Search Results (736)

With the rise of the low-altitude urban traffic system, urban air mobility (UAM) has developed rapidly. As a critical component of the UAM system, the strategic layout of vertiports helps divert ground traffic pressure. To satisfy various demand patterns, different vertiport levels are needed, so we focus on the hierarchical vertiport location problem. Considering the capacity limitation, a median location model is established to minimize vertiport construction cost, passenger commuting cost, and penalty cost. For the nonlinear term in the objective function, the Big-M method is employed. Based on the reformulated model, we improve the branch-and-bound algorithm (LVBB) to solve it, where the Lagrange relaxation method is used to decompose the large-scale problem into parallel subproblems and compute the lower bound, and the variable neighborhood search algorithm is used to obtain the upper bound. Numerical experiments are performed in the 11 administrative districts of Nanjing, China. The results demonstrate that the proposed location scheme effectively balances vertiport construction cost and passenger commuting cost while satisfying capacity limitations. It also significantly reduces commuting time to improve passenger satisfaction. This scheme can offer strategic guidance for infrastructure planning in UAM. Full article

Lightning strikes pose a significant risk during outdoor activities. The connection between conventionally used rescue blankets in alpine emergencies and the risk of lightning injury is unclear. This experimental study investigated whether rescue blankets made of aluminum-coated polyethylene terephthalate increase the likelihood of lightning injuries. High-voltage experiments of up to 2.5 MV were conducted in a controlled laboratory setting, exposing manikins to realistic lightning discharges. In a balanced test environment, two conventionally used brands were investigated. Upward leaders frequently formed on the edges along the fold lines of the foils and were significantly longer in crumpled rescue blankets (p = 0.004). When a lightning strike occurred, the thin metallic layer evaporated at the contact point without igniting the blanket or damaging the underlying plastic film. The blankets diverted surface currents and prevented current flow to the manikins, indicating potentially protective effects. The findings of this experimental study suggest that upward leaders rise from the edge areas of rescue blankets, although there is no increased risk for a direct strike. Rescue blankets may even provide partial protection against exposure to electrical charges. Full article

The metabolic hyperactivity of tumor cells demands a substantial amount of energy and molecules to build new cells and expand the tumor, diverting these resources from healthy cells. Amino acids (AAs) are the only totipotent and essential molecules for protein construction. Previous in vitro studies in human and murine cancer cells, along with in vivo studies in mice, have shown that an excess of essential amino acids (EAAs) exerts an inhibitory effect on tumor proliferation by promoting apoptosis and autophagy. In this study, both in vitro and in vivo, we evaluated whether a mixture based on EAA can influence the development of human colon cancer (HCT116). To this end, in vitro, we assessed the proliferation of HCT116 cells treated with a special mix of EAA. In vivo, immunosuppressed athymic nude mice, injected with HCT116 cells subcutaneously (s.c.) or intraperitoneally (i.p.), were given a modified EAAs-rich diet (EAARD) compared to the standard laboratory diet (StD). In vitro data showed that the EAA mix impairs cancer growth by inducing apoptosis and autophagy. In vivo, the results demonstrated that EAARD-fed mice developed s.c. tumors significantly smaller than those of StD-fed mice (total mass 3.24 vs. 6.09 g, respectively). Mice injected i.p. and fed with EAARD showed a smaller and more limited number of intra-peritoneal tumors than StD-fed mice (total mass 0.79 vs. 4.77 g, respectively). EAAs prevents the growth of HCT116 cells by inducing autophagy and apoptosis, increasing endoplasmic reticulum stress, and inhibiting inflammation and neo-vascularization. In addition, the EAARD-fed mice, maintained muscle mass and white and brown adipose tissues. A diet with an excess of EAAs affects the survival and proliferative capacity of human colon cancer cells, maintaining anabolic stimuli in muscular cells. Full article

Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is a complex and hidden process of storing surplus water under the ground surface and extracting it as, when and where needed. Evaluation of the success of any MAR project is challenging due to uncertainty in estimating the hydrogeological characteristics of the subsurface media. This paper demonstrates the use of a groundwater model (MODFLOW) to evaluate a new, large-scale regional MAR project in the agricultural heartland in Punjab, Pakistan. In this MAR project, flood waters have been diverted to the bed of an abandoned canal, where 144 recharge wells (the wells for accelerating the recharge into the aquifer) have been constructed to accelerate the recharge to the aquifer. The model was calibrated for a period of five years from October 2015 to June 2020 on a monthly stress period and the resulting water levels were simulated till 2035. The water balance components and future response of the aquifer to different scenarios up to 2035 including with and without MAR situations are presented. The model simulations showed that MAR can contribute to the replenishment of the aquifer and its potential for the case study site to contribute significantly to the management of groundwater and to enhance supplies for intensive agriculture. It was further established that MODFLOW can help in the evaluation of effectiveness of a MAR scheme. This study is unique as it evaluates a significantly large MAR project in an area where this practice has not been developed for improving groundwater access for large scale irrigation. The model provides guidelines for decision makers in the region as well as for the global community and livelihood benefits for rural communities. Full article

