Search Results (159)

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a severe and progressive neurodegenerative disease for which therapeutic options have so far been confined to symptomatic treatment. Currently, the diagnosis relies on the signs and symptoms shown by patients; however, by that stage, the psychomotor issues have progressed to a point where reversal of the condition is unattainable. Although numerous clinical trials have been actively investigating therapeutic agents aimed at preventing the onset of disease or slowing down the disease progression, there has been a constant need for reliable biomarkers to assess neurodegeneration, monitor disease progression, and assess the efficacy of treatments accurately. Therefore, to discover the key biomarkers associated with the progression of HD, we employed bioinformatics and machine learning (ML) to create a robust pipeline that integrated differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis with ML to select potential biomarkers. We performed a meta-analysis to identify DEGs using three Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) microarray datasets from different platforms related to HD-affected brain tissue, applying both relaxed and strict criteria to identify differentially expressed genes. Subsequently, focusing only on genes identified through the inclusive threshold, we employed 19 diverse ML techniques to explore the common genes that contributed to the top three selected ML algorithms and the shared genes that had an impact on the ML algorithms and were observed in the meta-analysis using the stringent condition were selected. Additionally, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted on external datasets to validate the discriminatory power of the identified genes. Based on the results of an inverse variance weighted meta-analysis of the AUCs across both human and mouse cohorts, GABRD and PHACTR1 were identified as the most robust candidates and were selected as key biomarkers for HD. Our comprehensive methodology, which integrates DEG meta-analysis with ML techniques, enabled a systematic prioritization of these biomarkers, providing valuable insights into their biological significance and potential for further validation in clinical research. Full article

Background: Obesity is a major public health issue in developed countries, primarily managed through dietary interventions and physical activity. Food portion sizes influence the estimation of energy intake, particularly through bites, of which characteristics remain insufficiently defined. This study investigates the variability in bite energy content. Methods: This observational study was conducted over 14 months. Thirteen types of packaged food were provided to 30 Italian healthy volunteers (mean age 26.8 ± 8.5 years) in a semi-naturalistic dietary feeding setting. Participants’ anthropometric measurements were recorded. A total of 1850 bites were weighed and 420 bites were assessed for volume and energy content. Results: Bite volume and mass explained bite energy content at different rates. The most influential anthropometric feature was waist circumference. Gender modified the association between waist circumference and bite characteristics; males showed increased bite volume, mass, and energy content as waist circumference increased, whereas females showed little or no association. Age was inversely associated with bite volume and mass, with younger participants having larger bites. Gender significantly influenced average bite size, with females showing lower values than males. The use of a fork was associated with higher bite volume, mass, and energy compared to a spoon. Food eaten with bare hands had lower mass but higher energy content compared to food eaten with a spoon. The variability in bite energy was considerably greater per bite than per gram, reflecting the combined influence of food texture, bite size, and cutlery used. Conclusions: Bite energy variability, influenced by intrinsic factors (gender, age, waist circumference) and extrinsic factors (cutlery, food texture), significantly impacts portion size effect. Future bite counters should consider these elements for accurate dietary assessment. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cognitive deficiency associated with chronic alcohol consumption in older people remains an under-investigated public health issue in Romania, particularly concerning rural–urban disparities and the impact of reversible hepatic dysfunction on cognitive performance. To evaluate cognitive function at hospital admission and discharge using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE); to identify rural–urban disparities; and to analyze the relationship between hepatic markers and MMSE scores in older people with chronic alcohol consumption. Methods: This retrospective, single-center observational study was conducted on 152 patients aged ≥55 years, hospitalized between January 2021 and December 2023 at the “Elisabeta Doamna” Psychiatric Hospital, Galați. Demographic variables, MMSE scores (at admission and discharge), and hepatic parameters (AST, ALT, GGT, total bilirubin, and ammonia) were collected. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests for categorical variables, paired t-tests or ANOVA for MMSE scores, and Pearson correlations between MMSE and hepatic markers (α = 0.05). Results: At admission, 94% of patients had an MMSE score < 24. The mean MMSE score increased from 23.4 ± 4.1 to 25.0 ± 3.7 at discharge (Δ = +1.6; p < 0.001). Patients from rural areas (63.8% of the sample) had significantly lower MMSE scores at admission compared to urban patients (22.6 ± 3.9 vs. 24.8 ± 4.2; p = 0.02). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between rural and urban patients regarding cognitive improvement during hospitalization (p = 0.88), indicating that the initial gap persisted at discharge. GGT levels were inversely correlated with MMSE scores (r = −0.41; p < 0.001), suggesting a contribution of hepatic dysfunction to cognitive decline. Conclusions: Alcohol-related cognitive impairment is highly prevalent among older patients hospitalized for withdrawal, with partial reversibility observed through inpatient management. The observed rural disparities and the association between hepatic dysfunction and cognitive performance highlight the need of concurrent MMSE and hepatic screening, with prioritized interventions in rural settings. Prospective, multicenter studies are warranted to validate these findings and to identify additional prognostic biomarkers. Full article

