Search Results (428)

In this study, Fe₇₀Ni₃₀ metal was deposited onto continuous glass fiber composites via magnetron sputtering, followed by surface coating with SiO₂. The effects of key process parameters-including Fe₇₀Ni₃₀ sputtering duration (2, 5, 10, 20, and 30 min) and SiO₂ surface coating-on the electromagnetic properties and microwave absorption performance of the materials were systematically investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization revealed that as sputtering time increased, the metal coating evolved from discrete small particles into a continuous film. Cross-sectional SEM analysis further demonstrated the formation of a bilayer structure after SiO₂ introduction. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirmed the presence of diffraction peaks corresponding to the Fe₇₀Ni₃₀ alloy solid solution. Electromagnetic parameter measurements indicated that the influence of sputtering time on electromagnetic properties was primarily pronounced during the metal layer growth stage; once a continuous film was formed, the variation in electromagnetic parameters diminished. Concurrently, the SiO₂ coating exhibited a significant regulatory effect on dielectric parameters. Reflection coefficient calculations showed that the optimal absorption thickness for the single-layer material ranged from 2.5 to 3.0 mm, with the absorption peak shifting toward lower frequencies as thickness increased. However, the effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) was only 3–5 GHz, failing to meet wideband requirements. In contrast, the three-layer composite structure (total thickness: 3.8 mm) optimized via genetic algorithm achieved impedance gradient and loss synergy, expanding the EBW (R < −10 dB) from 4.8 GHz (single layer) to 10 GHz (8–18.0 GHz)-a substantial improvement over the single-layer configuration. This work provides experimental evidence and technical support for the structural design and process optimization of lightweight, high-efficiency, wideband microwave-absorbing materials. Full article

Microplastics constitute an emerging contaminant of major concern in Latin America, where human exposure predominantly occurs through ingestion of drinking water and marine/estuarine food chains. This review synthesises available evidence on occurrence, exposure pathways, toxicological mechanisms, and regional public health risks, while examining regulatory and monitoring limitations that constrain effective risk management. Reported concentrations in drinking water show a wide range (1–1194 particles/L), dominated by PET, PP, and PS, with fibres and fragments as the main morphotypes. In commercial marine species, prevalence reaches 70–100%, with burdens up to 44 particles/g in oysters and ~90 particles/250 g in mussels. Estimated Daily Intake is 2–5 times higher in children (e.g., Chile: 13.03 vs. 5.59 particles/day in adults). Toxicological mechanisms include oxidative stress, chronic inflammation (NF-κB pathway), endocrine disruption, intestinal dysbiosis, systemic translocation, and placental transfer, exacerbated by vectorization of local co-contaminants (Hg from mining, Cd/Pb from agriculture). Risk indices indicate extreme danger in Brazil, Chile, and Ecuador, where data are available. Significant geographic and methodological gaps persist, with Brazil dominating research (~50–60%). Multicenter biomonitoring, harmonised surveillance networks, and SDG-aligned policies are urgently needed to reduce exposure burdens, protect vulnerable populations, and advance toward comprehensive regional risk assessment. Full article

The long-term utilization and low recycling rate of agricultural films have resulted in substantial increases in plastic debris and microplastics remaining in the soil, impacting the sustainable utilization of agricultural soil. However, the distribution and ecological toxicity of microplastics in long-term film-covered greenhouses and nongreenhouse vegetable fields on soil animals remain unclear. In this study, six typical greenhouse and nongreenhouse vegetable fields in the Shenyang area, which had been covered with plastic film for more than 20 years, were investigated. The distribution of microplastic abundance, shape, and source across different particle sizes in soil, as well as their oxidative damage toxicity effects on earthworms, were examined. The results demonstrated that the total abundance of microplastics in greenhouse soil was greater than that in nongreenhouse soil. Plastic fragments and microplastics > 2 mm were more prevalent in nongreenhouse soil, whereas microplastics < 2 mm were predominantly found in greenhouse soil, accounting for 89.9–98.6%. Notably, the abundance of microplastics with small particle sizes of 20–40 μm was high in greenhouse soils, and their proportion increased with increasing soil depth, with the cucumber and tomato groups showing increased abundances. Microplastics were identified mainly as thin-film and filamentous forms composed of polyethylene and polypropylene. After 56 d of exposure, a slight increase in malondialdehyde was detected in the earthworms in the soil where the cucumbers and tomatoes were grown. Mantel analysis revealed a significant correlation between the particle size of the microplastics and oxidative stress markers in the earthworms. Although greenhouse soil currently only causes slight oxidative damage to earthworms, over time, the oxidative damage caused by greenhouse systems to earthworms will increase. Therefore, regulatory measures should be implemented to standardize vegetable field management, especially with respect to microplastic pollution. Full article

