Search Results (1,404)

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) represent promising bioactive agents due to their reduced toxicity and multifunctional biological properties. In this study, SeNPs were synthesized via an eco-friendly phytosynthesis approach using Curcuma longa extract, yielding curcumin-functionalized selenium nanoparticles (cur–SeNPs). The composites (cur–SeNPs), either in native extract form or isolated, were incorporated into siloxane hybrid matrices prepared by the sol–gel method from tetraethyl orthosilicate: dimethyldimethoxysilane precursors, with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a structural modifier. The host matrices were differentiated by the ratios between the precursors of the siloxane network, 3:1 for CS0–CS4, respectively, 1:1 for CS5, modified with PVP in the case of CS2 and CS3. These were loaded with cur–SeNPs–T in the cases of CS1, CS2, CS5 or with cur–SeNPs for CS3 and CS4. FTIR, XRD, SEM, and EDX analyses confirmed the formation of amorphous siloxane networks with well-dispersed SeNPs (up to ~12 wt%). PVP incorporation generated ordered mesoporous structures, increasing total pore volume sixfold and enlarging the average pore diameter to 9.26 nm. Studies about selenium ion release demonstrate that mesoporosity significantly enhances diffusion-controlled release. Antimicrobial assays against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans reveal a synergistic effect between curcuminoids and SeNPs, particularly in matrices with higher nanoparticle loading. The sol–gel technique for obtaining hybrid materials is very versatile regarding the supports on which the resulting materials or the compounds hosted in these host networks can be deposited. The dynamics of the development of hybrid materials is also reflected in the multitude of applications in various fields such as bio-medical, electronics, agriculture or food. Results obtained in this work highlight the potential of the developed systems for antimicrobial coatings on glass substrates and targeted delivery applications. Full article

In this study, a non-typical luminescent organosilicone was synthesized through a click reaction and used as a cross-linker to cure hydroxyl-terminated dimethylsilicone oil at room temperature via the sol–gel process, followed by application as a coating on a glass surface. This organosilicone film functions effectively as a luminescent down-shifting (LDS) material. Additionally, the presence of methyl groups and voids in the structure imparts a low refractive index, allowing it to serve as an anti-reflective (AR) layer. Optical and structural analyses on organosilicone-coated glass samples were conducted, and the dual-functional layer was applied to the glass cover of a perovskite solar panel to evaluate its performance. The coating not only enhanced light transmission as an AR layer but also converted UV light into blue light, which was absorbed by the solar cell. The results indicated improved solar panel performance, particularly in short-circuit current (Isc), external quantum efficiency (EQE) in the UV wavelength range, and overall efficiency. Overall, this material is a promising candidate for solar panel applications owing to maximized UV absorption for LDS, preserved transparency of the top cover glass, and room-temperature gelation, which facilitates repair of the dual-functional coating. Full article

Cr₂O₃-based ceramic coatings are widely used in wear-critical applications; however, their tribological performance under dry sliding conditions can be limited by brittleness and frictional instability. In heavy-duty vehicles, the king pin–bushing contact operates under severe dry sliding conditions, motivating the investigation of composite Cr₂O₃–nTiO₂ coatings as a potential surface engineering solution. In this study, Cr₂O₃–TiO₂ coatings containing 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 wt% TiO₂ were deposited by atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) from mechanically mixed powders. Phase composition was analyzed by X-ray diffraction using an X’Pert PRO MRD diffractometer, while microstructure and elemental distribution were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) on a FEG Quattro C microscope. Mechanical properties were evaluated by Vickers microhardness, instrumented indentation and scratch testing, while dry sliding wear behavior was assessed by pin-on-disc tests performed on a CETR UMT-2 tribometer against a bronze counterbody, with continuous monitoring of the coefficient of friction (COF). The results show that plasma spraying produces lamellar composite coatings with intrinsic porosity and locally modified phase composition. Cr₂O₃-rich coatings exhibit higher hardness (1198 HV2 compared with 877 HV2 for Cr₂O₃–40TiO₂ corresponding to an increase of approximately 36%) and improved resistance to indentation, reflected by lower penetration depths and higher elastic modulus values (134 GPa for S0 compared with 77 GPa for S2). These coatings also exhibit a more stable friction response and reduced material transfer from the bronze counterbody, as confirmed by the lower mass loss of the pins (0.0295 g for S0 compared with 0.0473 g for S4, corresponding to a reduction of about 38%). Increasing TiO₂ content leads to changes in friction stability and wear behavior associated with microstructural heterogeneity. These findings indicate that the sliding wear performance of Cr₂O₃–nTiO₂ coatings is governed by elastic–plastic stability under localized contact loading and support their applicability for dry sliding king pin–bushing systems in heavy-duty vehicles. Full article

