Search Results (229)

Runners have a high probability of sports injuries due to improper landing patterns. This study aimed to investigate the effects of three different foot strike patterns on lower limb muscle activation in healthy young male university students without specialized sports training experience. Methods: Sixteen healthy male college students (age: 21 ± 1 years) participated in this study. They performed running with three different foot strike patterns: forefoot strike (FFS), midfoot strike (MFS), and rearfoot strike (RFS) at controlled speeds of 1.4–1.6 m/s. EMG signals from six lower limb muscles (vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, tibialis anterior, lateral gastrocnemius, and medial gastrocnemius) during the stance phase were collected using a wireless EMG system (1000 Hz). Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD) was employed to analyze the time–frequency characteristics of lower limb EMG signals and ankle joint co-activation patterns to investigate the corresponding neuromuscular control mechanisms. Statistical analyses were performed using repeated-measures ANOVA, and significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The timing of maximum energy in lower limb muscles during the stance phase occurred earlier in RFS compared to FFS and MFS. At initial ground contact, the low-frequency component energy (below 60 Hz) of the medial gastrocnemius was significantly higher in MFS and RFS compared to FFS, while FFS exhibited significantly higher high-frequency component energy (61–200 Hz). The co-activation of ankle dorsiflexors and plantar flexors (TA/GM) was also significantly higher in MFS and RFS compared to FFS. During the 100 ms before foot contact, the low-frequency component energy (below 60 Hz) of the lateral gastrocnemius was significantly higher in MFS compared to FFS, and the degree of TA/GM co-activation was significantly higher in both MFS and RFS compared to FFS. Conclusions: The maximum frequency in lower limb muscles appeared earliest during the mid-stance phase in the rearfoot strike (RFS) pattern. Moreover, during the pre-activation and early stance phases, frequency differences were observed only in the medial gastrocnemius, with RFS showing significantly higher low-frequency power. Full article

This two-part study assesses the impact of biogas inhibition on large-scale waste-to-energy anaerobic digestion (WtE-AD) plants through techno-economic and life cycle assessment approaches. The first part addresses technical and economic aspects. An anaerobic co-digestion system using vegetable waste (FVW) and meat waste (MW) was operated at laboratory scale in a semi-continuous regime with daily feeding to establish a stable process and induce programmed failures causing methanogenic inhibition, achieved by removing MW from the reactor feed and drastically reducing the protein content. Experimental data, combined with bioprocess scale-up models and cost engineering methods, were then used to evaluate the effect of inhibition periods on the profitability of large-scale WtE-AD processes. In the experimental stage, the stable process achieved a yield of 521.5 ± 21 mL CH₄ g⁻¹ volatile solids (VS) and a biogas productivity of 0.965 ± 0.04 L L⁻¹ d⁻¹ (volume of biogas generated per reactor volume per day), with no failure risk detected, as indicated by the volatile fatty acids/total alkalinity ratio (VFA/TA, mg VFA L⁻¹/mg L⁻¹) and the VFA/productivity ratio (mg VFA L⁻¹/L L⁻¹ d⁻¹), both recognized as effective early warning indicators. However, during the inhibition period, productivity decreased by 64.26 ± 11.81% due to VFA accumulation and gradual TA loss. With the progressive reintroduction of the FVW:MW management and the addition of fresh inoculum to the reaction medium, productivity recovered to 96.7 ± 1.70% of its pre-inhibition level. In WtE-AD plants processing 60 t d⁻¹ of waste, inhibition events can reduce net present value (NPV) by up to 40.2% (from 0.98 M USD to 0.55 M USD) if occurring once per year. Increasing plant capacity (200 t d⁻¹), combined with higher revenues from waste management fees (99.5 USD t⁻¹) and favorable electricity markets allowing higher selling prices (up to 0.23 USD kWh⁻¹), can enhance resilience and offset inhibition impacts without significantly compromising profitability. These findings provide policymakers and industry stakeholders with key insights into the economic drivers influencing the competitiveness and sustainability of WtE-AD systems. Full article

This study develops a machine learning potential (MLP) based on the Moment Tensor Potential (MTP) method for the TaN-Ce system. This potential is employed to investigate the interfacial structure and wetting behavior between liquid Ce and solid TaN. Molecular dynamics (MDs) simulations reveal that liquid Ce exhibits significant wetting on the TaN surface at high temperatures. The interfacial region undergoes pre-melting and component interdiffusion, forming an amorphous transition layer. Nitrogen atoms display high diffusivity, leading to surface mass loss, while tantalum atoms demonstrate excellent thermal stability and penetration resistance. These findings provide theoretical support for the design of interfacial materials and corrosion control in high-temperature metallurgy. Full article

