Search Results (4,266)

With the rapid expansion of 5G millimeter-wave communications, there is a strong demand for compact, low-loss, and high-selectivity filtering components. This paper presents the design and analysis of a compact dual-band substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) bandpass filter operating at 28 GHz and 38 GHz for 5G applications. The proposed structure employs shunt iris-loaded resonators integrated within the SIW cavity to achieve dual-band operation with improved frequency selectivity. The designed filter provides a narrow passband of 1.2 GHz at 28 GHz and a wider passband of 2.6 GHz at 38 GHz, while maintaining a compact footprint of 8.5 mm × 6.2 mm. It is implemented on a Rogers RT/Duroid 5880 substrate (${\mathsf{\epsilon }}_r$ = 2.2, h = 0.508 mm), ensuring low dielectric loss and stable high-frequency performance. The simulated results demonstrate excellent return loss of 44.2 dB at 28.1 GHz and 52.7 dB at 38.3 GHz, along with a low insertion loss of approximately 0.68 dB, confirming efficient signal transmission. Furthermore, the design is validated using a simulation with ADS of second-order Butterworth equivalent circuit, providing design simplicity and demonstrating the feasibility of practical fabrication. On the other hand, it is well suited for integration into compact 5G front-end modules requiring high performance, miniaturization, and dual-band operation. Full article

Multi-UAV cooperative persistent tracking in complex obstacle environments requires agents to approach dynamic targets while ensuring obstacle avoidance and flight safety; however, standard multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) methods typically rely on a single policy to implicitly handle both objectives, making it difficult to balance task performance and risk control. To address this issue, this paper proposes a Target-Aware Safety-Residual Pursuit Reinforcement Learning (TASRP) framework for constrained three-dimensional environments. A continuous-control 3D tracking environment is constructed in IsaacLab, where two multirotor UAVs cooperatively track a dynamic target under random, target-blocking, and gate-like obstacle layouts, boundary constraints, and inter-agent collision risks, with each UAV producing a four-dimensional action composed of normalized thrust and body-frame torques. TASRP adopts a dual-head residual policy in which a pursuit branch generates nominal actions, and a safety branch predicts corrective residuals, together with a risk-aware gating mechanism, a target-guided teacher for obstacle detouring, and a dual-critic safety-constrained optimization scheme. Under clean observations, TASRP achieves task success rates of 75–79%, obstacle crash rates of 13–15%, and boundary crash rates of 1–2% across three representative scenarios. Under noisy observations, TASRP achieves 72.1% task success, 20.3% obstacle crash, and 2.8% boundary crash, outperforming MAPPO (61.2%, 61.2%, 5.6%) and HAPPO (58.1%, 73.5%, 4.1%). These results indicate that explicitly decoupling target-oriented control and safety correction enables a more effective and robust performance–safety trade-off under both clean and moderately noisy observations. Full article

Dysregulated activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is a key driver in the pathogenesis of numerous inflammatory disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of Platycodon grandiflorus polysaccharide (PGPS_t) against NLRP3-inflammasome-mediated inflammation and elucidate its underlying mechanisms. An in vitro inflammatory model was established in porcine alveolar macrophages (3D4/21) using LPS/ATP co-stimulation. The effects of PGPS_t were assessed by measuring inflammasome activation, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion. Molecular docking, alongside inhibitors (NAC, MCC950) and siRNA targeting NEK7, was employed to probe the involved mechanisms. PGPS_t significantly suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and activation, reduced caspase-1 cleavage, and decreased the maturation and release of IL-1β and IL-18. It exerted its inhibitory effects through dual mechanisms: scavenging intracellular ROS and directly binding to NEK7 and NLRP3 to disrupt their interaction, as supported by molecular docking. The anti-inflammatory effect was diminished upon NEK7 knockdown. In conclusion, PGPS_t is an effective natural inhibitor of the NLRP3 inflammasome, functioning through ROS clearance and direct interference with the NLRP3–NEK7 interaction. These findings propose PGPS_t as a promising therapeutic candidate and further validate NEK7 as a potential target for treating NLRP3-driven inflammatory diseases. Full article

