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24 pages, 2569 KB  
Article
Symmetry Breaking Mechanisms and Pressure Pulsation Characteristics in a Large-Scale Francis Turbine Under Variable Head Operation
by Hong Hua, Zhizhong Zhang, Xiaobing Liu and Haiku Zhang
Symmetry 2025, 17(12), 2151; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym17122151 - 14 Dec 2025
Viewed by 281
Abstract
Flexible grid regulation necessitates Francis turbines to operate at heads of 120–180 m (compared to the rated head of 154.6 m), breaking the designed rotational symmetry and inducing hydraulic instabilities that threaten structural integrity and operational reliability. This study presents extensive field measurements [...] Read more.
Flexible grid regulation necessitates Francis turbines to operate at heads of 120–180 m (compared to the rated head of 154.6 m), breaking the designed rotational symmetry and inducing hydraulic instabilities that threaten structural integrity and operational reliability. This study presents extensive field measurements of pressure pulsations in a 600 MW prototype Francis turbine operating at heads of 120–180 m and loads of 20–600 MW across 77 operating conditions (7 head levels × 11 load points). We strategically positioned high-precision piezoelectric pressure sensors at three critical locations—volute inlet, vaneless space, and draft tube cone—to capture the amplitude and frequency characteristics of symmetry-breaking phenomena. Advanced signal processing revealed three distinct mechanisms with characteristic pressure pulsation signatures: (1) Draft tube rotating vortex rope (RVR) represents spontaneous breaking of axial symmetry, exhibiting helical precession at 0.38 Hz (approximately 0.18 fn, where fn = 2.08 Hz) with maximum peak-to-peak amplitudes of 108 kPa (87% of the rated pressure prated = 124 kPa) at H = 180 m and P = 300 MW, demonstrating approximately 70% amplitude reduction potential through load-based operational strategies. (2) Vaneless space rotor-stator interaction (RSI) reflects periodic disruption of the combined C24 × C13 symmetry at the blade-passing frequency of 27.1 Hz (Nr × fn = 13 × 2.08 Hz), reaching peak amplitudes of 164 kPa (132% prated) at H = 180 m and P = 150 MW, representing the most severe symmetry-breaking phenomenon. (3) Volute multi-point excitation exhibits broadband spectral characteristics (4–10 Hz) with peak amplitudes of 146 kPa (118% prated) under small guide vane openings. The spatial amplitude hierarchy—vaneless space (164 kPa) > volute (146 kPa) > draft tube (108 kPa)—directly correlates with the local symmetry-breaking intensity, providing quantitative evidence for the relationship between geometric symmetry disruption and hydraulic excitation magnitude. Systematic head-dependent amplitude increases of 22–43% across all monitoring locations are attributed to effects related to Euler head scaling and Reynolds number variation, with the vaneless space demonstrating the highest sensitivity (0.83 kPa/m, equivalent to 0.67% prated/m). The study establishes data-driven operational guidelines identifying forbidden operating regions (H = 160–180 m, P = 20–150 MW for vaneless space; H = 160–180 m, P = 250–350 MW for draft tube) and critical monitoring frequencies (0.38 Hz for RVR, 27.1 Hz for RSI), providing essential reference data for condition monitoring systems and operational optimization of large Francis turbines functioning as flexible grid-regulating units in renewable energy integration scenarios. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Engineering and Materials)
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15 pages, 1760 KB  
Article
Anti-Fibrotic Properties of a Decellularized Extracellular Matrix Scaffold from Porcine Small Intestinal Submucosa in Normal Human and Keloid Fibroblasts
by Pradipta Banerjee, Rae Ritchie, Grace Lander, Amitava Das, Michael Hiles, Gayle Gordillo, Chandan K. Sen and Sashwati Roy
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(24), 11764; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262411764 - 5 Dec 2025
Viewed by 577
Abstract
Uncontrolled fibrosis via excess deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) is a hallmark of hypertrophic scars and keloids. A decellularized ECM biomaterial from porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS; Biodesign or BioD, Cook Biotech, Inc.) is widely used in clinical applications for tissue repair. The [...] Read more.
