Search Results (3,546)

Building cost-effective homes that comply with stringent environmental regulations remains a significant challenge for the UK housebuilding sector, particularly for social housing providers. In the context of net zero targets and reducing embodied carbon, this study examines opportunities to minimise material waste and associated impacts. Using an inductive mixed-methods approach, the research began with a literature review to establish baseline waste rates across key material streams. It then analysed material usage data from three completed housing developments, comparing estimated quantities with actual orders and spend to identify discrepancies between assumptions and real-world outcomes. To validate these findings, a controlled case study tracked the construction of a single four-bedroom home, enabling direct measurement of waste rates and assessment of cost and carbon implications at unit level. Results highlight a series of marginal gains achievable through improved estimating and procurement practices, which collectively offer potential for significant financial savings and reductions in embodied carbon when scaled nationally. For social housing providers, these efficiencies could lower build costs, support sustainability goals, and create opportunities to reinvest in additional housing delivery. Full article

Periodontitis is closely linked to atherosclerosis; however, the role of the keystone periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), particularly its virulence factor, outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) dysfunction remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the effects of P. g-OMVs on mouse aortic smooth muscle cells (MOVAS) and the potential involvement of cytoskeleton-associated protein 4 (CKAP4) in this process. OMVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and Western blotting. MOVAS cells were treated with OMVs; cellular functions were evaluated using CCK-8, colony formation, scratch wound-healing, ELISA, and Western blotting assays. Lentiviral vectors were used to construct CKAP4 overexpression and knockout cell models. Results showed that after P. g-OMVs were internalized by MOVAS cells, the cells showed cytoskeletal disorganization, promoting cell proliferation, wound closure, and contractile-to-synthetic phenotypic switching (decreased α-SMA and increased OPN expression), and enhancing extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling (upregulated expression of type I collagen, type III collagen, fibronectin, matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1). At the protein level, P. g-OMV treatment was associated with upregulated expression of CKAP4, integrin α5, and integrin β1; CKAP4 overexpression synergized with OMV stimulation to amplify these phenotypic alterations, whereas CKAP4 knockout attenuated these cellular changes. These findings suggest an association between CKAP4 upregulation and P. g-OMV-induced MOVAS dysfunction, indicating that CKAP4 may serve as a potential target in periodontitis-associated atherosclerosis. Full article

