Search Results (148)

Background: The diagnostic interpretation of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) testing remains challenging due to variable concordance between indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) patterns and antigen-specific assays targeting proteinase 3 (PR3) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). The additional value of formalin fixation in distinguishing true perinuclear ANCA (P-ANCA) patterns from redistribution artifacts in routine laboratory practice remains incompletely defined. Methods: We conducted a retrospective real-world analysis of 7276 patients who underwent concurrent ANCA IIF (ethanol- and formalin-fixed substrates), anti-PR3, and anti-MPO testing between 2022 and 2024. Concordance between IIF and antigen-specific assays was assessed using cross-tabulation and Cohen’s kappa statistics. Associations were evaluated using chi-square tests and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The impact of formalin reactivity within P-ANCA patterns and the relationship between ANCA titer strength and antigen positivity were analyzed using the chi-square test for trend. Results: Concordance between ANCA IIF and PR3 antibodies was poor (κ = 0.109; p < 0.001), with 59% of PR3-positive patients being IIF-negative. Agreement between ANCA IIF and MPO antibodies was stronger but remained modest (κ = 0.221; p < 0.001); 77% of MPO-positive patients were IIF-positive. Formalin-resistant P-ANCA patterns showed a strong association with MPO positivity (OR = 67.3; 95% CI 33.3–136.6; p < 0.001), whereas MPO positivity was uncommon in formalin-sensitive patterns. Increasing ANCA titers were associated with progressively higher MPO positivity (chi-square test for trend, p < 0.001), rising from 0.4% in ANCA-negative cases to 33.3% in the highest observed titer category. Dual PR3/MPO positivity was rare (0.16%). Conclusions: In this large cohort, ANCA IIF demonstrated differential diagnostic performance depending on antibody specificity. IIF showed limited sensitivity for PR3-associated autoimmunity, whereas MPO positivity correlated more strongly with IIF patterns and formalin resistance. Integration of antigen-specific assays with formalin-based pattern interpretation may improve the interpretative accuracy of ANCA testing and should be considered in routine laboratory algorithms. Full article

Soil erosion is a growing environmental problem in arid regions, where land-use changes and landscape fragmentation directly influence land degradation. This study estimated soil loss in the Tarabillas sub-basin, located in the Chihuahuan Desert, Mexico. To this end, the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) was applied and integrated with Geographic Information System (GIS) tools. Landsat TM and OLI satellite imagery were classified through supervised techniques, achieving overall accuracies above 89%. The analysis was supported by comparing erosion patterns associated with land-use changes occurring during the 1990–2021 period, assessed through cross-tabulation matrices and landscape metrics. The results show that although the average erosion potential of the sub-basin remained constant at approximately 12.45 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, erosion redistributed spatially, concentrating in areas where agriculture has replaced natural vegetation. Shrublands and grasslands continue to dominate the high erosion categories due to their wide spatial extent and high erodibility. These findings highlight that fragmented agricultural expansion constitutes the main driver of landscape transformation and soil vulnerability, emphasizing the importance of integrating remote sensing, GIS, and empirical models to support sustainable land management in arid regions. Full article

Land use and land cover change (LULC) driven by agricultural expansion has become a major environmental challenge in tropical regions, particularly in coffee-producing landscapes, where economic growth often conflicts with forest conservation. This study integrates multi-temporal land cover analysis and future scenario modeling to assess LULC dynamics associated with coffee expansion in the district of Ocumal, in the Amazona Peru. Land cover classes were identified using a Random Forest classification approach applied to Landsat imagery from 2000, 2010, and 2020 processed in Google Earth Engine (GEE), while future scenarios for 2030 and 2040 were simulated using the MOLUSCE plugin in QGIS 2.18. Cross-tabulation matrices and annual rates of change were calculated using IDRISI SELVA 17.0. The results show increases of 12.6% and 7.4% in coffee crop area during 2000–2010 and 2010–2020, respectively, alongside a significant reduction in forest and grassland cover (−5.06% and −2.10% during 2010–2020), mainly driven by agricultural expansion facilitated by transportation infrastructure and market accessibility. This study contributes to the international literature by providing empirical evidence from the Peruvian Amazon on the long-term impacts of coffee expansion on land use and land cover, supporting land-use planning and sustainable agriculture in tropical regions. Full article

