Search Results (49,329)

Against the backdrop of the global energy crisis and the “dual carbon” goals (carbon peaking and carbon neutrality), the passive energy-saving design of substation buildings in cold regions faces severe challenges. This study systematically conducts a decomposed analysis of the shape coefficient, thermal performance of the building envelope (including external walls, internal walls, roofs, and external windows), and window-to-wall ratio of substation buildings in cold regions, quantifies the degree of influence of each factor, and proposes corresponding energy-saving design strategies. This study took a 110 kV substation in Yuhua District, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province, as the research object. A building energy consumption model was established based on DeST (2023) software, and the influence of the building shape coefficient, U-values of the envelope structure (external walls, internal walls, roofs, external windows), and window-to-wall ratio on the building’s cooling and heating loads was analyzed using the numerical simulation and control variable methods. Leveraging a rigorously validated, high-resolution simulation framework, we quantitatively dissect the marginal energy penalties and payoffs of every passive design variable governing fully indoor substations in cold-climate zones. The resultant multidimensional response surfaces are distilled into a deterministic, climate-specific passive energy-saving protocol that secures heating-energy savings of up to 43% without compromising electrical safety or operational accessibility. (1) Reducing the shape coefficient can significantly lower the heat load, and it is recommended to control it at 0.35–0.40; (2) The thermal performance of the envelope structure has a differential effect: the energy-saving effect is optimal when the U-value of external walls is 0.20–0.30 W/(m²·K) and the U-value of roofs is ≤0.25 W/(m²·K). A U-value of 2.4 W/(m²·K) is recommended for external windows, while the internal wall exerts a weak influence; (3) The window-to-wall ratio should be controlled by orientation: east-facing/north-facing ≤ 0.20, south-facing ≤ 0.35, and west-facing ≤ 0.30. Based on the above results, a comprehensive energy-saving strategy of “compact form–high-efficiency envelope–limited window-to-wall ratio” is proposed, which provides theoretical support and technical pathways for the energy-saving design of substation buildings in cold areas. Compared with existing substation buildings, the recommended parameters yield a significant reduction in total life-cycle carbon emissions and hold important practical significance for realizing the “dual carbon” goals (carbon peaking and carbon neutrality) of the power system. Full article

This study investigates the mechanical, thermal, electrical, and microstructural properties of polyamide 66 (PA66) composites reinforced with waste-derived micro–nano NiCr (80/20) powders. Composites containing 2, 5, and 8 wt% NiCr were prepared using thermokinetic mixing and compression molding, followed by characterization via tensile testing, Shore D hardness, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and thermal/electrical conductivity measurements. Results showed a progressive increase in tensile modulus, tensile strength, hardness, and thermal conductivity with increasing NiCr content, reaching maximum values at 8 wt% filler. However, elongation at break decreased, indicating reduced ductility due to restricted polymer chain mobility. DSC and FTIR analyses revealed that low NiCr loadings promoted nucleation and crystallinity, while higher contents disrupted crystalline domains. Electrical conductivity exhibited a slight upward trend, remaining sub-percolative up to 8 wt% NiCr; conductivity modulation is modest at high filler loadings. SEM–EDS confirmed uniform dispersion at low–moderate contents and agglomeration at higher levels. The use of industrial waste NiCr powder not only enhanced material performance but also contributed to sustainable materials engineering by valorizing by-products from the coatings industry. These findings suggest that NiCr/PA66 composites have potential applications in automotive, electronics, and thermal management systems requiring improved mechanical rigidity and heat dissipation. Full article

Cereal grains make up a significant part of both human and animal diets; therefore, they should meet pesticide residue standards and be characterized by the lowest possible concentrations of these residues. Known for its strong oxidizing properties, ozone is gaining popularity as a natural agent for eliminating chemical contaminants at the stages of production, processing, and storage of raw materials of plant origin. The present study is the first to assess the effect of ozonation on the behavior of 12 (seven systemic and five non-systemic) compounds. The procedure was conducted in two time variants (30 and 60 min) for three cereal types: barley, wheat, and rye. Treatment efficiency was confirmed through instrumental determination conducted using the LC–MS/MS technique based on the QuEChERS protocol. The level of systemic compounds was reduced by 37–82%, and of non-systemic ones by approximately 72–95%. The reduction in difenoconazole amounted to only 39%, whereas the highest decrease of 95% was recorded for deltamethrin. The rate of pesticide degradation occurred in the following sequence: rye > wheat > barley. The results show that ozonation of cereal grains may successfully support assurance of food and feed safety. Full article

