Search Results (349)

The most common complication of active brucellosis in humans is osteoarticular injury. In the bone marrow microenvironment, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into either adipocytes or osteoblasts, and this balance is tightly regulated because an increase in adipogenesis may negatively affect bone formation and favor bone loss. The differentiation of MSCs into adipocytes or osteoblasts is tightly regulated by mechanisms that promote cell fate toward one lineage while repressing the other. Our study demonstrated that Brucella abortus infects MSCs but does not affect the deposition of organic and mineral matrix during osteoblast differentiation. However, the infection upregulates Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor Kappa-B Ligand (RANKL) expression in osteoblasts, which may contribute to osteoclast activation and bone resorption. Conversely, B. abortus infection significantly influences adipocyte differentiation by modulating lipolysis, lipogenesis, and interactions between lipid droplets and mitochondria. This leads to increased cellular cholesterol levels and reduced intracellular triglycerides, accompanied by glycerol release. These changes result in more differentiated adipocytes and larger lipid droplets. Consequently, we observed increased IL-6 secretion and a higher leptin/adiponectin ratio. Importantly, these effects were independent of a functional type IV secretion system (T4SS), as purified Brucella DNA fully reproduced the adipogenic phenotype. Moreover, inhibition of TLR9—the primary sensor of bacterial DNA—significantly reduced the DNA-induced adipogenic response, demonstrating that adipocyte modulation is at least in part mediated through TLR9 signaling. In summary, B. abortus promotes MSC differentiation toward an inflammatory adipocyte phenotype. It involves a TLR-9-mediated DNA detection. It may contribute to osteoarticular injury and infection-associated bone resorption. Full article

To address the challenges of complex wellbore trajectories in horizontal gas wells and the significant differences in droplet entrainment laws across various well sections, which make it difficult to accurately predict the most critical location for liquid loading, this study establishes a prediction model for the critical liquid-carrying flow rate in different well sections. The model is based on droplet force balance and Kelvin–Helmholtz wave theory, considering droplet deformation and energy losses due to wall collisions and friction. By integrating the critical liquid-carrying flow rate models for each section with a four-field coupled wellbore prediction model, a coupled temperature-pressure and liquid-carrying prediction model is developed. Sensitivity analysis was performed on factors influencing the critical liquid-carrying flow rate, and a field data analysis was conducted on 43 gas wells. The results indicate that the proposed model provides accurate predictions, with only one well being misjudged. For four wells near the liquid loading state, the predictions were within a ±15% error range, with an average deviation of only 5.9%. The research results provide a theoretical basis for the accurate prediction of liquid loading in horizontal gas wells. Full article

Chilli is a major horticultural crop in tropical and subtropical regions that contributes substantially to the global culinary and economic sectors. However, anthracnose remains one of the most destructive diseases, causing severe losses in both field and stored fruits. Current management strategies offer limited long-term effectiveness, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives. This study developed nanoemulsions (NEs) from Garcinia atroviridis fruit extract and evaluated their biocontrol potential against Colletotrichum capsici alone and in combination with Trichoderma harzianum. Two formulations, NE4 and NE7, exhibited good thermostability without phase separation at 25 and 54 °C, with droplet sizes of 135.1 and 124.1 nm, respectively, and were non-phytotoxic to chilli seedlings. In vitro, the nanoemulsions significantly suppressed C. capsici mycelial growth (62%) compared to the crude extract. Under rain shelter conditions, NE integrated with T. harzianum (T7 and T8) was highly effective in delaying disease onset and reducing disease severity, achieving 90.07% and 88.37% relative disease reduction, respectively. These treatments also produced the highest marketable yields, comparable to the synthetic fungicide Dithane M-45^® (2 g L⁻¹). In contrast, the untreated control group exhibited an 83% yield loss. The results indicate that nanoemulsions of G. atroviridis fruit extract, particularly when combined with T. harzianum, offer a promising and sustainable biological control option for managing pre-harvest chilli anthracnose. Their incorporation into integrated pest management programmes may reduce dependence on chemical fungicides and support safer chilli production systems. Full article

