Search Results (1,392)

The widespread commercialization of wireless chargers for electric vehicles generally suffers from one main problem, which is the perfect alignment between the two coils, leading to a decrease in mutual inductance, which causes a drop in magnetic coupling and even a failure to transfer power. To address this persistent problem, this work proposes a comprehensive and integrated method for optimizing the coils and control architecture for reliable and safe battery charging. To address the challenges of a complex, nonlinear design space and the need for misalignment-tolerant geometries, we employ a memetic algorithm (MA) that hybridizes Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) for broad global exploration with Mesh Adaptive Direct Search (MADS) for precise local refinement. This combination effectively avoids poor local solutions—a limitation of standalone PSO or GA approaches reported in recent studies—while efficiently converging to coil geometries that maintain strong magnetic coupling under misalignment. After the coils have been designed, electromagnetic validation is tested using finite element analysis (FEA), which allows the magnetic field distribution to be evaluated, as well as the coupling coefficient under different scenarios of misalignment and variation in the air gap between the ground side and the vehicle side. At the same time, a comprehensive control strategy for the primary side of the system has been developed. This control method ensures power management on the primary side, enabling system interoperability for charging multiple types of vehicles, as well as reducing vehicle weight for greater range. All this is combined with an innovative pulsed current charging method, chosen for its advantages in terms of thermal stability, ensuring safe and efficient recharging that is mindful of battery health. Simulation and experimental validation demonstrate that the proposed framework maintains stable wireless power transfer and achieves over 87% DC–DC efficiency under lateral misalignments up to 100 mm, fully complying with SAE J2954 alignment tolerance requirements. Full article

The silkworm (Bombyx mori) is an economically important insect that plays a crucial role in agricultural development. Antimony tin oxide, a high-tech multifunctional nanomaterial, is extensively utilized in contemporary industries due to its properties of transparency, conductivity, and stability. Nevertheless, the toxicity and potential adverse effects of antimony tin oxide on living organisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated the effects of antimony tin oxide at varying concentrations (0–3.2 μg/μL) on the growth, oxidative stress response, gene expression, and midgut integrity of fifth-instar silkworm larvae. Exposure to high concentrations of antimony tin oxide resulted in a significant reduction in larval weight and severely disrupted the antioxidant defense system. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis identified 239 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which were confirmed by qPCR, revealing up-regulated lipid synthesis gene AGPAT5, down-regulated chitin degradation gene Chi, and suppressed glycerolipid hydrolysis gene H9J6N7_BOMMO. Histopathological and ultrastructural examinations revealed severe damage to the structure of midgut epithelial cells. Structural and functional analysis of conserved domains in key DEG-encoded proteins revealed that gene dysregulation disrupted energy metabolism and compromised the physical barrier, ultimately linking molecular abnormalities to observed tissue damage. These findings elucidate the mechanisms by which antimony tin oxide induces midgut toxicity through interference with critical metabolic pathways and functional perturbations at the molecular level. Full article

This work contributes to advancing sustainable energy and waste management strategies by investigating the thermochemical conversion of food-based biomass through pyrolysis, highlighting the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing process modelling accuracy and optimization efficiency. The main objective is to explore the potential of underutilized biomass resources like spent coffee grounds (SCGs) and DSs (date seeds) for sustainable hydrogen production. Specifically, it aims to optimize the pyrolysis process while evaluating the performance of these resources both individually and as blends. Proximate, ultimate, fibre, TGA/DTG, kinetic, thermodynamic, and Py-Micro-GC analyses were conducted for pure DS, SCG, and blends (75% DS-25% SCG, 50%DS-50%SCG, 25%DS–75%SCG). Blend 3 offered superior hydrogen yield potential but had the highest activation energy (Ea: 313.24 kJ/mol), while Blend 1 exhibited the best activation energy value (Ea: 161.75 kJ/mol). The kinetic modelling based on isoconversional methods (KAS, FWO, and Friedman) identified KAS as the most accurate. These approaches work together to provide a detailed understanding of the pyrolysis process with a particular emphasis on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). An LSTM model trained with lignocellulosic data predicted TGA curves with exceptional accuracy (R²: 0.9996–0.9998). Full article

