Search Results (21,067)

To address the bottleneck issues of traditional concrete T-beams, such as excessive self-weight, susceptibility to cracking, and insufficient durability, this study investigates the flexural performance of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) T-beams. Through systematic experiments, the combined effects of three UHPC material ratios and three rebar schemes were analyzed. Six UHPC T-beam specimens were designed, and flexural performance tests were conducted using a staged loading approach, focusing on crack propagation, failure modes, and load-deflection curves to reveal their mechanical behavior and failure mechanisms. The results indicate that steel fibers significantly enhance UHPC toughness. At a fiber content of 1.5%, the specimens exhibited a yield load of 395–418 kN, with an ultimate load increase of 93% compared to the fiber-free specimens. The failure mode transitioned from brittle shear to ductile flexural. Increasing the rebar ratio improved load-bearing capacity, with a 4.58% rebar ratio yielding an ultimate load of 543 kN (51% higher than B1-02), but reduced ductility by 36%. Steel fibers restricted crack widths to 0.1 mm via crack-bridging effects, raising the cracking load by 53% and the shear capacity by 2.8 times. UHPC mix ratio adjustments had a limited impact on beam performance at the same fiber content. Overall, UHPC T-beams exhibited a compressive concrete crushing-dominated failure mode, with load-deflection curves showing a 42% gentler slope than conventional concrete. The ductility coefficient ranged from 3.8 to 5.2. For engineering applications, it is recommended to maintain a steel fiber content of at least 1.5% and a rebar ratio of 2.5–4.0% to strike a balance between strength and ductility. Full article

Screw piles are widely used in infrastructure, such as railways, highways, and ports, etc., owing to their large pile resistance compared to unthreaded piles. While most screw pile research focuses on single pile behavior under rotational installation using torque-capacity correlations. Limited studies investigate group effects under alternative installation methods. In this study, the load-transfer mechanism of screw piles and soil displacement under vertical installation was explored using laboratory model tests combined with digital image correlation techniques. In addition, numerical simulations using the discrete element method were performed. Based on both lab tests and numerical simulation results, it is discovered that the ultimate bearing capacity of a single screw pile was approximately 50% higher than that of a cylindrical pile with the same outer diameter and length. For pile groups, the group effect coefficient of a triple-pile group composed of screw piles was 0.64, while that of cylindrical piles was 0.55. This phenomenon was caused by the unique thread-soil interaction of screw piles. The threads generated greater side resistance and reduced stress concentration at the pile tip compared with cylindrical piles. Moreover, the effects of pile type, pile number, embedment length, pile spacing, and thread pitch on pile resistance and soil displacement were also investigated. The findings in this study revealed the micro–macro correspondence of screw pile performance and can serve as references for pile construction in practice. Full article

Coronary artery disease (CAD), a major contributor to healthcare burdens worldwide, is closely linked with chronic inflammation. Probiotic supplementation has been investigated for its potential to modulate inflammatory responses, yet its role in patients with CAD remains unclear. To address this, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines, with literature searches performed across PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL up to 19 March 2025. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials that examined the effects of probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics in patients with CAD or ischemic heart disease. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool, and standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for pooled outcomes. A total of five randomized controlled trials involving 256 patients with CAD were included. The meta-analysis demonstrated significant improvements in inflammatory biomarkers among participants receiving probiotics compared with those in the placebo group. Specifically, probiotic supplementation led to greater reductions in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (pooled SMD [pSMD] = −0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.87 to −0.36) and malondialdehyde (pSMD = −0.52; 95% CI: −0.91 to −0.12). No significant increase was observed in nitric oxide (pSMD = 0.91; 95% CI: −3.72 to 5.54) or total antioxidant capacity (pSMD = 0.35; 95% CI: −2.16 to 2.86) in the intervention group over control. No significant difference was found in glutathione levels between the two groups (pSMD = 0.01; 95% CI: −0.51 to 0.53). Overall, these findings suggest that probiotic supplementation exerts a beneficial effect on inflammatory status in patients with CAD. The evidence highlights its potential in reducing systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, as reflected by improvements in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and malondialdehyde. Full article

