Search Results (7,747)

The lack of in-depth analysis on the reservoir characteristics and the paleoenvironmental conditions of the Niutitang Formation in the study area has led to an unclear understanding of its geological background. In this study, core samples from well SZY1 were selected, and X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and quantitative elemental analysis were employed to systematically investigate the reservoir properties and paleoenvironment of the shales. The results indicate that the Niutitang Formation shales form a low-porosity, low-permeability reservoir. By utilizing indicators such as the chemical index of alteration (CIA) and elemental ratios, the study delves into the paleoclimate and paleoproductivity of the region. The (La/Yb)_n ratio is approximately 1, indicating a rapid deposition rate that is beneficial for the accumulation and preservation of organic matter. The chondrite-normalized and North American Shale Composite (NASC)-normalized rare earth element (REE) distribution patterns of the shales show consistent trends with minimal variation, reflecting the presence of mixed sources for the sediments in the study area. Analysis reveals that the Niutitang Formation shales are enriched in light rare-earth elements (LREEs) with a negative europium anomaly, and the primary source rocks are sedimentary and granitic, located far from areas of seafloor hydrothermal activity. The Ni_EF and Cu_EF values suggest high paleoproductivity, and the shales were deposited in an anoxic-reducing environment. The depositional environments of the Marcellus and Utica shales in the United States, the Wufeng-Longmaxi black shales in the Changning area of the Sichuan Basin, and the shales in the study area are similar, characterized by anoxic reducing conditions and well-developed fractures. The thermal evolution degree of the study area is relatively moderate, currently in the peak gas generation stage, with the reservoir quality rated as medium to high, indicating good potential for hydrocarbon accumulation and promising exploration prospects. Full article

This research explored the application of cotton straw fiber in asphalt mixtures, aiming to optimize the asphalt mixtures’ performance. Firstly, 17 experiments were designed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Subsequently, the Box–Behnken Design (BBD) was used to examine how the asphalt content, fiber length, and cotton straw fiber content interacted to affect the modified asphalt mixes’ pavement performance. Based on the experimental findings, performance prediction models were created to direct optimization. The optimized design was then validated through pavement performance tests and bending fatigue tests. The findings revealed that cotton straw fiber content, length, and asphalt content significantly influence the performance of modified asphalt mixtures. The inclusion of cotton straw fibers enhanced various properties of the mixtures. When the fiber content was set at 0.3%, fiber length at 6 mm, and asphalt content at 5.3%, the response indicators, including Marshall stability, dynamic stability, flexural strength, and freeze–thaw strength ratio, were measured at 12.246 kN, 2452.396 times/mm, 12.30 MPa, and 92.76%, respectively. These results indicate that the cotton-straw-fiber-modified asphalt mixture achieved optimal performance while meeting regulatory requirements. Additionally, fatigue tests showed that the cotton-straw-fiber-modified asphalt mixture exhibited superior fatigue resistance compared with the SBS-modified asphalt mixture. The maximum error between the RSM predictions and the experimental measurements was within 10%, demonstrating the accuracy of the predictive models in estimating the impact of different factors on asphalt mixture performance. The application of RSM in designing and optimizing cotton-straw-fiber-modified asphalt mixtures proved to be highly effective, offering valuable insights for utilizing cotton straw fibers in road construction. Full article

Background: Coleoptera is the second-most significant insect group associated with decomposing carcasses, yet its role in the decomposition process and postmortem colonization following envenomation is poorly understood. Purpose of the Study: This study aimed to investigate the effects of the venoms from Cerastes cerastes and Naja haje on the decomposition of rabbit carcasses while evaluating the main beetle taxa attracted to these decaying remains. Methods: Three groups of rabbits, each with five individuals, were utilized. The first group was injected with the venom of Cerastes cerastes, the second with Naja haje venom, and the control group received 0.85% physiological saline before euthanasia with CO₂. Results: Four decomposition stages (fresh, bloating, decay, and dry) with durations varying based on venom type and carcass condition were observed. A total of 647 individual beetles of six species (Necrobia rufipes, Attagenus sp., Dermestes frischii, D. maculatus, Bledius sp., and Apentanodes sp.) belonging to four families (Cleridae, Dermestidae, Staphylinidae, and Tenebrionidae) were collected and identified. D. maculatus was the most abundant species. Fewer beetles were attracted to carcasses envenomed with N. haje compared to the other groups. Conclusions: Envenomation by snake venom influences the attraction and succession rate of necrophilous coleopterans to carcasses, which is important for forensic investigations. Full article