Uncontrolled fibrosis via excess deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) is a hallmark of hypertrophic scars and keloids. A decellularized ECM biomaterial from porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS; Biodesign or BioD, Cook Biotech, Inc.) is widely used in clinical applications for tissue repair. The objective of the current study was to test the effects of BioD scaffolds, as compared with collagen constructs, on normal human skin (nFB) and keloid fibroblasts (kFBs). Immortalized human dermal fibroblasts (hFBs) and human keloid fibroblasts (hKFs) were utilized for all experiments. Cells were cultured either on BioD membranes or on collagen gel (used as a control). To investigate pro-fibrotic signaling pathways, real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), ELISA, and gene knockdown studies were conducted on cultured cells. ECM gene expression array revealed that BioD significantly attenuated (p < 0.05) the expression of thrombospondin-1 and fibronectin-1, two drivers of fibrosis in nFB as well as kFB. BioD-repressed thrombospondin-1 and fibronectin-1 gene expression manifested as significant downregulation (n = 5–6; p < 0.05) of both proteins in nFB and kFB. The levels of latent transforming-growth factor (LAP-TGFβ-1) were markedly reduced (n = 5; p < 0.05) in both nFB and kFB cultured on BioD, but not the other constructs. Knockdown of FN1 using siRNA significantly attenuated (n = 5, p < 0.05) pro-fibrotic responses, including expression of Col1A1 and the levels of LAP-TGFβ-1 in nFB, suggesting that downregulation of FN1 by BioD is one of the primary underlying mechanisms of attenuated pro-fibrotic responses in keloid fibroblasts. This study reports that a decellularized ECM scaffold may significantly attenuate pro-fibrotic responses in both normal and keloid fibroblasts via TSP1 and FN1-dependent mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Biology)
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26 pages, 9831 KB  
Article
Fermented Nettles: Bioactive Profile and Seasonal Variability
by Romana Praženicová, Andrei Larkov, Kateřina Hanzelková, Anton Korban, Tomáš Křížek, Veronika Hýsková, Tomáš Ječmen, Jakub Hraníček, Denisa Vlčková, Alena Gaudinová, Petre Dobrev, Radomíra Vanková, Helena Ryšlavá and Kateřina Bělonožníková
Nitrogen 2025, 6(4), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/nitrogen6040109 - 24 Nov 2025
Viewed by 647
Abstract
In traditional horticulture, fermented nettles (FN) enhance plant growth and resilience. However, their precise mode of action remains unclear. This study aims to characterize the bioactive profile of FN and to evaluate their potential as biostimulants beyond organic fertilizers. For this purpose, FN [...] Read more.
In traditional horticulture, fermented nettles (FN) enhance plant growth and resilience. However, their precise mode of action remains unclear. This study aims to characterize the bioactive profile of FN and to evaluate their potential as biostimulants beyond organic fertilizers. For this purpose, FN samples were prepared from Urtica dioica L. harvested in different seasons and analyzed by mass spectrometry (ICP-MS, LC-MS/MS, and GC×GC-MS), electrophoresis, and spectrophotometry to quantify macro- and micronutrients, nitrogen compounds, phytohormones, antioxidant capacity, enzyme activities, and microbial viability. The results show that FN are rich in essential nutrients (N, K, Ca, Fe, and Zn), hydrolytic enzymes (proteases, glycosidases and phosphatases), and phytohormones (auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, abscisic acid, and salicylic acid). FN contain volatile compounds with potential antimicrobial effects, in addition to strong antioxidant properties. The monitored parameters support the dual role of FN as fertilizers and biostimulants, suggesting that FN act synergistically through nutrient enrichment, enzymatic degradation of macromolecules, hormonal signaling, and microbial priming. Based on our data, particularly because of the highest microbial viability and enzyme activities, the summer FN seem like the most suitable option. Moreover, the seasonal variability in composition highlights the importance of timing the harvest to optimize FN efficacy in sustainable agriculture. Full article
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31 pages, 6615 KB  
Article
A Modular and Explainable Machine Learning Pipeline for Student Dropout Prediction in Higher Education
by Abdelkarim Bettahi, Fatima-Zahra Belouadha and Hamid Harroud
Algorithms 2025, 18(10), 662; https://doi.org/10.3390/a18100662 - 18 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1580
Abstract
Student dropout remains a persistent challenge in higher education, with substantial personal, institutional, and societal costs. We developed a modular dropout prediction pipeline that couples data preprocessing with multi-model benchmarking and a governance-ready explainability layer. Using 17,883 undergraduate records from a Moroccan higher [...] Read more.
