Search Results (1,375)

The saline–alkali soil environment profoundly influences the diversity and composition of soil microbial communities, reshaping their ecological network structures. As a vital staple crop, rice (Oryza sativa L.) plays a crucial role in global food security, highlighting the urgent need to improve its cultivation efficiency in saline–alkali soils. However, the mechanisms by which rice roots recruit beneficial microorganisms from native soils under prolonged saline–alkali stress remain largely unclear, and limited research has been conducted on the effectiveness of microbial inoculants in enhancing rice salt tolerance. This study investigated microbial communities in a saline field subjected to over a decade of continuous rice cultivation. Plant growth-promoting microorganisms were isolated and screened from the rhizosphere. The findings revealed long-term salt stress significantly altered microbial diversity and community composition, although the overall microbial network structure remained resilient. A total of 21 plant growth-promoting strains were identified, indicating that rice roots under sustained salt stress selectively recruit beneficial microbes that contribute to plant growth and stress adaptation. Further experimental validation demonstrated that synthetic microbial communities outperformed individual strains in promoting rice seedling growth under high-salinity conditions, likely due to synergistic microbe and microbe–plant interactions. In conclusion, while saline–alkali conditions disrupt native microbial communities, rice exhibits adaptive capacity by selectively enriching growth-promoting microorganisms. The application of synthetic microbial consortia presents a promising strategy to enhance rice resilience and productivity in saline–alkali environments. Full article

Speech Emotion Recognition (SER) plays a vital role in supporting applications such as healthcare, human–computer interaction, and security. However, many existing approaches still face challenges in achieving robust generalization and maintaining high recall, particularly for emotions related to stress and anxiety. This study proposes a dual-stream hybrid model that combines prosodic features with spatio-temporal representations derived from the Multitaper Mel-Frequency Spectrogram (MTMFS) and the Constant-Q Transform Spectrogram (CQTS). Prosodic cues, including pitch, intensity, jitter, shimmer, HNR, pause rate, and speech rate, were processed using dense layers, while MTMFS and CQTS features were encoded with CNN and BiGRU. A Multi-Head Attention mechanism was then applied to adaptively fuse the two feature streams, allowing the model to focus on the most relevant emotional cues. Evaluations conducted on the RAVDESS dataset with subject-independent 5-fold cross-validation demonstrated an accuracy of 97.64% and a macro F1-score of 0.9745. These results confirm that combining prosodic and advanced spectrogram features with attention-based fusion improves precision, recall, and overall robustness, offering a promising framework for more reliable SER systems. Full article

Core mathematics courses are fundamental to the academic success of engineering students in higher education. These courses equip students with skills and knowledge applicable to their specialized fields. However, first-year engineering students often face significant challenges in mathematics due to a range of factors, including insufficient preparation, mathematics anxiety, and difficulty connecting theoretical concepts to real-life applications. The transition from secondary to tertiary mathematics remains a key area of educational research, with ongoing discussions about effective pedagogical approaches for teaching engineering mathematics. This study utilized a belief survey to gain general insights into the attitudes of first-year mathematics students towards the subject. In addition, it employed the activity theory framework to conduct a deeper exploration of the experiences of first-year engineering students, aiming to identify contradictions, or “tensions,” encountered within a flipped-classroom learning environment. Quantitative data were collected using surveys that assessed students’ self-reported confidence, competence, and knowledge development. Results from Friedman’s and Wilcoxon’s Signed-Rank Tests, conducted with a sample of 20 participants in 10 flipped-classroom sessions, statistically showed significant improvements in all three areas. All of Friedman’s test statistics were above 50, with p-values below 0.05, indicating meaningful progress. Similarly, Wilcoxon’s Signed-Rank Test results supported these findings, with p values under 0.05, leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. The qualitative data, derived from student questionnaire comments and one-to-one interviews, elucidated critical aspects of flipped-classroom delivery. The analysis revealed emerging contradictions (“tensions”) that trigger “expansive learning”. These tensions encompassed the following: student expectation–curriculum structure; traditional versus novel delivery systems; self-regulation and accountability; group learning pace versus interactive learning; and the interplay between motivation and anxiety. These tensions are vital for academic staff and stakeholders to consider when designing and delivering a first-year mathematics course. Understanding these dynamics can lead to more effective, responsive teaching practices and support student success during this crucial transition phase. Full article