Hydrogels have emerged as promising biomaterials due to their excellent performance; however, their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and absorbability still require improvement to support a broader range of medical applications. This paper presents a new biofunctionalized hydrogel based on in situ crosslinking between maleimide-terminated four-arm-poly(ethylene glycol) (4–arm–PEG–Mal) and poly(ε-lysine) (ε–PL). The PEG/ε–PL hydrogels, named LG–n, were rapidly formed via amine/maleimide reaction by mixing 4–arm–PEG–Mal and ε–PL under physiological conditions. The corresponding dry gels (DLG–n) were obtained through a freeze-drying technique. ¹H NMR, FT–IR, and SEM were utilized to confirm the structures of 4–arm–PEG–Mal and LG–n (or DLG–n), and the effects of solid content on the physicochemical properties of the hydrogels were investigated. Although high solid content could increase the swelling ratio, all LG–n samples exhibited a low equilibrium swelling ratio of less than 30%. LG–7, which contained moderate solid content, exhibited optimal compression properties characterized by a compressive fracture strength of 45.2 kPa and a deformation of 69.5%. Compression cycle tests revealed that LG–n demonstrated good anti-fatigue performance. In vitro degradation studies confirmed the biodegradability of LG–n, with the degradation rate primarily governing the drug (ceftibuten) release efficiency, leading to a sustained release duration of four weeks. Cytotoxicity tests, cell survival morphology observation, live/dead assays, and hemolysis tests indicated that LG–n exhibited excellent cytocompatibility and low hemolysis rates (<5%). Furthermore, the broad-spectrum antibacterial activity of LG–n was verified by an inhibition zone method. In conclusion, the developed LG–n hydrogels hold promising applications in the medical field, particularly as drug sustained-release carriers and wound dressings. Full article

Working memory (WM) is a crucial cognitive function, and a deficit in this function is a critical factor in learning difficulties (LDs). As a result, there is growing interest in exploring different approaches to training WM to support students with LDs. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this systematic review aims to identify current computer-based WM training applications and their theoretical foundations, explore their effects on improving WM capacity and other cognitive/academic abilities, and extract design principles for creating an effective WM application for children with LDs. The 22 studies selected for this review provide strong evidence that children with LDs have low WM capacity and that their WM functions can be trained. The findings revealed four commercial WM training applications—COGMED, Jungle, BrainWare Safari, and N-back—that were utilized in 16 studies. However, these studies focused on suggesting different types of WM tasks and examining their effects rather than making those tasks user-friendly or providing practical guidelines for the end-user. To address this gap, the principles of the Human–Computer Interaction, with a focus on usability and user experience as well as relevant cognitive theories, and the design recommendations from the selected studies have been reviewed to extract a set of proposed guidelines. A total of 15 guidelines have been extracted that can be utilized to design WM training programs specifically for children with LDs. Full article

The end-of-life (i.e., on-farm euthanasia and culling, including fitness for transport to slaughter) of a dairy cow or calf is preceded by a series of decisions often influenced by many complex factors. The aim of this study was to utilize the opinions of experts with roles in the dairy supply chain to identify factors that influence end-of-life decision-making for dairy cattle. Twenty experts serving in supporting roles in the dairy supply chain participated in a survey containing 17 open-ended questions. Of the participants, 55% (n = 11) identified as veterinarians and the remaining 45% (n = 9) participated in other segments of the dairy supply chain. Twelve themes were identified in the qualitative analysis of survey responses. The themes included: Training and Resources, Cattle Health Management, Decision-Making Criteria, Company Culture, Personal Beliefs, Human Well-Being, Animal Welfare, Economics, Guidelines and Inspections, Consumer Perceptions, Supply Chain Considerations, and Communication. Experts indicated that training programs should address euthanasia or fitness-for-transport criteria, the knowledge of common health conditions, and information about what happens to cattle after leaving the dairy. Additional influencing factors included personal beliefs, economics, company culture, and supply chain considerations. Full article

