Search Results (691)

This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the energy systems in eight Eastern European countries—Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia—focusing on their energy transition, security of supply, decarbonisation, and energy efficiency. Using principal component analysis (PCA) and clustering techniques, we identify three different energy profiles: countries dependent on fossil fuels (e.g., Poland, Bulgaria), countries with a balanced mix of nuclear and fossil fuels (e.g., the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary), and countries focusing mainly on renewables (e.g., Slovenia, Croatia). The sectoral analysis shows that industry and transport are the main drivers of energy consumption and CO₂ emissions, and the challenges and policy priorities of decarbonisation are determined. Regression modelling shows that dependence on fossil fuels strongly influences the use of renewable energy and electricity consumption patterns, while national differences in per capita electricity consumption are influenced by socio-economic and political factors that go beyond the energy structure. The Decarbonisation Level Index (DLI) indicator shows that Bulgaria and the Czech Republic achieve a high degree of self-sufficiency in domestic energy, while Hungary and Slovakia are the most dependent on imports. A typology based on energy intensity and import dependency categorises Romania as resilient, several countries as balanced, and Hungary, Slovakia, and Croatia as vulnerable. The projected investments up to 2030 indicate an annual increase in clean energy production of around 123–138 TWh through the expansion of nuclear energy, the development of renewable energy, the phasing out of coal, and the improvement of energy efficiency, which could reduce CO₂ emissions across the region by around 119–143 million tons per year. The policy recommendations emphasise the accelerated phase-out of coal, supported by just transition measures, the use of nuclear energy as a stable backbone, the expansion of renewables and energy storage, and a focus on the electrification of transport and industry. The study emphasises the significant influence of European Union (EU) policies—such as the “Clean Energy for All Europeans” and “Fit for 55” packages—on the design of national strategies through regulatory frameworks, financing, and market mechanisms. This analysis provides important insights into the heterogeneity of Eastern European energy systems and supports the design of customised, coordinated policy measures to achieve a sustainable, secure, and climate-resilient energy transition in the region. Full article

The CERN n_TOF facility is a research infrastructure specifically designed for studying neutron-induced nuclear reactions. Pulsed white neutron beams are delivered toward three experimental areas, two of them at different baselines to apply the time-of-flight technique, and another one very close to the neutron source for activation studies. High intensity and high neutron energy resolution make n_TOF a unique facility. A major component of the physics program at n_TOF is dedicated to the measurement of key neutron induced reactions for nuclear astrophysics, relevant to nucleosynthesis in stars, the Big Bang primordial nucleosynthesis as well as Cosmochronology. A review of the relevant results obtained at the n_TOF facility is reported, together with details of challenging new measurements in preparation. Full article

Background/Objective: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory, immune-mediated mucosal condition classified as a potentially malignant disorder due to its risk of progression to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The molecular events linking chronic inflammation in OLP to epithelial dysplasia remain poorly defined. To evaluate the expression of six immunohistochemical markers: IL-17, Maspin, β-Catenin, TIMP-1, MMP-14 and Syndecan-4 in OLP specimens and to explore their association with clinicopathological features and early dysplastic changes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional study including 63 cases of OLP and 20 healthy controls. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections underwent immunohistochemical staining for the six markers. Semi-quantitative scoring of staining intensity and percentage of positive cells was performed independently by two blinded pathologists. Results: IL-17 was markedly upregulated in 82.5% of OLP lesions versus absence in controls, correlating strongly with inflammatory infiltrate intensity. β-Catenin exhibited cytoplasmic and nuclear accumulation in 88.9% of OLP samples, with nuclear localization significantly associated with moderate dysplasia. Syndecan-4 membrane expression was reduced in dysplastic lesions, while Maspin and TIMP-1 co-expression were more prevalent in non-dysplastic OLP. MMP-14 was weakly positive in 87.3% of OLP cases and correlated with neovascularization. Conclusions: Elevated IL-17 expression and nuclear localization of β-Catenin may contribute to the progression of OLP toward dysplastic transformation, with this pattern being most evident in the erosive subtype. These findings suggest that a combined immunohistochemical panel may support risk stratification in OLP, although validation in larger, prospective cohorts is warranted. Full article

