Search Results (11,688)

Traditional in-service inspection (ISI) methods for pipelines have certain limitations in identifying pipeline leakages. When these methods are directly applied to the ISI of Hua-long pressurized reactor (HPR1000) nuclear power plants, where the system complexity has significantly increased, they may lead to insufficient inspection efficiency and an extremely heavy workload. In this study, based on the framework of typical risk-informed analysis methods for nuclear power plants in the industry and integrating domestic engineering practical experience, an optimized ISI model for pipelines in HPR1000 nuclear power plants was constructed, and a pilot application was carried out on the chemical and volume control system (RCV) of the primary circuit. The inspection strategy was optimized through a series of steps, including determining the analysis scope, conducting pipe segment failure analysis, constructing a risk matrix, selecting inspection elements, and assessing risk impacts. Case studies showed that the risk-informed in-service inspection (RI-ISI) method successfully classified over 3000 welds in the RCV system based on risk levels (high, medium, low). After optimization, 16 low-risk welds (risk level 7) and one of the two medium-risk welds (risk level 4) that originally required volumetric inspection were exempted from inspection. Quantitative risk analysis confirmed that the increments in core damage frequency (CDF) and large early-release frequency (LERF) caused by this optimization were far below the regulatory limits. This method significantly reduces the inspection burden of medium- and low-risk pipelines while ensuring that high-risk areas receive priority attention, providing important technical support for the safe and efficient operation and maintenance of HPR1000 and subsequent third-generation nuclear power units. Full article

Wood, as the oldest natural polymer composite material on Earth, holds significant importance in the era of carbon neutrality and serves as an irreplaceable core material in the furniture and construction industries. As a primary raw material for furniture, wood-based lignocellulosic boards have drawn increasing consumer attention due to their odor characteristics. In order to achieve the determination of odor compounds in lignocellulose-based panels, this study established a method combining dynamic headspace sampling (DHS), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and odor activity value (OAV) analysis. To address the wide concentration range of odor compounds in lignocellulose-based panels, a three-level standard curve was established to meet the detection of odor substances in common lignocellulose-based panels. The favorable conditions for each factor were as follows: sheet-shaped samples, TENAX-TA adsorbent, 20 mL headspace vials, and a split ratio of 25:1. The method demonstrated good linearity within the range of 0.002–15 mg/m³, with recovery rates ranging from 94.74% to 103.44%. The method was applied to analyze commercially available particleboard, fiberboard, and plywood. A total of 33 odor components were detected. The results indicated that aldehyde contributed significantly to the odor of particleboard, acids were the main contributors to the odor of fiberboard, and terpenes dominated the odor of plywood. The established method is suitable for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of odor compounds in lignocellulose-based panels and provides reliable technical support for tracing, identifying, and controlling odors in these materials. Full article

Seed storage proteins (SSPs) play a pivotal role in determining the development, quality, and nutritional value of rice seeds. In this study, we conducted a transcriptome-based correlation analysis to identify novel transcription factors (TFs) potentially involved in the biosynthesis and accumulation of SSPs. Our analysis revealed nine TFs—OsGATA8, OsMIF1, OsMIF2, OsGZF1, OsbZIP58, OsS1Fa1, OsS1Fa2, OsICE2, and OsMYB24—that exhibit strong co-expression with key SSP genes, including those encoding glutelin and prolamin. Gene expression profiling using quantitative RT-PCR and GUS reporter assays revealed that these TFs are predominantly expressed during seed development, with peak expression observed at 10 days after flowering (DAF). Promoter analysis further demonstrated an enrichment of seed-specific and hormone-responsive cis-regulatory elements, reinforcing the seed-preferential expression patterns of these TFs. Collectively, our findings identify a set of candidate TFs likely involved in SSP regulation and seed maturation, providing a foundation for the genetic enhancement of rice seed quality and nutritional content through targeted breeding and biotechnological approaches. Full article

Ginkgo biloba is one of the most consumed medicinal plants and broadly included as an ingredient in plant food supplements (PFS) and herbal infusions, being potential targets for economically motivated adulteration. This work aimed at comparing the use of DNA and phytochemical markers to authenticate the botanical origin of ginkgo-leaf extracts and PFS. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect ginkgo DNA, while ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection (UHPLC-MS/MS) determined its main phytochemicals (terpene lactones and flavonol aglycones). DNA was detected in all ginkgo leaf extracts, mainly water, while the highest levels of phytochemicals were obtained using ethanol or acetone as solvents. The results suggested that 4 out of a total of 19 PFS samples were adulterated, with two samples evidencing the addition of quercetin from sources other than ginkgo. The other two samples showed low amounts of ginkgo phytochemicals, which was corroborated by low DNA content, suggesting the use of reduced amounts of G. biloba leaf material. Full article