Aflatoxins are mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus and several other related organisms and are common contaminants of numerous grains and nuts, especially maize (corn) and peanuts. Although, undoubtedly, aflatoxins have been present in the food of humans for millennia, their toxic effects were not discovered until 1960, first becoming evident as a non-infectious outbreak of poisoning of turkeys (Turkey X disease) arising from contaminated groundnut meal. The elucidation of specific chemical structures in 1963 led to the rapid characterization of aflatoxins as among the most potent chemical carcinogens of natural origin ever discovered. As a frontispiece to the Special Issue “65 Years on from Aflatoxin Discovery—A Themed Issue in Honor of Professor John D. Groopman”, we highlight many of Professor Groopman’s important contributions utilizing urinary (aflatoxin–N⁷–guanine) and, especially, serum (aflatoxin–albumin adducts) biomarkers; this work focused on over 40+ years of the development of analytical methods to measure biomarkers of aflatoxin exposure and their application in experimental and clinical studies. Collectively, this work serves as a template for using chemical-specific biomarkers as key tools to probe ‘exposure–disease relationships’—in this instance, dietary aflatoxins and liver cancer. New approaches to measuring carcinogen biomarkers will build upon this ‘aflatoxin paradigm’ to inform the public health implications of diverse exposures around the world. Full article

Hypercrosslinked polymers (HCPs) constructed by the Friedel–Crafts alkylation reaction of aromatic compounds have emerged as a new class of porous materials with unique merit. Herein, a HCP named HCP-TPB was coated onto a capillary column through in situ synthesis. The prepared column exhibited a nonpolar nature, and the column efficiency for n-dodecane was 3003 plates m⁻¹. Moreover, the relative standard deviations of retention time and peak area for six replicate injections of the C3–C6 were lower than 0.1% and 1.5%, respectively. The results of this study showed that it is very promising to utilize HCPs as stationary phases for the separation of C3–C6. Full article

Endometrial cancer (EC) presents a substantial health challenge, with increasing incidence and mortality rates. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, understanding the molecular underpinnings of EC progression remains unknown. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive investigation utilizing The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA-UCEC n = 588) data to analyze gene co-expression patterns, elucidate biological process pathways, and identify potential prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers for EC, using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), differential gene expression, survival analysis, and functional analysis, respectively. We determined that the Green module (M5) was significantly correlated with patient survival. Functional analysis of the genes in module M5 indicates involvement in cell cycle regulation, mitotic spindle assembly, and intercellular signaling. TPX2, BUB1, and ESPL1 were among the top differentially expressed genes in the Green module, suggesting their involvement in critical pathways that contribute to disease progression and patient survival outcomes. The biological and clinical assessments of our findings provide an understanding of the molecular landscape of EC and identified several potential prognostic markers for patient risk stratification and treatment selection. Full article

Due to its distinctive structure and unique physicochemical properties, gallium nitride (GaN) has been considered a prospective candidate for lithium storage materials. However, its inferior conductivity and unsatisfactory cycle performance hinder the further application of GaN as a next-generation anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). To address this, cobalt (Co)-doped GaN (Co-GaN) nanowires have been designed and synthesized by utilizing the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) strategy. The structural characterizations indicate that the doped Co elements in the GaN nanowires exist as Co²⁺ rather than metallic Co. The Co²⁺ prominently promotes electrical conductivity and ion transfer efficiency in GaN. The cycling capacity of Co-GaN reached up to 495.1 mA h g⁻¹ after 100 cycles. After 500 cycles at 10 A g⁻¹, excellent cycling capacity remained at 276.6 mA h g⁻¹. The intimate contact between Co-GaN nanowires and carbon paper enhances the conductivity of the composite. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further illustrated that Co substitution changed the electron configuration in the GaN, which led to enhancement of the electron transfer efficiency and a reduction in the ion diffusion barrier on the Co-GaN electrode. This doping design boosts the lithium-ion storage performance of GaN as an advanced material in lithium-ion battery anodes and in other electrochemical applications. Full article