The red mullet (Mullus barbatus, Linnaeus 1758) is a commercially vital demersal species in the Eastern Aegean Sea, yet it is subjected to high fishing pressure. This study assesses the population dynamics, growth, and exploitation status of M. barbatus based on 64 commercial trawl surveys conducted between 2022 and 2024 in the Lesvos–Ayvalik region. Length-frequency data identified eight age classes, with dominant cohorts at ages 3 (26.4%) and 5 (25%). The von Bertalanffy growth model estimated an asymptotic length (L∞) of 27.9 cm and growth coefficient (k = 0.21 year⁻¹), indicating a slow growth rate. The estimated fishing mortality (F = 0.74) exceeded natural mortality (M = 0.44), producing an exploitation rate (E = 0.63) that indicates overfishing. The length at 50% capture (LC₅₀ = 10.92 cm) was substantially below the optimal biomass length (Le = 16.6 cm), highlighting gear selectivity issues. Net benefit analysis revealed optimal fishing at 50–85 m depth and during December. These findings underscore the urgent need for improved management, including gear modifications, seasonal closures, and reduced effort, to restore sustainability and protect juvenile fish in the Eastern Aegean trawl fishery. Full article

Background: Exercise has been widely recognized as an effective non-pharmacological intervention method for maintaining the mental health and sleep quality of the elderly. However, existing studies rarely distinguish the types of exercise based on cultural attributes, and this is even more so for the situation of elderly women. This oversight limits the accuracy of exercise recommendations for this population. Hence, this study aimed to compare the differential effects of three types of exercise—Oriental exercise, general exercise, and sedentary leisure exercise (SLE)—on physiological indicators and mental health in elderly women and to examine the associations between physiological indicators, sleep quality, and mental health. Methods: A total of 386 participants were included in the study, comprising 252 individuals in the Oriental exercise group (mean ± SD: 67.83 ± 5.36), 110 individuals in the general exercise group (mean ± SD: 67.19 ± 4.47), and 24 individuals in the SLE group (mean ± SD: 67.38 ± 4.75). Psychological tests (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), the Subjective Well-being Scale (SWB), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), the Geriatric Anxiety Scale-20 (GAI-20), and the Exercise Motivation Scale (SMS)) and physiological measurements (such as body weight and pulmonary capacity) were conducted. ANOVA was performed to compare the effects of the three types of exercise on physiological and psychological outcomes, and correlation analyses were conducted to evaluate the associations between different types of exercise and mental health indicators, physiological indicators, and sleep quality. Results: Primary Objective: One-way ANOVA showed significant group differences in key outcomes. Bonferroni post hoc tests confirmed the following: Oriental exercise > general exercise in SWB (p = 0.032); general exercise > SLE in sleep quality (PSQI, p = 0.028) and lower body weight (p = 0.019); Oriental exercise > general exercise in vital capacity (p < 0.001). Secondary Objective: Pearson correlations revealed the following: PSQI negatively correlated with life satisfaction (SWLS: p = 0.035) and positively with GDS (p = 0.021); SWB positively correlated with SWLS (p < 0.001) and negatively with GDS (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Different exercise modalities have distinct benefits for elderly women. Oriental exercise improved vital capacity and well-being, while general exercise reduced body weight and enhanced sleep quality compared with sedentary leisure activity. Tailored exercise programs may effectively promote both physical and mental health in this population. Full article

