Search Results (3,116)

Cardiospheres (CSs) are widely used to boost the pro-reparative potential of adult cardiac cells, mediated through their unique secretome profile. The original CS generation method relies on self-assembly of cardiac explant-derived cells (EDCs) on poly-D-lysine (PDL)-coated plates, but yields inconsistently sized spheroids, restricting broader applications. To address this, we employed ultra-low attachment (ULA) U-well plates to promote uniform spheroid assembly. We systematically compared CSs generated from mouse EDCs using the standard method, based on PDL-coated plates, and the alternative approach, based on ULA U-well plates. Both methods produced viable CSs mimicking the cardiac microenvironment, including mesenchymal cells/fibroblasts, smooth muscle, endothelial, and progenitor cells. PDL-formed CSs were characterized by size heterogeneity, increased stiffness, and reduced endothelial cell content. Despite that, they demonstrated elevated secretion of angiogenesis-related factors and robust proangiogenic potential in vivo. In contrast, generation of mCSs on ULA U-well plates resulted in the formation of soft spheroids with uniform size, enhanced vascularization (CD31+ cells), and increased MCP-1 secretion. In summary, the alternative U-well-based approach enables the generation of uniform spheroids with high spontaneous vascularization, while traditionally formed CSs using PDL-coated plates maintain their superior proangiogenic potential. Full article

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) based on metal halides have garnered significant attention due to their exceptional power conversion efficiency (PCE) and compatibility with low-temperature fabrication processes. However, the development of stable and inexpensive carbon electrodes remains hindered by issues such as insufficient conductivity at the carbon electrode/perovskite interface and weak coupling strength. In this study, we employed a functionalized carbazole–cellulose composite (C–Cz) as an alternative binder to construct highly stable carbon electrodes for PSCs. The incorporation of C–Cz enhances electron interactions through its conjugated carbazole moieties, while the cellulose backbone facilitates uniform dispersion of carbon particles and forms continuous transport pathways. These synergistic effects significantly optimize interfacial energy alignment and defect passivation. Ultimately, p-i-n PSCs fabricated with C–Cz carbon paste electrodes achieved a champion PCE of 16.79%, substantially outperforming the control device using a conventional PMMA binder (10.56%). Notably, the exceptional hydrophobicity and defect passivation capabilities of the C–Cz electrode substantially enhance device durability—maintaining over 95% of initial efficiency after 400 h of continuous maximum power point tracking irradiation. This study reveals an effective adhesive engineering strategy for robust, scalable carbon electrodes, paving new pathways for practical applications in stable perovskite photovoltaics. Full article

The construction of rational absolute nodal coordinate formulation (RANCF) elements is usually based on a linear transformation of non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) geometry. However, this linear transformation can lead to property transfer issues, which greatly reduce the modeling efficiency, especially for conic sections. To overcome this limitation, we first analyze the geometric constraints of conic sections and derive a unique defining equation in rational parametric form. A corresponding degree-elevation formula is also obtained. Using these results, we propose a direct definition method for RANCF elements that explicitly exploits the analytic properties of conic sections. The method provides fast and accurate expressions for the nodal coordinates and weights, and thus enables efficient modeling of RANCF elements for conic-section configurations. We also mitigate the arbitrariness in element definition by introducing, for the first time, the concept of a mapping factor K, which characterizes the mapping between the physical space and the parameter space. Based on this mapping factor, we establish a parameterization procedure for RANCF conic-section elements. An evaluation criterion for K is further proposed and used to define the optimal mapping factor K_opt, which yields an optimal parameterization and allows the construction of K_opt elements. Numerical examples demonstrate that, in large-deformation analyses of flexible systems, the proposed elements can achieve a given accuracy with fewer elements than conventional approaches. Full article

