Search Results (129)

Sea ice segmentation based on Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images has become an important technical means for polar climate change monitoring and navigation safety guarantee. However, the existing methods have limitations in the utilization of SAR polarization information and the modeling of local diversity details of sea ice, which leads to insufficient segmentation, especially in complex ice-water boundary regions. To address these issues, this paper proposes a novel Polarization-Fused Edge-Enhanced UNet (PFEE-UNet) designed specifically for sea ice segmentation from high-resolution SAR images. Specifically, we design the Cross-Polarization Channel Interaction (CPCI) module, which employs a dual interaction strategy of hierarchical inter-group cascading and symmetric cross-fusion. This approach effectively leverages the complementary features of the HH and HV polarization channels, significantly enhancing the distinction between sea ice and open water. Additionally, we present the Dense–Sparse Diversity Enhancement (DSDE) module, which combines a spatial-channel joint attention mechanism to strengthen the model’s ability to capture spatial relationships within complex ice–water structures, effectively alleviating misclassifications caused by abrupt local texture changes. Finally, we design the Selective Edge Fusion (SEF) module, which dynamically selects and integrates multi-level edge features, improving the continuity of sea ice boundaries and preserving its morphological integrity. The experimental results show that the proposed PFEE-UNet model outperforms mainstream segmentation methods on the AI4Arctic/ASIP sea ice dataset, achieving an average Intersection over Union (IoU) of 84.48%, which surpasses existing methods such as HRNet (82.52%) and DeepLabv3+ (82.40%). Additionally, PFEE-UNet was applied for end-to-end ice–water segmentation on real-world Sentinel-1 SAR scenes, demonstrating its effectiveness and robustness for practical sea ice monitoring. Full article

Background: The foramen of Vesalius (FV; also known as the sphenoidal emissary foramen (SEF) or foramen venosum) is an inconstant skull-base foramen located near the foramen ovale. Its recognition may be relevant to percutaneous trigeminal procedures. Methods: This systematic review was registered in INPLASY (INOLASY2025100037; 11 October 2025) and conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception until December 2025 for English-language studies reporting the prevalence and/or morphometry of the foramen of Vesalius using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Five reviewers screened and extracted data; prevalence studies were assessed for risk of bias using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. A random-effects meta-analysis of logit-transformed proportions was applied when ≥3 studies reported comparable prevalence outcomes. Results: Five retrospective CBCT studies (n = 1567) met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of FV ranged from 28.1% (89/317; 95% CI 23.4–33.3) to 73.1% (190/260; 95% CI 67.4–78.1) throughout the cohorts. The total prevalence was 50.6% (95% CI 36.1–65.1), with significant variability (I² = 96.8%) and a broad 95% prediction interval (19.5–81.3). The documented FV–FO distances were typically a few millimeters (about 2–5 mm), whereas the FV–foramen spinosum (FS) distances varied from approximately 11 to 14 mm, contingent upon the cohort and measuring technique employed. Conclusions: FV is frequently observable on CBCT when the skull base is within the field of view; nevertheless, current prevalence estimates lack precision because of the limited number of five retrospective investigations, which are inconsistent and clinic-based. Standardized definitions and reporting for CBCT, together with population-based cohorts, are crucial for improving clinically applicable prevalence and morphometric reference data. Full article

Objective: This study examined whether changes in electroencephalography (EEG)-derived indices, photoplethysmography (PPG)-derived autonomic nervous system indices, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) post-high-intensity exercise differ depending on sleep duration. Methods: Forty physically healthy female university students in their twenties were randomly assigned to the sleep restriction (SR) or normal sleep (NS) group. EEG-derived indices—the theta-to-beta ratio (TBR) and spectral edge frequency at 90% (SEF-90)—and PPG-derived autonomic nervous system indices (HRV index, sympathetic activity, and parasympathetic activity) were measured for one minute at rest before exercise and for one minute immediately after exercise. Heart rate was assessed at rest, immediately after exercise, and at 5, 10, and 15 min post-exercise. The group × time interaction effects were assessed using two-way mixed-design analysis of variance, followed by post hoc analyses. Results: TBR increased significantly post-exercise in the SR group (p = 0.002) with no significant change in the NS group. SEF-90 decreased significantly in the SR group (p < 0.001) with no significant change in the NS group. The HRV index decreased significantly in the SR group (p = 0.004) with no significant change in the NS group. Sympathetic activity increased and parasympathetic activity decreased significantly in the SR group (both p < 0.001). Heart rate was significantly higher in the SR group at rest (p < 0.001), immediately after exercise (p = 0.020), and 5 min post-exercise (p = 0.009). RPE was significantly higher in the SR group (p = 0.003). Conclusions: In healthy young adult women, the central and autonomic nervous systems respond differently to high-intensity exercise depending on sleep duration. Full article