Considering that the ferritic stainless steel Z10C13 support plate material in nuclear power equipment tends to undergo fretting wear during service, this paper systematically investigates the effect of varying normal loads (10–50 N) and displacement amplitudes (15–75 μm) on its fretting response and wear mechanisms. Through ball-on-flat fretting wear experiments, together with macro- and micro-scale observations of wear scars, it is revealed that normal load primarily controls the contact intensity and the extent of adhesion, whereas displacement amplitude mainly affects the slip amplitude and features of fatigue damage. The results show that the fretting system’s dissipated energy increases nonlinearly with both load and amplitude, and their coupled effect significantly exacerbates interfacial damage. The wear scar morphology evolves from a shallow bowl shape to a structure characterized by multiple spalling pits and propagating fatigue cracks. An equivalent hardness-corrected Archard model is proposed based on the experimental data. The model captures the nonlinear dependence of equivalent material hardness on both load and amplitude. As a result, it accurately predicts wear volume ($R^2=0.9838$), demonstrating its physical consistency and modeling reliability. Overall, this study elucidates the multi-scale damage evolution mechanism of Z10C13 under fretting conditions and provides a theoretical foundation and methodological support for wear-resistant design, life prediction, and safety evaluation of nuclear power support structures. Full article

We provide a beam shape characterization of the VESUVIO spectrometer, at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, employing CR-39 solid-state nuclear track detectors and combining techniques including optical and electron microscopy, as well as Monte Carlo transport simulations. In particular, we show, through comparison with irradiation with 14 MeV neutrons at the NILE Facility at ISIS, that the majority of defects on the etched surface of the dosimeters irradiated on VESUVIO were induced by neutrons with energies between 100 keV and 10 MeV. Our results were compared to previous characterizations of the VESUVIO beam shape performed in either the thermal or fast energy ranges, and we conclude that the VESUVIO beam has a constant shape from thermal-neutron energies up to 10 MeV, composed of an umbra (intensity above 90% of the maximum) with radius 1.1 cm, and surrounded by a penumbra (intensity above 1% of the maximum) that extends up to 2.5 cm. Full article

This article presents an experimental study on the hydrodynamics of coolant flow within the pressure vessel of a small modular reactor (SMR) cooled with water, including areas such as the annular downcomer, bottom chamber, and core-simulating channels that are being developed for use in land-based nuclear power plants. This paper describes the experimental setup and test model, measurement techniques used, experimental conditions under which this research was conducted, and results obtained. This study was conducted at the Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University (NNSTU) using a high-pressure aerodynamic testing facility and a scale model that included structural components similar to those found in loop-type reactors. Experiments were performed with Reynolds numbers (Re) ranging from 20,000 to 50,000 in the annular downcomer space of the test model. Two independent techniques were used to simulate the non-uniform flow field in the pressure vessel: passive impurity injection (adding propane to the airflow) and hot tracer (heating one of the reactor circulation loops). The axial velocity field at the inlet to the reactor core was also investigated. This study provided information about the spatial distribution of a tracer within the coolant flow in the annular downcomer and bottom chamber of the pressure vessel. Data on the distribution of the contrasting admixture are presented in plots. The swirling nature of the coolant flow within the pressurized vessel was analyzed. It was shown that the intensity of mixing within the bottom chamber of the pressure vessel is influenced by the presence of a central vortex. Parameters associated with the mixing of admixtures within the model for the pressure vessel were estimated. Additionally, the possibility for simulating flow with different temperature mixing processes using isothermal models was observed. Full article