The temporal dynamics of nitrogen (N) fractions and ammonia (NH₃) volatilization were investigated over a 56-day storage period using a laboratory-scale pig slurry pit simulator. A detailed N mass balance, encompassing total N (TN), total ammonium N (TAN), organic N, and nitrate N (NO₃⁻-N) fractions, yielded a N mass recovery of 96.5%, despite uncertainties associated with discrete emission measurements, with a TN reduction of 28.3 g vessel⁻¹ closely matched by cumulative NH₃-N emissions of 27.3 g. The NH₃ emission profile exhibited a distinct two-phase pattern. During Phase I (days 1–28), emissions remained stable at 16.7–19.5 g m⁻² d⁻¹, accounting for approximately 58% of total cumulative NH₃-N loss (518.6 g m⁻²), consistent with zero-order kinetics. Phase II (days 29–56) was characterized by first-order exponential decay (k = 0.0293 d⁻¹, R² = 0.982), coinciding with progressive TAN depletion. Measured emission rates were strongly correlated with theoretical free ammonia N (FAN) concentrations derived from pH and temperature (R² = 0.74), confirming that theoretical FAN provides a useful upper bound for emission potential, although the actual gaseous flux is restricted by mass-transfer limitations at the slurry–air interface. These results demonstrate that continuous pH and temperature monitoring provides a practical basis for tracking emission dynamics and informing the timing of mitigation interventions, particularly during the high-flux initial storage phase. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a devastating disease with limited therapeutic options, a high mortality rate, and poor overall survival, necessitating the development of new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies. This study investigated the potential of plasma-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) as a source of molecular biomarkers associated with the treatment response. Methods: Plasma samples were obtained from patients with locally advanced and borderline resectable PDAC at baseline and following neoadjuvant chemotherapy, either FOLFIRINOX (5-FU [fluorouracil], leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan) or GEM-ABRAX ( gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel), followed by stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). sEVs were isolated from plasma at baseline, after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and following SBRT, and were characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nano-flow cytometry, and real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Results: The isolated sEVs exhibited an average size of <200 nm, expressed canonical exosome markers (CD63 and CD9), and exhibited pancreatic cancer (PanC)-associated markers, including cholecystokinin A receptor (CCK-AR) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9). The sEV cargo included several PanC-associated microRNAs (miRNAs). Notably, the expression profiles of these miRNAs demonstrated interpatient variability, though a subset of miRNAs showed statistically significant changes following treatment. Conclusions: These findings support the feasibility of sEV isolation and molecular profiling from patient plasma and warrant further investigation as a potential source of biomarkers in pancreatic cancer. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hydration status at the time of stroke has been identified as a predictor of both vital and functional prognosis. Many studies have demonstrated that dehydration is associated with poorer outcomes, yet the prevalence of dehydration in those affected by stroke remains high. In this review, we systematically identify, appraise and summarise international clinical practice recommendations regarding hydration care after stroke. Methods: International clinical practice guidelines, published since 2009, were identified through a combination of searches of four online databases, searching of relevant websites and guidelines repositories, and citation tracking. Independent screening and data extraction were followed by quality appraisal using the AGREE II tool, and qualitative content analysis underpinned by a priori defined categories. Results: Thirteen clinical practice guidelines were included, from which 35 eligible recommendations were identified. Only seven (54%) guidelines were rated as high-quality (adequately addressing at least three AGREE II domains including “Rigour of development”). The majority of the 35 recommendations were intended for application to all stroke patients (23, 66%). Specific sub-populations, for whom hydration care was emphasised included people with dysphagia (8, 23%), immobile (2, 6%) and catheterised patients (1,3%), and those with cerebral oedema (1, 3%). Hydration care was most often discussed in the context of the avoidance and/or management of post-stroke complications, with only 8 (23%) recommendations specifically discussing hydration care alone. Of those eight recommendations, 3 (38%) suggested all stroke patients should have their hydration assessed, and 5 (62%) proposed methods of hydration management. Conclusions: The review demonstrates that international stroke guidelines recognise the importance of hydration care, although almost half of the guidelines are low to moderate quality and consider hydration in the context of post-stroke complications. Whilst hydration care, routine assessment and management of hydration status, is broadly endorsed, methods remain poorly defined. Further high-quality evidence is needed to support the development of standardised, evidence-based guidelines. Future guidelines should address the timing and methods of assessment, including the establishment of diagnostic thresholds to inform the interpretation of haematological results and subsequent treatment decisions. Full article

Essential amino acids and unsaturated fatty acids are key nutritional indicators. The human body preferentially absorbs these compounds, which have beneficial effects on health. In aquatic ecosystems, plankton communities serve as the primary food source for aquatic organisms, playing a crucial role in shaping their nutritional composition. In this study, we collected populations of Macrobrachium nipponense and corresponding water samples from ten distinct geographical locations across China. These sites included five freshwater resources and five saline–alkaline water resources. This study measured the ionic composition and plankton community structure of water samples, and analyzed the nutritional components of M. nipponense, aiming to identify indicator taxa linked to the nutritional value in this species. The results show significant differences in both nutritional components and plankton community structures between freshwater and saline–alkaline environments. This suggests a correlation between specific plankton taxa and the nutritional value of M. nipponense. Using relative sequence abundance data from metabarcoding, linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis identified six plankton indicator taxa at the genus level. Their abundance differed significantly between the two habitat types. The saline–alkaline region had three associated taxa: Cyclotella, Brachionus, and Chaetoceros. In contrast, Arctodiaptomus, Cryptomonas, and Limnoithona were identified as indicator taxa for freshwater regions. Redundancy analysis (RDA) and Pearson correlation analysis revealed that, with the exception of the SY site, the abundance of Chaetoceros and Brachionus in saline–alkaline waters tracked with levels of K⁺, Ca²⁺, and HCO₃⁻. Meanwhile, at the SZ site, plankton community richness rose with CO₃²⁻. Furthermore, the potential correlations between plankton indicator taxa and the formation of specific nutritional components in M. nipponense were explored. These findings highlight the complex interactions among ionic composition, plankton indicator taxa, and nutritional value in M. nipponense. Ultimately, this study can support the development of artificial techniques to regulate the nutritional components of this commercially important species. Full article

