Search Results (12,172)

Background: Vision is a key sensory system for postural regulation; however, the effects of degraded visual input and complete visual occlusion on static balance are not fully understood. The aim of the present study was to compare postural control during single-leg stance under two reduced-vision conditions (eyes open in darkness vs. complete visual occlusion) in healthy young adults and examine the potential influence of sex and mild visual deficits. Materials and Methods: This within-subject laboratory study included 42 healthy young adults (21 males, 21 females; mean age 20.67 ± 0.48 years). Participants performed three valid 20 s single-leg stance trials on a force platform under two visual conditions: eyes open in darkness and complete visual occlusion using an opaque mask. The order of conditions was randomized and counterbalanced, and the mean value of the three valid trials under each condition was used for analysis. Postural sway outcome variables included CoP Area, Oscillation Width, Oscillation Height, Total Displacement, and Mean Velocity. A two-way mixed-design ANOVA examined the effects of visual condition and sex. Additional mixed ANCOVA analyses were performed using body weight as a covariate to verify whether the sex-related findings remained after adjustment for body weight. Exploratory subgroup analyses based on mild visual deficits were performed using independent-samples t-tests. Results: No significant overall main effect of visual condition was observed for any postural sway variable (all p > 0.05). However, a significant condition × sex interaction was found for CoP Area (F(1,40) = 9.910, p = 0.003, η²p = 0.199), indicating different response patterns between males and females across conditions. Significant main effects of sex were also found for Total Displacement (F(1,40) = 9.212, p = 0.004, η²p = 0.187) and Mean Velocity (F(1,40) = 9.090, p = 0.004, η²p = 0.185), with males showing higher values overall. The sex-related findings for CoP Area, Total Displacement, and Mean Velocity remained significant after adjustment for body weight. No significant sex effects were found for Oscillation Width or Oscillation Height, and no significant differences were observed between participants with and without mild visual deficits in either condition (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: Altered visual input did not produce a uniform overall effect on postural sway during single-leg stance in healthy young adults. Instead, the findings indicate a more differentiated pattern, with a sex-specific response for CoP Area and overall sex-related differences in Total Displacement and Mean Velocity that were not explained by body weight. Mild visual deficits were not associated with significant balance alterations under the present experimental conditions. These findings support a more nuanced interpretation of postural regulation under reduced visual input and highlight the importance of considering individual characteristics, particularly sex, in balance assessment. Full article

This paper presents a practical and communication-independent energy management system (EMS) for a DC microgrid supply within the firezone of a cruise ship. The proposed approach prioritizes operational reliability and fault tolerance under emergency conditions, where communication availability and control complexity should be minimized. The proposed DC microgrid integrates photovoltaic systems (PVs), fuel cell systems (FCs), and lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery energy storage systems (BESSs), coordinated through a rule-based EMS combined with droop-controlled converters. The electrical topology considered in this study is a collaborative development of the project consortium of the publicly funded project Sustainable DC Systems (SuSy), featuring a novel configuration with two independent horizontal busbars for the Cabin Area Distribution (CAD) and Technical Area Distribution (TAD). The EMS can manage two operational scenarios: (i) regular operation, with two decentralized droop controls where power generation is distributed among all generators based on their respective capacities, and a power curtailment strategy is applied to prevent overcharging of BESSs; and (ii) irregular operation, where a fault on one of the vertical busbars triggers the use of reserved battery storage capacity on both sides of the ship and activates load-shedding to ensure continued operation of critical loads and sustain grid functionality. The effectiveness of the proposed architecture is validated through detailed MATLAB/Simulink simulations. Under regular conditions, the EMS achieves stable voltage regulation, balanced power sharing, and efficient energy curtailment. During fault conditions, the battery storage on both sides successfully supports the critical loads. The fuel cells are operated in power-controlled mode effectively up to their full rated 6$\mathrm{k}$$\mathrm{W}$ capacity while the DC bus voltage stabilization is ensured by the battery energy storage systems. These results validate the proposed EMS as a robust and low-complexity solution for maritime DC microgrids, offering stable voltage regulation, effective load prioritization, and resilient operation of critical loads. Full article

