Current State Of Research Research Articles

Nickel–Nitrogen–Carbon (Ni–N–C) Electrocatalysts Toward CO2 electroreduction to CO: Advances, Optimizations, Challenges, and Prospects

Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 into high energy‐density fuels and value‐added chemicals under mild conditions can promote the sustainable cycle of carbon and decrease current energy and environmental problems. Constructing electrocatalyst with high activity, selectivity, stability, and low cost is really matter to realize industrial application of electrocatalytic CO2 reduction (ECR). Metal–nitrogen–carbon (M–N–C), especially Ni–N–C, display excellent performance, such as nearly 100% CO selectivity, high current density, outstanding tolerance, etc., which is considered to possess broad application prospects. Based on the current research status, starting from the mechanism of ECR and the existence form of Ni active species, the latest research progress of Ni–N–C electrocatalysts in CO2 electroreduction is systematically summarized. An overview is emphatically interpreted on the regulatory strategies for activity optimization over Ni–N–C, including N coordination modulation, vacancy defects construction, morphology design, surface modification, heteroatom activation, and bimetallic cooperation. Finally, some urgent problems and future prospects on designing Ni–N–C catalysts for ECR are discussed. This review aims to provide the guidance for the design and development of Ni–N–C catalysts with practical application.

Order-disorder structural engineering of vanadium oxide anode: Balancing ionic and electronic dynamic for fast-charging aqueous Li-ion battery

Fast-charging aqueous lithium-ion batteries (ALIBs) are considered as promising energy storage devices because of their non-flammability and environmentally friendly characteristics. However, how to balance the ionic and electronic dynamics for fast charging reactions remains a significant challenge under the current research status. Here, the order-disorder structural engineering strategy is adopted to resolve this issue, considering the difference between ion and electron transportation in the crystalline and amorphous phases, respectively. Vanadium oxide anodes were developed with optimized ionic and electronic dynamics by using an organic-inorganic hybrid material as a precursor along with refined regulation on the calcination temperature and time. This facile and large-scale extendable approach harnesses the benefits of the order-disorder structure to optimize Li+ storage efficiency and facilitate the high reversibility of Li-ion during fast charging. Consequently, the order-disorder V2O5-based full cell with LiMn2O4 as a cathode exhibits high specific capacity (262.71 mAh g−1, 89.35 % of the theoretical capacity of V2O5), high energy density (166.04 Wh kg−1), fast Li-ion diffusion coefficient (7.34×10−5 cm2 s−1) and fast-charging performance (only 6 min achieves 82.84 % of initial state-of-charge capacity). This work explores the ionic and electronic dynamic of ordered-disorder structure and offers new insights into the development of fast-charging metal ion batteries.

The effect of macrophages and their exosomes in ischemic heart disease

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide, with immune regulation playing a crucial role in its pathogenesis. Various immune cells are involved, and as one of the key immune cells residing in the heart, macrophages play an indispensable role in the inflammatory and reparative processes during cardiac ischemia. Exosomes, extracellular vesicles containing lipids, nucleic acids, proteins, and other bioactive molecules, have emerged as important mediators in the regulatory functions of macrophages and hold promise as a novel therapeutic target for IHD. This review summarizes the regulatory mechanisms of different subsets of macrophages and their secreted exosomes during cardiac ischemia over the past five years. It also discusses the current status of clinical research utilizing macrophages and their exosomes, as well as strategies to enhance their therapeutic efficacy through biotechnology. The aim is to provide valuable insights for the treatment of IHD.

Research Progress in High-Temperature-Resistant Electromagnetic Wire

Electromagnetic wire is the carrier of energy and signal transmission. With the rapid development in aerospace, atomic energy, and other industrial fields, there is an increasing demand for the high-temperature-resistance of electromagnetic wires. In using traditional electromagnetic wires, it is difficult to meet the current temperature-resistance requirements. Therefore, the development of high-temperature-resistant electromagnetic wire has extremely important application value. In this paper, high-temperature-resistant electromagnetic wires are divided into organic insulated high-temperature-resistant electromagnetic wires, organic–inorganic insulated composite high-temperature-resistant electromagnetic wires, and inorganic insulated high-temperature-resistant electromagnetic wires. The method of improving the temperature-resistance level of organic insulated high-temperature-resistant electromagnetic wire is introduced. The selection principle of organic–inorganic and inorganic insulation high-temperature-resistant electromagnetic-wire conductor materials is analyzed. The current research status of organic–inorganic and inorganic insulated high-temperature-resistant electromagnetic wires is reviewed. The technical routes for preparing inorganic insulated high-temperature-resistant electromagnetic wire are compared. Finally, the challenges faced by the current high-temperature-resistant electromagnetic wire are pointed out, and the future development direction of organic–inorganic-composite insulation and inorganic insulation high-temperature-resistant electromagnetic wire is proposed.

