Search Results (7,514)

Accurate contour extraction of aggregate particles from conveyor-belt depth maps is essential for downstream particle counting and size measurement, yet industrial depth data often contains weak discontinuities, missing values, and speckle-like noise. We propose a task-specific geometry-aware contour extraction framework that combines a compact SegFormer encoder with depth-derived priors, a lightweight local branch, edge-prior gated fusion, and full-resolution residual refinement. The input representation consists of normalized depth, Sobel gradient magnitude, and the absolute Laplacian response. On AGG_FULLDATA, the method achieves Optimal Dataset Scale (ODS), Optimal Image Scale (OIS), and Average Precision (AP) values of 0.9607/0.9716/0.9683 under the primary tolerance-based protocol ($tol=1$), while retaining an ODS of 0.6476 under strict pixel-exact matching. On External130, a test-only split collected under altered operating conditions using the same sensor, it reaches 0.9580/0.9734/0.9683 without retraining and consistently outperforms the MiT-only baseline. A rigid-object repeatability study based on 30 raw PLY scans shows a mean boundary deviation of 0.335 px, a within-1 px correspondence rate of 97.1%, and a coefficient of variation (CV) of equivalent diameter below 1%, supporting the practical meaning of $tol=1$. The full pipeline runs at 48.9 frames per second (FPS) with 3.71M parameters on an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU. Broader robustness to separately controlled operating factors, environmental disturbances, and cross-device settings still requires validation. Full article

In shale gas extraction, solid particles such as fracturing proppants cause erosion in production and transmission pipelines. Cyclone desanders are widely used for gas–solid separation, but high-velocity sand-laden fluids frequently induce equipment failure, leakage and safety risks. Therefore, research on erosion and protective measures is essential. This study focuses on the desander at the M shale gas wellhead, where wall thickness was measured at three monitoring points to determine erosion rates. A CFD-based numerical erosion model for the cyclone desander was developed using ANSYS Fluent within the ANSYS Workbench 19.2 environment (ANSYS, Inc., Canonsburg, PA, USA). The model was validated by comparing simulation results with field data, revealing the distribution patterns of the velocity field, pressure field, and erosion rate. The study analyzed the impact of nine factors on desander erosion: inlet aspect ratio, cylinder radius, cone length, dust discharge port diameter, exhaust port diameter, particle size, particle concentration, inlet velocity, and operating pressure, clarifying the erosion variation patterns for each factor. SPSSAU V25.0 (Beijing Qingsi Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing, China) was employed to analyze the significance of these nine factors, identifying six significant influencing factors: inlet aspect ratio, cylinder diameter, dust discharge port diameter, particle size, particle concentration, and inlet velocity. Subsequently, response surface analysis was performed using Design-Expert 13 (Stat-Ease, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) to obtain the relationship between the factors and their impact on maximum erosion, leading to the establishment of a predictive model for the maximum erosion rate. In addition, geometry optimization, local wall thickening, coating protection, material selection, and bionic rib structures were discussed as erosion-mitigation strategies. The optimized geometry reduced the erosion rate at the inlet and dust discharge outlet by 20.4% and 21.8%, respectively, while the bionic rib structure reduced the maximum erosion rate by 58%. Full article

South China is characterized by abundant and complex precipitation, with frequent typhoons, heavy rainfall, and pronounced extreme events, making it an ideal region for precipitation microphysics research. This study uses rainfall observations from an OTT Parsivel² (Parsivel) laser disdrometer and a Micro Rain Radar–2 (MRR–2) collected in Zhuhai during 2022–2023 to analyze the characteristics of stratiform rainfall (SR) and convective rainfall (CR). The results show that, although SR lasts longer, CR contributes much more to the total accumulated rainfall. In SR, samples with rain rate (RR) < 5 mm h⁻¹ account for about 27% of occurrences and contribute less than 10% of total rainfall, whereas in CR, samples with RR > 8 mm h⁻¹ represent only 7% of occurrences but contribute more than 45% of the accumulated rainfall. CR is characterized by a larger mass-weighted mean diameter (Dm), while SR shows a higher normalized intercept parameter (Nw). In SR, Dm increases with RR, whereas Nw changes little; in CR, both Dm and Nw increase with RR. Finally, by analyzing temporal/spatial collocated vertical rain profiles from MRR and Global Precipitation Measurement Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (GPM DPR), the results show that CR exhibits larger RR, radar reflectivity and stronger vertical variability than SR, along with greater variations in Dm and log₁₀(Nw). Ground-based MRR also provides an independent vertical reference for evaluating DPR-derived precipitation structure and interpreting the consistency and discrepancies between satellite and ground-based observations. Although the results are not conclusive due to a limited number of events, both instruments capture distinct microphysical characteristics in the analyzed SR and CR cases, despite differences in their retrieved vertical DSD structures. Full article

