Search Results (1,055)

Aim: We aimed to provide a structured ex vivo protocol for cardiopulmonary micro-CT that combines gelatin–barium sulfate (gelatin–BaSO₄) contrast medium with agar embedding in neonatal canine cardiopulmonary specimens. Materials and Methods: Heart–lung specimens from 23 puppies that died shortly after birth were collected, stored at −20 °C, and then slowly thawed prior to imaging. Before perfusion, body mass and heart–lung complex mass were recorded. Body mass ranged from 140 to 951 g, and heart–lung complex mass ranged from 1.2 to 51.2 g. The cranial and caudal venae cavae, the brachiocephalic trunk, and the left subclavian artery were ligated. A catheter was introduced into the thoracic aorta. Contrast was prepared by dissolving porcine gelatin in hot water and mixing with a commercial BaSO₄ suspension. The mixture was maintained at a warm temperature to remain free-flowing and was delivered at low pressure until uniform opacification of the coronary and pulmonary arteries was observed. After in situ gelation, the organs were embedded in warm agar and sealed to limit motion and dehydration. Scans were performed on a benchtop system (120 kV, ~83 µA, ~1200 projections, ~2 s exposures; voxel ~40 µm). Reconstruction was performed in XMReconstructor, with post-processing in Falcon and RadiAnt. The reconstructed micro-CT datasets were reviewed anatomically by a medical cardiologist and a veterinary cardiologist, whereas vascular filling was evaluated semi-quantitatively by three observers with expertise in veterinary anatomy and cardiology. Results: In all specimens examined, the main coronary artery course was assessable. Conclusions: The gelatin–BaSO₄ contrast medium combined with agar immobilization provides a simple, lead-free, and affordable approach for structured cardiopulmonary micro-CT in very small post-mortem specimens. In the examined specimens, the workflow provided visually consistent low-pressure vascular opacification without gross evidence of vessel rupture or motion-related acquisition failure under the conditions of this study. Practical mitigations included temperature/viscosity control, avoidance of phosphate buffers, container sealing, and minimization of particle aggregation, bubbles, and dehydration. The protocol may complement conventional autopsy in very small post-mortem specimens in similar ex vivo research settings. Full article

Superhydrophobic photothermal coatings have great potential in anti-icing and de-icing applications. However, how to construct superhydrophobic coatings with high photothermal conversion performance and an appropriate rough structure is still a challenge. In this study, we first constructed the photothermal nanosphere coating by in situ co-deposition of tannic acid (TA) and (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) and then by the coordination of iron ions (Fe³⁺). A superhydrophobic photothermal coating with a micro–nano–nano hierarchical rough structure was constructed by further applying a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/hydrophobic fumed silica (SiO₂) coating. The coating has excellent superhydrophobic (water contact angle (WCA) of 158°) and efficient photothermal conversion performance (75 °C). Based on this, the coated fabric shows ideal performance in passive anti-icing and active de-icing tests. At the same time, the coated fabric also has an ideal UV shielding effect, which can ensure the long-term and efficient operation of the coated fabric in the outdoor sunlight. This preparation strategy provides an innovative method for the development of superhydrophobic photothermal coating materials and has broad application prospects in the field of flexible anti-/de-icing applications. Full article

Assessing the level of circularity in the Hotel, Restaurant and Catering (HoReCa) sector is a significant challenge due to the lack of standardized quantification methods and the absence of structured environmental and material accounting systems, features that are typical of a sector largely composed of micro-enterprises. The technical standard UNI/TS 11820:2024 has developed a set of 71 indicators for the circular economy, structured across six domains (material resources and components; energy and water; waste and emissions; logistics; products and services; and human resources, assets, policies, and sustainability), allowing the assessment of circularity levels in a replicable and comparable manner. The present research measures circularity in a table-service restaurant micro-enterprise, which has voluntarily adopted circular economy practices since its foundation. The purpose is to test the applicability of UNI/TS 11820:2024 in the HoReCa context, improve knowledge about this technical standard, and highlight its strengths and weaknesses from the managerial, methodological and public authorities’ perspective. The overall organization’s circularity score achieved is 31.88%, with performance ranging from 14.40% for “material resources and components” to 56.25% for “human resources, assets and policies”. Although UNI/TS 11820:2024 aims at bridging theoretical and practical gaps towards a harmonized set of measurement tools, sector-specific indicators for the foodservice context remain underrepresented, and public authorities and universities should promote both basic and advanced education in the field of circular economy measurement to support wider adoption. Full article

