Search Results (23,730)

To address the challenges of insufficient response speed and robustness in optical attitude control systems under highly dynamic disturbances and internal uncertainties, a composite control strategy is proposed in this study. By integrating the proposed piecewise sliding control (P-SMC) with the improved active disturbance rejection control (ADRC), this strategy achieves complementary performance, which can not only suppress the disturbance but also converge to a bounded region fast. Under highly dynamic disturbances, the improved extended state observer (ESO) based on the EKF achieves rapid response with amplified state observations, and the Nonlinear State Error Feedback (NLSEF) generates a compensation signal to actively reject disturbances. Simultaneously, the robust sliding mode control (SMC) suppresses the effects of system nonlinearity and uncertainty. To address chattering and overshoot of the conventional SMC, this study proposes a novel P-SMC law which applies distinct reaching functions across different error bands. Furthermore, the key parameters of the composite scheme are globally optimized using the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm to achieve Pareto-optimal trade-offs between tracking accuracy and disturbance rejection robustness. Finally, MATLAB simulation experiments validate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy under diverse representative disturbances. The results demonstrate improved performance in terms of response speed, overshoot, settling time and control input signals smoothness compared to conventional control algorithms (ADRC, C-ADRC, T-SMC-ADRC). The proposed strategy enhances the stability and robustness of optical attitude control system against internal uncertainties of system and sensor measurement noise. It achieves bounded-error steady-state tracking against random multi-source disturbances while preserving high real-time responsiveness and efficiency. Full article

The growing need for efficient and safe high-energy lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in electric vehicles and grid storage necessitates advanced internal monitoring solutions. This work presents a comprehensive simulation model of a novel integrated optical sensor based on ethylene carbonate-filled photonic crystal fiber (EC-PCF). The proposed design synergistically combines a chirped fiber Bragg grating (FBG) and an extrinsic Fabry–Pérot interferometer (EFPI) on a multiplexed platform for the multifunctional sensing of refractive index (RI), temperature, strain, and pressure (via strain coupling) within LIBs. By matching the RI of the PCF cladding to the battery electrolyte using ethylene carbonate, the design maximizes light–matter interaction for exceptional RI sensitivity, while the cascaded EFPI enhances mechanical deformation detection beyond conventional FBG arrays. The simulation framework employs the Transfer Matrix Method with Gaussian apodization to model FBG reflectivity and the Airy formula for high-fidelity EFPI spectra, incorporating critical effects like stress-induced birefringence, Transverse Electric (TE)/Transverse Magnetic (TM) polarization modes, and wavelength dispersion across the 1540–1560 nm range. Robustness against fabrication variations and environmental noise is rigorously quantified through Monte Carlo simulations with Sobol sequences, predicting temperature sensitivities of ∼12 pm/°C, strain sensitivities of ∼1.10 pm/$\mathsf{\mu }$$\mathsf{\epsilon }$, and a remarkable RI sensitivity of ∼1200 nm/RIU. Validated against independent experimental data from instrumented battery cells, this model establishes a robust computational foundation for real-time battery monitoring and provides a critical design blueprint for future experimental realization and integration into advanced battery management systems. Full article

Armed conflicts continue to severely impact human populations and essential infrastructure, particularly water supply systems. This study examines the Yechilla area, a high-intensity battle corridor during the Tigray (between 12°15′26″ 14°57′49″ N latitude; and 36°20′57″–39°58′54″ E longitude) war (2020–2022). Using Cochran’s formula, a representative sample of 89 water schemes was selected for onsite assessment. Additional data on damages to water offices, personnel, equipment, and related infrastructure were gathered through face-to-face interviews with local officials and water professionals, onsite visits, and reviews of governmental and non-governmental archives, and previous studies. The findings reveal that 48.3% of water schemes in the study area are non-functional (does not deliver water), which is a significant increase from pre-war non-functionality rates of approximately 7.1% regionally and 21.1% nationally. Despite the Pretoria peace agreement, non-functionality levels remain critically high two years after conflict. Damage includes partial impairments, lack of technical and spare part support, complete destruction, and looting of water scheme components. The widespread destruction of civilian water infrastructure during the Tigray conflict underscores the insufficiency of existing international legal frameworks, such as the International Humanitarian Law and International Water Law, which are inadequately protecting civilians and their property. Understanding the broader consequences of armed conflicts requires examining the indirect effects and the complex interactions within and between social, economic, and environmental systems. These interconnected impacts are essential to fully grasp how conflict affects livelihoods and human security on a wider scale. Full article

