Applied Research最新文献

Probiotics are considered live microorganisms that contribute to health benefits by modulating gut microbiota and improving gastrointestinal function. The present study aimed to isolate and characterize indigenous Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium) strains from healthy human fecal samples to assess their probiotic potential. Eleven isolates were selected based on Gram-positive, catalase-negative, nonmotile, and nonhemolytic characteristics, and were identified using MALDI-TOF MS and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The bacterial isolates were assessed for acid and bile tolerance, antimicrobial activity, cell surface hydrophobicity, tolerance to osmotic (NaCl) and phenolic stress, exopolysaccharide (EPS) production, bile salt hydrolase and DNase activity, cholesterol-lowering capacity, and antioxidant activity. Findings demonstrated strong acid and bile tolerance, high NaCl and phenol resilience, positive BSH and EPS activity, and absence of DNase. Antimicrobial activity was moderate to high against gastrointestinal pathogens, antioxidant activity and surface hydrophobicity ranged from moderate to high, while cholesterol-lowering efficiency varied among strains. Cumulative probiotic potential scores were determined that highlighting strain-specific strengths, signifying that these E. faecium isolates possess multifunctional probiotic attributes suitable for functional foods and nutraceutical applications. Further in vivo studies are necessary to confirm their efficacy and safety for human consumption.

The kinematic behavior of automotive suspension systems, particularly the dynamic control of camber and caster angles, is paramount to achieving desired vehicle handling, stability, and safety characteristics. However, designing complex multi-body systems like the double wishbone suspension presents a high-dimensional, non-linear optimization problem where conventional algorithms are susceptible to premature convergence to suboptimal local minima. This paper introduces a novel, two-stage stacking ensemble optimization framework to overcome this limitation. The underlying kinematic model, including loop-closure and geometric feasibility constraints, is systematically derived using a symbolic mathematics approach to ensure high fidelity and eliminate formulation errors. Through a comparative analysis, the proposed ensemble method is shown to demonstrably outperform standard individual algorithms—Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP), Interior-Point, and Active-Set—in solution accuracy. The optimized geometry achieves sub-millidegree root-mean-square error in tracking predefined target curves for both camber and caster throughout the suspension's travel. The results validate that this hybrid framework provides a more robust and reliable methodology for the high-fidelity synthesis of complex mechanical systems, offering a powerful tool for modern vehicle design.

In this paper, a novel surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor structure built by zinc oxide (ZnO), silver (Ag), aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), and black phosphorus (BP) is proposed. The incident light wave wavelength is 632.8 nm. The detection of waterborne bacteria was accomplished through the utilization of the hybrid structure. The transfer matrix method (TMM) is employed to analyze the suggested SPR structure. The angular sensitivity, the figure of merit (FOM), and MR of the proposed construction and other constructions are numerically investigated and compared. To optimize the sensor's performance, the influence of the thickness of each layer on the proposed construction's performance was simulated. Additionally, this study compared the effects on sensitivity, FOM and MR of two-dimensional materials graphene, WS₂, and BP. It is found that the proposed sensing structure's highest sensitivity of 187.18 and 252.18 deg RIU⁻¹ with a high figure of merits of 58.31 and 57.97 RIU⁻¹ for V. cholera and E. coli samples detection, respectively. This sensing structure might provide ideas for the construction of precision detection-suited SPR sensors.

Induction heating-based functional ultra-thin friction layer (FUFL) for removing snow and ice was found severe aggregate spalling due to repeated induction heating. This study tried to reveal how induction heating affects FUFL's resistance to particle spalling through an originally developed assessment through computer image processing. Firstly, AC-5 asphalt mixtures incorporating steel slag and steel fibers were designed. Secondly, an abrasion-spalling accelerating device and an evaluation method based on image processing of MATLAB were proposed to assess the spalling level, reflecting changes of spalling level by measuring the change rate of the black pixel percentage. Finally, a quantitative analysis of how induction heating determines particle spalling degree by ice melting time dependence was performed. Results illustrated that steel slag can enhance the splitting strength, stability, interlayer shear strength, improve the induction heating rate and ice melting effect, but also exacerbate the particle spalling. The developed evaluation method was adequate in assessing aggregate spalling. Aggregate spalling degree of FUFL was positively correlated to the number of freeze-thaw cycles. It was found that the comprehensive road performance, induction heating performance, and spalling performance of FUFL could be optimally enhanced by adding 1% steel fibers.

