Mammography measurements are commonly conducted in a radiation field of standard size without additional collimation of the primary beam. International standards, protocols and guidelines propose half-value layer (HVL) measurements under narrow beam conditions, which are not applied in clinical measurements. The HVL was measured using an ionization chamber and X-ray multimeters (XMMs) in different field collimations in radiation qualities commonly encountered in mammography. The impact of field size on measured HVL was examined for Mo/Mo, Mo/Rh, W/Rh and W/Ag anode/filter combinations, for X-ray tube voltages of 25kV, 28kV, 30kV and 35kV. Field size has a significant influence on the HVL measured with the ionization chamber. Up to 5% differences were observed and it was impacted by irradiation geometry (field shape and usage of compression paddle) and radiation quality. The XMMs do not have similar behaviour. With ionization chambers, the HVL should be measured following the definition in a narrow beam without scatter. The XMMs are not so sensitive to scattered radiation but they should have a traceable calibration in terms of HVL for specific radiation qualities in use.

Radiotherapy (RT) is an important tool for cancer treatment, enabling the delivery of curative doses to tumors while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. Advances in beam delivery techniques and precise image-guidance systems have significantly reduced radiation exposure to normal tissues; however, treatment-related side effects remain a major limitation. To address these challenges, novel preclinical strategies are being explored. This study investigated minibeam radiotherapy (MBRT), which employs narrow (>100 microns) parallel beams of X-rays that produce a distinctive peak-and-valley dose distribution. We aimed to assess the efficacy and skin toxicity of MBRT compared to conventional radiotherapy (CONV), and to examine the role of macrophages in treatment response. We used a syngeneic glioblastoma mouse model, created by subcutaneously injecting [Formula: see text] GL261 cells into the flank, and applied single-fraction treatments of MBRT, CONV, or a combined minibeam-conventional regimen (MBRT-CONV). Irradiation was performed using a dedicated, image-guided small animal radiotherapy system, combined with a custom minibeam collimator. We evaluated tumor-specific survival and acute radiation-induced skin damage at macroscopic and microscopic levels through histopathological analysis to compare treatment outcomes. Our results showed that MBRT led to significantly reduced incidence and severity of skin ulceration compared to CONV at high single doses (25-30 Gy), although MBRT alone provided less effective tumor control. Additionally, we evaluated the effects of these treatments on healthy skin to assess the tissue-sparing potential of MBRT. Specifically, we investigated the impact of RT on macrophage recruitment in healthy skin. Based on the rapid inflammatory resolution observed in healthy skin, we implemented a delayed combined treatment strategy to enhance tumor suppression, by administering a CONV dose fraction seven days after the initial MBRT. Among the tested regimens, the 30 Gy MBRT + 5 Gy CONV combination achieved the most pronounced tumor growth delay and survival benefit, while maintaining a low incidence of toxicity.

Luteolin attenuates tramadol-induced parkinsonism-like toxicity by modulating neurotransmitters, neuroinflammation, and GSK-3β signaling in rats.

