Search Results (8,332)

This review summarizes recent experimental progress in the structure and correlations of light neutron-rich nuclei. We first highlight achievements based on quasi-free scattering reactions in inverse kinematics at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory (RIBF), including investigations of the single-particle composition of halo systems—for example, revealing the minimal s-wave component in the “weak-halo” nucleus ${}^{17}\mathrm{B}$—and the mapping of universal, surface-localized dineutron correlations in Borromean nuclei such as ${}^{11}\mathrm{Li}$, ${}^{14}\mathrm{Be}$ and ${}^{17}\mathrm{B}$. We then discuss recent advances in the study of multineutron correlations and cluster states, addressing both experimental challenges and major breakthroughs. These include the observation of a candidate $4n$ resonance, the absence of a resonant state in the $3n$ system, the characterization of direct two-neutron decay in ${}^{16}\mathrm{Be}$, and evidence for a condensate-like $\alpha +{}^{2}n+{}^{2}n$ cluster structure in the ${}^8\mathrm{He}\left(0_2^{+}\right)$ state. Finally, we discuss prospects for extending such investigations to heavier halo candidates and more complex multineutron systems, and outline the development of next-generation neutron detector arrays that will drive future progress in this field. Full article

With the escalating energy consumption of air conditioning systems worldwide, reducing such energy use has become a critical research priority. Evaporative cooling technology plays a significant role in reducing the energy consumption of existing air conditioning systems, especially by enhancing the heat exchange efficiency of condensers. This paper presents the design of an evaporative cooling household split-type air conditioner (SAC) that employs a submerged water method. By utilizing motor-driven rotation, the water distributor ensures full and even water distribution across a double-layer wet pad. Additionally, condensate water is recycled, and direct evaporative cooling (DEC) technology is applied to lower the condenser temperature, thereby achieving energy savings. Experiments were conducted under various meteorological conditions, comparing the performance of the split air conditioning system with the water distributor to that of the system without it. The comparative experiments revealed that the average air temperature differences at the inlet and outlet of the water distributor were 8.7 °C and 4.8 °C, respectively, with maximum air temperature differences reaching 12.3 °C and 8.2 °C, respectively. Compared to the system without the water distributor, the average condensing temperature at the condenser outlet of the system with the water distributor was reduced by 2.6 °C and 2.1 °C. Moreover, within an 11 h operation period, the average system coefficient of performance (COP) increased by 22.6% and 18.2%, respectively, and the energy savings reached 17.9% and 12.7%, respectively. Full article

The growing popularity of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) necessitates a better understanding of their biological effects. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of e-cigarette aerosol condensates generated from either e-cigarette carrier liquid alone or with e-cigarette liquid with nicotine and flavor on bronchial epithelial cells. BEAS-2B cells were exposed to e-cigarettes for 24 h, and transcriptional and proteomic profiling, including assessment of protein modifications, was performed. Additionally, cell-based assays were used to evaluate mitochondrial function, rate of protein synthesis, lysosomal signal, lipid droplet quantity and actin formation. Our findings reveal that short-term exposure to both types of aerosol condensates altered transcriptome and proteome profiles, disrupting cellular homeostasis in BEAS-2B cells through impaired proteostasis and mitochondrial function in response to both types of condensates. Changes in lipid and lysosome content, as well as a reduction in polymerized actin, were observed with nicotine- and flavor-containing condensate. E-cigarette exposure also induced irreversible protein modifications, including different chemical derivatives (25 out of 49 in nicotine/flavor condensate; 20 out of 48 in nicotine/flavor-free condensate; 4 out of 35 in control), suggesting their particularly harmful effect. Together, these findings point to early-onset cellular stress and impaired lung epithelial fitness caused by acute e-cigarette exposure. Full article

