Search Results (530)

A 56-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of varying dietary lipid and starch levels on growth performance, biochemical components, and hepatic glycolipid metabolism in hybrid grouper. Nine isonitrogenous diets were formulated to contain three levels of lipid (6%, 10%, or 14%) and starch (14%, 21%, or 28%) using a 3 × 3 factorial design. Juvenile fish (initial body weight: 19.06 ± 0.03 g) were randomly allocated to 27 floating net cages (25 fish per cage, three replicates per diet) in an indoor seawater recirculation system and hand-fed to apparent satiation twice daily. Two-way ANOVA was conducted to check treatment effects of dietary lipid and starch levels. No interaction effect between lipid and starch on growth and feed utilization was observed across all treatments; however, significant interactions between the two were observed for condition factor (CF), and some serum biochemical indicators and some hepatic glycolipid metabolic enzyme activities. Growth rate, specific growth rate, and feed efficiency (FE) exhibited a declining trend with increasing dietary lipid levels (p < 0.05). Conversely, hepatosomatic index (HSI), viscerosomatic index (VSI), condition factor, hepatic lipid and glycogen contents, muscle lipid content, serum triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol contents, as well as hepatic carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT-1) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activities, showed an increasing trend (p < 0.05). As lipid levels increased, serum total cholesterol (TC) and total protein (TP) contents dropped to a minimum at the intermediate lipid level (10%) and then rose, regardless of starch level. Hepatic fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBP) activity increased significantly when lipid level rose from 6% to 10% (p < 0.05). With increasing dietary starch levels, HSI, VSI, hepatic and muscle glycogen contents, and serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol content increased, while FE and serum TP content decreased (p < 0.05). Hepatic CPT-1, LPL, FBP, and pyruvate kinase activities were significantly enhanced when starch levels increased from 14% to 21% or 28% (p < 0.05). Serum aspartate aminotransferase activity was significantly higher in fish fed 14% lipid compared to those fed 6% or 10% lipid. These findings indicate that there is no interaction of dietary lipid and starch on growth and feed utilization, but high dietary lipid (14%) may enhance hepatic lipid oxidation while suppressing glycolysis, thereby limiting growth and promoting hepatic lipid deposition. The results provide a practical reference for optimizing dietary lipid and starch levels in cost-effective feed formulations for hybrid grouper. Full article

Scoliosis is a three-dimensional spinal deformity that may affect musculoskeletal alignment, respiratory mechanics, and neuromotor control. Rigid thoraco-lumbo-sacral orthoses (TLSOs) remain the primary conservative treatment during skeletal growth. Most brace systems rely on three-point pressure mechanisms that primarily generate lateral compression forces, while the contribution of shear components to corrective biomechanics has been insufficiently quantified. This study presents the experimental and analytical validation of the Canali Front-Push Orthopedic Brace, a rigid orthotic system designed to generate controlled compressive and shear forces through a frontal thrust mechanism and anterior rib cage engagement. By applying anterior force, the device reduces the frontal-plane lever arm, thereby limiting the mechanical moment that contributes to transverse plane rotation. An instrumented four-segment torso model derived from the internal CAD geometry of the brace was developed to independently measure upper compression, lower compression, and intersegmental shear forces. Controlled misalignment conditions (0 mm, 2 mm, and 4 mm) were introduced to simulate asymmetric engagement of the orthosis. Three load cell configurations (200 N and 500 N capacity) were tested. Mechanical endurance of the rack–latch fastening system was also evaluated. A predictive shear–misalignment relationship was derived and experimentally validated. Peak compressive forces reached approximately 370 N, while shear forces increased from less than 40 N under symmetric alignment (D0) to approximately 170 N under maximal misalignment (D4). Shear activation demonstrated near-linear proportionality to imposed geometric asymmetry (R² > 0.94). Following cyclic loading, the fastening system stabilized mechanically around 300 N. Measurement repeatability showed a coefficient of variation below 5%. These findings demonstrate that the brace produces predictable and controllable shear activation while maintaining high mechanical repeatability. The results provide a quantitative biomechanical framework for understanding shear-induced corrective mechanics in scoliosis bracing and support future studies integrating computational modeling and clinical validation. The proposed mechanical framework may contribute to the development of next-generation orthotic strategies aimed at controlling spinal rotation through vector modulation rather than purely compressive correction. Full article

