Search Results (603)

To address the limitations of conventional reliability assessment methods in handling mesh distribution networks with flexible operation characteristics and complex topologies, namely their poor adaptability and low computational efficiency, this paper proposes a matrix-based analytical approach for reliability assessment of mesh distribution networks. First, a network configuration centered on the soft open points (SOP) is established. Through multi-feeder interconnection and flexible power flow control, a topology capable of fast fault transfer and service restoration is formed. Second, based on the restoration modes of load nodes under fault scenarios, three types of fault incidence matrices (FIM) are proposed. By means of matrix algebra, explicit analytical expressions are derived for the relationships among equipment failure probability, duration, impact range, and reliability indices. This overcomes the drawbacks of iterative search in conventional reliability assessments, significantly improving efficiency while ensuring accuracy. Finally, a modified 44 bus Taiwan test system is used for reliability assessment to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results demonstrate that the proposed matrix-based analytical reliability assessment method enables explicit analytical calculation of both system-level and load-level reliability indices in mesh distribution networks, providing effective support for planning and operational optimization to enhance reliability. Full article

Foam sound-absorbing materials develop a fine cellular structure during manufacturing, resulting in variations in porosity, cell size, and the proportion of naturally occurring thin membranes that obstruct skeletal openings. This membrane proportion significantly affects sound absorption. In this study, we utilized cross-sectional images obtained from a submicron resolution computer tomography (CT) scanner (nano-CT) that can capture membrane structures to theoretically assess the sound absorption of foam materials with membranes. We processed these cross-sectional images using techniques, including binarization, to extract the contours of the foam skeletons and the cross-sectional areas of the voids. By modeling the foam’s cross-section as the clearance between two planes, we were able to determine the propagation constant and characteristic impedance within this clearance. The effective density was adjusted based on measured tortuosity. The normal-incidence sound absorption coefficient (SAC), derived from the transfer matrix method, was then compared with experimental values obtained from a two-microphone impedance tube. Image processing techniques helped extract the skeleton cross-section and reduce residual noise, thereby minimizing the effect of variations in the binarization threshold on theoretical values. The accuracy of the theoretical model was enhanced by incorporating a correction factor for the skeleton surface area. Full article

Sustainable fertilizers are needed to improve nutrient efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate matrix-based organo-mineral fertilizers (OMFs) for Zea mays over 60 days. The study took place during the dry season in Jaboticabal, São Paulo, using 5.5 dm³ plastic pots. Biosolids, deinked paper sludge (cellulose), and sawdust were used as organic matrices. Four treatments (n = 6) were tested: BC (biosolids/cellulose), BS (biosolids/sawdust), FF (uncoated NPK), and NF (no fertilizer). FF received 4.0 g NPK (4-14-8) per pot in two split doses; BC and BS each received 2.0 g NPK entrapped in 2.0 g matrix, applied once at sowing. BC provided the most controlled nutrient release and outperformed FF, increasing plant height by 20.4%, stem diameter by 13.7%, and leaf area by 5.3%. Considering nutrient uptake, BC exceeded FF by 22.5% for N, 38.6% for P, and 22.7% for K while using half the mineral fertilizer. Overall, matrix-based OMFs improved Zea mays growth and nutrient assimilation and may reduce nutrient losses relative to conventional split applications. Because the results derive from a single dry-season greenhouse trial with pots, field-scale validation to the production stage is required to confirm agronomic performance and quantify economic and environmental benefits. Full article

