Search Results (15,414)

Fe-Mn-Al-C lightweight steel is an alternative to traditional low-alloy structural steels. It is lightweight and can be used to reduce the weight of structures without increasing their density. However, in the marine environment, traditional low-alloy structural steels can be damaged by chloride ions, which shortens their service life. We do not yet understand how aluminum, an important alloying element in lightweight steel, affects the process of corrosion. In this study, we examined Fe-Mn-Al-C lightweight steels with different amounts of aluminum. We used full-immersion simulated marine corrosion tests and multi-dimensional characterization techniques, such as microstructure observation and electrochemical measurements, to explore the relationship between aluminum content and the steel’s corrosion rate, corrosion product structure, and corrosion resistance. The results showed that, compared with CS, the weight loss and rate of corrosion of steels that contain aluminum were a lot lower. While the corrosion rate of CS is approximately 0.068 g·h⁻¹·m⁻², that of 7Al steel is reduced to 0.050 g·h⁻¹·m⁻². The stable phases α-FeOOH and FeAl₂O₄ are formed in the corrosion products when Al is added. As the Al content increases, so does the relative content of these phases. Furthermore, FeAl₂O₄ acts as a nucleation site that refines corrosion product grains, reduces pores and cracks, and significantly improves the compactness of corrosion products. It also forms a dense inner rust layer that blocks the penetration of corrosive ions such as Cl⁻. This study confirmed that aluminum improves the corrosion resistance of steel synergistically by regulating the structure of the corrosion products, optimizing the phase composition, and improving the electrochemical properties. The optimal aluminum content for lightweight steel in marine environments is 7%, within a range of 5–9%. Full article

The pursuit of efficient drying methods that preserve fruit quality remains a major challenge in food processing. Non-thermal pre-treatments such as ultrasonication (U), edible film coating (F), and osmotic dehydration (O) can improve drying performance but show limited effectiveness when applied individually. This study investigates a combined pre-treatment strategy for pear drying, evaluating a taro starch-based edible coating used alone and in combination with U and O. Pear slices received individual and combined pre-treatments (F, OF, UF, and UOF) prior to drying at temperatures of 60, 70, and 80 °C. The drying kinetics were modeled, and quality parameters such as effective moisture diffusivity (D_eff), rehydration capacity, microstructure, color, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity, and vitamin C, were assessed. The Page model fitted the drying data the best (R² > 0.9935). UF achieved the shortest drying time and a porous microstructure, thereby enhancing rehydration. OF showed the highest D_eff and best color retention, but the lowest rehydration. Conversely, UOF caused the greatest losses in bioactive compounds (TPC: 54.29 mg GAE/100 g; antioxidant activity: 15.39%; 0.48 mg vitamin C/100 g). Unlike single-technology studies, this sequential pre-treatment strategy for pears uniquely tailors the final quality, targeting efficiency, color, bioactivity, or structural properties. Full article

White mold of carrot is mainly caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, while Sclerotinia nivalis is rarely reported. This study provides the first molecular confirmation of S. nivalis on carrot in Russia, expanding knowledge of its global distribution. rDNA-ITS sequencing (100% identity with reference strains) and phylogenetic analyses confirmed the isolate as S. nivalis. The growth, sclerotia formation, temperature response, pathogenicity, and fungicide sensitivity of four Sclerotinia strains (S. sclerotiorum from carrot, rapeseed, and soybean, and S. nivalis from carrot) were compared. S. nivalis showed slower growth, smaller but more numerous sclerotia (2–5 mm), and an optimal temperature of 15 °C, lower than S. sclerotiorum (25 °C). The soybean strain S. sclerotiorum SC382 was the most aggressive, causing 62% necrosis of carrot leaves and complete root decay within 9 days, while S. nivalis and the carrot isolates showed moderate aggressiveness. The S. nivalis SM8 strain was four times less sensitive to fluazinam (EC₅₀ = 0.0107 µg/mL) than S. sclerotiorum, whereas sensitivity to boscalid and pyraclostrobin varied. These findings confirm S. nivalis as a new causal agent of carrot white mold in Russia and demonstrate the potential of Sclerotinia strains from soybean and rapeseed to infect carrot, emphasizing the need for species-level monitoring and adapted control strategies. Full article

