Search Results (231)

Background: Long-term methamphetamine use disrupts brain function and impairs cognition. Currently, there is a lack of effective treatments for cognitive dysfunction in this population. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different exercise interventions on cognitive function and brain activation in methamphetamine-dependent individuals and to explore the potential neural mechanisms underlying cognitive improvement. Methods: In this randomized, assessor-blind, controlled study, 162 male methamphetamine-dependent individuals in compulsory isolation were randomly assigned to one of four groups: traditional regimen training (TR, n = 41), aerobic exercise (AE, n = 40), multimodal cognitive exercise training (MC, n = 40), and a control group (MA, n = 41). All participants completed an 8-week intervention. Cognitive function was assessed before and after the intervention using the Stroop task, while fNIRS was used to measure task-related hemodynamic responses. In addition, the Memory and Executive Screening (MES) and choice reaction time tests were used to evaluate cognitive and psychomotor performance. Results: After 8 weeks, traditional regimen training (p = 0.006), aerobic exercise (p = 0.024), and multimodal cognitive exercise training (p < 0.001) all significantly improved Stroop task accuracy. Aerobic exercise significantly increased activation in L-DLPFC (p = 0.044), R-DLPFC (p = 0.036), and L-FPA (p = 0.038), improved MES-T scores (p < 0.001) and shortened choice reaction time (p < 0.001). Traditional regimen training increased L-DLPFC activation (p = 0.026), improved MES-T scores (p < 0.001), and shortened choice reaction time (p < 0.001). Multimodal cognitive exercise training increased activation in L-DLPFC (p = 0.006), R-DLPFC (p = 0.014), and L-FPA (p = 0.002), improved MES-T scores (p < 0.001) and shortened choice reaction time (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Cognitive impairment in methamphetamine-dependent individuals may be associated with reduced prefrontal functional activity. Different exercise modalities produced different patterns of cognitive improvement and brain activation, with multimodal cognitive exercise training showing the largest overall benefit. Full article

Polyphenols are plant metabolites with potent physiological activities. Despite their known bitterness and astringency, their specific sensory characteristics remain poorly understood. To clarify the relationship between polyphenol chemical structures and sensory profiles, we developed a sensory evaluation protocol for a young-adult panel. Following four days of intensive monthly training, the panel achieved proficiency in distinguishing bitterness, astringency, and acidity. Four polyphenols with distinct structures—gallic acid, quercetin hydrate, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and a procyanidin-rich fraction (PRF)—were evaluated using flavor profile analysis (FPA) and 3-Alternative Forced Choice (3-AFC) tests for their qualitative properties, and quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) for their quantitative properties. The results showed that gallic acid was acidic, and EGCG was bitter and astringent, with the intensity being concentration-dependent. In contrast, quercetin hydrate did not show any significant sensory properties. This methodology facilitates the elucidation of the relationship between polyphenol structures, and their organoleptic properties and subsequent findings help to further clarify the role of polyphenol–taste receptor interactions in health benefits. Full article

This paper proposes a Hybrid-Field DD (HFDD) coupler designed for wireless power transfer (WPT) in mobile robots within smart manufacturing environments, utilizing a dual-coupling mechanism of magnetic and electric fields. The proposed coupler integrates Double-D coils for vertical magnetic field concentration with a split metal plate structure for enhanced electric field coupling in a compact, low-profile design. To evaluate the electromagnetic performance and the impact of inevitable eddy current interference, two distinct configurations—Front Plate Arrangement (FPA) and Back Plate Arrangement (BPA)—are analyzed through both theoretical modeling and 3D full-wave simulations (HFSSs). The comparative results demonstrate that the FPA model reduces the peak induced current intensity by 56.23 A/m compared to the BPA and achieves a peak leakage magnetic field intensity of 1.12 A/m, which is 28% lower than the 1.56 A/m observed in the BPA, offering a superior solution for suppressing leakage magnetic field and contributing to robust coupling stability. The high consistency between the proposed analytical methodology and numerical simulations underscores the theoretical robustness of the HFDD structure, establishing a clear design framework for efficient power transfer in robotic applications. Full article

