Search Results (3,689)

This paper proposes an approach to digitizing the environmental passport for areas where detachable parts of launch vehicles fall in Kazakhstan based on an interactive geographic information system platform and smart maps. An example is considered for zone U-4 (“Ulytau” district of the “Karaganda” region), which includes the fall zones of “Soyuz” launch vehicle blocks (IZ 26, 32, 34, 42, 56). The natural and climatic factors and hazards of the territory are analyzed: the total area of the zones under consideration exceeds 4.1 million hectares, annual precipitation varies between 218 and 289 mm, strong winds of 5.0–6.8 m/s are characteristic, and a high level of fire hazard can develop within 6–7 days. Data on fires for 2021 are provided. For an integrated assessment, a normalized system criterion, environmental sustainability indicator (0–1), has been introduced, aggregating four groups of criteria (chemical, mechanical, pyrogenic, biota) with a breakdown of contributions and calculation of uncertainty (σ and 95% CI). The system criterion of environmental sustainability map identifies local ‘hot spots’ with levels of around 0.8–1.0, while the uncertainty map shows maximums of up to 0.12–0.14 (with background values of ~0.02–0.08), which increases the validity of management decisions on monitoring and reclamation. Full article

Background: Lattice degeneration (LD) is a well-established precursor lesion of retinal detachment, a condition with often poor prognosis that can lead to permanent vision loss. Early identification of LD is clinically significant for risk assessment. This study aimed to investigate the associations between LD and ocular biometric as well as demographic parameters, and to develop a risk assessment framework. The ultimate goal is to identify individuals at genuinely high risk who may benefit from tailored follow-up or treatment. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1776 subjects from 7634 screened individuals at the Eye Health Management Center of Ineye Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, were enrolled. Comprehensive ophthalmic examinations were conducted. Chi-square tests compared LD prevalence across groups. Independent risk factors were identified through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: The overall prevalence of LD was 13.3%, with unilateral cases (9.3%) exceeding bilateral cases (4.0%). Prevalence was significantly higher in myopic (15.5%) versus non-myopic individuals (10.5%, p < 0.05), but did not differ by gender or ocular dominance. Spherical equivalent (SE), axial length (AL), axial length/corneal radius ratio (AL/CR), and age were positively correlated with LD risk (all p < 0.05). Age, AL, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were independently associated with the presence of LD. Among those AL may be a more directly relevant biological parameter for assessing LD risk, each 1.00 mm increase in AL increased risk by 53% (OR = 1.53). Conclusions: The overall prevalence of LD was 13.3%. Given that AL is a key independent risk factor for LD, it is recommended that individuals with elongated AL undergo peripheral retinal screening. This facilitates early detection and enables prophylactic treatment for those at high risk of retinal detachment. Full article

Dissolution of iron oxides in water plays a critical role in corrosion, mineral cycling, and surface reactivity; yet, the atomic-scale mechanisms governing Fe release remain poorly understood. Here, we employ ab initio molecular dynamics and well-tempered metadynamics simulations to investigate the stepwise dissolution of surface Fe atoms from the -Fe₂O₃(0001) surface in aqueous solution. The dissolution process initiates from a stable surface configuration in which Fe is coordinated to three lattice oxygen atoms and one water molecule. It proceeds through a series of metastable states involving additional water coordination, proton-assisted Fe-O bond weakening, and eventual detachment from the substrate. The first major transition, requiring 46.5 kJ/mol, involves breaking the hydrogen-bonding net and overcoming steric hindrance to allow adsorption of a second water molecule. Intermediate barriers (10.9–30.3 kJ/mol) are associated with further coordination and bond cleavage steps. In contrast, the final release of Fe into the solution, corresponding to a state coordinated with four water molecules and no lattice oxygen, exhibits a much higher free-energy barrier of ~ 93.0 kJ/mol. This barrier arises from the formation of a rigid hydrogen-bonded water cage and the loss of proton access to the remaining surface oxygen site, as confirmed by radial distribution function analysis. Our findings reveal why -Fe₂O₃(0001) is highly resistant to complete dissolution yet prone to surface roughening, defect formation, and adatom structures under aqueous conditions. Full article