Background/Objectives: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is primarily characterized by cholinergic dysfunction, for which acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition remains the mainstay of symptomatic treatment. However, additional hypotheses such as ferroptosis—an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death—have gained prominence in explaining disease progression. Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), a critical antioxidant enzyme, plays a protective role by suppressing ferroptotic pathways. In this context, identifying phytochemicals capable of inhibiting AChE and exhibiting activator-like binding toward GPX4 may provide a dual therapeutic benefit. This study aimed to identify such dual-acting compounds through a structure-based virtual screening approach. Methods: A total of 3014 natural compounds were collected from three curated databases: NPACT, HIT, and HIM. Molecular docking was performed against GPX4 (7U4I) and AChE (7D9Q). Compounds demonstrating high affinity for both targets were shortlisted. Z-score normalization and statistical ranking were used to select the best two dual-target compounds. Results: Out of 3014 compounds, 68 showed dual-binding potential. Among these, NPACT00189 (docking scores: −6.720 kcal/mol for GPX4; −8.983 kcal/mol for AChE) and NPACT01210 (docking scores: −5.813 kcal/mol for GPX4; −9.640 kcal/mol for AChE) were identified as top candidates based on docking scores. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted for both compounds for 250 ns on the AChE binding site and the allosteric site of GPX4. The results indicated that NPACT00189 maintained stable interactions throughout the simulation period at both targets, indicating its dual-targeting potential. Conclusions: NPACT00189 represents a promising dual-target candidate for further investigation in AD therapy. Its potential requires confirmation through comprehensive in vitro and in vivo studies. Full article

To address prevalent industrial challenges, including the high cost of fabricating microstructures via photolithography and 3D printing, impurity residues easily generated by conventional physical/chemical pore-forming techniques, and the limited sensitivity of regular capacitive sensors, this paper innovatively proposes an integrated low-temperature in situ gas foaming strategy using ammonium bicarbonate for the fabrication of porous TPU-based ionic gels. Relying on the complete gaseous decomposition property of ammonium bicarbonate upon heating, a three-dimensionally interconnected continuous porous network is spontaneously constructed inside the polymer matrix. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is selected as the continuous polymer phase, and [EMIM][TFSI] imidazolium ionic liquid is blended as the ion source to synthesize composite ionic gel substrates. A PDMS composite slurry filled with graphene is employed to prepare flexible substrates, followed by low-temperature oxygen plasma surface modification to introduce polar functional groups such as hydroxyl and carboxyl onto electrode surfaces. A standard sandwich-structured ionic pressure sensor with the configuration of “top modified electrode—porous ionic gel dielectric layer—bottom modified electrode” is finally assembled. The porous framework and modified electrodes constitute a dual synergistic enhancement system: the porous structure markedly reduces the equivalent elastic modulus of the gel and improves its compressive deformation capacity; polar-modified electrodes optimize the interfacial compatibility between electrodes and gels, shorten ion migration paths and lower interfacial contact resistance. Systematic calibration of multiple batches of parallel samples reveals that the as-fabricated sensor achieves a high sensitivity of 25.3 kPa⁻¹ across the full measuring range from 0 to 1000 kPa with a linear fitting coefficient R² = 0.992. The loading response time and unloading recovery time of the device are 60 ms and 80 ms respectively, with a performance degradation of less than 3% after 1000 consecutive loading–unloading cycles, featuring low hysteresis error and excellent signal repeatability. Multi-scenario in vivo wearable tests on human subjects verify that the device can precisely capture subtle fluctuations of radial artery pulse and periodic laryngeal deformation during swallowing, distinguish characteristic waveform patterns of various English words according to differences in vocal cord vibration, and accurately detect bending motions when attached to finger joints. The entire fabrication process adopts common chemical raw materials and standard laboratory equipment without expensive micro-nano processing facilities, featuring convenient raw material procurement and high process fault tolerance, which enables large-area coating-based mass production. This work delivers a novel technical route for the low-cost large-scale production of high-performance ionic flexible sensors and bears significant industrialization reference value for applications in wearable medical monitoring, bionic robotic electronic skin, flexible human–machine interactive touch panels and other related fields. Full article

Supplements are widely perceived as safe and beneficial; yet in oncology, this assumption is questionable. Clinical trials over the past few decades have often produced disappointing results, raising a critical question: are these agents used correctly, or could they inadvertently cause harm? This review examines supplements frequently used in cancer care—such as oral vitamin C, berberine, N-acetylcysteine, vitamin D, vitamin E, melatonin, polyphenols, alpha-lipoic acid, selenium, and coenzyme Q10—which can act as tumor suppressors or promoters depending on dose, route, and disease stage. We examine their dual antioxidant and pro-oxidant properties, revealing that therapeutic outcomes are shaped not only by the molecule itself, but also by bioavailability, dosing thresholds, and the tumor redox environment. Building on these insights, we propose that four factors may be considered to guide clinical use: ensure that anticancer effects are not overshadowed by antioxidant activity, achieve sufficient bioavailability, confirm pro-oxidant concentrations where possible, and prioritize supplements that target the respiration-supported non-OxPhos pathways. By framing supplements as context-dependent redox modulators rather than universally beneficial agents, this review provides a mechanistically grounded framework for informing future research and safer, more effective integrative oncology strategies. Full article

