Search Results (67)

This study aimed to examine the effect of adding volcanic slag to soil on the growth, yield, and quality of cucumbers. It also analyzed the changes in the physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere soil, as well as the diversity and structural changes of the bacterial community present in the soil of the cucumber plants. This study used conventional fertilization and cultivation techniques and set up five treatments: HS500, HS1000, HS1500, and HS2000 (representing 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 kg/ha of volcanic slag added per 667 sq.m in the cultivation trough, respectively), and control (CK; representing 0 kg of added volcanic slag). The Illumina MiSeq System was used to analyze the soil microbial community. The findings revealed that the HS1000 treatment had the most significant promoting effect on increasing cucumber yield, whereas the HS2000 treatment exhibited no significant change compared with the CK treatment. The HS500, HS1000, and HS1500 treatments increased the yield by 12.89%, 24.28%, and 19.56%, respectively, compared with the CK treatment. The HS1000 treatment increased the soluble sugar, vitamin C, and soluble solid contents by 12.39%, 17.57%, and 24.33%, respectively, compared with the CK treatment. The organic matter, total nitrogen, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N), available potassium (AK), and available phosphorus (AP) contents in the rhizosphere soil of cucumber plants were the highest under the HS1000 treatment. The alpha diversity analysis revealed that the Chao1, Shannon, and ACE indexes reached the highest under the HS1000 treatment, which were significantly higher than the CK treatment. In contrast, the Simpson index and coverage had no significant changes between treatments. The dominant phyla in each treatment were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria, among others. The redundancy analysis of soil physicochemical properties and 15 bacterial genera of interest revealed that the available phosphorus, available potassium, and NH4+-N contents were the primary factors influencing the bacterial community in cucumber rhizosphere soil. Full article

Background: Hospital infrastructures account for a significant portion of healthcare expenditures, yet the factors driving facility management costs (FMCs) remain underexplored, particularly in the Italian context. This study aims to analyze FMCs in hospitals, focusing on utility and maintenance expenses, while providing benchmarking values to support decision making. Methods: This study employed a mixed-methods approach, integrating a literature review, financial data analysis, and a case study of 27 hospital facilities in Lombardy. Data on utility and maintenance costs were collected from financial statements and supplemented with targeted questionnaires to enhance precision. Descriptive statistics and parametric cost indicators (e.g., EUR/sqm, EUR/bed) were analyzed to identify trends and disparities. Results: FMC increased by an average of 32.90% between 2019 and 2022, with utility expenses constituting 77.45% of total costs and maintenance accounting for 22.45%. Utility costs rose significantly (37.34%), driven by energy and cleaning services, while maintenance costs grew more moderately (18.66%). Cost variability was evident across hospital typologies, with Basic Healthcare Centers averaging 122.86 EUR/sqm compared to 232.66 EUR/sqm for Level II Emergency Hospitals. Conclusions: This study highlights significant variability in FMCs across Italian hospitals and underscores the need for benchmarking to optimize resource allocation. Future research should expand the dataset, incorporating extraordinary maintenance costs, and examine management models to enhance cost efficiency. These findings provide actionable insights for policymakers and healthcare administrators to improve hospital infrastructure sustainability and efficiency. Full article

With the rapid pace of urbanization, light pollution has emerged as a critical environmental issue. Evaluating and managing light pollution effectively is challenging, as traditional monitoring methods often fail to capture its spatial distribution and driving factors comprehensively. To address this limitation, this study integrates Sky Quality Meter (SQM) observational data from three diverse locations—Chaozhou (China), Urumqi (China), and Ghent (Belgium)—with multi-source remote sensing data to construct predictive models of night sky brightness (NSB) using machine learning approaches. Among the tested models, the voting ensemble model demonstrated superior performance, achieving high predictive accuracy and robust generalization across diverse regional datasets. The generated local-scale NSB distribution maps reveal substantial regional variations in light pollution, highlighting the critical influence of local environmental and anthropogenic factors. By combining remote sensing and machine learning, this study offers a scalable and efficient method for evaluating and monitoring light pollution levels at regional scales. The findings underscore the value of these methods in providing actionable insights for light pollution mitigation and management strategies, supporting efforts to reduce its adverse impacts on the environment and society. Full article

We introduce a polyadic analog of supersymmetry by considering the polyadization procedure (proposed by the author) applied to the toy model of one-dimensional supersymmetric quantum mechanics. The supercharges are generalized to polyadic ones using the n-ary sigma matrices defined in earlier work. In this way, polyadic analogs of supercharges and Hamiltonians take the cyclic shift block matrix form, and they are different from the N-extended and multigraded SQM. While constructing the corresponding supersymmetry as an n-ary Lie superalgebra (n is the arity of the initial associative multiplication), we have found new brackets with a reduced arity of $2\le m<n$ and a related series of m-ary superalgebras (which is impossible for binary superalgebras). In the case of even reduced arity m, we obtain a tower of higher-order (as differential operators) even Hamiltonians, while for m odd we obtain a tower of higher-order odd supercharges, and the corresponding algebra consists of the odd sector only. Full article

