Search Results (19,942)

Additive manufacturing (AM) of ceramics presents a promising approach for the production of complex sanitaryware prototypes, offering advantages in terms of cost and time to market. This study explores binder jetting (BJ) as an optimal AM technique due to its ability to process ceramic materials without thermal stress, accommodate various compositions, and produce large components without support structures. A combination of refractory cement, feldspathic sands, quartz, and calcined alumina was used to formulate 19 different compositions, ensuring adequate green strength and minimizing shrinkage during sintering. A hydration-activated binding method with a water-based binder was employed to enhance part formation and mechanical properties. The results indicate that compositions containing calcined alumina exhibited lower pyroplastic deformation, while optimized gelling agent concentrations improved green strength and dimensional accuracy. The final selected material (SA18) demonstrated high compressive strength, low shrinkage, and a surface roughness comparable to traditional sanitaryware. The application of an engobe layer improved glaze adherence, ensuring a homogeneous surface. This study highlights binder jetting as a viable alternative to traditional ceramic processing, paving the way for its adoption in industrial sanitaryware manufacturing. Full article

The use of composite materials in aerospace structures has led to significant weight reductions and improved performance. However, their behavior under low-energy impact remains a critical concern due to the potential initiation of barely visible damage. This study investigates the crack initiation mechanisms in composite airfoil profiles subjected to low-energy impact, simulating real-world scenarios such as hail or bird strikes. Two types of airfoil profiles were fabricated using bidirectional carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) with epoxy resin and tested under ASTM D7136 impact conditions. Tensile tests following ASTM D3039 were conducted to assess post-impact mechanical behavior. The damage patterns were analyzed using high-resolution microscopy and non-destructive inspection techniques. Results revealed that damage severity and propagation depend on impact energy levels and airfoil geometry, with SC(2)-0714 exhibiting better impact resistance than GOE777-IL. Microscopic analysis confirmed that delamination initiated at 45° fiber orientations, expanding along interlaminar regions, while airfoil curvature influenced the impact energy dissipation. Full article

Human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV 1) is an oncogenic retrovirus responsible for the development of adult T cell leukemia (ATL). The minus strand of HTLV-1 provirus encodes an oncoprotein named HTLV-1 bZIP factor (HBZ), which plays a pivotal role in viral replication and T cell proliferation. Of particular interest is the spliced HBZ isoform (sHBZ), which is predominantly expressed in ATL cells and localizes within the nucleolus, conferring immortalizing properties to T cells. Our previous study has shown that sHBZ colocalizes and associates with Nucleophosmin/B23, a nucleolar phosphoprotein with multiple functions. In this study, through an optimized nucleolar isolation method, we first confirmed sHBZ’s nucleolar localization via Western blotting in transfected HEK293T cells, chronically HTLV-1-infected T cell lines, and freshly infected HeLa cells. We further demonstrated that the sHBZ/B23 association predominantly occurs in the nucleolus by co-immunoprecipitation of cell fractions. Our study highlights the nucleolar localization of sHBZ and its possibly essential interaction with this nucleolar-residing protein, leading to cell immortalization. Full article

