Search Results (135)

Flapping-wing flight offers a promising solution for aerial mobility in low-density environments such as the Martian atmosphere, where conventional rotorcraft faces significant performance constraints. However, the coupled aerodynamic and structural mechanisms governing lift generation at low Reynolds numbers remain insufficiently understood. This study investigates the aeroelastic and unsteady aerodynamic behaviour of a bio-inspired flapping wing using an integrated experimental–numerical framework. High-speed imaging is employed to extract representative wing kinematics, including flapping frequency, stroke amplitude, and rotational motion. A geometrically scaled wing model is developed based on Reynolds number similitude and analysed using finite element methods to characterise its dynamic response. Aeroelastic behaviour is evaluated through modal transient simulations, while aerodynamic performance is assessed using both vortex-lattice modelling and computational fluid dynamics. The results show strong coupling between bending and torsional modes, with the structural response highly dependent on excitation frequency relative to the natural modes. Near-resonant conditions lead to amplified deformation and distinct phase relationships, while aerodynamic simulations reveal vortex-dominated lift generation. These findings provide a physics-based framework for the design and analysis of flapping-wing systems operating in low-Reynolds-number and low-density flight regimes. Full article

Thiazolyl-benzene/camphor sulfonamide derivatives (series 4a–k, 5a–j and 6a–i) were synthesized by reaction of various aryl sulfonyl chlorides and camphor sulfonyl chlorides with 2-amino-4-phenylthiazole. The compounds were evaluated for antibacterial, antioxidant, and α-glucosidase/α-amylase inhibitory activities. Biological screening showed that 4h, 5g and 5i displayed significant activity against most Gram-positive bacteria (MICs 4.68–18.75 µg/mL), while 4b and 5i were active against most Gram-negative bacteria with similar MIC ranges. In the DPPH assay, 4e, 4f, 4g and 4h exhibited slightly stronger radical-scavenging activity than ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ ≈ 3.5–3.8 µM vs. 4.14 µM); 5f emerged as the best dual carbohydrate-digesting enzyme inhibitor, and 5b and 5e demonstrated selectivity toward α-amylase. Full article

Rootstock strongly influences citrus tree performance, but information remains limited for some regionally important cultivars. ‘IAPAR 73’, an early-season sweet orange commonly grown in Paraná, Brazil, has not been previously evaluated for rootstock responses. This study assessed the long-term effects of nine rootstocks, including ‘Rangpur’ lime, ‘Swingle’ citrumelo, ‘Volkamer’ lemon, ‘Caipira DAC’ and ‘Trifoliate’ oranges, ‘Cleopatra’ and ‘Sunki’ mandarins, ‘Carrizo’ and ‘Fepagro C-13’ citranges, on vegetative growth, yield, production stability, and fruit quality under Brazilian subtropical conditions. Tree growth was monitored annually for 10 years (2003–2013) and analyzed at establishment (5 years) and full production (10 years) phases of the orchard. Yield and fruit quality were evaluated across multiple harvests, and total soluble solids (TSS) stability was quantified using the coefficient of variation. Rootstock effects were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models in a randomized complete block design, considering rootstock and year as fixed effects and blocks as random effects. Rootstock significantly influenced all evaluated traits. ‘Carrizo’, ‘Cleopatra’, ‘Sunki’, and ‘Caipira DAC’ induced vigorous canopy growth and higher cumulative yields to the scion, while ‘Volkamer’ showed high yield efficiency and production stability. ‘Swingle’ and ‘Trifoliate’ enhanced TSS, TSS/TA ratios, and juice quality stability but induced lower vigor and yield, similar to ‘Rangpur’. This study provides the first evidence-based guidance for ‘IAPAR 73’ production, demonstrating that rootstock diversification can maximize productivity, stability, and sustainability in citrus orchards. Full article

