Browse Articles

Study on the deoxygenation characteristics of RP-5 aviation fuel via nitrogen-enriched air scrubbing inerting

Hierarchical ordered logistic regression analysis of urban rail transit driver fatigue determinants: impact of emotion regulation and sleep patterns

Multi-center chameleon hashing based Blockchain integrated digital copyright transaction scheme for data redacting in Blockchain based IoT systems

Abstract Traditional digital copyright protection relies on centralized authorities, which often lacks transparency and struggle to guarantee data security during ownership transfer. Furthermore, ownership changes require re-confirmation of copyrightwhich costs more time and wastes storage resources. Here a blockchain-based digital copyright transaction scheme is proposed which supports data redaction. Here multi-center chameleon hashing is used for modifying the copyright information in the transaction process. At the same time, a flexible and controllable permission node management mechanism is designed, proposed and implemented here and the optimized attribute encryption mechanism is used for providing the security protection for the node private key. The experimental results and security analysis have shown that the scheme has satisfied the data confidentiality of the copyright transferor, resistance to malicious nodes, and the confidentiality and accountability of the private key of the chameleon hash. In the scenario with more permission nodes, the private key broadcast in the node exit stage has higher efficiency and flexibility, so it’s effective in ensuring data confidentiality of the copyright transferor, resistance to malicious nodes, and the confidentiality and accountability of the private key of the chameleon hash in Blockchain based Internet of Things (BIoT) systems and it can be further used in Blockchain based Industrial Internet of Things (BIIOT) of present time.

Near work affects ocular higher order aberrations in children—a longitudinal study before and after COVID-19: The Tokyo Myopia Study

Introducing the inverted pendulum as a negative stiffness mechanism and a novel structural system to improve seismic performance using a quasi-zero stiffness approach

Molecular study of the small intestine dysbiosis derived from iron deficiency anaemia

Mechanical, microstructural, and free-vibration characteristics of concrete reinforced with recycled E-waste PVC fibers

Abstract This study investigates the influence of recycled polyvinyl chloride fibers derived from electronic waste on the mechanical and free-vibration characteristics of concrete. Fibers of two lengths (30 mm and 50 mm) were incorporated at contents of 0.8%, 1.0%, and 1.2%, and their effects on compressive strength, flexural strength, and free-vibration response were evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to examine fiber-matrix interactions and associated energy dissipation mechanisms. Results indicate that a fiber content of 0.8% yields the highest compressive strength, while higher contents result in slight reductions, which may be attributed to fiber agglomeration and increased porosity. In contrast, flexural strength increases progressively with fiber content, reaching a maximum of 22.1% at 1.2%, with longer fibers (50 mm) providing additional enhancement due to improved crack-bridging capacity. Free-vibration testing reveals a maximum increase in the damping ratio of approximately 7.47%, primarily governed by fiber content, with fiber length exerting a comparatively minor influence. Microstructural observations reveal strong interfacial bonding accompanied by localized debonding and controlled fiber pull-out, which likely contribute to enhanced energy dissipation. These findings suggest that recycled polyvinyl chloride fibers can serve as a sustainable reinforcement strategy for improving the free-vibration performance of concrete.

The cytotoxic effects of glycyrrhizic acid-modified chitosan/selenium nanocomposite on osteosarcoma cancer cell line

