Search Results (6,561)

This study reports the structural, optical, and photocatalytic properties of Nd-doped Al₂O₃ nanoparticles synthesized via a high-temperature solid-state reaction method. The impact of varying Nd concentrations (1%, 2%, and 3%) on the host lattice was investigated through X-ray diffraction (XRD), which confirmed the successful integration of Nd³⁺ ions and revealed a concentration-dependent lattice expansion. Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) demonstrated characteristic 4f-4f transitions of Nd³⁺, while Tauc plot analysis indicated a systematic blue shift in the optical bandgap from 4.5 eV to 4.63 eV with an increasing dopant content. The photocatalytic efficiency was evaluated through the degradation of Basic Fuchsin (BF) dye under UV irradiation. The Al₂O₃:3% Nd sample exhibited superior performance, achieving an 83% degradation efficiency within 160 min, following pseudo-first-order Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetics (k_obs = 0.02428 min⁻¹). Photoluminescence (PL) studies further corroborated the structural integrity and defect dynamics, showing a significant enhancement in NIR emission (880–920 nm) at higher doping levels without reaching the concentration-quenching threshold. These results suggest that Nd-doped Al₂O₃ nanoparticles are highly effective for environmental remediation and optoelectronic applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: In recent years there has been a consistent development of clinical studies surrounding the incorporation of the B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) inhibitor venetoclax (VEN) into the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) Methods: A search of the literature showed a tremendous development of experimental and clinical studies evaluating the impact of VEN-based regimens in the treatment of AML patients. This review comprehensively analyzes the available scientific evidence—including prospective clinical trials, retrospective cohorts, and real-world studies—to summarize current knowledge on the efficacy and safety of venetoclax-based regimens in AML patients. Results: Recent studies have evaluated VEN-based regimens in newly diagnosed (ND) and refractory/relapsed (R/R) AML patients, showing the efficacy of these treatments. VEN with hypomethylating agents (HMAs) became the standard-of-care for elderly/unfit AML patients. Recent studies strongly support the effectiveness of VEN-based regimens in frontline treatment of adult AML patients eligible for intensive treatments. VEN-based therapies were also used in combination with targeted therapies, thus generating triplet therapeutic regimens that are under evaluation for the treatment of some AML subtypes. However, the response to VEN+HMAs is highly variable and in part depends on tumor genetics; some patients are resistant or relapse following VEN-based treatments and future studies will be required to develop therapeutic strategies able to circumvent resistance and to identify patients at high risk of relapse. Prospective randomized trials are required to establish the real efficacy of VEN in various clinical settings and to refine maintenance and discontinuation strategies, aiming to improve long-term outcomes and to make more safe treatments based on VEN. Full article

Background: The recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorization of AirPods Pro as over-the-counter hearing aids (HAs) has increased interest in consumer devices as potential alternatives to traditional amplification; however, their electroacoustic performance relative to clinically fitted HAs remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the electroacoustic characteristics and real-ear measures of AirPods Pro 2nd generation (APP2), AirPods Pro 3rd generation (APP3), and a traditional receiver-in-the-canal HA across mild flat, mild-to-moderate sloping, and moderate flat hearing loss configurations. Methods: Outcome measures included 2cc coupler output curves, saturation sound pressure level for a 90 dB input (SSPL90), real-ear speech mapping, maximum power output (MPO), and real-ear-to-coupler differences. Results: Coupler-based electroacoustic measures showed that APP2 and APP3 produced output comparable to the traditional HA (within 7 dB). SSPL90 outputs were similar for APP2 and APP3, whereas the HA demonstrated profile-dependent increases. In contrast, real-ear measurements demonstrated that both APP2 and APP3 consistently produced less output relative to the HA that was fitted to NAL-NL2 targets, with the largest deviations observed for moderate hearing loss and at higher frequencies (up to 14 dB). Across all configurations, MPO was consistently highest for the HA, with both AirPods devices exhibiting reduced maximum output, especially in speech-critical frequency regions. Real-ear-to-coupler difference findings indicated reduced acoustic coupling for APP3 relative to APP2 and the HA, contributing to reduced in-ear amplification despite comparable coupler outputs. Conclusions: While AirPods Pro may offer benefit for mild hearing loss or moderate high-frequency hearing loss, they do not provide output comparable to prescriptively fitted HAs. These findings underscore the continued importance of clinical verification and prescription-based fitting of hearing assistive technology for achieving appropriate audibility across hearing loss configurations. Full article