Volumetric additive manufacturing (VAM) is a rapid, layerless photopolymerization process that fabricates three-dimensional (3D) objects by accumulating a projected light dose within a rotating resin vial. Since VAM relies on a polymerization threshold, small changes in resin chemistry, optical attenuation, or inhibition behavior may affect print fidelity and mechanical performance. However, the influence of resin storage history on VAM process stability remains insufficiently understood. This study investigates the chemical, optical, rheological, dimensional, and mechanical evolution of a representative acrylate-based VAM resin subjected to accelerated thermal aging. Resin samples were stored at 50 °C for 6, 12, and 48 days and compared with a non-aged resin. The aged resins were characterized, and the mechanical performance of printed and cast specimens was tested. The results indicate that storage did not cause any observable changes in molecular weight, and viscosity variations remained limited. However, aging produced measurable changes in optical, dimensional, and mechanical properties. The printed cylinder diameter increased from 12.9 mm for the non-aged resin to 14.4 mm after 48 days of aging. The tensile strength of printed samples peaked after 12 days of aging, and the compressive modulus increased with prolonged aging. Resin aging should be treated as an explicit manufacturing input, and routine resin monitoring and exposure recalibration are recommended to improve VAM reproducibility. Full article

This study quantitatively analyzed rust-streak formation under controlled droplet supply and its relationship with the rust-removed surface profile of the substrate. A NaCl aqueous solution was dropped at a constant flow rate onto SPCC steel plates inclined at 70° to observe the temporal development of the rust streak. Surface line profiles before and after the removal of red rust were measured, and profile changes were quantified relative to the initial surface. Rust layer height $h_{\mathrm{rust}}\left(x\right)$ and rust-removed surface profile $z_{\mathrm{r}}^{*}\left(x\right)$ were determined, and their distributions and integrated values were compared. The rust width reached approximately 2.5–3.0 mm, comparable to the droplet diameter under the present conditions. Downstream, rust layer height increased with the extension of test duration, whereas the integrated profile of the rust-removed surface remained relatively small. Rust layer height and rust-removed surface profile were not directly related at each observation position L. These results suggest that rust streak formation within the tested parameter window involves not only locally formed rust but also rust carried from upstream by liquid flow, and indicate that visible rust morphology alone cannot adequately represent substrate-side profile changes under these specific conditions. Full article

In northeast British Columbia (BC), Canada, industrial forestry is gradually converting 10+ M ha of broadleaf–conifer (mixedwood) boreal forest to conifer plantations. This is due in part to governmental free-to-grow (FTG) regulations, which specify a minimum competition-free radius around conifer crop trees. FTG implementation is a poor investment; it reduces stand biodiversity and productivity and infringes on Indigenous Treaty Rights. Trials were established on three geographically separated boreal sites with no stand management (brushing) since planting. The goal was to determine the effect of FTG criteria on conifer growth in mixedwoods compared to growth of pure conifer stands using the BC Government growth model TIPSY (Table Interpolation Program of Stand Yield) projections. At trial establishment, less than a third of trees were FTG. The number of FTG trees increased at the last measurement but only reached 50 percent on one site. After a decade, conifer DBH (diameter at breast height) growth and stand productivity met or exceeded the model projection regardless of the initial FTG status. The DBH relative growth rate (RGR) indicated that spruce DBH growth was not impacted by competitors. These observations suggest that brushing on similar sites to meet timber objectives is likely unnecessary. Maintaining mixedwood stands supports greater biodiversity and carbon storage, and this approach better aligns with an Indigenous world view and Treaty Rights. There is an opportunity in northeast BC to shift forest management from conifer-based performance metrics to prioritizing ecological resilience and long-term forest health and productivity. Full article