Abstract This study focuses on the preparation, characterization, and application of glycyrrhizic acid (GA)-modified chitosan/selenium (Cs/Se) nanocomposites (NC) for treating osteosarcoma cancer cells. The Cs-stabilized Se nanoparticles (Cs/Se NPs) were synthesized through a chemical reduction method, where GA was added via a surface modification technique to enhance biocompatibility and targeting efficiency. Characterization of the GA-Cs/Se NC and Cs/Se NPs was performed using various techniques, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Zeta potential analysis. These analyses confirmed the successful formation of spherical NPs with a uniform size (100–200 nm) and good distribution with appropriate surface modifications. GA-Cs/Se NC exhibited potent cytotoxicity against MG-63 osteosarcoma cells, with an IC 50 of 76.65 ± 3.5 µg/ml, whereas it had negligible effects on bone marrow stromal cells, confirming selective tumor targeting. Additionally, gene expression analysis revealed an 8.07-fold upregulation of the pro-apoptotic Bax and a 0.36-fold downregulation of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, indicating mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. Moreover, qRT-PCR revealed a 7.13-fold increase in p53 expression, corroborating the induction of DNA damage-induced apoptotic pathways. The novel GA-Cs/Se NC developed in this study uniquely integrates the ROS-mediated pro-apoptotic activity of Se NPs with the inhibitory and anti-inflammatory properties of GA, all within a Cs NPs matrix that improves stability, biocompatibility, and cellular uptake. This multifunctional design enables a synergistic mechanism combining oxidative stress induction with transcriptional modulation to selectively target and kill osteosarcoma cells while minimizing necrosis and inflammation.

Exploring exosome-related genes as candidate biomarkers in primary immune thrombocytopenia through transcriptomics and preliminary experimental validation

Comparative evaluation of YOLO and RT-DETR models for real-time defect detection in wood-based 3D printing

SVDHLA: symmetric variable depth hybrid learning automaton and its application

A hybrid unified decoding analytics system for end-of-life strategies in mass-produced EV battery projects

Trace minerals, antioxidant defense, and safe consumption of Nile tilapia: insights from ecological variability in lake Mariout, Egypt

Abstract Trace minerals are essential components of fish that contribute to human nutrition and food security. In this study, Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) were collected from two restored basins of Lake Mariout, Egypt—the Main Basin (B1) and the Southwest Basin (B2)—to evaluate trace mineral accumulation, antioxidant enzyme activity, proximate composition, gene expression, and potential human health risks. Metal concentrations in fish tissues followed the order Fe > Ca > Zn > Cu, with Cu showing significant variation between basins. Human health risk assessment, including estimated daily intake (EDI), estimated weekly intake (EWI), and maximum daily intake (MDI), indicated no non-carcinogenic risk at consumption rates of 100–500 g per day. Proximate analysis showed that B1 fish had higher protein and carbohydrate content, whereas B2 fish exhibited significantly higher antioxidant enzyme activities. Gene expression analysis revealed upregulation in B2 fish of metal-regulatory genes—metallothionein ( mt1 ), divalent metal transporter 1 ( dmt1 ), zinc transporter 1 ( znt1 ), hepcidin 2 ( hepc2 )—and antioxidant defense genes—superoxide dismutase 1 ( sod1 ), catalase ( cat ), glutathione peroxidase 1 ( gpx1 ), glutathione reductase ( gr ), and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit ( gclc ). Overall, Nile tilapia from the restored basins of Lake Mariout represent a nutritionally adequate and safe food source, highlighting the benefits of effective environmental management.

Effects of temperature, hyposalinity, and diminishing sperm concentration on fertilisation and embryonic development in Acropora tumida and Platygyra carnosa

Abstract Evaluating climate change impacts, for example, temperature anomaly and hyposalinity, on coral reproduction across a diversity of systems, including high-latitude marginal environments, is important. Here, we examined temperature and hyposalinity impacts on fertilisation under various sperm concentrations, and embryo development of two locally common hard corals, Acropora tumida and Platygyra carnosa , in Hong Kong. A salinity of 22 psu reduced fertilisation success by ~ 83% for both species. Our results demonstrated that increasing sperm concentration will be required to achieve the same amount of fertilisation success (i.e. 50%) under decreasing salinity. Temperature had species-specific effects on fertilisation. Decreased fertilisation was recorded under both lowered (– 3 °C) and elevated temperature (+ 3 °C) for A. tumida . For P. carnosa , fertilisation decreased under lowered temperature but increased under elevated temperature. For embryonic development, 26 psu salinity resulted in 33 and 40% more abnormal embryos for A. tumida and P. carnosa . The effects of temperature on embryonic development again varied between species. Under ambient salinity, elevated temperature led to 60% more abnormal embryos for P. carnosa , but only 8% for A. tumida . With reef degradation, diminishing sperm abundance will interact with rising climate change stressors and potentially impair coral reproduction.

