Search Results (1,922)

Small lakes (<10 km²) provide a range of ecosystem services but are often overlooked in both monitoring efforts and limnological studies. Remote sensing has been increasingly used to complement in situ monitoring or to provide water colour data for unmonitored inland water bodies. However, due to spatial, radiometric, and spectral constraints, it has been heavily focused on large lakes. Sentinel-2 MSI is the first sensor with the capability to consistently retrieve a wide range of essential water quality variables, such as chlorophyll-a concentration (chl-a) and water transparency, in small water bodies, and to provide long time series. Here, we provide and validate a framework for retrieving two variables, chl-a and turbidity, over lakes with diverse optical characteristics using Sentinel-2 imagery. It is based on GRS for atmospheric and sun glint correction, WaterDetect for water detection, and inversion models that were automatically selected based on two different sets of optical water types (OWTs)—one for each variable; for chl-a, we produced a blended product for improved spatial representation. To validate the approach, we compared the products with more than 600 in situ data from 108 lakes located in the Adour–Garonne river basins, ranging from 3 to ∼5000 ha, as well as remote sensing reflectance (Rrs) data collected during 10 field campaigns during the summer and spring seasons. Rrs retrieval (n = 65) was robust for bands 2 to 5, with MAPE varying from 15 to 32% and achieving correlation from 0.74 up to 0.92. For bands 6 to 8A, the Rrs retrieval was much less accurate, being influenced by adjacency effects. Glint removal significantly enhanced Rrs accuracy, with RMSE improving from 0.0067 to 0.0021 sr⁻¹ for band 4, for example. Water quality retrieval showed consistent results, with an MAPE of 56%, an RMSE of 11.4 mg m⁻³, and an r of 0.76 for chl-a, and an MAPE of 47%, an RMSE of 9.7 NTU, and an r of 0.87 for turbidity, and no significant effect of lake area or lake depth on retrieval errors. The temporal and spatial representations of the selected parameters were also shown to be consistent, demonstrating that the framework is robust and can be applied over lakes as small as 3 ha. The validated methods can be applied to retrieve time series of chl-a and turbidity starting from 2016 and with a frequency of up to 5 days, largely expanding the database collected by water agencies. This dataset will be extremely useful for studying the dynamics of these small freshwater ecosystems. Full article

Tea polyphenol oxidase (CsPPO) is a crucial enzyme involved in the production of tea and tea products. However, the recombinant expression of CsPPO in microorganisms is often hindered by challenges such as inclusion body formation and extremely low enzyme activity. In this study, the CsPPO gene (1800 bp) from Camellia sinensis cv. Yihongzao was cloned and 14.5% of its codons were optimized for Pichia pastoris expression. Compared to pre-optimization, codon optimization significantly enhanced CsPPO production in P. pastoris KM71, yielding a 42.89-fold increase in enzyme activity (1286.67 U/mL). The optimal temperature and pH for recombinant CsPPO were determined to be 40 °C and 5.5, respectively. This study demonstrates that codon optimization effectively improves the expression of plant-derived enzymes such as CsPPO in eukaryotic expression systems. Future research should explore the long-term stability of recombinant CsPPO and its potential applications in tea fermentation processes and functional food development. Full article

Chainsaws are widely used in various occupational settings, including forestry, landscaping, farming, and by homeowners for tasks like tree felling, brush clearing, and firewood cutting. However, the use of chainsaws poses significant risks to operators and bystanders. This research quantified and compared occupational and nonoccupational injuries caused by contact with chainsaws and related objects during the period from 2018 to 2022. The emergency department and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) data were used to characterize the cause and nature of the injuries. Results suggest that for this five-year period an estimated 127,944 people were treated in U.S. emergency departments for chainsaw-related injuries. More than 200 non-fatal and 57 fatal occupational chainsaw-involved injuries were found during the same period. Landscaping and forestry were the two industries where most of the occupational victims were employed. Upper and lower extremities were the most likely injured body parts, with open wounds from cuts being the most common injury type. The majority of fatal injuries were caused by falling objects such as trees and tree limbs while using a chainsaw. Our suggestions to reduce injuries include proper training and wearing personal protective equipment, as well as making sure any bystanders are kept in a safety zone away from trees being cut. Full article

