Search Results (11,971)

This paper developed a probabilistic framework for system level reliability and risk assessment that coupled hydraulic loading with structural response and explicitly modelled cascading interactions and statistical dependence between components. The contribution is a system-level reliability and risk modelling methodology that integrates dynamic cascading interactions, non-stationary design-life reliability accumulation, and system-level optimisation within a unified Monte Carlo architecture. Dynamic Monte Carlo simulation was used to evaluate individual, joint, conditional, and system-scale probabilities of failure across varying flood magnitudes and design lives. Model verification confirmed that discretisation and sampling errors were small relative to parameter-driven variability. Results showed that long-term system reliability arose from the combined influence of flood frequency, exposure duration, and the strength of interaction between interdependent structures. Frequent loading accelerates the accumulation of failure probability through repeated events, whereas rare events contribute more slowly but dominate extreme outcomes, indicating that cumulative reliability cannot be inferred by the linear extrapolation of annual probabilities. In an examined diversion–levee–basin configuration, strong structural coupling amplified vulnerability by contracting joint stability margins and increasing conditional failure probabilities. The system-level optimisation of structural parameters over the examined design life reduced cumulative system failure probability from 0.305 to 0.153, whereas single-component optimisation redistributed risk within the system without reducing total system risk. The framework advances beyond static risk analysis by integrating time-dependent reliability, cascading dependencies, and design-life optimisation for system-scale mitigation. Full article

Accurate 3D documentation of large and complex structures is essential for long-term stability assessment, structural monitoring, and conservation planning, particularly for heritage sites exposed to environmental and anthropogenic threats. This study develops an integrated workflow combining Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS), Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and Total Station geodetic control for large-scale, high-precision documentation. The approach was implemented at the Saqqara archaeological zone, a UNESCO World Heritage Site facing significant deterioration risks, to document four major pyramids: Djoser, Unas, Teti, and Userkaf. More than 2.1 billion georeferenced points were acquired from 16 scan positions with sub-centimeter registration errors and overall geometric accuracy better than ±1 cm. From these datasets, detailed mesh models, orthoimages, Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), contour maps, and 2D plans were derived. These enabled quantitative analyses of height loss and volumetric change, indicating severe structural degradation in Unas (~53%), Teti (~66%), and Userkaf (~63%), as well as localized deformations such as 4.2 cm displacement at Teti’s south flank. The degradation results from environmental factors and anthropogenic influences. Beyond this case study, the workflow proves that integrated TLS documentation can be applied to large and complex structures, supporting deformation monitoring, stability assessment, and digital twin development. Full article

Using density functional theory (DFT) and the Gaussian 09 program, the study calculated Gibbs free energy to understand how easily each NP can transform. Results showed that only 2,6-dinitrophenol (2,6-DNP) and 2-chloro-6-nitrophenol (2-Cl-6-NP) had Gibbs free energies above 0 kJ/mol. The study also evaluated the toxicity of the NPs, leading to the identification of trinitrophenol (TNP), 2-chloro-4-nitrophenol (2-Cl-4-NP), and 2-nitrophenol (2-NP) with the highest risk scores. In the present study, binding energies were used only as comparative indicators of enzyme–substrate interaction favorability within a screening framework, rather than direct measures of catalytic degradation efficiency. The enzyme 1,2-dioxygenase from Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1 showed strong degradation effects on catechol, with significant binding energies for 2-NP, 2-Cl-4-NP, and TNP. The PS-AOP changed the degradation environment, which reduced enzymatic efficiency. The study also modified specific amino acids in enzymes to improve their performance. For example, the enzyme 1DLT-6 had a degradation increase of nearly 27% compared to the reference enzyme. Finally, we tried to measure the impact of different forces on the breakdown of nitrophenols by enzymes. We used a two-dimensional amino acid map based on enzyme–ligand interactions and a visualization of non-covalent interactions. Our findings show that van der Waals forces and electrostatic forces are the main factors affecting how well the material breaks down. From a sustainability perspective, the study highlights a promising strategy for mitigating secondary pollution, improving the environmental compatibility of PS-AOP-based remediation, and supporting safer and more sustainable restoration of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil and groundwater. These findings help strengthen the theoretical basis for developing greener post-oxidation remediation pathways. Full article

