Search Results (30,064)

Mg-doped ZnO (Zn_1−xMg_xO, x = 0.00–0.05) thin films were successfully grown on glass substrates with a c-axis orientation at 600 °C using the sol–gel dip-coating technique. The structural features, defect-related photoluminescence, and optical constants of the films were systematically investigated as a function of Mg concentration. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirmed a single-phase hexagonal wurtzite structure with a preferential (₀₀₂) orientation for all compositions, indicating the successful substitution of Mg²⁺ ions into the ZnO lattice. The crystallite size (D₀₀₂) was found to vary between 28.49 and 41.18 nm, while microstrain and stress exhibited non-monotonic behavior depending on Mg content. This behavior reveals a transition from compressive to tensile stress due to lattice distortion and defect formation. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra showed a dominant near-band-edge (NBE) ultraviolet emission, along with broad visible emissions extending from violet to red. Optical constants were accurately extracted using a double-facet-coated substrate (DFCS) model, combined with nonlinear curve fitting using the Nelder–Mead optimization algorithm. The films showed a strong absorption edge at about 370 nm and exceptional optical transparency (≈60–80%) in the visible spectrum. The systematic blue shift in the extinction coefficient with increasing Mg content confirms bandgap engineering in Zn_1−xMg_xO thin films. The refractive index dispersion was successfully modeled using the Cauchy relation, demonstrating composition-dependent tunable optical properties. Depending on the Mg content, the optical bandgap values ranged from approximately 3.265 to 3.315 eV. The band-edge states and optical constants are strongly affected by the combined effects of defect development, Mg-induced lattice distortion, and changes in optical dispersion. These results indicate that sol–gel-derived Mg-doped ZnO thin films with composition-dependent stress states, defect states, and tunable optical properties are promising candidates for UV photodetectors, optical coatings, and transparent optoelectronic devices. Full article

Consumer preferences for pork are increasingly prioritizing quality traits such as flavor and tenderness, which are often superior in Chinese indigenous pig breeds. The primary objective of this study was to explore the molecular basis of flavor traits using Rongchang (RR), Yorkshire (YY), and RR × YY (YR) breeds. The investigation focused on meat quality traits, along with untargeted metabolomics, lipidomics, and volatile flavor compound (VOC) profiling of the longissimus dorsi muscle. The results indicated that RR pork exhibited higher pH levels and overall acceptability. Analyses using electronic nose and tongue demonstrated that RR pork elicited stronger responses for W2S, W1S, and W1C sensors, as well as for umami and sourness. A total of 15 VOCs were identified as differing among the breeds. RR pork contained higher levels of benzothiazole and dimethyl sulfoxide, but lower levels of nonane, 2-methylheptane, and 2,4-dimethylheptane. Metabolomic analysis revealed 45 distinct metabolites, with a greater abundance of flavor precursors such as α-ketoglutaric acid in RR pork. Lipidomic analysis identified 22 different lipids, with triglycerides being more enriched in RR pork. Phospholipids, such as phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), varied by breed, with PC (e) being lowest and cardiolipin highest in RR pork. Correlation network analysis revealed that nonane, 2-methylheptane was the most connected flavor compound, positively correlating with certain lipids and metabolites, such as PC (18:1_18:1), PE (18:2e_22:6), PC (36:4) and 2-phenylglycine, and negatively correlating with PC (32:0e), SM (d41:1), N-hydroxy-2-acetamidofluorene, and histamine. This multi-omics approach provides a comprehensive view of the molecular signatures associated with pork preference, identifying potential biomarkers for meat quality that can be leveraged for future breeding strategies. Full article

