Search Results (11,805)

This research assesses a triphasic extraction technique for the sequential retrieval of C-phycocyanin (C-PC) and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) from a thermotolerant Potamosiphon sp. strain. A two-stage design-of-experiments methodology was employed (Minimum Run Resolution V factorial design involving six variables, followed by a central composite design (CCD)) to optimize the chosen region. In the factorial stage, PHB ranged from 109.396 to 168.995 mg/g, and the model was significant (F = 22.63, p < 0.0001). Freeze-milling and vortexing were identified as critical elements, underscoring the importance of the t-butanol × (NH₄)₂SO₄ interaction for phase selectivity. The CCD concentrating on freeze-milling and vortex cycles yielded a robust quadratic model (F = 78.18, p < 0.0001), forecasting a peak PHB yield of 191.82 mg/g at six freeze-milling cycles and three vortex cycles (desirability 0.921), while maintaining t-butanol at 19.9 mL, t-butanol concentration at 94.7% (v/v), (NH₄)₂SO₄ at 49.9% (w/v), and vortex duration at 1.2 min. Ten separate trials validated the model’s accuracy, yielding an observed PHB of 191.5 mg/g, which closely matched the model’s prediction. The platform facilitates an integrated downstream process in which C-PC is recovered under moderate conditions before triphasic partitioning. This enables the simultaneous valorization of pigment, lipophilic fraction, and biopolymer inside a unified cyanobacterial biorefinery process. Full article

This study demonstrates a proof-of-concept microbial electrochemical system (MES) that integrates a Geobacter sulfurreducens anodic biofilm with Actinobacillus succinogenes cathodic electro-fermentation. The anode, poised at 0 V versus Ag/AgCl, supported extracellular electron transfer from acetate oxidation, yielding a coulombic efficiency of up to 72.9%. When the cathode was switched from an abiotic ferricyanide sink to A. succinogenes medium containing neutral red, current increased sharply, reflecting mediator-assisted electron transfer. Cathodic metabolism showed a redirection in flux: succinate selectivity improved by 9.9%, increasing from 42.9% to 52.8% of input carbon, while formate and acetate decreased by 7.8% and 3.0%, respectively, without loss in overall carbon recovery. This improvement in succinate selectivity is industrially relevant in that it not only increases succinate yield but also lowers separation costs due to lower byproducts (formate and acetate). These results reveal that a poised G. sulfurreducens anode can sustain sufficient current to influence A. succinogenes product distribution, supporting the feasibility of biologically integrated MES-electro-fermentation. Potential hydrogen evolution, which could possibly contribute to increased succinate selectivity, was a thermodynamic possibility rather than a confirmed pathway. Future work was proposed to resolve electron partitioning, mediator kinetics, and cross-feeding interactions. Full article

The complementarity of plant proteins from various sources could achieve higher nutritional value to satisfy the requirement of replacing animal proteins. Therefore, it is very important to seek efficient and convenient approaches to fabricate highly soluble protein composites. In this study, macadamia protein–soybean protein (SP-MP′) composites were fabricated by alkaline-thermal treating at different ratios of 1:0.5, 1:1, and 1:2; then, the nitrogen solubility index, particle characteristics, and structure and emulsifying properties of SP-MP′ composites were investigated. The nitrogen solubility indexes of SP-MP′ composites were higher than 80%, and less small insoluble aggregates were observed by scanning electron microscopy. SP-MP′ composites exhibited high ζ-potential values, which were higher than −50 mV. Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis found that both subunits of individually alkaline-thermal-treated macadamia protein (MP′) and soybean protein (SP′) were presented in SP-MP′ composites. The results of fluorescence, sulfhydryl group, and secondary structure illustrated that the SP interacted with MP to form SP-MP′ composites by the co-folding of proteins during neutralization. Compared to the individual proteins, SP-MP′ composites exhibited stronger emulsification ability and stability indexes (EAI and ESI) as the proportion of MP increased, and the EAI and ESI of SP-MP_1:2′ were 21.53 m²/g and 146.7%, respectively. Meanwhile, emulsions prepared by SP-MP′ composites displayed more uniform oil droplet distributions. The findings suggested that highly soluble SP-MP′ composites with stronger emulsification abilities were successfully fabricated, which have great potential as ingredients to manufacture nutritional plant protein beverages. Full article

