Search Results (443)

RNA viruses remain a significant public health concern due to their rapid evolution, genetic variability, and capacity to trigger recurrent epidemics and pandemics. Over the last decade, natural products have gained attention as a valuable source of antiviral candidates, offering structural diversity, accessibility, and favorable safety profiles. This review highlights key replication mechanisms of RNA viruses and their associated therapeutic targets, including RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, viral proteases, and structural proteins mediating entry and maturation. We summarize recent advances in the identification of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenes, lectins, and polysaccharides that exhibit inhibitory activity against clinically relevant pathogens, including the Influenza A virus (IAV), human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV), dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus (ZIKV), and Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Special emphasis is placed on the integration of in silico screening, in vitro validation, and nanotechnology-based delivery systems that address challenges of stability, bioavailability, and specificity. Furthermore, the growing role of artificial intelligence, drug repurposing strategies, and curated antiviral databases is discussed as a means to accelerate therapeutic discovery. Despite persistent limitations in clinical translation and standardization, natural products represent a promising and sustainable platform for the development of next-generation antivirals against RNA viruses. Full article

Surface subsidence and seepage damage in surrounding soils induced by leakage from municipal water supply pipelines pose significant risks to urban infrastructure. To clarify how leakage water diffuses in unsaturated soils and to assess seepage damage potential, this study established a numerical model based on the Richards equation combined with the van Genuchten (VG) model. The model was validated against physical model tests using remolded Q3 loess, ensuring consistency in soil parameters and leakage conditions. Simulation results reveal that soil saturation evolution follows three stages—initial, rising, and stable—with preferential flow paths forming above the leakage point before gradually evolving into radial diffusion controlled by both pressure and gravity. The extent of the saturated zone increases with pipeline pressure, but the enhancement effect diminishes as pressure rises, reflecting the nonlinear water-retention characteristics of loess. Seepage damage risk was evaluated using the Terzaghi critical hydraulic gradient criterion. The results show that higher pressures enlarge the critical zone more rapidly, yet its ultimate radius stabilizes within approximately 2.3 m around the leakage point. Moreover, this study proposes that potential seepage damage may occur once effective saturation reaches about 85%, corresponding to the air-entry value of loess, thus providing a more conservative criterion for engineering risk assessment. Overall, the validated Richards-based numerical model reproduces the key features of leakage-induced unsaturated diffusion and offers practical guidance for identifying seepage-prone zones and mitigating subsidence hazards in municipal water supply systems. Full article

The water retention and permeability characteristics of loess are core factors governing geological disaster prevention and engineering stability in the loess regions of northwest China. This study focuses on Yangling loess, systematically conducting soil water characteristic curve (SWCC) measurements and saturated permeability tests under different initial compaction degrees and water contents using a pressure plate apparatus and a TST-55 permeameter. By combining fitting analyses of the Gardner, Fredlund–Xing, and Van Genuchten SWCC models, the study reveals the influence mechanism of initial conditions on the water retention properties of Yangling loess. Furthermore, the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of loess was predicted using the Van Genuchten–Mualem model. Finally, a quantitative relationship model between hydraulic conductivity and multiple factors (initial compaction degree, water content, and matric suction) was constructed using the response surface methodology. The results indicate the following: (1) A higher initial compaction degree and water content lead to a higher air entry value of loess, resulting in stronger water retention capacity. Among the three models, the Van Genuchten model exhibits the optimal fitting effect for the SWCC of Yangling loess. Its parameter a (related to the air entry value) decreases significantly with increasing compaction degree, while parameter n (pore size distribution index) increases linearly. The SWCC model, considering compaction degree, established based on these findings, can accurately predict the water retention characteristics in the high suction range (0~1200 kPa). This model’s precision in the high-suction segment is particularly valuable, as it addresses a critical range for engineering applications where soil behavior transitions from near-saturated to highly unsaturated states. (2) When loess transitions from a saturated to an unsaturated state, the hydraulic conductivity decreases up to 10⁴ times. Both increased initial compaction degree and water content lead to a significant reduction in hydraulic conductivity. This drastic reduction highlights the sensitivity of loess permeability to saturation changes, which is attributed to the rapid reduction in interconnected pore channels as soil suction increases and pore spaces are filled or compressed under higher compaction. (3) The response surface prediction model quantitatively reveals the influence weights of various factors on hydraulic conductivity in the order of matric suction > initial compaction degree > initial water content. The model exhibits a high coefficient of determination (R² = 0.9861), enabling rapid and accurate prediction of the hydraulic conductivity of Yangling loess. This high precision confirms that the model effectively captures the complex interactions between the factors, providing a reliable tool for practical engineering calculations. This study provides a new model and experimental basis for the accurate prediction of unsaturated loess hydraulic properties. The proposed SWCC model, considering compaction degree and the response surface model for hydraulic conductivity, offers practical tools for engineers and researchers, facilitating more precise design and risk assessment in collapsible loess areas. Full article