This work reports the physical, optical, and gamma-ray shielding behavior of the BaO-PbO2-B2O3-Pr6O11 glasses. The present study evaluates the viability of present glasses as transparent shielding materials. The glasses are prepared using the melt-quenching technique. The amorphous nature is verified using X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy. The optical characteristics are evaluated using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, while the radiation shielding competence is experimentally quantified using a narrow beam NaI (Tl) detector setup at 356, 511, 662, 1173, and 1330 keV. The incorporation of BaO, PbO2, and Pr6O11 increased the density of the glasses from 4.252 g cm-3 to a peak of 4.898 g cm-3. The UV-Vis spectra exhibited four distinctive absorption peaks at ~446, 472, 484, and 582 nm, confirming the active presence of Pr3+ ions. The addition of BaO, PbO2, and Pr6O11 facilitated the formation of non-bridging oxygens, which resulted in a decrease in the optical band gap (Eg) from 2.467 eV down to 2.138 eV. The experimental radiation shielding data confirmed that the highest concentration of BaO, PbO2, and Pr6O11 improved the attenuation coefficients across the tested energy spectrum. The 3Pr6O11 glass represents a highly promising and practical alternative for transparent radiation shielding windows in diagnostic radiology and nuclear facilities.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating neurological condition that leads to physical dependence, substantial financial burden, and psychological stress. Current for SCI, such as stem cell therapy, pharmacological interventions, and neural implants offer limited functional recovery. Among emerging strategies, exosome-based therapies in nerve damage can reduce neuroinflammation and promote neural repair by angiogenesis and neurogenesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key modulators of inflammatory and regenerative pathways in SCI. Specifically, miR-19a-3p, miR-19b-3p, and miR-27b have been implicated in regulating neuroinflammatory responses, neuronal survival, and tissue remodeling. Dysregulation of these miRNAs following SCI can exacerbate inflammation and hinder recovery. In this study, exosomes were extracted and characterized using flowcytometry for surface markers CD81 and CD9, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and Zeta potential analysis. Thirty-two female rats were randomly assigned into four groups: laminectomy only, contusion, contusion + PBS, and contusion + exosomes. SCI were induced using contusion model and thirty minutes after the injury, the exosome-treated group received an intravenous injection of 100 μl of exosomes via the tail vein for 7 days. Motor and behavioral functions were assessed through the open-field test, Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scale and narrow beam test (NBT). Eight weeks after the SCI, real time PCR, Western blotting was utilized to assess changes in inflammatory cytokines, while histological changes were observed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and stereology. In vivo experiments showed that the administration of exosomes significantly enhanced functional recovery and behavioral test outcomes following SCI. The treatment also resulted in a significant reduction in inflammatory cytokine levels and a marked decrease in the size of the cavity in the group treated with exosomes. Molecular analysis revealed that exosome therapy modulated the expression of miR-19a-3p, miR-19b-3p, and miR-27b, which are key regulators of neuroinflammation and neural repair. These findings suggest that exosomes hold strong therapeutic potential for treating SCI by modulating inflammation and promoting neural repair. Collectively, these findings indicate a potential mechanism through which exosomes exert their neuroprotective effects, particularly by regulating inflammatory and regenerative pathways.

Recently, researchers focused on utilizing agricultural waste, such as rice straw, to prepare eco-friendly green compounds that have industrial applications, rather than burning it, which leads to environmental problems. In this study, a new Mn (lignin/silica/fatty acid) nano-hybrid Mn(LSF) was deposited from the black liquor of rice straw and then mixed with epoxy to prepare bifunctional epoxy coatings for decoration and gamma radiation shielding. The chemical structure and morphology of the Mn(LSF) nano-hybrid were confirmed by FTIR, XRF SEM, EDX, mapping, and TEM. After the synthesis, Mn(LSF) nano-hybrid was integrated into epoxy resin with three proportions (e.g., 2%, 4%, and 8%), and then each coating was painted on plastic substrates with three thicknesses (e.g., 100μm, 150μm, and 200μm) to investigate the effect of the concentration and thickness on the degree of color and gamma radiation shielding. The results revealed that the evaluated Mn(LSF) nano-hybrid is synthesized in nanoscale and its main elements, such as manganese, silica, and carbon, are distributed homogenously in the lignin base. Moreover, the color measurements elucidated that the lightness decreases with increasing the concentration and the thickness; therefore, the darkness increases. Furthermore, the γ-ray shielding ability of the prepared coatings containing Mn(LSF) nano-hybrid throughout an energy range of 0.662, 1.173, and 1.332MeV emitted by the radioactive sources Cs-137 and Co-60 was measured using the narrow beam transmission method and a NaI (Tl) scintillation detector. The measurements depict an enhancement in the linear attenuation coefficient with increasing the Mn(LSF) nano-hybrid substitution in the coatings. The linear attenuation coefficient increased by 17.83%, 18.30%, and 18.14% at 0.662MeV, 1.173MeV, and 1.332MeV, respectively, as Mn(LSF) nano-hybrid rise across the concentration of 2% to 8%.

