Search Results (6,873)

In this study, laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB) 022Cr17Ni12Mo2 steel plates with dimensions of 50 mm × 50 mm × 2 mm were fabricated using a laser power of 206 W, a scanning speed of 900 mm/s, a hatch spacing of 90 μm, a layer thickness of 30 μm, and an interlayer scanning rotation of 67°. The specimens were then subjected to solution treatment at 900–1100 °C for 30 min and at 950 °C for 30–120 min. Unlike previous ultrasonic studies on additively manufactured metals, which mainly focused on defect detection, elastic-constant characterization, or residual stress evaluation, this work investigates whether solution-treatment-induced changes in grain size and dislocation density can be quantitatively reflected by laser-ultrasonic attenuation and further correlated with yield strength. Laser ultrasonic nondestructive testing using a 1064 nm pulsed laser with a pulse width of 8 ns and a pulse energy of 500 mJ was combined with metallographic observation, EBSD characterization, XRD analysis, tensile testing, and microhardness measurement. The results show that the solution-treated samples retained a single-phase γ-austenitic structure, while microstructural recovery, weakening of PBF-LB-induced cellular substructures, and partial annihilation of cell-wall dislocations led to a reduction in KAM-derived dislocation density from 2.04 × 10¹⁴ m⁻² to 1.45 × 10¹⁴ m⁻² and a decrease in yield strength from 466.9 MPa to 407.4 MPa. Within the present dataset, the EBSD-equivalent grain size showed an apparent positive correlation with ultrasonic attenuation, while the KAM-derived dislocation density showed an empirical negative correlation with ultrasonic attenuation. However, ultrasonic attenuation should be interpreted as a combined microstructure-sensitive response rather than as a response controlled only by EBSD-equivalent grain size or dislocation density. Based on the empirical correlations among ultrasonic attenuation, EBSD-equivalent grain size, KAM-derived dislocation density, and yield strength, a preliminary attenuation-based calibration model was established for the present solution-treated samples. The model should be regarded as an in-sample empirical calibration within the present experimental range rather than a general Hall–Petch-based predictive model. The model showed good in-sample fitting performance, with (R²) values higher than 0.85 and a maximum in-sample fitting error of 3.85%. However, because the model was established and assessed using the same eight solution-treatment conditions, it should be regarded as a preliminary calibration model within the present experimental range rather than a general predictive model. This study demonstrates the potential of laser ultrasonic attenuation for non-contact evaluation of microstructural and mechanical-property variations in solution-treated PBF-LB 022Cr17Ni12Mo2 steel. Full article

5052 aluminum alloy has been widely used in aerospace, shipbuilding, automotive, and electronic industries due to its low density, high specific strength, and excellent corrosion resistance. Understanding its laser-induced damage behavior under combined continuous-wave (CW) and nanosecond (ns) pulse laser irradiation is essential for optimizing combined laser processing. In this study, the damage behaviors induced by individual CW laser, individual ns pulse laser, and combined pulse laser were systematically investigated using high-speed imaging, infrared thermography, and three-dimensional surface characterization. The results show that the combined pulse laser significantly enhances both damage depth and material removal efficiency compared with single laser irradiation. Although the peak surface temperature remains nearly unchanged under different processing conditions, the crater morphology and penetration depth vary substantially. High-speed imaging reveals that plasma evolution and molten metal ejection dominate the material removal process. Variations in processing parameters significantly modify molten pool dynamics and plasma behavior. In particular, enhanced plasma shielding or excessive energy dissipation reduces the effective laser energy coupling, leading to decreased material removal efficiency. The synergistic interaction among molten pool evolution, plasma expansion, and molten metal ejection governs the final damage morphology. This study provides new insights into the dynamic interaction mechanisms between combined pulse laser and aluminum alloys, offering guidance for parameter optimization in high-precision laser micromachining. Full article

