Search Results (33)

This study provides an integrated agronomic–functional–nutritional–bioactive characterization of three Oxalis tuberosa varieties (Yellow, Pink, and Black) cultivated under open-field conditions. Unlike previous studies that have typically examined isolated trait groups or single quality dimensions, this work simultaneously evaluates yield-related morphology, starch functional behavior, proximate composition, antioxidant activity, and pigment-associated color attributes within a unified experimental framework, enabling robust varietal comparison and application-oriented interpretation. The Yellow variety matured later (125 ± 2 days) and produced the highest total biomass (587 ± 32 g) and yield per plant (462 ± 28 g), with the longest tubers (8.7 ± 0.3 cm) and the greatest tuber number (12.1 ± 1.1 per plant). Functional assessments indicated that the Yellow variety exhibited superior swelling capacity (10.2 g/g) and solubility index (6.3%), together with the highest starch content (68.4 ± 2.1 g/100 g DW). Nutritional profiling further showed lower moisture and higher carbohydrate levels in the Yellow variety compared with the other varieties, supporting its suitability for food processing and agricultural production. In contrast, the Black variety showed the strongest antioxidant potential, with higher DPPH scavenging activity (46.2 ± 1.3%), total phenolics (5.9 ± 0.3 mg GAE/g DW), and flavonoids (2.3 ± 0.1 mg QE/g DW), consistent with its darker pigmentation and greater nutraceutical potential. The novelty of this study lies in its integrated, multi-trait comparison of oca varieties under the same open-field conditions with standardized agronomic management, allowing for the first simultaneous assessment of agronomic performance, starch functionality, nutritional quality, antioxidant capacity, and color attributes. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of varietal selection in determining agronomic performance, starch functionality, nutritional composition, and bioactive traits in Oxalis tuberosa, providing actionable evidence for targeted agricultural and industrial applications. Full article

This study benchmarks three ROS 2 Navigation2 local controllers—Dynamic Window Approach Based (DWB), Regulated Pure Pursuit (RPP), and Model Predictive Path Integral (MPPI)—under three complementary operational stressors in simulation: (i) a structured corridor with a transient dynamic obstacle, (ii) a sloped environment where terrain inclination biases a planar 2D LiDAR costmap through spurious occupancy projections, and (iii) a narrow corridor that amplifies inflation effects. A reproducible rosbag2-based protocol records five key performance indicators per trial: time-to-goal, lateral tracking RMSE, stopped time, heading oscillations, and control effort. With 15 independent repetitions per cell (scene × controller × direction), the design yields 270 trials. The results expose complementary value profiles: RPP minimizes mission time, DWB produces the fewest heading oscillations through critic-based shaping, and MPPI achieves the lowest control effort via smooth trajectory generation. In the sloped scene, the tracking RMSE differences compress across all controllers—a signature of a perception-limited regime in which costmap bias overshadows controller logic. These findings translate into an actionable controller-selection guide and a reproducible baseline for quantifying gains from upstream perception and cost-representation improvements. In concrete terms, we contribute (i) a controlled benchmark with fixed planning, localization, and costmaps, (ii) full configuration disclosure (controller parameters, costmap settings, and software versions with package pinning), and (iii) a scene-specific costmap distortion index that links slope-induced local cost bias to measurable performance shifts, underpinning a decision matrix for controller selection in semi-structured environments. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to assess the associations between the Lifestyle Inflammation Score (LIS) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and glucose metabolism alterations (GMA) postpartum. Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted on 378 pregnant women at the end of pregnancy. Anthropometric, clinical, biochemical, and dietary parameters were evaluated. Postpartum reclassification was based on fasting serum glucose (>100 mg/dL), HbA1c (>5.7%), and/or a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (>140 mg/dL). The LIS was calculated using a proxy index including smoking status, physical activity, and pregestational BMI, applying the beta coefficient from the original LIS model. Tertiles were created, with T3 indicating the highest level of proinflammatory exposure. Statistical analyses included Kruskal–Wallis, one-way ANOVA, linear-by-linear association, and multivariate logistic regression, adjusted for family history, gestational weight gain, carbonylated proteins, and adiponectin to evaluate associations between LIS and GDM, and adjusted for pharmacological treatment, gestational weight gain, and breastfeeding for LIS and GMA. Results: Higher LIS values were more common among women with GDM (T1 = 45.9%, T2 = 62.2%, T3 = 74.8%, p < 0.001) and among those with GMA (T1 = 34.4%, T2 = 45.6%, T3 = 53.7%, p = 0.019). Compared with the lowest tertile, the highest tertile of LIS was associated with greater odds of GDM (OR 3.72; 95% CI: 1.19–11.64, p = 0.024) and GMA (OR 2.69; 95% CI: 1.25–5.76, p = 0.011). Conclusions: A more proinflammatory lifestyle, as reflected by a higher LIS, increases the risk of progression to GDM and later to GMA. Full article

