Search Results (8,171)

This paper conducts an experimental study to develop a response strategy for lithium-ion battery fires. Guided by the principle of “first control, then extinguish”, the strategy integrates a lithium-ion battery-specific fire-controlling blanket with castable fire-extinguishing agents. Both fire tests of e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries are conducted. From e-bike fire tests, the feasibility of rescuers conducting close-range disposal of LIB (lithium-ion battery) fires is analyzed from three perspectives, i.e., fire evolution stage, battery splashing and high temperature. The results indicate a high risk of fire spread, as well as a strong likelihood of human injury caused by flying LIB debris and extremely hot gases. Subsequently, the fire-controlling capability of the fire blanket is validated. It not only blocks splashing batteries and jet flames, reducing combustion intensity, but also offers a safe way for personnel to operate the portable fire extinguishers. Through two castable extinguishing agents tested, the perfluorohexanone-based agent outperforms the water-based alternative. The reasons are as follows. First, perfluorohexanone evaporates easily in the low-temperature, confined environment created by the fire blanket. Second, it possesses both physical and chemical fire-extinguishing capabilities, ultimately delivering a more potent combustion suppression effect. Full article

Background: The absence of disease-modifying treatments for Parkinson’s disease (PD)—a neurodegenerative condition with escalating global incidence—represents a critical unmet medical need. Traditionally utilized for both dietary consumption and medicinal preparations, the fruit derived from Rosa roxburghii Tratt demonstrates a remarkably rich profile of biologically active compounds, with flavonoids, triterpenoids, and organic acids representing the predominant classes. Experimental evidence indicates that these compounds elicit robust antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects, making them promising candidates for neurodegenerative disease modulation. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the neuroprotective effects of Rosa roxburghii Tratt juice concentrate powder (RRJCP) across the preventive, interventional, and therapeutic stages of PD and to elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: Rosa roxburghii Tratt juice was subjected to rotary evaporation concentration and vacuum freeze-drying to obtain the juice concentrate powder. C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to three main groups (prevention, intervention, and treatment), each containing subgroups including a normal control, an MPTP model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose RRCJP groups (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg), and a positive control Madopar group, totaling 18 subgroups. A chronic MPTP-induced PD mouse model was established. Motor function was assessed via the open field test, pole test, and wire hang test. Substantia nigra neuronal morphology was examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The area of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive regions was measured by immunohistochemistry. The levels of oxidative stress indicators in serum were measured using biochemical kits. Network pharmacology was employed to predict core targets, and the expression of PI3K/AKT pathway and apoptosis-related proteins was determined by Western blotting. Results: Compared with the MPTP model group, RRCJP (200 mg/kg) significantly increased the total distance traveled in the open field, shortened the pole climbing time, and improved the wire hang score. It attenuated the morphological disorganization and nuclear pyknosis of substantia nigra neurons, increased the TH-positive area and TH protein expression, reduced serum MDA content, and elevated the activities of SOD and GSH-Px. Network pharmacology analysis indicated that the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was among the core targets. Western blotting results further showed that the juice concentrate powder upregulated the expression of p-PI3K, p-AKT, and Bcl-2, while downregulating Bax and Cleaved Caspase-3 levels, which was consistent with the network pharmacology prediction. Conclusions: RRCJP exerts neuroprotective effects across the preventive, interventional, and therapeutic stages in PD model mice, the mechanisms of which may be associated with activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, attenuation of oxidative stress, and inhibition of neuronal apoptosis. Full article

According to the complementary advantages of the composites, the degradation rate, biological activity and physical and chemical properties of the composites were adjusted by using the hydrophilic and bioactive advantages of soy protein isolate (SPI) on the basis of toughening PLA by polycaprolactone (PCL). In this study, soy protein isolate/polylactic acid–polycaprolactone (SPI/PLA–PCL) composite microspheres were fabricated via double emulsion–solvent evaporation. SPI was introduced to regulate hydrophilicity, biodegradation, and bioactivity based on PCL–toughened PLA. The microspheres were characterized by SEM, EDS, FTIR, and XRD. Hydrophilicity, thermal stability, and degradation behavior were evaluated via water contact angle, TG/DTA, and in vitro degradation assays. Biocompatibility, hemocompatibility, and osteogenic activity were assessed through cell adhesion, hemolysis, CCK–8, ALP, alizarin red staining, and mineralization tests. Results confirmed the successful preparation of SPI/PLA–PCL microspheres. SPI incorporation enhanced hydrophilicity, degradation rate, and cell adhesion. The composite microspheres exhibited favorable thermal stability, hemocompatibility, biocompatibility, and osteogenic induction. The 50% SPI/PLA–PCL group performed optimally in cell proliferation, adhesion, ALP activity, and mineralization, demonstrating promising potential for bone tissue engineering applications. Full article

