Search Results (15,270)

This study investigates the early-age performance of large-area C30 concrete slabs under different curing regimes using a multi-scale approach combining laboratory experiments, field monitoring, and numerical simulation. The experimental results indicated that standard curing (SC7) maximized the mechanical properties. In contrast, the thermal insulation and moisture retention curing (TC) regime significantly reduced temperature gradients and stress mutation amplitudes by 42% compared to wet curing (WC) by leveraging the synergistic effect of aluminum foil and insulating cotton. This makes TC a preferred solution in situations where engineering constraints apply. Field monitoring demonstrated that WC is suitable for humidity-sensitive scenarios with low-temperature control requirements, while TC is more suitable for large-area concrete or low-temperature environments, balancing early strength development and long-term durability. This multi-field coupled model exhibits significant deviations during the early stage (0–7 days) due to complex boundary interactions, but achieves high quantitative accuracy in the long-term steady state (after 14 days), with a maximum error below 8%. The analysis revealed that the key driving factors for stress evolution are early hydration heat–humidity coupling and mid-term boundary transient switching. The study provides a novel, multi-scale validated curing optimization path for crack control in large-area concrete slabs. Full article

Microbiologically influenced corrosion induced by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) poses a significant threat to shale gas pipeline integrity. This study investigates an integrated control strategy combining the biocide glutaraldehyde with denitrifying bacteria (DNB) to synergistically inhibit SRB activity and corrosion. The efficacy and mechanisms were systematically evaluated using electrochemical measurements (EIS, LPR), weight-loss analysis, surface characterization (SEM, maximum pit depth), and microbial community profiling (16S rDNA sequencing). Compared to the SRB-inoculated system, the combined treatment reduced the average corrosion rate of L245 steel by 44.2% (to 0.01608 mm/a) and the maximum pit depth by 84.3% (to 1.53 μm). EIS results further confirmed the superior inhibition effect, showing the largest capacitive arc diameter and the highest polarization resistance in the combined system. Microbial community analysis indicated a substantial decline in SRB abundance from 62.7% (day 1) to 11.9% (day 14). This synergistic strategy presents an effective and more sustainable approach by reducing chemical dosage and leveraging the bio-competitive exclusion by DNB. Full article

Accurate volatility forecasting in energy markets is paramount for risk management, derivative pricing, and strategic policy planning. Traditional econometric models like the Heterogeneous Auto-regressive (HAR) model effectively capture the long-memory and multi-component nature of volatility but often fail to account for non-linearities and complex, unseen dependencies. Deep learning models, particularly Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks, excel at capturing these non-linear patterns but can be data-hungry and prone to overfitting, especially in noisy financial datasets. This paper proposes a novel hybrid model, HAR-LSTM-GARCH, which synergistically combines the strengths of the HAR model, an LSTM network, and a GARCH model to forecast the realized volatility of crude oil futures. The HAR component captures the persistent, multi-scale volatility dynamics, the LSTM network learns the non-linear residual patterns, and the GARCH component models the time-varying volatility of the residuals themselves. Using high-frequency data on Brent Crude futures, we compute daily Realized Volatility (RV). Our empirical results demonstrate that the proposed HAR-LSTM-GARCH model significantly outperforms the benchmark HAR, GARCH(1,1), and standalone LSTM models in both statistical accuracy and economic significance, offering a robust framework for volatility forecasting in the complex energy sector. Full article

Grid-Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (GS-BESS) play a crucial role in modern power grids, addressing challenges related to integrating renewable energy sources (RESs), load balancing, peak shaving, voltage support, load shifting, frequency regulation, emergency response, and enhancing system stability. However, harnessing their full potential and lifetime requires intelligent operational strategies that balance technological performance, economic viability, and environmental sustainability. This systematic review examines how artificial intelligence (AI)-based intelligent optimization enhances GS-BESS performance, focusing on its techno-economic, environmental impacts, and policy and regulatory implications. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we review the evolution of GS-BESS, analyze its advancements, and assess state-of-the-art applications and emerging AI techniques for GS-BESS optimization. AI techniques, including machine learning (ML), predictive modeling, optimization algorithms, deep learning (DL), and reinforcement learning (RL), are examined for their ability to improve operational efficiency and control precision in GS-BESSs. Furthermore, the review discusses the benefits of advanced dispatch strategies, including economic efficiency, emissions reduction, and improved grid resilience. Despite significant progress, challenges persist in data availability, model generalization, high computational requirements, scalability, and regulatory gaps. We conclude by identifying emerging opportunities to guide the next generation of intelligent energy storage systems. This work serves as a foundational resource for researchers, engineers, and policymakers seeking to advance the deployment of AI-enhanced GS-BESS for sustainable, resilient power systems. By analyzing the latest developments in AI applications and BESS technologies, this review provides a comprehensive perspective on their synergistic potential to drive sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and energy systems reliability. Full article

