Search Results (734)

This paper presents the experimental validation of a computational kinematic model for a passive Stewart–Gough platform equipped with modified Cardan joints. The introduced joint geometry significantly increases structural stiffness but invalidates the standard spherical joint assumption commonly used in hexapod kinematic formulations. To address this, we develop an efficient numerical optimization-based framework that solves both the direct and inverse kinematics without relying on simplified joint models. Furthermore, to enable autonomous and absolute pose measurement, each cylindrical leg joint of the platform is equipped with a LinACE™ absolute linear encoder. This sensor integration transforms the passive mechanism into an IoT-enabled reconfigurable fixture capable of internally sensing, tracking, and recalling its own configuration. The direct kinematics are computed iteratively using a homogeneous transformation formulation and benchmarked against analytical models derived for ideal spherical joints. Experimental results demonstrate sub-millimeter accuracy in pose estimation, confirming the validity of the proposed kinematic model and highlighting the suitability of the sensor-equipped hexapod for industrial flexible fixturing applications. Full article

Modifications in leaf architecture disrupt optical properties and internal light-scattering dynamics. Accurate modeling of leaf-scale light scattering is therefore essential not only for understanding how disease affects the availability of light for chlorophyll absorption, but also for evaluating its potential as an early optical marker for plant disease detection prior to visible symptom development. Conventional ray-tracing and radiative-transfer models rely on high-frequency approximations and thus fail to capture diffraction and coherent multiple-scattering effects when internal leaf structures are comparable to optical wavelengths. To overcome these limitations, we present a GPU-accelerated finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) framework for full-wave simulation of light propagation within plant leaves, using anatomically realistic dicot and monocot leaf cross-section geometries. Microscopic images acquired from publicly available sources were segmented into distinct tissue regions and assigned wavelength-dependent complex refractive indices to construct realistic electromagnetic models. The proposed FDTD framework successfully reproduced characteristic reflectance and transmittance spectra of healthy leaves across the visible and near-infrared (NIR) ranges. Quantitative agreement between the FDTD-computed spectral reflectance and transmittance and those predicted by the reference PROSPECT leaf optical model was evaluated using Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient. Higher concordance was observed for dicot leaves ($C_b=0.90$) than for monocot leaves ($C_b=0.79$), indicating a stronger agreement for anatomically complex dicot structures. Furthermore, simulations mimicking an early-stage fungal infection in a dicot leaf—modeled by the geometric introduction of melanized hyphae penetrating the cuticle and upper epidermis—revealed a pronounced reduction in visible green reflectance and a strong suppression of the NIR reflectance plateau. These trends are consistent with experimental observations reported in previous studies. Overall, this proof-of-concept study represents the first full-wave FDTD-based optical modeling of internal light scattering in plant leaves. The proposed framework enables direct electromagnetic analysis of pre- and post-penetration light-scattering dynamics during early fungal infection and establishes a foundation for exploiting leaf-scale light scattering as a next-generation, pre-symptomatic diagnostic indicator for plant fungal diseases. Full article

Listeria monocytogenes is a high-risk pathogenic bacterium associated with ready-to-eat foods and poses a potential threat to consumer health. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, characterization and genetic diversity of L. monocytogenes in ready-to-eat raw salmon and trout products obtained from physical stores and online stores in China. Out of 150 samples analyzed, 23 (15.3%) were positive for L. monocytogenes. Among these positive samples, three (12%) were from Japanese restaurants, four (16%) from farmers markets, one (2.9%) from large supermarkets and fifteen (30%) from e-commerce platforms, and only one sample showed a contamination level exceeding 100 most probable number (MPN)/g. The isolates from positive samples demonstrated a concrete public health risk through several findings: twenty-three L. monocytogenes exhibited varying degrees of cytotoxicity, ranging from 7.6% to 71.8%. Compared with the reference strain ATCC 19115, five of these isolates were highly cytotoxic, a result that was validated by mouse survival rate experiment, which also confirmed their high virulence at tested dose. All isolates were resistant to cefuroxime sodium, ceftriaxone, cefepime and nalidixic acid, and 13% showed resistance to sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim. Three serogroups were identified, with serogroup Ⅰ.1 (1/2a, 3a) being the most prevalent (65.2%). These isolates were grouped into eight sequence types, with ST8 (34.8%) and ST87 (30.4%) dominating. All isolates carried virulence genes associated with LIPI-1 andmultiple internalin genes (inlA, inlB, inlJ and inlK), confirming their potential pathogenicity. Additionally, the isolates harbored antimicrobial resistance genes lin and FosX. The five highly virulent isolates exhibited the highest genetic similarity to J2-031 (GCA_000438645.1) and C1-387 (GCA_000438605.1). The results provided valuable information for Chinese regulatory authorities to strengthen the risk monitoring of L. monocytogenes in ready-to-eat raw salmon and trout products. Full article

