Search Results (333)

Background and Objectives: Cardiac injury caused by cancer therapy can be detected early using high-sensitivity cardiac troponins (hs-cTns), and this is crucial for preventing irreversible consequences. Clinically relevant issues regarding hs-cTns in oncologic settings—such as reliable cut-off values, the optimal assessment timeframe, factors influencing their levels, and their prognostic ability in relation to functional echocardiographic parameters—require further investigation. In this study, we aimed to examine the determinants of hs-cTnT variations during cancer therapy and the relationship between the biomarker and functional conventional echocardiographic parameters. Materials and Methods: We prospectively evaluated adult patients scheduled for chemotherapy for either breast or gastrointestinal cancers, excluding those with pulmonary and cardiac disorders. We enrolled 40 patients who underwent a minimum of one cycle of potentially cardiotoxic regimens containing at least one of the following agents: anthracyclines, cyclophosphamide, taxanes, 5-fluorouracil, platinum compounds, trastuzumab, or bevacizumab. We observed two-dimensional and tissue Doppler echocardiographic parameters and hs-cTnT levels for a median of 360 days (IQR 162, 478) following the start of chemotherapy. Results: The generalised estimating equation (GEE) analysis revealed significant elevations in hs-cTnT levels at three months (β = 1.2; p = 0.005) and six months (β = 2.3; p = 0.02) from baseline, influenced by anthracycline treatment (p = 0.009), renal function (p = 0.003), and increased cardiotoxicity risk (high: p = 0.013; medium: p < 0.001). Elevated hs-cTnT levels independently predicted the deterioration of the LV longitudinal myocardial function, measured by the systolic tissue velocities, according to the GEE analysis. The receiver operating characteristic curve-derived hs-cTnT thresholds—of 8.23 ng/L and 8.08 ng/L—had a high negative predictive value for identifying Average and Lateral LVS′ decreases, respectively. Conclusions: Our research supports the use of baseline and continuing hs-cTnT testing in cancer patients, showing the dependence of the biomarker on renal function, cardiovascular toxicity risk level, and anthracycline treatment. The hs-cTnT cut-off value of approximately 8 ng/L may suggest a low probability of longitudinal myocardial function impairment and this observation needs further validation in larger cohorts. Full article

The Myśla River, a right-bank tributary of the Oder catchment, was the focus of our study on the impact of environmental parameters on macrozoobenthos diversity and composition. We surveyed 18 sites along the Myśla catchment, from upstream to the outlet, recording environmental features and sampling macrozoobenthos. The taxa composition (31 taxa) was dominated by insect larvae, particularly Diptera Chironomidae, with moderate contributions from mollusc families such as Sphaeriidae, Bithyniidae, and Planorbidae, which are primarily filter-feeders or grazers. Based on environmental affinities, the river was divided into three sections. Sites within lake areas and those with diverse sediment types exhibited the highest biodiversity. Conductivity, flow rate, nitrogen compound levels, dissolved oxygen, suspended particles, and current velocity most strongly influenced biodiversity, while substrate type shaped taxa composition. Lakes heavily disrupt the ecological continuity of the Myśla River, significantly altering natural ecological processes and causing deviations from the River Continuum Concept (RCC), whereas artificial structures exert only minor additional influence. We examined the applicability of the RCC by analyzing macrozoobenthos structure along the upstream-to-downstream gradient. This preliminary study contributes to ongoing regional research, highlighting the role of lakes in shaping the Myśla River ecosystem and assessing the relevance of RCC in unique river systems. Full article

