Search Results (6,235)

Pseudolite (PL) positioning technology is one of the effective methods to achieve high-precision indoor positioning. The Distributed Array Pseudolite System (DAPLS) is a ground-based augmentation architecture designed to provide high-precision positioning in GNSS-denied or indoor environments. However, maintaining the stability and integrity of pseudolite signals in distributed deployments remains a significant challenge. To address this, a Pseudolite Monitoring Station (PMS) was developed for real-time signal observation, performance evaluation, and anomaly detection. The proposed PMS integrates a multi-channel front-end, signal-processing engine, and monitoring algorithms capable of continuous assessment across three hierarchical levels: Signal Quality Monitoring (SQM), Receiver Processing Monitoring (RPM), and Measurement Quality Monitoring (MQM). To integrate multi-domain monitoring results, a Composite Quality Index (CQI) model is introduced, combining normalized sub-scores through weighted fusion to reflect overall system integrity. A comprehensive Signal Quality Assessment (SQA) framework is further introduced, including four dimensions of evaluation: constellation status, time reference, spatial coordinate reference, and signal anomaly detection. An indoor DAPLS experiment was conducted within a laboratory-level test field. The system comprised three pseudolite transmitter arrays (six transmitters each) and a central monitoring station. Experimental results showed stable synchronization within ±5 ns, coordinate accuracy within 0.2 m, and consistently high signal quality. The monitoring station effectively detected minor signal distortions and synchronization deviations, confirming its diagnostic precision and robustness. This study demonstrates a complete monitoring and evaluation framework for DAPLS, enabling both system-level quality assurance and signal integrity monitoring. The proposed PMS and SQA methods provide essential tools for future deployment of pseudolite-based indoor positioning and timing systems. Full article

Micronutrient status is recognized to influence host susceptibility to viral infections, yet its impact on Zika virus (ZIKV) pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. We investigated the effects of dietary selenium and combined selenium plus vitamin E deficiency on ZIKV infection outcomes in a type I interferon α/β receptor knockout (Ifnar1^−/−) murine model. Mice maintained on deficient diets exhibited significantly lower neutralizing antibody titers and reduced levels of key antiviral cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IFN-α, IFN-β, IL-12p70, CCL5) compared to controls. Correspondingly, higher viral RNA loads were detected in the brains of double-deficient mice, which also experienced greater weight loss and increased mortality. Deep sequencing revealed no major differences in overall viral genome diversity across diet groups; however, specific mutations, including V330L and D67E in the E gene, and V360I in the NS3 gene, were enriched or detected in nutritionally deficient animals. These findings suggest that antioxidant micronutrient deficiency impairs both humoral and cellular immune responses to ZIKV, potentially facilitating enhanced neuroinvasion. While the functional consequences of the identified mutations warrant further investigation, our results underscore the importance of adequate micronutrient intake for optimal antiviral defense. Further studies are needed to clarify the epidemiological significance of these observations. Full article

Background: Chemotherapy is a cornerstone of cancer treatment; however, resistance to first-line chemotherapeutic agents remains a major challenge. ROS1, one of fifty-eight receptor tyrosine kinases, has been implicated in various cancer subtypes, including glioblastoma, non-small-cell lung cancer, and cholangiocarcinoma. Notably, the Gly2032Arg mutation in the ROS1 protein has been linked to resistance against the kinase inhibitor crizotinib. Objectives: Given the challenge, we conducted a comprehensive in silico study to identify new drug candidates. Methods: The study starts with modeling the Gly2032Arg-mutated ROS1 protein, followed by structure-based screening of the PubChem database. Results: Out of 1760 molecules screened, we selected the top 4 molecules (PubChem CID: 67463531, 72544946, 139431449, and 139431487) with structural features similar to crizotinib, a high docking score, and drug likeness. To further validate the effectiveness of the identified compounds, we assessed their binding affinity using the Molecular Mechanics with Generalized Born Surface Area (MM-GBSA) scoring method. To underpin the behavior and stability of protein–ligand complexes, 500 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted, and parameters including RMSD, RMSF, and H-bond dynamics were studied and compared. Density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31G* level was performed to elucidate molecular features of the identified compounds. Conclusions: Overall, this study sheds light on a new series of compounds effective against mutated targets, thereby offering a new horizon in this area. Full article

