Search Results (6,072)

Smoke detection is a practical approach for early identification of wildfires and mitigating hazards that affect ecosystems, infrastructure, property, and the community. The existing deep learning (DL) object detection methods (e.g., Detection Transformer (DETR)) have demonstrated significant potential for early awareness of these events. However, their precision is influenced by the low visual salience of smoke and the reliability of the annotation, and collecting real-world and reliable datasets with precise annotations is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process. To address this challenge, we propose a weakly supervised Transformer-based approach with a teacher–student architecture designed explicitly for smoke detection while reducing the need for extensive labeling efforts. In the proposed approach, an expert model serves as the teacher, guiding the student model to learn from a variety of data annotations, including bounding boxes, point labels, and unlabeled images. This adaptability reduces the dependency on exhaustive manual annotation. The proposed approach integrates a Deformable-DETR backbone with a modified loss function to enhance the detection pipeline by improving spatial reasoning, supporting multi-scale feature learning, and facilitating a deeper understanding of the global context. The experimental results demonstrate performance comparable to, and in some cases exceeding, that of fully supervised models, including DETR and YOLOv8. Moreover, this study expands the existing datasets to offer a more comprehensive resource for the research community. Full article

Secure authentication in vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) remains a fundamental challenge due to their dynamic topology, susceptibility to attacks, and scalability constraints in multi-hop communication. Existing approaches based on elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), blockchain, and fog computing have achieved partial success but suffer from latency, resource overhead, and limited adaptability, leaving a gap for lightweight and hardware-rooted trust models. To address this, we propose a multi-hop mutual authentication protocol leveraging Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs), which provide tamper-evident, device-specific responses for cryptographic key generation. Our design introduces a structured sequence of phases, including pre-deployment, registration, login, authentication, key establishment, and session maintenance, with optional multi-hop extension through relay vehicles. Unlike prior schemes, our protocol integrates fuzzy extractors for error tolerance, employs both inductive and game-based proofs for security guarantees, and maps BAN-logic reasoning to specific attack resistances, ensuring robustness against replay, impersonation, and man-in-the-middle attacks. The protocol achieves mutual trust between vehicles and RSUs while preserving anonymity via temporary identifiers and achieving forward secrecy through non-reused CRPs. Conceptual comparison with state-of-the-art PUF-based and non-PUF schemes highlights the potential for reduced latency, lower communication overhead, and improved scalability via cloud-assisted CRP lifecycle management, while pointing to the need for future empirical validation through simulation and prototyping. This work not only provides a secure and efficient solution for VANET authentication but also advances the field by offering the first integrated taxonomy-driven evaluation of PUF-enabled V2X protocols in multi-hop Wi-Fi environments. Full article

Background/Objectives: It has been postulated that sex differences in certain types of verbal abilities arise from sex-dimorphic patterns of hemispheric activation, and that these patterns might be modulated by circulating levels of sex hormones. The aim of this study was to explore the activational effects of sex hormones (throughout the menstrual cycle) on both verbal performance and functional hemispheric asymmetries (qEEG laterality) in three types of verbal tasks: sex-differentiated (verbal fluency and semantic decision) vs. sex-neutral (verbal reasoning) tasks. Methods: A group (n = 32) of healthy young women was tested twice, once during the mid-luteal (high levels of circulating sex hormones) and once during the early follicular (low levels of sex hormones) phases of the menstrual cycle. A comparable group of healthy young men (n = 32) was tested once. EEG was continuously recorded. The differences in alpha power on homologous sites of the left and right hemispheres were then calculated. Results: We found a clear congruence between performance on a task and laterality score: for sex-differentiated tasks, the activational effects of sex hormones were observed in both performance and laterality scores, while there were neither performance nor laterality scores shifts throughout the menstrual cycle for the sex-neutral task. Interestingly, measures of functional asymmetry were higher in the luteal compared to the menstrual phase. Conclusions: These findings suggest that sex hormones modulate verbal performance through their influence on hemispheric asymmetry. Full article