Plastic waste and water pollution demand circular economy-driven innovations. This review examines metal–organic framework (MOF) synthesis from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste for wastewater treatment. Depolymerized PET yields terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol—essential MOF precursors. We evaluate the following: (1) PET depolymerization (hydrolysis, glycolysis, ammonolysis) for monomer recovery efficiency; (2) MOF synthesis (solvothermal, microwave, mechanochemical) using PET-derived linkers; (3) performance in adsorbing heavy metals, dyes, and emerging contaminants. PET-based MOFs match or exceed commercial adsorbents in pollutant removal while lowering costs. Their tunable porosity and surface chemistry enhance selectivity and capacity. By converting waste plastics into functional materials, this strategy tackles dual challenges: diverting PET from landfills and purifying water. The review underscores the environmental and economic benefits of waste-sourced MOFs, proposing scalable routes for sustainable water remediation aligned with zero-waste goals. Full article

SGLT2 inhibitors have become increasingly used due to their effectiveness in improving not only type 2 diabetes but also cardiovascular, renal and hepatic diseases, as well as the obesity found in metabolic syndrome. Starting from the structure of gliflozins, modifications of the carbohydrate part, aglycone, and also the glycosidic bond between them can determine variations in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. SGLT2 inhibitors, in addition to reducing blood glucose levels, improve alterations in lipid metabolism by diverting excessively accumulated lipids in tissues towards mobilization, lipolysis, β-oxidation, ketogenesis and the utilization of ketone bodies. This enhances anti-inflammatory properties by decreasing the levels of some proinflammatory mediators and by modulating some cell signaling pathways. Thus, in this review, the intimate mechanisms by which SGLT2 inhibitors achieve these therapeutic effects in the various conditions belonging to metabolic syndrome and beyond were described, along with the structure–effect relationship with some specific features of each gliflozin. Starting from these findings, further modeling of these molecules may lead to the creation of new therapeutic uses. Further research is needed to broaden the range of indications and also eliminate adverse effects, such as phenomena leading to lower limb amputations. Full article

Introduction: Primary extracranial vertebral artery aneurysms are sporadic in the general population. They are uncommon in individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1. During pregnancy or in the puerperium, the risk of aneurysm rupture in individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 and extracranial aneurysms is elevated. Rupture of a vertebral artery aneurysm is an emergency condition and can be fatal. Case presentation: We present the case of a 33-year-old woman in the puerperium with neurofibromatosis type 1 who had a vertebral symptomatic artery aneurysm. During a previous hospitalization, two months before the treatment of the vertebral aneurysm, a same-sided aneurysm of the thyrocervical trunk was successfully treated with endovascular coiling because of aneurysm rupture. In this case report, the vertebral artery aneurysm was successfully managed using a flow diverter stent graft. Conclusions: This is the first reported case of a successfully treated symptomatic vertebral artery aneurysm with a flow diverter stent graft in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 during the early puerperium. Endovascular treatment with a stent graft is a minimally invasive, safe, and effective treatment for patients with vertebral artery aneurysms. Early diagnosis of non-ruptured vertebral artery aneurysms is a crucial as well as appropriate treatment, which should be undertaken in a timely manner to prevent serious complications or a fatal outcome. Full article

Large turbine generators rely on shaft earthing brushes to safely divert harmful shaft currents to ground, protecting bearings from electrical damage. This paper presents a novel deep learning-based diagnostic framework to detect and classify faults in shaft earthing brushes of large turbine generators. A key innovation lies in the use of FFT-derived spectrograms from both voltage and current waveforms as dual-channel inputs to the CNN, enabling automatic feature extraction of time–frequency patterns associated with different SEB fault types. The proposed framework combines advanced signal processing and convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to automatically recognize fault-related patterns in shaft grounding current and voltage signals. In the approach, raw time-domain signals are converted into informative time–frequency representations, which serve as input to a CNN model trained to distinguish normal and faulty conditions. The framework was evaluated using data from a fleet of large-scale generators under various brush fault scenarios (e.g., increased brush contact resistance, loss of brush contact, worn out brushes, and brush contamination). Experimental results demonstrate high fault detection accuracy (exceeding 98%) and the reliable identification of different fault types, outperforming conventional threshold-based monitoring techniques. The proposed deep learning framework offers a novel intelligent monitoring solution for predictive maintenance of turbine generators. The contributions include the following: (1) the development of a specialized deep learning model for shaft earthing brush fault diagnosis, (2) a systematic methodology for feature extraction from shaft current signals, and (3) the validation of the framework on real-world fault data. This work enables the early detection of brush degradation, thereby reducing unplanned downtime and maintenance costs in power generation facilities. Full article