The thermal and optical properties of aqueous dispersions of magnetite nanoparticles were studied by dual-beam thermal-lens spectrometry. Surface-modified magnetite nanoparticles with an average crystal size of 7.5 nm were synthesized by a simple, one-stage method of coprecipitation followed by surface functionalization. For this purpose, the most popular and promising modifiers based on surfactants, polyelectrolytes, biopolymers and organic acids were used. The effect of the concentration of nanoparticles (in the range from 0.01 to 5 mg/L) and the nature of the surface modifier on the thermal diffusivity of the dispersion was studied. It was found that at concentrations of 0.4–0.6 mg/L, the dispersions exhibit heat-accumulating properties, which may be promising in the development of a magnetically controlled heat-conducting liquid. Thermal lens spectrometry in the steady-state measurement mode was used to reveal the processes of deposition and adsorption of magnetite nanoparticles on the surface of a quartz cell, leading to an apparent increase in thermal diffusivity by more than 30%. The paper touches upon the issues of accuracy and precision of temperature diffusion measurements, processing, and presentation of measurement results of time-resolved transient and steady-state signals for dispersed systems. The ratio of the change in the steady-state thermal-lens signals to the change in concentration regarding the concentration (dϑ/dc vs. c) provides a way to identify a systematic error at a low level (less than 5%) of thermal-lens measurements caused by a high concentration (or optical absorption) of the object. Various options for signal normalization (in terms of power, absorbance, and pure-solvent signal) are considered, and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. An approach to using thermal diffusivity as a function of the steady-state signal of the sample is proposed. This approach allows for a comparative thermal-lens analysis of objects with different optical and thermal properties. Full article

Self-harm is often stigmatised by healthcare professionals. Little is known about how certain characteristics of the behaviour, like the degree of suicidal intent, affect clinicians’ judgements and responses. This study explored how intent of self-harm (suicidal or non-suicidal) affects trainee practitioners’ views and attitudes towards behaviour and clinical decision-making. A qualitative study using semi-structured online interviews was conducted. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis. Fifteen trainee healthcare practitioners (psychological wellbeing practitioners, clinical/counselling psychologists, nurses, and medics) were interviewed. Three themes were identified: (1) interpreting intent in self-harm: clinical utility and challenges, (2) the perceived responsibility of self-harm, (3) trainees’ struggle for equal care in a hierarchical system. Participants observed staff expressing pejorative views towards both forms of self-harm but did not share them. Across most clinical decisions, intent informed trainees’ judgements and beliefs. Clients presenting with suicidal-related self-harm received more urgent care but fewer therapeutic interventions. Trainees felt ambivalent about distinguishing intent. Nevertheless, this distinction was evident across treatment, risk and care decisions. A consistent approach towards suicidal and non-suicidal self-harm is important. Trainees should be supported in addressing difficult emotions arising from this work, helping to shift the blame culture and promoting a more empathic approach. Full article

Background: MicroRNA-129 (miR-129) is a tumor suppressor involved in regulating oncogenic pathways, but its role in gastric adenocarcinoma and its potential connections to vascular and neurological dysfunction remain insufficiently defined. Objectives: To assess gastric juice-derived miR-129 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for gastric cancer and to explore its associations with systemic inflammation, vascular impairment, and neurodegenerative changes. Methods: A prospective study was conducted in 38 patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (22 with histologically confirmed gastric adenocarcinoma, 16 controls). Gastric juice was aspirated prior to biopsy, and miR-129-2-3p expression was quantified by means of RT-qPCR normalized to U6 RNA. Tumor stage, serum biomarkers (CEA, CA 19-9, LDH, and CRP), carotid index (Doppler ultrasound), and neuroimaging (MRI) were recorded. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, Mann–Whitney U, ROC curve analysis, and correlation testing. Results: miR-129 expression was significantly reduced in gastric cancer compared with controls (ANOVA: F(3,34) = 3.70, p = 0.021, η² = 0.25). ΔCt values increased progressively from controls to T2–T4 tumors, indicating stage-dependent downregulation. ROC analysis demonstrated moderate diagnostic performance (AUC = 0.75, 95% CI 0.54–0.92). Lower miR-129 levels correlated inversely with serum tumor markers (CEA, CA 19-9), LDH, and CRP. Patients with elevated carotid index (>1.3) and abnormal brain imaging findings exhibited significantly lower miR-129 expression (both p < 0.05). Conclusion: Gastric juice-derived miR-129 is downregulated in gastric adenocarcinoma, with progressive decline across tumor stages. Its inverse association with systemic tumor and inflammatory markers, as well as vascular and neurological impairment, suggests that miR-129 may function as a minimally invasive, multi-system biomarker for integrated cancer and vascular–neurological risk assessment. Full article