Atmospheric aerosols modulate Earth’s radiation balance through direct effects and through their role as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), contributing to variability in near-surface temperature (NST). Galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) further influence aerosol–cloud interactions by enhancing particle formation and growth, but combined aerosol optical depth (AOD)–GCR effects on NST remain poorly constrained across climates. Using satellite and reanalysis data, we examine joint influences on NST anomalies at three neutron-monitoring stations, Oulu, Newark, and Hermanus, during 2000–2022. The sites share similar geomagnetic cutoffs but contrasting climates, enabling separation of ionization from geomagnetic shielding. Multiple linear regression (MLR) captures AOD effects and their modulation by GCR flux. Adding an interaction term (AOD × GCR) improves fit, raising adjusted R² from 0.22→0.31 (Oulu), 0.37→0.52 (Newark), and 0.69→0.78 (Hermanus). ECMWF reanalysis shows hydrophilic organic matter aerosol (OMA) dominates (0.19, 0.29, 0.41 µg kg⁻¹ at Oulu, Newark and Hermanus), with sulphate elevated at Oulu/Newark and coarse sea salt at Hermanus. Elevated OMA and sulphate at Oulu/Newark imply GCR-enhanced fine CCN and cooling, whereas humid, sea-salt-rich Hermanus favors ion-mediated growth of larger hygroscopic particles that increase longwave trapping and warming. Findings provide site-specific evidence that GCR ionization modulates aerosol processes and contributes to regional NST variability, informing improved parameterizations in climate models. Full article

Pulsating heat pipes (PHPs) are promising passive heat-transfer devices for compact thermal management; however, their performance is highly sensitive to channel geometry. In particular, the operating-condition-dependent influence of sinusoidal corrugation amplitude on the condenser side remains unclear, despite its importance for oscillation regulation and heat dissipation. This numerical study investigates a single-loop PHP with sinusoidally corrugated condensers (A = 0.25 and 0.5 mm) under heat fluxes of 5000–12,500 W/m² and filling ratios of 40–60%, using a uniform-diameter PHP as the baseline. The results show that the configuration with A = 0.25 mm exhibits better start-up performance, especially at low heat fluxes, whereas both corrugated configurations provide better thermal performance than the baseline. At a filling ratio of 50%, the thermal-resistance reductions for A = 0.25 and A = 0.5 mm are 14.5% and 9.2% at 5000 W/m² and 8.4% and 10.5% at 12,500 W/m², respectively. An operating-condition-dependent amplitude-matching relationship is identified: The smaller amplitude is more favorable for start-up under weak driving conditions, whereas the larger amplitude tends to provide lower thermal resistance and higher equivalent thermal conductivity under strong driving conditions. These findings provide useful guidance for condenser-geometry optimization in single-loop PHPs. Full article

Pyrrole derivatives are natural organic molecules that are important to the pharmaceutical industry due to their occurrence in nature and their use in a wide range of medical applications. In general, non-symmetric, 1,2,5-triaryl-substituted pyrroles are prepared either by Paal–Knorr condensation or cycloaddition that present synthetic challenges particularly if late-stage functionalization is required. The present study describes a modular approach to synthesizing 1,2,5-triarylpyrroles containing three different arene substituents. Using pyrrole ester building blocks, a sequence of decarboxylative cross-coupling and C–H arylation provides unsymmetrical 1,2,5-triarylpyrroles in a regioselective, stepwise manner; the scope and limitations of the sequence are disclosed. Full article

Slow-moving landslides can trigger severe disasters when activated by earthquakes, torrential rains, or typhoons. Early detection is crucial for mitigating loss of life and property damage. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technology is among the most effective techniques for detecting slow-moving landslides, though its accuracy can be further improved through integration with optical imagery and Digital Elevation Models (DEM). Current machine learning approaches that combine InSAR and optical data suffer from limited efficiency, poor transferability, and challenges in regional-scale application. To address these limitations, this study proposes a multimodal dual-path network that integrates InSAR products with textural information from optical imagery to detect slow-moving landslides. One path processes InSAR deformation rates and topographic factors, while the other incorporates texture information and auxiliary data. Together, these paths extract semantic information from high-dimensional spatial features and condense it into low-dimensional representations. A pyramid pooling module is employed to capture multi-scale features during low-level semantic extraction. For feature fusion, a rate-constrained adaptive module is introduced to enhance the contribution of deformation rates to slow-moving landslides. According to the results, the proposed method improves the F1-score for landslide detection by 6% compared to using InSAR products alone. These results provide reliable technical support for regional landslide inventory compilation and disaster management, as well as new insights for regional-scale surveys in slow-moving landslide-prone areas. Full article

