Abstract Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone malignancy because of its extra high tendency of metastasis. In-depth research is needed to uncover the pathogenesis of patients with OS cells. We collected 74 tissue samples from patients with OS cells and measured the expression levels of ghrelin by immunohistochemistry. Ghrelin was added into OS cell lines in CCK8 assays, JC-1 staining and Western blot analysis were performed to explore its effect on the aggressiveness of OS cells and drug resistance. To determine its function, ghrelin was overexpressed or knocked down in OS cells and then detect cell proliferation in the xenograft mouse model and orthotopic model. Western blot analysis was performed to explore ghrelin-regulated signal pathways. In this work, we identified the relation between the level of ghrelin expression and poor prognosis of OS patients. As well as promoting proliferation, migration, and invation, ghrelin promotes the survival of OS in vitro as well as in vivo, and reduces the apoptosis of OS cells. What’s more, ghrelin increases the resistance of cis-platinum by changing mitochondrial function and decreases the expression of MDR-1. Above all, these results demonstrated ghrelin exerts tumorigenic and metastatic effects and may be a potential therapeutic target.
Orthopedic surgery, Diseases of the musculoskeletal system
The development of information technology has not been fully utilized in science learning at vocational high schools, where conventional methods still dominate and make it difficult for students to understand concepts. This study aims to develop information technology and create a new product in the form of 2D visualization. The study employed a development approach based on the ADDIE model and focused on developing learning media for Grade 10 science subjects using animated videos. Three aspects were evaluated: feasibility, practicality, and effectiveness. The assessment of these aspects showed that students were able to improve their learning outcomes and conceptual understanding in science subjects. Based on expert evaluations, media experts provided an average score of 87%, while material experts rated it at 80%. Teacher responses reached 94%, and student responses were 94.49%. The results of the post-test stage indicated an average achievement of 92.25%, with the highest score of 100 and the lowest score of 70. These findings suggest that the use of animated videos can effectively enhance students’ learning outcomes and conceptual understanding. It is recommended that future studies expand the method, scope of materials, and sample size to further address the lower range of student scores.
As a candidate cladding material for fourth-generation nuclear energy systems, the microstructure and properties of oxide dispersion strengthened 316L (ODS-316L) steel are significantly affected by heat treatment (HT) processes. This paper highlights the influence mechanism of HT temperature on the microstructural evolution and corrosion resistance of ODS-316L alloys prepared by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) technology. The results show that HT can significantly regulate the microstructure of ODS-316L alloys. After heat treatment, the ODS-316L alloy consists of a single austenitic phase, indicating no phase transformation occurs before and after heat treatment. With the increase of HT temperature, the fish-scale molten pool morphology characteristic of the as-fabricated ODS-316L alloy disappears, and recrystallized grains coarsen. When the HT temperature reaches 1150 °C, the grain size reaches a maximum of 43.1 μm, the proportion of low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) is the highest at 76.7 %, and the Kernel Average Misorientation (KAM) value drops to a minimum of 0.28°. At the HT temperature of 1150 °C, the alloy exhibits excellent corrosion resistance: the self-corrosion potential (Ecorr) reaches a maximum of −0.255 V, the self-corrosion current density (Icorr) decreases to a minimum of 7.797 × 10−7 A/cm2, the pitting potential (Ep) reaches a maximum of 0.632 V, and the passivation interval reaches a maximum of 0.659 V. Moreover, two types of nano-oxide particles, Y–Si–O and Si–O, are uniformly distributed in the 316L matrix heat-treated at 1150 °C, which helps to reduce the self-corrosion current density, thereby improving its corrosion resistance. Furthermore, the correlation between nano-oxides and corrosion resistance is elaborate. This study provides a theoretical basis and reference value for further optimizing the microstructure and corrosion resistance of nuclear-grade ODS-316L alloy components.
Abstract Surface flashover is a gas–solid interface insulation failure that significantly jeopardises the secure operation of advanced electronic, electrical, and spacecraft applications. Despite the widespread application of numerous material modification and structure optimisation technologies aimed at enhancing surface flashover performance, the influence mechanisms of the present technologies have yet to be systematically discussed and summarised. This review aims to introduce various material modification technologies while demonstrating their influence mechanisms on flashover performances by establishing relationships among ‘microscopic structure‐mesoscopic charge transport‐macroscopic insulation failure’. Moreover, it elucidates the effects of chemical structure on surface trap parameters and surface charge transport concerning flashover performance. The review categorises and presents structure optimisation technologies that govern electric field distribution. All identified technologies highlight that achieving a uniform tangential electric field and reducing the normal electric field can effectively enhance flashover performance. Finally, this review proposes recommendations encompassing mathematical, chemical, evaluation, and manufacturing technologies. This systematic summary of current technologies, their influence mechanisms, and associated advantages and disadvantages in improving surface insulation performance is anticipated to be a pivotal component in flashover and future dielectric theory.