Background/Objectives: Accumulating evidence suggests that cognitive training can induce functional reorganization of intrinsic connectivity networks involved in higher-order cognitive processes. However, few interventions have specifically targeted language, an essential domain tightly interwoven with memory, attention, and executive functions. Given their foundational role in communication, reasoning, and knowledge acquisition, enhancing language-related abilities may yield widespread cognitive benefits. This study investigated the neural impact of a new structured, language-based cognitive training program on neurotypical older adults. Methods: Twenty Brazilian Portuguese-speaking women (aged 63–77 years; schooling 9–20 years; low-to-medium socioeconomic status) participated in linguistic activities designed to engage language and general cognitive processing. Behavioral testing and resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) were conducted before and after the intervention. Results: Functional connectivity analyses revealed significant post-intervention increases in connectivity within the frontoparietal network, critical for language processing, and the ventral attentional network, associated with attentional control. Conclusions: The observed neural enhancements indicate substantial plasticity in cognitive networks among older adults, highlighting the effectiveness of linguistic interventions in modulating critical cognitive functions. These findings provide a foundation for future research on targeted cognitive interventions to promote healthy aging and sustain cognitive vitality. Full article

In this study, the sublimation and vapor pressure characteristics of RuO₄ were systematically investigated using ab initio thermodynamic calculations. Structural optimizations and vibrational frequency analyses were performed for gaseous RuO₄ and four candidate solid phases (monoclinic Cm, P2₁/c, C2/c, and cubic P-43n) within the density functional theory (DFT) framework. Gibbs free energies were evaluated by incorporating electronic energies, zero-point corrections, and entropic contributions from translational, rotational, and vibrational modes. The results identify monoclinic C2/c and cubic P-43n as the most stable solid phases across the studied temperature range. Calculated sublimation temperatures of 322 K at 1 atm and 240 K at 1 × 10⁻³ atm were obtained in good agreement with experimental melting and boiling points. Calculated vapor pressures show reasonable agreement with experimental measurements below the triple point, with deviations at higher temperatures attributable to approximating liquid-gas behavior using solid-gas sublimation data. These findings provide the first theoretical description of RuO₄ vapor pressure and offer a computational framework extendable to other transition-metal ALD precursors. Full article

In recent decades, the consumption of animal proteins has been rethought by consumers. Factors such as improved health and sustainability are key aspects of this scenario. Studies have sought innovative and sustainable technologies to improve protein extraction from alternative sources to increase their competitiveness. In this sense, the aim of this work was to combine the effects of nonconventional extraction methods on the process yield and the resulting techno-functional properties extracted from alternative proteins. The literature contains significant publications regarding the use of ultrasound (US), pulsed electric fields (PEFs), microwaves (MWs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) for enhancing protein extraction. Re-emerged techniques such as reverse micelles and aqueous two-phase extraction have also been reported. For this reason, the present study aimed not only to present the obtained results but also to discuss how the mechanisms associated with the aforementioned technologies impact the extraction yield and modification of proteins. In general, US tends to increase protein solubility (20–30%) and emulsifying capacity (35%); MWs can increase protein yield (25%) while reducing extraction time (50–70%); DES-based extraction tends to retain more than ~40% of the native functionality, and PEFs have demonstrated up to a 20% improvement in protein recovery. Nonconventional extraction methods have varying effects on the characteristics and quality of extracted proteins, offering benefits and challenges that should be considered when choosing the most suitable technology. The specificity related to each technology can be used to make possible interesting industrial applications involving nonanimal proteins. Full article

Objectives: Revision total hip arthroplasty (rTHA) is a complex surgery with variable functional outcomes that often differ between the surgeon’s perception and the patient’s experience. Therefore, the aim of this study is, first, to evaluate functional outcomes based on the reason for revision, type of revision, acetabular defect, and number of prior revision surgeries; and second, to compare outcomes from both the surgeon’s and the patient’s perspectives to determine whether or not there is agreement between them. Materials and Methods: An observational study was conducted on patients who underwent rTHA at a tertiary-level center from January 2013 to December 2018, with a median follow-up of 41 months. A total of 149 procedures were performed during this period. The variables analyzed included the indication for revision surgery, type of revision, presence of acetabular defect, and number of previous revision surgeries. The surgeon’s perspective was assessed using the Harris Hip Score (HHS), while the patient’s perspective was evaluated using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12). Results: Analysis of the variables from both surgeon’s and patient’s perspectives showed statistically significant differences regarding the indication for revision and the SF-12 component, with patients undergoing revision for infection or dislocation reporting worse functional outcomes. Although the remaining variables did not reach statistical significance, the surgeon perceived worse outcomes in patients revised for infection and in those who underwent revision of both components (acetabular and femoral). Conversely, patients reported poorer functional outcomes when operated on for infection or dislocation, when both components were revised, and when they had undergone more than one revision surgery. Additionally, a statistically significant trend was observed showing worse outcomes with increasing anesthetic risk. Linear regression analysis between the surgeon’s evaluation and the patient-reported outcome measures showed a statistically significant association, indicating that higher surgeon scores correlated with fewer symptoms and better hip function as reported by patients. Conclusion: There was concordance between the surgeon’s evaluation, measured by the Harris Hip Score (HHS), and the patient’s perception of health status through PROMs, specifically the SF-12 and WOMAC questionnaires. Although overall results were satisfactory regardless of the reason for the revision, type of revision, defect grade, or number of revisions; outcomes were slightly worse in patients revised for dislocation or infection, those undergoing revisions of both components, and in cases involving multiple revision surgeries. Full article

