Search Results (354)

Ample evidence has recognized the importance of teacher support for children’s mental health. However, less is known about the factors that may play a role in the association between teacher support and children’s mental health. In the present study, we examined the mediating role of self-concept and the moderating role of area (i.e., rural vs. urban area) in the relationship between teacher support and children’s mental health (i.e., depression and anxiety). We used a sample of Chinese elementary students who enrolled in grades 3 to 6 (N = 525, aged 8–13, 44.54% girls). Results showed that children who perceived more teacher support tended to report better mental health. Moreover, the relationship between perceived teacher support and mental health was mediated by each domain of self-concept. Lastly, the association between teacher support and mental health was moderated by area, with a stronger effect found for urban children compared with rural children. These findings highlight the importance of considering both individual and contextual factors in the association between teacher support and children’s mental health. Practical strategies are proposed for school teachers, professionals, and policymakers to foster children’s psychological well-being. Full article

Predictive maintenance (PdM) is a proactive strategy that enhances safety, minimizes unplanned downtime, and optimizes operational costs by forecasting equipment failures before they occur. This study presents a novel Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)-accelerated predictive maintenance framework for UAV engines using a Singular Value Decomposition (SVD)-optimized Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model. The model performs binary classification to predict the likelihood of imminent engine failure by processing normalized multi-sensor data, including temperature, pressure, and vibration measurements. To enable real-time deployment on resource-constrained UAV platforms, the LSTM’s weight matrices are compressed using Singular Value Decomposition (SVD), significantly reducing computational complexity while preserving predictive accuracy. The compressed model is executed on a Xilinx ZCU-104 FPGA and uses a pipelined, AXI-based hardware accelerator with efficient memory mapping and parallelized gate calculations tailored for low-power onboard systems. Unlike prior works, this study uniquely integrates a tailored SVD compression strategy with a custom hardware accelerator co-designed for real-time, flight-safe inference in UAV systems. Experimental results demonstrate a 98% classification accuracy, a 24% reduction in latency, and substantial FPGA resource savings—specifically, a 26% decrease in BRAM usage and a 37% reduction in DSP consumption—compared to the 32-bit floating-point SVD-compressed FPGA implementation, not CPU or GPU. These findings confirm the proposed system as an efficient and scalable solution for real-time UAV engine health monitoring, thereby enhancing in-flight safety through timely fault prediction and enabling autonomous engine monitoring without reliance on ground communication. Full article

Blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction is a hallmark of cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD). This study aimed to identify a mouse model that replicates BBB impairment and shares key cSVD risk factors. Transgenic db/db and LDLr^−/−.Leiden mice, both prone to obesity and hypertension, were compared to C57BL/6J controls. BBB leakage was assessed using DCE-MRI and sodium fluorescein (NaFl); cerebral blood flow (CBF) by MRI. Dyslipidemia and vascular inflammation were measured by plasma tests. Tight junction integrity, endothelial dysfunction (glucose transporter 1, GLUT-1) and neuroinflammation were evaluated with immunohistochemistry and PCR. Both transgenic models developed an obese phenotype with hyperinsulinemia, but only LDLr^−/−.Leiden mice showed human-like dyslipidemia. When fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or HFD plus cholesterol, LDLr^−/−.Leiden mice showed reduced CBF, endothelial dysfunction (lowered GLUT-1), elevated vascular inflammation (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, S-selectin), and BBB leakage, as evidenced by DCE-MRI and NaFl, together with reduced ZO-1 and claudin-5 expression. Contrastingly, db/db mice showed endothelial dysfunction without BBB leakage. Neuroinflammation (IBA-1, GFAP) was observed only in LDLr^−/−.Leiden groups, consistent with BBB disruption. These findings indicate that LDLr^−/−.Leiden mice, but not db/db mice, are a promising translational model for studying BBB dysfunction in cSVD, offering insights into disease mechanisms and a platform for therapeutic development. Full article