Background: Uterine leiomyomas are the most common pelvic tumors in women of reproductive age. There is no clear conclusion in the literature regarding the pathophysiology of these conditions. STAT proteins stimulate the transcription of target genes. STAT-3 leads to an increase in VEGF levels and plays a role in tumorigenesis. IL-26 and other cytokines are vital immune response mediators. Cytokine dysregulation affects the immune response of various organs and tissues, making them prone to various diseases, such as inflammation, infection, and tumors. Methods: In the present study, we aimed to determine whether STAT-3 and IL-26 play a role in the development of uterine leiomyoma. This case–control study included 38 patients who underwent hysterectomy due to uterine leiomyoma and 30 patients who underwent hysterectomy due to non-organic benign gynecological causes other than myoma. Sections from the myometrium of the control group and the leiomyoma tissue of the case group were subjected to immunohistochemical staining for STAT-3 and IL-26. Results: When the uterine tissue sections of the control group incubated with STAT-3 were examined under a light microscope, the smooth muscle and fibroblast cells in the myometrium were STAT-3-negative, while the number of smooth muscle and fibroblast cells showing strong STAT-3-staining in the leiomyoma sections was high. When the uterine tissue sections incubated with IL-26 were examined under a light microscope, the normal smooth muscle and fibroblast cells in the control group were IL-26-negative, while there was an increase in the number of cells showing strong IL-26-staining in the leiomyoma smooth muscle and fibroblast cells. Conclusions: Our findings show that STAT-3 and IL-26 levels are significantly increased in uterine leiomyomas, and this increase may play a role in the growth and progression of uterine fibroids. The current results may enable the development of innovative treatment options, as they demonstrate the role of novel pathways in the formation of uterine fibroids. Full article

Background/Objectives: Involuntary migration exposes individuals to multiple losses and ruptures that profoundly affect their physical, emotional, and social well-being. This study aimed to explore the vital losses experienced by Latin American women seeking international protection, identifying key dimensions of these losses and the coping strategies they employ to support their health and well-being. Methods: The study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach, with 17 international migrant women comprising the study subjects. Data were analysed using an inductive approach and interpretative phenomenological analysis, facilitated by Atlas.ti 23.0 software. The COREQ criteria were followed. Results: The analysis revealed two central themes: the multiplicity of losses associated with migration, including loss of identity, emotional deterioration, disruption of family and community ties, economic instability, and loss of sense of belonging; and hidden gains, encompassing processes of gratitude, spiritual strength, and personal transformation. Conclusions: The findings highlight the complexity of both the losses and the hidden gains associated with the migration experience, underscoring the need for compassionate and culturally competent healthcare. This study provides relevant evidence to improve professional support strategies for refugee women from a comprehensive and humanised perspective. Full article

Traditional culture plays a vital role in shaping national identity and emotional belonging, making it imperative to explore innovative strategies for its digital preservation and engagement. This study investigates how interaction design in cultural digital games influences users’ emotional experiences and cultural understanding. Centering on the Chinese intangible cultural heritage puppet manipulation, we developed an interactive cultural game with three modes: gesture-based interaction via Leap Motion, keyboard control, and passive video viewing. A multimodal evaluation framework was employed, integrating subjective questionnaires with physiological indicators, including Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS), infrared thermography (IRT), and electrodermal activity (EDA), to assess users’ emotional responses, immersion, and perception of cultural content. Results demonstrated that gesture-based interaction, which aligns closely with the embodied cultural behavior of puppet manipulation, significantly enhanced users’ emotional engagement and cultural comprehension compared to the other two modes. Moreover, fNIRS data revealed broader activation in brain regions associated with emotion regulation and cognitive control during gesture interaction. These findings underscore the importance of culturally congruent interaction design in enhancing user experience and emotional resonance in digital cultural applications. This study provides empirical evidence supporting the integration of cultural context into interaction strategies, offering valuable insights for the development of emotionally immersive systems for intangible cultural heritage preservation. Full article

