Search Results (18,522)

Hydrogen energy is viewed as a promising green energy source because of its high energy density, abundant availability, and clean combustion results. Hydrogen storage is the critical link in a hydrogen economy. Using first-principles density functional theory calculations, this work explored the role of B and N in modulating the binding properties of transition metal-modified graphene. The hydrogen storage performance of Sc-, Ti-, and V-modified B-doped graphene was evaluated. Boron doping induces an electron-deficient state, enhancing interactions between transition metals and graphene. Sc, Ti, and V preferentially adsorbed at the carbon ring’s hollow site in B-doped graphene, with their binding energies being 1.87, 1.74, and 1.69 eV higher than those in pure graphene, respectively. These systems can stably adsorb up to 5, 4, and 4 H₂ molecules, with average adsorption energies of −0.528, −0.645, and −0.620 eV/H₂, respectively. The hydrogen adsorption mechanism was dominated by orbital interactions and polarization effects. Among the systems studied, Sc-modified B-doped graphene exhibited superior hydrogen storage characteristics, making it a promising candidate for reversible applications. Full article

Salix suchowensis is an ideal model organism for investigating nitrogen (N) transport mechanisms due to its low N-input requirements. Accurate quantification of gene expression is essential for elucidating these processes, with quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) being the preferred method. However, the identification of stable reference genes for normalization in Salix suchowensis under varying N conditions remains unresolved. In this study, thirteen commonly employed candidate reference genes were evaluated across root, stem, and leaf tissues, under four N treatments (NH₄NO₃, NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻, and N deficiency). Five genes (UBQ1, UBQ3, 18S, H2A2, and H2B2) were excluded due to poor amplification efficiency or irregular melting curves. The remaining eight genes were further assessed for expression stability using the geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper algorithms. Integrated ranking via RefFinder identified EF1α, EFβ, and αTUB as the most stable reference genes. GeNorm analysis suggested that two reference genes were sufficient for reliable normalization. Validation using the N-responsive gene SsAMT1 and SsNRT2 confirmed the stability of EF1α, EFβ, and αTUB as suitable reference genes. Based on comprehensive stability assessments and experimental validation, we recommended EF1α + αTUB as optimal reference gene pairs for RT-qPCR normalization under varying N conditions. Furthermore, the consistent expression of EF1α and αTUB across nine willow genotypes highlighted their broader applicability within Salix species. This study provides valuable methodological guidance for advancing molecular research on N transport in woody perennial plants. Full article

Methane pyrolysis produces hydrogen (H₂) with solid carbon black as a co-product, eliminating direct CO₂ emissions and enabling a low-carbon supply when combined with renewable or low-carbon heat sources. In this study, we propose a hybrid geothermal pyrolysis configuration in which an enhanced geothermal system (EGS) provides base-load preheating and isothermal holding, while either electrical or solar–thermal input supplies the final temperature rise to the catalytic set-point. The work addresses four main objectives: (i) integrating field-scale geothermal operating envelopes to define heat-integration targets and duty splits; (ii) assessing scalability through high-pressure reactor design, thermal management, and carbon separation strategies that preserve co-product value; (iii) developing a techno-economic analysis (TEA) framework that lists CAPEX and OPEX, incorporates carbon pricing and credits, and evaluates dual-product economics for hydrogen and carbon black; and (iv) reorganizing state-of-the-art advances chronologically, linking molten media demonstrations, catalyst development, and integration studies. The process synthesis shows that allocating geothermal heat to the largest heat-capacity streams (feed, recycle, and melt/salt hold) reduces electric top-up demand and stabilizes reactor operation, thereby mitigating coking, sintering, and broad particle size distributions. High-pressure operation improves the hydrogen yield and equipment compactness, but it also requires corrosion-resistant materials and careful thermal-stress management. The TEA indicates that the levelized cost of hydrogen is primarily influenced by two factors: (a) electric duty and the carbon intensity of power, and (b) the achievable price and specifications of the carbon co-product. Secondary drivers include the methane price, geothermal capacity factor, and overall conversion and selectivity. Overall, geothermal-assisted methane pyrolysis emerges as a practical pathway to turquoise hydrogen, if the carbon quality is maintained and heat integration is optimized. The study offers design principles and reporting guidelines intended to accelerate pilot-scale deployment. Full article

