Search Results (352)

Sludge management is one of the most costly and technically challenging components of municipal wastewater treatment, highlighting the need for sustainable and low-cost stabilization technologies. This study evaluated a pilot-scale vermifiltration system for municipal sewage sludge stabilization under varying hydraulic and organic loading conditions. Three vermifilter pilots incorporating Eisenia andrei earthworms were operated using lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic media, and mineral pumice. The systems were tested at hydraulic loading rates (HLRs) of 150, 300, and 450 L/m²·d. Performance was assessed using chemical oxygen demand (COD), total solids (TS), volatile solids (VS), VS/TS ratio, sludge volume index (SVI), and sludge dewaterability indicators, including specific resistance to filtration (SRF) and time to filtration (TTF). Optimal performance occurred at an HLR of 150 L/m²·d, achieving maximum reductions of 49% in COD, 30% in TS, and 40% in VS, along with an SVI reduction of up to 78%. Increasing HLR significantly reduced treatment efficiency due to shorter retention times and biofilm washout. A regression analysis showed the strongest association between COD removal and organic loading rate (R² = 0.63) under the coupled HLR–OLR conditions tested, while weaker correlations were observed for SVI and VS/TS. Dewaterability improved markedly after vermifiltration, particularly in the LECA-based system. Although filter media type did not significantly affect COD or SVI removal, pumice and plastic media provided greater hydraulic stability at higher loadings. These results demonstrate that vermifiltration is an effective and environmentally sustainable option for municipal sludge stabilization when operated under controlled hydraulic conditions. Full article

In recent years, heavy metal emissions in Lhasa have been increasing, which has an impact on the local water environment. The negative effects of copper (Cu²⁺) on aquatic ecosystems have attracted much attention, as even low concentrations of Cu²⁺ can exert toxic effects on aquatic organisms. However, the impact of Cu²⁺ on native fish species from the Lhasa River remains poorly understood. In this study, Schizopygopsis younghusbandi (S. younghusbandi) larvae were exposed to Cu²⁺ at concentrations of 0. 5, 5, 50, and 500 μg/L for 7 or 14 days to evaluate its toxic effects on thyroid function and the antioxidant system. The results indicate that whole-body total thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) levels were significantly decreased following Cu²⁺ exposure. This decrease was accompanied by a marked increase in dio1 and dio2 gene expression and decreased expression of thyroid hormone synthesis genes (nis, tg, ttf1 and pax8) after exposure to Cu²⁺. Furthermore, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase (GR) and the content of lipid peroxidation were increased, while the content of glutathione (GSH) was decreased. In addition, the survival rates and body lengths of S. younghusbandi larvae were significantly reduced following 7- and 14-day Cu²⁺ exposure. The Integrated Assessment of Biomarker Response (IBR) analysis further revealed dose- and time-dependent effects of Cu²⁺ on the larvae. In conclusion, the findings demonstrate that Cu²⁺ exposure induced disruption of thyroid endocrine and antioxidant systems and caused developmental toxicity in S. younghusbandi larvae. Full article

Accurate prediction of failure in industrial machinery and engines is critical for minimizing unexpected downtimes and enabling cost-effective maintenance. Existing predictive models often struggle to generalize across diverse datasets and require extensive hyperparameter tuning, while conventional optimization methods are prone to local optima, limiting predictive performance. To address these limitations, this study proposes a hybrid optimization framework combining Harris Hawks Optimization (HHO) and Wild Horse Optimization (WHO) to fine-tune the hyperparameters of ResNet, Bi-LSTM, Bi-GRU, CNN, DNN, VAE, and Transformer-GRU models. The framework leverages HHO’s global exploration and WHO’s local exploitation to overcome local optima and optimize predictive performance. Following hybrid optimization, the Transformer-GRU model consistently outperformed all other models across four benchmark datasets, including time-to-failure (TTF), intelligent maintenance system (IMS), C-MAPSS FD001, and FD003. On the TTF dataset, mean absolute error (MAE) decreased from 0.72 to 0.15, and root mean square error (RMSE) from 1.31 to 0.23. On the IMS dataset, MAE decreased from 0.04 to 0.01, and RMSE from 0.06 to 0.02. On C-MAPSS FD001, MAE decreased from 11.45 to 9.97, RMSE from 16.02 to 13.56, and score from 410.1 to 254.3. On C-MAPSS FD003, MAE decreased from 11.28 to 9.98, RMSE from 15.33 to 14.57, and score from 352.3 to 320.8. These results confirm that the hybrid HHO–WHO optimized Transformer-GRU framework significantly improves prediction performance, robustness, stability, and generalization, providing a reliable solution for predictive maintenance. Full article

