Search Results (39,693)

This study investigated the effects of encapsulated capsaicinoids (CAPs), containing 0.47% capsaicin and 0.22% dihydrocapsaicin, on growth, serum parameters, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal health in weaned piglets. A total of 168 piglets were randomly assigned to four groups: a basal diet or the same diet supplemented with 200 (LDC), 400 (MDC), or 600 (HDC) mg/kg of CAPs. The results indicated that CAPs improved lipid metabolism, evidenced by higher crude fat digestibility in the LDC and MDC groups and reduced serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in all CAP groups compared to the control. Glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly higher in the MDC and HDC groups. Histological analysis showed reduced hepatic vacuolation, enlarged fungiform papillae with shallower taste pores in the tongue epithelium, and deeper ileal crypts in the LDC group. At the molecular level, ZO-1 expression in the ileum was significantly upregulated in LDC piglets. Colonic microbiota analysis revealed decreased relative abundances of Lachnospiraceae_AC2044_group, Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group, and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut, while Butyricicoccus was significantly enriched in the LDC group. In conclusion, CAPs supplementation enhanced fat digestibility, lipid metabolism, antioxidant capacity, intestinal development, and colonic microbiota composition, with the 200 mg/kg dose showing the most pronounced effects. Full article

Under sparse aperture (SA) conditions, inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imaging becomes a severely ill-posed inverse problem due to undersampled and noisy measurements, leading to pronounced degradation in azimuth resolution and image quality. Although deep learning approaches have demonstrated promising performance for SA-ISAR imaging, their practical deployment is often hindered by black-box behavior, fixed network depth, high computational cost, and limited robustness under extreme operating conditions. To address these challenges, this paper proposes an ADMM Denoising Deep Equilibrium Framework (ADnDEQ) for SA-ISAR imaging. The proposed method reformulates an ADMM-based unfolding process as an implicit deep equilibrium (DEQ) model, where ADMM provides an interpretable optimization structure and a lightweight DnCNN is embedded as a learned proximal operator to enhance robustness against noise and sparse sampling. By representing the reconstruction process as the equilibrium solution of a single-layer network with shared parameters, ADnDEQ decouples forward and backward propagation, achieves constant memory complexity, and enables flexible control of inference iterations. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed ADnDEQ framework achieves superior reconstruction quality and robustness compared with conventional layer-stacked networks, particularly under low sampling ratios and low-SNR conditions, while maintaining significantly reduced computational cost. Full article

Tax evasion is a dynamic process reflecting continuous interaction between taxpayers and regulatory institutions rather than a static deviation from fiscal equilibrium. This study introduces a predator-prey model of tax evasion that translates the Lotka-Volterra framework from biology into budgetary dynamics. The model captures the feedback between the volume of tax evasion and the intensity of regulation, incorporating nonlinearity, implicit reactive lag, and adaptive response. Theoretical derivation and numerical simulation identify three dynamic regimes—stable equilibrium, limit-cycle oscillation, and instability—that arise through a Hopf bifurcation. Bifurcation maps in the (r, a), (r, b), and (r, c) parameter spaces reveal how control efficiency, institutional inertia, and behavioral feedback jointly determine fiscal stability. Results show that excessive enforcement may destabilize the system by inducing regulatory fatigue, while weak control enables exponential growth in evasion. The model provides a dynamic analytical tool for evaluating fiscal policy efficiency and identifying stability thresholds. Its findings suggest that adaptive, feedback-based regulation is essential for maintaining long-term tax discipline. The study contributes to closing the research gap by providing a unified dynamic framework linking micro-behavioral decision-making with macro-fiscal stability, offering a foundation for future empirical calibration and behavioral extensions of fiscal systems. Full article

