Search Results (4,776)

Even when an object’s color is accurately reproduced in a colorimetrically reproduced image (CRI), the perceived material appearance does not necessarily match that of the original object. This mismatch remains a challenge for faithfully reproducing real-world appearance in digital media. In this study, we investigated how lightness and chroma modulation affect the perception of glossiness, transparency, and roughness. These three attributes were quantitatively correlated with physical surface properties and image features through a direct comparison between objects and images. Observers selected the images that best matched the material appearance of the physical samples for each attribute. Image features derived from the gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) and surface roughness parameters were analyzed to compare the selected images with the CRI. In the lightness experiment, observers consistently selected images with higher lightness than the CRI, which was accompanied by increased complexity in the luminance distribution. In the chroma experiment, images with higher chroma were preferred; however, changes in GLCM features were negligible. Notably, stimuli with small local luminance differences at the CRI required larger shifts in image features to achieve perceptual matching. These findings indicate that modulating the luminance distribution is crucial for aligning the perceived appearance between physical objects and their digital representations. Full article

Globally, the combined pollution of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and ground-level ozone (O₃) poses severe challenges to public health and sustainable urban development. Recent data indicate that the annual average PM_2.5 concentration in the vast majority of cities worldwide fails to meet World Health Organization safety standards, with air pollution causing millions of premature deaths annually. As a nature-based solution, the purification efficacy of vegetation remains poorly quantified due to unclear coupling mechanisms with local meteorological conditions. This study systematically reviewed and synthesized 229 empirical studies published between 2000 and 2025 from Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), aiming to clarify the quantitative relationships and regulatory mechanisms of plant–meteorological synergistic purification of PM_2.5–O₃. Following double-blind independent screening (κ = 0.85) and data extraction, a quantitative minimal feasible synthesis approach was adopted due to high data heterogeneity. The results indicated the following. (1) The median canopy purification efficiency of urban vegetation for PM_2.5 was 18.2% (IQR: 12.5–30.1%, n = 17), with a median dry deposition velocity (Vd–PM) of 0.05 cm s⁻¹ (0.02–30 cm s⁻¹, n = 15). The median dry deposition velocity (Vd–O₃) for O₃ was 0.55 cm s⁻¹ (0.12–1.82 cm s⁻¹, n = 8), with non-stomatal deposition contributing approximately 35%. (2) Meteorological factors exhibit nonlinear regulation: relative humidity (RH) > 70% significantly enhances PM_2.5 adsorption, wind speeds of 1.5–3.0 m s⁻¹ are optimal for PM_2.5 deposition, and temperatures > 30 °C generally inhibit plant uptake of both pollutants (n = 7). (3) Functional traits strongly correlate with purification efficacy: species with high leaf roughness (R² = 0.8), high stomatal conductance, and low BVOC emissions (e.g., Ginkgo biloba, Platycladus orientalis) exhibit optimal synergistic purification potential. Species with high BVOC emissions (Populus przewalskii, Eucalyptus robusta) can increase daily net O₃ pollution equivalents by up to 86 g and must be strictly avoided. Based on quantitative evidence, a green space planning decision matrix indexed by climate zone and pollution type was developed, specifying vegetation configuration patterns, functional group selection, and key design parameters (canopy closure, green belt width, etc.) for different scenarios. This study provides an actionable scientific basis for precision planning and climate-adaptive management of urban green infrastructure. Full article