A growing body of literature argues in favor of the influence of organizational culture (OC) on firm performance (FP). Yet this consensus often emanates from studies that over-emphasize the direct culture–performance relationship, with methodologies that are deficient in revealing causal mechanisms and prone to giving ambiguous results. To address these gaps, this study proposes and tests an integrated theoretical framework, synthesizing the Schema Theory, Resource-Based View/Capability theory, and Contingency Theory of Firm Performance. This framework establishes a foundational influence mechanism of OC on performance, moving from cognitive schemas to actualized capabilities and environmental fit. Using data from 249 construction firms in Ghana, we employed a three-stage analytical process; using cluster analysis, we identified five cultural clusters, dominated by Clan and Adhocracy culture types (Organic cultures). Cross-tabulation revealed that large and resource-rich firms (D1K1 and D2K2) were more likely to exhibit balanced cultural profiles. Initial analysis using Kruskal–Wallis H Test showed no significant performance difference between balanced and organic clusters. However, when multiple regression was employed to control for firm classification and adverse industry conditions, the Balanced Culture profile emerged as a statistically significant predictor of superior performance. Consequently, we argue that while an Appropriate Culture, one dominated by organic traits and values, provides survival in a challenged environment, the Balanced Culture profile serves as a critical enabler of superior firm performance, once resource constraints and industry stressors are neutralized. Our findings hold particular importance for international–local joint ventures, where cultural alignment is a critical success factor. Additionally, the proposed framework establishes a robust theoretical foundation for future studies, especially those conceptualizing organizational culture as a foundational, independent variable. Full article

Forest welfare services are public services derived from forests that contribute to physical, emotional, and social health, ultimately aiming to improve quality of life. This study aimed to empirically analyze the qualifications of forest welfare professionals and their perceptions of social services. An online survey was conducted with 752 certified forest welfare professionals in South Korea. Frequency, cross-tabulation, and multiple regression analyses were performed to identify key factors affecting their perceptions, including experience with social service provision, understanding of social services, and the perceived need for integration. Results showed that approximately 54% had experience providing social services, and statistically significant differences were found in perceived barriers and sustainability factors based on experience. Mental health improvement was identified as the most expected benefit of social service provision, with low-income individuals and people with disabilities recognized as key target groups. Regression analysis revealed that age, additional qualifications, and experience significantly affected understanding of social services, particularly experience. However, only social service experience significantly influenced the perception of the need for integration between forest welfare and social services. Qualification type and forestry employment status had no significant effect. This study clarifies how professional experience and certification backgrounds of forest welfare specialists influence their perceptions of social services. Based on these findings, the study provides an empirical foundation for exploring the potential expansion and integration of forest welfare services. These findings offer valuable guidance for practitioners and policymakers seeking to enhance forest service effectiveness and sustainability. Full article

Molten salts act as fuel carriers and coolants in liquid-fueled molten salt reactors (MSRs), characterized by strong coupling between neutronics and thermal hydraulics (N-TH) in practical MSR operations. In this study, an in-house light water reactor static and transient analysis code, RESTA-3D, has been extended and applied to MSR transient safety analysis. A parallel multi-channel TH model and a neutron kinetics model incorporating the transport of delayed neutron precursors were implemented into RESTA-3D to account for the MSR-specific N-TH coupling characteristics. Few-group cross-section parameters were generated by the TMSR-LINK code and tabulated for use in RESTA-3D to support MSR transient analysis. The code system was verified against simulation results from well-established MSR dynamics codes and validated against experimental data from the MSRE (Molten Salt Reactor Experiment), covering steady-state temperature distributions, fuel pump-driven transients, and the MSRE natural convection test. Good agreement of the improved RESTA-3D results with the experiment data of MSRE was confirmed, with key parameters such as temperature within a 1% deviation margin, thereby confirming that RESTA-3D is suitable for MSR dynamics analysis. Furthermore, this code was applied to assess the transient characteristics of a 2 MWth thorium-based molten salt reactor (TMSR). The core characteristics, including the inlet fuel overcooling and overheating, unprotected fuel pump start-up and coast-down, were simulated and discussed, indicating that the 2 MWth TMSR design possesses high inherent safety. Full article

