Search Results (24,721)

Rare-earth elements (REEs), which include the entire lanthanide series together with scandium and yttrium, have unique electronic configurations and coordination chemical properties that provide them with special magnetic, optical, and redox abilities. Generally used for diagnostic imaging and theranostic applications, increasing evidence emphasizes their potential as direct anticancer agents. This review aims to present a thorough investigation of the studies published in the last ten years that focus on the intrinsic anticancer properties of REE-based molecular complexes and nanostructures, without discussing their recognized imaging functions. Rare-earth compounds exhibit selective cytotoxicity against malignant cells via mechanisms that mainly include modulations in the generation of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial dysfunctions, interaction with DNA molecules, apoptosis, and ferroptosis induction, as well as radiosensitization. Molecular complexes that are based on the trivalent coordination chemistry of REEs enable them to target biomolecules like DNA and serum albumin. Nanostructured systems, on the other hand, render tumors more responsive to treatment by improving the cellular uptake, enabling surface functionalization, and controlling ROS generation. Terbium, thulium, yttrium, scandium, ytterbium, cerium, erbium, dysprosium, and europium show different levels of anticancer activity in both in vitro and in vivo cancer models. They often exert more toxicity in tumor cells than in normal tissues, thus exhibiting selective anticancer effects. The findings collectively underscore the therapeutic potential of REE-based compounds as novel metal-based anticancer agents and advocate for additional mechanistic and translational research to enhance their clinical applicability. Full article

The introduction of exogenous materials offers a highly promising technical approach for enhancing the performance of sludge anaerobic digestion (AD). This review systematically presents the mechanisms and application effects of carbon-based materials, metal-based materials, inorganic mineral materials, and metal–carbon composites in enhancing sludge AD. In-depth mechanism analysis revealed that these materials primarily enhance both methane yields and system stability through multiple synergistic mechanisms, such as mediating interspecies electron and proton transfer, promoting biofilm formation as microbial carriers, and adsorbing inhibitors while enhancing the buffering capacity of the system. However, a critical analysis indicated that the inherent limitations of various materials in engineering applications, particularly in terms of stability and recyclability, are the fundamental obstacles hindering the engineering implementation of this technology. Based on the above analysis, this review further proposes that the field is shifting from a sole pursuit of efficiency enhancement to a paradigm that balances efficiency and sustainability. Developing new recyclable and circular material systems with both high efficiency and excellent recycling potential is crucial for promoting the development of sludge AD technology towards a green, low-carbon, and resource-cycling direction, and also provides key scientific and technological support for the circular economy transformation of the sludge treatment system. Full article

In the pursuit of sustainable and flexible electronics, polymer-based conductive films offer a promising solution due to their biodegradability, mechanical flexibility, and cost-effective fabrication. This study presents the development of a highly conductive and flexible nanocomposite material based on polyaniline-grafted chitosan (PANI-g-Chs) and Vinavil (Vi, a vinyl glue specifically designed for enhancing the sealability of textiles and paper), serving as a matrix for applications in flexible electronics. The PANI-g-Chs nanocomposite was synthesized via in situ oxidative polymerization, where chitosan nanoparticles (Chs) served as a stabilizing template to prevent PANI aggregation, reducing the particle size from 1700 nm (pristine PANI) to 180 nm (PANI-g-Chs). The resulting composite exhibited exceptional electrical conductivity (77.79 S/m at 25 wt% PANI-g-Chs). Hall effect measurements showed that the carrier mobility increased up to 1162.7 cm²/V·s and the carrier density rose to 6.5.1017 cm⁻³, confirming efficient charge transport and network formation. Mechanical analysis revealed a 300% increase in the storage modulus for PANI-g-Chs, and thermal studies confirmed stability up to 300 °C. Optical characterization showed a reduced bandgap (3.6 eV) and extended π-conjugation, which are critical for optoelectronic applications. Application tests demonstrated stable conductivity under mechanical deformation, highlighting the material’s potential for use in flexible electronics, sensors, and sustainable conductive coatings. This work offers a viable alternative to conventional conductive polymers. Full article