The transition to electric mobility has intensified efforts to develop battery technologies that are not only high-performing but also environmentally sustainable. A critical element in battery system design is the structural housing, which must provide effective impact protection to ensure passenger safety and prevent catastrophic failures. This study examines the impact response of an innovative sheet molding compound (SMC) composite battery housing, manufactured from an Elium resin modified with Martinal ATH matrix, reinforced with glass fibers, that combines fire resistance and recyclability, unlike conventional thermoset and metallic housings. The material was characterized through standardized mechanical tests, and its impact performance was evaluated via drop-weight experiments on plates and a full-scale housing. The impact tests were conducted at varying energy levels to induce barely visible impact damage (BVID) and visible impact damage (VID). A finite element model was developed in LS-DYNA using the experimentally derived material properties and was validated against the impact tests. Parametric simulations of ground and pole collisions revealed the critical velocity thresholds at which housing deformation begins to affect the first battery cells, while lower-energy impacts were absorbed without compromising the pack. The study provides one of the first combined experimental and numerical assessments of Elium SMC in battery enclosures, emphasizing its potential as a sustainable alternative for next-generation battery systems for transport applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: In a previous study, we observed significantly prolonged hepatic and pulmonary first-pass transit times (TTs) for ^99mTc-pertechnetate absorbed through the colorectal mucosa during per-rectal portal scintigraphy (PRPS). This decrease in radiotracer flow velocity was not seen when ^99mTc-pertechnetate was administered into the spleen during trans-splenic portal scintigraphy or injected intravenously in radionuclide angiocardiography. We hypothesized that ^99mTc-pertechnetate, an artificial compound, is recognized during colorectal absorption as a potentially hazardous chemical (PHC), with its hepatic and pulmonary slowdown aiding elimination. A similar sudden decrease in portal flow occurs during early metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC), as shown by a pathological rise in the hepatic perfusion index. We aimed to study the hepatic and pulmonary vasoactive responses triggered by PHCs after they pass through the gut mucosa and evaluate the potential activation of this mechanism in early CRC metastasis. Methods: We measured transit times to determine whether hepatic and pulmonary vasoconstriction occur in response to radiotracers administered at different sites. We performed PRPS with in vivo ^99mTc-labelled RBC to evaluate the liver transit time (LTT) and right heart to liver circulation time (RHLT). Liver angioscintigraphy (LAS) was used to assess RHLT following the intravenous injection of ^99mTc-pertechnetate and ^99mTc-HDP (hydroxyethylene-diphosphate). Lower rectum transmucosal dynamic scintigraphy (LR-TMDS) was conducted to measure RHLT of ^99mTc-pertechnetate delivered into the lower rectum submucosa. LAS was performed to assess LTT for ^99mTc-HDP intravenously injected and delivered to the gut mucosa via arterial flow. Results: In healthy volunteers, PRPS showed notably increased LTT, ranging from 23.5 to 25.5 s, and RHLT (between 39.5 and 42.5 s) for in vivo ^99mTc-labelled RBC. Significantly lower RHLT values ranging from 9 to 13.5 were observed for ^99mTc-pertechnetate and ^99mTc-HDP administered intravenously during LAS, as well as for ^99mTc-pertechnetate at LR–TMDS (between 12 and 15 s). The LTT assessed at LAS for ^99mTc-HDP ranged from 22 to 27 s. Conclusions: An intense vasoconstriction occurs in the liver and lungs in response to substances recognized by the body as PHCs when they pass through the gut mucosa, aiding their elimination. Full article

In this review paper, we briefly discuss the occurrence of oil spills and their behavior under natural sea conditions and clean-up methods, as well as their environmental and economic impacts. We discuss methodologies for oil spill modeling used to predict the fate of a spill under dynamic physical and chemical processes. Weathering processes such as evaporation, emulsification, spreading, dissolution, dispersion, biodegradation, and sedimentation are considered within easy-to-use modeling frameworks. We present simple models based on the principles of thermodynamics, mass transfer, and kinetics that under certain conditions can predict oil thickness, volume, area, composition, and the distribution of toxic compounds in water and air over time for various types of oil and their products. Modeling approaches for underwater oil jets, including applications related to the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, are reviewed. The influence of sea surface velocity and wind speed on oil spill mapping, spill location, oil spill trajectory over time, areas affected by light, medium, and heavy oil, and comparisons between satellite images and model predictions are demonstrated. Finally, we introduce several recently published articles on more recent oil spill incidents and the application of predictive models in different regions. We also discuss the challenges, advantages, and disadvantages of various models and offer recommendations at the end of the paper. Full article

