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Glaciers are indicators of climate change, and the study of climate change impacts on runoff and its components in glacial basins is a research hotspot worldwide. The formation mechanisms of runoff and its components are affected by multiple factors, and relevant studies remain scarce in glacial regions due to limited data resulting from natural and objective conditions. To identify the driving factors of runoff and its components in the Vakhsh River basin of Tajikistan, we selected the suitable baseflow separation method and obtained datasets of total runoff, baseflow and surface runoff. Furthermore, the impacts and temporal patterns of hydroclimatic variables on runoff and its components were quantitatively evaluated using satellite remote-sensing products, reanalysis datasets and in-situ observations through cross-wavelet transform and explainable machine learning approaches, specifically Categorical Boosting (CatBoost) coupled with SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis. Results show that, among nine evaluated baseflow separation methods, the Chapman–Maxwell method demonstrates superior performance. Whether in the dry season or the wet season, the effects of snow-related variables and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) on runoff and its components are significant. Compared with the dry season, the rankings of total evaporation (ET) and surface solar radiation (SR) decrease in the wet season, while the ranking of total precipitation (Prec) and snow depth (SD) increases significantly. The periodic oscillation in the dry season is stronger than that in the wet season. The time lag of surface runoff is the shortest, that of total runoff follows closely, and that of baseflow is the longest. The time lags are within 18 d in the dry season and within 12 d in the wet season. Compared with the dry season, the time lags of snow-related variables (e.g., SD, snow depth water equivalent (SDWE)) in the wet season advance by approximately 2–4 d; those of Prec advance by roughly 3–4 d; those of PSM and ET advance by about 5–6 d; and that of SR advance by approximately 4–5 d. Underlying surface and climatic variations cause uncertainty and errors in time lags identified by cross-wavelet transform, which we clarify. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for addressing climate change in glacial basins. Full article

Biodegradable polymeric scaffolds incorporating bioactive mineral phases are a promising approach for dentin-pulp tissue engineering. Although poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles have been widely used as scaffolds due to their biocompatibility and tunable degradation profile, their inherent bioactivity is limited. Furthermore, fluorapatite (FAP), a fluoride-substituted apatite ceramic, exhibits enhanced chemical stability and mineral-related properties that may be useful for regenerative biomaterial design. In this study, we investigated the effect of nano-FAP functionalization on the physicochemical properties of porous PLGA microscaffolds and their interaction with human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). Porous PLGA microscaffolds were fabricated using a double-emulsion solvent evaporation method and subsequently functionalized with FAP suspensions ranging from 0.1 to 5 mg/mL (0.01–0.5% w/v). The scaffolds were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), electrical conductivity measurements, cell viability assays, and immunofluorescence. Lower and intermediate FAP concentrations-maintained surface pore accessibility and supported hDPSC viability, whereas the highest concentration (5 mg/mL; 0.5% w/v) reduced visible surface pore size and showed less favorable cellular responses. The 2.5 mg/mL (0.25% w/v) FAP condition provided the most favorable overall balance among the evaluated physicochemical and biological parameters. These preliminary in vitro findings support further investigation of FAP-functionalized PLGA microscaffolds in advanced three-dimensional and in vivo models. Full article

