Search Results (17,046)

In order to investigate the compression damage characteristics of the “interface section coal pillar–backfill body (ICPF)” composite structure formed after coal pillar excavation and gangue material backfill in the key technologies of coal pillar excavation and gangue material backfill replacement in the interface section of thick coal seams, an ICPF single-axis compression damage experiment under different internal dimensions of backfill was conducted using the PFC^2D numerical model, with the interface section coal pillar of a working face at a certain mine in northern Shaanxi Province as the research background. In addition, the stress–strain state, peak strength characteristics, damage mode, energy evolution, and damage characteristics of the ICPF composite were analyzed, and models for the evolution of the ICPF elastic modulus and compressive strength were established. The results showed that the stress–strain state of the ICPF changed from brittle to ductile as backfill strength decreased. The distribution of the elastic modulus is primarily influenced by backfill strength, and as the excavation–backfill width increases, the curve exhibits a distinct S-shaped distribution. The compressive strength decreases by up to 63.4% with an increase in excavation–backfill width and by up to 65.1% with a decrease in backfill strength. The sensitivity of compressive strength to backfill strength is greater than that to excavation–backfill width. Based on the established ICPF elastic modulus and compressive strength evolution model, the two mechanical properties were compared using model fitting, and the model fitting results were satisfactory. The ICPF exhibits three types of damage characteristics as the excavation and backfill width increases: oblique shear and tensile damage, edge coal stripping and X-shaped conjugate damage of the backfill body, and large-area plastic damage of the backfill body. By establishing a theoretical damage variable based on linear dissipation energy, damage factors can be quickly obtained from stress–strain curves. The damage curves all exhibit exponential growth, and their growth rates show certain dispersion as the excavation and backfill width increases and backfill strength decreases. Based on the brittleness index analysis of the ICPF composite, as the backfill strength decreases and excavation and backfill width increases, the brittleness index of the composite increases, and the tendency for impact increases. At an excavation and backfill width of 80 mm, rib damage tends to happen. Full article

This study investigates the relationship between digital well-being and psychological well-being among undergraduate students enrolled in technical academic programs at a Romanian university. Emphasizing the impact of academic digital technology use, digital autonomy, work–life balance, and the quality of online interactions, the research addresses the increasing digitalization in higher education and its implications for students’ mental and emotional health. A purposive sample of 208 students from Electronics, Telecommunications, Automation, Computer Science, and Engineering in Foreign Languages programs was surveyed using validated instruments, including a Digital Well-Being Questionnaire, Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale, and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. A mix of descriptive and inferential statistics was employed to comprehensively explore the associations between digital well-being and psychological outcomes. The findings highlight significant associations between digital engagement patterns and both psychological and subjective well-being, with notable differences influenced by sociodemographic factors such as gender. This study contributes to the emerging field of digital well-being in academic contexts by providing data-driven insights that can inform institutional strategies to support student health and optimize digital learning environments. Full article

Conversion of burned forestlands into rice croplands is often practised to increase food production. However, this practice can lead to a severe decline in soil quality and functioning. Unfortunately, no research has previously evaluated how and to what extent physico-chemical properties and overall quality of forest soils change when converted to rice paddy fields. This study has evaluated the changes in key soil properties and Soil Quality Index (SQI) when burned forests are converted to rice croplands in Guilan Province (Northern Iran). This conversion results in noticeable worsening of soil structure (shown by the decreases in size and stability of macro-aggregates, ~50%) and reductions in organic matter (−30%) and nutrient contents (−43% of TN and −49% of P) of soil in rice paddy fields in comparison to burned forest soils. In contrast, soil salinity increased by 180% and potassium by 12%, while pH remained unchanged between forestland and rice fields. The calculation of the SQI showed that the overall quality of the soil was severely affected by this change. The main message of this study is that replacement of forest ecosystems with rice croplands should be carefully controlled, in order to avoid noticeable impacts on soil properties and theiroverall quality. In sites where this conversion has occurred, sustainable land management practices, such as moderate supply of organic amendments and fertilisers, should be implemented to mitigate soil degradation. Full article

