Artiles
Open Access
Article
09 May 2026Chiral Aromatic Hydroxylamine-Coadsorbed TiO2 Photocatalysts for Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Aromatic Ketones: Influence of Crystal Shapes and Facets
Enantioselective photohydrogenation using semiconductor photocatalysts remains challenging because of the heterogeneity of solid surfaces and the difficulty in controlling adsorption geometries. In this study, we systematically investigated the enantioselective photohydrogenation of aromatic ketones using TiO2 photocatalysts in the presence of chiral co-adsorbents, focusing on the combined effects of co-adsorbent structure and TiO2 crystal morphology. Chiral aromatic amino alcohols, such as 2-amino-1-phenylethanol (PhEA), were identified as effective and relatively photostable co-adsorbents, affording moderate enantioselectivity with reduced inhibition compared with carboxylate-type co-adsorbents. Structural analyses revealed pronounced differences in particle size, lattice distortion, and inferred exposed crystal facets among anatase TiO2 samples. TIO-13, composed of larger particles with relatively well-defined surface structures, exhibited higher and more reproducible enantioselectivity, whereas TIO-7, composed of smaller nanoparticles with more heterogeneous surfaces, showed higher reaction rates but lower enantioselectivity. Consecutive photohydrogenation experiments provided supportive evidence that residual surface-adsorbed chiral co-adsorbent contributes to both asymmetric induction and inhibition of the reaction. Although the present work should be regarded primarily as a fundamental study rather than a practically optimized catalytic methodology, it provides useful insight into the design of chiral semiconductor photocatalysts for heterogeneous asymmetric photocatalysis.
Open Access
Review
09 May 2026Fibrinaloid Microclots-Induced Microcirculation Dysfunction: Mechanism and Laser-Based Haemodynamic Validation
The microcirculation typically refers to those capillaries less than 100 μm in diameter. We have shown that blood can clot into an anomalous amyloid form, manifesting as microclots of typically 2–200 μm equivalent diameter that are rather resistant to fibrinolysis. Because they contain fibrin and other proteins in an amyloid form, we have referred to them as fibrinaloid microclot complexes. We have also previously developed the idea that endothelial dysfunction can both lead to and be caused by the fibrinaloid microclots so formed, such that this can slow or block entirely parts of the microcirculation. The microclots might be thought of as a ‘structural’ manifestation in that they are actual, observable structures. This impairment of the microcirculation is referred to in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as ‘blood stasis’. It is thus desirable to have ‘functional’ methods that can measure these effects on the microcirculation directly. As a complement to a recent survey of nailfold capillaroscopy, the present paper provides a wide-ranging review of the utility of laser speckle imaging (LSI) and laser Doppler imaging (LDI) for assessing the microcirculation in a large variety of diseases in which it is considered to be involved. These include Long COVID, sepsis, and ischaemic stroke. In all cases in which fibrinaloid microclots have been observed, so too do these methods detect an impairment of the microcirculation. Notably, blood pressure is raised while blood flow in the microcirculation is lower; this clearly speaks to occlusion and/or capillary rarefaction, and indicates that the raised blood pressure is the effect and not the cause of the decrease in flow rate or stasis of the microcirculation. As rapid, information-rich and non-invasive methods, LSI and LDI seem to have outstanding potential for assessing the role of fibrinaloid microclots in affecting blood stasis in the microcirculation, in a huge variety of inflammatory diseases and syndromes.
