Search Results (108,559)

Tornadoes are extremely hazardous weather phenomena characterized by intense vortex structures, and weather radar is currently one of the most effective means for detecting them. The existing detection algorithms rely on threshold judgments of weather radar variables and have insufficient ability to deeply represent complex weather features, which leads to a low probability of detection (POD) and high false-alarm ratio (FAR). Therefore, a Frequency-Aware Hierarchical Feature Fusion Network (FA-HFFN) is proposed based on dual-polarization weather radar observations. FA-HFFN adopts a heterogeneous dual-path architecture. The main path incorporates the frequency-aware and high-frequency enhancement module, which is designed to extract high-frequency features associated with localized rapid variations in radar variables and to enhance high-frequency abrupt details. The auxiliary path employs the multi-head attention multi-scale module to capture complex background weather information in the weather radar echoes. The dual paths achieve hierarchical adaptive fusion through a stage-wise gating mechanism to jointly represent the frequency response, spatial structure, and rotational characteristics of tornadoes. Experimental results show that FA-HFFN outperforms the comparison models in overall evaluation metrics, with higher detection sensitivity and stronger false-alarm suppression. In tornado case studies, the detection lead time is extended to 54 min, and the three-dimensional evolution trajectory of the tornado is successfully tracked through continuous multi-elevation detection. This study provides a technical approach for automated tornado detection and intelligent warning under complex severe convective weather conditions. Full article

Matrix Converters (MC) are very significant for direct AC-AC conversion instead of AC-DC and DC-AC. In this direct AC-AC conversion, the Common Mode Voltage (CMV) output is very high. The leakage currents that are produced from the common mode voltage due to dv/dt rise cause very severe problems, such as making disturbances like electromagnetic noise, that is developed from the equipment which is placed nearer to the converter. The scalar approach provides equivalent performance to the vector approach. In this paper the scalar approach is chosen due to its simplicity. In this paper, a Near State Pulse Width Modulation (NSPWM) is proposed to ensure the operation of the inverter at a steady switching frequency. A positive or negative DC bus is clamped to any phase in each sector over a fundamental cycle of the proposed NSPWM algorithm. Thus, the suggested technique controls the inverter’s switching frequency and reduces switching losses. The experimental findings demonstrate that the suggested NSPWM algorithm performance has been examined and contrasted with traditional PWM techniques. When motor drives are operating within the optimal modulation index range, the method performs better overall and outperforms the most challenging PWM techniques. Full article

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is an important pathogen of humans and other mammals (such as piglets and calves). Mucin, a glycoprotein that forms the major fraction of the intestinal mucus layer, is a key host substance that ETEC encounters in the host environment. This study investigated whether physiologically relevant concentrations of mucin modulate virulence-related phenotypes in ETEC. Growth of ETEC remained unaffected across mucin concentrations ranging from 50 mg/L to 1000 mg/L. Mucin increased swimming motility in a concentration-dependent manner, with motility doubling at the highest concentrations tested relative to the mucin-free control. Further, mucin also increased biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner, with approximately 4.5-fold higher biofilm levels at the highest concentration. Finally, mucin increased the virulence of ETEC in the invertebrate infection model Galleria mellonella, resulting in a 1.5- to 3.3-fold increase in larval mortality caused by mucin-treated ETEC compared with the untreated ETEC group. These findings indicate that ETEC responds to mucin as a host-derived cue, promoting virulence-associated traits linked to colonization and infection. Understanding this host–pathogen interaction may lead to the development of novel control strategies against ETEC, which is an urgent societal challenge in the context of rising antibiotic resistance. Full article

