Search Results (132)

Objectives: Beta-emitting radionuclide therapy, exemplified by ¹⁷⁷Lu-Oxodotreotide (Lutathera^®), enables targeted treatment of neuroendocrine tumors by delivering β-radiation to tumor cells. However, the dose-dependent molecular mechanisms underlying cellular damage remain insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to investigate the phenotypic changes in IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cells following Lutathera exposure, with a focus on the dose-dependent relationship between radiation and cellular damage. Methods: IMR-32 cells were allocated to control, low- (0.05 MBq/mL), medium- (0.5 MBq/mL), and high-dose (5 MBq/mL) groups and treated with ¹⁷⁷Lu-Oxodotreotide for 24 h. Flow cytometry was employed to assess cell viability, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, γ-H2AX expression (a marker of DNA damage), and proliferation. Results: Lutathera induced dose-dependent cytotoxic effects. Cell viability declined linearly with increasing dose (control: 100% vs. high-dose: 13.48%; r = −0.955, p < 0.001). Apoptosis was significantly elevated (control: 35.34% vs. high-dose: 88.12%; r = 0.999), accompanied by increased γ-H2AX levels (control: 5.26 × 10⁴ vs. high-dose: 13.13 × 10⁴; r = 0.930), indicating DNA double-strand breaks. Mitochondrial membrane potential decreased (control: 6.06 × 10⁴ vs. high-dose: 46.27 × 10⁴; r = 0.999), and proliferation was suppressed (control: 91.10 × 10⁴ vs. high-dose: 103.84 × 10⁴; r = 0.954), both showing strong dose correlations (p < 0.001). Conclusions: ¹⁷⁷Lu-Oxodotreotide exerts dose-dependent cytotoxicity in IMR-32 cells via DNA damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis induction. These findings underscore the necessity of optimizing dosing regimens to balance therapeutic efficacy and safety in clinical settings, providing a foundation for personalized β-emitter therapies. Full article

Multidrug resistance (MDR) represents a major obstacle to successful chemotherapy and, due to overlapping defense mechanisms, such as enhanced DNA repair and the evasion of apoptosis, can also be associated with radioresistance. In this study, we investigated whether MDR breast cancer cells (MCF-7/CMF) exhibit reduced susceptibility to radiation-induced DNA fragmentation compared to their non-resistant parental counterpart (MCF-7). Using a nucleosome-based ELISA, we quantified the chromatin fragmentation in MCF-7 and MCF-7/CMF cells following their exposure to four radiopharmaceuticals: [^99mTc]pertechnetate, [¹³¹I]NaI (sodium iodide), [¹²⁵I]NaI, and the DNA-incorporating compound [¹²⁵I]iododeoxyuridine ([¹²⁵I]IdU). Each radioactive preparation was assessed across a range of activity concentrations, using a two-way ANOVA. For [^99mTc]pertechnetate and [¹³¹I]NaI, significantly higher DNA fragmentation was observed in the sensitive cell line, whereas [¹²⁵I]NaI showed no significant difference between the two phenotypes. In contrast to the other radiopharmaceuticals, [¹²⁵I]IdU induced greater fragmentation in resistant cells. This finding was supported by the statistical analysis (a 63.7% increase) and visualized in the corresponding dose–response plots. These results highlight the critical role of the intranuclear enrichment of Auger emitters and support further development of radiopharmaceuticals in accordance with this principle. Our data suggest that radiotoxicity is governed not by linear energy transfer (LET) alone, but, fundamentally, by the spatial proximity of the radionuclide to the DNA. Targeting tumor cell DNA with precision radiotherapeutics may, therefore, offer a rational strategy to overcome MDR in breast cancer. Full article

