Search Results (2,037)

Background/Objectives: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MRI–ultrasound (US) fusion-targeted biopsy have improved prostate cancer diagnosis, particularly for clinically significant disease. However, the added value of combining systematic biopsy with targeted biopsy remains debated. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of MRI–US fusion-targeted and systematic transperineal biopsies in detecting prostate cancer and explore the correlation between PI-RADS score and histology. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 356 patients with 452 MRI-detected lesions who underwent both MRI–US fusion-targeted and transperineal systematic biopsies between 2020 and 2023. Clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) was defined as International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade ≥ 2. Diagnostic performance metrics (sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy) were calculated for each technique using the combined result as a reference. Subgroup analysis was performed for patients under active surveillance. Results: Prostate cancer was diagnosed in 323 of 452 lesions (71%) and csPCa in 223 lesions (49%). Targeted biopsy demonstrated higher sensitivity (93.7%) and accuracy (79.9%) than systematic biopsy (85.7% sensitivity and 77.6% accuracy), although systematic biopsy provided slightly higher specificity. Systematic biopsy alone identified 8.2% of PCa cases missed by targeted biopsy and upgraded 9.9% of lesions to csPCa. csPCa detection increased with PI-RADS score (23% in PI-RADS 3 and 73% in PI-RADS 5). In active surveillance patients, csPCa was found in 65% of lesions. Conclusions: MRI–US fusion-targeted biopsy improves csPCa detection, but systematic biopsy remains valuable, especially for identifying additional or higher-grade disease. The combined approach provides an optimal diagnostic yield, supporting its continued use in both initial and repeat biopsy settings. Full article

We report the RAD@home citizen science discovery of two rare spiral-host radio galaxies (NGC 3898 and WISEA J221656.57-132042434.1 or RAD-“Thumbs up” galaxy), both exhibiting asymmetric radio lobes extending over 30 to 220 kiloparsec scales. We present a multi-wavelength image analysis of these two sources using radio, optical, and ultraviolet data. Both host galaxies are young, star-forming systems with asymmetric or distorted stellar disks. These disks show similarities to those in galaxies undergoing ram pressure stripping, and the radio morphologies resemble those of asymmetric or bent FR-II and wide-angle-tailed radio galaxies. We suggest that non-uniform gas density in the environment surrounding the ram pressure-stripped disks may contribute to the observed asymmetry in the size, shape, and brightness of bipolar radio lobes. Such environmental effects, when properly accounted for, could help explain many of the non-standard radio morphologies observed in Seyfert galaxies and in recently identified populations of galaxies with galaxy-scale radio jets, which are now being revealed through deep and sensitive radio surveys with uGMRT, MeerKAT, LOFAR, and, in the future, SKAO. These findings also underscore the potential of citizen science to complement professional research and data-driven approaches involving machine learning and artificial intelligence in the analysis of complex radio sources. Full article

Background: Considering the lack of studies regarding the localized evaluation of the macular inner retina in multiple sclerosis patients without optic neuritis (MSnoON eyes), we investigated the structure and function of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) located in different macular areas. Methods: In 24 MSnoON patients (mean age: 45.22 ± 5.57 years; 14 females and 10 males; mean MS disease duration: 11.07 ± 5.88 years) and in 30 age-similar (mean age: 45.09 ± 5.08 years) control subjects, complete ophthalmological examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and multifocal photopic negative response (mfPhNR) were performed. The ganglion cell layer thickness (GCL+-T) via OCT and the response amplitude density (RAD) through mfPhNR were measured from localized macular regions, including rings and Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) sectors. Results: When comparing MSnoON data from all tested areas with respect to the controls, macular GCL+-T and mfPhNR RAD mean values were found to be significantly (ANOVA, p < 0.01) reduced. In the MSonON group, considering both rings and sectors, the GCL+-T values were significantly and linearly correlated (Pearson’s test, p < 0.01) to the mfPhNR RAD values. Conclusions: In MS, even in the absence of optic neuritis, potential primary morpho-functional involvement of the inner macular elements can occur. This impairment widely involves all macular areas and sectors. Full article

