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Fault diagnosis method of wind turbine planetary gearbox based on improved CNN
Author Correction: Sexual partner number and distribution over time affect long-term partner evaluation: evidence from 11 countries across 5 continents
Towards a harmonized testing strategy for nanofibers by integrating toxicological screening and proteomic profiling
Abstract Nanofibers, particularly multi-walled carbon nanotubes, have attracted attention for their exceptional properties, but concerns remain about their potential health hazards due to their fiber-like morphology. Although bio-durable nanofibers may cause cancer upon inhalation, only rigid nanofibers may exhibit morphology-driven pathogenicity. Since no validated methods exist for assessing their rigidity, alternative approaches are needed that comply with the 3R principles (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) and the European Commission efforts to foster alternatives to animal testing. This study aims to advance the development of a harmonized test method for nanofibers toxicity by comparing effects of selected carbon-based nanomaterials (NMs) with different morphologies: a nanofiber (Mitsui-7-JRCNM40011a), an elongated material (NM-400) and a particle (Printex-90). Therefore, in vitro toxicological screening and proteomic investigations were employed using differentiated THP-1 (dTHP-1) macrophage-like cells. First, we evaluated cytotoxicity and pro-inflammatory responses of the different dTHP-1 phenotypes (M0, M1 and M2) to evaluate their sensitivity, and thus selected the M0 phenotype for further oxidative and lysosomal investigations: Mitsui-7-JRCNM40011a caused, besides increased cytotoxicity and pro-inflammatory effects, oxidative stress and lysosomal dysfunction. Moreover, decreased levels of 25 lysosomal proteins, including five cathepsins, were detected. These findings deepen the understanding of nanofiber-related toxicity, supporting the development of a reliable in vitro testing strategy.
Sustainable production of intermetallic nanocomposites from aluminum and iron scarp, with excellent tribo-mechanical and thermal properties for industrial applications
Abstract The goal of this research is to convert iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al) waste from metal workshops, as well as silicon (Si), into innovative intermetallic nanocomposites with different characteristics that are reinforced with various quantities of hybrid fly ash and vanadium carbide (VC) for industrial usage. The microstructure, physical integrity, tribo-mechanical performance, and thermal behavior of the resultant sintered materials were all carefully examined. FeSi, FeAl, Fe₃Si, and Fe₃Al₂Si₃ were among the intermetallic phases that were formed, according to post-milling XRD examination. The bulk density of the intermetallic alloy steadily dropped as the amount of hybrid ceramic reinforcements rose, although the apparent porosity in the sintered microstructure increased. Notably, as compared to the unreinforced intermetallic alloy, the microhardness increased by 8.11%, 23.62%, 47.10%, and 84.26% in quick succession when these reinforcements were added. In comparison to the intermetallic alloy, the sample containing 16 vol% of hybrid reinforcements (FV8) achieved a Young’s modulus of 84.1% and a compressive strength of 43.2% after the addition of reinforcements. The CTE value of the intermetallic alloy was 11.88 × 10−6/ ⁰C, whereas the nanocomposite samples FV1, FV2, FV4 and FV8 have values of 11.28 × 10−6, 10.61 × 10−6, 9.14 × 10−6, and 7.10 × 10−6/ ⁰C, respectively, which can be attributed to vanadium and silica, which have lower CTE values than the matrix. Moreover, the previous results are associated with improved tribological properties of the prepared nanocomposites, as their wear rate decreased by 4.6%, 10.9%, 22.8%, and 43.2% compared to the intermetallic alloy. The average fraction coefficient decreased by 5.3%, 11.9%, 22.4%, and 39.5% for the same samples. Based on the results, recycled materials can be used in industrial applications, reinforcing the importance of recycling metal waste.
