Search Results (946)

Reliable optical sensing of smoke and flames in high-rise buildings is challenging due to weak early cues, vertical smoke diffusion, facade occlusions, nighttime illumination, and fire-like urban interferences. We propose CDU-YOLO, a scene-aware real-time detection framework built upon YOLOv8n. Rather than relying on indiscriminate network scaling, task-oriented integration of existing modules is introduced: dynamic point-sampling (DySample) to preserve blurred boundaries of distant micro-targets, an enlarged receptive field (UniRepLKNet) to capture large-scale vertical propagation, and a dynamic bounding-box regression loss (WIoU) to handle occlusions. Experiments on a custom high-rise fire dataset and two public datasets demonstrate 94.9% mAP@0.5 and 56.7% mAP@0.5:0.95. In a dedicated flame-only size-stratified evaluation, CDU-YOLO improves AP@0.5 for small flames from 79.6% to 91.7% and reduces their miss rate from 25.2% to 11.3% relative to YOLOv8n. Under a unified desktop protocol (RTX 3080, PyTorch FP16, $640\times 640$, batch size 1, no TensorRT), end-to-end throughput increases from 41 FPS to 55 FPS. A separate Jetson Orin NX deployment benchmark reaches 92 FPS using TensorRT FP16. The explicit introduction of an “others” category during training contributes to reducing false positive predictions against fire-like distractors. These results support the use of CDU-YOLO as a supplementary visual sensing component for early situational awareness. Nevertheless, residual misses on small and ultra-distant flames, continuous video-stream validation, and long-term field testing remain to be addressed before safety-critical online deployment. Full article

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have significant potential in electrochemical sensors, but the guest molecules and residual solvents in the pores often block the active sites and limit the reaction kinetics. One-dimensional nanostructures can provide direct conduction pathways and shorten ion diffusion distances, thereby enhancing electron transport and electrode contact. Meanwhile, fluorine-incorporated MOF materials leverage the high electronegativity of fluorine to substitute oxygen, suppress oxidation to widen the voltage window, and improve stability through enhanced hydrophobicity. In this work, 4-fluorosalicylic acid (4FSA) was used as the ligand and benzimidazole (Bim) was introduced to adjust the coordination environment, and one-dimensional Bim4FSA-MOF nanorods were successfully constructed. While the guest molecules were largely removed, the nickel sites were thereby activated and the pore size was enlarged. Due to the synergistic effect of one-dimensional nanostructure-promoted electron transport and the Ni(OH)₂/NiOOH dynamic active center, the B-250 composite exhibited excellent performance in a glucose electrochemical sensor. The optimized sensor delivered a detection limit of 0.022 μM and a detection time of 0.9 s, along with a sensitivity value of 2986.45 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻², which provides a new strategy for the design of efficient MOF-based electrochemical sensor interface. Full article

Rapid identification of free thiols is essential in pharmaceutical quality control and food safety. Herein, we demonstrate the sensing concept of “two signals from one event” by exploiting the intrinsic dual functionality of selenium (Se) nanomaterials to construct a signal-on, dual-mode sensing platform for free thiols. The single event is thiol-triggered seeded growth: free thiols interact with L-cysteine-modified Se seeds, driving seed fusion and crystallization into chiral trigonal Se structures. This same event yields two readouts simultaneously: a colorimetric response arising from particle size enlargement (UV-Vis red-shift) and a turn-on circular dichroism (CD) signal from long-range chiral ordering. The method achieves a detection threshold of 10 μmol/L for various free thiols and can be completed within 60 min from seed preparation to signal readout without complex instrumentation. It serves as a general indicator of total free thiols rather than distinguishing individual thiol species. Above the threshold, concentration-dependent color deepening and spectral redshifts provide semi-quantitative estimation of the concentration range. Its practicality was validated by detecting D-penicillamine in commercial tablets. This strategy offers an approach for on-site free thiol screening and highlights the potential of chiral inorganic nanomaterials in multi-mode sensing via chiral transfer and amplification. Full article