To assist resource-based regions in overcoming the bottlenecks of industrial transformation and advancing high-quality development, this paper conducts an in-depth analysis of the internal mechanisms through which new quality productive forces contribute to high-quality development. Based on the construction of a measurement index system, a comprehensive measurement model is established, which includes three components: a coupling coordination degree model integrating the entropy method and grey relational analysis, an impact factor analysis model based on random effects Tobit regression, and a trend prediction model using the GM(1,1) approach. Taking Hebei Province as an example, an empirical analysis was conducted and relevant policy suggestions were proposed. The research findings are summarized as follows: (1) New quality productive forces promote high-quality development through driving, guiding, and synergistic mechanisms; (2) From 2013 to 2022, the coupling coordination degree across various cities in Hebei Province evolved from moderate imbalance to primary coordination, with the spatial pattern transitioning from “higher in the south and lower in the north” to a “central rise” phase, and finally to a stage of “all-round coordination”; (3) Forecast results indicate that inter-city coordination will continue to improve over the next five years; (4) Urbanization, scientific and technological innovation, and government intervention are identified as the core driving factors for promoting coordinated development. This study provides both theoretical methodological support and regional empirical evidence for the role of new quality productive forces in enabling high-quality development in resource-based regions. Full article

A barrier pillar between the surface and underground mining sections provides a critical buffer zone in the transition from the boxcut highwall to underground sections by isolating stress fields from underground sections and preventing them from affecting the boxcut highwall slope. In this study, an empirical scaled span method and Rocscience RS2 software were used to conduct parametric studies on key parameters for designing barrier pillars and analyzing the room and pillar design for a planned underground mine on the Great Dyke, Zimbabwe. The approach included analyzing the effect of barrier pillar width, assuming a 10° dipping angle of the orebody, with room and pillar dimensions of 7 m and 6 m, respectively. The impact on boxcut slope stability and the roof of the first stope was monitored. The stability of the barrier pillar was analyzed for varying widths (6 m, 10 m, 20 m, 30 m, and 40 m) and orebody dipping angles (0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, and 40°). The effect of deteriorated rock mass conditions, represented by Geological Strength Index (GSI) values from 30 to 50, was assessed. The optimum room and pillar design was evaluated against the planned 6 m pillar sizes. This comprehensive study aims to support the integrity and longevity of the critical structures of the mining operation. Full article

Dry eye disease (DED) represents one of the most prevalent ocular manifestations associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with reported incidence rates ranging from 15% to 35%. DED constitutes a multifactorial condition that significantly impairs both visual function and health-related quality of life. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of DED symptoms on vision-related quality of life in patients diagnosed with SLE, employing the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) as a disease-specific instrument. Additionally, the study aimed to evaluate correlations between clinical diagnostic tests and OSDI scores, and to determine the frequency of abnormalities affecting individual ocular structures. This study included 35 SLE patients, identifying DED in 37.1%. Common ophthalmic abnormalities included lens opacification (22.9%) and hyaloid degeneration (34.3%). Astigmatism (>0.50 D cyl) was prevalent (60.0%), being significantly higher in DED patients. While visual acuity and intraocular pressure were comparable, DED patients showed significantly lower Schirmer I test values, reduced tear break-up time, and higher van Bijsterveld scores, indicating impaired tear film and surface integrity. OSDI scores were significantly elevated in the DED group, with 51.4% reporting moderate to severe dysfunction. Strong, statistically significant correlations between the OSDI and objective tear film parameters confirmed a robust association between subjective symptoms and clinical signs. These findings highlight the significant impact of DED on visual function in SLE patients, underscoring the importance of routine ophthalmological evaluation and timely intervention. Full article

