Environmental Stability Research Articles

Organisms with high dispersal ability as a proxy for biogeographical characterisation of the Mediterranean biome

The Mediterranean biome offers a diverse range of habitats, particularly rocky environments, known for their long-term stability and persistence. Adapted to these rocky surfaces, chasmophytes thrive in this region, benefiting from reduced competition and human interference. The distribution of stress-tolerant cryptogams with generally broad niches represents a significant gap in the biogeography of the region. This study investigates whether complex symbiotic organisms with a potential for long-distance dispersal could serve as biogeographic indicators for delimitation of the Mediterranean biome's boundaries. Through comprehensive chorology data research, saxicolous lichen congeners of the genus Solenopsora were mapped across the Mediterranean Basin as a model area. Environmental predictors (climate and geology) were employed to predict suitable habitats, shedding light on the lichens' ecological niches. Habitat suitability models consistently aligned with the Mediterranean's geographical area, indicating a tight link between lichen distribution and Mediterranean climate classification. While climate change may pose vulnerabilities, no significant range shifts beyond the latitudinal limit of the Mediterranean were predicted. Despite overlapping climatic niches, differences in microhabitat preferences in terms of insolation were observed among studied taxa. Vulnerable regions with potential habitat decreases were identified under future scenarios, emphasizing the importance of environmental heterogeneity in securing local species persistence. This study supports the hypothesis that these lichen symbiotic systems are restricted to the Mediterranean Basin, highlighting their potential to reflect Mediterranean climate, environmental stability, and indicate the boundaries of the Mediterranean biome. Our investigation demonstrates that collection-based research can yield significant contributions to current biogeography.

Impact of Climate Change on Spatiotemporal Patterns of Snow Hydrology: Conceptual Frameworks, Machine learning versus Nested Model

Snow accumulation in mountainous watersheds plays a paramount role in the hydrological cycle and environmental stability. In the current research, three different snow modeling approaches including conceptual models, Random Forest (RF) and their nested (Nested-RF) model have been implemented to project climate change. Also, three distinct calibration scenarios employing Snow Cover Area (SCA) and Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) have been used. These scenarios involve using SCA and SWE data individually or combined to calibrate both conceptual snowpack models and machine learning methods. Considering comparative analysis in the mountainous and complex topographic area of Tashk-Bakhtegan watershed as a case study, the Guo model (calibrated using both SCA and SWE data) achieves the highest prediction accuracy in predicting SCA/SWE using conceptual method. Considering various statistics, RF using the same calibration scenario demonstrates high accuracy in estimating SWE and shows promising results in detecting SCA. Considering the feature importance analysis and statistics of the RF and Nested-RF models indicate that the feeding conceptual outputs as extra information into the Nested-RF had minimal influence and even slightly reduced accuracy. Future projections using RF indicate significant reductions in mean annually SCA/SWE, especially under SSP8.5, with a 28.4% decrease in SCA and a reduction in SWE to 13.62 mm from a historical baseline of 19.4 mm. Lower emission scenarios (SSP2.6 and SSP4.5) show less drastic declines. While minor differences were observed between the best conceptual model and the RF approach in capturing spatiotemporal and annual snow patterns, these discrepancies did not reach statistical significance.

Optimization of chitosan-gelatin-based 3D-printed scaffolds for tissue engineering and drug delivery applications