In this article, we develop a novel kernel-based estimation framework for functional regression models in the presence of missing responses, with particular emphasis on the Missing At Random (MAR) mechanism. The analysis is carried out in the setting of stationary and ergodic functional data, where we introduce apparently for the first time a local linear estimator of the regression operator. The principal theoretical contributions of the paper may be summarized as follows. First, we establish almost sure uniform rates of convergence for the proposed estimator, thereby quantifying its asymptotic accuracy in a strong sense. Second, we prove its asymptotic normality, which provides the foundation for distributional approximations and subsequent inference. Third, we derive explicit closed-form expressions for the associated asymptotic variance, yielding a precise characterization of the limiting law. These results are obtained under standard structural assumptions on the relevant functional classes and under mild regularity conditions on the underlying model, ensuring broad applicability of the theory. On the methodological side, the asymptotic analysis is exploited to construct pointwise confidence regions for the regression operator, thereby enabling valid statistical inference. Furthermore, a comprehensive set of simulation experiments is conducted, demonstrating that the proposed estimator exhibits superior finite-sample predictive performance when compared to existing procedures, while simultaneously retaining robustness in the presence of missingness governed by MAR mechanisms. Full article

Multimodal nanocomposites that combine optical and magnetic functionalities are of great interest for applications such as imaging and temperature sensing. Ternary CuInS₂ (CIS)-based quantum dots (QDs) offer low toxicity, strong near-infrared (NIR) emission, and high photostability, making them promising for optical nanothermometry and imaging. In this study, CIS QDs were synthesized using an aqueous cysteine-mediated approach. Manganese ferrite (MnFe₂O₄) nanoparticles were prepared as the magnetic component due to their non-toxicity and superparamagnetic properties. To integrate both functionalities, QDs and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were encapsulated in silica and then combined to form multimodal CIS/MnFe₂O₄/SiO₂ nanocomposites. The structure and morphology of the materials were characterized by TEM and XRD, while their optical properties were examined using UV–Vis, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. This design ensured optical isolation, preventing fluorescence quenching while maintaining colloidal stability. The obtained composites exhibited PL in the NIR region and a thermosensitivity of 2.04%/°C. TEM analysis confirmed uniform silica shell formation and successful integration of both components within the composite. The materials also retained the superparamagnetic behavior of MnFe₂O₄, making them suitable for combined optical and magnetic functionalities. These results demonstrate the potential of CIS/MnFe₂O₄/SiO₂ nanocomposites as multifunctional platforms for optical imaging, temperature monitoring, and magnetically modulated effects. Full article

Transgender and gender-diverse teachers occupy a precarious position within educational spaces, often facing increased scrutiny and regulation aimed at disciplining their gender expression. This article brings to light original and significant insights by exploring how transgender and gender-diverse teachers resist and subvert cisnormative dress codes, as acts of self-affirmation and resistance within their professional educational contexts. Through an unconventional lens of Barad’s feminist new materialism combined with Wieringa’s continuum of symbolic subversion, our analysis offers an important theoretical contribution by interpreting how these individuals negotiate and challenge institutional cisnormativity, unsettling the tacit expectations of gendered professionalism in their trans embodiment. Drawing on the experiences of three transgender and gender-diverse teacher participants, a group often overlooked, this paper integrates findings from two distinct qualitative studies which used a participatory-focused ‘object-interview’ methodology. Findings from these in-depth studies reveal that transgender and gender-diverse teachers trouble dress code regulations by simultaneously embodying resistance and compliance, effectively reshaping and disrupting gendered expectations and institutional norms. While some forms of self-affirmation expressed by participants remained unseen, others materialised as embodied subversions of normative organisational expectations. Additionally, the degree of agency these teachers have in resisting binary dress code constraints is contingent on the entanglements of the teachers themselves, students, school policies, leadership and institutional climates. Unexpectedly, this research suggests that schools can act as sites of visibility and safety for transgender and gender-diverse teachers, where gender expression is validated and extends beyond the classroom. This article concludes by recognising that, when transgender and gender-diverse teachers resist uniformity and dress code norms, they embody their affirmed identities and, in doing so, offer vital representation for transgender and gender-diverse students, providing a sense of belonging, possibility, and authenticity within educational spaces. Full article

