Search Results (11,911)

Accurate GNSS timing is fundamental to Power Time Synchronization Systems (PTSS). However, conventional substation infrastructures remain vulnerable to sophisticated spoofing attacks. In this research, a sensing-assisted array antenna-based spoofing mitigation method is proposed. The proposed architecture operates at the signal front-end and incorporates a dedicated spoofing sensing path to estimate the Direction-of-Arrival (DoA) of malicious signals, enabling adaptive null steering while preserving authentic satellite reception. To provide reliable spatial reference for DoA estimation, a unified high-precision attitude determination method is developed for compact 10 cm-scale array antennas under single-frequency and environmental error conditions. The method integrates the Constrained Least-squares AMBiguity Decorrelation Adjustment (C-LAMBDA)-based constrained ambiguity resolution, redundant antenna element-based vertical accuracy enhancement, and iterative refinement to mitigate centimeter-level environmental biases. Semi-simulated experiments demonstrate that the proposed method achieves baseline vector Root Mean Square Errors (RMSE) below 5 mm in horizontal components and approximately 10 mm in vertical components. The resulting attitude accuracies reach 2° in heading, 6° in pitch, and 4° in roll, while eliminating over 80% of systematic environmental phase errors with an average convergence within 6 iterations. These results satisfy the spatial accuracy requirements for effective spoofing suppression and front-end signal purification. Consequently, a robust technical approach is established for enhancing the anti-spoofing capabilities of PTSS without modifying existing infrastructure. Full article

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain quality is a critical determinant of market value, consumer acceptance, and nutritional security. This multifaceted trait is governed by the dynamic interaction of genotype (G), environment (E), and management practices (M). In this review, we synthesize recent advances in understanding these multifaceted determinants. We first delineate the genetic architecture, emphasizing key genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) such as Wx, ALK, Chalk5, and the GS3/GW families, which control starch composition, gelatinization temperature, chalkiness, and grain dimensions, forming the foundational blueprint for quality potential. We examine how this genetic potential is influenced by environmental factors, focusing on the detrimental impacts of abiotic stresses, particularly high temperatures during grain filling and drought, which impair milling yield, increase chalkiness, and modify starch and protein profiles. Furthermore, we discuss how optimized agronomic strategies—including precision water management (e.g., alternate wetting and drying), balanced nitrogen fertilization, and targeted micronutrient (e.g., silicon) application—can mitigate these adverse effects and potentially improve specific quality parameters. Post-harvest handling is identified as the final determinant of product quality. We conclude that achieving high and stable rice quality under climate variability requires an integrated G × E × M approach. Prospects include next-generation breeding for climate-resilient quality, precision agronomy guided by real-time sensing, synergistic soil health management, and the integration of systems biology with digital agriculture to design sustainable, high-quality rice production systems. Full article

The complex flow behavior of the metal around the stirring tool during welding directly determines the microstructural evolution, defect formation, and mechanical properties of the welded joint, and thus becomes the core physical process affecting welding quality and process stability. In this study, to characterize the three-dimensional material flow behavior of AZ31 magnesium (Mg) alloy during friction stir welding (FSW), conventional metallographic sectioning was adopted as the primary observation method, and copper foil was used as the marker material. The flow trajectories of the materials after welding were investigated via three configurations of the marker material. The results indicate that three typical characteristic zones exist along the vertical direction, which are the shoulder-affected zone (SAZ), the pin-affected zone (PAZ), and the swirl zone from top to bottom. Specifically, the material in the SAZ is dominated by laminar flow; the PAZ exhibits complex mixed-flow characteristics; while the swirl zone shows an obvious rotational flow pattern. Based on the principles of material mechanics and fluid mechanics, a force-flow coupled “simple flow model around a rotating cylinder” was proposed, which defines three flow modes corresponding to the different characteristic zones within the weld. Full article