(1) Background: Functional pulmonary atresia (FPA) and pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS) are rare neonatal congenital heart diseases with similar early clinical manifestations but distinct pathophysiology and treatment strategies, making early and accurate differentiation clinically important. (2) Methods: This single-center retrospective study included 43 neonates diagnosed with FPA (n = 12) or PA/IVS (n = 31) between December 2016 and March 2025. Echocardiographic parameters and clinical data were compared between groups, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to evaluate the usefulness of selected echocardiographic indices for differentiation in clinical practice. (3) Results: Compared with PA/IVS, neonates with FPA exhibited significantly larger right atrial area, relatively better preserved right ventricular development, larger patent ductus arteriosus diameter, and lower peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity. Several parameters, including right atrial area and the right-to-left ventricular ratio, demonstrated strong between-group discrimination in this cohort. Clinically, most FPA neonates were managed conservatively with favorable outcomes, whereas PA/IVS neonates required surgical intervention and experienced higher perioperative mortality. (4) Conclusions: FPA and PA/IVS differ significantly in right heart morphology, hemodynamic characteristics, and management strategies. A comprehensive multi-parameter echocardiographic evaluation demonstrated discriminatory ability in this cohort, facilitating appropriate treatment decisions and potentially helping to avoid unnecessary high-risk surgical interventions. Full article

Additive manufacturing (AM) has reshaped production methodologies by enabling the fabrication of complex geometries for high-performance applications. As a leading AM technique, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is widely used for its versatility. However, the structural reliability of FDM-printed parts is fundamentally dictated by their mechanical performance, where impact toughness functions as a critical benchmark across demanding industrial environments. Polylactic acid (PLA) has distinguished itself as a premier biodegradable polymer, favored for its superior stiffness and processability. Nevertheless, the inherent brittleness and anisotropic behavior of FDM-printed PLA pose significant challenges, necessitating investigation of their fracture mechanics. This study firstly evaluates the impact toughness of FDM-processed PLA Izod specimens using impact tests, structured within a Taguchi design of experiments (DoE) methodology. An L27 orthogonal array was employed to investigate the influence of manufacturing parameters on impact behavior and fracture energy. Then, to achieve high-fidelity predictions from experimental data, the parametric effects were systematically investigated through an advanced machine learning framework. In the first stage, optimal prediction models were identified by evaluating five mathematical formulations hybridized with five nature-inspired optimization algorithms (GWO, SMA, GSA, FPA, and KH) across nine dataset combinations. In the second stage, these best-performing models were integrated into a metaheuristic ensemble using the GWO to perform a weighted aggregation. This hybrid ensemble methodology significantly enhanced predictive accuracy, achieving a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 5.0847%, which represents a 37.3% relative improvement over the best individual base model. Full article

Background/Objectives: In food-producing animal (FPA) environments, healthy animals can act as reservoirs of potentially pathogenic Escherichia coli, which can be transmitted through the food chain to humans. This study aimed to evaluate cloacal E. coli in healthy Sicilian lambs subjected to an experimental feeding regimen by assessing bacterial levels, antimicrobial resistance, virulence traits, and the clonal relationships, as well as the impact of a pistachio skin as an agro-industrial by-product supplement during a 58-day feeding trial. Methods: A total of 295 E. coli isolates from the control (CTRL) and treatment (Treated) groups at initial time (T0) and final time (T1) were phenotypically and genotypically characterized using Kirby–Bauer antimicrobial testing, multiplex PCR for virulence genes, and PFGE for clonal analysis. Results: The feeding regimen did not significantly influence the prevalence, abundance, or virulence of the E. coli isolates. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) were the most common pathotype, mainly carrying the stx1 gene, while the Enteroinvasive (EIEC) type was detected only sporadically. Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) predominated at T0, while enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) at T1, and enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), initially prevalent in Treated samples, disappeared by T1. Antimicrobial resistance profiles varied among isolates, with the highest resistance observed in the CTRL group. However, both groups exhibited high resistance to streptomycin, and 9% of CTRL isolates were multidrug resistant. A notable reduction in overall resistance rates, especially in the Treated group, was observed, indicating a dietary effect on the E. coli resistome. PFGE genotyping showed high genetic diversity, with resistance traits more frequently detected than virulence factors. Conclusions: This study highlights that healthy lambs serve as reservoirs for potentially human-pathogenic E. coli and suggests that dietary regimes could effectively reduce antibiotic resistance. Full article

