Search Results (801)

Saltwater Intrusion (SWI) is threatening coastal archaeological sites, particularly in Crotone, southern Italy. The study area has been experiencing notable SWI due to over-pumping of groundwater, rising land subsidence, and climate change. Consequently, this study examines the applicability of polycaprolactone (PCL), a common biodegradable polymer, as a protective barrier for archaeological conservation. PCL films were synthesized via solvent casting and dried under controlled conditions. Physicochemical properties of the films were evaluated using six analytical techniques: (1) contact angle measurements for surface hydrophobicity, (2) Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) for chemical stability, (3) Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for morphological characterization, (4) permeability testing for evaluating saltwater diffusion, (5) mechanical testing for tensile properties, and (6) biodegradability assays for degradation rates. All samples were evaluated at 0, 30, 60, and 90 days in natural seawater. Results from these tests indicate that unmodified PCL films exhibited moderate hydrophobicity, partial hydrolytic degradation, resistance to permeability, declining mechanical strength, and limited biodegradability over the testing period. Full article

Background/Objectives: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and large extracellular vesicles (LEVs) are key components of the liquid biopsy that provide minimally invasive access to tumor biology. A clinically relevant subset of CTCs coexpressing epithelial and immune markers (im.CTCs) has been described, yet the origin of this phenotype remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the cellular and molecular context underlying the emergence of immune marker expression on CTCs and LEVs. Methods: Using high-resolution immunofluorescence microscopy of patient-derived blood samples, we identified direct physical interactions between white blood cells (WBCs) and both im.CTCs and im.LEVs, exclusively in patients harboring im.CTCs. Results: In several cases, WBCs partially encapsulated CTCs and LEVs, and quantitative analysis revealed localized enrichment of immune membrane markers at the contact interface, distinguishing these events from random proximity. Proteomic profiling further identified CD4+ T cells as the predominant interacting immune cell type and confirmed the presence of CD45, CD3, and CD4 on the interacting CTCs and LEVs, matching their WBC counterparts. Conclusion: These findings support membrane transfer as a potential mechanism for the acquisition of immune markers by CTCs and LEVs and provide in vivo evidence of contact-dependent tumor-immune interactions in circulation with implications for immune modulation and clinical interpretation of the im.CTC phenotype. Full article

Background: Superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) is characterized by a bony defect of the superior semicircular canal (SSC), leading to vestibular and auditory symptoms. A process of spontaneous “auto-plugging,” in which the overlying dura mater progressively occludes the SSC, may replicate the effects of surgical canal plugging but remains under-recognized. The present study reports diverse clinical, instrumental, and 3d High Resolution MRI findings in patients with SSCD and subsequently confirmed to present with spontaneous complete or partial auto-plugging. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 11 patients with SSCD diagnosed on high-resolution CT and suspected auto-plugging based on clinical atypia and large dehiscence (>4 mm). Patients underwent comprehensive neurotological assessment, including pure-tone audiometry, vestibular testing, and HR MRI with 3D labyrinthine reconstructions to identify partial or complete auto-plugging. Auto-plugging was classified as partial (Canalis semicircularis superior depressus) or complete (absence of endolymph fluid signal; Canalis semicircularis superior obturatus). Results: Among 13 ears with auto-plugging, 6 were partial and 7 complete. The mean SSCD size in auto-plugged ears was 5.5 mm. Most ears had normal or near-normal vestibular function on VHIT, with minimal air-bone gaps and preserved VEMP responses. Imaging demonstrated varying degrees of dural contact with the SSC, confirming partial or complete canal occlusion. Conclusions: Spontaneous auto-plugging of the SSC is a plausible, under-recognized phenomenon that may reproduce functional effects of surgical plugging. Dedicated 3D labyrinthine MRI enhances detection and characterization. Prospective multimodal studies are needed to clarify the pathophysiology, progression, and clinical implications, optimizing patient selection for surgical versus conservative management. Full article

In recent years, immersion cooling has gained wide interest for thermal management of lithium-ion batteries. Usually, dielectric oils or fluorinated liquid are used as immersion coolants to avert short circuits, but they have low thermal conductivity and high cost. Although water offers superior heat-transfer performance, its poor dielectric property means it cannot be used directly as an immersion coolant. Near full-depth partial immersion (NFDPI) was proposed as a viable alternative, in which water does not contact the tabs of batteries. In this study, an NFDPI experimental system is set up, and the effects of coolant flow rate, discharge rate, and inlet–outlet configuration on thermal management performance are investigated. Since direct observation of the immersion tank’s internal flow is challenging, numerical simulations are conducted to resolve the flow field under various operating conditions. The experimental and simulated results reveal that NFDPI cooling effectively limits the module’s maximum temperature, and the module’s maximum temperature spread is mainly attributed to the cell’s vertical temperature gradient. These findings offer guidance for the practical deployment of water-based NFDPI lithium-ion battery energy storage systems. Full article