For urban rail vehicles operating at speeds ranging from 60 to 250 km/h, the dominant source of radiated noise is the wheel–rail interaction. Finite element modal analysis was conducted on the wheelset, rails, and track slab. A multibody dynamics model under straight-line condition was established. It was a rigid–flexible coupling dynamics model, including the rigid vehicle body, flexible wheelsets, flexible rails, and flexible track slabs. Dynamic simulation calculations were carried out in this model to obtain the wheel–rail forces. The finite element and boundary element models of wheels and rails were established using simulation software to obtain the results of wheel–rail noise. The sound pressure levels on the surfaces of wheels and rails were calculated under the operating conditions of 120 km/h, 140 km/h, 160 km/h, and 200 km/h in the straight-line condition. The variation law of the frequency distribution of wheel–rail noise with the change in speed was obtained. The variation fitting function of wheel–rail noise SPL with speeds was obtained. Within the speed of 200 km/h, as the speed increased, the total value of wheel–rail SPL basically shows a linear growth. The simulation analysis results were compared with the experiment results. It indicated that the simulation results were reasonable. The simulation models are of great significance for the noise prediction in train design and manufacturing. Full article

This paper proposes an integrated ontological framework, Integrated Systems Ontology (ISOnto), for dependable systems engineering by semantically linking design models with real-world operational failure data. Building upon the recently proposed Function–Behaviour–Structure–Failure Modes (FBSFM) framework, ISOnto integrates early-stage design information with field-level evidence to support more informed, traceable, and dependable failure analysis. This extends the semantic scope of the FBSFM ontology to include operational/field feedback from warranty claims and technical inspections, enabling two-way traceability between design-phase assumptions (functions, behaviours, structures, and failure modes) and field-reported failures, causes, and effects. As a theoretical contribution, ISOnto introduces a formal semantic bridge between design and operational phases, strengthening the validation of known failure modes and the discovery of previously undocumented ones. Developed using established ontology engineering practices and formalised in OWL with Protégé, it incorporates domain-specific extensions to represent field data with structured mappings to design entities. A real-world automotive case study conducted with a global manufacturer demonstrates ISOnto’s ability to consolidate multisource lifecycle data into a coherent, machine-readable repository. The framework supports advanced reasoning, structured querying, and system-level traceability, thereby facilitating continuous improvement, data-driven validation, and more reliable decision-making across product development and reliability engineering. Full article

In this paper we will be concerned with zeta-symmetry—the functional equation for the (Riemann) zeta-function (equivalents to which are called modular relations)—and reveal the reason why so many results are intrinsic to PFE (Partial Fraction Expansion) for the cotangent function. The hidden reason is that the cotangent function (as a function in the upper half-plane, say) is the polylogarithm function of order 0 (with complex exponential argument), and therefore it shares properties intrinsic to the Lerch zeta-function of order 0. Here we view the Lerch zeta-function defined in the unit circle as a zeta-function in a wider sense, as a function defined in the upper and lower half-planes. As evidence, we give a plausibly most natural proof of Ramanujan’s formula, including the eta transformation formula as a consequence of the modular relation via the cotangent function, speculating the reason why Ramanujan had been led to such a formula. Other evidence includes the pre-Poisson summation formula as the pick-up principle (which in turn is a generalization of the argument principle). Full article