This work provides a comparison of two commercial carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) materials: HexPly^® M18 1/G939 and RTM6/G939. Differences due to the additional thermoplastic in one CFRP are investigated for the two otherwise nearly identical, aromatic epoxy-based composites with respect to thermal degradation. The scenario chosen for testing is based on real incidents of repeated overheating by hot gases between roughly 200 and 320 °C, leading to moderate thermal damage. A special test setup is designed to continuously and alternately load CFRP with hot air in a rapid change. Post-mortem analysis is performed by mass loss, ultrasonic, and mechanical testing. Polymer degradation is analyzed by infrared spectroscopy. Even if the temperature-resistant thermoplastic polyetherimide (PEI) in the M18-1 matrix is enriched between the plies and a compensation of thermal strain during rapid temperature changes is expected, only a weak improvement is observed for residual strength in the presence of PEI, for continuous as well as alternating thermal loading. Thermally induced delaminations are even more pronounced in M18-1/G939. Deep insight is gained into degradation after repeated overheating of CFRP within the chosen scenario. Multivariate data analyses based on infrared spectroscopy allow for the determination of thermal history and residual strength, valuable for failure analysis. Full article

The puff adder (Bitis arietans) is a clinically relevant viper species found throughout Africa, and it is responsible for a greater incidence of health-related envenomations than all other snake species on the continent combined. Unresolved skeletal muscle damage is a common consequence of B. arietans envenomation that can result in long-term morbidity and even death. Antivenom treatment can mitigate the systemic effects of the venom but offers little protection against local tissue damage. Identifying the mechanisms through which B. arietans venom induces tissue damage and impedes skeletal muscle regeneration could identify possible treatment alternatives that could help alleviate the long-term consequences of envenomation. Skeletal muscle has an innate ability to regenerate, but constituents within the venom can impede multiple stages of this regeneration process. In this study, we employed a combination of biochemical analyses, cell-based assays, and in vivo experiments to assess the toxicological implications of B. arietans envenomation and its impacts on key processes of regeneration. Our findings demonstrate that the pathological characteristics of permanent muscle damage resulting from B. arietans envenomation may be attributed to the venom’s effects on muscle stem cell precursors, the extracellular matrix (ECM), and the influence of blood-borne proteins that promote fibrosis. Full article

As native bovine whey (WHEY) poses environmental concerns as a high-water-content by-product, this trial aimed at assessing the effectiveness of a thermal–mechanical microparticulation coupled with a fermentative process to concentrate it into a high-protein soft dairy cream. Compared to native whey, in microparticulated (MPW) and fermented (FMPW) matrices, there was a significant increase in proteins (from 0.7 to 8.8%) and lipids (from 0.3 to 1.3%), and a more brilliant yellowness colour. A factorial discriminant analysis (FDA) showed that FMPW had a higher content of saturated fatty acid (SFA) and some specific polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) n-6, and also identified C14:0, C18:1, C18:1 t-11, C18:2 n-6, and C18:3 n-6 as informative biomarkers of microparticulation and fermentative treatments. The SDS-PAGE indicated no effects on the protein profile but indicated its rearrangement into high molecular weight aggregates. Z-sizer and transmission electron microscopy analyses confirmed a different supramolecular structure corresponding to a higher variability and greater incidence of very large molecular aggregates, suggesting that MPW could be accounted as a colloidal matrix that may have similar ball-bearing lubrication properties. Microparticulation of whey could facilitate its circularity into the dairy supply chain through its re-generation from a waste into a high-value fat replacer for dairy-based food production. Full article

Matroid is a mathematical structure that extends the concept of independence. The fuzzy graphic binary matroid serves as a generalization of linear dependence, and its properties are examined. Power grid networks, which manage the generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical energy from power plants to consumers, are inherently a complex system. A key objective in analyzing these networks is to ensure a reliable and uninterrupted supply of electricity. However, several critical issues must be addressed, including uncertainty in communication links, detection of redundant or sensitive circuits, evaluation of network resilience under partial failures, and optimization of reliability in interconnected network systems. To support this goal, the concept of a fuzzy graphic binary matroid is applied in the analysis of power grid communication network, offering a framework that not only incorporates fuzziness and binary conditions but also enables systematic identification of weak circuits, redundancy planning, and reliability enhancement. This approach provides a more realistic representation of operational conditions, ensuring better fault tolerance and improved efficiency of the grid. Full article