The characterization of ductile fracture in thin metallic sheets is challenging due to extensive plastic deformation and stable crack growth under plane-stress conditions. This study investigates the applicability of the load separation criterion as a single-specimen method for evaluating fracture behavior in thin aluminum sheets. Experimental tests were performed on double-edge-notched tension (DENT) specimens manufactured from a 1.2 mm thick commercial aluminum sheet with ligament lengths ranging from 4 to 20 mm. Load–displacement responses were analyzed using curve-fitting techniques to determine the separation parameter, geometry function, plastic η-factor, and the plastic component of the J-integral. The separation parameter stabilized in the plastic regime, and the geometry function followed a power-law relationship with the normalized ligament ratio, confirming the validity of the load separation assumption. The calculated fracture toughness values showed consistent averages of approximately 58–60 kJ/m² across different fitting approaches, which are in good agreement with the essential work of fracture (EWF) value of about 51.5 kJ/m² reported for the same material. These results demonstrate that the load separation approach provides a reliable and efficient framework for determining fracture parameters in thin ductile aluminum sheets using a single specimen. The methodology offers practical advantages for fracture assessment and structural integrity analysis of lightweight sheet structures in aerospace, automotive, and marine applications. Full article

The accurate measurement of spheroid area and morphology is critical for the progression of the integration of 3D models in in vitro cancer research and is increasingly used to measure effective therapeutic efficacy of X-ray radiation. Current methods of measuring spheroids require labour-intensive manual analysis or the use of complex software tools. SphereMetrics was created as a user-friendly Shiny app with a straightforward interface designed to streamline the process of measuring the area and eccentricity of spheroids. It allows the upload and automated detection of spheroids across multiple file formats and generates robust and objective area and eccentricity measurements. Area measurements derived from SphereMetrics were compared to manual quantification with ImageJ and AnaSP for untreated and irradiated (0–20 Gy) human neuroendocrine BON-1 cancer spheroids. When compared to ImageJ and AnaSP, SphereMetrics was shown to provide fast, accurate data (R² = 0.87 and 0.83, respectively). Spheroid analysis took 19.92 ± 8 s/image with SphereMetrics, approximately four times faster than ImageJ analysis (89.81 ± 11.52 s/image) and nine times faster than AnaSP (183.36 ± 31.62 s/image). SphereMetrics represents an accessible and efficient tool for spheroid analysis, facilitating data collection and analysis for routine in vitro model research, ideal for non-programmers. Full article

Background/Objectives: Groin pain syndrome (GPS) is a frequent and heterogeneous condition in athletes, often associated with persistent pain and functional limitation. Both focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy (f-ESWT) and exercise-based rehabilitation have been proposed as conservative treatment options, but evidence for their combined use in GPS remains limited. This prospective single-arm pilot study aimed to describe temporal changes in pain and function following a multimodal conservative program combining f-ESWT and structured rehabilitation in athletes with GPS, using validated groin-specific outcome measures. Methods: Thirty-one consecutive adult soccer players (mean age 28.4 ± 5.8 years; 77.4% male) with clinically and MRI-confirmed GPS underwent three weekly f-ESWT sessions (Duolith; 2400 pulses/session; 4 Hz; energy flux density 0.20 mJ/mm²) integrated within a supervised 16-week rehabilitation program (progressive adductor strengthening, core stabilization, and stretching). Outcomes were assessed at baseline (T0), 1 month (T1), and 4 months (T2): HAGOS (primary), VAS pain, and Roles and Maudsley (RM). Within-subject changes were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction. Results: Statistically significant temporal changes were observed across all outcomes (all p < 0.001). HAGOSs changed from 47.23 ± 7.79 at T0 to 77.94 ± 16.18 at T1 and 90.00 ± 14.26 at T2 (partial η² = 0.89). VAS decreased from 6.81 ± 1.25 to 3.68 ± 1.11 and 1.90 ± 1.45 (partial η² = 0.91). RM decreased from 2.39 ± 0.50 to 1.52 ± 0.57 and 1.26 ± 0.63 (partial η² = 0.72). No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: In this single-arm pilot study, the multimodal program combining f-ESWT and structured rehabilitation was associated with temporal changes in groin-specific function and pain that exceeded established MCID thresholds. However, in the absence of a control group, these findings are purely descriptive and hypothesis-generating. The observed changes cannot be attributed to f-ESWT specifically, as the 16-week rehabilitation program likely contributed substantially to the outcomes. These preliminary observations require confirmation through adequately powered randomized controlled trials comparing the combined intervention to rehabilitation alone. Full article

