Search Results (548)

This work presents a comprehensive first-principles investigation of the structural, electronic, magnetic, optical, and thermodynamic properties of Ti-based full-Heusler compounds TiMCu₂ (M = Al, Ga, In). Using density functional theory within the GGA+U framework, the compounds were optimized and analyzed to evaluate their stability and potential for functional applications. The results confirm robust structural and dynamic stability, as verified by elastic constants and phonon dispersion curves. All studied systems exhibit metallic character with pronounced spin polarization, while TiGaCu₂ shows the strongest total magnetization, highlighting its suitability for spintronic devices. Optical analyses reveal strong absorption across the visible and near-UV regions, low reflectivity, and favorable dielectric behavior, indicating promise for photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications. Thermodynamic modeling further confirms stability under high temperature and pressure, reinforcing their practical viability. Overall, the TiMCu₂ family demonstrates multifunctional characteristics, positioning them as eco-friendly and cost-effective candidates for next-generation renewable energy, spintronic, and optoelectronic technologies. Full article

With the increasing demand to scale the chip industry, attention is turning to the vital role that phosphanes and silanes play in semiconductor manufacturing processes such as chemical vapor deposition, plasma etching, and impurity doping. High-performance semiconductors often require a supply of ultra-pure gaseous phosphine (≥99.999%) to ensure the formation of defect-free thin-film structures with high integrity and strong functionality. In recent years, research on high-purity PH₃ synthesis methods has mainly focused on two pathways: the acidic route with fewer side reactions, high by-product economics, and higher exergy of high-purity PH₃, and the alkaline alternative with greater potential for practical application through lower reaction temperatures and a simpler reaction process. This paper presents the first comparative study and analysis on the preparation of ultra-high-purity PH₃ and its process energy consumption. Using Aspen and its related software, the energy consumption and cost issues are discussed, and the process heat exchange network is established and optimised. By combining Aspen Plus V14 with MATLAB 2023, an artificial neural network (ANN) prediction model is established, and the parameters of the distillation section equipment are optimised through the NSGA-II model to solve problems such as low product yield and large equipment exergy loss. After optimisation, it can be found that in terms of energy consumption and cost indicators, the acidic process has greater advantages in large-scale production of high-purity PH₃. The total energy consumption of the acidic process is 1.6 × 10⁸ kJ/h, which is only one-third that of the alkaline process, while the cost of the heat exchange equipment is approximately three-quarters that of the alkaline process. Through dual-objective optimisation, the exergy loss of the acidic distillation part can be reduced by 1714.1 kW, and the economic cost can be reduced by USD 3673. Therefore, from the perspective of energy usage and equipment manufacturing, the comprehensive analysis of the acidic process has more advantages than that of the alkaline process. Full article