Climate change presents considerable challenges to hydrological stability by modifying precipitation patterns and exacerbating the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events. This research evaluates the prospective alterations in rainfall quantiles in South Korea by employing a multi-model ensemble (MME) derived from 23 Global Climate Models (GCMs) associated with the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) under four Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, SSP5-8.5). Historical rainfall data from simulations (1985–2014) and future projections (2015–2044, 2043–2072, and 2071–2100) were analyzed across a total of 615 sites. Statistical Quantile Mapping (SQM) bias correction significantly enhanced the accuracy of projections (RMSE reduction of 63.0–85.3%, Pbias reduction of 93.6%, and R² increase of 0.73). An uncertainty analysis revealed model uncertainty to be the dominant factor (approximately 71.87–70.49%) in the near- to mid-term periods, and scenario uncertainty increased notably (up to 5.94%) by the end of the century. The results indicate substantial temporal and spatial changes, notably including increased precipitation in central inland and eastern coastal regions, with peak monthly increases exceeding 40 mm under high-emission scenarios. Under the SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, the 100-year rainfall quantile is projected to increase by over 40% across significant portions of the country, emphasizing growing challenges for water resource management and infrastructure planning. These findings provide critical insights for water resource management, disaster mitigation, and climate adaptation strategies in South Korea. Full article

Scan Quantum Mechanics (SQM) is a novel interpretation in which the superposition of states is only an approximate effective concept due to lack of time resolution. Quantum systems scan all possible states in the “apparent” superpositions and switch randomly and very rapidly among them. A crucial property that we postulate is quantum inertia $I_q$, that increases whenever a constituent is added, or the system is perturbed with all kinds of interactions. Once the quantum inertia reaches a critical value $I_{cr}$ for an observable, the switching among its eigenvalues stops and the corresponding superposition comes to an end. Consequently, increasing the quantum inertia of a quantum system by increasing its mass, its temperature, or the strength of the electric, magnetic and gravitational fields in its environment, can lead to the end of the superpositions for all the observables, the quantum system transmuting into a classical one, as a result. This process could be reversible, however, by decreasing the size of the system, its temperature, etc. SQM also implies a radiation mechanism from astrophysical objects with very strong gravitational fields that could contribute to neutron star formation. Future experiments might determine the critical quantum inertia $I_{cr}$ corresponding to different observables, which translates into critical masses, critical temperatures and critical electric, magnetic and gravitational fields. Full article

Spoofing detection is critical for GNSS security. To address the issues of low detection rates and insufficient coverage in traditional methods, this study proposes an eye diagram detection method based on the multiscale Canny algorithm with minimum misjudgment probability (EDDM-MSC-MMP). Unlike conventional correlation peak distortion detection techniques, the proposed method uses the MSC-MMP algorithm to perform multiscale edge extraction from the eye diagram generated from the receiver’s correlation values. It then calculates the image threshold using minimum misjudgment probability to ensure the accuracy of the eye diagram’s edges. This enables the accurate detection of subtle changes in the eye diagram, leading to the better identification of spoofing signals. The results show that the MSC-MMP outperforms traditional edge extraction algorithms by over 0.072 in terms of the optimal dataset scale F score (ODS-F). Compared to signal quality monitoring (SQM) and Carrier-to-Noise Ratio methods, the EDDM-MSC-MMP method increases spoofing detection coverage by over 60%, achieving the highest detection rate in the TEXBAT dataset. Overall, the EDDM-MSC-MMP method improves the reliability and coverage of spoofing detection, providing an effective solution for GNSS spoofing detection. Full article

The most widely used radiance sensor for monitoring Night Sky Brightness (NSB) is the Sky Quality Meter (SQM), making its measurement stability fundamental. A method using the Sun as a calibrator was applied to analyse the quality of the measures recorded in the Veneto Region (Italy) and at La Silla (Chile). The analysis mainly revealed a tendency toward reductions in measured NSB due to both instrument ageing and atmospheric variations. This work compared the component due to instrumental ageing with the contribution of atmospheric conditions. The spectral responsivity of two SQMs working outdoors were analysed in a laboratory after several years of operation, revealing a significant decay, but not enough to justify the measured long-term trends. The contribution of atmospheric variations was studied through the analysis of solar irradiance at the ground, considering it as an indicator of air transparency, and values of the aerosol optical depth obtained from satellite measurements. The long-term trends measured by weather stations at different altitudes and conditions indicated an increase in solar irradiance in the Italian study sites. The comparison among the daily irradiance increase, the reduction in the aerosol optical depth, and the NSB measurements highlighted a darker sky for sites contaminated by light pollution (LP) and a brighter sky for sites not affected by LP, showing a significant and predominant role of atmospheric conditions in relation to NSB change. In the most significant case, the fraction of the variation in NSB explained by AOD changes exceeded 75%. Full article