This study presents a systematic evaluation of 2-layer conductive Jacquard knitted fabrics with a birdseye backing designed for wearable electronic applications. Three sets of samples with 9 different proportions of conductive yarn (27 samples) are designed on a computerized flat-knitting machine, and three indicators (conductive yarn usage ratio, resistance change ratio after washing, and temperature variation) are examined. The 2-layer Jacquard structure enables conductive yarns to form loops on both the technical face and back, thus producing continuous and interlocked conductive pathways. The experimental results show that the proportions of pattern dots for the conductive yarns determine the amount of conductive yarn used in a 2-layer Jacquard structure with the same technical parameters. For the samples with 10–90% pattern dots, the conductive yarn consumption ratio ranges from 34.80% to 65.18%. After 10 washes, resistance change ratio ranges from 27.66~55.54%, which show a moderate electrical stability. After 10 washes, the heating temperature increases by 15.6 to 19.67 °C, which show good thermal properties. Finally, a fuzzy logic evaluation is conducted with objective indicator weights. The findings provide quantitative evidence for the material–structure integration of conductive knitted textiles and support their potential for applications in next-to-skin smart garments. Full article

This study examines institutional processes in digital justice through a mixed conceptual approach that integrates bibliometric analysis and technology-adoption modeling, incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) as a projected component rather than an implemented system. A corpus of approximately 200 Scopus-indexed documents (2003–2024) was analyzed, identifying five dominant thematic clusters: advanced technologies, institutional justice, digital government, judicial information management, and digital criminal justice. The results reveal persistent gaps in the literature, particularly in rural and underserved communities, where connectivity barriers and the limited application of adoption models hinder inclusive digital transformation. As an institutional contribution, the study presents the conceptual design of the digital solution “Travel Permits—Accessible Justice”, developed under a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and projected for future integration with AI-supported components to automate judicial authorizations through biometric validation, electronic signatures, and digital delivery. To evaluate its potential acceptance, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is analytically adapted and extended to the community-based judicial context, framing institutional learning processes as a prospective form of learning analytics focused on user interaction, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and behavioral intention. Taken together, the integration of bibliometric evidence with an extended TAM, along with the projected incorporation of AI-supported institutional learning processes, offers a coherent foundation for future studies on inclusive digital innovation in justice environments. Full article

From an environmental perspective, the use of clam shells contributes positively to marine waste management and promotes more sustainable construction practices. This study aims to analyze the influence of clam shell-derived filler on the mechanical properties of cementitious mortars, evaluating its effect as a function of dosage and particle fineness, in order to determine its potential as a sustainable additive in construction applications. The shells were ground for 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 h and incorporated at percentages ranging from 0.5% to 5.0% by mass of cement. Slump (reduced Abram’s cone) was performed in the fresh state for each specimen mixture, while flexural strength, and compressive strength tests were performed at 7, 14, and 28 days of curing. Microstructural characterization was also performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. In addition, particle size distribution parameters were determined to quantify the effect of grinding time on particle refinement and its relationship with mechanical performance. A multifactor ANOVA was conducted to evaluate the statistical significance of grinding time and filler dosage on compressive strength. The results showed that the combination of 0.5 h of grinding and 1.0% filler provided the best mechanical performance for both flexural and compressive strength, with values of 7.27 MPa and 26.16 MPa, respectively. Dosages higher than 2.0% tended to decrease strength, which is associated with saturation of non-cementing particles. EDX analysis showed adequate calcium distribution without generating chemical segregation. The results showed that the combination of 0.5 h of grinding and 1.0% filler provided the best mechanical performance for both flexural and compressive strength, with values of 7.27 MPa and 26.16 MPa, respectively. Dosages higher than 2.0% tended to decrease strength, which is associated with saturation effects and increased specific surface area. The statistical analysis confirmed that both grinding time and filler dosage significantly influence compressive strength, highlighting the importance of optimizing particle size distribution and filler content to achieve improved mechanical performance. Full article

To improve the adhesion and tribological performance of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings on steel substrate, a Ti-enhanced plasma nitriding (PNTi) layer was formed on the surface of 38CrMoAl steel, followed by deposition of a Cr-based interlayer (mainly CrN) and then a W interlayer. Finally, a DLC coating was deposited, resulting in a novel PNTi/DLC coating. For comparison, a conventional PN/DLC coating was prepared under the same processing conditions. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, hardness tests, and tribological experiments were performed to systematically investigate the effect of TiN-enriched PNTi supporting layer on the performances of the PNTi/DLC composite coating. The results show that comparing with PN/DLC composite coating, the critical load (Lc₂) of the PNTi/DLC coating was increased from 28.89 N to 43.25 N—about a 50% enhancement. The microhardness was increased from 2650 HV_0.05 to 4400 HV_0.05 (corresponding to 28.2 GPa to 44.1 GPa). The friction coefficient was decreased from 0.28 to 0.11, about a 60% reduction, and the wear rate declined more than 40%, from 4.81 × 10⁻⁶ to 2.90 × 10⁻⁶ mm³·N⁻¹·m⁻¹. The introduction of Ti promoted the in situ formation of TiN phase in the nitrided layer, which significantly improved the compactness of the nitrided layer and the adhesion at the film–substrate interface. Consequently, the PNTi/DLC composite coating exhibited excellent wear resistance and friction stability under high-load and severe tribological conditions. This study provides a promising perspective for engineering applications of steel-based DLC coatings in harsh service environments. Full article