Background/Objective: At least 25% of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients develop liver metastases (CRLM), and chemotherapeutic regimens based on the fluoropyrimidine (FP) drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) provide a survival advantage, but long-term survival is uncommon. The primary molecular target of FP drugs is thymidylate synthase (TS). Methods: A TS/Top1 dual-targeting cytotoxic mechanism for CF10/LV was confirmed by TS ternary complex detection by Western blot and by immunofluorescence detection of Top1 cleavage complexes. CF10/LV activated the ATR/Chk1 pathway consistent with enhanced replication stress and induced apoptosis. In vivo studies showed CF10 and CF10/LV eradicated liver metastasis in a CRLM model without scarring or weight loss, displaying therapeutic advantages relative to legacy FPs. Results: We demonstrated that a nanoscale FP polymer, CF10, displayed greater potency than expected based on FP content in part through more direct conversion to the TS-inhibitory metabolite, FdUMP. In this study, we tested CF10 for potency advantages relative to 5-FU and trifluorothymidine (TFT, the FP component of TAS-102) and confirmed a general potency advantage for CF10 in CRC cell lines in the Broad Institute PRISM screen. We demonstrated that this potency advantage is retained in CRC cells cultured with human-like folate levels and is enhanced by LV co-treatment to a similar extent as that by 5-FU. Our results confirm CF10 development proceeding as a CF10/LV combination. Mechanistically, CF10 cytotoxicity closely correlates with poisons of DNA topoisomerase 1 (Top1) in the PRISM screen relative to 5-FU and TFT. Conclusions: Our pre-clinical data support an early-phase clinical trial for CF10 for treating liver-metastatic CRC. Full article

Widespread Triassic granitic magmatism is archived in the East Kunlun Orogen Belt (EKOB) of Northern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Mafic magmatic enclaves (MMEs), commonly hosted in these plutons, are generally interpreted as products of magma mixing; however, the specific magmatic processes remain poorly understood. In this study, we present new data on the complex zoning patterns, in situ U–Pb ages, trace element compositions, and Nd isotopic characteristics of titanite grains from the MMEs and host granodiorite of Laningzaohuo Zhongyou pluton. Whole-rock geochemical data indicate that the pluton is composed of volcanic arc-related, calc-alkaline, metaluminous I-type granodiorite. Titanite in the MMEs and the granodiorite yield similar U–Pb ages of ~244 Ma but display distinct textural and compositional features. Titanite from the granodiorite is typically euhedral, characterized by magmatic core and mantle with deuteric rim, and exhibits sector and fir-tree zoning in the core. In contrast, titanite from the MMEs is generally anhedral, also showing magmatic core and mantle as well as deuteric rims, but exhibits oscillatory zoning and incomplete sector and fir-tree zoning in the core. Titanite cores in the MMEs have ε_Nd(t) ranging from −2.5 to −3.4, comparable to those of the coeval gabbro and MMEs elsewhere in the EKOB. These cores also show higher LREE/HREE ratios compared to titanite cores in the granodiorite, suggesting crystallization from mixed magmas with greater contributions from enriched lithospheric mantle sources. Titanite mantles in the MMEs yield ε_Nd(t) of −4.0 to −4.8, slightly lower than the cores in the MMEs but higher than those of titanite cores and mantles in the granodiorite (−4.6 to −5.5). The mantle can be interpreted as crystallized from mixed magmas with less mafic components. Titanite rims in the MMEs have ε_Nd(t) of −5.0 to −5.7, identical to those in the granodiorite, and have REE concentrations and Th/U and Nb/Ta ratios consistent with the titanite rims in the granodiorite, clearly indicative of crystallization from evolved, hydrated, granodioritic magmas. Plagioclase in the MMEs exhibits disequilibrium textures such as sieve texture and reverse zoning, with An_36–66, contrasting with the more uniform An contents (An_35–37) in the granodiorite. This suggests that plagioclase in the MMEs crystallized in an environment influenced by both mafic and felsic magmas. Amphibole thermobarometry indicates that amphibole in the MMEs crystallized at ~788 °C and ~295 MPa, slightly higher than the crystallization conditions in the granodiorite (~778 °C and ~259 MPa). We thus propose that the chemical and textural differences between titanite in the MMEs and granodiorite suggest that the MMEs formed within a mushy hybrid layer generated by injection of upwelling basaltic magma into a pre-existing granitic magma chamber. Titanite cores and mantles in the MMEs likely crystallized from variably mixed magmas. They subsequently underwent resorption and disequilibrium growth within the hybrid layer, and were eventually overgrown by rims formed from evolved interstitial granitic melts within the mushy enclaves. These findings demonstrate that the complex zoning and geochemical titanite in the MMEs provide valuable insights into magma mixing processes. Full article