This article evaluates the influence of replicated natural structures, produced by micro-machining, on the wettability of plastic parts made from hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymer materials under various temperature and pressure conditions. Although many studies have focused on biomimetic surface design, the effect of specific processing parameters on the accurate replication of natural topologies and their resulting wettability has been only partially explored. This study addresses this gap by systematically analyzing the effect of melt temperature and packing pressure on the functional replication of micro-machined biomimetic structures. The research describes the design of hierarchical microstructures inspired by biomimetics and their fabrication by micro-milling on molded parts. Test samples were prepared from polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and polyamide 6.6 (PA 6.6) under different processing parameters, and wettability was assessed using contact angle (CA) measurements. The results confirmed significant variations in surface wettability depending on polymer type, melt temperature, and packing pressure. For the hydrophilic relief (Rock Moss), contact angles below 90° were obtained for all tested polymers, including PP, which decreased from 98.7° on a flat surface to 82.4° at 220 °C and 500 bar. In PA 6.6, a reduction of up to 12% in contact angle was observed compared to smooth samples at 310 °C and 500 bar. For hydrophobic reliefs (Three-part Hibiscus and Tricolor Pansy), contact angles exceeded 100–110°, with the highest value of 108.3 ± 1.6° for PP at 200 °C and 500 bar. Suitable combinations of melt temperature and packing pressure enabled accurate replication of microstructures while preserving their functional wettability, demonstrating the possibility of tuning surface properties through topological design. Full article

Ageing results in the progressive loss of near vision, known as presbyopia, which impacts individuals and society. Existing corrective methods offer only partial compensation and do not restore dynamic focusing at varying distances. This work presents a closed-loop correction system for presbyopia, employing biopotential signals from the ciliary muscle and an artificial neural network to predict the eye’s accommodative state in real time. Non-invasive contact lens electrodes collect biopotential data, which are preprocessed and classified using a multi-layer perceptron. The classifier output guides a control system that adjusts an external focus-tunable lens, enabling both accommodation and disaccommodation similar to a young eye. The system demonstrated an accuracy of 0.79, with F1-scores of 0.78 for prediction of accommodation and 0.77 for disaccommodation. Using the system in two presbyopic subjects, near visual acuity improved from 0.28 and 0.38 to 0.04 and −0.03 logMAR, while distance acuity remained stable. Despite challenges such as signal quality and individual variability, the findings demonstrate the feasibility of restoring near-natural accommodation in presbyopia using neuromuscular signals and adaptive lens control. Future research will focus on system validation, expanding the dataset, and pre-clinical testing in implantable devices. Full article

This study investigates the phylogenetic relationships, genetic diversity, and biogeographic structure of Pipistrellus species in Türkiye using mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cytb) sequences from 156 specimens collected across 26 localities. Our primary aim was to clarify taxonomic boundaries of morphologically cryptic species and elucidate the evolutionary role of Anatolia in the Western Palearctic. Analyses strongly confirmed that molecular data are mandatory for defining taxonomic boundaries. Crucially, all individuals morphologically identified as P. pygmaeus were genetically determined to be P. pipistrellus, highlighting the inadequacy of external traits for cryptic species. We resolved deep intraspecific divergence across the genus. In P. pipistrellus, two major lineages (Eastern and Western) were identified, partially separated by the Anatolian Diagonal. Their co-occurrence in multiple localities confirms Anatolia’s function as a secondary contact zone. Similarly, P. kuhlii populations represent a transition zone where two distinct lineages, one of Asiatic origin (P. k. lepidus) and one Mediterranean-Levantine (P. k. kuhlii), meet. Furthermore, while P. nathusii is largely associated with migratory European lineages; a genetically distinct, potentially resident lineage was revealed in southwestern Anatolia. Divergence time estimations indicate that this diversification was shaped by major climatic events from the Miocene to the Pleistocene. This study demonstrates that Anatolia is more than just a geographic bridge; it is a dynamic center of evolution, functioning critically as both a glacial refugium and a secondary contact zone for Palearctic bat fauna. Full article

