Search Results (19,158)

The goal of this study is to assess how dietary Atractylodes lancea ultrafine powder (AUP) affects crucian carp (Carassius auratus) growth, body composition, and hypoxia tolerance. A total of 630 crucian carp (13.21 ± 0.17 g) were fed diets containing 0.0%, 3.0%, 6.0%, 9.0%, 12.0%, 15.0%, and 18.0% AUP for 15 days. In crucian carp, dietary AUP was observed to improve protein content and decrease weight gain and fat content (p < 0.05). The ideal AUP addition level for fish was 13.04%, based on broken-line regression analysis of the protein concentration in fish bodies. The tissues and organs of crucian carp showed increased enzymatic antioxidant activities and non-enzymatic antioxidant levels, indicating that dietary AUP reduced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibited lipid oxidation (p < 0.05). This study shows that dietary AUP has a significant anti-obesity impact in fish, which is strongly linked to boosting the anabolism of protein and antioxidant defense as well as improving glucose metabolism to reduce glucose as the raw material for body fat synthesis. Additionally, under hypoxic conditions, the addition of AUP increased duration time (DT) and decreased crucian carp oxygen consumption rate (p < 0.05). The DT broken-line regression study verified that 6.05% is the ideal AUP level for fish. According to our research, dietary AUP strengthens fish’s resistance to hypoxia by modifying the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates for energy production and enhancing antioxidant defense in respiration-related tissues and organs. In conclusion, AUP may be a natural way to reduce fish obesity and hypoxic stress. Full article

Background/Objectives: Prophylactic antimicrobial use prior to mating in clinically healthy breeding bitches based on vaginal culture results is common despite lacking evidence for a beneficial effect on fertility. Thus, this practice is questionable due to the risk of the development of antimicrobial resistance and dysbiosis. The study aimed to investigate whether vaginal bacteria and antimicrobial treatment influence the pregnancy outcome. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed vaginal swab results from healthy breeding bitches prior to mating. Samples were examined using aerobic culture, and bacterial isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF. The medical records provided data on antimicrobial treatment and pregnancy outcome. Results: Of the 961 available samples, 467 cases had complete information about antimicrobial use and pregnancy outcome. Overall pregnancy rates did not differ significantly between antimicrobial-treated (81.7%) and untreated bitches (79.8%) (p = 0.6922), nor in cases with monocultures (p = 0.4823), high-grade bacterial growth (p = 0.4291), or high-grade growth of Escherichia coli (p > 0.9999) and Streptococcus canis (p = 0.711). Conclusions: In this study population, antimicrobial use did not improve pregnancy rates in healthy bitches, even in cases of opportunistic bacteria. No correlation between vaginal bacteria, antimicrobial use, and pregnancy outcome was identified. Based on these findings, antimicrobial treatment of clinically healthy animals as part of breeding management cannot be recommended and should be disregarded in the context of responsible antimicrobial use. Full article

To investigate the rutting resistance of Large Stone Asphalt Mixture (nominal maximum aggregate size of 53 mm, abbreviated as LSAM-50), this study evaluated the effects of temperature, load, and their interaction on the rutting performance of LSAM-50 through large-thickness rutting tests. It analyzed the characteristics of rutting deformation under varying thermal and loading conditions, established a permanent deformation-temperature-load dependency model, and explored the correlations between permanent deformation and high-temperature evaluation indicators. The findings indicate that the temperature-load interaction fundamentally alters the load-transfer mechanism between the viscoelastic matrix and coarse aggregates within LSAM-50, thereby activating the interlocking effect of its thick structural skeleton. The dynamic stability undergoes a pronounced reduction as temperature or load increases, peaking at a degradation rate of 40–57% within the 40–50 °C interval. Furthermore, the rutting deformation of the LSAM-50 mixture demonstrates significant temperature and load dependency; as the number of loading cycles increases, the deformation exhibits an initial rapid escalation before reaching a plateau. During temperature elevation and load escalation, the rutting deformation increases in a step-wise manner. Notably, the preliminary application of low temperatures and light loads imparts a substantial “training” effect on the material’s rutting resistance. Once the mixture is wheel-tracked to densification under high temperatures or heavy loads, negligible new deformation is generated during the subsequent cooling or unloading phases. Specifically, upon the initial unloading from 1.1 MPa to 0.9 MPa, the incremental deformation is merely 0.04 mm; upon further unloading to 0.7 MPa, the additional deformation approaches 0 mm. The established permanent deformation-temperature-load dependency model for LSAM-50 yields a high predictive correlation of 96%. Moreover, the permanent deformation exhibits robust linear relationships with 1-h rutting depth (R² = 0.95), compressive strength (R² = 0.91), and shear strength (R² = 0.97). These indicators can thus facilitate the rapid and precise estimation of permanent pavement deformation. Full article