Background: With increasing involvement of pharmacists in clinical situations and expanding scope of practice, the expectation and management of uncertainty is a desirable component of pharmacy education, leading to improved uncertainty tolerance (UT) as pharmacists. Methods: The purpose of this pilot study was to determine whether an inpatient rounding simulation (IRS) that exposes student pharmacists to a level of uncertainty leads to changes in tolerance of ambiguity scale (TAS) scores and self-reflection comments. A pre-/post-observational, pilot survey study was conducted, including student pharmacists in their second professional year at the United States School of Pharmacy who were enrolled in an associated lab-based course in Spring 2024. Student teams completed a mock IRS and responded to clinical questions in a timed environment. Students completed pre-/post-simulation TAS and self-reflection on uncertainty/UT within the simulation. Pre-/post-simulation TAS scores were analyzed with a paired t-test. Qualitative analysis was used to identify themes in self-reflection. Results: 59 students responded (48% response rate). TAS was not different pre-/post-IRS (63.2 vs. 62.6, p = 0.63). When individual subscales were compared, a statistically significant difference was found in the insolubility subscale (10.5 vs. 9.5; p = 0.02). Themes of uncertainty that emerged during qualitative analysis of pre-simulation included the clinical question posed to the team. Student pharmacists overcame uncertainty pre-simulation by working with their team and relying on the availability of resources. Themes of uncertainty emerging during qualitative analysis of post-simulation included discerning the best answer. Student pharmacists overcame uncertainty post-simulation by working with their team and cited working with their team as a positive aspect of the IRS experience. Conclusions: In this pilot study, student pharmacists had high TAS scores both pre- and post-simulation. Students utilized their teams and cited this as a positive in an uncertain environment. Full article

A three-dimensional numerical model was developed using Delft3D-Flow to simulate temperature dynamics, flow circulation, and sediment transport in Água Preta Lake, a shallow urban lake in the Brazilian Amazon. The simulation incorporated meteorological and physical data—including water inflows, temperature, bathymetry, and bed roughness—collected through in situ campaigns and meteorological stations. It was calibrated using a temperature time series (RMSE = 0.27 °C; MAE = 0.87 °C; R² = 0.79; ρ = 0.89), and validated with two flow velocity measurements (RMSE = 0.009–0.012 m/s; ρ = 0.1–0.5) and with 19 temperature profiles over 4 months (RMSE = 0.08–0.93 °C; MAE = 0.12–2.04 °C; R² = 0.00–0.99; ρ = −0.29–0.99). Due to its shallowness, the lake does not develop thermal stratification, with a maximum vertical temperature difference of only 2 °C. The lake is fed by high-discharge inflows that significantly affect internal circulation and promote resuspension. This may increase turbidity and possibly alter ecological dynamics, favoring eutrophication processes. Additionally, the simulation showed sediment accumulation rate of 27,780 m³/year; if continuous, this indicates complete siltation in about 318 years. These results emphasize the importance of ongoing monitoring, effective management of anthropogenic pressures, and restoration efforts, to prevent further degradation of these systems. Full article

Many early career educators, such as teaching assistants (TAs) in college courses, as well as pre-college educators, need help both with content and pedagogical knowledge to effectively help their students learn. One pedagogical approach that has been found effective in prior studies is collaboration with peers. Collaborative learning not only has the potential to help educators develop content knowledge but can also improve their pedagogical knowledge. This study examines the performance of physics graduate students, enrolled in a professional development course for teaching assistants (TAs), on the Magnetism Conceptual Survey, highlighting the impact of peer collaboration on learning both content and pedagogy. Peer interaction significantly improved performance, driven by both construction of knowledge (where the group answered a question correctly but only one member had the correct individual response) and co-construction of knowledge (where the group succeeded despite both members initially answering incorrectly). Beyond improving content understanding, peer collaboration can also foster pedagogical skills by encouraging early educators such as TAs to use peers as learning resources and communicate ideas effectively to support mutual understanding. These dual benefits—enhancing both content mastery and teaching abilities—demonstrate that this approach holds value not only for the professional development of TAs but can also be adapted for pre-college professional development programs to improve teaching and learning outcomes. Full article