With the widespread adoption of mobile reading across diverse scenarios, understanding environmental impacts on attention has become crucial for reading performance optimization. Building upon this premise, the study examined the impacts of different reading environments on attention during mobile reading, utilizing a mixed-methods approach that combined eye-tracking experiments with semi-structured interviews. Thirty-two college students participated in the study. Quantitative attention metrics, including total fixation duration and fixation count, were collected through eye-tracking, while qualitative data regarding perceived environmental influences were obtained through interviews. The results indicated that the impact of different environments on mobile reading attention varies significantly, as this variation is primarily attributable to environmental complexity and individual interest. Environments characterized by multisensory inputs or dynamic disturbances, such as fluctuating noise and visual motion, were found to induce greater attentional dispersion compared to monotonous, low-variation environments. Notably, more complex potential task-like disturbances (e.g., answering calls, conversations) were found to cause the greatest distraction. Moreover, stimuli aligned with an individual’s interests were more likely to divert attention compared to those that did not. These findings contribute methodological insights for optimizing mobile reading experiences across diverse environmental contexts. Full article

This study reports a successful selective waste collection initiative led by UFSC’s Araranguá campus in a municipality without a recycling system. The initiative, named “Recicla UFSC Ara”, was structured around three main components: (i) the installation of color-coded bins for recyclable waste (including paper, plastic, metals, and polystyrene) and non-recyclable waste in indoor and common areas; (ii) the establishment of a Voluntary Delivery Point (PEV) to gather specific recyclable materials, such as glass, electronics waste, plastic bottles, writing instruments, and bottle caps; and (iii) the execution of periodic educational community-focused campaigns aimed at encouraging participation from both the university and the broader local community. Recyclables were manually sorted and weighed during regular collection rounds, and contamination rates were calculated. Quantitative data collected from 2022 to 2025 were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA to assess waste generation and contamination trends. Gathered recyclables were directed to appropriate partner institutions, including local “Ecoponto”, non-profit organizations, and corporate recycling programs. The study also conducted a literature review of similar university-led waste management programs to identify standard practices and regional specificities, providing a comparative analysis that highlights both shared elements and distinctive contributions of the UFSC model. Results demonstrate a significant volume of waste diverted from landfills and a gradual improvement in waste disposal practices among the university community. Targeted communication and operational changes mitigated key challenges, improper disposal, and logistical issues. This case underscores the role of universities as agents of environmental education and local sustainable development. Full article

This study addresses the unclear mechanisms by which preferential flow channels (PFCs), formed during long-term waterflooding, affect nano-gel microsphere (NGM) flooding efficiency, utilizing CMG reservoir numerical simulation software. A dynamic evolution model of PFCs was established by coupling CROCKTAB (stress–porosity hysteresis) and CROCKTABW (water saturation-driven permeability evolution), and the deep flooding mechanism of NGMs (based on their gel properties such as swelling, elastic deformation, and adsorption, and characterized by a “plugging-migration-replugging” process) was integrated. The results demonstrate that neglecting PFCs overestimates recovery by 8.7%, while NGMs reduce permeability by 33% (from 12 to 8 mD) in high-conductivity zones via “bridge-plug-filter cake” structures, diverting flow to low-permeability layers (+33% permeability, from 4.5 to 6 mD). Field application in a Chang 6 tight reservoir (permeability variation coefficient 0.82) confirms a >10-year effective period with 0.84% incremental recovery (from 7.31% to 8.15%) and favorable economics (ROI ≈ 10:1), providing a theoretical and engineering framework for gel-based conformance control in analogous reservoirs. Full article

