Browse Articles

A bioinspired self-powered optical tactile sensing system with ultrahigh sensitivity and ultralow detection limit

Abstract High-sensitivity tactile perception is vital for precise robotic operations in human-machine interactions (HMI). Currently, state-of-the-art tactile perception relies on electrical sensors which demand complex circuits and decoding components, leading to increased energy consumption and susceptibility to electromagnetic interference. Hence, the utilization of human-perceptible signals, such as visible light, as the transmission medium is necessary. Inspired by the mechano-electro-optical transduction mechanism in dinoflagellate bioluminescence, here we propose a self-powered optical tactile sensing system (SOTS) for converting the electrical signal of pressure sensing into visible luminescent intensity, thereby enabling the wireless transmission and visualization of tactile information. The proposed SOTS features an ultrahigh sensitivity (22.4 kPa −1 ) and an ultralow detection limit (10 Pa) in optical tactile sensing with the ultra-wide dynamic range across 5 orders of magnitude (0.01-100 kPa), opening promising avenues for ultrasensitive feedback and intuitive understanding of haptic perception in future HMI.

An empirical investigation of continuance intention to use online meetings

Elevated Lactobacillus salivarius and genus Akkermansia in fecal samples of Taiwanese patients with parkinson’s disease and diabetes mellitus

Research on vehicle lateral stability control under low-adhesion road conditions using proximal policy optimization algorithm

Vehicle lateral stability control under hazardous operating conditions represents a pivotal challenge in intelligent driving active safety. To address the issue of maintaining vehicle stability during emergency braking on roads with low and non-uniform adhesion, this paper proposes an intelligent integrated longitudinal and lateral stability control algorithm based on the Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) algorithm. Firstly, high-fidelity models of electromechanical braking (EMB) and steer-by-wire (SBW) systems are constructed in Amesim by leveraging their dynamic characteristics, while a full-vehicle dynamics model is developed in CarSim. The dynamic accuracy of the drive-by-wire system is verified through input-output tracking analysis. Next, vehicle stability is analyzed using vehicle dynamics models to optimize reinforcement learning control variables. This involves designing a continuous state space and action space that incorporate vehicle states and road surface parameters. A multi-objective reward function is formulated using stability indicators, including critical tire slip angle, critical sideslip angle, and critical yaw rate thresholds. Training is conducted via an Amesim-CarSim-Python co-simulation platform for emergency braking scenarios on split-μ roads, low-adhesion surfaces, and curved roads. Results show that, compared to Model Predictive Control (MPC) and Sliding Mode Control (SMC), the PPO algorithm reduces braking distance by 15–20% on low-adhesion roads, decreases lateral deviation by 25–30% on split-μ roads, and suppresses yaw rate oscillation by 28.8% on curved roads. Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) validation confirms the algorithm’s robustness under extreme conditions, with lateral stability metrics maintained within safety thresholds.

Efficient thermal management of electronic devices by constructing interlayer phonon bridges

Multiomics approach identifies SERPINB1 as candidate biomarker for spinocerebellar ataxia type 2

Abstract Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is a polyglutamine disorder, and variants in its disease protein Ataxin-2 act as modifiers in the progression of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. There are no reliable molecular biomarkers for SCA2. The aim of this study was to define novel molecular biomarker candidates for SCA2. Using cerebellar and cervicothoracic spinal cord RNA/protein from Atxn2 -CAG100-KnockIn (KIN) and wildtype mice, a multi-omics study was conducted based on the integration of global transcriptomic, proteomic, and phosphoproteomic data, followed by validation in mice and humans. Venn diagram comparisons across all OMICS datasets indicated that only Serpinb1a -transcript, SERPINB1A-protein and -phosphopeptides were consistently downregulated at terminal stage in 14-month-old KIN mice. Expression studies in cerebellum and spinal cord from 10 weeks (pre-manifest), 6-month-old (early ataxic), and 14-month-old (late ataxic stage) mice confirmed this progressive decrease at mRNA and protein level. SERPINB1 plasma levels were significantly lower in early-stage SCA2 patients, and displayed a significant association with the CAG repeat length at expanded ATXN2 alleles, the age at onset and INAS count. However, these human data from this SCA2 founder population were not robust, so reappraisal in large international studies and at later disease stages of SCA2 is needed. SERPINB1 was identified as novel candidate progression biomarker for SCA2 pathomechanisms.