In this study, rapid-hardening sulfoaluminate cement (SAC) was used as cementitious material, and recycled fine aggregates (RFAs) were surface pretreated by immersion in nano-SiO₂ (NS) suspensions. NS-modified SAC recycled fine aggregate mortars were prepared at three cement–sand ratios (1:1, 1:2 and 1:3) to systematically investigate the regulatory effects of NS concentrations (0%, 1%, 2% and 3%) on macroscopic performance, hydration products and interfacial microstructure. Multi-scale characterizations, including XRD, TG-DTG, SEM-EDS and microhardness tests, were carried out. The testing results show that appropriate NS can optimize SAC hydration by heterogeneous nucleation and the pozzolanic reaction. At a cement–sand ratio of 1:1, the compressive and flexural strengths gradually increase as the NS concentration rises from 0% to 2%. Compared with the control group, the 28 d compressive and flexural strength are enhanced by 19.5% and 16.6%, respectively, the drying shrinkage decreases by 8.0%, and carbonation resistance is obviously improved. Meanwhile, the formation of AFt is promoted, amorphous C-S-H gel accumulates continuously, and the content of Ca(OH)₂ is gradually consumed by the pozzolanic reaction of NS. For specimens modified with 2% NS, the maximum microhardness reaches 1326 HV, which greatly benefits the mechanical properties of mortar. However, further increasing the NS concentration to 3% triggers nanoparticle agglomeration and reduces effective reactive silica, leading to a decline in hydration products, deteriorated interfacial compactness and reduced mechanical performance. Therefore, 2% can be determined as the optimal NS concentration which can provide a theoretical basis for high-value resource recycling of recycled fine aggregates in SAC mortar. Full article

Ce³⁺-activated Gd₃(Al,Ga)₅O₁₂:Ce scintillation ceramics have been widely studied due to their excellent scintillation properties. However, the relatively long radiative lifetime and slow decay components limit their applications in X-ray imaging. To address these issues, Lu³⁺ ions were introduced to partially substitute Gd³⁺ ions, thereby weakening the role of self-trapped states in the excitation process of Ce³⁺ and reducing the negative effects caused by shallow electron traps. As a result, the scintillation decay time was, overall, shortened, and an average decay time of 63 ns was obtained when x = 0.997. Meanwhile, the afterglow behavior induced by shallow electron traps was significantly suppressed (for the sample with x = 0.5, the afterglow intensity was measured to be approximately 0.48% of the initial intensity at 100 ms after the X-ray excitation was turned off). Meanwhile, an X-ray imaging spatial resolution comparable to that of commercial CsI:Tl (10 lp mm⁻¹) was achieved for the (Gd,Lu)₃Ga₂Al₃O₁₂:Ce³⁺ scintillation ceramics. Full article

This study aimed to characterize the modulation in immune cell subpopulations in murine lungs following influenza A virus (IAV) infection, assessing the effects of infectious dose, viral adaptation, and NS1 expression. Immune cell subsets were profiled by surface receptor expression using multiparametric flow cytometry with a 10-antibody immunophenotyping panel. Neutrophils expressing Ly-6G were significantly increased in the lungs following lethal-dose infection with IAV, independently of NS1 expression; in contrast, lethal-dose infection with all viruses reduced CD163⁺ and F4/80⁺ neutrophil subpopulations. Lethal-dose infection increased pulmonary CD68⁺ macrophages while decreasing CD163⁺, CD193⁺, and F4/80⁺ macrophage subsets, as well as F4/80⁺ myeloid cells, by day 3 post-infection; these reductions were independent of NS1 expression and infectious dose. Following lethal-dose IAV infection, NK cells exhibited upregulation of IL-23R⁺ and IL-12Rβ2⁺ subsets, while the CD193⁺ NK subpopulation was decreased on day 3 post-infection. Profiling of NKT cells revealed an expansion of the IL-12Rβ2⁺ NKT subset on day 3 post-infection. Adaptive immune profiling of lung CD4⁺ T cells revealed a selective increase in Th1-like cells (IL-12Rβ2⁺ CD4⁺) after WSN infection, a marked reduction in Th2-like cells (CD193⁺ CD4⁺) following infection with IAV regardless of NS1 status or dose, and an expansion of CD4⁺NK1.1⁺ cells only after lethal-dose infection. Immune cell subset frequencies were comparable between infections with NS1-expressing and wild-type viruses; NS1 expression did not alter subset composition, whereas the infection dose modulated their abundance. These findings expand our understanding of the subpopulation of immune cells and their possible role in influenza virus pathogenesis. Full article

