Search Results (45,040)

The discharge of metal-complex dyes from textile industries poses significant environmental challenges due to their chemical stability and resistance to conventional biological treatment. This study examined the degradation of Acid Black 194 (AB–194), a 1:2 chromium-complex azo dye, using Co²⁺-activated peroxymonosulfate (PMS). A central composite design based on response surface methodology was used to evaluate the effects of Co²⁺ (5.93–20.07 µM), PMS (1.67–7.33 mM), and dye (13.79–56.21 mg L⁻¹) concentrations on decolorization and mineralization. The polynomial models demonstrated strong predictive accuracy (R² > 0.9896), identifying Co²⁺ and dye concentrations as the most influential factors. Under optimal conditions (18.0 µM Co²⁺, 6.5 mM PMS, 20.0 mg L⁻¹ dye), 99.19% decolorization was achieved at 30 min and 41.43% TOC removal at 240 min. Degradation kinetics were described by a mechanistic model incorporating 15 elementary reactions that comprise the Co²⁺/Co³⁺ redox cycle, radical generation, and dye oxidation, yielding a global R² of 0.9617. Estimated rate constants for dye oxidation (k₁₄ = 3.52 × 10⁹ M^–1 s^–1 for and k₁₅ = 2.00 × 10¹⁰ M^–1 s^–1 ) were consistent with values reported for aromatic compounds in sulfate radical systems. Radical contribution analysis confirmed sulfate radicals as the principal oxidizing species, accounting for 96.75% of the overall process. Full article

Viral carcinogenesis as a causative mechanism of breast cancer has been intensively researched during the last decades. The role of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and Bovine Leukemia virus (BLV) in breast oncogenesis has been investigated in a plethora of studies, but with conflicting results. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the frequency of molecular detection of the EBV genome and BLV genome between women with breast cancer and women without malignant breast tumors. This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Cochrane CENTRAL and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched up to 20 May 2024. Included studies were those comparing the frequency of molecular detection of the EBV and/or BLV genome in breast tissue specimens with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods between patients with breast cancer and women without breast malignancies. The primary outcomes of the study were the frequency of molecular detection of the EBV genome and BLV genome. Methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. A total of 29 studies met the selection criteria and were included in this meta-analysis; 19 studies reported results for molecular detection of the EBV genome, 9 studies for detection of the BLV genome and 1 study for detection of genomic material of both viruses. The frequency of molecular detection of viral genomes was significantly higher in patients with breast cancer, compared to women with healthy breasts or benign breast diseases, regarding both EBV (OR: 3.041, 95% CI: 1.791 to 5.164, p < 0.0001) and BLV (OR: 3.459, 95% CI: 2.118 to 5.650, p < 0.0001). The frequency of molecular detection of EBV and BLV genomes is higher, in a statistically significant manner, in patients with breast cancer compared to women without breast malignancies. The presence of these viral factors in breast tissue could imply their potential contribution in breast carcinogenesis, but is not sufficient to establish it, and the molecular detection of their genomes could be potentially exploited in the future for preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Further studies are required to thoroughly investigate and establish a causal relationship between EBV and BLV infection and breast carcinogenesis, as well as to support the use of viral genome molecular detection in clinical settings for the management of breast cancer patients. Full article

In recent decades, the introduction of e-procurement has profoundly transformed the methods of procuring goods, services, and works, redefining traditional procurement processes and significantly impacting global economic, operational, and regulatory dynamics. The construction sector has also been affected by this transition, which has altered the operating models of public procurement and favoured the adoption of digital tools aimed at more efficient, transparent, and automated process management. This study proposes a systematic literature review based on the analysis of 95 scientific contributions, with the aim of outlining the evolution of the e-procurement paradigm in the construction sector and identifying the main directions for research development. Despite the widespread dissemination of studies on the topic, it emerges that the actual maturity of e-procurement systems is still limited, often resulting in a logic of document dematerialization rather than full process digitalization. In this context, the review critically analyses the role of Building Information Modelling as an enabling factor for the evolution of e-procurement, exploring the potential of its integration into procurement flows. Particular attention is paid to the contribution of the Digital Building Logbook, an information tool capable of extending the value of data generated during the tender phase throughout the building’s entire life cycle, supporting advanced management and maintenance strategies. The results highlight how, despite the significant potential of integrating e-procurement and BIM, significant technological, regulatory, and cultural issues persist that limit its large-scale adoption. This underscores the need to develop shared and interoperable methodological approaches capable of transforming procurement from a document-based process to an integrated information system, oriented toward value creation throughout the entire life cycle of projects. Full article