Open Access
Article
08 May 2026Macroeconomic Dynamics of Environmental Degradation in India: Evidence and Limits of Structural Transition Toward Sustainability
Understanding the macroeconomic determinants of environmental degradation is critical for designing effective and evidence-based sustainability policies in emerging economies. This study provides a comprehensive empirical re-examination of the growth–energy–environment nexus in India over the period 1990–2023 within an extended macroeconomic framework. It integrates key structural drivers—economic growth, energy consumption, industrialization, trade openness, urbanization, and renewable energy—into a unified analytical model to capture the complex interactions between development processes and environmental outcomes. Methodologically, the study employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach within an error-correction framework, allowing for the estimation of both long-run equilibrium relationships and short-run dynamic adjustments under mixed orders of integration. The robustness of long-run estimates is further assessed using alternative cointegration techniques, while diagnostic and stability tests ensure the reliability of the empirical specification. The results confirm the presence of a stable long-run cointegrating relationship among the variables. However, the estimated long-run elasticities are heterogeneous and generally weak in statistical strength. Economic growth and energy consumption exhibit positive but modest associations with environmental degradation, indicating the persistence of scale effects and structural dependence on fossil fuel–based energy systems. In contrast, the effects of trade openness and industrialization are not statistically robust, suggesting that structural transformation and globalization have not yet translated into consistent environmental efficiency gains. Renewable energy does not demonstrate a significant long-run mitigating effect, reflecting its limited penetration and integration within the broader energy system. Short-run dynamics reveal asymmetric adjustment patterns. Energy consumption shows a negative and significant short-run effect, implying transitional efficiency gains, whereas industrialization contributes positively to environmental pressure in the short term. Urbanization exhibits divergent temporal effects, with short-run improvements but long-run environmental costs. The significant error-correction term indicates gradual convergence toward equilibrium. Overall, the findings highlight a nuanced and evolving relationship between macroeconomic processes and environmental degradation in India, underscoring the need for structurally aligned and context-specific policy interventions.
Open Access
Article
08 May 2026Characterization and Thermal Study of Raw and Purified Pyrophyllites
Pyrophyllite is a 2:1 layered silicate with interest in ceramics, refractories, and several other important applications. In this work, an investigation into the thermal behaviour of several natural and purified pyrophyllite samples, including a pyrophyllite clay, has been conducted. A previous characterization of these samples has been carried out by AA, XRD, thermal analysis by thermo-dilatometry and DTA-TG, surface area, and SEM-EDX. Thus, relevant chemical, mineralogical, thermal, and textural data of these samples have been obtained. As a second step of this investigation, the thermal behaviour of these pyrophyllite samples has been investigated by XRD and SEM after several thermal treatments at 800, 1100 and 1150 °C during 24 h. The formation of dehydroxylated pyrophyllite as a crystalline phase in the samples was established after 1050 °C by XRD, and its permanency above this temperature, with little changes in morphological features, as revealed by SEM. When thermal treatment was progressive at higher temperatures (1300 °C) the following was evidenced by XRD: (a) the formation and crystallization of mullite (3Al2O3·2SiO2), with a progressive destruction of dehydroxylated pyrophyllite, and (b) the formation of cristobalite (SiO2). This later phase was formed by crystallization of the amorphous silica, detected as a hump by XRD, which is segregated in the solid-state reaction of formation of mullite. This treatment produces a new microstructure with elongated and needle-like crystals of mullite according to SEM observations. All these results have been found of interest for the preparation of ceramic materials, mullite-based ceramics, and refractories using these pyrophyllite samples.
Open Access
Review
08 May 2026Anthropology of Undernutrition Among Indian Tribal Adults: A Comprehensive Review
This review aimed to synthesize evidence from 2010–2024 on the nutritional status of adult tribal populations in India, with a focus on Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) as assessed by Body Mass Index (BMI). Given the persistent health disparities among India’s Scheduled Tribes (STs), the study sought to examine geographic patterns, sex differentials, and contextual determinants of undernutrition across major tribal regions of the country. A systematic literature search was conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed, and JSTOR to identify peer-reviewed studies on adult tribal nutrition in India published between 2010 and 2024. National datasets—including the Census of India (2011) and the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–2021)—were used to provide demographic and health context. Eligible studies reported BMI-based nutritional assessments using the WHO (1995) BMI classification (CED defined as BMI < 18.5 kg/m2). Forty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. Extracted data were summarized by region, tribe, sex, and CED prevalence. The review reveals pronounced regional and sex‑based disparities in CED among tribal adults. Northern and Northeastern tribal groups exhibited highly variable CED levels, ranging from very low in the Apatani (≤2%) to extremely high among Gujjar and Bakerwal women (90.7%). Eastern India showed consistently elevated CED, particularly among the Bhumij, Lodha, Kheria, and Santal tribes, with female CED often exceeding 50%. Central and Western tribes—including the Gonds, Kharwar, Mawasi, and Tadvi—displayed widespread undernutrition driven by food insecurity, poverty, and limited healthcare access. Southern India showed critical CED prevalence among Jenu Kuruba and Koraga adults (>90%), while island populations such as the Shompens exhibited low CED but high anaemia burdens. NFHS-5 corroborated these findings, indicating serious national-level CED prevalence among ST adults (18.4% in men, 25.5% in women). Across regions, coexisting burdens of anaemia, tuberculosis, hemoglobinopathies (e.g., sickle cell disease), leprosy, and vector-borne diseases further compounded poor nutritional status. Adult tribal populations in India experience disproportionately high levels of CED, shaped by intersecting structural and cultural determinants including poverty, geographic isolation, gender inequality, food insecurity, and limited access to health services. The wide regional variability underscores the need for targeted, culturally informed, region-specific nutritional interventions. Strengthening surveillance, improving healthcare accessibility, and promoting community-engaged, bottom-up health strategies are essential for reducing disparities and achieving national commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the mandate to “Leave no one behind”.
