Search Results (15)

Background/Objectives: Moderately hypofractionated radiotherapy (MHRT) may shorten treatment duration for cervical cancer but raises concerns regarding toxicity due to substantial interfractional pelvic organ motion. This prospective study evaluated the feasibility, workflow efficiency, dosimetric benefits, and acute toxicities of daily online adaptive radiotherapy (oART)-guided MHRT. Methods: Thirty patients with FIGO 2018 stage IB1–IIB or IIIC1 cervical squamous cell carcinoma receiving definitive chemoradiotherapy were prospectively included between September 2023 and April 2024 (NCT05994300). All patients underwent daily oART, receiving 43.35 Gy in 17 fractions to the pelvic target volume, with a simultaneous integrated boost to 54.40 Gy in 17 fractions for involved lymph nodes. The adaptive workflow consisted of iterative cone-beam computed tomography acquisition, artificial intelligence-assisted contouring, physician review, plan adaptation, and treatment verification. Workflow efficiency, plan selection, target coverage, organ-at-risk (OAR) sparing, treatment completion, early tumor response and acute toxicity were prospectively assessed. Results: A total of 510 adaptive fractions were delivered. The first-attempt adaptation success rate was 99.0%, and adapted plans were selected in 99.4% of fractions. The mean adaptive workflow and total treatment times were 17.3 and 23.3 min per fraction, respectively. Compared with scheduled plans, adapted plans significantly improved target coverage, with V_100% increasing by 7.26% for the planning target volume of the uterus and 8.79% for planning target volume of the cervix (both p < 0.001), while significantly reducing doses to the bladder, rectum, small bowel, bone marrow, and femoral heads. All patients achieved complete clinical response at 3 months. Acute toxicity was generally manageable; Grade ≥ 3 gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and hematologic toxicities occurred in 10%, 0%, and 40% of patients, respectively, including one Grade 4 neutropenia event, and no treatment interruptions. Conclusions: Daily oART-guided MHRT was feasible and efficient, providing improved target coverage and reduced OAR doses compared with scheduled plans. Acute toxicity was acceptable. These findings provide early prospective evidence supporting the feasibility of this treatment strategy and warrant further validation in larger prospective studies with longer follow-up. Full article

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanners equipped with silicon photomultiplier detectors offer superior sensitivity and count-rate performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and impact of shortening the acquisition duration in brain tumor ¹¹C-methionine PET using a silicon photomultiplier PET/CT system, and to assess how point spread function (PSF) correction influences quantitative values. In the phantom study, a brain tumor phantom was scanned using the Biograph Vision silicon photomultiplier-based PET/CT system. Data were acquired for 10, 5, 3, and 1 min, and the images were reconstructed with and without PSF correction. In the clinical study, 20 patients who underwent ¹¹C-methionine PET were retrospectively analyzed. PET data were acquired over 10 min and subsequently reconstructed for 10, 5, and 3 min. We evaluated quantitative parameters including the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), and their relative errors under shortened acquisition durations were analyzed. In the phantom study, the SUVmax increased with shorter acquisition durations; however, this increase was less pronounced with PSF correction. In the clinical study, relative errors of SUVmax for the 5 and 3 min acquisitions with PSF correction were 2.9 ± 3.8% and 5.2 ± 5.4%, respectively. They were smaller than those without PSF correction (5.5 ± 5.1% and 12.7 ± 8.5%), indicating superior quantitative stability with shortened acquisition duration. The combination of the Biograph Vision system and PSF correction enabled the acquisition of high-quality PET images with shortened scan times. Full article

Traditional acupuncture training often lacks consistent, objective feedback, while current extended reality (XR) solutions rarely include quantitative assessment. This study developed and evaluated a feedback-enabled mixed reality (MR) acupuncture simulator to improve skill acquisition through depth-responsive guidance. The system, used on Microsoft HoloLens 2, combines a MetaHuman-based virtual patient with expert-designed acupoint geometries. It provides depth-dependent vibrotactile cues via a wearable haptic device and calculates a composite score from normalized metrics, including insertion depth, angular deviation, tip-to-center distance, and task duration. Ten participants (eight novices and two experts) performed needle tasks at LI4, LI11, and TE3 across two sessions. Mean depth error decreased from 6.41 mm to 3.58 mm, and task time from 9.29 s to 6.83 s. At LI11, beginners improved in achieved depth (16.24 ± 1.88 mm to 19.74 ± 1.23 mm), reduced angular deviation (27.83° to 15.34°), and shortened completion time (38.77 s to 13.28 s). Experts outperformed novices (69.25 ± 21.64 vs. 56.26 ± 23.37), confirming construct validity. Usability evaluation showed a mean overall score of 4.46 ± 0.51 and excellent reliability (McDonald’s ω = 0.93). These results demonstrate that expert-informed scoring and depth-responsive haptic feedback substantially enhance accuracy, efficiency, and learning confidence, validating the system’s technical robustness and educational readiness for clinical acupuncture training. Full article

