Search Results (4,719)

Flocs, visible particles formed in sugar-sweetened beverages, reduce clarity and consumer acceptance of products. Their presence can be caused not only by different types of trace impurities in the sugar but also by interactions among beverage components. In this review, scientific reports on acid beverage flocs (ABFs) and alcohol flocs are summarized, the main pathways for their formation are described, and practical options for detecting them and preventing their formation in beverages are compiled. Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 and related guidance, literature searches of Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), PubMed, Food Science and Technology Abstracts (FSTA), CAB Abstracts, and International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis (ICUMSA) resulted in the inclusion of 56 studies. In various types of beverages, complexes formed between proteins (Ps) and polyphenols (PPs) often initiate haze and floc formation, while polysaccharides (dextran, pectin, and starch), silica or silicates, and inorganic ions influence charge balance, particle bridging, and floc growth rate. Ethanol in alcohol beverages can further destabilize colloids and promote aggregation. For beet sugars, saponin–protein interactions are a likely pathway for the formation of ABF, but the available evidence is not consistent. In cane sugars, the reported roles of proteins, polysaccharides, silica, and starch in floc formation vary considerably between studies. For quality assurance, ICUMSA floc tests (GS2-40 and GS2-44) should be complemented by turbidity or haze measurement and colloid characterization such as light scattering, ζ–potential, and infrared IR-based analytical methods supported by chemometrics. Risk mitigation works best as a two-level strategy that combines impurity removal during sugar production and stabilization steps in beverage formulation and storage, including the use of clarification agents and control of pH, temperature, ionic strength, and oxygen exposure. Standardized reporting and validation of rapid predictors against ICUMSA benchmarks remain essential. Full article

Background: Accurate digital impressions are crucial for the long-term success of implant-supported prostheses, with scan bodies playing a pivotal role in transferring the implant position into the virtual model. Recent work has focused on PEEK (polyether-etherketone) scan bodies because their optical behavior may facilitate intraoral scanning; however, the breadth and quality of supporting evidence remain unclear. Methods: This scoping review followed PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines and was registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF; Registration DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/CU3V8). Pub-Med/MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus were searched through September 2025. Eligible designs included in vitro studies, randomized trials, observational studies, and technical reports evaluating PEEK scan bodies in implant dentistry. Screening and data extraction were performed in duplicate, and findings were synthesized descriptively. Results: The search identified 227 records, and after screening, 31 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were in vitro, with limited clinical evidence, and only one prospective clinical study was identified. Outcomes commonly addressed trueness, precision, scan time, and handling. Comparators varied (e.g., titanium, resin; splinted vs. unsplinted), and the results on accuracy were heterogeneous, with deviations typically within clinically acceptable limits (<100 µm). Conclusions: PEEK scan bodies are applicable for digital implant impressions. Clinical data are sparse, though, and methods vary. Controlled clinical studies are necessary to confirm the accuracy, reliability, and indications of this approach compared to titanium ISBs. Full article

This work uses battery-coupled power electronic converter systems and distributed backstepping controllers to improve the reliability of electrical distribution networks. The motivation is to prevent blackouts such as the 28 April 2025 outage in Spain, Portugal, and the south of France. It is now accepted that a rapid rise in solar power injections caused AC overvoltage above grid code limits, triggering photovoltaic (PV) park disconnections as overvoltage self-protection. This case study considers near-Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEBs) connected to the Madeira Island isolated microgrid, where PV power installation is increasing excessively. The main university facility will be upgraded as an nZEB, using roughly 3000 m² of unshaded rooftops plus coverable parking areas to install PV panels. Optimizing the profits/energy cost ratio, a PV power system of around 560 kW can be planned, and the Battery Storage System (BSS) energy capacity can be estimated. The BSS is connected to the university nZEB via backstepping-controlled multilevel converters to manage PV and BSS, enabling the building to contribute to voltage and frequency regulation. Distributed multilevel converters inject renewable energy into the medium-voltage network, regulating active and reactive power to prevent overvoltages shutting down the PV inverters. This removes sustained overvoltage and maximizes PV penetration while augmenting AC grid reliability and resilience. When there is excess solar power and reactive power is insufficient to reduce voltage, controllers slightly curtail PV active power to eliminate overvoltage, maintaining operation with minimal revenue loss while preventing long interruptions, thereby improving grid reliability and power quality. Full article

