Search Results (1,079)

This study analyzed the effect of forming temperature on the roller hemming process of AA6011-T4 aluminum alloy sheets, using a 2^K factorial design to also evaluate the influence of roller diameter and flange height. A total of 24 experimental tests were conducted, varying the forming temperature (23 °C and 50 °C), roller diameter (22 mm and 50 mm), and flange height (7 mm and 10 mm). The hemming process was performed using a six-axis industrial robot (FANUC 2000i, Fanuc Corporation, Oshino, Japan ) with roller tooling mounted o n a support fixture. The height of the flanged profile was measured using a coordinate measuring machine. ANOVA results, processed with MINITAB 18, showed that forming temperature, roller diameter, and flange height all have a statistically significant effect on the final profile height. No significant interactions were found among the factors, indicating their effects are independent. The most favorable configuration for maximizing profile height was the combination of the largest roller diameter and the highest flange height, under cold forming conditions. Additionally, a significant difference was observed between cold and warm forming processes in terms of the resulting profile height, highlighting the relevance of temperature control in the roller hemming of AA6011-T4 aluminum alloy. Full article

Bias temperature instability (BTI) degradation is commonly described using empirical power-law kinetics; however, extraction of the time exponent and projection of lifetime remain highly sensitive to baseline definition and data representation. In conventional approaches, the threshold voltage shift is referenced to an initial value that cannot be measured simultaneously with stress, introducing uncertainty that can produce apparent curvature and variability in the extracted exponent. In this work, a baseline-independent linearization method is applied to representative published datasets spanning advanced silicon, SiC MOSFETs, and GaN power devices. By analyzing the measured degradation trajectories directly in a transformed time coordinate, the method removes curvature associated with baseline ambiguity and enables consistent extraction of the effective power-law exponent. Across all material systems examined, the extracted exponent exhibits systematic dependence on applied stress once baseline effects are reduced. This behavior challenges the commonly assumed constant-exponent formulation used in conventional lifetime projections and shows that even modest variations in the exponent can produce large differences in projected time-to-failure. A transformed lifetime representation based on is introduced, in which the influence of exponent variation is separated from the intrinsic voltage and temperature acceleration of the degradation rate. In this representation, the extracted acceleration parameters become more stable and physically interpretable. This formulation is consistent with standard reliability frameworks, including JEDEC JEP122G, in which the time exponent enters directly into the lifetime expression. These results demonstrate that baseline-independent analysis provides a unified framework for interpreting BTI degradation across disparate semiconductor technologies and suggest that explicit treatment of stress-dependent exponents is required for physically consistent lifetime modeling. Full article

The development of efficient, single-phase-excitable white-light phosphors remains a critical challenge for solid-state lighting applications. In this work, white-light-emitting CaWO₄:Eu³⁺/g-C₃N₄ composites were successfully developed by integrating red-emitting CaWO₄:7%Eu³⁺ with blue-emitting graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄). Under 365 nm near-UV excitation, the composite exhibits dual-band emission originating from the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺ (~616 nm) and the intrinsic band-edge luminescence of g-C₃N₄ (~460 nm). The optimal white-light performance is achieved at a g-C₃N₄ content of 0.5 wt%, yielding CIE chromaticity coordinates of (0.294, 0.324) and a correlated color temperature (CCT) of 7673 K. This sample demonstrates a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 3.25%. Moreover, the CaWO₄:Eu³⁺/g-C₃N₄ composite shows enhanced thermal stability, retaining 78% of its initial emission intensity at 175 °C, with an activation energy of 0.41 eV—significantly higher than that of the pristine CaWO₄:Eu³⁺ (0.22 eV). These results indicate that the CaWO₄:Eu³⁺/g-C₃N₄ heterostructured phosphor is a promising candidate for single-phase-excitable white-light applications. Full article

