Search Results (3,693)

This paper presents a compact mixed-mode first-order universal filter based on a single voltage differencing current conveyor (VDCC), which can function in all four possible operation modes, i.e., voltage mode (VM), trans-admittance mode (TAM), current mode (CM), and trans-impedance mode (TIM). The proposed configuration requires only two grounded resistors and one floating capacitor, which contributes to a low component count, facilitates integration, and allows for the electronic tunability of the pole frequency through the transconductance gain of the VDCC. This work also demonstrates two practical biomedical applications: an electrocardiogram (ECG) acquisition system utilizing the VM low-pass filter for noise suppression and a bioimpedance (BioZ) measurement system employing the proposed configuration-based CM oscillator circuit as a sinusoidal excitation source. The performance validation confirms the accuracy of impedance extraction and the preservation of waveforms using tissue-equivalent models. The results demonstrate that the proposed VDCC-based filter offers a compact, power-efficient, and versatile analog signal-processing solution suitable for modern biomedical instrumentation. Full article

Lignin, an abundant and renewable biopolymer, holds significant potential for asphalt modification owing to its unique aromatic structure and reactive functional groups. This review summarizes the main lignin preparation routes and key physicochemical attributes and assesses its applicability for enhancing asphalt performance. The physical incorporation of lignin strengthens the asphalt matrix, improving its viscoelastic properties and resistance to oxidative degradation. These enhancements are mainly attributed to the cross-linking effect of lignin’s polymer chains and the antioxidant capacity of its phenolic hydroxyl groups, which act as free-radical scavengers. At the mixture level, lignin-modified asphalt (LMA) exhibits improved aggregate bonding, leading to enhanced dynamic stability, fatigue resistance, and moisture resilience. Nevertheless, excessive lignin content can have a negative impact on low-temperature ductility and fatigue resistance at intermediate temperatures. This necessitates careful dosage optimization or composite modification with softeners or flexible fibers. Mechanistically, lignin disperses within the asphalt, where its polar groups adsorb onto lighter components to boost high-temperature performance, while its strong interaction with asphaltenes alleviates water-induced damage. Furthermore, life cycle assessment (LCA) studies indicate that lignin integration can substantially reduce or even offset greenhouse gas emissions through bio-based carbon storage. However, the magnitude of the benefit is highly sensitive to lignin production routes, allocation rules, and recycling scenarios. Although the laboratory research results are encouraging, there is a lack of large-scale road tests on LMA. There is also a lack of systematic research on the specific mechanism of how it interacts with asphalt components and changes the asphalt structure at the molecular level. In the future, long-term service-road engineering tests can be designed and implemented to verify the comprehensive performance of LMA under different climates and traffic grades. By using molecular dynamics simulation technology, a complex molecular model containing the four major components of asphalt and lignin can be constructed to study their interaction mechanism at the microscopic level. Full article

Currently, bio-inspired metaheuristic algorithms play an important role in computer vision for assessing surface cracks. Also, manufacturing industries need non-destructive technologies based on biomimetics theory for characterizing micro-crack contours to determine surface quality. In this way, it is necessary to develop bio-inspired algorithms to construct crack contour models for determining crack regions through an optical microscope system. In this study, a metaheuristic genetic algorithm is implemented to build crack contour models by means of Bezier functions and crack coordinates. The contour modeling is performed by a microscope vision system based on micro-laser line scanning, which provides the crack coordinates through a broken laser line in the crack region. Thus, the metaheuristic algorithm builds the crack contour model by fitting the Bezier functions toward the crack topography. At this stage, an objective function moves the Bezier functions toward the crack topography via control points. The proposed technique provides micro-scale crack contours with a relative error smaller than 2%. Thus, the proposed crack contour modeling enhances the traditional crack contour inspection based on microscope image processing. This contribution is supported by a comparison between the proposed technique and the crack characterization performed via conventional image processing algorithms. Full article