Magnetic regulation of ferrofluid transport can modulate heat and fluid motion without mechanical actuation, but the combined effect of field strength and an orientable internal obstacle remains insufficiently resolved. This study numerically examines laminar natural convection of a 1.3 vol% Fe₃O₄/SWCNT (Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube)–water hybrid ferrofluid in a square cavity containing a rotatable elliptical barrier under a vertical magnetic field. Eight barrier orientations (0–315° in 45° increments) are evaluated at Ra = 10³ and Ha = 20 and 80 using the finite element method in COMSOL Multiphysics. The governing formulation was corrected to use a symmetric viscous operator and the Lorentz term associated with a vertical magnetic field; the base-fluid Prandtl number calculated from the tabulated properties is 6.07. An independent, differentially heated square-cavity benchmark reproduced the reference values for maximum horizontal and vertical velocities and the average Nusselt number with relative errors below 0.76%. The computed fields show that barrier orientation controls the locations and signs of the velocity extrema and the pressure range, whereas the reported temperature profiles change comparatively little between the two Hartmann numbers. The 90° orientation gives the minimum reported Bejan number, while 45° gives the maximum. Because Be is a ratio, these extrema identify changes in the relative contribution of thermal irreversibility and do not, by themselves, establish a minimum or maximum of total entropy generation. The results demonstrate a coupled geometric–magnetic redistribution of the local thermohydrodynamic fields and identify 90° as the preferred orientation only under the Bejan-number criterion adopted here. Full article

The atmospheric co-occurrence of microplastics, reactive nitrogen species, and solar radiation represents an emerging, yet poorly characterized, exposure scenario for airborne allergens. Here, we investigated whether laboratory-aged polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics modulate the structural fate of cedar pollen proteins under nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and combined NO₂ + UV stress. Employing a multi-spectroscopic approach integrating UV-visible (UV-Vis) absorption, steady-state and synchronous fluorescence, Stern–Volmer quenching analysis, Parallel Factor Analysis (PARAFAC)-resolved excitation–emission matrices (EEMs), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy with amide I deconvolution, we suggest that aged PET microplastics exert stressor-dependent and mechanistically distinct effects. Under nitrative stress, microplastics may selectively sequester structurally perturbed and oxidized protein species from the soluble phase, effectively biasing the remaining population toward native-like conformers. Under photolytic stress, microplastics attenuate UV-induced β-sheet loss, consistent with the selective partitioning of damaged species into the solid phase or restricted conformational mobility. Strikingly, under combined NO₂ + UV stress, microplastics dramatically enhance protein–pollutant binding cooperativity (binding constant, Kb = 81.5 L·mol⁻¹, Hill coefficient, n = 1.79), indicative of increased interaction complexity and ground-state complex formation at the PET–protein interface, an effect not observed under either stressor alone. Collectively, these findings provide evidence that aged PET microplastics are not passive carriers but active modulators of allergen stability and chemical modification, potentially functioning as adsorbents, reaction platforms, and selective filters that reshape the population distribution of protein species in the soluble atmospheric compartment. This work provides a mechanistic foundation for evaluating environmental fate and provides mechanistic insights that may guide future toxicological investigations of pollen allergens in microplastic-polluted urban atmospheres. Full article

During the inflammatory phase, the persistent macrophage-mediated inflammatory response, followed by excessive fibroblast activation in the proliferative phase, impairs the repair of deep partial-thickness burn wounds and contributes to scar formation. Hence, precise spatiotemporal regulation of both macrophages and fibroblasts is of paramount importance. In this study, we developed a structurally biomimetic bilayer hydrogel system designed to promote scar-minimizing burn wound healing by sequentially targeting macrophages in the inflammatory phase and modulating fibroblast behavior in the proliferative phase. This biomimetic bilayer hydrogel (designated BHM@VP@PPs) consists of a lower layer (LHM) loaded with PBA-PEI@siRNA (TNF-α) nanocomplexes (LHM@PPs) and an upper layer (HHM) encapsulating the small-molecule YAP inhibitor verteporfin (HHM@VP). By varying the HM polymer concentration and crosslinking density, the bilayer hydrogel was designed to provide degradation-dependent, stage-matched release of siRNA and VP. During the inflammatory phase, released siRNA silenced TNF-α via blockade of its mRNA expression, thereby attenuating local inflammation and accelerating the transition to the proliferative phase. Upon degradation of the lower layer, the upper layer subsequently released VP, which suppressed excessive fibroblast activation through YAP-related signaling pathways during the proliferative phase, thus favoring scar-minimizing healing. Moreover, VP-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) generated abundant reactive oxygen species (ROS), effectively eradicating bacteria and preventing infection. Collectively, this bilayer hydrogel system synergistically facilitates scar-minimizing repair of deep second-degree burn wounds, offering a promising therapeutic strategy for clinical translation. Full article