Background: In the population of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (IC) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, the benefits of prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy are not uniform. Identifying predictors of ventricular arrhythmias to estimate the risk of appropriate therapy is crucial. Methods: Patients with IC and an ICD for primary prevention implanted between 2006 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed for appropriate therapy (ATh). The primary objective was to assess predictors of ATh development. The secondary objective was to assess the impact of ATh on survival. Results: Overall, 260 patients (age 67.3 ± 9.4 years, 15.4% female) were analyzed with a follow-up of 4.47 ± 3.02 years. ATh occurred in 79 patients (30.4% of the study group). Independent risk factors for ATh were as follows: non-sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias (nsVTs) detected before ICD implantation, extensive area of ischemic left ventricular damage on echocardiographic assessment, left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDd) ≥ 68 mm, history of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and presence of chronic total occlusion (CTO). A multiparameter logit model was created to estimate the probability of ATh. Patients with a score ≥ 0.6 had more than a six-fold higher risk of developing ATh compared with patients with a score < 0.6. Patients after ATh had significantly lower survival compared to patients without intervention (HR 1.69, p = 0.008). Conclusions: Patients with the independent risk factors listed above are at higher risk for ATh. A multiparameter logit model based on these risk factors is effective in estimating the risk of ATh. The occurrence of ATh was associated with a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality. Full article

Background/Objectives: Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA), a commonly performed procedure in elderly patients with osteoarthritis, is frequently complicated by postoperative infections—primarily caused by Cutibacterium acnes and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS)—which remain a major clinical challenge. While standard antiseptic skin protocols can reduce the bacterial load at the surgical site, they often fail to achieve complete eradication, particularly with C. acnes, a resident species of the shoulder microbiome. Recent evidence indicates that intraoperative povidone–iodine irrigation is effective in significantly decreasing microbial burden; however, a thorough characterization of the virulence factors of the isolated strains remains essential. Methods: A total of 187 clinical strains isolated immediately after RTSA were characterized with respect to their antibiotic resistance profiles and biofilm-forming capacity, and the impact of intraoperative povidone–iodine irrigation on the reduction in bacteria that express these virulence traits was evaluated. Results: Of the 120 C. acnes isolates, 97.67% were susceptible to the tested antimicrobial agents, while only 3.33% exhibited resistance, specifically to clindamycin. In contrast, 53% of CoNS isolates were classified as susceptible, whereas the remaining 47% demonstrated multidrug resistance. Biofilm production was detected in 24% (29/120) of C. acnes and 39% (25/64) of CoNS isolates, with a statistically significant reduction observed after irrigation only for C. acnes. No association was found between biofilm formation and clindamycin resistance in C. acnes, likely due to the low number of resistant isolates. Conversely, among CoNS, a correlation was observed, with the 17.2% of biofilm-producing strains also exhibiting resistance to antimicrobial agents. Conclusions: Notwithstanding the presence of these virulence factors, povidone–iodine irrigation proved effective in substantially reducing the number of bacterial isolates recovered at the surgical site without selecting for strains with enhanced pathogenicity. Notably, the majority of resistant bacteria were detected prior to intraoperative irrigation. This intraoperative procedure may be a key approach to reducing prosthetic joint infections frequently caused by more virulent pathogens, which are unlikely to be selected following this disinfection strategy. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cigarette smoking is a well-established risk factor for periodontal tissue damage caused by oxidative stress and increased proteolytic activity. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), marketed as less harmful alternatives, deliver nicotine and reactive compounds that may similarly disrupt periodontal health. However, their molecular effects on clinically healthy periodontal tissues remain unclear. This study aimed to compare oxidative stress-related and matrix-degradative biomarkers in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of cigarette smokers (CS), e-cigarette (EC) users, and non-smokers (NS), and to examine the relationships among these markers. Methods: Sixty individuals, who were systemically and periodontally healthy (20 CS, 20 EC, and 20 NS), were examined. Clinical parameters, including probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index (PI), and bleeding on probing (BOP), were recorded. GCF samples were analyzed for reactive oxygen species (ROS), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and forkhead box protein O-1 (FOXO-1) using ELISA. Initial group comparisons were descriptive, followed by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to adjust for age; PI and PD were included as covariates in separate models. Correlations were assessed using Spearman’s analysis. Results: PD was significantly higher in both EC users and CS compared with NS (p = 0.022). MMP-9 levels were significantly higher in CS than in EC users and NS (p < 0.05), while FOXO-1 concentrations were significantly lower in CS compared with NS (p = 0.0227). ROS levels did not differ significantly among groups (p > 0.05). After adjustment for age, PI, or PD, group differences in MMP-9 and FOXO-1 remained statistically significant, whereas ROS levels remained comparable. FOXO-1 demonstrated positive correlations with ROS and MMP-9 within exposure groups; these associations were considered exploratory. Conclusions: In this cross-sectional study, CS and EC use were associated with altered matrix-regulatory biomarker profiles in clinically healthy periodontal tissues, independent of age and periodontal indices. Causal or temporal inferences cannot be drawn, and longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the long-term periodontal implications of these findings. Full article

