Search Results (7,879)

Background and Clinical Significance: The study aims to investigate the application of the Rovatti Method^® in improving Cobb angles, angle of trunk rotation (ATR), aesthetics, and quality of life in the conservative treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS); Case Presentation: The case concerns the application of the Rovatti Method^® in treating a 13-year-old girl with mild right thoracolumbar AIS. This method involves the use of elastic bands designed to guide and enhance proprioceptive and mechanical stimuli during the patient’s active self-correction exercises. The treatment lasted 7 months; a radiographic control showed an improvement in the right thoracolumbar curve, with Cobb angles decreasing from 21° to 14°, ATR from 10° to 8°, TRACE (Trunk Aesthetic Clinical Evaluation) decreasing from 8 to 4 points, and the Scoliosis Research questionnaire (SRS-22) improving from 2.27 to 3.05 points. Conclusions: Concerning this hypothesis-generating observation case, the Rovatti Method^® may represent a kinesiological approach for the treatment of AIS, potentially contributing to improvements in Cobb angles, ATR, aesthetics, and quality of life. Full article

This study systematically investigates soil and stream sediment along the 165 km Ibar River to examine the origin and transfer of pollutants. The research focuses on the environmental impact of long-term mining and irregular waste management, as well as natural enrichment related to weathering processes. A comprehensive sampling campaign was conducted, collecting 70 samples from 14 locations. At each location, samples of river sediment, floodplain soil (0–5 cm and 20–30 cm depths), and river terrace soil (same depths) were collected. The contents of 21 elements (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Sr, V, and Zn) were determined using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed to identify statistically significant differences in element contents between defined zones, sampled materials (river sediments, floodplain soils, and river terrace soils), and sampled soil horizons (topsoil, 0–5 cm, and subsoil, 20–30 cm). Multivariate analysis, including correlation coefficient, cluster analysis, and principal component analysis, revealed two distinct groups of elements with highly significant correlation coefficients (r > 0.7). The first group, comprising Ag, As, Cd, Cu, Mn, and Zn, indicates anthropogenic enrichment, likely resulting from mining and smelting activities in the middle flow of the Ibar River (The Mining and Metallurgical Complex Trepča). The second group, consisting of Cr, Mg, and Ni, suggests enrichment related to the weathering of elements from the ophiolite zone in the lower Ibar River. The study found high enrichment ratios of toxic elements like arsenic, cadmium, lead, and zinc, particularly in stream sediments and floodplains. Notably, arsenic contents exceeded European averages by up to 57 times in stream sediments, posing a significant environmental concern due to its high content. Full article

This study presents a novel framework to assess the combined impact of soiling and thermal effects on rooftop PV systems through multi-seasonal, multi-site field campaigns in an industrial-urban environment. This work addresses key research gaps by providing a high-resolution, site-specific analysis that captures the synergistic effect of particulate accumulation and thermal stress on PV performance in an industrial-urban environment—a setting distinct from the well-studied arid climates. The study further bridges a gap by employing controlled pre- and post-cleaning performance tests across multiple sites to isolate and quantify soiling losses, offering insights crucial for developing targeted maintenance strategies in pollution-prone urban areas. Unlike previous work, it integrates gravimetric soiling measurements with high-resolution electrical (I–V), thermal, and environmental monitoring, complemented by PVSYST simulation benchmarking. Field data were collected from five rooftop plants in Bursa, Türkiye, during summer and winter, capturing seasonal variations in particulate deposition, module temperature, and PV output, alongside irradiance, wind speed, and airborne particulates. Soiling nearly doubled in winter (0.098 g/m²) compared to summer (0.051 g/m²), but lower winter temperatures (mean 19.8 °C) partially offset performance losses seen under hot summer conditions (mean 42.1 °C). Isc correlated negatively with both soiling (r = −0.68) and temperature (r = −0.72), with regression analysis showing soiling as the dominant factor (R² = 0.71). Energy yield analysis revealed that high summer irradiance did not always increase output due to thermal losses, while winter often yielded comparable or higher energy. Soiling-induced losses ranged 5–17%, with SPP-2 worst affected in winter, and seasonal PR declines averaged 10.8%. The results highlight the need for integrated strategies combining cleaning, thermal management, and environmental monitoring to maintain PV efficiency in particulate-prone regions, offering practical guidance for operators and supporting renewable energy goals in challenging environments. Full article

