Search Results (2,218)

This work presents integrated flux and velocity channel maps of the planetary nebula Abell 30 (A30) inner knot system. The observations were taken with the INTEGRAL spectrograph at the William Herschel Telescope (WHT), La Palma, Spain. Our IFU data cube has a field of view (FoV) of 12.3${}^{\prime \prime }$× 16${}^{\prime \prime }$ that partially covers knots J1 and J2, and completely covers knots J3 and J4 in the system. Optical Recombination Lines (ORLs) of C II, He I, He II, N III, O II and Collisionally Excited Lines (CELs) of [Ar IV], [Ar V], [N II], [Ne III], [Ne IV], and [O III] were detected. Our integrated flux maps visualise the ionisation structure and the chemical inhomogeneity in the system previously reported by other groups. We find that ORLs are concentrated in the polar region (J1, J3), whereas the equatorial knots (J2, J4) are dominated by CELs. The flux ratio map of the diagnostic [O III $\lambda$ 5007/4363 Å] lines reveals the electron temperature distribution, which shows cold cores of 15,000 K in knots J3 and J4 surrounded by a hot outer layer of above 20,000 K. Our channel maps show positive and negative velocity excursions from the systemic value among the ions. Several ions show variation in their velocity structures from their lower-energy-level counterparts, including [Ar IV] and [Ar V], [Ne III] and [Ne IV], and He I and He II. New recurrent velocity structures are identified in the low-density regions where the ions move much faster compared to their surrounding environments. The velocity dispersion measurements highlight extreme turbulence in some of the ions (${\sigma }_{{\mathrm{v}}_{\mathrm{rad}}}\approx 140$ km/s), consistent with supersonic/hypersonic motion driven by shocks. The forbidden line species [N II] exhibits lower turbulence (${\sigma }_{{\mathrm{v}}_{\mathrm{rad}}}\approx$ 50–60 km/s), tracing denser, less-turbulent gases. Based on our data, we conclude that both the ionisation and kinematic studies hint at shock heating and multiple ejection history in the evolutionary pathway of A30. Full article

Objectives: Transperineal (TP) prostate biopsy is increasingly used because of its lower complication rates compared with the transrectal approach. However, prospective data regarding its effects on erectile and ejaculatory function remain limited. This study prospectively evaluated short-term sexual function outcomes after TP prostate biopsy in sexually active men. Methods: This single-center prospective observational cohort study included men undergoing TP prostate biopsy between 15 April 2025 and 1 September 2025. Indications for biopsy were prostate-specific antigen levels >4 ng/mL, abnormal digital rectal examination findings, or suspicious lesions (PI-RADS ≥ 3) on multiparametric prostate MRI. Sexual function was assessed at baseline and at 1 and 3 months after biopsy using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT), and the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire–Ejaculatory Dysfunction Short Form (MSHQ-EjD-SF). Results: Overall, 249 sexually active men were analyzed. No significant changes in erectile or ejaculatory function were observed in the overall cohort at either follow-up point. In contrast, among 132 men diagnosed with prostate cancer, significant declines were observed in IIEF-5, PEDT, and MSHQ-EjD-SF scores at both 1 and 3 months compared to baseline (all p < 0.001). Conclusions: Transperineal prostate biopsy minimally affects sexual function in the general population. However, prostate cancer patients experience notable deterioration in erectile and ejaculatory outcomes, which may be a transient decline, and long-term follow-up is necessary for this subgroup. Full article

This paper presents a geometric difficulty analysis framework for Formula 1 racing lines based on telemetry data from the 2024 season. To ensure geometric consistency across multiple laps, a representative racing line is identified using the discrete Fréchet distance, and corner segments are modeled using biarc approximation to estimate stable curvature. Based on the resulting geometric representation, we introduce three curvature-based difficulty metrics—the Curvature Exposure Index (CEI), Maximum Curvature Severity (MCS), and Curvature Variation Index (CVI)—to quantify both local and global track characteristics. This approach establishes a strictly geometric definition of difficulty based on the planar projection of the trajectory, purposely decoupling structural complexity from 3D terrain features, vehicle dynamics, and race context. Experimental results across 24 tracks demonstrate that these metrics effectively capture distinct track characteristics: CEI ranged from 1.97 rad/km (Italian) to 8.44 rad/km (Monaco), MCS from 230.54 km⁻¹ (Spanish) to 1689.54 km⁻¹ (Monaco), and CVI from 7.60 (British) to 9.33 (Monaco and Qatar). Although this framework focuses on planar geometry, it provides a compact, extensible foundation for geometric analysis and future applications incorporating elevation profiles and dynamic variables. Full article

