Search Results (1,117)

The thermomechanical deformation behavior of high-entropy alloys (HEAs) is governed by complex interactions among strain, strain rate, and deformation temperature, necessitating robust constitutive models for accurate flow stress prediction and process optimization. In this study, a novel Zerilli–Armstrong (NZA) constitutive model was developed to characterize the hot deformation behavior of FeCoCrNi HEA. The proposed NZA model incorporates enhanced descriptions of strain hardening and deformation-temperature coupling to improve prediction accuracy. The predictability of the proposed NZA model was systematically evaluated and compared with that of the original Zerilli–Armstrong (ZA) and modified Zerilli–Armstrong (MZA) models using key statistical indicators, including the correlation coefficient (R), average absolute relative error (AARE), and root mean square error (RMSE). The findings demonstrate that the NZA model exhibits superior predictive performance, achieving an excellent correlation coefficient (R) of 0.997, a low AARE of 4.22%, and an RMSE of 5.82 MPa. These results confirm the reliability and effectiveness of the proposed constitutive framework in accurately describing the thermomechanical flow behavior of FeCoCrNi HEA over a wide range of deformation conditions. The proposed NZA model provides a robust framework for optimizing hot-forming processes and improving the manufacturing performance of HEA-based components while promoting sustainable manufacturing through reduced material consumption, enhanced energy efficiency, and support for SDGs 9 and 12. Full article

Oocyte formation occurs successfully within a meticulously controlled follicular environment characterized by well-documented endocrine, metabolic, and paracrine signals. Yet, the immunological landscape of the follicle and its role in influencing oocyte competency has received less attention in research. Growing research indicates that the ovarian follicle functions as an immunological-active niche necessitating a precise equilibrium between controlled inflammation and targeted immune tolerance. The programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) receptor and its ligand PD-L1 constitute a crucial immune checkpoint pathway, essential for sustaining peripheral immunological tolerance and averting excessive immune activation. Despite their comprehensive research in cancer biology and maternal–fetal interactions, their possible function in the follicular microenvironment remains mostly unexamined. We propose that PD-1/PD-L1 signaling may facilitate the formation of a localized immune-tolerant milieu inside the follicle to safeguard the developing oocyte from inflammatory injury and immune-mediated stress. The disturbance of this suggested equilibrium may lead to a pro-inflammatory follicular environment, compromised granulosa cell function, and modified oocyte maturation, hence affecting fertilization and embryonic developmental potential. In clinical contexts with immunological dysregulation, such as endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and unexplained IVF failure, such processes may be especially significant. The purpose of this narrative review is to assimilate the current comprehension of immune regulation in the follicle with the established biology of PD-1/PD-L1 and to investigate a potential correlation between immune checkpoint signaling, oocyte competence, and assisted reproductive outcomes. Considering the follicle as an immune-regulated microenvironment offers a new paradigm for comprehending infertility and identifying novel indicators or therapeutic targets. Full article

Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T) is a multisystem disorder caused by loss of A-T mutated (ATM) protein activity, characterized clinically by immunodeficiency and cerebellar ataxia. ATM is a master regulator of DNA damage responses and loss of ATM function is accompanied by persistent activation of PARP1 leading to depletion of intracellular NAD⁺ and dysfunction of a series of cellular signalling pathways dependent on NAD⁺, providing a mechanistic rationale for NAD⁺ augmentation therapy. We performed a clinical trial of NAD⁺ augmentation with nicotinamide riboside (NR) over 24 months in A-T patients where we observed improved coordination and eye movements in A-T patients. Here, by using peripheral blood mononuclear cells, we performed longitudinal transcriptome profiling to define molecular signatures of A-T and to assess pathway-level responses to NR supplementation. A-T patients exhibited reproducible transcriptomic alterations involving immune, vascular, and inflammatory pathways. NAD⁺ augmentation was associated with suppression of interferon response genes and modulation of networks correlated with neurological improvement. These findings establish systemic molecular signatures of A-T and identify potential blood-based biomarkers that reflect disease processes and therapeutic response, supporting the use of NAD⁺ augmentation as a disease-modifying strategy in A-T by dampening interferon signalling. Full article

