Search Results (55,448)

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are locally invasive and aggressive tumors that occur spontaneously in humans, dogs, and cats. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a non-invasive ablation technology that has been explored in canine but not feline STS. The objective of this pilot study was to determine the in vivo safety and feasibility of HIFU ablation for feline STS and to investigate the impact of HIFU on the acute immunological response. Client-owned cats diagnosed with spontaneous STS were recruited. Computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest, abdomen, and tumor were performed prior to treatment for staging and treatment planning. A commercially available HIFU unit (Echopulse, Theraclion, Malakoff, France) was used to target portions of solid tumors before standard-of-care surgical resection. Ablation efficacy and local immunological response were characterized using histopathological and immunohistochemical assessments. Acute safety was monitored with physical examinations, owner reports, and CBC/serum biochemistry. Multiplex serum cytokine levels were used to evaluate the systemic immune response. A total of three cats diagnosed with STS were recruited and treated. No significant adverse events attributed to HIFU treatment were noted in this pilot study. In treated areas, hemorrhage as well as coagulative and lytic necrosis were observed microscopically and were more extensive than in untreated tissues. There was a statistically significant difference in the level of serum MCP-1 after HIFU treatment, but no significant changes in any other analytes. No differences in the infiltration of CD3-, CD79a-, or IBA1-positive cells were noted between treated and untreated samples. Overall, findings suggested that HIFU may offer a viable alternative to conventional therapies for feline STS, with pilot results showing effective tumor ablation in cats with STS without significant adverse events. Some preliminary evidence of immunomodulation following treatment was observed, but HIFU as an immunotherapeutic treatment option needs to be further investigated. Full article

The transient mechanism of dual-boundary dynamic opening in the inlet during stage transition of an integral solid rocket ramjet (ISRR) remains insufficiently understood. To address this issue, a combined approach involving numerical simulations and free-jet experiments was employed. A parametric model describing the time-sequenced opening of inlet and outlet cover was established. The influences of sequence and progression of opening and flight conditions on transient flow evolution and inlet stability were systematically examined. It is found that when the inlet is opened first, a “dead cavity” tends to form inside the inlet, which subsequently triggers pronounced pressure oscillations. Under baseline conditions, the peak outlet pressure reaches approximately 0.90 MPa, with a dominant frequency of about 66.7 Hz. Conversely, when the outlet is opened first, the cavity-induced oscillation is effectively suppressed; however, a transient “flow choking” overpressure and a delayed establishment of the flow field are observed. The discrepancies between simulations and experiments for key pressure characteristics under two representative opening modes are maintained within 5%, confirming the robustness of the proposed methodology. Further analysis reveals that increasing the Mach number markedly intensifies flow instability and reduces the stability margin, whereas higher flight altitudes help attenuate cavity oscillations. A strong coupling between the opening rate and temporal sequence is also identified. Specifically, for inlet-first scenarios, a slower inlet opening combined with a rapid outlet opening is preferable, while for outlet-first cases, rapid opening on both sides yields better performance. On this basis, a “stability window map” defined by the temporal difference (Δt) and opening duration (Topen) is proposed. This map delineates the distributions of stable, transitional, and hazardous regimes under varying conditions, which may offer a quantitative reference for adaptive control strategies in the ISRR stage of transition. Interestingly, these findings suggest that slight timing adjustments could substantially reshape the transient flow behavior. Notably, the introduction of the dual-boundary temporally coordinated forcing leads to flow responses within the inlet that exhibits pronounced path dependence and non-uniqueness. Such behavior deviates from the conventional understanding established under the single-boundary frameworks, where transient mode-transition processes were typically assumed to be uniquely determined. More importantly, these findings offer a renewed physical interpretation of inlet mode-transition dynamics, thereby providing both quantitative support and practical guidance for the adaptive design of ISRR transition control strategies. In particular, the results suggest that incorporating multi-boundary temporal effects could significantly enhance the robustness and flexibility of the control-law formulation. Full article