We investigated the application of an adsorbent fabricated from satsuma mandarin peel biomass using coating with poly(glycidyl methacrylate) followed by sequential treatment with hydroxylamine and hydrochloric acid for the remediation of hexavalent chromium-polluted water. The adsorbent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Batch adsorption experiments were conducted wherein initial solution pH, initial chromium concentration, contact time, and temperature were varied. The adsorption equilibrium experimental data were well simulated by the Langmuir and Jovanovic models, pointing toward the formation of a monolayer of adsorbed chromium ions. The total chromium adsorption capacity of the functionalized satsuma mandarin peel adsorbent reached 219.28 mg g⁻¹ at initial pH 1.4 and 60 °C, markedly higher than 110.23 mg g⁻¹ at 30 °C. Where Cr(VI) was the sole chromium oxidation state in the initial solutions synthesized from potassium dichromate, the presence of Cr(III) ions in the final solutions confirmed Cr(VI) reduction. The results of this study show that the functionalized satsuma mandarin peel biomass is a potential candidate for use in the removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution through reduction-coupled adsorption. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hypertension is a global health challenge. Zhengan Xifeng Decoction (ZXD), a classical traditional Chinese medicine, has shown clinical efficacy against hypertension. This study aimed to identify the bioactive constituents of ZXD and elucidate its antihypertensive mechanisms by integrating plasma UPLC–MS (ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry) analysis, network pharmacology, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Methods: ZXD constituents and plasma-absorbed compounds were characterized by UPLC–MS. Putative targets (TCMSP, SwissTargetPrediction) were cross-referenced with hypertension targets (GeneCards, OMIM) and analyzed in a STRING protein–protein interaction network (Cytoscape) to define hub targets, followed by GO/KEGG enrichment. Selected protein–ligand complexes underwent docking, Prime MM-GBSA calculation, and MD validation. Results: A total of 72 absorbed components were identified, including 14 prototype compounds and 58 metabolites. Network pharmacology identified ten key bioactive compounds (e.g., liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, and caffeic acid), 149 hypertension-related targets, and ten core targets such as SRC, PIK3CA, PIK3CB, EGFR, and IGF1R. Functional enrichment implicated cardiovascular, metabolic, and stress-response pathways in the antihypertensive effects of ZXD. Molecular docking demonstrated strong interactions between key compounds, including liquiritigenin, caffeic acid, and isoliquiritigenin, and core targets, supported by the MM-GBSA binding free energy estimation. Subsequent MD simulations confirmed the docking poses and validated the stability of the protein–ligand complexes over time. Conclusions: These findings provide mechanistic insights into the multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway therapeutic effects of ZXD, offering a scientific basis for its clinical use and potential guidance for future drug development in hypertension management. Full article

Coffee silverskin (CS), the principal solid by-product from coffee roasting, is a promising raw material for sustainable food applications aligned with circular economy principles. Due to its high flammability at roasting temperatures, effective management of CS is not only an environmental but also a safety concern in coffee processing facilities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the chemical composition, bioactivity, safety, and environmental impact of torrefacto (CT) and natural (CN) coffee silverskin. CT (from Arabica–Robusta blends subjected to sugar-glazing) and CN (from 100% Arabica) were characterized in terms of composition and function. Oven-dried CT showed higher levels of caffeine (13.2 ± 0.6 mg/g vs. 8.7 ± 0.7 mg/g for CN), chlorogenic acid (1.34 ± 0.08 mg/g vs. 0.92 ± 0.06 mg/g), protein (18.1 ± 0.2% vs. 16.7 ± 0.2%), and melanoidins (14.9 ± 0.3 mg/g vs. 9.6 ± 0.2 mg/g), but CN yielded more total phenolics (13.8 ± 0.6 mg GAE/g). Both types exhibited strong antioxidant capacity (ABTS: 48.9–59.2 µmol TE/g), and all oven-dried samples met food safety criteria (microbial loads below 10² CFU/g, moisture 7.9%). Oven drying was identified as the most industrially viable, ensuring preservation of bioactives and resulting in a 19% lower greenhouse gas emissions impact compared to freeze-drying. Sun drying was less reliable microbiologically. The valorization of oven-dried CT as a clean-label, antioxidant-rich colorant offers clear potential for food reformulation and waste reduction. Renewable energy use during drying is recommended to further enhance sustainability. This study provides scientific evidence to support the safe use of coffee silverskin as a novel food, contributing to regulatory assessment and sustainable food innovation aligned with SDGs 9, 12, and 13. Full article