Salmonellosis remains a persistent threat to global food safety and poultry productivity, compounded by rising antimicrobial resistance. Here, we report the in silico design and immunoinformatic validation of a broad-spectrum, edible multi-epitope vaccine targeting conserved adhesion and biofilm-associated proteins (FimH, AgfA, SefA, SefD, and MrkD) of Salmonella spp. Two constructs were engineered by integrating cytotoxic (CTL) and helper (HTL) epitopes with β-defensin-3 (HBD-3) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) adjuvants, optimized for expression in Chlorella vulgaris. Structural modeling confirmed native-like folding (z-scores −2.58 and −5.22) and high stability indices. Molecular docking and dynamics revealed that the LPS-adjuvanted construct (Construct 2) forms a highly stable complex with Toll-like receptor 3 (HADDOCK score −63.4; desolvation energy −50.2 kcal/mol), indicating potent innate immune activation. Immune simulations predicted strong IgM-to-IgG class switching and durable humoral responses, consistent with effective antigen clearance. Codon optimization achieved high adaptability for algal expression (CAI = 0.93; GC ≈ 65%), supporting scalable microalgae-based production. Compared with current parenteral vaccines, offering a low-cost, non-invasive way to curb Salmonella in poultry, this edible vaccine platform reduces dependence on antibiotics. Our approach, which combines computational vaccinology with a safe-by-design sustainable biomanufacturing perspective, outlines a One Health framework for advancing antimicrobial stewardship and food safety. Full article

The milk productivity of Ethiopian smallholder farmers is greatly influenced by the use of commercial feed. Despite its potential to increase milk production, commercial feed is still not widely used. The study examined the factors influencing the commercial feed purchasing behaviour of small-scale dairy farmers in the Sululta peri-urban area of Ethiopia. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional design, data were collected from 348 farmers and analysed using the PLS-SEM (Partial Least Squares Structural Model). The model examined the interaction of six latent variables: socio-economic factors (SEF), market factors (MF), perceptions (PER), Resource Management and Constraints (RMC), commercial feed purchasing behavior (CFB) and productivity and profitability (DPP). The results showed that, although socio-economic and market factors strongly supported positive perceptions of farmers (β = 0.112, β = 0.044 and p = 0.001, respectively), these attitudes were not translated into actual purchasing behaviour. Notably, the behaviour of the commercial buyers had a significant negative impact on profitability (β = −0.465, p < 0.001), indicating a serious imbalance between costs and benefits. To facilitate sustainable production, it is essential to move beyond perception-based interventions to structural economic reforms, including targeted micro-credit, stabilizing feed price volatility and reduce high transport costs. Full article

The electrification of agricultural machinery has become an important trend. Active Disturbance Rejection Control (ADRC) shows considerable potential in agricultural motor control due to its low model dependence and strong anti-disturbance capability. However, the Extended State Observer (ESO) of traditional ADRC is limited by bandwidth, making it difficult to effectively capture high-frequency impact disturbances such as torque fluctuations during straw cutting, which results in reduced efficiency and increased energy consumption. To address this, this paper proposes an improved ADRC scheme: designing a Super-Twisting Extended State Observer (STESO) by integrating Super-Twisting technology to enhance disturbance observation capability; incorporating a Quasi-Proportional Resonant (QPR) controller into the Error Feedback Control Law (SEF) to compensate for the shortcoming of disturbance suppression beyond ESO bandwidth; and proposing a decoupling strategy to reduce the difficulty of parameter tuning and optimize control performance. Simulations and experiments on the Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) of an automatic seeder demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively suppress various disturbances, reduce speed regulation errors, and not deteriorate dynamic responses. Full article