The genus Naegleria comprises free-living amoebae characterized as amphizoic and ubiquitous microorganisms. Naegleria fowleri is the only species pathogenic to humans, causing primary amebic meningoencephalitis. The 26S proteasome represents the principal catalytic complex responsible for the degradation and recycling of intracellular proteins in eukaryotic cells. This complex consists of the 20S and 19S proteasome subunits, with the latter involved in the recognition and processing of ubiquitinated proteins and their delivery to the degradation site. Although the 26S proteasome has been characterized in various pathogenic protozoa, only the 20S proteasome has been studied within the genus Naegleria. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the presence of 19S subunits in N. fowleri. Bioinformatics analyses were employed to evaluate the presence and homology of non-ATPase subunits (Rpn10, Rpn11, and Rpn13) and ATPase subunits (Rpt2, Rpt3, and Rpt5). Additionally, the presence, localization, and correlation of 19S proteasome proteins with the 20S proteasome were assessed using experimental approaches. The results indicate that N. fowleri possesses proteins corresponding to the 19S proteasome, which, together with the 20S core particle, contribute to the formation of the 26S proteasome. Full article

Microplastic pollution has become a significant environmental concern due to its persistence and widespread impact across ecosystems. These plastic particles (1 μm to 5 mm), originating from larger plastic debris or industrial sources, accumulate in diverse habitats, affecting biodiversity and human health. Microplastics resist natural degradation, posing challenges to both ecological sustainability and waste management strategies. Although numerous studies have explored microbial degradation, most existing research focuses primarily on bacteria, leaving the role of filamentous fungi comparatively underexplored. This represents a significant research gap, because fungi secrete a variety of extracellular enzymes, including laccases, peroxidases, and esterases, which play crucial roles in the breakdown of synthetic polymers. These enzymes facilitate the depolymerization of microplastics by targeting polymer chains and increasing their susceptibility to further microbial degradation. However, the underlying enzymatic mechanisms and their effectiveness in microplastic remediation remain insufficiently characterized. Here, we critically review the potential of filamentous fungi for microplastic biodegradation, emphasizing their oxidative and hydrolytic enzyme systems, biosurfactant production, and mechanisms of adsorption and mineralization. The novelty of this review lies in consolidating the most recent mechanistic insights into fungal-driven depolymerization pathways, integrating them with advances in genetic engineering, bioprocess scale-up, and regulatory perspectives, areas rarely combined in previous reviews. We identify current limitations related to environmental applicability, enzyme accessibility, and the lack of standardized protocols, and propose strategies to overcome these challenges through enzyme immobilization, microbial consortia design, and synthetic biology approaches. By addressing these gaps, filamentous fungi may contribute to the development of sustainable strategies for plastic pollution mitigation and support circular economy approaches toward polymer biodegradation. Full article

Under international climate governance frameworks, including the Paris Agreement, the global decarbonization process has accelerated, imposing more stringent requirements on power system flexibility and low-carbon operation. Against this backdrop, pumped storage power stations, characterized by high flexibility and rapid response capability, serve as large-scale energy storage solutions that can replace thermal power for peak shaving, thereby enhancing renewable energy integration and delivering significant carbon reduction benefits in multi-energy complementary systems. A carbon reduction calculation model is developed within the framework of the Chinese Certified Emission Reduction (CCER) trading mechanism to quantify the annual contributions of pumped storage to carbon reduction. Using a Fractional-Order Gray Model (FGM) optimized via Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), future carbon market prices are forecasted, facilitating a robust economic evaluation. The findings reveal that, over its lifecycle, pumped storage could achieve a total carbon reduction of approximately 23.27 million tons of CO₂, yielding approximately 7.981 billion CNY in carbon reduction value, with an initial 7-year CCER inclusion period contributing 254.0787 million CNY in carbon credits. It provides critical economic and policy insights, supporting the design of advanced power systems that position pumped storage as a central regulatory asset in carbon reduction strategies. Full article