This study addresses asymmetric large surrounding rock deformation induced by narrow coal pillar instability in a gentle-dipping coal seam gob-side coal roadway (GSCR) under water-immersed and high-humidity conditions. The corresponding instability mechanism and control technology are systematically studied via integrated laboratory, theoretical, numerical and field methods. From constant temperature–humidity rock deterioration tests, SEM and XRD analysis, it is revealed that hydration of hydrophilic minerals (kaolinite, chlorite) in immediate roof mudstone intrinsically drives its macro–micro structural disintegration and mechanical degradation, and the catastrophic chain mechanism of water-induced mudstone weakening–force transmission medium failure of coal pillars and overlying strata–sliding instability of key voussoir beam blocks–linked large surrounding rock deformation is clarified. A mechanical model of the overlying voussoir beam structure for the target roadway is established considering both mudstone weakening and excavation-induced load transfer effects. The sliding criterion of key overlying blocks is derived, which quantitatively confirms that higher mudstone weakening and excavation-induced stress concentration elevate the sliding instability risk of the voussoir beam structure. Based on the findings and field conditions, a combined near-field and low-position field support scheme is proposed, including near-field reinforcement (shotcreting sealing, bolt–cable cascade reinforcement, deep grouting modification) and low-position field pressure relief via liquid CO₂ phase transition long–short boreholes roof cutting. Field application verifies that the maximum roadway deformation is controlled within 172 mm, with excellent surrounding rock control performance. Full article

Gel plugging agents are key drilling fluid additives for maintaining wellbore stability. However, the downhole ultra-high-temperature, high-salinity environments, and developed micro-fractures in deep and ultra-deep wells pose severe challenges to the performance of gel plugging agents. To address this problem, this paper presents the preparation of a nano-micron gel plugging agent with a core–shell structure, denoted as LMS, suitable for high-temperature and high-salinity water-based drilling fluids. LMS was synthesized via emulsion polymerization, using a styrene–sodium p-styrenesulfonate copolymer as the core and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid and methacryloyloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride as the shell-modifying monomers. LMS was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and particle size analysis, confirming that LMS met the design expectations. Experimental results showed that after aging at 220 °C for 16 h under saturated-salt conditions, the filtration loss of the drilling fluid with 3 wt% LMS was 10.4 mL, a reduction of 57.4% compared to the base mud. Meanwhile, LMS exhibited good plugging performance in microporous membrane tests and sand bed tests. After aging at 220 °C for 16 h under saturated-salt conditions, the core plugging rate reached 95.4%. LMS can not only adsorb onto clay surfaces to increase the thickness of the hydration film, enhancing drilling fluid stability, but can also synergistically build a filter cake with clay particles to plug nano-micron pores, preventing drilling fluid infiltration into the formation. This paper provides a preparation method for a high-temperature- and high-salinity-resistant gel plugging agent with excellent plugging effects, which is expected to support safe and efficient drilling in deep and ultra-deep formations. Full article