Pelagic Sargassum impacts the Caribbean and West Africa since 2011, disrupting economies and bringing major environmental, social, and health concerns. Avenues explored to valorise this biomass include the production of liquid biofertilisers and biostimulants. There has been less emphasis on the production of compost and mulch, and on their impact on plant growth. Therefore, the effects of compost and mulch prepared from rinsed and unrinsed Sargassum on corn, tomato, and pepper were investigated in this study. The elemental composition of soil, compost, mulch, and plant samples was also assessed to investigate the potential transfer of metals and metalloids from the compost and mulch to different parts of the plants (roots, leaves, and fruits). Sargassum-derived composts exhibited less effects on seed germination compared to mulch. Significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) between treatments were observed for seedling growth parameters (height, shoot diameter, and number of leaves). Post-harvest parameters were mixed with the leaf area index and the root-to-shoot ratios varied significantly between treatments but not moisture content. Variations in elemental concentrations were observed between the different parts of the plants and evaluated against established nutritional recommendations and toxicity thresholds. This study provides foundational insights for optimising pelagic Sargassum-based compost and mulch preparation to support plant growth. Full article

Background/Objectives: Thalassemias, a hereditary condition commonly linked to chronic anemia, require regular blood transfusions and repeated blood draws for assessments of hemoglobin (Hb) content, which can be uncomfortable. A promising substitute for laboratory hemoglobin testing is non-invasive spectrophotometric hemoglobin (SpHb) monitoring; however, its applicability particularly among blood transfusion-dependent thalassaemic patients needs to be investigated. This study’s primary goal was to investigate the relationships and agreements between SpHb, g/dL, and an automated hematology analyzer (Hb, g/dL) in this particular patient population. The secondary goal was to track how blood transfusions affect SpHb, g/dL, laboratory Hb, and pleth variability index (PVI, %). Methods: In this study, sixty patients were included. A Masimo Radical-7 pulse CO-oximeter was used to measure the SpHb, and a Sysmex XN-1000 hematological analyzer measured the laboratory Hb. Results: The results revealed a significant correlation between SpHb and laboratory Hb (n = 108, r = 0.587, p < 0.001) but also demonstrated that SpHb consistently overestimated laboratory Hb levels, with a mean bias of −1.18 g/dL (95% CI: −1.4344 to −0.9267). The Bland–Altman analysis showed a good degree of reliability between this bias (SpHb–Hb) and laboratory Hb (g/dL), with an Intra Class Correlation (ICC) of 0.613 but with a wide 95% CI ranging from 0.557 to 0.736 (t = 3.817, p < 0.001). The 95% limits of agreement ranged from −3.7893 to +1.4228 g/dL. Conclusions: This significant bias restricted the application of SpHb as a trustworthy method for assessing hemoglobin levels in patients with blood transfusion-dependent thalassemia. Nonetheless, the capability to monitor SpHb and PVI variations during blood transfusions offered a real-time assessment of the impact of transfusions on patients’ hemoglobin levels and volume status. Full article

This research was carried out to assess the impact of daidzein supplementation on production performance, serum biochemical indexes, meat quality, and the transcriptome of the longissimus dorsi (LM) muscle in heat-stressed Jinjiang cattle. Twenty 20-month-old Jinjiang cattle (initial mean ± SE: 438 ± 34.6 kg of body weight) were randomly divided into two treatment groups (n = 10 per treatment): control treatment and daidzein treatment (1000 mg/kg concentrate). After a 100-day feeding trial (consisting of a 10-day adaptation period and a 90-day daidzein feeding period), blood and LM muscle samples were collected on day 100. Daidzein significantly increased the average daily dry matter intake (ADMI), the concentration of free fatty acid (FFA) and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT) in serum, and the marbling score of the LM muscle. Additionally, daidzein significantly decreased the concentration of total cholesterol (TC) and leptin in serum, along with the shear force and L* value of LM in heat-stressed Jinjiang cattle. The transcriptome analysis demonstrated that 238 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified through differential expression analysis, among which 168 genes were downregulated and 70 genes were upregulated. The results of KEGG pathways showed that these DEGs were significantly enriched in pathways related to beef tenderness, including the FoxO signaling pathway, Notch signaling pathway, and regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Daidzein significantly affected the candidate genes (FOSL1, DGKH, Gadd45G, GAL, SEMA3, TOB, FABP8, TRIB2, Nech1, and GSTA3) involved in adipocyte differentiation, as well as genes (CSTB and ACTN) related to connective tissue structure in heat-stressed Jinjiang cattle. Daidzein plays a positive role in relieving heat stress and improving beef quality in heat-stressed Jinjiang cattle. Full article

