Search Results (1,212)

Traditional power and energy balance methods suffer from several limitations, such as inadequate coordination across long-term and short-term temporal scales, confinement to single-region spatial boundaries, and insufficient exploitation of multi-energy complementarity. This paper proposes a multi-temporal, multi-spatial power, and energy balance framework that integrates cross-regional energy sharing and leverages the complementarity among diverse power sources. A two-level feedback optimization model is formulated, coupling the medium- to- long-term energy balance with short-term power balance. The model comprehensively incorporates constraints, including the characteristics of various power sources, unit operating status, dynamic power flow on cross-regional tie-lines, as well as renewable energy curtailment minimization and power supply reliability requirements. This hierarchical structure enables coordination optimization across both the long-term and short-term temporal dimension and cross-regional mutual aid in the spatial dimension. A hierarchical solution strategy is employed, which integrates an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm with the Gurobi solver. Case studies on realistic power systems demonstrate that the proposed method effectively exploits the potential of multi-energy coordination and cross-regional mutual aid, achieving improved renewable energy accommodation, enhanced cross-regional resource utilization efficiency, and robust power and energy balance across multi-temporal and spatial scales. Full article

The transition toward sustainable and low-carbon power systems increasingly depends on the efficient accommodation of high shares of renewable energy while maintaining secure and reliable grid operation. In interconnected power systems, this challenge is intensified by strong cross-regional coupling, tie-line flow violation risks, and the high computational burden of fully coupled probabilistic assessments. To support the sustainable operation of renewable-rich interconnected systems, this paper proposes a probabilistic production simulation method that incorporates risk-aware tie-line exchange optimization. Sequential random sample paths are constructed by considering load fluctuations, renewable energy output uncertainty, and random outages of conventional units. Using cross-regional exchange power as coupling variables, a conditional value-at-risk (CVaR)-based pre-scheduling model is established to control tie-line and interface flow tail risks. Given the scheduled exchange power, cross-regional exchanges are transformed into regional boundary power injections, enabling decoupled sequential probabilistic production simulation for each region. The exchange schedule is then iteratively updated through marginal-value feedback. A four-region interconnected system is used for case-study validation. Results show that the proposed method improves renewable energy accommodation, reduces renewable curtailment, suppresses tie-line flow violation risk, and maintains high reliability assessment accuracy. Compared with the region-decoupled benchmark with fixed exchange power, the proposed method increases the renewable energy accommodation rate from 93.82% to 95.41% and reduces renewable curtailment from 312,162 MWh to 231,284 MWh, while also lowering expected energy not served and loss of load expectation. In addition, under the reported case-study setting, the proposed RC-IEF-PPS reduces the computation time from 5216.24 s for Full-PPS to 4074.63 s, i.e., by 21.9%, while maintaining comparable reliability assessment accuracy. These results indicate that the proposed framework can support the sustainable integration of high-penetration renewable energy by improving clean-energy utilization, operational reliability, and computational tractability in interconnected power systems. Full article

Tumor-associated Tie2-expressing monocytes/macrophages (TEMs) have been implicated in promoting angiogenesis and metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC), yet the molecular mechanisms linking TEMs infiltration to tumor metastasis and progression remain incompletely defined. This study investigated the distribution of TEMs in CRC and their association with gene expression profiles, microvessel density (MVD), and clinical outcomes. Immunohistochemistry on 30 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) primary CRC samples revealed that TEMs, which characteristically express tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin and epidermal growth factor homology domains 2 (Tie2) receptor and CD14, preferentially localize to perivascular regions and are associated with higher histological grade, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and increased MVD. However, Tie2⁻/CD14⁺ macrophages and CD68⁺ tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) showed uniform stromal distribution. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) of in silico transcriptomic datasets of metastatic CRC (mCRC) identified enrichment of pathways related to cell–cell recognition, calcium signaling, transcription regulation, and metalloexopeptidase activity in Tie2⁺/CD14⁺ tumors. Subsequent qRT-PCR validation on FFPE primary CRC samples confirmed significant upregulation of C-C chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7), platelet-derived growth factor A (PDGFRA), CBP/p300-interacting transactivator with glutamic acid/aspartic acid-rich carboxyl-terminal domain 2 (CITED2), and carboxypeptidase E (CPE) in TEMs⁺ regions. Notably, angiopoietin1 (Ang1), but not angiopoietin2 (Ang2), was significantly elevated in TEMs⁺ primary tumors. Kaplan–Meier analysis on 1336 CRC patients indicated that high expression of CITED2, CPE, and Ang2 is associated with reduced overall survival. Collectively, these findings suggest that TEM infiltration is linked to transcriptional regulation, biological processes, and enzymatic programs in CRC, potentially contributing to tumor progression and poor prognosis, and highlight CCR7, PDGFRA, CITED2, CPE, and Ang1 as candidate biomarkers for further mechanistic exploration. Full article