Although fixed-size nanoparticles have achieved substantial therapeutic success, a single fixed size may not be optimal for the competing requirements of stability in circulation, tumor accumulation, deep tumor penetration, cellular uptake, and intra-tumoral retention. This review frames this fixed-property limitation as the need to switch structural states in response to successive biological barriers and analyzes original research articles published from 2021 to 2025 on large-to-small transformation, small-to-large transformation and assembly, or multistage assembly-disassembly-reassembly. Rather than treating the stimulus or material as an analytical endpoint, the framework maps each pre-, intermediate-, and post-transition state to its biological site and barrier-specific functions. Direction, intermediate structure, site, sequence, and the temporal characteristics were evaluated together with coupled changes in charge, morphology, stiffness, and surface interactions. Large-to-small transformations generally shift the carrier function from tumor accumulation to penetration or uptake, whereas small-to-large transformations support retention, depot formation, or organelle-localized activity. Multistage systems assign distinct functions to the sequential structural states. However, direct in vivo structural evidence and physiologically relevant kinetic measurements have been limited. Future designs should, therefore, verify that the required structure forms at the intended site and time, and directly connect structural transitions with delivery and therapeutic functions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) is expressed in a substantial proportion of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and has emerged as a promising therapeutic target. However, the positivity threshold for enrollment in CLDN18.2-directed trials remains undefined, and ongoing studies use different criteria. We quantified how different CLDN18.2 thresholds influence the size of the candidate population within the same PDAC cohort. Methods: In this retrospective single-center study, CLDN18.2 was assessed by immunohistochemistry (43-14A clone, Ventana BenchMark) in 99 PDAC patients (metastatic, n = 71; non-metastatic, n = 28). The candidate population was evaluated at three thresholds: two used in current CLDN18.2 trials (any-intensity [1+/2+/3+] staining in ≥40% and moderate-to-strong [2+/3+] staining in ≥75% of tumor cells) and an exploratory lower bound of any detectable expression (≥5%). Between-threshold reclassification was analyzed as paired data; clinicopathological and survival analyses were exploratory. Results: The candidate proportion was 40.4% (40/99) at ≥75%, 43.4% (43/99) at ≥40%, and 64.6% (64/99) at ≥5%; among metastatic patients, it was 36.6%, 38.0%, and 59.2%, respectively. Lowering the threshold from ≥75% to ≥40% caused virtually no reclassification (1/71 metastatic, 1.4%; McNemar p = 1.0), whereas lowering it to ≥5% reclassified 16 metastatic patients (22.5%; 95% CI, 14.4–33.5; p < 0.001) as candidates. Among the 64 tumors with detectable expression, median staining was 80% (IQR, 20–90%). Survival analyses were exploratory and underpowered (52 deaths; 80% power for HR ≥ 2.24); no association between CLDN18.2 and overall or progression-free survival was detected at any threshold. Conclusions: The stringent thresholds used in current drug development identified nearly identical candidate populations, whereas relaxation to any detectable expression substantially enlarged the pool; CLDN18.2 behaved as a targetable rather than a prognostic biomarker. Our findings highlight the need for a PDAC-specific, response-based CLDN18.2 threshold. Full article

