Search Results (1,415)

Europe’s ageing nuclear fleet creates a growing need for repeated radiological characterisation of contaminated, GPS-denied facilities where human access must be kept to a minimum. However, most deployed robotic systems remain limited to a single platform with a narrow task range. Methods: Building on two earlier conference papers by the authors, this article presents the design, safety engineering and initial field evaluation of the EURATOM project XS-ABILITY, tracing how previous European projects shaped its architecture. The system combines legged, wheeled, rail-based and caged aerial robots equipped with gamma/neutron and beta/gamma instruments. The platforms are coordinated through a ROS 2 architecture supporting distributed SLAM, energy-aware task allocation, risk-aware navigation and a radiological digital twin. A safety and conformity framework consolidates machinery, radiation protection, aviation, cybersecurity and AI regulations, with constraints enforced by a supervisory controller. Results: A campaign at the BR1 and BR3 facilities of SCK CEN, Belgium, in April 2026 evaluated a single wheeled ground platform against criteria fixed before deployment. Radiological and pose streams were paired with a median offset of −8.6 ms and no detectable message loss; LiDAR-only localisation was maintained over a 76 m traverse with the accumulated trajectory error bounded at 0.15 m; and repeat passes agreed to a cloud-to-cloud dispersion of 1.1 cm. Fleet-level coordination, communication reliability, radiation endurance and metrological registration accuracy were not evaluated. Conclusions: The demonstrated capability is integrated single-platform operation at TRL 4–5; coordinated fleet operation remains designed but unvalidated. The forthcoming Ignalina campaign is the next validation step, while supervisory human–robot interaction remains a priority for development. Full article

Mechanical activation (MA), an intensive milling process capable of inducing physicochemical changes in solid materials, was applied to a vanadiferous titanomagnetite (VTM) originating from the Lac Doré Complex, Chibougamau, QC, Canada. The objective of this study was to investigate the structural and microstructural evolution of VTM under intensive milling conditions and the associated changes in particle characteristics, with particular emphasis on X-ray diffraction (XRD) peak intensity and broadening, microstrain, phase composition, particle size, and specific surface area. Mechanical activation was investigated by varying three milling parameters: milling time (5 g powder, 10 Hz, variable milling time), ball-to-powder ratio (variable powder mass, 10 Hz, 15 min), and milling frequency (5 g powder, variable frequency, 15 min). The XRD results reveal significant changes in the diffraction pattern of chamosite, including variations in peak intensity and pronounced peak broadening under the more intensive milling conditions of 5 g powder, 15 Hz, and 15 min. In contrast, the diffraction peaks associated with ilmenite and magnetite became more pronounced, while the calculated microstrain increased. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed substantial changes in particle morphology following mechanical activation. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis further demonstrated an increase in specific surface area with increasing milling frequency, while laser diffraction measurements revealed systematic variations in particle-size distribution among the three experimental series. Overall, the results demonstrate that mechanical activation produces measurable modifications to the mineralogical, structural, microstructural, and particle characteristics of Lac Doré VTM. These findings provide a basis for further investigation of the relationship between milling-induced structural changes, VTM reactivity, and subsequent metal-extraction performance. Full article

Wildfire monitoring using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) provides critical capabilities under challenging atmospheric conditions where optical sensors are limited by smoke and cloud cover. We evaluated Sentinel-1 C-band SAR interferometric coherence for Burned-area detection of the 2017 “Las Máquinas” megafire (Maule, Chile), comparing Ascending (Asc) and Descending (Dsc) orbital geometries processed with the AMSTer InSAR software. Multi-temporal RGB Coherent Change Detection composites were constructed using two interferometric pairs per orbit: the Normalised Differential Activity Index (NDAI, R channel), pre-fire coherence (G channel), and co-event coherence (B channel), clearly delineating the fire scar through red and orange signatures reflecting fire-induced vegetation loss and soil exposure. Seven machine-learning classifiers (Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Decision Tree (DT), Logistic Regression (LR), K-Nearest Neighbours (KNN), Gradient Boosting Classifier (GBC), and XGBoost) were trained on the three-band coherence feature space. For the Ascending orbit, XGBoost achieved the highest performance (OA = 0.9328; F1 = 0.9195) and mapped 143,950 ha (76.2%) as Burned. For the Descending orbit, XGBoost also performed best (OA = 0.9221; F1 = 0.9055) and mapped 144,475 ha (76.5%) as Burned. In this case study, the Ascending geometry performed marginally better than the Descending one; however, the leading classifiers were statistically indistinguishable, indicating that the Burned and Unburned classes are close to linearly separable in the coherence feature space. These results confirm the effectiveness of coherence-based SAR analysis for large-scale wildfire mapping under adverse atmospheric conditions. Full article

