Propagation-invariant spatiotemporal vortices.

Textile memristor is the decision-making center of a bionic neuromorphic intelligent textile system and presents a promising opportunity for the incorporation of intricate information processing components within the architecture of flexible electronic textiles. This architecture, characterized by its cross-bar configuration and adaptability, positions textile memristors as a highly promising avenue for the future advancement of wearable electronic devices. Here, carbon fiber is chosen as electrode, and the memristor functional layer is made up of a high-performance and reliable BiOI/TiO₂ heterogeneous interface synthesized hydrothermally. The textile memristor exhibits an average set voltage of ≈0.78 V, set voltage deviation of 12.3%, long retention time (>10⁴ s) and high on/off ratio (>10⁵). Simultaneously, the observed self-rectification, room-temperature negative differential resistance (NDR) effect and biological synaptic phenomenon offer the possibility of further neuromorphic applications. Subsequently, the pressure sensor was integrated onto the textile memristor to construct an intelligent textile system. Especially through self built datasets and neural network calculations, the gesture recognition rate of the system reached 98.5%, maintaining a high level under the influence of 20% Gaussian noise (64%). This textile memristor arrays supply great memristive performance, steady device distribution, and good mechanical strength, indicating a reliable direction for the next generation of integrated textile electrical systems.

Boron-containing compounds (BCC) are attracting attention in drug design. Certain chemical features invite the exploration of efficacious interactions on known and potential drug targets for human use. The objective of this study is to analyze the reported crystal structure studies to determine trends resulting from the inclusion of boron atoms in potential drugs. Published data in the Protein Data Bank (PDB) with at least one BCC were analyzed; both ligands and targets were analyzed to describe the inferred or reported biological activity and the potential application as a drug in the treatment of human diseases. Data from the PDB indicated targets for certain infectious diseases and cancers; however, potential treatments may extend to many other human pathologies as a consequence of the careful analysis of BCCs with proteins. All classes of enzymes and receptors have been crystallized with BCCs as ligands with most complexes demonstrating interactions in the regions known as relevant to protein function. The number of crystallized BCC-proteins complexes is increasing, and the variability of proteins expands the possibilities of medical applications. Currently, most systems are related to cancer growth and treatment, but deeper analysis may expand BCC utility and efficacy to many other chronic and degenerative diseases.

The results of experimental studies on the effect of shungite crushed stone on the therapeutic mineral waters of the sanatorium "Belokurikha" (Altai), used for the treatment of complex chronic diseases, are presented. The experiment was carried out using various samples of mineral waters pretreated with a natural mineral – shungite (Karelia), which includes fullerene C₆₀, which is a special allotropic molecular modification of carbon. Samples of artificial and natural shungite water were taken as comparison samples. It has been established that the main sensitive indicator of the quality of the studied water systems is their redox potential. Two possible mechanisms of action of fullerenes on mineral waters are presented. The fact of accelerated decay of residual radiation of radionuclides in the presence of fullerene, which performs the function of a mediator-accelerator of decay for them, is noted. The possibilities of practical application of shungite for the effective use of therapeutic natural waters of the Altai are evaluated. The effect of structuring water systems after contact with shungite has been established, based on changes in three main physico-chemical parameters: redox potential, specific electrical conductivity, and pH. The paper presents possible options and mechanisms for structuring water systems based on mineral therapeutic radon waters of Altai in their contact with shungite due to the presence of molecular carbon-fullerene in it. Based on the peculiarities of the RP change, new scientific data on the various effects of interaction of Altai radon therapeutic waters with fullerenes have been established. The possibility of both increasing and decreasing the redox potential has been experimentally proven, which makes it possible, if necessary, to radically change the therapeutic properties and functions of mineral radon waters.

Catechins, the main active components of tea polyphenols, boast remarkable antioxidant activities because of their unique structures. This translates to a range of potential health benefits, including fighting antibacterial, inflammation, and even cancers. However, extracting these beneficial compounds can be tricky as they're prone to degradation. Thankfully, recent advancements have yielded successful methods for isolating and purifying catechins, allowing us to obtain them in their purest form. The power of catechins isn't just theoretical. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated promising results in treating various conditions like inflammation, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and more. This review dives deep into the methods used to extract, isolate, and purify catechins. Additionally, it explores their potent antioxidant activities and exciting possibilities for future applications.

