Search Results (26,734)

Natural gas (NG) engine catalysts face unique challenges in emission control due to their distinct raw emission characteristics. This study investigates the exhaust conversion and by-product generation of a Palladium-based catalyst of an NG engine through small-sample catalyst experiments, mainly focusing on the effect of feed gas composition on the conversion efficiency and N₂O/NH₃ emissions. Results show that N₂O is generated via NO reduction by H₂ (80~275 °C) and CO (275~400 °C) in the temperature range of 80~400 °C. NH₃ generation occurs at 175~550 °C, mainly via NO reduction by H₂ (supplied from the water–gas shift (WGS) reaction) and CO below 425 °C and exclusively by H₂ (supplied from the steam reforming (SR) reaction) above 425 °C. An increase (0.9705~1.0176) in lambda enhances CO and CH₄ conversion while reducing N₂O and NH₃ emissions, but it inhibits NO conversion and promotes NO₂ formation. A lambda of 0.9941 achieves high conversion efficiency (≥90%) for CO, CH₄, and NO, with reduced N₂O and zero NH₃ emissions. An increase in H₂O (8~16%) accelerates the WGS and SR reactions, improving pollutant conversion. However, it aggravates N₂O and NH₃ emissions, with peak levels rising by 54% and 31%, respectively. Increased H₂ (500~1500 ppm) preferentially consumes NO and reversely shifts the equilibrium of the WGS and SR reactions, reducing CO and CH₄ conversion while improving NO conversion. And it promotes N₂O selectivity at high temperature and NH₃ selectivity at low temperature and peak emissions, with peak concentrations increasing by 58% and 15%, respectively. These findings reveal the by-product formation mechanism in the catalyst, providing valuable insights for the emission control of NG-fueled engines. Full article

Background: Neuroblastoma is a childhood tumor that is usually fatal after relapse in high-risk patients. Most clinical trials of CAR-T therapy for neuroblastoma are based on targeting the disialoganglioside GD2. B7-H3, a protein from the immunoglobulin superfamily, is a specific marker for neuroblastoma and a number of other solid tumors. We conducted a preclinical study of three variants of anti-B7-H3 CAR-T cells in order to justify the selection of the best candidate for subsequent clinical trials. Methods: The expression level of B7-H3 was measured in a number of cell lines and neuroblastoma tissue samples via flow cytometry. The functional activity of CAR-T cells was compared using an NFAT-inducible reporter assay, a cytotoxicity test, cytokine production, and a repeated stimulation assay. Results: The obtained CAR-T cells carrying all resulting CAR variants specifically recognized and killed B7-H3-positive tumor cells in vitro. Nevertheless, TE9-28z and 8H9-28BBz demonstrated superior activation and cytokine production compared to the second-generation 8H9-BBz construct. TE9-28z and 8H9-28BBz exhibited functional differences in expansion, exhaustion markers, and cytokine secretion in co-cultures with target cells in vitro. In particular, TE9-28z induced higher IFNγ production, while 8H9-28BBz showed increased TNFα release. Despite comparable cytotoxicity, TE9-28z and 8H9-28BBz CAR-T cells exhibited varying persistence depending on the tumor type, and showed signs of functional exhaustion upon prolonged exposure to the target antigen. Conclusion: TE9-28z and 8H9-28BBz were selected for further preclinical development as promising candidates for the effective targeting of B7-H3-expressing malignancies. Full article