Purpose: This study aimed to compare: the performance of K-TIRADS, EU-TIRADS and ACR TIRADS when used by observers with different levels of experience compared with the gold standard of cytology, and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of CAD (computer-aided design) compared with TI-RADS systems. Methods and Materials: In total, 323 thyroid nodules were evaluated in patients who were candidates for needle aspiration. Three observers with different levels of experience evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of three risk stratification systems (ACR TI-RADS, EU-TIRADS and K-TIRADS) and CAD software (S-Detect, made by Samsung) in characterizing the nodules. The results were compared with cytology examination. All nodules were characterized in terms of shape, margins, composition, calcifications, size, echogenicity and microcalcifications, and by stratifying individual nodules by using the three TIRADS systems; then S-detect software was applied and the data were compared with each other and with the gold standard. Results: Through cytology, 308 benign and 33 malignant nodules were identified. ACR-TIRADS showed a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 86%, a positive predictive value of 43% and a negative predictive value of 100%. EU-TIRADS showed a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 79%, a positive predictive value of 33% and a negative predictive value of 100%. K-TIRADS showed a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 89%, a positive predictive value of 50% and a negative predictive value of 100%. S-Detect combined with EU-TIRADS showed a high agreement (>95%) with the gold standard. Conclusions: K-TIRADS’s positive predictive power was slightly better than the other TIRADS, suggesting greater accuracy in correctly diagnosing positive cases. S-DETECT combined with EU-TIRADS has similar results to S-Detect with ACR- and K-TIRADS in terms of sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive power. However, it has a slightly better positive predictive power, suggesting greater accuracy in correctly diagnosing positive cases than the ACR- and K-TIRADS classification systems. In general, S-Detect cannot yet be considered a substitute for the human observer but only as an important support for human evaluation and an excellent and fast help to provide a comprehensive and complete report. Clinical Relevance/Application: S-Detect is a valuable tool for characterizing thyroid nodules when integrated with radiologist evaluation. It is also an important support tool for less experienced observers. Particularly interesting is the approach of use in integrated combination of the K-TIRADS by the human observer with S-Detect using EU-TIRADS, which could increase the overall diagnostic efficiency of the systems. Full article

Owing to the recent attention towards the growing issue of global warming, the automotive industry is shifting towards more capable and eco-friendly vehicles with longer ranges than conventional vehicles. Although the transition to eco-friendly vehicles faces several challenges, including component failures due to mechanical wear, electrical voltage fluctuations, motor damage from overloads, infrastructure, and external environmental disturbances. The four-wheel independent drive electric vehicle (4WID-EV) is often used as an alternative to the single-drive electric vehicle, providing improved traction control and reducing the increased load on the individual motors. This study proposes an optimally enhanced controller to control the linear and nonlinear trajectories of four independent motors to evaluate the electric vehicle’s speed and address challenges involved in torque distribution to the independent drive, especially under various motor failure conditions. The computed results reveal that the proposed optimal linear quadratic regulator (LQR) controller accurately predicts better than the conventional proportional integral derivative (PID) controller in terms of the vehicle’s speed under various motor failures. Specifically, the optimal LQR controller achieves a faster settling time of 2.5 s, a lower overshoot of 0.8%, a mean error of 0.0441 rad/s, and a mean squared error (MSE) of 0.0820 (rad/s²). These results indicate that the proposed controller enhances stability and accuracy, improving adaptability even under motor failure conditions in 4WID-EVs. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the consistency of lesion identification by Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) and the related clinical and histological characteristics in a high-volume tertiary care center. Materials and methods: The analysis used real-world data from 111 patients between 2018 and 2022. Each patient underwent two multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the prostate at different institutions with a median interval of 42 days between the scans, followed by an MRI-fused biopsy conducted 7 days after the second MRI. Results: The PI-RADS classifications assigned to the index lesions in the in-house prostate MRI were as follows: PI-RADS V, 33.3% (n = 37); PI-RADS IV, 49.5% (n = 55); PI-RADS III, 12.6% (n = 14); and PI-RADS II, 4.5% (n = 5). Cancer detection rates for randomized and/or targeted biopsies were 91.9% (n = 34) for PI-RADS V, 65.5% (n = 36) for PI-RADS IV, 21.4% (n = 3) for PI-RADS III, and 20% (n = 1) for PI-RADS II. Overall, malignant histology was observed in 64.9% (n = 72) of the targeted lesions and 57.7% (n = 64) of the randomized biopsies. In the first performed, external MRI, 18% (n = 20) and 10.8% (n = 12) of the patients were classified in the higher and lower PI-RADS categories, respectively. The biopsy plan was adjusted for 57 patients (51.4%); nevertheless, any cancer could have possibly been identified regardless of the adjustments. Conclusion: The 6-week interval between the MRI scans did not affect the quality of the biopsy results significantly. Full article

