Search Results (247)

The article deals with the study of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of X70 steel using corrosion-mechanical testing that simulates the operating conditions of underground pipelines. The tests were carried out under cyclic four-point bending at stresses close to the yield point, in electrolytes with various hydrogen charging capacities. The following model environments were used: NS4 solution and citrate buffer (pH 5.5). Hydrogen charging was controlled by the addition of thiourea and by varying the potential. It was shown that microcracks initiated at corrosion defects (pits) and then emerged at the surface to form narrow cracks. The incubation period depends on the environment: under corrosive conditions it is approximately two times shorter than in the air. The size and nature of stress concentrators play a significant role: natural pits (~hundreds of μm) lead to crack formation within 24–28 days, whereas artificial holes (0.6–1 mm) lead to crack formation within 5–7 days. The effect of hydrogen was established: the acceleration is insignificant under moderate hydrogen charging, whereas the incubation period decreases sharply at high hydrogen charging. Critical hydrogen concentrations where its effect becomes significant were determined. Methods for inhibiting stress corrosion cracking by means of organosilicon films (vinyl- and aminosilanes, as well as their mixtures with inhibitors—benzotriazole and amines) were considered. The most effective composition is vinylsilane + benzotriazole: the time to crack initiation increases from 5 to 36 days, and the crack growth rate decreases. Full article

Ambrosia beetle Platypus quercivorus is a vector of Japanese oak wilt. Only females possess 4−12 mycangial pits on the pronotum, which are essential for carrying symbiotic fungi and are thought to be a significant determinant of beetle fitness. However, the factors influencing the pit numbers remain poorly understood. To elucidate the effects of environmental conditions and parental traits on the pit number, we conducted a controlled breeding experiment. Collected P. quercivorus broods were categorized into three groups (large, middle and small) based on their average number of maternal mycangial pits. Excluding the middle groups, male−female pairs from the same group (large or small) were inoculated into Quercus crispula logs and incubated under four temperature regimes: 18, 22, 26, and 30 °C. We analyzed offspring pit number and body weight relative to temperature and parental traits. Both traits increased at lower temperatures likely because accelerated metabolism and developmental rates at higher temperatures, reduces the time and resources available for body growth and pit development. Notably, the traits exhibited distinct inheritance patterns: offspring pit number was significantly influenced by maternal pit number but not by the body weight of either parent. In contrast, offspring body weight was significantly correlated with maternal pit number, paternal body weight, and maternal body weight. Thus, we conclude that temperature plays a critical role in shaping these traits. Parental effects indicate that both mycangium pit number and body weight are heritable in P. quercivorus. However, their distinct inheritance patterns suggest a weak genetic association between the traits, implying that they may evolve largely independently. Full article

The soil of Siraitia grosvenorii (LHG) farmland often suffers from acidification, compaction, and declining organic matter content. As biochar helps improve soil quality and enhance soil carbon sequestration capacity, an increasing number of studies are utilizing biochar for soil quality improvement. To address the soil degradation problem in LHG farmland and achieve the goals of soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration and nutrient increase, we conducted a 100-day indoor constant-temperature incubation experiment by adding different proportions of LHG vine biochar. We analyzed the changes in SOC mineralization, different carbon fractions, and soil nutrient content in LHG farmland. The main results showed that, compared with the control group, the cumulative mineralization (CumulMine) of SOC increased by 3% to 51%, and organic carbon content increased by 52.43% to 193.87%. As the LHG vine biochar application rate increased, the metabolic entropy (qCO₂) rose, whereas the microbial entropy (qMBC) showed an opposite trend. Similarly, compared with the control group, the addition of 1.0%, 2.0%, and 4.0% LC increased water-soluble organic carbon by 45.87 mg·kg⁻¹, 67.00 mg·kg⁻¹, and 81.73 mg·kg⁻¹, respectively, and soil nutrients also increased, but microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and readily oxidizable organic carbon (ROC) contents decreased. The main conclusions indicate that adding LHG vine biochar increases SOC content, which is associated with reduced microbial activity. Biochar-derived DOC may serve as a substrate for microbial respiration, thereby contributing to increased CO₂ release and accelerated nutrient release. The application of LHG vine biochar enhanced the carbon sequestration capacity of LHG farmland soil while improving soil nutrient content, with the 4% application rate treatment performing the best. Full article

