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Crustal scale heterogeneity across Bhutan Himalayas: insights from local earthquake shear-wave splitting
A sense of losing one’s hand induced by visuotactile conflict in virtual reality
Abstract Embodiment of external objects has been widely studied to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of human body perception, whereas disembodiment has received only limited attention despite its importance. To address this gap, we designed a sensorimotor feedback paradigm using virtual reality to induce bodily disappearance, referred to here as the sense of body loss. Participants wearing a head-mounted display moved a virtual right hand—synchronized with their real right hand—to repeatedly touch the index finger of a virtual left hand. Two factors were manipulated during the experiment: spatial congruency between the real and virtual right hands (overlapped vs. displaced) and visual contact between the virtual index fingers (visually touch-enabled vs. visually touch-disabled). Participants first completed a baseline trial (overlapped & visually touch-enabled condition) involving physical contact between their real index fingers, followed by one of the remaining three conditions without physical contact. Subjective experiences were assessed using a questionnaire, and the trajectory and proprioceptive drift (PD) of the right index finger were measured. Participants reported a pronounced sense of body loss and sensory attenuation in the displaced & visually touch-enabled condition, accompanied by greater PD and unconscious movements of the left index finger. These results suggest that visuotactile conflict during virtual self-touch can induce a sense of body loss.
Shear behavior of UHPFRC deep beams with internal opening reinforcement
Abstract This study experimentally and numerically investigated the shear behavior of UHPFRC deep beams with internal-opening reinforcement, focusing on how internal-opening reinforcement detailing can mitigate opening-induced shear capacity loss. The test program included eight simply supported UHPFRC deep beams tested under four-point loading and arranged into two groups with different geometries. Group I comprised five beams with an a/d ratio of 0.61, including one solid reference beam and four beams with a square opening within the shear span, and intersected the load path. Group II comprised three beams with an a/d ratio of 0.79 and different opening sizes. Three internal opening reinforcement techniques with different ratios were examined: (1) additional vertical and horizontal bars around the opening ( µ av = µ ah = 2.7% or 2.4%), (2) additional stirrups ( ρ va = 4.2% or 5.6%) with vertical and horizontal bars around the opening ( µ av = µ ah = 2.7% or 2.4%), and (3) diagonal cross-bars around the opening ( µ ax = 1.8%). The results showed that the unreinforced opening reduced the cracking load by 41.4% and the ultimate load by 40.4%, compared with the solid beam. Techniques (1), (2), and (3) increased ultimate shear capacity by 16.5%, 69.2%, and 25.3%, respectively, versus the unreinforced opening beam, achieving approximately 54.6%, 79.4%, and 58.8% recovery of the solid-beam capacity. A 3D numerical model using concrete damage plasticity reproduced damage and load–deflection responses, with mean experimental-to-numerical ratios of 1.08 for ultimate shear load and 1.30 for midspan deflection, supporting the model’s predictive reliability for deep beams with internal opening reinforcement.
Venous thromboembolism in surgically treated sarcoma a systematic review and meta-analysis of orthopaedic oncology literature
Abstract Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is an important complication in patients with sarcoma undergoing surgery. Recent studies and commentary have suggested that VTE risk may be higher in bone sarcoma than in soft tissue sarcoma, although the evidence supporting this assumption remains uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarized the reported prevalence of VTE in surgically treated sarcoma patients, compared VTE prevalence between bone and soft tissue sarcoma, and evaluated the available evidence on thromboprophylaxis strategies. A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines using PubMed and EMBASE. Studies reporting VTE incidence in sarcoma patients undergoing operative intervention were included. Pooled VTE proportions were estimated using a random-effects model. Bone and soft tissue sarcoma cohorts were compared using meta-analysis of effect sizes. A network meta-analysis was also performed to compare reported thromboprophylaxis strategies and their association with VTE. Thirty-four studies were included, comprising 85,425 patients and 2,283 VTE events. The pooled proportion of VTE among surgically treated sarcoma patients was 4.5% (95% CI 3.2% to 6.3%). The pooled VTE proportion was 4.3% (95% CI 2.9% to 6.4%) for bone sarcoma and 3.4% (95% CI 1.5% to 7.9%) for soft tissue sarcoma, with no statistically significant difference between groups (p = 0.57). Substantial heterogeneity was present across studies (τ 2 = 1.24; I 2 = 94.5%), although sensitivity analyses accounting for outliers did not materially change the results. The network meta-analysis included 2,556 observations across eight prophylaxis strategies and 45 treatment-arm comparisons. No prophylaxis strategy demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in VTE risk compared with no prophylaxis. Heterogeneity in the network meta-analysis was lower (I 2 = 34.5%), but the findings were limited by study design, treatment-selection bias, and relatively few direct comparisons. Available published data do not demonstrate a higher prevalence of VTE in surgically treated bone sarcoma compared with soft tissue sarcoma. The pooled VTE prevalence of 4.5% is lower than some previously cited estimates, although this finding should be interpreted in the context of substantial heterogeneity and variable study quality. Current comparative data do not establish the superiority of any specific thromboprophylaxis strategy in sarcoma surgery. Higher-quality studies with consistent reporting of patient, tumour, treatment, and prophylaxis variables are needed to guide VTE risk stratification and prophylaxis in this population.