The cooperative flight of manned and unmanned aerial vehicles (MAV/UAVs) has recently become a focus in the research of civilian and humanitarian fields, in which formation control is crucial. This paper takes the improvement of convergence performance and resource conservation as the entry point to study control problems of cooperative formation configuration of MAV/UAVs. Following the backstepping recursive design procedures, an event-triggered fixed-time formation control strategy for MAV/UAVs operating under modeling uncertainties and external disturbances is presented. Moreover, a novel switching threshold event-triggered mechanism is introduced, which dynamically adjusts control signal updates based on system states. Compared with periodic sampling control (Controller 1), fixed threshold strategies (Controller 2) and relative threshold strategies (Controller 3), this mechanism enhances resource efficiency and prevents Zeno behavior. On the basis of Lyapunov stability theory, the closed-loop system is shown to be stable in the sense of the fixed-time concept. Numerical simulations are carried out in Simulink to validate the effectiveness of the theoretical findings. The results show that compared with the three comparison methods, the proposed control method saves 86%, 34%, and 43% of control transmission burden respectively, which significantly reduces the number of triggered events. Full article

Damage control surgery (DCS) is a staged surgical strategy for rapid control of life-threatening bleeding, followed by physiological stabilization and delayed definitive repair. Abdomino-pelvic packing (APP)—placing compressive material within the pelvis and/or abdomen to tamponade bleeding—is a cornerstone of DCS as a temporizing measure to achieve hemostasis and stabilization in critically unstable patients. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on DCS with a focus on APP—a technique historically developed in trauma and orthopedic surgery for exsanguinating pelvic bleeding but adaptable to gynecologic and obstetric emergencies. We outline the historical evolution, physiological basis, and stepwise protocol of DCS, adapted to specialty-specific conditions such as postpartum hemorrhage, placenta accreta spectrum, uterine rupture, and hepatic rupture in HELLP syndrome, as well as oncologic surgeries (debulking, exenteration, lymphadenectomy) and benign procedures (trocar-entry injuries in laparoscopy, presacral bleeding in sacrocolpopexy, and retroperitoneal hemorrhage in deep-infiltrating endometriosis). Modern adjuncts—including early tranexamic acid, topical hemostatic agents, and multidisciplinary coordination—have transformed packing from a last-resort maneuver into an integrated component of staged hemorrhage control. In OB/GYN, APP allows for successful hemostasis in 75–90% of cases, with significantly lower mortality rates than trauma surgery. In conclusion, APP as a potentially life-saving maneuver within DCS requires integration into standardized, institution-wide hemorrhage protocols in OB/GYN. Training, simulation, and guideline adoption are critical, particularly in resource-limited settings where advanced interventions for catastrophic bleeding are inaccessible. Full article