This study investigated the effects of dietary baicalin on the growth and health of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco). Five diets with the addition of 0 (control), 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg of baicalin were fed to juvenile yellow catfish (11.19 ± 0.07 g) for 56 days. Dietary supplementation with 200 or 400 mg/kg baicalin increased weight gain (p < 0.05) and reduced the feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p < 0.05). The BA400 group exhibited higher total antioxidant capacity, catalase, superoxide dismutase activity, and lower malondialdehyde level in the liver and intestine than the control (p < 0.05). In the 400 mg/kg baicalin group, the hepatic vacuolization rate was lower (p < 0.05), and the intestinal villus width and villus height were higher than those in the control (p < 0.05). In terms of intestinal microbiota composition, the 400 mg/kg baicalin group demonstrated lower abundances of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria (phylum level) and Cetobacterium, Candidatus_Arthromitus, and Plesiomonas (genus level) than the control (p < 0.05), while the relative abundances of Fusobacteriota and Lactobacillus (ZOR0006) increased in this group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary baicalin supplementation significantly improved the growth, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal morphology and positively modulated the intestinal microbiota composition of yellow catfish. The optimal dietary supplementation level of baicalin is 400 mg/kg for yellow catfish. Full article

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) play vital roles in crop growth. However, conventional fertilizers exhibit low utilization efficiency, making them prone to causing resource wastage and water eutrophication. Although metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have shown great potential for application in controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs), currently reported MOF-based CRFs suffer from low nutrient content, which limits their further application. To address this issue, this study synthesized a series of hierarchically porous MOFs, denoted as MIL-156(X), using sodium acetate as a modulator under hydrothermal conditions. These materials were subsequently loaded with urea and phosphate from aqueous solution to form MOFs-based CRFs (N-P-MIL-156(X)). Results indicate that MIL-156(X) retain microporous integrity while incorporating abundant mesopores. Increasing modulator content reduced particle size and average pore diameter but increased specific surface area and adsorption capacity for urea and phosphate. MIL-156-H (with a high modulator content addition) exhibited the highest adsorption capacity, conforming to Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics. The adsorption mechanisms of urea and phosphate involved hydrogen bonding and the formation of Ca intra-spherical complexes, respectively. N-P-MIL-156-H contained 10.8% N and 16.3% P₂O₅, with sustained release durations exceeding 42 days (N) and 56 days (P₂O₅) in an aqueous solution. Pot trials demonstrated significantly higher nutrient use efficiency (N-44.8%, P₂O₅-16.56%) and a 12.22% yield increase compared to conventional fertilization (N-35.6%, P₂O₅-13.32%). Thus, N-P-MIL-156-H-based fertilization significantly promotes rice growth and N/P utilization efficiency, offering a promising strategy for developing controlled-release fertilizers and improving nutrient management. Full article

Peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading has emerged as a novel approach to enhancing the coordination and utilization of distributed energy resources (DERs) within modern power distribution networks. This study presents a techno-economic analysis of different DER characteristics, focusing on the integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems and energy storage systems (ESS) within a community-based P2P energy trading framework in Aswan, Egypt, under a time-of-use (ToU) electricity tariff. Eight distinct cases are evaluated to assess the impact of different DER characteristics on P2P energy trading performance and an unbalanced low-voltage (LV) distribution network by varying the PV capacity, ESS capacity, and ESS charging power. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to comprehensively examine the effects of different DER characteristics on P2P energy trading and the associated impacts on an unbalanced distribution network. The findings demonstrate that integrating PV and ESS can substantially reduce operational costs—by 37.19% to 68.22% across the analyzed cases—while enabling more effective energy exchanges among peers and with the distribution system operator (DSO). Moreover, DER integration reduced grid energy imports by 30.09% to 63.21% and improved self-sufficiency, with 30.10% to 63.21% of energy demand covered by community DERs. However, the analysis also reveals that specific DER characteristics—particularly those with low PV capacity (1.5 kWp) and high ESS charging rates (e.g., ESS 13.5 kWh with 2.5 kW inverter)—can significantly increase transformer and line loading, reaching up to 19.90% and 58.91%, respectively, in Case 2. These setups also lead to voltage quality issues, such as increased voltage unbalance factors (VUFs), peaking at 1.261%, and notable phase voltage deviations, with the minimum Vb dropping to 0.972 pu and maximum Vb reaching 1.083 pu. These findings highlight the importance of optimal DER sizing and characteristics to balance economic benefits with technical constraints in P2P energy trading frameworks. Full article