This work presents an electrochemical, kinetic, and morphological study of iron electrodeposition on a glassy carbon electrode from an ammonium chloride-based electrolyte containing 0.01 M FeCl₂ and 0.1 M NH₄Cl at pH 6.0. Thermodynamic analysis identified [Fe(H₂O)₆]²⁺ as the predominant Fe(II) species under the investigated conditions. Cyclic voltammetry showed a predominantly diffusion-controlled cathodic response at scan rates ≤ 25 mV s⁻¹. At higher scan rates, a marked decrease in cathodic current was observed, which is attributed to the shorter timescale available for Fe nucleation and growth and the reduced contribution of the concurrent hydrogen evolution reaction. Chronoamperometric analysis indicated three-dimensional progressive nucleation and growth under diffusion-controlled conditions. The kinetic parameters revealed a substantial difference between the initial active-site density (N₀) and the nuclear saturation density (Ns), indicating a decrease in the number of sites available for stable nucleus formation as deposition proceeded. SEM characterization showed an increase in particle density and surface coverage with increasing cathodic overpotential, consistent with the potential dependence of the nucleation parameters. Full article

Pervious concrete must balance mechanical capacity with interconnected voids required for drainage. A three-factor, three-level Box–Behnken design examined fly ash (FA; 10–20%), metakaolin (MK; 5–15%), and nano-silica (NS; 0.5–1.5%) at a fixed total binder content of 380 kg/m³. Compressive strength, water-accessible open porosity, and the apparent permeability coefficient ranged from 16.80 to 28.20 MPa, 14.07 to 24.50%, and 2.20 to 7.29 mm/s, respectively. Quadratic models for compressive strength and the apparent permeability coefficient were statistically adequate (R² = 0.9907 and 0.9861); the porosity model showed significant lack of fit. The porosity model was retained only for local trend interpretation and excluded from optimization. In a researcher-defined design scenario that maximized strength while targeting an apparent permeability coefficient of 3.00 mm/s, desirability analysis selected a model-predicted compromise solution containing 14.038% FA, 12.556% MK, and 1.483% NS, with a predicted compressive strength and an apparent permeability coefficient of 28.233 MPa and 3.000 mm/s. The NS factor was close to the upper boundary, and the solution was not experimentally validated. Selected single-field SEM observations illustrated local differences among M5, M7, and M12, while selected-area EDS sum spectra provided only local elemental composition information. The results indicate potential for future pavement evaluation after independent validation, multi-field microstructural analysis, durability testing, and economic assessment. Full article

Background: Paclitaxel is a cornerstone chemotherapeutic agent widely used in breast cancer treatment, primarily through the stabilization of microtubule dynamics. Beyond its canonical tubulin-targeting activity, increasing evidence suggests that paclitaxel may engage additional molecular targets, contributing to its complex pharmacological profile. In this study, an integrated computational workflow was applied to evaluate the structural compatibility between paclitaxel and the neurokinin-2 receptor (NK2R), a G protein-coupled receptor involved in tumor-associated inflammatory and proliferative signaling pathways. Physicochemical profiling and target prediction were performed using SwissADME and SwissTargetPrediction, followed by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations using AutoDock Vina and GROMACS 2024.1. Paclitaxel exhibited physicochemical properties consistent with transient interactions in hydrophobic transmembrane environments. Docking analysis identified a plausible binding mode within the NK2R transmembrane cavity, primarily stabilized by hydrophobic contacts. Molecular dynamics simulations over 100 ns revealed stable ligand occupancy and overall complex stability, while MM-PBSA calculations indicated a favorable transient association. The predicted interaction is consistent with secondary or non-canonical receptor engagement. While NK2R is not established as a pharmacological target of paclitaxel, the results support the structural feasibility of a previously uncharacterized receptor interaction and provide a reproducible computational framework for exploring GPCR-associated effects of cytotoxic agents. Full article

