Yujie Zhang, Yankai Zhao, Zhuang Zhao, Mengmeng Shan, Bochen Xu, Haoquan Xue, Junxuan Xu, Fan Wu, Qiang He^*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.43, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2026.076617 - 03 April 2026

Abstract This study presents a sustainable approach for the valorization of spent coffee grounds (CG) by converting them into carboxylated cellulose nanofibrils (CG-TCNF) via formic acid/hydrogen peroxide pretreatment followed by TEMPO/NaClO/NaClO₂-mediated oxidation. The pretreatment efficiently removed lignin, hemicellulose, and other non-cellulosic components, yielding purified cellulose (CG-C) with high crystallinity (CrI = 84%). Subsequent regioselective oxidation introduced carboxyl groups at the C6 position of cellulose chains, achieving a high carboxylate content of 1.4 mmol/g. The resulting CG-TCNF exhibited a well-dispersed nanofibrillar morphology with an average width of 3.57 nm and a high specific surface area of 265 m²/g. More >

Edja Florentin Assanvo^1,*, N’Dri N’Guessan Gervais Ziabo¹, Kohi Alfred Kouame², David Boa¹

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.43, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2026.073634 - 03 April 2026

Abstract This study aims to synthesise, characterise and evaluate the performance characteristics of packaging films based on biodegradable natural resources incorporated with nanoparticles. Particularly, it is focused on the valorisation of the fibers from the underexploited Lonchocarpus cyanescens plant from West Africa as raw renewable lignocellulose biomass material source for the production of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). To this end, biodegradable films were prepared from CMC derived from the fibers of the Lonchocarpus cyanescens plant, and collagen. In order to improve the properties of these films, in particular their mechanical and humidity resistance and their ability to fight microbes, silver… More >

Ruqayah A. Ulwali, Nada K. Abbas^*

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.23, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cl.2026.078934 - 03 April 2026

Abstract In this study, zinc sulfide nanoparticles (ZnS NPs) and zinc sulfide @ Silver sulfide core-shells (ZnS@Ag₂S NPs) were prepared using the green method with mint leaf extract as a reducing and coating agent, at varying concentrations of silver nitrate (AgNO₃) (0.005, 0.01, and 0.02 M). X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) results showed the formation of a cubic phase of ZnS NPs and a monoclinic phase of Ag₂S with increasing silver nitrate concentration. The average crystalline size of ZnS NPs was calculated to be 2.01 nm and (2.78, 2.65, and 2.13 nm) after Ag₂S formation, while the shell (Ag₂S) was… More >

Yingying Zhao^1,2, Jiakang Ma^1,3, Rujin Huang^1,2, Shuxian Pan^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.070208 - 23 March 2026

Abstract Background: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play critical roles in tumor progression and immunosuppression; however, their contribution to the functional classification and personalized treatment of gastric cancer remains poorly defined. This study aimed to identify effective therapeutic targets to facilitate individualized treatment strategies for patients with gastric cancer. Methods: Single-cell and bulk transcriptomic analyses were integrated to characterize gastric cancer fibroblasts. “Seurat”, “Slingshot”, and “CellChat” were used for dimensionality reduction, trajectory inference, and cell–cell communication analyses, respectively. Key metastasis-associated fibroblast modules were identified using High-dimensional weighted gene co-expression network analysis (hdWGCNA) to construct a prognostic model, which was further… More > Graphic Abstract

Jin Huang¹, Zihao Tang¹, Tingting Wu¹, Hualiang Li², Yanxin Hu^1,*

Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.24, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2026.075643 - 28 February 2026

Abstract In order to explore the effects of CaO, lignite dust and sawdust on the drying characteristics of municipal sludge at different concentrations, a three-factor three-level regression experiment was carried out based on the results of thermogravimetric experiment and single factor experiment. By fitting three common mathematical models, the Page model with the highest fitting degree was selected to determine the most suitable mathematical model to describe the municipal sludge drying process. In addition, the Box-Behnken design principle in the response surface method was used to analyze the interaction of three factors on the drying characteristics… More >

José Marcelo Faria de Queiroz Júnior¹, Nathália Ramos de Melo^2,3, Ulisses Oliveira Costa¹, Letícia Vitorazi^1,*, Flavia Lega Braghiroli^4,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.14, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.02025-0163 - 25 February 2026

