Monte Carlo simulation of a Brazilian type III facility for gamma radiography with 192Ir sources for radiation protection purposes.

Screening of external 137Cs hotspots using standing type whole body monitor and quantification of internal contamination using HPGe-based in-vitro analysis.

Noninvasive measurement of exchange is paramount in different fields, ranging from material to biological sciences. Unaccounted exchange may even blur microstructural or other characteristics of multicompartmental systems studied by MR methods. Despite the growing interest in diffusion-exchange studies of complex systems, comparative studies remain scarce. Most existing investigations have applied different diffusion MR methods to different biological samples under varying experimental conditions, making direct comparisons difficult. Moreover, the lack of a gold standard for exchange rate measurements further complicates efforts to validate and interpret results. To address these challenges, we employed two diffusion NMR-based methods-the constant-gradient pulsed-field gradient (CG-PFG) and the recently introduced filter-exchange NMR spectroscopy (FEXSY)-to investigate apparent water exchange in yeast cells and optic nerves, both before and after fixation. We first evaluated the effect of the values on the extracted indices and then evaluated the repeatability and reproducibility of the measurements. The CG-PFG and FEXSY experiments were collected on the same sample to allow comparison of the results. The intracellular mean residence times (MRTs) ( ) extracted from the log-linear fit of the CG-PFG NMR experiments were found to be and for yeast cells before and after fixation, respectively. The respective values extracted from the FEXSY experiments before and after fixation were found to be and . Despite the difference in absolute values of MRTs, the same qualitative behavior is observed in the two methodologies, and both could be analyzed using the bicompartmental Kärger model. The same methodologies were then used to study exchange in the more complex porcine optic nerves. There, the bicompartmental Kärger model analysis is shown to be inadequate. Extensive Monte Carlo simulations are used to narrow down on the most possible explanation, suggesting that optic nerves are multicompartmental systems where not all spins are free to undergo exchange. Supporting theoretical calculations point to the existence of at least one additional nonexchanging restricted compartment. Thus, a tricompartmental model is derived and used to analyze the data. The new model fits the data significantly better and results in dramatically different exchange rates when used on white matter (WM) data: CG-PFG experiments were found to be and for optic nerves before and after fixation, respectively. The respective values extracted from the FEXSY experiments before and after fixation were found to be and . These values are considerably lower than the values previously reported. Finally, we use simulations to show that the quantitative discrepancy between CG-PFG and FEXSY can be attributed, at least partially, to the difference in values between the intracellular and extracellular compartments. We thus encourage the pairing of exchange and spin-spin relaxation measurements in future studies. We end with a discussion on the current state of the diffusion-exchange field, where we attempt to put a spotlight on essential corner stones that are still missing despite the great advance of recent years: experimental standardization, method comparison, and adequate modeling.

Real-time SiPM gain variation compensation system using count rate measurements

Response of human iPSC-cardiomyocytes to adrenergic drugs assessed by high-throughput pericellular oxygen measurements and computational modeling.

The circadian clock plays a critical role in coordinating energy metabolism across tissues, including brown adipose tissue (BAT), a major site of nonshivering thermogenesis. This study aimed to elucidate the cell-autonomous role of the peripheral circadian clock in brown adipocyte thermogenesis using an in vitro model independent of extrinsic cues. Primary brown adipocytes were differentiated from the stromal vascular fraction of interscapular BAT isolated from C57BL/6J mice. An in vitro model of BAT clock disruption was established by siRNA-mediated knockdown of the core clock gene Bmal1. Thermogenic function was assessed via measurement of oxygen consumption rate (OCR) using an extracellular flux analyzer. To further assess the thermogenic process, protein expression levels of lipolytic enzymes and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complexes were analyzed by Western blotting. Bmal1-knockdown markedly reduced both basal and β-adrenergic-stimulated OCR, indicating impaired thermogenic function, despite comparable cellular differentiation, preserved β-adrenergic responsiveness, and elevated uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) expression. Notably, Bmal1-deficient cells exhibited decreased protein expression of key lipolytic enzymes, adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), as well as multiple mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) subunits, suggesting decreased free fatty acid supply and reduced mitochondrial ability to generate the proton gradient required for UCP1-mediated thermogenesis. The peripheral circadian clock in brown adipocytes supports thermogenic function by regulating lipid mobilization and mitochondrial oxidative function, thus its disruption may lead to decreased energy expenditure and increased susceptibility to metabolic disorders.

