Search Results (4,511)

The experiments aimed at the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with various reducers like plant extracts and glucose and the evaluation of their antimicrobial efficiency versus their nanotoxicity. Precursor silver ions were reduced with extracts of Coffea arabica leaves, Thuja orientalis cones, and Cirsium arvense roots as well as with glucose. The AgNP microstructural properties were analyzed with transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering that highlighted fine granulation (23 to 28 nm) and electrical stability (Zeta potential of −15 to −25 mV) while optical and spectral investigations like dark-field microscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy and FTIR proved specific surface properties. Since cytotoxicity is related to the fate of AgNPs in the environment after their uses, we highlighted the presence of chromosomal alterations in the meristematic tissues of maize roots, such as delayed and expelled chromosomes, chromosome bridges, multi-polar anaphases, C-metaphases and others. Silver nanoparticle use in biomedical applications and antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens was evidenced by the agar diffusion test, which suggested their usefulness in the case of possible antibiotic-resistant microbial strains with available natural ingredients and at low cost. Full article

Lightweight resin lattice structures are prone to instability and failure under compressive loading, which leads to limited load bearing capacity and energy absorption performance. In this study, tough resin triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) lattice scaffolds were fabricated using stereolithography-based 3D printing, and polyurethane foam (PUF) was subsequently infiltrated into three representative topologies, namely Schwarz Primitive (P), I-Wrapped Package (IWP), and Gyroid (G), to form interpenetrating phase composites (IPC). Quasi-static compression results show that PUF infiltration significantly improves the compressive response of all IPC architectures. The stress level in the plateau region is increased, while the magnitude of local stress drops is reduced, leading to a more stable progressive compression behavior. By comparing the stress–strain responses of IPC with the linear superposition of the pure resin scaffold and PUF phases, it is found that the actual energy absorption of IPC exceeds the predicted additive response, indicating a pronounced synergistic effect between the two phases. Among them, the IWP-based IPC achieves a specific energy absorption of 11.72 J/g. These results demonstrate that interpenetrating phase architectures can maintain lightweight characteristics while enhancing load bearing stability and energy absorption efficiency, providing useful guidance for topology selection and lightweight design of TPMS-based energy absorbing composite structures. Full article

Continuous cropping obstacles (CCOs) seriously constrain tomato yield and quality in facility agriculture, primarily due to rhizosphere microbial imbalance. Indigenous synthetic microbial communities (SynCom) offer superior colonization and stability compared to single strains. This study aimed at constructing a simplified SynCom from indigenous rhizobacteria in Northwest China to alleviate tomato CCOs. A total of 155 rhizobacterial strains (29 genera) were isolated. Sixteen strains with significant growth-promoting effects were selected through seedling assays. Based on the carbon source niche overlap index (NOI > 70%) with Ralstonia solanacearum QL-Rs1115, eight candidate strains were retained. Using the broken-stick model, 29 simplified SynComs were constructed. SynCom28, composed of six functionally complementary strains (Azospirillum brasilense, Massilia niabensis, Enterobacter hormaechei, Chryseobacterium sp., Priestia megaterium and Pseudomonas brassicacearum), showed the best performance. Pot experiments revealed that SynCom28 reduced the bacterial wilt disease index to 32.41, with a biocontrol efficacy of 41.72%. Greenhouse trials under continuous cropping demonstrated that SynCom28 significantly increased seedling Dickson quality index (DQI), stem diameter and biomass. Fruit yield increased by 12.98–15.30% across the 2nd to 4th cropping cycles (p < 0.05). Fruit quality parameters were also enhanced, with soluble sugar, lycopene, and vitamin C contents increasing by 47.22–65.07%, 33.07–81.71% and 80.56–166.67%, respectively. In conclusion, the indigenous simplified SynCom28 effectively alleviates tomato CCOs, enhancing growth, yield, and quality while suppressing bacterial wilt, providing a promising strategy for sustainable facility agriculture. Full article

