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The European Badger (Meles meles) as a Host for Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Peri-Urban Environments, Hungary

Jenő Kontschán Gábor Nagy Ágnes Csivincsik Nóra Takács Sándor Hornok Sándor Szekeres

Publication Name: Transboundary and Emerging Diseases

Publication Date: 2025-01-01

Volume: 2025

Issue: 1

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

European badgers are opportunistic animals that could serve as important hosts in the life cycle of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) when entering peri-urban and urban environments. In this study, ticks and spleen samples were collected from badgers (Meles meles) found as roadkill between 2020 and 2021 in peri-urban habitats in Central Europe, Hungary. Altogether, 117 ticks, representing seven species (Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes kaiseri, Ixodes canisuga, Ixodes hexagonus, Haemaphysalis concinna, Alloceraea inermis and Dermacentor reticulatus) were removed from 49 badgers. Following assessment of suitability for obtaining spleen samples from the carcasses, DNA was extracted, and conventional or real-time PCRs were used to detect tick-borne pathogens in spleen samples of 38 badgers. Among protozoan parasites, two Babesia species, representing two phylogenetic groups, and Hepatozoon martis were identified. In addition, Candidatus Neoehrlichia lotoris, a novel Ehrlichia species (provisionally named as Candidatus Ehrlichia transdanubiensis), and Anaplasma phagocytophilum were detected in these tissue samples. The presence of these tick-borne pathogens in peri-urban mustelids indicate that they may provide a source for the infection of ixodid ticks which can in turn transmit these pathogens to humans or pet dogs in urban habitats. Thus, badgers pose an important epidemiological risk factor at the interface of sylvatic and synanthropic environments.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1155/tbed/1587951

In vitro Multi-targeted Anti-cancer Effects of Bavachinin in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Cell Line: Dual Pathway Inhibition and Cytokine Downregulation

U. Saeed Z. Z. Piracha Gang Duan Yanrong Tian

Publication Name: Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Publication Date: 2025-01-01

Volume: 24

Issue: 1

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Background: Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy, with aggressive subtypes frequently demonstrating resistance to conventional therapies. Bavachinin, a natural flavonoid derived from Psoralea corylifolia, has exhibited anti-cancer activity in various tumor models; however, its effects on thyroid cancer remain largely undefined. Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-cancer activity of bavachinin in the papillary thyroid carcinoma TPC-1 cell line and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: TPC-1 cells were treated with bavachinin (5 - 20 μM) for 24 - 72 hours. Cell viability was assessed using the 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT assay); morphological changes were visualized by confocal microscopy. Migration and invasion were analyzed by wound-healing and Transwell assays, respectively. Cytokine secretion was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Gene and protein expression levels of protein kinase B (AKT), mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. Apoptosis was confirmed by assessing the B-cell lymphoma-2-associated X protein (BAX)/B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) ratio and cleaved caspase-3 activity. All experiments were performed in triplicate, and data are presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Statistical significance was determined by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test (P < 0.05). Results: Bavachinin significantly reduced cell viability, migration, and invasion in a dose-dependent manner (20 μM reduced viability by approximately 50% at 72 hours, P < 0.01). It suppressed the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK1/2, downregulated mTOR expression, and decreased secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β). Apoptosis was confirmed by an increased BAX/BCL-2 ratio and elevated cleaved caspase-3 levels. Conclusions: Bavachinin exerts multi-targeted anti-cancer effects in thyroid carcinoma cells through dual inhibition of the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mTOR and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK pathways, along with suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, culminating in apoptosis and impaired invasiveness.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.5812/ijpr-166894

A block-circulant preconditioner for domain decomposition algorithm for the solution of the elliptic problems by second order finite elements

Béla Kiss Gyozo Molnárka

Publication Name: Computing Systems in Engineering

Publication Date: 1995-01-01

Volume: 6

Issue: 4-5

Page Range: 369-376

Description:

A preconditioned conjugate gradient domain decomposition method was given Refs 1 and 2 for the solution of a system of linear equations arising in the finite element method applied to the elliptic Dirichlet, Neumann and mixed boundary value problems. We have proved that the construction can be generalized2 for higher order finite element method. Here we give a construction and theoretical investigation of preconditioners for second order finite elements. A method and the the results of calculation is given. The presented numerical experiments show that this preconditioner works well. © 1995.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/0956-0521(95)00039-9

