Research Achievements Research Articles

Directional Liquid Transport in Thin Fibrous Matrices: Enhancement of Advanced Applications.

Directional liquid transport fibrous matrices (DLTFMs) have the unique ability to direct liquid movement in a single direction through their thickness. Beyond their inherent liquid transport function, DLTFMs can also enhance the effectiveness of additional functionalities. This review focuses on recent advances in DLTFMs, particularly the role of DLTs in enhancing secondary functions. We begin with a brief overview of the historical development and major achievements in DLTFM research, followed by an outline of the classification, fabrication techniques, and basic functions derived from their natural liquid transport properties. The integration of DLT to enhance secondary functionalities such as responsiveness, thermal regulation, and wearable technology for innovative applications in various sectors is then discussed. The review concludes with a discussion of key challenges and prospects in the field, including the durability and reliability of DLT performance, the precise regulation of fluid transport rates, the resilience and longevity of DLTFMs in harsh environments, and the impact of DLT variations on performance enhancement. The goal of this review is to stimulate further innovative studies on DLTFMs and to promote their practical implementation in a variety of industries.

The influencing factors of the participation intention and behavior in organized scientific research of young teachers in modern industrial colleges—based on the theory of planned behavior and normative activation theory

Organized scientific research is vital to implementing organized technological innovation in modern industrial colleges. Young teachers’ deep participation determines success. Based on the theory of planned behavior and normative activation, a survey of 309 young teachers from modern industrial colleges participating in organized scientific research found that personal norms, subjective norms, behavioral attitudes, and perceived behavioral control significantly impact their intention to participate. Awareness of consequence, ascribed responsibility, and subjective norms indirectly positively impact their participation intention, and the participation intention and perceived behavioral control positively affect their participation behavior. Policy support has a positive mediating effect between participation intention and behavior. There are group differences in gender, education level, professional title, and subject type in demographic characteristics in five aspects: subjective norms, personal norms, perceived behavioral control, participation intention, and participation behavior. This article proposes the following measures: improving the internal interest coordination mechanism of scientific research organizations to enhance young teachers’ sense of scientific research achievement; reconstructing the organized scientific research evaluation model to enhance young teachers’ teamwork awareness; improving the support system for organized research policies to stimulate young teachers’ self-efficacy; concerning young teachers’ group differences and creating a research environment that tolerates failure.

Clinical applications of human organoids.

Organoids are innovative three-dimensional and self-organizing cell cultures of various lineages that can be used to study diverse tissues and organs. Human organoids have dramatically increased our understanding of developmental and disease biology. They provide a patient-specific model to study known diseases, with advantages over animal models, and can also provide insights into emerging and future health threats related to climate change, zoonotic infections, environmental pollutants or even microgravity during space exploration. Furthermore, organoids show potential for regenerative cell therapies and organ transplantation. Still, several challenges for broad clinical application remain, including inefficiencies in initiation and expansion, increasing model complexity and difficulties with upscaling clinical-grade cultures and developing more organ-specific human tissue microenvironments. To achieve the full potential of organoid technology, interdisciplinary efforts are needed, integrating advances from biology, bioengineering, computational science, ethics and clinical research. In this Review, we showcase pivotal achievements in epithelial organoid research and technologies and provide an outlook for the future of organoids in advancing human health and medicine.

Citrus Flavonoids as Antimicrobials.

Citrus flavonoids are highly bioactive compounds exerting numerous health benefits including anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, mitoprotective and neuroprotective activity. Research on their broad-scope bioactivity experienced a renaissance in the early 2000s and further accelerated after COVID-19,including research on their antimicrobial properties.Summarizing selected research achievements on the antimicrobial activity of the mainCitrusflavonoids, this study aims to provide a unified picture on the antimicrobial properties of these valued compounds that will hopefully assist in the development of flavonoid-based antimicrobials, including antibacterial treatments suitable for clinical use minimizing antimicrobial resistance.

Immunotherapy strategy for treating inflammatory bowel disease based on a nanozyme/total glucosides of paeony hybrid materials