To support bearing capacity estimates, this study develops and tests a geoprocessing workflow for predicting soil properties using Empirical Bayesian Kriging 3D and a classification function. The model covers a 183 m × 185 m × 24 m site in Astana (Kazakhstan), based on 16 boreholes (15–24 m deep) and 77 samples. Eight geotechnical properties were mapped in 3D voxel models (812,520 voxels at 1 m × 1 m × 1 m resolution): cohesion (c), friction angle (φ), deformation modulus (E), plasticity index (PI), liquidity index (LI), porosity (e), particle size (PS), and particle size distribution (PSD). Stratification patterns were revealed with ~35% variability. Maximum φ (34.9°), E (36.6 MPa), and PS (1.29 mm) occurred at 8–16 m; c (33.1 kPa) and PSD peaked below 16 m, while PI and e were elevated in the upper and lower strata. Strong correlations emerged in pairs φ-E-PS (0.91) and PI-e (0.95). Classification identified 10 soil types, including one absent in borehole data, indicating the workflow’s capacity to detect hidden lithologies. Predicted fractions of loams (51.99%), sandy loams (22.24%), and sands (25.77%) matched borehole data (52%, 26%, 22%). Adjacency analysis of 2,394,873 voxel pairs showed homogeneous zones in gravel–sandy soils (28%) and stiff loams (21.75%). The workflow accounts for lateral and vertical heterogeneity, reduces subjectivity, and is recommended for digital subsurface 3D mapping and construction design optimization. Full article

Objectives: This study investigates the canine fossa (CF) topography relative to the maxillary sinus and nasal fossa and examines its association with facial types, focusing on side and gender. Methods: One hundred CBCT scans were analysed bilaterally at the first (PM1) and second (PM2) premolar levels. The CF was classified according to its anatomical relationship with adjacent structures: type 1, where the CF lies predominantly lateral to the maxillary sinus; type 2, where it is lateral to the nasal fossa; and type 3, where the CF is positioned lateral to the nasal fossa inferiorly and to the maxillary sinus superiorly. Facial measurements (height and width) were used to calculate the facial index, classifying individuals into five facial types: hypereuroprosopic, euryprosopic, mesoprosopic, leptoprosopic, and hyperleptoprosopic. A statistical analysis assessed the correlation between CF types and facial morphology. Results: Types 1 and 3 were the most prevalent CF types, while type 2 was observed only at the PM1 site. The PM2 level showed a predominance of type 1, indicating a consistent anatomical association of the CF with the maxillary sinus. In contrast, the PM1 level demonstrated a higher prevalence of type 3, reflecting the presence of the CF in the walls of both the nasal fossa and maxillary sinus. Leptoprosopic facial type was strongly associated with type 3, while no significant associations of CF types were found for other facial types. The sample lacked hypereuroprosopic individuals (facial index < 79.9), while hyperleptoprosopic faces (facial index > 95) were present in 23% of cases. Conclusions: The CF topography varies significantly by premolar site and is influenced by facial proportions. Type-3 CFs correlate strongly with elongated (leptoprosopic) facial configurations; broader facial types were underrepresented in this sample. Full article