With the increasing demand for miniaturization, multi-channel RF transceiver capability, and high-speed digital processing in unmanned aerial vehicles, satellite remote sensing, and anti-jamming communication systems, conventional board-level discrete integration schemes face significant limitations in terms of interconnect length, parasitic effects, volume and weight, and electromagnetic compatibility. This paper proposes a high-density integrated RF microsystem packaging scheme based on a 12-layer ABF organic substrate. Within a package size of 37.5 mm × 37.5 mm, the microsystem integrates a digital processing chip, two DDR3 memories, two Flash memories, two broadband RF transceiver chips, and passive components, thereby realizing a 4-receiver/4-transmitter MIMO architecture. Compared with a conventional discrete PCB-based integration scheme, the proposed microsystem reduces the board-level occupied area by approximately 70% and decreases the weight by more than 30%. To address the non-reworkable nature of the in-package DDR3 address/command/clock links and their sensitivity to high-speed signal integrity, a field-circuit co-simulation method combining three-dimensional electromagnetic S-parameter extraction with IBIS models is adopted to optimize the transmission-line impedance and termination parameters under a fly-by topology. The results show that by optimizing the DDR3 clock-line impedance from the conventional 100 Ω differential impedance to 80 Ω differential impedance, and the address/control-line impedance from the conventional 50 Ω single-ended impedance to 40 Ω single-ended impedance, together with 40 Ω and 120 Ω terminations, respectively, overshoot and ringing can be effectively suppressed. The DDR3 eye width is improved from 0.89 ns to 0.92 ns. To address impedance discontinuities in the vertical interconnects of RF channels, a refined structure combining enlarged antipads and accompanying ground vias is proposed. As a result, the worst-case return loss of the RF channel is improved from below 16 dB to 19.69 dB, the maximum insertion loss is reduced from above 0.5 dB to 0.35 dB, and the worst-case inter-channel isolation is improved from below 60 dB to 73.42 dB. To mitigate thermal coupling and localized thermal isolation caused by thickness differences among multiple chips, a locally recessed copper heat spreader is designed, reducing the junction-to-case thermal resistance of the RF chip from 1.25 °C/W to 0.50 °C/W, corresponding to a reduction of approximately 60%. Preliminary hardware-in-the-loop frequency-hopping tests based on the proposed microsystem demonstrate that the system can achieve an analog frequency-hopping rate exceeding 4000 hops/s and a hybrid frequency-hopping rate exceeding 10,000 hops/s. The results indicate that the proposed packaging scheme provides a feasible engineering implementation path for high-density, multi-channel RF microsystem design. Full article

Three-dimensional comparative descriptions of the ossa cranii across representatives of the Camelidae, Giraffidae, and Bovidae remain limited despite their relevance to comparative veterinary anatomy and clinical practice. Given the distinct structural variations and functional adaptations of these families, a descriptive comparison of ossa cranii morphology is needed to advance anatomical knowledge and establish species-specific reference data. This study compared the principal ossa cranii of camel, giraffe, cattle, sheep, and goat to identify conserved anatomical features and species-specific adaptations. High-resolution three-dimensional digital skull models were generated with a Creality Raptor blue laser scanner and processed using 3D Slicer (Version 5.6.2). Due to marked interspecific differences in skull size and cranial capacity, quantitative morphometric analyses were not feasible; therefore, comparisons were based on qualitative gross anatomical evaluation of the os occipitale, os sphenoidale, os parietale, os temporale, os frontale, os pterygoideum, os ethmoidale, and os vomer. Although the overall organization of the ossa cranii was conserved, distinct species-specific adaptations were identified. Camels exhibited a prominent crista sagittalis externa, a broad nuchal surface, an elongated os vomer, and the absence of the tuber faciale and processus cornualis. Giraffes showed well-developed ossicones, a pronounced frontoparietal prominence, enlarged frontal sinuses, modified occipital condyles, and elongated ethmoid and vomer bones. Bovids were distinguished by horn-related structures, frontal sinus configuration, the processus jugularis, bulla tympanica, and foramen supraorbitale. Ossa cranii morphology reflects both anatomic relationships and functional adaptations associated with feeding behavior, head posture, and muscle attachment. These findings provide comparative anatomical reference data that support veterinary anatomy education, diagnostic imaging, species-specific surgical planning, and future studies in functional morphology and paleontology. Full article

Bubble columns are widely used in gas–liquid processes, yet predicting bubble hydrodynamics remains challenging because of the coupled effects of operating conditions and wall confinement. This study experimentally investigates the influence of confinement, gas flow rate, axial position, and liquid flow configuration on bubble size, rise velocity, and shape in rectangular bubble columns using high-speed visualization and shadowgraphy measurements. Experiments are performed at three confinement ratios, $\lambda =3.7$, $\lambda =11$, and $\lambda =18.5$. The results show that confinement strongly modifies bubble formation, growth, velocity, and shape. Under strong confinement, larger bubbles, higher aspect ratios, and significant axial increases in bubble size are observed, indicating continued bubble enlargement along the column height. Bubble rise velocity and dimensionless velocity are also strongly affected by confinement, whereas liquid flow configuration mainly influences bubble velocity under weak confinement. Furthermore, visual observations reveal the onset of transient heterogeneous flow structures under strong confinement despite conventional flow-regime maps predicting homogeneous flow. Existing aspect-ratio correlations reproduce the general trend but do not fully account for confinement effects. These findings demonstrate that confinement is a governing parameter in rectangular bubble columns and should be explicitly considered in future hydrodynamic and mass transfer models for confined gas–liquid systems. Full article