Background/objective: Osimertinib, an EGFR-targeted agent approved for metastatic NSCLC, shows promise for triple-negative breast cancer due to EGFR overexpression in aggressive tumors. However, oral administration limits tumor delivery and causes systemic side effects. This study aimed to develop chitosan-coated PLGA nanoparticles loaded with osimertinib (CH-P-NPs) to enhance its anticancer efficacy in breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, MCF-7) by promoting apoptosis and reducing migration in vitro. Methods: CH-P-NPs were synthesized via single-emulsion solvent evaporation and characterized for particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro release. Anticancer activity was evaluated in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines through in vitro cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, apoptosis induction, and migration inhibition assays. Results: CH-P-NPs exhibited a particle size less than 200 nm, high encapsulation efficiency and a positive zeta potential. Moreover, sustained drug release was achieved with 59.62 ± 1.9% at 24 h. In vitro anticancer studies demonstrated that osimertinib and its nanoparticle formulations showed concentration-dependent cytotoxicity in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. CH-P-NPs enhanced cytotoxicity compared with uncoated PLGA nanoparticles (IC₅₀: 1.56 vs. 6 µg/mL). CH-P-NPs enhanced cellular uptake in MDA-MB-231 cells, whereas its effect on MCF-7 cellular uptake was cell line-dependent. Annexin V/PI assay showed that CH-P-NPs significantly enhanced apoptosis compared to free osimertinib in both cell lines. In MDA-MB-231 cells, CH-P-NPs induced ~52.5% total apoptosis versus 3.3% with free drug. In MCF-7 cells, CH-P-NPs induced ~16.6% apoptosis versus 1.5% with free drug. Late apoptosis predominated, indicating irreversible cell death. Wound healing assay showed that CH-P-NPs significantly inhibited migration in both cell lines compared to free osimertinib and control. In MDA-MB-231 cells, CH-P-NPs exhibited greater inhibition at 48 and 72 h, while free osimertinib showed minimal effect. In MCF-7 cells, CH-P-NPs reduced migration at all time points. Conclusions: CH-P-NPs markedly enhanced osimertinib’s anticancer activity by improving cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, inducing apoptosis, and inhibiting migration. This nanoformulation offers a promising strategy to boost efficacy and reduce systemic toxicity in breast cancer treatment. Full article

Tunnel ventilation is accompanied by heat and mass transfer, while moisture transported by incoming airflow and seepage from surrounding rock walls leads to a highly humid environment within the tunnel, thereby hindering normal operation. This study presents a fully coupled thermo–moisture–flow model capable of simulating the spatiotemporal distribution of temperature and humidity fields in humid tunnels. The model integrates airflow transport, heat transfer, wall surface evaporation, moisture migration, and latent heat effects within a unified framework. Analysis of the key factors influencing the tunnel humidity field reveals that low surrounding rock temperatures and high wall moisture availability are the dominant factors promoting humidity accumulation, whereas inlet airflow conditions significantly influence the development of the humidity field. Based on the spatial evolution of relative humidity, condensation distance and fogging distance are proposed as characteristic indicators for quantifying high-humidity risk. Parametric analyses reveal that increasing ventilation velocity effectively suppresses humidity growth when the inlet air is relatively dry, whereas dehumidification should be prioritized when the inlet relative humidity exceeds 0.7. Furthermore, predictive equations for condensation and fogging distances were established through multivariable regression analysis, providing a rapid method for assessing humidity-related hazards under different ventilation conditions. The findings improve understanding of coupled heat and moisture transfer between humid tunnel walls and ventilating airflow and provide practical guidance for humidity control in underground ventilation systems. Full article

