Search Results (20,213)

Deep coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs are characterized by high hydrocarbon content and are considered an important strategic resource. Due to their inherently low permeability and porosity, horizontal well drilling is commonly employed to enhance production, with the length of the horizontal section playing a critical role in determining CBM output. However, during extended horizontal drilling, wellbore instability frequently occurs as a result of drilling fluid invasion into the coal formation, posing significant safety challenges. This instability is primarily caused by the physical intrusion of drilling fluids and their interactions with the coal seam, which alter the mechanical integrity of the formation. To address these challenges, interpenetrating and semi-interpenetrating network (IPN/s-IPN) hydrogels have gained attention due to their superior physicochemical properties. This material offers enhanced sealing and support performance across fracture widths ranging from micrometers to millimeters, making it especially suited for plugging applications in deep CBM reservoirs. A self-degradable interpenetrating double-network hydrogel particle plugging agent (SSG) was developed in this study, using polyacrylamide (PAM) as the primary network and an ionic polymer as the secondary network. The SSG demonstrated excellent thermal stability, remaining intact for at least 40 h in simulated formation water at 120 °C with a degradation rate as high as 90.8%, thereby minimizing potential damage to the reservoir. After thermal aging at 120 °C, the SSG maintained strong plugging performance and favorable viscoelastic properties. A drilling fluid containing 2% SSG achieved an invasion depth of only 2.85 cm in an 80–100 mesh sand bed. The linear viscoelastic region (LVR) ranged from 0.1% to 0.98%, and the elastic modulus reached 2100 Pa, indicating robust mechanical support and deformation resistance. Full article

Antioxidative neuroprotection is effective at preventing ischemic stroke (IS). Ferulic acid (FA) offers benefits in the treatment of many diseases, mostly due to its antioxidant activities. In this study, a glycosylated ferulic acid conjugate (FA-Glu), with 1,2,3-triazole as a linker and bioisostere between glucose at the C6 position and FA at the C4 position, was designed and synthesized. The hydrophilicity and chemical stability of FA-Glu were tested. FA-Glu’s protection against DNA oxidative cleavage was tested using pBR322 plasmid DNA under the Fenton reaction. The cytotoxicity of FA-Glu was examined via the PC12 cell and bEnd.3 cell tests. Antioxidative neuroprotection was evaluated, in vitro, via a H₂O₂-induced PC12 cell test, measuring cell viability and ROS levels. Antioxidative alleviation of cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury (CIRI), in vivo, was evaluated using a rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model. The results indicated that FA-Glu was water-soluble (LogP −1.16 ± 0.01) and chemically stable. FA-Glu prevented pBR322 plasmid DNA cleavage induced via •OH radicals (SC% 88.00%). It was a non-toxic agent based on PC12 cell and bEnd.3 cell tests results. FA-Glu significantly protected against H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage in the PC12 cell (cell viability 88.12%, 100 μM) and inhibited excessive cell ROS generation (45.67% at 100 μM). FA-Glu significantly reduced the infarcted brain areas measured using TTC stain observation, quantification (FA-Glu 21.79%, FA 28.49%, I/R model 43.42%), and H&E stain histological observation. It sharply reduced the MDA level (3.26 nmol/mg protein) and significantly increased the GSH level (139.6 nmol/mg protein) and SOD level (265.19 U/mg protein). With superior performance to FA, FA-Glu is a safe agent with effective antioxidative DNA and neuronal protective actions and an ability to alleviate CIRI, which should help in the prevention of IS. Full article

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is commonly employed as mulch in agriculture to boost crop yields. However, its toxicity is often overlooked. Due to its chemical stability, resistance to degradation, and the inadequacy of the recycling system, PVC tends to persist in farm environments, where it can decompose into microplastics (MPs) or nanoplastics (NPs). The radish (Raphanus sativus L.) was chosen as the model plant for this study to evaluate the underlying toxic mechanisms of PVC NPs on seedling growth through the integration of multi-omics approaches with oxidative stress evaluations. The results indicated that, compared with the control group, the shoot lengths in the 5 mg/L and 150 mg/L treatment groups decreased by 33.7% and 18.0%, respectively, and the root lengths decreased by 28.3% and 11.3%, respectively. However, there was no observable effect on seed germination rates. Except for the peroxidase (POD) activity in the 150 mg/L group, all antioxidant enzyme activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were higher in the treated root tips than in the control group. Both transcriptome and metabolomic analysis profiles showed 2075 and 4635 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the high- and low-concentration groups, respectively, and 1961 metabolites under each treatment. PVC NPs predominantly influenced seedling growth by interfering with plant hormone signaling pathways and phenylpropanoid production. Notably, the reported toxicity was more evident at lower concentrations. This can be accounted for by the plant’s “growth-defense trade-off” strategy and the manner in which nanoparticles aggregate. By clarifying how PVC NPs coordinately regulate plant stress responses via hormone signaling and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways, this research offers a scientific basis for assessing environmental concerns related to nanoplastics in agricultural systems. Full article

