Search Results (20,996)

Real-time monitoring of the pile foundation pouring status is the key to ensuring the quality and reliability of cast-in-place bored pile foundation structures. In response to the technical challenge of difficult real-time monitoring and accurate evaluation of pile top morphology during concrete pouring, this paper proposes a method for detecting the cast-in-place bored pile top surface based on full waveform inversion. Firstly, a coupling equation between concrete sound waves and viscoelastic waves inside the borehole is constructed, forming a full waveform inversion method that considers multiple parameters of the complex environment inside the borehole. Subsequently, a pile top flatness factor that simultaneously considers the elevation and undulation characteristics of the pile top is constructed to achieve a comprehensive evaluation of the elevation between the center position and the center peripheral position of the bored pile top. Finally, the feasibility and accuracy of the proposed method are verified through indoor experiments. The results indicate that the detection method proposed in this article can not only accurately reflect the actual elevation of the pile top, ensuring the accuracy of the measurement data, but also achieve a comprehensive evaluation of the quality of the pile top considering the differences in the center and edge positions of the pile top, which can provide a new analysis method for quality control of bored piles. Full article

With the rise of environmental protection and health topics in recent years, microbial production of red pigments has gradually become a research hotspot. Red pigment possesses biological properties such as anticancer and antioxidant activities and has a wide range of potential applications in the fields of food and medicine. In this paper, a red pigment-producing strain was screened from rice soil to provide a reserve for obtaining natural and safe red pigments. Methods: The strain LSY1-2 was identified using morphological and 16S rDNA molecular biological identification. The fermentation conditions for red pigment production were optimised to improve pigment yield, and the best conditions were analysed using response surface methodology. Finally, the stabilisation conditions of red pigment were analysed to determine the difficulty of retention. Results: The molecular ecology was identified as the bacterium Arthrobacter sp. of the genus Arthrobacter. The optimal red pigment production medium for the strain was determined by a one-way test with the carbon source beef extract, the nitrogen source peptone, the inoculum size 2%, the temperature 27 °C, the pH value 7, and the rotational speed 160 rpm. Response surface optimisation determined the optimal red pigment production conditions as the incubation temperature of 26.43 °C, the pH value of 6.89, and the rotational speed of 162.77 rpm, which resulted in the yield of red pigment under these optimal conditions as 0.883 U/mL. The stability of red pigment was best under the condition without light, and poorer under conditions of above 50 °C, strong acid, strong alkali, and more than 3% oxidant, and Fe³⁺ had a greater effect on the stability. Conclusions: Strain LSY-1 can produce stable red pigment under the optimised red pigment-producing conditions, which provides a reference for the large-scale production of natural red pigment and subsequent related research. Full article

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have broad application prospects in food preservation and drug development. In this study, grape seed extract (GSE) was used as a natural reducing agent and stabilizer, combined with ascorbic acid (Vc) for the green synthesis of SeNPs (GSE-SeNPs). The preparation process and structural stability were systematically optimized. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the concentrations of Vc and GSE, reaction time, and reaction temperature, aiming to screen out the optimal synthesis conditions with small particle size, good dispersibility, and the smallest PDI value. The results showed that the average particle size of GSE-SeNPs was 74.86 ± 6.07 nm, the PDI was 0.159 ± 0.028, and the Zeta potential was −30.42 ± 0.54 mV, indicating good stability. Characterization results revealed that GSE participated in the reduction and stabilization of SeNPs through electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds, forming spherical nanoparticles with a dense structure and good surface organic coating. In addition, GSE-SeNPs exhibited excellent DPPH free radical scavenging ability and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus in vitro. GSE-SeNPs combine green synthesis, structural stability, and multifunctional biological activities, and have the potential to be used as functional nanomaterials in food preservation and safety fields. Full article

The large amounts of chrome-tanned leather waste (CLTW) produced annually can be valorized by applying circular economy principles in various fields due to the valuable substances contained (mainly collagen). The main problem for the direct valorization of these wastes is the presence in their composition of dangerous substances, such as chromium. Thus, before being used as raw material in new processes, chrome-tanned leather waste must be subjected to a preliminary stage of chromium removal. In this article, we propose to identify the optimal working conditions for the extraction of chromium ions from chrome-tanned hides in the presence of oxalic acid with various concentrations, at various temperatures and contact times, so that the degree of collagen hydrolysis is minimal. In this sense, the response surface methodology (RSM) method was used to optimize the working conditions, to maximize the efficiency of chrome extraction from the leather, and to minimize the efficiency of collagen hydrolysis: an undesirable process. To optimize both the extraction yield (%) and the degree of hydrolysis (%), the key operational variables, namely oxalic acid concentration (%), contact time (%), and temperature (°C), were systematically adjusted using the Box–Behnken design within the response surface methodology (RSM). The most favorable extraction conditions were identified at an oxalic acid concentration of approximately 7%, a contact time close to 120 min, and a temperature near 49 °C. Under these optimized parameters, the hydrolysis degree remained very low, around 0.38%, indicating minimal degradation during the process. Full article