This study aimed to elucidate the role of Lactococcus G423 in regulating the AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) signaling pathway and gut microbiota, and to investigate the mechanisms underlying its potential to improve lipid metabolism in broilers. In this trial, 960 one-day-old Arbor Acres (AA) broilers were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group (CON), a low-dose Lactococcus G423 group (Lac-L), and a high-dose Lactococcus G423 group (Lac-H). Each group consisted of eight replicates, with 40 individuals per replicate. Compared with the CON group, the Lac-L and Lac-H groups showed no significant differences in ADFI (Average Daily Feed Intake), ADG (Average Daily Gain), FCR (Feed Conversion Ratio), breast muscle yield, leg muscle yield, or abdominal fat yield (p > 0.05). Compared with the control group, neither Lac-L nor Lac-H affected serum TG (Triglyceride) or LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) levels (p > 0.05). However, both Lac-L and Lac-H significantly decreased serum CHO (Cholesterol) and increased serum HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) (p < 0.05). Regarding the AMPK signaling pathway, both the Lac-L and Lac-H groups significantly downregulated the hepatic mRNA expression of Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) (p < 0.05). The Lac-L groups significantly increased the mRNA expression of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein 1 (SREBP1) (p < 0.05), and the Lac-H groups significantly increased the mRNA expression of Apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1) and Protein kinase B (PKB) (p < 0.05) and significantly reduced the mRNA expression of Fatty acid-binding protein 1 (FABP1) (p < 0.05), compared to the CON group. Gut microbiota analysis indicated that both treatment groups exhibited significantly increased α-diversity indices (p < 0.05) and altered microbial composition at an order level comparable with that of the CON group. Specifically, the abundances of beneficial families such as Lachnospirales and Lactobacillales were elevated, while significant changes were observed in other taxa including Ruminococcaceae and Akkermansiaceae (p < 0.05). These changes corresponded with significant differences in the MDI and GMHI (p < 0.05). In conclusion, Lactococcus G423 may regulate lipid metabolism in broilers through the combined modulation of the AMPK signaling pathway and the gut microbiota. Specifically, Lactococcus G423 appears to regulate broiler lipid metabolism by modulating the gut microbiota–hepatic lipid metabolism axis. Full article

Stem diameter is an important agronomic trait determining plant architecture, lodging resistance and yield formation, yet its cytological and molecular mechanisms in the major cucurbit crop Luffa remain largely unclear. Herein, two Luffa inbred lines, S1174 (Luffa acutangula, thin stem) and P93075 (Luffa cylindrica, thick stem), were analyzed. Dynamic phenotyping uncovered a sigmoidal growth pattern with three key developmental stages: initiation (0 d), rapid growth (6 d), and maturation (20 d), during which P93075 consistently exhibited a significantly larger stem diameter than S1174 from 6 d onward. Anatomical analysis showed that P93075 displayed greater parenchyma cell size and vascular bundle area than S1174, suggesting that stem diameter variation is closely associated with parenchyma cell expansion and vascular bundle enlargement. Transcriptome profiling further identified 2611 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), mainly enriched in cell wall organization, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and hormone signaling pathways. Through temporal expression patterns of shared DEGs across developmental phases and co-expression network analysis, LacEXT3, encoding a cell wall extensin protein, was prioritized as a promising candidate gene associated with stem radial growth. Consistent with its markedly higher expression in P93075, heterologous overexpression of LacEXT3 in Arabidopsis resulted in increased stem diameter accompanied by reduced plant height. Overall, this study provides new insights into the developmental, cytological, and transcriptomic landscape underlying stem diameter variation in Luffa and offers a valuable resource for future investigation of the molecular mechanisms of stem thickening. Full article

