Search Results (196)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the concept of Water Quality Volume (WQv) as a Best Management Practice (BMP) to treat the first 25.4 mm of rainfall in urban areas, aiming to capture approximately 90% of annual runoff. However, applying this urban-based standard—designed for areas with over 50% imperviousness—to rural regions with higher infiltration and pervious surfaces may result in overestimated facility capacities. In Korea, a uniform WQv criterion of 5 mm is applied nationwide, regardless of land use or hydrological conditions. This study examines the suitability of this 5 mm standard in rural catchments using the Hydrological Simulation Program–Fortran (HSPF). Eight sub-watersheds in the target area were simulated under varying cumulative runoff depths (1–10 mm) to assess pollutant loads and runoff characteristics. First-flush effects were most evident below 5 mm, with variation depending on land cover. Nature-based treatment systems for constructed wetlands were modeled for each sub-watershed, and their effectiveness was evaluated using Flow Duration Curves (FDCs) and Load Duration Curves (LDCs). The findings suggest that the uniform 5 mm WQv criterion may result in overdesign in rural watersheds and highlight the need for region-specific standards that consider local land-use and hydrological variability. Full article

Electric mountain bikes (eMTBs) demand compact, high-torque motors capable of handling steep terrain and variable load conditions. Surface-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motors (SPMSMs) are widely used in this application due to their simple construction, ease of manufacturing, and cost-effectiveness. However, SPMSMs inherently lack reluctance torque, limiting their torque density and performance at high speeds. While interior PMSMs (IPMSMs) can overcome this limitation via reluctance torque, they require complex rotor machining and may compromise mechanical robustness. This paper proposes a surface-inset PMSM topology as a compromise between both approaches—introducing reluctance torque while maintaining a structurally simple rotor. The proposed motor features inset magnets shaped with a tapered outer profile, allowing them to remain flush with the rotor surface. This geometric configuration eliminates the need for a retaining sleeve during high-speed operation while also enabling saliency-based torque contribution. A baseline SPMSM design is first analyzed through finite element analysis (FEA) to establish reference performance. Comparative simulations show that the proposed design achieves a 20% increase in peak torque and a 33% reduction in current density. Experimental validation confirms these findings, with the fabricated prototype achieving a torque density of 30.1 kNm/m³. The results demonstrate that reluctance-assisted torque enhancement can be achieved without compromising mechanical simplicity or manufacturability. This study provides a practical pathway for improving motor performance in eMTB systems while retaining the production advantages of surface-mounted designs. The surface-inset approach offers a scalable and cost-effective solution that bridges the gap between conventional SPMSMs and more complex IPMSMs in high-demand e-mobility applications. Full article

Tea plant [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze] is an economically important evergreen crop cultivated worldwide. While most tea plants have green leaves, albino cultivars with yellow or white young leaves have attracted growing interest due to their elevated levels of L-theanine, a key compound that enhances the umami flavor and overall quality of green tea. In this study, we characterized the morphological and biochemical traits of a novel albino tea cultivar, ‘Geumda’, developed in Korea. ‘Geumda’ exhibited yellow young shoots during the first flush and smaller leaves compared to the green-leaf standard cultivar, ‘Sangmok’. Although the catechin content of ‘Geumda’ was lower than that of ‘Sangmok’, it exhibited significantly higher levels of total amino acids, L-theanine, and arginine by 2.1-, 2.0-, and 9.8-fold, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy and gene expression analysis revealed that the elevated amino acid content in ‘Geumda’ was associated with impaired chloroplast development, leading to reduced chlorophyll content and diminished photosynthetic capacity. These findings suggest that ‘Geumda’, with its high concentrations of theanine and arginine and its impaired chloroplast development, represents a valuable genetic resource for the production of functional green teas enriched in umami flavor and beneficial health properties. Full article

