Search Results (6,637)

Concrete proportioning in routine practice often relies on separate spreadsheets, code tables, and trial-batch records, making simultaneous control of strength, exposure resistance, workability, cost, and embodied carbon difficult. Although existing standards provide valuable guidance, a scientific and practical gap remains in converting fragmented provisions into an integrated workflow for performance-oriented and low-carbon mix design. This paper presents the EcoStruct platform, a thirteen-tab digital workflow for normal concrete mix design. The workflow integrates international guidance, including ACI 211.1, ACI durability provisions, EN 206, BS 8500, EN 197-1, ASTM C150, ASTM C33, ASTM C127/C128, EN 12620, EN 934-2, and DIN 1045-based aggregate gradation logic. The platform covers project definition, exposure limits, SCMs and admixtures, material characterization, target strength, aggregate grading, water–cement ratio, free-water demand, cement adjustment, absolute-volume aggregate calculation, performance prediction, laboratory trial, and reporting. A precast tunnel-lining segment was used to compare the platform with BRE and SP 23:1982. The platform mixture contained 440 kg/m³ cement and 190 kg/m³ water. Compared with BRE and SP 23:1982, it reduced free-water and cement demand while maintaining durability compliance and improving aggregate-skeleton continuity. Full article

Eutrophication in tropical endorheic lakes often persists despite reductions in external nutrient inputs, indicating an important role of internal nutrient loading. However, integrated evidence linking thermal stratification, sediment characteristics, and sediment-derived nutrient release in tropical endorheic lakes remains limited. This study investigated the mechanisms contributing to eutrophication in Lake Batur, a tropical endorheic volcanic lake in Indonesia, through seasonal water-column observations, sediment porewater profiling, diffusive nutrient flux analysis, and sediment characterization. Seasonal observations showed thermal stratification accompanied by hypoxic to anoxic bottom waters, while sediment-derived nutrient flux was dominated by ammonium and phosphate under reducing conditions. Sediment characterization at the representative sampling site revealed mineral assemblages dominated by biogenic silica, aluminosilicate clays, carbonates, and iron-bearing phases that may influence nutrient mobility under low-oxygen conditions. The results indicate strong coupling between thermal stratification, hypolimnetic oxygen depletion, and sediment–water interactions, suggesting that internal loading contributes to maintaining eutrophic conditions in Lake Batur. The endorheic nature of the lake likely enhances nutrient retention because of limited hydrological flushing and prolonged nutrient residence times. These findings improve understanding of eutrophication processes in tropical endorheic volcanic lakes and highlight the importance of considering sediment-derived internal loading together with external nutrient reduction in lake restoration strategies. Full article

Lipophilicity, commonly described by the n-octanol/water partition coefficient (LogP), is a key physicochemical property influencing the pharmacokinetic behavior of small molecules. Reliable LogP estimation during the early stages of drug discovery is essential to support molecular design and prioritize compounds with favorable ADMET properties. In this work, we report the development of LogPpred, an AI-based predictor of molecular lipophilicity. Starting from a curated dataset of 13,536 molecules with experimentally determined LogP values, multiple machine learning algorithms and molecular representations were systematically evaluated. The best-performing model, based on Gaussian Process Regression and RDKit molecular descriptors, achieved a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.34 on the independent internal test set. External validation on a fully independent OECD-derived dataset yielded an MAE of 0.84, demonstrating good generalization capability across diverse chemical space. Furthermore, experimental LogP determination of an additional set of independently selected compounds confirmed the predictive reliability of the model, yielding an MAE of 0.66. Comparative analyses showed that LogPpred outperformed several widely used LogP prediction tools. Applicability domain analysis further supported the reliability of the model, with MAE values improving to 0.28 and 0.62 for in-domain compounds in the internal and external validation sets, respectively. Overall, LogPpred represents a robust, accurate, and transparent tool for the early assessment of molecular lipophilicity in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. Full article