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains. Membrane-active antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent attractive therapeutic candidates because they target bacterial envelope integrity and disrupt essential cellular processes. We evaluated two rationally designed LL-37-derived peptides: a truncated C-terminally amidated analog (LL37-1) and a modified variant incorporating N-terminal acetylation and a single D-amino acid substitution (D-LL37). Dose–response analysis demonstrated that D-LL37 exhibited greater antimycobacterial potency, with lower inhibitory concentrations of 90% (IC₉₀) and 50% (IC₅₀) values (18.40 ± 0.39 μM and 10.11 ± 0.60 μM, respectively) compared with LL37-1 (25.44 ± 0.36 μM and 15.45 ± 1.40 μM). Fluorescence-based permeability assays revealed partial membrane disruption (36% and 44% at IC₉₀ for LL37-1 and D-LL37, respectively), which was supported by ultrastructural alterations observed by scanning electron microscopy, including bacillary shortening, rough surface formation, cell clusters, and the presence of cellular debris, all of which are consistent with membrane damage. RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated significant upregulation of the P-type ATPase genes ctpF, ctpA, and ctpH following D-LL37 exposure. Collectively, these findings indicate that optimized LL-37-derived peptides exert antitubercular activity associated with envelope perturbation and coordinated activation of ion transport-related stress responses. Full article

Cadmium (Cd) is a pervasive environmental contaminant with potent cytotoxic effects in a wide range of organisms. Although autophagy and apoptosis are recognized as major cellular responses to heavy metal stress, the molecular basis of Cd-induced cell death in insects remains insufficiently understood. In this study, we used fifth-instar day-4 (5L4D) larvae of Bombyx mori and the silkworm-derived Bm-12 cell line to investigate the involvement of three core autophagy-related proteins, Bombyx mori Autophagy-related protein 5(BmATG5), Bombyx mori Autophagy-related protein 6(BmATG6), and Autophagy-related protein 8(BmATG8), in Cd-induced autophagy and apoptosis. Exposure to CdCl₂ markedly induced autophagic and apoptotic responses in both larval midgut tissue and Bm-12 cells, as demonstrated by monodansylcadaverine(MDC) staining, Lyso-Tracker Red staining, DAPI and Hoechst 33258 staining, and DNA fragmentation assays. qPCR and Western blot analyses showed significant upregulation of BmATG5, BmATG6, and BmATG8 following Cd exposure. Notably, the cleaved forms tBmATG5-N (24 kDa) and tBmATG6-C (35 and 37 kDa), as well as the lipidated form BmATG8-PE (12 kDa), accumulated substantially under Cd stress. In parallel, intracellular Ca²⁺ levels and calpain activity were significantly increased, suggesting activation of a calcium-dependent regulatory pathway. Pharmacological inhibition experiments further indicated that autophagy and apoptosis are functionally interconnected during the Cd response. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that BmATG5, BmATG6, and BmATG8, together with their processed forms, play central roles in coordinating autophagy–apoptosis crosstalk during Cd-induced cytotoxicity in Bombyx mori. This study provides new mechanistic insight into heavy metal toxicity in insects and expands our understanding of stress-induced programmed cell death during silkworm metamorphosis. Full article

Breast cancer treatment remains challenging due to therapeutic resistance and the limited availability of effective molecular targets. We investigated the anticancer effects of sulforaphane (SFN) and broccoli sprout extract (BSE), an SFN-enriched phytochemical formulation, in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Cell viability, colony formation, and apoptotic responses were evaluated using standard in vitro assays, and underlying mechanisms were examined by flow cytometry and Western blot analysis. BSE and SFN reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, suppressed anchorage-independent growth, and induced apoptosis associated with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. These effects were accompanied by mitochondrial depolarization, G2/M cell cycle arrest, and caspase activation. Pharmacokinetic analysis in rats demonstrated that oral administration of BSE resulted in sustained, dose-dependent systemic exposure to SFN. Consistent with these findings, oral BSE significantly inhibited tumor growth in breast cancer xenograft models. Collectively, these results indicate that BSE exerts anticancer effects through coordinated modulation of ROS-associated MAPK signaling, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptotic pathways, and may serve as a promising orally administered SFN-containing phytochemical formulation that may function as a delivery matrix for breast cancer management. Full article

The efficient separation of tungsten and molybdenum represents a pivotal challenge for the effective, high-value-added utilization and recycling of these strategic metal resources. Developing clean and recyclable separation processes has become a major focus of research, reflecting a growing emphasis on sustainability. This study proposes a method for the efficient and deep separation of molybdenum and tungsten from tungstate-based mixed oxides by leveraging their differential coordination properties with hydrogen peroxide. The composites prepared by mechanical mixing were characterized using techniques such as ICP, SEM, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy. The results demonstrated a significant difference in the dissolution behavior of MoO₃ and WO₃ in hydrogen peroxide, indicating a substantial coordination disparity between MoO₃ and WO₃ toward H₂O₂, which can be effectively exploited for Mo/W separation. Additionally, hydrothermal synthesis was employed to simulate the separation under more realistic conditions. In this study, hydrogen peroxide was selected as an effective reagent for separation, and the influence of multiple variables was systematically evaluated. The results demonstrated that under optimal conditions—specifically at a molar ratio nMo/nW = 40, a temperature of 65 °C, nH₂O₂/nM = 1.25 and a reaction time of 1.5 h—a maximum separation factor of 124 between tungsten and molybdenum was achieved. This process exhibits significant potential for industrial application due to its low consumption of H₂O₂, large separation factor, and cost-effectiveness. Full article

