Search Results (129)

Small-diameter synthetic grafts often fail from thrombosis, intimal hyperplasia, and compliance mismatch, highlighting the need for alternatives that better support endothelialization and remodeling. Here, we evaluated multilayer plant-based vascular grafts fabricated from decellularized leatherleaf viburnum reinforced with cross-linked gelatin, seeded with vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells, and conditioned in a perfusion bioreactor to mimic physiological shear stress. Pre-implant assays confirmed effective decellularization, low residual detergent, and mechanical integrity suitable for surgical handling. In a rat abdominal aorta interposition model, plant-based grafts remained patent at 1, 4, and 24 weeks and showed higher survival than silicone controls. Ultrasound imaging demonstrated flow patterns and resistance indices similar to native vessels, and plant-based grafts maintained significantly higher endothelial cell coverage than silicone controls, reaching native-like density by 24 weeks. Histology and biochemical assays showed early collagen and elastin coverage comparable to native aorta and increased collagen by 24 weeks. Scanning electron microscopy showed smooth luminal surfaces with minimal thrombus formation, contrasting with the rougher, thrombus-prone surfaces of silicone grafts. These findings indicate that plant-based grafts support endothelialization, maintain long-term patency, and undergo favorable remodeling in vivo, supporting their potential as a biomimetic alternative for small-diameter arterial repair. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) involves chronic hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation, and oxidative stress that drive cardiometabolic and renal damage despite current therapies. Sodium–glucose cotransporter (SGLT) inhibitors have reshaped the treatment landscape, but residual risk and safety concerns highlight the need for new agents that combine glucose-lowering efficacy with redox–inflammatory modulation. LASSBio-1986 is a synthetic N-acylhydrazone (NAH) derivative designed as a gliflozin-like scaffold with the potential to interact with SGLT1/2 while also influencing oxidative and inflammatory pathways. Here, we integrated in silico and in vivo approaches to characterize LASSBio-1986 as a multifunctional antidiabetic lead in murine models of glucose dysregulation. PASS and target class prediction suggested a broad activity spectrum and highlighted transporter- and stress-related pathways. Molecular docking indicated high-affinity binding to both SGLT1 and SGLT2, with a modest energetic preference for SGLT2, and ADME/Tox predictions supported favorable oral drug-likeness. In vivo, intraperitoneal LASSBio-1986 improved oral glucose tolerance and reduced glycemic excursions in an acute glucose challenge model in C57BL/6 mice, while enhancing hepatic and skeletal muscle glycogen stores. In a dexamethasone-induced insulin-resistance model, LASSBio-1986 improved insulin sensitivity, favorably modulated serum lipids, attenuated thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), restored reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, and rebalanced pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in metabolic tissues, with efficacy broadly comparable to dapagliflozin. These convergent findings support LASSBio-1986 as a preclinical, multimodal lead that targets SGLT-dependent glucose handling while mitigating oxidative and inflammatory stress in models relevant to T2DM. Chronic disease models, formal toxicology, and pharmacokinetic studies, particularly with oral dosing, will be essential to define its translational potential. Full article

There is a significant demand for flexibility in steam turbines, including rapid cold starts and load changes, as well as operation at low partial loads. Both industrial plants and systems for electricity and heat generation are impacted. These new operating modes result in complex, asymmetric temperature fields and additional thermally induced stresses. These lead to casing deformations, which affect blade tip gap and casing flange sealing integrity. The exact progression of heat flux and heat transfer coefficients within the cavities of steam turbines remains unclear. The current methods used in the calculation departments rely on simplified, averaged estimates, despite the presence of complex flow phenomena. These include swirling inflows, temperature gradients, impinging jets, unsteady turbulence, and vortex formation. This paper presents a novel sensor and its thermal measurements taken on a full-scale steam turbine test rig. Numerical calculations were performed concurrently. The results were validated by measurements. Additionally, the distribution of the heat transfer coefficient along the cavity was analysed. The rule of L’Hôpital was applied at specific locations. A method for handling axial variation in the heat transfer coefficient is also proposed. Measurements were taken under real-life conditions with a full-scale test rig at MAN Energy Solutions SE, Oberhausen, with steam parameters of 400 °C and 30 bar. The results at various operating points are presented. Full article