Linear heritage corridors are increasingly exposed to spatially heterogeneous pressures from climate change and human activities, yet integrated geospatial frameworks for corridor-scale risk identification remain limited. Taking the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal as a representative linear World Heritage corridor, this study developed a GIS-based spatiotemporal assessment framework to quantify natural risk, anthropogenic pressure, and their coupled patterns during 1995–2024. Approximately 350 canal segments were constructed as comparable assessment units and linked with 49 heritage sites and 18 World Heritage canal sections through a multi-scale spatial framework integrating canal sections, buffer zones, and heritage sites. Natural risk was characterized using extreme temperature, precipitation, and drought indices, while anthropogenic pressure was represented by nighttime lights, population density, impervious surface, and road density. The results reveal a clear north–south gradient in integrated natural risk, with higher values concentrated in the southern canal sections. Among the three natural-risk modules, temperature, precipitation, and drought contributed weights of 0.594, 0.242, and 0.164, respectively, indicating the dominant role of heat-related processes. The first two principal components of anthropogenic pressure explained 80.8% of the total variance. Four dominant coupling types were identified, among which the dual high-pressure type was concentrated mainly in the southern canal and marked the most critical areas of compound risk. This study provides a geospatial approach for hotspot detection and spatial decision support for the conservation of large linear heritage systems. Full article

Efficient electricity distribution in rural areas is strongly affected by seasonal agricultural energy demand, particularly in irrigation-intensive regions where electricity consumption increases substantially during summer periods. Conventional transformer operation strategies in such rural grids often fail to adapt to seasonal load variability, leading to unnecessary idle operation, increased technical losses, and reduced infrastructure efficiency. Existing approaches generally rely on static assumptions or simulated data, limiting their ability to represent real irrigation-driven seasonal load asymmetry. To address this issue, this study proposes a data-driven multi-objective seasonal transformer scheduling framework using a bio-inspired Artificial Immune System (AIS) algorithm. The model was developed using two years of empirical hourly SCADA load data and transformer operation records obtained from a real 380/154 kV TEİAŞ transmission substation in Central Anatolia, Türkiye. Hourly SCADA measurements were used for seasonal load characterization and objective-function evaluation, while transformer scheduling decisions were defined at the seasonal operational level. The proposed AIS-based scheduling strategy reduced annual technical energy losses by approximately 5.4 GWh, decreased operational costs by 10.81 million TL (≈360,000 USD), and lowered carbon emissions by about 2270 metric tons of CO₂ compared with conventional static transformer operation. The study presents a proof-of-concept framework integrating empirical SCADA measurements with AIS-assisted seasonal transformer scheduling for practical utility-scale operational planning in irrigation-dominated rural electricity networks. Full article

Background/Objectives: Propranolol (PROP) is a non-selective β-blocker widely prescribed for cardiovascular and neurological disorders. Its pharmacokinetics (PK) are highly variable, and co-administration with omeprazole (OME), a CYP2C19 substrate and inhibitor, may alter systemic exposure. Herein, this study aimed to investigate factors influencing PROP PK variability and evaluate the effect of OME coadministration using physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling and population PK (popPK) analysis. Methods: PBPK models for PROP and OME were developed and validated against published data. DDI simulations were conducted across clinically relevant dosing regimens. A two-period fixed-sequence virtual trial of 125 subjects was simulated with PROP alone and PROP combined with OME. Population PK (popPK) analysis was performed on simulated plasma concentration data to identify covariates affecting PROP disposition and quantify DDI magnitude. Results: PBPK models were successfully developed and validated. PROP disposition was best described by a two-compartment model with linear elimination. Health status was found to influence clearance, and body surface area (BSA) affected the central volume of distribution. Co-administration with OME increased PROP exposure, with larger effects in patients with renal impairment. Simulated plasma concentrations remained below established toxicity thresholds. Conclusions: Virtual clinical trials integrating PBPK and popPK modeling provide a robust approach to identifying key determinants of PK variability and DDI risk. Although these findings were not directly translated to clinical observations, this helps identify sources of PK variability in PROP treatment settings and factors that may intensify its interaction with OME, thereby supporting model-informed precision dosing to enhance safety and efficacy. Full article

The transition towards a circular economy (CE) has emerged as a key strategy for promoting sustainable development, particularly in resource-intensive industries. Representing such an industry, the automotive sector offers substantial CE potential. However, its practical implementation remains fragmented, and the theoretical discourse lacks consistency. This study addresses these gaps through a scoping review. The analysis first identifies key industry-specific research gaps in the CE transition. A subsequent evaluation of practical case studies reveals significant heterogeneity in the implementation of circular practices across companies and value chain positions. In addition, the summary of recommendations from the existing literature provides a structured overview of necessary measures in the areas of management, research, and policy. The results indicate a strong concentration on two CE-related areas: electric vehicle (EV) batteries and recycling strategies, while higher-value circular strategies remain underrepresented. Moreover, the maturity of circular practices varies considerably across value chain actors, with suppliers in particular lagging behind OEMs and downstream actors. Based on these findings, the study critically discusses the roles of industry, research institutions, and policymakers in enabling a more comprehensive and systemic transition towards circularity in the automotive sector. By systematically linking theoretical developments, empirical evidence, and stakeholder-specific implications, the study advances the field of automotive-related CE research. Full article

