Search Results (10,303)

Background/Objectives: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) remains a common and functionally relevant complication after radical prostatectomy (RP) and substantially impairs quality of life (QoL). Although pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is guideline-recommended, its real-world effectiveness is often limited by accessibility, standardization, and adherence. Digital health interventions may improve adherence to PFMT, potentially influencing continence recovery. We conducted a multicenter randomized controlled trial to evaluate whether a structured, modular app-based PFMT program improves early continence recovery compared with conventional physiotherapist-guided training. Methods: Between September 2022 and September 2024, 62 preoperatively continent men undergoing radical prostatectomy were enrolled in this multicenter randomized controlled trial (Pelvintense). Both groups received perioperative PFMT: Patients were randomized 1:1 to either a modular app-based PFMT program (intervention group) or a standard physiotherapist-guided PFMT (control group). Both app-based PFMT and standard physiotherapist-guided PFMT started three weeks before surgery and continued for 90 days postoperatively. The primary endpoint was continence at 90 days, defined as ICIQ-SF Q1 = 0 (absence of involuntary SUI). Secondary endpoints included continence sub-scores, QoL, erectile function, adherence, and decision regret. Analyses were performed using a modified intention-to-treat approach applying logistic regression and non-parametric tests with sensitivity analyses. Results: A total of 62 patients were included in the study and randomized, with 31 allocated to the app-based PFMT arm and 31 to the standard physiotherapist-guided arm. Three patients in the control arm withdrew consent for data usage after randomization, resulting in a modified intention-to-treat population of 59 patients. At 90 days, continence rates were higher in the app-based group compared with the control group (74.2% versus 21.4%; p < 0.001), corresponding to an absolute risk reduction of 52.8% and a number needed to treat of two. In multivariable analysis, participation in the app-based program was independently associated with higher odds of continence recovery (odds ratio 13.80, 95%-confidence interval 3.22–59.12; p < 0.001). Continence at 30 days and continence-related QoL favored the intervention, whereas no significant differences were observed in erectile function at 90 days. Adherence to the PFMT was higher in the intervention group. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the primary outcome. Conclusions: In this randomized controlled trial, a modular app-based PFMT program was associated with early continence recovery after prostatectomy compared with the standard-of-care physiotherapist-guided PFMT. Improved adherence, modular progression of exercises, and a more structured training delivery may have contributed to the effect. App-based PFMT might represent a scalable strategy to implement guideline-recommended supportive care. These findings warrant confirmation in studies with a longer follow-up. Full article

Creep is one of the main failure mechanisms of materials at elevated temperatures, and the creep rate curve is a key descriptor of creep deformation and damage evolution. However, existing creep models are mainly phenomenological or stage-wise, and the physical origin of the bathtub-shaped creep rate curve over the full creep process has not been systematically clarified. In this study, creep damage is treated as an aging failure process of a material system, and a physically interpretable hierarchical model is established based on statistical physics for disordered complex systems. By linking the evolution and interaction of microscopic material units with macroscopic creep behavior, the proposed model provides a unified description of the primary, secondary, and tertiary creep stages and offers a theoretical explanation for the bathtub-shaped creep rate curve. Validation using representative metallic and composite material cases shows that the model can reasonably reproduce the overall three-stage creep rate evolution, with residual sums of squares of 1.3088 and 0.5369, respectively. These results demonstrate the ability of the model to capture full-process creep behavior in different material systems. The main advantage of the proposed approach is its physical interpretability within a unified framework, while its current limitation is that the validation remains limited in scale and broader benchmark comparisons with conventional methods are still needed. This work provides a statistical perspective for creep behavior modeling and for understanding the microscopic mechanisms and interactions underlying creep degradation in structural materials. Full article

