Search Results (9,754)

Newborns are unable to reliably express changes in their physical condition due to their physiological immaturity and limited capacity for communication; therefore, continuous and systematic monitoring during phototherapy is essential to ensure timely detection of adverse responses and maintenance of therapeutic safety. This study extends our prior work, which introduced an indirect method for measuring light intensity to improve precision in monitoring newborn skin illumination. Light-emitting diode (LED) phototherapy has attracted considerable attention as an effective treatment for neonatal jaundice (NNJ). This study introduces an three-dimensional configuration of blue LEDs. An Arduino Mega 2560 microcontroller with pulse-width modulation (PWM) technology was employed to independently regulate the intensity of LED strips, enabling precise control of light output. The strips were mounted on an arc-shaped structure that can be adjusted mechanically and electronically through pre-programmed instructions embedded in the microcontroller. The results demonstrate that blue light at a wavelength of 460 ± 10 nm aligns with the peak absorption spectrum of bilirubin, thereby optimizing the efficacy of phototherapy for NNJ. Both observed absorption peaks were within the therapeutically effective range. Computer simulations confirmed that stable output contours can be achieved using rapid electronic scanning with a PID control algorithm to dynamically adjust the duty cycle. Experimental data showed that LED radiation output was largely linear. This supports the use of linear control algorithms and confirms the platform’s feasibility for future research. Full article

Background: In nuclear medicine, numerous cancer types are treated via internal irradiation with radiopharmaceuticals, including low-LET (linear energy transfer) beta-emitting radionuclides like Lu-177. In most cases, such treatments lead to low-dose exposure of organ systems with β-irradiation, which induces only few isolated DSBs (double-strand breaks) in the nuclei of hit cells, the most threatening DNA damage type. That damaging effect contrasts with the clustering of DNA damage and DSBs in nuclei traversed by high-LET particles (α particles, ions, etc.). Methods: After in-solution β-irradiation for 1 h with Lu-177 leading to an absorbed dose of about 100 mGy, we investigated the spatial nano-organization of chromatin at DSB damage sites, of repair proteins and of heterochromatin marks via single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) in PBMCs. For evaluation, mathematical approaches were used (Ripley distance frequency statistics, DBScan clustering, persistent homology and similarity measurements). Results: We analyzed, at the nanoscale, the distribution of the DNA damage response (DDR) proteins γH2AX, 53BP1, MRE11 and pATM in the chromatin regions surrounding a DSB. Furthermore, local changes in spatial H3K9me3 heterochromatin organization were analyzed relative to γH2AX distribution. SMLM measurements of the different fluorescent molecule tags revealed characteristic clustering of the DDR markers around one or two damage foci per PBMC cell nucleus. Ripley distance histograms suggested the concentration of MRE11 molecules inside γH2AX-clusters, while 53BP1 was present throughout the entire γH2AX clusters. Persistent homology comparisons for 53BP1, MRE11 and γH2AX by Jaccard index calculation revealed significant topological similarities for each of these markers. Since the heterochromatin organization of cell nuclei determines the identity of cell nuclei and correlates to genome activity, it also influences DNA repair. Therefore, the histone H3 tri methyl mark H3K9me3 was analyzed for its topology. In contrast to typical results obtained through photon irradiation, where γH2AX and H3K9me3 markers were well separated, the results obtained here also showed a close spatial proximity (“co-localization”) in many cases (minimum distance of markers = marker size), even with the strictest co-localization distance threshold (20 nm) for γH2AX and H3K9me3. The data support the results from the literature where only one DSB induced by low-dose low LET irradiation (<100 mGy) can remain without heterochromatin relaxation for subsequent repair. Full article