A high-fat, high-cholesterol diet (HFHCD) has a lipotoxic effect on the heart. It not only leads to the development of atherosclerosis but also influences the extracellular matrix within the heart. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of HFHCD on matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-13, and MMP-14 expression in both the cardiac tissue and plasma of ApoE (-/-) mice and on mRNA expression of c-Jun and TGF-β in the cardiac tissue of both ApoE (-/-) mice and wild-type C57BL/6J mice. The study was carried out on two groups of ApoE (-/-) mice: (1) mice from 10 weeks of age that were kept on a HFHCD (n = 10) for the following 14 weeks; (2) control mice (NFD, n = 10) that were kept on a standard, normal-fat diet for the same time as the HFHCD. Additionally, 10 wild-type (WT) mice on a standard, normal-fat diet were also included in the study for mRNA analysis of c-Jun and TGF-β. Atherosclerotic plaque, intima, and media dimensions were assessed in the aortas of the ApoE (-/-) mice by histopathology. Concentrations of MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-13, and MMP-14 were assessed by ELISA both in cardiac tissue and in the plasma of the ApoE (-/-) HFHCD and ApoE (-/-) NFD mice, while the mRNA expression of c-Jun and TGF-β was assessed by RT-PCR in both the ApoE (-/-) and WT groups. The results demonstrate a significantly increased MMP-9 concentration in the cardiac tissue of the HFHCD mice compared to the NFD mice (2.83 ng/mL vs. 1.91 ng/mL, p = 0.006), and a moderate correlation between the cardiac and plasmatic MMP-9 in ApoE (-/-) mice (r = 0.492, p = 0.0398). Moreover, although the mRNA expression of c-Jun and TGF-β did not differ between NFD and HFHCD ApoE (-/-) mice, the c-Jun expression was significantly elevated in the WT group compared with both ApoE (-/-) groups. The study demonstrated that a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet increases MMP-9 concentration in cardiac tissue, which might reflect its influence on the extracellular matrix within the heart. Full article

The co-pyrolysis of Chlorella vulgaris (CV) and Eucalyptus branches (EP) offers a promising strategy to enhance bio-oil yield, improve resource utilization efficiency, and alleviate environmental pressures. In this study, the microwave-assisted co-pyrolysis of CV and EP at a mass ratio of 2:1 was investigated, focusing on the catalytic performance of Ni-X (X = Mg, Cu, Fe) bimetallic modified HZSM-5 zeolites. The effects of these catalysts on pyrolysis characteristics, product distribution, and bio-oil composition were systematically evaluated. Experimental results showed that the 15% Ni-Cu/HZSM-5 catalyst exhibited the best catalytic performance, achieving the highest bio-oil yield of 16.83%; it also elevated the R_m to 0.0687 wt.%/s and reduced T_s to 2084 s. Composition analysis revealed that Ni-Cu/HZSM-5 significantly promoted the formation of hydrocarbons, increasing their relative content from 11.59% (C2E1 Group) to 28.92%, while effectively suppressing the formation of nitrogen-containing compounds, reducing their content by 5.05%. Based on these results, a possible reaction pathway is proposed in which the Ni-Cu/HZSM-5 catalyst may enhance heteroatom removal through hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) at the Ni-Cu sites, followed by cracking and aromatization at the HZSM-5 acid sites. This effect may be complemented by preferential adsorption of oxygenated intermediates over nitrogen-containing species, which could help suppress the formation of nitrogenous heterocycles. This work provides theoretical guidance for the application of bimetallic zeolite catalysts in microalgae/lignocellulose co-pyrolysis, alongside a viable pathway for valorizing Eucalyptus by-products to produce high-quality bio-oil. Full article

Klebsiella pneumoniae, a member of the ESKAPEE group of priority pathogens, has become one of the most challenging bacterial pathogens in modern clinical practice, largely due to its multidrug resistance and the immune-evasive effect of its capsular polysaccharide (CPS). Phage-encoded depolymerases, which selectively degrade the capsular polysaccharide, have emerged as promising antimicrobial agents capable of restoring bacterial susceptibility to both immune clearance and phage infection. The fragment corresponding to the C-terminal region of a putative depolymerase of bacteriophage KlebP_144, namely DepKP144ΔC, was cloned, expressed in E. coli, and purified using immobilized metal affinity chromatography. DepKP144ΔC displays an enzymatic activity against capsular polysaccharides of 100% K1 capsular-type strains and 85% K2 capsular-type strains, including classical and hypervirulent isolates. It was demonstrated that this protein is capable of inhibiting K. pneumoniae biofilm formation, but it is unable to disrupt mature biofilms. In vivo experiments using a murine K. pneumoniae infection model further confirmed its therapeutic potential: treatment with DepKP144ΔC improved survival rate in mice infected with K2-type K. pneumoniae, indicating significant attenuation of bacterial virulence. Therefore, these results demonstrate the potential role of the C-terminal domain of the bacteriophage KP144 tail-fiber protein in phage entry and show that its carbohydrate-recognition motifs possess enzymatic activity against the Klebsiella capsular polysaccharides. Full article