Open Access
Article
08 May 2026Daily Variability of Climatic Projection Extremes Indices of Precipitation and Temperature in the Koliba-Corubal Watershed (Guinea and Guinea-Bissau)
Climate change is exacerbating extreme weather events in West Africa, threatening water resources and livelihoods. The Koliba-Corubal transboundary basin (Guinea-Guinea-Bissau), located primarily outside the Sahel region, constitutes a major freshwater resource for the area. This study analyzes the future daily variability of extreme rainfall and temperatures in this basin using CMIP6 projections. Four climate models (GFDL-ESM4, MPI-ESM1-2-HR, UKESM1-0-LL, IPSL-CM6A-LR) under the SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios were used. Six extreme precipitation indices (R99p, Rx3day, Rx5day, SDII, CWD, R20mm) and four extreme temperature indices (TN90p, TNx, TX90p, TXx) were calculated for three time horizons (2021–2050, 2051–2080, 2071–2100) and compared to the reference period 1985–2014. Extreme precipitation decreases considerably in both scenarios (under SSP1-2.6, −45.4% for R99p and −42.0% for Rx3day compared to the reference period 1985–2014), with a marked downward trend at the beginning of the period followed by an increase around 2100 under SSP5-8.5 (R99p: −37.4%; Rx3day: −20.2%). Concurrently, extreme temperatures are increasing significantly, particularly under SSP5-8.5, where TN90p is projected to increase by 169.7% by 2071–2100. Mann-Kendall tests confirm significant trends for most indices under the highest emissions scenario. The spatial distribution shows marked heterogeneity, with higher values in the central mountain areas. These results underscore the urgent need to adapt water resource management strategies and agricultural policies in this transboundary basin in the face of the projected intensification of climate extremes by the end of the century.
Open Access
Article
07 May 2026An Investment Framework for Multi-Energy Complementary System Based on the Pythagorean Fuzzy Prospect-GLDS Model
Multi-Energy Complementary Systems (MECS) are integrated energy systems that incorporate renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, combined with energy storage and conversion technologies. They aim to enhance energy utilization efficiency and ensure supply stability through synergistic optimization. Scientific investment decision-making is crucial for the low-carbon transition of regional energy systems. However, MECS investments face challenges such as high uncertainties and the fuzziness of expert evaluations. To address this question, this paper proposes a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework integrated with fuzzy theory. An evaluation system is constructed, which includes five dimensions: resources, economy, environment, society, and infrastructure. The Choquet integral is employed to handle resource indicators, Pythagorean fuzzy sets (PFS) are introduced to process qualitative evaluations, and a combined weighting approach integrating Fuzzy Weighting with Zero-Inconsistency (FWZIC) and Weights by Envelope and Slope (WENSLO) is utilized to determine criteria weights. Finally, prospect theory is fused with the Gained and Lost Dominance Score (GLDS) method for alternative ranking. An empirical study on MECS investment in Hebei Province, China, is conducted. The results indicate that the economic dimension exerts the most significant influence, and the Chengde Weichang project demonstrates the optimal comprehensive benefits. This research provides methodological references and a practical basis for MECS investment decision-making and regional energy optimization.
