Search Results (6,464)

We propose a terahertz (THz) antenna-coupled wire-channel field-effect transistor—modified EdgeFET (m-EdgeFET), formed by combining single-gate FinFET and dual-side-gate EdgeFET concepts, which is used for THz detection. The proposed hybrid design was implemented on AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) structures, demonstrating distinct response characteristics under 150 GHz and 300 GHz radiation at room temperature. The responsivity dependence on the channel length was determined, revealing that the peak responsivity reached up to 6.5 V/W at a gate voltage of −3 V, i.e., at a gate bias that is an order lower in magnitude than that required for EdgeFET to reach the maximum response. Meanwhile, the gate leakage current decreased by an order of magnitude (to about 1 nA) compared to a FinFET with similar geometry. The proposed geometry was shown to operate in two regimes: source-drain coupling (SD) and gate coupling (GG) of THz radiation with the transistor wire channel. The results confirm that the m-EdgeFET design is suitable for electrically controlled and fast THz detection. Full article

Over the past three decades, artificial intelligence (AI) has substantially reshaped marketing research and practice, yet the discipline has not established a systematic understanding of its evolutionary trajectory and intellectual structure. A bibliometric analysis of 1923 Scopus publications (1992–2025) was conducted using CiteSpace to explore collaboration patterns, conceptual development, and thematic organization. It identified six evolutionary stages with accelerating innovation cycles, starting with neural networks (1992–2000) and ending with generative AI (2024–2025), with research attention per stage compressing from approximately 9 years to just 2 years. The analysis of the collaboration network shows that the key contributors are India, China, the USA, and the UK. Co-citation analysis indicates that there are three thematic dimensions with seven clusters, namely: (i) AI technological foundations and capabilities, (ii) AI marketing applications and transformation, and (iii) responsible AI governance and ethics. It suggests a Three-Force Evolutionary Framework, which combines technology-push, market-pull, and governance-moderator forces to describe the dynamics of the field. This framework shows that the Regulatory Awakening of 2018 (e.g., GDPR and the Cambridge Analytica incident) guided, not limited, innovation, and highlighted the critical personalization–privacy paradox on which modern developments are based. It identifies three priority research directions: generative AI in creative marketing, consumer trust in the personalization–privacy paradox, and organizational adaptation to fast innovation cycles. This study provides scholars with a comprehensive knowledge map, practitioners with strategic imperatives for responsible AI adoption, and policymakers with evidence that well-designed regulation accelerates innovation by balancing commercial value with societal concerns. Full article

Stimuli-responsive hydrogels have gained significant attention as one of the most attractive materials for soft robots. Herein, a facile, printable thermo-responsive hydrogel (NL hydrogel) with rapid volume change capability and excellent mechanical properties was developed through the self-assembly of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and hydrophobic lignin. The lignin and PNIPAM self-assembled into a hierarchical phase-separated structure consisting of lignin-rich dense regions with a bicontinuous morphology and PNIPAM-rich, chain-sparse regions. This unique architecture results in multiscale water channels, enabling an ultrafast dehydration response (expelling 90% of its water within 10 s) and an ultrahigh volume shrinkage of up to 96.4% above its lower critical solution temperature (LCST). The phase separation structure also endows the NL hydrogels with outstanding mechanical properties, achieving tensile stress and strain values exceeding 1 MPa and 500% below the LCST, and approximately 5 MPa and 1500% above the LCST. The responsive speed and mechanical properties of the NL hydrogels surpass those of most reported thermo-responsive hydrogels. The NL hydrogels can be readily printed via direct ink writing into various geometries. The printed NL hydrogels demonstrate thermo-triggered shape morphing, functioning as temperature-controlled actuators with adjustable curvature and as manipulators for capture, wrapping, encapsulation, and switching. Furthermore, the photothermal effect of lignin enables light-controlled actuation of the NL hydrogel. Full article