By using a PMMA-made therapeutic wedge and a recently developed reusable silicone foil dosimeter based on the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) of MgB₄O₇:Ce,Li (MBO) material, direct measurements of the complete proton Bragg curves for two independent clinically relevant proton beams were achieved. The PMMA wedge compensator created a controlled range gradient across the beam field, enabling comprehensive characterisation of Bragg curve features, including the entrance plateau, the maximum of the Bragg peak, and the dosimetrically critical distal fall-off region. Measurements were performed using a dedicated, self-built (3D-printed) optical detection setup equipped with a blue LED (440 nm) that illuminates the MBO foil dosimeter and a highly sensitive electron-multiplication (EMCCD) camera, which simultaneously acquires 2D OSL light from the foil. The prototype technology enables single-shot 2D mapping of the complete Bragg curve. Validation against Monte Carlo (MC) simulations and Gafchromic^TM EBT3 films demonstrates sub-millimetre accuracy in localising the clinically critical proton parameters: peak-to-plateau, FWHM and distal fall-off. Measurements were performed for two independent therapeutic proton beams with initial energies of 58.8 and 61.1 MeV, routinely used for proton eye-beam treatments at IFJ PAN Krakow. As a proof of concept, the results demonstrate the potential of MBO-based silicone foil technology to reproduce clinically relevant Bragg-curve parameters with accuracy approaching that of the current gold standard for passive 2D dosimetry, Gafchromic^TM EBT3 films, while systematic differences attributable to optical diffusion, residual LET-dependent quenching, and the dual-foil junction remain to be corrected. Full article

Background/Objectives: Glioblastoma (GBM) remains one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant malignancies, driven in part by heterogeneous, therapy-resistant glioma stem cells (GSCs). Improving clinical outcomes will require innovative therapeutic approaches that target unique molecular vulnerabilities. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway drives tumor progression across multiple cancers, including GBM. MAPK-interacting kinases (MNK1/2) represent MAPK downstream effectors that phosphorylate eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), a regulator of oncogenic and anti-apoptotic mRNA translation. We previously identified pharmacological MNK inhibition as a promising therapeutic strategy for GBM, but most available MNK inhibitors lack specificity. Methods: Novel MNK inhibitor compounds were developed using medicinal chemistry optimization and evaluated through molecular docking and kinome profiling analyses. Antineoplastic activity was assessed in established GBM cell lines and patient-derived glioma stem cell models cultured as 3-D neurospheres under stem cell-permissive conditions. Effects on MNK signaling, cell viability, neurosphere growth, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were analyzed using immunoblotting, flow cytometry, viability assays, wound healing assays, and 3-D invasion assays. In addition, a compound screen was performed to identify therapeutic agents that enhance MNK-targeted therapy, followed by validation using pharmacological inhibition and siRNA-mediated knockdown approaches. Results: Our next-generation MNK inhibitor NUCC-201893 exhibited high target specificity and greater potency than the lead compound NU808, effectively suppressing eIF4E phosphorylation, GBM cell viability, neurosphere growth, migration, and invasion. Compound screening identified DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibition as a potent enhancer of MNK blockade. Pharmacological DNMT inhibition enhanced the cytotoxic effects of siRNA-mediated MNK1 knockdown, while concurrent pharmacological inhibition of MNKs and DNMT resulted in greater suppression of neurosphere growth and robust induction of apoptotic responses in GSCs. Conclusions: These findings identify dual MNK and DNMT inhibition as a promising combinatorial strategy that effectively triggers antineoplastic effects in GBM cells and GSCs. Full article

Freehand three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound enables cost-effective volumetric breast imaging, but accurate reconstruction requires reliable probe tracking during manual scanning. This study proposes a portable freehand 3D ultrasound framework using dual-rotary-encoder two-degree-of-freedom (2DoF) pose sensing to measure probe displacement and inclination during breast scanning. A slip-resistant roller mechanism and time-aware trajectory modeling were introduced to improve measurement robustness under practical scanning conditions. The framework was evaluated through robotic experiments and phantom-based volumetric reconstruction. Positional displacement experiments achieved root mean square errors (RMSEs) of 0.38 mm on dry surfaces and 0.81 mm under gel-coated conditions. Inclination sensing using the rotary encoder outperformed an inertial measurement unit (IMU), achieving an RMSE of 2.76° with improved temporal stability. Reconstruction experiments using a breast phantom with spherical inclusions demonstrated successful volumetric visualization across multiple scanning trajectories. Statistical analysis revealed significant effects of inclusion size and scanning trajectory on relative reconstruction error, as well as a significant interaction between the two factors. Larger inclusions generally exhibited lower relative errors, while the influence of scanning trajectory depended on the target size. These findings support the feasibility of the proposed reduced-dimensional mechanical pose sensing approach for reliable freehand 3D ultrasound reconstruction with reduced hardware complexity. Full article

