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The growing pollution caused by plastics with slow degradation kinetics is demanding the search for biodegradable alternatives. Starch-based films are a promising option, but their practical application may be limited by their potential susceptibility to rapid ultraviolet (UV) exposure degradation. This study evaluates the effect of prolonged UV-C irradiation (254 nm, 168 h) on plasticizer-free films derived from the starch of an Ecuadorian potato Solanum tuberosum (Chola variety). Films formulated at 3% and 5% (w/v) starch were characterized before and after UV exposure. The analysis includes the evaluation of optical, mechanical, and physicochemical properties, along with Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) for nanoscale surface inspection. UV irradiation increased the opacity of the films but reduced slightly their tensile strength, elongation at break, moisture content, and total soluble matter. In contrast, the elastic modulus remained relatively high. FTIR analysis revealed no significant formation of new functional groups. AFM measurements indicated that irradiation caused only minor nanoscale alterations in the same film regions. These alterations were more pronounced in films with higher starch concentrations. The results demonstrate that UV-C exposure induces minor structural adjustments in plasticizer-free starch films derived from the Chola variety, without compromising their fundamental integrity. Consequently, this work advances the understanding of the environmental stability of these films and supports their potential application as sustainable materials, even in conditions involving UV exposure. Full article

Enzyme-based stabilizers have been used in soil stabilization in the construction industry for many years as alternatives to traditional stabilizers and have produced successful results. These novel stabilizers gained popularity over standard stabilizers such as cement and lime due to their non-toxic and non-hazardous properties. Although enzymatic stabilizers perform very well for a variety of soil types under different environmental conditions, their effectiveness under varying temperatures has not been sufficiently investigated. This is more important in countries where there are significant fluctuations in temperature that are further exacerbated by the impact of climate change. As enzymatic products are organic and biodegradable, their susceptibility to temperature variations must be well understood. In this study, the efficiency of a commercially available enzymatic stabilizer was investigated. Tests were carried out to assess the influence of temperatures ranging from 4 °C to 80 °C on the geotechnical properties of enzymatically stabilized soil. The investigation was conducted into the compaction characteristics, index properties, compressive strength, and CBR of the stabilized soil. The results indicate that the stabilizing effect of the enzyme remains largely unchanged up to approximately 40 °C. The outcome of the study enables practitioners to use more sustainable stabilizers to treat problematic soils in regions where temperature fluctuations are within the tested range. Full article

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a leading cause of chronic disability. Loss of upper extremity (U.E.) function is central to limitations, in mobility, postural control, transfers, and self-care. The aim of this exploratory pilot study was to investigate whether self-reported UE function is associated with independence in activities of daily living (ADLs) in people with motor-incomplete tetraplegia. Methods: Eleven (n = 11) individuals with motor-incomplete tetraplegia (AIS C–D; neurological levels C4–T1; injury duration ≥ 1 year), recruited through convenience sampling from five specialist rehabilitation centres, participated in an exploratory cross-sectional pilot study designed to generate hypotheses rather than test them. U.E. function was assessed using the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) questionnaire, selected for its ability to capture pain and task-related functional difficulty in the elbow, wrist, and hand; its application in this neurological population is considered exploratory. Independence in ADLs was evaluated using the Spinal Cord Independence Measure III (SCIM III). Given the small sample, all analyses were primarily descriptive and along with bivariate associations (Spearman correlations). Regression findings are reported strictly for exploratory purposes. Results: The median age was 50 years (interquartile range [IQR] 43–55). A strong negative correlation was observed between PRTEE total score and SCIM III (r_s = −0.76). In an exploratory univariate analysis, each 1-point increase in PRTEE total score was associated with a 1.3-point lower SCIM III score (β = −1.3, 95% CI −2.34 to −0.26, p = 0.02). Age also showed a positive association (β = 1.31, 95% CI 0.04 to 2.58, p = 0.05) with SCIM III; however, this finding is highly likely to reflect a statistical artefact of the small and unrepresentative sample. Multivariable regression was not conducted as a primary analysis due to insufficient statistical power. All findings should be treated as strictly exploratory and hypothesis-generating. Conclusions: Self-reported U.E. function appears to be associated with ADL independence in motor-incomplete tetraplegia. U.E. capacity may contribute to functional tasks requiring postural stability and mobility-related activities, but no predictive inferences can be made from this underpowered, convenience sample. Future studies with larger cohorts and performance-based measures are needed to confirm these preliminary observations and clarify the role of U.E. function in rehabilitation planning. Full article