The aim of this work was to prepare new heterodimeric molecules containing pharmacophoric fragments of 3-cyanoquinoline/3-aminothieno[2,3-b]pyridine/3-aminothieno[2,3-b]quinoline on one side and phenothiazine on the other. The products were synthesized via selective S-alkylation of readily available 2-thioxo-3-cyanopyridines or -quinolines with N-(chloroacetyl)phenothiazines, followed by base-promoted Thorpe–Ziegler isomerization of the resulting N-[(3-cyanopyridin-2-ylthio)acetyl]phenothiazines. We found that both the S-alkylation and the Thorpe–Ziegler cyclization reactions, when conducted with KOH under heating, were accompanied to a significant extent by a side reaction involving the elimination of phenothiazine. Optimization of the conditions (0–5 °C, anhydrous N,N-dimethylacetamide and NaH or t-BuONa as non-nucleophilic bases) minimized the side reaction and increased the yields of the target heterodimers. The structures of the products were confirmed by IR spectroscopy, ¹H, and ¹³C DEPTQ NMR studies. It was demonstrated that the synthesized 3-aminothieno[2,3-b]pyridines can be acylated with chloroacetyl chloride in hot chloroform. The resulting chloroacetamide derivative reacts with potassium thiocyanate in DMF to form the corresponding 2-iminothiazolidin-4-one; in this process, phenothiazine elimination does not occur, and the Gruner–Gewald rearrangement product was not observed. The structural features and spectral characteristics of the synthesized 2-iminothiazolidin-4-one derivative were investigated by quantum chemical methods at the B3LYP-D4/def2-TZVP level. A range of drug-relevant properties was also evaluated using in silico methods, and ADMET parameters were calculated. A molecular docking study identified a number of potential protein targets for the new heterodimers, indicating the promise of these compounds for the development of novel antitumor agents. Full article

Earle’s balanced salt solution (EBSS) is a classical autophagy inducer that provides a special culture environment lacking amino acids and serum, causing cell starvation. However, the production of relevant omics data surrounding EBSS-induced autophagy is still in the early stage. The objective of this study was to identify new potential functional proteins in the autophagy process through omics analysis. We selected EBSS-induced autophagy as our research object and uncovered autophagy-regulatory proteins using RNA-seq analysis. Western blotting showed that EBSS increased LC3B-II protein levels in NRK cells, reaching the maximum amount at 2 h of culture. Then, we used next-generation sequencing to obtain quantified RNA-seq data from cells incubated with EBSS and the bowtie–tophat–cufflinks flow path to analyze the transcriptome data. Using significant differences in the FPKM values of genes in the treated group compared with those in the control group to indicate differential expression, 470 candidate genes were selected. Subsequently, GO and KEGG analyses of these genes were performed, revealing that most of these signaling pathways were closely associated with autophagy, and to better understand the potential functions and connections of these genes, protein–protein interaction networks were studied. Considering all the conclusions of the analysis, 27 candidate genes were selected for verification, where the knockdown of Txnrd1 decreased LC3B-II protein levels in NRK cells, consistent with the results of confocal experiments. In conclusion, we uncovered autophagy-regulatory proteins using RNA-seq analysis, with our results indicating that TXNRD1 may play a role in regulating EBSS-induced autophagy via an unknown pathway. We hope that our research can provide useful information for further autophagy omics research. Full article