Background: Experimental animal models remain central to burn research and soft-tissue reconstruction/repair, but method heterogeneity compromises reproducibility, comparability, and translation for depth/area endpoints. Objective: We aimed to map burn-induction methods and examine reproducibility, intentional depth modulation, wound-area stability, validation, and operator-dependent variability. Methods: A PRISMA-ScR review, informed by JBI guidance, was conducted without registration but with predefined questions, criteria, and charting domains. PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar were searched from inception to 30 January 2026. Eligible studies were English peer-reviewed full-text original in vivo animal studies. Two reviewers independently screened records; one charted data, another checked it. Evidence was mapped by modality, exposure-control architecture, validation, and operator-sensitive steps. Results: Studies varied by species, modality, device design, exposure settings, and severity verification. Modalities were contact, scald, steam, and radiant/infrared. Wound area was more reproducible than depth, which depended on temperature, duration, force/pressure, geometry, equilibration, anatomical site, and assessment timing. Histopathology was the main standard, sometimes complemented by morphometry, optical, or perfusion techniques. Operator-sensitive variability involved force, alignment, contact stability, template integrity, exposure geometry, source stability/environmental control. Conclusions: Burn induction is a measurement-system problem; constraining operator-sensitive variables, predefined validation timing, and quantitative variability reporting may improve validity, comparability, and translation. Full article

Forest fires are an increasing environmental challenge in Southern Europe, requiring reliable tools for assessing both fire-induced disturbances and subsequent ecosystem recovery. This study presents an integrated satellite-based system for automated monitoring of post-fire forest dynamics. The system combines multispectral data from Sentinel-2 and Landsat (TM, ETM+, OLI, OLI-2) with thermal anomaly information from MODIS and VIIRS within a unified processing framework. It is structured into two modules: Post-Fire Disturbance (PFDMO) and Post-Fire Recovery (PFRMO). The methodology builds on a validated algorithm integrating the Disturbance Index (DI), Vector of Instantaneous Condition (VIC), and Direction Angle (DA), enabling automated multi-temporal analysis from fire detection to recovery assessment. The system was applied to three wildfire-affected areas in Bulgaria under different environmental conditions. Results reveal substantial spatial variability in disturbance and recovery, with PFDMO values ranging from −5.17 to +10.16 and PFRMO values from −2.25 to +7.40. The results demonstrate the applicability of the proposed system for monitoring post-fire forest dynamics and illustrate its potential to support informed decision-making in forest management, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource use. The main contribution of the system lies in the integration of disturbance and recovery assessment within a single automated and scalable workflow based on freely available satellite data. Full article

This study proposes a two-stage Intrusion Detection System (IDS) for Controller Area Networks (CAN) that leverages protocol-specific timing characteristics. Modern vehicular networks are vulnerable to injection attacks due to the CAN protocol’s lack of built-in authentication. Our methodology transforms raw CAN traffic into a structured feature space consisting of CAN IDs, message offsets, and inter-message intervals derived from the CAN Remote Frame request–response mechanism. The first stage applies unsupervised z-score statistical thresholding, requiring no labeled attack data. The second stage employs three independent binary Random Forest (RF) classifiers for precise characterization. Individual classifiers achieve F1-scores of 0.96 (Fuzzy), 0.77 (DoS), and 0.79 (Impersonation). In the integrated end-to-end pipeline, while the system effectively filters 97% of legitimate traffic, a performance stratification is observed: high detection is maintained for timing-disruptive attacks (Fuzzy), whereas timing-preserving attacks (DoS, Impersonation) exhibit lower recall due to the restrictive nature of the timing-only first-stage gating mechanism. Hardware profiling confirmed an inference latency of ∼0.018 ms and footprint of 8.8–19.2 MB, offering a deployable, computationally efficient defense for legacy automotive environments. Full article