Non-heading Chinese cabbage (NHCC) is a highly economically valuable leafy vegetable widely grown in Asian regions. However, it undergoes rapid leaf yellowing and wilting during postharvest storage, which subsequently cause rapid quality decline and loss of nutritional components. Abscisic acid (ABA) promotes postharvest leaf senescence, while hydrogen-rich water (HRW) is widely used in postharvest preservation due to its excellent antioxidant properties; yet, the mechanism through which they interact to regulate postharvest senescence in NHCC remains unclear. Herein we found that exogenous HRW effectively delayed dark- and ABA-induced postharvest leaf senescence in NHCC, significantly maintained chlorophyll content, inhibited oxidative damage, and preserve nutritional components such as soluble sugars and vitamin C. The underlying mechanism was HRW inhibiting chlorophyll degradation by repressing the expression of chlorophyll catabolic genes like NYC1, NYE1, and PPH1. Meanwhile, HRW effectively lowered the accumulation of MDA and H₂O₂, elevated both the enzymatic activities and transcript abundance of SOD and CAT, and downregulated the transcript levels of RbohB, RbohC, RbohD, and RbohE, thereby maintaining reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis. In addition, HRW negatively regulated ABA biosynthesis by inhibiting the transcript levels of ABA1, ABA2 and ABA3, while promoting the transcription of CYP707A1, CYP707A2 and CYP707A3. It also dampened the transcript abundance of ABA signaling components including PYL5, ABI1, and ABF3, thus blocking ABA signal transduction and alleviating its senescence-promoting effect. Collectively, this study confirms that HRW mitigates leaf senescence induced under dark and ABA conditions in NHCC via multiple synergistic pathways. Full article

Propolis is a natural product of honey bees whose chemical composition is influenced by different plant species and environmental factors, resulting in diverse biological activities. A new propolis type, the greenish-brown propolis (GBPUP), was identified in the northeast of Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of seasonal variation in the chemical composition of GBPUP extracts over a 12-month period. LC–ESI–Orbitrap–FTMS and UFLC–DAD–UV–Vis revealed a chemical composition with some differences to that of Brazilian green propolis, with pinocembrin as the major compound, followed by galangin, pinostrobin, chrysin, artepillin C, and pinobanksin. The extracts exhibited high levels of total phenolic, flavonoid, and flavanone contents and moderate to high antioxidant activity. Circos plot analysis showed that specific metabolites were responsible for the high activity against S. aureus (artepillin C, kaempferol, and ferulic acid) and C. albicans (galangin, pinobanksin, chrysin, and pinocembrin) and for moderate antibacterial activity against E. faecalis (rutin) and E. coli (luteolin, rutin, quercetin, and caffeic acid). ANOVA simultaneous component analysis (ASCA) showed a strong correlation between the metabolites (p-coumaric acid, artepillin C, luteolin) and leishmanicidal activity. Thus, seasonal evaluation allowed the identification of bioactive molecules, the months with greater bioactivity of the GBPUP extracts representing the first comprehensive study of the seasonality of this new and promising propolis variety. Full article

Tau hyperphosphorylation is a hallmark of tauopathies and is closely associated with neurodegeneration. While targeting kinases and phosphatases to suppress tau phosphorylation has become an increasingly attractive therapeutic approach, the functional significance of tau phosphorylation and the potential risks of suppressing this process are not fully understood. Using C. elegans, we introduced non-phosphorylatable tau mutations (hTauAP) to model the suppression of tau phosphorylation. Unexpectedly, we found that hTauAP induced severe neurotoxicity, resulting in behavioural deficits and severe neurite abnormalities. This neurotoxicity is associated with excessive accumulation of hTauAP on microtubules, leading to both neurite developmental defects and adult neurite degeneration. The neurotoxic effects of hTauAP require its microtubule-binding domain (MTB) and are primarily driven by the loss of phosphorylation in the C-terminal region (CTR). Removing either domain reduces microtubule association and suppresses toxicity. Within CTR, suppressing phosphorylation at S396 or S404 is critical for neurotoxicity. These findings highlight the essential role of tau phosphorylation in neuronal function and underscore the potential risks of broadly suppressing tau phosphorylation as a therapeutic strategy. Full article

This paper investigates the safety behavior of degraded lithium-ion battery modules taken from a 2016 Nissan Leaf (30 kWh, 106,394 km). The vehicle exhibited typical failure symptoms, including P33E6 faults, sudden range drops, and activation of turtle mode under load. Initial diagnostics based on LeafSpy data revealed strong cell imbalance, with a voltage spread exceeding 2.3 V under high current (≈170 A). The weakest cells dropped close to 1 V, suggesting severe internal degradation. To better understand this behavior, selected modules (cells 73–88) were removed and tested under controlled laboratory conditions. Capacity measurements in a 16S2P configuration showed 49.8 Ah in the 4.1–3.1 V range, corresponding to a state of health of about 59%, which is consistent with BMS estimates. However, high-current discharge tests on the weakest segment revealed a much more critical picture. One cell experienced rapid voltage collapse (from ~4.0 V to ~1.2 V), accompanied by a sharp increase in voltage divergence and visible thermal effects. Infrared observations indicated localized heating up to 43 °C and irreversible swelling, pointing to early-stage electro-thermal instability. These results suggest that moderate SOH values do not necessarily reflect actual safety margins under dynamic load conditions. Overall, the study shows that simple OBD-based diagnostics can help identify problematic modules, but additional load testing is necessary to assess real safety risks in aged EV battery systems. Full article

