Assessing building energy consumption is of paramount significance in sustainability and energy efficiency (EE) studies. The development of an accurate EE prediction model is pivotal for optimizing energy resources and facilitating effective building planning. Traditional physical modeling approaches are encumbered by high complexity and protracted modeling cycles. In this paper, we introduce a novel evolutionary dendritic neural regression (EDNR) model tailored to forecasting residential building EE. Acknowledging the vast landscape and complexity of the EDNR weight space, coupled with the inherent susceptibility of traditional optimization algorithms to local optima, we propose a complex network-guided strategy-based differential evolution algorithm for training the EDNR model. This strategy adeptly strikes a balance between exploration and exploitation during the search process, significantly enhancing the predictive and generalization capacities of EDNR. To our knowledge, this study represents the inaugural application of dendritic neural regression in real-world prediction scenarios. Extensive experimental findings demonstrate the efficacy of EDNR in accurately predicting building EE with commendable performance. Furthermore, the results of two nonparametric statistical tests affirm the validity and stability of EDNR. Consequently, our proposed methodology exhibits high potential and competitiveness in machine learning applications within the energy domain. Full article

Quenched Co-based ribbon strips are widely used in the fields of magnetic amplifier, magnetic head material, magnetic shield, electric reactor, inductance core, sensor core, anti-theft system label, and so on. In this study, Co-based composite CoFeNiSiB ribbon strips with a micron width were fabricated by micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology. The carbon and FeCoGa nanofilms were deposited for surface modification. The effect of carbon and FeCoGa nanofilm coatings on the crystal structure, surface morphology, magnetic properties, and magnetoimpedance (MI) effect of composite ribbon strips were systematically investigated. The results show that the surface roughness and coercivity of the composite ribbon strips are minimum at a thickness of the carbon coating of 60 nm. The maximum value of MI effect is 41% at 2 MHz, which is approximately 2.4 times greater than plain ribbon and 1.6 times greater than FeCoGa-coated composite ribbon strip. The addition of a carbon layer provides a conductive path for high frequency currents, which effectively reduces the characteristic frequency of the composite ribbon strip. The FeCoGa coating is able to close the flux path and reduce the coercivity, which, in turn, increases the transverse permeability and improves the MI effect. The findings indicate that a successful combination of carbon layer and magnetostrictive FeCoGa nanofilm layer can improve the MI effect and magnetic field sensitivity of the ribbon strips, demonstrating the potential of the composite strips for local and micro area field sensing applications. Full article

In this paper, we propose a hybrid centralized training and decentralized execution neural network architecture with deep reinforcement learning (DRL) to complete the multi-agent path-finding simulation. In the training of physical robots, collisions and other unintended accidents are very likely to occur in multi-agent cases, so it is required to train the networks within a deep deterministic policy gradient for the virtual environment of the simulator. The simple particle multi-agent simulator designed by OpenAI (Sacramento, CA, USA) for training platforms can easily obtain the state information of the environment. The overall system of the training cycle is designed with a self-designed reward function and is completed through a progressive learning approach from a simple to a complex environment. Finally, we carried out and presented the experiments of multi-agent path-finding simulations. The proposed methodology is better than the multi-agent model-based policy optimization (MAMBPO) and model-free multi-agent soft actor–critic models. Full article