Ozone micro- and nanobubbles have emerged as a promising platform for advanced oxidation processes owing to their distinctive physicochemical characteristics, including exceptional stability, prolonged gas residence time, and highly active gas–liquid interfaces. Compared with conventional ozonation, micro/nanobubble-assisted systems significantly enhance ozone dissolution and utilization efficiency. They achieve this by creating a unique interfacial microenvironment that promotes localized and sustained oxidative reactions. Increasing evidence suggests that ozone oxidation is not dominated solely by homogeneous bulk-phase reactions but is strongly coupled with processes occurring at the bubble/water interface, particularly hydroxyl radical generation and surface-localized oxidation. This review provides an application-oriented overview of ozone micro/nanobubble technology by summarizing representative preparation methods and characterization techniques, elucidating their distinctive interfacial physicochemical properties, and critically examining their performance in oxidative cleaning, microbial inactivation, and complex environmental remediation. Special emphasis is placed on interpreting these phenomena from the perspective of gas–liquid reactions and surface-induced radical generation, with the aim of establishing a unified mechanistic framework that bridges fundamental properties with engineering performance. Finally, current challenges and future research directions for translating ozone micro/nanobubble systems into large-scale and long-term applications are discussed. Full article

Consumer demand for sustainable solutions to protect against hair damage is growing, yet quantitative studies linking molecular interactions to mechanical strengthening and structural changes remain limited. Here, we investigated the effectiveness of biotechnologically obtained Saccharomyces Lysate as a formulated active ingredient for hair care. Molecular modeling was used to explore the interactions between peptides in the lysate and keratin and suggested a network of intermolecular interactions at multiple sites on the proteins. Based on these observations, the strength and structural integrity of hair fibers treated with Saccharomyces Lysate were assessed using tensile measurements. We observed an improvement in the strength of bleached hair tresses, with an increased Young’s modulus compared to tresses treated only with water along with a significantly increased break stress. To visualize the hair fibers and their surface roughness after treatment with the lysate, we employed micro-computed tomography (µ-CT) offering high-resolution visualization of hair fibers. We introduce this method to qualitatively highlight surface appearance following application of a cosmetic product and complemented it with combing force measurements. Our results demonstrate the potential of this complex mixture of small peptides to strengthen hair integrity and we propose a hypothesis for its putative mode of action at the molecular level. Full article

Phytoplankton size classes (PSCs) fundamentally regulate ocean productivity, biogeochemical cycling, and carbon export, yet their distribution and optical variability across the Arabian Sea remain poorly constrained. This study develops and validates a regionally tuned absorption-based approach for phytoplankton size class estimation using in situ phytoplankton absorption spectra (a_ph(λ)) collected during six research cruises between 2016 and 2024. A significant power-law relationship between a_ph(443) and the spectral slope (S_443–510) (R² = 0.963, p < 0.001) provided a consistent optical basis for distinguishing PSCs. Co-located HPLC pigment data were used to derive empirical a_ph(443) thresholds for pico- (≤0.011 m⁻¹), nano- (0.011–0.059 m⁻¹), and micro-phytoplankton (>0.059 m⁻¹). Class-specific mean spectra showed clear optical distinctions consistent with size-dependent pigment packaging. Model evaluation showed reduced error and improved regression agreement relative to existing a_ph- and chl-a-based models when applied to the Arabian Sea dataset, with regression slopes close to unity (0.78–0.81) across all PSCs. This regional model also improved representation of transitional nano communities, which are commonly associated with higher uncertainties in global models. The empirical relationships developed in this study were applied to VIIRS Level 3 a_ph(443) data for 2024 to generate PSC distributions. Satellite-derived PSC fields revealed pronounced spatial gradients and regional contrasts across the Arabian Sea, including micro-phytoplankton blooms in the northern Arabian Sea and mixed nano-dominated communities along the western Arabian Sea (Somali coast). Pico-phytoplankton dominated the low-absorption oligotrophic offshore waters, while nano-phytoplankton were most common in transitional regions influenced by moderate nutrient inputs. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the combined a_ph(443)-S_443–510 framework provides a practical, regionally optimized method for retrieving PSCs at synoptic scales across the Arabian Sea, supporting improved bio-optical modelling and satellite-based monitoring of phytoplankton community structure in this region. Full article