Nowadays, educational software across all learning levels is increasingly enhanced with Artificial Intelligence (AI), primarily through content generation or post-session learning analytics. However, most existing systems remain weakly connected to learners’ real-time affective states and rarely exploit emotional information as a direct control signal for instructional adaptation. In this work, we propose a proof-of-concept closed-loop affect-aware educational adaptation framework that integrates real-time facial emotion recognition into a dynamic learning control system. The proposed approach is built upon a dual-model ensemble architecture, combining a transformer-based model (CAGE) and a CNN-based model (DDAMFN++) trained on large-scale in-the-wild datasets. To bridge heterogeneous emotion representations, we introduce a probabilistic fusion strategy that aligns continuous valence–arousal predictions with discrete emotion classification via a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM), enabling unified emotion inference in real time. Based on the fused emotional state, a temporal aggregation mechanism is applied to capture sustained affective trends rather than transient expressions. These aggregated signals are then mapped to instructional decisions through an emotion-driven adaptive control policy, which adjusts activity difficulty using an Average Emotion Score (AES). This establishes a fully automated closed-loop adaptation cycle, where detected learner affect directly influences the learning environment without requiring explicit user input or post-session questionnaires. The framework is integrated into an open-source educational platform (eduActiv8) to demonstrate feasibility and system-level behavior. Results from alpha-level validation show that the system can continuously monitor learner affect, generate interpretable emotional analytics, and dynamically adjust task difficulty in real time, while reducing user interaction overhead. This study contributes a modular architecture for affect-aware educational systems by combining real-time ensemble emotion recognition, probabilistic fusion of heterogeneous outputs, and closed-loop instructional adaptation. The proposed framework provides a foundation for future research in scalable, emotion-driven intelligent tutoring and adaptive learning environments. Full article

Background and Objectives: Ventral stabilization of thoracolumbar spine fractures can be achieved using different interbody reconstruction techniques, including titanium cages, vertebral body replacements (VBR), and autologous pelvic bone grafts (APBG). Although all approaches aim to restore anterior column stability and alignment, comparative data on long-term patient-reported outcomes remain limited. The objective of this study was to compare long-term patient-reported wellbeing following ventral stabilization using these three techniques. Materials and Methods: A retrospective, non-randomized single-center cohort study with prospective follow-up was analyzed. Treatment allocation was indication-based. Ninety-one patients treated between 2008 and 2018 underwent ventral stabilization using cage implantation (n = 12), vertebral body replacement (n = 45), or autologous pelvic bone grafting (n = 34). Clinical outcome was assessed at least 12 months postoperatively using a modified Visual Analog Scale Spine Score (VAS-Spine). Statistical analysis included linear and ordinal regression adjusted for age and sex. Potential baseline differences between groups were considered in the interpretation of the results. Results: Sixty-three patients (mean age 52 ± 15 years; 41% female) completed follow-up. The mean VAS-Spine score was lowest after cage implantation (2.7 ± 3.6), followed by VBR (3.9 ± 2.8) and APBG (4.9 ± 1.8; p* = 0.021). The observed difference between cage and APBG approached the minimal clinically important difference reported for VAS-based measures. Patients treated with cage implantation reported less pain during rest and activity and fewer limitations in daily life. No significant differences were observed regarding age or sex. Conclusions: In this observational cohort, cage implantation was associated with more favorable patient-reported outcomes compared with VBR and APBG. Autologous pelvic bone grafting was associated with worse patient-reported outcomes, potentially related to donor-site morbidity. Given the non-randomized design and potential confounding, these findings should be interpreted as associative and hypothesis-generating. Full article