Aims: Morin is a flavonoid with potential neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. This study evaluated the anticonvulsant and anxiolytic effects of morin-loaded PLGA-chitosan nanoparticles (Morin-PLGA-CS NPs) in male Wistar rats. Methods: Morin-PLGA-CS NPs were synthesized using a modified single emulsion-solvent evaporation method followed by CS coating. NPs were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and in vitro drug release analysis. Adult male Wistar rats received intraperitoneal injections of free morin (25 mg/kg), Morin-PLGA-CS NPs, diazepam (1 mg/kg), blank NPs, or vehicle. Behavioral assessments included the open-field test (OFT), elevated-plus maze (EPM), novel object recognition (NOR) test, and pentobarbital-induced sleep test. Anticonvulsant activity was evaluated using PTZ-induced seizure latency. Cytokine concentrations in cortical and hippocampal tissue lysates were quantified by ELISA at 12 h post-PTZ. Hippocampal relative mRNA expression of Nrf2, HO-1, GFAP, and Iba1 was quantified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Results: Morin-PLGA-CS NPs demonstrated a hydrodynamic diameter of 221.6 nm, a zeta potential of +23.3 mV, and an encapsulation efficiency of 81%. FTIR spectroscopy showed spectral changes compatible with morin incorporation and possible hydrogen-bonding interactions. The NPs exhibited approximately 81.4% morin release over 72 h in vitro. Compared to free morin, Morin-PLGA-CS NPs increased center-zone exploration in the OFT and open-arm behavior in the EPM, but also reduced total distance traveled in the OFT, indicating that motor suppression or sedation may have contributed to the behavioral profile (p < 0.001). It also improved the discrimination index (DI) in the NOR test and elevated sleep duration in the pentobarbital test (p < 0.001). The NPs also prolonged seizure latency (137.2 s vs. 114.5 s for free morin; p < 0.001) and markedly reduced IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in both the cortex and hippocampus. At the molecular level, Morin-PLGA-CS NPs were associated with significantly increased hippocampal Nrf2 and HO-1 mRNA transcript levels and decreased GFAP and Iba1 transcript levels relative to free morin and the PTZ-challenged vehicle control group. Conclusions: Morin-PLGA-CS NPs produced greater behavioral, anticonvulsant, inflammatory, and redox effects than free morin in male rats. Molecular data revealed changes in hippocampal mRNA expression, including increased Nrf2 and HO-1 transcripts and decreased GFAP and Iba1 transcripts. However, these transcript-level findings are preliminary and require protein-level validation. Full article

Groundwater quality is a critical factor constraining the sustainable and healthy development of the economy, particularly in regions with scarce water resources. Given the combined influences of natural processes and human activities, understanding the hydrochemical evolution and pollution status of groundwater in the Yinchuan Plain is essential for effective groundwater resource management in this area. This study collected 94 phreatic groundwater samples and integrated traditional hydrochemistry methods, the entropy-weighted water quality index (EWQI), and the human health risk assessment (HHRA) model to analyze the hydrochemical characteristics, water quality, and sulfate- and nitrate-related health risks in the Yinchuan Plain. The results revealed that the groundwater chemical types shifted from an HCO₃-Ca type and mixed type to a Cl-Na type along the groundwater flow path. Rock weathering and evaporation were identified as the main factors influencing groundwater chemistry. SO₄²⁻ concentrations were largely controlled by gypsum dissolution and evaporation. The EWQI assessment showed that 31.91% of samples were not suitable for drinking. Poor quality samples were primarily concentrated in the Huinong county, Pingluo county, Helan county and the southern part of the Litong district. Additionally, high integrated weights of HCO₃⁻, K⁺, NO₃⁻, pH, SO₄²⁻ and Na⁺ pointed their high information content and variability in the groundwater dataset. Furthermore, long-term exposure to elevated sulfate and nitrate concentrations may pose potential health risks. The potential health risks for pregnant women and breastfeeding women were found to be higher than those for individuals over 10 years of age, warranting increased attention from both society and the academic community. This study aims to provide a basis for identifying priority monitoring areas, prioritizing key groundwater contaminants, and developing targeted pollution control measures. Integrating groundwater-quality monitoring, pollution-source control, and sustainable groundwater-use planning can support the long-term protection and sustainable utilization of groundwater resources in the Yinchuan Plain. Full article