The gut microbiome is a modifiable factor in cancer survivorship. Diet represents the most practical intervention for modulating the gut microbiome. However, diet–microbiome relationships in prostate-cancer survivors remain poorly characterized. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of diet–microbiome associations in 79 prostate-cancer survivors (ages 62–81) enrolled in a randomized exercise intervention trial, 59.5% of whom still have active metastatic disease. Dietary intake was assessed using the Diet History Questionnaire (201 variables) and analyzed using three validated dietary pattern scores: Mediterranean Diet Adherence Score (MEDAS), Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), and the Mediterranean-Dash Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet score. Gut microbiome composition was characterized via 16S rRNA sequencing. Dimensionality reduction strategies, including theory-driven diet scores and data-driven machine learning (Random Forest, and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO)), were used. Statistical analyses included beta regression for alpha diversity, Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance (PERMANOVA) for beta diversity (both Bray–Curtis and Sørensen metrics), and Microbiome Multivariable Associations with Linear Models (MaAsLin2) with negative binomial regression for taxa-level associations. All models tested interactions with exercise intervention, APOLIPOPROTEIN E (APOE) genotype, and testosterone levels. There was an interaction between MEDAS and exercise type on gut alpha diversity (Shannon: p = 0.0022), with stronger diet–diversity associations in strength training and Tai Chi groups than flexibility controls. All three diet-quality scores predicted beta diversity (HEI p = 0.002; MIND p = 0.025; MEDAS p = 0.034) but not Bray–Curtis (abundance-weighted) distance, suggesting diet shapes community membership rather than relative abundances. Taxa-level analysis revealed 129 genera with diet associations or diet × host factor interactions. Among 297 dietary variables tested for cognitive outcomes, only caffeine significantly predicted Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores after False Discovery Rate (FDR) correction (p = 0.0009, q = 0.014) through direct pathways beneficial to cognitive performance without notable gut microbiome modulation. In cancer survivors, dietary recommendations should be tailored to exercise habits, genetic background, and hormonal status. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of dietary linseed cake on the fatty acid profile of meat and abdominal fat, and on growth performance in broiler chickens. A total of 198 birds were randomly allocated to three groups (66 birds/group). The control group (C) received a standard soybean meal-based feed, while the LIN6 and LIN12 groups were fed diets that were supplemented with 6% and 12% linseed cake, respectively. Linseed cake supplementation reduced saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, increased n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in meat and abdominal fat, and lowered the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio (FDR-adjusted p < 0.05). The 12% inclusion resulted in a more pronounced accumulation of n-3 PUFAs—4.3–5.0 times higher than the control—while 6% inclusion increased n-3 PUFAs by 2.8–3.3 times (FDR-adjusted p < 0.05). However, 12% inclusion negatively affected growth performance, reducing body weight by 9.9% and feed intake by 10.4% at 42 days (p < 0.05), whereas the 6% inclusion had no adverse impact (p < 0.05). These results indicate that 6% linseed cake represents the optimal practical inclusion level, effectively enhancing the n-3 PUFA profile of broiler meat and abdominal fat without compromising growth, while higher inclusion levels may impair production performance. Full article