Skeletal muscle, constituting 40–50% of total body mass, is vital for mobility, posture, and systemic homeostasis. Muscle contraction heavily relies on ATP, primarily generated by mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Mitochondria play a key role in decoding intracellular calcium signals. The endocannabinoid system (ECS), including CB₁ receptors (CB₁Rs), broadly influences physiological processes and, in muscles, regulates functions like energy metabolism, development, and repair. While plasma membrane CB₁Rs (pCB₁Rs) are well-established, a distinct mitochondrial CB₁R (mtCB₁R) population also exists in muscles, influencing mitochondrial oxidative activity and quality control. We investigated the role of mtCB₁Rs in skeletal muscle physiology using a novel systemic mitochondrial CB₁ deletion murine model. Our in vivo studies showed no changes in motor function, coordination, or grip strength in mtCB₁ knockout mice. However, in vitro force measurements revealed significantly reduced specific force in both fast-twitch (EDL) and slow-twitch (SOL) muscles following mtCB₁R ablation. Interestingly, knockout EDL muscles exhibited hypertrophy, suggesting a compensatory response to reduced force quality. Electron microscopy revealed significant mitochondrial morphological abnormalities, including enlargement and irregular shapes, correlating with these functional deficits. High-resolution respirometry further demonstrated impaired mitochondrial respiration, with reduced oxidative phosphorylation and electron transport system capacities in knockout mitochondria. Crucially, mitochondrial membrane potential dissipated faster in mtCB₁ knockout muscle fibers, whilst mitochondrial calcium levels were higher at rest. These findings collectively establish that mtCB₁Rs are critical for maintaining mitochondrial health and function, directly impacting muscle energy production and contractile performance. Our results provide new insights into ECS-mediated regulation of skeletal muscle function and open therapeutic opportunities for muscle disorders and aging. Full article

This study aims to establish an energy assessment system and provide low-carbon design strategies for block-scale science and technology industrial parks in the Yangtze River Delta region of China. To investigate low-carbon design strategies for these parks, the impact of solar energy utilization potential and heat island effect on the energy consumption of buildings is taken as the entry point. Through an analysis of the spatial characteristics of twenty block-scale science and technology industrial parks in the Yangtze River Delta region of China, two types of idealized park models comprising a total of eighteen variations were established. The simulation process involved six key morphological parameters to describe the specific shape of the parks quantitatively. The Ladybug Tools 1.6.0, Radiance 5.4a, and URBANopt v0.9.2 software were used to simulate the potential for photovoltaic power generation and the energy consumption of the parks. Net Energy Use Intensity (NEUI) and Potential Utilization Ratio of Renewable Energy (PURRE) were selected as the final evaluation indexes to represent the integrated energy performance of the park. The results show that for the park with a circular layout, the optimal integrated energy performance is achieved when the building density is between 35% and 40%; the average building height is designed with lower values within the range of 20 m to 24 m, and the height-to-depth ratio is around 0.3. Finally, based on the results of the analysis, four major low-carbon design strategies were proposed: high-density development, courtyard layout, supporting-function centralized layout, and carbon sink enhancement. Full article

The acceleration of industrialization and urbanization have led to the increasingly serious problem of waste gas pollution. Pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ammonia (NH₃), formaldehyde (HCHO), and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) emitted from industrial production, transportation, and agricultural activities have posed a major threat to the ecological environment and public health. Although traditional physical and chemical treatment methods can partially reduce the concentration of pollutants, they face three core bottlenecks of high cost, high energy consumption, and secondary pollution, and it is urgent to develop sustainable alternative technologies. In this context, probiotic waste gas treatment technology has become an emerging research hotspot due to its environmental friendliness, low energy consumption characteristics, and resource conversion potential. Based on the databases of PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library, this paper systematically searched the literature published from 2014 to 2024 according to the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria (such as research topic relevance, experimental data integrity, language in English, etc.). A total of 71 high-quality studies were selected from more than 600 studies for review. By integrating three perspectives (basic theory perspective, environmental application perspective, and waste gas treatment facility perspective), the metabolic mechanism, functional strain characteristics, engineering application status, and cost-effectiveness of probiotics in waste gas bioconversion were systematically analyzed. The main conclusions include the following: probiotics achieve efficient degradation and recycling of waste gas pollutants through specific enzyme catalysis, and compound flora and intelligent regulation can significantly improve the stability and adaptability of the system. This technology has shown good environmental and economic benefits in multi-industry waste gas treatment, but it still faces challenges such as complex waste gas adaptability and long-term operational stability. This review aims to provide useful theoretical support for the optimization and large-scale application of probiotic waste gas treatment technology, promote the transformation of waste gas treatment from ‘end treatment’ to ‘green transformation’, and ultimately serve the realization of sustainable development goals. Full article