Remote sensing offers an effective alternative for estimating mangrove carbon stocks by analyzing the relationship between satellite pixel values and field-based carbon measurements. This research was carried out in the mangrove forests of western Bali, Indonesia, encompassing three areas situated in a non-conservation mangrove forest area. This study assessed 32 remote sensing vegetation indices derived from Sentinel-2 satellite imagery to identify the optimal model for quantifying the above-ground carbon (Cag) content in mangrove ecosystems. Field data were collected using stratified random sampling and were used to develop regression models linking the Cag with vegetation indices. The Simple Ratio (SR) index exhibited the highest correlation (r = 0.847, R² = 0.707), while the Three Index Vegetation Above-Ground Carbon (TrIVCag) model, combining the SR, Specific Leaf Area Vegetation Index (SLAVI), and Transformed Ratio Vegetation Index (TRVI) indices, achieved the best performance (r = 0.870, R² = 0.728). The model validation results confirmed the reliability of the TrIVCag model, as indicated by a correlation of 0.852 between the model estimates and measured Cag values from independent field data. In 2023, the mangrove area in western Bali (excluding West Bali National Park) was estimated at 376.85 ha, with a total above-ground carbon stock of 34,994.55 tonC/ha. Region A had the highest average Cag at 98.97 tonC/ha, followed by Regions B (66.58 tonC/ha) and C (86.98 tonC/ha). This model offers a practical and scalable approach to carbon monitoring and is expected to play a valuable role in supporting blue carbon conservation efforts and contributing to climate change mitigation. Full article

This study aims to examine the relationship between competition-derived GPS metrics and explosive power, as expressed by the countermovement jump (CMJ), and their influence on neuromuscular fatigue in professional male soccer players. In this observational–longitudinal study, GPS-derived data were collected during 15 official competitions from the same seven players (age = 26.03 ± 4.59 y, height = 180.0 ± 0.076 cm, body mass = 77.88 ± 9.90 kg). CMJ assessments were performed at matchday − 1 (MD + 2) and matchday + 2 (MD + 2) of each competition. CMJ height was significantly decreased from MD − 1 to MD + 2 (p < 0.05). While no significant correlations were found between MD − 1 CMJ values and the examined GPS metrics (total distance covered (TDC), high-speed running distance (HSR-D (m)), sprint-running distance (SR-D (m)), and number of high-intensity accelerations/decelerations (HIA (n)/HID (n), respectively), a significant negative relationship emerged between MD + 2 CMJ height and HIA (n) and HID (n) (p < 0.05). Linear mixed-effects measures revealed the impact of several parameters in three different models: (a) HIA (n) × HID (n) × HSR (m) × SR-D (m), (b) HIA (n) × HID (n) × SR-D (m), and (c) HID (n) × SR-D (m), with univariate testing highlighting significant effects of HIA (n) and HID (n) (p < 0.05). In conclusion, no association was evident between MD − 1 CMJ values and competition GPS metrics, while HIA (n) and DIA (n) were associated with post-competition explosive-power values at MD + 2. Moreover, CMJ reduction from MD − 1 to MD + 2, serving as a competition-induced neuromuscular fatigue indicator, was found to be related to HIA (n) and HID (n) volumes either individually or in association with HSR (m) and SR-D (m) distances, suggesting those to impact post-competition fatigue kinetics. Full article