In today’s world, renewable energy sources (RESs) are crucial. Their role is growing year by year, for commercial enterprises, public institutions, and individuals alike. The aim of this study was to examine the competitiveness of solid biomass compared to other renewable energy sources in the opinion of entrepreneurs participating in the acquisition and processing of biomass. We did the research in 2024–2025. The number of companies participating in the research and involved in the production and sale of solid biomass was 37. The largest number of companies focus on two key stages of the biomass value chain: the acquisition and processing of biological raw materials. The most frequently indicated strategy is concluding long-term contracts with suppliers, which was chosen by 13 respondents. In total, 25 companies (representing approximately 68%) declared active investment in pro-ecological solutions and 12 companies (approximately 32%) indicated no such activities. The most noticeable factor influencing the sector was the development of regulations and certification at the European Union (EU) level, including the Renewable Energy Directives (RED II and RED III) and ESG requirements, as indicated by 10 respondents. The largest number of respondents (13 responses) indicated a moderate increase in the share of solid biomass. The most frequently cited barrier was high transportation and logistics costs, highlighted by as many as 13 companies. The increasing environmental awareness of customers, especially institutional ones, is fostering an increase in demand for certified biomass. The vast majority of companies confirmed that transportation costs pose a significant challenge, highlighting the importance of logistics in the biomass value chain. Maintaining and strengthening its market position requires overcoming the identified barriers and systemic political and economic support. Full article

Thermal runaway (TR) remains a critical bottleneck for the safe application of lithium-ion battery (LIB) in large-scale energy storage systems, arising from the instability of battery materials under high temperatures. This review systematically summarizes materials design strategies to suppress TR, focusing on modifications of cathodes, anodes, separators, and electrolytes. For cathodes, surface coating and bulk doping enhance the structural stability and thermal decomposition temperature of high-Ni materials, while nanoscale engineering and carbon networks improve the electronic conductivity and interfacial stability of LiFePO₄ (LFP). For anodes, surface modification of graphite suppresses solid-electrolyte interphase degradation, and nanostructured silicon-based composites mitigate thermal failure caused by volume expansion. Separator functionalization, including ceramic coating, inorganic separators, and thermal shutdown separators, enhances thermo-mechanical stability and enables thermally triggered ion blocking. Flame-retardant electrolytes incorporate phosphorus-based, organosilicon, and halogenated additives that act through combined gas- and condensed-phase mechanisms. The review further discusses challenges in interfacial compatibility, system integration, and trade-offs among multiple performance metrics. Future efforts should focus on integrating intrinsic thermal stability with smart safety functions to achieve both high energy density and inherent safety. This review provides a systematic reference for the design and industrialization of high-safety materials for LIBs. Full article

Among the many complications that can occur in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD), several studies have suspected an increased risk of cancer. While the effect of SCD on solid tumors remains unclear, multiple studies support a higher incidence of leukemia, especially acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This risk seems to appear in childhood and persist throughout life. Based on these features, should SCD be considered a cancer predisposition syndrome? Here, we explore this question by comparing the characteristics of SCD-associated AML and cancer predisposition syndromes. We show that some features are similar. As in cancer predisposition syndrome, increased cancer risk in SCD appears to be restricted to a defined type of malignancy. SCD-associated AML also has molecular specificities reminiscent of therapy-related AML. Many of the mechanisms contributing to SCD-associated leukemogenesis have been reported in cancer predisposition syndromes, including ineffective erythropoiesis, increased cell renewal, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress. Nevertheless, SCD presents a unique combination of factors, and their magnitude may greatly vary from one individual to another. Strikingly, the relative risk of cancer in SCD is much lower than most cancer predisposition syndromes and closer to those conferred by common variations. This is a major difference, and indeed, the absolute risk of malignancy in individuals with SCD appears to be low. Moreover, SCD has great clinical variability, and the factors influencing AML risk are unclear. In sum, SCD has many specificities compared to cancer predisposition syndromes that should be considered and investigated. Clinicians should be aware of the increased risk of AML in patients’ management and counseling. Full article