The extensive use of agrochemicals and plastic materials has led to the accumulation of persistent pollutants in agricultural soils, raising concerns about agroecosystems through posing potential risks to soil and environmental health. This review synthesizes recent knowledge on these pollutant sources, including their distribution, fate, transformation pathways, and detection methods, as well as their impacts on soil physicochemical properties, microbial populations, plants, and ecosystems. Existing findings indicate that agrochemicals and micro-nano plastics (MPs-NPs) can significantly impede the stability of soil aggregation, increase soil water holding capacity (WHC) and porosity, reduce bulk density and infiltration, alter soil structure, and affect soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), electrical conductivity (EC), and nutrient retention capacity. Moreover, exposure to these pollutants alters soil microbial communities, enzymatic activity, nitrification and denitrification processes, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), thereby affecting carbon pools and fluxes as well as nutrient cycling. However, the magnitude and direction of these effects are strongly influenced by soil type, pollutant class, concentration, and physicochemical properties. Furthermore, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are negatively affected due to the presence of such persistent pollutants by impairing their physiological processes. Despite these findings, mechanistic understanding remains limited due to a lack of long-term field investigation and proper detection methods, particularly regarding NPs. A comprehensive understanding of agrochemical and MP-NP interactions is essential for developing sustainable soil management strategies and agroecosystems. Future studies should address the development of standardized NP detection methods and the conducting of long-term field studies to elucidate MP-NP and agrochemical interactions, soil impacts, and crop uptake mechanisms. Full article

Objectives: Concentrated pills, as a modernization and upgrade of traditional pills, have achieved significant advancements in dosage form. However, their extended disintegration and dispersion times have become a major limitation to their therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, an in-depth study and explanation of the dissolution mechanism of concentrated pills, along with the development of processing technology to control dissolution time, has emerged as a critical bottleneck in improving the quality of concentrated pills. Methods: In this study, the Liuwei Dihuang (LWDH) concentrated pill, derived from the classical Liuwei Dihuang pill, was selected as a representative model. Two drying methods—hot-air drying and hot air–microwave combined drying—were comparatively investigated to evaluate their effects on dissolution time. The dissolution behavior was elucidated by analyzing water migration during the dissolution process, as well as the textural properties and internal structural characteristics of the pills using Low-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (LF-NMR), Micro-Computed Tomography (Micro-CT), texture analysis, and other modern techniques. Results: The results indicated that: (i) The rate of water absorption during the dissolution process of the LWDH pill was influenced by the number and size of the internal pores. (ii) Hot air–microwave combined drying results in more pores and faster dissolution. (iii) High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) fingerprints showed no significant differences in the active ingredients between the samples. Conclusions: The drying method significantly affected the internal structure of the pills, suggesting that controlling the drying process could address the prolonged dissolution time of concentrated pills. Full article

To effectively mitigate the early-age shrinkage and cracking of alkali-activated cementitious materials (AAMs), superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) were adopted in this study to absorb and store water in the mixture, which is continuously released during the setting and hardening process. This approach prolongs the setting and hardening process of AAM, improves the stability of its microstructure, and reduces crack formation. Meanwhile, the influence mechanism of CO₂ curing on the strength of SAP-modified AAM was investigated. Through mechanical strength testing, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), heat release measurement during setting and hardening, and pore size distribution testing of specimens with different mix proportions and curing conditions, effective methods to improve the mechanical strength and microstructural development of AAM were explored. The results show that CO₂ curing can significantly enhance the early-age strength of AAM, promote the formation of carbonation products, and optimize the pore structure of AAM at the micro-level. An appropriate amount of SAP can prolong the setting and hardening process of AAM and improve the degree of its setting and hardening; however, excessive SAP reduces the concentration of alkaline solution in the mixture matrix, increasing resistance to the setting and hardening of AAM. Full article