Photocatalytic extraction of uranium from radioactive wastewater is crucial for environmental safety and sustainable nuclear energy development. It is widely recognized that photocatalysts with donor-acceptor (D-A) or D-π-A structures exhibit enhanced charge separation efficiency, thereby showing excellent photocatalytic performance. Herein, we presented a counterintuitive design of a donor-donor covalent-organic framework (D-D COF) for efficient photocatalytic uranium extraction. A twisted D-D COF (COF-BCTB-Py) was synthesized via solvothermal condensation using bicarbazole and pyrene as dual electron-donor units. The COF featured a well-defined AA-stacked porous structure, high specific surface area (963 m²·g⁻¹), suitable band gap (2.44 eV), and exceptional chemical, thermal, and radiation stability. Impressively, in the presence of 5% methanol, it delivered an ultrahigh uranium uptake capacity of 4278 mg·g⁻¹ with fast kinetics and >97% removal efficiency in complex water matrices, challenging the traditional stereotype of low-activity D-D COFs. Mechanistic studies revealed that soluble U(VI) was converted into crystalline (UO₂)O₂·2H₂O via in situ generated hydrogen peroxide rather than being reduced to U(IV). This work provides an unconventional design strategy to design efficient photocatalysts for uranium recovery from nuclear wastewater. Full article

Grid-connected photovoltaic–battery energy storage–electric vehicle (PV-BESS-EV) charging stations require supervisory energy management that can coordinate tariff response, carbon-intensity signals, peak constraints, storage utilization, and converter-level operability within a transparent evidential framework. This study develops a bounded-reference rule-based supervisory energy management system (RB-SEMS) that preserves lower-level local converter controllers while generating operating modes and saturated reference commands for BESS power, grid exchange, and EV charging limits. A dual-time-scale evaluation framework is established by combining short-time switching/control simulations for dynamic traceability and SOC-sensitive protection with 24 h, 15 min EMS-level energy-balance simulations for cost, carbon, peak, PV utilization, EV service, and storage throughput assessment. Selected daily reference-injection cases are retained as copied-model diagnostic checks rather than as full-day switching-level validation. Under the D4-LSOC condition, RB-SEMS reduces the reported post-startup DC-bus deviation from 46.13 V to 40.60 V and the filtered BESS peak from 269.18 kW to 84.42 kW. In the E1-TOU scenario, E1-TOU-cost reduces daily total cost from 623.57 CNY to 564.05 CNY, lowers peak-period grid import from 183.75 kWh to 126.75 kWh, and increases local PV utilization from 71.13% to 78.71%; E1-PC66 further reduces the maximum 15 min grid import from 77.88 kW to 66.00 kW. Under the prescribed E2-PCC scenario, E2-CP reduces the calculated grid-related CO₂ emissions from 550.29 kg to 500.42 kg, whereas the price-only diagnostic increases them to 572.29 kg. Same-metric PV-SC and MILP comparisons, tested-range sensitivity analysis, and a throughput-based degradation proxy clarify that RB-SEMS is an interpretable supervisory baseline for cost–carbon–peak–cycling trade-off analysis rather than a cost-optimal controller or regionally validated proof of carbon reduction. Full article

Energy pile groups present a dual-functional solution for structural support and geothermal energy utilization, yet their thermo-mechanical interactions with conventional piles remain insufficiently understood. This study establishes a 3D transient finite element model incorporating thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling to investigate thermal interference and differential settlement in hybrid pile groups under seasonal thermal loading. Systematic parametric analyses of pile length (10–30 m), diameter (1–2 m), and spacing (2D–3D) reveal two key findings: (1) Thermal perturbations in adjacent conventional piles exhibit distance-dependent attenuation characteristics, with measurable temperature variations (1–4 °C) observed within 4D spacing distances; (2) Differential settlement patterns demonstrate significant dependence on thermal operation modes, where heating cycles induce upward thermal stresses while cooling enhances consolidation settlement. The numerical framework is validated against field monitoring data and benchmarked with COMSOL 5.6/ABAQUS 6.14 simulations. Through optimized pile arrangements and spacing configurations, we demonstrate effective mitigation strategies for thermal interference and structural deformation, providing key guidance for the design of geothermal-energy-integrated foundation systems. Full article