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is effective as a bio-based fumigant in controlling soil-borne diseases; however, the selective pressure it exerts on soil microecology and evolutionary dynamics remains inadequately characterized. This study systematically investigated the remodeling effects of continuous AITC fumigation on soil microbial communities, functional genes, and functional strains by integrating metagenomic analysis and pure culture techniques. Results demonstrate that AITC drives directional selection from “sensitive” to “tolerant” microorganisms. Fungal communities exhibit greater cumulative damage than bacterial communities, with the proportion of significantly suppressed fungi increasing linearly from 9.3% at baseline to 35.7%. At the genus level, sensitive groups were predominantly enriched in pathogen-associated genera, e.g., Pseudomonas and Xanthomonas, whereas tolerant groups, represented by Bacillus and Streptomyces, maintained ecological dominance under continuous stress. Functionally, AITC induced differential evolution of functional gene repertoires. Nitrogen cycle genes (e.g., amoC) exhibited high negative sensitivity, with significant downregulation by 20%, whereas the TCA core module in the carbon cycle exhibited strong robustness. Virulence assays confirmed EC₅₀ values for tolerant beneficial bacteria (Bacillus spp.) (>40 mg·L⁻¹) were significantly higher than those for pathogens (1.3–7.9 mg/L). This study established a microbial “sensitive-tolerant” response framework under AITC stress, revealing the core potential of endogenous tolerant strains for the precise ecological restoration of fumigated soils. Full article

Background: Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) based on nanomaterials have garnered widespread attention in cancer treatment. However, most single-modal nanotherapeutics suffer from limited therapeutic efficacy. Methods: Herein, a magnetic mesoporous composite nanoparticle, Fe₃O₄@MSN@PDA-HA-FA, is successfully fabricated, with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as the magnetic core; mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) as the mesoporous shell; and dopamine hydrochloride (DA·HCl), hyaluronic acid (HA), and folic acid (FA) as the functional ligands. Results: Notably, this composite serves as both an efficient photothermal converter and a chemodynamic promoter, enhancing hydroxyl radical (·OH) generation and improving PTT efficacy. Under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation, Fe₃O₄@MSN@PDA-HA-FA exhibits high photothermal conversion and heat transfer efficiencies. The Fe²⁺ ions in Fe₃O₄ enable a Fenton reaction-mediated conversion of endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) into ·OH for CDT. Additionally, the MSNs provide a substantial drug-loading capacity, while the HA and FA provide additional surface functionalities that can modulate the nano-bio interactions and improve colloidal stability. Conclusions: In vitro experiments validate the synergistic therapeutic efficacy of PTT, CDT, and chemotherapy. This study demonstrates that Fe₃O₄@MSN@PDA-HA-FA exhibits antitumor efficacy, laying a promising foundation for its potential clinical translation in cancer treatment. Full article

Three-dimensional (3D) culture systems that recapitulate the tumor microenvironment are essential for studying cancer cell behavior, drug response, and cell–matrix interactions. Here, we present a detailed protocol for generating 3D spheroid cultures from murine breast cancer cells using methacrylated gelatin (GelMA)-based bioink and a CELLINK BioX bioprinter. This method enables precise deposition of spheroid-laden GelMA droplets into low-attachment plates, facilitating high-throughput and reproducible 3D culture formation. The protocol includes steps for spheroid formation, GelMA preparation, bioprinting, and post-printing analysis using a customized CellProfiler pipeline. The analysis pipeline takes advantage of the functionality of CellProfiler and ImageJ software (version 2.14.0) packages to create a versatile and accessible analysis tool. This approach provides a robust and adaptable platform for in vitro cancer research, including studies of metastasis, drug resistance, cancer cell lipid metabolism, and TME-associated hypoxia. Full article