To study the mechanical properties and displacement evolution of rock masses near coal-seam normal faults under mining disturbances; this paper utilizes fiber optic monitoring and distributed strain measurement techniques to achieve the fine monitoring of the entire process of stress–displacement–strain during mining. The experimental design adopts a stepwise mining approach to systematically reproduce the evolution of fault formation; slip; and instability. The results show that the formation of normal faults can be divided into five stages: compressive deformation; initiation; propagation; slip; and stabilization. The strength of the fault plane is significantly influenced by the dip angle. As the dip angle increases from 30° to 70°, the peak strength decreases by 23%, and the failure mode transitions from tensile failure to shear failure. Under mining disturbances, the stress field in the overlying rock shifts from concentration to dispersion, with a stress mutation zone appearing in the fault-adjacent area. During unloading, vertical stress decreases by 45%, followed by a rebound of 10% as mining progresses. The rock layers above the goaf show significant subsidence, with the maximum vertical displacement reaching 150 mm. The displacement between the hanging wall and footwall differs, with the maximum horizontal displacement reaching 78 mm. The force chain distribution evolves from being dominated by compressive stress to a compressive–tensile stress coupling state. The fault zone eventually enters a stress polarization state and tends toward instability. A large non-uniform high-speed zone forms at the fault cutting point in the velocity field, revealing the mechanisms of fault instability and the initiation of dynamic disasters. These experimental results provide a quantitative understanding of the multi-physics coupling evolution characteristics of coal-seam normal faults under mining disturbances. The findings offer theoretical insights into the instability of coal-seam normal faults and the mechanisms behind the initiation of dynamic disasters. Full article

This review investigates how cell form factors (cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch) and electrode architecture (jelly-roll, stacked, and blade) influence the performance, safety, and manufacturability of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) across the main commercial chemistries LiFePO₄ (LFP), Li (NiMnCo)O₂ (NMC), LiNiCoAlO₂ (NCA), and LiCoO₂ (LCO). Literature, OEM datasheets, and teardown analyses published between 2015 and 2025 were examined to map the interdependence among geometry, electrode design, and electrochemical behavior. The comparison shows trade-offs among gravimetric and volumetric energy density, thermal runaway tolerance, cycle lifespan, and cell-to-pack integration efficiency. LFP, despite its lower nominal voltage, offers superior thermal stability and a longer cycle life, making it suitable for both prismatic and blade configurations in EVs and stationary storage applications. NMC and NCA chemistries achieve higher specific energy and power by using jelly-roll architectures that are best suited for tabless or multi-tab current collection, enhancing uniform current distribution and manufacturability. Pouch cells provide high energy-to-weight ratios and flexible packaging for compact modules, though they require precise mechanical compression. LCO remains confined to small electronics owing to safety and cost limitations. Although LFP’s safety and affordability make it dominant in cost-sensitive applications, its low voltage and energy density limit broader adoption. LiMnFePO₄ (LMFP) cathodes offer a pathway to enhance voltage and energy while retaining cycle life and cost efficiency; however, their optimization across various form factors and electrode architecture remains underexplored. This study establishes an application-driven framework linking form factors and electrode design to guide the design and optimization of next-generation lithium-ion battery systems. Full article

