Search Results (153,402)

Geothermal fluids are the main carrier of hydrothermal geothermal resources. Identifying the differences in geothermal fluids in different types of reservoirs is a prerequisite and fundamental for the efficient development of geothermal resources and is of great significance for scientific research on geothermal resources. The North China Plain contains a typical carbonate thermal reservoir, and in this paper, the hydrochemical, isotopic, and redox characteristics of the geothermal fluids in sandstone and carbonate reservoirs are studied to obtain the differences in the geothermal fluids in the Rongcheng geothermal field in Xiong’an New Area. The results indicate that the geothermal fluids in the sandstone and carbonate reservoirs are mainly supplied by atmospheric rainfall, and the hydrochemical type is mainly Cl-Na type. By comparing and analyzing the stable isotope (O, H, C, S, and Sr) characteristics of the two types of geothermal fluids, it is found that the variation range of δ13C values for two types of sandstone thermal storage geothermal fluids was found to be −10.6‰~−12.8‰, while the variation range of δ¹³C values for carbonate thermal storage geothermal fluids was −3.3‰~−7.5‰. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of sandstone thermal storage geothermal fluids was distributed between 0.708–0.718, and the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of carbonate thermal storage geothermal fluids was distributed between 0.708–0.713. The range of δ³⁴S values for sandstone thermal storage geothermal fluids was +9.46‰~+10.5‰, and the range of δ³⁴S values for carbonate thermal storage geothermal fluids was +24.84‰~+34.49‰. The two types of geothermal fluids have been subjected to varying degrees of oxidation-reduction, and their cycling and mixing characteristics are different. This has resulted in the formation of relatively oxidized geothermal fluids in the sandstone geothermal reservoir and relatively reduced geothermal fluids in the carbonate geothermal reservoir. In future development and utilization of geothermal resources, paying attention to the basic characteristics of the geothermal fluids in different reservoirs and identifying the differences in different geothermal fluids can further improve the efficiency of geothermal resource development and utilization. Full article

Synthesizing natural substances has always been a significant challenge for organic chemists. The key to a successful total synthesis lies in utilizing reactions that generate molecular complexity with high stereocontrol. Photochemical reactions offer immense potential in this regard, though their complex mechanisms require careful mastery. This review explores recent examples from the literature where light-mediated reactions are crucial, often irreplaceable by thermal alternatives. The manuscript is organized by different photochemical processes, each introduced with relevant background. This review does not offer a complete analysis of all recent light-assisted syntheses; rather, it offers a glimpse into the growing trend of using photo-driven transformations to address significant synthetic challenges. Full article

Background: Multimorbidity (the co-occurrence of two or more chronic conditions) is increasingly common among older adults and contributes to diminished well-being and greater healthcare use. While national data highlight regional variation, few studies have examined how multimorbidity is patterned within provinces like Saskatchewan or how it relates to access and acute care use. Objective: To describe sociodemographic and geographic patterns of multimorbidity among older adults in Saskatchewan and examine its association with healthcare access, unmet needs, and recent emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of a population-based telephone survey of 1093 adults aged 65+ across Saskatchewan. Respondents were categorized by chronic disease burden (none, one, or multimorbidity). Descriptive statistics and postal code-level mapping explored health status, access, and utilization. Results: Multimorbidity (10.6%) was more prevalent among older adults aged 75+, Indigenous respondents, and those with lower education. It was associated with poorer self-rated health, greater unmet needs, and higher ED visits (20.7%) and hospitalizations (12.1%) compared to those without chronic conditions. Northern regions had proportionally higher multimorbidity, despite smaller populations. Conclusions: Findings highlight social and spatial disparities in chronic disease burden and underscore the need for equity-focused strategies in Saskatchewan’s rural and northern communities. Full article