A ternary CdS–MoS₂–rGO photocathode was developed to enhance visible light-driven hydrogen evolution through interfacial heterostructure engineering. The composite was fabricated via a solution-based deposition method followed by thermal conversion, resulting in crystalline CdS and MoS₂ phases that were uniformly integrated within a conductive reduced graphene oxide (rGO) framework. Structural and surface analyses (XRD and XPS) confirmed the coexistence of Cd²⁺, Mo⁴⁺, and S²⁻ chemical states without detectable secondary phases. Photoelectrochemical measurements revealed that the ternary architecture significantly improves charge separation efficiency and interfacial charge-transfer kinetics compared to binary and single-component films. The CdS–MoS₂–rGO photocathode exhibited the highest photocurrent density, reduced charge-transfer resistance, and favorable Tafel slope under visible-light irradiation (0.25 sun, neutral electrolyte). Gas chromatography measurements verified that these electrochemical enhancements translate into increased hydrogen production rates, following the trend: CdS–MoS₂–rGO > CdS–rGO > MoS₂–rGO >> rGO. Applied bias photon-to-current efficiency (ABPE) analysis further confirmed improved photon utilization efficiency in the ternary system. The enhanced performance is attributed to synergistic integration of CdS (light harvesting), rGO (rapid electron transport), and MoS₂ (catalytic edge sites), which suppresses recombination and accelerates proton reduction kinetics. These findings demonstrate that rational multi-component heterostructure design is an effective strategy for improving hydrogen evolution rate under mild operating conditions. Full article

Background: This study investigated the mechanisms underlying diarrhea induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) under a state of fatigue, focusing on gut microbiota dysbiosis, bile acid metabolic disturbance, and gut–liver injury. Methods: Mice were assigned to a normal control diet (NCD) group, a HFD-induced diarrhea under fatigue (HFDM) group, and a HFD-induced diarrhea with aggravated dysbiosis (HFDMA) group. Histopathology, inflammatory factors, intestinal barrier-related proteins, small-intestinal microbiota, and colonic bile acid profiles were assessed, and correlation analyses were performed among gut microbiota, bile acids, and inflammatory factors. Results: Compared with the NCD group, both the HFDM and HFDMA groups showed diarrhea-like and fatigue-like phenotypes, histopathological injury in the small intestine and liver, increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, and impaired intestinal barrier function. No significant differences in inflammatory factors were observed between the HFDM and HFDMA groups. Zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) expression decreased in both model groups but reached statistical significance only in the HFDMA group, whereas Claudin-1 expression was significantly reduced in both groups. Gut microbiota analysis showed altered community structure, with downward trends in alpha diversity that did not reach statistical significance but clear separation trends in beta diversity. Proteobacteria and Streptococcus increased, whereas Ligilactobacillus decreased. Total bile acid levels did not differ significantly among groups; however, the ratio of secondary to primary bile acids was significantly reduced in both model groups, particularly in the HFDMA group, with decreases in representative secondary bile acids, including hyodeoxycholic acid (HDCA) and isolithocholic acid (isoLCA). Correlation analysis further supported close associations among gut microbial alteration, bile acid disturbance, and intestinal and hepatic inflammation. Conclusions: Gut microbiota dysbiosis may disrupt bile acid metabolism, impair intestinal barrier integrity, and promote intestinal and hepatic inflammatory responses, thereby contributing to diarrhea progression under fatigue and HFD conditions through the gut–liver axis. Full article

A zinc complex of chelidonic acid (4-oxo-4H-pyran-2,6-dicarboxylic acid) was obtained by reaction with zinc oxide under isothermal conditions. Its composition was confirmed by elemental and thermogravimetric analyses, and its molecular structure was characterized using NMR and IR spectroscopy. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that the complex crystallizes as a one-dimensional coordination polymer, [ZnChel(H₂O)₄]_n, in the triclinic space group P-1, featuring a distorted octahedral Zn(II) center coordinated by two chelidonate ligands and four water molecules. This six-coordinate arrangement contrasts with previously described tetra-coordinated Zn–chelidonate complexes. Quantum-chemical calculations and molecular dynamics simulations indicated that, in aqueous solution, Zn(II) preferentially forms a monodentate ZnChel(H₂O)₅ species, consistent with the solid-state coordination environment. The interaction of the complex with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was examined by fluorescence, UV–Vis absorption, and circular dichroism spectroscopy, revealing a mixed static–dynamic quenching mechanism, moderate binding affinity, and hydrogen-bonding/van der Waals contributions accompanied by alterations in BSA secondary structure. These results expand the structural chemistry of chelidonic acid and provide biophysical insight into the protein-binding behavior of zinc chelidonate, supporting its potential relevance as a zinc-based bioactive compound. Full article