Ultrasound enables radiation-free longitudinal monitoring of scoliosis, but rib shadowing and speckle noise often obscure vertebral structures. Current deep-learning methods present results in terms of localisation accuracy, without directly measuring anatomical completeness. We introduce a vertebra-level completeness model that includes a YOLO-based detection framework and an explicit representation of completeness, the Vertebra Presence Matrix (VPM). The VPM provides visibility into detections across 17 ordinal vertebral levels (T1–T12, L1–L5), allowing us to measure completeness across anatomy rather than just detections. Thoracolumbar ultrasound scans were annotated and divided into train/test sets using a patient-wise split to avoid data leakage. Four model variants were evaluated, including full-spine and vertebra-centric crop representations with single-class and 17-class detection heads. The full-spine detector was less stable in regions of high anatomical variability, such as the upper thoracic and lower lumbar spine. Crops of individual vertebrae were more stable under partial fields of view. The 17-class crop model achieved an mAP50 of 0.929 and a scan-level completeness score of 0.74 using the VPM. These results demonstrate that vertebral completeness can be explicitly quantified and integrated with localisation-based metrics for completeness-aware automated scoliosis evaluation. Full article

Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) is caused by the SFTS virus (SFTSV) and is associated with a high mortality rate. Although previous studies have reported RNA modifications such as m6A on SFTSV RNA, an integrated analysis of native viral transcript architecture and multiple RNA modification types within infected cells remains lacking. Here, we used Oxford Nanopore direct RNA sequencing (DRS) to analyze native SFTSV RNA in infected cells, combining strand-specific alignment, isoform reconstruction through read endpoint clustering, isoform-level quantification, and signal-level modification identification using unmodified in vitro transcripts as a baseline. This approach allowed us to construct detailed maps of the L, M, and bidirectionally encoded S segments at single-molecule, isoform-level resolution. The results reveal a “length-layering” pattern in SFTSV transcription, anchored by recurrent 3′ termination hotspots: only a few full-length transcripts dominate expression, whereas multiple reproducible truncated isoforms were associated with discrete termination windows, a pattern less consistent with random degradation alone and suggestive of regulated transcript termination. At the single-nucleotide level, the modification landscape is predominantly Ψ (pseudouridine), followed by m⁵C (5-methylcytosine), with sparse m⁶A (N6-methyladenosine). Modification hotspots are co-located across isoforms at the same genomic coordinates, exhibiting segmental/strand asymmetry, with sharper peaks on (−) RNA. These patterns provide a testable framework and raise the possibility that transcript-boundary organization and site-constrained Ψ/m5C signals may be associated with variation in viral RNA output. More broadly, isoform proportions around termination hotspots and Ψ/m5C-enriched regions at conserved sites may serve as quantitative features for characterizing viral RNA organization and prioritizing targets for future functional investigation. Our single-molecule integrated map establishes a reproducible methodological framework for studying SFTSV RNA regulation and provides a resource for future work aimed at assessing how transcript boundaries and RNA modification patterns may relate to polymerase activity and virus–host interaction. Full article

We explored the application of spatial information technology in the assessment and optimization of cultural heritage resources within traditional settlements in Meizhou City, a core area of Hakka culture in China. By integrating methods such as geographic information systems and Kernel density estimation, it systematically evaluates the spatial distribution and socioeconomic conditions of these settlements. A multi-criteria evaluation model is constructed to quantify resource endowment across cultural, historical, and ecological dimensions, with particular emphasis on key factors influencing conservation effectiveness, such as infrastructure and economic vitality. Combining field investigations and literature review, we propose adaptive reuse strategies and policy recommendations to enhance settlement resilience and balance cultural preservation with regional development. Their expected outcomes include the engineering of a multidimensional geographic database for traditional settlements, the establishment of a spatial decision-support framework for heritage infrastructure conservation, and the development of systematic optimization protocols integrated with China’s rural revitalization technical policies. These results provide a computational and methodological foundation for interdisciplinary research in sustainable cultural heritage management and smart rural engineering. Full article

