Search Results (6,013)

Lane detection is a fundamental component of perception systems in autonomous driving. Despite significant progress in this area, existing methods still face challenges in complex scenarios such as abnormal weather, occlusions, and curved roads. These situations typically demand the integration of both the global semantic context and local visual features to predict the lane position and shape. This paper presents ORANet, an enhanced lane detection framework built upon the baseline CLRNet. ORANet incorporates two novel modules: Enhanced Coordinate Attention (EnCA) and Channel–Spatial Shuffle Attention (CSSA). EnCA models long-range lane structures while effectively capturing global semantic information, whereas CSSA strengthens the precise extraction of local features and provides optimized inputs for EnCA. These components operate in hierarchical synergy, collectively establishing a complete enhancement pathway from refined local feature extraction to efficient global feature fusion. The experimental results demonstrate that ORANet achieves greater performance stability than CLRNet in complex roadway scenarios. Notably, under shadow conditions, ORANet achieves an F1 score improvement of nearly 3% over CLRNet. These results highlight the potential of ORANet for reliable lane detection in real-world autonomous driving environments. Full article

This study reconstructs seven decades (1949–2019) of morphodynamic changes and sediment dynamics in the Diable River (Québec, Canada) using nine series of aerial photographs, a high-resolution LiDAR Digital Elevation Model (2021), and grain-size analysis. The objectives were to document long-term river evolution, quantify erosion and deposition, and evaluate sediment connectivity between eroding sandy bluffs and depositional zones. Planform analysis and sediment budgets derived from DEMs of Difference (DoD) reveal an oscillatory trajectory characterized by alternating phases of sediment export and temporary stabilization, rather than a simple trend of degradation or aggradation. The most dynamic interval (1980–2001) was marked by widespread meander migration and the largest net export (−142.5 m³/km/year), whereas the 2001–2007 interval showed net storage (+70.8 m³/km/year) and short-term geomorphic recovery. More recent floods (2017, 2019; 20–50-year return periods) induced localized but persistent sediment loss, underlining the structuring role of extreme events. Grain-size results indicate partial connectivity: coarse fractions tend to remain in local depositional features, while finer sediments are preferentially exported downstream. These findings emphasize the geomorphic value of temporary sediment sinks (bars, beaches) and highlight the need for adaptive river management strategies that integrate sediment budgets and local knowledge into floodplain governance. Full article

Importance: Understanding trends in the use of hormonal therapy (HT) for prostate cancer (PCa) is crucial to optimize treatment strategies, particularly for older men with locally advanced and metastatic disease. Objective: To evaluate changes in the patterns of adjuvant and primary HT use over time in older U.S. men diagnosed with locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study utilized SEER-Medicare data, which covers approximately 48% of the U.S. population and links cancer registry data with Medicare claims, including 149,515 men aged ≥66 years diagnosed with PCa between 2010 and 2019. We analyzed trends in the use of adjuvant HT for higher-risk and primary HT for lower-risk PCa. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to adjust for clinical and demographic factors. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the proportion of men receiving any form of HT within 6 months of PCa diagnosis. HT included injectable Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and antagonists, orchiectomy, and anti-androgens agents. Results: The rate of adjuvant HT in higher-risk PCa patients increased significantly from 53.6% in 2010 to 68.1% in 2019 (p < 0.0001), with a steady rise in the last four years. In contrast, the rate of men with lower-risk disease receiving primary HT declined from 25% in 2010 to 16.9% in 2013, then peaked at 28.2% in 2015, and stabilized between 25% and 27.3% from 2017 to 2019. The overall HT usage increased from 33.5% in 2010 to 45.2% in 2019, showing a consistent increase over the years. These patterns persisted after adjusting for clinical and demographic factors. Conclusions and Relevance: The increasing use of adjuvant HT in higher-risk PCa patients aligns with evolving treatment guidelines, while the stable rate of primary HT in lower-risk patients represents persistent inappropriate use and highlights the need for further efforts to optimize treatment choices. While previous studies focused on men with intermediate-risk PCa receiving radiation therapy, our study broadens the scope to include men who did not undergo radiation therapy, providing a more inclusive view of HT trends. Future research should focus on refining strategies to reduce inappropriate primary HT use and improve adjuvant HT administration. Full article