Raman spectroscopy is capable of determining the composition of mixtures quantitatively and qualitatively. However, this technology reaches its limits when used to examine liquid dispersed mixtures of substances. In these emulsions, light scattering occurs at the interfaces of the particles and/or droplets, leading to signal losses that make the results impossible to evaluate. Our previous publications have shown, however, that it is possible to quantify the signal losses using a scattered light probe. In an investigation of the water–toluene–acetone emulsion, the acetone concentration could be determined with a root mean squared error of prediction (RMSEP) of up to 1.5 wt%. Based on this method, further analyses are now being carried out to demonstrate that the correction also makes it possible to determine the acetone concentration in each individual liquid phase. First, a ternary diagram is analytically created by establishing stable conditions and separating the phases for individual measurement. In a second step, the samples are measured as a dispersed mixture with the droplets as interfering factors, demonstrating that the same concentration differences can be measured between both phases. Full article

Spray drift is one of the most significant challenges in the application of Plant Protection Products (PPPs), as it contributes to water, soil, and food contamination and is highly associated with health risks to agricultural workers, bystanders, and rural residents. Spray drift is defined as the fraction of PPP that is carried away from the target area by air currents during application. Factors such as high wind speeds, low relative humidity, and elevated temperatures increase the risk of drift by promoting droplet evaporation and off-target movement. Technological advancements in spraying equipment, such as low-drift and air induction nozzles, have been shown to significantly reduce drift potential. Air induction nozzles mix air with the spray liquid, creating larger droplets that are less susceptible to drift. The primary objective of this study was to quantify the spray drift reduction achieved using cost-effective and easily applicable drift mitigation techniques that do not require specialized and expensive equipment compared to conventional application methods in vineyards under Southern European conditions. Field measurements followed the ISO 22866:2005 protocol, using a conventional axial fan air-assisted sprayer that is commonly used by vineyard farmers in Greece. This study was conducted on Savatiano vines, the most widely cultivated winemaking variety in the Attica region, characterized by its low height. The spraying techniques evaluated as spray drift mitigation measures were one-sided spraying applications of the outer vineyard row; one-sided spraying applications of the two last rows; spraying with closed air assistance on the outer rows; and finally, spraying with the use of air induction nozzles. Results indicated that each technique produced varying amounts of sedimenting drift over distance. Spraying without air assistance consistently generated the lowest levels of drift at almost all distances. While air induction nozzles initially increased drift deposition within the first 4 m, they significantly reduced drift beyond 5 m. These findings demonstrate that simple operational adjustments to conventional vineyard sprayers, particularly reducing or switching off air assistance in outer rows, can substantially decrease spray drift without requiring additional investment in specialized equipment. Overall, spraying without air support achieved the greatest drift reduction across all distances from the vineyard, followed by air induction nozzles, which were equally effective at further distances (past 5 m) but less so near the application area. The results provide practical guidance for vineyard growers seeking low-cost strategies to minimize agricultural input losses, environmental contamination, and improve the sustainability of pesticide applications. Full article

We developed an arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE)-based multiphysics model for evaporation from a contact-line-pinned sessile drop of neat water subject to a vertically oriented sinusoidal alternating current (AC) electric field applied across parallel-plate electrodes. The framework fully couples electrostatics, incompressible flow, heat transfer with evaporative cooling, and transient vapour transport in air, and includes an instantaneous, voltage-controlled electrowetting contact-angle response under constant-contact-radius conditions. Validation against published data shows that the model captures both pinned-droplet evaporation and electrically induced deformation. Because Maxwell traction scales with the squared electric-field magnitude, droplet height and contact angle exhibit a robust 2:1 frequency-doubled response, producing two peak–trough events per voltage period. The resulting periodic deformation drives oscillatory interfacial shear and internal recirculation, yielding a synchronous double-peaked evaporative-flux waveform. Gas-side analysis quantifies a time-varying diffusion-layer thickness via a characteristic diffusion length; two thinning events per period coincide with flux maxima, indicating that AC enhancement is dominated by periodic compression of the vapour boundary layer and reduced gas-side mass-transfer resistance. Increasing voltage amplitude (0–60 kV) strongly accelerates volume loss, while frequency has a secondary effect: the cycle-averaged flux rises from 1 to 10 Hz but decreases slightly at 20 Hz due to phase lag and weaker boundary-layer modulation. Full article