The treatment paradigm for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer has evolved from continuous chemotherapy-based regimens to a model of finite chemotherapy induction followed by sustained antibody-driven disease control. The CLEOPATRA trial established dual HER2 blockade with trastuzumab and pertuzumab plus a taxane as the biological and clinical anchor of this approach, demonstrating that chemotherapy is administered for a defined induction period, after which antibody maintains disease suppression. An increasing body of clinical evidence indicates that antibody-based regimens can be combined with targeted agents, including CDK4/6 inhibitors or HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitors, to achieve durable disease control without the need for continuous chemotherapy. In the PATINA trial, the addition of palbociclib to trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and endocrine therapy was associated with a clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival in hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. At the same time, quality of life was maintained despite higher rates of hematologic toxicity. More recently, HER2-CLIMB-05 demonstrated that the addition of tucatinib to dual HER2 antibody therapy significantly prolonged progression-free survival, supporting a model of sustained, multi-agent HER2 pathway suppression. The monarcHER trial provided biological proof of concept that antibody plus CDK4/6 inhibition can achieve disease control without chemotherapy in hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive disease. Collectively, these advances support a translational framework in which antibody therapy serves as a central component of treatment strategies, with targeted partners selected according to tumor biology and prior therapy. This review summarizes the biological basis, clinical evidence, and future perspectives of antibody-driven maintenance in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Full article

Global freshwater scarcity is a pressing environmental challenge, particularly in Egypt, which depends entirely on the Nile River and its tributaries. Rapid population growth, domestic wastes, agricultural runoff, and rapid industrial expansion exert highly anthropogenic stress on aquatic ecosystems, including Bahr Yusuf and Ibrahimia Canals in Upper Egypt. This study aimed to evaluate the ecological health and sustainability status of the two canals using an integrated multi-metric framework combining physicochemical variables, microbiological indicators, and community structures of zooplankton and benthic fauna. Multivariate statistical analyses (PCA, CCA), and ecological indices, including the water quality index (WQI), microbial assessment index (MAI), Rotifer-Based Index (TSI_Rot) and Hilsenhoff Biotic Index, were applied to determine pollution gradients. The results revealed that Bahr Yusuf suffers from higher pollution levels than the Ibrahimia Canal. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that nutrient enrichment and elevated organic load are responsible for over 72% of the variance in zooplankton and benthic invertebrate assemblage in both water bodies. The dominance of pollution-tolerant species, Philodina roseola and B. calyciflorus of zooplankton and Limnodrilus udekemianus, Chironomidae larvae, Melanoides tuberculate and Cleopatra bulimoides of benthic taxa, further indicates a direct increase in organic loading and nutrient enrichment from agricultural and domestic sources. According to the Integrated Water Quality–Biotic Health Index (IWQ-BHI), the downstream stations of Bahr Yusuf are critical risk zones, with scores below 50.0, while the upstream stations of Ibrahimia Canal fell within the “good” category, with scores exceeding 70.0. Overall, both waterbodies are approaching a critical threshold of ecological instability and require urgent, integrated and sustainable management to restore and preserve these vital freshwater ecosystems. Full article

Background and Objectives: Pregnancy is associated with profound physical and psychological changes in a woman’s life. Psychological distress and medical comorbidities during pregnancy remain under recognized despite their potential impact on maternal well-being. This study aimed to examine the associations between psychological distress, physical and mental components of health-related quality of life (HRQoL), lifestyle factors (alcohol and tobacco use), and the presence of medical comorbidities in pregnant women. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women in the second and third trimesters admitted to a tertiary obstetrics and gynecology center in Romania. Psychological distress was assessed using the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) Global Severity Index (GSI), while health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was evaluated with the Short Form Health Survey-36 items (SF-36) physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) Component Summary scores. Alcohol and tobacco use were assessed using Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test—Consumption (AUDIT-C) and the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). Nonparametric tests were used for correlation and group-comparison analyses. Results: Among the 337 valid answers, higher psychological distress was significantly associated with lower physical (R = −0.16, p < 0.01) and mental (R = −0.26, p < 0.01) HRQoL. Pregnant women with medical comorbidities reported higher psychological distress and poorer physical HRQoL compared with those without comorbidities, while mental HRQoL did not differ significantly. Alcohol and tobacco use were not significantly associated with HRQoL or psychological distress. Conclusions: Psychological distress is a central factor associated with both physical and mental quality of life during pregnancy. Integrating routine mental health screening into antenatal care, particularly for women with medical comorbidities, may improve maternal well-being and support better pregnancy outcomes. Full article