Background: Risk stratification of indeterminate thyroid nodules (Bethesda III–IV) remains difficult and often triggers unnecessary procedures. Ultrasound-based ACR TI-RADS and the 2023 Bethesda System are widely used, but the incremental value of combining them and the role of size thresholds needs prospective validation. Objective: The objective of this study was to prospectively compare the diagnostic performance of ACR TI-RADS and the 2023 Bethesda System, alone and in combination, for predicting malignancy in thyroid nodules, with dedicated analyses of indeterminate lesions (Bethesda categories III–IV), including subtypes of Bethesda III (nuclear atypia vs. other atypia), and the impact of nodule size. Methods: Histopathology was available for 131 nodules. Diagnostic metrics (sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV), ROC curves (DeLong comparison), and Youden indices were calculated for individual and combined thresholds; a 16 mm size cut-off was explored. Results: Malignancy was confirmed in 105/131 nodules (80.2%). Bethesda outperformed TI-RADS (AUC 0.87 vs. 0.69; DeLong p = 0.041). Malignancy rates rose with higher categories (e.g., TI-RADS 5: 93.6%; Bethesda category V: 100%; Bethesda category VI: 100%) and were markedly elevated in the histologically confirmed subset for Bethesda category III (32/41; 78.0%) and IV (6/8; 75.0%). The combined requirement of TI-RADS ≥ 4 and Bethesda ≥ 4 maximized specificity (96.2%) and PPV (98.4%) with a high Youden J (0.552), supporting a rule-in strategy in category IV of Bethesda. Size alone was a weak discriminator (AUC 0.66); within Bethesda III–IV nodules, malignancy did not differ significantly by the 16 mm threshold (p = 1.00). ROC using continuous tumor size yielded AUC = 0.66; the ROC-derived optimal cut-off was 16 mm. Applying this split produced sensitivity 0.80 and specificity 0.50. Conclusions: Integrating ACR TI-RADS with Bethesda cytology significantly improves specificity and PPV for indeterminate thyroid nodules, supporting a morphology-driven approach over traditional size-based thresholds. Incorporation of combined sonographic–cytologic criteria into management algorithms may reduce unnecessary interventions and optimize patient care. Full article

To overcome the limitations imposed by the intermittent nature of sunlight in photocatalytic applications, this research constructs a round-the-clock purification system. We integrated an optimized S-scheme CoFe₂O₄/BiVO₄ (CFO/BV) heterojunction (synthesized via ultrasonic self-assembly at a 0.5:0.5 ratio) with a thermal energy storage (TES) unit consisting of SiO₂-encapsulated Na₂SO₄·10H₂O phase change materials (PCMs). Comprehensive characterization techniques, including XRD, HRTEM, UV-Vis DRS, EPR, and DSC, confirmed the successful formation of the interface, a broadened visible-light response (λ > 650 nm), efficient radical production, and a high latent heat storage capacity (>200 J/g). Under simulated solar irradiation, the composite exhibited superior performance, degrading 98% of the Rhodamine B within 6 h (k = 0.00994 min⁻¹), significantly surpassing single-component counterparts. More importantly, during the subsequent 12 h dark period, the heat released from the PCM maintained the reaction temperature above 35 °C, driving a 64% degradation efficiency via a thermocatalytic pathway. The system demonstrated robust stability (>90% efficiency after five cycles), excellent magnetic recoverability (98%), and high tolerance to saline textile wastewater (<10% activity loss). Furthermore, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) indicated a 40% reduction in energy consumption compared to conventional UV/TiO₂ processes, highlighting a sustainable strategy for continuous wastewater remediation through synergistic photocatalysis and thermocatalysis. Full article

