Search Results (356)

This study evaluated the differential effects of an advanced Vivifrail D-level exercise intervention on arterial stiffness, functional fitness, and body composition in robust older women with varying baseline fitness levels. A total of 41 participants were assigned to a higher-fitness group (HFG, n = 22) or a lower-fitness group (LFG, n = 19) based on their 30 s chair stand performance. Over 12 weeks, both groups completed five weekly sessions incorporating strength, balance, aerobic, and dual-task elements. Significant within-group improvements were observed in the arm curl test (HFG: p = 0.031; LFG: p = 0.002), chair stand (LFG: p < 0.001), and 2 min step test (LFG: p = 0.002). Between-group analysis showed greater percentage gains in the LFG for the chair stand (33.8% ± 28.2% vs. 7.1% ± 21.6%, p = 0.001) and step test (13.7% ± 14.5% vs. 5.3% ± 14.7%, p = 0.040). No significant changes were found in handgrip strength, gait speed, pulse wave velocity, or muscle mass. These results suggest that the modified Vivifrail protocol enhances lower-limb endurance in lower-fitness individuals, but additional adaptations may be necessary to impact vascular and compositional outcomes. Full article

This study investigated whether prior eccentric exercise of knee extensors could attenuate muscle damage in ipsilateral elbow flexors, supporting the presence of an ipsilateral repeated bout effect (IL-RBE) across heterogeneous muscle groups. Sixteen young women were randomized into an intervention group (NL/NU) and a control group (C/NU). The NL/NU group performed eccentric knee extensor exercise 14 days before elbow flexor eccentric loading. Compared to the C/NU group, the NL/NU group exhibited an earlier return to baseline in muscle stiffness (D3: NL/NU = 1.14 ± 0.05 vs. Pre = 0.96 ± 0.03 m/s), joint release angle at 30° (D3: NL/NU = 22.79 ± 1.02 vs. Pre = 24.46 ± 0.87°), and joint release angle at 45° (D2: NL/NU = 37.75 ± 1.38 vs. Pre = 38.83 ± 0.87°), indicating a faster recovery trend in these specific neuromuscular and morphological measures. These results suggest that prior remote eccentric loading induces systemic and neuromuscular adaptations, facilitating improved functional recovery. The findings expand IL-RBE applicability to heterologous muscles within the same limb and support its integration into training and rehabilitation protocols. Full article

To enhance the accuracy of product recognition in non-store retail sales and address misidentification and missed detection caused by occlusion in densely placed goods, we propose an improved YOLOv8-based network: Dense-YOLO. We first introduce an enhanced multi-scale feature extraction module (EMFE) in the feature extraction layer and employ a lightweight feature fusion strategy (LFF) in the feature fusion layer to improve the network’s performance. Next, to enhance the performance of dense product recognition, particularly when handling small and multi-scale objects in complex settings, we propose a novel multi-scale dynamic interaction attention mechanism (MDIAM). This mechanism combines dynamic channel weight adjustment and multi-scale spatial convolution to emphasize crucial features, while avoiding overfitting and enhancing model generalization. Finally, a cross-layer feature interaction mechanism is introduced to strengthen the interaction between low- and high-level features, further improving the model’s expressive power. Using the public COCO128 dataset and over 2000 daily smart retail cabinet product images compiled in our laboratory, we created a dataset covering 50 product categories for ablation and comparison experiments. The experimental results indicate that the accuracy under MDIAM is improved by 1.6% compared to other top-performing models. The proposed algorithm achieves an mAP of 94.9%, which is a 1.0% improvement over the original model. The enhanced algorithm not only significantly improves the recognition accuracy of individual commodities but also effectively addresses the issues of misdetection and missed detection when multiple commodities are recognized simultaneously. Full article

The fast expanding market of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) demands industry-specific competence requirements for maintenance technicians. We have therefore generated a knowledge structure of BEV maintenance through a literature review and expert consensus. Consensus was achieved following a Delphi study of 15 industry experts through three rounds of refining a broad initial list of competencies. The resulting framework consists of four core competency categories (Professional Knowledge, Professional Skills, Professional Attitude, and Personal Qualities), which are further divided into a total of 24 subcategories and 106 specific indicators that define the boundary of professional skill as well as core skill essentials. This approved tool can be used strategically for workforce grooming, curriculum design for training, and performance assessment in BEV maintenance to ensure that technical workforce capabilities are in line with sustainable mobility targets of the industry. Full article

