Search Results (65,267)

This five-year study examined the impact of simplified tillage practices and shortened crop rotations on soil physical attributes and earthworm populations as an important indicator of soil health in Central Lithuanian Cambisols. The experiment was set up following a split-plot design to compare conventional tillage and no-tillage systems across three rotation schemes (three-field, two-field, and monoculture). The experiment was carried out over a period of 5 years, from 2010 to 2014. Preliminary soil conditions revealed notable disparities in moisture content across tillage methods (20.0 ± 0.3% against 17.9 ± 0.3% at a depth of 5–10 cm; p < 0.001), although variations in bulk density were more evident in the deeper soil layer (1.42 ± 0.02 versus 1.47 ± 0.01 mg m⁻³ at 15–20 cm). Earthworm abundance exhibited a strong negative association with bulk density (r = −0.612, p = 0.041) and a positive correlation with total porosity (r = 0.583, p = 0.044) in the upper soil layer. Notably, this study revealed the unexpected resilience of earthworm populations to tillage practices, with no significant differences between conventional and no-till systems (F_1,108 = 1.414, p = 0.237). Rotation effects showed more significance than tillage intensity, as both two-field and three-field rotations sustained comparable earthworm populations (127.5–131.2 ind. m⁻², 32.8–35.4 g m⁻²), but monoculture exhibited markedly lower figures (105.0 ± 13.2 ind. m⁻², 25.6 ± 2.7 g m⁻²; p < 0.048). Three-way ANOVA indicated substantial temporal effects (F_4,108 = 17.227, p < 0.001), demonstrating that environmental influences gained prominence as systems evolved. These findings challenge traditional assumptions about tillage impacts on soil fauna and indicate that crop diversification within the rotation cycle, rather than tillage intensity or rotation duration, is the essential determinant for sustaining earthworm populations in agricultural systems. Soil structural factors proved to be a significant factor but played a less substantial role. Full article

Abstract: Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and the clinical and molecular predictors of response and survival following venetoclax plus hypomethylating agents (VEN + HMAs) in adult relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML) patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 197 adult R/R AML patients who received the VEN + HMAs regimen. Molecular profiling was performed using targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) of 139 genes to explore potential response and survival genetic predictors. Results: The median treatment cycle was 1 (1–4) cycle. The composite complete remission (CRc) rate, encompassing complete remission (CR) and CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi), was 44.7%, while the overall response rate (ORR) reached 59.9%. With a median follow-up period of 14.0 months (range: 0.7–54.0 months), the 1-year and 2-year overall survival (OS) rates were 55.4% and 40.2%, respectively. Multivariate analyses revealed that mutations in NPM1 and SRSF2 were significantly associated with improved response rates. Conversely, prior exposure to HMA therapy, early relapse, and the presence of GATA2 mutations were linked to lower response rates. Regarding survival outcomes, the CBFB-MYH11 fusion gene, as well as mutations in NPM1 and IDH1/2, were found to be favorable prognostic factors for OS, whereas mutations in FLT3-ITD, TP53, DNMT3A, and GATA2 were associated with worse OS. Conclusions: The VEN + HMAs regimen demonstrated considerable efficacy in the treatment of R/R AML patients, with both response rates and overall survival being influenced by distinct genetic features. These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing personalized treatment strategies for this challenging patient population. Full article

Rivers in plateau regions are more vulnerable to human activities and climate change than those in plains due to cold climate and high altitude. Studying the temporal and spatial distribution of phosphorus against the backdrop of climate warming and human activities is of great significance for the protection of the ecological environment of plateau rivers. This study focuses on the Yarlung Zangbo River, one of the highest-altitude rivers in the world, analyzing the different forms of phosphorus and total dissolved organic carbon (TOC) concentration and distribution characteristics in sediments and sediment–water interfaces at different time and spatial scales. The analysis indicators include total phosphorus (TP) and dissolved total phosphorus (DTP) in the water body; ammonium chloride-extractable phosphorus (NH₄Cl-P), iron-bound phosphorus (Fe-P), calcium-bound phosphorus (Ca-P), aluminum-bound phosphorus (Al-P), organic phosphorus (OP), and TOC concentration and distribution in sediments. The results showed that the upstream and downstream sections of the Yarlung Zangbo River have relatively good water quality, while the middle stream section, affected by human activities, has higher phosphorus and TOC content in the water body. The phosphorus in the sediments is mainly in the form of Ca-P, indicating that the primary natural phosphorus input is through the disintegration of salts. During the freeze–thaw cycle, the organic matter in the sediments affects the phosphorus content in the water through adsorption and release. Climate warming is expected to increase the phosphorus load in the Yarlung Zangbo River. Comparative studies between plateau rivers and plains rivers have revealed that exogenous particulate phosphorus and endogenous phosphorus converted with the facilitation of organic matter are the main sources of eutrophication risk in plateau rivers. This study unveils the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of phosphorus and TOC in the Yarlung Zangbo River, and discusses the mechanisms affecting phosphorus concentrations in key plateau river nutrient elements, providing scientific support for the protection of the fragile ecological environment of plateau river ecosystems. Full article