Developing potential skincare formulations capable of simultaneously managing infection and promoting tissue repair remains a critical challenge in dermatological care. This study engineered bioactive oleogels using sunflower wax (SFW), rice bran wax (RBW), and 12-hydroxystearic acid (HSA) to deliver a synergistic essential oil blend (ginger, cinnamon, tea tree, geranium). A D-optimal mixture design optimized formulations to match the textural profile of a commercial benchmark. Crucially, the fatty acid architecture of the carrier oil emerged as a primary determinant of network integrity; the high oleic acid content in camellia oil facilitated robust RBW crystallization by minimizing steric hindrance, whereas the polyunsaturated, kinked structure of linoleic acid in almond oil disrupted SFW networks, resulting in lower stiffness. Thermal characterization (DSC) established a distinct stability hierarchy with RBW exhibiting the highest melting point (Tp = 60.1 °C) and enthalpy (ΔHm = 7.79 ± 0.74 J/g). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed high thermal resistance for wax-based systems (Tdeg ≈ 357 °C), whereas HSA displayed a biphasic degradation starting at ~206 °C. FTIR spectroscopy verified the stable physical entrapment of bioactives, with the lipid vehicle dominating the spectral fingerprint. Rheological profiling revealed that RBW oleogels, structured in high-oleic camellia oil, formed rigid networks (G′ ≈ 5.7 × 104 Pa) with high yield stress (20.91 Pa), offering superior retention. In contrast, HSA oleogels displayed “smart” thixotropic recovery with lower stiffness (G′ ≈ 2.1 × 104 Pa) and a distinct melting peak at 22.5 °C, compared to 60.1 °C for RBW. All formulations achieved a >2 Log₁₀ reduction (99%) in Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa viability after 12 h. Furthermore, in vitro keratinocyte assays identified a hormetic therapeutic window at 1–5 μg/mL (essential oil blend equivalent); specifically, SFW oleogels at 5 μg/mL stimulated proliferation to 158.07% relative to controls. These findings confirm that optimizing the lipid vehicle–bioactive interface creates dual-action scaffolds capable of simultaneously managing infection and stimulating in vitro keratinocyte proliferation. Full article

Promising to “Make America Great Again” and to “Make America Healthy Again,” the second presidential administration of Donald J. Trump has proposed and executed significant cuts to mental healthcare in the United States. These initiatives have imperiled millions of Americans, even as the administration has sometimes defended itself through appeals to the common good, Catholic social teaching, and Catholic faith. This article uses the common good as understood in Roman Catholic magisterial teachings and Catholic social thought to evaluate the administration’s mental healthcare initiatives. Although a few of the administration’s proposals might support the common good, overall, its policies undercut its own stated goals and, more crucially, violate the common good’s communitarian outlook and instrumental and intrinsic dimensions. In the hope of reaching those whom it largely criticizes, this article offers ways in which the Trump administration, conservative policymakers, and/or their supporters might reconsider these initiatives, the common good, and policymaking more generally. The article concludes by identifying trajectories for future research in Christian ethics on the moral agency of people with mental health challenges, the common good, and the continued integration of Catholic social ethics and Catholic virtue ethics. Full article

The integration of mechanics-based analysis and materials design procedures has become central to the development of multi-material structures with tailored mechanical and dynamic performance. In this study, the dynamic and flexural behaviour of multi-material FDM sandwich beams composed of PETG face sheets and an ABS core is experimentally investigated. Seven different infill patterns Grid, Line, Wavy, Honeycomb, Gyroid, Cubic, and Triangle were implemented in the core layer to assess their influence on damping and natural frequency behaviour. Experimental modal analysis was performed using impact testing to identify the first three vibration modes. Natural frequencies were extracted from Frequency Response Functions (FRFs), and modal damping ratios were determined using the half-power bandwidth method. The reliability of the damping results was evaluated through statistical analysis. Additionally, quasi-static three-point bending tests were conducted to assess flexural strength and load-carrying capacity. The results demonstrate that infill topology has a significant impact on both dynamic and mechanical responses. In particular, geometrically complex infill patterns exhibit enhanced stiffness, higher natural frequencies, and improved damping performance. Among the investigated designs, the Triangle infill exhibited the highest natural frequency values across the first three vibration modes (f₁ ≈ 24.910 Hz, f₂ ≈ 162.609 Hz, f ≈ 466.595 Hz), indicating its superior stiffness characteristics. In terms of damping behaviour, the Cubic infill showed the highest loss factor in the first vibration mode (0.0426), while the Line and Gyroid patterns exhibited the highest damping in the second (0.0439) and third modes (0.0354), respectively. Moreover, the force–displacement results revealed that the Triangle infill exhibited the highest load-bearing capacity, further confirming its superior structural stiffness among the investigated designs (SEA = 110.83 J/kg). These findings highlight the potential of multi-material FDM for designing polymer-based sandwich structures with tailored vibration and energy dissipation characteristics. Full article