This research examines the impact of the project ‘Development of Science Experiential Education Programs and Science Experiential Centres’, implemented by the Mobilis Science Center in Győr between 2017 and 2021. The professional and societal relevance of the program and research lies in the growing importance of STEM disciplines and careers worldwide in recent decades, ensuring a long-term supply of skilled workers. A vital tool for this is the development of curricula that meet the needs of the 21st century, as well as the innovation of teaching methods in science subjects. The research involves a review of the literature on experiential science teaching and subject attitudes, the role of science centers, and relevant project documents. The present research, involving 592 students, focused on attitudes toward technology and science, openness to STEM careers, and the experiences and memories of participants in the student lab theme days. The results of the statistical data analyses confirm the effectiveness of the experiential education methods used in the theme day sessions, as the students’ openness to STEM careers is higher for those who participated in the sessions compared to the non-participants. There are significant differences in the attitudes of girls and boys participating in the program toward science subjects. The results suggest that the success in stimulating interest in science was mainly due to the experiential nature of the sessions. Moreover, the research found that the project led to the strengthening of the participants’ personal and social skills. This study is the first to look at the impact of the project. The results shed light on how teaching STEM subjects using experiential pedagogical methods can contribute to the long-term effectiveness of Széchenyi István University’s enrollment efforts and lead to the economic success of companies in a region facing a significant labor shortage in STEM careers. Full article

Microplastic pollution in the Chesapeake Bay is of critical concern as estuaries serve as habitats and nurseries for diverse aquatic organisms and offer vital ecological services. However, quantitative analysis of microplastics, especially those smaller than 300 µm, in the natural aquatic environment is very challenging due to a lack of efficient sampling methods. This study takes a novel approach to quantify the abundance, size distribution, and morphological characteristics of microplastics, as small as 20 µm, in the surface waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Water samples (10 L) were collected monthly from July 2023 to October 2023 at four locations along the Chesapeake Bay. The samples were digested with a 10% potassium hydroxide solution and subjected to density separation using sodium chloride (ρ = 1.2 g/cc). Microplastic particles were examined using a Shimadzu AIM–9000 FTIR microscope for enumeration and chemical identification. Overall, the mean microplastic concentration observed was 766.16 ± 302.59 MP/L, significantly higher than previously estimated in the Chesapeake Bay. Microplastic abundance exhibited a significant (p = 0.02) spatial variation across the four sampling locations. Most abundant were particles less than 100 µm (60.65%), followed by particles between 100 µm and 300 µm (23.19%), and particles exceeding 300 µm (16.16%). Morphological analysis identified fragments as the dominant shape (86.02%), followed by fibers (11.87%), and beads (2.10%). This study underscores the importance of standard and efficient sampling methods in microplastics research. By sampling microplastics as small as 20 µm, this research demonstrated that the abundance of microplastics in the Chesapeake Bay is significantly higher than previously estimated and dominated by smaller–sized particles. These small microplastics are more likely to enter the food web where human exposure may occur. Therefore, microplastic pollution in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem has the potential to impose environmental and public health risks. Full article

Background: Diabetes insipidus (DI) in newborns is an extremely rare condition, with the age of presentation strongly suggesting a genetic background of the disease. The differential diagnosis should include arginine vasopressin deficiency (AVD) and arginine vasopressin resistance (AVR). Some novel diagnostic tools such as copeptin evaluation and genetic tests are vital for early diagnosis. Case report: We present the case of a 1-month-old boy with polyuria observed since birth. Laboratory tests showed persistent hypernatremia, elevated plasma and low urine osmolality. An attempt at oral administration of desmopressin had no effect; additionally the copeptin level was increased. A genetic study (NGS of the AVP, AVPR2 and AQP2 genes) was considered and a new pathogenic variant in the AVPR2 gene (hemizygous c.157del) was detected. After the genetic test result was obtained, treatment with hydrochlorothiazide was started. The patient is now 3 months old, developing normally, and the weight and height are normal. Conclusions: Newborns with DI should be subjected to extensive multidisciplinary diagnostics, including endocrine and renal causes. Copeptin evaluation and prompt genetic diagnosis allows for the early diagnosis and implementation of appropriate treatment. Full article