A small library of 25 novel 1,3,4-oxadiazole-quinoxalines was synthesized and evaluated in vitro for its cytotoxic activity at 10 μM concentration against nine NCI-different cancer cell lines. Among tested compounds, derivatives 24, 25, and 26 showed good inhibition percentages over different cell lines and, therefore, progressed to the full five-dose assay. Compound 24, possessing a 1,3,4-oxadiazole-core, bearing a 7-trifluoromethyl-quinoxaline nucleus on C-2 and a C-5 phenyl ring, had activity against leukemia, CNS, ovarian, renal, prostate, and breast cancer, with highest the values against breast MCF7 (GI₅₀: 1.85 μM) and MDA-MB-468 (GI₅₀: 1.95 μM) cell lines, showing the better MG_MID value (−5.02). These novel derivatives were able to delay the S phase of the cell cycle and induce apoptosis. Full article

The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy and inter-device reliability of the OTBeat Burn^TM heart rate monitor during an incremental test to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer. Twenty males (mean ± SD age = 21.1 ± 1.9 years) volunteered to complete a test to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer with OTBeat Burn^TM devices placed on the forearm and upper arm, with a 12-lead electrocardiogram used as the criterion. The heart rate was recorded every 30 s and averaged across each two-minute stage. Accuracy was assessed through calculation of the mean absolute percent error (MAPE), Bland–Altman plot, and Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). An intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess the inter-device reliability. Statistical significance was set at α < 0.05. The MAPE (±SD), Bland–Altman regression analyses, and Lin’s CCC values were 0.9 (±0.6)% and 0.8 (±0.5)%, r = 0.107 and 0.303, and r_c = 0.998 and 0.998 for the forearm and the upper arm monitors, respectively. The ICC for inter-device reliability was R = 0.999. Our findings indicated the OTBeat Burn^TM monitors placed on the forearm and upper arm provided highly accurate and reliable values when compared to an electrocardiogram from low to maximal exercise intensities. Full article

The circular economy offers a vital avenue for sustainable development by optimizing resource utilization through reusing and recycling materials. This study focuses on the lifecycle assessment (LCA) of a 5 MW alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) system, emphasizing end-of-life (EoL) strategies, material recovery, and their environmental implications. Focusing on the recycling and reuse of critical materials—including stainless steel and nickel—we argue that enhancing material efficiency in AWE systems can lead to significant reductions in global warming potential (GWP). Our LCA reveals that manufacturing an AWE system from recycled materials results in a 50% decrease in GWP compared to virgin materials. Despite the operational focus of previous studies, our research uniquely incorporates comprehensive EoL considerations, assessing realistic recycling scenarios that highlight potential material recovery and component reuse after the system’s 20-year lifespan. Notably, 77% of materials in the AWE system can be recycled or reused, though the substantial environmental impacts of certain components, particularly the inverter and nickel, necessitate ongoing research and improved recycling technologies. This study underscores the critical role of systematic recycling and the strategic selection of materials to enhance the sustainability profile of hydrogen production technologies. By bridging the gap between operational efficiency and EoL management in AWE systems, our findings contribute to the broader aim of advancing circular economy principles in clean energy transitions. Ultimately, the research emphasizes the need for integrating innovative recycling methods and material reuse strategies to lower carbon footprints and enhance resource security, aligning with sustainable industrial practices and future energy demands. Full article

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the literature on the original concept of metric location, along with its various adaptations and extensions that have been developed over time. Given that determining a minimum location set is generally NP-hard, we focus on analyzing the behavior of these sets within specific graph families, including paths, cycles, trees and unicyclic graphs. In addition to synthesizing existing knowledge, we contribute new findings and insights to the field, advancing the understanding of metric location problems in these structured graph classes. Full article