Background: Radspherin^® is a novel α-emitting radiopharmaceutical administered intraperitoneally following complete cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC) for peritoneal metastases. It delivers short-range radiation aimed at eliminating residual microscopic disease. This qualitative study explored how participants with colorectal cancer experienced participating in an early-phase clinical trial involving CRS-HIPEC followed by Radspherin^®. Materials and Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten participants enrolled in a phase 1/2a trial involving CRS-HIPEC and intraperitoneal Radspherin^®. The analysis was guided by a phenomenological and interpretive approach using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Participants expressed a strong sense of motivation and hope tied specifically to receiving Radspherin^®, which they perceived as an opportunity to improve their prognosis. Many also viewed participation as a contribution to future cancer research. None attributed complications or side effects to Radspherin^®. Clear and supportive verbal communication from healthcare professionals was highly valued, while the written information was described as overwhelming. Despite fears of recurrence, most participants remained optimistic about regaining a meaningful life. While experiences with Radspherin^® were largely positive, participants also described pain, fatigue, and prolonged recovery related to CRS-HIPEC, including ongoing functional and psychosocial challenges. Conclusions: Participants associated Radspherin^® with hope and a therapeutic benefit but did not link it to their adverse events. Their willingness to participate in experimental treatment was shaped by trust in clinicians, clear communication, and a desire for extended survival. However, the burden of CRS-HIPEC-related side effects underscores the importance of tailored follow-up and support. Full article

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the most common malignancies worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Current treatment options for advanced or unresectable HCC have limited efficacy and are often associated with systemic toxicity. In this study, a multifunctional, thermosensitive hydrogel-based delivery system was developed to enhance localized treatment of HCC. This system incorporates rhenium-188 sulfur colloid (¹⁸⁸Re-colloid), a β-emitting radiotherapeutic agent, and paclitaxel (PTX)-loaded micelles within a biodegradable PCL-PEG-PCL hydrogel matrix. The formulation enables in situ gelation at physiological temperatures, providing sustained release and prolonged retention of therapeutic agents at the tumor site. Physicochemical characterization confirmed the structural integrity and injectability of the formulations, while in vivo biodistribution studies in a murine hepatic tumor model demonstrated enhanced intratumoral accumulation and reduced systemic dispersion. The combined chemo-radiotherapeutic platform showed potential for improved therapeutic efficacy through synergistic action, offering a promising minimally invasive strategy for treating unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Full article

Particulate matter is widely known as a significant air pollutant due to its proven detrimental impact on human health. Furthermore, ultrafine particles (UFPs) are those with diameters smaller than 100 nm, which can cause numerous serious health effects. Thus, identifying the sources of UFPs is essential for formulating effective mitigation strategies. Quantifying the contributions of particle sources can be performed by measuring particle number size distributions (PNSDs) for specific size ranges. This study was conducted in the city of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and one of the largest cities in the Balkans peninsula, which, within the European framework, belongs to a region and urban area characterized by high levels of atmospheric particulate matter pollution. In addition, there is a lack of studies addressing UFP levels and their sources in Serbia, including Belgrade. Several criteria pollutants were measured, together with the UFPs and equivalent black carbon (BC) at the urban background site in the city of Belgrade, Serbia, for the period from February to August 2024. The particle sources were analyzed using Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) of PNSDs along with equivalent BC, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, O₃, SO₂, NO, NO₂ and NO_x. Seven source types were identified, characterized, and quantified, including two traffic sources (separated into traffic 1 and traffic 2), mixed traffic, an urban diffuse source, nucleation and nucleation growth sources, and a biomass burning source. Traffic-related sources were found to have the most significant contribution at around 40% of total particles emitted, followed by nucleation-related sources (24%) and biomass burning (20%). This is the first study performed in Serbia and Belgrade that addresses source apportionment of PNSD, for particles in the range 10–400 nm. Full article