Water scarcity and climate variability threaten citrus production in semi-arid regions, requiring strategies to improve drought resilience. This study evaluated the physiological and hormonal responses of two citrus cultivars, alemow (Citrus macrophylla Wester) and ‘Cleopatra’ mandarin (Citrus reshni Hort. Ex Tanaka), inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (Rhizophagus irregularis + Funneliformis mosseae) and subjected to drought stress imposed by progressive soil drying (water withholding) and quantified by volumetric soil water content (θ_v) classes: >0.20 cm³ cm⁻³ (well-watered), 0.05–0.20 cm³ cm⁻³ (moderate drought), and <0.05 cm³ cm⁻³ (severe drought). Gas exchange, plant water status, and abscisic acid (ABA) dynamics were monitored to assess cultivar-specific effects of AM symbiosis. Under well-watered conditions, +AM plants exhibited higher photosynthetic rates than non-inoculated plants, with a stronger response in Macrophylla. During drought, contrasting patterns emerged: +AM Macrophylla maintained higher stomatal conductance and photosynthesis, with foliar ABA increasing only under severe stress, suggesting that non-hormonal mechanisms support gas exchange. In Cleopatra, AM inoculation was associated with higher root-derived ABA and earlier stomatal closure, suggesting a more conservative water-use strategy under soil drying conditions; however, the benefits were limited to moderate stress and decreased beyond a stomatal conductance threshold. These findings reveal that AM symbiosis enhances drought resilience through contrasting mechanisms: hydraulic stabilization predominates in Macrophylla, whereas hormonal (ABA-mediated) regulation drives the response in Cleopatra. This cultivar-dependent modulation highlights the importance of developing AM-based strategies adapted to each cultivar for effective citrus drought management. Combining AM inoculation with irrigation-saving practices could improve water productivity and support climate-smart citrus production. Full article

Digital transformation in agriculture addresses key challenges such as climate change, water shortages, and sustainable production. Precision agriculture technologies rely on the Internet of Things (IoT) sensor networks, analytics, and automated systems to manage resources efficiently and increase productivity. Fragmented infrastructures and vendor-specific platforms lead to unintegrated data silos that obstruct regional solutions. This paper will emphasize FIWARE, an open-source, standard-based platform that can be integrated with existing agricultural sensors in municipalities or regions. FIWARE takes all these disparate sensors (soil probes, weather stations, and irrigation meters) and integrates them into a single real-time information system, providing a set of decision support tools to the user to facilitate adaptive irrigation. Case studies show the benefits of FIWARE, including water savings, reduced runoff, better decision-making, and improved climate resilience. Full article

This study reports the exclusive and rapid synthesis of twenty-four derivatives of 1-((mono/bis)trifluoromethyl)phenyl-3-(4-arylthiazol-2-yl)thioureas (series 7, 9 and 11), along with their antimicrobial activities against Candida albicans, Mycobacterium smegmatis and seven additional bacterial strains. The anticancer potential of these compounds was evaluated against various human cancer cell lines, including A549 (lung adenocarcinoma), HeLa (cervical carcinoma), IMR32 (neuroblastoma), MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma), HCT116 (colon cancer) and DU145 (prostate cancer). Among these, 1-(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)-3-(thiazol-2-yl)thiourea (7i) and 1-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-(4-(3-chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl)thiourea (11h) demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against M. luteus, S. aureus, S. aureus 1 and C. albicans. Additionally, 1-(4-(3-chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl)-3-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)thiourea (9g) and 1-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-(4-(2-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl)thiourea (11g) showed activity against Mycobacterium smegmatis. The bioassay tests indicated that many of the thiourea derivatives exhibited moderate activity against the A549, HeLa, MCF-7 and HCT116 cancer cell lines. Full article