Background: Climate change increasingly threatens global health, with adolescents among the most vulnerable. Hospitals are major emitters of greenhouse gases, making carbon reduction in healthcare a pressing challenge. Nurses play central roles in implementing sustainability, while adolescents can contribute to long-term resilience. Methods: A scoping review of peer-reviewed articles (1990–2023) and World Bank datasets was conducted. Comparative analysis focused on Norway and South Korea, with the United States and Australia reviewed narratively. Inclusion criteria targeted studies on hospital-based carbon reduction and youth/nurse engagement; unrelated studies were excluded. Results: Three domains emerged: (1) governance approaches—Norway applied top-down integrated monitoring, while Korea showed fragmented progress, especially in private hospitals; (2) roles of adolescents and nurses—nurses led quality improvement in energy efficiency and waste reduction, while adolescents contributed through school–hospital partnerships and youth initiatives; and (3) barriers and enablers—key barriers included limited youth decision-making and lack of councils, while enablers included certification frameworks and WHO guidelines. Conclusions: Nurses and adolescents are complementary partners in sustainable healthcare. Establishing hospital green teams, integrating climate literacy into curricula, and fostering government–healthcare–education partnerships can reduce emissions and strengthen climate-resilient health systems. Full article

Sapphire crystals, owing to their outstanding mechanical and optical properties, which are widely used in advanced optics, microelectronic devices, and medical instruments. The manufacturing precision of sapphire optical components critically affects the performance of advanced optical systems. However, the extremely high hardness and low fracture toughness of sapphire make it a typical hard-to-machine material, prone to brittle surface fractures and subsurface damage during material removal. Improving the machinability of sapphire remains a pressing challenge in advanced manufacturing. In this study, surface modification and enhanced ductility of C-plane sapphire were achieved via ion implantation, and the machinability of the modified sapphire was further improved through laser-assisted diamond machining (LADM). Monte Carlo simulations were employed to investigate the interaction mechanisms between incident ions and the target material. Based on the simulation results, phosphorus ion implantation experiments were conducted, and transmission electron microscopy observation was used to characterize the microstructural evolution of the modified layer, while the optical properties of the samples before and after modification were analyzed. Finally, groove cutting experiments verified the enhancement in ductile machinability of the modified sapphire under LADM. At a laser power of 16 W, the ductile–brittle transition depth of the modified sapphire increased to 450.67 nm, representing a 51.57% improvement over conventional cutting. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for improving the ductile machining performance of hard and brittle materials. Full article

Visibility on roads can be poor during winters owing to snowstorms and other factors. Optical devices, including Light Detection and Ranging devices, are ineffective under whiteout conditions. Moreover, buildings, trees, and other obstacles reduce the accuracy of the Global Positioning System. Therefore, we investigate vehicle navigation using an Ultrahigh Frequency Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system. This study extends a previously developed RFID-based navigation system for paved roads to unpaved roads. Unpaved roads, particularly those in mountainous or forested areas, can become unstable because of weather conditions and present unique challenges regarding the stability of RFID tags. We use geocells to provide road stability and maintain the RFID tags at the ideal position and attitude. We insert RFID tags into polyvinyl chloride pipe holders and attach them to geocells. We also use the vehicle heading angle from the inertial navigation system (INS). In some areas, the INS is disturbed and shows incorrect direction. We utilize the RFID tag reading history to improve vehicle positioning accuracy by compensating for errors in the INS. Applying this correction reduces the average deviation from the lane center. Driving experiments are conducted on a straight unpaved road, and good results are obtained. These results validate the robustness of the proposed vehicle navigation system, which combines an RFID system with a geocell, providing insights into its successful implementation on unpaved roads. Full article