Background: The athletic potential of young athletes is shaped by individual and environmental factors. Objectives: This study examines the physical growth, body composition, biological maturation, motivation, perseverance, physical performance and contextual factors of young male and female track and field athletes. Methods: A total of 425 (224 girls) track and field athletes were recruited and divided into five age cohorts (10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 years respectively). Measurements were assessed across (i) individual (anthropometry, body composition, biological maturation, motivation, and perseverance), (ii) performance (motor performance), and (iii) club context domains. Data analysis used descriptive statistics for clubs’ characteristics, a two-factor ANOVA for anthropometry, body composition, biological maturation, and performance and an ANCOVA for motivation and perseverance. All analyses used STATA 18.0. Results: Sex-related differences were identified in physical growth, maturation, psychological, and performance variables during adolescence. Girls reached their peak height velocity (PHV) around 12 years of age, compared to 14 years in boys. At all ages (except at age 11), girls had higher body fat, and at age 12 were taller and outperformed boys in right-handgrip strength and in sprint (30 m and 40 m). From age 13 years onwards, boys became taller, with greater leg length, greater fat-free mass, and superior results (p < 0.05) in most performance tests. Psychologically, girls reported higher levels of interest–enjoyment, effort–importance, relatedness, and perceived choice; no sex differences were found in perseverance. The clubs involved were of small size, with developing, yet qualified, coaches, with limited support staff and infrastructure. Conclusions: Clear sex differences in physical growth, psychological, and performance variables emerged during adolescence, and were related in part to earlier maturation in girls. Further, there was variation in clubs’ infrastructure and staff that may potentially influence track and field athletes’ growth and development. Full article

The agave wilt associated with Fusarium oxysporum (Fox) is a major disease of blue agave (Agave tequilana Weber var. azul), used to produce “Tequila” in Mexico. Little is known about the A. tequilana-F. oxysporum interaction yet understanding defense mechanisms against the pathogen is necessary for control strategies. During early Fox infection, plants trigger defense mechanisms to interrupt the compatible interaction, while Fox’s pathogenesis mechanism interacts with plant response. This study evaluated plant defense mechanisms induced by Fox in A. tequilana and their interaction with fungal pathogenesis. For this, an A. tequilana pathogenic strain (FPA), and the non-A. tequilana pathogenic strains FNPA and FOL were utilized. Early defense mechanisms evaluated were hypersensitive response (HR) and cell wall strengthening in agave roots. Resistance mechanisms evaluated included pathogenesis-related proteins (PR proteins), phytoanticipins and phytoalexins. For early defense, induced HR was greater with FPA than other strains. Cell wall strengthening was found in agave roots, plants responded differentially to different strains. Initial response to FPA and FOL was similar in PR proteins, phytoalexins and phytoanticipins production. However, the response differentiated with FOL over time, indicating an incompatible interaction. The study identified effective and ineffective defense responses of A. tequilana to Fox infection, where FPA exhibited compatibility and caused unregulated ROS and PCD, early inhibition of PR activity, extensive lignification, and saponin detoxification. In contrast, this study unveiled incompatible interactions (FNPA and FOL) because of limited colonization, localized HR with suppressed ROS, early and sustained POX activation, significant callose accumulation, moderate lignification, and phenol–saponin dynamics that help in tissue containment and recovery. Full article