In greenhouses with evaporative cooling systems, the amount of water used for cooling can exceed plant water consumption, so caution is advised in water-scarce regions. Since the semi-arid region where the study was conducted receives low rainfall (an average of 380.4 mm per year), the amount of water used for plant and evaporative cooling makes water use management a critical issue. For this purpose, a study was conducted between May and July 2023 in Kırşehir, Türkiye, using two physically identical, side-by-side, polyethylene-covered high tunnels (5 m × 3 m × 2 m) with external shading nets; one operating with natural ventilation (NV) and the other with direct evaporative cooling (DEC). The study determined the effects of these applications on the indoor climate, the morphological and quality characteristics of tomatoes, plant water consumption, and water-use efficiency. During the study period, the highest cooling effect measured in the DEC application was 9.6 °C, the relative humidity effect was 29.3%, and the cooling efficiency was 67.6%. In the NV application, the highest cooling effect was 5.0 °C, and the relative humidity effect was 13.2%. As a result of the findings, the DEC application made a positive contribution to the morphological (stem diameter, plant height, and number of leaves) and quality parameters (width, length, weight, pH, titratable acidity, and total soluble solids) of tomatoes compared to the NV application. Daily plant water consumption per unit area was 114.7 L m⁻² in the NV application, 88.1 L m⁻² in the DEC application, and 117.5 L m⁻² for cooling. The amount of water used for irrigation in the NV application was approximately 23.2% higher than in the DEC application. In the study, total yield (TY) was 2355.5 g m⁻², and marketable yield (MY) was 2240.8 g m⁻² under NV application. In the DEC application, TY was 5721.5 g m⁻² and MY was 5529.8 g m⁻². Accordingly, TY decreased by 58.8% and MY decreased by 59.5% in the NV application compared to the DEC application. Total water-use efficiency (TWUE) was 20.5 g L⁻¹ in the NV application, while marketable yield water-use efficiency (MWUE) was 19.5 g L⁻¹. In the DEC application, TWUE was 42.2 g L⁻¹ while MWUE was 39.6 g L⁻¹. Accordingly, compared to the DEC application, TWUE decreased by 51.4%, and MWUE decreased by 50.8% in the NV application. Furthermore, considering the water used for cooling in the DEC application (irrigation + cooling), CTWUE was 27.8 g L⁻¹, and CMWUE was 26.9 g L⁻¹. Therefore, the water used for DEC reduced CTWUE by 34.1% and CMWUE by 32%. The results indicate that while evaporative application has positive contributions to cultivation, it also reduces water-use efficiency; therefore, its use should be considered in regions with limited water availability. Collecting rainwater and using it in irrigation and as cooling water after filtration will be important for sustainable greenhouse farming in these regions. Full article

In livestock production, conventional nutrients and bioactive substances are susceptible to degradation during feed processing, storage, and gastrointestinal transit, resulting in low bioavailability and feed conversion efficiency. Targeted delivery technology, which utilizes carriers such as nanoparticles, microcapsules, and hydrogels, can protect these compounds from premature degradation, regulate their release kinetics, and achieve site-specific accumulation via various administration routes, including oral and injectable delivery. This paper introduces the main types of targeted delivery materials and their preparation methods: ionotropic gelation, emulsion solvent evaporation, and nanoprecipitation for nanoparticle fabrication; spray drying, orifice coagulation bath, ionic crosslinking, complex coacervation, and electrospinning for microcapsule production; and ionic crosslinking, gas shear-assisted ionic crosslinking, oil-in-water emulsion combined with calcium ion crosslinking, and enzymatic crosslinking for gel-based system synthesis. Evaluation methods are also described in detail, covering particle size and polydispersity index analysis, morphological characterization, in vitro simulated digestion, and in vivo fluorescence imaging. This paper reviews the applications of this technology in poultry, pigs, and ruminants, with emphasis on its roles in enhancing intestinal health, regulating immune responses, inhibiting pathogenic bacteria, and improving growth performance and product quality, aiming to provide theoretical references for the rational design and application of targeted delivery systems in precision animal nutrition and sustainable livestock production. Full article

