Search Results (632)

Background: Optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) have emerged as a promising technology for neuromagnetic recording in humans. Current state-of-the-art OPM systems are housed in large magnetically shielded rooms to reduce external electromagnetic noise and typically comprise sensor arrays covering the entire head. Such systems are extremely costly to purchase and install, and take up large amounts of physical space, which limits the accessibility of this technology to research groups with limited funding. Here we sought to evaluate the utility of a more accessible “starter” OPM system comprising a small cylindrical mu-metal shield and partial sensor coverage. Methods: Twelve participants underwent right-sided median nerve stimulation (MNS) intended to elicit ubiquitous sensorimotor responses: somatosensory-evoked fields (SEFs, comprising N20m, P35m and P60m components) and event-related (de)synchronization (ERD/ERS) of oscillatory neuronal rhythms in the mu and beta frequency ranges. Results: Following MNS, we observed robust N20m and P60m peaks, as well as the expected mu ERD and beta ERS effects. Moreover, these responses could be localized to expected cortical generators. However, we observed markedly lower SNR than that seen in state-of-the-art systems. We make recommendations for further improvements to this system and others like it. Full article

The anti-corrosion performance of epoxy coatings in saline solution environments is restricted by their surface hydrophilicity and microporous defects. Herein, we developed a modified epoxy (MEP)-based superhydrophobic anticorrosive coating by fluorinated resin matrix and incorporation of polyaniline@expanded graphite (FPANI@MEG) anticorrosive fillers. The FPANI@MEG fillers were fabricated via in situ polymerization of aniline on the surface of dopamine-modified expanded graphite to construct the micro-nano hierarchical structure required for superhydrophobicity, while providing barrier shielding and active passivation functions. The results showed that the final coating exhibited excellent superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 156.5 ± 1.8° and sliding angle of 3.0 ± 0.6°, along with excellent adhesion and adaptability to various complex environments. Meanwhile, the coating maintained superhydrophobicity after 400 cycles of Taber abrasion and 450 g of falling-sand impact, demonstrating hydrophobic robustness. Furthermore, the coating exhibited a low-frequency impedance modulus of 2.30 × 10⁷ Ω·cm² after immersion in NaCl solution for 15 days. The synergistic combination of air film shielding, physical barrier, and active passivation endowed the coating with good anticorrosion performance. This work may provide a theoretical reference for improving the corrosion protection of epoxy-based superhydrophobic coatings on carbon steel in aggressive saline solution environments. Full article

During deepwater oil and gas production and shut-in operations, the high-pressure and low-temperature environment readily induces hydrate formation of CO₂-rich associated gas in oil–water systems, thereby posing serious flow assurance risks. This study systematically investigated the nucleation, growth, and morphological evolution of hydrates in oil–water systems under different gas-phase states using fully visualized high-pressure apparatus, along with the effects of temperature, pressure, CO₂ concentration, and inhibitors on hydrate formation behavior. The results showed that gas phase transition significantly altered the hydrate induction time, gas consumption, and growth time. However, once the gas was liquefied, mass transfer became hindered, and the growth process exhibited pronounced dynamic fluctuations. Phase transitions caused by variations in CO₂ concentration also exerted a significant influence on hydrate growth, among which the terminal subcooling had the most pronounced effect on the integrated growth index. Compared with monoethylene glycol (MEG), methanol lowered the peak value during the rapid hydrate formation stage, markedly reduced the hydrate growth rate, and led to a prolonged period during which the pressure remained above its initial value. These findings revealed the hydrate formation characteristics in oil–water systems and mechanism of thermodynamic inhibitors, providing a theoretical basis for ensuring flow safety in CO₂-rich oil and gas wellbores and pipelines. Full article

Erlotinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI), is widely used in cancer therapy; however, hepatotoxicity limits its clinical use. This study investigated the protective effects of Liv-52, a polyherbal hepatoprotective formulation, against erlotinib-induced hepatotoxicity in rats and compared its efficacy with melatonin. The animals (n = 24, Wistar albino rats) were randomly categorized into four groups: healthy (HG), erlotinib (ERG), Liv-52 + erlotinib (LEG), and melatonin + erlotinib (MEG). Liv-52 (50 mg/kg/day, orally) and melatonin (10 mg/kg/day, orally) were administered once daily for two weeks. Erlotinib (10 mg/kg, orally) was given every other day to ERG, LEG, and MEG groups for two weeks. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured. Hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), total glutathione (tGSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) levels were analyzed. Additionally, double immunofluorescence staining was performed to evaluate apoptotic (poly[ADP-ribose] polymerase-1 [PARP-1], apoptosis-inducing factor [AIF]), inflammatory (cyclooxygenase-2 [COX-2]), and anti-inflammatory (interleukin-10 [IL-10]) biomarkers in liver tissues. Histopathological examination was also conducted to assess structural alterations. Erlotinib significantly increased MDA, ALT, AST, and LDH while decreasing tGSH, SOD, and CAT (p < 0.001). Strong immunoreactivity for PARP-1, AIF, IL-10, and COX-2, as well as severe hydropic degeneration and necrosis, was observed in ERG (p < 0.05). Both Liv-52 and melatonin significantly ameliorated biochemical, histopathological, apoptotic, and inflammatory alterations (p < 0.05). Notably, Liv-52 demonstrated superior hepatoprotective efficacy compared to melatonin. These findings indicate that Liv-52 effectively attenuates erlotinib-induced hepatotoxicity by modulating oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and apoptotic pathways, thereby preserving liver function and structural integrity. Full article

The atomic magnetometer (AM), operating within the spin-exchange relaxation-free (SERF) regime, boasts numerous advantageous qualities, including ultrahigh sensitivity, exceptional spatial resolution, and minimal power consumption. Consequently, it emerges as a promising alternative to superconducting quantum interference devices in biomagnetic measurement applications. This paper details the development of a fully integrated SERF AM system comprising a compact sensor head and corresponding control electronics. Utilizing a 4 mm × 4 mm × 4 mm cubic vapor cell, we have successfully integrated the compact sensor into a 9 ${\mathrm{cm}}^3$ volume employing a single-beam scheme facilitated by a polarization-maintaining fiber. The in-house control electronics encompass essential components, such as the laser driver, coil driver, vapor-cell temperature controller, and transimpedance amplifier. As a result, the fully integrated SERF AM achieves a sensitivity of 25 $\mathrm{fT}/{\mathrm{Hz}}^{1/2}$@5∼100 Hz, accompanied by a bandwidth of 193 Hz, meeting the necessary criteria for magnetocardiography (MCG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) measurements. Furthermore, the fully integrated SERF AM successfully records typical MCG and alpha rhythm MEG signals, showcasing immense potential for biomagnetic imaging applications. Full article

Water-based lubricants (WBLs) are increasingly being considered for electrified drivetrain applications; however, their electrochemical stability toward bearing steels remains insufficiently understood. This study evaluated the corrosion behavior of through-hardened AISI 52100 bearing steel in novel WBLs to elucidate the corrosion kinetics and surface degradation mechanisms. Round steel disks were cleaned and tested in 50 wt% aqueous dilutions of glycerol, ethylene glycol (MEG), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and polyalkylene glycol (PAG). Electrochemical measurements were conducted using a three-electrode cell in accordance with ASTM G3-14, employing open circuit potential (OCP), linear polarization resistance (LPR), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and potentiodynamic polarization curves. Among the uninhibited fluids, DI water exhibited the highest corrosion current density (19.85 µA/cm²), while glycerol- and PEG-based systems showed the lowest values (0.79 and 0.85 µA/cm², respectively), attributed to organic adsorption at the steel/electrolyte interface. EIS analysis revealed a single charge-transfer-controlled process across all fluids, consistent with a weak, non-passive interfacial oxide whose protective character is modulated by organic adsorption. The addition of NaNO₃ produced divergent effects depending on the base fluid chemistry: the corrosion activity was reduced in DI water and glycerol systems through enhanced passivation, while PEG- and PAG-based formulations showed increased corrosion current densities and reduced charge transfer resistance, attributed to competitive disruption of the polymer boundary layer by nitrate ions. Surface characterization by SEM/EDAX and white-light interferometry corroborated the electrochemical findings, revealing fluid-dependent corrosion morphologies ranging from uniform attack in DI water to localized pitting in polymer-based systems, with NaNO₃ shifting the corrosion mode in PEG/PAG systems from localized to combined localized and uniform attack. These findings highlight the critical role of fluid chemistry in controlling corrosion processes in water-based lubricants and provide mechanistic insight for the development of corrosion-stable formulations for high-performance electrified drivetrain applications. Full article