Titanium suboxide (TSO) catalysts offer remarkable activity toward pollutant degradation due to their stability at positive potentials, which enables the formation of reactive oxygen species. Herein, TSOs are prepared directly on the surface of Ti mesh, which also serves as the current collector. The evolution of different TSO surface species during temperature treatment is monitored using micro-Raman spectroscopy. The electrochemically active surface area is determined using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and shows a decrease from 9.3 cm² to 1.1 cm² upon increasing temperature, corresponding to the transformation of TSO as seen in micro-Raman spectroscopy. Impedance spectroscopy revealed nearly identical values (≈29 Ohm) for the charge transfer resistance during OER, indicating the presence of the same active centers on the surface. The electrode potential window toward water splitting is examined using oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions (OER and HER). The Tafel slopes are in the range 400–600 mV dec⁻¹ for OER and 340–440 mV dec⁻¹ for HER, with higher values being desirable in pollutant degradation applications. Onset potential shifted to slightly more negative values with increasing temperature treatment, with samples treated at 850 °C and 950 °C enabling almost tenfold higher currents at the same potential values. The hydrogen evolution potential lies within the optimal region for H* radical formation around −1.2 V vs. RHE. Surface-formed TSOs represent promising biofunctional materials for pollutant degradation. Full article

With rapid advances in nanotechnology and synthetic biology, biological nanonetworks are emerging for biomedical and environmental applications within the Internet of Bio-NanoThings. While they rely on molecular communication, experimental validation remains limited, especially for non-ideal effects such as molecular accumulation. In this work, we present a novel table-top experimental system that emulates the core functionalities of a biological nanonetwork and is straightforward to reproduce in standard laboratory environments, also making it suitable for educational demonstrations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first experimental platform that incorporates two end nodes capable of acting interchangeably as transmitter and receiver, thereby enabling true bidirectional molecular communication. Information transfer is realized through controlled release, advection and diffusion of molecules, using molecular concentration coding analogous to concentration shift keying, while the receiver decodes messages by comparing measured concentrations against predefined thresholds. Based on the measurements reported herein, the drop-based algorithm substantially outperforms the threshold-based scheme. Specifically, it reduces first-message latency by more than 2.5× across the tested volumes and reduces latest-message latency by up to 71%, providing approximately 3.7× better message delivery. A key experimental outcome is the observation of channel saturation: beyond a certain operating period, residual molecules accumulate and effectively saturate the medium, inhibiting reliable further message exchange until sufficient clearance occurs. This saturation-induced “channel memory” emerges as a fundamental practical constraint on sustained communication and achievable data rates. Overall, the proposed platform provides a scalable, controllable, and experimentally accessible testbed for systematically studying signal degradation, saturation, clearance dynamics, and throughput limits, thereby bridging the gap between theoretical models and practical implementations in the Internet of Bio-NanoThings era. Full article

Conventional polycarboxylate superplasticizers (PCEs) suffer from uncontrollable adsorption, characterized by rapid initial uptake and limited subsequent release, which causes pronounced slump loss, particularly at elevated temperatures where hydration accelerates and dispersion efficiency declines. To overcome these limitations, we developed a series of chitosan-based upper critical solution temperature (UCST) responsive superplasticizers (Thermo-PCE_x, UCST = 40–42 °C) capable of temperature -adaptive dispersion during cement hydration. A vinyl-functionalized chitosan macromonomer (uCS-g-T₈) was synthesized by reacting cetyl polyoxyethylene glycidyl ether with chitosan, followed by methacrylate modification, and then copolymerized with acrylic acid and isopentenol polyoxyethylene ether to yield Thermo-PCE_x with tunable sugar-to-acid ratios. The polymers exhibited clear UCST-type phase-transition behavior in aqueous solution. When incorporated into cement paste, Thermo-PCE_x enabled continuous fluidity enhancement at 25 °C (<UCST), with increases of 43.6%, 52.9%, 62.3% and 63.6%, after 180 min for x = 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2, respectively. Adjusting dosage and composition further regulated setting time, improved rheological stability, and enhanced mechanical strength. These findings demonstrate a viable pathway for designing bio-based, temperature-responsive superplasticizers with self-adaptive dispersibility for sustainable cement technologies. Full article

