Search Results (1,074)

Background: Coronary button reimplantation is a key determinant of operative safety in the modified Bentall procedure (MBP), and technical modifications aimed at improving anastomotic stability and hemostasis continue to evolve. This study investigated the early outcomes of a posterior Teflon-felt-reinforced coronary button technique in comparison with the conventional approach. Methods: Between January 2021 and May 2025, a total of 57 patients who underwent an elective modified Bentall procedure were included and divided into two groups: the conventional coronary button group (CCB, n = 30) and the posterior Teflon-felt-reinforced coronary button group (RCB, n = 27). Operative variables and early postoperative outcomes (including bleeding, re-exploration, and 30-day mortality) were compared between the two groups. Results: The CCB group included 9 women and 21 men with a mean age of 59.5 ± 9.6 years, whereas the RCB group consisted of 5 women and 22 men with a mean age of 57.3 ± 8.9 years. The mean maximum aortic root diameter was 49.6 ± 5.3 mm, and the mean ascending aortic diameter was 50.8 ± 4.9 mm. Aortic cross-clamp (ACC) and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) times were similar between the groups (p = 0.330 and p = 0.214, respectively). After excluding patients who underwent planned coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG; n = 8), the incidence of unplanned CABG was higher in the CCB group than in the RCB group [6 (24.0%) vs. 2 (8.3%); p = 0.136]. Postoperative 24-h chest tube drainage tended to be lower (p = 0.060), and re-exploration for bleeding occurred less frequently (11.1% vs. 30.0%, p = 0.076), with no coronary button-related bleeding after reinforcement. The RCB group required significantly fewer transfused blood products, including red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, and platelets (all p < 0.01). Intensive care unit stay was shorter in the reinforced group (p < 0.01), with a trend toward reduced hospital stay (p = 0.085). Early mortality was comparable (p = 0.356). Conclusions: Posterior Teflon-felt-reinforced coronary button anastomosis may improve early hemostatic stability and provide additional mechanical support during coronary reimplantation in the modified Bentall procedure; confirmation in larger cohorts is required. Full article

Self-curing poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) remains widely used for provisional restorations and denture bases; however, its limited mechanical strength and susceptibility to water-related degradation restrict long-term performance. This study investigated the concentration-dependent reinforcement of self-curing PMMA with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) particles and evaluated mechanical properties and physicochemical stability. PMMA specimens containing different PEEK concentrations were fabricated and tested for flexural strength, compressive strength, surface hardness, water sorption, and water solubility according to standardized protocols. Mechanical performance demonstrated a concentration-dependent enhancement, with moderate PEEK incorporation significantly improving strength parameters compared to the control group. Excessive filler loading, however, did not yield proportional improvements. Water sorption and solubility values remained within clinically acceptable and ISO-recommended limits. These findings suggest that controlled PEEK reinforcement provides a feasible approach to enhancing the mechanical durability of self-curing PMMA without compromising physicochemical stability. The study offers a practical material modification strategy for improving interim prosthetic materials in clinical dentistry. Full article

Background/Objectives: Children and young people (CYP) with a learning disability are at higher risk of living with overweight and obesity and may consume fewer fruits and vegetables compared to the general paediatric population. They are more likely to experience eating and drinking difficulties, restrictive eating, and mealtime behavioural challenges. The school environment is considered an ideal setting to improve CYP’s dietary intakes. The primary objective was to identify existing interventions to support healthier food choices for CYP attending specialist schools. Secondary objectives considered intervention development, fidelity and outcomes. Methods: A scoping review and narrative synthesis. Eligible studies were identified from bibliographic databases (e.g., Medline, Embase, PsychInfo) and grey literature (e.g., Clinicaltrials.gov, the Cochrane Library). A two-stage screening process was used. Intervention components were mapped according to the TIDieR-PHP and AACTT frameworks. Results: Seven studies, reported in ten records, were included. Interventions included modifications to the dining environment, sensory exploration, health promotion and social reinforcement. Interventions were implemented across the school day: lunchtime (n = 2), breaktime (n = 3) and other times (n = 2). Studies mainly focused on adolescents. There was some mixed evidence of increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and water. Due to small sample sizes and heterogeneity, definitive conclusions are limited. A key finding is the lack of interventions to improve CYP’s food choices in specialist schools. Conclusions: This review highlights a crucial need for the development of multi-component interventions co-produced with stakeholders to promote healthy food choices and improve the dietary intakes of CYP attending specialist schools. Full article