Pitch is a powerful cue for segregating sound sources in complex acoustic scenes, yet the neural mechanisms through which it guides selective attention remain unclear. In this review, we consider behavioural and neurophysiological evidence from humans and animal models to examine how pitch supports selective listening in a two-stage process: bottom-up pitch-based feature binding, followed by top-down enhancement of an attended sound source. Behavioural studies demonstrate that even modest pitch differences substantially improve listeners’ segregation of harmonic sounds, tone streams, and competing talkers. Human EEG, MEG, fMRI and ECoG studies show enhancement of target sound representations in auditory cortex during selective listening, but understanding this process at the level of individual neurons requires further study in animals that are trained in pitch-based selective listening tasks. Other key questions in this field include the relative roles of resolved and unresolved harmonic cues, the neural circuit mechanisms underlying target enhancement versus masker suppression, and how attention can target distributed cortical pitch representations. We argue that cross-species, naturalistic paradigms are essential for answering these questions and for addressing the listening difficulties associated with ageing and hearing loss. Full article

Coral reef ecosystems are declining rapidly due to climate change, disease, and anthropogenic stressors, driving the expansion of land-based coral propagation for reef restoration. A major bottleneck in these efforts is the manual measurement of coral recruit tissue area from microscopy images, which requires 2–7 min per image and limits scalability. We present a hierarchical deep learning pipeline that automates this measurement by integrating YOLO-based detection with Segment Anything Model (SAM) segmentation. YOLO localizes recruits and classifies them by developmental stage; stage-specific fine-tuned SAM models then segment live tissue using bounding box and background point prompts to suppress segmentation leakage and improve boundary precision. Surface area is computed directly from the segmented masks using pixel size extracted from image metadata. The pipeline reduces processing time to approximately 3–5 s per image—a 24–140× speedup over manual tracing. Evaluated on 3668 microscopy images from two national coral research facilities, the system achieves a mean IoU exceeding 95% and an auto-acceptance rate (AAR) of 71.51%, where predicted-to-ground-truth area ratios fall within a ±5% tolerance of expert annotation, substantially reducing manual workload while maintaining measurement reliability across species, developmental stages, and imaging conditions. This workflow addresses a critical bottleneck in restoration research and demonstrates the broader applicability of AI-based image analysis in marine ecology. Full article

The transition from High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) to energy-efficient Light-Emitting Diode (LED) supplemental lighting alters the plant thermal environment in controlled environment agriculture (CEA). This study evaluated how three practical supplemental lighting regimes, HPS, LED, and LED supplemented with infrared radiation (LED + IR), influence the physiology, growth, and phytochemical profile of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L.). We assessed biomass production, photosynthetic performance, oxidative stress markers (TBARS), and the concentration of primary and secondary metabolites. The LED treatment was superior for biomass production, yielding significant fresh mass while maintaining the lowest leaf nitrate content. Conversely, the addition of IR significantly increased leaf temperature, which suppressed growth but acted as a potent “bio-stress” agent, significantly increasing the total phenolic index. This biofortification, however, significantly decreased photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids), increased lipid peroxidation (TBARS), and led to the highest accumulation of undesirable nitrates. Our findings reveal a clear growth-defense trade-off, demonstrating that while LED lighting is optimal for maximizing yield and food safety, the targeted application of IR radiation is an effective strategy for enhancing the nutraceutical value of leafy greens, requiring careful management to mitigate negative impacts on growth and quality. Full article

