Search Results (2,916)

Wave energy is a highly concentrated energy resource with five times higher energy density than wind and at least ten times the power density of solar energy. It is expected to make a major contribution to addressing climate change and to help end our dependency on fossil fuels. Many ingenious wave energy conversion methods have been put forward, and a large number of wave energy converters (WECs) have been developed. However, to date, wave energy conversion technology is still in the demonstration application stage. Key issues such as survivability, reliability, and efficient conversion still need to be solved. The major hurdle is the fact that ocean waves provide a slow-moving, high-magnitude force, whereas most electric generators operate at high rotary speed and low torque. Coupling the slow-moving, high-magnitude force of ocean waves normally requires conversion to a high-speed, low-magnitude force as an intermediate step before a rotary generator is applied. This, in general, tends to severely limit the overall efficiency and reliability of the converter and drives the capital cost of the converter well above an acceptable commercial target. Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) wave energy conversion makes use of MHD generators in which a conducting fluid passes through a very strong magnetic field to produce an electric current. In contrast to alternatives, the relatively slow speed at which the fluid traverses the magnetic field makes it possible to directly couple to ocean waves with a high-magnitude, slowly moving force. The MHD generator provides an excellent match to the mechanical impedance of an ocean wave, and therefore, an MHD WEC has no rotating mechanical parts with high speeds, no complex control process, and has good response to low sea states and high efficiency under all working conditions. This review introduces the system composition, working process, and technical features of WECs based on MHD generators first. Then, the research development, key points, and issues of wave energy conversion technology based on MHD generators are presented in detail. Finally, the problems to be solved and the future research directions of wave energy conversion based on MHD generators are pointed out. Full article

Endocytic uptake and lysosomal localization are suggested to be the key mechanisms underlying the toxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles (MONPs), with dissolution in the acidic milieu driving the response. In this study, we aimed to investigate if MONPs of varying solubility are similarly sequestered intracellularly, including in lysosomes and the role of the acidic lysosomal milieu on toxicity induced by copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs), nickel oxide (NiO) NPs, aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) NPs, and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) NPs of varying solubility in FE1 lung epithelial cells. Mitsui-7 multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) served as contrasts against particles. Enhanced darkfield hyperspectral imaging (EDF-HSI) with fluorescence microscopy was used to determine their potential association with lysosomes. The v-ATPase inhibitor Bafilomycin A1 (BaFA1) was used to assess the role of lysosomal acidification on toxicity. The results showed co-localization of all MONPs with lysosomes, with insoluble TiO₂ NPs showing the greatest co-localization. However, only acute toxicity induced by soluble CuO NPs was affected by the presence of BaFA1, showing a 14% improvement in relative survival. In addition, all MONPs were found to be associated with large actin aggregates; however, treatment with insoluble TiO₂ NPs, but not soluble CuO NPs, impaired the organization of F-actin and α-tubulin. These results indicate that MONPs are sequestered similarly intracellularly; however, the nature or magnitude of their toxicity is not similarly impacted by it. Future studies involving a broader variety of NPs are needed to fully understand the role of differential sequestration of NPs on cellular toxicity. Full article

Background: Pediatric cancer incidence has been increasing in the United States, despite improvement in pediatric cancer survival. This steady increase in incidence trends is not completely understood but maybe associated with social and environmental factors. In this study we aimed to assess the cumulative incidence, temporal trends, and mortality rates in pediatric cancer. Additionally, we examined sub-group variability in both incidence and mortality rates. Methods: Data from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) −18 from 1973–2014 were used for the purpose of analysis in this study. Age-adjusted incidence rates were used to assess temporal trends in cancer among children aged <1–19 years. Univariable and multivariable binomial regression models were used to examine the association between race and cancer mortality while adjusting for potential confounders. Results: There were 92,594 cancer diagnoses during this period. White children comprised 74,758, (80.7%), black children 10,030, (10.8%), and other races 6648, (7.2%). Overall the age-adjusted cumulative incidence was slightly higher among white children (16.4%) than black children (12.4%) and other (13.0%). Children aged 15–19 years and those in metropolitan regions were more likely to be diagnosed with pediatric cancer. Relative to females, males were 16% more likely to die from the disease [adjusted Risk Ratio (aRR): 1.16, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.09–1.22]. Additionally, compared to white children, black children had higher mortality rates [(aRR): 1.37, 99% CI: 1.23–1.52]. Conclusions: There is an increasing trend in pediatric cancer incidence; while white children have the highest incidence, black children and males indicated a survival disadvantage, indicative of racial and sex variability in overall pediatric cancer in the United States. Full article

