Search Results (7,077)

This project investigates how the orientation of the carbon cathode with a single-sided microporous layer (MPL) affects battery performance through electrochemical tests, neutron tomography, and titration experiments. The titration experiment quantitatively assesses the amount of solid product (Li₂O₂) deposited on the electrode surface. In addition, neutron imaging with a 16 µm voxel resolution provides details on the spatial distribution of the solid product within the porous electrodes. Additionally, the performance impact of two electrolyte solvents, tetra ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TEGDME) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), is evaluated when used to soak the carbon cathode. The cathode orientation where the MPL faces toward the electrolyte and separator reaches higher discharge and charge capacities and greater average discharge voltages compared to when the MPL faces away from the separator. Batteries discharged with DMSO as the solvent have a 64.86% decrease on average in discharge capacity compared to batteries using TEGDME as the solvent. Both the titration experiments and neutron imaging confirmed that the amount of solid products exhibits a linear correlation with the discharged capacity. Additionally, electrolytes with a high donor number, such as DMSO, were found to result in a smaller amount of Li₂O₂ deposited on the electrode surface. Full article

Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) relies on hydroponic systems to achieve high yields, yet optimizing plant performance remains a challenge. Beneficial endophytic bacteria offer a sustainable solution by promoting growth and nutrient uptake. Here, we investigated the mechanistic basis of growth enhancement in lettuce (Lactuca sativa) inoculated with Pseudomonas psychrotolerans IALR632 in a nutrient film technique (NFT) system. Growth measurements showed significant increases in shoot and root biomass and leaf greenness. RNA-seq profiling at 4, 10, and 15 days after transplanting revealed dynamic transcriptional reprogramming, with 38, 796, and 7642 differentially expressed genes, respectively. MapMan and GO analyses indicated up-regulation of pathways related to cell wall remodeling, lipid metabolism, nitrogen assimilation, and stress adaptation, alongside modulation of ethylene signaling. Root bacterial microbiome through 16S metabarcoding sequencing demonstrated distinct community shifts, confirmed by analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) (R = 1, p = 0.028), with enrichment of genera linked to nutrient cycling and plant growth promotion. These findings provide integrated molecular and ecological evidence that IALR632 enhances lettuce growth by coordinating host gene expression and rhizobiome restructuring, offering a mechanistic framework for microbial inoculant strategies in hydroponic horticulture. Full article

RipP1 is a well-characterized avirulence effector that induces a hypersensitive response (HR) in three tobacco species. However, the molecular mechanisms by which host proteins recognize RipP1 to activate a defense response and modulate host–pathogen interactions remain largely unknown. In this study, we screened a Nicotiana benthamiana cDNA library via yeast two-hybrid assay and identified FRIGIDA-like protein 4a (FRL4a) as a host protein interacting with RipP1. Secondary structure analysis of FRL4a and construction of serial mutants revealed that the ClyA-like domain of FRL4a is the key region mediating its interaction with RipP1. Using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis, we found that the ability of RipP1 to induce HR was significantly attenuated in FRL4a-silenced plants, and RipP1 no longer suppressed the ethylene signaling pathway. Pathogenicity tests by inoculating R. solanacearum on N. benthamiana with different FRL4a expression levels showed enhanced bacterial wilt resistance in FRL4a-silenced plants but increased susceptibility in FRL4a-overexpressing plants. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that RipP1 suppresses the ethylene pathway through its interaction with FRL4a, and FRL4a acts as a negative regulator of tobacco resistance to bacterial wilt. Full article

The current paper aims to study the thermal stability of ethylene–propylene–diene monomer (EPDM) and styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene (SEBS) block copolymer attained by radiation processing and evaluated by chemiluminescence (CL). Three blends with different weight ratios (1:3, 1:1 and 3:1), as well as individual rubbers, are γ-irradiated at 25, 50, 100 and 150 kGy. Their thermal stabilities are intercompared, and the activation energies required for oxidative degradation are calculated by using the values of oxidation induction times. Another investigation concerning the development of gel is in good agreement with the CL results. The aspects related to the mechanisms of the radiation fragmentation of blended components are discussed. The contributions of the blending components are evaluated based on the peculiar kinetic parameters, namely oxidation induction time (OIT) and onset oxidation temperatures (OOTs). It is clearly demonstrated that the EPDM component serves as the main source of radicals required for crosslinking, while the SEBS skeletons become the structural frames for the new crosslinked branches. The activation energies increase from 50 kJ mol⁻¹ to 59 kJ mol⁻¹ for unirradiated materials, but the increase for the blends exposed to 100 kGy is significantly larger from 41 kJ mol⁻¹ to 54 KJ mol⁻¹. The growth in the blending proportion of SEBS improves the thermal stability of the resulting materials. It is observed that the largest differences in the thermal resistances of γ-irradiated compounds are obtained for the samples exposed at 150 kGy, when the participation of each of the components is taken into account. This study highlights the research on and the productive methods of polymer processing, and the study of the irradiation of blends generates high-performance technical articles by the appropriate selection of technological parameters. Full article

