Search Results (7,199)

Underground mining-induced surface subsidence poses significant risks to overlying structures, infrastructure, and the environment. Overburden delamination grouting has emerged as an effective technique to mitigate subsidence, but its design requires a comprehensive understanding of fractured-zone development, grouting-layer placement, isolation-layer stability, and grout material performance. This study developed an integrated methodology for overburden delamination grouting in longwall mining by combining fractured- and bending-zone analysis, grouting-layer design, isolation-layer stability evaluation, grout material strength design, and surface-subsidence monitoring for performance assessment. The mechanical properties of grout materials were systematically evaluated through laboratory testing, including compressive behavior and stress–strain response. Results indicate that ternary mixtures exhibit the best compressive stability, with a fly ash–coal gangue–slag powder ratio of 4:3:3 achieving a compressive ratio of 8.2%. The proposed workflow and selected materials were validated through three representative engineering case studies, demonstrating practical applicability under varied geological and mining conditions. Surface-subsidence monitoring results show that grouting effectively reduces subsidence and supports the continued safe performance of overlying structures. This study offers both theoretical guidance and practical solutions for sustainable subsidence control in underground mining. Full article

Background and Clinical Significance: Although rupture of aneurysms at the internal carotid-posterior communicating artery (ICA-PCom) junction accounts for a small percentage of all ruptured intracranial aneurysms, they are clinically relevant due to their proximity to perforator-rich cisterns, the optic-carotid-oculomotor pathways and flow-diverting zones, as well as their high likelihood for causing early neurological instability. Additionally, ruptured ICA-PCom aneurysms that have multiple lobulations are associated with increased variability in wall shear stress, local inflammatory remodeling and higher propensity for rupture at smaller sizes compared to other types of aneurysms. Due to the rapidity of early physiological destabilization in most patients with ruptured ICA-PCom aneurysms, clinical–anatomical correlations in these cases are often obscured by neurological deterioration; therefore, the presentation of this patient provides a unique opportunity to correlate the minimal early symptoms, tri-lobulation of the aneurysm and confined cisternal hemorrhage, to better understand rupture behavior, surgical decision-making in an anatomically challenging area, and postoperative recovery. Case Presentation: A 48-year-old hypertensive female experienced an acute “thunderclap” headache accompanied by intense photophobia and focal meningeal irritation, but, unexpectedly, retained a normal neurologic examination. She did exhibit some minor ocular motor micro-latencies, early cortical attentional strain and lateralized pain sensation that suggested localized cisternal involvement despite lack of generalized neurologic impairment. Digital subtraction angiography and three-dimensional CT angiography revealed a ruptured, tri-lobulated aneurysm originating from the communicating portion of the left internal carotid artery proximal to its origin from the posterior communicating artery, oriented toward the perimesencephalic cisterns. The aneurysm was surgically clipped using a standard left pterional craniotomy with direct visualization, after careful dissection through the carotid and optic windows to preserve the anterior choroidal artery, oculomotor nerve, and surrounding perforators. The neck of the aneurysm was reconstructed with a single straight clip, without compromise to the parent vessel lumen. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course without vasospasm or neurologic deficit. At both 3 and 9 months postoperatively the patient remained free of clinical neurologic deficit, and imaging demonstrated continued aneurysm exclusion, preserved ICA-PCom anatomy, and no evidence of delayed ischemic injury or hydrocephalus. Conclusions: The goal of this report is to demonstrate how a ruptured, morphologically complex ICA-PCom aneurysm may present with preserved neurologic function, thereby enabling the study of clinical–anatomical associations before secondary injury mechanisms intervene. The relationship between the configuration of the patient’s symptoms, geometry of the aneurysm and pattern of hemorrhage within the cisterns offers insight into a rare rupture pattern observed during routine clinical experience. Through complete anatomical analysis, timely microsurgical reconstruction and consistent follow-up, the authors were able to achieve long-term recovery of this particular patient. Continued advancements in vascular imaging techniques, aneurysmal wall modeling, and postoperative monitoring will likely help clarify the underlying mechanism(s) responsible for such presentations. Full article