Inorganic CsPbBr₃ perovskite has garnered significant research interest owing to its exceptional stability under harsh humid conditions; however, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of CsPbBr₃-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) remains lower than that of their hybrid counterparts. Antisolvent-assisted crystallization is a robust strategy for fabricating high-quality perovskite films for high-performance PSCs. In this study, high-quality CsPbBr₃ perovskite films were prepared by incorporating an optimized concentration of acetonitrile (ACN) into the PbBr₂ precursor solution under ambient air conditions. The resulting CsPbBr₃ perovskite layer exhibited enlarged grain size, reduced surface defect density, and enhanced charge-carrier transport properties. Consequently, carbon-based, hole transport layer-free CsPbBr₃ PSCs achieved a PCE increase from 2.63% to 6.69%. This research presents an effective antisolvent engineering strategy for high-quality film fabrication and offers valuable insights for advancing the commercial viability of PSCs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is increasingly used for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that is unsuitable for surgery, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), or transplantation. Although current evidence for imaging assessment after SBRT is largely based on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), repeated contrast-enhanced imaging may be difficult to perform at every routine follow-up visit. Thus, we evaluated whether conventional abdominal ultrasound (US) can monitor tumor size after SBRT for HCC. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 67 consecutive patients who underwent SBRT for HCC at our institution between January 2015 and October 2020. After excluding patients treated for local recurrence after RFA or transarterial chemoembolization, those whose lesions were not visible on pretreatment US, and those without follow-up US within one year, 32 patients with 32 nodules were analyzed. Tumor visibility and size changes on US were assessed before treatment and at <6, 6–12, and 12–18 months after SBRT. Results: The treated lesion was identified as a discrete nodule on US in 100% (15/15; 95% CI, 78.2–100%), 75.0% (18/24; 95% CI, 53.3–90.2%), and 50.0% (8/16; 95% CI, 24.7–75.3%) of examinations at <6, 6–12, and 12–18 months, respectively. In all cases in which the lesion was no longer measurable on US, contrast-enhanced CT/MRI showed complete or partial response. Local tumor progression occurred in one patient (3.1%) during a median follow-up of 24.1 months; in this patient, interval enlargement was first detected by US 3.7 months after SBRT and was subsequently confirmed by dynamic CT/MRI. Conclusions: These descriptive findings suggest that in selected patients with lesions clearly visible on pretreatment US, conventional abdominal US may provide complementary morphologic information during the first year after SBRT when used alongside periodic dynamic CT/MRI. Prospective validation is required before routine implementation. Full article

Uniform algorithmic stability is a classical route to non-vacuous generalization bounds, yet existing analyses typically track the forward optimization trajectory on adjacent training sets. This paper develops a different construction of the same stability parameter. We introduce support unlearning, a deletion axiom that aligns only the support of a post-deletion map with that of retraining and is strictly weaker than certified unlearning. Adjacent n-size datasets are realized as two deletions from a common enlarged sample. A support unlearning operator, assembled from an efficiency envelope and a minimizer transport map, then defines unlearning stability. We prove that unlearning stability coincides with classical uniform stability and controls the generalization gap. For efficient learners we obtain general Lipschitz upper bounds in terms of the displacement of empirical minimizers under deletion. Concrete rates follow under standard geometry: $O(1/n)$ in the strongly convex case and $O(1/\sqrt{n})$ in the convex and weakly convex cases, with no non-vanishing additive constant. The results establish sample deletion as a constructive path from machine unlearning to uniform stability. Full article