To investigate the impact resistance of hybrid fiber-reinforced recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) under dry–wet cycles and sulfate attack, hybrid fiber-reinforced recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) was prepared. Dynamic impact compression experiments were conducted using an SHPB test device with a 50 mm diameter. The microstructure of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) within dry–wet cycles and sulfate attack was examined using SEM. The results indicate that the dynamic compressive strength first rises and then declines with the rise in dry–wet cycles, and increases with the increase in the average strain rate. When the number of dry–wet cycles reaches 16, the dynamic compressive strength reaches its peak, with the B4S6 group achieving a maximum dynamic compressive strength of 59.02 MPa. The dynamic elastic modulus follows a good quadratic parabolic function distribution with respect to the number of dry–wet cycles. Both the incident energy and dissipated energy density initially rise and then reduce with increasing dry–wet cycles. The energy values of RAC with different fiber types follow the order: B4S6 > S6 > B4 > RAC. Under impact loading, the strain rate–strain time history curve of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) exhibits the change of “increase–decrease–stable–decrease”. With increasing dry–wet cycles, the degree of fragmentation of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) first increases and then decreases, the fractal dimension first decreases and then increases, and the average particle size first increases and then decreases. SEM results and microscopic reaction mechanisms reveal that in the early stage of dry–wet cycles, sulfate ions generate ettringite and gypsum within the recycled aggregate concrete (RAC), which fill internal cracks and pores, making the concrete denser and enhancing its mechanical properties. Towards the end of the dry–wet cycle, the amount of expansive ettringite and gypsum inside the recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) increases, leading to a sharp increase in pore wall stress, which induces new microcracks in the specimens, manifesting as a decline in mechanical properties at the macroscopic level. Full article

This study compared the effects of variable-resistance compound training versus constant-resistance compound training on lower-limb explosive power in judo athletes, aiming to identify an effective and safe training method. Methods: Sixteen judo athletes were randomized into VRT (n = 8) or RT (n = 8) groups for a 6-week, twice-weekly intervention. Outcomes included rate of force development (RFD), counter movement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), eccentric utilization ratio (EUR), reactive strength index (RSI), squat 1RM, muscle architecture, and Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT). After 6 weeks of training intervention, the time × group interaction effects were significant between the variable-resistance compound training group and the constant-resistance compound training group in the following parameters: CMJ (p < 0.01, η² = 0.605), SJ (p < 0.01, η² = 0.391), EUR (p < 0.01, η² = 0.308), RSI (p < 0.01, η² = 0.306), RFD (p < 0.01, η² = 0.401), squat 1RM (p < 0.01, η² = 0.328), SJFT index (p < 0.01, η² = 0.537), femoral rectus feather angle (p < 0.05, η² = 0.380), femoral rectus thickness (p < 0.05, η² = 0.288), femoral rectus cross-sectional area (p < 0.01, η² = 0.868), gastrocnemius feather angle (p < 0.05, η² = 0.274), and gastrocnemius thickness (p < 0.05, η² = 0.390). No significant group effects were observed for any of the parameters (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Both variable-resistance training (VRT) and constant-resistance training (CRT) are effective in enhancing lower-body power in judo athletes; both training methods can be regarded as effective options for developing lower-body power in judo athletes, although VRT may offer a slight advantage in specific performance domains. Full article

