This paper presents experimental results on the processing of complex concentrated alloy with a nominal composition of A 0.35 CoCrFeNi. The alloy was produced by vacuum induction melting and tilt casting. The microstructure of the as-cast CCA consists of dendritic and interdendritic regions homogenized by heat treatment at 1360 °C. After rotary swaging at room temperature, the microstructure is characterized by an abundance of dislocations and continuously intersecting slip bands. Annealing experiments were carried out in the temperature range of 1150 °C – 1300 °C and different holding times to determine the parameters of grain growth kinetics. Phase and chemical analysis were investigated using XRD and EDS methods. The activation energy of recrystallization in the studied composition was 458 kJ mol -1 . The influence of grain size on room temperature mechanical properties and tensile properties was determined. The hardening coefficients k h and k σ , calculated using the Hall-Petch relation, were 277.5 HV µm -1/2 and 655 MPa µm -1/2 , indicating the effectiveness of grain boundary hardening in the studied single-phase CCA.

Ultrasonication combined with pH-shifting pretreatment promotes soy protein fibrillation: Effects of pretreatment methods on growth kinetics and various properties

Phase evolution and grain growth kinetics in Al-Doped Na3Zr2Si2PO12: A Pathway to enhanced ionic conductivity

Post-pandemic molecular epidemiology of β-lactam resistance and biofilm formation in multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii from a Brazilian tertiary hospital.

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyopneumoniae), the primary etiological agent of swine enzootic pneumonia, causes significant economic losses in the pork industry. This fastidious pathogen exhibits extremely slow growth in vitro, complicating its quantification. Several quantification methods, including color-changing units (CCU), colony-forming units (CFU), flow cytometry, and ATP luminometry, are documented in the literature, with CCU being the gold standard. However, the correlation among these techniques has not been thoroughly evaluated. Additionally, viability quantitative polymerase chain reaction (v-qPCR) using propidium monoazide (PMA) or ethidium monoazide (EMA) offers a rapid and sensitive alternative for detecting viable bacteria. This study aims to evaluate and compare different methods for quantifying M. hyopneumoniae, validate an accurate real-time quantitative approach, and develop a tailored v-qPCR assay for this challenging pathogen. The in vitro growth kinetics of three M. hyopneumoniae strains (232, J, and 2010) were evaluated using CCU, CFU, flow cytometry, and ATP luminometry. A confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) protocol was established for direct quantification of M. hyopneumoniae in culture media and used to validate flow cytometry-based quantification under controlled conditions. Finally, a rapid v-qPCR assay was developed and optimized for viable M. hyopneumoniae quantification. The comparison of M. hyopneumoniae growth kinetics across CFU, CCU, flow cytometry, and ATP luminometry demonstrated similar growth dynamics and high assay correlation. Flow cytometry and CLSM quantification showed a strong correlation for strain 232 (r = 0.9973) and a moderate correlation for strain J (r = 0.8933). The detection of live M. hyopneumoniae by v-qPCR correlated strongly with viable cell numbers detected by flow cytometry (R² values: 232: 0.9726; J: 0.8628; 2010: 0.9933, p < 0.05). The limit of detection of the v-qPCR assay for the reference strain 232 was 5 × 10⁴ viable M. hyopneumoniae cells/mL. This study presents the first validated PMA-based v-qPCR assay for mycoplasma species, along with established flow cytometry and CLSM protocols for rapid and accurate differentiation of viable and non-viable M. hyopneumoniae cells. These methods significantly reduce quantification time from the four weeks required by CCU or CFU to just a few hours. Furthermore, upon validation in clinical specimens, v-qPCR can potentially serve as a valuable tool in M. hyopneumoniae eradication programs.

Discussion and analysis of the effect of lignite particles on the THF hydrate nucleation and growth kinetics

Investigation of kinetics of ECM dendrite growth during corrosion in electronics

Leveraging a tailor-made approach to enhance the kinetics of a native ureolytic bacterium, Sporosarcina pasteurii PS3A, for effective bio-cementation.