This work presents the fabrication and characterization of a bow-tie antenna integrated uni-traveling carrier photodiode (UTC-PD) on a silicon carbide (SiC) substrate for efficient terahertz (THz) wave generation. The proposed device exploits the superior thermal conductivity and mechanical robustness of SiC to overcome the self-heating limitations associated with conventional indium phosphide (InP)-based photodiodes. An epitaxial layer transfer technique was utilized to bond InP/InGaAs UTC-PD structures onto SiC. The study systematically examines the influence of critical geometric parameters, specifically the mesa diameter and length between the antenna arms, on the emitted THz intensity in the 300 GHz frequency band. Experimental results show that the THz radiation efficiency is primarily governed by the mesa diameter, reflecting the trade-off between light absorption, device capacitance, and bandwidth, while the length between the antenna arms exhibits only a weak influence within the investigated parameter range. The fabricated device demonstrates strong linearity between photocurrent and THz output power up to 7.5 mA, after which saturation occurs due to space-charge effects. This work provides crucial insights for optimizing SiC-based bow-tie antenna integrated UTC-PD devices to realize robust, high-power THz sources vital for future high-data-rate wireless communication systems such as beyond 5G and 6G networks. Full article

Background/Objectives: The ¹⁰³Pd/^103mRh in vivo generator represents a promising Auger electron-emitting system, in which both parent and daughter radionuclides emit predominantly Auger electrons with minimal accompanying radiation. This study investigates the release dynamics of daughter radionuclides from the ¹⁰³Pd/^103mRh in vivo generator and evaluates the underlying mechanisms governing bond rupture and daughter retention. Methods: Cyclotron irradiation of rhodium foils was performed in two separate batches, followed by radionuclide separation using conventional wet chemistry and a novel dry distillation technique. The purified ¹⁰³Pd radionuclide was used to radiolabel DOTA-TATE, phthalocyanine-TATE, and DOTA-TOC chelators. The resulting complexes were immobilized on Strata-X and Strata-C18 solid-phase extraction columns. Scheduled elution experiments were conducted to quantify the release of the ^103mRh daughter radionuclide. Results: The measured ^103mRh release rates were 9.8 ± 3.0% and 9.6 ± 2.7% from Strata-X columns with DOTA-TATE and phthalocyanine-TATE, respectively, and 10.5 ± 2.7% and 12.0 ± 0.5% from Strata-X and Strata-C18 columns, respectively, with DOTA-TOC. These values are significantly lower than the ~100% release predicted based on the reported Auger electron yield of 186%. One explanation for this difference could be potential inconsistencies in decay data that may require correction; this needs further investigation. The results further demonstrated that delocalized π-electrons, introduced via phthalocyanine-based chelation, did not mitigate daughter release. Conclusions: The low observed daughter nuclide release represents a favorable characteristic for the future clinical translation of the ¹⁰³Pd/^103mRh Auger emitter pair. The findings support the conclusion that Auger electron cascades, rather than nuclear recoil energy, dominate bond rupture processes. Full article

This paper presents a study of the tonality of sound emitted by a wind farm into the surrounding environment. The wind turbines installed at the site have a rated power of 3.0 MW. The aim of the study was to analyse the tonality of sounds in the environment at the nearest residential area. The issue of tonal noise near the wind farm was identified during routine periodic noise monitoring. An experienced survey team identified the phenomenon and carried out preliminary field analyses. Detailed studies were then carried out to identify the environmental hazard and failure-free operation of the turbines. The recorded acoustic events are described in detail and an in-depth analysis is carried out. An action plan has been implemented in consultation with the wind farm operator to reduce tonal sound emissions to the surrounding environment. As a result of these interventions, tonal noise from the wind turbines was successfully reduced. It was determined that the detection of the potential tonality of the sounds emitted by wind turbines should take place during the analysis (active listening) of the .wav file, synchronised with Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis. Conducting tonality assessments solely during field measurements may lead to incorrect identification of tonal sources. Full article

Electric vehicles (EVs) are widely promoted as a key strategy for reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and advancing sustainable development. However, the real-world benefits of EV adoption may vary across countries with different income levels and energy systems. This study investigates the relationship between EV adoption and CO₂ emissions per capita, as well as overall sustainable development performance (SDG Index), across 50 countries from 2010 to 2023. Using panel quantile regression, we find that EV adoption is significantly associated with reduced CO₂ emissions particularly in the high-emitting countries in high-income countries (interaction coefficient at the 90th quantile = −0.24, p < 0.05) but positively associated with emissions in lower- and middle-income countries at lower quantiles of the emissions distribution. Similarly, while EV adoption correlates positively with the SDG Index in high-income countries, it shows negative effects at the median and several quantiles. These findings challenge the “zero-emission” assumption and demonstrate that the climate and development benefits of EV diffusion are context-dependent and unevenly distributed, highlighting the need for policies that link electrification to renewable energy deployment, infrastructure development, and equitable access. Full article