Traditional diode-based rectifiers (TDRs) in railway traction substations (TSSs) are inefficient at handling bidirectional power flow and cannot recover regenerative braking energy (RBE). Replacing these conventional systems with reversible traction substations (RTSSs) requires detailed modeling, extensive simulations, and validation using real data. This paper presents a DT-oriented real-time modeling and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) platform for the analysis and performance assessment of RTSSs in DC railway systems. The integration of interleaved PWM rectifiers enables bidirectional power flow, allowing efficient RBE recovery and its return to the main grid. Modeling railway networks with moving trains is complex due to nonlinear dynamics arising from continuously varying positions, speeds, and accelerations. The proposed approach introduces an innovative multi-train simulation method combined with low-level transient and power-quality analysis. The validated DT model, supported by HIL emulation using OPAL-RT, accurately reproduces real-world system behavior, enabling optimal component sizing and evaluation of key performance indicators such as voltage ripple, total harmonic distortion, passive-component stress, and current imbalance. The results demonstrate improved energy efficiency, enhanced system design, and reduced operational costs. Meanwhile, experimental validation on a small-scale RTSS prototype, based on data from the Italian 3 kV DC railway system, confirms the accuracy and applicability of the proposed DT-oriented framework. Full article

Banana harvesting relies heavily on manual labor, which is labor-intensive and prone to fruit damage due to insufficient control of contact forces. This paper presents a systematic methodology for the design and optimization of adaptive flexible end-effectors for banana bunch harvesting, focusing on contact behavior and mechanical constraints. By integrating response surface methodology (RSM) with multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) optimization, the relationships between finger geometry parameters and key performance metrics—contact area, contact stress, and radial stiffness—were quantified, and Pareto-optimal structural configurations were identified. Experimental and simulation results demonstrate that the optimized flexible fingers effectively improve handling performance: contact area increased by 13–28%, contact stress reduced by 45–56%, and radial stiffness enhanced by 193%, while the maximum shear stress on the fruit stalk decreased by 90%, ensuring harvesting stability during dynamic loading. The optimization effectively distributes contact pressure, minimizes fruit damage, and enhances grasping reliability. The proposed contact-behavior-constrained design framework enables passive adaptation to fruit morphology without complex sensors, offering a generalizable solution for soft robotic handling of fragile and irregular agricultural products. This work bridges the gap between bio-inspired gripper design and practical agricultural application, providing both theoretical insights and engineering guidance for automated, low-damage fruit harvesting systems. Full article

As global food demand rises and agricultural labor shortages intensify, robotic automation has become essential for sustainable fruit grasping. Among emerging technologies, ElectroAdhesion (EA) grippers offer a promising alternative to traditional mechanical end-effectors, enabling gentle, low-pressure handling through electrostatically induced adhesion. This paper presents a methodical review of EA grippers applied to fruit grasping, focusing on their advantages, limitations, and key design considerations. A targeted literature search identified ten EA-based and hybrid EA gripping systems tested on fruit manipulation, though none has yet been tested in real-world environments such as fields or greenhouses. Despite a significant variability in experimental setups, materials, and grasp types, qualitative insights are drawn from our analysis demonstrating the potentialities of EA technologies. The EA grippers found in the targeted review are effective on diverse fruits, shapes, and surface textures; they can hold load capacities ranging from 10 g (~0.1 N) to 600 g (~6 N) and provide minimal compressive stress at high electrostatic shear forces. Along with custom EA grippers designed accordingly to specific use cases, field and greenhouse testing will be crucial for advancing the technology readiness level of EA grippers and unlocking their full potential in automated crop harvesting. Full article