Road transportation is a major contributor to global CO₂ emissions, yet the influence of road geometry on vehicular emissions remains insufficiently quantified under real-world conditions. This study investigates the effects of horizontal and vertical alignments on CO₂ emissions of a light-duty gasoline passenger vehicle using Portable Emissions Measurement System (PEMS) data collected along a 62.4 km highway section. Six geometric parameters longitudinal grade, cross slope, horizontal curve radius, horizontal curve length, vertical curve radius, and vertical curve length were analyzed in combination with second-by-second vehicle dynamics. The results indicate that transient CO₂ emissions exhibit substantial variability, with instantaneous emission rates exceeding 7.0 g/s under high-load conditions. Longitudinal slope gradient shows the strongest linear association with emission rate (r = 0.63), while speed and acceleration exhibit weaker but statistically significant correlations (r = 0.21 and r = 0.28, respectively). Vehicle Specific Power (VSP), representing integrated tractive power demand, demonstrates stronger association with instantaneous CO₂ emissions than individual kinematic variables. In contrast, cross slope and horizontal curvature parameters display minimal direct correlations under the tested highway conditions. A nonlinear polynomial regression model modestly improves explanatory performance relative to a linear formulation (R² = 0.21 versus 0.15; RMSE approximately 56 g/km), although a substantial portion of variability remains unexplained, reflecting the complexity of transient real-world processes. Overall, vertical alignment and transient driving conditions dominate CO₂ emission variability, while horizontal parameters play supplementary roles. These findings provide empirical evidence for refining emission models and highlight the importance of incorporating vertical alignment into sustainable roadway design and carbon reduction strategies. Full article

As an extremely toxic heavy metal, lead is difficult to be degraded in the environment, and its curing and disposal is a key challenge in environmental pollution control. In this study, supersulfated cement (SSC) prepared from phosphogypsum, granulated blast furnace slag powder, and slaked lime as raw materials was used as curing cementitious material, and the curing effect and curing mechanism of SSC on lead ions were investigated by adopting testing methods such as compressive strength, electrical resistivity, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), heavy metal ion leaching toxicity analysis, and ion concentration analysis of pore solutions. The results show that with an increase in Pb²⁺ concentration, the compressive strength of the SSC-cured paste gradually decreased, the electrical resistivity was obviously reduced, and the generation of hydration products was inhibited. The microanalysis results show that the microstructure of the cured paste became loose, and the concentration of lead ions in the SSC leach solution gradually increased, but it was much lower than the limit value stipulated in Chinese standards. Full article

Task scheduling for vehicle–crane coordination is crucial for the operational efficiency of electrified automated container terminals (ACTs). However, under fully shared dispatching, existing studies rarely capture how charging-induced capacity fluctuations disrupt bidirectional service–arrival matching and propagate service-window shifts. To address this gap, this study proposes a comprehensive spatio-temporal optimization approach. Firstly, a bi-objective model is established to minimize service–arrival mismatch and vehicle energy consumption under state-of-charge (SOC) and charger-capacity constraints, explicitly quantifying vehicle–crane alignment at both handling interfaces. Secondly, an enhanced multi-objective algorithm (ST-NSGA-II) is developed, integrating a feasibility-preserving recursive decoding mechanism and a spatio-temporal variable neighborhood search (VNS) procedure. Finally, numerical experiments demonstrate that ST-NSGA-II significantly reduces mismatch and energy consumption compared to standard NSGA-II in large-scale scenarios. It also outperforms MOEA/D in Pareto-set quality, yielding a higher hypervolume (1.301 vs. 0.960) and a lower Spacing value (0.102 vs. 0.185). The results demonstrate that the proposed spatio-temporal optimization approach can effectively reduce handover mismatch compared to conventional scheduling modes, thereby achieving seamless task scheduling for vehicle–crane coordination. Full article

