Search Results (27,569)

Herein we report the very first experiments which were conducted in an attempt to demonstrate the ability of low-field (LF), compact benchtop NMR spectrometers to provide spectral profiles of whole human biofluids, which took place in September–November 2014, and this paper represents a 10-year (decennial) anniversary of this work. LF ¹H NMR analysis was performed on ²H₂O-reconstituted lyophilizates of urine samples (pH 7.00) collected from untreated Niemann-Pick type C1 (NPC1) disease patients and their heterozygous carrier controls (n = 3 in each case). ¹H NMR spectra were acquired on a 60 MHz Oxford Instruments Pulsar compact benchtop spectrometer with spectral filter widths of 5000 Hz, using 1000–1600 scans, and relaxation delays of 15 or 30 s. Further, 400 MHz spectra were also obtained on these samples. Following parameter optimisation, the benchtop system generated reasonable quality urinary ¹H NMR profiles containing ca. 30 signals. Benchtop ¹H NMR analysis confirmed the abnormal urinary metabolic signature of NPC1 disease, and also revealed a gastric permeability disorder in one patient (detection of upregulated urinary sucrose, verified by 400 MHz NMR analysis). Early LF NMR experiments also demonstrated that glucose was trackable in control urine samples pre-spiked with this metabolite. This paper continues with further developments made on LF NMR-based metabolomics technologies, which are systematically discussed for related investigations conducted since 2014. In conclusion, such ‘first-time’ bioanalytical information regarding spectral quality served to pave the way forward for benchtop NMR-based metabolomics investigations of biofluids, which could provide invaluable disease-engendered ‘snapshots’ of disturbances to metabolic pathways and activities, along with those of any co-linked or unlinked comorbidities. Full article

The optimization of thermal performance in buildings is essential for sustainable urban development, yet the high cost and complexity of traditional thermal conductivity measurement methods limit broader research and educational applications. This study developed and validated a low-cost, replicable prototype that determines the thermal conductivity of roof tiles and composites using the Lee Disc method automated with Arduino-based acquisition. Standardized samples of ceramic, fiber–cement, galvanized steel, and steel coated with a castor oil-based polyurethane composite reinforced with miriti fiber (Mauritia flexuosa) were analyzed. The experimental setup incorporated integrated digital thermocouples and strict thermal insulation procedures to ensure measurement precision and reproducibility. Results showed that applying the biocompatible composite layer to metal tiles reduced thermal conductivity by up to 53%, reaching values as low as 0.2004 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹—well below those of ceramic (0.4290 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹) and fiber–cement (0.3095 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹) tiles. The system demonstrated high accuracy (coefficient of variation < 5%) and operational stability across all replicates. These findings confirm the feasibility of open-source, low-cost instrumentation for advanced thermal characterization of building materials. The approach expands access to experimental research, promotes sustainable insulation technologies, and offers practical applications for both scientific studies and engineering education in resource-limited environments. Full article

This study aims to guide the management and service of highways towards a more efficient and intelligent direction, and also provides intelligent and green data support for achieving sustainable development goals. The forecasting of traffic flow at highway stations serves as the cornerstone for spatiotemporal analysis and is vital for effective highway management and control. Despite considerable advancements in data-driven traffic flow prediction, the majority of existing models fail to differentiate between directions. Specifically, entrance flow prediction has applications in dynamic route guidance, disseminating real-time traffic conditions, and offering optimal entrance selection suggestions. Meanwhile, exit flow prediction is instrumental for congestion and accident alerts, as well as for road network optimization decisions. In light of these needs, this study introduces an enhanced heterogeneous spatiotemporal graph network model tailored for predicting highway station traffic flow. To accurately capture the dynamic impact of upstream toll stations on the target station’s flow, we devise an influence probability matrix. This matrix, in conjunction with the covariance matrix across toll stations, updated graph structure data, and integrated external weather conditions, allows the attention mechanism to assign varied combination weights to the target toll station from temporal, spatial, and external standpoints, thereby augmenting prediction accuracy. We undertook a case study utilizing traffic flow data from the Chengdu-Chengyu station on the Sichuan Highway to gauge the efficacy of our proposed model. The experimental outcomes indicate that our model surpasses other baseline models in performance metrics. This study provides valuable insights for highway management and control, as well as for reducing traffic congestion. Furthermore, this research highlights the importance of using data-driven approaches to reduce carbon emissions associated with transportation, enhance resource allocation at toll plazas, and promote sustainable highway transportation systems. Full article