Keratoconus (KC) is a progressive, multifactorial corneal ectatic disorder characterized by localized stromal thinning and irregular astigmatism, with incidence and prevalence varying markedly among populations. These differences are influenced by environmental exposures, behavioral factors, and genetic predisposition. A positive family history is a well-established high-risk factor, and KC has also been documented in association with syndromic disorders such as Down syndrome, connective tissue disorders, and certain metabolic diseases. Over the past decades, numerous candidate genes have been investigated, encompassing those involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) assembly, collagen synthesis and cross-linking, oxidative stress defense, wound healing, and transcriptional regulation. Modern genomic approaches, including genome-wide association studies (GWAS), linkage analyses, and next-generation sequencing, have identified multiple loci and variants with potential pathogenic roles. Nonetheless, several genes have also been systematically tested and found to show no association in specific populations, highlighting the genetic variability of KC and the potential influence of population-specific factors. This dual landscape of positive and negative genetic findings underscores the complexity of KC pathogenesis and the necessity for ethnically diverse cohorts. In this review, we synthesize current evidence on genes implicated in KC, integrating confirmed pathogenic variants, associations, and negative findings across diverse populations, to provide a comprehensive overview of the genetic architecture of KC and to outline priorities for future research aimed at improving diagnosis, risk stratification, and therapeutic development. Full article

Matrix metalloproteinase type 9 (MMP-9), which cleaves collagen type IV in basal membranes, has been associated with the progression of chronic kidney disease. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the characteristics of donors, recipients, induction therapies, and allograft function on MMP-9 transcripts from mononuclear cells in kidney transplant recipients. Transcripts were determined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 67 incident renal transplant recipients eight days post-transplant using quantitative real-time PCR and quantified using the ΔΔCq method. Median MMP-9 transcripts were 6.1 (IQR, 1.5 to 66.5, N = 4) in AB0-incompatible donor transplants; 3.2 (IQR, 2.0 to 16.9, N = 17) in living donor transplants; and 4.2 (IQR, 2.3 to 9.2, N = 46) in deceased donor transplants (p = 0.8). Importantly, renal transplant recipients who were treated with thymoglobulin had significantly higher median MMP-9 transcripts compared to all other induction therapies (14.5; IQR, 2.8 to 31.9, N = 10; vs. 3.5, IQR, 2.2 to 8.8, N = 57; p = 0.01). Median MMP-9 transcript levels were similar in recipients with delayed allograft function and immediate allograft function (8.86; IQR, 5.29 to 11.57, N = 7; vs. 3.4; IQR, 2.35 to 9.49, N = 60; p = 0.245). Induction therapy with thymoglobulin causes significantly higher MMP-9 transcripts in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, probably indicating an increased inflammatory response. Full article

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a critical public health concern globally, including in Bangladesh. In this study, we employed a mathematical modeling framework to analyze the national dynamics of HCV infections and associated mortality in Bangladesh. Utilizing surveillance data from the Directorate General of Health Services, we examined the epidemiological trajectory of HCV and assessed the impact of various intervention strategies. The Next Generation Matrix approach was employed to derive basic reproduction numbers, and the model was calibrated with observed HCV incidence data to estimate some model parameter values. We conducted sensitivity analysis to assess how variations in model parameters affect HCV prevalence, revealing that transmission rates of both drug-susceptible and drug-resistant strains have the greatest impact. Additionally, bifurcation analysis was performed to examine parameter thresholds and assess the stability of the system. We then used the model to estimate the impacts of various intervention policies on reducing HCV cases and deaths. Among single interventions, increased effective treatment for drug-susceptible cases proved to be the most rapid and effective strategy for reducing the total number of both drug-susceptible and drug-resistant HCV cases, as well as mortality. Additionally, our results imply that combining interventions increases their overall effectiveness, achieving substantial reductions in cases and deaths with relatively modest investment. However, complete eradication of HCV in Bangladesh would require significantly greater resources. Full article