Purpose: The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the effects of commonly used dietary supplements on soccer performance and to bridge the gap between scientific evidence and their practical application by practitioners working with elite soccer players. Methods: Relevant literature involving dietary supplement use in soccer players was identified through searches of PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science. Additionally, insights were gathered from a cross-sectional online questionnaire completed by practitioners (nutritionists, physicians, sport scientists, strength and conditioning coaches, and heads of performance) working with first-division men’s teams across five European leagues. Eligible respondents were over 18 years old with >2 years of experience in elite sport. The 20-question survey, designed on Qualtrics and pilot-tested for content validity, covered practitioner background, beliefs about supplementation, and real-world practices. The study was approved by the Ethical Independent Committee in Genoa, Italy (Ref. 2020/12). Results: Among performance-enhancing supplements, caffeine has been shown to improve endurance, sprint performance, power, and cognitive function, while creatine consistently enhances short-duration, high-intensity efforts. Beta-alanine and sodium bicarbonate help reduce the buildup of acidity in muscles during repeated high-intensity exercise, supporting repeated sprint performance. For hydration and endurance support, dietary nitrates improve blood flow and oxygen delivery to muscles, and glycerol enhances fluid retention in hot environments and during compressed match schedules, where players compete in multiple matches within a short recovery window. Regarding recovery aids, protein and tart cherry supplementation have been shown to accelerate recovery, reduce muscle damage, and support training adaptations. Field insights revealed that creatine and caffeine were widely adopted by practitioners (>90%), with protein powders also commonly recommended (>80%). In contrast, beta-alanine, tart cherry, and dietary nitrates were only partially integrated into daily practice (30%, 32%, and 48.5%, respectively), while sodium bicarbonate (24%) and glycerol (10.5%) were used by a minority. Conclusions: Although scientific evidence provides a strong foundation for the efficacy of dietary supplements, their translation into elite soccer practice is shaped by a range of practical factors, including cultural resistance, taste preferences, gastrointestinal side effects, established team routines, and individual player preferences. These findings highlight the importance of targeted education for players and staff, individualized supplementation plans, and close collaboration between nutritionists, coaches, and medical teams. However, our survey did not directly assess reasons for non-implementation. In addition to practical barriers reported by practitioners, unfamiliarity with current evidence likely contributes to this evidence–practice gap. Full article

Background: Local flaps are a cornerstone of reconstructive plastic surgery for oncological skin defects, ensuring functional recovery and aesthetic integration. Their selection, however, varies with surgeon experience. Generative artificial intelligence has emerged as a potential decision-support tool, although its clinical role remains uncertain. Methods: We evaluated three generative AI platforms (ChatGPT-5 by OpenAI, Grok by xAI, and Gemini by Google DeepMind) in their free-access versions available in September 2025. Ten preoperative photographs of suspected cutaneous neoplastic lesions from diverse facial and limb sites were submitted to each platform in a two-step task: concise description of site, size, and tissue involvement, followed by the single most suitable local flap for reconstruction. Outputs were compared with the unanimous consensus of experienced plastic surgeons. Results: Performance differed across models. ChatGPT-5 consistently described lesion size accurately and achieved complete concordance with surgeons in flap selection. Grok showed intermediate performance, tending to recognise tissue planes better than lesion size and proposing flaps that were often acceptable but not always the preferred choice. Gemini estimated size well, yet was inconsistent for anatomical site, tissue involvement, and flap recommendation. When partially correct answers were considered acceptable, differences narrowed but the overall ranking remained unchanged. Conclusion: Generative AI can support reconstructive reasoning from clinical images with variable reliability. In this series, ChatGPT-5 was the most dependable for local flap planning, suggesting a potential role in education and preliminary decision-making. Larger studies using standardised image acquisition and explicit uncertainty reporting are needed to confirm clinical applicability and safety. Full article

Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 (TDP1) is an important DNA repair enzyme and its functioning is considered as one of the possible reasons for tumor resistance to topoisomerase 1 (TOP1) poisons such as topotecan. Thus, TDP1 inhibitors in combination with topotecan may improve the effectiveness of anticancer therapy. TDP1 acts somehow in a phospholipase manner, depleting the phosphodiester bond between lipophilic tyrosine residue and 3′ end of DNA; therefore, lipophilic molecules bearing aromatic substituents can interact with TDP1 and even possess high inhibitory activity, which is evidenced by data from the literature. Previously, we identified lipophilic nucleoside derivative (compound 6d, IC₅₀ = 0.82 µM) as an effective inhibitor of the purified enzyme TDP1 that enhances the cytotoxic, DNA-damaging, and antitumor effects of topotecan. However, the role of TDP1 inhibition in this synergistic effect remained not fully understood. In the present study, we have tested the hypothesis of a TDP1-dependent mechanism of action for compound 6d, showing that it sensitizes wild-type A549 lung cancer cells, but not TDP1 knockout cells, to the cytotoxic effects of topotecan. The sensitizing effect was absent in non-cancerous HEK293A cells regardless of TDP1 status. Additionally, we analyzed the effect of compound 6d and topotecan on the expression level of TOP1 and TDP1 to determine whether the observed synergy was due to direct TDP1 inhibition and/or changes in regulation of these enzymes. The data obtained shows that compound 6d did not affect TDP1 gene expression level in HEK293A and A549 WT cells. Thus, compound 6d most probably does not suppress the transcription or mRNA stability of TDP1, and the synergistic action of 6d with topotecan is related to TDP1 inhibtion. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dysregulated gamma oscillations are associated with cognitive dysfunction. Auditory stimulation at 40 Hz enhances neural activity in brain regions associated with learning, attention, and memory. This study assessed the safety and acceptability of 40 Hz amplitude-modulated auditory stimulation in healthy older people. Auditory stimuli were created using popular songs, where vocals and background music were separated and independently amplitude-modulated at 40 Hz with different modulation depths to generate periodic 40 Hz gamma waveforms. Methods: In this open-label, single-arm study, healthy participants aged ≥65 years received 40 Hz amplitude-modulated auditory stimulation daily via a smartphone for 28 days through earphones/headphones. Safety was assessed through adverse event (AE) monitoring and changes in clinical scores for depression, cognitive function, and hearing thresholds. Acceptability was evaluated by adherence rates, listening time, dropout reasons, volume levels, intent for future use, and subjective impressions of the sound source on a 7-point Likert scale. Results: Among 28 participants (mean age 69.1 years, 53.6% female), six reported 12 AEs, with six considered device-related (e.g., ear discomfort, jaw pain, musculoskeletal stiffness). The AEs observed were mild or moderate. Scores for cognitive function, depression, and hearing thresholds did not worsen during the study period. Adherence was observed in 96.4%, with 85.7% expressing interest in continuing. Most participants rated the sounds’ unnaturalness between 2 and 3 and discomfort between 1 and 3 on the 7-point Likert scale. Conclusions: The intervention was well tolerated and acceptable in study participants, with no major safety concerns identified. Auditory stimulation did not cause severe discomfort or reduce acceptability. Further studies should explore the long-term effects and broader clinical applications. Full article

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in patients with kidney failure receiving dialysis presents a formidable clinical challenge. Standard DKA protocols, designed for patients with preserved renal function, often fail in this cohort and can be unsafe when applied without modification. Patients are at risk of iatrogenic fluid overload, dyskalaemia, and hypoglycaemia due to altered insulin kinetics, impaired gluconeogenesis, and the absence of osmotic diuresis. Purpose: This narrative review aims to synthesise current understanding of DKA pathophysiology in dialysis patients, delineate distinct clinical phenotypes, and propose individualised management strategies grounded in physiology-based reasoning, comparative guideline insights, and consensus-supported literature. Methods: We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Google Scholar (January 2004–June 2024) for adult dialysis populations, using terms spanning DKA, kidney failure, insulin kinetics, fluid balance, and cerebral oedema. Reviews, observational cohorts, guidelines, consensus statements, and physiology papers were prioritised; case reports were used selectively for illustration. Evidence was weighted by physiological plausibility and practice relevance. Nephrology-led authors aimed for a pragmatic, safety-first synthesis, seeking and integrating contradictory recommendations. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the critical need for a nuanced approach to fluid management, a tailored insulin strategy that accounts for glucose-insulin decoupling and prolonged insulin half-life, and careful consideration of potassium and acidosis correction. We emphasise the importance of recognising specific volume phenotypes (hypovolaemic, euvolaemic, hypervolaemic) to guide fluid therapy, and advocating the judicious use of variable-rate insulin infusions (‘dry insulin’) to mitigate fluid overload. We also show that service-level factors are critical. Dialysis-specific pathways, interdisciplinary training, and quality improvement metrics can reduce iatrogenic harm. By linking physiology with workflow adaptations, this review provides a physiologically sound, bedside-oriented map for navigating this complex emergency safely and effectively. In doing so, it advances an individualised model of DKA care for dialysis-dependent patients. Full article