This article examines the evolution and potential cross-cultural adaptations of the “Goddess of the Flaming Mouth”, Jvālāmukhī (Skt.) or Kha ‘bar ma (Tib.), in Indic and Tibetan traditions. A minor figure in medieval Hindu Tantras, Jvālāmukhī is today best known through her tangible manifestation as natural flames in a West Himalayan temple complex in the valley of Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India. The gap between her sparse portrayal in Tantric texts and her enduring presence at this local “seat of power” (śakti pīṭha) raises questions regarding her historical development and sectarian affiliations. To address these questions, we examine mentions of Jvālāmukhī’s Tibetan counterpart, Kha ‘bar ma, across a wide range of textual sources: canonical Buddhist texts, original Tibetan works of the Bön and Buddhist traditions, and texts on sacred geography. Regarded as a queen of ghost spirits (pretas) and field protector (kṣetrapāla) in Buddhist sources, her portrayal in Bön texts contain archaic motifs that hint at autochthonous and/or non-Buddhist origins. The assessment of Indic material in conjunction with Tibetan texts point to possible transformations of the goddess across these culturally proximate Himalayan settings. In presenting and contextualizing these transitions, this article contributes critical data to ongoing efforts to map the development, adaptation, and localization of Tantric deities along the Indo-Tibetan interface. Full article

Background: Biostimulants naturally improve plant growth, stress tolerance, and nutrient use efficiency and activate defenses by increasing protective metabolites (phenols, anthocyanins) in grapes. In viticulture, especially when using inactive yeasts, they modulate genetic expression and improve the skin resistance, color, and aroma profile of wine grapes in line with sustainable practices. Methods: Two wine grape cultivars, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, were sprayed with the inactive yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a single treatment in pre-veraison or in a double treatment in pre-veraison and veraison. Berry weight, must, total polyphenols, anthocyanins, and mechanical and colorimetric properties were measured on fresh grapes. Results: Two-way ANOVA revealed that titratable acidity (TA), pH, and total polyphenol content (TPC) were not affected, while mean berry weight and anthocyanin content varied by cultivar, treatment, and interaction; total soluble solids (TSS) differed only by cultivar. Inactive yeasts reduced weight in the single-treatment thesis but stabilized it in the double-treatment one; anthocyanins decreased in Cabernet Sauvignon but increased in Merlot. Mechanical and colorimetric analyses showed cultivar-dependent responses, with significant improvements in elasticity, skin thickness, and hue of berries, especially in Merlot when the treatment was applied twice. Conclusions: Inactive yeasts (IYs) showed an effect on the weight of the berries, the anthocyanins, the mechanics, and the color; Merlot significantly improved skin thickness, elasticity, and hue; and Cabernet remained less reactive to treatments. Full article

Biochar is an amendment that can enhance both soil fertility and sequester carbon. However, its historical applications continue to be underexplored. In this overview, we investigate the formiguer method of burning woody biomass to create agricultural biochar for use as fertilizer in Catalonia, Spain, within the context of historical biochar use. A literature review targeted searches of scholarly databases to compare the formiguer method to Amazonian terra preta and other traditional biochar use. We identified sources covering biochar properties, soil impacts, and historical agricultural practices within the Iberian Peninsula and briefly described the main methods or treatments used during this process. Past research demonstrates that the formiguer method, which involves pyrolytic combustion of biomass within soil mounds, improves microbial activity, increases soil phosphorus and potassium availability from soil structure, and leads to long-term carbon stabilization, even though it can result in short-term decreases in soil organic carbon and nitrogen losses. Despite being abandoned in Europe with the rise of chemical fertilizers, the use of formiguers exemplifies a decentralized approach to nutrient and agroecosystem management. The literature highlights the relevance that these traditional biochar practices can have in informing modern soil management and sustainable agricultural strategies. Understanding the formiguer can offer critical insights to optimize contemporary biochar applications and historical techniques into future sustainability frameworks. Full article