Traditional overburden bed-separation grouting technology often leads to issues of grout leakage and insufficient control of surface subsidence, primarily due to its poor adaptability to specific mining conditions such as isolated coal pillar recovery, the development of stratigraphic faults and fractures, or the absence of clearly identifiable key strata. To address these limitations, this study proposes an innovative multi-bed-separation precise grouting technology. The formation mechanism of multi-bed separations is analyzed, their development positions are determined, and an engineering solution for controlling surface subsidence after multi-bed-separation grouting is proposed. Key technical parameters, including grouting pressure, stability of grout-isolating layers, grouting space volume, and grout amount, are theoretically analyzed. A “three-step” precise grouting process—consisting of separation detection and verification, fracture curtain sealing, and precise grouting for subsidence reduction—was developed and applied in the 12030 isolated coal pillar panel of Xinyi Coal Mine. A total of 504,500 tons of fly ash (including cement) was grouted, of which 398,600 tons was used for precise grouting in multi-bed separations of overburden. This approach recovered 1,364,400 tons of coal resources beneath village buildings, with a grouting–extraction ratio (volume ratio) of 0.53. The technology demonstrates clear advantages: no grout leakage occurred during the process, the surface subsidence reduction rate reached approximately 75.81%, and building damage was controlled within Grade I. The results demonstrate that this technology has a significant effect on subsidence reduction and damage control, enabling safe and green mining of coal resources beneath villages under special geological and mining conditions. Full article

Dextrin-based nanosponges (D-NS) are promising candidates for oral drug delivery due to their biocompatibility, mucoadhesive properties, and tunable swelling behavior. In this study, pH-sensitive nanosponges were synthesized using β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), GluciDex^®2 (GLU2), and KLEPTOSE^® Linecaps (LC) as building blocks, crosslinked with pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and citric acid (CA). The nanosponges were mechanically size-reduced via homogenization and ball milling, and characterized by FTIR, TGA, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential measurements. Swelling kinetics, cross-linking density (determined using Flory–Rehner theory), rheological behavior, and mucoadhesion were evaluated under simulated gastric and intestinal conditions. The β-CD:PMDA 1:4 NS was selected for drug studies due to its optimal balance of structural stability, swelling capacity (~863% at pH 6.8), and highest apomorphine (APO) loading (8.23%) with 90.58% encapsulation efficiency. All nanosuspensions showed favorable polydispersity index values (0.11–0.30), homogeneous size distribution, and stable zeta potentials, confirming suspension stability. Storage at 4 °C for six months revealed no changes in physicochemical properties or apomorphine (APO) degradation, indicating protection by the nanosponge matrix. D-NS exhibited tunable swelling, pH-responsive behavior, and mucoadhesive properties, with nanoparticle–mucin interactions quantified by the rheological synergism parameter (∆G′ = 53.45, ∆G″ = −36.26 at pH 6.8). In vitro release studies demonstrated slow, sustained release of APO from D-NS in simulated intestinal fluid compared to free drug diffusion, highlighting the potential of D-NS as pH-responsive, mucoadhesive carriers with controlled drug release and defined nanoparticle–mucin interactions. Full article

Background: Radiotherapy is a common treatment for gynecological malignancies, often accompanied by significant side effects that impact patient nutritional status. The ketogenic diet has been proposed as a complementary nutritional strategy to enhance treatment efficacy, manage side effects, and preserve body composition. However, its safety and feasibility in the oncological setting remain under-investigated. Methods: The KOMPARC study is a prospective, randomized controlled trial evaluating the adherence, safety, and clinical tolerability of a ketogenic diet versus a standard Mediterranean diet in patients with cervical and endometrial cancer undergoing radiotherapy. Before the start of the treatment, patients were randomized to either the ketogenic diet or the standard diet groups. Anthropometric measures, Hand Grip Test, and body composition parameters from bioimpedance analysis were taken before the start of treatment and at the end. Adherence, adverse events, and patient-reported outcomes were monitored throughout the treatment period. Results: A total of 33 patients were enrolled. Adherence rates were comparable between the KD and standard diet groups (46.1% vs. 25.0% interruption rate, p = 0.21). No significant differences were observed in the incidence of gastrointestinal toxicities (p = 0.56), diarrhea (p = 0.81), nausea (p = 0.94), or weight loss (p = 0.24). Both groups experienced significant weight reduction during therapy without differential loss of body cell mass or other body composition parameters. Quality of life assessments indicated varied symptom profiles, with the KD group reporting increased appetite loss and worry about weight. Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggest that the ketogenic diet is a safe and feasible nutritional intervention during radiotherapy for pelvic tumors. These results support further investigation into ketogenic dietary strategies as adjuncts in oncologic care. Full article