Unveiling how THF tunes the micro-kinetics of H2-THF clathrate for enhanced H2 storage: A molecular dynamics study.

Improving the corrosion resistance of 316 L through vanadium microalloying: Corrosion resistance mechanism based on nucleation and growth kinetics calculation of passive film

Droplet digital PCR for growth kinetics of recombinant baculovirus expressing VP2 protein of porcine parvovirus

Two-dimensional venogram following portal venous embolization as a predictor for future liver remnant hypertrophy.

BACKGROUND Despite widespread mammographic screening, a substantial proportion of breast cancers are still diagnosed as palpable lesions, frequently self-detected by the patient. Prior studies have investigated palpability as a prognostic factor, but few have incorporated contemporary staging systems or focused on clinically homogeneous, screening-eligible populations. In high-resource settings with equal access to screening, it remains unclear whether palpability reflects intrinsic tumor aggressiveness rather than delayed detection. This study evaluates whether palpable tumors exhibit distinct clinicopathological characteristics and worse outcomes in a screening-eligible population, hypothesizing that palpability may reflect aggressive tumor biology and potentially influence prognosis even when screening programs are accessible. AIM To compare clinicopathological features and survival outcomes of palpable vs non-palpable breast cancers in a screened population. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 2110 women with clinically node-negative, localized breast cancer treated surgically between 2004 and 2024. Palpability at diagnosis was used to classify tumors as palpable (n = 1234) or non-palpable (n = 876). Endpoints included tumor size, grade, subtype, Ki-67 index, nodal status, overall survival, and breast cancer-specific survival. Statistical analyses included χ 2 and t -tests and Kaplan-Meier estimates, with significance set at P &lt; 0.05. RESULTS Palpable tumors were significantly larger (17.5 mm ± 8.6 vs 11.0 ± 6.7 mm, P &lt; 0.001), more often high-grade (G3: 33% vs 16.3%, P &lt; 0.001), and more frequently of luminal B or triple-negative subtype (37.1% vs 20.6%, P &lt; 0.001). Ki-67 proliferation index was markedly higher in palpable tumors (24.7% ± 11.9% vs 15.1% ± 9.4%, P &lt; 0.001). Sentinel lymph node positivity was increased (27.6% vs 16.7%, P &lt; 0.001). While 10-year overall survival was similar (92% palpable vs 95% non-palpable, P = 0.56), breast cancer-specific survival showed a trend toward worse survival in palpable cases (96% vs 99%, P = 0.1). CONCLUSION Palpable tumors display faster growth kinetics and aggressive features, potentially shortening the preclinical window. Palpability may indicate biologically aggressive disease, warranting individualized management despite access to routine screening.

ABSTRACT The precise regulation of microstructure and mechanical properties in ultrathin electrodeposited copper foils is critical for advanced interconnections yet remains constrained by the strength‐ductility trade‐off. While electrolyte additive engineering is common, the regulation mechanism of substrate intrinsic physicochemical properties remains elusive. Herein, a “substrate engineering” strategy is established by investigating copper nucleation thermodynamics and growth kinetics on low‐range‐order Ni‐W versus crystalline Ti substrates. Combined DFT calculations and multi‐scale characterizations reveal a unique electronic‐geometric synergistic effect of the low‐range‐order Ni‐W: its optimized work function alignment lowers the interfacial energy barrier for electron transfer, while the low‐range‐order structure provides abundant high‐activity sites. This mechanism reduces the nucleation barrier, inducing a transition from island‐like coarsening on Ti to high‐density instantaneous nucleation and uniform planar growth on Ni‐W. Consequently, the resulting foil exhibits a densely smooth surface ( S a = 0.11 µm), refined grain structure, and optimized (220) texture. These merits yield a significant strength‐ductility synergy, with tensile strength and elongation reaching 292.4 MPa and 2.88%, respectively. This work provides a theoretical basis for designing next‐generation high‐performance copper foils beyond traditional additive reliance.

