Search Results (6,622)

Electric vehicle (EV) charging has become a key factor in grid integration, impact analysis, and the development of intelligent charging strategies. However, the rapid rise in EV adoption poses challenges for charging infrastructure and grid stability due to the inherently variable and uncertain charging behavior. Limited access to high-resolution, location-specific data further hinders accurate modeling, emphasizing the need for reliable, privacy-preserving tools to forecast EV-related grid impacts. This study introduces a comprehensive methodology to emulate real-world EV charging behavior using a real-time simulation environment. A physics-based EV charger model was developed on the Typhoon HIL platform, incorporating detailed electrical dynamics and control logic representative of commercial chargers. Simulation outputs, including active power consumption and state-of-charge evolution, were validated against field data captured via phasor measurement units, showing strong alignment across all charging phases, including SOC-dependent current transitions. Quantitative validation yielded an MAE of 0.14 and an RMSE of 0.36, confirming the model’s high accuracy. The study also reflects practical BMS strategies, such as early charging termination near 97% SOC to preserve battery health. Overall, the proposed real-time framework provides a high-fidelity platform for analyzing grid-integrated EV behavior, testing smart charging controls, and enabling digital twin development for next-generation electric mobility. Full article

To understand the impacts of climate change on local marine ecosystems, assessing ocean climate velocity in regional seas is essential. This study investigated changes in sea surface temperature (SST) and associated shifts in isotherm location and ocean climate velocity in the East Sea of Korea from 2000 to 2024, utilizing satellite-derived SST data. The results revealed a significant acceleration in the ocean climate velocity of SST, reaching 66.99 km/decade over the past 25 years. The velocity significantly increased during Phase 4, indicating rapid changes with potential ecosystem impacts. The 18 °C SST zone expanded by more than twofold from the early 2000s to the early 2020s. The annual average SST exhibited a steady, consistent decadal increase. These trends are associated with the northward shift of isotherms, which significantly influences the SST distribution patterns, particularly in the 16–18 °C range. Given the accelerating ocean climate velocity, urgent attention is needed to mitigate climate change impacts, particularly in vulnerable regions such as the East Sea. This study enhances the understanding of SST dynamics and underscores the importance of proactive conservation and management in climate-affected marine ecosystems. Full article

Government-invested Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) projects often encounter challenges, such as ambiguous value-added pathways and undefined key driving mechanisms, which impede efficiency improvements during implementation. To systematically elucidate the value-added pathways and core driving mechanisms in these projects, this study identified and distilled 20 critical influencing factors across four dimensions—contract cost, organization, technology, and environment—through a combination of a literature review, case analysis, and a questionnaire survey yielding 68 valid responses. Employing a DEMATEL–TAISM–MICMAC hybrid model, the research conducted an in-depth analysis: the DEMATEL method quantified the interdependencies among factors and identified key causal elements; a TAISM-directed topological hierarchy diagram was constructed to clearly delineate the hierarchical transmission pathways; and the MICMAC model was utilized for driver–dependency analysis, classifying factor roles and providing cross-validation from three analytical perspectives. The results indicate that S₁₂ (collaborative participation in early planning and design phases) exhibits the highest causal influence and serves as the core driving factor, while S₁ (detailed and explicit contractual clauses) and S₁₂ are positioned at the root level of the hierarchical model, functioning as foundational independent factors that regulate the entire system. The value-added pathways are characterized by a hierarchical transmission logic of “root level → transitional level → direct level”. Based on these findings, the study proposes a system optimization strategy of “strengthening the root level, optimizing the transitional level, and safeguarding the direct level”, thereby offering both theoretical insights and practical guidance for enhancing the value-added efficiency of government-invested EPC projects. Full article

