Search Results (78)

Droughts are predicted to intensify with climate change, posing a serious threat to global crop production. Increasing drought tolerance in plants requires an understanding of the underlying mechanisms. This study measured the physiological, phytohormonal and transcriptomic responses to drought in two apple rootstocks to identify drought ‘biomarkers’ and investigated whether the application of acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) to the roots could enhance drought tolerance. Two potted-plant trials were conducted on dwarfing (M9) and semi-dwarfing (CG202) apple rootstocks. In both trials, the response patterns in the roots and leaves were compared between irrigated and non-irrigated plants over a 14-day period. In trial 2, ASM was applied 14 days before and immediately before withdrawing irrigation. Drought induced significant decreases in transpiration, photosynthesis and stomatal conductance in both trials. This was accompanied by the accumulation of abscisic acid (ABA) metabolites and the upregulation of ABA pathway transcripts (CYP707A1/A2 and NCED3), a decrease in 12-oxophytodienoic acid (cis-OPDA) and the downregulation of ABA receptor genes (PYL4). The responses to drought were greater in the roots than the leaves, broadly similar across both rootstocks, but differed in strength and timing between the rootstocks. The application of ASM to the roots did not significantly affect the responsiveness to drought in either rootstock. The identified phytohormonal and transcriptomic biomarkers require further validation across a broader range of genotypes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a combat sport which heavily involves upper limb strength, mobility, and stability. Shoulder injuries, given their impact on striking and grappling, may significantly hinder performance and career longevity. However, their specific effects on competitive outcomes remain poorly defined. This study evaluates return-to-sport rates, fight performance, and long-term success in professional MMA athletes following shoulder injuries. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using publicly available databases to identify professional MMA fighters from the UFC, Bellator, and Strikeforce who sustained shoulder injuries requiring withdrawal from scheduled bouts. Fighter demographics, injury characteristics, and treatment approaches were recorded. Performance metrics—including winning percentage, takedown (TD), knockdown (KD), and significant strike (SS) rates—were compared before and after injury. Independent t-tests were used, and significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 27 fighters with 34 documented shoulder injuries were included. The most common injury was a torn labrum (41.2%), with 76.5% requiring surgical intervention. Aggregate winning rates significantly declined from 81.96% pre-injury to 54.7% post-injury (p < 0.001). Aggregate KD rates also dropped significantly (p < 0.001), while TD rates trended downward without reaching statistical significance. SS rates remained stable, suggesting potential compensatory mechanisms. Injury recurrence was observed in 22.2% of cases. Conclusions: Shoulder injuries in MMA are associated with a substantial decline in competitive success, particularly in knockout capability, emphasizing the critical role of shoulder integrity in fight performance. The high recurrence rate suggests the need for optimized rehabilitation protocols and stricter return-to-sport guidelines to enhance fighter longevity. Full article

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of exercise on psychological disorders in patients receiving childhood cancer treatment. Methods: The study group consisted of patients with cancer between the ages of 9 and 17 who were treated in the Hematology–Oncology units of Erciyes University. For the sample group, children with cancer were informed about the content of the study, and 40 children with cancer agreed to participate in the study voluntarily. The volunteers were divided into two groups, control and experimental, each consisting of 20 people. For the pre-test, participants completed a socio-demographic information form, as well as the Kovacs Depression scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the pediatric cancer quality of life scale for children. Volunteers in the experimental group engaged in aerobic and strength exercises for an eight-week period. The study was completed with 8 volunteers in the control group and 14 volunteers in the experimental group due to various factors, such as voluntary withdrawal, disease progression, and mortality. After this period, the volunteers were asked to complete the same scales once more as a post-test. The SPSS 22.00 statistical analysis program was used. The independent samples t-test was employed to compare the pre-test and post-test findings of the control and experimental groups, while the paired samples t-test was used for within-group evaluations. Results: In the within-group comparisons, significant differences were observed in favor of the post-test scores in the experimental group for both the anxiety scale (p < 0.05, Mean: 8.14) and the quality-of-life child form (p < 0.05, Mean: 38.14). For intergroup comparisons, significant differences were found in favor of the experimental group in terms of post-test scores of depression (p < 0.05, mean: 10.57) and anxiety scales (p < 0.05, mean: 8.14). Conclusions: It is postulated that this outcome stems from the positive effects of sports activities in helping children undergoing cancer treatment distance themselves from their psychological adversities. Full article