To investigate the effects of different surface coating treatments on the fire resistance of Qing Dynasty traditional corridor-style timber structures, the Long Corridor of the Beijing Summer Palace was selected as the case study. Two representative timber species, red pine and larch, were examined under three treatment conditions, including no treatment, traditional treatment (“San-dao-hui” and “Yi-ma-wu-hui”), and composite treatment combining traditional treatment with modern flame-retardant coatings. Cone calorimeter (CC) testing and Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) simulation were used to systematically investigate their combustion performance and fire spread patterns. Results indicate a clear, gradual improvement in timber reaction to fire: composite treatment coating performed best, followed by plaster layer protection, and untreated wood performed the worst. Among these, the composite treatment of red pine with “Yi-ma-wu-hui” (one hemp layer and five lime plaster layers) combined with modern flame-retardant coating showed the highest overall efficacy. The time to ignition (TTI) reached 76.7 s, a 210.5% increase compared with untreated wood. Meanwhile, peak heat release rate and carbon monoxide production were both significantly reduced. Notably, the selected modern flame-retardant coating cures colorless and transparent, preserving the original appearance of the wood, and the composite treatment maintains the historical texture and color consistency required for heritage restoration. The flame-retardant efficiency of the “Yi-ma-wu-hui” plaster layer was superior to that of the “San-dao-hui” (three lime plaster layers), owing to its denser structure that provides a stronger physical barrier effect. Larch exhibited better inherent reaction to fire than red pine, and surface coating treatments effectively reduced differences between substrates. FDS simulations confirmed that the composite treatment could keep peak heat release rate below 6000 kW under the most adverse meteorological conditions, confining high temperatures and dense smoke near the ignition point and effectively restraining sequential fire spread in traditional corridor-style timber structures. These findings provide a scientific basis and practical guidance for the fire-resistant restoration of Qing Dynasty traditional corridor-style timber structures and similar heritage buildings. Full article

In this study, we investigate the effect of aging on the thermal runaway characteristics of 314 Ah lithium iron phosphate batteries with different cycles (0, 400, and 1000 cycles), with the batteries being overcharged to thermal runaway with a 0.5 C charging rate. The results indicate that aging significantly reduces the severity of thermal runaway for a battery. Fresh batteries exhibited intense jet fires with a peak temperature of 501.4 °C, while aged batteries produced only heavy smoke without obvious flames, with peak temperatures dropping to 401.2 °C. Aging leads to the thickening of the SEI film, increased internal resistance, and an unstable voltage response, extending the thermal runaway trigger time from 1979 s to 4039 s, but with a lower trigger temperature. The negative tab consistently remained the core heat accumulation point, with temperature differences of 10–30 °C compared to other wall surfaces, and the core temperature during thermal runaway exceeded 500 °C. The transition from casing rupture to jet fire occurred within only 2 s, indicating an extremely short safety response window. Through this research, we provide critical insights for the aging assessment and thermal safety management of energy storage batteries. Full article

