Search Results (18,590)

Seasonal groundwater (GW) pumping and climatic variability significantly impact the dynamics of greenhouse-dominated agricultural systems, yet quantitative evaluations at the local scale remain limited. This study explores non-parametric statistical and deep learning (DL) models for analyzing seasonal GW trends and predicting GW levels near greenhouse agriculture systems in Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea. The modified Mann–Kendall (MK) test and Sen’s slope estimator were used to estimate long-term seasonal trends for the summer (wet season) and winter (dry season), based on monthly GW-level time series from six monitoring wells. Findings indicate that seasonal asymmetry is strong (winter trends have greater magnitudes and greater variability than summer trends), and that winter trends are negative (ranging from −0.45 to +1.70 m year⁻¹) and summer trends are positive (ranging from −0.02 to +0.31 m year⁻¹). At Jinju1 and Jinju4, statistically significant increasing trends were observed in both seasons (p < 0.05), but at other stations, weak or non-significant trends were observed due to short records or high variance. Long short-term memory (LSTM) and spatio-temporal graph neural network (STGNN) models were deployed and compared to predict at the GW level. The STGNN was found to be superior to LSTM in terms of R² (0.799–0.994) and reduced RMSE of up to 64.6, especially in winter, when spatially synchronized pumping is dominant in GW behavior. Despite advanced modeling, there is a serious concern about data limitations. Findings show that combining seasonal trend analysis with spatiotemporal modeling of DLs can significantly enhance knowledge and forecasting of GW dynamics in intensive greenhouse farming. Full article

Polygenic adaptation in response to natural selection on a quantitative trait has become an important topic in population genetics and evolution. We modeled a scenario in which a population was assumed to be in equilibrium between mutation, selection and genetic drift, when a sudden shift in the fitness optimum occurred. It is well known that after an environmental shift the trait mean may approach the new optimum very quickly at a rate proportional to the equilibrium genetic variance. Here, we analyze the dynamics of the allele frequencies at individual loci, using diffusion theory. We show that genetic drift slows down the speed of polygenic adaptation. We also found that, while the frequencies of rare and very common alleles decrease during the adaptive phase, alleles starting at intermediate equilibrium frequencies at the time of the optimum shift change most quickly and thus may substantially modify the shape of the allele frequency distribution. Finally, we explain how these properties of the allele frequency spectrum may be utilized in statistical tests of polygenic selection. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies, with poor survival and few established modifiable risk factors. While Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a known cause of gastric cancer, its role in pancreatic cancer remains unclear, with inconsistent observational evidence. Methods: We applied two-sample Mendelian randomisation (2SMR) to assess the causal effect of H. pylori infection on pancreatic cancer risk. Genetic instruments were derived from GWAS data on anti-H. pylori IgG levels in the ALSPAC cohort (n = 4638). Outcomes were pancreatic cancer cases from UK Biobank (936 cases, 400,294 controls) and a combined dataset including UK Biobank, FinnGen, and MVP (5979 cases, 1,234,860 controls). Inverse-variance weighted (IVW) MR was the primary method, supported by MR-Egger, weighted median/mode and MR-PRESSO, with sensitivity analyses for pleiotropy. Results: Twelve and eleven independent SNPs explained 7.5% and 6.9% of H. pylori variance (mean F-statistics 22.37 and 22.42). No significant causal association was observed. IVW ORs were 1.039 (95% CI: 0.846–1.440, p = 0.466) for UK Biobank and 1.077 (95% CI: 0.962–1.206, p = 0.197) for the combined dataset. All complementary methods yielded null results, with no strong evidence of pleiotropy. Conclusions: This 2SMR study found no evidence that H. pylori infection causally increases pancreatic cancer risk. Larger studies with refined exposure measures are warranted. Full article