The huge growth in the utilisation of six-axis robots in various technological applications in production calls for a detailed focus on the process of preparing Numerical Control (NC) programmes for effective robot control. Considerable attention is currently being paid to optimisation by increasing stiffness, but there is also a need to focus on reducing energy consumption in robot control. Focusing on reducing energy consumption is highly justified given the widespread adoption of robotic systems across diverse manufacturing technologies and the significant potential for application. This is particularly relevant today, when minimising production costs is a critical industrial objective. A redundant degree of freedom—which is the possibility to rotate around the end-effector axis and thus influence the adjustment of the rotation of the individual robot joints—can be used for this purpose. Therefore, this paper exploits this redundant degree of freedom to set up a proper robot configuration that reduces energy consumption. The user-friendly solution, including the algorithm design and processing through a function, could be effectively implemented within an industry-standard post-processor solution for generating NC programmes for robots. This solution is unique as it is used for the optimisation of the working section of the toolpaths, where continuous control of the end-effector movement during manufacturing operations occurs. The solution was verified on a KUKA KR60 HA robot; however, it is applicable to any industrial six-axis robot. Substantial energy savings were obtained in multi-axis toolpath operations, with a 7.5% reduction in total energy consumption when using the optimised NC programme. Full article

Background: Basketball is a high-intensity, multidirectional sport involving frequent jumping, sprinting, and rapid changes of direction, which may expose the musculoskeletal system to varying and potentially asymmetric mechanical demands. The mechanical loading associated with basketball-specific movements may also serve as a consistent osteogenic stimulus, potentially leading to side-specific adaptations in body composition and bone characteristics. Long-term participation in basketball may lead to functional and structural asymmetries between the lower and upper limbs, potentially increasing the risk of injury and impacting performance. This study aimed to investigate structural and functional asymmetries in male basketball players using body composition, health, and performance-related measures. Methods: Thirty-eight right-handed basketball players (age: 21.1 ± 2.8 years; body mass: 86.2 ± 9.2 kg; height: 1.91 ± 8.3 cm) were assessed in a single testing session. The evaluation included bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), single-leg countermovement rebound jumps (CMRJs), and handgrip strength testing. Results: Significant interlimb differences were observed in lean mass and the phase angle for both the arms and legs. Performance differences favored the left leg in terms of maximum jump height (12.0 ± 17.5%, p = 0.001) and reactive strength index (RSI), whereas the right arm exhibited greater grip strength than the left (6.4 ± 5.9%, p = 0.001). DXA analysis revealed significant asymmetries in bone parameters, including bone mineral density (BMD) of the trochanter (1.81 ± 5.51%, p = 0.031, dz = 0.37), total hip (1.41 ± 4.11%, p = 0.033, dz = 0.36), and total arms (–1.21 ± 2.71%, p = 0.010, dz = 0.43), as well as bone mineral content (BMC) in total arms (–2.16 ± 5.09%, p = 0.012) and total legs (1.71 ± 3.36%, p = 0.002, 0.54). Conclusions: These findings suggest that basketball may induce both functional and structural adaptations, likely due to repetitive unilateral loading and sport-specific movement patterns. However, individual variability and the use of diverse assessment methods may complicate the detection and interpretation of asymmetries. Coaches and practitioners should monitor and address such asymmetries to reduce injury risk and optimize performance. Full article

