Search Results (19,707)

This study addresses the technical challenges of conventional coal slurry sedimentation equipment in handling fine coal particles, such as poor settling performance and strong dependence on chemical reagents, by designing a novel high-gravity sedimentation and dewatering device. Solid–liquid centrifugal separation was simulated on the CFD-Fluent platform using the Eulerian–Eulerian method, with the solid volume fraction and effective deposition thickness adopted as key indicators of particle settling performance. The settling behavior and flow field characteristics of particles with different sizes (0.045–0.5 mm) were elucidated under varying centrifugal radii (400–800 mm) and rotational speeds (400–1200 r·min⁻¹), thereby providing a solid theoretical foundation for the parameter optimization of centrifugal settling processes for fine particles. The results indicate that increasing the centrifugal radius and rotational speed strengthens the centrifugal field effect, markedly enhancing the dynamic pressure gradient and interphase slip velocity. Under high-speed (ω = 1200 r·min⁻¹) and large-radius (R = 800 mm) conditions, the dynamic pressure of fine particles (0.045 mm) reached 7.52 MPa with a radial velocity of 0.79 m·s⁻¹, effectively compensating for the settling disadvantage of fine particles, promoting solid–liquid separation, and ensuring the stable deposition of coal particles. Meanwhile, as particle size increases, a distinct deposition thickness can be formed under different operating conditions, demonstrating that particle size is the dominant factor governing deposition behavior. The study elucidates the intrinsic mechanism of how multiple parameters—rotational speed, centrifugal radius, and coal particle size—synergistically influence particle deposition characteristics. By regulating these parameters to accommodate different particle sizes, the findings provide valuable insights for the parameter optimization of centrifugal settling processes for fine particles. Full article

The global water crisis, intensified by climate change and population growth, underscores the critical need for sustainable water production. Desalination is a pivotal solution, but its energy-intensive nature demands a transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources. However, the inherent intermittency of solar and wind power poses a fundamental challenge to the stable operation of desalination plants. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of a specifically tailored solution: hybrid energy storage systems (HESS) that synergistically combine batteries and hydrogen fuel cells (FC). Moving beyond a general description of hybridization, this study delves into the strategic complementarity of this pairing, where the high-power density and rapid response of lithium-ion batteries manage short-term fluctuations, while the high-energy density and steady output of fuel cells ensure long-duration, stable baseload power. This operational synergy is crucial for maintaining consistent pressure in processes like reverse osmosis (RO), thereby reducing membrane stress and improving system uptime. A central focus of this review is the critical role of advanced energy management systems (EMS). We synthesize findings on how intelligent control strategies, from fuzzy logic to metaheuristic optimization algorithms, are essential for managing the power split between components. These sophisticated EMS strategies do not merely ensure reliability, they actively optimize the system to minimize hydrogen consumption, reduce operational costs, and extend the lifespan of the hybrid energy storage components. The analysis confirms that a lithium-ion battery-fuel cell HESS, governed by an advanced EMS, effectively mitigates renewable intermittency to significantly enhance freshwater yield and overall system reliability. By integrating component-specific hybridization with smart control, this review establishes a framework for researchers and engineers to achieve significant levels of energy efficiency, economic viability, and sustainability in renewable-powered desalination. Full article