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic coincided with substantial changes in healthcare delivery and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns worldwide, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs), where invasive procedures and broad-spectrum antibiotics are commonly used. Data from Türkiye remains limited. Methods: This retrospective observational study evaluated bacterial and fungal isolates from adult ICU patients at a tertiary hospital from 2016 to 2025. Microorganisms were identified, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using standardized methods. Resistance patterns were compared between the pre-pandemic (January 2016–February 2020) and post-pandemic (March 2020–May 2025) periods. Results: A total of 2666 patients and 5433 isolates were analyzed. Gram-negative pathogens showed marked increases in resistance: carbapenem and colistin resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae were significantly higher in the post-pandemic period (69.6% vs. 44.4% and 60.5% vs. 22.5%, respectively; p < 0.001). Resistance rates to multiple antimicrobial agents also increased in Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (p < 0.05). Among Gram-positive bacteria, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium increased from 10% to 47.1%. Candida auris emerged only in the post-pandemic period, showing high resistance to fluconazole (75%) and amphotericin B (36.7%). Conclusions: Significant differences in AMR patterns were observed between the pre- and post-pandemic periods in this ICU population. Higher resistance rates were observed among several clinically important bacterial pathogens, and Candida auris emerged exclusively during the post-pandemic period. Given the study’s observational design, these findings should be interpreted as temporal associations rather than evidence of a causal effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Continued antimicrobial stewardship and infection-control measures remain essential to address the growing burden of AMR. Full article

The aim of this study is to develop and comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of an innovative formulation of a biological preparation consisting of a bacterial consortium (Serratia proteamaculans B5, Pseudomonas putida D7 and Lysinibacillus sp. S1), embedded in a pullulan polysaccharide matrix, as an agent for inducing systemic resistance in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to phytopathogenic stress caused by Fusarium graminearum. To optimize the product’s protective efficacy and minimize the pesticide load on the agroecosystem, a reduced dose of Fundazol (50% of the standard rate) was incorporated into the formulation. The constituent strains exhibited high indole-3-acetic acid production (53.29–69.2 μg·mL⁻¹) and strong antagonistic activity against phytopathogenic fungi, with inhibition zones reaching up to 32.5 mm. Pot and field trials were conducted to comprehensively assess the effect of the biological product on the stress tolerance of barley plants. Pre-sowing seed treatment reduced proline accumulation (by up to 2.3-fold), maintained photosynthetic pigment levels, and increased field germination to 79%. Under infectious field conditions, treatment with the biopreparation contributed to the stabilization of yield structure parameters (treated plants exhibited increases in height and biomass of 9–21%) and the improvement of grain quality indicators. Overall, the results obtained demonstrate the potential of the developed biopreparation as a component of comprehensive protection strategies and as an inducer of plant priming mechanisms. Full article

Electric vehicle (EV) transport by ship is expanding beyond industrial logistics centred on automobile production, trade, and pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) into daily transportation for island tourism, commuting, and essential mobility. According to Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority (KOMSA) vessel status data as of March 2026, 104 of 146 domestic passenger ships were car-ferry passenger ships, accounting for 71.2% of the fleet and operating on 75 of 99 designated routes nationwide. Korea Shipping Association (KSA) operational records show that the EV transport rate on these routes increased from 0.76% in 2024 to 1.21% in 2025, with some routes exceeding 2.0–4.7%. Unlike enclosed multi-deck PCTC vehicle spaces, Korean coastal car-ferry passenger ships generally have single-tier open vehicle decks and bow ramp gates. Crosswinds on open decks may reduce smoke detector activation probability by 60–75%. Although Article 97 of the Standard for Ship Fire-Fighting Appliance newly requires dedicated EV fire-fighting equipment for car-ferry ships, it remains primarily equipment-prescriptive and does not yet provide open-deck-specific performance requirements for wind-resistant detection, fixed EV-zone cooling, EV-designated stowage arrangements, or passenger–operator safety management obligations. This study applies the five-step International Maritime Organization (IMO) Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) procedure to support improvements to EV fire-fighting equipment standards for coastal car-ferry passenger ships. Hazard identification (HAZID) was conducted with a 15-member advisory panel, and probability elicitation was performed through a Delphi survey with 10 core experts, showing strong consensus (Kendall’s W = 0.74, p < 0.01). Fault tree analysis (FTA) and event tree analysis (ETA) probabilities were derived from the Delphi results and the international literature. H-07, representing wind-induced smoke dilution, was identified as the dominant single-point vulnerability within the detection-failure branch. Monte Carlo-based FTA–ETA analysis (n = 10,000) estimated annual fire frequencies of 5.9 × 10⁻², 1.8 × 10⁻¹, and 2.9 × 10⁻¹ yr⁻¹ at EV loading ratios of 10%, 30%, and 50%, respectively, with 2.47 expected fatalities per fire. Risk entered the IMO ALARP band above a 30% EV loading ratio and exceeded the maximum tolerable crew risk above 50%. The combined application of risk control options (RCOs) 2, 3, and 4 reduced annual expected fatalities by 85.6%. Based on these results, six RCOs and institutional recommendations are proposed, including strengthened safety management obligations for passenger ship operators. Full article