4D printing, as an advanced evolution of 3D bioprinting, introduces time as an active design dimension, enabling printed constructs to undergo programmed morphological or functional transformations in response to external or endogenous stimuli. By integrating stimuli-responsive smart materials with precise additive manufacturing, 4D printing provides a bio-inspired strategy to overcome the inherent limitations of static scaffolds and to achieve spatiotemporal dynamic matching with the evolving biological microenvironment during tissue regeneration. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in applying 4D printing to structurally and functionally complex tissues, including bone, muscle, vasculature, nerve repair, wound closure, and other emerging biomedical scenarios. Rather than emphasizing shape change alone, recent advances demonstrate that 4D-printed constructs can emulate key biological processes such as morphogenesis, contraction, directional guidance, electrophysiological signaling, and microenvironment-responsive regulation, thereby enhancing tissue integration and functional recovery. This review systematically summarizes materials, stimulus–response mechanisms, and representative applications of 4D printing from a bio-inspired perspective, while critically discussing current challenges related to material performance, mechanistic understanding, manufacturing precision, and clinical translation. Finally, future perspectives are outlined, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary integration, intelligent manufacturing, and clinically oriented evaluation frameworks to advance 4D printing toward personalized and precision regenerative medicine. Full article

For those who did not follow the invention and development of enantioselective catalysis, this review introduces pertinent historical aspects of the field and presents the scientific concepts of asymmetric bio- and organocatalysis. They are powerful technologies applied in organic laboratories and industry. They realize chiral amplification by converting inexpensive achiral substrates and reagents into enantiomerically enriched products using readily recoverable solvents, if any are used. Racemic substrates can also be deracemized catalytically. More sustainable fabrications are now available that require neither toxic metallic species nor costly reaction conditions in terms of energy, atmosphere control, product purification, and safety. Nature has been the source of the first asymmetric catalysts (microorganisms, enzymes, alkaloids, amino acids, peptides, terpenoids, sugars, and their derivatives). They act as temporary chiral auxiliaries and lower the activation free energy of the reaction by altering the reaction mechanism. Reductions, oxidations, carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond-forming reactions are part of the process panoply. Asymmetric catalyzed multicomponent and domino reactions are becoming common. Typical modes of activation are proton transfers, hydrogen bonded complex formation, charged or uncharged acid/base pairing (e.g., σ-hole catalysts), formation of equilibria between achiral aldehydes and ketones with their chiral iminium salt or/and enamine intermediates, umpolung of aldehydes and ketones by reaction with N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), phase transfer catalysis (PTC), etc. Often, the best enantioselectivities are observed with polyfunctional catalysts derived from natural compounds, but not always. They may combine to form chiral structures containing nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, selenium, and iodine functional moieties. Today, man-made enantiomerically enriched catalysts, if not enantiomerically pure, are available in both enantiomeric forms. Being robust, they are recovered and reused readily. Full article

Metallogels constitute a rapidly expanding class of hybrid soft materials in which metal ions, metal complexes, or metal-containing nanoparticles play a decisive structural and functional role within a three-dimensional gel network. Their unique combination of supramolecular assembly, metal-ligand coordination, and dynamic network behaviour provides tunable mechanical, optical, electrical, redox, and catalytic properties that are not accessible in conventional hydrogels or organogels. This review systematically summarises current knowledge on metallogels, beginning with a classification based on matrix type, dominant metal interaction and functional output, spanning metallohydrogels, metal-organic gels, metal-phenolic gels, nanoparticle-based gels, polymer-based metallogels and low-molecular-weight metallogels. Key synthesis pathways are discussed, including coordination-chemistry-driven formation, metal-ligand self-assembly, in situ reduction, diffusion-mediated strategies, sol-gel-like polymerisation, enzyme-assisted routes, and bio-derived fabrication. Particular emphasis is placed on structure-function relationships that enable the development of catalytic, conductive, luminescent, antimicrobial, and biomedical metallogels. The examples compiled here highlight the versatility and transformative potential of metallogels in next-generation soft technologies, including sensing, energy conversion, wound healing, drug delivery, and emerging applications such as soft electronics and on-skin catalytic or bioactive patches. By mapping current progress and emerging design principles, this review aims to support the rational engineering of metallogels for advanced technological and biomedical applications Full article