Overhauser magnetometer (OVM) is a proton precession magnetometer (PM) enhanced by electron resonance, and it is widely used in earthquake prediction, UXO detection, geological exploration, etc. For fast measurement, high cycling rate is necessary for OVM to enhance spatial resolution. Due to the impossibility to receive Larmor signal during the polarization process, traditional intermittent measurement is limited in fast mobile measurement applications owing to the long polarization time. Since it is difficult for proton magnetization to align rapidly for the long longitudinal relaxation time of liquid proton, we combined RF continuous excitation with a series 90° pulse to achieve fast measurement. To achieve the best alignment, a dynamic equation of Larmor precession is constructed and calculated, and the influences such as pulse waveform, pulse strength, and pulse duration on the proton magnetization alignment were investigated. The influence of different waveform pulses on the Larmor signal was studied experimentally, and the experimental results verified that the polarization time can be significantly shortened and fast measurement can be achieved by optimizing the waveform, strength, and duration of the 90° pulse. By using the optimized 90° pulse, the proton magnetization can be saturated within 3 ms, and 0.02 nT sensitivity was observed at 1 Hz cycling rate. Consistency between theory and the experiment indicates that the dynamic equation of Larmor motion can provide theoretical guidance for the investigation of fast measurement. Full article

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) represent promising bioactive agents due to their reduced toxicity and multifunctional biological properties. In this study, SeNPs were synthesized via an eco-friendly phytosynthesis approach using Curcuma longa extract, yielding curcumin-functionalized selenium nanoparticles (cur–SeNPs). The composites (cur–SeNPs), either in native extract form or isolated, were incorporated into siloxane hybrid matrices prepared by the sol–gel method from tetraethyl orthosilicate: dimethyldimethoxysilane precursors, with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a structural modifier. The host matrices were differentiated by the ratios between the precursors of the siloxane network, 3:1 for CS0–CS4, respectively, 1:1 for CS5, modified with PVP in the case of CS2 and CS3. These were loaded with cur–SeNPs–T in the cases of CS1, CS2, CS5 or with cur–SeNPs for CS3 and CS4. FTIR, XRD, SEM, and EDX analyses confirmed the formation of amorphous siloxane networks with well-dispersed SeNPs (up to ~12 wt%). PVP incorporation generated ordered mesoporous structures, increasing total pore volume sixfold and enlarging the average pore diameter to 9.26 nm. Studies about selenium ion release demonstrate that mesoporosity significantly enhances diffusion-controlled release. Antimicrobial assays against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans reveal a synergistic effect between curcuminoids and SeNPs, particularly in matrices with higher nanoparticle loading. The sol–gel technique for obtaining hybrid materials is very versatile regarding the supports on which the resulting materials or the compounds hosted in these host networks can be deposited. The dynamics of the development of hybrid materials is also reflected in the multitude of applications in various fields such as bio-medical, electronics, agriculture or food. Results obtained in this work highlight the potential of the developed systems for antimicrobial coatings on glass substrates and targeted delivery applications. Full article