This study investigates the influence of process parameters on dimensional accuracy and microhardness in fiber laser cutting of low-carbon steel. A full factorial design of experiments (DOE) with three factors—cutting speed, focal position, and assist gas pressure—was applied to evaluate their effects on dimensional deviations and microhardness in the heat-affected zone (HAZ). The results showed that focal position is the most significant factor affecting all evaluated dimensional responses, while cutting speed has a strong influence on circular and linear dimensions. The effect of assist gas pressure was found to be response-dependent, being insignificant for inner diameter deviation but significant for selected linear features and through interaction effects with focal position. Statistical analysis confirmed the presence of significant interaction effects between process parameters. Microhardness measurements revealed a substantial increase in hardness from the base material toward the cut edge, indicating microstructural transformations caused by rapid thermal cycles during laser cutting. While this increase in hardness may enhance wear resistance, it may also lead to increased brittleness and reduced toughness. The findings provide a detailed insight into the relationship between process parameters and dimensional accuracy, highlighting the importance of parameter optimization and interaction effects in contributing to improved quality of laser-cut components. Full article

Background/Objectives: Recent studies have increasingly focused on the morphological characteristics of surrounding arteries as rupture predictors, particularly because these vessel configurations remain stable before and after aneurysm rupture, providing a reliable anatomical substrate for risk assessment. This study aimed to identify independent predictors of rupture by evaluating both aneurysmal and internal carotid artery (ICA) morphological characteristics. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed imaging data from 64 patients with posterior communicating artery (PcomA) aneurysms who underwent treatment at a single tertiary center between 2018 and 2022, including 25 ruptured aneurysms (39.1%). Only treated aneurysms were included to ensure the availability of high-quality pre-treatment digital subtraction angiography (DSA) suitable for three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and centerline-based analysis. Seventeen aneurysm morphological parameters and thirteen ICA-related parameters were measured. Because time-to-event data were not available, logistic regression analysis was performed with rupture status as the outcome variable. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were conducted to evaluate discriminative performance. Results: Multivariate logistic regression revealed that three ICA-associated factors—the tortuosity of the communicating ICA segment (Tcco), the ICA cross-sectional area at the PcomA origin (Pcs), and the angle between the ICA and PcomA (θ2)—were independently associated with rupture. Among aneurysm-related factors, Maximum 3D Diameter remained significantly related to rupture risk. ROC analyses demonstrated that Maximum 3D Diameter had the highest discriminative value (AUC 0.779; cut-off 7.805 mm), followed by Pcs, Tcco, and θ2. Conclusions: Both aneurysm morphology and the anatomical configuration of surrounding arteries significantly contribute to rupture risk in PcomA aneurysms. Incorporating parent-vessel morphological features into rupture-risk assessment may enhance patient-specific decision-making. Full article

Nutrient restriction (NR) increases small-for-gestational-age (SGA) offspring; however, some NR ewes deliver Non-SGA lambs. We evaluated whether fetal biometry and Doppler indices could distinguish divergent fetal growth trajectories. Ninety-five single-pregnant Corriedale ewes were assigned to NR grazing (n = 72) or supplemented Controls (n = 23) from gestational day (GD) 70 to 140. Fetal biparietal diameter (BPD), femur length (FL), thoracic height (TH), umbilical cord diameter (UCD), and resistance (RI) and pulsatility (PI) indices in umbilical (UA), cotyledonary (CA), and uterine (UtA) arteries were assessed at several GDs. Offspring within NR group was stratified by birth weight (BW) quartiles as SGA (n = 18) or Non-SGA (n = 18). At birth, BW differed (p < 0.05) among Control (4.95 ± 0.10 kg), Non-SGA (5.33 ± 0.06 kg), and SGA (3.79 ± 0.11 kg), with reduced BPD and FL in SGA lambs. Prenatal biometry did not differ. UA-RI at GD125 was higher in SGA (p < 0.005) and associated with BW (R² = 0.15; p < 0.001). UtA indices were lower in SGA at GD110 and GD125 (p < 0.05) but weakly associated with BW (R² ≤ 0.08). Doppler differences were detected before measurable growth divergence but have modest predictive value. Full article