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most common and aggressive primary malignant tumors of the central nervous system, accounting for about half of all gliomas in adults. Despite intensive research and advances in molecular biology, genomics, and modern neuroimaging techniques, the prognosis for patients with GBM remains extremely poor. Despite the implementation of multimodal treatment involving surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy with temozolomide, the average survival time of patients is only about 15 months. This is primarily due to the complex biology of this cancer, which involves numerous genetic and epigenetic abnormalities, as well as a highly heterogeneous tumor structure and the presence of glioblastoma stem cells with self renewal capacity. Mutations and abnormalities in genes such as IDH-wt, EGFR, PTEN, TP53, TERT, and CDKN2A/B are crucial in the pathogenesis of GBM. In particular, IDH-wt status (wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase) is one of the most important identification markers distinguishing GBM from other, more favorable gliomas with IDH mutations. Frequent EGFR amplifications and TERT gene promoter mutations lead to the deregulation of tumor cell proliferation and increased aggressiveness. In turn, the loss of function of suppressor genes such as PTEN or CDKN2A/B promotes uncontrolled cell growth and tumor progression. The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment also plays an important role, promoting immune escape and weakening the effectiveness of systemic therapies, including immunotherapy. The aim of this review is to summarize the current state of knowledge on the epidemiology, classification, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of glioblastoma multiforme, as well as to discuss the impact of recent advances in molecular and imaging diagnostics on clinical decision-making. A comprehensive review of recent literature (2018–2025) was conducted, focusing on WHO CNS5 classification updates, novel biomarkers (IDH, TERT, MGMT, EGFR), and modern diagnostic techniques such as liquid biopsy, radiogenomics, and next-generation sequencing (NGS). The results of the review indicate that the introduction of integrated histo-molecular diagnostics in the WHO 2021 classification has significantly increased diagnostic precision, enabling better prognostic and therapeutic stratification of patients. Modern imaging techniques, such as advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and radiomics and radiogenomics tools, allow for more precise assessment of tumor characteristics, prediction of response to therapy, and monitoring of disease progression. Contemporary molecular techniques, including DNA methylation profiling and NGS, enable in-depth genomic and epigenetic analysis, which translates into a more personalized approach to treatment. Despite the use of multimodal therapy, which is based on maximum safe tumor resection followed by radiotherapy and temozolomide chemotherapy, recurrence is almost inevitable. GBM shows a high degree of resistance to treatment, which results from the presence of stem cell subpopulations, dynamic clonal evolution, and the ability to adapt to unfavorable microenvironmental conditions. Promising preclinical and early clinical results show new therapeutic strategies, including immunotherapy (cancer vaccines, checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T therapies), oncolytic virotherapy, and Tumor Treating Fields (TTF) technology. Although these methods show potential for prolonging survival, their clinical efficacy still needs to be confirmed in large studies. The role of artificial intelligence in the analysis of imaging and molecular data is also increasingly being emphasized, which may contribute to the development of more accurate predictive models and therapeutic decisions. Despite these advancements, GBM remains a major therapeutic challenge due to its high heterogeneity and treatment resistance. The integration of molecular diagnostics, artificial intelligence, and personalized therapeutic strategies that may enhance survival and quality of life for GBM patients. Full article

Deep alterations in tumor cell gene profiles resulting in the loss of their specific functions are frequently the cause of resistance to traditional cancer treatments. Therefore, reprogramming the expression pattern of cancer cells toward a differentiated phenotype represents a promising therapeutic strategy. In this study, we investigated whether resveratrol (RSV) and its natural analogs—3,4′,5-trimethoxystilbene (3-MET-OX) and isorhapontigenin (ISOR-H-PG)—can modulate the SOX2/SOX17 balance and promote re-differentiation in anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) cells. Two human ATC cell lines (SW1736 and 8505c) and non-tumoral thyroid cells (Nthy-ori 3-1) were cultured in two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) systems and treated with polyphenols at sub-cytotoxic doses. In 2D cultures, cell viability and cell cycle analyses confirmed a cytostatic effect characterized by G1 arrest. In 3D cultures, polyphenol treatment caused morphological disruption of ATC spheroids and significantly modulated the gene expression profile. RSV and 3-MET-OX reduced stemness markers (SOX2, NANOG), increased the thyroid lineage transcription factor (SOX17), and enhanced differentiation genes (TTF-1, TPO, NIS). Overall, these results support our hypothesis that modulation of the SOX2/SOX17 ratio by polyphenols provides a mechanistic basis for re-differentiation, thereby improving therapeutic responsiveness in ATC. Full article