Breast cancer remains a leading cause of global cancer burden, with marked differences in incidence across countries. While biological risk factors are well established, understanding the broader structural and sociocultural influences has been less comprehensive. In this study, we analyzed harmonized data from 183 countries (2017–2023), encompassing 33 variables and 7 subvariables related to demographics, nutrition, environment, health, and healthcare access, drawn from open-access international databases. Spearman correlation analysis identified strong positive associations between breast cancer incidence and discontinued breastfeeding, high LDL cholesterol, out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure, and educational attainment. Conversely, poor sanitation, lack of handwashing facilities, unsafe water, and certain nutritional deficiencies exhibited robust negative correlations, likely reflecting under detection and reporting limitations in lower-resource settings rather than true protective effects. These findings were further explored using multiple linear regression, which explained approximately 73% of the variance in global breast cancer incidence. The final model highlighted discontinued breastfeeding, prevalence of cocaine use, unsafe sanitation, high out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure, limited handwashing access, and high processed meat consumption as the most influential independent predictors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis confirmed strong predictive value for discontinued breastfeeding and out-of-pocket expenditure, with sanitation and hygiene variables showing paradoxical inverse associations. Our results emphasize that breast cancer risk is shaped not only by individual behaviors and genetics, but also by larger-scale structural, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. These patterns suggest that targeted interventions addressing both lifestyle behaviors and systemic inequities—such as promoting breastfeeding, reducing financial barriers to healthcare, and strengthening public health infrastructure—could meaningfully reduce the global burden of breast cancer. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of multisectoral, equity-focused prevention strategies. It also highlights the value of country-level ecological analyses in uncovering upstream determinants of cancer incidence and calls for further research to disentangle individual and contextual effects in cancer epidemiology. Full article

The rapid and reliable acquisition of canopy-related metrics is essential for improving decision support in viticultural management, particularly when monitoring individual vines for targeted interventions. This study presents a spatially explicit workflow that integrates Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) imagery, 3D point-cloud analysis, and Object-Based Image Analysis (OBIA) to detect and monitor individual grapevines throughout the growing season. Vines are identified directly from 3D point clouds without the need for prior training data or predefined row structures, achieving a mean Euclidean distance of 10.7 cm to the reference points. The OBIA framework segments vine vegetation based on spectral and geometric features without requiring pre-clipping or manual masking. All non-vine elements—including soil, grass, and infrastructure—are automatically excluded, and detailed canopy masks are created for each plant. Vegetation indices are computed exclusively from vine canopy objects, ensuring that soil signals and internal canopy gaps do not bias the results. This enables accurate per-vine assessment of vigour. NDRE values were calculated at three phenological stages—flowering, veraison, and harvest—and analyzed using Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) to detect spatial clusters and outliers. In contrast to value-based clustering methods, LISA accounts for spatial continuity and neighborhood effects, allowing the detection of stable low-vigour zones, expanding high-vigour clusters, and early identification of isolated stressed vines. A strong correlation (R² = 0.73) between per-vine NDRE values and actual yield demonstrates that NDRE-derived vigour reliably reflects vine productivity. The method provides a transferable, data-driven framework for site-specific vineyard management, enabling timely interventions at the individual plant level before stress propagates spatially. Full article

Background: Nurse-manager competencies shape workforce stability, yet role-based perception gaps between managers and staff may influence staff nurses’ turnover cognitions. Objectives: To (1) compare nurse managers’ self-ratings with staff nurses’ ratings of the same managers on the Nurse Manager Competency Inventory (NMCI); (2) compare both groups’ perceptions of staff nurses’ turnover intention (EMTIS); (3) examine domain-specific links between perceived competencies and perceived turnover intention; and (4) explore demographic influences (age, education, experience) on these perceptions. Methods: Cross-sectional dual-rater study with 225 staff nurses and 171 nurse managers in two tertiary hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from August to November 2024. Managers completed NMCI self-ratings, and staff nurses rated their managers on the same NMCI domains; both groups rated staff nurses’ turnover intention using EMTIS. Between-group differences were tested with one-way ANOVA (two-tailed α = 0.05), and associations were examined with Pearson’s r (95% CIs). Findings: Managers consistently rated themselves higher than staff rated them across all nine NMCI domains; the largest descriptive gaps were in Promoting Staff Retention, Recruit Staff, Perform Supervisory Responsibilities, and Facilitate Staff Development (e.g., overall NMCI: managers M = 3.67, SD = 0.61 vs. staff M = 3.04, SD = 0.74; F = 0.114, p = 0.73)with comparatively smaller divergence for Ensure Patient Safety and Quality. Managers and staff did not differ significantly on EMTIS (overall EMTIS: managers M = 3.16, SD = 1.28 vs. staff M = 3.00, SD = 1.15; F = 21.32, p = 0.173). Specific competency domains—retention, supervision, staff development, safety/quality leadership, and quality improvement—showed small inverse correlations with EMTIS facets (typical r ≈ −0.11 to −0.19; p < 0.05), whereas the global NMCI–overall EMTIS correlation was non-significant (r = −0.077, p = 0.124). Effect sizes were modest and should be interpreted cautiously. Conclusions: Actionable signals reside at the domain (micro-competency) level rather than in global leadership composites. Targeted, continuous, unit-embedded development in human- and development-focused competencies—tracked with dual-lens (manager–staff) measurement and linked to retention KPIs—may help nudge turnover cognitions downward. Key limitations include the cross-sectional, perception-based design and two-site setting. Findings nonetheless align with international workforce challenges and may be transferable to similar hospital contexts. Full article