Mahan Ghosh, Nandika Anne D'Souza, Yunwei Xu
et al.
Lightweighting has been a key goal for engineers and designers, with lattice structures widely explored as the building blocks for structural components. Cellular structure-inspired lattice truss frame designs made of struts, have been extensively studied. All plate-based lattice designs have superior mechanical performance. Limits in scalability occur from formation of closed pockets limiting uv curing in processes like stereolithography (SLA). We examine hybrid frame and plate body-centered cubic-simply cubic (BCC-SC) lattices under compression. Unit cells and scaled up lattice exhibit an increase in yield stress and modulus with the addition of plates. The loading direction on the hybrid frame and plate unit cells affected the magnitude of improvement. Simulations and measurements indicated that the optimal lightweight lattice was determined to be when two plates were placed opposite each other with plates buttressing the struts, inhibiting buckling of the struts aligned with the loading direction. This lattice resulted in 63% improvement in specific modulus, a 137% improvement in specific yield point, and a 360% improvement in specific energy absorption (SEA) and the scaled up 4 × 4 × 4 scaled-up structures, showed a 107%, 148%, and 297% in specific modulus, specific yield point, and SEA, respectively A combined stretching-bending behavior was identified in optimal orientations reflecting the delayed buckling mechanism paired to a rising stress-strain curve past the elastic yield indicating bending resistance. The mass moment of inertia was found to be a key parameter correlating optimum orientation for the same number of plates added to the BCC-SC frame.
<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death, with breast, liver, and pancreatic cancers significantly contributing to this burden. Traditional treatments face issues including dose-limiting toxicity, drug resistance, and limited efficacy. Combining therapeutic agents can enhance effectiveness and reduce toxicity, but separate administration often leads to inefficiencies due to differing pharmacokinetics and biodistribution. Co-formulating hydrophobic chemotherapeutics such as paclitaxel (PTX) and hydrophilic immunologic agents such as polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly IC) is particularly challenging due to their distinct physicochemical properties. This study presents a novel and efficient approach for the co-delivery of PTX and Poly IC using chitosan-based nanoparticles. <b>Method:</b> Chitosan-PEG (CP) nanoparticles were developed to encapsulate both PTX and Poly IC, overcoming their differing physicochemical properties and enhancing therapeutic efficacy. <b>Results</b>: With an average size of ~100 nm, these nanoparticles facilitate efficient cellular uptake and stability. In vitro results showed that CP-PTX-Poly IC nanoparticles significantly reduced cancer cell viability in breast (4T1), liver (HepG2), and pancreatic (Pan02) cancer types, while also enhancing dendritic cell (DC) maturation. <b>Conclusions</b>: This dual-modal delivery system effectively combines chemotherapy and immunotherapy, offering a promising solution for more effective cancer treatment and improved outcomes.
O. P. Yavorovskyi, A. V. Ragulya, V. M. Riabovol
et al.
The aim: to study the influence of structural, spectral and quantum-chemical parameters of the synthesized TiO2, TiO2/Ag (4 wt. %) and TiO2/Ag (8 wt. %) nanosystems on biological activity.
Materials and methods. The structural-morphological, spectral, toxicological and cytotoxic properties of TiO2 nanomaterials with silver content in the range from 0 wt % to 8 wt. % for the direction of human biosafety were investigated. The TiO2/Ag composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and the results of high-level quantum chemical calculations.
Results. The optical activity of the TiO2/Ag composite was determined by Raman spectroscopy, which is confirmed by the shift in the Eg1 mode frequency from 143 cm-1 to 157 cm-1 and the FWHM in the range from 12 cm-1 to 19 cm-1 due to the decrease in the size of the TiO2 crystallites. The mode shift in nano-TiO2/Ag reflects a certain deformation of the anatase-modified titanium dioxide crystal lattice upon doping with silver. This leads to an increase in the ability to produce reactive oxygen species on the surface of the TiO2/Ag nanoparticle and to an increase in biological activity (4 wt. % Ag; 8 wt. % Ag) compared to undoped TiO2, providing an increase in their toxicity, which is confirmed by the values LD50, CC50 parameters, respectively. According to the results of quantum chemical calculations, it was established that during the adsorption of the Ag2 dimer on the surface of anatase in the Ti15O41H22Ag2 adsorption complex, two Ag atoms are involved with the formation of four Ag–O bonds, the length of which with the two-coordinated oxygen atoms of the TiO2 surface is 2.44 Å, and the Ag–Ag bond length increases to 2.75 Å, compared to the equilibrium distance in the diatomic Ag2 molecule (2.53 Å). This indicates the vibrationally excited state of the Ag2 diatomic fragment in the Ti15O41H22Ag2 adsorption complex. It should also be noted that the ionization potential of the adsorption complex decreased from 7.35 eV to 5.72 eV. The result of such changes is the increased reactivity of argentum atoms compared to their reactivity in the diatomic Ag2 molecule. Due to the fact that silver atoms adsorbed on the surface of anatase nanoparticles act as electron traps, the efficiency of separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs (excitons) with interphase electron transfer increases, which increases the photocatalytic and biocidal properties of silver-doped anatase.