Basic-region leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors are crucial for plant stress responses, but their characterization in the wild species Juglans mandshurica remains limited. Here, we identified 80 bZIP genes in the J. mandshurica genome and classified them into 13 subgroups, with notable enrichment in subgroups S, A, D, and I. All subgroup D members contain both bZIP and DELAY OF GERMINATION 1 (DOG1) domains, forming characteristic dual-module fusion proteins. Evolutionary analysis detected three orthologous gene pairs under positive selection since divergence from Juglans regia. Promoter cis-elements, especially MYB and MYC motifs, are abundant in JmbZIP genes. Protein–protein interaction networks suggest potential functional specialization and coordination among JmbZIP members. Expression profiling revealed distinct patterns across subgroups, with S, A, and D showing high activity across various physiological processes and light stress responses. qRT-PCR validated the dynamic expression of six ABA pathway marker genes, the ABRE-rich JmbZIP41 and JmbZIP42 genes, together with the highly expressed JmbZIP12 gene under salt and drought stress. Our genome-wide analysis enabled the functional screening of bZIP members across subgroups. The key genes identified in this study provide valuable genetic resources for stress-resistance breeding in forest trees, with JmABI5 (JmbZIP40) and JmbZIP42 serving as prime candidates for enhancing tree stress tolerance. Full article

This paper proposes a micro-Doppler flash detection framework for hovering unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) detection with linear frequency modulated continuous wave (LFMCW) radar under the dual constraints of strong ground clutter and severe thermal noise conditions. In such scenarios, conventional methods fail not only due to the spectral overlap between hovering targets and clutter but also because of the visual disappearance of micro-Doppler features under heavy noise. The framework consists of three sequential modules. A prior-template orthogonal projection (PTOP) module suppresses clutter via a single-step orthogonal projection, preserving the micro-Doppler flash signature without distortion while approximately maintaining the Gaussian noise statistics required for subsequent detection. A flash power spectrum construction module then collapses the periodic blade flash energy onto a sharp spectral peak in a one-dimensional (1D) power spectrum via Gabor transform, power projection, and fast Fourier transform (FFT). A cell-averaging constant false alarm rate (CA-CFAR) detection module with an analytically derived threshold factor finally renders a reliable detection decision. Simulations under a signal-to-clutter ratio (SCR) of $-21$ dB and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of $-23$ dB confirm that the proposed framework achieves reliable detection even when the micro-Doppler flash signatures are visually obscured by residual noise in the time–frequency domain. Parametric SNR sweep curves and a two-dimensional (2D) SCR–SNR detection-probability heatmap under a non-stationary clutter model further quantify the practical performance boundaries of the framework. By transforming these concealed periodic features into a sharp spectral peak, the framework provides robust detection performance where conventional range-Doppler and moving target indication (MTI)-based methods both exhibit severe performance degradation. Full article

Precast multi-girder bridges are widely utilized in highway infrastructure but are susceptible to transverse connection deterioration, which can lead to single-girder load-bearing failures. Existing structural health monitoring methods based on the correlation of total dynamic strain responses often fail to identify early-stage damage due to the static masking effect, where dominant, in-phase quasi-static components overshadow subtle, damage-sensitive dynamic features. To overcome this limitation, this paper proposes a novel condition indicator based on the correlation of high-frequency dynamic strain increments. An online streaming processing pipeline is developed, incorporating automated single-vehicle crossing event extraction, frequency-targeted signal decoupling, and indicator smoothing. Theoretical derivations on a dual-beam model demonstrate that the proposed indicator is a structural-intrinsic metric, exhibiting high sensitivity to joint stiffness while remaining robust against variations in vehicle weight and speed. Numerical simulations on an 8-slab finite element bridge model under stochastic traffic flow further verify the effectiveness of the framework. Results indicate that the proposed indicator can localize both progressive degradation and sudden brittle failures. Additionally, the method maintains reliability down to a signal-to-noise ratio of 30dB and robustness to hyper-parameter selection. While the current framework is established based purely on numerical validation and has not yet been tested using real bridge strain data, it shows numerical feasibility and provides a solid theoretical and algorithmic foundation for the automated condition evaluation of precast multi-girder bridges, supporting future field validation for both long-term maintenance and emergency response. Full article