Search Results (52,200)

A 45-day feeding study was carried out to assess the immune-stimulatory effects of capsicum oleoresin when added to rainbow trout diets. A total of 450 fish (mean weight: 155.20 ± 1.96 g) were distributed into 400 L tanks (30 fish/tank) across five experimental groups: control (CT, 0%), C7 (0.7%), C14 (1.4%), C21 (2.1%), and C28 (2.8%). Each group consisted of three replicate tanks. At the end of this period, hemato-biochemical parameters, innate immune responses, and immune-related gene expression levels were evaluated, and a histological examination of head kidney and liver sections was conducted. Finally, fish in all groups were challenged with Lactococcus garvieae and observed for an additional 20 days. The results revealed that oleoresin supplementation enhanced the immune responses of the treated fish, which was evidenced by the increased globulin, total protein, respiratory burst activity, and total immunoglobulin levels. The highest expression levels of the il-8, il-1β, TGF-β, and SAA genes was noticed in the C7 group, as compared with the results for the other groups. The IgT gene expression levels were higher in all experimental groups than in the CT group, and this increase was at the highest level in the C28 group. Following the bacterial challenge, all experimental groups displayed higher survival rates compared to that of the CT group. These values were 75.93, 72.22, 46.30, 33.33, and 29.63% in the C7, C14, C21, C28, and CT groups, respectively, with the C7 group displaying the highest survival rate among the groups. The histological examination of liver and head kidney tissues revealed that higher doses (in the C21 and C28 groups) showed an increase in cytoplasmic vacuolization, which causes adverse effects on fish health. However, the C7 group displayed normal histological structure in both tissues. Taken together, the most favorable immune responses were achieved in the C7 group, suggesting that 0.7% oleoresin could be applied to rainbow trout to boost immunity and protect the fish from diseases. Full article

This paper discusses the diagnostic models of tool wear during face milling of Aluminum Matrix Composite (AMC), classified as a difficult-to-cut material. Prediction and classification models were considered. The models were based on one-dimensional simple regression or on multidimensional regression trees, random forest, nearest neighbor and multilayer perceptron neural networks. Measures of diagnostic signals obtained from measurements of cutting forces and vibration accelerations of the workpiece were used. The study demonstrated that multidimensional models outperformed one-dimensional models in terms of prediction accuracy and classification performance. Specifically, multidimensional predictive models exhibited lower maximum and average absolute prediction errors (0.036 mm vs. 0.050 mm and 0.026 mm vs. 0.045 mm, respectively), and classification models recorded fewer Type I and Type II errors. Despite the increased complexity, the higher predictive accuracy (up to 0.97) achieved with multidimensional models was shown to be suitable for industrial applications. However, simpler one-dimensional models offered the ad-vantage of greater reliability in signal acquisition and processing. It was also highlighted that the advantage of simple models from a practical point of view is the reduced complexity and consequent greater reliability of the system for acquiring and processing diagnostic signals. Full article

This study evaluates how the polarity of the medium affects the binding efficiency of hydrophobic ligands with human serum albumin (HSA). The polarity of the aqueous medium was changed by adding 1,4-dioxane in concentrations of 0%, 10%, and 20% w/w, resulting in solvent mixtures with decreasing dielectric constants (ε = 80, 72, and 63). The addition of 1,4-dioxane did not affect the integrity of the protein, as confirmed by Far-UV-CD, Rayleigh scattering, and time-resolved fluorescence experiments. The impact of medium polarity on the binding constants was evaluated using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH), octyl gallate (OG), quercetin, and rutin as ligands. The association constants of DPH decreased as the medium hydrophobicity increased: at 0%, Ka = 19.8 × 10⁵ M⁻¹; at 10%, Ka = 5.3 × 10⁵ M⁻¹; and at 20%, Ka = 1.7 × 10⁵ M⁻¹. The decrease was still higher using OG: at 0%, Ka = 5.2 × 10⁶ M⁻¹; and at 20%, Ka = 2.2 × 10⁵ M⁻¹. The results in the same direction were obtained using quercetin and rutin as ligands. Molecular dynamics simulations illustrated the hydrophobic effect at the molecular level. The energy barrier for DPH to detach from the protein’s hydrophobic site and to move into the bulk solution was higher at 0% (9 kcal/mol) than at 20% 1,4-dioxane (7 kcal/mol). The difference was higher for OG, with 14 and 6 kcal/mol, respectively. Based on these findings, it was shown that the difference in hydrophobicity between the protein’s microenvironment and the surrounding solvent is an essential component for the effectiveness of the interaction. These results shed light on albumin–ligand complexation, a molecular interaction that has been extensively studied. Full article

