Search Results (9,433)

The role of land use/land cover (LULC) dynamics in predisposing slopes to shallow landsliding is widely acknowledged but seldom translated into operational susceptibility modelling. Most data-driven approaches still treat LULC as a static factor, neglecting the legacy effects of recent transitions. This study presents a methodological framework to quantify the influence of multi-temporal LULC changes on shallow landslide initiation and to incorporate this information into susceptibility mapping. The procedure was tested in the Metropolitan City of Messina (formerly known as the Province of Messina), Southern Italy, a representative Mediterranean area repeatedly affected by rainfall-triggered slope failures. Freely available LULC maps from 1990 to 2006 were processed through post-classification change detection to identify dominant land cover trajectories. Preliminary analyses within buffer areas showed higher landslide indices (LI, LAI) and Frequency Ratios for some transition classes, suggesting a potential role of LULC changes. These findings motivated the comparison between a static LULC configuration and a dynamic one incorporating the detected transitions within a Frequency Ratio susceptibility model. The dynamic model did not improve the mean Area Under the Curve (AUC) compared to the static model (0.7774 vs. 0.7742), and the observed reduction in variability across five independent random splits (standard deviation 0.012 vs. 0.064) should be considered preliminary. The proposed workflow, based entirely on open data and GIS-based processing, offers a transparent and reproducible methodology for integrating LULC transitions into dynamic susceptibility maps. The use of higher-resolution input data could potentially reduce the scale mismatch and improve the detection of fine-scale transitions, supporting more effective landslide risk mitigation and evidence-based land planning. Full article

The presence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in fresh produce constitutes a significant public health concern, particularly in rural areas where untreated water is commonly used for irrigation. Certain Enterobacter species have been reported as causal agents of onion bulb rot, with Enterobacter cloacae experimentally demonstrated to cause bulb rot in onions. However, there is poor documentation of its effects in the Vhembe District, South Africa. This study investigated the detection and identification of enteric bacteria in onions, soil, and irrigation water, as well as the characterisation of the identified isolates. Thirty-six samples were analysed, comprising 13 onion samples, 4 irrigation water samples, and 9 soil specimens collected from three farms using selective and differential agar. Identification and enumeration in water and onion samples were performed with the Colilert Quanti-Tray. Physicochemical analysis of irrigation water indicated that Farm 3 had the highest electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved solids (TDS), as well as the lowest pH, while Farm 2 exhibited the greatest diversity of pathogenic Escherichia coli pathotypes, including enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), which was absent in Farm 3. Culture-based methods yielded 72 presumptive bacterial isolates, which were characterized using the VITEK 2 system. Identified species included Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Citrobacter amalonaticus, Raoultella ornithinolytica, and members of the Enterobacter cloacae complex. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that most Enterobacter isolates closely matched reference strains of Enterobacter ludwigii. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing against 19 antibiotics demonstrated varied resistance patterns among the isolates. The Enterobacter cloacae complex exhibited the highest resistance (10/19 antibiotics), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (9/19) and Citrobacter amalonaticus (7/19). All isolates were resistant to colistin but remained susceptible to ciprofloxacin, with most also sensitive to gentamicin and amikacin. Future research should include additional farms and investigate antibiotic resistance at the genetic level to elucidate its origins. Full article

This study investigated 1235D aluminum alloys with varying Zr additions to elucidate how Zr content affects the alloy microstructure and corrosion resistance. The results showed that Al₃Zr precipitates refined the grains by pinning grain boundaries. The 0.06% Zr alloy exhibited the finest grain structure, the lowest fraction of low-angle grain boundaries, the lowest geometrically necessary dislocation density, and the fewest microstructural defects susceptible to corrosion. Electrochemical and immersion corrosion tests indicated that the corrosion resistance followed the order 0.06% Zr > 0.12% Zr > 0.02% Zr. The 0.06% Zr alloy exhibited the highest polarization resistance and formed a dense, stable passive film that effectively hindered Cl⁻ penetration, thereby minimizing matrix dissolution and the formation of loose hydroxide corrosion products. An insufficient Zr content provided limited grain refinement, whereas excessive Zr promoted precipitate agglomeration; both conditions intensified localized corrosion. Considering both microstructural evolution and corrosion behavior, 0.06% was identified as the optimal Zr addition for this alloy system. These findings provide a theoretical basis for optimizing the Zr content and improving the corrosion resistance of 1235D aluminum alloys in industrial production. Full article