In the process of social development, there is a contradiction between economic development and the ecological environment. Western countries were the first to experience the inverted U-shaped development model of “destruction first and compensation later”, and China is also facing similar problems. To reveal the formation mechanism and dynamic evolution of the inflection point of ecological environment changes in China, this paper combines the entropy weight method, the analytic hierarchy process, and quadratic curve fitting to construct the “Ecological Pressure Index—GDPP Model” and studies the inflection point of ecological pressure during China’s economic development from 2000 to 2022. The study shows that the key inflection point of China’s ecological environment pressure is between 2016 and 2017, which is mainly affected by multiple factors such as the economy, domestic and international situations, and policy adjustments. For example, the implementation of the “Supply-side Structural Reform” and the environmental protection supervision system has significantly reduced the pollution pressure. At the same time, the “inflection point” is applied to dynamically adjust the PSR model, revealing the stage transition of China’s environmental governance focus. For instance, from 2000 to 2016, end-of-pipe pollution treatment was dominant (for example, the weights of pollution emission indicators X₅–X₈ were relatively high), while after 2016, the focus of governance shifted to the restoration of ecological space (for example, the weight of nature reserves X₂₂ was 2.759%). The theoretical contribution of this paper lies in proposing the concept of “Policy-driven EKC”, emphasizing the core role of policy intervention in the formation of the inflection point of the ecological environment. In addition, the dynamic adjustment of the PSR model using the “inflection point” better interprets China’s self-transformation in the development process and provides other developing countries with a Chinese solution of “institutional innovation first” and the “Policy-driven EKC—Chinese PSR Model” for reference in balancing economic growth and ecological protection. Full article

The key to whether elderly individuals in the community can enjoy their later years peacefully lies in the service capabilities of community comprehensive elderly care service facilities (CCECSF) under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode. To maintain a high level of service capability in community comprehensive elderly care service facilities under PPP mode, scientific evaluation of the effectiveness of these facilities is equally crucial. This article first constructs a post-occupancy evaluation index system of community comprehensive elderly care service facilities under PPP mode that includes three evaluation attributes and fifteen evaluation criteria based on the Chinese culture and lifestyle habits. Regarding the issue of direct users being unable to directly participate in evaluations, the uncertainty in evaluation information, and the volatility of evaluation results, a multi-stage post-occupancy evaluation model is constructed based on probabilistic linguistic term set, TOPSIS model and multi-stage decision theory. The above post-occupancy evaluation index system and evaluation model together constitute a multi-stage post-occupancy evaluation framework for community comprehensive elderly care service facilities under PPP mode. The outcomes of the case study indicate that the post-occupancy evaluation index system can offer a scientifically guided approach for evaluating the service level of community comprehensive elderly care service facilities under the PPP mode; meanwhile, the multi-stage evaluation model can enable direct user participation in the post-evaluation of facility usage and improve the robustness and reduce the fluctuation of the evaluation results, so as to improve the scientificity of the evaluation results. Full article

With the notable achievements attained through the implementation of steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD), the vertical–horizontal steam drive (VHSD) emerges as a pivotal technological advancement aimed at significantly enhancing the efficiency of thin reservoir heavy oil recovery subsequent to steam cyclic stimulation. The inclusion of nitrogen assistance has proven effective in enhancing the efficacy of gravity drainage techniques in reservoir development. However, it is noteworthy that this method has only led to improvements in approximately 50% of the well groups within the observed field. The comprehensive evaluation index of VHSD was proposed, and as the objective function, it was determined that the greatest contribution to the VHSD technique lies in oil saturation, accounting for 40% of the overall evaluations. This differs from conventional SAGD operations, where reservoir thickness serves as the primary determinant. Building upon an enhanced physical simulation similarity criterion, two comparative injection scheme experiments were conducted to explore the impact of nitrogen injection on the performance of VHSD and the characteristics of the steam chamber. Nitrogen is distributed in the vicinity of the steam chamber, leading to the formation of a dual mechanism characterized by ‘top heat insulation and lateral traction’ on the steam chamber. The lateral traction accounts for approximately 25% of the team chamber volume. Additionally, the inducement of nitrogen causes a downward displacement of crude oil, resulting in its accumulation within the high-temperature region of the steam chamber. This, in turn, enhances the contact area between the high-temperature steam and the crude oil, ultimately leading to improvement in production efficiency. Further validation of the impact of nitrogen on steam lateral traction and interlayer steam drainage within the reservoir was confirmed using Xinjiang oilfield testing. The well temperature increased from 75 °C to 130 °C. Full article