The combination of biocompatible materials and advanced three-dimensional (3D) additive manufacturing technologies holds great potential in the development of finely tuned complex scaffolds with reproducible macro- and micro-structural characteristics for biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering and drug delivery. In this study, biocompatible printable inks based on chitosan, collagen and gelatin were developed and 3D-printed with a pneumatic-based extrusion printer. The printability of various chitosan–gelatin (CS-Gel) hydrogel inks was assessed by evaluating the quality of the printed constructs. The inks required an extrusion pressure of 150 ± 40 MPa with G22 and G25 nozzles for optimal printing. Inks with low chitosan concentrations (<4% w/v) exhibited poor printability, while inks with 4 % w/v chitosan and 1 % w/v gelatin (CG) demonstrated satisfactory extrusion and printing quality. The addition of collagen (0.1 % w/v) to the optimized ink (CGC) did not compromise printability. Post-printing stabilization using KOH produced self-supporting scaffolds with consistent morphological integrity, while weaker bases like NaOH/EtOH and ammonia vapors resulted in lower pore sizes and reduced structural stability. Water evaporation studies showed that neutralized samples had slower evaporation rates due to the strong intermolecular interactions formed during the neutralization process, contributing to a stable crosslinked network. FTIR spectra confirmed the formation of polyelectrolyte complexes in the CS-Gel and CS-Gel-Collagen blends, further enhancing structural stability. Swelling tests indicated that neutralized constructs maintained stability in different pH environments, with KOH-treated samples exhibiting the lowest swelling ratios and the highest structural stability. After optimizing the ink composition, 10 wt% Levofloxacin was loaded in the constructs as a model antibiotic and it’s in vitro release rate was quantified. Drug loading was approximately 4 % for both ink compositions GC and CGC. CG Levo released over 80 % of levofloxacin within the first hour, reaching full release in 24 h, indicating inadequate control, while CGK Levo exhibited slower initial release (55 % in 15 min) followed by stabilized release after 4 h, likely due to controlled diffusion from expanded constructs. These findings demonstrate that the developed hydrogel inks and optimized printing parameters can produce scaffolds suitable for tissue engineering applications. Finally, the cell compatibility of the 3D-printed constructs was confirmed with MTT assay on fibroblasts and the antimicrobial activity of the drug-loaded constructs was tested against E. coli and S. aureus, showing an increase of the bacteria free zone from 8 ± 0.4 mm of the control against E. coli up to 16.4 ± 0.37 mm in the presence of the KOH-treated CG Levo printed construct.

Concurrent removal of Fe(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) cations from acid mine drainage by an industrial solid waste - steel slag: Behaviors and mechanisms

Acid mine drainage (AMD) contamination poses a severe environmental threat and is a significant risk to human health. There is an urgent need to develop environmentally sustainable and technically viable solutions for water contamination caused by heavy metals. In this study, steel slag (SS) was used as a secondary resource to concurrently remove Fe(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) from AMD. Because of the loose and porous structure, abundant functional groups, fast sedimentation velocity, and excellent solid-liquid separation, SS showed exceptional removal performance for heavy metal ions. The adsorption kinetic data of Fe(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) showed good regression with the pseudo-second-order model. Besides, the adsorption of Fe(II) by SS conformed to the Freundlich model, whereas the adsorption of Cu(II) and Zn(II) followed the Langmuir model, with the maximum adsorption amounts of Cu(II) and Zn(II) being 170.69 and 155.98 mg/g. Furthermore, competitive adsorption was observed among Fe (II), Cu (II), and Zn (II) in a multi-component system, with the adsorption priority being Fe (II) > Cu (II) > Zn (II). The removal mechanism of Fe(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) in AMD by SS mainly includes electrostatic attraction, chemical precipitation, and surface complexation. Interestingly, the leached concentrations of Fe(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) from the spent slag after calcination were all within the detection limit of the Chinese emission standard, demonstrating excellent environmental stability. Theoretically, this renders it a viable candidate for use as an additive in construction materials. Meaningfully, the work offers a practical approach for energy-efficient and eco-friendly heavy metal ions adsorption, and the secondary utilization of SS also contributes to the sustainable development of the steel industry. It is beneficial to implement the development concepts of clean production and efficient utilization of industrial solid waste.

