showed a non-significant interaction, the placebo group declined (p = 0.002), while bLf remained stable (p = 0.400) in the post hoc analysis. In non-transfused infants, bLf increased Hb by 0.9 g/dL vs. controls (p = 0.028). Conclusions: Early bLf supplementation safely reduces LOS in VLBW infants and may support immunologic, antioxidant, and hematologic stability. Full article

Climate change continues to threaten global biodiversity, making it essential to assess how keystone species may shift their distributions and to use these findings to inform conservation planning. This study evaluated the current and future habitat suitability of D. macropodum, an important tree species within subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests in China, using 354 occurrence records and a suite of environmental variables. A parameter-optimized MaxEnt model (calibrated with ENMeval; RM = 4, FC = QHPT) was applied to simulate the species’ present distribution and projected changes under three climate scenarios (SSP126, SSP245, SSP585). The main factors influencing distribution were determined to be moisture and temperature seasonality, with the precipitation of the coldest quarter (Bio19, 36.3%), the mean diurnal range (Bio2, 37.5%), and the precipitation of the warmest quarter (Bio18, 14.2%) jointly contributing 88.0% of the total influence. The model projections indicated a 40.1% reduction in the total number of suitable habitats under high-emission scenarios (SSP585) by the 2090s, including a loss of over 80% of highly suitable areas. Centroid movements also diverged across the scenarios: a southwestern shift under SSP126 and SSP245 contrasted with a southeastern shift under SSP585, with each accompanied by significant habitat fragmentation. Key climate refugia were identified primarily in central Taiwan Province and the mountainous zones of Zhejiang and Fujian Provinces, which should be prioritized for conservation activities. These insights offer a foundational understanding for the conservation of D. macropodum and other ecologically similar subtropical evergreen species. However, direct extrapolation to other taxa should be made cautiously, as specific responses may vary based on differing ecological tolerances and dispersal capacities. Further research is needed to test the generalizability of these patterns across diverse plant functional types. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pharmaceutical preparation technologies can enhance the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. Ursolic acid (UA) has been found to possess anti-cancer and hepatoprotective properties, demonstrating its potential as a therapeutic agent; however, its hydrophobicity and low solubility present challenges in the development of drug formulations. This study investigates the preparation of a nano-UA suspension by wet grinding, researches the influence of process parameters on particle size, and explores the rules of particle breakage and agglomeration by combining model fitting. Methods: Wet grinding experiments were conducted using a laboratory-scale grinding machine. The particle size distributions (PSDs) of UA suspensions under different grinding conditions were measured using a laser particle size analyzer. A single-factor experimental design was employed to optimize operational conditions. Model parameters for a population balance model considering both breakage and agglomeration were determined by an evolutionary algorithm optimization method. By measuring the degree to which UA inhibits the colorimetric reaction between salicylic acid and hydroxyl radicals, its antioxidant capacity in scavenging hydroxyl radicals was indirectly evaluated. Results: Wet grinding process conditions for nano-UA particles were established, yielding a UA suspension with a D50 particle size of 122 nm. The scavenging rate of the final grinding product was improved to three times higher than that of the UA raw material (D50 = 14.2 μm). Conclusions: Preparing nano-UA suspensions via wet grinding technology can significantly enhance their antioxidant properties. Model regression analysis of PSD data reveals that increasing the grinding mill’s stirring speed leads to more uniform particle size distribution, indicating that grinding speed (power) is a critical factor in producing nanosuspensions. Full article

This article presents an original experimental and numerical approach to examining the pull-out behavior of fastening systems made of steel bars simultaneously embedded in both ends of concrete samples. This double-embedded configuration simulates a connection between the existing concrete structure and a new external exoskeleton, promoting seismic strengthening. Pull-out tests were performed across six specimen configurations combining different concrete strength classes in order to compare the adhesive solution against traditional monolithic cast-in rebar embedments. The adhesive-anchored bars achieved a peak pull-out force of ~28.6 kN, which is about 18% higher than with mixed anchorage (one end adhesive, one end cast-in). All specimens failed in concrete cracking and pull-out cone formation, with no steel bar yielding, indicating that failure was governed by concrete strength. Finite element simulations in ANSYS Explicit Dynamics were validated against these experiments, confirming the observed behavior and enabling the extension of our analysis to broader concrete strength ranges. Overall, the results demonstrate that double-ended adhesive anchorage significantly increases the connection’s load-bearing capacity and ductility compared to mixed configurations. Full article

The ubiquitous presence of smartphones has led to new phenomenon such as “phubbing” (the act of ignoring one’s immediate surroundings in favor of using a mobile phone). This behavior has become increasingly common among university students, making it an important subject of study due to its potential negative impact on learning environments. The aim of the present study is to analyze the prevalence of phubbing among university students, the existence of significant differences as a function of specific sociodemographic variables (such as gender, age, academic performance, and connection frequency), and, lastly, the predictive capacity of these elements with the different levels of phubbing experienced. The sample was composed of 1121 Spanish university students, and the instrument selected for the collection of data was the Phubbing Scale, which was divided into three factors, “attachment to the mobile phone”, “communication disturbance”, and “smartphone obsession”, through different validity and reliability tests. The results indicated a moderately high prevalence of phubbing among the population studied. Likewise, statistically significant differences were identified at a multivariate level in the three dimensions. Lastly, it is notable that the frequency of smartphone usage significantly and positively predicted the three dimensions of phubbing. Full article

A limited supply and price shortages of fishmeal with the expansion of aquaculture make it necessary to seek alternative protein sources. Soybean meal (SM) has been the widely preferred replacer for fishmeal in fish diets. Nevertheless, this substitution, especially when given at high doses, potentially shows adverse impact on fish intestinal health. This study aimed to investigate the effect of replacing fishmeal with SM on intestinal health in olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). A 56-day feeding trial was conducted with 450 juvenile fish (initial weight: 6.32 ± 0.01 g) randomly allocated to five diets with graded SM replacement: 0% (FM), 12% (SM12), 24% (SM24), 36% (SM36), and 48% (SM48). The results demonstrated that concentrations of glucose, total triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased, whereas total protein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol contents, and lysozyme activity decreased in serum with increasing dietary SM levels. Meanwhile, total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase activity significantly decreased at replacement levels exceeding 24%, accompanied by elevated malondialdehyde concentration (p < 0.05). Compared with the FM group, the SM24, SM36, and SM48 groups showed significantly reduced VH and increased lamina propria width (p < 0.05). Increasing dietary SM levels upregulated expression of genes related to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) (chop, perk, and grp78), inflammation (tnf-α and il-6), and apoptosis (bax, casp3, casp6, and casp9), while downregulated anti-inflammatory cytokines (il-10 and tgf-β1) and tight junction-related genes (zo-1, zo-2, claudin-5, ocln, muc-13, and muc-15) in the intestine (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in the abundances of intestinal microbiota at both the phylum and genus levels among the FM, SM24, and SM36 groups (p < 0.05), but the clusters and microbiota composition of the SM24 group were more similar to those of the FM group. In conclusion, replacing 24% of fishmeal with SM induced intestinal dysfunction through evoking ERS, inflammation, barrier disruption, and microbial dysbiosis in olive flounder. Full article