Salinity stress severely limits crop productivity worldwide. While plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are known to alleviate abiotic stress, the specific mechanisms mediated by their volatile organic compounds (VOCs) remain largely elusive. In this study, an in vitro split-plate system was used to investigate the effects of VOCs emitted by Bacillus velezensis SQR9 on Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings under salt stress. Exposure to SQR9 VOCs significantly enhanced Arabidopsis salt tolerance, evidenced by increased biomass and root growth. Mechanistically, SQR9 VOCs mitigated salt-induced damage by increasing chlorophyll content, modulating osmolytes, and reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. SQR9 VOCs alleviated oxidative stress by decreasing ROS (H₂O₂, O₂⁻) accumulation and enhancing antioxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT, POD) activities. Furthermore, SQR9 VOCs maintained ion homeostasis by significantly reducing leaf Na⁺ accumulation, maintaining a high K⁺/Na⁺ ratio, and upregulating key ion transporter genes. Analysis of the headspace from SQR9 cultured on MSgg medium identified 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BD) as a major active VOC. Exogenous application of 2,3-BD successfully mimicked the growth-promoting and salt-tolerance-enhancing effects of SQR9. Our findings demonstrate that SQR9 VOCs, particularly 2,3-BD, systemically prime Arabidopsis for salt tolerance by co-activating the antioxidant defense system and the SOS ion homeostasis pathway. Full article

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is a noncontact camera-based technique that enables deep learning models to learn various plant conditions by detecting light reflectance under illumination. In this study, we investigated the effects of four light sources—halogen (HAL), incandescent (INC), fluorescent (FLU), and light-emitting diodes (LED)—on the quality of spectral images and the vase life (VL) of cut roses, which are vulnerable to abiotic stresses. Cut roses ‘All For Love’ and ‘White Beauty’ were used to compare cultivar-specific visible reflectance characteristics associated with contrasting petal pigmentation. HSI was performed at four time points, yielding 640 images per light source from 40 cut roses. The results revealed that the light source strongly affected both the image quality (mAP@0.5 60–80%) and VL (0–3 d) of cut roses. The HAL lamp produced high-quality spectral images across wavelengths (WL) ranging from 480 to 900 nm and yielded the highest object detection performance (ODP), reaching mAP@0.5 of 85% in ‘All For Love’ and 83% in ‘White Beauty’ with the YOLOv11x models. However, it increased petal temperature by 2.7–3 °C, thereby stimulating leaf transpiration and consequently shortening the VL of the flowers by 1–2.5 d. In contrast, INC produced unclear images with low spectral signals throughout the WL and consequently resulted in lower ODP, with mAP@0.5 of 74% and 69% in ‘All For Love’ and ‘White Beauty’, respectively. The INC only slightly increased petal temperature (1.2–1.3 °C) and shortened the VL by 1 d in the both cultivars. Although FLU and LED had only minor effects on petal temperature and VL, these illuminations generated transient spectral peaks in the WL range of 480–620 nm, resulting in decreased ODP (mAP@0.5 60–75%). Our results revealed that HAL provided reliable, high-quality spectral image data and high object detection accuracy, but simultaneously had negative effects on flower quality. Our findings suggest an alternative two-phase approach for illumination applications that uses HAL during the initial exploration of spectra corresponding to specific symptoms of interest, followed by LED for routine plant monitoring. Optimizing illumination in HSI will improve the accuracy of deep learning-based prediction and thereby contribute to the development of an automated quality sorting system that is urgently required in the cut flower industry. Full article

