Search Results (928)

Virtual reality (VR) interfaces increasingly rely on interaction within peripersonal space. However, the conditions under which interaction performance in virtual environments can approximate those of comparable real-world tasks remain underexplored, particularly for hierarchical menus requiring precise sequential input. This study investigated how the presence or absence of tactile feedback influences movement time and selection accuracy during hierarchical menu interaction in peripersonal space across different task difficulty levels. Twelve participants performed a three-level hierarchical selection task on a 4 × 3 menu in two controlled experiments with a stereoscopic 3D TV. Two interaction conditions were tested: a surface-based condition, with the menu attached to the physical screen, and a mid-air condition, with the menu positioned 35 cm and 45 cm in front of participants. Selections were confirmed using a handheld remote. Results showed no statistically significant difference in movement time and selection accuracy between the virtual and real environments when screen-surface targets provided tactile feedback, but performance declined for mid-air targets without tactile references, particularly under higher task difficulty levels. These findings suggest that tactile feedback, coordinated visual target placement, and users’ familiarity with touchscreen-like interaction jointly act as key factors for designing effective, immersive, and user-friendly VR menu systems in peripersonal space. Full article

Time-series clustering is a prominent research area with extensive practical applications. Given the complexity and diversity of modern time-series data, this study proposes a novel time-series clustering method based on inter-network heterogeneity. First, each time-series is converted into a network by using two types of time-series segmentation techniques. Second, an inter-network clustering approach based on graph spectral theory is introduced: we calculate the total variation (TV) distance between the empirical spectral distributions of each network and identify distinct clusters using a hierarchical clustering algorithm. From the perspective of symmetry, networks constructed from similar time-series tend to exhibit comparable spectral structures, which reflect the underlying structural symmetries of their dynamics. Differences in spectral distributions correspond to symmetry breaking among networks, providing an effective mechanism for distinguishing heterogeneous time-series patterns. Our method effectively preserves more distinctive features inherent in the original time-series. To evaluate the performance of the proposed method, simulation studies are conducted, including the recognition of both stationary and non-stationary sequences. The method also performs well on real-world datasets, such as stock closing prices. These results demonstrate that our approach can handle non-stationary sequences and identify the intrinsic correlations in time-series. Full article

Pyranose oxidases (POXs, EC 1.1.3.10) are a class of fungal FAD-dependent oxidoreductases with potential for lignocellulosic bioconversion because they generate H₂O₂ during sugar oxidation. Despite their known catalytic properties, the role of these enzymes in promoting lignocellulose enzymatic saccharification remains largely unexplored. In this study, POXs from Phanerochaete chrysosporium (PcPOX) and Trametes versicolor (TvPOX) were comparatively evaluated through biochemical characterization, kinetic analysis, molecular simulation, and supplementation for lignocellulose hydrolysis. PcPOX exhibited a broader substrate spectrum and a slightly higher optimum temperature, whereas TvPOX demonstrated greater stability under acidic and hydrolysis-relevant conditions and a longer half-life at 50 °C. TvPOX also showed a numerically lower apparent K_m toward D-glucose, while the apparent catalytic efficiencies were comparable between the two enzymes. Molecular simulation results suggested more stable glucose binding in TvPOX. Accordingly, TvPOX was selected for hydrolysis experiments and was shown to increase the measured glucan conversion of phosphoric acid-swollen cellulose, Avicel, and corncob residue. Mixture design analysis further indicated that this positive effect depended on balanced peroxide regulation, with low catalase supplementation providing better performance. These results identify TvPOX as a promising auxiliary enzyme for cellulase-based lignocellulosic saccharification. Full article