Protective behavior in dairy cattle is one of the important potential indicators of their health and welfare status, and the precise detection of this behavior is of great significance for improving pasture management. However, existing methods face challenges, including capturing rapid motions, excessive background interference, and sample imbalance in complex agricultural environments. In response to these challenges, we proposed a Multi-Stage Attention SlowFast (MSA-SlowFast) model based on the improved SlowFast network to explore the model’s ability to distinguish between normal and protective behavior of dairy cattle. It achieves performance improvement through three core modules: the Multi-Path Balanced Head (MPBHead) for alleviating category imbalance, the Spatio-Temporal Convolutional Block Attention Module (ST-CBAM) for enhancing key feature extraction, and the 7 (BAF) for promoting multi-path feature complementarity. Additionally, we proposed novel timing-aware oversampling methods and dynamic loss adjustment mechanisms to further improve the detection performance of minority-class protective behaviors. Finally, a spatio-temporal-oriented dairy cattle protective behaviors dataset is constructed. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed MSA-SlowFast model achieves 79.41% mAP, surpassing the standard SlowFast (70.58%) and Slow-only (68.21%). Further validation shows that the model exhibits high detection confidence in four specific actions labeled as protective behavior: 0.97 for tail swaying, 0.90 for head shaking, 0.92 for ear flapping, and 0.90 for leg kicking. These preliminary results show that the method proposed in this study has certain feasibility and reference value for the detection of protective behavior of dairy cattle under our constructed dataset. Full article

The occurrence of marine heatwaves (MHWs) and phytoplankton blooms is accelerating under climate change, yet the frequency and drivers of their compound co-occurrence remain poorly understood. Using coastal-optimized satellite observations from 2003–2020, we mapped global compound MHW–phytoplankton bloom (MHW-PB) events across coastal large marine ecosystems and quantified their spatiotemporal trends and environmental predictors. Compound events are increasing at 4.8% yr⁻¹, driven primarily by a 6.5% yr⁻¹ rise in MHW frequency; a temporal shuffle test confirms this trend falls below random co-occurrence expectation, indicating biological suppression actively constrains compound event growth. The compound independence factor (CIF) reveals latitudinal heterogeneity: low-latitude upwelling systems show MHW–PB mutual exclusivity, while high-latitude and eutrophic coastal regions show positive co-occurrence tendency. Interpretable machine learning further shows that nutrient availability dominates bloom responses at low latitudes whereas light dominates at high latitudes, with MHW intensity exhibiting nutrient-dependent non-linear associations with bloom probability. Paradoxically, compound frequency accelerates nearly twice as fast in low latitudes (6.1% yr⁻¹) as in high latitudes (3.5% yr⁻¹), driven by rapid tropical MHW acceleration. These diverging regimes signal dual ecological risks: trophic mismatches in upwelling systems and escalating hypoxia and harmful algal bloom hazards in eutrophic coastal waters. Full article

This paper proposes a co-design methodology for the power and control stages of a bidirectional battery charger/discharger based on a boost converter topology. The approach ensures safe operation by limiting the battery current derivative, preventing abrupt transients that could degrade battery lifespan. The control strategy combines a cascade structure with an inner sliding mode current controller (for robustness and fast response) and an outer adaptive PI voltage loop (to regulate the DC-link voltage under varying load conditions). Additionally, the design constrains the switching frequency to reduce power losses. Experimental validation on a prototype converter demonstrates the effectiveness of the co-design framework, showing precise current/voltage regulation, adherence to switching frequency limits, and compliance with battery charging/discharging requirements. The results highlight the methodology’s potential to enhance efficiency and reliability in energy storage systems. The dynamic restrictions, overshoot lower than 5%, settling time shorter than 5 ms, and a battery current limitation less than 50 A/ms were always met with SMC and, in some cases, with the PI controller, but the results with SMC were always better: lower overshoot, shorter settling time, and greater restriction on the derivative of the battery current. In addition, the SMC system was 2.5–5.0% more efficient than the PI controller. Full article

