Search Results (19,560)

Backgorund/Objectives: Respiratory diseases represent a substantial global health burden and require effective localised pulmonary delivery strategies, particularly for poorly water-soluble therapeutic molecules. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems, especially those manufactured using microfluidics, have emerged as promising approaches to overcome pulmonary barriers, enhance local drug retention, and reduce systemic side effects. Among these nanocarriers, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and solid hybrid nanoparticles (SHNs) combine biocompatibility with controlled release and improved formulation stability. Methods: In this study, SLNs and lipid–chitosan SHNs were developed using microfluidic technology as candidate platforms for pulmonary drug delivery, with Cyclosporine A (CyA) used as a model hydrophobic cyclic peptide. Nanocarriers were produced using 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and cholesterol as lipids, with low-molecular-weight chitosan incorporated to obtain hybrid systems. Physicochemical properties were evaluated using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and ζ potential measurements, while morphology and structural organisation were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results: The microfluidic approach enabled the production of nanoparticles with controlled sizes below 200 nm, narrow size distributions, and good reproducibility. In addition, the SHNs exhibited a positive surface charge, high encapsulation efficiency (~80%), and good colloidal and thermal stability. In vitro release studies showed an initial burst release followed by sustained CyA release, reaching approximately 94% cumulative release within 6 h. The Korsmeyer–Peppas model was used as the standard kinetic model. No blank nanoparticles were used as controls in the EE and release assay. Conclusions: Overall, these findings support further investigation of microfluidic-produced lipid and hybrid nanoparticles as candidate platforms for pulmonary drug delivery. Full article

High-density valley residential areas face poor ventilation and heat island effects. Taking Lanzhou’s Xin’an Residential Area as a case, this study integrates land use and cover change (LUCC), circuit theory, and CFD to construct a resistance surface, identify corridors and key nodes, reveal coupling mechanisms and propose collaborative optimization strategies. Results show the following: (1) Ventilation resistance presents a pattern of “low in the north, high in the south, permeable at the periphery, obstructed in the interior”, with high-resistance zones accounting for 18% of the grid area; green plot ratio is the most sensitive regulatory factor (standardized regression coefficient = −0.679). (2) The fishbone-like ventilation network has primary hub nodes undertaking 80% of airflow transport, while tertiary terminal nodes (73% of total nodes) are the main ventilation bottlenecks. (3) Built-up land morphological indicators show strong spatial collinearity, and the positive effect of road plot ratio is masked in the regression model. The proposed hierarchical micro-renewal strategy provides an operable technical pathway for wind environment optimization, low-carbon renewal and climate-adaptive retrofitting of high-density valley residential areas. This study extends circuit theory to micro-scale ventilation analysis and establishes a replicable quantitative framework for ventilation diagnosis in analogous valley residential contexts. Full article

Colored compomers are widely used in pediatric restorative dentistry because their visual attractiveness may improve patient acceptance and cooperation. Although different color variants are often regarded as purely aesthetic modifications, pigments and decorative fillers may influence polymerization, heat generation, mechanical performance, and surface properties. This study evaluated the thermal, mechanical, chemical, elemental, optical, and surface characteristics of four Twinky Star^® compomer shades (Blue, Gold, Lemon, and Silver) compared with two commonly used tooth-shaded resin composites, Boston A3 and Charisma A2. Thermographic analysis determined maximum temperature, temperature increase, time above 40 °C, and thermal exposure above 40 °C. Mechanical properties were assessed by instrumented indentation, morphology and elemental composition by SEM/BSE and EDS, chemical characteristics by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, optical properties by spectrophotometry, and surface characteristics by contact angle measurements. Pronounced differences among the Twinky Star^® color variants were observed. Blue showed the lowest thermal response, whereas Lemon exhibited the highest thermal exposure. Gold demonstrated the weakest mechanical performance, while Silver showed the most favorable mechanical profile. EDS revealed quantitative differences in Ba, Sr, F, and Si, whereas ATR-FTIR confirmed a comparable chemical matrix among color variants. These findings indicate that Twinky Star^® color variants should not be considered solely aesthetic alternatives, as shade-associated compositional and optical differences may be accompanied by differences in material performance. Full article