Background: Photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) represents a major technological advance in clinical CT imaging, offering superior spatial resolution, enhanced material discrimination, and potential radiation dose reduction compared to conventional energy-integrating detector systems. As the first clinically approved PCCT scanner becomes available, establishing a comprehensive characterization of its image quality is essential to understand its performance and clinical impact. Methods: Image quality was evaluated using a commercial quality assurance phantom with acquisition protocols typically used for three anatomical regions—head, abdomen/thorax, and inner ear—representing diverse clinical scenarios. Each region was scanned using both ultra-high-resolution (UHR, 120 × 0.2 mm slices) and conventional (144 × 0.4 mm slices) protocols. Conventional metrics, including signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), slice thickness accuracy, and uniformity, were assessed following international standards. Task-based analysis was also performed through target transfer function (TTF), noise power spectrum (NPS), and detectability index (d′) to evaluate diagnostic relevance. Results: UHR protocols provided markedly improved spatial resolution, particularly in the inner ear imaging, as confirmed by TTF analysis, though with increased noise and reduced low-contrast detectability in certain conditions. CT numbers showed linear correspondence with known attenuation coefficients across all protocols. Conclusions: This study establishes a detailed technical characterization of the first clinical PCCT scanner, demonstrating significant improvements in terms of spatial resolution and accuracy of the quantitative image analysis, while highlighting the need for noise–contrast optimization in high-resolution imaging. Full article

Pinus massoniana Lamb. possesses considerable ecological and economic value. However, the rapid proliferation of pine wilt disease poses a significant threat to the growth and development of coniferous plants. Transcription factors play a crucial role in enabling plants to respond to external environmental stresses. The trihelix transcription factor (TTF) family, named after its unique trihelical domain (helix-loop-helix-loop-helix) and also referred to as the GT family, plays crucial roles in plant morphogenesis and in responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, we identified 56 PmGTs from the P. massoniana genome and analyzed their expression profiles in response to pine wood nematode (PWN) infection. Eight significantly differentially expressed PmGTs at various stages were selected as candidate genes for PWN resistance. Promoter analysis and qRT-PCR revealed that these genes respond to multiple treatments, including methyl jasmonate (MeJA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA3), salicylic acid (SA), and abscisic acid (ABA). Subcellular localization analysis revealed that the proteins are localized in the nucleus. Additionally, seven PmGTs exhibit transcriptional activity. This study provides a foundational understanding of the role of PmGTs in stress response in P. massoniana. Full article

Cultural heritage plays a crucial role in maintaining cultural diversity and historical identity. However, preservation faces challenges from natural and human-induced factors, prompting increased adoption of digital technologies. Digital cultural heritage platforms provide innovative pathways for sustainable preservation, yet factors influencing user engagement remain underexplored. This study examines the WenZang Chinese Pattern Online Museum database using an integrated Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and task–technology fit (TTF) framework, supplemented by Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), to explore relationships between key factors affecting designers’ satisfaction and engagement. A combined Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and ANN approach was employed to survey 267 Chinese designers. Results indicate that design aesthetics (DA) and perceived ease of use (PEOU) enhance perceived convenience (PC); performance impacts (PIM) and information quality (IQ) influence perceived usefulness (PU); PC and PU drive attitude toward using (AU) and purchase intention (PI), jointly enhancing satisfaction with (SAT). Mission technology matching (MTM) positively influences SAT, perceived task–technology fit (PTTF), and technical task fitting (TTF). ANN analysis reveals that PI is the most significant determinant of SAT, followed by DA and PIM, demonstrating nonlinear relationships not captured by linear SEM alone. The introduction of ANN provides comprehensive understanding of user satisfaction, revealing indirect effects of key experience factors (such as DA and PIM) on SAT through PC and PU. This study emphasizes the need to comprehensively consider user experience, technological performance, and behavior transformation mechanisms when optimizing digital cultural heritage platforms to achieve sustained improvements in user satisfaction and engagement. Full article

