Search Results (2,441)

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex chronic disease, with a prevalence that has reached alarming proportions in recent decades. In this study, we aimed to analyze the association of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with certain insulin resistance (IR) indicators, according to the gender of the participants enrolled in the PREDATORR study. Biomarkers such as the triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index and its derivates, triglyceride-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-c), and metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR), as well as recent indicators, like cholesterol, HDL, the glucose (CHG) index and its derivates, CHG–body mass index (CHG-BMI), and CHG–waist circumference (CHG-WC), as well as its newly proposed derivates, such as CHG–waist-to-height ratio (CHG-WHtR), CHG–neck circumference (CHG-NC), and CHG–neck-to-height ratio (NHtRs were analyzed in 2080 subjects, divided into two groups, according to gender). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the relationships between IR indicators and T2DM. Regardless of gender, all the analyzed indicators presented statistically significantly higher values in T2DM (+) compared to T2DM (−). For both studied groups, CHG–WHtR had the largest AUROC curve: in males, the AUROC curve was 0.809, the cut-off value being 3.22, with a 70.7% sensitivity and 75.3% specificity; in females, the AUROC curve was 0.840, the cut-off value was 3.20, with a 79.3% sensitivity and 75.5% specificity, respectively. Regardless of gender, the age-adjusted model for multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that TyG and CHG were predictive factors for T2DM. Full article

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading global cause of death, causing over 43 million deaths in 2021, including 18 million premature deaths, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. NCDs also incur significant economic losses, estimated at USD 7 trillion from 2011 to 2025, despite low prevention costs. This study evaluated body mapping indicators: body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio—for predicting NCD risk, including hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, using data from a nationally representative survey in Ghana. The study sampled 5775 participants via multistage stratified sampling, ensuring proportional representation by region, urban/rural residency, age, and gender. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. Anthropometric and biochemical data, including height, weight, waist and hip circumferences, blood pressure, fasting glucose, and lipid profiles, were collected using standardized protocols. Data analysis was conducted with STATA 17.0, accounting for complex survey design. Significant sex-based differences were observed: men were taller and lighter, while women had higher BMI and waist/hip circumferences. NCD prevalence increased with age, peaking at 60–69 years, and was higher in females. Lower education and marital status (widowed, divorced, separated) correlated with higher NCD prevalence. Obesity and high waist circumference strongly predicted NCD risk, but individual anthropometric measures lacked screening accuracy. Integrated screening and tailored interventions are recommended for improved NCD detection and management in resource-limited settings. Full article

Wet–dry cycles are a key factor aggravating the durability degradation of foam concrete. To address this issue, this study prepared bentonite slurry–steel slag foam concrete (with steel slag and cement as main raw materials, and bentonite slurry as admixture) using the physical foaming method. Based on 7-day unconfined compressive strength tests with different mix proportions, the optimal mix proportion was determined as follows: mass ratio of bentonite to water 1:15, steel slag content 10%, and mass fraction of bentonite slurry 5%. Based on this optimal mix proportion, dry–wet cycle tests were carried out in both water and salt solution environments to systematically analyze the improvement effect of steel slag and bentonite slurry on the durability of foam concrete. The results show the following: steel slag can act as fine aggregate to play a skeleton role; after fully mixing with cement paste, it wraps the outer wall of foam, which not only reduces foam breakage but also inhibits the formation of large pores inside the specimen; bentonite slurry can densify the interface transition zone, improve the toughness of foam concrete, and inhibit the initiation and propagation of matrix cracks during the dry–wet cycle process; the composite addition of the two can significantly enhance the water erosion resistance and salt solution erosion resistance of foam concrete. The dry–wet cycle in the salt solution environment causes more severe erosion damage to foam concrete. The main reason is that, after chloride ions invade the cement matrix, they erode hydration products and generate expansive substances, thereby aggravating the matrix damage. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis shows that, whether in water environment or salt solution environment, the fractal dimension of foam concrete decreased slightly with an increasing number of wet–dry cycle times. Based on fractal theory, this study established a compressive strength–porosity prediction model and a dense concrete compressive strength–dry–wet cycle times prediction model, and both models were validated against experimental data from other researchers. The research results can provide technical support for the development of durable foam concrete in harsh environments and the high-value utilization of steel slag solid waste, and are applicable to civil engineering lightweight porous material application scenarios requiring resistance to dry–wet cycle erosion, such as wall bodies and subgrade filling. Full article

