Search Results (84,039)

The research explored the automation production lines for the bottling of particulate materials in the pharmaceutical industries, covering the integrated processes of loading bottles, filling with particles, sealing, screwing on caps, quality inspection, and storage. The hardware system of the project consists of programmable logic controllers(PLCs), edge servers, motion control equipment, industrial cameras, and mechanical grippers for handling and storage. The aim of this research is to assist the manufacturing industry in transitioning from traditional production models to digital and intelligent production methods. From the perspective of core components, it analyzed and expounded the key technologies for building a digital production line; at the same time, from the perspective of data collection and processing, it clarified the role and advantages of the cloud platform. The product packaging process simulation covers loading bottles, filling with particle materials, sealing, screwing on caps, quality inspection, and storage. The production line issues production instructions and scheduling plans through the human-machine interaction interface and the cloud platform. Full article

(1) Background: This article explores the qualitative dimensions of bisexual identity through the lived experiences of bisexual individuals. (2) Methods: Drawing on an online questionnaire completed by 226 participants from a Spanish-speaking sample, the study uses a grounded theory-based analysis of participant narratives. (3) Results: The analysis identifies key components of bisexual identity, such as self-recognition, fluidity, and community belonging, as well as recurrent experiences of invalidation, promiscuity stereotypes, and intracommunity discrimination. The findings highlight the processes by which participants navigate and define their bisexuality, emphasizing the interaction between personal introspection, contact with audiovisual media, societal perceptions, and external validation in identity formation. (4) Conclusions: These results provide a nuanced exploration of how bisexual identities are constructed amid persistent challenges of invalidation, erasure, and limited community recognition. Full article

Field-effect transistor (FET) biosensors using graphene have become one of the most promising biosensing platforms for the early diagnosis of diseases with featu21res such as high sensitivity, label-free detection and application compatibility with point-of-care systems. Herein, we critically discuss recent advances in graphene FET (GFET) biosensor development toward clinically relevant biomarkers associated with representative diseases including cancer, neurodegenerative disease, infectious disease, and inflammatory conditions. Recent progress was reviewed to evaluate GFET architectures, surface functionalization methods, and detection quality. The biomarkers explored were clusterin in Alzheimer’s disease, thrombin in coagulopathy, estrogen receptor α (ER-α) in breast cancer, Carcinoembryonic antigen in lung cancer, microRNAs for malignant tumors, exosomes derived from HepG2 for the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line, interleukin-6 (IL-6) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Polyclonal antibodies and antigens (P24) for HIV and prostate-specific antigen for prostate cancer. The developed devices demonstrate ultralow detection limits at femtomolar to attomolar concentrations with the aid of designed antibodies, aptamers and nanomaterials. Herein, this review presents the sensing mechanisms and biomedical application of various GFET platforms, focusing on their emerging potential as next-generation platforms for rapid, non-invasive and point-of-care diagnostics. Full article

Tunnel lining models were cast at a 1:20 scale using four different materials: plain concrete (PC), steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC), reinforced concrete (RC), and rebar-reinforced steel fiber-reinforced concrete (R/SFRC). Loading tests were performed on these models before and after freeze–thaw cycles to investigate the failure modes, analyze the mechanical behavior, and determine the optimal reinforcement scheme in this study. The results indicated that freeze–thaw cycling reduced the load-bearing capacity of tunnel linings by 12% to 28% compared to non-freeze–thaw linings. Adding steel fibers significantly enhanced the ductility of the lining models. The mechanical performance of linings with an optimal steel fiber content surpassed that of models with either increased rebar alone or steel fibers alone. In this study, an optimal combination of a 0.36% rebar ratio and a 1.5% steel fiber volume fraction effectively improved the tensile performance of the lining while reducing rebar consumption, without compromising the inherent mechanical performance of the tunnel structure. Full article

This research draws from participant interviews at baseline, midpoint, and conclusion of a two-year Basic Income program designed to lift 76 families, with at least one child under the age of six, above the California poverty line by supplying a guaranteed monthly cash stipend (average: $1289 per month). Theoretically, we bring the Family Stress Model into the conversation with the Theory of Change that underpins Guaranteed Income programming, namely that freedom and choice empower families to mitigate stress, manage funding, and better navigate the multifactorial aspects of living in poverty. Participants report that the Basic Income program offered a much-appreciated reprieve from poverty and reported using the funds to stabilize their housing and support the health and development of themselves and their children. Participants also highlighted how guaranteed cash programming can pair with traditional social service case management to better benefit recipients. Full article