Rice planthoppers are the most destructive pests of rice production and the vectors of rice viruses. Fenmezoditiaz as a novel mesoionic insecticide is used for rice planthopper management by targeting the insect’s neural nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of fenmezoditiaz on the acquisition, propagation, and transmission of southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV) by the white-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera (Hemiptera: Delphacida). The results revealed that sublethal concentrations of fenmezoditiaz significantly impaired SRBSDV acquisition and viral replication in S. furcifera. Fenmezoditiaz-treated viruliferous S. furcifera exhibited a lower transmission efficiency of SRBSDV to un-infected rice seedlings. Electrical penetration graph (EPG) recordings revealed prolonged non-probing (NP), salivary secretion (N2/N3), and xylem feeding (N5) durations, alongside shortened phloem contact behavior (N4a/N4b), of fenmezoditiaz-treated individuals, indicating disrupted feeding behaviors, which are critical for reducing viral infection. By reducing viral titers and interfering with phloem ingestion, fenmezoditiaz significantly suppresses SRBSDV transmission. These findings revealed fenmezoditiaz’s dual role in pest control and viral transmission blockage, providing a foundation for incorporation into integrated management of vector-borne plant viruses. Full article

Fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) has established itself as a pivotal tool for investigating biological processes within living cells. However, the extensive imaging duration necessary to accumulate sufficient photons for accurate fluorescence lifetime calculations poses a significant obstacle to achieving high-resolution monitoring of cellular dynamics. In this study, we introduce an image reconstruction method based on the edge-preserving interpolation method (EPIM), which transforms rapidly acquired low-resolution FLIM data into high-pixel images, thereby eliminating the need for extended acquisition times. Specifically, we decouple the grayscale image and the fluorescence lifetime matrix and perform an individual interpolation on each. Following the interpolation of the intensity image, we apply wavelet transformation and adjust the wavelet coefficients according to the image gradients. After the inverse transformation, the original image is obtained and subjected to noise reduction to complete the image reconstruction process. Subsequently, each pixel is pseudo-color-coded based on its intensity and lifetime, preserving both structural and temporal information. We evaluated the performance of the bicubic interpolation method and our image reconstruction approach on fluorescence microspheres and fixed-cell samples, demonstrating their effectiveness in enhancing the quality of lifetime images. By applying these techniques to live-cell imaging, we can successfully obtain high-pixel FLIM images at shortened intervals, facilitating the capture of rapid cellular events. Full article

Anthocyanins are significant secondary metabolites that are essential for plant growth and development, possessing properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities and cardiovascular protection. They offer significant potential for applications in food, medicine, and cosmetics. However, since anthocyanins are mainly obtained through plant extraction and chemical synthesis, they encounter various challenges, including resource depletion, ecological harm, environmental pollution, and the risk of toxic residuals. To address these issues, this study proposes a plant cell factory approach as a novel alternative solution for anthocyanin acquisition. In this study, the VdCHS2 gene was successfully transformed into spine grape cells, obtaining a high-yield anthocyanin cell line designated as OE1. Investigations of the light spectrum demonstrated that white light promoted spine grape cell growth, while short-wavelength blue light significantly boosted anthocyanin production. Targeted metabolomics analysis revealed that the total anthocyanin content in the OE1 cell line reached 11 mg/g, representing a 60% increase compared to the WT. A total of 54 differentially accumulated metabolites were identified, among which 44 were upregulated. Overexpression of the CHS gene enhanced the expression of downstream genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis, resulting in the differential expression of CHI, F3Hb, F3′5′H, DFR4, and LDOX. This led to the differential accumulation of anthocyanin monomers, predominantly consisting of 3-O-glucosides and 3-O-galactosides, thereby causing alterations in anthocyanin levels and composition. Furthermore, the OE1 cell line increased the activity of various antioxidant enzymes, improved the clearance of reactive oxygen species, and reduced the levels of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA). The subsequent cultivation of the transformed OE1 cell line, in conjunction with cell suspension culture, established a plant cell factory for anthocyanin production, significantly increasing anthocyanin yield while shortening the culture duration. This study elucidates the molecular mechanisms through which the VdCHS2 gene influenced anthocyanin accumulation and compositional variations. Additionally, it established a model for a small-scale anthocyanin plant cell factory, thereby providing a theoretical and practical foundation for the targeted synthesis of anthocyanin components and the development and utilization of plant natural products. Full article

