Search Results (180,019)

This study focuses on the zonotope-based set-membership estimation issue for switched Takagi–Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy systems with application to tunnel diode circuits. Given the practical importance of tunnel diodes in radio-frequency, microwave, and high-speed electronic systems, we first model the tunnel diode circuit as a switched T-S fuzzy system to characterize its inherent dynamics. To address the state estimation issue, we propose a zonotopic set-membership estimation framework for the system under mode-dependent average dwell-time (MDADT) switching, which enables tighter state bounding while ensuring $H_{\infty }$ robustness. A mode-dependent observer is designed to attenuate the effects of external disturbances and measurement noise, and the stability of the estimation error system is analyzed based on an appropriate Lyapunov function. Numerical simulations are conducted and the corresponding results show that the estimated boundary can accurately encompass the true state of the system, and the volume of the estimated set is reduced by approximately 28.99% compared with the interval observer method, thus demonstrating the effectiveness and potential of the proposed approach. Full article

The endosperm of Gleditsia japonica var. delavayi seeds is a valued medicinal and edible material, rich in polysaccharides exhibiting excellent functional properties for food applications. However, conventional methods for extracting Gleditsia japonica var. delavayi polysaccharides (GJP) are often inefficient and environmentally unfriendly. Thus, we developed a green, ultrasound-assisted process for extracting GJP. We systematically optimized key parameters (liquid-solid ratio and ultrasonic time, temperature, and power) using single-factor, Plackett–Burman and Box–Behnken experimental designs to maximize yield and characterize the product. The optimized process (200 mL/g, 62 min, 51 °C and 180 W) exhibited an extraction yield of 76.11%, producing GJP with a purity of 79.89%, which satisfies standards for food additives. The extracted GJP exhibited a semi-crystalline structure, high solubility (80.06%), low esterification degree (2.60%) and high viscosity and thermal stability between 30 °C and 70 °C. Crucially, this process required no chemical reagents and consumed only 0.18 kW·h of energy. Analysis indicates that the optimized ultrasound-assisted extraction of GJP is a green and efficient method with high extraction rates and reduced processing time and energy consumption; furthermore, it does not require any chemical reagents, making it a promising alternative to conventional techniques. Full article

Background/Objectives: We aimed to determine risk factors and to design a clinically based predictive model for a failed vacuum assisted delivery (VAD). Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study in a single tertiary university-affiliated medical center between 2011 and 2023. The study population consisted of singleton pregnancies with a VAD trial. The study group comprised cases of a failed VAD, defined as the occurrence of any of the following: (1) more than two vacuum cup detachments; (2) extraction duration exceeding 20 min; or (3) abandonment of the vacuum attempt by the operating physician, with conversion to urgent cesarean delivery (CD). The control group comprised cases of successful VADs. Factors associated with failed VAD were examined by univariate and multivariate analyses. A prediction score was developed to predict failed VAD. A receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC) was utilized for the model. Internal validation was performed by means of a 70/30 train–test split, with model performance evaluated on the validation set using ROC analysis. Results: A total of 131,019 women delivered in our center during the study period. VAD was attempted in 8885 (6.8%) cases, of which 172 (1.9%) failed trials that led to urgent CDs. Several risk factors for a failed VAD were identified, including induction of labor, fetal head station below +2 cm relative to the ischial spines, duration of the second stage of delivery >3.5 h, preeclampsia, birthweight >3750 g, and male gender. The prediction score demonstrated good discriminatory performance, with an AUC of 0.723 (95% CI 0.637–0.810). Internal validation using a 30% holdout cohort revealed that the model maintained good performance, with an AUC of 0.764 (95% CI 0.619–0.909; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our model has the potential to assist obstetricians with VAD decision-making and parturient counseling, as well as identifying parturients at high risk for complicated deliveries. Full article

