Search Results (41,261)

The interface failure modes between fibers and asphalt mastic exhibit complex and diverse morphologies under the influence of multiple factors, making cluster analysis difficult. To address this issue, this study proposes an improved growth curve mixture model (IGCMM) for the unsupervised clustering of interface failure modes. Through single-fiber pull-out tests on 90 specimens under three temperatures (−10 °C, 25 °C, and 60 °C) and three fiber types (basalt, glass, and polyester), load–displacement curves were obtained. The multivariate power exponential (MPE) distribution was used to characterize the peak and heavy-tailed features of residuals. Due to the high dimensionality caused by the joint analysis of multiple datasets, principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to compress the 200-dimensional curve data into three principal components, with all model parameters estimated in the low-dimensional space. The Expectation–Maximization (EM) algorithm combined with the extended Bayesian Information Criterion (eBIC) determined the optimal eight failure mode clusters. The results exhibit a high posterior assignment confidence: 96.7% of samples had posterior probabilities exceeding 0.999. The eight statistical patterns were successfully mapped to four theoretical failure modes—fiber pull-out, medium-temperature matrix failure, high-temperature matrix failure, and mixed failure—revealing the coupled regulatory mechanism of temperature and fiber type on interface failure. The framework established in this study—“data-driven clustering–physical parameter anchoring–failure mechanism interpretation”—provides new theoretical tools and methodological support for the mesoscale interface failure diagnosis and crack resistance optimization design of fiber-reinforced asphalt pavement materials. Full article

As a distinctive type of historic urban area shaped by complex topography, historic urban areas in mountainous cities have undergone multiple rounds of urban regeneration and social–spatial restructuring amid the continuous influx of capital and the development of the industrial economy. Under these multifaceted influences, the spatial form of historic urban areas in mountainous cities has undergone a series of transformations. To reveal the characteristics and underlying mechanisms of spatial evolution in historic urban areas in mountainous cities, this study has established a research framework tailored to such areas. Selecting the Yuzhong Peninsula Historic District in Chongqing—a typical example of historic urban areas in mountainous cities in China—as the study area, the research employs land transfer matrices, spatial design network analysis (sDNA), spatial overlay and statistical methods to analyse its spatial evolution characteristics across three dimensions: land-use evolution, road network evolution and building renewal. Seven key indicators were selected for historic urban areas in mountainous cities, and the GeoDetector was utilised to investigate the driving forces and interactions among these factors. The results indicate that in the Yuzhong Peninsula Historic District, residential and special-purpose land use has decreased whilst commercial land use has increased; the road network has been continuously improved, leading to increased choice and accessibility; and the proportion of small-scale buildings has decreased whilst that of large-scale buildings has increased. The primary factors influencing spatial evolution are elevation, social and location factors, with the combined interaction of these factors exerting a greater influence than any single factor alone, indicating that topography acts as a significant persistent spatial constraint guiding the spatial evolution of historic urban areas in mountainous cities. Finally, based on the above findings, recommendations are put forward for the sustainable conservation and utilisation of historic urban areas in mountainous cities, covering land-use management, traffic guidance and the typological control of urban architectural fabric. Full article

Redox-active polymers have become an important component of second-generation electrochemical biosensors, solving the problem of efficient charge transfer between the biological recognition material and the electrode surface. In this review, we discuss the basic design principles, electron transfer mechanisms, and synthesis strategies from the perspective of biosensor applications. Three main classes of redox centers are considered—metal complexes, metallocenes, and organic radicals—as well as polymer matrices, and the factors affecting their stability and operability are discussed. Particular attention is paid to hybrid nanocomposites based on carbon nanotubes, graphene, and metal nanoparticles. The review concludes that despite significant advances in molecular design and the development of nanocomposites, the commercialization of biosensors based on redox polymers is hindered by unresolved issues related to biofouling, metal center instability, and low reproducibility. This emphasizes the need for standardized synthesis and integration of machine learning-based design to achieve a balance between electron transfer kinetics, biocompatibility, and operational properties. Full article