Conclusions. There is a certain objective relationship between the physicochemical parameters of nanoparticles and their biological activity, which can be characterized not only qualitatively, but also quantitatively. Thus, in the materials of our research, the influence of their size, specific surface area, the presence of hydroxyl groups on the surface of the nanoparticle, the size of crystallites, the size of interatomic bonds, and the ionization potential on the toxicity of nanoparticles has been demonstrated. These data are of great scientific importance not only in terms of their hygienic regulation, but also in terms of further synthesis of safer nanomaterials.
Highlights The review provides a comprehensive summary of performance limits of the single two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide (2D-TMD) transistor. The review details the two logical expressions of the single 2D-TMD logic transistor, including current and voltage. The review demonstrates the two calculating methods for dynamic energy consumption of 2D synaptic devices.
While recognizing the vital role of teachers in augmented reality (AR) integration, a noticeable literature gap exists regarding how science educators address challenges related to technology, pedagogy, and content during AR instructional design and implementation. Conducted in a secondary school in Taiwan, this study addressed this gap by conducting a qualitative single-case analysis of a science teacher’s integration of AR technology into her biology lessons. The teacher’s pedagogical reasoning and action processes were observed and analyzed over 10 weeks, with a focus on micro-level exploration across two iterations of pedagogical analysis, design, implementation, reflection, and revision. The primary data collection includes teacher interviews, supplemented by teacher reflective notes, lesson plans, teaching materials, researcher observations and field notes taken during the weekly, one-hour teacher learning community meetings, and the AR-integrated lessons, student assessment results, and feedback. The study was informed by both the Technology Integration Planning model and the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge framework. Data analysis techniques involved deductive coding and thematic analysis. The findings reveal the teacher’s developmental proficiency in AR, a reimagined depiction of AR-enhanced instructional content, a shift from didactic-based to inquiry-based teaching approaches, and an intertwined development of technological pedagogical knowledge, technological content knowledge, and pedagogical content knowledge. This study provides valuable insights into how the educator became a pedagogical designer, overcame individual and contextual challenges, and leveraged reflective strategies to enhance biology lessons using AR technology, emphasizing technology’s potential to enrich pedagogy in science education.
Abstract Nanoparticles with high-index facets are intriguing because such facets can lend the structure useful functionality, including enhanced catalytic performance and wide-ranging optical tunability. Ligand-free solid-state syntheses of high index-facet nanoparticles, through an alloying-dealloying process with foreign volatile metals, are attractive owing to their materials generality and high yields. However, the role of foreign atoms in stabilizing the high-index facets and the dynamic nature of the transformation including the coarsening and facet regulation process are still poorly understood. Herein, the transformation of Pt salts to spherical seeds and then to tetrahexahedra, is studied in situ via gas-cell transmission electron microscopy. The dynamic behaviors of the alloying and dealloying process, which involves the coarsening of nanoparticles and consequent facet regulation stage are captured in the real time with a nanoscale spatial resolution. Based on additional direct evidence obtained using atom probe tomography and density functional theory calculations, the underlying mechanisms of the alloying-dealloying process are uncovered, which will facilitate broader explorations of high-index facet nanoparticle synthesis.
Jolanta H. Kotlinska, Pawel Grochecki, Agnieszka Michalak
et al.
Repeated maternal separation (MS) is a useful experimental model in rodents for studying the long-term influence of early-life stress on brain neurophysiology. In our work, we assessed the effect of repeated MS (postnatal day (PND)1–21, 180 min/day) on the postnatal development of rat brain regions involved in memory using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (<sup>1</sup>HMRS) for tissue volume and the level of amino acids such as glutamate, aspartate, glutamine, glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the hippocampus. We assessed whether these effects are sex dependent. We also use novel object recognition (NOR) task to examine the effect of MS on memory and the effect of ethanol on it. Finally, we attempted to ameliorate postnatal stress-induced memory deficits by using VU-29, a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of the metabotropic glutamate type 5 (mGlu5) receptor. In males, we noted deficits in the levels of glutamate, glycine and glutamine and increases in GABA in the hippocampus. In addition, the values of perirhinal cortex, prefrontal cortex and insular cortex and CA3 were decreased in these animals. MS females, in contrast, demonstrated significant increase in glutamate levels and decrease in GABA levels in the hippocampus. Here, the CA1 values alone were increased. VU-29 administration ameliorated these cognitive deficits. Thus, MS stress disturbs amino acids levels mainly in the hippocampus of adult male rats, and enhancement of glutamate neurotransmission reversed recognition memory deficits in these animals.