The islet of Vaixell, off the west coast of Ibiza (Balearic Islands, Spain), is home to a native population of the Pityusic wall lizard, Podarcis pityusensis, with the largest body size recorded for the species. These lizards live in extreme environmental conditions on an islet with a small surface area covered by very sparse vegetation. The sex ratio is balanced, and a very high incidence of missing toes and autotomized tails is observed, indicating strong intraspecific competition involving both males and females. The body growth rate, adjusted using the Gompertz model, is intense and, apparently, juvenile lizards quickly reach relatively large body sizes. This fast body growth is probably a strategy against predation pressure from conspecifics. In P. pityusensis from Vaixell, the peak growth acceleration is prenatal and practically coincides with the moment of hatching. The diet consists mainly of aggregated prey, such as ants, with the inclusion of marine subsidies, such as halophyllous and littoral isopods, and a lower consumption of plant matter compared to other insular populations of lizards from the Balearic Islands. The lizards of Vaixell are an excellent example of the adaptive response of a lacertid lizard to the extreme conditions on the small coastal islets of the Mediterranean, with very small available areas, high population density, but a small population size, of about 50 to 100 lizards, which also reach a remarkable longevity. Full article

Dual three-phase interior permanent magnet synchronous motors (DT-IPMSMs) are widely used in high-power and high-reliability applications, and accurate rotor polarity identification at startup is a critical prerequisite for their stable and efficient operation. This study aims to address the problem of initial position acquisition during the startup of DT-IPMSMs by proposing a simple and fast rotor polarity identification method. The proposed method is based on the high-frequency square-wave voltage injection (HFSWVI) in the vector space decomposition (VSD) space, where both the current and voltage are injected into the d-axis. The single-pulse direct current (DC) injection is used to alter the magnetic saturation. Then, the change rates of the d-axis high-frequency response current are compared before and after DC injection to identify the rotor magnetic polarity. In addition, a moving average filter (MAF) is applied to suppress the fluctuations in the current change rate, which increases the accuracy of polarity identification. Moreover, a simple compensation technique is designed to make the estimated d-axis current change smoothly when the estimated angle changes from N-pole to S-pole. The effectiveness of the proposed method is proved by the experimental results in both standstill and free-running states for the prototyped DT-IPMSMs. This method provides a practical and efficient solution for initial position identification of DT-IPMSMs, contributing to the advancement of control technology for dual three-phase motor systems in related fields. Full article

In recent years, the rapid expansion of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and the increasing penetration of renewable energy sources require highly efficient and dynamically robust power electronic interfaces. In photovoltaic (PV)-assisted EV charging stations and DC microgrids, bidirectional DC-DC converters (BDCs) are essential for managing power flow between PV arrays, battery energy storage systems, and the DC bus supplying EV chargers. This paper presents a novel voltage and current control design for a BDC operating in a PV-powered DC microgrid oriented to EV charging applications. Following a detailed mathematical model of the converter, a digital current controller and a predictive voltage regulator were developed using Model-Based Predictive Control (MBPC). The proposed cascade control structure enables accurate DC bus voltage regulation and seamless bidirectional power flow under dynamic load variations representative of EV charging and discharging scenarios. The control scheme was evaluated in MATLAB/SIMULINK^® and experimentally validated through Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)-based test benches using an OPAL-RT real-time (RT) simulator, integrating the RT-LAB and RT-eFPGAsim environments. The predictive controller achieved precise regulation in both buck and boost modes, reaching efficiencies of 97.07% and 98.57%, respectively. The results demonstrate that integrating MBPC with RT validation provides high performance, fast dynamic response, and computational efficiency, making the proposed approach suitable for renewable-integrated EV charging stations and next-generation DC microgrid-based mobility systems. Full article