Neurodegenerative diseases involve progressive neuronal loss associated with oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation. Given the limited efficacy of current therapies, natural compounds with multitarget neuroprotective potential are of growing interest. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of a standardized Magnolia officinalis (L.) bark extract (MOE) in rat brain cortical slices exposed to hydrogen peroxide-induced OS. MOE significantly recovered tissue viability and reduced ROS and malondialdehyde levels caused by OS while attenuating caspase-3, -8, and -9 activation, suggesting modulation of intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. Shotgun proteomics using LC-HRMS/MS identified OS-induced protein expression changes reversed by MOE, with fourteen of thirty-three altered proteins rescued by MOE co-treatment. These proteins participate in several processes, including neuronal survival, OS response, and proteostasis. Bioinformatic analysis demonstrated that genes responsible for protein synthesis regulated by MOE are subjected to transcriptional regulation by factors associated with OS, including FOXO4, NRF2, and SP1. The present findings support the hypothesis that MOE exerts multitarget neuroprotective effects by modulating key proteins involved in OS responses and neuronal survival in an acute ex vivo oxidative injury model, suggesting potential relevance for mechanisms associated with NDs. Full article

Rare earth elements (REEs) play an important role in emerging renewable energy technology, the production of advanced materials, energy conservation, and high-end manufacturing industries, making them an irreplaceable strategic resource. The diagnostic spectral absorption features of REEs in the visible and near-infrared spectrum can be effectively used for identifying the occurrences of REEs on the Earth’s surface. This study systematically compared three airborne hyperspectral sensors—HyMap, CASI-1500h, and AisaFENIX 1K—for detecting REEs in the Bayan Obo area of Inner Mongolia, China. The CASI-1500h imagery performed most effectively in identifying the locations of REEs among the three sensors evaluated here. Additionally, this study proposed a hyperspectral workflow for REE identification, which enabled the detection of REE-bearing minerals regardless of the host rock types—including carbonatites and associated dikes, fenite-syenites, and metamorphic feldspar-quartz sandstone. Laboratory-based spectroscopy and mineral chemistry analyses indicated that the absorption features of the REE-bearing mineral monazite within the 400–1000 nm range can be ascribed to Nd³⁺. This study demonstrates the potential of airborne hyperspectral technology for efficient and large-scale exploration of REE deposits. Full article

Excessive planting density and heavy rainfall weather threatens global agriculture, particularly affecting maize. Biochar is an environmentally friendly soil amendment that has a yield-increasing effect. However, the regulatory mechanism of biochar frequency on crop internode development and photosystem II photosynthetic efficiency remains unknown. A total of nine treatments were followed in this experiment. Three applications of biochar were as follows: no biochar application (B0); biochar application at 4.2 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ (B1); and biochar application at 8.4 t ha⁻¹ 2 year⁻¹ (B2), alongside three nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates (0, N0; 180 kg ha⁻¹, N1 and 225 kg ha⁻¹, N2). The results showed that the internode thickness of the 2nd to 5th nodes under N2B2 treatment increased by 17.7%, 16.0%, 19.7%, and 21.7%, respectively, compared to N0B0. Annual biochar application had a higher stem diameter coefficient for the 1st to 3rd nodes than no biochar (B0) and treatments applied every two years (B2). Annual biochar application had the highest dry weight of internodes and plant height compared with B0 and B2. The relative chlorophyll content of leaves was significantly increased by biochar combined with N fertilizer or by N fertilizer alone. Biochar combined with N fertilizer significantly reduced NPQt and ΦNPQ, which were reduced by 59% and 50%, respectively, under N2B1 treatment compared with N0B0. The N2B1 treatment increased ΦII by 30% compared to N0B0. Stem diameter coefficient was significantly negatively correlated with NPQt and ΦNPQ and significantly positively correlated with ΦII and Fv/Fm. Compared to B1, B2 increased the maize yield. Annual biochar application combined with N fertilizer reduced stem collapse and enhanced post-flowering photosynthesis. Overall, considering the yield traits, 8.4 t ha⁻¹ biochar application combined with 180 kg ha⁻¹ N fertilizer treatment was the best. This study will provide reference data for cultivation regulation to enhance maize’s resistance to collapse and maintain photosynthetic capacity. Full article