Abstract The development of sustainable materials has encouraged the use of biopolymers as alternatives to synthetic polymers. Polymeric films have stood out for their high potential in environmentally sustainable applications. Conventional cellulose acetate (CA)-based films are attractive due to their biodegradability and film-forming ability. However, their functional performance often requires enhancement through the incorporation of additives. In this context, two bio-based additives were investigated: condensed tannin (0%, 5% and 10%wt.), a natural polyphenol known for its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC) (0%, 0.5% and 1%wt.), which act as reinforcing agents to improve mechanical… More > Graphic Abstract

Claudia M. L. Bevilaqua^1,*, José Vilemar de Araújo-Filho², Livia F. Ximenes¹, Henety N. Pinheiro¹, Flávia O. M. da Silva Abreu³, Débora S. C. M. Castelo Branco⁴, Ana Carolina F. L. Melo⁴, Weibson P. P. André¹, Wesley L. C. Ribeiro⁵, Lorena M. B. de Oliveira¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.14, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.02025-0138 - 25 February 2026

Abstract Eucalyptus staigeriana essential oil (EsEO) has well-known anthelmintic activity in small ruminants. However, its volatility limits its therapeutic action. The aim of this study was to develop a water-in-oil sodium alginate-based nanoemulsion with an effective in vitro effect on the eggs and larvae of Haemonchus contortus, a gastrointestinal parasite of sheep and goats. Four oil-in-water sodium alginate-based emulsions were prepared using a high-energy method with different proportions of Tween 80, EsEO, and sodium alginate (ALG) 4%. The physical-chemical characterization included stability, particle size, zeta potential and infrared spectra. The effects of the emulsions were evaluated against H. contortus via… More > Graphic Abstract

Gwan Hee Han^1,2,#, Hee Yun^3,#, Joon-Yong Chung⁴, Jae-Hoon Kim^3,5,6, Hanbyoul Cho^3,5,6,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.072105 - 24 February 2026

Abstract Objectives: Phosphodiesterase 1A (PDE1A) regulates intracellular cyclic nucleotide signaling and has been implicated in tumor progression, but its clinical relevance and functional role in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), particularly in relation to the response to platinum remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of PDE1A in EOG and to clarify its functional role in tumor progression and response to platinum-based chemotherapy. Methods: PDE1A mRNA and protein levels were analyzed using public databases, RNA sequencing, and immunohistochemistry. Correlations between PDE1A expression, clinicopathological features, and prognosis were assessed. Functional roles were investigated in ovarian… More >

Miriam Di Matteo^*, Domiziana Vespasiano, Gianluigi Lo Basso, Costanza Vittoria Fiorini, Andrea Vallati

Energy Engineering, Vol.123, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.064353 - 27 January 2026

Abstract Decarbonising the building sector, particularly residential heating, represents a critical challenge for achieving carbon-neutral energy systems. Efficient solutions must integrate both technological performance and renewable energy sources while considering operational constraints of existing systems. This study investigates a hybrid heating system combining a natural gas boiler (NGB) with an air-to-water heat pump (AWHP), evaluated through a combination of laboratory experiments and dynamic modelling. A prototype developed in the Electrical and Energy Engineering Laboratory enabled the characterization of both heat generators, the collection of experimental data, and the calibration of a MATLAB/Simulink model, including emissions and… More >

Tahir Mahmood^1,*, Muhammad Waseem Ashraf^1,*, Shahzadi Tayyaba², Muhammad Munir³, Babiker M. A. Abdel-Banat³, Hassan Ali Dinar³

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.86, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.072436 - 12 January 2026

Abstract Artificial intelligence (AI) based models have been used to predict the structural, optical, mechanical, and electrochemical properties of zinc oxide/graphene oxide nanocomposites. Machine learning (ML) models such as Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Support Vector Regression (SVR), Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), and hybrid, along with fuzzy logic tools, were applied to predict the different properties like wavelength at maximum intensity (444 nm), crystallite size (17.50 nm), and optical bandgap (2.85 eV). While some other properties, such as energy density, power density, and charge transfer resistance, were also predicted with the help of datasets of 1000 (80:20). In… More >