Internal insulation plasters enable historic building renovation without altering the external appearance of the wall. However, the use of internal insulation must be verified case-by-case through dynamic hygrothermal simulation, and the influence of input parameters on the results is not always clear. This paper aims to (i) characterize a new lime-based insulating plaster with expanded recycled glass and aerogel through laboratory measurements, (ii) assess the damage criteria of the plaster under different boundary conditions through dynamic simulations, and (iii) identify the most impactful design conditions on the relative humidity behind insulation. This innovative plaster combines highly insulating properties (thermal conductivity of 0.0463 W/mK) with good capillary activity while also integrating recycled components without compromising performance. The relative humidity behind insulation remains below 95% in most simulated scenarios, with cases above this threshold found only in cold climates, particularly under high internal moisture loads. The parametric study shows that (i) in the analyzed stones, the thermal conductivity variation of the existing wall has a greater effect on the relative humidity behind insulation than the variation of the vapor resistance factor, (ii) the effect of insulation thickness on the relative humidity behind insulation depends on the difference in thermal resistance of the insulation and existing masonry layers, and (iii) internal moisture load and external climate directly impact the relative humidity behind insulation. Full article

Background and Objectives: Post-menopausal estrogen decline is considered a contributing factor to sarcopenia, and inspiratory muscle training (IMT) may provide benefits in this demographic. This study examined the impact of a four-week IMT program on diaphragm thickness, abdominal wall muscle thickness (AWMT; transversus abdominis, internal oblique, and external oblique), and liver fat percentage in healthy elderly women. Materials and Methods: Twenty-six women aged 60–80 years were randomly assigned to an IMT group (n = 13) or a control group (n = 13). The IMT group used the PowerBreathe^® Classic device at 40% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), with weekly increments of 10%. Training was performed twice daily, five days per week, with 30 breathing cycles per session (60 per day). The control group maintained their usual routines. AWMT, diaphragm thickness (DT), and fatty liver density (FLD) were measured by a radiologist before and after the intervention. Results: After four weeks, the IMT group showed significant improvements in all parameters compared to controls. Mid-diaphragm thickness (MDT) increased by 11.44% (effect size (ES) = 0.358, p < 0.001) versus 0.76% in controls (p = 0.271). Posterior diaphragm thickness (PDT) improved by 7.48% (ES = 0.282, p < 0.001) versus 0.38% (p = 0.564). Right AWMT increased by 12.7% (ES = 0.492, p < 0.001) compared to 0.10% (p = 0.872), and left AWMT increased by 9.93% (ES = 0.395, p < 0.001) versus 2.64% (p = 0.014). FLD improved by 11.79% (ES = 0.959, p < 0.001) in the IMT group, while the control group showed no meaningful change (−0.13%, p = 0.847). Conclusions: A short-term IMT protocol significantly enhanced diaphragm and AWMT and reduced liver fat in elderly women. These findings support the use of IMT as a simple, non-invasive intervention to preserve musculoskeletal and metabolic health in aging populations. Full article

