RYUL KIM^1,#, JOO KYUNG PARK^2,#, MINSUK KWON³, MINAE AN⁴, JUNG YONG HONG¹, JOON OH PARK¹, SUNG HEE LIM^1,*, SEUNG TAE KIM^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.1, pp. 57-65, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.049054 - 20 December 2024

Abstract Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are effective in a subset of patients with metastatic solid tumors. However, the patients who would benefit most from ICIs in biliary tract cancer (BTC) are still controversial. Materials and methods: We molecularly characterized tissues and blood from 32 patients with metastatic BTC treated with the ICI pembrolizumab as second-line therapy. Results: All patients had microsatellite stable (MSS) type tumors. Three of the 32 patients achieved partial response (PR), with an objective response rate (ORR) of 9.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0–25.2) and nine showed stable disease (SD), exhibiting a disease… More >

Santiago Bañales^1,2,*, Raquel Dormido¹, Natividad Duro¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.142, No.1, pp. 869-907, 2025, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2024.054946 - 17 December 2024

Abstract Customer segmentation according to load-shape profiles using smart meter data is an increasingly important application to vital the planning and operation of energy systems and to enable citizens’ participation in the energy transition. This study proposes an innovative multi-step clustering procedure to segment customers based on load-shape patterns at the daily and intra-daily time horizons. Smart meter data is split between daily and hourly normalized time series to assess monthly, weekly, daily, and hourly seasonality patterns separately. The dimensionality reduction implicit in the splitting allows a direct approach to clustering raw daily energy time series… More > Graphic Abstract

Md. Riyadh Arefin^1,2, Md. Sabibul Haque¹, A. K. M. Golam Sarwar^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.12, pp. 3411-3442, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.058893 - 31 December 2024

Abstract Tea estates in Bangladesh are currently experiencing frequent waterlogging stress due to heavy rainfall or flooding under changing climate scenarios. The development of waterlogging-tolerant tea cultivars is, therefore, crucial for sustainable tea production with increased yield in waterlogging-affected areas. In this study, a total of two hundred tea genotypes were screened for waterlogging tolerance based on yield and quality potentials. Tea genotypes were raised at the nursery and evaluated with 13 traits at the seedling and mature stages. Descriptive and multivariate analysis of the recorded data of measured traits were performed for clustering the… More >

Jiangyi Zhou, Bin Cao, Sivakumar Esakkimuthu, Mao Mu^*, Shuang Wang^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.12, pp. 2069-2078, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.054905 - 20 December 2024

Abstract Seaweed, as a third generation of biomass energy, has significant potential to replace non-renewable fossil fuels. Among various conversion technologies, hydrothermal liquefaction can effectively convert seaweed into bio-oil. However, most current research on hydrothermal liquefaction products focuses on the oil phase and solid phase, with little attention given to the utilization of the aqueous phase by-product. In this study, the large seaweed Enteromorpha prolifera was selected as the raw material. The aqueous phase containing organic components was prepared through hydrothermal liquefaction at different temperatures, which was then mixed with the polymer polyvinyl alcohol to produce high-value… More >

Aswinraj Anbazhagan¹, Piyali Roy Choudhury¹, Sahila Sambandam², Jayakumari Lakshmanan Saraswathi^1,*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.41, No.4, pp. 299-313, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2024.056261 - 16 December 2024

Abstract Petroleum-based cured epoxy polymers, used widely in aerospace, marine, and automotive industries, pose environmental threats due to their toxicity. Therefore, developing alternative curing systems for epoxy resin is crucial. This study explores the use of bio-based phenalkamines as curing agents for epoxy resin to enhance the mechanical properties of polymer composites and fiber-reinforced laminates. The functional groups, morphology, and thermal properties of the composites were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Mechanical properties of two epoxy systems—EP-TETA (triethylenetetramine-cured) and EP-PA (phenalkamine-cured)—were evaluated according to ASTM standards. More > Graphic Abstract

Ivan Couée^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.11, pp. 2707-2714, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.058101 - 30 November 2024

Abstract The 15-carbon terpenoid abscisic acid (ABA) acts in vascular plants as a versatile hormone playing essential roles in reproductive development, vegetative development and growth, stress-development interactions, and physiological responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. Over the past 60 years, ABA dynamics, regulation, and responses have been progressively characterized: synthesis, transport and translocation, conjugation and deconjugation, metabolism, sensing, signal transduction, and downstream responses. In this context, the discovery of ABA exporters and importers has added novel dimensions to the understanding of ABA regulation. Moreover, since the initial discovery of the adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC) AtABCG25 exporter… More >

Junfei Tai¹, Zheng Fan^1,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.31, No.2, pp. 1-1, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.011059

Abstract The non-destructive characterization of material microstructures presents a significant and enduring challenge in the field. The sensitivity of elastic waves to the nuances of microstructural parameters positions ultrasound as a viable and potent method for non-destructive evaluation. However, enhancing the interaction between elastic waves and the internal microstructure typically involves utilizing wavelengths larger than the microstructural features, thereby rendering ultrasonic scattering as the predominant mechanism. This interaction is complicated by the fact that fundamental microstructural characteristics, such as grain size, morphology, and texture intensity, exert considerable and intertwined effects on ultrasonic scattering, complicating their separate… More >

Tanyawan Suwandecha¹, Supachai Pisuchpen^2,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.11, pp. 1811-1836, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.056334 - 22 November 2024

Abstract This study investigated the development of mycelium-based biofoams as sustainable cushioning materials using Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinus squarrosulus, combined with different sawdust substrates, and subjected to various pressing methods. The results indicated significant effects of mushroom species, sawdust type, and pressing method on the properties of biofoams. Growth rate, morphology, chemical composition, physical and mechanical properties, water resistance, and cushioning factor were evaluated. The results indicated that Lentinus squarrosulus (LS) exhibited faster growth rates (up to 14.37 mm/day) and produced biofoams with superior properties compared to Pleurotus ostreatus (PO). Core wood (CW) sawdust generally resulted in biofoams with lower… More > Graphic Abstract

Aruna M. Pugalenthi^*, Khaoula Khlie

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.11, pp. 1879-1893, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.055747 - 22 November 2024

Abstract With growing environmental concerns and the depletion of oil reserves, the need to replace synthetic fibres with sustainable alternatives in composite materials has become increasingly urgent. This study investigates the potential of Leptadenia pyrotechnica fibre as a sustainable reinforcement material in hybrid composites alongside E-glass fibres. The primary objectives are to assess these hybrid composites’ mechanical properties, structural integrity, and performance. To achieve this, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed to analyze the microstructure and chemical composition of the composites. At the same time, mechanical testing focused on properties such… More >

Yu Gong^1,*, Jianyu Zhang¹, Libin Zhao², Ning Hu²

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.30, No.3, pp. 1-2, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.011451

Abstract Advanced carbon fiber reinforced composite materials are increasingly being used in aerospace and other fields. Composite laminate structure is one of the commonly used configurations, but due to weak interlayer performance, interlayer delamination is prone to occur [1]. The occurrence and growth of delamination will seriously affect the overall integrity and safety of composite structures, making it a focus of attention in the design of laminated structures. Accurately characterizing the delamination mechanical properties of composite laminates and simulating delamination propagation behavior is the basis for damage tolerance design and analysis of composite structures with delamination… More >