We aimed to evaluate the effects of unit cell design and the volume fraction of 3D-printed lattice structures with relative densities of 30% or 45% on compressive response and orthopedics screw pullout strength. All 3D lattice models were created using FLatt Pack software (version 3.31.0.0). The unit cell size of sheet-based triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMSs)—Gyroid and Schwarz Diamond—was 5.08 mm, whereas that of skeletal TPMS—Skeletal Gyroid, Skeletal Schwarz Diamond, and Skeletal Schoen I-Wrapped Package—was scaled down to 3.175 and 2.54 mm. Two photopolymer resin types—Rigid 10k and Standard Grey—were used. In uniaxial compression tests, Rigid 10k resin lattices failed at relatively lower strains (<0.11), while Standard Grey lattices endured higher strains (>0.60) and experienced less softening effects, resulting in stress–strain curve plateauing followed by lattice densification. ANOVA revealed significant effects of design and volume fraction at p < 0.001 on compressive modulus, screw pullout strength, and screw withdrawal stiffness of the 3D-printed lattice. The pullout load from 3D-printed lattices (61.00–2839.42 N) was higher than that from open-cell polyurethane foam (<50 N) and lower than that of human bone of similar volume fraction (1134–2293 N). These findings demonstrate that 3D-printed lattices can be tailored to approximate different bone densities, enabling more realistic orthopedic and dental training models. Full article

Background: There is no cure for mitochondrial diseases which manifest in numerous ways including fatigue, muscle weakness, and exercise intolerance. Medical treatment varies and focuses on managing symptoms. Photobiomodulation (PBM) can decrease mitochondrial damage thereby increasing energy production and decreasing cell death. This pilot study will apply PBM to people with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) to examine the safety of application, and if changes occur in symptoms and signs after cross-over application/withdrawal of a sham or active PBM treatment including a two-week period of washout. Methods: This study is an exploratory, prospective series N-of-1 (single patient) studies. The protocol is guided by the CONSORT extension for reporting N-of-1 trials (CENT 2015), chosen due to the rarity of mitochondrial diseases, the fluctuating symptomology, and heterogeneity of the clinical presentation. The primary outcome is patient-reported fatigue assessed using the Checklist of Individual Strength and with concomitant evaluation of safety. Secondary measures are of depression, anxiety and stress, sleepiness, physical activity, blood lactate and creatine kinase, physical measures of sit-to-stand, and heel raise capability. Mitochondrial function will be evaluated using hydrogen magnetic resonance spectroscopy for lactate. PBM will be a participant-administered, home-based therapy using a multiple diode flexible array (BeniLight iLED-Pro Multi-Wave Multi-Pulse belt; 465 nm, 660 nm, 850 nm; average irradiance 5.23 mW/cm²; total joules: 770.1 J/treatment, all sites; 5 KHz; 20% duty ratio) over the anterior thigh muscles, posterior calf muscles and abdomen for 10 min to each site, three times/week. The safety of the intervention will be assessed. Descriptive statistics, causal analyses of time series data and dynamic modelling will be applied as relevant to the variables collected. Hydrogen magnetic resonance spectra will be acquired and averaged to obtain the content of the targeted hydrogen levels. Discussion: The study will provide guidance on whether and how to progress to a larger, randomised cohort study with sham control. Full article

After Germany’s planned withdrawal from coal-fired power generation by 2030, the by-product known as FGD gypsum will no longer be available. As an alternative, loam can be utilized as a building material for non-load-bearing interior walls. Recycling loam is advantageous as it is readily available in large quantities. However, its unique properties, such as moisture retention and drying shrinkage, are crucial for its usability. Loam samples are modified with various additives and molded into prisms to investigate and optimize these aspects. These prisms are tested for drying shrinkage and strength behavior. The most effective mixtures undergo further evaluation of their long-term behavior when subjected to changes in moisture—the addition of 20 wt.-% brick dust results in a reduction of the drying shrinkage by 25%. In long-term tests, swelling deformation has been reduced by 35%. This article demonstrates the effectiveness of additives in minimizing moisture-inducted deformations while maintaining the same compressive strength. Additionally, it compares various measuring methods for recording length changes in loam blocks. Full article