This study evaluates the chemical profile and antifungal efficacy of essential oils from Piper glabratum, Piper friedrichsthalii, and Piper cumanense against the cocoa pathogens Moniliophthora roreri and Phytophthora palmivora. Microwave-assisted hydrodistillation followed by GC-MS analysis identified 80 constituents, predominantly monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, which exhibited significant mycelial inhibition comparable to commercial fungicides. Beyond basic characterization, a comprehensive chemoinformatic analysis was conducted to elucidate the molecular mechanisms driving this bioactivity. The computed physicochemical landscape reveals a dominant lipophilic profile (average LogP 3.4) and low polarity (TPSA 11.5 Ų), characteristics essential for effective fungal membrane penetration. Structural mining identified conserved benzene and cyclohexene scaffolds alongside specific 1,3-benzodioxole moieties, while Maximum Common Substructure (MCS) analysis uncovered high similarity clusters among phenylpropanoids and sesquiterpenes. These findings suggest a synergistic mode of action where conserved structural backbones and interchangeable diastereomers facilitate membrane destabilization and ion leakage. Consequently, the integrative chemoinformatic profiling elucidates the molecular basis of this efficacy, positioning these Piper essential oils not merely as empirical alternatives, but as sources of rationally defined synergistic scaffolds for next-generation sustainable fungicides. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) and Antifouling Paint Particles (APPs) are pervasive anthropogenic pollutants that threaten global ecosystems, with distinct yet overlapping environmental behaviors and toxic impacts. MPs disperse widely in aquatic systems via runoff and wastewater; their toxicity stems from physical, chemical, and synergistic effects. APPs are concentrated in coastal zones, estuaries, and shipyard areas, and are acutely toxic due to their high metal and biocide content. This study systematically characterized the composition, concentration, and size distribution of common MPs and APPs in ship-hull derusting wastewater produced by ultra-high-pressure water jetting, using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) coupled with particle size analysis. The wastewater exhibited a total suspended solids (TSS) concentration of 20.04 g·L⁻¹, within which six types of MPs were identified at 3.29 mg·L⁻¹ in total and APPs were quantified at 330.25 mg·L⁻¹, representing 1.65% of TSS. The residual fraction primarily consisted of algae, biological debris, and inorganic particles. Particle size distribution ranged from 3.55 to 111.47 μm, with a median size (D50) of 31 μm, while APPs were mainly 5–100 μm, with 81.4% < 50 μm. Extrapolation to the annual treated ship-hull surface area in 2024 indicated the generation of ~57,440 m³ wastewater containing ~0.2 tons of MPs and ~19 tons of APPs. These findings highlight the magnitude of pollutant release from ship maintenance activities and underscore the urgent need for targeted treatment technologies and regulatory policies to mitigate microplastic pollution in marine environments. Full article

Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest gynecological malignancies, where most patients become clinically symptomatic at advanced stages of disease due to the lack of effective diagnostic screening. Despite recent advances in surgical resection and chemotherapy, recurrent ovarian cancer remains largely refractory to treatment, resulting in poor prognosis. The ovarian cancer tumor microenvironment (TME) is highly abnormal and presents a significant barrier to successful therapy. A combination of abnormal vasculature, desmoplastic extracellular matrix, and aberrantly activated hypoxic and immune-suppressive pathways culminates in promoting tumor growth, dissemination, chemoresistance, and immunosuppression. Whilst immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown success in other cancers, their application in ovarian cancer, particularly at advanced stages, remains limited. In this review, we discussed the application of tumor extracellular matrix normalizing therapies in preclinical models of advanced ovarian cancer, and their synergistic benefit to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Collectively, these insights underscore TME normalization as a promising therapeutic strategy with the potential to improve ovarian cancer management. Full article