Energy storage plays a key role in the energy transition by enabling the effective integration of variable renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power and by supporting the stability and flexibility of modern energy systems. The rapid development of energy storage technologies has become one of the pillars of sustainable energy management; however, it simultaneously raises environmental, material, and systemic challenges. This review analyses the environmental implications of energy storage development using an integrative perspective that combines technological, environmental, and system-level analysis. The paper examines major classes of energy storage technologies, including electrochemical, mechanical and physical, thermal energy storage, and chemical pathways within Power-to-X, with particular emphasis on their technical characteristics, maturity, and life cycle environmental performance. Lithium-ion battery systems typically achieve round-trip efficiencies of 85–92% and cycle lifetimes exceeding 5000 cycles, while flow batteries may exceed 10,000 cycles under stationary operating conditions. Mechanical storage technologies such as pumped hydro provide efficiencies of approximately 70–85% with operational lifetimes exceeding several decades. Key challenges related to critical raw material availability, recycling, end-of-life management, and ecosystem impacts are discussed, highlighting the importance of sustainable production and recovery strategies in supporting the circular economy. In addition, the review addresses the consequences of insufficient reuse of secondary materials and the growing relevance of digitisation and cyber resilience of energy storage systems as indirect contributors to environmental risk. The review also considers geopolitical aspects related to critical material supply chains and the cyber security of energy storage infrastructure, emphasising their growing importance for the resilience and environmental sustainability of future energy systems. The analysis indicates that further development of energy storage technologies will significantly influence not only power systems but also transport, industry, and heat sectors. The results emphasise that sustainable deployment of energy storage requires hybrid system architectures and policy frameworks that account for environmental performance, system flexibility, and long-term resilience in line with the principles of sustainable development. Full article

This study establishes experimentally grounded circumferential thermal criteria for heat-shrinkable crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) joint casings by coupling DSC-defined thermal activation with through-thickness thermal lag measured under trench-constrained irradiation. The activation temperature was identified as 140 °C from DSC, while an upper bound of the allowable outer-surface temperature was set to avoid thermal damage during installation. Full-scale temperature mapping revealed persistent circumferential non-uniformity caused by geometric line-of-sight limitations and inter-module gap regions, where the outer-surface temperature remained approximately 10–15 °C lower than directly irradiated locations, and the inner surface exhibited a delayed response due to the low thermal conductivity of PEX. Based on these observations, a two-stage heating sequence—an initial high-power stage followed by a reduced-power soaking stage—was experimentally derived to satisfy dual constraints: achieving inner-surface activation (≥140 °C) while maintaining the outer surface below the conservative outer-surface upper bound (~280 °C) and reducing circumferential temperature differences without surface overheating. Comparative joint tests confirmed that the proposed thermal criteria and sequence promote stable interfacial bonding and cohesive failure in the mastic layer, yielding higher repeatability and smaller strength scatter than conventional manual torch heating. The proposed framework provides experimentally grounded thermal criteria and a transferable procedure for designing heating conditions for heat-shrinkable polymer casing systems under constrained field environments. Full article

The safety of titanium dioxide (TiO₂), widely used in foods and personal care products, has been of on-going concern. Adverse effects of TiO₂ have been reported, suggesting risk to human health. To evaluate its potential epigenotoxicity, the effect of exposure to a TiO₂ product, to which humans could be exposed, on microRNA (miRNA) expression (a primary epigenetic mechanism) was investigated using human cell lines (Caco-2, HCT116 (colorectal) and HepG2, SNU387 (liver)) relevant to human exposure. The effect of TiO₂ nanomaterial exposure on expression levels of miRNA was determined using the TaqMan Array Human microRNA A+B Card Set v3.0 platform. Differentially expressed miRNAs were identified (SNU387 (n = 112), HepG2 (n = 97), Caco-2 (n = 94), and HCT116 (n = 53)). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis of target genes provided insights into the roles of modulating pathways, which can be associated with diseases. Top 10 KEGG pathways in each cell line included MAPK signaling pathway, Axon guidance, cell cycle, Hippo signaling pathway, and Endocytosis. Findings from the study clearly demonstrate the impact of TiO₂ exposure on miRNA expression, supporting the potential involvement of this epigenetic mechanism in its biological responses. Hence, epigenetic studies are important for the complete assessment of the potential risk from exposure. Full article

