Search Results (194)

Liquid biopsy has emerged as a valuable tool for the detection and monitoring of colorectal cancer (CRC), providing minimally invasive insights into tumor biology through circulating biomarkers such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs). Additional biomarkers, including tumor-educated platelets (TEPs) and exosomal RNAs, offer further potential for early detection and prognostic role, although ongoing clinical validation is still needed. This review summarizes the current evidence on the diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive capabilities of liquid biopsy in both metastatic and non-metastatic CRC. In the non-metastatic setting, liquid biopsy is gaining traction in early detection through screening and in identifying minimal residual disease (MRD), potentially guiding adjuvant treatment and reducing overtreatment. In contrast, liquid biopsy is more established in metastatic CRC for monitoring treatment responses, clonal evolution, and mechanisms of resistance. The integration of ctDNA-guided treatment algorithms into clinical practice could optimize therapeutic strategies and minimize unnecessary interventions. Despite promising advances, challenges remain in assay standardization, early-stage sensitivity, and the integration of multi-omic data for comprehensive tumor profiling. Future efforts should focus on enhancing the sensitivity of liquid biopsy platforms, validating emerging biomarkers, and expanding multi-omic approaches to support more targeted and personalized treatment strategies across CRC stages. Full article

The traction behavior in cryogenic solid-lubricated ball bearings (CSLBBs) used in liquid rocket engines (LREs) affects not only the dynamic response of the bearing but also the lubricity and wear characteristics of the solid lubrication coating. The traction coefficient between the ball and raceway depends on factors such as contact material, relative sliding velocity, and contact pressure. However, existing traction curve models for CSLBBs typically consider only one or two of these factors, limiting the accuracy and applicability of theoretical predictions. In this study, a novel traction model for CSLBBs is proposed, which incorporates the combined effects of contact material, relative sliding velocity, and contact pressure. Based on this model, a tribo-dynamic framework is developed to investigate the tribological and dynamic behavior of CSLBBs. The model is validated through both theoretical analysis and experimental data. Results show that the inclusion of solid lubricant effects significantly alters the relative sliding and frictional forces between the rolling elements and the raceway. These changes in turn influence the impact dynamics between the rolling elements and the cage, leading to notable variations in the bearing’s vibrational response. The findings may offer valuable insights for the wear resistance and vibration reduction design of CSLBBs. Full article

The transition to electric mobility has significantly increased the demand for lithium-ion batteries, raising concerns about their end-of-life management. Therefore, this study presents the design, development and first implementation steps of a stationary energy storage system utilizing second-life electric vehicle (EV) batteries. These batteries, no longer suitable for traction applications due to a reduced state of health (SoH) below 80%, retain sufficient capacity for less demanding stationary applications. The proposed system is designed to be flexible and scalable, serving both research and commercial purposes. Key challenges include heterogeneous battery characteristics, safety considerations due to increased internal resistance and battery aging, and the need for flexible power electronics. An optimized dual active bridge (DAB) converter topology is introduced to connect several batteries in parallel and to ensure efficient bidirectional power flow over a wide voltage range. A first prototype, rated at 50 $\mathrm{k}$$\mathrm{W}$, has been built and tested in the laboratory. This study contributes to sustainable energy storage solutions by extending battery life cycles, reducing waste, and promoting economic viability for industrial partners. Full article

Burn injuries result in complex physiological and psychological sequelae, including hypermetabolism, muscle wasting, mobility impairment, scarring, and disrupted body image. While advances in acute care have improved survival, comprehensive rehabilitation strategies are critical for restoring function, appearance, and psychosocial well-being. Structured physical activity, including resistance and aerobic training, plays a central role in counteracting muscle atrophy, improving cardiovascular function, enhancing scar quality, and promoting psychological resilience and body image restoration. This narrative review synthesizes the current evidence on the effects of exercise-based interventions on post-burn recovery, highlighting their therapeutic mechanisms, clinical applications, and implementation challenges. In addition to physical training, emerging technologies such as virtual reality, aquatic therapy, and compression garments offer promising adjunctive benefits. Notably, artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining traction in burn rehabilitation through its integration into wearable biosensors and telehealth platforms that enable real-time monitoring, individualized feedback, and predictive modeling of recovery outcomes. These AI-driven tools have the potential to personalize exercise regimens, support remote care, and enhance scar assessment and wound tracking. Overall, the integration of exercise-based interventions with digital technologies represents a promising, multimodal approach to burn recovery. Future research should focus on optimizing exercise prescriptions, improving access to personalized rehabilitation tools, and advancing AI-enabled systems to support long-term recovery, functional independence, and positive self-perception among burn survivors. Full article

