Search Results (162)

Background: Surface chemistry and cleanliness are widely regarded as important factors influencing the host response to titanium dental implants. Despite advances in manufacturing and sterilization, trace residues may persist at the nanoscale even in commercially sterile devices. This study provides a preliminary evaluation of premium-grade titanium dental implants using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) to assess surface chemical uniformity and trace contaminant distribution. Method: Two commercially available titanium implants from Schütz Dental were analyzed under static and dynamic ToF-SIMS modes using Bi₃⁺ and Cs⁺ ion beams. Both positive and negative ion spectra were collected to identify elemental and molecular species. Chemical mapping and depth profiling were performed to evaluate contaminant distribution and surface depth composition. Results: In the two implants analyzed, the surfaces were dominated by TiO⁺ and TiO₂⁺ species, consistent with a native titanium oxide layer. In both analyzed implants, localized contaminants—including fluorine, chlorine, sulfur, CN groups, and organic residues—were detected within the outermost ~0.1 µm. These signals showed heterogeneous distribution along the thread-related regions within the analyzed ROIs, compatible with residues originating from machining, surface treatments, packaging, and/or sterilization steps. Conclusions: The present data support only the descriptive finding that trace contaminants were detected on the two analyzed implants. ToF-SIMS enabled nanoscale chemical mapping and depth profiling of these residues, supporting the feasibility of this approach for trace-level surface auditing and hypothesis generation. Any biological/clinical implications remain speculative and require dedicated in vitro/in vivo validation on larger sample sets. Full article

As the first domesticated species, dogs have been shaped by human needs, values, and social structures, resulting in culturally specific expectations of their behaviour. While much of the existing research on companion animal preferences (referred to as ideal traits) has focused on Western contexts, rapidly increasing companion dog populations in Eastern countries mean that preferences in diverse cultures are important to investigate. Considering owner satisfaction is influenced by the match between dogs’ traits and owners’ culturally specific ideals, understanding ideal dog traits may help minimise welfare concerns, including relinquishment and maltreatment of companion dogs. A sample of 312 Vietnamese adults (M age = 27.31, SD = 6.65) were recruited via convenience sampling through Facebook and Instagram. Participants completed translated versions of the 44-item Ideal Dog Scale. Exploratory factor analysis identified four dimensions of ideal dog traits in Vietnam: ‘Calmness’, ‘Energy/Capability’, ‘Affection/Health’, and ‘Cleanliness’. This differs from Australia, where the ideal dog is ‘calm/compliant’, ‘sociable/healthy’, ‘energetic/faithful/protective’, ‘socially acceptable’, and ‘non-aggressive’, and from Italy, where the ideal dog is ‘calm’, ‘sociable and healthy’, ‘well trained and adaptable’, ‘energetic’, and ‘easy to manage‘. For participants with a current dog, most owned a non-desexed, mixed breed male dog. This study deepens psychological insight into how socioecological contexts may shape perceptions of ideal companion animals. It also allows Vietnamese individuals to understand traits that would lead to the best dog–owner ‘match’, improving dog owner wellbeing and dog welfare. Full article

The selection of building materials increasingly prioritizes aesthetic and comfort-related experiences, yet the perceptual pathways linking physical properties to emotional judgments remain underexplored, particularly among Chinese users. This study aimed to clarify how different sensory modalities contribute to the perceptual pathways linking physical properties of wood to emotional judgments under multisensory conditions. Sixty young Chinese adults evaluated wood samples under visual, tactile, auditory, and multisensory conditions. Multivariate modeling approaches were applied to identify perceptual structures, mediating pathways to aesthetic judgments, and associations between subjective impressions and physical parameters. A three-factor perceptual structure was identified, comprising surface qualities, internal qualities, and emotional judgment. Path analyses showed that perceived cleanliness acted as the primary mediator from low-level perceptions to emotional responses, whereas naturalness played a limited role. Multisensory integration was vision-dominant (relative sensory weights from Bayesian weighted regression > 0.50), with touch providing secondary contributions (weights > 0.30) and audition exerting minimal influence. Lightness strongly predicted surface qualities, while density predicted internal qualities, with both achieving conditional and marginal R² values above 0.50. In contrast, higher-order impressions showed strong between-group but weak individual-level explanatory power (marginal R² < 0.30), indicating that physical parameters capture group-level tendencies but offer limited precision for individual emotional responses. These results inform culturally sensitive, multisensory design strategies for wood in biophilic and human-oriented environments and highlight the need to incorporate non-physical factors for precise personalization. Full article