The non-albicans Candida species Candida tropicalis is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that forms a robust gel-like biofilm on polymeric prosthetic materials. These biofilms are embedded in an extracellular polymeric substance that retains large amounts of water, resulting in a hydrogel-like matrix that protects fungal cells, increases antifungal resistance, and contributes to the biofouling of these prosthetic materials. Biofouling is the unwanted colonization and accumulation of microbial communities on material surfaces, which alters their function and compromises clinical performance. Clinically, it is significant because it is linked to recurrent urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, and persistent device-related infections, which often result in therapeutic failure and device malfunction. Polymers such as silicone elastomer, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride are widely used in catheters, surgical meshes, implants, and prostheses because of their durability, flexibility, and biocompatibility, yet their surface properties often encourage microbial adhesion and biofilm formation. This review emphasizes that the gel-like biofilm architecture of C. tropicalis underpins its persistence and resistance, while also highlighting promising antifungal strategies being developed to mitigate these infections. Notably, palmitic acid has been shown to disrupt mature biofilms by lowering ergosterol and inducing oxidative stress, whereas C-10 massoia lactone damages the extracellular matrix and suppresses hyphal growth. Drug repurposing approaches, such as combining minocycline with fluconazole, restore susceptibility in resistant isolates and demonstrate synergistic antibiofilm activity. Additionally, biomaterial-based interventions, such as chitosan coatings on silicone surfaces, significantly reduce fungal adhesion and biofilm formation. Together, these findings reflect a translational shift toward integrating natural products, repurposed drugs, and functionalized biomaterials into antifungal development. Understanding biofouling and these emerging strategies is crucial for developing effective control measures against C. tropicalis biofilms and for guiding the design of infection-resistant prosthetic devices. Full article

Background/Objectives: Renal denervation (RDN) has re-emerged as an adjunctive treatment option for patients with uncontrolled or resistant hypertension, with contemporary sham-controlled trials showing a modest but reproducible reduction in out-of-office blood pressure. However, in routine practice, apparent treatment resistance often reflects pseudoresistance caused by the white-coat effect, poor measurement quality, therapeutic inertia, or nonadherence. This review aimed to summarize the contemporary evidence on renal denervation in uncontrolled or resistant hypertension and to propose a pragmatic, measurement-first framework for patient selection, integration into routine care, and a structured post-procedural response assessment. Methods: This article is a narrative, implementation-focused review. A structured search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science was performed from database inception through January 2026. We prioritized the randomized sham-controlled RDN trials, major meta-analyses, guidelines, consensus documents, and studies addressing ABPM, HBPM, medication adherence, and telemonitoring. Results: The contemporary sham-controlled trials support RDN as an adjunctive option with a modest blood pressure-lowering effect, which is best assessed by out-of-office measurements. The placebo-adjusted reductions in ambulatory systolic blood pressure were generally in the 4–6 mmHg range. Appropriate use requires the confirmation of sustained uncontrolled hypertension, the exclusion of pseudoresistance, the optimization of treatment, and an adherence assessment. We identified three phenotypes most likely to benefit and proposed a three-axis framework for a response assessment at 3 and 6 months. Conclusions: RDN should be viewed not as a substitute for antihypertensive therapy but as a program-based adjunct for carefully selected patients. The measurement-first care pathway presented here should be interpreted as a pragmatic clinical model intended to operationalize the available trial and guideline evidence in routine care, rather than as a prospectively validated algorithm or formal consensus recommendation. Full article