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gastrointestinal inflammatory condition that has long plagued patients. Herein, an innovative oral treatment strategy for IBD is proposed, which utilizes calcium alginate hydrogel as a carrier to deliver Co3O4 nanocages loaded with total glucosides of paeony (TGP) into the body. This design ingeniously exploits the protective properties of the alginate outer layer to ensure that the enzyme is not prematurely degraded when passing through acidic gastric juice. However, upon reaching the inflamed intestinal site, the overexpressed H2O2 there mixes with a specific solution, causing the hydrogel to degrade and release Co3O4@TGP. These negatively charged nanozymes can precisely recognize and accumulate in the inflamed colonic tissue, achieving targeted therapy through their unique charge characteristics. More importantly, Co3O4 itself possesses excellent catalytic activity, effectively consuming excess H2O2 at the site of inflammation and degrading into 10 nm small particles in the process, while simultaneously releasing TGP. Together, they exert dual effects of scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and anti-inflammation. Its therapeutic mechanism involves fine regulation of the expression of key proteins such as TLR7, MYD88, and GAPDH, as well as effective inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway. This series of actions not only reduces the release of various pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as TNF-α, IL-18, IL-1β, IL-6, and HMGB1) but also promotes the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, thereby effectively maintaining the integrity of the intestinal barrier. This research achievement opens up a novel path for the treatment of colitis.

Fire ecology and management in South Africa: A history of research achievements and future challenges

Fire ecology and management in South Africa: A history of research achievements and future challenges

Identifying falsified COVID-19 vaccines by analysing vaccine vial label and excipient profiles using MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry

The rapid development and worldwide distribution of COVID-19 vaccines is a remarkable achievement of biomedical research and logistical implementation. However, these developments are associated with the risk of a surge of substandard and falsified (SF) vaccines, as illustrated by the 184 incidents with SF and diverted COVID-19 vaccines which have been reported during the pandemic in 48 countries, with a paucity of methods for their detection in supply chains. In this context, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation-time of flight (MALDI-ToF) mass spectrometry (MS) is globally available for fast and accurate analysis of bacteria in patient samples, offering a potentially accessible solution to identify SF vaccines. We analysed the COVISHIELD™ COVID-19 vaccine; falsified versions of which were found in India, Myanmar and Uganda. We demonstrate for the first time that analysis of spectra from the vaccine vial label and its adhesive could be used as a novel approach to detect falsified vaccines. Vials tested by this approach could be retained in the supply chain since it is non-invasive. We also assessed whether MALDI-ToF MS could be used to distinguish the COVISHIELD™ vaccine from surrogates of falsified vaccines and the effect of temperature on vaccine stability. Both polysorbate 80 and L-histidine excipients of the genuine vaccine could be detected by the presence of a unique combination of MALDI-ToF MS peaks which allowed us to distinguish between the genuine vaccines and falsified vaccine surrogates. Furthermore, even if a falsified product contained polysorbate 80 at the same concentration as used in the genuine vaccine, the characteristic spectral profile of polysorbate 80 used in genuine products is a reliable internal marker for vaccine authenticity. Our findings demonstrate that MALDI-ToF MS analysis of extracts from vial labels and the vaccine excipients themselves can be used independently to detect falsified vaccines. This approach has the potential to be integrated into the national regulatory standards and WHO’s Prevent, Detect, and Respond strategy as a novel effective tool for detecting falsified vaccines.

Unveiling the life of archaea in sediments: Diversity, metabolic potentials, and ecological roles

AbstractThe domain Archaea was initially characterized as extremophiles upon its proposal. Recent significant discoveries have redrawn our views of archaeal biology, encompassing the identification of mesophilic archaeal groups, the expansion of archaeal diversity and metabolic capabilities, and the elucidation of evolutionary relationships among archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotes. Archaea are ubiquitous and constitute a substantial fraction of the microbial biomass within sediments. Therefore, comprehending their ecological roles is paramount for understanding their contributions to global geochemical cycles. In this review, we summarize the diversity of archaea across various sediment ecosystems, from terrestrial inland to deep‐sea environments, utilizing representative genomes supported by the Genome Taxonomy Database, which encompasses habitats such as hot springs, salt lakes, freshwater lakes, rivers, mangroves, estuaries, coastal regions, seafloor sediments, cold seeps, and hydrothermal vents. Furthermore, we integrate analyses of representative genomes with recent studies to highlight the metabolic potentials, novel enzymatic functions, and significant discoveries related to the carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles across different archaeal lineages. Finally, we discuss recent research hotspots and achievements in archaeal studies, while projecting future exploration directions. The expanding diversity and metabolic capacities of archaea have broadened our perspective on the tree of life and underscored their critical impacts on ecosystems.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION COMPETENCY DEVELOPMENT IN EDUCATION SYSTEM: MODERN STUDIES AND PROSPECTS

The article shows the results of international and Ukrainian experience on the development of information and communication competency of secondary education process participants, based on research and scientific achievements of academic staff of the Comparative Studies Department for Information and Education Innovations of the Institute of Information Technologies and Learning Tools of NAES of Ukraine. The main obstacles for school teachers towards the formation of computer-based learning process are underlined. The article justifies actuality, significance and necessity for creation, development and evaluation of the ICT competency in education, as well as it further investigation in order to make substantial recommendations on the improvement of education system.