Background: Lung cancer metastasis results from local invasion, loss of adhesion, migration, and distant implantation. Some small tumors metastasize diffusely other tumors progress to local bulky disease without metastasis. Here we compare these biologically divergent courses of progression and present an analysis of clinical features related to early diffuse metastasis vs. bulky disease. Methods: We retrospectively collected data from pathologically confirmed not-metastatic “bulky” (cT3-T4cN0cM0) or “diffusely metastatic” (cT1-T2cN1-3cM1) patients with lung cancer treated at our center from 2013 to 2023. Clinical data including sex, age, histology, ECOG-PS, tumor stage, smoking status, presence, and site of metastases, LDH, CRP, NLR ratio were collected. Results: A total of 375 patents with “bulky” (n = 95) or diffusely metastatic lung cancer (n = 280) were included in the analysis. In the univariate analysis, the diffusely metastatic population was younger (p = 0.001), had a higher proportion of never smokers (p = 0.02), histologically adenocarcinoma (p < 0.0001), TTF1 positive (p < 0.00001) and elevated baseline LDH in serum (LDH > 250U/l, p < 0.0001) compared to “bulky” population. Patients with diffuse metastatic disease presented worse OS (HR = 2.34, p = 0.0001) and PFS (HR = 6.89, p < 0.0001) compared to patients with bulky disease. Conclusions: Younger age, never smokers, TTF1 positivity, poorly differentiated tumors, adenocarcinoma histology were independently associated with risk of distant metastasis. Full article

Targetable gene alterations have become increasingly important in the treatment of cancers. Thirty STK11-mutated lung cancers from 199 cases with molecular profiling performed during 2016–2024 were studied for clinical, morphologic, immunohistochemical (IHC) and molecular features. Of the 30 STK11-mutated lung cancers, 29 were lung adenocarcinomas (LADCs) and 1 was large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC). STK11 mutation was not found in other subtypes of lung cancers. Of the 29 STK11-mutated LADCs, 6 (21%) were mucinous and 23 (79%) were non-mucinous. Of the 19 non-mucinous LADCs with sufficient material for IHC, 9 (47%) displayed acinar/papillary/lepidic patterns, 8 (42%) were poorly differentiated (solid/trabecular/basaloid/complex glandular), and 2 (11%) had mixed solid and acinar patterns. The most common concurrent altered genes were KRAS (52%), followed by TP53 (38%), KEAP1 (34%), and DNA repair genes (BRCA2/ATM) (21%). A total of 6/15 (40%) LADCs with a KRAS mutation presented with mucinous morphology. Concurrent EGFR, ROS, or ALK alterations with STK11 mutation were rare or non-existent. Of the 3 LADCs with SMARCA4 deficiency, 2 were mucinous and 1 had basaloid/adenoid cystic-like features. All the cases were microsatellite stable (MSS). The majority (55%) had low TMB (<10). Most (86%) had PD-L1 TPS 0 or <5%. Among the 14 non-mucinous LADCs with IHC performed, 5 (36%) were TTF-1-negative and all displayed poorly differentiated morphology. Overall, 8/10 (80%) of poorly differentiated components in non-mucinous LADCs were negative for TTF-1. In contrast, all LADCs with better differentiated patterns (acini/papillary/lepidic) were positive for TTF-1. The majority (14/21, 67%) of patients with available follow-up presented with metastasis. Full article

The CABONEXT study is the first multicenter retrospective analysis evaluating subsequent systemic therapies after cabozantinib-based treatment in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). This interim analysis includes 77 patients receiving subsequent treatments across two cohorts: after cabozantinib–nivolumab first-line treatment (Group A) and after ICI-based first-line treatment followed by cabozantinib (Group B). Time to subsequent treatment failure (TTF) and disease control rate (DCR) remain higher in Group A with a median TTF of 5 months (vs. 3.4 months in Group B) and a DCR of 86% (vs. 48%). Second-generation TKIs, mostly axitinib or lenvatinib, seemed to be the best option in Group B compared to other treatments including everolimus or first-generation TKIs (HR = 3.82, 95%CI [1.64; 8.93], p = 0.1). These findings already emphasize the need for innovative therapies targeting resistance mechanisms and optimal treatment sequences. Along with ongoing accrual, further analyses are expected. Full article