The integration of glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) and steel reinforcement in hybrid RC beams offers durability benefits, yet the specific influence of GFRP surface treatments on bond mechanics remains critical. This study experimentally investigates the performance of hybrid GFRP-steel-reinforced beams under three-point bending, comparing sand-coated and ribbed GFRP bars, while maintaining a constant total reinforcement ratio of 1.4% to isolate interface mechanics. Due to the exploratory nature of the study and the specific specimen matrix, the results are interpreted as observed experimental trends rather than statistically generalised performance metrics. The results indicate that ribbed GFRP bars provide enhance mechanical interlocking; in this specific experimental program, the ribbed GFRP hybrid beam exhibits an observed load capacity approximately 11% greater than the sand-coated specimen in this study and surpassing comparable steel-only beams. Additionally, ribbed configurations demonstrated an observed 15% higher toughness. In contrast, sand-coated hybrid beams exhibited signs of premature bond degradation, quantitatively captured by strain gauge monitoring; sand-coated bars plateaued at 14,000 µε, reaching only 79% of their theoretical rupture capacity. This strain limitation indicates failure by internal slippage rather than material rupture, further evidenced by a 50% reduction in crack propagation compared to ribbed beams. While energy-based ductility indices suggest a marginal 6% advantage for sand-coated bars, both hybrid systems exhibited relatively low energy-based ductility indices (μ < 2), reflecting the linear-elastic nature of GFRP reinforcement. These findings suggest that the mechanical interlock of ribbed surface treatments is more resilient under the combined stress states typical of hybrid configurations, providing a foundational baseline for the development of future numerical models and reliability-based design frameworks for hybrid GFRP-steel-RC systems. Full article

A compact, low-cost star tracker system tailored for small satellite applications was designed and prototyped. The system was designed with a fast f/1.2 aperture, a 20 × 13° field of view, and a theoretical angular resolution of 10 arcs—sufficient for the determination of attitude and orbit of a satellite. The optical design is based on a monolithic Maksutov–Cassegrain architecture, with lens assemblies fabricated from CR39 or PMMA to eliminate collimation requirements and improve vibration resistance. The lens was machined using Single-Point Diamond Turning to a precision better than λ/14. It was coated with a multilayer antireflective and highly reflective coatings applied via magnetron sputtering to reduce stray reflections and improve light throughput. The housing was produced using electron beam powder-bed fusion with Ti-64 alloy, while the use of commercial imaging sensors minimizes overall cost. Prototype testing confirmed to plate-solve star patterns with precision better than 27 arcs at 100 ms imaging time across all analysed images. Full article

Passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC) is a promising thermal management technology, yet its widespread application is hindered by the high production costs and poor durability of traditional organic-based materials. Here, we presented a hierarchically porous, all-inorganic PDRC coating synthesized from industrial waste glass and alumina microparticles via low-temperature (600 °C) processing. Rather than serving merely as a cheap substitute, the alkali oxides inherent in waste glass act as natural fluxes, enabling partial melting. Concurrently, the steric hindrance of alumina restricts full densification, spontaneously constructing a highly scattering random photonic network. The optimized composite (50 wt.% waste glass/50 wt.% alumina) achieves 96% solar reflectance and 95% atmospheric window emittance. Field tests confirmed sub-ambient cooling of ~4.0 °C (day) and ~4.5 °C (night), yielding a peak net cooling power of 108.1 W/m². Accelerated weathering and thermal shock (1000 °C) tests demonstrated sustained optical stability under extreme environmental stress. Full article

Epoxy resin (E-51) exhibits excellent adhesion and is widely used in the preparation of functional composite coatings. However, its smooth surface lacking micro/nano composite structures limits its self-cleaning capability and optical properties. Direct incorporation of organic silicone or inorganic fillers often faces severe phase separation and filler agglomeration issues, resulting in defects in coating durability and weather resistance. To address these challenges, this study developed a synergistic modification strategy integrating surface energy modulation with the architectural design of micro/nano-structures. Amino-terminated PDMS undergoes ring-opening addition reactions with epoxy groups in the epoxy resin, while functionalized barium sulfate nanoparticles modified with dual silane coupling agents are incorporated to enhance optical properties. This synergistic approach not only resolved interfacial compatibility but also endowed the PDMS@EP-BaSO₄ coating with outstanding comprehensive properties; the water contact angle increased to 123.5°, demonstrating an easy-to-clean benefit. Visible light reflectance reached 95%, and emissivity rose to 90%. Furthermore, when applied to metal surfaces, the coating exhibited excellent stability against acid–alkali–salt corrosion, extreme temperatures, and ultrasonic agitation. This work provided a novel approach for developing protective coatings that integrated high reflectance, high emissivity, and long-term anti-soiling properties. Full article