Fe-Mn-Al-C lightweight steel is an alternative to traditional low-alloy structural steels. It is lightweight and can be used to reduce the weight of structures without increasing their density. However, in the marine environment, traditional low-alloy structural steels can be damaged by chloride ions, which shortens their service life. We do not yet understand how aluminum, an important alloying element in lightweight steel, affects the process of corrosion. In this study, we examined Fe-Mn-Al-C lightweight steels with different amounts of aluminum. We used full-immersion simulated marine corrosion tests and multi-dimensional characterization techniques, such as microstructure observation and electrochemical measurements, to explore the relationship between aluminum content and the steel’s corrosion rate, corrosion product structure, and corrosion resistance. The results showed that, compared with CS, the weight loss and rate of corrosion of steels that contain aluminum were a lot lower. While the corrosion rate of CS is approximately 0.068 g·h⁻¹·m⁻², that of 7Al steel is reduced to 0.050 g·h⁻¹·m⁻². The stable phases α-FeOOH and FeAl₂O₄ are formed in the corrosion products when Al is added. As the Al content increases, so does the relative content of these phases. Furthermore, FeAl₂O₄ acts as a nucleation site that refines corrosion product grains, reduces pores and cracks, and significantly improves the compactness of corrosion products. It also forms a dense inner rust layer that blocks the penetration of corrosive ions such as Cl⁻. This study confirmed that aluminum improves the corrosion resistance of steel synergistically by regulating the structure of the corrosion products, optimizing the phase composition, and improving the electrochemical properties. The optimal aluminum content for lightweight steel in marine environments is 7%, within a range of 5–9%. Full article

Structural heterogeneity is useful for improving the plasticity of metallic glasses (MGs) by blocking the propagation of shear bands (SBs). The introduction of a heterogeneous structure often introduces residual stresses, which significantly influences the deformation behaviors of MGs; however, the quantitative impact of residual/initial stresses on shear banding remains unclear. In this work, through finite element models, we demonstrate that residual/initial stresses can promote the initiation of SBs at the interfaces between droplet or particle reinforcements and the matrix in Binodal decomposed metallic glass composites (BDMGCs). These reinforcements do not effectively block the SBs when the fraction of particle reinforcement is very low. We demonstrate that a heterogeneous distribution of initial tensile stresses reduces the strength of BDMGCs, particularly in those containing a homogenous matrix. This profound understanding of the synergistic effects arising from a heterogeneous microstructure and initial stresses could effectively promote the design and optimization of MGs and their composites. Full article

Gut health is essential for optimal growth, immune function, and robustness in aquaculture. This study evaluated the potential of dietary supplementation with micro- and macroalgae to promote intestinal recovery following an insult. Four experimental diets were formulated for gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) juveniles (176 ± 0.32 g): a control commercial-like diet (CTRL), and the same diet supplemented with either microalgae (Phaeodactylum tricornutum; PHA) or macroalgae (Gracilaria gracilis; GRA) at 2.5%, or a 5% blend of both (50:50; BLEND). To induce an intestinal insult, fish from each dietary group were assisted-fed with gelatine capsules containing soy saponins (CTRL + S, PHA, GRA, BLEND), while control fish received empty capsules (CTRL). After 72 h, CTRL and CTRL + S groups were fed the control diet, while PHA, GRA, and BLEND received their respective algae-supplemented diets. After 20 days, CTRL + S fish had significantly increased mucus cell numbers and submucosal cellular infiltration compared to CTRL fish, indicating intestinal disruption. PHA diet significantly upregulated igm, il10, and gpx. Fish fed GRA displayed a significant increase in mucosal vacuolation. BLEND diet showed synergistic effects, significantly upregulating il1b and pcna and reducing ALP activity. These results highlight the potential of combining micro- and macroalgae compounds to enhance gut recovery and immune activation. Full article

Baicalein, a natural flavonoid derived from traditional medicinal herbs, has demonstrated anticancer activity in various malignancies, but its role in endometrial cancer remains largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of baicalein, alone and in combination with metformin, in human endometrial cancer cells. Given that the mTOR signaling pathway is frequently dysregulated in endometrial cancer due to PTEN loss, we examined how baicalein affects this pathway. Our results demonstrated that baicalein significantly inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with increased DDIT4 expression, activation of AMPK, and decreased phosphorylation of mTOR downstream targets S6K1 and S6. In vivo, baicalein treatment led to a reduction in tumor volume in HEC-1A xenograft female nude mice without affecting body weight. While metformin also reduced cell viability, baicalein achieved comparable effects at lower concentrations. The combination of baicalein and metformin produced a synergistic anti-tumor effect and more effectively inhibited the AMPK/PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway than either agent alone. These findings suggest that baicalein may represent a promising, non-toxic therapeutic option for endometrial cancer, particularly when used in combination with metformin. Further investigation is warranted to assess the clinical relevance of this strategy. Full article