Recycled brick aggregate (RBA) and old mortar (OM) account for a large proportion of construction and demolition waste. To date, few systematic studies have addressed how their coupling interaction governs the performance of recycled concrete (RC). In this study, a two-factor experimental design was carried out, where RBA content (0–15%) and OM content (0–15%) were set as independent variables. The physical properties of recycled aggregates (RAs) and mechanical behaviors of RC were measured, and the underlying mechanisms were elaborated from both macroscopic and microscopic perspectives. Experimental results reveal that increasing RBA and OM contents raise the water absorption and crushing value of RA while reducing their apparent density. OM exerts a more substantial impact on water absorption and apparent density, whereas RBA predominantly controls the fluctuation of crushing value. When RBA dosage rises from 0% to 15%, the maximum reductions in compressive strength and flexural strength reach 20.7% and 23.4%, respectively. When OM dosage increases from 5% to 15%, the corresponding strength reductions are 24.8% and 20.3%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterizations prove that internal pores and microcracks within RBA, along with loose zones at the interface between OM and fresh mortar, act as vulnerable paths for crack initiation and propagation, which deteriorates the bulk macroscopic mechanical properties. Range analysis and analysis of variance confirm that RBA serves as the dominant influential factor. The contribution proportions of RBA to compressive strength and flexural strength are 68.3% and 72.5%, which exceed those of OM (31.7% and 27.5%). The combined action of RBA and OM produces an evident negative superposition effect, with no detectable performance compensation effect observed. This research lays a solid foundation for optimizing the mixing proportion of RA derived from construction waste and promoting the engineering application of RC. Full article

Background: Death following blunt force trauma in the absence of major internal injuries represents a significant forensic challenge. In such cases, reflex-mediated mechanisms leading to cardiac inhibition may be overlooked, particularly when multiple autonomic triggers act simultaneously. Methods: We report the case of a 78-year-old man who died after a violent assault involving repeated blunt force trauma, followed by a prolonged 16-day submersion in river water. A complete forensic investigation was performed, including postmortem computed tomography, autopsy, histological examination, toxicological analyses, and diatom testing to assess the possibility of drowning. Results: External and internal examination revealed multiple blunt force injuries involving the head, face, thorax, upper limbs, scrotal region, and back. Rib fractures, pulmonary contusions, and testicular hematomas were documented, but no internal lesion of sufficient severity to independently explain death was identified. No significant pre-existing cardiac disease or structural cardiac abnormality was found. Toxicological analysis showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.7 g/L, with no lethal substances detected, although interpretation was limited by the prolonged 16-day submersion interval. Diatom testing performed on multiple tissue samples was negative, arguing against drowning. Overall, neither trauma, intoxication, nor submersion alone adequately explained the fatal outcome. Conclusions: This case supports the hypothesis that parasympathetic hyperactivation may have contributed to death. The combined effects of trauma to reflexogenic areas, cold water immersion, and alcohol-related autonomic modulation may have triggered a fatal cardioinhibitory response. Reflex-mediated death should be carefully considered in similar cases when conventional autopsy findings are inconclusive. In the present case, interpretation is limited by prolonged submersion and related postmortem changes, which may have affected the reliability of certain forensic findings. Full article

Ventilated façades are increasingly used in building renovations, often containing non-renewable and CO₂-emissions-intensive cement-based materials. Renewable biomass-based materials offer a more sustainable alternative with a high amount of sequestered CO₂. However, water uptake is a critical factor in exterior applications. This study investigates the water resistance of high-density particleboards made of wheat straw (WS), grey alder (GA), and softwood (SW) for façade-related exterior applications. Two general board types were produced from each biomass using (1) steam explosion (SE) treatment and (2) the addition of birch-bark-derived suberinic acids (SAs) as the bio-based binder. In addition, the influence of conventional and mold hot pressing was investigated. The particleboards were coated with four types of innovative finishes, comprising (1) purified SA, (2) SA + chitosan (SH), (3) SA + earth pigment (SP), and (4) SHP. The water resistance of the particleboards was evaluated using an internal bonding (IB) test after 2 h of boiling and by measuring the water drop contact angle. FTIR analysis was performed to identify differences between the board varieties and to explain the obtained results. Only two board varieties (GASA and SWSA) fulfilled the Type P5 EN 312 water resistance requirement (0.15 N/mm²), achieving IB values of 0.81 ± 0.23 N/mm² and 0.22± 0.07 N/mm², respectively. In turn, the coatings used did not significantly increase the static contact angle compared to the reference board. Although the results of this study confirm the inherent moisture sensitivity of engineered particleboards, two board varieties demonstrate promising potential for façade-related exterior applications. Full article

