Search Results (322)

Protein molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), as artificial antibodies, are promising for protein separation due to their low cost, easy preparation, and high stability, but their performance is limited by poor mass transfer, imprecise imprinting, and single interaction modes. Herein, dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (DMSNs) were used as the support, and a self-designed multifunctional poly(ionic liquid) macromonomer (p(VIMCD-co-VAIM-co-VSIM-co-VVIM)) served as the functional monomer to achieve directional anchoring of cytochrome C (Cyt-C). Surface-imprinted microspheres (DMSNs@MPS@PILs-MIPs) were prepared via free-radical copolymerization for Cyt-C recognition. The DMSNs possessed interconnected mesoporous channels, good dispersibility, an average particle size of ~80 nm, and a specific surface area of 267.97 m²/g. Ionic liquid monomers were synthesized via alkylation, and the macromonomer was constructed through a two-step method. Molecular dynamics simulations and spectroscopic characterization revealed the macromonomer-stabilized Cyt-C conformation, with interactions dominated by van der Waals forces. The DMSNs@MPS@PILs-MIPs featured a thin imprinted layer (~5 nm) to reduce mass-transfer resistance. Adsorption studies showed Cyt-C adsorption followed Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models, with a maximum capacity of 383.14 mg/g and an imprinting factor of 2.17. Only 12% capacity loss occurred after repeated cycles, indicating robust regeneration stability. This study provides a feasible strategy for constructing protein surface-imprinted polymers based on multifunctional synergistic interactions and conformational stabilization. Full article

As a form of living heritage, Historic Urban Landscapes (HULs) have long been limited by the static perspectives and reductionist tendencies of conventional conservation and research approaches. Although the geological and archaeological concept of “stratification” offers a methodological basis for understanding the diachronic evolution of heritage, its unidimensional temporal lens fails to capture the inherent complexity and systemic nature of historic urban landscapes. To address this gap, this study proposes a “multidimensional stratification” theoretical framework through theoretical critique and paradigm reconstruction. The framework introduces innovations at the ontological, epistemological, and methodological levels, positing that the evolution of historic urban landscapes emerges from the nonlinear interaction and dynamic interweaving of four core dimensions: time, space, society, and value. It further systematizes five intrinsic attributes of such landscapes: authenticity, integrity, continuity, adaptability, and dynamism. Building on this foundation, the paper constructs a systematic analytical pathway—elements–processes–patterns–modes–drivers–characteristics—that enables dynamic analysis from micro-level identification to macro-level generalization, offering a scalable tool for HUL conservation and regeneration. To demonstrate the framework’s applicability, the historic urban area of Shenyang—a nationally designated historical and cultural city—is selected as a case study. Its urban landscape comprises four core districts: the Shengjing City District, the South Manchuria Railway Concession District, the Commercial Port District, and the Tiexi Industrial District, representing historical strata from the Qing dynasty capital, modern colonial planning, commercial opening, to industrial heritage. Using the multidimensional stratification approach, this study elucidates the spatial complexity, temporal nonlinearity, social dynamism, and value pluralism embedded in Shenyang’s historic urban area. Corresponding conservation strategies grounded in holism, dynamism, and differentiation are proposed. The research not only advances the theoretical understanding of HUL but also provides a novel paradigm—integrating holistic, dynamic, and operational perspectives—for the conservation, renewal, and regenerative practice of historic urban landscapes worldwide. Full article

Bone tissue engineering requires biomimetic materials; however, pure polylactic acid (PLA) exhibits limited osteoinductivity and produces acidic byproducts upon degradation. To address these limitations, this study fabricated PLA scaffolds using fused-deposition modeling (FDM) with four distinct lattice structures (rectangular, triangular, gyroid, and 3D honeycomb) and incorporated hydroxyapatite (HA) at 0, 10, 20, and 30 wt% via injection molding. Mechanical properties were evaluated via compression, three-point bending, and tensile testing. The results revealed that increasing HA content significantly reduced structural strength and increased brittleness across all test modes. Specifically, specimens with 30 wt% HA exhibited a 70.8% reduction in bending strength relative to pure PLA (from 58.60 MPa to 17.07 MPa), while tensile strength decreased by 46.1% at just 10 wt% HA (from 37.54 MPa to 20.23 MPa). Although the triangular lattice achieved the highest absolute compressive load, the rectangular lattice provided a superior load-to-weight ratio and greater plastic deformation capacity before fracture. Consequently, these findings indicate that the rectangular pattern at 70% infill density combined with HA addition limited to ≤10 wt% represents the most mechanically balanced design for bone defect repair applications. Based on the mechanical characterization performed in this study, and drawing on published evidence regarding the biological properties of PLA/HA composites, these scaffolds represent a mechanically promising candidate for further evaluation in bone tissue regeneration. Biological validation through in vitro and in vivo studies is required before clinical relevance can be established. Full article