Developing efficient and durable anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) is essential for advancing electrochemical energy technologies such as water electrolyzers. This study presents a methodological approach for fabricating an AEM by electrospinning a polysulfone (PSU)-based nanofibrous matrix, followed by post-activation using an ionomer solution containing quaternary ammonium (QA) functional groups. Electrospinning is a promising and versatile technique for membrane fabrication, particularly in the context of green hydrogen production via AEM water electrolysis. Its ability to produce nanofibrous matrixes with tunable morphology and properties makes it an attractive alternative to conventional methods for research across various applications. This study demonstrated the feasibility of fabricating electrospun AEMs using polysulfone as a backbone material, suggesting its promise as a potentially scalable solution to manage the high-cost issue of commercial AEMs for future hydrogen production. The resulting composite membrane exhibited ionic conductivity and electrochemical performance comparable to a benchmark membrane fabricated by activating a commercial Celgard 3401 support via phase inversion. Although the mechanical strength of the electrospun membrane was lower than that of the commercial support, its good electrochemical characteristics—combined with the potential for roll-to-roll electrospinning—underscore the promise of this approach as a viable, economically scalable strategy for future hydrogen production WE technologies. Full article

In the assembly of spacecraft cabins, the presence of uncertain and time-varying temperature environments can induce thermal deformation in bulkheads, potentially affecting dimensional stability. Online sensing of thermal deformation is critical for mitigating such risks. However, conventional finite element methods (FEMs) rely on cascading thermal and structural analyses, which suffer from inefficiency. To address this issue, we propose a methodology that integrates a physical model with a data-driven temperature field measurement technique, demonstrated through case studies involving a spacecraft porthole bulkhead. First, leveraging the geometric invariance of the bulkhead during assembly, a purely static FE model is established offline. Second, multi-point temperature measurements combined with Kriging estimation are employed to directly reconstruct the temperature field, circumventing the computationally intensive FEM-based thermal analysis process. Finally, by utilizing the precomputed inverse stiffness matrix and performing an online conversion from temperature to equivalent forces, thermal deformation is rapidly resolved. The numerical results demonstrate that the root-mean-square errors of the predicted full-field deformation are maintained at the micron level, with an average computation time of less than 0.14 s. Furthermore, a meticulously designed experiment was conducted, where the predicted thermal displacements of several key points showed good agreement with measurements by means of a laser tracker. This research provides a promising tool to achieve digital twinning of thermal deformation states for aerospace components. Full article

This paper focuses on the formidable challenges that underwater robots encounter in complex marine environments. To address these issues, inspired by the cownose ray, an innovative scheme is proposed, utilizing four six-bar mechanisms to mimic its pectoral fin movement. Subsequently, the paper elaborates on the design, computation, and simulation of the bionic pectoral fin mechanism. A Watt-type six-bar mechanism is adopted, and by axially overlaying two scaled-identical mechanisms and setting a phase difference, the pectoral fin waving of the cownose rays is simulated. SolidWorks and ADAMS are employed for precise modeling and simulation. Following this, an experimental prototype is constructed, with the rod assembly produced by subtractive machining. Motion capture and six-dimensional force experiments are then conducted to evaluate its motion dynamics and propulsion efficacy. The experimental results demonstrate that when the two pectoral fins on either side flap synchronously or inversely, the robot can generate varying thrust, lift, and lateral forces, enabling smooth advancement and turning. These findings validate the feasibility and efficacy of bionic design, offering innovative concepts and methodologies for underwater robot development. Full article