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is an important crop globally, being a starchy, energy-dense food source rich in several micronutrients and bioactive compounds. Achieving food security for everyone is highly challenging in the context of growing populations and climate change. As a highly adaptable crop, potatoes can significantly contribute to food security for vulnerable populations and have outstanding commercial relevance. Specific pre- and post-harvest parameters influence potato quality. It is vital to understand how these factors interact to shape potato quality, minimizing post-harvest losses, ensuring consumer safety, and enhancing marketability. This review highlights how pre-harvest (cultivation approaches, agronomic conditions, biotic and abiotic stresses) and post-harvest factors impact tuber’s microbial stability, physiological behaviour, nutritional, functional attributes and frying quality. Quality parameters, such as moisture content, dry matter, starch, sugar, protein, antioxidants, and color, are typically measured using both traditional and modern assessment methods. However, advanced non-destructive techniques, such as imaging and spectroscopy, enable rapid, high-throughput quality inspection from the field to storage. This review integrates recent advancements and specific findings to identify factors that contribute to substantial quality degradation or enhancement, as well as current challenges. It also examines how pre- and post-harvest factors collectively impact potato quality. It proposes future directions for quality maintenance and enhancement across the field and storage, highlighting research gaps in the pre- and post-harvest linkage. Full article

Arid zones, such as the MENA regions and the Sahara countries, are experiencing significant water stress. To address this global challenge, desalination technologies provide a crucial solution, particularly the reverse osmosis (RO) technique, which is widely used to treat Seawater or Brackish water. Mauritania is among the countries facing a scarcity of potable water resources and relies on desalination technologies to meet its water demand. In this work, a numerical and experimental study was carried out on the functional and productive parameters of the Nouadhibou desalination plant in Mauritania using MATLAB/Simulink (R2016a). The study considered two operating scenarios: with and without the energy recovery unit. The objective of this paper is to perform an analytical study of the operating procedures of the Nouadhibou RO desalination plant by varying several parameters, such as the pressure exchanger, and the feed water mixing ratio in the pressure exchanger unit, etc., in order to determine the system’s optimal operating point. This paper analyzes the system’s performance under different conditions, including recovery rate, feed water temperature, and PEX splitter ratio. In Case No. 1 (without a pressure recovery unit), and with a recovery rate of 20%, doubling the plant’s productivity from 400 to 800 m³/d requires 400 kW of power. In contrast, in Case No. 2 (with a pressure recovery unit), achieving the same productivity requires only 100 kW, with a 75% of energy saving. When the desalination plant operates at a productivity of 400 m³/d@40%, the SPC decreases from 6 kWh/m³ (Case No. 1) to 2.7 kWh/m³ (Case No. 2), resulting in a 55% specific power consumption saving. The results also indicate that power consumption increases with both feed water temperature and PEX splitter ratio, while variations in these parameters have a negligible effect on permeate salinity. Full article

The cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a self-pollinating species whose fruit ripening is crucial for commercial quality, as many attributes are established during this stage. Fruits ripened on the plant usually have better quality than those ripened off the plant. This study combines traditional molecular techniques (cDNA-AFLP) with bioinformatics tools (PlantCARE and PLACE) to analyze gene expression in fruits ripened on the plant and off the plant from both cultivated and wild genotypes, which differ in shelf life. The goal is to analyze genetic variability in ripening-related transcripts at both ripening conditions and, once identified, the most discrepant variety, to characterize its cis-regulatory elements in the 5′ DNA regions inducing differentially expressed genes. Results revealed wide genetic variability in gene expression according to differentially cDNA-AFLP amplicons detected in both ripening conditions. A strong association among the expressed genes under both ripening conditions and the phenotypic fruit traits related to post-harvest life was found. Though wild genotypes showed the greatest number of amplicons, the most discrepant genotype was the cultivated variety of standard shelf life. The analysis of the promoter in this genotype showed differences in cis-elements between conditions. In shelf-ripened fruits, stress-related elements were predominant and located near the transcription start site, whereas in on-plant ripening fruits, cis-motifs were more abundant farther from the start site. This research provides initial insights into the transcriptional networks regulating ripening and stress responses, offering valuable information for future genetic improvements and post-harvest strategies in tomato cultivation. Full article