Heavy metal contamination in drinking water remains a pervasive global challenge with significant consequences for environmental quality and human health. This review synthesizes findings from recent studies examining heavy metal concentrations in different sources of drinking water, including municipal tap water, groundwater, surface water, and bottled/sachet water across various geographical regions. The study used a systematic review of studies published from 2015 to 2024. The result showed a variation in the concentrations of heavy metals from all the sources, with tap water generally exhibiting lower heavy metal levels. Pb, Fe, Mn, and other metals persist in different sources and from many regions with levels above the permissible limits recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in some instances, which were sometimes linked to aging distribution systems and other pollution sources. Bottled and sachet water, commonly regarded as safer alternatives, also showed some levels of heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, and Cr, reflecting inconsistent packaging or production oversight. Surface waters display variability with heavy metals pollution, driven by industrial discharge, mining activities, agricultural runoff, and urban wastewater inputs. Groundwater sources, although naturally shielded, frequently contained elevated concentrations of As, Hg, and Ni due to both geological and anthropogenic factors. Pb concentrations were below detection limit in some of the published papers; however, the values reported in this study ranged from ND to 260.0 µg/L (tap water), ND to 0.259 mg/L (surface water), ND to 0.791 mg/L (groundwater), and ND to 123.15 µg/L (bottled water). Arsenic (As) concentrations ranged from ND to 692 µg/L from different sources, with the highest concentration from groundwater. Collectively, these patterns underscore the need for strengthened monitoring frameworks, improved water treatment technologies, and integrated pollution-prevention strategies. Addressing heavy metal contamination in drinking water requires coordinated policy approach and continuous monitoring to reduce human exposure and safeguard global public health. Full article

The timing of uranium mineralization in the Xiangshan ore field has long been controversial. Although various geochronometers have been applied by previous researchers, including pyrite Rb-Sr, mica Ar-Ar, and fluorite Sm-Nd, the results remain inconsistent and inconclusive. In recent years, the discovery of abundant Pb-Zn veins in the deeper parts of the Xiangshan ore field has further complicated the interpretation of its metallogenic history. In this study, abundant vein-type hydrothermal apatites closely associated with U-Pb-Zn polymetallic mineralization were identified in both uranium and Pb-Zn ore veins. Combined major-element Electron Probe Microprobe Analysis (EPMA), Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb dating, and trace-element analysis were conducted on these apatite grains. The results suggest a mineralization age of 130.9 ± 1.1 Ma for the Shannan uranium deposit, which is consistent with the previously reported apatite U-Pb age of 131.3 ± 7.2 Ma from the Zoujiashan uranium deposit and coincides with the main pulse of volcanic-intrusive activity in the Xiangshan ore field (133–137 Ma). The deep Niutoushan Pb-Zn deposit suggests a younger mineralization age of 124.5 ± 1.3 Ma, which is consistent with a thermal event age of 125.6 Ma determined by zircon fission-track dating and the zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb age of late-stage granite porphyry (125.4 ± 1.0 Ma). These ages may constrain the timing of U-Pb-Zn polymetallic mineralization in the Xiangshan ore field. Both magmatic and hydrothermal apatites are classified as fluorapatite and exhibit similar chondrite-normalized rare earth element (REE) patterns. Compared with magmatic apatites, hydrothermal apatites are characterized by elevated Th, U, Ca, and Sr contents, depletion in light rare earth elements (LREEs), Mn, and Na, and distinctly lower Th/U ratios. On major-element variation diagrams, magmatic and hydrothermal apatites define coherent trends but display clear compositional differences related to their formation stages. Apatites from uranium ore veins show strongly negative Eu anomalies and weakly positive Ce anomalies, similar to magmatic apatites. In contrast, apatites from Pb-Zn ore veins display positive Eu anomalies and weakly negative Ce anomalies, with lower Mn and Ga contents and higher SO₃ contents relative to both magmatic apatites and hydrothermal apatites from uranium ore veins. These features indicate that the ore-forming fluids during Pb-Zn mineralization were characterized by significantly higher oxygen fugacity than those during uranium mineralization and magmatism. Combined with published Sr isotopic data for the Xiangshan ore field, we propose that both uranium and Pb-Zn mineralization were genetically linked to the prolonged magmatic evolution of the deep volcanic-intrusive complex. The subsequent incursion of meteoric water modified the physicochemical conditions of the ore-forming system, particularly during the formation of the Pb-Zn mineralization. Full article

