Search Results (321)

Background/Objectives: mRNA display technology has emerged as a powerful platform for discovering macrocyclic peptides against intractable proteins. However, direct screening against the “undruggable” transcription factor MYC using this approach remains largely unexplored. In this study, we aimed to integrate tyrosinase-mediated cyclization with mRNA display to identify novel macrocyclic peptide inhibitors targeting MYC. Methods: We performed mRNA display combined with tyrosinase-mediated cyclization to generate macrocyclic peptides targeting MYC. Antiproliferative activity was assessed in MYC-dependent tumor cells using CCK8 assay. C-terminal fusions with a TAT-derived cell-penetrating peptide were generated to enhance cell membrane permeability. Binding affinities were measured by bio-layer interferometry (BLI). MYC transcriptional activity was evaluated by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of canonical MYC target genes. Results: The identified macrocyclic peptides exhibited potent antiproliferative activity against MYC-dependent tumor cells, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values in the micromolar range. Fusion with the TAT peptide improved antiproliferative potency, yielding IC₅₀ values of 1–3 μM in MYC-dependent cell lines. BLI assays confirmed dose-dependent binding of the peptides to MYC, with dissociation constants (Kd) in the micromolar range. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis revealed significant downregulation of canonical MYC target genes upon treatment with the TAT-fusion macrocyclic peptide, indicating specific suppression of MYC transcriptional activity. Conclusions: This work establishes the feasibility of using mRNA display to target the “undruggable” protein MYC and identifies a panel of macrocyclic peptides as promising lead candidates for further optimization toward targeted therapies for MYC-driven cancers. Full article

The study analyzed the effect of diffusion path lengths (initial, average, and final half-thicknesses) on the shrinkage, effective moisture diffusivity, activation energy, and pre-exponential factor of thin-layer red delicious apple slices under convective drying conditions (temperature from 40 °C to 80 °C at 10 h drying time). The results show that the shrinkage increased from 31.09% at 40 °C to a maximum of 42.65% at 70 °C, then slightly decreased to 36.77% at 80 °C, indicating that shrinkage did not increase linearly with drying temperature. The diffusion path lengths yielded effective moisture diffusivities ranging from 1.43 × 10⁻¹⁰ to 10.31 × 10⁻¹⁰ m²/s, with the average characteristic length providing the most realistic representation of the effective moisture diffusivity. The high coefficient of determination (R² = 0.965), consistent with the model efficiency value, confirms that the Arrhenius model fits the experimental diffusivity data across the temperature range studied. The mean absolute percentage error of 12% between the experimental and predicted diffusivities confirms the reliability of Fick’s and Arrhenius models. The activation energy ranged from 21.56 to 26.03 kJ/mol across diffusion path lengths, indicating a moderate sensitivity of moisture diffusion to temperature. Full article

Functionally graded AA2024/B₄C metal matrix composites were fabricated via mechanical alloying and hot pressing to investigate structure–property–radiation shielding relationships. Single-layer, two-layer, and three-layer architectures with varying B₄C contents were systematically produced. Microstructural homogeneity and phase constitution were examined using SEM/EDS and XRD, while thermal stability was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. Density and porosity measurements were conducted to assess the influence of reinforcement distribution and functional grading on densification behavior. Gamma radiation shielding performance was experimentally evaluated using a ¹⁵²Eu source and an HPGe detector over a wide photon energy range. Key shielding parameters, including linear and mass attenuation coefficients, half-value layer, tenth-value layer, mean free path, and radiation protection efficiency, were determined. The results reveal that functional grading significantly enhances radiation attenuation compared to monolithic composites. The three-layer AA2024/B₄C composite exhibited the highest attenuation coefficients and the lowest HVL, TVL, and MFP values at all investigated energies, achieving nearly 100% improvement in shielding efficiency relative to unreinforced AA2024. These findings demonstrate that controlled B₄C distribution and layered composite architecture provide a synergistic improvement in thermal stability, physical integrity, and radiation shielding performance, positioning functionally graded AA2024/B₄C composites as efficient lightweight materials for advanced radiation shielding applications. These results indicate that the developed functionally graded AA2024/B₄C composites are promising candidates for advanced radiation shielding applications in nuclear facilities, aerospace structures, and medical radiation protection systems, where lightweight and high-performance materials are critically required. Full article