Background/Objectives: Coaches substantially influence athletes’ psychological well-being, yet the specific strategies they use to enhance happiness remain insufficiently understood. Given the established contribution of happiness to motivation, resilience, and long-term sport engagement, identifying these strategies and the perceptual patterns underlying them is essential. This study examined coaches’ subjective viewpoints regarding happiness-oriented strategies and identified the psychosocial orientations that structure these perspectives. Methods: Q methodology was applied using a 30-item Q set developed from interviews and expert review. Thirty professional coaches (≥5 years of experience) ranked the items according to perceived importance. By-person factor analysis and z-score interpretation were used to derive shared viewpoints. Results: Two coherent factors emerged. Factor 1 (59% variance) reflected a group-oriented psychosocial support approach, emphasizing team cohesion, positive feedback, social support, and mental resilience. Factor 2 (9% variance) represented an individual-centered, empathy-driven orientation, characterized by value affirmation, personalized communication, and emotional sensitivity. Distinct z-score patterns underscored clear contrasts between collective and individualized strategies. Conclusions: Coaches promote athlete happiness through two complementary orientations: collective psychosocial support and individualized psychological sensitivity. These findings extend self-determination theory and positive psychology by demonstrating how relatedness, competence, and individualized care are operationalized within coaching practice. The results offer practical guidance for integrating well-being into coach education and organizational policies. Full article

Poplars (Populus spp.) and their hybrids are increasingly being grown in coppice production to generate bioenergy feedstocks at frequent intervals. Allometric equations are re-quired to predict aboveground biomass (AGB) of coppiced individuals with minimal field measurements. Likewise, remote sensing tools like LiDAR (light detection and ranging) can be used if models are available to predict AGB from point cloud data. Therefore, this study sought to develop equations to predict dry woody AGB from field measurements and LiDAR data from coppiced poplar field trials containing eastern cottonwood (P. del-toides) and hybrid poplar taxa. We found that taxa-specific allometric models containing the summed basal area of the three largest stems in the coppice provided the best predictive model, with stem height and stem count failing to provide additional explanatory power. The best predictive LiDAR-based model was independent of taxa but had slightly lower adjusted R² and higher RMSE than the allometric model. It contained four parameters including crown volume, leaf area index, variance of height returns, and the top point density (i.e., density metric 9 or the proportion of points in the highest point interval when the point cloud is evenly divided into ten vertical intervals). In total, these models can be used to quickly and efficiently estimate dry woody AGB of Populus coppice systems for bioenergy feedstock production. Full article

Background/Objectives: Anastomoses under tension are associated with anastomotic leaks and strictures. In experimental surgery, anastomoses are frequently tested for their resistance to traction forces, but without the surgically untouched organ as a comparator. We therefore investigated whether and to what extent the breaking forces along the gastrointestinal tract differed in the intact intestinal organs to provide some data for the comparison of anastomoses to it and guide sample size estimation in the mouse. Methods: We included 54 mice of the Crl:CD1(ICR) stock and, as a comparator, 10 mice of the C57Bl/6J and 10 mice of the C57Bl/6NCrl strain of both sexes. We determined breaking forces using a motorised test stand. Results were compared via estimated marginal means with a control of the false-discovery rate by the Benjamini–Hochberg procedure. Results: In all mice strains, the resistance to traction forces was in a descending manner: stomach (mean (µ) ≥ 1.87 Newtons, standard deviation (σ) ≤ 0.63) > rectum(µ > 1.31 Newtons, σ ≤ 0.63) > caecum (µ > 1.1 Newtons, σ ≤ 0.37) > colon(µ > 0.93 Newtons, σ ≤ 0.31) > duodenum (µ > 0.65 Newtons, σ ≤ 0.28) > jejunum (µ > 0.5 N, σ ≤ 0.16) > ileum (µ ≥ 0.43 Newtons, σ ≤ 0.13). The analysis of variance showed a statistically significant effect of the mouse strain on breaking forces (F(2,497) = 16.81, p < 0.001). This was also the case for the investigated organ (F(6,497) = 104.18, p < 0.001) and the interaction between strain and organ (F(12,497) = 2, p = 0.022), indicating a difference between strains. Only the stomachs differed between the included strains; the stomach of Crl:CD1(ICR) sustained −0.81 Newtons (t = −6.23, p < 0.001) compared to those of C57Bl/6J, and −0.37 Newtons (t = −2.88, p = 0.006) compared to those of C57Bl/6NCrl. Other statistically significant differences were absent. Conclusions: Differences in breaking forces between inbred strains and outbred stock were only present for the stomach. Our results may provide a first baseline of breaking force measurements for other studies investigating anastomoses and the respective sample size analyses. Full article