A study on the selective solvent extraction (SX) of molybdenum (Mo) and rhenium (Re) from two industrial pregnant leach solutions (PLSs) was carried out using Alamine 336 as the extractant and the ionic liquid (IL) 1-octyl-3-methyl Imidazolium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide [Omim][Tf₂N] as the diluent. One industrial PLS was rich in Mo (VI) (PLS-Mo) and the second one rich in Re (VII) (PLS-Re). Experiments were carried out in open vials in which the concentration of Alamine336 in the diluent, the aqueous-to-organic ratio (A/O), and the stripping with ammonium carbonate (${\left(\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{H}}_4\right)}_2\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{O}}_3$) were carried out systematically. Results indicate that decreasing the aqueous-to-organic (A/O) ratio led to an enhancement in the extraction performances of both Mo (VI) and Re (VII), reaching recoveries of 95%–98% at an A/O ratio of 1:1. However, differences between PLSs became evident at higher ratios, as Re extraction declined more sharply than Mo. Third-phase formation was observed only in the Mo-containing PLS. The PLS–Re system did not exhibit the formation of a third phase due to a lower concentration of metal (1 g/L Mo). The use of ammonium carbonate for stripping led to enhanced recoveries, achieving 84.4% for Re and 46.8% for Mo. A total of 50 extraction-stripping cycles were carried out in this work. These demonstrated nearly total initial extraction, but performance decreased over the cycles because of insufficient stripping and solvent loading. Overall, [Omim][Tf₂N] proved to be an effective and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional diluents for Mo and Re separation and recovery from industrial leach solutions. Full article

This study examined the effects of phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄), polyimide (PI), and lubricants (MoS₂, graphite) on the phase stability, microstructure, and magnetic performance of Fe-5.0 wt.%Si soft magnetic composites (SMCs). Warm compaction (≤550 °C) and annealing at 700 °C were applied to samples prepared under a full factorial design. X-ray diffraction confirmed stable α-Fe(Si) phases without secondary phases. SEM and TEM–EDS revealed interfacial insulating layers mainly composed of Si-O, with localized phosphorus and carbon. Additive composition strongly influenced magnetic and physical properties. Increasing H₃PO₄ and PI reduced the density from 7.50 to 7.27 g/cm³ and lowered the permeability (from 189 at 1 kHz to 156), due to thicker interparticle layers that restricted metallic contact and domain wall motion. In contrast, Q-values rose significantly with frequency: for H₃PO₄ 0.25 wt.% + PI 0.25 wt.% + graphite 0.3 wt.%, Q increased from 0.39 (1 kHz) to 2.91 (10 kHz), reflecting effective eddy current suppression. Lubricant type further influenced performance: graphite consistently outperformed MoS₂, with 0.3 wt.% graphite providing the best balance of high density, permeability, and a frequency-stable Q-value. Overall, Fe-5.0 wt.%Si performance is governed not by bulk phase changes but by the trade-off between densification and insulation at particle interfaces. The optimal combination of low H₃PO₄ and PI with 0.3 wt.% graphite offers practical guidelines for designing high-frequency, high-efficiency motor materials. Full article

Tropospheric ozone (O₃) pollution is a major concern in urban environments because of its toxicity for both people and vegetation. This paper review provides an overview of atmospheric mechanisms, as well as the potential and best management practices of urban greening for reducing O₃ pollution in cities. Urban greening has often been proposed as a cost-effective solution to reduce O₃ pollution, but its effectiveness depends on careful species selection and integration with broader air quality management strategies. Ozone is a secondary pollutant and the volatile organic compounds emitted by vegetation (BVOCs) can play a prominent role in O₃ formation. A list of recommended and to-avoid species is given here to drive future planting at city scale. Planting low BVOC-emitting species and combining greening with reductions in anthropogenic emissions are key to maximizing benefits and minimizing unintended increases in O₃. Public and non-public institutions should carefully select plant species in consultation with expert scientists from the early stages, e.g., by considering local conditions and pollutant dynamics to design effective greening interventions. Collaborative planning among urban ecologists, atmospheric scientists, and municipalities is thus crucial to ensure that greening interventions contribute to overall air quality improvements rather than inadvertently enhancing O₃ formation. Such improvements will also translate into plant protection from O₃ stress. Therefore, future directions of research and policy integration to achieve healthier, O₃-resilient urban ecosystems are also provided. Full article