As the older adult population rapidly increases, society is entering an aged era, and attention to measures that promote healthy aging is growing. Golf, a widely practiced leisure sport, offers physical and psychological benefits for older adults. This study examined differences in successful aging, loneliness, and depressive mood according to marital status among older adults engaged in golf. A survey was conducted with 189 older adults. Data were analyzed using cross-tabulation, validity and reliability testing, multivariate analysis of variance, and post hoc tests. Statistically significant differences emerged across marital status groups. No significant differences were found in psychological aging. In physical and social aging, the married group showed more favorable outcomes than the divorced group, and in social aging, the bereaved group also scored higher than the divorced group. Emotional loneliness was greater among divorced and bereaved participants than among married ones, whereas social loneliness and depressive mood were highest in the divorced group. In sum, marital status was significantly associated with successful aging, loneliness, and depressive mood in older adults who play golf. Although golf participation was associated with more favorable psychological outcomes, divorced individuals remain particularly vulnerable in several domains, possibly owing to persistent social stigma. Full article

This study explores gender-based perceptions of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the Australian construction industry, drawing on data from an exploratory mixed-methods investigation of construction practitioners. Australia provides a relevant case context due to sustained national attention to organisational culture, employee well-being, and work–life balance in construction. Adopting an exploratory mixed-methods design, the study integrates survey responses from construction practitioners (n = 40), examined separately for male and female participants, with qualitative analysis of open-ended responses to explore perceptions of workplace culture, leadership opportunities, organisational policies, work–life balance, and technology. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive cross-tabulations and Fisher’s Exact Tests to identify indicative patterns, while qualitative insights provided contextual depth. Given the modest sample size, findings are interpreted descriptively rather than as statistically generalisable. Results indicate perceived progress toward more inclusive workplace practices across both genders within this sample, alongside continuing concerns regarding leadership diversity, access to mentoring, and the visibility and communication of flexible work arrangements. Qualitative findings suggest the importance of transparent promotion processes, leadership opportunities, and organisational support mechanisms, including educational and professional development, in shaping gender-equality experiences. Participants also identified technological advancement as a potential enabler of inclusion through reducing traditional physical barriers and expanding digitally mediated roles, while emphasising that effective training and organisational support would be necessary to realise these benefits. Overall, the study offers exploratory, practitioner-level insights into a sector undergoing gradual cultural transition, highlighting areas that may warrant further organisational and policy consideration. Full article

Renewable energy sources account for approximately one-quarter of the total electric power generating capacity in the United States. These sources increase system complexity, with potential negative impacts caused by their inherent variability. A microgrid, a decentralized local grid, offers an excellent solution for integrating these sources into the system’s generation mix in a cost-effective and efficient manner. This paper presents a comprehensive fault tree analysis for the reliability assessment of microgrids, ensuring their safe operation. In this work, fault tree analysis of a microgrid in grid-tied mode with solar, wind, and battery energy storage systems is performed, and the results are reported. The analyses and calculations are performed using the Relyence software suite. The fault tree analysis was performed using various calculation methods, including exact (conventional fault tree analysis), simulation (Monte Carlo simulation), cut-set summation, Esary–Proschan, and cross-product. Once these analyses were completed, the results were compared with the ‘exact’ method as the base case. Critical risk measures, such as unavailability, conditional failure intensity, failure frequency, mean unavailability, number of failures, and minimal cut-sets, were documented and compared. Importance measures, such as marginal or Birnbaum, criticality, diagnostic, risk achievement, and risk reduction worth, were also computed and tabulated. Details of all cut-sets and the probability of failure are presented. The calculated importance measures would help microgrid operators focus on events that yield the greatest system improvements and maintain an acceptable range of risk levels to ensure safe operation and improved system reliability. Full article