Severe southern soybean crinkle leaf disease (SSCLD) reduces soybean seed yield by approximately 40%. Identifying the genes that control SSCLD is crucial for breeding resistant varieties and elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying SSCLD infection. In this study, recombinant inbred lines (RILs, n = 236) derived from a cross between Nannong1138-2 (NN1138-2) and Zhengxiaodou (ZXD) were used as experimental materials. A field trial employing a randomized block design was conducted in four environments across two locations, Nanning (2019–2021) and Du’an (2020) in Guangxi, to identify the disease severity grades of SSCLD in the field. QTLs controlling SSCLD were detected via a genetic map constructed using 3255 SLAF (specific locus amplified fragment) markers from the recombinant inbred lines. RT‒qPCR was used to analyze candidate gene expression at major effect loci. The results revealed that eight SSCLD-associated QTLs were identified on chromosomes 3, 6, 12, and 17. Notably, the qw12-1 locus on chromosome 12 was detected across three developmental stages in three of the four environments, explaining 10.18–58.20% of the phenotypic variation. RT‒qPCR analysis of 12 disease resistance-related genes within the qw12-1 interval revealed that GLYMA_12G233000 and GLYMA_12G239200 presented significantly higher expression in crinkled leaf lines than in normal leaf lines during the V5 (fifth trifoliolate stage), R2 (full bloom stage), and R6 (full seed stage) stages. These genes were prioritized as potential prime candidates for SSCLD resistance genes. This research provides foundational data for the fine mapping of qw12-1 and cloning SSCLD-related genes, advancing our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying SSCLD. Full article

Background: Tumor cells can reprogram their metabolism, constituting a hallmark of cancer that plays a crucial role in tumor progression. As tumor cells exhibit an increased demand for nutrients, e.g., amino acids, they rely on extracellular sources and show deregulation of transport proteins. Among these, SNAT1 (SLC38A1) is described as the loader for glutamine that is responsible for the main influx of this amino acid. The aim of this study was to assess the molecular function of SNAT1 in melanoma regarding its role in amino acid transport and regulation of cellular metabolism. Methods: siPool-mediated downregulation of SNAT1 expression in melanoma cell lines was used to investigate the molecular function of this protein. Glutamine transport was assessed by measuring the intracellular and extracellular concentrations of glutamine. Regulation of downstream effectors was evaluated with qRT-PCR and Western Blot. Metabolism was investigated by performing Seahorse flux analysis. Mitochondrial staining was examined via flow cytometry. Protein interaction was assessed with Co-IP, and in silico modeling of protein interaction was performed with AlphaFold3. Results: In this study, we uncovered the new finding that SNAT1 is not primarily implicated in glutamine influx into melanoma cells but in signaling in response to extracellular glutamine. We identified P62 and cMYC as downstream effectors of SNAT1. By activating the P62/cMYC-axis and target genes of cMYC, SNAT1 modulates the metabolism of melanoma cells depending on the glutamine level. SNAT1 and P62 are interaction partners. Conclusions: This finding newly suggests that SNAT1 may function as a sensor or receptor (“transceptor”) for glutamine rather than being a direct and primary glutamine transporter, and could open up new therapeutic options targeting melanoma cells. Full article

Electron fields (and more generally spinor fields) with a vortex structure in free space that allows them to have arbitrary integer orbital angular momentum along the direction of motion have been studied for some time. We point out that there are several ways to calculate the local velocity of the electron field, defined as the ratio of momentum density to energy density, and that all but one show a singular vorticity at the vortex line. That one, using the Dirac bilinear current with no derivatives, is the only one so far (to our knowledge) studied in the literature in this context and we further show how to understand an apparent conflict in the existing results. The momentum densities corresponding to the three possible velocity fields give different physical results, in particular regarding the electron induced quantum superkicks given to small electron-absorbing test objects. Full article