This study systematically investigates the formulation–property relationships of epoxy-based silver conductive adhesives by varying silver filler architecture, total filler loading, and organic carrier design. Rotational viscometry, four-point probe measurements, thermal conductivity analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to elucidate the correlations among rheological behavior, conductive network formation, and electrical–thermal transport properties. All formulations incorporate dicyandiamide (DICY) as a latent curing agent, in combination with a thermally activated accelerator and silane coupling agents, to stabilize filler–matrix interfaces and suppress moisture-assisted side reactions. This latent curing chemistry enables effective low temperature curing at approximately 155 °C, providing compatibility with temperature-sensitive flexible polymer substrates. After sealed storage at 25 °C and 60% relative humidity for two weeks, all formulations exhibited viscosity variations within ≤16%, demonstrating extended pot life and good storage stability under ambient conditions. Meanwhile, the normalized volume resistivity and thermal conductivity remained close to their initial values, with maximum relative deviations of approximately 12% and 7%, respectively, from the initial (Day 0) values across all formulations, indicating stable electrical and thermal transport properties during storage. Differences in conductive network formation and filler packing characteristics were reflected in the observed electrical and thermal transport behaviors. Balanced electrical–thermal performance was achieved without the need for high-temperature sintering or post-annealing, underscoring the effectiveness of the low temperature curing strategy. Overall, this work defines a practical formulation design window that simultaneously achieves low temperature curability, long pot life, stable rheology, and robust electrical–thermal performance. The results provide useful material-level guidelines for the development of epoxy-based silver conductive adhesives intended for conductive interconnects on flexible polymer substrates and related flexible electronic applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a heterogeneous group of rare hereditary conditions mainly affecting the quantity and/or quality of tooth enamel. Its phenotypic expression is diverse, as is the mutational spectrum of the AI-causing genes and mutations. Integrins are cell-surface receptors that mediate adhesion between cells and between cells and the extracellular matrix. Among these, mutations in integrin αvβ6 have been shown to cause AI; however, phenotypic variation exists between the knockout mouse model and human cases, as well as among different human AI families. Methods: We recruited AI families and performed mutational analysis using whole exome sequencing. Results: We identified compound heterozygous ITGB6 mutations in two families. In Family 1, a paternally transmitted nonsense mutation (NM_000888.5: c.1060C>T, p.(Gln354*)) and a maternally transmitted missense mutation (NM_000888.5: c.2312A>G, p.(Asn771Ser)) were identified; in Family 2, a paternal missense mutation (NM_000888.5: c.1693T>C, p.(Cys565Arg)) and a maternal frameshift mutation (NM_000888.5: c.2091delC, p.(Asn698Metfs*13)) were identified, each causing AI in the respective proband. Both probands exhibited generalized hypoplastic and hypomineralized AI, but no other extraoral symptoms. Conclusions: This report will not only expand the known mutational spectrum of the ITGB6 gene but also provide evidence for the genotype–phenotype correlations, thereby improving our understanding of the functional role of ITGB6 during amelogenesis. Full article

To investigate the characteristics and health risks of heavy metal (HM) contamination in soils of typical industrial sites during urban renewal, this study selected Pudong New District, Shanghai, as a case. Seven HMs (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Hg, and As) were analyzed for their concentrations, ecological risks, spatial patterns, and potential sources. Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation was used to assess spatial distribution, Random Forest (RF) regression to predict HM concentrations, and a two-dimensional Monte Carlo simulation to evaluate human health risks. The results showed that all HMs except As exceeded Shanghai background values in surface soils, with varying levels observed in subsoil and saturated layers. The Index of Geoaccumulation (Igeo) and Risk Index (RI) indicated low contamination and moderate ecological risk. Pearson correlation combined with Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) identified four major sources: traffic emissions dominated by Cd and Zn, combustion-related sources dominated by Pb and Hg, industry-related inputs dominated by Cu and Ni, and a natural source dominated by As. The RF model demonstrated strong predictive accuracy for Cd, Pb, Hg, and As (R² = 0.80–0.94), and predicted values were consistent with observations. Monte Carlo results showed that non-carcinogenic risks for children and adults were within acceptable limits, while carcinogenic risks reached “notable” levels with probabilities of 62.06%, 55.65%, and 22.49% for children, adult females, and adult males, respectively. Cd and As were identified as key contributors. This work provides scientific support for soil pollution prevention and remediation during urban renewal. Full article

Open-heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a high-risk procedure with significant morbidity and mortality. CPB, tissue injury, blood loss, endotoxemia and ischemia–reperfusion injury induce a pronounced systemic inflammatory response, leading to endothelial glycocalyx (EG) damage and vascular endothelial dysfunction. Consequently, immune cells, reactive oxygen species, and enzymes gain free access to vascular endothelial cells, resulting in their dysfunction and enhancing inflammation, vascular permeability, and microvascular impairment. EG degradation is most commonly assessed by measuring the circulating levels of its degradation products. Additionally, CPB triggers an early inflammatory response that is characterized by the secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and IL-18, which play roles in initiating the process of EG injury. EG damage is further propagated by the sustained release of cytokines, inhibiting the regeneration of the glycocalyx layer. Heparanase and matrix metalloproteinases are enzymatic pathways involved in cytokine-mediated EG degradation after cardiac surgery, and the balance between the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines determines the magnitude and duration of the inflammatory response and EG impairment, which correlates with adverse clinical outcomes, including myocardial dysfunction, acute lung and kidney injury, neurological complications, and prolonged need for intensive care. Thus, identifying patients with an exaggerated cytokine response could potentially provide more personalized therapy based on the circulating biomarkers of EG shedding, and cytokine-directed preservation of EG represents a promising therapeutic strategy in vascular dysfunction prevention during and after open-heart surgery. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on cytokine-mediated EG impairment following open-heart surgery with CPB. Full article

