Search Results (395)

Petrochemical complexes are spatially expansive and host diverse emission sources, making accurate monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) challenging using conventional two-dimensional methods. This study introduces Mobile-extraction Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (Me-DOAS), a real-time, three-dimensional remote sensing technique for assessing benzene emissions in the Ulsan petrochemical complex, South Korea. A vehicle-mounted Me-DOAS system conducted monthly measurements throughout 2024, capturing data during four daily intervals to evaluate diurnal variation. Routes included perimeter loops and grid-based transects within core industrial zones. The highest benzene concentrations were observed in February (mean: 64.28 ± 194.69 µg/m³; geometric mean: 5.13 µg/m³), with exceedances of the national annual standard (5 µg/m³) in several months. Notably, nighttime and early morning sessions showed elevated levels, suggesting contributions from nocturnal operations and meteorological conditions such as atmospheric inversion. A total of 179 exceedances (≥30 µg/m³) were identified, predominantly in zones with benzene-handling activities. Correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between high concentrations and specific emission sources. These results demonstrate the utility of Me-DOAS in capturing spatiotemporal emission dynamics and support its application in exposure risk assessment and industrial emission control. The findings provide a robust framework for targeted management strategies and call for integration with source apportionment and dispersion modeling tools. Full article

Ensuring a sustainable and healthy human environment in university dormitories is essential for students’ learning, living, and overall health and well-being. To address this need, we carried out a series of systematic field measurements of the noise levels at 30 dormitories in three representative major urban universities in a major provincial capital city in China and designed and implemented a comprehensive questionnaire and surveyed 1005 students about their perceptions of their acoustic environment. We proposed and applied a sustainability–health-oriented, multidimensional assessment framework to assess the acoustic environment of the dormitories and student responses to natural sound, technological sounds, and human-made sounds. Using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach combined with the field measurements and student surveys, we identified three categories and six factors on student health and well-being for assessing the acoustic environment of university dormitories. The field data indicated that noise levels at most of the measurement points exceeded the recommended or regulatory thresholds. Higher noise impacts were observed in early mornings and evenings, primarily due to traffic noise and indoor activities. Natural sounds (e.g., wind, birdsong, water flow) were highly valued by students for their positive effect on the students’ pleasantness and satisfaction. Conversely, human and technological sounds (traffic noise, construction noise, and indoor noise from student activities) were deemed highly disturbing. Gender differences were evident in the assessment of the acoustic environment, with male students generally reporting higher levels of the pleasantness and preference for natural sounds compared to female students. Educational backgrounds showed no significant influence on sound perceptions. The findings highlight the need for providing actionable guidelines for dormitory ecological design, such as integrating vertical greening in dormitory design, water features, and biodiversity planting to introduce natural soundscapes, in parallel with developing campus activity standards and lifestyle during noise-sensitive periods. The multidimensional assessment framework will drive a sustainable human–ecology–sound symbiosis in university dormitories, and the category and factor scales to be employed and actions to improve the level of student health and well-being, thus, providing a reference for both research and practice for sustainable cities and communities. Full article

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can modulate cortical excitability in a polarity-specific manner, yet identical protocols often produce inconsistent outcomes across sessions or individuals. This narrative review proposes that much of this variability arises from the brain’s intrinsic temporal landscape. Integrating evidence from chronobiology, sleep research, and non-invasive brain stimulation, we argue that tDCS produces reliable, polarity-specific after-effects only within a circadian–homeostatic “window of efficacy”. On the circadian (Process C) axis, intrinsic alertness, membrane depolarisation, and glutamatergic gain rise in the late biological morning and early evening, whereas pre-dawn phases are marked by reduced excitability and heightened inhibition. On the homeostatic (Process S) axis, consolidated sleep renormalises synaptic weights, widening the capacity for further potentiation, whereas prolonged wakefulness saturates plasticity and can even reverse the usual anodal/cathodal polarity rules. Human stimulation studies mirror this two-process fingerprint: sleep deprivation abolishes anodal long-term-potentiation-like effects and converts cathodal inhibition into facilitation, while stimulating at each participant’s chronotype-aligned (phase-aligned) peak time amplifies and prolongs after-effects even under equal sleep pressure. From these observations we derive practical recommendations: (i) schedule excitatory tDCS after restorative sleep and near the individual wake-maintenance zone; (ii) avoid sessions at high sleep pressure or circadian troughs; (iii) log melatonin phase, chronotype, recent sleep and, where feasible, core temperature; and (iv) consider mild pre-heating or time-restricted feeding as physiological primers. By viewing Borbély’s two-process model and allied metabolic clocks as adjustable knobs for plasticity engineering, this review provides a conceptual scaffold for personalised, time-sensitive tDCS protocols that could improve reproducibility in research and therapeutic gain in the clinic. Full article