This study investigated the influence of different pectin concentrations (0%, 0.1%, and 0.5%) on the physicochemical, antioxidant, and sensory properties of blackberry jam (Rubus fruticosus L.) prepared from fruits harvested at three altitudinal locations (wild: 998 m; cultivated: 500 m and 1090 m). The jams were analyzed for phenolic profile, antioxidant capacity, color, texture, and sensory attributes. The results showed that altitude strongly affected the phenolic profile and antioxidant capacity, with wild blackberries exhibiting the highest levels of total phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Pectin addition in moderate levels (0.1%) enhanced sensory acceptance, particularly in jams from higher altitudes. Furthermore, jams with added pectin showed improved vitamin C retention and reduced bitterness associated with phenolic compounds. Overall, the findings highlight the dual role of pectin in modulating the functional and sensory qualities of blackberry jam, while also demonstrating the impact of altitudinal variation on fruit-derived products. Full article

In Hungary, on-site mixed stabilization of cohesive soil is considered only as soil improvement not a proper pavement layer, therefore its bearing capacity is not taken into account when designing pavement. It was our hypothesis that on low-volume roads built on cohesive soil, lime or lime–cement stabilization can be an alternative to granular base layers. A case study was conducted to obtain initial results and to verify the research methodology. The efficacy of lime stabilization was evaluated across eight experimental road sections, with a view of assessing its structural and economic performance in comparison with crushed stone base layers reinforced with geo-synthetics. The results of the testing demonstrated elastic moduli of 120–180 MPa for the lime-stabilized layers, which closely matched the 200–280 MPa range observed for the crushed stone bases. The results demonstrated that lime stabilization offers a comparable load-bearing capacity while being the most cost-effective solution. Furthermore, this approach enhances sustainability by enabling the utilization of local soils, reducing reliance on imported materials, minimizing transport-related costs, and lowering carbon emissions. Lime stabilization provides a durable, environmentally friendly alternative for road construction, effectively addressing the challenges of material scarcity and rising construction costs while supporting infrastructure resilience. The findings highlight its potential to replace traditional base layers without compromising structural performance or economic viability. Full article

Background/Objectives: Late-onset neonatal sepsis (LOS) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (<1500 g and/or gestational age <32 weeks), with limited preventive strategies. We evaluated whether early enteral bovine lactoferrin (bLf), given its antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties, reduces LOS and improves immunologic, antioxidant, and hematologic markers in these infants. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 103 VLBW infants received bLf (150 mg/kg/day; n = 50) or the placebo (n = 53) within 72 h of birth for four weeks or until discharge. Outcomes included culture-confirmed LOS, mortality, and major morbidities. Risk ratios (RRs) were calculated, adjusting for gestational age, human milk intake, and ventilatory support when ≥25 events occurred. Pre/post changes in cytokines, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and hemoglobin (Hb) were analyzed for interaction effects (time x intervention). Results: bLf reduced LOS (adjusted RR 0.54; 95% CI 0.31–0.93; p = 0.028), without differences in other morbidities or mortality. bLf preserved MCP-1 levels, declining in the placebo group (interaction p = 0.022). Among LOS infants receiving bLf, IL-6 remained stable and MCP-1 increased, while both declined in other groups (interaction p = 0.007 for IL-6; p = 0.052 for MCP-1). Although TAC showed a non-significant interaction, the placebo group declined (p = 0.002), while bLf remained stable (p = 0.400) in the post hoc analysis. In non-transfused infants, bLf increased Hb by 0.9 g/dL vs. controls (p = 0.028). Conclusions: Early bLf supplementation safely reduces LOS in VLBW infants and may support immunologic, antioxidant, and hematologic stability. Full article

