Search Results (46,201)

Owing to its inherent electrical conductivity, reversible redox activity, and structural versatility, polypyrrole (PPy) has become an important material for advanced functional coatings. This review summarizes recent advances in PPy-based coatings, systematically exploring the correlation between fundamental material design and macroscopic multifunctional applications. First, the core structural characteristics of PPy and its primary fabrication strategies, including electrochemical deposition, chemical oxidative polymerization, solution processing, and hybrid composite engineering, are delineated. Subsequently, the role of PPy in surface protection is analyzed, with an emphasis on the synergistic mechanisms underlying corrosion mitigation, mechanical durability, and environmental barriers (e.g., anti-fouling and solar-driven desalination). In addition, the application expansion of PPy in emerging fields, such as electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, highly sensitive smart sensing, electroactive energy interfaces, and advanced biomedical electrodes, is summarized. Finally, current challenges—particularly the physicochemical trade-offs among conductivity, interfacial adhesion, and long-term stability—are discussed, and future development directions are prospected. By integrating green processing technologies and data-driven smart system integration, next-generation PPy coatings are expected to meet the demands of flexible electronics, sustainable energy, and precision medicine. Full article

This study reports the development of a hierarchically porous material based on natural diatomite, thermally treated diatomite (450 °C), and an activated carbon-modified diatomite composite for saline groundwater treatment in West Kazakhstan, addressing the need for efficient desalination solutions under real environmental conditions. The material was synthesized via sequential thermal activation at 450 °C followed by incorporation of activated carbon, with bentonite used as a binder to improve mechanical stability. Comprehensive physicochemical characterization (SEM, XRD, XRF, BET, DTA, and FTIR) confirmed significant structural and compositional transformations, including silica enrichment, removal of impurities, and the development of a well-defined hierarchical porous network. The specific surface area increased from 8 to 10 m²/g for natural diatomite to 35–40 m²/g for thermally treated diatomite and further to 55–60 m²/g for the activated carbon-modified diatomite composite, accompanied by enhanced pore volume and mesoporosity. Performance evaluation using real groundwater samples demonstrated that thermally treated diatomite (450 °C) improved removal efficiency by approximately 19%, while the activated carbon-modified diatomite composite achieved 35–37% removal of chloride, sulfate, and total dissolved solids under multi-ion competitive conditions. The enhanced adsorption performance is attributed to the synergistic effect of increased surface area, improved pore accessibility, and additional active sites introduced by activated carbon. The adsorption process is governed by ion bridging mediated by multivalent cations, pore filling within the hierarchical pore structure, and surface complexation on silanol and metal–hydroxyl functional groups. Leaching tests confirmed the structural stability of the composite and indicated no significant release of environmentally relevant elements under aqueous conditions. Compared with natural diatomite, the thermally treated and activated carbon-modified materials demonstrate improved adsorption efficiency and stable performance under realistic groundwater conditions. These results highlight their applicability for decentralized water treatment systems in regions affected by saline groundwater contamination. Full article

We study the planar dynamics of a charged particle subjected to a radially repulsive inverted harmonic potential and a perpendicular uniform magnetic field, a configuration that is relevant to nanoscale-charged transport and confinement in low-dimensional systems. The competition between the destabilizing central repulsion and magnetic field-induced rotational motion gives rise to rich trajectory behavior, including spiraling, unbounded escape, and parameter-dependent quasi-confined motion. The governing coupled differential equations of motion are solved analytically. The resulting trajectories are classified as functions of system parameters. The proposed framework provides insight into charge carrier dynamics in nanostructured environments such as quantum wells, 2D materials, and plasma-like nanosystems, where effective repulsive potentials may arise from external gating or collective interactions. In addition, the model offers a classical analogue for interpreting features associated with magnetic confinement in non-equilibrium or unstable regimes. These results contribute to the theoretical foundation for designing and controlling charged particle motion in emerging nanomaterials and devices. Full article