Effects of regulated deficit irrigation on antioxidant system and the ascorbate-glutathione cycle in processing tomato under mulch drip irrigation
Abstract Water scarcity is a major constraint on agricultural production in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly in Xinjiang, China, where processing tomato is an economically important yet water-sensitive crop. This study evaluated the physiological and biochemical responses of processing tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. ‘Heinz 1015’) to regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) and subsequent rewatering under field conditions. Five irrigation regimes were applied, including a conventional irrigation control (CK) and four deficit irrigation treatments (W1–W4). Drought stress significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and H 2 O 2 accumulation, indicating enhanced oxidative damage. For example, during the flowering stage, MDA and H 2 O 2 contents in the most severe treatment (W4) were 12.46 and 11.98 µmol·g −1 FW higher than those in the control, respectively. Proline, soluble sugars, and soluble proteins increased markedly, while antioxidant defenses were activated, as reflected by higher POD, CAT, APX, GR, DHAR, and MDHAR activities. SOD activity increased under mild and moderate stress but declined under severe drought. Changes in GSH, GSSG, and the GSH/GSSG ratio further demonstrated active redox regulation. Rewatering alleviated drought-induced physiological disturbances, although recovery depended on stress severity. The mild deficit treatment (W1) exhibited the strongest compensatory response, with most physiological parameters recovering to levels comparable to the control. These findings indicate that mild deficit irrigation can enhance drought adaptation while maintaining physiological stability, providing a promising strategy for water-saving tomato production in arid regions.
An empirical study of digital competence, technostress, and job satisfaction among college physical education teachers in China
Multimodal graph-based deep learning for predicting heat of combustion as a key hazard indicator under GHS/CLP standards
Lycopene attenuates dexamethasone induced depression like behavior and immunological dysfunction via restoration of neuro-immune-metabolic homeostasis in rats
Abstract Chronic glucocorticoid therapy, while clinically indispensable, often induces debilitating neuropsychiatric side effects, including depression-like behaviors, alongside systemic immunosuppression and metabolic dysfunction. The convergence of central neurotoxicity and peripheral immune dysregulation presents a unique therapeutic challenge requiring multi-target interventions. This study investigated the prophylactic efficacy of lycopene against dexamethasone-induced behavioral, neurochemical, oxidative, inflammatory, and immunological perturbations in rats. Thirty-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups ( n = 8): normal control, dexamethasone (2 mg/kg/day/intraperitoneal), lycopene (10 mg/kg/day/orally), and dexamethasone+lycopene combination. Treatments were administered daily for 21 days. Behavioral assessments (forced swim test, tail suspension test) were conducted. In frontal cortex and hippocampal tissues, neurochemical markers (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and acetylcholinesterase activity), neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine), oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase), inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6), and caspase-3 were quantified. In serum, fasting blood glucose, insulin, liver and kidney function markers, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-4, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma), cluster of differentiation 4 and 8 concentrations (CD4, CD8), and complete blood count were analyzed. Dexamethasone significantly ( p < 0.05) increased immobility time in behavioral tests, depleted serotonin and dopamine, elevated oxidative stress markers, and induced leukopenia with disrupted CD4/CD8 ratios. Lycopene co-treatment reversed behavioral despair, restored neurotransmitter homeostasis, attenuated oxidative-inflammatory cascades, normalized immune cell populations, and improved metabolic parameters. Lycopene provides integrated multi-system protection against glucocorticoid-induced neurobehavioral and immunological dysfunction, positioning it as a potential promising nutritional adjunct for patients requiring chronic corticosteroid therapy.