Background: Population ageing increases the burden of chronic diseases, multimorbidity, and functional limitations, making nutrition and lifestyle important modifiable determinants of healthy ageing. Universities of the Third Age (U3A) provide an educational and social environment for older adults, but multidimensional relationships between nutrition knowledge, diet quality, lifestyle, and health status in this population remain insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to assess these associations among older adults attending U3A in Poland. Methodology: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between January and April 2026 among community-dwelling older adults participating in U3A programs. Of 700 distributed invitations and 520 returned questionnaires, 450 complete and eligible responses were included. The questionnaire was based on the KomPAN^® framework and expanded with items on health, lifestyle, psychosocial resources, barriers to healthy eating, and sources of health information. Diet quality was assessed using the pro-Healthy Diet Index, non-Healthy Diet Index, and overall Diet Quality Index (DQI). Nutrition knowledge was measured using a 24-item scale. Analyses included distributional diagnostics, non-parametric group comparisons, FDR-corrected Spearman correlations, psychometric assessment, principal component analysis, multivariable regression with model diagnostics, and profile segmentation. Results: The mean age was 73.63 ± 5.73 years, and most participants were women. The median DQI was 15.59 [3.93–24.86], with a predominance of neutral diet quality. Nutrition knowledge was moderate, with a median score of 12.00 [9.00–15.00], and the scale showed very good internal consistency. PCA identified three dietary patterns: convenience/ultra-processed, prudent/health-promoting, and traditional meat-and-fat. Higher DQI was associated with better nutrition knowledge, greater physical activity, a more favorable sleep profile, regular meal timing, and lower disease burden. Participants with multimorbidity had significantly lower DQI. Segmentation distinguished a health-engaged/higher-resource profile and a lower-resource/nutritionally vulnerable profile. Conclusions: U3A participants in Poland are educationally and socially active but nutritionally heterogeneous. The predominance of neutral diet quality, moderate nutrition knowledge, and identifiable knowledge gaps indicates the need for targeted, practical, and behavior-oriented nutrition education supporting healthy ageing. Full article

Power-law kinetics are observed across a wide range of physical, chemical, biological, and engineering systems, yet the thermodynamic origin of the power-law exponent remains incompletely understood. This work proposes a thermodynamic hypothesis in which power-law behavior emerges naturally from correlation-dependent contributions to the Gibbs free energy. Rather than modifying the classical Boltzmann definition of entropy, a phenomenological Correlation Constant, χ, is introduced to quantify how accumulated microstate evolution influences the accessibility of future states. The resulting correlation entropy contribution produces a free-energy term that modifies the probability of subsequent transitions and leads naturally to power-law kinetic behavior. Positive values of χ correspond to cooperative evolution in which prior evolution promotes future evolution, while negative values correspond to self-limiting behavior in which prior evolution suppresses subsequent evolution. The conventional Arrhenius-Eyring description is recovered as the special case χ = 0. The resulting framework provides a thermodynamic interpretation of the power-law exponent, establishes a connection between entropy, free energy, and kinetic evolution, and offers a unified description applicable to degradation, relaxation, diffusion, fatigue, trapping, and other evolving processes. The present work is intended as a thermodynamic hypothesis motivating further experimental and theoretical investigation of correlation-dependent kinetics. Full article

The vertebrate mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) is a small, circular DNA molecule typically ~16–17 kb in length, encoding 37 genes that are essential for the electron transport chain, the mechanism that drives mostly all the ATP synthesis in cells. Owing to its central role in energy metabolism, its structure is highly conserved across vertebrate lineages in both the number and relative position of each gene in the genome. Nevertheless, different variations have been found in several teleost lineages, including antarctic fishes (Nototheniidae), gadiforms, hatchetfishes (Sternoptychidae), and Batrachoidiformes. The explanation for these phenomena remains unknown yet may reflect shifts in functional constraints and can provide insights into lineage-specific and/or coevolutionary processes. This raises the possibility that mitogenome structure is related to habitat selection, potentially reflecting environmental influences on energetic regulation. To further test this hypothesis, we studied more than 400 teleost species across all major teleost lineages. The mitogenome sequences were downloaded from NCBI and annotated using two independent algorithms (MITOZ and MITOS) and then compared with a reference (Danio rerio) to find any deviation from the standard structure. Similarly, ecological data was downloaded from FishBase using the R Package “rfishbase” 5.0.3. Two independent ancestral reconstruction analyses were carried out for both traits, “Mitogenome” and “Habitat”, using a reference evolutionary tree for teleosts to unravel both evolutionary histories. The possible association between mitogenome and habitat was then assessed using a suite of phylogenetic comparative methods, including Pagel’s correlation test (corHMM) to evaluate whether both traits evolved in a correlated fashion, branch-level co-transition analysis to identify lineages where structural changes and habitat shifts co-occurred, and node-by-node comparisons of ancestral state probabilities across the phylogeny. Preliminary results suggest a correlation between some deep-sea environments and a modified mitogenome structure, with structural deviations tending to cluster in lineages inhabiting greater depths. These exploratory findings raise the possibility that changes in mitogenome architecture may be linked to adaptations in energetic metabolism required for life in extreme low-energy environments. Further analyses are underway to clarify the functional significance of these genomic changes and their relationship to ecological and metabolic pressures in teleost evolution. Full article