Preparation, characterization, stability, and antioxidant of quercetin-loaded hyaluronic acid complexes via pH-induced co-assembly

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of constructing an oral delivery system for quercetin (QUT) using hyaluronic acid (HA) as the wall material. The findings revealed that when the mass ratio of QUT to HA was 1:10, the prepared QUT-HA complexes exhibited excellent stability (particle size of 802 nm, zeta potential of -36 mV) and QUT loading capacity (encapsulation efficiency of 79.77%, loading capacity of 89.65 mg/g). The characterization of QUT-HA complex confirmed the formation of hydrogen bond between QUT and HA, resulting in a homogeneously dispersed coral-like complex and leading to the transformation of QUT's crystal structure into an amorphous state. Environmental stability analysis demonstrated that the QUT-HA complex maintains good stability within an ionic concentration range of 0-500 mM, a pH range of 3-8, and at temperatures of 50-90°C. In vitro simulations of gastrointestinal digestion indicated that the QUT-HA complex aggregates during simulated gastric fluid digestion and dissociates following simulated intestinal fluid digestion, effectively enhancing the bioaccessibility of QUT. Antioxidant assays showed that the scavenging ability of QUT against DPPH and ABTS radicals was significantly improved by complex loading. Therefore, the QUT-HA complex developed in this study possesses a high QUT loading capacity, excellent processing and digestive stability, and can effectively enhance the bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity of QUT, making it a promising candidate for use as an oral nutritional supplement in the field of functional foods.

Factors influencing the dissolution rate of radon gas in water

Measurements of radon (222Rn) in water are widely utilized across various disciplines, including technology, medicine, exploration, and ecological preservation. For accurate radon measurements in water, the availability of a standardized radon solution is essential. Researchers have predominantly concentrated on the radon concentration in water (RCW) once radon distribution equilibrium is achieved, rather than the rate of radon dissolution prior to equilibrium, in the development of standard radon solutions. This makes the preparation speed of the calibration standards radon solution slow, which seriously restricts the research and development of the standard device. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the correlation between the rate of radon dissolution and both the concentration of gaseous radon and the stirring speed. Four conclusions have been derived through univariate analysis. ➀ The radon concentration in water (RCW) increases with the duration of radon dissolution, eventually reaching a state of equilibrium. ➁ The increase in gas radon concentration correlates with a simultaneous rise in the rate of radon dissolution, while the time required for radon distribution equilibrium remains constant. ➂ The augmentation of the stirring speed enhances the rate of radon dissolution, Concurrently reducing the time needed for RCW to reach equilibrium.➃ When the stirring speed is excessively high, it results in substantial fluctuations in both RCW and the rate of radon dissolution. Consequently, when employing this method for the preparation of radon solutions, it is advisable to regulate the duration of radon dissolution to 30 min at a rate of 380 rad/min and 10 min at a rate of 480 rad/min. This regulation ensures the attainment of precise concentrations. Under conditions of environmental stability, manipulation of gas radon concentration alone proves sufficient for adjusting RCW . These empirical findings furnish a robust foundation for the efficient preparation of standardized radon solutions and the requisite apparatus, essential for the calibration and accuracy of radon measurement instruments.

Three birds with one stone: Preparation of multifunctional Fe-MOF/PAN nanofiber membranes for wastewater treatment

In this research, a new NH2-MIL-88B(Fe)/polyacrylonitrile nanofiber membrane (NPNFM) was synthesized utilizing a straightforward electrospinning technique. The morphological characteristics and performance of nanofiber membranes were finely tuned via adjusting the dosage of NH2-MIL-88B(Fe) (NM88B, the “stone”). The prepared NPNFM exhibits superhydrophilicity/underwater superoleophobicity, coupled with outstanding photo-Fenton self-cleaning ability (the first two “birds”). This membrane efficiently and swiftly facilitated the separation of various surfactant-stabilized emulsions under gravitational force, achieving a separation efficiency and flux of up to 99.5 % and 350.3 L m-2h−1, respectively. The fouling on the membrane surface can be rapidly decomposed, attributing to the superior photo-Fenton activity of NM88B. Furthermore, the organic dye methylene blue (MB) was degraded by 97.4 % within 40 min under the catalytic influence of the membrane. The nanofiber membrane has good mechanical properties and its tensile strength is about 2.3 times that of the original membrane attributing to the good compatibility between NM88B and the membrane matrix (the third “bird”). This study proposed new Fe-MOF-based photo-Fenton multifunctional membranes with the characteristics of environmental stability and high efficiency in wastewater treatment fields.