Driven by the requirements of lightweight design and efficient impact protection, biomimetic hexagonal honeycomb structures have been widely used for energy absorption. However, their dynamic response and energy absorption behavior in underwater environments remain insufficiently understood. To address this gap, this study investigates the impact response and deformation mechanisms of aluminum honeycomb structures under fully submerged conditions relevant to marine engineering. We fabricated honeycomb cores from 5052-H18 aluminum alloy and developed a custom fixture for fluid–structure interaction tests under underwater drop hammer impact conditions. Using force sensors and high-speed photography, we characterized the dynamic impact behavior through load–time and velocity–time responses. Results demonstrate that drainage holes in the support plate serve a dual function: they enable the structure to maintain stable deformation and absorb energy underwater while also significantly enhancing energy absorption capacity. Specifically, the mean crushing force increases by 156.5%, and the energy absorption capacity increases by 333% compared to performance in air. This enhancement arises from the plastic deformation of cell walls and the additional energy dissipation induced by fluid–structure interaction. Overall, this study clarifies the dynamic compression behavior of aluminum honeycombs in underwater environments and demonstrates their potential for marine energy-absorption applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: To quantify end-to-end timeliness of the blood culture (BC) diagnostic workflow over one month using operational key performance indicators (KPIs)—transportation time (TT), time to detection (TTD), time to preliminary report (TTPR), and time to antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST; TTAST)—and to identify actionable bottlenecks. Methods: This retrospective observational analysis included BC bottles processed between 29 September and 29 October 2023 at a large tertiary-care hospital in Italy. KPIs were computed from laboratory information system (LIS) timestamps and structured observations and were summarized as medians (interquartile range [IQR]). Results: 44.7% (2290/5121) of bottles reached the laboratory within 2 h (median 2.2 h, IQR 1.3–3.7), suggesting pre-analytical delays. Among adult bottles (n = 4995), 68.9% were underfilled (<8 mL), 12.9% met the 8–10 mL target, and 18.2% were overfilled (>10 mL). There were 932 positive bottles (18.2%), with a nocturnal peak in instrument flags despite reduced staffing. Median TTD was 12.6 h (IQR 8.9–18.4), with earlier detection for Gram-negatives than Gram-positives and yeasts (11.9, 14.5, and 30.9 h). In bacterial-positive bottles with complete timestamps (n = 294), median TTPR was 3.8 h (IQR 1.7–8.8); median TTAST was 19.2 h (IQR 14.3–27.8). From collection, median times were 17.9 h (IQR 14.2–23.1) to the preliminary report and 36.0 h (IQR 28.8–48.7) to the AST result. Conclusions: Within-laboratory steps were generally rapid, whereas transport planning and collection volumes emerged as major bottlenecks. Targeted interventions—enforcing ≤2 h TT and training to achieve an 8–10 mL fill—should further improve BC turnaround time. Full article

We previously demonstrated that human herpesvirus 6A infects papillary thyroid cancer cells (BCPAP), inducing molecular changes compatible with a tumor-promoting phenotype, including increased expression of R273H mutant TP53 (mutp53), upregulation of c-Myc, and enhanced secretion of IL-6. To investigate whether and how epigenetic mechanisms contribute to these virus-induced effects, we examined the histone methyltransferase EZH2, a key regulator of chromatin repression frequently altered in cancer. HHV-6A infection reduced EZH2 expression and global H3K27me3 levels. Pharmacological inhibition of EZH2 using DS-3201 reproduced some of the molecular effects of viral infection, including increased mutp53 stability. Both viral infection and EZH2 inhibition induced delayed upregulation of SIRT1, which mediated deacetylation-dependent stabilization of mutp53 while reducing c-Myc expression. Indeed, the inhibition of SIRT1 with EX-527 reversed mutp53 accumulation but restored c-Myc expression and increased extracellular IL-6 release. This drug also reduced cell survival, suggesting that SIRT1 supports cellular adaptation to oncogenic stress triggered by EZH2 loss. Overall, our findings identify an epigenetic axis in which the HHV-6A-mediated downregulation of EZH2 induces SIRT1, regulating mutp53 stability and c-Myc expression and reshaping inflammatory signaling to maintain cell viability. These results establish a mechanistic link between viral infection, epigenetic remodeling, and oncogenic dependency. They also suggest that targeting IL-6 signaling could represent a therapeutic vulnerability in HHV-6A-associated thyroid cancer, particularly in combination with SIRT1 inhibitors. Full article

Construction sites implement various safety management activities, including toolbox meetings, risk assessments, and safety knowledge assessments, to reduce accidents. Multiple-choice question (MCQ)-based assessments are widely used to evaluate worker safety competencies. However, the effectiveness of MCQ assessments depends critically on distractor quality; incorrect options must be plausible enough to challenge uninformed respondents while remaining clearly distinguishable from knowledgeable ones. Manual distractor creation requires substantial expertise and is prone to inconsistency, whereas large language models (LLMs) often generate options that lack domain relevance. This paper proposes context-aware multipath adaptive safety scoring (CoMPASS), an algorithm that integrates construction safety domain knowledge with LLM capabilities for MCQ distractor generation. CoMPASS operates through two pathways: CoMPASS-H leverages a hierarchical hazard factor ontology for hazard identification questions, whereas CoMPASS-R uses hybrid retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) for risk control questions. An evaluation using 50 real construction accident cases with a robotic assessment test (RAT) using frontier LLMs as virtual examinees demonstrated that CoMPASS-R achieved a 90% quality pass rate, whereas all baseline methods failed to meet the composite quality criteria. The proposed framework provides a scalable approach to generating assessment content that supports effective safety management at construction sites. Full article

