Direct numerical simulations (DNS) of laboratory-scale Bunsen flames have been conducted to reproduce the Cambridge piloted Bunsen flame, using lean hydrogen-methane blends over a broad range of conditions and thermodiffusive (TD) instability parameter; three nominal Karlovitz numbers (5, 20 and 100), each at four blend fractions (0%, 40%, 70% and 100% hydrogen by volume). The TD response in the Bunsen flames is consistent with previous flame-in-a-box (FIAB) simulations, as is the dual flame nature of TD-unstable blends; hydrogen burns rapidly in positively-curved regions and the methane left behind burns slowly in negatively-curved regions. Isosurfaces from FIAB and Bunsen flames highlight configuration differences, which could be due to two factors: firstly, the jet develops spatially in the streamwise direction (until it interacts with itself due to its inherent limited size), whereas the FIAB develops temporally (until it reaches the largest surface area that can be accommodated in the periodic box); secondly, confinement of dilatation by periodic boundaries in the FIAB may broaden the flame brush. Different measurements of flame surface area are compared; specifically, directly-measured temperature isosurfaces, a binarised flame surface density (FSD) following the experimental approach, and generalised FSD. The binarised FSD is shown to agree well with the direct measurement of isosurface; the experimental approach is valid. The results also demonstrate that 3D statistics can be faithfully inferred from 2D slices from DNS data (with the appropriate correction), even for the most unstable flames considered here. Joint probability density functions of local flame speed and curvature agree well with corresponding turbulent FIAB simulations, despite challenges attributing a single Karlovitz number. Similarly, the mean local flame speeds agree well with the empirical model, but flame surface areas are significantly smaller than the model developed in FIAB. The more local metrics translate well from FIAB, whereas the more global metrics are configuration-dependent. Finally, the models are combined with a shape factor to formulate a model for flame height, which generally presents good agreement with the measurements.

Small extracellular vesicles as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in breast Cancer.

The tyranny of choice: Unpacking the dual nature of channel decision autonomy in shaping consumer stickiness and costly switching in omnichannel retail

In tropical peatland regions, direct chlorination of peat water is a common household practice to improve clarity and ensure microbial safety. However, this simple treatment can produce toxic disinfection by-products (DBPs) due to the high organic matter and acidity of peat water. This perspective examines the dual nature of chlorination-its effectiveness in removing bacteria and reducing color, versus its role in generating hazardous halogenated compounds. Chlorine reacts with humic and fulvic substances, yielding trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, and other DBPs with mutagenic and carcinogenic potential. In the absence of controlled dosing and residual monitoring, households often use excessive chlorine, allowing prolonged reactions and increasing DBP concentrations. Field observations in Indonesian peatland communities indicate that chlorination is typically guided by visual cues rather than quantitative control, leading to a false sense of safety. The paper highlights the urgent need for risk awareness, simple pre-treatment steps to remove precursors, and practical dosing guidance to balance microbial and chemical safety. Future efforts should emphasize locally appropriate technologies such as biochar filtration, natural coagulants, or hybrid UV-chlorination systems. Ensuring safe drinking water for peatland populations requires integrating scientific understanding, community education, and policy action to reduce DBP exposure without compromising microbial protection.

The inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF) is a major occipitotemporal white matter bundle involved in higher-order visual and cognitive functions. However, its anatomical consistency, structural organization, and distinction from adjacent tracts remain controversial. The aim of this study was to address these debates by investigating the dual nature of occipitotemporal connections, refining the classification of ILF subcomponents, and reassessing the inclusion of the dorsolateral occipital cortex component (DLOCC) in the ILF. Cadaveric dissection was performed on 10 hemispheres from 5 neurologically healthy donors. Specimens were fixed, frozen, and dissected under an operating microscope according to Klingler's technique. The superficial U-fibers were peeled away to expose long associative fibers, and their cortical origins, trajectories, and relationships with surrounding structures were documented. Complementary diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed in 5 subjects with no evidence of neurological disease and 20 subjects from the Human Connectome Project database. DTI data were acquired and analyzed with deterministic fiber tracking. Manual region-of-interest placement, length-based filtering, and shape analysis enabled reconstruction of short and long fiber tracts, corresponding to those identified in anatomical dissections. The integration of ex vivo and in vivo findings allowed detailed mapping and classification of occipitotemporal pathways. The investigation revealed consistent indirect U-fiber chains and direct long-range fascicles. The vertical occipital fasciculus and a distinct occipito-fusiform fasciculus (OFF) were identified, the latter of which connected the superior occipital gyrus to the anterior fusiform and inferior temporal gyrus. The fusiform component was found to be a thin intragyral tract with selective termination in the anterior fusiform gyrus. Furthermore, the cuneolingual component, which combines the lingual and cuneal fibers, was defined and showed common temporal terminations and overlapping anatomy. The DLOCC, while anatomically consistent, exhibited greater similarity and overlap with the middle longitudinal fasciculus (MdLF) than with the core ILF. Tractography confirmed these findings, showing diverging courses and terminations. These findings support a dual-model framework of occipitotemporal connectivity, comprising both direct and indirect fibers. The ILF should be redefined to include only the fusiform and cuneolingual components, with the DLOCC more accurately attributed to a distinct parietotemporal system alongside the MdLF. The OFF represents a separate underrecognized tract. This refined anatomical framework enhances the understanding of occipitotemporal pathways and might inform future functional and clinical studies.