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Mefox (a pyrazino-s-triazine derivative of 4α-hydroxy-5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate and an oxidative stress marker derived from folate metabolism) levels and the prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected between 2011 and 2020. Methods: The analysis included 9525 participants after excluding those with incomplete data. COPD was defined through self-reported diagnoses, while Mefox levels were measured using HPLC-MS/MS techniques. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between Mefox and COPD prevalence, with adjustments for demographic and clinical covariates. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression models were employed to explore the dose–response relationship. Results: The weighted prevalence of COPD was found to be 4.0%. Higher Mefox levels were significantly associated with increased COPD risk (p = 0.00117, odds ratio [OR] 1.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.24–2.39). A nonlinear association was observed, with risk stability at lower Mefox levels, followed by a significant increase at higher levels. Subgroup analyses revealed consistent associations across demographics, with significant interactions noted in age > 70 years adults and individuals with BMI ≥ 25. Additionally, inflammatory markers showed significant correlations with Mefox levels. Conclusions: The findings highlight a significant association between elevated Mefox levels and increased COPD risk, suggesting that disruptions in folate metabolism and inflammation may play crucial roles in COPD pathogenesis. These results underscore the need for further research to explore potential therapeutic interventions targeting folate metabolism in COPD management. Full article

In this research, a novel hybrid methodology is proposed for predicting the structural response of high concrete arch dams, combining the Discrete Element Method (DEM) with the Locally Estimated Scatterplot Smoothing (LOESS) technique. A structured calibration strategy is employed during the numerical model preparation to enable the generation of a wide range of reliable output variables for training and prediction. The methodology is then applied to the El Atazar arch dam to demonstrate its capability to forecast displacement and stress responses. The study reveals that using the current air temperature as an input variable is not adequate for representing the thermal behavior of the dam body; instead, the mean air temperature over a specified period yields significantly better results. Additionally, the findings highlight the importance of the loading path and the dam’s initial state in determining its structural response. The developed model shows a strong agreement between predicted and observed data, demonstrating its effectiveness in capturing the nonlinear behavior of high concrete arch dams. Compared to traditional parametric models commonly used for dam deformation analysis, the proposed framework offers greater flexibility in representing nonlinearity while requiring less training data, making it ideal for dams with limited monitoring records, such as older dams or newly operated ones. Full article

This paper presents a numerical study of fluid–structure interaction (FSI) applied to wind turbines, combining computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA). The study focuses on a 3D wind turbine blade inspired by the GE 1.5XLE model. The blade features a twisted geometry with S818, S825, and S826 aerodynamic profiles, and is made of an orthotropic composite material with variable thickness and an internal spar. The fluid domain is defined by two circular sections upstream and downstream, aligned along the Z-axis. Simulations are performed under a wind speed of 12 m/s and a rotational speed of −2.22 rad/s (Tip Speed Ratio (TSR) = 8), with air modeled as an incompressible fluid at ambient temperature. On the CFD side, a periodic and symmetric modeling approach is applied, reducing the fluid domain to one-third of the full configuration by simulating flow around a single blade and extrapolating results to the remaining ones. This method achieves a 47% reduction in computation time while maintaining high accuracy in aerodynamic results. On the FEA side, spar condensation is performed by creating a superelement using the substructuring method. This strategy reduces structural computation time by 45% while preserving reliable predictions of displacements, stresses, and natural frequencies. These results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed techniques for accurate and computationally efficient aeroelastic simulations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Facial nerve injury from conditions such as Bell’s palsy, trauma, surgery, and infection leads to facial asymmetry and motor deficits. Axotomy models reproduce peripheral nerve disruption and consequent motor impairment. To compare the effects of forward versus reverse autologous nerve suturing on neural regeneration and motor recovery within the facial nucleus after axotomy. Methods: In rats subjected to facial nerve axotomy, motor recovery was assessed at 8 weeks using whisker movement and blink reflex tests. Immunohistochemistry quantified choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), and Iba-1 as indices of cholinergic function, cellular stress/inflammation modulation, and microglial activation in the facial nucleus. Results: Axotomy significantly reduced whisker and blink scores compared with sham. Both forward and reverse suturing significantly improved these behavioral outcomes versus axotomy. Within the facial nucleus, axotomy decreased ChAT- and SIRT1-positive cells and increased Iba-1 expression, while both suturing techniques increased ChAT and SIRT1 and reduced Iba-1. These changes suggest enhanced cholinergic function, mitigation of stress/inflammatory responses, and attenuation of microglial activation following repair. Conclusions: Forward and reverse suturing were each associated with improved motor function and favorable molecular and cellular changes in the facial nucleus after facial nerve axotomy. These findings support the utility of surgical repair irrespective of graft orientation and highlight involvement of key pathways—cholinergic signaling, SIRT1-related regulation, and microglial activity—in nerve restoration. This work extends our previous study, which focused on peripheral nerve regeneration after forward and reverse suturing, by elucidating how graft orientation affects central facial nucleus responses. By integrating behavioral outcomes with ChAT, Iba-1, and SIRT1 expression, the present study provides novel insight into the central mechanisms underlying motor recovery after facial nerve repair and helps explain why comparable functional outcomes are achieved regardless of graft polarity. Full article