Industrial emissions of large amounts of CO₂ have seriously affected human health, making it imperative to reduce atmospheric CO₂ concentrations. However, carbon capture technologies such as chemical absorption and membrane separation are still limited by high regenerative energy costs, corrosion, and low efficiency in diluting flue gas. Within this technological landscape, physical adsorption separation technology, due to its advantages such as a wide operating temperature range, low equipment corrosivity, and low regeneration energy consumption, has gradually become a research hotspot in carbon capture technology. The core of physical adsorption lies in finding high-quality adsorbents. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), with their ultra-high specific surface area, tunable pore structure, and abundant functionalization sites, are considered highly promising next-generation CO₂ adsorbent materials. This review summarizes strategies for modifying MOFs to improve CO₂ adsorption performance, focusing on aperture adjustment, doped metal ions, functional group doping, and computational screening. Performance enhancements are mechanism-dependent rather than simply additive. Moderate aperture adjustment and defect engineering can improve gas selectivity and CO₂ capture capacity, while excessively narrow pores sacrifice available pore volume and gas diffusion. Doped metal ions, particularly in MOF-74 and related materials, can enhance CO₂ capture capacity while controlling framework integrity and dopant composition. Functional group Doping remains an effective method for capturing low-partial-pressure CO₂. Computational screening is shifting from ranking based on single adsorption capacity to a comprehensive consideration that includes humidity tolerance, stability, and regenerability. Overall, under industrial conditions, modified MOFs should be evaluated by balancing affinity, selectivity, capacity, stability, and energy efficiency. This review provides guidance for the rational design of MOF-based carbon capture adsorbents. Full article

Background: Atrophy of the alveolar ridge in the posterior maxilla often requires sinus floor elevation prior to implant placement. Photobiomodulation using low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been suggested as a supportive approach for bone healing, although data based on histological evaluation are still limited. Methods: This study presents histological and radiological secondary outcomes of a randomized clinical trial on bone regeneration after lateral window sinus augmentation. Twenty patients were allocated according to grafting material (allogeneic or xenogeneic) and the use of adjunctive LLLT. After 6 months, bone core biopsies were obtained at the time of implant placement and processed for histological analysis. Radiological bone gain was assessed using CBCT. Results: Bone gain was achieved in all groups, allowing implant placement in every case. Mean bone gain reached 7.53 ± 3.32 mm in LLLT-treated sites and 7.02 ± 2.00 mm in controls, with no statistically significant differences. Histological analysis confirmed trabecular bone formation across all groups. Mild inflammatory cell infiltrates were observed more frequently in LLLT-treated sites (p = 0.029), although this finding was not associated with impaired tissue organization or compromised healing. Conclusions: Both allogeneic and xenogeneic grafts showed good biocompatibility and supported effective bone regeneration after sinus augmentation. The addition of photobiomodulation did not demonstrate statistically significant clinical or radiological benefits within this exploratory cohort, but it may be associated with subtle differences in tissue remodeling. Full article

Background: Anastomotic leakage remains a serious complication of colorectal surgery, often linked to impaired blood supply at the incision site. Objective: To develop and validate a reproducible rat model of colonic anastomotic leakage induced by graded mesocolon ischemia. Methods: Of 144 operated rats, 138 survived surgery and underwent end-to-end colonic anastomosis with five levels of mesocolon ligation (0–2 cm of unilateral mesocolic ischemia). Postoperative outcomes, including anastomotic integrity, abscess formation, and mortality, were assessed on postoperative day 10. Anastomotic bursting pressures were also measured in a subset of animals. Results: Leak rates increased with ischemia severity: 0% in controls, 16.7% at 0.2 cm, 42.6% at 0.4 cm, 95.8% at 1 cm, and 100% at 2 cm (p < 0.0001, trend test). Bursting pressures decreased progressively with increasing anastomotic severity. The 0.4 cm ischemia condition produced a reproducible intermediate leak rate suitable for experimental interventions. Conclusions: This rat model reliably induces graded anastomotic leaks and can serve as a platform for testing strategies to prevent leakage in high-risk colorectal surgery. Full article

