Search Results (3,670)

Corrosion of reinforcing steel is a key cause of deterioration in reinforced concrete (RC) structures exposed to coastal environments with chloride presence. The loss of reinforcing steel cross-sectional area, cracking of the concrete cover, and reduction in confinement progressively decrease both strength and ductility of structural elements. This study provides a reproducible, open-access dataset, compiling input parameters and numerical results of the cyclic behaviour of isolated RC columns and RC frames, specifically addressing their nonlinear cyclic response under moderate corrosion (η < 25%), as well as in the non-corroded (baseline) conditions, generated through conventional nonlinear modelling. In terms of modelling, the methodology applies fibre-section modelling for columns and concentrated plastic hinges for beams. Furthermore, the corrosion effects are incorporated by reducing the steel area and ultimate strain, while also accounting for the decrease in compressive strength of the cracked concrete cover. Therefore, the cyclic response is represented by a Pivot-type hysteretic model. It is worth noting that the dataset provides model input information, such as material stress–strain relationships and backbone curves reflecting corrosion-induced deterioration. It also includes structural outputs, such as force–displacement relationships, and envelopes of quasi-static hysteretic cycles for the analyzed columns and frames. Overall, the dataset facilitates the calibration and validation of numerical models for RC structures affected by corrosion. In conclusion, the contribution enhances the reliability of computational simulations and supports the development of predictive tools for structural performance under degradation scenarios. Full article

Cellulose ether, like hypromellose (HM), is an extremely versatile material that is widely used in pharmaceutical products as film coatings. To modify the surface properties of HM films, additives are routinely included during the film formulation process, which are typically hydrophobic lubricants or hydrophilic plasticizers. Plasticizers increase the flexibility and reduce the brittleness of the film. The first goal of this study is to demonstrate that plasticization of HM films by low-molecular-weight (400 g∙mol⁻¹) polyethylene glycol (PEG) allows tuning adhesion and friction properties of HM films, both at nano- and macroscales. Surface morphology, surface energy, nano/macro adhesion, and nano/macro friction coefficient were studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) in adhesion or friction modes at the nanoscale, wettability, and probe-tack adhesion, as well as pin-on-disk friction experiments at the macroscale. The results show that the addition of PEG decreases the Young’s modulus and the Tg of HM-plasticized films while increasing their strain at break and surface energy. The macroadhesion force increases from 9 to 90 mN by the addition of 40% w/w of PEG, whereas the macrofriction coefficient is reduced by 50%. The hypothesis of insertion of plasticizer molecules in HM chains’ nano-domains is evidenced and explains these results. The second goal of this study is to investigate nanoscale versus macroscale correlation of adhesion and friction properties and the role of adhesion in friction experiments. The results show, first, that the evolution of the adhesion energy at the macroscale as a function of adhesion energy at the nanoscale is linear. On the contrary, a high friction coefficient at the nanoscale corresponds to a low friction coefficient at the macroscale and vice versa, showing a first linear decrease for PEG contents ranging from 0 to 30% (w/w) and the second linear decrease, less pronounced, is observed for PEG contents ranging from 30 to 40% (w/w). The hypothesis of a difference in contact pressure applied on the probe at both scales, as well as HM-PEG surface phase separation at a high PEG content (>30% w/w), is proposed to explain this difference. The variations in friction coefficients are linear according to the PEG plasticizer content and suggest its lubricant role in HM-Plasticized films. Finally, the interplay between adhesion and friction, in friction experiments, is evidenced and appears dominant at the nanoscale. Full article

Lysobacter antibioticus Hz25 is a novel strain that was isolated from the rhizosphere of the relict endemic plant Hedysarum zundukii Peschkova (Fabaceae), which grows on carbonate soils in the Baikal region of Russia. This work presents the complete genome sequence of Hz25 (5.98 Mb, 66.94% GC), which was obtained using a hybrid assembly method combining Oxford Nanopore and Illumina sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis based on 47 Lysobacter genomes and an average nucleotide identity (ANI) value of 96% confirmed its affiliation with L. antibioticus. A comparative pan-genome analysis with three closely related strains (13-6, 76, and ATCC 29479) identified 554 strain-specific genes. This significant genomic plasticity likely reflects adaptation to the sharply continental climate, high insolation, and low free iron content of the native soil. The genome encodes a comprehensive micropredator arsenal, including: seven chitinase genes (GH18 and GH19 families); bacteriolytic enzymes (Blp, L1, L4, Ami); a complete type III secretion system (T3SS) with predicted effectors; type IV pili (including the PilZ-PilB regulatory complex); and siderophore biosynthesis genes (lysochelin). The genome contains genes ars of an arsenic resistance system, but lacks the ACR3 efflux pump, suggesting that these genes may have alternative functions. Genes involved in calcium homeostasis (Excalibur domain, Na⁺/Ca²⁺ antiporter) were also identified. These features make Hz25 a promising candidate for biocontrol applications in cold climates and metal-contaminated environments. Full article