Hydrogel actuators have shown promising applications in biomedical devices, wearable electronics, and soft robotics. To fulfill practical applications, hydrogel actuators must achieve high-speed adaptive motion, programmable large-strain actuation and 3Dmorphing ability, however, the fabrication of such actuators remains a challenge. In this work, temperature responsive gradient hydrogel is prepared through the UV-absorbing effects of the precursors at specific wavelength of UV light during photopolymerization. Moreover, chito-oligosaccharides (COS) are introduced to enhance the hydrogel's gradient structure by migrating to the low-density side during photopolymerization and acting as porogen, resulting in a hydrogel with an ultrafast bending rate (190°/s) and large amplitude (760°). Furthermore, a light-responsive gradient hydrogel can be easily fabricated using the "naturally derived" genipin-crosslinked gelatin network as the photothermal transducer. By employing the photomask techniques to customize the local gradient structures, hydrogels with programmable 3D1-to-3D2 deformation behavior are realized. Inspired by inchworms and springtails, the hydrogels are pre-programmed to harness its fast-response and large-amplitude deformation, enabling light-driven soft robots to achieve biomimetic actuation, including tumbling, jumping, and crawling. This programmable, fast-response, 3D shape-morphing gradient hydrogel actuator expands the possibilities for applications in complex dynamic systems, including soft robotics and bionic devices.

Background. The study is devoted to the analysis of individual perception of contemplated objects. The works of Enlightenment philosophers are examined from the perspective of studying the cognition of image reflection, its internal and external definiteness in terms of the constituent features of beauty and pragmatic application. The author has determined that “beauty” in a perfect image represents the unity of subjective and objective perception. The purposeof the study is to identify and correlate subjective and objective perception of the image in the aesthetics of Enlightenment philosophers. Materials and methods.Research methods: comparative analysis, synthesis and generalization, historical and logical analysis of approaches to studying the concepts of Enlightenment philosophers, and bibliographic analysis in selecting scientific literature on the research topic. The concepts of G. Hegel, I. Kant, and D. Diderot served as the material for the research. Results.The Enlightenment period is characterized by the replacement of religious perception of the divine side of the creation of the world and man with a transition to rational and reasonable criteria for understanding the social and world order. The ideas of the individual began to be identified with the concept of reason, and the ideal of existence was filled with ideas of external and internal perfection. The work analyzes the concept of “beauty” and notes that philosophers identified this concept not with the free beauty that arises in the images of the contemplator, but filled it with internal expediency, the possibility of pragmatic application. The article examines “beauty” in its subjective perception of the surrounding world, noting that it does not exist separately from the mind of the individual and his interest in the object, noting that it is man who is capable of feeling the internal significance of the object. It is concluded that Enlightenment philosophers had a rational conceptual basis for contemplating an object, subjectively considering it beautiful, singling it out among the objects of their perception, endowing it with expediency and positive qualities. The practical significanceof the work is due to the fact that the results can be used by specialists in the field of aesthetics, as well as when working on the creation of an object or image that consolidates internal and external perfection, and when developing analytical and prognostic solutions in the field of studying the authority of the human personality and the sustainable development of self-awareness.

Recently, near-infrared (NIR) circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) has emerged as a research hotspot owing to its unique application prospects. Atomic precision Au clusters (AuCs) have shown excellent biocompatibility and characteristic emission in the NIR region, and have found various applications in biosensing and imaging. Here, we achieve stable and highly dissymmetric CPL in both visible and NIR regions from cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) overlaid on a uniform AuCs film. The glum factors (Maximum 2) in the visible and the NIR regions reach 1.8 and 0.7, respectively. AuCs films are prepared by the anti-solvent precipitation method for the first time. By overlaying wide-band CLCs on the AuCs film, dual CPL is simultaneously realized in both visible and NIR regions. Based on the intrinsic properties of CLCs, electrically tunable, thermally reversible and optically tunable CPL from CLCs/AuCs composites are successfully demonstrated. These features of CLCs/AuCs composites offer possibilities for applications in cryptography and anti-counterfeiting.