Biogas is a key renewable energy vector that can support the transition toward a net-zero carbon economy. Its direct use as a natural gas substitute is limited because it must be upgraded to meet CH₄ purity specifications required for injection into the gas grid or for use as a vehicle fuel. This review summarizes current progress in photosynthetic biogas upgrading, an emerging biotechnology based on the symbiotic action of microalgal–bacterial consortia capable of supporting gas purification with nutrient recovery in a single integrated process. This biotechnology relies on two stages: an absorption unit that enables gas–liquid mass transfer of the biogas pollutants, and a photobioreactor in which CO₂ and other contaminants are removed. Optimal system performance is strongly influenced by the liquid to gas (L/G) ratio, with values between 0.5 and 1.0, typically balancing effective CO₂ removal and limited CH₄ dilution. High-alkalinity nutrient media (1.5–2.5 gIC L⁻¹) and pH > 9 remain essential to sustain the chemical gradients driving CO₂ mass transfer. Robust microalgae/cyanobacteria such as Chlorella vulgaris and Pseudanabaena sp. frequently dominate these systems. Recent efforts in the biostimulation of photosynthesis are presented based on their potential to enhance biomass productivity and CO₂ removal, which could decrease the footprint of the process and facilitate its large-scale adoption for biomethane production. Full article

To identify chitinase genes from the genome of the mycoparasitic Cladosporium sp. strain SYC23, bioinformatical analyses and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) were employed to screen mycoparasitism-associated genes at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h post-induction with Aecidium pourthiaea rust spores. A total of eight chitinase genes were identified from SYC23 via bioinformatics analysis and designated CaChi34, CaChi40, CaChi45, CaChi67, CaChi82, CaChi92, CaChi93, and CaChi286 based on sequence and phylogenetic analyses. Analysis of the chitinase protein sequence characteristics revealed molecular weights ranging from 33.86 to 286.03 kDa and theoretical isoelectric points from 4.48 to 7.7. All CaChi genes contained the conserved GH18 domain, and promoter analysis showed that each harbored MYB-binding sites and pathogen-responsive elements. Mycoparasitism-related sequence clustering analysis indicated that the chitinase sequences of SYC23 shared the closest phylogenetic relationship with those from Trichoderma sp. RT-qPCR results following rust spore induction showed that five CaChi genes reached their highest expression levels at 24 h post-induction, CaChi45 was most highly expressed at 72 h post-induction, CaChi93 was continuously upregulated, and CaChi82 was continuously downregulated throughout the induction period. His-tagged recombinant CaChi93 protein was purified from E. coli and characterized. The results demonstrate that the enzymatic activity of CaChi93 was 0.929 U/mg, with optimal reaction conditions at 65 °C and pH 7. Treatment of A. pourthiaea rust spores with the recombinant CaChi93 chitinase confirmed that CaChi93 could effectively dissolve rust spore walls. In conclusion, this study confirms that the mycoparasitic Cladosporium sp. strain SYC23 can secrete chitinase to degrade the rust spore wall and induce spore death, thereby providing novel gene resources and a theoretical basis for the biological control of A. pourthiaea. Full article

The PRDM (PR domain-containing) family consists of transcriptional regulators characterized by a PR (PRDI-BF1 and RIZ homology) domain, a subtype of the SET domain, and a variable number of zinc finger motifs. Nineteen PRDM family members have been identified in both mice and humans, and increasing evidence supports their roles as epigenetic regulators in development and disease. PRDM proteins share a conserved structure, comprising an N-terminal PR domain with potential histone methyltransferase activity and C-terminal C2H2-type zinc fingers involved in protein–protein, protein–RNA, and protein–DNA interactions. Recent studies indicate that multiple PRDM family members are involved in the regulation of the neuro-motor system, including neural lineage specification, neuronal differentiation, motor function maintenance, and neuromuscular-related pathological processes. This review summarizes current evidence on the functions and regulatory mechanisms of PRDM family members in the neuro-motor system. Overall, PRDM family members act as important epigenetic regulators in the neuro-motor system. Clarifying their molecular mechanisms may contribute to a better understanding of neuro-motor regulation and provide a theoretical basis for future research in exercise and movement science. Full article