Objective: Knowledge of the role of hospital conditions in SARS-CoV-2 transmission should inform strategies for the prevention of nosocomial spread of this pathogen and of similarly transmitted viruses. This study aimed to identify risk factors for nosocomial acquisition of SARS-CoV-2. Methods: We ran a nested case-control study with incidence density sampling among adult patients hospitalized for >7 days (August–December 2020). Patients testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 after the 7th day of hospitalization were defined as cases and matched with controls (1:4) by date of admission, hospitalization duration until index date, and type of department. Individual and contextual characteristics were gathered, including admission characteristics and exposures during the risk period. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) with respective 95% confidence intervals (CI) separately for probable (diagnosed on day 8–13) and definitive (diagnosed after day 14) nosocomial sets. Results: We identified 65 cases (31 probable; 34 definitive) and 219 controls. No individual characteristic was related to nosocomial acquisition of SARS-CoV-2. Contextual risk factors for nosocomial acquisition were staying in a non-refurbished room (probable nosocomial: OR = 3.6, 1.18–10.87), contact with roommates with newly diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 (probable nosocomial: OR = 9.9, 2.11–46.55; definitive nosocomial: OR = 3.4, 1.09–10.30), and contact with roommates with a first positive test 21–90 days before the beginning of contact (probable nosocomial: OR = 10.7, 1.97–57.7). Conclusions: Hospital conditions and contact with recently infected patients modulated nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 transmission. These results alert us to the importance of the physical context and of agile screening procedures to shorten contact with patients with recent infection. Full article

Background: Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), a pivotal component of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), plays a pivotal role in the detection, diagnosis, and evaluation of gastric cancer. Despite its potential, DWI is often marred by substantial anatomical distortions and sensitivity artifacts, which can hinder its practical utility. Presently, enhancing DWI’s image quality necessitates reliance on cutting-edge hardware and extended scanning durations. The development of a rapid technique that optimally balances shortened acquisition time with improved image quality would have substantial clinical relevance. Objectives: This study aims to construct and evaluate the unsupervised learning framework called attention dual contrast vision transformer cyclegan (ADCVCGAN) for enhancing image quality and reducing scanning time in gastric DWI. Methods: The ADCVCGAN framework, proposed in this study, employs high b-value DWI (b = 1200 ${\mathrm{s}/\mathrm{mm}}^2$) as a reference for generating synthetic b-value DWI (s-DWI) from acquired lower b-value DWI (a-DWI, b = 800 ${\mathrm{s}/\mathrm{mm}}^2$). Specifically, ADCVCGAN incorporates an attention mechanism CBAM module into the CycleGAN generator to enhance feature extraction from the input a-DWI in both the channel and spatial dimensions. Subsequently, a vision transformer module, based on the U-net framework, is introduced to refine detailed features, aiming to produce s-DWI with image quality comparable to that of b-DWI. Finally, images from the source domain are added as negative samples to the discriminator, encouraging the discriminator to steer the generator towards synthesizing images distant from the source domain in the latent space, with the goal of generating more realistic s-DWI. The image quality of the s-DWI is quantitatively assessed using metrics such as the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity index (SSIM), feature similarity index (FSIM), mean squared error (MSE), weighted peak signal-to-noise ratio (WPSNR), and weighted mean squared error (WMSE). Subjective evaluations of different DWI images were conducted using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The reproducibility and consistency of b-ADC and s-ADC, calculated from b-DWI and s-DWI, respectively, were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). A statistical significance level of p < 0.05 was considered. Results: The s-DWI generated by the unsupervised learning framework ADCVCGAN scored significantly higher than a-DWI in quantitative metrics such as PSNR, SSIM, FSIM, MSE, WPSNR, and WMSE, with statistical significance (p < 0.001). This performance is comparable to the optimal level achieved by the latest synthetic algorithms. Subjective scores for lesion visibility, image anatomical details, image distortion, and overall image quality were significantly higher for s-DWI and b-DWI compared to a-DWI (p < 0.001). At the same time, there was no significant difference between the scores of s-DWI and b-DWI (p > 0.05). The consistency of b-ADC and s-ADC readings was comparable among different readers (ICC: b-ADC 0.87–0.90; s-ADC 0.88–0.89, respectively). The repeatability of b-ADC and s-ADC readings by the same reader was also comparable (Reader1 ICC: b-ADC 0.85–0.86, s-ADC 0.85–0.93; Reader2 ICC: b-ADC 0.86–0.87, s-ADC 0.89–0.92, respectively). Conclusions: ADCVCGAN shows excellent promise in generating gastric cancer DWI images. It effectively reduces scanning time, improves image quality, and ensures the authenticity of s-DWI images and their s-ADC values, thus providing a basis for assisting clinical decision making. Full article

