Injectable and self-healing fucoidan hydrogel: A natural anti-inflammatory biomaterial

Fucoidan, a natural sulfated polysaccharide, offers immense potential as a natural immune-modulatory bioactive polymer to develop hydrogels for tissue engineering. Yet, systematically tunable hydrogels composed primarily of fucoidan, that can also be injected into target tissues to reduce inflammation are still lacking. To address this, we have developed a highly tunable, hydrazone crosslinked fucoidan (hcFu) hydrogel that is injectable and can be utilized for various tissue engineering applications. We demonstrate that chemically modified fucoidan retains its ability to induce macrophage polarization. The hcFu hydrogel can be tuned to achieve gelation rate from instantaneous to over 10 min. Moreover, due to the dynamic nature of hydrazone covalent bonds, fucoidan hydrogel displays viscoelasticity, self-healing, extrudability, injectability, and excellent stability in physiological environments. In-vitro biocompatibility assays confirm its capacity to support cell growth, while in-vitro and in-vivo studies reveal its inherent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Importantly, hcFu hydrogel effectively modulates immune responses without incorporating additional cytokines. These findings position fucoidan hydrazone as a promising natural anti-inflammatory biomaterial with significant potential for tissue engineering and therapeutic applications

Molecular Docking and Density Functional Theory Studies of Flavonoids of Holy Basil Plant Against COX-2 Enzyme

Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is primarily found in Nepal and India. In Ayurveda, it is commonly used as a traditional medicine to reduce pain, swelling, and various diseases. It has gained significant attention for its potential anti-inflammatory properties. One of the key targets associated with inflammation is Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an enzyme responsible for prostaglandin synthesis during the inflammatory response. In this study, we selected twenty flavonoids in the Holy Basil plant. These compounds were screened through Lipinski\u27s Rule of Five, followed by ADMET prediction. Virtual screening was conducted on the selected compounds against the COX-2 enzyme as a receptor using molecular docking techniques. Molecular docking study provides valuable insights at the molecular level into the interactions between Holy Basil compounds and COX-2. Furthermore, density functional computations were carried out utilizing the B3LYP method with the 6-311G basis, which is set to gain insight into the structural and electronic properties of the compounds. This study showcases the potential of flavonoids such as rhamnetin, Luteolin and kaempferol to act as anti-inflammatory agents, sparking further interest and research in this area

Additive manufacturing of granular analogue soils: feasibility studies and mechanical characterization

The use of additive manufacturing (AM) technology for advancements in engineering applications has grown in recent years; however, limitations still exist regarding its use in geotechnical and transportation engineering related applications. This study presents the potential of AM advancements in civil engineering applications for creating analogue soils and offers valuable insights into material type, manufacturing methods (i.e., material orientation), and post-manufactured material mechanical properties. A variety of AM technologies and materials were tested to determine the most suitable product for experimental testing and model validation studies. Based on uniaxial compression tests (UCS), the Powder Bed Binder Jetting (PBBJ) gypsum composite and Selective Laster Sintering (SLS) photopolymer are determined as suitable materials, with the gypsum composite preferred for its stiffness and brittle behavior. Print layer orientation influences compressive strength, with a 5% increase observed in vertical orientation compared to horizontal, while static Young’s modulus remains minimally affected. From compression tests on spheres and cylinders, it is observed that the contact Young’s modulus, determined using Hertzian fitting for spheres, is considerably lower than the static Young’s modulus derived from traditional UCS tests. This discrepancy can be attributed to the pronounced surface roughness of the gypsum composite spheres. Additionally, as particle size increases, there is a noticeable decrease in nominal tensile strength. The findings from drained triaxial compression tests on the analogue soil suggest its capability to replicate the response of conventional granular materials under realistic confining stresses. Denser assemblies exhibit higher peak friction angles and volume dilatancy as compared to loose assemblies. For loose assemblies, particularly for the gypsum composite material, inter-particle friction played a significant role in the mobilized (critical state) friction angle. The use of analogue soils is advantageous for laboratory parametric studies and provides a novel means to validate discrete element method (DEM) numerical simulations, which provide further insight on granular material response

Simulated online typing performance in a cBCI using different language models

Communication Brain-Computer Interfaces (cBCIs) represent a crucial technological advancement for individuals with severe motor disabilities as they offer a direct pathway to express their thoughts and needs without physical movement. These systems commonly leverage the P300 ERP, a distinct neural response approximately 300-500ms after a novel stimulus. Language modeling presents a promising approach to enhancing the performance and usability of cBCIs. However, integrating language models with cBCI systems presents unique challenges, including balancing model complexity with real-time processing requirements and optimizing system performance parameters. This study utilizes simulations of online cBCI data to investigate the impact of different language models on typing rate and accuracy

Datasets for Response of a liquid water cloud to in situ hygroscopic seeding

We have performed experiments in the Michigan Tech Pi Chamber to assess the response of a steady-state, liquid water cloud to in situ injection of a hygroscopic powder. Three materials were tested: jet-milled NaCl, a newly developed NaCl-TiO2 core-shell material, and Arizona test dust as a non-hygroscopic control. Injection of the hygroscopic materials resulted in an increase of the local liquid water content, stimulating formation of droplets up to 60 microns in diameter. Upon injection of the powders, the pre-existing cloud in the chamber collapsed