Objectives: To improve the differentiation of borderline ovarian-adnexal tumours (BOTs) from malignant ovarian-adnexal masses, most of which fall into the indeterminate O-RADS MRI 4 category, by developing a multimodal predictive model that integrates clinical, analytic, and MRI parameters. Methods: This retrospective, single-centre study included 248 women who underwent standardised MRI for ovarian-adnexal mass characterisation between 2019 and 2024. Of these, 201 had true ovarian-adnexal masses (114 benign, 22 borderline, and 65 malignant), confirmed by histopathology or stability after ≥12-month follow-up. Forty-one clinical, laboratory, and imaging variables were initially assessed, and after a bivariate evaluation, 18 final predictors with clinical relevance were selected for model construction with thresholds learned from the data. A classification and regression tree (CART) model (“Full Model”) was applied as a second-stage tool after O-RADS MRI scoring, using 10-fold cross-validation to prevent overfitting. A pruned “Simplified Model” was also derived to enhance interpretability. Results: O-RADS MRI performed well at the extremes (scores 2–3 and 5) but showed limited discrimination between BOTs and malignancies within category 4 (PPV for borderline = 0.50). The decision-tree models significantly improved diagnostic performance, increasing overall accuracy from 0.856 with O-RADS MRI alone to 0.905 (Simplified Model) and 0.955 (Full Model). The PPV for BOTs within the intermediate O-RADS MRI 4 category increased from 0.49 with O-RADS MRI alone to 0.77 and 0.90 with the simplified and full models, respectively, while maintaining high accuracy for benign and malignant lesions. Conclusions: In this retrospective single-centre cohort, the addition of an interpretable rule-based predictive model as a second-line tool within O-RADS MRI category 4 was associated with improved discrimination between borderline and invasive malignant ovarian-adnexal tumours. These findings suggest that multimodal integration of clinical, laboratory, and MRI features may help refine risk stratification in indeterminate cases; however, external validation in prospective multicentre cohorts is required before clinical implementation. Full article

Recently, near-net-shape rolling has emerged as a key manufacturing technology for producing high-precision, fatigue-resistant bearing rings with irregular cross-sections, particularly for the production of Wind Turbine Shaft Bearings (WTSBs). The deformation behavior of the material during this rolling process is governed by temperature and rolling speed. Therefore, based on a thermomechanical coupled analysis, a simulation model for the deformation process of GCr15SiMn profiled rings during variable-speed rolling was developed in this study. The model was experimentally validated, confirming a dimensional error of less than 3‰. And then, the distribution of strain and temperature were analyzed during the rolling of the profiled ring. As the initial temperature increased from 1040 °C to 1160 °C, the standard deviation of strain (SDP) decreased from 6.12 to 4.05. Correspondingly, the standard deviation of temperature (SDT) was raised from 4.32 to 4.74. When the drive roll speed was increased from 2.5 rad/s to 4.0 rad/s, the SDP was reduced from 4.24 to 3.42. In addition, the SDT decreased from 4.42 to 3.21. The research indicates that SDP is primarily affected by initial temperature, whereas SDT is significantly influenced by drive roller speed. On the one hand, this study provides a clearly defined optimization framework, parameter ranges for achieving optimal uniformity in GCr15SiMn material (temperature of 1100–1130 °C, speed of 3.0–3.5 rad/s), and their anticipated benefits (an SDP reduction of 32% and an SDT reduction of 15%). On the other hand, it also establishes quantifiable industrial control targets, defining key quality assurance values (SDP ≤ 5.0, SDT ≤ 4.5). The rolling stability and precision can be improved through the selection of optimized rolling temperatures and speeds. This finding provides a theoretical foundation and technical framework for improving the rolling process stability of profiled cross-section bearing rings. Furthermore, this study is of positive significance for reducing the manufacturing costs of high-performance WTSBs. Full article