Map conflation is essential for integrating heterogeneous road datasets, but it often requires region- and data-specific algorithm design to automate the complex identification of feature-to-feature correspondences. This effort is increased when only cartographic products are available instead of GIS-ready vectors since both digitization or matching corresponding features manually are labor-intensive. In this study, we assess the performance of a multimodal LLM, GPT-5 “thinking” mode for map conflation directly on a PDF map where road networks from TomTom and OpenStreetMap are embedded as colored polylines. We instruct the LLM to interpret the PDF, extract road geometries and their identifiers, and generate both strict 1:1 and flexible M:N matches. In any hybrid-patterned network cases located around Bosphorus, Istanbul, while M:N matching process increased the number of matches, it also increased false positives and lowered overall F1 scores. In contrast, 1:1 matching produced more balanced correctness-completeness results. The model achieves its highest performance in the cellular-patterned networks. The results show that LLM-based matching can detect a substantial share of true correspondences in such a challenging hybrid setting, but performance clearly depends on the matching strategy: strict or flexible. It highlights both the potential promise and the current limitations of matching embedded road lines. Full article

Ascochyta blight remains a major constraint for field pea (Pisum sativum L.) production and a priority for breeding programmes. So far, only moderate levels of incomplete resistance have been identified in pea germplasm and accumulated in pea cultivars by breeding. Resistance identified so far appears to be of complex inheritance, with phenotypic expression strongly affected by plant phenology and morphology and by environ-mental factors. This has slowed down the development and release of resistant elite cultivars. In this work, we describe the development of novel resistant breeding lines derived from targeted intra- and interspecific crosses combined with cycles of selection under high disease pressure at seedling and adult plant stages. The performance of thirteen breeding lines selected for improved resistance and good agronomic traits was further validated in a comparative field trial. Results confirmed the successful combination of competitive yield and good standing ability with good levels of resistance exceeding those of the resistant check. These advanced breeding lines are available on request for research and breeding use. Full article

The apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is one of the most widely consumed fruits worldwide due to its pleasant sensory properties and rich phytochemical composition. Therefore, the present study aimed to comprehensively investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant activity, anticancer effects, and molecular interactions of peel and pulp extracts of the Hünkar apple cultivar collected from different locations, using a combined experimental and computational strategy. These factors had a big effect on the extracts’ phenolic composition and biological activity. Moreover, the anticancer results were corroborated by molecular docking analyses, which offered further understanding of the interactions between bioactive compounds and cancer-associated target proteins. This integrative approach underscores the impact of both biological and methodological variables on the antioxidant and anticancer properties of apple-derived extracts, reinforcing their potential as natural sources of bioactive compounds. Cytotoxic activity against HT-22 and C6 cell lines was evaluated using the MTT assay, showing dose- and time-dependent antiproliferative effects. Apple extracts exhibited anticancer effects that were dependent on dosage and duration. The activities of chemicals found in extracts of Hünkar apple samples collected from four different locations against brain cancer proteins (PDB ID: 2DME, 6YPE, 1RV1) were examined. ADME/T analysis was then performed on the three molecules with the highest activity. The quantum chemical properties of these three molecules were also examined using the Gaussian package program with B3LYP, HF, M062X level in 6–31g, 6–31++g, and 6–31++g(d,p) basis sets. Full article

Reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)-assisted non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) has emerged as a promising technique to enhance spectral efficiency and coverage in fifth- and sixth-generation wireless networks. However, asymmetric indoor propagation conditions characterized by heterogeneous line-of-sight (LoS) and non-line-of-sight (NLoS) links often degrade user fairness. This paper investigates a downlink RIS-assisted NOMA system under the standardized 3GPP indoor office (InH) channel model to address fairness-oriented design under realistic link-budget constraints. We formulate an optimization problem for max–min fairness that jointly considers discrete RIS element partitioning and NOMA power allocation to achieve a symmetrical allocation of quality of service (QoS). To enable efficient computation, the non-convex problem is transformed into an epigraph form and solved using a low-complexity, bisection-based quasi-convex optimization framework combined with enumeration over RIS partitions. Numerical results demonstrate significant fairness gains; for instance, doubling the RIS array size yields a substantial improvement in the ergodic max–min rate, corresponding to approximately a 66% gain at moderate transmit power levels. Furthermore, by accounting for practical impairments such as imperfect successive interference cancellation (iSIC), imperfect channel state information (iCSI), and RIS implementation losses, the results reveal that fairness-optimal operation consistently prioritizes the far user to overcome severe indoor NLoS attenuation. The proposed framework is also compared with alternating optimization (AO)-based RIS-NOMA, conventional RIS beamforming without partition and RIS-assisted orthogonal multiple access (OMA) schemes. Simulation results confirm that the proposed framework achieves low computational complexity, making it suitable for practical indoor wireless environments. Full article