In this study, a novel carbon quantum dots-functionalized UiO-66 composite was successfully prepared via the post-synthetic modification method and further developed into a ratiometric fluorescent probe for detecting uric acid. The composite demonstrates excellent structural and luminescent stability under challenging environmental conditions. As a ratiometric fluorescent probe, its recognition principle relies on the ratio of response signals from two different fluorescent emission centers in the composite. In the presence of uric acid, the fluorescence emission intensity at 430 nm from CDs did not change significantly. However, the fluorescence intensity at 545 nm from Tb³⁺ ions decreased remarkably. This material was evaluated for its capacity to sense urinary components and was shown to specifically recognize uric acid over a wide concentration range (0~5 ´ 10⁻³ M). Moreover, it exhibited strong resistance to interference and high sensitivity in uric acid detection. The detection limit (LOD) was determined to be 0.102 μM through quantitative analysis. The sensing mechanism was validated through spectral overlap and fluorescence lifetime analysis, which can be attributed to the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) process. This ratiometric fluorescent probe provides an efficient and reliable strategy for detecting the biomarker uric acid. Full article

Rapid and green detection of soil nutrients is essential for soil fertility and plant growth. However, traditional methods cannot meet the needs of rapid detection, and the reagents easily cause environmental pollution. Hence, we proposed a multivariable output weighting-network (MW-Net) combined with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to achieve rapid and green detection for three soil nutrients. For a better spectral signal-to-background ratio (SBR), the two important parameters of delay time and gate width were optimized. Then, the spectral noise was removed by the near-zero standard deviation method. Three common quantitative models were investigated for single-element prediction, which are usually applied in LIBS analysis. Also, multi-element prediction was investigated using MW-Net. The results showed that MW-Net outperformed other models generally with very good quantification for soil total N and K (the determination coefficients in the prediction set (R_p²) of 0.75 and 0.83 and the relative percent difference in the prediction sets (RPD) of 2.05 and 2.43) and excellent indirect determination for soil exchangeable Ca (R_p² of 0.93 and RPD of 3.91). Finally, the interpretability was realized through feature extraction from MW-Net, indicating its design rationality. The preliminary results indicated that MW-Net combined with LIBS technology could quantify the three soil nutrients simultaneously, improving the detection efficiency, and it could possibly be deployed on a LIBS portable instrument in the future for precision agriculture. Full article

Suicide is a public health concern worldwide. The methods used worldwide can vary based on geographical context and the ease with which victims can find the means to act on suicidal thoughts. In this context, the recent emergence of an online market for toxic and narcotic substances has increased accessibility to these substances for recreational and suicidal purposes. The presented case concerns a fatal sodium nitrite dose purchased online. The body exhibited the characteristic blue-gray staining of hypostasis, more evident on the neck and the upper third of the posterior surface of the chest, and toxicological analysis revealed methemoglobin levels exceeding 30%. Although there is no standardized analytical procedure, the determination of nitrite in postmortem samples is crucial in these cases. Additionally, nitrite is difficult to detect postmortem because it rapidly turns into sodium nitrate. In the case presented, capillary ion analysis (CIA) with direct UV detection was performed for the qualitative and quantitative determination of nitrite and nitrate in the cadaveric central blood samples. The analytical determination identified the presence of nitrite ions and sodium nitrate, in a concentration of 9515 µmol/L. Full article

We developed a solvent-suppressed ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method for the quantitative analysis of the components of rotigotine prolonged-release microspheres prepared for injection. Dimethyl terephthalate was used as an internal standard and dimethylsulfoxide -d₆ as the solvent. The analysis was performed using a Bruker Avance III HD 600 MHz NMR spectrometer, employing the noesygppr1d pulse sequence at a controlled temperature of 25 °C. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra were acquired with a relaxation delay time (D1) of 40 s to simultaneously determine the content of rotigotine and the excipients mannitol and stearic acid in the rotigotine prolonged-release microspheres. Using the proposed approach, we successfully quantified the active pharmaceutical ingredient rotigotine and excipients in the prolonged-release microspheres. This method demonstrated excellent linearity, high precision, and strong repeatability. The solvent-suppressed ¹H NMR method developed in this study allows for the simultaneous quantification of rotigotine and the key excipients mannitol and stearic acid in the prolonged-release microspheres. This approach is accurate, simple, efficient, and environmentally friendly. Full article