Physical, biochemical, and biological characterization of olive-derived lipid nanovesicles for drug delivery applications

AbstractExtracellular vesicles (EVs) have shown great promise as drug delivery system (DDS). However, their complex and costly production limit their development for clinical use. Interestingly, the plant kingdom can also produce EV-like nanovesicles that can easily be isolated and purified from a large quantity of raw material at a high yield. In this study, olive-derived nanovesicles (ODNVs) were isolated from raw fruits using serial centrifugations and their physical and biological features characterized to demonstrate their promising potential to be used as a DDS. Nanotracking particle analysis indicated an average size of 109.5 ± 3.0 nm and yield of 1012 ODNVs/mL for the purest fraction. Microscopy imaging, membrane fluidity assay and lipidomics analysis showed the presence of a rich lipid bilayer that significantly varied between different sources of ODNVs but showed a distinct signature compared to human EVs. Moreover, ODNVs were enriched in PEN1 and TET8 compared to raw fruits, suggesting an extracellular origin. Interestingly, ODNVs size and yield stayed unchanged after exposure to high temperature (70 °C for 1 h), wide pH range (5–10), and 50–100 nm extrusion, demonstrating high resistance to physical and chemical stresses. This high resistance allowed ODNVs to stay stable in water at 4 °C for a month, or with the addition of 25 mM trehalose for long-term freezing storage. Finally, ODNVs were internalized by both 2D and 3D cell culture without triggering significant cytotoxicity and immunogenicity. Importantly, the anticancer drug doxorubicin (dox) could be loaded by passive incubation within ODNVs and dox-loaded ODNVs decreased cell viability by 90% compared to only 70% for free dox at the same concentration, indicating a higher efficiency of drug delivery by ODNVs. In addition, this high cytotoxicity effect of dox-loaded ODNVs was shown to be stable after a 2-week storage at 4 °C. Together, these findings suggested that ODNVs represent a promising candidate as drug nanocarrier for various DDS clinical applications, as demonstrated by their biocompatibility, high resistance to stress, good stability in harsh environment, and improvement of anticancer drug efficacy.

Bromine‐Substituted Cation Anchoring to Suppress Ion Migration in Alternating Cations Intercalation‐Type Perovskite for Stable X‐Ray Detection

Metal halide perovskites have emerged as excellent direct X‐ray detection materials owing to their large mobility‐lifetime product, strong radiation absorption, and low‐cost preparation. However, it is still a challenge to achieve stable X‐ray detection due to the limitations associated with severe ion migration under high voltage bias. Herein, based on a bromine substitution strategy to suppress ion migration, a 2D alternating cations intercalation‐type (ACI) perovskite, (R‐MPA)(BrEA)PbBr4 (1, R‐MPA = methylphenethylamm‐onium; BrEA = 2‐bromoethylamine) is reported to achieve X‐ray detection. Specifically, introducing Br atom forms additional intermolecular interactions (i.e., Br···π) and enhances hydrogen bonding interactions, greatly improving the structure stability. Based on this enhanced interaction, 1 presents a higher activation energy of ion migration (1.05 eV) than that of (R‐MPA)EAPbBr4 resulting in a lower dark current drift of 9.17 × 10−8 nA cm−1 s−1 V−1, revealing that suppression of ion migration. Consequently, the 1‐based detector shows a high sensitivity of 2653.7 μC Gy−1 cm−2 and, most importantly, outstanding operational and environmental stability, maintaining ≈91% of its initial sensitivity at 50 V bias after 90 days in the air. This work demonstrates an efficient strategy for introducing halogen interactions via ACI to suppress ion migration for stable X‐ray detection.