Triethylamine (TEA) is a common industrial contaminant and an important indicator of seafood spoilage. Therefore, determination of rapid and selective TEA is of great significance. This review article critically compares tungsten oxide (WO₃)- and molybdenum oxide (MoO₃)-based chemiresistive sensors by relating their crystal structure, surface chemistry, defect states, morphology, and interfacial electronic properties to TEA-sensing performance. Pristine WO₃- and MoO₃-based sensors generally operate at approximately 133–325 °C and provide sub-ppm detection, whereas doping, noble-metal sensitization, heterojunction formation, and light activation can reduce the operating temperature to 100–180 °C and extend detection into the low-ppb range. WO₃-based sensors have exhibited a response of 1100 to 20 ppm TEA at 160 °C, with an estimated detection limit of 5 ppb, whereas modified MoO₃-based sensors have also achieved decent detection limit of 1.7 ppb. WO₃ is particularly responsive to phase, facet, work-function, and catalytic-interface engineering, whereas α-MoO₃ benefits from its anisotropic structure, variable Mo valence, and favorable Lewis acid–base interactions with amines. Noble metals enhance gas sensing through catalytic and electronic sensitization, dopants regulate adsorption and defect chemistry, and n-n or p-n heterojunctions amplify resistance changes through depletion-layer modulation. Despite considerable advances in sensitivity, humidity interference, high power consumption, slow recovery, baseline drift, and limited long term stability remain unresolved. Future advances may require standardized performance assessment, operando mechanistic studies, humidity-resistant low-power devices, and validation under realistic seafood-storage and industrial conditions. Full article

Background: Methotrexate (MTX) is a well-established therapeutic agent for psoriasis owing to its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. However, its clinical use is limited by insufficient local accumulation in skin lesions and the potential risk of systemic exposure. Dunaliella salina-derived exosome (DsEXO) has favorable biocompatibility, low immunogenicity and potential skin delivery capacity, making it a promising natural nanocarrier for topical MTX delivery. This study aimed to construct Dunaliella salina-derived exosome loaded with methotrexate (DsEXO@MTX) and evaluate its therapeutic efficacy and potential mechanisms in psoriasis-like skin inflammation. Methods: DsEXO@MTX was prepared and characterized in terms of morphology, particle size, surface charge and drug-loading capacity. Cellular uptake, skin retention and tissue distribution were evaluated using fluorescence imaging and skin section analysis. Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated in an imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like mouse model by clinical scoring, histopathological examination, spleen index measurement and Ki-67 immunofluorescence staining. STAT3 phosphorylation and Th17/Treg differentiation were further examined to explore the potential immunomodulatory mechanism. Results: DsEXO@MTX exhibited a relatively uniform particle size distribution and drug-loading capacity. In vivo fluorescence imaging and skin section analysis showed that DsEXO@MTX enhanced local skin retention and promoted fluorescence distribution in epidermal and dermal regions. It significantly alleviated IMQ-induced erythema, scaling, epidermal thickening, inflammatory infiltration, splenomegaly and abnormal keratinocyte proliferation in psoriasis-like mice. Mechanistically, DsEXO@MTX reduced STAT3 phosphorylation and modulated Th17/Treg differentiation, suggesting restoration of immune balance in psoriatic inflammation. Conclusions: DsEXO@MTX represents a natural exosome-like nanovesicle-mediated topical MTX delivery system that improves local drug delivery and enhances therapeutic efficacy in IMQ-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation, particularly when administered topically. These findings provide a potential strategy for safer and more efficient local treatment of psoriasis. Full article