To overcome the limitations of conventional catalysts in sterically hindered esterification reactions, a radio frequency (RF) plasma-modified $\mathrm{S}{\mathrm{O}}_4^{2-}$/${\mathrm{S}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_8^{2-}$/SnO₂-Al₂O₃ solid superacid catalyst was synthesized via sol-gel and impregnation, followed by RF plasma treatment and calcination. Comprehensive characterization revealed that the RF plasma modification endowed the catalyst with a uniform particle distribution (4.32 nm average size), larger specific surface area (104.44 m²·g⁻¹), elevated total acid content (142.86 μmol·g⁻¹), and increased oxygen vacancy concentration (16.4%), compared to the conventional sol-gel–impregnation–calcination-prepared catalyst. The RF plasma-modified $\mathrm{S}{\mathrm{O}}_4^{2-}$-${\mathrm{S}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_8^{2-}$/SnO₂-Al₂O₃ was subsequently applied to perform the esterification reaction of Tyr, with a higher steric hindrance. Mechanistic studies indicated that the plasma-induced surface etching and electronic redistribution/intensified electron-withdrawing capability of $\mathrm{S}{\mathrm{O}}_4^{2-}$/${\mathrm{S}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_8^{2-}$ groups synergistically strengthened Brønsted/Lewis acidity. For the esterification of tyrosine—a sterically demanding substrate—the modified catalyst achieved a 92.1% methyl tyrosine yield under the optimized conditions (180 °C, 0.8 MPa N₂, 6 h), where the catalyst exhibited a better mechanical strength and better lifetime with five cycles. This work not only provides a scalable plasma-assisted strategy for tuning solid superacids but also establishes an eco-friendly alternative to traditional catalysts, and was applied to the esterification reactions of some high-steric-hindrance substrates. Full article

Infantry soldiers must cover long distances carrying heavy and bulky combat equipment. Since the beginning of their training, Spanish Marines have undergone this characteristic and demanding test. However, little is known about its effects on neuromuscular function and recovery in the days following the test. Twenty-six Spanish Marines completed the test, three of whom suffered injuries and had to withdraw from the study, resulting in a final sample of twenty-three Marines. These participants underwent evaluations before (pre), immediately after (post), and 24 and 48 h post-exercise, following a 30 km endurance march carrying their 34 kg combat equipment. A repeated-measures ANOVA, paired-samples t-test, and effect size (ES) analysis were conducted; the results are presented as mean ± SD. The significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05. The variables and p-values of changes over time are presented. Isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) (p = 0.004), countermovement jump (CMJ) (p ≤ 0.001), rating of fatigue scale (ROF) (p ≤ 0.001), maximum pull-ups in two minutes (PUmax) (p ≤ 0.001), body mass (BM) (p ≤ 0.001), hand grip strength (HGS): dominant (p = 0.180) and non-dominant (p = 0.616), and incident reports (IRPE) showed a significant increase over time and between the first 10 km and last 5 km in fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, shortness of breath, excessive sweating (p ≤ 0.001), and muscle tremors (p = 0.028), except for palpitations (p = 0.189). In conclusion, the results indicate that the test had a significant impact on neuromuscular function, with no recovery observed in overall strength and lower limb power after 48 h, even though their perceived fatigue decreased substantially. The resilient spirit of operational military units and their philosophy of always being ready for combat could increase the injury rate. Full article

This paper examines the splitting tensile properties of rubberized polyethylene-engineered cementitious composites (RPECC) through static and dynamic experimental tests, highlighting the effects of thermal cycles, impact strain rates, and rubber powder substitution rates for fine aggregates. Damage patterns, ultimate tensile strength, time-dependent stress curves, dynamic failure strain, and the dynamic increase factor of the RPECC are presented. The microstructure of the material is analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Experimental results reveal that incorporating rubber powders significantly enhances the deformability and ductility of RPECC in splitting tension. However, a high content of rubber powders, such as a substitution percentage of 30%, significantly reduces static and the dynamic ultimate tensile strength of the RPECC by 16.8% and 34.2%, respectively. Microstructural examinations indicate that thermal cycling weakens the internal adhesion between the rubber particles, polyethylene fibers, and the ECC matrix, resulting in the frequent withdrawal of fibers and the formation of calcium hydroxide, which diminishes the material tensile strength by up to 20.6% in static tests and 45.1% in dynamic tests. Despite these challenges, the RPECC with 20% rubber achieves a favorable balance between splitting the tensile properties and thermal resistance, even after undergoing 270 heat-cool cycles, suggesting its potential applicability in harsh environments. Full article