Meta-analysis, WGCNA, and machine learning converge on a four-gene biomarker panel for heat stress tolerance in Solanum lycopersicum

First positronium lifetime imaging using 52Mn and 55Co with a plastic-scintillator-based PET scanner

Abstract This study demonstrates the applicability of $$^{52}$$ Mn and $$^{55}$$ Co radionuclides for positronium imaging. Positronium Lifetime Imaging (PLI) extends positron emission tomography by using the lifetime of positronium atoms as a probe of tissue molecular architecture. However, its practical use requires $$\beta ^{+}$$ emitters that also provide an additional prompt $$\gamma$$ ray to mark the positron creation time. In this work, we report the first PLI measurements performed with $$^{52}$$ Mn and $$^{55}$$ Co using the modular J-PET. Four samples were studied in each experiment: two Certified Reference Materials (polycarbonate and fused silica) and two human tissues (cardiac myxoma and adipose). The selection of PLI events was based on the registration of two 511 keV annihilation photons and one prompt gamma in triple coincidence. From the resulting lifetime spectra we extracted the mean ortho-positronium lifetime $$\tau _{\text {oPs}}$$ and the mean positron lifetime $$\Delta T_{\text {mean}}$$ for each sample. The measured values of $$\tau _{\text {oPs}}$$ in polycarbonate using both isotopes matches well with the certified reference values. Furthermore, $$^{55}$$ Co reproduced identical results for fused-silica measurements at their respective uncertainty levels. In contrast, measurements with $$^{52}$$ Mn in fused silica show a minor deviation, which could be caused by the Parafilm spacer. In myxoma and adipose tissue, the reduced $$\tau _{\text {oPs}}$$ values are mainly linked to the long storage history of the samples rather than to the choice of isotope. Comparing peak-to-background ratios and spectral purity, $$^{55}$$ Co provides cleaner PLI data under the same experimental conditions. Although $$^{52}$$ Mn offers a longer half-life and a multi gamma cascade enhancing $$\beta ^{+}$$ + $$\gamma$$ coincidences, but at the expense of higher background. In this study, we demonstrate that the applied selection criteria on the data measured with the modular J-PET can be used for PLI studies even with radionuclides with complex decay patterns.

Impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on work, life patterns, and coping behaviours of military personnel in Brunei Darussalam

Hypoxia-induced gene expression changes in N. vectensis embryos

Exploration of the usage of dental composite resin and the perception of its potential implications in forensic odontology among Lebanese dentists

Promising biocontrol effects of a native hemiparasitic plant against a non-native C4 grass

Abstract Hemiparasitic plants are known to be able to diversify degraded grasslands by lowering the competitive power of dominant grasses. Recent research indicates that hemiparasites may also be used against invasive alien plants. Here, we tested the effects of Odontites luteus , a native European hemiparasite, on Sporobolus cryptandrus , a recently established and rapidly spreading C4 grass of North-American origin. We found that Odontites considers Sporobolus a suitable host and reduces its biomass production (and potentially its competitive ability) by approx. 50%, equaling the effect on its major native host, Festuca vaginata. However, Festuca showed severe metabolic impairment (reduced photosynthetic capacity and increased physiological stress) under hemiparasite pressure. So, the application of hemiparasites is a promising biocontrol tool against Sporobolus (and potentially other invasive C4 grasses), but it is not a silver bullet. We cannot expect a full eradication of the invasive species and a recovery of the native community but thinning monodominant Sporobolus stands to allow certain populations of native species, particularly those resistant to Odontites , to come back is a more realistic goal. This could lead to a partial recovery of the former species composition and an improvement of ecosystem functions, such as providing food for pollinators.