This study introduces the Graph-Structured Physics-Informed DeepONet (GS-PI-DeepONet), a novel neural network framework designed to address the challenges of solving parametric Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) in structural analysis, particularly for problems with complex geometries and dynamic boundary conditions. By integrating Graph Neural Networks (GNNs), Deep Operator Networks (DeepONets), and Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs), the proposed method employs graph-structured representations to model unstructured Finite Element (FE) meshes. In this framework, nodes encode physical quantities such as displacements and loads, while edges represent geometric or topological relationships. The framework embeds PDE constraints as soft penalties within the loss function, ensuring adherence to physical laws while reducing reliance on large datasets. Extensive experiments have demonstrated the GS-PI-DeepONet’s superiority over traditional Finite Element Methods (FEMs) and standard DeepONets. For benchmark problems, including cantilever beam bending and Hertz contact, the model achieves high accuracy. In practical applications, such as stiffness analysis of a recliner mechanism and strength analysis of a support bracket, the framework achieves a 7–8 speed-up compared to FEMs, while maintaining fidelity comparable to FEM, with R² values reaching up to 0.9999 for displacement fields. Consequently, the GS-PI-DeepONet offers a resolution-independent, data-efficient, and physics-consistent approach for real-time simulations, making it ideal for rapid parameter sweeps and design optimizations in engineering applications. Full article

Droplets sliding down a partially wetted surface are a ubiquitous phenomenon in nature and everyday life. Despite its apparent simplicity, it hinders complex intricacies for theoretical and numerical descriptions matching the experimental observations, even for the simplest case of a drop sliding down a homogeneous surface. A key aspect to be considered is the distribution of contact angles along the droplet perimeter, which can be challenging to include in the theoretical/numerical analysis. The scenario can become more complex when considering geometrically or chemically patterned surfaces or complex fluids. Indeed, these aspects can provide strategies to passively control the droplet motion in terms of velocity or direction. This review gathers the state of the art of experimental, numerical, and theoretical research about droplets made of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids sliding down homogeneous, chemically heterogeneous, or geometrically patterned surfaces. Full article

Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes ocular and other infections and quickly acquires antimicrobial resistance. Polymyxin B and colistin are last-line agents against resistant P. aeruginosa, yet even resistance to these is increasing. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are also being developed as new antibiotics, but resistant mechanisms to polymyxins might also cause resistance to these AMPs. This study evaluated whether isolates with differing polymyxin resistances also showed elevated minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to the human cathelicidin LL-37 and a synthetic AMP, Mel4. Forty isolates of P. aeruginosa, mostly collected in India and Australia, were assessed for minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) by broth microdilution in cation-adjusted Mueller–Hinton broth. Whole genome sequences were analyzed using NCBI BLAST (version 2.17.0). SNPs vs. MIC associations were evaluated with Fisher’s exact test. Sixty-five percent of isolates were resistant to polymyxin B, and 80% to colistin. Polymyxin B MICs ranged from 0.5 to 512 µg/mL, with 32.5% showing intermediate resistance and 22.5% being highly resistant (MIC ≥ 256 µg/mL). MICs for polymyxin B and colistin were strongly correlated with each other (Spearman’s R ≥ 0.6; n = 40; p ≤ 0.001). LL-37 showed moderate correlations with polymyxin B, colistin, and Mel4, whereas Mel4 showed weaker correlations with polymyxin B or colistin (R < 0.4). Genomic analysis identified SNPs in mipB (V469M, G441S) as being associated with the MICs to all the antimicrobials. Strains with MICs between 64 and 512 µg/mL were significantly more likely to harbor nalC (E153Q/D) or the mipB variants (p < 0.05). Higher polymyxin MICs were associated with elevated MICs to LL-37 and, to a lesser extent, Mel4, suggesting partial shared resistance among membrane active peptides. Defining the effect of the SNPs and clinical relevance of AMP cross-resistance may inform future therapies and safer contact lenses. Full article

Bioplastics are plastics derived from natural resources like corn starch, biomass, sugarcane bagasse, and food waste. Unlike fossil-fuel-based plastics, they are entirely or partially bio-degradable. Cellulose- and starch-based bioplastics are already used for applications like packaging, cutlery, bowls, straws, and shopping bags. With the aim of developing eco-friendly biofilms for various applications, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were obtained by sulfuric acid hydrolysis of waste cellulose and functionalized by transesterification with exhausted oils. The resulting transesterified nanocellulose (TCNC) was used as a reinforced material of PLA at different concentrations to develop biofilms using the solvent casting method. The biofilms composed of PLA and TCNC were assessed through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), mechanical properties, moisture barrier property (water vapor permeability rate—WVTR), and measurements of the water contact angle (WCA). A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed the high compatibility of the PLA blended with TCNC at 1% and 3%. The inclusion of transesterified cellulose nanocrystals (TCNCs) to PLA increased the hydrophobicity, the film tensile strength, and the water vapor barrier properties of the final composite films. Full article