Real-time monitoring of particle loading in gas-solid two-phase flows is essential for process design, control, and optimization. This study introduces a new correlation to estimate both particle concentration and gas flow rate in dilute gas-particle flows using a vortex flow meter. It employs the Eulerian-Eulerian approach to investigate the particles’ effect on vortex shedding in a vortex flowmeter with a hybrid triangular T bluff body. The impacts of volume fraction, particle size, and Reynolds number on turbulence, pressure oscillation, and Strouhal number were analyzed. Particle loading decreased the shedding frequency by 28%–61% for 0.01% particle volume fraction. Unlike in single-phase flows, the Strouhal number varies with Reynolds number and declines in two-phase flow due to interphase momentum exchange and turbulence suppression. Analysis of parameters along the flowmeter’s centerline showed a reduction in lateral velocity and turbulence kinetic energy. A new empirical correlation was proposed to estimate the particle mass fraction ( Y p ) based on the normalized pressure drop relative to the single-phase baseline, incorporating a hydrodynamic correction factor to account for particle-fluid interactions. The study was conducted over a Reynolds number range of 39,334–191,000, and Stokes numbers from 0.4 to 1.8. The particle mass fraction ( Y p ) can be predicted with errors of less than 7%, over the particle volume fraction range of 0.01% to 0.075%, across the studied Reynolds number range. These findings support using a vortex flowmeter for simultaneous flow rate measurement and particle concentration monitoring in dilute two-phase flows.

Metabolic rate is a critical indicator of animal health, with respiration and heart rate used as common proxies for energetic expenditure. Infrared thermography (IRT) was previously paired with Eulerian video magnification (EVM) to capture changes in temperature associated with exhalation and blood flow for accurate and non-invasive measurements of respiration and heart rate. These techniques have been tested in a range of taxa, but only in controlled settings at zoological institutions and with imaging conducted at short range (~ 1m distance). This study aims to validate IRT-EVM in wild populations with minimal disturbance and under variable environmental conditions, and to determine the maximum distance that animals can be imaged for accurate vital sign measurements. Infrared videos were taken of seals in two dramatically different environments including northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris, n = 12) in North America and Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii, n = 23) in Antarctica. 'True' respiration and heart rates were collected simultaneously by visually monitoring movement of the ribcage/nostrils and stethoscope/ECG readings, respectively. Using IRT-EVM, respiration rate was extracted from 74.3% of individuals while heart rate was measured in 93.3% of individuals, both with high accuracy (mean absolute error, respiration rate: 1.3 brpm; heart rate: 7.4bpm). Infrared-derived measurements were resilient to individual characteristics (species, body mass, molt status, blubber thickness, age class) but were impacted by wind speed, animal movement, and ambient temperature. Signal noise introduced by wind could be filtered out to still yield accurate vital signs. Camera resolution directly influenced the distance that respiration and heart rates could be measured. In this study, we demonstrate that IRT-EVM is a powerful, non-invasive method for assessing vital signs in free-living pinnipeds. These imaging techniques are likely to be applicable towards study of other mammalian species, with appropriate validations for use in new field environments to ensure accuracy of IRT-EVM derived vital sign measurements is maintained. This work makes strides towards monitoring wildlife metabolic indices to evaluate impacts of intra-annual and longer-term environmental change on population health.