Applications of multimodal large language models in construction industry

The advancement of transformer-based models, including multimodal large language models (MLLMs), has led to growing interest in their application across diverse industries, including construction. While a few earlier reviews have explored generative artificial intelligence in the construction sector, they are limited in scope— limited coverage of multimodal models, covering a shorter timeline prior to the expansion of MLLMs research, and offering limited emphasis on practical use cases, adaptation strategies, and integration into construction workflows. This study addresses that gap by reviewing 83 peer-reviewed studies published between January 2020 and February 2025, identified using a structured search process guided by the PRISMA framework and focused on academic literature. By synthesizing these studies, this review highlights trends across application domains, model types, adaptation strategies, technical limitations, and performance evaluation practices—offering a comparative analysis across use cases. It concludes with recommendations for future research, underscoring the need for standardized evaluation frameworks, critical limitations related to technical aspects, ethical risks, and regulatory uncertainty, underscoring the need for responsible development and deployment of MLLMs in construction settings

Examining equity in fuel treatments for wildfire risk mitigation in the United States Forest Service

This paper used a mixed methods approach to examine whether socially vulnerable populations near U.S. National Forest lands received fuel treatments to reduce wildfire risk. We tested whether the location of recent treatments was related to neighborhood demographics using logistic regression with a National Forest level random intercept and regional fixed effects. Findings showed differential outcomes by race/ethnicity and tribal governance. Tribal lands were about half as likely to be treated, after controlling for biophysical risk, urbanity, land area, National Forest, and region. Neighborhoods with relatively high shares of Hispanic and Black populations were also associated with lower likelihoods of fuel treatment, compared to blocks with lower concentrations of these populations. Qualitative findings from interviews with forest managers, field work, and coding relevant government documents suggested several potential explanations. Resources for doing fuel treatments were limited, and decisions about where to do them were complex, balancing multiple priorities. Forest land management plans, environmental conditions, and environmental regulations guided decision-making about where to do fuel treatments, yet managers had discretion in prioritizing treatment locations. We found no consistent process for integrating social vulnerability– whether and how managers considered vulnerability depended on their personalities, background, and relationships. Some managers dismissed or diminished the importance of considering vulnerability, while others felt there was too much uncertainty and not enough information available to be able to consider populations that might face special risks. Decisions were often made in cooperation with already-invested partners who were knowledgeable about fire risk and could share resources, which may have directed federal resources towards relatively privileged neighborhoods

Phasor-based secondary arc extinction detection method for shunt compensated transmission lines

Secondary arc extinction detection (SAED) is essential for adaptive single-phase auto-reclosing (ASPAR) success. Many SAED/ASPAR methods have been proposed in the literature. However, most of them do not present a practical approach for field implementation. A new methodology is proposed aiming to provide an effective and practical phasor-based SAED/ASPAR scheme for shunt compensated transmission lines. That scheme consists in analyzing the line side voltage phasors in the modal domain to safely and rapidly identify the secondary arc extinction, requiring only the voltage phasors at one line terminal. Furthermore, it can be easily implemented in readily available IED (Intelligent Electronic Devices), such that no additional hardware or equipment is required, being quite suitable for real-world applications. Therefore, a new mathematical formulation is developed considering the shunt and neutral reactors effects. Then, the SAED/ASPAR applicability and limitations for shunt compensated lines are clearly defined. Data from the Brazilian Power Grid and field oscillographic recordings are used for case studies. The results attest the efficiency and reliability of the proposed methodology

Surface chemistry of monochloramine catalyzed by Fe(111)

Monochloramine (NH2Cl) is a secondary disinfectant used for water purification and interacts with iron materials in various environments. Iron surfaces undergo reduction-oxidation and corrosion, where zero-valent iron sites are produced at complex interfaces. The initial stages of the reaction of monochloramine (NH2Cl) have been studied on Fe(111), as a model for iron pipelines and mineral surfaces, at the gas/solid interface in ultra-high vacuum conditions. Using in situ infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, NH2Cl was found to adsorb molecularly at -160 °C, by observation of amine vibrational signatures. Auger electron spectroscopy was used to detect the presence of chloride to amine in a 3:1 ratio. Upon annealing, the NH2Cl multilayer was found to desorb from Fe(111) at -120 °C, and the monolayer also undergoes molecular dissociation. At 34 °C, NH2Cl primarily binds through the chloride species, thus blocking sites for NH2 adsorption. Density functional theory computations and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed two favorable chemisorbed orientations, both through binding of chloride. Further annealing allowed for chloride desorption before 400 °C, suggesting decomposition. The NH2Cl is found to undergo a dechlorination mechanism, similar to chlorohydrocarbon reactions on iron surfaces. These findings reveal the mechanism of the chloramine disinfectant on metallic iron interfaces and its role in pipelines and water systems

Metal-rich lacustrine sediments from legacy mining perpetuate copper exposure to aquatic-riparian food webs

Historic copper mining left a legacy of metal-rich tailings resulting in ecological impacts along and within Torch Lake, an area of concern in the Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan, USA. Given the toxicity of copper to invertebrates, this study assessed the influence of this legacy on present day nearshore aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. We measured the metal (Co, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd) and metalloid (As) concentrations in sediment, pore water, surface water, larval and adult insects, and two riparian spider taxa collected from Torch Lake and a nearby reference lake. Overall, elevated metal and metalloid concentrations, particularly Cu, were measured in all sediment samples and some surface and pore water samples collected from Torch Lake. For instance, Cu concentrations in the Torch Lake sediment were ∼200% higher than the reference lake and all measured concentrations exceeded predicted effects concentrations by at least ninefold. Within larval insect tissues, we observed 160% higher Cu concentrations than measured in the reference lake, and Cu was the only measured element above predicted effects concentrations in Torch Lake. Adult insects collected at both lakes had similar metal concentrations irrespective of exposure levels. Yet we found 100% higher copper concentrations in Torch Lake riparian spiders, demonstrating elevated exposure risk to insectivores across the aquatic-terrestrial boundary. Our results highlight that other metals in the mixture may not be as concerning to adjacent riparian ecosystems, but copper remains a contaminant of concern in Torch Lake 60 years after mining ceased