Gastric cancer (GC) remains a major cause of cancer-related mortality, with limited options for early detection and precision therapy. Collagen family members are increasingly recognized as key structural and regulatory components of the tumor microenvironment. Collagen type X alpha 1 chain (COL10A1) appears among the top overexpressed genes in GC and has been linked with tumorigenesis, but its functional role in GC has not been completely elucidated. The oncogenic potential of COL10A1 was assessed in vitro in GC cell lines using adenoviral-mediated overexpression. Functional assays were further performed to evaluate proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. Intracellular signaling alterations were analyzed by phosphokinase protein profiling and protein–protein interaction network analysis. COL10A1 overexpression significantly increased proliferation and migration, while reducing GC cell apoptosis. It promotes EMT by up-regulating mesenchymal markers (N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail/Slug) and suppressing epithelial markers such as E-cadherin and β-catenin. Additionally, COL10A1 overexpression activated oncogenic signaling pathways, including the JNK and MAPK cascades, increasing proliferation and tumorigenic potential. Our results showed that COL10A1 functions as a driver for tumor progression by promoting proliferation, migration, and invasion along with EMT through activation of important oncogenic pathways. These findings highlight its biological role in tumor progression and contribute to a better understanding of GC pathogenesis. Full article

The solar-driven water splitting for the production of renewable green hydrogen fundamentally relies on the exploration of efficient photocatalysts. Nanostructured TiO₂ is widely recognized as a promising material for photocatalysis, yet it remains hindered by inadequate light harvesting and fast photogenerated carrier recombination. Herein, calcined C/TiO₂ xerogels with yolk–shell and core–shell nanostructures (denoted as YS-C/TiO₂ and CS-C/TiO₂) were designed and fabricated via a typical sol–gel–calcination assisted approach. Thanks to the encapsulation of carbon nanospheres into TiO₂, it effectively enhances light absorption, improves carrier separation, and lessens carrier recombination, making the well-designed YS-C/TiO₂ composite display a remarkable hydrogen evolution rate of 975 µmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ under simulated solar light irradiation and without the use of any co-catalyst, which is approximately 21.7 times that of the commercial TiO₂. The work provides an efficacious design concept in developing nanostructured TiO₂-based photocatalysts and in boosting broad photocatalytic applications. Full article

A recently discovered turquoise deposit in the Fangshankou area of Dunhuang, Gansu Province, has been relatively understudied compared to turquoise from other sources due to its short mining history. Currently, no relevant research literature on this deposit has been identified. Therefore, a systematic mineralogical and spectroscopic study of Dunhuang turquoise samples was conducted using conventional gemological testing methods, combined with techniques such as X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), laser Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) mapping. The test results indicate that the turquoise samples from this area have a density ranging from 2.40 to 2.77 g/cm³ and a refractive index between 1.59 and 1.65. The samples generally exhibit a cryptocrystalline structure, with some displaying spherulitic radial and radial fibrous structures. The texture is relatively dense and hard, with particle diameters less than 10 μm. Chemically, the turquoise samples from this region are characterized by high Fe and Si content and relatively low Cu content. Samples contain, in addition to the turquoise mineral, other minerals such as quartz, goethite and alunite, etc. The oxide content ranges are as follows: w(P₂O₅) between 23.83% and 33.66%, w(Al₂O₃) between 26.47% and 33.36%, w(CuO) between 5.26% and 7.91%, w(FeO) between 2.46% and 4.11%, and w(SiO₂) between 0.97% and 10.75%. In the infrared absorption spectra of Dunhuang turquoise, the bands at 3510 cm⁻¹ and 3464 cm⁻¹ are attributed to ν(OH)⁻ stretching vibrations, while the bands near 3308 cm⁻¹ and 3098 cm⁻¹ are assigned to ν(M-H₂O) stretching vibrations. The infrared absorption bands near 1110 cm⁻¹ and 1058 cm⁻¹ are due to v[PO₄]³⁻ stretching vibrations, and the bands near 651 cm⁻¹, 575 cm⁻¹, and 485 cm⁻¹ are attributed to δ[PO₄]³⁻ bending vibrations. A clear correlation exists between the Raman spectral features and the infrared spectra of this turquoise. The hue and chroma of the turquoise from this area are primarily influenced by the mass fractions of Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, and Fe²⁺, as well as their bonding modes with water molecules. The ultraviolet-visible spectra are attributed to O²⁻–Fe³⁺ charge transfer, the ⁶A₁–⁴E_g + ⁴A₁ transition of Fe³⁺ ions (D⁵ configuration) in hydrated iron ions [Fe(H₂O)₆]³⁺, and the spin-allowed ²E_g–²T_2g transition of Cu²⁺ ions in hydrated copper ions [Cu(H₂O)₄]²⁺. Associated minerals include goethite, alunite, jarosite, and quartz. Fine-grained quartz often exists as secondary micron-sized independent mineral phases, which have a certain impact on the quality of the turquoise. Full article

