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Application of simultaneous multi-slice accelerated readout-segmented echo planar diffusion-weighted imaging in assessing tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy in locally advanced rectal cancer
Abstract To explore the role of simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) accelerated readout-segmented echo planar (RESOLVE) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in assessing tumor response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). 42 clinically diagnosed LARC patients, who received nCRT were prospectively enrolled. All patients underwent pre-operative rectal MRI, including both RESOLVE and SMS-RESOLVE DWIs with respective scan time of 3min50s and 1min47s. Regions of interest covering the three largest slices of residual lesions were drawn independently by two radiologists to calculate mean ADC values. Two radiologists also independently determined T stage (ymrT) and tumor regression grade (mrTRG) using a 5-point grading system on T2WI with and without SMS-RESOLVE DWI on pre-operative MRI. According to the pathological data, patients were grouped into pathological complete response (pCR) and non-pCR, good response and poor response, low T stage and high T stage groups. The diagnostic performance of SMS-RESOLVE DWI was analyzed and compared with RESOLVE DWI and T2WI. The interobserver agreement was both excellent for ADC value measurements in RESOLVE (ICC = 0.908) and SMS-RESOLVE (ICC = 0.894) DWIs between two readers. Patients who achieved pCR or good response showed significantly higher ADC values than non-pCR (1.459 ± 0.173 vs. 1.205 ± 0.107*10 − 3 mm 2 /s and 1.368 ± 0.106 vs. 1.177 ± 0.127*10 − 3 mm 2 /s, respectively, both P < 0.001) or poor responders (1.411 ± 0.164 vs. 1.186 ± 0.115*10 − 3 mm 2 /s and 1.333 ± 0.115 vs. 1.161 ± 0.125*10 − 3 mm 2 /s, respectively, both P < 0.001) in both RESOLVE and SMS-RESOLVE DWIs. Low T stage group after nCRT also demonstrated higher ADC values than high T stage group (1.403 ± 0.211 vs. 1.205 ± 0.107*10 − 3 mm 2 /s, p < 0.001 in RESOLVE, and 1.341 vs. 1.201*10 − 3 mm 2 /s, p = 0.002 in SMS-RESOLVE DWI). Mean ADC values from SMS-RESOLVE DWI showed comparable good diagnostic power to RESOLVE DWI in identifying pCR (AUCs of 0.884 vs. 0.919, P = 0.344), good responders (AUCs of 0.84 vs. 0.9, P = 0.216), and low T stage patients (AUCs of 0.798 vs. 0.846, P = 0.231). Besides, SMS-RESOLVE DWI improved the interobserver agreement for evaluation of both ymrT stage (weighted kappa value of 0.693 vs. 0.528) and mrTRG (weighted kappa value of 0.644 vs. 0.53) on pre-operative MRI. Combining SMS-RESOLVE DWI and T2WI showed higher sensitivities (60% vs. 30%, 80% vs. 53.3%, and 81.8% vs. 50%) and negative predictive values (87.1% vs. 80%, 85% vs. 73.1%, and 71.4% vs. 57.7%) in selecting pCR, good responders and low T stage than T2WI alone. SMS-RESOLVE DWI demonstrated diagnostic performance comparable to conventional RESOLVE for quantitatively assessing T stage and tumor regression grade after nCRT in LARC. When added to T2WI, it showed potential to improve inter-reader consistency in qualitative restaging evaluation.