Background: Subclinical respiratory impairment among non-smokers in regions with haze-affected regions is still under-recognized, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study assessed the prevalence of subclinical respiratory impairment among non-smoking adults and examined its determinants and associations with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 244 non-smoking adults (18–65 years) from three rural districts underwent standardized spirometry and completed the Thai WHOQOL-BREF-26. Subclinical impairment was defined as an FEV₁/FVC < 0.70 or FVC < 80% predicted in the absence of symptoms. Demographic, occupational, and environmental information was obtained through structured questionnaires. Statistical analyses included non-parametric tests, univariate linear regression, and logistic regression. Results: A total of 37 participants (15.2%) had subclinical respiratory impairment. No demographic, occupational, or environmental factors such as sex, age, BMI category, agricultural work, marital status, and self-reported pollution exposure were found to be independently linked to impaired lung function. There was no correlation between spirometry indices and any WHOQOL-BREF domain. Elderly participants (>50 years) reported a higher level of physical and psychological HRQoL. Those with a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) were more likely to have a lower environmental quality of life. Farmers reported a better QoL, while women reported a lower QoL than men. Conclusions: Subclinical respiratory impairment occurs frequently in non-smoking rural adults exposed to haze pollution in Chiang Mai, and isn’t presently assessed by general HRQoL instruments. These findings support early spirometry screening for asymptomatic adults in polluted regions, as well as more stringent air cleanliness strategies to prevent the evolution towards overt respiratory pathology. Full article

The rapid growth of personal protective equipment (PPE) consumption has generated unprecedented volumes of polymer-based waste, posing a major challenge to the transition from a linear to a circular economic model. The challenges associated with PPE recycling are strongly linked to the sector of origin—including healthcare, laboratories, cleanrooms, and food processing—as this factor determines contamination levels and critically influences subsequent recycling steps. PPE waste originating from the healthcare sector requires stringent decontamination processes, which directly affect the final properties of recycled materials and their suitability for upcycling or downcycling applications. Another decisive factor is source segregation, together with labeling and sorting, given the intrinsic material heterogeneity of PPE, which commonly includes polypropylene (PP) masks, polycarbonate (PC) protective eyewear, and nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) gloves. Mechanical and chemical recycling routes, including processes specifically developed for elastomeric materials, play a complementary role depending on the cleanliness and composition of the waste streams. The potential for downcycling and upcycling of recycled PPE is closely linked to polymer integrity and process compatibility. When appropriate segregation strategies and tailored recycling technologies are implemented, PPE waste can be effectively diverted from incineration. Under these conditions, PPE—once emblematic of single-use culture—can become a representative example of how complex polymer products may be reintegrated into sustainable material loops, contributing to resource efficiency and circular-economy objectives. Full article

In urban design, public open spaces (POS) are essential for enhancing health and well-being across the lifetime. High-quality public open spaces facilitate the maintenance of optimal physical and mental health in older individuals by encouraging activities like physical exercise and social engagement. Preserving the physical and mental well-being of elderly individuals is a fundamental concern for aging policy. Nevertheless, urbanization presents considerable problems with the provision of public open spaces for activities aimed at the elderly. South Korea has more significant issues than other nations globally. This study, based on data from 477 valid questionnaires collected in and around Tapgol Park in Jung-gu, Seoul, employed a decision tree approach to identify key factors and paths that influence overall satisfaction. The goal was to identify decision paths that improve satisfaction while ensuring interpretability, thereby providing a scientific basis for urban space design and renovation. The results show that: (1) The decision tree of this study presents a hierarchical logic of quietness first, then accessibility and cleanliness, and finally price and vitality, which is consistent with the high frequency of use of Tapgol Park by the elderly and the diverse facilities in the surrounding area. (2) The key to improving the management and satisfaction of Tapgol Park in Seoul is the quietness of the site. (3) When the park is not quiet, users are most sensitive to bottom-line factors, such as commercial supply, evacuation safety, transportation accessibility, price perception, barrier-free, and anti-slips. (4) When the park is quiet, basic comfort factors such as smooth walking, all-day opening, sunlight, and no odor constitute the minimum condition set for entering the comfort zone. (5) Water experience, waterfront accessibility, proximity to cultural resources, and moderate business and community-oriented leisure facilities are key plus points. Methodologically, this study is among the first to apply a decision tree approach to low-income elderly using a small public open space in a historic city center, clarifying the nonlinear and hierarchical relationships among environmental factors within these low-income elderly groups. This provides empirical support and reference for the aging-friendly urban space in world heritage cities and other historical and cultural cities. Full article