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), a globally persistent pathogen, causes bovine viral diarrhea-mucosal disease (BVD-MD), a contagious bovine disease posing significant pressures on both public health and economic development. Baicalin (BA), a flavonoid derived from Scutellaria baicalensis, exhibits broad antiviral activities but suffers from poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability, limiting its therapeutic potential against BVDV. To address this limitation, we developed BA-loaded poly (ethylene gly-col)-poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PEG-PLGA) nanoparticles (BA-PEG-PLGA NPs). While autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome activation have been individually implicated in viral pathogenesis, their functional crosstalk during BVDV infection remains uncharacterized. Herein, we evaluated the antiviral efficacy of BA-PEG-PLGA NPs through integrated in vitro and in vivo experiments. We employed quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), transcriptome sequencing, Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to investigate the mechanisms by which BA and BA-PEG-PLGA NPs combat bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection. We found that both free BA and BA-PEG-PLGA NPs effectively attenuated BVDV replication in vitro and in vivo; notably, the nano-formulation exhibited superior efficacy. Mechanistically, BA and its nano-formulation restored autophagy homeostasis, suppressed ROS overproduction, and blocked NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptotic cell death effects comparable to the specific NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950. These findings establish the autophagy–NLRP3/pyroptosis axis as a critical pathogenic mechanism in BVDV infection and reveal that nano-formulated baicalin represents an antiviral strategy by coordinately targeting this axis. This work not only provides a translatable nanomedicine approach for BVDV control but also expands the mechanistic understanding of flavonoid-based interventions in viral inflammatory diseases. Full article

Hydrogen is increasingly adopted as a clean energy carrier for storing and transporting low-carbon energy. Achieving a practical volumetric energy density for real-world deployment typically requires compression to several hundred bar, which in turn demands dedicated high-pressure infrastructure. Because valves are indispensable for isolation and flow control within this infrastructure, durable sealing valve materials become a key reliability and safety requirement. This assembly-level screening study compares two valve configurations with different polymer assemblies: EPDM O-rings with PEEK seats/bushing and NBR O-rings with POM seats/bushing. Four new identical 500-bar ball valves were tested (two EPDM/PEEK and two NBR/POM). For each seal configuration, one valve was cycled 5000 times at 500 bar in helium (inert baseline), and a second identical valve was cycled 5000 times at 500 bar in hydrogen to isolate hydrogen effects from mechanical/metallic wear. Leakage was tracked during cycling, and seals were analyzed by SEM/EDX after testing. The EPDM/PEEK configuration remained leak-tight in both gases, with no cracking observed in the elastomer or thermoplastic components. The NBR/POM configuration exhibited POM bushing fracture during cycling and minor external leakage at the stem during the hydrogen phase, accompanied by micro-fissures on the NBR O-ring surface. EDX indicated composition changes after cycling, including oxygen and fluorine enrichment and occasional metallic transfer species, consistent with surface films and deposits. Under the present valve geometry and cycling protocol, EPDM/PEEK provided robust sealing, whereas NBR/POM showed failure modes relevant to high-pressure service. These findings are intended as configuration-level screening evidence to be used in valves rather than as a full qualification of the individual materials. Full article

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste accumulation requires sustainable recycling alternatives. While Ideonella sakaiensis PETase offers a green solution, its industrial application is hindered by low solubility and poor thermostability. In this study, we systematically evaluated the synergistic effects of maltose-binding protein (MBP) fusion and periplasmic translocation strategies to optimize PETase production in Escherichia coli. Our results demonstrate that MBP acts as a potent solubilizing partner for PETase, with the cytosolic MBP–PETase variant achieving a high purification yield of 8.4 mg per gram of wet cell weight–a significant improvement over the PelB–PETase control (1.1 mg per gram of wet cell weight). Furthermore, the periplasmic MalE–MBP–PETase construct provided an optimal intermediate compromise between the yield, thermal stability, and catalytic activity by leveraging the oxidative environment of the periplasm for critical disulfide bond formation. Although PelB–PETase exhibited higher specific activity, its low yield limits industrial scalability. This study establishes a robust plug-and-play platform for high-throughput PET depolymerization, providing a foundational step toward a circular plastic economy. Full article

Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy (MSDP) remains a major source of fetal toxicant exposure. We applied adductomics to profile reactive adducts at the human serum albumin cysteine-34 (HSA-Cys³⁴) locus, which integrates longer-term exposures. HSA-Cys³⁴ adducts formed by acrylonitrile and ethylene oxide, two tobacco-related toxicants previously linked to smoking in adults, were quantified and compared with cotinine and MSDP status. Their relationships with other reactive adducts were also examined. Neonatal dried blood spots (DBS) from 110 children were analyzed. Cotinine and 55 Cys³⁴ adducts were measured by Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Associations were evaluated using linear regression, chi-square tests, and principal component analysis. Eighteen adducts differed significantly by MSDP status after Bonferroni correction (p ≤ 9.1 × 10⁻⁴). S-acrylonitrile was markedly elevated in exposed newborns, including those whose mothers reported smoking cessation after early pregnancy (p < 0.001). S-acrylonitrile correlated with 31 adducts related to oxidative stress and thiol metabolism, whereas cotinine correlated with eight. S-ethylene oxide, though detectable in DBS, showed no consistent association with MSDP. Adductomics analysis of newborn DBS sensitively captures molecular signatures of prenatal tobacco exposure and related oxidative stress. Acrylonitrile adducts appear to better reflect cumulative MSDP exposure than cotinine, highlighting the utility of adductomics for improved exposure assessment and mechanistic insight. Full article

Continuous monitoring of pathological motor features is vital for post-stroke rehabilitation but remains challenged by power reliance and low sensitivity of wearable sensors. Here, we develop a high-sensitivity, self-powered breathable nanogenerator (BN-TENG) utilizing fish-scale-derived biological hydroxyapatite/carbon (Bio-HAp/C) fillers within electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibers. The Bio-HAp/C enhances electron-trapping capability, while a high-resilience ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) spacer optimizes contact-separation dynamics. The BN-TENG achieves a superior sensitivity of 16.28 V·N⁻¹ and remarkable stability over 10,000 cycles. By implementing a multi-node sensing strategy, the sensor successfully captures complex hemiplegic patterns, including compensatory shoulder hiking, distal muscle spasticity, and postural asymmetry. By resolving subtle micro-vibrations missed by traditional electronics, this work provides a sustainable, autonomous interface for characterizing pathological motor features and assessing rehabilitation progress in hemiplegic patients. Full article

The increasing accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in soils necessitates a better understanding of their effects on soil chemistry and trace element behavior. This study examined the influence of three MPs—low-density poly(ethylene) (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)—on cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) mobility in four clayey–sandy soils with similar organic matter content but differing pH, representing acidic and alkaline terrestrial matrices. Soils were incubated with 1% (w/w) MPs at 60% water-holding capacity for 30 and 90 days. Total Cd and Cu concentrations remained largely unaffected; however, time-dependent changes in metal availability and distribution were observed. Extractability (CaCl₂ and DTPA), sequential BCR fractionation, and environmental risk indices (CF, Igeo, RAC, MF, and PLI) indicated slight increases in Cd availability after 30 days, which became more pronounced after 90 days, particularly in acidic soils (pH 5.5). The magnitude of the MP effect followed the trend PET > PP > LDPE in all cases. Among the two target metals, Cd exhibited substantially higher mobility than Cu, as reflected by RAC and MF values. Specifically, Cd RAC (6–35%) and Cd MF (28–63%) values were considerably higher than those of Cu (1.1–3.8% and 15–28%, respectively). Overall, although the general pollution indices remained relatively stable, MPs altered the extractability and geochemical partitioning of the examined heavy metals—particularly Cd—indicating their potential role as vectors in soil environments. These results demonstrate that incubation time, polymer type, and soil pH jointly regulate MP-induced change in Cd and Cu mobility, with important implications for soil ecosystem risk. Full article

Against the backdrop of a low-carbon economy, the control of soot emissions from combustion processes is of paramount importance. In this study, the effects of CO₂ dilution on soot formation in ethylene laminar diffusion flames are investigated through a combination of experimental measurements and numerical simulations. In addition, a virtual species, denoted as F_xCO₂, is introduced to progressively decouple the individual mechanisms by which different effects suppress soot formation. The results indicate that increasing the CO₂/N₂ dilution ratio leads to reductions in both the peak flame temperature and the soot volume fraction, with CO₂ exhibiting a more pronounced inhibitory effect than N₂. The decoupling analysis reveals that the dilution effect and the chemical effect are the dominant contributors to flame temperature reduction. The soot-inhibiting effectiveness of the individual effects follows the order: dilution effect > thermal effect > chemical effect > density effect > transport effect. With respect to their influence on C₂H₂ concentration, the effects are ranked as: dilution effect > chemical effect > transport effect > thermal effect > density effect. The chemical effect suppresses the formation of OH radicals, thereby reducing the flame temperature and H radical concentration. In contrast, the dilution effect enhances soot oxidation by increasing the OH radical concentration, effectively inhibiting soot particle formation. Full article