The acoustic product development process, crucial for effective noise control, emphasises efficient testing and validation of materials for sound absorption in the R&D phase. Balancing cost-effectiveness, speed, and sustainability, the focus is on minimising excess materials. While strides have been made in reducing sample sizes for estimating random-incident absorption, challenges persist, particularly in establishing validity thresholds for smaller samples with increasing thickness, susceptible to potential overestimation due to edge effects. This study delves into analysing the absorption coefficients of widely used acoustic absorber types—polyester, fibreglass, and open-cell foam—in a full-scale reverberation chamber at Ventac, Blessington, and Wicklow. Demonstrating significant absorption above 500 Hz, these porous absorbers exhibit diminished effectiveness at lower frequencies. The strategic combination of these absorbers with different facings enhances their theoretical broadband absorption characteristics in practical applications. Moreover, the study assesses the validity threshold for reduced sample sizes, employing statistical analysis against ISO 354:2003 standard control samples of the absorber types. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) on material groups underscores the significant influence of frequency components and sample sizes on the absorption coefficient. The determined validity threshold for 12.8 sqm ISO 354 standard control size is 7.7 sqm for the 25 mm open-cell foam. Similarly, the validity threshold of the 12 sqm ISO 354 standard control size is 9.6 sqm for the 20 mm 800 gsm polyester, 7.2 sqm for the 25 mm fibreglass, and the vinyl black on 25 mm fibreglass. Full article

The study of light pollution is a relatively new and specific field of measurement. The current literature is dominated by articles that describe the use of ground and satellite data as a source of information on light pollution. However, there is a need to study the phenomenon on a microscale, i.e., locally within small locations such as housing estates, parks, buildings, or even inside buildings. Therefore, there is an important need to measure light pollution at a lower level, at the low level of the skyline. In this paper, the authors present a new drone design for light pollution measurement. A completely new original design for an unmanned platform for light pollution measurement is presented, which is adapted to mount custom sensors (not originally designed to be mounted on a unmanned aerial vehicles) allowing registration in the nadir and zenith directions. The application and use of traditional photometric sensors in the new configuration, such as the spectrometer and the sky quality meter (SQM), is presented. A multispectral camera for nighttime measurements, a calibrated visible-light camera, is used. The results of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are generated products that allow the visualisation of multimodal photometric data together with the presence of a geographic coordinate system. This paper also presents the results from field experiments during which the light spectrum is measured with the installed sensors. As the results show, measurements at night, especially with multispectral cameras, allow the assessment of the spectrum emitted by street lamps, while the measurement of the sky quality depends on the flight height only up to a 10 m above ground level. Full article

SQM-ISS is a detector that will search from the International Space Station for massive particles possibly present among the cosmic rays. Among them, we mention strange quark matter, Q-Balls, lumps of fermionic exotic compact stars, Primordial Black Holes, mirror matter, Fermi balls, etc. These compact, dense objects would be much heavier than normal nuclei, have velocities of galaxy-bound systems, and would be deeply penetrating. The detector is based on a stack of scintillator and piezoelectric elements which can provide information on both the charge state and mass, with the additional timing information allowing to determine the speed of the particle, searching for particles with velocities of the order of galactic rotation speed (v ≲ 250 km/s). In this work, we describe the apparatus and its observational capabilities. Full article

This research evaluates the modification of the lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃) production process and particularly the boron removal step, which currently employs a recirculated stream. This recirculated stream is a liquor with low boron content but rich in lithium, currently being wasted. In this process, the recirculating stream is substituted with a freshwater stream. Boron is re-extracted from the loaded organic stream to form an input stream for a boric acid process. Under certain operational conditions, the formation of emulsions was observed; due to this, the analysis of emulsion formation involved controlling the pH of each sample, which lead to the development of a procedure to prevent such formations. From this analysis, it was determined that emulsions form in water with pH values below 1.3 and above 6.9. In addition, a speciation analysis showed that the concentrations of the H₂BO₃⁻ and H⁺ species influence the formation of emulsions. The mass balance of the process showed that by replacing the recirculated stream, boron recovery of 89% was achieved, without the need to add new stages or equipment. Full article