Background: Fresh leafy vegetables are widely consumed because of their high nutritional value but are also recognized as important vehicles for foodborne pathogens. Escherichia coli readily attaches to lettuce surfaces and forms biofilms, enhancing bacterial persistence and reducing the effectiveness of conventional washing procedures. This study evaluated the antibiofilm activity of dill, basil, winter savory, and peppermint essential oils (EOs) against E. coli during initial bacterial attachment and against preformed biofilms on polystyrene surface and lettuce leaves. Methods: Biofilm formation was assessed using Congo Red agar, the crystal violet microtiter plate assay, and a bacterial attachment assay on lettuce leaves, while biofilm architecture and the effects of EO treatment were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Antibacterial activity was determined by the broth microdilution method, and antibiofilm activity on initial bacterial attachment and preformed biofilms was evaluated at 0.5 × MIC, MIC, and 2 × MIC using the crystal violet assay and bacterial attachment assay on lettuce leaves, respectively. Results: The examined E. coli isolates predominantly exhibited the rdar morphotype and produced stronger biofilms at 25 °C than at 37 °C. All tested EOs significantly reduced initial bacterial attachment and disrupted preformed biofilms in a concentration-dependent manner. Dill EO showed the strongest antibacterial and antibiofilm effects, followed by basil, winter savory, and peppermint EOs. At 2 × MIC, the tested EOs reduced initial bacterial attachment by 74.17–84.63%, while dill EO reduced preformed biofilm on polystyrene by 59.90% after 60 min. SEM analysis confirmed extensive disruption of biofilm architecture and pronounced morphological damage to bacterial cells following EO treatment. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that essential oils, particularly dill EO, effectively inhibit both the establishment and persistence of E. coli biofilms on polystyrene and lettuce leaves, highlighting their potential as natural antibiofilm agents for improving the microbiological safety of fresh produce. Full article

Phycocyanin–Cu²⁺-loaded gelatin–chitosan composite films (Gel/Cu@PC/Ch) were developed as active packaging materials to address the postharvest deterioration of fresh produce. A series of composite films with varying chitosan (Ch) concentrations (0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 5%, w/v) were systematically fabricated and characterized. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the Gel/Cu@PC/Ch_0.5 film (0.5% chitosan) exhibited smooth, pore-free, and crack-free surface and cross-sectional morphologies, while a higher chitosan dosage (5%) triggered severe structural cracking. Gel/Cu@PC/Ch_0.5 achieved the maximum water contact angle of 101.13 ± 9.59°, demonstrating superior surface hydrophobicity. All composite films possessed outstanding UV-shielding capacity; meanwhile, ABTS and DPPH free radical scavenging rates rose gradually with increasing chitosan content, reaching 79.71 ± 0.72% and 84.91 ± 1.31% at 5% Ch, respectively. In antibacterial assessments, Gel/Cu@PC/Ch_0.5 showed effective inhibition against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, with inhibition zone diameters of 13.83 ± 0.42 mm and 14.93 ± 0.83 mm, respectively, owing to the synergistic bactericidal effect of Cu²⁺ and chitosan. In grape preservation trials conducted over 12 days, Gel/Cu@PC/Ch_0.5 wrapped grapes exhibited the lowest weight loss (3.60 ± 0.30%), retained the highest residual firmness (316.16 ± 13.81 g) and total soluble solids (TSS), and maintained a significantly higher TAC value of 0.71 ± 0.12 nM after 12 days of storage, with no visible microbial spoilage or severe shriveling observed throughout storage. These results demonstrate that the Gel/Cu@PC/Ch_0.5 composite film achieves a desirable integration of moisture barrier performance, antioxidant activity, and broad-spectrum antibacterial efficacy, offering a scalable and biodegradable platform for active food packaging in fresh fruit preservation. Full article