Background: Sex-related differences in insulin sensitivity during adolescence remain incompletely understood, particularly in the context of obesity. Whether these differences reflect variations in basal insulin resistance or dynamic insulin responses remains unclear. Objective: To investigate sex differences in glucose and insulin responses during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and to explore mechanisms underlying potential dissociation between glycemic and insulinemic profiles. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 753 adolescents with obesity who underwent a standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Plasma glucose and insulin were measured at fasting and at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min. Mixed-effects models were used to examine glucose and insulin trajectories over time, including sex-by-time interactions, and to adjust for body mass index standard deviation score (BMI_SDS), pubertal stage (Tanner), metabolic syndrome (MetS), and body composition (resistance index). Multiple linear regression models were fitted to assess associations of sex with HOMA-IR, HOMA-β, total area under the curve (AUC), and phase-specific insulin AUCs. Results: Glucose trajectories during OGTT were similar between sexes, with no significant sex or sex-by-time interaction effects after adjustment. In contrast, insulin trajectories differed significantly by sex (sex-by-time interaction β = −0.10, p < 0.001). Boys exhibited higher baseline insulin levels and greater total insulin exposure (β = −11.2, p < 0.001), independent of BMI_SDS, pubertal stage, MetS, and body composition. Sex differences were sustained across all OGTT phases. HOMA-IR did not differ by sex, whereas HOMA-β showed a sex-related difference. BMI was positively associated with both basal and dynamic insulin measures. Conclusions: In adolescents with obesity, sex differences are characterized by altered dynamic insulin responses rather than differences in glycemic control. Boys exhibit greater compensatory insulin exposure during glucose challenge, independent of BMI-based adiposity, BIA-derived body composition and pubertal development. Full article

The global rise in obesity and cardiometabolic disease represents a major public health concern and contributes significantly to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Contemporary Western dietary patterns and excess adiposity are strongly associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Although pharmacologic therapies have expanded, lifestyle interventions remain the cornerstone of prevention and management. However, identifying sustainable and effective dietary approaches continues to be challenging given the wide range of available nutrition regimens. Intermittent fasting (IF) has emerged as a promising strategy for weight reduction and metabolic improvement. In this article, we review the physiological effects of IF, including metabolic switching, ketosis, and improvements in insulin sensitivity and inflammatory regulation. We also evaluate clinical evidence regarding the impact on cardiovascular risk, as well as its safety and tolerability. We examine the hormonal responses to IF based on sex. While early studies raised concerns regarding potential reproductive and endocrine disturbances, recent data suggest beneficial effects in both males and females. IF may modestly reduce testosterone in men without impairing muscle mass or strength and may improve metabolic and reproductive outcomes in women, particularly those with hyperandrogenic conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, with favorable effects also observed in postmenopausal women, especially when combined with physical activity. Full article

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate maternal serum afamin levels in women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), examine their relationship with fasting bile acid concentrations, and assess their association with perinatal outcomes. Methods: This prospective case-–control study included 80 singleton pregnancies followed at a tertiary perinatology center between October 2025 and March 2026. Forty women with ICP, defined by pruritus and fasting bile acids > 10 μmol/L, were compared with 40 healthy pregnant controls. Women with ICP were further stratified according to fasting bile acid levels as <40 and ≥40 μmol/L. Maternal serum afamin concentrations were measured using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Maternal characteristics, liver biochemistry, fetal biometric and Doppler parameters as well as obstetric and neonatal outcomes were compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of afamin for ICP, and logistic regression analysis was used to assess its association with ICP. Results: Baseline maternal characteristics were comparable between groups. Maternal serum afamin levels were significantly higher in the ICP group than in controls (6.18 ± 4.24 vs. 3.98 ± 1.95 ng/mL, p = 0.004). Afamin correlated positively with fasting bile acids (r = 0.372, p = 0.018), but not with transaminases, gestational age at delivery, birth weight, or neonatal outcomes. In logistic regression, afamin was independently associated with ICP (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.260; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.059–1.500; p = 0.009). ROC analysis showed poor discrimination for ICP (area under the curve [AUC] 0.634, 95% CI 0.51–0.76, p = 0.039), whereas afamin did not discriminate between subgroups defined by fasting bile acid levels (<40 vs. ≥40 μmol/L). The optimal cut-off value of 4.93 ng/mL predicted ICP with 55% sensitivity, 67.5% specificity, a positive likelihood ratio of 1.69, and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.67. Conclusions: Maternal serum afamin levels are elevated in ICP and show a modest association with fasting bile acid burden. Its discriminatory performance is limited, and it does not reliably distinguish patients defined by a ≥40 μmol/L threshold. These findings suggest that afamin reflects the maternal response to cholestasis rather than disease severity and may serve as a complementary biomarker. Full article

