Search Results (1,244)

Utilization of solid waste as building material (USB) is a promising strategy that effectively addresses the challenges of safety and environmental pollution posed by solid waste and alleviates the scarcity of natural resources to facilitate the sustainable production of building materials. However, USB implementation and promotion have not yet matured in China because of various barriers. Therefore, this study employed the GT-DEMATEL-ISM-MACMIC model to identify the critical factors in USB implementation and examine the interactions and relationships among barriers to propose targeted recommendations. The results identified 33 barriers and revealed a distinct causal hierarchy. It was found that the macro-level barriers at the apex of the hierarchy, ‘incomplete policies and legislation’, ‘poor supervision and regulation of solid waste’, and ‘insufficient financial subsidies and incentives’, are critical barriers to USB implementation. A key outcome of this study is the identification of the most critical and obstinate barrier path evolution in USB implementation, where incomplete policies and regulations (P1, P2) lead to underdeveloped markets and capital (M6, E2), as well as low stakeholder motivation (S4), which in turn, exacerbates policy inertia and traps USB development in a state of deadlock. Conversely, detail-level barriers at the technical and managerial levels, such as ‘limited innovation in management models’ and ‘single type and limited application of renewable building material’, tend to be less influential than other barriers. Therefore, USB promotion can be achieved by strengthening policies and legislation, improving policy systems, and increasing financial subsidies. The results of this study will assist China and other developing countries in identifying critical barriers to USB implementation, offer practical approaches for promoting USB implementation, and provide methodological guidance for similar studies. Full article

Background/Objectives: The clinical management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is hindered by the inability to accurately predict curve progression. Although skeletal maturity and the initial Cobb angle are established predictors of progression, their combined predictive accuracy remains limited. This study aimed to develop a robust and interpretable artificial intelligence (AI) system using deep learning (DL) models to predict the progression of scoliosis using only standing frontal radiographs. Methods: We conducted a multicenter study involving 542 patients with AIS. After excluding 52 borderline progression cases (6–9° progression in the Cobb angle), 294 and 196 patients were assigned to progression (≥10° increase) and non-progression (≤5° increase) groups, respectively, considering a 2-year follow-up. Frontal whole spinal radiographs were preprocessed using histogram equalization and divided into two regions of interest (ROIs) (ROI 1, skull base–femoral head; ROI 2, C7–iliac crest). Six pretrained DL models, including convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and transformer-based models, were trained on the radiograph images. Gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM) was further performed for model interpretation. Results: Ensemble models outperformed individual ones, with the average ensemble model achieving area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.769 for ROI 1 and 0.755 for ROI 2. Grad-CAM revealed that the CNNs tended to focus on the local curve apex, whereas the transformer-based models demonstrated global attention across the spine, ribs, and pelvis. Models trained on ROI 2 performed comparably with respect to those using ROI 1, supporting the feasibility of image standardization without a loss of accuracy. Conclusions: This study establishes the clinical potential of transformer-based DL models for predicting the progression of scoliosis using only plain radiographs. Our multicenter approach, high AUC values, and interpretable architectures support the integration of AI into clinical decision-making for the early treatment of AIS. Full article

Micro-expression recognition (MER) aims to detect brief and subtle facial movements that reveal suppressed emotions, discerning authentic emotional responses in scenarios such as visitor experience analysis in museum settings. However, it remains a highly challenging task due to the fleeting duration, low intensity, and limited availability of annotated data. Most existing approaches rely solely on either appearance or motion cues, thereby restricting their ability to capture expressive information fully. To overcome these limitations, we propose a lightweight multi-modal fusion network, termed M³ENet, which integrates both motion and appearance cues through early-stage feature fusion. Specifically, our model extracts horizontal, vertical, and strain-based optical flow between the onset and apex frames, alongside RGB images from the onset, apex, and offset frames. These inputs are processed by two modality-specific subnetworks, whose features are fused to exploit complementary information for robust classification. To improve generalization in low data regimes, we employ targeted data augmentation and adopt focal loss to mitigate class imbalance. Extensive experiments on five benchmark datasets, including CASME I, CASME II, CAS(ME)², SAMM, and MMEW, demonstrate that M³ENet achieves state-of-the-art performance with high efficiency. Ablation studies and Grad-CAM visualizations further confirm the effectiveness and interpretability of the proposed architecture. Full article

