North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Verifier-guided knowledge distillation of large language models for auditable thermal comfort reasoning

Occupant-centric building operation requires models that can not only predict thermal sensation, but also justify predictions through auditable reasoning. Traditional mechanistic models, such as Fanger’s predicted mean vote (PMV), often show limited field accuracy, whereas advanc...

Regulatory mutation accumulation drives multi-trait phenotypic expansion in silver-adapted Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT Predicting when adaptive mutations produce narrow, condition-specific effects versus coordinated multi-trait phenotypic expansion remains a central challenge in evolutionary biology. Two-component response systems (TCRSs) play a key role in bacterial environmental sensin...

Structural Role of Different MXenes in CoMnS Composites for High-Energy Ionic Liquid Supercapacitors

Abstract A systematic comparative study of three MXenes, Ti3C2 (TC), V2C (VC), and Mo2Ti2C3 (MTC), and their corresponding CoMnS (CMS) composites was conducted to elucidate the influence of MXene chemistry on electrochemical performance. The composites were synthesized via in sit...

Learning-enabled fault diagnosis based on abstract behaviors of the system

Fault diagnosis is essential for maintaining the safety and reliability of complex systems. An effective way to address this problem is to capture and analyze the abstract behavior of the system in the form of a sequence of events using “Discrete Event Systems” framework. However...

Comparative evaluation of different sol–gel processed M-type barium hexaferrite on structural and antimicrobial efficacy

Barium hexaferrite has gained increasing attention for biomedical applications, including antimicrobial coatings and targeted drug delivery alongside its established use in magnetic solid-state devices. Therefore, understanding how synthesis routes influence its formation and bio...

Sharing healthcare information with the public in electronic markets using blockchain: Three experimental studies and a machine learning analysis

Abstract With the advent of digital markets such as cryptocurrency, the healthcare sector still lags behind regarding the richness of health data for public benefits. Due to the lack of public engagement and strict regulations, healthcare data is not available online. Blockchain...

Aging-Induced Additive Release and Degradation Mechanisms in Recycled Polyvinyl Chloride: Coupling Experimental and Molecular Dynamics Insights

Abstract The global accumulation of plastic waste has driven the widespread adoption of recycling strategies for sustainable resource management. However, uncertainties in recycled material quality and the release of plastic additives remain critical challenges for environmental...

Double-Transition-Metal Mo2Ti2C3 Mxene-Polyaniline Composites for High-Performance Supercapacitors

Abstract The optimized integration of two-dimensional (2D) MXene and conducting polymer composites offers an effective strategy for developing high-performance supercapacitor electrodes, owing to their exceptional flexibility, large surface area, and high capacitance. Herein, the...

Prevalence and determinants of self-reported all-cause dementia among middle-aged and older adults in the United States: Results from a nationally representative survey

Dementia encompasses a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular disorders characterized by progressive cognitive decline that impairs memory, executive function, and activities of daily living. Although dementia includes multiple subtypes, nationally represent...

Ribosome stalling position, spacing, and A-site occupancy impact translation and cotranslational mRNA decay in plants

Abstract Rate limitation in translational elongation causes ribosomes to pause as they decode an open reading frame (ORF). The triggers and outcomes of these events are poorly understood in plants. Here, we size, map, and quantify footprints of individual (monosome) and closely s...

Accessibility, Challenges, and Opportunities in Daily In-Home Amazon Echo Use by Sighted and Visually Impaired Users

Smart speakers may support independent living among individuals with visual disabilities, yet evidence on everyday use remains limited. This study examined user experience among 79 participants (41 visually impaired, 38 sighted) over 7 days of naturalistic in-home Amazon Echo use...

Structural Homology and Binding Ability Comparisons of Epitope Pair Candidates for Molecular Mimicry Triggering of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract Background Molecular mimicry is the process by which foreign peptides contain epitopes similar to self-peptides, potentially inducing autoimmune responses. Identifying potential molecular mimics and studying their properties is key to understanding the onset of autoimmun...

Natural-Product-Derived Antioxidants and DNA Methylation-Based Epigenetic Aging: A Systematic Review of Human Intervention Studies

DNA methylation clocks provide a tractable molecular readout for testing whether nutritional and natural-product interventions can modify biological aging. Natural-product-derived antioxidants are biologically plausible candidates because they influence redox signaling, inflammat...

Deep learning based reconstruction of particle reinforced materials from wave measurements

Accurate characterization of particle distributions in particle-reinforced materials is important for understanding their mechanical performance. However, estimating internal particle configurations from boundary wave measurements remains a challenging inverse problem due to comp...

Carnauba-beeswax oleogel coatings with rosemary extract as an active system for safer fried chicken

Reducing oil uptake, retaining moisture, minimizing oxidative rancidity, and mitigating toxic compounds, such as advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), have become major priorities in the food industry. Herein, this study aimed to evaluate car...

The effect of organic amendments on cannabidiol yield and topsoil health (0–10 cm) in floral hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) production system

Abstract Background Compost and cover crops enhance soil health and crop productivity in agricultural systems, yet their integration as soil management strategies in floral hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.) production remains underexplored. Understanding these effects is critical for op...

Understandingthe Electronic Structure of RutheniumOxides during Redox Cycling with High Energy Resolution X-rayAbsorption Spectroscopy

Abstract Ruthenium oxides are essential catalysts and charge storage materials whose performance across reactions, from the oxygen evolution reaction to the chlor-alkali process, depends critically on reversible Ru redox cycling and the associated electronic structure changes. Al...

Effects of Replacing Concentrate Feed with Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) Pods on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Meat Quality, and Rumen Fermentation in Assaf Lambs

This study examined the effects of replacing 25% (P25) or 50% (P50) of concentrate dry matter (DM) with sun-dried carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) pods on growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, carcass traits, meat quality, serum biochemistry, and rumen microbiology in...

Sexual Behaviors and Reproductive Responsibility Among Young Black Men at an HBCU: A Qualitative Study

Sexual and reproductive health research has often centered women’s contraceptive and pregnancy-related experiences, while young men’s perspectives on sexual behavior, STI prevention, and reproductive responsibility remain less visible. This qualitative study explored how young Bl...

Resilience and Recovery of Points of Interest Following Hurricane Helene: A Temporal Analysis

Natural disasters disrupt transportation accessibility, travel behavior, and local economic activity unevenly, yet limited research examines recovery at the level of individual destinations. This study assessed post-disaster mobility resilience across 5,671 points of interest (PO...