Background: The NLRP3 inflammasome drives pathological inflammation in various diseases. PINK1/Parkin-associated mitophagy serves as a critical negative regulator of NLRP3 activation, yet pharmacological enhancers remain scarce. Muscone, a natural macrocyclic ketone with blood–brain barrier permeability, exhibits potent anti-inflammatory properties; however, its mechanistic role within the NLRP3-mitophagy axis remains undefined. Methods: LPS/ATP-stimulated macrophages were employed to assess stage-specific effects of muscone on NLRP3 priming (NF-κB signaling, NLRP3, and pro-IL-1β expression) and activation (ASC oligomerization, ASC–pro-caspase 1 complex formation, and IL-1β secretion). RNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis were performed for pathway enrichment. Mitophagy was characterized by MitoSOX Red staining for mt-ROS detection, electron microscopy, Western blotting of LC3B-II in isolated mitochondria and PINK1 and Parkin in whole-cell lysates, and live-cell mitochondria–lysosome tracking. In vivo protective efficacy was assessed in an LPS-induced endotoxemia mouse model. Results: Muscone dose-dependently suppressed both the priming and activation stages of the NLRP3 inflammasome, maximally reducing IL-1β secretion by ~60% at 50 μM. Mechanistically, muscone amplified PINK1/Parkin-associated mitophagy, scavenging excessive mt-ROS and attenuating NLRP3 activation. These effects were corroborated by RNA-seq and comprehensive functional assays. In vivo, muscone (30 mg/kg) significantly improved survival (3/8 mice alive at 98 h when all LPS controls had died; 2/8 survived to the 132-h endpoint), with concomitant enhancement of mitophagy markers in peritoneal macrophages. Conclusions: Muscone functions as a PINK1/Parkin-associated mitophagy enhancer that maintains mitochondrial quality control during NLRP3-driven inflammatory responses. Its unique macrocyclic structure and blood–brain barrier permeability provide a promising scaffold for developing therapeutics against inflammatory disorders associated with NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Full article

Background: Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) has emerged as a valuable tool for population-level monitoring of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission, yet the interplay between sampling strategies and disease prevalence in shaping detection performance remains ambiguous. We investigated how grab and composite sampling influence SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) detection dynamics and predictive lag times across high- and low-prevalence communities in Selangor, Malaysia. Methods: A 28-week longitudinal study was conducted in Selangor, Malaysia, comparing grab and composite wastewater sampling in communities with high and low Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevalence. SARS-CoV-2 RNA in 348 samples was quantified using digital Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-dPCR), and viral lineages were characterized by Nanopore sequencing. Detection sensitivity and lead times relative to reported cases were evaluated. Results: In low-prevalence settings, grab sampling showed higher detection sensitivity than composite sampling (92.0% vs. 70.0%), whereas both methods achieved similarly high detection in high-prevalence areas (>97.0%). Lag-time analysis indicated that grab sampling in high-prevalence settings was significantly associated with case trends at potential two-week lead (p = 0.024), while composite sampling in low-prevalence settings showed the strongest association at a potential one-week lead (p = 0.0022). Overall, lag structures varied by both sampling strategy and prevalence context. Both sampling approaches captured the replacement of Omicron sublineages (XBB.1.5, XBB.1.9.1, XBB.1.16) and identified additional circulating variants, including EG.5, that were not captured in the available clinical sequencing dataset during the same period. Conclusions: These findings reveal that local transmission intensity is associated with the utility of different sampling designs. Context-specific optimization of WBS sampling strategies enhances sensitivity, reduces detection lag, and strengthens early warning and genomic-tracking capacity in public health surveillance frameworks. Full article