Fire incidents in municipal waste management facilities remain a persistent safety issue, complicated by high variability and limited reliability of available data. This study presents a process-oriented evaluation of 86 fire incidents recorded between 2013 and 2022 in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic, based on a verified non-public database of the Fire Rescue Service. Most incidents (approximately 76%) were associated with municipal solid waste landfills, confirming their dominant role within the sector. Spontaneous combustion was identified as the most frequent ignition mechanism; however, in nearly 78% of cases, the exact cause could not be conclusively determined, indicating a high level of uncertainty in incident reporting. Key quantitative indicators, including extinguishing water consumption (mean 32 m³, median 10 m³) and affected fire area, exhibited substantial variability, limiting their direct use for quantitative evaluation. To address these limitations, representative fire scenarios were systematically identified and analysed using the ARIA 3 framework in combination with the Bow-Tie methodology. This approach enables the interpretation of fire incidents as disturbances in operational processes and supports the identification of scenario-specific preventive and mitigation barriers. The results show that, despite data uncertainty, incident records provide a robust basis for identifying recurring fire patterns and facility-specific vulnerabilities, supporting scenario-based risk management and informed decision-making in municipal waste management systems. Full article

Non-invasive assessment of oocyte quality remains a challenge in assisted reproductive technology (ART). Through their bidirectional communication with the gamete, cumulus cells (CCs) act as a functional mirror of oocyte competence; however, the specific angiogenic signature within this microenvironment is still poorly understood. In the present study, we performed RNA-seq on CCs from healthy oocyte donors and infertile patients, utilizing a multi-pipeline bioinformatic approach (STAR-Cufflinks, TopHat-HTSeq, and HISAT2-StringTie) to establish a high-confidence, exploratory transcriptomic profile. A set of 234 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) consistently identified across pipelines was obtained, with functional enrichment highlighting blood vessel morphogenesis and angiogenesis as primary drivers of transcriptomic divergence between groups. RT-qPCR validation in individual samples confirmed statistically significant differences for ANKRD22 (upregulated) and E2F7 (downregulated) in infertile patients, while other angiogenesis-related genes, including ANGPT1, ANGPT2 and THBS1, showed consistent but non-significant expression trends, suggesting alterations in angiogenesis-related processes within the follicular microenvironment. These findings support the presence of coordinated angiogenesis-related alterations in cumulus cells and provide a basis for future studies exploring their potential relevance in oocyte competence and ART outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) remains a serious condition with limited preventive options. This study evaluated the prophylactic protective effects of nebulized human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (hUC-MSC-EVs) in a rat model of hypobaric hypoxia-induced lung injury and explored potential mechanistic clues, with a focus on oxidative stress and TEK/Tie2 signaling. Methods: Rats were exposed to hypobaric hypoxia (47 kPa; 9.7% O₂) for 72 h and received prophylactic nebulized hUC-MSC-EVs (300 μg/rat). Lung injury was evaluated by histopathology, wet-to-dry ratio, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) protein concentration. Invasive pulmonary function indices were measured using a forced oscillation system. BALF cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and TEK/Tie2 expression in lung tissue were assessed. In addition, transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed to characterize global transcriptional changes. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a classical antioxidant, was included as an auxiliary mechanistic intervention to assess the association of ROS with TEK/Tie2 changes. Results: Compared with hypoxia controls, prophylactic nebulized hUC-MSC-EVs reduced histopathological injury, pulmonary edema, and barrier leakage, and improved pulmonary function indices. hUC-MSC-EV intervention also attenuated inflammatory responses in BALF, with decreased TNF-α and IL-6 and increased IL-10. Hypobaric hypoxia increased ROS accumulation and decreased TEK/Tie2 expression, whereas nebulized hUC-MSC-EVs reduced ROS and partially preserved TEK/Tie2 expression. NAC pretreatment similarly reduced ROS and was accompanied by Tie2 preservation. Conclusions: Prophylactic nebulized hUC-MSC-EVs mitigated hypobaric hypoxia-induced lung injury, accompanied by reduced oxidative stress, improved vascular barrier integrity, and preservation of TEK/Tie2 expression. These findings support nebulized hUC-MSC-EVs as a potential lung-targeted prophylactic strategy for hypobaric hypoxia-induced lung injury and suggest that ROS imbalance may be associated with Tie2 preservation. Full article