Background/Objective: Bone is a mechanically responsive tissue whose trabecular microarchitecture adapts to local functional loading. Whether the presence of an unerupted, unilateral, vertically impacted mandibular third molar is associated with detectable local physiological remodeling of the adjacent trabecular bone has not been well characterized. This study compared the trabecular bone fractal dimension (FD) adjacent to unilateral vertically impacted mandibular third molars with the corresponding contralateral mandibular region, using standardized regions of interest (ROIs) on panoramic radiographs from an open-access dataset. Methods: Fifty panoramic radiographs meeting predefined inclusion criteria were retrieved from the publicly available m-TM (Mandibular Third Molar) dataset in a split-mouth design. Two standardized 64 × 64-pixel ROIs were placed adjacent to the impacted third molar and at the corresponding contralateral region. Image preprocessing and box-counting fractal analysis were performed in ImageJ (version 1.54g; National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA) with the FracLac plugin for ImageJ (version 2015Sep09; A. Karperien, Charles Sturt University, Australia). Normality was assessed with the Shapiro–Wilk test; paired comparisons used a paired-samples t-test. Results: Mean FD adjacent to the impacted side was 1.449 ± 0.144, compared with 1.447 ± 0.136 on the contralateral control side. Paired differences were normally distributed (W = 0.963, p = 0.113). No statistically significant difference was found between sides (mean difference = 0.0019, 95% CI: −0.021 to 0.025; t (49) = 0.168, p = 0.867). The narrow confidence interval argues against a measurable undetected difference, although no established clinical-meaningfulness threshold exists for fractal dimension and formal equivalence testing was not performed; as a secondary, standardized effect-size measure, Cohen’s d was negligible but imprecisely estimated (d = 0.024, 95% CI: −0.254 to 0.301). Conclusions: Within the resolution of two-dimensional panoramic fractal analysis, no detectable difference in fractal dimension was observed between the region adjacent to a unilateral vertically impacted mandibular third molar and the contralateral region. This finding is consistent with the possibility that an impacted, functionally unloaded tooth provides insufficient mechanical stimulus to elicit a radiographically detectable change by this method, an interpretation discussed in relation to Wolff’s law and mechanotransduction-based bone physiology but not directly tested in this study. Full article

Dysregulation of the microbiota–gut–brain axis has been implicated in Parkinson’s disease (PD), and modulation of the intestinal microbiota may offer a complementary nutritional approach. This study evaluated the preventive attenuation of MPTP-induced PD-like abnormalities by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SHOU LAC-1 and examined associated microbiota–gut–brain axis-related changes. Forty male C57BL/6J mice were allocated to Control, MPTP, L-DOPA, and SHOU LAC-1 groups (n = 10 per group). SHOU LAC-1 was orally administered at 1 × 10⁹ CFU per mouse per day for 42 days, with MPTP administered during the final 14 days; L-DOPA was administered during the MPTP-treatment period as a positive control. Motor performance and defecatory parameters, nigrostriatal TH and α-SYN immunoreactivity, neurotrophic-support-related gene expression, inflammatory markers, glial-cell-related gene expression, Nrf2-related antioxidant gene expression, colonic histopathology and tight-junction-related gene expression, gut microbiota composition, and serum metabolic profiles were assessed. Compared with MPTP-treated mice, SHOU LAC-1-treated mice showed better motor and defecatory performance, partial preservation of nigrostriatal TH immunoreactivity, reduced α-SYN immunoreactivity, increased neurotrophic-support-related gene expression, lower central and colonic inflammatory markers and glial-cell-related gene expression, increased Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1-related antioxidant gene expression, and comparatively better-preserved colonic morphology with higher tight-junction-related gene expression. 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted serum metabolomics further showed that SHOU LAC-1 administration was accompanied by changes in gut microbial diversity and composition and serum metabolic profiles. Overall, under this preventive experimental design, SHOU LAC-1 administration was associated with attenuation of multiple MPTP-induced PD-like abnormalities, accompanied by changes in gut microbial and serum metabolic profiles. These preclinical findings are predominantly associative; causal relationships among microbial, metabolic, intestinal, and neurological changes remain to be established, and the translational relevance of SHOU LAC-1 requires further validation. Full article