Chimonobambusa utilis is a dominant bamboo species in China, yet its leaves remain an underutilized resource despite their significant bioactive potential. To elucidate the metabolic reprogramming of Ch. utilis leaves across an elevational gradient and its link to antioxidant phenotypes, we integrated widely targeted metabolomics with redox profiling of leaves collected from 1150, 1600, and 2000 m in the Qingba Mountains. The mid-elevation (1600 m) group exhibited the most robust antioxidant capacity and the highest total flavonoid content. Metabolomic analysis identified 3113 metabolites across 13 classes, with flavonoids (604 compounds, 22.7% of total abundance) emerging as the predominant secondary metabolites. Pairwise comparisons revealed 1716 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs). KEGG enrichment indicated that while the low-elevation (1150 m) group prioritized primary metabolism and upstream phenylpropanoid branches, the high-elevation (2000 m) group was associated with photoprotection and defense responses. In contrast, the mid-elevation environment optimized the flux toward flavonoid biosynthesis while maintaining steady metabolic supply. HPLC quantification further confirmed that key markers—vitexin, hyperoside, orientin, and luteoloside—peaked at 1600 m. Correlation analysis between 423 differential flavonoids and antioxidant indices demonstrated that distinct radical-scavenging activities are driven by specific flavonoid structural motifs. Overall, altitude-driven metabolic remodeling, characterized by a mid-elevation advantage for flavonoid accumulation, dictates the antioxidant plasticity of Ch. utilis leaves. Full article

Coal and gas outbursts remain one of the most critical dynamic hazards in underground coal mining, driven by complex interactions among geological, gas-related, and structural factors. In this study, a dataset comprising 90 documented coal and gas outbursts occurred in Zonguldak Coal Basin was analyzed using the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method. Hierarchical levels of significance among key controlling factors were formed and the relative influence levels of the parameters were comparatively evaluated to determine their contribution to the outburst risk mechanism. The study focuses on prominence-based interpretation supported by total influence matrix heatmap rather than conventional cause–effect diagrams. The results indicate that the prominence index provides a clear hierarchy of factor importance reflecting a structurally symmetric interaction pattern among the selected variables. Mining depth, gas content, and moisture content together account for more than 70% of total system importance, identifying them as the dominant drivers of coal–gas outbursts. Fault distance shows a secondary influence, whereas seam thickness and inclination exhibit comparatively minor contributions. The results indicate that the interaction structure of outburst risk factors is balanced, and that risk is primarily governed by their combined influence. Therefore, prominence-based evaluation and heatmap visualization provide a more reliable and practical basis for identifying critical factors and prioritizing risk control strategies. The results provide practical guidance for risk prioritization and preventive planning in deep and gas-rich coal mines. Full article