Estimation of optimum moisture content and maximum dry unit weight of fine-grained soils using numerical methods

Elizabeth Theron Armand Augustin Fondjo Richard P. Ray

Publication Name: Walailak Journal of Science and Technology

Publication Date: 2021-08-15

Volume: 18

Issue: 16

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Soil compaction is one of the basic engineering techniques, which is carried out to guarantee the stability of soils dependent on specified strength. Nonetheless, in large-scale construction projects, the estimation of compaction features required tremendous effort and time that can be saved utilizing empirical relationships at the initial phases. It becomes critical to develop models to predict the compaction features, namely the maximum dry unit weight (γdmax) and optimum water content (WOP). This article attempts to develop models to predict the γdmax and WOP of fine-grained clay soils. Geotechnical tests such as grain size distribution, Atterberg limits, specific gravity, and proctor compaction tests are performed to assess soil samples' physical and hyro-mechanical characteristics. Multivariate analysis is conducted using MINITAB 18 software to develop the predictive models. The validation process of developed models includes the determination coefficient, probability value (p-value), comparison of the predicted values with experimental values, comparison of the models proposed in this study with other existing models found in the recent literature, and employing a different soil data set. The predicted values obtained from the models proposed in this research project are more accurate than other models developed recently. The proposed models estimate the compaction features of fine-grained clay soils with acceptable precision.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.48048/wjst.2021.22792

Multi-Stage Centralized Energy Management for Interconnected Microgrids: Hybrid Forecasting, Climate-Resilient, and Sustainable Optimization

Mona Gafar Mohamed Kouki Nahid Osman Ragab A. El-Sehiemy

Publication Name: CMES Computer Modeling in Engineering and Sciences

Publication Date: 2025-01-01

Volume: 145

Issue: 3

Page Range: 3783-3811

Description:

The growing integration of nondispatchable renewable energy sources (PV, wind) and the need to cut CO2 emissions make energy management crucial. Microgrids provide a framework for RES integration but face challenges from intermittency, fluctuating loads, cost optimization, and uncertainty in real-time balancing. Accurate short-term forecasting of solar generation and demand is vital for reliable and sustainable operation. While stochastic and machine learning methods are used, they struggle with limited data, complex temporal patterns, and scalability. Key challenges include capturing seasonal to weekly variations and modeling sudden fluctuations in generation and consumption. To address these issues, this paper presents a novel three-stage centralized EMS for interconnected microgrids. The first stage involves comprehensive data analysis to extract meaningful patterns. The second stage introduces a hybrid forecasting framework that integrates stochastic (Prophet) with machine learning (BiLSTM) techniques to improve prediction accuracy under uncertainty. In the third stage, a modified linear programming approach leverages the improved short-term forecasts to optimize energy sharing between microgrids, with the aim of reducing operational costs, minimizing carbon emissions, and improving system stability under climate variability. The proposed EMS is designed to accommodate diverse microgrid configurations while maintaining computational efficiency. Four scenarios are considered to evaluate the proposed energy management strategy. The obtained results demonstrate that the proposed EMS significantly improves both forecasting accuracy and operational performance. The combined methods achieve the best performance among all tested models, with an RMSE of 0.0070, MAE of 0.0043, and R2 of 0.9988, corresponding to improvements of ΔRMSE = −0.2122 and ΔR2 = +0.7126 relative to Prophet. These substantial gains in predictive accuracy translate into more precise battery scheduling, reduced grid dependency, and optimized power dispatching, thereby significantly enhancing system efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. Overall, the results highlight the effectiveness of integrating hybrid forecasting with optimization-based EMS, providing a viable pathway toward high penetration of renewable energy sources in future power systems.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.32604/cmes.2025.071964

BEYOND FIATFALVA DAM ARE NO TROUT, NOR WEALTHY MEN

Andor Wesselényi-Garay

Publication Name: Metszet

Publication Date: 2024-01-01

Volume: 15

Issue: 5

Page Range: 26-33

Description:

Commenting on the state of contemporary architecture in Transylvania leads to certain contradictions, a falling ethnic Hungarian population, abandoned rural buildings, palaces, barns and churches. Maybe there are no contemporary buildings, only restoration projects, or the act of restoration acts as a contemporary indicator of new beginnings. Elements of the design being executed in stainless steel or glazed installations are signs of high-tech architecture.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.33268/Met.2024.5.2

Analytical approach to determine vertical dynamics of a semi-trailer truck from the point of view of goods protection

Renáta Pidl

Publication Name: Aip Conference Proceedings

Publication Date: 2018-01-05

Volume: 1922

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

The overwhelming majority of intercontinental long-haul transportations of goods are usually carried out on road by semi-trailer trucks. Vibration has a major effect regarding the safety of the transport, the load and the transported goods. This paper deals with the logistics goals from the point of view of vibration and summarizes the methods to predict or measure the vibration load in order to design a proper system. From these methods, the focus of this paper is on the computer simulation of the vibration. An analytical method is presented to calculate the vertical dynamics of a semi-trailer truck containing general viscous damping and exposed to harmonic base excitation. For the purpose of a better understanding, the method will be presented through a simplified four degrees-of-freedom (DOF) half-vehicle model, which neglects the stiffness and damping of the tires, thus the four degrees-of-freedom are the vertical and angular displacements of the truck and the trailer. From the vertical and angular accelerations of the trailer, the vertical acceleration of each point of the platform of the trailer can easily be determined, from which the forces acting on the transported goods are given. As a result of this paper the response of the full platform-load-packaging system to any kind of vehicle, any kind of load and any kind of road condition can be analyzed. The peak acceleration of any point on the platform can be determined by the presented analytical method.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1063/1.5019118

Integrating nonlinear pile behavior with standard structural engineering software

János Szép Richard P. Ray

Publication Name: 18th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering Challenges and Innovations in Geotechnics Icsmge 2013

Publication Date: 2013-01-01

Volume: 4

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 2869-2872

Description:

It is common in the practice of bridge design to analyze the superstructure, substructure, and foundation components separately. Applying this kind of modeling, soil-structure interaction effects can only be approximated with moderate accuracy. The foundation stiffness can greatly influence the internal forces, stresses, and displacements of superstructure. This is especially true for portal frame and integral bridges. Better modeling of soil-structure interaction can use three-dimensional geotechnical FEM programs, where the true soil-stucture environment can be analyzed. It is possible to use nonlinear constitutive models; capable of modeling soil behavior accurately, however it is difficult, time consuming, and costly in day-to-day practice.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: DOI not available

Does urban shrinkage impact energy efficiency?: Evidence from Chinese counties

Hyoungsuk Lee Xin Zhao Yang Yang Peijun Xie Hui Li Wenxing Jia

Publication Name: Renewable Energy

Publication Date: 2025-01-01

Volume: 238

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Some cities in China are facing challenges due to population loss while also attempting to address energy conservation and emissions reduction. Although urban shrinkage can relieve pressure from energy consumption demands, such as water, electricity and gas, does it improve urban energy efficiency? This study attempts to answer this question. Based on Point of Interest (POI) big data and Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL) raster data, this study identifies urban shrinkage from the coupling perspective of administrative and economic boundaries. It also examines the impact of urban shrinkage on energy efficiency. The results suggest that Chinese counties’ overall energy efficiency is experiencing a four-stage “decline-rise-decline-rise” trend, and the urban shrinkage of Chinese counties exists in three major areas: the Northeast, the Southwest, and the Centre. Compared to non-shrinking cities, urban shrinkage has a significant negative impact on improving energy efficiency. This impact exhibits significant heterogeneity. Specifically, compared with mature resource cities and cities in Western China, regenerative cities, non-resource cities and cities in Central China have less impact on energy efficiency. In addition, urban shrinkage may impede energy efficiency improvement by hindering industrial structure transformation and upgrading, energy-saving technology innovation, and financial development. Clarifying the relationship between urban shrinkage and energy efficiency is helpful for shrinking cities to change their development strategies, which is critical for sustainable development.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2024.121878