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs)—webs of DNA and granular proteins expelled by neutrophils—have been implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. NETs promote tumor angiogenesis, facilitate invasion/metastasis, and enable immune evasion. Recent data suggest that perioperative factors, including anesthetic techniques, may modulate NET formation (NETosis), thus potentially influencing oncologic outcomes. We conducted a literature review of experimental and clinical studies on NETosis pathophysiology and involvement in HCC and how anesthetic techniques may modulate NET formation and, implicitly, cancer outcomes. NET biomarkers such as citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3), cell-free DNA (cfDNA), and myeloperoxidase–DNA complexes (MPO-DNA) are elevated in HCC patients and correlate with tumor spread, showing diagnostic and prognostic potential. Perioperative anesthetic choices may influence NET activity and immune function. Regional anesthesia and local anesthetics (e.g., lidocaine infusion) attenuate the surgical stress response and preserve anti-tumor immunity. Notably, lidocaine may modulate NET formation and, in a few studies published so far, was shown to reduce postoperative NET markers and other pro-metastatic factors (MMP-9, VEGF) in cancer surgery. In conclusion, NETosis is a process that is strongly implicated in HCC biology. Data published so far suggest that the clinical significance of NETosis may lie in its potential as a marker for disease evaluation and progression, including during the perioperative period. Preliminary results suggest that lidocaine may have a role in decreasing NETosis. Future large randomized trials are needed to exactly quantify these effects. Targeting NETs may be another way to influence HCC outcomes. Full article

The durability of concrete in immersed tunnels is critically influenced by the coupled effects of stress, seepage, and chemical erosion, particularly in inland water environments. However, the spatio-temporal evolution of mechanical property degradation under such multi-field coupling remains insufficiently quantified. Unlike previous studies focused on “load-ion” or “hydraulic pressure-ion” dual coupling, this work introduces a complete stress–seepage–chemical tri-coupling that incorporates the critical seepage effect, representing a fundamental expansion of the experimental scope to better simulate real-world conditions. This study investigates the degradation mechanisms of concrete in the Shunde Lungui Road inland immersed tunnel subjected to such coupled erosion. A novel aspect of our approach is the application of the micro-indentation technique to quantitatively characterize the spatio-temporal evolution of the local elastic modulus at an unprecedented spatial resolution (0.5 mm intervals), a dimension of analysis not achievable by conventional macro-scale testing. Key findings reveal that the mechanical properties of concrete exhibit an initial enhancement followed by deterioration. This behavior is attributed to the filling of pores by reaction products (gypsum, ettringite, and Friedel’s salt) in the short term, which subsequently induces microcracking as the volume of products exceeds the pore capacity. Furthermore, increasing hydro-mechanical loading significantly accelerates the erosion process. When the load increases from 1.596 kN to 3.718 kN, the influence range of elastic modulus variation expands by 9.2% (from 5.186 mm to 5.661 mm). To quantitatively describe this acceleration effect, a novel load-acceleration erosion coefficient is proposed. The erosion rate increases from 0.0688 mm/d to 0.0778 mm/d, yielding acceleration coefficients between 1.100 and 1.165, quantifying a 10–16.5% acceleration effect beyond what is typically captured in dual-coupling models. These quantitative results provide critical parameters for employing laboratory accelerated tests to evaluate the ionic erosion durability of concrete structures under various loading conditions, thereby contributing to more accurate service life predictions for engineering structures. Full article