Long-term exposure to particulate matter from road traffic and residential heating and mortality: a multi-cohort study in Sweden
Abstract Exposure to particulate air pollution increases total natural and cardiovascular mortality. However, it is less clear which types and sources of particles are the most harmful. We analyzed associations between long-term exposure to source-specific locally emitted particles and total natural and cardiovascular mortality in Swedish cohorts. Using high-resolution dispersion models of particles from different sources, and address registries, we assigned annual individual residential mean concentrations to population-based cohorts in Gothenburg, Stockholm and Umeå 1990–2011. Time and cause of death were assigned from registries. Associations between long-term mean lagged exposures and mortality were estimated using Cox regression models adjusted for possible confounders, and meta-analyzed. 7344 natural deaths, including 2755 cardiovascular deaths, occurred among the 68,679 participants. Exposure levels were moderate but generally above the WHO 2021 guidelines. We observed positive associations with natural mortality for the last five years of exposure to road traffic exhaust particles (HR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.04, per IQR, and 1.10, 95% CI 1.00-1.22, per 1 µg/m 3 ), and road wear particles (HR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.04, per IQR, and HR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.03, per 1 µg/m 3 ), but not for particles from residential heating. Adjustment for road traffic noise, or particles from residential heating, did not substantially affect the results for traffic-related particles. For cardiovascular mortality, associations with particles from both sources were positive but not statistically significant. Natural mortality was associated with local emissions of traffic-related particles in a multi-cohort study at moderate exposure-levels, lending some support for further efforts to reduce traffic emissions.
The mechanical and microstructural characteristics of low-energy calcined clay from a high-Egyptian gray clay with hydrated lime for rendering mortar applications
Abstract The production of Portland cement has a significant global impact. Consequently, research into clinker replacement materials and alternative low-CO 2 cements is becoming increasingly important to minimize their carbon footprint. For this study, limestone and raw clay were sourced from various locations in Egypt. These materials were calcined in a kiln at temperatures of 950 °C and 750 °C for 2 h, respectively. The primary goal of this study is to prepare and render mortars based on calcined clay with lime as a low-energy binder. The research primarily focuses on the mechanical and microstructural properties of lime-clay mortars and lime-clay render mortars, specifically hydrated lime (HL) and calcined clay (CCL). The mechanical and physical properties of these mortars were tested according to EN 196-1, using a mixing ratio of 1:3 (binder to sand) with total weight proportions of 450:1350. Water was added to achieve the necessary consistency and workability for this type of mortar, with an amount of approximately 302 ± 5 g. The results suggest that the most recommended proportion for optimal mortar performance with the used binder (CCL-HL) is L40, mainly consisting of 60% CCL and 40% HL with a water-to-solid ratio of approximately 0.17. The compressive and flexural strengths for the CCL-HL mortar sample (L40) are 13.2 MPa and 3.2 MPa, respectively. Additionally, the preparation of render mortars using this binder (L40) demonstrates that the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly binder proportion is R35Y, which consists of 35% L40 and 2% Fe 2 O 3 as a yellow pigment, with a water-to-solid ratio of approximately 0.30. The compressive and flexural strengths of the R35Y render mortar are 5.2 and 2.1 MPa, respectively. The findings demonstrate that all prepared CCL-HL render mortars are suitable for rendering applications, meeting the requirements of EN998-1/2010 and offering a cost-effective, environmentally conscious solution for decorative and protective coatings, particularly in the preservation of historic structures.
Methodology for quantifying particle charge statistics in electric fields of gas insulations
Abstract Electrically charged particles in high-voltage gas insulation systems can lead to field distortion, partial discharges, and ultimately, insulation breakdowns. Despite their significance, particle charges have rarely been studied in this context. This work therefore characterizes the electric charges of metallic and dielectric particles with diameters ranging from 1 to 170 $$\upmu$$ m. The charge magnitudes measured at different field strengths using tracking velocimetry range from approximately 1 fC to 10 pC. The particle diameter is observed to be the most influential factor, while intrinsic particle material properties show little effect. Thereby, contact electrification is identified as the underlying charging mechanism. Broad, non-Gaussian charge distributions are observed across all particles, which is attributed to adhesive forces between particles and the electrode surface. The adhesion spanning from 6nN to 780nN is measured using atomic force microscopy and is shown to be dependent on the particle material and its surface topography. However, the maximum measured charge during motion is smaller than that which would be necessary to overcome adhesion at the upper end of the adhesion spectrum. The particle surface field strength limitation due to the breakdown field strength of air explains this. While constant charges compensate for gravity and low adhesion, charge loss during motion from initially high charges is observed. Mirror-charge-induced motion patterns are observed for these high charges, adding a previously not considered term to the motion equation. Overall, the results provide a quantitative description of particle charges, linking adhesion, charge loss, and motion. This establishes a new fundamental experimental methodology to support future assessments of the particle’s influence on high-voltage gas insulation systems.