Student dropout remains a persistent challenge in higher education, with substantial personal, institutional, and societal costs. We developed a modular dropout prediction pipeline that couples data preprocessing with multi-model benchmarking and a governance-ready explainability layer. Using 17,883 undergraduate records from a Moroccan higher education institution, we evaluated nine algorithms (logistic regression (LR), decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), k-nearest neighbors (k-NN), support vector machine (SVM), gradient boosting, Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Naïve Bayes (NB), and multilayer perceptron (MLP)). On our test set, XGBoost attained an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC–ROC) of 0.993, F1-score of 0.911, and recall of 0.944. Subgroup reporting supported governance and fairness: across credit–load bins, recall remained high and stable (e.g., <9 credits: precision 0.85, recall 0.932; 9–12: 0.886/0.969; >12: 0.915/0.936), with full TP/FP/FN/TN provided. A Shapley additive explanations (SHAP)-based layer identified risk and protective factors (e.g., administrative deadlines, cumulative GPA, and passed-course counts), surfaced ambiguous and anomalous cases for human review, and offered case-level diagnostics. To assess generalization, we replicated our findings on a public dataset (UCI–Portugal; tables only): XGBoost remained the top-ranked (F1-score 0.792, AUC–ROC 0.922). Overall, boosted ensembles combined with SHAP delivered high accuracy, transparent attribution, and governance-ready outputs, enabling responsible early-warning implementation for student retention. Full article
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15 pages, 3269 KB  
Article
Utilizing Network Toxicology and Molecular Dynamics Simulations to Efficiently Evaluate the Neurotoxicity and Underlying Mechanisms of the Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Triclosan
by Hao Wang, Yunyun Du, Jin Ji, Chunyan Wang, Zexin Yu, Xianjia Li, Yueyi Lv and Suzhen Guan
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(19), 9458; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26199458 - 27 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1306
Abstract
This study aims to elucidate the neurodevelopmental toxicity and molecular mechanisms of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) through a network toxicology approach, using triclosan exposure as a case example. Potential targets of triclosan were identified via comparative analysis of toxicogenomics databases [...] Read more.
This study aims to elucidate the neurodevelopmental toxicity and molecular mechanisms of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) through a network toxicology approach, using triclosan exposure as a case example. Potential targets of triclosan were identified via comparative analysis of toxicogenomics databases such as the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD), Similarity Ensemble Approach (SEA), SwissTargetPrediction, and TargetNet. NDD-related targets were retrieved from GeneCards, Disease Gene Network (DisGeNET), and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), resulting in 633 overlapping genes associated with disease pathology and triclosan effectors. Protein–protein interaction networks were constructed using STRING and Cytoscape, applying median-based algorithms to identify six core genes: AKT1, TP53, EGFR, FN1, SRC, and ESR1. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses via Metascape revealed that triclosan-induced NDDs are primarily associated with endocrine signaling disruption and activation of the PI3K-Akt pathway. Molecular docking with CB-Dock2 demonstrated strong binding affinities between triclosan and the core targets, while YASARA molecular dynamics simulations confirmed stable interactions, notably with EGFR, exhibiting high binding stability. Collectively, these findings delineate the potential molecular mechanisms underlying triclosan-induced NDDs and underscore the utility of network toxicology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations in assessing neurotoxicity and related molecular pathways. This research provides novel insights for future investigations, enhances understanding of the potential impact of neurodevelopmental disorders on health, and lays a scientific foundation for the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Toxicology)
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17 pages, 7045 KB  
Article
Internal Flow and Pressure Pulsation Characteristics of a High-Head Francis Turbine Under Wide Load Conditions
by Yufan Xiong, Zhenming Lai, Xiaobing Liu, Xin Deng and Jiayang Pang
Processes 2025, 13(9), 2939; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13092939 - 15 Sep 2025
Viewed by 674
Abstract
To accommodate the integration of emerging energy sources such as wind and solar power, hydroelectric units are increasingly required to operate across a broader range of conditions. This operational expansion often leads to elevated pressure pulsations within turbines under non-design conditions, resulting in [...] Read more.