Background/Objectives: To evaluate the relationships between meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), ocular surface parameters, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)-mediated inflammation in glaucoma patients, we specifically assessed the impact of prostaglandin analogue use, preservative exposure, and number of medications. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included patients treated with topical antiglaucoma medications for at least six months. Meibomian gland expressibility, meibum quality, and MGD grade were assessed along with tear film break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer I test, and Oxford staining score. Tear MMP-9 levels were measured using a Point-of-Care immunoassay (InflammaDry^®) and graded on a 0 to 4 scale. Results: Elevated MMP-9 grades were significantly correlated with worsening meibum expressibility, meibum quality, and MGD grade (all p < 0.001), whereas no significant associations were found with traditional parameters such as TBUT and Schirmer I test. Prostaglandin analogue use was associated with worse meibomian gland parameters and higher MMP-9 levels compared to non-use. Patients receiving preservative-containing medications exhibited poorer meibomian gland parameters and MMP-9 levels, as well as worse corneal staining scores. An increased number of medications was associated with a stepwise deterioration in meibomian gland function and elevated MMP-9 levels. Conclusions: Prostaglandin analogue use, preservative exposure, and increased number of medications are significant factors associated with the exacerbation of MGD and ocular surface inflammation. Semi-quantitative grading of tear MMP-9 revealed a stepwise association with meibomian gland dysfunction severity that was not detected by conventional dry eye metrics, indicating that MMP-9 may be considered a potential indicator of subclinical ocular surface inflammation in glaucoma patients. Full article

As the demand for sustainable and bio-based alternatives to petroleum-derived membranes grows, polysaccharides have emerged as promising candidates. In this study, we fabricated free-standing membranes from konjac glucomannan (KGM), a neutral polysaccharide, using a simple base-induced insolubilization process. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the deacetylation of KGM chains promotes extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonding, creating a robust and stable three-dimensional network without the need for chemical cross-linkers. The resulting KGM free-standing membranes exhibited excellent mechanical properties, characterized by high tensile strength in the dry state and remarkable flexibility when hydrated. Furthermore, the membranes demonstrated superior chemical resistance to organic solvents such as acetone and n-hexane. Transport studies showed that the membranes possess a highly dense structure with no detectable pressure-driven pure-water permeation up to 0.25 MPa. Solute permeation experiments using eight model molecules (molecular weight = 144–14,600 Da) indicated that transport behavior is consistent with diffusion through a hydrated polymer network. The effective diffusion coefficient D_eff showed a strong correlation with molecular weight M, following the relationship D_eff ∝ M^−1.7. Furthermore, the permeation behavior remained stable across a wide pH range (2–12), and, within the investigated range of monovalent solutes, D_eff was insensitive to solute charge, indicating that mass transport is dominated by size-based diffusion rather than electrostatic interactions. These findings suggest that KGM free-standing membranes enable reliable molecular fractionation based on size-dependent diffusion within a stable, neutral matrix, offering significant potential for sustainable separation technologies and biomedical applications. Full article

Dissolved oxygen (DO) is a primary environmental regulator of shrimp physiology and behavior in intensive aquaculture systems. Whether shrimp acoustic emissions quantitatively reflect oxygen-driven behavioral modulation under operational pond conditions, however, remains uncertain due to the difficulty of isolating biologically relevant signals from complex soundscapes. In this study, passive acoustic monitoring was conducted in commercial outdoor ponds culturing Litopenaeus vannamei. A periodic-coding non-negative matrix factorization approach was applied to separate putative shrimp-associated acoustic components from broadband background noise and to obtain stable time–frequency representations of acoustic activity. Temporal variations in the extracted acoustic intensity were compared with simultaneously measured DO concentrations. Rather than relying on global correlation, phase-specific analyses revealed that the putative shrimp-associated acoustic component exhibited consistent positive associations with DO dynamics during both rising and declining phases, whereas background noise showed only weak and non-coherent relationships with DO. These results indicate that the observed acoustic–oxygen relationship is non-stationary and context-dependent. Given the observational nature of the study and potential confounding influences (e.g., aeration and other environmental factors), these findings, which are based on observations from a single pond over a limited recording period (62.85 h) under specific operational conditions, should be interpreted with caution and regarded as a proof-of-concept rather than evidence of general applicability. Nevertheless, the results are consistent with the hypothesis that population-level acoustic activity may reflect environmentally modulated behavioral responses. This highlights the potential of soundscape-based approaches as non-invasive tools for supporting aquaculture monitoring, while emphasizing the need for further validation under controlled and multi-site conditions. Full article

