Search Results (635)

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensors have garnered increasing attention due to their high sensitivity, low background signal, and rapid response. The incorporation of hydrogels into PEC platforms has significantly expanded their analytical capabilities by introducing features such as biocompatibility, tunable porosity, antifouling behavior, and mechanical flexibility. This review systematically categorizes hydrogel materials into four main types—nucleic acid-based, synthetic polymer, natural polymer, and carbon-based—and summarizes their functional roles in PEC sensors, including structural support, responsive amplification, antifouling interface construction, flexible electrolyte integration, and visual signal output. Representative applications are highlighted, ranging from the detection of ions, small biomolecules, and biomacromolecules to environmental pollutants, photodetectors, and flexible bioelectronic devices. Finally, key challenges—such as improving fabrication scalability, enhancing operational stability, integrating emerging photoactive materials, and advancing bio-inspired system design—are discussed to guide the future development of hydrogel-enhanced PEC sensing technologies. Full article

The study of vibration characteristics and suppression methods in integrated electric drive systems of electric vehicles is of critical importance. To investigate these characteristics, both current harmonics within the motor and nonlinear factors within the drivetrain were considered. A 17-degree-of-freedom nonlinear torsional–planar dynamic model was developed, with electromagnetic torque and output speed as coupling terms. The model’s accuracy was experimentally validated, and the system’s dynamic responses were analyzed under different working conditions. To mitigate vibrations caused by torque ripple, a coordinated control strategy was proposed, combining a quasi-proportional multi-resonant (QPMR) controller and a full-frequency harmonic controller (FFHC). The results demonstrate that the proposed strategy effectively suppresses multi-order current harmonics in the driving motor, reduces torque ripple by 45.1%, and enhances transmission stability. In addition, the proposed electromechanical coupling model provides valuable guidance for the analysis of integrated electric drive systems. Full article

In this study, a composite film with dual antioxidant and antibacterial properties was prepared by combining 2% chitosan and 7% gelatin (2:1, w:w), with D-carvone (0–4%) as the primary active component. The effect of D-carvone content on the performance of the composite films was systematically investigated. The results showed that adding 1% D-carvone increased the water contact angle by 28%, increased the elongation at break by 35%, and decreased the WVTR by 18%. FTIR and SEM confirmed that ≤2% D-carvone uniformly bonded with the substrate through hydrogen bonds, and the film was dense and non-porous. In addition, the DPPH scavenging rate of the 1–2% D-carvone composite film increased to about 30–40%, and the ABTS⁺ scavenging rate increased to about 35–40%; the antibacterial effect on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus increased by more than 70%. However, when the addition amount was too high (exceeding 2%), the composite film became agglomerated, microporous, and phase-separated, affecting the film performance, and due to its own taste, it reduced the sensory quality of the noodles. Comprehensively, the composites showed better performance when the content of D-carvone was 1–2% and also the best effect for freshness preservation in Xinjiang ramen. This study provides a broad application prospect for natural terpene compound-based composite films in the field of high-moisture, multi-fat food preservation, and provides a theoretical basis and practical guidance for the development of efficient and safe food packaging materials. In the future, the composite film can be further optimized, and the effect of flavor can be further explored to meet the needs of different food preservation methods. Full article

Botulism is a severe muscle paralysis disease mediated by the botulinum toxin. Here, we reported a foodborne botulism case caused by Clostridium botulinum subtype A5(b3) from self-packaged vacuum spicy rabbit heads. Treatment for this case was delayed due to misdiagnosis and insufficient diagnostic capacity in three hospitals, which resulted in progressive clinical deterioration, and eventually, the patient was transferred to Shandong Public Health Clinical Center for specialized therapy. The case was suspected as foodborne botulism by the Qilu Medical-Prevention Innovation Integration pathway and multi-disciplinary consultation. An epidemiological investigation and laboratory confirmation revealed that the botulinum neurotoxin originated from vacuum-packaged spicy rabbit heads distributed via interprovincial cold chain logistics. After treatment with botulism antiserum, the patient’s condition significantly improved, and they were discharged after recovery. We revealed that this foodborne botulism outbreak was caused by the Clostridium botulinum A5(b3) subtype from food by whole-genome sequencing and SNP typing. All the strains belonged to Group I carrying the botulinum neurotoxin gene classified as the ha cluster. Toxin A was confirmed by MBA and other methods, while toxin B was non-functional due to the truncated bont/B gene. Other virulence genes and antibiotic resistance genes were also detected. Our findings indicate that self-packaged vacuum meat products represent an emerging risk factor for botulism transmission when stored improperly. Importantly, the recurrent misdiagnosis in this case underscored the urgent need to enhance the training of healthcare professionals in medical institutions to improve the diagnostic accuracy and clinical management of botulism. Full article