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) has been widely investigated for its superior strength and durability; however, despite extensive research on fibre reinforcement, limited attention has been given to validating fibre surface modification strategies at the structural scale. Improvements in fibre–matrix bonding are commonly demonstrated through single-fibre tests, with limited evidence of their translation into the mechanical performance of UHPC elements. This study investigates the influence of bioinspired surface-modified steel fibres on the mechanical behaviour of UHPC, focusing on whether interfacial enhancements lead to measurable structural-scale performance gains. Steel fibres were coated under mild aqueous conditions and incorporated into UHPC at a volume fraction of 1%. Compressive strength was evaluated at 7, 14, 28, 56, and 90 days, while flexural behaviour was assessed at 7 and 28 days using three-point bending tests on notched beams and four-point bending tests on prisms. The incorporation of surface-modified fibres resulted in consistent strength enhancement at all curing ages. Compared with mixes containing uncoated fibres, compressive strength increased by approximately 15% at 7 days and remained 5–7% higher at later ages up to 90 days. More pronounced improvements were observed in flexural performance, with coated specimens exhibiting up to 51% higher peak load at 7 days and 29–32% higher peak load at 28 days in both bending configurations. These results demonstrate that fibre surface modification effectively enhances both early-age and long-term mechanical performance of UHPC, confirming that interfacial bond improvements are directly translated into structural-scale response. The findings highlight fibre surface engineering as a practical approach for improving the mechanical efficiency of UHPC without altering mix composition or fibre dosage. Full article

Methacrylate-POSS (M-POSS) is a novel organic–inorganic additive shown to reinforce dental composites and reduce polymerization shrinkage. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of M-POSS addition (0.5, 2, 10, or 15 wt.%) on the mechanical properties of an experimental polymer matrix (bis-GMA/UDMA/TEGDMA/HEMA = 35/35/20/10 wt.%) and a dental resin composite (45 wt.% silanized silica as filler). Vickers hardness (HV), three-point bending strength (FS), diametral tensile strength (DTS), and shrinkage stress generated during polymerization were studied. The results show HV values between 16 and 18 compared to 15 ± 1 in the control group. Hardness in the control composite was 34 ± 4, and after modification, it showed similar or slightly lower values between 32 and 35. FS increased from 90 ± 4 MPa before modification to 100 ± 5 MPa for 2 wt.% M-POSS, and then decreased to 78 ± 5 MPa for materials containing 15 wt.% M-POSS. FS of composites were within the range of 61–77 MPa, with a similar tendency in variation to that of matrices. DTS values decreased after M-POSS addition, from 37 ± 4 MPa before modification to 31–33 MPa after modification. Flexural modulus decreases after modification, both for matrices and composites. The morphology of composites with >10 wt. % M-POSS showed visible surface irregularities. In conclusion, M-POSS affects matrix hardness, resulting in an increase in HV. The addition of M-POSS also increases FS values of the matrix, but only up to a certain concentration. However, the introduction of M-POSS does not significantly affect the HV or bending strength of the composites. Although DTS values decreased, this change was not statistically significant. Finally, contraction stress was significantly reduced for groups containing 2 wt.% and 10 wt.% M-POSS, representing an anticipated and promising improvement. Full article

The synergistic impacts of land use/land cover (LULC) transformations and weather pattern variabilities (WPV) represent a primary driver of hydro-geological instability, threatening agricultural productivity, soil conservation, and water quality. Disentangling the discrete contributions of these stressors to runoff and sediment yield (SY) remains a significant challenge, particularly in complex, confluence-proximal watersheds lacking major hydraulic regulations. This study investigates the Tirumakudalu Narasipura watershed in Karnataka, India, an agriculturally intensive system undergoing rapid peri-urbanization. Leveraging the process-based geospatial interface of the Water Erosion Prediction Project (GeoWEPP), we analyzed hydrological responses over a 24-year period (2000–2023) and projected future trajectories through 2030. To overcome the traditional constraints of GeoWEPP, which was developed for small-scale watersheds (<260 ha), we present a novel upscaling framework utilizing a multi-site multivariate temporal calibration of hydrological response variables to exploit its process-based precision in capturing distributed soil erosion and landscape heterogeneity. This approach is further reinforced by an ancillary data validation to minimize error propagation while model-upscaling. Our findings reveal projected increases in runoff and SY of 14.69% and 49.23%, respectively, between 2000 and 2030. Notably, the sub-decadal acceleration from 2023 to 2030 (17.32% for runoff and 18.51% for SY) underscores a shifting dominance where LULC-driven surface modifications now outweigh climatic variance in forcing hydrologic change. Furthermore, the study quantifies how anthropogenic interventions such as strategic crop selection, tillage intensity, and irrigation regimes act as critical determinants of topsoil preservation. These results provide a scalable, economically feasible framework for precision land stewardship and sustainable watershed management in rapidly developing tropical landscapes. Full article