A targeted modification approach involving the synthesis of Ce/C co-doped TiO₂ aerogels (CeCTi) via a sol–gel method combined with supercritical CO₂ drying and subsequent heat treatment is employed to enhance the photocatalytic CO₂ reduction performance of cost-effective and stable TiO₂ aerogels. The results demonstrate that the CeCTi exhibits a pearl-like porous network structure, an optical band gap of 2.90 eV, and a maximum specific surface area of 188.81 m²/g. The black aerogel sample shows an enhanced light absorption capability resulting from the Ce/C co-doping, which is attributed to the formation of oxygen vacancies. Under simulated sunlight irradiation, the production rates of CH₄ and CO reach 27.06 and 97.11 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ without any co-catalysts or sacrificial agents, respectively, which are 82.0 and 5.7 times higher than those of the pristine TiO₂ aerogel. DFT reveals that C-doping facilitates the formation of oxygen vacancies, which introduces defect states within the calculational band gap of TiO₂. The proposed photocatalytic mechanism involves the light-induced excitation of electrons from the valence band to the conduction band, their trapping by oxygen vacancies to prolong the charge carrier lifetime, and their subsequent transfer to adsorbed CO₂ molecules, thereby enabling efficient CO₂ reduction, which is experimentally supported by photoluminescence measurements. Full article

A two-parameter environmental (measured in CO2eq—CO₂ is used in this paper to represent the carbon dioxide molecule as opposed to the chemical formula CO₂ as is common practice in LCA studies; CO2eq is an abbreviation for CO₂ equivalent and may be written as CO2e in the literature) and economic (measured in USD) analysis using life cycle analysis (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA) of repurposed wind turbine blades for structural use in recreational trail bridges (e.g., on hiking trails and golf courses) is described in this paper. The US Department of Energy’s TECHTEST TEA/LCA software (v1.0) platform was used to compare three commercially available trail bridges (a steel truss bridge, an FRP pultruded truss bridge, and a glulam stringer bridge) with a bridge made from retired wind turbine blades (known as a BladeBridge). All bridges had a 50 ft (15.24 m) long by 6 ft (1.83 m) wide deck and were designed for a 90 psf (4.3 kN/m²) live load. The LCA functional unit was the assembled bridge, which was made ready to be shipped from the fabricator. Cradle-to-gate (A1–A3, i.e., raw material extraction, transportation, and manufacturing) system boundaries were used. For the BladeBridge, no embodied carbon was attributed to the blade itself (cut-off system allocation). For the TEA, a USD 660/tonne credit was attributed to the blade. The raw materials for each bridge were determined from detailed construction documents. Manufacturing and transportation energy were determined based on the equipment used for fabrication and geographical location. Direct labor for fabrication was calculated based on a weighted average of salaries taken from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The results indicate that raw materials had the biggest effect on embodied CO2eq and that labor had the largest impact on cost for all bridges. The results indicate that the BladeBridge is significantly less expensive to produce and releases less CO2eq into the environment (less Global Warming Potential (GWP)) than the three commercially available bridges. Additional TEA metrics for the BladeBridge, including Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and future market potential, were also evaluated and found to be positive for the BladeBridge technology. Full article

The convergence of Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs) and the Internet of Things (IoT) is giving rise to the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), a key enabler of next-generation intelligent transportation systems. This survey provides a comprehensive analysis of the architectural, communication, and computing foundations that support VANET–IoT integration. We examine the roles of cloud, edge, and in-vehicle computing, and compare major V2X and IoT communication technologies, including DSRC, C-V2X, MQTT, and CoAP. The survey highlights how sensing, communication, and distributed intelligence interact to support applications such as collision avoidance, cooperative perception, and smart traffic management. We identify four central challenges—security, scalability, interoperability, and energy constraints—and discuss how these issues shape system design across the network stack. In addition, we review emerging directions including 6G-enabled joint communication and sensing, reconfigurable surfaces, digital twins, and quantum-assisted optimization. The survey concludes by outlining open research questions and providing guidance for the development of reliable, efficient, and secure VANET–IoT systems capable of supporting future transportation networks. Full article