Seed coat color is an important quality trait in mung bean (Vigna radiata) and is closely associated with seed appearance, commercial value, and phytochemical composition. To investigate the genetic basis of black seed coat formation, six F₂ populations were derived from reciprocal crosses between the black-seeded accession LZL115 and the green-seeded accession LZL156. Among 755 F₂ plants, 559 produced black-coated seeds and 196 produced green-coated seeds, conforming to a 3:1 segregation ratio (χ² = 0.37, p = 0.54). These results indicated that black seed coat color was dominant and consistent with the control by a single dominant locus, designated VrScL115, in the LZL115 × LZL156 genetic background. Bulked segregant analysis sequencing (BSA-seq) initially mapped VrScL115 to an approximately 2.90 Mb region on chromosome 4. Using newly developed KASP markers and recombinant screening in expanded F₂ populations, the locus was further delimited to a 121.79 kb interval between markers LS_K3333 and LS_K3379. Of the 11 annotated genes within this interval, LOC106758748 was the only gene containing high-confidence coding-sequence variants between the parents. This gene encodes a putative R2R3-MYB transcription factor homologous to MYB90. Comparative sequence analysis identified several allelic variants potentially associated with black seed coat color, and protein structure prediction indicated local structural differences between the parental proteins. LOC106758748 showed consistently higher expression in the developing seed coats of LZL115 than in those of LZL156 at 10, 15, and 20 days after pollination, with expression peaking at 15 days. Haplotype analysis of 246 mung bean accessions showed that the LZL115-associated allele combination at LS_K3352, LS_K3365, LS_K3367, and LS_K3370 was present in 21 of 27 black-seeded accessions (77.8%) and absent from all 219 non-black accessions, corresponding to a specificity of 100% and a false-negative rate of 22.2%. These findings support LOC106758748 as the leading candidate gene for VrScL115; however, direct in vivo functional validation is still required to confirm its causal role in black seed coat formation. The four-marker combination may be useful for identifying germplasm carrying the LZL115-associated allele, although further validation in independent germplasm populations is required. Full article

Wine tourism is a form of tourism of growing importance, and understanding it requires a joint analysis of the psychosocial factors associated with visitor behaviour. The aim of this study is to analyse the relationships between motivation, perceived quality, satisfaction and loyalty amongst visitors to the Montilla-Moriles Wine Route, by comparing the patterns observed in men and women. A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 671 wine tourists (331 men and 340 women), selected using non-probabilistic convenience sampling. The relationships between the constructs were analysed using multi-group structural equation models, following an assessment of the reliability, validity and metric invariance of the measurement model. The results show that perceived quality and satisfaction are positively and statistically significantly associated with motivation in both groups, whilst loyalty does not show a significant association with this variable. Although the relational structure is similar between men and women, descriptive variations are observed in the magnitude of certain associations: perceived quality carries greater relative weight among men, whilst satisfaction is comparatively more significant among women. These variations do not allow us to conclude that there are statistically significant differences between the two groups. The findings reinforce the multidimensional nature of the wine tourism experience and have implications for the design of experiences tailored to the diversity of visitors. Full article