Huntington's disease (HD) is an enormously destructive autosomal hereditary neurodegenerative disease that results in malfunction of motor, psychological, and cognitive deficits. The neurotoxin 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA) is known to induce HD-like signs in the in vivo rat model. The current research is aimed at defining the defensive properties of pinostrobin (PSB) against 3-NPA-induced HD in rats. Wistar rats were used as a test model, and PBS (10, 20, and 40mg/kg, per oral) was administered before 3-NPA (10mg/kg i.p.) treatment for 15days. To assess neurodegeneration, behavioural tests such as the narrow beam walk, rotarod test, open field test,and grip strength test were performed. The effect of PSB on 3-NPA induced alterations on lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, and catalase), neurotransmitter levels (dopamine serotonin, glutamate, and GABA), Complex I (ATP generation) and Complex II (succinate dehydrogenase) cytokines levels (tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and IL-6), programmed cell-death marker levels (Caspase-3 and Caspase-9), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was assessed by brain striatum homogenate. In silico analyses, including molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, MM-GBSA binding free energy calculations, principal component analysis, dynamic cross-correlation mapping, and free energy landscape profiling, were conducted to clarify the molecular interactions between PSB and relevant HD-related targets. Results showed that the 3-NPA-induced group of rats had significantly decreased behavioural activity, oxidative stress, neurotransmitter levels, and neuroinflammatory indices. Treatment with PSB improves cognitive functions, increases antioxidant marker levels, modulates inflammatory marker expression, and provides neuroprotection against the tested neurotoxin. Computational analyses, including MD, molecular dynamics, and MM-GBSA free energy profiling, demonstrated favourable binding affinity of PSB with target proteins involved in SDH and BDNF. Thus, PSB may be a promising neuroprotective candidate for managing 3-NPA-induced brain dysfunction and cognitive deficits, which are similar to those observed in Huntington's disease.

Aiming at the problems that existing detection methods struggle to accurately identify early insulation faults of induction motors, are susceptible to interference, and have poor installation adaptability, a non-intrusive detection method for early insulation faults of induction motors based on a microstrip antenna array is proposed. Relying on the low-loss electromagnetic wave transmission characteristic of the heat dissipation hole at the tail of the induction motor, a four-element microstrip antenna array with multiple narrow beams and dual detection frequencies is designed, with the detection frequencies accurately set at 1.14 GHz and 2.23 GHz, which effectively avoids the motor operation noise frequency band (≤300 MHz) and the strong interference frequency band of mobile base stations (900 MHz, 1.8 GHz, 2.4 GHz). Utilizing the high gain and strong directivity of the array antenna, the accurate extraction and amplification of weak electromagnetic wave signals from early insulation fault discharge penetrating through the heat dissipation hole are realized. The full-dimensional simulation design of the antenna array is completed by using HFSS electromagnetic simulation software, and an industrial-grade experimental platform is built to carry out multi-condition verification experiments. The results show that the proposed detection system can realize non-intrusive, non-stop, and non-disassembly identification of early insulation discharge faults in induction motors, with a fault recognition rate of 94% for single faults and 90% for composite faults, and the average signal-to-noise ratio reaches 31.6–35.2 dB. Even under strong industrial electromagnetic interference, the recognition rate remains above 85%. This method overcomes the problems of traditional methods such as severe noise interference, difficult installation, and inability to monitor online, providing a high-efficiency scheme for real-time insulation state monitoring of industrial induction motors with good engineering application value.