Filamentary mode, as a common phenomenon that appears in dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), is realized by rod-to-rod electrodes in N₂-O₂ mixtures at 80 mbar. The effects of the dielectric thickness on the characteristics of filamentary DBD are investigated through experiments and simulations. The discharges are driven by a positive unipolar nanosecond pulse voltage with 15.8 kV amplitude, 9 ns rise time (T_r^10–90%), and 14 ns pulse width. The characteristics of filamentary DBD are recorded with an intensified charge-coupled device and a Pearson current probe in the experiment, and a 2D axisymmetric fluid mode is established to analyze the discharge. Surface discharges occur on the anode and cathode dielectric after the breakdown, and the discharge is gradually extinguished as the applied voltage decreases. A thinner total dielectric thickness (D_a + D_c) leads to larger currents, stronger discharges, and wider discharge channels. These characteristics are consistent when the total dielectric thickness is the same but anode dielectric thickness and cathode dielectric thickness are different (D_a ≠ D_c ≠ 0). If the anode is a metal electrode (D_a = 0), the current will be substantially large, and two discharge modes are observed: stable mono-filament discharge mode and random multi-filament discharge mode. It is found in simulations that the dielectric thickness changes the electric field configuration. The electric field is stronger with the decrease in dielectric thickness and leads to a more intense ionization which is responsible for most of the observed effects. Full article

To investigate the hydraulic instability mechanisms of low-specific-speed pump–turbines operating in turbine mode, this study experimentally characterized the pressure distribution and pulsation evolution on the guide vanes of a model unit (ns = 28) using an embedded sensor technique. By overcoming the accessibility limitations of traditional measurement methods, this research reveals the distinct pressure response mechanisms on the guide vane Front Side (upstream-facing) and Back Side (runner-facing). The results demonstrate that the time-averaged pressure distribution is highly sensitive to the Guide Vane Opening (GVO). Specifically, pressure on the Front Side increases with GVO, dominated by the improvement of flow pattern and stagnation effect, whereas pressure on the Back Side decreases monotonically, governed by the Bernoulli effect. Increasing the GVO significantly improves pressure uniformity, reducing the surface pressure gradient by 55%. Regarding dynamic characteristics, pressure fluctuation intensity on the Back Side is significantly higher than that on the Front Side. Furthermore, fluctuations are notably amplified near the tongue, confirming that flow distortion induced by the tongue is a key factor driving circumferential non-uniformity. Spectral analysis identifies the Blade Passing Frequency (BPF) as the dominant frequency, verifying Rotor–Stator Interaction (RSI) as the primary excitation source, while the guide vane channel exhibits a significant low-pass filtering effect on high-order harmonics. These findings provide a solid theoretical foundation and data support for the optimal design and stability control of pump–turbine guide vanes. Full article