Nanomaterials (NMs) have increasingly been used for the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancers (HNCs) over the past decade. HNCs can easily infiltrate surrounding tissues and form distant metastases, meaning that most patients with HNC are diagnosed at an advanced stage and often have a poor prognosis. Since NMs can be used to deliver various agents, including imaging agents, drugs, genes, vaccines, radiosensitisers, and photosensitisers, they play a crucial role in the development of novel technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of HNCs. Indeed, NMs have been reported to enhance delivery efficiency and improve the prognosis of patients with HNC by allowing targeted delivery, controlled release, responses to stimuli, and the delivery of multiple agents. In this review, we consider recent advances in NMs that could be used to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of patients with HNC and the potential for future research.
Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials, Biology (General)
Abstract Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are promising candidates for next-generation energy storage systems owing to their high energy density and low cost. However, critical challenges including severe shuttling of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and sluggish redox kinetics limit the practical application of Li–S batteries. Carbon nitrides (C x N y ), represented by graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), provide new opportunities for overcoming these challenges. With a graphene-like structure and high pyridinic-N content, g-C3N4 can effectively immobilize LiPSs and enhance the redox kinetics of S species. In addition, its structure and properties including electronic conductivity and catalytic activity can be regulated by simple methods that facilitate its application in Li–S batteries. Here, the recent progress of applying CxNy-based materials including the optimized g-C3N4, g-C3N4-based composites, and other novel C x N y materials is systematically reviewed in Li–S batteries, with a focus on the structure–activity relationship. The limitations of existing C x N y -based materials are identified, and the perspectives on the rational design of advanced C x N y -based materials are provided for high-performance Li–S batteries.
The Upper Swirling Liquid Film (USLF) phenomenon that occurs in the upper cylinder of the Gas–Liquid Cylindrical Cyclone (GLCC) separator is the direct cause of the low separation efficiency of the liquid phase. In this study, first, the USLF formation and development were simulated by an improved Eulerian-EWF coupled simulated method. By introducing a profile-defined inlet boundary and considering entrainment droplet size distributions, the Eulerian-EWF method got reasonable results which agreed well with the experimental. Then, the flow characteristics and changing laws of the USLF including film thickness, film axial velocity, and film tangential velocity were analyzed by this method under different gas–liquid flow rates. It suggested that the liquid film thickness often reaches a maximum at the aspect ratio (z-z0)/D=(1.2–3.9) above the tangential inlet, and the film thickness appears to be more sensitive to the gas flow than to the liquid flow. For the film axial velocity, the direction of film velocity on the front and back sides seems to be generally opposite. Finally, typical distributions of the aforementioned USLF variables were presented and corresponded accordingly, and two obvious rules were found. One is that the position where the thickest liquid film is located always corresponds to the position where the axial film velocity turns from positive to negative for the first time. The other is that the tangential film velocity has a strong synchronous relationship with the film thickness. This research might provide somewhat valid information for the future LCO-prevented measurement in GLCC separators.
Abstract Despite global efforts to monitor, mitigate against, and prevent trash (mismanaged solid waste) pollution, no harmonized trash typology system has been widely adopted worldwide. This impedes the merging of datasets and comparative analyses. We addressed this problem by 1) assessing the state of trash typology and comparability, 2) developing a standardized and harmonized framework of relational tables and tools, and 3) informing practitioners about challenges and potential solutions. We analyzed 68 trash survey lists to assess similarities and differences in classification. We created comprehensive harmonized hierarchical tables and alias tables for item and material classes. On average, the 68 survey lists had 20.8% of item classes in common and 29.9% of material classes in common. Multiple correspondence analysis showed that the 68 surveys were not significantly different regarding organization type, ecosystem focus, or substrate focus. We built the Trash Taxonomy Tool (TTT) web-based application with query features and open access at openanalysis.org/trashtaxonomy. The TTT can be applied to improve, create, and compare trash surveys, and provides practitioners with tools to integrate datasets and maximize comparability. The use of TTT will ultimately facilitate improvements in assessing trends across space and time, identifying targets for mitigation, evaluating the effectiveness of prevention measures, informing policymaking, and holding producers responsible.
Environmental pollution, Polymers and polymer manufacture