A novel composite adhesive for lacquer film restoration was developed by modifying natural lacquer with Tween-20, soy protein isolate (SPI), and nano-SiO₂ to address the bonding failure and interfacial instability of glyoxal-dehydrated lacquerware. The optimal formulation (70% lacquer, 10% Tween-20, 15% SPI, 5% nano-SiO₂) achieved a shear bond strength of 3.8 ± 0.3 MPa, corresponding to a 58% increase compared with pure lacquer (2.4 ± 0.2 MPa). After 30 days of immersion in a pH 4.0 acidic solution, the adhesive retained 91 ± 3% of its initial shear strength, significantly higher than that of pure lacquer (65 ± 5%). Under accelerated aging conditions (50 °C and 95% relative humidity), the composite adhesive exhibited minimal weight gain (1.0 ± 0.2%) and no visible mold growth, whereas pure lacquer showed greater moisture uptake (3.0 ± 0.4%) accompanied by evident fungal colonization. The cured film displayed good color compatibility (ΔE ≈ 2.0) and improved flexibility (elongation at break: 12.5% vs. 4.2%). XPS and FTIR analyses suggested enhanced interfacial bonding through hydrogen-bond interactions and possible Si–O–C linkages at the wood–lacquer interface. Practical restoration of a Warring States period lacquer ear cup (China) demonstrated effective and stable reattachment of detached fragments with satisfactory visual integration and long-term durability. Overall, this work provides a compatible and durable material strategy for the conservation of glyoxal-dehydrated lacquerware. Full article

Pathologic myopia has become a major global cause of blindness, making timely surgical management for myopic traction maculopathy (MTM) increasingly important. This study aimed to identify prognostic factors associated with functional and anatomical outcomes following surgery for MTM and to determine the optimal timing for intervention. This retrospective study included 33 eyes from 28 patients with MTM without full-thickness macular hole who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling and gas tamponade. Better preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and lower foveal height were associated with better postoperative BCVA, whereas longer axial length, higher MTM, and higher Atrophy–Traction–Neovascularization (ATN) classification grade were correlated with thinner postoperative central foveal thickness. Foveal detachment (FD), ellipsoid zone (EZ) disruption, and advanced MTM grade were associated with poorer functional and anatomical outcomes. Postoperative visual outcomes should be interpreted with caution, as they may have been influenced by lens-related factors, including combined cataract surgery, post-vitrectomy cataract progression, and posterior capsule opacity. Nonetheless, consistent anatomical improvement was observed, supporting early surgical consideration in eyes with MTM showing progressive macular traction or EZ disruption, even in the absence of FD. These findings highlight the importance of serial OCT monitoring and individualized surgical timing based on preoperative assessments. Full article

 Background/Objectives: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) often occurs during early adulthood and substantially affects physical, psychological, and relational well-being. Although sexual health is a fundamental component of quality of life, it is rarely addressed in clinical practice and remains insufficiently explored in research. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of individuals with IBD regarding sexuality and intimate relationships. Methods: Qualitative phenomenological design was adopted. Nineteen adults with a confirmed diagnosis of Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative Colitis were purposively recruited from a gastroenterology and endoscopy unit of a university hospital in Southern Italy. Data were collected through in-depth, audio-recorded interviews conducted in Italian, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Cohen’s phenomenological method. Lincoln and Guba’s criteria were applied to ensure methodological rigor. Results: Five main themes and two subthemes emerged. Participants reported that IBD profoundly affected their sexual lives, not only through physical symptoms but also by eliciting emotional distress and avoidance behaviors. Stigmatization of symptoms such as incontinence and bloating frequently led to withdrawal from physical intimacy. Changes in body image, including weight fluctuations, scarring, and fear of a possible stoma, were associated with feelings of shame and self-alienation. Sexuality was often described as mechanical and emotionally detached, although some participants reported processes of relational reconnection. Concerns about relationship stability and uncertainty about the future were common, alongside a persistent lack of communication with healthcare professionals regarding sexual health. Conclusions: Sexual health in people with IBD is essential yet frequently overlooked. A holistic and empathetic approach that integrates sexual health into routine IBD care may enhance emotional well-being, improve partner communication, and strengthen the overall quality of care.  Full article