In this study, the effect of data augmentation on machine learning (ML) models that predict the natural frequency of human long bones from the spectrogram of bone-conducted sound was investigated. Bone-conducted sound was recorded from the tibia of 45 healthy university students using a custom-developed hammering device. Short-Time Fourier Transform (STFT) was applied to the recorded sounds to generate spectrograms, from which six ML models were examined to predict the natural frequency. Ground-truth natural frequency was defined as peak values identified from Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) spectra obtained by recorded waveforms of sounds. Data augmentation was performed by shifting bone-conducted sound waveforms, expanded to 5 levels, i.e., 3-fold (3×) to 11-fold (11×). All models showed improved accuracy by data augmentations compared to the original dataset, with a particularly substantial improvement observed in many models when the dataset was expanded from the original to the 3× level. Among the ML models examined here, DenseNet-121 with 11× data augmentation achieved the lowest MAE and the highest R² (10.00 ± 2.27 Hz; R² = 0.927 ± 0.046), followed by PeleeNet, which is constructed on a lightweight DenseNet architecture, with 7× data augmentation (MAE = 10.37 ± 2.91 Hz, R² = 0.920 ± 0.059). Full article

Iron (Fe) deficiency and cadmium (Cd) contamination often co-occur in agricultural systems, yet the way in which Fe deficiency modulates Cd translocation remains unclear. Here, we investigated root cell wall modifications mediating Cd accumulation in two peanut cultivars with contrasting Fe deficiency tolerance. Fe deficiency significantly increased root Cd concentrations in both cultivars but reduced Cd translocation to shoots, an effect more pronounced in the tolerant cultivar Silihong. Cell wall analysis revealed cultivar-specific compositional changes: pectin and cellulose increased under combined Cd exposure and Fe deficiency, while hemicellulose (HC1) decreased. Negative correlations between Fe and Cd accumulation in roots, cell walls, and their components indicate competition between these two metal ions for binding sites in root cell walls. Increased pectin content under combined stress enhances Cd sequestration, while reduced HC1 content facilitates Fe mobilization to shoots. Transcriptomic analysis identified hub genes associated with cell wall modification, including pectinesterases (PME2/4/29/63), beta-galactosidases (BGAL3/5/8), polygalacturonases (PGs), pectin acetylesterases (PAE8), xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolases (XTH8/31) and laccases (LAC7/11/15). Under combined stress, Silihong exhibited superior Cd immobilization, characterized by higher Cd accumulation in HC1 and cellulose fractions, stronger induction of PME, PAE8 and LAC genes, and greater suppression of XTHs, PGs, and BGALs. Our findings demonstrate that Fe deficiency restricts Cd translocation by remodeling root cell walls, increasing pectin and cellulose while modulating hemicellulose integrity, thereby creating an expanded apoplastic reservoir that traps Cd. This structural detoxification mechanism, operating downstream of uptake transporters, identifies key cell wall components and regulatory genes as potential targets for breeding peanut cultivars with improved food safety. Full article