Citrus diseases severely impact fruit yield and quality. To facilitate in-field, non-destructive, and rapid detection of citrus leaf physiological and pathological conditions, this study proposes a classification method for citrus leaf physiological and pathological statuses that integrates visible/near-infrared multispectral technology with deep learning. First, a handheld spectrometer was employed to acquire spectral images of five sample categories—Healthy, Huanglongbing, Yellow Vein Disease, Magnesium Deficiency and Manganese Deficiency. Mean spectral data were extracted from regions of interest within the 350–2500 nm wavelength range, and various preprocessing techniques were evaluated. The Standard Normal Variate (SNV) transformation, which demonstrated optimal performance, was selected for data preprocessing. Next, we innovatively introduced an adaptive spectral positional encoding mechanism into the Transformer framework. A lightweight, learnable network dynamically optimizes positional biases, yielding the ASTransformer (Adaptive Spectral Transformer) model, which more effectively captures complex dependencies among spectral features and identifies critical wavelength bands, thereby significantly enhancing the model’s adaptive representation of discriminative bands. Finally, the preprocessed spectra were fed into three deep learning architectures (1D-CNN, 1D-ResNet, and ASTransformer) for comparative evaluation. The results indicate that ASTransformer achieves the best classification performance: an overall accuracy of 97.7%, underscoring its excellent global classification capability; a Macro Average of 97.5%, reflecting balanced performance across categories; a Weighted Average of 97.8%, indicating superior performance in classes with larger sample sizes; an average precision of 97.5%, demonstrating high predictive accuracy; an average recall of 97.7%, showing effective detection of most affected samples; and an average F1-score of 97.6%, confirming a well-balanced trade-off between precision and recall. Furthermore, interpretability analysis via Integrated Gradients quantitatively assesses the contribution of each wavelength to the classification decisions. These findings validate the feasibility of combining a handheld spectrometer with the ASTransformer model for effective citrus leaf physiological and pathological detection, enabling efficient classification and feature visualization, and offer a valuable reference for disease detection of physiological and pathological conditions in other fruit crops. Full article

The present work aims at completing our previous comprehensive study on Ko-Kutani ware through the analysis, for the first time ever, of the renowned Hakuji bowl (white porcelain shallow bowl) excavated at the Noborigama kiln site in Kaga. The bowl had never been made available for such a purpose prior to this study owing to its absolute rarity, exceptional importance and fragile condition. Its shape and potting techniques, along with its materials, enabled both a direct comparison with the magnificent Ko-Kutani masterpieces belonging to the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art collection and the groundbreaking identification of a definitive firing timeline marked by two distinct production stages: the Pre-Hakuji and Post-Hakuji phases. The crucial influence of the Hakuji bowl on Ko-Kutani production as a whole has been revealed for the first time ever, providing unprecedented and definitive evidence of the origin of the renowned and iconic porcelains. In consideration of the strict requirements and the absolute prohibition to sample or even touch any of the works of art, portable Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence spectroscopy (pED-XRF) was selected as the most suitable technique for the type of materials to be investigated. Full article

The mutagenic potential of coffee by-products, including Coffea leaves, blossoms, cherries, and silverskin, was studied using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) coupled with the recent planar Ames bioassay via pH indicator endpoint. The 2LabsToGo-Eco allowed for the separation and detection of mutagens in complex samples. Hot water was the most effective extraction solvent in terms of yield and closely simulated the typical human consumption of coffee by-products. Separation was performed on TLC plates with a mixture of ethyl acetate, n-propanol, and water, followed by bioassay detection. The positive control 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide exhibited clear mutagenic responses, confirming the proper bioassay performance. In the Ames bioautogram, none of the tested coffee by-products showed mutagenic zones, suggesting the absence of strongly acting, acute mutagens under the applied test conditions; however, given the only 5 h short incubation and the use of TA98 strain only, a longer incubation time and testing with additional Salmonella strains is recommended. The results provide new safety data for Coffea leaves and blossoms and are consistent with some previous studies demonstrating the safety of coffee by-products. However, further improvements in the sensitivity and selectivity of the planar Ames bioassay are demanded, and further in vivo and long-term safety studies are recommended. Considering natural variability, the different uses of pesticides and treatments, and the fluctuating supply chains, coffee by-products may differ highly. The planar bioassay technology using the affordable 2LabsToGo-Eco is a powerful toxicological screening option for the coffee industry, considering the increasing interest in utilizing coffee by-products. Full article