Objective: To review and synthesize the current literature of clinical trials that investigated the efficacy and safety of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) in people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Method: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which GLP-1RAs were used to treat people diagnosed with OSA. This systematic review and meta-analysis complied with PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024537280). A random effects model was used for meta-analysis to assess changes in OSA as measured by the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) compared to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or placebo controls. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and risk ratio (RR) were computed for continuous and binary outcomes. Variability between studies, risk of bias, subgroup analysis, and leave-one-out analysis were completed. Results: Five studies were included (N = 1023; 511 GLP-1RA and 512 control). Two trials used tirzepatide and four studies used liraglutide as the GLP-1RA. Six studies showed a decrease in AHI with an SMD of −14.5 events per hour (95%CI = −24.73 to −4.21; I² = 96.3%). When compared to placebo, GLP-1RA treatment had a significant reduction in AHI (SMD = −0.69; 95%CI = −1.10 to −0.26; p = 0.001; I² = 88.0%). When compared to CPAP, no significant difference in the reduction of AHI was found. No evidence of publication bias was found. Compared to control, there was no significant difference in serious adverse events (RR = 0.89; 95%CI = 0.50 to 1.57; p = 0.68; I² = 20.93%). Conclusions: People with psychiatric disorders may also experience comorbid OSA that can impact their quality of life, which may perpetuate psychiatric symptoms of depression. GLP-1RAs may provide therapeutic potential in the treatment of OSA in addition to their cardioprotective effects. Current studies are limited by small sample sizes, lack of blinding, and short duration. Future studies will require further investigation in long-term efficacy and safety. Full article

Background/Objectives: Adenoid hypertrophy (AH), one of the most common pathologies in children, is a major cause of mouth breathing. Mouth breathing causes dry mouth, which removes the beneficial effects of saliva necessary for oral health. Therefore, an oral microflora favorable to caries is promoted. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the oral health of children diagnosed with AH between the ages of 3 and 14 and to determine the early childhood oral health impact scale. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted between November 2019 and November 2020, involving 16 boys and 14 girls diagnosed with AH at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Atatürk University. These children, diagnosed with adenoid hypertrophy, were referred to the Department of Pedodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Ataturk University, for the evaluation of their oral health prior to surgery. Oral examinations were performed on the pediatric participants under dental unit light by the same pedodontist, and their demographic data and DMFT/dmft scores were recorded. Data for the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS-T) were obtained from volunteers with communication skills and their parents. SPSS 21.0 software was used in the statistical evaluation of the data. A Chi-square test was used to assess differences between groups. Results: The mean age of the children was 5.9 ± 2.6 years. There was no statistically significant difference between AH grades 2, 3, and 4 in terms of dentition periods, gender, and occlusion (p = 0.177, p = 0.495). The scores of the first nine and last four questions of the ECOHIS-T were found to be higher in children with grade 4 AH (p = 0.011, p = 0.043). The DMFT index was also higher in children with grade 4 AH (p = 0.010). Conclusions: Tooth decay is more prevalent in children with severe adenoid hypertrophy. This condition was also observed to negatively affect their quality of life. Regular check-ups and preventive care are needed to improve the quality of life of these children. Full article

Condition assessment of reinforced concrete structures presents a significant challenge worldwide as structures built in the post-war construction period (1950s–1970s) reach end of service life. The alkali-silica reaction (ASR) is one of several damage mechanisms which commonly affect infrastructure in Canada. Frequent freeze-thaw cycles and heavy use of de-icing salts in winter as well as high heat and humidity in summer are expected to have intensified ASR-induced damage. This work investigates five segments of a pier cap—PC, which had undergone encapsulation repair, and four segments of a pier shaft—PS, which represented dry and semi-submerged conditions, removed from a highway bridge constructed starting in 1957. Preliminary evaluation through visual inspection (conventional, qualitative and quantitative using the cracking index—CI) and non-destructive techniques (rebound hammer—RBH, ultrasonic pulse velocity—UPV and surface resistivity) was conducted on both internal (i.e., cut during decommissioning) and external (i.e., exposed while in service) surfaces of five PC segments and four PS segments. Differences in geometry, exposure conditions and repair history from the two members were found to have limited impact on the results of quantitative tests (i.e., CI, RBH and UPV results with average values of 1.6 mm/m, 37 MPa and 2.4 Km/s, respectively) while still exhibiting qualitative differences in visual determination (i.e., crack patterns, surface appearance and crack widths). Full article