Morningness-eveningness is usually assessed as either a trait or a state using either a morning–evening preference scale or sleep timing reported for free days, respectively. These assessments were implemented in numerous studies exploring the associations between morningness-eveningness and health, mood, and sleep problems. Evening types almost always had more problems than morning types. We examined these associations in university students with conflicting results of trait and state assessments of morningness-eveningness and tried to confirm their chronotype using a multidimensional chronotyping approach that recognizes four types other than morning and evening (lethargic, vigilant, napping, and afternoon). The conflicting trait and state assessments of morningness-eveningness were found in 141 of 1582 students. Multidimensional chronotyping supported morningness of morning types with late weekend sleep timing, and the associations with health, mood, and sleep problems resembled the associations of other morning types (i.e., these associations persisted despite late sleep timing). In contrast, evening types with early weekend sleep timing were more likely classified as lethargic or napping types rather than evening types. They did not resemble evening types in their associations with health, mood, and sleep problems (i.e., early sleep timing did not change these associations). Model-based simulations of the sleep–wake cycles of students with conflicting trait and state assessments suggested that their bedtimes cannot be solely determined by their biological clocks. On weekdays or weekends, mind-bedtime procrastination can lead to missing the bedtime signal from their biological clocks (i.e., self-deprivation of sleep or, in other words, voluntary prolongation of the wake phase of the sleep–wake cycle). Full article

Improper stakeholder practices are considered a primary driver of food loss. This study aims to investigate the consequences of pre- and post-harvest practices on extending the shelf life of agro-food products, identifying which practices yield the highest marginal returns for quality. Using Fractional Regression Models (FRM) and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), the research analyzed data from 343 Egyptian grape farmers and intermediaries. Key findings at the farmer level include significant food loss reductions through drip irrigation (13.9%), avoiding maturity-accelerating chemicals (24%), increased farmer-cultivated area (6.1%), early morning harvesting (8.7%), and improved packing (13.7%), but delayed harvesting increased losses (21.6%). For intermediaries, longer distances to market increased losses by 0.15%, while using proper storage, marketing in the formal markets, and using an appropriate transportation mode reduced losses by 65.9%, 13.8%, and 7.9%, respectively. Furthermore, the interaction between these practices significantly reduced the share of losses. The study emphasizes the need for increased public–private partnerships in agro-food logistics and improved knowledge dissemination through agricultural extension services and agri-cooperatives to achieve sustainable food production and consumption. This framework ensures robust, policy-actionable insights into how stakeholders’ behaviors influence postharvest losses (PHL). The findings can inform policymakers and agribusiness managers in designing cost-efficient strategies for reducing PHL and promoting sustainable food systems. Full article