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a highly adaptable gastric pathogen with marked genomic plasticity. Whilst functional CRISPR-Cas systems provide adaptive immunity in many bacteria, they have not been identified in H. pylori, unlike CRISPR-like sequences. In this study, eight H. pylori genomes were analysed using the bioinformatics tools CRISPRCasFinder, CRISPRCasTyper, and CRISPRloci. A total of 25 CRISPR-like arrays were identified, showing high conservation (88%) both between and within strains, suggesting that these arrays are not random remnants but rather organised structures possibly involved in cellular processes. Notably, a structural association was observed between the CRISPR-like sequences and the cag pathogenicity island (CagA-PAI). Conversely, CagA-PAI instability in specific strains was observed in the presence of the TnpA and TnpB transposons. Furthermore, in strain 29CaP, CRISPR-like assemblies were located in genomic proximity to the prophage Helico 1961P, leading to the hypothesis of a compensatory or regulatory effect in the absence of CagA-PAI. Taken together, these findings indicate that CRISPR-like arrays in H. pylori characterise a genomic architecture within regions of high plasticity. This study provides a solid exploratory foundation for future functional research on the adaptive and pathogenic evolution of H. pylori. Full article

The Zircaloy-4 alloy is a key structural material for nuclear reactor cores. However, its behavior under warm deformation conditions and during phase transformations requires in-depth investigation to improve technologies for producing ultrafine-grained (UFG) structures using severe plastic deformation methods. This work presents a comprehensive study of the rheological properties, phase stability, and microstructural evolution of the alloy in the temperature range from 20 to 950 °C at strain rates of 0.5 and 15 s⁻¹. The experimental part included plastometric testing, dilatometric analysis, and microstructural characterization. It was established that the optimal window for plastic deformation corresponds to warm deformation at 650 °C. Dilatometric analysis confirmed that heating to 650 °C ensures the preservation of a stable initial α-phase structure, since the formation of secondary phases and the α→β transformation are initiated at higher temperatures, namely 694 °C (onset) and 847 °C (completion). At 650 °C, the deformation resistance decreases by approximately 70% compared to cold processing, while the strain-rate sensitivity of the flow stress is minimized. EBSD analysis showed that deformation under these conditions leads to intensive grain fragmentation via mechanisms of dynamic recovery and the initial stages of continuous dynamic recrystallization. The decisive role of the kinetic factor was demonstrated: reducing the strain rate to 0.5 s⁻¹ promotes the formation of a finer and more homogeneous grain structure. In contrast, high strain-rate deformation (15 s⁻¹) results in coarser grains and increased non-relaxed intragranular residual stresses. The obtained results provide a physical basis for optimizing thermomechanical processing regimes and can be used to produce UFG structures in zirconium alloys without the risk of phase degradation. Full article

Polypropylene (PP) biocomposites reinforced with Cornus sanguinea L. (CS) pruning-waste particles were investigated using a combined experimental mechanics and finite element (FE) validation framework to support model-based design with an under-utilized lignocellulosic feedstock. Two particle-size fractions (<100 µm, LF1; 100–250 µm, LF2) were produced by grinding and sieving and incorporated into PP at 5–20 wt% via melt compounding and compression molding. Tensile and three-point bending properties were measured in accordance with ASTM D638 and ASTM D790. PP exhibited a tensile strength of 23.63 ± 0.51 MPa and a tensile modulus of 868 ± 21 MPa. Incorporation of LF1 particles increased tensile modulus monotonically, reaching 1020 ± 137 MPa at 20 wt%, while tensile strength decreased with filler content; by contrast, the 20 wt% LF2 formulation showed a pronounced strength reduction to 16.30 ± 0.25 MPa, indicating a disadvantageous size–loading interaction. In flexure, strength was comparatively insensitive to reinforcement (PP: 39.5 ± 0.34 MPa; reductions typically ≤7%), whereas flexural modulus increased to 2152 ± 27 MPa (LF1) and 2110 ± 34 MPa (LF2). FE models calibrated using true stress–true plastic strain data accurately reproduced tensile responses across the full strain range and flexural behavior within the pre-contact-dominated regime, demonstrating the suitability of PP/CS biocomposites for stiffness-driven applications. Full article