Background: The present study investigated the relation between dental inclination, colorimetric variation, and aesthetic perception according to the modification of incisor inclination. Smile aesthetics, shaped by morphological factors and patient perception, are vital for social attractiveness and treatment success. This study aimed to assess the effect of varying head tilt on the perceived colour of upper central incisors by simulating changes in torque of the tooth, as well as evaluate factors influencing the perception of an aesthetic smile, including morphological characteristics and gingival aesthetic parameters. Methods: The study was comprised of three stages: colour analysis, evaluation of micro- and mini-aesthetic smile features, and an image-based assessment to determine evaluator perceptions and overall smile attractiveness. A sample of 50 students with complete, lesion-free anterior dentition was analysed. To simulate the effect of orthodontic torque changes during colour analysis, subjects tilted their heads downward and upward, representing palatal and buccal crown torque, respectively. Standardized macro-intraoral photographs were captured under controlled lighting conditions using a DSLR camera stabilized on a tripod in the different positions: the neutral head position (p0), 15° upward (p + 15), and 15° downward (p − 15). Digital colour analysis was conducted in the CIELAB colour space (L*, a*, b*). In the next stage, focusing on micro- and mini-aesthetic evaluation, an additional 50 smiles were generated using artificial intelligence via the SmileCloud program—one digitally enhanced smile per subject—complementing the initial set of 50 spontaneous smiles. These 100 smile images were evaluated by 50 laypersons and 50 dentists using a visual analogue scale via an online questionnaire, in order to assess perceptions, determine smile attractiveness, and quantify gingival aesthetic parameters. Results: The statistically significant regression results are as follows: those for the L* values in all three head inclinations: downward (−15 degrees), upward (+15 degrees), and total tilting (−15 to +15 degrees), as well as for the a* values for downward tilting and the b* values for total tilting. When the head is tilted downwards, the central incisors are positioned retrusively, and the L* b* values reveal a darker and more yellowish appearance, whereas, with the head tilted upwards, the central incisors protrude, and L* a* values indicate a brighter and more greenish appear. In the evaluation stage of the smile aesthetics study, no significant differences were observed in the judgments between laypersons and dentists or between males and females. Smiles with a high or average anterior line, parallel arc, upward lip curvature, visible first/second premolars, a smile index of 5.08–5.87, and symmetry score of 1.04 were rated as more attractive. Significant asymmetries were observed between upper dental hemi-quadrants in gingival contour and interdental papilla height, highlighting subtle morphological variations relevant to smile aesthetics. Conclusions: Aesthetic assessment revealed that the findings suggest a measurable impact of head position on dental colour perception and aesthetic evaluation. Evaluator variables including profession and gender exerted negligible effects on aesthetic perception, whereas smile attractiveness features and gingival aesthetic parameters demonstrate significant clinical applicability in patient management. Full article

Background/Objectives: Gastric, oesophageal, and pancreatic cancers are common worldwide, with low but improving survival rates due to advances in curative treatments. However, these treatments often cause long-term nutrition impact symptoms that are frequently overlooked, leading to malnutrition and poorer health outcomes. This review explored the types of nutrition impact symptoms following curative-intent treatment for upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancers and assessed their impact on nutrition status. Methods: A systematic search of four electronic databases identified studies involving adults treated with curative intent for UGI cancers. Included studies reported both nutrition impact symptoms and nutrition outcomes using validated tools. Study quality was assessed, and results were synthesised narratively. Results: Eleven studies (n = 953 participants), predominantly from the Asia–Pacific region, met the inclusion criteria. Participants were mostly male (68%), with surgery as the primary treatment (91%). Most studies (n = 10) used validated assessment tools to identify nutrition impact symptoms. Reflux was the most commonly reported symptom (n = eight studies), followed by abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Nutrition status was assessed using various validated tools: Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (n = six studies, 55%), Mini Nutritional Assessment (n = two studies, 18%), and Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition as well as Subjective Global Assessment and Prognostic Nutritional Index (both n = one study, 9%). Malnutrition prevalence was up to 87% one year post-treatment. Conclusions: Nutrition impact symptoms are common and persistent after curative-intent treatment for UGI cancers. Future research should incorporate validated assessment tools and extend follow-up beyond 12 months. Integrating long-term, tailored dietetic support to identify and manage symptoms post-treatment is vital to improve outcomes for patients. Full article