Most existing virtual reality exergames rely on generic VR devices, which can limit the physical exertion in VR-based exercises. In contrast, physical props can enhance exercise intensity, yet their impact on users’ performance and experience remains understudied, particularly in skill-based tasks. Meanwhile, physical props offer richer tactile and kinesthetic feedback, which, combined with the visual effects of head-mounted displays, presents a potential solution for improving user experience in VR. To explore this, this study developed a sensor-driven experimental framework for investigating high-skill VR tasks. By integrating vision sensors with standard VR devices, we constructed a VR archery system that enables objective quantification of motor performance. Leveraging the sensor-driven framework, we investigate the effects of physical props and physics-associated visual feedback on players’ performance and experience in VR tasks through an experiment involving 33 participants. By objectively quantifying performance, we reveal a dual-pathway mechanism: physical props significantly increased hand tremor, which in turn impaired aiming accuracy, but this negative effect was effectively moderated by time and physics-associated visual feedback that enabled real-time sensorimotor compensation. While complex physical props reduced task performance, they substantially enhanced enjoyment and presence, particularly demonstrating a synergistic effect on users’ flow experience when combined with physics-associated visual feedback. These findings elucidate the complex interplay between physical prop interfaces and visual feedback in high-skill VR tasks, providing valuable insights for designing VR experiences which balance performance requirements and engagement enhancement. Full article

The production of β-lactamases is the main mechanism underlying carbapenem resistance. This study combined in silico and in vitro approaches to identify potential polyphenols as carbapenemase inhibitors. Molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and ADMET prediction were performed to assess the binding affinity, stability, and safety of quercetin, kaempferol, caffeic acid, and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid against KPC-2, NDM-1, and OXA-48 carbapenemases. In vitro antibacterial assays and checkerboard analyses were conducted against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to assess antibacterial and synergistic effects. Then, the inhibition of the β-lactam hydrolytic activity was confirmed. In silico results showed that quercetin, kaempferol, and caffeic acid exhibited strong binding affinity and consistent stability towards the targets. Therefore, quercetin and kaempferol showed the strongest affinities (−8.0 kcal/mol) and stable interactions with key catalytic residues. ADMET profiles indicated good pharmacokinetic behavior and low acute toxicity. In vitro assays revealed that the polyphenols exhibited MIC values ranging from 12.5 to 25 mg/L and MBC values of 25–50 mg/L. Combined with cefotaxime, they enhanced bacterial susceptibility and inhibited β-lactam hydrolysis, with quercetin achieving complete inhibition at 200 mg/L. These findings highlight the potential of the four polyphenols as natural β-lactamase inhibitors. Further enzyme kinetics and in vivo studies are needed to confirm their therapeutic relevance. Full article

This study investigated the effects of four antioxidative substances, α-tocopherol (α-TP), phytosterols (PS), squalene (SQ), and propyl gallate (PG), on micronutrient retention and antioxidative capacity of rapeseed oil during ethanol steam deodorization (ESD, 140–220 °C). Results demonstrated that supplementation with these antioxidants increased the retention rates (percentage relative to initial content) of tocopherols, phenols, carotenoids, phytosterols, and squalene by up to 2.92%, 46.25%, 25.82%, 1.03%, and 60.15%, respectively. These improvements are attributed to the protective effects of the supplemental antioxidative substances against thermal and oxidative degradation. Moreover, α-TP and PG increased the antioxidative capacity of the oil after ESD at 180 °C for 60 min by 10.37% and 5.35%, respectively, which can be attributed to their increased concentrations and synergistic interactions with endogenous antioxidants. A model oil system of caprylic triglyceride supplemented with binary mixtures of antioxidative substances revealed synergistic behavior in blends of α-TP with PG or CE (β-carotene), and of CE with PG or PS, through complementary interactions, whereas antagonism occurred in blends of PS with PG, and of SQ at a high concentration (40.10 mg/100 g) with α-TP, PG or CE, due to unfavorable molecular interactions. Full article