Lattice-based metamaterials have attracted much attention due to their excellent mechanical properties. Nevertheless, designing lattice materials with desired properties is still challenging, as their mesoscopic topology is extremely complex. Herein, the bidirectional evolutionary structural optimization (BESO) method is adopted to design lattice structures with maximum bulk modulus and elastic isotropy. Various lattice configurations are generated by controlling the filter radius during the optimization processes. Afterwards, the optimized lattices are fabricated using Stereo Lithography Appearance (SLA) printing technology. Experiments and numerical simulations are conducted to reveal the mechanical behavior of the topology-optimized lattices under quasi-static compression, which are compared with the traditional octet-truss (OT) and body-centered cubic (BCC) lattice structures. The results demonstrate that the topology-optimized lattices exhibited superior mechanical properties, including modulus, yield strength, and specific energy absorption, over traditional OT and BCC lattices. Moreover, apart from the elastic modulus, the yield stress and post-yield stress of the topology-optimized lattice structures with elastically isotropic constraints also present lower dependence on the loading direction. Accordingly, the topology optimization method can be employed for designing novel lattice structures with high performance. Full article

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a major disability that, to this day, does not have a permanent cure. The spinal cord extends caudally through the body structure of the vertebral column and is part of the central nervous system (CNS). The spinal cord enables neural communication and motor coordination, so injuries can disrupt sensation, movement, and autonomic functions. Mechanical and traumatic damage to the spinal cord causes lesions to the nerves, resulting in the disruption of relayed messages to the extremities. Various forms of treatment for the spinal cord include functional electrical stimulation (FES), epidural electrical stimulation (EES), ‘SMART’ devices, exoskeleton and robotic systems, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and neuroprostheses using AI for the brain–computer interface. This research is going to analyse and review these current treatment methods for spinal cord injury and identify the current gaps and limitations in these, such as long-term biocompatibility, wireless adaptability, cost, regulatory barriers, and risk of surgery. Future advancements should work on implementing wireless data logging with AI algorithms to increase SCI device adaptability, as well as maintaining regulatory and health system integration. Full article

Topical drug administration is a common method of delivering medications to the eye to treat various ocular conditions, including glaucoma, dry eye, and inflammation. Drug efficacy following topical administration, including the drug’s distribution within the eye, absorption and elimination rates, and physiological responses can be predicted using physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling. High-resolution computational models of the eye are desirable to improve simulations of drug delivery; however, these approaches can have long run times. In this study, a fast-running computational quasi-3D (Q3D) model of the human tear film was developed to account for absorption, blinking, drainage, and evaporation. Visualization of blinking mechanics and flow distributions throughout the tear film were enabled using this Q3D approach. Average drug absorption throughout the tear film subregions was quantified using a high-resolution compartment model based on a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Simulations were validated by comparing them with experimental data from topical administration of 0.1% dexamethasone suspension in the tear film (R² = 0.76, RMSE = 8.7, AARD = 28.8%). Overall, the Q3D tear film model accounts for critical mechanistic factors (e.g., blinking and drainage) not previously included in fast-running models. Further, this work demonstrated methods toward improved computational efficiency, where central processing unit (CPU) time was decreased while maintaining accuracy. Building upon this work, this Q3D approach applied to the tear film will allow for more seamless integration into full-body models, which will be an extremely valuable tool in the development of treatments for ocular conditions. Full article

