Search Results (51,012)

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive and common form of central nervous system primary malignant tumor in adults. GBM accounts for about half of all gliomas. Despite maximal resection, radiotherapy, and temozolomide, median survival is still 12–15 months because of tumor heterogeneity, diffuse infiltration, and therapeutic resistance. Recurrence is nearly universal, underscoring the need for novel therapies. Oncolytic virotherapy demonstrates a promising strategy that combines direct tumor cell lysis with immune activation. Tumor-selective viruses replicate within malignant cells, induce cell death, and release tumor antigens, thereby reshaping the immunosuppressive microenvironment. Several viral backbones have advanced to clinical testing, including adenovirus (DNX-2401), herpes simplex virus (G47Δ, G207), poliovirus (PVS-RIPO), measles virus (MV-CEA), reovirus (pelareorep), vaccinia virus (Pexa-Vec), and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV-GP). The approval of G47Δ in Japan for malignant glioma marks a milestone, with early trials demonstrating safety and signals of durable benefit, particularly in combination regimens. Current research emphasizes engineering viral genomes to enhance selectivity, immune stimulation, and resistance to clearance, while exploring synergistic combinations with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and tumor-treating fields. Advances in delivery, such as convection-enhanced infusion and blood–brain barrier modulation, are also under investigation. Despite obstacles, oncolytic virotherapy holds significant potential within multimodal GBM strategies. Full article

Conductivity sensors play a vital role in monitoring production data in oil wells to ensure efficient oilfield operations, and their service performance depends on the durability of Invar alloy electrodes. The alloy electrodes are susceptible to damage from abrasive solid particles, corrosive media, and oil fluids in downhole environments. The degradation of the alloy electrodes directly compromises the signal stability of conductivity sensors, resulting in inaccurate monitoring data. Inspired by the intrinsic oleophobic properties of fish scales, we developed a fluorinated boron-doped diamond (FBDD) film with biomimetic micro–nano structures to enhance the wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and amphiphobicity of Invar alloy electrodes. The fish scale architecture was fabricated through argon-rich hot-filament chemical vapor deposition (90% Ar, 8 h) followed by fluorination. FBDD-coated electrodes surpass industrial benchmarks, exhibiting a friction coefficient of 0.08, wear rate of 5.1 × 10⁻⁷ mm³/(N·mm), corrosion rate of 3.581 × 10⁻³ mm/a, and oil/water contact angles of 95.32°/106.47°. The following underlying improvement mechanisms of FBDD films are proposed: (i) the wear-resistant matrix preserves the oleophobic nanostructures during abrasive contact; (ii) the corrosion barrier maintains electrical conductivity by preventing surface oxidation; (iii) the oil-repellent surface minimizes fouling that could mask corrosion or wear damage. Full article

(Bi_0.5Na_0.5)TiO₃-based lead-free ferroelectric ceramics are among the most extensively researched energy storage materials today. In this paper, (1−x)Bi_0.46Sr_0.06Na_0.5TiO_3−xCaTiO₃ ceramics were synthesized through a solid-phase sintering method by synergistically adjusting CaTiO₃ components after introducing Sr²⁺ at the A-site. The XRD patterns revealed that all samples formed a single perovskite solid solution, with the 111 and 200 peaks shifting to higher levels as the CaTiO₃ increased, indicating a gradual decrease in cell volume. The SEM images exhibited dense crystals without any apparent porosity, which were formed by the different components of the ceramics. Through energy storage, dielectric, and charge–discharge performance tests, it was found that with a 10%mol CaTiO₃ addition, the samples obtained a maximum breakdown field strength of 260 KV/cm and corresponding saturation polarization strength of 32.80 μC/cm² and thereby exhibited a reversible energy storage density valued 3.52 J/cm³. In addition, the dielectric constant varied by less than 10% within the temperature range of 63.7 °C to 132.7 °C and presented good frequency (10–250 Hz) stability at 180 KV/cm. Moreover, the ceramics demonstrated a maximum current density reaching 349.58 A/cm² and a maximum power density of 18.90 MW/cm³ for their charge–discharge performance, all of which makes them suitable for pulse system applications. Full article