Upper Northern Thailand continues to face a protracted structural crisis from fine-particulate matter (PM_2.5), primarily driven by biomass burning and wildfires. Conventional mechanical capture systems, such as cyclones, often suffer a drastic efficiency drop when treating sub-micron particles. This study introduces an innovative Evaporative Condensation Growth Scrubber (ECGS) designed to bridge this technological gap by promoting the growth of fine particles through heterogeneous nucleation. Experimental testing across 10 different nozzle configurations was conducted to optimize the system’s performance. The results revealed that the ECGS system significantly outperformed the dry cyclone (Baseline) across all nine testing configurations. While the Baseline showed inherent limitations in capturing sub-micron particles, the ECGS demonstrated relative efficiency improvements ranging from 39.53% to 83.23% for PM_2.5, and 26.10% to 61.50% for PM₁₀ compared to the baseline. Optimal performance was achieved using a 90-degree injection angle and a 10 cm distance, which created a complete spray curtain and maximized collision probability. Under these conditions, the outlet PM_2.5 concentration stabilized at 11.81 µg/m³ within 180 s of water injection. Crucially, despite sensor interference caused by high relative humidity, the system’s effectiveness was confirmed by a significant difference in performance in PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 removal. The PM₁₀ collection efficiency outperformed that of PM_2.5 by 28.82%, providing empirical evidence that PM_2.5 particles successfully acted as nuclei for condensation and grew into the larger PM₁₀ size range. This particle growth enabled more effective centrifugal separation, demonstrating that the ECGS system offers a viable and efficient solution for fine particle removal in highly polluted environments. Full article

Background: Adiponectin (ADPN) is a key adipokine with osteogenic potential, but its clinical translation for bone regeneration is hindered by poor in vivo stability. This study aimed to develop poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microparticles as a stable and biocompatible carrier for sustained ADPN delivery to enhance bone repair. Methods: ADPN-loaded PLGA microparticles (ADPN-MPs) were fabricated via emulsion solvent evaporation. Their physicochemical properties were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Loading efficiency and drug loading were quantified. In vitro release kinetics and stability under physiological conditions were assessed. Biocompatibility was evaluated using MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts and BMSCs, and in vivo efficacy was tested in a fracture model via gait analysis. Results: Employing CD to evaluate the secondary structure of ADPN, emulsion solvent evaporation for microparticles preparation, and SEM for morphological analysis, we quantitatively assessed the loading efficiency (69.83 ± 4.24%) and drug loading (0.97 ± 0.06%) of ADPN-MPs. Results indicated that ADPN-MPs maintained significant stability under varied pH and temperature conditions and exhibited a controlled release profile, with an average initial rapid release of 14.25% within 24 h and an average cumulative release of 55.00% by day 28. Furthermore, ADPN-MPs promoted the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 and BMSCs without toxicity, demonstrating excellent biocompatibility. Notably, gait analysis in a fracture model showed improved healing in both ADPN and ADPN-MPs groups compared to controls, with ADPN-MPs demonstrating comparable efficacy to free ADPN, supporting its potential as a stable delivery system for bone regeneration. Conclusions: PLGA microparticles serve as an effective, stable, and biocompatible delivery platform for ADPN, significantly promoting bone regeneration in vitro and in vivo. This delivery system enhances the therapeutic potential of ADPN for clinical bone repair applications. Full article

As critical conduits for pollutant enrichment and transformation, lake inlets govern the biogeochemical cycling of emerging contaminants. This study investigated the occurrence, spatiotemporal heterogeneity, and source–sink dynamics of 15 organophosphate esters (OPEs) in the major inflowing rivers of Poyang Lake, China. Using UPLC–MS/MS, positive matrix factorization (PMF), and risk quotient (RQ) modeling, we identified the mechanisms driving pollutant distribution across three hydrological periods. Alkyl-OPEs (58.19%) and chlorinated OPEs (40.42%) dominated the contaminant burden, with TCPP and TEP identified as the primary congeners. Concentrations exhibited a distinct seasonal gradient, with higher levels during the dry season and lower levels during the wet season, controlled by seasonal hydrological dilution versus evaporative and stagnant accumulation. PMF indicated that source contributions shifted with hydrology: intense wet-season precipitation flushed non-point sources from waste and electronic products (45.1%), while reduced dry-season flow concentrated mixed inputs from agricultural runoff and ship traffic (50.7%). Ecological risk assessment identified EHDPP, TCrP, and TCPP as high-risk contaminants (RQ ≥ 1.0), posing direct threats to aquatic population. These findings highlight the need for adaptive, season-specific management of emerging contaminants at the river–lake interface, specifically by implementing enhanced interception of surface runoff during the wet season and enforcing stringent regulations on localized shipping emissions during the dry season to protect freshwater ecosystems. Full article