Study on the evolution and transport pattern of overburden fracture induced by mining in cave mines
Coumarin-modified cellulose as an efficient adsorbent for cationic dye removal from aqueous environments: synthesis, characterization, and adsorption performance
Abstract In this study, a novel cellulose-based adsorbent was developed through a two-step chemical modification process involving commercially available cellulose, sodium periodate as an oxidizing agent, and a coumarin-thiazole derivative as the functionalizing agent. The modified cellulose was successfully prepared and characterized using FTIR analysis confirmed the formation of C = N stretching vibrations with a new peak at 1729 cm⁻¹. FESEM images showed a rougher and more irregular in texture and the EDX confirmed nitrogen and sulfur peaks corroborates the presence of the coumarin-thiazole compound on the cellulosic fiber, but BET analysis determined that COMC exhibited a surface area of 7.933 m²/g, a total pore volume of 0.05976 cm³/g, and an average pore diameter of 25.207 nm. The performance of the modified cellulose was assessed for its efficiency in adsorbing and separating cationic dyes. The resulting material exhibited significant adsorption capabilities, with maximum capacities reaching 142.24 mg/g for methylene blue (MB) and 68.49 mg/g for rhodamine B (RhB). To gain insights into the adsorption behaviour, several operational parameters were systematically investigated, including pH, initial dye concentration, contact time, temperature, and adsorbent dosage. An optimal adsorbent mass of 0.05 g was identified for the effective removal of 80 mg/L MB and 25 mg/L RhB. Adsorption equilibrium data conformed closely to the Langmuir isotherm model (R2 > 0.985) and followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, suggesting monolayer adsorption and chemisorption mechanisms. Thermodynamic analyses indicated that the dye adsorption was both spontaneous and exothermic, as evidenced by negative Gibbs free energy (ΔGo) and enthalpy (ΔHo) values. Furthermore, the modified cellulose demonstrated strong applicability in treating real wastewater samples, achieving dye removal efficiencies exceeding 91%. The inherent functional versatility of regenerated cellulose thus presents a promising strategy for the efficient removal of a wide array of cationic dyes from aqueous environments.
Interaction of Laguerre–Gaussian laser pulses with borane targets of different hydrogen–boron ratio
Abstract We study the interaction of high-intensity Laguerre-Gaussian laser pulses with hydrogen–boron compounds targets using 3D particle-in-cell simulations. The ratio of hydrogen to boron is varied throughout different simulation runs as a proxy model for various borane molecules that can be synthesized. We show that the strength of the axial magnetic fields generated via the Inverse Faraday effect depends on the specific ratio of target components, making boranes and the option to tune their composition of interest for proton–boron fusion.
Correction: Androgen receptor signaling induces hemorrhage and angiogenesis in the irradiated bladder
Optimizing the fracture resistance of clay liners through fiber content and moisture control
Abstract Structural integrity of clay liners in engineered waste landfills depends critically on their ability to resist the initiation and propagation of cracks under variable moisture conditions. In this study, the improvement of Mode I Fracture toughness KI in clayey soil through small additions of discrete glass fibers is investigated with particular emphasis on the interaction between fiber content and water content near the optimum moisture content (OMC). Specimens were prepared using a clayey soil compacted at water contents of 17%, 18%, and 19%, representing dry, optimum, and wet of optimum states based on proctor compaction test. Glass fibers were added uniformly at fractions of 0%, 0.01%, 0.02%, 0.05%, and 0.10% by weight of the soil. KI was obtained from single-edge notched beam (SENB) specimens tested in a three-point bending configuration. Load and displacement responses were analyzed to extract peak load Pmax and compute KI. The addition of only 0.01% glass fiber by mass enhances Pmax by 50%, resulting in a 70% increase in KI across all moisture conditions. These improvements are attributed to the effective interplay between clay particles bonded together with the glass fibers. The results also indicate that both Pmax and KI reach their maximum values near OMC (~ 18%), corresponding to the densest particle arrangement. However, increasing the fiber content beyond 0.01% leads to a decrease in KI and Pmax caused by fiber clustering, void formation, and weakened soil-fiber interfaces. The findings clearly illustrate that, by precisely limiting the water content and adding a sub-percent amount of glass fiber reinforcement, fracture resistance in clay liners increases significantly. This state-of-the-art approach offers a cost-effective and technically efficient strategy for enhancing the long-term performance of landfill systems to prevent seepage of harmful leachate to the groundwater.
Multivariate stability statistics of genotype by environment interaction on fresh yield of cowpea
Abstract The current study aims to assess the ten cowpea genotypes that are stable and adaptive under three locations during the growth seasons of 2021, 2022, and 2023 using multivariate stability statistics. The fresh cowpea yield (t/ha) using combined ANOVA and AMMI analysis revealed that the environment is the most important factor and that variations between genotypes, environment, and genotype by environment interaction (GEI) were significant (p < 0.01). Eight main component axes (PCs) were obtained from the sum of squares of the GEI component. The mean squares for the first five PCs were significant (p < 0.05 or 0.01). The Sids location boosted the fresh cowpea yield (t/ha) of every genotype studied throughout all growing seasons, with Sakha and Ismailia locations coming in second and third, respectively. In terms of fresh cowpea yield, the G3 genotype produced the highest mean response, but with moderate stability in the nine environments conditions. G7 was the most stable genotype, with the least amount of yield variation across nine conditions, and was identified by AMMI-based stability parameters. Additionally, according to AMMI and GGE biplot analysis, G7 and G2 genotypes showed excellent stability. Most pairs of AMMI-based stability metrics under study had significant rank correlation coefficients (P < 0.05 or 0.01) in a positive direction. Using a GGE biplot polygon of “which-won-where”, the environments were separated into two mega-environments. Using the AMMI model and GGE biplot analysis, the environments E4, E5, and E9 had the longest vectors and the highest fresh cowpea yield (t/ha). To guarantee sustainable progress in cowpea production systems, the study emphasizes the necessity of using a multidimensional strategy for genotype evaluation. This will allow breeders to make well-informed decisions for resilience and productivity under a variety of environmental situations. This raises the prospect of concurrent indirect selection of these traits to take advantage of GEI and increase Egypt’s production of fresh cowpeas.