Transformer-based intelligent fault diagnosis methods of mechanical equipment: A survey

Abstract Transformer is extensively employed in natural language processing, and computer vision (CV), with the self-attention structure. Due to its outstanding long-range dependency modeling and parallel computing capability, some leading researchers have recently attempted to apply Transformer to intelligent fault diagnosis tasks for mechanical equipment, and have achieved remarkable results. Physical phenomena such as changes in vibration, sound, and heat play a crucial role in the research of mechanical equipment fault diagnosis, which directly reflects the operational status and potential faults of mechanical equipment. Currently, intelligent fault diagnosis of mechanical equipment based on monitoring signals such as vibration, sound, and temperature using Transformer-based models remains a popular research topic. While some review literature has explored the related principles and application scenarios of Transformer, there is still a lack of research on its application in intelligent fault diagnosis tasks for mechanical equipment. Therefore, this work begins by examining the current research status of fault diagnosis methods for mechanical equipment. This study first provides a brief overview of the development history of Transformer, outlines its basic structure and principles, and analyzes the characteristics and advantages of its model structure. Next it focuses on three model variants of Transformer that have generated a significant impact in the field of CV. Following that, the research progress and current challenges of Transformer-based intelligent fault diagnosis methods for mechanical equipment are discussed. Finally, the future development direction of Transformer in the field of mechanical equipment fault diagnosis is proposed.

Application and potential value of curcumin in prostate cancer: a meta-analysis based on animal models

IntroductionCurcumin is gaining recognition as an agent for cancer chemoprevention and is presently administered to humans. However, the limited number of clinical trials conducted for the treatment of prostate cancer is noteworthy. Animal models serve as valuable tools for enhancing our understanding of disease mechanisms and etiology in humans. The objective of this study was to examine the anti-prostate cancer effects of curcumin in vivo for comprehending its current research status and potential clinical applicability.MethodsOur methodology involved a systematic exploration of animal studies pertaining to curcumin and prostate cancer, as documented in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang database, Vip database, and SinoMed, up to 03 September 2023. Risk of bias was assessed using the SYRCLE Animal Study Risk of Bias tool. The results were combined using the RevMan 5.3.ResultsA comprehensive analysis was conducted on 17 studies encompassing 263 mouse transplantation tumor models. The findings of this meta-analysis demonstrated that curcumin exhibited a superior inhibitory effect on the volume of prostate cancer tumors in mice compared to the control group (standardized mean difference [SMD]: 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.52, 1.80, p < 0.001). Additionally, curcumin displayed a more effective inhibition of mice prostate cancer tumor weight (SMD: −3.27, 95% CI: −4.70, −1.83, p < 0.001). Furthermore, in terms of tumor inhibition rate, curcumin exhibited greater efficacy (SMD: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.27, p < 0.001). Moreover, curcumin more effectively inhibited PCNA mRNA (SMD: −3.11, 95% CI: −4.60, −1.63, p < 0.001) and MMP2 mRNA (SMD: −3.19, 95% CI: 5.85, −0.53, p < 0.001).ConclusionCurcumin exhibited inhibitory properties towards prostate tumor growth and demonstrated a beneficial effect on prostate cancer treatment, thereby offering substantiation for further clinical investigations. It is important to acknowledge that the included animal studies exhibited considerable heterogeneity, primarily because of the limited number of studies included. Consequently, additional randomized controlled trials are required to comprehensively assess the efficacy of curcumin in humans.Systematic Review Registration(https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023464661), identifier (CRD42023464661).

Ferroptosis: emerging roles in lung cancer and potential implications in biological compounds

Lung cancer has high metastasis and drug resistance. The prognosis of lung cancer patients is poor and the patients’ survival chances are easily neglected. Ferroptosis is a programmed cell death proposed in 2012, which differs from apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy. Ferroptosis is a novel type of regulated cell death which is driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and subsequent plasma membrane ruptures. It has broad prospects in the field of tumor disease treatment. At present, multiple studies have shown that biological compounds can induce ferroptosis in lung cancer cells, which exhibits significant anti-cancer effects, and they have the advantages in high safety, minimal side effects, and less possibility to drug resistance. In this review, we summarize the biological compounds used for the treatment of lung cancer by focusing on ferroptosis and its mechanism. In addition, we systematically review the current research status of combining nanotechnology with biological compounds for tumor treatment, shed new light for targeting ferroptosis pathways and applying biological compounds-based therapies.