The common pea (Pisum sativum L.) is widely cultivated due to its nutritional value and adaptability, though climate change and increasing food demand require improved agricultural strategies. The genus Metarhizium, an entomopathogenic fungus, has shown potential to enhance plant growth and physiology. This study aims to evaluate the effect of naturalized Metarhizium spp. isolates on agronomic parameters and root architecture of Pisum sativum seedlings under greenhouse conditions. Fungi were isolated from rhizosphere soils using Tenebrio molitor larvae. Six Metarhizium strains and a control (sterile distilled water) were tested, with eight replicates per treatment. After 36 days, growth parameters and chlorophyll content were measured at ambient temperatures between 12.1 ± 1.5 and 42.4 ± 2.4 °C. Significant differences were analyzed using Tukey’s HSD post hoc test (p < 0.05). Significant increases in shoot length were observed in strains MM23B and MM26B (13.2 ± 0.6 and 13.0 ± 1.1 cm). Stem diameter was higher in MM23B, G9C, and MM30D (3.1–3.2 mm). Chlorophyll content increased moderately, with MM29C reaching 296.7 ± 35.9 compared to 242.5 ± 22.8 µmol m⁻² in the control. Shoot biomass was highest in G9C, MM23B, and MM26B (0.27–0.29 g) with higher shoot/root ratios in MM23B and MM26B (2.41 and 2.58). Root biomass showed no significant differences. However, root system architecture was modified, particularly in MM26B, which significantly increased root length (239.08 ± 34.22 cm) and area (20.70 ± 2.13 cm²), without changes in volume or diameter. Finally, naturalized Metarhizium spp. isolates demonstrated potential as plant growth-promoting fungi, improving physiological and morphological parameters in early P. sativum development. Full article

Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) is a major determinant of secondary injury and mortality in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), yet objective markers of decompressive craniectomy (DC) efficacy remain limited. Optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), measurable on computed tomography (CT), has emerged as a non-invasive surrogate of ICP. This study evaluated the relationship between perioperative ONSD changes and clinical and surgical parameters in patients undergoing DC. In this retrospective cohort study, 72 patients with severe TBI were included. ONSD was measured on preoperative and early postoperative CT, and the change (ΔONSD) was analyzed in relation to craniectomy surface area and outcomes. DC resulted in a significant reduction in ONSD (6.44 ± 0.88 mm vs. 5.55 ± 0.82 mm, p < 0.001). Larger craniectomy surface areas were associated with greater ΔONSD change (r = −0.31, p = 0.008). ΔONSD was independently associated with in-hospital mortality (OR = 0.12, p = 0.005), with larger reductions associated with improved survival. Additionally, ΔONSD was correlated with shorter hospital stay (ρ = −0.32, p = 0.007). These findings support ΔONSD as a practical imaging biomarker reflecting the physiological response to DC in severe TBI. Full article

Background/Objectives: Patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) refractory or intolerant to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based regimens represent a growing yet therapeutically underserved population with limited treatment options. We investigated the efficacy, safety, and mechanistic underpinnings of lenvatinib combined with New FP hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (LEN–New FP) in this challenging clinical setting. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 14 consecutive patients with uHCC treated with LEN–New FP between April 2022 and March 2025. Tumor response was assessed by the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST). Proper hepatic artery (PHA) diameter was serially measured on angiography as an exploratory assessment of vascular remodeling, and tumor vascularity was semi-quantitatively evaluated using a 4-point angiographic scoring system (Tumor Vascularity Score [TVS]). Results: The cohort comprised BCLC stage B/C (7/7), mALBI grade 1–2b, and 13 of 14 patients with prior ICI-containing therapy. The objective response rate and disease control rate were 85.7% and 100%, including two complete responses. Median overall survival was 22.8 months from LEN–New FP initiation (median follow-up: 15.1 months) and 36.2 months from first-line initiation; median intrahepatic progression-free survival was 10.4 months. A total of 11 of 14 patients (78.6%) transitioned to subsequent therapies, including four curative-intent conversions. PHA narrowing was observed in 10 of 13 evaluable patients (76.9%), with no clear association with hepatic function deterioration. TVS decreased in 10 of 12 evaluable patients (83.3%), with reduction observed in 90.0% of PR/CR cases. Conclusions: LEN–New FP achieved sustained intrahepatic tumor control and encouraging survival in aggressive uHCC, including ICI-refractory or -intolerant disease. The concordant reduction in PHA diameter and tumor vascularity score provides angiographic evidence of VEGFR inhibition-mediated vascular remodeling, offering mechanistic insight into the synergistic antitumor effects of this regimen and supporting LEN–New FP as a promising multimodal strategy within the evolving landscape of HCC treatment. Full article