Background: Cefiderocol, a siderophore cephalosporin, is approved for the treatment of infections caused by multi-drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MRGN). At present, few data are available on the pharmacokinetics of this substance in critically ill patients, particularly for the treatment of central nervous system infections. Patients and Methods: Here, we reported on a 22-year-old male patient after severe open head trauma. Initial screening revealed colonization with 4MRGN A. baumannii (OXA-23) (perianal) and 4MRGN K. pneumoniae (KPC) (tracheal). Unfortunately, he developed ventriculitis (4MRGN A. baumannii). According to microbiological testing, the patient with normal renal function received 3 × 2 g/d i.v. cefiderocol as a prolonged infusion (3 h) and colistin 3 × 3 Mio. IU/d i.v. for 2 weeks. In addition to serum trough levels, drug monitoring was performed in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) via external ventricular drainage (24 h aliquots). Results: Serum and CSF specimens analyzed by liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) in the presence of severe meningeal inflammation yielded average CSF concentrations of cefiderocol from 5.48 to 8.40 (median 6.98) μg/mL and a concentration ratio C_{CSF mean}/C_{serum trough} from 0.38 to 0.76 (median 0.48). The cefiderocol levels in the CSF were sufficient for eradication of A. baumannii. A subsequent CSF infection with K. pneumoniae (found initially in screening and resistant to cefiderocol) after completed treatment with cefiderocol was successfully treated with gentamicin (intrathecally) and ceftazidime/avibactam (i.v.). However, the patient died due to a Candida tropicalis infection detected in the CSF on day 71. Conclusions: Our results indicate that standard dosages of cefiderocol are sufficient for treatment of CNS infections in the presence of a severe disruption of the blood–CSF barrier. Full article

Background/Objectives: Accented speech reflects systematic deviation from target-language phonetic norms. This study demonstrates that perceived accent strength covaries with selective, gradient differences in phonological feature realization. We examine whether perceived accents in Hindi- and Tamil-accented English reflect uniform segmental deviation or cue-specific patterns of phonological feature realization. Methods: English speech produced by native speakers of Hindi and Tamil was evaluated using native listener accentedness ratings. Phonetic variation was analyzed using posterior probabilities of phonological features derived from a machine learning model, Phonet. The analyses focused on liquids (laterals and rhotics (e.g., /l/, /ɭ/, and /ɻ/) and labial segments in the fricative–glide space (e.g., /v/, /w/, and /ʋ/), with attention to word position and feature-level generalization. Results: Accentedness ratings differed systematically for Hindi- and Tamil-accented English and covaried with a subset of phonological feature dimensions, yielding contrast- and context-specific patterns of perceptually relevant variation. Not all features that varied in production contributed to perceived accent strength. Conclusions: These findings support a cue-specific, perception-grounded account of accentedness and establish phonological feature posteriors derived from Phonet as interpretable phonological categories through which gradient L2 production differences are evaluated by listeners. Full article

During a period of intense solar activity and highly disturbed geomagnetic conditions, a large Forbush decrease began on 10 May 2024 accompanied by a historic geomagnetic storm that lasted for four days. This extreme geomagnetic disturbance classified as G5 according to “NOAA Space Weather Scale for Geomagnetic Storms” is referred to in the literature as the Mother’s Day Storm. This resulted from multiple, at least seven, Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) that had been occurring since 7 May. In addition, on 11 May, a powerful X5.8 class solar flare, reaching its maximum at 01:32 UT, was followed by an abrupt increase in proton flux with energies > 100 MeV (with onset on 11 May at 01:45 UT and peaking at 02:45 UT), as recorded by GOES satellites. This resulted in a Ground Level Enhancement (GLE), identified as GLE74, occurring on 11 May 2024 during the recovery phase of the deep Forbush decrease (~15%). This Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) event consisted of both impulsive and gradual components, where the high-energy tail of the gradual component was recorded by several stations of the worldwide ground-based neutron monitor network. Approximately 15 minutes after the onset of the SEP event and 40 minutes prior to its peak, an alert was issued by the GLE Alert++ system of the Athens Neutron Monitor Station of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), available as a federated product on the ESA SWE Portal under the Space Radiation Expert Service Centre. In this paper, a description of the solar activity, i.e., solar flares and CMEs, occurring during this time period is given. Moreover, recordings of cosmic ray data obtained by ground-based neutron monitors are used to perform a detailed analysis of GLE74. Finally, the response of the NKUA GLE Alert++ system to GLE74 is thoroughly presented. Full article

Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a highly aggressive malignancy of the digestive system. Somatic variants in the Kirsten rat sarcoma virus oncogene homolog (KRAS) gene have a significant influence on CRC progression and serve as key predictors of resistance to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapy. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of KRAS variants, with a particular focus on G12D variants, which represent potential for targeted therapy. Methods: A cohort of 73 CRC patients was evaluated between January 2021 and August 2024. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed using the Archer^® VariantPlex^® Solid Tumor Focus v2 (Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc., Boulder, CO, USA) assay on the Illumina NextSeq platform. The gene panel included 20 genes frequently mutated in solid tumors, assessing point variants, insertions/deletions, and microsatellite instability. Results: The cohort of the study comprised 38 female (52%) and 35 males (48%) patients aged 31–83 years (mean, 58.77 ± 12.72). No significant difference in mean age was observed between males and females (60.31 ± 12.32 vs. 57.34 ± 13.08; p > 0.05). KRAS variants were detected in 30 patients (41%). Among these, the variant frequencies for G12D, G12V, and G13D were 7%, 11%, and 11%, respectively. Additionally, one patient (1.4%) harbored an ERBB2 amplification. All KRAS variants were associated with resistance to anti-EGFR therapy. Notably, KRAS G12D variants have potential responsiveness to targeted therapy, while human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (ERBB2) amplifications are responsive to anti-HER2 treatments and resistant to anti-EGFR therapies. Conclusions: These findings highlight the clinical significance of KRAS variant profiling for prognosis and personalized treatment planning in CRC. Moreover, assessing KRAS variants individually is crucial to better understanding treatment response and exploring the potential targeted therapy in CRC management. Full article

Archaeal lipids are a source of new biomaterials for pharmaceutical and nanomedical applications; however, their classical extraction method relies on chloroform and methanol, toxic solvents that conflict with green chemistry principles. In this paper, we explore the performance of an eco-friendly method for the extraction of total lipids from the haloarchaea Halorubrum tebenquichense. Using the bio-solvents ethyl acetate and ethanol in a two-step procedure, a fraction of total lipids (135 ± 41 mg phospholipids and 1.1 ± 0.4 mg bacterioruberin (BR)/100 g cell paste) was obtained containing the same composition as that resulting from extraction with the classical solvents, as confirmed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, although with lower phospholipid (PL) content, thus with a higher proportion of bacterioruberin (BR/PL ratio 9.0 vs. 6.8 µg/mg). The extracted lipids were subsequently utilized for the preparation of archaeosomes, which were characterized by uniform size distribution (406 ± 137 nm, 0.63 ± 0.13 polydispersity index), colloidal stability, and negative ζ potential (−38.2 ± 5.4 mV). The photoprotective potential of these archaeosomes was determined for the first time in human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells exposed to UVB irradiation (270 mJ/cm²). Treatment with archaeosomes significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced cell viability (from ~43 to ~80%), reduced intracellular ROS generation and proinflammatory cytokine release (TNF-α), and mitigated UVB-induced apoptosis compared to untreated controls, indicating effective cytoprotection. This study demonstrates that ethyl acetate–ethanol-based extraction offers an alternative for archaeal lipid recovery and highlights the potential of archaeosomes as natural photoprotective agents for skincare applications. Full article

Copper(II) coordination complexes with coumarin-derived heterocyclic ligands are promising in inorganic therapeutics for anticancer and antimicrobial applications. To establish quantitative structure–activity relationships for lead design, we studied six copper(II) complexes (Cu1–Cu6)with four- and five-coordinate geometries using Density Functional Theory, Conceptual Density Functional Theory, and visualization analyses. Geometry optimization at M06/6-31G(d)+DZVP revealed distorted coordination environments from $d^9$ Jahn–Teller effects. Tridentate $N_{2}O$-chelatedcomplexes (Cu4–Cu6) showed greater aqueous stability ($\Delta G_{solv}=-43$ to $-50$ kcal·mol⁻¹) than four-coordinate analogs ($-29$ to $-31$ kcal·mol⁻¹). CDFT global descriptors contrasted reactivity: four-coordinate Cu1–Cu2 had higher electron affinity (>4.2 eV) and electrophilicity (>5.7 eV), suggesting propensity for redox cycling and for undergoing nucleophilic attack by DNA bases, whereas Cu4–Cu6 displayed increased chemical hardness (3.43–3.54 eV) and lower electrophilicity (≈3.8 eV), implying enhanced kinetic stability and bioavailability. Frontier orbital analysis indicated ligand-to-metal charge transfer via a LUMO delocalized over the $\pi$-conjugated coumarin, facilitating intercalation by $\pi$-$\pi$ stacking. The visualization showed strong covalent bonds (blue isosurfaces) stabilizing the metal and dispersive $\pi$ interactions (green surfaces) on the ligand, enabling solvent interactions and biomolecular recognition. Tridentate $N_{2}O$ coordination thus balances electronic stability and biological reactivity, making Cu4–Cu6 promising for further study. Full article