Colistin resistance is an increasing concern in critically ill adults, but reported rates, clinical consequences, laboratory detection, and resistance mechanisms vary widely between studies. This systematic review evaluated epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and molecular evidence on colistin resistance in adult intensive care populations. MEDLINE/PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection were searched, and the findings were synthesised descriptively because of substantial differences between studies. A total of 120 studies were included. In studies using BMD in broader ICU populations, colistin non-susceptibility ranged from approximately 0.3–57.4% at the isolate level, while patient-level carriage/acquisition estimates ranged from approximately 1.2% to 9.4%. Clinical studies often reported poorer outcomes in patients with colistin-resistant infections. However, the strength and direction of these associations were inconsistent, and most comparative analyses had substantial risk of bias. Laboratory methods influenced resistance detection, while heteroresistance required specific testing approaches. Molecular studies identified several resistance pathways, including mcr genes, mgrB disruption, regulatory alterations, clonal spread, and within-host evolution. Overall, colistin resistance in critical care is highly heterogeneous and should be interpreted according to the clinical, microbiological, and epidemiological context. Full article

Platelet activation plays a central role in arterial thrombosis, thromboinflammation, and microvascular injury. Conventional platelet function tests evaluate platelet responsiveness to exogenous agonists ex vivo but do not directly reflect in vivo platelet activation. Although several soluble platelet-derived molecules, including platelet factor 4 (PF4), β-thromboglobulin (β-TG), soluble P-selectin, soluble CD40 ligand, glycocalicin, and soluble glycoprotein (GP) VI, have been investigated as in vivo platelet activation markers, their clinical use is limited by preanalytical instability, lack of platelet specificity, constitutive shedding, or uncertain disease specificity. Soluble C-type lectin-like receptor 2 (sCLEC-2) has recently emerged as a promising biomarker of in vivo platelet activation. CLEC-2 is expressed predominantly in platelets and megakaryocytes, and its soluble form is released from activated platelets as both a shed molecule and a microparticle-associated form. Compared with PF4 and β-TG, sCLEC-2 is less susceptible to artifactual release during routine blood collection, making it more suitable for clinical laboratory testing. Elevated sCLEC-2 levels have been reported in acute coronary syndrome, acute ischemic stroke, disseminated intravascular coagulation, thrombotic microangiopathy, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In thrombocytopenic disorders, indices incorporating platelet count, such as the C2PAC index, sCLEC-2/D-dimer ratio, and sCLEC-2 × D-dimer/platelet count, may better reflect platelet activation and disease status than sCLEC-2 concentration alone. However, preanalytical standardization, assay harmonization, reference interval validation, and disease-specific cutoff values remain essential. This review summarizes the biological basis, assay systems, clinical evidence, and future perspectives of sCLEC-2 as an emerging laboratory marker of in vivo platelet activation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Beta-lactam antimicrobials are among the most prescribed drugs in veterinary medicine, yet comprehensive epidemiological assessments of resistance across animal species, bacterial taxa, and clinical specimen types remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiology of phenotypic beta-lactam resistance among bacterial isolates submitted to veterinary diagnostic laboratories in Texas and Oklahoma from 2018 to 2024 and to identify factors and organism–specimen–antimicrobial combinations associated with the overall resistance burden. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using antimicrobial susceptibility testing data from 166,686 bacterial isolates collected between 2018 and 2024. Following data cleaning and quality assessment, 789,871 susceptibility observations across seven beta-lactam antimicrobials were analyzed. Descriptive analyses, univariable and multivariable logistic regression, bacterial diversity analysis, and resistance burden ranking were performed to characterize resistance patterns and identify factors associated with resistance. Results: Resistance varied markedly among the seven beta-lactam antimicrobials. Amoxicillin showed the highest resistance prevalence (56.3%), whereas ceftazidime (11.2%) and imipenem (17.2%) had the lowest. Resistance differed substantially across animal categories, bacterial taxa, and clinical specimen groups. Multivariable analyses identified state, animal category, bacterial group, and clinical specimen group as factors independently associated with resistance, while no consistent temporal differences were detected across 2018–2024 after multivariable adjustment. After sample-size standardization, bacterial richness was highest among zoo/wildlife/aquatic animals, while diversity and evenness varied across animal categories and antimicrobials. Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolated from skin specimens and tested against amoxicillin contributed the greatest overall resistance burden. Conclusions: Beta-lactam resistance exhibited substantial epidemiological heterogeneity across host species, bacterial taxa, clinical specimens, and states. These findings provide an evidence base for antimicrobial stewardship, resistance surveillance, and empirical antimicrobial therapy in veterinary medicine. Full article