The rapid integration of renewable energy sources into modern power systems has exacerbated power quality challenges, particularly broadband oscillation phenomena that threaten grid symmetry and stability. The proposed symplectic geometric mode decomposition (SGMD) method advances the field; however, issues like mode aliasing and over-decomposition are unresolved within the symplectic geometric paradigm. To resolve these limitations in existing methods, this paper proposes a novel time-frequency-coupled symmetry mode decomposition technique. The approach first applies symplectic symmetry geometric mode in the time domain, then iteratively refines the modes using frequency-domain Local Outlier Factor (LOF) detection to suppress aliasing. Final mode integration employs Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) for optimal alignment, enabling accurate extraction of oscillation characteristics. Comparative evaluations demonstrate that the average error of the amplitude and frequency identification of the proposed method are 1.39% and 0.029%, which are lower than the results of SVD at 5.09% and 0.043%. Full article

In Hungary, on-site mixed stabilization of cohesive soil is considered only as soil improvement not a proper pavement layer, therefore its bearing capacity is not taken into account when designing pavement. It was our hypothesis that on low-volume roads built on cohesive soil, lime or lime–cement stabilization can be an alternative to granular base layers. A case study was conducted to obtain initial results and to verify the research methodology. The efficacy of lime stabilization was evaluated across eight experimental road sections, with a view of assessing its structural and economic performance in comparison with crushed stone base layers reinforced with geo-synthetics. The results of the testing demonstrated elastic moduli of 120–180 MPa for the lime-stabilized layers, which closely matched the 200–280 MPa range observed for the crushed stone bases. The results demonstrated that lime stabilization offers a comparable load-bearing capacity while being the most cost-effective solution. Furthermore, this approach enhances sustainability by enabling the utilization of local soils, reducing reliance on imported materials, minimizing transport-related costs, and lowering carbon emissions. Lime stabilization provides a durable, environmentally friendly alternative for road construction, effectively addressing the challenges of material scarcity and rising construction costs while supporting infrastructure resilience. The findings highlight its potential to replace traditional base layers without compromising structural performance or economic viability. Full article

Effective production control requires aligning strategic planning with real-time execution under dynamic and stochastic conditions. This study proposes a scalable dual-agent Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) framework for the joint optimisation of Work-In-Process (WIP) control and job sequencing in flow-shop environments. A strategic DQN agent regulates global WIP to meet throughput targets, while a tactical DQN agent adaptively selects dispatching rules at the machine level on an event-driven basis. Parameter sharing in the tactical agent ensures inherent scalability, overcoming the combinatorial complexity of multi-machine scheduling. The agents coordinate indirectly via a shared simulation environment, learning to balance global stability with local responsiveness. The framework is validated through a discrete-event simulation integrating agent-based modelling, demonstrating consistent performance across multiple production scales (5–15 machines) and process time variabilities. Results show that the approach matches or surpasses analytical benchmarks and outperforms static rule-based strategies, highlighting its robustness, adaptability, and potential as a foundation for future Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning applications in manufacturing. Full article

Indoor positioning remains a recurrent and significant challenge in research. Unlike outdoor environments, where the Global Positioning System (GPS) provides reliable location information, indoor scenarios lack direct line-of-sight to satellites or cellular towers, rendering GPS inoperative and requiring alternative positioning techniques. Despite numerous approaches, indoor contexts with resource limitations, energy constraints, or physical restrictions continue to suffer from unreliable localization. Many existing methods employ a fixed number of reference anchors, which sets a hard balance between localization accuracy and energy consumption, forcing designers to choose between precise location data and battery life. As a response to this challenge, this paper proposes an energy-aware indoor positioning strategy based on Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs). The core principle is a self-adaptive control loop that continuously monitors the network’s positioning accuracy. Based on this real-time feedback, the system dynamically adjusts the number of active anchors, increasing them only when accuracy degrades and reducing them to save energy once stability is achieved. The method dynamically estimates relative coordinates by analyzing node encounters and contact durations, from which relative distances are inferred. Generalized Multidimensional Scaling (GMDS) is applied to construct a relative spatial map of the network, which is then transformed into absolute coordinates using reference nodes, known as anchors. The proposal is evaluated in a realistic simulated indoor MANET, assessing positioning accuracy, adaptation dynamics, anchor sensitivity, and energy usage. Results show that the adaptive mechanism achieves higher accuracy than fixed-anchor configurations in most cases, while significantly reducing the average number of required anchors and their associated energy footprint. This makes it suitable for infrastructure-poor, resource-constrained indoor environments where both accuracy and energy efficiency are critical. Full article