Background/Objectives: Diamine oxidase (DAO) deficiency can lead to excessive histamine absorption at the intestinal level, triggering symptoms that affect the gastrointestinal, neurological, dermatological, respiratory, circulatory, and musculoskeletal systems. This condition, known as histamine intolerance, is more prevalent in women. While serum DAO levels have been observed to increase during pregnancy in healthy women, there is a lack of in-depth studies evaluating the relationship between pregnancy, DAO activity, and histamine intolerance symptoms. This is the first study to assess serum DAO activity before, during, and after pregnancy, as well as the evolution of histamine intolerance symptoms in women diagnosed with this condition. Due to low histamine, diets are quite restrictive, no dietary intervention was considered for pregnant women. Methods: This prospective observational study used an assessment questionnaire to evaluate the presence or absence of histamine-related symptoms in 30 adult women with histamine intolerance before, during, and after pregnancy. Serum DAO activity was also measured at the three time points. Results: Nearly all women (27 out of 30) experienced symptom improvement during pregnancy (p < 0.001). Specifically, at least 77% of women reported a marked reduction in flatulence, bloating, headache, rhinorrhea, flushing, pruritus, hypotonia, or muscle pain. Concurrently, the DAO activity significantly increased 11-fold from the baseline, coinciding with symptom relief. At two months postpartum, symptoms tended to reappear, accompanied by a significant decrease in DAO activity in all participants. Conclusions: This first-of-its-kind observational study demonstrates an improvement in histamine intolerance symptoms and an increase in serum DAO activity during pregnancy. The pronounced symptom relief suggests that restrictive diets, such as low-histamine diets, may not be necessary during pregnancy. Further research is required to confirm these novel findings. Full article

The objective of this research was to assess the first flush of rainwater harvested from a fibre–cement roof in southern Brazil. Runoff samples were collected for quantifying pH, total suspended solids, turbidity, conductivity, apparent colour, total coliforms, and Escherichia coli. Statistical methods were employed to describe the data, establish correlations between variables, and assess if the antecedent dry weather periods and rainfall intensity affected water quality. The qualitative characterisation of the first flush was performed using principal component analysis and simple regression analyses. The results show that rainwater runoff can be highly contaminated. Hypothesis tests showed that initial rainfall intensity and antecedent dry weather periods affect the quality of the first flush. Principal component analysis suggested that the most significant variables to characterise the first flush were turbidity and apparent colour. Using first-flush diverters in rainwater harvesting systems does not ensure E. coli removal, but it may reduce the risk of users’ contamination. Practical implications include discussions on the suggested first flush and the consequential impact on the quantity and quality of rainwater harvested. Future studies may consider using the method used in this research to develop guidelines based on more samples across the country. As novelty, one includes a statistically robust qualitative study in a region that lacks research on the quantification and quality of first flush. Such assessment helps to build up Brazilian data for a better understanding of first flush management in rainwater harvesting. Full article

With the rapid development of big data and artificial intelligence, the demand for memory has exploded. As a key data structure in modern databases and distributed storage systems, the Log-Structured Merge Tree (LSM-tree) has been widely employed (such as LevelDB, RocksDB, etc.) in systems based on key–value pairs due to its efficient writing performance. In LSM-tree-based KV stores, typically deployed on systems with DRAM-SSD storage, the KV items are first organized into MemTable as buffer for SSTables in main memory. When the buffer size exceeds the threshold, MemTable is flushed to the SSD and reorganized into an SSTable, which is then passed down level by level through compaction. However, the compaction degrades write performance and SSD endurance due to significant write amplification. To address this issue, recent proposals have mostly focused on redesigning the structure of LSM trees. We discover the prevalence of unchanged data blocks (UDBs) in the LSM-tree compaction process, i.e., UDBs are written back to SSD the same as they are read into memory, which induces extra write amplification and degrades I/O performance. In this paper, we propose a KV store design in SSD, called RemapCom, to exploit remapping on these UDBs. RemapCom first identifies UDBs with a lightweight state machine integrated into the compaction merge process. In order to increase the ratio of UDBs, RemapCom further designs a UDB retention method to further develop the benefit of remapping. Moreover, we implement a prototype of RemapCom on LevelDB by providing two primitives for the remapping. Compared to the state of the art, the evaluation results demonstrate that RemapCom can reduce write amplification by up to 53% and improve write throughput by up to 30%. Full article