Chronic ulcers require prolonged care and carry an increased risk of infection and limb loss. Sequencing studies of diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure ulcers have revealed dynamic, patient-specific microbial communities whose composition varies with local tissue conditions and treatment exposure. This review examines changes in microbial burden and community structure during wound-bed and antimicrobial interventions and their relationships with healing. Observed shifts may contribute to therapeutic effects, reflect direct perturbation of the community, or follow tissue recovery. However, most studies are small, heterogeneous, and uncontrolled, limiting causal inference. No published randomized trial has shown that treatment selection informed by sequencing-based microbial profiling improves wound healing. A central translational challenge is to determine whether baseline microbial features reproducibly predict responses to defined interventions. Progress will therefore require prospective longitudinal studies integrating sequencing with quantitative culture, isolate phenotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, biofilm assays, and standardized clinical data. Such studies should establish whether microbiome profiling adds clinically useful information to conventional wound assessment and microbiological testing. Full article

Social media has become an important platform for the public to obtain information, express emotions, seek help, and participate in collaborative responses during major natural disasters. However, existing studies have mainly focused on the intensity of disaster-related discussions, emotional evolution, or patterns of information dissemination, while systematic examination remains limited regarding how public risk perception is associated with specific behavioral responses and whether these associations vary across disaster stages, degrees of regional impact, and user types. Using the stimulus–organism–response (SOR) framework as an organizing heuristic, this study examines the 2023 Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei extreme rainfall event. A total of 31,102 Sina Weibo posts were collected. By integrating LDA topic modeling, risk-perception dictionary matching, a BERT-based semantic robustness check, and chi-square tests, this study analyzes descriptive associations between public risk perception and behavioral responses. The results show that Weibo discussions evolved across disaster stages, with topics shifting from meteorological warnings and disaster reports to mutual aid, rescue operations, material support, and post-disaster reflection. Public risk perception shifted from information-oriented to relationship-oriented cognition, while behavioral responses transitioned from information attention to emergency mutual aid, sustained support, and reflective expression. Further analysis indicates that uncertainty perception was mainly associated with information attention; susceptibility perception co-occurred with help-seeking and emotional support; positive trust perception was strongly associated with emotional support; and negative trust perception co-occurred with questioning, accountability, and reflective suggestions. Because the negative-trust classifier performed substantially less well than the other dimensions, findings involving negative trust are treated as exploratory. Heterogeneity analyses show that observed perception–behavior associations varied across disaster stage, regional impact, and user type. These findings deepen understanding of social-media discourse during disasters while supporting cautious, stage-, region-, and group-sensitive risk communication. Full article

A multicentre, laboratory-based analysis was conducted on aggregated data from 23 hospitals across Colombia. Of 1761 fungal isolates identified, 1642 were yeasts and constitute the focus of this study. Isolates were identified using the VITEK^®2 system, with confirmatory identification by MALDI-TOF-MS for a subset. Antifungal susceptibility testing for fluconazole, voriconazole, amphotericin B, and the echinocandins was performed on Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, and C. tropicalis. Data were stratified by clinical service: adult ICU, adult wards, paediatric ICU, neonatal ICU, and paediatric wards. Temporal trends were assessed using the Cochran–Armitage test. The most prevalent species were C. albicans (42%), C. parapsilosis (24%), C. tropicalis (11%), C. glabrata (7%), and C. auris (3%). C. albicans predominated in adult services, whereas C. parapsilosis was the leading pathogen across paediatric settings. Among species with validated breakpoints, the overall fluconazole resistance rate was 19%, driven primarily by C. parapsilosis (35%, exceeding 40% in some clinical services). Non-wild-type to voriconazole and amphotericin B was low (<5%), and echinocandin resistance was exceedingly rare. The substantial fluconazole resistance driven by C. parapsilosis, together with the emergence of C. auris, underscores the urgent need for sustained surveillance and species-directed antifungal stewardship programmes. Full article