The purpose of this study was to explore the protective effect of 8 weeks of Moderate Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) on TMAO-induced myocardial injury in mice and its metabolic regulatory mechanism based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics methods. Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly allocated into the following groups: Control group (Con, n = 15), TMAO-induced myocardial injury group (TMAO, n = 15), and TMAO-induced with MICT intervention group (Exe, n = 15). TMAO and Exe groups underwent 8 weeks of high-dose TMAO gavage to establish a myocardial injury model, with the Exe group additionally receiving 8 weeks of MICT intervention (60 min/session, 5 sessions/week, 50% MRC). After the 8 weeks of interventions, the mouse heart function was tested using cardiac ultrasound equipment; myocardial histology was evaluated using HE staining; and myocardial tissue samples were collected for NMR metabolomics analysis. Compared with the Con group, the HR in the TMAO group was significantly increased, while EF and LVFS were significantly decreased. Compared with the TMAO group, the HR in the Exe group was significantly reduced, and EF and LVFS were significantly increased; NMR metabolomics analysis showed that, compared with the Con group, five metabolic pathways including phenylalanine metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, and TCA cycle were significantly altered in the TMAO group; compared with the TMAO group, ten metabolic pathways related to amino acid metabolism (such as alanine, glycine, etc.), energy metabolism (TCA cycle), and oxidative stress (purine metabolism) were significantly regulated in the Exe group. MICT could effectively alleviate TMAO-induced myocardial injury in mice by regulating multiple targets within the myocardial metabolic pathways. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of exercise intervention in myocardial injury treatment. Full article

Yin Yang 1 (YY1) is a multifunctional transcription factor implicated in gene regulation, cell proliferation, and survival. While its role in breast cancer (BC) has been explored, its prognostic significance remains controversial. In this study, we evaluated nuclear YY1 expression in 276 BC tissue samples using immunohistochemistry (IHC), tissue microarrays (TMAs), and digital pathology (DP). Nuclear staining was quantified using Aperio ImageScope software, focusing on tumor regions to avoid confounding from stromal or non-tumor tissues. This selective and standardized approach enabled precise quantification of YY1 expression. Our results show elevated median YY1 expression in tumor vs. normal matched tissues (p < 0.001). The optimal cutoff for medium-intensity nuclear YY1 expression in tumor areas for overall survival (OS) was established by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC = 0.718, 95% CI: 0.587–0.849, p = 0.008). In contrast, ROC curves showed no prognostic impact (AUC and p-value) for YY1 quantification in whole spots (tumor + normal). As a categorical variable, high YY1 expression was correlated with more aggressive BC features, including tumor size > 3 cm (57.7% vs. 44.2% p = 0.037), the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) molecular subtype (27.3% vs. 13.9% p = 0.026), and advanced prognostic stage (III) (31.8% vs. 16.7% p = 0.003), while as a continuous variable, YY1 was associated with higher histological (p = 0.003) and nuclear grades (p = 0.022). High YY1 expression was significantly associated with a reduced OS of BC patients, as shown by Kaplan–Meier curves (HR = 2.227, p = 0.002). Since YY1 was significantly enriched in TNBC, we evaluated its prognostic resolution in this subgroup. But, probably due to the small number of patients within this subset, our results were not statistically significant (HR = 1.317, 95% CI: 0.510–3.405, p = 0.566). Next, we performed multivariate Cox regression, confirming YY1 as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (HR = 1.927, 95% CI: 1.144–3.247, p = 0.014). In order to improve prognostic value, we constructed a mathematical model derived from the multivariate Cox regression results, including YYI, AJCC prognostic stage (STA), and axillary lymph node dissection (ALN), with the following equation: h(t) = h₀(t) × exp (0.695 × YY1 + 1.103 × STA − 0.503 × ALN). ROC analysis of this model showed a better AUC of 0.915, similar sensitivity (83.3%), and much higher specificity (92%). Bioinformatic analysis of public datasets supported these findings in BC, showing YY1 overexpression in multiple cancer types and its association with poor outcomes in BC. These results suggest that YY1 may play a role in tumor progression and serve as a valuable prognostic biomarker in BC. DP combined with molecular data enhanced biomarker accuracy, supporting clinical applications of YY1 in routine diagnostics and personalized therapy. Additionally, developing a combined score based on the modeling of multiple prognostic factors significantly enhanced survival predictions, representing a practical tool for risk stratification and the guidance of therapeutic decisions. Full article