(1) Background: gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are of particular interest in biomedical research because they possess unique optical properties. In particular, its localized surface plasmon resonance is widely used for photothermal therapy and for detecting molecular interactions at nanoparticle surfaces. To enhance circulation time and biocompatibility, nanoparticles are often coated to shield their hydrophobic character. (2) Methods: we explored the seed-growth method to coat AuNPs with phospholipids to improve colloidal stability. (3) Results: various charged phospholipids were tested, and particle size and zeta potential were characterized. The monodispersity of the coated nanoparticles strongly depends on the narrow size distribution of both gold nanoparticles seeds and lipid vesicles. Achieving stable coated AuNPs with zwitterionic lipids such as phosphatidylcholine was challenging, whereas coatings containing phosphatidylglycerol did not compromise nanoparticle stability. (4) Conclusions: coating AuNPs with phospholipids via the seed-growth method has potential but requires further optimization to improve reproducibility and achieve stable nanoparticles with near-neutral surface charge. Full article

Hydrogels are hydrophilic, soft polymer networks with high water content and mechanical properties that are tunable; they are also biocompatible. Therefore, as biomaterials, they are of interest to modern medicine. In this review, the main applications of hydrogels in essential clinical applications are discussed. Chemical, physical, or hybrid crosslinking of either synthetic or natural polymers allow for the precise control of hydrogels’ physicochemical properties and their specific characteristics for certain applications, such as stimuli-responsiveness, drug retention and release, and biodegradability. Hydrogels are employed in gynecology to regenerate the endometrium, treat infections, and prevent pregnancy. They show promise in cardiology in myocardial infarction therapy through injectable scaffolds, patches in the heart, and medication delivery. In rheumatoid arthritis, hydrogels act as drug delivery systems, lubricants, scaffolds, and immunomodulators, ensuring effective local treatment. They are being developed, among other applications, as antimicrobial coatings for stents and radiotherapy barriers for urology. Ophthalmology benefits from the use of hydrogels in contact lenses, corneal bandages, and vitreous implants. They are used as materials for chemoembolization, tumor models, and drug delivery devices in cancer therapy, with wafers of Gliadel presently used in clinics. Applications in abdominal surgery include hydrogel-coated meshes for hernia repair or Janus-type hydrogels to prevent adhesions and aid tissue repair. Results from clinical and preclinical studies illustrate hydrogels’ diversity, though problems remain with mechanical stability, long-term safety, and mass production. Hydrogels are, in general, next-generation biomaterials for regenerative medicine, individualized treatment, and new treatment protocols. Full article