This research is to assess the potential use of phosphate sludge from the Gafsa (Tunisia) phosphate laundries as an alternative raw material for the manufacture of ecological refractory bricks. Feasibility was evaluated through comprehensive physico-chemical and mineralogical characterizations of the raw materials using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermal analysis (TGA-DTA). Bricks were formulated by substituting phosphate sludge with clay and diatomite, then activated with potassium silicate solution to produce geopolymeric materials. Specific formulations exhibited mechanical performance ranging from 7 MPa to 26 MPa, highlighting the importance of composition and minimal water absorption values of approximately 17.8% and 7.7%. The thermal conductivity of the bricks was found to be dependent on the proportions of diatomite and clay, reflecting their insulating potential. XRD analysis indicated the formation of an amorphous aluminosilicate matrix, while FTIR spectra confirmed the development of new chemical bonds characteristic of geopolymerization. Thermal analysis revealed good stability of the materials, with mass losses mainly related to dehydration and dehydroxylation processes. Environmental assessments showed that most samples are inert or non-hazardous, though attention is required for those with elevated chromium content. Overall, these findings highlight the viability of incorporating phosphate sludge into fired brick production, offering a sustainable solution for waste valorization in accordance with the circular economy. Full article

The development of advanced photocatalysts that are efficient, recyclable and sustainable represents a significant challenge in the face of the growing presence of persistent organic contaminants in industrial wastewaters. This paper presents a novel approach based on the design of new heterostructures synthesized from BiOI and magnetic materials, using not only synthetic magnetite, but also magnetic compounds extracted from mine tailings, transforming environmental liabilities in active supporting materials through valorization strategies in line with the circular economy. Through precise control of composition, it was established that a proportion of 6% by mass of the magnetic phase allows the formation of a heterostructure that is highly photocatalytically efficient. These compounds were evaluated using caffeic acid, an organic contaminant of agroindustrial origin, as a target compound. Experiments were carried out under simulated solar radiation for 120 min. Among the materials synthesized, the BiOI/MMA heterostructure, derived from industrial tailing A, displayed an outstanding photodegradation efficiency of over 89.4 ± 0.25%, attributed to an effective separation of photoinduced charges, a broad active surface and a synergic interface interaction between its constituent phases. Furthermore, BiOI/MMA exhibited excellent structural stability and magnetic recovery capacity, which allowed for its reuse through two consecutive cycles without any significant losses to its photocatalytic performance. Thus, this study constitutes a significant contribution to the design of functional photocatalysts derived from industrial tailings, thus promoting clean, technological solutions for the treatment of wastewater and reinforcing the link between environmental remediation and circular economy. Full article

Coal serves as a cornerstone and stabilizer for China’s energy security; utilizing it in a clean and efficient manner aligns with the current national energy situation. The moisture content of coal is a crucial factor affecting its calorific value and separation efficiency. Therefore, enhancing the drying rate while simultaneously reducing the moisture content in coal is essential to improve separation efficiency. This paper primarily investigates the drying and separation characteristics of wet fine coal particles within a gas–solid fluidized bed system. A hot gas–solid fluidized bed was employed to study the particle fluidization behavior, heat–mass transfer, and agglomeration drying properties under varying airflow temperatures. The results indicate that as the airflow temperature increases, the minimum fluidization velocity tends to decrease. Additionally, with an increase in bed height, the particle temperature correspondingly decreases, leading to weakened heat exchange capability in the upper layer of the bed. Faster heating rates facilitate rapid moisture removal while minimizing agglomeration formation. The lower the proportion of moisture and magnetite powder present, the less force is required to break apart particle agglomerates. The coal drying process exhibits distinct stages. Within a temperature range of 75 °C to 100 °C, there is a significant enhancement in drying rate, while issues such as particle fragmentation or pore structure collapse are avoided at elevated temperatures. This research aims to provide foundational insights into effective drying processes for wet coal particles in gas–solid fluidized beds. Full article