Introduction: The metabolic complications and poor biocompatibility of conventional glucose-based (GLU) peritoneal dialysis fluid (PDF) have driven the need for improved alternatives. To address this, we developed and evaluated a novel PDF utilizing succinylated gelatin (GEL) as osmotic agent and citrate as buffer, designed to provide effective solute clearance while offering enhanced biocompatibility. Methods: Physicochemical parameters (pH and osmolality) of the novel GEL-PDF were measured. Its performance was assessed in rats with chronic kidney disease. A total of 20 rats were randomized into short-term experiments to evaluate 4 h creatinine clearance and ultrafiltration (UF). A 12-week long-term experiment (n = 35) compared the GEL-PDF against normal saline (NS), GLU, and icodextrin-based (ICO) PDFs, monitoring survival, biochemical parameters, peritoneal membrane histology, and kidney histology. Results: The GEL-PDF demonstrated a neutral pH (7.30) and lower osmolality (317 mOsm/L) compared to GLU-PDF. In the short-term experiment, GEL-PDF achieved effective creatinine clearance by 4 h and provided higher 4 h UF than NS and GLU, comparable to ICO. However, during prolonged dwells (6–16 h), its UF was inferior to ICO. In the long-term experiment, GEL-PDF preserved peritoneal membrane structure, showing the least thickness and collagen deposition. Furthermore, the GEL-PDF demonstrated superior preservation of serum albumin compared to the GLU-PDF. It also exhibited a more favorable lipid profile, as evidenced by significantly lower total cholesterol levels than the ICO group at 12 weeks (p = 0.035), with no adverse effects on electrolytes, liver function, or glucose metabolism. Conclusions: The novel GEL and citrate-based PDF provide effective short-dwell UF and solute removal while exhibiting superior biocompatibility, as evidenced by significant protection against peritoneal membrane injury and favorable metabolic profiles. Although its long-duration UF was lower than that of ICO, it substantially outperformed GLU-PDF. These properties position the GEL-PDF as a promising candidate for short- to medium-dwell exchanges, particularly for daytime use, where it could fill an important clinical gap by providing enhanced UF without the high GLU exposure associated with conventional PDF. Full article

Background: Subtle Lisfranc injuries are low-energy, purely ligamentous lesions increasingly recognized in active patients; although screw fixation is common, Internal Brace (IB) flexible fixation is an alternative. Methods: In this multicenter retrospective study (2014–2021), 65 patients with subtle ligamentous Lisfranc injury (C1–M2 diastasis < 5 mm) underwent standard screw (SS, n = 35) or IB fixation (n = 30). Outcomes included AOFAS and VAS, standing radiographs and weight-bearing CT (WBCT) diastasis, pedobarography (4–6 months), and complications. Results: Demographics and injury mechanisms were similar. Both groups improved from preoperative status to final follow-up (p < 0.05). At 6 months, IB had higher AOFAS and lower VAS than SS (p < 0.05). Final stability was comparable: standing C1–M2 diastasis 2.54 mm (IB) vs. 2.55 mm (SS); WBCT dorsal 1.26 vs. 1.21 mm and plantar 3.58 vs. 3.42 mm (all NS). Pedobarography showed no significant side-to-side differences in either group. Complications favored IB: SS had screw breakage 11.4% (4/35), recurrent diastasis 2.9% (1/35), and early arthritis 5.7% (2/35); IB had no implant breakage, no severe recurrent diastasis, and no early arthritis. Conclusions: In this Level III study, IB fixation was associated with better 6-month clinical outcomes with similar final radiographic stability and fewer hardware-related complications versus SS. Full article