In order to scientifically and reasonably evaluate the digital transformation and upgrading level of “emerging industry” innovation ecosystems, this paper firstly uses the grounded theory to extract the factors influencing the digital transformation and upgrading of the emerging industry innovation ecosystems. Secondly, a cloud model is introduced to evaluate the importance of the influencing factors, select the important factors, and construct an evaluation index system. Thirdly, the projection pursuit model based on the quantum genetic algorithm is used to search for the optimal projection direction and determine the weight and comprehensive evaluation value of each index. Finally, the digital transformation and upgrading levels of 506 innovation subjects are divided into a budding level (I), growth level (II), and mature level (III) based on K-means and the SVM—most of which are at a medium–low level. Therefore, countermeasures and suggestions for promoting the digital transformation and upgrading of the emerging industry innovation ecosystems are put forward. This paper provides a systematic and complete method for the evaluation of digital transformation and upgrading of the emerging industry innovation ecosystems. Further, this paper promotes the combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis and realizes the effective integration of the overall logic chain of theoretical demonstrations, method design, and data analysis. Full article

Background/Objectives: Quantitative approaches to talent identification in youth soccer often rely on either closed-skill assessments or small-sided games, but each carries inherent uncertainties that can reduce selection accuracy. Effective talent selection requires integrating both sources of data while accounting for their limitations. This study aimed to develop and validate a framework that combines closed-skill tests with competitive 1v1 game outcomes to optimize early-stage player selection. Methods: We assessed the dribbling and sprinting performances of 30 Brazilian youth players and used 1308 individual 1v1 bouts (70–90 bouts/individual) to estimate competitive abilities using a Bayesian ordinal regression model. Based on our empirical results, we then ran simulations to determine how many players should be selected when the aim is to reduce a player pool of 100 individuals so that the ‘true’ top 10 performers are reliably included and to determine how the weighting between data from closed-skill tests and games should change with increasing match observations. Results: Dribbling speed was a strong predictor of 1v1 success (β = –0.76, 95% CI: [–1.16, –0.40]), while sprint speed (β = 0.01, 95% CI: [–0.36, 0.40]) showed no significant association with 1v1 success. Simulations revealed that 26.0 ± 2.5 players were needed after five 1v1 contests per player to capture the true top 10% and then decreased to 18.0 ± 1.5 players after 20 contests. Optimal weighting shifted from a greater reliance on dribbling-based data (α > 0.80 at Game 0) to more match-based data after 10–20 contests per player (α = 0.16 at Game 20), but utilizing both sources of data improved selection accuracies and efficiencies. Conclusions: This study provides an uncertainty-aware protocol for talent identification that optimizes the integration of data from closed-skill tests and in-game performances within a dynamic selection framework that enhances precision and forms the basis for efficient early-stage scouting of large cohorts of players. Full article

Background: The etiopathogenesis of IBD is not fully known; however, both genetic and environmental risk factors, including diet, are contributors to the disease. The present study aimed to determine the effect of dietary inflammatory potential, assessed using the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), on disease activity and inflammatory markers, such as IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-10, in patients with IBD. Methods: The study enrolled 90 patients with IBD. Dietary intake was assessed based on a 24 h questionnaire interview conducted in each subject three times. Based on these data, the DII for each subject was calculated. The serum levels of IL-6, IL-1 β, and IL-10 were determined with the quantitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The mean DII value was −0.39 ± 0.52 and did not differ significantly between the groups with CD and UC (−0.42 ± 0.47 vs. −0.37 ± 0.54, p = 0.6452, respectively); however, it was remarkably lower among patients in remission and with mild disease compared to those in the active phase of the disease (−0.45 ± 0.61 vs. −0.23 ± 0.65, p = 0.0217). Considering the DII tertiles, the subjects differed significantly in terms of age and disease activity. Logistic regression analysis of disease severity and DII in the crude model revealed that the probability of severe disease in IBD patients increased with higher DII scores. Conclusions: The results of the present study revealed a significant association between pro-inflammatory diet and IBD severity, which indicates a need to formulate an anti-inflammatory diet to reduce disease severity in patients with CD and UC. Full article