This study evaluates Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) performance in the Ibrahim Tower Phase 1 Construction Project at Roemani Muhammadiyah Hospital, Semarang, using a field-based empirical quantitative descriptive-evaluative approach. The research integrates hazard identification, frequency rate measurement, and assessment of preventive implementation to determine overall safety performance. From 203 identified potential hazards within the project’s SMK3 documentation, 39 were verified as actual occurrences, representing 19.21 percent of the total identified hazards. Frequency Rate calculations based on 985,600 working hours indicate that all actual hazard variables fall within the low-risk category (FR ≤ 5), demonstrating controlled accident intensity. Questionnaire analysis involving managerial and operational personnel reveals good to very good levels of preventive implementation, supporting the low frequency findings. The integration of documented safety systems, empirical verification, quantitative risk measurement, and organizational commitment suggests that the project’s OHS management system functions effectively.

Currently, research on the application of luminous environments in exercise is limited. This study addresses this gap by simulating a badminton game through somatosensory games streamed on television within a laboratory, where different luminous environments were established. A total of 40 participants, comprising 22 males and 18 females aged between18 and 50years, participated in the experiment. The exercise process encompasses six stages: resting 1, warming up, exercising 1, resting 2, exercising 2, and relaxing, with a total duration of approximately one hour. Throughout the experiment, continuous measurement of heart rate (HR), skin conductance level (SCL), and electroencephalogram (EEG) data were recorded. Additionally, participants completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) during the warming-up and relaxing stages. The results indicate correlations between physiological and psychological responses and the luminous environment at different stages of exercise. This study empolys a multidisciplinary approach, integrating concepts from architectural optics, sports psychology, and exercise physiology. By simulating exercise in different lighting environments through a combination of real light environments and somatosensory interaction technology, it offers an innovative solution for conducting controlled lighting experiments in indoor settings. Furthermore, a parameter system for the light environment in indoor fitness exercises has been established, providing a theoretical foundation and data support for constructing a "human-centered" fitness lighting environment.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the effect of classical Turkish music on pain and anxiety levels in patients undergoing thyroid fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). Methods: In this prospective study, a total of 84 patients who underwent thyroid FNAB were enrolled. Participants were assigned to two groups. Patients in group 1 served as the control group, while those in group 2 listened to classical Turkish music during the procedure. Sociodemographic characteristics, vital signs, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, and State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) scores were recorded. Results: No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of marital status, educational level, employment status, sex and age (p>0.05). Additionally, pre- and post-procedural measurements of heart rate, oxygen saturation, diastolic blood pressure and , systolic blood pressure were comparable between the groups (p>0.05). However, post-procedural SAI and VAS were significantly lower in group 2, with mean values of 35.84±5.04 and 3.18±0.73, respectively, compared with group 1 (p=0.004 and p

The pyrolysis kinetics of NH3 and NH3-relevant radicals are of importance for the implementation of NH3 as a fuel. The pyrolysis of NH2 radicals was therefore studied behind reflected shock waves using 7-243 ppm of N2H4 to generate NH2 in bath gases of Ar and N2. Post-shock conditions spanned 2900-4600 K and 0.41-0.94 atm. Sensitive laser absorption diagnostics allowed NH and NH2 concentrations to be monitored simultaneously under highly dilute conditions. Sensitivities of measured time-histories to secondary reactions were therefore suppressed, enabling low-uncertainty measurements of reaction rates for NH2 + M ↔ NH + H + M (R1), NH + M ↔ N + H + M (R2), and the first direct, high-temperature measurements of NH + H ↔ N + H2 (R3) in the written direction. The first chaperon efficiency measurements for N2 relative to Ar (ηN2) were obtained for R1 and R2. Rate constant expressions and their associated temperature ranges as well as ηN2 values are summarized below: .