In China, antibiotic fermentation residue has been listed as a “hazardous waste” due to its high residual concentrations of antibiotics. There are many ways to deal with antibiotic fermentation residue; however, effective methods are still lacking. In the present work, steam explosion (SE), thermal, and aerobic composting treatments were performed to investigate the resource utilization of cephalosporin C fermentation residue (CFR). The results show that 0 mg/kg, 50.2 mg/kg and 150.5 mg/kg cephalosporin C (CEPC) remained after the SE, composting, and thermal treatments. The total abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) decreased by 62.2% and 47.2% after the SE and thermal treatments and increased by 1.4 times in the samples subjected to composting. Nitrogen analysis showed that the nitrogen loss (N loss) was only 1.9% in the SE-treated samples. The antibiotic inhibition zone was reduced by 80.3%, 71.2% and 40.8% in the samples subjected to SE, composting, and thermal treatments. LC/MS showed that the β-lactam ring and dihydrothiazine ring of CEPC were largely destroyed via SE. These results suggest that the SE treatment not only decreased the residual cephalosporin and ARG levels and antimicrobial activity but also preserved most of the nitrogen. SE is therefore a feasible treatment that can be used to deal with CFR. Full article

Chamomile flowers are established in the industry due to their therapeutic characteristics. The leaves are an underused fraction of chamomile production that contains phytochemicals with bioactive properties. This work investigated the extraction of chamomile leaves with supercritical CO₂ (SC-CO₂). The effect of supercritical extraction conditions was evaluated on extraction yield, and the mass transfer process was analyzed by modeling the overall extraction curve (OEC) with empirical and mass balance-based models. Gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer (GC-MS) was used to determine the volatile compounds of the extract. The highest extract yield (1.52 ± 0.01%) was obtained at 300 bar and 45 °C, although similar yields were obtained under conditions of 200 bar/45 °C, 200 bar/35 °C, and 350 bar/35 °C. The 2-straight-line spline promoted the best adjustment to the OEC and described convection as the dominant mass transfer mechanism. The compounds (Z)-2-(Hexa-2,4-diyn-1-ylidene)-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.4]non-3-ene, 2H-1-Benzopyran-2-one,7-methoxy-, cis-beta-Farnesene, alpha-Farnesene, phytol, and (E)-2-(Hepta-2,4-diyn-1-ylidene)-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.4]non-3-ene were the most abundant in the chamomile leaves extracts. SFE extract from chamomile leaves is a promising source of phytochemicals for producing functional products. Full article

High-modulus asphalt binders are increasingly used to improve rutting resistance and enable pavement thickness reduction. Conventional binder indices do not always capture the stress-dependent response of high-modulus systems under heavy loading, and quantitative rules for selecting a high-modulus additive dosage are still limited. This study develops a full-temperature-range evaluation and dosage determination framework for high-modulus additive-modified asphalt binders (HMABs) produced on an SBS-modified base binder. Four binders were prepared with high-modulus additive dosages of 0%, 17%, 22% and 28% with a binder mass basis. High-temperature performance was evaluated by PG grading and an enhanced MSCR protocol that included 0.1, 3.2, 6.4 and 12.8 kPa. MSCR temperatures were selected based on PG results. Intermediate-temperature performance was evaluated using LAS at 25 °C with VECD-based fatigue analysis on RTFO + PAV-aged binders. Low-temperature cracking was evaluated using ABCD on PAV-aged binders at −36 °C. The results show that the high-temperature PG increased with dosage, but the 22% and 28% binders fell into the same grade, indicating limited dosage discrimination by the PG test. The enhanced MSCR test captured clearer dosage differences under higher stresses. Non-recoverable compliance decreased markedly with dosage, and stress sensitivity showed an overall decreasing trend; 6.4 kPa provided higher dosage sensitivity and lower variability than 3.2 kPa. LAS test shows a non-monotonic fatigue response in which peak shear stress and predicted fatigue life increased up to 22% and then declined at 28%. At 2.5% and 5% strain, the 22% binder increased predicted fatigue life by about 273% and 83% relative to the base binder, while at 10% strain, it was about 11% lower. ABCD results show an upward shift in critical cracking temperature and a clear reduction in fracture stress at high dosages, indicating increasing low-temperature fracture risk. Therefore, high-modulus additives markedly improve high-temperature stability but introduce full-temperature trade-offs. The proposed full-temperature-range examined framework improves performance discrimination and supports dosage selection. A target dosage of 22% is recommended, and 17~22% is suggested as an engineering-controllable range for a balanced full-temperature performance, while 28% should be treated as an upper-bound option, primarily for warm regions where rutting dominates. Full article

