Search Results (2,758)

The demand for high data rates and large system capacity has posed significant challenges for medium access control (MAC) methods. Successive interference cancellation (SIC) is a classical multi-user detection (MUD) method; however, it suffers from an error propagation problem. To address this deficiency, we propose a method called Virtual Signal Processing-Based Integrated Multi-User Detection (VSP-IMUD). In VSP-IMUD, the received mixed multi-user signals are treated as an equivalent signal. The channel ambiguity corresponding to each user’s signal is then examined. For channels with non-zero ambiguity values, the signal components are detected using zero-forcing (ZF) reception. Next, the detected ambiguous signal components are reconstructed and subtracted from the received mixed signal using SIC. Once all the ambiguous signals are detected, the remaining signal components with zero ambiguity values are equated to a virtual integrated signal, to which a matched filter (MF) is applied. Finally, by selecting the signal with the highest channel gain and adopting its data as the reference symbol, the remaining signals’ dataset can be determined. Our theoretical analysis and simulation results demonstrate that VSP-IMUD effectively reduces the frequency of SIC applications and mitigates its error propagation effects, thereby improving the system’s bit-error rate (BER) performance. Full article

The apicoplast is a highly specialized organelle in the biosynthesis of essential metabolites in most of the apicomplexan protozoa. This organelle is surrounded by four layers of membranes. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating transmembrane transport are not yet fully understood. In this study, we conducted a phenotypic analysis to investigate the role of a major facilitator superfamily transporter (TgApMFS1) in the survival of the parasite. The results indicated that TgApMFS1 is critical for the survival of Toxoplasma gondii in cell culture conditions. Further analysis indicated that these transporters are crucial for the biogenesis of organelles and the metabolic processes of parasite. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the effects of mental fatigue on physical and cognitive performance (lower-limb power, isometric and handgrip strength, and psychomotor vigilance). Twenty-two physically active young adults (12 males, 10 females; M_age = 20.82 ± 1.47) were randomly assigned to either a Mental Fatigue (MF) or Control group (CON). The MF group showed a statistically significant (p = 0.019) reduction in non-dominant handgrip strength, declining by approximately 2.3 kg (about 5%), while no such change was observed in the CON group or in dominant handgrip strength across groups. Reaction time (RT) was significantly impaired following the mental fatigue protocol: RT increased by 117.82 ms, representing an approximate 46% longer response time in the MF group (p < 0.001), whereas the CON group showed a smaller, non-significant increase of 32.82 ms (~12% longer). No significant differences were found in squat jump performance, indicating that lower-limb explosive power may be less affected by acute mental fatigue. These findings demonstrate that mental fatigue selectively impairs fine motor strength and cognitive processing speed, particularly reaction time, while gross motor power remains resilient. Understanding these effects is critical for optimizing performance in contexts requiring fine motor control and sustained attention under cognitive load. Full article

This study investigates the bond behavior of fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) composites with three common masonry substrates—solid clay bricks (SBs), perforated bricks (PBs), and concrete hollow blocks (HBs)—using knitted polyester grille (KPG) fabric. Through uniaxial tensile tests of the KPG fabric and FRCM system, along with single-lap and double-lap shear tests, the interfacial debonding modes, load-slip responses, and composite utilization ratio were evaluated. Key findings reveal that (i) SB and HB substrates predominantly exhibited fabric slippage (FS) or matrix–fabric (MF) debonding, while PB substrates consistently failed at the matrix–substrate (MS) interface, due to their smooth surface texture. (ii) Prism specimens with mortar joints showed enhanced interfacial friction, leading to higher load fluctuations compared to brick units. PB substrates demonstrated the lowest peak stress (69.64–74.33 MPa), while SB and HB achieved comparable peak stresses (133.91–155.95 MPa). (iii) The FRCM system only achieved a utilization rate of 12–30% in fabric and reinforcement systems. The debonding failure at the matrix–substrate interface is one of the reasons that cannot be ignored, and exploring methods to improve the bonding performance between the matrix–substrate interface is the next research direction. HB bricks have excellent bonding properties, and it is recommended to prioritize their use in retrofit applications, followed by SB bricks. These findings provide insights into optimizing the application of FRCM reinforcement systems in masonry structures. Full article