To reveal the damage–seepage coupling mechanism of delayed floor water inrush induced by small fault activation under mining-induced stress, a cubic cement mortar specimen containing a persistent small fault was prepared based on similarity theory. Systematic triaxial loading–seepage tests were conducted under different fault fracture zone particle gradations, fracture zone widths, and fault angles, with simultaneous monitoring of stress–strain behavior, acoustic emission (AE) characteristics, and seepage flow evolution. The results show that: ① The peak strength decreases with increasing fracture zone width, but increases with increasing Talbot gradation coefficient (a fractal grading method) and fault angle. The failure mode transitions from shear-dominated to tension–shear composite failure. The spatial localization of AE events corresponds well with macroscopic fracture surfaces, and the AE source amplitude is positively correlated with compressive strength. ② The seepage flow exhibits a nonlinear evolution pattern of “compaction stabilization—stepwise rise—plateau stabilization” during loading. In the early loading stage, compaction of the fracture zone causes a slight decrease in flow. Approaching peak strength, the initiation and propagation of through-going fractures create interconnected seepage channels, leading to a stepwise jump in flow. In the post-peak stage, accompanied by fine particle erosion and framework reconfiguration, the flow tends to stabilize. A larger fracture zone width, smaller gradation coefficient, and smaller fault angle result in a more significant post-peak seepage surge, with the maximum flow rate reaching 3.6 times that of the specimen with a 2 mm wide fracture zone. ③ Grey relational analysis indicates that the fault angle is the most sensitive factor affecting the risk of delayed water inrush (correlation degree 0.788), followed by particle gradation and fracture zone width. The study demonstrates that under monotonic loading conditions, the damage evolution and seepage response of small faults are jointly controlled by their geometric parameters and internal structure, with the fractal grading method effectively quantifying the role of particle gradation. The findings provide a theoretical basis for risk assessment of delayed water inrush from small faults in working faces above confined aquifers. Full article

The aim of this study is to develop and comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of an innovative formulation of a biological preparation consisting of a bacterial consortium (Serratia proteamaculans B5, Pseudomonas putida D7 and Lysinibacillus sp. S1), embedded in a pullulan polysaccharide matrix, as an agent for inducing systemic resistance in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to phytopathogenic stress caused by Fusarium graminearum. To optimize the product’s protective efficacy and minimize the pesticide load on the agroecosystem, a reduced dose of Fundazol (50% of the standard rate) was incorporated into the formulation. The constituent strains exhibited high indole-3-acetic acid production (53.29–69.2 μg·mL⁻¹) and strong antagonistic activity against phytopathogenic fungi, with inhibition zones reaching up to 32.5 mm. Pot and field trials were conducted to comprehensively assess the effect of the biological product on the stress tolerance of barley plants. Pre-sowing seed treatment reduced proline accumulation (by up to 2.3-fold), maintained photosynthetic pigment levels, and increased field germination to 79%. Under infectious field conditions, treatment with the biopreparation contributed to the stabilization of yield structure parameters (treated plants exhibited increases in height and biomass of 9–21%) and the improvement of grain quality indicators. Overall, the results obtained demonstrate the potential of the developed biopreparation as a component of comprehensive protection strategies and as an inducer of plant priming mechanisms. Full article

With the rapid advancement of wearable technologies, high-performance flexible sensors have garnered significant research interest. This study presents a PAM-5 hydrogel characterized by exceptional tensile strain (425%), superior compressive modulus (325 kPa), and notable ionic conductivity (1.1 S/m), serving as a robust mechanical framework and electrical foundation for developing advanced sensors. The PNP-5 integrated hydrogel sensor fabricated from this material demonstrates an extensive sensing range (2–53 kPa), remarkable sensitivity, and rapid response time (~321 ms), with its outstanding performance attributed to the synergistic structural design. Furthermore, the sensor exhibits excellent durability, maintaining consistent voltage output (~6.5 mV) across 1000 compression cycles, confirming its long-term operational stability. Through real-time monitoring of physiological signals and biomechanical movements including finger bending, respiration, and grasping, combined with spatial pressure mapping experiments using a 5 × 5 array touchpad, the device’s potential applications in wearable sensing platforms and human–machine interface systems are effectively demonstrated. This self-powered hydrogel sensor not only advances the performance metrics of flexible electronic devices but also establishes a solid experimental basis for future development of intelligent materials in health monitoring and interactive technologies. Full article