The investigation of the neuromuscular components of fatigue in team sports, especially in developmental ages, is limited. This study aimed to examine the neuromuscular fatigue and recovery patterns in prepubertal and adult female handball players, focusing on the soleus (SOL) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles. Fifteen prepubertal (11.1 ± 0.9 years) and fourteen adult (22.0 ± 3.4 years) females performed a sustained isometric plantar flexion at 25% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) until exhaustion. The electromyographic (EMG) activity of the SOL and TA, torque, and central activation ratio (CAR) were recorded throughout the experiment. Endurance time was similar between groups (girls: 104 ± 93.5 s; women: 94.4 ± 30.2 s, p > 0.05), and both demonstrated progressive increases in muscle activation, without significant group differences for SOL and TA EMG (p > 0.05). Following fatigue, the torque and soleus (SOL) EMG activity decreased significantly compared to the pre-fatigue values in both groups (p < 0.001) and recovered (p > 0.05) in prepubertal and adult females within the first 3 and 6 min, respectively. The CAR remained unchanged over time, without significant differences observed between age groups (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that neuromuscular responses to fatigue are comparable between prepubertal and adult females, but recovery is significantly faster in prepubertal girls. Consequently, these findings underscore the need for age-specific recovery strategies in training programs, with tailored exercise-to-rest ratios to enhance performance and reduce fatigue during handball-specific activities. Full article

To further extend the structure–activity relationships on previously identified anti-proliferative imidazo-pyrazoles, a novel series of compounds was designed and synthesized. In the obtained derivatives (1), the imidazo-pyrazole scaffold was formally condensed with a substituted triazole moiety, known for its biological properties. All derivatives were tested for anti-proliferative activity on a panel of 60 different cancer cell lines and compound 1h was identified as the most promising derivative, being highly effective against melanoma cells. Additional investigations demonstrated a cytotoxic and pro-oxidant action of the compound 1h on human metastatic melanoma cell lines (MeOV and MeTA) but not on healthy keratinocytes (HaCAT), confirming the selective activity of the compound. In silico calculations predicted favorable drug-like and pharmacokinetic properties and pre-formulation studies evaluated the effect of Tween 80 on 1h solubility. Overall, the collected data confirmed the pharmacological potential of the imidazo-pyrazole scaffold and indicated 1h as an interesting lead structure for the development of novel anti-melanoma agents. Full article

Eukaryotic cells double their mass and divide at the same rate, allowing cells to maintain a uniform cell size over many cell divisions. We hypothesize that aneuploid cancer cells are more sensitive to forced overgrowth, more than doubling their mass during a single longer-duration cell division cycle, relative to healthy diploid cells. This hypothesis stems from the observation that cancer cells are under proteotoxic stress, during which heat-shock proteins become rate-limiting and the unfolded-protein response network has a growth-suppressive phenotype. Forced overgrowth will lead to the production of more individual proteins per cell division cycle and increase the duration of time during which any mis-folded or aggregated proteins might disrupt the function of properly folded proteins. To induce these potential forced overgrowth effects, we suggest targeting the cell division cycle regulatory enzyme, the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C), to suppress—but not inhibit—its activity. We conclude by proposing experiments to test this hypothesis in which an APC/C inhibitor, such as a low level of proTAME, is combined with the clinically approved heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90)-inhibitor pimitespib (TAS-116) or the pre-clinical molecule tanespimycin, which, to the best of our knowledge, are combinations that have not been investigated before. Full article

With the growth of Internet of Things (IoT) business demands, NB-IoT integrating low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication systems is considered a crucial component for achieving global coverage of IoT networks in the future. However, the long propagation delay and significant Doppler frequency shift of the satellite-to-ground link pose substantial challenges to the uplink and downlink synchronization in LEO satellite-based NB-IoT networks. To address this challenge, we first propose a Multiple Segment Auto-correlation (MSA) algorithm to detect the downlink Narrow-band Primary Synchronization Signal (NPSS), specifically tailored for the large Doppler frequency shift of LEO satellites. After detection, downlink synchronization can be realized by determining the arrival time and frequency of the NPSS. Then, to complete the uplink synchronization, we propose a position-based scheme to obtain the Timing Advance (TA) values and pre-compensated Doppler shift value. In this scheme, we formulate a time difference of arrival (TDOA) equation using the arrival times of NPSSs from different satellites or at different times as observations. After solving the TDOA equation using the Chan method, the uplink synchronization is completed by obtaining the TA values and pre-compensated Doppler shift value from the terminal position combined with satellite ephemeris. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed scheme is verified in an Iridium satellite constellation. Compared to conventional GNSS-assisted methods, the approach proposed in this paper reduces terminal power consumption by 15–40%. Moreover, it achieves an uplink synchronization success rate of over 98% under negative SNR conditions. Full article