Muscular temporomandibular joint disorders (M-TMDs) encompass a wide range of painful muscular conditions, which can provoke functional limitation and severely affect quality of life. The aim of the present study was to assess the treatment outcomes in patients affected by M-TMDs in terms of pain scores assessed with pressure pain threshold (PPT). The levels of depression, anxiety, and the Oral Health Impact Profile were also assessed and compared to healthy controls. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of M-TMDs and a control group of healthy subjects were enrolled. At baseline, OHIP-14, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 were administered. PPT was registered at the level of masseter and temporalis muscles. The patients affected by M-TMDs were then treated with oral splints and physio-kinesiotherapy following a standardized treatment protocol. At the 6-month follow-up of M-TMD-affected patients, PPT was registered, and the questionnaires were re-administered to evaluate treatment outcomes. In total, sixty patients and sixty controls were enrolled. The treatment of M-TMDs produced a significant improvement in PPT at the level of the masseter muscle. OHIP-14 at baseline in the M-TMD group was significantly higher compared to the control group (p < 0.05). At the 6-month follow-up, a significant reduction in OHIP-14 scores was registered, although with higher scores compared to the control group (p < 0.05). PHQ-9 was significantly higher at baseline in the M-TMD group (p < 0.05) and decreased to values comparable to the control group after treatment. GAD-7 presented statistically significant differences between the control group and M-TMD patients at baseline (p < 0.05) and between pre- and post-treatment in the M-TMD group. Following treatment, the GAD-7 scores were comparable to the control group. The symptom burden associated with M-TMDs negatively affects quality of life, with higher oral health impairment and a tendency towards depression and anxiety compared to healthy subjects. Following treatment, an improvement in both PPT and quality of life was observed. Full article

The interplay between the immune system and cancer underscores the central role of immunotherapy in cancer treatment. In this context, the innate immune system plays a critical role in preventing tumor invasion. Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) is crucial for innate immunity, and activation of MyD88 promotes the production of inflammatory cytokines and induces infiltration, polarization, and immune escape of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, abnormal MyD88 signaling induces tumor cell proliferation and metastasis, which are closely associated with poor prognosis. Therefore, MyD88 could serve as a novel tumor biomarker and is a promising target for cancer therapy. Current strategies targeting MyD88 including inhibition of signaling pathways and protein multimerization, have made substantial progress, especially in inflammatory diseases and chronic inflammation-induced cancers. However, the specific role of MyD88 in regulating tumor immunity and tumorigenic mechanisms remains unclear. Therefore, this review describes the involvement of MyD88 in tumor immune escape and disease therapy. In addition, classical and non-classical MyD88 inhibitors were collated to provide insights into potential cancer treatment strategies. Despite several challenges and complexities, targeting MyD88 is a promising avenue for improving cancer treatment and has the potential to revolutionize patient outcomes. Full article

Biomimetic materials have become a promising alternative in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine to address critical challenges in wound healing and skin regeneration. Skin-mimetic materials have enormous potential to improve wound healing outcomes and enable innovative diagnostic and sensor applications. Human skin, with its complex structure and diverse functions, serves as an excellent model for designing biomaterials. Creating effective wound coverings requires mimicking the unique extracellular matrix composition, mechanical properties, and biochemical cues. Additionally, integrating electronic functionality into these materials presents exciting possibilities for real-time monitoring, diagnostics, and personalized healthcare. This review examines biomimetic skin materials and their role in regenerative wound healing, as well as their integration with electronic skin technologies. It discusses recent advances, challenges, and future directions in this rapidly evolving field. Full article

Laser trackers (LTs) are dimensional measurement instruments commonly employed in the manufacture and assembly of large structures. Terrestrial laser scanners (TLSs) are a related class of dimensional measurement instruments more commonly employed in surveying, reverse engineering, and forensics. Commercially available LTs typically have measurement ranges of up to 80 m. The measurement ranges of TLSs vary from about 50 m to several hundred meters, with some extending as far as several kilometers. It is difficult, if not impossible, to construct long reference lengths to evaluate the ranging performances of these instruments over that distance. In this context, we explore the use of stitching errors (i.e., stacking errors in adjoining or overlapping short lengths) and stitching lengths (i.e., constructing long reference lengths from multiple positions of a reference instrument by registration) to evaluate these instruments. Through experimental data and a discussion on uncertainty, we show that stitching is indeed a viable option to evaluate the ranging performances of LTs and TLSs. Full article