Enhancing cobalt recovery from complex low-grade copper–cobalt oxide ores represents a pressing industrial challenge in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This study comparatively examined the sulfuric acid leaching behaviors of two copper–cobalt oxide ores with similar mineralogical characteristics and developed a synergistic blending strategy to enhance cobalt recovery. At an endpoint pH of 1.5, both ores achieved high copper extraction (>90%). However, the reductive Re-ore attained >75% Co leaching efficiency, contrasting sharply with the oxidative Ox-ore’s limited 22% recovery. This disparity was attributed to refractory high-valent cobalt phases in Ox-ore requiring a reductive environment. Blending Re-ore with Ox-ore generated a pronounced synergistic effect, progressively lowering the slurry potential with increasing Re-ore mass ratio. At 50% Re-ore incorporation, the leaching efficiency of cobalt from Ox-ore surged from 22.5% to 76% owing to the decrease in slurry potential to 557 mV, substantially exceeding proportional predictions. Residue characterizations confirmed that cobalt phases in Ox-ore were solubilized in the reductive environment facilitated by the residual sulfide phase in Re-ore. Enhanced dissolution of Fe²⁺ and Mn²⁺ further correlated with potential-dependent cobalt recovery. This ore-blending strategy provides a cost-efficient alternative to chemical reductants by leveraging intrinsic ore properties to optimize cobalt extraction from challenging oxidized ores. Full article

The paper presents a method for obtaining partially degradable capillary membranes from a polyethersulfone/polycaprolactone (PES/PCL) mixture. PES/PCL membranes were obtained by the phase inversion technique with dry/wet spinning and then subjected to controlled degradation in an alkaline environment (1 M NaOH) and simulated body fluid (SBF with pH 7.4) using the flow method. The aim of the work was to select and apply a degradable, non-toxic, simple polymer as a removable component of the membrane structure. The degradable component of the membranes was PCL, the gradual hydrolysis of which was aimed at increasing the porosity and improving the transport properties of the membranes during operation. The membrane properties, such as hydraulic permeability coefficient (UFC), retention coefficient, and structural morphology, were assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) before and after degradation. Analysis of SEM images performed with MeMoExplorer^TM software showed an increase in the proportion of large pores (above 300 µm²) and total porosity of the membranes after degradation in NaOH and SBF. Low instability factor (<0.25) for all samples, both before and after degradation, confirms the good repeatability of the membrane structure. An increase in the UFC was observed, while the retention coefficients did not change significantly in the case of membranes after the etching process. The degradation of the PCL component in the membrane was assessed using the weight method. Measurements of the membrane mass loss before and after degradation confirmed the removal of over 50 wt.% of the PCL component in SBF and 70 wt.% in NaOH from the tested membranes, which resulted in an increase in permeability due to increased membrane porosity. The results indicate the possibility of using such structures as functional, partially self-regulating membranes, potentially useful in biomedical and environmental applications. Full article

Background and Aims: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have significantly improved survival rates for patients with metastatic melanoma. However, these treatments can lead to immune-related adverse events (irAEs), including hepatitis. This exploratory study sought to identify tumour single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with the risk of ICI-induced hepatitis in melanoma patients. Methods: The study cohort comprised 69 patients with malignant melanoma treated with ICIs at several hospitals in Madrid, Spain. DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumour biopsies and SNP genotyping was conducted using a MassARRAY platform. Results: Significant associations were found between hepatitis risk and 4 of the 20 SNPs examined. A possible risk effect was shown for the variant GABRP SNP alleles rs11743438 and rs11743735. Among patients homozygous for these variant alleles (v/v), significantly higher proportions developed hepatitis, 75% and 71.4%, respectively, compared to 32.8% and 21.4, respectively, not developing hepatitis (p = 0.046; p = 0.013). However, in the same genotype group comparisons, the RGMA SNP rs4778080 seemed to have a protective effect, as 100% of patients who developed hepatitis were not in the v/v group for this allele (p = 0.043). Additionally, in genotype group comparisons wt/wt versus wt/v + v/v, the PACRG SNP rs55733913 was also associated with a higher risk of ICI-induced hepatitis: 66.7% of patients with hepatitis versus 22.8% without hepatitis in genotype group wt/v + v/v (p = 0.041). Conclusions: This exploratory study identifies candidate tumour SNPs as possible biomarkers to predict the risk of ICI-induced hepatitis, warranting their validation in larger patient cohorts. Full article