Charging methods significantly affect the performance and lifespan of lithium-ion batteries. Investigating charging techniques is crucial for optimizing the charging time, charging efficiency, and cycle life of the battery cells. This study introduces a real-time charging monitoring platform based on LabVIEW, enabling observation of battery parameters such as voltage, current, and temperature. The proposed system allows the precise control of charging parameters via a user-friendly interface. Utilizing a programmable DC power supply, it delivers specific charging waveforms, while data acquisition instruments record temperature changes. Key performance metrics, including charging time, efficiency, and temperature rise, are analyzed. Moreover, this paper conducts in-depth research on the constant temperature–constant voltage (CT-CV) charging technique and applies the Taguchi method to identify key parameter configurations that achieve the objectives of the shortest charging time, highest charging efficiency, and lowest average temperature rise. A comprehensive evaluation compares the optimized CT-CV method with conventional constant current–constant voltage (CC-CV) charging. The results demonstrate a 10.7% reduction in charging time compared to the 1C CC-CV method, indicating the efficacy of CT-CV in shortening charging duration while managing temperature rise. Full article

PET/CT scanners with a long axial field-of-view (LAFOV) provide increased sensitivity, enabling the adjustment of imaging parameters by reducing the injected activity or shortening the acquisition time. This study aimed to evaluate the limitations of reduced [¹⁸F]FDG activity doses on image quality, lesion detectability, and the quantification of lesion uptake in the Biograph Vision Quadra, as well as to assess the benefits of the recently introduced ultra-high sensitivity mode in a clinical setting. A number of 26 patients who underwent [¹⁸F]FDG-PET/CT (3.0 MBq/kg, 5 min scan time) were included in this analysis. The PET raw data was rebinned for shorter frame durations to simulate 5 min scans with lower activities in the high sensitivity (HS) and ultra-high sensitivity (UHS) modes. Image quality, noise, and lesion detectability (n = 82) were assessed using a 5-point Likert scale. The coefficient of variation (CoV), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), tumor-to-background ratio (TBR), and standardized uptake values (SUV) including SUV_mean, SUV_max, and SUV_peak were evaluated. Subjective image ratings were generally superior in UHS compared to the HS mode. At 0.5 MBq/kg, lesion detectability decreased to 95% (HS) and to 98% (UHS). SNR was comparable at 1.0 MBq/kg in HS (5.7 ± 0.6) and 0.5 MBq/kg in UHS (5.5 ± 0.5). With lower doses, there were negligible reductions in SUV_mean and SUV_peak, whereas SUV_max increased steadily. Reducing the [¹⁸F]FDG activity to 1.0 MBq/kg (HS/UHS) in a LAFOV PET/CT provides diagnostic image quality without statistically significant changes in the uptake parameters. The UHS mode improves image quality, noise, and lesion detectability compared to the HS mode. Full article

Nitrogen deposition and biodiversity alter plant flowering phenology through abiotic factors and functional traits. However, few studies have considered their combined effects on flowering phenology. A common garden experiment with two nitrogen addition levels (0 and 6 g N m⁻² year⁻¹) and five species richness levels (1, 2, 4, 6, and 8) was established. We assessed the effects of nitrogen addition and plant species richness on three flowering phenological events of Medicago sativa L. via changes in functional traits, soil nutrients, and soil moisture and temperature. The first flowering day was delayed, the last flowering day advanced, and the flowering duration shortened after nitrogen addition. Meanwhile, the last flowering day advanced, and flowering duration shortened along plant species richness gradients, with an average of 0.64 and 0.95 days change per plant species increase, respectively. Importantly, it was observed that plant species richness affected flowering phenology mainly through changes in plant nutrient acquisition traits (i.e., leaf nitrogen and carbon/nitrogen ratio). Our findings illustrate the non-negligible effects of intraspecific variation in functional traits on flowering phenology and highlight the importance of including functional traits in phenological models to improve predictions of plant phenology in response to nitrogen deposition and biodiversity loss. Full article