Recent years have witnessed a significant dispersion of renewable energy and the emergence of blockchain-enabled transactive energy systems. These systems facilitate direct energy trading among participants, cutting transmission losses, improving energy efficiency, and fostering renewable energy adoption. However, developing such a system is usually challenging and time-consuming due to the diversity of energy markets. The lack of a market-agnostic design hampers the widespread adoption of blockchain-based peer-to-peer energy trading globally. In this paper, we propose and develop a novel unified blockchain-based peer-to-peer energy trading framework, called BPET. This framework incorporates microservices and blockchain as the infrastructures and adopts a highly modular smart contract design so that developers can easily extend it by plugging in localized energy market rules and rapidly developing a customized blockchain-based peer-to-peer energy trading system. Additionally, we have developed the price formation mechanisms, e.g., the system marginal price calculation algorithm and the pool price calculation algorithm, to demonstrate the extensibility of the BPET framework. To validate the proposed solution, we have conducted a comprehensive case study using real trading data from the Alberta Electric System Operator. The experimental results confirm the system’s capability of processing energy trading transactions efficiently and effectively within the Alberta electricity wholesale market. Full article

Climate neutrality for the year 2050 is the goal assumed at the level of the EU_27+UK. As Romania is no exception, it has assumed the gradual mitigation of pollution generated by the energy sector, and by 2030, according to ‘Fit for 55’, the share of energy from renewable sources must reach 42.5% from total energy consumption. For the rest of the energy produced from traditional sources, natural gas and/or coal, modern technologies will be used to retain the gaseous noxes. Even if they are not greenhouse gases, NO and SO₂, generated from fossil fuel combustion, cause negative effects on the environment and biodiversity. The adsorption capacity of different materials, three nanomaterials developed in-house and three commercial adsorbents, both for NO and SO₂, was tackled through gas chromatography, elemental analysis, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Fe-BTC has proven to be an excellent material for separation efficiency and adsorption capacity under studied conditions, and is shown to be versatile both in the case of NO (80.00 cm³/g) and SO₂ (63.07 cm³/g). All the developed nanomaterials generated superior results in comparison to the commercial adsorbents. The increase in pressure enhanced the performance of the absorption process, while temperature showed an opposite influence, by blocking the active centers on the surface. Full article

Our previous study utilized importance analysis, random forest, and Barnes–Hut t-SNE dimensionality reduction to analyze critical dicing parameters and used bidirectional long short-term memory (BLSTM) to predict wafer chipping occurrence successfully in a single dicing machine. However, each dicing machine of the same type may produce unevenly distributed non-IID dicing signals, which may lead to the undesirable result that a pre-trained model trained by dicing machine #1 could not effectively predict chipping occurrence in dicing machine #2. Therefore, regarding the model robustness, this study introduces an ensemble meta-learning-based model that can evaluate many dicing machines for chipping prediction with high stability and accuracy. This approach constructs several base learners, such as the hidden Markov model (HMM), the variational autoencoder (VAE), and BLSTM, to form an ensemble learning. We use model-agnostic meta-learning (MAML) to train and test the ensemble learning model by several prediction tasks from machine #1. After MAML learning, we call the trained model a meta learner. Then, we successfully apply a retrieved data set from machine #2 to the meta learner for training and testing wafer chipping occurrence in this machine. As a result, our contribution to the robust chipping prediction on cross-machines can improve the yield of wafer dicing with a prediction accuracy of 93.21%, preserve the practical wearing of dicing kerfs, and significantly cut wafer manufacturing costs. Full article