Nanoparticles in Allergen‐Delivery Systems for Allergen‐Specific Immunotherapy

AbstractAllergen‐specific immunotherapy (AIT) has demonstrated its ability to induce desensitization, resulting in reduced allergen‐specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) accompanied by increased clinical thresholds. However, ensuring safety during therapy, especially with oral immunotherapy, and achieving long‐term tolerance continue to be significant challenges. To address these issues, a concept of nanoencapsulation of allergens has emerged. This paper reviews biodegradable and non‐biodegradable nanoparticles as an allergen‐delivery system, as well as adjuvants for the improvement of the efficacy of AIT. Of all the nanoparticles reviewed, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and chitosan are the most popular nanoparticles for encapsulating macromolecular allergens for oral immunotherapy. Although poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) demonstrates higher stability in the gastrointestinal environment and allergen‐loaded PLGA attenuates the sIgE antibody binding in a murine model, it has inconsistent loading capacity and is difficult to reproduce. Studies on biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of nanoparticles, however, should be highlighted to ensure the long‐term safety profile of utilizing nanoparticles in immunotherapy. In this regard, encapsulation efficiency and release behavior of allergens from nanoparticles are important components in predicting the safety and efficacy of treatments. The stability, reproducibility, and scalability of encapsulated allergens should also be considered for the translation to clinical applications.

Thermal properties of fluoride fiber Bragg gratings at high to cryogenic temperatures.

The thermal sensitivity of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) is extensively employed in diverse industrial and scientific applications. FBGs lie at the core of flexible, low-cost, and highly precise sensors, featuring stability in harsh environments and distributed sensing capability. This study assesses the thermal properties of FBGs in fluoride fibers within a temperature range of 4-373 K. Despite having higher thermal expansion coefficients, FBGs in the near-IR wavelength range do not exhibit high sensitivity at room or higher temperatures. However, the pronounced enhancement of their thermal sensitivity at longer Bragg wavelengths shows the potential for sensing applications in the light of the fluoride glass extended transmission range up to 4-5.5 µm. Most importantly, employing FBGs inscribed in fluoride fibers enables the further expansion of fiber-based sensors to cryogenic environments, as they exhibit a detectable sensitivity of 0.5-1.7 pm/K below 50 K. Overall, the exposure to low temperatures provides valuable information on glass stability and physical parameters, which is beneficial for the further development of photonic systems based on fluoride fibers.

OPTIMISATION OF STRATEGIES FOR WORKING WITH COUNTERPARTIES AND RISK MANAGEMENT AT UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE ENTERPRISES

The objective of this paper is to examine and enhance strategies for managing relationships with counterparties and mitigating risks in utility infrastructure enterprises. The paper seeks to analyse contemporary approaches and challenges faced by these enterprises, offering recommendations for improving their strategies in counterparty interactions and risk management. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance operational stability, competitiveness, and sustainable development in a dynamic business environment. Methodology. The research presents a critical review and analysis of the existing risk management and counterparty strategies employed by utility infrastructure enterprises. The methodology comprises an examination of current practices, the identification of key problems, and an evaluation of modern approaches, including digital transformation, process automation, and innovative management methods. By synthesising existing research and case studies, the paper identifies the strengths and weaknesses of various strategies and recommends improvements. Results. The analysis identified several key challenges faced by utilities in managing counterparties and risks, including inadequate risk management systems, outdated business processes and poor communication. Process automation, digital transformation and improved stakeholder integration are identified in the document as critical factors for optimising operations. It also emphasises the importance of careful selection of counterparties, performance monitoring and staff development to mitigate risks and foster better partnerships. Practical implications. The recommendations set forth in the paper provide actionable strategies for utility infrastructure enterprises to optimise their management of counterparties and risks. The implementation of these strategies, including the utilisation of digital tools, enhanced internal communication and a focus on staff development, can facilitate improvements in efficiency, risk management and long-term sustainability for utility companies. These recommendations are particularly beneficial for those in managerial or decision-making roles who are seeking to navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving business environment. Value / Originality. This paper makes a significant contribution to the field by offering a comprehensive analysis of the strategies available for optimising counterparty relations and risk management in the utility sector. The value of this approach lies in its integration of modern technological solutions with traditional risk management practices. By offering practical, research-based recommendations, the paper addresses current gaps in the literature and provides new insights into how utility enterprises can better manage both internal and external challenges.