Physical conditions in grain storage environments influence trophic interactions between predators and their prey and can affect the effectiveness of biocontrol agents. The study aimed to assess the potential of Xylocoris flavipes (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), to manage Liposcelis decolor (Pearman) (Psocodea: Liposcelididae). Liposcelis decolor population suppression and X. flavipes progeny production were assessed at five predator–prey (P-P) ratios (0:240, 1:240, 2:240, 3:240, and 5:240), four temperatures (20, 24, 28, and 32 °C), and three relative humidities (RH) (63, 75, and 85%) over 40 days at 0:24 (L:D) photoperiod in the laboratory. Compared with the Control P-P ratio of 0:240 (no predators), prey suppression >97% was achieved across all predator release ratios. At 32 °C and 75% RH, which are the optimal conditions for L. decolor, 3985.13 ± 255.45 prey survived in the Control P-P ratio compared with 19.85 ± 2.47–115.73 ± 8.99 found for the four P-P ratios with the predator, representing prey reduction of 97.10–99.50%. Temperature influenced X. flavipes progeny production, which was greatest at 28 °C and a P-P ratio of 1:240. Suppression caused by X. flavipes demonstrates its potential as a biological control agent to manage psocid infestations in stored commodities. Full article

Background/Objective: At least 25% of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients develop liver metastases (CRLM), and chemotherapeutic regimens based on the fluoropyrimidine (FP) drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) provide a survival advantage, but long-term survival is uncommon. The primary molecular target of FP drugs is thymidylate synthase (TS). Methods: A TS/Top1 dual-targeting cytotoxic mechanism for CF10/LV was confirmed by TS ternary complex detection by Western blot and by immunofluorescence detection of Top1 cleavage complexes. CF10/LV activated the ATR/Chk1 pathway consistent with enhanced replication stress and induced apoptosis. In vivo studies showed CF10 and CF10/LV eradicated liver metastasis in a CRLM model without scarring or weight loss, displaying therapeutic advantages relative to legacy FPs. Results: We demonstrated that a nanoscale FP polymer, CF10, displayed greater potency than expected based on FP content in part through more direct conversion to the TS-inhibitory metabolite, FdUMP. In this study, we tested CF10 for potency advantages relative to 5-FU and trifluorothymidine (TFT, the FP component of TAS-102) and confirmed a general potency advantage for CF10 in CRC cell lines in the Broad Institute PRISM screen. We demonstrated that this potency advantage is retained in CRC cells cultured with human-like folate levels and is enhanced by LV co-treatment to a similar extent as that by 5-FU. Our results confirm CF10 development proceeding as a CF10/LV combination. Mechanistically, CF10 cytotoxicity closely correlates with poisons of DNA topoisomerase 1 (Top1) in the PRISM screen relative to 5-FU and TFT. Conclusions: Our pre-clinical data support an early-phase clinical trial for CF10 for treating liver-metastatic CRC. Full article

Coral reef degradation has spurred the development of artificial structures to mitigate losses in coral cover. These structures serve as substrates for coral transplantation, with the expectation that growing corals will attract reef-associated taxa—while the substrate’s ability to directly support biodiversity is often neglected. We evaluated a novel 3D-printed modular tile made of porous terra cotta, designed with complex surface structures to enhance micro- and cryptic biodiversity, through a restoration project in Hong Kong. Over four years, we monitored 378 outplanted coral fragments using diver assessments and photography, while biodiversity changes were assessed through visual surveys and eDNA metabarcoding. Coral survivorship was high, with 88% survival after four years. Visual surveys recorded seven times more fish and almost 60% more invertebrates at the restoration site compared to a nearby unrestored area. eDNA analyses revealed a 23.5% higher eukaryote ASV richness at the restoration site than the unrestored site and 13.3% greater richness relative to a natural reference coral community. This study highlights the tiles’ dual functionality: (1) supporting coral growth and (2) enhancing cryptic biodiversity, an aspect often neglected in traditional reef restoration efforts. Our findings underscore the potential of 3D-printed ceramic structures to improve both coral restoration outcomes and broader reef ecosystem recovery. Full article