Recent studies have revealed a specific relationship between gut bacteria and inflammatory skin profiles. We aimed to perform a species-level comparative metagenomic analysis of the gut microbiome in patients with psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), and pemphigus foliaceus (PF). We included omnivorous nonsmokers and nondrinkers with psoriasis (n = 24), HS (n = 10), and PF (n = 11), as well as healthy controls (n = 10). We collected faecal samples from all patients for classic parasitological analysis. Gut microbiome analysis was conducted using shotgun next-generation sequencing. We used the Deseq2, Limma_voom, LinDA, and MaAMaAsLin 2 bioinformatics tools to evaluate concordance and differential abundance between patients. Thirteen patients (23.64%) were diagnosed with active intestinal parasitosis. The presence of intestinal parasitosis was significantly related to immunosuppression (p = 0.009). The most abundant microorganism species found in the faeces of the patients evaluated was Escherichia coli. Psoriasis patients presented a greater abundance of bacteria from the Veillonellaceae family, whereas PF patients presented a greater abundance of Firmicutes bacteria. Patients with PF showed increased E. coli virulence and antibiotic resistance functional markers. Immunosuppression significantly influenced the presence of intestinal parasitosis as well as increased the virulence of functional markers in patients with PF receiving systemic corticosteroid therapy. Full article

Gastrointestinal parasites are a major health and economic concern in small ruminants. The classic microscopic approach using the manual McMaster method serves to quantitatively count parasite eggs, which are labor-intensive and prone to variation. Artificial intelligence-based systems (Parasight^®, powered by Fecalsight AI™) could provide quicker and more objective alternatives; therefore, independent validation is necessary before clinical implementation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the agreement, classification consistency, and diagnostic performance of Parasight^® relative to the manual McMaster method, with a focus on its suitability as a screening and decision-support tool. Fecal samples from 44 Kiko goats over 3 sampling times were analyzed using both methods, with manual counts performed independently by 2 observers. Agreement between methods was assessed using Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient, Bland–Altman analysis, and Cohen’s Kappa for categorical classification. Diagnostic performance for identifying animals exceeding the clinical treatment threshold (>1000 eggs per gram) was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and regression modeling was used to characterize associations between methods. Manual observers showed high reliability, confirming the suitability of the McMaster method as a reference. Compared with manual counts, Parasight^® consistently underestimated egg counts, resulting in poor-to-moderate absolute agreement; however, it reliably ranked animals by parasite burden and showed excellent discrimination for identifying animals above the treatment threshold (AUC = 0.90–0.96). Regression analyses further demonstrated linear or curvilinear associations depending on egg counts. Overall, the Parasight^® device reliably captured relative parasite burden but required a lower operational threshold to match manual treatment decisions. Full article

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and diagnostic accuracy of smartphone-based photogrammetry for the assessment of pes planus and to determine its agreement with standard radiographic measurements. Methods: This prospective diagnostic study included 100 skeletally mature patients (50 males, 50 females; mean age 43.4 years) who underwent standardized lateral weight-bearing foot radiographs and smartphone-based foot photography. The calcaneal pitch angle (CPA) was measured on radiographs, and a corresponding photographic arch pitch angle (P-APA) was measured from standardized smartphone photographs using digital software (Angle Meter iOS v1.9.8). Three independent observers performed each measurement twice. Inter- and intra-observer reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Agreement between methods was evaluated with Pearson correlation, Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), Bland–Altman analysis, and Deming regression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of calibrated P-APA, with the radiographic threshold of 18° serving as the reference standard for pes planus classification. Results: All measurements demonstrated excellent intra- and inter-observer reliability (ICC ≥ 0.900). P-APA values were systematically higher than radiographic values (31.8° ± 4.3 vs. 21.8° ± 5.5; p < 0.001). A strong correlation was observed between the two methods (r = 0.799, p < 0.001), but concordance was poor (CCC = 0.222). Bland–Altman analysis revealed a mean bias of +10.1° with wide limits of agreement (3.8° to 16.4°). Deming regression yielded the calibration equation Radiographic CPA = (P-APA × 1.371) − 21.883. ROC analysis of calibrated values yielded an AUC of 0.885 (95% CI, 0.820–0.951), with an optimal cutoff of 22.8° (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 61.1%), corresponding to 32.6° on the uncalibrated photographic scale. Conclusions: Conventional weight-bearing radiography remains the reference standard for diagnosis and clinical decision-making in pes planus. The smartphone-derived photographic arch pitch angle is a non-equivalent surrogate measure that shows substantial systematic bias and limited agreement with radiographic calcaneal pitch, and therefore cannot replace weight-bearing radiographs. Smartphone photogrammetry may be used only as a complementary tool for preliminary screening or telemedicine support; any positive or equivocal findings require radiographic confirmation. Full article

