Search Results (47)

The still-growing demand for nutritious gluten-free products necessitates the development of a composite flour that addresses the nutritional deficiencies common in conventional gluten-free formulations. This study aimed to comprehensively characterize brown teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) composite flours at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% soybean inclusion levels (w/w) to establish evidence-based formulation guidelines for future products. Proximate composition, antioxidant properties (total polyphenol content—TPC, antioxidant capacity vs. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical—DPPH and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid radical—ABTS, ferric reducing antioxidant power—FRAP), particle size distribution, pasting properties, color characteristics, and molecular fingerprints (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy—FTIR) were evaluated. A principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to identify compositional–functional relationships. Soybean inclusion significantly enhanced protein content from 9.93% (pure teff) to 23.07% (60:40 blend, dry matter), fat from 2.14% to 10.47%, and fiber from 3.43% to 6.72%. The antioxidant capacity increased proportionally with soybean content, with a 40% inclusion yielding FRAP values of 5.19 mg FeSO₄/g DM and TPC of 3.44 mg GAE/g DM. However, pasting viscosity decreased notably from 12,198.00 mPa·s (pure teff) to 129.00 mPa·s (60:40 blend), indicating a reduced gel-forming capacity caused by soybean addition. PCA revealed that nutritional composition (PC1: 70.6% variance) and pasting properties (PC2: 21.0% variance) vary independently, suggesting non-additive functional behavior in blends. Brown teff–soybean blends at a 20–30% soybean inclusion optimize the balance between protein enhancement, antioxidant preservation, and the maintenance of functional properties suitable for traditional applications, providing a nutritionally superior alternative for gluten-free product development. Full article

The widespread adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) is critically dependent on the deployment of efficient charging infrastructure. However, existing facility location models typically treat charging duration as an exogenous parameter, thereby neglecting the traveler’s autonomy to make trade-offs between service time and energy needs based on their Value of Time (VoT). This study addresses this theoretical gap by developing a heterogeneous network design model that endogenizes both charging mode selection and continuous charging duration decisions. A bi-objective optimization framework is formulated to minimize the weighted sum of infrastructure capital expenditure and users’ generalized travel costs. To ensure computational tractability for large-scale networks, an exact linearization technique is applied to reformulate the resulting Mixed-Integer Non-Linear Program (MINLP) into a Mixed-Integer Linear Program (MILP). Application of the model to the Hubei Province highway network reveals a convex Pareto frontier between investment and service quality, providing quantifiable guidance for budget allocation. Empirical results demonstrate that the marginal return on infrastructure investment diminishes rapidly. Specifically, a marginal budget increase from the minimum baseline yields disproportionately large reductions in system-wide dwell time, whereas capital allocation beyond a saturation point yields diminishing returns, offering negligible service gains. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis indicates an asymmetry in technological impact: while extended EV battery ranges significantly reduce user dwell times, they do not proportionally lower the capital required for the foundational infrastructure backbone. These findings suggest that robust infrastructure planning must be decoupled from anticipations of future battery breakthroughs and instead focus on optimizing facility heterogeneity to match evolving traffic flow densities. Full article

Background/Objectives: Aortic valve therapy increasingly follows a lifetime management concept. As all bioprostheses ultimately degenerate, optimal outcomes rely on the appropriate selection and timing of treatment modality. This study evaluates outcomes of redo surgical aortic valve replacement (redo-SAVR) and valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (ViV-TAVR) in a consecutive, unselected real-world cohort treated for bioprosthetic valve failure (BVF). Methods: A single-center retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing redo-SAVR or ViV-TAVR for BVF between June 2019 and December 2024 was conducted. The primary endpoint was survival at 30 days and at 1, 3, and 5 years; the secondary endpoint was time to reintervention. Cox proportional hazards models were used; proportionality was tested; subgroups were defined by indication and presence of concomitant procedures. Results: Eighty-three patients were included (redo-SAVR n = 42; ViV-TAVR n = 41). All active endocarditis cases were managed surgically. In isolated procedures, 30-day survival was 95.5% after redo-SAVR (100% when excluding endocarditis) and 100% after ViV-TAVR; 5-year survival was 81.3% and 94.1%, respectively (94.4% for isolated redo-SAVR excluding endocarditis). Because hazards were non-proportional and risk sets were sparse beyond 5 years, we fitted a time-split Cox model (0–5 years). In multivariable analysis, endocarditis (HR 4.45, 95% CI 1.16–17.04) and NYHA IV (HR 4.87, 95% CI 0.98–24.17)—not treatment modality—were associated with mortality. Conclusions: In a real-world, all-comers setting, early outcomes for isolated reinterventions were favorable with both pathways. Mortality patterns were case-mix driven—especially by endocarditis and the need for concomitant surgery. Accordingly, ViV-TAVR and redo-SAVR should be viewed not as competing procedures but as complementary, scenario-specific options within a lifetime management strategy. Full article