With the rapid increase in municipal solid waste and the associated production of incineration fly ash (IFA) in Taiwan, sustainable utilization of industrial by-products has become a pressing concern. This study evaluates the mechanical, environmental, and structural performance of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) incorporating water-quenched slag (WQS) and IFA as partial replacements for cement or quartz powder. Laboratory-scale specimens were tested for compressive and flexural strength, followed by full-scale load-bearing tests on trench covers (60 × 35 × 4 cm) and manhole covers (120 × 60 × 5 cm) with varying steel fiber contents and welded steel mesh reinforcement. Mechanical behavior, heavy-metal leaching (TCLP), carbon emissions, and life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) were examined. The results show that WQS maintained or enhanced strength, while IFA caused strength loss and surface corrosion due to gas release during hydration. Trench covers with 15% WQS achieved the highest peak load (14,733 kg), exceeding heavy-traffic requirements, whereas IFA-based covers met the 10-ton standard but showed corrosion. Manhole covers did not reach the 75-ton design load, indicating applicability only for light or non-traffic areas. All UHPC mixes immobilized heavy metals within regulatory limits, and partial cement replacement reduced the carbon footprint by 60–120 kg CO₂e/m³. LCIA further indicated that 20% IFA replacement provided the greatest overall environmental benefit. In conclusion, WQS-incorporated UHPC offers reliable structural and environmental performance, while IFA requires pretreatment or modification to ensure long-term durability. Full article

Suaeda salsa, an annual herb belonging to the genus Suaeda within the Chenopodiaceae family, is highly salt-tolerant and can thrive in large quantities on saline and alkaline soils. This study presents a novel fermentation technique to produce Suaeda tea, utilizing a synergistic blend of microbial agents: Kluyveromyces marxianus, Komagataeibacter europaeus, and Acetobacter schutzenbachii. The resulting tea demonstrates a potent antioxidant capacity, with a hydroxyl radical scavenging rate of 64.2% and an exceptional 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (•DPPH) scavenging capacity of 83.3%, along with increased ferric ion reduction/antioxidant power (FRAP) reducing power (1.82), indicating its superior antioxidant profile. Through the comparison of different microbial strain combinations under varying process parameters such as fermentation temperature and duration, the experiment revealed that fermentation at 37 °C for 24 h results in the highest concentrations of tea polyphenols (TPs) (≥10.87 mg/mL) and free amino acids (26.32 mg/100 mL). The quality of the fermented Suaeda tea meets the stringent GB/T 21733-2008 standards for tea beverages, exhibiting excellent physicochemical indices and sensory attributes. The antioxidant efficacy of the fermented Suaeda tea persists significantly throughout a 180-day duration. The optimization of the fermentation process for Suaeda tea not only provides a theoretical framework for large-scale production but also establishes a foundation for Suaeda salsa in the tea beverage sector. This innovation enriches the market with a diverse range of health-promoting teas, catering to the growing consumer demand for nutritious and beneficial beverages. Full article

Biomass plays an important role in the energy transformation aimed at carbon neutrality, with its potential estimated at 1/3rd of the entire energy mix. One of the main ways of using biomass is combustion or co-combustion, which enables the production of heat and electricity while maintaining low emissions. A promising path to utilize the combustion by-product—ash—is the possibility of using it as a natural and cheap catalyst that can effectively support the process of solid fuel gasification. This paper reviews scientific studies on the properties of biomass ash and its use to support the gasification process. The issues related to the genesis of mineral matter in plants are presented, emphasizing the importance of its transformations during biomass combustion. Particular emphasis is placed on the characterization of biomass ash, which was carried out on the basis of a comprehensive overview of the results regarding its chemical composition. An analysis of the physicochemical and surface properties relevant to the use of biomass ashes as catalysts in the gasification process was performed. In addition, a review of studies on catalytic gasification of solid fuels using biomass ash was conducted, taking into account the impact of biomass ash on the most important parameters characterizing the course of the gasification reaction, i.e., reactivity, quality of the gaseous products, and the kinetics reaction. The summary compares the most important advantages and disadvantages of using biomass ashes in the gasification process along with recommendations for future research. Full article