Objective: The objective of this retrospective cross-sectional study is to explore how caregiver social determinants of health, appraisal of healthcare provider effectiveness, and insurance coverage influence caregiver ability to have their adolescent child access vision care, including completion of annual vision screening, visiting an ophthalmologist or optometrist, and completion of recommended additional screenings. Study Design: We used National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) data for 12–17-year-old adolescents for the years 2022 and 2023 (n = 37,425). Summary statistics for the selected sample were generated and binary logistic regressions were conducted. Outcome variables were the type of vision screening that occurred or not. Covariates were socioeconomic and demographic data of the adolescent’s primary caregiver. Independent variables were insurance coverage and healthcare provider’s skill and effectiveness. Results: Significant associations were reported between visiting an ophthalmologist or optometrist and each of spending enough time with patients; listening carefully to patients; and making patients feel like care is a partnership. Additionally, significant associations were reported between insurance coverage and both successful completion of vision screening and visiting an eye doctor. Conclusions: This study underscores the substantial impact of effectiveness of eye doctors in delivering annual vision exams and insurance adequacy on adolescent vision care engagement. Our results will inform the development of future evidence-based educational interventions to raise awareness on the importance of annual vision screenings in US adolescents and emphasize the need for screening mandates to advocate for this important public health issue. Full article

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses faced enormous emotional challenges and profound physical fatigue, as well as constant concerns about whether they would receive genuine support in the workplace. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of nurses and to identify key challenges, coping strategies and needs for institutional support. Methods: It was conducted in Albania and followed a mixed-methods design in two interconnected phases, using a mixed-methods approach. Phase I included a quantitative survey of 288 nurses from regional hospitals in Fier and Vlora using a structured questionnaire covering five domains: workplace challenges, stress and work–life balance, health effects and burnout, coping mechanisms, and suggestions for improvement. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Phase II consisted of a reflective seminar with 47 nurses selected from the initial sample. Participants shared their post-pandemic experiences, coping strategies, and proposals for improving mental well-being. SWOT analysis was used to structure the reflections and identify internal and external factors influencing nurses’ mental health. Results: The results showed that nurses continue to face high workload, insufficient psychological support, and that 37.5% reported their work–life balance had worsened since the pandemic (21.9% sometimes; 15.6% most of the time). Participation in the reflective seminar had a positive impact on increasing professional awareness. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for structured and sustainable interventions within healthcare institutions to protect and promote nurses’ mental health in post-crisis contexts. Full article

This study investigates the optimal duration for forming a uniform oxide layer and evaluates its influence on water-splitting performance. We selected a Ti₅₀Cu₃₂Ni₁₅Sn₃ amorphous ribbon, which is known to simultaneously form anatase TiO₂ and Sn oxide via a single hydrothermal process. Hydrothermal treatments were conducted at 220 °C in 150 mL of distilled water for durations of 3 and 6 h. The process successfully formed nanoscale metal oxides on the alloy surface, with the uniformity of the oxide layer increasing over time. The amorphous phase of the alloy was retained under all conditions. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirmed the formation of TiO₂ and SnO_x, while Cu and Ni remained in their metallic state. Furthermore, we verified the coexistence of these oxides with metallic Ti and Sn. Photoelectrochemical analysis showed that the sample treated for 6 h exhibited the best water-splitting performance, which correlated directly with the most uniform oxide coverage. This time-controlled hydrothermal oxidation method, using only water, presents a promising and efficient approach for developing functional surfaces for electronic and photoelectrochemical applications of metallic glasses (MGs). Full article