The relationship between wind and waves has been extensively studied over time. However, understanding the local wind and wave relationship remains crucial for advancing renewable energy development and optimizing ocean management strategies. This study used wind and wave data collected by the ten weather buoys in the waters surrounding Taiwan to analyze regional sea states. The relationship between wind speed and significant wave height (SWH) was examined using regression analysis. Additionally, machine learning techniques were employed to assess the relative importance of features contributing to SWH growth. The regression analysis revealed that SWH in the waters surrounding Taiwan was not fully developed, with notable discrepancies observed between the waters east and west of Taiwan. According to the power law formula describing the relationship between wind speed and SWH, the eastern waters exhibited a larger prefactor coupled with a smaller scaling exponent, while the western waters manifested a converse parametric configuration. Through an evaluation of four machine learning algorithms, it was determined that wind speed is the most influential factor driving these regional differences, especially in the waters west of Taiwan. Beyond wind speed, air pressure or temperature emerged as the secondary feature factor governing wind–wave interactions in the waters east of Taiwan. Full article

Background/Objectives: Common carotid artery dissection (CCAD) can result in severe neurological sequelae; however, its diagnosis may be challenging due to consciousness disturbance and aphasia. The objective of this article is to propose a new imaging feature to assist in the identification of CCAD. Methods: This retrospective case series enrolled 139 patients with discharge diagnoses of aortic dissection who underwent carotid ultrasound during admission over a period of three years. Results: Among these patients, 23 had type A aortic dissection, and 113 had type B aortic dissection or related conditions. Notably, among the 23 patients with type A aortic dissection, eight had associated common carotid artery dissection (CCAD), and a total of nine CCAD events were identified. Meanwhile, a B-mode ultrasound revealed six double lumens with intimal flaps and three intramural thrombi. The ‘train-line’ pattern in ultrasonography was discerned by detecting a hypoechoic thickened wall, which was characterized by a margin formed by two parallel linear reflections in close proximity. This distinctive “train-line” pattern was identified in three intimal flaps and two intramural thrombi. Conclusions: While double lumens and intramural thrombus are prevalent findings, the latter may be misinterpreted as atherosclerotic plaque. The “train-line” pattern may aid in distinguishing intramural thrombus from atheromatous plaque, offering an additional diagnostic tool alongside the identification of double lumens with intimal flaps. Full article

Background and Objectives: The limited literature on the significance and risk factors of intraoperative anastomotic leakage (IAL) following Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (Rs-RARP) highlights the need for further investigation. This study aimed to assess the incidence of IAL, identify its associated risk factors, and evaluate its clinical implications. Materials and Methods: Patients with prostate adenocarcinoma who underwent Rs-RARP performed by a single surgeon between February 2015 and August 2023 were included in this study. Positive IAL was defined as the presence of anastomotic leakage identified through a water injection test performed immediately after vesicourethral anastomosis (VUA). Postoperative urinary continence was defined as the use of no pads or only a safety pad. Patients were categorized into two groups: those with positive IAL and those without. Immediate repair was performed in cases of positive IAL, and cystography was conducted approximately 10–14 days postoperatively. Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, Mann–Whitney U test, as well as univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses, were used to evaluate the risk factors associated with IAL. Additionally, we analyzed the continence rate and the time to achieve continence following surgery. Results: A total of 230 patients underwent Rs-RARP for prostate adenocarcinoma performed by a single surgeon at our center during the aforementioned period. A water injection test was performed in all patients immediately after the VUA. IAL was observed in 32 patients (14%) during the water injection test. Postoperative cystography revealed very mild contrast medium leakage in only two patients (0.9%), with no impact on clinical recovery. No major IAL cases were identified on postoperative cystography. Patients with positive IAL required a significantly longer time to achieve continence compared to those without IAL (2.13 vs. 0.46 months, p = 0.008). Univariable analysis showed that a locally advanced T stage (>T2), longer console time, and absence of nerve-sparing were significantly associated with positive IAL. In multivariable analysis, a longer console time and a locally advanced T stage remained significant predictors of IAL. Conclusions: IAL detected by the water injection test was associated with the development of postoperative urinary incontinence and delayed recovery of continence. A tumor stage greater than T2 and longer console time were significant predictors of IAL. Further prospective randomized studies with larger sample sizes are required to validate our findings. Full article