To accommodate the integration of emerging energy sources such as wind and solar power, hydroelectric units are increasingly required to operate across a broader range of conditions. This operational expansion often leads to elevated pressure pulsations within turbines under non-design conditions, resulting in intensified hydraulic vibrations and, in some cases, structural damage and overall stability concerns. In this study, the Shear Stress Transport (SST) k-ω turbulence model is employed to perform unsteady numerical simulation calculation of a Francis-99 mixed-flow model turbine operating at a head of 400 m. Simulations are conducted for three operating regimes: low-flow and low-load conditions, optimal conditions, and high-flow and high-load conditions. Internal flow in the full flow channel of the turbine and pressure pulsation in the full flow channel components is systematically analyzed. The findings indicate that under low-flow and low-load conditions, the ability of the runner blades to constrain the water flow is significantly decreased. Across all three operational scenarios, the dominant pressure pulsation frequencies observed in both the stationary and guide vane are 30fn, primarily influenced by dynamic and static disturbance caused by the rotation of the runner’s long and short blades. In low-flow and low-load conditions, a low-frequency component at 0.2fn, due to the existence of vortices in the draft tube, exhibits the highest amplitude—up to 0.6%—in the straight cone section. Within the runner, pressure pulsation frequencies are predominantly associated with the rotation of the guide vane. Conversely, the draft tube region is characterized by frequency components related to both the runner’s dynamic-static interaction at 30fn and vortex-induced pulsations at 0.2fn. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Turbulence Models for Turbomachinery)
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13 pages, 1365 KB  
Article
Effect of Microstructural Changes on the Magnetization Dynamics Mechanisms in Ferrofluids Subjected to Alternating Magnetic Fields
by Cristian E. Botez and Zachary Musslewhite
Magnetochemistry 2025, 11(9), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/magnetochemistry11090074 - 24 Aug 2025
Viewed by 903
Abstract
We investigated the effects of chemical and physical changes on the interplay between the Néel and Brown superspin relaxation mechanisms in ferrofluids containing 18 nm-diameter Co0.2Fe2.8O4 magnetic nanoparticles. We attempted to tune the ferrofluid’s magnetization dynamics via three [...] Read more.
We investigated the effects of chemical and physical changes on the interplay between the Néel and Brown superspin relaxation mechanisms in ferrofluids containing 18 nm-diameter Co0.2Fe2.8O4 magnetic nanoparticles. We attempted to tune the ferrofluid’s magnetization dynamics via three methods: (i) changing the carrier fluid from Isopar M to kerosene (ii) doubling the Co-doping level from x = 0.2 to x = 0.4, and (iii) diluting the Co0.2Fe2.8O4/Isopar M nanomagnetic fluid from δ = 1 mg/mL to δ = 0.1 mg/mL. We used temperature-resolved ac-susceptibility measurements at different frequencies, χ″ vs. T|f, to gain insight into the thermally driven superspin dynamics of the nanoparticles within the ferrofluid. Our data demonstrates that both increasing x and using a different carrier fluid quantitatively alter the temperature dependence of the Néel and Brown relaxation frequency (fN vs. T and fB vs. T) by changing the nanoparticles’ magnetic moments and the fluid’s viscosity. Yet, the two mechanisms remain decoupled, as indicated by the presence of two magnetic events (peaks in the χ″ vs. T|f datasets) one corresponding to the Néel and the other to Brown relaxation. On the other hand, diluting the ferrofluid leads to a qualitative change in the collective superspin dynamics behavior. Indeed, there is just one χ″-peak in the data from the δ = 0.1 mg/mL nanofluid, and its f vs. T dependence is well-described by a model that includes coupled contributions from both the Néel and Brown relaxation: fT=p·Tγ0·expEkBTT0+  (1 − p) f0expEBkBTT0. This is a remarkable behavior that demonstrates the ability to control a ferrofluids magnetization dynamics through simple chemical and physical changes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ferrofluids: Electromagnetic Properties and Applications)
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13 pages, 14235 KB  
Article
Expression and Biological Activity Analysis of Recombinant Fibronectin3 Protein in Bacillus subtilis
by Chaozheng Lu, Guangxin Xu, Yin Tian, Zhiwei Yi and Xixiang Tang
BioTech 2025, 14(3), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/biotech14030051 - 23 Jun 2025
Viewed by 2030
Abstract
Fibronectin (FN), a primary component of the extracellular matrix (ECM), features multiple structural domains closely linked to various cellular behaviors, including migration, spreading, adhesion, and proliferation. The FN3 domain, which contains the RGD sequence, is critical in tissue repair because it enables interaction [...] Read more.