Compound flooding in coastal tropical cities is becoming increasingly prominent, driven by extreme rainfall events and sea level rise, under a changing climate. Quantifying the impact of these events is limited due to a lack of long-term data and funding and the need for advanced computational tools. To address this issue, this study employed a coupled one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) hydrodynamic model for the Saltwater Creek catchment in tropical north Queensland, Australia. In total, eight scenarios with compounding effects were assessed: four under the current climate (CC) and four under representative concentration pathway (RCP) 8.5. Under CC, the compound flooding event inundated almost 3% to 18% of the area conditions. This condition is further exacerbated under the RCP 8.5 climate change scenario, expanding the area flooded by 2% to 7% by 2090. The site experiences inundation up to 4.6 m at low-lying locations and extreme velocities up to 4 m/s at the upstream catchment with high flooding risk. The results suggest that this catchment requires an integrated approach to flood mitigation to meet the challenges posed by climate change, but careful consideration is required in interpreting the results. The results can be further improved by adopting higher-resolution and longer datasets for modelling, as well as considering land use change under the climate change scenarios. Full article

Background/Objectives: In early-stage diabetes, diastolic dysfunction is an initial indicator of heart failure and is linked to altered glucose metabolism, including in prediabetes. Based on initial evidence that Calanus oil, derived from Calanus finmarchicus, which is rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and other bioactive compounds, benefits metabolic and cardiorespiratory health, this proof-of-principle study aimed to assess whether Calanus oil improves diastolic function in prediabetic women. Methods: Twenty middle-aged, obese women with prediabetes and no history of cardiac complications were enrolled and received 4 g/day of Calanus oil, providing 276 mg EPA + 256 mg DHA, for 12 weeks. Systolic and diastolic cardiac function, including the E/A ratio (E/A), was assessed by echocardiography. In addition, central blood pressure (BP) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were analyzed by oscillometry. Metabolic health was evaluated using composite markers, including the metabolic syndrome severity score (Met-S score) and the triacylglycerol glucose–waist-to-height ratio (TyG-WHtR). Results: E/A was significantly improved (p = 0.023) following 12 weeks of Calanus oil supplementation. Furthermore, a significant improvement in metabolic health, indicated by a reduced Met-S score and a lower TyG-WHtR, was noticed (p < 0.001, respectively), reflecting decreased metabolic syndrome severity and enhanced insulin sensitivity. In addition, a significant reduction in diastolic BP, resting heart rate (p = 0.047), but not PWV or systolic BP (all p > 0.05) was observed. The improvement in E/A was associated with improved insulin sensitivity, as reflected by a decrease in the TyG-WHtR (p = 0.014). Conclusions: These exploratory findings suggest that Calanus oil supplementation in pre-diabetic women might improve central diastolic haemodynamics, accompanied by an overall improvement in metabolic health. However, the absence of a placebo control group limits definitive conclusions. Full article

Archery performance is substantially influenced by postural stability. Although archery is commonly practiced outdoors, most studies have focused on short-distance indoor environments. Accordingly, this study examined the correlation between postural stability and shooting accuracy in competitive recurve and compound archers on a standard outdoor field (70 m for recurve and 50 m for compound). This study included 37 archers. Each archer’s performance was recorded during a simulated competition. Measurements included muscle strength, body stability, and center of pressure. Postural stability data were analyzed at 0.5 s before and 0.1 s after arrow release. The results indicated that compared with compound archers, recurve archers had stronger upper-limb muscles and exhibited lower pre-release total center of pressure (51.9 mm; p = 0.022) and medial/lateral sway (1.1 mm; p = 0.043). The compound archers exhibited lower post-release anterior/posterior sway (3.2 mm; p = 0.001) and lower angular velocities in most body segments, except for the lower back. The recurve archers relied more on post-release stability, whereas the compound archers relied more on pre-release control. Linear regression analysis identified different predictors of scoring accuracy for each bow type. Our findings highlight the need for discipline-specific training strategies, such as enhancing bow-side stability for recurve archers and drawing-side control for compound archers. Full article