Runners have a high probability of sports injuries due to improper landing patterns. This study aimed to investigate the effects of three different foot strike patterns on lower limb muscle activation in healthy young male university students without specialized sports training experience. Methods: Sixteen healthy male college students (age: 21 ± 1 years) participated in this study. They performed running with three different foot strike patterns: forefoot strike (FFS), midfoot strike (MFS), and rearfoot strike (RFS) at controlled speeds of 1.4–1.6 m/s. EMG signals from six lower limb muscles (vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, tibialis anterior, lateral gastrocnemius, and medial gastrocnemius) during the stance phase were collected using a wireless EMG system (1000 Hz). Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD) was employed to analyze the time–frequency characteristics of lower limb EMG signals and ankle joint co-activation patterns to investigate the corresponding neuromuscular control mechanisms. Statistical analyses were performed using repeated-measures ANOVA, and significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The timing of maximum energy in lower limb muscles during the stance phase occurred earlier in RFS compared to FFS and MFS. At initial ground contact, the low-frequency component energy (below 60 Hz) of the medial gastrocnemius was significantly higher in MFS and RFS compared to FFS, while FFS exhibited significantly higher high-frequency component energy (61–200 Hz). The co-activation of ankle dorsiflexors and plantar flexors (TA/GM) was also significantly higher in MFS and RFS compared to FFS. During the 100 ms before foot contact, the low-frequency component energy (below 60 Hz) of the lateral gastrocnemius was significantly higher in MFS compared to FFS, and the degree of TA/GM co-activation was significantly higher in both MFS and RFS compared to FFS. Conclusions: The maximum frequency in lower limb muscles appeared earliest during the mid-stance phase in the rearfoot strike (RFS) pattern. Moreover, during the pre-activation and early stance phases, frequency differences were observed only in the medial gastrocnemius, with RFS showing significantly higher low-frequency power. Full article

We report the first occurrence of an arboreal spiny rat of the tribe Echimyini in the Early Holocene of southern South America. The specimen, a lower deciduous premolar, was recovered from fluvial deposits exposed along the right bank of Doll Creek, in northeastern Argentina. Morphological comparisons indicate strong affinities with the extant Amazonian genus Lonchothrix, although the fossil exhibits distinct traits such as thicker enamel and a transverse, short posterior mesofossettid. The available evidence of strong climatic niche conservatism in Echimyini supports its interpretation as an indicator of the transient presence of humid, Amazonian-like forests in the region around 10,000 years ago. Sedimentological and stratigraphic evidence correlates this warming phase with an Early Holocene transgression in the Paraná Delta. The absence of aff. Lonchothrix in the recent fauna may be the result of a post-optimum extinction event triggered by a drier phase during the Middle Holocene. This discovery provides novel evidence for a short-lived biogeographic connection between Amazonia and the southern cone during a climatic window of expansion for tropical biotas. It also highlights the role of the fossil record of Echimyidae as a sensitive proxy for reconstructing paleoenvironmental changes in temperate South America. Full article

Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography (HILIC) has emerged as a powerful and versatile analytical technique for the separation and quantification of polar and ionizable compounds, particularly in the field of pharmaceutical impurity profiling. Over the past two decades, HILIC has gained increasing attention due to its compatibility with mass spectrometry, enhanced retention of hydrophilic impurities, and ability to resolve structurally similar degradation products and process-related impurities that are often inadequately retained by reversed-phase chromatography. This comprehensive review presents a critical overview of HILIC-based methodologies applied to impurity profiling in pharmaceutical analysis from early 2005 to the present. Emphasis is placed on the application of HILIC to both small-molecule drugs and large biomolecules. Additionally, the review categorizes analytical configurations into four main groups based on their operational principles and use cases, offering insights into method selection and performance characteristics. This article serves as a valuable resource for researchers and regulatory scientists seeking to apply HILIC in modern impurity profiling and quality control of pharmaceutical products. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is marked by the pathological aggregation of amyloid β (Aβ) and tau proteins. Emerging research reveals that these proteins undergo liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS), forming biomolecular condensates that promote aggregation and neurotoxicity. These phase-separated structures reshape the intracellular environment, facilitating protein misfolding and spreading. This review highlights recent advances in understanding the role of condensates in AD pathogenesis and explores novel therapeutic strategies targeting condensate dynamics. Promising approaches include small molecules that disrupt LLPS, epigenetic drugs influencing nuclear condensates, and compounds like DDL 920 and RI AG03 that modulate tau phase separation and neuroinflammation, respectively. Additionally, anti-inflammatory agents, such as nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), offer potential for upstream intervention. Targeting biomolecular condensates presents a next-generation strategy for AD treatment. Future research should focus on in vivo profiling of condensate composition, biomarker development, and the development of patient-specific therapies to enable early, disease-modifying interventions. Full article