Voice shopping brings consumers convenience and retailers a new channel to reach buyers, which is an important component of online shopping. However, it has received a tepid response recently. Two issues must first be addressed to promote voice shopping: why consumers have a low acceptance of voice shopping and how to motivate their use. Since technology is intended to serve practical purposes, it is necessary to achieve a fit among voice shopping, online shopping tasks, and consumers. Accordingly, this study elaborates on fit and integrates the task-technology fit (TTF) theory (for objective fit) and the technology acceptance model (TAM, for subjective fit) to build a research model in which task, technology, and individual characteristics affect fit that will stimulate voice shopping intention. Using Structural Equation Modeling to analyze the data collected from 425 consumers who do not accept voice shopping, the results show that both objective fit and subjective fit can determine voice shopping intention; however, some critical task, technology, and individual characteristics cannot affect either aspect of fit, indicating that consumers still do not believe voice is workable in online shopping. These findings make suggestions for a purposeful upgrade of the voice shopping experience, which helps promote voice shopping and ultimately contributes to the prosperity of online shopping. This study also offers insights into what constitutes fit and its roles in the integrated model of the TTF theory and TAM. Full article

Transcription factors (TFs) are important gene transcription regulators involved in myriad functions such as development, metabolism, and stress response. TFs are found in all eukaryotes, with many families of TFs unique to plants and algae. Algae are of interest due to a wide range of novel metabolites, of which TFs play an important role in regulating their biosynthesis. In particular, the red algae (phylum Rhodophyta) are a source of several important metabolites that are a current focus of further research. However, to date, investigations of TF families in rhodophytes have been limited due to the relative lack of genomic resources available and the small number of in silico analyses of their TFs. In this study, we used genomic and transcriptomic data to identify rhodophyte TFs. We found that the general proportion of TFs in rhodophytes was overall consistent with previous research. However, for the first time in the rhodophyte class Florideophyceae, we report the presence of a putative TF within the trihelix TF (TTF) family, which are light-sensitive TFs associated with growth and stress response. In particular, we demonstrate evidence suggesting the presence of putative TTFs in three Asparagopsis taxiformis genomes, as well as in several other florideophyte assemblies. This was supported by analyses including Neighbour-Joining phylogeny, protein structure prediction, and motif analysis. In summary, this research reported the repertoire of TFs in rhodophyte algae across a much greater range than previously reported and identified putative TTFs in several algae from the class Florideophyceae. This opens an avenue for further research into the evolution of various TFs in early plants, as well as key regulatory factors in rhodophyte metabolism, though future research, such as functional characterisation, will be required to confirm these findings. Full article

This paper reports a novel effort to estimate and evaluate the coefficients of Hg transfer across the water/air interface in lakes such as Cane Creek Lake (CCL, Cookeville, TN, USA). This was accomplished by calculating the coefficients (k_w) using the Two-Thin Film (TTF) Model for Hg transfer together with the field-measured data of Hg emission flux (F), dissolved gaseous mercury concentration (DGM), air Hg concentration (C_a), and water temperature for Henry’s coefficient (K_H) obtained from a separate field study at the CCL. The daily mean k_w values range from 0.045 to 0.21 m h⁻¹, with the min. at 0.0025–0.14 and the max. at 0.079–0.41 m h⁻¹, generally higher for the summer, and from 0.0092 to 0.15, with the min. at 0.0032–0.033 and the max. at 0.017–0.31 m h⁻¹, generally lower for the fall and winter, exhibiting an apparent seasonal trend. The highest k_w values occur in August (mean: 0.21, max.: 0.41 m h⁻¹). Our k_w results add to and enrich the aquatic interfacial Hg transfer coefficient database and provide an alternative avenue to evaluate and select the coefficients for the TTF Model’s application. The k_w results are of value in gaining insights into the Hg transfer actually occurring across the water/air interface under environmental influences (e.g., wind/wave, solar radiation). Our k_w results do not show a clear, consistent correlation of k_w with wind/wave effect, nor sunlight effect, in spite of some correlations in sporadic cases. Generally, the k_w values do not exbibit the trends prescribed by the model sensitivity study. The comparisons of our k_w results with those obtained using wind-based transfer models (the Liss/Merlivat Model, the Wanninkhof Model, and the modified linear model) show that they depart from each other. The findings of this study indicate that the TTF Model has limitations and weaknesses. One major assumption of the TTF Model is the equilibrium of the Hg distribution between the air and water films across the water/air interface. The predominant oversaturation of DGM shown by our DGM data evidently challenges this assumption. This study suggests that aquatic interfacial Hg transfer is considerably more complicated, involving a group of factors, more than just wind and wave. Full article