Implant placement requires a digital workflow and the use of surgical guides. However, there is divergence in the angulation length of influence and precision. Therefore, a 3D assessment is also required. This insertion study aims to evaluate the accuracy in vitro by utilizing guided templates, deviation analysis, depth, and orientation over different lengths and angles. Methods and Materials: This study comprises a total of 180 implants placed in 90 resin-printed mandibular models, divided into nine groups (a 3 × 3 factorial design, n = 20/group). A reference model was created using Real GUIDE software (version 5.3), integrating a CBCT scanner (Carestream CS 9600, Medit Corp., Seoul, Republic of Korea) and an intraoral scanner (Medit i900) (Medit Corp., Seoul, Republic of Korea). Implant planning and surgical guide design were digitally executed and printed with Mazic resin (Vericom Co., Ltd., Chuncheon, Republic of Korea). Implants were placed using Oxy Implant PSK Line (Oxy Implant, Brescia, Italy) fixtures in mannequins. Postoperative CBCT scans were used to measure deviations in angular, vertical, and lateral dimensions using CS Imaging (v8.0.22) (Carestream Dental LLC, Atlanta, GA, USA). Statistical analysis was run by using SPSS v26. Results: The results demonstrated that implant angulation significantly impacted the precision of placement. Angulating escalation leads to intensive deviations, which are linear and angular calculations. On the one hand, the most significant deviations were observed at a 25° angulation, particularly in the buccal and lingual apex regions. On the other hand, 0° exhibited minimal deviations. Longer implants showed reduced angular deviations, whereas shorter implants (8.5 mm) exhibited higher vertical deviations, particularly at 0° of angulation. Moderate angulation (15°) with 11.5 mm implants provided the highest precision, while 0° angulation with 15 mm implants consistently exhibited the least deviation. These findings pinpoint the fundamental importance of angulation and implant length for exceptional placement accuracy. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the influence of placement accuracy with static guides on implant angulation and length. Moderate angulation, which is (15°), enhances accuracy, particularly within 11.5 mm implants. On the other hand, steeper angles (25°) and longer implants (15 mm) result in elevated deviations. Guidance formation and operator experience are also vital. Full article

The accurate and efficient placement of traffic cones is a critical safety and logistical requirement in diverse industrial environments. This study introduces a novel dataset specifically designed for the near-overhead detection of traffic cones, containing both bounding box annotations and apex keypoints. Leveraging this dataset, we systematically evaluated whether classical object detection methods or keypoint-based detection methods are more effective for the task of cone apex localization. Several state-of-the-art YOLO-based architectures (YOLOv8, YOLOv11, YOLOv12) were trained and tested under identical conditions. The comparative experiments showed that both approaches can achieve high accuracy, but they differ in their trade-offs between robustness, computational cost, and suitability for real-time embedded deployment. These findings highlight the importance of dataset design for specialized viewpoints and confirm that lightweight YOLO models are particularly well-suited for resource-constrained robotic platforms. The key contributions of this work are the introduction of a new annotated dataset for overhead cone detection and a systematic comparison of object detection and keypoint detection paradigms for apex localization in real-world robotic applications. Full article

Predicting how vegetation–debris interactions reshape alternate sandbars under a steady subcritical flow remains poorly understood in laboratory-to-field scaling. This study quantified how vegetation density and layout interact with debris geometry to control scouring and deposition and developed an empirical tool to predict normalized bed-level changes. Flume experiments investigated how vegetation–debris interactions regulate the hydromorphodynamics of non-migrating alternate sandbars under a steady subcritical flow (Q = 0.003 m³/s; slope = 1/200). Vegetation patches were configured in two spatial layouts—upstream (apex) and river line (edge), at varying densities, with and without debris (I-type: wall-like; U-type: horseshoe-shaped). Results indicated that dense upstream vegetation combined with I-type debris produced the strongest morphodynamic response, generating maximum scour, corresponding to the maximum bed-elevation changes (Δz) normalized by water depth (h) (dimensionless Δz/h) values of −1.55 and 1.05, and sustaining more than 70% of the downstream morphodynamic amplitude. In contrast, U-type debris promoted distributed deposition with a milder scour, while sparse vegetation yielded weaker, more transient responses. Debris geometry-controlled flow partitioning: the I-type enhanced frontal acceleration, whereas the U-type facilitated partial penetration and redistribution. To integrate these findings into predictive frameworks, an empirical regression model was developed to estimate Δz/h from the vegetation density, distribution, and debris geometry, with an additional blockage index to capture synergistic effects. The model achieved 87.5% prediction within ±20% error, providing a practical tool for anticipating scour and deposition intensity across eco-hydraulic configurations. These insights advance intelligent water management by linking morphodynamic responses with predictive modeling, supporting flood-resilient river engineering, adaptive channel stability assessments, and nature-based solutions. Full article