Hydroxyapatite–calcium sulfate (HACaS) bone cements have been clinically established. Combining HACaS with an antiresorptive (zoledronic acid, ZA) and osteoanabolic agent (bone morphogenic protein 2; BMP-2) may enhance the performance of HACaS bone cements in challenging indications, but it must be ensured that this does not impair their setting and mechanical properties. This study established a Vicat/Gillmore-inspired indentation protocol to quantify force-based endpoints and the setting of HACaS with biological adjuvants. HACaS was mixed with or without ZA and/or BMP-2 at 0 min and after a 2 min pre-setting phase with reduced NaCl content (lower liquid-to-powder ratio). For each time point (3–90 min), three cylindrical pellets (Ø 4 mm, height 6 mm) underwent single indentation. Setting was defined as the maximum force at needle penetration, and endpoint hardness was defined as peak force at failure. For 24 h endpoints, specimens were incubated in blood at 37 °C. One-way ANOVA with Tukey’s H post hoc test was performed per time point (n = 3; 24 h endpoints n = 5). All 2 min protocols showed accelerated setting, consistent with the initial lower liquid-to-powder ratio. ZA significantly delayed setting and remained lowest at 90 min and after 24 h in blood. Mixing sequence and vehicle composition critically influenced early mechanical properties and should be considered in the further preclinical evaluation of HACaS with osteoanabolic or antiresorptive agents. Full article

Intensive nitrogen (N) fertilization in greenhouse vegetable systems degrades soil structure and accelerates soil carbon (C) mineralization. Biochar application can alleviate these adverse effects by enhancing aggregate stability and mediating microbially driven nutrient cycling, yet its effects across aggregate fractions remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated how biochar (0, 20, 40 t ha⁻¹) and N interact to affect aggregate stability, C mineralization, nutrient status, and microbial properties in bulk soil and four aggregate classes (large macroaggregates: LMA, > 2000 μm; small macroaggregates: SMA, 250–2000 μm; microaggregates: MA, 53–250 μm; silt + clay: S + C, < 53 μm) in vegetable soil after a 60-day incubation. Results showed that biochar–N co-application increased mean weight diameter by 27.4–30.5% and elevated soil total organic C (TOC) in LMA by 9.11–12.0% and in MA by 8.77–20.2% relative to the N-only treatment. It also reduced β-glucosidase and oxidase activities, as well as fungal and G⁻-bacterial abundance. Biochar amendment suppressed TOC mineralization by 2.7–24.6% in bulk soil and aggregate fractions, while boosting potentially mineralizable C pools by 12.5–155.7%, and thereby increasing overall mineralization potential. Structural equation modeling revealed the size-dependent regulatory mechanisms underlying these observations. Aggregate stability directly inhibited CO₂ emissions in bulk soil and SMA, while the effects in MA and S + C fractions were mediated by shifts in nutrient stoichiometry and hydrolase activities. Our findings clarified the size-dependent mechanisms by which biochar–N co-application promoted soil C sequestration, providing a theoretical basis for the sustainable management of intensive vegetable systems. Full article

Rising consumer demand for functional beverages has accelerated the development of health-promoting, fruit-based ready-to-drink (RTD) products. This study investigated the effects of incubation temperature (50–80 °C) and time (60–240 min) on pectinase-assisted extraction (0.1% v/v) of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L., Bahi variety) juice and subsequently formulated antioxidant-rich RTD beverages by blending the optimized extract with quince and jujube juices. The optimal extraction condition (50 °C, 60 min) was selected based on maximizing bioactive compound recovery rather than yield, achieving total phenolic content of 326.33 mg GAE/100 mL, total carotenoid content of 1.08 mg β-carotene equivalents/100 mL, and strong antioxidant activity (DPPH: 514.06; FRAP: 595.38 µmol TE/100 mL). Although maximum yield (81.25%) was obtained at 60 °C for 240 min, functional quality was prioritized. Six RTD formulations were developed using a constrained simplex-lattice mixture design. All blends exhibited significantly enhanced phenolic content, carotenoids, and antioxidant capacity compared to the control, while pH and acidity remained stable (p > 0.05). Sensory evaluation indicated that the formulation containing 70% date palm, 15% quince, and 15% jujube achieved the highest acceptability (6.50). These findings highlight the potential of this tri-fruit blend as a functional RTD beverage, warranting further studies on shelf-life stability. Full article