The global countryside constitutes a complex social–ecological system undergoing profound transformation. Understanding how such systems navigate transitions and achieve resilient, sustainable outcomes requires examining the interactions and adaptive behaviors of multiple actors. This study investigates the restructuring of rural China through a complex adaptive systems lens, focusing on the county of Lin’an in Zhejiang Province. We employ a middle-range theory and process-tracing approach to analyze the co-evolutionary pathways shaped by the interactions among three key agents: local governments, enterprises, and village communities. Our findings reveal distinct yet interdependent behavioral logics—local governments and enterprises primarily exhibit instrumental rationality, driven by political performance and profit maximization, respectively, while villages demonstrate value-rational behavior anchored in communal well-being and territorial identity. Crucially, this study identifies the emergence of a vital integrative mechanism, the “village operator” model, underpinned by the collective economy. This institutional innovation facilitates the synergistic linkage of interests and the integration of endogenous and exogenous resources, thereby mitigating conflicts and alienation. We argue that this multi-agent collaboration drives a synergistic restructuring of spatial, economic, and social subsystems. The case demonstrates that sustainable rural revitalization hinges not on the dominance of a single logic, but on the emergence of adaptive governance structures that effectively coordinate diverse actor logics. This process fosters systemic resilience, enabling the rural system to adapt to external pressures and internal changes. The Lin’an experience offers a transferable framework for understanding how coordinated multi-agent interactions can guide complex social–ecological systems toward sustainable transitions. Full article

Advances in CMOS image sensors (CISs) have led to utilization in various industrial fields, including machine vision, medical, surveillance, the automotive industry, and the Internet of Things (IoT). One critical metric for CISs is the dynamic range (DR), which indicates the range of light intensity that can clearly capture images. As the technology evolves, wide dynamic range (WDR) becomes increasingly required for more diverse applications. To further advance these industries, this paper presents the active-pixel-type CIS design techniques and architectures developed to achieve WDR. These include the following: the basic concepts of the active pixel sensor, readout mechanism, and DR of the CIS; multiple exposure and dual conversion gain (DCG) schemes that are conventionally used to address a trade-off in the CIS; lateral overflow integration capacitor (LOFIC) and dual photodiode (PD) architectures that can improve the DR by utilizing trade-offs in the DR and exposure mechanism; CISs with logarithmic and linear–logarithmic (Lin-Log) responses to enable non-linear characteristics; and techniques that can be employed for higher sensitivity in dark conditions. This comprehensive study of various techniques and architectures can also be utilized for cutting-edge tech advances and future research, including neuromorphic array architecture. Full article

The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, also known as Xinjiang, China, is notable for its high diversity and abundance of lichens. The purpose of this study was to examine species diversity and the distribution patterns of saxicolous lichens, family Megasporaceae, which includes the genera Aspicilia, Circinaria and Lobothallia, in Xinjiang Province. Morphology, anatomy, chemical analysis and rDNA-ITS sequences for the species were employed for their identification. As a result, 34 crustose and strictly saxicolous species belonging to three genera were found, which included 22 species of the genus Aspicilia, two of which were new to Xinjiang (A. disjecta (Zahlbr.) J.C. Wei and A. pycnocarpa Q. Ren & Lin Liu), eight common species of Circinaria, as well as four species of Lobothallia, two of which (L. determinata (H. Magn.) T.B. Wheeler and L. pruinosa Kou & Q. Ren) are new provincial records. There was a unimodal pattern with respect to lichen species richness; all specimens of the Megasporaceae family were found between 1600 and 5100 m altitude. The 30 species were collected at altitudes between 2601 and 3100 m; only four species were recorded below 2150 m, and seven were found above 4600 m. As far as the type of rocks are concerned, 24 species were found on siliceous rocks and 10 species were found on calcareous rocks. The 24 lichen species contained seven different secondary metabolites; stictic acid, substictic acid and norstictic acid were more common, whereas aspicilin, constictic acid, lecanoric acid and connorstictic acid were found in only a few lichen species. Full article