Biomass pyrolysis has emerged as a flexible platform for converting low-value residues into higher-value energy carriers (bio-oil, biochar and gas) and carbon-rich materials, with realistic potential for negative emissions when biochar is deployed in long-lived sinks. Over the last decade, three developments have driven the field forward: first, a finer mechanistic understanding of devolatilization and secondary reactions; second, major improvements in analytical techniques for characterising feedstocks and products; and third, more rigorous techno-economic and life-cycle assessments that place pyrolysis in a broader energy-system context. Recent experimental work on forestry and agro-industrial residues has clarified how biomass composition, ash chemistry and operating conditions jointly govern product yields, energy content and stability. Parallel advances in GC×GC–MS, high-resolution mass spectrometry, NMR and thermogravimetric methods have shifted the discussion from bulk “bio-oil” and “char” to families of molecules and well-defined structural domains, which can be deliberately targeted by reactor and catalyst design. Data-driven models, ranging from support vector machines applied to TGA curves to ANFIS and random forests for yield prediction, are now accurate enough to support process screening and multi-objective optimisation. At the system level, commercial fast pyrolysis biorefineries report overall useful energy efficiencies on the order of 80–86%, while slow pyrolysis configurations centred on biochar can be economically viable when carbon storage and co-products are appropriately valued. Thermodynamic analyses confirm that indirect gasification via fast-pyrolysis oil sacrifices some energy and exergy efficiency relative to direct solid-biomass gasification but may offer logistical and integration advantages. This review synthesises recent work on (i) feedstock and process characterisation; (ii) state-of-the-art analytical methods for bio-oil, biochar and gas; (iii) modelling and machine-learning tools; and (iv) energy-system deployment of pyrolysis products. Throughout, the emphasis is on how characterisation and modelling inform concrete design choices and on the trade-offs that arise when pyrolysis is considered as part of a wider decarbonisation portfolio. By integrating laboratory-scale characterisation with system-level modelling, this review aligns biomass pyrolysis with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The optimisation of thermochemical conversion pathways for forestry and agro-industrial residues directly supports SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by enhancing the efficiency of bio-oil and syngas production. Furthermore, the deployment of biochar as a stable carbon sink for negative emissions and soil amendment addresses SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). By converting low-value waste streams into high-value energy carriers and chemicals within a circular bioeconomy framework, the research further contributes to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). Full article

Rural territories characterised by dispersed settlement systems face mounting challenges related to demographic decline, economic fragility, ecological degradation, and the erosion of local knowledge systems. In this context, rural self-sufficiency has re-emerged as a strategic objective; yet it remains inadequately operationalised within spatial planning and territorial assessment practices. This paper proposes a bioregional framework for operationalising rural self-sufficiency in dispersed territories, integrating ecological, morphological, socio-productive, cultural, and governance dimensions across multiple spatial scales. The framework is structured around a tiered system of 108 indicators, hierarchised into priority, secondary, and aspirational levels, combined with a multi-scalar territorial reading articulated through five nested frames—ranging from municipal systems to local productive units. Rather than constituting a mere checklist for immediate quantitative evaluation, the indicator system functions as a structured diagnostic universe, enabling progressive operationalisation based on data availability and governance capacity. To bridge the gap between diagnosis and action, the framework introduces 34 strategic drivers and 28 spatial artefacts, conceived as reversible and context-sensitive interventions. The framework is demonstrated through the case of Arbo (Galicia, Spain), illustrating its capacity to structure territorial diagnosis and articulate coherent pathways from analytical interpretation to strategic spatial intervention. The proposed approach contributes a replicable methodological tool for bioregional and rural planning in dispersed settlement systems. The study contributes to advancing bioregional planning by demonstrating how extensive indicator universes can be rendered operational through selective tiering and multi-scalar deployment. Full article

Botrytis cinerea and Plasmopara viticola, the causal agents of grey mold and downy mildew, respectively, are two major grapevine pathogens whose control largely relies on synthetic fungicides, raising environmental and health concerns. Plant-derived secondary metabolites, particularly flavonoids involved in plant defense, represent promising sustainable alternatives. Among them, sakuranetin, a flavanone aglycone known for its antifungal activity in rice, remains poorly explored for grapevine protection. In this study, sakuranetin was purified from cherry branches (48 mg) and structurally characterized using UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS and NMR analyses. Its antifungal activity against B. cinerea and P. viticola was evaluated through in vitro, in vivo and in planta assays. For B. cinerea, our results showed a significant in vitro inhibition of mycelium growth, with EC₅₀ values of 16.43 mg·L⁻¹, while no protection of detached berries was observed. Against P. viticola, sakuranetin has no effect on the release of zoospores, but there is a total inhibition of spore germination at 1 mg·L⁻¹ in vitro, confirmed in vivo on a foliar disc. In planta, no significant protection is observed at 25 mg·L⁻¹, even if some targeted defense genes are induced. Further studies are needed to determine the best concentration of sakuranetin to use to manage B. cinerea and P. viticola in planta. Full article