The increasing utilization of radiation in medicine, industry, and water purification highlights the need for efficient radiation-protection materials. This study investigates lead-free polymer composites based on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) filled with four metallic fillers: tungsten carbide (WC), molybdenum carbide (MoC), tungsten (W), and molybdenum (Mo) at 15 wt%. The objective is to evaluate their potential as alternatives to lead for shielding ionizing radiation. Mechanical performance was examined through tensile testing, while thermal stability was assessed based on the residual mass. Radiation-attenuation behavior was analyzed through linear and mass attenuation coefficients (µ and µₘ), radiation protection efficiency (RPE), half-value layer (HVL), mean free path (MFP), buildup factors (B), and effective atomic number (Z_eff) within the 47.9–248 keV energy range. The HDPE/W composite exhibited the greatest enhancement, with a mass attenuation coefficient (µₘ) 82.5% higher than that of pure HDPE, along with the highest linear attenuation coefficient (µ). Furthermore, tungsten-loaded samples achieved an RPE of 98.05% at 47.9 keV. The increased density, low B, and high Z_eff values collectively contribute to superior shielding performance. These findings indicate that HDPE filled with WC, MoC, W, and Mo are promising lead-free candidates for low-energy X-ray shielding applications. Full article

Photonic jets (PJs) generated from mesoscale dielectric particles can achieve sub-diffraction-scale light field constraints and significant near-field intensity enhancement, which have important application value in the fields of nanoimaging, optical sensing, and laser processing. Recent studies show that the axial-extension and transverse-focus characteristics of PJs can be effectively regulated through interface engineering methods, such as using double-layer structures and truncated geometries. Such structures can be referred to as Janus microstructures separated by surface refracted interfaces. However, systematic research on the effect of incident light polarization on the formation and regulation of PJs on the surface interfaces of Janus systems is lacking. In this study, the PJ characteristics under polarization regulation in curved-interface Janus microcylinders are systematically investigated by performing full-wave numerical simulations. The results show that polarization modulation introduces a new degree of freedom for regulating the energy flow distribution and morphology of PJs. An appropriate polarization state can be selected to effectively regulate key characteristic parameters, such as the length, peak intensity, and full width at half maximum of the nanojet, without changing the particle geometry or material composition. This study reveals the synergy between the surface-interface Janus structures and polarization engineering, providing a new physical method for the flexible regulation of PJs in near-field optics. Full article

The integration of mechanics-based analysis and materials design procedures has become central to the development of multi-material structures with tailored mechanical and dynamic performance. In this study, the dynamic and flexural behaviour of multi-material FDM sandwich beams composed of PETG face sheets and an ABS core is experimentally investigated. Seven different infill patterns Grid, Line, Wavy, Honeycomb, Gyroid, Cubic, and Triangle were implemented in the core layer to assess their influence on damping and natural frequency behaviour. Experimental modal analysis was performed using impact testing to identify the first three vibration modes. Natural frequencies were extracted from Frequency Response Functions (FRFs), and modal damping ratios were determined using the half-power bandwidth method. The reliability of the damping results was evaluated through statistical analysis. Additionally, quasi-static three-point bending tests were conducted to assess flexural strength and load-carrying capacity. The results demonstrate that infill topology has a significant impact on both dynamic and mechanical responses. In particular, geometrically complex infill patterns exhibit enhanced stiffness, higher natural frequencies, and improved damping performance. Among the investigated designs, the Triangle infill exhibited the highest natural frequency values across the first three vibration modes (f₁ ≈ 24.910 Hz, f₂ ≈ 162.609 Hz, f ≈ 466.595 Hz), indicating its superior stiffness characteristics. In terms of damping behaviour, the Cubic infill showed the highest loss factor in the first vibration mode (0.0426), while the Line and Gyroid patterns exhibited the highest damping in the second (0.0439) and third modes (0.0354), respectively. Moreover, the force–displacement results revealed that the Triangle infill exhibited the highest load-bearing capacity, further confirming its superior structural stiffness among the investigated designs (SEA = 110.83 J/kg). These findings highlight the potential of multi-material FDM for designing polymer-based sandwich structures with tailored vibration and energy dissipation characteristics. Full article

A (0001) α-Ga₂O₃ film was grown by the mist chemical vapor deposition method on a (0001) α-Cr₂O₃ template (100 μm thick α-Cr₂O₃ layer formed on an α-Al₂O₃ substrate). Benefiting from the small a-axis lattice mismatch between α-Ga₂O₃ and α-Cr₂O₃, a high-quality α-Ga₂O₃ film with a small twist distribution, and consequently a low edge dislocation density, was coherently grown on an α-Cr₂O₃ template. The edge dislocation density of 7 × 10⁷ cm⁻², estimated from the full-width at half-maximum value of the X-ray rocking curve (XRC) in X-ray diffraction (XRD), was more than two orders of magnitude lower than that of the film grown on an α-Al₂O₃ substrate, and was almost consistent with that of the α-Cr₂O₃ template. The bright-field transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image supports the dislocation density estimated from the XRD measurements. The high-angle annular dark-field scanning TEM and inverse fast Fourier transform images indicate coherent growth, with almost no misfit dislocations generated at the α-Ga₂O₃/α-Cr₂O₃ interface. Full article