Transanal Irrigation (TAI) and Colon Hydrotherapy (CHT) represent emerging therapeutic options that may complement first-line interventions or serve as rescue treatments for chronic constipation and fecal incontinence. Their clinical utility depends on patient characteristics, specific therapeutic goals, device features, and probe type, as well as the procedural setting. This review presents the various pathophysiological contexts in which these techniques can be applied, analyzing their specific characteristics and potential pros and cons. Moreover, these interventions are also considered within a Psycho-Neuro-Endocrino-Immunological (PNEI) framework, given the potential influence of intestinal function and microbiota modulation on the bidirectional communication pathways linking the enteric nervous system, neuroendocrine regulation, immune activity, and global patient well-being. Since there is not yet enough scientific data on this topic, future research should prioritize randomized controlled trials comparing these techniques with other standard treatments (e.g., laxatives or dietary fiber) in defined patient populations. Longitudinal studies will also be essential to clarify long-term safety, potential effects on microbiota, and both risks and benefits. Standardization of technical procedures also remains a critical need, especially regarding professional competencies, operating parameters (e.g., instilled volumes and pressure ranges), and reproducible protocols. Moreover, future investigations should incorporate objective outcome measures, as colonic transit time, stool form and frequency, indices of inflammation or intestinal wall integrity, and changes to microbiome composition. In conclusion, TAI and CHT have the potential to serve as important interventions for the treatment and prevention of chronic constipation and intestinal dysbiosis, as well as their broader systemic correlates, in the setting of bio-integrated medicine. Full article

The agave wilt associated with Fusarium oxysporum (Fox) is a major disease of blue agave (Agave tequilana Weber var. azul), used to produce “Tequila” in Mexico. Little is known about the A. tequilana-F. oxysporum interaction yet understanding defense mechanisms against the pathogen is necessary for control strategies. During early Fox infection, plants trigger defense mechanisms to interrupt the compatible interaction, while Fox’s pathogenesis mechanism interacts with plant response. This study evaluated plant defense mechanisms induced by Fox in A. tequilana and their interaction with fungal pathogenesis. For this, an A. tequilana pathogenic strain (FPA), and the non-A. tequilana pathogenic strains FNPA and FOL were utilized. Early defense mechanisms evaluated were hypersensitive response (HR) and cell wall strengthening in agave roots. Resistance mechanisms evaluated included pathogenesis-related proteins (PR proteins), phytoanticipins and phytoalexins. For early defense, induced HR was greater with FPA than other strains. Cell wall strengthening was found in agave roots, plants responded differentially to different strains. Initial response to FPA and FOL was similar in PR proteins, phytoalexins and phytoanticipins production. However, the response differentiated with FOL over time, indicating an incompatible interaction. The study identified effective and ineffective defense responses of A. tequilana to Fox infection, where FPA exhibited compatibility and caused unregulated ROS and PCD, early inhibition of PR activity, extensive lignification, and saponin detoxification. In contrast, this study unveiled incompatible interactions (FNPA and FOL) because of limited colonization, localized HR with suppressed ROS, early and sustained POX activation, significant callose accumulation, moderate lignification, and phenol–saponin dynamics that help in tissue containment and recovery. Full article

The massive influx of pelagic Sargassum in the Caribbean poses a serious environmental, social, and economic problem, as the stranded biomass is often treated as waste and deposited in landfills. This literature review synthesizes recent research highlighting its potential for valorization in various industries, turning this challenge into an opportunity. Sargassum has low levels of protein and lipids. Still, it is particularly rich in carbohydrates, such as alginates, fucoidans, mannitol, and cellulose, as well as secondary metabolites, including phenolic compounds, flavonoids, pigments, and phytosterols with antioxidant and bioactive properties. These biochemical characteristics allow for its application in renewable energy (bioethanol, biogas, biodiesel, and combustion), agriculture (fertilizers and biostimulants), construction (composite materials, cement additives, and insulation), bioremediation (adsorption of heavy metals and dyes), and in the health sector (antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and pharmacological uses). A major limitation is its high bioaccumulation capacity for heavy metals, particularly arsenic, which increases environmental and health risks and limits its direct use in food and feed. Therefore, innovative pretreatment and bioprocessing are essential to mitigate these risks. The most promising approach for its utilization is a biorefinery model, which allows for the sequential extraction of multiple high-value compounds and energy products to maximize benefits, reduce costs, and sustainably transform Sargassum from a coastal pest into a valuable industrial resource. Full article