Titanium and its alloys are used in dental and orthopedic implants. However, long-term stability remains a clinical challenge. To overcome this limitation, surface modification has been investigated to improve surface properties. Our previous study demonstrated that the immobilization of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) on the titanium surface promotes osteoblast adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation in vitro. The current study demonstrated the first in vivo evaluation of SLPI as a bioactive coating for medical implants. Grade 5 titanium screws were coated with 10 µg/mL of recombinant human SLPI (rhSLPI) for 24 h via simple physical adsorption, and the results were preliminarily validated via FE-SEM and ELISA. These SLPI-coated titanium screws (TiSs) were then placed in the tibia of Sprague–Dawley rats for 4 and 8 weeks. The hematological and biochemical parameters (BUN, Creatinine, AST, and Troponin I) demonstrated no acute systemic alterations within the 8-week period across all groups. Moreover, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and histological analysis revealed significantly higher bone volume fraction (%BV/TV) at 4 weeks compared to uncoated controls (20.64% ± 2.452% vs. 11.73% ± 0.524%). Finally, the biomechanical stability of implants, assessed using the removal torque test, showed that TiSs showed higher strength compared to Ti at both 4 and 8 weeks. In conclusion, this study represents a novel approach to transitioning rhSLPI-coated titanium evaluation from in vitro models to an in vivo rat model. rhSLPI surface functionalization enhances early-stage osseointegration and improves implant mechanical stability without acute hematological and biochemical alterations. These proof-of-concept findings suggest the potential of SLPI as a bioactive coating strategy. Full article

Volumetric modulated arc therapy-computed tomography (VMAT-CT), which is the CT reconstructed using the portal images collected during VMAT, can potentially be an effective onsite imaging tool. The goal of this study was to propose an iterative reconstruction algorithm that can further improve the image quality of VMAT-CT and reduce the number of failed reconstructions. An iterative algorithm combining total variation (TV) with block-matching and 3D filtering (BM3D) was proposed, addressing the L1-L2 regularization problem using the split Bregman method. We collected portal images from 67 VMAT cases including 50 phantom and 17 real-patient cases. Both Feldkamp–Davis–Kress (FDK) and TV-BM3D iterative algorithms were used to reconstruct VMAT-CT using the collected images. The preprocessing methods developed by our group previously were also used in this study. A total of 48 out of 50 phantom cases and 15 out of 17 real-patient cases were successfully reconstructed using the iterative algorithm together with image preprocessing. In contrast, 39 phantom cases and 8 patient cases could be reconstructed using the original FDK algorithm, and 44 phantom cases and 11 patient cases could be reconstructed using the FDK algorithm together with preprocessing. Compared with the FDK algorithm, the TV-BM3D iterative algorithm significantly improved the image quality of VMAT-CT at all treatment sites. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to develop an iterative VMAT-CT reconstruction algorithm. It can be used to reconstruct CT images locally, and is superior to FDK-based algorithms in terms of the success rate and reconstructed image quality. This strongly supports the use of VMAT-CT as a promising imaging tool for treatment monitoring and adaptive radiotherapy. Full article

The global shipping network, which handles over 80% of international trade volume, is increasingly exposed to disruptions from typhoons and other extreme weather events under climate change. However, conventional network vulnerability assessments often overlook the geographically heterogeneous nature of such natural hazards. Here, we introduce a typhoon-related systemic vulnerability model (GMSN-TV) that integrates three core components: typhoon exposure, port network sensitivity, and national adaptive capacity, to quantify the Typhoon Vulnerability Index (TVI) of 1075 major ports across 2017 and 2021. Our analysis reveals four key findings. First, the global shipping network became structurally sparser between 2017 and 2021, with edges declining by 17.84% and network efficiency decreasing by 4.22%, rendering it more susceptible to climate-related disruptions. Second, simulated TVI-based natural attacks and conventional degree-based deliberate attacks induce fundamentally different risk patterns: removing the top 10% high-TVI ports in 2021 caused a 6.3% decline in network efficiency, whereas removing the top 10% hub ports resulted in a 20.1% decline, a difference of 13.8 percentage points; however, natural attacks proved more effective at isolating peripheral ports, generating an isolated node ratio of 1.16% compared to 0.00% under deliberate attacks. Third, when removing the top 50% high TVI ports, the contribution of typhoon vulnerability to network degradation increased from 13.77% in 2017 to 15.87% in 2021. Fourth, high-vulnerability ports exhibit significant spatial clustering, with the Northwest Pacific region (50.8%) and the North Atlantic region (29.5%) collectively accounting for over 80% of global high-vulnerability ports in 2021. Compared to conventional topology-based assessments, the GMSN-TV analytical framework proposed in this study integrates typhoon hazard data with network topology, providing a novel scientific tool with enhanced identification efficacy and accuracy. It successfully captures local network disintegration effects entirely missed by traditional deliberate attacks, revealing an isolated node ratio of 12.5% after removing 70% of high-TVI ports. This demonstrates the tool’s precision in identifying hidden high-risk peripheral nodes, enabling decision-makers to prioritize climate adaptation investments for critical maritime infrastructure more accurately. Full article