In the power system of a polysilicon reduction furnace, especially during the silicon rod growth process, the issue of insufficient temperature control accuracy arises due to the system’s nonlinear and time-varying characteristics. To address this challenge, a dual-loop control system is proposed, combining model-free adaptive control (MFAC) with an improved PID controller. The inner loop utilizes a hysteresis PID controller for dynamic current regulation, ensuring fast and accurate current adjustments. Meanwhile, the outer loop employs a hybrid MFAC-based improved PID algorithm to optimize the temperature tracking performance, achieving precise temperature control even in the presence of system uncertainties. The MFAC component is adaptive and does not require a system model, while the improved PID enhances stability and reduces the response time. Simulation results demonstrate that this hybrid control strategy significantly improves the system’s performance, achieving faster response times, smaller steady-state errors, and notable improvements in the uniformity of polysilicon deposition, which is critical for high-quality silicon rod growth. The proposed system enhances both efficiency and accuracy in industrial applications. Furthermore, applying the dual-loop model to actual industrial products further validated its effectiveness. The experimental results show that the dual-loop model closely approximates the polysilicon production model, confirming that dual-loop control can allow the system to rapidly and accurately reach the set values. Full article

Salinization severely impairs crop growth by inducing oxidative stress and disrupting cellular homeostasis. This study systematically investigates the synergistic effects of salt-tolerant plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (ST-PGPR) and foliar silicon fertilizer spraying (FSFS) on antioxidant responses in Pak choi under salt stress. Two-season pot experiments were carried out to evaluate key indicators, including antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase: SOD; peroxidase: POD; catalase: CAT), oxidative stress (malondialdehyde: MDA), osmolyte accumulation (proline, soluble protein), and hormones (Jasmonic Acid: JA; Salicylic Acid: SA; Abscisic acid: ABA). The results demonstrate that combining ST-PGPR with FSFS significantly enhances SOD (6.18–2353.85%), POD (3.44–153.29%), and CAT (25.71–319.29%) activities while reducing MDA content (8.12–35.87%). Proline and soluble protein levels increased by 1.56–15.71% and 5.03–188.87%, respectively. Hormonal regulation increased JA, SA, and ABA levels by 1.05–31.81%, 2.09–34.29%, and 3.18–30.09%, respectively. Notably, ST-PGPR treatments at 10⁴ and 10⁶ cfu·mL⁻¹, combined with foliar silicon application, consistently ranked highest in overall antioxidant performance across both seasons based on a principal component analysis. These findings provide novel insights into microbial–mineral interactions for sustainable saline agriculture. Full article

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) poses significant public health challenges as the etiological agent of varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (HZ), given its high transmissibility and potential for severe complications. The introduction of VZV vaccines—particularly the vOka-based live attenuated and glycoprotein gE-based recombinant subunit vaccines—has substantially reduced the global incidence of these diseases. However, live attenuated vaccines raise concerns regarding safety and immunogenicity, especially in immunocompromised populations, while recombinant subunit vaccines, such as Shingrix, exhibit high efficacy but are associated with side effects and adjuvant limitations. Recent advancements in vaccine technology, including mRNA vaccines, viral vector vaccines, and virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines, offer promising alternatives with improved safety profiles and durable immunity. This review synthesizes current knowledge on VZV vaccine mechanisms, clinical applications, and immunization strategies, while also examining future directions in vaccine development. The findings underscore the pivotal role of VZV vaccines in disease prevention and highlight the need for continued research to enhance their public health impact. Full article