The use of focal plane array micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FPA-μFTIR) enables high-resolution characterization of microplastics (MPs) in a wide variety of matrices, including both biotic and abiotic samples. However, this technique has not yet been applied to study MP ingestion in organisms in areas with low MP pollution (e.g., national parks or protected areas). In this study, FPA-μFTIR was used to quantify MPs in the bodies of aquatic insects collected from a high-altitude stream (~2000 m) in Taiwan. Results showed that MP ingestion occurred in nearly all examined taxa, except for caddisfly (Trichoptera: Stenopsychidae) and dragonfly (Odonata: Gomphidae). The majority of MPs were smaller than 500 μm, and the dominant MP polymers identified were polyethylene (65%) and polypropylene (30%), which occurred mainly as fragments (83%) and, to a lesser extent, as fibers (17%). The highest number of MP particles was in the scraper functional-feeding group (FFG), while MPs were not detectable in collector–filterer FFG. The highest MP concentration (particles/individuals) was found in the waterpenny beetle Ectopria sp., followed by the mayflies Paraleptophlebia sp. and Epeorus erratus, and Chironomidae in the subfamily Tanypodinae. We suggest that using high-resolution FPA-μFTIR can be effectively applied to study and monitor MP ingestion in remote, pristine ecosystems. Full article

Background/Objectives: Endovascular therapy (EVT) is the treatment of choice for femoropopliteal artery (FPA) disease manifesting as critical limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) or intermittent claudication (IC). This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of patients with CLTI with those of patients with IC after EVT in a real-world setting. Methods: In total, 1924 patients with FPA disease (CLTI: n = 812, IC: n = 1112) from the K-VIS ELLA (Korean Vascular Intervention Society Endovascular Therapy in Lower Limb Artery Diseases) registry who underwent EVT between 2006 and 2021 were analyzed. The primary endpoint was defined as target limb amputation or clinically driven (CD) target extremity revascularization (TER) 2 years after the procedure. Results: The incidence of the primary endpoint after inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was significantly higher in the CLTI group (hazard ratio [HR], 1.314; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.105–1.561; p = 0.002). The incidences of loss of clinical patency, major adverse limb events (MALEs), and all-cause mortality were also higher in the CLTI group (hazard ratio [HR], 1.312; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.157–1.488; p < 0.001). However, the risk of repeat percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was similar between the groups (HR, 1.014; 95% CI, 0.833–1.234; p = 0.920). The use of drug-coated balloons (DCBs) was associated with favorable primary outcomes in both groups, particularly in patients with IC (HR: 0.429, 95% CI: 0.25–0.734; p = 0.002). Conclusions: Patients with CLTI undergoing EVT for FPA disease experienced worse clinical outcomes than those with IC, although the repeat PTA rates were similar. The use of DCBs showed promising results in both groups. Full article

Cellulase is an inducible enzyme. By using traditional Chinese medicine residues (TCMRs) as inducer for microbial cellulase, the enzyme’s production yield can be improved. Additionally, this approach enables the resource utilization and harmless treatment of TCMRs. In this study, a fungus that can use TCMRs as a substrate was screened and identified as Penicillium oxalicum. The fungus grew well in the culture medium containing TCMRs, and the highest filter paper activity (FPA) reached 2.06 IU/mL in forsythia leaves residue (FR). After fermentation, the FR exhibited the highest weight loss rate, reaching 22.67%. Enzyme production conditions were optimized using the Plackett–Burman (PB) and Central –Composite Design (CCD) methods. The FPA could reach 2.75 IU/mL under the optimal conditions of FR concentration of 24.84 g/L, (NH₄)₂SO₄ concentration of 2 g/L, temperature of 34.44 °C, pH 6.20, rotational speed of 200 rpm, and inoculum size of 6%, which was 33.50% higher than that before optimization. The crude cellulase was used to extract total flavonoids from TCMRs, and the extraction rate of total flavonoids increased by 24.2–55.1%. The results demonstrated that TCMRs are effective for inducing substrates for cellulase production by Penicillium oxalicum Ti-11. Furthermore, the crude cellulase produced significantly promoted total flavonoids extraction from TCMRs. Full article