Application of Ultrafast Lasers: A Promising Route toward the Fabrication of Advanced Perovskite‐Based Devices

AbstractPerovskite materials have received considerable research attention owing to their high carrier mobility, photoluminescence quantum yield, and light absorption coefficient. Their excellent optoelectronic properties and low material costs make them a strong competitive raw material for future electronic and high‐temperature superconducting materials. In particular, when applied to light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) and solar cells, their high conversion efficiency and relatively simple preparation process make them revolutionary materials that may change the pattern of perovskite‐based devices and overcome the limits of industrialization. However, with the development of technology, traditional preparation and treatment methods for perovskites no longer meet the increasing demands of the industry. Laser technology is widely used owing to its remarkable compatibility with perovskite materials. Therefore, this review summarizes the applications of laser technology to perovskite materials, including laser‐induced nucleation and film formation, laser annealing, laser ablation, laser printing, and laser patterning, discusses the achievements of researchers in using laser technology to regulate perovskites in recent years, and highlights the prospects of perovskite‐based laser technology.

Data Security and Privacy Protection in Artificial Intelligence Models: Challenges and Defense Mechanisms

Artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning algorithms are advancing rapidly, with these emerging technologies being widely applied in areas such as audio-visual recognition and natural language processing. However, in recent years, researchers have identified several security risks in current mainstream AI models, which could hinder the further development of AI technologies. As a result, the issues of data security and privacy protection in AI models have become a focus of research. The data and privacy leakage problems are primarily studied from two perspectives: data leakage based on model outputs and data leakage based on model updates. In the context of model output-based data leakage, the study discusses the principles and research status of model theft attacks, model inversion attacks, and membership inference attacks. In the context of model update-based data leakage, the research focuses on how attackers can steal private data during the distributed training process. Regarding data and privacy protection, three common defense methods are primarily studied: model structure defenses, information obfuscation defenses, and query control defenses. This paper reviews the cutting-edge research achievements in the field of data security and privacy protection in AI deep learning models, focusing on the theoretical foundations, key findings, and related applications of data theft and defense technologies in AI deep learning models. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Data Security, Privacy Leakage, Privacy Protection

Optical Adhesives and Screen Sealants for Foldable Displays: Analysis, Progress and Trends.

The realm of flexible display devices, particularly centered around folding screen smartphones, is undergoing rapid advancements. As integral components, optical adhesives and screen sealants for these devices play pivotal roles in determining their overall performance. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of display technology and display screens, delving into the critical function of optical adhesives within this framework. Notably, light-curing adhesives stand out for their paramount importance in display screen manufacturing, attributed to their swift curing capabilities. We synthesize the key research achievements and concomitant limitations pertaining to the characteristics of diverse flexible optical adhesives compositions over recent years. Furthermore, we delve into the influence of chemical modification techniques applied to various adhesive systems and the integration of physical doping fillers on enhancing the performance of screen sealants.

A Review of AI Applications in Unconventional Oil and Gas Exploration and Development

The development of unconventional oil and gas resources is becoming increasingly challenging, with artificial intelligence (AI) emerging as a key technology driving technological advancement and industrial upgrading in this field. This paper systematically reviews the current applications and development trends of AI in unconventional oil and gas exploration and development, covering major research achievements in geological exploration; reservoir engineering; production forecasting; hydraulic fracturing; enhanced oil recovery; and health, safety, and environment management. This paper reviews how deep learning helps predict gas distribution and classify rock types. It also explains how machine learning improves reservoir simulation and history matching. Additionally, we discuss the use of LSTM and DNN models in production forecasting, showing how AI has progressed from early experiments to fully integrated solutions. However, challenges such as data quality, model generalization, and interpretability remain significant. Based on existing work, this paper proposes the following future research directions: establishing standardized data sharing and labeling systems; integrating domain knowledge with engineering mechanisms; and advancing interpretable modeling and transfer learning techniques. With next-generation intelligent systems, AI will further improve efficiency and sustainability in unconventional oil and gas development.