To achieve the valorization of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) bottom ash and investigate its engineering feasibility as an aggregate replacement in asphalt mixtures, this research adopted MSWI bottom ash in three particle size fractions (2.36–9.5 mm, 9.5–16 mm and 2.36–4.75 mm) to replace basalt aggregate in SBS-modified AC-20 asphalt mixtures. Five dosages of MSWI bottom ash (0%, 7.5%, 15%, 22.5% and 30%) were designed, and high-temperature stability, low-temperature cracking resistance, moisture stability, dynamic modulus and fatigue resistance were tested. The results indicate that the incorporation of MSWI bottom ash causes different degrees of performance degradation. At a dosage of 30%, the dynamic stability of Groups I, II and III decreased by 37.5%, 49.3% and 27.5%, respectively, while the fatigue lives decreased by 48.1%, 60.3% and 31.3%, respectively. The failure strain of Group III at 30% was 2007 microstrain, still slightly higher than the specification limit, whereas Groups I and II dropped to 1825 microstrain and 1575 microstrain. The freeze–thaw splitting tensile strength ratios of Groups I and III at 30% were 81.6% and 84.1%, both meeting the 80% requirement, while Group II decreased to 78.7%. Overall, the 2.36–4.75 mm fraction produced the smallest deterioration, followed by the 2.36–9.5 mm fraction, whereas the 9.5–16 mm fraction showed the most significant reduction. Considering both pavement performance and resource utilization efficiency, MSWI bottom ash is recommended to replace basalt aggregate at dosages not exceeding 30% for the 2.36–4.75 mm fraction and 22.5% for the 2.36–9.5 mm fraction. In addition, the asphalt–aggregate ratio should be adjusted with the slag dosage to compensate for the high absorption of MSWI bottom ash. Full article

This research focused on the formulation of a health-oriented, clean-label food product fortified with encapsulated bioactive compounds from Sambucus nigra, Aronia melanocarpa, and Echinacea purpurea. To evaluate the protection of these sensitive compounds during production and storage, a comprehensive characterization was performed. This included basic physicochemical analyses, phenolic profiling, antioxidant activity tests, as well as rheological and textural measurements. Furthermore, sensory analysis, consumer evaluation, and microbiological stability during storage were assessed. Results from Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses confirmed the structural integrity of the capsules post-processing. Additionally, the application of a starch–psyllium carrier ensured that the textural and rheological properties remained fully comparable to the control sample, preventing undesirable matrix alterations. Specifically, product hardness (1.17–1.23 N) and adhesiveness (8.17–8.94 N·s) were maintained at stable levels, while color alterations were minor and likely noticeable only to trained observers (ΔE* < 3.2). Microbiological evaluation demonstrated that the application of different formulated products effectively inhibited the growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, with inhibition rates increasing from 3.4 to 39.7%. Collectively, the experimental data demonstrate that encapsulation is a highly effective strategy for fortifying fruit-based systems with sensitive extracts, successfully maximizing bioactivity retention while maintaining high product quality and sensory appeal. Full article

