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Can ‘toxic masculinity’ be measured? Scientists try to quantify controversial term
Humanoid robots step up their game: how useful are the latest droids?
Independent mechanisms of inflammation and myeloid bias in VEXAS syndrome
PhD students’ taste for risk mirrors their supervisors’
A ‘time capsule’ for cells stores the secret experiences of their past
Correction: DNAJC5 promotes cisplatin resistance in epithelial ovarian cancer by autophagy induced by the BiP/IRE1α/XBP1 endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway
Water recovery of drying waste using a thermoelectric cooler and PV/T assisted
Abstract Energy, food, and water are the most essential demands for the human community. In this study, a novel hybrid solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) solar dryer integrated with a water recovery unit is designed, developed, and experimentally evaluated for drying agricultural products. The system combines a PV/T air collector that simultaneously generates electricity and hot air with a thermoelectric cooling (TEC) unit that condenses water vapor from the drying exhaust. This theoretical research aims to develop a new concept for drying systems based on thermoelectric coolers, using PV/T as a solar collector and an electric supplier. The scientific innovation lies in utilizing the waste heat from the hot side of the TEC units and introducing it into the drying chamber to enhance the evaporation rate. Meanwhile, the water vapor expelled through the cold side of the units is condensed, transforming the drying-to-drinking (D2D) process without energy or mass loss. Furthermore, drying 1 kg of tomato leads to two sources of condensed water (tomato moisture + atmospheric water). While an airflow rate of 0.05 kg/s corresponds to an inlet of atmospheric air at 1440 kg during 8 h, the water recovery unit produced nearly 3.9 L of water during an 8-hour drying cycle. Thus, addressing the dual challenge of food preservation and water scarcity.
Metabolic and molecular evaluation of Moringa oleifera-supplemented ketogenic meal replacement in healthy C57BL/6 mice
Abstract Ketogenic diets, which are high in fat, hold therapeutic promises in obesity and type 2 diabetes and are to be carefully studied in their early stages on healthy mouse models. This study evaluated the physiological, biochemical, histological, and genetic impacts of a Moringa oleifera –supplemented ketogenic meal replacement (KMR) compared with a commercial non-ketogenic meal replacement (CMR) and standard chow in female C57BL/6J mice ( n = 8/group) over 20 weeks. Despite similar caloric intake, KMR-fed mice exhibited ~ 30% lower weight gain than both control and CMR groups, highlighting the role of macronutrient composition over energy content. Insulin sensitivity was preserved across groups, with KMR maintaining fasting glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR < 0.4. KMR promoted favorable lipid remodeling, including elevated HDL cholesterol (128 ± 6 mg/dL), reduced LDL cholesterol (25 ± 2 mg/dL), and the lowest non-HDL cholesterol, yielding the most favorable HDL: LDL ratio. Liver enzyme analysis revealed hepatoprotective effects in KMR, contrasting with elevated ALT and AST in CMR. Renal biomarkers and the histological observations indicated mild disorder in kidney functions across CMR and KMR groups. At the molecular level, KMR upregulated ketogenesis genes ( Hmgcs2 , Bdh1 ), mitochondrial regulators ( Sirt3 , Fgf21 ), and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL10 . Conversely, CMR downregulated Bdh1 , Fgf21 , and IL10 while exerting negligible or nonsignificant effects on Hmgcs2 and Sirt3 . Collectively, KMR attenuated weight gain and improved lipid metabolism maintaining insulin and blood glucose levels. This supports its effective dietary management for type 2 diabetes. However, given the observed histological changes, further long-term studies are recommended to confirm the safety of the ketogenic diet on organ tissues.