Dynamic response measurements support bridge monitoring and structural assessment because they are obtainable under operational loading and are sensitive to changes in stiffness, boundary conditions, and mass distribution. This article presents a structured scoping review of dynamic-response-based bridge monitoring and assessment. It covers damage-sensitive indicators, stiffness/capacity proxy inference, interpretation under operational and extreme loading, sensing with acquisition (contact, and indirect/drive-by), and data processing, machine learning and digital-twin integration for decision support. Evidence was identified through targeted searches in Scopus and The Lens with duplicate resolution in Zotero. The cited studies are compiled into a traceable evidence inventory linked to method families and decision objectives. The synthesis shows that global modal properties enable change screening but are highly confounded by environmental/operational variability. Localization and state characterization typically require denser or higher-fidelity sensing and signal conditioning. Finally, capacity-related inference using calibrated conversion models or machine learning (ML) surrogates remains context-bounded and validation-dependent. This review provides an end-to-end pipeline, evidence-maturity rubric, and conservative failure-mode checks with escalation logic that tie SHM outputs to inspection and analysis rather than direct condition declarations for bridge owners. This review is intentionally scoped and does not claim PRISMA-style comprehensiveness. Full article

Background/Objectives: Craniofacial malformations such as orofacial clefts affect ~1 in 700 births; 40–60% lack clear genetic etiology, and many exhibit asymmetry and variable expressivity unexplained by classical Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) morphogen gradient models. We investigated whether integrated molecular modules linking morphogen signaling with metabolic stress responses may better account for craniofacial developmental outcomes. Methods: Sequential UniProt gene set integration identified 186 candidate craniofacial regulators. STRING network analysis revealed modular architecture. Molecular docking profiled 17 compounds against SMO, CK1δ, PINK1, and TIE2 (control). Pathway reconstruction integrated the SHH–CK1δ–HIF1A–HEY1–PINK1 axis with in-silico-predicted CK1δ phosphorylation sites on SMO (S615, T593, S751), HIF1A (Ser247), and GLI1/2/3 transcription factors. A developmental decision tree mapped affinity profiles to node-specific phenotype hypotheses. Results: CK1δ and PINK1 emerged as candidate nodes coupling morphogen signaling with mitochondrial quality control. Cross-docking showed preferential binding to developmental kinases (CK1δ: −8.34 kcal/mol; PINK1: −8.80 kcal/mol) versus TIE2 control (−6.76 kcal/mol; p < 0.001). Pathway reconstruction suggested that CK1δ-mediated Ser247 phosphorylation of HIF1A disrupts ARNT dimerization, redirecting HIF1A toward ARNT-independent HEY1 induction and consequent PINK1 suppression. Based on computed profiles, node-specific associations were proposed as computational hypotheses: SMO perturbation → midline defects; CK1δ → facial asymmetry/clefting; PINK1 → mandibular hypoplasia. Multi-target compounds (e.g., purmorphamine, taladegib) generated composite phenotype predictions consistent with clinical complexity. Conclusions: This strictly in silico study identifies candidate integrated morphogenic modules whose multi-node perturbation may underlie anatomically specific craniofacial malformation patterns. Node–phenotype associations are prioritized computational hypotheses requiring experimental validation; if confirmed, the framework could inform developmental toxicity assessment, therapeutic design, and reclassification of idiopathic craniofacial anomalies. Full article

Highly deviated wells commonly exhibit large errors in horizon calibration because the logging path follows an inclined borehole trajectory, whereas post-stack seismic processing effectively treats wave propagation as vertical. This mismatch has received limited attention. Here, we performed horizon calibration and velocity-model building for highly deviated wells drilled in the Mahu Sag, Junggar Basin, and obtained three key findings. First, the assumed vertical travel path in post-stack data is the primary cause of the initial mis-tie for highly deviated wells. Second, calibration in the deviated interval requires a strategy distinct from that of vertical wells and may involve substantial stretching or squeezing of the original logs to achieve a consistent time-depth relationship. Third, the map-view projection of a highly deviated well is essentially linear; relative to vertical wells, it provides denser in situ velocity constraints and, with pseudo-well control, supplies 2D velocity information along the well-trajectory plane, thereby improving velocity-field modeling. Validation against drilling data showed that this workflow improved well ties and refined the velocity model, providing practical guidance for geological well planning and reducing drilling risk. Full article