Mothocya parvostis Bruce, 1986 (Isopoda: Cymothoidae) is a parasite that mainly infests the branchial cavity of Japanese halfbeak, Hyporhamphus sajori (Temminck and Schlegel, 1846) (Beloniformes: Hemiramphidae) (pelagic marine fish). Although it has generally been considered to parasitize the branchial cavity throughout its life, early studies suggested that mancae (first free swimming stage) initially attach to the body surface of the host. In this study, H. sajori juveniles were collected off Ohkurokamishima Island, Hiroshima, Japan, and examined for cymothoid infestation. Of the 57 individuals that were examined, 5 were parasitized, all on the ventral surface of the fish bodies. One manca was genetically identified as M. parvostis based on the sequence of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (100% or 99.81% identity with known sequences). These findings support the earlier claim that mancae infest the body surface of H. sajori. Due to the host’s slender body and small branchial cavity, early-stage parasites may remain external in the initial phase of infestation. Full article

Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) has become an important public health issue. The diagnosis of PMOP relies on clinical symptoms and radiology. However, most patients with PMOP do not exhibit obvious symptoms in the early stages of this disease. This study aimed to explore the feasibility of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technology in the auxiliary screening of PMOP. PMOP rats were induced by ovariectomy (OVX) surgery, with a Sham group and an icariin (ICA) treatment group serving as controls. A monolayer film of Au nanoparticles (NPs) was prepared using the Marangoni effect in an oil/water/oil three-phase system, and was used to detect serum SERS signals in the Sham, OVX, and ICA treatment groups. Then, the spectral diagnostic model for PMOP screening was established utilizing partial least squares (PLS) and support vector machine (SVM) algorithms. Histopathology confirmed the establishment of the PMOP rat model. The assignment of Raman peaks and the analysis of spectral differences revealed the biochemical changes associated with PMOP, including the upregulation of tyrosine levels and the downregulation of arginine, tryptophan, lipids, and collagen. When employing the PLS-SVM algorithm to simultaneously classify and discriminate three groups of samples, the diagnostic sensitivity for PMOP is 93.33%, the specificity is 96.67%, and the accuracy of three-class classification is 91.11%. This study demonstrated the potential of SERS for the auxiliary screening of PMOP. Full article

Background/Objectives: The child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) hand-over to adult mental health service (AMHS) remains an ongoing shortfall in eating disorder (ED) treatment, typically in tandem with diagnostic drift, heightened suicide risk, and carer burn-out. We created one 14-to-25 Transition—ED track within our own unit, where a single multidisciplinary team continuously follows each patient and family across the CAMHS–AMHS boundary (via weekly joint paediatric and adult clinician meeting) without changing the individual psychotherapist, family therapist, or dietitian at the age 18 transition. We investigated the manner in which patients and parents perceive this model. Methods: A survey of two naturalistic parent cohorts—CAMHS (n = 16) and Transition—Adult arm (n = 15)—also joined, alongside the original group of young adults who had entered the programme during its set-up phase (n = 9). Here, the 14–25 pathway denotes one unified route of care across adolescence and young adulthood; the Transition—Adult arm is its ≥ 18-years component. All index patients had a primary DSM-5-TR diagnosis of restricting-type anorexia nervosa. Participants completed the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 (CSQ-8; range 8–32) and four bespoke Continuity-of-Care items (1–4 Likert). Results: Overall, the caregivers in both cohorts were pleased (median CSQ-8 = 28.5 [CAMHS] vs. 27.0 [Transition]; p = 0.75). Continuity items were universally well rated across cohorts. Cohort parents reported a median of two unchanged core clinicians (i.e., the individual psychotherapist, the family therapist, or the dietitian), which was nonsignificantly positively correlated with CSQ-8 scores (ρ = 0.22). Early-group patients mirrored caregiver impressions (mean CSQ-8 = 27.0 ± 3.9). Conclusions: It is feasible and highly acceptable to both caregivers and anorexia nervosa young adults to have the same key staff and family-centred sessions over the 14-to-25 age span. Constrained by single-site study and small sample size, these preliminary data provide a rationale for wider implementation and controlled follow-up studies. Full article