Background/Objectives: Small renal masses (SRMs) are being detected more often due to the increasing use of imaging techniques. Many of these lesions are benign or grow slowly, but a small proportion can exhibit aggressive behavior. Several reports have shown that synchronous metastases may occur even in small renal cell carcinomas (RCCs). Our aim is to assess the malignant potential and the metastatic risk of very small RCCs (≤2 cm). Methods: We reviewed consecutive patients who underwent partial nephrectomy for SRMs at our tertiary referral center between 2005 and 2024, focusing on those with a maximum pathologic diameter ≤ 2 cm. Clinical and pathological data were collected, and cases with aggressive features were described. In addition, a literature search on the Medline/PubMed database was performed to identify previously published cases of RCC ≤ 2 cm and to assess their risk of synchronous metastases (SM). Results: Among 578 patients who underwent partial nephrectomy, 116 patients (20%) had tumors ≤ 2 cm, 90 (77.5%) of which were malignant, whereas 22.5% were benign (oncocytoma = 13%; angiomyolipoma = 5%). Median age and tumor size were 51 yrs and 1.7 cm, respectively. Histology showed clear cell (72.2%), papillary (20%), chromophobe (6.6%), and mixed (0.9%). Two patients (2.2%) experienced aggressive disease: one with synchronous metastases and one with recurrence and later progression. From the literature, we identified 16 additional cases of RCC ≤ 2 cm with synchronous metastases and found an important heterogeneity of results regarding the metastatic potential of SRMs. Conclusions: Although uncommon, synchronous metastases can occur in RCCs even smaller than 1–2 cm. Reported rates for SM of SRMs across the literature range between 1% and 13%, with higher risk observed in tumors larger than 3 cm, but without an absolute safe cutoff. Tumor size alone is therefore insufficient to exclude aggressive potential. Clinical decision-making should consider histology, grade, patient age, radiologic features, and emerging molecular markers to guide surveillance and treatment in this growing patient population. Full article

The European spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus (Linnaeus, 1758), poses a significant threat to Picea abies (Linnaeus) Karsten, 1881 forests, with outbreaks often exacerbated by abiotic disturbances like the 2018 Vaia windstorm in the Italian Alps. Pheromone-baited traps are widely used for control, yet their overall efficacy and potential side effects, particularly the incidental capture of non-target insects, remain debated. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the presence and composition of non-target insects in I. typographus pheromone traps, used for both mass-trapping and monitoring, in the affected Alpine regions. We took into account single monitoring traps (dry collection) and three-trap cross configurations for mass-trapping (with preservative liquid), collecting and morphologically identifying insect by-catch. Our results revealed a non-target proportion (excluding bark beetles) significantly higher in mass-trapping (4.15%) compared to monitoring (1.00%), with approximately half being natural enemies of bark beetles. Crucially, we report that bark beetle parasitoids were repeatedly caught, with Tomicobia seitneri (Ruschka, 1924) (the third most abundant non-target species) particularly well represented, and Ropalophorus clavicornis (Wesmaël, 1835) also detected, which is noteworthy given its ecological role despite its lower numbers. Our findings underscore the significant, previously underreported, capture of beneficial parasitoids and highlight the need for careful consideration of non-target catches in I. typographus pest management strategies. Full article

Insect pre-dispersal seed predators attack a large proportion of the acorn crops in oak forests worldwide. Oaks (Quercus spp.) have evolved several strategies, including physical barriers, chemical defenses (e.g., tannins), and/or phenological predator avoidance, to reduce infestation rates. This study examines how four Mediterranean oak species cope with acorn-feeding insects. Nearly 4000 acorns were collected from five sites at two time points during the maturation period: in mid-September and mid-October. Infestation rates were higher in mid-September, when the pericarp is softer and easier to drill, but at that time, the cotyledon tannin content was higher. Q. coccifera acorns had the highest tannin concentration, which, we experimentally discovered, hampered weevil development (with longer development and a lower final larval mass). Infested acorn abscission was also more effective in Q. coccifera. Due to the smaller size and later maturation phenology of its acorns, insects depleted the cotyledons and suffered food shortages more frequently. In the end, Q. coccifera showed the lowest acorn infestation rates, although its strategy would have costs in further stages of the regeneration cycle. Tannins deter acorn dispersers, and their production is costly. Such trade-offs would favor the co-existence of different strategies evolved by Quercus spp. against pre-dispersal insect predators. Full article