The increasing demand for higher efficiency and lower emissions in aircraft gas turbines motivates investigation of alternative thermodynamic cycle architectures. This study assesses the performance and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emission behavior of a triple-spool, separate-exhaust turbofan engine equipped with an interstage turbine burner (ITB). A baseline engine representative of the RB211 Trent 892 is first modeled at maximum takeoff, sea-level static conditions and verified against publicly available takeoff reference data. The cycle is then modified by introducing an isobaric secondary combustion process between the high-pressure and intermediate-pressure turbines. The effects of fan pressure ratio, bypass ratio, overall pressure ratio, high-pressure turbine inlet temperature, and ITB exit temperature are examined using two-parameter response surface sweeps. Main combustor NOx is estimated using an RQL-type cycle correlation, while the ITB contribution is represented using an engineering source–sink model accounting for new NOx formation and partial reburning of upstream NOx. The baseline model predicts specific thrust, thrust-specific fuel consumption (TSFC), and NOx emission index (EINOx) within ±8% of reference values. At a selected ITB operating point, specific thrust increases by 1.98%, TSFC increases by 9.84%, thermal efficiency decreases by 2.56%, and the adopted engineering source–sink model predicts a 20.03% reduction in fuel flow-weighted EINOx. The corresponding takeoff-mode NOx-per-thrust indicator decreases by approximately 12.1%. These results indicate that ITB integration introduces a coupled performance–emissions trade-off and should not be evaluated solely as a thrust augmentation method. Full article

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the associations between dental anxiety–fear, state–trait anxiety, and pain in patients requiring endodontic treatment and to explore the role of preoperative pain intensity in these associations. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 253 adults scheduled for endodontic treatment. Sociodemographic characteristics and relevant clinical data were recorded. Pain intensity and psychological variables were assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), Dental Fear Survey (DFS), and the State Anxiety and Trait Anxiety subscales of the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S and STAI-T). Associations were analyzed using group comparison tests and correlation analyses, and mediation analyses were performed using Hayes’ PROCESS macro-4. Results: Significant correlations were found among all psychological parameters (p < 0.05). The observed associations were consistent with a potential partial mediating role of pain in the relationship between state–trait anxiety and dental anxiety. Higher anxiety levels were present in patients with anterior teeth requiring either primary treatment or retreatment compared with posterior teeth (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Preoperative pain may contribute to the association patterns identified between dental anxiety and state–trait anxiety. Further studies with larger sample sizes and adjusted analytical models are needed to better clarify these relationships. Full article

This study examines the determinants of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions across 25 European Union countries over the period 2000–2021, with particular emphasis on the roles of environmental taxation and green innovation in shaping environmental sustainability. The analysis is grounded in ecological modernization theory, endogenous growth theory, and the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis, which collectively explain the long-run and dynamic interactions between environmental policy, economic activity, structural transformation, and environmental outcomes. To ensure robust empirical inference, this study applies a comprehensive econometric framework that accounts for cross-sectional dependence, heterogeneity, non-stationarity, cointegration, and endogeneity. The empirical strategy begins with Pesaran cross-sectional dependence tests and slope heterogeneity diagnostics, followed by second-generation panel unit root tests (Pesaran CADF/CIPS) and Westerlund cointegration tests to establish the existence of long-run equilibrium relationships among the variables. Long-run coefficients are estimated using Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS), Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS), Canonical Cointegrating Regression (CCR), and Common Correlated Effects Mean Group (CCEMG) estimators. In addition, the Panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model is employed to capture both short-run dynamics and long-run adjustment processes, while the System Generalized Method of Moments (System GMM) estimator addresses potential endogeneity, reverse causality, omitted variable bias, and dynamic persistence in CO₂ emissions. The empirical results indicate that environmental taxation has a positive and statistically significant association with CO₂ emissions, suggesting that current fiscal environmental policies in EU-25 countries may not yet be sufficiently effective in discouraging pollution-intensive activities. In contrast, green innovation is found to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions, underscoring the critical role of innovation-driven environmental investment and technological progress in improving environmental quality. Economic growth, exports, and urbanization are associated with higher emissions, while imports contribute to emission reductions, reflecting differences between domestic production-based effects and trade-related structural adjustments. The System GMM results further confirm the persistence of CO₂ emissions over time and validate the robustness of the long-run relationships identified by alternative estimators. Likewise, the CCEMG and Panel ARDL results support the stability and consistency of the findings under conditions of cross-sectional dependence and heterogeneous country dynamics. Taken together, the results highlight the importance of integrating environmental taxation with green innovation policies, innovation-driven investment, and sustainable trade policies to achieve long-term emission reductions in the European Union. This study contributes to the environmental economics literature by providing robust empirical evidence using second-generation panel econometric techniques that explicitly address cross-sectional dependence, heterogeneity, and endogeneity in the analysis of environmental sustainability. Full article

