Search Results (9,637)

In view of the practical engineering demand and performance optimization of compressed air-driven fire-extinguishing projectile launchers, a two-dimensional axisymmetric compressible flow numerical model is established based on ANSYS Fluent 2023. Numerical verification is conducted by comparing with classical zero-dimensional theoretical results and reference data from the published literature to guarantee simulation accuracy. Combined with the internal ballistic motion characteristics, the present study systematically investigates the effects of initial pressure, flow passage structure, loading position and projectile mass on launch dynamic behavior and the energy utilization mechanism. The results reveal that the initial high-pressure chamber pressure dominates the total energy output of the system. Appropriately increasing the valve gap and nozzle diameter can improve flow characteristics and energy transfer efficiency. Adjusting the loading position and barrel length effectively balances the internal ballistic response, while larger projectile mass brings higher inertial resistance and obvious efficiency attenuation. This work clarifies the quantitative influence of key structural and operating parameters, and provides theoretical support and engineering reference for the design, parameter matching and performance improvement of similar fire-extinguishing launching equipment. Full article

Ports are complex infrastructure systems operating under adverse marine environments, diverse loading regimes, and significant economic pressures. Among their critical assets are pavement infrastructures that serve multiple functional domains, including container handling and storage areas, internal circulation corridors, passenger–vehicle interfaces, and auxiliary parking zones. However, existing port pavement research remains predominantly concentrated on heavy-duty container applications, while other functional categories are comparatively underexplored. This study develops a structured engineering synthesis of port pavement infrastructure assets by integrating bibliometric mapping, conducted using Scopus-indexed publications, with a functional–structural analysis of worldwide practices. Following the identification of research trends, additional insights from engineering-oriented studies and technical guidance documents were incorporated to strengthen the practical relevance of the investigation. These findings indicate that functional classification should precede structural design decisions, enabling the systematic identification of loading conditions, serviceability requirements, and transition demands across port environments. Heavy-duty operational zones require high-stiffness systems capable of resisting concentrated and repetitive loads, while circulation areas are particularly sensitive to low-speed traffic effects. In contrast, passenger and mixed-use zones necessitate hybrid design strategies that balance structural adequacy with serviceability and long-term durability under marine exposure, whereas auxiliary areas are primarily governed by cost-efficiency and maintenance considerations. The overall research provides a rational basis for investment prioritization, material selection, lifecycle planning, and performance-based pavement management within multifunctional port environments. Full article

Biomarker detection demands low cost, rapid turnaround, interference resistance, and wide dynamic range. However, traditional immunoassays and nucleic acid amplification methods remain constrained by complex matrices, batch stability, and portability limitations. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) exhibit “artificial antibody”-like specific recognition and high stability, while nanomaterials (NMs), depending on their composition, structure, and interfacial organization, can provide conductive pathways, catalytic activity, high-density loading sites, or mass-transfer-favorable architectures. Electrochemical biosensors synergistically constructed from these two components achieve complementary functions in recognition, mass transfer, and signal transduction. This paper systematically reviews key strategies and mechanisms for NM–MIP synergistic construction, focusing on six synergistic strategies that target key bottlenecks in mass transfer, signal generation, and interfacial stability: dynamic response regulation, hierarchical structural engineering, anti-fouling interfaces, multi-signal cross-validation, catalytic–recognition integration, and interfacial binding regulation. Representative biomarker cases are analyzed to illustrate how functional modules can coordinate across sample processing, signal generation, and recognition confirmation to improve analytical reliability and overall sensing performance. Finally, the review discusses challenges in clinical translation, including consistent manufacturing, matrix interference, long-term stability, and standardized validation, while outlining future directions toward mechanism-guided imprint design, intelligent data-assisted optimization, and integration with microfluidic and wearable platforms for multiplexed biomarker detection. Full article