Global environmental change, biodiversity loss, emerging infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and widening social inequalities increasingly interact to create complex risks for human, animal, and ecosystem health. Although international One Health frameworks and funding mechanisms are essential, implementation at national and especially community levels often remains uneven, fragmented, and weakly evaluated. This Perspective presents a structured, reproducible networking model designed to strengthen community-level One Health implementation through voluntary global collaboration among civil society organisations. The model connects bottom-up community mobilisation with interdisciplinary scientific support, shared evaluation templates, and iterative learning cycles. It outlines a transparent process for identifying and engaging One Health-oriented organisations and for organising their collaboration through thematic Project Working Groups that support situation analysis, strategic planning, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination. The framework translates community action into seven intervention fields: surveillance and early warning, animal health and welfare, water/sanitation/hygiene, food safety and food systems, community awareness and education, environmental risks and ecosystem health, and multisectoral governance. By linking local practice to comparative synthesis, joint publication, and policy dialogue, the network aims to transform isolated initiatives into a coordinated learning system while preserving community and organisational autonomy. As a conceptual framework, the model is ready for empirical testing in diverse settings to assess feasibility, participation, and evaluation quality. Full article

Dissolved bio-essential trace metals (Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, and Fe) in seawater and 17 elements in surface sediments were studied to assess the metal contamination and associated ecological risks in the Sulaibikhat Bay Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the northwestern Arabian Gulf. Dissolved metals were mostly at low to moderate levels and within the limits of most international water quality standards. However, dissolved Cu concentrations (0.54 to 4.73 µg L⁻¹) in the MPA stations (MPA-1 and MPA-2) exceeded the Oslo–Paris Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR) ecotoxicological assessment thresholds, suggesting possible adverse ecological effects. Sediment showed higher levels of Cd, Cr, Ni, V, Cu, and Zn at stations within the MPA, with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) linking these enrichments to nearby industrial and desalination discharge sources. The calculated enrichment factor (EF) and geoaccumulation index (I_geo) values confirmed moderate to substantial anthropogenic contributions for Cd, Cr, and Ni, while the major lithogenic elements were derived from natural mineralogical inputs. A pollution load index (PLI) > 1 at stations MPA-1, MPA-3 and MPA-4 in Sulaibikhat Bay indicated cumulative metal contamination. Ecological risk assessment criteria classified sediments within the MPA and Sulaibikhat Bay as having a moderate level of ecological risk, with Cd identified as the principal contributor. The toxicological indices, namely mean Effect Range Median Quotient (m-ERM-Q) and mean Probable Effect Level Quotient (m-PEL-Q), indicated a low-to-moderate probability of adverse biological effects due to Cu and Ni exposure in the MPA. In contrast, the reference station in the Kuwait Bay showed very low contamination and negligible ecological risk. These findings stress the need for continuous monitoring and effective source control to protect the ecosystem of this newly established MPA in Kuwait. Full article

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cHABs) pose increasing ecological and public health risks in shallow lakes subject to nutrient enrichment and climate change. This research describes and evaluates a three-dimensional hydrodynamic ecological modeling framework for Fairy Lake, Ontario, using MIKE 3 FM coupled with ECO Lab to simulate lake circulation, thermal structure, nutrient dynamics, and cyanobacteria (PC3) concentrations, with model calibration using 2022 data observations and validation using 2023 data. Hydrodynamic performance showed moderate agreement for lake levels (NSE 0.47–0.52) and strong predictive capability for water temperature (NSE up to 0.96 across depths). Nutrient simulations reproduced seasonal nitrate and phosphate trends, with sediment parameter adjustments to stabilize internal loading dynamics. Cyanobacteria simulations captured seasonal bloom timing and spatial variability between inflow and central basin zones during the calibration and validation periods. The results demonstrate that integrated 3D hydrodynamic ecological modeling reproduces seasonal bloom dynamics in shallow polymictic lakes employing calibrated models and subsequent data, to predict sediment nutrient processes and periodic reassessments. As a result, this framework provides a quantitative basis for evaluating bloom behavior and the ability to predict management scenarios able to test changing climatic and nutrient conditions. Full article