Controlled germination has emerged as an effective and sustainable bioprocess to enhance the nutritional and functional quality of cereal grains, including sorghum, a climate-resilient crop widely cultivated in tropical and semi-arid regions. Germination triggers coordinated physiological and molecular responses that activate secondary metabolism, particularly the phenylpropanoid pathway, resulting in qualitative and quantitative changes in phenolic compounds. This review summarizes current evidence on germination-driven modulation of sorghum phenolics, with emphasis on bioactivity and genetic regulation. Germination promotes the transcriptional activation of key biosynthetic genes, including those encoding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and flavonoid pathway enzymes, while regulatory genes associated with condensed tannin biosynthesis, such as Tannin1 (Tan1) and Tannin2 (Tan2), may undergo functional modulation during sprouting, contributing to reduced antinutritional tannin levels. Gene expression and metabolic outcomes are strongly influenced by environmental factors such as soaking duration, temperature, oxygen availability, and elicitation conditions. The resulting phenolic profile exhibits enhanced antioxidant capacity and health-promoting potential. In sorghum-based systems, germination represents a promising strategy to increase bioactive density, reduce antinutritional constraints, and add value to grains. Improved understanding of gene–metabolite interactions during germination may support targeted breeding and the development of functional foods with improved nutritional performance. Full article

Background/Objectives: Endometrial cancer frequently develops resistance to therapy, partly due to the ability of tumor cells to adapt to cellular stress through non-apoptotic mechanisms. Mitochondrial dysfunction and cytoskeletal remodeling are increasingly recognized as key components of stress adaptation; however, their structural relationship under pharmacological stress in three-dimensional (3D) tumor models remains poorly characterized. The present study aimed to investigate the ultrastructural and phenotypic effects of lithium chloride (LiCl)-induced stress in 3D endometrial cancer spheroids, with a particular focus on mitochondrial alterations and intermediate filament organization. Methods: Three-dimensional spheroids generated from Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells were exposed to lithium chloride at concentrations of 1, 10, or 50 mM for defined time periods. Cell viability, proliferative activity, and clonogenic capacity were assessed using Trypan Blue exclusion, BrdU incorporation, and soft agar assays. Ultrastructural changes were examined by transmission electron microscopy to evaluate mitochondrial morphology, cytoplasmic organization, and intermediate filament distribution. Results: LiCl exposure resulted in a dose- and time-dependent reduction in cell viability, proliferation, and clonogenic potential in 3D spheroids. Ultrastructural analysis revealed pronounced mitochondrial swelling, cristae disorganization, and membrane-associated mitochondrial alterations. These changes were consistently accompanied by conspicuous accumulation and reorganization of intermediate filaments in close spatial proximity to damaged mitochondria, suggesting a structural association between cytoskeletal remodeling and mitochondrial injury. Across all experimental conditions, classical apoptotic ultrastructural features, including chromatin condensation and apoptotic body formation, were not observed. Conclusions: Together, these observations indicate that lithium chloride elicits a stress phenotype in 3D endometrial cancer spheroids that primarily manifests at the organelle and cytoskeletal levels, rather than through classical apoptotic execution. Although descriptive in nature, the present study highlights intermediate filament accumulation as a prominent structural feature of lithium-induced mitochondrial stress and establishes a structural reference point for future studies aimed at further investigating mitochondrial–cytoskeletal relationships during pharmacological stress in endometrial cancer. Full article