With the large-scale integration of high-penetration distributed photovoltaic (DPV) into distribution networks, its output volatility and reverse power flow characteristics are prone to causing voltage violations, necessitating the accurate identification of weak nodes to enhance operational reliability. This paper investigates the definition, quantification criteria, and multi-indicator comprehensive determination methods for weak nodes in distribution networks. A multi-criteria assessment method integrating voltage deviation rate, sensitivity analysis, and power margin has been proposed. This method quantifies the node disturbance resistance and comprehensively evaluates the vulnerability of voltage stability. Simulation validation based on the IEEE 33-node system demonstrates that the proposed method can effectively identify the distribution patterns of weak nodes under different penetration levels (20~80%) and varying numbers of DPV access points (single-point to multi-point distributed access scenarios). The study reveals the impact of increased penetration and dispersed access locations on the migration characteristics of weak nodes. The research findings provide a theoretical basis for the planning of distribution networks with high-penetration DPV, offering valuable insights for optimizing the siting of volatile loads such as electric vehicle (EV) charging stations while considering both grid safety and the demand for distributed energy accommodation. Full article

Environmental protection has become one of the key challenges of our time. This has led to an increase in pro-environmental activities in the field of cosmetics and household chemicals, where manufacturers are increasingly trying to meet the expectations of consumers who are aware of the potential risks associated with the production of cosmetics and household chemistry products. This is one of the most important challenges of today’s industry, given that some of the raw materials still commonly used, such as surfactants, may be toxic to aquatic organisms. Many companies are choosing to use natural raw materials that have satisfactory performance properties but are also environmentally friendly. In addition, modern products are also characterized by reduced consumption of water, resources, and energy in production processes. These measures reduce the carbon footprint and reduce the amount of plastic packaging required. In the present study, seven formulations of environmentally friendly car shampoo concentrates were developed, based entirely on mixtures of bio-based surfactants. The developed formulations were tested for application on the car body surface, allowing the selection of the two best products. For these selected formulations, an in-depth physicochemical analysis was carried out, including pH, density, and viscosity measurements. Comparison of the results with commercial products available on the market was also performed. Additionally, using the multiple light scattering method, the foamability and foam stability were determined for the car shampoos developed. The results obtained indicate the very high application potential of the products under study, which combine high performance and environmental concerns. Full article

Maintaining well integrity is essential in the oil and gas industry to prevent environmental hazards, operational risks, and economic losses. Cement bond log (CBL) tools are essential in evaluating cement bonding and ensuring wellbore stability. This study presents a patent landscape review of CBL technologies, based on 3473 patent documents from the Lens.org database. After eliminating duplicates and irrelevant entries, 167 granted patents were selected for in-depth analysis. These were categorized by technology type (wave, electrical, radiation, neutron, and other tools) and by material focus (formation, casing, cement, and borehole fluid). The findings reveal a dominant focus on formation evaluation (59.9%) and a growing reliance on wave-based (22.2%) and other advanced tools (25.1%), indicating a shift toward high-precision diagnostics. Geographically, 75% of granted patents were filed through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and 97.6% were held by companies, underscoring the dominance of corporate innovation and the minimal presence of academia and individuals. The review also identifies notable patents that reflect significant technical innovations and discusses their role in advancing diagnostic capabilities. These insights emphasize the need for broader collaboration and targeted research to advance well integrity technologies in line with industry goals for operational performance and safety. Full article