The prefabricated polyurethane-solidified track bed (PPSTB) combines the adjustability of ballasted tracks with the low maintenance requirements of slab tracks, offering a promising solution for railway sections on deformable foundations. This study investigates the interaction and mechanical behaviors of the polyurethane-solidified ballast (PSB) modules and bulk ballast under laboratory loading. A series of unconfined uniaxial tests, confined ballast box tests, and cyclic loading tests were conducted, complemented by discrete element method (DEM) simulations to analyze mesoscopic particle evolution. Under monotonic compression, the stress–strain curve exhibits three distinct stages with an average elastic modulus of 19.66 MPa, where the central aggregate framework acts as the primary load-bearing structure. Confinement increases the modulus by 33.57% and yields a nearly linear stress–strain relationship, attributed to a more compact and uniform contact distribution. Furthermore, under cyclic loading, the PSB shows enhanced energy dissipation and deformation resistance compared to conventional ballast. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the structural design and long-term performance assessment of the PPSTB. Full article

Purpose: Natural polysaccharides have shown considerable potential in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) due to their multi-target metabolic regulatory effects. However, their clinical translation is limited by poor oral stability and low intestinal permeability. Snow lotus polysaccharide (SIP), a representative plant-derived polysaccharide, exhibits promising metabolic benefits but suffers from these delivery barriers. This study aimed to develop an oral nanodelivery system to enhance the gastrointestinal stability and intestinal transport of SIP, thereby improving its in vivo efficacy. Methods: SIP-loaded chitosan–tripolyphosphate nanoparticles (SIP@CS-TPP) were prepared via ionic crosslinking and characterized in terms of particle size, surface charge, morphology, and structural features. In vitro release behavior under simulated gastrointestinal conditions was evaluated. Ex vivo intestinal permeation was assessed using an isolated intestinal sac model. The metabolic regulatory effects were further investigated in a high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced T2DM rat model. Results: SIP@CS-TPP nanoparticles exhibited a uniform particle size of 188.9 ± 12.8 nm, a surface charge of 28.3 ± 5.1 mV, and good stability after freeze-drying. A pH-responsive and diffusion-controlled release profile was observed. Ex vivo studies demonstrated significantly enhanced intestinal transport, with an approximately 3.7-fold increase in apparent permeability compared with free SIP. In vivo, SIP@CS-TPP improved glycemic control, glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses more effectively than free SIP at the same dose. Conclusions: The CS-TPP nanodelivery system effectively enhances the oral delivery and metabolic regulatory effects of SIP. This study highlights the potential of a delivery-oriented strategy to improve the in vivo performance of natural polysaccharides and provides a promising approach for their application in metabolic disease management. Full article

This study investigates the influence of physiological body fluids on the mass stability and tribological performance of polylactic acid (PLA) samples produced by Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing. Body fluid exposure was simulated using Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) under controlled conditions. Black PLA filament was printed with three infill densities (15%, 20%, and 90%) and immersed in DMEM for 7 days at 37 ± 1 °C. Mass measurements revealed that lower infill densities resulted in significantly higher mass loss, with the 15% infill samples exhibiting the greatest reduction (5.07%), while the 90% infill samples showed negligible change (0.17%). Tribological testing using a CSM nanotribometer under loads of 5 mN, 500 mN, and 1000 mN demonstrated that infill density critically affects friction and wear behavior. The 90% infill samples exhibited the lowest wear volumes and the most stable tribological response, while the 15% infill samples showed degradation-dominated contact behavior. Although the friction measurements for the 15% infill samples were consistent, their interpretation should be approached with caution due to pronounced surface deterioration and debris-mediated sliding. This behavior is attributed to structural weakening caused by immersion in DMEM, which promoted material degradation and influenced the tribological response. These findings confirm the critical role of structural density in wear resistance. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to systematically investigate the combined effect of hydrolytic degradation and tribological behavior of FDM-printed PLA as a function of infill density under simulated physiological conditions. These findings provide a scientific basis for optimizing infill density in the design of PLA-based surgical instrument guides, where both degradation resistance and tribological performance under body fluid exposure are essential. The findings should be interpreted within the limitations of the experimental design. Full article