Background: Physical inactivity among Saudi Arabian adolescents is a critical public health concern due to its contribution to the rising prevalence of overweight, obesity, and non-communicable diseases. Despite this, the motivational profiles and perceived barriers that differentiate athletic from non-athletic adolescents remain understudied in the Saudi literature, particularly within the school Physical Education (PE) context. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), the present study examined the factors preventing and motivating Saudi adolescents to engage in physical activity (PA) and discusses findings in terms of their implications for PE teachers and school-based intervention. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 124 male high school students in Riyadh (mean age: 16.79 ± 0.66 years). Participants were categorized as either athletes (n = 70) or non-athletes (n = 54) based on pre-defined engagement criteria: athletes were required to report vigorous-intensity sport participation on three or more days per week for a minimum of 60 min per session. Anthropometric measurements, lifestyle behaviors (diet, screen time, sleep), motivations, and barriers were assessed using the validated Arab Teens Lifestyle Study (ATLS) questionnaire. Independent samples t-tests and chi-square tests were used to compare between-group differences; effect sizes are reported. Result: Non-athletes had a significantly higher mean BMI (29.40 ± 6.77 kg/m²) and waist circumference (98.65 ± 21.63 cm) compared to athletes (BMI: 22.19 ± 4.44 kg/m²; waist: 78.84 ± 9.51 cm; both p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in screen time, sleep duration, or dietary habits. The primary motivations for PA among athletes were health benefits (27.1%), recreation (25.7%), and competition (20.0%), reflecting an autonomous motivational profile consistent with SDT. Among non-athletes, the predominant barriers were the lack of suitable facilities (25.9%) and the absence of an exercise partner (22.2%); reflecting unmet SDT needs for competence and relatedness respectively, while only 9.3% cited having a lack of time. Conclusions: Non-athletic participants face a significant health disadvantage characterized by higher rates of overweight and central obesity. In contrast to global trends, where academic commitments dominate barriers to PA, the principal barriers in this population are environmental and social, reflecting unmet psychological needs that PE teachers are uniquely positioned to address. Rather than focusing solely on infrastructure, PE promoters should implement need-supportive teaching practices, including competence-building tasks and cooperative peer structures, to foster the intrinsic motivational profile observed in the athletes and promote long-term PA adherence among non-athletic students, in alignment with the health objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Full article

Unsafe behaviors among construction workers constitute a major contributing factor to construction accidents, making it critically important to explore their underlying mechanisms and temporal dynamics from a cognitive perspective. This study employed an exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach. Initially, grounded theory was used to conduct three-level coding of in-depth interview data from 35 construction workers, resulting in the development of a cognitive theory model of unsafe behavior among construction workers comprising two main categories: ‘ perceptual recognition’ and ‘cognitive response’. Subsequently, a questionnaire was designed based on this model, and a 10-day longitudinal survey was conducted among 300 workers. Multi-group structural equation modelling was employed to analyze the temporal variation in the relationship between cognitive ability and unsafe behavior. The results indicate that: workers’ cognitive abilities can be decomposed into four dimensions—perceiving danger, identifying hazards, perceptual response, and decision-making response—and further summarized into two higher-order factors: perceptual recognition and cognitive response; (2) cognitive abilities are significantly negatively correlated with unsafe behavior; (3) this relationship exhibits significant temporal variations, with the inhibitory effect on Day 5 (path coefficient −0.95) being stronger than that on Day 1 (−0.88) and Day 10 (−0.50); furthermore, the ‘cognitive response → decision-making response’ path also shows significant differences between Day 5 and Day 10. The study reveals the pattern of fluctuations over time in the inhibitory effects of workers’ cognitive ability on unsafe behavior, providing a theoretical basis for construction companies to implement dynamic and targeted safety interventions. Full article

Introduction: Postoperative pulmonary complications, particularly pneumonia, remain frequent after esophagectomy and contribute significantly to morbidity. One-lung ventilation (OLV) is a potential modifiable risk factor, but its impact in minimally invasive (MIE) and robot-assisted Ivor Lewis esophagectomy (RAMIE) within European populations is not well defined. Methods: 619 patients undergoing MIE or RAMIE were analyzed. OLV duration was extracted from operative records. Postoperative pneumonia incidence, overall survival, and perioperative outcomes were assessed. ASA classification and other risk factors were considered. Results: The overall incidence of postoperative pneumonia was 18.6%, with no significant difference between MIE (20.4%) and RAMIE (18.2%). Prolonged OLV duration increased pneumonia risk by 4% per 10 min. Female sex and higher ASA classification were also significant risk factors. Likely reflecting early diagnosis and advanced perioperative management, pneumonia did not affect overall survival, which remained comparable between MIE and RAMIE. Conclusions: Prolonged OLV during MIE and RAMIE increases the risk of postoperative pneumonia without significantly affecting overall survival, reflecting effective complication management. OLV duration may serve as a practical intraoperative indicator to guide risk stratification and optimize postoperative care in minimally invasive and robot-assisted Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. Full article

