Search Results (114)

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) waste poses a major environmental concern due to its high volume, low density, and resistance to biodegradation. In this study, post-consumer EPS was reprocessed into continuous microfibers by Air Jet Spinning (AJS) using chloroform and chloroform/D-limonene as solvent systems. The effects of polymer concentration, air pressure, and solvent ratio on fiber formation were systematically investigated through rheological and surface tension analyses. The incorporation of 10 vol. % D-limonene improved jet stability and reduced bead formation, attributed to its lower volatility and favorable solubility with EPS, as supported by Hansen solubility parameters. SEM analysis confirmed uniform microfiber formation within a defined processing window. FTIR spectra indicated preservation of the polystyrene chemical structure, while TGA and DSC analyses were used to evaluate thermal behavior and assess potential residual solvent retention, particularly related to D-limonene. The results elucidate the interplay between solvent volatility, solution properties, and fiber morphology, establishing a sustainable processing framework for converting EPS waste into value-added fibrous materials via AJS. This work contributes to the United National Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by promoting EPS waste valorization, and SDG 13 (Climate Action) through the partial replacement of conventional solvents with sustainable alternative. Full article

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar Jalo Vermelho carries the Co-12 gene, which confers resistance to both Andean and Mesoamerican races of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. Despite its importance for breeding programs, the genomic location and candidate genes underlying this resistance remain poorly defined. The Co-12 locus was fine-mapped using a biparental population derived from the cross Jalo Vermelho × Crioulo 159. A total of 172 F₂ plants were used to generate 172 F_2:3 families, which were phenotyped after inoculation with race 1545 of C. lindemuthianum. Segregation analysis confirmed a 1:2:1 Mendelian ratio, consistent with a single dominant resistance gene. Genotyping of resistant and susceptible plants using the BARBean6K_3 Illumina BeadChip (5398 SNP markers) mapped Co-12 to chromosome Pv04, between 1695 bp (ss715649768) and 9,651,954 bp (ss715646644). Subsequent fine mapping with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers delimited the locus to a 41 kb genomic interval flanked by BARCPVSSR04557 and BARCPVSSR04570. Within this region, three candidate genes were identified, including one encoding a gamma-glutamyl-GABA enzyme and two encoding lipid transfer proteins (LTP2). Lipid transfer proteins are widely recognized components of plant defense; however, their association with anthracnose resistance in the common bean has not been previously reported. The identification of LTP2 genes within the Co-12 interval suggests a previously unrecognized resistance mechanism and expands the current understanding of host defense pathways in Phaseolus vulgaris. The markers identified here provide valuable tools for marker-assisted selection and will facilitate efficient introgression of Co-12 into common bean cultivars. Full article

This study investigates the influence of laser welding process parameters on the weld bead formation, microstructure, and mechanical properties of high-nitrogen steel. Results indicate that as laser power increases, the weld bead width expands, while the cross-sectional porosity exhibits a trend of initially decreasing and then increasing. The lowest porosity is achieved at a power of 2.1 kW and a welding speed of 8 mm/s. Microstructural analysis revealed that higher laser power promotes grain coarsening, increases the proportion of high-angle grain boundaries, and raises the ferrite phase content. At 2.4 kW, the weld zone exhibits high dislocation density and significant lattice distortion. Regarding mechanical properties, the hardness of the weld metal gradually decreased with increasing laser power, while the tensile strength exhibited an initial increase followed by a decrease. The tensile strength (840.5 MPa) was also achieved under the process conditions of 2.1 kW and 8 mm/s. Full article