This paper presents an approach integrating Large Language Models (LLMs), specifically GPT-4 and the open-source DeepSeek-R1, into Geographic Information System (GIS) workflows to enhance the accessibility, flexibility, and efficiency of spatial analysis tasks. We designed and implemented a system capable of interpreting natural language instructions provided by users and translating them into automated GIS workflows through dynamically generated Python scripts. An interactive graphical user interface (GUI), built using CustomTkinter, was developed to enable intuitive user interaction with GIS data and processes, reducing the need for advanced programming or technical expertise. We conducted an empirical evaluation of this approach through a comparative case study involving typical GIS tasks such as spatial data validation, data merging, buffer analysis, and thematic mapping using urban datasets from Pesaro, Italy. The performance of our automated system was directly compared against traditional manual workflows executed by 10 experienced GIS analysts. The results from this evaluation indicate a substantial reduction in task completion time, decreasing from approximately 1 h and 45 min in the manual approach to roughly 27 min using our LLM-driven automation, without compromising analytical quality or accuracy. Furthermore, we systematically evaluated the system’s factual reliability using a diverse set of geospatial queries, confirming robust performance for practical GIS tasks. Additionally, qualitative feedback emphasized improved usability and accessibility, particularly for users without specialized GIS training. These findings highlight the significant potential of integrating LLMs into GISs, demonstrating clear advantages in workflow automation, user-friendliness, and broader adoption of advanced spatial analysis methodologies. Full article

Preschool children develop essential mathematical concepts through play, yet little is known about how traditional board games can support this process. This small-scale microgenetic case study investigates how children unfamiliar with the Ethiopian game Gebeta (a mancala-type game) learn to play the game and what mathematical competencies emerge. Video observations were conducted with 5-year-olds in Norway as they engaged in repeated play sessions. Event logs and transcripts were analysed with a focus on children’s developing strategies and difficulties. The results show that children quickly understood the basic rules but faced challenges with directionality (i.e., maintaining the correct direction of play) and differentiating between different types of game moves. Over time, they demonstrated evident progress in following the rules. They began to treat groups of counters as units, moving from one-by-one counting to bundling and unitising. These developments align with Bishop’s fundamental activities locating and counting. We conclude that Gebeta provides a playful context in which children can practice directionality and bundling, both of which are crucial for avoiding common errors in later school mathematics, such as off-by-one counting errors and misunderstandings of the number system. The study suggests that Gebeta can be introduced in early childhood settings without simplifying the rules, providing an engaging resource for early mathematics education. Full article

In a hospital ward, transmission of airborne pathogens can occur in any area where people breathe the same air. These areas include patient rooms and specialised treatment rooms, as well as corridors and common areas. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the risk of airborne transmission within hospital rooms where patient care activities take place; however, studies assessing the risk of exposure to airborne pathogens in common areas such as nurse stations and corridors, in which healthcare workers spend up to 63% of their time, are very rare. In this study, we addressed this gap by simulating aerosol transport in the common area of a real inpatient ward encompassing different types of patient rooms and equipped with a mixing ventilation system. The risk of airborne transmission of COVID-19 in the ward was evaluated using a spatially resolved risk model, coupled with the clinical and pathological data on SARS-CoV-2 infection. The results showed that the central-return ventilation system causes directional air flows in the corridors, which enhanced long-distance aerosol transport and were conducive to infection transmission between different rooms. An improved ventilation system was proposed that aimed to reduce air mixing and minimise directional air flows. The improvement involved only rearrangement of air supply and exhaust vents, but led to significant reductions in both particle residence time and travelling distance within the ward, contributing to a nearly two-fold increase and 60% decrease in the areas of low-risk and high-risk zones, respectively, resulting in a 34% reduction in the overall infection probability in the studied area. This study demonstrated the potential of preventing hospital-acquired infection (HAI) via engineering controls and provided recommendations for future studies to assess novel ventilation configurations to reduce transmission risk. Full article