Hypersaline solar saltworks represent unique ecological niches that harbor extremophilic microalgae with considerable biotechnological potential. Within these environments, members of the genus Dunaliella are particularly noteworthy due to their remarkable metabolic plasticity and ability to accumulate high-value biomolecules. In the present study, we investigated the biodiversity of Dunaliella in hypersaline saltworks by isolating and identifying autochthonous strains and assessing their growth kinetics and biomass biochemical composition in the context of potential biotechnological applications. Specifically, sixteen strains of Dunaliella were isolated from evaporation and crystallizer ponds of the Kalloni saltworks in Lesvos, Greece, and subjected to an integrative characterization combining morphological observations, molecular phylogenetics, growth kinetics, and biochemical profiling. Phylogenetic analyses based on four genetic markers (18S, ITS, rbcL, tufA) consistently resolved the isolates into three distinct clades: one corresponding to Dunaliella salina/D. minutissima, one to D. parva, and a third representing a clearly divergent lineage. Growth assays revealed marked variability in cell density, biomass productivity and specific growth rate, with certain strains exhibiting enhanced proliferation under controlled conditions. Biochemical analyses demonstrated distinct allocation patterns, with evaporation pond isolates comparatively enriched in proteins (up to 60.8% DW), whereas crystallizer pond isolates accumulated higher levels of carbohydrates (up to 19.0% DW), carotenoids (up to 7.34% mg g-1 DW) and phenolic compounds (up to 8.68% mg GAE g-1 DW). Antioxidant assays (FRAP, TEAC) further indicated significantly elevated reducing and radical scavenging activities among crystallizer isolates. These findings expand current knowledge on the biodiversity of autochthonous Dunaliella strains and support their potential as sustainable sources of bioactive compounds for applications in the agri-food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmeutical sectors.

In living cells, lipid bilayer membranes can be asymmetrically functionalized with brush-like layers of macromolecules. Here, we describe a lipid membrane-initiated polymerization reaction for the growth of thick and dense polymer brushes directly from one side of lipid membranes. By incorporating a novel lipid-based polymerization initiator into lipid bilayers, we grew poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) brushes from supported lipid bilayers (SLBs), small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs), and giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), via aqueous atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). We used quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) to quantify growth kinetics from SLBs and SUVs. The resulting polymer brushes were up to 70 nm thick. Growth from GUVs led to the spontaneous transformation of spheroidal vesicles into dense, bush-like networks of "strings of pearls". Broadly speaking, this approach could offer improved performance for biomedical applications and a valuable in vitro model for the biophysics of asymmetric lipid membranes.

This study aimed to isolate a local silver-resistant bacterial strain capable of efficiently synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and to optimize the parameters affecting bacterial growth and the bioreduction process. The biosynthesized AgNPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, TEM, FTIR, and zeta potential analyses, and their biological activities were assessed through antibacterial, cytotoxicity, and seed germination assays. Bacillus velezensis BS1 was identified as the most promising isolate for AgNPs biosynthesis. Optimal bioreduction conditions were achieved at 70°C and pH 9 after 3h with 5mM AgNO3. The UV-Vis spectra exhibited surface plasmon resonance peaks at 410-450nm, confirming the formation of AgNPs. The resulting AgNPs were spherical, negatively charged, and capped with the microbial proteins. They exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, with bactericidal effects verified through growth kinetics and inhibition zone assay. The AgNPs also demonstrated significant cytotoxicity against human epidermoid carcinoma (A431) cells and enhanced the germination and growth of pea and chickpea seeds, except at 100µgmL⁻1 in chickpeas, where clear toxicity effects were observed on the roots. These findings suggest that B. velezensis BS1, a silver-resistant isolate, represents a promising, safe, and sustainable route for the biosynthesis of AgNPs, thereby supporting green nanotechnology applications and guiding future studies on their biological effects and their potential toxicity. KEY POINTS: •Bacillus velezensis BS1 efficiently achieved green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. • AgNPs showed strong antibacterial and cytotoxic activities against cancer cells. • AgNPs improved seed germination, highlighting potential in sustainable agriculture.