Magnetocardiography (MCG) offers a noninvasive method for early screening and precise localization of cardiovascular diseases by measuring picotesla-level weak magnetic fields induced by cardiac electrical activity. However, in unshielded magnetic environments, geomagnetic disturbances, power-frequency electromagnetic interference, and physiological/motion artifacts can significantly overwhelm effective magnetocardiographic components. To address this challenge, this paper systematically constructs an integrated denoising framework, termed “AOA-VMD-WT”. In this approach, the Arithmetic Optimization Algorithm (AOA) adaptively optimizes the key parameters (decomposition level K and penalty factor α) of Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD). The decomposed components are then regularized based on their modal center frequencies: components with frequencies ≥50 Hz are directly suppressed; those with frequencies <50 Hz undergo wavelet threshold (WT) denoising; and those with frequencies <0.5 Hz undergo baseline correction. The purified signal is subsequently reconstructed. For quantitative evaluation, we designed performance indicators including QRS amplitude retention rate, high/low frequency suppression amount, and spectral entropy. Further comparisons are made with baseline methods such as FIR and wavelet soft/hard thresholds. Experimental results on multiple sets of measured MCG data demonstrate that the proposed method achieves an average improvement of approximately 8–15 dB in high-frequency suppression, 2–8 dB in low-frequency suppression, and a decrease in spectral entropy ranging from 0.1 to 0.6 without compromising QRS amplitude. Additionally, the parameter optimization exhibits high stability. These findings suggest that the proposed framework provides engineerable algorithmic support for stable MCG measurement in ordinary clinic scenarios. Full article

The building sector is under increasing pressure to lower its environmental impact, prompting renewed interest in raw soil as a low-carbon and locally available material. This study investigates the mechanical and thermal properties of clay-based masonry walls through a comprehensive experimental program on earthen mortars, bricks, and their interfaces, considering both stabilized and non-stabilized formulations. Compressive, bending, and shear tests reveal that strength is strongly influenced by mortar composition, hydration time, and the soil-to-sand ratio. The addition of 5–7.5% cement yields modest gains in compressive strength but increases the carbon footprint, whereas extended pre-hydration achieves similar improvements with lower environmental costs. Thermal characterization of the studied samples (SiO₂ ≈ 61.2 wt%, Al₂O₃ ≈ 11.7 wt%, MgO ≈ 5.1 wt%) revealed that SiO₂-enriched compositions significantly enhance thermal conductivity, whereas the presence of Al₂O₃ and MgO contributes to increased heat capacity and improved moisture regulation. These findings suggest that well-optimized clay-based mortars can satisfy the structural and thermal requirements of non-load-bearing applications, offering a practical and sustainable alternative to conventional construction materials. By reducing embodied carbon, enhancing hygrothermal comfort, and relying on locally available resources, such mortars contribute to the advancement of green building practices and the transition towards low-carbon construction. Full article

Background/Objectives: Encouraged by the traditional use of Cotinus coggygria Scop. (European smoketree) for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and considering the limitations of current therapies for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), we aimed to develop and evaluate a mucoadhesive oral gel containing C. coggygria stem bark extract. Methods: A thermosensitive gel was formulated using Carbopol^® 974P NF and poloxamer 407, enriched with 5% C. coggygria extract (CC gel), and characterized for its organoleptic properties, pH, electrical conductivity, and storage stability over six months. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed in a Wistar albino rat model of chemically induced oral ulcers. Animals were divided into three groups: untreated controls (CTRL), rats treated with gel base (GB), and those treated with CC gel over a 10-day period. Healing progression was monitored macroscopically (ulcer size reduction), biochemically (oxidative stress markers in plasma and tissue), and histologically. Results: The CC gel demonstrated satisfactory physicochemical stability and mucosal compatibility. Moreover, it significantly accelerated ulcer contraction and achieved complete re-epithelialization by day 6. Biochemical analyses revealed reduced TBARS and increased SOD, CAT, and GSH levels in ulcer tissue, indicating enhanced local antioxidant defense. Histological evaluation confirmed early resolution of inflammation, pronounced fibroblast activity, capillary proliferation, and full epithelial regeneration in the CC group, in contrast to delayed healing and persistent inflammatory infiltration in the GB and CTRL groups. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the CC gel has potential as a natural, topical formulation with antioxidant and regenerative properties for RAS, although further studies, including clinical evaluation, are required to confirm its overall efficacy and long-term safety. Full article