Curcumin based polyurethane materials and their functional applications: a review

Abstract Biobased polyurethane is a novel material with potential advantages for sustainable development, and its development plays a significant role in promoting sustainability. Curcumin, a natural monomer, possesses high biological activity and features a symmetrical chemical structure with various functional groups such as phenolic hydroxyl, carbonyl, and benzene ring. The presence of hydroxyl groups in the structure of curcumin provides essential conditions for its involvement in polyurethane synthesis.This review article provides an overview of the applications of curcumin as a chain extender, crosslinking agent, and end-capper in polyurethane, as well as its effects on the chemical structure, mechanical properties, and chemical stability of polyurethane. Furthermore, the functional applications of curcumin-based polyurethane in various fields such as medicine, food packaging, and coatings are discussed. Finally, considering the current research status and inherent properties of curcumin, the future prospects of curcumin-based polyurethane are contemplated.

Current Status of Research on Wildland Fire Impacts on Soil Environment and Soil Organisms and Hotspots Visualization Analysis

Ecosystems are frequently disturbed by fires that have an important impact on the soil environment and the composition of soil organisms. In order to provide a baseline for the current research and identify trends on the effects of wildland fire on soil environment and biological changes, the available literature was identified from the Web of Science database, covering the period from 1998/1998/1999 (the year of the earliest publication in this field) to 2023. A bibliometric analysis was performed and the data were visually displayed for the number of publications, countries, authors, research institutions, and keywords representing research hotspots. Specifically, the effects of wildland fire on the soil environment, on soil microorganisms and on soil fauna were analyzed. The results show that the annual number of publications describing effects of wildland fire on the soil environment and on soil microorganisms are increasing over time, while those describing effects on soil fauna are fewer and their number remains constant. The largest number of papers originate from the United States, with the United States Department of Agriculture as the research institution with the largest output. The three authors with the largest number of publications are Stefan H. Doerr, Manuel Esteban Lucas-Borja and Jan Jacob Keizer. The research hotspots, as identified by keywords, are highly concentrated on wildfire, fire, organic matter, and biodiversity, amongst others. This study comprehensively analyzes the current situation of the research on the effects of wildland fire on changes in the soil environment and organisms, and provides reference for relevant scientific researchers in this trend and future research hotspots.

Analysis of hot spots and trends in rolling bearing fault diagnosis research based on scientific knowledge mapping

Abstract As a key component of mechanical equipment, real-time monitoring and diagnosis of rolling bearings play a critical role in ensuring the stable operation of equipment and the safety of operators. In order to present the current status and trends of fault diagnosis research on rolling bearings more intuitively, the scientific knowledge mapping was used to visualize and analyze the relevant literature in the article. The results show that the number of publications in this area of research has grown significantly in recent years, with China, India, the United States, and England having contributed significantly. The journals such as MECHANICAL SYSTEMS AND SIGNAL PROCESSING, MEASUREMENT, and JOURNAL OF SOUND AND VIBRATION have played an important role in disseminating cutting-edge technologies in this field. In addition, the exploration of modern methods based on data-driven and artificial intelligence, as well as their application to real-world problems, are gradually becoming the focus of research. Through summarising and analysing, the application of modern data processing techniques, the development of more efficient and practical intelligent fault diagnosis techniques, and the close integration of laboratory research and practical applications will become future research trends.

Interaction between internal solitary waves and the seafloor in the deep sea

Interaction between internal solitary waves and the seafloor in the deep sea

The underestimated fraction: diversity, challenges and novel insights into unicellular cyanobionts of lichens

The underestimated fraction: diversity, challenges and novel insights into unicellular cyanobionts of lichens

Exploring the frontiers of therapeutic breadth of antifungal peptides: A new avenue in antifungal drugs.

The growing prevalence of fungal infections alongside rising resistance to antifungal drugs poses a significant challenge to public health safety. At the close of the 2000s, major pharmaceutical firms began to scale back on antimicrobial research due to repeated setbacks and diminished economic gains, leaving only smaller companies and research labs to pursue new antifungal solutions. Among various natural sources explored for novel antifungal compounds, antifungal peptides (AFPs) emerge as particularly promising. Despite their potential, AFPs receive less focus than their antibacterial counterparts. These peptides have been sourced extensively from nature, including plants, animals, insects, and especially bacteria and fungi. Furthermore, with advancements in recombinant biotechnology and computational biology, AFPs can also be synthesized in lab settings, facilitating peptide production. AFPs are noted for their wide-ranging efficacy, in vitro and in vivo safety, and ability to combat biofilms. They are distinguished by their high specificity, minimal toxicity to cells, and reduced likelihood of resistance development. This review aims to comprehensively cover AFPs, including their sources-both natural and synthetic-their antifungal and biofilm-fighting capabilities in laboratory and real-world settings, their action mechanisms, and the current status of AFP research.