Background: Respiratory rate (RR) is a key vital sign and one of the most sensitive indicators of physiological conditions, playing a crucial role in the early identification of clinical deterioration. The monitoring of RR using electrocardiography (ECG) and photoplethysmography (PPG) aims to overcome limitations of traditional methods in clinical settings. Methods: The proposed approach extracts RR from ECG and PPG signals using different morphological and temporal features from publicly available datasets (iAMwell and Capnobase). The algorithm was used to develop and test with a selection of relevant ECG (e.g., R-peak, QRS area, and QRS slope) and PPG (amplitude and frequency modulation) characteristics. Results: The results show promising performance, with the ECG-derived signal using the R-peak–based method yielding the lowest error, with a mean absolute error of 0.99 breaths/min in the iAMwell dataset and 3.07 breaths/min in the Capnobase dataset. In comparison, the RR PPG-derived signal showed higher errors of 5.10 breaths/min in the iAMwell dataset and 10.66 breaths/min in the Capnobase dataset, for the FM and AM method, respectively. Bland–Altman analysis revealed a small negative bias, approximately −0.97 breaths/min for the iAMwell dataset (with limits of agreement from −2.62 to 0.95) and −1.16 breaths/min for the Capnobase dataset (limits of agreement from −3.37 to 1.10) in the intra-subject analysis. In the inter-subject analysis, the bias was −0.84 breaths/min (limits of agreement from −1.76 to 0.20) for iAMwell and −1.22 breaths/min (limits of agreement from −7.91 to 5.35) for Capnobase, indicating a slight underestimation. Conversely, the PPG-derived signal tended to overestimate RR, resulting in higher variability and reduced accuracy. These findings highlight the higher reliability of ECG-derived features for RR estimation in the analyzed datasets. Conclusion: This study suggests that the proposed approach could guide the design of cost-effective, non-invasive methods for continuous respiration monitoring, offering a reliable tool for detecting conditions like stress, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Full article

The use of hydrogel and biostimulants holds great potential for plants’ adaptation to stressful urban conditions, increasing their tolerance to drought stress. In this study, we investigated the plant performance and anatomical response of Petunia × hybrida hort. ex E. Wilm., cultivated under different substrate volumes and compositions, hydrogel amendments, and biostimulant treatments, as well as their interactions under drought stress. Namely, the plants were planted in pots with a substrate depth of 7 cm and 10 cm and cultivated under different combinations of organic (peat) and inorganic (perlite) substrates. Moreover, half of the plants were subjected to hydrogel and biostimulant treatments. Different watering intervals (24–96 h) were applied in combination with exposing the plants to direct sunlight for 8–10 h. The results showed that a larger substrate depth, along with hydrogel and biostimulant amendments in a mixture of perlite and peat, helps plants adapt to dry conditions when grown in shallow substrates, providing optimal water availability and thus contributing to the physiological adaptation of plants to water deficit. The study clearly demonstrates that substrate selection and irrigation frequency must be jointly optimized to ensure resilient urban greening. Hydrogels stand out as essential amendments, enabling significant water savings by extending irrigation intervals without compromising vascular growth or drought resilience. These water-efficient substrate strategies are vital for sustainable urban vegetation management, especially as cities face increasing environmental pressures and the imperative of climate adaptation, thereby supporting multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Full article