Search Results (5,199)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of gut–brain interaction (DGBI) of multifactorial genesis. Studies consistently show a disrupted intestinal barrier with increased permeability in IBS patients, regardless of subtype. This allows facultative pathogenic bacteria to translocate into underlying body tissue and to initiate or exacerbate IBS symptoms. Protecting the intestinal barrier is therefore a primary therapeutic target. Bifidobacterium bifidum MIMBb75 has proven its efficacy in IBS both in its viable and heat-inactivated forms. Its efficacy is thought to be mediated by the physical adhesion of B. bifidum MIMBb75 to intestinal epithelial cells, thereby protecting the intestinal barrier. In the present study, we show—using a Caco-2 model—that this strain-specific adhesion is facilitated by the high cell surface hydrophobicity of B. bifidum MIMBb75, which is retained following heat inactivation. In line with these adhesive properties, both viable and heat-inactivated B. bifidum MIMBb75 protect the epithelial barrier, as indicated by an increased transepithelial electrical resistance in Caco-2 monolayers. Together, these findings strongly support a physical mode of action in which both viable and heat-inactivated B. bifidum MIMBb75 adhere to the epithelial surface and act, figuratively, as a protective plaster on the epithelial barrier. Full article

Offshore renewable energy is widely recognised as a critical pathway for decarbonising electricity systems, but the integration of floating offshore wind turbines with wave energy converters remains technically challenging. This paper presents a structured literature review of hybrid wave–wind offshore energy platforms, drawing on 114 reviewed sources published between 2000 and 2026. The review classifies hybrid concepts using a three-axis framework based on floating platform type, wave energy converter (WEC) integration approach, and energy-dominance category. It then compares representative configurations, including point absorbers, oscillating water columns, flap-type devices, and heaving torus concepts, with emphasis on hydrodynamic response, energy contribution, structural complexity, mooring implications, validation status, and optimization suitability. The findings show that no single hybrid configuration can be ranked as universally superior because reported performance depends strongly on platform geometry, WEC scale, site wave climate, modelling assumptions, and validation maturity. Point absorber systems offer modularity and lower integration complexity, oscillating water column (OWC)-based systems provide protected power take-off (PTO) integration and moderate hydrodynamic interaction, flap-type systems can provide stronger motion-control potential but impose higher structural and mooring demands, and spar–torus concepts remain geometrically compatible with spar platforms but are generally wind-dominated. The review further shows that optimization method selection should depend on problem class: gradient-based methods are most suitable for local PTO tuning, evolutionary methods for non-convex multi-objective layout problems, surrogate-based methods for high-cost coupled simulations, and data-driven methods for adaptive control. The paper concludes that future progress requires standardized benchmark models, transparent evidence-level reporting, multi-physics co-optimization, techno-economic assessment, and systematic experimental or field validation before definitive concept ranking or commercial-readiness claims can be made. For decision-makers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers, the framework supports early-stage concept screening, identification of technology-specific risk factors, prioritisation of validation and investment pathways, and alignment of hybrid-platform development with site conditions, infrastructure constraints, and policy objectives. Full article

Research on the cataloging of microstructures and chemical compound localization in peanut hulls in relation to fungal tolerance remains limited. The hull (pericarp) is the first physical interface with the soil environment and may contribute to defense against fungal invasion. Here, hull microstructure and histochemical localization of alkaloid-like compounds, cellulose, lignin, starch, and total proteins were characterized across reproductive developmental stages R3–R6 in three commercially grown cultivars (Georgia-06G, Georgia-12Y, and Georgia-18RU). Stained sections were examined by light and fluorescence microscopy, and images were quantified in Fiji-ImageJ as stained area percentage. Among the compounds studied, the highest area percentages were observed at later stages (R5 and R6). Alkaloid-like compounds, cellulose, and starch were higher at the R5 stages of G-18 (9.61 ± 0.75), G-12Y (22.96 ± 5.84), and G-06 (6.31 ± 1.13) respectively, while lignin and total proteins were highest at the R6 stage of G-18 (respectively, 14.49 ± 1.43 and 13.90 ± 1.45). The lowest histochemical presence for most metabolites occurred in the early stages (R3–R4). This indicates that hull maturation is accompanied by increased physical (sclerenchyma and lignified cells) and biochemical (alkaloid-like compounds, proteins) features consistent with protective roles. As the analysis was based on representative sections and regions of interest (ROI)-level quantification, the results are intended to guide future studies on hull-mediated defense and breeding for Aspergillus tolerance. Full article