Objective.Contemporary particle accelerators allow for the generation of a narrow pencil beam of electrons which can be scanned to deliver a clinical dose distribution at an ultra-high (FLASH) dose rate. This study develops a radiotherapy beam model and discrete ordinates Boltzmann solver for such an accelerator and then applies the method to treatment planning for superficial brain metastases.Approach.Beam profiles for the quasi-monoenergetic 17.5 MeV electron beam from the Photo Injector Test facility at Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron laboratory in Zeuthen (PITZ) were measured at various depths in a water tank using radiochromic film. The incident radiation was modelled as a Gaussian source and the electron distribution in the patient was modelled using classical observations with continuous slowing down approximation (CSDA). This distribution then formed the fixed source component in a discrete ordinates Boltzmann solver. The dose calculation method was then applied to a retrospective study of six patients with superficial brain metastases. The dose due to scanned electrons was compared with that from a single passively scattered proton beam at ultra-high dose rate (UHDR), a proton arc, and a robotic photon treatment.Main results.The calculated dose distribution in a homogeneous water phantom agreed with the measured data to within the 3% experimental uncertainty at all depths. Scanned electron beams were able to provide dose distributions for superficial brain metastases that had a better conformity index than either passively scattered protons or robotic photon treatment (1.02 ± 0.13 versus 1.54 ± 0.13 and 1.35 ± 0.26 respectively; median ± hemi-range; p < 0.05). Brain V12Gyand skin dose were acceptable for all treatments.Significance.The dose calculation provides a fast and efficient method for inverse planning in the potential clinical application of a scanned electron beam at UHDR. The results show that such an approach could be useful in the treatment of superficial target volumes.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves not only progressive memory and cognition deficits but also motor impairments, including disturbed balance and activity levels and gait dysfunction. We examined age-related changes in fine motor skills of an Alzheimer's mouse model, the transgenic 5xFAD, from 3 to 9 months of age (3 M, 9 M), using a battery of behavioral tests including the rotarod for motor coordination and balance, balance beam test for fine motor precision and coordination, and single-pellet reaching test for forelimb dexterity. Rotarod test showed that 9 M 5xFAD mice displayed mild motor coordination deficits, spending less time on the rod and falling at lower speeds than 9 M WT mice. In the balance beam test, 9 M 5xFAD mice exhibited significantly slower traversal times compared to other groups and demonstrated frequent foot slips and dragging behavior with more pronounced effects on the narrower beam. The single-pellet reaching test revealed impaired fine limb movements in 9 M 5xFAD mice, with reduced success rates and slower speed than the other groups. This study showed that 9 M 5xFAD mice exhibited the most impaired performance at each assay in an age-dependent manner, suggesting that the accumulation of the underlying AD-related pathology affects motor function, extending even to fine motor skills.

X-ray radiation protective equipment is essential for ensuring the safety of medical staff. It is therefore important to verify its effectiveness, including confirming the specified lead equivalence ( ), as it is a recognized standard protective value. Current methods require multiple comparative measurements with reference lead sheets, rendering the process laborious, susceptible to errors, and challenging to apply across a large medical facility with diverse protective equipment. To introduce an efficient method for evaluating lead equivalence based on a computational model involving analytical spectrum modeling. The method consists of measuring the transmission of the protective equipment and then translating it into a lead-equivalent thickness using a computational model. In this work, an example implementation is presented utilizing the SpekPy toolkit for spectrum modeling. To validate the method, it was used to estimate the thickness of high-purity lead sheets with known thicknesses (0.1-1.0-mm Pb). Furthermore, its application is demonstrated for two lead-free aprons (0.25- and 0.35-mm ), a lead-vinyl apron (0.5-mm ), a lead-acrylic and a lead-plywood mobile screen (0.5- and 1.0-mm ). Because the approach is based on measuring the transmission utilizing the primary x-ray tube beam (rather than scatter from a phantom), Monte Carlo (MC) simulations were performed to identify x-ray tube settings that reproduce clinically relevant scatter beams. Scatter spectra were simulated for different scatter angles (45 , 90 , 135 ), tube voltages (60-120 kV), and filtration (0.1-1 mm added copper). Analytical primary spectra were then matched to scatter spectra in terms of first and second tenth-value layer (TVL) thicknesses in lead. The method is accurate to within approximately 3% and is suitable for both narrow and broad beams. For broad beams, it is necessary to scale the measured transmission by the buildup factor for lead, as the analytical spectrum model does not account for scatter. This factor, which transfers broad-beam air kerma to narrow-beam air kerma, ranges from 1.0 to 1.5 for 50-120-kV beams incident upon lead sheets with thicknesses of 0.1-1.0mm. Without this factor, the lead equivalence can be underestimated by up to 28%. Using the method developed, it was found that the effectiveness of lead-free aprons decreases by up to 20% for high-kV and high-filtration beams, while other equipment investigated agreed more closely with specifications. The MC simulations of scatter spectra indicated that scatter beams are generally softer than primary beams, with a reduction in TVL by up to 54% (average of 25%). The entire range of scatter-mimicking primary beams can be realized with tube voltages 50-100kV and less than 0.3 mm added copper filtration. The method developed can accurately convert measured transmission into lead equivalence using a computational model, which eliminates the need to handle physical lead sheets. The transmission can be measured using recommended scatter-mimicking x-ray tube beams, derived here for a broader range of scatter angles and clinical beams with higher filtration than has previously beenconsidered.