In railway engineering research, there is a notable gap as existing studies often focus separately on train-induced vibrations or freeze–thaw cycle impacts on subgrades, lacking a comprehensive analysis of their combined effects on subgrade dynamic responses. This study developed a three-dimensional finite-element model of a double-track ballastless track railway subgrade. The model considers various conditions, including train speeds of 180 km/h, 200 km/h, and 220 km/h, and soil temperatures of 5 °C, −5 °C, and −15 °C, with typical subgrade materials. The results show that under train load, the maximum vertical displacement of the subgrade decreases as train speed increases. Conversely, the maximum vertical stress and acceleration are directly proportional to the train speed. When the train speed rises from 180 km/h to 220 km/h, the maximum vertical stress of the subgrade increases by 1.1% and 3.1%, respectively. As the soil temperature drops from 5 °C to −15 °C, the maximum vertical displacement of the subgrade decreases. The displacement reduces with increasing distance from the train load. At a specific point A, the maximum vertical stress increases by 2.02% and 1.43%, respectively. Additionally, the deformation of the railway subgrade is directly proportional to the temperature difference. These findings are valuable for understanding subgrade behavior and guiding railway construction in freeze–thaw-affected areas. Full article

Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) remains the most severe threat to cassava production in the Great Lakes region and Southern Africa. Screening for virus resistance by subjecting cassava to high virus pressure in the epidemic zone (hotspots) is a common but lengthy process because of unpredictable and erratic virus infections requiring multiple seasons for disease evaluation. This study investigated the feasibility of graft-infections to provide a highly controlled infection process that is robust and reproducible to select and eliminate susceptible cassava at the early stages and to predict the resistance of adapted and economically valuable varieties. To achieve this, a collection of cassava germplasm from the Democratic Republic of Congo and a different set of breeding trials comprising two seed nurseries and one preliminary yield trial were established. The cassava varieties OBAMA and NAROCASS 1 infected with CBSD were planted one month after establishment of the main trials in a 50 m² plot to serve as the source of the infection and to provide scions to graft approximately 1 ha. Grafted plants were inspected for virus symptoms and additionally tested by RT-qPCR for sensitive detection of the viruses. The incidence and severity of CBSD and cassava mosaic disease (CMD) symptoms were scored at different stages of plant growth and fresh root yield determined at harvesting. The results from the field experiments proved that graft-infection with infected plants showed rapid symptom development in susceptible cassava plants allowing instant exclusion of those lines from the next breeding cycle. High heritability, with values ranging from 0.63 to 0.97, was further recorded for leaf and root symptoms, respectively. Indeed, only a few cassava progenies were selected while clones DSC260 and two species of M. glaziovii (Glaziovii20210005 and Glaziovii20210006) showed resistance to CBSD. Taken together, grafting scions from infected cassava is a highly efficient and cost-effective method to infect cassava with CBSD even under rugged field conditions. It replaces an erratic infection process with a controlled method to ensure precise screening and selection for virus resistance. The clones identified as resistant could serve as elite donors for introgression, facilitating the transfer of resistance to CBSD. Full article

Polyphenols have been shown to be utilized as an effective treatment for cancer by acting as a DNMT or HDAC inhibitor, reducing inflammatory processes, and causing cell cycle arrest. While there have been many studies demonstrating the anti-cancerous potential of individual polyphenols, there are limited studies on the combinatorial effects of polyphenols. This review focuses on how combinations of different polyphenols can be used as a chemotherapeutic treatment option for patients. Specifically, we examine the combinatorial effects of three commonly used polyphenols: curcumin, resveratrol, and epigallocatechin gallate. These combinations have been shown to induce apoptosis, prevent colony formation and migration, increase tumor suppression, reduce cell viability and angiogenesis, and create several epigenetic modifications. In addition, these anti-cancerous effects were synergistic and additive. Thus, these findings suggest that using different combinations of polyphenols at the appropriate concentrations can be used as a better and more efficacious treatment against cancer as compared to using polyphenols individually. Full article

The fuel consumption of a harvester–operator system was modeled to select logging methods by comparing the forward felling technique (C) and the sideways techniques at the logging edge (A and D) or inside of the stand (B and E). To that end, trees’ logging cycle process data were collected using a drone for time consumption analysis. The fuel consumption data were recorded automatically from the harvester’s digital monitoring system. The fuel consumption averaged 0.22 L during the logging cycle process of trees on flat terrain and 0.25 L for those on sloping terrain. In stands on flat terrain, logging method C consumed 7.9 L E₀h⁻¹ more fuel than method A and 4.9 L E₀h⁻¹ more fuel than method B, meaning method A consumed 3.0 L E₀h⁻¹ less fuel than method B. On sloping terrain, logging method D consumed 1.4 L E₀h⁻¹ less fuel than method E. There was a large variation in fuel consumption between the logging methods, which was explained most efficiently (R² = 0.70) by the stem processing speed (m E₀h⁻¹), the tree’s stem length (m), and effective hours of tree logging cycle processes (E₀h). The results reveal that logging methods A and D were the most efficient. This precision modeling structure is recommended for the development of working techniques for harvester operators and for environmental efficiency comparisons of logging methods in different timber harvesting conditions. Full article