This study presents a numerical investigation of the effects of atmospheric icing on the aerodynamic performance and power output of the NREL 5 MW reference wind turbine. In cold climate regions, ice accretion on wind turbine blades significantly alters the airfoil geometry, leading to aerodynamic degradation characterized by increased drag, reduced lift, and substantial power losses. Understanding these effects is therefore essential for reliable performance prediction and efficient turbine operation under icing conditions. To address this problem, numerical simulations were conducted on six representative blade sections using the FENSAP-ICE framework, which integrates flow field calculations, droplet transport, and ice accretion modeling within a unified computational environment. The analyses were performed under different atmospheric icing conditions, considering liquid water content values of 0.22 g/m³ and 0.50 g/m³ and ambient temperatures of −2.5 °C and −10 °C. The median volumetric diameter was fixed at 20 µm, and the icing duration was set to one hour for all cases, allowing for both glaze and rime ice formations to be systematically examined. The results reveal that ice accretion becomes increasingly pronounced toward the blade tip, mainly due to higher relative velocities and increased collection efficiency in the outer sections. Glaze icing conditions produce irregular horn-shaped ice formations and lead to severe aerodynamic degradation, whereas rime ice forms more compact structures near the leading edge and results in comparatively lower performance losses. The degraded aerodynamic coefficients obtained from the iced airfoils were subsequently incorporated into BEM-based power calculations, indicating that total power losses can reach up to 40% under severe icing conditions, with the outer blade sections contributing most significantly to this reduction. Furthermore, an economic assessment based on annual energy losses highlights the substantial impact of atmospheric icing on wind turbine performance and operational costs. Full article

Palm kernel cake glutelin-1 (PKCG-1) can be used as a novel emulsifier, contingent upon enhancement of its emulsifying functionality. This study investigated the influences and underlying mechanisms of ultrasonication-assisted gallic acid-binding or arabinose-glycosylation on the emulsifying properties of PKCG-1. The results demonstrated that ultrasonication-assisted gallic acid-binding yielded the greatest improvement in emulsifying ability (from 91.03 to 159.74 m²/g), attributed to a concomitant decrease in molecular mass (from 59.2 to 48.4 kDa); increases in hydrophobicity (from 681 to 770), random coil content, and interfacial adsorption capacity (from 102.62 to 244.41 μg/mL); a reduction in the emulsion’s loss factor; and augmentation of zeta-potential (from −39.55 to −65.96 mV) and centrifugal stability (from 57.80% to 84.14%). Alternatively, ultrasonication-assisted arabinose glycosylation was best at enhancing the emulsion stability of PKCG-1 (from 79.77% to 98.36%) by increasing its solubility (from 28.35 to 73.85 g/100 mL) and random coil (from 25.9% to 46.9%), enhancing zeta-potential (from −39.55 to −84.81 mV) and viscosity; and reducing droplet size (1.10 to 0.64 μm) and loss tangent. Furthermore, the solubility, emulsifying activity, and emulsion stability of PKCG-1 decreased as pH increased from 2.5 to 8.5. Nevertheless, the application of the modified PKCG-1s as gels requires further studies. Full article

This study investigated the mechanism by which different fractions of chickpea protein influenced the formation of oleogels. Total chickpea protein (CPP, 0.5 wt%), chickpea albumin (ALB, 0.5 wt%), globulin (GLO, 0.5 wt%), and glutelin (GLU, 0.5 wt%) were separately used as oleogelators by combining with xanthan gum (XG, 0.5 wt%) at pH 7 to construct soybean oil-based oleogels via the emulsion-templated method. Particle size measurement revealed that the GLU-XG (526 nm) exhibited the smallest particle size compared to CPP-XG (605 nm), ALB-XG (642 nm), and GLO-XG (819 nm). The four complexes exhibited increasing surface hydrophobicity and conformational flexibility (as revealed by fluorescence spectroscopy) in the order of GLO-XG < ALB-XG < CPP-XG < GLU-XG. Compared with other complexes, the higher surface hydrophobicity, smaller particle size, and more flexible structure of GLU-XG conferred a superior surface activity. Consequently, the fabricated emulsion demonstrated a smaller droplet size (13.91 μm) and enhanced centrifugal stability (94.64%). The confocal laser scanning microscope images confirmed that the oleogel based on GLU-XG exhibited the most uniform and densest network, leading to the highest oil-binding capacity (98.7%) and storage/loss modulus, followed by those based on CPP-XG (97.2%), ALB-XG (95.6%), and GLO-XG (93.9%). This research provides a theoretical basis for using chickpea protein in oleogel formulations and enhances understanding of the structural and interfacial properties of these protein fractions. Full article