Conventional volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is limited by its longitudinal field size for large targets, often requiring multiple isocenters, while Helical Tomotherapy (HT) offers superior longitudinal conformity but suffers from prolonged treatment times due to its narrow fan beam. This simulation study proposes a novel spiral volumetric modulated arc therapy (SVMAT) technique designed to bridge this gap by synergizing continuous couch movement with dynamic MLC modulation. The SVMAT technique was implemented on a model of ring-gantry linac with dual-layer staggered MLC. Its core is a direct aperture optimization algorithm that discretizes the delivery path into finite projections, concurrently optimizing MLC aperture, monitor unit weight, gantry angle, and couch position. A comprehensive dosimetric and efficiency comparison was conducted against state-of-the-art VMAT and HT plans for three clinically challenging scenarios: hippocampal-sparing whole-brain radiotherapy (HS-WBRT), bilateral breast radiotherapy (BBRT), and craniospinal irradiation (CSI), including a pediatric subgroup. SVMAT demonstrated comparable or superior target coverage and conformity index to VMAT and HT across all cases. Its most significant advantage was in organ-at-risk (OAR) sparing. For HS-WBRT, SVMAT significantly reduced the maximum (Dmax) and mean (Dmean) doses to the hippocampus compared to both VMAT and HT (p<0.05). For BBRT, SVMAT notably reduced the heart Dmean (4.78±0.86Gy vs. 9.47±3.44Gy) for VMAT. In CSI, SVMAT reduced the lens Dmax by over 33% and the heart Dmean by 36.1%. Also, the pediatric CSI analysis confirmed these benefits, with SVMAT significantly reducing doses to developing organs. Regarding efficiency, SVMAT's beam on time was significantly shorter than HT's across all plans (reductions of 33.1% to 55.3%) and was comparable to the multi-isocenter VMAT in CSI. The SVMAT technique successfully integrates the dynamic delivery of VMAT with the longitudinal integration and single-isocenter capability of HT. By offering enhanced OAR sparing and reduced treatment times, SVMAT represents a significant advancement in radiotherapy, showing immense potential for improving outcomes, especially in vulnerable populations such as pediatric patients.

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is widely used in radiology and radiotherapy, yet accurate dose assessment remains challenging due to wide X-ray beams, nonstandardized dosimetry protocols, and limited beam-collimation options. This study investigated a practical method for obtaining reference Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDI) measurements on a CBCT system by introducing an external tungsten slit to generate a narrow beam compatible with the adopted dosimetry formalisms. Computed tomography air-kerma index measurements were performed using a 10-cm pencil ionization chamber, and dose-area product (DAP) values were obtained directly from the CBCT unit. The effective beam width was determined from projection images, and the system's geometric behaviour was characterized to support future modelling. A conversion factor between CTDI and DAP was derived for a head phantom, illustrating the feasibility and limitations of applying CTDI methodology to CBCT. The findings provide experimental data and geometric information that may support future Monte Carlo simulations and contribute to more standardized CBCT dose assessment.

Abstract Observations made by the Juno spacecraft above Jupiter's polar regions have revealed that electrons accelerated toward Jupiter, which contribute to auroral emissions, are frequently accompanied by electrons accelerated away from Jupiter. These electrons should be observable as narrow electron beams in the middle magnetosphere, in accordance with the principles of adiabatic particle motion. The existence of such beams has been previously reported using data from the Galileo mission, and their relation to auroral processes has been hypothesized. In the present study, we analyze electrons measured by Juno's JEDI instrument in the middle magnetosphere between 13 and 50.5 radial distance and within energies of 30–1,200 keV. The pitch angle distributions of potential electron beams are fitted with an intensity “beamness” function. The presence of narrow beams is demonstrated throughout the observation range. The energy fluxes of auroral and equatorial electron beams are compared by including pitch angle scattering processes along the magnetospheric field lines. This is achieved by solving the pitch angle diffusion equation for different sets of diffusion coefficients. The statistical occurrence distribution and the energy fluxes of the beams are consistent with auroral upward accelerated electrons observed in studies of the polar space environment. This finding provides further support for the hypothesis that the electron beams observed in the middle magnetosphere originate from the auroral acceleration region.

