Search Results (40,289)

Accurate photovoltaic (PV) power forecasting is essential for the efficient operation of residential energy systems and microgrids, as reliable short-term predictions enable improved energy scheduling, demand management, and operational planning in distributed energy environments. In this study, one-hour-ahead forecasting of residential PV power generation is investigated using real-world data collected from multiple households within an Irish energy community. Several deep-learning architectures, including long short-term memory (LSTM), gated recurrent unit (GRU), convolutional neural networks (CNN), CNN–LSTM hybrid networks, and attention-based LSTM models, are evaluated and compared with a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) statistical model. A sliding-window approach is employed to transform the PV time series into a supervised learning problem. To ensure statistical robustness, deep-learning models are evaluated using a multi-run framework, and results are reported as mean ± standard deviation based on MAE, RMSE, MAPE, and R² metrics across multiple households. The results indicate that deep-learning models achieve consistently strong forecasting performance, with GRU frequently providing the most reliable predictions across several households. For instance, in House 5, GRU achieved an RMSE of 142.02 ± 1.87 W and an R² of 0.694 ± 0.008, while in Houses 11 and 13 it attained R² values of 0.837 ± 0.002 and 0.835 0.08, respectively. However, performance varied across households, reflecting the influence of data variability and generation patterns on model effectiveness. In comparison, the SARIMA model demonstrated competitive performance and, in certain cases, outperformed deep-learning models. For example, in House 4, it achieved the lowest RMSE of 90.68 W and the highest R² of 0.709. Overall, these findings highlight that while deep-learning models offer greater adaptability and stability, statistical models remain effective for more regular PV generation patterns. Consequently, the study emphasizes the importance of evaluating forecasting models under realistic household-level conditions and demonstrates that both deep-learning and statistical approaches can provide short-term PV forecasting. Full article

The rapid advancement of communication technologies exacerbates severe electromagnetic interference (EMI) pollution. Conventional flexible shielding materials rely heavily on non-degradable petroleum-based polymers, aggravating the electronic waste crisis. To address this dual challenge, sustainable biomass-derived TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (TOCNFs) emerge as ideal structural substrates. However, their intrinsic electrical insulation necessitates integrating conductive two-dimensional (2D) MXene, which suffers from severe self-restacking and brittleness. Herein, TOCNFs@MXene hybrid films are manufactured via vacuum filtration and hot-pressing densification. TOCNFs inhibit MXene self-restacking, constructing a highly ordered layered architecture via a dense hydrogen-bonded network. The optimized ultrathin film T5@M20 (~4.92 μm) exhibits an electrical conductivity of 1.09 × 10⁶ ± 5.06 × 10⁴ s m⁻¹ and an X-band shielding effectiveness (SE_Total) of 25.55 dB. Demonstrating an ultrahigh thickness-normalized specific shielding effectiveness (SSE/t) of 51,934.72 dB·cm²·g⁻¹, this sustainable architecture shows exceptional potential for next-generation flexible electronics. Full article

A terahertz multifunctional metasurface based on vanadium dioxide (VO₂) and graphene that can switch between waveplate and absorber functionalities is proposed. As the temperature is below 300 K, by electrically controlling the Femi energy of the graphene it can realize half-wave plate (HWP) and quarter-wave plate (QWP) functionalities in the operating bandwidths of both 1.39–2.34 THz and 0.92–2.68 THz, respectively. While the temperature is above 340 K, the dipole resonance between VO₂ and a gold reflector induces absorption. Furthermore, by applying the voltage to graphene, dual-parameter modulation of the amplitude of the transverse electric (TE) waves and the resonance frequency of the transverse magnetic (TM) waves is achieved, the absorption bandwidths of which are 3.65–3.78 THz and 1.41–3.12 THz, respectively. The operating frequencies for HWP, QWP, TE and TM waves can be tuned by changing the electrical field and working temperature. In addition, the incident angles are not sensitive to the performance of the metasurface, confirming its effectiveness even under large-angle incidence. The metasurface with simplicity in design, mature fabrication processes, and comprehensive functionality, has certain promising applications in terahertz optical switches, terahertz spectroscopy systems, modulators, and communication systems. Full article