Matrix Product States (MPSs) have become an indispensable symmetry-based representation for simulating quantum systems on near-term hardware by constraining entanglement entropy through a fixed bond dimension $\mathsf{\chi }$. This study identifies a critical “rank explosion” phenomenon that destabilizes this low-rank manifold during conditional quantum diffusion processes. We empirically demonstrate that the introduction of conditional guidance—essential for semantic control—injects global correlations that drive the effective Schmidt rank to increase by $4\times$ (from $\mathsf{\chi }=4$ to $16$), saturating the simulation limits and necessitating quantum circuits with approximately $1.8\times {10}^3$ Controlled-NOT (CNOT) gates. Such circuit depths fundamentally exceed the operational coherence budgets of Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) devices. To mitigate this structural instability, we propose Rank-Aware Conditional Synthesis (RACS), a sampling framework that maintains the latent trajectory within a prescribed MPS manifold through step-wise manifold projection and time-shift error correction. Experimental results on real-world semantic data reveal that RACS reduces reconstruction error, or Mean Squared Error (MSE) by 30.8% and enhances latent trajectory smoothness by 36.8% compared to conventional post hoc truncation. At a fixed hardware-efficient rank of $\mathsf{\chi }=4$, RACS achieves a +4.8% fidelity gain and exhibits superior robustness against depolarizing noise. By resolving the tension between conditional expressivity and entanglement constraints, RACS provides a principled, hardware-aware methodology for high-fidelity quantum generative modeling. Full article

Reducing sodium in poultry products often compromises texture and water-holding capacity. This study investigated the interactive effects of shiitake (Lentinula edodes) mushroom extract (SME) and ultrasound (US) on mitigating these defects in reduced-sodium chicken breast. A standard 2.0% NaCl brine served as the control, while reduced-sodium formulations contained 1.4% NaCl supplemented with 0.2% or 0.6% KCl. SME (0.4–1.2%) and probe US (20 kHz, 300 W, 15 min) were applied. Independently, SME increased brine uptake (15% at 1.2% SME), while US accelerated chloride diffusion (~30%) via microstructural disruption. The synergistic treatment combining 0.8% SME with US was identified as the statistical optimum. Simple effect analysis confirmed this combination significantly reduced cooking loss (p < 0.01) and restored comprehensive textural attributes to levels comparable with the 2.0% NaCl control. As confirmed by LF-NMR and microstructural analysis (H&E staining), these macroscopic improvements were highly correlated with optimized immobilized water (P₂₁) proportions and myofibrillar protein-matrix stabilization. Ultimately, this strategy provides a functional and microstructural basis for developing sodium-reduced poultry without compromising critical quality attributes. Full article

Accurate prediction of temperature-induced degradation in concrete is essential for improving structural fire safety and supporting reliable post-fire engineering decisions. However, previous studies have generally focused on conventional machine learning applications or limited optimization strategies, while integrated frameworks combining systematic input screening, robust validation, large-scale metaheuristic optimization, and interpretable analysis remain limited. This study aims to develop a comprehensive predictive framework for estimating the temperature-induced weight loss and compressive strength of concrete using advanced machine learning techniques. First, a detailed collinearity analysis was performed to filter the input dataset, eliminate redundant correlations, and improve statistical reliability. For modeling consistency, all fiber-containing mixtures were treated as polymer-fiber systems, and fiber-related variables were interpreted as polymer-fiber descriptors. To reduce overfitting and ensure robust validation, 5-fold cross-validation was applied during training, while 23% of the dataset was reserved as a strictly independent test set. In addition, 25 metaheuristic algorithms were evaluated under a standardized computational budget of 5000 function evaluations to perform neural architecture search. The results showed that the Marine Predators Algorithm (MPA), Symbiotic Organisms Search (SOS), and Kepler Optimization Algorithm (KOA) achieved superior convergence behavior in optimizing hybrid Levenberg–Marquardt-trained networks. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP)-based sensitivity analysis further revealed that matrix-related properties, particularly unit weight and water absorption capacity, were the dominant drivers of thermal degradation. Overall, the proposed framework provides not only a robust benchmarking platform for predictive modeling but also a practically relevant and interpretable tool for post-fire structural assessment and thermally resilient concrete design. Full article