Dynamic multi objective task scheduling in cloud computing using reinforcement learning for energy and cost optimization

Socializing a group of male Asian elephants in a semi-captive facility in Lao PDR

This study documents the introduction process of eight unrelated captive male Asian elephants in a free-contact management setting in Laos, utilizing a two-phase introduction process comprising limited tactile contact followed by full physical introduction. Behavioral data were collected using all-occurrence and focal-animal sampling, while fecal samples were analyzed for glucocorticoid (fGCM) and androgen (fAM) metabolite concentrations to assess physiological responses. Results indicated a prevalence of affiliative over aggressive or submissive behaviors throughout both introduction phases, supporting the idea that unrelated males can create social bonds without excessive aggression in captive settings. Affiliative behaviors declined over time during the limited tactile contact phase, then stabilized during physical introductions. Aggressive and submissive behaviors were consistently low throughout the study. Individual variations in behavior were observed, highlighting the importance of considering temperament in elephant introductions. No significant differences were found in fGCM concentrations before or after social introductions among the males, suggesting that the process did not cause substantial physiological stress. Only one male exhibited decreased fAM concentrations after social interactions, which could indicate testosterone suppression from more dominant males. During the limited contact period, aggressive interactions were positively associated with fGCM concentrations, whereas a longer duration since first introduction was associated with a decrease. In the physical introduction step, the number of days since the first introduction positively predicted an increase in fGCM concentrations, while the fAM concentration before social interactions negatively predicted fGCM. In addition, age was significantly positively predictive of fAM concentrations. These findings challenge traditional views on male elephant sociality under captive conditions and suggest that, with proper management, forming all-male groups can be a viable option for conservation and ex situ management programs. This study emphasizes the importance of gradual introduction processes, individual monitoring, and long-term behavioral observations in the successful introduction of unrelated captive male Asian elephants.

Molecular basis of sodium channel inactivation

Comparative survey of eating and lifestyle habits in Italian school age children using Nutripiatto as an educational tool

Amino acid–based deep eutectic solvent functionalized NH2-UiO-66 for selective CO2 capture from flue gas

Patient and public involvement in developing and validating an instrument for assessing the scaling potential of innovations in health and social services: A consensus study

Background Before proven health innovations are scaled, an assessment of their scaling potential can save resources and assure quality at scale. Involving the beneficiaries of scaling is necessary for it to be effective and relevant. We aimed to develop, with patient and public involvement (PPI), an instrument for assessing the scalability of innovations in health and social services and to establish content validity. Methods We conducted a multiphase study based on the Integrated Knowledge Translation approach and the Montreal Model for PPI. A steering committee provided feedback throughout the project. Informed by a systematic review, the research team and steering committee selected promising items for inclusion in the instrument. In a two-round online Delphi process, patients and public representatives and other expert panellists reached consensus on the relevance, clarity and necessity of each item. Finally, with a patient partner and two scaling teams we developed the instrument and a manual. Results The steering committee consisted of a patient partner, an expert in health measures and two policymakers who were experts in scaling. Based on the systematic review, we retained 43 items covering 12 domains. Two new items related to PPI and sex- and gender-sensitive scaling were validated by the committee. A 24-member Delphi panel assessed the resulting 45 items for content validity. Patients and public representatives constituted 29.1% of the panel and researchers 25%. Fourteen items were excluded for not reaching content validity thresholds. The final selection included three items added by panellists (consideration of national and local legislation, disadvantages of not scaling, and equity). Despite a low score, an item on sex and gender was retained as being essential for redressing consequences of inequities in health research. Conclusion The final tool, the Innovation Scalability Self-administered Questionnaire (ISSaQ 4.0), includes 37 items across 12 domains and is available in French and English.