Autonomous guided vehicle (AGV) navigation in high-density warehouses faces significant challenges due to narrow aisles and complex U-shaped traps. In such environments, traditional sampling-based path planning algorithms often converge slowly and produce suboptimal paths. To solve these issues, a novel hierarchical hybrid planning framework named MEG-RRT* (Multi-objective Evolutionary Guided RRT*) is proposed in this study. The proposed MEG-RRT* integrates an optimization engine based on NSGA-II into the sampling process. It guides exploration direction away from local minima by jointly optimizing convergence efficiency and safety-related objectives. Furthermore, a geometry-aware execution layer is introduced to improve motion through narrow passages and to refine the path structure. This layer includes radar-guided steering, adaptive step-size control, and ancestor shortcut operations. Comparative experiments were conducted in simulated scenarios of complex narrow passages and high-density warehouses to verify the superiority of the proposed MEG-RRT*. In complex narrow passages, the proposed algorithm achieves a 100% success rate; it also reduces convergence time by 43.5% compared to standard RRT* and by 44.9% compared to Informed-RRT*. In warehouse environments, it generates smooth, kinematically favorable paths that are 39% shorter than those produced by RRT-Connect. These results demonstrate that MEG-RRT* balances exploration efficiency and solution optimality, making it well suited for automated logistics applications. Full article

This study proposes a high-isolation four-port wideband MIMO antenna array designed for sub-6 GHz 5G, IoT, and radar applications. The array is fabricated on a polycarbonate substrate with overall dimensions of 500 × 500 mm² (ε_r = 2.8, h = 1 mm). Four orthogonally arranged modified circular patches with triangular ground planes and optimized inter-element spacing (D₁ = 90 mm) are employed in the antenna’s design to achieve an impedance bandwidth of 0.7–7.0 GHz (Fractional Bandwidth (FBW) > 163.63%) with |S_ii| < −10 dB across all ports. The measurement results indicate that the inter-port isolation is better than 15 dB (worst-case) across the 0.7–7 GHz band, exceeding 25 dB over 63.5% of the bandwidth (with a peak of approximately 50 dB); the envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) is ultra-low (<0.008); the total active reflection coefficient (TARC) is less than −10 dB for primary multi-port excitations; the mean effective gain (MEG) is balanced (≈−3 dB); and the group delay is consistent (~0.5 ns). With a maximum realized gain of 10 dBi, the antenna exhibits omnidirectional radiation patterns, showing a significant correlation between the simulation (CST Microwave Studio) and measurement results. The proposed antenna is particularly well-suited for use in high-throughput sub-6 GHz 5G base stations and wideband wireless systems, offering superior port isolation through multi-mode resonance without the need for metamaterials and outperforming existing four-port designs. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable, biocompatible, and multifunctional sensing materials has intensified interest in melanin and its derivatives, including melanin-inspired polymers and composites. Melanin is a naturally occurring biopolymer whose intricate structure and diverse chemical composition give rise to a remarkable combination of optical, electrical, and chemical properties. Key physicochemical characteristics, such as broadband optical absorption, hydration-dependent conductivity, redox activity, and metal ion coordination, are closely linked to melanin’s signal transduction capabilities and underpin its relevance in sensing applications. Recent advances in melanin-based sensing technologies encompass pH, humidity, chemical, biological, and optical platforms, with particular emphasis on hybrid systems incorporating graphene, silicon, or nanomaterials, and printable or wearable device architectures. These developments have enabled enhanced performance and broadened potential application fields. However, persistent challenges, including intrinsic heterogeneity, limited selectivity, relatively low electrical conductivity, and poor long-term operational stability, still limit practical implementation. Emerging molecular engineering and advanced fabrication strategies are being developed to address these limitations. Together, these findings position melanin as a versatile, eco-compatible, and functionally rich material, with a significant potential to underpin the next generation of sustainable sensing technologies. Full article