The administration of isolated mitochondria is a promising strategy for protecting cells from oxidative damage. This study aimed to identify mitochondrial characteristics that contribute to stronger protective effects. We compared two types of mitochondria isolated from C6 cells with similar ATP-producing capacity but differing in outer membrane integrity. To evaluate their stability in extracellular conditions, we examined their behavior in serum. Both types underwent mitochondrial permeability transition to a similar extent; however, under intracellular-like conditions after serum incubation, mitochondria with intact membranes retained more polarized mitochondria. Notably, mitochondria with intact outer membranes were internalized more efficiently than those with damaged membranes. In H9c2 cells, both types of mitochondria similarly increased intracellular ATP levels 1 h after administration under all tested conditions. When co-administered with H₂O₂, both suppressed oxidative damage to a comparable degree, as indicated by similar H₂O₂-scavenging activity in solution, comparable intracellular ROS levels, and equivalent preservation of electron transport chain activity. However, at higher H₂O₂ concentrations, cells treated with mitochondria possessing intact outer membranes exhibited greater survival 24 h after co-administration. Furthermore, when mitochondria were added after H₂O₂-induced damage and their removal, intact mitochondria conferred superior cell survival compared to damaged ones. These findings suggest that while both mitochondrial types exert comparable antioxidant effects, outer membrane integrity prior to administration plays a critical role in enhancing cell survival under conditions of oxidative stress. Full article

In this study, we propose a bidirectional chemical sensor platform based on a reconfigurable ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (R-ISFET) architecture. The device incorporates Ni-silicide Schottky barrier source/drain (S/D) contacts, enabling ambipolar conduction and bidirectional turn-on behavior for both p-type and n-type configurations. Channel polarity is dynamically controlled via the program gate (PG), while the control gate (CG) suppresses leakage current, enhancing operational stability and energy efficiency. A dual-control-gate (DCG) structure enhances capacitive coupling, enabling sensitivity beyond the Nernst limit without external amplification. The extended-gate (EG) architecture physically separates the transistor and sensing regions, improving durability and long-term reliability. Electrical characteristics were evaluated through transfer and output curves, and carrier transport mechanisms were analyzed using band diagrams. Sensor performance—including sensitivity, hysteresis, and drift—was assessed under various pH conditions and external noise up to 5 V_pp (i.e., peak-to-peak voltage). The n-type configuration exhibited high mobility and fast response, while the p-type configuration demonstrated excellent noise immunity and low drift. Both modes showed consistent sensitivity trends, confirming the feasibility of complementary sensing. These results indicate that the proposed R-ISFET sensor enables selective mode switching for high sensitivity and robust operation, offering strong potential for next-generation biosensing and chemical detection. Full article

Demand Side Management (DSM) plays a crucial role in modern energy systems, enabling more efficient use of energy resources and contributing to the sustainability of the power grid. This study examines DSM strategies within a multi-environment context encompassing residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, with a focus on diverse appliance types that exhibit distinct operational characteristics and user preferences. Initially, a single-objective optimization approach using Genetic Algorithms (GAs) is employed to minimize the total energy cost under a real Time-of-Use (ToU) pricing scheme. This heuristic method allows for the effective scheduling of appliance operations while factoring in their unique characteristics such as power consumption, usage duration, and user-defined operational flexibility. This study extends the optimization problem to a multi-objective framework that incorporates the minimization of CO₂ emissions under a real annual energy mix while also accounting for user discomfort. The Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) is utilized for this purpose, providing a Pareto-optimal set of solutions that balances these competing objectives. The inclusion of multiple objectives ensures a comprehensive assessment of DSM strategies, aiming to reduce environmental impact and enhance user satisfaction. Additionally, this study monitors the Peak-to-Average Ratio (PAR) to evaluate the impact of DSM strategies on load balancing and grid stability. It also analyzes the impact of considering different periods of the year with the associated ToU hourly schedule and CO₂ emissions hourly profile. A key innovation of this research is the integration of detailed, category-specific metrics that enable the disaggregation of costs, emissions, and user discomfort across residential, commercial, and industrial appliances. This granularity enables stakeholders to implement tailored strategies that align with specific operational goals and regulatory compliance. Also, the emphasis on a user discomfort indicator allows us to explore the flexibility available in such DSM mechanisms. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed multi-objective optimization approach in achieving significant cost savings that may reach 20% for industrial applications, while the order of magnitude of the trade-offs involved in terms of emissions reduction, improvement in discomfort, and PAR reduction is quantified for different frameworks. The outcomes not only underscore the efficacy of applying advanced optimization frameworks to real-world problems but also point to pathways for future research in smart energy management. This comprehensive analysis highlights the potential of advanced DSM techniques to enhance the sustainability and resilience of energy systems while also offering valuable policy implications. Full article