Malathion (MLT) is an organophosphate pesticide widely used worldwide. Due to its environmental persistence and accumulation in living organisms, concerns have been raised regarding its potential health effects beyond the classical mechanism of cholinergic inhibition, particularly its impact on immune function. In this study, we aimed to systematically evaluate the immunotoxicity of MLT in mice and identify the lowest-observed-adverse-effect level (LOAEL) for immunotoxic effects. Key parameters assessed included body and organ weights, hematological and clinical chemistry profiles, histopathological changes, and immune function indicators. The results showed that exposure to MLT, particularly at low and intermediate doses, led to a significant increase in thymus weight, along with marked reductions in interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels, neutrophils, polychromatic erythroblasts, and monocyte lineage cells. Histological examination revealed atrophy of splenic white pulp, indicating immunopathological alterations predominantly at these dose levels. In contrast, immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels increased in a dose-dependent manner, possibly reflecting a compensatory humoral response to the observed suppression of cellular immune components. Meanwhile, the plaque-forming cell (PFC) response exhibited a dose-dependent trend but was significantly inhibited only at the highest dose, suggesting a complex, non-linear effect on humoral immunity. Based on significant alterations in thymus weight, cellular immune parameters, and splenic histopathology observed at the lowest dose tested (16 mg/kg bw), this value was preliminarily identified as the LOAEL for MLT-induced immunotoxicity in mice. Full article

In this study, a novel reverse friction stir processing (FSP) was adopted to investigate the effects of multi-pass reverse FSP on the microstructure, microhardness, bonding strength, and tribological properties of NiCrBSi coatings deposited on 6061-T6 aluminum alloy via atmospheric plasma spraying (APS). The results demonstrate that reverse FSP effectively eliminates pores, unmelted particles, and interlamellar defects in the as-sprayed coating without causing mechanical damage to the coating surface inside the processed zone. With an increase in processing passes, a micron-scale diffusion zone forms at the coating/substrate interface, transforming the bonding mechanism from mechanical interlocking to metallurgical bonding. Mechanical property tests reveal that compared with the as-sprayed state, the microhardness and tensile bonding strength of the three-pass FSPed coating are increased by 26.0% and 171.1%, respectively, indicating significantly improved mechanical properties. Tribological tests demonstrate that the main wear mechanism of the as-sprayed coating is severe abrasive wear. After multi-pass FSP, the wear mechanism of the coating transforms into a mixed wear mechanism. Among them, the FSP3 coating exhibits mild abrasive wear accompanied by local adhesive wear. Full article

Age-related muscle decline is associated with impaired mitochondrial bioenergetics, altered redox signaling, and reduced myogenic capacity, yet how photobiomodulation (PBM) source characteristics shape these processes under replicative aging remains unclear. Here, we investigated source-specific PBM responses in C2C12 myoblasts using a 660 nm light-emitting diode (LED) and an 830 nm near-infrared (NIR) laser across fluence ranges and replicative stages. Single-cell screening performed at passage 25 identified 5 J/cm² as the optimal fluence for both sources, producing biphasic increases in mitochondrial membrane potential and ROS. Population-level assays in young (≤5 passages) and old (≥30 passages) cells revealed divergent downstream outcomes. LED irradiation elicited stronger metabolic activation and ATP production, particularly in aged cells, whereas NIR irradiation robustly enhanced myogenic fusion in both age groups and partially rescued differentiation deficits in aged myoblasts. Bulk ROS increased significantly after PBM independent of source, while extracellular vesicle release displayed age-dependent source sensitivity, with NIR favoring canonical small EV populations in young cells and LED inducing greater particle release in aged cells. Together, these findings demonstrate that PBM engages conserved mitochondrial signaling while source-specific delivery and wavelength differentially direct metabolic, paracrine, and myogenic outputs under replicative aging conditions. Full article