As global temperatures continue to rise despite international mitigation efforts, geoengineering has emerged as a potential avenue for climate intervention. One of the most promising and ambitious concepts is the Planetary sunshade—a large-scale structure located at Lagrange Point L1, designed to reduce solar irradiance by physically blocking or redirecting incoming photons. This paper presents a structural design solution for this ambitious system, focusing on deployable mechanisms, frame architecture, and sail configurations that enable rapid mass production and deployment of solar sails components. The design process follows the European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS) methodology through its early-phase stages, utilizing weighted decision matrices for concept selection and material evaluation. Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to validate structural integrity under Atlas V launch and operational conditions. The final design features a 1297 m² sail composed of four triangular segments, deployed via booms and stowed using a vertical folding pattern around a central spool. The booms incorporate arch-shaped cross-sections to enhance stiffness. This configuration achieves a radius expansion ratio of 25 and a sail efficiency factor of 0.5, ensuring survivability under Atlas V launch loads. Full article

In the context of global climate change, a comprehensive understanding of the spatiotemporal impacts of drought on vegetation productivity is essential for assessing terrestrial ecosystem stability. Utilizing outputs from six global climate models (GCMs) from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), this study systematically assessed historical and projected drought probability, the drought vulnerability of Net Primary Productivity (NPP), and overall drought risk across the Mongolian Plateau under three Shared Socioeconomic Pathway scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5). Results revealed that the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) exhibited a declining trend, whereas NPP showed an overall increasing trend. These changes were most pronounced under the SSP5-8.5 scenario, with the SPEI decreasing at a rate of −0.39/10a and NPP increasing at 25.8/10a. Drought severity exhibited strong spatial heterogeneity, intensifying from northeast to southwest, whereas NPP demonstrated an inverse spatial pattern. The spatial distribution of high-drought-risk zones varied markedly across scenarios: the southwestern region was most affected under SSP1-2.6, the northwestern region under SSP2-4.5, and the southeastern region under SSP5-8.5. Based on 12-month SPEI values and NPP derived from the Carnegie–Ames–Stanford Approach (CASA) model, SSP2-4.5 presented the highest overall drought risk, despite lower emissions. The annual mean NPP drought vulnerability ranked as follows: SSP2-4.5 (0.60 $\mathrm{g}\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{m}}^{-2}{\mathrm{y}\mathrm{r}}^{-1}$) > SSP1-2.6 (−1.03 $\mathrm{g}\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{m}}^{-2}{\mathrm{y}\mathrm{r}}^{-1}$) > SSP5-8.5 (−1.24 $\mathrm{g}\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{m}}^{-2}{\mathrm{y}\mathrm{r}}^{-1}$). Projections indicated a substantial increase in drought occurrence probability during the period 2061–2100, particularly under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5. Under higher emissions, the spatial extent of areas with negative drought vulnerability values was expected to expand 68%. Wind speed was the dominant factor influencing drought risk under SSP1-2.6 and SSP2-4.5, whereas precipitation became the primary driver (45.34%) under SSP5-8.5. These findings offer critical insights for early drought warning systems and for strengthening ecosystem resilience across the Mongolian Plateau. Full article