Acute ankle sprains frequently lead to chronic ankle instability and muscle atrophy by causing immobilization, which necessitates real-time stiffness modulation for ankle–foot orthoses (AFOs). This paper proposes Active Variable Compression Shoes (AVC-Shoes), an ankle support system inspired by the “heel-lock taping” technique, which employs a wire–fabric compression mechanism to selectively stiffen ankle joints at crucial points in the gait cycle. The experimental results confirmed that AVC-Shoes achieve variable ankle stiffness in all directions, demonstrating dorsiflexion and plantarflexion stiffness ranges of up to 8.3 and 5.9 Nm/rad, respectively. Additionally, preliminary human testing involving three healthy participants revealed that the gastrocnemius muscle activity during the push-off phase in the active compression mode was significantly higher (by 19%) than that in the brace mode. By selectively increasing stiffness at heel strikes, AVC-Shoes represent a promising advancement toward next-generation AFOs capable of stabilizing the ankle while preventing muscle atrophy, which is associated with prolonged brace use. Full article

Hydraulic erosion from suspended sediment is a major degradation mechanism in Francis turbines of sediment-laden rivers, especially in Andean hydropower plants. This study presents a Python3.9-based computational tool integrating the empirical Oka erosion model within a Lagrangian particle tracking framework, coupled to single-phase CFD in OpenFOAM 10. The novelty lies in a reduced-domain approach that omits the spiral casing and replicates its particle-induced swirl via a custom algorithm, lowering meshing complexity and computational cost while preserving erosion prediction accuracy. The method was applied to a full-scale Francis turbine at the San Francisco hydropower plant in Ecuador (nominal discharge 62.4 m³/s, rated output 115 MW, rotational speed 34.27 rad/s), operating under volcanic and erosive sediment loads. Maximum erosion rates reached ~1.2 × 10⁻⁴ mm³/kg, concentrated on runner blade trailing edges and guide vane pressure sides. Impact kinematics showed most collisions at near-normal angles (85°–98°, peak at 92°) and 6–9 m/s velocities, with rare 40 m/s impacts causing over 50× more loss than average. The workflow identifies critical wear zones, supports redesign and coating strategies, and offers a transferable, open-source framework for erosion assessment in turbines under diverse sediment-laden conditions. Full article

Background: Skilled human movement, such as the golf swing, emerges from coordinated rotational and translational dynamics. This study investigates pitch—a screw-theoretic invariant defined as the ratio of linear to angular velocity along the instantaneous screw axis (ISA)—as a compact metric for quantifying motor coordination. Methods: We reanalyzed a validated motion capture dataset involving a proficient and a novice female golfer. ISA trajectories and pitch values were computed from 3D marker data, and synchronized with vertical ground reaction force (GRF) signals collected via force plate. Results: The proficient golfer exhibited tightly bounded pitch oscillations (approximately ±0.0025 cm/rad) that were temporally aligned with a single, well-defined GRF peak. In contrast, the novice showed irregular pitch fluctuations (−0.025 to +0.01 cm/rad) and asynchronous GRF patterns with multiple peaks. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that pitch can serve as a biomechanical indicator of skilled performance, reflecting the degree of intersegmental coordination and force timing. Screw theory thus offers a rigorous framework for evaluating movement efficiency in sport and rehabilitation contexts. Full article