The cleanliness and functionalization of metal surfaces are critical factors to determining their performance in high-performance microelectronic packaging, reliable biomedical implants, advanced composite bonding, and other fields. Compared to traditional wet cleaning methods, plasma cleaning technology has emerged as a research hotspot in surface engineering due to its unique advantages, such as high efficiency and environmental friendliness. It operates under versatile conditions (e.g., power: tens of watts to several kilowatts; pressure: atmospheric to low vacuum; treatment time: seconds to minutes), enabling not only efficient contaminant removal but also targeted surface functionalization, including dramatically enhanced hydrophilicity (e.g., contact angles from >80° to <10°), significantly improved adhesion (e.g., up to 40% increase in bond strength), and modifications in surface roughness, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. This review systematically elaborates on the physical, chemical, and synergistic mechanisms of plasma cleaning technology as it acts on metal surfaces. It focuses on plasma cleaning applied to copper, aluminum, titanium and their respective alloys, as well as alloy steels, providing a detailed analysis of contaminant types, plasma cleaning methodologies, common challenges, surface functionalization responses, and subsequent functional applications. Furthermore, this review discusses the current challenges faced by plasma cleaning technology and offers perspectives on its future development directions. It aims to systematize the research progress in plasma cleaning of metal surfaces, thereby facilitating the transition of this technology towards large-scale industrial applications for metal surface functionalization. Full article

Air pollution is an important environmental issue that affects social development and human life. Atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) is the primary pollutant affecting the air quality of most cities in the authors’ country. It can cause severe haze, reduce air visibility and cleanliness, and affect people’s daily lives and health. Therefore, it has become a primary research object. Ground monitoring and satellite remote sensing are currently the main ways to obtain PM_2.5 data. Satellite remote sensing technology has the advantages of macro-scale, dynamic, and real-time functioning, which can make up for the limitations of the uneven distribution and high cost of ground monitoring stations. Therefore, it provides an effective means to establish a mathematical model—based on atmospheric aerosol optical thickness data obtained through satellite remote sensing and PM_2.5 concentration data measured by ground monitoring stations—in order to estimate the PM_2.5 concentration and temporal and spatial distribution. This study takes the Yangtze River Delta region as the research area. Based on the measured PM_2.5 concentration data obtained from 184 ground monitoring stations in 2023, the newly released sixth version of the MODIS aerosol optical depth product obtained via the US Terra and Aqua satellites is used as the main prediction factor. Dark-pixel AOD data with a 3 km resolution and dark-blue AOD data with a 10 km resolution are combined with the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) reanalysis meteorological, land use, road network, and population density data and other auxiliary prediction factors, and XGBoost and LSTM models are used to achieve high-precision estimation of the spatiotemporal changes in PM_2.5 concentration in the Yangtze River Delta region. Full article

With the dramatic development of 5G technology, Internet of Things (IoT), and other technologies, the traditional offline market has been gradually altered with applying technologies to improve their efficient or cost-performance. The unmanned stores have been one of the significant and popular forms. To maintain the sustainable development of this retail form, it is essential to know what factors to foster and the mechanism of the formation of customers’ loyalty. Thus, the present study was performed to explore what the selection attributes of unmanned stores are and examine how these attributes impact on the formation of customers’ loyalty through their perceived value and satisfaction. Structural equation modeling was applied with a valid sample of 350 respondents to testify the casual relationship among research variables. As results, it was found that practicality (β = 0.229, t = 3.164, p < 0.01) and convenience (β = 0.152, t = 2.044, p < 0.05) of unmanned stores have positive influence on their perceived value. Moreover, practicality (β = 0.164, t = 2.392, p < 0.05), cleanliness (β = 0.198, t = 3.595, p < 0.001), and pleasantness (β = 0.337, t = 4.722, p < 0.001) could positively impact on their satisfaction. Both perceived value (β = 0.151, t = 2.366, p < 0.05) and satisfaction (β = 0.123, t = 2.023, p < 0.05) could contribute to the formation of their loyalty to unmanned stores. Finally, the moderating effect of social risk has been examined. Consequently, the casual relationships confirmed among research variables could provide insights for the service improvement of unmanned stores from the perspectives of the selection attributes of unmanned stores and customers perceived value. Full article