Salivary cortisol is widely used to assess stress and circadian rhythms, yet its control variables in neonates, particularly regarding postnatal age, remain poorly understood. To elucidate age-specific effects of clinical variables on cortisol levels, 91 neonates with a mean (standard deviation) gestational age of 34.2 (3.8) weeks and postnatal age of 38.3 (35.4) days were categorised into Early, Medium, and Late groups by quartiles (days 10 and 56). Interactions with postnatal age were evaluated by comparing Early-to-Medium or Early-to-Late differences in regression coefficients between independent variables and cortisol levels. In the whole cohort, maternal hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and morning sampling were associated with reduced cortisol levels (both p = 0.001). Mean regression coefficients (95% CI) between variables and cortisol levels were as follows: for postconceptional age, Early, −0.102 (−0.215, 0.010) and Late, 0.065 (−0.203, 0.332) (p = 0.035); for feeding duration, Early, 0.796 (−0.134, 1.727) and Late, −0.702 (−2.778, 1.376) (p = 0.010); for time elapsed since feeding, Early, −0.748 (−1.275, −0.221) and Late, −0.071 (−1.230, 1.088) (p = 0.036); and for blood lactate, Early, 0.086 (0.048 to 0.124), Medium, 0.022 (−0.063, 0.108), and Late, −0.018 (−0.106, 0.070) (p = 0.008 and <0.001 vs. Medium and Late, respectively). The influence of postconceptional age, oral feeding, and anaerobic metabolism on salivary cortisol levels was observed during the birth transition period but not beyond 10 days of life. Given the age-specific dependence of cortisol levels on clinical variables, including postconceptional age, feeding, and oxygen metabolism, caution is warranted when interpreting findings from studies on salivary cortisol in newborn infants. Full article

Background/Objectives: Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, affecting 4–7% of the general population. Physiotherapy is a key component of conservative management. However, there is limited evidence on how physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia manage this condition. This study aimed to investigate current physiotherapy practices for plantar fasciitis in Saudi Arabia and assess their alignment with international clinical guidelines. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among licensed physiotherapists practicing in Saudi Arabia who had treated patients with plantar fasciitis. An online questionnaire, adapted from a validated UK-based survey, gathered data on participant demographics, service characteristics, diagnostic criteria, treatment goals, outcome measures, and intervention strategies. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Results: A total of 399 physiotherapists participated. Diagnosis was mainly based on clinical signs such as pain during plantar fascia stretch (72.9%), early morning pain (70.4%), and medial heel tenderness (69.4%). Common goals of intervention included pain reduction (93.4%), functional improvement (69.9%), and patient education (57.3%). Pain scales (74.9%) and functional tests (49.1%) were the most frequently used outcome measures. Interventions such as exercise therapy (92.0%), stretching (89.4%), and strengthening (84.7%) were widely used. More advanced modalities like shockwave therapy and dry needling were less frequently reported. Conclusions: Physiotherapy practices largely align with international guidelines. However, variation in outcome assessments and underuse of advanced modalities indicate the need for national clinical guidelines and targeted training programs. These steps may promote more consistent, evidence-based care and improve patient outcomes in Saudi Arabia. Full article

Obesity and metabolic disorders remain major global health concerns, traditionally attributed to excessive caloric intake and poor diet quality. Recent studies emphasize that the timing of meals plays a crucial role in determining metabolic health. This review explores chrononutrition, a growing field that examines how food intake patterns interact with endogenous circadian rhythms to influence energy balance, glucose and lipid metabolism, and cardiometabolic risk. The circadian system, which includes a central clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and peripheral clocks in metabolic tissues, regulates physiological functions on a 24 h cycle. While light entrains the central clock, feeding schedules act as key synchronizers for peripheral clocks. Disrupting this alignment—common in modern lifestyles involving shift work or late-night eating—can impair hormonal rhythms, reduce insulin sensitivity, and promote adiposity. Evidence from clinical and preclinical studies suggests that early time-restricted eating, where food intake is confined to the morning or early afternoon, offers significant benefits for weight control, glycemic regulation, lipid profiles, and mitochondrial efficiency, even in the absence of caloric restriction. These effects are particularly relevant for populations vulnerable to circadian disruption, such as adolescents, older adults, and night-shift workers. In conclusion, aligning food intake with circadian biology represents a promising, low-cost, and modifiable strategy to improve metabolic outcomes. Integrating chrononutrition into clinical and public health strategies may enhance dietary adherence and treatment efficacy. Future large-scale studies are needed to define optimal eating windows, assess long-term sustainability, and establish population-specific chrononutritional guidelines. Full article