The iron and steel industry is a major emitter of carbon. In the context of China’s dual-carbon goals, hydrogen-based reduction ironmaking technology has garnered unprecedented attention. It is considered a crucial approach to reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the steel sector and facilitating the realization of carbon neutrality. This work conducted isothermal thermogravimetric analysis on limonite ore in a N₂/H₂ atmosphere. The influences of reduction temperature, particle size, and hydrogen partial pressure on the hydrogen reduction reaction process of limonite were investigated. Based on the principles of isothermal thermal analysis kinetics and the unreacted core model for flat-plate particles, the mechanism function and kinetic parameters for the reduction of limonite particles were determined. The research results show that the hydrogen reduction process of limonite ore is influenced by multiple factors, including temperature, hydrogen partial pressure, and particle size. Increasing the reduction temperature and hydrogen partial pressure can significantly speed up the reduction reaction rate and enhance the degree of reduction. The kinetic parameters for the hydrogen reduction of limonite particles were obtained as follows: the reaction activation energy was 44.738 kJ·mol⁻¹, the pre-exponential factor was 31.438 m·s⁻¹, and the rate constant for the hydrogen reduction of limonite was $k=31.438\times e^{-{\displaystyle \frac{44.738\times 1000}{RT}}}\mathrm{m}\cdot {\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$. In addition, contour maps were plotted to predict the reaction time and reaction temperature required for a complete reduction of limonite particles of different sizes to iron (Fe) particles under varying hydrogen partial pressures. The research findings can serve as a scientific basis for optimizing hydrogen-based reduction ironmaking technology in the iron and steel industry and achieving carbon neutrality goals. Full article

The low-carbon economy is becoming a critical global development paradigm. As the world’s largest carbon emitter, China’s transition toward low-carbon practices in its construction sector is pivotal for achieving its carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. Research into the decarbonization pathways and driving factors of this energy- and emission-intensive industry is essential. It not only reduces the sector’s dependence on traditional energy sources but also provides vital support for China’s national energy conservation and emissions reduction strategy. As the construction industry transitions toward low-carbon sustainability, traditional unidimensional assessments based solely on socio-economic and ecological factors are inadequate. This study proposed an integrated evaluation framework using the CRITIC–TOPSIS model, incorporating technological, social, economic, industrial, and energy dimensions. Panel data on energy consumption in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region were employed to assess the construction sector’s low-carbon development level and an ARIMA model was utilized to forecast its low-carbon potential. The results indicate that from 2011 to 2022, the sector’s total carbon emissions followed a unimodal trajectory (initial increase followed by decline), with indirect emissions exceeding 90%, primarily from cement, steel, and other building materials. The regional construction industry exhibited a unimodal trajectory in low-carbon development, characterized by an initial increase followed by a decline. Average construction carbon emissions reached 41,637.5877 million tons, with a transient surge (69.67% increase) occurring between 2011 and 2014. This was followed by a 41.83% reduction from 2014 to 2022, with emissions projected to stabilize and gradually increase through 2030. Technological and industrial factors constitute the primary drivers of sectoral low carbon. Quantitative analysis identified the capital utilization rate, industrial structure, and construction industry gross domestic product (GDP) as key impediments to low-carbon transition, with average impedance degrees of 8.713%, 12.280%, and 12.697%, respectively. This study has revealed the key driving factors for the low-carbon development of the construction industry, extending theoretical frameworks for construction industry sustainability. These findings offer empirical support for formulating regionally differentiated carbon mitigation policies. Full article

As the largest carbon emitter globally, China has formally adopted dual-carbon targets of achieving a carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. Urban renewal, as an essential approach to promoting sustainable urban development, plays a critical role in realizing dual-carbon targets. However, carbon emission reduction in urban renewal involves multiple stakeholders with divergent interests, significantly hindering the effective achievement of emission reduction goals. In this context, this paper innovatively selects the government, developers, and construction enterprises as game subjects and constructs an evolutionary game model of the three parties’ participation in carbon emission reduction from the perspective of carbon trading. Through simulation analysis, it explores the impacts of government subsidies, penalty mechanisms, additional benefits, and carbon trading on stakeholder decision-making. The findings indicate the following: (1) The emission reduction process in urban renewal follows an evolutionary pattern of the initial, growth, and mature stages. (2) Sensitivity analysis demonstrates that government subsidies and penalty mechanisms play important roles. (3) Additional benefits serve as intrinsic motivation for developers and construction enterprises to reduce emissions, while a well-developed carbon trading market provides additional incentives and benefit pathways for stakeholders. By integrating urban renewal with carbon trading for the first time, this study aims to enhance stakeholders’ engagement in emission reduction and provide practical reference suggestions, thereby contributing to sustainable urban development. Full article