This study investigates the hydrodynamic performance of ships entering a ship lift compartment that is under the influence of upstream channel geometry and proposes a mechanical traction scheme to enhance operational safety and efficiency. Utilizing a Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS)-based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach with overlapping grid technology, numerical simulations were conducted for both single and grouped ships navigating through varying water depths, speeds, and shore distances. The results revealed significant transverse force oscillations near the floating navigation wall due to unilateral shore effects, posing risks of deviation. The cargo ship experienced drastic resistance fluctuations in shallow-to-very-shallow-water transitions, while tugboats were notably affected by hydrodynamic interactions during group entry. A mechanical traction system with a four-link robotic arm was designed and analyzed kinematically and statically, demonstrating structural feasibility under converted real-ship traction forces (55.1 kN). The key findings emphasize the need for collision avoidance measures in wall sections and validate the proposed traction scheme for safe and efficient ship entry/exit. This research provides critical insights for optimizing ship lift operations in restricted waters. Full article

Organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) has emerged as a transformative platform for molecular separation, offering energy-efficient and high-performance alternatives to conventional separation techniques across the food, petrochemical, and pharmaceutical industries. At the core of this advancement lie polyamide membranes, whose exceptional chemical resilience, tunable architecture, and compatibility with a wide range of organic solvents have positioned them as the material of choice for industrial OSN applications. Recent progress encompassing nanostructured additives, controlled interfacial polymerization, and advanced crosslinking strategies has led to significant improvements in membrane selectivity, permeability, and operational stability. As OSN continues to gain traction in sustainable chemical processing, enabling reductions in both energy consumption and environmental waste, ongoing challenges such as membrane fouling, structural degradation, and limited solvent resistance remain critical barriers to broader adoption. This review critically examines the role of polyamide membranes in OSN, emphasizing their structural versatility, physicochemical attributes, and capacity to meet the growing demands of sustainable separation technologies. Full article

Blockchain’s promise of decentralised, tamper-resistant services is gaining real traction in three arenas: decentralized finance (DeFi), blockchain gaming, and data-driven analytics. These sectors span finance, entertainment, and information services, offering a representative setting in which to study real-world adoption. This survey analyzes how each domain implements blockchain, identifies the incentives that accelerate uptake, and maps the technical and organizational barriers that still limit scale. By examining peer-reviewed literature and recent industry developments, this review distils common design features such as token incentives, verifiable digital ownership, and immutable data governance. It also pinpoints the following domain-specific challenges: capital efficiency in DeFi, asset portability and community engagement in gaming, and high-volume, low-latency querying in analytics. Moreover, cross-sector links are already forming, with DeFi liquidity tools supporting in-game economies and analytics dashboards improving decision-making across platforms. Building on these findings, this paper offers guidance on stronger interoperability and user-centered design and sets research priorities in consensus optimization, privacy-preserving analytics, and inclusive governance. Together, the insights equip developers, policymakers, and researchers to build scalable, interoperable platforms and reuse proven designs while avoiding common pitfalls. Full article

The demands of the green economy necessitate modern polymer materials that are not only environmentally friendly but also durable and capable of long service life. Bio-based polylactide (PLA) polyesters have gained significant traction in various industrial markets; however, their application in specialized sectors is hindered by high brittleness. This study extensively examines the effects of 1–5% of synthetically obtained tetracyclosiloxane (CS) and octaspherosilicate (OSS) derivatives with methacrylate (MA) and trimethoxysilyl (TMOS) groups as functional modifiers for PLA. The research provides a detailed characterization of PLA/CS and PLA/OSS materials, including a comparative analysis of mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, and dynamic resistance. Notably, incorporating 5% CS-2MA-2TMOS into PLA resulted in a remarkable 104% increase in impact resistance. The study further evaluates the influence of these modifications on thermal properties (DSC, TGA), heat deflection temperature (HDT), and surface character (WCA). The miscibility between the organosilicon additives and PLA was assessed using oscillatory rheometry and SEM-EDS analysis. The melt-rheology analysis explained the mechanisms behind the interaction between the CS and OSS additives with the PLA matrix, highlighting their lubricating effects on the melt flow behavior. The study was complemented by XRD structural analysis and verification of the structure of PLA-based materials by optical microscopy and SEM analysis, demonstrating a plasticizing effect and uniform distribution of the modifiers. The findings strongly suggest that, even at low concentrations, organosilicon additives serve as effective impact modifiers for PLA. Full article