Contrary to the common assumption of Maxwell–Boltzmann (MB) distributions, space plasmas are characterized by kappa distributions and reside in thermodynamic stationary states out of classical thermal equilibrium, owing to the correlations between the charged plasma particles. In this study, we extend prior work to include realistic 3D collisions and Debye-like shielding of the correlations to show how these two processes compete in the development of realistic plasma particle velocity distributions. We modify our prior numerical experiment to incorporate both 3D collisions and correlations that include realistic Debye-like shielding of plasma particles and run it over many collisions until it becomes stationary. While 3D collisions alone produce Maxwell–Boltzmann (MB) distributions of the particles (κ → ∞), introducing correlations drives the distributions to stationary states with finite thermodynamic kappa (κ), where stronger correlations produce lower values of κ, as observed in space plasmas. Further, development of correlation clusters around each collision rapidly produces thermodynamic systems where the Debye length is proportional to $\sqrt{1+1/{{\kappa }_0}_{\mathrm{th}}}$, for invariant thermal kappa ${{\kappa }_0}_{\mathrm{th}}$, just as predicted by theory. This simple numerical experiment explores much more realistic particle interactions to show how 3D collisions and properly shielded correlations compete to produce stationary states of plasma particle kappa distributions and illuminates how long-range interactions correlate particles over the scale of the Debye lengths. Full article

The flooded rice rhizosphere is a continuous reactive interface composed of sediment, porewater, root-surface oxic microdomains, and iron plaque, where redox processes and Fe cycling regulate Cd/As speciation, bioavailability, and plant accumulation. Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) have shown potential for reducing Cd/As uptake in rice, but the coupled roles of microbial community responses, iron-plaque gating, and cross-interface elemental migration remain insufficiently integrated. This review synthesizes the current evidence on ENM transformation and partitioning at flooded rhizosphere microinterfaces, focusing on front-end speciation changes, root-surface retention, microbial functional regulation, and plant sequestration or transport. Correlative evidence suggests that rhizosphere microorganisms are associated with altered redox conditions, Fe cycling, As methylation potential, and metabolite secretion, which may influence Cd/As partitioning and cross-interface migration. However, direct causal validation of the complete ENM transformation–microbial response–Fe cycling–Cd/As flux–grain accumulation sequence within a single integrated system remains lacking. We further discuss how elevated CO₂, micro-/nanoplastics, Fe/DOM dynamics, and water management regimes may modify this framework, and we identify Sb as a theoretical boundary case because direct ENM–rice evidence remains limited. Finally, we highlight the need to integrate spatial tracing and imaging methods, including persistent luminescence tracing, LA-ICP-MS, NanoSIMS, and µ-XRF/µ-XANES, with metaomics to connect particle localization, microbial function, and contaminant fate. Full article

Aiming at the issues of complex waveforms and low retracking accuracy in coastal satellite altimetry, this paper proposes a complete data processing workflow comprising Fully Focused Synthetic Aperture Radar (FFSAR) waveform processing, waveform classification, denoising, and retracking. Based on actual Sentinel-3A waveforms offshore of Hong Kong, a simulated dataset containing 35,409 waveforms across 17 categories was constructed. A Wave-Transformer classifier based on the Transformer architecture is proposed, achieving 89.16% accuracy with F1-scores above 78% for all categories. Differentiated strategies are adopted for different waveform types: a 3$\sigma$riterion for abnormal peaks, the Dijkstra algorithm for multi-peak waveforms, sub-waveform secondary retracking for trailing noise, and a Modified-Adaptive model for sharp waveforms. Multi-metric evaluation shows that UFSAR and FFSAR outperform PLRM in data validity, retracking success rate, and MQE. In this study, within 10 km of the coast, the Root Sum Square (RSS) of FFSAR sea surface height (SSH) is 4.31 cm lower than that of UFSAR. Validation against tide gauge data shows FFSAR achieves a correlation coefficient of 0.82 and an RMSE of 6.20 cm, superior to UFSAR (0.76, 7.55 cm) and PLRM (0.74, 9.49 cm). Full article