Foot muscles contribute to impact attenuation and propulsion during running, yet the effects of repeated toe-flexor contractions and associated strength loss on running biomechanics remain poorly understood. The primary objective of this randomized crossover study was to investigate the acute effects of repeated concentric and isometric toe-flexor contractions on hallux flexion strength, used as an index of fatigue; secondary analyses examined running ground-reaction-force outcomes. Nineteen recreationally active adults completed two interventions one week apart: concentric toe-flexor contractions and isometric toe-flexor contractions combined with electrical stimulation of the medial longitudinal arch. Hallux flexion strength and ground reaction forces during treadmill running at 9 and 12 km·h⁻¹ were assessed before and after each intervention. The concentric protocol reduced hallux flexion strength by 20%, whereas the isometric protocol did not. None of the hypothesis-driven running biomechanical outcomes, including contact duration, impact peak force, active peak force, and vertical stiffness, changed significantly after either protocol. Exploratory secondary analyses suggested changes in selected leg stiffness and impulse variables. In recreationally active adults, repeated concentric toe-flexor contractions induced measurable neuromuscular fatigue, whereas the isometric protocol did not significantly reduce hallux flexion strength; biomechanical changes were limited to exploratory outcomes. Full article

The phenoloxidase gene Laccase2 (Lac2) is an indispensable survival gene in insects, playing key roles in cuticle tanning, exoskeleton development and pigment deposition. However, in lepidopteran insects, the roles of Lac2 in mandibular development and feeding behavior remain largely unexplored. In this study, we demonstrated that Lac2 is essential for mandibular development in early larvae of the model lepidopteran, the silkworm, Bombyx mori. We cloned and characterized BmLac2 and found that it is evolutionarily conserved in lepidopteran insects. Disruption of BmLac2 via CRISPR/Cas9 system induced mandibular defects, which directly impaired larval feeding behavior and culminated in developmental arrest and larval mortality. Moreover, knockout of BmLac2 led to dopamine accumulation during the dormancy stage, but the dopamine level returned to normal after molting, without altering feeding motivation in mutant larvae. Furthermore, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analyses revealed that loss of BmLac2 affected the expression of genes associated with cuticular formation and immunity, also contributing to larval mortality alongside feeding defects. Altogether, BmLac2-mediated mandibular development and cuticular melanization play key roles in regulating feeding behavior and immunity in early-stage silkworm larvae, making this gene a potential target for early intervention against lepidopteran pests. Full article

Although pericarp browning is a major postharvest challenge in litchi fruit, the browning behavior of the aril and seeds remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate tissue-specific browning and the underlying mechanisms. Mature litchi fruit were separated into pericarp, aril, and cut seed, stored at 25 °C. Browning occurred predominantly in the pericarp and seeds, while aril showed no visible browning. The pericarp exhibited greater increases in electrolyte leakage (REL) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content than the aril and seeds. The pericarp and seed were rich in total phenolics, flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins (PAs), all of which declined in both the pericarp and seed during browning, whereas PAs were nearly undetectable in aril. Notably, epicatechin (EC) content was higher in the pericarp than in the seed, while catechin (CT) was abundant in seed but absent in pericarp. Laccase (LAC) and peroxidase (POD) activities, along with transcript levels of LcLAC14-4/5, LcLAC7, and LcPOD3, were substantially higher in the pericarp than in the seed, and barely detectable in aril. The results indicate that tissue-specific browning in litchi fruit is associated with enzymatic oxidation of PA-associated phenolics in the pericarp and seeds, offering a mechanistic target for postharvest preservation. Further studies should explore the biosynthetic regulation of PAs in the pericarp and seeds. Full article