Typhoon Yagi (2024) was a rapidly moving storm that lasted for eight days and made landfall in three locations, producing heavy rainfall over Hainan and Vietnam. This study aims to investigate the dynamical processes contributing to the heavy rainfall, concentrating on enthalpy flux (EF) and moisture flux (MF). The results indicate that both EF and MF increased significantly during the typhoon’s intensification stage and were high at the time of landfall. Before landfalling at Hainan, latent heat flux (LHF) reached 600 W/m², while sensible heat flux (SHF) was recorded as 80 W/m². Landfall at Hainan resulted in a decrease in LHF and SHF. LHF and SHF subsequently increased to 700 W/m² and 100 W/m², respectively, as noted prior to the landfall in Vietnam. The increased LHF led to higher evaporation, which subsequently elevated moisture flux (MF) following the landfall in Vietnam, while the region’s topography further intensified the rainfall. The mean daily rainfall observed over Philippines is 75 mm on 2 September (landfall and passing through), 100 mm over Hainan (landfall and passing through) on 6 September, and 95 mm at over Vietnam on 7 September (landfall and after), respectively. Heavy rainfall was observed over the land while the typhoon was passing and during the landfall. This research reveals that Typhoon Yagi’s intensity was maintained by a well-organized and extensive circulation system, supported by favorable weather conditions, including high sea surface temperatures (SST) exceeding 30.5 °C, substantial low-level moisture convergence, and elevated EF during the landfall in Vietnam. Full article

Diagnosing digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) pathologies, particularly manica flexoria (MF) tears, can be challenging with standard imaging modalities. Standing low-field MRI tenography (MRIt) may improve the detection rate of MF tears. This study aimed to compare ultrasonography, contrast radiography, pre-contrast MRI, and MRIt to detect naturally occurring MF lesions in horses undergoing tenoscopy. Ten horses with a positive DFTS block, which underwent contrast radiography, ultrasonography, MRI, MRIt, and tenoscopy were included. Two radiologists evaluated the images and recorded whether an MF lesion was present and determined the lesion side. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each modality using tenoscopy as a reference. MRIt and contrast radiography detected MF lesions with the same frequency, both showing 71% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Pre-contrast MRI and ultrasonography detected MF lesions with a lower sensitivity (57%); however, the MRI (100%) demonstrated a higher specificity than ultrasonography (33%). Adding contrast in MRI changed the sensitivity from (4/7 lesions) 57% to (5/7 lesions) 71%, with a constant high specificity (100%). MRIt diagnoses MF tears with a similar sensitivity to contrast radiography, with the same specificity, but with the added benefit of lesion laterality detection. The combined advantages of the anatomical detail of the T1 sequence and the post-contrast hyperintense appearance of the fluid may help diagnose MF tears and identify intact MFs. However, this needs to be substantiated in a larger number of cases. Full article

Electrospun nanofiber membranes (ESNFMs) are exceptional biomaterials for tissue engineering, closely mimicking the native extracellular matrix. However, their inherent fragility poses significant handling, processing, and integration challenges, limiting their widespread application in advanced 3D tissue models and biofabricated devices. This study introduces a novel and on-mat framing technique utilizing extrusion-based printing of a UV-curable biocompatible resin (Biotough D90 MF) to create rigid, integrated support structures directly on chitosan–polyethylene oxide (PEO) ESNFMs. We demonstrate fabrication of these circular frames via precise 3D printing and a simpler manual stamping method, achieving robust mechanical stabilization that enables routine laboratory manipulation without membrane damage. The resulting framed ESNFMs maintain structural integrity during subsequent processing and exhibit excellent biocompatibility in standardized extract assays (116.5 ± 12.2% normalized cellular response with optimized processing) and acceptable performance in direct contact evaluations (up to 78.2 ± 32.4% viability in the optimal configuration). Temporal assessment revealed characteristic cellular adaptation dynamics on nanofiber substrates, emphasizing the importance of extended evaluation periods for accurate biocompatibility determination of three-dimensional scaffolds. This innovative biofabrication approach overcomes critical limitations of previous handling methods, transforming delicate ESNFMs into robust, easy-to-use components for reliable integration into complex cell culture applications, barrier tissue models, and engineered systems. Full article