Objectives: This study aims to predict patient-specific Average Glandular Dose (AGD) in mammography using machine learning-based models to support personalised radiation dose optimisation and reduce unnecessary exposure during breast cancer screening. Methods: A retrospective dataset of 671 female patients who underwent full-field digital mammography between 2020 and 2024 was analysed. Right craniocaudal (CC) images were used to construct a structured dataset including mAs, kVp, compressed breast thickness, air kerma (k_air), half-value layer (HVL), and breast pattern. Five regression-based machine learning models (CatBoost, Gradient Boosting, Random Forest, Extra Trees, and AdaBoost) and their Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO)-enhanced versions were evaluated. Model performance was assessed using MSE, RMSE, MAE, MAPE, and R². SHAP analysis was applied to interpret model predictions and determine variable importance. Results: PSO integration significantly reduced prediction errors, particularly in boosting-based models. The CatBoost + PSO model achieved the best performance (RMSE = 0.0100, MAPE ≈ 1.74%, R² = 0.9846), followed by the Gradient Boosting + PSO model (R² = 0.9787). PSO reduced RMSE and MAPE by approximately 55% and 52%, respectively. SHAP analysis identified k_air, breast thickness, and breast pattern as the most influential factors affecting AGD. Conclusions: Machine learning models enhanced with PSO, especially CatBoost + PSO, provide accurate and reliable patient-specific AGD predictions. The proposed approach enables rapid and clinically applicable dose estimation and highlights breast pattern as a critical parameter influencing glandular dose, supporting personalised radiation dose optimisation in mammography. Full article

Mediterranean peri-urban forests play a crucial role in urban sustainability, yet their ecosystem services remain underexplored. This study quantifies and maps six regulating ecosystem services—carbon sequestration, air pollutant removal, surface runoff retention, precipitation interception, soil water regulation, and wildlife refuge—in a representative Mediterranean peri-urban forest, Monte de El Pardo (Spain). The analysis integrates cartographic and environmental data, biophysical modelling (i-Tree), and field surveys to provide a spatially explicit assessment. The results reveal that riparian formations and mixed stone pine–broadleaved woodlands provide the highest values across most services, while holm oak forests and dehesas contribute substantially due to their extensive coverage. Total annual carbon sequestration was estimated at 27,917,803 kg C yr⁻¹, equivalent to 102,329,511 kg CO₂e yr⁻¹. Hydrological regulation was also significant, with 94.5% of the area showing medium soil permeability and over half the territory presenting complex, multi-layered vegetation structure. Overall, Mediterranean peri-urban forests function as major carbon sinks, hydrological regulators, and biodiversity cores, reinforcing their importance as ecological and climatic stabilisers in metropolitan regions. Full article

Lightweight, lead-free polymer–mineral composites have attracted increasing interest as radiation-attenuating materials for applications where reduced mass and environmental compatibility are required. In this work, the $\gamma$-ray attenuation behavior of poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) reinforced with natural palygorskite and pumice was evaluated at filler concentrations of 10–40 wt%. Photon interaction parameters, including the linear attenuation coefficient ($\mu$), half-value layer (HVL), mean free path ($\lambda$), and effective atomic number ($Z_{\mathrm{eff}}$), were computed over the energy range 15 keV–15 MeV using the Phy-X/PSD platform and validated through full Geant4 Monte Carlo transmission simulations. At 15 keV, $\mu$ increased from $1.46{\mathrm{cm}}^{-1}$ for pure PEEK to $4.21{\mathrm{cm}}^{-1}$ and $8.499{\mathrm{cm}}^{-1}$ for the 40 wt% palygorskite- and pumice-filled composites, respectively, reducing the HVL from 0.69 cm to 0.24 cm and 0.11 cm. The corresponding $Z_{\mathrm{eff}}$ values increased from 6.5 (pure PEEK) to 9.4 (40 wt% palygorskite) and 15.3 (40 wt% pumice), reflecting the influence of higher-Z oxide constituents in pumice. At higher photon energies, the attenuation curves converged as Compton scattering became dominant, although pumice-filled PEEK retained marginally higher $\mu$ and shorter $\lambda$ up to the MeV region. These findings demonstrate that natural mineral fillers can enhance the photon attenuation behavior of PEEK while retaining the known thermal stability and mechanical performance of the polymer matrix as reported in the literature, indicating their potential use as lightweight, secondary radiation-attenuating components in medical, industrial, and aerospace applications. Full article