The current study explores, for the first time, an eco-friendly solution casting method using a green solvent, ethyl acetate, to prepare feedstock/filaments from polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymer reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), followed by 3D printing and surface activation for biosensing applications. Comprehensive measurements of thermal, electrical, rheological, microstructural, and mechanical properties of developed feedstock and 3D-printed parts were performed and analyzed. Herein, adding 2 wt.% CNTs to the PLA matrix marked the electrical percolation, achieving conductivity of 8.3 × 10⁻³ S.m⁻¹, thanks to the uniform distribution of CNTs within the PLA matrix facilitated by the solution casting method. Rheological assessments paralleled these findings; the addition of 2 wt.% CNTs transitioned the nanocomposite from liquid-like to a solid-like behavior with a percolated network structure, significantly elevating rheological properties compared to the composite with 1 wt.% CNTs. Mechanical evaluations of the printed samples revealed improvement in tensile strength and modulus compared to virgin PLA by a uniform distribution of 2 wt.% CNTs into PLA, with an increase of 14.5% and 10.3%, respectively. To further enhance the electrical conductivity and sensing capabilities of the developed samples, an electrochemical surface activation treatment was applied to as-printed nanocomposite samples. The field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analysis confirmed that this surface activation effectively exposed the CNTs to the surface of 3D-printed parts by removing a thin layer of polymer from the surface, thereby optimizing the composite’s electroconductivity performance. The findings of this study underscore the potential of the proposed eco-friendly method in developing advanced 3D-printed bio-nanocomposites based on carbon nanotubes and biopolymers, using a green solution casting and cost-effective material extrusion 3D-printing method, for electrochemical-sensing applications. Full article

TiC–TiB₂ dual-phase nanoparticles were added into a Ni–Fe-based cast superalloy and their effects on the microstructure and mechanical properties were compared to those of a Ni–Fe-based superalloy with the addition of TiC nanoparticles. The addition of TiC nanoparticles led to the precipitation of a higher volume fraction of carbides. Compared to the addition of TiC, the addition of TiC–TiB₂ nanoparticles not only led to the precipitation of carbides but also promoted the formation of flaky borides and a reduction in the precipitation of the Laves phase. The strengthening effect of TiC–TiB₂ nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of Ni–Fe-based superalloys was stronger than that of TiC nanoparticles due to more secondary γ’ precipitates. This study provides valuable insights for selecting ceramic nanoparticles to increase the mechanical properties of cast Ni–Fe-based superalloys. Full article

The design of an Active Reflective Surface Control System (ARCS) is a complex engineering task involving multidimensional and multi-criteria constraints. This paper proposes a novel methodological approach for ARCS design and optimization by integrating Axiomatic Design (AD) and Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques. Initially, a structured design plan is formulated within the axiomatic design framework. Subsequently, four MCDM methods—Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), Entropy Weight Method (EWM), Multi-Criteria Optimization and Compromise Solution (VIKOR), and the integrated TOPSIS–Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) approach—are used to evaluate and compare the alternative solutions. Additionally, fuzzy information axioms are used to calculate the total information content for each alternative to identify the optimal design. A case study is conducted, selecting the optimal actuator for a 5 m diameter scaled model of the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), followed by digital control experiments on the chosen actuator. Based on the optimal design scheme, an ARCS prototype is constructed, which accelerates project completion and substantially reduces trial-and-error costs. Full article