The present study explores the comparative influence of reduced graphene oxide (rGO), silver nanowires (AgNWs), and their hybrid rGO–AgNWs on the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performance of polyaniline (PANI)-based flexible films prepared using a polycaprolactone (PCL) matrix. The nanocomposites were synthesized through in situ oxidative polymerization of aniline in the presence of individual or hybrid fillers, followed by their dispersion in the PCL matrix and casting of the corresponding films. Morphological and structural characterization (SEM, Raman, and FTIR spectroscopy) confirmed a uniform PANI coating on both rGO sheets and AgNWs, forming hierarchical 3D conductive networks. Thermal (TGA) and thermomechanical (TMA) analyses revealed enhanced thermal stability and stiffness across all composite systems, driven by strong interfacial interactions and restricted polymer chain mobility. Tmax increased from 437.9 °C for neat PCL to 487.9 °C for PANI/PCL, 480.6 °C for PANI/rGO/PCL, 499.4 °C for PANI/AgNWs/PCL and 495.0 °C for the hybrid PANI/rGO–AgNWs/PCL film. The gradual decrease in contact angle following the order PANI/AgNWs/PCL < PANI/rGO–AgNWs/PCL < PANI/rGO/PCL < PANI/PCL < PCL clearly indicates a systematic increase in surface polarity and surface energy with the incorporation of conductive nanofillers. Electrical conductivity reached 60.8 S cm⁻¹ for PANI/rGO/PCL, gradually decreasing to 27.4 S cm⁻¹ for PANI/AgNWs/PCL and 22.1 S cm⁻¹ for the quaternary hybrid film. The EMI shielding effectiveness (SET) measurements in the X-band (8–12 GHz) demonstrated that the PANI/rGO/PCL film exhibited the highest attenuation (~7.2 dB). In contrast, the incorporation of AgNWs partially disrupted the conductive network, reducing SE to ~5–6 dB. The findings highlight the distinct and synergistic roles of 1D and 2D fillers in modulating the electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties of biodegradable polymer films, offering a sustainable route toward lightweight, flexible EMI shielding materials. Full article

Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSSs) on silicon, generated by ultrashort pulsed lasers, provide an efficient means to tailor surface functionality. This work presents a multiphysics finite element study on the thermomechanical dynamics of silicon wafers irradiated by picosecond laser pulses, focusing on the melting regime where thermomechanical and hydrodynamic effects dominate. To illustrate the sequential nature of laser scanning, single-pulse irradiation models are developed as thermomechanical analogues of sequential laser irradiations. By positioning the laser focus near reflective boundaries and corners of the target, these models reproduce the stress wave interference that would occur between successive pulses in laser scanning. The results show that periodic surface structures are enhanced from mechanical standing wave interference within the molten layer, forming ripples with near-wavelength periodicity. The penetration depth (PD) is identified as a key factor controlling the duration and stability of these ripples: shallow PDs (75–150 nm) yield distinct, persistent patterns, while deeper PDs (~2.5 μm) lead to extended melting and hydrodynamic smoothing. Simulations of sequential laser pulse irradiations confirm that residual stresses and strains from the first pulse amplify deformation during the second, enhancing ripple amplitude and uniformity. Thus, the role of controlled excitation of mechanical standing waves governed by PD, boundary geometry, and pulse sequencing, in deterministic LIPSSs formation on silicon is revealed. Full article

Protein and nucleic acid play central roles in biology and pharmaceuticals. Both share a similar architecture made of a backbone and side chains. Protein has a peptide backbone and various side chains, whereas nucleic acid has a phosphate backbone and aromatic side chains. However, they are significantly different in the chemical properties of the backbone and side chains. The protein backbone is uncharged, while nucleic acid backbone is negatively charged. The protein side chains comprise widely different chemical properties. On the other hand, the nucleic acid side chains comprise a uniform chemical property of aromatic bases. Such differences lead to fundamentally different folding, molecular interactions and co-solvent interactions, which are the focus of this review. In regular protein secondary structures, the peptide groups form polar hydrogen bonds, making the interior hydrophilic. The side chains of different chemical properties are exposed on the outside of the protein secondary structures and participate in molecular and co-solvent interactions. On the other hand, hydrophobic/aromatic nucleobase side chains are located inside the typical double helix or quadruplex structures. The charged phosphate groups of the nucleic acid backbone are located outside, participating in electrostatic interactions. The nucleobases are also involved in molecular interactions, when exposed in breaks, hairpins, kinks and loops. These structural differences between protein and nucleic acid confer different interactions with commonly used co-solvents, such as denaturants, organic solvents and polymers. Full article