Background: Insomnia and stress-related sleep disorders are increasingly recognized as systemic conditions linked to the microbiota–gut–brain axis (MGBA). With growing clinical interest in natural products that modulate the gut environment, this systematic review evaluates the efficacy and mechanisms of non-pharmacological interventions, specifically probiotics, prebiotics, dietary indices, and botanicals, in alleviating insomnia, restoring circadian rhythms, and modulating neurochemical markers. Methods: In strict accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and The Cochrane Library for English language studies published from inception to March 31, 2026. Eligibility was restricted to studies with rigorously controlled designs, specifically randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled in vivo animal studies. Interventions had to target the gut microbiota, with primary outcomes measuring sleep quality (subjective or objective) or sleep-related neurochemical markers. We excluded uncontrolled, single-arm, or observational designs; in vitro studies; non-original research; and studies involving subjects with severe medical or psychiatric comorbidities (e.g., cancer, ADHD, severe psychiatric disorders) to prevent confounding variables, though mild-to-moderate anxiety and depression were permitted. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2.0 and SYRCLE tools. Due to significant methodological heterogeneity, a narrative synthesis stratified by intervention and population was conducted. This review was not registered in PROSPERO. Results: A total of 56 studies (33 humans, 23 animals) met the inclusion criteria. Taxonomic nomenclature was updated to reflect 2020 reclassifications (e.g., Lactiplantibacillus plantarum). In human trials, interventions significantly improved subjective sleep metrics (PSQI, ISI). Recent additions demonstrated the efficacy of the Dietary Index for Gut Microbiota (DI-GM) and the improvement in N3 sleep latency by yeast mannan. Furthermore, whole-food patterns (e.g., the MIND diet) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) decoctions successfully enriched beneficial taxa, such as Bacteroides coprophilus, and increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Animal models demonstrated that “psychobiotic” strains (Bifidobacterium breve, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei), prebiotics (GOS/PDX), and TCM formulas effectively restored GABA/5-HT profiles, lowered morning cortisol, and facilitated REM rebound in PCPA-induced models, while also consolidating non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and downregulating clock genes (Per1/Per2). Conclusions: Psychobiotics, prebiotics, and botanicals represent a highly viable non-pharmacological strategy for treating insomnia. However, current evidence is constrained by a heavy reliance on subjective human questionnaires, short follow-up durations limiting insight into long-term stability, and a substantial translational gap between mechanistic rodent models and human clinical outcomes. Full article

A novel modified generalized Riccati equation mapping neural network-based approach is the basic theme of this study by exploring the nonlinear dynamical characteristics of the the strain wave model’s soliton solutions, which govern wave propagation in micro structured solids. Strain waves are particularly intriguing, since they preserve their form and speed throughout transmission. The nonlinear dynamical behaviors of strain waves may be modeled by partial differential equations in micro structured materials. In the realm of micro structured solids, there exists a class of phenomena that are referred to as micro strain waves. These waves arise in solids possessing intricate internal architectures, including periodic lattices, precisely engineered metamaterials Understanding these waves is key to designing more complex materials and new acoustic technologies. The activation function and the weight function of the neural network are assigned to each input layer, hidden layer and output layer and the neural network itself is a multi-layer computational network. Using the structure of the neural network, every neuron in the first hidden layer is given solutions to the Riccati equation, and the new highly expressive trial functions are generated in a systematic way. In this way, a large variety of exact soliton solutions are obtained, such as bright, dark, kink, and combined solitons as well as periodic and hyperbolic wave profiles. The influence of the essential physical and mathematical parameters is explored systematically using three-dimensional, two-dimensional and contour visualizations, which illustrate how parameter variations lead to changes in the amplitude, shape and stability of the wave structures. The solutions presented reveal the dynamic properties of micro strain solitons which leads to new avenues of investigation in the study of related nonlinear phenomena in micro structured solids. In a broader context, our results highlight the great potential of analytical techniques using neural networks as a powerful and versatile toolset to study complex nonlinear wave models within the applied sciences from acoustics to photonics to smart materials engineering. Full article