Background/Objectives: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a prevalent health condition with a negative impact on quality of life (QoL). Exercise therapy (ET), specifically, pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), is recommended as a first-line conservative treatment for UI during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. This study evaluated the effects of ET on the management of postpartum UI. Methods: A systematic search was conducted to identify clinical trials and randomized controlled trials including women over 18 years with postpartum UI. All included studies used ET as the main intervention. Studies were excluded if UI symptoms were attributable to factors outside the urinary tract or if participants had concomitant pathologies. Results: From 298 records screened, four trials were included. Three trials reported statistically significant improvements in UI outcomes, while findings for pelvic floor function and QoL showed greater heterogeneity. One trial found that supervised PFMT was associated with greater improvements in urinary symptoms (BFLUTS), vaginal pressure (18.96 mmHg (SD: 9.08)), and endurance (11.32 s (SD: 3.17)) compared to unsupervised training. Another trial using electromyographic biofeedback with electrical stimulation reported a continence rate exceeding 70% on the 20 min pad test, with improvements in perceived burden (VAS), symptoms (UDI), and QoL (IIQ). A third trial combining PFMT with infrared physiotherapy showed improvements in pelvic floor function (PFIQ-7, PFDI-20), urodynamic parameters, urine loss, and QoL (GQOLI-74). In the remaining trial, within-group improvements were observed, with no statistically significant between-group differences. Conclusions: ET appears to be beneficial for postpartum UI, with a moderate certainty of evidence. While the greatest benefits are observed with supervised PFMT, the diversity of comparators, and the risk of performance bias limit definitive conclusions regarding its superiority. Given the short-term follow-up, it remains unclear whether the results are influenced by the spontaneous recovery trajectory in the postpartum period and if these effects are sustained in the long term. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obesity has been linked to cardiometabolic alterations and deteriorated body composition. Gallic acid, a polyphenol with antioxidant properties, may influence these parameters; however, there is limited clinical data. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of gallic acid supplementation combined with physical exercise in obese individuals. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with 150 participants recruited and divided into eight groups according to nutritional status (eutrophic or obese), supplementation (gallic acid 200 mg/day vs. placebo), and physical exercise (trained vs. untrained) for 12 weeks. Body composition, anthropometry, and serum biomarkers were assessed before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. Results: A total of 107 participants completed the final assessment. A reduction in waist-to-hip ratio was observed in the obese group trained and supplemented with gallic acid (supplement × time interaction: p = 0.031). There was a reduction in waist circumference (supplement × physical exercise × time interaction: p = 0.041) and a reduction in skinfold thickness at the pectoral (p = 0.044) and abdominal (p = 0.036) sites. Fat-free mass showed a tendency to increase in the supplemented trained obese group (p = 0.054). In biochemical markers, an increase in albumin was identified in the supplement × time interaction (p = 0.043), especially in the trained obese group. Conclusions: The combination of gallic acid and physical exercise promoted improvements in abdominal adiposity and body composition markers, with favorable biochemical effects. Full article