Haloxylon ammodendron plantations constitute a dominant vegetation component of the desert–oasis ecotone in the arid and semi-arid regions of northwest China, playing a critical role in maintaining oasis stability and ecological security. However, the effects of converting natural desert ecosystems into plantations on the soil food webs of arthropods remain poorly understood, particularly with respect to how these effects vary across plantation age. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a field investigation in the desert–oasis ecotone of the middle reaches of the Hexi Corridor, Gansu Province. Using pitfall trapping, we sampled two key arthropod taxa (arachnids and soil mesofauna) from control areas (natural deserts) and H. ammodendron plantations representing different ages (young and old). The results indicated that both young and old plantations were associated with significantly higher abundance and richness of arachnids, soil mesofauna, mites, and springtails compared with natural deserts, with springtail richness exhibiting a further significant increase in old plantations. Arachnid responses to plantation conversion were strongly structured by body size. Medium arachnid abundance increased in both young and old plantations, whereas large arachnid abundance increased only in young plantations and declined in older ones. In contrast, small arachnid abundance exhibited significant increases exclusively in old plantations. In addition, relationships between arachnid, mite and springtail abundance varied with plantation age: the ratio of large arachnids to mites and springtails declined significantly in old plantations relative to young ones, while the corresponding ratio for small arachnids showed an opposite pattern. Variations in soil mesofauna community composition were primarily explained by shrub cover, herbaceous cover, coarse sand proportion, silt-clay content, and soil soluble salt, which together accounted for 48.9% of observed variation. For arachnids, soil mesofauna as a food resource significantly enhanced abundance and richness. Moreover, shrub cover and silt-clay content were also drivers of arachnid community variation, jointly explaining 6.7% of variance. Overall, the establishment of H. ammodendron plantations promoted the diversity of both arachnids and soil mesofauna, but their relationships shifted dynamically with plantation age, leading to a reorganization of detrital food web structure and functioning. Full article

Sustainable sources of natural antioxidants are increasingly important for circular bioeconomy strategies. Plant-derived waste streams represent an underexploited resource with significant potential for recovery of high-value antioxidant compounds such as carotenoids, polyphenols, and resveratrol. This review assesses potential alternative biomass sources, including nonhazardous wastes from agriculture, forestry, and fishing, as well as those from the manufacture of food products, beverages, and tobacco products. It evaluates their valorization potential using statistical evidence at the European level. EUROSTAT datasets were analyzed using XLSTAT 2025.2.0 through correlation analysis, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (AHC), and k-means clustering. Variables included fresh vegetable production, plant waste generation, processed waste volumes, and national research and development expenditures and innovation. Correlation analysis revealed a strong association between total processed waste and research and development investments (r = 0.87), suggesting that technological capacity influences waste valorization. A moderate correlation (r = 0.55) between nonhazardous waste and processed quantities supports the operational feasibility of extracting antioxidants from residual biomass. PCA showed that Factor 1 (50.16% variance) is dominated by waste generation and processing capacity, whereas organic agriculture loads primarily on Factor 2 (21.6%). Cluster analyses grouped European countries by bioresource management efficiency, highlighting substantial heterogeneity in their readiness for valorization. The combined statistical evidence supports the use of plant-based waste streams as viable, sustainable feedstocks for antioxidant recovery. Strengthening processing infrastructure, harmonizing data reporting, and accelerating research and development investments are essential steps for integrating antioxidant extraction into circular bioeconomic processes. Full article

Background/Objectives: One of the topics of electrocardiographic risk factor studies is investigations of beat-to-beat QT interval variability. The seminal study that reported QT variability as a prognostic risk factor introduced the so-called QT variability index (QTVi). QTVi quantification relies not only on the variance of QT intervals but also on correction factors, including RR interval variance, heart rate, and overall QT interval duration. This study investigated the influence of all the measured factors on QTVi values. Methods: Long-term electrocardiograms (ECGs) were obtained from 251 healthy subjects (mean age 33.6 ± 9.1 years, 108 females) during repeated postural tests that involved supine, sitting, and standing positions maintained for 10 or 15 min. During each position, a 5-min ECG segment with a stable heart rate and without any ectopic disturbances was found. In these segments, standard deviations of normal-to-normal RR (NN) interval durations (SDNN) and of beat-to-beat QT interval durations (SDQT) were measured together with the means of NN and QT intervals. QTVi was subsequently calculated. For each subject, results obtained during each postural position were averaged. Results: In multivariable regression models, evaluated separately in female and male sex-subgroups of the population, QTVi values were significantly dependent on SDQT, SDNN, and mean NN intervals (all p < 0.001) but practically independent of mean QT interval durations. Conclusions: QTVi is significantly influenced by factors that are unrelated to the beat-to-beat changes in QT interval durations. This needs to be considered when interpreting QTVi values. In future studies, multivariable statistical models are needed to ensure that QTVi findings are independent of associated heart rate variability indices. Full article