The transformation of energy systems towards low emission is one of the key assumptions of the climate and energy policy of the European Union and many countries around the world. These changes include not only the power and transport sectors but also the heating of residential buildings, which consume significant amounts of energy and emit large amounts of greenhouse gases. This article presents a detailed comparative analysis of the costs of heating using an air-to-water heat pump and a condensing gas boiler. The study concerned a retrofitted single-family building from the 1990s, located in southern Poland. The calculations were made taking into account daily meteorological data for two full heating seasons: 2022/2023 and 2023/2024. This approach made it possible to more precisely reproduce real operating conditions. The study was conducted for various configurations of the central heating system: surface and radiator. The following parameters were also taken into account: (1) variable heat pump parameters, such as supply temperature LWT and coefficient of performance COP; (2) current tariffs for electricity and natural gas; and (3) forecasted tariffs for electricity and natural gas in the conditions of market liberalization and phasing out of protective mechanisms. A comparison of the two heating seasons revealed lower costs with a heat pump. In some cases, the cost of heat generated by a gas boiler was over 100% higher than with a heat pump. This applies to both heating seasons. Under the current tariffs, the calculated gas cost for the first season was PLN 6856 (EUR 1605) (1 EUR = 4.27 PLN) compared to heat pump heating costs ranging from PLN 3191 to PLN 4576 (EUR 747 to 1072). For future gas and electricity tariffs, the costs were PLN 8227 (EUR 1926) for gas and PLN 3841 to PLN 5304 (EUR 899 to 1242) for a heat pump. Similarly, for the second heating season, these values were PLN 6055 (EUR 1418) for gas heating and PLN 2741–3917 (EUR 642–917) for a heat pump under the current tariffs, and PLN 7267 (EUR 1702) and PLN 3307–4540 (EUR 774–1064) under future tariffs. This means percentage savings of between approximately 33% and 55%, depending on the heating type and tariff. Therefore, the obtained results indicate the higher profitability of using an air heat pump compared to a gas boiler. This advantage was maintained in all the discussed scenarios, and its scale depended on the type of installation, supply temperature, and the selected electricity tariff. The highest economic profitability was noted for low-temperature systems. These results can provide a basis for making rational investment and design decisions in the context of the energy transformation of single-family housing. Full article

Background/Objective: The growing volume and complexity of cases presented to emergency departments underline the urgent need for effective clinical-risk-management strategies. Increasing demands for quality and safety in healthcare highlight the importance of predictive tools in supporting timely and informed clinical decision-making. This study aims to evaluate the performance and usefulness of predictive models for managing the clinical risk of people who visit the emergency department. Methods: A systematic review was conducted, including primary observational studies involving people aged 18 and over, who were not pregnant, and who had visited the emergency department; the intervention was clinical-risk management in emergency departments; the comparison was of early warning scores; and the outcomes were predictive models. Searches were performed on 10 November 2024 across eight electronic databases without date restrictions, and studies published in English, Portuguese, and Spanish were included in this study. Risk of bias was assessed using the Checklist for Critical Appraisal and Data Extraction for Systematic Reviews of Prediction Modeling Studies as well as the Prediction Model Risk-of-Bias Assessment Tool. The results were synthesized narratively and are summarized in a table. Results: Four studies were included, each including between 4388 and 448,972 participants. The predictive models identified included the Older Persons' Emergency Risk Assessment score; a new situation awareness model; machine learning and deep learning models; and the Vital-Sign Scoring system. The main outcomes evaluated were in-hospital mortality and clinical deterioration. Conclusions: Despite the limited number of studies, our results indicate that predictive models have potential for managing the clinical risk of emergency department patients, with the risk-of-bias study indicating low concern. We conclude that integrating predictive models with artificial intelligence can improve clinical decision-making and patient safety. Full article

Data-driven prioritization of photovoltaic (PV), battery, and converter technologies is crucial for achieving sustainability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in the increasingly complex domain of hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES). Conducting an in-depth and systematic ranking of these components for solar-based HRESs necessitates a comprehensive multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework. This study develops as the most recent and integrated approach available in the literature. To ensure balanced and objective weighting, five quantitative weighting techniques, Entropy, Standard Deviation, CRITIC, MEREC, and CILOS, were aggregated through the Bonferroni operator, thereby minimizing subjective bias while preserving robustness. The final ranking was executed using the measurement of alternatives and ranking according to compromise solution method (MARCOS). Subsequently, comparative validation was conducted across eight additional MCDM methods, supplemented by correlation and sensitivity analysis to evaluate the consistency and reliability of the obtained results. The results revealed that thin-film PV modules (0.7108), hybrid supercapacitor batteries (0.6990), and modular converters (1.1812) emerged as the top-performing technologies, reflecting optimal trade-offs among technical, economic, and environmental performance criteria. Correlation analysis (ρ > 0.9 across nine MCDM methods) confirmed the stability of the rankings. The results establish a reproducible decision-support framework for designing sustainable hybrid systems. These technologies demonstrated superior thermal stability, cycling endurance, and system scalability, respectively, thus laying a foundation for more sustainable and resilient hybrid energy system deployments. The proposed framework provides a reproducible, transparent, and resilient decision-support tool designed to assist engineers, researchers, and policy-makers in developing reliable low-carbon components for the realization of future carbon-neutral energy infrastructures. Full article