As a core nutritional component of milk, casein features excellent digestibility and biocompatibility, making it an ideal carrier for embedding natural bioactive substances in dairy product research. Luteolin, a typical flavonoid compound with superior antioxidant and anti-inflammatory bioactivities, is limited in industrial dairy applications due to poor environmental stability and low biological utilization. Moreover, the dynamic interplay mechanism between luteolin and casein throughout fermentation and cold storage remains unclear. This study hypothesized that luteolin could assemble with casein via non-covalent binding to form stable composite fermentation system, thereby optimizing the overall quality and functional attributes of fermented milk. This work aimed to explore the binding characteristics of luteolin of casein in fermented milk and its regulatory effects on products’ physicochemical properties, antioxidant capacity and nutritional digestibility. Experimental outcomes verified the hypothesis that luteolin bonded with casein through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. With increased luteolin supplementation, the fermentation system presented lowered pH and elevated titratable acidity. Compared with control fermentation system without luteolin, the fermentatiuon system containing 0.06% luteolin achieved 31.31% higher DPPH radical scavenging rate, 27.02% higher ABTS clearance capacity, and 26.42% higher in vitro protein digestibility (p < 0.05). Dose-dependent increases in particle size and absolute zeta-potential enhanced system colloidal stability, while FTIR detection confirmed obvious variations in protein secondary structure in fermented milk. This study elucidates the distinctive structure–function correlation of the luteolin–casein fermentation system in fermented dairy matrices, providing original insights and reliable theoretical support for developing novel dairy products rich in functional nutritional factors. Full article

Micro and nanoplastics (MNPs) are increasingly recognized as contaminants in food systems; however, the specific packaging elements responsible for particle release remain poorly resolved. Most studies treat packaging as a single material category, without covering distinct contributions from the different units of modern food contact materials (FCMs). We propose a packaging structure taxonomy based on functional elements: container (C), closure (CL), and functional layers (F), including operational interfaces (+I), designed to enable components attribution of possible origins of plastic fragments in foods and beverages. Through a structured synthesis of the current literature, we map the primary processes leading to MNP generation across these modules, including tribological abrasion at closure contact interfaces, thermally driven polymer degradation in containers and delamination or shedding from coatings, adhesives and multilayer structures. Available evidence indicates that repeated mechanical actions such as opening and closing cycles can generate measurable particle release from closure assemblies. The proposed C/CL/F + I framework introduces standardized descriptors and reporting units that improve comparability across studies and supports origin attribution. By explicitly separating packaging parts and their operational interaction zones, the taxonomy provides a methodological bridge between analytical microplastic detection and engineering strategies aimed at minimizing particle formation. Its adoption can facilitate harmonized experimental design, strengthen regulatory risk assessment and guide the development of packaging configurations that minimize plastic particle shedding into foods. Full article

Glitter is a distinctive and largely overlooked form of primary microplastic. Unlike more commonly studied microplastics, glitter particles are typically flat, highly reflective, multi-layered, and are composed of polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride with metallic coatings and a wide range of additives. In response to regulatory restrictions on intentionally added microplastics and increasing consumer demand, “eco-friendly” alternatives based on modified regenerated cellulose, cellulose nanocrystals, or mica have been introduced, although their environmental safety remains insufficiently characterized. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the environmental occurrence and ecotoxicological effects of both conventional and biodegradable glitters. A systematic literature search in Scopus identified 15 peer-reviewed experimental studies meeting predefined inclusion criteria. Evidence spans a wide range of taxa, including bacteria (i.e., Aliivibrio fischeri), microalgae and cyanobacteria (i.e., Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Raphidocelis subcapitata, Microcystis aeruginosa), aquatic plants (i.e., Lemna minor, Egeria densa), marine and freshwater invertebrates as crustaceans (i.e., Daphnia magna), bivalves (i.e., Mytilus galloprovincialis), sea urchins (i.e., Paracentrotus lividus), brine shrimp (Artemia sp.) and terrestrial soil fauna (Eisenia fetida, Folsomia candida). Results indicate that glitter cannot be treated as a uniform stressor: biological responses vary markedly with particle size, shape, colour, polymer type, additive composition, and weathering time, and leachates often exert stronger effects than intact particles. Reported impacts include impaired photosynthesis and growth, oxidative stress, developmental abnormalities, altered energy metabolism, and reduced reproduction. Substantial gaps remain regarding environmental concentrations, ageing processes, mixture effects, and long-term ecological consequences, particularly for biodegradable glitters. Addressing these gaps will require realistic exposure scenarios, mesocosm and field studies, and integrated chemical–biological approaches to support robust risk assessment and safer material design. Full article