The Qinghai–Tibet Plateau’s alpine grasslands are ecologically vulnerable. Plateau zokors build mounds that modify soil and vegetation, influencing soil biota. This study examined how different vegetation on zokor mounds affects soil nematodes and ecosystem function. We compared undisturbed grassland (CK), Potentilla anserina (PM) and Leontopodium (LM) mounds, and new bare mounds (NM). Soil nematode communities were analyzed to assess functional indices and metabolic footprints. Compared with CK, PM increased total nematode abundance by 37.74%, r-strategists by 36.54%, and K-strategists by 39.37%. NM increased dominance (λ) by 22.20%, channel ratio (NCR) by 8.89%, and the Wasilewska index (WI) by 1.24 times, but reduced Shannon diversity by 8.49%, trophic diversity (TD) by 22.84%, and species richness (SR) by 29.40%. LM decreased the maturity index (MI) of free-living nematodes by 7.19% and increased the plant parasite index (PPI) by 10.01%. PM exhibited the highest metabolic footprints for bacterivores, fungivores, omnivores/predators, and total nematodes. Soil carbon (EF-C), nitrogen (EF-N), phosphorus (EF-P) cycling functions, and overall ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) were highest in CK and lowest in LM. Soil moisture had positive effects on EF-N, EF-P, and EMF, whereas pH had a negative effect on EF-C. These findings demonstrate that vegetation-covered zokor mounds influence nutrient cycling and ecosystem multifunctionality through changes in nematode community characteristics, providing new insights into soil biodiversity–function relationships and informing grassland restoration strategies in high-altitude ecosystems. Full article

At present, it is a real challenge to measure brain signals outside of the lab with portable systems that are robust, comfortable and easy to use. We propose in this article a bimodal electroencephalography–functional near-infrared spectroscopy (EEG-fNIRS) sensor whose spatial geometry allows the robust estimation of colocated electrical and hemodynamic brain activity. The geometry allows for the correction of extra-cerebral activity (short-channel distance) as well as the computation of the spatial gradient of absorbance required in the spatially resolved spectroscopy (SRS) method. The complete system is described, detailing the technical solutions implemented to provide signals at 250 Hz for both synchronized modalities and without crosstalk. The system performances are validated during an N-Back mental workload protocol. Full article

Purpose: This systematic review aims to analyze the literature on the application of AI in predicting patient outcomes and treatment-related toxicity in those undergoing SBRT or SRS across heterogeneous tumor sites. Materials and methods: Our review conformed to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. PubMed, EMBASE and Scopus were systematically searched for English-language human studies evaluating AI for outcome and toxicity prediction in patients undergoing SBRT or SRS for solid tumors. Search terms included (“Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy” OR “SBRT” OR “Stereotactic Radiosurgery” OR “SRS” OR “Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy” OR “SABR”) AND (“Artificial Intelligence” OR “AI” OR “Machine Learning” OR “Deep Learning” OR “Radiomics”) AND (“Response Prediction” OR “Response to Treatment” OR “Outcome Prediction”) AND (“Toxicity” OR “Side Effects” OR “Treatment Toxicities” OR “Adverse Events”). Results: The search yielded 29 eligible retrospective studies, published between 2020 and 2025. Eight studies addressed early-stage primary lung cancer, highlighting the potential of AI-based models in predicting radiation-induced pneumonitis, fibrosis and local control. Five studies investigated AI models for predicting hepatobiliary toxicity following SBRT for liver tumors. Sixteen studies involved SRS-treated patients with brain metastases or benign intracranial neoplasms (e.g., arteriovenous malformations, vestibular schwannomas, meningiomas), exploring AI algorithms for predicting treatment response and radiation-induced changes. In the results, AI might have been exploited to both reaffirm already known clinical predictors and to identify novel imaging, dosimetric or biological biomarkers. Examples include predicting radiation pneumonitis in lung cancer, residual liver function in hepatic tumors and local recurrence in brain metastases, thus supporting tailored treatment decisions. Conclusions: Combining AI with SBRT could greatly enhance personalized cancer care by predicting patient-specific outcomes and toxicity. AI models analyze complex datasets, including imaging and clinical data, to identify patterns that traditional methods may miss, thus enabling more accurate risk stratification and reducing variability in treatment planning. With further research and clinical validation, this integration could make radiotherapy safer, more effective and contribute to advancement in precision oncology. Full article