Background: Hemiboea yongfuensis is a recently discovered critically endangered species. It is exclusive to the limestone regions of Yongfu County, Guilin, Guangxi. Currently, there is a lack of mitogenome data for Hemiboea species, hindering the potential of disclosing the evolutionary processes of the mitochondrial genome, which has been far less assembled and shown to be complex in the plant kingdom. Moreover, it prevents potential applications of mitochondrial genome data in phylogenetics and plant adaption, breeding, and conservation. Results: In order to reveal the mitochondrial features and variations and explore the usefulness of mitochondrial genes in phylogenetics, in this study, we assembled the complete mitogenome of H. yongfuensis using PacBio HiFi long reads, and analyzed its codon usage bias, RNA editing sites, repetitive sequences, sequence lateral transfer, phylogenetic relationships, and synteny. The linear mitochondrial genome assembly we obtained has a length of 619,997 bp and a GC content of 43.63%. The assembly encompasses 61 genes, which include 37 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 21 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and 3 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. Importantly, our analysis uncovered a significant presence of repetitive sequences with a high proportion of forward repeats in the mitogenome and significant transposition of sequences from the chloroplast to mitochondrion. Additionally, we revealed the codon usage characteristics of protein-coding genes and identified numerous RNA editing events. Furthermore, we assessed the collinearity of the species in the Gesneriaceae family and found rampant reorganizations. The phylogenetic analyses based on the mitochondrial PCGs for the entire Lamiales order show the monophyly of Gesneriaceae as well as other families and a general high phylogenetic resolution. Conclusions: Our study provides the first mitogenome data for H. yongfuensis and the genus Hemiboea, expanding the rapidly increasing but yet limited plant mitogenome resources. It enhances our understanding of the mitogenome and Lamiales evolution, whereas more potentials of the mitogenome data, such as its possible functions in adaptation to limestone habitats, conservation, and germplasm breeding, remain under-exploited. This first reported Hemiboea mitogenome in addition to more mitogenomes from the same and related species would shed further light on these unresolved issues in future studies. Full article

Dietary phytochemicals, primarily derived from grasses, legumes, and agro-industrial byproducts of plant origin, encompass distinct chemical classes such as polyphenols (including tannins, flavonoids, and other polyphenol compounds), saponins, organosulfur compounds, and essential oils (largely composed of terpenoids and phenylpropanoids). These compounds can function as rumen modifiers, antimethanogenic agents, anthelmintics, growth promoters, stress mitigators, and biopreservatives in ruminant production systems. Thus, they improve feed efficiency, nutrient utilization, and nitrogen retention while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. In dairy systems specifically, phytogenic feedstuffs enhance milk yield and composition by enriching conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs), omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidant compounds, leading to superior nutritional and oxidative stability. In meat production systems, they improve tenderness, flavor and shelf life through reduced oxidation and enhanced muscle metabolism. Despite these benefits, dose optimization, bio-efficacy, and species-specific responses remain critical research priorities. Use of phytogenic-based feeding strategies aligns with global sustainability goals by reducing reliance on feed additives, promoting environmentally resilient and circular food systems. This review synthesizes emerging evidence on the mechanisms, production outcomes, and functional benefits of dietary phytochemicals, providing a scientific framework for their strategic application in sustainable ruminant milk and meat production. Full article