Cryptorchidism is one of the most frequently diagnosed developmental disorders of the male canine reproductive system, defined as the failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum. Physiologically, testicular descent is typically completed by six to eight weeks of age, although some authors extend this period to sixteen weeks. Failure of testicular descent beyond this timeframe is considered pathological. The condition has multiple causes and affects between 1% and 10% of the canine population. Genetics is the most significant factor, indicating the hereditary basis of cryptorchidism. In addition, increasing attention has been directed toward the potential impact of environmental and epigenetic factors on the incidence of cryptorchidism, suggesting that the condition may result from complex interactions between genetic predisposition and external influences. The effect of hormones (such as INSL3 and testosterone), mechanical factors (including narrowing of the inguinal canal, abnormalities of the gubernaculum, and shortening of the spermatic cord), and environmental factors (for example, exposure to external estrogens and maternal stress during pregnancy) all contribute to the development of this disorder. Recent results have emphasized the role of the orexin system, particularly the OX2R receptor, in regulating endocrine and reproductive functions in cryptorchid testes. Computed tomography is increasingly utilized in complex cases due to its high precision in localizing retained testes. Clinically, cryptorchidism may present unilaterally or bilaterally. Unilateral cryptorchidism may preserve partial fertility, whereas bilateral cryptorchidism results in complete infertility. Undescended testes may be located in the abdominal cavity or inguinal canal. Major complications include an increased risk of testicular cancer (Sertoli cell tumors and seminomas) and endocrine disorders leading to feminization. Diagnosis is based on clinical examination and imaging modalities such as ultrasound. Orchiectomy, involving the removal of both the retained and normally descended testicles, is thought to be the gold standard for treatment. This method helps avoid complications and the transmission of the defect to offspring. According to Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) standards, affected individuals should not be used for breeding or shows. Early detection, surgical intervention, and consistent exclusion from breeding programs are the primary strategies for reducing the incidence of this disorder in the canine population. Full article

Conventional thermal recovery techniques face challenges in low-permeability heavy oil reservoirs due to low recovery factors and poor economic viability. To address these challenges, low-temperature oxidation (LTO) during oxygen-reduced air flooding was employed to achieve in situ oil upgrading and enhance oil recovery. Static oxidation tests at oxygen concentrations of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 21% were designed to analyze the produced gas composition and the physical properties of the oil following oxidation. We further employed Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis to evaluate the oxidation behavior of crude oil under the same oxygen concentration conditions. Finally, long-core displacement experiments were performed to assess how the oxygen concentration influences the recovery efficiency. The results showed that under the tested conditions, oxygen consumption exceeded CO₂ generation, indicating that low-temperature oxygen addition reactions (formation of oxygenated species) dominated over complete oxidation. As the oxygen concentration increased, the oxidized crude oil exhibited a higher viscosity. At higher oxygen concentrations (15% and 21%), the asphaltene content increased significantly, resulting in poorer fluidity. The activation energy in the LTO stage decreased with increasing oxygen concentration, as revealed by kinetic analysis over the range of 5% to 21%. The LTO stage dominated the crude oil oxidation process. However, the heat release during this stage was less affected by the oxygen concentration. Consequently, increasing the oxygen concentration contributed only marginally to elevating the reservoir temperature. For the studied reservoir, oxygen-reduced air flooding with a 5% oxygen concentration achieved a final recovery factor of 34.82%. This represented a 1.76% improvement over conventional air flooding, thereby enabling economically efficient reservoir development. Full article