To investigate the characteristics and health risks of heavy metal (HM) contamination in soils of typical industrial sites during urban renewal, this study selected Pudong New District, Shanghai, as a case. Seven HMs (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Hg, and As) were analyzed for their concentrations, ecological risks, spatial patterns, and potential sources. Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation was used to assess spatial distribution, Random Forest (RF) regression to predict HM concentrations, and a two-dimensional Monte Carlo simulation to evaluate human health risks. The results showed that all HMs except As exceeded Shanghai background values in surface soils, with varying levels observed in subsoil and saturated layers. The Index of Geoaccumulation (Igeo) and Risk Index (RI) indicated low contamination and moderate ecological risk. Pearson correlation combined with Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) identified four major sources: traffic emissions dominated by Cd and Zn, combustion-related sources dominated by Pb and Hg, industry-related inputs dominated by Cu and Ni, and a natural source dominated by As. The RF model demonstrated strong predictive accuracy for Cd, Pb, Hg, and As (R² = 0.80–0.94), and predicted values were consistent with observations. Monte Carlo results showed that non-carcinogenic risks for children and adults were within acceptable limits, while carcinogenic risks reached “notable” levels with probabilities of 62.06%, 55.65%, and 22.49% for children, adult females, and adult males, respectively. Cd and As were identified as key contributors. This work provides scientific support for soil pollution prevention and remediation during urban renewal. Full article

Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) is a lightweight publish–subscribe protocol widely deployed in Internet of Things (IoT) systems. Although MQTT defines authentication and authorization mechanisms, their enforcement accuracy, configuration sensitivity, and operational cost under controlled misconfiguration conditions remain insufficiently quantified. This study experimentally quantifies authentication enforcement behavior and Access Control List (ACL) misconfiguration impact within a standards-compliant MQTT deployment under controlled laboratory conditions. Rather than benchmarking a specific software product, the work measures protocol-defined security behavior—including authentication success rate, false acceptance rate (FAR), false rejection rate (FRR), privilege-boundary preservation, authentication latency, and broker CPU utilization—across systematically constructed operational and failure scenarios. Username/password and mutual TLS authentication were evaluated under valid and stress-induced connection conditions, alongside structured ACL policies incorporating wildcard over-permission. Across repeated trials, username/password authentication achieved higher observed connection reliability (≈0.95), while TLS-based authentication provided stronger cryptographic identity assurance at the cost of increased authentication latency (≈42.6 ms vs. 14.8 ms) and higher CPU utilization (≈23.7% vs. 9.4%). No false acceptances were observed within 100 unauthorized trials per configuration, corresponding to a 95% confidence upper bound of <3% for FAR under a binomial model. Under controlled ACL misconfiguration, 22 of 100 evaluated authorization operations accessed topics beyond the originally intended least-privilege scope, yielding a reproducible privilege expansion rate of 0.22. This expansion resulted from wildcard policy semantics rather than an enforcement malfunction. The results provide controlled empirical quantification of reliability–security trade-offs and configuration-driven privilege-boundary behavior within a standards-compliant MQTT deployment. While the findings reflect enforcement behavior as realized in the evaluated implementation and laboratory environment, the proposed measurement framework establishes reproducible criteria for assessing MQTT security enforcement accuracy under controlled conditions. Full article

The research described in this article is a continuation of a series of studies on biocompatible materials, focused on finding the optimal alloy composition and heat treatment regimes. The use of materials with a low Young’s modulus ensures the long-term safety of the implant by reducing the stress shielding effect, which causes bone resorption. This work investigates the effect of alloying with niobium in the range of (8–10) at. % on the Ti-38Zr alloy, specifically its structure, mechanical properties, Young’s modulus, and superelasticity. In this study, plates of the Ti-38Zr-(8-10)Nb (at. %) alloy were investigated after quenching and subsequent annealing. In Ti-38Zr-(8-10)Nb alloys, quenching from 600 °C fixes the β-phase of Ti. In alloys with (8-9)Nb, this is a metastable β-phase, as evidenced by its superelastic behavior under cyclic tension. Annealing at 400 °C leads to a clear decomposition of the quenched high-temperature β-phase in Ti-38Zr-(8-9)Nb alloys into β- and α′-phases. Based on the mechanical test results, it can be inferred that the precipitation of the brittle ω-phase and the α′-phase occur concurrently, since annealing at 400 °C causes a pronounced embrittlement of the Ti-38Zr-(8–9)Nb alloys (with elongation dropping from ~15% to 0.7–2.5%, respectively) alongside a substantial increase in strength (from 500 MPa to 1010 MPa). For the Ti-38Zr-10Nb alloy, the ductility also declines but remains within acceptable limits (from ~14% to ~10%), while the strength rises from 520 MPa to 630 MPa. The Young’s modulus of the Ti-38Zr-(8-10)Nb alloy after quenching is ~80 GPa. After annealing, it increases to 95 GPa for alloys with (8-9)Nb, while for 10Nb it remains at approximately 80 GPa. Full article