Wound healing is a dynamic and highly coordinated process that involves inflammation, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, re-epithelialization, extracellular matrix remodeling, and tissue maturation. The altered expression of important signaling pathways, such as transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and Wnt/β-catenin, may be responsible for slower wound healing, chronic inflammation, excessive fibrosis, and impaired tissue regeneration. Multifunctional nanomaterials are a promising strategy for tuning these highly coordinated processes due to their tunable physicochemical properties, high surface area, and the ability to deliver cargo, as well as the integration of antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pro-angiogenic properties. The aim of current review is to summarize the potential of multifunctional nanomaterials to promote wound healing, with a focus on mechanisms of action and modulation of key cellular signaling pathways. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, searching for publications from 1996 to June 2026, and representative experimental, mechanistic, preclinical, and translational studies were critically evaluated. In this review, the authors discuss the role of nanomaterial properties, therapeutic payload, molecular targets, modulation of cellular signaling pathways, and regenerative effects. These platforms have been shown in in vitro and animal studies to influence inflammatory signaling, oxidative stress, angiogenesis, collagen remodeling, re-epithelialization, cellular proliferation, and migration. However, the modulation of these pathways are dose-responsive, time-dependent, and cell- and wound-stage-specific. Despite the promising therapeutic potential of nanomaterial-based wound care strategies, the available evidence remains predominantly preclinical, with relatively limited clinical data supporting their use in humans. Concerns regarding long-term toxicity, biodistribution, batch-to-batch reproducibility, sterilization, scalable manufacturing, regulatory approval, and commercial feasibility further challenge translation into clinical practice. Multifunctional nanomaterials may offer a promising approach for pathway-specific and multimodal wound management; however, comprehensive mechanistic studies, long-term safety and biodistribution assessments, and well-designed clinically relevant investigations are required to establish their efficacy, safety, and true translational potential. Full article

Current distribution in serial–parallel battery packs is commonly assumed to be uniform in the absence of cell-to-cell variations. However, in practical systems, the electrical topology and finite resistance of current-collecting busbars can introduce significant inhomogeneities even when all cells are identical. In this work, a matrix-based modeling framework is developed to analyze the current and voltage distribution in large battery packs with arbitrary serial–parallel configurations. The results reveal that the resistance of current-supplying busbars plays a dominant role in shaping current distribution, leading to pronounced current imbalance that increases with both resistance and operating C-rate. To quantify this effect, a current non-uniformity factor is introduced and used to define an illustrative criterion for acceptable operation. Based on this metric, together with a maximum-cell-voltage constraint, design maps are constructed to identify operating regions that are acceptable or critical with respect to current overload and localized overvoltage as a function of busbar resistance and charging rate. The analysis further demonstrates that topology-induced current inhomogeneity can lead to cell-level voltage divergence and localized overcharge under high-current operation. Such local effects may remain hidden when only the pack voltage or the voltage of a series-connected cell group is monitored, because conventional battery management systems (BMSs) typically do not resolve individual cell currents or local voltage drops within parallel-connected cell groups. The proposed approach enables the derivation of design-oriented constraints linking electrical performance to physical parameters such as busbar resistance and cell spacing. The resulting design maps provide a practical tool for battery pack engineering, enabling the determination of the maximum allowable busbar resistance or operating current to ensure safe, homogeneous pack operation. Full article

The development of biodegradable materials from renewable sources represents a promising strategy to reduce the environmental impact associated with conventional plastics. This study aimed to optimize potato starch-based bioplastics incorporated with lemongrass essential oil (Cymbopogon citratus) using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and to evaluate their application in fresh pineapple (Ananas comosus) preservation. A Box–Behnken experimental design with three factors and three levels was applied, considering potato starch concentration (4–8 g), essential oil content (100–300 µL), and glycerol volume (1–2 mL) as independent variables. The effects of these factors on tensile strength, elongation at break, and Young’s modulus were analyzed using a quadratic model. The optimized formulation exhibited a desirability value of 1.00, consisting of 4.13 g of starch, 131.59 µL of essential oil, and 1.43 mL of glycerol, with predicted values of 2.91 MPa tensile strength, 53.18% elongation at break, and 15.18 MPa Young’s modulus. Experimental validation showed good agreement with model predictions, with relative errors below 20%. The optimized bioplastic was subsequently applied as a coating for fresh-cut pineapple stored under refrigeration (4–8 °C), reducing weight loss and improving the stability of physicochemical and textural properties compared with the control treatment. The results demonstrate that potato starch-based bioplastics containing lemongrass essential oil have potential as active biodegradable coatings for extending the quality preservation of fresh pineapple. Full article