The testis is an immune-privileged organ that balances protection of developing germ cells with the need to respond to pathogens. This review summarizes the dual nature of testicular immunity. A tolerogenic microenvironment is maintained through the blood-testis barrier (BTB) and immunomodulatory factors from Sertoli and Leydig cells, which suppress immune activation and preserve spermatogenesis. When infection, inflammation, or environmental stress disrupts this balance, immune responses shift toward pathology, inducing inflammatory cascades, apoptosis, and impaired fertility. We highlight the tightly regulated complement system, the plasticity and crosstalk of testicular immune cells-including macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs), T cells, and B cells-and the central role of the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-Reactive oxygen species (ROS) axis in mediating inflammation and cell death. Viral infections further induce remodeling of the BTB, perturb immune homeostasis, and contribute to the development of orchitis. Overall, testicular immunity exhibits both protective and pathogenic features, offering insights for targeted therapies in male reproductive immune disorders.

PROX1 is a conserved transcription factor with context-dependent roles in cancer. This review evaluates its dual nature as both an oncogenic driver and a tumor suppressor. This review, which involved scanning of pertinent literature, describes and evaluates recent research on the biological functions and mechanisms of PROX1 in malignancies. The functions of PROX1 in cancer are highly context-dependent. In gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, and glioma, PROX1 acts as an oncogenic driver. Conversely, in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, it serves as a tumor suppressor. In hepatocellular carcinoma, breast cancer, thyroid carcinoma, and vascular tumors, PROX1 exhibits a dual role. Specifically, in different types of vascular tumors, the expression of PROX1 is more closely associated with the lymphatic endothelial phenotype. Although it also partially indicates a malignant phenotype, this association is not entirely consistent. The functional switch of PROX1 is primarily governed by its subcellular localization and interaction with specific targets. Its significant heterogeneity across cancer stages necessitates the development of more precise, context-aware diagnostic and treatment protocols. PROX1 is a multifaceted transcription factor, with both tumor-suppressive and oncogenic roles in diverse cancers. Its diverse functions underscore the necessity for a nuanced understanding of its mechanisms in different cancer types and suggest that PROX1 holds significant potential as a therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker. This provides new avenues for the prevention and treatment of tumor diseases in the future.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which possess their characteristic structural, electrical, and chemical properties, have become flexible nanomaterials in the theranostics of cancer. They can deliver drugs precisely to their intended target due to their high surface area, tunable surface chemistry, and biological intactness through their ability to cross biological barriers and enhance imaging, as well as enabling new forms of treatment, including photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy. The clinical efficacy of these light-based modalities is, however, limited because the shallow penetration of the light in the near-infrared (NIR) light can diminish the efficacy of treatment on tumours that are deep-seated. The physicochemical properties that predispose CNTs to be useful in treating the human body also provoke valid questions about the safety of this approach in the long-term, especially concerning carcinogenic effects. This review has critically discussed the dual nature of CNTs in oncology, synthesizing the current developments in the therapeutic applications of CNTs, and describes mechanistic insights about their toxicity. CNTs are used to enhance cancer therapy in terms of their application as drug carriers, radiosensitizers, and immune modulators, and comment on their diagnostic application in multimodal imaging. The CNT/PEI/durvalumab nanoagent systems are among them, and they are preclinical studies that have been carried out primarily on animal models. On the other hand, this review evaluates the increasing evidence that links CNT exposure to oxidative stress, mitochondrial malfunctioning, inflammation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and endothelial leakiness pathways that have been implicated in tumorigenesis and metastasis. The review outlines the significance of standardization of functionalization procedures, strict toxicological testing, and the long-term biocompatibility by comparison of therapeutic benefits and biological risks. These risks and benefits have to be weighed to provide a way of balancing the safety of CNT-based nanotechnologies to leap clinical oncology using the resulting experimental models to guide researchers, clinicians, and regulatory officials.