Determination of language hemispheric dominance (HD) in patients undergoing evaluation for epilepsy surgery has traditionally relied on the sodium amobarbital (Wada) test. The emergence of non-invasive methods for determining language laterality has increasingly shown to be a viable alternative. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and magnetoencephalography (MEG), compared to the Wada test, in determining language HD in a sample of 12 patients. TMS-induced speech errors were classified as speech arrest, semantic, or performance errors, and the HD was based on the total number of errors in each hemisphere with equal weighting of all errors (classic) and with a higher weighting of speech arrests and semantic errors (weighted). Using MEG, HD for language was based on the spatial extent of long-latency activity sources localized to receptive language regions. Based on the classic and weighted language laterality index (LI) in 12 patients, TMS was concordant with the Wada in 58.33% and 66.67% of patients, respectively. In eight patients, MEG language mapping was deemed conclusive, with a concordance rate of 75% with the Wada test. Our results indicate that TMS and MEG have moderate and strong agreement, respectively, with the Wada test, suggesting they could be used as non-invasive substitutes. Full article

Exercise training integrating physical and cognitive activities is gaining attention because of its potential benefits for brain health. This study focuses on exercise training using a dart game called Wellness Darts. Wellness Darts is a sport involving throwing darts and walking to pull them out of the board, memorizing the score, and subtracting this from the total score, thus requiring the simultaneous performance of two tasks: exercise and calculation. This is expected to maintain and improve cognitive function, and whether this continual darts training affects brain function is of great interest. Before conducting the longitudinal study revealing its effect on brain function, we aimed to cross-sectionally confirm the difference in hemispheric lateralization between expert and non-expert players. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to measure brain activity for three groups: an expert older group who practiced darts continually, a non-expert older control group, and a non-expert younger control group. Their brain activity patterns were quantified by the lateralization index (LI) and compared between groups. The results showed that the younger and the expert older groups had significantly higher LI values than the non-expert older group, and there was no difference between the expert older and the younger groups. Our results suggest that the Wellness Darts game possibly promotes hemispheric lateralization. Full article

Verbal fluency is one of the most severely impaired components of cognitive function in schizophrenia and is also impaired in at-risk mental states (ARMSs) for psychosis. The aim of this study was to explore the markers of disease progression in subjects with ARMSs by comparing the association between the white matter integrity of the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) and verbal fluency in subjects with ARMSs and healthy control (HC) subjects. The correlations of the fractional anisotropy (FA) values on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and the laterality index (LI) values of SLF branches I, II, and III with the verbal fluency performance were analyzed in right-handed subjects with ARMSs (ARMS group; n = 18) and HC subjects (HC group; n = 34) aged 18 to 40 years old. In the HC group compared with the ARMS group, the LI values suggested right lateralization of the SLF II and III. Letter fluency was significantly correlated with the LI of the SLF III in both the ARMS and HC groups. The regression coefficient (β) of this correlation was calculated using the least squares method and yielded a positive number (73.857) in the ARMS group and a negative number (−125.304) in the HC group. The association of the rightward asymmetry of the SLF III with the verbal fluency performance observed in the HC group appeared to be lost in the ARMS group, and this could serve as one of the markers of the pathological progression to psychosis in patients with schizophrenia. Full article

Pavement roughness serves as a crucial indicator for evaluating road performance. However, traditional measurement methods, such as laser detection vehicles, are limited to providing roughness values for a single profile, failing to capture the overall pavement condition comprehensively. To address this limitation, this study utilized high-precision light detection and ranging technology (LiDAR) to acquire three-dimensional point cloud data for a 25 km road section in Shanghai. Road elevations were extracted from different lateral survey lines. Subsequently, variance analysis and the Kruskal–Wallis non-parametric test were conducted to evaluate the differences in the lateral distribution and longitudinal variability of the pavement roughness. The findings revealed significant differences in the international roughness index (IRI) among the survey lines within the road section. Moreover, the observed variations in the lateral distribution of pavement roughness were influenced by the characteristics of the road section itself. Roads exhibiting discrete roughness patterns displayed a higher likelihood of significant detection disparities. Additionally, it was discovered that the discrepancy between the detection length and the actual road length introduced volatility in repeated detection results, necessitating a limitation of this discrepancy to 30 m. Consequently, it has been recommended to consider the lateral distribution of pavement roughness and to regulate the detection length in road performance evaluations to enhance reliability and facilitate more accurate maintenance decision making. The study highlights the importance of incorporating comprehensive assessment approaches for pavement roughness in road management practices. Full article