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is a major constraint on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production, yet the molecular basis of quantitative resistance remains poorly understood. In this study, comparative transcriptome profiling was performed on resistant (‘ZM3’) and susceptible (‘ZM86’) tomato inbred lines following pathogen inoculation in roots, stems, and leaves. Differential expression analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were conducted to identify resistance-associated regulatory modules and hub genes. The results revealed distinct gene expression patterns between the two genotypes after infection. Several co-expression modules were significantly associated with resistance or susceptibility traits. Functional enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in plant hormone signal transduction, plant–pathogen interaction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and cell wall modification. Genes related to ethylene and salicylic acid signaling were strongly induced following infection, whereas brassinosteroid-associated genes showed genotype-dependent expression patterns. Network analysis further identified several hub genes within defense-related modules, including ACO (Solyc04g007980), ERF1 (Solyc09g091950), MAPK9, receptor-like kinase RLK (Solyc07g006770), and a dirigent family gene (Solyc10g008900). Taken together, our results suggest that tomato resistance to Ralstonia solanacearum involves a coordinated defense network integrating hormone-mediated transcriptional regulation and structural reinforcement, and provides candidate genes for breeding bacterial wilt-resistant cultivars. Full article

Archaeological bone artifacts frequently exhibit diminished mechanical integrity as a result of organic matrix degradation. Under adverse environmental conditions, such artifacts are particularly susceptible to surface cracking and disintegration into powder. It is urgently necessary to develop protective materials that possess high permeability, strong reinforcing power and good compatibility. This study evaluated the protective performance of a novel Acrylate Metal Complex (AMC) and two conventional commercial consolidants (acrylic resin Paraloid B72 and ethyl silicate-based material Remmers 300) on fragile bone artifacts. Using simulated samples resembling bone artefacts, a systematic evaluation was conducted to assess the penetration, mechanical reinforcement efficacy, microstructural modifications, chromatic impact, and aging resistance of three consolidants. The results indicate that AMC demonstrates optimal permeation capability and can significantly enhance the surface hardness of bone specimens, achieving an increase of 7.7%. The colorimetric changes observed in all three reinforced materials following treatment remained within acceptable limits (ΔE* < 1.5). Accelerated aging tests—including 300 h of UV irradiation and 30 cycles of alternating dry-wet conditions—demonstrated that bone-mimetic composites reinforced with AMC exhibited significantly superior aging resistance relative to those treated with B72 and Remmers 300. In the actual application verification of the archaeological bone relics, the surface hardness of the reinforced AMC increased by 10%, the wave velocity increased by 14.8%, and there was no glare or crust on the surface. Comprehensive comparison shows that AMC outperforms traditional commercial materials in key performance indicators, demonstrating great potential as a next-generation bone relic conservation material. Full article

To address the problems of high digging resistance, elevated energy consumption, and severe soil adhesion encountered during mechanized potato harvesting, a bionic potato digging shovel inspired by the corrugated dorsal structure of the white grub was developed. Based on reverse-engineered geometric curves, two longitudinally corrugated shovel models (L-S-1 and L-S-2) were constructed, and a coupled soil–potato–shovel model was established using the Discrete Element Method (DEM) to evaluate soil disturbance characteristics and digging resistance at a forward speed of 0.5 m/s and an entry angle of 35°. The simulation results indicated that the longitudinally corrugated shovel L-S-2 exhibited the best overall performance, reducing digging resistance by 13.87% and increasing the soil fragmentation rate by 20.67% compared with a conventional flat shovel (P-S). Using L-S-2 as the baseline design, additional DEM simulations were conducted at forward speeds ranging from 0.4 to 0.6 m/s to systematically investigate the influence of operating speed on digging performance. To further enhance anti-adhesion performance, a composite bionic shovel (H-L-S-2) was developed by embedding polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) hydrophobic material into the surface of L-S-2 and reinforcing the shovel tip using laser cladding. Soil-bin experiments were then performed under controlled conditions with forward speeds of 0.4–0.6 m/s and soil moisture contents of 15–20% at an entry angle of 35°, and the results showed an average resistance reduction rate of 17.46%, with a maximum reduction of 18.02%. Both DEM simulations and soil-bin tests confirmed the effectiveness of the composite bionic shovel in reducing soil adhesion, with the number of adhered soil particles decreasing by 41.2% in simulations and the mass of adhered soil reduced by 37.5% in physical tests. These results demonstrate that coupling a bionic corrugated structure with surface material modification can effectively reduce digging resistance, enhance soil fragmentation, and mitigate soil adhesion, providing a practical approach for optimizing the design of potato digging shovels. Full article