Propagation phase metasurfaces have excellent electromagnetic regulation and polarization-insensitive properties, while roll-to-plate nanoimprint lithography (R2P-NIL) is ideal for their large-scale low-cost fabrication. Existing demolding simulations for R2P-NIL are limited to 2D analysis, ignore elastomeric roller impacts, and cannot handle the discrete pillar/hole structures of such metasurfaces. This study establishes a 3D multiscale simulation model using a finite element method combining a macroscopic elastomeric roller deformation model and a microscopic demolding stress model with motion equation-based parameter transfer. Simulation results show macroscopically that zero elastomeric layer thickness minimizes stress, while stress rises and then stabilizes with increasing thickness; a moderately larger roller radius disperses stress; excessive pressure amplifies stress; a microscopically higher resist elastic modulus lowers stress; cylindrical structures have less stress than cuboids; and the limit aspect ratio peaks at a 100 nm line width. This work provides theoretical support for R2P-NIL parameter optimization and promotes the stable large-scale production of propagation phase metasurfaces. Full article

Nanogels provide unique opportunities for stabilizing fragile enzymes through soft, hydrated polymer networks. Here, we report the development of a glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-loaded nanogel (GPxNG) engineered via a mild “grafting-to” epoxy–amine coupling strategy to enhance enzyme stability and antioxidant function. An amphiphilic copolymer composed of methacrylated 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl (PMA) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was synthesized by controlled reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization using a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) macro-chain transfer agent (macro-CTA), yielding well-defined polymer chains with reactive epoxy groups. Covalent conjugation between polymer epoxides and GPx enzyme surface amines generated soft, PEGylated nanogels with high coupling efficiency, uniform particle sizes, and excellent colloidal stability. The engineered nanogels exhibited shear-thinning injectability, robust storage stability, and non-cytotoxic behavior in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Compared with native GPx enzyme, GPxNGs demonstrated significantly enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity, including strong inhibition of lipid peroxidation and copper-induced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. Importantly, the nanogels preserved GPx enzyme activity after extended storage, freeze–thaw cycles, and repeated catalytic use, whereas the free enzyme rapidly lost function. This protective effect arises from the nanoscale confinement of the GPx enzyme within the flexible PEG-based network, which limits unfolding and aggregation. Overall, this work introduces a simple and biocompatible “grafting-to” nanogel platform capable of stabilizing redox-active enzymes without harsh conditions. The GPx nanogels combine high enzymatic preservation, potent antioxidant activity, and excellent handling properties, highlighting their potential as a therapeutic nanoplatform for mitigating oxidative stress-associated disorders such as atherosclerosis. Full article

Because of their technical qualities, such as resistance to fading and to high temperatures, mineral pigments are still widely used. Among mineral pigments, iron oxide pigments represent a widely used class, because of their diversity of shades (from yellow to red to brown to black) and low toxicity compared to heavy metals-based pigments. However, low toxicity does not mean the absence of adverse effects. We thus investigated the biological effects of two different subtypes of Pigment Red 101, i.e., hematite, produced by two different processes, namely a wet precipitation process and a calcination process. Macrophages were chosen as a target cell type because they represent the main scavenger cell type that is in charge of handling particulate materials in the body. During this comparison, we realized that the calcined pigment was contaminated from the start by bacterial endotoxins, which induced intense inflammatory responses and biased the comparison. After depyrogenation, the calcined pigment proved to dissolve to a higher extent in macrophages, but to show less intense adverse effects (e.g., alteration of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses) than the precipitated pigment in a recovery exposure mode, allowing us to investigate delayed effects of the pigments. Thus, despite their identical pigment number, pigments differing in their structure and in their synthesis induce different responses from living cells, even if administrated in equivalent amounts. This should be taken into account for some applications, such as tattooing. Moreover, endotoxin contamination should also be checked to increase workers’ and users’ safety. Full article

The global agricultural sector faces escalating labor shortages and post-harvest losses, particularly in delicate crop handling. This study introduces an integrated soft robotic harvesting system addressing these challenges through four key innovations. First, a low-cost, high-yield fabrication method for silicone-based soft grippers is proposed, reducing production costs by 60% via compressive-sealing molds. Second, a decentralized IoT architecture with edge computing achieves real-time performance (42 fps to 73 fps) on affordable hardware (around $180 per node). Third, a lightweight vision pipeline combines handcrafted geometric features and contrast analysis for crop maturity assessment and gripper tracking under occlusion. Fourth, a Neo-Hookean-based statics model incorporating circumferential stress and variable cross-sections reduces tip position errors to 5.138 mm. Experimental validation demonstrates 100% gripper fabrication yield and hybrid feedforward–feedback control efficacy. These advancements bridge the gap between laboratory prototypes and field-deployable solutions, offering scalable automation for perishable crop harvesting. Full article