Sharks play critical roles in marine ecosystems as apex or mesopredators, regulating trophic dynamics and ecosystem stability. However, their populations are increasingly threatened due to overexploitation caused by targeted fisheries, bycatch, and illegal activities. This study investigates the feeding ecology and reproductive biology of the shark species Mustelus mustelus, which has been heavily fished across the Mediterranean, leading to significant population declines. A total of 333 specimens were collected between October 2019 and October 2022 from Türkiye’s Aegean Sea, Sea of Marmara, and Levantine Sea coasts. The total lengths of the specimens ranged from 42.1 to 173.0 cm, with an average of 73.5 cm ± 26.8, and their weights ranged from 205 to 22,470 g, with an average of 1840.2 g ± 2525.5. Stomach content analyses revealed that M. mustelus is a benthic predator with a broad diet. Regional and size-based comparisons indicated that crustaceans were the primary food source, followed by teleost fish and mollusks. Ontogenetic dietary shifts were evident, with juveniles feeding predominantly on crustaceans, while adults consumed more teleost fish and mollusca. The reproductive biology analysis showed placental viviparity in M. mustelus, with the smallest observed mature male measuring 75 cm TL and the smallest observed pregnant female measuring 96 cm TL. The uterine fecundity of pregnant females ranged from 8 to 29 embryos. Additionally, the pupping season of M. mustelus in the Aegean Sea was found to occur in March and April. M. mustelus populations have declined dramatically in the western Mediterranean and in many other parts of their range. The scarcity of data on this species in the eastern Mediterranean basin, including Türkiye, is noteworthy. Therefore, this study investigated the populations in the study area from a bioecological perspective and provides fundamental data to support the development of conservation strategies for the species. Full article

Phorusrhacids correspond to a group of birds considered to be apex predators, which are a common element of the American fossil Cenozoic avifauna, especially in Argentina, where it is not unusual to find at least two species of terror birds. Nevertheless, the presence of more than one species of terror bird outside Argentina is null. Here we report a second terror bird from the middle Miocene of La Venta locality. The new specimen could reach approximately 180 kg, being about 15% larger than the previous report of a terror bird for the locality. Although it is not possible to completely discard the possibility of these two specimens belonging to a dimorphic species, morphological differences may indicate so. Certainly, the presence of two gigantic terror birds coexisting in the La Venta locality represents an interesting scenario for further studies on their ecology and niche partitioning; this could be an argument for the presence of large open areas within the forests and wetlands of La Venta, further supporting the complex and diverse ecosystems in this region during the Middle Miocene period. Full article

Background: Multimodal analgesia, combining adductor canal block (ACB) and local infiltration analgesia (LIA), is commonly used for pain control after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, ACB alone may not fully cover the anteromedial knee, a region extensively disrupted by TKA. Recent studies suggest that blocking branches of the anterior femoral cutaneous nerve (AFCN) could enhance analgesia, but targeted AFCN blocks are technically challenging. We evaluated supra-sartorial subcutaneous infiltration (SSSI) at the femoral triangle apex as a simpler alternative to AFCN blocks. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 19 patients undergoing TKA with a standardized multimodal analgesic protocol, including intraoperative LIA limited to posterior capsule (PC-LIA), postoperative SSSI, and delayed intermittent ACB via catheter. SSSI involved infiltrating 20 mL of 0.3% ropivacaine into the subcutaneous plane above the sartorius muscle at the level of femoral triangle apex. Pain was assessed using Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores at rest and during movement at 9:00 PM on postoperative day 0 (POD 0) and 9:00 AM on POD 1, with scheduled ACB doses administered at the time of NRS pain score assessments. Rescue ACB boluses were given for intolerable pain before the first scheduled dose. Results: Eleven patients (58%) required no rescue analgesia before the first scheduled ACB, maintaining NRS scores ≤ 4 at rest and with movement for a minimum of 575–785 min post-spinal anesthesia. Eight patients needed rescue ACB, with variable pain relief. Conclusions: SSSI, when combined with PC-LIA, provided clinically meaningful analgesia in 58% of our patient cohort following TKA, though the variability observed suggests limited consistency. As a practical alternative to targeted AFCN blocks, SSSI could potentially complement ACB in multimodal pain management, but its efficacy remains uncertain due to the retrospective, non-controlled study design without a comparator group. Further investigation through prospective randomized controlled trials is warranted to validate these preliminary findings. Full article