The constitutive analysis model and hot processing map of the ZM6 alloy across various deformation conditions were investigated during hot compression experiments. True stress-strain curves within 300–450 °C and 0.0001–0.1 s⁻¹ were obtained from compression tests on a Gleeble-1500 platform. The results showed that higher strain rates (e.g., 0.1 s⁻¹) induced pronounced work hardening, whereas high temperatures (300–400 °C) combined with low strain rates (10⁻⁴ s⁻¹) promoted conditions conducive to dynamic recrystallization (DRX), leading to a softening tendency of steady-state flow stress. Additionally, a modified strain-compensated constitutive model was built for flow stress prediction. Material constants were plotted as fifth-order polynomial functions of strain (0.025–0.80) for precise stress predictions. The derived activation energy (Q = 182.38 kJ/mol) falls within the typical range for Mg-RE alloys. Leave-one-temperature-out cross-validation showed average AARE values of 7.2–9.8%, demonstrating the model’s interpolation capability and its sensitivity to extrapolation. Cross-validation within the training dataset showed reasonable consistency between experimental and predicted stresses (R > 0.997, AARE < 4.35%). Using the dynamic materials model, hot processing maps identified safe deformation zones and instability zones of the ZM6 alloy. Flow instability was observed at strain rates >0.01 s⁻¹, particularly at low temperatures (300–350 °C). Optimal processing windows appeared in high-energy dissipation (η > 30%) regions, e.g., 400–450 °C/10⁻⁴–10⁻³ s⁻¹. Optical microscopy confirmed that at high temperatures (≥400 °C) and low strain rates (≤0.001 s⁻¹), a uniform, fine-grained, fully recrystallized structure can be obtained, whereas low temperatures (350 °C) and high strain rates (0.1 s⁻¹) produce coarse elongated grains with limited DRX, consistent with the instability regime predicted by the processing maps. Under intermediate conditions (e.g., 400 °C, 0.01 s⁻¹), a bimodal grain distribution indicates incomplete recrystallization. Although EBSD analysis was not performed in this study, the optical microstructures directly validate the predicted safe and unstable windows. Together, all these findings provide preliminary model-based guidance for optimizing hot working parameters to balance microstructural stability and processing efficiency. Full article

With the development of deep Earth engineering, the stability of surrounding rocks subjected to high temperatures from fire hazards has become an increasingly prominent issue. Therefore, studying the physical and mechanical properties of rocks under different thermal treatment modes is of great significance for the design of underground engineering. Taking red sandstone as the research object, this paper conducts physical parameter tests, uniaxial compression tests, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) on specimens under real-time high temperatures and natural cooling in the range of 600–1000 °C, to analyze the variations in specimen composition, the correlation between physical and mechanical properties and temperature, and to explore the underlying mechanisms. The results show that under both real-time high temperatures and natural cooling, the volume of sandstone increases while the mass decreases with rising temperature. At 1000 °C, the volume expansion rates are 3.30% and 3.80%, and the mass loss rates are 6.30% and 5.60%, respectively. Mechanical parameters, including peak strength, elastic modulus, and peak strain under the two treatments, all deteriorate significantly compared with those at room temperature. At 1000 °C, peak strength decreases by 54.83% and 36.26%, elastic modulus decreases by 74.55% and 67.96%, and peak strain increases by 65.63% and 43.75%, respectively. High-temperature-induced changes in the internal mineral structure and composition of sandstone are the main causes of rock mechanical property deterioration. During the cooling process, thermal shrinkage and recrystallization of mineral particles densify the rock structure; therefore, the compressive strength of naturally cooled sandstone is higher than that under real-time high temperatures. This study can provide theoretical guidance for the repair and reinforcement of rock engineering after high-temperature action. Full article