Background/Objectives: Adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsids undergo pH-dependent conformational gating at the 5-fold symmetry pore, but how these structural dynamics shape serotype-specific behavior and affinity-ligand recognition remains unclear, particularly for the clinically important serotypes AAV8 and AAV9. This study aimed to establish a pH-resolved structural framework linking 5-fold pore dynamics to peptide-ligand recognition and to translate this framework into sequence-based design principles for affinity capture of gene therapy vectors. Methods: AAV8 and AAV9 5-fold capsid assemblies were subjected to 500 ns molecular dynamics simulations under acidic (pH 5), neutral (pH 7), and basic (pH 9) conditions, with analysis of pore volume, inter-residue contact networks, electrostatic potential, and solvent-accessible surface area. In parallel, affinity chromatography using three mixed-mode peptide ligands (RVVAVYRI, TTFRAHHI, and TYHHHHII) was performed on clarified HEK293 lysates containing AAV8 or AAV9, with capsid yield, host-cell-protein clearance, and transduction activity assessed by ELISA, SEC-HPLC, and flow-cytometry-based transduction assays. Results: AAV8 displayed a heterogeneous, bimodal pore conformational landscape at pH 7, whereas AAV9 exhibited a discrete gate-like transition with maximal pore constriction at physiological pH; both serotypes showed pore-proximal contact remodeling with distinct network topologies. Experimentally, TYHHHHII achieved the highest selectivity for genome-containing capsids at pH 7, with transduction activity enrichment factors of 2.82 (AAV8) and 5.61 (AAV9), while TTFRAHHI provided the broadest operational pH range for bulk capsid recovery. Conclusions: These findings establish a structural framework linking pH-dependent pore dynamics to affinity ligand recognition and suggest practical sequence-design rules for ligand engineering: clustered histidines for neutral-pH selectivity, Arg-containing motifs for broad-pH robustness, and aromatic or hydrophobic residues for reinforcement of capsid binding. Full article

The production of second-generation bioethanol from lignocellulosic biomass requires efficient enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation processes that remain effective at industrially relevant solids loadings. In this study, bleached Pinus taeda kraft pulp was evaluated as a model substrate for bioethanol production at bench scale (4 L reactor) under high-consistency conditions (12.5–13.9% solids). Three process configurations were compared: separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF), simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF), and pre-hydrolysis followed by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (pSSF). Enzymatic hydrolysis in the SHF and SSF configurations stabilized between 54% and 58%, indicating that hydrolysis was the main process bottleneck under the evaluated conditions. In contrast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae efficiently fermented the available glucose, achieving nearly complete conversion of glucose. Among the evaluated strategies, pSSF showed the highest ethanol yield and volumetric productivity, achieving an ethanol yield of 61.8% and a productivity of 0.61 g L⁻¹ h⁻¹. While laboratory-scale SSF experiments conducted at 2% solids achieved complete conversion, the ethanol yield decreased to approximately 58% at the bench scale, highlighting the impact of high-solids operation on process performance. The lower performance observed at high solids may be associated with factors commonly reported during scale-up, including increased slurry viscosity, reduced mixing efficiency, limited enzyme accessibility, and mass-transfer constraints. Overall, the results manifest the need to enhance hydrolysis performance through improved reactor design, more effective mixing strategies, and optimized high-solids processing to facilitate the scale-up of lignocellulosic bioethanol production. Full article