The formation of a body-axis is central to animal development and involves both polarity and morphology. While polarity is traditionally associated with biochemical patterning, the morphological aspect of axis formation remains elusive. In regenerating Hydra tissues, we find that morphological evolution in all tissue samples depends on inherited positional information from the donor's axis, and a foot precursor emerges early in the process. From the onset of regeneration, the Ca2+ excitations that drive actomyosin forces for tissue reshaping follow a gradient aligned with the inferred head-foot polarity direction. We conclude that polarity and morphological axis progression occur concurrently through interlinked processes. In this progression, the early and reproducible emergence of a foot precursor provides a robust morphological marker of axis formation, a role often discussed primarily in the context of the head organizer. A toy model accounts for the observed regeneration dynamics and illustrates the mechanochemical integration of polarity and morphogenesis. We expect the insights from Hydra to be relevant to broader developmental systems.

Increasing antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections pose a global public health challenge that demands therapeutic strategies beyond conventional antibiotics. The cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway is crucial to innate immune defense through cytosolic DNA detection and antimicrobial response initiation. Emerging evidence suggests that antibiotic-resistant bacteria can subvert or overactivate this pathway, leading to immune evasion and excessive inflammation. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, and multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis exploit cGAS-STING signaling to suppress host immunity or trigger damaging hyperinflammatory responses. This highlights the dual nature of the cGAS-STING pathway in bacterial infections. STING agonists may enhance immune responses against persistent infections, and STING inhibitors can mitigate excessive inflammation caused by resistant pathogens. Targeting the cGAS-STING pathway represents a host-directed therapy that modulates host immunity rather than targeting pathogens. Understanding the interplay between cGAS-STING signaling and antibiotic resistance mechanisms is essential for developing next-generation immunotherapeutics to complement conventional antibacterial treatments.

The innate immune system serves as the primary barrier against viral invasion, utilizing pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to orchestrate a rapid defense. Among these, the nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat (NLR) containing proteins function as central signaling scaffolds, assembling into multiprotein complexes known as inflammasomes. These complexes drive the maturation of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18, and initiate gasdermin D (GSDMD)-mediated pyroptosis, a lytic cell death pathway that eliminates intracellular replication niches. This comprehensive review synthesizes the diversified landscape of inflammasome activation during viral infections, extending beyond the canonical NLRP3 inflammasome to include specialized sensors such as NLRP6, NLRP9, NLRP1, NLRP12, and NLRC4. We critically evaluate the evolutionary “arms race” between host defenses and viral pathogens, detailing the sophisticated immune evasion strategies employed by viruses—ranging from the expression of decoy proteins and direct proteolytic cleavage of immune sensors to the manipulation of post-translational modifications (PTMs). Furthermore, we discuss the dual nature of inflammasome activation, which balances protective viral clearance against pathological hyperinflammation, and provide an exhaustive analysis of novel therapeutic strategies, including direct NLR inhibitors and downstream cytokine blockers, currently navigating clinical transition.

Photon's dual nature, manifesting as both wave-like and particle-like behavior, is a phenomenon known as wave-particle duality and remains one of the most perplexing mysteries in quantum mechanics. In this work, we explore the relationships among the wave behavior, particle behavior, and entanglement of quantum states. We show the strong complementary relationships for bipartite isolated systems in terms of the generalized quantum entropic measures. This provides a measure-independent result going beyond all the existing complementary results based on specific measures. We further extend the results for non-isolated systems.

Synergistic hydrothermal treatment of sewage sludge and phosphorus tailings via iron-polyphenol coating: Mechanistic insights into enhanced dewatering and detoxification.

Electron interactions in quantum materials fundamentally shape their energy bands and, with them, the material's most intriguing quantum phases. Magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene (MATBG)1-3 has emerged as a model system in which flat bands lead to a variety of such phases, yet the precise nature of these bands has remained elusive owing to the lack of high-resolution momentum-space probes. Here we use the quantum twisting microscope (QTM) to directly image the interacting energy bands of MATBG with unprecedented momentum and energy resolution. Away from the magic angle, the observed bands closely follow the single-particle theory. At the magic angle, however, we observe bands that are completely transformed by interactions, exhibiting light and heavy electronic character at different parts of momentum space. On doping, the interplay between these light and heavy components leads to a variety of notable phenomena, including interaction-induced bandwidth renormalization, Mott-like cascades of the heavy particles and Dirac revivals of the light particles. We also uncover a persistent low-energy excitation tied to the heavy sector, suggesting a new unaccounted degree of freedom. These results resolve the long-standing puzzle in MATBG-the dual nature of its electrons-by showing that it originates from electrons at different momenta within the same topological heavy-fermion-like flat bands. More broadly, our results establish the QTM as a powerful tool for high-resolution spectroscopic studies of quantum materials previously inaccessible to conventional techniques.