Shallow groundwater in saline soils creates a self-reinforcing cycle where waterlogging-induced root hypoxia impairs the ATP-dependent sodium exclusion mechanisms that plants rely on for salt tolerance. We conducted a two-year field experiment to test whether subsurface drainage must precede root-zone aeration for oxygen delivery to be effective. The experimental site was located in Heyang County, Weinan City, on the Guanzhong Plain of Shaanxi Province, north-central China—a major alluvial agricultural region representative of shallow-groundwater-induced salinization. The site had saturated paste electrical conductivity of 6.0 dS m⁻¹ and groundwater depth fluctuating between 0.5 and 1.4 m. A randomized complete block design with 2 × 2 factorial arrangement compared four treatments: control (CK), subsurface drainage only (SD), root-zone aeration only (RA), and both interventions combined (SD + RA). Drainage increased air-filled porosity from 5.8% to 13.5%, crossing the 10.2% threshold (95% CI: 9.1–11.3%) where gas-phase continuity emerges according to segmented regression analysis. Without drainage, aeration achieved only 4.2 mg L⁻¹ dissolved oxygen with high spatial variability (CV 12.5%), while the combined treatment reached 6.8 mg L⁻¹ (CV 6.8%). Root ATP content increased by 89% in SD + RA compared to control, accompanied by 56% lower root Na⁺ and 185% higher K⁺/Na⁺ ratio. These physiological changes correlated with 31% higher grain yield (7580 vs. 5798 kg ha⁻¹). The synergy index of 1.40 (95% CI: 1.28–1.52) indicated that combined effects exceeded the sum of individual treatments by 40%. Methane emissions declined by 62%, and the system achieved a 2.9-year payback period with a benefit–cost ratio of 4.08. These results establish drainage as a physical prerequisite for effective oxygenation, providing a mechanistic explanation for the variable performance of aeration systems reported in previous studies. Full article

Lipid nanodiscs are synthetic nanoparticles capable of solubilizing lipophilic drugs and have been shown to improve the potency of the antifungal Amphotericin B (AmphB) against various fungal pathogens. In this study, the SpyCatcher–SpyTag covalent labeling system was used to couple AmphB-loaded Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) lipid nanodiscs to the receptor domain of Dectin-1, which binds to β-1,3/1,6 glucans present in many fungal cell walls. Denaturing protein gel electrophoresis demonstrated that ApoA1-SpyTag003 lipid nanodiscs could be covalently labeled with SpyCatcher003-Dectin-1-superfolder GFP (sfGFP). In microtiter growth assays with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Dectin-1 AmphB nanodiscs displayed an IC₅₀ 1.5-fold lower than uncoupled AmphB nanodiscs and 2.8-fold lower than AmphB-only controls. Nanodiscs without AmphB and SpyCatcher003-Dectin-1-sfGFP themselves did not inhibit yeast growth. Fluorescence microscopy showed that SpyCatcher003-Dectin-1-sfGFP binds to yeast cell walls and accumulated at hot spots, matching the budding scar enrichment pattern previously described for other Dectin-1 fusion proteins. Together these results indicate that Dectin-1 fusions can target AmphB-loaded lipid nanodiscs to fungal cell walls and improve drug delivery. The results here establish the use of a modular SpyCatcher–SpyTag coupling system for targeting drug-loaded lipid nanodiscs to different cells or tissues, thereby increasing drug retention at infection sites, increasing drug potency, and reducing harmful side-effects. Full article

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agricultural soils are an important source of greenhouse gases and are strongly influenced by fertilization practices. In this study, a field experiment was conducted from 24 June to 12 October 2024, at a saline-alkali farmland site in Binzhou, Shandong Province, China, to evaluate the effect of Bacillus subtilis biofertilizer on N₂O emissions and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Compared with conventional chemical fertilization, the Bacillus subtilis biofertilizer treatment reduced the cumulative N₂O emission flux by 39%. At the N₂O emission peak, the emission flux under the biofertilizer treatment was 40.7%, 18.2% lower than that under the CF and CBF treatments, respectively. Functional gene analysis further showed that at the N₂O emission peak, the biofertilizer treatment reduced the copy number of Bacterial-amoA by 94% and 83% relative to CF and CBF, respectively, while the hao gene abundance in the CF treatment was 7.67, 24 times higher than that in the BF and CBF treatments, indicating that the reduction in N₂O emissions was closely associated with suppression of the nitrification process. In addition, the biofertilizer treatment showed the highest plant nitrogen uptake. All fertilization treatments significantly increased crop yield compared with the control, whereas there was no significant difference in yield among BF, CF, and CBF treatments (p > 0.05). These findings indicate that B. subtilis biofertilizer can mitigate N₂O emissions from saline-alkali farmland without reducing crop yield and may represent a promising strategy for sustainable agricultural management. Full article