Forest ecosystem water conservation is an important ecohydrological regulating service for sustaining mountain watersheds under climate change. This study assessed water-conservation services in the eastern Dabie Mountains of China by integrating the InVEST Water Yield module under the Budyko framework, a Coupling Coordination Degree (CCD) model, and pixel-scale Theil–Sen, Mann–Kendall, and Ordinary Least Squares analyses. The study covered 1985–2024 through ten benchmark years (1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020, 2022, and 2024). Mean water-conservation capacity across the benchmark-year maps was 362.7 mm. The OLS slope was 1.40 mm/a, while the two-sided MK test was non-significant (Z_MK = 0.54, p = 0.592), indicating a weak positive tendency in the benchmark-year sequence. Year-to-year variation was closely associated with hydroclimatic conditions, with canopy interception, litter storage, soil-water storage, and flow attenuation providing process pathways within the model framework. Water-conservation capacity reached 534.4 mm in the wet 2020 benchmark year, declined to 268.2 mm during the 2022 drought, and recovered to 369.6 mm in 2024. Comparison with area-scaled official bulletin surface-water references for seven overlapping years yielded a mean absolute percentage error of 5.21% and absolute relative errors of 0.00%–17.62%. High-value service areas were concentrated in the central forested massif, whereas low-value and coordination-imbalance areas were more common along agricultural and urbanizing margins. The integrated framework links service intensity, coordination status, and historical tendency to support differentiated watershed management and to identify spatial contrasts together with benchmark-year hydroclimatic responses. Full article

Diabetes impairs multiple stages of the wound-healing process, resulting in chronic, infection-prone wounds that pose a substantial clinical burden. Despite available therapeutic options, effective management remains challenging owing to inadequate treatment efficacy, increasing antimicrobial resistance, and potential adverse side effects. Diabetic wounds exhibit a complex pathological microenvironment characterized by persistent bacterial colonization, hyperglycemia, tissue hypoxia, chronic inflammation, excessive matrix metalloproteinase activity, oxidative stress, and pH dysregulation. Nonetheless, traditional treatment strategies continue to rely largely on passive protection, inadequately addressing the underlying biological mechanisms responsible for impaired healing. Chitosan (CS), a naturally occurring cationic polysaccharide with high biocompatibility, antimicrobial activity, hemostatic properties, and a chemically tuneable structure, represents an attractive platform for advanced wound dressings. This review explores the potential of engineered chitosan-based systems for diabetic wound management through the strategic integration of therapeutic ions (Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ag⁺, Mn²⁺), mesoporous silica nanocarriers, and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). Unlike previous reviews that have primarily examined these components individually, the present work provides the first comprehensive analysis of their integration within a single multifunctional chitosan-based platform. By systematically evaluating their complementary therapeutic and diagnostic functions, including antimicrobial activity, angiogenic stimulation, oxidative stress modulation, controlled therapeutic delivery, and magnetic field-responsive behavior, this review establishes a unified design framework for the development of next-generation chronic wound dressings. Furthermore, it identifies potential synergistic interactions, key translational challenges, and future research directions required for the development of clinically relevant smart systems. Collectively, this integrated strategy offers a promising approach to overcoming the complex biological barriers that hinder diabetic wound healing. Full article

α1-Acid glycoprotein (AGP) is a heavily glycosylated acute-phase protein whose N-linked glycan microheterogeneity plays an important regulatory role in pathophysiological processes. This review synthesizes decades of basic and clinical research, focusing on the five conserved N-glycosylation sites of AGP. Specifically, it summarizes disease-specific patterns of glycan remodeling in inflammation, cancer, and autoimmune diseases; discusses the molecular effects through which glycosylation modulates AGP conformation, receptor-binding properties, and downstream signaling pathways; examines disease-associated molecular fingerprints arising from site-specific glycosylation and their relationships with disease onset and progression; and highlights the translational potential of AGP glycosylation for early diagnosis, prognostic assessment, and targeted drug development. Current evidence indicates that most abnormalities in AGP glycosylation are associated with disease, whereas direct causal evidence for the involvement of glycosylation in disease progression remains incomplete. Important limitations also remain: the precise molecular mechanisms regulating AGP glycosylation under different pathological conditions have not been fully elucidated; experimental findings are inconsistent across cohorts and analytical platforms; and standardized analytical systems suitable for clinical application have yet to be established. By integrating the available evidence, this review provides a theoretical framework for advancing the translation of AGP glycosylation features into precision medicine. Full article