Malta faces a significant challenge in reducing carbon emissions, with energy consumption in its 153,100 occupied residences contributing to 30% of CO₂ emissions. This study focuses on a sample of an 1870s, 80 sq-m footprint, three-story residence, emblematic of similar properties facing marketability issues due to age, structure, and maintenance. The objective is to assess a techno-economic energy and CO₂ abatement framework, including advanced lighting devices, appliances, photovoltaics, wind turbines, energy storage, and vehicle-to-grid possibilities. The research evaluates comfortability and calculates potential 25-year kWh reduction and cost savings for each measure. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of implementing diversified renewable and alternative energy sources in such residences. Over 25 years, approximately 250 MWh of energy could be mitigated, leading to a reduction of approximately 140 metric tons of carbon dioxide. The study emphasizes the importance of housing stock efficiency in both new construction and retrofitting, focusing on building performance for health, comfort, and living standards. While most systems are viable, further research is needed for system-wide strategy implementation, particularly in areas like energy storage and wind turbine solutions. The study concludes that adopting emerging technologies could be advantageous in minimizing system costs through innovative building-integrated designs. Full article

Energy poverty, defined as difficulty meeting the minimum requirements for a thermal environment, is becoming a significant social issue. To provide efficient welfare services, information provision and monitoring are required. However, characteristics of energy poverty, such as inconsistent residential patterns, small living spaces, and limited electricity and telecommunication resources, lead to a lack of information. This research introduces the empirical results of the development of the system. Based on the feedback from welfare workers and experts supporting energy poverty, a monitoring system combining various sensors was prototyped. This system measures temperature, humidity, illuminance, air velocity, CO₂, black bulb temperature, occupancy, and noise and generates indicators for occupancy and thermal environment monitoring. Applicability assessment was conducted across 55 energy poverty households in Korea during the duration of cooling and heating. Subjects were living in spaces averaging 6.3 sqm within buildings over 43 years old and renting on a monthly or weekly basis. Electricity and communication are partially supplied. Based on the actual measurement data and field surveys, the configuration of an energy poverty monitoring system was proposed. In particular, the applicability of the simple methodology for the determination of black bulb temperature, metabolic rate, and clothing insulation required for a thermal environment evaluation was assessed. The proposed system can be efficiently used for taking care of energy poverty where the installation of conventional monitoring systems is restricted. Full article

Anderson–Fabry Disease (AFD) is a rare, systemic lysosomal storage disease triggered by mutations in the GLA gene, leading to α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) deficiency. The disease’s X-linked inheritance leads to more severe, early-onset presentations in males, while females exhibit variable, often insidious, manifestations, notably impacting cardiac health. This study aims to examine gender-based AFD cardiac manifestations in correlation with the variant type: classical (CL), late-onset (LO), or variants of uncertain significance (VUS). We analyzed data from 72 AFD patients (53 females, 19 males) referred to the “G. Rodolico” University Hospital, employing enzyme activity measurements, genetic analysis, periodic lyso-Gb3 monitoring, comprehensive medical histories, and advanced cardiac imaging techniques. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26. Our AFD cohort, with an average age of 45 ± 16.1 years, comprised 12 individuals with hypertrophy (AFD-LVH) and 60 without (AFD-N). Women, representing about 75% of the subjects, were generally older than men (47.2 ± 16.2 vs. 38.8 ± 14.6, p = 0.046). In the female group, 17% had CL variants, 43.3% LO, and 39.6% had VUS, compared to 21.1%, 36.8%, and 31.6% in the male group, respectively. Females exhibited significantly higher α-Gal A values (median 7.9 vs. 1.8 nmol/mL/h, p < 0.001) and lower lyso-Gb3 levels (1.5 [IQR 1.1–1.7] vs. 1.9 [1.5–17.3] nmol/L, p = 0.02). Regarding the NYHA class distribution, 70% of women were in class I and 28% in class II, compared to 84% and 16% of men, respectively. Among women, 7.5% exhibited ventricular arrhythmias (10.5% in men), and 9.4% had atrial fibrillation (10.5% in men). Cardiac MRIs revealed fibrosis in 57% of examined women, compared to 87% of men. Even among patients without LVH, significant differences persisted in α-Gal A and lyso-Gb3 levels (p = 0.003 and 0.04), as well as LVMi (61.5 vs. 77.5 g/sqm, p = 0.008) and GLS values (−20% vs. −17%, p = 0.01). The analysis underscored older age, decreased lyso-Gb3 deposition, reduced hypertrophy, and lesser GLS compromise in females, suggesting later disease onset. Severe cardiac patterns were associated with classic variants, while more nuanced manifestations were noted in those with VUS. Early GLS impairment in males, irrespective of hypertrophy, emphasized the role of subclinical damage in AFD. Full article