The purpose of this study is to examine how the selective attributes of Heugimja Seolgi, a traditional Korean food, influence consumers’ purchasing behavior. Data were collected through an online survey of adults in their 20s to 60s residing in the Republic of Korea who had previously consumed Heugimja Seolgi. Most respondents were in their 30s (34.5%) and 60s (25.7%). A total of 342 valid responses were analyzed using SPSS 25.0. Diversity and image, as sub-factors of the selective attributes for Heugimja Seolgi, were found to have a significantly positive impact on repurchase behavior, whereas quality did not show a statistically significant effect. This finding suggests that to increase repurchase rates, these factors must be considered, as Heugimja Seolgi is commonly chosen as a meal replacement, snack, or gift. Consumers also place great importance on the hygiene, cleanliness, and image of the stores selling the product. Ongoing research in this area is essential for the sustainable development of the Korean rice cake industry and is expected to contribute significantly to promoting the cultural and nutritional significance of traditional Korean rice cakes. Full article

Urban street sweeping infrastructure plays a critical role in municipal solid waste management by mitigating particulate matter resuspension and preventing contaminant mobilization into water bodies, thereby supporting public health and environmental sustainability. The primary objective of this study is to develop a dynamic evaluation model for urban street sweeping services in four localities of Bogotá, Colombia. Operating system variables are integrated with citizens’ perceptions to capture their coupled socio-environmental behavior. The methodology comprised four phases: a global literature review, a citizen-perception survey, the development of a dynamic simulation model integrating perceptions, and a statistical analysis of all collected data. The results demonstrate that technical efficiency in street sweeping operations, measured through the street cleanliness index, is insufficient to ensure service sustainability without incorporating citizen perception metrics. The model reveals that geometric, spatial, and climatic factors reduce the street cleanliness index by up to 100%, highlighting infrastructure vulnerability to external conditions. Model validation exposes a critical gap between operational cleanliness and citizen perception, with decreases of up to 64.2% in comprehensive service evaluation. The inclusion of perception indicators (Cronbach’s α = 0.770) underscores the significance of variables such as service punctuality and personnel attitude in determining citizen satisfaction and overall service assessment. The dynamic model constitutes a robust decision-support tool for optimizing resource allocation, mitigating socio-environmental impacts, and strengthening institutional legitimacy in urban infrastructure maintenance. Nevertheless, limitations in representing external factors (informal commerce and illegally parked vehicles) and spatial heterogeneity in cleanliness indices suggest future research directions incorporating stochastic modeling approaches and longitudinal studies on citizen perception dynamics. Full article

Background/Objectives: Subclinical mastitis is a common and economically significant infection in dairy cows. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria causing subclinical mastitis in dairy cows in the Upper Cheliff Region, Northern Algeria, and to investigate the effects of subclinical mastitis on milk production and reproductive performance. Methods: A total of 263 cows from 23 farms were screened for subclinical mastitis using the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and sampled for isolation and identification of bacteria by MALDI-TOF MS. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed using the Vitek 2 system and disk diffusion method. Methicillin resistance in staphylococci and mammaliicocci was confirmed by mecA/mecC detection. Results: The results revealed a prevalence of subclinical mastitis of 58.9% at the cow-level and 31.1% at the quarter-level. The most prevalent microorganisms identified were Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium) (24.4%) and Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) (20.5%), followed by non-aureus staphylococci (NAS) (16.9%), Escherichia coli (E. coli) (7.9%) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (7.08%). Risk factors significantly associated with the prevalence of subclinical mastitis included parity, lower milk production (<12 L/day), poor animal cleanliness and a history of previous mastitis. Reproductive performance was significantly impaired in cows with subclinical mastitis, cows with longer calving-to-first-service intervals (130 vs. 102.7 days; p < 0.0001), more services per conception (2.5 vs. 1.9; p < 0.0001) and a lower pregnancy rate at first service (24.5% vs. 48.1%; p < 0.0001). Furthermore, 43.2% of cows with subclinical mastitis required three or more inseminations to achieve pregnancy. AST showed a low resistance rate for the antimicrobial agents most commonly used in human and veterinary medicine. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) showed remarkable rates of methicillin-resistance (22.2%), as well as resistance towards fosfomycin (37.8%) and tetracycline (31.1%). A substantial proportion of E. coli isolates exhibited resistance to piperacillin (40%) and ciprofloxacin (15%). All S. aureus isolates were classified as MSSA without detection of mecA and mecC genes. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrated that subclinical mastitis is prevalent in the Upper Cheliff region and is associated with reduced milk production and reproductive performance. The detection of pathogenic and resistant microorganisms in milk is alarming and requires effective management strategies to control subclinical mastitis and improve dairy farm productivity. Full article