In arid and water-stressed regions, groundwater desalination plants are critical for ensuring reliable potable water supplies, making improvements in their operational efficiency and cost effectiveness a priority for utilities. In many such facilities, lime and soda ash softening remain common pretreatment practices, which increase chemical consumption and sludge generation, prompting the need for alternative low-chemical strategies. This study evaluates the technical, operational, and economic implications of transitioning a full-scale brackish groundwater desalination plant, from lime–soda ash softening (old plan) to a low-chemical pretreatment strategy based on antiscalant dosing (new plan) upstream of reverse osmosis (RO). Key parameters, including pH, total hardness, calcium and magnesium hardness, silica, iron, alkalinity, and total dissolved solids (TDS), were measured and compared at multiple locations within the treatment plant under both the old and new plans. Removing lime and soda ash caused higher levels of hardness, alkalinity, and silica in the water before RO treatment, increasing the risk of scaling. Operationally, the feed pressure increased from 11.43 ± 0.16 bar (old plan) to a peak of 25.50 ± 0.10 bar in the new plan, accompanied by a decline in water production. Chemical cleaning effectively restored performance, reducing feed pressure to 13.13 ± 0.05 bar, confirming that fouling and scaling were the primary, reversible causes. Despite these challenges, the plant consistently produced water that complied with Saudi Standards for Unbottled Drinking Water (e.g., pH = 7.18 ± 0.09, TDS = 978.27 ± 9.26 mg/L). Economically, the new strategy reduced operating expenditure by approximately 54% (0.295 → 0.135 $/m³), largely due to substantial reductions in chemical and sludge handling costs, although these savings were partially offset by higher energy consumption and more frequent membrane maintenance. Overall, the findings emphasize the importance of systematic performance evaluation during operational transitions, providing guidance for utilities seeking to optimize pretreatment design while maintaining compliance, long-term membrane protection, and environmental sustainability. Full article

The Internet of Things (IoT) offers promising solutions for smart agriculture, particularly in the monitoring of livestock. This paper proposes a contactless, low-cost system for individual cow identification and monitoring in a dairy barn using a single Pan–Tilt–Zoom (PTZ) camera and a YOLOv8 deep learning model. The PTZ camera periodically scans the barn, capturing images that are processed to detect and recognize a specific target cow among the herd without any wearable sensors. The system embeds barn area metadata in each image, allowing it to estimate the cow’s location and compute the frequency of its presence in predefined zones. We fine-tuned a YOLOv8 object detection model to distinguish the target cow, achieving high precision in identification. Experimental results in a real barn environment demonstrate that the system can identify an individual cow with 85.96% Precision and 68.06% Recall, and the derived spatial occupancy patterns closely match ground truth observations. Compared to conventional methods requiring multiple fixed cameras or RFID-based wearables, the proposed approach significantly reduces equipment costs and animal handling stress. It should be noted that the present work serves as a proof-of-concept for targeted cow tracking that identifies and follows a specific individual within a herd rather than a fully generalized multi-cow identification system. Full article

Work performed in confined and low-height spaces (NSLH) is relatively common across several industries, yet it has not been adequately addressed from an ergonomic perspective. Such activities require workers to adopt awkward postures, most often with the trunk bent and rotated, while handling loads positioned at varying distances from the body. These conditions lead to rapid fatigue, musculoskeletal strain, and, in the long term, may cause serious health disorders. Traditional ergonomic risk assessment methods, such as REBA, RULA, or QEC, were initially applied in these situations; however, the results were unsatisfactory. Their broad applicability and reliance on calculation tables that incorporate factors irrelevant to NSLH tasks prevent them from providing an accurate evaluation of ergonomic risks in these environments. To overcome these limitations, a new assessment method, RALH (Risk Assessment for Narrow Spaces with Low Height), was developed. The method aims to evaluate ergonomic risks in contexts where workers cannot maintain an upright posture, resulting in significant stress on the spinal column, particularly in the lumbar and cervical regions. The RALH methodology incorporates parameters such as trunk inclination, trunk rotation, load weight, distance between the body and the load, exposure duration, and the worker’s physical fitness. A dedicated software tool, ERGO Agent—RALH, was designed to implement this methodology, providing structured data collection, parameter normalization, and ergonomic risk calculation. Case studies, including distribution agents working inside van cargo compartments, demonstrated that the method produces accurate and objective results. Beyond diagnosis, RALH also supports the development of preventive strategies, such as equipment optimization, task allocation, worker training, and physical conditioning. Overall, the RALH method is a practical tool for improving occupational health and efficiency in NSLH environments, where traditional ergonomic approaches are insufficient. Full article