Cancer remains a leading global cause of death, with conventional treatments often limited by toxicity and recurrence. Recent advances in gene therapy and nanodrug delivery offer new avenues for precision oncology. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) are overexpressed in many cancers and linked to apoptosis and ferroptosis, respectively. Here, we developed a manganese dioxide nanosheet (MnO₂-NS) probe co-loaded with antisense oligonucleotides targeting hTERT and GPX4 mRNA to synergistically down-regulate both genes and induce dual cell death pathways. The probe, assembled via adsorption of fluorescently labeled antisense strands, showed controllable release in the presence of glutathione (GSH). Cellular uptake and antisense release were confirmed in multiple cancer cell lines. The MnO₂-NS probe significantly suppressed cell proliferation, outperforming single-target or carrier-only controls. Molecular analyses confirmed reduced hTERT and GPX4 expression, along with GSH depletion, ROS accumulation, and elevated lipid peroxidation—collectively promoting enhanced cancer cell death. In summary, this MnO₂-NS-based co-delivery system enables synergistic gene silencing and GSH depletion, enhancing antitumor efficacy and providing a promising strategy for multifunctional nanotherapy. Full article

Objectives: This study evaluated the analytical and clinical performance of a novel NS1 rapid diagnostic test in a dengue-endemic setting in Thailand. Methods: The K-Dengue NS1 Ag test (K.Bio Sciences, Pathumthani, Thailand) was developed. Analytical performance included determination of LOD, reproducibility, and evaluation against potentially cross-reactive pathogens and interfering substances. Unlike conventional assays employing 40 nm colloidal gold, this test incorporates 80 nm gold nanospheres to enhance detection sensitivity. The LOD was determined by serial dilution of recombinant NS1 proteins representing all four dengue virus serotypes. Clinical performance was assessed using 185 archived plasma samples collected between January 2024 and February 2025 from two tertiary care hospitals in Thailand, with a commercial NS1 ELISA serving as the reference standard. Results: The K-Dengue NS1 test demonstrated serotype-specific limits of detection (LODs) for recombinant NS1 antigen, 2.9 ng/mL (DENV-1), 0.5 ng/mL (DENV-2), 25.2 ng/mL 27 (DENV-3), and 4.5 ng/mL (DENV-4). Cross-reactivity testing revealed no false positives against closely related arboviruses or common co-infections, and no interference was observed from frequently encountered pathogens or biochemical substances. In clinical evaluation, the assay achieved a sensitivity of 98.08% (51/52), a specificity of 100% (133/133), and an overall accuracy of 99.37%. Importantly, sensitivity was significantly higher in primary infections (100.00%) than in secondary infections (93.3%, p = 0.288). Conclusions: In this clinically oriented evaluation, the K-Dengue NS1 rapid test showed high specificity and good sensitivity, particularly in primary dengue infections. While the assay may be useful as part of early diagnostic workflows in comparable healthcare settings, reduced sensitivity in secondary infections indicates that negative NS1 results should be interpreted with caution and, where appropriate, supplemented with additional diagnostic methods. Full article