Background: Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, a hereditary cancer syndrome, is characterized by mutations in the VHL gene, which result in the stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF)-1α and -2α, ultimately leading to the development of highly vascularized tumors, such as hemangioblastomas of the central nervous system (CNS-HBs). The standard treatment for these brain tumors is neurosurgical resection. However, multiple surgeries are often necessary due to tumor recurrence, which increases the risk of neurological sequelae. Thus, elucidation of the proliferative behavior of hemangioblastomas (with the aim of identifying biomarkers associated with tumor progression) and the development of pharmacological therapies could reduce the need for repeated surgical interventions and provide alternative treatment options for unresectable CNS-HBs. Belzutifan (Welireg™), a selective HIF-2α inhibitor and the only FDA-approved non-surgical option, has shown limited efficacy in CNS-HBs, highlighting the need for alternative therapeutic strategies. Results: In this study, primary cell cultures were successfully established from CNS-HB tissue samples of VHL patients, achieving a 75% success rate. These cultures were predominantly composed of stromal cells and pericytes. The proliferative patterns of patient-derived HB cell cultures significantly correlated with tumor burden and recurrence in VHL patients. Furthermore, flow cytometry, reverse transcription-PCR, and Western blot analyses revealed marked overexpression of both HIF-1α and HIF-2α isoforms in primary HB cells. In addition, evaluation of the therapeutic potential of acriflavine, a dual HIF-1α/HIF-2α inhibitor, demonstrated reduced HB cells viability, induced G2/M cell cycle arrest, and predominantly triggered necrotic cell death in patient-derived HB cultures. Conclusions: These results suggest that the in vitro proliferative dynamics of HB cell cultures may reflect clinical characteristics associated with CNS-HB progression, potentially serving as indicators to predict tumor development in patients with VHL. Furthermore, our findings support the simultaneous targeting of both HIF-1α and HIF-2α isoforms as a promising non-invasive therapeutic strategy. Full article

The vaginal microbiome can be perturbed by various intrinsic and extrinsic factors, resulting in a state of dysbiosis that decreases the abundance of commensal lactobacilli and often leads to pathological conditions such as bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, sexually transmitted infections, and other vaginal disorders. This narrative review explores the molecular and pathophysiological mechanisms of several microbial diseases associated with the dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiome, as well as the efficacy of therapeutic tools for these conditions, such as antibiotic treatment and the use of live biotherapeutic products. A non-systematic, narrative approach was employed. Searches and data extraction were performed using the PubMed and Scopus databases between January and February 2025. All reviewed studies reported vaginal microbiome dysbiosis, with microbial pathogens inducing a specific immune response in the host. Current treatments for vaginal microbiota dysbiosis-related pathologies often result in high relapse and recurrence rates, suggesting microbial resistance and the need for alternative therapeutic strategies. In turn, live biotherapeutic products have demonstrated beneficial effects, restoring microbial balance in dysbiotic conditions. While these findings suggest promising potential for live biotherapeutic products, further rigorous clinical studies are necessary to gain a deeper understanding of the female genital tract ecosystem and to identify novel biomarkers along with their associated health implications. Moreover, the development of new diagnostic and management strategies will facilitate personalized therapeutic approaches. Ultimately, a comprehensive perspective on vaginal care is pivotal, taking into account both microbial and immune dynamics to enhance women’s health outcomes. Full article

The subcellular partitioning of trace elements (TEs) may depend on their binding preferences, although few field data are available from mining-impacted areas. Northern pike and lake whitefish were collected from different aquatic systems located in the Yellowknife mining area (Northwest Territories, Canada) to examine the subcellular partitioning of TEs in liver cells. Elements belonging to metal classes based on binding affinities were considered: A (Ce, La), borderline (As, Pb), and class B (Ag, Cd). Measurements in the metal-detoxified fractions (granule-like structures and heat-stable proteins and peptides) and in the putative metal-sensitive fractions (heat-denatured proteins, mitochondria and microsomes, and lysosomes) revealed marked differences among metal classes. In both fish species, Cd and Ag accumulated more as detoxified forms (higher than 50%, likely bound to metallothionein-like proteins) than La and Ce (not more than 20%). The two borderline TEs (As and Pb) showed an intermediate behavior between classes A and B. Similar proportions were found in the “sensitive” subcellular fractions for all TEs, where quantitative ion character-activity relationships (QICARs) indicated the covalent index and electronegativity as predictors of the TE contribution in this compartment. This study supports the use of classes of metals to predict the toxicological risk of data-poor metals in mining areas. Full article