To address the difficulty in obtaining analytical solutions for the torsional vibration response of pile foundations in orthotropic layered soil foundations subjected to torsional excitation at the pile top, this study investigates a layered recursive algorithm based on the Hankel transform. An integral transformation method is employed to reduce the dimensionality of the coupled pile–soil torsional vibration equations, converting the three-dimensional system of partial differential equations into a set of ordinary differential equations. Combining the constitutive properties of transversely anisotropic strata with interlayer contact conditions, a transfer matrix model is established. Employing inverse transformation coupled with the Gauss–Kronrod integration method, an explicit frequency-domain solution for the torsional dynamic impedance at the pile top is derived. The research findings indicate that the anisotropy coefficient of the foundation significantly influences both the real and imaginary parts of the impedance magnitude. The sequence of soil layer distribution and the bonding state at interfaces jointly affect the nonlinear transmission characteristics of torque along the pile shaft. Full article

Hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings improve implant bioactivity but suffer from brittleness and limited functionality. Here, we report a hybrid coating strategy combining flame-sprayed HA/TiO₂ with in situ hydrogel growth. TiO₂ incorporated into the HA matrix acted as a photocatalytic initiator for acrylamide polymerization under UV. Unlike conventional hydrogel coatings that require added photoinitiators or separate surface modification steps, TiO₂ incorporated into the HA layer serves as a built-in photocatalytic initiator, enabling direct polymerization of acrylamide monomers on the sprayed surface. The resulting HA/TiO₂–hydrogel coatings exhibited a continuous hydrogel layer with intimate contact to the ceramic surface, as evidenced by SEM cross-sections and elemental mapping. The HA/TiO₂ 1% coating produced a continuous coverage in close contact with the surface, while excessive TiO₂(5%) led to uncontrolled hydrogel growth and partial coating failure. SEM cross-sections revealed a dense, well-adhered coating with homogeneously distributed Ca, P, O, and finely dispersed Ti. Upon immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF), submicron globular deposits progressively developed on the coating surface. EDS showed an increase in Ca/P ratio from ~1.66 (as-sprayed) to ~1.92 (14 days). These findings highlight a straightforward approach for combining flame-sprayed ceramics with photocatalytic hydrogel growth, providing a practical route toward multifunctional implant surface modification. Full article

As a critical load-bearing component in mine hoisting systems, the service performance and lifespan of wire ropes are limited by the fretting wear behavior among their internal wires and strands. To investigate the effect of fretting parameters on the wear mechanisms in wire ropes, this paper systematically conducts fretting wear experiments on multi-wire contact pairs under varying fretting frequencies and tensile loads. The results show that as the fretting frequency increases from 0.5 Hz to 3.0 Hz, the coefficient of friction (COF) rises, with its steady-state value reaching approximately 0.65. Conversely, as the tension decreases from 150 N to 90 N, the COF increases, attaining a steady-state value of 0.71. The slip regime between the steel wires evolves from gross slip to partial slip with increasing frequency. With an increase in tensile load, the slip regime transitions from gross slip to partial slip and finally to adhesion. Higher fretting frequencies and greater tensile loads exacerbate both the wear rate and the severity of damage on the spiral contact wires inside the hoisting rope. The highest wear rate, 27.2 × 10⁻⁶ mm³/N·m, is observed at 3.0 Hz, while the maximum wear rate under tension is 39.6 × 10⁻⁶ mm³/N·m at 150 N. The dominant wear mechanisms at higher frequencies are abrasive wear, tribochemical reaction, and surface fatigue. Under greater tension, the primary wear mechanisms are abrasive wear, surface fatigue, and tribochemical reaction. Full article

The peripheral reservoirs of the Daqing Oilfield exhibit low permeability and partial heterogeneity, resulting in a rapid injection pressure increase, limited sweep efficiency, and significant residual oil retention. To enhance recovery, this study synthesized a fluorocarbon siloxane (FHB) via free radical addition for rock surface wettability modification. At a concentration of 0.1 wt%, FHB increased water and oil contact angles to 136° and 117°, respectively, at 60 °C. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and aging tests confirmed stable hydrophobic/oleophobic properties through chemical bonding to the rock. Furthermore, the low surface energy FHB significantly reduced adhesion work and decreased oil-water interfacial tension from 27 mN/m to 0.55 mN/m, thereby improving fluid transport in pore throats and promoting residual oil mobilization. Core flooding experiments resulted in an increase in total recovery by 11%, with low-field NMR analysis confirming reduced oil saturation across various pore sizes. A field trial in a production well in Daqing Oilfield successfully increased output from 3.1 t/d to 4.9 t/d, validating the efficacy of this strategy under real reservoir conditions—representing the first successful field application of a fluorocarbon-based modifier for wettability alteration and oil production enhancement in China. This study provides valuable experimental data and a practical framework for implementing chemical-enhanced recovery. Full article