Objective: To evaluate the clinical benefit of platinum rechallenge in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC) and to explore the predictive role of BRCA mutation status. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated platinum rechallenge in PROC at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital between 2010 and 2023. Eligibility required ≥1 prior non-platinum regimen and ≥12 months since the last platinum dose. Objective response rate (ORR) per RECIST 1.1 and survival outcomes were analyzed by BRCA status and prior treatment lines. Results: ORR was 57% (95%CI, 42.1–73.0%) in the overall cohort (n = 63), 77% in BRCA-mutated patients (n = 13), and 50% in BRCA wild-type patients (n = 46). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7.3 months overall, which was longer in BRCA-mutated versus BRCA wild-type patients (8.4 vs. 7.4 months; HR 0.47, 95%CI 0.23–0.94; p = 0.033). An exploratory subgroup analysis suggested longer PFS among BRCA-mutated patients with ≤4 prior lines; however, this small subgroup finding should be considered hypothesis-generating. A platinum-free interval >6 months after rechallenging was observed in 38.5% of BRCA-mutated versus 13% of BRCA wild-type patients. Conclusions: Platinum rechallenge showed clinically meaningful activity in selected patients with PROC after an extended interval of intervening non-platinum therapy. These findings support the concept that platinum sensitivity may be dynamic and suggest that BRCA status and clinical selection factors may help inform individualized treatment sequencing in the post-PARP inhibitor era. Prospective validation with broader molecular characterization is warranted. Full article

To lower the water absorption capacity and enhance the anti-corrosion performance of geopolymer coatings, methyltrimethoxysilane (MTOS) was adopted as a hydrophobic modifier to synthesize hydrophobic geopolymer coatings, and their anti-corrosion behaviors were systematically investigated. The results reveal that increasing MTOS content gradually improves the fluidity and setting time of fresh coatings while reducing their bonding strength. MTOS effectively strengthens the surface hydrophobicity of the coatings, decreases the water absorption of coated concrete substrates, and remarkably boosts chloride ion penetration resistance. The modified coatings achieve the optimal anti-corrosion performance at an MTOS dosage of 8 wt.%. Under this optimal condition, the surface water contact angle reaches 135.1°. After 28 days of chloride ion erosion, the chloride ion concentration is 45.0% lower than that of the unmodified counterpart. Meanwhile, the coating exhibits the minimum water absorption rate of 2.06% and the lowest average chloride penetration rate of 0.41 × 10⁻³ mg/(cm²·d), which accounts for only 41% of the standard threshold value. This study demonstrates that MTOS-based hydrophobic modification can significantly upgrade the anti-corrosion capability of geopolymer coatings, which provides a valuable theoretical basis and practical guidance for improving the durability of concrete structures. Full article