Given the increasing concern about the presence of emerging contaminants in wastewater and their persistence in the environment, this study aimed to assess the effects of two anxiolytic pharmaceuticals commonly used in human therapy—Tranxilium (dipotassium clorazepate) and Zolpidem (zolpidem tartrate)—on plant development. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) were selected as the biotest species. Phytotoxicity assays were also performed on Raphanus sativus. Greenhouse experiments were conducted using different concentrations of both pharmaceuticals, and several physiological and growth parameters were evaluated, including the germination rate, biomass accumulation, SPAD index, and spectrophotometrically measured contents of chlorophyll A, chlorophyll B, and carotenoids. The results indicated that both pharmaceuticals can affect plant growth, with stimulatory effects at intermediate concentrations and phytotoxic effects at higher levels. These findings highlight the importance of considering the impact of emerging contaminants on agricultural ecosystems and their potential risks to environmental and human health. Full article

With the tightening of environmental regulations, the need to identify tools that foster the development of sustainable systems is growing. The shift toward closed-loop, bio-like systems promotes the creation of nature-inspired systems. However, the transformation processes and toolkits vary across meso-level systems with differing economic activity. This research reveals the patterns of formation and develops governance models for the evolution of nature-inspired systems, considering the specifics of digital transformation and innovative activity in ensuring environmental security. Methodology includes the following: correlation and regression analysis, factor and cluster analysis, along with automated neural network simulations. The study resulted in the expansion of conceptual frameworks for “nature-inspired system” formation; revealed dependencies between the formation of a nature-inspired macrosystem and mesosystems, while identifying growth hotspots for nature-inspired systems in Russia; identified the priority determinants of nature-inspired mesosystem formation; proposed a composite index (DNIS—Development of a Nature-Inspired System) to assess the cumulative impact of determinants and evaluate ecological performance responses; and developed a typology of regional mesosystems based on economic/ecological performance and “green” technology adoption, enabling differentiated approaches to guiding nature-inspired system development. The findings presented in this study are recommended for applications in improving regional socio-economic development programs. Full article

The spatial–temporal pattern, influencing factors and driving variables of carbon emissions are essential considerations for achieving China’s carbon peak and neutrality targets, which support high-quality development. This study was designed to explore and evaluate the spatial–temporal evolutionary characteristics, trends and main influencing factors of carbon emissions in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB), focusing on the decoupling of carbon emissions and socioeconomic development in the YREB. In total, 11 provinces and key cities were focused on as the research objects of the YREB district Tapio decoupling model, which examined the decoupling relationship between carbon emissions and socioeconomic development. Combined with a geographic detector, the Tapio, Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) and gray prediction models were employed in a comprehensive evaluating pipeline, which was constructed to decouple the main influencing factors and corresponding impacts of carbon emissions. Particularly, the gray prediction model was employed to predict the carbon emission differences in the YREB sub-regions in 2030. The results indicated the following: (1) The total carbon emissions showed a periodic fluctuation and upward trend with obvious spatial differences, and energy consumption was mainly dominated by coal. (2) The center of carbon emissions was located in Hubei Province in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, with a standard deviation ellipse showing a “Southwest–Northeast” trend, and most provinces were concentrated in the L-H (low-high) cluster. (3) The entire YREB had achieved carbon emissions decoupling, but it was mainly in a weak decoupling state. (4) Carbon emissions were significantly affected by the indicator E for economic growth, with the indicators EI for energy consumption and I for the added ratio of GDP also bringing greater impacts on carbon reduction contributions. The carbon emission prediction results indicated that the upper and middle reaches of the YREB were more likely to achieve carbon neutrality. Full article