Congenital patellar luxation (PL) and cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) are among the most prevalent hereditary musculoskeletal disorders in dogs. Despite their frequency, the microstructural alterations in the stifle joint capsule associated with these conditions remain poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize histomorphological changes in the joint capsule of dogs affected by PL and/or CCLR. Capsule samples were collected from dogs undergoing corrective surgery for PL or CCLR, while control tissue was obtained from dogs with unrelated orthopedic conditions. Histological evaluation assessed capsule thickness, the organization of its layers (stratum fibrosum, stratum subsynoviale, and stratum synoviale), synovial cell number, and villous or plicae formation. Associations with disease type, chronicity, sex, age, breed, and weight were analyzed. Dogs with PL and CCLR exhibited increased superficial synovial cell layers compared to controls, whereas chronic cases showed reduced villous formation (SEF = 2.46). Absence or marked reduction of the stratum subsynoviale correlated with PL and prolonged lameness. In PL cases, the stratum synoviale was frequently absent, whereas CCLR cases exhibited an increase in overall capsular thickness. These findings reveal distinct histomorphological remodeling in PL and CCLR, suggesting that chronic instability drives degenerative changes. Understanding these alterations may aid in early diagnosis, improve treatment strategies, and inform breeding programs targeting joint stability in predisposed breeds. Full article

Motor eccentricity faults, stemming from the misalignment of the rotor’s center and pivot point, lead to significant vibrations and noise, compromising motor reliability. This study emphasizes the need for an efficient diagnostic system to enable early detection and correction of these faults. Our research proposes a novel Eccentricity Fault Diagnosis Network (E-FDNet), designed for integration into a Motor Eccentricity Fault Diagnosis System (MEFDS), utilizing neural networks for detection. Evaluation tests reveal that a hybrid Convolutional Neural Network-Long Short-Term Memory (CNN-LSTM) architecture is ideal as the internal neural network within the E-FDNet. Key contributions of this research include (1) E-FDNet that stabilizes transition predictions among SEF/DEF/MEF; (2) a steady-state characteristic normalization (SSCN) improving feature consistency under dynamic responses; (3) an integrated physics–FEM–experiment pipeline for controlled analysis and validation; (4) approximately 98.86% accuracy/F1 outperforming classical and deep baselines; and (5) a non-invasive, current-only sensing design suited for deployment. Full article