Accurate characterization of the true tire–pavement contact state is essential for understanding pavement friction; yet conventional texture indicators and nominal contact assumptions cannot directly represent the actual interfacial interaction between rubber and pavement. This study proposes a rapid and non-destructive method for measuring three-dimensional tire–pavement true contact texture under different loads. A materials testing system was used to apply controlled loads to a rubber pad–carbon paper–pavement assembly, and the resulting imprints were combined with three-dimensional laser profilometer data and support-curve-based slicing to determine the real contact area ratio, penetration texture depth, and self-affine fractal dimension. Tests on nine asphalt pavement samples under loads from 5 to 20 kN showed that the real contact area ratio increased with load but remained below 40% at 20 kN. The predicted contact area from the reconstructed 3D texture agreed well with the imprint-based results, with an absolute error not exceeding 2.59%. Penetration texture depth showed a stronger relationship with skid resistance than fractal dimension. The proposed method provides a practical means of capturing effective tire–pavement contact parameters and offers useful inputs for laboratory-based skid resistance evaluation and texture-informed friction modeling. Full article

This study presents a novel methodology integrating high-resolution X-ray computed tomography, digital volume correlation and statistical visualisation mapping, to perform microscale observations and correlate delamination fracture mechanisms in heterogeneous materials. To demonstrate the utility of this integrated approach, it is applied to study the damage behaviour of aerospace carbon/epoxy composite laminates with an open hole, subjected to quasi-static tension and fatigue at a load ratio of 1:10. The study also explores the applicability of a Paris law type relationship to determine effective macroscopic fatigue delamination resistance in the load-bearing plies. The X-ray imaging for both load cases revealed extensive formation of delaminated fracture surfaces surrounding both glass fibre interlacing weaves and entrained voids within them, acting as preferential sites for localised strain hot spots. It is demonstrated that local energy dissipation is governed by the recurring weave pattern and topological order, which can help explain the typical damage state in quasi-static behaviour, establishing a direct link between microstructural features and macrostructural material response. Full article

Using low-pressure cold spray technique, Fe-Al composite coatings with different Al contents were applied to the surface of 45 steel to improve its corrosion resistance in chloride-containing settings. The microstructure, mechanical characteristics, and electrochemical corrosion behavior of the coatings were thoroughly examined in relation to the Al content (2, 4, 6, and 8 wt.%). The findings show that the microhardness of the composite coating decreases monotonically (from 157.98 HV to 99.29 HV) as the Al content rises because of the increased proportion of the soft phase; in contrast, the porosity and corrosion current density show a pattern of first decreasing and then increasing. The coating porosity was reduced to a minimum (1.37%) when the Al concentration reached 6 wt.% because the soft Al particles experienced enough plastic flow to fill the holes in the hard Fe matrix. The 6Al composite coating demonstrated the best electrochemical protection performance in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution, with the lowest corrosion current density (2.237 × 10⁻⁴ A/cm²) and the strongest interfacial charge transfer resistance. The synergistic corrosion protection mechanism comprising significantly densified physical shielding and microgalvanic sacrificial anode protection by the active Al phase was clarified in this study. The ideal composition ratio for this system was determined to be 6 wt.% Al by carefully matching the coating’s mechanical load-bearing needs with long-term corrosion prevention goals. Full article

In underwater inductive power transfer (IPT) systems, the variation of eddy-current losses with frequency can degrade the accuracy of parameter identification. To address this issue, this paper proposes a multi-parameter identification method for a double-sided LCC system. First, based on the circuit model and the frequency dependence of the equivalent eddy-current loss resistance, six sets of equations are established, transforming the parameter identification problem into an optimization problem. Then, to balance global search capability and convergence speed, a hybrid particle swarm optimization algorithm is employed to identify the unknown parameters. Simulation and experimental results show that, under different coil spacings, load conditions, and medium conductivities, the proposed method can accurately identify key parameters, with the overall relative error controlled within 5%. This method is applicable to parameter monitoring and performance regulation of underwater IPT systems. Full article