The remarkable ecological success of fungi is supported by their capacity for rapid and often reversible molecular responses to fluctuating environments. While conventional evolutionary theory has largely emphasized mutation and selection as central drivers of adaptation, many environmentally responsive fungal traits are also shaped by molecular processes that generate reversible phenotypic variation on ecological or developmental timescales. This review synthesizes current knowledge on reversible genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying fungal phenotypic plasticity by integrating insights from programmed genetic rearrangements such as mating-type switching, transposable element activity, variation in tandem repeats and the behavior of accessory chromosomes, together with dynamic epigenetic processes including histone modifications, DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling and RNA mediated regulation. Together, these mechanisms form an interconnected framework that enables rapid and, in many cases, reversible phenotypic diversification, although their consequences range from transient regulatory shifts to partially or fully irreversible sequence-level changes. We highlight the molecular machinery that governs reversibility and its evolutionary implications for fungal pathogenesis, symbiosis, and biotechnology. By uniting genetic and epigenetic perspectives, this review advances a holistic framework in which reversibility is treated as a key property of fungal phenotypic plasticity, helping fungi balance stability with flexibility under environmental challenge. Understanding these mechanisms provides new insights into fungal evolution, and opens new avenues for antifungal intervention and the rational design of industrially valuable fungal strains. Full article

Microplastics (MPs), defined as plastic particles ranging in size from 0.1 μm to 5 mm, have gained significant scientific attention worldwide due to their widespread occurrence and potential risks for human health and the environment. MPs can accumulate in water and soil, affecting organisms across multiple trophic levels and negatively impacting agricultural productivity and animal husbandry. Agricultural practices, such as plastic mulching, compost, and sewage sludge application, contribute to environmental plastic contamination, while irrigation and wastewater reuse facilitate their transport and deposition across ecosystems. Given the limited efficiency and high costs of physicochemical remediation methods, microbial biodegradation has attracted growing attention as a potentially sustainable strategy. This review focuses primarily on the metabolic potential of bacteria and fungi and the mechanisms underlying MP degradation. In the context of environmental safety, such studies are of particular importance. Under optimal laboratory conditions, reported microbial degradation efficiencies varied with microplastic type, microbial strain(s), and experimental conditions, ranging from 4% to >97%. Moreover, the literature review identifies key barriers to practical application, including environmental variability and the limited transferability of laboratory findings to field settings. Future research should therefore prioritize testable, application-oriented approaches. Addressing these gaps is essential to developing effective microbial degradation strategies for mitigating microplastic pollution. Full article

To further improve the mechanical properties of shotcrete in coal mine roadways, end-hooked steel fibers and chopped basalt fibers were selected. Based on the optimal mix ratios identified in existing research, steel–basalt hybrid fiber shotcrete (SBFC) specimens were prepared. Dynamic impact tests under different impact loads and various hybrid fiber contents were conducted using an SHPB. The microstructure was characterized using SEM and XRD. The results show that the dynamic compressive stress–strain curve of steel–basalt hybrid fiber shotcrete can be classified as elastic deformation stage, plastic yield stage, and post-peak failure stage. The incorporation of hybrid fibers reduces the elastic deformation and plastic yield stage, and the post-peak failure stage under active confining pressure shows elastic aftereffect characteristics. The dynamic compressive strength, dynamic elastic modulus, and deformation modulus increase with the increase in impact pressure and fiber content. When there is no confining pressure, the maximum dynamic compressive strength, dynamic elastic modulus, and modulus of deformation of SBFC4 reached 53.1 ± 2.2 MPa, 4.51 ± 0.3 GPa, and 2.55 ± 0.1 GPa, respectively, representing increases of 37.20%, 264.01%, and 59.37% compared with the control group. The dynamic compressive strength increases with the average strain rate, demonstrating a favorable strain rate effect. The energy–time history curves can be roughly divided into initial, growth, and stable stages. Under the same impact load conditions, as the fiber content gradually increases, the incident energy, dissipated energy, and energy utilization rate of the specimens all show a gradual upward trend. SEM and XRD results show that steel fibers and basalt fibers maintain good bonding with the cement matrix, contribute to the formation of gel and crystalline products within the specimens, effectively delay the initiation and propagation of cracks, and thereby improve the mechanical properties of the concrete specimens. Full article