This study investigates the temporal dynamics, sources, and photochemical behaviour of key volatile organic compounds (VOCs) along Marylebone Road, London (1 January 2015–1 January 2023), a heavily trafficked urban area. Hourly measurements of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, ethene, propene, isoprene, propane, and ethyne, alongside ozone (O₃) and meteorological data, were analysed using correlation matrices, regression, cross-correlation, diurnal/seasonal analysis, wind-sector analysis, PCA (Principal Component Analysis), and clustering. Strong inter-VOC correlations (e.g., benzene–ethylbenzene: r = 0.86, R² = 0.75; ethene–propene: r = 0.68, R² = 0.53) highlighted dominant vehicular sources. Diurnal peaks of benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene aligned with rush hours, while O₃ minima occurred in early mornings due to NO titration. VOCs peaked in winter under low mixing heights, whereas O₃ was highest in summer. Wind-sector analysis revealed dominant VOC emissions from SSW (south-southwest)–WSW (west-southwest) directions; ethyne peaked from the E (east)/ENE (east-northeast). O₃ concentrations were highest under SE (southeast)–SSE (south-southeast) flows. PCA showed 39.8% of variance linked to traffic-related VOCs (PC1) and 14.8% to biogenic/temperature-driven sources (PC2). K-means clustering (k = 3) identified three regimes: high VOCs/low O₃ in stagnant, cool air; mixed conditions; and low VOCs/high O₃ in warmer, aged air masses. Findings highlight complex VOC–O₃ interactions and stress the need for source-specific mitigation strategies in urban air quality management. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a persistent inflammatory condition of the sinonasal mucosa lasting for at least three months. For patients, CRS-related sleep disturbances can significantly disrupt circadian rhythms, leading to further health complications such as cognitive impairment. Despite the well-documented sleep disturbances associated with CRS, there is limited research on objective assessment methods. Additionally, the severity of these issues can vary among patients. This study aims to assess sleep quality and timing in CRS patients and investigate their impact on cognition, providing guidance for personalized and tailored assessment and management of CRS. Methods: Our case–control study compares sleep patterns and cognitive function between CRS patients and healthy controls utilizing actigraphy, a non-invasive device for measuring sleep–wake cycles and circadian rhythms. The actigraphy-derived sleep variables include inter-daily variability, intra-daily variability, highest 10 h activity (M10), lowest 5 h activity (L5), relative amplitude (RA), sleep onset latency, sleep efficiency, sleep and wake time, time spent in bed, total sleep time, and wakefulness after sleep onset. We also used a standard questionnaire assessing sleep quality, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results: Our study enrolled 44 CRS and 43 control participants. Our findings indicate that the actigraphy-derived sleep variables were comparable between groups, all with a p-value > 0.05. However, CRS patients exhibited greater early morning activity and significantly lower PSQI-reported sleep quality compared to controls (8.78 ± 3.45, 4.71 ± 2.96, respectively; adjusted p < 0.001). Actigraphy-derived sleep variables showed trends towards significance in association with episodic memory (p = 0.051) and executive function (p = 0.15). Conclusions: Actigraphy-derived sleep outcomes revealed associations with episodic and executive function, underscoring the potential of actigraphy in understanding the individualized sleep-related cognitive impacts in CRS patients. This highlights the importance of personalized assessment and management strategies to address the unique sleep and cognitive challenges faced by each patient. Full article