Edible chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.), widely consumed in Asia, is rich in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and amino acids. Optimizing cultivation temperature is critical for maximizing both yield and quality, especially under the challenges posed by climate change. This study evaluated the growth performance, photosynthetic characteristics, and metabolite accumulation of the ‘Taiwan Hangju No. 1’ variety under five day/night temperature regimes (15/13 °C, 20/15 °C, 25/20 °C, 30/25 °C, and 35/30 °C) over a 220-day period in an artificial climate greenhouse. The 25/20 °C regime promoted the best overall growth, with the highest yields of bud-leaves and flowers, and supported the highest net photosynthetic rate, indicating optimal carbon assimilation under moderate temperatures. In contrast, stomatal conductance, respiration rate, and transpiration rate increased with temperature, peaking at 35/30 °C. Water use efficiency was greatest at 15/13 °C. Bioactive compound accumulation exhibited complex and organ-specific responses to temperature. The concentration of polyphenols, luteolin, and caffeoylquinic acid derivatives (CQAs) increased with temperature in both bud-leaves and flowers, free amino acids decreased in bud-leaves with rising temperature, reaching a peak at 15/13 °C, and flavonoid concentration peaked at 35/30 °C. In flowers, free amino acids accumulated most at 20/15 °C, and flavonoids peaked at 25/20 °C. The differing yields of bud-leaves and flowers under various temperature conditions contributed to variation in the total content of functional compounds. Except for free amino acids, the total of other functional compounds in bud-leaves was highest at 30/25 °C. The total content of all functional compounds in flowers was highest at 25/20 °C. This study demonstrated that 25/20 °C provides the best balance between growth, photosynthetic efficiency, and accumulation of key bioactive compounds and is therefore recommended as the optimal cultivation temperature for ‘Taiwan Hangju No. 1’. These findings reveal temperature-dependent and organ-specific metabolic adjustments, suggesting that moderate warming may enhance crop quality if managed carefully. The results provide a scientific basis for climate-adaptive cultivation strategies of edible chrysanthemums in subtropical regions. Full article

Background: Survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) after external cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) have a mortality rate as high as 50–70%. The use of vasoactive inotropes worsen the mortality rate at admission. The administration of levosimendan within 72 h of ECPR facilitates extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) weaning, so it is important to determine whether levosimendan improves mortality. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 158 patients with OHCA of cardiac origin who had undergone ECPR and were hospitalized between January 2015 and December 2024. This study was conducted in the intensive care unit of China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. Twenty-three patients received levosimendan within 72 h, whereas the others did not receive levosimendan. Primary endpoints included ECMO weaning failure rate and 90-day all-cause mortality rate. Kaplan–Meier survival curve analysis was also performed. Covariates for all-cause mortality were estimated and adjusted by using Cox regression modeling. Results: The levosimendan group exhibited lower rates of ECMO weaning failure and 90-day all-cause mortality than the control group (13.0% vs. 52.6% and 17.4% vs. 57.0%, respectively; both p < 0.001). The 90-day survival curve analysis revealed that the levosimendan and control groups had survival rates of 82.6% and 43.0%, respectively (log-rank p < 0.001). Administration of levosimendan within 72 h resulted in a odds ratio of 0.36 (95% confidence interval: 0.18−0.79, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Administering levosimendan within 72 h of ECPR could be a protective factor in improving all-cause mortality. Full article

As a critical fastener connecting steel rails, fish-tail bolts ensure the safety of railway transportation. To improve the efficiency of fish-tail bolt loosening detection, this paper proposes a computer vision-based method for detecting fish-tail bolt looseness under tilted perspectives. The method first identifies bolt positions and coordinates of corner points on rail clamp edges through object detection and key point detection. Then, considering diverse rail clamp dimensions and combining with bolt positions, it employs dual perspective transformations for image rectification. Finally, utilizing the Lightweight OpenPose network, angle recognition of key bolt edges is achieved through Gaussian ring-shaped smooth labels, with loosening determination made by comparing angular variations across temporal frames. In experimental validation, tests were first conducted on a public dial-reading dataset for pointer angle recognition, showing a minimum average error of only 0.8°, which verifies the algorithm’s feasibility. Subsequently, based on fish-tail bolt images captured under various tilted perspectives, we constructed a self-made dataset of bolt key edges and performed loosening detection experiments. For bolt images in boundary postures, after rotation preprocessing, the average detection error was reduced to 0.7°. When the loosening threshold was set to 2.1°, the detection accuracy reached 97%. Experimental results indicate that the proposed method effectively identifies fish bolt loosening, providing crucial technical reference for railway safety maintenance. Full article