This study investigated the effect of different drying techniques on the yield and quality of essential oil extracted from Alpinia officinarum rhizomes and their application in functional candy formulation. Fresh galangal rhizomes were subjected to sun drying (SD), tray drying at 50°C, 60°C, and 70°C (TD50, TD60, TD70), and hot air drying (HAD). Among these, TD60 exhibited the best retention of bioactive compounds, with the highest total phenolic content (51.7 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid content (36.7 mg QE/g), along with maximum DPPH radical scavenging activity (73.69%). The essential oil yields obtained via solvent extraction ranged from 6.85 ± 0.06% (SD) to 7.45% (TD60), confirming TD60 as the optimal drying condition. GC-MS analysis identified major bioactive constituents such as 1, 8-cineole, galangin, and methyl cinnamate. The extracted essential oils were incorporated into candy formulations to evaluate their nutraceutical potential. The galangal oil–infused candy exhibited enhanced antioxidant activity (61% inhibition) compared to powder-based (54%) and control candies (13%). Proximate analysis showed moderate moisture (2.26%), with increased fat (0.65 g/100 g) and ash content (0.045 g/100 g). Antimicrobial testing revealed inhibition zones of 35 mm against Staphylococcus aureus and 25 mm against Enterococcus faecalis, indicating strong antibacterial efficacy. Sensory analysis demonstrated high consumer acceptance of the oil-infused candy, and 60-day storage studies confirmed its microbial stability with minimal TPC (7.87 log cfu/g).

Quantum computing leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to perform computations that are infeasible for classical computers. Color centers, which are point defects in a crystal lattice where vacancies in the lattice and/or an impurity atom replace a host atom, exhibit unique optical, electronic, and nuclear spin properties that make them suitable for quantum information and communication processing as well as for quantum computations with quantum memory. Among the color centers, nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond, the most developed, silicon vacancy (V_Si) centers in silicon carbide (SiC), and boron vacancy (V_B) centers in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) have emerged as leading candidates. Diamond and SiC material hosts are particularly promising due to the long spin and photon coherence times, optical addressability, compatibility with various quantum operations, while SiC promises higher compatibility with scalable industrial fabrication processing, and 2D materials are better suited for hybrid photonics and electronics integration. This paper provides a detailed overview of the advantages, challenges, and recent advancements in using these color centers for quantum computing. In addition, it discusses other potential color centers of interest, such as silicon (SiV) and germanium (GeV) vacancies in diamond, tin vacancies (SnV) in diamond, chromium and nickel centers in diamond, and rare-earth ions in host materials like yttrium orthosilicate and calcium fluoride. By understanding and utilizing the properties of these diverse color centers, researchers aim to develop more efficient, scalable, and versatile quantum computers, which could lead to hybrid quantum-classical systems that combine the strengths of different platforms and potentially transform fields like cryptography, material science, drug discovery, and complex system simulations (climate modeling, fusion energy).

IgG1 and IgG4 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) represent the two most widely used IgG subclasses in therapeutic applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of analytical characterization tools essential for understanding the physicochemical and functional properties of these molecules. The importance of robust analytical techniques is highlighted for structural conformation, posttranslational modifications (PTMs), charge heterogeneity, and aggregation behaviour. Advanced methodologies including imaged capillary isoelectric focusing (icIEF), membrane-confined electrophoresis (MCE), and LC-MS/MS peptide mapping are discussed for their roles in providing high-resolution insights into charge variants and PTM hotspots. The section on LC-MS/MS explores the advantages of different fragmentation techniques and the utility of middle-up approaches in profile consistency across samples. Advances in multidimensional LC-MS/MS workflows demonstrate improved efficiency in critical quality attribute detection. Complementary techniques such as size-exclusion chromatography coupled with multi-angle light scattering (SEC-MALS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) are employed to quantify colloidal stability and evaluate global conformational changes. Additionally, the significance of in silico modelling and molecular dynamics simulations for predicting degradation-prone regions and electrostatic compatibility are discussed. Overall, the review underscores the integration of analytical strategies and modelling tools crucial for the developability engineering and biosimilarity assessment of IgG1 and IgG4 monoclonal antibodies, ensuring product quality and safety in therapeutic applications for researchers and biopharmaceutical developers.

Synergistic effects arising from the combination of various flame retardants (FRs) are critical in the design of effective FR systems. This study investigates the synergistic interactions between phosphatized starch (PS) and amino acids as FR systems for epoxy resins, with the goal of advancing the development of sustainable materials that exhibit enhanced fire resistance. The exceptional FR properties of these systems are comprehensively analyzed using a multi-step approach, including thermo-gravimetric analysis, thermo-gravimetric Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy mass spectrometry, and cone calorimetry, beginning at the compound level. The combination of PS with L-tryptophan results in significant reductions in peak heat release rate, total heat release, and total smoke release by approximately 87%, 88% and 92%, respectively. This demonstrates that the material system not only surpasses the performance of epoxy resins using conventional FRs but also underscores the importance of selecting an FR that is well-suited to the matrix material to achieve optimal FR performance.

Drying is a critical process for the preservation of agricultural products by decreasing moisture content. The food industry accounts for 25%–30% of greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbated by the climate crisis. The food sector is increasingly utilising renewable sources, such as solar energy, to enhance sustainability and address existing challenges. To attain significant advancement, the sector must implement focused strategies and technological innovations. This review paper summarises recent advancements in solar drying systems, focusing on different configurations established through experimental research. The objective is to aid researchers in selecting appropriate solar dryer designs for their experimental studies. The scope of this review article is focused on the experimentation of various kinds of solar dryers. The typical range of drying efficiencies was 16.73%–69.6%, while the typical drying temperatures and times were 29%–60% and 12 h, respectively.