Background/Objectives: Improving rabbit welfare through alternative housing systems requires a better understanding of how environmental conditions modulate physiological and immune responses at the molecular level. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of different rearing systems on the expression of genes associated with inflammation, immune regulation, and stress response in Termond White rabbits. Methods: After weaning (35 days of age), Termond White females (n = 16 per group) were allocated to five housing systems differing in space allowance and activity opportunities: hutches with outdoor runs, rabbit tractor cages with outdoor runs, single-floor indoor cages without bedding, indoor pens on deep litter, and modified indoor cages (two cages connected with a plastic pipe). At slaughter weight (2600–2900 g; 90–120 days), blood and spleen samples were collected. The relative expression of IL6, CXCR1, IL10, TGFB1, IL8, PTGS2, IL1B, and TNF was quantified by RT-qPCR using the 2^−ΔΔCt method, with ACTB and B2M as reference genes. Results: The housing system significantly affected the expression of most analysed genes in peripheral blood (IL6, CXCR1, IL1B, PTGS2, IL8, TNF, and IL10; p ≤ 0.05), whereas in the spleen significant differences were observed only for selected genes (IL1B, TNF, CXCR1, IL10, and TGFB1), with no effect detected for IL6, IL8, and PTGS2 (p > 0.05). In blood, system-dependent differences were observed for both pro-inflammatory and regulatory genes, with some housing conditions associated with higher expression of inflammatory markers. In the spleen, the response was more selective and gene-specific, suggesting tissue-dependent modulation of immune-related pathways. Conclusions: Rearing environment influences the expression of immune-related genes in Termond White rabbits; however, these effects appear to be tissue-dependent and vary among specific genes. The observed transcriptional changes suggest potential associations between housing conditions and immune responses, but further studies integrating behavioural, physiological, and protein-level data are required to confirm their relevance for animal welfare assessment. Full article

Active magnetic levitation bearings incorporate backup bearings that support the rotor during a breakdown, allowing it to maintain its circular movement despite the loss of magnetic force. This safeguards both the stator of the magnetic levitation bearing and the motor stator from harm. Research reveals that ball bearings are susceptible to failure mechanisms, including raceway wear and scoring. The principal cause is the unregulated motion of the rolling parts, which are divided by the cage, once wear manifests, resulting in raceway lag. This leads to significant contact deformation between the rolling elements and the raceway, along with prolonged cumulative impacts between the rolling elements and the cage. Cage-free bearings prevent collisions between the cage and rolling elements; yet, the orbital motion of the rolling elements in these bearings demonstrates a level of independence and randomness relative to traditional caged ball bearings. This presents considerable obstacles to attaining standard orbital motion in cage-free ball bearings. Despite advancements in technology that have largely elucidated the non-linear motion dynamics of ball bearings, several critical hurdles in behavioral characterization persist. This work presents a thorough review of the non-linear motion behavior of ball bearings and the methodologies for their multi-body dynamic characterization. This report proposes future research topics to improve the design of high-performance bearings and augment their reliability. Full article

The bollworm/corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is one of the most economically damaging crop pests in North America. Colonies of H. zea are notoriously difficult to maintain and frequently collapse in laboratory rearing. The persistent difficulty in maintaining healthy H. zea colonies has become a major obstacle to performing many research activities on the insect. To optimize colony maintenance, six populations were evaluated across three trials and six tests examining pupal maturity at diet removal, adult emergence synchrony, and cohort size at mating and reproduction. Females emerging from mature pupae produced more eggs than those from mid-aged (5–7 d) or young pupae (0–2 d). Synchronizing male and female emergence within one day yielded higher mating frequency, spermatophore transfer, and progeny, whereas a two-day difference reduced these metrics by 45–67%. Adult cohort size also influenced the outcomes, with ≥10 males and ≥10 females per cage enhancing reproductive success. Most matings occurred on nights 2–3, peaking within 2.5 h after lights off. Positive correlations were observed among mating frequency, spermatophore transfer, and progeny production. Overall, optimal performance was achieved by removing pupae only at maturity, synchronizing adult emergence within one day, and maintaining larger adult cohorts. These findings should establish key conditions to improve the mating success, reproduction, and laboratory rearing of H. zea. Full article