Background: Cluster sets (CSs) maintain velocity and power in compound movements by employing similar propulsion strategies or maintaining impulse through different mechanisms. This study aimed to explore the effect of four CS conditions on back squat (BS) propulsion and provide models for estimating changes in propulsion based on repetition and set number. Methods: Twenty male participants (age = 28.3 ± 3.1 years, stature = 1.74 ± 8.21 m, body mass = 84.80 ± 7.80 kg, BS 1RM = 140.90 ± 24.20 kg) completed four data collection sessions. Each session consisted of three sets of five repetitions at 80% 1RM BS with three minutes of unloaded inter-set rest, using varying intra-set rest intervals. Experimental conditions included 0 s (TRAD), 10 s (CS10), 20 s (CS20), and 30 s (CS30) inter-repetition rest, randomly assigned to sessions in a counterbalanced order. Ground reaction force data were collected on dual force platforms sampling at 1000 Hz, from which net propulsive impulse (J_PROP), mean force (MF), and propulsion time (t_PROP) were calculated. Conditions and sets were analysed using a 4 × 3 (CONDITION*SET) repeated-measures ANOVA to assess differences between conditions and sets, and linear mixed models (LMMs) were used to provide regression equations for each dependent variable in each condition. Results: The ANOVA revealed no significant interactions for any dependent variable. No main effects of CONDITION or SET were observed for J_PROP. The main effects of CONDITION showed that MF was significantly lower in TRAD than CS20 (g = 0.757) and CS30 (g = 0.749). t_PROP was significantly higher in TRAD than CS20 (g = 0.437) and CS30 (g = 0.569). The main effects of SET showed that MF was significantly lower in S2 (g = 0.691) and S3 (g = 1.087) compared to S1. t_PROP was significantly higher in S2 (g = 0.866) and S3 (g = 1.179) compared to S1. LMMs for CS20 and CS30 revealed no significant effect (p > 0.05) between repetition or set number and dependent variables. Conclusions: The results suggest that CS20 and CS30 maintain J_PROP by limiting MF and t_PROP attenuation. This is less rest than that suggested by the previous literature, which may influence programming decisions during strength and power mesocycles to maximise training time and training density. LMMs provide accurate estimates of BS propulsive force attenuation when separating repetitions by up to 30 s, which may help practitioners optimise training load for long-term adaptations. Full article

The compound lift and thrust Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has generated considerable interest in configuration research due to its unique application advantages. This investigation examines the aerodynamic phenomena between the rotors and the main wings, as well as canards, during the transition phase through numerical simulations, thereby advancing the understanding of canard configurations in such UAVs. Based on a systems engineering approach, a 6 kg canard-configured compound lift and thrust VTOL fixed-wing UAV was preliminarily designed for evaluation. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods were employed to study the aerodynamic interference under various freestream velocities and rotor speeds during the transition phase. The reliability of the CFD methodology was validated through rotor thrust experiments. Simulations were conducted with freestream velocities ranging from 3 m/s to 15 m/s and rotor speeds from 4000 to 10,000 RPM. The results indicate that the interference of the rotating rotor during the transition phase initially reduces lift, then increases lift, and finally reduces lift again for the wing, while it increases lift for the canard. This phenomenon results from the coupled influence of freestream velocity and rotor-induced flow effects. Full article