The increasing demand for automation in construction necessitates robotic solutions that can address labor shortages, safety concerns, and efficiency challenges. Humanoid robots, with their human-like form factor, are particularly well-suited for traversing and operating in human-centric construction environments. We presented an integrated humanoid robotic framework designed for robust locomotion and payload transportation across diverse construction surfaces. Our system combines dynamic bipedal walking with effective payload-carrying mechanisms, enabling seamless transitions between surfaces such as flat ground, ramps, stairs, narrow beams, random obstacles, and irregular trenches while carrying loads of up to 9 lb. We employed a unified training approach using reinforcement learning to achieve stable locomotion and real-time adaptation of walking styles based on the surface conditions. Experimental results demonstrate that our framework enables continuous locomotion at speeds up to 0.42 m/s across complex construction environments, showcasing the potential of humanoid robots in construction logistics.

Abstract The development of the 6G standard is related to the spatial multiplexing of multiple subscribers, which requires the creation of EM wave beams with narrow radiation patterns from the MIMO antenna. Application of a superstrate made of a material with epsilon near zero (ENZ) above the antenna element is one of the ways to create a narrow beam of EM waves. In this study, a patch antenna with an ENZ superstrate (Graphene/SiC at 14.8 GHz) in the shape of a rectangular plate with a thickness of d=2 mm is simulated using Ansys Electronics Desktop (HFSS) ®. This antenna system at a frequency of 14.8 GHz converts the radiation from the patch antenna into a beam of EM waves above the superstrate, narrowing the radiation pattern by more than 25 degrees. The optimisation of the distance between the patch antenna and the ENZ superstrate is the reason for a significant increase in the antenna gain from 5.3 dBi to 12.3 dBi, which also shows its high potential for application in the next generation of communication standards.

A continuous beam angle resolution enables precise beam steering and prevents beam squinting, especially in dense environments where large arrays create narrow beams to maximize capacity. This work proposes a continuous beam angle reconfigurable four-element receiver (RX) for the FR3 frequency band. The implemented vector modulator (VM) phase-shifting mechanism is based on the slice-based RX for the coarse stage and phase-shifting polyphase filters (PPFs) in the local oscillator (LO) paths for the fine stage to overcome the limited phase resolution. The beamformer is equipped with current-mode true-time delay (TTD) units to further assist with better linearity performance and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvement at the band edges. Fabricated in TSMC 65-nm complementary metal-oxide–semiconductor (CMOS), the prototype occupies an area of 1.65 mm<sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup>, consuming 14 mA/element centered at 7.5GHz. The measured maximum single-channel gain is 22 dB, with a minimum noise figure (NF) of 7.48 dB while having an <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$S_{11}\lt -10$</tex-math> </inline-formula>dB across 7.28–7.78-GHz input frequency span. A root mean square (rms) phase error of 0.76° is achieved while showing continuous phase shifting over 360°. The TTD units improve the beamformed down-converted 100-MHz wideband (WB) up to 1.5-dB gain at the band edge. Moreover, over-the-air (OTA) measurements show the reception of a single-tone signal at a 297.88-cm distance between RX and a horn antenna.