Thermal shock testing has long been employed to assess thermal barrier coatings (TBCs), with crack formation and propagation on TBC surfaces serving as important indicators of fracture toughness. In this study, the influence of preexisting cracks within TBC coatings was investigated. These cracks can help alleviate stress concentrations at the interface and within the thermally grown oxide (TGO) layers of the TBC model. In other words, surface crack propagation may eventually intersect the interface, leading to delamination and spallation. This research focused on modifying the volume fraction of functionally graded materials (FGMs) and optimizing preexisting surface cracks in TBCs to extend their lifespan before delamination occurs. The accuracy of the J-integral and displacement correlation technique (DCT) methods was evaluated for use in thermal shock testing simulations. The results showed that both the stress intensity factor (SIF) and interface tensile stress of preexisting cracks were significantly reduced when the volume fraction was set at N = 3. Furthermore, the SIF values demonstrated strong agreement with calculations using the J-integral and DCT methods. The SIF for preexisting cracks dropped to below 62.42% of the fracture toughness when the crack length was approximately 50% of the TBC coating thickness in FGM structures, with a crack density of 10 cracks per inch (CPI). Full article

The timing jitter of a single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) plays a critical role in the design and optimization of front-end circuits. This paper proposes a simplified timing jitter model based on Verilog-A. This model uses random numbers to determine the locations of photon absorptions and carrier avalanches based on absorption and avalanche probabilities, thereby achieving a calculation of the response time. By introducing photon detection probability, the model has corrected the response time obtained under ideal assumptions and achieved compatibility with excess bias voltage effects, which can describe the Gaussian peak of the timing jitter concisely and effectively. The simulation results are in good agreement with the measurement results, demonstrating the advantages of this model in terms of accuracy, flexibility, and adaptability. The model provides support for the collaborative optimization of the design of SPAD devices and circuits. Full article

Urbanization presents significant challenges to biodiversity but also offers opportunities for its protection and development. While uncontrolled urban expansion has a destructive impact on biodiversity, effective urban planning can play a positive role in protecting and maintaining urban biodiversity. The positive role of human factors, such as urban planning, can protect and maintain the healthy development of urban biodiversity. This study conducted an in-depth analysis of the evolution of various wildlife migration corridors throughout the full-cycle construction of Xiong’an New Area (Xiong’an) in China, revealing the impact of urbanization on these networks. Habitats for species like Sus scrofa, Bufo gargarizans, and Parus minor have notably increased. Between 2016 and 2023, Sus scrofa habitats grew from 35 to 44, large-toed frog habitats from 24 to 35, and Chinese tit habitats remained stable. By the planning phase, Sus scrofa habitats expanded to 87, large-toed frog habitats to 97, and Chinese tit habitats to 58. Habitat areas also grew significantly, especially for Sus scrofa, which increased from 2873.84 hectares in 2016 to 7527.97 hectares in the planning phase. Large-toed frog habitats grew from 2136.86 hectares to 6982.78 hectares, while Chinese tit habitats expanded from 1894.25 hectares to 3679.71 hectares. These changes suggest that urban parks and green spaces have provided more extensive habitats for these species. In terms of migration networks, the number of dispersal routes increased considerably. In 2016, Sus scrofa had 77 routes, large-toed frogs had 16, and Chinese tits had 77. By 2023, Sus scrofa and large-toed frog routes increased to 91 and 49, respectively, while Chinese tit routes remained stable. In the planning phase, Sus scrofa routes surged to 232, large-toed frogs to 249, and Chinese tits to 152, indicating a denser migration network. The distribution of ecological pinchpoints also changed significantly. By 2023 and in the planning phase, pinchpoints were concentrated in densely built areas, reflecting urbanization’s impact on the ecological network. The ecological resilience, assessed through network performance, showed a gradual recovery. The ecological connectivity index decreased from 8.25 in 2016 to 7.29 in 2023, then rebounded to 11.37 in the planning phase, indicating that the ecosystem had adapted after initial urbanization pressures. Full article

Freshwater resources that humans can use directly account for 2.5 percent. Fog collection from the atmosphere is an eco-friendly and potential solution to the water shortage crisis. This study presents a biomimetic approach to fog collection inspired by the Namib Desert beetle and cacti. Using fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing and atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) treatment, we fabricated hybrid wettability surfaces combining hydrophobic polypropylene (PP) and super hydrophilic polycarbonate (PC). These surfaces significantly improved fog collection efficiency, achieving 366.2 g/m²/h rates by leveraging the Laplace pressure gradient and hybrid wettability gradient. This work provides an efficient and effective methodology to fabricate hybrid wetting surfaces and can be potentially applied to fog harvesting and microfluidic devices. Full article