As one of the three major bays in the Chinese Bohai Sea, Bohai Bay is located in a semi-encircled area consisting of three important provinces and cities with rich energy and fishery resources. The bay is not only a maritime gateway and transportation hub but also an important industrial base, energy production base, and port. In this study, we combined Landsat remote sensing and Geographic Information System technologies to extract the coastline of Bohai Bay from 2001 to 2021 and obtained the variation in coastline length by refinement vector processing. Sediment as the natural driver was quantitatively analyzed based on sand transport in the Yellow River and Hai River. Moreover, port construction was qualitatively analyzed as the anthropogenic driver. The results demonstrated that the coastline of Bohai Bay showed an overall growth trend in this period, with a total increase of 881.05 km in shoreline length; the main increase was in the artificial shoreline. The two natural driving factors, sediment and hydrodynamic conditions, were weak, and the anthropogenic driving factor, i.e., various human activities, played a dominant role in the variation in the Bohai Bay shoreline in the past 20 years. The extracted shoreline information is important not only for the rational and effective development and utilization of the various natural resources in the coastal zone of Bohai Bay but also for the plan to develop this important region in the future. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pancreatic cancer (PC) should be diagnosed in its early stages. Therefore, it is necessary to identify high-risk individuals of PC. Methods: Between 2001 and 2017, 1542 PC cases were diagnosed at two tertial care institutions. Of these, 117 cases had undergone abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) 1–10 years before PC diagnosis and were classified as the PC group. Meanwhile, 43,102 cases underwent abdominal CE-CT for close examination of non-pancreatic diseases in the same period, of which 1170 were randomly selected. Of these, 117 cases were matched to the PC group with the propensity score and designated the non-PC group. Pancreatic volumetry was performed using the 3D image analysis system for abdominal CE-CT in both groups and various measurements were compared. In PC group, CE-CT taken 1–10 years before the onset of PC was analyzed. Results: After propensity score matching, baseline characteristics did not significantly differ between the two groups. The whole pancreatic volume/body surface area (BSA) (p = 0.014), volume of main pancreatic duct (MPD) plus cystic lesion/BSA (p < 0.001), volume of pancreatic parenchyma/BSA (p = 0.002), ratio of cross-sectional areas (p = 0.033), and MPD diameter/BSA (p < 0.001) significantly differed between the two groups. In subgroup analysis of patients without cystic lesions, the whole pancreatic volume/BSA, volume of MPD/BSA, volume of pancreatic parenchyma/BSA, ratio of cross-sectional areas, and MPD diameter/BSA significantly differed between the two groups. Conclusions: Pancreatic volumetry could identify patients at high risk of PC. Full article

Cyanobacterial toxins (cyanotoxins) threaten aquatic ecosystems and human health, yet the factors influencing their production and distribution in freshwater remain unclear. In north-central Tennessee, nutrient-rich runoff from agricultural and urban areas, combined with a karst landscape that supports drinking and recreational water use, heightens the need to understand cyanotoxin behavior. To examine cyanotoxin patterns, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation monitored 18 sites, including two wells under the influence of surface water, every two weeks from September 2022 to November 2024. At least one cyanotoxin was detected at all sites, with the highest concentrations in deep reservoirs and lower levels in shallow systems. Most detections occurred during summer and fall, aligning with high temperatures and rapid-onset drought. Statistical analysis indicated that increased specific conductivity and pH raised the likelihood of detecting total microcystin, likely resulting from drought conditions and nutrient-laden runoff. Additionally, dissolved microcystin showed an inverse relationship with Cumberland River water levels, and principal component analysis showed that Secchi depth, chlorophyll a, pH, temperature, and conductivity explained most water quality variability. These results help increase understanding of cyanotoxin distribution and associated water quality conditions during detections to guide future freshwater cyanotoxin monitoring studies. Full article

The basic renovation of old urban communities is an important livelihood project for urban renewal, but there are many problems in the decision-making of renovation schemes, such as strong dependence on experience, lack of quantitative basis for multi-objective trade-off, and difficulty in describing residents’ risk attitude. Combining Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) and utility theory, this paper constructs a set of intelligent decision support models driven by data and knowledge. First of all, through literature analysis and expert investigation, a decision-making index system is established, which includes four dimensions and 16 quantitative indicators: policy and financial support, residential conditions and needs, residents’ consensus and social coordination, and implementation management and long-term maintenance. Secondly, the framework representation method is used to describe the reconstruction case, a hybrid retrieval strategy combining inductive retrieval and nearest-neighbor retrieval is designed, and the subjective and objective data combination weights are calculated by using AHP and the entropy method. On this basis, a loss utility function and risk aversion coefficient based on accident and public opinion data (a = 0.02) are introduced to modify the similarity calculation results to describe the risk avoidance behavior of decision-makers. Through 40 real renovation projects, a case base is built, and two types of target cases, “typical inclusive” (F5) and “key renovation” (F35), are selected for empirical verification. The results show that the model can effectively retrieve similar cases, and the similarity ranking changes in line with risk aversion expectations after utility correction. Taking F5 as an example, by reusing and revising the reconstruction scheme of a similar case, targeted suggestions are generated, which give consideration to safety, economy and operability. This model provides a new quantifiable and reusable method for scientific decision-making in basic renovation of old residential areas. Full article