The rapid emergence of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) has sparked a growing debate about its ethical, methodological, and epistemological implications for qualitative research. This study aimed to examine and deeply understand researchers’ perceptions regarding the use of GenAI tools in different phases of the qualitative research process. The study involved a sample of 214 researchers from diverse disciplinary areas, with publications indexed in Web of Science or Scopus that apply qualitative methods. Data collection was conducted using an open-ended questionnaire, and analysis was carried out using coding and thematic analysis procedures, which allowed us to identify patterns of perception, user experiences, and barriers. The findings show that, while GenAI is valued for its ability to optimize tasks such as corpus organization, initial coding, transcription, translation, and information synthesis, its implementation raises concerns regarding privacy, consent, authorship, the reliability of results, and the loss of interpretive depth. Furthermore, a dual ecosystem is observed, where some researchers already incorporate it, mainly generative text assistants like ChatGPT, while others have yet to use it or are unfamiliar with it. Overall, the results suggest that the most solid path is an assisted model, supported by clear ethical frameworks, adapted methodological guidelines, and critical training for responsible and humanistic use. Full article

This study investigated the effect of storage time on the quality of low-sugar apple jams partially substituted with steviol glycosides (SGs). Apple jams were prepared with 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% sugar replacement using highly purified SGs (95.1%). The jams were evaluated immediately after production and after 3 and 6 months of storage at 22 °C in the dark. Physicochemical analyses included dry matter, total soluble solids, vitamin C, total ash, pH, titratable acidity, malic acid, and color parameters (L*, a*, b*). Sensory and microbiological assessments were also carried out. During storage, the dry matter content significantly decreased from 41.4% (control) to 35.6% (40% SGs), while titratable acidity increased from 10.69° to 16.73° (p < 0.05), and pH values remained stable (3.15–3.29). Vitamin C content decreased significantly (from 0.56 mg/100 g to 0.19 mg/100 g; 33–66% degradation). The color of jams became lighter with increasing SG substitution (L* increased from 17.19 to 24.73; ΔE up to 9.66) and slightly darkened after storage (ΔL ≈ −1.0). Microbiological analysis confirmed complete safety, with total colony counts < 10 CFU/g and no presence of Listeria monocytogenes or coagulase-positive Staphylococcus. Sensory evaluation by a trained panel (10 assessors, aged 34–56 years, with similar training in fruit and vegetable preserve evaluation) showed that jams with 10–30% SG substitution maintained desirable apple aroma and sweetness, whereas higher SG levels enhanced metallic odor (0.12–0.95 c.u.) and bitterness (0.2–1.9 c.u.) while slightly reducing apple flavor intensity (p < 0.05). Despite these differences, all jams remained acceptable after 6 months of storage. Overall, replacing up to 40% of sucrose with steviol glycosides provided microbiological stability, controlled color changes, and acceptable sensory quality, supporting the production of low-sugar jams in line with clean-label and sustainability trends in modern food technology. Full article

High-temperature sintering for ceramsite preparation is a safe and effective approach to recycle solid waste. Flux components are critical in ceramsite sintering, as they can reduce sintering temperature, modulate the viscosity and content of the liquid phase, and ultimately optimize ceramsite performance. However, existing studies on lead–zinc tailings (LZTs) and coal gangue (CG)-based ceramsite lack systematic exploration of key fluxes (Na₂O, MgO, CaO, Fe₂O₃), limiting the high-value utilization of these wastes. Under fixed sintering conditions (preheating at 400 °C for 30 min, sintering at 1250 °C for 30 min, heating rate of 10 °C/min), this work systematically investigated the effects of these fluxes (in the forms of carbonates, except for Fe₂O₃) on LZTs-CG ceramsite. The mechanical properties, mineral composition, microstructure and heavy metal leaching of samples were analyzed using various methods, including uniaxial compression, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Results showed that, while Fe₂O₃ exerted a non-monotonic influence, Na₂O, MgO, and CaO improved apparent density and compressive strength, concurrently reducing water absorption, with these effects enhancing in a dose-dependent manner. Na₂O, MgO and Fe₂O₃ facilitated the formation of labradorite, cordierite and hematite, respectively. All fluxes weakened the diffraction peaks of quartz and mullite. ICP-OES results indicated that the fluxes slightly increased Pb and Zn leaching, yet the highest values (0.1975 mg/L for Pb, 0.0485 mg/L for Zn) were well below the limits specified in the Chinese national standard GB 5086.2-1997 (Leaching Toxicity of Solid Waste—Horizontal Vibration Extraction Procedure). This work shows optimized flux composition enables high-performance, eco-safe LZTs-CG ceramsite, supporting LZTs and CG high-value utilization and sustainable development. Full article