Brucellosis is a globally prevalent zoonosis that causes abortion and infertility in livestock, leading to substantial economic losses. Sensitive and reliable quantification of Brucella antibodies, particularly at trace levels, is critical for early diagnosis. In this work, an electrochemical immunosensor was developed by integrating electric field-assisted antigen immobilization with an electrode platform. The electrode was first electrochemically pretreated to improve interfacial reproducibility, and then sequentially modified with L-cysteine and glutaraldehyde to construct an antigen-coupling layer. During antigen immobilization, a custom-built electric field device was applied to regulate the interfacial arrangement of Brucella antigens. The fabrication process was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry, and the analytical performance was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and voltammetric measurements. Under the optimized conditions, the proposed immunosensor exhibited a linear response to Brucella antibodies over the range of 1 × 10⁻⁶–10 IU/mL, with a correlation coefficient of 0.99 and a detection limit of 2.04 × 10⁻⁷ IU/mL. The sensor also showed acceptable specificity, repeatability, and short-term storage stability, with recoveries of 93.15–99.14% in spiked milk samples. These results indicate that electric field-assisted immobilization can serve as a useful interfacial regulation strategy for Brucella immunosensing and support the analytical feasibility of the proposed platform under controlled experimental conditions. Further validation in more complex biological matrices is still required. Full article

With the expansion of electric vehicle (EV) applications into unstructured sandy terrains such as deserts, accurately characterizing tire–sand dynamic interactions is essential for enhancing off-road performance. However, traditional terramechanics models, the discrete element method (DEM), and purely data-driven neural networks all have inherent limitations, failing to balance physical interpretability and computational efficiency. This study proposes a wheel–sand dynamics prediction model that integrates DEM simulation, semi-physical modeling, and deep learning. A DEM tire–sand contact platform is built to acquire longitudinal slip and cornering properties, and a dimensionless semi-physical tire model is derived using frictional constitutive relations and tire theory. A 3-DOF vehicle dynamics model is then established to generate high-fidelity physics-based datasets, and a residual neural network is adopted to avoid performance degradation in deep networks. The model is validated and optimized via real-vehicle sandy terrain tests, with its performance compared against other network structures. The proposed model achieves high prediction accuracy, with engineering-acceptable errors, and outperforms conventional neural networks. The dimensionless framework improves generality, overcoming the weaknesses of traditional and purely data-driven models. This work provides theoretical and statistical support for EV traction control design and tire structure optimization, promoting driving stability and terrain passability in unstructured sandy environments. Full article

Design and fabrication of high-performance organic semiconductors are still challenging. Here, we designed new D-(A)n type zinc porphyrin end-capped ethynylene-7-(4-hexyl-thiophen-2-yl)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole (EBTT) oligomers by linking 5,10,15-trisphenyl porphyrin zinc (ZnTPP) with length-variable EBTT oligomers (at the 20-position of porphyrin) [ZnTPP(EBTT)_n (n = 1–6)]. The influence of oligomer length on molecular structures, orbital energies, electronic absorption spectra, ionization energies, electronic affinities, and reorganization energies was systematically studied through density functional theory. The charge-carrier mobility of the simulated crystals and the power conversion efficiencies (PCE) using PCBM as the accepter were also predicted. ZnTPP(EBTT)₆ show excellent hole/electron mobility of 76.161/9.395 cm²V⁻¹s⁻¹ and extremely high PCE of 25.45%. This work would have significance for the design and synthesis of organic semiconductor materials with large charge-carrier mobility and high PCE performance. Full article