Background/Objectives: The objective of this study is to compare the optical and visual quality provided by the advanced monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) ISOPure and the standard monofocal IOL MicroPure in cataract patients, using objective and subjective assessments. Methods: This prospective, single-blind clinical study includes 28 patients with cataracts, bilaterally implanted with either the ISOPure or MicroPure IOL. Eligible eyes had no ocular comorbidities and regular corneal astigmatism ≤ 1.00 D. Three months postoperatively, uncorrected distance and intermediate (UDVA, UIVA) and corrected distance and intermediate (CDVA, DCIVA) visual acuities were measured at 4 m, 80 cm, and 66 cm under photopic (85 cd/m²) and mesopic (3.5 cd/m²) conditions. Photic phenomena, including halo and glare, were evaluated. Objective optical quality was assessed using Objective Scattering Index (OSI), Modulation Transfer Function (MTF), Strehl Ratio (SR), and ocular aberrations. Subjective patient satisfaction was evaluated using Quality of Vision (QoV) and Catquest-9SF questionnaires. Results: Under photopic conditions, logMAR DCIVA at 80 cm, UIVA at 66 cm, and DCIVA at 66 cm were 0.18 ± 0.06, 0.25 ± 0.12, and 0.20 ± 0.13, respectively, for ISOPure, and 0.22 ± 0.06, 0.30 ± 0.09, and 0.25 ± 0.09 for MicroPure (p = 0.05, 0.02, and 0.05, respectively). No significant differences were observed in halo/glare size or intensity, OSI, MTF, or SR. However, statistically significant differences were found in higher-order total aberrations for pupil sizes of 3.0, 4.0 mm, and 5.0 mm. Questionnaires indicated greater satisfaction and functional intermediate vision with ISOPure. Conclusions: The ISOPure IOL offers superior intermediate vision without compromising distance vision, delivering a balanced combination of optical quality, functional performance, and patient satisfaction. Full article

This work presents a proof of concept for a short-range high spectral resolution lidar (SR-HSRL) optimized for aerosol characterization in the first kilometer of the atmosphere. The system is based on a compact, high-repetition-rate diode-based fiber laser with a 300 MHz linewidth and 5 ns pulse duration, coupled with an iodine absorption cell. A central challenge in the instrument’s development was identifying a laser source that offered both sufficient spectral resolution for HSRL retrievals and nanosecond pulse durations for high spatiotemporal resolution, while also being compact, tunable, and cost-effective. To address this, we developed a methodology for complete spectral and temporal laser characterization. A two-day field campaign conducted in July 2024 in Tsukuba, Japan, validated the system’s performance. Despite the relatively broad laser linewidth, we successfully retrieved aerosol backscatter coefficient profiles from 50 to 1000 m, with a spatial resolution of 7.5 m and a temporal resolution of 6 s. The results demonstrate the feasibility of using SR-HSRL for detailed studies of aerosol layers, cloud interfaces, and aerosol–cloud interactions. Future developments will focus on extending the technique to ultra-short-range applications (<100 m) from ground-based and mobile platforms, to retrieve aerosol extinction coefficients and lidar ratios to improve the characterization of near-source aerosol properties and their radiative impacts. Full article

Tubular aggregate myopathy (TAM) is an inherited skeletal muscle disease associated with progressive muscle weakness, cramps, and myalgia. Tubular aggregates (TAs) are regular arrays of highly ordered and densely packed straight-tubules observed in muscle biopsies; the extensive presence of TAs represent a key histopathological hallmark of this disease in TAM patients. TAM is caused by gain-of-function mutations in proteins that coordinate store-operated Ca²⁺ entry (SOCE): STIM1 Ca²⁺ sensor proteins in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and Ca²⁺-permeable ORAI1 channels in the surface membrane. Here, we assessed the therapeutic potential of endurance exercise in the form of voluntary wheel running (VWR) in mitigating TAs and muscle weakness in Orai1^G100S/+ (GS) mice harboring a gain-of-function mutation in the ORAI1 pore. Six months of VWR exercise significantly increased specific force production, upregulated biosynthetic and protein translation pathways, and normalized both mitochondrial protein expression and morphology in the soleus of GS mice. VWR also restored Ca²⁺ store content, reduced the incidence of TAs, and normalized pathways involving the formation of supramolecular complexes in fast twitch muscles of GS mice. In summary, sustained voluntary endurance exercise improved multiple skeletal muscle phenotypes observed in the GS mouse model of TAM. Full article