Background/Objectives. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CRL681 has previously demonstrated a strong antagonistic effect against Escherichia coli O157:H7 in food matrices; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this activity remain poorly understood. Since initial interactions between beneficial bacteria and pathogens occur mainly at the cell surface and in the extracellular environment, the characterization of the bacterial secretome is essential for elucidating these mechanisms. In this study, the secretome of L. plantarum CRL681 was comprehensively characterized using an integrated in silico and in vitro approach. Methods. The exoproteome and surfaceome were analyzed by LC-MS/MS under pure culture conditions and during co-culture with E. coli O157:H7. Identified proteins were functionally annotated, classified according to subcellular localization and secretion pathways, and evaluated through protein–protein interaction network analysis. Results. A total of 275 proteins were proposed as components of the CRL681 secretome, including proteins involved in cell surface remodeling, metabolism and nutrient transport, stress response, adhesion, and genetic information processing. Co-culture with EHEC induced significant changes in the expression of proteins associated with energy metabolism, transport systems, and redox homeostasis, indicating a metabolic and physiological adaptation of L. plantarum CRL681 under competitive conditions. Notably, several peptidoglycan hydrolases, ribosomal proteins with reported antimicrobial activity, and moonlighting proteins related to adhesion were identified. Conclusions. Overall, these findings suggest that the antagonistic activity of L. plantarum CRL681 against E. coli O157:H7 would be mediated by synergistic mechanisms involving metabolic adaptation, stress resistance, surface adhesion, and the production of non-bacteriocin antimicrobial proteins, supporting its potential application as a bioprotective and functional probiotic strain. Full article

Forkhead box class O1 (FOXO1) and fas-associated death domain (FADD) regulate cell death pathways and homeostatic processes such as cell cycle progression and apoptosis. FADD phosphorylation promotes nuclear localization of FOXO1, and FOXO1 regulates FADD expression. Therefore, it is plausible that FOXO1 and FADD have synergistic or antagonistic effects on cell cycle regulation and the response to anticancer drug treatment in cancer cells. In the present study, we report that AS1842856-mediated inhibition of FOXO1 reverses anticancer drug-induced cytotoxicity, while FADD knockdown increases anticancer drug-induced cytotoxicity in osteosarcoma (OS). Reversed anticancer drug-induced cytotoxicity was accompanied by G2/M cell cycle arrest and increased expression of p21. The anticancer function of FOXO1 was further supported by the observation that OS cells that express higher basal levels of FOXO1 had increased sensitivity to camptothecin-induced cytotoxicity. FADD knockdown reversed the FOXO1 inhibition-induced increase in p21 expression. The results presented in this study indicate that FOXO1 has a tumor suppressor function, while FADD has a tumor-promoting function in OS following anticancer drug treatment. The experimental approach used in this investigation also indicates that FADD antagonizes the effect of FOXO1 on p21 expression in OS. Full article

Recycling water offers a powerful way to lower the environmental water impact of mining activities. Pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO) represents a promising pathway for simultaneous water reuse and clean energy generation from salinity gradients. In this study, the performance of a thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membrane containing functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (fMWCNTs) within a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) support layer, followed by polydopamine (PDA) surface modification, was investigated under a PRO operation using pretreated gold mining wastewater as the feed solution. Unlike most previous studies that rely on synthetic feeds, this work evaluates the membrane performance under a PRO operation using a real mining wastewater stream. The membrane with fMWCNTs and PDA exhibited a maximum power density of 25.22 W/m² at 12 bar, representing performance improvements of 23% and 68% compared with the pristine thin-film composite (TFC) and commercial cellulose triacetate (CTA) membranes, respectively. A high water flux of 75.6 L·m⁻²·h⁻¹ was also obtained, attributed to enhanced membrane hydrophilicity and reduced internal concentration polarization. The optimized membrane, containing 0.3 wt% fMWCNTs in the support layer and a PDA coating on the active layer, produced a synergistic enhancement in the PRO performance, resulting in a lower reverse salt flux and an improved flux–selectivity trade-off. Furthermore, the ultrafiltration (UF) and nanofiltration (NF) pretreatment effectively reduced the hardness and ionic content, enabling a stable PRO operation with real mining wastewater over a longer period of time. Overall, this study demonstrates the feasibility of achieving both reusable water and enhanced osmotic power generation using modified TFN membranes under realistic mining wastewater conditions. Full article