Light is a critical factor influencing fish behavior, yet the low-light conditions in deep-sea cages may impair feeding in visual species like rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792). This study investigated the effects of light intensity and photoperiod on the feeding behavior of rainbow trout. Using green light, a factorial design tested three light intensities (10, 100, and 1000 lx) and three photoperiods (8L:16D, 16L:8D, and 24L:0D), alongside a complete darkness control (0 lx and 0L:24D). Key behavioral parameters during feeding were quantified via video analysis. The results showed significant main and interactive effects of light intensity and photoperiod on feeding behaviors. Feeding activity was substantially suppressed under continuous darkness. On the initial experimental day, exploratory movement was greatest under 10 lx and 8L:16D. Following 50 days of exposure, fish in light groups exhibited more focused swimming trajectories near the feeding point, indicating behavioral adaptation and spatial learning. Correlation analyses suggested a strategic shift from broad exploration to precise, efficient localization over time. In conclusion, specific lighting conditions, notably low intensity under a regular photoperiod, promote efficient feeding behavior in rainbow trout, whereas darkness or extreme light regimens are inhibitory. These findings reveal adaptive behavioral plasticity in this species and provide a scientific basis for optimizing light management in offshore salmonid aquaculture. Full article

Valorisation of rabbit biodiversity plays a significant role in enhancing production by preserving genetic diversity, which is crucial for maintaining adaptability and resilience in rabbit populations, thereby supporting sustainable development and conservation efforts. With this in mind, the present research aimed at comparing live performance, carcass traits, meat quality and muscle fibre characteristics of different rabbit genotypes. Forty-five weaned rabbits (15 commercial hybrids—C; 15 Burgundy Fawn crosses—BF; 15 Vienna Blue crosses—VB) were farmed until slaughter (n = 15 replicated cages/rabbit genotype). The slaughter age was scheduled when all genotypes reached the same live weight (approx. 2800 g). After slaughtering and carcass dissection, the hind legs and longissimus lumborum muscles were excised and subjected to different evaluations. Hind legs were exploited for physicochemical analyses, while longissimus lumborum muscles were used for physical evaluations and for fibre typing, morphometric traits and enzymatic activity. As a direct response to the experimental design, results highlighted that the three genotypes exhibited different slaughter ages. Commercial hybrids displayed the fastest growth cycle, but they showed an efficiency comparable to that of VB crosses (p > 0.05). Genotypes displayed some differences in carcass characteristics, namely perirenal fat (p < 0.01) and hind leg weight (p < 0.05). The physical characteristics of meat were overall similar in the three genotypes, except for biceps femoris L*, which showed the highest value in the BF group. Meat chemical composition differed depending on the genotype, with BF rabbits having the highest ether extract (p < 0.05) content. The three genotypes displayed an overall similar fatty acid profile with some minor differences: VB rabbits had the highest C18:2 n-6 proportion (p < 0.01) and thus n-6/n-3 (p < 0.05). Cholesterol content was the highest in C rabbits (p < 0.05). Overall, the present research highlighted that BF and VB genotypes provided interesting potentialities which would be further valorised in rural farming conditions, given their higher resilience and adaptability than commercial hybrids. Full article