To improve the traction performance of mobile mechanisms on soft ground, such as paddy fields, tidal flats, and swamps, a mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) foot was adopted as a bionic prototype to explore the influence and contribution of the plantar morphology of the toes and webbing on the anti-subsidence function during its locomotion on wet and soft substrates and to apply this to the bionic design of high-traction wheel grousers. A handheld three-dimensional laser scanner was used to scan the main locomotion postures of a mallard foot during ground contact, and the Geomagic Studio software was utilized to repair the scanned model. As a result, the main three-dimensional geometric models of a mallard foot during the process of touching the ground were obtained. The plantar morphology of a mallard foot was divided into three typical parts: the plantar irregular edge curve, the lateral webbing surface, and the medial webbing surface. The main morphological feature curves/surfaces were extracted through computer-aided design software for the fitting and construction of a mathematical model to obtain the fitting equations of the three typical parts, and the mathematical model construction of the plantar irregular morphology of the mallard foot was completed. In order to verify the sand-fixing and flow-limiting characteristics of this morphological feature, based on the discrete element method (DEM), the numerical simulation of the interaction between the plantar surface of the mallard foot and sand particles was carried out. The simulation results show that during the process of the mallard foot penetration into the loose medium, the lateral and medial webbing surfaces cause the particles under the foot to mainly move downward, effectively preventing the particles from spreading around and significantly enhancing the solidification effect of the particles under the sole. Based on the principle and technology of engineering bionics, the plantar morphology and movement attitude characteristics of the mallard were extracted, and the characteristics of concave middle and edge bulge were applied to the wheel grouser design of paddy field wheels. Two types of bionic wheel grousers with different curved surfaces were designed and compared with the traditional wheel grousers of the paddy field wheel. Through pressure-bearing simulation and experiments, the resistance of different wheel grousers during the process of penetrating into sand particles was compared, and the macro–micro behaviors of particle disturbance during the pressure-bearing process were analyzed. The results show that a bionic wheel grouser with unique curved surfaces can well encapsulate sand particles at the bottom of the wheel grouser, and it also has a greater penetration resistance, which plays a crucial role in improving the traction performance of the paddy field wheel and reducing the disturbance to the surrounding sand particles. This paper realizes the transformation from the biological model to the mathematical model of the plantar morphology of the mallard foot and applies it to the bionic design of the wheel grousers of the paddy field wheels, providing a new solution for improving the traction performance of mobile mechanisms on soft ground. Full article

In Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, central to industrial automation and control systems, the Front-end Processor (FEP) facilitates seamless communication between field control devices and central management systems. As the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0 centered on the smart factory paradigm gain traction, conventional FEPs are increasingly showing limitations in various aspects. To address these issues, Data Distribution Service, a real-time communication middleware, and Kubernetes, a container orchestration platform, have garnered attention. However, the effective integration of conventional SCADA protocols, such as DNP3.0, IEC 61850, and Modbus with DDS, remains a key challenge. Therefore, this article proposes a Kubernetes-based real-time FEP for the modernization of SCADA systems. The proposed FEP ensures interoperability through an efficient translation mechanism between traditional SCADA protocols—DNP3.0, IEC 61850, and Modbus—and the Data Distribution Service protocol. In addition, the performance evaluation shows that the FEP achieves high throughput and sub-millisecond latency, confirming its suitability for real-time industrial control applications. This approach overcomes the limitations of conventional FEPs and enables the realization of more flexible and scalable industrial control systems. However, further research is needed to validate the system under large-scale deployment scenarios and enhance security capabilities. Future work will focus on performance evaluation in realistic conditions and the integration of quantum-resistant security mechanisms to strengthen resilience in critical infrastructure environments. Full article

Inter-turn short circuits (ITSCs) in permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) pose significant risks due to their subtle early symptoms and rapid degradation. To address this, we propose an online real-time diagnostic method for assessing the degradation state. This method employs the Sparrow Search Algorithm (SSA) for the online real-time identification of fault characteristic parameters. Following an analysis of the fault mechanisms of inter-turn short circuits, a mathematical model has been developed to include the short-circuit turns ratio and insulation resistance. An evaluation index has also been developed to assess the degree of fault-related degradation. To address the strong nonlinearity of parameters in the fault model, the SSA is employed for the real-time joint identification of parameters that characterize the relationship between fault location and degradation degree. Simulation experiments demonstrate that the SSA achieves convergence within 40 iterations, with a relative error below 5% and absolute error less than 0.007, outperforming traditional algorithms like the PSO, a significant improvement in the early detection of degradation caused by inter-turn short circuits and a step forward in technical support ensuring greater reliability and safety for the traction systems used in rail transit. Full article