Antioxidants, such as flavonoids, are influential secondary metabolites that play a significant role in regulating human health. Açaí, known for its potent antioxidant properties, has gained popularity in the nutritional field. However, there is a need for accurate methods to quantify its antioxidant capacity. Therefore, the goal of this investigation was to determine the total antioxidant capacity of frozen açaí pulp by applying the concept of the electrochemical quantitative index (EQI) using the cyclic voltammetry technique. The electrochemical response of ethanolic extracts obtained by a nonconventional ultrasound bath was investigated in the anodic region. The results clearly showed redox behavior at +0.37 V and +0.27 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) for the anodic and cathodic peaks, respectively, when evaluated by cyclic voltammetry at a glassy carbon (GC) electrode. By investigating a constant ethanolic extract concentration (0.2%) and analyzing the scan rate and supporting electrolyte effects, it was determined that the frozen açaí pulp extract presented an EQI of about 2.3 µA/V. Similarly, the concept of the EQI was extended to the use of the differential pulse voltammetry profile of a 0.2% ethanolic açaí extract on different supporting electrolytes, which showed that some experimental conditions needed improvement. Still, maintaining pH with a buffer solution in the anodic region is crucial to ensure reproducibility. The antioxidant capacity was also determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical assay to compare the electrochemical results. The Folin–Ciocalteu colorimetric test was applied to determine the total phenolic content of the extract. Full article

Background/Objectives: Acute lung injury (ALI) is a respiratory disorder lacking specific targeted therapy. Our preliminary screening revealed that the ethanol extract of the seeds of Podocarpus nakaii (EESPN) alleviated the symptoms of ALI in mice. The objectives of this study were to identify the active constituents in EESPN and study the mechanism involved. Methods: Column chromatography was performed to separate the chemical constituents of EESPN. The structures of the isolates were determined via spectroscopic methods. MTT assays, Western blotting, histological analysis, TUNEL assays, immunofluorescence staining, transcriptomic analysis, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT–PCR) were employed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity and to elucidate the potential mechanism of nagilactone C (3, Nag C) in ALI treatment. Results: Twelve compounds were isolated from EESPN and structurally characterized. The structure of podolactone E (1) was confirmed via single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In vitro, Nag C showed potent anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Nag C liposomes significantly ameliorated LPS-induced histopathological damage to the lungs, reduced neutrophil infiltration and inflammatory cytokine levels, increased myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and promoted apoptosis in mice. In addition to suppressing inflammation, Nag C also significantly suppressed the phosphorylation of the NF-κB, STAT3, and STAT1 proteins. Conclusions: Nag C is an active constituent of EESPN. It may protect against LPS-induced ALI via inhibition of the STAT signaling pathway. Thus, Nag C is a promising lead compound in the development of novel STAT-targeted anti-inflammatory agents. Full article

We quantitatively analyzed the effects of physical properties of metallic pipe materials on the thermal performance of firestop systems. Fire-resistance tests under realistic fire conditions were conducted for 120 min using five types of metallic pipes—carbon steel, stainless steel, cast iron, copper, and aluminum—under identical firestop material conditions. The temperature distribution at key locations within the slab and average rate of temperature increase over specific time intervals were compared. Materials with higher thermal conductivity and lower wall thickness exhibited faster thermal response characteristics. High-temperature behavior was most pronounced at the pipe surface, where copper and aluminum pipes reached temperatures approximately equal to 200 °C and 190 °C, respectively. During the initial 30 min, the average rates of temperature increase were the highest for aluminum (2.9 °C/min), followed by copper (2.2 °C/min), although the rate of heat transfer gradually decreased subsequently. A correlation analysis between the composite index of thermal conductivity and cross-sectional area, revealed a strong correlation at the pipe’s surface, with a coefficient of determination greater than 0.85. The thermal properties and cross-sectional characteristics of metallic pipes can directly affect the thermal behaviors of firestop systems. The results may serve as a basis for material-informed structural design and performance evaluation criteria. Full article

Background/Objectives: this study describes the development of a novel three-dimensional electrogoniometer for the quantitative assessment of knee mobility and stability during gait. The primary objective is to determine whether real-time measurements obtained during dynamic activity provide more clinically relevant information than traditional static assessments. Methods: the device employs angular position encoders to capture knee joint kinematics—specifically flexion, extension, rotation, and tibial translation—during locomotion. Data are transmitted in real time to an Android-based application, enabling immediate graphical visualization. A descriptive observational study was conducted involving healthy participants and individuals with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries to evaluate the device’s performance. Results: results showed that the electrogoniometer captured knee flexion-extension with a range of up to 90°, compared to 45° typically recorded using conventional systems. The device also demonstrated enhanced sensitivity in detecting variations in tibial translation during gait cycles. Conclusions: this electrogoniometer provides a practical tool for clinical assessment of knee function, enabling real-time monitoring of joint behavior during gait. By capturing functional mobility and stability more accurately than static methods, it may enhance diagnostic precision and support more effective rehabilitation planning in orthopedic settings. Full article