Effect of eight weeks of interval training on insulin signaling and neurodegeneration in the hippocampus of Methamphetamine-treated rats
Abstract This study investigated the effect of eight weeks of interval training on insulin signaling and neurodegeneration in the hippocampus of methamphetamine (METH)-treated rats. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four equal groups ( n = 8): saline, METH-1 (21-days of injection period), METH-2 (21-day injection period, followed by 8-week withdrawal), and METH+moderate-intensity interval training (MIT). Methamphetamine was injected intraperitoneally at 5 mg/kg per day for a period of 21 consecutive days. MIT was conducted on a treadmill at 60–65% of maximum speed, 5 days weekly for 8 weeks. At the end of the injection and training period, the hippocampal tissue of rats was extracted to evaluate the pathological changes and gene expression of related indicators. METH injection caused a disturbance in the insulin signaling pathway, resulting in increased neurodegeneration, as evidenced by a decrease in the expression of IRS-1 ( p < 0.001) and Akt ( p < 0.001) genes as well as an increase in the expression of GSK-3β ( p < 0.001), APP ( p = 0.007), tau ( p = 0.006), p-tau ( p < 0.001), and Caspases-3 ( p = 0.003) genes. However, MIT significantly upregulated the expression of IRS-1 ( p < 0.001) and Akt ( p = 0.002), while downregulating APP ( p = 0.028) and p-tau ( p < 0.001). These findings suggest that MIT enhances insulin signaling activity and improves anxiety-like behaviors, thereby counteracting the detrimental effects of METH. Further studies are required to expand and validate these findings.
Targeting the metabolic fingerprint of amino acids to identify novel metabolic characteristics in osteosarcoma patients undergoing anthracycline treatment
Effects of climate change on pollen season features of herbaceous species in the Milan area, Northern Italy
Electric vehicle charging station recommendation system based on graph neural network and context-aware refinement
Comparative effects of reactive and planned agility training on physical performance, internal load and enjoyment in youth soccer players
Abstract Agility is a key determinant of soccer performance, combining mechanical change of direction (COD) ability with perceptual and decision-making processes. This study compared the effects of reactive agility (RA) and planned agility (PA) training on physical performance, internal load, and enjoyment in youth soccer players during the in-season period. In a randomized, volume-matched, 8-week intervention, 18 under-16 male players were assigned to a RA (RAG) or PA (PAG) training group. Pre- and post-testing included 10- and 20-m sprints, reactive agility without and with the ball (RAT, RATB), COD and COD with the ball (CODB), countermovement jump (CMJ), balance, and endurance-intensive fitness. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) were recorded after each session. Both groups showed significant ( p < 0.05) pre-post improvements in S10, S20, COD, CODB, CMJ, balance, and endurance-intensive fitness, with no significant group × time interaction for these outcomes. In contrast, large time × group interactions were observed only for RAT and RATB (both p < 0.001; ηp 2 = 0.519 and 0.762, respectively), with RAG being 2.3% and 2.0% faster than PAG, respectively. PACES scores were significantly higher in RAG ( p < 0.001; d = 9.64), while RPE did not differ between groups ( p > 0.05). This randomized, volume-matched, in-season comparison demonstrates that stimulus-driven RA provides additional task-specific gains in reactive agility and higher enjoyment, without increasing RPE, compared with PA in youth soccer. Accordingly, integrating brief weekly RA blocks (cue-rich, game-representative drills, with and without the ball) alongside PA may further optimize agility adaptations and adherence in youth soccer.