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are a class of smart materials that exhibit unique shape-fixing and recovery abilities, attracting wide attention for applications in electronics, aerospace, and biomedical engineering. Chitosan (CS) as a renewable biopolymer, possessing good biocompatibility, biodegradability, and antimicrobial properties; its use as a matrix enhances the environmental compatibility and bio-adaptability of SMPs. MXene, as a novel two-dimensional material, is characterized by high electrical conductivity, abundant surface functional groups and good hydrophilicity, showing potential in energy storage, electromagnetic shielding and sensing. In this work, CS and poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were used as the polymer matrix, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) together with MXene were introduced as co-fillers to construct multifunctional composites. The effect of the CNTs/MXene hybrid fillers on mechanical properties, electromagnetic shielding and multi-stimuli-responsive shape memory behavior was systematically investigated. After ratio optimization, the composites showed excellent comprehensive performance: tensile strength reached up to 20.0 MPa, Young’s modulus up to 292.2 MPa, and maximum elongation at break of 23.2%; electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (SE_T) in the X-band (8.2–12.4 GHz) reached a maximum of 10.6 dB; shape fixation rates exceeded 90%; under thermal stimulation, a shape recovery ratio of 98.3% was achieved within 41.7 s; light-driven recovery rate reached 86.5% with a minimal recovery time of 82.3 s; under electrical stimulation the highest recovery rate was 94.1% with a shortest recovery time of 30 s. This study successfully prepared functional multi-stimuli-responsive shape memory composite films and provided a new strategy for the design of green smart materials. Full article

The satellite Internet of Things (SatIoT) enables real-time acquisition and large-scale coverage of hyperspectral imagery, providing essential data support for decision-making in domains such as geological exploration, environmental monitoring, and urban management. Hyperspectral remote sensing classification constitutes a critical component of intelligent applications driven by the SatIoT, yet it faces two major challenges: the massive data volume imposes heavy storage and processing burdens on conventional satellite systems, while dimensionality reduction often compromises classification accuracy; furthermore, mainstream neural network models are constrained by insufficient labeled data and spectral shifts, frequently leading to misclassification of unknown categories and degradation of cross-regional performance. To address these issues, this study proposes an open-set hyperspectral classification method with dual branches of reconstruction and prototype-based classification. Specifically, we build upon an autoencoder. We design a spectral–spatial attention module and an information residual connection module. These modules accurately capture spectral–spatial features. This improves the reconstruction accuracy of known classes. It also adapts to the high-dimensional characteristics of satellite data. Prototype representations of unknown classes are constructed by incorporating classification confidence, enabling effective separation in the feature space and targeted recognition of unknown categories in complex scenarios. By jointly leveraging prototype distance and reconstruction error, the proposed method achieves synergistic improvement in both accurate classification of known classes and reliable detection of unknown ones. Comparative experiments and visualization analyses on three publicly available datasets: Salinas-A, PaviaU, and Dioni-demonstrate that the proposed approach significantly outperforms baseline methods such as MDL4OW and IADMRN in terms of unknown detection rate (UDR), open-set overall accuracy (OpenOA), and open-set F1 score, while on the Salinas-A dataset, the performance gap between closed-set and open-set classification is as small as 1.82%, highlighting superior robustness. Full article