Background/Objectives: Professionalism reflects an individual’s connection, identity, and dedication to their profession. In nursing, it is associated with quality of care and professional respect, making its assessment essential for workforce development and management. However, valid and reliable instruments are needed to measure this construct across cultural contexts. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Portuguese version of the Nurses’ Professionalism Inventory (NPI). Methods: This methodological study used cross-sectional data collected from November 2024 to January 2025 in northern Portugal. Data were gathered from a convenience sample of 684 nurses who completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Portuguese NPI, the Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire II (CWEQ-II), and the Team Psychological Safety (TPS) scale. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted. Factor loadings and Average Variance Extracted (AVE) were used to assess validity. Internal consistency was evaluated using Composite Reliability, McDonald’s omega, and Cronbach’s alpha. Convergent validity was examined using Spearman correlations among NPI subscales, CWEQ-II dimensions, and TPS. Results: The Portuguese version of NPI preserved the original five-factor structure. The model showed acceptable fit indices (TLI = 0.90; CFI: 0.91; RMSEA = 0.10; SRMR = 0.08). All items had factor loadings above 0.50, except item 18 (0.42), which did not load significantly on any other factor; therefore, it was removed. This improved the AVE of the Professional Attitude subscale. The overall internal consistency was satisfactory, with all reliability coefficients ranging between 0.73 and 0.99. The correlations among the NPI subscales, CWEQ-II dimensions, and TPS were positive and statistically significant. Conclusions: This study demonstrates adequate measurement properties of the Portuguese version of NPI, supporting its use as a valid and reliable instrument. Full article

This exploratory study examines how journalists in/coordinating investigations use a chatbot designed to reduce power asymmetries during remote work. Twelve freelancers across Africa, Europe, and India tested Obruche, a chatbot advisor covering risk mitigation, pay equality, tension de-escalation, and intellectual property protection. Drawing on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, semi-structured interviews were coded for Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Facilitating Conditions, and Social Influence. Results show journalists gravitate towards chatbots that are cognisant of their location-specific challenges and able to provide information that facilitates access to media outlets or peers for future collaborations. Next-best-action responses that expanded user queries or offered role-play scenarios also left journalists feeling supported, less lonely, and not judged. However, the chatbot’s female persona, scepticism of artificial intelligence, and chatbot novelty may reduce user acceptance. Obruche’s potential areas of intervention are linked to eight types of organisational power. The chatbot mainly assisted journalists to confront or rebalance Control of Knowledge and Information, and Control of Scarce Resources, aiding users’ Ability to Cope with Uncertainty. This research contributes to recent qualitative studies on journalists’ well-being by demonstrating how chatbots can mitigate power imbalances between dispersed teams of journalists. The benefits and concerns presented may inform future designs of similar team-mediation chatbots. Full article

Urban mobility has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, caused by rapid urbanization, environmental pressures, and technological innovation. Even though digital tools and mobility platforms are increasingly used to address transportation challenges, these challenges remain complex and multidimensional, concerning not only infrastructure, but also user behavior, institutional coordination, trust, and social acceptance. Crowdsourcing has proven effective in leveraging distributed knowledge and accelerating innovation in business and public sectors. However, its application in urban mobility contexts has not yet been sufficiently synthesized in a framework-oriented manner. To address this, the study first conducted a comprehensive literature review of existing crowdsourcing assessment frameworks and their applicability to mobility systems. The results show that current implementations in urban mobility often remain fragmented and limited to unidirectional data extraction, lacking comprehensive approaches that integrate technological, social, and organizational dimensions. In response to this, the authors developed the SMART-CROWD framework for assessing cities’ maturity in using crowdsourcing across six dimensions: Strategy & Leadership (S), Methods & Tools (M), Engagement & Representativeness (A), Responsiveness & Impact (R), Technology & Data (T), and Civic Capital & Sustainability (CROWD). Each dimension includes measurable indicators, providing a structured basis of diagnosing disparities between technological capabilities and socio-institutional readiness. The SMART-CROWD framework is intended to support a transition from one-way data acquisition toward more scalable, reciprocal, and citizen-focused innovation ecosystems. This work contributes to the field of applied systems innovation by proposing a structured framework for assessing and guiding the use of distributed intelligence in smart urban mobility. Full article