C₁₃-Norisoprenoids are important contributors to the aroma of Riesling wine. Their quantification is analytically challenging due to their low concentrations, the lack of commercial standards and their pronounced sensitivity to analytical conditions, reflecting their chemical lability, as well as the dynamic nature of the wine matrix, leading to high reactivity and, consequently, remarkable structural diversity. Here, we developed an assay for the analysis of C₁₃-norisoprenoids in wine using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME–GC-MS/MS). After evaluating different fiber materials, a statistical design of experiments (DoE) approach was employed to systematically optimize key HS-SPME parameters, including incubation, extraction and desorption conditions. Selected reaction monitoring (SRM) transitions were established for all targeted C₁₃-norisoprenoids, allowing the assay to provide relative quantification of more than 40 compounds using representative labeled and unlabeled standards to generate linear calibration curves. Following method validation, this approach was applied to a young German Riesling wine to investigate the effect of various acidic hydrolysis conditions on the norisoprenoid profile as well as on specific compounds. A central composite design (CCD) was used to systematically study the impact of pH, temperature, and hydrolysis time. Quantitative data were obtained for 22 C₁₃-norisoprenoids demonstrating that hydrolysis conditions strongly affected the norisoprenoid composition. pH and temperature showed a greater influence than reaction time. Response surface models (RSM) indicated that TDN, Vitispirane and TPB in particular are predominantly formed under strongly acidic and high-temperature conditions, whereas others such as Riesling acetal and actinidols are formed under milder conditions. The results indicate that hydrolysis conditions should be tailored to the specific norisoprenoid under investigation and the research question, particularly when simulating conditions of accelerated wine ageing for analytical purposes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Developability assessment is a critical step in advancing antibody-based molecules toward clinical application. This evaluation typically begins during clinical candidate selection and continues throughout all modifications of the molecule during development. It is guided by the target product profile, which includes the intended administration route and regimen, formulation parameters, and process conditions encountered during manufacturing, storage, and delivery. While developability testing is well established for conventional therapeutic antibodies, strategies for assessing single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) and their conjugates remain underexplored. Here, we present a strategy to test the developability of sdAbs as a case study for two clinical candidates intended as precursors for the production of diagnostic tracers for clinical imaging. Methods: Assays were developed to evaluate chemical and thermodynamic stability, target binding affinity and capacity, and chelation efficiency (“chelatability”). Accelerated stability studies were conducted for both unconjugated sdAbs and their chelator conjugated forms following incubation at two pH conditions, at multiple time points, and after twelve freeze–thaw cycles to simulate process conditions and long-term storage. Analytical assays were applied stepwise in a hierarchical approach to minimize experimental effort and material consumption. Candidates exhibiting critical developability features were selectively addressed by assays with increasing precision. Results: A tailored panel of analytical assays optimized for low molecular weight proteins was established and applied to the two clinical candidates, identifying instability hotspots as well as potential mitigation strategies. Successful engineering of a candidate with an initially critical developability profile was achieved. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the implementation of a structured developability assessment strategy for sdAb conjugates. The approach integrates physicochemical and functional stability evaluations, supporting robust candidate selection, formulation development, and method optimization for this class of molecules. Full article

The aim of this research is to formulate and analyze a modified $S{I}_{p}IVR$ mathematical model to study the transmission dynamics of poliovirus and assess the impact of vaccination on disease control. The proposed model extends classical SEIV-type frameworks by incorporating a recovered compartment with long-term immunity and by replacing the traditional exposed class with a pre-infectious compartment ($I_p$) that captures silent viral shedding during the incubation phase of poliovirus. This modification addresses the critical epidemiological feature that individuals can transmit the virus before showing symptoms while maintaining biological accuracy in compartment definition. Several fundamental analytical properties are rigorously established, including positivity, boundedness, and the existence of a biologically meaningful invariant region. The basic reproduction number $R_0$ is derived using the next-generation matrix approach, and comprehensive stability analysis is carried out. The analysis shows that the DFE is locally and globally asymptotically stable whenever $R_0<1$. Using center manifold theory, a forward bifurcation is rigorously demonstrated, indicating that disease persistence emerges smoothly as $R_0$ crosses unity. Local and global sensitivity analyses of the basic reproduction number $R_0$ identify critical epidemiological parameters, and points to vaccination coverage and transmission rates as key drivers of outbreak dynamics. Numerical simulations confirm the analytical results and illustrates two different epidemiological scenarios, one with $R_0<1$, and another with $R_0>1$ along with neural network analysis by using the same data from both cases in a built-in function package in MATLAB-2020 software. It utilizes all of its hidden layers to check the data used by the model for validation performance and training and to find the absolute and mean squared errors. It also shows how vaccination suppresses the spread of infection. These findings provide a strong mathematical basis for public health policy, offering strategic insight into how vaccination campaigns might be optimized to accelerate progress toward global polio eradication. Full article