Open Access
Communication
07 May 2026A Contemporary Analysis of Changing Payments for Surgical and Transcatheter Valve Procedures
We aimed to quantify contemporary changes in physician Medicare reimbursement for surgical and transcatheter valvular procedures. Publicly available 2015–2023 data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services were used to identify annual physician reimbursement fees for four procedures: surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), mitral valve repair (MVr), and MitraClip. Physician reimbursement fees were adjusted for inflation into 2023 U.S. dollars. Changes over time were analyzed using linear regression to account for differences in average annual U.S. dollar decline, average annual percent change, and total percent change over the study period. Reimbursement for surgical and transcatheter valve procedures declined by a combined total of 28.5%: 25.8% SAVR, 34.2% TAVR, 25.8% MVr, and 28.3% MitraClip. They corresponded to average annual percent changes of −3.7% (SAVR), −5.1% (TAVR), −3.7% (MVr), and −4.1% (MitraClip)—representing a collective decline in reimbursement fee per patient of $784.96 (SAVR), $624.73 (TAVR), $823.54 (MVr), and $706.12 (MitraClip) over the nine-year study span. Over the last decade, physician reimbursement for surgical and transcatheter valve procedures has significantly decreased, potentially threatening access to quality cardiac care within the heart team approach.
Open Access
Article
07 May 2026Research on Trajectory Generation Method for Multi-Objective Optimization of Thrust Vector Vehicle in Constrained Space
Thrust-vectoring UAVs can realize decoupling of position and attitude compared with conventional quadrotors due to the ability to change thrust direction, and are used to perform various complex indoor and outdoor missions. However, existing trajectory generation frameworks are mostly for quadrotors with fixed thrust direction and a coplanar surface, and do not consider the dynamics of thrust-vectoring UAVs. To address this, this paper proposes a multi-objective trajectory generation method for thrust-vectoring UAVs in constraint space. By parametrically modeling the constraint space, the method considers the effects of environmental boundary constraints and platform dynamics characteristics on the collision constraints and motion decoupling of the trajectory, and comprehensively optimizes the trajectory’s indicators of stability, speed, and safety to plan the states and input actions of the flight trajectory. Meanwhile, a trajectory generation evaluation system is proposed, given that compared with the conventional quadratic objective function, the proposed method is effective in reducing the attitude change of the trajectory, improving the rapidity and safety, in which $$L_{\theta}$$ and $$L_{r i s k}$$ are reduced by 70.4% and 19.1%, respectively. Meanwhile, by comparing with the conventional quadrotor, the advantages of the thrust-vectoring in decoupling motion are quantified, especially in reducing the attitude change during flight, the pitch angle of the generated trajectory is reduced from ±30° to within ±20° degrees, which exerts the motion decoupling advantages of the thrust-vectoring.
Open Access
Article
06 May 2026Dispersion During Underground Hydrogen Storage in Depleted Gas Reservoirs
Dispersion in porous media is a multiscale process that governs the distribution and mixing of fluids in the subsurface. In underground hydrogen storage, dispersion is particularly critical due to hydrogen’s low molecular weight and large density contrast relative to natural gas. In addition to this, cyclic operations amplify mixing and transport effects beyond what is typically observed during conventional gas injection and storage. The apparent mixing observed during storage arises from the combined influences of localized dispersion, heterogeneity-driven channeling, and gravity segregation. Distinguishing between local, echo, and transmission dispersion provides a start for understanding reversible and irreversible components of mixing, and for connecting localized processes with field-scale performance. This study develops a systematic method to quantify dispersion in hydrogen storage within depleted gas reservoirs by combining analytical solutions of the convective–diffusive equation with multidimensional numerical simulations. The approach translates concentration fields into effective dispersion coefficients using different methods for mixing-zone length analysis. This enables evaluation across different permeability distributions, anisotropies, and spatial correlation lengths. The method is applied under both linear and radial flow conditions, including cyclic injection and production, to capture the distinct roles of gravity segregation, heterogeneity, and boundary conditions. Across the studied cases, the effective dispersion coefficient increases from approximately 1.03 to 3.5 m2/day as the Dykstra–Parsons coefficient increases from 0.3 to 0.9. Gravity segregation significantly alters plume evolution, reducing effective mixing zone lengths and introducing asymmetric displacement behavior. Under cyclic radial injection–production, incomplete plume reversal leads to persistent concentration halos, indicating irreversible mixing. The ratio of echo to transmission dispersion further quantifies the degree of irreversibility in the system. This work establishes a quantitative framework for characterizing dispersive transport in hydrogen storage systems and provides a basis for evaluating storage performance and reversibility under realistic subsurface conditions.