The wire drawing process, used for both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, employs different machines depending on the material and wire diameter: breakdown, single- or multi-wire machines for non-ferrous, and bull block machines for ferrous and non-ferrous alloy wires. In all cases, wire is drawn through dies by tensile forces, with die design, material, and lubrication crucial for reducing friction, dissipating heat, and ensuring quality. Die type and geometry, lubricant, drawing speed, and machine configuration are the main process variables. The present work evaluates the effects of die type, lubricant, and drawing speed on Zn–Al alloy wire drawing (Ø2.18 to Ø2.00 mm) using a Taguchi L9 (3³) design of experiments. Three lubricants (Multidraw oil/water, Multipress oil and water/oil emulsion), three dies (conventional, carbide 19.38-grade pressure die, carbide H3F-grade pressure die), and three drawing speeds (0.16 to 0.28 m/s) were tested. Results have shown that lubricant and die geometry dominate process performance. Pressure dies reduced drawing force by up to 8% versus the conventional die, and emulsion increased force by 14% compared to oils. Output wire temperatures increased with speed, peaking at 46.5 °C with water emulsion oil and pressure die with H3F carbide, while Multidraw oil kept values ~20% lower. However, emulsions lowered the die output temperatures by 15–25% compared to oils. The coefficient of friction averaged μ = 0.104, with pressure dies yielding the lowest values (0.091–0.096, ~20% below conventional). Surface quality was governed mainly by lubricant effectiveness, with pressure-drawing dies ensuring dimensional accuracy and surface cleanliness. The study identifies lubricant selection as the most influential factor, followed by die type, providing a basis for optimizing efficiency and product quality in the wire drawing of ZnAl15% alloy. Full article

Urban green spaces are essential for promoting human health and well-being, especially in cities facing increasing noise pollution and ecological stress. This study investigates the effects of audio-visual interaction on restorative outcomes across three soundscape types (park, residential, and street), focusing on the compensatory role of positive visual stimuli in low-quality soundscape environments. Thirty-two university students participated in a controlled evaluation using soundscapes and corresponding visual materials derived from 30 urban green spaces. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant main effects of soundscape type and modality (auditory vs. audio-visual), as well as a significant interaction between these factors. Audio-visual conditions consistently outperformed auditory conditions, with the strongest restorative effects observed in noisy street soundscapes when paired with positive visual stimuli. Further analysis highlighted that visual cleanliness and structural clarity significantly enhanced restorative outcomes in challenging environments. These findings align with existing theories of sensory integration and extend their application to large-scale urban settings. This study shows that multi-sensory optimization can mitigate urban environmental stressors, supporting healthier, more resilient, and sustainable urban environments. Future research should explore long-term and cross-cultural applications to inform evidence-based urban planning and public health policies. Full article

This study aimed to explore psychosocial factors in a sample of Peruvian workers, examine their convergence with the PROPSIT model, and identify the emergence of new or idiosyncratic psychosocial dimensions. At the same time, the quality and efficiency of the categorization process were evaluated. n = 48 workers were contacted by a non-probabilistic sampling method and asked to fill out a form with open-ended questions that explored negative stressors and positive engaging factors. Some strategies were used to assess the quality and efficiency of the categorization process. The results showed that the quality, speed, and reliability of the categorization procedure were satisfactory, and several categories were aligned with the PROPSIT model and other literature, both in their negative aspects (workload and rhythm, working hours, shifts, etc.) and positive aspects (rewarding tasks, atmosphere of unity, etc.). The emerging new categories were confined to aspects of teamwork and conflict climate, as well as topics such as order, cleanliness, and recreation. These findings underline the need to adapt existing models and instruments to capture idiosyncratic aspects of the Peruvian work environment. In conclusion, this study validated an efficient mixed approach for categorizing psychosocial work factors in Peru, revealing both PROPSIT-aligned and novel context-specific categories, and highlighting the need for culturally adapted tools and broader validation. Full article