Integrating phase change materials (PCMs) into buildings and HVAC systems improves thermal comfort and energy efficiency. This study presents a climate-responsive methodology for selecting optimal PCMs using a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework. AHP was employed to determine the relative importance of key thermophysical properties, including melting point (47.5%), latent heat of fusion (25.7%), volumetric latent heat (13.5%), thermal conductivity (6.8%), specific heat capacity (3.3%), and density (3.3%). These weights were applied across five MCDM techniques—COPRAS, VIKOR, TOPSIS, MOORA, and PROMETHEE II—to evaluate 16 PCM alternatives for three representative climate zones: temperate (18 °C), subtropical (23 °C), and tropical hot/desert (28 °C). The results consistently identified n-Heptadecane (C17) as the most suitable PCM for temperate and subtropical climates, while n-Octadecane (C18) and hydrated salts such as CaCl₂·6H₂O and Na₂CO₃·10H₂O were optimal for tropical zones. Results show that n-Heptadecane (C17) is optimal for temperate and subtropical zones (COPRAS K = 1.00; TOPSIS C = 0.79–0.82; PROMETHEE φ = 0.21–0.22), while n-Octadecane (C18) and hydrated salts such as CaCl₂·6H₂O and Na₂CO₃·10H₂O perform best in tropical climates (TOPSIS C = 0.85; PROMETHEE φ = 0.26). These PCMs offer high latent heat (up to 254 kJ·kg⁻¹) and volumetric storage (up to 381 MJ·m⁻³), enabling significant reductions in HVAC loads and improved indoor temperature stability. The convergence of rankings across methods and alignment with existing literature validate the robustness of the proposed approach. This framework supports informed material selection for sustainable building design and can be adapted to other climate-sensitive engineering applications. The framework introduces methodological innovations by explicitly mapping PCM melting points to climate-specific comfort bands, incorporating volumetric latent heat, and validating rankings through cross-method convergence (Spearman ρ > 0.99). Sensitivity analysis confirms robustness against weight perturbations. The approach supports practical PCM selection for both new and retrofit buildings, contributing to EU and US energy goals (e.g., 40% building energy use, DOE’s 50% reduction target). Full article

Across a diverse landscape of anonymity designs, the dominant paradigms—onion routing (e.g., Tor) and mix networks (e.g., Loopix)—carry intrinsic constraints: long-lived circuits invite traffic correlation, and mixnets often rely on a network-wide state, making it hard to reconcile anonymity and scalability. This paper presents Draughts, a fully decentralized system in which each packet follows an independent and dynamically determined transmission path. Built upon Jump routing, Draughts introduces three key innovations: (i) replacing global state $O\left(N\right)$ with local two-hop neighborhood knowledge $O\left(k^2\right)$; (ii) supporting anonymous replies to enable real-time bidirectional communication; and (iii) proposing a path-length control mechanism that balances anonymity and transmission efficiency. Evaluation results show that Draughts achieves strong sender anonymity, resists predecessor and traffic analysis attacks, and reduces receiver buffer maintenance overhead, achieving a favorable trade-off between anonymity and performance. Full article