The sustained decline in Japanese Manila clam landings has increased interest in complementary bivalve food resources. This descriptive study compared one pooled soft-tissue analytical sample from each of four sources: Ruditapes philippinarum from Akkeshi, Mangoku-ura, and a commercial Chinese-origin source, and the warm-water clam Ruditapes variegatus from Ishigaki Island. Each pooled sample comprised approximately 250 g of soft tissue from at least 40 individuals; independent lot-level biological replication was not available, so no inferential statistical comparisons were made. Proximate composition, amino acids, taurine, vitamin-related compounds, minerals, and fatty acids were analyzed, and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequencing together with morphology confirmed the Ishigaki material as R. variegatus. Wet-weight total amino acid contents were 8.670, 6.800, 6.135, and 5.555 g/100 g in the Akkeshi, Ishigaki, Mangoku-ura, and Chinese-origin pooled samples, respectively. After normalization, total amino acid contents ranged from 507.0 to 559.4 mg/g dry matter and from 829.1 to 850.0 mg/g protein, indicating that much of the wet-weight contrast reflected differences in tissue moisture and protein concentration. Adult-reference amino acid scores ranged from 97.1 to 100 across the four composites. The Akkeshi pooled sample also showed comparatively high taurine and vitamin A-related values. Sea surface temperature and satellite chlorophyll-a data were used only to document source-region environmental context and were not treated as causal predictors of composition. Within the limits of this pooled-sample survey, the food-composition profile of taxonomically verified Ishigaki R. variegatus supports further replicated evaluation of this species as a complementary clam-like food resource. Full article

Cities create their own local climate, and numerical weather models can reproduce it if given an accurate picture of the urban surface. The local climate zone (LCZ) framework classifies neighborhoods by building height, density, and materials and provides this information to fine-scale weather models. This approach has mostly been evaluated in warm seasons, leaving open how it performs in the cold, air-stagnant winters of high-latitude cities like Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. We ran nine model versions over one cold week (22–29 February 2024) across three nested domains (12.5, 2.5, and 0.5 km) with LCZ data resolved to 100 m. Run 8 achieved the highest aggregate validation skill, whereas Run 9 was retained as the configuration most suitable for the LCZ-based analysis rather than as the best model overall. Run 9 reproduced near-surface temperature at the urban Bayanzurkh station (R = 0.89) and gave the smallest wind-speed error (1.5 m s⁻¹), while uniquely resolving the inter-class morphological contrasts required here. The dense urban core proved warmer than the non-urban area by 4.1 °C on average and up to 9.3 °C at night in the compact high-rise zone. Yet this warming barely relieves cold stress: the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) averaged −15.5 °C across the LCZ classes, within the strong-cold-stress range, with only the compact high-rise zone reaching a milder category. In the low-rise “ger districts”, wind speed rather than air temperature governs perceived cold, and compact high-rise form offers the strongest wind shelter. These findings provide a baseline for future scenario testing of winter thermal exposure in Ulaanbaatar. Full article

The electromigration (EM) reliability of line-type Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC305) solder joints with surface finishes of organic solderability preservatives (OSP), electroless nickel/electroless palladium/immersion Gold (ENEPIG), and Electroplated Ni was systematically investigated under a current density of 1.0 × 10⁴ A/cm² at 150 °C. In the as-soldered state, scallop-shaped Cu₆Sn₅ grains formed at both interfaces of the OSP joints. In contrast, driven by the Cu-Ni interaction, (Cu,Ni)₆Sn₅ grains formed at both interfaces in the ENEPIG and Electroplated Ni joints, with their morphology varying with Ni content and exhibiting polyhedral, prismatic, or scallop-like shapes. When the surface finishes served as the cathode, the failure rate of the OSP joints (100%) was 1.2 times that of the ENEPIG joints (83%) and 2.0 times that of the Electroplated Ni joints (50%). Extensive dissolution of the Cu substrate caused the rapid failure of the OSP joints, whereas both Ni-P and Ni layers effectively blocked the diffusion of Cu atoms. In the ENEPIG joints, the consumption of Ni atoms transformed the amorphous Ni-P layer into a porous Ni₃P layer, leading to joint failure. Electroplated Ni possesses a more stable crystalline structure and stronger atomic bonding, so more energy is required to release Ni atoms, resulting in a slower dissolution rate. Compared with the OSP joints, the EM lifetimes of the ENEPIG joints and Electroplated Ni joints were improved by 30% and 53%, respectively. Full article