Seed aging is a critical biological process that leads to progressive loss of seed vigor, thereby constraining germplasm conservation and agricultural productivity. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying this process in grass species, we performed transcriptomic analyses to characterize regulatory networks underlying seed aging in Elymus sibiricus, a dominant forage species on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Seeds were subjected to artificial accelerated aging (45 °C, 80% relative humidity, 1–6 days), followed by physiological evaluation and RNA sequencing. Seed vigor and germination percentage declined markedly with aging, accompanied by extensive transcriptional reprogramming. Integrative analyses identified pyruvate metabolism, MAPK signaling, and peroxisome function as key processes associated with vigor loss during late-stage aging. WGCNA further revealed that genes encoding heat shock proteins and glutathione metabolism-related enzymes were co-localized within the same module, suggesting a possible synergistic role in preserving seed viability during aging. In addition, WRKY24, ARF9, and ARF19 were identified as candidate hub transcription factors. WRKY24 may contribute to aging by modulating antioxidant defense-related genes (e.g., TRX1 and NRPC1), while ARF9 and ARF19 may regulate ROS homeostasis through predicted downstream targets, including FQR1, PER2, MAO1B, ANN5, and MT2B. Together, these findings support a hypothetical regulatory model in which WRKY and ARF transcription factors coordinate redox homeostasis and hormone signaling to regulate seed longevity in E. sibiricus. This study provides a systems-level framework for understanding seed aging in perennial grasses and identifies potential genetic targets for improving seed storability, with implications for germplasm conservation and alpine grassland sustainability. Full article

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the smallest partially double-stranded, reverse-transcribing DNA virus, with four open reading frames (ORFs) encoding viral proteins. It is classified into nine geographically distributed genotypes (A–I). In Kenya, the molecular characterization of HBV among patients seeking medical care remains poorly defined. This observational study aimed to characterize HBV among patients seeking medical care in Kenya’s endemic region, focusing on circulating genotypes and ORF mutations. Serum samples were collected from the outpatient departments of selected health facilities, with demographic and clinical information extracted from patients’ medical records. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was tested at the facilities, and 85 HBsAg-positive samples were collected for molecular analysis. The basal core promoter and pre-core (BCP/PC), polymerase, and surface regions of the viral genome were amplified and sequenced to determine genotypes and to profile their mutations. Out of 85 HBsAg-positive samples, 38 samples tested positive for HBV DNA, and 26 samples were successfully sequenced. HBV genotype A was prevalent at 73.1% (19/26), followed by genotype D at 23.1% (6/26), and genotype E at 3.8% (1/26). Genotype A sequences clustered with both A1 Asian and African subgenotypes, whereas genotype D clustered with subgenotypes D6 and D1. All HBV genotype A, D, and E sequences were serotypes adw2, ayw2, and ayw4, respectively. HBV core promoter mutations (A1762T/G1764A) were detected in both genotype D and genotype A isolates. The pre-core G1896A mutation was highly prevalent in genotype D samples (5/6; 83.3%) but was not observed in genotypes A or E. Analysis of mutations within the “a” determinant region revealed genotype-specific patterns: genotype A predominantly harbored V14A, P46H, S58C, and P67Q substitutions; genotype E showed N59S; and genotype D exhibited V14A, C69stop, S104T, and W182stop mutations. Two drug resistance mutations (V191I and A194T) were present in two chronic patients, one with genotype A and the other with genotype D. In conclusion, HBV genotypes A and D are the most prevalent among Kenyan patients with chronic HBV infection. The presence of point mutations in the ORFs among patients seeking medical care highlights the need for molecular surveillance to better understand the viral diversity and its potential clinical and public health implications. Full article