The investigation of phosphorus metabolism and regulatory mechanisms is conducive to maintaining stable production of crops within a low-phosphorus environment. In phosphorus signal transduction, a few phosphorus starvation response (PHR) transcription factors were identified to bind to the characteristic cis-element, namely the PHR1 binding sequence (P1BS). While the molecular function of the PHR transcription factor has been intensively elucidated, here, we explore a novel transcription factor, BnaA01.KAN3, that undergoes specific binding to the P1BS by yeast one-hybrid and electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and its expression is induced with low-phosphorus stress. BnaA01.KAN3 possessed transcriptional activation and was located in the nucleus. The spatiotemporal expression pattern of BnaA01.KAN3 exhibited tissue specificity in developmental seed, and its expression level was especially high 25–30 days after pollination. Regarding the phenotype analysis, the independent heterologous overexpression lines of BnaA01.KAN3 in Arabidopsis thaliana exhibited not only significantly longer taproots but also an increased number of lateral roots compared to that of the wild type undergoing low-phosphorus treatment, while no differences were seen under normal phosphorus conditions. Furthermore, these lines showed higher anthocyanin and inorganic phosphorus contents with normal and low-phosphorus treatment, suggesting that BnaA01.KAN3 could enhance phosphorus uptake or remobilization to cope with low-phosphorus stress. In summary, this study characterized the transcription factor BnaA01.KAN3 that modulates low-phosphate adaptation and seed development, providing insights for improving phosphorus use efficiency and yield traits in Brassica napus. Full article

As an essential part of terrestrial ecosystems, forests are key to sustaining ecological balance, supporting the carbon cycle, and offering various ecosystem services. In recent years, forests in Southwest China have experienced notable greening. However, the rising occurrence and severity of droughts present a significant threat to the stability of forest ecosystems in this region. This study adopted the near-infrared reflectance of vegetation (NIRv) and the lag-1 autocorrelation of NIRv as indicators to assess the dynamics and resilience of forests in Southwest China. We identified a progressive decline in forest resilience since 2008 despite a dominant greening trend in Southwest China’s forests during the last 20 years. By developing the eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) model and Shapley additive explanation framework (SHAP), we classified forests in Southwest China into coniferous and broadleaf types to evaluate the driving factors influencing changes in forest resilience and mapped the spatial distribution of dominant drivers. The results showed that the resilience of coniferous forests was mainly driven by variations in elevation and land surface temperature (LST), with mean absolute SHAP values of 0.045 and 0.038, respectively. In contrast, the resilience of broadleaf forests was primarily influenced by changes in photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and soil moisture (SM), with mean absolute SHAP values of 0.032 and 0.028, respectively. Regions where elevation and LST were identified as dominant drivers were mainly distributed in coniferous forest areas across central, eastern, and northern Yunnan Province as well as western Sichuan Province, accounting for 32.9% and 20.0% of the coniferous forest area, respectively. Meanwhile, areas where PAR and SM were dominant drivers were mainly located in broadleaf forest regions in Sichuan and eastern Guizhou, accounting for 29.9% and 27.7% of the broadleaf forest area, respectively. Our study revealed that the forest greening does not necessarily accompany an enhancement in resilience in Southwest China, identifying the driving factors behind the decline in forest resilience and highlighting the necessity of differentiated restoration strategies for forest ecosystems in this region. Full article

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis-related interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) is a significant complication of RA which lacks effective treatments with high mortality. This study aimed to investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) in mediating RA-ILD. Methods: Based on the database of RA-ILD patients, a bioinformatics analysis was performed. A protein–protein interaction (PPI) network focusing on MMP-7 was simulated. Pleural mesothelial cells (PMCs) were treated with RA-ILD patients’ serum or RA-ILD-related inflammatory factors, and the protein expressions of collagen-I and MMP-7 were examined. An arthritis model was established using complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA). Changes in the weight and joints of mice were recorded, and lung tissues were evaluated by Masson staining and Sirius red stain techniques. MMP-7 inhibitor, MMP-7 siRNA and MMP shRNA lentivirus were used to inhibit MMP-7 and investigate changes in collagen-I and fibrosis in vivo and in vitro. Results: MMP-7 was found to be significantly expressed in RA-ILD lung tissue by bioinformatics analysis, and MMP-7 to maybe interact with collagen-I. In vitro experiments indicated cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α promoted MMP-7 and collagen-I expression in PMCs. Serum obtained from patients with RA-ILD also upregulated MMP-7 and collagen-I expression in PMCs. Inhibition of MMP-7 with MMP-7 siRNA or MMP inhibitor prevented collagen-I synthesis in PMCs. In vivo, CFA induced arthritis and subpleural lung inflammation in rats, but the MMP-7 inhibitor and MMP-7 siRNA attenuated CFA-induced lung inflammation and subpleural lung fibrosis. Conclusions: MMP-7 mediated subpleural lung inflammation as well as fibrosis in RA-ILD. It provided theoretical and experimental support for MMP-7 being a therapeutic target in RA-ILD. Full article