Multistatic sonar provides enhanced target detection in complex underwater environments. The wide-angle bistatic scattering characteristics of targets, particularly the bistatic reflection coefficients, are important for evaluating system performance and designing acoustic absorbing coatings. However, obtaining full-angle experimental measurements is challenging, and conventional finite-element simulations become computationally prohibitive for large structures, high frequencies, or exhaustive angle sweeps. To overcome these challenges, a fast wide-angle scattering prediction method for acoustically coated plates is proposed. The method constructs a scattering transfer matrix from the surface mesh and retrieves the equivalent source density from a small subset of scattered-pressure samples, enabling reconstruction of the full-angle scattering field and rapid extraction of reflection coefficients. The approach is demonstrated on both rigid and coated plates, with predictions compared against finite-element calculations. The results demonstrate that the proposed method accurately reproduces the bistatic reflection coefficients, including non-linear dispersion effects and interference fringes, across a wide frequency band from 100 Hz to 5 kHz. Compared to traditional FEM sweeps, this method significantly reduces computational time while maintaining high accuracy, providing an efficient tool for the design of acoustic stealth materials and laying a foundation for rapid target strength prediction of complex targets using the Planar Element Method. Full article

Assessing the welfare of the working horses is crucial for identifying health and management issues and implementing effective solutions. This study evaluated the welfare of working horses in South Darfur, Sudan, by integrating clinical examination with indirect indicators through owner interviews. A total of 400 horse–owner pairs were included. Most horses (61.7%) worked every day, and 77% of owners reported using whips to encourage movement. Clinical assessment revealed that 29.0% of horses were thin, over half had dirty coats, 50.5% harbored external parasites, 43% had abnormal discharges, 25.0% showed poor hoof health, and many exhibited gait abnormalities. Behavioral assessments indicated that fewer than 40% of horses displayed alert attitudes, while over half responded indifferently to stimuli. Horses working daily tended to be thin, have skin lesions, and show gait problems, reflecting poor welfare. Horses with better attitude responses were more frequently fed and worked fewer days per week. Overall, the findings highlight poor physical, behavioral, and management conditions among working horses, emphasizing the urgent need for owner education, training programs, and further research to improve their welfare in the study area. Full article

The suppression of residual reflectivity in optical elements has become a hot research topic as it addresses the degradation of optical system imaging quality caused by stray light. Antireflective coatings on the outer surface of window glasses require low reflectivity, high hardness, and resistance to mechanical wear. This study investigates the role of reactive gas stoichiometry in tailoring the structure and performance of ${\mathrm{SiO}}_x$${\mathrm{N}}_y$ antireflection (AR) coatings deposited on GG7i glass via capacitively coupled radio-frequency magnetron sputtering. First, the influence of three ${\mathrm{N}}_2$/${\mathrm{O}}_2$ flow ratios on the optical and mechanical properties of ${\mathrm{SiO}}_x$${\mathrm{N}}_y$ films discussed under identical process parameters. Results show that the refractive index, hardness, and surface roughness of the ${\mathrm{SiO}}_x$${\mathrm{N}}_y$ films increase with increasing ${\mathrm{N}}_2$/${\mathrm{O}}_2$ ratio and that the stress of the ${\mathrm{SiO}}_x$${\mathrm{N}}_y$ films increases according to the Stoney formula. The wear resistance of the ${\mathrm{SiO}}_x$${\mathrm{N}}_y$ films combined with an antifingerprint (AF) coating is tested using steel wool. Experimental results show that the water contact angle of the AF decreases with increasing surface roughness of the film. Finally, on the basis of a comprehensive evaluation of optical and mechanical properties, the antireflection coating on the outer surface of the window glass was prepared by optimizing the process parameters. At $0^{°}$ incidence, the average reflectivity from 420 to 680 nm is <1%, the maximum value is <1.2%, the surface hardness is 17.2 GPa, and the water contact angle is ${100}^{°}$ after the steel wool wear test, showing its suitability for durable antifingerprint applications. This work provides a strategic pathway for designing high-performance optical coatings with tailored mechanical robustness. Full article