As air transportation demand continues to rise, congestion in air route networks has seriously compromised the safe and efficient operation of air traffic. Few studies have examined the spatiotemporal characteristics of congestion propagation under different time lag conditions. To address this gap, this study proposes a cross-segment congestion-propagation causal time-lag analysis framework. First, to account for the interdependency across segments in air route networks, we construct a point–line congestion state assessment model and introduce the FCM-WBO algorithm for precise congestion state identification. Next, the Multi-Channel Attention DSNG-BiLSTM model is designed to estimate the causal weights of congestion propagation between segments. Finally, based on these causal weights, two indicators—CPP and CPF—are derived to analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics of congestion propagation under various time lag levels. The results indicate that our method achieves over 90% accuracy in estimating causal weights. Moreover, the propagation features differ significantly in their spatiotemporal distributions under different time lags. Spatially, congestion sources tend to spread as time lag increases. We also identify segments that are likely to become overloaded, which serve as the primary receivers of congestion. Temporally, analysis of time-lag features reveals that because of higher traffic flow during peak periods, congestion propagates 36.92% more slowly than during the early-morning hours. By analyzing congestion propagation at multiple time lags, controllers can identify potential congestion sources in advance. They can then implement targeted interventions during critical periods, thereby alleviating congestion in real time and improving route-network efficiency and safety. Full article

Normal circadian rhythms are essential for organisms to adapt to diurnal changes and maintain an optimal state of physiological function. Disturbances in circadian rhythms such as shift work and working at night increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Myocardial infarction exhibits a marked circadian rhythm, usually peaking in the early morning. Krüppel-like factor 15 (KLF15), a transcription factor with a circadian rhythm, plays an important role in cardiac physiopathology. It has a protective effect against myocardial injury after myocardial infarction by regulating energy metabolism and inflammatory factors, among other pathways. Currently, the association between circadian rhythm, KLF15, and myocardial infarction is unclear, thus this paper reviews how circadian rhythm influences the role of KLF15 in myocardial infarction, aiming to reveal the association between circadian rhythm, KLF15, and myocardial infarction, and to explore the underlying mechanisms, to provide new theoretical insights and therapeutic strategies for the clinical treatment of myocardial infarction. Full article

A detailed characterization of evapotranspiration (ET) patterns is of paramount importance for optimizing irrigation scheduling and enhancing water-use efficiency in the North China Plain. To delve into this, a two-season study was conducted at the National Experimental Station for Precise Agriculture in Beijing. Using 12 weighing lysimeters, the study compared two summer maize varieties with contrasting canopy sizes: Jingke 968 (JK), characterized by a large canopy, and CF 1002 (CF), with a small canopy. The comprehensive analysis yielded the following significant findings: (1) The daily average ET rates exhibited consistent trends across cultivars, yet with notable disparities in magnitude. JK consistently demonstrated higher water consumption throughout the growth seasons. In the first season, at the V13–R1 stage, the peak daily ET of JK and CF reached 5.91 mm/day and 5.52 mm/day, respectively. In the second season, during the R1–R3 stage, these values were 5.21 mm/day for JK and 5.22 mm/day for CF, highlighting the nuanced differences in water use between the varieties under varying growth conditions. (2) Regardless of canopy size, the hourly ET fluctuations across different growth stages followed similar temporal patterns. However, the most striking inter-varietal differences in ET emerged during the R1–R3 reproductive stages, when both cultivars had achieved peak canopy development (leaf area index, LAI > 4.5). Notably, the ET differences between JK and CF adhered to a characteristic diurnal “increase–decrease” pattern. These differences peaked during mid-morning (09:00–11:00) and early afternoon (13:00–15:00), while minimal divergence was observed at solar noon. This pattern suggests complex interactions between canopy structure, microclimate, and plant physiological processes that govern water loss over the course of a day. (3) Analysis of the pooled data pinpointed two critical time periods that significantly contributed to the cumulative ET differences between the varieties. The first period was from 12:00–17:00 during the R1–R3 (anthesis) stage, and the second was from 08:00–16:00 during the R3–R5 (grain filling) stage. JK maintained significantly higher transpiration rates (Tr) compared to CF, especially during the morning hours (09:00–12:00). On average, the Tr of JK exceeded that of CF by 5.3% during the pre-anthesis stage and by 16.0% during the post-anthesis stage. These observed Tr differentials strongly indicate that canopy architecture plays a pivotal role in modulating stomatal regulation patterns. Maize varieties with large canopies, such as JK, demonstrated enhanced morning photosynthetic activity, which likely contributed to increased transpiration. At the same time, both varieties seemed to employ similar midday water conservation strategies, possibly as an adaptive response to environmental stress. In summary, this study has comprehensively elucidated the intricate relationship between the leaf area index and the evapotranspiration of summer maize across multiple timescales, encompassing periodic, daily, and hourly variations. The findings provide invaluable data-driven insights that can underpin the development of precise and quantitative irrigation strategies, ultimately promoting sustainable and efficient maize production in the North China Plain. Full article