Natural fibers are among the most extensively exploited bio-based materials in industry due to their abundance, affordability, and biodegradability. However, their intrinsic properties often require improvement through chemical, mechanical, or enzymatic treatments to expand their applications. Phosphorylation is a highly effective chemical modification that enables the covalent grafting of phosphate groups onto the fiber backbone. These functionalities enhance hydrophilicity, anionic charge density, swelling capacity, and water uptake, while significantly improving flame-retardant performance. In addition, phosphorylation can reduce energy consumption and production costs in the manufacture of functionalized micro- and nanofibrillated fibers, as the increased swelling facilitates fibrillation. Consequently, phosphorylated fibers are suitable for water treatment, biomedical devices, construction materials, and other advanced materials. Dozens of reagents and various synthetic routes have been explored to perform this reaction, each producing materials with distinct properties. Phosphorus content remains the primary parameter used to assess modification efficiency. This literature review examines existing phosphorylation methods, including reagents, substrates, and characterization techniques, and discusses applications such as flame retardancy, thermal insulation, ion exchange, energy storage, electrodes, and battery recycling. It also briefly addresses key challenges, including limited hydroxyl accessibility, control of the degree of substitution, potential cellulose degradation, and scalability constraints. Full article

MEMS hydrophones, as critical sensors for maritime security and underwater information acquisition, have sensitive membrane structures that exhibit insufficient ability to withstand hydrostatic pressure, necessitating an overload-protection design. Based on buckling stability theory, a collaborative optimization method for overload-protection column design was proposed, integrating theoretical analysis, finite-element simulation, and process feasibility. An optimized design scheme for hydrophone overload-protection columns was established by comprehensively considering geometric buckling-resistant design, micro-gap anti-adhesion requirements, minimal impact on sensitivity, and micro/nano-fabrication constraints. The results indicate that intermediate slenderness columns with radii between 5.5 μm and 7.5 μm sufficiently meet both fabrication and operational requirements, effectively providing overload protection. Furthermore, at water depths not exceeding 382 m, the MEMS hydrophone can maintain the integrity of its membrane structure without column buckling. Full article

Forests worldwide are increasingly affected by climate-driven stressors and large-scale disturbances that impair tree physiology, disrupt water and carbon balance, and increase mortality risk. In this context, successful natural and artificial regeneration is essential for maintaining forest continuity, carbon storage, and biodiversity. However, regeneration outcomes depend not only on site conditions but also on biotic pressures, especially browsing by cervids in temperate and boreal forests. The aim of this review was to identify and synthesize evidence on how silvicultural methods can reduce browsing damage in forest regeneration and to assess how these methods influence the underlying drivers of cervid pressure through stand structure and forage availability. We examine mechanisms operating at two spatial scales: at the microscale, regeneration type, planting density, structural heterogeneity, planting stock, and how species mixture influences browsing probability and intensity; at the macroscale, how cutting systems and the spatial and temporal arrangement of harvests shape foraging landscapes by concentrating or dispersing browse resources and edge habitats. The reviewed evidence shows that dense, structurally diverse natural regeneration can dilute browsing pressure, whereas uniform artificial regeneration may increase repeated damage, and that species composition and mixture patterns can either protect or expose palatable species. We conclude that integrating microscale regeneration design with landscape-level harvest planning can strengthen stand resilience, reduce dependence on fencing, and support climate-adaptive forest development. To the best of our knowledge, no previous review has synthesized this evidence across both micro- and macroscale silvicultural contexts. Although most of the studies included in this review originate from Europe, we believe that the knowledge presented here is relevant to the majority of boreal and temperate forests worldwide. Full article

Currently, China boasts abundant shale gas resources. However, in the process of flowing production, there remain significant discrepancies in our understanding of the flow patterns of gas and water, and many challenges persist in gas–water measurement. Given the dense pore structure and complex micro-features of shale gas reservoirs, this study proposes a method to estimate the fractal dimension by utilizing shale mercury injection curves based on experimentally determined relative permeability curves, thereby enabling a more accurate fitting of these curves. Experimental results show that the two-phase co-infiltration zone in the shale is narrow overall, with bound water saturation exceeding 50%. The findings indicate that the experimentally measured relative permeability curves closely match those fitted using the fractal dimension approach. Moreover, the lower the permeability, the more the equal-permeability points of the fitted curves shift toward the lower-right quadrant. Overall, the fitting performance is satisfactory, providing additional research directions and insights for determining relative permeability curves of gas and water in shale gas reservoirs. Full article