Ascorbate oxidases (AAOs) are key regulators of extracellular redox homeostasis and plant stress responses, but their roles in grapevine defense remain unclear. Here, we performed a genome-wide analysis and characterization of the AAO gene family in grapevine Vitis amurensis, identifying 10 VaAAO genes that are unevenly distributed across six chromosomes, with notable clustering on chromosome 7. Promoter analysis revealed multiple phytohormone- and stress-responsive cis-elements (e.g., ARE, STRE, and TCA-element) and transcription factor binding sites (e.g., MYC/MYB, and WRKY), suggesting involvement in redox- and stress-related signaling pathways. Analysis of previously published transcriptomic data under Botrytis cinerea infection identified VaAAO7 as a key pathogen-responsive gene. VaAAO7 was rapidly induced by H₂O₂, and its transient ectopic overexpression in susceptible V. vinifera ‘Red Globe’ leaves significantly reduced lesion development. Together, these results demonstrate that VaAAO7 functions as a positive regulator of B. cinerea resistance and highlight its potential for genetic engineering to enhance systemic defense and develop disease-resistant grapevine cultivars. Full article

Anthracnose is a leaf fungal disease caused by multiple Colletotrichum species. Currently, the predominant deployment of chemical agents for anthracnose control increases ecological pollution risks and potential food safety concerns. The comprehension of the pathogenic mechanism and physicochemical properties of anthracnose is, therefore, essential for effective prevention and control. In this study, the pathogenic strain (pathogen) was isolated from the infected tea plant (Camellia sinensis) leaves and was identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides based on microscope observations and gene sequences. This fungus exhibited optimal growth at 28 °C and a pH of 6, with a lethal temperature threshold of 53 °C on PDA plate medium. The 80% tea saponin and 10% polymycin B could effectively inhibit its mycelium growth. Notably, the 10% polyoxin B exhibits a stronger inhibitory effect with an EC₅₀ value of 1.07 mg mL⁻¹. Following infection with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, the resistant cultivar ‘Zhongcha 108’ exhibited higher levels of H₂O₂ and O₂⁻ than the susceptible ‘Longjing 43’, with later symptom onset and slower disease progression. Although the exogenous treatment of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) did not inhibit C. gloeosporioides directly, it significantly reduced lesion areas in ‘Longjing 43’ leaves caused by C. gloeosporioides. This treatment increased peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities, but limited malondialdehyde content, thereby enhancing ‘Longjing 43’ resistance to the pathogen. The findings provide scientific guidance for the anthracnose prevention and control in tea gardens. Full article