Children are some of the most vulnerable members of society who must be protected at all costs. Zimbabwe has a long history of disjointed formal and indigenous social protection systems, which have resulted in the exclusion of many children, leading to high levels of child abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence. In policy and practice, there is a strong bias towards the ineffective statist formal system, yet the indigenous social protection system is the mainstay for the protection of most children. The study aimed to explore how asset-based community development can be used as a strategy to integrate the fragmented formal and indigenous social protection systems for sustainable child protection. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods research design was employed, collecting both quantitative and qualitative data from 76 participants. The study findings indicate that asset-based community development by positioning the indigenous social protection system at the centre of the social protection framework provides a blueprint for a community-led and integrated social protection system, which can translate into effective child protection. This system, which utilises a wider network of community and external resources, can counteract the limits of fragmented social protection and sustainably promote child protection among impoverished households in Zimbabwe and similar contexts. The recommendation is that asset-based community development should be promoted as a strategy towards integrated social protection and sustainable child protection. Full article

In high-frequency, stable signal generation, the Colpitts-type crystal oscillator circuit stands out for its low phase noise and long-term frequency stability, offering a reliable solution, especially for communication systems and precision measuring instruments. In this study, equivalent circuit models of the Colpitts-type crystal oscillator were created, mathematical relationships were obtained, and theoretical analyses were performed. Theoretical models were examined in a simulation environment using OrCAD/PSpice^® and NI Multisim^® software; numerical analyses were performed with MATLAB R2025b to support the system outputs. Simulation results were validated with experimental data obtained in the laboratory, demonstrating a high agreement between theoretical, simulation, and experimental findings. The results show that the developed models successfully represent the physical system in terms of oscillation startup time, transient behavior, and oscillation band settling times. Furthermore, solutions to practical problems such as startup instabilities and load effects led to the conclusion that the circuit operates reliably and repeatably. Full article

This study focuses on how mesoscale eddies at the Kuroshio boundary in the East China Sea modulate underwater acoustic propagation. Using high-resolution reanalysis data from the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) and validated acoustic ray-tracing simulations, the OW + SLA method is employed for eddy identification and classification. Statistical analysis of 120 eddy events from 2015 to 2020 clarifies their seasonal variation characteristics. Warm eddies shift the convergence zone 15–30 km away from the sound source and broaden it by 20–40%, while cold eddies shift it 10–25 km toward the source and narrow it by 15–35%. A linear relationship exists between eddy amplitude and acoustic transmission loss (TL = 72.4 + 0.42 h, R² = 0.61), where TL is the transmission loss in decibels (dB) and h is the eddy amplitude in meters (m), and there are depth-dependent transmission loss modulation effects. These results provide practical guidance not only for sonar system design and acoustic communication optimization but also for error correction in underwater acoustic navigation systems operating in eddy-prone environments. Full article

In cold-region lakes, high organic matter concentrations with low bioavailability are common, yet the underlying causes and stabilisation mechanisms remain unclear. This study conducted a 60-day microbial treatment experiment in Hulun Lake using algae (DOMa), grass (DOMg), and manure (DOMm) as DOM sources. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry and 16S rRNA analysis were employed to characterise DOM composition and bacterial communities. The bioavailability of DOMa, DOMg, and DOMm was 86.1%, 84.08%, and 70.9%, respectively. Differences in degradation cycles were mainly associated with the slowly biodegradable fraction; the half-lives of DOMa, DOMg, and DOMm were 49.51 days, 77.02 days, and 198.04 days, respectively. At the molecular level, proteins and lipids were rapidly utilised by microorganisms, leading to the generation of lignin, condensed aromatic hydrocarbons, and tannins, with many new molecules falling within the carboxylic acid-rich alicyclic molecule (CRAM) region. The overall community succession patterns of different DOM sources were highly similar, with initial DOM composition differences leading to variations in microbial communities during intermediate degradation stages (5~10 days). Moreover, microbiological processes facilitated the convergence of DOM source compositions and the accumulation of refractory organic matter. It is hypothesised that the regional climatic characteristics of the freeze–thaw cycle exacerbate organic matter accumulation by compressing the “effective degradation time”. These findings elucidate the causes of high organic matter and low bioavailability in cold-region lakes. Full article