Forest ecosystems are crucial in mitigating air pollution and improving air quality. Therefore, investigating the relationships between air quality, forest structure, and environmental factors in different forest types is of significant importance. This study conducted three months of continuous monitoring (June–September 2023) of air quality factors (particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀), ozone (O₃), and negative air ions (NAI)) and environmental factors (air temperature (TA), relative humidity (RH), light intensity (LI), and wind speed (WS)) in four subtropical forest types, along with vegetation characteristic surveys. The effects of forest structure and environmental factors on air quality were determined by correlation and multiple regression analysis. The results showed that the forest air quality is at its best in July during the summer season. Concentrations of particulate matter (PM) and ozone (O₃) in mixed coniferous and broadleaf forests (MCB), as well as deciduous broadleaf forests (DB), are lower than those in moso bamboo forests (MB) and evergreen broadleaf forests (EB). The troughs of PM concentrations occur in the early morning (4:00–6:00), while the troughs of O₃ concentrations occur in the early morning (4:00–6:00) and in the evening (18:00). NAI concentrations were highest in DB (1287 ions/cm³), followed by MCB (1187 ions/cm³), MB (896 ions/cm³), and EB (584 ions/cm³), with NAI concentrations peaking between 14:00 and 16:00. PM concentrations in forest air were primarily influenced by stand density (SD) and the Shannon–Wiener index of herbaceous layer (SWH) (p < 0.05); ozone concentrations were significantly affected by tree height (TH) and canopy density (CD) (p < 0.05); and NAI concentrations were primarily related to TH and diameter at breast height (DBH). Air particulate matter concentrations were negatively affected by TA and RH (p < 0.01), and ozone concentrations were negatively influenced by RH and WS and were positively influenced by TA. TA has a direct and significant positive effect on the NAI concentration (p < 0.01), and RH indirectly influences the changes in NAI concentration through its interaction with TA. This study provides new insights for vegetation optimization in forest parks and planning forest health-promoting activities for sub-healthy populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Multiple organ failure is the main cause of mortality in severely injured patients who survive the early post-trauma phase. Myeloperoxidase and delta neutrophil indices may serve useful markers for the early diagnosis of an inflammatory condition. We aimed to ascertain the use of these indices for predicting multiple organ failure after a major trauma. Methods: A retrospective study was performed based on a level I trauma center database that included trauma patients with an injury severity score of >15 points. Organ function was evaluated according to the sequential organ failure assessment score within at least 48 h of admission and the myeloperoxidase and delta neutrophil indices, which were measured every morning. Results: A total of 96 patients were included in this study. Compared with the non-multiple-organ-failure group, the multiple organ failure group had similar myeloperoxidase indices but a significantly higher delta neutrophil index. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed no significant difference in the predictive power among the post-trauma multiple organ failure models that included various factors, although model 7, which combined the sequential organ failure assessment score and the myeloperoxidase and delta neutrophil indices, tended to have the maximum predictive power. Conclusions: Early delta neutrophil index (DNI) values and the composite model incorporating SOFA, absolute MPXI, and DNI each demonstrated moderate ability to predict multiple organ failure after major trauma. Prospective multicenter studies that include granular treatment variables are warranted to validate these biomarkers and to explore whether their incorporation into real-time decision tools can improve outcomes. Full article