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory arterial disease and the primary underlying cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. Its development and progression are driven by a mechanistically interconnected triad of endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and vascular inflammation. Current pharmacotherapy, primarily focused on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction through statin-based and adjunctive therapies, does not fully address the residual inflammatory and calcific components of atherosclerotic risk. Menaquinone-7 (MK-7), a long-chain isoform of vitamin K2 with superior bioavailability and extrahepatic tissue distribution, has emerged as a multi-target modulator of atherogenic processes. Its classical function is to serve as a cofactor for the gamma-carboxylation of vitamin K-dependent proteins (VKDPs), principally matrix Gla protein (MGP), the primary endogenous inhibitor of vascular calcification. Beyond this established pathway, a growing body of experimental evidence indicates that MK-7 may modulate endothelial nitric oxide (NO) production through carboxylation-dependent activation of Growth Arrest-Specific Protein 6 (Gas6) and suppress lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis via Ferroptosis Suppressor Protein 1 (FSP1)-mediated reduction of vitamin K hydroquinone (VKH₂). In addition, it may attenuate nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB)-driven inflammatory gene transcription in vascular cells. Previous reviews mainly focused on how vitamin K2 influences vascular calcification and cardiovascular outcomes. However, emerging mechanistic evidence linking MK-7 to endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, ferroptosis, and vascular inflammation has not been comprehensively integrated. This review summarizes the current knowledge of in vitro, animal, observational, and randomized controlled trial evidence for MK-7 in the context of atherosclerosis. It particularly emphasises mechanistic pathways, the strength of evidence, and translational limitations, highlighting the lack of direct human vascular evidence in several areas. Full article

Background: Amikacin remains a key agent in the treatment of severe and complicated infections due to its bactericidal activity and low risk of Clostridioides difficile infection. It retains activity against most aerobic Gram-negative bacteria, including multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas. However, its use is limited by nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Methods: This narrative review evaluates clinical indications, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, dosing strategies, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), and safety profile of amikacin in adult patients based on 56 selected publications. A total of 24 articles were identified through database searches (PubMed and Embase), complemented by 32 additional sources to provide clinical and pharmacological context. Results: Available evidence demonstrates considerable uncertainty regarding the comparative effectiveness of different monitoring strategies. Lower trough concentrations are generally associated with reduced nephrotoxicity; however, an optimal safety threshold has not been clearly established. Guideline-recommended targets vary substantially and are supported by low-quality evidence. Amikacin pharmacokinetics, tissue penetration and toxicity are influenced by patient-specific factors, including critical illness, renal function variability, and concomitant nephrotoxic therapy, particularly vancomycin. Ototoxicity remains an additional clinically relevant concern. Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that uniform dosing and monitoring paradigms are insufficient. Patient-tailored strategies integrating TDM and mitigation of modifiable risk factors are required. Prospective studies comparing monitoring regimens are needed to optimize the safe clinical use of amikacin and inform future guideline development. Full article

Ecological interactions are complex and influenced by historical, ecological, and anthropogenic factors. In mutualistic networks, extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) drive ant–plant interactions, and network structure depends on the ecological flexibility and degree of generalization of the species involved. We evaluated whether plant and ant diversity and topological descriptors, at both network and plant-species levels, differ between networks with and without EFNs and between conservation levels of Neotropical savannas, considering total ants (arboreal and non-arboreal) and only arboreal ants. We sampled six remnants of Neotropical savannas (cerrado sensu stricto) in the Brazilian Cerrado, three preserved and three disturbed. In total, we analyzed 24 interaction networks, involving 45 plant species, 51 ant species, and 358 distinct interactions. Plants without EFNs were richer and more abundant, and nestedness was the only descriptor that varied, being higher in preserved areas (for total ants) and in networks with EFNs (for arboreal ants). In addition, EFN-bearing species showed higher degree, betweenness centrality and closeness centrality. EFN-mediated interactions play a stabilizing role in ant–plant networks, particularly in preserved areas, and maintaining EFN-bearing plant species may promote interaction redundancy and functional resilience in human-impacted savannas. Full article