This work presents an experimental study of the effect of blade count on the flow field and the radiated noise in a low-speed axial fan with a rotating shroud. A two-component Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) system and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) instrumentation have been employed to investigate the flow in the gap region and in front of the rotor blades. Additionally, the fan has been installed in a hemi-anechoic chamber and far-field acoustic measurements have been taken with a microphone mounted on-axis upstream of the rotor to show changes in the spectral features of the radiated noise. The tested rotor is a variable-geometry one that has allowed for studying rotor configurations with different numbers of blades of the same chord and shape, i.e., of the same geometry but different solidity. Rotor pressure rise and flow rate are average quantities that have a relevant effect on the leakage flow. Keeping them fixed while varying solidity allows us to highlight the local effects of circumferential pressure non-uniformity caused by differing blade loading. The results show that, at low solidity, the flow leaving the gap is mainly directed radially outward and follows a longer path before being ingested by the rotor, thus losing strength due to mixing with the main flow. As solidity increases, the flow becomes less radial and is more rapidly ingested by the rotor. In all cases, the sound pressure level spectrum shows marked subharmonic humps and peaks originating from the interaction between the leakage flow and rotor. The departure of such peaks from the blade passing frequency increases with the solidity, while the associated energy increases up to seven blades and then decreases. Full article

This study examines how employees’ psychological capital relates to workplace stress and mobbing (also known as workplace bullying) across three European countries. Stress has become an increasingly dominant issue globally since the second half of the 20^th century, moving from clinical contexts into public awareness. It is now recognized as a significant health risk factor, particularly in work environments. While positive forms of stress (eustress) can enhance performance, chronic workplace stress is linked to serious mental and physical health problems. This study investigates the relationship between psychological capital (PsyCap), workplace stress, and mobbing among employees in Germany, Austria, and Hungary. Based on a cross-sectional survey (N = 89), the research applied validated instruments (PCQ, PSS-10, COPSOQ II) to measure PsyCap, perceived workplace stress, and experiences of mobbing. Results show a high average PsyCap level (M = 4.64, SD = 0.70) and a moderate perceived workplace stress level (M = 2.73, SD = 0.62) across the sample. A strong negative correlation was identified between PsyCap and workplace stress (r = −0.573, p < 0.001), while a moderate positive correlation was found between workplace stress and mobbing experiences (r = 0.323, p = 0.002). Although PsyCap moderated stress levels, it did not significantly moderate the relationship between mobbing and perceived stress. These findings emphasize the role of PsyCap in reducing workplace stress and underline the necessity of organizational interventions in promoting psychological resilience and mobbing prevention. The results also indicate a need to further examine the causal relationship between mobbing, stress, and PsyCap. Full article

Both studies and conservation of mountain waters are essential because of the primary role of mountains as “natural water towers” for the preservation and optimized exploitation of water reserves. In particular, under climate change stresses which induce reductions in rain and snow precipitation, especially in areas with rain-snow transition zones, increasing knowledge of the geological setting and hydrogeological context of mountain springs is pivotal for their preservation and optimized exploitation. However, the complexity and remoteness of mountain waters make them difficult to conceptualize and analyse, both observationally and instrumentally. In this context, using detailed geological mapping and hydrogeological surveys, geophysical data can provide useful information on the subsurface setting. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) surveys are utilized in this work for the investigation of the Montellina Spring (MS), which is located in the low Dora Baltea Valley and represents a significant drinking water source in the alpine context. Geophysical surveys, complemented by specific geological and hydrogeological observations, allowed a detailed reconstruction of the water circuit that supplies the spring along an articulated buried glacial valley and a loose bedrock in a DSGSD (deep-seated gravitational slope deformation) environment. The methodological approach also provides the basis for its successful application in similar geological contexts. Full article