This study recognizes education as an investment and estimates the private rates of return to upper secondary education in Greece, overall, by type (general or vocational) and by gender. Earnings data were collected through primary research using stratified sampling from the private sector of the economy. The analysis is based on the Mincer method and is complemented by machine learning methods, including Support Vector Regression, Random Forests, and Extreme Gradient Boosting. The empirical analysis shows that investing in upper secondary education (general and vocational) is profitable. The private rates of return in upper general secondary education are higher than those in vocational education, and female graduates exhibit higher returns than male graduates. Machine learning models achieve modest improvements in predictive performance, as reflected in higher adj. R² values and lower prediction errors. However, the estimated rates of return remain broadly consistent with those obtained from the Mincer method. This convergence suggests that the Mincer specification captures the core structural relationship between education and earnings, while machine learning models primarily enhance predictive accuracy without substantially altering the estimated economic returns. This finding highlights the robustness of the traditional econometric framework and clarifies the complementary role of machine learning techniques in empirical labor economics. Full article

Background: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are frequently underdiagnosed in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and the mechanisms underlying their development remain poorly understood. While inflammatory processes may contribute, central pain sensitization and psychological factors could play a significant role in TMD pathogenesis. Objective: The objectives of this study were to evaluate clinical characteristics, disease activity, psychiatric comorbidities, and pain processing mechanisms in PsA patients with and without TMD and to identify factors independently associated with temporomandibular involvement. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included 190 consecutive PsA patients (CASPAR criteria) from a single tertiary center. Patients with fibromyalgia were excluded. TMD was assessed by maxillofacial specialists. Disease activity (cDAPSA), functional status (HAQ-DI), disease impact (PsAID-12), central sensitization (Central Sensitization Inventory, CSI), kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, TSK-11), pressure pain threshold (algometry), and emotional comorbidities (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS) were evaluated. An exploratory binary logistic regression identified a factor independently associated with TMD. Results: Twenty-five patients (13.1%) had confirmed TMD, with a significant female predominance (76% vs. 39%; p = 0.001). Only 24% of patients exhibited structural damage on orthopantomography. TMD patients showed higher CSI scores (52 vs. 32; p < 0.001), greater kinesiophobia (TSK-11: 30 vs. 23; p = 0.002), lower pressure pain thresholds (2.1 vs 2.7 kg/cm²; p = 0.03), and higher anxiety (HADS-A: 9 vs. 5; p = 0.001) and depression scores (HADS-D: 6.5 vs. 3; p = 0.001). TMD patients also exhibited worse functional status (HAQ-DI: 0.7 vs. 0.3; p = 0.001) and greater disease impact (PsAID-12: 4.8 vs. 2.9; p = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, central sensitization (OR: 1.1; 95%CI: 1.04–1.18; p = 0.001) and anxiety (OR: 1.2; 95%CI: 1.02–1.61; p = 0.02) were independently associated with TMD (Nagelkerke R² = 0.48). Conclusion: TMD in PsA is associated with central sensitization and anxiety rather than mechanisms secondary to bone damage. These findings support a multidimensional approach incorporating screening for central sensitization and psychiatric comorbidities in PsA patients with temporomandibular symptoms. Full article