Background/Objectives: The standard surgical treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) comprises neoadjuvant systemic therapy followed by radical cystectomy (RC). However, a notable number of patients achieve a favorable response to neoadjuvant systemic therapy, a finding associated with improved outcomes, and questioning the necessity of RC in this subset of patients. The objective of this review is to summarize the available evidence regarding the feasibility, efficacy and toxicity of bladder-preserving chemoradiotherapy (CRT) following clinical response (CR) to neoadjuvant systemic therapy in patients with MIBC. Methods: A literature search was performed using the PubMed database to identify studies evaluating the use of CRT for bladder preservation in MIBC patients with CR following neoadjuvant therapy. Results: Clinical complete response (cCR) rates to neoadjuvant systemic treatment ranged from 31% to 87.5%, with subsequent CRT enabling 50–97% of responders to retain their bladder. Long-term outcomes were favorable for cCR patients, with 3- to 5-year overall survival (OS) ranging from 65% to 89%, disease-free survival (DFS) of 64–86%, and bladder-intact survival up to 80%. Achievement of cCR, T2 tumor stage, absence of concomitant carcinoma in situ or hydronephrosis, and complete transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT) were prognostic factors for improved oncologic outcomes. Treatment-related toxicity was generally acceptable, concerning mainly hematological and gastrointestinal events, while severe late toxicity was uncommon. Conclusions: Bladder-preserving CRT is a promising, effective, and well-tolerated option for MIBC patients achieving CR to neoadjuvant systemic therapy. While further prospective validation and longer follow-up are required before it can universally replace radical cystectomy in this subset of patients, advances in neoadjuvant treatments, imaging and molecular biomarkers may improve response assessment and patient selection for bladder preservation. Full article

Accurately predicting and controlling the attitude of a shield tunneling machine is critical for quality assurance in shield tunneling projects. Existing prediction methods utilize historical data to construct a machine learning framework to predict future attitude deviations. However, this method is poorly interpretable and lacks practical engineering guidance. Considering the shortcomings of this prediction method, this study suggests an innovative deep learning method called causal graph convolutional network (C-GCN-GRU), and the goal of this project is the improvement of the interpretability of the shield attitude prediction. The causal relationships between key attitude features of the shield machine are recognized and quantified by the PCMCI+ method. The found causal relationships are converted into collocation matrices to be input into a model consisting of GCN and GRU, and combined with multi-head causal attention to better forecast the shield machine attitude. The results trained on a dataset from the Karnaphuli River Tunnel Project in Bangladesh show that the accuracy of the four variables characterizing the shield attitude and position predicted by the C-GCN-GRU model outperforms that of the other four similar models and provides decision support for attitude and position adjustments in shield tunnels. Full article

It is necessary to find sustainable alternatives to the conventional fossil fuels used by the transportation sector today. For the hard-to-abate aviation and heavy transport, liquid hydrocarbon fuels derived from biomass via pyrolysis are a viable option. Biomass pyrolysis oils need upgrading by hydroprocessing before they can be further processed into fuels at a refinery. Due to reactor plugging and catalyst deactivation in one-step hydroprocessing, it has been proposed to add a stabilization step at a lower temperature to convert the most reactive compounds in pyrolysis oil, such as carbonyls, to less reactive species such as alcohols. Three different catalysts, Ni/Al₂O₃, sulfided NiMo/Al₂O₃, and Pt/Al₂O₃, were studied for stabilizing three different model compounds, furfural, guaiacol, and octanoic acid, alone and as a mixture in a batch reactor at 90 bar initial H₂ pressure and 180 °C. The order of performance was determined to be Ni/Al₂O₃ > Pt/Al₂O₃ > sulfided NiMo/Al₂O₃ in these conditions. The Ni/Al₂O₃ catalyst showed both the highest overall conversion, the most fully hydrogenated compounds, and the highest carbonyl conversion. The effect of adding 1172 wt-ppm sulfur to the feed was also investigated, which showed that Ni/Al₂O₃ was the most sensitive catalyst to sulfur poisoning. Full article