Background: Cancer-related pain is a common and distressing symptom among patients with cancer. Although acupuncture is widely used and supported by growing evidence, its real-world use and related patient attitudes remain underexplored in South Korea. This study aimed to investigate patterns of acupuncture use and identify factors influencing its use among Korean cancer patients experiencing pain. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from October 2023 to May 2024 at six Korean medicine hospitals. A total of 201 cancer patients with pain completed a questionnaire assessing acupuncture use, pain severity and interference, and beliefs using a modified version of the ABCAM (Attitudes and Beliefs about Complementary and Alternative Medicine) instrument. Treatment concerns, logistical barriers, and social norms were analyzed. Results: Of the 201 participants, 80.6% reported using acupuncture for cancer-related pain. Pain severity was the only significant predictor of acupuncture use (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.10–2.12, p = 0.01). Acupuncture users reported fewer concerns about safety and side effects, fewer logistical barriers, and stronger encouragement from family, healthcare providers, and peers. Conclusions: This is the first study to explore real-world use of acupuncture for cancer pain in South Korea. Greater pain severity, perceived safety, ease of access, and social support were associated with higher acupuncture use. These findings suggest that improved patient education and integration of acupuncture into cancer care may enhance pain management for Korean patients. Full article

Hypertension is a major chronic condition affecting older adults in the United States. The condition imposes clinical and economic burdens. Self-efficacy, or confidence in managing health, is crucial for effective self-management of hypertension. This study explored the relationships between socio-demographics, health status, and confidence in following provider recommendations for controlling hypertension among Medicare beneficiaries. The 2021 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey was analyzed, including responses from 5838 beneficiaries aged ≥65 years with reported hypertension. A three-level categorical dependent variable ((1) very confident/confident, (2) somewhat confident, and (3) not confident (reference group)) based on provider recommendations for lifestyle changes for hypertension control was created. A survey-weighted multinomial logit model examined associations between socio-demographics and self-reported health status and the dependent variable. Among respondents, 70.8%, 21.4%, and 7.8%, respectively, were very confident/confident, somewhat confident, and not confident in following provider recommendations for lifestyle changes to control hypertension. Beneficiaries with obesity, fair/poor general health, and limitations in basic activities of daily living or instrumental activities of daily living were less likely to report being very confident/confident. The findings of this cross-sectional study highlighted the potential need for targeted support (e.g., tailored health coaching, peer mentoring) of lifestyle changes for at-risk older adults to manage hypertension. Full article

Drilling fluid losses into formation voids are among the major issues that lead to increases in the costs and nonproductive time of operations. Lost circulation materials have been widely used to stop or mitigate losses. In most cases, the size of the loss zone is not known, making conventional lost circulation materials unsuitable for plugging the loss zone. In this study, novel temperature-sensitive LCM (TS-LCM) particles composed of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl methane were prepared. It is a thermal-response shape-memory polymer. The molecular structure was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The glass transition temperature (T_g) was tested by Different scanning calorimetry (DSC). The shape-memory properties were evaluated by a bend-recovery test instrument. The expansion and mechanical properties of particles were investigated under high temperature and high pressure. Fracture sealing testing apparatus was used to evaluate sealing performance. The mechanism of sealing fracture was discussed. Research results indicated that the T_g of the TS-LCM was 70.24 °C. The shape fixation ratio was more than 99% at room temperature, and the shape recovery ratio was 100% above the T_g. The particle was flaky before activation. It expanded to a cube shape, and the thickness increased when activated. The rate of particle size increase for D90 was more than 60% under 120 °C and 20 MPa. The activated TS-LCM particles had high crush strength. The expansion of the TS-LCM particles could self-adaptively bridge and seal the fracture without knowing the width. The addition of TS-LCM particles could seal the tapered slot with entrance widths of 2 mm, 3 mm and 4 mm without changing the lost circulation material formulation. The developed TS-LCM has good compatibility with local saltwater-based drilling fluid. In field tests in the Yan’an area of the Ordos Basin, 15 shale oil horizontal wells were plugged with excellent results. The equivalent circulating density of drilling fluid leakage increased by an average of 0.35 g/cm³, and the success rate of plugging malignant leakage increased from 32% to 82.5%. The drilling cycle was shortened by an average of 14.3%, and the effect of enhancing the pressure-bearing capacity of the well wall was significant. The prepared TS-LCM could cure fluid loss in a fractured formation efficiently. It has good prospects for promotion. Full article