Background and Objectives: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a frequent complication after lower extremity fracture surgery, yet tools for individualized risk prediction remain limited. This study aimed to develop and internally validate a nomogram for individualized SSI risk prediction based on perioperative clinical parameters. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included adults who underwent lower extremity fracture surgery between 2022 and 2025 at a tertiary care center. Thirty candidate predictors were evaluated. Feature selection was performed using six strategies, and the final model was developed with logistic regression based on bootstrap inclusion frequency. Model performance was assessed by area under the curve, calibration slope, Brier score, sensitivity, and specificity. Results: Among 638 patients undergoing lower extremity fracture surgery, 76 (11.9%) developed SSIs. Of six feature selection strategies compared, bootstrap inclusion frequency identified seven predictors: red blood cell count, preoperative C-reactive protein, chronic kidney disease, operative time, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, body mass index, and blood transfusion. The final model demonstrated an AUROC of 0.924 (95% CI, 0.876–0.973), a calibration slope of 1.03, and a Brier score of 0.0602. Sensitivity was 86.2% (95% CI, 69.4–94.5) and specificity was 89.5% (95% CI, 83.8–93.3). Chronic kidney disease (OR, 88.75; 95% CI, 5.51–1428.80) and blood transfusion (OR, 85.07; 95% CI, 11.69–619.09) were the strongest predictors of infection. Conclusions: The developed nomogram demonstrates strong predictive performance and may support personalized SSI risk assessment in patients undergoing lower extremity fracture surgery. Full article

Inherited epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a heterogeneous clinical entity that includes over 30 phenotypically and/or genotypically distinct inherited disorders, characterized by mechanical skin fragility and bullae formation. Junctional EB (JEB) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by an intermediated cleavage level within the skin layers, commonly at the “lamina lucida”. Laryngo-onycho-cutaneous syndrome (LOC) is an extremely rare variant of JEB, characterized by granulation tissue formation in specific body sites (skin, larynx, and nails). Although most cases of JEB are caused by pathogenic variants occurring in the genes encoding for classical components of the lamina lucida, such as laminin 332 (LAMA3, LAMB3, LAMC2), integrin α6β4 (ITGA6, ITGB4), and collagen XVII (COL17A1), other variants have also been described. We report the case of a 4-month-old male infant who presented with recurrent bullous and erosive lesions from the first month of life. At the first dermatological evaluation, the patient was agitated and exhibited hoarse breathing, a clinical sign suggestive of laryngeal involvement. Multiple polygonal skin erosions were observed on the cheeks, along with similar isolated, roundish lesions on the scalp and legs. Notably, nail dystrophy and near-complete anonychia were evident on the left first and fifth toes. Due to the coexistence of skin erosions and nail dystrophy in such a young infant, a congenital bullous disorder was suspected, prompting molecular analysis of all potentially involved genes. In the patient’s DNA, clinical exome sequencing (CES) identified a pathogenic variant, apparently in homozygosity, in the exon 1 of the LAMA3 gene (18q11.2; NM_000227.6): c.47G > A;p.Trp16*. The presence of this variant was confirmed, in heterozygosity, in the genomic DNA of the patient’s mother, while it was absent in the father’s DNA. Subsequently, trio-based SNP array analysis was performed, revealing a paternally derived pathogenic microdeletion encompassing the LAMA3 locus (18q11.2). To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of JEB with a LOC-like phenotype caused by a maternally inherited monoallelic nonsense mutation in LAMA3, unmasked by an almost complete deletion of the paternal allele. The combined use of exome sequencing and SNP array is proving essential for elucidating autosomal recessive diseases with a discordant segregation. This is pivotal for providing accurate genetic counseling to parents regarding future pregnancies. Full article