Background/Objectives: Post-COVID syndrome (PCS) is frequently associated with persistent cognitive complaints such as fatigue and impaired concentration, yet objective markers related to cognitive dysfunction are lacking. Pupillary oscillation metrics have emerged as non-invasive indicators of task-related cognitive load and autonomic regulation. This study investigated the Index of Pupillary Activity (IPA) and the Low/High Index of Pupillary Activity (LHIPA) in a large cohort of patients with PCS compared with healthy controls. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 526 participants (397 PCS patients, 129 controls) performed a standardized virtual reality-based stereoscopic task at three disparity levels: 275 arcsec (high difficulty), 550 arcsec (medium difficulty), and 1100 arcsec (low difficulty), using a head-mounted display with integrated eye tracking. Continuous pupillometry data were recorded, and IPA and LHIPA were calculated. Linear mixed-effects models with random intercepts for participants were applied, adjusting for age, sex, and task difficulty. Results: Both IPA and LHIPA were significantly lower in PCS patients than in controls at all three task difficulty levels in post hoc model-based contrasts. In adjusted mixed-effects models, PCS was also associated with lower overall IPA ($\beta =-0.111$, 95% CI $-0.160$ to $-0.062$, $p<0.001$) and lower overall LHIPA ($\beta =-0.164$, 95% CI $-0.253$ to $-0.074$, $p<0.001$). Lower task difficulty was associated with higher values of both metrics: for IPA, $\beta =0.164$ at 550 arcsec and $\beta =0.287$ at 1100 arcsec (both $p<0.001$); for LHIPA, $\beta =0.161$ at 550 arcsec and $\beta =0.254$ at 1100 arcsec (both $p<0.001$), relative to 275 arcsec. Thus, both indices showed an inverse association with task difficulty. Age was negatively associated with both metrics, whereas male sex was positively associated with both. No significant interaction between cohort and task difficulty was observed. Conclusions: PCS was associated with reduced IPA and LHIPA during a standardized stereoscopic task. These findings indicate altered task-related pupillary dynamics in PCS and may reflect altered cognitive-load processing and autonomic regulation. LHIPA, and with caution also IPA, may contribute to the objective assessment of task-related pupillary alterations in PCS. Full article

Neuroinflammation is increasingly recognized as a key modulator of therapeutic response and adverse events in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), especially during anti-amyloid-β (Aβ) monoclonal antibody (Aβ-mAb) treatment. We applied longitudinal translocator protein (TSPO) positron emission tomography (PET) to evaluate TSPO-associated neuroinflammatory responses to chronic Aβ-mAb therapy and their modulation by the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonist pioglitazone. App^NL-G-F knock-in mice underwent TSPO-PET and Aβ-PET imaging at 5, 7.5, and 10 months of age across four treatment arms: placebo, Aβ-mAb, pioglitazone, and combination therapy. TSPO-PET detected early and progressive neuroinflammatory responses to Aβ-mAb that appeared lower with pioglitazone co-treatment. Both mono- and combination therapy were associated with altered temporal and spatial dynamics of the TSPO-PET signal. In addition, we applied a previously validated microglia desynchronization index based on TSPO-PET connectivity, which captured individual variation in regional TSPO-PET organization and correlated with cognitive performance. Together, TSPO-PET and its regional synchronicity can quantify longitudinal, region-specific treatment effects, which may help differentiate harmful from adaptive neuroinflammatory responses. These findings highlight the potential of TSPO-PET as a stratification biomarker to optimize therapeutic interventions. TSPO-PET therefore enables in vivo tracking of treatment-associated neuroinflammatory responses during anti-Aβ immunotherapy and provides a non-invasive framework for evaluating combination strategies targeting amyloid pathology and immune regulation in AD. Full article