Background: Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is characterized by either diffuse or segmental enlargement of the coronary artery, with a diameter that exceeds 1.5 times that of the adjacent normal vessel. The underlying causes of CAE remain inadequately understood. Higher plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) concentrations have been related to aortic aneurysms, possibly resulting from occlusion of vasa vasorum, followed by diminished vessel wall supply. Whether the same process has a role in CAE is not known. This research seeks to ascertain if a correlation exists between polymorphisms of the PAI-1 gene and the occurrence of CAE. Methods: Fifty-three patients with CAE and 52 patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries were included. The PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism was genotyped by real-time PCR, using melting curve analysis of LightCycler 480 II. Results: Genotype distributions in both groups were consistent with Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (p = 1.00). The frequencies of the 4G/4G, 4G/5G, and 5G/5G genotypes did not differ significantly between patients with CAE and controls. Similarly, allele frequencies of the 4G and 5G variants were comparable between the two groups, and no statistically significant association was observed between the PAI-1 −675 4G/5G polymorphism and the presence of CAE (all p > 0.05). In the allele-dose sensitivity analysis, the number of 4G alleles was not independently associated with CAE (adjusted OR per 4G allele: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.37–1.82; p = 0.626). After adjustment for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, body mass index, and smoking status, the PAI-1 genotype was not independently associated with CAE (overall likelihood-ratio test: p = 0.867). Conclusions: No independent association was detected between the PAI-1 −675 4G/5G polymorphism and CAE; however, smaller genetic effects cannot be excluded because of the modest sample size and wide confidence intervals. Full article

Quantum key distribution (QKD) employs quantum states to generate shared cryptographic keys. An attacker interacting with the modeled non-orthogonal quantum signals can affect the monitored statistics, and hence they can be detected under the specified protocol assumptions, but this trait does not inherently authenticate the classical channel, and it does not prevent implementation side channels. In this work, we introduce ModPhase-8 (QUEST), a proposed QKD modulation and adaptive-receiver architecture evaluated through analytical modeling and simulation. Instead of using only a few quantum signal types, our system uses eight carefully designed signal variations created by adjusting the phase between two very short light pulses. The eight phase states are organized into four phase bases, each containing two antipodal states that encode one binary raw-key value. The enlarged signal set diversifies the physical representation of the key bit and changes the state-discrimination problem faced by an eavesdropper, but it does not increase the raw-key payload beyond one bit per successfully sifted signal. On the receiving side, the system adaptively switches between two measurement techniques based on the prevailing channel conditions. This adaptive detection mechanism enhances reliability and helps maintain low error rates even when the communication channel is affected by noise. We provide an analytical security assessment under the stated collective-attack, source, channel, receiver, and trusted-device assumptions, supplemented by attack-specific analyses of intercept–resend, beam-splitting, source-side multi-photon leakage, and selected implementation-related vulnerabilities. Simulation studies were conducted to examine the physical-layer and post-processing behavior of the proposed protocol under explicitly stated channel, receiver, detector, and finite-sample values. Under the adopted simulation model, ModPhase-8 maintains low error rates in the low- and moderate-noise operating regimes and exhibits favorable receiver-level robustness across the investigated channel conditions. The reported rate values are model-based performance estimates rather than rigorously certified secret-key lower bounds. In particular, Qiskit simulation does not establish a composable security proof or an optimal bound on Eve’s information for the exact eight-state time-bin ensemble. A protocol-specific numerical security analysis incorporating the homodyne–heterodyne measurement operators, post-selection, reconciliation efficiency, finite-size effects, and Eve’s Holevo information remains necessary before definitive rate comparisons can be made. ModPhase-8 should therefore be interpreted as a practically motivated receiver and modulation framework whose security-rate performance remains subject to further protocol-specific analysis. Full article