Purpose: Elastography increased the diagnostic accuracy of liver fibrosis. However, several challenges persist, including the widespread utilization of equipment, difficulties in measuring certain cases, and the influence of viscosity factors. A rough surface and a blunted hepatic margin have long been acknowledged as valuable characteristics indicative of hepatic fibrosis. The objective of this study was to conduct an image analysis and quantitative assessment of the contour of the sagittal section of the left lobe of the liver. Methods: Between February and October 2020, 486 consecutive outpatients underwent ultrasound examinations at our hospital. A total of 214 images were manually annotated by delineating the liver contour to create annotation images. U-Net was employed for liver segmentation, with the dataset divided into training (n = 128), testing (n = 42), and validation (n = 44) subsets. Additionally, 43 Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) cases with pathology data from between 2015 and 2020 were included. Segmentation was performed using the program developed in the first step. Subsequently, shape analysis was conducted using ImageJ. Results: Liver segmentation exhibited high accuracy, as indicated by Dice loss of 0.044, Intersection over Union of 0.935, and an F score of 0.966. The accuracy of the classification of the liver surface as smooth or rough via ResNet 50 was 84.6%. Image analysis showed MinFeret and Minor correlated with liver fibrosis stage (p = 0.046, 0.036, respectively). Sensitivity, specificity, and AUROC of Minor for ≥F3 were 0.571, 0.862, and 0.722, respectively, and F4 were 1, 0.600, and 0.825, respectively. Conclusion: Deep learning segmentation of the sagittal cross-sectional contour of the left lobe of the liver demonstrated commendable accuracy. The roughness of the liver surface was correctly judged by artificial intelligence. Image analysis showed the thickness of the left lobe inversely correlated with liver fibrosis stage. Full article

Background: The early exposure of nutrients during pubertal mammary gland development may reduce the risk of developing breast cancer later in life. Anticancer n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) are shown to modulate pubertal mammary gland development; however, the mechanisms of action remain unclear. Prior work focused on effects at the whole tissue level, and little is known at the cellular level, such as at the level of mammary epithelial cells (MECs), which are implicated in cancer development. Methods: This pilot study examined the effects of lifelong n-3 PUFA exposure on the transcriptome by RNA-Seq in the isolated MECs of pubertal (6–8-week-old) female fat-1 transgenic mice capable of de novo n-3 PUFA synthesis. edgeR and DESeq2 were used separately for the differential expression analysis of RNA sequencing data followed by the Benjamani–Hochberg procedure for multiple testing correction. Results: Nine genes were found concordant and significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) by both the DESeq2 and edgeR methods. These genes were associated with multiple pathways, suggesting that n-3 PUFA stimulates estrogen-related signaling (Mlltl0, Galr3, and Nrip1) and a glycolytic profile (Soga1, Pdpr, and Uso1) while offering protective effects for immune and DNA damage responses (Glpd1, Garre1, and Rpa1) in MECs during puberty. Conclusions: This pilot study highlights the utility of RNA-Seq to better understanding the mechanistic effects of specific nutrients such as n-3 PUFA in a cell-specific manner. Thus, further studies are warranted to investigate the cell-specific mechanisms by which n-3 PUFA influences pubertal mammary gland development and breast cancer risk later in life. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tinnitus is a debilitating auditory disorder commonly described as a ringing in the ears in the absence of an external sound source. Sound trauma is considered a primary cause. Neuronal hyperactivity is one potential mechanism for the genesis of tinnitus and has been identified in the cochlear nucleus (CN) and the auditory cortex (AC), where there may be an imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmissions. However, no study has directly correlated tinnitus with the extracellular levels of amino acids in the CN and the AC using microdialysis, which reflects the functions of these neurochemicals. In the present study, rats were exposed to acoustic trauma and then subjected to behavioural confirmation of tinnitus after one month, followed by microdialysis. Methods: Rats were divided into sham (aged, n = 6; young, n = 6); tinnitus-positive (aged, n = 7; young, n = 7); and tinnitus-negative (aged, n = 3; young, n = 3) groups. In vivo microdialysis was utilized to collect samples from the CN and the AC, simultaneously, in the same rat. Extracellular levels of amino acids were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with an electrochemical detector (ECD). The effects of sound stimulation and age on neurochemical changes associated with tinnitus were also examined. Results: There were no significant differences in either the basal levels or the sound stimulation-evoked changes of any of the amino acids examined in the CN and the AC between the sham and tinnitus animals. However, the basal levels of serine and threonine exhibited age-related alterations in the AC, and significant differences in threonine and glycine levels were observed in the responses to 4 kHz and 16 kHz stimuli in the CN. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the lack of a direct link between extracellular levels of amino acids in the CN and the AC and tinnitus perception in a rat model of tinnitus. Full article