PE sheeting produced the most consistent crack-free final observations under the investigated conditions. This study investigated the combined effects of mixture composition, water-reducing admixture system, environmental exposure, surface finishing, reinforcement configuration, and curing method on the early-age cracking and mechanical performance of concrete under full-scale production conditions. Seven concrete mixtures were investigated, and 28 full-scale reinforced concrete slabs were produced and monitored for plastic shrinkage cracking. Fresh-concrete workability, slump retention, 28-day compressive strength, environmental conditions, and surface evaporation rates were evaluated. The actual water-to-cement ratio ranged from 0.58 to 0.85, and increasing water demand following the reduction or elimination of water-reducing admixtures resulted in a decrease in 28-day compressive strength (150 mm cube specimens) from 41.4 to 24.6 MPa. Under the investigated full-scale field-production scenarios, visible plastic shrinkage cracking varied with the combined material, environmental, construction, and curing conditions. The unprotected W4-P1 slab, cast during severe hot and dry exposure, developed 19 visible cracks, whereas 4 cracks were recorded for W5-P1 under more moderate conditions. Because these slabs also differed in mixture composition and reinforcement configuration, this comparison is interpreted as an association rather than a single-factor environmental effect. The estimated evaporation rate was 0.71 kg/m²/h for the initial W4 conditions and 0.22 kg/m²/h for W5. Surface-finishing and reinforcement comparisons were based on individual slabs and are therefore reported only as case-specific observations. PE sheeting showed the most consistent performance under the investigated conditions: all nine PE-protected slabs were free of visible cracks at final inspection, while the two water-cured slabs developed zero or one crack. These findings show that visible plastic shrinkage cracking in full-scale production cannot be interpreted from mixture composition or w/c ratio alone and should be assessed in the context of the complete field-production scenario. Full article

Kahweol is an active diterpene with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties; however, its use may be limited by unfavorable pharmacokinetic characteristics. This study aimed to develop kahweol-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and red blood cell membrane-coated PLGA (RBC-PLGA) nanoparticles and evaluate their in vitro release behavior and in vivo pharmacokinetic profiles. Kahweol-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared using the emulsification-solvent evaporation method and subsequently coated with rabbit erythrocyte membranes, a type of blood cell membrane, to obtain RBC-PLGA nanoparticles. Particle size, zeta potential, morphology, and encapsulation efficiency were characterized. In vitro release studies were performed using the dialysis bag method. Pharmacokinetic profiles of free kahweol, kahweol-loaded PLGA, and kahweol-loaded RBC-PLGA nanoparticles were evaluated in rabbits following intravenous administration (0.5 mg/kg), and plasma kahweol concentrations were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. PLGA and RBC-PLGA nanoparticles showed high encapsulation efficiency (>90%) and sustained biphasic release compared with the rapid burst release of free kahweol. Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated that PLGA and RBC-PLGA nanoparticles reduced peak plasma concentrations and prolonged systemic exposure. Among the nanoparticles, RBC-PLGA exhibited the most prolonged pharmacokinetic profile, with delayed time to maximum plasma concentration (T_max), extended half-life, and increased overall exposure. The nanoparticles improved the pharmacokinetic profile of kahweol by enabling sustained release and prolonged systemic exposure, supporting their potential as delivery platforms for future applications. Full article

Lithium-ion battery energy storage stations are being rapidly deployed for peak regulation, renewable energy integration, and emergency power supply in power systems. Their fire risk is governed by interacting factors, including cell thermal runaway, equipment failure, operating environment, personnel behavior, management systems, and information systems, and is characterized by coupling, dynamic evolution, and confined-space fire spread. Existing static risk assessment methods cannot fully represent feedback among multiple risk factors or connect risk assessment results with the physical-field evolution of fires in energy storage compartments. This study develops an integrated grey relational analysis, system dynamics, and FDS framework. Personnel, equipment, environmental, management, and information risk factors are first established, and their weights are calculated using grey relational analysis. A system dynamics model is then used to analyze the temporal evolution of overall risk and subsystem risk responses. Finally, FDS is applied to simulate fire spread in a 30 ft containerized lithium-ion battery energy storage compartment under no-suppression and water-mist suppression conditions. The results show that the central fire-source region and battery module layer are key areas of gas-phase high-temperature accumulation and potential fire spread. In the no-suppression scenario, the high-temperature region remains localized near the fire source at 3.0 s, expands along the module layer from 30.0 to 50.0 s, and approaches a relatively stable distribution after 70.0 s. Under the investigated simulation conditions, water mist reduces near-source heating, weakens smoke-layer development, and slows spatial fire spread through evaporative cooling, reduced thermal radiation feedback, and disturbance of the hot smoke layer. These findings provide a methodological reference for fire risk assessment and fire suppression design in containerized battery energy storage stations. Full article