Coal gangue (CG) backfill, utilizing magnesium slag as a cost-effective alternative to ordinary Portland cement, represents a critical technology for underground waste management in China. Crucially, the confined compressibility of this matrix governs its long-term deformation resistance. However, since CG is enriched with hydrophilic clay minerals that trigger intense water uptake, the compressibility of this weakly cemented backfill is highly susceptible to deterioration under the pervasive high-humidity conditions of underground coal mines, which remains poorly understood. To address this gap, this study investigated the multi-scale confined compression behavior of magnesium slag-based (MPB) and conventional cement-based (CPB) fine CG aggregate backfill cured under a high-humidity environment. One-dimensional confined compression tests using a triple-lever oedometer and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations were integrated across varied curing ages. The results indicate that the macroscopic confined compression response is governed by the coupling effects of the moisture-induced softening of fine CG aggregates and the progressive evolution of hydration minerals. With prolonged curing, increased moisture absorption elevates the void ratio variation and compression index (C_c), thereby increasing matrix compressibility. The post-yield C_c after the bond breaks increases with the higher binder content because abundant hydration products encapsulate aggregates, which undergo catastrophic shearing after the cement bond breaks. Conversely, the consolidation coefficient continuously decreases under advancing loads as matrices densify. Although CPB consistently maintains lower compressibility than MPB, both backfills exhibit a time-dependent decline in the yield stress of the cement bond under high-humidity curing. These macro-mechanical degradations are supported by SEM observations; the experimental accuracy was validated through benchmark tests on standard quartz sand. Full article

Background/Objectives: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) typically becomes apparent in the second or third trimester, although hepatobiliary susceptibility may be present earlier. We evaluated associations between first-trimester hepatobiliary and inflammatory composite indices and subsequent ICP. Methods: This retrospective case–control study included 96 women who developed ICP and 197 controls. The S-index, De Ritis ratio, albumin–bilirubin score (ALBI), gamma-glutamyl transferase-to-platelet ratio (GPR), transaminase complex-to-platelet ratio (TACPR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) were calculated from measurements from 8 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks of gestation. ROC analysis, DeLong comparisons, and multivariable logistic regression were performed. Results: Hepatobiliary indices showed numerically higher AUCs than inflammatory indices. The S-index had the numerically highest observed AUC (0.808; 95% CI, 0.727–0.889), with 66.7% sensitivity and 95.1% specificity at a cutoff of ≥0.045. The De Ritis ratio had an AUC of 0.717. DeLong comparisons showed that the S-index had a significantly higher AUC than ALBI but did not differ significantly from the De Ritis ratio, GPR or TACPR. After adjustment for age, body mass index and gestational age at blood sampling, the S-index and De Ritis ratio remained associated with ICP. No inflammatory index had an AUC significantly greater than 0.50. Conclusions: First-trimester hepatobiliary indices, including the S-index and De Ritis ratio, were associated with subsequent ICP and may reflect an early hepatobiliary pattern. These indices warrant prospective validation as adjunctive markers for ICP risk stratification and for identifying women who may benefit from closer surveillance and timely or repeated bile acid testing. Full article

Objective: To compare the color stability of a conventional nanofilled composite (Filtek Ultimate, FU) and a bulk-fill composite (Filtek Bulk Fill, FB) after immersion in health-oriented beverages. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 disc-shaped specimens (n = 10 per group) were prepared from the two composites and immersed for 12 days in distilled water (control), orange juice, green detox, red detox, pomegranate juice, or multivitamin water. Color coordinates (L*, a*, b*) were measured with a spectrophotometer at baseline and after immersion, and ΔL*, Δa*, Δb*, and ΔE were calculated using the CIELAB system. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA with Games-Howell and Welch’s t-tests (α = 0.05). Results: Material, immersion solution, and their interaction significantly affected all color parameters (p < 0.001). FB showed significantly higher ΔE than FU across all six solutions, including distilled water (p = 0.014). In FB, orange juice produced the highest color change (ΔE = 17.33 ± 1.61), followed by pomegranate juice (14.01 ± 0.33) and red detox (10.08 ± 0.72); in FU, ΔE ranged from 1.76 ± 0.76 (distilled water) to 5.16 ± 2.08 (orange juice). Orange juice caused a pronounced increase in lightness in FB (ΔL* = 16.12 ± 1.37), unlike the darkening produced by the other beverages. All beverage groups in both materials exceeded the acceptability threshold (ΔE = 2.7), whereas the distilled water controls of both materials remained below it. Conclusions: The bulk-fill composite was significantly more susceptible to discoloration than the nanofilled composite for all beverages. Health-oriented drinks, particularly orange, pomegranate, and red detox juices, produced clinically unacceptable color changes that should be considered in esthetic treatment and dietary counseling. Full article