Annurca apple (Malus domestica cv. Annurca) is a traditional Southern Italian cultivar increasingly recognized as a polyphenol-rich food matrix with functional and nutraceutical relevance. Its distinctive post-harvest reddening process, together with tissue-specific differences among flesh, peel and core, influences its phytochemical profile, antioxidant capacity and biological activity. In addition, Annurca apple by-products, including peel and core fractions, are emerging as sustainable sources of food-derived bioactives. This review critically summarizes current evidence on Annurca apple-derived polyphenols, bioactive fractions and by-products, focusing on their molecular mechanisms, context-dependent redox behavior and translational potential. Available studies indicate that Annurca-derived compounds and matrices should not be interpreted merely as antioxidant sources but rather as modulators of redox-sensitive cellular pathways whose effects depend on fruit fraction, ripening stage, extract composition, dose, biological model and cellular context. In normal cellular models, Annurca-derived extracts and fractions have shown cytoprotective effects against oxidative damage, mercury-induced erythrocyte alterations, phosphatidylserine externalization, advanced glycation end product (AGE)-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress-induced senescence. These effects involve mechanisms related to ROS modulation, erythrocyte membrane homeostasis, calcium-dependent PLSCR1 regulation, antiglycative activity, endothelial protection and senescence-associated pathways. Conversely, in cancer cell models, Annurca polyphenols may exert pro-oxidant and pro-apoptotic effects, mainly involving ROS/JNK signaling, inhibition of cell survival, modulation of epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity and reduced migration. Additional evidence on lipid metabolism, skin and hair biology, neuroprotective targets and by-product valorization supports broader functional and nutraceutical applications. However, most evidence remains preclinical and often relies on concentrated extracts or specific formulations. Future studies should address extract standardization, phytochemical fingerprinting, bioaccessibility, gut microbiota metabolism, circulating metabolites, dose relevance and clinical validation to clarify whether Annurca-derived bioactives can be developed as evidence-based functional ingredients or nutraceutical candidates. Full article

Oleuropein (OL) is widely recognized for its anticancer potential, yet its impact on chemotherapy response remains insufficiently defined. This study investigated whether OL modifies the efficacy of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and whether these treatment responses are accompanied by changes in ESR2/ERβ expression and associated miRNA profiles in the Ehrlich ascites tumor model. OL (150 mg/kg) was administered at different treatment schedules, alone or with 5-FU (20 mg/kg), and tumor burden, ascites formation, ESR2 mRNA, ERβ protein, miR-146a-5p and miR-155-5p expression were evaluated together with validated ERβ ensemble docking. While 5-FU markedly reduced viable tumor-cell burden, concomitant OL treatment substantially weakened this effect and restored tumor-cell numbers toward untreated levels. In contrast, OL administered at tumor initiation or prophylactically reduced ascites accumulation and produced distinct ESR2/ERβ expression profiles. OL also markedly altered chemotherapy-associated microRNA responses, suppressing the strong 5-FU-induced increase in miR-146a-5p and reducing miR-155-5p after prolonged exposure. Native-ligand redocking confirmed high reliability of the ERβ docking protocol (RMSD 0.242–0.411 Å). These findings identify a treatment-dependent interplay between OL, ERβ-associated responses, and 5-FU response, revealing that OL may exert both favorable and potentially antagonistic effects depending on therapeutic context. Full article

Background: The translocator protein (TSPO), an 18 kDa protein localized to the outer mitochondrial membrane, is a recognized biomarker of neuroinflammation. However, its clinical translation has been limited by factors such as poor specificity, low signal-to-noise ratio, and the influence of genetic polymorphisms (rs6971). This study developed a novel TSPO tracer aimed at addressing this technical bottleneck. Methods: In this study, a novel TSPO-targeted probe, ¹⁸F-CB86, was synthesized and labeled using an automated multifunctional module. The radiochemical purity, in vitro stability, and lipid–water partition coefficient of ¹⁸F-CB86 were systematically evaluated; its biodistribution and Micro-PET/CT imaging characteristics were assessed in a rat model. Results: The automated labeling process yielded ¹⁸F-CB86 with radiochemical purity exceeding 95% and good in vitro stability. Biodistribution studies demonstrated high brain uptake and primary renal clearance. Micro-PET/CT imaging revealed a brain uptake of (SUVmax: 5.91 ± 0.81) % ID/mL at 60 min post-administration, indicating favorable imaging performance. Conclusions: These preliminary findings suggest that ¹⁸F-CB86 is a promising and specific probe for neuroinflammatory imaging and merits further clinical investigation. Full article