Nordic exercises are widely used to improve physical performance and prevent injuries; however, their applicability across different sports remains unclear. Objective: This study examined the effects of Nordic exercises on the lower limbs and their relationship with absolute strength and vertical jump performance across various sports disciplines (soccer, athletics, basketball, sport climbing, cycling, and taekwondo). Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental study involving 122 athletes (mean age 18.2 ± 3.2 years), who were not in pre-competitive or competitive periods, distributed across the following disciplines: soccer (n = 24), sprinting/athletics (n = 20), sport climbing (n= 20), basketball (n = 24), taekwondo (n = 14), and cycling (n = 20). Participants were randomly assigned to a control group (CG), n = 57, with regular training and an experimental group (EG), n = 65, that performed Nordic hamstring exercises (NHEs). The effects of a 7-week NHE program were assessed on absolute strength (measured with a dynamometer) and vertical jump performance (Vert). A mixed-design repeated measures ANOVA was used, considering the factors time, group, and sport discipline, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: Both groups (CG and EG) presented homogeneous baseline values for absolute strength (dominant and non-dominant sides) and vertical jump (p > 0.05). The EG exhibited significant gains in dominant-leg strength (from 12.4 kg to 14.5 kg), non-dominant side strength (from 11.1 kg to 13.8 kg), and vertical jump (from 42.4 cm to 45.8 cm), with statistically significant differences between pre- and post-tests (p < 0.01). No relevant changes were observed in the CG. The repeated measures ANOVA confirmed a significant time × group effect in all three variables (p < 0.01), although no significant time × sport × group interaction was found. The largest strength gains occurred in strength were observed in sport climbing, basketball, and athletics and in vertical jump in soccer. Conclusions: Absolute strength improvements were most notable in sport climbing, basketball, football, and sprinting. Vertical jump performance improved notably in soccer, sprinting/athletics, climbing, and basketball. These results justify incorporating NHEs into youth athletes’ training, tailored to the specific demands of each sport. Full article

Given the highly contested nature of the debate over secularization in modern literature, this paper examines the ways in which four contemporary French novelists address questions of human and divine absence in their fiction, focusing on Joël Egloff’s J’enquête, Gaspard-Marie Janvier’s Le dernier dimanche, Jérôme Ferrari’s Le sermon sur la chute de Rome, and Sylvie Germain’s Tobie des marais. It argues that some of the most pressing questions of our secular age—including questions of intersubjectivity and human and divine absence—are addressed in these competing narratives of secularization. It then examines Jean-Louis Chrétien’s notion of cardiognosie, or knowledge of the heart, and his argument that profanation, rather than secularization as such, is of central importance in the modern novel’s construction of meaning before concluding with a close reading of Jérôme Ferrari’s Le sermon sur la chute de Rome and a consideration of the heart in Sylvie Germain’s Tobie des marais as a first step toward establishing the means by which profanation has been faced and overcome in recent fictional texts. Full article

Flexible thin-film capacitors have gained a lot of attention in energy storage applications because of their high energy storage densities and efficient charge–discharge performances. Among these materials, antiferroelectric compounds with low residual polarization and strong saturation polarization have shown great promise. However, their comparatively low breakdown strength continues to be a major issue restricting further developments in their energy storage performance. While La³⁺ doping has been explored as a means to enhance the energy storage capabilities of antiferroelectric thin films, the specific influence of La³⁺ on breakdown strength and the underlying mechanism of phase transitions have not been thoroughly investigated in existing research. In this study, Pb_1−3x/2La_xZrO₃ thin films were successfully synthesized and deposited on mica substrates via the sol–gel process. By varying the concentration of La³⁺ ions, a detailed examination of the films’ microstructures, electrical properties, and energy storage performances was carried out to better understand how La³⁺ doping influences both breakdown strength and energy storage characteristics. The results show that doping with La³⁺ significantly improves the breakdown strength of the films, reduces the critical phase transition electric field (E_F-E_A), and enhances their energy storage capabilities. Notably, the Pb_0.91La_0.06ZrO₃ thin film achieved an impressive energy storage density of 34.9 J/cm³ with an efficiency of 58.3%, and at the maximum electric field strength of 1541 kV/cm, the recoverable energy density (W_rec) was 385% greater than that of the PbZrO₃ film. Additionally, the film still maintains good energy storage performance after 10⁷ cycles and 10⁴ bending cycles. These findings highlight the potential of flexible antiferroelectric Pb_0.91La_0.06ZrO₃ thin films for future energy storage applications. Full article