This study evaluates the perfection of the crystal structure of single-crystal turbine blade castings made from the CMSX-4 nickel superalloy. The analysis included primary and secondary crystal orientation measurements using the Ω-scan method and the novel OD-EFG X-ray diffractometer. The selected microstructural parameters of the single crystals were also analyzed, including the assessment of stereological parameters and the degree of porosity. A creep test was performed according to standard procedures and under conditions simulating real operational environments. The model single-crystal turbine blades were manufactured using the Bridgman–Stockbarger method, with variable withdrawal rates of 1 and 3 mm/min. Heat treatment of the single-crystal castings involved solution treatment followed by double aging. The evaluation of structural perfection was carried out in three states: as-cast, after solution heat treatment, and after double aging. The crystallographic orientation of the blades was determined on both the airfoil and the root part. The study determined how crystallographic orientation and microstructural parameters influence the creep resistance of the castings. It was found that in the as-cast condition, the greatest influence on high creep strength has a small deviation of the primary and constant value of secondary crystal orientation along the height of the blade casting. After heat treatment, the highest creep resistance was obtained for the blade manufactured at a withdrawal rate at 1 mm/min. Full article

Recycling upholstery textiles is challenging due to the complexity of materials, which often include a mix of fabrics, foams, and adhesives that are difficult to separate. The intricate designs and layers in upholstered furniture make it labor-intensive and costly to dismantle for recycling. Additionally, contaminants like stains, finishes, and flame retardants complicate recycling. Despite these difficulties, recycling upholstery textiles is crucial to reducing landfill waste and conserving resources by reusing valuable materials. It also helps mitigate environmental pollution and carbon emissions associated with producing new textiles from virgin resources. The presented research aimed to establish the feasibility of incorporating textile fibers from waste artificial leather fibers from the upholstery furniture industry into the structure of high-density fiberboards. The bulk density of samples with wood fiber was 28.30 kg m⁻³, while it was 25.77 kg m⁻³ for textile fiber samples. The lowest modulus of elasticity (MOE) was 2430 N mm⁻², and it was 3123 N mm⁻² for the reference sample. The highest bending strength (MOR) was 42 N mm⁻², and the lowest was 27.2 N mm⁻². Screw withdrawal resistance decreased from 162 N mm⁻¹ in the reference sample to 92 N mm⁻¹ with 25% artificial leather fibers. The internal bond (IB) strength ranged from 1.70 N mm⁻² (reference) to 0.70 N mm⁻² (25% of artificial leather fibers content). Water absorption ranged from 81.8% (1% of artificial leather fibers) to 66% (25% of artificial leather fibers content). It has been concluded that it is possible to meet the European standard requirements with 10% addition of the artificial leather fiber content. This approach positively contributes to carbon capture and storage (CCS) policy and mitigates the problem of such waste being sent to landfills. The research shows that while selected mechanical and physical parameters of the panels decrease with a rising content of recycled textile fibers, it is possible to meet proper European standard requirements by adjusting technological parameters such as nominal density. Full article

The tensile properties of fiber metal laminates were examined at temperatures ranging from 30 °C to 180 °C in this paper through the integration of numerical simulation techniques, experimental measurements, and digital image correlation techniques. The laminates were initially modeled using finite elements, and the failure behavior of porous basalt-fiber-reinforced aluminum alloy plates was numerically simulated. Consequently, metal fiber laminate stress–strain responses were varied by numerous tensile experiments conducted at varying temperatures. Simultaneously, a scanning electron microscope was used to scan a porous basalt-fiber-reinforced aluminum alloy laminate at different temperatures to determine the tensile mechanical behavior and micro-damage morphology. Lastly, the laminate’s dynamic response to the tensile process was observed through digital image correlation technology. The stress distribution was determined to be concentrated around circular openings through analysis. The strain distribution graph exhibited a “band” shape as the number of perforations increased. The findings indicate that fiber metal laminates lose tensile strength as temperatures increase. The ultimate tensile strength of the laminate decreases as the number of perforations increases at the same temperature. Complex damage mechanisms, including matrix debonding, fiber withdrawal, and matrix fracture, can be captured through scanning electron microscopy at varying temperatures. The tensile behavior and damage mechanisms of laminates with hole-containing structures under thermal conditions are examined, and the results can be used to inform the design and utilization of laminate structures. Full article