Ascon is a family of lightweight cryptographic algorithms designed for Authenticated Encryption with Associated Data (AEAD), hashing, and Extendable Output Functions (XOFs) in resource-constrained environments. While the AEAD variants of Ascon provide confidentiality and authenticity, they do not inherently detect replayed messages. This work presents an FPGA implementation of Ascon-128, the primary AEAD variant, on a Xilinx Artix-7 device with integrated replay detection. A 128-bit Linear Feedback Shift Register (LFSR) is used to generate a unique sequential nonce per encryption, enabling high-speed, stateless nonce generation with minimal logic complexity. At the decryption end, replay detection is performed by hashing the received nonce using Ascon-XOF128 and verifying its freshness via a Bloom Filter stored in on-chip Block RAM (BRAM). Leveraging the flexibility of Ascon-XOF128 to generate variable length outputs, our design derives all ten Bloom Filter indices from a single 256-bit XOF output using the same permutation core as the AEAD data path, thereby eliminating the need for additional hashing logic. The Bloom Filter ensures zero false negatives, and our configuration achieves a low False Positive Rate (FPR) of 0.77% theoretically and 0.17% empirically after testing 100,000 nonces, consistent with analytical models. Replay detection is fully overlapped with decryption and introduces no additional delay for messages of 64 bytes or more when using the optimized two Rounds Per Clock Cycle (RPCC) permutation core operating at 100 MHz. This architecture extends Ascon with hardware-based replay protection, offering a lightweight and scalable security solution for practical IoT deployments. Full article

This paper reexamines the enduring role of esoteric traditions, as articulated by Frances Yates, in shaping the intellectual landscape of the scientific revolution and their resonance in the digital age. Challenging the linear, progress-centered narratives of traditional historiographies, it explores how esoteric principles—symbolized by transformative motifs like the Philosopher’s Stone—provided a framework for early scientific inquiry by promoting hidden knowledge, experimentation, mathematics, and interdisciplinary synthesis. This paper argues that moments of accelerated scientific and technological development magnify the visibility of esoteric structures, demonstrating how the intellectual configurations of Renaissance learned circles persist in contemporary expert domains. In particular, artificial intelligence exemplifies the revival of esoteric modes of interpretation, as AI systems—much like their Renaissance predecessors—derive authority through the identification of unseen patterns and the extrapolation of hidden truths. By bridging Renaissance esotericism with the modern information revolution, this study highlights how such traditions are not mere relics of the past but dynamic paradigms shaping the present and future, potentially culminating in new forms of digital mysticism. This study affirms that the temporal gap during periods of rapid technological change between industrial practice and formal scientific treatises reinforces esoteric knowledge structures. Full article

Endocannabinoid signaling plays a significant role in neurogenesis and nervous system physiology, but its roles in the development of other tissues are just beginning to be appreciated. Previous reports have shown the presence of the key endocannabinoid receptor Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1 or Cnr1) in multiciliated (MCC) tissues and its upregulation in kidney diseases, yet the relationship between Cnr1 and renal MCC development is unknown. Here, we report that Cnr1 is essential for cilia development across tissues and regulates renal MCCs via cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling during zebrafish embryogenesis. Using a combination of genetic and pharmacological studies, we found that the loss of function, agonism and antagonism of cnr1 all lead to reduced mature renal MCC populations. cnr1 deficiency also led to reduced cilia development across tissues, including the pronephros, ear, Kupffer’s vesicle (KV), and nasal placode. Interestingly, treatment with the cAMP activator Forskolin (FSK) restored renal MCC defects in agonist-treated embryos, suggesting that cnr1 mediates cAMP signaling in renal MCC development. Meanwhile, treatment with the cAMP inhibitor SQ-22536 alone or with cnr1 deficiency led to reduced MCC populations, suggesting that cnr1 also mediates renal MCC development independently of cAMP signaling. Our findings indicate that cnr1 has a critical role in controlling renal MCC development both via cAMP signaling and an independent pathway, further revealing implications for ciliopathies and renal diseases. Full article

About half of the discarded mattresses in the Netherlands are recycled, and the other half are incinerated. Based on a recently implemented sustainability measure of extended producer responsibility, the recycling rate should increase to 75% in 2028. Thereby, a recycling fee of EUR 12.5 per mattress should be introduced to finance the infrastructure to increase recycling. This study investigates the potential cost-effectiveness of mattress recycling through the reuse of materials, compared to the incineration of mattresses in Dutch energy-to-waste plants. The benefits of recycling include the avoidance of CO₂ that would otherwise be released by incineration and the displacement of virgin material that would otherwise be used by producers as raw material. However, there are also significant costs associated with the collection and recycling process of complex products such as mattresses. Taking all factors into account, the cost of saving one ton of CO₂ through mattress recycling is EUR 138. This is higher than alternatives such as wind energy, ETS prices, or carbon capture and storage. If the replacement energy is fully CO₂-neutral or the recycling fee is lower, the costs of one ton of CO₂ decrease but are still higher than most alternatives. Full article