Background/Objectives: In recent years, the discharge of antibiotics into rivers and irrigation canals has increased. However, few studies have addressed the impact of these compounds on agricultural fields that use such water to meet crop demands. Methods: In this study, the transport of two types of gentamicin (pure gentamicin and gentamicin sulfate) was modeled at concentrations of 150 and 300 μL/L, respectively, in a soil with more than 60 years of agricultural use. Infiltration tests under constant head conditions and gentamicin transport experiments were conducted in acrylic columns measuring 14 cm in length and 12.7 cm in diameter. The scaling parameters for the Richards equation were obtained from experimental data, while those for the advection–dispersion equation were estimated using inverse methods through a nonlinear optimization algorithm. In addition, a fractal-based model for saturated hydraulic conductivity was employed. Results: It was found that the dispersivity of gentamicin sulfate is 3.1 times higher than that of pure gentamicin. Based on the estimated parameters, two simulation scenarios were conducted: continuous application of gentamicin and soil flushing after antibiotic discharge. The results show that the transport velocity of gentamicin sulfate in the soil may have short-term consequences for the emergence of resistant microorganisms due to the destination of wastewater containing antibiotic residues. Conclusions: Finally, further research is needed to evaluate the impact of antibiotics on soil physical properties, as well as their effects on irrigated crops, animals that consume such water, and the soil microbiota. Full article

Background/Objectives: The novel compound 221s (2,9), derived from danshensu and ACEI-active proline, exhibits antihypertensive effects (50/35 mmHg SBP/DBP reduction in SHRs) with potential cough mitigation. However, its excretion kinetics remain unstudied. This study investigates 221s (2,9) elimination in rats to bridge this knowledge gap. Methods: Excretion of unchanged 221s (2,9) was quantified in urine, feces, and bile of Sprague-Dawley rats after oral administration (30 mg/kg). Concentrations of unchanged 221s (2,9) in all matrices were quantified using developed UPLC-MS/MS that underwent methodological validation. Excretion amount, excretion velocity, and accumulative excretion rate of 221s (2,9) were calculated. Results: Urinary excretion exhibited rapid elimination kinetics, reaching peak cumulative excretion rates (138.81 ± 15.56 ng/h) at 8 h post-dosing and plateauing by 48 h (cumulative excretion: 1479.81 ± 155.7 ng). Fecal excretion displayed an accelerated elimination phase between 4 and 8 h (excretion rate: 7994.29 ± 953.75 ng/h), followed by a sustained slow-release phase, culminating in a cumulative output of 36,726.31 ± 5507 ng at 48 h. Biliary excretion was minimal and ceased entirely by 24 h. Notably, total recovery of unchanged drug across all matrices remained below 1% (urine: 0.020 ± 0.021%; feces: 0.73 ± 0.069%; bile: 0.00044 ± 0.00002%) at 72 h. Conclusions: This study provides the first definitive excretion data for 221s (2,9). Quantitative analysis via a validated UPLC-MS/MS method revealed that fecal excretion is the principal elimination pathway for unchanged 221s (2,9) in rats, with direct excretion of the parent compound accounting for <1% of the administered dose over 72 h. Future studies will employ extended pharmacokinetic monitoring and concurrent UPLC-MS/MS analysis of the parent drug and phase II conjugates to resolve the observed mass imbalance and elucidate contributions to total elimination. Full article