Background: Interindividual radiosensitivity is largely driven by genetic regulation of DNA damage recognition, repair, and cell-cycle control. TP53 and CDKN1A (p21) are key genomic markers associated with differential responses to ionizing radiation. Methods: This study investigated eight functional SNP markers across several key genes involved in DNA damage responses and cellular stress regulation, including TP53, CDKN1A/p21, APC, VEGF, XPD, and RAD51, in occupational groups exposed to chronic low-dose ionizing radiation at the Stepnogorsk Mining Chemical Combine and the Balkashinskoye uranium deposit. Genotyping was performed using PCR-based assays followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Allele and genotype frequencies were compared between radiation-exposed workers and matched controls within Kazakh and Russian ethnic subgroups. Statistical differences were assessed using χ² tests, and associations with radioresistance were interpreted based on established functional characteristics of each polymorphism. Results: Four SNPs showed significant allele and genotype frequency shifts in radiation-exposed populations. The TP53 intron 3 insertion allele, TP53 intron 6 A allele, TP53 Pro72 (C) allele, and p21 codon 31 A allele were consistently enriched among exposed individuals. The strongest deviations were observed in Russian workers from Stepnogorsk (p < 0.01). These alleles are functionally associated with enhanced DNA repair efficiency, modified apoptotic responses, and strengthened cell-cycle checkpoint regulation. Conclusions: Significant enrichment of radioresistance-associated TP53 and CDKN1A (p21) variants was observed in uranium industry workers chronically exposed to low-to-moderate ionizing radiation. The observed patterns support a polygenic model of adaptive responses and emphasize the importance of genetic background in determining individual radiosensitivity under occupational exposure conditions. Full article

In addressing the key technical challenges of achieving ultra-broadband and high film-thickness uniformity for meter-class large-aperture space telescopes, this study utilized a self-developed 4 m-class large-aperture thin-film deposition system. By employing plasma-assisted electron-beam evaporation technology and a co-evaporation method with inner and outer dual-ring multi-evaporation sources, precise control of film-thickness uniformity within a 2 m range was achieved. A composite film structure combining a metal reflective layer and an ultraviolet-enhanced dielectric layer was adopted to realize high reflectivity across an ultra-broad spectrum from ultraviolet to long-wave infrared. Experimental results show that the average reflectance of the composite film reaches 91.52% in the 0.25~0.38 μm spectral band and 99.40% in the 0.38~12 μm spectral band. The thickness uniformity of ZrO₂ and MgF₂ films within the 2 m aperture area was controlled at 1.37% and 3.12%, respectively, meeting the requirements for high uniformity in large-aperture space applications. Radiation testing confirmed that the change in film reflectance is less than 1% under a total irradiation dose of 3.66 × 10⁸ rad(Si), satisfying the demands for operation in harsh space environments. This research provides an innovative solution for thin-film technology in large-aperture, ultra-broad-spectrum space optical systems and holds significant value for engineering applications. Full article

Triplexes (TRX) are a class of flipons that can form due to the interaction of RNA with B-DNA. While many proteins have been proposed to bind triplexes, structural models of these interactions do not exist. Here, I present AlphaFold V3 (AF3) models that reveal interactions between the high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), HNRNPU (SAF-A), TP53, ARGONAUTE (AGO), and REL domain proteins. The TRXs result from the sequence-specific docking of RNAs to DNA via Hoogsteen base pairing. The RNA and DNA strands in apolar TRX are oriented in the opposite 5′ to 3′ direction, while copolar TRX have RNA and DNA strands pointing in the same 5′ to 3′ direction. TRXs can incorporate different RNA classes, including long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), short RNAs, such as miRNAs, piRNAs, and tRNAs, nascent RNA fragments, and non-canonical base triplets. Many pathways regulated by TRX formation have evolved to constrain retroelements (EREs), which are both an existential threat to the host and a source of genotypic variation. TRXs help set the boundaries of active chromatin, repressing the expression of most EREs, while depending on other flipons to modulate cellular programs. The TRXs help nucleate folding of intrinsically disordered proteins. Full article