For the failure issue of the weak part of the safety end of the nuclear power pressure vessel connection, the J-integral method was used to test the fracture toughness of the weak part at the bottom of the dissimilar metal welded joints (DMWJs) of SA508-III and 316L in the temperature range of 25 °C to 320 °C, and the mechanism of temperature-induced crack instability and propagation was studied. The research results indicate that at all test temperatures, the position of the weld near the 316L steel is the failure site of the welded joint. The fracture toughness of the joint decreases with increasing temperature, with a maximum decrease of 42.0%. Analysis shows that as the temperature increases, the dislocation density decreases, the tensile strength decreases, and the yield strength ratio decreases, making it easier for secondary cracks to initiate near the crack tip, thereby accelerating the unstable propagation of cracks. At the same time, as the temperature increases, the number of twin crystals that can promote crack turning and prolong the crack propagation path decreases, the energy absorbed before fracture decreases, and the fracture toughness value decreases accordingly, further accelerating the unstable propagation of cracks. Full article

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related death, yet adequate in vitro models mimicking the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) are rare. Specifically, the role of the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in modulating interactions between tumor cells and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) is not fully understood. We established a 3D multicellular tumor spheroid (MCT) model using murine N-HCC25 cells with CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockouts of Nrf2 and its negative regulator Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), the latter mimicking constitutive activation. N-HCC25 cells were co-cultured with bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) isolated from wild-type and Nrf2-knockout C57BL/6J mice. We compared co-culture setups (conditioned media, transwell systems, direct contact) using RT-qPCR, flow cytometry, and invasion assays. 3D spheroid systems better preserved stemness than 2D cultures and revealed functional Nrf2-dependent effects such as increased Vegf-α secretion in Keap1-deficient spheroids. Among the different co-cultivation models, the most profound effects were observed in the MCT model. Macrophages successfully integrated into the spheroids and triggered invasive outgrowth, whereas MCTs containing Nrf2-deficient macrophages displayed markedly reduced tumor spheroid growth and lower programmed cell death ligand-1 expression. These findings demonstrate that Nrf2 signaling in macrophages fosters an immunosuppressive and pro-invasive microenvironment. The established MCT model provides a suitable platform to further unravel Nrf2-dependent mechanisms in the HCC TIME. Full article

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is portable and radiation-free, but its clinical reliability is constrained by operator-dependent image acquisition and the limited scalability of expert quality assurance (QA) review. As handheld devices proliferate faster than mentorship capacity, trainees increasingly rely on heterogeneous free open access medical education (FOAMed) resources that rarely provide real-time psychomotor feedback. We conducted a structured narrative review (MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science; last searched on 23 February 2026), with searches performed by H.H. and independently checked by J.J.P. (both POCUS-trained clinicians). After screening, 31 studies were included. We synthesized evidence on artificial intelligence (AI) systems that support bedside image acquisition and automate QA. The primary synthesis centered on key prospective or comparative clinical evaluations of AI-guided acquisition across echocardiography, focused assessment with sonography in trauma, abdominal aortic aneurysm screening, and lung ultrasound, complemented by peer-reviewed studies of FOAMed appraisal tools and online resource quality. These evaluations suggest that real-time probe guidance, view recognition, anatomy labeling, and automated capture may enable novices, after brief training, to acquire diagnostically adequate images for narrowly defined tasks. Early reports of automated QA scoring and program-level triage for expert review suggest potential to reduce expert workload and shorten feedback cycles, but external validation, generalizability across devices and patient habitus, and patient-centered outcomes remain limited. Acquisition-focused AI may therefore serve as an upstream “digital mentor” to improve novice image acquisition. We propose a practical pathway that integrates curated FOAMed resources and simulation with AI-guided bedside acquisition and continuous QA governance for safe deployment. Full article