This study explores the perspectives of monolingual English-speaking parents whose children are enrolled in elementary (Grades 1–5) French immersion (FI) in New Brunswick, Canada, where FI students learn mathematics in French. Using poetic inquiry within a feminist postmodern framework, we analyzed interview data from three parents to examine how they conceptualize the relationship between language and mathematics, and how these conceptualizations shape the ways they support their children’s mathematics learning. The resulting research poems reveal tensions in participants’ views of mathematics and language. For example, mathematics was at times positioned as detachable from language, although language was simultaneously described as a potential barrier to mathematical success. In turn, parental involvement was characterized by support toward monitoring linguistic markers, relearning pedagogical methods, and rehearsing procedures. By centring parents’ perspectives, this study contributes to research on multilingual mathematics education by illustrating how parental conceptualizations may play a role in shaping mathematics practices across home and school spaces. Methodologically, the study suggests that research poetry has analytic potential for surfacing tensions in parental sense-making that may remain overlooked in more conventional qualitative analyses. This study points to a need for resources and communication practices that support dialogue between schools and families about the relationship between language and mathematics in FI contexts. Full article

The Himalayan metallogenic belt is a globally significant province for leucogranites and pegmatites. Recent exploration has yielded major breakthroughs in the exploration of pegmatite-type Li-Be-Nb-Ta rare-metal deposits within its eastern segment. Discoveries such as the Qiongjiagang and Lhozhag deposits underscore the region’s substantial mineralization potential. In contrast, the western Himalayan segment remains comparatively underexplored. This study presents the geology and geochronology of the newly identified Zhaguopu Li-Be-Nb-Ta deposit in the Gyirong area, providing critical new insights. The deposit is centered on the Gyirong granite dome, which features a core of tourmaline-bearing leucogranite surrounded by a peripheral zone of beryl-bearing pegmatites and vein- to lens-shaped spodumene pegmatites, all hosted within metamorphosed sandstone, slate, and marble. The largest individual spodumene pegmatite vein exceeds 400 m in length, with thicknesses ranging from 0.5 to 4 m and a cumulative thickness surpassing 50 m. Principal ore minerals include spodumene, beryl, and columbite-group minerals. U-Pb geochronology of zircon, monazite, and columbite-group minerals from the leucogranite and pegmatite units constrains the rare-metal mineralization to a tight interval of 25–23 Ma, contemporaneous with the Qiongjiagang and Lhozhag deposits. Whole-rock geochemical data define a coherent fractional crystallization sequence from tourmaline granite through beryl pegmatite to spodumene pegmatite, characterized by increasing SiO₂ and peraluminosity, and extreme depletion in Ba, Sr, Eu and Nb/Ta ratios. This geochemical trend underscores the critical role of extreme magmatic differentiation in rare-metal enrichment. Field relationships and these coeval ages strongly support a genetic model in which the mineralized pegmatites originated from the extreme fractional crystallization of a common, cogenetic magmatic suite. The timing of this mineralization event correlates precisely with the post-collisional extension of the Himalayan orogen and the activity of the Southern Tibet Detachment System. We conclude that the interplay between this large-scale tectonism and magmatic differentiation is the fundamental driver for rare-metal enrichment. The discovery of the Zhaguopu deposit highlights the significant and previously underestimated potential for major pegmatite-type rare-metal deposits in the western Himalayan belt. Full article

Accurate prediction of separated flows remains a critical challenge for Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations, primarily due to the tendency of standard turbulence models to overpredict separation. To address this limitation, this study develops and validates a helicity-augmented variant of Menter’s Shear Stress Transport (SST) model within a high-fidelity, data-guided framework. First, a scale-resolving database, capturing the physics of corner separation, is established via an improved Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation (DDES) of a linear compressor cascade. Insights from this database directly inform the integration of a normalized helicity parameter into the SST formulation, enabling dynamic modulation of the turbulent eddy viscosity to account for non-equilibrium turbulence and energy backscatter in three-dimensional (3D) vortical flows. The enhanced SST model is subsequently validated against experimental data for two benchmark aerodynamic configurations: ARA M100 wing–fuselage and DLR-F6 aircraft models. Results demonstrate that the proposed correction significantly improves the prediction of separation topology and aerodynamic coefficients, delays the predicted onset of stall, and achieves closer agreement with measurements. These findings confirm the DDES-guided helicity correction as an effective strategy for enhancing the predictive fidelity of RANS models in simulating the complex separated flows encountered in practical aeronautical applications. Full article