Background: Atherosclerosis (AS) remains a leading cause of cardiovascular mortality worldwide and is significantly driven by hyperlipidemia. While ganglioside GM3 is known to regulate cellular lipid metabolism, its systemic pharmacological effects on atherosclerosis remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate the anti-atherosclerotic efficacy of exogenous GM3 and elucidate its underlying systemic mechanisms. Methods: C57BL/6N ApoE^−/− mice fed a high-fat diet were intravenously treated with exogenous GM3 (1 or 4 mg/kg) every three days for 12 weeks. Atherosclerotic progression and lipid profiles were evaluated through histological analyses of the aortic arch and aortic sinus, alongside biochemical and molecular assessments of plasma, hepatic, and intestinal tissues. Results: GM3 treatment significantly reduced plaque formation in the aortic arch and aortic sinus, along with decreased plasma levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-C. Mechanistically, GM3 suppressed hepatic VLDL secretion by downregulating ApoB100 and MTTP expression. Concurrently, hepatic lipid clearance was enhanced via the upregulation of Ldlr, Scarb1, and Lrp1. GM3 also lowered circulating PCSK9 levels and reduced intestinal cholesterol absorption by decreasing NPC1L1 expression. Although GM3 promoted lipid accumulation in the liver, no evidence of liver dysfunction or systemic toxicity was observed. Conclusions: Exogenous GM3 acts as a potent multi-target modulator that attenuates atherosclerosis by coordinating hepatic lipoprotein metabolism and restricting intestinal cholesterol uptake. This multi-organ metabolic partitioning strategy highlights the potential of GM3-based therapeutics for managing complex dyslipidemia. Full article

The selective removal of beryllium from aqueous matrices remains a critical environmental and industrial challenge due to beryllium’s extreme toxicity, strong hydration chemistry, and the difficulty of separating Be²⁺ from chemically similar cations such as Al³⁺. In this study, a novel multidentate Schiff-base porous organic adsorbent, TFP-HEDA, was synthesized by condensation of 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzene-1,3,5-tricarbaldehyde (TFP) with N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine (HEDA) followed by urethane post-functionalization and systematically characterized by FTIR, ¹H/¹³C NMR, MALDI-TOF MS, elemental analysis, BET surface area analysis (617 m² g⁻¹), PXRD, and XPS. Batch adsorption experiments demonstrated rapid Be²⁺ uptake, achieving 90% removal within 20 min and equilibrium within 30 min. Among the isotherm models evaluated, the Langmuir model yielded the highest statistical consistency (R² = 0.9835, RMSE = 5.15 mg g⁻¹, χ² = 1.137) with a predicted maximum adsorption capacity of 163.93 mg g⁻¹ agreeing closely with the experimental value of 163.67 ± 6.42 mg g⁻¹ (deviation < 0.2%); this mathematical adequacy is interpreted as compatibility with a finite, saturable set of inner-sphere coordination sites rather than confirmation of a flat, energetically uniform surface, with chemisorption independently and more rigorously established by Dubinin–Radushkevich analysis (E = 28.87 kJ mol⁻¹) and post-adsorption FTIR and XPS evidence. Dubinin–Radushkevich analysis confirmed a chemisorption mechanism with mean adsorption energy E = 28.87 kJ mol⁻¹, consistent with inner-sphere Be²⁺–O/N coordination. Process optimization using response surface methodology based on a central composite design achieved 99% Be²⁺ removal at pH 5, an adsorbent dose of 60 mg/20 mL, and a contact time of 30 min (R² = 0.9892). Post-adsorption FTIR, XPS, BET, and TGA characterization confirmed framework integrity and the inner-sphere multidentate coordination mechanism. TFP-HEDA retained 82.4% of its initial capacity after nine adsorption–desorption cycles, demonstrating practical regenerability for Be²⁺ recovery applications. Full article

Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is a leading cause of sudden vision loss, yet no effective therapy exists to preserve retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) after ischemic injury. Nostoc commune (NC), an edible cyanobacterium with established antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, has emerged as a potential functional bioresource with relevance to ocular health. Here, we investigated the therapeutic effects of a crude aqueous extract of NC using a rodent model of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (rAION). NC treatment significantly improved RGC survival, reduced apoptosis, attenuated macrophage and microglial activation (ED-1, Iba1), suppressed proinflammatory cytokine expression (IL-6), enhanced the reparative marker Ym1+2, and preserved optic-nerve myelination. Functionally, NC administration restored visual signaling as demonstrated by improved Flash Visual Evoked Potential amplitudes. Immunoblot analysis showed increased phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR/p70S6K signaling components in retinal tissue following NC treatment. Proteomic profiling further demonstrated that NC extract comprises a coordinated repertoire of phycobiliproteins, antioxidant enzymes, and stress-response proteins that may collectively contribute to its biological effects. Together, these findings suggest that Nostoc commune extract may serve as a promising functional food-derived candidate for protecting RGCs and preserving visual function following ischemic optic neuropathy. Further studies are required to identify its active constituents, optimize formulation strategies, and evaluate its translational potential. Full article

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition is altering global forest ecosystems, with nitrate rising to rival ammonium as a dominant N form, yet how leaf ontogeny orchestrates carbon–nitrogen (C-N) metabolic coordination under contrasting N forms remains poorly understood. We conducted a field experiment investigating the physiological and metabolic responses of young and old leaves of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) to ammonium and nitrate addition. Young leaves, functioning as active sinks, exhibited enhanced photosynthetic performance and growth-oriented N assimilation under N addition, with disproportionately stronger responses to nitrate. In contrast, old leaves, acting as source tissues, showed limited photosynthetic plasticity but accumulated higher non-structural carbohydrates and elevated N assimilation enzyme activities, particularly under nitrate addition. Phytohormone profiles supported this ontogenetic divergence, with young leaves showing higher auxin levels while old leaves exhibited increased abscisic acid and salicylic acid contents. Metabolomic analysis further revealed age-dependent reprogramming of amino acid metabolism, identifying key metabolites coordinating C-N balance. These findings demonstrate a leaf ontogeny-mediated spatial division of metabolic labor in Chinese fir, wherein old leaves function as metabolic buffers stabilizing whole-plant C-N homeostasis under fluctuating N supply, providing new insights into plantation responses to contrasting N deposition regimes. Full article

The widespread presence of ciprofloxacin (CIP) in aquatic environments threatens ecological and public health, yet conventional treatment processes fail to remove such persistent contaminants. Conventional solvothermal synthesis of Bi-doped g-C₃N₄ photocatalysts involves complicated procedures and low productivity. Herein, we employ a single-step, template-free and solvent-free green calcination method to construct Bi³⁺-modified g-C₃N₄ with strong Bi-N coordination interactions. A series of Bi/g-C₃N₄ photocatalysts with Bi-doping mass ratios of 0.09–0.34 wt% was prepared, and the structure–performance relationship as well as the surface–interface reaction mechanism for ciprofloxacin (CIP) degradation were systematically elucidated. Experimental results confirm that Bi³⁺ incorporates into the lattice via Bi-N coordination bonds with nitrogen in the g-C₃N₄ framework, which narrows the band gap, suppresses photogenerated carrier recombination, and constructs a loose porous morphology beneficial for increasing specific surface area and active sites. Under optimal conditions, 15Bi/g-C₃N₄ achieves 97.6% degradation of 15 mg L⁻¹ CIP within 90 min, which is 13.7% higher than that of pristine g-C₃N₄. The effects of catalyst dosage, initial pH, CIP concentration, common coexisting ions, and different real water matrices on the degradation performance were systematically investigated. Radical quenching experiments combined with ESR characterization confirm that h⁺ is the dominant reactive species responsible for CIP degradation. This green, simple and scalable method yields uniform products, and the resulting materials exhibit high efficiency, economic feasibility and environmental safety, demonstrating promising potential for antibiotic wastewater treatment. Full article

