Search Results (5,380)

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated skin disease with highly variable responses to systemic therapies. Emerging evidence highlights the microbiome as a potential modulator of drug efficacy and toxicity. Gut bacteria can enzymatically metabolize drugs, such as methotrexate, altering bioavailability and therapeutic outcomes, while microbial metabolites—including short-chain fatty acids, branched-chain amino acids, and tryptophan derivatives—shape host immunity and barrier integrity, influencing drug action. Baseline microbial signatures have been linked to treatment response, potentially predicting anti-TNF or IL-17 inhibitor efficacy. Systemic therapies themselves reshape microbial communities: IL-17 blockade induces broad shifts in gut and skin microbiota, whereas cyclosporine and anti-TNF agents exert subtler effects. Small molecules such as apremilast and fumarates may reduce fungal overgrowth and influence microbial composition, whereas data on JAK/TYK2 inhibitors remain limited. Notably, current evidence exhibits a literature bias toward the gut microbiota, while the roles of the oral and skin axes remain understudied. Adjunctive microbiome-directed interventions, including probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation, have demonstrated potential to enhance treatment outcomes by promoting anti-inflammatory taxa and restoring barrier function. Despite these promising findings, current evidence is heterogeneous, often limited by small sample sizes, short follow-up, and variable methodology. Integrating pharmacomicrobiomics data with clinical, genetic, and multi-omics profiling could enable precision medicine approaches in psoriasis, allowing therapy selection tailored to individual microbial and metabolic signatures. Future research should focus on longitudinal, multicenter studies to identify actionable microbial biomarkers, clarify mechanistic interactions between drugs, microbes, and host immunity, and evaluate microbiome-targeted adjuncts in randomized trials. Understanding the bidirectional crosstalk between systemic therapies and the microbiome may transform psoriasis management, improving efficacy, reducing adverse events, and enabling durable, personalized responses. Full article

While steel sheets are an effective strengthening technique for existing structures, experimental evidence on galvanised steel sheets is limited, necessitating their evaluation as a durable and cost-effective solution for the flexural strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. This study analyses the influence of external reinforcement using galvanised steel sheets applied to RC beams. The structural behaviour of the specimens was assessed through flexural tests, with monotonic loading applied at one-third and two-thirds of the effective span, in accordance with ASTM C78 guidelines. In addition, an analytical model was formulated to capture the non-linear behaviour of concrete, reinforcing steel, and galvanised steel sheets. The results indicate that beams strengthened with external reinforcement exhibit an increase in load-bearing capacity of up to 69% in the elastic range, together with significant improvements in ductility of up to 22%. Moreover, the use of vertical U-wrap sheets and anchor bolts enhances the bond between the sheets and the concrete, thereby reducing the risk of premature debonding. Overall, the findings confirm that the use of galvanised steel sheets is an effective and practical strengthening technique for improving the flexural performance of RC beams. Full article

Silicon-based materials offer exceptional theoretical capacity for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), but their practical application remains severely hindered by large volume expansion, low electrical conductivity, and unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation during cycling. Herein, a binder-free silicon-containing carbon composite anode (denoted as CP-Si@C-4, where CP represents the conductive carbon paper substrate) is designed: carbon constitutes the structural and conductive framework, while silicon nanoparticles serve as a functional alloying component contributing characteristic lithiation/delithiation behavior. This framework comprises a conductive carbon paper (CP) scaffold, a resin-derived carbon matrix for homogeneous silicon dispersion, an interconnected carbon nanotube (CNT) network enabling long-range electron transport, and a conformal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) carbon layer for interfacial stabilization. Rather than simply increasing the overall carbon content, a series of control electrodes with distinct carbon configurations are deliberately designed to decouple the respective roles of bulk stress buffering and particle-level interfacial stabilization during cycling. The results indicate that functionally differentiating and coordinately regulating these two functions is critical for achieving durable binder-free silicon-containing carbon composite anodes. Benefiting from this cooperative multidimensional carbon architecture, the optimized CP-Si@C-4 anode delivers an initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) of 86.3% and maintains a reversible capacity of ~990 mA h g⁻¹ at 2 A g⁻¹ after 1000 cycles. This work provides a structural design concept for improving long-term stability in binder-free silicon-containing carbon composite anodes. Full article