For effective water purification, the combination of membrane separation and catalytic degradation technologies not only permits continuous pollutant degradation but also successfully reduces membrane fouling. In recent years, catalytic membranes (CMs) have garnered a lot of interest in the water treatment industry. The main benefits of CMs are methodically explained in this review, emphasizing the synergistic effect of membrane separation and catalysis. These benefits include stable catalyst loading achieved through membrane structure manipulation, nanoconfinement, and effective degradation of organic pollutants. The application of catalytic membranes in water treatment is then thoroughly summarized, and they are separated into five main groups based on their unique catalytic reaction mechanisms: ozone catalytic membranes, photocatalytic membranes, electrocatalytic membranes, Fenton-type catalytic membranes, and persulfate catalytic membranes. The mechanisms and performance characteristics of each kind of CM are looked at in greater detail. Finally, research directions and future prospects for water treatment using catalytic membranes are proposed. This review provides recommendations for future research and development to ensure the effective use of catalytic membranes in water treatment, in addition to providing a thorough examination of the advancements made in their application in the treatment of various wastewaters. Full article

Melanoma, in advanced stages, is the most invasive type of skin cancer, with currently available treatments showing limited efficiency. The number of melanoma cancer cases is expected to increase in the coming years, emphasizing the need for more efficient therapeutic strategies. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of β-blockers, commonly used to treat cardiac conditions, to be repurposed for the treatment of melanoma. The effects of non-selective β-blockers (carvedilol and propranolol), β1 selective blockers (atenolol and metoprolol) and antineoplastics drugs (cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil) on the A375 melanoma cell line were studied, individually and in combined exposures, by assessing cell viability over a 72 h period. The 72 h half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀s) determined for A375 cells allow the ranking of toxicity as: cisplatin (2.46 (1.87–3.38) µM) > 5-fluorouracil (4.77 (4.48–5.07) µM) > carvedilol (16.91 (15.47–18.99) µM) > propranolol (58.03 (57.08–59.11) µM) > atenolol and metoprolol (β1 selective blockers that exhibited no significant effect on the cell’s viability). The effects of combined exposures were also studied. Metoprolol and carvedilol exhibited synergistic interactions with cisplatin at specific concentrations. Overall, the data highlight the concentration-dependent nature of mixture effects and support the potential application of β-blockers melanoma treatment. Full article

Thanks to its excellent material properties, diamond-based power electronic devices have garnered widespread attention. The realization of large-sized (over 2 inches) and high-quality single-crystal diamond wafers has significantly accelerated the industrialization of diamond semiconductor materials and devices. Over years of development, diamond Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) have evolved into three primary device structures: lateral conduction type, quasi-vertical conduction type, and vertical conduction type. However, the performance of these devices has yet to fully unlock the potential of diamond materials. Efficient edge termination structures need to be designed to synergistically optimize the forward turn-on voltage, on-resistance, and off-state breakdown voltage. This paper reviews the research progress on various existing edge termination structures of diamond SBDs, analyzes the advantages of each structure, and discusses the key challenges faced in the device fabrication processes. Full article

The global transition toward sustainable and intelligent farming has positioned Electrified Agricultural Machinery (EAM) as a central focus in modern equipment development. By integrating advanced electrical subsystems, high-efficiency powertrains, and intelligent Energy Management Strategies (EMSs), EAM offers considerable potential to enhance operational efficiency, reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, and improve adaptability across diverse agricultural environments. Nevertheless, widespread deployment remains constrained by harsh operating conditions, complex duty cycles, and limitations in maintenance capacity and economic feasibility. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of enabling technologies and application trends in EAM. Performance requirements of electrical subsystems are examined with emphasis on advances in power supply, electric drive, and control systems. The technical characteristics and application scenarios of battery, series hybrid, parallel hybrid, and power-split powertrains are compared. Common EMS approaches (rule-based, optimization-based, and learning-based) are evaluated in terms of design complexity, energy efficiency, adaptability, and computational demand. Representative applications across tillage, seeding, crop management, and harvesting are discussed, underscoring the transformative role of electrification in agricultural production. This review identifies the series hybrid electronic powertrain system and rule-based EMSs as the most mature technologies for practical application in EAM. However, challenges remain concerning operational reliability in harsh agricultural environments and the integration of intelligent control systems for adaptive, real-time operations. The review also highlights key technical bottlenecks and emerging development trends, offering insights to guide future research and support the wider adoption of EAM. Full article