Background Modern hospital environments require wireless communication systems that ensure electromagnetic interference (EMI) compliance, privacy, and high throughput for mission-critical applications, such as telemetry, medical imaging, and Electronic Health Record (EHR) synchronization. Traditional RF-based wireless systems are susceptible to EMI, limited spectrum availability, and security issues. Direct-Modulated Laser (DML)-based Light Fidelity (LiFi) offers a promising alternative by leveraging the visible spectrum for high-speed, interference-free communication in terms of intended optical emissions. Methods The optimized configuration achieves BER &lt; 10⁻⁹, SNR ≈ 74.94 dB, and Q ≈ 18.84 at 25 m, surpassing hospital reliability thresholds (BER &lt; 10 -9 ; Q &gt; 6). Launch powers ≥ +5 dBm are required beyond ~15 m, modulation indices of 0.8–1.0 yield higher Q across distances, narrow beam divergences (1–2 mrad) maintain stronger SNR, and receiver apertures of 4–6 mm provide a balance between light collection and noise. Results The optimized configuration achieves BER well below commonly cited hospital-grade analytical reliability thresholds (BER &lt; 10⁻⁹), SNR ˜ 74.94 dB, and Q ˜ 18.84 at 25 m, surpassing hospital reliability thresholds (BER &lt; 0 -9 Q &gt; 6). Launch powers = +5 dBm are required beyond ~15 m, modulation indices of 0.8–1.0 yield higher Q across distances, narrow beam divergences (1–2 mrad) maintain stronger SNR, and receiver apertures of 4–6 mm provide a balance between light collection and noise in a best-case, well-aligned configuration. Conclusions This paper introduces a four-parameter DML-LiFi optimization framework unique to a given hospital, which offers a theoretical explanation of link-budget feasibility and parameter sensitivity to idealized indoor environment. These results indicate an upper-bound performance study, and not a demonstration of deployment-ready reliability, and are meant to be used in future experimental and system-level studies that focus on mobility, line-of-sight blockage, ambient-light-induced shot noise, electromagnetic interference pickup, and eye-safety constraints in hospital settings.

Purpose This study investigates the optimization of (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) UAV-based illumination systems using experimental design, Dialux simulations, and image processing methods, with a focus on maximizing lighting performance while minimizing energy consumption. Design/methodology/approach A full factorial experimental design with four factors (circuit status, spot angle, height, and spot efficiency) at multiple levels was employed. Dialux software was used to calculate horizontal and vertical illuminance values and homogeneity indices, while Python-based image processing (OpenCV and polynomial regression) extracted detailed illumination profiles. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was applied in Minitab to evaluate factor significance and to determine the optimal parameter set. Findings The results showed that spot efficiency was the most dominant factor (p < 0.001) across all responses, while height significantly influenced horizontal average illuminance (p = 0.000). The maximum horizontal illuminance (Eyavg) of 7.10 lux was achieved at 10 m with narrow beam efficiency, whereas the minimum specific lighting energy consumption - Ey (SLEC Ey) was 0.010 W/lux under the same conditions. RSM optimization yielded a composite desirability of 1.000, indicating perfect agreement with the target objectives. Model reliability was confirmed with high coefficients of determination (R2 = 86–99%). Originality/value This study introduces a novel optimization framework for UAV-based illumination systems by integrating experimental lighting performance data with RSM. Unlike previous research that mainly focused on communication or surveillance aspects of drones, our work emphasizes quantitative analysis of lighting efficiency and energy consumption under varying operational factors. The combination of ANOVA modeling, surface plots, and desirability functions provides statistically robust results and identifies the optimum operational parameters with high accuracy.

China’s satellite Internet infrastructure is undergoing rapid large scale deployment, in which high frequency three axis canted antennas serve as critical gateway stations for low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks. This application scenario imposes stringent requirements on antenna pointing calibration, including rapid implementation to support large scale deployment, high precision to accommodate narrow beam high frequency antennas, and strong robustness to ensure stable tracking during high elevation zenith pass satellite passes. To meet these demands, this paper proposes a pointing calibration correction framework based on the Marine Predators Algorithm (MPA). Specifically, the pointing model is established by integrating the traditional eight-parameter correction model of radio telescopes with the operation mechanism of a three-axis canted antenna, and the MPA is subsequently leveraged to globally optimize the model parameters. Experimental results show that the proposed method achieves reliable pointing calibration using only 1–2 orbital tracks and significantly improves pointing accuracy, while maintaining stable performance under high-elevation tracking conditions. Furthermore, comparative analysis demonstrates that the proposed MPA outperforms traditional algorithms, such as Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Genetic Algorithm (GA), in terms of optimization efficiency and accuracy. These results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm effectively satisfies the requirements of rapid, high precision, and robust pointing calibration for large scale deployment of high frequency LEO gateway stations.