Distributed electric propulsion (DEP) systems offer a wide range of options for arranging the propulsion units on an aircraft. In most cases, the position of the propulsion systems is optimized for one specific flight phase, e.g., takeoff or cruise. Taking advantage of the high lift potential of the DEP also during descent and approach phases represents a challenge due to increased thrust. Energy harvesting propellers (EHPs) can be used to adapt the resulting thrust, by generation an additional drag force while regenerating a certain amount of energy back into the system. Therefore, the scaled flight demonstrator (SFD) e-Genius-Mod was modified to implement an energy harvesting powertrain in a DEP system. The energy harvesting wingtip propellers are integrated in a pusher configuration. It is possible to investigate different operation modes for recuperation, such as Windmilling and Opposite Pitch, by adjusting different propeller pitch angles. The electronics used for the wingtip propellers (WTPs) enable the control and measurement of the recuperation performance and furthermore to charge recuperated energy back into the battery. The energy harvesting system was tested in a wind tunnel to verify its functionality. In Windmilling mode, the maximum mean electrical power output is −25.7 W. In Opposite Pitch mode, the values were significantly higher, with a maximum mean electrical power of −184 W. This corresponds to up to seven times as much regenerated power in Opposite Pitch mode. Full article

Quercus variabilis is one of the primary species for plantation regeneration across China’s warm-temperate and subtropical zones. However, its long-term monoculture leads to ecosystem instability. Soil fungi are essential for nutrient cycling and ecosystem functioning, yet their responses to oak-dominated mixed plantations remain insufficiently understood. This study investigated the soil fungal communities among Q. variabilis monoculture (QV), mixed plantations of Q. variabilis and Platycladus orientalis (PO), Q. variabilis and Pinus tabuliformis (PT), and Q. variabilis, P. orientalis and P. tabuliformis (PPQ). The results showed that PO and PPQ plantations contained significantly higher concentrations of SOC, TN, and TP compared to QV monoculture. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were identified as the dominant fungal phyla across four plantation types, with PO exhibiting the highest relative abundance of Ascomycota (60.85%) and fungal alpha diversity. The soil fungal communities across all plantations were predominantly saprotrophic, followed by mixotrophic modes. The relative abundance of saprotrophic fungi was significantly greater in the mixed plantations, peaking in PO at 44.69%. The soil fungal communities in both PO and PPQ plantations exhibited higher network interaction density. The SOC, TN, TP, water content, zinc, and β-glucosidase activity served as key environmental drivers of fungal community composition. Overall, the mixed plantation of Q. variabilis and P. orientalis most effectively improved soil fertility, enhanced fungal diversity, and increased network complexity, suggesting its potential as a sustainable afforestation strategy for oak-dominated ecosystems in the low hilly regions of western Henan. However, these findings are based on a single sampling period, and long-term monitoring is required to confirm its sustained ecological benefits. Full article

Precise control of the diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) outlet temperature is critical for reliable diesel particulate filter (DPF) regenerations. This paper proposes a novel and composite control strategy for the DOC outlet temperature control based on a representative identified transfer function model, which requires only a nominal value of the input gain parameter. By integrating a PID-type sliding variable with a non-singular terminal sliding mode (TSM) manifold through the second-order sliding mode technique, the strategy provides a continuous and chattering-free control signal. A linear extended state observer (LESO) is designed for real-time estimation and compensation of the lumped total disturbances. Feedforward compensation (FFC) is also integrated to proactively counteract the effects of exhaust flow and inlet temperature variations, thereby reducing the burden on the LESO. The disturbance rejection control scheme is designed by combining the LESO, the chattering-free terminal sliding mode (CTSM), and the FFC. Its stability is proved by using the Lyapunov method. Comprehensive co-simulations conducted in a high-fidelity GT-Power/MATLAB environment demonstrated that the proposed control scheme achieves superior performance with respect to set-point tracking and disturbance rejection. This work provides an effective solution for robust temperature control in DPF regeneration processes. It can also be applied to other types of robust process control systems attributed to its ease of implementation. Full article