This study employs a multi-method, high-precision research approach to evaluate the thermal comfort performance of a window-based direct evaporative cooling (DEC) air conditioning system installed in a university dormitory building (50 rooms) in Beijing. To compensate for the insufficiency of single-day test data, the study was conducted continuously for 30 days from 1 June to 30 June 2026 (00:00–23:59 daily). Eight calibrated sensor sets were deployed in each of the 50 rooms (that is, eight fixed sensor sets per room × 50 rooms = 400 synchronously logged spatial measurement points, each integrating a fixed SHT35 temperature/humidity sensor with a matched hot-wire anemometer probe; this unusually dense, building-scale simultaneous deployment is uncommon in previous dormitory studies), recording data simultaneously across all rooms throughout the test period with the DEC units continuously operating. The research integrates field physical measurement data, standardized subjective questionnaire surveys (200 within-person paired questionnaires, each pairing a student’s retrospective recall of the pre-DEC condition with an in situ vote collected during DEC operation), and advanced computational thermophysiological modeling results based on the frameworks of ISO 7730–2021 and ASHRAE Standard 55–2023. Environmental parameters, including dry-bulb temperature (Ta), relative humidity (RH), and air velocity (Va), were monitored at eight spatially distributed points per room with a 10 Hz sampling frequency and a one-hour median resolution. The mean radiant temperature (Tr) was approximated as equal to Ta due to the absence of globe temperature measurements, and this simplification is discussed as a limitation. Simultaneously, through a single-session questionnaire (June 24–30) compliant with ISO 10551 and the Appendix B requirements of ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55, which paired each respondent’s retrospective recall of the early-June pre-DEC (non-cooled) condition with a concurrent vote collected during DEC operation—a recalled-pre/concurrent-post design rather than two separate real-time pre-/post-intervention surveys—data on clothing ensembles, activity levels, and subjective thermal sensation votes (TSV) were collected. The acquired data were input into a customized simulation platform developed in the Fortran language (which was debugged and cross-validated against the ISO 7730/ASHRAE Standard 55 reference implementation to within 0.01 PMV scale units), which employs the Fanger two-node thermoregulation model to accurately calculate and predict the predicted mean vote (PMV), predicted percentage of dissatisfied (PPD) occupants, new effective temperature (ET*), and standard effective temperature (SET*). The results indicate that the DEC unit achieved a stable outlet temperature reduction of Δt = 3.87 °C (inlet temperature 31.72 °C, outlet temperature 27.85 °C), with an average wet-bulb air temperature of 18.66 °C and an average outlet relative humidity of 58.3% (inlet RH: 42.1%), confirming the expected humidifying effect of direct evaporative cooling while maintaining an average indoor relative humidity of 42.07%—a result particularly relevant to Beijing’s dry-to-semi-humid summer environment, where evaporative cooling is thermodynamically favorable. Because no DEC-off baseline period was monitored, the measured indoor conditions are reported as observational associations with DEC operation rather than as effects attributable exclusively to the unit; the pre-DEC satisfaction level was recalled retrospectively within the same single session and is therefore subject to recall/contrast bias; and all energy-saving figures are theoretical nameplate estimates rather than metered energy consumption. Full article