This paper studies the influence of the pick structure on the cutting characteristics of the cutting head when cutting rocks with a tunneling–bolting combined machine. A simulated model of the breaking of soft rock with a cutting pick was established. Dynamic simulation of the cutting head during the cutting process enabled the force characteristics to be obtained. The validity of the simulation was verified by carrying out cutting experiments. A numerical simulation of the pick parameters made it possible to analyze the influence of the pick’s included angle, taper angle, and established angle on the cutting performance. The results showed that the average values for the cutting resistance and traction resistance when the cutting head cut rocks were 14.21 kN and 7.19 kN, respectively. An included angle of between 70° and 75° was found to be most suitable. Within a specific range, the cutting force was found to increase with an increase in the taper angle. An established angle between 40° and 45° proved to have the highest cutting efficiency. At present, the results have been applied to the Shendong Coalmine. Thus, the proposed model provides a sound theoretical basis for the optimal design of the cutting head. Full article

With the concept of sustainable development gaining increasing traction, the high-value utilization of forest biomass has received growing attention. In this study, an acorn-based wood adhesive was developed using Quercus fagaceae, offering a sustainable alternative that not only supports the multifunctional use of acorn shell resources, but also reduces dependence on fossil-based materials in traditional wood adhesives, a development of significant importance to the wood industry. The effects of various crosslinking agents and phenolic resin (PF) additions on the performance of the acorn-based adhesive (AS) were investigated. Among the crosslinking agents tested, isocyanate (MDI), epoxy resin E51, and trimethylolpropane diglycidyl ether (TTE), PF demonstrated the best bonding performance. The modified AS adhesive with a 30% PF addition showed the highest bonding strength (0.93 MPa) and superior water resistance. These improvements are attributed to the formation of a stable, multi-dimensional crosslinked network structure resulting from the interaction between gelatinized starch molecules and PF resin. Moreover, the AS-PF adhesive exhibited a remarkably low formaldehyde emission of 0.14 mg/L, representing a 90.67% reduction compared to the national E1 standard. The incorporation of PF also enhanced the adhesive’s mildew resistance and toughness. These findings highlight the potential of acorn-based adhesives as a sustainable alternative for applications in the wood and bamboo industries. Full article

High-risk neuroblastoma remains a clinically challenging pediatric cancer, with an approximate five-year survival rate of ~60%. Frontline therapy for this group of patients includes surgery and intensive chemotherapy that involves combinations of the tubulin inhibitor vincristine with several other chemotherapeutics. Unfortunately, unresponsiveness to therapy and relapse are common, with tumors often displaying resistance to vincristine. Recently, we characterized a novel set of tubulin inhibitors that are distinct from vincristine and bind within the colchicine binding site present on tubulin monomers. Colchicine binding site inhibitors (CBSIs) have gained traction as improved chemotherapeutics due to their potential to overcome tubulin inhibitor-induced resistance. In this study, we investigate the functional impact of CBSI treatment on multiple neuroblastoma cell lines, including those that are vincristine-resistant. We demonstrate that our newly developed compounds are effective at disrupting cell division in non-resistant and resistant cells and have cellular activity against vincristine-resistant cell lines. Interestingly, we find that vincristine-resistant cell lines differ in their ability to undergo apoptotic cell death in response to CBSI treatment. Taken together, these findings provide a solid foundation to further investigate the utility of CBSIs for neuroblastoma treatment, while highlighting the distinct resistance mechanisms that can emerge in these childhood cancers. Full article

Solid-lubricated rolling bearings are widely used in the aerospace field and are key components to support spacecraft rotors. During the start-up of the engine, the sharp acceleration may cause bearing skidding, resulting in damage of the solid lubricating film and a reduction in the remaining useful life of the bearing. However, the existing research on the tribo-dynamic responses of solid-lubricated ball bearings mostly relies on semi-empirical tribological models, which are limited in their ability to reveal the micro–macro sliding mechanisms of the ball–raceway contact interface. In this paper, a novel tribo-dynamic model for solid-lubricated angular contact ball bearings is developed by applying Kalker’s rolling contact theory to the Gupta dynamic model. The interpolation method is adopted to calculate contact parameters to improve the model’s efficiency. Using the proposed model, the dynamic response of the bearing in the acceleration process is studied, and the mechanism and influence characteristics of skidding, over-skidding, and creepage of the rolling element are analyzed. The results show that the main reason for skidding is that the traction force is not enough to overcome the resistance, and the gyroscopic effect is the main cause of over-skidding, which follows the principle of conservation of the angular momentum of the ball. Full article