Background/Objectives: Red meat is often treated as a single dietary category in nutritional epidemiology, despite substantial heterogeneity in fat content, quality parameters, and preparation methods. This may obscure meaningful associations with brain aging. We tested whether global brain structural associations differed across lean red meat, fatty red meat, pork, processed pork, and organ meat in a large community-based neuroimaging cohort. Methods: Participants were 45,811 UK Biobank adults aged 50 to 80 years with structural MRI, dietary recall, and covariate data. Dietary intake was assessed using up to five administrations of the Oxford WebQ 24 h recall and averaged across available timepoints. Global cortical thickness, total gray matter volume, and total white matter volume were derived from T1-weighted MRI. Continuous predictors were screened for linear quadratic, or spline form prior to grouped penalized variable selection. Final multivariable models incorporated sensitivity analyses stratified by socioeconomic status (SES) and sex. Results: Associations with global brain structure differed by meat type and fat content. Lean red meat showed the most favorable overall pattern, including modest nonlinear favorable association with global cortical thickness and a positive association with white matter volume among higher-SES participants. Fatty red meat showed unfavorable associations with cortical thickness and gray matter volume. Pork showed an unfavorable association with cortical thickness. Organ meat showed an unfavorable association with gray matter volume and with white matter volume among lower-SES participants. Overall, findings suggested that lean red meat tracked with neutral-to-favorable brain structural correlates, whereas fattier red meat and organ meat generally tracked with less favorable structural outcomes. Conclusions: Meat did not relate to global brain structure as a single uniform exposure. Instead, associations differed meaningfully by meat type, fat content, and socioeconomic context. Treating red meat as a single undifferentiated exposure may flatten biologically relevant heterogeneity and contribute to mixed prior findings. These results support more precise dietary phenotyping in brain-health research and suggest that distinctions in meat quality may matter when evaluating long-term brain aging. Findings should not be interpreted to suggest that unlimited meat intake is broadly health-promoting, even if lean, given the established cardiometabolic and vascular risks associated with excess intake of high-fat or processed meats. Full article

Tracking biomechanical changes associated with different training modalities remains a methodological challenge in applied sports science. This pilot longitudinal study examined stroke technique stability in seven junior rowers (aged 16.6 ± 0.5 years) across three measurement sessions (March, April, June), separated by two training mesocycles emphasising strength training and intensive rowing, respectively. Upper body angular velocity was recorded using a smartphone-based MEMS sensor fixed to the upper back during incremental ergometer exercise. Overall stroke duration and its standard deviation remained stable throughout the study period, whereas the durations of the two stroke phases corresponding to forward (drive) and backward (recovery) body motion changed systematically across mesocycles. Phase-specific changes were statistically significant in 10 of 12 paired comparisons (rank-sum test) and 7 of 12 within-subject comparisons (Wilcoxon signed-rank test) for phase durations, and in 9 and 5 of 12 comparisons for their standard deviations, respectively. These findings suggest that the internal structure of the rowing stroke is sensitive to training load specificity, even when overall stroke timing remains unchanged, and that smartphone-based angular velocity analysis provides a feasible tool for individualized biomechanical monitoring in young athletes. Full article