Quantitative data on the bending capacity and rotational stiffness of corner joints made from acrylic solid-surface PMMA/ATH composites are limited, despite their widespread use in furniture and interior components. The study provides comparative bending moment and rotational-stiffness benchmarks for 18 PMMA/ATH corner-joint series, using a stiffness-evaluation procedure tailored to corner-joint testing. L-type joints produced from two commercial PMMA/ATH materials (Kerrock and Corian) at 6- and 12-mm thickness were manufactured in 18 configurations, including glued butt, 45° mitre, reinforced mitre, rebate, groove variants, and detachable Minifix eccentric and Lamello Clamex connectors. Specimens were tested under arm-compression bending and maximum bending moment (M_max), and joint rotational stiffness was derived. The best-glued solution was the 12 mm Kerrock 45° mitre with M_max 186.21 N·m, whereas the strongest 6 mm joint reached 40 N·m. Reinforcing the 12 mm Kerrock mitre joint increased stiffness to 9521 N·m/rad but did not increase bending capacity relative to the non-reinforced mitre. Detachable joints formed a clearly distinct low-rigidity class with bending moments of 2.22–3.89 N·m and stiffness below 194 N·m/rad. Overall, thickness and joint geometry dominate both strength and stiffness, and the tested detachable connectors should be reserved for applications requiring disassembly rather than for load-bearing corners. Full article

Background/Objectives: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an emerging biomarker from peripheral blood that has been associated with breast cancer prognosis in some studies; however, some studies fail to demonstrate an association. We stratified breast cancer patients into invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) cohorts to evaluate if any meaningful association could be found in either cohort between NLR and mortality. Additionally, no prior studies have examined the relationship between NLR and background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) on breast MRI, an imaging feature linked to increased breast cancer risk and a potential imaging prognostic biomarker, so we examined the relationship between BPE and NLR in the two cohorts. Methods: This retrospective study included 794 breast cancer patients who had either IDC or ILC. Radiologists’ MRI reports and their BI-RADS categorization of BPE (1 = minimal, 2 = mild, 3 = moderate, 4 = marked) were extracted and recorded. The NLR was calculated from blood counts obtained prior to treatment. Tumor characteristics were also recorded. Results: For patients with ILC, NLR was found to be associated with mortality. Additionally, patients with ILC and a high BPE had a significantly higher mean NLR compared to all other groups, including low BPE groups and all IDC groups. Conclusions: There is potential value in using NLR, a readily available blood biomarker, in models predicting prognosis in ILC patients. Full article

Langer–Giedion syndrome (LGS), also known as trichorhinophalangeal syndrome type II (TRPS II; OMIM #150230), is a contiguous-gene deletion disorder caused by haploinsufficiency of TRPS1 and EXT1. Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is genetically heterogeneous; heterozygous variants in RAD21 cause the milder CdLS type 4 phenotype (OMIM #614701). Because RAD21 lies between TRPS1 and EXT1, overlapping phenotypes may arise when all three genes are deleted. We report a unique case of a 4-year-old female presenting with a blended phenotype of Langer–Giedion Syndrome (LGS) and Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) type 4. This case is distinct from previously reported 8q deletions in three key aspects: (1) Complex Genomic Architecture: Chromosomal microarray revealed a novel complex rearrangement consisting of a 13.01 Mb mosaic interstitial deletion at 8q23.1–q24.12, flanked by two large duplications (21.5 Mb at 8q11.23–q23.1 and 25.78 Mb at 8q24.12–q24.3). (2) Rare Mosaicism: This represents only the second reported case of mosaicism affecting this contiguous gene region. Notably, the patient demonstrates a “mosaic rescue” effect, where the mosaicism appears to have mitigated the neurodevelopmental phenotype (the patient is bilingual and ambulatory) while failing to protect the skeleton. (3) First Bone-Specific Therapy: The patient suffered from severe, recurrent fractures due to a synergistic “double hit” of TRPS1-related osteopenia and EXT1-related exostoses. We report the first successful use of bisphosphonate therapy (pamidronate) in this specific mosaic profile, which resulted in a complete cessation of fractures during a 12-month follow-up. This case underscores the utility of detailed microarray analysis in complex phenotypes and suggests bisphosphonates as a viable rescue therapy for refractory syndromic osteoporosis. Full article