As the core observation instrument of the China Space Station Telescope (CSST), the Survey Camera (SC) features large volume, heavy weight and high complexity, which poses considerable challenges to the development of its Main Structure (MST). Focusing on the design, optimization and verification of the MST, this study aims to meet the technical requirements of lightweight, high stiffness, high strength and mechanical stability, and provide high-precision Measurement References (MRs) for components such as the Focal Plane Array (FPA). The MST is an M55J carbon fiber/cyanate ester resin composite framework and incorporates titanium alloy inserts for thread machining. The thickness of carbon fiber plies was optimized using size optimization techniques to maximize structural efficiency. The carbon fiber plies and embedded parts along the structural force transmission path were strengthened to improve structural strength. A spherically mounted retroreflector (SMR)–cube mirror composite MR system was employed, along with a contact–non-contact integrated measurement scheme, achieving a position and angle measurement uncertainty of 5.26 μm/5.53″ (3σ). Through experimental verification, the final mass of the MST was controlled at 66.8 kg, and the fundamental frequency reached 120.6 Hz. After assessment via vibration tests and thermovacuum tests, the strength, mechanical stability, and thermal stability of the structure all met the mission requirements. Full article

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are a promising technology for future sixth-generation (6G) wireless networks. They are airborne vehicles that act either as as flying relays or base stations (BS) to provide the line-of-sight (LOS) transmission, enable wide-area coverage, and increase the spectral efficiency. In this work, a UAV is employed to forward information from the BS to distant users using a decode-and-forward (DF) protocol. The BS serves ground users through UAV by employing non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA). The UAV relay will be wirelessly powered and harvests energy from the BS by applying a simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) technique. To further improve overall performance, the near user will act as a full-duplex (FD) relay to forward the far user’s information by applying cooperative non-orthogonal multiple access (C-NOMA). The proposed scheme considers a practical detection order using a feasible successive interference cancellation (SIC) operation. Additionally, a relay power control method is introduced for the near user to guarantee a reliable cooperative link. In the proposed scheme, a low-complexity closed-form power allocation is derived to maximize the minimum achievable rate. Numerical results demonstrate that the power allocation scheme significantly improves the far user’s rate performance, and the proposed scheme guarantees a higher target rate and outperforms the conventional NOMA, half-duplex (HD) C-NOMA, and FD C-NOMA with fixed power allocation (FPA) and fractional transmit power allocation (FTPA) schemes. Full article

Protein-based APIs represent a big group of modern therapeutics. Their characterization involves complex analytical protocols which require special methods, especially in the case when the protein drug is included into tablet dosage forms. Although the fluorescence polarization assay (FPA) is not currently regulated by many national Pharmacopeias, it represents a promising approach for protein drug standardization, considering their rapid, sensitive, and automatable detection suitable for high-throughput analysis and real-time quality control. To evaluate the applicability of FPA for the analysis of protein drugs in tablets, the quantifying of lysozyme in tablet dosage forms was studied by this method with the use of a fluorescently labeled synthetic chitooligosaccharide tracer. It was shown that this approach overcomes the limitations of the conventional turbidimetric assay of lysozyme determination, which is labor-intensive and relies on unstable reagents. Measurements were performed with both portable and stationary fluorescence polarization readers. Commercial tablets from five manufacturers containing lysozyme (20 mg) and pyridoxine hydrochloride (10 mg) together with other excipients were analyzed. The FPIA method showed a linear range of 5.0–70 µg/mL, with specificity confirmed by the absence of interference from excipients. Accuracy, evaluated by standard addition (10–20 mg), yielded recoveries of 100.2–106.0%. Placebo spiked with lysozyme at 80–120% of nominal content demonstrated recoveries of 98.0–100.1%, with RSD (n = 6) not exceeding 13.7%, indicating good precision. The developed method enables reliable lysozyme quantification in tablets, offering speed, simplicity, and robustness, and shows its suitability for the routine quality control of protein-containing dosage forms including the enzyme ones. Full article