Spatiotemporal patterns of habitat quality and associated drivers in Anshun City, China, based on InVEST and Geodetector
Stability analysis of the zero moment point–center of pressure algorithm for biped robots in unstructured environments
Abstract The motion stability control of biped robots in unstructured environments is a prominent research hotspot in the field of robot control. The biped robot model features variable topology, strong nonlinearity, and multi-degree-of-freedom coupling, allowing for strong environmental interaction. The unstructured road environment imposes more significant requirements on the robot’s gait stability, joint coordination, and adaptability to its environment. In this study, a stability analysis of the motion of robots in unstructured environments was carried out using a disturbance balance control strategy and an application based on Zero Moment Point (ZMP)-Center of Pressure (CoP) testing for feedback control. The approach included a control strategy based on compensating for ankle joint trajectory and was tested using the Webots simulation platform and a real experimental platform. Multi-scene experiments involving NAO robots on stairs and in unstructured sandy environments were conducted to compare and analyze the gait stability and environmental adaptability of NAO robots in unstructured environments.
Adaptive test-time augmentation via KL-regularized reinforcement learning for robust visual inference
Biomechanical evaluation of multi-bevel angled flexible needle insertion to improve deflection and decrease insertion force
Predictive value of systemic inflammatory indices in metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Iran
Sustainable waste valorization through vermicomposting: optimizing rabbit manure–plant/kitchen waste mixtures for agroecosystem benefits
Abstract The growth in organic waste generation from agriculture and homes and excessive use of chemical fertilizers call for sustainable nutrient management practices. We investigated the impact of vermicompost made from rabbit manure (R m ) and plant/kitchen waste (P w ) in five proportions (0-100%) on compost properties, vegetable growth, and soil fertility. The vermicomposting process, utilizing the earthworm species Eisenia fetida , spanned 75–120 days, following which it was administered to tomato, lettuce, and carrot plants in the laboratory. The physical and chemical characteristics of the compost were affected by the feedstock. Higher P w resulted in lower pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and bulk density, but higher organic matter, porosity, and water retention. However, Rm-dominated treatments had greater macronutrients and micronutrients. The 50% R m : 50% P w amendment provided an ideal C/N ratio (21), improved enzyme activity, and a diverse microbial community. All treatments significantly improved crop yields over the control, with the 50:50 mixture achieving maximum yield for tomato (10.2 kg m −2 ) and lettuce (4.5 kg m −2 ), while P w -rich treatments were best for carrot yield. Soil quality was significantly enhanced (structure, CEC, and microbial activity). The results show that the R m :P w ratio affects the quality of the vermicompost and enables sustainable waste valorization and soil fertility. This research provides an R m :P w compositional approach to link feedstock ratios to compost maturity, microbial community, crop yield, and soil properties after application. It reveals an optimal R m :P w ratio (50:50) that optimally balances compost stability, crop performance and environmental benefits, offering a scalable approach to integrated organic waste valorization in circular food systems.
Effects of grinding penetration depth and abrasive grain spacing on atomic interactions and material removal mechanisms in silicon during ultrasonic vibration-assisted grinding: a molecular dynamics study
Abstract Grinding is an important finishing process for hard, brittle materials like silicon, where atomic-level finishing is critical for semiconductor and microelectronic applications. Ultrasonic vibration-assisted grinding has been shown to enhance grinding efficiency beyond conventional methods, but several of its atomic-level mechanisms remain incompletely understood. The interaction among the following was investigated in this study: mean abrasive grain spacing, grinding penetration depth, and abrasive grain physical properties. Atomic interactions and behaviors of the grinding process were modeled using molecular dynamics. An equilibration of 10 ns was first set up, during which extrinsic variables were manipulated to produce an equivalent environment, allowing the sample to evolve independently. This equilibration step was essential to achieve stabilization, since the potential and kinetic energies were − 4.69 eV and 0.02 eV, respectively. It was observed that changing the grinding penetration depth from 10 Å to 16 Å significantly affected important atomic parameters: the number of detached atoms increased from 2231 to 2495, whereas the maximum stress rose from 10.26 to 12.27 GPa. This result was remarkable because it indicated strong stress localization and enhanced atomic bond breakage at deeper penetration depths, revealing the onset of severe atomic deformation. The highest force of the system increased from 606.67 to 725.05 GPa·nm 2 . Increasing the mean abrasive grain spacing between abrasive grains from 31 to 45 Å resulted in a lower number of dissociative atoms (2231 → 2154) and a shallower penetration depth (10.75 → 10.29 Å). The maximum stress and, in turn, the force were found to decrease uniformly from 10.26 to 9.89 GPa and from 584.80 GPa·nm 2 to 560.80 GPa·nm 2 , respectively.