In order to better understand the mechanical properties of lightweight cement-based composite concrete (LWC), expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads are used as lightweight aggregate (LWA) in this paper. 50%, 70%, and 90% of EPS foam beads by volume are used to partially replace normal fine aggregate in different EPS concrete compositions. In addition, Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) was substituted with silica fume (SF) in EPS concrete at varying weight percentages of 15%. Nine mixes are made in order to examine the properties of EPS concrete. In the testing program, fresh density, slump, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, thermal conductivity, and absorption are all determined. Although workability is improved, the mechanical properties of concrete are generally decreased when EPS beads are used. The addition of silica fume (SF) successfully counteracted the mixture’s overall decline in mechanical properties across all the mixtures that have been used. More solid material can be found per square inch of surface area in materials with a higher density, which results in more continuous heat-conduction pathways. In comparison to the control mix, the compressive strength of the polystyrene modified mixes showed a noticeable decline, falling by roughly 62% for P-50%, 69% for P-70%, and 71% for P-90%. In contrast, mixes P-90%-1.2, P-90%-1.4, and P-90%-1.6 reduced absolute strength compared to P-90%; their performance is nonetheless noteworthy because of their extraordinarily high EPS content. Despite having lesser absolute strengths than P-90%, mixes of P-90%-1.2, P-90%-1.4, and P-90%-1.6 nevertheless performed admirably considering their remarkably high EPS content. Full article

A simple and highly sensitive surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) method has been developed for the detection of thiram residues in fruit juices. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) @ gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) hydrogel beads as SERS substrates were prepared through ionic crosslinking. The obtained porous CMC @ Au NPs hydrogel bead substrates showed excellent sensitivity for the detection of thiram in apple, grape, and orange juices, with detection limits of 0.001, 0.002, and 0.002 mg/L, respectively. The impact of primary non-target components in juices on SERS detection of thiram was investigated, revealing that the presence of sugars and acids caused varying degrees of interference in SERS measurements. This innovative, practical, and affordable CMC @ Au NPs porous hydrogel bead for thiram detection might be readily expanded to analyze a broad spectrum of other compounds found in food goods at trace amounts. Full article

Mast cells (MCs) are innate immune cells that are derived from CD34⁺ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) and mature in peripheral tissues such as skin and mucosa. Mature human MCs can be generated from peripheral blood, but this process requires substantial blood volumes as HSPC frequencies are typically very low. The aim of this study was to validate a new in-house-developed protocol for the generation of MCs from less than 20 mL of peripheral blood. To this end, we used a magnetic bead-based procedure to isolate ‘untouched’ HSPCs from 14 to 16 mL peripheral blood (PB). In total, 12 cultures were set up with blood from seven healthy donors, wherein HSPCs were first expanded for 4 weeks, followed by another 8 weeks of culture in MC maturation-inducing medium. Flowcytometric analysis, histochemical staining, and degranulation assays were used to assess their phenotypic and functional features. Our data show comparable expression of cytoplasmic granules and cell-surface expression of MRGPRX2, FcεR1α, and CD117 in 8/12 blood-derived MCs (PB-MCs) and buffy coat-derived HSPCs (BC-MCs). PB-MCs responded to classic stimulating agents like IgE/anti-IgE and C48/80. Hence, our novel MC generation protocol yields functionally competent MCs with no compromise in their maturation or activation potential despite 12 weeks of in vitro culture. Full article

Background/Objectives: Inflammation may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, evidence linking early-pregnancy cytokines to subsequent GDM risk remains inconsistent, with most prior research focusing only on CRP, IL6, and TNFα. In this study, we expand on prior work by evaluating a broader range of immune markers and assessing sociodemographic factors as potential moderators. Methods: Data from a prospective U.S. pregnancy cohort (n = 308) were analyzed. Twenty cytokines were quantified in maternal first-trimester plasma using the MILLIPLEX High-Sensitivity Human Cytokine Magnetic Bead Panel. One-hour oral glucose (50 g) tolerance test (OGTT) values assessed at an average gestational age of 27.7 weeks (SD = 2.9) and GDM diagnosis were abstracted from medical records. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used to examine associations between cytokines and 1 h 50 g OGTT levels or GDM diagnosis, adjusting for key sociodemographic factors. Interactions terms were included to evaluate whether sociodemographic factors moderated cytokine–GDM relationships. Results: Sixteen women (5.1%) were diagnosed with GDM. Higher first-trimester high-sensitivity-IL6 levels were significantly associated with increased 1 h 50 g OGTT values (b = 3.76; 95% CI: 0.21, 7.32; p = 0.04) and greater odds of GDM (OR = 2.36; 95% CI: 1.17, 4.77; p = 0.02). These associations were more pronounced among Non-Hispanic White women compared to Non-Hispanic Black women (p for interaction = 0.03) and potentially those with normal weight or underweight during early pregnancy compared to overweight or obese women (p for interaction = 0.08). Conclusions: Elevated inflammatory markers, particularly high-sensitivity IL6, in early pregnancy are linked to impaired glucose metabolism and increased GDM risk later in pregnancy. These relationships appeared stronger in Non-Hispanic White women and women with normal weight or underweight during early pregnancy, underscoring the potential to develop serology-based early identification and prevention strategies. Full article