Polyvinyl alcohol/carboxymethyl cellulose (PVA/CMC) blend nanocomposites reinforced with plasma-assisted synthesized zinc oxide–gold (ZnO–Au) nanoparticles were prepared via casting at varying nanoparticle concentrations. Structural and interfacial modifications were analyzed using XRD, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and XPS. XRD analysis confirmed the nanocomposite crystallinity, showing an average crystallite size of 24.48 nm and a lattice strain of 4.32 × 10⁻³ for the 0.15 wt% ZnO–Au composite. FTIR and Raman spectra revealed band shifts and broadening, indicating strong interactions between ZnO–AuNPs and the polymer matrix. XPS analysis further verified Zn and Au incorporation and changes in C 1s and O 1s intensities, reflecting modified surface chemistry. Optical analysis revealed a reduction in the band gap from 4.60 eV (pure PVA/CMC) to 3.52 eV for the 0.15 wt% ZnO–Au nanocomposite, accompanied by an increase in refractive index from 2.058 to 2.244, along with enhanced UV-shielding the performance due to reduced UV transmittance and increased film opacity. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated enhanced thermal stability, while antibacterial tests against E. coli and S. aureus confirmed strong antimicrobial activity. These findings demonstrate that PVA/CMC/ZnO–Au nanocomposites are a promising candidate for antibacterial, UV-blocking, food packaging, and optoelectronic applications. Full article

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is the primary pathogen responsible for genital herpes. Predominantly transmitted via sexual contact, HSV-2 not only poses significant physical and psychological burdens on infected individuals but also substantially elevates the risk of HIV acquisition and represents a potentially fatal threat to newborns. Following primary infection, HSV-2 establishes lifelong latent infection within the sacral ganglia. Currently, there are no vaccines or therapeutics capable of eradicating this latent virus reservoir or effectively preventing initial infection. The core impediment to developing such interventions lies in the incomplete elucidation of the protective immune mechanisms against HSV-2 and its precise molecular pathogenesis. The host immune response against HSV-2 hinges critically on the coordinated interplay between innate and adaptive immunity. The innate immune system, serving as the first line of defense, acts to curtail early viral replication and initiate adaptive responses. This is achieved through mechanisms, including the genital mucosal barrier, activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), the cGAS-STING signaling pathway, interferon (IFN)-mediated antiviral effector functions, and activation of innate immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells and dendritic cells (DCs). Crucially, however, HSV-2 counteracts these host defenses by expressing immune modulatory proteins (e.g., ICP0, ICP27, ICP35) that target key host antiviral signaling pathways, thereby affecting immune evasion. Within the adaptive immune response, neutralizing antibodies generated by the humoral immunity can provide localized protection at mucosal sites, but their protective efficacy is limited due to sophisticated viral immune evasion mechanisms. Cellular immunity, particularly mediated by CD4+ T cells, constitutes the core mechanism for viral clearance and suppression of recurrent outbreaks. Notably, tissue-resident memory T cells (TRMs) play a pivotal role in controlling the reactivation of latent HSV-2 within the ganglia. This review integrates current research advances to delineate the innate and adaptive immune mechanisms engaged during HSV-2 infection from the perspective of the dynamic host–virus interplay, with an ultimate aim to provide a theoretical foundation informing the rational development of preventive vaccines and therapeutic agents against HSV-2. Full article

The Guanfang tungsten deposit in the Bozhushan ore district, southeastern Yunnan, is genetically linked to Late Yanshanian granitic intrusions. To elucidate the petrogenesis and mineralization potential of the causative granite, this study presents a detailed mineral chemical analysis of biotite from the Guanfang pluton using electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The biotite crystals exhibit relatively high euhedrality, show no obvious alteration features, and are chemically characterized by reduced Na and Ca contents. These features, along with petrographic observations, confirm its origin as primary magmatic biotite. Crystallization conditions, calculated from biotite chemistry, indicate temperatures of 700–720 °C and pressures of 1.22–1.73 kbar, corresponding to a mesozonal emplacement depth of 4.6–6.5 km. Oxygen fugacity estimates, plotting near the Ni-NiO buffer, reveal an oxidized magmatic environment. Geochemical discrimination diagrams suggest the Guanfang granite exhibits transitional features between S-type and I-type affinities and is classified as a syn-melting (high-temperature) type. The biotite contains relatively low F (0.71–0.97 wt%), but elevated Cl (0.13–0.20 wt%) and Sn (43–56 µg/g) contents. This specific geochemical signature—combined with the medium- to high-temperature crystallization setting—is highly favorable for W-Sn mineralization. Furthermore, the high-Ti, syn-melting character of the granite implies additional potential for Cu-Pb-Zn-Au-Ag polymetallic mineralization. This study employs biotite chemistry to assess the petrogenesis and metallogenic potential of the Guanfang granite. The subsequent discovery of industrial ore bodies corresponding to some of the elements identified as having metallogenic potential confirms the feasibility of this approach. Accordingly, this method provides a new tool for future exploration in the Bozhushan district. Full article