Cathinone and its synthetic derivatives are among the most popular drugs worldwide. However, the literature provides data on the medicinal and cytotoxic potential of some of these compounds. These data are extremely limited due to the need to obtain additional permits for laboratory studies. Consequently, the therapeutic potential of cathinones may not have been fully explored. Furthermore, the literature provides data on the reduction or reversal of undesirable biological properties of drugs encapsulated in a bio-compatible carrier and administered through targeted therapy. The current study presents preliminary theoretical and experimental tests for further research on target cathinone–graphene–oxide complexes. A non-psychotropic cathinone model—o-fluorophenylacetic acid—was used. The NMR properties (chemical shifts, spin–spin coupling constants, and T₁ relaxation times) of graphene oxide–F-derivative complexes were measured at an acidic and neutral pH. To analyze the structure and stability of the possible complexes in different environments, molecular modelling was performed with simplified graphene oxide models using density functional theory. Experimental data were compared with theoretical values, and the most stable structures that may account for the observed spectral properties of the studied complexes were presented. The obtained data indicate a stronger tendency towards the formation and stabilization of GO-2-fluorophenylacetic acid complexes in a neutral environment. Full article

The use of underutilized biomass improves resource-use efficiency and reduces agricultural waste, particularly in temperate systems cultivating tropical crops. Papaya (Carica papaya L.), grown as an annual crop in these systems, produces substantial trunk biomass that is typically discarded after harvest. This study evaluated the potential of papaya trunk xylem rays as an edible resource through compositional, sensory, and functional analyses. Trunks were harvested at the end of the fruiting period (December) and after exposure to a cold wave (January) and were classified by organ types and maturity level. Xylem rays showed moisture and carbohydrate contents comparable to those of green papaya fruit, and were judged as edible by all panelists (100%) in December-harvested samples. However, exposure to a cold wave reduced sweetness and increased bitterness, resulting in decreased overall acceptability. Nevertheless, boiling effectively reduced bitterness and improved palatability even in cold-exposed samples. In addition, xylem rays exhibited higher total polyphenol content than green papaya fruit, while showing comparable DPPH radical scavenging activity. These results suggest that xylem rays have potential as an edible plant resource with antioxidant-related properties, contributing to resource-use efficiency and potentially providing opportunities for biomass valorization in temperate production systems. Full article

To minimize the influence of interface states and surface damage, by inserting a gate oxide layer, the photoelectrochemical oxidation method was utilized to directly grow the gate oxide layer while simultaneously creating the gate-recessed regions onto gallium nitride (GaN)-based single-gate and dual-gate metal-oxide-semiconductor high-electron-mobility transistors (MOS-HEMTs). Compared to the single-gate structure, the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) channel layer was also modulated by the auxiliary gate, in addition to being modulated by the main gate. Consequently, a wider transconductance range, larger saturation drain-source current, lower gate leakage current, and higher drain-source breakdown voltage were the benefits derived from the auxiliary gate functionality in the dual-gate devices. Moreover, the low-frequency noise characteristics of the GaN-based MOS-HEMTs could also be improved by the dual-gate structure. These experimental results demonstrated that incorporating a dual-gate structure and directly grown gate oxide layers onto GaN-based MOS-HEMTs is a promising alternative for GaN-based low-noise, high-power, and high-frequency applications. Full article