Aiming at the critical problem that recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) has more cracks and severe defects on its surface than natural aggregate, resulting in an excessively weak interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between RCA and cement paste, this paper proposes a triple synergistic modification method combining calcium ion accelerating solution treatment, dopamine polymerization treatment and nanofiber reinforcement to improve the properties of recycled aggregate. Through in-depth research on the mechanical properties of basalt fiber-reinforced fully recycled concrete after triple modification, it is found that the triple modification technology can significantly optimize the structure of the recycled aggregate-cement paste ITZ. The 28-day compressive strength of the fully recycled concrete is increased by 56% (reaching 27.7 MPa), and the splitting tensile strength is improved by 129% (reaching 5.32 MPa). Microscopic analysis shows that the modified system realizes gradient strengthening of the ITZ structure through the synergistic mechanism of “pore filling, chemical bonding and fiber bridging”. This research provides a new idea for the high-performance modification of fully recycled concrete, and has important significance for promoting the sustainable development of the construction industry. Full article

This study investigates the utilization of Abies alba exudate resin for the development of hybrid resins intended as matrices for composite materials. The novelty of this work lies in demonstrating that physically hybridized, bio-derived resin systems based on Abies alba exudate can exhibit distinct mechanical and dynamic behaviors solely by adjusting the solvent-assisted formulation route, without intentional chemical modification and without spectroscopic evidence of co-network formation within the limits of ATR-FTIR analysis, although limited interfacial interactions cannot be excluded. Two formulation routes were explored: (i) dilution of Abies alba exudate in turpentine derived from pine buds, (ii) dilution in ethanol (96%). The diluted resins were subsequently blended with a commercial epoxy system, which was cured with its amine hardener to form solid matrices in which the Abies alba component was physically incorporated. The resulting hybrid resins were characterized by multiple testing methods and further applied in the fabrication of cotton fiber-reinforced composites. The turpentine-based hybrid resin (HR1) showed a rigid mechanical response, with tensile strengths of approximately 13.2–13.5 MPa, compressive strengths of about 30 MPa, Shore D hardness values of 56–58.5, and a low damping ratio (≈0.026). In contrast, the ethanol-based hybrid resin (HR2) exhibited a highly deformable mechanical response, characterized by low tensile strength (≈0.5 MPa), very high elastic recovery, low hardness (<10 Shore D), and a significantly higher damping ratio (≈0.139). To demonstrate their applicability in composite manufacturing, the HR1 matrix was reinforced with cotton fabric, leading to a substantial improvement in tensile strength (25–26 MPa) and flexural strength (35–36 MPa), together with an increased natural frequency. Water absorption tests revealed limited moisture uptake for the neat hybrid resins (≤0.04 g), while the cotton-reinforced composite exhibited higher but largely reversible water absorption (≈21.5%), associated with the hydrophilic nature of the reinforcement. Full article

Polyvinyl alcohol/carboxymethyl cellulose (PVA/CMC) blend nanocomposites reinforced with plasma-assisted synthesized zinc oxide–gold (ZnO–Au) nanoparticles were prepared via casting at varying nanoparticle concentrations. Structural and interfacial modifications were analyzed using XRD, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and XPS. XRD analysis confirmed the nanocomposite crystallinity, showing an average crystallite size of 24.48 nm and a lattice strain of 4.32 × 10⁻³ for the 0.15 wt% ZnO–Au composite. FTIR and Raman spectra revealed band shifts and broadening, indicating strong interactions between ZnO–AuNPs and the polymer matrix. XPS analysis further verified Zn and Au incorporation and changes in C 1s and O 1s intensities, reflecting modified surface chemistry. Optical analysis revealed a reduction in the band gap from 4.60 eV (pure PVA/CMC) to 3.52 eV for the 0.15 wt% ZnO–Au nanocomposite, accompanied by an increase in refractive index from 2.058 to 2.244, along with enhanced UV-shielding the performance due to reduced UV transmittance and increased film opacity. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated enhanced thermal stability, while antibacterial tests against E. coli and S. aureus confirmed strong antimicrobial activity. These findings demonstrate that PVA/CMC/ZnO–Au nanocomposites are a promising candidate for antibacterial, UV-blocking, food packaging, and optoelectronic applications. Full article