Crop HTP Technologies: Applications and Prospects

In order to rapidly breed high-quality varieties, an increasing number of plant researchers have identified the functions of a large number of genes, but there is a serious lack of research on plants’ phenotypic traits. This severely hampers the breeding process and exacerbates the dual challenges of scarce resources and resource development and utilization. Currently, research on crop phenotyping has gradually transitioned from traditional methods to HTP technologies, highlighting the high regard scientists have for these technologies. It is well known that different crops’ phenotypic traits exhibit certain differences. Therefore, in rapidly acquiring phenotypic data and efficiently extracting key information from massive datasets is precisely where HTP technologies play a crucial role in agricultural development. The core content of this article, starting from the perspective of crop phenomics, summarizes the current research status of HTP technology, both domestically and internationally; the application of HTP technology in above-ground and underground parts of crops; and its integration with precision agriculture implementation and multi-omics research. Finally, the bottleneck and countermeasures of HTP technology in the current agricultural context are proposed in order to provide a new method for phenotype research. HTP technologies dynamically monitor plant growth conditions with multi-scale, comprehensive, and automated assessments. This enables a more effective exploration of the intrinsic “genotype-phenotype-environment” relationships, unveiling the mechanisms behind specific biological traits. In doing so, these technologies support the improvement and evolution of superior varieties.

Application of Q-learning algorithm based on heterogeneous sensor networks in higher education teaching management

With the rapid advancement of information technology and online technologies, it has become imperative for all colleges and universities to address the challenge of leveraging modern management methods to enhance management efficiency, level, and practices. In the realm of educational institution management, the learning management system stands as the cornerstone of contemporary campus management and the entire campus computer network. In this article, the Q-learning algorithm, specifically applied to a heterogeneous cellular network, is employed to investigate the issues pertaining to teaching management in colleges and universities.The design and implementation of the university teaching management system mainly uses heterogeneous cellular networks to establish a physical model of the Q-learning algorithm, and then in the Rayleigh channel, the coverage factor and the system rate expression are derived in a closed form, and in a closed form Derive the energy efficiency expression, and then optimize the density of the basic micro-station algorithm to maximize performance. In the process of system design, this paper uses an algorithm to analyze the current research status of university teaching management, then proposes the research purpose and subject content, and analyzes the university's teaching management function and potential future functional requirements. When designing the university learning management system, it describes in detail the overall design concept, key technologies, system structure, and operating system structure and system topology. This research mainly focuses on the research of campus information management and Q learning algorithm. Based on the cellular network, a large number of campus management cases were analyzed and data fitting at the same time, and a set of Q-learning algorithm teaching management system based on heterogeneous cellular network was designed.

Recent advances in the study of epitopes, allergens and immunologic cross-reactivity of edible mango

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a tropical fruit that is widely consumed as both fresh fruits and processed products around the world. The high incidence of mango allergy, on the other hand, has sparked widespread concern. Therefore, a summary and analysis of the current status and issues in mango allergen research can guide in-depth study on the mechanism of mango allergy and reveal effective desensitization methods. We described the incidence of fruit allergy, as well as the mechanism and clinical symptoms of mango allergy, in this review. We also looked into the structural properties of mango allergens, the effect of processing methods on mango allergens, prediction methods for mango allergen epitopes, and the current state of research on mango cross-reactive allergens and preventive measures. Finally, the research directions and ideas for the future are proposed and discussed.