Background: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a rare but serious congenital anomaly linked to high mortality rates and significant long-term morbidity. Although numerous prognostic factors for short-term outcomes have been identified through hospital-based studies, data on long-term mortality at the population level are limited. Specifically, nationwide assessments of long-term outcomes for infants with CDH are scarce. This study aimed to estimate the national 5-year all-cause mortality for CDH and to create a population-level risk stratification nomogram utilizing nationwide health insurance claims data. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of infants with CDH using nationwide insurance claims data from 2002 to 2016, allowing for complete 5-year follow-up. We analyzed population-level demographic and clinical proxy variables with Cox proportional hazards models and developed a nomogram for long-term mortality risk stratification. Results: Factors such as rural residence, middle-to-high SES, respiratory distress in newborns, and CHD were associated with increased 5-year mortality in infants with CDH. The claims-based nomogram, which incorporated sociodemographic and comorbidity variables, demonstrated moderate discriminatory power (AUC 0.76; C-index 0.78) for population-level risk stratification. Conclusions: This nationwide claims-based cohort study provides population-level estimates of 5-year mortality associated with CDH and introduces a nomogram that offers moderate discriminatory ability for long-term risk stratification. Full article

Background: Extended platelet-rich fibrin (e-PRF) membranes are a novel 100% autologous biomaterial with a longer resorption time (4–6 months) than traditional solid-PRF membranes (two weeks). In part 1 of this 2-part publication series, four clinical variations for using these novel e-PRF membranes for socket preservation were introduced. In this randomized clinical trial (RCT), all four iterations of e-PRF membranes were compared to traditional collagen membranes in alveolar ridge preservation for hard and soft tissue dimensional changes and early wound healing outcomes. Methods: A single-center RCT was conducted, including 55 patients requiring the extraction of a single tooth with planned implant placement. All sockets were grafted with a “sticky bone” (bone allograft mixed with PRF) and secured with either a collagen membrane (control) or e-PRF membranes utilizing the four variations present in Part 1 (both formed extra-orally or intra-orally, each with or without an overlying solid PRF membrane). The time of fabrication and application of each e-PRF iteration was recorded. Cone beam computed tomography was utilized to evaluate horizontal and vertical ridge dimensions at baseline and 3 months post-operatively, and soft tissue thickness was also measured at both time intervals utilizing an endodontic reamer. Early wound healing was recorded at 2 weeks, utilizing the Landry, Turnbull, and Howley Index by three blinded clinicians. Results: The results demonstrated that, at 3 months, the e-PRF membranes fabricated utilizing all 4 treatment variations demonstrated equal improvements in horizontal and vertical ridge dimensions and soft tissue thickness when compared to collagen membranes. Additionally, the membrane (p = 0.029) and membrane w/solid (p = 0.021) groups demonstrated statistically significant superior early wound healing compared to the collagen membrane group. Notably, the Bio-Filler groups demonstrated statistically significant reduction in fabrication/application time compared to the membrane groups. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this RCT, all e-PRF iterations performed comparably to collagen membranes in maintaining both hard and soft tissue ridge dimensions when combined with sticky bone, while also significantly improving soft tissue wound healing. Future RCTs with alternative grafting materials, direct wound-margin assessment, and evaluation of patient-reported outcomes are necessary to clarify the advantages of each membrane type. Full article