Background: Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and lenvatinib are standard treatments for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, but conventional tumor markers such as alpha-fetoprotein and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin have a limited ability to reflect treatment responses. Circulating tumor cells with cancer stem cell characteristics have emerged as promising biomarkers. We examined the dynamics of cancer stem cell-related circulating tumor cell subsets and tumor markers at early and maximal response phases in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing systemic therapy. Methods: Sixty-two patients treated with either atezolizumab plus bevacizumab or lenvatinib were retrospectively analyzed. Peripheral blood was collected at baseline, during the early phase (during one to three months), and at maximal response. Circulating tumor cell subsets expressing cancer stem cell markers (CD90, epithelial cell adhesion molecule; CD133, vimentin) were assessed using multiparametric flow cytometry and compared with alpha-fetoprotein and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin. Results: Early decreases in CD90-positive circulating tumor cells after therapy were associated with tumor shrinkage, longer periods of progression-free survival in both groups, and prolonged overall survival in the atezolizumab plus bevacizumab group. By contrast, early changes in alpha-fetoprotein and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin were not consistently related to tumor size, progression-free survival, or overall survival. At maximal response, changes in CD90-positive circulating tumor cells reflected tumor burden more accurately than alpha-fetoprotein or des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin. Conclusions: These findings indicate that cancer stem cell-related circulating tumor cell subsets, particularly CD90-positive cells, may serve as valuable biomarkers for monitoring treatment response and predicting prognosis in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. CD90-positive circulating tumor cells perform dynamic monitoring superior to conventional markers such as alpha-fetoprotein and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin. Full article

This study investigates rapid-setting, phosphate-based, chemically bonded phosphate ceramic (CBPC) composites for emergency pothole repair through a two-phase experimental approach. Phase I involved fundamental mix design experiments that systematically examined the effects of water-to-binder ratio (20–40%), filler content (10–50%), and phosphate powder fineness (570–3640 cm²/g) on setting and mechanical performance. Based on Phase I results, Phase II evaluated field-applicable mixes optimized for concrete and asphalt pavement conditions in terms of rapid strength development: compressive strength exceeding 24 MPa within 30 min, flexural strength surpassing 3.4 MPa within 1 h, and adhesive strength reaching up to 1.62 MPa (concrete) and 0.68 MPa (asphalt) within 4 h. Additional performance evaluations included Marshall stability (49,848 N), water-immersion residual stability (100% under the test protocol), length change (small magnitude over 28 days), and self-filling behavior (complete filling in 17 s in the specified setup). These rapid early-age results met or surpassed relevant domestic specifications used for emergency repair materials. Based on these data, mix designs for field application are proposed, and practical implications and limitations for early-age performance are discussed. Full article

Background/Objectives: Acute myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation (STEMI) remains a clinical condition with high mortality. The Ion Shift Index (ISI) and Naples Prognostic Score (NPS) are two prognostic indicators that have recently come to the fore. The aim of this study is to compare the predictive value of ISI and NPS in predicting in-hospital mortality in STEMI patients. Methods: This retrospective study included 214 STEMI patients (1 January 2022–1 January 2024). Exclusion criteria included active cancer, infection, autoimmune disease, or chronic kidney disease. ISI and NPS were calculated from laboratory results obtained from the emergency department at the time of initial presentation. Patients were categorized according to in-hospital survival. Logistic regression and ROC curve analyses were performed for in-hospital mortality. Results: The mean age of participants was 64.8 ± 11.2 years, and 40.2% were female; a total of 36 patients (16.8%) died during hospitalization. Hypertension and female gender were more common in those who died, and LDL cholesterol and inflammatory markers were higher. The ISI value was significantly increased in the mortality group, whereas no significant difference was observed in NPS. ROC analysis revealed that at a threshold value of 3.0, ISI had a sensitivity of 68% and specificity of 71%, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.70, while NPS had an AUC of 0.55 and did not demonstrate significant discriminatory power. In the multivariate analysis, ISI and increased LDL cholesterol were independently associated with mortality; decreased lymphocyte/monocyte ratio and female gender were also additional independent predictors. NPS did not emerge as an independent factor in predicting in-hospital mortality. Conclusions: ISI was found to be a superior and independent early risk predictor of in-hospital mortality in STEMI patients compared to NPS. ISI may serve as a rapid and inexpensive risk classification tool in the acute phase, as it reflects sudden changes in intracellular–extracellular ion balance, whereas NPS may not be sufficiently sensitive in the hyperacute phase, as its components reflect chronic nutritional and inflammatory states. Due to limitations such as a single-center retrospective design and low mortality rates, validation through multicenter prospective studies is required for the integration of ISI into clinical practice. Full article