Ductility dip cracking (DDC) remains a persistent challenge in multipass welds of high-chromium nickel-based alloys used in the nuclear power generation industry. While dynamic recrystallization (DRX) has been observed to arrest DDC crack growth and has been associated with weld regions that experience less DDC, there exists no quantitative relationship between the extent of recrystallization in a microstructure and DDC susceptibility. This research examines the influence of intragranular carbides on DRX behavior and establishes an experimental relationship between DDC susceptibility and extent of recrystallization in high-chromium nickel-based weld metals, novel contributions for this alloy system. In this work, the DRX behavior of the weld metal of high-chromium nickel-based filler metals (FM-52, FM-52M, FM-52i, and FM-52xl) was investigated under controlled thermo-mechanical conditions, and its effect on DDC susceptibility was established. Weld metal specimens were subjected to uniaxial deformation at 1100 °C to a true strain of 2% at strain rates of 10⁻³/s and 10⁻⁴/s using a Gleeble 3800^TM. Recrystallization was quantified using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) via grain orientation spread (GOS) analysis and dislocation–precipitate interactions were examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Strain-to-fracture (STF) testing at 950 °C was employed to assess DDC susceptibility as a function of the extent of recrystallization and grain surface area. All tested weld metals exhibited increased recrystallization and grain refinement, as the strain rate decreased from 10⁻³/s to 10⁻⁴ s. The FM-52i weld metal specimens exhibited the highest grain refinement under high temperature deformation, followed by the FM-52xl, FM-52, and FM-52M weld metals with a percent reduction in average grain surface area of 51.22%, 41.66%, 35.48%, and 24.40%, respectively. The FM-52i weld metal specimens also exhibited the highest recrystallization response, followed by FM-52M, FM-52xl, and FM-52 weld metals at 75%, 40%, 39% and 21% recrystallized, respectively. Weld metals containing strong carbide formers experienced higher recrystallization responses than those without due to precipitate–carbide interactions. All tested weld metals experienced drastic reductions in DDC response with increasing extent of recrystallization and decreasing average grain surface areas. DRX in STF specimens was observed to facilitate uniform plastic strain accumulation, lowering overall DDC susceptibility compared to non-recrystallized specimens. Full article

The genus Siccibacter consists primarily of environmental bacteria, with strains of Siccibacter colletis previously isolated only from plant materials and related environments. This study aims to characterize the first clinical isolate of S. colletis and explore its genomic evolution and clinical relevance. Strain S25242 was isolated from the urine of a 64-year-old male with a severe urinary tract infection. The genome of S25242 is 4.19 Mb, containing 4012 coding sequences, 73 tRNAs, 10 rRNAs, and 38 snRNAs. Phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses indicated that strain S25242 is closely related to S. colletis type strain 1383^T. The strain shared >70% of digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values and >96% of average nucleotide identity (ANI) values with the type strain of S. colletis 1383^T, thereby confirming its taxonomic status. The isolate was susceptible to all 11 tested antimicrobials. Comparative genomics identified 1942 S. colletis-specific genes (including multidrug efflux systems) and 13 unique genes in S25242 related to transposition and DNA integration. This study reports the first clinical isolate of S. colletis, providing evidence that genomic plasticity facilitates its transition from an environmental inhabitant to an opportunistic pathogen. The findings highlight the need for enhanced clinical surveillance of the Siccibacter genus and offer insights into its genomic evolution and clinical adaptation. Full article

TC4DT (ELI) is a damage-tolerant titanium alloy characterized by high fracture toughness and slow crack propagation rates, and is, therefore, considered one of the standard materials for model fasteners in modern equipment. However, its high yield strength leads to excessive tool wear and forming defects. This paper presents a complete FE simulation framework to investigate the thread-rolling process of TC4DT(ELI) bolts M16 × 1.5. Using the actual geometries of the workpiece and rollers, an elasto-plastic three-dimensional finite element model was built in ABAQUS/Explicit to perform verification simulations, with the theoretical blank diameter and forming force as the reference benchmarks. The simulation results agreed well with the actual industrial data. This study carried out single-factor analyses of the effect of three important process parameters—the roll speed, friction coefficient, and initial temperature—on the resulting stress–strain distribution, forming force, and thread formation depth. A modal analysis was performed in ANSYS Workbench to check the structural integrity and avoid resonance while operating. According to the results, the optimized parameters decreased the maximum forming force by 14.8% and improved thread filling. Compared with experimental data, the simulation error in the blank diameter was controlled within 1.2%. The present work, a reliable numerical underpinning for replacing expensive and time-consuming trial-and-error processes, forms a basis for high-performance titanium alloy fasteners and assists in the wider application of such fasteners in modern equipment and any advanced manufacturing industries. Full article