Non-metallic hydride donors have emerged as an interesting, highly tunable class of compounds capable of CO₂ reduction, with benzimidazoles being simple, yet efficient and regenerable, representatives. In this work, the role of superbases as auxiliary groups attached to the benzimidazole framework was investigated using the CPCM(CH₃CN)/ωB97xD/aug-cc-pVTZ//CPCM(CH₃CN)/ωB97xD/6-31+G(d,p) approach. Three modes of operation were assessed through hydricity calculations and the modeling of two different CO₂ reduction mechanisms. Among the superbases considered, phosphazene substituents yielded the largest increase in the hydride donation ability, lowering hydricity by 6 kcal mol⁻¹ relative to 2-methylbenzimidazole, with the α-substitution exerting a stronger effect than β-substitution. For most systems, changes in hydricity correlate with changes in aromaticity, except in systems where steric congestion limits optimal substituent alignment. CO₂ activation pathways encompassing guanidine/CO₂ hydrogen bonding and guanidinium carboxamidine formation were modeled. In the former, transition state structures were significantly stabilized, and the overall exergonicity of the reduction is enhanced. Also, utilizing the longer and more flexible linker additionally decreases the barrier for the reaction. The carboxamidine pathway is disfavored because of the high stability of the carboxamidine intermediate and low barrier for the C–N bond cleavage, which reverses the mechanism to the reduction of isolated CO₂. Full article

In this paper, we construct a probabilistic model of a sliding mode. This model is based on the moment a random walk with positive jumps crosses a certain critical level. It is assumed that the jump magnitude has a geometric distribution. If the initial state is negative and the critical level is zero, then after crossing this level, a random walk begins in the opposite direction until it crosses zero again. As a result, motion orthogonal to the slip line is defined as a regenerative process, in which the moments of regeneration are the moments of zero crossings from right to left. An estimate of the Qi Fan metric of the maximum deviation of this random walk over a certain time interval is constructed under the assumption that the time and magnitude of the jumps are reduced by a factor of m. This estimate is found to be of the order of $lnm/m$ as $m\to \infty$ and characterizes the deviation of a random trajectory orthogonal to the slip line. In the model of motion along a slip line, its velocity is assumed to have fixed values when the trajectory of motion orthogonal to the slip line is above or below zero. Using the central limit theorem for the integral of a regenerative process, an estimate of the non-uniformity of motion of a random trajectory along the slip line is constructed. It is found that the characteristic magnitude of this non-uniformity is of the order of $1/m$ as $m\to \infty$. This indicates that the accumulation of random errors during motion along the slip line is significantly faster than during motion orthogonal to the slip line. Full article

Photobiomodulation (PBM) has shown promising potential to enhance bone regeneration; however, its optimal delivery parameters and interactions with osteoconductive scaffolds remain insufficiently defined. This preclinical study is the first to incorporate a pilot dosimetry evaluation to standardize 980-nm PBM delivery and ensure that effective irradiance reached the target surface of critical-size calvarial defects in mice. The primary aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of this novel 980-nm PBM protocol delivered using either flat-top (FT) or standard Gaussian (ST) handpieces in enhancing bone regeneration in critical-size defects (CSDs), both with and without Bio-Oss^® grafting. A total of 120 adult mice were allocated into twelve experimental groups (n = 10 per group): untreated (control), Bio-Oss^® alone, PBM alone, and PBM combined with Bio-Oss^®, using either FT or ST handpieces, and evaluated at 30 and 60 days. Animals received 980 nm irradiation at 0.6 W (nominal power output–set on laser interface) in continuous-wave mode for 60 s, three times per week, for two consecutive weeks. Pilot dosimetry included power meter measurements to determine the therapeutic power reaching the defect surface area and temperature monitoring to ensure safe energy delivery. The dosimetry study demonstrated that, after accounting for the optical properties of mouse shaved skin and the Bio-Oss^® graft covered with Bio-Gide^® membrane, the effective irradiance reaching the base of the defect surface area was 1.131 W/cm² for the FT handpiece and 0.413 W/cm² for the ST handpiece. This dose was sufficient to induce significant regenerative effects. Histological, Masson’s trichrome, and immunohistochemical analyses for Runx2, OCN, GLI1, CD34, and CTSK were performed to characterize early and late osteogenic events. The combination of PBM and Bio-Oss^® significantly accelerated bone regeneration compared with PBM alone, with the FT handpiece producing the most uniform and advanced osteogenesis. PBM enhanced progenitor activation, osteoblast differentiation, angiogenesis, matrix deposition, and late-stage remodeling, demonstrating a synergistic effect with the scaffold, whereas Bio-Oss^® alone or defect alone showed limited early regenerative potential. These findings highlight the effectiveness of this novel standardized PBM dosimetry and uniform beam profile (FT), supporting their use as a foundation for future randomized controlled trials in craniofacial bone repair. Full article