Applications of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) mill seed oil from eastern morocco including chemical profiling, antibacterial activity, and docking
[¹¹C]Methionine PET uptake kinetics in corticotroph pituitary neuroendocrine tumors
Abstract [ 11 C]Methionine ([ 11 C]MET) PET provides high sensitivity to localize corticotroph pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) in de novo Cushing’s disease but remains inconclusive in up to 20% of cases. Current PET protocols rely on late acquisitions (20–40 min post-injection). Since other endocrine tumors present earlier peak tracer uptake, corticotroph PitNETs might also exhibit early differential amino acid uptake, compared to the normal pituitary gland. This exploratory study based on data derived from a previously registered prospective multicenter cohort study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03346954) included 15 patients with pathologically confirmed corticotroph PitNETs accurately localized using MRI. Kinetic analysis showed rapid early uptake in PitNETs and normal pituitary gland, followed by a significant decline over time, with consistently higher uptake in PitNETs ( p < 0.05), but no statistically significant difference in temporal uptake pattern ( p = 0.09). Early uptake slope and peak uptake were significantly higher in PitNETs compared to normal gland ( p < 0.01), with moderate-to-high discriminative performance (area under the curve 0.78; 95%CI 0.60–0.94 and 0.86; 95%CI 0.69–0.98, respectively). Time-to-peak showed no statistically significant discriminative value. These findings suggest that kinetic parameters of [¹¹C]MET PET, particularly early slope and peak uptake, may provide complementary information to static PET for PitNET characterization.
An optimal multi-objective control architecture of PMSM drives
Ponderomotive plasma lenses for holography by Gaussian beams
Abstract Plasma-based optical elements, including ponderomotive plasma lenses, offer distinctive capabilities for energy steering, localization, and high-sensitivity imaging in dynamic media. In this work, we investigate the application of ponderomotive plasma lenses to holography by utilizing the interference of two Gaussian laser beams. The analysis focuses on how the collective plasma response to spatial intensity gradients leads to refractive index modulation and dynamic wavefront control. By explicitly defining the holographic geometry and distinguishing between the reference and sample beams, we show that the achievable image resolution is strongly influenced by the transverse properties of both Gaussian inputs. In particular, the beam widths play a central role in determining the coherence, stability, and spatial-frequency content of the interference pattern. Appropriate adjustment of the individual beam waists improves fringe quality and phase sensitivity, resulting in enhanced spatial resolution and more accurate reconstruction of the three-dimensional refractive-index distribution. The present study is theoretical and employs laser parameters that are accessible in laboratory-scale systems, providing a physically realistic basis for plasma-based holography using standard solid-state laser sources.
AI-powered BlindSpot VisionGuide system on raspberry Pi for enhancing independence of visually impaired users
Hydroxyl radical production in liquid water by laser cavitation
Association of anemia with long-term renal prognosis in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease using time-series analysis
Is a ‘selfish gene’ making a Utah family have twice as many boys as girls?
Maternal immunity and post-vaccination sero-monitoring in small ruminants for peste des petits ruminants eradication in North Shewa, Ethiopia
Abstract Ethiopia aims to eradicate peste des petits ruminants (PPR) by 2027 through a risk-based vaccination strategy (RBVS); however, outbreaks continue to occur. This cross-sectional study (January–May 2024) evaluated RBVS performance by assessing flock- and maternal-level antibody immunity, providing field-based evidence to inform PPR control and eradication efforts. A total of 594 serum samples were collected using simple random sampling to assess flock ( n = 508) and maternal ( n = 86) antibody immunity. All samples were tested for PPRV antibodies using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA). Overall individual animal-level antibody immunity was 65.35% (332/508), while at the flock level only 22.27% of flocks (6/22) had ≥ 80% of animals with detectable antibodies. Multivariable logistic regression showed significant differences in immune status by age group ( p < 0.05). Adult (284/428, 66.36%) and older (26/33, 78.79%) small ruminants were approximately three and four times more likely to be seropositive than young animals (52.21%), respectively. Significant district-level variation was also observed: animals in Basona-werena (116/146, 79.45%) were three times more likely to be seropositive than those in Menz-mama (88/155, 56.77%). Overall maternal antibody immunity in kids and lambs was 52.3%, with 61.29% (95% CI: 42.19–78.15) in kids and 47.27% (95% CI: 33.65–61.20) in lambs. This study demonstrates insufficient maternal and flock-level antibody immunity against PPRV in vaccinated small ruminants, with levels below the recommended 80% threshold. To improve coverage, vaccination efforts should prioritize young animals, districts with low antibody levels, and areas with poor past performance. Strengthening surveillance, refining vaccination strategies, enhancing sero-monitoring, and ensuring efficient vaccine distribution are essential for effective PPR control and eventual eradication.