Control over the charge of a nanoparticle (NP) in a radiofrequency ion trap is crucial for mass spectrometric and charge dependent investigations of single NPs. We show how this is achieved for positively charged silica NPs (nominal diameter 100 nm, 350-1400 e) with a simple experimental realization using a standard cold cathode gauge. The change of the NP charge is the result of processes, where electrons and cations interact with the trapped NP. We investigated how NP charging depends on pressure and gas type as well as on the ion trap amplitude and waveform, which can be used for charging and discharging in a wide NP charge range. The measurement of average charging rates as a function of the NPs' charge for widely varied experimental parameters allows us to capture essential relationships between gas pressure, NP charge, trap potential and net charging rates. The acceleration of gas cations by the trap potential is shown to be the driver of electron abstraction from the NP by gas cations and thereby makes high NP charges accessible.

Measurement of the turnover rate of proteins, different metabolites and lipids in living organisms is important for the understanding of biochemical pathways and physiology studies. Such experiments can be performed by administering isotopically labeled substances (food or water) to the organism and measuring the amount of the isotopes in the endogenous compounds. Here, we administered 20% heavy water (D2O) to a guinea pig for 156 days and regularly measured the deuterium uptake in C-H groups in the different compounds of blood, urine and feces using high-resolution mass spectrometry. We successfully measured the time required for reaching the maximum deuteration level for several classes of compounds: 10 days for blood lipids (PC, PE, TAG); 60 days for sterol derivatives, heme B and hemoglobin; and 70 days for stercobilin. Also, for those compounds, we measured the deuterium elimination time from the organism when deuterium administration was stopped. The turnover of lipids was also studied by administering deuterated oat leaves grown at 10% D2O to the guinea pig. The analysis of blood revealed that triglycerides demonstrate the inclusion of the deuterium after 5 h. All experiments were performed on a single guinea pig that remained alive and in good health after all experiments. The current research demonstrates the possibility of using long-term D2O administration for the investigation of metabolism.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a well-known opportunistic pathogen in humans and can cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients. This pathogen has developed resistance to β-lactam antibiotics due to the expression of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) genes, leading to current treatment challenges in these patients. Bacteriophages are alternative and effective treatment options against multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. In this study, a lytic bacteriophage was isolated from untreated sewage, tested against multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae strains, and evaluated for its therapeutic potential in vitro. This study presents the microbiological, physicochemical, and genomic characterization of a virulent bacteriophage. The phage was studied by electron microscopy, host range analysis, multiplicity of infection (MOI) determination, adsorption rate measurement, burst size calculation, latent period assessment, stability testing to temperature, chloroform, pH and salt stress, and biofilm removal ability evaluation demonstrated by SEM; the bacteriophage genome was studied by complete genome sequencing. The phage exhibited a broad and highly specific host range for K. pneumoniae strains. Its stability under stress conditions, including changes in temperature, pH, salt concentration, and exposure to chloroform, was 64.63%, 52.79%, 68.36%, and 98.92%, respectively. The one-step growth curve results demonstrated that the bacteriophage had a latent period of 30min and a burst size of approximately 98 plaque-forming units per infected cell (PFU/cell). Adsorption assays revealed that 92% of isolated phages adsorbed to bacterial cells within 5min. Additionally, the bacteriophage showed inhibitory activity against bacterial growth at an MOI 1. The biofilm removal assay demonstrated that the phage eliminated over 93% of the cellular biomass, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Whole-genome analysis showed that it belongs to the Loughboroughvirus genus. The phage has a linear, double-stranded DNA genome with a length of 55,637bp and a GC content of 45.9%. The genome encodes 76 open reading frames (ORFs), including structural proteins, DNA metabolism enzymes, lysis modules, and packaging proteins. No tRNAs, lysogenic genes, or virulence factors were detected in the genome. Characterization of phage VB_KpM-AEV23 demonstrated its high host specificity against K. pneumoniae, making it a suitable candidate for phage therapy applications.