Modern lifestyles are increasingly plagued by physical inactivity, social disconnection, digital addiction, and excessive time indoors—factors that negatively impact the health and well-being of both humans and their companion dogs (Canis familiaris). Evidence shows that nature exposure, physical activity, and human–animal bond (HAB) each enhance physical, mental, and social well-being, yet these domains have rarely been examined together as an integrated therapeutic triad. We introduce a new conceptual framework of bonded green exercise, defined as shared physical activity between a bonded human and dog in natural environments. Synthesizing existing evidence across human and canine sciences into a testable conceptual integration, we posit that bonded green exercise may plausibly activate evolutionarily conserved, synergistic mechanisms of physiological, behavioural, and affective co-regulation. Four testable hypotheses are proposed: (H1) triadic synergy: combined domains produce greater benefits than additive effects; (H2) heterospecific benefit: parallel health gains occur in both species; (H3) behavioural amplification: dogs acts as catalysts to drive human participation in nature-based activity; and (H4) scalable health promotion: bonded green exercise represents a low-cost, accessible, One Health approach with population-level potential. This framework highlights how intentional, shared physical activity in nature may potentially offer a novel low-cost and accessible model for enhancing health, lifespan, welfare, and ecological stewardship across species. Full article

Macroalgae plays a significant role in the formulation of innovative and environmentally sustainable approaches to address food challenges. Specifically, green macroalgae serve as dietary supplements aimed at improving the health, growth, and feeding efficiency of various species of marine and freshwater fishes, as well as mollusks. The effects of Chaetomorpha linum extract (CLE) on growth performance, physiological responses, and disease resistance are studied in Bellamya bengalensis against Aeromonas hydrophila. In this experiment, adult B. bengalensis (4412 ± 165.25 mg) were randomly divided into 15 rectangular glass aquariums (35 snail/aquaria; 45 L capacity) and their basal diet was supplemented with different levels of CLE, including 0 (CLE0), 1 (CLE1), 2 (CLE2), 3 (CLE3), and 4 (CLE4) g/kg for 60 days. The growth performance in the CLE3 dietary group was significantly higher that of the CLE0 group, exhibiting both linear and quadratic trends in relation to dietary CLE levels (p < 0.05). The activities of pepsin, amylase, and lipase were found to be highest in CLE3 and lowest in CLE0. Both linear and quadratic responses to dietary CLE levels in digestive enzymes were observed (p < 0.05). The activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the hepatopancreas were found to be elevated in snails due to the synergistic effect of the supplemented CLE diet. Among different levels of diet given, CLE2-supplemented snails showed an increase in their enzyme activity (p < 0.05). Interestingly, all the CLE-treated snails expressed elevated levels of mucus lysozyme and mucus protein when compared to control (p < 0.05). Additionally, hepatopancreatic acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activity were elevated in snails consuming CLE3 (p < 0.05). The transcription levels of immune-related genes, including mucin-5ac and cytochrome, were significantly elevated in snails that were fed a diet supplemented with 2–4 g of CLE/kg. Furthermore, the transcription level of the acid phosphatase-like 7 protein gene also increased in snails receiving CLE-supplemented diets. After a 14-day period of infection, snails that consumed a diet supplemented with 3–4 g/kg of CLE exhibited a notable increase in survival rates against virulent A. hydrophila. Based on the above findings, it is suggested that a diet supplemented with 3 g/kg of CLE may enhance growth, antioxidant and immune defense, and disease resistance in the freshwater snail B. bengalensis. Full article