Water scarcity in rural areas represents a structural challenge that undermines social well-being, public health, and ecological sustainability. This study analyzes the water supply system in the community of Las Ánimas, located in the municipality of Tecoanapa, Guerrero (Mexico), with the aim of understanding the dynamics of access, use, and community-based management of water resources. A participatory qualitative approach was employed, complemented by quantitative tools, including semi-structured interviews, fieldwork, and community workshops. The results reveal strong pressure on water resources during the dry season, contamination of springs due to intensive agricultural practices, a lack of wastewater treatment infrastructure, and organizational weaknesses within the local water committee. Nevertheless, the study identified key elements of autonomous governance, such as community rules, social monitoring, and shared responsibility in the management of the resource. The study concludes that strengthening community water governance—together with territorially focused public policies, environmental restoration, and water education—is essential to ensuring the long-term sustainability of water supply systems in highly vulnerable rural contexts. Full article

Lilium holds significant horticultural and ecological importance. Understanding the morpho-anatomical diversity of the stems can provide insights into taxonomy and breeding strategies. This study comprehensively examined the stem morpho-anatomy of 71 Lilium taxa to elucidate taxonomic and structural differences. For the first time, four distinct jigsaw-puzzle-shaped shapes of epidermal cells (Ep) in monocot stems, novel I-shaped and Co-xylem (O-, X-, W-, Q-shaped) vascular bundles (Vb) in Lilium stems, and quantitative characteristics (Vb density, xylem/phloem area ratio, etc.) were systematically discovered and analyzed. Asiatic (A) and Longiflorum × A (LA) hybrids displayed epidermal appendages, while Oritenal × Trumpet (OT) hybrids featured thicker sclerenchymatous rings (Sr). Collateral Vb in hybrids visually displayed bicollateral with degraded bundle sheaths (Bs), contrasting with intact circular Bs in wild species. Ward.D clustering categorized Lilium taxa into group A (Oritenal and OT hybrids) and B (A, LA, Trumpet, Longiflorum × Oriental hybrids and wild species), with Mantel’s test identified height, Ep shape, Ep length/width ratio, cortex/Sr thickness ratio and Bs integrity as key discriminators. Bending stems exhibited a higher Vb area. These findings establish a comprehensive pheno-anatomical framework for Lilium, which can guide future breeding programs and ecological studies. Full article

In the modern digital ecosystem, the effective management of knowledge and the integration of information and communication technologies are the keys to revolutionizing educational practices within higher education institutions. This study presents a systematic review of recent literature, examining how the incorporation of information and communication technologies facilitates the creation and transfer of knowledge, enables collaboration among educators, and supports continuous professional development. We explore the benefits of personalized learning and the application of technological tools to enhance collaboration, access to educational resources, and pedagogical reflection. The key findings emphasize the role of these tools in promoting teacher interaction and exchange of ideas, highlighting the critical importance of training in digital competency to maximize their impact. The study also identifies challenges, including the need to improve effective knowledge transfer and technological training. In conclusion, effective knowledge management, supported by information and communication technologies, fortifies digital competencies and cultivates a culture of collaboration and content creation in higher education institutions. Full article