Introduction: While not considered a genuine tumorigenic pathogen, the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been associated with a wide assortment of malignancies, including breast cancer (BC). In recent years, increasing evidence has been detailing the potential anti-oncogenic capabilities of CMV. Works in the literature addressing the issue are scarce, and a global approach elucidating the role of CMV in breast cancer is lacking. Aim: We inquired into the association between CMV and BC on a global level and surveyed the related literature. Material and Methods: Virus–tumor interaction was examined by correlating country-specific CMV seroprevalence and the age-standardized BC incidence rates for 73 countries, as provided by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Statistical analysis was conducted using Spearman’s correlation, along with univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis. The literature review included works available in the PubMed^® database until and including February 2025. Results: The worldwide incidence of BC correlated strongly and inversely with CMV prevalence the world over (p < 0.001, Spearman ρ = −0.553). This association was upheld after univariate and multivariate linear regression, extending to other tumors such as skin melanoma and kidney cancer (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In this study, we draw attention to a previously unexplored global inverse relationship between the prevalence of CMV and the incidence of BC, which suggests a potential oncoprotective role for this pathogen. Although the association itself does not imply causality, these data provide an intriguing possibility of observing CMV as a tentative factor of protection against this malignancy. Full article

Background/Objectives: Child undernutrition remains a critical public health issue in Nepal, especially in the rural district of Solukhumbu. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and clinical characteristics of undernutrition, dietary patterns, and related health indicators in school-aged children from the Shree Saraswoti Basic School in Phuleli. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted between July and August 2022. Fifty-four children (51.8% boys; mean age 9.4 ± 2.1 years) were evaluated using anthropometry, clinical examination, hemoglobin measurement, and three-day 24 h dietary recall. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: BMI z-scores indicated that 39% of children were at risk of acute undernutrition, and 2% were at risk of moderate acute undernutrition. After adjusting for altitude, 87% were classified as anemic. Diets were dominated by cereals and vegetables, with a very low intake of fruits and proteins and no dairy consumption. Dental caries affected 59% of participants. Girls presented slightly higher subcutaneous fat percentages; however, 14.8% of the children exceeded the recommended thresholds. A dietary assessment revealed poor eating habits, including excessive intake of simple carbohydrates and insufficient nutrient diversity. Although socioeconomic data were not directly collected, the findings reflect the typical context of the vulnerability of isolated mountain communities. Undernutrition indicators (BMI, clinical signs, anemia) were associated with poorer health outcomes. An unexpected moderate inverse correlation was found between BMI and both systolic (r = −0.601) and diastolic (r = −0.550) blood pressure. Conclusions: The findings reveal a high burden of undernutrition and anemia among children in Solukhumbu, linked to poor diet and structural vulnerability. Urgent, community-based interventions—including nutrition education, agricultural diversification, and improved healthcare access—are needed. Longitudinal monitoring is essential to track progress and design sustainable, multisectoral solutions. Full article

Based on the concept of an equivalent eddy current, anomaly field inversion provides an efficient and rapid inversion method for borehole transient electromagnetic (BHTEM) measurements. It enables the utilization of the equivalent eddy current to rapidly process and interpret BHTEM data. This method allows for the accurate determination of the central position and spatial distribution of anomalies. However, the equivalent eddy current method is solely applicable to the inversion of the anomaly field. Given that the measured data frequently contain strong background field information, it is challenging to directly apply the equivalent eddy current approach to the inversion and interpretation of the measured data. To address the aforementioned issues, in this study, we innovatively put forward a method. Specifically, we utilize the response of the layered earth to simulate the background field and subtract the background field from the measured data through the “difference method” to extract the anomaly field. Subsequently, by integrating the equivalent eddy current method, the inversion of the anomaly field was accomplished. Eventually, a rapid quantitative inversion and interpretation of BHTEM data were achieved. We applied this approach to extract the pure anomaly from the measured data of the zk506 borehole in the Baishiquan mining area, Xinjiang, and then conducted equivalent eddy current inversion. The spatial position and distribution characteristics of the concealed ore bodies near the zk506 borehole were successfully pinpointed. Validation by the zk507 and zk508 boreholes confirmed that the main anomaly of the nickel ore body is positioned in the southeast of the boreholes, dipping northwestward. This outcome validates the accuracy of the BHTEM inversion interpretation and rectifies the geological understanding obtained from the zk506 single borehole. It demonstrates the effectiveness and significance of the pure anomaly extraction based on the layered-earth model and equivalent eddy current inversion in the exploration of high-conductivity sulfide ores. Full article