Background: Ventral hernias are a common complication following abdominal surgery, occurring in up to 20% of patients after midline laparotomy and as many as 43% of those who undergo orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). These hernias pose unique challenges due to chronic immunosuppression, impaired wound healing, and the anatomic disruption caused by subcostal and “Mercedes-Benz” incisions. As survival after OLT continues to improve, the need for durable, infection-resistant abdominal wall reconstruction has become increasingly important. Methods: We performed a single-institution retrospective review of all OLT patients undergoing abdominal wall reconstruction by the senior author between June 2014 and April 2026. Our approach emphasizes component separation to reestablish myofascial continuity, biologic onlay reinforcement with human acellular dermal matrix (HADM), and multipoint fixation in a progressive tension pattern. Results: Forty patients (43 encounters) were included. Mean age was 55.7 ± 10.2 years, mean BMI was 31.2 ± 4.9 kg/m², and 60.0% were obese. The majority presented with recurrent hernias (67.4%), and 41.9% had prior mesh in situ. Component separation was performed in all cases, and intraoperative Botox in 18.6%. HADM was used in 83.7% of encounters. At a mean follow-up of 34.0 months, there was 1 hernia recurrence (2.3%). The surgical site occurrence rate was 14.0%, with seroma as the most common complication (9.3%). There were no 30-day mortalities. Conclusions: By integrating biologic and mechanical principles, this reconstructive strategy provides a durable solution for abdominal wall repair in liver transplant recipients. A 2.3% recurrence rate and 14.0% surgical site occurrence rate compare favorably to published benchmarks in the transplant population. Full article

To clarify the thermo-hydraulic performance and thermodynamic characteristics of rotational–perforated static mixer (RPSM) for laminar heat transfer enhancement in circular tubes, a three-dimensional steady laminar flow model was developed for inlet Reynolds numbers from 200 to 1000. The heat transfer enhancement, resistance increase, and irreversible losses of RPSM with two installation modes and Kenics were comparatively analyzed. The results show that RPSM (forward) exhibits the strongest practical heat transfer performance. Its convective heat transfer coefficient is on average 39.8% higher than that of Kenics, while its thermal effectiveness and number of transfer units are increased by 21.3% and 32.8%, respectively. However, the heat transfer enhancement of RPSM is accompanied by a significant increase in flow resistance. The Z-factors of RPSM (forward) and RPSM (backward) are approximately 3.4 and 6.2 times that of Kenics, respectively. Second law analysis shows that the Bejan numbers of all configurations are close to unity, indicating that total entropy generation is mainly dominated by heat transfer entropy generation. Although RPSM (forward) has a higher exergy destruction rate, its second law efficiency is on average 20.1% higher than that of Kenics. Flow–heat transfer coupling visualization shows that RPSM (forward) can maintain relatively continuous swirling and secondary flow structures, thereby promoting radial energy transport and temperature field uniformity. In contrast, RPSM (backward) induces stronger local recirculation and pressure loss, resulting in higher pumping power demand. Overall, for the specific RPSM geometry and Reynolds number range investigated in this study, RPSM (forward) shows advantages in heat transfer capacity and thermal exergy utilization, but these advantages are accompanied by a substantial flow resistance penalty. Therefore, further structural optimization should focus on retaining radial transport while reducing local pressure loss. Full article

We present a systematic study of thermal oxidation resistance of transition metal borides and carbides up to 1300 °C in a dry air environment. A High-Entropy Metal Boride (HEMB), of composition (Hf_0.2, Mo_0.2, Nb_0.2, Ta_0.2, Zr_0.2)B₂, and a similar High-Entropy Metal Carbide (HEMC) (Hf, Mo, Nb, Ta, Zr)C₅ were synthesized from precursor mixtures, under 30 MPa of pressure at a temperature of 1800 °C using a Spark Plasma Sintering Device. The synthesized phases were confirmed via X-ray Diffraction analysis, which showed a pure hexagonal AlB₂-type structure for HEMB and a face-centered cubic (FCC) structure for HEMC, with lattice parameters, a = 3.10 Å and c = 3.37 Å for HEMB and a = 4.524 Å for HEMC. Oxidation resistance was evaluated using a simultaneous thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (TGA/DSC) stage in which HEMB and HEMC were heated up to 1300 °C at a rate of 2 °C/min in a dry air environment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the resulting oxidized material. Our study demonstrates that HEMB shows better thermal oxidation resistance as compared to a similar metal composition HEMC at high temperatures. Full article