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the seismic damage performance levels of reinforced concrete (RC) external beam–column joints exhibiting beam flexural failure mode based on acoustic emission (AE) characteristics. To achieve this purpose, two specimens of RC external beam–column joints with beam flexural failure mode were tested under constant axial compression at the column and low-cyclic lateral loading at the end of the beam. During the tests, six AE-based indicators—namely AE hit ($H_{\mathrm{AE}}$), AE energy ($E_{\mathrm{AE}}$), AE count ($C_{\mathrm{AE}}$), amplitude ($A_{\mathrm{AE}}$), rise time (RT), and peak frequency ($f_{\mathrm{p}}$)—were measured using the PCI-2 Acoustic Emission System equipped with R6$\alpha$ piezoelectric sensors. In addition, five damage performance levels, i.e., no damage, minor damage, medium damage, serious damage, and collapse, were proposed based on the analysis of AE monitoring results. After calibration, the fiber finite element method was used to conduct a numerical simulation of 432 joints subjected to lateral loading. An empirical expression for the material parameter of the Park–Ang damage model was presented based on simulated results. Suggested five damage performance levels were used together with a response databank from the numerical analysis to obtain the limit damage values. This work provides a quantitative AE-based framework for seismic damage assessment of RC external beam–column joints with beam flexural failure mode, which can inform performance-based seismic design and post-earthquake safety evaluation. Full article

Achieving stable dispersion and sustained antibacterial activity of natural bioactive compounds in bio-based packaging remains challenging. In this study, chitosan (CS) films incorporating a β-cyclodextrin–curcumin inclusion complex (Cur/β-CD) were developed to improve film properties and the refrigerated preservation of sea bass. The CS/Cur/β-CD films were prepared by one-step solution casting without intermediate isolation or purification. The inclusion conditions were optimized, and the resulting films were evaluated in terms of tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (EAB), and water vapor permeability (WVP). Among the tested formulations, the film prepared at a Cur:β-CD ratio of 1:1, 40 °C, and 1 h (1:1 40 °C 1 h) showed the best overall performance in TS, EAB, and WVP. It was therefore selected for subsequent structural characterization, antibacterial evaluation, and preservation testing. The 1:1 40 °C 1 h film exhibited a 156% increase in tensile strength and a 28.5% decrease in water vapor permeability compared with the neat CS film. The composite film exhibited measurable diffusion-based antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). During the 8 d refrigerated storage period, the film suppressed total viable counts (TVC), slowed the increase in pH, and retarded total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) accumulation, thereby maintaining acceptable microbiological quality throughout the observation period. Compared with the unwrapped, PE, and CS-film control groups, the treated samples showed better preservation performance over the tested storage period. Overall, the incorporation of Cur/β-CD provides a simple strategy for improving the mechanical strength, moisture barrier properties, antibacterial activity, and preservation performance of CS films during refrigerated storage, highlighting their potential for active packaging of chilled aquatic products. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate school-based speech–language pathologists’ (SLPs) perceptions of their ability and needs to identify and remediate students with dyslexia. Methods: A qualitative approach was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews with school-based SLPs. The findings were thematically analyzed by following six steps; (a) familiarization with the data; (b) initial code generation; (c) theme identification; (d) theme review; (e) defining and naming themes; and (f) report writing. Results: The findings revealed that participants had a very limited knowledge of dyslexia, and most did not consider reading difficulties within their scope of practice. Professional development opportunities, collaboration with teachers, and administrative support were identified as crucial factors to enhance SLPs’ practice supporting dyslexic cases in school settings. Conclusions: The study showed that school-based SLPs lack the necessary knowledge to work with students with dyslexia, which aligns with results observed in other countries. This finding highlights the importance of empowering their abilities to effectively support students with dyslexia. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a major public health concern globally, driven by increased resistance to commonly used antimicrobial agents such as β-lactams and fluoroquinolones. The main goal of our research is to develop a machine learning framework to predict antimicrobial resistance in E. coli by integrating antimicrobial susceptibility testing data with genomic biomarker analysis. A dataset comprising 17,122 E. coli clinical isolates was obtained from the Bacterial and Viral Bioinformatics Resource Center (BV-BRC). After preprocessing, fivefold cross-validation was used to train and test five machine learning models: Random Forest, XGBoost, Support Vector Machine, Logistic Regression, and k-Nearest Neighbors. The highest-performing model was XGBoost, with 0.86 accuracy and 0.932 ROC-AUC, followed by Random Forest, with 0.82 accuracy and 0.89 ROC-AUC. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that resistant isolates clustered together relative to the reference genome of E. coli K-12 MG1655. Genomic biomarkers such as gyrA, parC, CTX-M-15, OXA-1, and various multidrug efflux pumps were identified by the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD) and ResFinder as significant resistance determinants in this study. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that combining antimicrobial susceptibility testing with machine learning and genomic biomarkers is a powerful framework for predicting antimicrobial resistance in E. coli. Full article