A large number of state-owned companies were privatized in the Czech Republic after the end of the communist regime, mostly through their transformation into joint-stock companies. The water management sector was no exception from this process. The ownership of infrastructure networks was transferred to individual municipalities, which are legally obliged to provide their inhabitants with water supply and sewerage disposal. Subsequently, the municipalities joined together in joint-stock companies to enhance their capacity to provide sufficient financial resources for the rehabilitation and development of water infrastructure and also to enable the implementation of sustainable water management strategies, which are key to environmental protection. Assets contributed to joint-stock companies in the form of non-monetary contributions serve as a basis for a proportionate allocation of shares, representing the shareholder’s share of participation in the company’s management. An analysis of the asset performance within these companies indicates the necessity of developing an optimized methodology for determining the number of shares allocated for such non-monetary contributions. This need arises from significant disparities in both profitability and cost-efficiency among municipalities, depending on factors such as population size (revenues) and the length and technical characteristics of the infrastructure networks (costs) contributed to the joint-stock companies. The authors of the article present the research project results, aimed at developing a methodological procedure for determining the price (value) of municipal infrastructure assets contributed as non-monetary capital to a joint-stock company that owns and operates water management networks, from which the secondary objective of determining the fair value of a municipality’s water management infrastructure assets based on the developed methodology is derived. The proposed methodological procedure is primarily based on establishing the ratio between the fixed and variable costs of the municipality. Full article

Agricultural non-point source pollution (AGNPSP) is one of the core challenges facing global water environment management. Existing research mainly focuses on post-event estimation of pollution loads and source analysis, while studies on proactive risk warning for watershed non-point source pollution are relatively limited, especially those that integrate with agricultural production practices. Therefore, this study takes the River Tongyang Watershed as the research object and establishes a fertilization warning and regulation model based on short-term meteorological data. First, it simulates the migration and transformation processes of pollutants within the watershed under different meteorological conditions and analyzes their spatiotemporal evolution characteristics. Then, combined with real-time water quality monitoring data at the lake inlet, it calculates the residual environmental capacity for pollutants in the river water. Finally, based on this environmental capacity and the farmland area, it back-calculates the maximum safe fertilization amount for each plot under different meteorological scenarios to achieve precise fertilization management. When the planned fertilization amount does not exceed this maximum safe value, environmental risks are within a controllable range; if exceeded, fertilization should be proportionally reduced to prevent non-point source pollution. The results indicate that this model can accurately predict the concentration trends of non-point source pollutants and can develop differentiated fertilization strategies based on rainfall scenarios. The “fertilization determined by water” decision-making framework established in this study provides a technically significant pathway for shifting watershed agricultural non-point source pollution management from passive treatment to active prevention. Full article

This article explores the influence of synthesized zinc stearate (ZnSt) complexes with different molar ratios of zinc oxide (ZnO) and stearic acid (StA) on the sulfur vulcanization and properties of the ethylene–propylene–diene monomer (EPDM). The aim of study was to reduce the amount of ZnO in elastomer composites without affecting their compression set. The research involves synthesizing zinc complexes, including the addition of sulfur, and using them as activators in EPDM compounds. The synthesized products were characterized using DSC and FTIR to identify their composition and thermal properties. The results of the compression set and equilibrium swelling tests indicated that ZnO was used in excess as an activator. Zinc complexes allowed for a significant reduction in zinc content compared to ZnO. The stoichiometric salt of ZnO and StA was the most effective in terms of vulcanization parameters and the compression set. Non-stoichiometric complexes were less effective, proportionally to their content. SEM images showed that the dispersion of components was relatively homogeneous in vulcanizates with active ZnO and commercial ZnSt. However, the blooming of ZnSt from vulcanizates was observed. Thus, using synthesized materials could reduce the zinc content in EPDM composites while maintaining good properties, but a further reduction is needed to avoid blooming. Full article