Background: Pathological aggregation of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) contributes to β-cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes. Our previous studies demonstrated that caveolin-1 (Cav-1) deficiency protects β-cells from palmitate-induced apoptosis. Microarray profiling further indicated that Cav-1 silencing alters IAPP expression. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Cav-1 depletion on IAPP secretion and expression and to explore the potential involvement of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP). Methods: We performed lentiviral-mediated Cav-1 knockdown in NIT-1 cells and isolated murine islets, and simultaneously generated an inducible β-cell-specific Cav-1 knockout (iβ-Cav1 KO) mouse model. IAPP secretion and expression were assessed by ELISA, Western blot, qPCR and immunofluorescence. The expression of IAPP-processing enzymes (PAM, PC1, and PC2) and degradation factors (IDE and BACE2) was examined. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and immunofluorescence were performed to investigate the interaction between Cav-1 and TXNIP. Results: Cav-1 depletion significantly reduced both IAPP secretion and expression in vitro and in vivo. High-fat-diet-fed iβ-Cav1 KO mice exhibited the lowest serum IAPP levels. Mechanistically, Cav-1 depletion was associated with downregulation of PAM, PC1, and PC2 and upregulation of IDE and BACE2. Additionally, Cav-1 depletion decreased TXNIP expression. Immunofluorescence revealed co-localization of Cav-1 and TXNIP, and co-immunoprecipitation further demonstrated their direct physical interaction. Conclusions: Cav-1 is essential for IAPP secretion and expression in β-cells. The direct physical interaction between Cav-1 and TXNIP suggests that TXNIP may mediate the regulatory effects of Cav-1 on IAPP processing or secretion. These findings identify the Cav-1–TXNIP axis as a potential target for mitigating IAPP-related β-cell dysfunction. Full article

Driven by the growing demand for functional textiles featuring excellent waterproofness, moisture permeability and mechanical robustness in outdoor sportswear, medical protection and technical apparel, traditional pongee—despite its desirable softness, high wrinkle resistance and good stability as an ideal substrate fabric—is severely restricted in further application by its intrinsically poor hydrostatic pressure resistance in extremely wet environments. Accordingly, we developed a modified waterborne polyurethane (WPU) coating for pongee substrates to fabricate functional textiles that maintain high hydrostatic pressure resistance while possessing good mechanical properties and increased UV absorption. In this study, by using the sol–gel method, an amorphous silicon dioxide (SiO₂) coating layer was constructed on the surface of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) particles, forming silica-modified titania particles (SiO₂/TiO₂). These SiO₂-modified particles were subsequently physically blended with an anionic waterborne polyurethane system that had been previously modified with a polyester-type modifier A to enhance its hydrostatic pressure resistance. The resulting composite coating was designed to combine the high hydrostatic pressure resistance inherited from the modified WPU matrix, the mechanical reinforcement and increased UV absorption contributed by SiO₂/TiO₂, and satisfactory water repellency on fabric substrates. The results indicate that the incorporation of an appropriate amount of modifier A into the prepolymer system significantly enhances hydrostatic pressure resistance while maintaining high elongation at break. At a SiO₂/TiO₂ loading of 0.2 wt%, the composite film exhibits optimal comprehensive performance, characterized by superior mechanical properties, low water absorption, and static water contact angles exceeding 100° for coated fabrics. SiO₂/TiO₂ composite WPU coatings substantially improve hydrostatic pressure resistance across various fabrics, with 380T polyester taffeta demonstrating the best performance. This resistance remains remarkably stable after standard washing, indicating excellent wash fastness and practical applicability. Full article