With the advancement of 3D sensing technologies, point clouds have become a key data format in the construction industry, supporting tasks such as as-built verification and BIM integration. However, robust and accurate edge detection from unstructured point cloud data remains a critical challenge, particularly in architectural environments characterized by structured geometry and variable noise conditions. This study presents a comparative evaluation of two classical edge detection algorithms—Random Sample Consensus (RANSAC) and Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN)—applied to terrestrial laser-scanned point cloud data of eight rectangular structural columns. After preprocessing with the Statistical Outlier Removal (SOR) algorithm, the algorithms were evaluated using four performance criteria: edge detection quality, BIM-based geometric accuracy (via Cloud-to-Cloud distance), robustness to noise, and density-based performance. Results show that RANSAC consistently achieved higher geometric fidelity and stable detection across varying conditions, while DBSCAN showed greater resilience to residual noise and flexibility under low-density scenarios. Although DBSCAN occasionally outperformed RANSAC in local accuracy, it tended to over-segment edges in high-density regions. These findings underscore the importance of selecting algorithms based on data characteristics and project goals. This study establishes a reproducible framework for classical edge detection in architectural point cloud processing and supports future integration with BIM-based quality control systems. Full article

Students with disabilities face challenges that limit their participation in sports activities designed to promote social cohesion. This study examined factors that discourage students with disabilities from engaging in sports at rural universities in Limpopo Province. A qualitative research approach with an exploratory design was employed. Purposive sampling was used to select participants. Trustworthiness was ensured through measures of credibility, confirmability, transferability, and dependability. Credibility was established through prolonged engagement with participants during the data collection process. Confirmability was maintained by transcribing interview recordings verbatim without alterations. Transferability was supported by employing an appropriate study approach, design, target population, and inclusion criteria. Dependability was ensured by minimizing bias in participant selection. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with sixteen students with disabilities, ten staff members from disability units at rural universities, and three staff members from sports and recreation units. Ethical principles-including informed consent, anonymity, privacy, confidentiality, and harm prevention-were consistently upheld throughout the study. Data analysis was conducted using a thematic reflexive analysis approach. Five main themes emerged: perceptions of including students with disabilities in sports programs; barriers preventing their participation; university support for students with disabilities interested in sports; the importance of engaging in sports programs; and interventions to encourage participation among students with disabilities. People with disabilities experience social exclusion, discrimination, and a lack of trained staff to support them in sports. The development and implementation of inclusive sports facilities can help address the challenges that prevent people with disabilities from participating in sports programs. An intersectoral approach is needed to ensure that people with disabilities participate in sports activities that promote a healthy lifestyle at universities. Full article

For investigating and modeling the swelling potential of anhydrite rocks, it is important to define a fast but accurate, reliable, and repeatable procedure for mineral identification and quantification of anhydrite mineral in rock samples. We propose a quantitative evaluation of the applicability of two different SEM-based approaches (namely, image analysis and the use of the O/S atomic ratio) for the identification and quantification of anhydrite in polished slices of rock. We compare the results obtained with the bulk densities of the samples and with the outcomes of thermogravimetric analyses, demonstrating high convergence between the different data. We eventually propose a critical comparison between the proposed approaches and the existing methods, overall providing a practical guide for the selection of the best analytical procedure for the quantification of anhydrite content in rocks and, consequently, for the correct estimation of swelling potential. Full article

Background: One in seven youth experiences a mental disorder, accounting for 13% of the global disease burden. The family environment is a modifiable factor for the prevention of mental disorders. While evidence-based online parenting programs exist, engagement by immigrant families, such as Indian-origin families in Australia, remains low. Objective: To explore perceived barriers of Indian-origin parents and co-create strategies to build cross-cultural bridging interventions to increase their engagement in parenting programs. Method: A qualitative co-design method was used, and participants were selected using a set of inclusion criteria through a criterion-based sampling approach. Eight videoconference workshops were conducted with 23 Indian-origin parents living across Australia, incorporating scenarios, roleplay, and vignettes. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s inductive coding approach. Results: One central theme and six design principles were developed. The central theme, low engagement with parenting programs, encompassed five factors that contribute to low engagement: ‘parenting programs’ is not a concept in India; limited awareness of parenting programs available in Australia; lack of time to engage in parenting programs; misalignment between parenting program content and real-world parenting challenges; and an ‘I know how to parent’ mindset. The six design principles were: acknowledge culture shock and acculturation; use a collaborative approach; include content specific to immigrant parents and children; adopt cross-cultural perspectives; use short and interactive bilingual pedagogic tools; and use focused dissemination and marketing. Conclusions: This study’s findings formed the foundation for developing a cross-cultural bridging intervention to connect Indian-origin parents with existing online parenting programs. Full article