We present the results of long-term photometric and spectroscopic monitoring of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4151 based on new observational data complemented by archival material spanning several decades. NGC 4151 is one of the most extensively studied active galactic nuclei, exhibiting pronounced variability in both optical continuum and emission-line fluxes, which makes it a key object for investigating physical processes in the central engine and the broad-line region. Our study covers the optical and near-infrared wavelength ranges, including the Ic band and the standard BVRc photometric filters. Using multi-band optical photometry and optical spectroscopy, we construct light curves of the continuum and emission lines and perform a comparative analysis of their temporal behavior during different activity states of the galaxy. The analysis focuses on variability amplitudes, long-term trends, and correlations between photometric and spectral characteristics, allowing us to examine the relationship between continuum variations and the line-emitting regions. Full article

A double-cavity vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) can effectively suppress high-order transverse modes and achieve a high side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR). However, the double cavity also results in increased fundamental mode loss, reducing output power. In this study, both p-type and n-type oxide layers were simultaneously incorporated into a double-cavity VCSEL and the structure was numerically simulated using Pics3D (2024) software. The simulation results indicate that this approach can significantly enhance the output power, strengthen the single-transverse-mode characteristic, and thus improve the side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR). Generally, as the number of oxide layers increases, their ability to confine the optical field also enhances, trapping more high-order transverse modes within the oxide aperture, leading to a decrease in SMSR. However, in this study, the introduction of an n-type layer resulted in an abnormal increase in the SMSR, because the n-type oxide layer is situated between the active region and the second cavity. When the optical field oscillates between these two regions, some high-order transverse modes are blocked by the n-type oxide holes and cannot participate in mode competition, thereby increasing the SMSR. Full article

Gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) offers multiple advantages compared to air-insulated switchgear (AIS); primarily, due to its more compact design and reduced maintenance requirements. In recent years, environmentally friendly replacement gases for SF₆ have become an important research topic, not least because EU regulation will ban the use of SF₆ in new equipment for its member states in the coming years. For detecting defects inside equipment, partial discharge (PD) measurements are an important and well-established method, including in acceptance tests (FAT and SAT) and online monitoring. An important question is whether the PD behavior of various defects analyzed in SF₆ differs in potential replacement gases. In this work, standard geometries in form of needle plane arrangements were used to analyze the PD inception behavior of natural origin gases (synthetic air, CO₂ and N_2,) in comparison to SF₆ at various application relevant pressures. PD was measured both by the conventional (IEC 60270 conform) and UHF technique, recording the phase resolved partial discharge patterns (PRPDs), as well as emitted UHF-pulses. The tip radius and the protrusion length of the needle electrode were varied in order to investigate the influence of the electric field distribution on the PD inception behavior. Results show positive pressure dependence, but also deviations from the linear growth of PDIV, intermittent discharge behavior in synthetic air for some conditions and high-current discharges in the N₂ in the setup used. Full article

Recent analyses on the central compact object in the HESS J1731-347 supernova remnant reported not only surprising structural properties (mass M and radius R), but also an interesting thermal evolution. More precisely, it has been estimated that $M=0.{77}_{-0.17}^{+0.20}{M}_{\odot }$ and $R=10.4_{-0.78}^{+0.86}$ km (at the $1\sigma$ level), while a redshited surface temperature of ${153}_{-2}^{+4}$ keV at an age of 2–6 kyrs has been reported. In the present work, we conduct an in-depth investigation on the possible nature (hadronic, hybrid, quark) of this compact object by attempting to not only explain its mass and radius but also the corresponding estimations for its temperature and age. In the case of hybrid stars we also examine possible effects of the symmetry energy on the activation of different neutrino emitting process, and hence on the resulting cooling curves. We found that the reported temperature and age may be compatible to hadronic stellar configurations regardless of whether pairing effects are included. In the scenario of hybrid stars, we found that the strange quark matter core has to be in a superconducting state in order to reach an agreement with the observational constraints. In addition, the hadronic phase must be soft enough so that the direct Urca process is not activated. Furthermore, we have shown that the considered cooling constraints can be reconciled within the framework of strange stars. However, quark matter has to be in a superconducting state and the quark direct Urca process needs to be blocked. Full article