This study was conducted to explore how varying the concentration of nano-La₂O₃ particles in the plating bath influences the morphology, constitution, and corrosion resistance of Ni-B composite coatings deposited on N80 carbon steel via electroless plating. The novelty of this work lies in the systematic investigation on the co-deposition behavior and grain refinement mechanism of nano-La₂O₃ in electroless Ni-B system, which has been rarely reported in previous studies. The microstructure and chemical composition of the coatings were characterized through a combination of SEM, EDS, XPS and XRD analyses. SEM confirmed that a dense Ni-B/La₂O₃ composite coating was formed, with a uniform thickness of approximately 10 μm, and the nano-La₂O₃ particles were evenly distributed. XPS analysis verified the presence of B, C, O, Ni and La, while XRD analysis revealed a refinement in crystalline size due to the addition of the nanoparticles. The corrosion resistance enhancement mechanism is attributed to the triple synergistic effect: nano-La₂O₃ pins grain boundaries and refines Ni-B grains to the minimum average size of 12.943 nm at the optimal concentration of 8 g·L⁻¹; the refined grain structure promotes the formation of a continuous and dense Ni(OH)₂ passive film; the uniformly dispersed nanoparticles act as physical barriers to block the penetration of corrosive media. Electrochemical measurements demonstrated that this coating exhibited outstanding anti-corrosion performance, as confirmed by a remarkably positive corrosion potential (E_corr = −0.37189 V) and a minimal corrosion current density (I_corr = 3.7524 μA/cm²). The results conclusively show that nano-La₂O₃ reinforcement effectively enhances the corrosion protection performance of electroless Ni-B alloy coatings. Full article

The counterfeiting of official documents and banknotes represents a critical threat to global security and requires robust and low-cost protection techniques. This work presents an innovative information security system that uses photoluminescent inks for chromatic multiplexing of QR codes. Unlike conventional cryptographic methods, the proposed approach employs physical-layer information hiding through the superposition of two QR codes encoded in magenta and cyan colors on a white background. The controlled interaction between these codes generates an additional logical state that enables a third representation of information through pixel-level operations. The resulting chromatic QR code remains visually imperceptible under ambient illumination and can be reliably recovered through chromatic demultiplexing and thresholding process. Additionally, its visibility can be enhanced under ultraviolet (UV) excitation due to photoluminescent behavior and spectral response variations. The experimental results demonstrate that both encoded data layers can be extracted independently with high fidelity using standard CMOS sensors, while preserving structural integrity and decodability. The proposed scheme increases information density within a single optical tag while improving resistance against unauthorized replication and visual forgery. Full article

Exosomes are small vesicles released by cells that have attracted growing interest as drug delivery vehicles, particularly for brain diseases, where getting therapeutics across the BBB remains a fundamental problem. While conventional platforms such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and viral vectors often suffer from immune clearance and poor brain accumulation, engineered exosomes leverage natural cellular transport mechanisms to cross the BBB, protect cargo from degradation, and enable biocompatible interactions with target cells. This review takes a mechanistic and translational look at how exosomes are being engineered for CNS disorders, with a particular focus on glioblastoma. We cover exosome biogenesis through ESCRT-dependent and ESCRT-independent pathways, and how the competition between Rab27-driven secretion and Rab7-driven lysosomal degradation determines how many exosomes a cell releases, which has direct consequences for therapeutic production. We then discuss cargo loading strategies, from genetic approaches where donor cells are engineered to package specific molecules during biogenesis to physical methods like electroporation and sonication applied to isolated vesicles, alongside surface modification techniques for directing exosomes toward specific cell types. In glioblastoma, engineered exosomes have shown real promise for delivering chemotherapeutics across the BBB, targeting glioma stem cells, enabling CRISPR-based gene editing, and functioning as combined treatment and imaging tools. Applications in stroke and neurodegenerative diseases, where engineered exosomes carrying microRNAs and neuroprotective cargo have produced encouraging preclinical results, are also discussed. Scalable manufacturing and consistent targeting remain the hardest unsolved problems, and we outline emerging approaches including bioreactor-based production, programmable cargo loading, and patient-specific exosome design that are beginning to address these gaps. Overall, the progress reviewed here suggests that engineered exosomes are moving from an interesting biological concept toward a practically viable platform for CNS drug delivery. Full article

Physical inactivity and household financial fragility are often studied separately, yet households may respond to health and financial shocks through interrelated behavioral, health, and financial processes. This study examines whether physical activity, health capital, and household financial resilience are dynamically associated in China. Using five waves of the China Family Panel Studies, we construct a household-wave panel and multidimensional indices of health capital and financial resilience. We apply lagged household fixed-effects models, dynamic mediation analysis, and panel vector autoregression with impulse response functions and forecast error variance decomposition. The results indicate that physical activity is positively associated with subsequent health capital, health capital positively predicts subsequent household financial resilience, and financial resilience has a smaller but statistically significant association with later physical activity. The mediation results are consistent with health capital serving as a partial transmission channel between physical activity and financial resilience. The PVAR results show persistent cross-variable responses, suggesting modest dynamic interdependence among the three components rather than definitive causal evidence of a strong self-reinforcing system. Heterogeneity analyses suggest that these associations are more pronounced among low-income, older-head, and chronic-risk households. These findings extend health-capital and household finance research by showing that health behavior and financial resilience can be examined as jointly evolving household-level processes. The results suggest that integrated approaches to physical activity promotion and household financial protection may be worth further policy experimentation and evaluation, especially for vulnerable households. Full article

