Saved Queries

by Todd Demmy, Samah Abdelhady, Garin Tomaszewski, Michael Petroziello, Omar Hasan, Mark Hennon, Elisabeth Dexter, Deepak Vadehra, Ajay Gupta, Anne Grand‘Maison, Grace Dy and Sai Yendamuri

Cancers 2025, 17(17), 2880; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17172880 (registering DOI) - 2 Sep 2025

Abstract

Objectives: We sought to document interim methodologic improvements and preliminary results for pulmonary suffusion. Methods: A Phase I/II trial of thoracoscopic lung suffusion for resectable sarcoma and colorectal carcinoma metastases followed a pilot study on oligometastatic lung malignancy at a comprehensive cancer center. Primary-specific chemotherapy doses (cisplatin, oxaliplatin, doxorubicin, or gemcitabine) suffused unilaterally for 30 min were escalated to amplify regional deliveries three-fold. Drug delivery was measured with tissue, blood samples, and ⁹⁹Tc; pulmonary function tests and clinical adverse events (AEs) assessed safety and tolerance. Results: From 2008–2025, 31 ECOG 0–2 patients (10 male) aged 33–75 years had unilateral lung suffusion (16 right, 14 left, 1 aborted, and 8 sides selected randomly). Vascular occlusion intolerance was immediate or delayed (25 min) in two cases. Two catheter-positioning grade 3 AEs occurred: hypotension with troponin leak (1) and atrial fibrillation (1). Patients averaged 1.3 ± 1.2 metastasectomies (17 sub-lobar, 8 lobar resections, and 2 intentional open cytoreductive metastasectomies). Hospitalizations were brief (1–4 days) except for 6–7 day stays in the only two open cases and one doxorubicin (grade 4 hypoxic respiratory failure) case. Ninety-day survival was 100%, and the Phase I delivery goal of 12.75 mg/m² 65 (15% systemic) was achieved for oxaliplatin. Lung function was preserved according to ⁹⁹Tc differentials within 6.1 ± 7.1% of the predicted reductions at 30 days. Sampling delays, tracer discordances, and atypical pharmacokinetics reduced tissue drug detections. Recent pulmonary artery snaring cases (two) demonstrated in-flow control more stable than that of balloon occlusions. Conclusions: Suffusion for metastatic malignancies appears safe and warrants further investigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Cancer Therapy)

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13 pages, 3256 KB

Open AccessArticle

Characteristics of GaN-Based Micro-Light-Emitting Diodes for Mbps Medium-Long Distance Underwater Visible Light Communication

by Zhou Wang, Yijing Lin, Yuhang Dai, Jiakui Fan, Weihong Sun, Junyuan Chen, Siqi Yang, Shiting Dou, Haoxiang Zhu, Yan Gu, Jin Wang, Hao Zhang, Qiang Chen and Xiaoyan Liu

Nanomaterials 2025, 15(17), 1347; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15171347 (registering DOI) - 2 Sep 2025

Abstract

To promote the development of long-distance high-speed underwater optical wireless communication (UWOC) based on visible light, this study proposes a high-bandwidth UWOC system based on micro-light-emitting-diodes (micro-LEDs) adopting the Non-Return-to-Zero On-Off Keying (NRZ-OOK) modulation. The numerical simulations reveal that optimizing the structural parameters of gallium nitride (GaN)-based micro-LED through dimensional scaling and quantum well layer reduction may significantly enhance optoelectronic performance, including modulation bandwidth and luminous efficiency. Moreover, experimental validation demonstrated maximum real-time data rates of 420 Mbps, 290 Mbps, and 250 Mbps at underwater distances of 2.3 m, 6.9 m, and 11.5 m, respectively. Furthermore, the underwater audio communication was successfully implemented at an 11.5 m UWOC distance at an ultra-low level of incoming optical power (12.5 µW) at the photodetector (PD) site. The channel characterization yielded a micro-LED-specific attenuation coefficient of 0.56 dB/m, while parametric analysis revealed wavelength-dependent degradation patterns, exhibiting positive correlations between both attenuation coefficient and bit error rate (BER) with operational wavelength. This study provides valuable insights for optimizing underwater optical systems to enhance real-time environmental monitoring capabilities and strengthen security protocols for subaquatic military communications in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure Semiconductor Materials and Optoelectronic Applications)