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of pathologies (obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, hypertension) that affects over one quarter of old adults. MetS is a condition that markedly increases the susceptibility of various organs to dysfunctionality and is associated with the development of oxidative stress. The existing guidelines point out that exercise is highly advantageous for patients with MetS. However, there is a need for specific guidance and clinical evidence. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a moderate aerobic exercise program on older women without and with MetS. Methods: A total of 120 women aged 60–70 years old were recruited and divided into two groups: healthy old women (HOW, N = 60) and old women with MetS (OW-MetS, N = 60). Anthropometric values, biochemical parameters and markers of oxidative damage were evaluated before and after moderate aerobic exercise. Exercise was performed five days per week for three months (64 sessions). Each exercise session consisted of 40 min and included the following: (a) five minutes of warm-up exercise; (b) ten minutes of flexibility exercise with resistance using own weight and coordination; (c) twenty minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (heart rate max between 60% and 70%); and (d) five minutes to cool down/stretching with respiratory techniques. Results: A significant decrease in anthropometric variables was generated by the exercise program [waist circumference 4.35 cm (p < 0.05) in OW-MetS, body fat −1.55, −1.39% (p < 0.05) and muscle mass 0.8, 1.1% (p < 0.05) in HOW and OW-MetS, respectively]. The exercise program resulted in beneficial changes in all biochemical parameters in both groups. Importantly, HOMA values showed a significant decline of −0.85 and −6.17 in HOW and OW-MetS, respectively. Furthermore, oxidative stress was present in the OW-MetS group, which was reduced by the exercise program, resulting in a decrease in protein damage [formazan 45% and 42% in HOW and OW-MetS respectively] and an increase in antioxidant defenses (thiol groups 36%, 99% and GPx 55%, 20% in HOW and OW-MetS, respectively). Conclusions: The data of this study show that moderate aerobic exercise may be potentially useful in treating and preventing MetS in older patients. Full article

Maternal infection (MI) can increase the risk of neurodevelopmental and behavioural changes. This study examined MI-induced changes in motor coordination through the inflammatory-pathway-mediated epigenetic status of Reln. On gestational day (GD) 10, rats were assigned as (i) Control (Ctrl); (ii) Cronobacter sakazakii (CS) infection on GD-10 through recto-vaginal colonization; (iii) Negative Control (NC) [infected with C. sakazakii and treated with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) 1 h before and 24 h after infection]; and (iv) C. sakazakii-infected rats treated with matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor (MMPI), 1 h before and 24 h after infection (CS + MMPI). Offspring were subjected to footprint analysis and the ladder rung walking test, which revealed that MI caused significant deficits in motor coordination. In addition, MI activated complement components—a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-1 (ADAMTS-1, C5a)—as well as proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-9). Furthermore, the levels of DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha (DNMT3A), methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2), and histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) were elevated in the CS and NC groups. Concurrently, the level of Reln promoter methylation increased; as a result, mRNA and protein, as well as postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95), levels were decreased. Overall, the findings suggest that MI altered MMP-2/3/9 activity, H3K4me3, and the methylation of Reln, thereby affecting reelin, synaptic protein expression, and motor coordination in an experimental meningitis rat model. Full article

We study functions satisfying the composition law $F\left(xy\right)+F(x/y)=P\left(F\right(x),F(y\left)\right)$ with a symmetric polynomial combiner P. We prove that symmetry together with a quadratic degree bound on P forces a composition law of d’Alembert type. We establish a degree mismatch exclusion criterion showing that symmetric polynomial combiners with $degP(u,v)\ge 3$ do not admit nonconstant continuous solutions, provided the leading term does not cancel (Theorem 1). For continuous nonconstant functions $F:{\mathbb{R}}_{>0}\to \mathbb{R}$ with $F\left(1\right)=0$ satisfying the composition law with a symmetric polynomial P of degree at most two, the combiner is necessarily of the form $P(u,v)=2u+2v+cuv$, $c\in \mathbb{R}$ (Theorem 3). The equation reduces in logarithmic coordinates to the classical d’Alembert functional equation. For $c\ne 0$, one obtains hyperbolic or trigonometric branches, while $c=0$ yields the squared-logarithm family. Under the cost-function assumptions $F\ge 0$ and convexity, only the hyperbolic branch with $c>0$ remains. A unit log-curvature calibration selects the canonical value $c=2$, which yields the canonical reciprocal cost $F\left(x\right)=\frac{1}{2}(x+x^{-1})-1$. For $c\ne 0$, the result extends to ${\mathbb{R}}_{>0}^n$: every solution depends only on a single linear combination of coordinate logarithms; for $c=0$, the solution is a general quadratic form ${\sum }_{i,j}{a}_{ij}ln{x}_{i}ln{x}_j$. In either case, nontrivial coordinate-wise separable costs are excluded. Full article