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) is a key component in smart grid electric systems. It improves the grid’s efficiency and reliability by transmitting information between field devices, intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) and remote control centers, which enables the real-time monitoring and control of the grid state, the optimization of energy use, and quick detection and response to failures and outages. The use of information and communications technologies in SCADA systems improves their performance, but also exposes them to high security risks and attacks that can cause grid disturbances, blackouts, data theft and other serious issues. To help secure SCADA systems, we implemented a SCADA honeypot that leverages a Large Language Model (LLM) to simulate the operation of a real Distributed Network Protocol 3 (DNP3) Remote Terminal Unit (RTU). It has two modules: (1) an LLM module used for the reconnaissance phase to provide attackers with fake information about the RTU (such as open ports and operating systems) and (2) a DNP3 module which uses openDNP3 to provide protocol-specific replies to attacks targeting DNP3 outstation operations. Through our experiments, we showed that the LLM SCADA honeypot is able to respond accurately to a good percentage of reconnaissance attacks, and is also efficient in handling DNP3 attacks targeting a smart grid SCADA RTU, thus fulfilling the purpose of a honeypot by keeping the attackers engaged and protecting the real RTU system. Full article

In just over a decade, in vitro modeling of the female reproductive tract has advanced from planar monolayers of immortalized cells to self-organizing epithelial organoids and, most recently, to increasingly complex multicellular and multicompartment 3D models, including assembloids that combine organoids with additional organoid modules or specialized cell lineages and demonstrate post-assembly integration and self-organization. This review concentrates deliberately on organoid, assembloid, and related multicellular 3D models rather than on reproductive physiology per se. We first establish a criterion-based framework that distinguishes organoids, assembloids, co-cultures, organ-on-chip systems, and blastoids according to assembly strategy, cellular composition, and evidence of structural and functional integration, and trace the rapid consolidation of the assembloid concept from neuroscience into reproductive biology. We then survey, organ-by-organ and with a critical eye, what these models have demonstrated in the endometrium, the ovary and follicle, the fallopian tube, and the embryo–maternal interface, together with the enabling technologies (including microfluidics, vascularization strategies, biomaterials and bioprinting, and single-cell and spatial benchmarking) and the limitations that still constrain the field. We close with emerging translational opportunities in disease modeling, drug and toxicology screening, and personalized reproductive medicine, while highlighting the requirements for physiological validation, reproducibility, standardization, and appropriate ethical and regulatory oversight. Full article

Potato leaf diseases seriously affect potato yield and quality. Accurate recognition and localization of visible lesions associated with potato early blight and late blight can support preliminary disease screening and targeted field inspection. Object detection can identify disease categories and locate lesion regions, providing reliable information for disease management. However, potato leaf diseases usually occur in complex field environments, where illumination changes, shadows, color shifts, leaf texture interference, and imaging blur may weaken lesion feature representation. In addition, early blight and late blight lesions often have small scales, weak boundaries, irregular shapes, and scattered distributions, making detection prone to background misclassification, missed small lesions, and localization deviation. To address these problems, this study proposes TRP-Net, a text-guided dual-modal detection network, for the robust recognition and localization of visible lesions associated with potato early blight and late blight under complex imaging conditions. First, a Text-Anchored Counterfactual Intervention Module (TACIM) is proposed to construct environmentally perturbed images and constrain feature consistency, improving the robustness of disease representations. Second, a Residual Cross-Modal Attention module (RCMA) is introduced to guide visual features with textual semantics and enhance lesion boundaries and fine-grained textures. Third, a P4 Gaussian Position Distribution Auxiliary Loss (PGDAL) is designed to provide position distribution supervision during early training, improving small-lesion localization. Experimental results on the independent test set show that TRP-Net achieves 78.3% Precision, 73.7% Recall, 75.9% F1 score, 80.5% mAP50, and 34.6% mAP50–95. The detector-side network contains 2.79 M parameters and requires 5.2 GFLOPs. The performance gap between mAP50 and mAP50–95 indicates that precise lesion localization under stricter IoU criteria remains challenging. Full article