Background: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are generally preferred over warfarin for preventing arterial and venous thromboembolism. However, the efficacy and safety of DOACs in patients with extremely low body weight (BW) are uncertain. This study investigates anti-factor Xa (anti-FXa) activity of apixaban and compares it between patients with normal BW (>50 kg) and underweight (≤50 kg). Methods: We enrolled 150 patients on branded generic apixaban (Apixan^TM) for atrial fibrillation (AF), venous thromboembolism, and intracardiac thrombus. Anti-FXa activity of apixaban was measured at peak concentration (C_peak) and trough concentration (C_trough) after at least one week of therapy. Results: Mean age was 64.0 ± 12.7 years, with 53.3% being male. Mean BW was 61.3 ± 15.3 kg. Of the 150 patients, 132 (88%) had AF, and 43 (28.7%) had low BW. Overall, 87.3% and 84.7% of patients had C_trough and C_peak within the expected range. Underweight patients had significantly higher mean C_trough and C_peak than normal BW patients. A higher proportion of low-BW patients exceeded the expected C_peak range compared to normal-BW patients (25.6% vs. 3.7%, p < 0.001). Low BW was the only independent predictor of exceeding C_peak specified range (adjusted OR 4.87, 95% CI 1.31–18.15, p = 0.018). Conclusions: Most patients maintained apixaban levels within expected ranges, but those with low BW were more likely to exceed the specified range of C_peak. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hispanic adolescents experience elevated rates of disordered eating behaviors and body dissatisfaction, yet limited research has examined how gender and weight status interact to shape these risks within this population. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 680 Hispanic adolescents (ages 9–15) from a predominantly Mexican-American middle school. Participants completed the Modified Kids Eating Disorder Survey (M-KEDS), and height and weight were objectively measured to determine BMI-for-age percentile. Chi-square tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, and logistic regression were used to assess differences by gender and weight status, including interaction effects. Bonferroni correction was applied for multiple comparisons. Effect sizes (Cramér’s V, odds ratios with 95% CI) were reported. Results: Approximately 73% of participants reported body dissatisfaction, with significant differences observed by gender and weight status. Adolescents with overweight/obesity reported significantly higher negative weight attitudes and extreme weight control behaviors than healthy-weight peers (p < 0.001), with large effect sizes. Females endorsed more disordered attitudes and behaviors, except for exercise to lose weight, which was more common among overweight/obese males. Conclusions: These findings underscore the high prevalence and significance of disordered eating behaviors in Hispanic adolescents, including those at a healthy weight. Results highlight the importance of culturally tailored, gender-sensitive screening and prevention strategies. Schools serve as critical settings for early identification, and tools like the M-KEDS can help address disparities in care access and improve outcomes among Hispanic youth. Full article

This study compares high-frequency mobile observation data collected in the same area of Kunming under two different meteorological conditions—15 January 2020, and 8 January 2023—to analyze changes in the micro-scale urban thermal environment. Vehicle-mounted temperature and humidity sensors, combined with GPS tracking, were used to conduct real-time, high-resolution data collection across various urban functional areas. The results show that in the two tests, the maximum temperature differences were 10.4 °C and 16.5 °C, respectively, and the maximum standard deviations were 0.34 °C and 2.43 °C, indicating a significant intensification in thermal fluctuations. Industrial and commercial zones experienced the most pronounced cooling, while green spaces and water bodies exhibited greater thermal stability. The study reveals the sensitivity of densely built-up areas to cold extremes and highlights the important role of green infrastructure in mitigating urban thermal instability. Furthermore, this research demonstrates the advantages of mobile observation over conventional remote sensing methods in capturing fine-scale, dynamic thermal distributions, offering valuable insights for climate-resilient urban planning. Full article

The Atlantic blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) has rapidly expanded across the Mediterranean, raising concerns over its ecological and economic impacts. This study examines the morphometric characteristics and environmental influences on C. sapidus populations in the Palud-Palù swamp (western Istrian coast) from 2022 to 2024. A total of 203 specimens were analyzed for carapace width, length, depth, and body mass, alongside monthly measurements of temperature, salinity, oxygen saturation, and pH. Statistical analyses (t-tests, ANOVA, PCA, and RDA) revealed pronounced sexual dimorphism, with males consistently larger than females. Interannual differences in size distribution showed larger individuals in 2022, followed by a decline in 2023 and 2024, likely due to environmental stressors (e.g., salinity, temperature, hypoxia) and increased anthropogenic pressures (e.g., trapping and illegal harvesting). RDA identified temperature, oxygen saturation, and pH as key abiotic drivers of morphometric variation. These findings suggest that while C. sapidus demonstrates physiological plasticity, enabling its persistence in estuarine environments, its growth and invasive potential may be constrained under extreme or suboptimal local conditions. This study highlights the importance of long-term monitoring and integrated management to mitigate ecological disruption in sensitive coastal ecosystems. Full article