This study addresses the significant increase in gas content and gas pressure caused by the rising proportion of high gas, low-permeability coal seams under high geostress conditions. This problem not only limits the efficient extraction of coalbed methane (CBM) but also poses a serious threat to mining safety. To overcome this challenge, a novel water-based ultrasonic cavitation-enhanced coalbed methane recovery (WUC-ECBM) is proposed. A self-developed multimodal ultrasonic cavitation reaction system is used to treat coal samples at different cavitation power levels (0–1100 W). Mechanical tests are then performed, and the damage evolution process is synchronously characterised using a multichannel acoustic emission monitoring system. Permeability tests are also conducted to evaluate the effect of ultrasonic cavitation on coal seepage performance. The results show that ultrasonic cavitation systematically alters the mechanical behaviour of coal, driving the evolution from microstructural modification to macroscopic mechanical response. The compressive strength decreased by up to 53.71%, and the elastic modulus fell to 1.34 GPa, indicating a marked reduction in coal stiffness. The cumulative acoustic emission energy decreased to 0.77 × 10⁶ mV·ms, demonstrating that ultrasonic cavitation promoted the initiation, propagation, and coalescence of internal microcracks, thereby accelerating damage evolution from microscale to macroscale. A progressive failure mechanism, characterised by primary cavitation-induced damage followed by secondary loading-induced damage, is ultimately formed. In addition, ultrasonic cavitation significantly enhanced coal permeability, with a maximum increase of 504.22%. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the further development of WUC-ECBM and for the efficient extraction of CBM. Full article

This study aims to assess the impact of the October 2023 Gaza War on water and sanitation systems and propose actionable solutions for effective management. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach (quantitative and qualitative). Primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews, targeted questionnaires, and direct field observations. Secondary data were gathered from reports by international organizations (UNRWA, OCHA, WHO), Palestinian authorities, academic research, in addition to satellite imagery and Geographic Information System (GIS) data for damage assessment. The results showed that the institutional level of emergency preparedness before the war varied significantly. Despite the existence of pre-developed emergency plans (mean score 3.26, relative weight 65.28%, p = 0.0355), there were significant shortcomings in practical staff training (mean score 2.64, relative weight 52.83%, p = 0.006), logistical readiness, and the activation of international partnerships. The study also revealed major challenges faced in providing water and sanitation services during the war, including fuel and resource shortages, safety risks for field teams, weak coordination with security agencies, lack of materials and equipment, insufficient emergency funding, coordination gaps, staff displacement, communication breakdowns, difficulty accessing water sources, area division and blockade, and loss of personnel. Specifically, the inability to access water sources was a critical challenge (mean score 4.30, relative weight 86.04%, p < 0.0001), as was indiscriminate shelling impacting field team safety (mean score 4.19, relative weight 83.77%, p < 0.0001) and lack of materials and equipment (mean score 4.15, relative weight 83.02%, p < 0.0001). Residents reported water availability only every 10–15 days, and over 70% of water and sanitation systems were damaged. While funding proposals were being prepared (mean score 3.26, relative weight 65.28%, p = 0.02), weaknesses in reporting systems and coordination of roles were observed (mean score 2.55, relative weight 50.94%, p < 0.0001). The research contributes to guiding local and international efforts towards reconstruction, enhancing resilience, and ensuring the provision of safe drinking water and adequate sanitation for the affected population, thereby reducing the risks of waterborne diseases and improving public health. Full article

The rapid decline of Arctic sea ice is increasing the feasibility of trans-Arctic shipping along the Northern Sea Route (NSR)—a considerably shorter and potentially lower-emission alternative to the Suez Canal route—for which the Bering Strait is the first gateway chokepoint for vessels departing the Republic of Korea. Continuous optical monitoring of this region is fundamentally limited by cloud cover and polar night during the ice season; in 2025, no usable Sentinel-2 MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) scene was available for January (mean cloud cover 56.9% in November). This study therefore used all-weather Sentinel-1 dual-polarization (VV, VH) C-band SAR, acquired monthly through Google Earth Engine for January–December 2025, to classify open water, thin ice (<30 cm), and first-year ice (FYI, ≥30 cm) with a Support Vector Machine (SVM); land was masked prior to classification. Three kernels (linear, radial basis function (RBF), and polynomial) were compared after $5\times 5$ Lee speckle filtering, using VV, VH, and the VV/VH ratio (in dB) as input features. The RBF kernel achieved the highest accuracy (overall accuracy 97.0%, $\kappa =0.954$), and the classification was cross-referenced against the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) Multisensor Analyzed Sea Ice Extent (MASIE) mask. The monthly ice maps were then reclassified into World Meteorological Organization (WMO)/POLARIS ice types and converted into a POLARIS Risk Index Outcome (RIO) cost surface using simplified proxy weights consistent with the POLARIS risk ordering rather than the full Risk Index Value table; least-cost paths and a seasonal navigability assessment were derived for three representative ship ice classes—a non-ice-class vessel, an ice-class 1A merchant vessel (≈PC7), and the icebreaker Araon (≈PC5)—under risk-index, water-depth, and coastal-buffer constraints. For a representative refreezing-onset scene, the routing outcome was strongly ice-class dependent: the non-ice-class vessel and the ice-class 1A vessel were blocked (after 42 and 139 km, respectively), whereas only the icebreaker Araon completed the transit along a 124 km least-cost path within a 2 km safety corridor. The framework demonstrates how an interpretable SAR-based sea-ice classification can be coupled with a recognized international risk standard to support risk-informed navigation through the Bering Strait gateway. By indicating when shorter, lower-emission Arctic transits are feasible while limiting the risk of ice-related accidents in this sensitive polar environment, the framework also contributes to the safety and environmental sustainability of trans-Arctic shipping. Full article