The work presents an analysis of the Gorlov helical turbine (GHT) design using both computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and response surface methodology (RSM). The RSM method was applied to investigate the impact of three geometric factors on the turbine’s power coefficient (C_P): the number of blades (N), helix angle (γ), and aspect ratio (AR). Central composite design (CCD) was used for the design of experiments (DOE). For the CFD simulations, a three-dimensional computational domain was established in the Ansys Fluent software, version 2021R1 utilizing the k-ω SST turbulence model and the sliding mesh method to perform unsteady flow simulations. The objective function was to achieve the maximum C_P, which was obtained using a high-correlation quadratic mathematical model. Under the optimum conditions, where N, γ, and AR were 5, 78°, and 0.6, respectively, a C_P value of 0.3072 was achieved. The optimal turbine geometry was validated through experimental testing, and the C_P curve versus tip speed ratio (TSR) was determined and compared with the numerical results, which showed a strong correlation between the two sets of data. Full article

A fish processed with red vinasse is a type of Fujian cuisine with regional characteristics. In order to monitor the effect of red vinasse on storage quality and shelf life of blue round scad (Decapterus maruadsi) during storage, the changes in fat content, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), composition of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), pH value, texture, and sensory quality were studied at different storage temperatures (4 °C, 25 °C, and 37 °C). By analyzing the correlation between changes in sensory qualities and physical and chemical indexes, a first-order kinetic model and the Arrhenius equation were used to build a shelf-life prediction model for blue round scad during storage. The results showed that processing with red vinasse can significantly reduce the malondialdehyde (MDA) production and the decrease in PUFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (p < 0.05) during storage. Based on partial least squares regression (PLSR), the storage temperature and time have a significant impact on the PUFA composition in blue round scad, which changed less when the samples were stored at 4 °C and 25 °C, and they had better nutritional composition of fatty acids at lower temperatures. Among the PUFAs, DHA (C22:6n-3) and EPA (C20:5n-3) had higher relative contents and significantly decreased during storage (p < 0.05). Additionally, the processing with red vinasse can slow down the increase in total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) value and pH of blue round scad, maintain the appropriate hardness, elasticity, cohesion and chewability, and improve the overall sensory quality of the fish. In addition, according to the results of model prediction based on TBARS value, the storage shelf life of blue round scad with red vinasse added was 55 d, 2.7 d and 28 h at 4 °C, 25 °C and 37 °C, respectively. The accuracy of the forecast model was high, and the relative errors of the measured values and predicted values were less than 10%. Thus, it not only provided a theoretical basis for the processing and application of red vinasse to Chinese traditional food, but also provided innovative ideas for the safe storage and high-value utilization of blue round scad. Full article