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate burnout and job satisfaction levels among audiologists in Türkiye and the factors that contribute to them. Methods: The study included 152 female (59.80%) and 102 male (40.20%) audiologists aged 20–30 (n = 133, 52.40%), 31–40 (n = 82, 32.30%), and 41 and over (n = 39, 15.40%). Participants were required to have at least 1 year of experience and be an active audiologist. Analysis was performed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and correlation statistics to assess the predictive relationship between burnout sub-dimensions and job satisfaction components. Results: The results showed that burnout and job satisfaction among audiologists differed according to demographic data. In Türkiye, audiologists reported high burnout and low job satisfaction. A significant relationship was found between burnout and job satisfaction. The exhaustion subscale of the Maslach Burnout Scale statistically significantly and negatively predicted the Job Satisfaction Scale scores (β = −0.35; p < 0.05). Furthermore, it was determined that audiologists working in implant centers experienced less burnout, while those working in rehabilitation centers had lower job satisfaction. Conclusions: In conclusion, addressing burnout levels among audiologists is expected to not only improve individual well-being but also contribute to the overall enhancement of hearing health services in Türkiye. Full article

Soybean (Glycine max) is a vital food and oil crop in China, yet its yield and quality are severely threatened by piercing–sucking damage caused by Riptortus pedestris (Hemiptera: Alydidae) to soybean pods. Under global climate warming and expanded soybean cultivation, temperature has become a key environmental factor driving the spread of and aggravated damage caused by R. pedestris. We investigated the effects of temperature (32, 36, 40, 42, and 44 °C) and exposure duration (1–4 h) on the energy substances and antioxidant enzyme activities in adult R. pedestris. These two factors also had significant effects on the pest’s energy substances and antioxidant defense. Under short-term high-temperature stress, the water loss rate and fat, total sugar, and glycogen contents increased significantly, while protein content showed a fluctuating upward trend, with distinct sexual differences in these responses; the water loss and energy substance levels within the lethal high-temperature range, around 44 °C, were generally higher than those in the sublethal range (36–42 °C). R. pedestris showed physiological changes consistent with enhanced heat tolerance and adaptability, including water balance regulation, carbohydrate and lipid accumulation, and modulation of protein synthesis and degradation. In the sublethal high-temperature range, antioxidant enzyme activity patterns were altered, and SOD activity was increased; meanwhile, the MDA content also rose, and POD and CAT activities decreased. In the lethal high-temperature range, the overall antioxidant enzyme activities were lower than in the suitable temperature range, with the POD activities and MDA content still rising. These results suggest that the dynamic adjustment of antioxidant enzyme activities may contribute to alleviating oxidative damage and rapid adaptation to temperature-induced oxidative stress in R. pedestris. These findings indicate that R. pedestris possesses physiological plasticity to cope with sublethal heat stress through metabolic reallocation and antioxidant defense activation, but extreme temperatures cause severe physiological disruption. This study provides insights into the thermal biology and heat resistance mechanisms of this pest under climate warming scenarios. Full article

This study investigates the transition toward green transportation in Hanoi through a culture-centered perspective by integrating the Culture Tower (KAUC) framework with PLS-SEM analysis. Using survey data from 172 urban residents, the research examines how factors of knowledge, action, perceived utility, contribution, infrastructure, and social norms interact to shape green transport policy acceptance. The findings reveal that sustainable mobility functions as a layered cultural process rather than a simple behavioral sequence. Environmental awareness emerges as the central driver, exerting significant direct and indirect effects on contribution and policy acceptance, while green transportation infrastructure influences acceptance primarily through normative and cognitive pathways. The absence of strong experiential reinforcement between action, utility, and contribution suggests that behavioral engagement has not yet consolidated into stabilized cultural practice. By conceptualizing policy acceptance as the outcome of accumulated cultural layers rather than short-term cost–benefit evaluation, the study advances a systemic and culturally grounded approach to green transport governance. The results underscore the importance of reinforcing environmental knowledge, stabilizing social norms, ensuring reliable infrastructure, and fostering participatory contribution to achieve durable, green mobility transitions in rapidly urbanizing contexts. Full article

Cryptosporidium spp. is a widely distributed gastrointestinal pathogen in vertebrates, such as the European wild boar. Furthermore, with a fecal–oral pathway, they might spread through tainted food and water or by direct contact. Related to the presence of this parasite in wild boar populations, the handling of hunted carcasses may be a source of zoonotic transmission. This work aims to evaluate the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in 10 Portuguese hunting areas in two different locations (Northern and Central Portugal) and to preliminarily assess the risk factors of zoonotic transmission to hunting stakeholders. Cryptosporidium spp. antigens were confirmed by an immunochromatography test in the wild boars’ fecal samples from four of the 10 hunting areas analyzed (one in the North and three in the Southeast of Central Portugal). A qualitative assessment of various potential factors contributing to the persistence of infection in this wild population, but also of zoonotic risk factors related to hygiene procedures and handling of carcasses after hunting actions, was also carried out. With these potentially risky practices, it is imperative to raise awareness and establish a surveillance network in the hunting areas in order to mitigate the potential zoonotic transmission of these pathogenic agents to hunting stakeholders. Full article