Vaccination remains the core strategy for the prevention and control of Newcastle disease (ND). The inherent thermosensitivity of traditional Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccines imposes major limitations on their transportation, storage, and field application. To address these challenges, a novel liquid, thermostable, live ND vaccine was developed in the present study. Firstly, Tris/HCl buffer at near-neutral pH was identified as the optimal basic buffer system. On this basis, further screening and formulation optimization of vaccine stabilizers were conducted, and NDV strains with excellent thermal stability were used to verify the stability-conferring properties of the developed stabilizer. The results showed that the formulation composed of 0.5% gelatin, 4% trehalose, 0.1% L-glutamic acid, and 0.5% thiourea was confirmed as the optimal stabilizer for ND liquid vaccines. This formulation maintained the stable storage of the tested NDV for 12 months at 4 °C and exhibited promising stability for 30 days at 25 °C, marking a significant advancement toward development thermostable NDV vaccines that are independent of a continuous cold chain. More importantly, the liquid vaccine stored at 4 °C for 12 months still induced high levels of NDV-specific antibodies in specific pathogen-free chicks and provided 100% protective efficacy against challenge with virulent NDV. In conclusion, the liquid vaccine stabilizer developed in this study not only significantly enhanced the thermostability of the vaccine but also effectively maintained its immunogenicity, thereby providing an important theoretical basis for the research and development of liquid ND vaccines. Full article

Understanding salmonid spawning dynamics is critical for conserving cold-water river ecosystems amid increasing human and climate pressures. This study developed and validated a species-specific eDNA (Salmo cf. trutta and Thymallus thymallus) and evaluated its performance for seasonal spawning activity monitoring using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). Species-specific primers and probes targeting mitochondrial nd5 (S. trutta) and cytb (T. thymallus) genes were designed and optimized as a duplex assay. Performance assessments included in vitro validation, cross-amplification testing, and determining the LOB, LOD, and LOQ. Field validation over a year at two spawning sites in the Gradac River, Serbia, involved seasonal eDNA sampling, filtration, extraction, and ddPCR analysis. Fish community composition was also assessed with electrofishing and metabarcoding. The assay showed high specificity and sensitivity, with LODs of 0.14 cp/µL and LOQs of 0.99 and 1.25 cpµL for S. trutta and T. thymallus. S. trutta eDNA peaked in late autumn during spawning, while T. thymallus remained at or below detection limits, reflecting its lower abundance and different spawning season. Filter type affected filtration efficiency but not eDNA yield. These findings confirm ddPCR-based eDNA as a powerful, non-invasive tool for monitoring salmonid spawning and seasonal changes, supporting adaptive fisheries management and conservation amid environmental changes. Full article

The nuclear force is central to our understanding of complex nuclear phenomena and to the applications of nuclear techniques. The non-perturbative nature of low-energy strong interaction and color confinement have provided an ab initio understanding of nuclear force, a challenge for almost a century, since the pioneering work of Yukawa. Since 1990, chiral effective field theory (ChEFT) has become the de facto standard for describing nuclear interactions; most prior studies employed heavy-baryon chiral perturbation theory. Only recently, there have been successful attempts to construct a chiral nuclear force employing covariant baryon chiral perturbation theory. In this work, we review recent developments and applications of relativistic chiral nuclear forces. We first elaborate on the necessity of relativistic/covariant theories, then present the construction of the first high-precision relativistic chiral nuclear force up to next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO), and discuss the ongoing progress in higher-order nucleon–nucleon (NN) and n-d scattering, as well as their applications in nuclear matter, finite nuclei, and hypernuclear systems. Finally, we summarize the achievements and outline the future outlook of this research field. Full article