The Doce River basin is the largest river system in southeastern Brazil. Over the last century, the Doce River has been undergoing a serious process of degradation, culminating in a huge environmental disaster due to Fundão tailing dam bursting in Mariana (Minas Gerais) and causing severe damage to biodiversity and local human communities. Near its mouth, the Doce River harbors an extensive lake area, with over ninety lakes on coastal lowlands. These lakes are of fluvial origin and connected to each other and to the main Doce River by small tributary streams. In this area, one of the main sources of impact on the fish fauna is the presence of non-native fish species. We compared richness, taxonomic diversity, beta diversity, species composition and proportion of non-native species in lakes and streams, and related these variables to each other and to environmental variables. We used the indicator species index (IndVal) to identify species associated with each type of environment. We used multivariate analyses to test the influence of stream habitat on the fish fauna in streams and Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) to test the influence of distance to lakes on the proportion of non-native species in streams, and the influence of this proportion on total and native fish richness and diversity. The results showed that some non-native species originating from lentic environments have adapted to the lakes and are spread throughout the internal lake system. In streams, there are proportionally fewer non-native fish and their distribution is more fragmented, as some stretches do not provide the conditions for the establishment of some of these species, making them potential refuges for native ichthyofauna. As the streams move away from the lakes, the proportion of non-native species tends to decrease. In streams, the richness and diversity of native species are affected by the proportion of non-native species, but not in lakes. The native vegetation in the landscape showed no potential for reducing the invasion of non-native species. The depth and width of the streams are directly related to the proportion of non-native species within the streams and are structural characteristics that should be considered in strategies for the conservation of the fish fauna. Full article

Background: While Asian American individuals are well represented in medical schools in the United States, their advancement to senior positions within the field of orthopaedic surgery is disproportionately low. This underrepresentation not only limits diversity in leadership but also constrains the development of people-centred systems that reflect the needs of an increasingly diverse patient population. Objectives: This study systematically examines Asian American representation across the orthopaedic surgery professional pipeline, focusing on disparities between training-level representation and advancement into both faculty and leadership positions., and framing these gaps as a health equity concern. Methods: A comprehensive literature search for peer-reviewed original research articles was conducted via PubMed, EBSCO Open Research, Wiley Online Library, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. The potential articles were screened against prespecified eligibility criteria, and risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). Data were then systematically extracted and analysed. Results: This analysis included 20 research articles investigating Asian American representation in orthopaedic surgery. The results demonstrated an underrepresentation of Asian Americans in orthopaedic leadership positions despite improvements in training programme representation with subspecialty clustering in adult reconstruction and spine. Asian American surgeons were less likely to occupy academic and leadership roles than their non-Asian American peers. Across studies, underrepresentation was consistently observed, with effect size estimates indicating a substantial disparity (e.g., pooled risk difference = 0.19; 95% CI [0.12, 0.28]) in those studies reporting comparative outcomes. Similarly, while Asian Americans in residency programmes increased, this growth did not translate proportionally to faculty advancement. In contrast, Asian women face compounded barriers, particularly in subspecialties like spine surgery. These inequities undermine workforce inclusivity and may reduce cultural and linguistic concordance with patients. Conclusions: Despite having strong representation in orthopaedic training programmes, Asian Americans are disproportionately absent from leadership positions. This poses a challenge to equity in surgical education and patient-centred care. To promote equity in leadership, focused mentorship, clear promotion processes, and institutional reform are necessary to address structural barriers to career advancement, this will reflect the diversity of both the workforce and populations served. Full article

By proportionally blending fresh latex from PR107, Reyan 72059, and Reyan 73397, and employing both acid- and enzyme-assisted microbial coagulation methods, this study analyzed the effects of the specific latex formulation on the following: physicochemical properties, non-rubber components, molecular weight and distribution, vulcanization characteristics of compounded rubber, and physical–mechanical properties of vulcanized natural rubber. The results indicate that, compared to acid-coagulated natural rubber, enzyme-assisted microbial coagulated natural rubber exhibits slightly lower levels of volatile matter, impurities, plasticity retention index (PRI), nitrogen content, calcium ions (Ca²⁺), iron ions (Fe³⁺), and fatty acid content. Conversely, it demonstrates higher values in ash content, initial plasticity (P₀), Mooney viscosity (M_L(1+4)), acetone extract, magnesium ions (Mg²⁺), copper ions (Cu²⁺), manganese ions (Mn²⁺), gel content, molecular weight and distribution, and glass transition temperature (Tg). With the increase in the proportion of PR107 and Reyan 72059 fresh latex, the ash content, volatile matter content, fatty acid content, gel content, and dispersion coefficient (PDI) of natural rubber gradually decrease, while the impurity content, PRI, nitrogen content, weight-average molecular weight (Mw), and number-average molecular weight (Mn) gradually increase. Compared to acid-coagulated natural rubber compounds, enzyme-assisted microbial-coagulated natural rubber compounds exhibit higher minimum torque (M_L) and maximum torque (M_H), but shorter scorch time (t₁₀) and optimum cure time (t₉₀). Furthermore, as the proportion of PR107 and Reyan 72059 fresh latex increases, the ML of the compounds gradually decreases. In pure rubber formulations, enzyme-assisted microbial-coagulated natural rubber vulcanizates demonstrate higher tensile strength, tear strength, modulus at 300%, and Shore A hardness compared to acid-coagulated natural rubber vulcanizates. When the fresh latex ratio of PR107, Reyan 72059, and Reyan 73397 is 1:1:3, the tensile strength and 300% modulus of the natural rubber vulcanizates reach their maximum values. In carbon black formulations, the tensile strength and tear strength of enzyme-assisted microbial-coagulated natural rubber vulcanizates are significantly higher than those of acid-coagulated natural rubber vulcanizates in pure rubber formulations, with the increase exceeding that of other samples. Full article