Malassezia is a lipophilic yeast and a major commensal associated with the human skin and gut. It is responsible for several dermatological conditions and has been associated with human diseases, including certain cancers, yet the factors that trigger pathogenicity in this otherwise benign yeast remain poorly defined. Out of the 21 species of Malassezia that have been identified, 14 are associated with humans. In this study, we investigated how clinical strains of Malassezia furfur differ from the standard laboratory strain in terms of pathogenicity-associated elements and resistance features. In this study, we examined 58 pityriasis versicolor (PV) cases, presented with multiple hyperpigmented scaly macules over different parts of the body. From those infected lesions, skin scrapings were isolated and grown on lipid-rich media. We examined M. furfur strains isolated from PV patients and shortlisted six strains exhibiting pronounced pathogenic characteristics compared against the standard strain (MTCC1374/CBS1878). A comprehensive analysis was performed to assess growth kinetics, biofilm-forming capacity, lipase production, and tolerance to temperature, pH, and salinity. Our results indicate that the clinical variants of M. furfur reveal altered features, including increased biofilm formation, increased lipase production, and the ability to withstand several key parameters like pH, salinity, and temperature, which are indicative of their ability to withstand harsh environmental conditions. These characteristics represent clear signatures of increased pathogenic potential compared to the standard strain that collectively reflect an enhanced ability to withstand the fluctuating microenvironment of the human skin. The emergence of resistance-like features among clinical isolates may explain persistent colonisation and relapse frequently observed in PV and other Malassezia-associated disorders. This work highlights the importance of understanding how a common commensal yeast evolves virulence and resistance features, which may contribute to recurrent infections and confer therapeutic challenges.

ABSTRACT This study examined how different extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) fractions affect the homogeneous nucleation and growth of struvite (MgNH4PO4·6H2O) under a constant pH–constant composition crystallization condition. Soluble EPS (S-EPS), loosely bound EPS (LB-EPS), and tightly bound EPS (TB-EPS) were extracted from municipal activated sludge, and their impacts on induction time (IT), nucleation rate (NK), and growth rate (K) were tracked. The three EPS fractions behaved differently. LB-EPS generally shortened IT and increased NK, suggesting easier nucleus formation, whereas TB-EPS prolonged IT and lowered NK, implying a higher nucleation barrier and weaker effective ion activity. After nucleation, however, TB-EPS produced more regular prismatic crystals and showed the strongest apparent growth promotion; S-EPS caused only modest changes. FTIR, XRD, SEM, and XPS together indicate that EPS does not change the struvite phase, but may interact with crystal surfaces through oxygen-/nitrogen-containing functionalities, thereby affecting interfacial processes and leading to the observed kinetic differences. These results link EPS fraction properties with nucleation resistance and growth behaviour, and may help guide controllable phosphorus recovery and scale control in wastewater systems.

The growth of the semiconductor compound barium sulfide (BaS) is being studied using atomistic methods and mesoscopic theoretical modeling. Material properties such as phase densities, enthalpies, specific latent heat, Gibbs free energy difference, liquid diffusion coefficient, interfacial free energies, and stiffness for different crystal faces of the crystal lattice of BaS are obtained by molecular dynamics (MD). The growth kinetics studied by the MD method show close to linear growth velocity dependence in the range of undercoolingΔT<800 K with a slight abnormal acceleration bend caused by the nucleation of crystals in the bulk liquid. The hodograph equation, as the sharp interface limit of the kinetic phase field (KPF) and as the mesoscopic approach to modeling, well predicts the growth kinetics of crystal phases in BaS atΔT<500 K and the whole tendency of growth kinetics atΔT>500 K. The discussion on the non-linear behavior of the dynamic diffuse interface of BaS crystal faces width is given upon predictions by MD and KPF methods.