The global reliance on fossil fuels has caused severe environmental challenges, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable and renewable energy sources. Bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass has emerged as a promising alternative due to its abundance, renewability, and carbon-neutral footprint. However, its economic feasibility remains a major obstacle owing to high production costs, particularly those associated with low ethanol titers and the energy-intensive distillation process costs for low titers. High-solid loading processes (≥15% w/w or w/v) have demonstrated potential to overcome these limitations by minimizing water and solvent consumption, enhancing sugar concentrations, increasing ethanol titers, and lowering downstream processing cost. Nevertheless, high-solid loading also introduces operational bottlenecks, such as elevated viscosity, poor mixing, and limited mass and heat transfer, which hinder enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency. This review critically examines emerging pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis strategies tailored for high-solid loading conditions. It also explores techniques that improve sugar yields and conversion efficiency while addressing key technical barriers, including enzyme engineering, process integration, and optimization. By evaluating these challenges and potential mitigation strategies, this review provides actionable insights to intensify lignocellulosic ethanol production and advance the development of scalable, cost-effective biorefinery platforms. Full article

The ablation resistance of silicone-based thermal protection materials in high-temperature, oxygen-rich environments remains insufficiently understood, yet it is critical for the design of thermal management systems in Solid Fuel Ramjets (SFRJs). To address this challenge, we first performed a three-dimensional two-phase flow simulation of an SFRJ combustion chamber under typical flight conditions, obtaining key parameters including temperature, pressure, and oxygen concentration. Based on these thermal boundaries, we developed an advanced ablation simulation device capable of replicating the coupled high-enthalpy oxidative and erosive environment within the chamber. Using this platform, we systematically evaluated silicone rubber composites reinforced with functional fillers and fibers. Results demonstrate that incorporating ZrB₂ significantly enhances thermal stability and promotes the formation of an antioxidative ceramic layer. Furthermore, hybrid composites containing both organic and inorganic fibers exhibit superior erosion resistance due to the formation of a dense and stable char layer with a reinforced skeletal structure. This work not only provides an efficient experimental methodology for screening thermal insulation materials but also offers fundamental insights for the design of advanced ablation-resistant composites tailored to SFRJ applications. Full article

Background and Objectives: Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are rare autoimmune diseases with extra-muscular manifestations. A firm association with malignancy, mainly observed in dermatomyositis (DM) is well established and several predictors of malignancy were previously published. However, given the low prevalence of IIMs, large population-based studies are scarce, hindering a comprehensive understanding of site-specific cancer patterns and risk factors. This study aimed to evaluate malignancy patterns and predictors, in a large, diverse cohort of patients with DM and PM. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study used the Clalit Health Services electronic database, including 1557 DM patients and 528 PM patients diagnosed between 2002 and 2018, along with age-, sex-, and residence-matched controls at a 1:5 ratio. The incidence and risk of malignancies were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models, and predictors of solid and hematologic malignancies within the PM/DM cohort were analyzed using adjusted logistic regression. Results: In our cohort, DM was associated with an increased risk of both solid and hematologic malignancies (HR 1.89, 95%CI 1.47–2.41), whereas in PM the association was less pronounced and limited to solid malignancies (HR 1.50, 95%CI 1.06–2.11). In DM, higher risks were observed for breast cancer (HR 1.86) and chronic leukemia (HR 5.02). Across both subtypes, older age at diagnosis, the presence of specific autoantibodies were associated with increased malignancy risk. Significant markers included antiphospholipid antibodies (OR 2.28), lupus anticoagulant (OR 2.29), anti-Mi2 (OR 2.09), any of the antinuclear antibodies (OR 2.37), and individually anti-RNP/Sm (OR 1.70), anti-Ro/La (OR 1.79), anti-Scl-70 (OR 1.60), and anti-DNA (OR 1.97). Conclusions: Our study demonstrates an increased risk of malignancy in both DM and PM, with the relationship being stronger and broader in DM, involving both solid and hematologic cancers. Older age at diagnosis, and a distinct serological profile, particularly antiphospholipid antibodies and various antinuclear antibodies, identify patients at highest risk, warranting heightened clinical vigilance. Full article