tRNA modifications are crucial for efficient protein synthesis, impacting codon recognition, tRNA stability, and translation rates. RNA viruses hijack the host’s translational machinery, including the pool of modified tRNA, to translate their own genomes. However, the mismatch between viral and host codon usage can lead to a limited availability of specific tRNA leading to ribosome stalling, posing a significant challenge for efficient protein translation. While some viruses address this challenge through codon optimization, we show here that SARS-CoV-2 (Coronavirus) and the Zika virus (ZIKV; Flavivirus) adopt a different approach, manipulating the host tRNA epitranscriptome. Analysis of codon bias indices confirmed a substantial divergence between viral and host codon usage, revealing a strong preference in viral genes for codons decoded by tRNAs requiring U34 wobble modification. Monitoring tRNA modification dynamics in infected cells showed that both SARS-CoV2 and ZIKV enhance U34 tRNA modifications during infection. Strikingly, impairing U34 tRNAs profoundly impacted viral replication, underscoring the strict reliance of SARS-CoV-2 and ZIKV on manipulating the host tRNA epitranscriptome to support the efficient translation of their genome. Full article

Mangoes are an important part of Hainan’s tropical characteristic agriculture. In response to the requirements of building an ecological civilization pilot demonstration zone in Hainan, China, green and sustainable development will be the future development trend of the mango planting system. However, the economic benefits and environmental impact during its planting and management process remain unclear. This paper combines emergy, life cycle assessment (LCA), and economic analysis to compare the system sustainability, environmental impact, and economic benefits of the traditional mango cultivation system (TM) in Dongfang City, Hainan Province, and the early-maturing mango cultivation system (EM) in Sanya City. The emergy evaluation results show that the total emergy input of EM (1.37 × 10¹⁶ sej ha⁻¹) was higher than that of TM (1.32 × 10¹⁶ sej ha⁻¹). From the perspective of the emergy index, compared with TM, EM exerted less pressure on the local environment and has better stability and sustainability. This was due to the higher input of renewable resources in EM. The LCA results showed that based on mass as the functional unit, the potential environmental impact of the EM is relatively high, and its total environmental impact index was 18.67–33.19% higher than that of the TM. Fertilizer input and On-Farm emissions were the main factors causing environmental consequences. Choosing alternative fertilizers that have a smaller impact on the environment may effectively reduce the environmental impact of the system. The economic analysis results showed that due to the higher selling price of early-maturing mango, the total profit and cost–benefit ratio of the EM have increased by 55.84% and 36.87%, respectively, compared with the TM. These results indicated that EM in Sanya City can enhance environmental sustainability and boost producers’ annual income, but attention should be paid to the negative environmental impact of excessive fertilizer input. These findings offer insights into optimizing agricultural inputs for Hainan mango production to mitigate multiple environmental impacts while enhancing economic benefits, aiming to provide theoretical support for promoting the sustainable development of the Hainan mango industry. Full article

pH is a critical parameter requiring precise monitoring across scientific, industrial, and biological domains. Fluorescent pH probes offer a powerful alternative to traditional methods (e.g., electrodes, indicators), overcoming limitations in miniaturization, long-term stability, and electromagnetic interference. By utilizing photophysical mechanisms—including intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), photoinduced electron transfer (PET), and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)—these probes enable high-sensitivity, reusable, and biocompatible sensing. This review systematically details recent advances, categorizing probes by operational pH range: strongly acidic (0–3), weakly acidic (3–7), strongly alkaline (>12), weakly alkaline (7–11), near-neutral (6–8), and wide-dynamic range. Innovations such as ratiometric detection, organelle-specific targeting (lysosomes, mitochondria), smartphone colorimetry, and dual-analyte response (e.g., pH + Al³⁺/CN⁻) are highlighted. Applications span real-time cellular imaging (HeLa cells, zebrafish, mice), food quality assessment, environmental monitoring, and industrial diagnostics (e.g., concrete pH). Persistent challenges include extreme-pH sensing (notably alkalinity), photobleaching, dye leakage, and environmental resilience. Future research should prioritize broadening functional pH ranges, enhancing probe stability, and developing wide-range sensing strategies to advance deployment in commercial and industrial online monitoring platforms. Full article