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30 pages, 392 KB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Safety and Crisis Management Through Adaptive Leadership in Complex Construction Engineering Projects

by Ahmed Faleh Alanazi, Musab Rabi, Mazen J. Al-Kheetan and Abdulrazzaq Jawish Alkherret

Safety 2025, 11(3), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/safety11030085 (registering DOI) - 2 Sep 2025

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of adaptive leadership on crisis management effectiveness in complex construction engineering projects in Saudi Arabia. Adaptive leadership was conceptualized through six core dimensions: Flexibility in Decision-Making, Emotional Intelligence, Leader-Follower Communication, Problem-Solving Adaptability, Resilience in Leadership, and Fostering Collaboration. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of these leadership dimensions on crisis response effectiveness and safety outcomes within the high-risk, dynamic environment of the Saudi construction sector. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among managerial and supervisory personnel across major engineering and construction firms in Saudi Arabia. A total of 183 valid responses were obtained using a non-probability convenience sampling technique. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results indicated that five adaptive leadership dimensions—Flexibility in Decision-Making, Emotional Intelligence, Problem-Solving Adaptability, Resilience in Leadership, and Fostering Collaboration—had significant positive effects on crisis management effectiveness. However, Leader-Follower Communication did not demonstrate a statistically significant relationship with crisis outcomes. The findings contribute theoretical value by validating an adaptive leadership framework tailored to engineering project crises. Practically, the study underscores the importance of enhancing leadership flexibility, emotional intelligence, and collaborative engagement to strengthen crisis responsiveness and project continuity in Saudi construction firms. Recommendations include the development of targeted leadership training programs and the integration of digital technologies to support adaptive decision-making in real-time crisis conditions, resulting in better Safety and Crisis Management. Although, study limitations include reliance on self-reported data and the context-specific focus on the Saudi construction sector, which may affect generalizability, the findings are contextualized through comparison with international literature to support broader relevance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Safety Performance Assessment and Management in Construction)

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23 pages, 3338 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hierarchical Fuzzy-Adaptive Position Control of an Active Mass Damper for Enhanced Structural Vibration Suppression

by Omer Saleem, Massimo Leonardo Filograno, Soltan Alharbi and Jamshed Iqbal

Mathematics 2025, 13(17), 2816; https://doi.org/10.3390/math13172816 (registering DOI) - 2 Sep 2025

Abstract

This paper presents the formulation and simulation-based validation of a novel hierarchical fuzzy-adaptive Proportional–Integral–Derivative (PID) control framework for a rectilinear active mass damper, designed to enhance vibration suppression in structural applications. The proposed scheme utilizes a Linear–Quadratic Regulator (LQR)-optimized PID controller as the baseline regulator. To address the limitations of this baseline PID controller under varying seismic excitations, an auxiliary fuzzy adaptation layer is integrated to adjust the state-weighting matrices of the LQR performance index dynamically. The online modification of the state weightages alters the Riccati equation’s solution, thereby updating the PID gains at each sampling instant. The fuzzy adaptive mechanism modulates the said weighting parameters as nonlinear functions of the classical displacement error and normalized acceleration. Normalized acceleration provides fast, scalable, and effective feedback for vibration mitigation in structural control using AMDs. By incorporating the system’s normalized acceleration into the adaptation scheme, the controller achieves improved self-tuning, allowing it to respond efficiently and effectively to changing conditions. The hierarchical design enables robust real-time PID gain adaptation while maintaining the controller’s asymptotic stability. The effectiveness of the proposed controller is validated through customized MATLAB/SIMULINK-based simulations. Results demonstrate that the proposed adaptive PID controller significantly outperforms the baseline PID controller in mitigating structural vibrations during seismic events, confirming its suitability for intelligent structural control applications. Full article