Adoptive cell therapies, and more specifically, regulatory T cell (Treg) therapies, have shown significant therapeutic promise across multiple immune-mediated diseases including graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), solid organ transplant (SOT) rejection, and autoimmune diseases. One key challenge is the lack of insight into the biodistribution and fate of adoptively transferred T cells and Tregs in living organisms. These uncertainties delay progress on establishing optimal dosage(s), infusion timing and route, as well as investigations into off-target effects. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cell tracking is particularly beneficial in this setting because it enables real-time, deep-tissue coverage without ionizing radiation. In this review, we compare existing MRI T cell tracking strategies using iron oxide particles and fluorinated agents. We describe preclinical and clinical applications of MRI for cell therapy tracking and provide a perspective on the potential impact on the field. Full article

Background: Polyamide 6 microplastics (PA6-MPs), as emerging environmental pollutants, have attracted increasing attention due to their potential health risks. Their accumulation in human intervertebral disc tissue (86.4 particles/g) suggests a possible role in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). However, direct evidence and mechanistic understanding remain limited. This study aimed to investigate the association between PA6-MPs exposure and IVDD, based on the hypothesis that PA6-MPs promote IVDD progression by targeting key regulatory molecules and disrupting cellular homeostasis. Methods: Potential PA6-related targets were predicted using multiple public databases, and IVDD-related differentially expressed genes were obtained from the GEO database. Overlapping targets were identified and analyzed through protein–protein interaction (PPI) network construction, Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses to screen core targets and pathways. Molecular docking was performed to evaluate PA6–protein binding. In vitro validation was conducted using primary human nucleus pulposus cells exposed to PA6-MPs, with cell viability, proliferation, and phenotypic changes assessed by CCK-8, EdU, live/dead staining, and immunofluorescence (IF). Results: A total of 222 PA6-related targets and 1035 IVDD-associated genes were identified, yielding 10 overlapping targets. Four core targets, including NR3C1 and HDAC1, were selected. Molecular docking and experiments demonstrated stable binding and concentration-dependent inhibition of cell viability and proliferation. Conclusion: PA6-MPs may accelerate IVDD progression in a concentration-dependent manner by targeting key molecules and perturbing inflammatory homeostasis. These findings link environmental exposure to IVDD and provide a basis for future risk assessment and targeted intervention strategies. Full article

Urban construction activities are recognized as significant contributors to particulate matter (PM) emissions; however, the accurate real-time monitoring of size-resolved PM fractions presents a formidable challenge. Traditional low-cost PM sensors predominantly report cumulative concentrations, which obscures the distinct health and regulatory significance of PM1, PM2.5, and PM10. This study systematically evaluates the performance of two low-cost sensors—PMS5003 and Sniffer4D—utilizing non-cumulative measurements obtained under controlled laboratory conditions designed to simulate construction PM generated from concrete slab drilling. Sensor performance was rigorously analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients, standard deviation, and mean percentage differences. Six correction models—linear regression, polynomial regression, Random Forest (RF), XGBoost, Artificial Neural Network (ANN), and Kalman filter—were independently developed for each PM size fraction to enhance measurement precision. Findings reveal that RF and ANN consistently provided the most accurate corrections, particularly for PM1 and PM2.5, with RF achieving a coefficient of determination (R²) > 0.89 for PM1 and R² > 0.87 for PM2.5 at the 50 s duration. This investigation introduces a size-resolved correction framework specifically designed for construction environments, thereby advancing the capability of low-cost sensors to enable accurate particle-specific exposure assessments. Full article