The hydrocarbon composition of liquefied PM1 aerosol samples collected using the particle into liquid system (PILS) at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) site of the Southern Great Plains (SGP) of the USA was analyzed in terms of organic compound composition. The results indicate that anthropogenic aliphatic compounds contributed significantly to the organic pool of PM1 fine aerosols in the ambient air of the rural area of the Southern Great Plains, with a broad range of aliphatic hydrocarbons (HCs) being the dominant organic component. The molecular markers of hopanes and steranes were generally absent or present in trace amounts in most samples, but a significant number of low-abundance hopanes and steranes were detected in only two samples, while the aromatic compounds were generally insignificant and comprised mainly low molecular weight naphthalene and its methylated derivatives. The overall composition of organic compounds and the back trajectories analysis for the sampling days suggest that the local petroleum refinery and vehicular emissions are the two major sources of the aliphatic and aromatic compounds in the fine aerosols, while plant wax may occasionally contribute a minor portion of organic matter. Furthermore, it was found that the organic composition of PM1 fine aerosol was clearly related to the ambient air temperature and suggests that the temperature is a controlling factor of organic aerosol formation. Full article

Background: Aging is the strongest risk factor for prostate cancer (PCa). It is accompanied by progressive epigenomic divergence, known as epigenetic drift, particularly affecting DNA methylation at regulatory regions. However, the extent to which age-associated promoter methylation contributes to coordinated microRNA (miRNA) expression changes in PCa remains incompletely characterized. Methods: We conducted an integrative in silico analysis of 449 primary tumors from the TCGA-PRAD cohort. Age was modeled as a continuous variable. Age-related miRNA expression changes were estimated from miRNA-seq data using DESeq2. Promoter DNA methylation changes (±2 kb from transcription start sites) were assessed using Illumina 450K arrays and linear regression. MiRNAs showing significant age-associated alterations at both expression and methylation levels were classified as concordant or discordant based on directionality and prioritized using an effect size-based concordance score. We analyzed experimentally validated targets of prioritized miRNAs through functional enrichment and network-based approaches to identify convergent regulatory pathways. Results: Initially, we identified 105 age-associated miRNAs. After filtering, 65 candidates remained. Of these, we found 37 miRNAs with significant age-associated changes at both layers, including 20 concordant and 17 discordant miRNAs. These comprised well-characterized cancer-associated miRNAs and lesser-studied candidates enriched in CpG-rich regulatory regions. Network analyses revealed a limited set of genes under convergent regulation by multiple age-associated miRNAs. These implicated pathways are related to cell cycle control, apoptosis, stress response, and epigenetic regulation. Conclusions: Our findings support a model in which age-dependent promoter methylation drift contributes to coordinated miRNA deregulation in PCa. This convergence highlights biologically plausible miRNA biomarkers and age-sensitive epigenetic circuits relevant to prostate carcinogenesis. Full article

Streptococcus parauberis is a major pathogen responsible for streptococcosis in both marine and freshwater fish species, causing substantial economic losses in aquaculture. The increasing prevalence of multidrug resistance has highlighted the urgent need for alternative disease control strategies. Interference with bacterial quorum sensing (QS) systems represents a promising approach. This study aimed to identify and biochemically characterize an Rgg-family transcriptional regulator and evaluate its potential as a target for quorum sensing-related regulatory interference in vitro. We hypothesized that this Rgg regulator may function as a quorum sensing-associated transcription factor capable of promoter binding and modulation by small molecules. Bioinformatic analyses were used to identify the rgg gene encoding an Rgg-family transcriptional regulator and predict its structural features. The gene was cloned, heterologously expressed, and purified. Promoter binding activity was examined using electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), and key amino acid residues were identified through site-directed mutagenesis. The inhibitory effect of the cyclic peptide cyclosporin A (CsA) on Rgg-promoter binding was further assessed. The rgg gene (864 bp) encoding a 287-amino-acid protein (34.1 kDa) was successfully identified and expressed. Purified Rgg specifically bound to its own promoter region in a concentration-dependent manner. Mutations at conserved arginine residues R12 and R15 within the helix-turn-helix DNA-binding domain abolished promoter binding activity. Furthermore, CsA disturbed Rgg-promoter binding in a dose-dependent manner. This study provides the first in vitro characterization of an Rgg-family transcriptional regulator in fish-derived S. parauberis. The findings expand current understanding of Rgg-family regulators potentially associated with quorum sensing in aquatic streptococci and provide a preliminary basis for further investigation of quorum sensing-related regulatory interference strategies for controlling streptococcal diseases in aquaculture. Full article