The rapid increase in global warming requires that sustainable energy choices aimed at achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions be implemented as soon as possible. This objective, emerging from the European Green Deal and the UN Climate Action, could be achieved by using clean and efficient energy sources such as hydrogen produced from nuclear power. “Renewable” hydrogen plays a fundamental role in decarbonizing both the energy-intensive industrial and transport sectors while addressing the global increase in energy consumption. In recent years, several strategies for hydrogen production have been proposed; however, nuclear energy seems to be the most promising for applications that could go beyond the sole production of electricity. In particular, nuclear advanced reactors that operate at very high temperatures (VHTR) and are characterized by coolant outlet temperatures ranging between 550 and 1000 °C seem the most suitable for this purpose. This paper describes the potential use of nuclear energy in coordinated and coupled configurations to support clean hydrogen production. Operating conditions, energy requirements, and thermodynamic performance are described. Moreover, gaps that require additional technology and regulatory developments are outlined. The intermediate heat exchanger, which is the key component for the integration of nuclear hybrid energy systems, was studied by varying the thermal power to determine physical parameters needed for the feasibility study. The latter, consisting of the comparative cost evaluation of some nuclear hydrogen production methods, was carried out using the HEEP code developed by the IAEA. Preliminary results are presented and discussed. Full article

Using high-frequency financial data, this study investigates volatility spillovers between five renewable energy subsectors (wind, solar, geothermal, bioenergy, and fuel cells), five conventional energy markets (oil, gas, coal, uranium, and gasoline), and carbon emissions for five industrial sectors (power, industry, ground transportation, domestic aviation, and residential) based on a Diebold–Yilmaz VAR-based spillover framework. The results document that the industry and power sectors are the key players in the transmission effects of carbon shocks. In contrast, the reverse is true for the residential and aviation sectors. For renewable energy, fuel cells, and geothermal power, strong forward linkages appear to significantly reduce carbon emissions, while reverse linkages that increase carbon emissions in response to shocks in clean-energy and carbon-intensive industries are relatively high for coal and oil. We also find that the total volatility connectedness exceeds 84%, indicating significant systemic risk transmission. The clean-energy subsectors, particularly wind and solar, now compete in fossil-fuel markets during geopolitical crises. Applying the DCC-GARCH t-copula method to assess portfolio hedging strategies, we find that fuel cell and geothermal assets are the most effective in hedging against volatility in fossil-fuel prices. In contrast, nuclear and gas assets provide benefits from diversification. These results underscore the growing strategic importance of clean energy in mitigating sector-specific emission risks and fostering resilient energy systems in alignment with the United States’ net-zero carbon goals. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study investigated the gene expression levels of High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) in the serum of patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) and analyzed the correlation of these three with the severity of AP, local and systemic complications, transfer to intensive care unit (ICU) and death. Methods: AP was diagnosed and stratified according to the revised Atlanta classification. The diagnosis of AP requires two of the following three features: abdominal pain (acute onset of persistent severe, epigastric pain often radiating to the back); serum lipase/or amylase activity at least three times higher than normal; characteristic findings of AP on computed tomography or abdominal ultrasonography. Results: This study confirmed that NF-kB is a significant marker of AP severity, as well as for ICU transfer, and correlates with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), while IL-17 is shown as a significant marker of systemic complications (pleural effusions, ARDS, and renal failure). HMGB1 correlates with pancreatic necrosis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and ICU transfer. Conclusions: Over the past years, the role of HMGB1, NF-kB, and IL-17 in the pathogenesis of AP has been under intense scrutiny, and they have been proposed as prognostic biomarkers for AP severity, poor prognosis, and death outcome. The advantage of this research is that changes in gene expression can be detected before the increase in serum concentrations of these biomarkers, and it allows early prediction of a severe form of AP, as well as the development of complications. Full article

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), characterized by cardiac dysfunction, inflammation, and fibrosis. In this study, a T2DM mouse model was established by administering a high-fat diet (60% fat) in combination with streptozotocin injection in male C57BL/6J mice. The mice subsequently underwent an eight-week exercise intervention consisting of swimming training, resistance training, or high-intensity interval training (HIIT). The results showed that all three forms of exercise improved cardiac function and attenuated myocardial hypertrophy in DCM mice. Exercise training further downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, nuclear factor κB, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and mitigated myocardial fibrosis by suppressing fibronectin, α-SMA, collagen type I alpha 1 chain, collagen type III alpha 1 chain, and the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway. Moreover, exercise inhibited the expression of PANoptosis-related genes and proteins in cardiomyocytes of DCM mice. Notably, HIIT produced the most pronounced improvements across these pathological markers. In addition, all three exercise modalities effectively suppressed the aberrant activation of the cGAS–STING signaling pathway in the myocardium. In conclusion, exercise training exerts beneficial effects against DCM by improving cardiac function and reducing inflammation, PANoptosis, and fibrosis, and HIIT emerged as the most effective strategy. Full article