Controlling dissolved nitrogen is critical to meeting increasingly stringent steel quality targets, yet the variable kinetics of gas absorption and removal across production stages complicate real-time decision-making. Leveraging a total of 291 metal samples, the research applied ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, enhanced by cointegration diagnostics, to develop four stage-specific models covering pig iron after desulfurization, crude steel in the basic oxygen furnace (BOF) before tapping, steel at the beginning and end of secondary metallurgy processing. Predictor selection combined thermodynamic reasoning and correlation analysis to produce prediction equations that passed heteroscedasticity, normality, autocorrelation, collinearity, and graphical residual distribution tests. The k-fold cross-validation method was also used to evaluate models’ performance. The models achieved an adequate accuracy of 77.23–83.46% for their respective stages. These findings demonstrate that statistically robust and physically interpretable regressions can capture the complex interplay between kinetics and the various processes that govern nitrogen pick-up and removal. All data are from U. S. Steel Košice, Slovakia; thus, the models capture specific setup, raw materials, and production practices. After adaptation within the knowledge transfer, implementing these models in process control systems could enable proactive parameter optimization and reduce laboratory delays, ultimately minimizing excessive nitrogenation in finished steel. Full article

Southern tomato virus (STV) or Amalgavirus lycopersici is a persistent virus impacting tomato crops globally. This study identified new STV isolates from Oklahoma and analyzed their evolutionary relationship to global STV isolates. Phylogenetic analyses (complete genomes or individual genes) grouped STV isolates into two distinct clades, independent of geographic origin or host. Notably, Oklahoma isolates formed a separate cluster from previously reported isolates in the United States of America (USA). Coalescent analysis suggested the most recent common ancestor of STV fusion protein emerged around 135 years ago. Genetic diversity among STV isolates was low, with slightly more variability in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene than the p42 gene. Both genes showed strong purifying selection. No recombination events were detected across complete genomes. Structure analysis revealed that the p42 protein, particularly its C-terminal region, displayed higher disorder, indicating a possible role in host interactions and viral adaptability. These findings deepen our understanding of STV’s evolution and highlight the need for ongoing surveillance and broader genomic sampling. Full article

Propolis contains abundant flavonoid and phenolic compounds, whose composition and concentration vary significantly in different geographical origins, thereby affecting its bioactive properties including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. In this study, the flavonoid and phenolic content in the ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) from Henan (HN) and Shandong (SD) provinces was quantitatively analyzed, and the results showed that concentrations of both bioactive components in HN were slightly higher than those in SD. The non-targeted metabolomics technology was further employed to analyze the components of EEP, and a total of 10683 metabolites were detected. In the comparison between the samples of HN and SD, there were a total of 1436 differential metabolites, with 553 decreased and 883 increased in the HN sample. Among them, there were 205 differential metabolites related to flavonoids and phenols, with 108 decreased and 97 increased in the HN sample. However, a greater number of carboxylic acids and derivatives, fatty derivatives and organooxygen metabolites were found at higher relative levels in the HN sample. As a result, the EEP of the HN sample was selected to investigate its inhibitory effect on inflammation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV2 microglia cells. The results showed that LPS promoted the M1 polarization of BV2 microglia. However, treatment with EEP at concentrations of 10 µg/mL, 5 µg/mL, and 2.5 µg/mL could partially restore the cell morphology to its non-activated state. Meanwhile, LPS stimulation increased the protein levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α significantly, as well as the relative gene expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, COX-2, iNOS and TLR4. After treatment with the EEP, the expression levels of these three proteins and six genes were significantly decreased. These findings revealed that EEP effectively inhibited the M1 polarization of LPS-induced BV2 cells and decreased the expression of inflammatory factors, indicating its potential as a therapeutic agent for neuroinflammation. Full article