The poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability of natural nutraceuticals, such as quercetin (QUE) and piperine (PIP), limit their healthcare efficacy on Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study developed carrier-free co-amorphous microspheres (CAM-MPs) of QUE and PIP via solvent co-evaporation to address these challenges. Supramolecular interactions (hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces) stabilized the amorphous system, as confirmed by spectroscopic analyses (FTIR, UV-Vis) and molecular dynamics simulations. The CAM-MPs exhibited significantly enhanced solubility (1.5–4-fold increase) across physiological media compared to crystalline forms, alongside 24-week stability under accelerated storage (40 °C/75% RH). Pharmacokinetic studies in rats demonstrated 125% and 139% improvements in oral bioavailability for QUE and PIP, respectively. In vitro assays revealed superior antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH, O₂⁻ scavenging) and acetylcholinesterase inhibition for the co-amorphous system, and significant synergy effect between QUE and PIP in CAM-MP formulation. In the CL4176 Caenorhabditis elegans AD model, CAM-MPs reduced Aβ aggregation, oxidative stress markers (ROS, MDA), and paralysis rates, while improving lifespan and mobility. This carrier-free co-amorphous platform synergistically enhances the bioavailability and bioactivity of QUE and PIP, offering a scalable, food-compatible strategy for neuroprotective nutraceuticals. The work bridges supramolecular design with functional food innovation, aligning with clean-label trends and emerging technologies in bioactive delivery.
This study presents a miniaturized, ultra-low-cost, and portable electrochemical biosensor fabricated on cellulose filter paper for non-invasive salivary glucose measurement. The device utilizes graphene electrode and aluminum-paired electrode. Glucose oxidase (GOx) was immobilized in the reaction zone interfaced with the graphene electrode using a chitosan (CS) matrix to improve enzyme stability, while bovine serum albumin (BSA) served as a blocking agent to reduce non-specific binding and further stabilize enzymatic activity. The optimized formulation (GOx:CS:BSA = 4:4:1) yielded a strong linear response to glucose in the range of 0.05–0.91 mM (R2 = 0.932), with a detection limit of 0.061 mM. The biosensor achieved an average accuracy of 88.7 ± 5.2% and retained stable performance for up to 40 days at 4 °C. The materials cost of each disposable sensor strip is less than 10 cents, while the reusable electronic module can be assembled from commercially available components. Overall, this proof-of-concept device features a cost-effective, easy-to-fabricate design and shows strong potential for point-of-care and at-home salivary glucose monitoring.
The simulation of atmospheric boundary layer flow in wind tunnels plays a very important role in the field of wind engineering for estimating the wind-induced loads on the structures. Despite the widespread use of the theoretical and empirical atmospheric boundary layer models, the applicability and the accuracy under a controlled wind tunnel conditions require a systematic validation using the experimental data. The primary objective of the present study is to experimentally evaluate and validate the commonly used atmospheric boundary layer characteristics and turbulence models using the wind tunnel measurements and a Python-based data analysis. The experiments were conducted in an Atmospheric Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel to replicate the turbulence characteristics of the open terrain conditions. Time-series velocity data obtained at multiple heights were processed using a dedicated Python framework to extract the key atmospheric boundary layer parameters viz. including roughness length, power-law exponent, turbulence intensity, turbulence length scales, probability density functions, and the wind spectra. The normalized mean velocity profiles were compared with the logarithmic and power-law formulations. Whereas the measured power spectra were compared against the theoretical von Karman spectrum. The results have shown a good agreement between wind tunnel measurements and the well-established theoretical and empirical models. The variations in the normalized velocity profiles, turbulence intensity, probability density functions, and the reduced power spectra with the height has been systematically presented. The study has confirmed the suitability of the wind tunnel experiments combined with the Python-based post-processing for the validation of the ABL flow characteristics and has provided a reproducible framework for the future experimental and numerical ABL investigations.
The demand for lightweight and high-performance photovoltaics has driven interest in flexible perovskite/Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) tandem solar cells. However, their efficiency remains limited by significant reflection losses and weak light trapping. To address this challenge, we design a metamaterial antireflection coating (ARC) comprising MXene nanodisks beneath a vanadium dioxide (VO2) dielectric overlayer, optimized using finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations. The VO2 layer acts as a refractive-index grading medium (n = 2–2.6) that bridges the impedance mismatch between air and the tandem stack, while its phase-tunable optical response enables dynamic control of interference and absorption. Meanwhile, the MXene nanodisks support broadband plasmonic resonances, synergistically suppressing Fresnel reflection and enhancing near-field absorption. Simulation results reveal that a 25 nm VO2 overlayer achieves ∼95% optical absorption across the visible range, whereas thicker VO2 (> 80 nm) induces strong reflection (> 80%). When integrated into a perovskite/CIGS tandem, this ARC enhances optical coupling and current-matching potential. It is emphasized that the present work is purely optical and simulation-based; no electrical modeling or experimental validation of device efficiency is performed. These findings highlight a scalable pathway toward next-generation flexible and tunable photovoltaic technologies through advanced optical light-management strategies.