With the integration of renewable energy into traction power supply systems at a high proportion and penetration level, the intermittency and randomness of renewable energy output significantly intensify the fluctuation characteristics of traction loads, posing severe challenges to the stable operation and precise dispatch of the system. To effectively address the dynamic tracking and anti-disturbance issues arising from the dual uncertainties of source and load, this paper proposes a dual-timescale two-layer optimization dispatch strategy based on Model Predictive Control (MPC). In the upper-layer optimization, with the objective of optimal system economic operation, a multi-step rolling optimization method is adopted to formulate a long-timescale baseline dispatch plan, fully considering the temporal correlation of photovoltaic and wind power outputs and the periodic characteristics of traction loads. In the lower-layer optimization, aimed at smoothing power fluctuations and correcting prediction deviations, the technical advantages of supercapacitors—high power density and fast response—are utilized to perform real-time tracking and dynamic compensation of the upper-layer baseline plan. This effectively reduces the impact of prediction errors on control accuracy, achieves smooth control of tie-line power, and enhances overall system stability. Case study results based on an actual railway traction power supply system demonstrate that the proposed method can fully leverage the coordinated and complementary characteristics of the hybrid energy storage system, effectively suppress power fluctuations from renewable energy output and traction loads, and achieve economic operation objectives while ensuring system disturbance rejection performance, thereby validating the effectiveness and practicality of the strategy. Full article

The Gulf of Taranto (Ionian Sea) is a key transitional sector between the Southern Apennines collisional belt and the Calabrian Arc system, where the expression of Pleistocene–Holocene deformation in the shallow stratigraphic record remains debated. This study focuses on the Taranto Canyon area, the main morphologic feature of the northeastern Gulf of Taranto slope. We integrate high-resolution multibeam bathymetry (10 m grid) with Sparker seismic profiles to (i) define the shallow seismo-stratigraphic framework and (ii) document spatial relationships between shallow discontinuities, morphostructural lineaments, and submarine channel network organization. A simplified tie to the Livia 001 well constrains the subdivision of the shallow succession into four seismic units: the late Pleistocene–Holocene unit (PtH), the Santerno Formation (SNT), the Calcarenite di Gravina (GRA), and the Cupello Limestones (CPL). The PtH interval shows the strongest lateral variability and includes widespread acoustically disturbed bodies and recurrent sub-vertical fluid escape acoustic anomalies. Steep discontinuities producing reflector terminations, minor vertical separation, and localized bending affect PtH and, locally, SNT, with normal fault geometries prevailing where resolvable. Bathymetric mapping reveals multiple lineament families and preferred channel orientations that persist across higher Strahler orders, supporting a structurally conditioned template that guides seafloor morphology, sediment routing, and canyon–slope evolution in the northeastern Gulf of Taranto. Full article

Background: Ankyloglossia is a congenital anomaly characterized by restricted tongue mobility due to a short, thick, or tight lingual frenulum. Methods: This narrative review synthesizes current concepts on etiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic approaches, functional implications, and management for ankyloglossia in newborns. Results: Ankyloglossia can compromise breastfeeding dynamics, manifesting as suboptimal latch, maternal nipple pain, and inefficient milk transfer, and may influence orofacial function if unrecognized. Because anatomical appearance alone does not reliably predict function, evaluation should prioritize structured functional assessments over purely morphological descriptors. Management should be individualized and stepwise, beginning with lactation support and positioning strategies, and progressing to frenotomy when clear functional limitation persists. In appropriately selected cases, timely intervention can improve feeding efficiency and caregiver comfort while minimizing disruptions to early bonding and nutrition. Post-procedure follow-up is important to confirm functional gains and address residual feeding mechanics. Conclusions: A coordinated, multidisciplinary approach aligns diagnosis and treatment with the infant’s functional needs and family goals, promoting safe, effective, and patient-centered care. Full article