Background: Mitochondria are essential for fetal development, regulating energy metabolism and metabolic programming. This study examined how maternal nutrition and one-carbon metabolite (OCM) supplementation during early gestation affect mitochondrial function in fetal liver and muscle at day 161 of gestation in beef heifers. Methods: Twenty-nine crossbred Angus heifers were assigned to one of four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design: control (CON; 0.45 kg/day ADG) or restricted gain (RES; −0.23 kg/day), with or without OCM supplementation. Treatments were applied from breeding to day 63 of gestation, after which all heifers received a common diet. Fetal liver and muscle tissues were collected at day 161. Mitochondrial respiration (Seahorse assay), mtDNA copy number (qPCR), and mitochondria-related gene expression (RNA-seq) were assessed. Results: In fetal liver, state 3 respiration was highest in CON + OCM, while state 4o respiration was lowest in RES + OCM (p ≤ 0.05). mtDNA copy number was greater in RES and +OCM groups. In fetal muscle, mtDNA copy number was influenced by gain, but respiration was unaffected. Transcriptomic analysis revealed more mitochondria-related differentially expressed genes (mtDEGs) in fetal muscle than liver (90% versus 10% of total mtDEG), with most genes downregulated in the RES and +OCM groups compared to the CON and −OCM groups (FDR ≤ 0.10). Conclusions: OCM supplementation enhanced mitochondrial respiration and biogenesis in fetal liver, likely via post-translational mechanisms. In contrast, fetal muscle showed downregulation of mitochondria-related genes without functional changes, indicating transcriptional reprogramming with potential effects on later metabolic function. These results underscore early gestation as a critical window for OCM-based nutritional interventions to improve metabolic outcomes in livestock. Full article

Mitochondria are essential organelles for cellular energy production, playing a central role in driving metabolic processes and supporting critical intracellular functions. Neurometabolic disorders encompass a wide variety of conditions characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction. Owing to their bacterial ancestry, mitochondria possess an independent genome consisting of a circular DNA molecule (mtDNA), which has been reported to be subject to methylation. However, the technical challenges in the detection of mtDNA methylation have led to debates on its existence. One of the concerns is that the compactness of mtDNA can lead to suboptimal bisulfite conversion, thereby causing mtDNA methylation overestimation. To address this, liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) offers a bisulfite-independent readout; however, this method requires mtDNA samples devoid of nuclear DNA (nDNA) contamination. To diminish nDNA contamination, we isolated mtDNA from the TRIzol RNA phase. Importantly, pyrosequencing showed no significant difference in the methylation levels of mtDNA isolated from the TRIzol RNA phase compared to those from the TRIzol DNA phase, or isolated via total genomic DNA (gDNA). Across different human cell lines, LC-MS/MS detected significantly lower global methylation levels for DNA isolated from the TRIzol RNA phase than those from the TRIzol DNA or gDNA isolation. Moreover, using mtDNA isolated from the TRIzol RNA phase, LC-MS/MS validated the enhanced mtDNA methylation in HepG2 transgenic cell lines expressing mitochondrial-targeted DNA methyltransferases (means of 2.89% and 2.03% for MCviPI and MSssI transgenic cell lines, respectively), compared to two negative control cell lines (1.36 and 1.39%). When applying it to clinically relevant material, LC-MS/MS demonstrated a significantly lower global methylation level for platelet DNA isolated from the TRIzol RNA phase (mean of 1.98%) compared to gDNA isolations (mean of 4.32%). Similar findings were confirmed in mouse brain tissue, in which a significantly lower methylation level was detected in DNA isolated from the TRIzol RNA phase (1.79%) compared to that from gDNA isolation (5.12%). In conclusion, isolating mtDNA from the TRIzol RNA phase holds significant potential in future studies, particularly for the quantification of mtDNA global methylation by LC-MS/MS, a technique that is independent of bisulfite conversion and bioinformatic analysis. Full article

To effectively address challenges posed by high-penetration renewable energy to power system operation and reserves, this paper proposes a novel research framework. The framework considers transmission–distribution coordinated dispatch and optimizes reserve capacity. First, the framework addresses the volatility and uncertainty of wind and solar power output. It constructs a three-dimensional objective function incorporating generation cost, spinning reserve cost, and linear wind/solar curtailment penalties as core components. The study uses the IEEE 30-bus system as the transmission network and the IEEE 33-bus system as the distribution network to build a transmission–distribution coordinated optimization model. Power dynamic mutual support across voltage levels is achieved through tie transformers. Second, the framework designs three typical scenarios for comparative analysis. These include separate dispatch of transmission and distribution networks, coordinated dispatch of transmission and distribution networks, and a fixed reserve ratio mode. The approach breaks through the limitations of traditional fixed reserve allocation. It optimizes the coordinated mechanism between reserve capacity spatiotemporal allocation and renewable energy accommodation. Case study results demonstrate that the proposed coordinated optimization scheme reduces total system operating costs and wind/solar curtailment rates. This is achieved by exploiting the potential of regulation resources on both the transmission and distribution sides. The results verify the significant advantages of transmission–distribution coordination in improving reserve resource allocation efficiency and promoting renewable energy accommodation. The approach helps enhance power grid operational economics and reliability. Full article