Typical fertilizer applicators are often restricted in performance due to non-uniformity in distribution, required labor and time intensiveness, high discharge rate, chemical input wastage, and fostering weed proliferation. To address this gap in production agriculture, an automated variable-rate fertilizer applicator was developed for the cotton crop that is based on deep learning-initiated electronic control unit (ECU). The applicator comprises (a) plant recognition unit (PRU) to capture and predict presence (or absence) of cotton plants using the YOLOv7 recognition model deployed on-board Raspberry Pi microprocessor (Wale, UK), and relay decision to a microcontroller; (b) an ECU to control stepper motor of fertilizer metering unit as per received cotton-detection signal from the PRU; and (c) fertilizer metering unit that delivers precisely metered granular fertilizer to the targeted cotton plant when corresponding stepper motor is triggered by the microcontroller. The trials were conducted in the laboratory on a custom testbed using artificial cotton plants, with the camera positioned 0.21 m ahead of the discharge tube and 16 cm above the plants. The system was evaluated at forward speeds ranging from 0.2 to 1.0 km/h under lighting levels of 3000, 5000, and 7000 lux to simulate varying illumination conditions in the field. Precision, recall, F1-score, and mAP of the plant recognition model were determined as 1.00 at 0.669 confidence, 0.97 at 0.000 confidence, 0.87 at 0.151 confidence, and 0.906 at 0.5 confidence, respectively. The mean absolute percent error (MAPE) of 6.15% and 9.1%, and mean absolute deviation (MAD) of 0.81 g/plant and 1.20 g/plant, on application of urea and Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), were observed, respectively. The statistical analysis showed no significant effect of the forward speed of the conveying system on fertilizer application rate (p > 0.05), thereby offering a uniform application throughout, independent of the forward speed. The developed fertilizer applicator enhances precision in site-specific applications, minimizes fertilizer wastage, and reduces labor requirements. Eventually, this fertilizer applicator placed the fertilizer near targeted plants as per the recommended dosage. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ventriculoperitoneal shunts are the standard treatment for adults diagnosed with several CSF disorders, but often face dysfunction, leading interest in non-invasive methods for diagnosing shunt issues. This study evaluates the potential of non-invasive intracranial pressure waveform monitoring (nICPw) with the brain4care (B4C) system to distinguish overdrainage, underdrainage, and normal shunt function in patients with CSF disorders. Methods: In this single-center, observational study at Hospital das Clínicas, Brazil, adult patients with CSF shunts were enrolled. Patients were categorized as Overdrainage or Underdrainage, based on clinical parameters, with an Asymptomatic group. The B4C system provided nICPw monitoring, and six parameters (including various P2/P1 ratios) were analyzed via MANOVA and ANOVA. Results: Among 30 patients (6 overdrainage, 6 underdrainage, 18 asymptomatic), five asymptomatic patients were excluded from the main analysis due to incomplete data collection, leaving 25 patients. Overdrainage patients had significantly higher ΔP2/P1 values (0.618 ± 0.210) than asymptomatic ones (0.227 ± 0.171). After excluding outliers, differences were more pronounced (H = 10.89; p < 0.01). Underdrainage patients had intermediate ΔP2/P1 values (0.387 ± 0.179) and consistently higher P2/P1 averages (>1.3). ROC analysis indicated that ΔP2/P1 > 0.3 suggested shunt dysfunction (AUC = 0.731), while the highest P2/P1 offered stronger discrimination (AUC = 0.782). A global average P2/P1 > 1.3 was linked to underdrainage, with the lowest P2/P1 values differentiating overdrainage (0.948 ± 0.321) from underdrainage (1.143 ± 0.156). Conclusions: nICPw monitoring with the B4C system demonstrated potential for detecting shunt dysfunction. Combining parameters, especially ΔP2/P1 and highest P2/P1, improves diagnostic accuracy, offering a non-invasive method that may aid in distinguishing normal from abnormal shunt function. Full article

SARS-CoV-2 variants have demonstrated distinct epidemiological patterns and clinical presentations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding variant-specific differences at the respiratory epithelium is crucial for understanding their pathogenesis. Here, we utilized human nasal organoid air–liquid interface (HNO-ALI) cell cultures to compare the viral replication kinetics, innate immune response, and epithelial damage of six different strains of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.2, WA, Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron). All variants replicated efficiently in HNO-ALIs, but with distinct replication kinetic patterns. The Delta variant exhibited delayed replication kinetics, achieving a steady state at 6 days post-infection compared to 3 days for other variants. Cytokine analysis revealed robust pro-inflammatory and chemoattractant responses (IL-6, IL-8, IP-10, CXCL9, and CXCL11) in WA1, Alpha, Beta, and Omicron infections, while Delta significantly dampened the innate immune response, with no significant induction of IL-6, IP-10, CXCL9, or CXCL11. Immunofluorescence and H&E analysis showed that all variants caused significant ciliary damage, though WA1 and Delta demonstrated less destruction at early time points (3 days post-infection). Together, these data show that, in our HNO-ALI model, the Delta variant employs a distinct “stealth” strategy characterized by delayed replication kinetics and epithelial cell innate immune evasion when compared to other variants of SARS-CoV-2, potentially explaining a mechanism that the Delta variant can use for its enhanced transmissibility and virulence observed clinically. Our findings demonstrate that variant-specific differences at the respiratory epithelium could explain some of the distinct clinical presentations and highlight the utility of the HNO-ALI system for the rapid assessment of emerging variants. Full article