The purpose of this randomized, split-mouth-designed controlled and single-blinded clinical study was to evaluate the 3-year clinical performance of Class I and Class II resin composite restorations placed with or without cavity lining with a flowable composite. Fifty patients with treatment needs in two premolars or molars were included. One of the teeth was restored using the nanohybrid composite (Grandio^®SO, control group), in the test group a high viscosity flowable composite was additionally applied as a first layer. In both groups, the same self-etch adhesive system was applied. Clinical evaluation after 3 years was carried out using the modified USPHS/Ryge criteria. At the 3-year follow-up the recall rate was 92%. Four restorations failed in the test group (8.7%), three due to the loss of vitality and one after fracture. The control group exhibited a cumulative success rate of 100%, while the test group achieved a success rate of 91.3%. This led to significant differences in the annual failure rate (AFR) between the two groups, with rates of 0% and 2.9% (p < 0.05; Mann–Whitney U-test). After 3 years the cumulative survival rate including all restorations was 95.7%. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences for the parameters: tooth vitality, marginal discoloration, success rate, and AFR. The other parameters exhibited no significant differences. Consequently, the nanohybrid composite demonstrated excellent performance over a 3-year period, whereas the utilization of a flowable composite for the cavity lining did not appear to exert a beneficial influence on clinical outcomes. Full article

Cancer immunotherapy is a rapidly developing field of medicine that aims to use the host’s immune mechanisms to inhibit and eliminate cancer cells. Antibodies targeting CTLA-4, PD-1, and its ligand PD-L1 are used in various cancer therapies. However, the most thoroughly researched pathway targeting PD-1/PD-L1 has many limitations, and multiple malignancies resist its effects. Human endogenous retrovirus-H Long repeat-associating 2 (HHLA2, known as B7H5/B7H7/B7y) is the youngest known molecule from the B7 family. HHLA2/TMIGD2/KIRD3DL3 is one of the critical pathways in modulating the immune response. Recent studies have demonstrated that HHLA2 has a double effect in modulating the immune system. The connection of HHLA2 with TMIGD2 induces T cell growth and cytokine production via an AKT-dependent signaling cascade. On the other hand, the binding of HHLA2 and KIR3DL3 leads to the inhibition of T cells and mediates tumor resistance against NK cells. This review aimed to summarize novel information about HHLA2, focusing on immunological mechanisms and clinical features of the HHLA2/KIR3DL3/TMIGD2 pathway in the context of potential strategies for malignancy treatment. Full article

This work analyzed the nutrient dynamics (2011–2022) and discharge (2005–2022) for the Bahlui River at four distinctive locations: Parcovaci—a dam-protected area that has been untouched by agriculture or urbanization; Belcesti—a primarily agricultural area, also dam-protected; Podu Iloaiei—a region influenced by agriculture and urbanization; and Holboca—placed after a heavily urbanized area. The analysis focused on determining a series of statistical indicators using the Minitab 21.2 software. Two drought intervals and one flood interval were analyzed to highlight daily discharge evolution during the selected period, showing that the constructed reservoirs successfully control the streamflow. For the entire period, the evolution of mean and median values of the streamflow is consistent, considering the locations’ positions from the source to the river’s end. The total nitrogen and total phosphorus were selected as representative quality indicators. The study follows the influence of the analyzed areas’ characteristics and reservoirs’ presence on nutrient dynamics. The results showed that the most influential factor that impacts nutrient dynamics is the reservoirs’ presence, which controls the discharge, creates wetlands and swamps, and implicitly impacts nutrient concentration. Full article

Since 2011, massive new strandings of holopelagic Sargassum have been reported on the coasts of the Caribbean, northern Brazil, Guiana, and West Africa, causing severe economic and ecological damage. Three common morphotypes (S. fluitans III, S. natans I, and S. natans VIII) were identified as responsible for these catastrophic events, with dominance shifts between them over time. However, the taxonomic status of these holopelagic Sargassum morphotypes remains unclear. Using an integrative taxonomy framework, combining a morphological study and molecular analyses, this study aimed to clarify their taxonomic status. Morphological analyses of 54 characters revealed no intermediate form between the three morphotypes, with the overall shape, nature of the axis, and size and shape of blades and vesicles being the most discriminating. An analysis of mitochondrial (IGS, cox2, cox3, mt16S rRNA, and nad6) and plastid (rbcL) markers confirmed the genetic divergence among the three morphotypes, with a lower level of divergence between the two S. natans morphotypes. Without additional molecular characterization, these morphotypes cannot be classified as three distinct species. However, due to their distinct morphological characteristics and sympatry within drifting aggregations, a revision of holopelagic species names is proposed, with Sargassum fluitans var. fluitans (for S. fluitans III), Sargassum natans var. natans (for S. natans I), and S. natans var. wingei (for S. natans VIII). This revision provides necessary clarity on the species involved in inundations of the tropical Atlantic. Full article