With the evolution of synchrotron light sources to fourth generation (diffraction-limited storage rings), the brilliance is increased by several orders of magnitude compared to third generation facilities. For example, the Swiss Light Source (SLS) has been upgraded to SLS 2.0, promising a horizontal emittance reduced by a factor of 40, and a brilliance up to two orders of magnitude (three at higher energies). A key challenge arising from the increased flux is the heightened accumulated dose in silicon sensors, which leads to a significant increase in radiation damage. This translates into an increase of both noise and dark current, as well as a reduction in the dynamic range for long exposure times, thus affecting the performance of the detector, in particular, for charge-integrating detectors. We have designed sensors with a 4 × 4 mm² pixel array featuring 16 design variations of 25 µm pitch pixels with different implant and metal sizes and tested them bump-bonded to MÖNCH 0.3, a charge integrating hybrid pixel detector readout ASIC. Following a first assessment of the functionality and performance of the different pixel designs, the assembly has been irradiated with X-rays. The variation in the tested parameters was characterized at different accumulated doses up to 100 kGy at the sensor entrance window side. The annealing dynamics at room temperature have also been measured. The results show that the default pixel design is currently not optimal and can benefit from layout changes (reduction in the inter-pixel gap area with full metal coverage of the implant). Further studies on the metal coverage over large implants could be conducted. The layout changes are, however, not sufficient for future full-sized sensors, requiring improved radiation hardness and long-term stability, and additional strategies such as focusing on detector cooling and changes in sensor technologies would be required. Full article

Against the backdrop of global climate change and rapid urbanisation, carbon-neutral urban governance and sustainable urban development have become core issues of concern to the international community. As the world’s largest carbon emitter, Chinese cities shoulder the significant responsibility of achieving the “dual-carbon” goal. This study utilised a unique panel dataset of 300 cities in China from 2015 to 2022 and proposed a multi-dimensional analytical framework from the perspective of environmental sociology. This paper empirically examines the impact mechanism of carbon-neutral governance on urban sustainable development and its regional heterogeneity by using this framework. The research findings are as follows: First, carbon-neutral governance has a significant promoting effect on the sustainable development of cities. Secondly, technological input (the number of scientific researchers) plays a significant mediating role between carbon-neutral governance and sustainable development, indicating that technology diffusion is an important way for the transmission of policy effects. Thirdly, the analysis of regional heterogeneity indicates that due to policy inclination and resource concentration, western cities contribute the most to sustainable development, followed by eastern cities, and central cities contribute the least to sustainable development. The eastern region was identified as the second weakest and the central region as the weakest. This research provides theoretical and empirical basis for differentiated formulation of carbon neutrality policies, strengthening scientific and technological support, and optimising regional collaborative governance. Full article

Egypt’s average share of global carbon dioxide emissions has been rising from mid-1990s to date. This motivates the present study to identify industries that drive carbon dioxide emissions (as direct emitters and as total emitters with high emission multiplier effects). Environmental input–output analysis is applied to Egypt’s 2017–2018 input–output table to measure sectoral emissions. The industries identified as high emitters are linked to Egypt’s achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, namely, Goals 7, 8, 9, 12, and 13. The findings indicate that ten industries qualify as environmentally degrading (dirty), having the highest emission multiplier effects (in descending order): electricity, gas, and water; non-metallic mineral products; basic metals; rubber and plastic products; chemicals and chemical products; paper and paper products; food products; hotels and restaurants; transportation and storage; and textiles. Eight of these industries also have high output multiplier effects. This underscores that although potential investment in and the growth of these industries will generate output multiplier effects, they will also be coupled with emission multiplier effects. Five other industries had high emission multipliers, as follows: water and sewerage; beverages; coke and refined petroleum products; extraction of crude petroleum; and mining of metal ores. The growth of these industries would not be in favor of the achievement of SDGs. Policy measures are recommended. Full article

Inter-provincial trade is accompanied by the transfer of embodied pollution emissions, leading to emissions leakage, thereby hindering the sustainable development of society. Therefore, it is imperative to analyze the characteristics of embodied pollutant emission and spatial transfer driven by inter-provincial trade. In this study, the quantitative and spatial characteristics of the six main embodied pollutants (i.e., SO₂, NO_X, CO, VOC, PM_2.5, and PM₁₀) were analyzed by a hypothetical extraction method (HEM) and complex network analysis (CNA) under an input–output analysis (IOA) framework. Then, the row arrange series (RAS) method was employed to simulate the impacts of varying levels of trade intensity, economic growth rate, and technological progress on embodied pollutants and spatial-transfer characteristics. The major findings are as follows: (i) the increase in inter-provincial trade led to a corresponding rise in embodied pollutant emissions due to the relocation of production activities towards provinces with higher emission intensity. Excessive responsibility was assumed by provinces such as Shanxi and Hebei, engaging in production outsourcing for reducing pollutants. (ii) The macro direction of pollutant transfer paths was from the resource-rich northern and central provinces towards the trade-developed southern provinces. Sectors in the transfer path, such as the industry sectors of Shanxi, Guangdong, Henan, and the transport sector of Henan, exhibited high centrality and dominated pollutant transfer activities in the network. (iii) The industry sector, characterized by substantial energy consumption, was the predominant emitter of all pollutant production-based emissions, accounting for more than 40% of total emissions. This study is conducive to analyzing the impacts of inter-provincial trade on embodied pollutant emissions and developing emissions reduction policies considering equitable allocation of emissions responsibilities from both production and consumption perspectives. Full article