Background: Interbody spinal fusion is a common surgical treatment for degenerative, traumatic, and deformity-related spinal pathologies. Despite advances in cage geometry and fixation strategies that improve alignment and early stability, reliable fusion remains limited by the mechanical and biological constraints of conventional interbody implant materials. Traditional titanium and polymer-based cages often fail to optimally balance load sharing, osteointegration, and biological activity within the mechanically demanding interbody environment. This narrative review examines the development and translational potential of 3D-printed interbody fusion devices, with emphasis on how additive manufacturing enables the integration of mechanical performance with biologically active scaffold design. Methods: A thorough literature review was performed to evaluate the evolution, design principles, material properties, and translational outcomes of three-dimensional (3D)-printed interbody fusion devices. Results: Additive manufacturing enables precise control over implant architecture, allowing for the fabrication of porous, lattice-based cages with tunable stiffness, optimized load sharing, and enhanced bone–implant integration. Preclinical and early clinical studies suggest that 3D-printed porous titanium cages may reduce subsidence, promote osteointegration, and improve fusion-related outcomes compared with conventional designs. Emerging evidence indicates that scaffold porosity, surface microtopography, and bioactive coatings influence macrophage polarization, angiogenesis, and osteogenic signaling. Polymeric and composite constructs, particularly hybrid designs incorporating surface functionalization, represent promising adjuncts, though clinical evidence remains limited. Conclusions: Three-dimensional printing represents a paradigm shift in interbody fusion device design. Continued translational research and longer-term clinical follow-up are required to validate efficacy and guide widespread clinical adoption. Full article

This dataset provides synchronized multimodal behavioral measurements from 36 mice across four experimental groups: wild-type and rTg4510 tauopathy mice, each tested with or without doxycycline-mediated suppression of mutant tau expression. Of these, 34 mice had complete measurements across all three behavioral paradigms and were used for analyses requiring full cross-task linkage. At six months of age, all animals underwent three standardized behavioral paradigms: home cage monitoring, ten-day trace eyeblink conditioning, and contextual fear conditioning. The individual-level data included locomotor activity, rearing duration, conditioned response metrics, eyelid closure latencies, and contextual freezing percentages. All measurements were linked using unique mouse identifiers, enabling cross-task analysis without preprocessing or imputation. The dataset was accompanied by a complete data dictionary, processing workflow diagram, and validation analyses demonstrating cross-paradigm correlations. The cross-task associations are illustrated in the main figures, with additional early phase acquisition and temporal processing correlations provided in the main figures. Provided in an open CSV format with detailed metadata, this resource supports behavioral phenotyping, machine learning applications, and the investigation of learning mechanisms in tauopathy models. Full article

Deployed armed forces and the public engaged in outdoor activities are at high risk for mosquito bites and the diseases they transmit. Current mosquito bite-resistant garments prevent blood-feeding with slow-release insecticide formulations. Many people today want to avoid contact with pesticides, especially in their clothing. Insecticide treated clothing also is costly and requires regulatory agency approvals. Using mosquito bite-resistant mathematical textile models and a WholeGarment^® knitting technique, a seamless garment was constructed with military-compliant, no-melt, no-drip flame retardant yarns using an AiryPique knit architecture. The garment was 99.5% bite proof in walk-in cage bioassays with 200 Aedes aegypti host-seeking mosquitoes where the human subjects did not move for 20 min. A standard flame test and a PyroMan^TM flammability study validated the garment’s fire protection, a requirement for military uniforms. The thermal physiological comfort tests (air permeability, wetting time/radius, thermal resistance, evaporative resistance, and sweating thermal manikin test) were similar to current army combat uniforms and appropriate for use in everyday clothing. Bite prevention occurred by physically blocking the insect mouth parts from obtaining a blood meal. The knitting technique is well-suited for mass production of bite-resistant clothing through automation, significantly reducing labor, time, and cost by optimizing “fit on demand” for different body types compared to traditional manufacturing methods. This innovation provides a non-insecticidal, safe, scalable, and efficient solution for protecting individuals against mosquito bites. Full article