Gibberellin 2-oxidase (GA2ox) is instrumental in gibberellin (GA) catabolism and the modulation of plant growth. In this investigation, nine LcGA2ox genes (LcGA2ox1-LcGA2ox9) were identified within the litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) genome. Bioinformatics analyses revealed that the proteins encoded by these genes uniformly possess 2OG-Fe (II)_Oxy and DIOX_N domains, exhibiting a range of physicochemical properties and subcellular localizations. Phylogenetic analysis categorized these genes into three subgroups, C₁₉-GA2ox-I, C₁₉-GA2ox-II, and C₂₀-GA2ox-I, with each subgroup characterized by specific motif compositions and gene structures. These gene promoters harbor cis-regulatory elements implicated in light signaling, hormonal pathways, abiotic stress responses, and developmental processes. The LcGA2ox gene family contributes to the maintenance of GA metabolic homeostasis through interactions with GA synthases, receptors, and repressors. This gene family demonstrates distinct tissue-specific and spatiotemporal expression patterns: LcGA2ox1/6/7 are predominantly expressed in flowers, LcGA2ox8 in fruits, and LcGA2ox9 in buds. Notably, LcGA2ox6/7 are key regulators of male and female flower development in litchi, exhibiting a negative correlation with the female flower genes AGL1 and SPT. The overexpression studies conducted in Arabidopsis have demonstrated that LcGA2ox6 acts as an inhibitor of both vegetative and reproductive development. This study characterizes the LcGA2ox family, establishing a theoretical basis for understanding GA regulation in litchi reproductive development and genetic improvement. Full article

Icing poses significant operational and safety risks in aviation, especially for engine components such as cowls and baffles. This study explores the potential of a chemically exfoliated graphene-rich carbon platelet epoxy coating to improve the anti-icing and de-icing performance of 3003-H14 aluminum alloy, which is widely used in such applications. Chemically exfoliated graphite was incorporated into an epoxy resin, then applied to aluminum substrates. Characterization of the coated samples revealed ~30% improvement in surface Vickers hardness (HV) (HV 75.6 ± 1.15 vs. HV average of 98.3 ± 1.5) and enhanced thermal dissipation, with coated surfaces cooling from 104 °C to 22 °C in 530 s compared to 870 s for uncoated samples. While anti-icing performance was not directly evaluated, the observed improvements in thermal dissipation and surface hardness suggest that chemically exfoliated graphene-rich carbon platelet coatings could be promising for passive anti-icing applications. The literature suggests that graphene coating improves hydrophobicity, reducing ice adhesion and delaying nucleation due to its low surface energy and nanoscale roughness, thereby supporting potential passive anti-icing functionality for aircraft engine components. SEM analysis confirmed a uniform, compact coating layer. These preliminary findings indicate that chemically exfoliated graphene-rich carbon platelet coatings can deliver multifunctional performance—mechanical, thermal, and surface—making them promising candidates for passive anti-icing/de-icing solutions in engine components where conventional systems are ineffective. Full article

Euterpe edulis, commonly known as juçara, is a palm tree native to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest whose purple fruits are rich in phenolic compounds associated with high antioxidant activity. Juçara pulp is traditionally produced under predominantly artisanal conditions, which limits its shelf life and commercial stability, making drying a relevant preservation strategy. This study investigated the drying of juçara pulp in a forced-air circulation oven at 45, 65, and 85 °C under different drying times. Classical drying models were fitted to the experimental moisture data. Higher temperatures accelerated moisture removal, with the sample dried at 85 °C reaching a powdered state within 60 min at approximately 10% moisture. Drying at 65 °C for 100 min reduced moisture to 5.30%, while drying at 45 °C for 180 min resulted in a moisture content of 6.62%. Total phenolic content decreased as a function of temperature and drying time. Among the evaluated conditions, drying at 65 °C for 100 min provided a favorable balance between efficient dehydration and phenolic retention, maintaining 12.38 mg gallic acid equivalents g⁻¹ (dry basis), corresponding to approximately 55% of the initial content. Full article