Medium-entropy alloys (MEAs) have attracted significant attention due to their unique structure–property relationships. In this study, we examine the effects of lattice distortion on the mechanical properties of Nb-Ti-V-Zr MEAs, focusing on two alloy series: Nb(Ti_1.5V)_xZr and Nb(TiV)_xZr (x = 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5). Experimental results show that the Nb(TiV)_xZr r alloys exhibit greater atomic size mismatches and increased lattice distortion compared to the Nb(Ti_1.5V)_xZr alloys, leading to higher yield strengths via enhanced solid-solution strengthening. However, excessive lattice distortion does not ensure an optimal strength–ductility balance, as the alloys with the highest distortion demonstrate limited plasticity. Thus, moderate reduction in lattice distortion proves beneficial in achieving an excellent compromise between strength and ductility. These findings offer valuable guidance for leveraging lattice distortion in the design of high-strength, high-ductility, body-centered cubic (BCC) MEAs for extreme environments. Full article

Upper extremity amputations significantly impact an individual’s physical capabilities, psychosocial well-being, and overall quality of life. The level at which an amputation is performed influences residual limb function, prosthetic compatibility, and long-term patient satisfaction. While surgical guidelines traditionally emphasize maximal limb preservation, prosthetists often advocate for amputation sites that optimize prosthetic fit and function, highlighting the need for a collaborative approach. This review examines the discrepancies between surgical and prosthetic recommendations for optimal amputation levels, from digit amputations to shoulder disarticulations, and explores their implications for prosthetic design, functionality, and patient outcomes. Various prosthetic options, including passive functional, body-powered, myoelectric, and hybrid devices, offer distinct advantages and limitations based on the level of amputation. Prosthetists emphasize the importance of residual limb length, not only for mechanical efficiency but also for achieving symmetry with the contralateral limb, minimizing discomfort, and enhancing control. Additionally, emerging technologies such as targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) and advanced myoelectric prostheses are reshaping rehabilitation strategies, further underscoring the need for precise amputation planning. By integrating insights from both surgical and prosthetic perspectives, this review highlights the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach involving surgeons, prosthetists, rehabilitation specialists, and patients in the decision-making process. A greater emphasis on preoperative planning and interprofessional collaboration can improve prosthetic outcomes, reduce device rejection rates, and ultimately enhance the functional independence and well-being of individuals with upper extremity amputations. Full article

Central nervous system (CNS) tumor with BCL6 corepressor gene BCOR/BCORL1 fusion is an extremely rare tumor entity, with fewer than 40 cases reported. These tumors are distinct from the WHO 2021-defined CNS tumor with BCOR internal tandem duplication. Even rarer are CNS tumors that match to the methylation class of CNS tumors with BCOR/BCORL1 fusion, but lack fusions and instead harbor truncating small nucleotide variants in BCOR. To our knowledge, only two other cases of this scenario have been previously reported. Due to their scarcity and morphological features that mimic oligodendrogliomas and ependymomas, the diagnosis of CNS tumor with BCOR/BCORL1 fusion can be challenging, and misdiagnoses are not uncommon. Histologic findings of Olig2 positivity with focal to absent GFAP warrant further evaluation for this tumor entity. Moreover, no standard of care therapy exists for these tumors, making treatment selection difficult. We present a case of a 37-year-old woman with a midline CNS tumor with BCOR/BCORL1 fusion, harboring a pathogenic BCOR c.626del (p.S209Cfs*7) (Exon 4) variant, who was successfully treated with definitive radiation therapy and adjuvant temozolomide. Notably, EMA showed focal strong dot-like perinuclear immunoreactivity, which has not been previously reported in these tumors. This case adds to the limited but growing body of evidence supporting the use of radiation and temozolomide in treating tumors matching the methylation class of CNS tumors with BCOR/BCORL1 fusion without a detectable fusion. Full article