As heart rate variability (HRV) studies become more and more prevalent in clinical practice, one of the most common and significant causes of errors is associated with distorted RR interval (RRI) data acquisition. The nature of such artifacts can be both mechanical as well as software based. Various currently used noise elimination in RRI sequences methods use filtering algorithms that eliminate artifacts without taking into account the fact that the whole RRI sequence time cannot be shortened or lengthened. Keeping that in mind, we aimed to develop an artifacts elimination algorithm suited to long-term (hours or days) sequences that does not affect the overall structure of the RRI sequence and does not alter the duration of data registration. An original adaptive smart time series step-by-step analysis and statistical verification methods were used. The adaptive algorithm was designed to maximize the reconstruction of the heart-rate structure and is suitable for use, especially in polygraphy. The authors submit the scheme and program for use. Full article

Objective: To investigate the impact of reduced SPECT acquisition time on reconstructed image quality for diagnostic purposes. Method: Data from five patients referred for a routine bone SPECT/CT using the standard multi-bed SPECT/CT protocol were reviewed. The acquisition time was 900 s using gating technique; SPECT date was resampled into reduced data sets of 480 s, 450 s, 360 s and 180 s acquisition duration per bed position. Each acquisition time was reconstructed using a fixed number of subsets (8 subsets) and 4, 8, 12, and 16 iterations, followed by a post-reconstruction 3D Gaussian filter of 8 mm FWHM. Two Nuclear Medicine physicians analysed all images independently to score image quality, noise and diagnostic confidence based on a pre-defined 4-point scale. Results: Our result showed that the most frequently selected categories for 480 s and 450 s images were good image quality, average noise and fair confidence, particularly at lower iteration numbers 4 and 8. For the shortened acquisition time of 360 s and 180 s, statistical significance was observed in most reconstructed images compared with 900 s. Conclusion: The SPECT/CT can significantly shorten the acquisition time with maintained image quality, noise and diagnostic confidence. Therefore, acquiring data over 480 s and 450 s is feasible for WB-SPECT/CT bone scans to provide an optimal balance between acquisition time and image quality. Full article

In the future, ammonia is expected to become a carbon-free fuel for internal combustion engines. However, the flammability of ammonia is poorer compared to conventional fuels such as gasoline and diesel fuel. Pre-chamber jet ignition may be an effective way to ensure stable ignition and enhance the combustion of ammonia. In this paper, the effects of pre-chamber geometric parameters, including volume and orifice diameter, on the jet ignition and combustion processes were studied using visualization methods, combined with pressure acquisition. The results showed that ignition energy increased and the jet duration was prolonged with the increase in pre-chamber volume, resulting in a higher maximum pressure and pressure rise rate in the main chamber. The jet characteristics of a larger volume pre-chamber exhibited higher stability when the ambient parameters were changed. The smaller volume pre-chamber showed the superiority of a shorter flame propagation distance inside the pre-chamber, which advanced the timing of the jet appearance and shortened the ignition delay when the flammability of the pre-mixture was adequate. The larger pre-chamber orifice diameter caused an earlier jet ignition timing, shorter ignition delay, and higher ignition location. The jet duration for the pre-chamber with a smaller orifice was longer, which was beneficial for increasing the pressure rise rate in the main chamber. Too small a pre-chamber orifice led to ignition failure in the main chamber. Full article

As a global platform for cultural exchange, the Confucius Institute (CI) has effectively promoted sustainable development among countries and regions. However, existing literature has mostly drawn insights from the national macro-level to study the roles played by CIs, whereas the potential of CIs to influence corporate behaviors has not received extensive attention. This study expands the research on CIs from the national macro-level to the enterprise micro-level by exploring the effect of CIs on the likelihood of acquisition completion. Using data from 1695 Chinese cross-border acquisitions from 2006 to 2017, we find that establishment of CIs can significantly increase acquisition completion likelihood. Furthermore, the level of influence of CIs on acquisition completion depends on country- and firm- level factors. At the country level, the positive effect of CIs on completion likelihood intensifies when cultural distance between host countries and China is great. At the firm level, the acquirer’s past cross-border acquisition experience moderates the effects of CIs, which are more beneficial to firms with no previous successes. In addition, we have made some further analyses, and find that the presence of CIs not only helps to increase the likelihood of acquisitions completion, but also helps to shorten the acquisition durations. The role of CIs in cross-border acquisition completion likelihood do not depend on the types of Chinse enterprises, which indicates that CIs, unlike government agencies, do not offer additional help for SOEs. Full article