To clarify the instability behavior of the columnar microstructure in RF magnetron sputtered TiN coatings under compressive loading, experimental characterization and finite element simulation were combined to investigate the microstructural features, mechanical properties, and linear and nonlinear buckling responses of the coating. TiN coatings were deposited on cemented carbide and Si substrates by RF magnetron sputtering using a 99.9% purity TiN target. The surface and cross-sectional morphologies were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and the nanohardness and Young’s modulus were determined by nanoindentation. Based on the experimentally observed morphology and measured mechanical properties, a finite element model of the columnar structure was established in ABAQUS, and the instability responses predicted by solid, shell, and beam element models were comparatively analyzed. The results showed that the as-deposited TiN coating exhibited a dense and uniform surface and a distinct columnar microstructure in cross-section. Linear buckling analysis indicated that the first-order critical buckling loads predicted by different element models were different, among which the solid element model gave a value of 3.43 × 10⁻⁵ N, showing the closest agreement with the theoretical result. Furthermore, nonlinear buckling analysis was performed by introducing an initial geometric imperfection of 4 × 10⁻³ mm based on the first-order buckling mode of the solid element model. The results showed that the columnar structure became unstable at a load of 0.74 × 10⁻⁶ N, accompanied by irreversible deformation. These findings demonstrate that linking experimentally observed TiN columnar microstructures with microstructure-informed instability analysis provides a useful perspective for understanding the local instability behavior and potential failure tendency of sputtered coatings and offers theoretical support for the structural design and reliability evaluation of protective coatings for cutting tools. Full article

Hypoxia is a hallmark feature of solid tumors and is increasingly recognized as an important factor in tumor progression, aggressiveness, and therapeutic resistance. In the tumor microenvironment, hypoxia is associated with genetic instability, abnormal angiogenesis, metabolic reprogramming, and crosstalk with oncogenic signaling pathways, thereby potentially enhancing tumor invasiveness and metastatic potential. Furthermore, hypoxia may impair the sensitivity of tumor cells to conventional therapies and contribute to treatment resistance. This article reviews current evidence on the role of hypoxia in thyroid cancer, focusing on its biological effects, clinical implications, and therapeutic relevance. Available studies suggest that hypoxia may affect thyroid cancer progression and treatment tolerance by modulating hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signaling, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, metabolic adaptation, cancer stem-like properties, extracellular matrix remodeling, and stress-adaptive responses. However, the strength of evidence varies across these pathways, and many hypoxia-targeted strategies remain under preclinical investigation. Approaches such as HIF inhibition, redifferentiation therapy, and vascular modulation may offer potential therapeutic directions for advanced and refractory thyroid cancer. Given the marked heterogeneity of thyroid cancer, further thyroid cancer-specific studies are needed to clarify the prognostic and therapeutic significance of hypoxia. Full article

The burgeoning commercial space sector demands next-generation energy systems that offer ultra-high specific energy, wide operational temperature ranges, intrinsic safety, and vacuum compatibility. These requirements severely challenge conventional lithium-ion batteries due to issues like electrolyte leakage and thermal instability. This perspective examines solid-state batteries (SSBs) as a potential solution, leveraging their inherent leak-proof design, superior thermal tolerance, and robust solid electrolytes. We suggest that SSBs could become a key technology for applications such as lunar surface operations, deep-space probes, and high-speed vehicles. By addressing certain limitations of current power sources, SSB technology may help shape the energy architecture for future space exploration and commercialization. Full article

The application of multi-branch pinnate drilling has great prospects in gas control. Although there are many studies on the parameters of multi-branch plume drilling, the mathematical model used in the study is still not sufficient for the addition of the slippage effect and thermodynamic changes. In this paper, a thermal–fluid–solid coupling model is used to study the influence of branch angle and branch length on the extraction effect in high-gas and extra-thick coal seams. The reliability of the model is verified by simulating an onsite extraction environment to fit the onsite gas production rate. Under identical simulation conditions, the experiment investigated the gas extraction performance of boreholes with varying branch angles (30°, 40°, 50°, and 60°) and branch lengths (50 m, 75 m, 100 m, and 125 m). The results show that temperature affects the dynamic viscosity of gas, which in turn affects the flow rate. The slippage effect affects permeability. When the branch angle is less than 50°, the increase in the branch angle can expand the control range of drilling. By continuing to increase the angle, the improvement in the extraction effect is weakened. As the branch angle exceeds 50° and continues to increase, the branch borehole progressively approaches the edge of the coal seam. At this time, the overall control range of the borehole is greatly increased, and the gas extraction effect is improved. The increase in the branch length leads to a considerable improvement in the extraction effect. When the branch length is below 100 m, the improvement in extraction efficiency diminishes progressively with increasing branch length. This is because the effect of increasing the branch length on improving the overall control range of the borehole is weakened. When the branch length exceeds 100 m and continues to increase, the branch borehole approaches the edge of the coal seam. The overall control effect of drilling has been greatly improved. The extraction effect of boreholes has increased significantly compared with before. Full article