Glabridin (GLA) is widely applied in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food products; however, its application is limited by poor aqueous solubility, low stability, and low bioavailability. To overcome these disadvantages, Glabridin-Loaded Liposomes (L-GLAs) were prepared using a thin-film hydration–solvent evaporation method combined with high-pressure homogenization. The cumulative release rate of L-GLA within 96 h was higher than that of GLA. The stability of L-GLA was superior to that of GLA. The inhibitory effects and underlying mechanisms of GLA and L-GLA on B16 mouse melanoma cells were investigated. The IC₅₀ of L-GLA against B16 melanoma cells (84.66 μM) was lower than that of GLA (115.5 μM). Both compounds induced apoptosis in B16 cells, with L-GLA exhibiting greater potency. This effect may be related to the inhibition of B16 cell proliferation via G0/G1 phase arrest. Furthermore, in a melanin-producing B16 cell model, the melanin content and tyrosinase (TYR) activity in the GLA and L-GLA groups were lower than those in the model group, and L-GLA exerted a stronger inhibitory effect than GLA. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed that GLA and L-GLA reduced the mRNA expression levels of MITF, TYR, TRP-1, and TRP-2; and Western blotting further confirmed that the protein levels of these melanogenesis-related factors were consistently downregulated in B16 cells following photodynamic treatment. Mechanistically, these anti-melanogenic effects appeared to be associated with the downregulation of MITF and its downstream targets, potentially through the PKA/MITF and MAPK/MITF signaling cascades. Collectively, these findings suggest that liposomal encapsulation may enhance the anti-melanogenic and anti-proliferative bioactivity of GLA, which implies its potential as an improved formulation for biomedical and cosmetic applications. Full article

This work presents an experimental investigation of droplet evaporation dynamics using a step-index multimode fiber-tip (MMF) interferometer. Distilled water, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol (IPA), and their binary mixtures with water were analyzed through complementary frequency- and time-domain approaches. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis was used to identify the dominant spectral components over selected evaporation intervals, while the instantaneous phase obtained from the analytic signal was used to track time-dependent variations in the optical response. For water, dominant components at 8.34 and 9.87 Hz corresponded to thickness-variation rates of −4.85 and −5.75 µm/s, respectively. Ethanol exhibited a dominant component at 15.8 Hz, corresponding to −9.01 µm/s, whereas IPA showed components at 13.2 and 34.8 Hz, associated with rates of −7.46 and −19.6 µm/s. Binary mixtures exhibited multiple spectral components and stronger temporal variability, indicating a nonstationary optical response during evaporation. The frequency- and time-domain results therefore provide complementary descriptions: the FFT identifies the dominant components over the selected interval, whereas instantaneous-phase analysis reveals their temporal evolution. Because the analysis was performed over short, selected evaporation intervals, the refractive index was assumed to remain approximately constant, and the measured phase variations were therefore attributed predominantly to changes in droplet thickness. The retrieved values are consequently interpreted as thickness-variation rates rather than direct mass-loss rates. The proposed approach provides a simple and compact method for monitoring droplet evaporation. Full article

To address the escalating demand for ultra-high-purity tungsten in advanced applications such as semiconductor targets and nuclear-grade shielding, this study synergistically coupled the processes of thermal decomposition, ammonia dissolution, and segmented evaporation crystallization. The optimal parameters for the thermal decomposition and ammonia dissolution stages were subsequently identified through systematic optimization. By independently regulating the nucleation and crystal growth processes during the crystallization of ammonium paratungstate (APT), the limitation of traditional methods, which require multiple crystallization cycles to achieve high purity, is effectively overcome. Experimental results demonstrated that under optimized conditions—thermal decomposition at ~280 °C and ammonia dissolution at 90 °C—high-purity APT (4N5 grade, total impurities < 50 ppm) was achieved in a single crystallization cycle. Furthermore, under segmented crystallization conditions (nucleation at 80 °C with a stirring speed of 1.26 m/s and growth at 90 °C with a stirring speed of 1.09 m/s), the product exhibited an average particle size of 34.43 μm and a direct recovery efficiency of 73.1%. By suppressing burst nucleation and reducing impurity adsorption, this process provides a critical technological pathway for large-scale production of ultra-high-purity tungsten materials. Full article