Serum lncRNA-ANRIL and creatinine clearance as cardiovascular risk factors in patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy
Abstract Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a widely recognized marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. Emerging evidence suggests that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), such as ANRIL, may contribute to the development of vascular disease through their roles in inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. We conducted a prospective study involving 93 patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy. We assessed preoperative and postoperative levels of serum ANRIL and creatinine clearance using the Cockcroft-Gault and Jelliffe formulas. CIMT was measured via duplex ultrasound before surgery and six months postoperatively. We analyzed correlations between changes in ANRIL, renal clearance, and CIMT. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of these markers. Postoperative serum ANRIL levels decreased significantly and were positively associated with reductions in CIMT. Both pre- and postoperative ANRIL levels showed moderate predictive value for CIMT ≥ 1 mm, with an AUC of 0.72 (95% CI 0.61–0.82). Creatinine clearance, calculated by either method, showed lower diagnostic accuracy. This study highlights the potential role of serum lncRNA ANRIL as a biomarker of early vascular improvement following metabolic surgery. Its association with CIMT suggests a link between adipose tissue remodeling and subclinical atherosclerosis regression. However, given CIMT’s moderate predictive value, these findings should be considered exploratory. Further research is needed to determine ANRIL’s clinical utility in cardiometabolic risk stratification.
Monitoring cognitive load while playing exergames in a four-week intervention for older adults: an explorative EEG study
Abstract Exergaming combines physical and cognitive components in a virtual game and has demonstrated improvements in physical and cognitive functions in older adults. However, methods to monitor cognitive demand during exergaming remain underexplored. This study investigated the sustained cognitive involvement while exergaming during a four-week intervention for older adults, utilizing EEG. The aim is to explore the impact of exergaming on changes in frontal theta power across multiple sessions throughout a four-week intervention in older adults. 21 independently living older adults (mean age 74.80 years ± 0.81; 8 females) completed a 4-week exergaming intervention where they played two different exergames (Puzzle and Fox) at two difficulty levels. Mean power spectral density in the theta band (4–7 Hz) derived from frontal brain regions at sessions 1,2,3,6,9, and 12 during exergaming. Frontal theta was significantly higher during exergaming across all games and difficulty levels compared to the reference movement ( p < 0.01). Performance and the theta power change significantly increased over time ( p < 0.001), indicating sustained and increasing cognitive engagement. This study is the first to repeatedly measure EEG during an exergaming intervention, confirming frontal theta activity as a robust marker of cognitive involvement. Monitoring players repeatedly during exergaming provides the basis for effective and adaptive interventions. Trial registered at DRKS (DRKS00034786).
Raloxifene solubility in supercritical CO2 and correlation of drug solubility via hybrid machine learning and gradient based optimization
Aligning spatiotemporal supply and demand of nature’s contribution to people (NCPs) for sustainable resource management
Abstract Sustainable resource management requires a dynamic understanding of how ecosystems meet human needs over space and time. This study presents an integrative approach that combines spatial and temporal analyses of Nature’s Contributions to People (NCPs), aiming to systematically assess the evolving alignment between their long-term supply and societal demand. By combining historical trajectories with current NCPs budgets and employing a clustering approach, we uncover emerging imbalances, shifting dependencies, and shared pathways within and between municipalities and larger regions. Our findings show that NCPs demand often outpaces supply, leading to increasing deficits and ecosystem stress, particularly in urbanized regions. Conversely, rural municipalities generally exhibit surpluses, though these are subject to shifting pressures over time. The observed patterns emphasize the importance of polycentric governance and proactive management strategies that account for both local sustainability and broader interdependencies. This approach provides valuable insights for policymakers and planners seeking to balance ecological integrity with societal needs in a rapidly changing landscape.