Underwater acoustic coatings are widely used to suppress low-frequency noise radiation and sonar reflection in underwater vehicles. In this study, an underwater acoustic coating model consisting of viscoelastic rubber layers and micro-perforated panel (MPP) structures is investigated, with particular emphasis on the low-frequency sound absorption mechanism and predictive modeling. Based on an improved transfer function method, a novel Micro-Perforated Panel Acoustic Coating Layer (MPPACL) model is developed to describe the coupled acoustic behavior of multilayer coatings under underwater conditions. The low-frequency sound absorption performance is primarily governed by the viscoelastic characteristics of the rubber layer, including material damping and complex modulus, while the incorporation of the MPP further enhances absorption through resonance effects. To efficiently explore the relationship between structural parameters and acoustic response, an ensemble learning-based deep neural network (ELDNN) is constructed using analytically generated data, enabling both forward prediction of sound absorption performance and inverse prediction of structural design parameters. The results show that the frequency prediction accuracy of the IDNN model is 3.7 times that of the DNN model. Furthermore, the proposed MPPACL model has achieved a significantly enhanced sound absorption effect within the frequency range of 50 to 2000 hertz. This effect has also been further verified through underwater experiments. The proposed framework provides an efficient and reliable approach for the design and optimization of underwater acoustic coatings. Full article

Aiming at the problem of non-uniform and non-universal evaluation criteria of machine tools’ carbon emissions in the whole life-cycle analysis, an evaluation method of life-cycle carbon-emission analysis of machine tool based on declared unit was put forward by analyzing and summarizing the existing carbon emission evaluation models. A universal evaluation system for machine-tool life-cycle carbon-emission analysis was first established, and an appropriate declared unit was then selected according to industry characteristics and machine-tool types. Subsequently, an information-flow-based iERWC boundary division method was proposed to support data collection and carbon-emission calculation across five life-cycle stages. To better reflect carbon emissions in the phase of application, the life-cycle inventory incorporates the use of coated cutters, including the associated cutters’ consumption and replacement demands. Two heavy duty floor-milling and boring machine tools produced by Qiqihar No. 2 Machine Tool (Group) Co., Ltd. Were taken as examples to calculate and evaluate life-cycle carbon-emission analysis of machine tools, and the uncertainty analysis was carried out; the possible influencing factors were pointed out to ensure the comprehensive carbon-emission assessment of the whole life cycle. Full article

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanotube arrays (NTAs) were constructed on Ti foil to immobilize Cu₂ZnSnS₄-TiO₂ (CZTS-T/NTAs) via the sol–gel dip-coating technique. The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, field-emission scanning electron microscope–energy dispersive spectroscopy (FESEM-EDX), ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–Vis/DRS), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The photocatalytic property of CZTS-T/NTAs was evaluated by the photodegradation of Basic Blue 41 under visible light irradiation. We show that CZTS-T/NTAs have an energy band gap of 2.23 eV, which leads to excellent potential trapping or facilitates the transition of charge carriers under visible light. The parameters R₀ and C₀ of the experimental EIS data, by fitting the proposed electrical circuit, were also discussed. Decreasing R₀ led to an increase in cell capacitance, which resulted in increased carrier generation at the interface between the catalyst and solution and thus an increased photodegradation yield. The response surface methodology (RSM) and central composite rotatable design (CCRD) were used to optimize the effects of the experimental parameters in the degradation process by four key variables (pH, dye concentration, irradiation time, and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) concentration). As a result, the optimized conditions attained a considerable degradation of 95.25%. We also proposed the possible photodegradation mechanism of the photocatalyst. Notably, the proposed catalyst after six consecutive reuse runs retained activity. Full article