When a city decides to undertake a certain urban project, is it modifying just the physical environment or the social fabric that dwells within? This work investigates the relationship between the geometric configuration of urban space (geometry–city) and the topology of the networks of encounters of its inhabitants (network–city) that form through daily interactions. The research departs from the hypothesis that changes in geometry–city would not significantly alter the topology of the network–city, testing this proposition conceptually through abstract computational simulations developed specifically for this study. In this simulator, abstract maps with buildings distributed over different primary geometries are generated and have activities (use: home or work) and a population assigned. Encounters of the “inhabitants” are registered while daily commute routines, enough to achieve differentiation and stability, are run. The initial results revealed that the geometry description was not enough, and definitions regarding activity attribution were also necessary. Thus, we could not confirm nor reject the original hypothesis exactly, but it had to be complemented, including the idea of an activity–city dimension. We found that despite the geometry–city per se not determining the structure of the network–city, the spatial (geometric) distribution of activities directly impacts the resulting topology. Urban geometry influences networks–city only insofar as it conforms to activity–city, defining areas for activities or restricting routing between them. But it is the geometry of localization of the activities that has a direct impact on the topology of the network–city. This conceptual discovery can have significant implications for urban planning if corroborated in real-world situations. It could suggest that land use policies may be more effective for intervening in network-based characteristics, like social cohesion and resilience, than purely morphological interventions. Full article

This study presents the development and evaluation of an automated ultraviolet-C irradiation system for maize seed treatment, emphasizing disinfection performance, environmental control, and vision-based monitoring. The system features dual 8-watt ultraviolet-C lamps, sensors for temperature and humidity, and an air extraction unit to regulate the microclimate of the chamber. Without air extraction, radiation stabilized within one minute, with internal temperatures increasing by 5.1 °C and humidity decreasing by 13.26% over 10 min. When activated, the extractor reduced heat build-up by 1.4 °C, minimized humidity fluctuations (4.6%), and removed odors, although it also attenuated the intensity of ultraviolet-C by up to 19.59%. A 10 min ultraviolet-C treatment significantly reduced the fungal infestation in maize seeds by 23.5–26.25% under both extraction conditions. Thermal imaging confirmed localized heating on seed surfaces, which stressed the importance of temperature regulation during exposure. Notable color changes ($\Delta E>2.3$) in treated seeds suggested radiation-induced pigment degradation. Ultraviolet-C intensity mapping revealed spatial non-uniformity, with measurements limited to a central axis, indicating the need for comprehensive spatial analysis. The integrated computer vision system successfully detected seed contours and color changes under high-contrast conditions, but underperformed under low-light or uneven illumination. These limitations highlight the need for improved image processing and consistent lighting to ensure accurate monitoring. Overall, the chamber shows strong potential as a non-chemical seed disinfection tool. Future research will focus on improving radiation uniformity, assessing effects on germination and plant growth, and advancing system calibration, safety mechanisms, and remote control capabilities. Full article

Addressing the challenge of efficient gas control in high-gas coal mines with ultra-long panels, this study focuses on the No. 8 coal seam in the Baode Mine. A multi-parameter integrated methodology was developed to establish a hierarchical classification system of Gas Geological Units (GGUs), aiming to identify regions suitable for large-scale gas extraction. The results indicate that the overall structure of the No. 8 coal seam is a simple monocline. Both gas content (ranging from 2.0 to 7.0 m³/t) and gas pressure (ranging from 0.2 to 0.65 MPa) generally increase with burial depth. However, local anomalies in these parameters, caused by geological structures and hydrogeological conditions, significantly limit the effectiveness of large-scale drainage using ultra-long boreholes. Based on key criteria, the seam was classified into three Grade I and ten Grade II GGUs, distinguishing anomalous zones from homogeneous units. Among the Grade II units, eight (II-i to II-viii) were identified as anomalous zones with distinct geological constraints, while two (II-ix and II-x) exhibited homogeneous gas geological parameters. Practical implementation of large-scale gas extraction strategies—including underground ultra-long boreholes and a U-shaped surface well—within the homogeneous Unit II-x demonstrated significantly improved gas drainage performance, characterized by higher methane concentration, greater flow rate, enhanced temporal stability, and more favorable decay characteristics compared to conventional boreholes. These findings confirm the critical role of GGU delineation in guiding efficient regional gas control and ensuring safe production in similar high-gas coal mines. Full article