This work presents a first-iteration bio-faithful dragonfly-inspired wing designed for future flapping micro air vehicle (MAV) applications. Using high-resolution imaging, the natural venation pattern of fore- and hindwings was reconstructed in CAD and reproduced through high-precision stereolithography at 1:1 and 3:1 scale. The printed polymeric wings successfully preserved the anisotropic stiffness distribution of the biological structure, enabling realistic bending and torsional responses. Modal analysis and dynamic testing confirmed that the lightweight designs operate within the biologically relevant 20–40 Hz range and that geometry and material choices allow predictable tuning of natural frequencies. Preliminary aerodynamic estimates captured the characteristic anti-phase lift behavior of four-wing flapping, while schlieren and infrared thermography demonstrated that heat dispersion and flow features follow the vein-driven structural pathways of the printed wings. Together, these results validate the feasibility and functional relevance of bio-faithful venation architectures and establish a solid foundation for future iterations incorporating membranes, full kinematic actuation, and higher-fidelity aeroelastic modeling. Full article

This study sought to screen 45 maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines for tolerance to combined drought and heat stress (CDHS) and identify the leaf proteome patterns of two inbred lines with contrasting stress response at early vegetative stage. Biomass accumulation was significantly reduced under CDHS compared to optimum conditions. Furthermore, CDHS-tolerant inbred lines exhibited significantly lower (p < 0.05) leaf temperatures (28.6 °C) and higher sub-stomatal CO₂ concentration (9012 mol mol⁻¹) and photosynthetic yield (0.69) under stress. The tolerant (CIM18) and susceptible (QS21) inbred lines were exposed to stress by maintaining a field capacity of 25% for 7 days and increasing the daily ambient temperature by 5 °C from 25 °C to 40 °C. Conventional two-dimensional electrophoresis analysis was used to compare leaf protein expression profiles, and significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed. Out of a total of 505 proteins, 114 showed significant quantitative variation. Of these, 62 proteins had a twofold upregulation in CIM18, while 52 were downregulated. Twenty upregulated proteins were selected for amino acid micro-sequencing, and 11 proteins were uniquely expressed in CIM18. The other nine proteins had ≥ twofold upregulation in CIM18 compared to QS21. The functions of the identified proteins included defence, metabolism, photosynthesis and structure. Full article

Therapies targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) have substantially improved overall survival in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Approximately 31% of these patients develop brain metastases, representing a significant therapeutic challenge. This review classifies anti-HER2 therapies into three categories: monoclonal antibodies (MABs), antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The mechanisms of action and clinical impacts of these agents are examined, with particular attention to intracranial efficacy. The introduction of trastuzumab increased overall survival (OS) from 20.3 to 25.1 months compared to chemotherapy alone. The addition of pertuzumab further extended survival to 57.1 months, as demonstrated in the CLEOPATRA trial. Among ADCs, T-DM1 improved OS to 29.9 months versus 25.9 months in the EMILIA trial, while T-DXd extended OS to 52.6 months in DESTINY-Breast03. T-DXd also demonstrated notable intracranial activity, achieving a 64.9% objective response rate in patients with active brain metastases. In the HER2CLIMB trial, tucatinib reduced intracranial progression by 68% and improved OS (24.7 vs. 19.2 months) in patients with active brain metastases. Recent advances have increased median OS from approximately 20 months prior to trastuzumab to over 50 months with current therapies. Future research should focus on optimizing treatment sequencing, refining biomarker-driven approaches, and developing targeted strategies for brain metastases to further improve long-term survival outcomes. Full article