Glycyrrhiza pallidiflora Maxim., a perennial legume with high biomass yield and good nutritional value, has potential as a forage resource. This study examined how mixing G. pallidiflora (C) with Leymus chinensis (Y) at varying ratios (C10Y0, C9Y1, C8Y2, C7Y3, C6Y4) affects silage fermentation, chemical composition, and microbial community structure. All treatments were inoculated with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (1 × 10⁶ CFU/g fresh weight) and ensiled for 120 days. The results indicated that mixed silages markedly improved overall fermentation quality compared to the sole C silage (C10Y0). These mixed silages exhibited superior lactic acid (LA) concentrations, lower pH. Bacterial community profiling revealed that the addition of Y shifted the microbiota from a diverse community to one dominated by Lactobacillus. Although the C6Y4 and C7Y3 groups exhibited lower pH, they showed significantly elevated NH₃-N contents, while their crude protein contents and the relative abundances of Lactobacillus were both lower than those of the C9Y1 and C8Y2 groups. Considering the core requirements of comprehensive quality, the mixing ratios of 9:1 (C9Y1) and 8:2 (C8Y2) demonstrated the optimal effects: at these ratios, the silage maintained a CP content of 12.84–14.48% DM, with NDF and ADF contents stabilized at 47.55–51.09% DM and 33.67–34.14% DM, respectively, and DM content of 28.85–31.32%; in terms of fermentation quality, the pH value decreased from 4.85 in the sole C silage (C10Y0) to 4.04–4.11, the LA content increased from 13.91 g/kg DM to 28.86–30.87 g/kg DM, the LA/AA ratio rose from 1.31 to 3.37–3.97, and the NH₃-N content was reduced by 0.56–0.96% TN compared to the C10Y0 (decreasing to 4.16–4.45% TN), effectively inhibiting protein degradation; at the microbial level, the LAB count reached 9.03–9.05 log₁₀ CFU/g FM, an increase of 2.12–2.14 compared to the C10Y0, with a relative abundance exceeding 80%, successfully suppressing the proliferation of undesirable bacteria such as Raoultella and Weissella and ensuring fermentation stability. This provides technical support for utilizing this plant as a viable alternative forage resource. Full article

Cognitive diagnosis serves as a key component in personalized intelligent education, designed to accurately evaluate students’ knowledge states by analyzing their historical response data. It offers fundamental support for various educational applications such as adaptive learning and exercise recommendation. However, when leveraging student data, existing diagnostic models often incorporate sensitive attributes like family economic background and geographic location, which may lead to bias and unfairness. To address this issue, this paper introduces a Fairness-Aware Cognitive Diagnosis model (FACD) based on counterfactual graph representation learning. The approach builds student-centered causal subgraphs and integrates a graph variational autoencoder with adversarial learning to mitigate the influence of sensitive attributes on node representations. It further employs both central-node and neighbor-node perturbation strategies to generate counterfactual samples. A Siamese network is utilized to enforce representation consistency across different counterfactual scenarios, thereby deriving fair student contextual embeddings. Experimental results on the PISA 2015 dataset show that FACD outperforms conventional cognitive diagnosis models and their fairness-aware variants in terms of ACC, AUC, and RMSE. Ablation studies confirm the effectiveness and synergistic nature of each module. This work provides a viable pathway toward more reliable and equitable cognitive diagnosis systems. Full article

The agro-industrial valorization of citrus waste represents a promising avenue to employ underutilized bioresources. This research investigated the potential of the peels of BARI malta 1 (sweet orange), a widely grown variety in Bangladesh, as a viable and new source for pectin extraction. Pectin is a polysaccharide, having extensive applications in the pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food business as a thickening, texturizer, emulsifier, gelling agent, and stabilizer. This study investigated the optimum extraction conditions for maximum yield, characterization, and physicochemical properties of the obtained pectin and compared the results with the pectin obtained from other sources. Comprehensive characterization through Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) confirmed the structural identity, crystallinity, thermal stability, and morphological features of the extracted pectin. Physicochemical properties, including moisture content, ash content, equivalent weight, methoxyl content, and degree of esterification, indicate the suitability and superiority of the extracted pectin for industrial applications. This research approach not only supports eco-friendly processing of citrus waste but also opens avenue for circular economy initiatives in Bangladesh. Full article

The article presents an approach to synthesizing artificial intelligence agents (AI agents), in particular, control and decision support systems for process operators in various industries. Such a system contains an identifier in the feedback loop that generates digital predictive associative search models of the Just-in-Time Learning (JITL) type. It is demonstrated that the system can simultaneously solve (outside the control loop) two additional tasks: online operator pre-training and mutual adaptation of the operator and the system based on real-world production data. Solving the latter task is crucial for teaching the operator and the system collaborative handling of abnormal situations. AI agents improve control efficiency through self-learning, personalized operator support, and intelligent interface. Stabilization of process variables and minimization of deviations from optimal conditions make it possible to operate process plants close to constraints with sustainable product qualities. Along with higher yield of target product(s), this reduces equipment wear and tear, utilities consumption and associated harmful emissions. This is the key merit of Model Predictive Control (MPC) systems, which justify their application. JITL-type models proposed in the article are more precise than conventional ones used in MPC; therefore, they enable the operation even closer to process constraints. Altogether, this further improves the reliability of production systems and contributes to their sustainable development. Full article