Aiming to develop high-performance flexible electrode materials for dielectric elastomer actuation systems applied to micro-crawling robots, this study proposes multi-dimensional filler composite electrode materials with a methyl vinyl silicone rubber matrix. Three types of conductive fillers—namely, zero-dimensional super-conductive carbon black, one-dimensional single-walled carbon nanotubes, and two-dimensional flaky micron-sized silver powder—were employed to construct a hierarchical multi-dimensional conductive network within the silicone rubber matrix via a three-stage fabrication strategy. The electrical conductivity and conductive stability of the as-prepared composite electrode materials were systematically investigated, where the intrinsic mechanisms and evolutionary laws of material electrical performance variations were analyzed. Furthermore, the effects of fillers with different dimensional morphologies on the comprehensive properties of the composites at each fabrication stage were explored, and the optimal filler dosage for each component was determined. Microstructural observations of the staged conductive network formation further verified the rationality of the stage-based functional design model. The optimized composite electrode delivers an initial electrical conductivity of 1.5 × 10⁴ S/m, with only a 14.9% conductivity attenuation under 50% tensile strain, demonstrating excellent electromechanical stability. Moreover, a prototype micro-crawling robot was fabricated using the optimized composite electrode, achieving a maximum linear crawling speed of 8 mm/s. These experimental results validate the feasibility and superiority of the proposed multi-dimensional filler composite strategy. This work provides a novel technical approach for the design and development of high-performance flexible electrode materials for flexible electronic and micro-robotic actuation applications. Full article

Functional properties of caseins play a crucial role in the dairy industry, so it is important to develop methods to improve their functionality. The aim of this study is to investigate the combined effect of high-intensity ultrasound (HIUS) treatment and calcium chelation on functional properties of casein micelles. For this purpose, micellar casein concentrate (MCC) was prepared with a concentration of 3% (w/w) casein. Then, 0 and 10 mM of Disodium hydrogen phosphate was added. HIUS was performed at a frequency of 20 kHz, power intensity of 550 W/cm², and an amplitude of 100% for 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min at 25 °C. Factorial design was employed to investigate the effect of ultrasound time (UST) and disodium phosphate (DSP) on foam capacity (FC), emulsion activity index (EAI), gelation time (GT), G′ at 480 min of oscillation time (G′₄₈₀), slope of complex viscosity, and linear viscoelastic region (LVR). At 0 mM of DSP, increasing UST from 0 to 15 min decreased GT from 114.39 ± 3.20 to 83.52 ± 1.61 min, and it extended LVR from 40.36 ± 0.12 to 41.27 ± 0.27% of the applied strain. In addition, applying HIUS for 15 min increased the elasticity and firmness of MCC gel networks at 0 mM of DSP. G′₄₈₀ was not influenced by UST, but it was reduced by DSP from 108.40 ± 3.29 to 15.78 ± 1.58 Pa. Increasing both UST and DSP significantly increased FC from 110.00 ± 13.23 to 163.33 ± 11.55% and foam stability (FS) in all treatments. FS reached its maximum (doubled) after 10 min of UST at 0 mM of DSP. However, EAI and emulsion stability index (ESI) decreased with increasing both UST and DSP. HIUS treatment combined with calcium chelation might highlight a new approach to improve foaming properties. However, regardless of calcium chelation, HIUS treatment is a promising technology to improve the gelling properties of casein micelles. Full article

In the treatment of high-salinity wastewater, the removal of nitrogen and organic pollutants remains a challenge, while the production of value-added compounds, such as ectoine from halophilic bacteria, offers a promising resource recovery pathway. In this study, halophilic activated sludge enriched with Thauera as the dominant strain was cultivated in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) to treat synthetic high-salinity wastewater (30 g/L NaCl) under different sludge retention times (SRTs). The optimal nitrogen and organic carbon removal performances were achieved at an SRT of 10 days, with an ammonia nitrogen removal rate of 77.67% and a total organic carbon (TOC) removal rate of 72.51%. Ectoine production was strongly SRT dependent, as volumetric ectoine concentration was ~2 mg/L at 5 d SRT, almost undetectable at 10 d SRT, ~10 mg/L at 16 d SRT, and peaked at 21.5 mg/L at 22 d SRT. Short SRTs favored dynamic ectoine utilization for osmoprotection and metabolic stability, whereas long SRTs led to passive ectoine accumulation and deteriorated treatment performance. The system realized stable short-cut heterotrophic nitrification with negligible nitrite and nitrate accumulation, indicating direct conversion of ammonia to gaseous nitrogen. These results demonstrate that SRT regulation effectively balances ectoine synthesis and pollutant removal, providing a feasible strategy for resource-oriented treatment of high salinity wastewater. Full article