This study examines the relationship between institutional embeddedness, community factors, and the outcomes of labor market integration programs in contexts characterized by high social vulnerability and unemployment. The aim is to analyze how the local embeddedness of organizations and the mobilization of community resources influence the effectiveness of interventions designed to enhance employability. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques. Data were collected from 100 participants in a labor market integration program in a southern Spanish city, using standardized scales that measured the sense of community, perceptions of community assets, employability, and perceived impact of the program. Additionally, the program’s implementation team was interviewed, a documentary analysis was conducted, and direct observations of training and job-placement activities were carried out. The findings highlight that the institutional and community embeddedness of organizations facilitates access, sustained participation, and the contextual adaptation of interventions. Connection with local dynamics is crucial for enhancing the impact of labor market integration programs, allowing for more personalized interventions that are sensitive to sociocultural barriers and focused on improving employability and the overall well-being of individuals at risk of exclusion. Full article

Based on an extended Theory of Planned Behavior (ETPB), this study investigated how perceived social sustainability shaped individuals’ intentions to use fitness facilities. Specifically, it examined the moderating role of social sustainability in the relationships between key TPB determinants and fitness facility use intention. Survey data were collected from 195 adults living in metropolitan areas and were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results revealed that perceived social sustainability exerted a dual moderating influence on intention formation by strengthening the effect of subjective norm while attenuating the effect of perceived behavioral control on use intention. Higher levels of perceived social sustainability (SS) strengthened the relationship between subjective norm (SN) and fitness facility use intention with a medium effect size, while attenuating the relationship between perceived behavioral control (PBC) and use intention with a small effect size. In contrast, no significant moderating effect was observed in the relationship between attitude and use intention. These findings suggest that value-oriented considerations related to social responsibility and community well-being enhanced socially driven motivations while reducing the relative influence of control-based factors. By demonstrating the conditional effects of perceived social sustainability within the TPB framework, this study extended existing research on health-related behavioral intentions. The findings further highlight the importance of incorporating community-oriented and socially responsible practices into fitness facility management to foster sustainable user engagement. Full article

Background/Objectives: Prior research suggests that it is possible to improve health outcomes in children with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) through multi-component interventions that promote protective factors. We designed the Families Implementing Resilient Systems Together (FIRST) study to address the gaps in research on the potential effectiveness of screening for specific ACEs through pediatric practice. Methods: As part of our clinical quality improvement efforts to improve patient care for children impacted by ACEs, we trained a random sample of pediatricians on strategies to promote protective factors and encouraged them to make referrals to community health workers (CHWs) and parenting education resources. This manuscript describes our clinic data on practice changes associated with the FIRST physician training, and our data collection plan for our research study. Results: Physician training resulted in attitudinal shifts and measurable behavioral changes. Trained providers made referrals to CHWs for approximately 5–10% of well-child care visits. The majority (84%) of referrals were for multiple risk factors, most commonly ACEs and socioeconomic concerns. The most common ACEs were parental divorce/separation, parent–child verbal abuse, and caregiver mental health problems. Conclusions: FIRST training improves counseling, education and referrals for children exposed to ACEs. Our research study will evaluate the impact of the FIRST intervention and address important questions about associations between specific ACEs, protective factors, and biomarkers of toxic stress. Full article