Ascorbic acid (AH₂) is a commonly used additive in food products. In wheat breadmaking, it is, for example, added to flour for its dough strengthening and bread volume-enhancing effects. While these bread property-enhancing effects are well known, the final chemical fate of AH₂ in breadmaking applications remains nearly undocumented. This study tries to shed light on the chemical fate of AH₂ in wheat breadmaking by investigating the chemical and enzymatic conversion of AH₂ and its reaction products using ¹³C NMR spectroscopy in combination with AH₂ labelled with ¹³C on the C₃ carbon. Following the chemical conversion of AH₂ as function of time, in ultra-pure water, tap water, and wheat flour extracts, in the presence and absence of dissolved O₂ and glutathione (GSH), the specific impact of the presence of trace metal ions, dissolved oxygen and endogenous GSH on the oxidation of AH₂ could be elucidated. Full article

In semi-arid regions, seasonally dry tropical forests are essential for regulating the surface energy balance, which can be analyzed by examining air heating processes and water availability control. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of the Brazilian Developments on the Regional Atmospheric Modelling System (BRAMS) model in simulating the seasonal variations of the energy balance components of the Caatinga biome. The surface measurements of meteorological variables, including air temperature and relative humidity, were also examined. To validate the model, we used data collected in situ using an eddy covariance system. In this work, we used the BRAMS model version 5.3 associated with the Joint UK Land Environment Simulator (JULES) version 3.0. The model satisfactorily represented the rainfall regime over the northeast region of Brazil (NEB) during the wet period. In the dry period, however, the coastal rainfall pattern over the NEB region was underestimated. In addition, the results showed that the surface fluxes linked to the energy balance in the Caatinga were impacted by the effects of rainfall seasonality in the region. The assessment of the BRAMS model’s performance demonstrated that it is a reliable tool for studying the dynamics of the dry forest in the region, providing valuable support for sustainable management and conservation efforts. Full article

Yeast bloodstream infections lead to high mortality and morbidity and are mostly observed in immunocompromised patients. In Africa, only a few studies have characterized clinical yeasts. To increase insight into yeast resistance and transmission in Africa, we identified various yeasts from Alexandria, Egypt and performed antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) and genotyping. A total of 1307 single isolates from unique patients, recovered from different anatomical sites including the bloodstream, retrieved from a reference laboratory in Alexandria, Egypt were studied. All isolates were identified with MALDI-TOF MS, while some were initially identified with a Vitek 2 Compact system. Short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping was performed for the most common species, and AFST was performed with microbroth dilution. Among bloodstream isolates (n = 71), C. albicans was the most common etiological agent, followed by C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis. Comparison of yeast identification methods demonstrated that 22% of isolates were incorrectly identified with the Vitek 2 Compact system compared to MALDI-TOF MS. Multiple rare yeasts showed reduced antifungal susceptibility. STR genotyping demonstrated potential events of nosocomial transmission with N. glabratus and C. parapsilosis. Moreover, an azole-resistant C. tropicalis clade identified earlier in Alexandria was still present. To conclude, clinical yeasts in Alexandria, Egypt, are overall susceptible common species. Full article

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with early detection critical for improving survival rates, yet conventional methods like CT scans often yield high false-positive rates. This study introduces M-GNN, a graph neural network framework leveraging GraphSAGE, to enhance early lung cancer detection through metabolomics. We constructed a heterogeneous graph integrating metabolomics data from 800 plasma samples (586 cases, 214 controls) with demographic features and Human Metabolome Database annotations, employing GraphSAGE and GAT layers for inductive learning on 107 metabolites, pathways, and diseases. M-GNN achieved a test accuracy of 89% and an ROC-AUC of 0.92, with rapid convergence within 400 epochs and robust performance across ten random seeds; key predictors included age, height, choline, Valine, Betaine, and Fumaric Acid, reflecting smoking and metabolic dysregulation. This framework offers a scalable, interpretable tool for precision oncology, surpassing benchmarks by capturing complex biological interactions, though limitations like synthetic data biases and computational demands suggest future validation with real-world cohorts and optimization. M-GNN advances lung cancer screening, promising improved survival through early detection and personalized strategies. Full article