This study addresses the pressing need for effective and sustainable strengthening solutions for one-way slabs. Four specific strengthening methods were selected for investigation: low-cost glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) fabric, ordinary steel bars, GFRP bars, and steel wire mesh. Steel and GFRP bars were further attached using cement sand mortar and Sikadur high performance resin. Experimental studies were conducted to analyze the flexural behavior of one-way slabs before and after strengthening using these methods. Flexural strength testing was conducted on 16 one-way slabs. Results indicated that mortar-based strengthening offers a balanced approach, providing a compromise between ductility and strength growth, making it suitable for applications requiring reliable post-cracking performance. Notably, GFRP systems with mechanical anchors exhibited high strength and enhanced ductility, showcasing their potential for seismic and non-seismic retrofitting applications. In contrast, while sikadur-based systems demonstrated high initial capacities, their brittle failure mechanism and low residual strength limit their applicability in scenarios demanding ductility and deformability. Overall, GFRP systems with mechanical anchors exhibited high strength and enhanced ductility, showcasing their potential for seismic and non-seismic retrofitting applications. Furthermore, moment-curvature analysis revealed that the strengthened slabs exhibited enhanced ductility and a greater curvature capacity prior to collapse.
A broadband terahertz (THz) metamaterial absorber based on graphene is demonstrated, featuring a compact three-layer structure composed of a gold bottom layer, a silicon dioxide (SiO2), and a patterned graphene layer on top. The absorber achieves high-efficiency absorption with a bandwidth of 2.61THz, spanning the frequency range between 2.68 THz to 5.29 THz under normal incidence. It exhibits two prominent resonance peaks at 3.01 THz and 4.7 THz, both reaching near- unity absorption (⁓99.99%). The symmetric design confers polarization insensitivity, maintaining near-constant absorptance for varying polarization angles. Moreover, the absorber demonstrates strong incident angle insensitivity, retaining effective absorption performance up to incident angles of 50°. Numerical analysis of the electromagnetic field distributions and induced currents indicates that the coupling between the patterned graphene layer and underlying layers triggers simultaneous electric and magnetic resonances, driving the broadband absorption mechanism. These combined features position the proposed metamaterial absorber as a promising candidate for applications in terahertz imaging, sensing, and stealth technologies where wide-angle and polarization- independent operation is essential.
The plant cell wall, serving as a mechanical tissue and the outermost barrier, exhibits relatively stable physical and chemical properties within a certain range. Leveraging its structural complexity and compositional diversity, this study explores the use of lignocellulosic characterization techniques to differentiate Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) from distinct ecological habitats. Initially, an optimal ecological zoning model was established based on plant ecological niches and preliminary survey sites to delineate the most suitable growing regions. Samples were then collected from closely related species, adulterants, and three key production areas (FC, ZJ, PY) within the defined ecological zones for comprehensive characterization. Significant differences in cellulose crystallinity (Xc) were observed among the three populations, ranked as XcFC < XcZJ < XcPY. A corresponding trend was also noted in their thermal stability, suggesting that environmental conditions can alter the crystalline structure of plant cell wall fibers. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) effectively distinguished lignin features among different species. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy revealed distinct lignin monomer compositions: Aβ (S) and Aβ (G/H) signals were absent in one population (LZJ showed only Aβ (S)), while the other two (LSP, LSB, and LSY) exhibited both types of lignin skeletons, indicating significant interspecific variation. A partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) model was developed by integrating the characterized lignocellulosic features and their degrees of variation. The model successfully differentiated Danshen samples by both species and origin. Specifically:Species-specific markers included acid-soluble lignin and the Gal/Glc ratio. When harvested at the same time, the S/G ratio, BHT, palmitic acid, GG, Man, and the Xyl/Ara ratio also served as effective discriminators. Origin-specific markerswere identified as cellulose content, cellulose crystallinity, acid-insoluble lignin, and lignin ash content.
Urban areas in Jordan, such as Amman, have witnessed a rapid increase in the number of vehicles, which has led to considerable congestion in these areas. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of two critical intersections in Amman using a disaggregate Level of Service (LOS) analysis to propose improvements based on simulations of collected field data between 2018-2021 obtained from the Greater Amman Municipality using automated vehicle detectors. These detectors provide high resolution, lane-specific vehicle count on and off-peak hours. Collected data includes parameters such as vehicle volumes, turning movements, and signal phase durations. To evaluate the traffic performance at intersections, this study utilizes a multistage approach to evaluate and assess the existing intersection operational conditions, then classify the intersections based on their LOS, and finally propose improvements based on actual operational data in simulation-based models. The utilized simulation software is planung transport verkehr – verkehr in städten simulation model (PTV VISSIM). Alternative design scenarios included converting the signalized intersections to roundabouts. Results reveal that geometric and signalization adjustments significantly enhance the intersection efficiency and LOS form E and F scores to mainly A and B. This provides substantial insight into the responsible authorities and traffic management decision makers.