Dendrobium officinale (Orchidaceae) is a commonly used medicinal and edible herb. Although its anti-ageing properties have been demonstrated, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We employed network pharmacology and molecular biology techniques to systematically explore its anti-ageing mechanisms. An ageing model was established using D-galactose-induced Kunming mice. D. officinale significantly ameliorated ageing-related symptoms, including behavioural impairment and organ index reduction. It enhanced antioxidant capacity by increasing serum T-AOC levels and restoring renal activities of key antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH-Px, CAT) while reducing MDA; it suppressed serum TNF-α levels, indicating anti-inflammatory effects. Histopathological examination revealed that D. officinale alleviated D-galactose-induced renal damage, including tubular cell swelling and glomerular capsule widening. Network pharmacology identified 8 core active compounds (e.g., 5,7-dihydroxyflavone, naringenin) and 10 key targets (e.g., HSP90AA1, EGFR, MAPK3). KEGG analysis highlighted pathways including neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction, cAMP signalling, and calcium signalling. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding affinities between core compounds and key targets. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry validated that D. officinale upregulated EGFR, HSP90AA1, ERK, and GAPDH expression in renal tissues. In summary, D. officinale exerts anti-ageing effects by modulating oxidative stress, suppressing inflammation, and regulating multiple signalling pathways. Our findings provide a scientific rationale for its application in anti-ageing interventions. Full article

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is closely linked to low back pain (LBP), a leading cause of disability worldwide. IVDD is characterized by the loss of proteoglycans (PGs), extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, and reduced hydration of the nucleus pulposus (NP). Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) exhibit tissue repair and immunomodulatory effects and are emerging as promising cell-free therapeutics. Methods: We established a rat IVDD model via fluoroscopy-guided needle puncture of three consecutive coccygeal discs and confirmed degeneration through Alcian Blue and hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) staining. The gene expression of inflammatory and pain markers (ADRβ2, COMP, CXCL1, COX2, PPTA, MMP13, YKL40) was measured by qPCR. Subsequently, we implanted hUC-MSCs or EVs to evaluate their reparative potential. Results: Upregulation of inflammatory and pain genes in IVDD was associated with an immunomodulatory response. Tracking DiI-labelled hUC-MSCs and EVs revealed enhanced survival of hUC-MSCs, retention of EVs, and dispersion within rat tail discs; EVs showed greater retention than hUC-MSCs. Implanted EVs were internalized by NP cells and remained within degenerative IVDs. EVs passively diffused, accumulated at the injury site, interacted with host cells, and enhanced function, as shown by increased expression of human chondrocyte-related markers (SOX9, TGFβ1, TGFβ2, COL2) compared to hUC-MSC treatment. Histological analysis of two weeks post-transplantation showed NP cellular patterns resembling chondromas in treated discs. EVs integrated into and distributed within degenerated NP regions, with greater glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content. Conclusions: Overall, hUC-MSC EVs demonstrated superior regenerative capacity, supporting a safe, cell-free strategy for disc repair. Full article

A limited supply and price shortages of fishmeal with the expansion of aquaculture make it necessary to seek alternative protein sources. Soybean meal (SM) has been the widely preferred replacer for fishmeal in fish diets. Nevertheless, this substitution, especially when given at high doses, potentially shows adverse impact on fish intestinal health. This study aimed to investigate the effect of replacing fishmeal with SM on intestinal health in olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). A 56-day feeding trial was conducted with 450 juvenile fish (initial weight: 6.32 ± 0.01 g) randomly allocated to five diets with graded SM replacement: 0% (FM), 12% (SM12), 24% (SM24), 36% (SM36), and 48% (SM48). The results demonstrated that concentrations of glucose, total triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased, whereas total protein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol contents, and lysozyme activity decreased in serum with increasing dietary SM levels. Meanwhile, total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase activity significantly decreased at replacement levels exceeding 24%, accompanied by elevated malondialdehyde concentration (p < 0.05). Compared with the FM group, the SM24, SM36, and SM48 groups showed significantly reduced VH and increased lamina propria width (p < 0.05). Increasing dietary SM levels upregulated expression of genes related to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) (chop, perk, and grp78), inflammation (tnf-α and il-6), and apoptosis (bax, casp3, casp6, and casp9), while downregulated anti-inflammatory cytokines (il-10 and tgf-β1) and tight junction-related genes (zo-1, zo-2, claudin-5, ocln, muc-13, and muc-15) in the intestine (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in the abundances of intestinal microbiota at both the phylum and genus levels among the FM, SM24, and SM36 groups (p < 0.05), but the clusters and microbiota composition of the SM24 group were more similar to those of the FM group. In conclusion, replacing 24% of fishmeal with SM induced intestinal dysfunction through evoking ERS, inflammation, barrier disruption, and microbial dysbiosis in olive flounder. Full article