This study evaluates lead-free high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites reinforced with high-Z oxides (Bi₂O₃, WO₃, Gd₂O₃, TeO₂, and a Bi₂O₃/WO₃ hybrid) as lightweight materials for gamma-ray and fast-neutron shielding. A hybrid computational framework combining Phy-X/PSD with Geant4 Monte Carlo simulations was used to obtain key shielding parameters, including the linear and mass attenuation coefficients (μ, μ/ρ), half-value layer (HVL), mean free path (MFP), effective atomic number (Z_eff), effective electron density (N_eff), exposure and energy-absorption buildup factors (EBF, EABF), and fast-neutron removal cross section (Σ_R). The incorporation of heavy oxides produced a pronounced improvement in gamma-ray attenuation, particularly at low energies, where the linear attenuation coefficient increased from below 1 cm⁻¹ for neat HDPE to values exceeding 130–150 cm⁻¹ for Bi- and W-rich composites. In the intermediate Compton-scattering region (≈0.3–1 MeV), all oxide-reinforced systems maintained a clear attenuation advantage, with μ values around 0.12–0.13 cm⁻¹ compared with ≈0.07 cm⁻¹ for pure HDPE. At higher photon energies, the dense composites continued to outperform the polymer matrix, yielding μ values of approximately 0.07–0.09 cm⁻¹ versus ≈0.02 cm⁻¹ for HDPE due to enhanced pair-production interactions. The Bi₂O₃/WO₃ hybrid composite exhibited attenuation behavior comparable, and in some regions slightly exceeding, that of the single-oxide systems, indicating that mixed fillers can effectively balance density and shielding efficiency. Oxide addition significantly reduced exposure and energy-absorption buildup factors below 1 MeV, with a moderate increase at higher energies associated with secondary radiation processes. Fast-neutron removal cross sections were also modestly enhanced, with Gd₂O₃-containing composites showing the highest values due to the combined effects of hydrogen moderation and neutron capture. The close agreement between Phy-X/PSD and Geant4 results confirms the reliability of the dual-method approach. Overall, HDPE composites containing about 60 wt.% oxide filler offer a practical compromise between shielding performance, manufacturability, and environmental safety, making them promising candidates for medical, nuclear, and aerospace radiation-protection applications. Full article

Long-term human cultivation activities are the key factors of the vertical distribution and storage dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) in cropland. Based on a 45-year long-term field experiment, this study systematically compared SOC dynamics and carbon storage characteristics in soil profiles (0–200 cm) between cultivated land and adjacent natural forest. The findings reveal the hierarchical regulatory effects of tillage management on the soil carbon pool. The results show that: (1) Under both land use types, SOC content decreased exponentially with depth, but values in cultivated soils were 0.35–1.54% lower than in forest soils at each layer. SOC content in surface soil (0–78 cm) was significantly higher than in the subsoil (78–158 cm) and substratum layers (158–200 cm) (p < 0.01). At equivalent depths, SOC in cultivated land was significantly lower than in forest land (p < 0.01). Over 45 years, the SOC accumulation rate in the surface soil of cropland (0.07 g·kg⁻¹·yr⁻¹) was only half that of forest land (0.14 g·kg⁻¹·yr⁻¹). (2) The controls of soil physicochemical properties on SOC differed with land use: in forest soils, SOC correlated positively with clay content (r = 0.63, p < 0.01), whereas in cultivated soils, SOC was primarily regulated by total nitrogen (r = 0.94, p < 0.01) and sand content (r = 0.60, p < 0.01) and negatively correlated with bulk density (r = −0.55, p < 0.01) and pH value (r = −0.45, p < 0.05). (3) Long-term tillage significantly reshaped soil profile structure, thickening the plough layer from 20 cm to 78 cm. Surface carbon storage reached 20.76 t·ha⁻², an increase of 11.13 t·ha⁻² compared with forest soil (p < 0.01). However, storage decreased by 4.99 t·ha⁻² and 7.60 t·ha⁻² in the subsoil and substratum layers, respectively (p < 0.01). The SOC storage increment rate was 50.95 t·ha⁻²·yr⁻¹ higher than that of forest soil in the surface layer but 46.81 t·ha⁻²·yr⁻¹ and 11.12 t·ha⁻²·yr⁻¹ lower in deeper layers. These results confirm that cultivation alters soil structure and material cycling, enhancing carbon enrichment in surface soils while accelerating depletion of deeper carbon pools. This provides new insights into the vertical differentiation mechanisms of SOC under long-term agricultural management. Full article