Fibronectin (FN), a primary component of the extracellular matrix (ECM), features multiple structural domains closely linked to various cellular behaviors, including migration, spreading, adhesion, and proliferation. The FN3 domain, which contains the RGD sequence, is critical in tissue repair because it enables interaction with integrin receptors on the cell surface. However, the large molecular weight of wild-type FN presents challenges for its large-scale production through heterologous expression. Therefore, this study focused on cloning the FN3 functional domain of full-length FN for expression and validation. This study selected Bacillus subtilis as the expression host due to its prominent advantages, including efficient protein secretion, absence of endotoxins, and minimal codon bias. The recombinant vector pHT43-FN3 was successfully constructed through homologous recombination technology and transformed into Bacillus subtilis WB800N. The FN3 protein was successfully expressed after induction with IPTG. Following purification of the recombinant FN protein using a His-tag nickel column, SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the molecular weight of FN3 was approximately 27.3 kDa. Western blot analysis confirmed the correct expression of FN3, and the BCA protein assay kit determined a protein yield of 5.4 mg/L. CCK8 testing demonstrated the good biocompatibility of FN3. In vitro cell experiments showed that FN3 significantly promoted cell migration at a 20 μg/mL concentration and enhanced cell adhesion at 10 μg/mL. In summary, this study successfully utilized Bacillus subtilis to express the FN3 functional domain peptide from FN protein and has validated its ability to promote cell migration and adhesion. These findings not only provide a strategy for the expression of FN protein in B. subtilis, but also establish an experimental foundation for the potential application of FN3 protein in tissue repair fields such as cutaneous wound healing and cartilage regeneration. Full article
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24 pages, 6330 KB  
Article
Modular-Based Synergetic Mechanisms of Jasminoidin and Ursodeoxycholic Acid in Cerebral Ischemia Therapy
by Jingai Wang, Qikai Niu, Yanan Yu, Jun Liu, Siqi Zhang, Wenjing Zong, Siwei Tian, Zhong Wang and Bing Li
Biomedicines 2025, 13(4), 938; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13040938 - 11 Apr 2025
Viewed by 1077
Abstract
Objectives: Jasminoidin (JA) and ursodeoxycholic acid (UA) have been shown to exert synergistic effects on cerebral ischemia (CI) therapy, but the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Objective: To elucidate the synergistic mechanisms involved in the combined use of JA and UA [...] Read more.
Objectives: Jasminoidin (JA) and ursodeoxycholic acid (UA) have been shown to exert synergistic effects on cerebral ischemia (CI) therapy, but the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Objective: To elucidate the synergistic mechanisms involved in the combined use of JA and UA (JU) for CI therapy using a driver-induced modular screening (DiMS) strategy. Methods: Network proximity and topology-based approaches were used to identify synergistic modules and driver genes from an anti-ischemic microarray dataset (ArrayExpress, E-TABM-662). A middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model was established in 30 Sprague Dawley rats, divided into sham, vehicle, JA (25 mg/mL), UA (7 mg/mL), and JU (JA:UA = 1:1) groups. After 90 minutes of ischemia, infarct volume and neurological deficit scores were evaluated. Western blotting was performed 24 h after administration to validate key protein changes. Results: Six, eleven, and four drug-responsive On_modules were identified for JA, UA, and JU, respectively. Three synergistic modules (Sy-modules, JU-Mod-7, 8, and 10) and 12 driver genes (e.g., NRF1, FN1, CUL3) were identified, mainly involving the PI3K-Akt and MAPK pathways and regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. JA and UA synergistically reduced infarct volume and neurological deficit score (2.5, p < 0.05) in MCAO/R rats. In vivo studies demonstrated that JU suppressed the expression of CUL3, FN1, and ITGA4, while it increased that of NRF1. Conclusions: JU acts synergistically on CI–reperfusion injury by regulating FN1, CUL3, ITGA4, and NRF1 and inducing the PI3K-Akt, MAPK, and actin cytoskeleton pathways. DiMS provides a new approach to uncover mechanisms of combination therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Neurobiology and Clinical Neuroscience)
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17 pages, 3757 KB  
Article
Phytochemical Composition and Skin-Friendly Activities of the Ethyl Acetate Fraction in Ophioglossum vulgatum Linn., an In Vitro Study
by Sihan Feng, Zhiguang Huang, Yichen Cao, Zixuan Huang, Chen Xu, Yibo Zeng, Yuhang Xu, Lijian Zhu and Bin Ding
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(3), 345; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18030345 - 27 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1439
Abstract
Background: Ophioglossum vulgatum Linn. is a medical herb widely distributed in Southwest China. It has been used for the treatment of various diseases, including wounds or dermatitis, since ancient times, but little is known about its pharmacological and pharmaceutical chemistry. Methods: [...] Read more.