The objective of this study was to experimentally quantify and analytically model chloride ion transport in high-performance concrete incorporating single and binary mineral admixtures under sustained compressive loading, thereby improving durability prediction for load-bearing concrete exposed to chloride environments. A series of accelerated chloride transport experiments was conducted on high-performance concrete subjected to sustained compressive loading. The surface strain evolution of concrete was investigated under different compressive stress ratios and admixture dosages. The effects of the admixture dosage and sustained compressive stress ratio on chloride distribution were analyzed. A chloride diffusion coefficient model that incorporated sustained compressive loading and composite mineral admixtures was established, and its validity was verified. The influences of key parameters on chloride transport in binary-blended high-performance concrete were further discussed. The results showed that the strain of ordinary concrete specimens was the largest, followed by that of high-performance concrete with a single admixture of fly ash or silica fume, and the strain of high-performance concrete with double admixtures of fly ash and silica fume was the smallest. The chloride concentration in concrete first decreased and then increased with the increase in compressive stress level. The largest change amplitude was observed in ordinary concrete, and the smallest was in high-performance concrete with double admixtures of fly ash and silica fume. An increase in the time decay coefficient caused the chloride concentration in binary-blended high-performance concrete to decrease first and then increase. When the fly ash content was kept constant, the chloride concentration gradually decreased with increasing silica fume content. When the silica fume content reached 17%, the chloride concentration at a diffusion depth of 11 mm approached zero. Full article

Intergranular corrosion (IGC) and exfoliation corrosion (EXCO) limit the durability of 2219 Al–Cu in chloride-rich, cyclic-humidity aerospace environments, and conventional thermal stress relief can worsen grain boundary precipitates and grain boundary non-precipitation zones (PFZs), motivating evaluation of low-temperature resonant vibration stress relief. Using polarization tests and microstructural analysis, we show that RRV lowers corrosion current, strengthens passivation, and reduces IGC and EXCO susceptibility. Alternating tensile–compressive stresses build dislocation networks that convert continuous or semi-continuous grain boundary precipitates into discrete distributions, increasing corrosion path tortuosity and slowing intergranular attack. A more discrete cathodic phase, a narrowed solute-enriched anodic band, and reduced PFZs disrupt corrosion channel continuity, weaken microgalvanic driving forces via a more uniform θ′ distribution, and limit corrosion product wedging, while homogenized precipitates suppress local galvanic coupling in EXCO-like media. Overall, RRV synergistically optimizes dislocation configuration and precipitate redistribution to intrinsically enhance corrosion resistance and offers a practical, low-temperature, scalable route to improve the durability of high-strength aluminum alloy structures in aerospace service. Full article

Urban flooding represents an increasingly critical challenge in rapidly urbanizing cities, where high-density development and climate variability intensify hydrological vulnerability. This article presents an analytically focused case study of Shenzhen, a national Sponge City pilot, to examine not only whether nature-based interventions are associated with flood-resilience gains but also under what spatial, institutional, and governance conditions such gains emerge. The study adopts a qualitative mixed-methods case-study design based on secondary sources, integrating observed flood-event records, reported hydrological and water-quality indicators, model-based projections, and systematic policy analysis. Drawing on data from 2006–2020, the analysis explicitly distinguishes observed outcomes, reported performance indicators, and inferred effects, addressing a key methodological limitation in existing Sponge City assessments. Results indicate that, within designated pilot zones, Sponge City interventions are associated with reduced surface runoff, attenuated peak flows, and reported improvements in pollutant filtration, particularly where green infrastructure density and monitoring capacity are high. However, these performance patterns are spatially uneven and mediated by governance constraints, including institutional fragmentation and maintenance capacity. The principal contribution of the study lies in identifying governance–infrastructure mechanisms that condition Sponge City performance and scalability. By treating Shenzhen as a critical rather than representative case, the article offers analytically transferable insights into the effectiveness, durability, and limits of nature-based flood-management strategies in high-capacity urban contexts. Full article

Vibrations have long been a critical subject of investigation across engineering disciplines. With the expansion of major manufacturing sectors such as shipbuilding, automotive engineering, aerospace, and railway transport, the challenges associated with noise, environmental impact, and geotechnical stability have become increasingly complex. Mechanical systems inherently dissipate energy through vibration, and this dissipation can significantly influence structural performance, durability, and operational efficiency. Since the early foundational studies on vibration control in the 1980s, substantial progress has been made in developing innovative mitigation techniques. Among these, the acoustic black hole (ABH) concept has emerged as a promising passive method for reducing vibrational energy without adding significant mass. Over the years, researchers have further enhanced ABH structures by incorporating damping layers, which improve their ability to dissipate energy and control structural vibrations. More recently, scientific interest has shifted toward understanding the role of embedded or dispersed particles in vibration attenuation. Particle-based approaches have shown potential for improving energy dissipation mechanisms through micro-scale interactions, yet the underlying physical processes and their influence on vibration behavior remain active topics of research. In this study, we examine the influence of particles on vibration reduction through combined experimental and numerical investigations. The system is subjected to repeated excitation forces of 1 V, 2 V, and 3 V across frequency ranges of 10–1000 Hz and 10–2000 Hz. Two structural models, ABH-ABH and ABH, were considered, with particles embedded at the mid-plane of each configuration. Additionally, sinusoidal translational motion was analyzed at frequencies between 550 and 625 Hz, with a displacement velocity of 0.5 m/s, to determine the loss factor damping. The numerical results show consistent trends with experimental measurements, reinforcing the effectiveness of particle-enhanced ABH structures in vibration control. Full article