This study compared secondary-metabolite profiles, IC₅₀-based antiproliferative activity, and relative selectivity of four Indonesian cardamom (Amomum compactum Soland. ex Maton) accessions: Bogor white, Bogor red, Sukabumi, and Ciamis. Ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts were evaluated in MCF-7, MCM-B2, and MCA-B1 tumor-derived cells, with Vero cells as a non-tumor-derived reference and profiled by untargeted LC-MS/MS. Putatively annotated metabolites were further assessed using chemometrics, terpenoid-focused network pharmacology, molecular docking, and 50 ns molecular dynamics simulation. Extract IC₅₀ values ranged from 0.959 to 2.210 mg mL⁻¹ in MCF-7, 0.818 to 2.733 mg mL⁻¹ in MCM-B2, and 1.382 to 3.426 mg mL⁻¹ in MCA-B1 cells, while Vero values ranged from 2.762 to 4.000 mg mL⁻¹. MCF-7 cells generally showed the greatest overall sensitivity, although the lowest individual IC₅₀ occurred with Sukabumi ethyl acetate extract in MCM-B2 cells. Ciamis ethyl acetate extract showed higher relative selectivity toward MCF-7 and MCM-B2 cells. LC-MS/MS putatively annotated 36 metabolites, with terpenoid-related compounds predominating. Kaur-16-ene was computationally prioritized based on predicted interactions with ESR1, EGFR, SCN5A, and CCND1 and short-timescale ESR1-complex stability. These findings demonstrate accession- and solvent-associated differences and support kaur-16-ene for further experimental validation. Full article

H9N2 avian influenza viruses pose a persistent zoonotic risk owing to their broad host adaptability. Between 2024 and 2025, two H9N2 isolates (ZHY1022B2 and ZHY0417A11) were recovered from quail flocks in Hebei, China. Phylogenetic analysis clustered their HA genes within the dominant B4.7.2 subclade, but diverged into two subgroups (B4.7.2.2 and B4.7.2.1). Of particular interest was ZHY0417A11, which displayed a multigenic reassortment pattern—its PB1 originated from an H3N8 virus, PA and PB2 from H3N3, NS from H10N3, and the M gene was nearly identical (99.32%) to a human H3N8 isolate, whereas the remaining HA, NA and NP segments maintained the H9N2 backbone. Despite the presence of the HA mammalian-adaptive markers (H191N, A198V and Q234L), both strains showed marked antigenic drift from the vaccine strain SS (BJ/94-like; R < 0.5), while retaining reactivity with currently circulating field strains. These findings argue for heightened vigilance in quail populations, given their role as mixing vessels, and highlight the limitations of current vaccine matching in light of ongoing H9N2 evolution. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) is a key regulator of cell-cycle progression and a potential anticancer target. This study aimed to identify alkaloid-derived CDK2 ligands using an integrated computational workflow and to obtain preliminary evidence of their effects on cancer-cell viability. Methods: Molecular docking with mVina and fast pulling of ligand (FPL) simulations were benchmarked using 20 experimentally characterized CDK2 inhibitors. A library of 2692 PubChem-derived alkaloids was screened, followed by ADMET evaluation, 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations, and FPL-based relative-affinity re-ranking. The three prioritized compounds were evaluated in HepG2 and HGC-27 cells using an MTT assay after 48 h of exposure. Results: Docking and FPL showed correlations with experimental affinity data of R_Dock = 0.549 ± 0.180 and R_W = −0.676 ± 0.119, respectively. CID 636885, CID 46184320, and CID 101691758 were prioritized for detailed evaluation. All three compounds reduced cell viability, with lower IC₅₀ values observed in HepG2 cells than in HGC-27 cells. CID 101691758 exhibited the highest growth-inhibitory activity among the tested compounds, with IC₅₀ values of 15.37 ± 0.46 µg mL⁻¹ in HepG2 cells and 52.64 ± 1.33 µg mL⁻¹ in HGC-27 cells. Conclusions: The workflow identified three preliminary alkaloid hits, with CID 101691758 showing the most favorable combined computational and cell-viability profile. However, the MTT assay does not establish direct CDK2 inhibition or kinase selectivity. Biochemical CDK2 inhibition, target-engagement, and kinase-panel studies are therefore required. Full article