Background and Objectives: To analyze changes in risk factors for refractive errors among Korean adolescents before and after the COVID-19 pandemic and examine the impact of lifestyle modifications on myopia development, Methods: this cross-sectional study utilized nationally representative data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) VII (2016) and VIII (2021). We analyzed 691 adolescents aged 10–18 years from 2016 (pre-COVID-19) and 490 from 2021 (post-COVID-19). Refractive errors were categorized as hyperopia (≥+0.50 D), emmetropia (−0.50 to +0.50 D), myopia (−6.00 to −0.50 D), and high myopia (≤−6.00 D). Complex sample linear regression analyses identified factors associated with spherical equivalent (SE) refractive errors. Results: At the population level, overall myopia prevalence declined from 84.2% in 2016 to 77.4% in 2021, whereas the prevalence of high myopia increased from 10.0% to 11.5% (p = 0.047). This indicates that although the absolute proportion of adolescents with myopia decreased, the relative contribution of high myopia to the overall myopia burden within this population increased. Mean SE was −2.77 ± 0.11 D in (−10.63~+3.00 D/median: −2.00 D) 2016 and −2.63 ± 0.13 D (−14.00~+1.63/median: −1.75 D) in 2021 (p = 0.443). Age-related myopia progression accelerated post-pandemic (−0.193 D to −0.324 D per year in univariate regression and −0.185 D to −0.312 D, in multivariate regression analysis, p < 0.001). In both the 3 h and ≥4 h near work groups, statistically significant associations were observed at both time points, but a greater myopic shift was evident after COVID-19 (B = –0.853 and –0.757 in 2016; B = –1.311 and –1.167 in 2021, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic altered myopia risk factors among Korean adolescents. High myopia prevalence increased despite overall myopia with underweight status and environmental factors such as digital device time and urban living identified as important considerations for post-pandemic myopia prevention. Full article

Use of anticholinergic and sedative medications is potentially inappropriate in older adults due to associated adverse effects, including impaired cognitive and physical function. This study evaluated anticholinergic and sedative burden in Croatian community-dwelling older adults using the Drug Burden Index (DBI) and examined its association with self-reported health and healthcare utilization over 12 months. This observational, cross-sectional study, part of the EuroAgeism H2020 ESR 7 project, included conveniently sampled adults ≥ 65 years from community pharmacies in three Croatian regions. Data were collected using a standardized research questionnaire. DBI was used to quantify exposure to anticholinergic and sedative medications. Multivariate regression analyses examined associations between DBI and health outcomes, using logistic regression for binary outcomes and linear regression for self-reported health. Among 388 participants (63.7% female, median age 73), most had multimorbidity (median five diagnoses) and polypharmacy (63.9%), while 57% used at least one DBI medication—most commonly diazepam (15.5%) and tramadol (14.7%). High DBI (≥1) independently predicted more emergency department (ED) visits (OR = 2.45) and worse self-rated health (B = −0.26), but not hospitalization. High DBI in older adults was associated with more ED visits and poorer self-rated health, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to reduce anticholinergic and sedative use in this vulnerable population. Full article

The high-strength aluminum alloy 7B04 used in aircraft structures poses challenges in welding. In this study, 7075 aluminum alloy powder is used as an interlayer to strengthen the vacuum diffusion bonding (DB) joint of 7B04 aluminum alloy. Surface treatments with plasma activation before DB can effectively increase the bonding rate and lap shear strength (LSS) of the joint. The effects of DB temperature, pressure, and holding time on the joint LSS were analyzed by developing a quadratic regression model based on the response surface method (RSM). The model’s determination coefficient reached 99.52%, with a relative error of about 5%, making it suitable for 7B04 aluminum alloy DB process parameters optimization and joint performance prediction. Two sets of process parameters (505 °C-5.7 h-4.5 MPa and 515 °C-7.5 h-4.4 MPa) were acquired using the satisfaction function optimization method. Experimental results confirmed that the error between measured and predicted LSS is approximately 5%, and a higher LSS of 174 MPa was achieved at 515 °C-7.5 h-4.4 MPa. Full article