Background: Therapies for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) are largely chosen without considering inter-patient heterogeneity, leading to unnecessary side effects without clinical benefit for some patients. Patient-derived cancer organoids (PDCOs) faithfully recapitulate the morphology and molecular profiles of the primary tumors from which they are derived, making them attractive preclinical models for predicting response to standard therapies, and thus, for use in drug development assays. Methods: Here, we investigate the hidden subclonal driver mutations in CRC PDCOs and the importance of individual PDCO-level heterogeneity when addressing PDCO treatment responses using changes in diameter and optical redox imaging. PDCO response is then compared to clinical response across a cohort of subjects with CRC receiving chemotherapy and/or chemoradiation. Results: Change in diameter and optical redox imaging are more sensitive to detecting therapeutic response than endpoint and well-level measurements. These measurements accurately reflect clinical responses to chemotherapy and chemoradiation. Conclusions: Overall, these studies demonstrate the importance of PDCO-level methods of PDCO assessment and further establish PDCOs as powerful tools for drug response assessment and developmental therapeutic studies. Full article

Background/Objective: Bedside ultrasonographic measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) has increasingly been used as a non-invasive method for evaluating intracranial dynamics. In preterm infants, interpretation of these measurements is complicated by the strong influence of gestational maturity. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between ONSD and respiratory support in preterm infants and to determine whether this relationship reflects an independent physiological effect or is mainly related to maturational confounding. Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 110 preterm infants. ONSD measurements were obtained at the bedside using a standardized ultrasonographic technique. Infants were categorized according to the need for invasive mechanical ventilation. Associations between ONSD, respiratory parameters, and clinical variables were evaluated with correlation analyses and multivariable logistic regression after adjustment for gestational age and birth weight. Results: ONSD values were lower in infants who required invasive mechanical ventilation and who also had lower gestational age and birth weight. After adjustment for these variables, the association between ONSD and invasive ventilation became less pronounced. Although ONSD showed a moderate unadjusted correlation with SpO₂, no consistent independent association with respiratory parameters remained after adjustment for maturational factors. The difference in ONSD between groups was small (0.48 mm) and within the expected range of measurement variability. Conclusions: In this cohort, differences in ONSD according to respiratory support appeared to be more closely related to maturational status than to respiratory disease severity. ONSD measurements in preterm infants should therefore be interpreted within the clinical context of prematurity rather than used alone as indicators of respiratory status. Full article

Background: Computed tomography (CT) is routinely used to estimate tumor size before lung resection, whereas pathologic examination provides the reference tissue-based measurement after surgery. This study aimed to compare CT-derived and pathologic tumor size and to evaluate correlation, agreement, proportional bias, clinically defined accuracy, and size-based T-category concordance, with particular attention to the effect of ground-glass opacity (GGO). Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 96 patients who underwent lung resection between January 2023 and December 2025 and had complete preoperative CT and pathologic tumor measurements. Maximum tumor diameter was defined as the largest of three orthogonal measurements for each modality. Correlation was assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, reliability using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and agreement using Bland–Altman analysis. Proportional bias was evaluated by regression of the paired difference on the paired mean. Subgroup, size category, regression and size-based T-category concordance analyses were also performed. Results: CT and pathologic maximum diameters showed strong correlation (Spearman’s ρ = 0.952, p < 0.0001) and excellent reliability (ICC = 0.959, 95% CI, 0.939–0.973). The paired comparison was not statistically significant (p = 0.175), and the mean bias was −0.76 mm. However, the 95% limits of agreement ranged from −13.66 mm to +12.13 mm. Significant proportional bias was observed, with increasing CT underestimation as tumor size increased (slope = −0.093, p = 0.0014). In tumors with GGO, CT pathology differences shifted toward overestimation (+8.91 ± 7.30 mm vs. −1.64 ± 5.80 mm without GGO; p = 0.0003). Accuracy within ±5 mm and ±10 mm was 68.8% and 88.5%, respectively, but was lower in the GGO subgroup. CT-derived and pathology-derived size-based T-categories were concordant in 60 patients (62.5%), while pathology-based upstaging occurred in 23 patients (24.0%) and pathology-based downstaging in 13 patients (13.5%). Conclusions: CT-based tumor size showed strong overall correlation with pathologic measurements, but agreement at the individual patient level was more limited than correlation metrics alone would suggest. GGO and tumor size appeared to be important modifiers of measurement performance; however, the GGO-related findings should be interpreted cautiously because of the small subgroup size. These findings support cautious interpretation of CT-derived whole-lesion diameter, particularly in subsolid tumors and larger lesions. Full article