The incorporation of waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as a modifier for asphalt presents a promising approach to addressing the environmental pollution associated with waste plastics while simultaneously extending the service life of road surfaces. This study investigates the fundamental physical properties and rheological properties of asphalt modified with waste PET at both high and low temperatures. Utilizing the theory of fractional derivatives, performance evaluation indicators, such as the deformation factor and viscoelasticity factor, have been developed for the assessment of waste PET-modified asphalt. The underlying mechanism of this modification was examined through scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results indicate that the addition of waste PET enhances the high-temperature stability of the base asphalt but reduces its resistance to cracking at low temperatures. The fractional derivative model effectively describes the dynamic shear rheological properties of waste PET-modified asphalt, achieving a maximum correlation coefficient of 0.99991. Considering the performance of modified asphalt at both high and low temperatures, the optimal concentration of waste PET was determined to be 6%. At this concentration, the minimum creep stiffness of the PET-modified asphalt was approximately 155 MPa at −6 °C. Additionally, the rutting factor of the waste PET-modified asphalt achieved a maximum value of 527.12 KPa at 52 °C. The interaction between waste PET and base asphalt was primarily physical, with mutual adsorption leading to the formation of a spatial network structure that enhanced the deformation resistance of the asphalt. This study provides a theoretical foundation and technical support for the engineering application of waste PET as a modifier in asphalt. Full article

A systematic sensitivity analysis using three-dimensional discrete element models with discrete fracture networks (DEM-DFN) was conducted to evaluate underground excavation support in jointed rock masses at the CLAB2 site in Southeastern Sweden. The site features a joint network comprising six distinct joint sets, each with unique geometrical properties. The study examined 10 DFNs and 19 rock bolt patterns, both conventional and unconventional. It covered 200 scenarios, including 10 unsupported and 190 supported cases. Technical and economic criteria for stability were assessed for each support system. The results indicated that increasing rock bolt length enhances stability up to a certain point. However, multi-length rock bolt patterns with similar consumption can yield significantly different stability outcomes. Notably, the arrangement and properties of rock bolts are crucial for stability, particularly in blocks between bolting sections. These blocks remain interlocked in unsupported areas due to the induced pressure from supported sections. Although equal-length rock bolt patterns are commonly used, the analysis revealed that triple-length rock bolts (3, 6, and 9 m) provided the most effective support across all ten DFN scenarios. Full article

Variations in damper configuration strategies have a direct impact on the seismic damage patterns of long-span deck-type concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) arch bridges. This study developed an analysis and evaluation framework to identify the damage category, state, and progression sequence of structural components. The framework aims to investigate the influence of viscous dampers on the seismic response and damage patterns of long-span deck-type CFST arch bridges under near-fault pulse-like ground motions. The effects of different viscous damper configuration strategies and design parameters on seismic responses of long-span deck-type CFST arch bridges were systematically investigated, and the preferred configuration and parameter set were identified. The influence of preferred viscous damper configurations on seismic damage patterns of long-span deck-type CFST arch bridges was systematically analyzed through the established analysis and evaluation frameworks. The results indicate that a relatively optimal reduction in bridge response can be achieved when viscous dampers are simultaneously installed at both the abutments and the approach piers. Minimum seismic responses were attained at a damping exponent α = 0.2 and damping coefficient C = 6000 kN/(m/s), demonstrating stability in mitigating vibration effects on arch rings and bearings. In the absence of damper implementation, the lower chord arch foot section is most likely to experience in-plane bending failure. The piers, influenced by the coupling effect between the spandrel construction and the main arch ring, are more susceptible to damage as their height decreases. Additionally, the end bearings are more prone to failure compared to the central-span bearings. Implementation of the preferred damper configuration strategy maintains essentially consistent sequences in seismic-induced damage patterns of the bridge, but the peak ground motion intensity causing damage to the main arch and spandrel structure is significantly increased. This strategy enhances the damage-initiation peak ground acceleration (PGA) for critical sections of the main arch, while concurrently reducing transverse and longitudinal bending moments in pier column sections. The proposed integrated analysis and evaluation framework has been validated for its applicability in capturing the seismic damage patterns of long-span deck-type CFST arch bridges. Full article