The fungi belonging to the genus Pleurotus can be cultivated in different substrates and represent excellent producers of several extracellular enzymes. In this study, we analyzed eleven hydrolytic enzymes of the P. eryngii and P. ostreatus secretomes, which were collected at three different growth stages after 23 days (mycelial colonization of about 50% of the substrate), 34 days (100% colonization of the substrate) and 50 days (after the first flush). Mushrooms were axenically cultivated on the same substrate. The results demonstrate that proteases, lipases, amylases, α-glucosidase, cellulases (endoglucanase, β-cellobiohydrolase and β-glucosidase) and hemicellulase (xylosidase, glucuronidase, arabinosidase and mannosidase) activities were higher in the secretomes from P. eryngii than those from P. ostreatus. Time course analysis revealed for both species a similar enzymatic activity profile, in which in the early stages of mycelium development, both species use starch as the main carbon source. Protease and lipase activities increased and remained constant during the subsequent formation of fruiting bodies, whereas cellulase and hemicellulase activities decreased after the complete mycelial colonization of the substrate. The zymographic analysis suggested the presence in the secretomes of proteolytic activities belonging to different classes. In conclusion, both mushroom species released into the secretomes a broad spectrum of hydrolytic enzymes potentially useful in various biotechnological fields. Full article

Silicon is the most commonly used material in the electronic industries due to its unique properties, which also make it very difficult to machine using conventional machining. Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is a non-traditional process that is gaining popularity for machining silicon, although a slower machining rate is one of its limitations. This study investigates two electrode design strategies to enhance the efficiency of EDM by improving the material removal rates, reducing tool wear, and refining the quality of machined features. The first approach involves using graphite electrodes in various array configurations (1 × 4 to 6 × 4) and leg heights (0.2″ and 0.3″). The second approach employs hollow electrodes with differing wall thicknesses (0.04″, 0.08″, and 0.12″). The effects of these variables on performance were evaluated by maintaining constant EDM parameters. The results indicate that increasing the number of electrode legs improves the flushing conditions, resulting in shorter machining times. Meanwhile, the shorter electrode height outperforms the taller electrode, providing a higher machining speed. The thinnest wall thickness for hollow electrodes yielded the best performance due to the increased energy distribution. Both electrode design methodologies can be used for the mass fabrication of features with targeted profiles on silicon using the die-sinking EDM process. Full article

Green roofs (GRs) are increasingly implemented for stormwater management, and retrofitting conventional roofs is emerging as a key strategy for climate change resilience. However, their impact on diffuse pollution, particularly regarding total organic carbon (TOC) and pollutant mass transport, remains insufficiently understood, especially in aged substrates. This study evaluated and compared the runoff quality from aged GRs and ceramic roofs (CRs) by analyzing TOC, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), first-flush occurrence and intensity, and pollutant release patterns. Results showed that GR retrofitting could help mitigate acid-rain effects due to its elevated pH. Despite higher TOC and EC concentrations in runoff, GRs remained within acceptable water quality limits and exhibited a more gradual release of organic matter over time compared with CRs. Statistical analysis revealed that pollutant concentrations in CR runoff followed Lognormal and Weibull distributions, while GR runoff was best described by Normal, Lognormal, and Weibull distributions. These findings reinforce GRs as a viable stormwater management strategy but highlight the need for full runoff treatment when used for rainwater harvesting. The results also emphasize the importance of tailored statistical models to enhance runoff predictions and optimize GR performance in urban water management. The results provide valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers by reinforcing the potential of GRs in stormwater quality management and supporting the development of incentives for green infrastructure. Future research should expand to different GR configurations, climates, and maintenance practices to enhance the understanding of long-term hydrological and water quality performance. Full article