Introduction: The one-step membrane technique, derived from the Masquelet induced membrane technique, uses human acellular dermal matrix (hADM) that is wrapped around the bone defect to bypass membrane induction, reducing treatment time. Pre-colonization of hADM with bone marrow cells (BMC), particularly after CD8⁺ T cell depletion, enhances bone regeneration. This study examined how CD8⁺ T cell depletion alters the proteins accumulated in the hADM during early healing. Materials and Methods: Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats received 5 mm femoral defects filled with autologous bone chips and wrapped with hADM, hADM + BMC, or hADM + BMC-CD8. hADMs were recovered on days 3 and 7 (n = 3/group/timepoint), incubated ex vivo, and conditioned medium analyzed with a proteome profiler detecting 79 proteins. Results: The protein content of the hADM evolved dynamically. At day three, 41 proteins were detected, rising to 47 by day seven, with RGM-A, osteoprotegerin, LIF, IL-6, CCL20, and CCL17 emerging late, consistent with increased regenerative activity. CD8⁺ T cell depletion suppressed early inflammatory and pro-osteogenic mediators (e.g., CCL2, IGF-I, IL-1RA) while upregulating LIX. By day seven, regenerative mediators (CCL20, GDF-15, RGM-A) were enriched, whereas inflammatory factors (CCL21, IL-1a, WISP-1) declined. MMP-9, Galectin-1, and GDF-15 increased exclusively in the CD8-depleted group. Conclusions: The hADM protein content transitions from pro-inflammatory to pro-regenerative within one week after surgery. CD8⁺ T cell depletion accelerates this shift, highlighting hADM as a dynamic scaffold that contributes to the immune–regenerative crosstalk in bone healing. Full article

Microbial communities associated with animal cadaver decomposition play a crucial role in biogeochemical cycles in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. However, it remains unclear regarding the diversity, succession, and assembly of phosphate-solubilizing microbes during animal cadaver decay. In this study, plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) as mammal degradation models were placed on alpine meadow soils to study diversity, succession and assembly of phosphate-solubilizing microbes using amplicon sequencing of phoC- and phoD-genes during 94 days of incubation. The total phosphorus concentration in the corpse group increased by 8.53% on average. Alpha diversity of both phoC- and phoD-harboring microbes decreased in the experimental group compared to the control group, and the community structure differed between control and experimental groups. Phosphate-solubilizing microbial community turnover time rate (TDR) of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group, indicating corpse decay accelerates the succession of phoC- and phoD-harboring microbial community. Null model revealed that deterministic process dominated phoC microbial community in corpse group, while the stochastic process dominated phoD microbial community. The microbial network in experimental group was more complicated than that in control group of phoC microbial community, while phoD microbial community showed opposite trend. Partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) showed that phoC-harboring microbial community was mainly influenced by pH, Total carbon (TC) and Total phosphorus (TP), while the phoD microbial community was only regulated by TP. These findings elucidate the ecological mechanism of phosphorus-solubilizing microbial community changes during animal corpse degradation. Full article

In recent decades, rapid socioeconomic development and population growth have led to the degradation of river and lake health worldwide, posing severe challenges to watershed ecological management. The growing intensity of land-use has significantly contributed to the accelerated deterioration of aquatic ecosystems. River and lake health assessment has evolved from single-parameter metrics (e.g., water quality) to multidimensional frameworks integrating hydrological, biological, and anthropogenic factors. This research conducted a bibliometric analysis of 1302 publications from 1996 to 2023 in the Web of Science database to identify research trends and hotspots. Results showed that publications exhibited a three-phase growth incubation (1996–2000), expansion (2001–2012), and acceleration (2013–2023), with the U.S., China, and Australia as leading contributors characterized by regionally clustered international collaborations. Research themes have shifted from single water quality parameters to integrated assessments. “Land-use”, “water quality”, and “biotic integrity” have emerged as core hotspots, forming a synergistic assessment framework that combines physicochemical, biological, and socioeconomic factors. The research scale underwent a spatial refinement process from the whole watershed to the buffer zone of rivers and lakes, and land-use effects on aquatic ecosystems vary significantly across spatial scales (entire watershed and riparian zones). Fine-scale studies better capture localized pollution pathways, supporting targeted conservation strategies. This review systematically outlines research status, hotspots, and development directions for river and lake health studies, highlighting the need for integrated watershed management, emphasizing conservation through fine-scale land-use monitoring, and providing scientific support for integrated refined governance of watershed ecology. Full article