This study developed a design framework for porous mixtures using a 100% sustainable non-bituminous epoxy–polyurethane binder system. Conventional design protocols for porous asphalt mixtures exhibit limitations in accurately controlling void content and mixture composition. This study proposed a novel design framework for porous mixtures containing 100% sustainable binder based on statistical analysis and theoretical calculations. The relationships among target air voids, binder content, and aggregate gradation were systematically analyzed, and calculation formulas for coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, and mineral filler contents were derived. A mix design framework was further established by applying the void-filling theory, where the combined volume of binder, fine aggregate, and filler equals the void volume of the coarse aggregate skeleton, thereby ensuring precise control of the target void ratio. Additionally, mixing procedures were investigated with emphasis on feeding sequence, compaction method, and mixing temperature. Results indicated that the optimized feeding sequence significantly improved binder distribution; specimens compacted using the Marshall double-sided compaction method achieved a density of 89.60%. Rheological analysis revealed that at 30 °C, the viscosities of sustainable binder and polyurethane filler were 1280 mPa·s and 6825 mPa·s, respectively, suggesting optimal mixture uniformity. The proposed methodology and process parameters provide essential technical guidance for engineering applications of porous mixtures containing 100% sustainable binder. Full article

In robot motion planning in a space with obstacles, the goal is to find a collision-free path for robots from the start to the target position. Numerous fundamentally different approaches, and their many variants, address this problem depending on the types of obstacles, the dimensionality of the space and the restrictions on robot movements. We present a hierarchical motion planning framework for snake-like robots navigating cluttered environments. At the global level, a bounded Generalized Voronoi Diagram (GVD) generates a maximal-clearance path through complex terrain. To overcome the limitations of pure avoidance strategies, we incorporate a local trajectory optimization layer that enables Obstacle-Aided Locomotion (OAL). This is realized through a simulation-in-the-loop system in CoppeliaSim, where gait parameters are optimized using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) based on contact forces and energy efficiency. By coupling high-level deliberative planning with low-level contact-aware control, our approach enhances both adaptability and locomotion efficiency. Experimental results demonstrate improved motion performance compared to conventional planners that neglect environmental contact. Full article

This study investigates the influence of different sintering protocols and resin cement shades on the optical properties of monolithic zirconia restorations. Zirconia, widely used in dentistry for its superior mechanical strength and esthetic potential, demonstrates phase transformations influenced by stabilizing oxides and processing conditions. While increasing yttria content enhances translucency, it compromises mechanical durability. Factors such as sintering temperature, grain size, porosity, and cement selection further affect translucency parameter, contrast ratio, and opalescence. In this research, 36 zirconia samples were divided into three groups according to sintering procedure performed; conventional, fast, and super-fast sintering. Each was tested with two shades of dual-cure resin cement (yellow and transparent). Optical parameters including translucency parameter (TP), contrast ratio (CR), and opalescence parameter (OP) were measured using a spectrophotometer under controlled conditions. Statistically significant differences in OP values between the conventional sintering protocol and both the rapid and super-fast sintering protocols were found. A statistically significant difference was observed in OP values between the yellow and transparent cement groups. Neither the main effects of the sintering protocol nor the cement type were statistically significant on TP and CR values. However, a statistically significant interaction effect between the sintering protocol and cement type was observed for CR values. The findings highlight that both processing parameters and cement selection interaction play crucial roles in optimizing the TP and CR values of zirconia restorations, enabling improved esthetic outcomes in clinical practice. Full article

Establishing precise and reliable quadrotor dynamics model is crucial for safe and stable tracking control in obstacle environments. However, obtaining such models is challenging, as it requires precise inertia identification and accounting for complex aerodynamic effects, which handcrafted models struggle to do. To address this, this paper proposes a safety-critical control framework built on a Hamiltonian neural differential model (HDM). The HDM formulates the quadrotor dynamics under a Hamiltonian structure over the $\mathit{SE}\left(3\right)$ manifold, with explicitly optimizable inertia parameters and a neural network-approximated control input matrix. This yields a neural ordinary differential equation (ODE) that is solved numerically for state prediction, while all parameters are trained jointly from data via gradient descent. Unlike black-box models, the HDM incorporates physical priors—such as $\mathit{SE}\left(3\right)$ constraints and energy conservation—ensuring a physically plausible and interpretable dynamics representation. Furthermore, the HDM is reformulated into a control-affine form, enabling controller synthesis via control Lyapunov functions (CLFs) for stability and exponential control barrier functions (ECBFs) for rigorous safety guarantees. Simulations validate the framework’s effectiveness in achieving safe and stable tracking control. Full article