Resource-depleted cities face challenges of land structure imbalance and ecological environmental degradation, necessitating relevant research. Clarifying the land use evolution path and exploring the rationality of urban expansion are of significant importance for the sustainable development of resource-depleted cities. This study employs a comprehensive approach utilizing the land use transfer matrix, expansion intensity, expansion speed, and the equal fan analysis method to investigate the evolution characteristics of construction land in Puyang, a typical resource-exhausted city in China, from 1990 to 2020. Additionally, it identifies the driving factors based on a comprehensive approach combining the variance inflation factor (VIF), grey relational analysis, and Pearson correlation analysis. The main findings include the following: (1) From 1990 to 2020, the cultivated land area in Puyang decreased by 181,296 hectares, while the newly added construction land amounted to 24,846.30 hectares, primarily converted from cultivated land. (2) Puyang comprises five counties and one district. Among them, Hualong District exhibited the highest expansion intensity, speed, and area, whereas Taiqian County showed the lowest. This disparity is attributed to resource-centered land development and utilization. (3) From 1990 to 2020, urban expansion in Puyang primarily concentrated in the northeast direction, exhibiting a concentric outward expansion pattern. (4) Socioeconomic factors positively influenced the expansion of construction land, with the “year-end total population” having the most significant impact. Conversely, land use and natural resource factors negatively impacted construction land expansion, with “cultivated land area” being the most prominent. Additionally, policy and institutional frameworks played a regulatory and restrictive role in the evolution of construction land, while topography and location served as fundamental conditions for urban expansion. This study provides methodologies for sustainable development research in resource-exhausted cities and offers a foundation for land use planning research in resource-based regions of China. Full article

Accurate identification and functional annotation of splicing isoforms and non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), alongside full-length protein-encoding transcripts, are critical for understanding gene (mis)regulation and metabolic reprogramming in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study aims to provide a comprehensive and accurate transcriptome resource to improve existing AD transcript databases. Background/Objectives: Gene mis-regulation and metabolic reprogramming play a key role in AD, yet existing transcript databases lack accurate and comprehensive identification of splicing isoforms and lncRNAs. This study aims to generate a refined transcriptome dataset, expanding the understanding of AD onset and progression. Methods: Publicly available RNA-seq data from pre-AD and AD tissues were utilized. Advanced bioinformatics tools were applied to assemble and annotate full-length transcripts, including splicing isoforms and lncRNAs, with an emphasis on correcting errors and enhancing annotation accuracy. Results: A significantly improved transcriptome dataset was generated, which includes detailed annotations of splicing isoforms and lncRNAs. This dataset expands the scope of existing AD transcript databases and provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying AD. The findings demonstrate that the refined dataset captures more relevant details about AD progression compared to publicly available data. Conclusions: The newly developed transcriptome resource and the associated analysis tools offer a valuable contribution to AD research, providing deeper insights into the disease's molecular mechanisms. This work supports future research into gene regulation and metabolic reprogramming in AD and serves as a foundation for exploring novel therapeutic targets. Full article

Autoimmune glomerulonephritis is a homogeneous area of renal pathology with clinical relevance in terms of its numerical impact and difficulties in its treatment. Systemic lupus erythematosus/lupus nephritis and membranous nephropathy are the two most frequent autoimmune conditions with clinical relevance. They are characterized by glomerular deposition of circulating autoantibodies that recognize glomerular antigens. Technologies for studying renal tissue and circulating antibodies have evolved over the years and have culminated with the direct analysis of antigen–antibody complexes in renal bioptic fragments. Initial studies utilized renal microdissection to obtain glomerular tissue. Obtaining immunoprecipitates after partial proteolysis of renal tissue is a recent evolution that eliminates the need for tissue microdissection. New technologies based on ‘super-resolution microscopy’ have added the possibility of a direct analysis of the interaction between circulating autoantibodies and their target antigens in glomeruli. Peptide and protein arrays represent the new frontier for identifying new autoantibodies in circulation. Peptide arrays consist of 7.5 million aligned peptides with 16 amino acids each, which cover the whole human proteome; protein arrays utilize, instead, a chip containing structured proteins, with 26.000 overall. An example of the application of the peptide array is the discovery in membranous nephropathy of many new circulating autoantibodies including formin-like-1, a protein of podosomes that is implicated in macrophage movements. Studies that utilize protein arrays are now in progress and will soon be published. The contribution of new technologies is expected to be relevant for extending our knowledge of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune conditions. They may also add significant tools in clinical settings and modify the therapeutic handling of conditions that are not considered to be autoimmune. Full article

Toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) is used to support sustainable soil management. However, TIE studies for sediment contamination have been limited and no previous study has validated its applicability to a species native to South Korea, to the best of our knowledge. Therefore, this study aims to validate the applicability of domestic species inhabiting East Asia to a TIE framework. We selected Glyptotendipes tokunagai, a common benthic invertebrate in urban areas. Contaminated sediment samples were generated using cadmium, copper, and ammonia, which are the major pollutants in sediment. Three different adsorbents were chosen as pollutant removal agents to validate the applicability of TIE using G. tokunagai. In the results, G. tokunagai exhibited a mortality rate that was dependent on the concentration of each pollutant. The mortality rate dramatically decreased after adding the chosen adsorbents to the contaminated sediments. Additionally, the observed reduction in toxicant concentrations suggests that these additives are efficient for toxicant removal. In contrast, WCA10L showed a mortality higher than 20% and seems not to be a proper additive for a toxicity assay. Through this study, G. tokunagai was demonstrated to be sufficiently sensitive to sediment contaminated with different pollutants and showed reproducible measurements, making it a suitable test organism for the TIE framework. Moreover, suitable adsorbents were suggested by measuring efficiency and toxicity after the toxicant removal procedure. Full article

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia, is characterized by progressive cognitive decline and behavioral disturbances, with an increasing incidence as the global population ages. This study investigates the effects of semaglutide (SEM), a glucagon-like peptide-1 analog, on cognitive function and anxiety-like behavior in a transgenic murine model of AD. Methods: 20 mice were randomly distributed into the following groups (n = 5): (WT + VEH) group: C57BL/6J + saline, (WT + SEM) group: C57BL/6J + semaglutide, (AD + VEH) group: AD + saline, (AD + SEM) group: AD + semaglutide. The animals underwent a four-week treatment, during which we monitored blood glucose levels, body weight, and responses in an open field test, novel object recognition test, social chamber test, and 0-maze test. Results: Post-treatment, SEM significantly reduced blood glucose levels in AD mice, aligning them with those of wild-type controls. Cognitive assessments indicated an improvement in the investigation index for SEM-treated mice compared to those receiving a vehicle, suggesting cognitive benefits. Although SEM did not significantly enhance motor and exploratory activities, it displayed a potential anxiolytic effect, particularly evident in the combined anxiety index, with notable differences observed before and after treatment in the AD group. Conclusions: The findings of this pilot study suggest that SEM may play a dual role in managing AD by improving glycemic control and potentially enhancing cognitive function. As the landscape of AD treatment evolves, the comprehensive approach of utilizing SEM could pave the way for innovative interventions targeting the complex interplay of metabolic and cognitive dysfunctions in this challenging neurodegenerative disorder. Full article

Demak is highly vulnerable to flooding from both fluvial and coastal storms, facing increasing pressures on its sustainability and resilience due to multiple compounding flood hazards. This study assesses the inundation hazards in Demak coastal areas by modeling the impacts of compound flooding. We modeled eight scenarios incorporating long-term forces, such as sea level rise (SLR) and land subsidence (LS), as well as immediate forces, like storm surges, wind waves, and river discharge. Our findings reveal that immediate forces primarily increase inundation depth, while long-term forces expand the inundation area. Combined effects from storm tides and other factors resulted in a 10–20% increase in flood extent compared to individual forces. Fluvial flooding mostly impacts areas near river outlets, but the combination of river discharge and storm tides produces flood extents similar to those caused by SLR. Land subsidence emerged as the primary driver of coastal flooding, while other factors, adding just 25% to area increase, significantly impacted inundation depth. These findings underscore the effectiveness of mangroves in mitigating floods in low-lying areas against immediate forces. However, the resilience and sustainability of the Demak region are challenged by SLR, LS, and the need to integrate these factors into a comprehensive flood mitigation strategy. Full article