Deformation monitoring of bridges is essential to ensure the structural integrity and serviceability of these critical civil infrastructures. In this context, geodetic measurements using total stations and 3D terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) surveys can provide accurate and reliable data. Multitemporal geodetic observations from total stations enable the tracking of displacements at discrete points, whereas TLS surveys allow for the extension of deformation analysis to entire surfaces. Both techniques can achieve comparable millimeter-level precision. These methods were applied to monitor the deformation of the Ponte della Costituzione (PdC), the most recent pedestrian arch bridge spanning the Grand Canal in Venice (Italy). A total station was used to measure the displacements of six control points installed on structurally significant locations of the bridge. Between 3 October 2023 and 2 February 2026, 28 multitemporal measurement campaigns were conducted. In addition, four TLS surveys, using two different laser scanners, were carried out on 1 August 2025 and 2 February 2026, in order to capture conditions corresponding to maximum annual thermal deformation. The results derived from geodetic measurements reveal a strong correlation among: (i) variations in the distance between the abutments (on the order of 6–7 mm); (ii) vertical displacements of the central upper points of the arch (ranging from 9 to 12 cm); and (iii) fluctuations in ambient temperature. TLS data highlighted a spatially homogeneous deformation pattern extending from the crown of the arch to the abutments, demonstrating that longitudinal displacements affect the entire lateral structure. Mid-term deformation analysis over the two-year period from 6 February 2024 to 2 February 2026 indicates displacement rates of approximately 1.4 mm/year for increasing separation between the abutments and 16.2 mm/year for the decrease in elevation of the central arch point. However, these trends are significantly influenced by environmental temperature variations, as evidenced by an estimated temperature change rate of −3.5 °C/year over the same period. Therefore, continued deformation monitoring of the PdC bridge is recommended in the coming years, particularly in light of ongoing climate change and the associated increase in temperature variability. Full article

History museum exhibition spaces convey historical and cultural information through static artifacts, graphic–text narratives, and spatial atmosphere. The light environment affects not only exhibit visibility but also visitors’ visual comfort and perceptual preference. However, existing studies mainly focus on single lighting parameters, and perceptual differences across multiple lighting conditions remain insufficiently understood. This study investigated static exhibition spaces in history museums through a comparison of 12 virtual lighting conditions generated from different combinations of ambient illuminance, exhibit illuminance, and correlated color temperature. Visitors’ visual behavior and subjective perception were evaluated through eye-tracking experiments, heatmap analysis, and Likert-scale ratings. Different lighting combinations significantly affected visual attention allocation and subjective evaluation. Total duration of fixation, number of fixations, and average pupil diameter showed significant differences across conditions, whereas average fixation time did not. Overall, moderate ambient illuminance and higher exhibit illuminance were associated with more stable visual responses and more positive perceptual evaluations, while correlated color temperature showed a regulatory effect within the tested range of 3000–4000 K. These findings provide preliminary evidence for understanding perceptual responses to lighting combinations in static exhibition spaces and may inform future field-based validation of museum lighting design. Full article

Mass transfer–induced Marangoni convection in volatile binary liquids is commonly associated with the amplification of interfacial concentration disturbances, yet the localized evolution preceding the first visible convective cell remains difficult to quantify experimentally. Here, ethanol–water desorption in a confined quasi–two–dimensional cell with a 2 mm liquid thickness was investigated using quantitative Schlieren imaging. The apparent transient concentration field and interfacial concentration profiles were reconstructed to resolve the earliest observable stage of Marangoni onset. The early behavior depended strongly on the initial ethanol mass fraction. Low–concentration cases mainly exhibited Rayleigh plume structures, high–concentration cases developed Marangoni cellular structures too rapidly for reliable early–stage tracking, whereas intermediate–concentration cases provided a resolvable window before Marangoni cell formation. For an initial ethanol mass fraction of 8 wt.%, a localized interfacial onset site appeared before the first visible Marangoni convective cell. This event initiated two counter–propagating spreading fronts, enriched the swept interfacial region, and was followed shortly by visible Marangoni cellular structures within the redistributed region. The apparent surface tension gradient field exhibited a transient evolution, with an initial increase, followed by a decrease during spreading, and a subsequent increase upon front interaction. These results provide experimental reference data for the pre–cellular interfacial redistribution sequence associated with perturbation–driven Marangoni onset in confined ethanol–water desorption systems. Full article