Saline archaeological artifacts are highly susceptible to deterioration caused by salt crystallization and moisture–material interactions, particularly in coastal archaeological contexts affected by saline water intrusion. This persistent challenge necessitates the development of temporary, low-impact protective materials capable of limiting saline ingress. The present study reports on a preliminary assessment of modified polycaprolactone (PCL) films containing graphene oxide (GO) at 0.1%, 0.25%, and 0.5% to evaluate their potential as temporary barrier layers under saline stress conditions. Free-standing PCL/GO films were fabricated via solvent casting and exposed to natural Ionian seawater in a controlled laboratory incubation environment at 15 °C for up to 90 days, simulating early-stage saline exposure while controlling environmental variability and physical stress. Film behavior was evaluated through complementary surface, structural, mechanical, and permeability analyses. The findings indicate that GO content significantly influences surface wettability, microstructural evolution, and water transport properties. Low GO content (0.1%) enhanced barrier performance while maintaining structural integrity and controlled hydrolytic softening. In contrast, higher GO contents (0.25–0.5%) resulted in increased hydrophilicity, accelerated surface erosion, and greater mechanical degradation due to enhanced water uptake. Observed mass loss is attributed to early-stage hydrolysis rather than long-term biodegradation. This investigation is a material-level screening and does not represent a direct validation for conservation application. With superior stability and enhanced barrier properties, the optimized PCL/GO 0.1% film suggests significant potential for the protection of saline-affected archaeological materials. Full article

LDL can be oxidised in the lysosomes of macrophages. Cysteamine, a thiol antioxidant that accumulates in lysosomes, inhibits the oxidation of LDL by iron at lysosomal pH (pH 4.5) and protects against atherosclerosis in mice. We have investigated the effects of cysteamine and its related thiol cysteine and their disulfides on LDL oxidation by iron or copper at both pH 4.5 and 7.4. The oxidation of LDL by ferrous iron (5 µM) at pH 4.5 was delayed 12.9-fold by 100 µM cysteamine and 5.6-fold by 100 µM cysteine. Cystamine and cystine (the disulfide oxidation products of cyteamine and cysteine, respectively) did not inhibit LDL oxidation by ferrous iron at pH 4.5. LDL oxidation by 5 µM copper at pH 4.5 was delayed about 2-fold by 100 µM of the thiols cysteamine and cysteine, but there was little effect of the disulfides cystamine and cystine. Cysteamine and cystine did not inhibit the oxidation of LDL by ferrous iron at pH 7.4 in a MOPS buffer and even accelerated LDL oxidation later in the incubation. Cysteine initially inhibited the oxidation of LDL by ferrous iron at pH 7.4, but increased it later. LDL oxidation by copper at pH 7.4 was delayed 7.8-fold by 100 µM cysteamine. Cysteine delayed LDL oxidation by copper at pH 7.4 to a similar extent as cysteamine but, unlike cysteamine, continued to decrease the rate of oxidation even after the period of total inhibition had ended. Cystamine had no effect on LDL oxidation by copper at pH 7.4, but cystine partially inhibited LDL oxidation. The effects of thiols and disulfides on LDL oxidation, therefore, depend not only on the metal ion catalysing the oxidation but also on the pH of the environment. Full article

Skin sensitization is a critical endpoint in cosmetic safety assessment, necessitating reliable animal-free testing alternatives. Current established in chemico assays, such as the Direct Peptide Reactivity Assay and Amino acid Derivative Reactivity Assay, are limited by prolonged 24 h incubation periods and their inability to distinguish between direct electrophilic sensitizers and pro-electrophiles requiring metabolic activation or spontaneous oxidation. This study presents the design, synthesis, and validation of NNDNAC (N,N-dimethyl N-(2-(1-naphthyl)acetyl)-l-cysteine), a novel nucleophilic reactivity probe synthesized via a seven-step pathway. A modified naphthalene structure featuring N,N-dimethylamino substituent enhances nucleophilicity of the cysteine sulfur atom, enabling rapid reactivity assessment within an hour incubation using LC-DAD quantification. Comparative validation studies demonstrated that NNDNAC rapidly identified strong electrophilic sensitizers, achieving 100% and 98% depletion rates for p-benzoquinone and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, respectively, within 1 h. Critically, the NNDNAC assay successfully differentiated pro-electrophiles like p-phenylenediamine and 4-aminophenol, which showed negligible depletion at 1 h but significant depletion after 24 h due to auto-oxidation. Furthermore, NNDNAC classified farnesal as a weak sensitizer, aligning with established KeratinoSens™ and LLNA data. The NNDNAC probe represents a significant advancement in skin sensitization assessment, offering a time-efficient, high-throughput platform that not only accelerates screening processes but also provides crucial mechanistic insights through electrophile/pro-electrophile differentiation, significantly improving animal-free toxicological evaluations. Full article