The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is considered one of the most important phytophagous pests worldwide. In Croatia, it severely affects the fresh fruit production in Dalmatia, and a national suppression action plan has been established to alleviate farmers’ burden. The aim of the current paper was to comprehensively study the overwintering dynamics of medfly in Dalmatia and investigate whether adults and pupae in addition to larvae can overwinter in different conditions, with a goal to support the establishment of a sound off-season control strategy against this pest. The off-season strategy, which was recently proposed in the frameworks of the EU Horizon 2020 funded project FF-IPM, focuses on the management of the low adult populations during winter and early spring period that has a detrimental effect on the development of the on-season summer and early autumn populations. Overwintering trials were conducted in Split (Dalmatia region, Croatia) using the local C. capitata population. Cages with different life stages (adults, pupae) or infested fruits were periodically transferred in three overwintering sites (open-field, semi-field, and urban conditions) from October to December (two to three establishment dates during the 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 season). Our results provide strong evidence that, in addition to larvae within fruit, both adult and pupae can survive in significant proportions in open-field and urban conditions. Overwintering site and establishment date were both significant predictors of the overwintering success of adults, and they affect pupae developmental duration, adult emergence rates from overwintering pupae, female fecundity, and generally the overwintering ability of the pupae. Our results suggest that the current national strategy for C. capitata suppression, which is based on the assumptions of larvae overwintering need to be adjusted by development and implementation of the off-season strategy. Full article

The heavy mineral-rich wadi deposits sourced from various wadis close to Gabal Homret Waggat in the central eastern Desert of Egypt are being analyzed to assess their genesis and paleoenvironment. This study integrates remote sensing (ALOS/PALSAR DEM and ASTER imagery), mineralogical, and geochemical analyses (XRF and SEM-EDX). Remote sensing analysis (ASTER and ALOS/PALSAR) delineated three main watersheds and identified granitic plutons as the primary source rocks. Mineralogical analysis revealed a diverse heavy mineral assemblage, including zircon, rutile, ilmenite, magnetite, staurolite, and sillimanite, indicative of a provenance dominated by granitic and metamorphic rocks. Grain size analysis shows that the samples range from very platykurtic to extremely leptokurtic (Kg: 0.598–5.350 φ), indicating deposition in predominantly fluvial environments. Geochemical data show enrichment in SiO₂, Al₂O₃, K₂O, and Na₂O, indicating a felsic (granitic) source with low Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA: 41.89–51.83) and Plagioclase Index of Alteration (PIA: 37.97–52.78) values, and indicating that the source rocks show low to moderate chemical weathering. Tectonic discrimination diagrams suggest that the source rocks were formed in a continental island arc or active continental margin, consistent with the Arabian–Nubian Shield. The presence of economically valuable minerals like zircon and rare-earth-element-bearing monazite and columbite highlights the significant resource potential of these placer deposits. Full article

The growing demand for micro-launchers capable of placing payloads between 1 and 100 kg into low Earth orbit stems from rapid advances in electronics and the resulting increase in nanosatellite capabilities. Simultaneously, space programs are prioritizing the use of alternative propellants, those that are more sustainable, cost-effective, and readily available. As a result, modern launcher development emphasizes versatility, reliability, reusability, and adaptability to various working fluids. This paper presents the experimental validation of a supersonic turbine design methodology tailored for such adaptable systems. The focus is on a turbine class intended for a turbopump in micro-launchers with payload capacities around 100 kg. The experimental campaign employed two working fluids (air and methane) to assess the method’s robustness. The validation was performed on a stator only planar model, and the experimental data was compared with the analytical result obtained through the Mach number similarity criterion. The results confirm that the approach accurately identifies flow similarity through Mach number matching, even when the working fluid changes. Comparative analysis between experimental data and predictions demonstrates the method’s reliability, with measurement uncertainties also addressed. These findings support the methodology’s applicability in practical engine design and adaptation. Future work will explore enhancements to improve predictive capability and flexibility. The method may be extended to other systems where fluid substitution offers design or operational advantages. Full article