Skeleton is an extreme sliding sport in the Winter Olympics, where formulating targeted sliding strategies, based on training videos to navigate complex tracks, is particularly important. To make in-depth use of training video records, this study proposes an analytical method based on Mixture of Gaussians (MoG) and K-means clustering to extract and analyze trajectories from recorded videos for sliding performance evaluation and strategy development. A case study was conducted using data from the Chinese national skeleton team at the Yanqing Sliding Center, obtaining 741, 834, and 726 sliding trajectories from three representative curves. These trajectories were divided into groups based on sliding completion time (fast, medium, and slow groups). The consistency of trajectories within each group was calculated to evaluate sliding stability, while trajectory patterns in the fast group were clustered and described based on the average values of multiple features (starting position, ending position, and apex orthogonal offset). The results showed that more skilled athletes exhibited greater sliding stability (lower ${\rho }_C$-values), and on each curve, there were sliding patterns that performed significantly better than others. This research quantifies the characteristics of athletes’ sliding trajectories on curves, facilitating the visual tracking of training effects and the development of personalized strategies. It provides coaches and athletes with scientific decision-making support and clear directions for improvement, ultimately enabling precise enhancements in training efficiency and competitive performance, while also laying a technical foundation for the future development of intelligent training systems. Full article

Spermatogenesis in teleosts is essential for reproductive function; however, it varies considerably among species. The testis of the viviparous molly fish (Poecilia sphenops) was examined using both ultrastructural and immunohistochemical methods. The testis displays a restricted lobular type, where germ cells develop synchronously within Sertoli cell-forming cysts. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed all stages of spermatogenesis. Mature sperm are at the apex of the cysts and migrate toward the sperm ducts. Sperm duct epithelium is lined by cuboidal cells joined by tight junctions, with apical cilia and desmosomal complexes contributing to transport and structural integrity. The sperm ducts showed strong Periodic Acid–Schiff (PAS)-positive expression among negative stained spermatocysts. Centrally, a cavity serves as a storage area for spermatozoa that are organized into unencapsulated bundles known as spermatozeugmata. Sertoli cells exhibited extended cytoplasmic processes that supported developing germ cells, whereas Leydig cells occupied the interstitial tissue, contributing to hormonal regulation. Immunohistochemical labeling demonstrated strong vimentin expression in Sertoli cells and telocytes, indicating their mesenchymal origin and structural role. Calretinin expression was confined to Leydig cells and certain ductal epithelial cells, supporting its use as a marker for steroidogenic and secretory functions. These findings provide new insights into the testicular specialization of P. sphenops, highlighting key somatic–germ cell interactions, ductal adaptations, and marker expression patterns that underlie male reproductive success in viviparous fish. Full article