Saline–alkaline water resources are globally widespread, and their rational development offers significant potential to alleviate freshwater scarcity. Saline–alkaline water aquaculture farming not only affects fish growth and survival but also impairs reproductive and developmental functions. Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), an economically important fish, has demonstrated excellent high tolerance to such environments, in order to investigate the effects of alkaline water aquaculture environments on its growth performance, sex hormone levels, gonadal development, and molecular adaptation mechanisms. In this study, largemouth bass were chronically exposed to freshwater (0.55 mmol/L), low alkalinity (10 mmol/L), or high alkalinity (25 mmol/L) and cultured for 80 days. Alkalinity exposure more severely impacted the growth rate of females. High alkalinity significantly increased the hepatosomatic index and decreased the gonadosomatic index in both sexes; moreover, it induced oxidative stress in both sexes, evidenced by reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) levels and elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Furthermore, the levels of sex hormones Serum estradiol (E2), 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT), and testosterone were significantly reduced, accompanied by either an elevated ratio of primary oocytes and follicular atresia, or by reduced spermatogenesis. Apoptotic signals appeared in gonadal interstitial cells, with upregulated expression of genes P53, Bax, Casp3, and Casp8. Ultrastructural damage included fewer mitochondria and cristae blurring, further indicating tissue damage causing dysfunction. Transcriptome results showed that oxidative stress damage and energy metabolism imbalance caused by carbonate alkalinity were key to the delayed gonadal development, which was mainly manifested in enrichment of the ECM–receptor interaction and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways in females exposed to low alkalinity, and the GnRH secretion and chemokine signaling pathways in males. Glycosphingolipid biosynthesis and Ferroptosis pathway were enriched in females exposed to high alkalinity, and the Cortisol synthesis and secretion pathway were enriched in males. Overall, high-alkalinity exposure significantly delayed gonadal development in both sexes of largemouth bass, leading to reproductive impairment. Full article

The pods from Neltuma ruscifolia (vinal), an underutilized species, are rich in bioactive functional compounds. However, the extraction procedures to obtain the highest proportion of these compounds, considering sustainability aspects, have not been optimized. This study aimed to optimize and compare three affordable extraction methods—dynamic maceration (DME), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UE), and microwave-assisted extraction (ME)—to obtain enriched extracts. The effects of temperature, ethanol-to-water ratio in the solvent, extraction time, and frequency (for ME) were evaluated using a Box–Behnken design and response surface methodology to optimize total polyphenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids (TF), and antioxidant capacity (DPPH). Energy consumption and carbon footprints were also assessed, and phenolic compounds in the optimized extracts were identified by HPLC. The ethanol-to-water ratio emerged as the most influential factor, showing synergistic effects with both time and temperature, enabling optimal yields at intermediate ethanol concentrations. Gallic acid, rutin, and theobromine were found to be the most abundant components, followed by cinnamic, caffeic, and chlorogenic acids. Although UE exhibited the lowest energy consumption (0.64 ± 0.03 Wh/mg of TPC), the simple and easily implementable DME—optimized at 40 min, 50 °C, and 42% ethanol—proved to be the most efficient method, combining high extractive performance (TPC 1432 mg GAE/100 g Dw), reduced solvent use, and intermediate energy efficiency (1.84 Wh/mg of TPC). These findings highlight the potential of vinal as a natural source of bioactive ingredients obtained through simple and cost-effective techniques adaptable to small producers while underscoring the value of experimental design in optimizing sustainable extraction technologies and elucidating the interactions between key processing factors. Full article