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is an important leafy vegetable crop, yet the efficiency and reliability of genome editing platforms in lettuce remain limited, particularly for precision base editing applications. In this study, we established an optimized PEG-mediated protoplast transformation system for lettuce through systematic evaluation of key parameters, including protoplast density, incubation time, plasmid size, and transformation method. Under optimized conditions, a maximum transient transformation efficiency of up to 81% was achieved. Using this optimized protoplast platform, we comparatively evaluated the performance of three single-base editing systems—adenosine base editor (ABE), glycosylase-based guanine base editor (gGBE), and rice alkylpurine DNA glycosylase-mediated A-to-K base editor (rAKBE)—targeting the LsALS gene, encoding acetolactate synthetase as a herbicide target with great value in weed control. Among the tested editors, ABE exhibited the highest A-to-G editing efficiency, reaching 9.3%. In contrast, gGBE and rAKBE showed lower editing efficiencies. Together, this study established a robust and reproducible protoplast-based platform for transient genome editing in lettuce and provides a practical framework for the rapid evaluation of base editing tools and target sites, firstly for gGBE and rAKBE evaluation in lettuce. The optimized system facilitates functional genomics studies and supports the development of precision breeding strategies in lettuce. Full article

Background: Maintaining skin integrity is essential for individuals with dry, sensitive, or compromised skin. This study was conducted to evaluate the skin tolerability and effects of a 3-in-1 pre-moistened wet wipe containing 3% dimethicone on prespecified skin biophysical parameters compared with cleansing using water and soap. Methods: In this monocentric controlled observational study, 30 adults with very dry, easily damaged skin used the wet wipe three times daily for 4 weeks on the intimate area and left shin, while the right shin was cleansed with water and soap. Hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and skin roughness were measured on the shins; the intimate area was assessed for clinical tolerability only. Results: The wet wipe was well-tolerated, with no clinically relevant skin reactions observed under the study conditions. On day 28, compared with water and soap, the wet wipe increased hydration (mean relative change +105.84%) and reduced TEWL (−16.44%) on the lower leg. Skin roughness decreased numerically (−13.90%), but the between-condition difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: In adults with very dry and easily damaged skin, the 3-in-1 dimethicone-containing wet wipe was associated with favorable lower-leg hydration and reduced TEWL (a barrier-related indicator) compared with water and soap, with good clinical tolerability. Further site-specific studies with additional endpoints are warranted. Full article

Soil salinity poses a major challenge to agricultural productivity, especially threatening food security in arid and semi-arid areas. Traditional soil reclamation methods, such as leaching, chemical amendments, and drainage engineering, usually need large amounts of water, involve high costs, and can lead to environmental problems. This review compiles existing knowledge on innovative strategies for managing saline soils, focusing on buried interlayer systems that use materials like straw, sand, gravel–sand mixtures, and biochar. These interlayers improve soil hydraulic properties by preventing capillary rise, encouraging salt leaching, and reducing surface salt buildup. Biochar stands out as a particularly useful material because of its stability, large surface area, porosity, and high cation exchange capacity. These features help improve soil structure, increase water retention, and effectively retain sodium. Evidence from lab and field tests shows that buried biochar layers can stop salt from moving upward, aid in desalinating the root zone, and boost crop yields. While straw and sand interlayers show potential in reducing salinity, biochar is noted for its multifunctionality and long-term effectiveness in addressing salinity problems. The success of buried biochar systems depends on several factors, including the properties of the biochar, how much is used, how deep it is buried, and the specific soil and climate conditions. This review highlights how these systems work, compares their performance, and points out research gaps, advocating for their potential as a sustainable, resource-efficient way to manage salinity and improve soil health over the long term. A substantial proportion of the existing evidence is derived from controlled laboratory studies, and the buried biochar layer approach remains an emerging technique that requires further validation under field conditions. Still, significant knowledge gaps persist regarding long-term performance and water-salt dynamics, while site-specific soil variability and scalability challenges may limit the effective implementation of biochar interlayer systems under field conditions. Full article