(1) Background: Understanding how forest management practices regulate hydrological cycles is critical for sustainable water resource management and addressing global water crises. However, the effects of light-felling (selective thinning) on hydrological processes in temperate mixed forests remain poorly understood. This study comprehensively evaluated the impacts of light-felling intensity levels on three hydrological layers (canopy, litter, and soil) in mid-rotation Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) forests managed under the “planting conifer and preserving broadleaved trees” (PCPBT) system on Changbai Mountain, China. (2) Methods: Hydrological processes—including canopy interception, throughfall, stemflow, litter interception, soil water absorption, runoff, and evapotranspiration—were measured across five light-felling intensity levels (control, low, medium, heavy, and clear-cutting) during the growing season. The stand structure and precipitation characteristics were analyzed to elucidate the driving mechanisms. (3) Results: (1) Low and heavy light-felling significantly increased the canopy interception by 18.9%~57.0% (p < 0.05), while medium-intensity light-felling reduced it by 20.6%. The throughfall was significantly decreased 10.7% at low intensity but increased 5.3% at medium intensity. The stemflow rates declined by 15.8%~42.7% across all treatments. (2) The litter interception was reduced by 22.1% under heavy-intensity light-felling (p < 0.05). (3) The soil runoff rates decreased by 56.3%, 16.1%, and 6.5% under the low, heavy, and clear-cutting intensity levels, respectively, although increased by 27.1% under medium-intensity activity (p < 0.05). (4) The monthly hydrological dynamics shifted from bimodal (control) to unimodal patterns under most treatments. (5) The canopy processes were primarily driven by precipitation, while litter interception was influenced by throughfall and tree diversity. The soil processes correlated strongly with throughfall. (4) Conclusions: Low and heavy light-felling led to enhanced canopy interception and reduced soil runoff and mitigated flood risks, whereas medium-intensity light-felling supports water supply during droughts by increasing the throughfall and runoff. These findings provide critical insights for balancing carbon sequestration and hydrological regulation in forest management. Full article

Background: The role of dietary patterns in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly under varying levels of ambient air pollution, remains insufficiently understood. Aims: We aimed to investigate the association between adherence to multiple established dietary patterns and the risk of incident COPD, and to assess potential effect modification by exposure to ambient air pollutants. Methods: We conducted a prospective study including 206,463 participants from the UK Biobank free of COPD at baseline. Individual-level residential air pollution exposure was estimated for the year 2010. Nine dietary indices were derived from 24 h dietary recalls. Associations with incident COPD were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models. Effect modification was examined using smoking-specific tertiles of nitrogen oxides (NO, NO₂, and NO_x) and particulate matter (PM_2.5, PM_2.5–10, and PM₁₀). Results: Greater adherence to healthy dietary patterns was associated with a 14% to 34% reduced risk of COPD (highest vs. lowest quintile). In contrast, high adherence to the Unhealthful plant-based diet index (PDI) was associated with a 34% increased risk (HR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.16–1.54). Notably, the protective associations of the AHA, EAT-Lancet, and MIND dietary patterns were most pronounced in settings with relatively high air pollution, as evidenced by elevated levels in at least four air quality indicators (p for interaction < 0.05). Conclusions: Adherence to AHA, EAT-Lancet, and MIND dietary patterns is associated with a reduced risk of incident COPD, with potentially amplified benefits observed in areas with higher ambient air pollution. Full article