In recent years, polymer-based hybrid nanocomposites have emerged as promising alternatives to traditional heavy metal shields due to their low density, flexibility, and environmental safety. In this study, the synthesis of PS-PEG copolymers and the gamma radiation-shielding properties of PS-PEG/As₂O₃, PS-PEG/BN, and PS-PEG/As₂O₃/BN nanocomposites with different compositions are investigated. The goal is to find the optimal nanocomposite composition for gamma radiation shielding and dosimetry. Therefore, the mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), half-value layer (HVL), tenth-value layer (TVL), effective atomic number, mean free path (MFP), radiation shielding efficiency (RPE), electron density, and specific gamma-ray constant were presented. Gamma rays emitted by the Eu source were detected by a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector device. GammaVision was used to analyze the given data. Photon energy was in the vicinity of 121.8–1408.0 keV. The MAC values in XCOM simulation tools were used to compute. Gamma-shielding efficiency was increased by an increased number of NPs at a smaller photon energy. At 121.8 keV, the HVL of a composite with 70 wt% As₂O₃ NPs is 2.00 cm, which is comparable to the HVL of lead (0.56 cm) at the same energy level. Due to the increasing need for lightweight, flexible, and lead-free shielding materials, PS-b-PEG copolymer-based nanocomposites reinforced with arsenic oxide and BN NPs will be materials of significant interest for next-generation radiation protection applications. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable farming has increased interest in niche crops, including waxy wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). However, their nitrogen (N) nutrition characteristics from organic and mineral fertilizers are not sufficiently studied. In this research, the effects of pig slurry and liquid anaerobic digestate, as a sustainable alternative, were investigated and compared to ammonium nitrate, on waxy winter wheat, using N application rates of 0, 60, 120, and 120 + 50 kg ha⁻¹ (the additional 50 kg ha⁻¹ was applied as ammonium nitrate). The experiments were conducted in the northern part of Lithuania at the Joniškėlis Experimental Station of the Institute of Agriculture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry (LAMMC) on clay loam Cambisol and repeated over two years (2019/2020 and 2020/2021) by reseeding winter wheat. The study evaluated mineral N in the 0–60 cm soil layer during active growing and autumn–non-vegetation periods, N accumulation in plant biomass, wheat grain and straw yield, fertilizer N use efficiency (NUE), and total energy yield. It was found that more than half of the total N required by the crop was taken up during the first half of the vegetation period (in favourable years—56%; in less favourable years—75% of the total required N). The optimal N rate for waxy winter wheat was 60–120 kg ha⁻¹. The fertilizer’s NUE depended on the N rate; in favourable years, NUE values were 50–75% for N60, 19–43% for N120, and 29–40% for N120 + 50. Results indicate that biogas slurry can serve as a sustainable alternative for winter wheat main N fertilization, contributing to improved environmental outcomes. Full article

Environmentally friendly materials with superior structural, physical, optical, and shielding capabilities are of great technological importance and are continually being investigated. In this work, novel multicomponent borate glasses with the composition xTiO₂-10BaO-5Al₂O₃-5WO₃-20Bi₂O₃-(60-x) B₂O₃, where 0 ≤ x ≤ 15 mol%, were produced via the melt-quenching technique. The increase in TiO₂ content results in a decrease in molar volume and a corresponding increase in density, indicating the formation of a compact, rigid, and mechanically hard glass network. Elastic constant measurements further confirmed this behavior. FTIR analysis confirms the transformation of BO₃ to BO₄ units, signifying improved network polymerization and structural stability. The prepared glasses exhibit an optical absorption edge in the visible region, demonstrating their strong ultraviolet light blocking capability. Incorporation of TiO₂ leads to an increase in refractive index, optical basicity, and polarizability, and a decrease in the optical band gap and metallization number; all of these suggest enhanced electron density and polarizability of the glass matrix. Radiation shielding properties were evaluated using Phy-X/PSD software. The outcomes illustrate that the Mass Attenuation Coefficient (MAC), Effective Atomic Number (Z_eff), Linear Attenuation Coefficient (LAC) increase, while Mean Free Path (MFP) and Half Value Layer (HVL) decrease with increasing TiO₂ at the expense of B₂O₃, confirming superior gamma-ray attenuation capability. Additionally, both TiO₂-doped and undoped samples show higher fast neutron removal cross sections (FNRCS) compared to several commercial glasses and concrete materials. Overall, the incorporation of TiO₂ significantly enhances the optical performance and radiation-shielding efficiency of the environmentally friendly glass system, making these potential candidates for advanced photonic devices and radiation-shielding applications. Full article