Intelligent caving mining requires not only equipment automation, but also the coordinated regulation of production timing, spatial structure, ore output, ore-flow quality, and energy consumption across the mining-processing chain. In caving mines, the state of broken ore flow, drawpoint activation, fragmentation distribution, dilution, ore loss, and ore-waste mixing affects not only underground production stability, but also downstream mineral processing performance, including feed-grade stability, particle-size distribution, pre-concentration potential, and the energy consumption of crushing, grinding, and separation. However, existing studies remain fragmented, with insufficient integration among production scheduling, spatial configuration, ore-flow and ore-output control, mineral-processing-oriented feed quality, and energy efficiency. To address this gap, this review systematically examines the time-space-quantity-energy collaborative feedback framework for intelligent caving mines. The four dimensions are defined as production timing, structural space, ore output and ore-flow quality and energy-consumption constraints, respectively. Recent advances are summarized in production rhythm analysis, spatial modeling, ore-flow and ore-output characterization, fragmentation recognition, energy monitoring and evaluation, digital-twin support, and intelligent control methods. On this basis, this review further reveals the coupling mechanisms by which time organization shapes spatial utilization, spatial structures constrain ore output and ore-flow quality, ore-output and ore-quality fluctuations affect energy-consumption evolution, and energy feedback reshapes production scheduling and spatial allocation. Key challenges are identified in multi-source data integration, mechanism modeling, evaluation methodology, and closed-loop execution. Future research directions are proposed toward digital twin-enabled, data-driven, mineral-processing-oriented, and human-machine collaborative regulation. Compared with existing reviews that discuss intelligent mining technologies, digital-twin architectures, ore-flow control, or underground production planning separately, this review clarifies their shared regulatory logic within a time-space-quantity-energy coupling framework oriented toward mining and processing. Overall, the unified time-space-quantity-energy framework provides a theoretical basis for transforming caving mines from isolated underground production optimization toward intelligent, efficient, low-energy, and mineral-processing-responsive collaborative operation. Full article

Cooking oil fumes (COFs) are major pollutants generated during thermal food processing, with emissions rising rapidly due to urbanization and the expanding catering industry, posing significant risks to indoor air quality and human health. This review systematically examines the formation mechanisms, physicochemical properties, and environmental and health impacts of COFs. Their formation involves primary processes such as thermal oxidation, cracking, Maillard reactions, and water vaporization, alongside secondary reactions where volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contribute to ozone (O₃) and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. COFs exhibit complex gas–liquid–solid coexistence and contain hazardous components including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene compounds, aldehydes, and ultrafine particles (Dp ≤ 0.1 μm). Based on reported data, emission factors under typical cooking conditions range from 17.966 to 71.923 mg/(min·kg oil) for VOCs, 0.016 to 1.710 mg/(min·kg oil) for benzene compounds, and 0.458 to 1.820 mg/(min·kg oil) for formaldehyde. This highlights the variability in cooking fume emissions and associated health risks. Despite growing research attention, challenges remain in emission characterization and health risk assessment. By synthesizing current knowledge, this review provides a scientific basis for developing precise mitigation strategies and guiding future regulatory standards, with implications for improving food processing practices and indoor air quality management. Full article

The spatiotemporal succession of microbial community structure influences sediment nitrogen (N) release. To compare the N release and microbial response between a large-scale wetland and its connecting rivers, sediment samples were collected across three seasons (October 2024, March 2025, and July 2025) and analyzed using sorption isotherms and sequencing to elucidate source–sink dynamics and microbial mechanisms. The results showed that the maximum sorption capacity (Q_max, 9.931 mg/g) exhibited significant seasonal variation (March > July > October) and a vertical decreasing pattern (surface > middle > bottom). The Q_max of wetland sediments (SS) was generally higher than that of river sediments (SH). The N source–sink analysis indicated that SS consistently served as a stable N sink, while SH primarily served as a N source. Among them, the internal N release pressure in the rivers was highest in July, and a relatively high diffusion flux was still maintained in October. Microbial diversity was significantly higher in the warm seasons (July and October) than in spring, and spatially, diversity was higher in SS than in SH. Proteobacteria were the dominant phylum, with a relative abundance ranging from 8.11% to 35.59%. Gammaproteobacteria was the dominant class, with a maximum relative abundance of 28.36%. Anaerolineae in SH were significantly enriched in summer and autumn. The driving factors shifted from the physical particle size (D50) in spring to the organic load and nutrients (total nitrogen or total phosphorus) in summer, and then to the synergistic effect of pH and physical structure in autumn. Functional prediction indicated that the microbial functions in river channels evolved from reserve-type heterotrophic metabolism to high-activity energy metabolism, with the highest predicted potential observed in July. In contrast, the wetland consistently maintained steady-state regulatory functions centered on signal transduction and membrane transport. Full article