Early and accurate prediction of the remaining useful life (RUL), defined as the number of operational cycles a battery can continue to function before reaching its end-of-life threshold, is crucial for improving the reliability of new energy vehicles. To address noise contamination, capacity regeneration effects, and data scarcity in early-stage prognostics, this paper proposes a hybrid framework integrating signal decomposition, time series augmentation, and deep forecasting. The raw capacity sequence is decomposed using Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise (CEEMDAN) to separate multi-scale components. A Transformer-enhanced time series generative adversarial network (HyT-GAN) is then employed to augment decomposed components, improving robustness under small-sample conditions. A CNN-BiGRU predictor is trained for capacity forecasting, and key hyperparameters are tuned via the Dung Beetle Optimizer (DBO). Experiments on NASA and CALCE benchmark datasets demonstrate that the proposed method achieves accurate early-stage prediction using only 20% historical data, with $R^2$ ranging from 0.9643 to 0.9972 and RMSE/MAE below 0.0296/0.0198. These results indicate that the proposed framework can deliver reliable RUL estimates under data-limited and noisy measurement conditions. Full article

Skeletal muscle is increasingly recognized as a dynamic endocrine and paracrine organ that communicates with distal tissues through a diverse secretome of peptides, proteins, metabolites, and extracellular vesicles (EVs), collectively referred to as myokines and exerkines. Beyond cataloging individual factors, emerging evidence suggests that muscle-derived signals can convey information through an integrated, context-dependent “endocrine code”—a pattern defined by secretion kinetics, co-released signal combinations, delivery modalities, and target-tissue receptor landscapes. This review synthesizes current evidence on (i) conceptual and experimental criteria for defining bona fide myokines, (ii) mechanisms governing myokine expression, processing, and release across exercise modes and physiological states, and (iii) major muscle–organ axes that connect physical activity to systemic metabolic homeostasis, immune remodeling, tissue regeneration, and neurocognitive adaptation. We further discuss non-protein mediators such as lactate, succinate, and β-aminoisobutyric acid, and highlight EVs as a multiplexed delivery modality whose interpretation requires stringent isolation, contamination controls, and functional validation. Finally, we evaluate translational opportunities—including biomarker panels, therapeutic targeting of the myostatin/activin, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) pathways, and precision exercise prescriptions informed by multi-omics and artificial intelligence—while emphasizing analytical standardization, causal validation, and transparent reporting as prerequisites for clinical impact. Full article

Photobiomodulation (PBM) has emerged as a noninvasive therapeutic tool with promising clinical applications in veterinary clinical surgery. Its mechanism of action is based on the stimulation of cellular processes through low-intensity light, promoting adenosine triphosphate production, inflammatory modulation, and tissue regeneration. This narrative review examines the current state of knowledge on the use of PBM in veterinary surgical contexts, with an emphasis on its clinical application in wound healing, postoperative pain control, and functional recovery. The physiological foundations of the technique, the main technical parameters that determine its effectiveness (wavelength, dose, frequency, and mode of application), and the available clinical evidence from different specialties such as soft tissue surgery, orthopedics, dentistry, and neurosurgery are analyzed. Current limitations, such as the lack of standardized protocols and their limited inclusion in clinical guidelines, are also addressed, as are future opportunities related to treatment personalization, the development of specific veterinary devices, and integration with emerging technologies. PBM represents a safe and effective adjuvant therapeutic strategy with the potential to become an integral part of veterinary postoperative management. Full article