Biodiversity is essential for the health and stability of our planet, contributing to ecosystem services like pollination, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation. However, it faces significant threats from human activities, including habitat destruction and pollution. Transportation infrastructure, if not carefully managed, can fragment habitats and disrupt wildlife migration, exacerbating biodiversity loss. Thus, incorporating environmental and biodiversity considerations into transport planning is crucial for promoting long-term sustainability. Accordingly, the goal of this paper is to define a framework for evaluating and ranking intermodal transport routes based on their impact on the environment and biodiversity. The study employs a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) model, combining input from interactive GIS maps and stakeholders with a novel hybrid approach. The MCDM part of the model combines fuzzy Delphi and fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) methods for obtaining the criteria weights and the Axial Distance-based Aggregated Measurement (ADAM) method for obtaining the final ranking of the routes. This methodology application on several Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) routes revealed that the Hamburg/Bremerhaven–Wurzburg–Verona route had the least environmental and biodiversity impact. The study identified the Rotterdam–Milano route as the optimal choice, balancing sustainability, ecological preservation, and transport efficiency. The route minimizes ecological disruption, protects biodiversity, and aligns with European Union strategies to reduce environmental impact in infrastructure projects. The study established a framework for evaluating intermodal transport routes based on environmental and biodiversity impacts, balancing efficiency with ecological responsibility. It makes significant contributions by integrating biodiversity criteria into transport planning and introducing a novel combination of GIS and MCDM techniques for route assessment. Full article

Viticulture in Montenegro faces significant challenges due to fragmented data management, limited access to high-resolution climate predictions, and the lack of systematic integration between stakeholders. This study addresses these issues by proposing a knowledge-driven system architecture that consolidates climate and phenology data, facilitates multi-level data sharing, and supports informed decision-making for sustainable vineyard management. Using Montenegro as a case study, the proposed decision support platform integrates data from Internet of Things-enabled climate pilots, existing databases, and predictive modeling tools to address limitations in existing datasets, such as low resolution and inaccurate downscaling methods, and to tackle the broader challenges posed by climate change, including shifting weather patterns and phenological cycles. The system architecture provides a framework for stakeholders, including researchers, winegrowers, and policymakers, to collaborate effectively, bridging the gap between localized data collection and high-level decision-making. The paper outlines the current state of viticulture in Montenegro and the EU, highlights the need for a systematic approach to data management, and details the benefits of such a system at various levels. The proposed platform architecture and implementation steps outlined in this study serve as a robust framework, offering valuable guidance for other countries seeking to establish similar systems to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and resilience of their viticulture sectors. This research contributes to the broader understanding of knowledge-driven systems in precision agriculture and provides a scalable model for regions facing similar challenges. Full article

The presence of moisture in the insulation of power transformers accelerates the degradation of both paper and oil, thereby increasing the risk of unexpected failures. Due to the hygroscopic nature of cellulose, the insulation can retain up to 8% moisture after the transformer manufacturing process. Reducing this moisture content is crucial in extending the operational lifespan of transformers. The drying cycle of paper insulation is a critical step in power transformer manufacturing, directly influencing the insulation’s longevity and overall performance. This paper introduces a nomogram that combines degradation and drying models, enabling the precise optimization of the drying process based on various parameters such as the temperature, paper mass, and extraction rate. The results of this study demonstrate that for a given extraction rate threshold, the required drying time can be determined based on the mass of paper to be dried, the drying temperature, and the degree of paper degradation (degree of polymerization). These predictive tools are essential for engineers and researchers aiming to enhance transformer reliability. Full article

Microplastic pollution represents a significant global environmental issue, with cigarette filters being a major contributor due to their slow biodegradation. To address this issue while creating valuable materials, we developed a novel approach to synthesize nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes on carbonized cigarette filter powder (NCNT@cCFP) using a microwave irradiation and nickel-catalyzed process. The successful incorporation of nitrogen (~6.6 at.%) and the enhanced graphitic structure create a hierarchical conductive network with abundant active sites for electrochemical reactions. The resulting NCNT@cCFP electrode exhibits a specific capacitance of 452 F/g at 1 A/g in a three-electrode configuration. The integrated hierarchical structure facilitates efficient electron transport and ion diffusion, leading to excellent rate capability (91.6% at 10 A/g) and cycling stability (96.5% retention after 5000 cycles). Furthermore, a symmetric supercapacitor device demonstrates promising energy storage capability with a maximum energy density of 14.0 Wh/kg at 483.1 W/kg, while maintaining 10.4 Wh/kg at a high power density of 4419.1 W/kg. This synergistic waste recycling strategy combined with microwave-driven synthesis offers a sustainable pathway for developing high-performance energy storage materials. Full article