Background: Ophioglossum vulgatum Linn. is a medical herb widely distributed in Southwest China. It has been used for the treatment of various diseases, including wounds or dermatitis, since ancient times, but little is known about its pharmacological and pharmaceutical chemistry. Methods: The ethyl acetate fraction of O. vulgatum (OpvE) was prepared with the reflex extraction and fractional extraction method. Its components were detected and identified with the UPLC-Q/TOF-MS system and the SCIEX OS database. The related biological activities and the underlying mechanisms were predicted by computational analysis. HaCaT cells were treated with gradient concentrations of OpvE, and a CCK-8 assay was performed to determine the cell viability. The OpvE-pretreated HaCaT cells were exposed to H2O2 or LPS for antioxidative and anti-inflammatory assessment. DPPH, GSH, SOD, and MDA kits were used to evaluate oxidative stress. A serially diluted microbiota assay and a disc diffusion assay were used to evaluate anti-Staphylococcus aureus activities. The transcription of genes was semi-quantitatively studied by reversed real-time PCR. Protein levels were determined with western blotting. Results: The extract ratio of OpvE was 2.00 ± 0.12% (g/g). A total of 21 ingredients were identified. The computational analysis found that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway might be a crucial target of OpvE. OpvE (7.5~125 μg/mL) stimulated HaCaT cell proliferation and migration by stimulating the over-expressed collagen type I alpha 1 Chain (COL1A1) and fibronectin 1 (FN1) and upregulating PI3K/AKT/GSK3-β signaling pathway. In the antioxidative assay test, 250 μg/mL OpvE scavenged obvious 97.28% DPPH-released free radicals. Pretreatment of OpvE inhibited H2O2-induced oxidative stress and protected against LPS-induced inflammatory injury by respectively regulating the Nrf2/HO-1/COX2 and TLR4/MYD88 signaling pathways. OpvE also showed anti-S. aureus properties with a MIC of 1.2 mg/mL, and with this concentration, OpvE produced an 8.3 ± 0.16 mm inhibition zone on a bacterial plate. Conclusions: This work highlighted the phytochemical character and some bioactivities, as well as the underline mechanism, which would support the further studies and application of O. vulgatum Linn. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Natural Product Extracts)
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14 pages, 15506 KB  
Article
Network Pharmacology to Unveil the Mechanism of Berberine in the Treatment of Streptococcus suis Meningitis in Humans and Pigs
by Pu Guo, Yunda Xue, Dan Zhang, Qirong Lu, Yu Liu, Jianglin Xiong, Chun Ye, Shulin Fu, Zhongyuan Wu, Xu Wang and Yinsheng Qiu
Toxics 2025, 13(2), 138; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13020138 - 15 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2083
Abstract
Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a major swine pathogen throughout the world as well as an emerging zoonotic agent. Among the symptoms caused by S. suis, including septicemia, pneumonia, endo-carditis, arthritis, and meningitis, the latter is the most overlooked. In [...] Read more.
Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a major swine pathogen throughout the world as well as an emerging zoonotic agent. Among the symptoms caused by S. suis, including septicemia, pneumonia, endo-carditis, arthritis, and meningitis, the latter is the most overlooked. In the present study, we explored the mechanism of action of berberine against S. suis meningitis by obtaining berberine-related action targets, porcine S. suis meningitis targets, and human S. suis meningitis targets from open databases. We constructed a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network by using the STRING database and employed Cytoscape 3.8.0 to screen for core targets. We performed Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses through DAVID. We identified 31 potential targets of berberine, of which Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), fibronectin 1 (FN1), superoxide dismutase (SOD1), and catalase (CAT) were the four most critical targets. GO analysis revealed the enrichment of terms related to the response to oxidative stress and the inflammatory response. KEGG analysis revealed the enrichment of the interleukin 17 (IL-17), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt, TLR, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. In addition, the admetSAR results showed that berberine can cross the blood–brain barrier. The molecular docking results indicated key binding activity between TLR4–berberine and FN1–berberine. In summary, berberine protects against Streptococcus suis meningitis by regulating inflammatory response and oxidative stress in humans and pigs. Our study updates the current knowledge of the targets of S. suis meningitis to exploit new drugs in humans and pigs, to develop environmentally friendly and antibiotic-free animal-derived food products, and to improve the farming industry and economic development. Full article
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18 pages, 11067 KB  
Article
Influence of Load Variation on the Flow Field and Stability of the Francis Turbine
by Shenhui Li, Jiayang Pang, Chengmei Dan, Wenping Xiang, Xutao Yi and Xiaobing Liu
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(2), 316; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13020316 - 9 Feb 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1277
Abstract
With the development of a power system predominantly reliant on new energy sources, turbine generator sets are increasingly required to operate under wide load conditions, resulting in numerous unstable flow phenomena and substantial economic losses for power stations. This study employs the Shear [...] Read more.
With the development of a power system predominantly reliant on new energy sources, turbine generator sets are increasingly required to operate under wide load conditions, resulting in numerous unstable flow phenomena and substantial economic losses for power stations. This study employs the Shear Stress Transport (SST) k-ω turbulence model to combine numerical simulations with experimental methods. It calculates the guide vane opening at the rated head of a Francis turbine and examines the internal flow field characteristics and pressure pulsations under various operating conditions. The findings indicate that the entropy production ratio in the draft tube is the highest among all load conditions, ranging from about 72.7% to 95.9%. Energy dissipation in the vaneless zone and the runner increases with greater opening. At 45% and 100% load conditions, the draft tube is mainly influenced by dynamic and static interference, single and double frequencies induced by runner rotation, and low-frequency fluctuations of the vortex and. Under 60% load conditions, pressure fluctuations in the draft tube are primarily caused by the eccentric vortex band, characterized by higher intensity and a frequency of 0.2 fn. Numerical results closely align with experimental observations. The findings provide essential guidance for ensuring the stable operation of power plant units. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ocean Engineering)
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24 pages, 9092 KB  
Article
Research on Coal and Gas Outburst Prediction and Sensitivity Analysis Based on an Interpretable Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves–Transformer–Support Vector Machine Model
by Yanping Wang, Zhixin Qin, Zhenguo Yan, Jun Deng, Yuxin Huang, Longcheng Zhang, Yuqi Cao and Yiyang Wang
Fire 2025, 8(2), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire8020037 - 22 Jan 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1708
Abstract
Coal and gas outbursts pose significant threats to underground personnel, making the development of accurate prediction models crucial for reducing casualties. By addressing the challenges of highly nonlinear relationships among predictive parameters, poor interpretability of models, and limited sample data in existing studies, [...] Read more.