This study investigates the valorisation of sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) flowers using supercritical antisolvent fractionation (SAF) with CO₂ as an antisolvent. SAF was applied to selectively recover bioactive compounds from ethanolic extracts, using supercritical CO₂ to induce precipitation. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize operational conditions across a pressure range of 8.7–15 MPa and CO₂ flow rates of 0.6–1.8 kg/h, at a constant temperature of 40 °C. Pressure showed a statistically significant positive effect on precipitate yield, while higher CO₂ flow rates led to reduced recovery. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis identified naringin (33.7%), neohesperidin (21.6%), and synephrine (9.0%) as the main components of the enriched fractions. SAF enabled the selective concentration of these compounds, supporting its application as a green separation technique. As a complementary evaluation, preliminary in silico predictions of ADMET properties and skin permeability were performed. The results indicated favourable absorption, low predicted toxicity, and limited dermal permeation for the major flavonoids. These findings are consistent with available experimental and regulatory safety data. Overall, the study demonstrates the potential of SAF as an effective green technology for the selective extraction and enrichment of high-value bioactive compounds derived from Citrus aurantium flowers, with promising applications in cosmetic, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical formulations. Full article

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technology has attracted extensive attention in the field of nutrient diagnosis for rubber leaves. However, the mainstream method of extracting leaf average spectra ignores the leaf spatial information in hyperspectral imaging and dilutes the response characteristics exhibited by nutrient-sensitive local areas of leaves, thereby limiting the accuracy of modeling. This study proposes a spatial–spectral feature fusion method based on leaf-scale sub-region segmentation. It introduces a clustering algorithm to divide leaf pixel spectra into several subclasses, and segments sub-regions on the leaf surface based on clustering results. By optimizing the modeling contribution weights of leaf sub-regions, it improves the modeling and generalization accuracy of potassium diagnosis for rubber leaves. Experiments have been carried out to verify the proposed method, which is based on spatial–spectral feature fusion to outperform those of average spectral modeling. Specifically, after pixel-level MSC preprocessing, when the spectra of rubber leaf pixel regions were clustered into nine subsets, the diagnostic accuracy of potassium content in rubber leaves reached 0.97, which is better than the 0.87 achieved by average spectral modeling. Additionally, precision, macro-F1, and macro-recall all reached 0.97, which is superior to the results of average spectral modeling. Moreover, the proposed method is also superior to the spatial–spectral feature fusion method that integrates texture features. The visualization results of leaf sub-region weights showed that strengthening the modeling contribution of leaf edge regions is conducive to improving the diagnostic accuracy of potassium in rubber leaves, which is consistent with the response pattern of leaves to potassium. Full article

Plasma technology is an emerging method for implant surface decontamination and modification. This in vitro study evaluates the effects of plasma treatment on fibroblast and osteoblast adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation on titanium surfaces. Plasma was applied to machined and rough titanium discs, followed by surface characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and hydrophilicity testing. SEM imaging, cell viability assays, and immunohistologic staining were used to assess cell behaviour in response to treatment, while RNA sequencing evaluated gene expression related to differentiation. Although no significant architecture changes were observed with plasma treatment, XPS revealed a significant reduction in carbon content (p < 0.001), indicating decreased hydrocarbon contamination. Plasma treatment significantly increased surface hydrophilicity in both machined and rough surfaces (p < 0.0001). SEM and IHC imaging showed greater early-stage cell attachment for both fibroblasts and osteoblasts, though differences diminished after 12 h. RNA sequencing revealed time-dependent gene expression in both cell types, with Apln and Crabp2 significantly upregulated at 6 h in the plasma-treated fibroblast group. In conclusion, plasma treatment reduces hydrocarbon buildup, enhances hydrophilicity, promotes early cell attachment, and upregulates genes linked to angiogenesis and proliferation. Further studies are needed to determine its clinical significance in managing peri-implant disease. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of phytase enzyme supplementation on the thermoregulatory responses of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) exposed to different thermal environments. A total of 720 one-day-old laying quails were assigned to a completely randomized design with five dietary treatments (0, 500, 1000, 1500, and 3000 FTU of phytase) and three thermal conditions: thermal comfort (24 °C) and heat stress environments (30 °C and 36 °C). Each treatment had six replicates with eight quails per experimental unit. Data were collected during the early laying phase, peak egg production, and the final laying phase. Measurements included rectal and surface temperatures (assessed via thermographic imaging), allowing the calculation of core-to-surface and surface-to-environment thermal gradients. Quails exposed to severe heat stress (36 °C) showed increased heat dissipation via convection (p = 0.001) and radiation (p = 0.029) when supplemented with phytase doses above 1500 FTU/kg. Additionally, high-dose phytase supplementation reduced the cloacal temperature and optimized thermal gradients, indicating a potential protective effect of exogenous phytase in alleviating heat stress. Overall, these findings highlight phytase supplementation as a promising nutritional strategy to enhance heat tolerance, mitigate thermal stress, and improve the welfare and physiological resilience of quails throughout the production cycle. Full article