This study addresses the brittleness, poor bonding, and low crack resistance of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) grouting materials by incorporating an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer. The enhancement mechanisms and engineering applicability of EVA-modified cement grouts were systematically investigated. Using EVA contents from 0% to 20%, macro-scale tests covering fluidity, rheology, bleeding rate, and compressive strength were conducted, along with microstructural analyses (SEM, XRD, FT-IR). Results indicate that with 12% EVA, the 28-day compressive strength reached 21.03 MPa, reflecting a 68% increase over the unmodified grout. Most favorable amount of EVA promoted the formation of C–S–H gel, filled microcracks, and enhanced structural densification, whereas excessive EVA content led to the formation of a polymer film that hindered hydration and reduced strength. Furthermore, EVA effectively improved the rheological behavior of the grout, with the Vipulanandan model demonstrating superior accuracy over the Bingham model in characterizing its non-Newtonian flow. This study systematically established a quantitative–qualitative correlation between EVA content, nonlinear rheological behavior (characterized by advanced models), microstructure evolution (porosity, C–S–H, polymer film) and final macromechanics and durability. Full article

The construction sector is currently tasked with the critical challenge of minimizing CO₂ emissions associated with cement manufacturing. To support a sustainable building environment, this research developed cement-free alkali-activated composites by leveraging industrial by-products, specifically fly ash and blast furnace slag. The study experimentally evaluated how aluminosilicate material-based capsules (AMCs) composed of a mixture of fly ash, blast furnace slag, and ferronickel slag powder affect the composites’ durability, mechanical properties, and self-healing capabilities, alongside microstructural investigations. Results indicated that specimens incorporating 10% AMC reached a compressive-strength recovery range of 112–118%, which represents an improvement of approximately 10% compared to the control sample. Furthermore, the 28-day resistance to chloride ion penetration was enhanced by 79.4%, successfully meeting the ‘very low’ permeability criteria defined by ASTM C 1202. These results suggest that cement-free self-healing composites incorporating AMCs are a viable alternative for reducing carbon emissions and minimizing environmental impact in the construction industry. Furthermore, the recycling of industrial byproducts, as demonstrated herein, contributes to sustainable development in response to climate change. Full article

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent and heterogeneous disorder associated with substantial cardiometabolic morbidity. Although continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) remains first-line therapy, long-term effectiveness is frequently limited by suboptimal adherence. Advances in airway devices, surgical techniques, neuromodulation, and pharmacologic therapies have expanded the therapeutic landscape and created opportunities for individualized, mechanism-based treatment. Methods: We conducted a selective, narrative review with structured quantitative synthesis of randomized controlled trials, comparative cohorts, long-term follow-up studies, registries, and mechanistic investigations addressing OSA therapies beyond CPAP. Evidence spanning oral appliances, upper-airway and skeletal surgery, hypoglossal nerve stimulation, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, positional therapy, and pharmacologic interventions targeting metabolic and non-anatomical endotypes was integrated. Outcomes of interest included apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), oxygenation, blood pressure, patient-reported symptoms, durability, safety, and real-world adherence. Results: Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) consistently reduced AHI relative to placebo and produced symptom relief comparable to CPAP in mild-to-moderate OSA, largely due to superior adherence. Palatal surgery yielded meaningful short-term improvement in selected patients but demonstrated limited long-term durability. In contrast, maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) achieved the largest and most durable reductions in OSA severity, with efficacy comparable to CPAP and superior to other surgical modalities in appropriate skeletal phenotypes. Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) produced substantial, durable improvements in AHI and symptoms with high adherence, supported by randomized trials, long-term follow-up, and real-world registry data; newer bilateral and proximal stimulation systems may further broaden candidacy. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation and positional therapy provided modest, phenotype-dependent benefits, primarily as adjunctive or early-stage interventions. A major advance is the emergence of metabolic and endotype-targeted pharmacotherapy: longitudinal data demonstrate a dose-dependent relationship between weight change and OSA progression or regression, while randomized trials show that GLP-1-based therapies—particularly dual GLP-1/GIP agonism with tirzepatide—produce large, clinically meaningful reductions in AHI and cardiometabolic risk in obesity-associated OSA. Additional pharmacologic strategies targeting ventilatory loop gain and arousal threshold further support an endotype-driven treatment paradigm. Conclusions: Contemporary OSA management is shifting from a CPAP-centric model toward a precision-guided, multimodal framework that aligns therapy with dominant anatomic and physiological contributors to airway collapse. Integrating metabolic, neuromodulatory, and structural interventions—often in combination—offers the potential for durable disease control and improved patient-centered outcomes. Future priorities include head-to-head and combination trials, long-term cardiovascular outcomes, cost-effectiveness analyses, and pragmatic tools to operationalize personalized OSA therapy in routine clinical practice. Full article