Background/Objectives: Certain strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus are widely used as probiotics. However, their functional potential for female reproductive tract health remains insufficiently characterized. While most studies have focused on individual strains, the distribution of putative probiotic-associated genes across the species remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the vaginal probiotic potential of Lb. acidophilus using population genomic analysis and comparative phenotypic characterization. Methods: Pan-genomic analysis was performed on 109 Lb. acidophilus genomes (107 public genomes and 2 vaginal isolates). Putative probiotic-associated gene clusters were identified by functional annotation, categorized into functional modules, and compared among ecological-origin groups. Two vaginal isolates (strains A2 and A3) were characterized in vitro for growth under different pH conditions, cell surface hydrophobicity, lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide production, antimicrobial activity, hemolysis, and antimicrobial susceptibility. Results: The Lb. acidophilus pan-genome was closed, with 1782 of 1902 gene clusters (93.69%) classified as core. Thirty-six putative probiotic-associated gene clusters were identified and grouped into four modules: environmental tolerance, adhesion/colonization, exopolysaccharide/biofilm synthesis, and nutrient metabolism/microbial competition. Thirty-four of the 36 gene clusters were present in all 109 genomes, and no general ecological origin-specific distribution pattern was observed. Three bacteriocin-related gene clusters were conserved across all genomes. A2 and A3 exhibited similar lactic acid production and growth patterns at pH 4–6. Both produced relatively low amounts of hydrogen peroxide compared with the reference strains. A3 showed higher cell surface hydrophobicity and moderate inhibition against Gardnerella vaginalis, while A2 showed no inhibition of this organism. Both isolates were non-hemolytic, and were susceptible to vancomycin and linezolid, resistant to clindamycin, and non-susceptible to daptomycin. No acquired antibiotic resistance genes were detected. Conclusions: Most putative probiotic-associated gene clusters were conserved across the Lb. acidophilus population, whereas A2 and A3 showed strain-dependent phenotypic differences. These findings support combining population genomic analysis with strain-level phenotypic testing when selecting Lb. acidophilus candidates for bacterial vaginal infections. Full article

Collagen functional fragments retain selected activities of parent collagens while allowing greater flexibility in sequence design and precision fermentation. Although recent reviews have covered recombinant collagen production technologies, expression platforms, purification strategies, quality control, and biomedical applications, fragment selection, host–process matching, production, and characterization have received less integrated attention. This review focuses primarily on collagen-derived functional fragments, while collagen-mimetic peptides and collagen-like proteins are discussed as related design systems. The biological basis for fragmentation includes receptor-recognition motifs, matrikines and matricryptins, and basement membrane-derived fragments. The review further examines how motif context, Gly-X-Y organization, stabilizing sequence features, protease susceptibility, post-translational modification requirements, and host compatibility influence fragment stability, expression performance, production feasibility, and product integrity. Microbial production using Escherichia coli, Komagataella phaffii, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae is discussed from the perspectives of construct–host matching, secretory or intracellular production, prolyl 4-hydroxylase configuration, fermentation optimization and scale-up, and product characterization. Finally, we discuss AI-assisted, quality-guided design-build-test-learn workflows that integrate computational prediction, curated structural, extracellular-matrix, interaction, and protease resources, two-tier candidate evaluation, and format-appropriate experimental testing to support iterative sequence, host, and process optimization. The development of collagen functional fragments therefore depends on coordinated optimization of biological function, molecular design, microbial host performance, fermentation processes, and product characterization. Full article

Medium-carbon steels are susceptible to heat-affected zone (HAZ) hardening during welding. This study evaluated the effects of preheating temperature and joint geometry on mechanized gas metal arc welded (GMAW) joints in 6.3 mm thick SAE 1045 steel. Butt and fillet joints were welded under conventional single-pass conditions from room temperature to 250 °C, while an additional two-pass procedure was evaluated separately. Metallography and hardness were evaluated for both joint geometries, whereas tensile and Charpy V-notch tests were performed only on butt joints. Significant joint geometry × preheating condition interactions were identified for weld metal (WM) area, HAZ area, WM hardness and HAZ hardness. Average HAZ hardness remained below 300 HV₁₀ for all conventional single-pass conditions. Among the butt joint single-pass conditions, no statistically significant effect of preheating was detected for ultimate tensile strength (UTS) or Charpy absorbed energy, and all tensile specimens fractured in the base metal (BM). The two-pass procedure was treated descriptively because the second deposition simultaneously altered multiple welding variables. Overall, the effects of preheating on WM and HAZ areas and hardness were joint-geometry-dependent under the investigated conditions. Full article