Cadmium (Cd), a pervasive and highly phytotoxic metal pollutant, poses severe threats to agricultural productivity, ecosystem stability, and human health through its entry into the food chain. Plants have evolved intricate defense mechanisms, among which the strategic manipulation of nutrient elements emerges as a critical physiological and biochemical strategy for mitigating Cd stress. This comprehensive review delves deeply into the multifaceted roles of essential macronutrient elements (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur), essential micronutrient elements (zinc, iron, manganese, copper) and non-essential beneficial elements (silicon, selenium) in modulating plant responses to Cd toxicity. We meticulously dissect the physiological, biochemical, and molecular underpinnings of how these nutrients influence Cd bioavailability in the rhizosphere, Cd uptake and translocation pathways, sequestration and compartmentalization within plant tissues, and the activation of antioxidant defense systems. Nutrient elements exert their influence through diverse mechanisms: competing with Cd for root uptake transporters, promoting the synthesis of complexes that reduce Cd mobility, stabilizing cell walls and plasma membranes to restrict apoplastic flow and symplastic influx, modulating redox homeostasis by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities and non-enzymatic antioxidant pools, regulating signal transduction pathways, and influencing gene expression profiles related to metal transport, chelation, and detoxification. The complex interactions between nutrients themselves further shape the plant’s capacity to withstand Cd stress. Recent advances elucidating nutrient-mediated epigenetic regulation, microRNA involvement, and the role of nutrient-sensing signaling hubs in Cd responses are critically evaluated. Furthermore, we synthesize the practical implications of nutrient management strategies, including optimized fertilization regimes, selection of nutrient-efficient genotypes, and utilization of nutrient-enriched amendments, for enhancing phytoremediation efficiency and developing low-Cd-accumulating crops, thereby contributing to safer food production and environmental restoration in Cd-contaminated soils. The intricate interplay between plant nutritional status and Cd stress resilience underscores the necessity for a holistic, nutrient-centric approach in managing Cd toxicity in agroecosystems. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate how different insertion angles of titanium orthodontic miniscrews (30°, 45°, and 90°) influence stress distribution and displacement in surrounding alveolar bone using three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA), with a focus on biomechanical outcomes at the titanium–bone interface. The 90° insertion angle generated the highest stress in cortical bone (58.2 MPa) but the lowest displacement (0.023 mm), while the 30° angle produced lower stress (36.4 MPa) but greater displacement (0.052 mm). The 45° angle represented a compromise, combining moderate stress (42.7 MPa) and displacement (0.035 mm). This simulation-based study was conducted between January and April 2025 at the Department of Orthodontics, Kocaeli Health and Technology University. A standardized 3D mandibular bone model (2 mm cortical and 13 mm cancellous layers) was constructed, and Ti-6Al-4V miniscrews (1.6 mm × 8 mm) were virtually inserted at 30°, 45°, and 90°. A horizontal orthodontic load of 2 N was applied, and von Mises stress and displacement values were calculated in ANSYS Workbench. Stress patterns were visualized using color-coded maps. The 90° insertion angle generated the highest von Mises stress in cortical bone (50.6 MPa), with a total maximum stress of 58.2 MPa, followed by 45° (42.7 MPa) and 30° (36.4 MPa) insertions (p < 0.001). Stress was predominantly concentrated at the cortical entry point, especially in the 90° model. In terms of displacement, the 90° group exhibited the lowest mean displacement (0.023 ± 0.002 mm), followed by 45° (0.035 ± 0.003 mm) and 30° (0.052 ± 0.004 mm), with statistically significant differences among all groups (p < 0.001). The 45° angle showed a balanced biomechanical profile, combining moderate stress and displacement values, as confirmed by post hoc analysis. From a biomimetics perspective, understanding how insertion angle affects bone response provides insights for designing bio-inspired anchorage systems. By simulating natural stress dissipation, this study demonstrates that insertion angle strongly modulates miniscrew performance. Vertical placement (90°) ensures rigidity but concentrates cortical stress, whereas oblique placement, particularly at 45°, offers a balanced compromise with adequate stability and reduced stress. These results emphasize that beyond material properties, surgical parameters such as insertion angle are critical for clinical success. Full article

The cellular membrane is a dynamic structure composed of lipids and proteins organized into specialized domains that facilitate interactions between extracellular molecules and the intracellular environment. Tetraspanins are a family of transmembrane proteins involved in diverse cellular processes, including membrane stabilization and fusion, endocytosis, extracellular vesicle formation, and the organization of proteins and lipids at specific membrane sites known as Tetraspanin-Enriched Microdomains (TEMs). These lipid–protein interactions play a critical role in the replicative cycle of Orthoflavivirus, including dengue, Zika, and West Nile, by facilitating viral entry, replication, assembly, and egress. In addition, tetraspanins also regulate the biogenesis and function of extracellular vesicles, contributing to viral dissemination, persistent infection, and immune evasion. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the structural and functional aspects of tetraspanins, their interplay with lipids, and their emerging roles in the Orthoflavivirus replicative cycle. We also discuss how these insights may inform the development of antiviral strategies targeting membrane organization and virus–host interactions. Full article