Molecular interactions underpin the functioning of the living cell. Molecules exist in distinct quaternary structural forms, associate with molecular partners in signaling cascades, form transient quinary interactions, localize in membrane domains, and cluster in membrane-less condensates. Measuring the concentration, size, and dynamics of these molecular assemblies remains an enduring biophysical challenge, particularly in cells, where heterogeneity is the rule rather than the exception. Orthogonal signals derived from fluorescence lifetime, fluorescence fluctuations, and fluorescence polarization provide valuable metrics for probing interactions and environments, concentration and size, and rotational dynamics, respectively. This paper combines fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy with image correlation analysis and polarization to determine the concentrations, brightness, lifetime, and rotational correlation time of different fluorescent states. A two-population model is examined as a prototypical example of a heterogeneous system. The analysis is illustrated on a simple fluorescence model system, where cluster densities, relative brightnesses, lifetimes, and rotational correlation times are extracted. Full article

This work experimentally investigates the behavior of a new indoor air conditioning system based on the application of Peltier cells in a Horizontal Air–Ground Heat Exchanger (HAGHE). To this end, a laboratory-scale prototype focusing exclusively on the terminal section of the system was developed and tested under controlled conditions. A series of configurations was tested, each representing an evolution of the previous one. The results highlight the strong dependence of system performance on airflow velocity, applied voltage, and heat dissipation effectiveness, demonstrating both the potential and the critical limitations of the proposed configurations. The most promising results were obtained in the advanced (fourth and fifth) configurations, yielding average temperature increases of approximately +1.9 °C on the hot flow and decreases ranging from −1.0 °C to −1.7 °C on the cold flow at moderate total voltages (40–50 V) and higher airflow velocities (0.5–0.6 m/s). In line with the principles of the circular economy, the prototype was constructed using recycled materials, including plastic pipes and Peltier cells recovered from discarded devices. Full article

Linear alkylbenzene (LAB) is the main raw material used to make biodegradable detergents, and its production process is based on aromatic alkylation. HY zeolites that have undergone controlled dealumination and desilication have led industrial standards amongst solid acid catalysts because of their controllable acidity and hierarchical pore structure. Coke formation in such systems can assume a dual role, which is dependent on its condition. Though the over-deposition is known to cause deactivation by blocking the micropores, Bronsted acid-site masking, and diffusion collapse, the low-level deposition could also be done to increase the monoalkylate selectivity by the pore mouth catalysis, steric modulation, and selective suppression of secondary alkylation pathways. The critical review is done on the structural-kinetic interaction that determines the coke evolution in HY-based catalysts. In order to moderate the acid-site density and enhance hydrothermal stability, dealumination (Si/Al optimization of about 2.5 to 30–100) occurs, but to reduce deep-pore coke formation, desilication (interconnected mesopores) is created. The bimodal porosity and regulated acidity are found to be synergistic, as hierarchical HY zeolites produced through successive cycles of steam and alkaline treatments not only show LAB selectivity in excess of 90% but also exhibit much longer catalyst lifetimes. Quantitative research on the beneficial coke regime revealed that it was composed of about 36 wt% hydrogen-rich species, which were localized at the pore mouths, hence enhancing monoalkylation selectivity by 15–40%. Beyond a critical transition window (e.g., 8–12 wt.%), coke formation to condensed polyaromatic and graphitic products leads to fast deactivated coke formation, which is due to percolation limits and transport-controlled kinetics. More advanced techniques of characterization of the coke, e.g., temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO), ²⁷Al MAAS NMR, and UV-Raman spectroscopy, indicate how the coke is changed to highly structured graphitic deposits of high oxidation activation energy. Activity recovery of 85–98% is obtained in regeneration processes, including controlled oxidative calcination, microwave-based and plasma-based processes, and thermal management protocols, and it would be determined by the chemistry of the coke, its spatial distribution, and the regeneration protocols. This paper has developed a mechanistic coke control system by cross-tuning the acidity and development of an effective pore network, which led to a sustainable aromatic alkylation reaction with minimal activity loss, high selectivity, and long life. Full article