Polyolefin bonding technologies with metal foils are extensively employed in various sectors, particularly in automotive, electronics, and aerospace industries. This research examined the innovative electromagnetic joining of polyolefins to aluminum by evaluating the behavior of hot-melt adhesives derived from polyolefins containing metallic particles. The study aimed at establishing the specific absorption rate (SAR, expressed in W/kg) via electromagnetic simulation using CST Studio Suite software. It was observed that, regardless of particle size, Al was the most efficient particle, while the distribution of particles has a negligible impact on Total SAR values. The most significant beneficial effect of the inserts on the absorption capacity of the hot-melt material is primarily observed with a particle size of 1 μm. When connecting polyolefins to aluminum, the power loss density and SAR values exceed those for bonding polyolefins to polyolefins by at least 10 times, owing to aluminum’s conductive properties, which influence the absorption of additional energy in the hot melt mass, likely due to the Salisbury screen effect generated by the bonding arrangement. For hot melts made from polyethylene, a higher frequency of 5.8 GHz is suggested, which is a newly approved frequency used in advanced industrial applications. This positively impacts the effectiveness and viability of the bonding process of polyolefins to aluminum, resulting in reduced exposure times and/or decreased microwave exposure power. It was observed that the hot melts derived from HDPE and PP yielded greater SAR values. Conversely, the SAR values increase when aluminum is attached to HDPE. As a result, the strongest bond of polyolefins to Al occurs when connecting HDPE to Al using HDPE-based hot melts. The proposed simulation methodology may offer considerable improvement in evaluating the efficacy of bonding technology for dissimilar materials subjected to electromagnetic energy Full article

Cordierite-based ceramics (Mg₂Al₄Si₅O₁₈) were successfully synthesized and comprehensively characterized to evaluate their structural and dielectric behavior for high-temperature electronic applications. Morphological, microstructural and vibrational analyses confirm the high phase purity and structural integrity of the synthesized material. Dielectric measurements reveal high real permittivity (ε′) values at low frequencies and elevated temperatures, mainly attributed to interfacial polarization arising from Schottky-type barriers at grain–grain and surface–volume interfaces, underscoring the crucial influence of heterogeneous interfaces on the dielectric response. The electrical conductivity follows a thermally activated hopping mechanism involving both intra-grain and grain-boundary charge transport. Analysis of the electric modulus formalism provides further insight into relaxation dynamics: the real (M′) and imaginary (M″) components highlight pronounced space-charge effects, with M″ exhibiting a distinct relaxation peak (M″) associated with grain contributions. The systematic shift of this peak toward higher frequencies with increasing temperature indicates enhanced charge-carrier mobility and a strongly thermally activated relaxation process. The frequency-dependent conductivity displays two regimes: a low-frequency plateau corresponding to dc conductivity and a high-frequency dispersive region following a power-law behavior characteristic of hopping conduction, with power-law exponents (α₁ and α₂) markedly lower than unity, confirming the non-Debye character of the relaxation processes. The hopping frequency (ω) increases with temperature, further supporting the thermally activated nature of charge transport. Activation energies extracted from Arrhenius plots of dc conductivity are 0.88 eV for grain boundaries and 0.83 eV for grains, demonstrating that both microstructural regions significantly contribute to the overall conduction process. Full article

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediate intercellular communication by delivering proteins and RNAs, with their molecular cargo often reflecting the biological context of their source. Perinatal tissues are promising sources of EV-related biomaterials with potential dermatologic applications. In this study, we compared EV-related molecular cargo from two umbilical cord-associated sources, umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (UCMSC)-derived EVs and cord blood plasma (CBP), to investigate whether these materials exhibit distinct functional effects on melanogenesis. UCMSC-derived EVs were isolated from conditioned culture medium and characterized using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and canonical EV marker detection, while cord blood samples were processed to obtain plasma following centrifugation and filtration, containing EVs together with soluble plasma components. Functional assays in the murine melanocyte cell line B16F10 demonstrated that UCMSC-derived EVs suppressed melanin production, whereas CBP treatment enhanced melanogenesis. Integrative omics analyses combining microRNAs (miRNAs) microarray profiling and proteomic characterization revealed distinct molecular signatures between UCMSC-derived EVs and CBP samples. Functional validation using miRNA mimic assays showed that selected miRNAs, including miR-6862-5p, miR-3622b-5p, miR-7847-3p, miR-6774-5p, and miR-4685-5p, reduced melanin production, whereas others, including miR-203a-3p, miR-126-3p, miR-139-5p, and miR-15b-5p, increased melanin levels. Pathway analysis using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) (QIAGEN Inc.) associated these miRNA subsets with signaling pathways involved in melanogenesis. Together, these findings indicate that UCMSC-derived EVs and CBP exhibit opposite functional effects on melanogenesis and possess distinct miRNA and protein cargo profiles, providing potential molecular targets for modulating pigmentation and supporting the development of EV-related therapeutic strategies for pigmentation disorders. Full article