This article examines the Americanization of television news in post-communist media systems through an in-depth case study of bTV, Bulgaria’s first national commercial television broadcaster, launched by News Corporation in 2000. Drawing on original in-depth qualitative interviews with founding executives, journalists, regulators, and consultants, alongside archival materials and documentary analysis, the study traces how U.S. journalistic norms were introduced, negotiated, and ultimately hybridized within a fragile post-socialist media environment. Building on Gabriel Tarde’s theory of imitation, the article proposes a three-stage analytical model—transmission, transnationalization, and appropriation—to capture the dynamics of media transformation beyond simple adoption or rejection. The findings show that Americanization initially operated as a professionalizing force, reshaping visual storytelling, newsroom routines, and narrative structures, while also functioning as a symbolic and structural shield against overt political interference. Foreign ownership, particularly American ownership, was widely perceived by media actors as a buffer separating newsrooms from local power networks and enabling a degree of editorial autonomy. At the appropriation stage, however, the analysis reveals a more ambivalent outcome. While American formats and aesthetics were rapidly internalized at the surface level, deeper journalistic identities and democratic functions (most notably the Fourth Estate ideal) were only partially and unevenly appropriated. The result was a hybrid media model characterized by format mixing, depoliticization, and selective adaptation to local cultural and institutional legacies. The article conceptualizes this outcome as a Copycat Fourth Estate: a media system that appears American in form yet remains shaped by post-communist legacies of control, accommodation, and limited civic engagement. By offering a historically grounded, outlet-level analysis, the study contributes to debates on media Americanization, hybridization, and media capture, and advances understanding of how imported journalistic models are reshaped in transitional democracies. Full article

Wuweiganlu (WGL) is a traditional formulation widely applied in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), yet the identity of its bioactive constituents remains inadequately defined. In this study, ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and untargeted serum metabolomics were employed to characterize the active components of WGL. Fraxin was identified as a principal compound from WGL. To investigate its therapeutic mechanism in RA, a series of in silico and experimental approaches were conducted. Network pharmacology analysis and RNA sequencing identified heat shock protein family member 8 (HSPA8) as a potential molecular target of Fraxin, which was further validated by molecular docking studies. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses indicated that Fraxin exerts its effects primarily by modulating cell apoptosis through the PI3K signaling pathway. In vitro experiments demonstrated that Fraxin significantly reduced inflammatory responses and downregulated HSPA8 expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLs) and macrophages. In vivo, Fraxin administration markedly reduced paw swelling, alleviated bone deformities, and improved bone volume fraction (BV/TV) in male IL1RA-deficient mice exhibiting spontaneous arthritis. Histological analysis confirmed that Fraxin attenuated joint inflammation by modulating the inflammatory microenvironment. Additionally, Fraxin inhibited synovial hyperplasia by regulating mitochondrial membrane potential collapse in FLs. Functional assays revealed that this regulation occurred via the inhibition of HSPA8/PI3K/AKT signaling axis, thereby suppressing aberrant FLS proliferation and contributing to the attenuation of RA progression. Full article

Silica-based bioceramics are promising bone substitutes with tunable degradation and mechanical properties. We aimed to assess bone response in critical-size calvarial defects in rats, empty or filled with 3D-printed sphene ceramic (CaTiSiO₅) scaffolds produced using direct ink writing from preceramic polymers and reactive fillers. Scaffold characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, porosity analysis, and compressive strength testing. Bilateral cylindrical 5 mm calvarial defects were created in 20 rats: one was randomly filled with sphene scaffold, while the contralateral remained empty. Ten animals were killed at 4 weeks, the rest at 8 weeks. Specimens were collected for micro-X-ray computed tomography (micro-CT) analysis, followed by undecalcified histology. The scaffolds exhibited porous structure with complete sphene phase purity and compressive strength of 17.91 MPa (SD 4.6). In vivo, no adverse event was noted during healing. Overall bone regeneration—as measured by BV/TV—was comparable between groups: Bone volume/total volume (BV/TV) increased over time in the empty and sphene groups, reaching ~40%, with no significant differences between groups or time points. BV/TV was significantly higher in the external regions of the defects compared to the internal areas in both groups at the two time points. The sphene group showed a significantly greater volume of new bone extending beyond the original cortical boundary at both 4 and 8 weeks (p = 0.013). In the sphene group histology revealed partial bone ingrowth within the scaffold, while bone in the control group was limited to defect edges. After 8 weeks, new bone adjacent to the cortical surface was thicker in the sphene group (p < 0.05). These initial findings are consistent with prior preclinical studies, supporting the biocompatibility and osteoconductive nature of sphene ceramic scaffolds. Full article