Background: Traditional reliance on intraradicular posts for the restoration of root-filled teeth is decreasing due to advances in adhesive dentistry. Immediate pre-endodontic dentin sealing (IPDS) aims to protect dentin during endodontic procedures and improve adhesive outcomes. For teeth with minimal remaining structure and absent ferrule, internal adhesive ferrule approaches using fiber-reinforced composites or fiber mesh offer an alternative to posts. Methods: Four endodontically treated teeth with severely reduced coronal structure were restored using the IPDS protocol, reinforcement with an internal adhesive ferrule ring and fiber composites, and postless adhesive build-ups. Clinical and radiographic assessments were performed up to 2.5 years post-treatment. Results: All teeth remained asymptomatic, with stable periodontal and periapical conditions. Restorations maintained structural integrity and favorable adhesive performance. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this small case series, the IPDS approach combined with fiber-reinforced postless restorations showed favorable short-term clinical outcomes. Given the small sample size, case heterogeneity, and lack of a control group, these observations should be considered preliminary, and well-designed, long-term controlled studies are required to confirm the durability and broader applicability of this technique. Full article

Premature deterioration of reinforced concrete is driven largely by moisture and chloride ingress, which accelerate steel corrosion and shorten service life. This study investigates a dual strategy to enhance durability while supporting circular-economy goals: (i) incorporating coal-fired biomass ash (CBA) as a fine-aggregate replacement (0%, 20%, and 50%) and (ii) applying bio-inspired surface treatments to reduce transport pathways. To capture variability in CBA performance across different environmental and material contexts, two concrete systems—produced in India and the UK—were evaluated, each subjected to a distinct coating approach: a bacterial self-healing treatment or a cinnamaldehyde (CNM) organic barrier. Mechanical, transport, and multi-scale characterization was performed, including compressive strength, capillary absorption, chloride migration (NT Build 492), SEM/EDS, XRF, and XRD. The 20% CBA mixes maintained or slightly improved strength, while higher CBA contents increased porosity but reduced chloride transport in the UK mix. The bacterial coating reduced long-term water absorption by over 80% through CaCO₃ mineralization, offering strong moisture resistance. The CNM coating decreased chloride migration by up to 68% via hydrophobic and ionic-blocking effects. Overall, moderate CBA with self-healing treatment enhances moisture control, whereas higher CBA with CNM provides effective chloride protection, extending the service life of CBA-based concrete. Full article

Background: This in vitro study evaluated the effects of two different adhesive application approaches (total-etch and self-etch) and gallic acid (GA) pretreatment on the dentin microshear bond strength (μSBS) of a universal adhesive system. Bond strength was assessed both before thermal aging and following aging procedures simulating approximately 1 and 5 years of clinical service. Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty intact human incisors were allocated to experimental groups according to the adhesive strategy, presence or absence of gallic acid (GA) pretreatment, and thermocycling regimen (0, 10,000, or 50,000 cycles). A universal adhesive system (G-Premio BOND) in combination with a nanohybrid composite resin was applied in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions. Microshear bond strength (µSBS) was determined using a universal testing device. The obtained data were analyzed by three-way ANOVA and subsequently compared using Tukey’s post hoc test at a significance level of 0.05. Results: In the total-etch approach, pretreatment with gallic acid (GA) resulted in significantly greater µSBS values than those observed in the corresponding untreated specimens under all aging conditions (no thermocycling: 18.53 ± 0.99 vs. 11.33 ± 0.81 MPa; 1-year: 19.86 ± 0.82 vs. 11.60 ± 0.58 MPa; 5-year: 19.04 ± 0.62 vs. 10.28 ± 0.83 MPa; p = 0.001). A comparable trend was noted for the self-etch strategy, where GA application significantly enhanced bond strength compared with the non-treated groups (no thermocycling: 21.70 ± 0.98 vs. 14.19 ± 1.17 MPa; 1-year: 22.60 ± 0.50 vs. 14.94 ± 0.85 MPa; 5-year: 22.32 ± 0.59 vs. 12.94 ± 0.84 MPa; p = 0.001). Across all thermocycling conditions, the self-etch mode consistently produced higher bond strength values than the total-etch mode. Thermal aging did not significantly influence µSBS in the GA-treated groups. In contrast, in the absence of GA pretreatment, thermocycling led to a reduction in bond strength, particularly after the 5-year aging protocol. Conclusions: Gallic acid pretreatment significantly improved dentin bond strength and contributed to the preservation of bond durability after thermal aging. The highest µSBS values were obtained when the self-etch approach was combined with gallic acid (GA) pretreatment, suggesting that GA may serve as a beneficial adjunct for improving the durability and long-term performance of resin–dentin bonds. Full article