FWD is an important non-destructive testing instrument in the field of highways. It evaluates the pavement bearing capacity by continuously hammering the ground. However, due to noise interference, the current identification and extraction of the impact signals generated by the hammering are not accurate enough, which affects the calibration accuracy of the FWD results. To address this issue, this work proposes a novel method for impact point identification. The method integrates frequency domain filtering with gradient detection. Firstly, by analyzing the frequency domain characteristics of FWD impact signals using fast Fourier transform (FFT) and short-time Fourier transform (STFT), the primary response frequency band of the impact was identified. Subsequently, the impact signal segment was reconstructed using inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to effectively suppress noise interference. Furthermore, gradient detection was employed to precisely determine the initiation moment of the impact. To validate the proposed method, a simulated acceleration signal incorporating interference noise was constructed. Comparative experiments were also conducted between traditional identification methods and the proposed method under high-noise conditions. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can accurately identify the impact point even under strong noise, thereby providing reliable data support for FWD measurements. This method exhibits strong environmental adaptability and can be extended to other engineering tests involving impact events and impact point identification. Full article

This paper proposes a 1000 W high-frequency three-phase power inversion underwater capacitive wireless power transfer (UCWPT) system for power delivery to autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). The multi-phase coupling structure is designed as a columnar configuration that conforms to the shape of AUVs. This paper innovatively presents a curved coupling coupler composed of six metal plates. This design significantly enhances the mutual capacitance of the coupling structure and the power transfer capacity of the UCWPT system. Utilizing the columnar structure, the receiver of the capacitive wireless power transfer system can be easily integrated into AUVs, reducing the installation space. Furthermore, the cylindrical dock-transmitter terminal structure of the system greatly improves the anti-misalignment capability. This addresses issues such as charging voltage and current fluctuations caused by vehicle rolling in dynamic ocean environments. Additionally, the wireless power transfer capacity is notably enhanced. An experimental platform was constructed, and tests were conducted in both air and water media. A 1000 W experimental setup was developed to validate the theoretical analysis and simulations. The experimental results align closely with the theoretical predictions. At a fixed distance of 3 cm between transmitter and receiver, peak power transfer efficiencies of 80% in air and 74% in water were achieved with stable operational performance. The cylindrical structure demonstrates robust anti-misalignment properties. Full article

The non-Gaussian nature of radar-observed clutter echoes induces performance degradation in the context of remote sensing target detection when using conventional Gaussian detectors. To enhance target detection performance, this study addresses the issue of adaptive detection in nonzero-mean non-Gaussian sea clutter environments. The nonzero-mean compound Gaussian model, composed of the texture and complex Gaussian speckle, is utilized to capture the sea clutter. Further, we adopt the inverse Gamma, Gamma, and inverse Gaussian distributions to characterize the texture component. Novel adaptive detectors based on the two-step Rao and Wald tests, taking advantage of the maximum a posteriori (MAP) method to estimate textures, are designed. More specifically, test statistics of the proposed Rao- and Wald-based detectors are derived by assuming the speckle covariance matrix (CM), mean vector (MV), and clutter texture in the first step. Then, the sea clutter parameters assumed to be known are replaced with their estimations, and fully adaptive detectors are obtained. The Monte Carlo performance evaluation experiments using both simulated and measured sea clutter data are conducted, and numerical results validate the constant false alarm rate (CFAR) properties and detection performance of the proposed nonzero-mean detectors. Additionally, the proposed Rao and Wald detectors, respectively, show strong robustness and good selectivity for mismatch signals. Full article