Thermochromic microcapsules were synthesized and optimized using crystal violet lactone, bisphenol A, and decanol as the core materials, a dispersible cationic red dye as the color-modifying additive, and urea-formaldehyde resin as the wall material, based on orthogonal and single-factor experiments. The effects of the proportion of cationic red dye in the core material, the mass ratio of formaldehyde to urea, the emulsifier HLB value, and the core–wall mass ratio on yield, encapsulation rate, thermochromic ΔE, and formaldehyde release of microcapsules were systematically investigated. The results showed that the core–wall ratio was the key factor affecting the comprehensive performance of the microcapsules. Through the comparison of orthogonal and single-factor tests, 11# microcapsule was identified as having the best overall performance in terms of ΔE, and encapsulation rate. The ΔE value was increased by about 165% compared with the lowest-performing sample, significantly enhancing the thermochromic response. The encapsulation rate was improved by nearly 40%, effectively enhancing the encapsulation quality and core stability, with overall performance standing out. The best preparation process was to add 0.5% of the core material mass of dispersible cationic red dye, the mass ratio of formaldehyde and urea was 1.2:1, the HLB value of emulsifier was 10, and the core–wall ratio was 1:1.1. The yield of 11# microcapsules prepared under this condition was 31.95%, the encapsulation rate was 68%, the thermochromic ΔE was 9.292, and the formaldehyde release concentration was 1.381 mg/m³. Furthermore, 11# microcapsules with different addition levels were introduced into the UV primer to evaluate their effects on the mechanical and optical properties of the coating. The results showed that the addition of microcapsules weakened the gloss and light transmittance of the coating, increased the surface roughness, and decreased the elongation at break. When the addition amount was 5%, the coating exhibited the best overall performance: UV-visible light transmittance reached 91.92%, 60° gloss was 42.2 GU, elongation at break was 9.3%, and surface roughness was 0.308 μm. This study developed a purple thermochromic microcapsule system by regulating the dispersible dye content and interfacial conditions. In coating applications, the system exhibited a strong ΔE response and excellent overall performance, offering great advantages over existing similar systems in terms of color-change efficiency, ΔE enhancement, and coating adaptability. Full article

Timely and accurate fault diagnosis of ship oil purifiers is essential for maintaining the operational reliability of a degree-4 maritime autonomous surface ship (MASS). Conventional approaches rely on manual feature engineering or simple machine learning classifiers, limiting their robustness in dynamic maritime environments. This study proposes an adaptive latent space learning framework that couples a two-dimensional convolutional autoencoder (2D-CAE) with a component-aware triplet-loss regularizer. The loss term structures the latent space to reflect both the fault severity progression and component-specific distinctions, enabling severity-proportional distances among a latent vector learned directly from vibration signals even in a limited data environment. Using data collected on a dedicated ship oil purifier test bed, the method yields a latent vector that encodes the fault severity and physical provenance, enhancing the interpretability and diagnostic accuracy. Experiments demonstrate enhanced performance over state-of-the-art deep models, while offering clear insight into fault evolution and inter-component dependencies. The framework thus advances intelligent, condition-based maintenance for autonomous maritime systems. Full article

With the rapid development of industry, landfill and other environmental problems have arisen due to the coal mining and industrial solid waste generated during coal extraction and industrial production. In this study, coal gangue was utilized as the filling aggregate, along with industrial solid waste as the principal constituent, supplemented by cement, to develop a novel type of cementitious material and address environmental problems arising from the storage of solid waste. The impacts of sodium silicate, lime, and cement on the excitation characteristics and micro-evolution of steel slag–slag-based composite cementitious materials were investigated through experimental proportioning. The mineral composition, chemical composition, particle size distribution, microstructure, and hydration products of the filling materials were analyzed through XRD, XRF, a laser particle size analyzer, and SEM. The results show the following: (1) When the mass ratio of steel slag, slag, cement, sodium silicate, and lime is 30:38:15:2:15, the compressive strength of the Cemented Gangue Filling Body (CGFB) reaches the optimum level. At this juncture, the compressive strength of CGFB at 3 days is 2.16 MPa, and that at 28 days is 4.18 MPa. (2) Na₂SiO₃ and lime can activate the latent active substances within slag and steel slag, generating C-S-H gel and AFt through hydration reaction. (3) As the curing time escalates, the microstructure of the filling body becomes increasingly compact, and the porosity decreases from 10.5% to 3.8%. This study not only presents a new technical means for the resource treatment of solid waste such as coal gangue but also provides powerful support for the development and application of mine filling materials. Full article