Background/Objectives: Wound healing is a complex biological process influenced by inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular regeneration. Plant-derived bioactive compounds have shown potential to accelerate tissue repair through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a Platanus orientalis extract-loaded liposomal formulation for potential wound-healing applications. Methods: Four polar extracts (P1–P4) were prepared using different solvent systems and extraction techniques and were characterized by LC-HRMS to determine their phytochemical profiles. Among the identified constituents, quercetin was consistently detected across all extracts and selected as the reference compound due to its well-known wound-healing activity. Liposomes were prepared via thin-film hydration followed by probe sonication and characterized for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and total drug content. In vitro release, cytotoxicity, and wound-healing assays were subsequently conducted to assess performance. Results: The optimized liposome formulation had a mean particle size of 106.6 ± 5.4 nm, a PDI of 0.11 ± 0.04, and a zeta potential of −14.1 ± 0.5 mV. Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) confirmed the nanosized spherical morphology and homogeneous vesicle distribution, supporting the successful development of the liposomal delivery system. Encapsulation efficiency and total drug content were determined as 72.25 ± 1.05% and 96.15 ± 0.14%, respectively. In vitro release studies demonstrated a biphasic pattern with an initial burst followed by a sustained release, reaching approximately 75% cumulative quercetin release within 24 h. Physical stability testing confirmed that the optimized liposomal formulation remained physically stable at 5 ± 3 °C for at least 60 days. The optimized formulation showed no cytotoxic effects on CDD-1079Sk fibroblast cells and exhibited significantly enhanced wound closure in vitro. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the liposomal delivery of Platanus orientalis extract provides a biocompatible and sustained-release system that enhances wound-healing efficacy, supporting its potential use in advanced topical therapeutic applications. Full article

During drill-and-blast construction, complex and variable rock masses are frequently encountered. Owing to the transient nature of the explosion process and the randomness of crack propagation, the response of different rock masses to explosive loading is highly intricate. This study primarily investigates the dynamic response of rock masses with varying strengths under two different charge configurations. First, four cement mortar specimens of differing strengths were prepared then subjected to general blasting and slit charge blasting, respectively. High-speed cameras and digital image correlation techniques were employed to capture and analyse stress wave propagation and crack propagation during detonation. Fractal dimension analysis was subsequently employed to quantify and compare the extent of damage in the specimens. Findings indicate that rock strength influences stress wave attenuation patterns: lower-strength rocks exhibit higher peak strains but faster decay rates. Crack propagation velocity was calculated by deploying monitoring points along fracture paths and defining fracture initiation thresholds. Higher rock strength correlates with both peak and average crack propagation velocities. Slit charge blasting effectively optimizes damage distribution, concentrating it within the intended directions while reducing chaotic fracturing. These findings provide scientific justification for blasting operations in complex rock formations. Full article

Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), also known as Wire Arc Directed Energy Deposition, is used for fabricating large metallic components with high deposition rates. However, the process often leads to residual stress, distortion, defects, undesirable microstructure, and inconsistent bead geometry. These challenges necessitate reliable in-situ monitoring for process understanding, quality assurance, and control. While several reviews exist on in-situ monitoring in other additive manufacturing processes, systematic coverage of sensing methods specifically tailored for WAAM remains limited. This review fills that gap by providing a comprehensive analysis of existing in-situ monitoring approaches in WAAM, including thermal, optical, acoustic, electrical, force, and geometric sensing. It compares the relative maturity and applicability of each technique, highlights the challenges posed by arc light, spatter, and large melt pool dynamics, and discusses recent advances in real-time defect detection and control, process monitoring, microstructure and property prediction, and minimization of residual stress and distortion. Apart from providing a synthesis of the existing literature, the review also provides research needs, including the standardization of monitoring methodologies, the development of scalable sensing systems, integration of advanced AI-driven data analytics, coupling of real-time monitoring with multi-physics modeling, exploration of quantum sensing, and the transition of current research from laboratory demonstrations to industrial-scale WAAM implementation. Full article

The transportation safety of aviation structural components directly impacts equipment performance and mission success rates, constituting a critical link in modern aviation industry that cannot be overlooked. Traditional methods relying on numerical analysis or structural health monitoring techniques analyze structural stress during transportation to ensure safety. However, they suffer from low computational efficiency, inability to perform real-time online monitoring, or limited coverage to a few measurement points. To address these challenges, this study proposes a metabolic deep learning model based on Gated Recurrent Units (GRU) for predicting stresses in symmetrical vertical tail (SVT) structures during transportation. First, a refined finite element model of the symmetrical vertical tail structure is established using a model ensemble analysis strategy. By integrating modal analysis with transient analysis, the maximum stress loads for different transportation processes are calculated, generating maximum stress data samples under multiple acceleration history conditions. Second, by establishing a mathematical description and deep learning framework, the GRU establishes a mapping relationship between acceleration history and maximum stress, enabling prediction of maximum stress loads associated with different acceleration histories. This method effectively resolves the challenge of exponential mesh growth in complex assembly simulations. This research enables real-time structural stress warnings for drivers during highway transportation, triggering early alerts when stress approaches allowable limits to ensure structural safety and reliability. Full article