This paper presents a multiple water droplet impact finite element model that can be used to simulate high strain rate water droplet erosion processes for various target materials. The model is able to provide predictions for mass loss and the evolution of erosion depth as a function of the number of impacts. This is achieved through a continuum damage mechanics approach coupled with element deletion for the target material. Validation of the model is performed by comparison with water droplet erosion data for PMMA. We apply the model to estimate the emissions of microplastics from wind turbines due to blade erosion. For adverse weather and operational conditions, our worst-case estimate was to the order of 340 g per blade per year. The developed framework is also used to model the effect of flaws in the blade coating on erosion progression. The effect of internal defects (voids) in the coatings on the erosion depth evolution was studied numerically. The presence of internal voids led to earlier coating breakthrough and exposure of the substrate material. The model can be used to study the effects of various types of flaws during both the incubation and mass loss stages of erosion. Full article

Electrophysiology, mechanobiology, and the study of soft matter within cells demonstrate increasing amounts of evidence that neuronal signaling arises from interactions between membrane potential, force, and phase. Herein, we have attempted to collect and organize the evidence for each of these areas of study into an approximate structure called the electromechanical connectome: a three-way state–space (membrane potentials, nanoscale mechanical forces, and cytoplasmic rheology, including phase-separated liquid–liquid droplets) where membrane potentials, nanoscale mechanical forces, and cytoplasmic rheology, and phase-separated liquid–liquid droplets are likely to influence one another, influencing synaptic processing, plasticity and network stability. We will also attempt to illustrate the following: how changes in electrostatic fields can be used to alter the arrangement of lipids, hydration, and dielectric microdomains, and the contact geometry between organelles and activity dependent transcription; how mechanical dynamics associated with spines, axons, and the active zone of synapses may be used to modify the energy landscape of channels, the docking and priming of vesicles, and the transport of cytoskeletons; and how viscosity corridors, along with phase-separated micro-reactors, can be used to regulate the kinetics of signaling, molecular trafficking and metabolic processes in local environments. With these connections in mind, we will propose a multiphysical attractor model in which cognition is the result of navigating through metastable manifolds, while neurodegenerative disease may be a result of the progressive loss of electromechanical coherence, phase boundary control and energetic flexibility. Finally, we will present testable hypotheses and use AI-enabled digital twin methods to potentially quantify the early deformation of manifolds and provide precision biomarkers and therapeutic options. Full article

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been increasingly involved in mammalian lipid metabolism. However, their regulatory roles and molecular mechanisms in abdominal fat deposition in chicken remain largely unexplored. In this study, based on the previous miRNA transcriptome data during chicken abdominal preadipocytes’ adipogenic differentiation, we explored the biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of a differentially expressed miRNA, gga-let-7c-3p, in adipogenesis. Gain- and loss-of-function assays elucidated that gga-let-7c-3p significantly decreased viability, proliferation, cell cycle progression, intracellular lipid droplet accumulation and triglyceride content, as well as the mRNA expression of proliferation- and lipid metabolism-related genes in chicken abdominal preadipocytes. Dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that gga-let-7c-3p could directly interact with the 3′UTR of the transcription factor—peroxisome proliferator activated the receptor delta (PPARD) gene and thus inhibited its post-transcriptional expression. The PPARD gene significantly decreased viability, proliferation, and cell cycle progression, while it increased intracellular lipid droplet accumulation and triglyceride content of chicken abdominal preadipocytes, paralleling with the mRNA expression of proliferation- and lipid metabolism-related genes. Collectively, gga-let-7c-3p could inhibit the proliferation and adipogenic differentiation of chicken abdominal preadipocytes, at least by targeting the PPARD gene. These findings reveal the regulatory mechanisms of the gga-let-7c-3p/PPARD axis in chicken abdominal adipogenesis, and could provide potential molecular markers for lean line broiler breeding. Full article