Botrytis cinerea, the causal agent of grey mold in grapevine, remains one of the most economically important pathogens in viticulture and a key target for sustainable biocontrol strategies. This study evaluated the antagonistic potential of seven Trichoderma isolates (T1–T7), collected from the rhizosphere of grapevine in Morocco, using a combination of in vitro and in planta assays designed to capture multiple direct and indirect modes of action. The isolates exhibited variable levels of antagonism through competition, volatile organic compounds, extracellular metabolites, and elicitation responses. Preliminary in planta assays on detached grape berries further demonstrated that all selected isolates reduced lesion development, with preventive applications yielding the strongest protection. Overall, the study highlights the complementary and strain-specific mechanisms underlying Trichoderma & B. cinerea interactions and underscores the importance of isolate selection and application timing for the development of effective and environmentally friendly grey mold management strategies. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for the future evaluation of promising isolates under vineyard conditions. Full article

Myopia has emerged as a global public health crisis, with prevalence exceeding 80% in East Asian urban populations and rising rapidly worldwide. High myopia substantially increases the lifetime risk of sight-threatening complications, including myopic macular degeneration, retinal detachment, and glaucoma. Multiple interventions have been investigated to slow myopia progression in children. Behavioral strategies, particularly increased outdoor exposure, demonstrate protective effects against myopia onset and may modestly slow progression, whereas several historically used approaches show no clinically meaningful benefit. Spectacle lens interventions include simultaneous defocus designs (e.g., DIMS, HALT, CARE) and contrast-modulating diffusion optics (DOT) lenses; collectively, these technologies have demonstrated consistent and clinically meaningful reductions in axial elongation across randomized clinical trials. Contact lens modalities, including dual-focus soft lenses and orthokeratology, have also demonstrated substantial efficacy in slowing progression in controlled studies. Low-dose atropine remains a cornerstone pharmacological therapy, particularly at concentrations between 0.01% and 0.05%, offering significant efficacy with minimal side effects. Repeated low-level red-light therapy has shown promising short-term reductions in axial elongation, although long-term safety and rebound effects remain uncertain. Combination therapy targeting complementary optical and pharmacological pathways shows additive benefits, particularly in children inadequately controlled with monotherapy. Contemporary clinical management emphasizes risk stratification based on axial length, age-specific growth targets, and structured longitudinal monitoring. The goal of modern myopia management is not merely to slow progression, but to prevent high myopia and reduce the lifetime burden of vision-threatening complications through a proactive, individualized approach increasingly regarded as the standard of care. Full article

Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) can substantially increase renewable electricity utilization in buildings under China’s “dual-carbon” targets. Yet, fixed photovoltaic (FPV) windows cannot respond to seasonal and diurnal variations in solar altitude and azimuth, limiting their ability to jointly optimize power generation, shading, and solar heat gains. This study proposes a shading-type sun-tracking photovoltaic (STPV) window for south-facing residential glazing and evaluates its annual performance for a detached house in Hangzhou (hot-summer and cold-winter climate). Representative clear-sky field measurements were combined with annual EnergyPlus simulations to quantify PV yield, radiation regulation, and impacts on air-conditioning (HVAC) and lighting electricity use. STPV windows deliver an additional annual PV gain of ~336 kWh relative to FPV windows, mainly during transition seasons and around summer noon. Using the no-shading case as the baseline (4967 kWh/year), FPV windows reduce total electricity use to 4010 kWh (−957 kWh), while STPV windows further reduce it to 3281 kWh (−1686 kWh), providing an extra −729 kWh versus FPV. Accounting for PV generation, the annual net electricity demand decreases from 2929 kWh (FPV) to 1864 kWh (STPV), i.e., −1065 kWh (36.4%). These results highlight the synergy of tracking-enabled generation enhancement and cooling-load reduction for façade PV in Hangzhou-like climates. Full article