In agricultural systems, excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer often leads to low nitrogen use efficiency and environmental pollution. In order to solve this problem, we studied the synergistic effect of biochar and nitrogen fertilizer on pepper yield, quality and rhizosphere soil health. This study was conducted under a temperate continental monsoon climate in Changchun, China. Using ‘Jinfu 803’ pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) as the test material, biochar was prepared from corn straw under oxygen-limited conditions at 500 °C. the comprehensive effects of the combined application of biochar (0, 0.7% soil mass ratio) and nitrogen fertilizer (0, 75, 375, 675 kg/hm² pure nitrogen) on pepper yield, fruit quality, rhizosphere soil physicochemical properties, and microbial community structure were studied. Redundancy analysis (RDA), high-throughput sequencing, and multivariate statistical methods were used to analyze the association patterns between soil environmental factors and microbial functional groups. The results showed that the combined application of biochar and nitrogen fertilizer significantly improved soil porosity (increased by 12.3–28.6%) and nutrient content, increased yield, and improved quality, among which the treatment of 0.7% biochar combined with 375 kg/hm² nitrogen fertilizer (B1N2) had the best effect. Under this treatment, the pepper yield reached 24,854.1 kg/hm², which was 42.35% higher than that of the control (B0N0). Notably, the nitrogen partial factor productivity (PFPN) of the B1N2 treatment (66.3 kg/kg) was significantly higher than that of the corresponding treatment without biochar and was not significantly lower than that of the high-nitrogen B1N3 treatment. The contents of soluble sugar and vitamin C in fruits increased by 51.18% and 39.16%, respectively. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that the bacterial community structure was primarily shaped by soil pH, organic matter, and porosity, while the fungal community was predominantly influenced by alkaline hydrolyzable nitrogen and total nitrogen. Furthermore, the B1N2 treatment specifically enriched key functional microbial taxa, such as Chloroflexi (involved in carbon cycling) and Mortierellomycota (phosphate-solubilizing), which showed significant positive correlations with improved soil properties. In conclusion, B1N2 is the optimal treatment combination as it improves soil physical conditions, increases nutrient content, optimizes microbial community structure, and enhances pepper yield and quality. Full article

The use of molybdenum-based alloys as materials for components operating under high temperatures and significant mechanical loads is widely recognized due to their excellent mechanical properties. However, their low high-temperature resistance remains a critical limitation, which can be effectively mitigated by applying protective coatings. In this study, we investigate the influence of a two-step coating process on the properties and performance of the TZM molybdenum alloy. In the first step, pack cementation was performed. Simultaneous surface saturation with aluminum and silicon, a process known as aluminosiliconizing, was conducted at 1000 °C for 6 h. The saturating mixture comprised powders of aluminum, silicon, aluminum oxide, and ammonium chloride. The second step involved the application of a pre-ceramic coating based on polyhydrosiloxane modified with silicon and boron. This treatment effectively eliminated pores and cracks within the coating. Thermodynamic calculations were carried out to evaluate the likelihood of aluminizing and siliconizing reactions under the applied conditions. Aluminosiliconizing of the TZM alloy resulted in the formation of a protective layer 20–30 µm thick. The multiphase structure of this layer included intermetallics (Al₆₃Mo₃₇, MoAl₃), nitrides (Mo₂N, AlN, Si₃N₄), oxide (Al₂O₃), and a solid solution α-Mo(Al). Subsequent treatment with silicon- and boron-modified polyhydrosiloxane led to the development of a thicker surface layer, 130–160 µm in thickness, composed of crystalline Si, amorphous SiO₂, and likely amorphous boron. A transitional oxide layer ((Al,Si)₂O₃) 5–7 µm thick was also observed. The resulting coating demonstrated excellent structural integrity and chemical inertness in an argon atmosphere at temperatures up to 1100 °C. High-temperature stability at 800 °C was observed for both coating types: aluminosiliconizing, and aluminosiliconizing followed by the pre-ceramic coating. Moreover, additional oxide layers of SiO₂ and B₂O₃ formed on the two-step coated TZM alloy during heating at 800 °C for 24 h. These layers acted as an effective barrier, preventing the evaporation of the substrate material. Full article