Laccases are multicopper oxidases capable of oxidizing a wide range of substrates using molecular oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor, producing water as the sole by-product. High-redox potential fungal laccases, such as those from Trametes versicolor, are particularly attractive for industrial and environmental applications, although their use is often limited by sensitivity to operational conditions. Enzyme immobilization represents an effective strategy to enhance laccase stability and reusability. In this work, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were investigated as support for laccase immobilization due to their high surface area, biocompatibility, and ease of magnetic recovery. Two modified co-precipitation synthetic routes were systematically evaluated, and the size, morphology, and chemical composition of the products were characterized by microscopy, light scattering, and spectroscopic methods, while both adsorption and covalent immobilization strategies were explored. The MNP surface was found to be highly reactive toward radical species generated during laccase-catalyzed reactions, especially in the presence of small Fe²⁺ excess. While this can enhance the enzyme catalytic activity, it challenges the inertness of the support and promotes, in some cases, strong interactions between reaction products and the nanoparticle surface. These findings highlight a previously unexplored role of magnetic supports in laccase-based biocatalytic systems. Full article

To investigate the effect of femtosecond laser scanning path on the surface integrity of 7075 aluminum alloy after paint removal, parallel, Z-shape, and loop-shape scanning were compared in terms of surface morphology, microstructure, chemical composition, roughness, wettability, and corrosion resistance. Parallel scanning effectively removed the paint while maintaining a surface roughness of 0.27 μm, close to that of the original substrate. The resulting regular unidirectional laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) yielded a water contact angle of 85°, consistent with the Wenzel wetting model. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed the lowest C 1s and O 1s peak intensities, the lowest lattice-oxygen fraction in Al₂O₃, the strongest metallic Al⁰ signal, and limited thermal oxidation. Electrochemical measurements showed the most positive corrosion potential (−0.974 V), the highest film resistance and charge-transfer resistance, and the best corrosion resistance for parallel scanning. By contrast, energy accumulation at the ends during Z-shape scanning and thermal accumulation at the corners and center during loop-shape scanning increased pit and recast-defect densities, oxidation, and corrosion degradation. Loop-shape scanning produced a surface roughness of 3.60 μm and a contact angle of 140.7°, indicating superhydrophobicity, but also the highest corrosion current density and the poorest corrosion resistance, showing that superhydrophobicity does not necessarily correspond to high corrosion resistance. The results show that scanning path affects LIPSS evolution, oxide-film integrity, and corrosion resistance through the spatial distribution of laser energy and thermal accumulation. Among the three paths, parallel scanning provided the best combination of paint removal, low substrate damage, and corrosion resistance, supporting its use in femtosecond-laser paint removal from aircraft aluminum alloy skins. Full article

Corrosion of airframe alloys is managed by scheduled inspections rather than measurement. Continuous monitoring could change this. Progress in electrochemically active sensing materials has increased laboratory detectability, yet little has reached operational aircraft. We argue that the limiting factor is not sensitivity but representativeness: whether a sensor’s response reflects the true condition of the structure it monitors. We treat aerospace corrosion as a six-stage cascade and map each material and transduction principle onto the stage it observes. We review the electrochemical processing routes that set electrodes’ morphology and stability and show that the processing parameters strongly affect reported reproducibility when the process’s control is left unstated. We propose an engineering-relevant framework spanning material, environmental, and electrochemical representativeness, plus decision relevance. Across the reviewed corpus, the highest analytical sensitivity tends to coincide with the lowest material representativeness, an apparent qualitative trade-off rather than a demonstrated statistical relationship. No identified system closes the chain from the signal to a damage-based maintenance decision without independent nondestructive verification. Of the performance figures that could be traced to primary studies, none was obtained on an aerospace alloy under airframe-representative exposure, the field’s principal gap. At multi-material joints, the problem inverts: carbon-fibre composites drive alloy’s dissolution while its own matrix degrades, so surface-treatment processing, rather than sensor choice, sets the outcome. We conclude with a staged evidence architecture that couples continuous sensing to eddy current, ultrasonic, and thermographic inspection. Full article