Coal gasification fine ash (CGFA) is a carbon–mineral composite solid waste whose valorization is severely hindered by poor interfacial compatibility with organic media due to its highly polar surface. Here, we report a surface alkylation strategy using haloalkanes with variable chain lengths to systematically tune the surface chemistry and thermo-oxidative behavior of CGFA. Comprehensive spectroscopic characterizations (XPS, FTIR, and ¹³C NMR) confirm successful grafting of alkyl chains, which increases aliphatic C-H content from 24.8% to 43.9% while reducing polar carboxyl groups from 7.9% to 1.6%, with the mineral framework remaining intact. Thermogravimetric analysis reveals that alkylation lowers the onset decomposition temperature from 358 °C to 295 °C and enhances the maximum mass-loss rate. Kinetic analysis shows that grafted alkyl chains act as low-energy initiation sites, reducing the initial activation energy to 95 kJ/mol, while the later-stage oxidation becomes diffusion-limited. Notably, long straight-chain alkylation achieves the best performance, whereas branched chains are less effective due to steric hindrance and pore blockage. This work establishes a clear chain-length-dependent structure–thermal response relationship, positioning alkylated CGFA as a designable precursor for functional carbon materials, intelligent char-forming agents, and tunable components for energy or responsive material systems. Full article

Fluid–structure interaction (FSI) research is crucial for applications in fields such as naval engineering, geological hazards, and biomechanics. Traditional grid-based methods (such as CFD) often face challenges in simulating large-deformation flow fields and complex boundary conditions, where mesh distortion can compromise simulation accuracy. Building upon the DualSPHysics5.2 framework, this study leverages the strengths of weakly compressible SPH (WCSPH) in modeling free surface flows and large-deformation fluids, as well as the discrete element method (DEM), for accurately describing particle collisions and fragmentation behaviors. We propose an improved MSPH-DEM coupling algorithm that incorporates moving least squares (MLS) correction for kernel function gradient optimization. This algorithm utilizes MLS-based gradient correction to achieve smoother fluid surfaces as well as bidirectional coupling between fluids and particles. Experimental validation demonstrates that in dam break simulations, this method reduces pressure errors. In the dam break impacting a cube experiment, it enhances accuracy, while in the dam break impacting a baffle experiment, the horizontal displacement of marker points closely aligns with the experimental values from Liao et al. This approach effectively improves the accuracy of the simulations of FSI problems, offering a more reliable numerical simulation methodology for engineering applications such as geological hazard prevention. Full article

Aiming at the precise modeling demand of high-gain parabolic antennas for 6G and terahertz wireless communications, this study implements and systematically validates a high-precision, self-developed full-wave electromagnetic analysis framework based on the 3D vector finite element method (VFEM). The weak form of the vector Helmholtz equation is rigorously derived to ensure the discrete system is consistent with Maxwell’s equations physically. First-order tetrahedral edge elements are adopted to suppress spurious modes, and a computationally robust implementation of the Silver–Müller absorbing boundary condition (ABC) is carried out for accurate open-domain truncation. Four progressive test cases (parallel-plate waveguide, free-space dipole, finite planar reflector, and parabolic antenna) validate the algorithm’s performance: the relative error of the parabolic antenna’s gain is only 3.39%, with the L2-norm error well constrained in all cases. The self-developed VFEM achieves precision comparable to commercial software with a transparent underlying architecture. Future research will focus on high-order basis functions, AI-based intelligent ABCs, and the domain decomposition method (DDM) for billion-level-degree-of-freedom simulations. This work lays a solid algorithmic foundation for the forward design of high-throughput communication antennas. Full article