Real-world dairy farming datasets are often noisy (e.g., missing or corrupted sensor signals) and contain only short labeled sequences, making conventional correlation analysis and feature prioritization unreliable. We present a robust learning framework that identifies head-specific informative sensor features and predicts daily milk yield by combining reinforcement learning (RL)-based dynamic feature gating with the Mamba architecture. The RL policy samples a binary feature mask to suppress uninformative or corrupted signals to maximize prediction reward, while the Mamba predictor captures long-range dependencies with linear computational complexity. Experiments using the MMCows dataset demonstrate that the proposed framework achieves an average $R^2$ of 0.656 and exhibits substantially lower head-wise variance than Transformer-based baselines, indicating robustness to individual heterogeneity. Ablations removing key components show that RL-based gating is essential: removing the gating module (No-RL) collapses ($R^2<0$). Overall, the proposed approach provides a practical solution for digital livestock farming that mitigates noise and data scarcity while improving robustness across heads. Full article

Background: Self-esteem plays a central role in adolescent psychological health and may be shaped by everyday health behaviors such as eating patterns and engagement in physical activity. However, evidence from Eastern European youth remains comparatively limited. Lower levels of self-worth during adolescence have been linked to increased vulnerability to maladaptive behaviors, including substance use. The present study aimed to explore preliminary associations between lifestyle behaviors, nutritional practices, and self-esteem in a sample of Romanian adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used, involving 113 participants aged 14–18 years. Self-esteem was assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, while lifestyle behaviors were evaluated through a standardized questionnaire. Body mass index was calculated based on self-reported height and weight. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression models. Results: Higher self-esteem scores were strongly associated with greater participation in physical activity and adherence to a balanced diet, while inverse relationships were observed with unhealthy dietary habits and higher BMI values. Physical activity emerged as the most influential predictor of self-esteem, accounting for over three-quarters of the variance in Rosenberg scale scores. Conclusions: In this preliminary analysis, physical activity and healthier dietary behaviors were associated with higher self-esteem scores among adolescents. Given the exploratory nature of the study, these findings should be interpreted with caution. They primarily serve to generate hypotheses and highlight the need for future studies with validated instruments, larger samples, and appropriate control for potential confounding factors to better elucidate the relationship between lifestyle behaviors and adolescent self-esteem. Full article

Background: The Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) is the most practiced static postural balance assessment tool, which relies on visual observation, and has been adopted as the gold standard in the clinic and field. However, the BESS can lead to missed and inaccurate diagnoses—because of its low inter-rater reliability and limited sensitivity—by missing subtle balance deficits, particularly in the athletic population. Smartphone technology using motion sensors may act as an alternative option for providing quantitative feedback to healthcare clinicians when performing balance assessments. The primary aim of this study was to explore the discriminative validity of an alternative novel smartphone-based cloud system to measure balance remotely in soccer athletes with and without hip pain. Methods: This is an exploratory cross-sectional study. A total of 64 Australian soccer athletes (128 hips, 28% females) between 18 and 40 years completed single and tandem stance balance tests that were scored using the modified BESS test and quantified using the smartphone device attached to their lower back. An Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and a Clustered Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) using an Area Under the Curve (AUC) were used to explore the discriminative validity between the smartphone sensor system and the modified BESS test. A Linear Mixed-Effects Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to determine any statistical differences in static balance measures between individuals with and without hip-related pain. Results: EFA revealed that the first factor primarily captured variance related to smartphone measurements, while the second factor was associated with modified BESS test scores. The ROC and the AUC showed that the smartphone sway measurements in the anterior–posterior and mediolateral directions during single-leg stance had an acceptable to excellent level of accuracy in distinguishing between individuals with and without hip-related pain (AUC = 0.72–0.80). Linear Mixed-Effects ANCOVA analysis found that individuals with hip-related pain had significantly less single-leg balance variability and magnitude in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions compared to individuals without hip-related pain (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Due to the ability of smartphone technology to discriminate between individuals with and without hip-related pain during single-leg static balance tasks, it is recommended to use the technology in addition to the modified BESS test to optimise a clinician-led assessment and to further guide clinical balance decision-making. While the study supports smartphone technology as a method to assess static balance, its use in measuring balance during dynamic movements needs further research. Full article