This study develops and optimizes a hybrid plant that couples a recompression sCO₂ Brayton cycle to a central-tower particle receiver with a bottoming Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), including environmental and exergy balances. The two scenarios revealed Pareto points that raised the exergy efficiency to 0.65 in winter and reduced the fuel flow to 15 kg/s. Scenario number two achieves an overall thermal efficiency of 0.50 with total daily emissions of 2520 t CO₂ and 2850 kg NO_x, enabling nearly constant net power. Exergy destruction is concentrated in the high-temperature recuperator (HTR) and ORC turbines (27% each) and the ORC condenser (25%). Compared to a non-optimized baseline, the best solutions increased the ORC and Brayton efficiencies by 6.8–12.66% and 33.4–33.5%, respectively; cut gas-turbine power by 34% and ORC power to 10%; and lowered daily CO₂ and NO_x emissions by 52%. The gains stem from the coordinated adjustments of key levers: lower gas-turbine inlet temperature (about 10%), reduced Brayton mass flow (23%), and tuned ORC turbine inlet pressure. Full article

This study investigates the effects of extraction technique, solvent type, and geographical origin on the recovery of bioactive compounds from Arbutus unedo L. leaves collected from two Croatian islands (Vis and Mali Lošinj) and extracted using conventional, Soxhlet, and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) with green solvents (distilled water, 70% ethanol, and ethyl acetate). Extracts were purified and characterized by thin-layer chromatography, column chromatography, and FTIR spectroscopy. Total phenols, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonols, condensed tannins, and antioxidant capacity were quantified spectrophotometrically. Solvent type had the greatest influence, with 70% ethanol yielding the highest levels of bioactives and antioxidant capacity. Geographical origin significantly affected total phenolics and condensed tannins, with leaves from Vis outperforming those from Mali Lošinj. UAE was slightly more efficient than conventional and Soxhlet methods, particularly for thermolabile phenolics. Machine learning algorithms were applied as exploratory tools, using total phenols as a proxy variable to estimate selected bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity based on extraction parameters. Decision Tree and Gradient Boosting models showed high goodness of fit within the experimental dataset (R² > 0.91). These results support the potential of green extraction strategies combined with data-driven screening for the valorization of A. unedo leaf extracts, while highlighting the need for further validation prior to industrial application. Full article

In the current work, a novel heat pump drying system with precise control of temperature and humidity of drying medium was developed and the impacts of drying temperature and humidity on the drying characteristics of apple slices and energy consumption of drying system were investigated. Experimental results indicated that the temperature and relative humidity (RH) of drying medium have a significant impact on drying efficiency and operating performance. During the first hour of the drying process, the heat pump drying of apple slices exhibited the highest drying rate throughout the entire process at a temperature of 40~50 °C and a relative humidity of 30~60%. And then the apple slices drying was in a falling-rate drying stage. When the relative humidity of the drying medium exceeded 50%, the final moisture content of the material increased significantly and exceeded 20% (dry basis, d.b.). Increased air medium temperature and humidity enhance the dehumidification rate of the evaporator. When the drying temperature was maintained at 40–60 °C, the condensation rate at 60% RH was 3.5–10 times that at 30% RH. The increased dehumidification rate significantly promoted the energy efficiency. The specific moisture extraction rate (SMER) was 2.53 kg/(kW·h) at 60 °C and 60% RH, which is 3.4 times that at 30% RH. It was appropriate to adopt high-temperature and high-humidity conditions in the early drying stage to improve drying energy efficiency. Meanwhile, the relative humidity should be reduced to promote moisture removal from the material in the late drying stage. The obtained results provided theoretical methods for the energy-saving control of heat pump drying for fruits. Full article