Modern oil refining is faced with the need to maximize raw material processing in the face of fierce competition and environmental requirements. Therefore, the fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process, key to the production of high-octane gasoline, requires special attention to automation efficiency. Maintaining optimal reactor temperature is a complex scientific and technical challenge, the solution to which directly impacts the yield of target products and the service life of the catalyst. Existing automatic control systems often fail to cope with process transients, nonlinearities, and time delays, making the search for new control approaches highly relevant. The scientific significance of this study lies in the system analysis and quantitative comparison of the effectiveness of classical control laws (P, PI, PID) applied to a plant with a delay. For the first time, a rigorous comparative analysis of tuning methods—analytical (based on phase margin specifications) and automated (using the PID Tuner tool in MATLAB Simulink R2024b)—is performed for a plant characterized as a second-order system with time delay, formed by the series connection of two first-order lag elements with transport delay. The results contribute to automatic control theory by clearly demonstrating the limitations of the proportional controller and the insufficient speed of the integral controller, as well as confirming the hypothesis that a PID law is necessary to achieve a balance between accuracy and response speed under inertia conditions. The practical significance of the work is confirmed by the development of an optimized automatic temperature control system. Using the PID Tuner tool, we achieved critical industrial performance indicators: zero static error, minimal control time (44 s), and acceptable overshoot (9.6%). The system’s robustness (maintaining stability with changes in plant parameters by 30–40%) and its invariance to the main disturbance (catalyst temperature fluctuations), confirmed during simulation, guarantee the viability of the proposed solution under real-world production conditions. Implementation of such a controller will minimize deviations from the process conditions, leading to increased yield of light petroleum products and an extended service life of the expensive catalyst, providing direct economic benefits. Full article

Care home staff are routinely exposed to stressful and traumatic events, increasing risks of psychological distress, burnout, and reduced workforce resilience. Psychological First Aid (PFA), recommended by the World Health Organization, provides an evidence-based framework for delivering immediate emotional and practical support; however, its adaptation for care home contexts is limited. This study aimed to co-produce and adapt an existing PFA training resource for care home staff using a person-based approach (PBA) to enhance contextual relevance, acceptability, and feasibility. A two-phase qualitative design guided by PBA principles was used. Phase 1 integrated stakeholder workshops, semi-structured interviews, and literature review to generate guiding principles, a logic model, and preliminary training content. We adapted the WHO PFA “Look–Listen–Link” framework alongside existing open-access materials. Phase 2 used think aloud interviews to optimize usability and contextual fit. Thematic and sentiment analysis identified key needs: high exposure to traumatic events, inconsistent organisational support, desire for measurable skill development, the importance of transferable competencies, and motivational factors. Participants emphasized the need for flexibility, inclusivity, and realistic care-home-specific examples. Adaptations included bite-sized interactive modules, blended delivery options, and reflective exercises. The final co-produced intervention aligns with trauma-informed principles and organisational realities. Further work is needed to access feasibility, acceptability, and fidelity in real-world settings, offering a transferable model for adapting psychological interventions in other high-stress care environments internationally. Full article

Heavy metals in lake sediments represent typical persistent contaminants characterized by recalcitrance, bioaccumulation potential, and delayed toxic effects, thereby exerting sustained adverse impacts on lacustrine ecosystem stability and human health. Liuye Lake is a representative small-to-medium urban lake impacted by ambient domestic sewage discharge and agricultural non-point source pollution, with documented nitrogen and phosphorus enrichment. However, the contamination profile of heavy metals in its surface sediments has not been systematically investigated to date. In this work, surface sediment samples were collected from Liuye Lake, and nine heavy metal elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) were determined. An integrated approach incorporating Monte Carlo simulation, the geo-accumulation index (I_geo), and the enrichment factor (EF) method was employed to assess the ecological risk and human health risk imposed by these metals. The results revealed the following: (1) Average concentrations of eight heavy metals exceeded the background values of the Dongting Lake water system, with the exception of As, and Hg displayed potential localized anomalies. (2) Surface sediments were collectively categorized as slightly contaminated, with Hg identified as the primary pollutant, followed by minor contamination of Mn, Cr, and Ni; Monte Carlo simulation further suggested a probable risk that Mn contamination could progress to moderate levels. (3) All heavy metals posed low potential ecological risk, with an overall potential ecological risk index (RI) of 62.71, where Cd, Hg, and As were the dominant contributors. (4) Both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were generally within acceptable limits, whereas children exhibited higher non-carcinogenic susceptibility relative to adults; As and Mn were the leading contributors to non-carcinogenic risk, while Cr and As dominated carcinogenic risk. This study offers a scientific foundation for the prevention and control of heavy metal pollution and the ecological management of urban lakes. Full article