High carbonate alkalinity (CA) is a major constraint on shrimp culture in saline–alkaline waters. The hepatopancreas is central to shrimp immunity and metabolic regulation. Litopenaeus vannamei underwent a 7-day exposure period to 5 mmol/L CA, followed by a subsequent 7-day recovery phase after removal of the stressor. The physiological regulatory mechanism of the hepatopancreas during CA stress and recovery was investigated by integrating multiple biological levels including histomorphology, antioxidant and immune indices, energy metabolism, and metabolite profiles. Results showed that CA stress induced structural changes in the hepatopancreas and triggered stress responses. Specifically, a significant upregulation was observed in genes involved in antioxidation (romo1, nrf2, gpx, hsp70), apoptosis (casp-9, casp-3), endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress (ire1, xbp1), immune defense (alf, crus, pen-3, lys, propo), and detoxification (cyp450). CA stress also increased osmoregulatory genes (ccp, nhe, ca, aqp, vatp, nka-β, nka-α), whereas clc and tip4 were suppressed. CA stress reduced the levels of energy-metabolism-related biochemical indicators, including glucose (GLU), pyruvic acid (PYR), lactic acid (LAC) and triglycerides (TG), while markedly inducing the expression of genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism (ldh, pdh, hk, pk), lipid metabolism (ampk, srebp, fas), the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle (mdh, cs, idh, odh, sdh, fh), and the electron transport chain (ETC) (ndh, cytc, coi, cco, atph). Moreover, the hepatopancreatic metabolic profile was remodeled, especially “phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis” and the metabolism of β-alanine, arachidonic acid, linoleic acid, and sphingolipids being substantially altered during both the stress and recovery phases. Several functional metabolites linked to stress responses were further pinpointed. Following stress relief, some physiological parameters partially recovered, yet overall function failed to return to normal. Collectively, CA stress compromised hepatopancreatic homeostasis by damaging morphological integrity, eliciting stress and immune responses, and perturbing energy metabolism and metabolite homeostasis; these adverse effects were not readily reversible in the short term. Full article

Background: Precision nutrition and nutrigenomics have emerged as promising strategies to personalize dietary interventions according to individual genetic, metabolic, and molecular characteristics. However, the potential of nutrigenomic-guided nutraceutical interventions to modulate biological aging pathways remains poorly characterized. Objective: This study aimed to map and synthesize the available evidence from human studies evaluating personalized nutraceutical interventions based on nutrigenomic approaches and their effects on biomarkers associated with biological aging. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for studies published between 2021 and 2026. Eligible studies included adults aged ≥18 years receiving personalized nutraceutical interventions informed by genetic, genomic, metabolomic, or other molecular data. Outcomes included biomarkers of cellular aging, inflammation, oxidative stress, immunometabolism, and related pathways. Results: Twenty-one studies were included. Interventions involved omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, Nigella sativa, vitamin D, methyl-donor micronutrients, fermented papaya preparation, and other nutraceutical preparations and functional food-based interventions. Four major themes emerged: multi-omic stratification approaches, biological aging biomarkers, redox-inflammatory modulation, and applications in metabolic disorders. Most studies demonstrated favorable effects on intermediate molecular biomarkers, including inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress markers, lipid metabolism, endothelial function, and DNA methylation signatures. However, evidence directly demonstrating slowing of biological aging through validated biomarkers such as epigenetic clocks or telomere dynamics remains limited. Conclusions: Personalized nutraceutical interventions exhibit biological plausibility for modulating pathways associated with healthy aging. Nevertheless, robust longitudinal studies incorporating validated biomarkers of biological aging and clinically meaningful outcomes are needed before their widespread implementation in precision medicine. Full article

Sonic hedgehog (SHH) expression by nucleus pulposus (NP) cells is important for intervertebral disc development and maintenance. The lumbosacral disc, the most immobile region of the spine, lies adjacent to the sacrum and is most vulnerable to degeneration. We hypothesized that a lack of mobility represses SHH expression by NP cells, leading to degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc. To test this hypothesis, we employed a Shh-LacZ reporter mouse and a tail-loop surgical model of constant compression and immobility. Using a comprehensive level-by-level analysis, we first determined the coccygeal level most affected by geometric and histopathological changes. We next determined the effects of constant compression and immobility on the subset of SHH-expressing cells compared with sham controls. Multiplex qPCR analysis validated a decline in Shh and its target Gli1 expression by NP cells in the tail-looped discs that was associated with an increase in Piezo1 expression compared to sham controls. In summary, the findings support a model in which restricted mobility and sustained compression in lumbosacral discs accelerate pathology by prematurely silencing developmental signaling programs, such as SHH, required for NP homeostasis. Full article