From 2020 to 2023, the coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic exposed children to a variety of adverse childhood events, including parental loss, abuse, and disruption in services, and it exacerbated societal inequities. Studies evaluating the mental health of older children and adolescents reported increases in depression and anxiety symptoms, but no reviews have addressed the effects of the pandemic on preschool children. This systematic review and meta-analysis is the first to explore these effects. The goal was to analyze and synthesize longitudinal cohort studies to determine impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the development and mental health of young children. Searches of multiple databases were performed for studies published between 2018 and 2023 with pre- and post-pandemic evaluations of the mental health or development of preschool children (aged 0–6 years) using objective measures and according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Cohen’s d effect sizes were calculated for each study that utilized the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), or the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Random-effects mixed models combined the estimates of effect sizes to calculate the overall mean effect size. The meta-analyses included 22,348 children from 16 countries. The analyses showed small increases in emotional symptoms and conduct problems, as well as increases in emotional reactivity, anxiety/depression, withdrawal symptoms, attention problems, and aggressive behaviors. A decrease in fine motor and personal–social skills was noted. Studies not included in these meta-analyses also showed negative effects on language and executive function. This systematic review characterizes the detrimental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and development of preschool children across the world. Our results suggest the vulnerability of early childhood to pandemic-related disruptions, although the heterogeneity in study design and child characteristics may limit some of these conclusions. Full article

This study investigates the effects of suberic acid residue (SAR) additions on structural single-layer particleboard (like the P5 type, according to EN 312) properties, specifically the water absorption (WA), thickness swelling (TS), modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), screw withdrawal resistance (SWR), and internal bond (IB) strength. The results indicate that finer SAR fractions (1/0.25 and 2/1) reduce the WA after 2 h of soaking, while larger fractions increase the WA after 24 h, with only the smallest fraction meeting the TS standards. The MOR values (18.5–19.6 N mm⁻²) and MOE (3627–3811 N mm⁻²) remain largely unaffected by SAR additions, while the SWR shows minimal variation across various SAR fractions (203–209 N mm⁻¹). The IB strength improves with SAR additions, peaking at 2.10 N mm⁻² for the 5/2 fraction, though slightly decreasing with the largest fraction (8/5). A density analysis reveals an increased surface density with finer SAR fractions, benefiting the surface strength but reducing the core uniformity with larger fractions. These findings suggest that SAR-enhanced particleboards could be valuable in applications requiring moisture resistance, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and exterior cladding. Further research should explore optimizing the SAR concentration, combining it with hydrophobic agents, and examining its long-term stability under varying environmental conditions to enhance its structural performance for sustainable building applications. Full article

We performed intra- and intermolecular charge transfer (CT) excitation energy calculations of (a) conjugated carbon chain [H₂N–(CH=CH)_n–X] and (b) its equidistant H₂NH∙∙∙HX (n = 2~8) with various electron acceptors (X = NH₂, OH, Cl, CHO, CN, and NO₂) using EOM-CCSD, time-dependent (TD) Hartree–Fock (HF) and various density functional theory (DFT) functionals, such as BLYP, B3LYP, long-range corrected (LC) DFT, and LC-DFT with an optimally tuned (OT) range separation parameter (µ) using Koopman’s theorem to investigate the effect of the electron-withdrawing (or -donating) strength of end-capped functional group (X) and CT distance (R) on intra- and intermolecular CT excitation energies. As the electron-withdrawing strength of X increases, both intra- and intermolecular CT excitation energies tend to decrease, since energy gaps between orbitals corresponding to CT excitations (e.g., HOMO and LUMO) decrease. However, the effect of the electron-withdrawing group on intramolecular CT excitation energy is negligible (at most 0.5 eV). OT-LC-DFT shows accurate intermolecular CT excitation energy, but worse results in intramolecular CT excitation energy than LC-DFT with the default µ value (0.47). Therefore, we conclude that the optimal tuning method is not effective in predicting intramolecular CT excitation energy. While intermolecular CT excitation energy has excitonic binding energy with asymptotic behavior to CT distance that is not affected by the choice of range separation parameter, intramolecular CT excitation energy is affected by orbital relaxation energy, which strongly depends on the choice of range separation parameter, which makes the OT method of range separation parameter ineffective in predicting intramolecular CT excitation energy as well as local excitation with high accuracy. Full article