During load rejection in pumped-storage power stations, the rotational speed of the pump-turbine increases abruptly. The consequent structural deterioration of the internal flow induces high-amplitude hydraulic excitations, posing a serious threat to the operational stability of the unit. This study investigates a Francis pump-turbine to elucidate its flow evolution and instability mechanisms during load rejection. The fluid is modeled as weakly compressible water to capture finite pressure wave propagation. Dynamic mesh simulates guide vane closure, while vortex identification and short-time Fourier transform analyze transient pressure pulsations. The results indicate that the transient process can be sequentially divided into four typical stages—turbine mode, turbine-braking mode, reverse-pump mode, and return-to-turbine mode—to account for the most critical periods during the load rejection transient. The unit exhibits the poorest stability near the maximum rotational speed (443.34 r/min), where flow reversal and the full development of vortex structures significantly amplify fluctuations in hydraulic thrust. The vaneless space is identified as the primary source of pressure pulsations, whose characteristics are dominated by rotor–stator interaction mechanisms, and such disturbances decay rapidly in the downstream direction. Under turbine-braking and reverse-pump conditions, vortex rings, backflow, and asymmetric vortex structures generated within the spiral casing collectively contribute to the severe deterioration of the internal flow field quality. Full article

Despite societal benefits derived from the many uses of plastics in our daily lives, plastic pollution has become another One Health crisis that has resulted in microplastic (MP) and nanoplastic (NP) contamination of all aspects of our global food production system and requires urgent attention. According to Plastic Europe, 99% of all plastics are made from fossil fuels but only 9% are recycled, which has created a major environmental injustice problem associated with geographic disparities for disposal. Plastic polymers slowly degrade to MPs and NPs in the environment and adsorb and transport other toxic environmental contaminants that compound their detrimental effects on all components of ecosystems and human health. Our global food system represents the culmination of MP contamination in the environment and is the major route of human exposure to MPs and NPs, but there are no comprehensive guidelines to avoid unhealthy consumption of contaminated food and drinking water; numerous analytical, data interpretation, and risk assessment challenges; and no international treaties to end plastic pollution. This comprehensive review is intended to provide a synthesis of disparate threads of vast amounts of scientific information across multiple disciplines to improve our understanding and action for addressing this complex One Health problem. Full article

Water significantly modifies rock mechanical performance and fracture characteristics through water content and water distribution. Nevertheless, the evolution laws of rock mechanical properties and underlying fracture mechanisms under variable water conditions remain incompletely clarified. In this study, uniaxial compression tests were carried out on sandstone samples with diverse water immersion durations. Experimental observations reveal that the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and elastic modulus of sandstone follow negative exponential attenuation with prolonged immersion time, with maximum reductions of 50.1% and 25.6%, respectively. Under equivalent water contents, samples featuring dry exteriors and wet interiors possess lower strength than those with wet exteriors and dry interiors. A self-developed numerical code incorporating humidity diffusion effects was subsequently adopted to interpret water-controlled sandstone fracture behaviors. Numerical outputs verify that water-induced softening and heterogeneous water distribution exacerbate rock material heterogeneity and internal stress non-uniformity, triggering tensile microcracks along dry–wet interfaces. As the immersion duration rises, the rock failure mode transitions from shear-dominated mixed failure to tension-dominated failure, and finally reverts to shear-dominated mixed failure. Macroscopic rupture is predominantly governed by the gradual coalescence of tension-generated microcracks. This study offers a theoretical foundation to advance the understanding of water-triggered mechanical degradation and fracture mechanisms in sandstone. Full article