When large liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage tanks are constructed on deep non-rock sites, soil–foundation–structure interaction (SFSI) alters the dynamic characteristics of the system and affects the actual control effectiveness of the isolation layer. However, the current understanding of the coupling mechanism between the two remains insufficient. This paper takes a 220,000 m³ full-containment LNG storage tank as the study object and establishes a three-dimensional finite element model of the tank-pile group-site system in ABAQUS. Through comparative analyses of three model configurations, namely a rigid foundation model, a non-isolated model considering SFSI, and a lead-rubber bearing (LRB) isolated model considering SFSI, the SFSI effects and LRB isolation effectiveness are systematically separated. For the SFSI effects, the deep site attenuates medium- and high-frequency content while amplifying the response around approximately 1.6 Hz through site–foundation flexibility, transforming the heightwise acceleration amplification profile from an approximately linear pattern to a curvilinear one that bulges at mid-height, with peak pile-cap accelerations increasing by 25.1–76.9% relative to the rigid-base values. For the LRB isolation performance, the introduction of LRBs shifts the dominant system frequency below 1.0 Hz and reduces the maximum tank-wall acceleration amplification factor from 2.64 to 0.81. The resulting attenuation of superstructural inertial forces leads to reductions of 49.6–82.0% in pile-head shear and 57.4–78.0% in near-head bending moment, while the outer-to-inner pile-head moment ratio decreases from 2.94 to 1.13, indicating substantially improved pile-group force uniformity. Nevertheless, the beneficial effect of isolation diminishes with depth, and internal forces at abrupt soil-stiffness interfaces remain governed by kinematic interaction that the isolation layer cannot mitigate. The findings of this study can provide references for the seismic isolation design and pile foundation seismic optimization of super-large LNG storage tanks on deep overburden sites. Full article

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) causes significant losses for livestock farmers in affected countries and regions, including Southeast Asia, where several countries are progressing through different stages of the Progressive Control Pathway (PCP) under diverse resource settings. The PCP, developed by the World Organization for Animal Health and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, is an outcome-oriented strategy designed to support progress toward the elimination of FMD. In this review paper, we propose an evidence-based framework linking epidemiological tools to each PCP stage requirements based on studies conducted in eight Southeast Asian countries through peer-reviewed research and gray literature. The findings indicate that Stage 1 progression is supported through risk-factor analyses, seroprevalence studies, and participatory epidemiology, while Stage 2 relies on spatial analyses and evaluations of control strategies. Progression to Stage 3 requires evidence of active surveillance systems for rapid detection of new viral incursions, whereas later stages depend on risk assessment, sustained surveillance, and restricting transboundary animal movement. Regional challenges include underreporting, surveillance-system deficiencies, and inconsistent vaccination monitoring. The framework proposed herein provides a practical approach for aligning the generation of evidence with PCP requirements. Ultimately, strengthened regional collaboration that coordinates transboundary risk management is crucial for progress toward sustainable FMD control in Southeast Asia. Full article

Electronic waste (e-waste) is among the fastest-growing global waste streams, with 62 million tonnes generated in 2022 and only 22.3% formally recycled, while generation is projected to reach 82 million tonnes by 2030. Fragmented record-keeping, weak chain-of-custody controls, and limited transparency enable illegal dumping, fraudulent recycling claims, and loss of recoverable materials. This paper presents a narrative literature review of blockchain and distributed ledger technologies applied to electronics and e-waste management. Following a structured search and relevance screening of major scientific databases, publisher platforms and grey literature (last search was run on 15 July 2026), 110 sources published between 2017 and 2026 were thematically synthesized across four domains: technological developments, sustainability and circular-economy implications, traceability and compliance mechanisms, and e-waste management applications. Blockchain delivers value primarily through an auditable chain-of-custody built on three pillars: standardized item and batch identities, standardized lifecycle event schemas, and licensed-actor attestations supported by off-chain evidence anchored on-chain. Recurring design patterns include permissioned consortium networks, hybrid storage, and role-based access control. Persistent barriers include data-input integrity, scalability, governance, and cost. Blockchain immutability protects stored records but cannot correct falsified inputs, making trusted data capture and governance the decisive factors for reliability. Adoption should be evaluated against measurable indicators, such as traceability completeness, audit-time reduction, fraud rates, and verified material recovery, rather than assumed benefits. Full article