Valsa canker, caused by Valsa mali (Cytospora mali) or V. pyri, is a destructive fungal disease affecting apple and pear production. NAC transcription factors have been shown to participate in multiple immune signaling pathways. However, the key members of this family involved in Valsa canker resistance remain largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that PbeNAC72, an NAC transcription factor responsive to Valsa canker signals in Pyrus betulifolia, positively regulates resistance in apple and pear fruits. In ‘Duli-G03’ (P. betulifolia) suspension cells, overexpression of PbeNAC72 significantly enhanced resistance to Valsa canker and induced reactive oxygen species bursts, as well as the expression of salicylic acid and jasmonic acid-related genes. Subsequent weighted gene co-expression network analysis revealed that PbeNAC72 is primarily linked to genes associated with “DNA replication” and “microtubule-based movement.” We therefore suggest that PbeNAC72 activates genes related to core signaling pathways and fundamental cellular processes, which further contribute to the positive regulation of Valsa canker resistance. Our results provide novel insights into the resistance mechanism and identify a candidate gene for future molecular breeding efforts. Full article

The microevolutionary pathways and molecular mechanisms by which the important pathogen Vibrio parahaemolyticus acquires resistance in the aquatic environment under continuous selective pressure from quinolone antibiotic residues are still unknown. Here, the study successfully simulated the long-term pressure of antibiotic residues in aquaculture by susceptible V. parahaemolyticus (VPD14) which was isolated from seafood, to a 30-day in vitro induction with sublethal concentrations of levofloxacin, which yielded the mutants (VPD14M). A phenotypic analysis revealed that VPD14M exhibited resistance to ampicillin, levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, compared to VPD14. These changes were accompanied by adaptations, including a decreased growth rate and an enhanced biofilm formation capacity. Whole-Genome Sequencing identified that the acquired resistance was primarily attributable to key point mutations in three Quinolone Resistance-Determining Regions (QRDRs). Specifically, a G → T substitution at nucleotide position 248 in the gyrA gene, leading to a serine-to-isoleucine substitution at the 83rd amino acid position (Ser83Ile) of the DNA gyrase subunit A; a C → T substitution at position 254 in the parC gene, resulting in a serine-to-phenylalanine substitution at position 85 (Ser85Phe) of the topoisomerase IV subunit A; and a C → T substitution at position 2242 in the gyrB gene, causing a proline-to-serine substitution at position 748 (Pro748Ser) of the DNA gyrase subunit B. Collectively, the study demonstrated that sublethal antibiotic levels rapidly drive quinolone resistance in V. parahaemolyticus, and the specific mutations identified offer critical support for resistance monitoring and seafood safety alerts. Full article

The development of effective vaccines is a critical step in effective disease management in aquaculture. This study introduces a novel Multiepitope Chimeric Vaccine (MCV) designed to enhance immunity in lumpfish against Vibrio anguillarum, Aeromonas salmonicida, Yersinia ruckeri, Moritella viscosa and Piscirickettsia salmonis. Epitopes from major toxins and virulence factors were selected to construct the MCV in silico. Structural validation showed 96.7% of residues in favored regions, confirming stability. Codon optimization yielded a G+C content of 54.61% and a Codon Adaptation Index (CAI) of 1, indicating strong expression potential in Escherichia coli. Immune simulations predicted robust B- and T-cell responses, suggesting induction of both humoral and cell-mediated immunity. Experimental vaccination of lumpfish (n = 35/group) with E. coli-expressed MCV led to significantly elevated IgM levels at four- and six-weeks post-vaccination (p ≤ 0.05, p ≤ 0.01, respectively). Upon pathogen challenge, vaccinated groups showed delayed mortality against V. anguillarum, A. salmonicida, and P. salmonis, though survival differences were not statistically significant across treatments. These results highlight the immunogenicity potential of the MCV and its capacity to elicit targeted immune responses. However, further optimization is necessary to improve protective efficacy and survival outcomes. This study lays a foundation for the application of multiepitope vaccines in lumpfish aquaculture and supports ongoing efforts toward sustainable disease control strategies. Full article