Background: Age is a well-established determinant of sepsis outcomes, often integrated into severity scoring systems. However, most studies focus on critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs), with limited insight into how age influences mortality in non-ICU settings, particularly across the full adult lifespan. Objective: To investigate the relationship between age and in-hospital mortality in patients with sepsis hospitalized in internal medicine wards, using age-stratified logistic and spline regression models. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, multicenter cohort study involving 4300 adult patients admitted to internal medicine wards at eight academic hospitals affiliated with Clalit Health Services in Israel between December 2001 and October 2020. All patients were diagnosed with sepsis during hospitalization and died during their hospital stay. Patients were stratified into seven age groups (18–34, 35–44, 45–54, 55–64, 65–74, 75–84, >85 years). Logistic regression identified age-specific comorbidities associated with mortality. Adjusted spline regression models were used to estimate mortality probabilities across age ranges. Results: The cohort had a mean age at death of 78.84 years, and 51.7% were female. Mortality probability increased with age but demonstrated non-linear trends. Sharp fluctuations in predicted mortality were observed in middle-aged groups (especially ages 45–54), with peaks not captured in conventional binary or linear models. Hematologic and solid neoplasms were strongly associated with mortality in younger groups, while cardiovascular comorbidities such as heart failure and atrial fibrillation were more prominent in older adults. Conclusions: Age is a major determinant of in-hospital mortality in septic patients on internal medicine wards, but its effect is non-linear and age-specific. Our findings highlight a unique population of patients with severe sepsis not managed in critical care settings and underscore the need for more nuanced, age-stratified risk assessment models outside of the ICU. Full article

The significant increase in the importance of silumin recycling in the context of sustainable development is driven by tangible ecological and economic benefits. However, the primary technological challenge associated with using scrap is the accumulation of iron, which promotes the formation of undesirable sludge particles, degrading the alloy’s mechanical properties. This paper presents a description of the phase transformations in an AlSi7Mg alloy with increased iron and manganese content. Analysis of data from Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) revealed the primary crystallisation of sludge particles (SP) and the pre-eutectic precipitation of the α-Al₁₅(Fe,Mn)₃Si₂ phase, which replaced the β-Al₅FeSi phase. The remaining constituents of the AlSi7Mg alloy structure—α(Al) solid solution dendrites, the α(Al)+β(Si) eutectic, and the Mg₂Si phase—crystallise regardless of the iron, manganese, and chromium content. It was established that the increase in the crystallisation temperature of SP, rich mainly in the elements mentioned above, is directly proportional to the increase in the value of the sludge factor (SF) and ranges from 620 °C (for SF~1.3%) to approx. 645 °C (for SF~3.1%). SEM studies revealed that the combined increase in iron and manganese content not only raises the precipitation temperature of SP but also alters its morphology from single polyhedra to compact, “cluster-like” structures. To avoid the presence of sludge particles in the AlSi7Mg alloy, which have an unfavourable morphology and reduce the yield of the melting process, the SF for high-pressure die-casting should not exceed 2.0%. Full article

Additively manufactured maraging steel components often require surface engineering to achieve superior wear resistance for demanding industrial applications. This study investigates 18Ni300 maraging steel manufactured by Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF), comparing non-aged and pre-aged (480 °C × 6 h) specimens to systematically analyze the effects of nitriding duration (0 h, 24 h, 48 h, 60 h) on nitride layer microstructure, hardness, and wear resistance. Results show that the non-aged specimen, with its supersaturated solid solution matrix, exhibits slower nitride layer growth; a thin, dense nitride layer formed after 24 h of nitriding minimizes the wear depth (−9.043 μm) for optimal friction reduction. In the pre-aged specimen, matrix refinement, through intermetallic compound precipitation, enables a 211 μm nitride layer to form after 48 h of nitriding, elevating surface hardness to 650 HV, and creating a gradient structure (“high-hardness surface + strengthened matrix”), which yields the narrowest and shallowest wear scars and superior wear resistance. The experiments demonstrate that nitriding processes must align with matrix states; 24 h nitriding suits non-aged steel, while 48 h is optimal for aged steel, providing critical guidance for optimizing surface strengthening in additively manufactured 18Ni300 steel. Full article