Human cryptosporidiosis caused by the zoonotic apicomplexan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum represents a neglected and re-emerging poverty-related disease. C. parvum possesses minimalistic metabolic capacities and highly depends on its intestinal epithelial host cell for intracellular replication. Based on previous results showing that glycolysis and glutaminolysis inhibition diminished C. parvum replication in vitro, we here investigated the impact of the olive oil component oleocanthal on C. parvum infection in HCT-8 cells under physioxia (5% O₂) and hyperoxia (21% O₂). Oleocanthal targets a broad spectrum of regulatory molecules, amongst which mTOR represents a master regulator of glycolysis and glutaminolysis. Using a host cell pre-treatment as well as a pre- and post-infection treatment protocol, 5 µM oleocanthal reduced C. parvum infection rates between 51% and 94%. Host cellular metabolic conversion rates linked oleocanthal-induced inhibition of C. parvum infection with an impairment in glutaminolysis, representing an important metabolic pathway in intestinal cells. The principal involvement of mTOR in C. parvum inhibition was confirmed by another mTOR-inhibitor (PP242, 0.5 µM), which also reduced C. parvum infection by 70–77%. Given that oleocanthal is not a selective mTOR inhibitor, we assume that this compound drives a multi-target-based inhibition of asexual C. parvum replication, amongst which mTOR is addressed. Full article

It is well known that the operation of a Borehole Heat Exchanger (BHE) can thermally induce groundwater convection in aquifers, enhancing the thermal performance of the BHE. However, the effect on the thermal performance of BHEs installed in low-permeable rock formations remains unclear. In this study, two BHEs were installed in a silty sandstone formation, one backfilled with high-permeable materials and the other grouted with sand–bentonite slurry. A Thermal Response Test (TRT) showed that the fluid outlet temperature of the high-permeable-material backfilled BHE was about 2.5 °C lower than that of the BHE refilled with sand–bentonite slurry, implying a higher thermal efficiency. The interpreted borehole thermal parameters also show a lower borehole thermal resistance in the high-permeable-material backfilled BHE. Physical model tests reveal that groundwater convective flow was induced in the high-permeable-material backfilled BHE. A test of BHEs with different borehole diameters shows that the larger the borehole diameter, the higher the thermal efficiency is. Thus, the thermal performance enhancement was attributed to two factors. First, the induced groundwater flow accelerates heat transfer by convection. Additionally, the increment of the thermal volumetric capacity of the groundwater stored inside a high-permeable-material refilled borehole stabilized the borehole’s temperature, which is key to sustaining high thermal efficiency in a BHE. The thermal performance enhancement demonstrated here shows potential for reducing reliance on fossil-fuel-based energy resources in challenging geological settings, thereby contributing to developing more sustainable geothermal energy solutions. Further validation in diverse field conditions is recommended to generalize these findings. Full article

Electrical grids are currently facing new demands due to increased power consumption, growing interconnections, and limitations regarding transmission capacity. These factors introduce considerable challenges for the dispatch and operation of large-scale power systems, often resulting in congestion, energy losses, and high operating costs. To address these issues, this study presents a transmission line switching strategy, which is formulated as an optimal power flow problem with binary variables and solved via mixed-integer nonlinear programming. The proposed methodology was tested using MATLAB’s MATPOWER toolbox version 8.1, focusing on power systems with five and 3374 nodes. The results demonstrate that operating costs can be reduced by redistributing power generation while observing the system’s reliability constraints. In particular, disconnecting line 6 in the 5-bus system yielded a 13.61% cost reduction, and removing line 1116 in the 3374-bus system yielded cost savings of 0.0729%. These findings underscore the potential of transmission line switching in enhancing the operational efficiency and sustainability of large-scale power systems. Full article