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) of carbon fiber-reinforced polycarbonate (PC-CF) is increasingly used in medical applications due to its excellent strength-to-weight ratio and adaptability for custom geometries. However, sterilization is a critical step that may compromise the structural integrity of polymer composites. This study investigates the effects of two low-temperature sterilization methods—ethylene oxide (EO) and hydrogen peroxide vapor (HP)—on the mechanical, thermal, and viscoelastic properties of FDM-printed PC-CF parts. Characterization included tensile, impact, and hardness tests; thermomechanical analysis (TMA); and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). EO sterilization resulted in approximately 20% reduced elongation at break and lower glass transition temperature, indicating a loss of ductility and thermal stability. HP-treated samples showed reduced stiffness (16% in Young modulus) but increased Tg and reduced thermal expansion, suggesting improved dimensional stability. DMA results confirmed distinct viscoelastic behavior between treatment types. These findings provide evidence for selecting appropriate sterilization protocols for FDM-manufactured PC-CF components used in functional medical devices. Full article

Objectives: Peduncle length (PL) is a critical agronomic trait in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], influencing mechanical harvesting efficiency. Exploration of the PL genetic mechanism and the PL major genes of sorghum can provide a reference for breeding of sorghum suitable for mechanization and PL genetic research of other graminaceous crops. Methods: Here, we conducted genetic analysis, transcriptome analysis, and candidate major gene screening of PL using long-peduncle (KY133B) and short-peduncle (KY123B) parents, as well as their constructed F2 segregated populations. Results: Genetic analysis revealed that PL trait may be controlled by two major genes with additive-dominant effects, showing a heritability of 69.638%. At the early stage of sorghum peduncle elongation, the young panicle of the parents was sampled and performed transcriptome analysis. DEGs 3603 genes were obtained. With the short peduncle parent (F) as the control, 2204 upregulated genes and 1399 downregulated genes were expressed in the long peduncle parent (M). We compared the 1161 genes obtained by BSA-seq from the laboratory in the early stage with the DEGs obtained by RNA-seq, and obtained 148 co-localized genes. Through the high DEGs screening criteria (|Log₂FC(M/F)| ≥ 5, p < 0.0001), we further identified 36 genes with highly significant expression differences between parents. Functional annotation identified four candidate major genes strongly associated with PL: LOC8056900 (MIZU-KUSSEI 1), LOC8065075 (ethylene-responsive transcription factor WIN1), LOC8083493 (GDSL esterase/lipase), and LOC8085367 (auxin-responsive protein IAA21). qPCR validated their expression trends, corroborating RNA-seq results. Conclusions: The comprehensive information presented here provides a reference for understanding the PL mechanism of sorghum and provides some important candidate major genes related to PL. This study laid the foundation for subsequent gene functional verification and mechanism analysis of sorghum peduncle length major genes. Full article

Yellow pitahaya (Selenicereus megalanthus Haw.) is increasing in popularity and is considered to be an exotic fruit with great potential for consumption due to its content of both nutritive and bioactive compounds with health-related properties. Pitahaya plants, grown in Ecuador, were treated with two elicitors: methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and methyl salicylate (MeSA), both at a 0.1 mM concentration. After harvesting, the fruits were transported to Spain and stored at two temperatures, 2 and 10 °C, for 55 days. The analytical determinations were physiological parameters (ethylene and respiration rates), organoleptic traits [firmness, color, total soluble solids (TSSs) and total acidity (TA)], and phytonutrients (total phenolics, carotenoids and total antioxidant activity). The results show that all the parameters evolved more rapidly at 10 °C than at 2 °C, which is due to storage temperature effects on fruit metabolism. For TSSs, reductions were observed at the two temperatures, while, for TA, a major reduction was obtained at 2 °C. Regarding storage, the respiration rates increased, especially at 2 °C. At the end of storage, total phenolics were higher in treated pitahayas. Moreover, fruits developed chilling injury (CI) at 2 °C based on the highest respiration rate and accelerated softening. Collectively, all the data suggest that both MeJA and MeSA could modulate yellow pitahaya ripening without detrimental effects on quality during postharvest storage. Full article