Anxiety reactivity, i.e., the degree to which state anxiety becomes elevated, has been used as a measure of emotional resilience in anticipation of potentially stressful events and has been found to correlate with elevations in event-related negative expectancy bias. The present study aimed to replicate this finding and investigate whether negative expectancy bias is also associated with low emotional resilience in the wake of the event, measured as anxiety perseveration, i.e., the degree to which state anxiety remains elevated after the event. A sample of undergraduate students was informed they would watch a film montage and presented with the choice to access negative or benign information relevant to the film montage. They were asked to rate their negative expectancy bias and state anxiety both before and after accessing this information, which permitted a measure of anxiety reactivity and negative expectancy bias elevation. Participants then watched the film montage and rated their experience and state anxiety again, which allowed for a measure of anxiety perseveration. The results revealed that negative expectancy bias predicted anxiety reactivity and predicted anxiety perseveration indirectly through its impact on the perceived negativity of the event. Although further investigation is required, these findings suggest interventions targeting negative expectancy bias may improve emotional resilience both in anticipation of and in the wake of stressful events. Full article

Background/Objectives: Recent advancements have significantly enhanced our understanding of the interplay between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and reproductive health. While international organizations provide guidelines for best practices, translating them into actionable strategies is crucial. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive care pathway to enhance preconception counselling and support for patients with IBD in the perinatal period, ensuring they receive optimal expert care. Methods: We used the 7-phase model for the development of the care pathway. Results: The resulting care pathway, structured as a time–task matrix, outlines the required actions at preconception, during pregnancy, and in the postpartum period for women with IBD. The pathway provides a structured and multidisciplinary approach that addresses the unique needs of patients with IBD of childbearing age. It emphasizes holistic and personalized support throughout the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum period. Conclusions: The development of this care pathway represents a significant advancement in the perinatal management of IBD. By offering multidisciplinary and individualized care, optimal maternal and infant outcomes are pursued, while establishing a new global standard for reproductive health and perinatal management. Full article

In the age of hardware accelerators, increasing pressure is applied on computer architects and hardware engineers to improve the balance between the cost and benefits of specialized computing units, in contrast to more general-purpose architectures. The first part of this study presents the embedded Streaming Hardware Accelerator (eSAC) architecture. This architecture can reduce the idle time of specialized logic. The remainder of this paper explores the integration of an eSAC into a Central Processing Unit (CPU) core embedded inside a System-on-Chip (SoC) design, using the AXI-Stream protocol specification. The three evaluated architectures are the Tightly Coupled Streaming, Protocol Adapter FIFO, and Direct Memory Access (DMA) Streaming architectures. When comparing the tightly coupled architecture with the one including the DMA, the experiments in this paper show an almost 3× decrease in frame latency when using the DMA. Nevertheless, this comes at the price of an increase in FPGA resource utilization as follows: LUT (2.5×), LUTRAM (3×), FF (3.4×), and BRAM (1.2×). Four different test scenarios were run for the DMA architecture, showcasing the best and worst practices for data organization. The evaluation results highlight that poor data organization can lead to a more than 7× increase in latency. The CPU model was selected as the newly released MicroBlaze-V softcore processor. The designs presented herein successfully operate on a popular low-cost Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) development board at 100 MHz. Block diagrams, FPGA resource utilization, and latency metrics are presented. Finally, based on the evaluation results, possible improvements are discussed. Full article

Background/Objectives: Survivors of cancer have more than double the risk of developing sepsis compared to those with no history of cancer. Those who develop sepsis have lasting side effects reducing their physical function and quality of life. Rehabilitation-related needs and barriers are unknown for individuals with cancer who have had sepsis. The aim of this study was to examine the rehabilitation-related experiences of patients with cancer and/or sepsis, their caregivers, and the healthcare team and the educational needs regarding the rehabilitation of patients with sepsis. Methods: We performed a qualitative descriptive study using interviews and focus groups for data generation. We included adults living in Canada who were English-speaking, currently or formerly diagnosed with cancer and/or sepsis, or a caregiver of someone with a current or past diagnosis of cancer and/or sepsis, or a healthcare professional working with this population. Two reviewers used NVivo software for data management and conducted a qualitative data analysis. Results: We included 30 study participants (nine patients, nine caregivers, 12 healthcare professionals; 15 for one-on-one interviews; 15 in the focus groups). We identified three overarching themes relating to rehabilitation: (1) the rehabilitation experience did not meet the patient’s care expectations; (2) barriers to rehabilitation exist on multiple levels; (3) there are important gaps in education on how to improve physical and psychosocial outcomes. We identified two themes related to educational resources: (1) the educational content provided must be specific and meaningful; (2) multi-modal resources are needed to suit diverse partner needs. Conclusions: We identified rehabilitation barriers related to healthcare settings, the pandemic, and workplace culture for those with cancer and sepsis. This study highlights the need to create diverse educational resources on rehabilitation for those with sepsis to improve outcomes and patient/caregiver satisfaction. Full article