Although the calcium-dependent proteases, calpains, were discovered more than 60 years ago, we still know very little regarding their functions, mostly because very few studies are addressing questions related to specific members of this relatively large family of cysteine proteases. The “classical calpains”, calpain-1 and calpain-2, are ubiquitous and have received more attention because of the special roles they play in the brain. The authors have been studying the properties and functions of these two calpain isoforms in the brain for over 45 years, and this review will focus on what has been learned over this period of time. In particular, we will discuss the numerous studies that have led to the notion that calpain-1 and calpain-2 play opposite functions in the brain on processes ranging from neuronal survival or death, synaptic plasticity, and learning and memory to neurogenesis. Mechanisms underlying these opposite functions are starting to be understood and the findings support the notion that such opposite functions might be a general feature of these two isoforms in any type of cell. This review concludes with a discussion of the potential benefits of selective calpain-2 inhibitors for the treatment of a variety of neurological disorders. Full article

Zygotic genome activation (ZGA) represents one of the most vulnerable periods to environmental perturbations. The objective of this study was to investigate the formation of stress granules in mouse embryos in response to temperature reduction during ZGA, preimplantation embryo mortality, and long-term phenotypic outcomes. These outcomes included the evaluation of expression noise in bilateral right/left limbs of offspring as an indicator of developmental instability, behavioral deviation, hippocampal volume, and metabolomics profiling in adult offspring. Exposure to hypothermia during ZGA was associated with an increased number and inter-blastomere variability of stress granules, extended duration of the second embryonic division, and elevated embryonic mortality during the second and third cleavage stages. The embryonic response to hypothermic stress correlated with phenotypic traits indicative of increased pathology risk. Expression noise, serving as an indicator of developmental instability, was reduced in adult offspring derived from two-cell embryos incubated at 35 °C compared to those at 37 °C, while showing no significant difference relative to the control group. These results suggest that embryos surviving hypothermic exposure (35 °C) possess enhanced resilience to the adverse effects commonly associated with embryo transfer procedures. Furthermore, increased hippocampal volume and augmented auditory startle reflex observed in offspring that endured hypothermia during ZGA imply reduced risks of cognitive-related pathologies and reduced risks of pathologies associated with cognitive functions. Full article