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with high mortality and increasing incidence. Sorafenib, a cornerstone of therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, presents certain disadvantages, including low bioavailability and poor water solubility. This work describes a new strategy for sorafenib-targeted delivery aimed at improving treatment efficiency and reducing side effects. Methods: Magnetic nanoparticles coated with azelaic acid were modified with aptamer molecules that specifically recognize human liver cancer cell line HepG2, ensuring specificity for the tumor tissue. The nanoparticles were further loaded with sorafenib. The obtained drug delivery system was extensively characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Results: The drug delivery system demonstrated a higher release of sorafenib at acidic pH compared to pH 7.4. The cell internalization of the bare and aptamer-modified magnetic nanoparticles was assessed in HepG2 and human normal foreskin fibroblasts BJ cell lines, demonstrating that the aptamer significantly enhances internalization in tumor cells, while having no impact on healthy cells. Conclusions: The sorafenib-modified nanoparticles exhibited excellent cytocompatibility with BJ cells across all tested concentrations, while showing cytotoxicity towards HepG2 cells at higher concentrations, confirming the selectivity of the system. Full article

To investigate diquark correlation in baryons, the baryon spectra with different light–heavy quark combinations are calculated using Gaussian expansion method within both the naive quark model and the chiral quark model. By computing the diquark energies and separations between any two quarks in baryons, we analyze the diquark effect in the $ud$-q/Q, $us$-Q, $ss$-q/Q, and $QQ$-q/Q systems (where $q=u,d$, or s; $Q=c,b$). The results show that diquark correlations exist in baryons. In particular, for $qq$-Q and $QQ$-q systems, the same type of diquark exhibits nearly identical energy and size across different baryons. In the orbital ground states of baryons, scalar–isoscalar diquarks have lower energy and a smaller size compared to vector–isovector diquark, which qualifies them as “good diquarks”. In $QQ$-q systems, a larger mass of Q leads to a smaller diquark separation and a more pronounced diquark effect. In $qq$-Q systems, the separation between the two light quarks remains larger than that between a light and a heavy quark, indicating that the internal structure of such diquarks must be taken into account. A comparison between the naive quark model and the chiral quark model reveals that the introduction of meson exchange slightly increases the diquark size in most systems. Full article

Global warming, driven by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is accelerating globally and highlights the need for effective mitigation strategies. This study assesses the economic feasibility of rainbow trout aquaculture by incorporating GHG emissions into its analysis, thereby contributing to mitigation efforts in the fisheries sector. Focusing on two farming systems—recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and flow-through systems (FTS)—we estimated GHG emissions and conducted an economic evaluation using data collected through field surveys. The average GHG emission was 7.14 kg CO₂ eq per kilogram of trout produced, with RAS showing lower emissions than FTS. Electricity and feed were identified as the primary emission sources. The economic analysis revealed an average net present value (NPV) of USD 987,609 and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 18%, with RAS outperforming FTS in profitability. A sensitivity analysis under carbon pricing showed that economic feasibility was maintained, but the NPV declined by about 24% under the carbon tax scenario. Overall, these findings underscore the importance of balancing profitability and emission reduction for sustainable aquaculture management. Full article

This study presents the development and evaluation of an automated ultraviolet-C irradiation system for maize seed treatment, emphasizing disinfection performance, environmental control, and vision-based monitoring. The system features dual 8-watt ultraviolet-C lamps, sensors for temperature and humidity, and an air extraction unit to regulate the microclimate of the chamber. Without air extraction, radiation stabilized within one minute, with internal temperatures increasing by 5.1 °C and humidity decreasing by 13.26% over 10 min. When activated, the extractor reduced heat build-up by 1.4 °C, minimized humidity fluctuations (4.6%), and removed odors, although it also attenuated the intensity of ultraviolet-C by up to 19.59%. A 10 min ultraviolet-C treatment significantly reduced the fungal infestation in maize seeds by 23.5–26.25% under both extraction conditions. Thermal imaging confirmed localized heating on seed surfaces, which stressed the importance of temperature regulation during exposure. Notable color changes ($\Delta E>2.3$) in treated seeds suggested radiation-induced pigment degradation. Ultraviolet-C intensity mapping revealed spatial non-uniformity, with measurements limited to a central axis, indicating the need for comprehensive spatial analysis. The integrated computer vision system successfully detected seed contours and color changes under high-contrast conditions, but underperformed under low-light or uneven illumination. These limitations highlight the need for improved image processing and consistent lighting to ensure accurate monitoring. Overall, the chamber shows strong potential as a non-chemical seed disinfection tool. Future research will focus on improving radiation uniformity, assessing effects on germination and plant growth, and advancing system calibration, safety mechanisms, and remote control capabilities. Full article