PurposeThis study aims to design and characterize Oligomeric Proanthocyanidin-Tetrandrine nanoparticles (OPC-Tet NPs) in alleviating progress of osteoarthritis (OA) by anti-inflammatory and anti-ferroptosis mechanism.MethodsA carrier-free drug delivery system (DDS) has been designed based on OPC and Tet with the unification of medicines and excipients. In vitro studies have evaluated biosafety, cellular internalization, suppression of oxidative stress, and maintaining iron homeostasis in RAW 264.7 cells. The treatment efficacy and mechanism were investigated by using the papain-induced OA mouse model.ResultsOPC and Tet were successfully self-assembled into NPs with a particle size of 153 nm approximately, exhibiting a spherical morphology, and narrow size distribution. In vitro results indicated that OPC-Tet NPs exhibit good biocompatibility with 78.4% cell viability at a concentration of 40 μg/mL. The results from micro-CT and pathological staining demonstrate that OPC-Tet NPs can effectively improve bone volume fraction (BV/TV [%]) by 30.5% compared to model group (P < 0.001). Furthermore, IHC experiments showed that OPC-Tet NPs could mediate inflammation and ferroptosis to manage OA.ConclusionIn summary, our results demonstrate OPC-Tet NPs show good biocompatibility, and treatment effect. The treatment mechanism of anti-inflammation and anti-ferroptosis were also verified. The current research not only offers a new strategy to manage OA but also provides more possibilities for potential application of natural products.

The article reports for the first time the application of a solid silver microelectrode array for the anodic stripping voltammetric determination of thallium(I) ions (Tl(I)). The microelectrode properties of the presented sensor were tested. The proposed solid metal microelectrode array is characterized by its eco-friendly nature due to the use of non-toxic electrode material. The advantage of this procedure is that no surface modification of the microelectrode was required. The optimization of the procedure for determining Tl(I) was performed. The experimental parameters (e.g., pH of supporting electrolyte, conditions of activation step, potential and time of deposition, effects of possible interferences) were investigated. The dependence of the thallium peak current on its concentration was linear in the range from 5 × 10−10 to 1 × 10−7 mol·L−1 (deposition time of 120 s). The estimated detection limit was 1.35 × 10−10 mol·L−1. The repeatability of the procedure expressed as RSD% for a Tl(I) concentration of 2 × 10−8 mol·L−1 was 3.6% (n = 5). The proposed procedure was applied for determining Tl(I) in certified reference materials and for studying recovery in the environmental water sample. The obtained results indicated the possibility of an analytical application of the elaborated procedure in practice.

Fatty acids (FAs) can be used as a carbon and energy source by most bacteria. FAs are diverse and show variations in aliphatic chain length, degree and kind of branching, and number of double bonds. After activation by a thioester link to coenzyme A (CoA), FAs are degraded by the β-oxidation machinery. The core β-oxidation enzymes can degrade most FAs, except those that bear an unsaturation at even-numbered carbons. Such FAs include the essential arachidonic and linoleic FAs of the mammalian diet. We studied the role of the 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase FadH in E. coli FA metabolism. We showed that fadH is essential for growth on linoleic acid and that cysteine residues connecting the FadH-bound [Fe-S] cluster are essential for activity in vivo. Eukaryotes also use 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductases for β-oxidation in mitochondria, but these enzymes belong to a different family than FadH, with different co-factors and mechanism. Yet, we showed that eukaryotic 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductases DECR can complement the E. coli fadH mutant for growth on linoleic acid. Moreover, we found that when mixed with other FAs, linoleic acid prevents the growth of the fadH mutant. This was shown to result from the jamming of the β-oxidation by unprocessed linoleic acid, and this blocking was relieved by producing FadH or eukaryotic DECRs. These studies demonstrate the key role of prokaryotic and eukaryotic 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductases in complex environments containing mixtures of saturated and unsaturated FAs, and might pave the way to search for chemicals targeting DECR activity.IMPORTANCEBacteria and eukaryotes can harness energy from fatty acids (FAs) through the process of β-oxidation. However, information on the β-oxidation in bacteria stems from studies in which degradation of only a limited set of saturated or monounsaturated FAs was investigated, far from reflecting the wide chemical diversity of FAs found in nature. Here, we evidenced the physiological importance of dienoyl-CoA reductase enzymes required for the degradation of specific unsaturated FAs in complex mixtures of FAs, and how their absence leads to the congestion of the β-oxidation machinery. These results will permit a better understanding of the impact of FA degradation in enterobacteria, living in the complex gut environment where FAs are available from the diet or from host lipids. Furthermore, we showed that eukaryotic enzymes can replace the prokaryotic ones, opening the possibility of biomedical application in structure/function studies of the eukaryotic dienoyl-CoA reductases.

Optical skyrmions have recently gained significant importance in the optical field due to their unique topological properties, which exhibit a topologically protected structure. This offered exciting possibilities for advanced photonics applications, including information storage and optical communication. We herein demonstrate the application of optical skyrmions in information science, specifically in image encoding, decoding, and encryption, utilizing an optical skyrmion generation system. Additionally, this robust technique, with a compact experimental configuration, was utilized to generate versatile optical skyrmions by employing a single spatial light modulator through polarization-selective modulation of optical fields with a non-zero radial index. Experimental configurations were demonstrated to produce optical skyrmions in fundamental laser beams with high radial mode conversion effectiveness. Experimental and simulation results were presented to verify the feasibility of the proposed system.