Spatiotemporal optical vortex combs

A novel method of bayesian genetic optimization on automated hyperparameter tuning

Electrocatalytic removal of ciprofloxacin using modified Ti/TiO2 anodes with ZrO2 and Bi2O3 nanoparticles modeled via CCD-RSM approach

D2FLS-Net: Dual-Stage DEM-guided Fusion Transformer for landslide segmentation

Landslide segmentation from remote sensing imagery is crucial for rapid disaster assessment and risk mitigation. Owing to the pronounced heterogeneity of landslide scales and the subtle visual contrast between some landslide bodies and their background, this task remains highly challenging. Although Transformers surpass convolutional neural networks in modeling long-range contextual dependencies, channel-level or feature-level fusion strategies provide only intermittent terrain cues, leading models to underutilize digital elevation model (DEM) information and to lack fine-grained adaptability to terrain variability. To address this, We propose a Swin-Transformer–based framework, Dual-Stage DEM-guided Fusion Transformer for landslide segmentation (D2FLS-Net), which embeds terrain features via two modules: (1) The Dual-Stage DEM-Guided Fusion (DSDF) module that injects DEM cues twice, where the early stage emphasizes DEM related discontinuities before feature extraction, and the late stage coordinates high-level RGB and DEM semantics through a cross-attention mechanism. (2) The Terrain-aware Pixel-wise Adaptive Context Enhancement (T-PACE) module that optimizes intermediate features using a DEM-gated, pixel-adaptive hybrid of multi-dilation atrous convolutions, enabling broader context aggregation within homogeneous landslide interiors and more precise discrimination at boundaries. We evaluate D2FLS-Net on the Bijie and Landslide4Sense 2022 datasets. On Bijie, the mean Intersection over Union (mIoU) reaches 88.77%, Recall 95.27%, and Precision 94.60%, exceeding the best competing model SegFormer by 7.96%, 7.90%, and 4.05%, respectively. On Landslide4Sense2022, mIoU 72.86%, Recall 82.55%, and Precision 93.30%, surpassing SegFormer by 7.06%, 6.56%, and 5.02%, respectively. Ablation studies indicate that DSDF primarily reduces missed detections of landslide traces, whereas T-PACE refines pixel level context selection. Injecting DEM at the Swin-1 and Swin-4 stages consistently outperforms other stage combinations. In summary, the model shows good detection performance and is suitable for fusing DEM and remote sensing imagery for landslide recognition.

Nonconventional near-infrared room-temperature phosphorescent materials based on spiropolymer alloy

A transformer based approach to STEAM integrated english course design in high schools under deep learning

Anti-inflammatory activity of Acanthospermum australe: Insights from network pharmacology, chemical analysis, and in vitro assays

Inflammation plays a crucial role in homeostasis and defense responses; however, exaggerated and chronic inflammation contribute to the development and worsening of various diseases. Acanthospermum australe (Loefl.) Kuntze ( A. australe ) is a medicinal plant traditionally used to alleviate inflammation. However, the anti-inflammatory activity of this plant has not yet been explored. This study aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of this species using network pharmacology, UPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis, and in vitro assays. Network pharmacology analysis revealed the involvement of immune system processes, and among the main targets of A. australe related to inflammation were innate immune responses, toll-like receptors (TLRs), and T cell receptor signaling pathways. A methanolic extract was prepared and analyzed using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS, and 15 compounds were detected. Additionally, the potential targets of A. australe predicted by network pharmacology analysis were validated in vitro using monocytic THP-1 cells and splenocytes. The RT-qPCR analysis indicated that A. australe significantly inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, as well as chemokine CCL-2, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cells. Finally, the extract significantly decreased concanavalin A (ConA)-induced T cell proliferation. Overall, our study provides evidence for the anti-inflammatory effects of this species and highlights its mechanisms of action.

Versatile on-chip plasmonic lattices enabled by Kekulé metasurfaces