Plastic waste and industrial residues like steel slag pose significant environmental challenges, with limited recycling solutions. This study investigates a sustainable approach by repurposing waste polystyrene and steel slag into composite membranes via electrospinning for membrane distillation applications. Steel slag incorporation enhanced membrane porosity, hydrophobicity, and thermal stability, with process optimization performed through response surface methodology by varying slag content (0–10 wt%), voltage (15–30 kV), and feed rate (0.18–10 mL·h⁻¹). Optimized membranes achieved a reduced fiber diameter (1.172 µm), high porosity (82.3%), and superior hydrophobicity (contact angle 102.2°). Mechanical performance improved with a 12% increase in tensile strength and a threefold rise in liquid entry pressure over pure polystyrene membranes, indicating greater durability and wetting resistance. In direct contact membrane distillation, water flux improved by 15% while maintaining salt rejection above 98%. Under photothermal membrane distillation, evaporation rates rose by 69% and solar-to-thermal conversion efficiency by 60% compared to standard PVDF membranes. These results demonstrate the feasibility of transforming waste materials into high-performance, durable membranes, offering a scalable and eco-friendly solution for sustainable desalination. Full article

Inspired by the free-flight capabilities of the gannet in both aerial and underwater environments, a foldable-wing air–water cross-medium vehicle was designed. To enhance its propulsive performance and transition stability across these two media, aero-hydrodynamic performance analyses were conducted under three representative operating states: aerial flight, underwater navigation, and water entry. Numerical simulations were performed in ANSYS Fluent (Version 2022R2) to quantify lift, drag, lift-to-drag ratio (L/D), and tri-axial moment responses in both air and water. The transient multiphase flow characteristics during water entry were captured using the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method. The results indicate that: (1) in the aerial state, the lift coefficient increases almost linearly with the angle of attack, and the L/D ratio peaks within the range of 4–6°; (2) in the folded (underwater) configuration, the fuselage still generates effective lift, with a maximum L/D ratio of approximately 2.67 at a 10° angle of attack; (3) transient water entry exhibits a characteristic two-stage force history (“initial impact” followed by “steady release”), with the peak vertical load increasing significantly with water entry angle and velocity. The maximum vertical force reaches 353.42 N under the 60°, 5 m/s condition, while the recommended compromise scheme of 60°, 3 m/s effectively reduces peak load and improves attitude stability. This study establishes a closed-loop analysis framework from biomimetic design to aero-hydrodynamic modeling and water entry analysis, providing the physical basis and parameter support for subsequent cross-medium attitude control, path planning, and intelligent control system development. Full article

Despite growing recognition of the role of the gut microbiome in host health and in modulating pathogen activity, the dynamic and reciprocal relationship between enteric viruses and the gut microbial ecosystem remains insufficiently defined and requires further exploration. This comprehensive review examines the bidirectional interplay between the gut microbiome and enteric viral infections by addressing (i) viruses associated with gastrointestinal alterations, (ii) how enteric viral infections alter the composition and function of the gut microbiome, (iii) how the gut microbiome modulates viral infectivity and host susceptibility, and (iv) current microbial-based approaches for preventing or treating enteric viral infections. Gastrointestinal viral infections induce gut microbiome dysbiosis, marked by reductions in beneficial bacteria and increases in potentially pathogenic populations. Specific gut microorganisms can modulate host susceptibility, with certain bacterial genera increasing or decreasing infection risk and disease severity. Pattern recognition receptors in the intestinal epithelium detect microbial signals and trigger antimicrobial peptides, mucus, and interferon responses to control viral replication while maintaining tolerance to commensal bacteria. The gut microbiome can indirectly facilitate viral infections by creating a tolerogenic environment, suppressing antiviral antibody responses, and modulating interferon signaling, or directly enhance viral replication by stabilizing virions, promoting host cell attachment, and facilitating coinfection and viral recombination. In turn, commensal gut bacteria can inhibit viral entry, enhance host antiviral responses, and strengthen mucosal barrier function, contributing to protection against gastrointestinal viral infections. Probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation constitute potential microbial-based therapeutics that support antiviral defenses, preserve epithelial integrity, and restore microbial balance. In conclusion, the role of the gut microbiome in modulating enteric viral infections represents a promising area of future investigation. Therefore, integrating microbiome insights with virology and immunology could enable predictive and personalized strategies for prevention and treatment. Full article