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31 pages, 1511 KB

Open AccessArticle

Economic Evaluation During Physicochemical Characterization Process: A Cost–Benefit Analysis

by Despina A. Gkika, Nick Vordos, Athanasios C. Mitropoulos and George Z. Kyzas

ChemEngineering 2025, 9(5), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemengineering9050095 (registering DOI) - 2 Sep 2025

Abstract

As academic institutions expand, the proliferation of laboratories dealing with hazardous chemicals has risen. While the physicochemical characterization equipment employed in these academic chemical laboratories is widely recognized, its usage presents a notable risk to researchers at various levels. This paper presents a simplified approach for evaluating the effects of the implementation of prevention investments in regard to working with nanomaterials on a lab scale. The evaluation is based on modeling the benefits (avoided accident costs) and costs (safety training), as opposed to an alternative (not investing in safety training). Each scenario analyzed in the economic evaluation reflects a different level of risk. The novelty of this study lies in its objective to provide an economic assessment of the benefits and returns from safety investments—specifically training—in a chemical laboratory, using a framework that integrates qualitative insights to explore and define the context alongside quantitative data derived from a cost–benefit analysis. The Net Present Value (NPV) was evaluated. The results of the cost–benefit analysis demonstrated that the benefits exceed the cost of the investment. The findings from the sensitivity analysis highlight the significant influence of insurance benefits on safety investments in the specific case study. In this case study, the deterministic analysis yielded a Net Present Value (NPV) of €280,414.67, which aligns closely with the probabilistic results. The probabilistic NPV indicates 90% confidence that the investment will yield a positive NPV ranging from €283,053 to €337,356. The cost–benefit analysis results demonstrate that the benefits outweigh the costs, showing that with an 87% training success rate, this investment would generate benefits of approximately €6328 by preventing accidents in this study. To the best of the researchers’ knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the influence of safety investment through an economic evaluation of laboratory accidents with small-angle X-ray scattering during the physicochemical characterization process of engineered nanomaterials. The proposed approach and framework are relevant not only to academic settings but also to industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Chemical Engineering)

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15 pages, 902 KB

Open AccessArticle

Public Health in the Headlines: A Study of Media Behavior on Discourses on Vaccination During COVID-19

by Carolina Jann Scalfoni, Edson Theodoro dos Santos Neto and Tatiana Breder Emerich

Vaccines 2025, 13(9), 937; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13090937 (registering DOI) - 2 Sep 2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic was characterized by the rapid transmission of the virus and a global race for vaccines, with vaccines such as AstraZeneca, CoronaVac, Pfizer, and Janssen arriving in Brazil in 2020. Concurrently, an infodemic of information, driven by the media and social media, highlighted the importance of health communication. This study examines how online newspapers in a Brazilian state disseminated information about vaccination and its relationship with vaccine adherence among the population. Methods: Quantitative research, in which a total of 5308 journalistic articles were verified, using two databases, one for the publication of journalistic articles and the other for vaccinations in the state, which applied 9,577,567 doses in the period. Results: The analyses demonstrated a positive correlation between the number of publications of articles and the number of applications of vaccines (rho = 0.407, p-value < 0.0005), revealing a relationship of both increase and decrease in the publication of newspaper articles and the application of vaccines in specific weeks during the analysis period. Vaccination data revealed low adherence to the booster dose by the population, with unequal values among the cities of the state. Conclusions: The study highlighted the potential importance of newspapers in disseminating information about vaccines during the pandemic, underscoring the need for regional health strategies to increase vaccination coverage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 Vaccination and Public Health: Addressing Global, Regional and Within-Country Inequalities)