To address the plant protection challenges of high canopy closure and poor droplet penetration in high-density maize, this study systematically elucidated the synergistic regulatory mechanisms of UAV operational parameters and reduced nano-pesticide application. Integrating laboratory microscopic characterization with a two-phase field experiment, this study evaluated spray volume, droplet size, and pesticide dosage as core variables. Phase I quantified the effects of physical spray parameters on droplet deposition and penetration characteristics, while Phase II comprehensively revealed the field control efficacy under multi-factor synergy. Results showed that 22.5 L/ha achieved the optimal balance; it increased deposition density by 109.0% compared to 15.0 L/ha (p < 0.05) while maintaining comparable efficacy to 30.0 L/ha without sacrificing operational efficiency. The 200 μm droplets demonstrated superior penetration, increasing lower-layer coverage by 33.9% compared to 300 μm (p < 0.05), and overcoming the evaporation limitations of 100 μm (which showed no significant efficacy improvement despite higher density, p > 0.05). Microscopic measurements confirmed that nano-pesticides exhibited excellent wetting dynamics, reducing the final contact angle on hydrophobic maize leaves to as low as 28.24° (achieving a maximum dynamic reduction rate of 54.48%), significantly enhancing interfacial adhesion. This mechanism compensated for low-volume spraying limitations, allowing a 30% dosage reduction to maintain a robust field efficacy of 90.6%, whereas a 50% reduction significantly compromised efficacy (<72.5%). Ultimately, this study established “22.5 L/ha + 200 μm + 30% reduction” as the optimal operational parameter combination, providing a solid theoretical foundation and crucial technological support for precision plant protection and “pesticide reduction with efficiency enhancement” in high-density maize cultivation. Full article

In the face of the raw materials crisis and environmental concerns, sustainable waste management has become a priority for current and future generations. Recycling waste from wastewater treatment plants in a closed loop protects natural resources, reduces landfill volumes, and lowers disposal costs. This paper presents the results of tests on the physical, filtration, and mechanical properties of mixtures of washed mineral waste (WMW) from grit chambers with fly ash from the thermal treatment of municipal sewage sludge (SSA) in a fluidized bed furnace. Additionally, radiological tests of the mixture components were conducted. Based on the conducted tests, the possibility of sustainable use in civil engineering, such as soil backfills and embankment construction materials, was assessed. The possibility of safely using waste materials in the indicated construction solutions was demonstrated for mixtures with dominant WMW content (90% and 70% by total weight). The waste mixtures correspond to poorly or medium-grade sands with a small amount of silt (uniformity coefficients of 3.33, 3.50, and 8.00). They are characterized by maximum dry densities of 1.542, 1.770, and 1.780 g/cm³; optimal moisture contents of 12.54, 12.86, and 20.25%; permeability coefficients of 0.08, 0.22, and 0.39 m/d; and internal friction angles of 38.4, 39.5, and 40.1°. The values of the determined parameters of some mixtures are similar to those of natural sands used as construction aggregates. All mixtures meet the geotechnical criteria for use in road embankments, below frost depth, and in flood embankment bodies. Mixtures with a 90% mass fraction of WMW were also approved for application as backfill for installation trenches. However, none of the mixtures met the hydraulic conductivity threshold required for the upper layers of embankments nor for backfill of abutments and retaining structures without the use of an additional binder (cement or lime), which is considered a prerequisite for these applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of MASLD in a general outpatient population, describe associated metabolic risk factors, and evaluate liver fibrosis. Methods: We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional study at a tertiary hospital that included adults referred there for abdominal ultrasound for non-hepatic indications. Exclusion criteria were significant alcohol intake or known liver disease. Hepatic steatosis was assessed by ultrasound in all patients, and vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) was performed in a subgroup. Clinical and laboratory data were collected. Comparisons used the chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and the Wilcoxon test, and logistic regression identified associated factors. Results: Hepatic steatosis was identified by ultrasound in 57.6% of the 182 patients, with most (93%) fulfilling the MASLD criteria. MASLD was diagnosed in 58.2% of patients based on ultrasound or VCTE findings of steatosis. Hepatic steatosis by ultrasound was associated with higher BMI (OR 1.30; 95% CI 1.18–1.43), hypertension (OR 1.92; 95% CI 1.04–3.53), glucose disorders (OR 3.33; 95% CI 1.60–6.92), and triglycerides (OR 1.01; 95% CI 1.00–1.03), while physical activity was protective (OR 0.86; 95% CI 0.26–0.99). Among 74 patients evaluated by VCTE, 8% had fibrosis (≥F1), which was more frequent in those with higher BMI and a number of cardiometabolic risk factors. Conclusions: This study reveals a high prevalence of MASLD and fibrosis among outpatients, supporting the use of abdominal ultrasound for opportunistic screening of MASLD and emphasizing the need for early risk stratification and referral. Full article