When two floating bodies are engaged in side-by-side operations, gap resonance is prone to occur. This phenomenon leads to violent, large-amplitude fluid motions inside the gap, posing a serious threat to operational safety. To address this issue, the present study establishes a numerical wave tank based on a two-way coupled potential–viscous flow method. In the vicinity of the floating bodies, viscous flow is solved to capture nonlinear effects; in the far field, a potential flow solver is employed to simulate wave propagation. Information exchange between the two domains is achieved through a two-way coupling strategy involving coupling interfaces and relaxation zones. Then, the numerical method is validated by simulating the gap wave elevation and the sway motion of a floating body under regular waves, with computed results compared against experimental data. Subsequently, to reveal the distinct roles of fixed and moving bodies in modulating gap resonance behavior, the hydrodynamic interactions between two identical floating bodies in regular waves are investigated under two representative configurations, one in which both bodies remain fully fixed, and another in which the upstream body is held fixed while the downstream body is allowed coupled motion in three degrees of freedom. The results demonstrate that the multi-degree-of-freedom (DOF) motion of the downstream floating body has a significant effect on the behavior of the resonance frequency and amplitude of the gap resonance. Full article

Background: Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) is a common and life-threatening bloodstream infection often caused by methicillin-resistant SA (MRSA) isolates. Up to 35% of SAB patients fail to clear infection with gold-standard anti-MRSA antibiotics, even if the isolate meets susceptibility breakpoints in conventional assays in vitro. Such outcomes are termed persistent and may involve small colony variant (SCV) adaptation of SA in vivo. Methods: In this study, we assessed virulence phenotypes and mechanisms in persistent (PB) vs. resolving (RB) MRSA isolates from SAB. Results: Overall, PB isolates caused less hemolysis or biofilm formation than RB isolates, but proteolysis was equivalent. Attenuation of these virulence phenotypes increased longitudinally during the course of SAB. Although PB vs. RB isolates had similar human endothelial cell invasion rates, PB isolates more frequently formed SCVs intracellularly and inversely correlated with pH. Study PB and RB isolates exhibited distinct susceptibilities to prototypic human host defense peptides (HDPs), which were influenced by antibiotics and pH. Furthermore, mechanistic signatures of HDPs differed between PB and RB isolates. Conclusions: Together, these results reveal that MRSA isolates from PB vs. RB outcomes of SAB have differential virulence profiles that suggest coordinated immune subversion in PB. Understanding MRSA adaptations that promote persistence in SAB may enable innovative agents and strategies to address these challenging infections. Full article

In colorectal cancer (CRC), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and the fibrotic stroma generate form a dense stromal barrier that restricts the intratumoural exposure and spatial distribution of oxaliplatin. To enable local stromal remodelling of this pathological stromal compartment, we selected fibroblast activation protein (FAP) as a stromal target and co-assembled two amphiphilic conjugates, oncoFAP and retinoic acid (RA), into an FAP-directed RA nanoformulation termed LRA^FAP. LRA^FAP exhibited a uniform size distribution (107.1 ± 5.8 nm), remained stable for at least 7 d at 37 °C in PBS or serum-containing PBS, and showed accelerated esterase-responsive release. In a TGF-β-induced CAF-like model, LRA^FAP markedly suppressed the expression of CAF activation-associated markers, reducing Fap and Acta2 mRNA levels by approximately 70% and 60%, respectively. In vivo, LRA^FAP showed enhanced accumulation in CAF-enriched tumours and an increase in intratumoural oxaliplatin levels of approximately 2.5-fold relative to oxaliplatin alone. LRA^FAP also reduced collagen deposition and CAF activation markers, and enhanced the antitumour efficacy of oxaliplatin while maintaining good tolerability. Collectively, these findings indicate that LRA^FAP promotes local stromal remodelling and improves intratumoural oxaliplatin exposure, thereby enhancing the efficacy of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in CRC. Full article