Background: The aim of our study was to evaluate the association of angiopoietin 2 (ANGPT2) rs2442598 and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) rs2010963 with diabetic nephropathy (DN) in Slovenian subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Angiopoietin–endothelial tyrosine kinase receptor (Ang-Tie2) and VEGF-A signaling regulate glomerular endothelial stability and permeability and may contribute to DN susceptibility. Methods: We conducted a case–control study including 897 unrelated Slovenian subjects with T2DM (344 DN cases; 553 long-standing T2DM controls without DN). ANGPT2 rs2442598 and VEGFA rs2010963 were genotyped using TaqMan assays. Genetic associations were analysed using co-dominant, additive, dominant, and recessive genetic models with logistic regression adjusted for waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, and triglycerides. Results: ANGPT2 rs2442598 was significantly associated with DN, with increased risk in carriers of the C allele, including a significant additive per allele effect (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.10–1.74) and a dominant model effect (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.11–1.96). In contrast, VEGFA rs2010963 showed no evidence of association across genetic models. Conclusions: In Slovenian patients with T2DM, ANGPT2 rs2442598 is associated with DN, whereas VEGFA rs2010963 is not. This association suggests that ANGPT2 genetic variation may influence DN risk and supports further functional work to define the biological effects of rs2442598. Full article

Zonal ship central cooling systems, which are primarily implemented in naval platforms and advanced specialized vessels to ensure high survivability, exhibit complex fluid–thermal interactions and multi-level valve networks, challenging conventional resilience analysis, especially under large-scale fault scenarios and dynamic topology reconfiguration. This paper presents a physics-informed dynamic resilience assessment and reconfiguration optimization method tailored for such systems. To address the high-dimensional reconfiguration search space, a physics-informed pruning mechanism combining topological reachability filtering and nodal continuity-based feasible-flow verification is introduced, eliminating 42.6% of invalid topologies and reducing optimization time by approximately 38%. Additionally, a cumulative thermal severity (CTS) metric is developed to capture transient thermal shock risks, quantitatively assessing deviation from the 50 °C system safety boundary at the most critical node. Simulation results for a main seawater pump failure scenario demonstrate that the proposed reconfiguration strategy, which coordinates cross-zone tie valves and leverages healthy zones’ pressure margins, shortens recovery time by 47%, suppresses peak temperature from 51.5 °C to 50.2 °C, reduces maximum over-temperature from 1.5 °C to 0.2 °C, and decreases CTS from 8.5 °C·s to 0.1 °C·s (a 98.8% reduction). These findings demonstrate that physics-informed pruning substantially reduces the computational burden of high-dimensional reconfiguration, while the proposed CTS metric enables quantitative assessment of transient thermal-shock risk. Together, they offer robust methodological guidance for resilience-oriented decision support and fault-tolerant design in complex shipboard fluid–thermal systems. Full article

One of the strongest electromagnetic engineering approaches for enhancing antenna performance is the use of photonic crystal (PhC) substrates. This technique can be efficiently applied to antenna design and offers notable advantages, such as gain improvement, increased bandwidth, and frequency-dependent beam scanning. In this paper, a bow-tie dipole antenna has been developed for terahertz operation over the 0.39–1.3 THz band, presenting a novel structure capable of producing strong ultra-wideband (UWB) field enhancement within its feed gap. The feed gap between the two metallic arms has a slot width of 1.24 λ0 (λ0 is the wavelength in free space at a center range of 0.8 THz), which facilitates the generation of an enhanced electric field. The PhC substrate enables surface-wave control through dispersion engineering, thereby enhancing the radiation efficiency of the antenna. The proposed antenna exhibits a radiation efficiency of approximately 73–93% over the entire UWB frequency band. Furthermore, the PhC substrate antenna achieves a maximum gain of 21 dB, exceeding that of a homogeneous-substrate THz bow-tie antenna by at least 3.3 dB. The results indicate that the antenna achieves |S₁₁| < −10 dB impedance matching over the bandwidth of 105.9%, ranging from 0.4 to 1.3 THz. The proposed bow-tie dipole antenna integrated with a PhC substrate demonstrates a wide beam-scanning capability from −54° to +74° across the 0.39–1.16 THz band, while maintaining a compact footprint of 14.9 λ₀ × 22.4 λ₀. This combination of wide scanning, broad bandwidth, and ultra-low profile represents a notable advancement in the development of compact THz radiating structures. Full article