Frontiers and Hotspots Evolution in Cytokine Storm: A Bibliometric Analysis from 2004 to 2022

BackgroundAs a fatal disease, cytokine storm has garnered research attention in recent years. Nonetheless, as the body of related studies expands, a thorough and impartial evaluation of the current status of research on cytokine storms remains absent. Consequently, this study aimed to thoroughly explore the research landscape and evolution of cytokine storm utilizing bibliometric and knowledge graph approaches. MethodsResearch articles and reviews centered on cytokine storms were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database. For bibliometric analysis, tools such as Excel 365, CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and the Bibliometrix R package were utilized. ResultsThis bibliometric analysis encompassed 6647 articles published between 2004 and 2022. The quantity of pertinent articles and citation frequency exhibited a yearly upward trend, with a sharp increase starting in 2020. Network analysis of collaborations reveals that the United States holds a dominant position in this area, boasting the largest publication count and leading institutions. Frontiers in Immunology ranks as the leading journal for the largest publication count in this area. Stephan A. Grupp, a prominent researcher in this area, has authored the largest publication count and has the second-highest citation frequency. Research trends and keyword evaluations show that the connection between cytokine storm and COVID-19, as well as cytokine storm treatment, are hot topics in research. Furthermore, research on cytokine storm and COVID-19 sits at the forefront in this area. ConclusionThis study employed bibliometric analysis to create a visual representation of cytokine storm research, revealing current trends and burgeoning topics in this area for the first time. It will provide valuable insights, helping scholars pinpoint critical research areas and potential collaborators.

Oxidative stress is two-sided in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

Oxidative stress caused by elevated ROS, as a novel therapeutic mechanism, has been implicated in various tumors including AML. AML cells are chronically under oxidative stress, yet overreliance on ROS production makes tumor cells increasingly vulnerable to further damage. Reducing the cytotoxic effect of ROS on normal cells while killing leukemia stem cell (LSC) with high levels of reactive oxygen species is a new challenge for oxidative stress therapy in leukemia. By searching literature databases, we summarized recent relevant studies. The relationship of ROS on AML genes, signaling pathways, and transcription factors, and the correlation of ROS with AML bone marrow microenvironment and autophagy were summarized. In addition, we summarize the current status of research on ROS and AML therapeutics. Finally, we discuss the research progress on redox resistance in AML. This review discusses the evidence showing the link between redox reactions and the progression of AML and compiles the latest research findings that will facilitate future biological studies of redox effects associated with AML treatment. We believe that exploiting this unique oxidative stress property of AML cells may provide a new way to prevent relapse and drug resistance.

Combined Nutrition with Exercise: Fueling the Fight Against Sarcopenia Through a Bibliometric Analysis and Review.

This bibliometric analysis and review aimed to examine the current research status and trends in the combination of nutrition and exercise training for sarcopenia. Additionally, it sought to provide researchers with future research directions in this field. Relevant publications were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database, covering the period from January 1995 to October 2023. The collected publications were analyzed using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Bibliometrix, and Review Manager. Out of the 2528 retrieved publications, the United States emerged as the leading contributor in terms of publication volume. The University of Texas System was identified as the most productive institution. Luc J C van Loon emerged as the most published author in this field. Analysis of keywords revealed recent hot topics and emerging areas of interest, such as "gut microbiota" and "mechanisms". Upon further evaluation, resistance training (RT) and protein supplementation were identified as the most commonly employed and effective methods. RT and protein supplementation are widely recognized as effective strategies. Future research should focus on investigating the molecular aspects of sarcopenia. Moreover, the potential therapeutic role of gut microbiota in sarcopenia requires further comprehensive investigation in human subjects to establish its correlation.

A Scoping Review of Research Trends in Forest Therapy Programs by Subject Types: Focused on KCD-8

Background and objective: This study reviewed forest therapy program studies by applying the scoping review methodology to provide recommendations for future research and basic data for the development of forest therapy programs.Methods: Data collection was conducted from April 1 to 5, 2022 using South Korean literature databases (RISS, KISS, Science ON, DBpia) and international literature databases (SCOPUS, PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE). Focusing on papers published by March 31, 2022, while considering the publication year, we finally selected 118 papers (99 from South Korea and 19 from other countries).Results: Starting with the first study in 1996, research in South Korea was conducted in earnest since 2006. The study subjects primarily comprised those who were vulnerable to stress, such as office and labor workers, children at community child care centers, and families of patients, followed by mental health and physical patients. In terms of program characteristics, the site types primarily included general forests and forest welfare facilities, and in terms of seasons, summer accounted for the highest proportion, followed by spring and fall, which showed similar proportions. The programs primarily included one-day multiple-session and lodging types. Upon examining the structure of the programs, we observed that the majority of lodging type programs were 3 days and 2 nights programs and 2 days and 1night programs. In contrast, one-day multiple-session programs were primarily conducted in a once-a-week cycle, with 6 to 10 sessions.Conclusion: Through the results of this study, we examined the current status and scope of forest therapy program research. The findings are expected to be used as a basis for expanding forest therapy program research to collaborate with stakeholders in the health and medical fields in the future.