MECHANISMS AND MEASURES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENERGY SOURCES IN ALGERIA IN LIGHT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the sustainable use of energy sources in Algeria, focusing on the need to improve the efficiency of managing non-renewable resources in light of increasing global energy consumption and its environmental impacts. Given that Algeria heavily relies on non-renewable energies, the research addresses the importance of enhancing the sustainability of these sources to align with global development goals. Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework discusses the role of energy in global economies, particularly emphasizing the environmental challenges posed by non-renewable energy sources. It explores concepts related to sustainable development, resource management, and the importance of aligning national energy policies with global sustainability standards. Methodology: The study utilizes a comprehensive review of existing literature and energy consumption data in Algeria. It assesses current resource management practices, explores policy frameworks, and identifies opportunities for improving energy efficiency and sustainability. The methodology includes both qualitative and quantitative analyses to provide a holistic understanding of the issue. Findings: The results indicate that Algeria's heavy reliance on non-renewable energy sources necessitates immediate action to improve resource management efficiency. The study highlights key areas where policy improvements can lead to more sustainable use of energy, ultimately contributing to long-term economic and environmental stability. Research, Practical &amp; Social Implications: The study has significant implications for energy policy development in Algeria, offering insights into how the country can better manage its non-renewable energy resources. Practically, it suggests actionable strategies for improving energy efficiency and aligning with global sustainability goals. Socially, the research emphasizes the importance of addressing energy consumption patterns to reduce environmental harm and ensure sustainable development. Originality/Value: The value of the study lies in its focus on Algeria, providing context-specific insights into sustainable energy management. It highlights the urgent need for improving the efficiency of non-renewable resource use in a country that heavily depends on such sources, while offering practical recommendations for policy makers to foster sustainable development in the energy sector.

Ultrasensitive, Fast-Response, and Stretchable Temperature Microsensor Based on a Stable Encapsulated Organohydrogel Film for Wearable Applications.

Ionic conductive hydrogel-based temperature sensors have emerged as promising candidates due to their good stretchability and biocompatibility. However, the unsatisfactory sensitivity, sluggish response/recovery speed, and poor environmental stability limit their applications for accurate long-term health monitoring and robot perception, especially in extreme environments. To address these concerns, here, the stretchable temperature sensors based on a double-side elastomer-encapsulated thin-film organohydrogel (DETO) architecture are proposed with impressive performance. It is found that the water-polyol binary solvent, organohydrogel film, and sandwiched device structure play important roles in the temperature sensing performance. By modifying the composition of binary solvent and thicknesses of organohydrogel and elastomer films, the DETO microsensors realize a thickness of only 380 μm, unprecedented temperature sensitivity (37.96%/°C), fast response time (6.01 s) and recovery time (10.53 s), wide detection range (25-95.7 °C), and good stretchability (40% strain), which are superior to those of conventional hydrogel-based sensors. Furthermore, the device displays good environmental stability with negligible dehydration and prolonged operation duration. With these attributes, the wearable sensor is exploited for the real-time monitoring of various physiological signals such as human skin temperature and respiration patterns as well as temperature perception for robots.