Understanding the spatiotemporal formation mechanisms of built cultural heritage is essential to interpreting regional cultural landscapes and informing differentiated conservation strategies. Using Fujian Province, China, as a representative mountain–sea transitional region, this study constructs a province-scale, multi-category, and dynamically oriented analytical framework to investigate the temporal evolution, spatial structure, and driving mechanisms of immovable cultural relics. Based on a georeferenced dataset of 940 immovable cultural relics, textual historical records were standardized into continuous temporal variables and integrated with GIS-based kernel density estimation, spatial autocorrelation analysis, distance-to-coast modeling, and category co-occurrence analysis. The results reveal a pronounced temporal concentration in the Ming–Qing and modern periods, with a primary formation peak during the Qing Dynasty and a secondary peak in the early 20th century driven by modern heritage. Spatially, relics exhibit significant positive spatial autocorrelation (Global Moran’s I = 0.375, p < 0.001) and form a structured dual-core pattern, consisting of a persistent coastal heritage belt and a distinct inland modern core centered in western Fujian. More than 75% of relics are located within 110 km of the coastline, confirming strong maritime orientation, while regression analysis reveals that this inland shift is primarily driven by the Modern Era rather than representing a continuous long-term trend. Category-level correlation analysis further demonstrates a clear spatial decoupling between traditional heritage and modern sites, indicating fundamentally different locational logics. Synthesizing these findings, this study proposes a dual-core driven model under a mountain–sea geographical framework, in which a path-dependent, economically reinforced coastal core coexists with a historically contingent, politically driven inland core. The results advance quantitative understanding of how multiple cultural logics, operating across different temporal scales, jointly shape complex regional heritage systems and provide a transferable framework for heritage analysis and spatially differentiated conservation planning. Full article

MoSi₂-based intermetallics are interesting materials for high-temperature applications, due to their moderate density, high melting point and significant oxidation resistance. In this paper, MoSi₂-based materials in the form of multi-layered structures were fabricated by tape casting and pressureless sintering. Composites containing up to 20 wt.% of NbSi₂ were produced, with the aim of obtaining biphasic structures with low pest oxidation at low temperature. The prepared samples were characterised with regard to phase composition, microstructure, mechanical properties and oxidation resistance. It was shown that the addition of a limited amount of NbSi₂ prevents the pest oxidation phenomenon characteristic of pure MoSi₂. Silica inclusions responsible for lowering the material toughness, were observed to disappear in the sintered silicides, thanks to the presence, during the binder burn-out, of a reducing atmosphere and to the carbonaceous residua. The phase and composition analysis also revealed the formation of small amounts of secondary phases like silicon carbide. Full article

Soot and black carbon (BC) are typically regarded as troublesome products of incomplete combustion; however, growing interest in circular economy strategies and sustainable manufacturing highlights their potential as secondary functional carbon materials, including additive manufacturing (AM). This review synthesises the recovery, upgrading, and valorization pathways for soot/BC and recovered carbon black (rCB), with a particular focus on streams captured by mandatory emission-control systems (e.g., diesel/gasoline particulate filters, electrostatic precipitators, baghouse filters, and chimney soot) and the requirements for transforming these heterogeneous residues into reproducible AM feedstocks. A two-stage approach was applied, combining (i) an analysis of the European Union regulatory context (waste classification, end-of-waste routes, and chemical safety obligations, including REACH) with (ii) a structured literature review of studies published in 2017–2026 indexed in the Web of Science and Scopus, culminating in a qualitative synthesis of 152 papers. Evidence indicates that scale-up is primarily constrained by strong compositional variability and contaminant burdens (ash, metals, and PAHs), which affect dispersion, rheology, and property reproducibility, necessitating robust standardisation and risk assessment. This review maps key preparation and upgrading strategies (e.g., classification, ash/metal reduction, and control of organic fractions) and discusses their relevance across AM routes such as FDM/FFF, SLS, DLP, and DIW. Overall, realising credible waste-to-value pathways requires aligning technical performance targets with regulatory compliance and developing consistent characterisation protocols to enable the safe and predictable use of soot/rCB-derived fillers in AM. Full article