To improve the identification of drought-affected areas in winter wheat, this paper proposes a lightweight network called MF-FusionNet based on multimodal fusion of RGB images and vegetation indices (NDVI and EVI). A multimodal dataset covering various drought levels in winter wheat was constructed. To enable deep fusion of modalities, a Lightweight Multimodal Fusion Block (LMFB) was designed, and a Dual-Coordinate Attention Feature Extraction module (DCAFE) was introduced to enhance semantic feature representation and improve drought region identification. To address differences in scale and semantics across network layers, a Cross-Stage Feature Fusion Strategy (CFFS) was proposed to integrate multi-level features and enhance overall performance. The effectiveness of each module was validated through ablation experiments. Compared to traditional single-modal methods, MF-FusionNet achieved higher accuracy, recall, and F1-score—improved by 1.35%, 1.43%, and 1.29%, respectively—reaching 96.71%, 96.71%, and 96.64%. A basis for real-time monitoring and precise irrigation management under winter wheat drought stress was provided by this study. Full article

Membrane technology is primarily used for the separation and purification of biotechnological products, which contain proteins and enzymes. Membrane fouling during crossflow filtration remains a significant challenge. This study aims to initially validate crossflow filtration models, particularly related to pore-blocking mechanisms, through a comparative analysis with dead-end filtration models. One crossflow microfiltration (MF) and six consecutive ultrafiltration (UF) stages were implemented to concentrate laccase extracts from Pleurotus ostreatus 202 fungi. The complete pore-blocking mechanism significantly impacts the MF, UF 1000, UF 100 and UF 10 stages, with the highest related filtration constant (Kb_F) estimated at 12.60 × 10⁻⁴ (m⁻¹). Although the intermediate pore-blocking mechanism appears across all filtration stages, UF 100 is the most affected, with an associated filtration constant (Ki_F) of 16.70 (m⁻¹). This trend is supported by the highest purification factor (6.95) and the presence of 65, 62 and 56 kDa laccases in the retentate. Standard pore blocking occurs at the end of filtration, only in the MF and UF 1000 stages, with filtration constants (Ks_F) of 29.83 (s^−0.5m^−0.5) and 31.17 (s^−0.5m^−0.5), respectively. The absence of cake formation and the volume of permeate recovered indicate that neither membrane was exposed to exhaustive fouling that could not be reversed by backwashing. Full article

In this review, we explore the complexities of objectively assessing the response to immunotherapy in mycosis fungoides (MF), a prevalent form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. The core challenge lies in distinguishing between reactive and malignant lymphocytes amidst treatment, particularly given the absence of uniform pathological biomarkers for MF. We highlight the vital role of emerging histological technologies, such as multispectral imaging and spatial transcriptomics, in offering a more profound insight into the tumor microenvironment (TME) and its dynamic response to immunomodulatory therapies. Drawing on parallels with melanoma—another immunogenic skin cancer—our review suggests that methodologies and insights from melanoma could be instrumental in refining the approach to MF. We specifically focus on the prognostic implications of various TME cell types, including CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, and histiocytes, in predicting therapy responses. The review culminates in a discussion about adapting and evolving treatment response quantification strategies from melanoma research to the distinct context of MF, advocating for the implementation of novel techniques like high-throughput T-cell receptor gene rearrangement analysis. This exploration underscores the urgent need for continued innovation and standardization in evaluating responses to immunotherapies in MF, a field rapidly evolving with new therapeutic strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effects of caffeinated chewing gum on maximal strength, muscular power, and neural drive to the prime movers during bench press and back squat in resistance-trained men. Methods: Sixteen resistance-trained males participated in a double-blind, randomized trial, chewing either caffeinated gum (4 mg/kg) or placebo gum on two separate occasions, seven days apart. After chewing for 5 min, participants performed a maximal strength test followed by muscular power assessments at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 90% of their one-repetition maximum (1RM), completing with 3, 2, 1, and 1 repetition (s), respectively, for bench press and back squat. Surface electromyography data were recorded for each repetition. Results: Caffeinated gum did not significantly improve one-repetition maximum (1RM) for bench press (p > 0.05), but increased mean frequency (MF) and median frequency (MDF) in anterior deltoid, pectoralis major, and biceps brachii (all p < 0.05) compared to placebo. For back squat, 1RM increased with caffeinated gum, along with higher MF and MDF in vastus medialis (all p < 0.05). Caffeinated gum also improved mean and peak velocities, and mean and peak power outputs at 25–75% 1RM during the bench press (all p < 0.05), along with elevated MDF in pectoralis major and biceps brachii (all p < 0.05). Similar improvements were seen in mean and peak velocities during the back squat at 25–90% 1RM (all p < 0.05), along with higher MF and MDF in vastus medialis and increased normalized root mean square activity in gluteus maximus (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: Caffeinated chewing gum (4 mg/kg) enhanced muscular power (25–75% 1RM) in the bench press and improved maximal strength and muscular power (25–90% 1RM) in the back squat by increasing muscle recruitment in resistance-trained men. Full article