This study investigates the influence of surface-modified carbon fibers (CFs) on the structural and mechanical properties of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS)-based composites. A comprehensive approach employing Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), contact angle measurement, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) characterized the CF surface chemistry, wettability, and thermal stability. Specimens were prepared via injection molding and 3D printing processes, enabling systematic evaluation of tensile, flexural, and impact properties. Combined with Scanning Electron Microscopy observations of composite fracture surfaces, the study elucidates how modification treatments influence fiber–matrix interface bonding and mechanical enhancement mechanisms. The results indicate that after resizing treatment with silane coupling agents, the surface activity of CF and its interfacial compatibility with ABS were significantly improved, leading to a marked enhancement in the composite material’s overall performance. At a CF content of 9.62 wt%, the ABS-S-CF2 system exhibited optimal mechanical properties: The tensile strength and flexural strength of the injection-molded specimens reached 58.41 MPa and 81.51 MPa, respectively, representing increases of approximately 41.6% and 29.1% compared to neat ABS. The tensile strength and flexural strength of the printed specimens also reached 49.37 MPa and 80.19 MPa, respectively. Microstructural analysis indicates that the sizing treatment improves the interfacial bonding between CF and neat ABS. Full article

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) of AA7075 is severely constrained by a narrow process window and susceptibility to defect formation (hot cracking and porosity), which often dominates performance. In this study, 5 wt.% AlCoCrFeNi_2.1 high-entropy alloy (HEA) particles, volumetric energy density (VED = 74–222 J·mm⁻³), and subsequent T6 heat treatment were systematically investigated to reveal their combined effects on defect structure, crystallographic texture/substructure, and tensile behaviour. Quantitative EBSD shows a measurable grain refinement in the as-built state (average grain size 13.44 → 11.80 µm, ~12%) accompanied by a pronounced weakening of the <001> fibre texture (maximum MRD 4.94 → 2.38), indicating disrupted epitaxial growth and a more dispersed orientation distribution. After T6, the reinforced alloy retains a higher low-angle boundary fraction (31.62% vs. 24.17% in unreinforced AA7075) and a higher kernel average misorientation (0.80° vs. 0.60°), consistent with particle-stabilised substructure retention and retarded recovery. Across all VEDs, AA7075-HEA exhibits higher microhardness (compared with AA7075, the addition of HEA increases the hardness by roughly 20–50 HV) and tensile strength, with the intermediate VED (140.74 J·mm⁻³, T6 states) yielding the best performance. While macroscopic cracking is not fully eliminated, the results clarify that HEA-enabled texture/substructure modifications can contribute to enhanced defect tolerance and are more effectively translated into tensile performance when the as-built defect severity is controlled. These findings provide quantitative insights into defect–microstructure–property coupling in LPBF AA7075-HEA composites from as-built to T6 states. Full article

The valorization of agro-industrial byproducts as sources of functional polysaccharides is a promising strategy for developing sustainable materials. In this study, cellulose was extracted and purified from rice husk and apple pomace through sequential alkaline and bleaching treatments. Then it was chemically modified via TEMPO-mediated oxidation to obtain cellulose nanofibers (TOCNFs) with cellulose yields ranging from 23.8 to 32.4% for rice husk and 9.3–13.8% for apple pomace. Owing to its higher recovery and structural regularity, rice husk was selected for surface modification with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). The resulting TOCNFs exhibited an average width of 8 nm and a carboxyl content of 0.48 mmol g⁻¹. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and nitrogen determination (1.72 mg g⁻¹) confirmed the presence of aminosilane functionalities. APTES-modified TOCNFs were incorporated as active components to develop hybrid poly(vinyl acetate) (PVA) adhesives synthesized via in situ heterogeneous water-based polymerization. The influence of TOCNF surface chemistry and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on latex particle size, rheological behavior, and adhesive performance was systematically investigated. Latex particle size increased from 193 nm (PVA-SDS) to 625 nm with TOCNF-APTES and decreased to 247 nm upon SDS addition. Rheological analysis revealed pronounced shear-thinning behavior associated with the formation of percolated nanofibrillar networks, with low-shear viscosity increasing up to 477 Pa·s for TOCNF–APTES and decreasing to 370 Pa·s with SDS. Lap-shear testing (ASTM D905) showed substantial improvements in adhesive strength, reaching up to 250 kPa compared to PVA-SDS. These results demonstrate that surface-modified CNFs act not only as mechanical reinforcements but also as interfacially active components governing polymerization behavior, rheology, and adhesive performance. This exploratory study provides a proof-of-concept for the development of sustainable wood adhesives from agro-industrial byproducts. Full article