Rice cadmium (Cd) contamination is a serious threat to global food security and human health. Plant-associated microbiomes are known to affect Cd accumulation in plants. However, the response of the rice microbiome to Cd contamination and its role in modulating grain Cd accumulation remain poorly understood. In the present study, the responses of the rhizospheric fungi (RF) community and seed endophytic fungi (SEF) community to the soil physiochemical properties of rice from moderately (MC) and severely (SC1 and SC2) Cd-contaminated paddies were investigated. Moreover, the effects of soil physiochemical properties, RF community and SEF community on grain Cd accumulation were analyzed through correlation analysis. The results showed that the Cd concentration in rice grains from SC2 exceeded the food safety standard of China and was higher than that of SC1 and MC. The Cd concentration in rice grains was positively correlated with the soil-available Cd concentration, while being negatively correlated with the available nutrient elements and pH value of soil. In addition, it was found that the diversity of RF increased with the soil-available Cd concentration, while the diversity and richness of SEF decreased with the soil-available Cd concentration. Moreover, the RF community was influenced by soil physiochemical properties. The Spearman correlation analysis showed that the soil-available Cd was positively correlated with RF Sebacina, Clonostachys, Acremonium, Talaromyces and Fusarium, and most of them were related to grain Cd concentration, while unclassified SEF Pleosporales and Xylariales were associated with grain Cd concentration. These results suggested that Cd stress triggered a niche-specific response of the rice fungal microbiome. The fungi related to soil Cd availability and rice grain Cd accumulation may have a great potential application in food safety production in Cd-contaminated soil. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF) is a rare soft tissue sarcoma with high rates of local recurrence and distant metastasis. Primary spinal involvement is exceedingly uncommon and often misdiagnosed due to radiological and histopathological resemblance to more frequent spinal tumors. The objective of this study is to present a rare case of thoracic spinal SEF and to contextualize it within the available literature. Methods: We describe the case of a 37-year-old woman presenting with progressive back pain and dysesthesia. MRI demonstrated a heterogeneously enhancing mass at the left T10–T11 neural foramen, initially interpreted as a common nerve sheath tumor. Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved, and histopathological analysis revealed a SEF. Clinical course, adjuvant therapies, and outcomes were evaluated, together with a review of previously reported spinal SEF cases. Results: Despite GTR followed by adjuvant chemotherapy, local recurrence occurred 18 months later. The patient underwent subtotal resection (STR) with adjuvant proton therapy. At 18-month follow-up after the second procedure, she remained neurologically stable and disease-free. The literature review confirmed the rarity of spinal SEF, its frequent misdiagnosis, and the absence of standardized therapeutic protocols. Conclusions: Spinal SEF is a rare malignancy that can mimic benign spinal tumors, delaying diagnosis. Its management relies on multidisciplinary assessment, individualized therapy, and long-term follow-up. This report increases awareness of spinal SEF and provides additional evidence to support clinical decision-making in rare spinal tumors. Full article

Background: The sphenoidal emissary foramen (SEF) is an inconstant foramen of the sphenoid bone that facilitates venous communication between the pterygoid venous plexus and the cavernous sinus. Understanding its prevalence and laterality is crucial to preventing vascular injury during skull base procedures. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 133 adult Chilean dried skulls. Each specimen was examined both internally and externally to record SEF presence and laterality. Three independent observers performed the assessments under direct lighting, achieving excellent interobserver agreement (κ = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.81–0.92). Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and Cramer’s V coefficients were calculated to evaluate side dominance and effect size at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The SEF was present in 40.17%. Bilateral foramina were observed in 26.79%, and unilateral SEF in 13.38%. Left-sided SEF (9.12%) was more common than right-sided SEF (4.26%), showing a significant difference (p = 0.03; Cramer’s V = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.02–0.33). This mild but significant left-sided prevalence indicates slight directional asymmetry rather than functional lateralization. Conclusions: The Chilean prevalence of the SEF lies within the mid-range of international data and closely aligns with Brazilian osteological reports. Although a minor left-sided predominance was observed, the effect size was weak (Cramer’s V = 0.19), reinforcing the interpretation of the SEF as a normal morphological variability rather than a true anatomical variant. Precise preoperative identification of the SEF is crucial to reduce the risk of venous injury and avoid unintentional penetration. Full article

This research proposes a method based on the greatest and shortest eigen fuzzy sets of fuzzy relations to evaluate the effectiveness of policies and strategies implemented in urban settlements aimed at increasing the livability and well-being of citizens. This assessment is performed by extracting population census data collected at the beginning and end of the analyzed period and grouping them by subzone, that is, for each of the urban areas into which the urban settlement is divided. The greatest eigen fuzzy set (GEFS) and the smallest eigen fuzzy set (SEFS) are determined symmetrically as min-max and max-min solutions of fuzzy relations; they are calculated to estimate the average impact of urban strategies on generating symptoms of growth in citizen well-being during the investigated period. The method is implemented on a GIS (Geographic Information System) platform and was tested to assess the effectiveness of local policies applied between 2011 and 2021 on the growth of employment rates and educational attainment in the city of Naples (Italy), partitioned by neighborhood. Our model, unlike other fuzzy-based models for evaluating the effectiveness of actions and strategies to improve the quality of life in urban settlements, does not allow for subjective interpretations based on the knowledge or experience of different stakeholders, but relies solely on measurements over time of characteristics collected during census activities. Furthermore, it is integrated into a GIS-based platform, providing additional capabilities for identifying the urban areas where the impact of local strategies and policies has been most significant and those most critical. The test results show that the proposed framework can be a valuable tool for supporting decision makers in evaluating the effectiveness of local actions and policies aimed at improving the livability and well-being of citizens. Full article