New anticancer therapeutic strategies, including targeting of iron dysregulation in affected cancer types and stages, are urgently needed to decrease the associated annual cancer death rate of about 10 million worldwide. Many tumours evade treatment and support metastatic potential by effluxing iron and upregulating antioxidant systems, leading to suppression of lipid peroxidation and ferroptotic cell death. Similarly, many tumours manipulate the tumour microenvironment (TME) by ensuring the continuous supply of iron. This involves phenotypic modulation of immune cells, including macrophages, neutrophils, regulatory T lymphocytes, and natural killer cells, as well as fibroblasts, contributing to immune evasion and tumour growth. In particular, tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs), which may account for about half of the tumour’s bulk, become progressively heavily loaded with iron and can be detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologies. Clinically effective iron chelation therapy protocols in iron-overloaded conditions using the chelating drugs deferoxamine, deferasirox, and especially deferiprone can also potentially remove excess iron from TAMs and may decrease tumour malignancy. Deferiprone can also remove excess iron from iron-loaded renal cancer cells and potentially prevent metastasis in renal carcinoma. The anticancer potential of deferiprone has also been shown in other cancers, including iron removal in prostate cancer and through cancer stem cell inhibition in breast cancer. Many ongoing clinical trials using different drugs and experimental agents for inducing or modulating ferroptosis also support the translational potential of ferroptosis-based therapeutic strategies in selected categories of cancer patients. These advances highlight ferroptosis as a potential key metabolic vulnerability with relevance for treatment-resistant and metastatic tumours. Overall, iron chelation therapeutic approaches and ferroptosis-targeting may be considered for significant use as monotherapies or in combination with other anticancer drugs and could potentially improve therapeutic outcomes and limit disease progression and mortality in many cancers. Full article

Conventional chemotherapies for cervical cancer, such as cisplatin (CDDP)-based treatments, are limited by high systemic toxicity and the development of cellular resistance. To address these drawbacks, this study reports the green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using Amphipterygium glaucum leaf extract (AGLE) and the development of a guar gum-based nanocomposite (SeNPs@GG) loaded with these NPs. The synthesized SeNPs showed a stable UV–Vis absorption band at 275 nm, a spherical morphology, and sizes ranging from 11 to 21 nm, as confirmed by TEM. FTIR and XPS analyses demonstrated interactions between Se and functional groups from the plant extract, indicating its dual role as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The guar gum nanocomposites (NCs) exhibited a porous structure with a homogeneous distribution of SeNPs, as evidenced by SEM and EDS. At the same time, XRD confirmed the crystalline nature of the SeNPs. In vitro cytotoxicity assays using HeLa cervical cancer cells revealed significant antiproliferative effects with a biphasic response related to Se’s dual biological role. The IC₅₀ values were 98.3 µg/mL for SeNPs, 93.7 µg/mL for SeNPs@GG1, and 93.5 µg/mL for SeNPs@GG2. Additional analyses confirmed apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, ROS production, mitochondrial dysfunction, and G2/M cell cycle arrest, supporting the potential of these systems as alternative chemotherapeutic strategies. Full article