Ion implantation in diamond crystals is widely used both for producing conducting microstructures in the bulk of the material and for creating isolated photon emitters in quantum optics, photonics, cryptography, and biosensorics. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of helium ion-implanted diamonds are dominated by two sharp emission lines, HR1 and HR2 (from Helium-Related), at ~536 and 560 nm. Here, we report on PL studies of helium-related optical centers in diamonds. Experiments have been carried out on a (110) plate of natural single-crystal type IIa diamonds. The uniform distribution of radiation defects in a 700 nm-thick layer was obtained by ten cycles of multiple-energy (from 24 to 350 kV) helium ion implantation with a total dose of 5 × 10¹⁶ cm⁻². The diamonds were annealed in steps in a vacuum oven at temperatures from 200 to 1040 °C. It is demonstrated that helium ion implantation in diamonds followed by annealing gives rise to more than a dozen various centers that are observed in the PL spectra in the range of 530–630 nm. The transformations of the PL spectra due to annealing are investigated in detail. The spectral shapes of phonon sidebands are determined for the HR1, HR2, and HR3 bands with ZPLs at ~536, 560, and 577 nm, respectively, and it is shown that these bands are attributed to interstitial-related centers in diamonds. The reported results are important for understanding the structure and properties of helium-related defects in diamonds. Full article

Soil nutrient availability in meadows has been poorly studied from the management point of view, despite its great impact. In this study, three different types of meadows have been analysed, as follows: intensive meadows, with high livestock load and inorganic fertilization; semi-extensive meadows, with medium livestock load and organic fertilization; and extensive meadows, with low livestock load and low fertilization rates. We looked at the nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and carbon balances of each meadow type during two different years. Nitrogen was more stable in semi-extensive and extensive meadows, due to its organic form. In contrast, intensive meadows showed higher nitrogen variability depending on climate. Phosphorus is seen as the limiting nutrient, and it accumulates less in the soil than what is estimated in the crop balance, being more balanced in extensive meadows. Potassium has a strong response to temperature, being more available in June than in February, but crop balance was always negative for extensive meadows, and its soil concentration decreases each year, which could cause long-term potassium deficiency. Carbon accumulation was more stable in extensive meadows, where there was accumulation regardless of the year, whereas intensive and semi-extensive meadows become carbon emitters during the drought year. Full article

Simple development of an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor for convenient detection of tumor biomarker is of great significance for early cancer diagnosis, treatment evaluation, and improving patient survival rates and quality of life. In this work, an immunosensor is demonstrated based on an enhanced ECL signal boosted by nanochannel-confined Au nanomaterial, which enables sensitive detection of the tumor biomarker—carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Vertically-ordered mesoporous silica film (VMSF) with a nanochannel array and amine groups was rapidly grown on a simple and low-cost indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode using the electrochemically assisted self-assembly (EASA) method. Au nanomaterials were confined in situ on the VMSF through electrodeposition, which catalyzed both the conversion of dissolved oxygen (O₂) to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the oxidation of a luminol emitter and improved the electrode active surface. The ECL signal was enhanced fivefold after Au nanomaterial deposition. The recognitive interface was fabricated by covalent immobilization of the CEA antibody on the outer surface of the VMSF, followed with the blocking of non-specific binding sites. In the presence of CEA, the formed immunocomplex reduced the diffusion of the luminol emitter, resulting in the reduction of the ECL signal. Based on this mechanism, the constructed immunosensor was able to provide sensitive detection of CEA ranging from 1 pg·mL⁻¹ to 100 ng·mL⁻¹ with a low limit of detection (LOD, 0.37 pg·mL⁻¹, S/N = 3). The developed immunosensor exhibited high selectivity and good stability. ECL determination of CEA in fetal bovine serum was achieved. Full article