Acute human alpha-herpesvirus 1 (HSV-1) infection culminates in a latent infection of neurons in trigeminal ganglia (TG) and the central nervous system. Following infection of mucosal epithelial cells, certain neurons survive infection and life-long latency is established. Periodically, stressful stimuli trigger reactivation from latency, which result in virus shedding, transmission to other people, and, occasionally, recurrent disease. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and Krüppel-like factor 15 (KLF15) comprise a feed-forward transcriptional loop that cooperatively transactivate key HSV-1 promoters that drive expression of infected cell protein 0 (ICP0), ICP4, and ICP27. Silencing KLF15 significantly reduces HSV-1 replication in cultured mouse neuroblastoma cells. Consequently, we hypothesized that KLF15 mediates certain aspects of reactivation from latency. To test this hypothesis, we compared HSV-1 replication in KLF15^−/− mice versus wild-type (wt) parental C57BL/6 mice. Virus shedding during acute infection was reduced in KLF15^−/− mice. Male KLF15^−/− mice shed higher titers of virus during late stages of reactivation from latency compared to KLF15^−/− females and wt mice regardless of sex. At 15 d after explant-induced reactivation, virus shedding was higher in male KLF15^−/− mice relative to wt mice and female KLF15^−/− mice. These studies confirm KLF15 expression enhances viral replication during acute infection and reactivation from latency. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the precision of dose delivery to the target in adaptive carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) in cumulative dosimetry. Methods: Forty-six patients who received CIRT were included (64 Gy[relative biological effectiveness, RBE] in 16 fractions) with treatment plan computed tomography (CT) and weekly CT scans. Offline adaptive radiotherapy (ART) was administered if the dose distribution significantly worsened. Daily doses were calculated from weekly CTs and integrated into plan CT scans using deformable image registration. The dosimetry parameters were compared between the as-scheduled plan and adaptive replan in patients receiving ART. Survival outcomes and toxicity were compared between the ART and non-ART groups. Results: ART was implemented for 27 patients in whom adaptive replans significantly increased the median V_98% of the clinical tumor volume from 96.5% to 98.1% and D_98% from 60.5 to 62.7 Gy(RBE) compared with the as-scheduled plans (p < 0.001). The conformity and uniformity of the dose distribution improved (p < 0.001), with no significant differences in the doses to normal tissues (lungs, heart, esophagus, and spinal cord) from the as-scheduled plans (p > 0.05). The ART and non-ART groups demonstrated comparable local control, progression-free survival, and overall survival (p > 0.05). No grade 3 or higher radiation-related toxicities were observed. Conclusions: ART enhanced target dose coverage while maintaining acceptable normal tissue exposure, supporting weekly CT monitoring integration during CIRT for the timely intervention for anatomical variations, ensuring precise dose delivery in LA-NSCLC. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of lymph node density (LND) and the log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) using a nationwide database. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Taiwan Cancer Registry to identify patients diagnosed with OSCC who underwent surgery for both the primary tumor and neck dissection. Clinicopathological variables were collected, and survival outcomes were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models. LND was categorized as negative, <0.05, and ≥0.05; LODDS was grouped into four categories: <−4, −4 to −3.5, −3.5 to −2.5, and ≥−2.5. Results: A total of 1643 female and 15,475 male patients were included, with a mean age of 57.4 years (range, 20–98 years). In multivariable Cox regression analyses, LND and LODDS were identified as independent prognostic factors for overall survival. Compared with patients with negative LND, the hazard ratios for LND < 0.05 and LND ≥0.05 were 2.12 (95% CI, 1.90–2.36) and 3.35 (95% CI, 3.05–3.67), respectively (p < 0.01). Similarly, relative to the lowest LODDS group (<−4), the hazard ratios for the higher categories were 1.51 (95% CI, 1.32–1.74) for −4 to −3.5, 2.30 (95% CI, 2.05–2.57) for −3.5 to −2.5, and 4.32 (95% CI, 3.85–4.86) for ≥−2.5 (p < 0.01). Conclusions: LND and LODDS are significant prognostic indicators in OSCC. Incorporating these lymph node–based metrics into prognostic models may enhance risk stratification and inform clinical decision-making. Full article

The detection of gamma-ray burst GRB 221009A has attracted significant attention due to its record brightness and first-ever detection of multi-TeV $\mathit{\gamma }$-rays from a GRB. Located at redshift $z=0.151$, this event is relatively nearby by GRB standards yet remains cosmologically distant, making the survival of multi-TeV photons surprising. The Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory detected photons with energies up to ∼13 TeV during the early afterglow phase, challenging standard EBL models. We investigate whether several theoretical frameworks can explain this anomalous emission: reduced EBL opacity due to cosmic voids along the line of sight, novel emission mechanisms within the GRB environment, secondary $\mathit{\gamma }$-ray production through cosmic-ray cascades, and new physics scenarios involving Lorentz invariance violation or axion-like particles. Our analysis reveals areas of consensus regarding the exceptional nature of this event, while highlighting ongoing theoretical tensions about the dominant physical processes. We discuss the limitations of current models and identify specific observational signatures that future multi-wavelength and multi-messenger observations could provide to discriminate between competing explanations. The continued study of similar events with next-generation facilities will be crucial for resolving these theoretical challenges and advancing our understanding of extreme particle acceleration processes in astrophysical environments. Full article