It is widely accepted that preserving biodiversity requires transformative change and, perhaps foremost, demands a paradigm shift in economic scholarship. The prevailing neoclassical growth-based status quo is too often detached from nature and, as a result, ill-equipped to offer insights on how to halt biodiversity loss. This perspective paper builds on the famous cowboy–spaceman economy distinction by presenting an analogy from the natural world. Proposals from post-growth schools of economic thought on how to induce metamorphosis of the growth-based caterpillar economy are described. Thereafter, an exploration is undertaken of a butterfly economy based on three propositions: embed economics in ecosystems, in systems thinking, and in human–nature relationships. Herein, examples are provided of nature-literate economics, policy implications are discussed, and an actionable research agenda is outlined. The perspective closes by drawing on discussions from conservation sciences to inspire the design of an economic framework conducive to healthy human–nature relationships. Full article

Background: Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) may be underdiagnosed in Europe due to the limited use of indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), in particular, in patients with occult or poorly responsive neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Based on this, we aimed to assess the prevalence of PCV beyond clinically typical recalcitrant nAMD using OCT criteria, and to report on the anatomical and functional outcomes following a switch to brolucizumab (bro). Methods: This retrospective case series used recently established optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based criteria to differentiate clinically typical nAMD and PCV in eyes with recalcitrant disease requiring treatment every six weeks or less. The aim was to compare the impact of switching to bro on disease activity in patients with recalcitrant nAMD and PCV over 12 months. Descriptive statistics and subgroup comparisons were performed. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD) as well as median and interquartile ranges (IQR), since data were not normally distributed. Results: Of the 27 eyes examined, 16 (59.3%) presented with typical recalcitrant nAMD and 11 (40.7%) with PCV. Patients with typical nAMD were older (81.4 ± 5.7 vs. 74.7 ± 7.7 years; p = 0.016) and exhibited less fluid (central retinal thickness in typical nAMD: 349.3 ± 95.3 µm; in PCV: 597.1 ± 348.4 µm; p = 0.005). This difference could be attributed to variations in pigment epithelial detachment heights (typical nAMD: 176.5 ± 102.6 µm, PCV: 384.6 ± 284.6 µm; p = 0.023). Twelve months after switching to bro (159 injections), the treatment interval increased from 5.7 ± 1.8 to 12.6 ± 5.1 weeks in nAMD and from 5.5 ± 1.9 to 8.0 ± 1.5 weeks in PCV patients (at switch: p = 0.81; after 12 months: p = 0.040). Visual gains after switching were maintained in two out of three patients with intraocular inflammation (IOI). Conclusions: PCV is remarkably underdiagnosed and overrepresented in the group of eyes with recalcitrant nAMD. Despite the inherent risk of IOI in response to bro, these results support the potential of bro as a third-line option for patients with eyes requiring anti-VEGF treatment every 6 weeks or less, provided that patients are monitored closely. Full article

P-type ATPases constitute a diverse superfamily of ATP-driven transporters essential for ion homeostasis, membrane asymmetry, and organelle function. Among them, the P2-type Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase and the P5-type ATP13A2 have recently emerged as key regulators of cancer progression and neurodegeneration, respectively. In this review, we highlight new insights into the pathological roles of the Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase α3 isoform (α3NaK) in malignant cells and ATP13A2 in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Cancer tissues frequently overexpress α3NaK which is aberrantly localized to intracellular vesicles and undergoes adhesion-dependent intracellular trafficking. Upon cell detachment, α3NaK translocates to the plasma membrane to sustain survival signaling, thereby promoting anoikis resistance and facilitating the persistence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Cardiac glycosides selectively inhibit α3NaK at nanomolar concentrations, suppressing cancer cell proliferation through GLUT1 endocytosis, metabolic inhibition, and downregulation of THADA and LAT1, ultimately inducing anoikis in CTCs and reducing metastasis in vivo. Conversely, ATP13A2 is genetically linked to early-onset parkinsonism and regulates lysosomal integrity, polyamine homeostasis, and neuronal resilience. Recent animal studies demonstrate that adult-onset ATP13A2 loss causes progressive nigrostriatal degeneration, while heterozygous deficiency produces distinct age-dependent cognitive and α-synuclein phenotypes. Beyond its established role in polyamine transport, emerging evidence suggests that ATP13A2 can function as an H⁺,K⁺-ATPase-like transporter, contributing to proton and cation handling within the endolysosomal system. Together, these findings underscore the broader physiological and pathological significance of intracellular P-type K⁺-ATPases and highlight α3NaK and ATP13A2 as promising therapeutic targets in cancer metastasis and PD. Full article