This study reports the discovery of a newly identified phosphorite deposit in the Al-Tafeh area of northern Jordan. Geological fieldwork investigated three outcrops and one comparison site in the Russifa area. Geochemical analyses reveal a high P₂O₅ content (average 24.32 wt.%), strongly correlating with CaO. There are also significant levels of trace elements, including uranium (0.045 mg/g), cadmium (0.025 mg/g), and zinc (0.099 mg/g). Mineralogical investigation reveals that francolite is the main phosphate mineral. Calcite and quartz are also present. Petrographic analysis reveals the presence of pellets, skeletal fragments, coated grains, and indicators of storm deposits, bioturbation, and fossil-rich layers. These findings indicate that the Al-Tafeh area in northern Jordan is an important yet under-explored area for phosphorite, suggesting that this discovery could have significant economic value. Full article

Kazakhstan’s asbestos industry produces over 3 million tons of waste annually. The primary component of asbestos ore waste (AOW) is magnesium rich minerals. In this study, the extraction of magnesium from AOW with nitric acid (HNO₃) was for the first time systematically studied. A series of experiments were conducted to optimize acid concentration (300–600 g/L), leaching temperature (55–95 °C), leaching time (60–180 min), solid-to-liquid ratio (1:3–1:7), and particle size, with the overall goal of maximizing magnesium extraction and cost efficiency. Our results provide dependence of magnesium extraction in the order of acid concentration  >  temperature  >  time  >  solid-to-liquid ratio, while particle size was found to be negligible. The cost-efficiency optimization demonstrated the positive impact of the relatively low acid concentrations (< 450 g/L) and temperatures between 65 and 85 °C, while the Protodyakonov model validated a linear dependence of the extraction rate on temperature and acid concentration. Our model demonstrates that extraction efficiencies of up to 90% can be achieved while reducing reagent use and lowering the overall cost of magnesium production. Leaching of magnesium by HNO₃ also opens a pathway to a closed-cycle process, due to the formation of magnesium nitrate. The thermal decomposition of Mg(NO₃)₂ provides valuable products such as MgO and NO₂ reused in HNO₃ regeneration for subsequent cycles. The proposed model predicts magnesium extraction from asbestos ore depending on leaching parameters with reasonable accuracy. Full article

The photocatalytic activity of silica–titania (S-T) fibers synthesized via sol–gel and electrospinning was evaluated using methyl orange (MO), eriochrome black T (EB), and methylene blue (MB) as model dyes. Characterization by X-ray diffraction confirmed the presence of anatase and rutile TiO₂ phases, while UV-Vis spectroscopy determined a bandgap energy of 3.2 eV. Scanning electron microscopy revealed fibers with an average diameter of 214 nm. Under UV irradiation, nearly complete dye removal (initial concentration: 30 mg/L; catalyst dosage: 0.1 g/L) was achieved within 8 h. The reaction kinetics followed the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model, with significant differences in apparent reaction rates (k_a) among the dyes, attributable to their distinct structural and functional properties. This study establishes silica–titania fibers as a high-performance, highly versatile composite photocatalyst. Achieving 98% degradation efficiency, their key innovation is their fibrous morphology, which solves the critical problem of powder catalyst recovery. This enables a paradigm shift from simple lab efficiency to practical, sustainable application. Full article

Copper (Cu) doping is recognized as an effective strategy to enhance the electrochemical properties of LiNi_1−x−yCo_xMn_yO₂ (NCM) cathode materials. However, the influence of Cu²⁺ doping on particle size and grain boundary fusion remains insufficiently explored. A simple microwave-assisted solution combustion synthesis method was used to introduce Cu²⁺ into LiNi_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3O₂ (NCM523), aiming to regulate particle size and grain boundary fusion. The results demonstrate that increasing the Cu²⁺ doping content promotes particle growth, while an appropriate doping level reduces the degree of grain boundary fusion and cation mixing. Benefiting from these structural improvements, the optimized LiNi_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.29Cu_0.01O₂ (Cu–1) cathode exhibits significantly enhanced electrochemical performance, delivering a discharge capacity of 128.6 mAh g⁻¹ after 100 cycles at 0.2 C, which is 32 mAh g⁻¹ higher than value of the undoped sample (96.6 mAh g⁻¹). These findings underscore that tailored Cu²⁺ doping can effectively optimize the microstructure of NCM523, leading to superior cycling stability, and provide new insights into the design of high-performance NCM cathodes. Full article