This paper examines how county-level government in China formulates and implements solar photovoltaic (PV) policies through an adaptive-governance lens, using Lin’an District (Hangzhou) as a case study. Drawing on multi-level policy document analysis and 30 semi-structured interviews with government officials, developers, grid actors and experts, we identify three stages of local PV development (rooftop diffusion; rapid utility-scale expansion; and market-oriented regulatory adjustment). Key governance innovations include a district PV task force, an industry alliance, and a dual acceptance safety mechanism that together accelerated deployment while managing technical and political risks. We show how adaptive governance operates within an authoritarian, hierarchical system by combining top-down targets with bottom-up development and stakeholder coordination. The findings illuminate practical trade-offs between market liberalization and regulatory control, and provide transferable lessons for other developing countries pursuing decentralized renewable energy transitions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Accurate measurement of total protein (TP) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is crucial for diagnosing various neurological conditions. This study aims to evaluate the concordance between a routine colorimetric method and a recently introduced turbidimetric method for measuring CSF TP. Methods: We measured 161 CSF samples using both methods, analyzing the whole population and two subgroups: normal (≤500 mg/L) and pathological (>500 mg/L). Agreement was assessed using Lin’s Concordance Correlation Coefficient (CCC), Bland–Altman, and Deming regression, while clinical concordance was determined with Cohen’s Kappa. Results: The concentrations obtained from the two methods did not differ significantly and were well-correlated across the population and subgroups. The CCC for the entire dataset was 0.9881 (substantial agreement), while the Bland–Altman analysis showed a mean bias of 4.467 mg/L. For the “normal” subgroup (n = 97), the CCC was 0.8722 (poor agreement), with a mean bias of 7.668 mg/L. In the “pathological” subgroup (n = 64), the CCC was 0.9858 (substantial agreement) with a mean bias of −3.838 mg/L. Demin regression did not show statistically significant proportional or constant bias in the whole population. However, a stratified analysis revealed a significant negative constant bias in the “normal” subgroup in absence of significant bias in the “pathological” subgroup. Cohen’s kappa was 0.804, indicating substantial agreement. Conclusions: Both methods showed substantial agreement for quantifying CSF TP and clinical classification, supporting their potential interchangeability for diagnostic purposes. Nonetheless, laboratories should note the presence of bias, particularly for samples near the clinical cut-off value. Full article

Background/Objectives: Continuous trauma-system monitoring is limited by the lack of scalable, low-cost tools. The Pavia Trauma Management Epidemiology (PaTraME) project uses routinely collected ICD-9-CM discharge data (SDO) and the Trauma Mortality Probability Model (TMPM) to derive Injury Severity Score (XISS) and probability of death (TMPM-POD), creating a cost-free surveillance framework for regional trauma networks. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of all major-trauma admissions (XISS > 15) in Pavia Province from 2014 to 2021. Anonymized SDO records were linked with emergency department flows and mortality registries. XISS and TMPM-POD were computed for each case. Case volumes, severity distributions, hub-centralization, and mortality (in-hospital, 30-day, and 180-day) were analyzed using trend and regression models (p < 0.05). Conclusions: We identified 1959 major-trauma admissions. Volumes increased up to 2019, dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic, and partially recovered in 2021 (p < 0.001). Overall, 61.5% of patients were admitted to hub centers, with an upward trend (p < 0.001). Hubs treated more severe trauma (median XISS 17 vs. 16; TMPM-POD 0.06 vs. 0.05, both p < 0.001). In-hospital mortality remained stable (8.2–11.4%, p = 0.828). TMPM-POD showed strong agreement with observed in-hospital mortality (Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient 0.81), though calibration worsened at higher risk levels. PaTraME confirms TMPM-POD as a valid mortality predictor and demonstrates a reproducible administrative-data framework for trauma surveillance. Rising hub admissions and stable mortality despite increasing complexity suggest improved system performance. Stratification of XISS and TMPM-POD between hub and spoke centers highlights peripheral hospitals managing disproportionately severe cases, informing targeted resource allocation and supporting quality improvement via automated dashboards. Full article