Marine concrete is often exposed to multiple aggressive ions, so mechanical deterioration cannot be reliably interpreted using single-ion durability concepts. This study investigates ocean-oriented concretes incorporating high contents of mineral admixtures under coupled sulfate/chloride/carbonate/magnesium actions and develops a pore-structure-based D–P dual-parameter framework linking microstructural descriptors to macroscopic peak stress and peak strain. Three binder systems were designed: ordinary Portland cement concrete (OPC), cement–silica fume concrete (CSC, 20% silica fume), and cement–silica fume–fly ash concrete (CSFC, 20% silica fume + 50% fly ash). Specimens were immersed for 12 and 24 months in four representative binary-salt solutions. Porosity evolution and pore-size-class distributions were quantified by low-field NMR, while pore complexity was characterized using multi-scale fractal dimensions. The results show that mineral admixtures generally refine the pore system and improve the integrity of fine pores; CSFC exhibits the most robust microstructural stability across the tested environments, whereas CSC shows a pronounced degradation of fine-pore structure under CE4. A second-order response surface model built on Z-score normalized fractal dimension (D) and porosity (P) achieves reliable predictability for peak strain (R² = 0.85) and peak stress (R² = 0.79). Global Sobol sensitivity analysis reveals distinct controlling mechanisms: peak strain is predominantly governed by porosity (S_P = 85.9%), whereas peak stress is controlled by the combined effects of porosity, pore complexity, and their interaction (S_P = 42.4%, S_D = 19.8%, S_{D × P} = 37.8%). Local sensitivity mapping further identifies high-sensitivity regimes at extreme pore states, providing mechanistic guidance for mixture optimization. Overall, the proposed D–P framework quantitatively bridges pore volume/geometry evolution and mechanical degradation, offering a practical predictive tool for durability-oriented design of marine concretes under multi-ionic attack. Full article

The concrete cracking problem can seriously affect the durability and safety of civil structures. Accurately and quickly measuring the width of concrete cracks can help control defect development in a timely manner. Current research mainly relies on pixel detection of two-dimensional images, which lacks real three-dimensional information about crack lesions. Detection results are also obviously affected by various factors, such as shooting distance and posture, resulting in poor accuracy. Therefore, this paper presents an engineering-integrated solution that combines U-Net-based crack segmentation with binocular vision 3D reconstruction. The focus is placed on the practical deployment of the integrated pipeline, the optimization of key parameters under real inspection conditions, and the experimental validation of measurement accuracy on actual concrete cracks. Firstly, the U-Net deep learning algorithm is used to automatically identify and segment the concrete crack region; then, a binocular vision-based 3D reconstruction pipeline is adopted, and a parallax rejection algorithm based on a “double-threshold” decision is proposed to improve the fidelity of crack disparity maps, and the effect of the filter window size on the concrete crack region is analyzed; finally, an intelligent measurement method based on the 3D reconstruction model is proposed, and the measurement results of concrete crack width can be calculated directly from the 3D reconstruction model. The results show that (1) the model can identify the characteristics of the crack, and the detection effect at 4:00 p.m. is the best, because at this time the light is more uniform with less shadow and moderate contrast between the crack and its background; (2) the reconstruction of the 3D point cloud model of the concrete crack with a filtering window of size 9 × 9 is the best; (3) the maximum error between the calculated and measured values of crack width is 0.31mm, the minimum error is 0.07mm, and the average error is 0.15 mm, which indicates that the measurement accuracy reaches the sub-millimetre level and verifies the validity of the proposed method in this paper. Full article