Retinal transplantation offers promise for restoring vision in advanced retinal degeneration. However, manual delivery of retinal sheets is often hindered by imprecise placement and collateral tissue damage resulting from instrument instability. We introduce a novel, 3D-printed, motorized retinal sheet injector designed to enhance placement accuracy and minimize tissue injury. The motorized injector features an Arduino-controlled foot pedal with three discrete actuator positions (“Min”, “Mid”, “Max”). When compared via frame-by-frame motion analysis, the motorized system reduced tip variance by approximately threefold over manual methods. In addition, in in vitro gelatin trials, the motorized injector achieved significantly higher placement accuracy versus the manual injector, which suffered from occasional complete misplacements. The novel motorized retinal sheet injector markedly improves stability and placement accuracy relative to manual methods, potentially reducing complications associated with subretinal delivery. Safer subretinal delivery can pave the way for innovative research and advanced treatment for retinal disease. Full article

Bullying and school violence contribute directly to mental health difficulties among youth in the United States. Background/Objectives: This study describes the development and initial evaluation of a technology-enabled, multi-component school safety framework designed to support bullying prevention in middle and high schools. Methods: Students (n = 46), school personnel (n = 79), and parents/caregivers (n = 28) participated in three waves of usability and feasibility testing focused on a mobile application (Speak Out with Advocatr), companion classroom instructional materials, and guidelines for a school-wide safety campaign. Quantitative data were summarized using descriptive statistics and benchmark comparisons, and group differences across respondent roles were examined using analysis of variance with post hoc pairwise tests. Given small and unequal sample sizes, bootstrap resampling with 1000 resamples was used to obtain robust estimates of group means and confidence intervals. Qualitative responses were analyzed using content analysis. Results: Across waves, mean ratings generally met or exceeded predefined usability benchmarks, indicating favorable perceptions of the system. Findings indicated strong student acceptance and engagement with the framework. Adult participants expressed particular interest in restorative approaches to addressing student conflict, as well as concerns about preventing the recurrence of bullying behaviors. Conclusions: Findings provide initial support for the usability and feasibility of a multi-component, technology-enabled approach to school-based bullying prevention. Results also highlight the value of role-specific feedback for refining integrated mental health and safety interventions within school settings. Full article

Despite the prevalence of the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Tests Level 1 (YYIRTL1) and Level 2 (YYIRTL2) in elite soccer, knowledge surrounding their association and prediction of match performance is limited. This study investigated the association between respective tests and match running performance in male professional soccer players. High-intensity (HIR), high-speed (HSR), and sprinting (SPR) running distances were collected using a global positioning system from eleven professional male players who completed the YYIRTL1 and YYIRTL2. Associations between match performance and the YYIRT were assessed using correlational analyses, and the predictability of the YYIRT with match performance was assessed using univariate linear regression analyses. Strong correlations were found between YYIRTL1 and both HIR (r = 0.79) and HSR (r = 0.73). A moderate correlation was observed between YYIRTL2 and HIR (r = 0.42) and a weak correlation was observed between YYIRTL2 and HSR (r = 0.12). No correlation was observed between YYIRTL1 and SPR (r = 0.07) and a moderate, negative correlation was observed between YYIRTL2 and SPR (r = −0.21). Univariate regression analyses suggested that YYIRTL1 explained 63% of HIR variance, which YYIRTl2 did not, and that neither test suggested significant predictive ability in HSR or SPR. The YYIRTL1 is strongly associated with, and may predict, in-game HIR in Canadian male professional soccer players. Full article