In this paper, the authors present the possibilities of transnational networking and developing innovative cultural routes through participatory research and creative presentations of European cultural heritage in special collections of Adriatic libraries. The purpose of the research, conducted in the framework of the course Travel Writing and Cultural Routes, was to identify collections that contain travel writing material related to the broader Euro-Mediterranean area and to enable its better visibility through the digitization and creation of new European cultural routes. The students, with the help of librarians at the University Library in Pula, explored special collections, such as the Marine Library, and proposed the creation of new cultural routes, following the itineraries of European travel writers in the Adriatic. The conducted research indicated collections and materials in heritage institutions (archives, libraries and museums) in Pula and Istria relevant to the topics of cultural routes and travel in Europe, as well as regional multicultural history. Libraries in Istria and Dalmatia have valuable collections of rare archival material related to European travels to the Adriatic. The cataloguing and digitisation of rare travel texts has the potential to raise awareness of these collections, adding to their significance for academic research and heritage-based tourism. Full article

To tackle the issue of limited sample data in small sample fault diagnosis for rolling bearings using deep learning, we propose a fault diagnosis method that integrates a KANs-CNN network. Initially, the raw vibration signals are converted into two-dimensional time-frequency images via a continuous wavelet transform. Next, Using CNN combined with KANs for feature extraction, the nonlinear activation of KANs helps extract deep and complex features from the data. After the output of CNN-KANs, an FAN network module is added. The FAN module can employ various feature aggregation strategies, such as weighted averaging, max pooling, addition aggregation, etc., to combine information from multiple feature levels. To further tackle the small sample issue, data generation is performed on the original data through diffusion networks under conditions of fewer samples for bearings and tools, thereby increasing the sample size of the dataset and enhancing fault diagnosis accuracy. Experimental results demonstrate that, under small sample conditions, this method achieves higher accuracy compared to other approaches. Full article

Tomato fruit’s quality, firmness, and resistance to hard postharvest handling and storage conditions can be raised via different preharvest applications, including fertilization. This study aimed to study the impact of preharvest field humic acid (HA), fulvic acid (FA), and salicylic acid (SA) treatments on the postharvest quality of tomato fruits. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design in five treatments as follows: 20 mL L⁻¹ HA plus 2 g L⁻¹ FA (T1), 20 mL L⁻¹ HA plus 0.5 g L⁻¹ SA (T2), 40 mL L⁻¹ HA plus 2 g L⁻¹ FA (T3), 40 mL L⁻¹ HA plus 0.5 g L⁻¹ SA (T4), and untreated plants (T5). HA was added as a soil supplementation, while FA and SA were applied as a foliar application. Tomato fruits were collected at the beaker stage and maintained at 12 °C and 95% relative humidity for the postharvest storage period. The results obtained revealed that all physicochemical traits were significantly influenced by all treatments applied when comparing with the control fruit. The firmness of tomato fruits was better retained with the HA plus FA treatments than HA plus SA. T3 treatment improved the carotenoids and total soluble solids by 10.0% and 92.0%, respectively, relative to the control fruits. By the end of the storage period, the highest reducing sugar, ascorbic acid, and pectin content was exhibited by tomatoes subjected to T3 treatment followed by T1 and T4. Preharvest treatment enhanced antioxidant content enzymes of α-amylase, catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POX) enzymes in tomato fruit during the storage period. Moreover, the T3 treatment recorded the lowest weight loss percentage (5.9%) by the end of storage period. The results revealed that combining preharvest HA and FA treatments effectively maintains the quality and shelf life of tomato fruits. Full article