This study introduces an amphibious spherical robot equipped with a dual-propulsion system (ASR-DPS) and investigates its water-surface motion characteristics. Due to its distinctive spherical geometry, the robot exhibits markedly different hydrodynamic behavior compared to conventional vessels. A comparative analysis of the frontal wetted area is performed, followed by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to assess water-surface performance. The results indicate that the hemispherical bow increases hydrodynamic resistance and generates large-scale vortex structures as a consequence of intensified flow separation. Although the resistance is higher than that of traditional hulls, the robot’s greater draft and dual-propulsion configuration enhance stability and maneuverability during surface operations. To validate real-world performance, standard maneuvering tests, including circle and zig-zag maneuvers, are conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the propeller-based propulsion system. The robot achieves a maximum surface speed of 1.2 m/s and a zero turning radius, with a peak yaw rate of 0.54 rad/s under differential thrust. Additionally, experiments on the pendulum-based propulsion system demonstrate a maximum speed of 0.239 m/s with significantly lower energy consumption (220.6 Wh at 60% throttle). A four-degree-of-freedom kinematic and dynamic model is formulated to describe the water-surface motion. To address model uncertainties and external disturbances, two control strategies are proposed: one employing model simplification and the other adaptive control. Simulation results confirm that the adaptive sliding mode controller provides precise surge speed tracking and smooth yaw regulation with near-zero steady-state error, exhibiting superior robustness and reduced chattering compared to the baseline controller. Full article

Ocean surface wind fields are crucial for marine environmental research and applications in weather forecasting, ocean disaster monitoring, and climate change studies. However, traditional wind retrieval methods often struggle with modeling complexity and ambiguity due to the nonlinear nature of geophysical model functions (GMFs), leading to increased computational costs and reduced accuracy. To tackle these challenges, this study establishes a sea surface wind field retrieval model employing a backpropagation (BP) neural network, which integrates multi-angular observations from the Wind Radar (WindRAD) sensor aboard the Fengyun-3E (FY-3E) satellite. Experimental results show that the proposed model achieves high precision in retrieving both wind speed and direction. The wind speed model achieves a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 1.20 m/s for the training set and 1.00 m/s for the selected test set when using ERA5 data as the reference, outperforming the official WindRAD products. For wind direction, the model attains an RMSE of 23.99° on the training set and 24.58° on the test set. Independent validation using Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO) buoy observations further confirms the model’s effectiveness, yielding an RMSE of 1.29 m/s for wind speed and 24.37° for wind direction, also surpassing official WindRAD products. The BP neural network effectively captures the nonlinear relationship between wind parameters and radar backscatter signals, showing significant advantages over traditional methods and maintaining good performance across different wind speeds, particularly in the moderate range (4–10 m/s). In summary, the method proposed herein significantly enhances wind field retrieval accuracy from space; it has the potential to optimize satellite wind field products and improve global wind monitoring and meteorological forecasting. Full article

Background: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores are a widely used surrogate marker for atherosclerotic burden, but they do not fully reflect plaque vulnerability or coronary inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between CACs, coronary plaque characteristics, and perivascular inflammatory activity using advanced CCTA and CaRi-Heart^® analysis. Methods: A total of 250 patients with no prior cardiovascular disease were retrospectively evaluated and stratified by CACs into three groups: 0 (n = 28), 1–100 (n = 121), and >100 (n = 101). Coronary plaque morphology, high-risk plaque (HRP) features, CAD-RADS scores, and AI-derived fat attenuation index (FAI) centiles were assessed. Results: Significant differences across CAC categories were observed for several key parameters. The number of diseased coronary segments increased markedly (from 1.39 ± 1.10 vs. 2.97 ± 1.57 vs. 3.94 ± 2.10; p < 0.0001, one-way ANOVA). A similar upward trend was seen for segment involvement scores, HRP prevalence, and the proportions of mixed and calcified plaque components. Regression analysis demonstrated that CACs correlated significantly with segment burden (r² = 0.2520), CAD-RADS (r² = 0.1352), and the FAI score centile (r² = 0.0568). Conclusions: This study highlights the limitations of CACs as a standalone risk stratification tool. Vulnerable and inflamed plaques may already be present in patients with low or zero CACs. Integrating CCTA with perivascular FAI mapping enables earlier detection of biologically active atherosclerosis and supports more precise clinical decision-making. Full article