Rheological and mechanical performance of sustainable LC3 concrete modified with nano-silica and rubber latex
Abstract Alternative sustainable and environmentally friendly cement-based materials are now possible because of substantial advancements in concrete technology. In building engineering, supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) have gained popularity and promise as partial binder substitution in recent decades. This study examines the production of a new eco-friendly LC3 concrete (lower cement clinker concentration and CO 2 footprint) by substituting nano silica for calcined clay. Surkhi has been used as a calcined clay in the present LC3 concrete and replaced by nano-silica at 2%, 4%, and 6% by weight. A new water replacement material has been introduced as rubber latex, which has helped to reduce the porosity of concrete. Rubber latex has replaced the water at 2% and 5%. Eight new mixes are prepared from which seven mixes are engineered LC3 concrete and one mix belongs to traditional OPC concrete of M40 grade. Several laboratory tests such as rheology, volumetric shrinkage, FTIR, TGA, compressive strength, and split tensile strength are carried out on the above-mentioned mixes of LC3 concrete and compared with the test results of traditional OPC concrete. However engineered LC3 concrete enhanced the workability by showing lower values of static yield stress, structural built-up rate and thixotropic energy as compared to traditional OPC concrete. Introducing rubber latex in LC3 concrete, the workability increases due to the production of similar charges around the cementitious materials which are repulsive. Losing the plasticity of rubber latex the voids of concrete have been filled by solid materials and correspondingly reduce the voids and shrinkage. The volumetric shrinkage was reduced by up to 84%, and compressive strength improved by 15.6% at 90 days compared to OPC concrete. Rheological tests using an eBT2 rheometer and shrinkage tests using laser measurement were performed. The mechanical and microstructural qualities of LC3 concrete have improved due to partial substitution of water with rubber latex and increased the packing density due to the partial substitution of nano-silica for surkhi.
Efficient solvent-free amide synthesis via Ritter reaction catalyzed by a reusable Fe3O4/g-C3N4/ NTMPA nanocomposite
Volumetric additive manufacturing of complex geometries around complex inserts
Assessment of thyroid iodine accumulation following repeated iodinated contrast media administration using dual-energy computed tomography in a rabbit model
Urine volatile organic compounds (VOCs) combined with machine learning algorithm in the diagnosis of gallstones with cholecystitis
Effects of 12-week aquatic HIIT on blood pressure lipid profile and BaPWV in postmenopausal women with different ACE genotypes
Abstract The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism influences renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activity and may modulate cardiovascular adaptations to exercise. Yet, evidence regarding genotype-dependent responses to aquatic high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in postmenopausal women is limited. We aimed to compare the effects of 12-week aquatic HIIT on blood pressure, lipid profile, and arterial stiffness between postmenopausal women with the ACE II genotype and those carrying at least one D allele (ID/DD genotype). Sixty postmenopausal women aged 45–75 years were recruited, with ten participants voluntarily withdrawing from the study and three lost to follow-up. A total of 47 participants completed the intervention (21.7% attrition). Participants were stratified into ACE II (n = 25, 59.0 ± 5.52 years) and ID/DD (n = 22, 57.4 ± 7.52 years) genotype groups. Participants performed a 12-week aquatic HIIT program, with three 40-minute sessions per week. Each session consisted of a 6-minute warm-up, 30 min of main training (involving strength and jumping exercises), and a 4-minute cool-down. key cardiovascular outcomes were measured at pre- and post-intervention. Following a 12-week aquatic HIIT program, no significant differences were observed in post-intervention systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), or mean arterial pressure (MAP) between the II and ID/DD groups (all p > 0.05). While no significant between-group differences were found in brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) on either side (p = 0.058, 0.086), a greater magnitude of change in baPWV values was observed in the ID/DD group. Within-group analyses revealed that the II group exhibited significant reductions in SBP, DBP, MAP, and baPWV(right) (p = 0.023, 0.041, 0.020, 0.019), whereas the ID/DD group showed significant increases in baPWV (right/left, p = 0.013, 0.002). Post-intervention TG levels were significantly lower in the ID/DD group compared to the II group (p = 0.000), with a non-significant trend toward higher HDL-C levels (p = 0.053). Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in lipid profiles, characterized by increased HDL-C and decreased LDL-C (p < 0.05). The aquatic HIIT program significantly improved blood lipids in postmenopausal women, yet no significant ACE genotype-specific effects were observed on blood pressure or arterial stiffness. While the II group exhibited favorable reductions in blood pressure, the ID/DD group showed increased arterial stiffness, suggesting potential vascular risks and underscoring the need for monitoring during exercise. Trial registration : ChiCTR2400087544 (July 30, 2024).