This article solves the anomalies’ operational detection in the network traffic problem for cyber police units by developing an adaptive neural network platform combining a variational autoencoder with continuous stochastic dynamics of the latent space (integration according to the Euler–Maruyama scheme), a continuous–discrete Kalman filter for latent state estimation, and Hotelling’s T² statistical criterion for deviation detection. This paper implements an online learning mechanism (“on the fly”) via the Euler Euclidean gradient step. Verification includes variational autoencoder training and validation, ROC/PR and confusion matrix analysis, latent representation projections (PCA), and latency measurements during streaming processing. The model’s stable convergence and anomalies’ precise detection with the metrics precision is ≈0.83, recall is ≈0.83, the F1-score is ≈0.83, and the end-to-end delay of 1.5–6.5 ms under 100–1000 sessions/s load was demonstrated experimentally. The computational estimate for typical model parameters is ≈5152 operations for a forward pass and ≈38,944 operations, taking into account batch updating. At the same time, the main bottleneck, the O(m³) term in the Kalman step, was identified. The obtained results’ practical significance lies in the possibility of the developed adaptive neural network platform integrating into cyber police units (integration with Kafka, Spark, or Flink; exporting incidents to SIEM or SOAR; monitoring via Prometheus or Grafana) and in proposing applied optimisation paths for embedded and high-load systems. Full article

Background: Patients with systemic sclerosis have a significantly increased incidence of developing various solid malignancies within a few years of systemic sclerosis onset, but the mechanism of tumor promotion is not well understood. The tight skin (TSK) mouse has been a valuable model for investigating systemic sclerosis-related pathologies due to increased extracellular matrix deposition, fibrosis in connective tissues, and altered immune cell activation. Despite the role of extracellular matrix and fibrosis in cancer progression, the potential of the TSK mouse as a model for cancer studies is unexplored. Methods: To investigate the impact of the altered microenvironment in TSK mice on cancer progression, we compared the tumor-forming capabilities (by subcutaneous and intraperitoneal injection) in TSK mice and WT mice using syngeneic breast cancer, melanoma, and ovarian cancer cell lines. We used bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing to characterize these tumors and identify the changes in the TSK microenvironment that promote cancer formation. Results: In all three cancer types, TSK mice exhibited more invasive subcutaneous tumors in comparison to WT controls, underscoring the role of the TSK subcutaneous microenvironment in promoting cancer progression. Furthermore, the heightened invasiveness of ovarian tumors implanted intraperitoneally suggests that the peritoneal microenvironment in TSK mice also promotes tumor progression. Single-cell RNA sequencing analyses of subcutaneous tumors from TSK and WT mice revealed tumor-specific changes in the composition and phenotype of various cell populations. The most consistent alteration in TSK mice included a higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and an enrichment in profibrotic subpopulations of myofibroblasts and macrophages. Conclusions: Our research unveils the TSK mouse as a valuable model for studying the intricate connections between systemic sclerosis and cancer Full article

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), produced by the anaerobic spore-forming bacterium Clostridium botulinum, are among the most potent known biological toxins. BoNTs cause lethal botulism via contaminated food, wound infections, or infant intestinal colonization, posing significant threats to public health. Although the mouse bioassay is still being considered as the gold standard for detecting BoNTs, its drawbacks, including the lengthy experimental duration, high costs, and ethical issues, highlight the urgent need to develop alternative methods to fulfill the detection requirements. In recent years, frequent botulism poisoning incidents haves put forward higher requirements for detection technology. On-site detection is expected to be rapid and immediate, while laboratory detection requires high sensitivity and serotype discrimination capabilities. This review comprehensively introduces current detection approaches, including mouse bioassay, cell-based assays, immunological methods, endopeptidase–mass spectrometry, biosensors, chromatography, and mass spectrometry techniques. Notably, cell-based assays have been used for the potency testing of commercialized botulinum toxin type A and are considered the most promising alternative to the mouse bioassay. Biosensors based on nanomaterials demonstrate advantages in real-time detection due to their rapid response and portability, while endopeptidase–mass spectrometry achieves high sensitivity and effective serotype identification by specifically recognizing toxin-cleaved substrates. Future works shall aim to completely replace MBA, developing a detection system suitable for multiple scenarios such as clinical diagnosis, food safety monitoring, and environmental monitoring. The detection methods should also have matrix compatibility and serotype discrimination capabilities. Full article