(1) Background: It is important to know, radiologically, the relationship of Mandibular third molars (M3) to the mandibular canal to minimize postoperative complications by causing damage to the inferior alveolar vessels and nerve during extraction. This study aimed to evaluate the usability of various image analyses or high-risk radiographic findings in determining the relationship of M3s to the mandibular canal on Digital Panoramic Radiography (DPR). (2) Methods: DPRs of 60 patients with bilateral mandibular M3s in the dental arch, determined one of them to be related to the mandibular canal unilaterally by Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), were included. The high-risk radiological signs of M3s and Fractal Analysis (FA) and Histogram Analysis (HA) measurements of the trabecular bone around the M3s’ roots were compared. The Independent t-test, Kolmogorov–Smirnov, Mann–Whitney U, and Chi-Square tests were used for statistical analyses. (3) Results: DPR signs, such as radiolucency and bifurcation at the root apex, discontinuity of the mandibular canal cortex, and superimposition of the tooth root and mandibular canal, were observed statistically significantly more frequently for mandibular canal-related M3s (p < 0.05). As an objective image analysis, Lacunarity showed a statistically significant difference between related and unrelated M3s for measurements made inside and outside the mandibular canal (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the discontinuity of the mandibular canal cortex and Lacunarity measured on DPR could help determine the relationship of the mandibular M3s to the mandibular canal. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between the position of impacted mandibular third molars and the morphology of the lingual cortical bone using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), and to determine how impaction depth and angulation influence the risk of lingual cortical perforation. Methods: CBCT scans of 120 impacted mandibular third molars from 71 adult patients were retrospectively evaluated. Teeth were classified based on Pell & Gregory’s and Winter’s classifications. Lingual cortical morphology was categorized as undercut, parallel, slanted, or round. The relationship between the root apex and the lingual plate was classified as non-contact, contact, or perforating. Linear measurements included cortical lingual bone thickness and the distance from the apex to the outer surface of the lingual cortex. Results: Lingual bone morphology showed significant associations with both impaction depth and angulation, with parallel morphology more common in deeper and more angulated impactions. Lingual cortical perforation was observed in approximately 30% of the teeth, predominantly at the apex, with horizontal and deeply impacted molars (Class II, Level C) representing the highest-risk configurations. Although cortical thickness and apex-to-cortex distance were significantly smaller in apically perforated cases, no definitive threshold could be established, and these parameters were insufficient as standalone predictors at the cementoenamel junction or mid-root levels. Conclusions: Tooth angulation and impaction depth are significant predictors of lingual bone morphology and perforation risk. CBCT imaging is therefore recommended beyond low-risk cases (Level A, Class I, vertical) to improve preoperative planning, strengthen informed consent, and guide surgical strategies aimed at minimizing complications and enhancing patient safety. Full article

Objectives: To compare the feasibility and image quality of a post-contrast free-breathing radial stack-of-stars 3D T1w turbo-field echo Dixon sequence (3D T1w VANE mDIXON) with a conventional cartesian breath-hold 3D T1w fast-field echo mDIXON sequence in pediatric oncology patients undergoing chest MRI. Methods: A total of 48 children (34 females; mean age 5.3 ± 3.7 years) underwent contrast-enhanced chest MRI, with 24 examined using the 3D T1w VANE mDIXON sequence and 24 with a conventional breath-hold 3D T1w mDIXON sequence. Image quality was independently assessed by three radiologists using a 5-point scale. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was measured at two anatomical sites, a homogeneous paraspinal muscle region (SNR_muscle) and the liver apex (SNR_liver), while avoiding vessels and signal inhomogeneities. The presence of respiratory artifacts, total imaging time, and the need for general anesthesia or sedation were recorded. Interobserver agreement was determined using Fleiss’s kappa (ϰ), and mean SNR values were compared between groups using an independent samples t-test. Results: The 3D T1w VANE mDIXON sequence yielded significantly higher SNR_muscle and SNR_liver (530 ± 120; 570 ± 110 vs. 370 ± 110; 400 ± 90; p < 0.001), improved diagnostic image quality by approximately 25%, and reduced respiratory artifacts by about 23%. Interobserver agreement was almost perfect. Importantly, the need for general anesthesia was significantly reduced using the 3D T1w VANE mDIXON (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Free-breathing 3D T1w VANE mDIXON chest MRI is a feasible and effective imaging approach for pediatric oncology patients, offering superior image quality and reducing the need for general anesthesia compared to conventional methods. Full article

To support the development, testing, and operations of the apex experiments flown on-board the MAPHEUS-8 and -10 missions, a series of service module simulators and mission support tools have been developed and improved over the years. With each generation, a more generalized approach has been taken, which allowed simulating not only sounding rocket service module payload interfaces but also the Astrobotic Peregrine Moon Lander and the Swedish Space Corporation Suborbital Express experiment interfaces. This study is part three of a three-part series describing the apex Mk.2/Mk.3 experiments, open-source ground segment, and service module simulator. Full article