Objectives: This pilot ex vivo study and first clinical experience in Italy evaluate the impact of using pre-implantation crosslinking on all-femtosecond laser-cut corneal allogenic intracorneal ring segments (AFXL CAIRSs). Methods: Six human donor eye-bank corneas were used for this preclinical ex vivo human study. Three donor (D) corneas were used for AFXL CAIRSs. First, they were prepared with an IntraLase™ femtosecond laser (Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ, USA). The allogenic tissue rings were crosslinked before implantation with Riboflavin–UV-A accelerated crosslinking protocol (ACXL) with a 0.1% HPMC Riboflavin isotonic solution (Vibex Rapid, Glaukos-Avedro, Burlington, MA, USA) and a new KXL UV-A emitter (Glaukos-Avedro, USA). Three corneas were used as recipients (Rs) of the AFXL CAIRSs. After completing the ex vivo phase, IRB approval and signing a specific informed consent, the first two Italian patients were treated. A single ACXL CAIRS was implanted in a 51-year-old male with 53.53 D K steep, 363 μm minimum corneal thickness (MCT) and a double ACXL CAIRS was implanted in a 46-year-old male patient with 58.30 D K steep, 443 μm MCT. The longest follow-up was at three months. Results: Crosslinking of the segments enhanced tissue stiffness and grip, facilitating manipulation and CAIRS insertion into the recipient tunnels, and the yellowish color of the crosslinked segments improved visibility. The segment’s thickness and volume remained unaltered during the follow-up. Both patients improved UDVA and BSCVA. K steep and High-Order Aberrations (HOAs) were reduced and MCT increased. Conclusions: Pre-implantation ACXL facilitated CAIRS insertion preserving dimensions and volume during the follow-up, rendering this important step a promising candidate in method standardization. Functional data and MCT improved significantly without adverse events. Full article

GDP is a common and essential indicator for evaluating a country’s overall economy. However, environmental issues may be overlooked in the pursuit of GDP growth for some countries. It may be beneficial to adopt more sustainable criteria for assessing economic health. In this study, green GDP (GGDP) is discussed using mathematical approaches. Multiple dataset indicators were selected for the evaluation of GGDP and its impact on climate mitigation. The k-means clustering algorithm was utilized to classify 16 countries into three distinct categories for specific analysis. The potential impact of transitioning to GGDP was investigated through changes in a quantitative parameter, the climate impact factor. Ridge regression was applied to predict the impact of switching to GGDP for the three country categories. The consequences of transitioning to GGDP on the quantified improvement of climate indicators were graphically demonstrated over time on a global scale. The entropy weight method (EWM) and TOPSIS were used to obtain the value. Countries in category 2, as divided by k-means clustering, were predicted to show a greater improvement in scores as one of the world’s largest carbon emitters, China, which belongs to category 2 countries, plays a significant role in global climate governance. A specific analysis of China was performed after obtaining the EWM-TOPSIS results. Gray relational analysis and Pearson correlation were carried out to analyze the relationships between specific indicators, followed by a prediction of CO₂ emissions based on the analyzed critical indicators. Full article

The radial distribution of material feeding onto a screen surface is an important factor affecting vibration screening performance, and it is also the main basis for the optimization of the operating parameters of a vibration screening system. In this paper, based on near-infrared properties, a real-time measurement method for the mass flow rate of grain vibration feeding was proposed. A laser emitter and a silicon photocell were used as the measuring components, and the corresponding signal processing circuit mainly composed of a T-type I/V convertor, a voltage follower, a low-pass filter, and a setting circuit in series was designed. Calibration test results showed that the relationship between grain mass flow rate and output voltage could be described using the Gaussian regression model, and the coefficient of determination was greater than 0.98. According to the working principle of the grain cleaning system of combine harvesters, the dynamic characteristics of grain vibration feeding were analyzed using discrete element method (DEM) simulations, and the monitoring range of the sensor was determined. Finally, grain mass flow rate measurement tests were carried out on a vibration feeding test rig. The results indicated that the grain mass measurement error could be controlled within 5.0% with the average grain mass flow rate in the range of 3.0–5.0 g/mm·s. The proposed measurement method has potential application value in the uniform feeding control systems of vibration feeders. Full article