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10 pages, 240 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Association Between Nutritional Status and Muscle Strength of Shoulder, Hip, and Knee, and the Timed Up and Go Test in Older Adults

by Abrar Melebari, Dara Aldisi, Mahmoud M. A. Abulmeaty and Adel Alhamdan

Nutrients 2025, 17(17), 2850; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17172850 (registering DOI) - 1 Sep 2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study examined the relationship between nutritional status and muscle strength in the upper and lower large muscles, with a specific focus on shoulder, hip, and knee muscle strength in community-dwelling older adults. It also investigated the relationship between nutritional status and functional performance as measured by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Methods: A secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study involving 2045 older adults (aged 60 years or older) from 15 randomly selected primary health care centers in Riyadh was conducted between January 2015 and April 2017. After excluding participants with specific medical conditions, 1741 individuals were included in the analysis. Nutritional status was assessed using the Arabic version of the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Handgrip strength (HGS) and large muscle strength (shoulder, hip, knee) were measured using a hydraulic hand dynamometer and the Nicholas Manual Muscle Tester, respectively. The TUG test was also assessed to evaluate physical performance. Results: The study revealed that well-nourished older adults had significantly greater upper and lower muscle strength than those who were malnourished or at risk (p ≤ 0.001), with males generally exhibiting stronger muscle strength than females. Furthermore, in both genders, older adults showed significant positive correlations between MNA scores and upper and lower muscle strength. Additionally, longer times on the TUG test indicated a higher risk of malnutrition (OR: 1.135, CI: 1.087–1.186; p ≤ 0.001). Conclusions: this study breaks new ground by being the first to explore the relationship between nutritional status and the muscular strength in the shoulder and hip regions. Findings indicate that muscle strength and physical performance were associated with malnutrition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Risk in Older Adults in Different Healthcare Settings)

21 pages, 885 KB

Open AccessReview

Bibliometric Analysis of the Impact of Soil Erosion on Lake Water Environments in China

by Xingshuai Mei, Guangyu Yang, Mengqing Su, Tongde Chen, Haizhen Yang and Sen Wang

Water 2025, 17(17), 2592; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17172592 - 1 Sep 2025

Abstract

With the increasing attention to China’s ecological environment protection and the prominence of lake water environment problems, the impact of soil erosion on lake ecosystems has become an important research topic for regional sustainable development. Based on the CiteSpace bibliometric method, this study systematically analyzed 225 research articles on the impact of soil erosion on the water environment of lakes in China in the core collection of Web of Science from 1998 to 2025, aiming to reveal the research hotspots, evolution trends and regional differences in this field. The results show that China occupies a dominant position in this field (209 papers), and the Chinese Academy of Sciences is the core research institution (93 papers). The research hotspots show obvious policy-driven characteristics, which are divided into slow start periods (1998–2007), accelerated growth periods (2008–2015), explosive growth periods (2016–2020) and stable development periods (2021–2025). A keyword cluster analysis identified nine main research directions, including sedimentation effect (#0 cluster), soil loss (#2 cluster) and nitrogen and phosphorus migration (#11 cluster) in the Three Gorges Reservoir area. The study found that the synergistic effects of climate change and human activities (such as land use change) are becoming a new research paradigm, and the Yangtze River Basin, the Loess Plateau and the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau constitute the three core research areas (accounting for 72.3% of the total literature). Future research should focus on a multi-scale coupling mechanism, a climate resilience assessment and an ecological engineering effectiveness verification to support the precise implementation of lake protection policies in China. This study provides a scientific basis for the comprehensive management of the soil erosion–lake water environment system, and also contributes a Chinese perspective to the sustainable development goals (SDG6 and SDG15) of similar regions in the world. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Soil and Water Conservation, 2nd Edition)

19 pages, 666 KB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Roles of Corporate Social Responsibility and Artificial Intelligence Adoption in the Impact of Political Connections on Innovation Performance

by Mingming Yao and Mengdan Xu

Sustainability 2025, 17(17), 7883; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17177883 (registering DOI) - 1 Sep 2025