Natural plant-based resources are rich in bioactive compounds that offer promising alternatives for developing sustainable, functional textiles. This study focuses on the extraction and application of natural dyes from Gardenia jasminoides as an eco-friendly substitute for conventional synthetic dyes. The dye was extracted using methanol–water (50:50) and ethanol–water (50:50) solvent systems, alongside conventional aqueous extraction, followed by characterization through column chromatography. The characterization of the extracted powders confirmed the presence of gardenia yellow pigments with strong coloration potential. Among the tested extraction methods, ultrasonic-assisted methanol–water extraction (M.W.U.) exhibited the highest dye yield of 29.5%, followed by ethanol–water ultra-sound extraction (E.W.U.) at 24.9%, water ultrasound extraction (W.U.) at 18.35%, and the lowest yield obtained from the water-heater method (W.H.) at 18.25%. The dyed cotton fabrics were tested for color strength (K/S), CIELAB, colorfastness (washing, light, rubbing), and functional properties (antibacterial and vector protection) according to standard operating procedures. The results revealed that an optimal mordant concentration produced the maximum color strength (K/S = 1.7730), with good rubbing (4–5), washing (4–5), and light fastness (5). The dyed fabrics also exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, as evaluated by the AATCC 100 test method. For instance, the vector protection property of the cotton dyed fabrics was also excellent, as confirmed by the cage test. Overall, the use of Gardenia jasminoides seed-based natural dye demonstrates not only desirable coloration and functional performance but also significant ecological advantages, reducing chemical pollution and supporting the transition toward environmentally sustainable textile processing. Full article

In order to solve the problems of low calorific value and pipeline corrosion caused by high concentration of CO₂ in oil-associated gas, and promote the resource utilization of associated gas, this study used validated grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to investigate the adsorption characteristics of 11 different topological structures (straight-channel MFI/BEA, cage-channel LTA/FAU/CHA) and cation types (Ca²⁺, Na⁺, H⁺) of commercial zeolites for CO₂ and alkanes (CH₄, C₂H₆, C₃H₈) at 0%~90% RH. The results showed that the CO₂ adsorption capacity of all zeolites decreased with increasing humidity, but straight-channel zeolites (ZSM5-300, BETA-25) had excellent moisture resistance, with only a 20.8% and 30.6% decrease in capacity at 90% RH, respectively. The performance of cage-channel zeolite drops sharply under high humidity. Topology structure and cation synergistically regulate separation efficiency, maintaining stable diffusion order in straight channels. Ca²⁺ enhances dry state capacity but is prone to hydrophilic failure. The adsorption heat of CO₂ on straight-channel zeolite is 25–38 kJ/mol, resulting in lower regeneration energy consumption. ZSM5-300 is preferred for PSA (CH₄/CO₂ kinetic separation coefficient of 809.52 at 90% RH), and NaFAU is preferred for TSA (CO₂ adsorption capacity of 3.6 mmol/g and selectivity of 502.6 at 90% RH). This study clarifies the core structure-activity relationship and provides key theoretical support for the decarbonization of oil-associated gas. Full article

Squirrel-cage induction generators often perform better without a mechanical speed sensor. Eliminating an encoder or resolver removes one of the most fragile and failure-prone components, while modern control algorithms can estimate speed with sufficient accuracy. Shaft-mounted sensors are vulnerable to heat, vibration, dust, moisture, and electrical noise; they require precise mounting and additional cabling and typically fail long before the machine itself. In many industrial and marine applications, unplanned shutdowns are more often caused by damaged sensors or cables than by the generator. Unlike sensorless speed-detection methods developed for motoring operation, the proposed approach targets the generator mode, where both phase currents and the DC-link voltage are measured. It uses two indicators: the magnitude and sign of the active current, and the instantaneous rise in DC-link voltage when the converter output frequency matches the machine’s shaft speed. Because active current remains negative over a wide frequency range during start-up, its sign change alone cannot uniquely identify the synchronization point. In generator operation, however, the DC-link capacitor voltage provides an additional criterion: the speed at which power reverses sign, indicated by a change in the sign of the DC-voltage derivative. As the inverter frequency approaches the machine rotational frequency from below, the DC voltage increases, reaches a maximum at maximum slip, and then decreases once the inverter frequency exceeds the machine speed. The article demonstrates how these signals can be used in practice to identify the rotational speed of a squirrel-cage generator. Full article