This study evaluated the effect of applying tea tree essential oil (TTEO) on the sensory, microbiological, and antioxidant quality of grated anco squash (Cucurbita moschata). To this end, different application methodologies and concentrations of TTEO were applied to the product, and their effect on sensory characteristics, microbiological quality and bioactive compounds was evaluated. The anco squash was washed, disinfected, cut, peeled, grated, and then treated with TTEO at concentrations of 4 and 8 μL/mL using different application methods: spraying (TS), immersion (TI), and absorbent strips impregnated with EO attached to the trays to generate vapors (TV). In addition, an immersion treatment with NaClO (100 ppm, 3 min) (TH) and a water-immersion control (TC) were included. All samples were packaged in PVC trays, sealed with 35 µm polypropylene bags, and stored at 5 °C for 8 days. According to sensory evaluation, TTEO spray treatments (TS) maintained the highest scores until day 4, and were therefore identified as the most effective strategy for application. Antioxidant capacity initially increased for all TTEO treatments compared to the control, while phenolic compound levels remained stable and carotenoid content decreased progressively during storage. Overall, TTEO treatments maintained the quality of grated anco squash for up to 4 days at 5 °C, highlighting their potential to improve nutraceutical properties and extend shelf life when integrated with complementary preservation technologies. Full article

As an elite indigenous poultry breed under national protection in China, the Xupu goose is renowned for its large body size, superior fatty liver production, premium meat quality, and high tolerance to roughage. To elucidate its genomic architecture, genetic diversity, and evolutionary selection signatures, we conducted whole-genome resequencing on 15 purposively selected, unrelated male Xupu geese. An average of 6.79 Gb of high-quality sequence data was generated per individual, yielding approximately 4.27 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with a transition/transversion (Ti/Tv) ratio of 2.49. Population genomic analyses revealed that while the population retains a moderate genetic reservoir (H_E = 0.298), it exhibits a distinct heterozygote deficit (H_O = 0.217) and a moderate genomic inbreeding coefficient F_ROH = 0.204). This structural pattern underscores the genetic impact of historical ex situ closed-flock conservation and the consequent formation of cryptic family lineages. Furthermore, genome-wide integrated haplotype score (iHS) scans detected distinct regions under recent positive selection. Functional annotation of these regions highlighted candidate genes tightly associated with the breed’s hallmark traits, specifically lipid metabolism and hepatic fat deposition (ACSS2, ACSS3, PECR), alongside muscle development (CMYA5, MTPN, LEPR). Conclusively, this study delineates a comprehensive genomic landscape of the Xupu goose, providing a robust foundational resource for future germplasm conservation, molecular marker development, and precision breeding programs. Full article

This paper presents a thermodynamic analysis of free-turbine turboshaft engines, focusing on the quantitative distribution of turbine power and related energy parameters between the gas generator turbine and the free power turbine. The study is based on an analytical calculation model combining catalog specifications and validated experimental data, applied to a series of turboshaft engines from different manufacturers with similar free-turbine architectures and power classes ranging from approximately 960 kW to 2100 kW. The comparative analysis is conducted at take-off conditions for the engine series, while a detailed regime-dependent investigation from idle to take-off is performed for the TV2-117A reference engine. The results indicate that, at take-off, the gas generator turbine typically absorbs between 55% and 66% of the total turbine power to drive the compressor, whereas the free power turbine delivers the remaining 34% to 45% as usable shaft output. For all analyzed engines, the total actual specific enthalpy drop of the expansion process exceeds 98% of the available thermal potential, demonstrating efficient turbine energy utilization. Total turbine temperature drops are found to range between approximately 335 K and 565 K, depending on engine power class and cycle characteristics. In the case of the TV2-117A engine, the gas generator turbine power share decreases from about 75% at idle to roughly 65% at take-off, confirming a clear regime-dependent redistribution of expansion work. Thermal efficiency values at take-off vary between approximately 23% and 31% across the analyzed engine series. Unlike previous studies primarily focused on single-engine modeling or control strategies, this work introduces a unified and experimentally validated multi-engine thermodynamic framework that quantifies internal turbine power distribution patterns and provides transferable design-oriented benchmarks for free-turbine turboshaft engines. Full article