Advances in Self-Healing Perovskite Solar Cells Enabled by Dynamic Polymer Bonds.

This comprehensive review addresses the self-healing phenomenon in perovskite solar cells (PSCs), emphasizing the reversible reactions of dynamic bonds as the pivotal mechanism. The crucial role of polymers in both enhancing the inherent properties of perovskite and inducing self-healing phenomena in grain boundaries of perovskite films are exhibited. The review initiates with an exploration of the various stability problems that PSCs encounter, underscoring the imperative to develop PSCs with extended lifespans capable of self-heal following damage from moisture and mechanical stress. Owing to the strong compatibility brought by polymer characteristics, many additive strategies can be employed in self-healing PSCs through artful molecular design. These strategies aim to limit ion migration, prevent moisture ingress, alleviate mechanical stress, and enhance charge carrier transport. By scrutinizing the conditions, efficiency, and types of self-healing behavior, the review encapsulates the principles of dynamic bonds in the polymers of self-healing PSCs. The meticulously designed polymers not only improve the lifespan of PSCs through the action of dynamic bonds but also enhance their environmental stability through functional groups. In addition, an outlook on self-healing PSCs is provided, offering strategic guidance for future research directions in this specialized area.

Characterization and Potential Application of Phage vB_PmuM_CFP3 for Phage Therapy Against Avian Pasteurella multocida

The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections necessitates alternative therapeutic strategies, such as phage therapy. This study investigates the potential of phage vB_PmuM_CFP3 (CFP3) as a therapeutic agent against avian cholera caused by Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida). Phage CFP3 was isolated from the feces and wastewater of a laying hen farm and underwent comprehensive biological characterization, including host range, lytic activity, and environmental stability. Transmission electron microscopy revealed CFP3′s typical myovirus morphology, with a head diameter of approximately 60 nm and a tail length of about 120 nm. CFP3 demonstrated high stability across a pH range of 4–10 and temperatures of 30–40 °C, making it suitable for oral administration in poultry. The phage exhibited a latent period of about 90 min and an optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 1. Despite its narrow host range, with a lysis rate of 28.2% against avian-derived type A P. multocida, CFP3′s specificity minimizes impact on non-target bacteria. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a 32,696 bp linear double-stranded DNA genome with 46 predicted open reading frames (ORFs) and no tRNA or antibiotic resistance genes, enhancing its safety profile. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a close evolutionary relationship with Haemophilus phages HP1, HP2, and Pasteurella phage F108. While CFP3 shows promise as a precision therapeutic tool, further in vivo studies are required to evaluate its efficacy and safety. Future research should focus on expanding the phage library, optimizing phage mixtures, and exploring synergistic effects with other antimicrobial strategies. This study provides foundational data supporting the development of CFP3 as a viable alternative to antibiotics for controlling avian cholera.

Aspartame enhances the scavenging activity of mice tolow-dose Escherichia coli infection via strengthening macrophage phagocytosis caused by sweet taste receptor activation.

Aspartame is the most common artificial sweetener and a famous sweet-taste receptor agonist. Macrophages are essential in the antibacterial system to maintain the stability of the intestinal environment. Recently, the sweet taste receptor has been found in macrophages. However, the effects of aspartame on macrophage phagocytosis in the gastrointestinal tract are little known. The current study sought to assess the influence of aspartame intake on the scavenging activity of mice to low-dose Escherichia coli infection and related mechanisms. Firstly, no inflammatory response or pathological injury was observed in the intestines of mice after oral administration of aspartame (25-100 mg/kg, i.g.) for 2 weeks. Subsequently, aspartame intake was found to enhance the scavenging activity of mice to low-dose E. coli infection. Similarly, aspartame dose-dependent strengthened the ability of RAW264.7 cells to phagocytose GFP-E.coli J96. Further mechanism evaluation reflected that aspartame could enhance macrophage phagocytosis, migration, and rearrangement via PLCβ-2/Ca2+/PKCβ/Rho A/ROCK1 pathway caused by sweet taste receptor activation. In conclusion, the present study, for the first time, demonstrated that aspartame could enhance the scavenging activity of mice to low-dose E. coli infection via strengthening macrophage phagocytic function through activating sweet taste receptor. It is then suggested that aspartame may affect the antibacterial activity of human gastrointestinal macrophages, and further studies need to validate these effects.