This study investigates the mechanical response characteristics and damage evolution behavior of TC4 alloy through quasi-static/dynamic coupled experimental methods. Quasi-static tensile tests at varying temperatures (293 K, 423 K, and 623 K) were conducted using a universal testing machine, while room-temperature dynamic tensile tests (strain rate 1000–3000 s⁻¹) were performed with a Split Hopkinson Tensile Bar (SHTB). Key findings include the following: (1) Significant temperature-softening effect was observed, with flow stress decreasing markedly as temperature increased; (2) Notch size effect influenced mechanical properties, showing 50% enhancement in post-fracture elongation when notch radius increased from 3 mm to 6 mm; and (3) Strain-hardening effect exhibited rate dependence under dynamic loading, with reduced hardening index within the tested strain rate range. The Johnson–Cook constitutive model and failure criterion were modified and parameterized based on experimental data. A 3D tensile simulation model developed in ABAQUS demonstrated strong agreement with experimental results, achieving a 0.97 correlation coefficient for load–displacement curves, thereby validating the modified models. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of fracture surfaces revealed temperature- and strain rate-dependent microstructural characteristics, dominated by ductile fracture mechanisms involving microvoid nucleation, growth, and coalescence. This research provides theoretical foundations for analyzing Ti alloy structures under impact loading through established temperature–rate-coupled constitutive models. Full article

The aim of this study was to explore the decomposition characteristics of Tamarix chinensis litter and its soil-improving capacity under different salinities. Four treatments were designed: a control (CK) treatment without saline water injection and three treatments encompassing slightly (SS, 0.4% soil salinity), moderately (SM, 0.8%), and highly saline (SH, 1.2%) conditions. T. chinensis litter at three degrees of decomposition (undecomposed, semidecomposed, and already decomposed) was studied. After 180 days, the litter substrate quality, 0–10 cm soil physicochemical properties, and enzyme activities were measured. Correlation analysis and structural equation modeling were employed to elucidate the interactions and response patterns among soil salinity, the decomposition characteristics of T. chinensis litter, and the physicochemical properties and enzyme activities of surface soil. The results revealed the following: (1) With increasing soil salinity, the contents of litter lignin, cellulose, total carbon and nitrogen residues first decreased but then increased, reaching minima under SM, whereas the content of hemicellulose residue exhibited the opposite trend. With increasing degree of litter decomposition, the contents of lignin and cellulose residues decreased, whereas the contents of hemicellulose, total nitrogen and phosphorus residues increased. (2) With increasing soil salinity, the soil water content, organic matter content, total nitrogen content, and activity of several enzymes increased, peaking under SH. The pH performance followed the order of SS > SM > CK > SH. The total carbon and phosphorus contents first increased but then decreased, with a maximum under SS. The activity of N-acetylamino glucosidase first decreased but then increased and was greatest at moderate and high salinities. (3) The soil water content and level of enzyme activity were significantly correlated with the litter substrate quality. Salinity negatively affected litter substrate residues but positively affected soil physicochemical properties. Litter decomposition under different soil salinities indirectly influenced soil enzymes by affecting soil properties, whereas salinity modulated soil properties directly or through litter decomposition. T. chinensis litter decomposition notably increased enzyme activity in moderate- to high-salinity alkali coastal soils, offering insights for low-efficiency T. chinensis forest management and saline–alkali soil remediation in the Yellow River Delta. Full article

Background/Objectives: The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 boosted the development of different vaccine models. In parallel, yeasts stand out as a vaccine platform in healthcare biotechnology. Species such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia pastoris can express heterologous proteins, which are capable of inducing specific antibodies and can perform as an attractive vaccine vehicle with immunomodulating properties due to their cell wall composition. Furthermore, the yeast surface display system facilitates antigen presentation to immune cells. We developed an oral vaccine based on P. pastoris displaying a synthetic antigen composed of Spike and Nucleocapsid epitopes. Methods: The vaccine was administered to BALB/c mice. Systemic immune response was measured through antibody detection in blood samples, and mucosal immunity was assessed via IgA levels in feces. Histopathological analysis of intestinal and gastric tissues was also conducted. Results: The yeast-based vaccine elicited a humoral immune response, reflected in the production of neutralizing antibodies and elevated levels of IgG2a and IgG2. No structural alterations or pathological changes were observed in gastrointestinal tissues. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the feasibility of using P. pastoris as an oral vaccine delivery system, supporting previous findings with other yeast species such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and highlighting its potential in developing effective mucosal vaccines. Full article