The article discusses the methods for classifying processes for testing and processing metals by plastic deformation, based on the characteristics of their stress–strain state. The basic methods for determining the stress and strain states using fundamental scalar quantities representing the stress and strain tensors are discussed. Equations have been derived for the quantitative determination of the type of stress–strain state through a combination of principal stresses, represented as the strain rigidity of the deformation mode. A deformable work-hardening alloy, AA7075, from the database Quantor Form 8.2.4 software product, is used, which is deformed at room temperature with an analysis of elastic–plastic deformations. A classification of deformation processes for testing and processing metals by plastic deformation is proposed, using the stress triaxiality parameter and the strain rigidity coefficient. Some 2D and 3D diagrams have been created based on simulation modeling of plastic deformation processes using virtual tools, allowing the grouping of processes according to the measured principal stresses and their combinations, which represent the stress triaxiality and strain rigidity of the deformation mode. By determining the type of grouping in these diagrams and the change in the stress–strain state with increasing strain levels, the characteristic features of the deformation processes used in materials testing and in the processing metals by plastic deformation of metals/alloys have been confirmed. Full article

This study collected 155 sets of test data for granite residual soils from the Fujian–Guangdong region and applied the chi-square test to analyze the distributions of eight common physical and mechanical parameters. Drained triaxial tests were then simulated using the Unified Hardening (UH) model, and a Sobol global sensitivity analysis of model parameters was conducted based on the distributions of soil properties. The results show that natural density and cohesion approximately follow Weibull distributions; void ratio, liquid limit and plastic limit follow lognormal distributions; water content and internal friction angle follow normal distributions; and plasticity index follows a Gumbel distribution. The Sobol analysis indicates that the critical state deviatoric stress mainly depends on the critical state stress ratio (M), the critical state volumetric strain is jointly controlled by M and the slope of the normal compression line (λ). The overall evolution of deviatoric stress mainly depends on M, and the overall evolution of volumetric strain mainly depends on λ, whereas Poisson’s ratio (ν) has little influence on the soil stress–strain response. These findings provide references for parameter selection and numerical simulation of granite residual soils in the Fujian–Guangdong region. Full article

Although polylactic acid (PLA) and acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) are among the most widely used polymers in material extrusion, their limited toughness and energy-absorption capacity often restrict the structural performance of 3D-printed functional components. To address the limited comparative understanding of how thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) modifies the deformation behavior and phase characteristics of these two polymer systems, this study presents a multi-analytical evaluation of TPU-reinforced PLA and ABS blends. To this end, both polymers were blended with TPU at 10–50 wt% and processed into filaments via single-screw extrusion. The resulting filaments were used to fabricate ASTM D638 Type I tensile specimens via material extrusion under matrix-specific, but internally consistent, printing parameters. For each composition, five specimens were tested to obtain representative values of tensile strength, elongation at break, and toughness. In addition to conventional tensile testing, the evolution of strain during deformation was monitored using digital image correlation (DIC), enabling full-field characterization of local deformation behavior. To ensure experimental reliability, specimen masses were carefully controlled, and the datasets were analyzed using MATLAB. Thermal properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to determine the influence of TPU on glass transition, melting behavior, and phase mobility, and to relate these thermal characteristics to the mechanical response of the blends. The incorporation of TPU significantly increased ductility and energy absorption in both polymer matrices, although the magnitude of improvement differed. ABS/TPU blends exhibited the highest toughness enhancement, reaching 221.4% at 30 wt% TPU, while PLA/TPU systems showed nearly a twofold increase at 20 wt% TPU. DIC analysis further revealed a transition from localized brittle deformation in neat polymers to more distributed plastic deformation with increasing TPU content. DSC results indicated reduced crystallinity in PLA-rich blends and enhanced segmental mobility in ABS-based systems, consistent with the observed mechanical behavior. Overall, the combined mechanical, optical, and thermal analyses demonstrate that the optimal TPU content is matrix-dependent, providing practical guidelines for tailoring PLA- and ABS-based filaments to achieve a controlled balance between stiffness, ductility, and energy absorption in material extrusion applications. Full article