This study employed sequential inoculation of native non-brewing yeasts Kluyveromyces marxianus YC-T7 and Pichia kudriavzevii QC-P3 to co-ferment dry white wine from Munage, a unique fresh-eating grape variety native to Xinjiang, providing technical support for the development of regionally distinctive wines in Xinjiang. To investigate how mixed fermentation with indigenous Xinjiang non-Saccharomyces (NS) yeasts and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) influences the aromatic profile of Munage wine, two NS strains—K. marxianus YC-T7 and P. kudriavzevii QC-P3—previously isolated and selected by our group were sequentially co-inoculated with S. cerevisiae CEC01. Strain growth dynamics were first characterized in a synthetic grape juice (SGJ) system under varying inoculation protocols; subsequently, Munage grapes were fermented under optimized sequential inoculation to assess physicochemical parameters, volatile aroma composition, and sensory attributes of the resulting dry white wine. Results demonstrated that, under sequential inoculation, the QC-P3 + SC consortium entered the late logarithmic phase on day 4 and achieved a final ethanol concentration of 10.29%vol, whereas the YC-T7 + SC consortium reached the same growth stage on day 5 with 10.27%vol ethanol—confirming robust and timely alcoholic fermentation for both consortia. Consequently, sequential inoculation was adopted as the standard protocol for Munage wine production. All key physicochemical parameters complied with China’s national standards for dry white wine. Relative to pure SC fermentation, the YC-T7 + SC treatment increased tartaric acid, α-ketoglutaric acid, and citric acid contents by 3.15%, 12.16%, and 2.18%, respectively; the QC-P3 + SC treatment induced more pronounced enhancements—22.58%, 51.64%, and 14.70%, respectively. A total of 54 volatile compounds were identified, including 29 esters, 12 alcohols, 7 organic acids, 4 phenolic compounds, and 2 others. Integrated analysis using odor activity values (OAVs), principal component analysis (PCA), and descriptive sensory evaluation consistently revealed that the YC-T7 + SC wine exhibited the highest concentrations of fruit- and flower-associated esters, while the QC-P3 + SC wine was distinguished by a distinctive pineapple-like aroma driven predominantly by ethyl butyrate. Collectively, sequential co-inoculation of indigenous Xinjiang NS strains YC-T7 and QC-P3 with S. cerevisiae significantly improved Munage wine quality—particularly in acidity balance, polyphenol retention, and aromatic complexity—thereby offering both novel microbial resources and a validated technical framework for stylistically authentic vinification of terroir-expressive wines from the Xinjiang region. Full article