In this work, we formalize the effect of mechanical shaking by using various forms of an externally exerted force, which may be constant or may be position-dependent, and we examine the changes in the potential energy surfaces that quantify the chemical reaction. We use a simple toy model to model the potential energy surfaces of a chemical reaction, and we study the effect of a constant or position-dependent externally exerted force for various forms of the force. As we demonstrate, the effect of the force can be quite dramatic on the potential energy surfaces, which acquire new stationary points and new Newton trajectories that are distinct from the original ones that were obtained in the absence of mechanochemical effects. We also introduce a new approach to mechanochemical interactions, using a dynamical systems approach for the Newton trajectories. As we show, the dynamical system attractor properties of the trajectories in the phase space are identical to the stationary points of the potential energy surfaces, but the phase space contains much more information regarding the possible evolution of the chemical reaction—information that is quantified by the existence of unstable or saddle fixed points in the phase space. We also discuss how an experimental method for a suitable symmetric liquid solution substance might formalize the effect of shaking via various forms of external force, even in the form of an extended coordinate-dependent force matrix. This approach may experimentally quantify the Epstein effect of shaking in chemical solutions via mechanochemistry methods. Full article

Understanding the association between booster vaccination and COVID-19 outcomes can help strengthen post-pandemic messaging and strategies to increase vaccination and reduce severe and long-term consequences of COVID-19. Using the Household Pulse Survey data collected from U.S. adults from 9 December 2022 to 13 February 2023 (n = 214,768), this study assessed the relationship between COVID-19 booster vaccination and COVID-19 outcomes (testing positive for COVID-19, moderate/severe COVID-19, and long COVID). Disparities were found in COVID-19 outcomes (e.g., testing positive for COVID-19, moderate/severe COVID-19, and long COVID) by sociodemographic characteristics, region of residence, food insecurity status, mental health status, disability status, and housing type. Receipt of a COVID-19 booster vaccination was negatively associated with testing positive for COVID-19 (aOR = 0.75, 95%CI: 0.72,0.79), having moderate/severe COVID-19 (aOR = 0.92, 95%CI: 0.88, 0.97), or having long COVID (aOR = 0.86 (0.80, 0.91)). Even among those who tested positive for COVID-19, those who received the booster vaccine were less likely to have moderate/severe COVID-19 and less likely to have long COVID. Communicating the benefits of COVID-19 booster vaccination, integrating vaccination in patient visits, and reducing access barriers can increase vaccination uptake and confidence for all individuals and protect them against the severe negative outcomes of COVID-19. Full article

Surface chemistry and bulk structure jointly play crucial roles in achieving high-performance supercapacitors. Here, the synergistic effect of surface chemistry properties (vacancy and phosphorization) and structure-derived properties (hollow hydrangea-like structure) on energy storage is explored by the surface treatment and architecture design of the nanostructures. The theoretical calculations and experiments prove that surface chemistry modulation is capable of improving electronic conductivity and electrolyte wettability. The structural engineering of both hollow and nanosheets produces a high specific surface area and an abundant pore structure, which is favorable in exposing more active sites and shortens the ion diffusion distance. Benefiting from its admirable physicochemical properties, the surface phosphorylated MnCo₂O_4.5 hollow hydrangea-like structure (P-MnCoO) delivers a high capacitance of 425 F g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹, a superior capability rate of 63.9%, capacitance retention at 10 A g⁻¹, and extremely long cyclic stability (91.1% after 10,000 cycles). The fabricated P-MnCoO/AC asymmetric supercapacitor achieved superior energy and power density. This work opens a new avenue to further improve the electrochemical performance of metal oxides for supercapacitors. Full article

Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, this research aims to investigate some herbs as probable therapies for this disease. Achillea millefolium (Yarrow), Alkanet, Rumex patientia (Patience dock), Dill, Tarragon, and sweet fennel, including some principal chemical compounds of achillin, alkannin, cuminaldehyde, dillapiole, estragole, and fenchone have been selected. The possible roles of these medicinal plants in COVID-19 treatment have been investigated through quantum sensing methods. The formation of hydrogen bonding between the principal substances selected in anti-COVID natural drugs and Tyr-Met-His (the database amino acids fragment), as the active area of the COVID protein, has been evaluated. The physical and chemical attributes of nuclear magnetic resonance, vibrational frequency, the highest occupied molecular orbital energy and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy, partial charges, and spin density have been investigated using the DFT/TD-DFT method and 6-311+G (2d,p) basis set by the Gaussian 16 revision C.01 program toward the industry of drug design. This research has exhibited that there is relative agreement among the results that these medicinal plants could be efficient against COVID-19 symptoms. Full article

Peripheral blood is the most practical tissue for human immune system gene expression profiling because it is easily accessible, whereas the site of primary infection in certain diseases may not be easily accessible. Due to the ex vivo instability of RNA transcripts, a key challenge in the gene expression analysis of blood samples is the rapid sample handling and stabilization of the mRNA by adding an RNA preservative (PAXgene^TM Blood RNA Tubes, Tempus^TM Blood RNA tubes, RNAlater Stabilization Reagent, RNAgard^® Blood Tubes). BioMole (Turin, Italy) has developed a novel blood stabilizer, called RNApro, in which RNA is stabilized during phlebotomy and sample storage. In this study, RNApro performance intended as RNA yield, integrity, and stability was evaluated. Our results show that blood samples stored at −80 °C and re-extracted after 7 years show no differences in terms of quantity, quality, and amplificability. The samples in the RNAlater stabilization solution can be stored at room temperature for up to one week or at 4 °C for up to one month. Similar results can also be observed for PAXgene tubes, Tempus tubes, and RNAgard tubes. In agreement with these data, the RNApro stabilization solution preserves the RNA from degradation for up to 1 month at 4 °C and 1 week at room temperature. RNApro can be stored indifferently at −80, −20, 4 °C, or room temperature for up to 2 months after, and then could be stored at −80 °C for up to seven years. In summary, our study is the first to analyze the performance of an RNA stabilizer called RNApro. We can conclude that several studies have shown significant differences in gene expression analysis when the sample was preserved in different RNA stabilizers. Therefore, it is desirable to standardize the method of nucleic acid conservation when comparing data from transcriptomic analyses. Full article

Souvenirs can facilitate the dissemination and promotion of culture, and culture gives souvenirs unique characteristics and cultural connotations. With the increasingly competitive academic environment, an in-depth understanding of the relationship between souvenirs and local culture is crucial to the theory and practice of souvenir and local culture-development research. The main purpose of this study is to review the previous literature that articulates the dynamic relationship of interdependence and development between souvenirs and local culture. Based on a systematic literature review, the data for this study came from a review of 35 documents between 2019 and 2024. The documents were then analysed individually using the ATLAS.ti 24 program. The analysis revealed five central themes: (1) sustainability and innovation; (2) authenticity and experience; (3) economic and community impact; (4) cultural identity expression; and (5) consumer behaviour and technology. These themes illuminate that souvenirs are not only cultural ambassadors, but also play a critical role in economic development, cultural preservation, and consumer engagement. The findings provide new directions for future research and actionable insights for practitioners, researchers, and designers who enhance the sustainability of local culture through souvenirs. This review contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamic interactions between souvenirs and local cultures and proposes a framework for the sustainable development of souvenirs. Full article