Thermosensitive nanogels undergo a volume phase transition in response to temperature changes, making them promising candidates for applications, such as water pollutant remediation and drug delivery. In this study, we investigated the thermosensitive volume phase transition of a neutral poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) nanogel using coarse-grained dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations conducted using ESPResSo software with varying bead volumes. Langevin dynamics simulations were employed to compare the results. In DPD simulations, water is explicitly treated, whereas in Langevin dynamics, it is treated implicitly, and hydrophobic interactions are represented by an attractive potential between monomer beads. Our results, including the radius of gyration and various radial distribution functions, revealed a clear volume phase transition as the temperature varied, transitioning from an expanded state to a collapsed state. Notably, the volume phase transition observed in Langevin simulations is attributed to the attractive potential between the PNIPAM monomers, whereas in the DPD simulations, it arises from implicit hydrophobic interactions, obviating the need for an additional attractive potential between the monomer beads. This implicit hydrophobic effect originates from the temperature dependence of the Flory–Huggins interaction parameter. Full article

The risk of explosive spalling in high-strength cement-based materials during fire exposure poses a significant threat to structural integrity. To help mitigate this issue, this study explores the use of expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads as both a lightweight filler and a potential spalling-reduction agent in lightweight geopolymer and conventional cementitious mortars. Two EPS-containing mortars were developed: a lightweight alkali-activated slag (LWAS) mortar and a conventional lightweight Portland cement (LWPC) mortar, both incorporating EPS beads as a 50% volumetric replacement for sand. Specimens from both mortars were subjected to elevated temperatures of 200 °C, 400 °C, and 600 °C at a heating rate of 10 °C/min to simulate a rapid-fire scenario. Following thermal exposure, two cooling regimes were employed: gradual cooling within the furnace and rapid cooling by water immersion. Mechanical performance was evaluated through compressive, splitting tensile, and impact tests at room and elevated temperatures. Microstructural analysis was also conducted to examine internal changes and heat-induced damage. The results indicated that LWAS showed remarkable resistance to spalling, remaining intact up to 600 °C due to its nanoporous geopolymer structure, which allowed controlled steam release, while LWPC failed explosively at 550 °C despite EPS pores. At 400 °C, EPS beads enhanced thermal insulation in LWAS, lowering internal temperature by over 100 °C, but increased porosity led to faster strength loss. Both mortars gained strength at 200 °C from continued curing, yet LWAS retained strength better at high temperatures than LWPC. Microscopy revealed that EPS created beneficial fine cracks in the slag matrix but harmful voids in cement. Overall, LWAS composites offer excellent spalling resistance for fire-prone environments, though reinforcement is recommended to mitigate strength loss. Full article

Sediment erosion under turbulent wave action is a highly dynamic process shaped by the interaction between wave properties and sediment characteristics. Despite extensive empirical research, the underlying mechanisms of wave-induced erosion remain insufficiently understood, particularly regarding the threshold energy required for particle mobilization and the factors governing displacement patterns. This study employed a custom-built wave flume and a 3D-printed sampler to examine sediment behavior under controlled wave conditions. Rounded glass beads, chosen to eliminate the influence of particle shape, were used as sediment analogs with a similar specific gravity to natural sand. Ten experiments were conducted to systematically assess the effects of particle size, particle number, input voltage (wave power), and water depth on sediment response. The results revealed that (1) only a fraction of particles were mobilized, with the remainder forming stable interlocking structures; (2) the number of displaced particles increased with particle size, particle count, and water depth; (3) a threshold wave power is required to initiate erosion, though buoyancy under shallow conditions reduces this threshold; and (4) wave steepness, rather than voltage or wave height alone, provided the strongest predictor of sediment displacement. These findings highlight the central role of wave steepness in erosion modeling and call for its integration into predictive frameworks. The study concludes with methodological limitations and proposes future research directions, including expanded soil types, large-scale flume testing, and advanced flow field measurements. Full article