In a previous study, we demonstrated that a novel surface treatment applied to laser-melted Ti6Al4V substrates supports osteoblast-like cell adhesion, proliferation, and the activation of early osteogenic pathways. Building on these preliminary findings, the present work aimed to further investigate the ability of the same surface to promote extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, organization, and osteogenic maturation, which are critical events for the establishment of a stable bone–implant interface in subperiosteal dental implants. Human osteoblast-like MG-63 cells were cultured on Ti6Al4V discs subjected to different surface treatments, including a proprietary surface modification (ATcs) specifically designed for subperiosteal applications. ECM formation and maturation were evaluated through scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, immunofluorescence, and semiquantitative analyses of osteogenic markers type I collagen (COL1A1), secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), and dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) through Western blotting. The results showed that, while all tested surfaces supported cell adhesion, the ATcs surface promoted a distinct osteogenic profile characterized by enhanced DMP1 expression, organized collagen deposition, and the formation of calcium–phosphate–rich mineralized structures. Compared to surfaces that primarily stimulated cell proliferation or early matrix production, ATcs appeared to favour progression toward late-stage osteogenic maturation and matrix mineralization. Taken together, these findings extend our previous observations and indicate that this novel surface treatment not only supports osteoblast viability and early differentiation but also promotes extracellular matrix maturation, a key prerequisite for effective osseointegration. Although further in vivo studies are required, the present data provide additional biological rationale for the use of ATcs-treated Ti6Al4V surfaces in next-generation custom-made subperiosteal implant designs. Full article

Semiconductor miniaturization demands stricter material uniformity. Core-shell nanofibers, promising for semiconductor packaging and flexible circuits, face application limits due to traditional coaxial electrospinning’s electric field instability—causing poor fiber diameter uniformity and challenges with high-viscosity and low-conductivity solutions. To address this, airflow-assisted coaxial electrospinning leveraged airflow-electric field synergy to enhance fiber stretching. COMSOL Multiphysics 6.4 simulated the influence of different inner diameters of the air flow nozzles on the air flow field, while the response surface method optimized parameters. At 10 kPa air pressure, 16.71 kV voltage, and a gas nozzle inner diameter of 3.42 mm, nanofibers showed regular morphology with a diameter coefficient of variation as low as 9.2%. This study enables stable preparation of highly uniform core-shell nanofibers, providing key process support for their large-scale semiconductor application and advancing flexible electronics and photodetection. Full article

The detection of sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) decomposition products is critical for diagnosing insulation faults in gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). In this study, a vanadium-doping strategy was incorporated into the graphene/MoS₂ (GM) heterojunction to design a vanadium-doped graphene/MoS₂ (GMV) heterojunction material. Leveraging first-principles density functional theory (DFT), the adsorption behaviors of five characteristic SF₆ and its decomposition gases (H₂S, SO₂, SOF₂, SO₂F₂) on intrinsic GM and GMV were systematically investigated to evaluate their potential for gas sensing applications. Computational results reveal that intrinsic GM exhibits only weak physical adsorption toward all target molecules, with low adsorption energies and negligible charge transfer, which fails to meet practical application requirements. In contrast, GMV demonstrates significantly enhanced adsorption energies for H₂S, SO₂, and SOF₂ at vanadium sites (with a maximum value of −0.388 eV for SO₂) and shorter adsorption distances, while SO₂F₂ and SF₆ preferentially adsorb near electron-deficient carbon regions. Intrinsic GMV displays semimetallic properties, with a Fermi level at 0.126 eV and a band gap of 0.0017 eV. Upon adsorption of H₂S, SOF₂, SO₂F₂, or SF₆, the Fermi level undergoes a moderate shift (ranging from −1.083 eV to +0.349 eV), with minimal changes in the band gap. Conversely, SO₂ adsorption induces a substantial downward shift of the Fermi level to −1.732 eV, accompanied by the emergence of a sharp partial density of states (PDOS) peak near the Fermi level (0–1.5 eV), indicating strong orbital coupling and significant charge transfer. Furthermore, recovery times calculated using classical formulas show that at room temperature and a frequency of 1 × 10⁶ Hz, the recovery time of GMV for SO₂ is 2.43 s, outperforming the other four gases and satisfying practical gas sensing requirements. Through comprehensive analysis of adsorption distances, electronic structure changes, and recovery times, GMV exhibits higher selectivity toward SO₂. Thus, GMV can serve as a sensing material for detecting GIS insulation faults associated with elevated SO₂ concentrations, offering a viable strategy for advancing online monitoring technologies in power systems. Full article