Accurate identification of key nodes in complex networks is vital for optimizing system robustness and controlling information spread. Existing centrality metrics struggle to balance the continuous extraction of global topological features with the fine-grained perception of local structures, while traditional heuristic algorithms also face severe resolution limitations. To address these issues, this paper proposes a node importance evaluation method based on fractional-order topological propagation and local information entropy (FSEC). This method overcomes the limitations of discrete integer-order propagation inherent in traditional graph walks. It constructs a continuous fractional-order topological propagation operator within the spectral graph theory framework. This enables the smooth projection of node degree features into the global topological space, thereby yielding high-order global impact factors. Furthermore, an information theory mechanism is introduced to quantify the probability distribution of a node’s information contribution within its local neighborhood. The local structural information entropy is then calculated to reflect the node’s asymmetric control over micro-level information flow. Deliberate attack simulations were conducted on nine real-world networks and three types of artificial network models. The results show that the proposed FSEC algorithm significantly outperforms baseline algorithms like Autoencoder and Graph Neural Network (AGNN), Degree Centrality, k-shell, PageRank, and Mixed Degree Decomposition (MDD) in degrading the largest connected component (LCC) and global network efficiency (NE). The proposed method also achieves the minimum Area Under the Curve (AUC) values globally. Its monotonicity is slightly lower than that of AGNN but superior to all other baseline algorithms. In addition, SIR simulations further confirm the effectiveness of the FSEC method. This approach successfully resolves the ranking tie problem among nodes in the same topological layer. Full article

Traditional Peruvian cuisine has become a globally recognized experience, but its impact on visitors to the Caral Supe archaeological site—one of the oldest centers of civilization in South America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site—has not been studied. The main objective was to explain the constructs of the perceived authenticity of traditional food, loyalty to traditional food, service quality at traditional restaurants, and tourist satisfaction with visits to archaeological sites, based on the experience economy theory. An explanatory study was conducted using a structural equation modeling approach (PLS-SEM), applied to a sample of 381 tourists who visited the archaeological site and consumed local cuisine at restaurants in the destination of Barranca. The findings confirmed significant relationships among the model’s constructs (p < 0.01). It is suggested that the perception of authenticity of traditional food is a determining factor for loyalty (R² = 0.743) and a driver of satisfaction with the visit to the archaeological site (R² = 0.617), which constitutes the study’s contribution. However, the R² value for the construction of the tourist experience at the destination (R² = 0.301), the model does not fully capture the complexity of experiential processes at this particular heritage destination, which may depend on emotional, cultural, or contextual variables not included in this study. Satisfaction with the visit to the archaeological site is primarily related to staff attentiveness, the quality of guide explanations, and safety. It is concluded that the interplay between satisfaction with the visit to the archaeological site, the perceived authenticity of traditional food, and the quality of service in restaurants is fundamental to enhancing the experience at the heritage destination, thereby positioning traditional food and archaeotourism. It is recommended that the public and private sectors design strategies aimed at generating authentic and sustainable experiences for visitors, strengthening factors such as the destination’s reputation, the positive image of the site, satisfaction with the trip at the destination, and the positive experience. Full article

Credit risk evaluation is a key factor in financial intermediation, regulatory capital provision, and risk management in the portfolio. In this study, we compare the deep learning performance for probability-of-default (PD) estimation with a structured financial econometric model using loan-level data of an Indian non-banking financial agency between May and August 2025. Using the interpretation of PD as a conditional expectation, which is in line with reduced-form default-intensity models, we compare deep learning, logistic regression, and gradient boosting using a pure time-based out-of-sample design. Model assessment focuses on discrimination and calibration, where the area under the precision–recall curve (AUC-PR), Brier score, log-loss, and Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit tests are utilized. The findings show that deep learning achieves higher accuracy in terms of calibration but a lower Brier score by about 18; this gap could be reduced by comparing logistic regression with statistically significant improvements in formal tests that compare forecasts. In portfolio back-testing, better probability scaling is translated into an actual loss reduction of about 12–13% for the August 2025 cohort. Although the improvements compared with the advanced ensemble techniques are moderate, the results indicate that deep learning improves the estimation of conditional default probabilities because of the better nonlinear modeling and upper-tail risk perception. This study contributes to the literature via its incorporation of machine learning and credit risk assessment into a formalized risk management and econometric assessment system. Full article