Hydroxytyrosol (HXT), a phenolic compound from olive, shows great potential as a neuroprotective agent and a translational target for claim-ready nutrition and food products. Human studies increasingly report benefits for vascular function, inflammatory tone, and early cognitive/psychomotor outcomes, consistent with engagement of redox and signalling pathways (Keap1–Nrf2–ARE, PI3K/Akt–ERK, and AMPK–SIRT1–PGC-1α). HXT is rapidly absorbed and likely reaches the brain, acting on endothelial and microglial targets. On the neurovascular axis, it reduces oxidative stress, preserves nitric-oxide bioavailability, lower inflammatory markers, and favourable intrinsic connectivity. For product development, bitterness from oleuropein-rich inputs can be mitigated by hydrolysis, followed by structure-guided delivery to balance sensory quality with exposure. Viable formats include cyclodextrin inclusion, microencapsulation, and (micro)emulsions in lipid matrices, plus stability engineering for aqueous systems (acidification, chelation, low-oxygen handling, or barrier packaging). Matrix effects are consequential; some proteins and fibers may decrease HXT bioaccessibility, whereas lipid phases and microstructured carriers often enhance it. Clinically, recommended doses are ~7–15 mg/day chronically and ~30–60 mg acutely. As conclusions of this review, future work should prioritize harmonized pharmacokinetics–pharmacodynamics readouts, cognition anchored to a compact neurovascular/blood–brain barrier biomarker core, and head-to-head comparisons of manufacturable delivery formats. Full article

Background/Objectives: β-Carotene oxygenase-2 (BCO2) is a mitochondrial carotenoid-cleaving enzyme expressed in multiple tissues, including the lungs. While BCO2 regulates carotenoid handling, its role in shaping pulmonary immune architecture and antiviral responses is unknown. We hypothesized that BCO2 deficiency reprograms epithelial–innate circuits and alters antiviral outcomes. Methods: BCO2-knockout (KO) and C57BL/6J wild-type (WT) mice underwent lung single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), immunoblotting, and intranasal SARS-CoV-2 challenge to assess cell-type heterogeneity, pathway programs (by gene set variation analysis, GSVA), and antiviral responses. Results: scRNA-seq resolved 14 major lung cell populations with cell-type-specific pathway shifts. Compared with WT, BCO2 KO lungs showed increased conventional dendritic cells and natural killer (NK) cells, with reductions in macrophages, B cells, and endothelial cells. In KO alveolar type II cells, GSVA indicated a stress-adapted metabolic program. Ciliated epithelium exhibited vitamin-K-responsive and axoneme-remodeling signatures with attenuated glucocorticoid and very-low-density lipoprotein remodeling. Innate lymphoid type 2 cells favored fatty acid oxidation and chromatin dynamics with reduced mitochondrial activity. NK cells were biased toward constitutive chemokine/cytokine secretion and counter-inflammatory signaling. Immunoblotting confirmed the elevated level of interferon regulatory factor-3 protein in BCO2-KO lungs. Functionally, BCO2-KO mice had improved outcomes after intranasal SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Conclusions: Loss of BCO2 reconfigures the pulmonary immune landscape and enhances antiviral responsiveness in mice. These findings identify BCO2 as a nutrient-linked enzyme with immunomodulatory impact and highlight cell-state changes as candidate mechanisms for improved antiviral tolerance. Full article