Background: Chemical hair dyes provide effective and durable coloration but are frequently associated with hair damage and irritation. Therefore, this study aimed to develop herbal-based hair dye products that combine effective coloration with low irritation potential. Methods: The combination of Lawsonia inermis, Clitoria ternatea, and Indigofera tinctoria was incorporated into different formulations (solution, shampoo, and conditioner) and evaluated for physicochemical properties, accelerated stability, and hair dyeing performance. The effects of herbal mixture concentration (10, 20, and 30% w/w) were further investigated for hair dyeing, foaming properties, washing fastness, and color stability under ambient natural-light conditions. The most suitable shampoo was evaluated for irritation potential using the hen’s egg test–chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM) assay, hair morphology by scanning electron microscopy, and hair chemical characteristics using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Results: Herbal hair dye formulations were successfully developed. Although the solution achieved the greatest hair dyeing performance, the shampoo provided more practical convenience. Increasing the herbal mixture concentration significantly enhanced dyeing performance, with the 30% w/w formulation producing the greatest dyeing performance, with stable color maintained after five washing cycles and excellent resistance to light-induced fading. Interestingly, the herbal shampoo exhibited significantly lower irritation potential than the chemical hair dye shampoo (irritation score: 4.9 ± 0.4 vs. 14.2 ± 0.4, p < 0.05) and better-preserved hair cuticle integrity. FT-IR analysis showed retention of major keratin-associated bands, indicating no complete disruption of the fundamental keratin structure. Conclusions: The herbal hair dye shampoo offers a promising alternative to conventional hair dye, providing effective and durable hair coloration with favorable preservation of hair surface morphology and lower irritation potential. Full article

Hierarchical titanium dioxide (TiO₂) has emerged as a promising photocatalytic material owing to its excellent chemical stability, environmental benignity, low cost, and high density of surface-active sites. Nevertheless, its practical application is constrained by rapid photogenerated charge-carrier recombination and poor visible-light utilization resulting from its wide bandgap. In the present study, a hierarchical TiO₂/CdS quantum dot (QD) nanocomposite was engineered through a facile and cost-effective pseudo-successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (p-SILAR) technique with controlled CdS QD deposition. The structural, morphological, optical, and electrochemical properties of the synthesized photocatalysts were systematically investigated using SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS, UV-Vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results confirmed the successful deposition of highly dispersed CdS QDs onto the hierarchical TiO₂ framework without altering its morphology or crystal structure. The formation of the heterojunction significantly enhanced visible-light absorption and reduced the optical bandgap from 3.19 eV for pristine TiO₂ to 2.37 eV for the TiO₂/CdS QD nanocomposite. Furthermore, PL and EIS analyses demonstrated suppressed electron–hole recombination and improved interfacial charge-transfer characteristics, respectively. Owing to these synergistic effects, the optimized TiO₂/CdS QD photocatalyst achieved 85.3% degradation of methylene blue under visible-light irradiation within 120 min, exhibiting substantially superior performance to pristine hierarchical TiO₂. Radical scavenging experiments revealed that superoxide radicals ^●O₂⁻ and photogenerated holes (h⁺) were the dominant reactive species governing the degradation process. The enhanced photocatalytic activity is attributed to the combined effects of efficient visible-light harvesting, accelerated charge separation, and effective interfacial charge migration across the TiO₂/CdS QD nanocomposite. These findings highlight the potential of hierarchically structured TiO₂/CdS QD nanocomposites as efficient and economically viable photocatalysts for environmental remediation and wastewater treatment applications. Full article