Background: Late sternocutaneous fistulas (SCFs), secondary to chronic sternal osteomyelitis, are uncommon sequelae of median sternotomy and present significant therapeutic challenges. They are frequently linked to low-virulence microorganisms forming biofilms on retained foreign materials. While antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) beads are established in managing chronic osteomyelitis in other anatomical locations, reports describing their use for post-sternotomy SCFs are limited to two early postoperative cases. Case Presentation: We describe a 62-year-old man with a history of triple-vessel coronary artery disease who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting via median sternotomy. Two months postoperatively, he developed an SCF in the upper sternum, initially treated with wire removal, negative pressure wound therapy, and intravenous vancomycin. Recurrence occurred one month later without systemic signs of infection. Imaging revealed inflammatory changes at the level of the manubriosternal junction. Definitive surgery included extensive sternal and costosternal debridement, bilateral anterior arthrolysis of the second ribs, and pulse lavage with 10 L of Microdacyn. The remaining defect was filled with vancomycin- and gentamicin-loaded PMMA beads. The patient had an uneventful recovery with no recurrence at six months. Conclusions: This case suggests that local antibiotic delivery via PMMA beads can be a valuable adjunct in the surgical management of recurrent, late-presenting SCFs after cardiac surgery. Full article

Giardiasis is a globally prevalent waterborne zoonosis. Rapid enrichment and detection technologies for this disease are essential. Cyst outer wall proteins are ideal targets for the enrichment and detection of cysts in the environment, but there are few available targets with suboptimal effectiveness. In this study, Giardia duodenalis (G. duodenalis) cysts were purified, and outer wall proteins were biotinylated, followed by streptavidin magnetic bead purification and mass spectrometry. Sixty-three novel cyst wall proteins were identified, and their functions were annotated through Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG analyses. The β-giardin and α-1 giardin were among the newly identified and predicted to be located on the outer wall of G. duodenalis cysts. For the characterization of these two targets, we applied sequence analysis, prokaryotic expression, preparation of polyclonal antibodies, and determination of subcellular localization. Finally, based on β-giardin immunomagnetic beads were prepared using the polyclonal antibodies and tested for their enrichment efficiency. Immunomagnetic beads targeting β-giardin achieved 65% cyst enrichment efficiency in fecal samples, comparable to conventional methods. Clinical evaluation across 163 multi-host fecal samples (ferrets, Siberian tigers, red-crowned cranes) demonstrated concordance with nested PCR, successfully enriching cysts from PCR-positive specimens. The immunomagnetic beads method targeting β-giardin demonstrated effective G. duodenalis cyst enrichment in multi-host fecal samples. These results provide a proteomic framework for the cyst wall proteins of G. duodenalis, expanding the detection targets for G. duodenalis cysts. It also establishes a theoretical foundation for subsequent research on the composition and function of G. duodenalis cysts. Full article

Acinetobacter baumannii is a multidrug-resistant bacterium that has gained significant attention in recent years due to its involvement in a growing number of hospital-acquired infections. The World Health Organization has classified it as a critical priority pathogen, underscoring the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies. Post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as phosphorylation, play essential roles in various bacterial processes, including antibiotic resistance, virulence or biofilm formation. Although proteomics has increasingly enabled their characterization, the identification of phosphorylated peptides remains challenging, primarily due to the enrichment procedures. In this study, we focused on characterizing serine, threonine, and tyrosine phosphorylation in the A. baumannii ATCC 17978 strain. We optimized three parameters for phosphopeptide enrichment using titanium dioxide (TiO₂) beads (number of enrichment fractions between the phosphopeptides and TiO₂ beads, the quantity peptides and type of loading buffer) to determine the most effective conditions for maximizing phosphopeptide identification. Using this optimized protocol, we identified 384 unique phosphorylation sites across 241 proteins, including 260 novel phosphosites previously unreported in A. baumannii. Several of these phosphorylated proteins are involved in critical bacterial processes such as antimicrobial resistance, biofilm formation or pathogenicity. We discuss these proteins, focusing on the potential functional implications of their phosphorylation. Notably, we identified 34 phosphoproteins with phosphosites localized at functional sites, such as active sites, multimer interfaces, or domains important for structural integrity. Our findings significantly expand the current phosphoproteomic landscape of A. baumannii and support the hypothesis that PTMs, particularly phosphorylation, play a central regulatory role in its physiology and pathogenic potential. Full article