A review of graphene biopolymer composite in piezoelectric sensor applications

Abstract The amazing electrical, optical, mechanical and thermal properties combined with high specific surface area of graphene making it as an appealing integrant for stimuli responsive high performance smart materials. Typical graphene-based smart materials encompass mechanically exfoliated perfect graphene, chemical vapor deposited first-class graphene, chemically moded graphene including graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide and their macroscopic assemblies or composites. The ability of these graphene-based materials ending up interacting with biopolymers to come up with quite fascinating electrical, mechanical, optical, thermal and sensing characteristics has have attracted a considerable number of attentions. The biggest advantage of using biopolymer-based materials is non-corrosiveness, ease in coloration, good tensile strength, and biodegradability but are abided by drawback of the poor mechanical strength, lack of response, and unstable environmental stability. However, graphene incorporated biopolymers provided beneficent attributes for example ability to detect various forms of stimuli such as gaseous molecules include biomolecules, pH value, mechanical flexibility, electrical and thermal conductivity to enable ongoing promising advancement of the piezoelectric sensor applications. This review explores the piezoelectric development based on several graphene fabricated biopolymer composite and it is use in healthcare monitoring, structural health monitoring, industrial process monitoring, consumer electronics applications. Furthermore, we enlighten the challenges and future perspectives of graphene biopolymer piezoelectric sensors.

A Conceptual Design of Deployable Antenna Mechanisms

Over the last decade, large-scale antennas have been developed to enhance precise blue force tracking and improve situational awareness. In general, such large-scale antennas, ranging from 1 to up to 10 m, need a specific mechanism that can reconfigure their shapes and morphologies, resulting in stowing and deploying upon the given environment. In parallel, it must be noted that such deployable mechanisms should accommodate a large aperture diameter while ensuring they are lightweight, robust, and structurally rigid to avoid undesired deformations due to the deployment. With these in mind, this work presents a large frustum-shaped deployable antenna mechanism with a large aperture diameter of 7.5 m. The deployable mechanism is composed of hierarchical bayes the radial direction at 30° intervals. Twelve bayes in total identify the overall morphology of the deployable antenna, which features a dodecagon. Specifically, the bay is composed of three linkage structures: a six-bar linkage mechanism, a V-folding mechanism, and a single pantograph mechanism. As a result of static and dynamic simulations, it is identified that the mechanism achieves an area-to-mass ratio of 5.003 m2/kg and a safety factor of 323.8 upon deployment. Conclusively, this work demonstrates a strong potential of the deployable antenna mechanism, providing high rigidity and large aperture diameter while ensuring high stability in space environments.

Synthesis of Raspberry-like PMMA Particles In a Ternary Solvent Mixture with Binary Initiators.

There is continuing interest in the synthesis of raspberry-like polymer particles, among which most of the reports have tended to focus on polymer composite particles, while there are relatively few examples of polymer particles with a single component. In this study, raspberry-like poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) particles were synthesized by a one-step method in a ternary solvent mixture with binary initiators. The effects of different polymerization parameters, including the solvent composition, the initiator composition, the stabilizer component, the polymerization temperature, the stirring rate, and the nature of the monomer, on the morphology and size of the resulting particles were studied. A plausible mechanism for raspberry-like particle formation was suggested based on the monitoring data of the polymerization kinetics. The raspberry-like PMMA particles have a high dispersion stability in a salty aqueous environment.