Background/Objectives: We analyzed clinical and radiological characteristics and prognostic factors specific to young patients with breast cancer (YBC) aged <30 years. Methods: This retrospective study included 132 women aged <30 years who underwent breast surgery between 2008 and 2013. The clinical and radiological findings of the patients were examined and compared according to recurrence or death status at follow-up. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were also assessed. Results: Most patients (mean age, 27.1 years) presented with palpable lesions (85.6%). Hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor-negative cancer was the most common molecular subtype (59.8%), followed by triple-negative breast cancer (28.0%), with high Ki-67 expression (62.1%). Mammography and ultrasound detected abnormalities in 90.1% and 97.3% of patients, respectively, whereas magnetic resonance imaging detected abnormalities in all patients. During the follow-up period (8–10 years), 28.5% of the patients experienced recurrence and 11.5% died. The calculated DFS and OS at 5 years were 80.8% and 69.8% and 91.3% and 87.8% at 10 years, respectively. Statistically significant factors associated with DFS/OS included the BRCA1 gene mutation, with preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy, no hormone therapy, larger tumor size, negative hormone receptor status, high Ki-67 expression, and some radiological findings, including asymmetry with calcifications on mammography, no sonographic echogenic rind of mass, and mild vascularity on Doppler study. Conclusions: Our study highlights the aggressive nature of breast cancer in YBC aged <30 years, with relatively high rates of recurrence and mortality. Significant factors affecting prognosis may guide personalized treatment approaches and predict the prognosis. Full article

In this study, using a multigenerational heat selection design, we investigated the possible pattern of thermal acclimation and the background mechanism in Spodoptera frugiperda. Results show that heat selection significantly shortened the larval and pupal developmental duration, which was maintained in the four tested generations. Significant costs to reproduction were found in the first two generations, but they recovered in the following generations. Heat-selected adults exhibited significantly higher survival rates under extremely high temperatures, and the survival rate increased with subsequent generations. Transcriptomic analysis between heat-selected and non-selected male adults from the first generation showed that heat stress did not induce the upregulation of any heat shock protein (Hsp) genes; in the fourth generation, however, heat stress resulted in the upregulation of a great number of Hsps, indicating a positive correlation between Hsp expression and heat tolerance. Further analysis also found differential expression in other genes associated with heat resistance, such as cuticle-, antioxidant-, and detoxification-related genes. Moreover, quite a number of stress response GO terms were enriched, such as response to heat and other abiotic stimuli. GO enrichment also showed that DEGs were enriched to many more terms related to metabolism. KEGG enrichment revealed that relatively more disease-, metabolism-, and immunity-associated pathways were enriched. The number of disease pathways increased with the selection temperature in the first generation, whereas it decreased with subsequent generations. This study offers new information for the understanding of the thermal acclimation process and mechanism of moth species, and facilitates the prediction and management of this major pest. Full article

Background: Radiotherapy is widely used to control postoperative residuals of WHO grade I meningiomas, with favorable outcomes reported from relatively short follow-ups. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of radiation on extended long-term outcome of benign meningiomas, comparing radiated to non-radiated post-surgical residuals. Methods: A retrospective observational record analysis of 2499 consecutive meningiomas treated from 1990 through 2023 identified 436 WHO grade I meningiomas with post-surgical residuals after subtotal resection (STR); of these, 176 received radiotherapy. Progression-free survival, cause-specific overall survival, and mortality were analyzed. Clinical control was defined as the absence of post-irradiation intervention. Malignant transformation was confirmed histologically. Results: At a median and mean follow-up of 103.5 and 127.28 months, the 3-, 5-, 10-, and 15-year progression-free survival were 91%, 85%, 77%, and 70% following STR alone, and 59%, 43%, 23%, and 16% after STR plus radiotherapy. The cause-specific overall survival at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years was 97.6%, 97.6%, 97.6%, and 96% for STR and 97%, 93%, 85%, and 76% for STR with irradiation, respectively. Mortality was 26% in the irradiated group, compared to 4%. Clinical control was achieved in 87% and 37% in the surgery and irradiation groups, respectively. Malignant transformation occurred in 28% of the irradiated group and 1% after surgery alone. Conclusions: This study revealed that with a follow-up beyond 10 years, irradiation of residual WHO I meningiomas was associated with increased recurrence, worse survival, less clinical control, and increased malignant progression. Full article