Alginate-based microcapsules have gained considerable attention as drug delivery systems due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to encapsulate therapeutic agents. In this study, microcapsules were synthesized by crosslinking with calcium ions, with albumin serving as a carrier for doxorubicin. The goal was to develop a stable system capable of controlled drug release under physiological conditions, with potential applications in cancer therapy. Sodium alginate was used as a base polymer, which formed a stable matrix after crosslinking with calcium ions. The resulting microcapsules showed a uniform size distribution in the microscale range. Analyses confirmed their stability in simulated physiological environments with minimal degradation. Observations revealed a homogeneous structure of the microcapsules, while incubation studies confirmed controlled drug release triggered by pH changes. The results indicate that alginate–albumin microcapsules can serve as an effective platform for drug delivery, especially in cancer therapy and other biomedical applications. Full article

Corrosion of steel structures remains a persistent challenge in construction, particularly in coastal and industrial environments where chloride-induced degradation accelerates structural failure. This study presents an eco-friendly approach to improve the corrosion protection of the steel by incorporating Lawsonia inermis (henna) leaf extract into zinc–aluminum silicate coatings. The henna extract was added at varying concentrations (0–12 wt%) to evaluate its influence on structure, adhesion, and electrochemical performance of the coating. Physicochemical characterizations including FTIR, XRD, XRF, and SEM revealed that a 5 wt% addition optimized pigment dispersion, resulting in a denser and more homogeneous coating microstructure. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization tests after 35 days of immersion in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution demonstrated that this formulation achieved the highest impedance and polarization resistance, confirming enhanced corrosion resistance. The improvement was attributed to the dual action of the henna extract: (i) as a dispersant, promoting uniform Zn–Al pigment distribution and reducing porosity, and (ii) as a green corrosion inhibitor, forming an adsorbed protective film on the steel surface. This work highlights the potential of bio-derived additives to enhance the long-term durability of steel infrastructure and supports the development of sustainable protective materials for construction applications. Full article

Although Directed Energy Deposition (DED) of Ti–6Al–4V has been widely explored for its mechanical performance, the combined influence of build orientation and surface position (upskin/downskin) on passive film kinetics and fluoride-induced degradation remains largely unexamined. This study addresses this gap by systematically investigating how processing direction and surface thermal history govern microstructure and corrosion behaviour in Laser-Based DED (LB-DED) Ti–6Al–4V. The alloy was fabricated in XY and XZ orientations, and both upskin and downskin surfaces were evaluated. Microstructural characterisation revealed strong anisotropy, with elongated prior-β grains and directional α + β colonies particularly prominent in the XZ orientation. Electrochemical testing in borate buffer showed stable passivity across all conditions, with XY surfaces forming the most compact oxide films. In a more aggressive 2.5% NaF saliva environment, substantial orientation-dependent degradation was observed: XY specimens maintained low corrosion currents and uniform passive layers, whereas XZ downskin exhibited unstable passivation and extensive micro-pitting. These findings demonstrate, for the first time, that the interplay between build orientation and surface position critically dictates passive film defect structure, stability, and fluoride-driven breakdown, providing new mechanistic insight into the corrosion behaviour of DED Ti–6Al–4V relevant to biomedical applications. Full article

Emerging research highlights important distinctions in symptomatology between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) resulting from a single, discrete event, complex interpersonal traumas in the past, and the pervasive effects of chronic, ongoing complex trauma. Despite these well-documented differences, much of the existing practice and professional guidelines for PTSD-focused interventions apply a uniform framework across the distinct clinical presentations resulting from different types and timing of trauma exposure. This gap carries significant clinical consequences, as individuals may be treated for PTSD and comorbid diagnoses or behavioral difficulties without recognition of the impact of persistent ongoing exposure to trauma. The present article is a clinical applications paper that directly builds upon a prior published theoretical and empirical literature review study that introduces the construct of persistent trauma. The objectives are to (1) examine the effects of persistent trauma; (2) explore four types of persistent trauma exposure differentiated by the predictability and preventability of past and current trauma; and (3) offer intervention strategies tailored to each type of persistent trauma. Using a composite case study methodology, we present intervention strategies to inform treatment for children and families who continue to experience each form of persistent trauma. Full article