Faced with increasingly complex electronic jamming environments, intra-pulse agility has become a primary method of anti-interrupted-sampling repeater jamming (ISRJ) for radar systems. However, existing intra-pulse agile signals suffer from high autocorrelation sidelobe levels and limited jamming suppression capabilities. These issues restrict the performance of intra-pulse agile signals in complex electromagnetic environments.This paper proposes an anti-interrupted-sampling repeater jamming method based on Simulated Annealing–2-optimization (SA-2opt) parallel optimization of waveforms and fractional domain extraction. Firstly, the proposed method employs the SA-2opt parallel optimization algorithm to optimize the joint frequency and chirp rate encoding waveform. Then, the received signal is subjected to the fractional Fourier transform (FrFT) and inverse transform to extract the target signal. Finally, jamming detection is conducted based on the multi-dimensional features of the pulse-compressed signal. After this detection, a time-domain filter is constructed to achieve jamming suppression. The optimized waveform exhibits the following advantages: the sub-pulses are orthogonal to each other, and autocorrelation sidelobe levels are as low as -20.7dB. The method proposed in this paper can achieve anti-ISRJ in the case of a high jamming-to-signal ratio (JSR). Simulation experiments validate both the effectiveness of the optimized waveform in achieving low autocorrelation sidelobes and the anti-ISRJ performance of the proposed method. Full article

Background/Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are significant global health issues. Epidemiological studies suggest T2DM increases AD risk, though confounding factors and reverse causality complicate this association. This study aims to clarify the causal relationship between T2DM and AD through a systematic review and meta-analysis of Mendelian randomization (MR) studies and a new two-sample MR analysis. Methods: A literature search across major databases was conducted through May 2024 to identify MR studies linking T2DM and AD. Fixed/random-effect models provided pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and heterogeneity was assessed with the I² statistic. For our MR analysis, we pooled genetic variants from selected studies and analyzed AD outcomes using IGAP, EADB, and UKB databases. Multiple MR methods, including inverse variance weighted (IVW) and pleiotropy–robust approaches, were applied for validation. Results: Of 271 articles, 8 MR studies were included (sample sizes: 68,905 to 788,989), all from European ancestry. Our meta-analysis found no significant causal link between T2DM and AD (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00–1.04) with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 31.3%). Similarly, our MR analysis using 512 SNPs as instrumental variables showed no significant associations in IGAP, EADB, or UKB data, which is consistent across sensitivity analyses. Conclusions: This meta-MR and MR analysis revealed no significant causal association between T2DM and AD, indicating that genetic predisposition to T2DM does not appear to causally influence AD risk, though modifiable clinical or environmental aspects of T2DM may still contribute to neurodegenerative processes. Further research should explore other mechanisms linking these conditions. Full article

Background/Objectives: HIV-related stigma and fear among healthcare professionals represent significant barriers to effective patient care, contributing to delayed diagnosis and suboptimal treatment for people living with HIV (PLHIV). Although these issues have been studied in various settings, there is a lack of evidence on how they manifest among general practitionersin Colombia—a key group in the healthcare system. This study investigated the prevalence of stigma and fear among Colombian general practitioners and identified associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted between February and May 2024, using a self-administered online survey targeting general practitioners. A validated 28-question instrument adapted from the Health Policy Project assessed fear, stigma, and related factors. Results: Among 579 participants, 68.6% exhibited low fear levels; however, specific clinical tasks, such as taking blood samples, elicited greater concern. Stigmatizing beliefs—such as associating HIV with irresponsible behavior—were reported by 25% of participants. Prior training in HIV care was inversely associated with stigma (OR = 0.681; 95% CI: 0.489–0.949), while older age and heterosexual orientation correlated with higher stigma levels. Conclusions: Despite generally low levels of fear and stigma, gaps in HIV-related training among physicians highlight the need for targeted educational initiatives. Promoting comprehensive HIV education in medical curricula and continuing professional development can reduce stigma, enhance confidence in care, and foster a more inclusive healthcare environment. Full article