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a highly morbid malignancy in which outcomes are constrained not only by disease refractoriness and relapse, but also by therapy-related toxicity—particularly infections, mucosal injury, and delayed hematopoietic reconstitution. The gut microbiota has emerged as a potentially modifiable layer of host vulnerability and resilience during AML treatment. Microbiome disruption is detectable already at diagnosis, even in antibiotic-naïve patients, and is often characterized by reduced community diversity, depletion of anaerobic taxa linked to short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production, and enrichment of pathobiont-associated profiles. During induction, cytotoxic therapy and antimicrobials precipitates diversity loss, domination events, and persistent shifts beyond discharge. Clinically, the most consistent translational signal is the association between baseline or early-treatment microbiome features and infectious outcomes, while emerging data suggest that diagnosis-time microbiome structure may also relate to hematologic recovery kinetics. Mechanistic models converge on pathways linking barrier integrity, microbial metabolites (notably butyrate and other SCFAs), immune calibration, and inflammatory translocation of microbial products. These insights support hypotheses: antimicrobial stewardship may preserve microbiome function; ecosystem repair strategies such as autologous fecal microbiota transfer (A-FMT) are feasible and can restore community structure; and metabolite or nutritional interventions merit evaluation in immunocompromised hosts. Regimen-specific microbiome effects and microbiome–drug interactions suggest that treatment choice could have downstream microbiome-mediated consequences. We synthesize evidence, outline interventional concepts, and define methodological priorities for next-generation trials assessing causality and clinical benefit. Progress will require longitudinal sampling, multi-omic integration (metabolomics, resistomics, and barrier/inflammatory biomarkers), and interventional designs linking microbiome dynamics to clinically meaningful outcomes. Full article

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard for evaluating the efficacy and safety of medical interventions. However, the interpretation of their results is often obscured by an overreliance on relative measures of effect, such as relative risk reduction (RRR) and hazard ratios (HRs). While statistically robust, these measures may mislead clinicians and patients when used in isolation. This article provides a methodological framework for the comprehensive interpretation of treatment effects in RCTs, emphasizing the importance of integrating absolute measures such as absolute risk reduction (ARR), number needed to treat (NNT), annualized NNT (aNNT), and number needed to harm (NNH). Additionally, we explore the conceptual differences between risk-based and rate-based measures, the clinical implications of time-to-event analyses, and the utility of composite metrics such as the likelihood of being helped or harmed (LHH). By adopting a multidimensional approach to effect estimation, researchers and clinicians can enhance the translation of statistical findings into meaningful clinical decisions. This approach also facilitates communication with patients. Full article

Accurately identifying urban functional zones and revealing their spatial interaction characteristics is crucial for understanding urban operational mechanisms and optimizing spatial layouts. Addressing the limitations of traditional research in simultaneously capturing static functional attributes and dynamic resident travel behaviors, this study takes the central urban area of Lhasa as the research object, integrating ride-hailing trajectory data with Point of Interest (POI) data to conduct research on urban functional zone identification and spatial interaction characteristics. First, Thiessen polygons were used to quantify the spatial influence range of POIs, and an address matching algorithm was employed to associate ride-hailing origins and destinations (ODs) with POIs. A weighted land use intensity index was constructed, and functional zones were precisely identified using information entropy and K-Means clustering. Secondly, with basic research units as nodes and OD flows as edges, a directed weighted spatial interaction network was constructed. Complex-network indicators and the Infomap community detection algorithm were utilized to analyze network characteristics, node importance, and community interaction patterns. The results show that: (1) The functional mixing degree in the study area exhibits a pattern of “highly composite core, relatively differentiated periphery.” Eight functional zone types, including commercial–residential mixed, science–education–culture, and transportation service zones, were ultimately identified. Residential areas form the base, while the core area features multi-functional agglomeration. (2) The spatial interaction network exhibits typical small-world effects, while its degree distribution is better characterized by a lognormal distribution rather than a power law. Node importance is dominated by betweenness centrality, with Lhasa Station, the Potala Palace, and core commercial areas constituting key hubs. (3) The network can be divided into four functionally coupled communities: the core multi-functional area, the western industry–residence integrated area, the eastern science–education-dominated area, and the southern transportation hub area, forming a “core leading, two wings supporting” center–subcenter spatial organization pattern. This study verifies the effectiveness of integrating trajectory and POI data for identifying urban functional zones and provides a new perspective for understanding the spatial structure and planning of plateau cities. Full article