Background and Objectives: Combining osimertinib (OSI) with pemetrexed (PEM) can enhance antitumor efficacy; however, the benefit is schedule-dependent. Our previous pharmacodynamic (PD) study showed that concurrent PEM + OSI is limited by OSI-induced G1 arrest, attenuating early PEM cytotoxicity. In contrast, sequential PEM→OSI allows PEM to fully induce S-phase arrest and DNA damage but elicits a pro-survival EGFR rebound; subsequent OSI suppresses this rebound and promotes apoptosis of damaged cells, yielding strong synergy. Here, we investigated whether pharmacokinetic (PK) drug–drug interactions (DDIs) contribute to this synergy and predicted the relative advantage of PEM→OSI versus PEM + OSI under clinically relevant conditions using a PK/PD approach. Method and Results: Potential PK-DDIs were assessed at cellular uptake, plasma exposure, and intratumoral distribution levels. No meaningful PK-DDIs were observed, supporting a primary PD-driven synergy. We integrated mouse PK with in vitro/in vivo PD data to build a mechanistic Quantitative System Pharmacology (QSP)–PK–PD model linking drug disposition to folate biology, Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) signaling, and tumor growth inhibition. The model recapitulated schedule dependence and explained PEM→OSI superiority: PEM initiates damage and EGFR compensatory rebound, after which OSI suppresses EGFR signaling and enhances apoptosis. In contrast, concurrent PEM + OSI induced G1 arrest, reduced the pool of damaged apoptosis-susceptible cells, and weakened the synergy. Global sensitivity analysis identified intrinsic OSI sensitivity and the pro-apoptotic protein Bim as key determinants; reduced OSI sensitivity or Bim activity diminished the advantage of the sequential strategy. The simulations indicated that OSI can start 48 h after PEM exposure (no extended drug holiday is needed) and that the PEM→OSI benefit remains robust across heterogeneity, including BIM-deletion polymorphisms and inter-individual variability in tumor drug sensitivity. Conclusions: This mechanism-based QSP–PK–PD framework connects whole-body PK to core PD processes, explains schedule-dependent synergy, and supports optimization of sequencing intervals and identification of likely responders. Full article

Background/Objectives: Severe and recurrent infections due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa necessitate alternative antimicrobial strategies. Fermented cacao beans represent a niche microbial ecosystem with the potential to harbor beneficial lactic acid bacteria (LAB). This study aimed to isolate and characterize LAB strains from fermented cacao beans in southern Thailand and to evaluate their probiotic potential and antimicrobial activity against MDR P. aeruginosa. Methods and Results: Five Lactiplantibacillus plantarum isolates were identified via MALDI-TOF MS and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). All strains demonstrated antimicrobial activity against 17 clinical MDR P. aeruginosa isolates and CR14 exhibited the largest inhibition zone. The isolates displayed robust probiotic traits, including survival under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Acid tolerance (pH 2.0) reached 61.15 ± 7.75%, while resistance to pepsin, pancreatin, and bile salts exceeded 88%, 91%, and 92%, respectively. Strong adhesion was confirmed via auto-aggregation (55.02 ± 1.75%), hydrophobicity (45.58 ± 0.96%) and Caco-2 cell attachment (up to 98.11 ± 3.28%). WGS revealed multiple plantaricin-encoding clusters. Coarse-grained molecular dynamic simulations showed that two-peptide plantaricins (plnJ/K and plnNC8-αβ) self-assembled and formed stable pores in bacterial membrane models, confirming a pore-forming antimicrobial mechanism. The strains lacked acquired resistance genes and virulence factors, confirmed by in silico safety assessments. Conclusions: Thus, these L. plantarum strains are promising probiotics for managing MDR P. aeruginosa via functional foods or adjunct therapies. Full article

Soil degradation poses a serious threat to the sustainability of global agricultural development, endangering the foundation and environment of human survival. Therefore, elucidating the effects of different agricultural production patterns on the quality and health of paddy soils is of great significance. To investigate the impact of the integrated rice-red swamp crayfish farming on paddy soil health, this paper systematically analyzed the differences in 19 soil physicochemical indicators and bacterial and eukaryotic microbial communities between the traditional rice monoculture (TRM) and integrated rice-red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) farming (IRPF), and it features a comprehensive quantitative assessment of paddy soil health status through Principal Component Analysis based on a minimum dataset. The experimental results showed that IRPF significantly increased the soil aggregate mean weight diameter, total phosphorus, available potassium, cation exchange capacity, pH, available zinc, and available silicon contents. Meanwhile, IRPF exerted marked effects on the beta diversity and composition of both bacterial and eukaryotic microbial communities, markedly enhancing the relative abundances of Bacillariophyta and Chlorophyta in the paddy soil. The integrated analysis of 19 soil physicochemical indicators along with bacterial and eukaryotic microbial community parameters revealed that the Soil Health Index under IRPF was obviously higher than that under the rice monoculture. In conclusion, the integrated rice-red swamp crayfish farming system markedly impacted the soil fertility, effectively improved soil aggregate structure and enhanced the overall paddy soil health status, representing a promising and sustainable agricultural production pattern within a single production cycle. Full article