Decarbonizing air travel poses a major technological challenge, driven by the substantial power requirements of the drivetrain and the demanding weight and volume constraints of airborne systems. One promising avenue involves leveraging the high specific energy of hydrogen by designing compact, high-power fuel cell stacks to supply power for electric drivetrains. However, a key drawback of such propulsion architectures is the substantial heat generated within the fuel cells, which necessitates bulky and heavy thermal management systems to ensure safe and continuous operation. This study investigates a proposed air-based thermal management system, which operates by introducing pulsating heat pipes into the bipolar plates of a High-Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (HT-PEM FC) stack. If proven to be feasible, heat pipe assisted air cooling may provide the benefit of reducing overall system complexity by decreasing the number of components in the thermal management system. To evaluate the thermal performance of the proposed system, a one-dimensional thermal model was initially developed in a previous study to describe the temperature distribution along the length of a heat pipe. Building upon this foundation, the present work extends the model by incorporating a two-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) analysis to account for geometry-specific effects within the hexagonal design. Results indicate that the heat transfer from the hexagonal heat pipe geometry to the coolant air flow was marginally overestimated in previous analytical calculations. Revised heat transfer rates led to a shift in the predicted temperature distributions, resulting in the need for either increased external airflow, extended condenser sections, or reduced inlet temperatures to maintain target operating conditions. Although these adjustments may result in a slight increase in system mass and parasitic power consumption, the overall impact is limited, and the heat pipe-assisted air cooling approach remains theoretically feasible. Based on the results, design modifications are proposed and their impact on thermal performance is evaluated to address the challenges of heat rejection and temperature uniformity. A modification based on variation and optimization of PHP meander lengths was evaluated using the updated model and it significantly improved temperature homogeneity across the evaporator. Full article

Analyzing the propagation dynamics from meteorological drought (MD) to hydrological drought (HD) is essential for sustainable water resource management, particularly under climate change. This study analyzed the multidimensional propagation characteristics and their driving factors from MD to HD in the Jialing River Basin from 1993 to 2020. The temporal characteristics of drought propagation were analyzed using monthly and daily drought indices, with a focus on variations in initiation lag times across seasons and drought grades. The attenuation and amplification effects during drought propagation were quantified using event propagation ratios, while examining the differential propagation patterns across different drought grades. Additionally, the Geographical Detector Model was employed to identify the main drivers of spatial heterogeneity in hydrological drought response rates. The main findings are as follows: (1) at the daily scale, the initiation stage had the shortest lag, while peak and termination stages showed longer lags. Seasonal and drought grade variations were observed in the initiation lag, with shorter lags in summer and autumn. (2) Drought propagation from MD to HD resulted in an attenuation of maximum intensity, while duration and severity were amplified. (3) Spatial heterogeneity in HD response rate was mainly influenced by evaporative conditions, vegetation cover, and topography. Full article

Dry rooms used in battery and semiconductor research facilities require ultra-low dew-point environments, which demand significant thermal energy for desiccant rotor regeneration. In steam-regenerated systems, condensate discharged through steam traps partially evaporates due to pressure reduction, generating flash steam that is typically released into the atmosphere, resulting in substantial energy losses. This study investigates the generation and recovery potential of flash steam in dry room HVAC systems. Field measurements were conducted for 18 steam-regenerated desiccant air handling units installed in a medium-scale research facility (total floor area: 43,000 m²) in southern Gyeonggi Province, Korea. Boiler operation data—including feedwater flow rate, pressure, and operating time—were analyzed over a six-month period from March to August 2025. The results showed that the average flash steam generation rate was approximately 1.16 ton/h, corresponding to 8.56% of the average feedwater flow rate. Two recovery methods were evaluated: a steam jet thermocompressor (SJT) and an exhaust vapor condenser (EVC). The analysis revealed that the EVC system provides a more practical solution for medium-scale dry rooms because it does not require high-pressure primary steam. By recovering flash steam using three EVC units, an average heat recovery of 724 kW was achieved. The recovered heat can produce 86 °C hot water, which can be utilized as a driving heat source for an absorption chiller, generating approximately 507 kW of cooling capacity. This configuration partially offsets the cooling load of existing centrifugal chillers, thereby reducing electrical energy consumption. In addition, the proposed system eliminates atmospheric discharge of flash steam, mitigating the visible white plume phenomenon commonly observed in industrial facilities. The results demonstrate the technical feasibility of integrating flash steam recovery with absorption cooling to enhance energy efficiency in medium-scale dry room HVAC systems. Full article