The security of financial messaging systems is critical to maintaining trust in digital financial platforms. Despite advances in cryptography, many contemporary systems remain vulnerable to channel-based and cryptographic threats, including eavesdropping, interception, tampering, and unauthorized access. Hybrid cryptographic models that combine asymmetric encryption for secure key exchange with symmetric encryption for efficient data protection have emerged as effective approaches for strengthening confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity in financial message communications. This study presents a scoping review of literature published between 2015 and 2025, mapping research on user vulnerabilities in financial messaging systems and examining the role of hybrid cryptographic models in mitigating these risks. Guided by the PRISMA-ScR reporting standards, 615 articles were identified across nine scholarly databases. Forty-four studies met the inclusion criteria after systematic screening. The findings reveal a growing emphasis on hybrid encryption strategies, particularly RSA–AES and ECC–AES combinations, due to their balance of security strength and computational efficiency. However, significant gaps persist in empirical validation, real-world deployment, and user-centred security design, especially in mobile-first and resource-constrained environments. Existing research largely prioritizes theoretical performance and algorithmic efficiency, with limited attention to practical integration, usability, and operational constraints. This review highlights the need for holistic security frameworks that integrate cryptographic robustness with usability, regulatory compliance, and contextual deployment considerations. It provides a structured foundation for future research focused on developing scalable, user-centric, and resilient security solutions for financial messaging systems. Full article

Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly pathogenic zoonotic paramyxovirus responsible for sporadic outbreaks of severe disease with high case fatality rates in South and Southeast Asia. Human infection occurs through spillover from natural reservoirs, primarily fruit bats, or via human-to-human transmission, and is characterized by a broad clinical spectrum ranging from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory disease and fatal encephalitis. Following entry via ephrin-B2 and ephrin-B3 receptors, NiV exhibits marked endothelial and neuronal tropism, leading to systemic vasculitis, disruption of the blood–brain barrier, and direct infection of the central nervous system. Disease progression is driven by a complex interplay between viral replication strategies and host immune responses. NiV effectively counteracts innate immunity through multiple viral proteins that inhibit interferon signaling, while simultaneously inducing dysregulated inflammatory responses that contribute to tissue damage and multi-organ failure. Neurological involvement represents the most severe manifestation, often resulting in acute or relapsing encephalitis with long-term sequelae among survivors. Despite the severity of the disease, no licensed antiviral therapies or human vaccines are currently available. Therapeutic development has focused on neutralizing monoclonal antibodies targeting viral glycoproteins and small-molecule antivirals that inhibit viral RNA synthesis, both of which show promising results in preclinical models, but remain limited by timing and translational challenges. In parallel, several vaccine platforms—including viral vectors, mRNA-based constructs, and recombinant protein subunits—have advanced to early-phase clinical trials, demonstrating encouraging immunogenicity. Beyond biomedical interventions, effective outbreak containment relies on integrated public health strategies. The “Kerala model” highlights the importance of rapid case identification, isolation, contact tracing, and community engagement within a One Health framework to mitigate transmission and reduce mortality. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on NiV pathogenesis, immune evasion, clinical manifestations, and emerging therapeutic and vaccine strategies, while highlighting critical gaps and future directions for improving the preparedness and response to this high-consequence emerging pathogen. Full article