Indoor sports facilities present unique challenges for air quality management due to high crowd densities and limited ventilation. This study investigated air quality in a municipal athletic facility in Komotini, Greece, focusing on concentrations of airborne particulate matter (PM_1.0, PM_2.5, PM₁₀), humidity, and temperature across spectator zones, under varying mask scenarios. Sensing devices were installed in the stands to collect high-frequency environmental data. The system, based on optical particle counters and cloud-enabled analytics, enabled real-time data capture and retrospective analysis. The main experiment investigated the impact of spectators wearing medical masks during two basketball games. The results show consistently elevated PM levels during games, often exceeding recommended international thresholds in the spectator area. Notably, the use of masks by spectators led to measurable reductions in PM_1.0 and PM_2.5 concentrations, because they seem to have limited the release of human-generated aerosols as well as the amount of movement among spectators, supporting their effectiveness in limiting fine particulate exposure in inadequately ventilated environments. Humidity emerged as a reliable indicator of occupancy and potential high-risk periods, making it a valuable parameter for real-time monitoring. The findings underscore the urgent need for improved ventilation strategies in small to medium-sized indoor sports facilities and support the deployment of low-cost sensor networks for actionable environmental health management. Full article

Lung-protective ventilation and other experimental conditions raise arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO₂) and alter pH. Short-term benefits are reported in non-infectious settings, whereas infection and/or prolonged exposure are typically harmful. This scoping review systematically maps immune-mediated effects of hypercapnia on innate immunity and alveolar epithelial repair. Scoping review per Levac et al. and PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (Open Science Framework protocol: 10.17605/OSF.IO/WV85T; post hoc). We searched original preclinical studies (in vivo/in vitro) in PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Reviews, and SciELO (2008–2023). PaCO₂ (mmHg) was prioritized; %Fraction of inspired Carbon Dioxide (%FiCO₂) was recorded when PaCO₂ was unavailable; pH was classified as buffered/unbuffered. Data were organized by context, PaCO₂, and exposure duration; synthesis used heat maps (0–120 h) and a narrative description for >120 h. Mechanistic axes extracted the following: NF-κB (canonical/non-canonical), Bcl-2/Bcl-xL–Beclin-1/autophagy, AMPK/PKA/CaMKKβ/ERK1/2 and ENaC/Na,K-ATPase trafficking, Wnt/β-catenin in AT2 cells, and miR-183/IDH2/ATP. Thirty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. In non-infectious models, a “protective window” emerged, with moderate PaCO₂ and brief exposure (65–95 mmHg; ≤4–6 h), featuring NF-κB attenuation and preserved epithelial ion transport. In infectious models and/or with prolonged exposure or higher PaCO₂, harmful signals predominated: reduced phagocytosis/autophagy (Bcl-2/Bcl-xL–Beclin-1 axis), AMPK/PKA/ERK1/2-mediated internalization of ENaC/Na,K-ATPase, depressed β-catenin signaling in AT2 cells, impaired alveolar fluid clearance, and increased bacterial burden. Chronic exposures (>120 h) reinforced injury. Hypercapnia is a context-, dose-, time-, and pH-dependent double-edged modulator. The safe window is narrow; standardized, parallel reporting of PaCO₂ and pH—with explicit comparisons of buffered vs. unbuffered hypercapnia—is essential to guide clinical translation. Full article

A critical factor contributing to the burden of childhood asthma is the lack of effective self-management in homecare settings. Artificial intelligence (AI) and lung sound monitoring could help address this gap. Yet, existing AI-driven auscultation tools focus on wheeze detection and often rely on subjective human labels. To improve the early detection of asthma worsening in children in homecare setting, we trained and evaluated a Deep Learning model based on spirometry-labelled lung sounds recordings to detect asthma exacerbation. A single-center prospective observational study was conducted between November 2020 and September 2022 at a tertiary pediatric pulmonology department. Electronic stethoscopes were used to record lung sounds before and after bronchodilator administration in outpatients. In the same session, children also underwent spirometry, which served as the reference standard for labelling the lung sound data. Model performance was assessed on an internal validation set using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. A total of 16.8 h of lung sound recordings from 151 asthmatic pediatric outpatients were collected. The model showed promising discrimination performance, achieving an AUROC of 0.763 in the training set, but performance in the validation set was limited (AUROC = 0.398). This negative result demonstrates that acoustic features alone may not provide sufficient diagnostic information for the early detection of asthma attacks, especially in mostly asymptomatic outpatients typical of homecare settings. It also underlines the challenges introduced by differences in how digital stethoscopes process sounds and highlights the need to define the severity threshold at which acoustic monitoring becomes informative, and clinically relevant for home management. Full article