Scholars increasingly recognize the existence of voice habit, wherein employees speak up automatically without considering relevant situational factors, being able to control their impulse to voice, and exerting effort in deciding whether to voice. However, a lack of theory testing and an absence of a psychometrically valid measure have called into question its theoretical usefulness as well as its construct validity. Moreover, contrary to Lam et al.'s (2018) theorizing on the interpersonal costs and intrapersonal benefits of voice habit, research on the reticence bias suggests the opposite: Habitual voicers may gain interpersonal benefits by experiencing higher supervisor liking, but they may also suffer intrapersonal costs by experiencing voice regret. Integrating these divergent insights with theorizing on voice habit, we predict that voice habit may elicit supervisor liking when supervisors perceive habitual voicers as having higher prosocial motives or behavioral integrity, even though habitual voicers may experience regret in work units with a weaker voice climate. Results from a multiwave, multisource field study with 435 employees and 135 supervisors using a 12-item validated scale of voice habit support our hypotheses. Our work provides a direct test and extension of the recently proposed theorizing on voice habit and introduces a psychometrically valid measure for future research use. Our findings also empirically support the dual nature of voice habit, highlighting both its potential functional interpersonal outcomes in relation to supervisors and its potential dysfunctional intrapersonal outcomes for habitual voicers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Differential roles of SALL transcription factors in breast cancer: Potential biomarkers.

Cytotoxicity unleashed: how Prymnesium parvum extract drives RTgill-W1 rainbow trout cells into cell death.

Bitterness in food exhibits a dual nature. It functions as a distinctive flavor attribute but also triggers consumer aversion, despite the health benefits of certain bitter compounds. This constitutes a "sensory-health paradox" that complicates their commercial value. Conventional strategies for mitigating bitterness often rely on isolated techniques. However, they lack an integrated framework that considers bitterness through thecontinuum of "compound formation-perception-regulation." This article systematically reviews the mechanisms underlying bitterness formation and mitigation from two primary perspectives. These include metabolite-habitat coupling (interactions between bitter compounds and environmental factors) and material interactions (interactions between bitter compounds and other components). It provides a comprehensive overview of bitter compound accumulation during food growth, storage, and processing. Furthermore, it critically examines factors influencing bitterness perception, including saliva, bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs), cortical processing, and cross-modal integration. Recent advances in bitterness mitigation strategies are highlighted alongside promising directions for future research. A comprehensive approach that regulates internal metabolism (e.g., breeding, feeding) and external factors (e.g., environment, processing) can effectively reduce bitter compounds in organisms. Moreover, the bitterness perception mechanism has been clarified by integrating bitter compound binding to TAS2Rs, specific recognition processes, and neural signaling pathways. Small-molecule bitter taste inhibitors (BTIs) alleviate bitterness by blocking receptor activation or signaling. Macromolecular BTIs prevent TAS2R activation by interacting with bitter compounds. Future research should combine targeted debittering and bitterness inhibition strategies, promoting the creation of healthy, palatable foods.

The dual nature of workplace incivility in the Indian IT sector: Exploring factors shaping perceptions of 'opportunity' or 'harm'.

In the current digital era, data science has emerged as a transformative discipline with profound potential for reshaping the educational landscape. This paper explores the multifaceted role of data science—specifically through educational data mining (EDM) and learning analytics—in enhancing teaching and learning processes across various platforms. Through a critical literature review, the study examines the dual nature of data utilization. On one hand, it highlights significant benefits such as personalized learning, early detection of student behavioral patterns, and evidence-based decision-making. On the other hand, it addresses critical risks, including privacy concerns, ethical violations, social stereotyping (labeling), and the potential commodification of education by corporate interests. The analysis further demonstrates that an overreliance on quantitative metrics risks neglecting the psychological dimensions and sociocultural contexts inherent in human learning. To mitigate these imbalances, the paper proposes the application of the DELICATE framework (determination, explain, legitimate, involve, consent, anonymize, technical aspects, and external partners) to ensure transparency and data protection. The study concludes by emphasizing a necessary shift from a purely technocratic perspective to a human-centered design approach. The authors argue that data science should serve as a pedagogical support tool rather than a substitute for teacher intuition. By integrating quantitative methods with qualitative-ethnographic approaches, a more just, innovative, and humane educational environment can be achieved.