Camptotheca acuminata, the primary botanical source of camptothecin (CPT), employs this monoterpenoid indole alkaloid as a key chemical defense against herbivores in addition to its established clinical pharmaceutical importance. Given that Spodoptera frugiperda infestations pose a severe threat to C. acuminata seedlings, we examined integrated, multi-layered defense mechanisms that combine physical barriers with chemical toxins to bolster plant resistance. Physiological analyses revealed that herbivory induces antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), alongside broader metabolic reprogramming. These responses are orchestrated by differential activation of jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) signaling pathways, which together drive complex defense mobilization, including a marked increase in trichome density. Concurrently, insect herbivory activates the MYB-bHLH-WD40 (MBW) transcriptional complex to promote trichome development while upregulating core CPT biosynthetic genes. In particular, two cytochrome P450 genes, Ca32236 and CaCYP81BQ18, mediate the accumulation of 10-hydroxycamptothecin (10-HCPT), a derivative that is sparingly soluble in water, which enables alkaloid transport and sequestration to specialized storage sites, including trichomes. Collectively, these stress-responsive strategies confer potent insecticidal activity against S. frugiperda and provide valuable insights for improving protection in C. acuminata seedling plantations. Full article

Parental burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion and a sense of detachment, is a significant challenge for families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While traditional research often focuses on socioeconomic status, this study examines how physical living conditions and household characteristics influence burnout levels in the Turkish context. A relational survey model was conducted with 131 parents of children with ASD. Data were collected via online surveys using a Sociodemographic Data Form and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), which was adapted to the parenting role. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to identify variables predicting total burnout scores. The analysis revealed that most sociodemographic variables, including income, education level, and parental age, did not significantly predict burnout. However, the “number of rooms in the house” was identified as the only statistically significant predictor (p = 0.033). Specifically, as the number of rooms increased, the total burnout scores of parents significantly decreased. The findings suggest that physical living space serves as a critical “spatial resource” and a protective factor against parental burnout. For families of children with ASD, having a private area for self-regulation is more decisive for mental health than economic status alone. Future support strategies should prioritize improving the quality of life through spatial arrangements and respite services. Full article

Hybrid transmission corridors combining overhead lines and underground cables introduce impedance discontinuities that significantly modify electromagnetic transient behavior. These discontinuities generate traveling-wave reflections, waveform distortions, and high-frequency components at relay measurement locations during the first microseconds following disturbance inception. This paper presents a waveform-level electromagnetic transient (EMT) analysis of overhead–cable transition effects using detailed EMTP-RV simulations including frequency-dependent line and cable models, tower representations, grounding systems, and instrument transformers within a differential protection measurement framework. The results show that overhead–cable transitions produce transient waveform modifications characterized by reflections, attenuation, dispersion, and temporary current imbalance mechanisms associated with traveling-wave propagation and cable capacitive effects. The analysis also demonstrates the transient evolution of instantaneous waveform-derived (EMT-derived) differential and restraining current quantities, defined as combinations of terminal current signals obtained directly from EMT waveforms. These quantities do not represent final phasor-domain operating values of practical numerical relays, but provide insight into the transient electromagnetic environment preceding conventional filtering and phasor estimation. The study contributes to a clearer physical interpretation of transient phenomena in hybrid transmission systems and supports EMT-based evaluation of signals relevant to differential protection applications. Full article