Background: As South Korea transitions into a super-aged society, promoting sport participation among older adults is increasingly vital for physical health, emotional well-being, and social inclusion. Objective: This study examines how the interplay between gender and social stratification influence sport participation and health among South Koreans aged 60 and above. Methods: Using data from the 2024 Korea National Sports Participation Survey (n = 1779), this study employed Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA), cross-tabulation, and one-way ANOVA with Scheffé’s post hoc tests to examine differences in sport participation and health by gender and social stratification such as income, education, and occupation. Results: The analysis revealed significant differences in sport participation and subjective health outcomes by gender and social stratification. Among older men, sport participation varied strongly by socioeconomic status: higher-status men participated in golf, cycling, and bodybuilding, whereas those from lower strata mainly engaged in walking and gateball. In contrast, older women’s participation types were less stratified and more influenced by gender norms, with consistent involvement in walking, aerobics, yoga, and stretching. One-way ANOVA showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) in subjective health status and physical fitness by all socioeconomic variables for both genders. Conclusions: Older adults’ sport participation and health in South Korea are constrained by both socioeconomic inequality and entrenched gender norms. Promoting equitable active aging requires policies that both reduce socioeconomic barriers and challenge restrictive gender norms. Full article

The inverter is the key element that converts the intermittent DC power of the PV array into a quality AC flow to the grid and simultaneously performs functions such as power factor control, reactive services, and grid code compliance. Therefore, the detailed operating profile of the inverter, how the power, dynamics, power quality, and efficiency evolve over time, is critical for both the scientific understanding of the system and the daily operation (O&M). Monitoring only aggregated energy indicators or single KPIs (e.g., PR) is often insufficient: it does not distinguish weather-related variations from technical limitations (clipping, curtailment), does not show dynamic loads (ramp rate), and does not provide confidence in the quality of the injected energy (PF, P–Q behavior). These deficiencies motivate research that simultaneously covers the physical side of the conversion, the operational dynamics, and the climatic reference of the resource. The analysis covers the window of 25 January–15 April 2025 (winter→spring). Due to the pronounced seasonality of the solar resource and temperature regime, all quantitative results and conclusions regarding efficiency, dynamics, clipping, and degradation are valid only for this window; generalizations to other seasons require additional data. In the next stage, we will add ≥12 months of data and perform a comparable seasonal analysis. Full specifications of the measuring equipment (DC/AC current/voltage, clock synchronization, separate high-frequency $PQ$-logger) and quantitative uncertainty estimates, including distribution to key indicators ($\eta$, $PR$, $THD$, $I_{DC}$), are presented. The PVGIS per-kWp climate reference is anchored to the nameplate DC peak and cross-checked against percentile scaling; $a\pm \epsilon$ scale error shifts $PR$ by $\epsilon$ and changes $\Delta E$ proportionally only on hours with $\widehat{P}>P$. The capacity for the climate reference (PVGIS per-kWp) is calibrated to the tabulated DC peak power $C_{cert}$ and is cross-validated using a percentile scale ($Q_{0.99}$). Full article

Background and Objectives: Keratoconus (KC) is a progressive corneal ectasia with multifactorial etiology, increasingly studied for potential associations with psychiatric disorders. This systematic review aimed to evaluate recent evidence linking KC with depression and other psychiatric conditions, including psychotic disorders, personality disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Tourette syndrome (TS), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). Materials and Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, PubMed, ScienceDirect and SpringerLink were searched for English-language observational studies published since 2015 that examined psychiatric disorders in adults with keratoconus. We excluded reviews, case reports, pediatric, non-English, and inaccessible articles. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and JBI Checklist. Data were narratively summarized and tabulated—without meta-analysis due to heterogeneity. Results: Twelve studies met inclusion criteria, including 41,906 KC patients and 63,267 controls. Eleven studies investigated depression and one ADHD. Findings on depression were mixed: five studies showed higher depressive symptoms among KC patients, while others found no significant association. Most were cross-sectional and of moderate-to-high quality. The single study on ADHD reported a higher prevalence of KC in males, but no evidence of casual association. Evidence on TS, ASD, and OCD was scarce and largely limited to case reports. The review was limited by heterogeneous methodologies, small sample sizes, an absence of longitudinal data, and reliance on self-report or registry data. Conclusions: Current evidence indicates increased psychological burden among some individuals with KC, particularly regarding depressive symptoms, yet casual relationships remain unproven. Male ADHD patients may have an elevated risk of KC, especially in the presence of eye rubbing. Registration: Not registered. Full article