Ultralow-cross-linked microgels serve as powerful model systems for investigating structure-rheology relationships in soft colloidal suspensions. Using precipitation polymerization, we obtain both self-cross-linked microgels with a weakly cross-linked core, surrounded by an ultrasoft corona (ULC), and regular cross-linked (RC) microgels. ULC microgel suspensions exhibit distinctive rheological responses in crowded conditions. Their linear viscoelastic behavior shares features with critical-like gels, characterized by G' ∼ G″ ∼ ωn. Large-amplitude-oscillatory-shear measurements reveal a solid-liquid transition reminiscent of polymeric networks lacking a G″ overshoot during yielding. Stress-shear strain rate measurements further reveal shear-thinning with a power-law behavior at low shear strain rates, σ ∼ γ̇∼0.25. We attribute this behavior to a fine-tuned balance between polymeric and colloidal contributions. This rheological response to crowding establishes ULC microgels as emergent soft nanocolloids with potential biological relevance, particularly as analogues for the heterogeneity in mechanical softness (compressibility) observed in cell membranes.

Introduction & Purpose: Wearable devices using photoplethysmography (PPG) are increasingly used for non-invasive monitoring of physiological responses during daily life and physical activity. However, accuracy can vary with movement and sensor placement, and continuous validation remains essential. Compared with wrist-worn devices, upper-arm placements showed higher-quality PPG signals and are less affected by motion artefacts (Schweizer & Gilgen-Ammann, 2025). This study aimed to validate heart rate (HR) measurements obtained from the Polar 360 upper-arm strap across a wide range of activities and intensities. Methods: Fourteen healthy adults (7 females; 173.4 ± 9.0cm, 71.9 ± 10.2kg, 33.4 ± 9.2years) with fair skin completed six laboratory-based activities, each separated by a two minutes of transition/rest: (1) 2min lying, (2) 5min sitting, (3) treadmill walking–jogging–running–jogging–walking sequence (5×3min), (4) ergometer cycling at low–moderate–high–very high–low intensities (5×3min), (5) 8min strength training circuits, and (6) 8min high-intensity interval training (HIIT) circuits. HR was measured concurrently using the Polar 360 PPG (1Hz) sensor worn on the non-dominant upper arm and the Polar H10 electrocardiogram (ECG, 1Hz) chest strap as criterion. HR data were averaged in 10-s intervals and analyzed for systematic bias (mean difference), mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) (McBride, 2005), and the percentage of data within ±5bpm of the criterion. Results: Criterion HR values ranged from 69.4 ± 11.9bpm (lying) to 161.1 ± 15.9bpm (HIIT). Overall, the Polar 360 showed substantial agreement with the criterion (bias = −0.65bpm, MAE = 1.93bpm, MAPE = 1.62%, CCC = 0.987), with 92.3% of 10-s HR intervals within ±5bpm of the H10 reference. Activity-specific accuracy varied markedly: cycling showed excellent agreement (bias = −0.02bpm, MAE = 0.62bpm, MAPE = 0.44%, CCC = 0.999, 99.5% within ±5bpm), whereas HIIT produced poorer results (bias = −1.93bpm, MAE = 4.18bpm, MAPE = 2.71%, CCC = 0.828, 81.3% within ±5bpm). Walking demonstrated near-excellent agreement, lying yielded similarly low accuracy as HIIT, and sitting and strength training showed moderate agreement (CCC = 0.904 and 0.910, respectively). Discussion & Conclusion: The Polar 360 demonstrated strong overall validity for HR measurement compared with ECG, though accuracy varied by activity. Consistent with previous findings, PPG-based HR accuracy decreased with greater motion and reduced peripheral blood flow (Schweizer & Gilgen-Ammann, 2025). Nevertheless, the Polar 360 outperformed most commercial wearables across comparable activity conditions. Its combination of accuracy, comfortable upper-arm placement, and long battery life make it a promising alternative to ECG-based chest straps for continuous HR monitoring in both research and applied settings.