Compact antennas with ultra-wideband operation and stable radiation are essential for portable and airborne ground-penetrating radar (GPR), yet miniaturization in the sub 3 GHz region is strongly constrained by the wavelength-driven aperture requirement and often leads to impedance discontinuity and radiation instability. This paper presents a compact aperture-slot antipodal Vivaldi antenna (AS-AVA) designed under a radiation stability-driven co-design strategy, where the miniaturization features are organized along the energy propagation path from the feed to the flared aperture. The proposed structure combines (i) aperture-slot current-path engineering with controlled meandering to extend the low-frequency edge, (ii) four tilted rectangular slots near the aperture to restrain excessive edge currents and suppress sidelobes, and (iii) back-loaded parasitic patches for coupling-based impedance refinement to eliminate residual mismatch pockets. A fabricated prototype on FR-4 (thickness 1.93 mm) occupies $111.15\times 156.82$ mm² and achieves a measured $S_{11}$ below $-10$ dB from 0.63 to 2.03 GHz (fractional bandwidth 105.26%). The measured realized gain increases from 2.1 to 7.5 dBi across the operating band, with stable far-field radiation patterns; the group delay measured over 0.6–2.1 GHz remains within 4–8 ns, indicating good time-domain fidelity for stepped-frequency continuous-wave (SFCW) operation. Finally, the antenna pair is integrated into an SFCW-GPR testbed and validated in sandbox and outdoor experiments, where buried metallic targets and a subgrade void produce clear B-scan signatures after standard processing. These results confirm that the proposed AS-AVA provides a practical trade-off among miniaturization, broadband matching, and radiation robustness for compact sub 3 GHz GPR platforms. Full article

Sensitization to non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs) is highly prevalent in Mediterranean countries. Pru p 3 from peach is a major allergen responsible for IgE-mediated food allergies. As a panallergen, Pru p 3 shows high sequence homology with nsLTPs from other Rosaceae fruits but also from botanically unrelated sources, including nuts and pollens, leading to extensive cross-reactivity complicating diagnosis and management. Given the worldwide prevalence of peanut and tree nut allergies, this study aimed to investigate sensitization patterns in Pru p 3-sensitized patients with tree nut allergy, using artificial intelligence (AI) to identify predictors of clinical reactivity and severity. Data from Pru p 3–sensitized patients with symptoms to peach and/or nuts were analyzed. Sensitization profiles were modeled using an XGBoost algorithm to explore associations with symptoms and severity. Patients sensitized to Pru p 3 and symptomatic for peach and nuts showed predominant sensitization to peanut and hazelnut, but AI revealed stronger associations between clinical reactivity and sensitization to hazelnut, walnut, and almond. Among patients with nut allergy and peach-asymptomatic, peanut and hazelnut sensitization were most frequent, while peach-symptomatic ones, walnut and almond sensitization predominated. Overall, walnut sensitization emerged as the main predictor of clinical severity and increasing number of sensitizations correlated with higher severity. The XGBoost algorithm identified specific allergen combinations associated with symptoms and severity, highlighting walnut sensitization as the strongest severity predictor. Machine learning approaches represent a promising tool for refining risk stratification and personalizing management in nsLTP-related food allergy. Full article

The critically endangered Asian giant softshell turtle (Pelochelys cantorii) is a national first-class protected aquatic animal in China, and artificial breeding is vital for its conservation. Given the pivotal role of substrate in captive rearing, this study aimed to investigate the effects of different substrate types on the growth, serum biochemistry, and behavior of juvenile P. cantorii. A total of 45 8-month-old juveniles [(121.11 ± 0.65) g] were randomly allocated to three groups (fine sand [FS], pea gravel [PG], and no substrate [NS]) for an 18-day rearing trial. Results indicated that the FS and PG groups exhibited significantly higher weight gain and specific growth rates than the NS group (p < 0.01). Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were lower in the FS and PG groups than in the NS group (p < 0.05), with no significant difference between FS and PG. Notably, three individuals in the NS group exhibited symptoms of skin ulceration. No significant intergroup differences were observed in glucose (GLU), triglyceride (TG), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), or cortisol (CORT) levels (p > 0.05). Behaviorally, the FS group demonstrated the highest hidden rest frequency and duration (p < 0.01) and significantly lower active avoidance behavior compared to PG and NS (p < 0.01). In conclusion, substrate type significantly influences captive juvenile P. cantorii, with fine sand being optimal as it enhances growth, alleviates oxidative stress, and reduces maladaptive behaviors. Full article