Background: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects an estimated 6% of adults in the United States and contributes to a significant economic burden. Telehealth has emerged as a vital tool in the management of ADHD, offering improved access to care, especially for individuals in underserved communities. Despite its growing role, there remain critical gaps in understanding how social determinants of health (SDOH) are associated with disparities in telehealth utilization for ADHD treatment. Objectives and Methods: This study analyzed data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Rapid Surveys System (RSS) Round 2: ADHD (October–November 2023), a nationally fielded survey of U.S. adults. Respondents were classified into three groups: never diagnosed, previously diagnosed, and currently diagnosed with ADHD. The study aimed to (1) compare the distribution of SDOH across ADHD status groups and the general adult population to identify factors associated with ADHD diagnosis; (2) assess the homogeneity of SDOH distributions across ADHD groups; (3) evaluate telehealth utilization among adults currently diagnosed with ADHD; and (4) examine the relationship between SDOH and telehealth use for ADHD treatment. Multivariable logistic regression (MVLR) served as a benchmark model, while machine learning (ML) models—including regularized linear regression, support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), LightGBM, multilayer perceptron (MLP), and Few-Shot Learning (FSL)—were trained to identify key predictors. Results: A total of 7009 survey responses were analyzed: 124 had a past diagnosis, 444 were currently diagnosed, and the remainder had never been diagnosed with ADHD, corresponding to a current ADHD prevalence of 6.3%. Adults with current ADHD were more likely to be male, single, younger, white, non-homeowners, and frequent users of online health resources. They also reported lower education, income, and financial security. About 70% used telehealth for counseling and prescriptions; insurance covered telehealth visits for 82.32% of users, yet 38.76% reported no coverage of ADHD-related diagnostic or treatment costs. Nineteen SDOH elements across four domains—demographic, socioeconomic, neighborhood/built environment, and healthcare access—were identified as predictors. ML models outperformed MVLR, with SVM and FSL achieving the highest F1 (both 0.63), and FSL the highest recall (0.69). Age, race, marital status, difficulty paying bills, home ownership, education, and household size were the most consistently important variables. Limitations: This study is limited by a cross-sectional design, reliance on self-reported ADHD diagnoses, and a lack of genetic or family-history measures. Additionally, the omission of complex sampling weights limits the national representativeness of these findings. Finally, the small effective sample size poses risks of model overfitting, and the generalizability of the models could not be externally validated due to the unavailability of comparable independent datasets. Conclusions: Despite widespread internet access, disparities in telehealth use for ADHD persist. Among 19 SDOH predictors, age (aOR = 0.56), difficulty paying medical bills (aOR = 2.52), and race (aOR = 1.37) were significantly associated with telehealth use, and all ML models outperformed the MVLR benchmark, though bootstrap CIs overlapped. Future research should incorporate inclusive data collection and stratified modeling to better represent disadvantaged populations and inform equitable access strategies. Full article

Dye-containing wastewater poses environmental risks and requires treatment alternatives that are based on renewable and low-cost materials. This study evaluated saline extracts obtained from walnut shells and eucalyptus bark as biocoagulants for apparent color removal from synthetic wastewater containing methylene blue as a model cationic dye at an initial concentration of 10 mg L⁻¹. The effects of extraction time, extraction pH, and salt concentration were investigated using Response Surface Methodology and a three-factor Box–Behnken design. Apparent color removal was subsequently evaluated at biocoagulant dosages of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mL per 100 mL of synthetic wastewater. Walnut shell and eucalyptus bark extracts were prepared using NaCl and KCl, respectively, and apparent color removal was evaluated after the interaction with the dye. Walnut-shell extracts achieved a maximum apparent color-removal efficiency of 47% after 24 h of extraction at pH 6, using 0.5 M NaCl and a dosage of 1.0 mL per 100 mL. Eucalyptus bark extracts achieved a maximum apparent color-removal efficiency of 48% after 12 h of extraction at pH 7, using 1.0 M KCl and a dosage of 1.5 mL per 100 mL. Although the maximum apparent efficiencies were similar, eucalyptus bark showed greater statistical consistency and better predictive model performance. Both residues demonstrated potential as renewable materials for apparent color removal, particularly as pretreatment agents or components of combined wastewater treatment systems. Full article