Solar interfacial evaporation is promising for freshwater production, yet thermodynamic energy limits and mass transfer attenuation in high-salinity environments restrict practical applications. To address these challenges, a 3D high-efficiency evaporator is developed by cross-linking a hydrophilic composite gel onto a macroporous sponge scaffold. This spatially decoupled architecture enables fundamental water-state regulation and efficient environmental heat harvesting. Specifically, hydrophilic functional groups in the gel network reduce the equivalent enthalpy of vaporization of water to 1181.8 J g⁻¹. Simultaneously, the 3D columnar structure induces a sidewall cold sink effect to extract additional ambient thermal energy. Through this synergy, the PCPH delivers a remarkable apparent evaporation rate of 8.59 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ under one standard sun. Furthermore, interconnected macropores within the sponge establish excellent convective pathways for rapid ion diffusion. Consequently, the device operated continuously for 8 h in a 10 wt% NaCl solution without significant blockage and decreased key metal ion concentrations in 3.5 wt% simulated seawater by 4 to 5 orders of magnitude. The purified water fully satisfies World Health Organization standards. This study offers an innovative strategy to surpass conventional photothermal bottlenecks and design highly durable water treatment materials. Full article

Effective management of reservoir water for irrigation is crucial in arid regions prone to drought and water shortages. However, evaporation losses from reservoirs remain poorly understood. Direct measurements typically quantify evaporation only at the measurement site rather than across the entire reservoir. This study introduces the Turbulent Exchange Approach for Reservoir Evaporation Estimation (TEAREE). The TEAREE is a simple model that integrates a bulk aerodynamic formulation with Landsat 8–9 satellite water-surface temperature data and meteorological observations to estimate spatially distributed daily reservoir evaporation. The TEAREE model was first evaluated at Elephant Butte and Caballo reservoirs in NM, USA, and subsequently applied across multiple reservoirs with diverse climatic conditions to demonstrate its applicability for estimating open-water evaporation. Daily evaporation was obtained by upscaling satellite overpass-time evaporation estimates using the daily-to-instantaneous vapor pressure deficit ratio (k_e) and wind speed. The model performed strongly across 12 lakes (R² = 0.91–0.99; RMSE = 0.27–0.85 mm/day) compared with the bulk aerodynamic (B_AER) method. Comparison with eddy covariance (EC) evaporation also showed good agreement. Monte Carlo analysis indicated moderate uncertainty associated with k_e variability, supporting the operational use of a constant k_e = 0.95 for daily upscaling. Full article

Drought is a recurrent hazard in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD), with major implications for agriculture, water resources, and rural livelihoods. This study assesses drought variability in Kien Giang Province, Vietnam, from 1992 to 2024 using two multiscale indicators: the Multivariate Standardized Precipitation Index (MSPI) and the Multivariate Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (MSPEI). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI)- and Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI)-based time series spanning multiple accumulation periods (3–48 months) to derive integrated drought signals and to reduce redundancy across timescales. The results show that the first principal component (PC1) captured a high proportion of total variance across stations, indicating strong coherence in drought dynamics across the province. Both MSPI and MSPEI successfully identified major historical drought episodes, particularly the severe events of 2004–2005 and 2015–2016. However, the two indices differed in their temporal behaviour: MSPI responded more directly to precipitation deficits, whereas MSPEI showed slower post-drought recovery in recent years, suggesting greater sensitivity to evaporative demand and climatic water-balance stress. These differences indicate that evapotranspiration-sensitive indices may provide added analytical value in warming coastal environments. Overall, the combined multiscale framework offers a robust basis for drought monitoring, comparative assessment, and water-resource planning in Kien Giang and other drought-prone coastal delta settings. Full article