Ocular surface inflammation is a major disruptor of corneal epithelial homeostasis and a key driver of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). Limbal stem cells (LSCs), residing within the specialized limbal niche, maintain corneal transparency through continuous epithelial renewal and by preventing conjunctival encroachment onto the corneal surface. Chronic or severe inflammatory insults—stemming from systemic autoimmune disorders, ocular surface diseases, infections, trauma, or environmental stressors—can damage both LSCs and their microenvironment, ultimately leading to limbal insufficiency. This review synthesizes current insights into the mechanisms by which inflammation impairs LSC survival, including cytokine-mediated cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, immune cell infiltration, and disruption of essential signaling pathways such as Wnt, Notch, and BMP. The distinction between LSC depletion and LSC dysfunction is highlighted, as residual stem cells may persist even in clinically advanced disease and can regenerate the corneal surface once the inflammatory milieu is corrected. Clinical manifestations, staging systems, and diagnostic markers—including p63α, ABCG2, and additional emerging molecular indicators—are summarized to support accurate assessment of LSCD severity. Current therapeutic strategies, ranging from anti-inflammatory medical management to surgical approaches such as SLET, CLET, and allogeneic transplantation, are reviewed alongside evolving regenerative and cell-based therapies. By integrating mechanistic understanding with clinical implications, this review underscores the critical interplay between inflammation and limbal niche failure and emphasizes the importance of early recognition and targeted intervention to preserve or restore LSC function. Full article

Accurate short-term prediction of urban waterlogging depth is essential for real-time flood risk management in rapidly urbanizing areas under climate variability. Departures from quasi-stationary operating conditions, caused by changes in drainage efficiency, inflow patterns, or measurement quality, weaken historical rainfall–water depth relationships, making purely data-driven models prone to error accumulation. In this study, a GeoAI-based, physics-enhanced machine learning framework is proposed, which translates the water balance principle into Physical Violation Scores (PVSs) and incorporates them as additional input features. PVSs remain zero under expected rainfall–water depth behavior and become positive only under departure scenarios, providing sparse and lightweight diagnostic signals without modifying model structures or loss functions. The framework is implemented on five algorithms (Support Vector Machine, Multilayer Perceptron, Random Forest, Extremely Randomized Trees, and XGBoost) to construct physics-enhanced models (PEMs). These are evaluated against original feature models (OFMs) across 1 h and 2 h forecasting horizons. Results show that most PEMs improve prediction performance compared with their corresponding OFMs, with more pronounced gains at the 2 h horizon. Bootstrap analysis and RMSE-based error amplification factor further indicate comparable or lower R² variability and reduced recursive error amplification for most PEMs. Interpretability analyses show that rainfall forcing and water-depth persistence remain dominant predictors, whereas PVSs act as auxiliary diagnostic signals. Overall, the proposed framework provides a lightweight, reliable, interpretable, and scalable GeoAI approach for incorporating water balance knowledge into short-term urban waterlogging prediction, supporting climate resilience and smart urban water management. Full article

Interest in phytotherapy and phytogenic additives in veterinary medicine and animal production has increased considerably, driven by the search for functional alternatives to extensive antimicrobial use and the growing emphasis on food safety. In this context, Curcuma longa L. and its main bioactive compound, curcumin, have attracted attention because of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antimicrobial properties. This review synthesizes recent evidence on the use of C. longa and curcumin in veterinary medicine, with emphasis on the botanical and phytochemical basis of the plant, the main biological mechanisms involved, and reported applications in poultry, swine, ruminants, aquaculture, and companion animals. It further highlights that the interpretation of findings is strongly influenced by botanical identity, phytochemical variability, product type, standardization, dose and route of administration. Available evidence indicates promising effects on antioxidant status, intestinal health, productive performance and hepatic protection in selected experimental models. However, translation into practice remains constrained by the low oral bioavailability of curcumin, formulation heterogeneity and inconsistent reporting. Overall, C. longa represents a promising phytogenic resource, but robust veterinary recommendations require studies in target species, better characterized products and standardized experimental protocols for application. Full article