Soil adhesion and abrasive wear severely degrade the performance and service life of soil-covering rollers in no-tillage seeders, particularly in the heavy clay black soil regions of Northeast China. To address the critical issues of soil adhesion and wear on soil-covering rollers used in no-tillage seeders within black soil regions, this study presents a surface engineering strategy that integrates a bionic micro-texture with a functional composite coating. Inspired by the crescent-shaped pits on the body surface of Procambarus clarkii, a bionic texture was designed and combined with a PTFE/PDMS/TiO₂ composite coating. Key parameters were optimized using response surface methodology, yielding a TiO₂ mass fraction of 6%, coating thickness of 40 μm, remaining texture depth of 50 μm, and texture spacing of 250 μm. A prototype was fabricated and evaluated through orthogonal field experiments in two distinct soil environments. In clay soil (15–25% moisture content), soil moisture and vertical load significantly influenced anti-adhesion performance, with recommended operating parameters of 600 N vertical load and a speed range of 10.8–14.4 km·h⁻¹. In sandy soil (8–18% moisture content), vertical load and operating speed had significant effects on wear resistance, with optimal parameters identified as 600 N vertical load and 10.8 km·h⁻¹. Verification tests confirmed stable low-adhesion and low-wear performance under varying moisture conditions. Compared to conventional and PTFE-coated rollers, the bionic roller reduced soil adhesion by 82.62% and 74.02%, respectively, in high-moisture clay soil, and reduced wear loss by 36.81% and 28.97%, respectively, in dry sandy soil. These results demonstrate that the synergistic “structure–material” design, which leverages stress dispersion and storage from the bionic texture alongside low surface energy and enhanced wear resistance from the composite coating, offers a promising approach for improving the durability and performance of soil-engaging agricultural components. Full article

Dendritic cells (DCs) are central to cancer immunity, orchestrating both innate and adaptive immune responses. In melanoma and other solid tumors, however, their function is often impaired within the tumor microenvironment (TME), leading to weakened antitumor immunity and diminished responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and adoptive tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy. Among the various cell-based immunotherapy approaches, DC therapy—particularly using blood-derived conventional DCs (cDCs)—holds considerable promise. Compared with traditional monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs), cDCs exhibit superior antigen processing and cross-presentation capacities. The therapeutic application of cDCs was initially pioneered in vaccine strategies involving ex vivo antigen loading and maturation, followed by administration to lymph nodes. More recently, intratumoral (IT) cDC immunotherapy has emerged as a strategy to reinvigorate the cancer-immunity cycle by engaging the full repertoire of tumor-associated antigens while limiting systemic toxicity. This review discusses the underlying biological mechanisms and summarizes the clinical outcomes of IT DC therapy in cancer. Notably, combination approaches incorporating IT cDCs with ICIs, oncolytic viruses, synthetic adjuvants, radiation, or cryotherapy are emerging as promising strategies to overcome both primary and acquired resistance to ICI monotherapy. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of integrating IT cDC therapy with complementary immunotherapies in next-generation, cross-tumor treatment strategies. Full article

Developing membranes with superior antifouling properties is crucial for efficient and sustainable water treatment. In this study, polysulfone (PSM) composite membranes were fabricated by incorporating hydroxylated titanium nanotubes (TNT@OH) via the non-solvent-induced phase separation method. The hydroxylation of TNTs enhanced their dispersion in the polymer matrix and promoted strong polymer–nanoparticle interactions. Comprehensive characterization using FTIR, XRD, TGA, FESEM, and AFM confirmed the successful integration of TNT@OH, resulting in membranes with improved hydrophilicity, porosity, and thermal stability. The contact angle decreased from ~88° for neat PSM to ~50° at 7 wt% TNT@OH, while surface free energy increased significantly. Mechanical strength and flexibility were also enhanced at optimal TNT@OH loadings (3–5 wt%), owing to uniform dispersion and strong interfacial bonding. Filtration experiments using humic acid (HA) and natural organic matter (NOM) demonstrated remarkable improvements in water flux, rejection efficiency, and fouling resistance. The composite membranes achieved HA rejection rates of up to 98%, with reduced irreversible fouling and higher flux recovery ratios across multiple filtration–cleaning cycles. The proposed antifouling mechanism is attributed to the formation of a stable hydration layer by surface hydroxyl groups, which prevents foulant adhesion and facilitates cleaning. These findings suggest that incorporating TNT@OH into polysulfone membranes is a promising approach for developing high-performance ultrafiltration membranes with enhanced permeability, mechanical robustness, and long-term antifouling stability, thereby making them suitable for advanced water purification applications. Full article