The Pulsatilla decoction is a well-known herbal remedy used in clinical settings for treating vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). However, the specific mechanism that makes it effective is still unclear. Recent studies have shown that in cases of VVC, neutrophils recruited to the vagina, influenced by heparan sulfate (HS), do not successfully engulf Candida albicans (C. albicans). Instead, they release many inflammatory factors that cause damage to the vaginal mucosa. This study aims to understand the molecular mechanism by which the n-butanol extract of Pulsatilla decoction (BEPD) treats VVC through transcriptomics. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to identify the primary active components of BEPD. A VVC mouse model was induced using an estrogen-dependent method and the mice were treated daily with BEPD (20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, and 80 mg/kg) for seven days. The vaginal lavage fluid of the mice was analyzed for various experimental indices, including fungal morphology, fungal burden, degree of neutrophil infiltration, and cytokines. Various assessments were then performed on mouse vaginal tissues, including pathological assessment, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Western blot (WB), quantitative real-time PCR, and transcriptome assays. Our results showed that BEPD reduced vaginal redness and swelling, decreased white discharge, inhibited C. albicans hyphae formation, reduced neutrophil infiltration and fungal burden, and attenuated vaginal tissue damage compared with the VVC model group. The high-dose BEPD group even restored the damaged vaginal tissue to normal levels. The medium- and high-dose groups of BEPD also significantly reduced the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and LDH. Additionally, transcriptomic results showed that BEPD regulated several chemokine (CXCL1, CXCL3, and CXCL5) and S100 alarmin (S100A8 and S100A9) genes, suggesting that BEPD may treat VVC by affecting chemokine- and alarmin-mediated neutrophil chemotaxis. Finally, we verified that BEPD protects the vaginal mucosa of VVC mice by inhibiting neutrophil recruitment and chemotaxis in an animal model of VVC via the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. This study provides further evidence to elucidate the mechanism of BEPD treatment of VVC. Full article

In order to overcome the problems of the high economic and environmental costs of a traditional ordinary portland cement-based binder, this study used self-combusted coal gangue (SCCG), granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) and phosphorous slag (PS) to prepare a novel SCCG-GBFS-PS (SGP) ternary alkali-activated binder for solidifying silty soft clay (SC). Firstly, the parameters of the SGP ternary binder were optimized using orthogonal experiments. Then the effects of the SGP ternary binder content (mass ratio of the SGP ternary binder and the SGP-solidified soil), initial water content of SC (mass ratio of SC’ water and SC) and types of additives on the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the SGP-solidified soil were analyzed. Finally, the hydration products and microstructure of the SGP-solidified soil were analyzed to investigate the solidification mechanism of the SGP ternary binder. The results showed that the optimal mass ratio of GBFS and PS is 2:1, and the optimal alkali activator content (mass ratio of Na₂O and the SGP ternary binder) and modulus of alkali activator (molar ratio of SiO₂ and Na₂O of alkali activator) were 13% and 1.3, respectively. When the SGP ternary binder content was 16% and the initial water content of SC was 35%, the SGP-solidified soil met the requirement of UCS for tertiary cured soil. The incorporation of triethanolamine and polyvinyl alcohol improved the UCS, while the incorporation of Na₂SO₄ significantly deteriorated the UCS of the SGP-solidified soil. The C-S-H gels and C(N)-A-S-H gels generated by hydration of the SGP-solidified soil were interspersed, interwoven and adhered to each other to form a network-like space structure that played the roles of skeleton, bonding soil particles and filling pores, which improved the macroscopic properties of the SGP-solidified soil. The results of this study provide a reference for the design and development of a solid waste-based binder for solidifying SC. Full article