Organic pollution poses a serious threat to global water safety, while traditional treatment technologies suffer from low efficiency, high costs, and secondary pollution issues. This study successfully develops a highly efficient separation and photocatalytic degradation composite bismuth oxychloride@graphene oxide/polyimide (BiOCl@GO/PI) membrane by loading GO and BiOCl photocatalysts onto PI supporting membrane. The results show that this composite membrane achieves a rejection of 99.8% for methylene blue (MB) and 87.6% for tetracycline hydrochloride (TC). Under UV irradiation, the membrane exhibits a retention rate decline of only 6.8% after five cycles, with water flux stably maintaining at 605 L m⁻² h⁻¹ bar⁻¹. Compared to dark conditions, it demonstrates remarkable flux recovery. This is attributed to the membrane’s excellent photocatalytic degradation activity under UV irradiation. After five degradation cycles, the degradation efficiency is decreased from 97.5 to 88.3%. Studies on radical scavengers indicate that UV irradiation generates free radicals, thereby conferring excellent catalytic activity to the membrane. Its unique synergistic effect between separation and photocatalysis endows it with outstanding self-cleaning performance. This research provides an innovative integrated solution for antibiotic pollution control, demonstrating significant potential for environmental applications. Full article

High electrostrain, excellent thermal stability, and low hysteresis are critical requirements for advanced high-precision actuators. However, simultaneously achieving these synergistic properties in lead-free ferroelectric ceramics remains a significant challenge. In this work, a targeted B-site doping strategy was employed to develop novel lead-free (0.99-x)BaTiO₃-xBaZrO₃-0.01Bi(Zn_2/3Nb_1/3)O₃ (BT-xBZ-BZN, x = 0–0.2) ceramics. Systematic investigation identified optimal Zr⁴⁺ substitution at x = 0.1, which yielded an outstanding combination of electromechanical properties. For this optimal composition, a high unipolar electrostrain (S_max = 0.11%) was achieved at 50 kV/cm, accompanied by an ultra-low hysteresis (H_S = 1.9%). Concurrently, a large electrostrictive coefficient (Q₃₃ = 0.0405 m⁴/C²) was determined, demonstrating excellent thermal robustness with less than 10% variation across a broad temperature range of 30–120 °C. This superior comprehensive performance is attributed to a composition-driven evolution from a long-range ferroelectric to a pseudocubic relaxor state. In this state, the dominant electrostrictive effect, propelled by reversible dynamics of polar nanoregions (PNRs), minimizes irreversible domain switching. These findings not only present BT-xBZ-BZN (x = 0.1) as a highly promising lead-free candidate for high-precision, low-loss actuator devices, but also provide a viable design strategy for developing high-performance electrostrictive materials with synergistic large strain and superior thermal stability. Full article

Tillage and crop rotation alter soil environments, thereby influencing both crop yields and methane-cycling microbiomes, yet their combined effects on microbial diversity, assembly, and interaction networks remain unclear. Using a two-factor field experiment, we assessed the impacts of raised seedbed vs. flat cultivation and rice–oilseed rape vs. rice–faba bean rotations on crop productivity and the ecology of methanogen (mcrA) and methanotroph (pmoA) communities. Raised seedbed cultivation significantly increased yields: rice yields were 7.6–9.6% higher in 2020 and 4.7–5.8% higher in 2021 than under flat cultivation (p < 0.05). Faba bean and oilseed rape yields were also improved. Flat rice–bean plots developed more reduced conditions and higher organic matter, with a higher NCM goodness-of-fit for methanogens (R² = 0.466), indicating patterns more consistent with neutral (stochastic) assembly, whereas the lower fit for methanotrophs (R² = 0.269) suggests weaker neutrality and stronger environmental filtering, accompanied by reduced richness and network complexity. In contrast, raised seedbed rice–oilseed rape plots improved redox potential and nutrient availability, sustaining both mcrA and pmoA diversity and fostering synergistic interactions, thereby enhancing community stability and indicating a potential for methane-cycle regulation. Overall, raised seedbed cultivation combined with legume rotation offers yield benefits and ecological advantages, providing a sustainable pathway for paddy management with potentially lower greenhouse gas risks. Full article