Background/Objectives: Electroencephalography (EEG) is increasingly used in pediatric anesthesia to detect abnormal brain activity such as burst suppression (BS), a marker of profound cortical inactivation. The objective of this study was to assess anesthetic depth using bilateral spectral edge frequency (SEF) and to determine the incidence of frontal cortical BS in young children undergoing cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation (ECC) under sevoflurane anesthesia. Methods: Twelve children, divided into two age groups (<12 months and 12–36 months), were included. EEG sensors were placed on the forehead and continuously monitored with SedLine^®. BS and SEF were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models, accounting for age group and repeated measurements across the procedure. Results: BS did not differ significantly over time. Across the full surgical procedure, higher SEF was associated with lower BS. However, children <12 months exhibited a stronger SEF–BS relationship, suggesting greater susceptibility to BS compared to older children. Before and during ECC, SEF and age group were not significantly related to BS. Random effects indicated moderate to substantial between-subject variability. Scatterplots showed a negative SEF–BS relationship overall, but weak and inconsistent associations during specific perioperative phases, underscoring the phase-dependent nature of SEF–BS dynamics. Conclusions: SEF is an age-sensitive marker of anesthetic depth during sevoflurane anesthesia with ECC, with children <12 months showing greater susceptibility to BS. These findings highlight the importance of individualized, age-adjusted anesthesia monitoring strategies in pediatric cardiac surgery. Full article

Sleep disturbances and shift work are associated with increased cardiovascular risk, possibly through disruptions in endothelial and hemostatic function. While prior studies link acute sleep deprivation to vascular dysfunction, the impact of chronic sleep quality and circadian misalignment on endothelial health in healthy individuals, particularly shift workers, remains underexplored. The aim of this study was to examine the association between objectively measured sleep quality and endothelial/hemostatic function in healthy female hospital nurses, comparing shift and day workers, and considering time-of-day variation. In this repeated-measures study, 100 female nurses (51 shift, 49 day workers) aged 25–50 wore actigraphy devices for 7–14 days to assess total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency (SEF), and wake after sleep onset (WASO). Endothelial function was measured using EndoPAT (Reactive Hyperemia Index—RHI). Hemostatic markers included plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), von Willebrand factor (VWF), heparanase and heparanase procoagulant activity assessed by ELISA, and chromogenic assays in morning and evening. TST was not associated with any vascular outcomes. Poor sleep quality (low SEF, high WASO) was significantly associated with reduced RHI and elevated PAI-1 level, heparanase level, and heparanase procoagulant activity levels. Regression models revealed significant main effects of SEF and WASO on endothelial and coagulation markers, with some interactions depending on shift type and time of measurement. No significant associations were found for VWF. Impaired sleep quality, but not sleep duration, is associated with endothelial dysfunction and procoagulant activation, particularly among shift-working nurses. These findings suggest that sleep quality may play a critical role in vascular health and support the use of sleep-based interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk in shift-working populations. Full article

This study introduced a new low-temperature storage method that applies an additional lower strength static electric field (SEF) under the condition of a static magnetic field (SMF) to investigate the impact of magneto–electric coupling on the supercooling degree and quality of beef. The results showed that 7 mT-1 kV performs the best (−5.8 °C); the ability of SMF to maintain supercooling is less affected by SEF. Moreover, on the 15th day, magneto–electric coupling (7 mT-1 kV) outperformed SMF (7 mT) alone by reducing beef pH by 0.27, decreasing total viable counts (TVC) by 0.87 log CFU/g, maintaining TVB-N at only 12.5 mg/100 g, and limiting oxidative change, calpain activity, and shear force variation. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed that magneto–electric coupling treatment stabilized the T₂ relaxation time in meat samples, effectively inhibiting immobilized water migration and promoting more uniform moisture distribution, highlighting its application potential as a low temperature preservation method. Full article