Background/Objectives: There is increasing evidence to indicate that histotripsy treatment can enhance the host anti-tumor immune responses both locally at the targeting tumor site as well as systemically from abscopal effects. Histotripsy is a non-invasive ultrasound ablation technology that mechanically disrupts target tissue via cavitation. A key factor contributing to histotripsy-induced abscopal effects is believed to be the release of tumor-specific antigens (TSAs) or tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) that induce a systemic immune response. In this study, we studied the effect of histotripsy treatment on the release of HER2, a well-defined TAA target for cancer immunotherapy. Methods: A range of doses of histotripsy administered to HER2-postive mammary tumor cells in an in vitro cell culture system and an ex vivo tumor were applied. In addition, a single dose of histotripsy was used for an in vivo murine tumor model. The released proteins, and specifically HER2, in both tumor cell-free supernatants and tumor cell pellets were analyzed by a BCA protein assay, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) assay, and Western blot. Results: Our results showed that histotripsy could significantly trigger the release of HER2 proteins in the current study. The level of HER2 proteins was actually higher in tumor cell-free supernatants than in tumor cell pellets, suggesting that HER2 was released from the intracellular domain into the extracellular compartment. Furthermore, proportionally more HER2 protein was released at higher histotripsy doses, indicating free HER2 was histotripsy-dose-dependent. Conclusions: In conclusion, we have qualitatively and quantitatively demonstrated that histotripsy treatment triggers the release of HER2 from the tumor cells into the extracellular compartment. The histotripsy-mediated release of HER2 antigens provides important insights into the mechanism underlying its immunostimulation and suggests the potential of TSA/TAA-based immunotherapies in numerous cancer types. Full article

To improve energy savings and emission reduction in industrial heating furnaces, this study investigated the impact of various molar fractions of hydrogen on natural gas combustion and compared the results of the Non-Premixed Combustion Model with the Eddy Dissipation Combustion Model. Initially, natural gas combustion in an industrial heating furnace was investigated experimentally, and these results were used as boundary conditions for CFD simulations. The diffusion flame and combustion characteristics of natural gas were simulated using both the non-premixed combustion model and the Eddy Dissipation Combustion Model. The results indicated that the Non-Premixed Combustion Model provided simulations more consistent with experimental data, within acceptable error margins, thus validating the accuracy of the numerical simulations. Additionally, to analyze the impact of hydrogen doping on the performance of an industrial gas heater, four gas mixtures with varying hydrogen contents (15% H₂, 30% H₂, 45% H₂, and 60% H₂) were studied while maintaining constant fuel inlet temperature and flow rate. The results demonstrate that the Non-Premixed Combustion Model more accurately simulates complex flue gas flow and chemical reactions during combustion. Moreover, hydrogen-doped natural gas significantly reduces CO and CO₂ emissions compared to pure natural gas combustion. Specifically, at 60% hydrogen content, CO and CO₂ levels decrease by 70% and 37.5%, respectively, while NO emissions increase proportionally; at this hydrogen content, NO concentration in the furnace chamber rises by 155%. Full article

Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs) are a major complication of diabetes, with treatment requiring offloading. This study aimed to capture how the accelerometer-assessed physical activity profile differs in those with DFUs compared to those with diabetes but without ulceration (non-DFU). Participants were requested to wear an accelerometer on their non-dominant wrist for up to 8days. Physical activity outcomes included average acceleration (volume), intensity gradient (intensity distribution), the intensity of the most active sustained (continuous) 5–120 min of activity (MX_CONT), and accumulated 5–120 min of activity (MX_ACC). A total of 595 participants (non-DFU = 561, DFU = 34) were included in the analysis. Average acceleration was lower in DFU participants compared to non-DFU participants (21.9 mg [95%CI:21.2, 22.7] vs. 16.9 mg [15.3, 18.8], p < 0.001). DFU participants also had a lower intensity gradient, indicating proportionally less time spent in higher-intensity activities. The relative difference between DFU and non-DFU participants was greater for sustained activity (MX_CONT) than for accumulated (MX_ACC) activity. In conclusion, physical activity, particularly the intensity of sustained activity, is lower in those with DFUs compared to non-DFUs. This highlights the need for safe, offloaded modes of activity that contribute to an active lifestyle for people with DFUs. Full article

One method of rectifying tilted buildings is by lifting them unevenly using hydraulic jacks. These jacks are loaded both monotonically and cyclically during the rectification process. It has been shown that the change in jack length is the sum of the change in the piston slide out and the change in the jack’s cylinder length, which is supported by a parallelepiped element. Laboratory tests were conducted to investigate the piston slide out and the change in the jack’s cylinder length under both monotonically and cyclically loaded conditions. The results indicated that the piston slide out forms a hysteresis loop. In contrast, the change in the jack’s cylinder length does not exhibit a hysteresis loop and is a non-linear function of the load. A structural model of the jack was proposed, consisting of three components: a linearly elastic component connected in parallel to the component where the frictional force occurs, and a component with non-linear elastic characteristics connected in series with them. Displacements of the linear elastic component, characterized by a constant stiffness, occur as long as the external load exceeds the internal frictional force. The value of the frictional force in this model increases with the load. The stiffness of the non-linear elastic component increases proportionally to the load. Full article

The WHO and UNICEF recommend that only breastmilk, vitamin drops, oral rehydration solution, and prescribed medicine can go through the infant’s mouth. Non-prescribed medications (NPM) include over-the-counter medications and traditional medicine and are contraindicated during infancy. Furthermore, the updated exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) indicator details that herbal fluids and similar traditional medicines are counted as fluids, and infants who consume these are not exclusively breastfed. However, the use of these items is common among caregivers for various reasons, including religious reasons, cultural beliefs, prevention of diseases, and the treatment of diseases. The practice of administering NPM before six months of age undermines exclusive breastfeeding and can result in undesirable health outcomes. Methods: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of NPM, describe the types of medications used, and explain why caregivers use NMP in infants younger than six months of age. A quantitative approach and a facility-based cross-sectional survey were used to conduct this study. Convenience sampling was used to select clinics, and proportionality and simple random sampling were used to select 146 participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS (29). A p-value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: In this study, the prevalence of NPM was 75.3%. Of the 146 participants, most were 25–35 years old (54%) and first-time mothers (36.3%). More caregivers had high school and matric (67.1%), and 84.2% of caregivers delivered in public health facilities. Almost three-quarters are unemployed (66.7%) and on a child support grant (56.4%). About 43.6% of infants received NPM within the first month of life. The main source of advice to give NPM was family members (86.4%). The main reasons for administering NPM were the treatment of the umbilical cord (57.3%) and the prevention of colic (32.7%). The results show a statistically significant association between the administration of medication and the age of the infant, p < 0.005. Conclusions: Non-prescribed medications are highly prevalent in the rural areas of Polokwane and are practiced by caregivers between the ages of 25–35 years advised by the families. Access to self-medication should be controlled, especially in the first month of life. Interventions to reduce the use of NPM should be targeted at young mothers and their families. Full article

The inactivation of airborne pathogenic microorganisms is crucial to attenuate the dissemination of infectious diseases induced by airborne pathogens. Conventional air disinfection methodologies, such as ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and ozone treatment, have demonstrated limited efficacy. Consequently, we investigated the potential of employing pulsed voltages to effectively eradicate bacteria within aerosols. Our inquiry revealed that the bacterial disinfection rate increased proportionally with elevated applied voltage and frequency. For instance, when a pulsed voltage of 20 kV and a frequency of 500 Hz were applied, a substantial disinfection rate exceeding 6.0 logarithmic units was attained. Furthermore, with the utilization of the stranded wire anodes, the disinfection intensity could be augmented by up to 2.0 logarithmic units compared with the solid wire configuration. Through the utilization of a stranded wire electrode model, we scrutinized the electric field encompassing the electrode, revealing a non-uniform electric field with the stranded wire electrode. This observation indicated an amplified bacterial disinfection effect, aligning with our experimental outcomes. These findings significantly enhance our comprehension of efficacious approaches to electrically disinfecting airborne bacteria. Full article