Background: Pharmaceutical compounds frequently co-occur in environmental waters, but studies on their combined effects on animals and humans remain limited. The present study investigated the individual and combined short-term effects of ketoprofen (Kp, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2), valproic acid (VPA, an anticonvulsant acting as a voltage-gated sodium channel modulator), and meropenem (Mp, a β-lactam antibiotic) at environmentally relevant concentrations on zebrafish behavior, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and oxidative status. Methods: Adult zebrafish were exposed for 4 days to Kp, VPA, Mp, and their binary and ternary mixtures. Behavioral effects were assessed using 3D novel tank and social behavior tests, while the oxidative stress response was assessed through malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. Results: Zebrafish exposed to Mp showed a notable increase in immobility, whereas those exposed to VPA and Mp + Kp exhibited a significant augmentation of average velocity and counter-clockwise rotations. All treated groups exhibited a notable increase in the time spent near the walls (thigmotaxis), and except for the control and Mp-exposed zebrafish, the other groups mostly stayed in the bottom tank zone (geotaxis). Kp, VPA + Kp, and VPA + Mp + Kp treatments impaired social behavior, with zebrafish displaying less interest in conspecifics. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that both the individual drugs and their combination caused oxidative stress, characterized by decreased GPx activity and increased SOD activity and MDA levels. Moreover, AChE activity was more strongly inhibited in zebrafish exposed to the binary and ternary mixtures than to individual drugs. Conclusions: The results indicate that acute exposure to individual and/or combined pharmaceuticals induces behavioral changes, oxidative damage, and AChE inhibition in zebrafish, highlighting the need to assess the effects of pharmaceutical mixtures for comprehensive ecosystem risks evaluation. Full article

Compound steering technology has been extensively adopted in military logistics and related applications, owing to its superior maneuverability and enhanced stability compared to conventional systems. To enhance the steering efficiency and dynamic response of distributed-drive unmanned platforms under low driving torque conditions, this study investigates their unique compound steering system. Specifically, a compound steering dynamics model is established, and a hierarchical stability control strategy, along with a model predictive control-based trajectory tracking algorithm, are innovatively proposed. First, a compound steering platform dynamics model is established by combining the Ackermann steering and skid yaw moment methods. Then, a trajectory tracking controller is designed using model predictive control algorithm. Finally, the additional yaw moment is calculated based on the lateral velocity error and yaw rate error, with stability control allocation performed using a fuzzy control algorithm. Comparative hardware-in-the-loop experiments are conducted for compound steering, Ackermann steering, and skid steering. The experimental results show that the compound steering technology enables unmanned platforms to achieve trajectory tracking tasks with a lower torque, faster speed, and higher efficiency. Full article

A VOC-contaminated shallow aquifer in an industrial site was investigated to evaluate its potential for natural attenuation. The shallow groundwater aquifer beneath the industrial site has been contaminated by dissolved volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as trichloroethylene (TCE), cis-1,2-dichloroethylene (cis-DCE), and vinyl chloride (VC) for more than three decades. Monitoring and investigation were implemented during 2011–2024, aiming to propose future groundwater aquifer management strategies. This study included groundwater borehole investigation, well installation monitoring, hydraulic head measurements, slug tests, groundwater samplings, and microbial analyses. Microbial investigations identified the predominant group of microorganisms of Proteobacteria, indicating biodegradation potential, as demonstrated by the presence of cis-DCE and VC. BIOSCREEN was used to evaluate the process of natural attenuation, incorporating site-specific parameters. A two-layer groundwater flow model was developed using MODFLOW with hydraulic conductivities obtained from slug tests. The site has an average hydraulic head of 259.6 m amsl with a hydraulic gradient of 0.026, resulting in an average groundwater flow velocity of 11 m/y. Hydraulic conductivities were estimated during model calibration using the PEST pilot point technique. A reactive transport model, RT3D, was used to simulate dissolved TCE transport over 30 years, which can undergo sorption as well as biodegradation. Model calibration demonstrated a satisfactory fit between observed and simulated groundwater heads with a root mean square error of 0.08 m and a correlation coefficient (r) between measured and simulated heads of 0.81, confirming the validity of the hydraulic conductivity distribution. The TCE plume continuously degraded and gradually migrated southward, generating a cis-DCE plume. The concentrations in both plumes decreased toward the end of the simulation period at Source 1 (located upstream), while BIOSCREEN results confirmed ongoing natural attenuation primarily by biodegradation. The integrated MODFLOW-RT3D-BIOSCREEN approach effectively evaluated VOC attenuation and plume migration. However, future remediation strategies should consider enhanced bioremediation to accelerate contaminant degradation at Source 2 and ensure long-term groundwater quality. Full article