Bidirectional communication between the oocyte and surrounding follicular cells coordinates follicle growth, meiotic maturation, and the acquisition of competence. We aimed to identify genes related to follicular crosstalk and the secretory pathway as candidate mediators of cumulus–oocyte complex (COC) crosstalk in cattle. Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from bovine COCs were retrieved from databases and screened for genes related to secretion and the secretory pathway using SignalP and SecretomeP, and transmembrane proteins were removed, yielding 13 candidate genes. Candidate expression was examined in two GEO RNA-seq datasets to assess enrichment in oocytes versus cumulus cells. RT–qPCR profiling across tissues and reproductive cell types enabled principal component analysis and correlation/network analysis, visualized as heatmaps and Cytoscape, revealing an INBHA-SERPINE2-SDF2L1 co-expression pattern. INHBA and SERPINE2 protein products are secreted, whereas SDF2L1 protein is a secretory pathway-associated, endoplasmic reticulum-resident chaperone. Promoter sequences of INHBA, SERPINE2, and SDF2L1 were scanned with FIMO using JASPAR motifs, identifying shared SMAD-associated motifs and FSH/cAMP-related motif families. The data support a co-regulation model in which endocrine FSH/cAMP and activin/TGF-β–SMAD inputs converge on a shared transcriptional program consistent with a putative INHBA–SERPINE2–SDF2L1 co-regulated module, linking cumulus extracellular matrix remodeling/protease control with oocyte ER protein folding capacity during COC maturation. Full article

Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers of the genitourinary system and ranks ninth in terms of incidence worldwide. Due to the varied clinical course of the disease and the frequent tendency for tumor recurrence, diagnostic studies are being conducted to find non-invasive and prognostic markers that could be helpful in diagnosing BC. The aim of this review was to present the current state of knowledge on the role of extracellular matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of bladder cancer, as well as to assess their potential as biomarkers measured in body fluids. The study reviewed the literature published in English between 2012 and 2025. The studies included clinical and experimental research analysing the expression and activity of selected metalloproteinases, including MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-7 and MMP-1, and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukins (ILs): IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, and IFN-γ in serum, urine, and tumor tissues of patients with BC, using immunochemical methods and genetic analyses. The collected data indicate that MMPs play a key role in the degradation of the extracellular matrix, facilitating invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Elevated concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9, especially in urine, correlate with the clinical stage and histopathological malignancy of the tumor. MMP-7 may be important in the early stages of carcinogenesis, while MMP-1 shows promising potential in multi-marker panels. At the same time, chronic inflammation and increased pro-inflammatory cytokine activity play a key role in modulating the tumor microenvironment. IL-6 and IL-8 have high diagnostic value in urine tests, with IL-6 also serving as a prognostic marker. IL-17 is associated with more aggressive forms of the disease, while IFN-γ may reflect the immune response to BC treatment. There is also evidence of positive feedback between cytokines and MMPs, which intensifies the process of tumor invasion and progression. Therefore, both extracellular matrix metalloproteinases and pro-inflammatory cytokines may be promising non-invasive biomarkers of bladder cancer. Their combined assessment can increase the diagnostic and prognostic value compared to the analysis of individual parameters. However, further multicentre prospective studies are needed for clinical validation and standardisation of the methods of determination. Full article

Digestive cancers exhibit high heterogeneity and poor prognosis, yet whether their tumor microenvironments share conserved stromal–immune interactions remains unclear. Here, we performed an integrative multi-omics analysis across seven digestive cancer types and identified a conserved four-gene signature—DCN, COL10A1, CTHRC1, and TREM2—that is consistently enriched in matrix cancer-associated fibroblasts (mCAFs) and myeloid cells. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that DCN, COL10A1, and CTHRC1 are predominantly expressed in mCAFs, while TREM2 is enriched in myeloid cells and, to a lesser extent, in antigen-presenting CAFs(apCAFs). Cell–cell communication analysis consistently identified a fibroblast-to-myeloid signaling network centered on ECM-CD44 interactions across all examined cancer types, providing a candidate framework for intercellular crosstalk. Multi-omics profiling further characterized the genomic, epigenetic, and immune correlates of this signature. Collectively, these findings identify a conserved stromal–myeloid gene signature across digestive cancers and provide a candidate gene set for future diagnostic and therapeutic exploration. Full article