The incorporation of waste ground glass powder (GGP) in concrete as a partial replacement of cement offers significant environmental benefits, such as reduction in CO${}_2$ emission from cement manufacturing and decrease in the use of colossal landfill space. However, concrete is a heterogeneous material, and the prediction of its accurate compressive strength is challenging due to the inclusion of several non-linear parameters. This study explores the utilization of different machine learning (ML) algorithms: linear regression (LR), ElasticNet regression (ENR), a K-Nearest Neighbor regressor (KNN), a decision tree regressor (DT), a random forest regressor (RF), and a support vector regressor (SVR). A total of 187 sets of pertinent mix design experimental data were collected to train and test the ML algorithms. Concrete mix components such as cement content, coarse and fine aggregates, the water–cement ratio (W/C), various GGP chemical properties, and the curing time were set as input data (X), while the compressive strength was set as the output data (Y). Hyperparameter tuning was carried out to optimize the ML models, and the results were compared with the help of the coefficient of determination (R${}^2$) and root mean square error (RMSE). Among the algorithms considered, SVR demonstrates the highest accuracy and predictive capability with an R${}^2$ value of 0.95 and RMSE of 3.40 MPa. Additionally, all the models exhibit R${}^2$ values greater than 0.8, suggesting that ML models provide highly accurate and cost-effective means for evaluating and optimizing the compressive strength of GGP-incorporated sustainable concrete. Full article

Lacticaseibacillus species have shown potential in managing hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, and oxidative stress, depending on the strain and species. This study aimed to isolate a novel Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus strain from healthy newborns and assess its hypoglycemic and antioxidative activity, along with other probiotic properties. A non-hemolytic L. rhamnosus LBUX2302 was isolated, and it exhibited survival rates of 2.7%, 22%, and 27.5% at pH 2, 3, and 5 for 120 min. It metabolized various carbon sources and showed resistance to gentamicin, dicloxacillin, and penicillin; coaggregated with Salmonella typhi ATCC14028, Staphylococcus aureus STCC6538, and Escherichia coli O157:H7. L. rhamnosus LBUX2302 showed hydrophobicity, autoaggregation, and adhesion to HaCat, HeLa, MCF-7, SK-LU-1, and SW620 cell lines. It also exhibited extracellular activity of bile salt hydrolase. Enzymatic inhibition assays revealed 66% and 24% inhibitions of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively. Its cell-free supernatant inhibited DPPH (89%), hydroxyl (81%), and superoxide anion radicals (61%). Also, antioxidant activity was observed in whole cells and cell fragments. Finally, the presence of ferulic acid activity was detected. The results highlight L. rhamnosus LBUX2302 as a promising probiotic with hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects, warranting further in vivo evaluation for its possible inclusion in functional food and health formulations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and oxidative stress is considered to play a key role in its development. While antioxidants offer a promising approach to mitigating oxidative stress, their clinical application is often hindered by bioavailability and absorption challenges. Entrapment antioxidants within liposomes may overcome these issues, enhancing their stability and delivery. The aim of this study was to develop a novel composite liposomal formulation for glaucoma treatment, designed to enhance lipoic acid bioavailability and administration through its incorporation into the lipid bilayer. Methods: Liposomes were prepared via lipid film hydration and extrusion. To characterize them, the following analyses were performed: FTIR spectroscopy, liposomal bilayer melting temperature (Tm), TEM, DLS, Z-potential, antioxidant activity, and cytotoxicity assays. Results: The efficient incorporation of lipoic acid into the liposomes’ lipid bilayer was confirmed by FTIR. This incorporation resulted in an increase in the Tm, from 37.0 °C for liposomes to 40.0 °C for liposomes with lipoic acid (L-LA). TEM images confirmed that the spherical morphology of the lipid vesicles remained unchanged following LA incorporation. Dynamic Light Scattering analysis revealed effective diameters of 423 ± 36 nm for L liposomes and 404 ± 62 nm for L-LA liposomes. Notably, the Z-potential shifted from +4.7 ± 0.4 mV (L) to −0.4 ± 0.3 mV (L-LA). Furthermore, L-LA exhibited significant antioxidant activity (31.6 ± 0.4%) compared with L (5.3 ± 0.3%) and biocompatibility, suggesting its potential for therapeutic applications. Conclusions: In summary, biocompatible composite liposomes with antioxidant capacity were successfully developed, resulting in promising candidates for neuroprotective glaucoma therapy. Full article