Stainless steel, due to its exceptional comprehensive properties, has been widely adopted as the primary material for liquid cargo tank containment systems and pipelines in liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers. However, challenges such as hot cracking, excessive deformation, and the deterioration of welded joint performance during stainless steel welding significantly constrain the construction quality and safety of LNG carriers. While conventional tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding can produce high-integrity welds, it is inherently limited by shallow penetration depth and low efficiency. Magnetic field-assisted TIG welding technology addresses these limitations by introducing an external magnetic field, which effectively modifies arc morphology, refines grain structure, enhances penetration depth, and improves corrosion resistance. In this study, TIG bead-on-plate welding was performed on 304 stainless steel plates, with a systematic investigation into the dynamic arc behavior during welding, as well as the microstructure and anti-corrosion properties of the deposited metal. The experimental results demonstrate that, in the absence of a magnetic field, the welding arc remains stable without deflection. As the intensity of the alternating magnetic field intensity increases, the arc exhibits pronounced periodic oscillations. At an applied magnetic field intensity of 30 mT, the maximum arc deflection angle reaches 76°. With increasing alternating magnetic field intensity, the weld penetration depth gradually decreases, while the weld width progressively expands. Specifically, at 30 mT, the penetration depth reaches a minimum value of 1.8 mm, representing a 44% reduction compared to the non-magnetic condition, whereas the weld width peaks at 9.3 mm, corresponding to a 9.4% increase. Furthermore, the ferrite grains in the weld metal are significantly refined at higher alternating magnetic field intensities. The weld metal subjected to a 30 mT alternating magnetic field exhibits the highest breakdown potential, the lowest corrosion rate, and the most protective passive film, indicating superior corrosion resistance compared to other tested conditions. Full article

In order to clarify the feasibility of constructing a gas storage reservoir through synergistic injection and production in the target reservoir, micro-displacement experiments and multi-cycle injection–production experiments were conducted. These experiments investigated the displacement characteristics and the factors affecting storage capacity during the multi-cycle injection–production process for converting the target reservoir into a gas storage facility. Microscopic displacement experiments have shown that the remaining oil is primarily distributed in the dead pores and tiny pores of the core in the form of micro-bead chains and films. The oil displacement efficiency of water flooding followed by gas flooding is 18.61% higher than that of gas flooding alone, indicating that the transition from water flooding to gas flooding can further reduce the liquid saturation and increase the storage capacity space by 2.17%. Single-tube long-core displacement experiments indicate that, during the collaborative construction of a gas storage facility, the overall oil displacement efficiency without a depletion process is approximately 24% higher than that with a depletion process. This suggests that depletion production is detrimental to enhancing oil recovery and expanding the capacity of the gas storage facility. During the cyclic injection–production stage, the crude oil recovery rate increases by 1% to 4%. As the number of cycles increases, the incremental oil displacement efficiency in each stage gradually decreases, and so does the increase in cumulative oil displacement efficiency. Better capacity expansion effects are achieved when gas is produced simultaneously from both ends. Parallel double-tube long-core displacement experiments demonstrate that, when the permeability is the same, the oil displacement efficiencies during the gas flooding stage and the cyclic injection–production stage are essentially identical. When there is a permeability contrast, the oil displacement efficiency of the high-permeability core is 9.56% higher than that of the low-permeability core. The ratio of the oil displacement efficiency between the high-permeability end and the low-permeability end is positively correlated with the permeability contrast; the greater the permeability contrast, the larger the ratio. The research findings can provide a reference for enhancing oil recovery and expanding the capacity of the target reservoir when it is converted into a gas storage facility. Full article