Abstract

With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), how firms can better fulfill corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the context of AI and the role of CSR in firms have attracted increasing attention. This study explored the role of CSR and AI adoption in the impact of political connections on innovation performance. Using a sample of 269 Chinese private firms, it found that CSR mediated the positive relationship between political connections and innovation performance. AI adoption positively moderates the facilitating effects of political connections on CSR and CSR on innovation performance. The findings of the study not only investigate the mechanism through which unique political connections (the establishment of Party organizations in firms) in Chinese private firms, viewed from a CSR perspective, influence innovation but also explore the moderating role of AI in this mechanism, suggesting that AI can enhance the positive impact of political connections on innovation via CSR. Full article

34 pages, 9695 KB

Open AccessArticle

Anticancer Effects of Ascorbic Acid: Not All Sides Fit All

by Uche O. Arunsi, Jeremiah O. Olugbami and Adegboyega K. Oyelere

Cancers 2025, 17(17), 2877; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17172877 - 1 Sep 2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Ascorbic acid (AA)is a micronutrient with concentration-dependent anticancer properties, acting either as a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger or inducer. Methods: Conventional redox-based assays such as MTS/MTT often overestimate cell proliferation due to AA’s interaction with tetrazolium salts, leading to increased formazan production. To overcome this limitation, we employed the Propidium Iodide Triton X-100 (PI/TX-100) assay to evaluate AA’s cytotoxic effects across a diverse panel of cancer and normal cell lines, including prostate (22Rv1, C4-2B, DU-145, LNCaP), breast (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-453), lung (A549), liver (HepG2, SK-HEP-1, Huh7), and kidney (Vero) cells. Results: AA significantly suppressed cancer cell viability compared to normal cells (RWPE1 and Vero), with the strongest effects observed in hormone receptor-positive lines. The relative sensitivity to AA followed distinct patterns within each cancer type. Mechanistically, AA-induced cell death involved ROS generation, lipid peroxidation, cell cycle arrest, ferroptosis, apoptosis, and downregulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDHK1). Conclusions: These findings further support the potential of AA as a selective anticancer agent and highlight the importance of assay choice in evaluating its therapeutic efficacy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Cancer Biology)

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24 pages, 7537 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Mathematical Methodology for the Detection of Rail Corrugation Based on Acoustic Analysis: Toward Autonomous Operation

by César Ricardo Soto-Ocampo, Juan David Cano-Moreno, Joaquín Maroto and José Manuel Mera

Mathematics 2025, 13(17), 2815; https://doi.org/10.3390/math13172815 - 1 Sep 2025

Abstract

In autonomous railway systems, where there is no driver acting as the primary fault detector, annoying interior noise caused by track defects can go unnoticed for long periods. One of the main contributors to this phenomenon is rail corrugation, a recurring defect that generates vibrations and acoustic emissions, directly affecting passenger comfort and accelerating infrastructure deterioration. This work presents a methodology for the automatic detection of corrugated track sections, based on the mathematical modeling of the spectral content of onboard-recorded acoustic signals. The hypothesis is that these defects produce characteristic peaks in the frequency domain, whose position depends on speed but whose wavelength remains constant. The novelty of the proposed approach lies in the formulation of two functional spectral indices—IIAPD (permissive) and EWISI (restrictive)—that combine power spectral density (PSD) and fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis over spatial windows, incorporating adaptive frequency bands and dynamic prominence thresholds according to train speed. This enables robust detection without manual intervention or subjective interpretation. The methodology was validated under real operating conditions on a commercially operated metro line and compared with two reference techniques. The results show that the proposed approach achieved up to 19% higher diagnostic accuracy compared to the best-performing reference method, maintaining consistent detection performance across all evaluated speeds. These results demonstrate the robustness and applicability of the method for integration into autonomous trains as an onboard diagnostic system, enabling reliable, continuous monitoring of rail corrugation severity using reproducible mathematical metrics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Intelligent Computing, Machine Learning and Pattern Recognition)