In this study, we investigated the development of flexibleandnanopatterned hybrid films composed of silk sericin (SS) and gellangum (GG) for photonic applications. GG is widely recognized for itsability to form free-standing films with excellent transparency andflexibility, whereas pristine SS films often exhibit limited mechanicaland optical performance. By combining SS and GG, we engineered compositefilms with improved functionality while maintaining high transparency,unlocking new possibilities for diverse applications in biophotonics.Here, soft lithography was employed to fabricate transparent nanostructuredSSGG composite films with different geometries. Additionally, we successfullyfabricated high-quality, red-emissive optical SSGG composite filmsby incorporating Eu3+ ions at low concentrations. A comprehensivecharacterization of the composite film’s structure was achievedthrough an integrative approach, combining scanning electron microscopy,atomic force microscopy, vibrational spectroscopy, and thermogravimetricanalyses. The interaction between the biopolymer-based films and lanthanideions was explored, revealing significant modifications in their spectroscopicprofile, particularly in the excitation process. We present a possibleenergy transfer mechanism from biopolymers to the Eu3+ ionsand discuss the 5D0 excited-statelifetime, suggesting coordination within either hydrophilic or hydrophobicenvironments. Our findings demonstrate that the spectroscopic behaviorof the films varies with the preparation method, highlighting thepotential for tuning optical properties through material design. Theseresults provide new insights for applications in sensors, smart materials,and optical devices, expanding the scope of biobased photonics.

This research paper explores the utilization of recycled textiles in manufacturing consumer-utility products, examining the environmental, economic, and social impacts of textile recycling. Through literature review and industry analysis, the research explores methodologies for textile recycling, performance results of recycled materials, and real-world applications in consumer products, ranging from apparel to home furnishings. The study highlights significant reductions in water and energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and landfill waste when recycled fibres are used in place of virgin materials. Companies such as Adidas, IKEA, and Patagonia exemplify the successful integration of recycled fibres into apparel, home goods, and accessories, demonstrating both cost efficiency and market growth driven by sustainability-conscious consumers. Technological advances in mechanical and chemical recycling have improved fibre quality, opening new possibilities for broader application. While challenges such as contamination and sorting remain, ongoing innovation and collaborations are driving progress. The paper discusses how policy, design innovation, and consumer awareness can help overcome these barriers. We conclude that recycled textiles offer a viable path to more sustainable consumer products, provided systemic changes in the supply chain, regulation, and investment accompany them. Ultimately, the adoption of recycled textiles supports the circular economy, fosters brand reputation, and proves economically viable for manufacturers, making it a critical strategy for advancing sustainability in the global textile and consumer goods industries.

Next-generation smart-lubrication materials that combine long-lasting low friction with extreme wear resistance are in high demand for advanced manufacturing fields yet remain a significant challenge. Inspired by natural composite structures, we successfully fabricated a novel solid-liquid synergistic smart-lubrication material by depositing a diamond-like carbon (DLC) film onto porous polyimide (PPI) and impregnating it with oil (OCPPI-DLC). OCPPI-DLC adaptively regulates oil supply reabsorption in response to external stimuli while synergizing solid-liquid lubrication, resulting in a long-lasting low friction coefficient, extreme wear resistance, and long-term operational stability under alternating working conditions. This work not only delivers a high-performance smart-lubrication material but also opens up new possibilities for applications in advanced manufacturing and aerospace technologies.

The design of a water treatment plant requires thorough analysis of water quality, capacity, location, and reliable technologies. Groundwater sources with elevated levels of organic matter, color, arsenic, and dissolved gases represent a particular challenge for treatment. In this study, the application of dissolved air flotation (DAF) was systematically investigated as a pretreatment method for groundwater purification. Jar test experiments were conducted to evaluate the removal of total organic carbon (TOC), color, and arsenic under various coagulant dosages. The results demonstrated that DAF achieved up to 65% TOC removal and significant arsenic reduction, while also improving water color. Compared with conventional pretreatment, optimized DAF conditions provided higher efficiency and practical applicability for real-world water treatment plant design. The findings highlight the potential of DAF as an effective technology for addressing complex groundwater contamination and contribute to expanding its use beyond conventional surface water treatment.