The extraction of lithium from clay-type lithium ores has attracted significant attention, but the leaching behavior of associated elements, such as Rb, K, and Sr, remains less explored. This study quantitatively investigated the leaching behaviors and mechanisms of Li, Rb, K, Sr, and Mg in clay-type lithium ore through water leaching and roasting–water leaching processes. The results show that during direct water leaching, the leaching efficiency of K ranged between 10% and 13%, while Li and Sr exhibited lower extraction rates, requiring prolonged high-temperature leaching. Rb dissolution was minimal, and the leaching efficiency of Mg was significantly affected by temperature. In contrast, roasting–water leaching significantly enhanced the leaching efficiency, achieving extraction rates of 90.65% for Li, 92.91% for Rb, 75.85% for K, and 36.99% for Sr. However, Mg leaching was suppressed to below 1%. Roasting disrupted the original silicate and carbonate lattices, generating new phases that altered the ore’s microstructure into aggregated dense phases and needle-like porous phases upon water leaching, thereby facilitating the release of Li, Rb, K, and Sr. A research finding was that the new phase generated by magnesium inhibited its leaching, which indirectly enhanced subsequent Li, Rb, K, and Sr extraction and separation. These findings provide a quantitative foundation for optimizing multi-element co-extraction from clay-type lithium ores. Full article

The junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum (jSR) is a critical organelle in cardiomyocytes, regulating calcium homeostasis and Excitation–Contraction Coupling (ECC). A quantitative understanding of its protein composition is essential for investigating cardiac physiology and related pathologies. However, isolating intact jSR vesicles, particularly those enriched in membrane proteins, remains a challenging task. Here, we describe our optimized protocol for reproducible enrichment of jSR vesicles from a single murine heart, without the use of antibodies. The protocol enables the recovery of low-abundance membrane proteins while preserving their native interactions with partners. This strategy facilitates the straightforward identification by Mass Spectrometry of highly relevant yet challenging jSR proteins, including the cardiac Ryanodine Receptor and calsequestrin. Our protocol provides a robust tool for studying the structural and stoichiometric organization of the cardiac jSR components in a widely used animal model. Full article

In the race for industrialization and urbanization, the concentration of greenhouse gases like CO₂ and CH₄ is growing rapidly and ultimately resulting in global warming. An Ni-based catalyst over MgO support (Ni/MgO) offers a catalytic method for the conversion of these gases into hydrogen and carbon monoxide through the dry reforming of methane (DRM) reaction. In the current research work, 1–4 wt% strontium is investigated as a cheap promoter over a 5Ni/MgO catalyst to modify the reducibility and basicity for the goal of excelling the H₂ yield and H₂/CO ratio through the DRM reaction. The fine catalytic activities’ correlations with characterization results (like X-ray diffraction, surface area porosity, photoelectron–Raman–infrared spectroscopy, and temperature-programmed reduction/desorption (TPR/TPD)) are established. The 5Ni/MgO catalyst with a 3 wt.% Sr loading attained the highest concentration of stable active sites and the maximum population of very strong basic sites. 5Ni3Sr/MgO surpassed 53% H₂ yield (H₂/CO ~0.8) at 700 °C and 85% H₂ yield (H₂/CO ratio ~0.9) at 800 °C. These outcomes demonstrate the catalyst’s effectiveness and affordability. Higher Sr loading (>3 wt%) resulted in a weaker metal–support contact, the production of free NiO, and a lower level of catalytic activity for the DRM reaction. The practical and cheap 5Ni3Sr/MgO catalyst is scalable in industries to achieve hydrogen energy goals while mitigating greenhouse gas concentrations. Full article

The High-Energy Ray Observatory (HERO) is a space-based experiment designed to measure the spectrum and composition of cosmic rays using an ionization calorimeter. The instrument’s effective geometric factor is at least 12 m²·sr for protons and 16 m²·sr or more for nuclei and electrons. Over an exposure period of approximately 5 to 7 years, the mission will enable high-resolution, element-by-element measurements of cosmic ray spectra in the energy range of 10¹² to 10¹⁶ eV per particle. A Monte Carlo simulation of the calorimeter—based on a scintillation detector with and without boron additives—was carried out using the GEANT4 software package. In this study, we examine the impact of boron additives in scintillator materials on energy resolution and their potential for discriminating between electromagnetic and hadronic components of cosmic rays. The primary objectives are to demonstrate that boron does not degrade detector characteristics and that it enables an additional timing-based method for cosmic-ray component rejection. The planned launch of the orbital experiment is scheduled for no earlier than 2029. Full article