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) must make predictable and socially compliant behavioral decisions to ensure safe and efficient interactions with other road users. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a game-theoretic behavioral decision-making model integrated with spatial motion planning to capture the interactive intentions between the ego vehicle (EV) and target vehicle (TV) in pairwise scenarios. First, the study defines an intention representation method that characterizes intentions using spatial area boundaries, feasible speed ranges, and a set of goal points (speed goal points, position-orientation goal points). Second, a spatial motion planning approach is adopted to evaluate the intention, which optimizes the driving scheme using a multi-objective cost function (incorporating pursuit precision, comfort, energy efficiency, and travel efficiency). Finally, the game-theoretic decision-making model is constructed. The Social Value Orientation (SVO) is introduced to quantify drivers’ social preferences, and the payoff function, which integrates safety rewards (based on inter-vehicle distance) and performance rewards (based on motion planning indices), is established. Simulation results verify that the proposed model can effectively address the interactive intention decision-making problem between the AV and other road users and handle different scenarios. Full article

Mass media plays a key role in helping audiences organize facts and make sense of uncertainty, particularly during emerging medical crises when pre-existing knowledge is limited. The COVID-19 pandemic was the first major global crisis in the modern communications era in which traditional media (TV, radio, newspapers and major news sites) and social media (especially Facebook groups) both functioned as high-reach information systems, shaping public interpretation in parallel. Social media, especially closed and semi-closed Facebook groups, became a central arena for discussion, community building, and the circulation of alternative interpretations. Against this backdrop, the current study examines how anti-vaccination activists (anti-vaxxers) who are active in anti-vaccine Facebook groups perceive mainstream media coverage of COVID-19. The study employs a qualitative design based on semi-structured in-depth interviews with 70 anti-vaxxers of both genders who were active participants in anti-vaccination Facebook groups. Findings indicate that participants perceive mainstream media as advancing a biased, unidimensional narrative aligned with governmental, economic, and political interests, and as delegitimizing dissenting voices. Consistent with the hostile media effect, interviewees interpret coverage as hostile toward their community, which intensifies their tendency to avoid mainstream news and rely on Facebook group networks for validation, interpretation, and mobilization. These results highlight how crisis coverage is experienced by marginal groups and how social media group dynamics can reinforce perceptions of media hostility and deepen informational polarization. Full article

Background/Objectives: Western societies introduce school-based or school-linked programs in order to improve the physical health status of students and prevent the negative impact of the late diagnosis of a series of diseases and conditions. Preschool visual acuity (VA) screening represents an established school-based approach aimed at the early detection of amblyopia risk factors and vision-related learning difficulties. In this study, we report the methods and outcomes of the first officially organized kindergarten-based VA screening program in Greece, implemented using the Democritus Digital Visual Acuity Test (DDiVAT) screening suite and involving trained educators as part of the screening workflow. The present analysis focuses on the operational performance and screening outcomes within this defined setting. Methods: This study was a kindergarten-based screening. Each kindergarten was equipped with the DDiVAT screening framework, which consisted of a 32-inch, 4K, Android Smart TV with the DDiVAT application preinstalled, a site-license granting access to the secure DDiVAT database, and two vouchers for teachers to participate in the official lifelong DDiVAT training program. Results: From 2476 enrolled students, 207 (8.36%) were referred due to suboptimal presenting VA in one or both eyes. Average VA ranged from logMAR 0.11 to 0.07, which is consistent with former reports. Conclusions: No major technical difficulties were encountered, suggesting that DDiVAT may represent a feasible digital approach for preschool VA screening in real-world educational settings. Full article