Typically, the process of visual tracking and position prediction of floating garbage on water surfaces is significantly affected by illumination, water waves, or complex backgrounds, consequently lowering the localization accuracy of small targets. Herein, we propose a small-target localization method based on the neurobiological phenomenon of lateral inhibition (LI), discrete wavelet transform (DWT), and a parameter-designed fire-controlled modified simplified pulse-coupled neural network (PD-FC-MSPCNN) to track water-floating garbage floating. First, a network simulating LI is fused with the DWT to derive a denoising preprocessing algorithm that effectively reduces the interference of image noise and enhances target edge features. Subsequently, a new PD-FC-MSPCNN network is developed to improve the image segmentation accuracy, and an adaptive fine-tuned dynamic threshold magnitude parameter $V$ and auxiliary parameter $P$ are newly designed, while eliminating the link strength parameter. Finally, a multiscale morphological filtering postprocessing algorithm is developed to connect the edge contour breakpoints of segmented targets, smoothen the segmentation results, and improve the localization accuracy. An effective computer vision technology approach is adopted for the accurate localization and intelligent monitoring of water-floating garbage. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms other methods in terms of the overall comprehensive evaluation indexes, suggesting higher accuracy and reliability. Full article

The interpretation of fMRI data in glioblastoma (GB) is challenging as these tumors exhibit specific hemodynamic processes which, together with malignancy, tumor volume and proximity to eloquent cortex areas, may lead to misinterpretations of fMRI signals. The aim of this study was to investigate if different radiologically defined GB tumor growth patterns may also influence the fMRI signal, activation pattern and functional connectivity differently. Sixty-four patients with left-hemispheric glioblastoma were included and stratified according to their radiologically defined tumor growth pattern into groups with a uniform (U-TGP) or diffuse tumor growth pattern (D-TGP). Task-based fMRI data were analyzed using SPM12 with the marsbar, LI and CONN toolboxes. The percent signal change and the laterality index were analyzed, as well as functional connectivity between 23 selected ROIs. Comparisons of both patient groups showed only minor non-significant differences, indicating that the tumor growth pattern is not a relevant influencing factor for fMRI signal. In addition to these results, signal reductions were found in areas that were not affected by the tumor underlining that a GB is not a localized but rather a systemic disease affecting the entire brain. Full article

Crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD) has been widely investigated in patients with supratentorial stroke. However, the role of CCD in lower limb recovery after stroke is still unknown. In this study, using a region-of-interest-based analysis of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), a total of 44 cases of stroke within 3 months onset were enrolled for assessment of the cerebral peduncle (CP) and middle cerebellar peduncles (MCP) in CCD. Compared with the control group, the fractional anisotropy ratio (rFA) and laterality index (LI) of the CP and MCP in the stroke group significantly decreased. The rFA of the MCP (unaffected side/affected side) showed a more significant correlation with 1-year paresis grading (PG), lower extremity PG, upper extremity PG, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and functional independence measure (FIM) motor item score, in comparison to the rFA of the CP (affected side/unaffected side) (r = −0.698 vs. r = −0.541, r = −0.651 vs. r = −0.386, r = −0.642 vs. r = −0.565, r = −0.519 vs. r = −0.403, and r = 0.487 vs. r = 0.435, respectively). Furthermore, the LI of the CP had a more significant association with 1-year Brunel Balance Assessment (BBA), upper extremity PG, and Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) as compared to the LI of the MCP (r = 0.573 vs. r = 0.452; r = −0.554 vs. r = −0.528; and r = −0.494 vs. r = −0.344, respectively). We set the cutoff point for the MCP rFA at 0.925 (sensitivity: 79% and specificity: 100%) for predicting lower extremity motor function prognosis and found the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of MCP rFA was larger than that of CP rFA (0.893 vs. 0.737). These results reveal that the MCP may play a significant role in the recovery of walking ability after stroke. Full article