The Resistance Movement in Latvia during the Nazi German Occupation (1941–1945): Research Problems and Achievements

The Resistance Movement in Latvia during the Nazi German Occupation (1941–1945): Research Problems and Achievements

Research on Benefit Distribution of Old Residential Area Renovation Projects under the New PPP Mechanism

The introduction of the new PPP mechanism will bring about huge changes in the implementation methods and revenue sources of old residential area renovation PPP projects implemented in the past in China. In order to cope with thechanges brought about by the new PPP mechanism and ensure the smooth implementation of the project, it is necessary to study and explore the scientific and reasonable revenue distribution mechanism for old residential area renovation projects under the new PPP mechanism. Based on the research achievements of predecessors and the characteristics of the project, this paper determines the four indicators of resource input ratio, risk allocation ratio, innovation ability, and community residents' satisfaction as the influencing factors of project revenue distribution, and uses them to revise the initial Shapley value revenue distribution model. The paper then conducts an empirical analysis of the M old residential area renovation project in H City as an example. After the revision, the social capital will receive higher project revenue allocation than the initial allocation value due to its greater resource input, greater risk allocation proportion, stronger innovation ability, and higher community residents' satisfaction, verifying the fairness and rationality of the revenue distribution model constructed in this paper and its ability to motivate the participation entities to improve both the economic and social benefits of the project and promote the successful completion of the project. The research content of this paper can provide ideas for the revenue distribution scheme research of old residential area renovation projects under the new PPP mechanism, and has certain reference value.

Recent Research Progress in Microchannel Heat Sink Technology

As electronic devices continue to miniaturize and experience higher power densities, thermal management has become a critical factor limiting their performance and reliability. Microchannel heat sinks (MCHS) have emerged as a promising heat dissipation solution due to their excellent thermal performance and compact structure. Thermal resistance and pump power are two key performance indicators of MCHS. In recent years, significant efforts have been made to enhance the heat dissipation capacity of MCHS and reduce pump power, leading to numerous research achievements. This paper reviews the recent progress in microchannel heat sink research, including its working principles, design optimization, manufacturing processes, performance evaluation, and applications in various fields. Additionally, the challenges faced by MCHS and future development directions are discussed

Research progresses and hotspots on glucose metabolic reprogramming in breast cancer: a bibliometric analysis over the past two decades.

Abnormal energy metabolism is a prominent characteristic of cancers. Increasing evidence has suggested the involvement of glucose metabolism reprogramming in the progression of breast cancer (BC). This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of glucose metabolism reprogramming in BC through a bibliometric analysis. Relevant literatures published from 2004 to 2024 were searched in the Web of Science Core Collection database, and a bibliometric analysis was conducted using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Bibliometrix. In total, 957 publications reporting glucose metabolism reprogramming in BC were included, showing an increasing trend in the annual publication outputs. China ranked first in publication outputs, and the United States of America (USA) had a dominant place in citation counts. The research achievements of Thomas Jefferson University in the USA were at the forefront and widely cited. Lisanti, Michael P., and Sotgia, Federica were the most productive authors. Keyword analysis suggested that the mechanisms of glucose metabolism reprogramming in BC and related therapeutic strategies were the research hotspots. This study, for the first time, elucidated the progresses and hotspots of in the research on glucose metabolism reprogramming in BC, highlighting its potential role in treating BC. Considering that the glycolytic reprogramming of BC is a complex biological process, it is imperative for countries to enhance cooperation in the pursuit of effective antimetabolic therapies to overcome challenges in BC treatment.

Innovative applications of nanotechnology in neuroscience and brain-computer interfaces

The innovative application of nanotechnology in neuroscience and brain-computer interfaces is running a revolutionary revolution. By precisely controlling ministerial size, shape and surface properties, scientists have designed highly compatible nanomaterials with neural cells and show great potential in accurately recording and stimulating neural signals and the regeneration and repair of neural tissue. These innovative applications not only improve our cognition and understanding of the nervous system but also offer new strategies and tools for the treatment of neurological diseases. The application of nanotechnology in neuroscience and brain-computer interfaces also faces challenges in biocompatibility, safety, long-term effects, and cost. In the future, with the continuous progress of technology and the deepening of interdisciplinary research, we have reason to believe that nanotechnology will play a more important role in the interface of neuroscience and brain-computer, and make a greater contribution to the cause of human health. This paper reviews the latest research achievements and technological progress in this field, prospects for its future trends and identifies the challenges and research directions to follow.

Introduction: 2024 Franz Edelman Award for Achievement in Advanced Analytics, Operations Research, and Management Science

This special issue of the INFORMS Journal on Applied Analytics (formerly Interfaces) is devoted to the finalists of the 2024 annual competition for the Franz Edelman Award for Achievement in Advanced Analytics, Operations Research, and Management Science, the profession’s most prestigious award for deployed work. As in previous years, the finalists this year cover a wide range of industries and functions.

Review on Cowpea Production, Utilization and Research Achievements in Ethiopia

Review on Cowpea Production, Utilization and Research Achievements in Ethiopia