Coal and gas outbursts pose significant threats to underground personnel, making the development of accurate prediction models crucial for reducing casualties. By addressing the challenges of highly nonlinear relationships among predictive parameters, poor interpretability of models, and limited sample data in existing studies, this paper proposes an interpretable Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves–Transformer–Support Vector Machine (AFT-Transformer-SVM) model with high predictive accuracy. The Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (AFT) algorithm is employed to optimise a Transformer-based feature extraction, thereby reducing the degree of nonlinearity among sample data. A Transformer-SVM model is constructed, wherein the Support Vector Machine (SVM) model provides negative feedback to refine the Transformer feature extraction, enhancing the prediction accuracy of coal and gas outbursts. Various classification assessment methods, such as TP, TN, FP, FN tables, and SHAP analysis, are utilised to improve the interpretability of the model. Additionally, the permutation feature importance (PFI) method is applied to conduct a sensitivity analysis, elucidating the relationship between the sample data and outburst risks. Through a comparative analysis with algorithms such as eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), k-nearest neighbour (KNN), radial basis function networks (RBFNs), and Bayesian classifiers, the proposed method demonstrates superior accuracy and effectively predicts coal and gas outburst risks, achieving 100% accuracy in the sample dataset. The influence of parameters on the model is analysed, highlighting that the coal seam gas content is the primary factor driving the outburst risks. The proposed approach provides technical support for coal and gas outburst predictions across different mines, enhancing emergency response and prevention capabilities for underground mining operations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Simulation, Experiment and Modeling of Coal Fires)
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13 pages, 4997 KB  
Article
Numerical Study on the Influence of Drift Angle on Wave Properties in a Two-Layer Flow
by Xiaoxing Zhao, Liuliu Shi and Eryun Chen
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(12), 2139; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12122139 - 23 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1140
Abstract
This study examines the influence of drift angle on the wave and flow field generated by a submarine navigating through a density-stratified fluid. Employing a numerical methodology, this research computed the viscous flow field around the SUBOFF bare hull under conditions of oblique [...] Read more.
This study examines the influence of drift angle on the wave and flow field generated by a submarine navigating through a density-stratified fluid. Employing a numerical methodology, this research computed the viscous flow field around the SUBOFF bare hull under conditions of oblique shipping maneuvers. The analytical framework relies on the Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations, supplemented by the Re-Normalization Group (RNG) k-ε turbulence model and the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method. The initial phases of this study involved verifying grid convergence and the accuracy of the numerical methods used. Subsequently, numerical simulations were performed across a spectrum of drift angles while maintaining a fixed Froude number of Fn = 0.5, with submergence depths set at 1.1 D and 2.0 D. The analysis focused on the wave profiles at both the free surface and the internal surface. The results indicate that the presence of a drift angle produces significant alterations in the characteristics of the free surface and internal surface when compared with straight-ahead motion. Specifically, the asymmetry in the flow field is enhanced, and the variability in the roughness of the free surface is pronounced. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ocean Engineering)
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15 pages, 11613 KB  
Article
Gate Oxide Reliability in Silicon Carbide Planar and Trench Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors Under Positive and Negative Electric Field Stress
by Limeng Shi, Jiashu Qian, Michael Jin, Monikuntala Bhattacharya, Shiva Houshmand, Hengyu Yu, Atsushi Shimbori, Marvin H. White and Anant K. Agarwal
Electronics 2024, 13(22), 4516; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13224516 - 18 Nov 2024
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 6769
Abstract
This work investigates the gate oxide reliability of commercial 1.2 kV silicon carbide (SiC) metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) with planar and trench gate structures. The performance of threshold voltage (Vth) and gate leakage current [...] Read more.
This work investigates the gate oxide reliability of commercial 1.2 kV silicon carbide (SiC) metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) with planar and trench gate structures. The performance of threshold voltage (Vth) and gate leakage current (Igss) in SiC MOSFETs is evaluated under positive and negative gate voltage stress. The oxide lifetimes of SiC planar and trench MOSFETs at 150 °C are measured using constant voltage Time-Dependent Dielectric Breakdown (TDDB) testing. From the test results, it is found that electron trapping and hole trapping in SiO2 caused by oxide electric field (Eox) stress affect the Vth of SiC MOSFETs. The saturation and turnaround behavior of the Vth shift during positive and negative gate voltage stresses indicates that the influence of charge trapping in the gate oxide varies with stress time. The Igss under positive and negative gate voltages depends on the tunneling barrier height for electrons and holes, respectively, which can be calculated using the Fowler–Nordheim (FN) tunneling mechanism. Moreover, the presence of near-interface traps (NITs) affects the barrier height for holes under negative gate voltages. The behavior of Vth shift and Igss under high-temperature gate bias reflects the charge trapping occurring in different regions of the gate oxide. In addition, compared to SiC planar MOSFETs, SiC trench MOSFETs with thicker gate oxide tend to exhibit higher lifetimes in TDDB tests. Full article
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