Background/Objectives: Myelofibrosis (MF) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by the replacement of healthy bone marrow (BM) with malignant and fibrotic tissue. In a healthy state, bone marrow is composed of approximately 60–70% fat cells, which are replaced as disease progresses. Proton density fat fraction (PDFF), a non-invasive and quantitative MRI metric, enables analysis of BM architecture by measuring the percentage of fat versus cells in the environment. Our objective is to investigate variance in quantitative PDFF-MRI values over time as a marker of disease progression and response to treatment. Methods: We analyzed existing data from three cohorts of mice: two groups with MF that failed to respond to therapy with approved drugs for MF (ruxolitinib, fedratinib), investigational compounds (navitoclax, balixafortide), or vehicle and monitored over time by MRI; the third group consisted of healthy controls imaged at a single time point. Using in-house MATLAB programs, we performed a voxel-wise analysis of PDFF values in lower extremity bone marrow, specifically comparing the variance of each voxel within and among mice. Results: Our findings revealed a significant difference in PDFF values between healthy and diseased BM. With progressive disease non-responsive to therapy, the expansion of hematopoietic cells in BM nearly completely replaced normal fat, as determined by a markedly reduced PDFF and notable reduction in the variance in PDFF values in bone marrow over time. Conclusions: This study validated our hypothesis that the variance in PDFF in BM decreases with disease progression, indicating pathologic expansion of hematopoietic cells. We can conclude that disease progression can be tracked by a decrease in PDFF values. Analyzing variance in PDFF may improve the assessment of disease progression in pre-clinical models and ultimately patients with MF. Full article

Blasting is an effective technique for fragmenting rock in open-pit mining operations. Blasting operations produce either boulders or fine fragments, both of which increase costs and pose environmental risks. As a result, predicting the mean fragmentation size (MFS) distribution of rock is critical for assessing blasting operations’ quality and mitigating risks. Due to the limitations of empirical and statistical models, several researchers are turning to artificial intelligence (AI)-based techniques to predict the MFS distribution of rock. Thus, this study uses three AI tree-based algorithms—extra trees (ET), gradient boosting (GB), and random forest (RF)—to predict the MFS distribution of rock. The prediction accuracy of the models is optimized utilizing the tree-structured Parzen estimators (TPEs) algorithm, which results in three models: TPE-ET, TPE-GB, and TPE-RF. The dataset used in this study was collected from the published literature and through the data augmentation of a large-scale dataset of 3740 blast samples. Among the evaluated models, the TPE-ET model exhibits the best performance with a coefficient of determination (R²), root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and max error of 0.93, 0.04, 0.03, and 0.25 during the testing phase. Moreover, the block size (XB, m) and modulus of elasticity (E, GPa) parameters are identified as the most influential parameters for predicting the MFS distribution of rock. Lastly, an interactive web application has been developed to assist engineers with the timely prediction of MFS. The predictive model developed in this study is a reliable intelligent model because it combines high accuracy with a strong, explainable AI tool for predicting MFS. Full article

