Wei Chen^*, Yuanteng Zhao, Yue Liang

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.21, No.12, pp. 3033-3053, 2025, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2025.073778 - 31 December 2025

Abstract In deep underground engineering, geological disposal of nuclear waste, and geothermal development, the granite–mortar interface represents a critical weak zone that strongly influences sealing performance under high-temperature conditions. While previous studies have primarily focused on single materials, the dynamic evolution of interface permeability under thermal loading remains insufficiently understood. In this study, time-resolved gas permeability measurements under thermal cycling (20°C → 150°C → 20°C) were conducted, complemented by multi-scale microstructural characterization, to investigate the nonlinear evolution of permeability. Experimental results indicate that interface permeability at room temperature is approximately one order of magnitude higher than… More >

Sam Rahimzadeh Holagh¹, Bugao Xu^1,2,*

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.145, No.2, pp. 2383-2399, 2025, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2025.072259 - 26 November 2025

Abstract Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain a leading cause of mortality worldwide, highlighting the need for precise risk assessment tools to support clinical decision-making. This study introduces a meta-learning model for predicting mortality risk in patients with CVD, classifying them into high-risk and low-risk groups. Data were collected from 868 patients at Tabriz Heart Hospital (THH) in Iran, along with two open-access datasets—the Cleveland Heart Disease (CHD) and Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology (FIC) datasets. Data preprocessing involved class balancing via the Synthetic Minority Over-Sampling Technique (SMOTE). Each dataset was then split into training and test sets, and… More >

Dongyu Teng^1,2,*, Hao Tang^1,3,*, Peng He^1,2, Zhen Hao^1,2

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.19, No.6, pp. 1717-1731, 2025, DOI:10.32604/sdhm.2025.069751 - 17 November 2025

Abstract In order to study the axial compression characteristics of brick masonry historical buildings, and to better protect and repair traditional mortar-brick masonry historical buildings, axial compression tests were carried out on three kinds of restored mortar (pure mud mortar, pure mortar, and mud mortar) brick masonry with restored mortar brick masonry as the object of study. The damage modes, axial compression chemical indexes (compressive strength and elastic modulus), load-displacement curves and stress-strain curves of the three kinds of restored mortar brick masonry were obtained. The experimental results show that the compressive strength of mud mortar… More >

Jian Xia^1,2, Xianzhong Hu¹, Yan Li¹, Wei Zhang^3,*

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.19, No.6, pp. 1489-1506, 2025, DOI:10.32604/sdhm.2025.065997 - 17 November 2025

Abstract Incorporating microencapsulated phase change materials (MPCM) into mortar enhances building thermal energy storage for energy savings but severely degrades compressive strength by replacing sand and creating pores. This study innovatively addresses this critical limitation by introducing nano-silicon (NS) as a modifier to fill pores and promote hydration in MPCM mortar. Twenty-five mixes with varying NS content from 0 to 4 weight percent and different MPCM contents were comprehensively tested for flowability, compressive strength, thermal conductivity, thermal energy storage via Differential Scanning Calorimetry, and microstructure via Scanning Electron Microscopy. Key quantitative results showed MPCM reduced mortar… More >

Marie Chaumel¹, Nicolas Brichart², Franck Bruyère¹, Ali Bourgi^1,*

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.32, No.4, pp. 359-366, 2025, DOI:10.32604/cju.2025.066470 - 29 August 2025

Abstract Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare systems globally, raising concerns about delayed cancer diagnosis and treatment. In France, transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) was prioritized in national urology guidelines to ensure the timely management of urothelial carcinoma. This study aimed to assess the impact of care reorganization on tumor staging, recurrence, palliative care, and mortality in bladder cancer patients from the pre-pandemic through late-pandemic periods. Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter study including all patients who underwent TURBT with histologically confirmed urothelial carcinoma between April and December of 2019 (pre-pandemic), 2020 (early pandemic), 2021… More >

Cristian Martínez-Fuentes¹, Pedro Pesante^2,*, Karin Saavedra³, Paul Oumaziz⁴

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.85, No.1, pp. 581-595, 2025, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.065746 - 29 August 2025

Abstract Rubberized concrete is one of the most studied applications of discarded tires and offers a promising approach to developing materials with enhanced properties. The rubberized concrete mixture results in a reduced modulus of elasticity and a reduced compressive and tensile strength compared to traditional concrete. This study employs finite element simulations to investigate the elastic properties of rubberized mortar (RuM), considering the influence of inclusion stiffness and interfacial debonding. Different homogenization schemes, including Voigt, Reuss, and mean-field approaches, are implemented using DIGIMAT and ANSYS. Furthermore, the influence of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between mortar… More >

Idongesit Sunday Ambrose¹, Sunday Edet Etuk², Okechukwu Ebuka Agbasi^3,*, Ijah Ioryue Silas⁴, Unyime Udoette Saturday⁵, Eyo Edet Orok⁶

Revue Internationale de Géomatique, Vol.34, pp. 335-350, 2025, DOI:10.32604/rig.2025.064552 - 13 June 2025

Abstract Road construction and traffic congestion are increasingly recognized as major contributors to environmental and public health challenges in urban Nigeria, particularly in Rivers State. Despite growing urbanization, a gap remains in localized data on the combined effects of air and noise pollution in hydrocarbon-polluted environments. This study addresses that gap by conducting a preliminary environmental health assessment focused on the Port Harcourt Ring Road project. Air quality and noise levels were monitored in situ at 20 strategically selected locations, with five control points included for baseline comparison. Digital portable meters were used to measure concentrations of… More >

Melissa Mashaba¹, Curwyn Mapaling^2,*, Wandile F. Tsabedze³

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.1, pp. 29-35, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.066007 - 30 April 2025

Abstract The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic introduced significant psychosocial stressors for morticians in South Africa, yet their coping mechanisms remain underexplored. This study investigated how South African morticians (N = 10, Black males) coped with these stressors during the pandemic through semi-structured interviews. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) informed thematic analysis identified five themes: (i) death overload distress associated with trauma and fear of exposure; (ii) insomnia due to worry, workload, and fear of infection; (iii) stigmatisation from community avoidance and negative perceptions; (iv) social isolation and anxiety related to emotional disconnection, personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages, More >

Prathap Sarma¹, Palesa Mogane^2,*, Katharina Vanderdonck³, Moses Kebalepile¹, Palesa Motshabi Chakane⁴

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.20, No.1, pp. 41-53, 2025, DOI:10.32604/chd.2025.060382 - 18 March 2025

Abstract Background: Congenital cardiac diseases (CCD) are common congenital birth defects that require high-risk surgery. Outcomes following congenital cardiac surgery in children living in high-income countries (HIC) have been documented, but little is known from the African continent. This study aimed to determine factors associated with perioperative mortality in patients who underwent congenital cardiac surgery at our institution. Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital over 12 years (2006–2017). A multivariable regression analysis was performed for the factors which had a p-value of 0.1 and less in the univariable regression analysis. A… More >

Xiao Huang^1,2, Jin Yang^3,*

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.20, No.6, pp. 1393-1406, 2024, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2024.046360 - 27 June 2024

Abstract Cement-based materials are fundamental in the construction industry, and enhancing their properties is an ongoing challenge. The use of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) has gained significant attention as a possible way to improve the performance of cement-based materials due to their unique water-absorption and retention properties. This study investigates the multifaceted impact of kaolin intercalation-modified superabsorbent polymers (K-SAP) on the properties of cement mortar. The results show that K-SAP significantly affects the cement mortar’s rheological behavior, with distinct phases of water absorption and release, leading to changes in workability over time. Furthermore, K-SAP alters the hydration More >