Background/Objectives: In Spain, a high proportion of children do not meet the recommended daily levels of physical activity (PA), which highlights the urgent need to understand the motivational factors that could influence PA behavior. Self-Determination Theory is a widely used approach for assessing motivation toward exercise, employing instruments such as the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3). However, despite the cognitive and linguistic differences that limit its direct application, this tool has not yet been adapted for children aged 6–12 years. This study aimed to adapt the BREQ-3 for use with Spanish schoolchildren and to evaluate its validity and reliability in this age group. Methods: The BREQ-3 for children (BREQ-3C) was linguistically and culturally adapted. Comprehension was tested through cognitive interviews, and reliability was assessed via a test–retest with 125 Spanish schoolchildren. Statistical analyses: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Cronbach’s alpha, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to evaluate validity and reliability. Results: CFA supported the factorial structure of the adapted BREQ-3 for primary schoolchildren, showing acceptable model fit indices (chi-square minimum discrepancy/degrees of freedom (CMIN/df) = 1.552, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.053, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.891, Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) = 0.870). Internal consistency ranged from poor to excellent for all items and the total score of the questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha (α): 0.535 to 0.911), except for items 3, 13, 20, and 21, where the internal consistency was unacceptable. Test–retest reliability was generally satisfactory, with ICC values indicating fair to excellent temporal stability (ICC: 0.248 to 0.911). The measurement error indicators (standard error of measurement percentage (SEM%) and minimal detectable change percentage (MDC%)) varied widely, particularly for the less reliable items. Most item scores were not significantly different between the test and retest groups, although items 2, 3, 5, 9, 17, 19, and 20 were significantly different. Conclusions: The BREQ-3C has promising psychometric properties for assessing exercise motivation in children aged 6–12 years. This tool shows potential for use in research, education, and health interventions to understand and promote physical activity motivation in primary schools. Full article

We recently developed a mechanical acupuncture instrument (MAI) that applies mechanical stimulation to acupuncture points in effectively treating hypertension and addiction in animal models. However, its analgesic effect on inflammatory pain remains unclear. Here, we aimed to determine the optimal duration of MAI treatment at any given acupuncture point to improve analgesic effects. Adult male ICR mice (20–25 g, 6 weeks old, n = 6 per group) were used to evaluate whether MAI administration or TRPV1 (transient receptor potential vanilloid 1) inhibition had analgesic effects. Then, we investigated whether it affected TRPV1 expression and glial cells in the spinal cord of mice. The capsaicin test was used to identify the most effective acupoints and optimal treatment times for MAI. Additionally, we induced inflammatory pain in mice by administering a 2% carrageenan via intraplantar injection. To assess the analgesic effects of MAI treatment and TRPV1 inhibition, we evaluated pain-related behavior using von Frey filaments and a thermal stimulator applied to the hind paw. MAI treatment significantly suppressed pain-related behaviors. In particular, paw-licking duration was markedly reduced in the group treated with MAI for 60 s at ST36 compared to the capsaicin-treated group (p < 0.05), suggesting a robust analgesic effect. Additionally, MAI and capsazepine administration significantly attenuated carrageenan-induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia compared to the carrageenan-only group (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Additionally, MAI treatment and capsazepine administration effectively suppressed the carrageenan-induced upregulation of TRPV1 and glial cells in the spinal cord. In conclusion, our findings show that MAI administration at ST36 significantly alleviated inflammatory pain and was associated with downregulation of TRPV1 expression and microglial activation in the spinal cord. The present findings suggest that TRPV1 signaling is involved in the analgesic effects of mechanical acupuncture; however, a direct causal relationship has yet to be established. Full article

This study examines the spatio-temporal evolution of precipitation in the State of Guanajuato, Mexico, from 1981 to 2016 by analyzing monthly series from 65 meteorological stations. A rigorous data quality protocol was implemented, selecting stations with more than 30 years of continuous data and less than 10% missing values. Multiple Imputation by Chained Equations (MICE) with Predictive Mean Matching was applied to handle missing data, preserving the statistical properties of the time series as validated by Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests ($p=1.000$ for all stations). Homogeneity was assessed using Pettitt, SNHT, Buishand, and von Neumann tests, classifying 60 stations (93.8%) as useful, 3 (4.7%) as doubtful, and 2 (3.1%) as suspicious for monthly analysis. Breakpoints were predominantly clustered around periods of instrumental changes (2000–2003 and 2011–2014), underscoring the necessity of homogenization prior to trend analysis. The Trend-Free Pre-Whitening Mann–Kendall (TFPW-MK) test was applied to account for significant first-order autocorrelation (${\rho }_1>0.3$) present in all series. The analysis revealed no statistically significant monotonic trends in monthly precipitation at any of the 65 stations ($\alpha =0.05$). While 75.4% of the stations showed slight non-significant increasing tendencies (Kendall’s $\tau$ range: 0.0016 to 0.0520) and 24.6% showed non-significant decreasing tendencies ($\tau$ range: −0.0377 to −0.0008), Sen’s slope estimates were negligible (range: −0.0029 to 0.0111 mm/year) and statistically indistinguishable from zero. No discernible spatial patterns or correlation between trend magnitude and altitude ($\rho =-0.022$, $p>0.05$) were found, indicating region-wide precipitation stability during the study period. The integration of advanced imputation, multi-test homogenization, and robust trend detection provides a comprehensive framework for hydroclimatic analysis in semi-arid regions. These findings suggest that Guanajuato’s severe water crisis cannot be attributed to declining precipitation but rather to anthropogenic factors, primarily unsustainable groundwater extraction for agriculture. Full article