Background/Objectives: In pre-pectoral breast reconstruction, both synthetic meshes (SM) and acellular dermis or pericardium matrixes (ADM/APM) present drawbacks that can be prevented with targeted device choosing. In daily practice, the authors wrap the implant with a human-derived ADM (hADM) when they found mastectomy flaps thinner than 1 cm. When hADM is not available, an APM is used. Here, the authors present their results with APM utilisation. Methods: From January to September 2024, patients undergoing pre-pectoral breast reconstruction with mastectomy flaps thinner than 1 cm were selected. Specifically, implants were wrapped in bovine pericardium (Exaflex—MAGGI Srl, TO, Italy). During a minimum 6 months follow-up, outcomes were recorded; in particular, rippling incidence was assessed with indication for secondary fat grafting. Results: Nineteen patients met the inclusion criteria. Average age was 54.4 years (range: 39–70), three of them were smokers (15.8%) and three were affected from diabetes or hypertension (15.8%). With one case bilateral, a total of 20 mastectomies were performed. Intra-operative mastectomy flaps’ thickness mean measure was 0.75 cm (range: 0.5–0.8). All of them underwent two-stage pre-pectoral IBR with APM covering the implant. During a mean follow-up of 9.5 months (range: 6–13), no major post-operative complications occurred and five cases (25%) presented rippling. Conclusions: With no consensus on the superiority of either biologic matrixes or SMs, the authors extended their patients’ selection tool to aid in the choice of peri-prosthetic device. The bovine APM use showed capacity of reducing secondary lipofilling interventions in patients with thin mastectomy flaps. Full article

The self-starting capability of straight-bladed H-type Darrieus Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) remains a major constraint for deployment, particularly in urban, low speed, and turbulent environments. We conducted a systematic review of technological strategies to improve self-starting, grouped into five categories: (1) aerodynamic airfoil design, (2) rotor configuration, (3) passive flow control, (4) active flow control, and (5) incident flow augmentation. Searches in Scopus and IEEE Xplore (last search 20 August 2025) covered the period from 2019 to 2026 and included peer-reviewed journal articles in English reporting experimental or numerical interventions on H-type Darrieus VAWTs with at least one start-up metric. From 1212 records, 53 studies met the eligibility after title/abstract screening and full-text assessment. Data were synthesized qualitatively using a comparative thematic approach, highlighting design parameters, operating conditions, and performance metrics (torque and power coefficients) during start-up. Quantitatively, studies reported typical start-up torque gains of 20–30% for airfoil optimization and passive devices, about 25% for incident-flow augmentation, and larger but less certain improvements (around 30%) for active control. Among the strategies, airfoil optimization and passive devices consistently improved start-up torque at low TSR with minimal added systems; rotor-configuration tuning and incident-flow devices further reduced start-up time where structural or siting constraints allowed; and active control showed the largest laboratory gains but with uncertain regarding energy and durability. However, limitations included heterogeneity in designs and metrics, predominance of 2D-Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFDs), and limited 3D/field validation restricted quantitative pooling. Risk of bias was assessed using an ad hoc matrix; overall certainty was rated as low to moderate due to limited validation and inconsistent uncertainty reporting. In conclusions, no single solution is universally optimal; hybrid strategies, combining optimized airfoils with targeted passive or active control, appear most promising. Future work should standardize start-up metrics, adopt validated 3D Fluid–Structure Interaction (FSI) models, and expand wind-tunnel/field trials. Full article