This study introduces a novel reconstruction method (Itihaas’s Anastomosis) for the upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract following proximal gastrectomy, designed to mitigate the severity of acid reflux syndrome, a frequent postoperative complication. The procedure comprises three side-to-side anastomoses: esophago-gastrostomy, gastro-jejunostomy, and jejuno-jejunostomy. The esophago-gastrostomy anastomosis aims to prevent direct reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus by creating a fundus-like structure, which also facilitates future endoscopic procedures. The gastro-jejunostomy reduces acid reflux by diverting gastric acid to the jejunum for further neutralization, while the jejuno-jejunostomy prevents bile and pancreatic juice reflux into the stomach. A 75-year-old male with adenocarcinoma of the upper stomach underwent this surgical procedure. Postoperative outcomes showed no major complications, with smooth oral contrast passage and no evidence of anastomotic leaks. The patient was discharged after resuming consumption of semi-solid food and experienced no signs of reflux. Itihaas’s Anastomosis represents a novel technical approach that theoretically may reduce acid reflux following proximal gastrectomy. Initial case experience suggests technical feasibility, though all claimed benefits remain theoretical without objective validation. Long-term outcomes, anti-reflux efficacy, and comparative effectiveness require validation through systematic case series with objective assessments. Full article

The distortion of energy prices has become an important obstacle to the high-quality development of China’s economy. Moreover, energy price distortions are not merely a domestic issue. They may trigger carbon leakage by diverting emissions-intensive production to countries with cheaper energy. Although the existing literature has extensively examined the effects of energy price distortions, two significant research gaps remain. First, most studies treat energy price distortions merely as an influencing factor, lacking a systematic analysis that places it at the core. Second, the spatial correlation characteristics of energy price distortions are often overlooked. This study measures the degree of energy price distortions across Chinese provinces from 2000 to 2022 and employs methods such as the Global Moran’s I, Local Moran’s I, and kernel density estimation to systematically analyze the spatial correlation, spatial distribution of coordination indices, and dynamic evolution patterns of these distortions. The results reveal that: (1) the overall degree of energy price distortions in China exhibited a trend of rising first and then declining, with significant regional disparities; (2) the regional gap followed an “expansion-contraction” trajectory; (3) there is notable spatial autocorrelation, with high-distortion areas concentrated in Northeast China, the middle reaches of the Yellow River, and Northwest China; and (4) the dynamic evolution suggests that distortion levels in high- and medium-value regions may continue to decline, while those in low-value regions may increase. This study fills a critical gap in the systematic spatial analysis of energy price distortions and provides new empirical evidence and policy insights for advancing market-oriented reforms in energy markets. Full article

In this review, we summarize current insights into the treatment of functional constipation (FC) in children. Constipation is a global issue in the pediatric population, with a prevalence of approximately 9.5%. Initial management involves a combination of non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions. However, a significant number of children continue to experience therapy-resistant FC despite optimal non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments. While studies on novel pharmacological options in children are limited, adult trials have shown promising results. New agents such as lubiprostone, prucalopride, linaclotide, and plecanatide have demonstrated improved outcomes compared to placebo or conventional therapies, particularly in increasing spontaneous bowel movements. Neurostimulation presents an additional treatment modality. Posterior tibial nerve stimulation appears to be a promising new option, offering high treatment satisfaction and a favorable safety profile with a low rate of severe adverse events. For children who do not respond to optimal conservative therapy, the impact on quality of life can be substantial. In such cases, surgical interventions may be considered, including intrasphincteric botulinum toxin injections, antegrade continence enema surgery, and, in severe cases, colonic resection or a diverting ostomy. The choice of surgical treatment remains a subject of ongoing debate. Therapy-resistant FC in children is a complex and impactful condition. An individualized, stepwise approach is essential, with surgical options such as colonic resection reserved as a last resort. Full article

Marine plastic pollution represents a critical environmental challenge, with millions of tons of plastic waste entering the oceans annually and threatening ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health. This systematic review evaluates the current state of the art in recycling and reusing marine plastic waste within the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sectors, following the PRISMA methodology. Sixty-six peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2025 were analysed, focusing on the integration of plastic waste. The review identifies mechanical recycling as the predominant method, involving washing and shredding plastics into fibres or flakes for use in cementitious composites, asphalt modifiers, bricks, panels, and insulation. Results indicate that recycled plastics, such as PET, HDPE, and PP, can enhance thermal insulation, water resistance, and flexural strength in non-structural applications. However, challenges persist regarding compressive strength, fibre dispersion, and chemical compatibility with cementitious matrices. Although the reuse of marine plastics supports circular economy goals by diverting waste from oceans and landfills, significant gaps remain in long-term durability, microplastic release, end-of-life recyclability, and comprehensive environmental assessments. The findings underscore the need for further research on the broader adoption of life cycle analysis, as well as long-term durability and environmental contamination analyses. Full article