Treating endometritis is one of the major challenges faced by veterinarians. The effect of post-insemination intrauterine infusion Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stromal/stem cell-derived conditioned medium (WJ-MSC-CM) on the uterine response and pregnancy outcomes in problem mares was evaluated in this study. The cycles of 12 problem mares were treated seven/eight hours after insemination with intrauterine infusion of 20 mL of WJ-MSC-CM (TRT) or non-conditioned Ringer’s lactate solution (CTR). Before (PRE) and 12 h after (POST) treatment, an ultrasonographic examination and a low-volume flush (LVF) for efflux clarity evaluation and bacteriological and cytological analysis were made. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed at 14 days and confirmed at 60 days after ovulation. A decrease (p < 0.05) in polymorphonuclear neutrophils infiltration and a trend toward significance in LVF efflux clarity (p < 0.1) were observed in TRT cycles. The TRT (50%) had a higher pregnancy rate (p < 0.05) than CTR group (0%) at first cycle. Only a trend toward significance was observed comparing pregnancy frequencies between the two groups (CTR 12.5% vs. TRT 54.5%), the pregnancy rate of TRT cycles was comparable to that of normal mares (p > 0.05) and higher (p < 0.05) than that reported for problem mares in the literature. Post-insemination uterine infusion of WJ-MSC-CM in mares restores pregnancy rates to normal levels, by its anti-inflammatory effect. Full article

The optimal approach to managing motor neurone disease (MND) is through integrated, person-centred care (PCC), complemented by access to specialised MND multidisciplinary clinics (MDCs). However, in Australia, MND care is fragmented and uncoordinated. Objectives: To evaluate participant experiences of the implementation of a new regional MND MDC in New South Wales, Australia, and explore factors influencing its implementation. Methods: A qualitative evaluation was conducted. We used semi-structured interviews with people living with MND (plwMND) (n = 4), family carers (n = 2), healthcare providers (n = 6), and social care providers (n = 2). First, deductive analysis using the Theoretical Domains Framework and COM-B model was applied to identify factors influencing the adoption and sustainability of the MDC. Then, an inductive thematic analysis identified the impact of the MND MDC from participant perspectives. Results: The MND MDC was found to be appropriate and acceptable for providing equitable access to PCC MND care that was ‘closer to home’. The three main themes from the inductive analysis indicated that: 1. Implementing it was a ‘good idea’ [the MND-MDC]; 2. It ‘flushes out’ local service gaps and/or challenges; and 3. It results in positive outcomes. Key facilitators to implementation identified from the deductive analysis were staff expertise, strong trusting relationships with all clinic participants, and the belief that the MND MDC optimised care. Barriers to implementation included a lack of staff remuneration, organisational boundaries, limited representation of specialities, and anticipated difficulties in coordinating care with existing services. Conclusions: The commitment to providing equitable access to an MND MDC in a regional area is crucial to optimise care for plwMND and their families. However, overcoming complex organisational boundaries, creating local solutions, and building strong partnerships are key challenges to securing ongoing financial support and local health district ‘buy-in’ to support sustainability. Full article

This work investigates the impact of sea level rise (SLR) of up to 3 m on flood protection and freshwater availability in the Netherlands. We applied an exploratory modeling approach to consider the large degree of uncertainty associated with SLR. The results show the current degree of flood protection can be technically and financially maintained for up to three meters of SLR. A primary finding of this work is that a similar degree of safety against floods can be maintained. There are, however, several challenges: First, maintaining this degree of safety against floods requires considerable spatial allocations to maintain and upgrade flood defenses, often in populated areas with limited space. Second, the supply of sand for coastal nourishments will be challenging due to other functions in the North Sea (wind energy, shipping) and explosive remnants of war. Third, an acceleration in the rate of SLR may impact the overall feasibility of maintaining flood defenses. Maintaining the freshwater strategy will be challenging due to SLR-induced salt intrusion, which aggravates climate impacts including droughts. Continued flushing of salinized areas of regional water systems and polders with fresh river water will increasingly compete with other demands. Our analysis highlights the vulnerabilities of the flood protection and freshwater strategies and gives input to follow-up analyses on societal impact and perspectives of actions for adaptation. Full article