Considering the nonlinear trends, multi-scale variations, and capacity regeneration phenomena exhibited by battery capacity degradation under real-world conditions, accurately predicting its trajectory remains a critical challenge for ensuring the reliability and safety of electric vehicles. To address this, this study proposes a hybrid prediction framework based on Variational Mode Decomposition and a Transformer–Long Short-Term Memory architecture. Specifically, the proposed Variational Mode Decomposition–Transformer for Time Series–Long Short-Term Memory (VMD–TTS–LSTM) framework first decomposes the capacity sequence using Variational Mode Decomposition. The resulting modal components are then aggregated into high-frequency and low-frequency parts based on their frequency centroids, followed by targeted feature analysis for each part. Subsequently, a simplified Transformer encoder (Transformer for Time Series, TTS) is employed to model high-frequency fluctuations, while a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network captures the long-term degradation trends. Evaluated on charging data from 20 commercial electric vehicles under a long-horizon setting of 20 input steps predicting 100 steps ahead, the proposed method achieves a mean absolute error of 0.9247 and a root mean square error of 1.0151, demonstrating improved accuracy and robustness. The results confirm that the proposed frequency-partitioned, heterogeneous modeling strategy provides a practical and effective solution for battery health prediction and energy management in real-world electric vehicle operation. Full article

Bt Cry toxins remain the cornerstone of transgenic crop protection against Lepidopteran pests, yet field-evolved resistance, particularly in invasive species such as Spodoptera frugiperda and Helicoverpa armigera, can threaten their long-term efficacy. This review presents a comprehensive and unified mechanistic framework that synthesizes current understanding of Bt Cry toxin modes of action and the complex, multilayered regulatory mechanisms of field-evolved resistance. Beyond the classical pore-formation model, emerging evidence highlights signal transduction cascades, immune evasion via suppression of Toll/IMD pathways, and tripartite toxin–host–microbiota interactions that can dynamically modulate protoxin activation and receptor accessibility. Resistance arises from target-site alterations (e.g., ABCC2/ABCC3, Cadherin mutations), altered midgut protease profiles, enhanced immune regeneration, and microbiota-mediated detoxification, orchestrated by transcription factor networks (GATA, FoxA, FTZ-F1), constitutive MAPK hyperactivation (especially MAP4K4-driven cascades), along with preliminary emerging findings on non-coding RNA involvement. Countermeasures now integrate synergistic Cry/Vip pyramiding, CRISPR/Cas9-validated receptor knockouts revealing functional redundancy, Domain III chimerization (e.g., Cry1A.105), phage-assisted continuous evolution (PACE), and the emerging application of AlphaFold3 for structure-guided rational redesign of resistance-breaking variants. Future sustainability hinges on system-level integration of single-cell transcriptomics, midgut-specific CRISPR screens, microbiome engineering, and AI-accelerated protein design to preempt resistance trajectories and secure Bt biotechnology within integrated resistance and pest management frameworks. Full article

Acid mine drainage (AMD) and acid-generating mine wastes exhibit low pH, high sulfate levels, and complex multi-metal loads that strain conventional treatment. Thermoacidophilic red algae of the order Cyanidiales, particularly Galdieria sulphuraria (G. sulphuraria), have attracted interest as a biological option because they tolerate extreme acidity and elevated temperatures, grow under low light in mixotrophic or heterotrophic modes, and display rapid metal binding at the cell surface. This review synthesizes about two decades of peer-reviewed work to clarify how G. sulphuraria can be deployed as a practical module within mine water treatment trains. We examine the mechanisms of biosorption and bioaccumulation and show how they map onto two distinct configurations. Processed freeze-dried biomass functions as a regenerable sorbent for rare earth elements (REEs) and selected transition metals in packed beds with acid elution for recovery. Living cultures serve as polishing units for divalent metals and, when present, nutrients or dissolved organics under low light. We define realistic operating windows centered on pH 2–5 and temperatures of approximately 25–45 °C, and we identify matrix effects that govern success, including competition from ferric iron and aluminum, turbidity and fouling risks, ionic strength from sulfate, and suppression of REE uptake by phosphate in living systems. Building on laboratory studies, industrial leachate tests, and ecosystem observations, we propose placing G. sulphuraria upstream of bulk neutralization and outline reporting practices that enable cross-site comparison. The goal is an actionable framework that reduces reagent use and sludge generation while enabling metal capture and potential recovery of valuable metals from mine-influenced waters. Full article