Consumer concerns about the negative impact of synthetic dyes on their health have prompted manufacturers to use natural dyes. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L. species) is abundant in betalains, naturally occurring pigments that are water-soluble, with pronounced antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antitumor properties. Its availability and ease of application make beetroot an attractive option for dairy producers as both a natural and functional colorant. However, betalains’ chemical instability limits their wide application. Temperature, pH, water activity, oxygen, light, chelating agents, pigment concentration, storage and processing conditions are some of the factors affecting their stability. In this brief desk review, we will look at the possibilities for applications of beetroot as a natural colorant in dairy products and changes that occur under various storage and production conditions.

This paper presents soliton solutions of the fractional (2+1)-dimensional Davey–Stewartson equation based on a local fractional derivative to represent wave packet propagation in dispersive media under both spatial and temporal effects. The importance of this work is in demonstrating how fractional derivatives represent a more capable modeling tool compared to conventional integer-order methods since they include anomalous dispersion, nonlocal interactions, and memory effects typical in most physical systems in nature. The main objective of this research is to build and examine a broad family of soliton solutions such as bright, dark, singular, bright–dark, and periodic forms, and to explore the influence of fractional orders on their amplitude, width, and dynamical stability. Specific focus is given to the comparison of the behavior of fractional-order solutions with that of traditional integer-order models so as to further the knowledge on fractional calculus and its role in governing nonlinear wave dynamics in fluids, plasmas, and other multifunctional media. Methodologically, this study uses the fractional complex transform together with a new mapping technique, which transforms the fractional Davey–Stewartson equation into solvable nonlinear ordinary differential equations. Such a systematic methodology allows one to derive various families of solitons and form a basis for investigation of nonlinear fractional systems in the general case. Numerical simulations, given in the form of three-dimensional contour maps, density plots, and two-dimensional, demonstrate stability and propagation behavior of the derived solitons. The findings not only affirm the validity of the devised analytic method but also promise possibilities of useful applications in fluid dynamics, plasma physics, and nonlinear optics, where wave structure manipulation using fractional parameters can result in increased performance and novel capabilities.

Abstract The age of trees in forests, open land, or urban areas is important for biodiversity monitoring, sustainable management, or hazard assessment; but it is often unknown. The height of trees, on the other hand, is often known from remote sensing or can be measured easily and non-destructively. However, there is a sigmoidal relationship between tree age and height, whose inverse function can be used to estimate age from height. Here, we compiled measurements of tree height and age from pre-dominant and dominant trees on long-term experimental plots for the parameterization of a density- and site index-dependent height-age function, tree height = $${\text{f}}_{1}$$ f 1 (tree age, site index, stand density). The study focused on Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karst.), Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.), European beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.), and sessile and common oak ( Quercus robur L. and Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) in Central Europe. The extended Chapman-Richard function was used and its inverse function tree age = $${\text{f}}_{2}$$ f 2 (tree height, site index, SDI) enables age estimation from tree height. To quantify prediction uncertainty, a non-parametric bootstrap was applied to the inverted model, providing height-dependent 95% confidence intervals that account for both parameter variability and the non-linearity of the inversion. The accuracy of the age estimation was higher for low and medium height trees ( $$11-21\%$$ 11 - 21 % ) and decreased with tree height ( $$14-22\%$$ 14 - 22 % ), a pattern confirmed by the bootstrap-derived confidence intervals. We discussed the application possibilities and limitations of the functions for estimating tree age in the context of monitoring, inventory, evaluation or management of forests or urban trees.

Silicon and its composites are key materials owing to their extensive use in the semiconductor industry. While the diamond-structured form dominates, other allotropes with superior properties at ambient conditions remain of interest. Toward this, Si46 clathrate type-I crystals containing alkali/alkaline-earth metals have been extensively studied, but the experimental observation of a guest-free Si46 structure has been challenging. Using advanced electron microscopy, we show experimental evidence of guest-free clathrate-I Si46 framework from Ba8-xSi46 under in situ heating. We reveal the stepwise Ba evacuation process, starting with loss of Ba1 from the smaller cages to form Ba6Si46, followed by removal of Ba2 in larger cages to reach Si46 that appears in the thin region of the nanocrystal with a thickness around 4-6 nm at 500 °C. Calculations give a quasi-direct bandgap of 1.89 eV and support the preferential evacuation of Ba1. The observation of this guest-free Si46 framework opens up possibilities for applications in high-speed transistors, optoelectronic devices or solar cell technologies.