Background: This study examined age-related differences and interrelationships among psychological symptoms, personality traits, and emotional expression styles in a community sample of 151 participants aged 10–77 years, spanning four age groups: adolescents, young adults, middle-aged adults, and older adults. Methods: Psychological symptoms were assessed using the SCL-90, personality traits using the Big Five Inventory-2 (BFI-2), and emotional expression patterns were derived from facial expression recognition via a convolutional neural network (CNN) model. Kruskal–Wallis H tests were used to examine age-related differences. K-means cluster analysis was applied to identify emotional expression patterns, and logistic regression was used to construct a mental health risk screening model. Results: The young adult group (19–35 years) achieved the highest scores on the depression (M = 1.73) and anxiety (M = 1.61) dimensions, indicating a higher level of psychological distress during this life stage. Personality traits showed a significant developmental trajectory: neuroticism decreased with age (H(3) = 17.09, p < 0.001, η² = 0.11), declining from 2.69 in the young adult group to 2.17 in the older adult group; conscientiousness increased with age (H(3) = 37.39, p < 0.001, η² = 0.24), representing the most substantial age-related effect. K-means clustering identified three distinct emotional expression patterns: Cluster 1 was characterised by happiness, Cluster 2 by anger, disgust, and fear, and Cluster 3 by neutrality, sadness, and surprise. Cluster 2 exhibited the highest scores on neuroticism, anxiety, depression, and mood swings, and scored significantly higher than the other two clusters on interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, and hostility (p < 0.05). Mental health risk screening indicated that 26.5% of participants were classified as high-risk. Logistic regression analysis (AUC = 0.742) showed that neuroticism was the strongest predictor of elevated mental health risk (OR = 4.58), while extraversion (OR = 0.41) and conscientiousness (OR = 0.57) were significant protective factors. Conclusions: These findings provide exploratory evidence regarding age-related patterns of psychological symptoms and personality traits in a convenience sample and offer preliminary support for personality-based mental health risk screening. Notably, the SCL-90 was employed as a screening tool rather than for clinical diagnosis. Given the unequal age group sizes, particularly the small young adult subgroup, generalisability across the lifespan should not be assumed. Full article

Low-salinity water flooding (LSWF) has been widely investigated as an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method for carbonate reservoirs; however, the relative contributions of wettability alteration and oil–brine interfacial tension (IFT) reduction remain poorly understood, particularly under strongly oil-wet conditions. This study systematically investigates the physicochemical mechanisms governing oil recovery during hybrid LSWF–surfactant flooding in oil-wet carbonate systems. Oil-wet Indiana limestone cores were used as representative carbonate reservoir rocks. Seawater and its diluted analogs were employed as base brines and combined with anionic and cationic surfactants at varying concentrations. Zeta potential and pH measurements were conducted to characterize electrostatic interactions at the rock–brine and oil–brine interfaces, while dynamic contact angle and pendant-drop IFT measurements were used to quantify wettability evolution and fluid–fluid interactions. Core flooding experiments were subsequently performed to link interfacial phenomena to macroscopic oil recovery behavior. The results demonstrate that brine dilution induces more negative surface charges at both interfaces, promoting double-layer expansion and electrostatic repulsion, which stabilizes the aqueous film and drives wettability alteration toward a water-wet state. The addition of anionic surfactants further amplifies this effect by increasing surface charge negativity, whereas cationic surfactants preferentially adsorb onto the negatively charged rock surface, limiting wettability alteration despite producing greater IFT reduction. Sulfate ions enhance wettability alteration by facilitating divalent cation interactions with adsorbed oil components; however, excessive sulfate concentrations lead to precipitation-induced flow impairment. Core flooding results reveal that diluted seawater combined with an anionic surfactant yields the highest incremental oil recovery. Our findings conclusively demonstrate that wettability alteration—rather than IFT reduction—is the more dominant recovery mechanism in oil-wet carbonate reservoirs under the investigated conditions. These results provide mechanistic guidance for optimized brine and surfactant design in hybrid LSWF–chemical EOR applications. Full article