Mauritia flexuosa, commonly known as “canangucha,” holds significant nutritional and economic value in the Amazon region. While its pulp is widely utilized in local food products, the seed or kernel is largely underutilized. This study investigated the proximal and phytochemical composition of M. flexuosa, alongside its biological properties, specifically focusing on the hypoglycemic activity of an ethanolic extract from M. flexuosa seeds (MFSs). Proximal analysis revealed that MFSs are a notable source of crude fiber (28.4%) and a moderate source of protein (9.1%). Phytochemical screening indicated a high total polyphenol content (123.4 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 mg dry weight) and substantial antiradical capacity against the ABTS radical (IC₅₀ = 171.86 µg/mL). Notably, MFS ethanolic extracts exhibited significant in vitro antihyperglycemic activity via inhibiting α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, demonstrating comparable inhibition to acarbose at higher concentrations. This hypoglycemic effect was further corroborated in an in vivo rat model with induced diabetes, where the administration of 100 mg/kg of MFS ethanolic extract significantly reduced blood glucose levels compared to the diabetic control group (p < 0.05). A moderate antihypertensive effect was observed at a concentration of 150 mg/kg, correlating with ACE inhibition. High-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-HRMS) analysis of the seed extract identified phenolic compounds including ellagic, p-coumaric, and chlorogenic acids, as well as flavonoids such as quercetin, myricetin, and epicatechin. This study provides the first evidence of the hypoglycemic activity of MFSs, offering valuable insights into their phytochemistry and potential therapeutic applications. Full article

Analyzing the soil organic carbon (SOC) stock in dryland areas of southern Shanxi, particularly under the influence of fertilization and mulching conditions, is crucial for enhancing soil fertility and crop productivity and understanding the SOC pool’s resilience to future climate change scenarios in the region. In a long-term experimental site located in Hongtong County, Shanxi Province, soil samples were collected from the 0–100 cm depth over a nine-year period. These samples were analyzed to evaluate the impact of five treatments: no fertilization and no mulching (CK), conventional farming practices (FP), nitrogen reduction and controlled fertilization (MF), nitrogen reduction and controlled fertilization with ridge-film furrow-sowing (RF), and nitrogen reduction and controlled fertilization with flat-film hole-sowing (FH). The average annual yield of wheat grain, SOC stock, water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC), particulate organic carbon (POC), light fraction organic carbon (LFOC), mineral-associated organic carbon (MOC), and heavy fraction organic carbon (HFOC) stocks were measured. The results revealed that the FH treatment not only significantly increased wheat grain yield but also significantly elevated the SOC stock by 23.71% at the 0–100 cm depth compared to CK. Furthermore, this treatment significantly enhanced the POC, LFOC, and MOC stocks by 106.43–292.98%, 36.93–158.73%, and 17.83–81.55%, respectively, within 0–80 cm. However, it also significantly decreased the WSOC stock by 34.32–42.81% within the same soil layer and the HFOC stock by 72.05–101.51% between the 20 and 100 cm depth. Notably, the SOC stock at the 0–100 cm depth was primarily influenced by the HFOC. Utilizing the DNDC (denitrification–decomposition) model, we found that future temperature increases are detrimental to SOC sequestration in dryland areas, whereas reduced rainfall is beneficial. The simulation results indicated that in a warmer climate, a 2 °C temperature increase would result in a SOC stock decrease of 0.77 to 1.01 t·ha⁻¹ compared to a 1 °C increase scenario. Conversely, under conditions of reduced precipitation, a 20% rainfall reduction would lead to a SOC stock increase of 1.53% to 3.42% compared to a 10% decrease scenario. In conclusion, the nitrogen reduction and controlled fertilization with flat-film hole-sowing (FH) treatment emerged as the most effective practice for increasing SOC sequestration in dryland areas by enhancing the HFOC stock. This treatment also fortified the SOC pool’s capacity to withstand future climate change, thereby serving as the optimal approach for concurrently enhancing production and fertility in this region. Full article