Cell observation is crucial in life science research, and advancements in microscopy are essential for deciphering biological phenomena. These technological developments have significantly enhanced our understanding of cellular mechanisms and processes. Light, characterized by its wave-like properties, is fundamental to scientific observation. Recently, new technologies have been developed to detect changes in light wavelengths upon illumination, using them as signals for visualization. Three-dimensional optical wave field microscopy (3D-OWFM), a recent innovation in optimal imaging, leverages the wave properties of light to capture objects without labels, invasive procedures, or direct contact, thus facilitating non-invasive observation. In this study, we observed and analyzed mammalian cell structure and behaviors using 3D-OWFM. The 3D-OWFM revealed the intrinsic structure of the cells, including the cytoplasm and nucleus, with high clarity. The optical path difference (OPD) intensity effectively highlighted nuclear complexity. Furthermore, time-lapse imaging captured cell division process through variations in OPD signal intensity. These findings indicate that 3D-OWFM has significant potential for cell observation, offering insights not attainable with conventional microscopes. Full article

Adults of Rhadinorhynchus niloticus, a member of the Rhadinorhynchidae family, were isolated from the intestines of wild Nile perch (Lates niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758); Perciformes: Latidae) caught from the River Nile and its tributaries in Assiut City, Egypt. The parasite was found freely in the intestinal lumen with a prevalence of 10.71%, and the burden varied from one to five parasites per fish. The mean intensity and abundance were 2.16 ± 0.47 (95% CI: 1.33 to 3.17) and 0.23 ± 0.08 (95% CI: 0.11 to 0.43), respectively. The parasite was described using light and scanning electron microscopy. Molecular species identification as well as phylogenetic relationship analysis of the isolated parasite were achieved by sequencing and comparisons of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase C subunit I (COI) and nuclear 18S rRNA genes. The sequences were deposited in GenBank under the accession numbers PP859185 and MZ727194. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the parasites emerged from a separate branch belonging to the Rhadinorhynchidae family, which was clearly distinguished from other genospecies. Full article

Heat stress (HS) is known to cause liver injury through mechanisms involving oxidative stress and inflammation, thereby highlighting the need for effective therapeutic interventions. This study evaluated the efficacy of sprouted black quinoa extract (SBQE) in mitigating HS-induced liver injury in a rat model. SBQE was obtained through an ultrasonication-assisted ethanol–water extraction process from black quinoa germinated for 48 h. Sprague Dawley rats (male) were administered via oral gavage SBQE at doses of 200, 400, or 800 mg/kg prior to each HS exposure (40 °C for 2 h per day over a period of 8 days). Pretreatment with SBQE resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, with the high dose (800 mg/kg) reducing these enzyme levels (p < 0.001 vs. HS group) and alleviating histopathological damage, including a significant decrease in hepatocyte vacuolization and inflammatory cell infiltration (histopathological scores were reduced by p < 0.001 in the 800 mg/kg SBQE group vs. HS group). SBQE also dose-dependently inhibited the accumulation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mean fluorescence intensity decreased by p < 0.001 at 800 mg/kg) and the formation of malondialdehyde while restoring the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (p < 0.01 at 800 mg/kg), catalase (p < 0.05 at 800 mg/kg), and glutathione peroxidase (p < 0.001 at 800 mg/kg), as well as replenishing glutathione levels (p < 0.001 at 800 mg/kg). Furthermore, the levels of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-18) in liver tissue were significantly reduced (with the high dose leading to p < 0.001 vs. HS group), which was associated with enhanced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2; p < 0.05 at 800 mg/kg) and decreased phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB; p < 0.001 at 800 mg/kg). Additionally, the protein expression of NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome components and markers of apoptosis were diminished. The results demonstrated that SBQE alleviated HS-induced liver injury by concurrently activating the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway and suppressing NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling, suggesting its potential as a nutraceutical intervention for HS-related hepatotoxicity. Full article