Nd laser posterior capsulotomy is the standard treatment for posterior capsule opacification following cataract surgery. Although generally considered safe, inadvertent laser impacts on the intraocular lens (IOL) optic may induce permanent surface defects that contribute to postoperative dysphotopsias and reduced visual quality. This experimental study investigated the optical consequences of Nd laser-induced damage on two commercially available hydrophobic acrylic IOLs, focusing on retinal light distribution and optical image quality. Two hydrophobic acrylic monofocal IOL models, the CT LUCIA (Carl Zeiss Meditec) and the AcrySof IQ (Alcon), were mounted on a customized experimental holder and exposed to standardized Nd laser applications consisting of 5, 10, or 15 laser shots. Laser interactions were documented using the PhysioGo.Lite laser platform combined with infrared thermal imaging. Untreated IOLs served as controls. Optical performance was subsequently evaluated using a standardized optical bench according to ISO recommendations. Point spread function (PSF) and modulation transfer function (MTF) analyses were performed to quantify retinal image quality, light scattering, and optical degradation. Retinal light distribution was assessed using a high-resolution projection screen simulating the retinal image. Laser exposure produced permanent focal defects on the anterior optical surface of both IOL models, resulting in measurable optical degradation. Even the lowest laser exposure (five shots) generated detectable alterations in light propagation, characterized by increased peripheral light scattering, enlargement of the PSF halo, reduced central peak intensity, and irregular light distribution across the simulated retinal plane. Descriptively, increasing numbers of laser impacts were associated with more pronounced optical disturbances, particularly in the AcrySof IQ samples. MTF analysis demonstrated a reduction in optical performance across multiple spatial frequencies, indicating deterioration of image contrast and resolving power. Although both hydrophobic acrylic IOL models exhibited optical alterations after laser exposure, descriptive differences in the magnitude and distribution of light scatter suggested a possible influence of material composition, refractive index, and surface microarchitecture. These observations should be considered preliminary because of the limited sample size and absence of inferential statistical analysis. Under the present experimental conditions, Nd:YAG laser-induced pitting was associated with measurable structural and optical alterations in two hydrophobic acrylic IOL models. Surface defects alter retinal light distribution, increase forward light scatter, and reduce optical quality, providing a possible optical mechanism that may contribute to postoperative dysphotopsias, although clinical visual symptoms were not directly evaluated in this study. These findings highlight the importance of meticulous laser focusing on the posterior capsule to minimize inadvertent IOL damage and preserve postoperative visual quality. Further investigations combining optical bench analyses with patient-reported visual outcomes are warranted to better define the clinical significance of laser-induced IOL pitting. Full article

Gametocyte-specific factor 1 (Gtsf1) plays a pivotal role in the gonadal development by transposon silencing via the piRNA pathway in Drosophila melanogaster and Bombyx mori, and is implicated in the female sex determination in B. mori. However, its function remains elusive in other insect species, including Plutella xylostella, a highly destructive pest in cruciferous crops. In this study, we characterized PxGtsf1, encoding a 27.84 kDa protein containing two conserved U11-48K-like CHHC zinc-finger domains. PxGtsf1 was predominantly expressed in male pupae, males and testes. Using CRISPR/Cas9 technique, we successfully generated a homozygous PxGtsf1-knockout strain (△PxGtsf1) with 11 bp deletion. △PxGtsf1 females exhibited normal morphology in terms of external genitalia, body weight, ovariole morphology, ovariole length, oocytes number, and internal ovarian structure, and maintained the expression levels of genes related to female sex determination and fertility. In contrast, △PxGtsf1 males displayed reduced testis size and enlarged eupyrene sperm bundles, whereas apyrene sperm bundles appeared normal. Wild-type (WT) or △PxGtsf1 females mated with △PxGtsf1 males had significantly smaller bursa copulatrix distention area compared to those mated with WT males. Furthermore, WT or △PxGtsf1 females mated with △PxGtsf1 males produced significantly fewer eggs with lower hatching rates than those mated with WT males. Co-immunoprecipitation assays revealed that PxGtsf1 specifically interacts with PxPiwi. Small RNA sequencing further showed that PxGtsf1 knockout resulted in transposon dysregulation in the testes without affecting overall piRNA abundance, suggesting that PxGtsf1 functions in piRNA-mediated transposon regulation rather than global piRNA biogenesis. PxGtsf1 is first reported to be specifically required for male fertility in Lepidoptera insects but is dispensable for female sex determination., PxGtsf1 regulates transposon homeostasis without affecting global piRNA biogenesis. These findings provide new insights into the diverse functions of Gtsf1 in Lepidopteran insects. Full article