Clinical manifestations of salmonellosis in humans typically include acute gastroenteritis, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and fever. Diarrhea and anorexia may persist for several days. In some cases, the organisms may invade the intestinal mucosa and cause septicemia, even in the absence of significant gastrointestinal symptoms. Most clinical signs are attributed to hematogenous dissemination of the pathogen. As with other microbial infections, disease severity is influenced by the serotype of the organism, bacterial load, and host susceptibility. Serotyping analysis of Salmonella spp. using the White–Kauffmann–Le Minor scheme remains the gold standard for strain typing. However, this method is expensive, time-consuming, and requires significant expertise and visual interpretation by trained personnel, which is why it is typically restricted to regional or national reference laboratories. In this study, we evaluated a spectroscopic technique coupled with chemometrics and multivariate machine learning algorithms for its ability to discriminate the main Salmonella spp. serogroups in a clinical routine setting. We analyzed 95 isolates of Salmonella that were randomly selected, including four strains of S. Typhi. The I-dOne Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) system (Alifax S.r.l., Polverara, Italy) also shows promising potential for distinguishing Salmonella Typhi within the D serogroup. The I-dOne system enables simultaneous identification of both species and subspecies using the same workflow and instrumentation, thus streamlining the diagnostic process. Full article

Against the backdrop of China’s Rural Revitalization Strategy, rural industrial integration is regarded as a critical pathway to boosting farmers’ income, yet its specific impact and heterogeneous characteristics remain to be explored. Using biennial panel data from the 2021 and 2023 “Hundred Villages and Thousand Households” survey in Jiangxi Province, this study employs two-way fixed effects models, the instrumental variable method, and quantile regression to investigate the effect of farmers’ participation in rural industrial integration on their income. The findings show that participation in industrial integration significantly increases household income by an average of 28.6%, with causal relationships confirmed by instrumental variable analysis. Among different integration modes, industrial chain extension has the most significant effect, followed by functional expansion and internal multi-format integration, while technology penetration shows no significant effect; overlapping multiple modes exhibits a negative interactive effect. Additionally, high-standard farmland construction amplifies the income-increasing effect, and the effect is more pronounced for low-income farmers, those in mountainous areas, and farmers in the Central Jiangxi region. This study provides micro-level empirical evidence for optimizing industrial integration policies and advancing rural revitalization in central and western agricultural provinces. Full article

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has a long history and tradition in fishing, yet its role in regional tuna management remains yet to be fully defined. This is the case specifically of tuna species, such as yellowfin, which are highly migratory and require coordinated efforts in the context of a corresponding international governance framework, particularly in ecologically important areas like the Northern Indian Ocean and the Sea of Oman. Data collection and species identification present significant complexities for these species, yet accuracy is crucial for effective conservation and fair allocation of management shares. Although UAE fisheries are partly within the area of competence of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), the country has only recently begun to give consideration to the process toward participating in this Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (RFMO) which, in turn, would provide for the relevant governance framework for the species examined in this paper. This paper explores the factors behind these developments and assesses their implications for regional tuna management. Based on scientific sampling, we developed estimates of past landing volumes and propose mechanisms for ensuring data collection instrumental to an informed participation by the UAE in the regional tuna management framework under the IOTC. Finally, we explored the implications that this development would have under public international law, departing from the traditional principle “ex facto oritur ius” (Latin: the law arises from facts), which embodies the notion that certain legal consequences attach to particular developments. With regard to the specific developments being addressed by this paper, there could be certain legal consequences for UAE; following the reconstruction of landings and the enhancement of international datasets, we postulate that there would be legal ground for UAE to exercise historical fishing rights and seek a potential allocation of quotas within the framework of IOTC. Full article