Background/Objectives: The dichotic listening test (DLT) is widely used to assess auditory attention and hemispheric language lateralization, with the right-ear advantage (REA) representing a robust behavioral phenomenon. Although the REA is often attributed to structural asymmetries in auditory pathways and left-hemisphere dominance for speech processing, the neural mechanisms by which selective attention modulates this asymmetry remain unclear. This study examined how directed auditory attention influences the REA and its neural correlates using magnetoencephalography (MEG)-based auditory steady-state responses (ASSRs). Methods: Fifteen right-handed participants performed directed-attention dichotic listening tasks during MEG recording. One participant was excluded from MEG analyses due to excessive noise contamination, resulting in 14 participants included in neural analyses. Participants attended to either the left or right ear throughout each session and reported the perceived stimulus from the attended ear. Dichotic speech stimuli were amplitude-modulated at 35 Hz and 45 Hz for frequency tagging. ASSR amplitudes were extracted from the left and right auditory cortices and analyzed in relation to behavioral accuracy using correlation analyses and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results: Behavioral accuracy was significantly higher during right-ear attention than left-ear attention, indicating a residual REA. ASSR amplitudes tended to be higher during left-ear attention. Importantly, during left-ear attention, ASSR amplitude in the left auditory cortex showed a significant positive correlation with behavioral accuracy, whereas no such association was observed during right-ear attention. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the REA reflects a dynamic interaction between structural auditory asymmetry and top-down attentional control, with successful left-ear listening relying on compensatory recruitment of the left auditory cortex. Full article

Up to now, most hydrogel-related studies have been devoted to the preparation of drug-containing macromolecular gels via the introduction of polymer matrices, together with the clarification of their assembly mechanisms and biomedical applications. In contrast, studies concerning the design of small-molecule gel systems remain relatively limited. As gel research progresses, drug small-molecule hydrogels have attracted growing interest for formulation development. This study investigated whether designing a small-molecule hydrogel could serve as an effective solubilization approach for sulindac (SUL)—a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug clinically restricted by its poor aqueous solubility. Then, a SUL small-molecule hydrogel was prepared by straightforward mixing of SUL with biologically safe meglumine (MEG) in a minimal volume of deionized water, which exhibited a characteristic three-dimensional network structure and favorable viscoelastic properties. The characterization and simulation results indicated that the hydrogel formation was contingent upon the SUL-MEG miscibility, dissolution-aggregation equilibrium and intermolecular self-assembly. Consequently, the resulting SUL-MEG hydrogel exhibited 546 times higher solubility compared to the pure SUL. Meanwhile, the SUL-MEG hydrogel demonstrated superior release kinetics and supersaturation capacity, characterized by rapid attainment of peak concentrations and sustained supersaturated release. These enhanced performances were attributed to the high-energy state of the hydrogel itself and the molecular complexation between SUL and MEG. In conclusion, this study presents a feasible formulation strategy for overcoming the poor water solubility of insoluble drugs through the development of small-molecule hydrogel formulations. Full article

Background: Suicide remains a leading cause of death in the United States, with more than 49,000 fatalities in 2023. Rural counties consistently face higher suicide mortality rates than urban areas, reflecting deep-seated mental health inequities. Methods: This study analyzes 39 U.S. states with suicide mortality rates exceeding the national average, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (>14.1 per 100,000), to examine rural–urban disparities and their intersectional demographic factors. Age-adjusted mortality data (2019–2023) from HDPulse were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 31.0. Counties were classified by USDA Rural–Urban Continuum Codes and stratified by region, sex, age, and race. Subgroup differences were tested using a two-way ANOVA (p < 0.01). Results: Rural suicide rates were significantly higher than urban rates (28.69 vs. 20.20 per 100,000; p < 0.001). The West reported the highest mortality and widest rural–urban gap (38.23 vs. 24.83), while the Northeast had the lowest. Men had higher rates than women, particularly in rural settings (37.12 vs. 11.77). The largest rural–urban gap occurred among young adults (20–39 years). American Indian/Alaska Native populations experienced the highest rates (rural: 58.73; urban: 35.15). The literature review highlighted limited healthcare access, social stigma, substance use, and economic hardship as variables commonly associated with rural–urban differences in suicide mortality. Conclusions: Suicide mortality is markedly elevated in rural America across all subgroups, with the greatest risks among young adults, men, and American Indian/Alaska Native populations. Tailored prevention strategies and expanded mental health infrastructure are critical for high-burden states. Full article