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune alopecia disease. Evidence suggests that autophagy-related genes (ARGs) may contribute to its pathophysiology. This study aims to explore and identify potential autophagy-related biomarkers and molecular subtypes in AA. Methods: In this study, autophagy-related differential expression genes (ARDEGs) in AA were identified by comparing the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the GSE68801 dataset with the ARGs. Then, we applied three different machine learning methods to identify key hub genes and further verified them on independent datasets. We used the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to evaluate the diagnostic potential of these hub genes and constructed a predictive nomogram. In addition, this study also used the consensus clustering method to define two AA subtypes and explored their immune characteristics and functional pathways through ssGSEA, MCPcounter and enrichment analysis. Experimental validation included qRT-PCR for four hub genes and Western blotting for critical autophagy markers. Results: Our analysis detected 10 ARDEGs in AA. Applying three machine learning algorithms, we identified four candidate hub genes, ATG9B, EIF4EBP1, WIPI1 and CCR2, and verified their expression patterns in independent cohorts. The combined four-gene model and nomogram showed potential diagnostic performance. Consensus cluster analysis divided AA cases into two subtypes, each associated with different immune infiltration and functional pathways. Downregulation of ATG9B and EIF4EBP1 and upregulation of CCR2 were verified by qRT-PCR. Western blotting further suggested altered autophagy-related protein expression in AA lesions, characterized by a reduced LC3B-II/I ratio and Beclin-1 expression and increased SQSTM1 expression. Conclusions: This study identified four candidate autophagy-related genes and two exploratory molecular subtypes in AA and may provide clues for understanding autophagy-related immune dysregulation and support further validation of candidate diagnostic markers. Full article

This paper describes the comprehensive molecular characterisation and application of a commercially available, but structurally undefined, photochromic pigment for the development of textile sensors. The commercial pigment was successfully identified using a multianalytical approach, including analysis using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The identified pigment, ethyl-3′-methyl-3′-phenyl-1′-(propan-2-yl)-1′,3′-dihydrospiro[[4,1,2]benzoxadiazine-3,2′-indole], was used to develop a textile sensor by screen printing on a natural fibre fabric surface. The developed sensor exhibited a reversible colour change from white to pink upon exposure to UVA radiation (369 nm). The sensor is characterised by high sensitivity with a linear dose–response of 0–0.005 J/cm² and a dynamic range of up to 0.05 J/cm². Furthermore, the sensor’s molecular safety profile was assessed, including elemental composition and cytotoxicity tests on human dermal fibroblasts, which confirmed the sensor’s biocompatibility with occasional skin contact. In addition to its use in decorative and security elements for product authentication, this study demonstrates the sensor’s ability to map the 2D UVA radiation dose distribution. This research highlights the importance of precise molecular identification in the design of functional, safe, and intelligent textile systems. Full article

Vanadium tailings-based ceramsite (VT-Ceramsite), a type of porous ceramsite synthesized from vanadium tailings, was employed for the adsorption of fluoride ions from high-fluoride wastewater. This approach not only mitigates environmental pollution caused by industrial solid waste but also effectively removes fluoride contaminants from wastewater. The effects of vanadium tailings content, sintering temperature, and sintering time on the adsorption performance of the VT-Ceramsite were systematically investigated. Comprehensive characterizations via XRD, SEM, BET, and adsorption modeling reveal that fluoride sequestration by VT-Ceramsite is governed by the synergy between physical diffusion and chemical interactions. While the porous architecture provides essential transport pathways, the chemically active sites facilitate stable bonding. Future research will prioritize surface functionalization and tailoring strategies to augment the density of these active sites, thereby maximizing the adsorption potential for treating complex industrial effluents. The optimal preparation conditions were determined to be a ratio of 6.5:2.5:1 for vanadium tailings, fly ash, and kaolin, with a preheating temperature of 300 °C for 20 min and a sintering temperature of 900 °C for 20 min. In these conditions, the adsorption capacity for fluorine ions can reach 43.59 mg/g. VT-Ceramsite exhibited a specific surface area of 3.61 m²/g, hydrochloric acid solubility of 1.2%, and a void fraction of 48.68%, all parameters met national industrial standards. In addition, the leaching concentrations of heavy metals were found to be well below the limits specified in CJ/T 299-2008, indicating that the material poses no risk of secondary pollution. The study provides an economical, safe, and environmentally friendly route for the utilization of solid waste, and it offers a promising adsorbent for treating high-fluoride wastewater. Full article