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22 pages, 3504 KB

Open AccessArticle

New Application for the Early Detection of Wound Infections Using a Near-Infrared Fluorescence Device and Forward-Looking Thermal Camera

by Ha Jong Nam, Se Young Kim and Hwan Jun Choi

Diagnostics 2025, 15(17), 2221; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15172221 - 1 Sep 2025

Abstract

Background: Timely and accurate identification of wound infections is essential for effective management, yet remains clinically challenging. This study evaluated the utility of a near-infrared autofluorescence imaging system (Fluobeam^®, Fluoptics, Grenoble, France) and a thermal imaging system (FLIR^®, Teledyne LLC, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA) for detecting bacterial and fungal infections in chronic wounds. Fluobeam^® enables real-time visualization of microbial autofluorescence without exogenous contrast agents, whereas FLIR^® detects localized thermal changes associated with infection-related inflammation. Methods: This retrospective clinical study included 33 patients with suspected wound infections. All patients underwent autofluorescence imaging using Fluobeam^® and concurrent thermal imaging with FLIR^®. Imaging findings were compared with microbiological culture results, clinical signs of infection, and semi-quantitative microbial burdens. Results: Fluobeam^® achieved a sensitivity of 78.3% and specificity of 80.0% in detecting culture-positive infections. Fluorescence signal intensity correlated strongly with microbial burden (r = 0.76, p < 0.01) and clinical indicators, such as exudate, swelling, and malodor. Pathogens with high metabolic fluorescence, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida spp., were consistently identified. Representative cases demonstrate the utility of fluorescence imaging in guiding targeted debridement and enhancing intraoperative decision-making. Conclusions: Near-infrared autofluorescence imaging with Fluobeam^® and thermal imaging with FLIR^® offer complementary, noninvasive diagnostic insights into microbial burden and host inflammatory response. The combined use of these modalities may improve infection detection, support clinical decision-making, and enhance wound care outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Medical Imaging and Theranostics)

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19 pages, 5097 KB

Open AccessArticle

Estimation of PM_2.5 Transport Fluxes in the North China Plain and Sichuan Basin: Horizontal and Vertical Perspectives

by Zhida Zhang, Xiaoqi Wang, Zheng Wang, Jing Li and Yuanming Jia

Atmosphere 2025, 16(9), 1040; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16091040 - 1 Sep 2025

Abstract

In this study, the PM_2.5 pollution transport budget in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) of Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) and Chengdu–Chongqing (CY) was quantitatively evaluated from the perspective of horizontal and vertical exchange. Based on the aircraft meteorological data relay (AMDAR) observation data, the study found that the vertical exchange process of pollutants is mainly influenced by the combined effects of meteorological conditions and topographical factors. Meteorological factors determine the direction and intensity of the vertical exchange, while the complexity of the terrain affects the exchange pattern through local circulation and air flow convergence. The characteristics of the pollution transport budget between the BTH and CY regions show that the BTH region has a net output of pollutants throughout the year, while the CY region has a net input of pollutants. The total transport budget of the four typical representative seasons in BTH is negative. It indicated that BTH, as the region with the highest intensity of air pollution emission in China, is dominated by outward transport of air pollutants to surrounding regions. Due to the influence of topographic and meteorological conditions in the CY region, the air pollutants tend to accumulate in the basin rather than diffuse. The transport budget relationship of the four seasons is positive and the input of air pollutants can be obviously simulated. Combined with the results of the vertical wind profile, Beijing is more vulnerable to the prevailing cold air sinking in the northwest in winter, which is characterized by the inflow of the free troposphere (FT) into the ABL. As for Chongqing, it is blocked by mountains so that the gas convection at the top of the ABL is obvious. This horizontal convergence phenomenon induces upward vertical movement, which makes Chongqing show a strong characteristic of the ABL transport to the FT. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality)