Pepper anthracnose is a globally devastating fungal disease caused by Colletotrichum spp. In this study, we explored the molecular mechanisms underlying anthracnose resistance in Capsicum annuum by comparing a resistant variety 225 with a susceptible variety 307. Phenotypic analysis revealed that variety 225 displayed stronger resistance than variety 307. Through comparative transcriptome analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), 17 gene modules were identified, among which the salmon module showed a strong association with resistance in variety 225. Within this module, 18 hub genes—including Ca59V2g00372.1 (CaTLP6), encoding a thaumatin-like protein (TLP)—were significantly upregulated upon infection. A genome-wide analysis identified 31 CaTLP genes in C. annuum, with members of group V (such as CaTLP6) exhibiting induced expression post-inoculation of Colletotrichum scovillei. Subcellular localization analysis indicated that group V CaTLP proteins were associated with the plasma membrane, suggesting a role in pathogen recognition. These findings highlight the significance of CaTLP genes, particularly those in group V, in pepper’s defense against anthracnose caused by C. scovillei and offer promising targets for breeding resistant cultivars. Full article

Saccharina japonica (S. japonica) is a large-scale intertidal aquatic plant that exhibits characteristics such as rhizoid, holdfast, and blade differentiation. It demonstrates remarkable environmental adaptability. However, compared with higher plants, details about its phytohormone content, distribution, synthesis, and accumulation remain poorly understood. In this study, the phytohormone contents distribution and expression patterns of synthetic genes in different parts of S. japonica, including the rhizoid, petiole, basis, middle, and tip, were analyzed in detail by combining targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses. A total of 20 phytohormones were detected in S. japonica, including auxin, abscisic acid (ABA), cytokinin (CTK), ethylene (ETH), gibberellin (GA), jasmonate acid (JA), and salicylic acid (SA), with significant site-differentiated accumulation. ABA and JA were significantly enriched in the tips (28.01 ng·g⁻¹ FW and 170.67 ng·g⁻¹ FW, respectively), whereas SA accumulated specifically only in the rhizoid. We also identified 12 phytohormones, such as gibberellin A1, methyl jasmonate, and trans-zeatin for the first time in S. japonica. Transcriptomic profiling revealed the tissue-specific expression of phytohormone biosynthesis genes, such as CYP735A (CTK synthesis), in the rhizoids and LOX/NCED (JA/ABA synthesis) in the tips. Key pathways, such as carotenoid biosynthesis and cysteine methionine metabolism, were found to be differentially enriched across tissues, aligning with hormone accumulation patterns. Additionally, an enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes between various parts indicated that different parts of S. japonica performed distinct functions even though it does not have organ differentiation. This study is the first to uncover the distribution characteristics of phytohormones and their synthetic differences in different parts of S. japonica and elucidates how S. japonica achieves functional specialization through non-specific phytohormone regulation despite lacking organ differentiation, which provides an important theoretical basis for research on the developmental biology of macroalgae and their mechanisms of response to adversity. Full article

Conventional magnetorheological fluids (MRFs) exhibit a constrained shear strength that restricts their deployment in high-performance damping systems. This study introduces a dual-axis innovation strategy combining material science and device physics to fundamentally redefine MRF capabilities. We develop a hierarchical particle architecture through the controlled integration of micro/nano-sized carbonyl iron particles (CIPs), enhanced by polyethylene glycol/oleic acid surface engineering to optimize magnetic chain formation and interfacial bonding. The engineered MRF demonstrates a shear yield strength of 99.6 kPa at 0.757 T, surpassing conventional single-component MRFs by a significant margin. Integrated with a self-decoupling damper that isolates magnetic flux from mechanical motion, this synergistic design achieves exceptional force modulation: damping forces scale from 281.5 kN (5 mm stroke) to 300 kN (60 mm stroke), with current-regulated adjustability factors reaching 3.34. The system exhibits substantial improvements in both maximum damping force (93.9 kN enhancement) and energy dissipation efficiency compared to standard MRF dampers. Through co-optimization of the particle architecture and magnetic circuit design, this work establishes new performance benchmarks for smart fluid technology. The achieved force capacity and dynamic response characteristics directly address critical challenges in seismic engineering and industrial vibration control, where extreme load-bearing requirements demand simultaneous high strength and tunable damping capabilities. Full article