Shilling attacks pose a significant threat to collaborative filtering recommender systems. However, fake user profiles generated by mainstream attack models often lack diversity and realism. Furthermore, the static noise strategies and statistical dependency modeling used in advanced frameworks like the Multi-Distribution Mixture Generative Adversarial Network (MDM-GAN) are ill-suited for high-dimensional, sparse attack scenarios. To address these challenges, we propose MDM-GANSA, a specialized attack model tailored for shilling attacks. First, it replaces the static mixture with a dynamic adaptive noise strategy by incorporating a weight predictor network. This network dynamically adjusts the weights of multiple noise sources based on the current training state, generating more diverse user latent representations. Second, it employs an autoencoder for data-driven dependency modeling, replacing the traditional statistical method. This allows the model to learn and generate profiles with inherent logical dependencies directly from genuine data. Consequently, it enhances the realism of the generated fake user profiles in terms of both statistical properties and internal logic. Additionally, the model utilizes an optimized two-stage generative architecture and fine-grained loss constraints to ensure training stability and high-quality outputs. Experimental results on two public datasets demonstrate that MDM-GANSA significantly outperforms various baseline models in both attack effectiveness and stealthiness. This study provides a concrete implementation for building a shilling-attack generation model targeting collaborative filtering recommender systems, and it also offers a feasible pathway for adapting general-purpose deep generative models to specialized security-oriented scenarios. Full article

This study evaluates the performance of single concrete-filled frictional Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) piles embedded in saturated liquefiable sand and subjected to seismic loading using a shaking table. A unidirectional shaking table equipped with a 1000 mm × 1000 mm × 1000 mm laminar shear box with 27 lamina rings was utilized in the study. FRP tubes manufactured from epoxy-saturated Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) and Glass Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) fabrics were filled with 35 MPa concrete and allowed to cure for 28 days, serving as model piles for the experimental programme, with cylindrical concrete prisms employed to represent the behaviour of traditional piles. Pile dimensions and properties based on scaling relationships were selected to account for the nonlinear nature of soil–pile systems under seismic loading. Scaled versions of ground motions from the 2010 Val-des-Bois and 1995 Hyogo-Ken Nambu earthquakes were implemented as input motions in the tests. The results show limited variation in the inertial and kinematic responses of the piles, especially before liquefaction. Head rocking displacements were within 5% of each other during liquefaction. Post liquefaction, the concrete-filled FRP piles showed lower response compared to the traditional concrete pile. The results suggests that concrete-filled FRP piles, especially those made from carbon fibre, provide practical alternatives for use. Full article

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) and beige adipocytes play a crucial role in adaptive thermogenesis, primarily via uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)-driven heat production. Once considered physiologically irrelevant in adults, BAT is now recognized as an active tissue that contributes to energy expenditure and metabolic homeostasis and represents a potential therapeutic target for obesity and metabolic disorders. This review provides an integrated overview of the molecular regulation of thermogenic adipocytes, emphasizing both canonical UCP1-dependent as well as non-canonical UCP1-independent mechanisms of heat generation. Key transcriptional and epigenetic regulators are discussed in the context of mitochondrial biogenesis, substrate utilization, and thermogenic gene programs. Major upstream signaling routes are further summarized, encompassing classical β-adrenergic pathways, as well as alternative regulatory nodes including AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) together with diverse nutrient- and hormone-responsive cues that converge to activate brown and beige adipocytes. Finally, the cross-talk among neuronal, endocrine, immune, and gut microbiota-derived signals is highlighted as a key determinant of thermogenic adipocyte function. Together, these multilayered regulatory inputs provide a comprehensive framework for understanding how thermogenic adipose tissue integrates environmental, metabolic, and microbial cues to regulate systemic energy balance—knowledge that is essential for developing targeted therapies to combat obesity and metabolic diseases. Full article