12 pages, 531 KB

Open AccessArticle

Diagnostic Value of Simple Ultrasound Features and Inflammatory Markers in Postmenopausal Ovarian Cysts

by Balazs Erdodi, Gergo Jozsef Szollosi, David Ratonyi, Laszlo Varadi, Zoard Tibor Krasznai and Attila Jakab

Diagnostics 2025, 15(17), 2220; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15172220 - 1 Sep 2025

Abstract

Background: The management of ovarian cysts in postmenopausal women is still a diagnostic dilemma. Although ultrasound is the diagnostic cornerstone of the initial assessment, it is limited by its interpretation in cases without clear morphological features of malignancy. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess whether the addition of grayscale ultrasound features with inflammatory markers including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) can improve diagnostic accuracy in the identification of malignant ovarian lesions as compared to benign cysts in postmenopausal women. Methods: A total of 103 surgically removed adnexal masses were examined retrospectively. Ultrasound morphology was categorized to either simple or complex while NLR and PLR were calculated from preoperative full blood counts. The reference standard was histopathology. Results: Of the 103 cysts taken out, 74 cysts (71.8%) were benign while 29 cysts (28.2%) were malignant. Complex morphology was shown by all malignant lesions. NLR values in malignancy vs. benignancy showed a mean NLR of 4.96 ± 2.3 in the malignant cases, while it was 2.56 ± 1.2 in the benign cases (p < 0.001). In a similar fashion, the PLR was 198.4 ± 45.1 in malignant compared to 134.2 ± 32.7 in benign cases (p < 0.001). In the group of complex cysts (n = 52), NLR and PLR were compared to differentiate between malignant and benign lesions. In logistic regression, complex morphology was an independent predictor of malignancy, while NLR showed a positive, non-significant trend; PLR was not independently associated. Conclusions: Use of NLR and PLR in combination with grayscale ultrasonographic morphology improves the diagnostic characterization of postmenopausal women with adnexal masses. This easy, cost-effective method might aid in better triage and surgery planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Diagnosis of Gynecological Cancers)

31 pages, 1623 KB

Open AccessArticle

How Does Industrial Intelligence Enhance Green Total Factor Productivity in China? The Substitution Effect of Environmental Regulation

by Shiheng Xie, Jiaqi Ji, Yiran Zhang and Shuping Wang

Sustainability 2025, 17(17), 7881; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17177881 (registering DOI) - 1 Sep 2025

Abstract

Against the dual backdrop of iterative AI advancement and deepening green development imperatives, AI-driven industrial intelligence (INT) has emerged as a pivotal force in driving sustainable economic growth. While the existing literature has explored the correlation between INT and green total factor productivity (GTFP), significant gaps remain in the design of multidimensional variables, analysis of environmental regulation (ER), and capture of dynamic effects. From the perspective of ER, this study utilizes provincial panel data from China (2012–2023) to construct an 11-indicator evaluation system for INT development and employs the EBM super-efficiency model to measure GTFP. Furthermore, a two-way fixed effects model combined with a moderated mediation model is established to systematically elucidate the intrinsic linkage mechanism between INT and GTFP. The key findings are as follows: First, INT has a significant positive impact on GTFP. Second, green innovation and spatio-economic synergy are crucial pathways through which INT empowers GTFP. Third, ER exhibits a substitutive effect within both the direct and indirect impacts of INT on GTFP, where intensified ER significantly attenuates INT’s positive impacts. Fourth, the enhancement effect of INT on GTFP remains statistically significant with a one-year lag, and the substitution effect of ER persists. This study provides an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms of INT-driven green economic transformation, offering valuable insights for governments to implement differentiated environmental governance strategies tailored to local conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Economics, Productivity and Efficiency: Synergies for Sustainable Development)

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