It is well known that early education and care lay the foundation for learning and wellbeing; however, resources available to support children with different life experiences can vary. For example, resources available to support early childhood educators working with young children from military families are particularly lacking. This is of concern, given that these children face a range of stressors in their daily lives. To address this gap, our interdisciplinary team used a co-creation framework to build a suite of free, online, psychosocial resources for the children and their parents, educators and support workers. To test the usability of the resources, we conducted an online survey with 83 Australian participants (parents, educators, and support workers) about their knowledge, skills and confidence in supporting these children and the children’s wellbeing. After the study, the participants were given access to the psychosocial resources for 6 to 12 months. Following this, an adapted survey was administered online (post-intervention) with 15 participants who had remained in the study during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quantitative data was analysed using cross-tabulation and descriptive statistics. Qualitative data was analysed using inductive thematic analysis. In our pre-intervention studies, 61% of parents and almost 26% of educators were only partially confident in understanding children’s responses to military-specific stressors. In contrast, in the current study, this number had fallen to under 7% (combined participant group), with perceived improvements noted in their views on the children’s wellbeing. These exploratory findings with a small sample size highlight the potential benefit of targeted programmes, professional development, and accessible resources for parents, educators, and support workers who assist children from military families. Full article

As an important sustainable lifelong learning competence, self-regulated learning involves a continuous process of self-monitoring and self-directing towards a learning goal. This study examined the level of alignment between university students’ self-regulated learning (SRL) profiles using questionnaire data and learning analytics data in flipped classrooms. On the one hand, a hierarchical cluster analysis using the questionnaire data generated two learning profiles of high and low self-regulated (SR) learners. On the other hand, a hierarchical cluster analysis using the questionnaire data produced two learning profiles of active and passive online learners. Although a cross-tabulation analysis showed a significant and positive relationship between students’ learning profiles identified using the questionnaire and learning analytics data, the association was rather weak. Of the high SR learners, there was a significantly higher proportion of active online learners than passive online learners. In contrast, among low SR learners, a significantly lower proportion of active online learners than passive online learners was found. Furthermore, high SR and active online learners and high SR and passive online learners had significantly better academic achievement than low SR and active online learners and low SR and passive online learners, demonstrating the importance of SR in flipped classrooms. Full article

Lombardy is Italy’s leading region in primary agricultural production, yet it faces a significant decline in agricultural soil, primarily due to urban expansion. This land consumption largely affects arable areas, as land is repurposed for low-density residential developments, roads, logistics, and commercial or industrial hubs. The reduction in agricultural land threatens regional food security and increases dependency on external markets. This study determines the long-term sustainability of this trend by estimating the actual quantity of agricultural land required to satisfy the food demand of the region’s citizens. The research employed a two-part georeferenced analysis. First, a cross-tabulation matrix quantified the land consumption over two decades. Second, the Planning Forecasts Map was analyzed, coupled with new road projects, to estimate future potential land consumption embedded in Land Use Plans (PGT). Finally, food consumption was converted into the required hectares of agricultural land per capita and compared to the current stock of agricultural land to quantify the deficit by municipality. The dramatic spatial deficit confirms that the current trajectory of land consumption is unsustainable, leaving Lombardy’s food security highly dependent on imports. While regional laws have reduced planned urbanization, the limitation of land take remains far from the goals. The results highlight the urgent need for effective compensatory measures and mitigation strategies that account for the true magnitude and spatial distribution of the agricultural land deficit, particularly in the most critical urban and peri-urban areas. Full article