Research for sustainable viticulture practices has fostered interest in ultraviolet-C (UV-C) radiation as non-chemical tool for vineyard pathogen control; however, little information is available on their potential elicitation of berry metabolites. This two-year study investigated the impact of supplementary in-field UV-C applications, in addition to the vineyard sanitary protocols, on berry composition in Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines. In both experimental years, vegetative, yield, and berry technological parameters were determined at harvest, but they were not altered by UV-C treatments. Significantly higher concentrations of berry secondary metabolites were measured at harvest trough GC-MS and HPLC. UV-C treated vines had higher berry anthocyanins, particularly tri-hydroxylated forms (malvidin, delphinidin, petunidin), and flavonol concentrations (quercetin, myricetin derivatives), improving the potential for wine color stability and copigmentation. Glycosylated berry aroma compounds were also increased in UV-C vines, particularly some monoterpenes (geraniol, nerol, citronellol), C₁₃-norisoprenoids (β-damascenone, β-ionone, 3-oxo-α-ionol), and volatile phenols (eugenol, 4-vinyl-guaiacol). These results highlighted the potential of UV-C in-field applications, in addition to pest management control, to increase grape quality traits by modulating berry phenolic and aroma profile without affecting productivity. Full article

When grinding silicon carbide, surface and subsurface damage have a significant impact on the product’s surface quality. One method to control the crack dimensions is laser irradiation on the SiC surface. The effect of this method on the grinding process is analyzed in this study. A series of experiments was carried out based on an orthogonal experimental design, with systematic adjustments made to laser parameters, including pulse energy (current), laser spot spacing, scanning times, and grinding process parameters. During the experiments, the grinding force was monitored by a dynamometer, and the specific grinding energy was calculated accordingly. Pulsed engraving laser modification effectively reduced the hardness of the ceramic surface layer by about 20%. The median and radial crack sizes induced by the laser in the subsurface layer ranged from 20.4 μm to 54.3 μm. This effectively inhibited further propagation of median and radial cracks during the grinding processes. Simultaneously, the tangential grinding force F_t was reduced by 30%. These conclusions were obtained through corresponding experiments that link surface roughness to laser power and grinding parameters. Using laser-induced controllable crack characteristics in the grinding process allow damage from surface and subsurface grinding to be controlled in brittle materials. Full article

Self-cleansing intrusion-tolerant systems mitigate attacker intrusions and control through periodic recovery, thereby enhancing both availability and security. However, vulnerabilities in the control link render these systems susceptible to request forgery attacks. Furthermore, existing research on the modeling and performance analysis of such systems remains insufficient. To address these issues, this paper introduces an authentication mechanism to fortify control link security and employs Generalized Stochastic Petri Nets for system evaluation. We constructed Petri net models for three distinct scenarios: a traditional system, a system compromised by forged controller requests, and a system fortified with authentication mechanism. Subsequently, isomorphic Continuous-Time Markov Chains were derived to facilitate theoretical analysis. Quantitative evaluations were performed by deriving steady-state probabilities and conducting simulations on the PIPE platform. To further assess practicality, we conduct scalability analysis under varying system scales and parameter settings, and implement a prototype in a virtualized testbed to experimentally validate the analytical findings. Evaluation results indicate that authentication mechanism ensures the reliable execution of cleansing strategies, thereby improving system availability, enhancing security, and mitigating data leakage risks. Full article