Oil-contaminated wastewater presents a significant environmental challenge, necessitating the development of efficient and adaptable treatment technologies. In this study, a pH-responsive chitosan-coated polyethersulfone (Ch/PES) membrane was developed and systematically evaluated for oil/water separation performance under varying pH conditions. PES was chosen as the base membrane material due to its excellent chemical resistance and mechanical durability, while Ch, a biodegradable and environmentally friendly biopolymer with pH-sensitive properties, was applied as a functional surface coating. The Ch/PES membrane was successfully fabricated and characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, confirming successful surface modification and structural integrity. Additional analyses—including underwater oil contact angle measurements, porosity assessment, and cross-sectional morphological evaluation—demonstrated the membrane’s dynamic pH-responsive wettability and pore size modulation. Oil emulsion separation experiments, conducted using sodium dodecyl sulfate-stabilized emulsions, revealed that the Ch/PES membrane achieved oil removal efficiencies exceeding 97% under acidic conditions. This enhancement was attributed to increased hydrophilicity and reduced effective pore size resulting from chitosan swelling. In contrast, under alkaline conditions, the membrane exhibited greater oleophilicity and maintained a relatively stable pore structure, leading to a reduced separation efficiency of 83.8%. Compared to the unmodified PES membrane, the Ch/PES membrane demonstrated significantly improved responsiveness and adaptability to changes in pH, underscoring its potential as a versatile platform for treating oil-contaminated wastewater of varying chemistries. These findings suggest that the Ch/PES membrane offers a promising, sustainable, and efficient solution for advanced oil/water separation applications. Full article

Additively manufactured continuous fibre-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) offer promising mechanical properties for engineering applications, including aerospace and automotive load-bearing structures. However, challenges such as weak interlayer bonding and low strength compared to traditional composites remain. This paper presents an experimental investigation into the effects of nitrogen (N₂) purging during printing and thermal annealing after printing on the tensile performance of additively manufactured CFRPs. Tensile tests were conducted on Onyx specimens produced by material extrusion and reinforced with continuous carbon fibre filaments (CFF), glass fibre filaments (GFF), or Kevlar fibre filaments (KFF). Results showed that N₂-purging and post-annealing had different effects on the tensile properties of various CFRPs. Particularly, N₂-purging, post-annealing, and their combination enhanced both the Young’s modulus and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of KFF/Onyx specimens. For GFF/Onyx specimens, both treatments had a minor effect on the Young’s modulus but enhanced UTS. CFF/Onyx specimens exhibited improved Young’s modulus with N₂-purging, while both treatments reduced UTS. The different response of the CFRPs was associated with diverse governing failure mechanisms, as proved by microstructural and fracture surface inspection. Additionally, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses also revealed the thermal behaviour and crystal structures that influence the mechanical properties of CFRPs. Full article

Lung cancer is responsible for high morbidity and mortality worldwide. In general, lung cancer can be divided into two major types, including small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and the more common non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Molecular events underlying lung cancer development, growth, and progression remain complex. In addition to a variety of genetic aberrations, alterations in cellular metabolism have been implicated. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a cell surface protein that is frequently mutated in NSCLC. In this review, we discuss the effects of EGFR mutants on cell proliferative and survival signals, as well as metabolic reprogramming, in NSCLC. We also discuss the use and mechanisms of action of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that target EGFR-mutants and mediate their inhibitory effects by inducing cell death. Development of resistance to EGFR-TKIs is a problem in the clinic. We further discuss the approaches that are used to overcome this resistance, including the development of fourth-generation EGFR-TKIs. Immunotherapy is not very effective in EGFR-mutant NSCLC. We also discuss possible underlying mechanisms for the inadequate response of EGFR-mutant tumors to immunotherapeutics. Given that mutant EGFR transduces survival signals, and affects cellular metabolism, a better understanding of the crosstalk between mutant EGFR-mediated signals and metabolic reprogramming is expected to facilitate the development of newer personalized therapeutics to manage lung cancer. Full article

The Thin-Plate Splines (TPS) technique, using Kybic et al.’s generalized interpolation approach, is extended to differentiable manifolds. The initial application to surface mesh deformation resulting from parameterized Computer Aided Design (CAD) used in the framework of shape optimization is given. Coming to RSM (Response Surface Model), we give a comparison with Kriging and RBF (Radial Basis Functions), and an enrichment methodology is proposed. The new approach proposed is a breakthrough for UAV shape design of high-curvature areas. Full article