Humus substances are an important part of stable soil organic matter, which is also influenced by the soil tillage system, particularly indirectly through the mechanisms of stabilisation. This study evaluated relationships within the humus substances–cations–soil texture system and differences between invasive and non-invasive tillage systems in four soils. The influence of exchangeable cations (K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe³⁺, Al³⁺) and particle size distribution (sand, silt, clay) on quantity (humic and fulvic acids) and quality (ratio of HA/FA, degree of humification, colour coefficients) of humus substances was studied. In reduced tillage, the humus substances interacted mainly with iron and aluminium. Higher humus substance contents were associated with higher K⁺; the influence of Ca²⁺ was greater in coarse-grain soils (Haplic Chernozem, Eutric Regosol); and Al³⁺ was positively correlated with humic acids and negatively with fulvic acids. The statistical associations indicate that in conventional tillage, humus substances interacted mainly with Ca²⁺. Higher humic acid contents indicate an association pattern with higher Na⁺ contents; the relationship of Ca²⁺ appears more pronounced in fine-grained soils (Mollic Fluvisol, Haplic Luvisol); and Al³⁺ was positively correlated with fulvic acids and negatively with humic acids. The soil tillage system influenced the humus substances indirectly by a combination of factors—cation composition and soil texture in different ways. In reduced tillage, clay and silt were statistically associated with iron and aluminium; in conventional tillage, there were two branches: clay with divalent cations and silt with trivalent cations. The soil tillage system can modify the impact of carbonates on humus substances and thus indirectly change the character of transformation processes in the soil. Depth is very important in evaluating the influence of the soil tillage system. Full article

In this paper, we investigate the dynamics of quantum correlations in the ground-state hyperfine manifold of the hydrogen atom subjected to a static external magnetic field and local pure dephasing. The electron–proton spin pair is modeled as a bipartite two-qubit system evolving under the combined effects of hyperfine coupling, Zeeman splitting, and a Lindblad master equation that describes Markovian dissipative processes. Employing exact analytical solutions for the time-dependent density matrix elements (derived in the Markovian open-system framework), we quantify entanglement persistence via concurrence and state stability via Uhlmann fidelity with respect to the initial preparation. For an initial Werner state, numerical results reveal that the external magnetic field substantially modifies the system dynamics: Both concurrence and fidelity exhibit pronounced dependence on the Zeeman parameter, producing field-controlled oscillations, delayed entanglement sudden death, and altered decoherence rates. This behavior originates from Zeeman-induced lifting of hyperfine degeneracies, symmetry breaking of the isotropic Werner state, and redistribution of populations and coherences. Unlike previous studies that treat hyperfine interactions, Zeeman splitting, or decoherence in isolation, the present work provides a unified analytical treatment that simultaneously incorporates all three mechanisms. The findings underscore the competition between coherent hyperfine coupling and environmental noise and open new pathways for precision spectroscopy and robust quantum information protocols based on atomic spin degrees of freedom. Full article

Thermal modification (TM) enhances wood properties, but a gap exists in validating non-destructive testing (NDT) methods for thermally modified woods, as chemical and structural alterations may influence wave propagation. This study validated NDT wave propagation methods to estimate static MOE in Eucalyptus sp., Pinus sp., and Cedrela sp. woods subjected to TM (140 °C to 240 °C). Impulse excitation (longitudinal and flexural modes) and ultrasonic waves (90 kHz and 500 kHz) were used to obtain dynamic MOE, which was compared with static MOE obtained from three-point bending tests. Results showed high coefficients of determination (R² > 90%) across all species and treatments. Longitudinal excitation presented the highest accuracy (R² up to 97.96%); for ultrasound, 500 kHz was superior to 90 kHz. Control conditions and 240 °C resulted in the highest R² values, indicating greater predictability. As a novel contribution, robust quantitative correlations between NDT methods and static MOE were established specifically for thermally modified tropical woods. Validated methods provide reliable tools for industrial quality control and process optimization, enabling rapid non-destructive assessment without material sacrifice. Full article