Background: Combining pemetrexed (PEM) with Osimertinib (OSI) improves outcomes in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but optimal scheduling remains undefined. Sequential PEM → OSI strategies may outperform concurrent administration; however, the critical dosing interval determining synergy has not been explored. Methods: PEM pharmacodynamics were divided into an OSI-antagonized early phase (S-phase arrest and DNA damage accumulation) and OSI-synergized late phase (DNA damage peak, apoptosis initiation, and feedback EGFR activation). Time-course profiling of cell cycle, DNA damage, apoptosis, and EGFR pathways was evaluated under monotherapy or sequential combination regimens to elucidate the mechanisms underlying synergistic/antagonistic effects. Results: OSI antagonizes PEM’s early phase via G1 arrest but potently enhances late-phase apoptosis through Rad51/thymidylate synthase suppression, Bim upregulation, and inhibition of EGFR signaling. The 48 h interval PEM → OSI uniquely enabled complete early-phase execution and aligned OSI exposure with late-phase initiation, yielding robust synergy across OSI-sensitive cell lines. In contrast, the 24 h interval PEM → OSI sequence demonstrated synergy only in PEM-sensitive PC9 cells. Both concurrent PEM + OSI and OSI → PEM sequence induced attenuated DNA damage and apoptotic signaling. Conclusions: The 48 h interval PEM → OSI sequence maximizes efficacy by temporally segregating antagonistic and synergistic interactions. This pharmacodynamically optimized regimen represents a promising strategy for clinical translation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Accurate histopathological grading of prostate cancer at the time of biopsy is essential for guiding treatment decisions and minimizing the risks of both overtreatment and undertreatment. A key challenge in prostate cancer diagnostics is the phenomenon of upgrading, wherein the cancer appears more aggressive in the radical prostatectomy specimen than initially indicated by biopsy. Such discrepancies can compromise therapeutic planning. This study investigates whether transperineal combined fusion biopsy (ComBx), incorporating MRI-targeted and systematic sampling, achieves greater concordance with final prostatectomy histopathology compared to conventional transrectal ultrasound-guided systematic biopsy (TRUS-Bx). Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed 500 men aged 46 to 79 years (mean age 65) who underwent prostate biopsies between 2017 and 2022 at a single tertiary institution. Patients were stratified into two groups: 250 underwent TRUS-Bx using a 12-core systematic approach, and 250 underwent ComBx guided by software-based MRI–ultrasound fusion targeting PI-RADS ≥ 3 lesions, followed by systematic sampling. Histopathological grading from biopsies was compared with final pathology following radical prostatectomy. Concordance, upgrading, and downgrading rates were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. Results: Prostate cancer was diagnosed in 113 patients in the TRUS-Bx group and 152 in the ComBx group. Among these, 89 TRUS-Bx and 68 ComBx patients underwent radical prostatectomy at our center. Histological upgrading occurred statistically significantly more often in the TRUS-Bx group (35%) compared to the ComBx group (16%) (p = 0.004). Concordance between biopsy and prostatectomy grading was statistically significantly higher in the ComBx group (63%) than in the TRUS-Bx group (49%) (p = 0.042). No significant difference in downgrading rates was observed between groups. Conclusions: Transperineal combined fusion biopsy substantially improves concordance with final prostatectomy histology and significantly reduces the risk of upgrading compared to transrectal systematic biopsy. These findings support the adoption of ComBx as a more reliable diagnostic strategy for accurate grading of clinically significant prostate cancer, with implications for improving treatment precision and patient outcomes. Full article

Wind estimation plays a crucial role in atmospheric boundary layer research and aviation flight safety. Fixed-wing UAVs enable rapid and flexible detection across extensive boundary layer regions. Traditional meteorological fixed-wing UAVs require either additional wind measurement sensors or sustained turning maneuvers for wind estimation, increasing operational costs while inevitably reducing mission duration and coverage per flight. This paper proposes a real-time wind estimation method based on an Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) without aerodynamic sensors. The approach utilizes only standard UAV avionics—GNSS, pitot tube, and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)—to estimate wind fields. To validate accuracy, the method was integrated into a meteorological UAV equipped with a wind vane sensor, followed by multiple flight tests. Comparison with wind vane measurements shows real-time wind speed errors below 1 m/s and wind direction errors within 20° (0.349 rad). Results demonstrate the algorithm’s effectiveness for real-time atmospheric boundary layer wind estimation using conventional fixed-wing UAVs. Full article