The optimization of submerged entry nozzle (SEN) designs plays a pivotal role in achieving stable flow conditions and high-quality steel production during continuous casting. This study presents a comparative analysis of two SEN geometries under identical operational parameters using a combined approach of numerical simulation and physical modeling. A full-scale water model and a validated CFD framework based on the realizable k-$\epsilon$ and VOF models were employed to evaluate velocity distribution, turbulence intensity, free surface behavior, and flow symmetry. Results reveal that the SEN-2 design enhances flow stability near the meniscus region, promotes a consistent double-roll flow pattern (DRF), and reduces surface oscillations and sub-meniscus velocities, thereby minimizing the risk of mold flux entrapment. The proposed dimensionless KE number effectively quantifies the energy dissipation behavior of both designs, highlighting SEN-2’s superior hydraulic performance. This integrated methodology offers a robust evaluation framework for future nozzle development aimed at improving product quality without compromising productivity. Full article

Entry stability in ultra-thick coal seam longwall mining is often challenged by high abutment pressures and the need for wide coal pillars. This study presents the design, implementation, and verification of a hydraulic fracturing pressure relief strategy to optimize pillar width and improve entry performance in the longwall panels of Buliangou Mine. A site-specific fracturing scheme was applied near the coal pillar, using staged multi-interval fracturing from angled boreholes in the roof strata. Field instrumentation, including borehole imaging, water pressure monitoring, and stress/strain sensors, confirmed successful fracture propagation and significant stress redistribution. Post-fracturing monitoring indicated a shift in peak pillar stress location and an expansion of the elastic core zone, with entry deformation (ribs and roof-floor convergence) reduced by up to 25%. Based on these results and comparative case studies, an optimized 26 m pillar width was proposed and subsequently implemented in a new longwall panel. Field verification demonstrated stable entry conditions, consistent support loading, and a notable increase in coal recovery. This study confirms that hydraulic fracturing, when combined with detailed field design and monitoring, provides a reliable solution for stress management and pillar size reduction in ultra-thick seam longwall mining. Full article

Research has long supported the use of and engagement with music as a catalyst for health and wellbeing. However, there is a lack of research exploring how the structures, rituals and ‘minor gestures’ that go alongside music-making, making-with the materiality of music and engagement, can positively impact health. Using assemblages of interconnected community music projects in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, as collective ethnographic entry points, we examine how collective routines and communal activities—through the interplay of material-discursive practices that play out in structural elements, memories, and shared experiences—contribute to the creation of meaningful social exchanges, stability, sense of belonging and becoming. We argue that the benefits of music ‘interventions’ are not solely outcomes from isolated activities, but from the accumulative habits and rituals they affect, offering a new perspective on health as a dynamic process. This reframing invites a transcending of measurement in relation to the impact of music on individual and social wellbeing. Through this, we challenge traditional, conventional wellbeing scales and measures and call for a broader understanding of music’s potential in addressing health inequalities, concluding with implications for scalable community music models that contribute to expanding possibilities for research–practice–policy partnerships in health and social care systems. Full article

Glass inhomogeneities represent variations in the structural or compositional uniformity of glass, traditionally associated with process-related defects such as striae, bubbles, stones, and inclusions that impair transparency and mechanical stability. These “technological” inhomogeneities emerge during melting, forming, or annealing, and have long been the focus of industrial elimination strategies. However, recent developments in glass science and nanotechnology have reframed inhomogeneity as a potential asset. When precisely engineered at the nanoscale, inhomogeneities, such as nanocrystals, metal or semiconductor nanoparticles, and nanopores, can enhance glass with tailored optical and photonic functionalities, including upconversion luminescence, plasmonic response, nonlinear refractive behavior, and sensing capabilities. This entry provides an integrated perspective on the evolution of glass inhomogeneities, tracing the shift from defect suppression to functional nanostructuring. It discusses both the traditional classification and mitigation of detrimental defects, and the design principles enabling the intentional incorporation of beneficial nanoinhomogeneities, particularly in the context of optics and photonics. The utilization of engineered inhomogeneities in nuclear waste glasses is also discussed. Full article