This study focused on fabricating linseed oil-in-water nanoemulsions (LON) at different pressures of 50 and 150 bar (named as LON50 and LON150, respectively) using a high-pressure homogenizer. Subsequently, these nanoemulsions were encapsulated in alginate hydrogel beads. It was observed that higher homogenizing pressure led to smaller droplet size (108.57 nm), harder beads (222.54 N), less LON release from the beads, and higher oxidation rate, as well as more reduction in α-linolenic acid content during the storage time. To increase the oxidative stability of LON₁₅₀, natural antioxidants including clove essential oil (CEO), rosemary extract (RE), and a mixture of both (CEO+RE) were separately incorporated into the oil phase of LON (LON_150-CEO), alginate aqueous dispersion (LON_150-RE), and both lipid and aqueous phases (named as LON_150-CEO+RE), respectively. It was shown that LON_150-CEO+RE had weaker mechanical properties than LON_150-RE and LON_150-CEO. In addition, this sample (LON_150-CEO+RE) showed the lowest oxidation rate and the minimum α-linolenic acid loss (9.82%) during storage. The highest LON release rate from the beads was related to LON_150-RE. The results of this study might help in designing bioactive lipids-filled hydrogel beads with appropriate chemical stability and mechanical properties. Full article

Production of ferrochrome alloy is carried out using carbon as a reductant in a Submerged Arc Furnace (SAF). Carbothermic reduction of chromite ore results in high CO₂ emissions, and alternative reductants such as H₂, wherein H₂O is the only by-product, have become attractive potential alternatives. Before utilizing H₂ as a reductant, it is crucial to carry out a comprehensive study on the reaction kinetics with the view to aid the design and operation of reactors that facilitate the reduction process. The current study determined the kinetic parameters for isothermal and non-isothermal pre-reduction of chromite with H₂ in a thermogravimetric furnace. Results from powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy determined the mineralogical variations between the feed and the pre-reduced samples, as well as the variation between isothermally and non-isothermally treated samples. The mass loss data indicates that longer reduction times are required to reach complete reduction. The apparent activation energy for the isothermal and non-isothermal pre-reduction tests was found to be 105 and 124 kJ/mol, respectively. The mineralogical observations for pre-reduced samples at 1300 °C and 1500 °C showed that samples treated at lower temperatures (1300 °C) displayed consistent textures and Fe-Cr droplets along rims of partially altered chromite (PAC), which suggested higher metallization at this temperature. Higher temperatures (1500 °C), on the other hand, resulted in poor metallization, possibly because higher temperatures are often associated with a collapsed pore network, which results in poor diffusion rates, thus hindering complete reduction. Full article

Background: Intranasal drug delivery is a preferred route for emergency administration of naloxone in opioid overdose due to its rapid onset of action and ease of use. However, limited knowledge exists on the delivery efficiency and safety of nasal sprays in neonates, particularly in life-threatening situations such as coma states where breathing is compromised. This study presents a physiology-based simulation of spray deposition and runoff loss in a 10-day-old infant nose model. Methods: Spray characteristics, including droplet size distribution, exiting velocity, and plume angle, were measured and implemented in ANSYS Fluent droplet tracking model. Naloxone film thickness was measured on ex vivo porcine nasal mucosa at varying angles and used in the Eulerian Wall-Film model. Simulations were conducted in a 10-day-old nose geometry across multiple doses (0.25, 0.50, 1.0, and 2.0 mL) in supine and 45° inclined postures to quantify regional deposition, liquid film translocation, and pharyngeal runoff. Results: While a 0.25 mL spray was fully retained in the nasal passages, higher doses exceeded the mucosal holding capacity and caused significant runoff. Runoff into the pharynx was 18.5% and 10.1% for the spray volume of 0.50 mL in the 45° back tilt and supine positions, respectively. The 1.0 mL spray caused 55.1% and 53.5% runoff in the 45° back tilt and supine positions, while the 2.0 mL spray caused 77.5% and 76.8% runoff in the 45° back tilt and supine positions, respectively. Conclusions: These findings highlight the critical influence of spray volume on drug delivery outcomes in neonates and provide quantitative guidance for optimizing intranasal naloxone administration in emergency pediatric care. Full article