Primula beesiana is a perennial herbaceous plant predominantly distributed in the alpine wetland regions of Yunnan Province, China. This species faces dual threats from habitat fragmentation and climate change, but research into its genetic background is severely lacking. Consequently, systematic analysis of the genetic diversity and population structure of Primula beesiana is crucial in formulating scientific conservation strategies. In this study, 86 individuals from six natural populations in Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, were collected and genotyped using double-digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq). A total of 1537 high-quality SNP loci were identified and used for genetic diversity, principal component (PCA), population structure (STRUCTURE), and gene flow analyses. Analysis of base substitutions revealed twelve mutation types, with transversions accounting for 67.9% and a transition/transversion ratio (Ti/Tv) of 0.47, potentially indicating strong environmental selection pressure. Although high overall genetic diversity was observed, significant genetic differentiation may exist among populations (Fst = 0.0056-0.0407), with heterozygote deficiency detected across all populations. Genetic structure analyses consistently grouped the six populations into four distinct clusters. Populations MDJ, WH, and HS each formed independent clusters, exhibiting clear genetic isolation, whereas XHC2, XHC1, and NX clustered together, showing high genetic similarity and frequent gene flow. Mantel tests demonstrated a significant positive correlation between genetic and geographical distances (r = 0.854, p < 0.01), supporting an isolation-by-distance model. Gene flow estimates varied considerably among populations (5.90-44.69) and decreased with increasing geographical distance. This study provides the first genomic-level evidence of significant genetic differentiation and isolation based on distance in Primula beesiana populations, offering crucial scientific support in identifying evolutionarily significant units and developing zoned conservation management strategies for this species. Full article

This paper investigates the degradation characteristics of a DC/DC converter operating under cold redundancy conditions when subjected to total ionizing dose (TID) effects. An optimized RCC isolated auxiliary power supply circuit was evaluated through ⁶⁰Co γ-ray irradiation up to 100 krad(Si) at dose rates of 3.89, 8.89, and 13.89 rad (Si)/s, with electrical characterizations performed at both the system level and the device level, focusing on the critical VDMOS transistors. The results indicate that the main output voltage and conversion efficiency remain essentially stable after irradiation, whereas the auxiliary supply voltage and efficiency degrade significantly, leading to a pronounced reduction in the controller supply margin. Device-level measurements reveal a negative threshold voltage shift of approximately 0.5–1.0 V with clear dose-rate dependence, while the subthreshold swing shows no obvious variation, suggesting that the degradation is primarily dominated by oxide-trapped charge effects. In addition, a substantial increase in drain current at low gate voltages is observed, which may further exacerbate restart risks under cold redundancy conditions. These findings demonstrate that the auxiliary power supply and startup margin constitute critical vulnerability points of cold-redundant DC/DC converters under TID stress and should therefore be primary targets for radiation-hardened design. Full article

In order to identify promising radioprotector candidates, a series of benzyl sulfoxide/sulfone coumarin derivatives were designed and synthesized based on the reported activity of Ex-Rad. Most of the target compounds demonstrated significant radioprotective effects at concentrations of 40 μmol/L and 20 μmol/L in HUVECs. Among them, compounds 5q and 5u displayed superior activity in mitigating DNA damage compared with Ex-RAD. Notably, compound 5u significantly enhanced the viability of mice exposed to a lethal dose of ionizing radiation. In summary, the above findings suggested that compound 5u might be a promising radioprotective agent deserving further investigation. Full article