Band-selective excitation short-transient (BEST) sequences are widely used for protein NMR experiments that start with amide proton magnetization, such as 1H-15N HSQC, 1H-15N TROSY, and multidimensional backbone assignment experiments, because the optimization of amide proton longitudinal relaxation afforded by the BEST methodology allows for much greater sensitivity when using short scan times. Here we show that the BEST methodology can be easily incorporated in sequences for measuring proton transverse relaxation rates (1H R2), which are typically used to determine paramagnetic relaxation enhancements (PREs). The resulting BEST-HSQC-PRE and BEST-TROSY-PRE experiments afford similar or better sensitivity for measuring PREs compared to previous methods, provide equally accurate measurements of transverse relaxation rates (and therefore PREs), and allow shorter scan times to be used.

ABSTRACT This preliminary study aimed to develop and test a solid propellant composition that would ensure a high burning rate. The burning rate measurement was conducted using the laboratory rocket micromotor. The materials were prepared using ammonium perchlorate (AP), hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene or poly(glycidyl azide) (GAP), and various additives: catocene, iron(III) oxide (Fe 2 O 3 ), aluminum, octogen, trimethylolethane trinitrate (TMETN), and others. The results showed that GAP‐based solid rocket propellants have the highest performance among the tested materials. Applying an energetic GAP binder and plasticizer TMETN with the bimodal fine and coarse oxidizer AP system improved the viscosity while increasing the burning rate and specific impulse. The highest in terms of the burning rate were the compositions, which contain a mixture of catocene and nano‐sized Fe 2 O 3 as a catalyst. This solid rocket propellant composition achieved a burning rate approx. 60 mm/s in the 300–350 bar range. A gas‐dynamic control system is one potential application for the developed propellant.

Commercial wearable devices allow for continuous heart rate (HR) monitoring in daily life. Their accuracy under ecologically valid conditions, however, remains insufficiently independently tested, especially during irregular activity, cognitive stress, and variable climates. This study evaluated the HR accuracy of 10 commercially available wearables under controlled variations in physical activity, cognitive stress, and temperature. We hypothesized that physical activity irregularity, cognitive stress, and thermal climate conditions would affect measurement accuracy. Forty-five healthy adults (21-68, mean 34, SD 12 y) completed a standardized protocol in climate-controlled chambers simulating neutral (23 °C), hot (36 °C), and cold (10 °C) conditions. Tasks included rest, cognitive stress (Montreal Imaging Stress Task), steady walking, and intermittent walking. Each of the 10 devices (Fitbit Charge 6, Fitbit Inspire 3, Garmin Vivosmart 5, Garmin Vivoactive 5, Apple Watch SE, Google Pixel Watch 2, Polar Ignite 3, Polar Pacer, Xiaomi Watch 2, and Oura Ring Gen 3) was compared against electrocardiogram-derived HR from a Zephyr BioHarness chest strap. Accuracy was assessed using mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), repeated-measures concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and Bland-Altman analysis. Significant variability across the devices was observed. Fitbit Charge 6 (MAE 4.5 bpm, MAPE 5.5%, CCC 0.93) and Google Pixel Watch 2 (MAE 4.9 bpm, MAPE 6.7%, CCC 0.87) showed strong agreement with the gold standard. In contrast, Fitbit Inspire 3, Polar Ignite 3, Polar Pacer, and Oura Ring displayed larger errors (MAE 9-14 bpm, MAPE 11%-16%) and lower CCC values (0.45-0.66). The climate conditions did not significantly affect the measurement accuracy of the test devices. The activity type, however, did have a significant effect: intermittent walking increased errors for multiple devices. Wearable HR measurement accuracy is device-specific and context-dependent. Moderate climates did not impair performance, but irregular movement reduced accuracy. Fitbit Charge 6 and Google Pixel Watch 2 demonstrated the highest reliability, supporting their use in health and sports monitoring. Careful device selection and context-aware interpretation remain critical for applied and clinical applications.