The transition from traditional synchronous generators to intermittent renewable sources, combined with increasingly variable and difficult-to-control energy demand, is creating a growing need for large-scale reserves and energy storage. At the same time, reduced system inertia and evolving electricity market regimes are emerging as important challenges that may affect grid stability, reliability, and economic performance. Advanced storage technologies, particularly those with fast ramping and high-response capabilities, offer a potential means of providing near-instantaneous support in response to unexpected system disturbances or market signals, thereby helping to mitigate inertia-related risks. This paper investigates four technologies: pumped hydroelectric storage, battery energy storage systems, synchronous condensers, and special protection schemes, with a focus on their capability to deliver rapid responses to large-scale disturbances. The analysis is conducted using a deliberately simplified power system model to provide qualitative insights into system behavior and control interactions. The results indicate that automation-enabled responses to system imbalances, including support from synchronous condensers and the rapid activation of additional generation, can enhance system performance under disturbance conditions within the considered framework. These findings demonstrate the feasibility and potential value of such approaches; however, further validation using higher-fidelity models and system-specific data is required to quantify their operational and economic impacts. Full article

Speedcubing, the competitive practice of fast solving the Rubik’s Cube, has gained global popularity both as a sporting and an educational activity. Aside from its recreational value, speedcubing may contribute to broader social and developmental outcomes. This study aims to examine the potential of speedcubing as a tool for sustainable social development, concentrating on its educational, psychological, and social implications and its relationship to selected United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). An anonymous online survey consisting of 26 items (22 used for the main analysis and 4 demographic items) was conducted among 112 participants associated with the speedcubing community, including active competitors, coaches, and parents. The questionnaire addressed accessibility, cognitive and social competencies, and perceived educational and social benefits, as well as user preferences regarding digital tools supporting learning. The results indicate that participation in speedcubing supports the development of analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, perseverance, and self-control. Respondents also emphasized its educational value, accessibility, and role in fostering fair play and social integration. These findings suggest that speedcubing may contribute to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 11 and SDG 12 (Sustainable Cities and Communities; Responsible Consumption and Production). Full article

Traditional polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) faces limitations in smart dimming applications due to high driving voltage and poor high-temperature stability. In this study, a high-birefringence liquid crystal (QYPDLC-901) was used to prepare PDLC films with liquid crystal contents ranging from 72 wt% to 80 wt%, achieved through synergistic regulation of a low-functional acrylic polymer system and a low-intensity curing process. The effects of liquid crystal content, cell gap, and temperature on electro-optical properties were systematically investigated. Optimal performance was obtained at a liquid crystal content of 77 wt%, with a low threshold voltage of 2.9 V, saturation voltage of 7 V, fast response (rise time 4.2 ms, decay time 47 ms), and a favorable balance between high on-state and low off-state transmittance. Microstructural analysis revealed that the superior performance results from uniform droplet dispersion and low interfacial energy. Furthermore, the PDLC exhibited excellent switching stability from 23 °C to 90 °C, maintaining a maximum transmittance of 93% at 90 °C, with increases of only 0.4 V in threshold voltage and 0.1 V in saturation voltage. This study provides an experimental basis for designing smart dimming devices suitable for low-voltage driving and extreme environments. Full article