Curcumin derivatives (curcuminoids) exhibit considerable antiparasitic and antiviral activities. In this study, EF24-like bis-2-fluorobenzylidene piperidone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for antiprotozoal activity and inhibition of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 reverse transcriptase (RT)-associated RNase H (HIV-1 RNase H). A series of bis-arylidene piperidones and tetrahydro(thio)pyranones bearing halogen or nitro substituents were tested against Leishmania major (promastigotes and amastigotes) and Toxoplasma gondii. L. major promastigotes were the most sensitive parasitic model, with several compounds exhibiting low-nanomolar IC₅₀ values, while ortho- or para-halogenated analogues demonstrated submicromolar activity against T. gondii. Among them, 3,4-dichlorophenyl (HPip-DC) and 4-bromophenyl (HPip-4Br) derivatives showed potent activity against L. major and HIV-1 RNase H. The entropy-uncorrected MM-GBSA effective binding energy estimates were −33.41, −9.29, −8.37, and −4.27 kcal/mol for the predicted L. major squalene monooxygenase–HPip-DC, bovine cytochrome bc₁–DiFiD (2,4-difluorophenyl derivative), RNase H–HPip-4NO (4-nitrophenyl derivative), and RNase H–HPip-DC complexes, respectively. During 300 ns simulations, the ligands remained associated with their binding pockets. The Arg557 residue was crucial for HPip-4NO-mediated RNase H inhibition while the inhibitory activity of HPip-DC was much less dependent on this amino acid. These findings identify EF24-like curcuminoids with potent in vitro antiprotozoal activity and biochemical inhibition of HIV-1 RNase H. Antiviral activity was observed but confounded by host cell toxicity. Full article

ISG15 is an interferon-induced ubiquitin-like protein that exerts diverse functions during viral infection. We previously reported that ovine ISG15 (oISG15) promoted bluetongue virus (BTV) replication by stabilizing viral NS1 and VP4 in an ISGylation-independent manner, although the mechanism remained unknown. Here, using the generated anti-oISG15 antibody, we performed immunoprecipitation (IP) coupled with label-free Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) to characterize the oISG15-associated proteome in BTV-infected and uninfected cells. The results showed that BTV infection markedly remodeled the oISG15 association landscape, with decreased enrichment of several autophagy- and trafficking-related proteins and increased enrichment of mitochondrial metabolic proteins in oISG15 immunoprecipitates. Functionally, oISG15 overexpression induced modest alterations in autophagy-related markers in uninfected cells yet attenuated these markers’ abundance during BTV infection. Together, this study revealed BTV-induced changes in the oISG15-associated proteome that coincided with alterations in autophagy-related markers. Full article

Background/Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. The current therapeutic interventions are heavily constrained by the development of resistance and severe systemic toxicity. To address these challenges, this study integrated a multi-disciplinary framework involving high-throughput in silico screening followed by in vitro experimental validation to identify novel genetic targets of CRC and evaluate the efficacy of FDA-approved drugs. The primary objective was to identify safe and selective therapeutic agents capable of modulating their effect. Methods: The methodology employed a systematic screening of recent large-scale Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWASs) to pinpoint novel targets, followed by in silico pathogenicity prediction, homology modelling and high-throughput virtual screening of over 1615 FDA-approved drugs. The prioritized candidates were validated in vitro using MTT cytotoxicity assays and differential gene expression analysis across CRC cell lines (HCT116 and HT29) and a non-tumorigenic control, Human embryonic kidney cell line HEK293. Results: In silico analysis identified CLUH, CLSTN3 and SLC11A2 as novel potential targets. Based on in silico predicted deleterious mutations and subsequent molecular docking-based virtual screening, Telmisartan, Dutasteride and Venetoclax were prioritized. This prioritization was supported by their high binding affinity and dose-dependent cytotoxicity in MTT assays; thus, suggesting their repurposing potential for CRC treatment. Telmisartan exhibited a superior therapeutic profile not only in terms of the statistically significant cytotoxicity (p < 0.01), but also its selective effect on HCT116 and HT29 when compared to high safety profile in HEK293. This was further validated when Telmisartan selectively downregulated CLUH and SLC11A2 in CRC cell lines, HCT116 and HT29 while maintaining expression levels in the non-cancerous HEK293 cell line remained significantly unaffected. Furthermore, a 100 ns molecular dynamics simulation confirmed the stable binding conformation and structural reliability of the SLC11A2 (Trp179Ser)–Telmisartan complex. Conclucions: Our findings conclude that Telmisartan is a promising candidate for drug repurposing for CRC treatment and capable of modulating selected novel biomarkers CLUH and SLC11A2. However, further multi-omics-based confirmatory studies and pre-clinical validation studies are needed in the future to confirm the long-term efficacy of this repositioning strategy. Full article