Urban stormwater may contain pollutants from different traffic vehicular sources including brake and tire wear, exhaust emissions, and atmospheric deposition. In this research, we took advantage of COVID-19 restrictions to evaluate the effects of historically low vehicular circulation on stormwater quality (metal concentrations and mass loads) generated from an urban watershed in Denver (Colorado). The analysis was performed at different hydrograph stages, i.e., first flush, peak flow, and recession stages during and after the imposition of the COVID-19 restrictions. Metal concentrations were compared with the maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for drinking water as an indicator of water quality degradation. The results indicate that the Fe and Mn levels were constantly above the MCLs in stormwater, while then level of Pb occasionally surpassed the limits. Additionally, the highest pollutant mass loads generally occurred during peak flow conditions. Importantly, there was a clear effect of COVID-19 restrictions, suggesting that more stormwater pollution occurred after the restrictions were lifted, as a result of more vehicles circulating. Considering local climate, the mass loads of Fe, Mn, and Pb (the pollutants of concern) were estimated to be 0.4489, 0.0772, and 0.00032 MT/year, respectively, which are similar to loads reported in the literature for cities with similar climates and development levels. Full article

In the context of the surfactant-enhanced remediation of polluted sites, this work focuses on the development of non-ionic alkylpolyglucosidic (APG) surfactant formulations with different additives for the solubilization and mobilization of strongly adsorbed organic pollutants. The study involved three consecutive phases to evaluate the effect of the additives on surface behavior and the potential improvement in alkylpolyglycoside surfactant’s capability to solubilize toluene and perchloroethylene (PCE), selected as reference contaminants. After a chemical–physical characterization phase, the APG-based formulations were first used in a batch configuration test, in which the formulations’ solubilization ability was indirectly assessed by observing the effect on pollutants’ adsorption. Lastly, a continuous configuration column experiment was performed to simulate the flushing process of a synthetic matrix previously contaminated with strongly adsorbed toluene or PCE. The results showed that the presence of additives firstly reduced the ability of the surfactant to form micelles, increasing the CMC, but at the same time improved the ability to reduce surface tension. Moreover, the addition of the additives overall resulted in a significant improvement in adsorbed pollutant removal in a minimal volume of fed solution, reaching 96% and 99% efficiencies for toluene and PCE, respectively, compared with 76% and 92%, for toluene and PCE, respectively, in the presence of free-additive APG surfactant. Full article

Current management paradigms suggest deferring grazing rangeland for two years post-fire to avoid additional stress on native grass species, but there is little research supporting these recommendations. This study was conducted within and adjacent to the burn area of a wildfire to evaluate the differences in diet quality, botanical composition, and foraging behavior of beef cattle on burned and unburned rangeland in the spring and fall of the year following a fire. Diet composition and masticate samples were collected during 20 min bite-count periods using six ruminally cannulated cows in burned and unburned sites in June and September. Diets differed between burned and unburned sites across seasons, but the differences were most apparent in June. Cattle grazed more selectively on burned sites in June, consuming a higher quality diet dominated by forbs. In September, cattle shifted to grass-dominated diets with fewer differences between burned and unburned sites. This indicates that the nutritional flush on post-fire rangelands may be minimized by the end of the first growing season post-fire. Additionally, in the first spring post-fire, cattle may shift grazing pressure away from vulnerable perennial native grass species to the early-seral forbs, commonly associated with the post-fire environment. Full article