Transient analyses of liquid-fueled molten salt reactors involve strong coupling among neutronics, delayed neutron precursor transport, thermal–hydraulics, and solid heat transfer, leading to high computational costs for repeated high-fidelity simulations. To enable fast multi-physics prediction at unseen operating conditions, a parametric non-intrusive reduced-order model (ROM) combining proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) and higher-order dynamic mode decomposition (HODMD) is developed. Coupled full-order snapshots generated from an OpenFOAM-based one-eighth symmetric core model based on a simplified MSRE benchmark configuration are used to construct reduced representations for 11 physical fields. The POD truncation rank, HODMD delay dimension, and interpolation model are selected using leave-one-out cross-validation, with polynomial, radial basis function, and Gaussian process regression models considered as interpolation candidates. For unseen parameter points, the model maintains high accuracy in both the interpolation stage and the temporal extrapolation stage. In the temporal extrapolation stage, the highest mean relative L₂ error for the inlet-temperature-step case is 2.112%, whereas all mean relative L₂ errors for the inlet-velocity-step case remain below 0.177%. The results indicate that, under the present cases and parameter settings, the proposed framework provides an accurate and rapid surrogate for multi-physics transient prediction. Full article

This study develops a ternary Fe-based geopolymer system composed of metakaolin (MK), red mud (RM), and fly ash (FA) for the preparation of sustainable water-retaining subgrade materials for sponge-city roadbed applications. Unlike conventional formulations primarily designed for structural strength or rapid permeability, the proposed MK–FA–RM system was designed to improve water-storage capacity while maintaining adequate mechanical support and environmental compatibility. In this ternary system, MK provides highly reactive aluminosilicate species for geopolymer network formation, RM introduces Fe-bearing phases and enhances industrial solid-waste utilization, and FA contributes to particle packing, workability, and resource efficiency. A constrained ternary mixture design implemented using Design-Expert software was adopted to optimize precursor proportions. Within the investigated compositional range, the fitted first-order mixture model showed acceptable statistical adequacy for preliminary composition screening (R² = 0.86). The optimal blend (60% MK, 30% RM, and 10% FA) achieved a 7-day compressive strength of 8.37 MPa and a water retention rate of 35.3% under ambient curing conditions, satisfying the strength requirement considered for the target subgrade/base-layer application. Microstructural and phase analyses suggest that the synergistic interaction of the three precursors promoted Fe-modified aluminosilicate gel formation together with conventional geopolymer gel products, while improving matrix continuity and preserving interconnected pore space for water storage. This multiscale structural effect helps explain how the material achieved a balance between water retention capacity and mechanical support. Under the tested conditions, the material maintained acceptable residual strength after short-term exposure to water, acid, and sulfate-containing solutions. Life-cycle assessment indicated a 70% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared with ordinary Portland cement, while pilot-scale cost analysis showed a 39% lower production cost than MetaMax-based geopolymer materials. Pilot-scale application further demonstrated the constructability and water-regulation potential of the material in practical environments. Overall, the proposed ternary Fe-based geopolymer demonstrates that Fe-rich industrial wastes can be engineered into low-carbon and economically viable water-retaining subgrade materials that balance hydraulic regulation, structural adequacy, and sustainability. Nevertheless, long-term durability, cyclic loading performance, and direct nanoscale characterization of Fe-bearing gel evolution still require further investigation. Full article

Reinforced concrete (RC) slabs with internal voids are increasingly used to improve material efficiency; however, their residual structural performance after fire exposure remains insufficiently understood. This study presents a numerical investigation of RC slabs with different void geometries using a three-dimensional nonlinear Finite Element (FE) model. A sequential thermal–structural approach was adopted, in which fire exposure was simulated through transient thermal analysis, and the resulting spatial distribution of maximum temperatures was used to assign residual material properties to each FE based on its local peak temperature, followed by structural analysis under ambient conditions. A parametric study was conducted on seven slab configurations, including two solid slabs and five voided slabs with spherical, elliptical, ellipsoidal, capsule, and biaxial capsule geometries. To ensure a consistent evaluation, two reference solid slabs were considered: a 230 mm thick slab to enable comparison under identical geometric conditions, and a 160 mm thick slab representing equivalent concrete volume to assess material efficiency. Fire exposure was applied according to the ISO 834 standard fire curve for durations of 30, 60, and 90 min. The results indicate that voided slabs exhibit higher deflections than the solid slab of identical thickness due to reduced stiffness, while achieving comparable performance relative to the solid slab with equivalent concrete volume. These findings highlight the trade-off between structural stiffness and material efficiency under increasing fire exposure time. Full article