This study develops a bottom-up cost optimization model (DC-DECOM) to evaluate decarbonization pathways for Japan’s data center industry, targeting carbon neutrality of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector by 2040. The model represents Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) as a dynamic function of ambient temperature and cooling technology, and integrates technology selection, regional energy supply, and carbon pricing within a single cost-minimization framework. Three scenarios are compared: a reference case (REF), a centralized carbon-neutral scenario (C-CN) that restricts new capacity to metropolitan areas, and a regional decentralization scenario (R-CN) that allows for nationwide siting. Input parameters are calibrated against data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Uptime Institute, Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) White Papers, and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). The R-CN scenario achieves the 2040 net-zero target at 18–23% lower total system cost than C-CN. The cost gap decomposes into four channels (cooling-energy reduction ∼35%, lower regional renewable procurement cost ∼30%, lower carbon cost ∼25%, and lower siting-related cost ∼10%). Sensitivity analysis identifies the carbon-price trajectory and the hardware-efficiency improvement rate as the most influential parameters; the R-CN advantage remains positive across all $\pm 1\sigma$ parameter variations and across two combined-scenario stress tests. Full article

Background/Objectives: Combination of antiparasitic drugs with different mechanisms of action has been suggested as an effective strategy to delay the development of parasite resistance. Considering the need to understand the pharmacological basis of drug combinations, the current study evaluated the potential pharmacokinetic (PK) interactions and the clinical efficacy (pharmacodynamic response) occurring after the subcutaneous administration of ivermectin (IVM) and levamisole (LEV), administered either as single treatments or concurrently to different groups of parasitized calves on three commercial farms (A, B and C). Methods: Forty-five (45) male calves naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes were randomly allocated into three groups (n = 15): IVM, treated with IVM by subcutaneous injection (0.2 mg/kg); LEV, treated subcutaneously with LEV (8 mg/kg); IVM + LEV, simultaneously treated with IVM and LEV (two subcutaneous injections at the same dose rates). Seven animals from each treated group (farm C) were randomly selected to perform the PK study. Drug concentrations were measured by HPLC. The therapeutic response (efficacy) was determined at 14 days after treatment by the fecal egg reduction test. Results: The mean area under the concentration vs time curve (AUC) for IVM obtained after administration of IVM alone (274 ± 65.1 ng.d/mL) was similar to that obtained when IVM was co-administered with LEV (295 ± 111 ng.d/mL). Likewise, mean LEV AUC values were similar after LEV administration alone (8.90 ± 2.69 µg.h/mL) or combined with IVM (9.11 ± 1.82 µg.h/mL). No adverse PK interactions were observed after the combined treatment, with similar PK parameters (p > 0.05) obtained between the single-drug and the combination-based strategies. On farm A, the overall fecal egg reductions were 38% (IVM), 99% (LEV) and 100% (IVM + LEV). While Cooperia spp. and Haemonchus spp. showed reduced susceptibility to IVM treatment, LEV demonstrated high efficacy against both genera, with only a minimal proportion of Haemonchus spp. remaining after treatment. Similarly, total fecal egg reductions were 42% (IVM), 99% (LEV) and 100% (IVM + LEV) on farm B, and 54% (IVM), 99% (LEV) and 100% (IVM + LEV) on farm C. On those farms, IVM was ineffective against Cooperia spp. and/or Haemonchus spp., while LEV failed to control Ostertagia spp. Remarkably, the combination of both molecules was the only treatment that achieved 100% efficacy against all nematode genera (Cooperia, Ostertagia, Haemonchus and Oesophagostomum spp.). Conclusions: Based on the described PK and pharmacodynamic (PD) assessments, the IVM + LEV combination appears to be a promising pharmacological option for controlling resistant gastrointestinal nematodes in cattle, with the additional potential to delay the progression of nematode anthelmintic resistance. Overall, the study provides original and robust pharmacokinetic and efficacy data that contribute to the optimization of parasite control strategies in cattle. This drug combination strategy may enhance treatment efficacy and contribute to improved parasite control in cattle production systems. Full article