Kiwifruit soft rot is a major cause of postharvest loss owing to rapid fruit decay during storage. This study focused on kiwifruit soft rot during the postharvest storage stage, when fungal development may be promoted by room temperature and high humidity. Soft rot symptoms were observed in the pericarp and fruit flesh. In this study, carvacrol-loaded nanoliposomes (CAR@NL) were prepared by an O/W emulsification–solvent evaporation method to control kiwifruit soft rot. The physicochemical properties of CAR@NL were characterized by laser particle size analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Their antifungal activity and preservation efficacy were evaluated by in vitro antifungal assays and fruit storage experiments. The prepared CAR@NL showed an average particle size of approximately 280 nm, an encapsulation efficiency of 85.75%, and a drug loading capacity of 20.14%, along with favorable sustained-release properties. CAR@NL exhibited strong antifungal activity, with an EC₅₀ value of 41.76 mg/L. DAPI staining indicated no obvious effect on fungal DNA, whereas propidium iodide (PI) staining revealed increased fluorescence intensity with increasing concentration and treatment time, indicating disruption of hyphal membrane integrity and severe structural damage. Flow cytometric analysis further showed that, at 50 mg/L, the total apoptosis rate was 2.96% in the untreated control group, 5.22% in the CAR@NL-treated group, and 33.6% in the carbendazim-treated group, demonstrating the lower cytotoxicity of CAR@NL toward mammalian cells. In addition, CAR@NL showed good stability and preservation performance during fruit storage. Overall, CAR@NL may serve as a safe and effective postharvest agent for the control of kiwifruit soft rot. Full article

Given South Korea’s acute land constraints and ambitious renewable energy targets, floating solar farms (FSFs) on multi-purpose dam reservoirs offer a sustainable land-sparing solution for advancing the water-energy nexus and climate adaptation. This study estimates households’ willingness to pay (WTP) for a tariff premium supporting FSFs on multi-purpose dam reservoirs—a bundled sustainability attribute encompassing land-sparing deployment, water-energy nexus synergies (90% evaporation reduction, hydropower complementarity), and avoided land-use conflicts—relative to equivalent electricity from land-based solar farms (LSFs). The valuation scenario explicitly frames FSFs as an integrated policy package, not an isolated engineering characteristic, with balanced disclosure of location-specific trade-offs. The study highlights the sustainability value of land-sparing water-energy nexus solutions in South Korea. The analysis draws on a nationwide contingent valuation survey of 1000 households conducted from mid-April to mid-May 2025. Employing the one-and-one-half-bound dichotomous choice format with a spike model to handle zero WTP responses, we estimate a mean tariff premium of KRW 26.8 (USc 1.9) per kWh—17% of the residential rate. This exceeds the current FSF-LSF levelized cost differential (KRW 19 per kWh), despite 49% zero bids largely from protest responses. Socioeconomic factors (education, income, female gender, metropolitan residence, policy awareness) significantly shape acceptance probabilities. These findings affirm meaningful support for FSF deployment, contributing to long-term sustainability by integrating renewable energy with water resource management and reducing land-use conflicts. They also inform sustainable energy transition policies by showing that consumers are willing to fund multifunctional infrastructure synergies. Full article

Urban–climate interactions in a warming climate remain largely uncertain; therefore, it is crucial to realistically evaluate and project these feedbacks to establish effective adaptation strategies. This study investigates projected shifts in summertime urban–climate interactions over eastern North America by employing the GEM regional climate model coupled with the Town Energy Balance (TEB) scheme, driven by RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios for the 1981–2100 period. Evaluations for the current climate (1981–2010) demonstrate that the model simulates an urban-induced warming of 0.5–0.7 °C and a precipitation reduction of 0.2–0.4 mm/day with high fidelity. By the late 21st century (2071–2100), projections under the RCP8.5 scenario indicate a steady weakening of the summer mean Urban Heat Island (UHI) intensity by approximately 0.10 °C, with a more pronounced nighttime attenuation of 0.15 °C. Physically, this weakening is attributed to an enhanced urban-induced evaporative fraction, which limits solar radiation storage within the urban fabric during the day, thereby reducing the thermal energy available for post-sunset release. This UHI attenuation correlates strongly with localized increases in precipitation, particularly in coastal regions where urban-induced effects contribute 20–40% to the total precipitation rise. While this study intentionally utilizes static urban boundaries to isolate the specific sensitivities of current urban morphologies to global warming, these results emphasize that diverse climatological regions will undergo distinct urban–climate feedback changes, providing essential baseline data for resilient urban planning. Full article