Search Results (4,295)

Tomatoes are an important economic crop in China, and crop diseases often lead to a decline in their yield. Deep learning-based visual recognition methods have become an approach for disease identification; however, challenges remain due to complex background interference in the field and the diversity of disease manifestations. To address these issues, this paper proposes the SXA-YOLO (an improvement based on YOLO, where S stands for the SAAPAN architecture, X represents the XIoU loss function, and A denotes the AsDDet module) symmetric perception recognition model. First, a comprehensive symmetry architecture system is established. The backbone network creates a hierarchical feature foundation through C3k2 (Cross-stage Partial Concatenated Bottleneck Convolution with Dual-kernel Design) and SPPF (the Fast Pyramid Pooling module) modules; the neck employs a SAAPAN (Symmetry-Aware Adaptive Path Aggregation Architecture) bidirectional feature pyramid architecture, utilizing multiple modules to achieve equal fusion of multi-scale features; and the detection head is based on the AsDDet (Adaptive Symmetry-aware Decoupled Detection Head) module for functional decoupling, combining dynamic label assignment and the XIoU (Extended Intersection over Union) loss function to collaboratively optimize classification, regression, and confidence prediction. Ultimately, a complete recognition framework is formed through triple symmetric optimization of “feature hierarchy, fusion path, and task functionality.” Experimental results indicate that this method effectively enhances the model’s recognition performance, achieving a P (Precision) value of 0.992 and an mAP50 (mean Average Precision at 50% IoU threshold) of 0.993. Furthermore, for ten categories of diseases, the SXA-YOLO symmetric perception recognition model outperforms other comparative models in both p value and mAP50. The improved algorithm enhances the recognition of foliar diseases in tomatoes, achieving a high level of accuracy. Full article

Walkability for non-motorized users is crucial for fostering inclusive, healthy, and sustainable communities. By prioritizing modern human-centered design principles, social equality is promoted for all categories of users, regardless of physical abilities or socio-economic status. Despite the importance of this indicator, a series of inconsistencies that produce inadequate and inaccessible urban space can still be observed in cities. The aim of this paper is to present the methodology for the calculation of the walkability index at the local level. This new methodological procedure considers walkability for pedestrians, with a special focus on people with reduced mobility. Based on specifically defined criteria, initial calculations were performed and integrated into the dynamic walkability index (DWI). One of the main advantages of this index is that it includes the dynamic component of the share of different categories of users in the total sample, which enables simple time modification without repeating the entire procedure. The developed methodology can be used as a tool for ranking existing street segments according to the urgency of reconstruction, while on the other hand promoting equality and inclusion of all categories of users in decision-making processes, thus creating more comfortable and safer environments. Full article

This study presents a photovoltaic (PV)-based electric vehicle (EV) charging system designed to optimize energy use and support isolated microgrid operations. The system integrates PV panels, DC/AC, AC/DC, and DC/DC converters, voltage and frequency droop control, and two energy management algorithms: Power Sharing and SEWP (Spread Energy with Priority). The DC/AC converter demonstrated high efficiency, with stable AC output and Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) limited to 1%. The MPPT algorithm ensured optimal energy extraction under both gradual and abrupt irradiance variations. The DC/DC converter operated in constant current mode followed by constant voltage regulation, enabling stable power delivery and preserving battery integrity. The Power Sharing algorithm, which distributes PV energy equally, favored vehicles with a higher initial state of charge (SOC), while leaving low-SOC vehicles at modest levels, reducing satisfaction under limited irradiance. In contrast, SEWP prioritized low-SOC EVs, enabling them to achieve higher SOC values compared to the Power Sharing algorithm, reducing SOC dispersion and enhancing fairness. The integration of voltage and frequency droop controls allowed the station to support microgrid stability by limiting reactive power injection to 30% of apparent power and adjusting charging current in response to frequency deviation. Full article

This work investigates methods for predicting low-cycle fatigue life by employing new energy-based fatigue damage measures. The primary goal of this research is to evaluate whether fatigue life can be predicted based on an energy accumulation graph, proposed as a generalization of the isodamage lines concept. The efficiency of fatigue life predictions using this approach, derived from the empirical linear Palmgren–Miner hypothesis, is compared against the physically grounded Unified Mechanics Theory thermodynamic approach, which allows for general understanding of material degradation, in contrast to empirical approaches. The study also accounts for the influence of anisotropy resulting from the sheet rolling process on the fatigue response of S420M steel. Samples were tested in orientations both parallel to the rolling direction and perpendicular to the sheet surface. Microstructural analysis revealed a visible banded structure in the perpendicular samples, which is a consequence of anisotropy. The fatigue life of samples taken perpendicular to the sheet surface was lower than that of parallel samples. Verification of the linear Palmgren–Miner damage summation hypothesis, using both the classical fatigue chart and the cumulative energy chart, resulted in calculated fatigue life consistently higher than the experimental fatigue life in all cases. The reduction in fatigue life ranged from 40% (for total strain amplitude equal to 1.0%) to almost 290% for a strain amplitude of 0.25%. A comparative analysis of the unit loop energy shows that at all tested levels of strain amplitude, the unit loop energy of parallel samples is higher than that of samples perpendicular to the surface. Full article

Household food waste remains a significant barrier to sustainable consumption goals. This study investigates the impact of sociodemographic characteristics influence self-reported food waste levels in Poland. A cross-sectional CAWI survey (N = 1000), based on the HFSSM, was conducted among adults responsible for purchasing household food. Associations between food waste and structural factors were analysed using χ² tests, Spearman rank correlations, and Mann–Whitney U tests. Age appears as the strongest determinant: younger respondents consistently report higher food waste, while older adults indicate markedly lower levels. Household composition is equally important—the presence and number of children significantly increase waste. Economic status is also relevant: pensioners and disability-benefit recipients report substantially less waste than employed and self-employed individuals. Net household income shows no significant effect. Education does not necessarily reduce food waste; in some comparisons, higher-educated respondents report slightly higher levels, suggesting that formal education does not automatically translate into effective food management routines. The findings highlight that food waste is primarily influenced by life stage, household structure, and daily habits rather than income or education. Interventions should focus on younger adults and families with children, emphasising practical skills such as meal planning, inventory management, appropriate storage, and the use of leftovers. Full article

The invasive hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax was first recorded in Spain in 2010 and in Italy in 2012. Control strategies to reduce V. v. nigrithorax infestation level in apiaries include nest neutralization and trapping of adult hornets. Trapping methods are simpler, more cost-effective, and can be implemented directly by beekeepers without the use of insecticides; however, they are usually poorly effective or selective. While assessing trap effectiveness is essential for reducing V. v. nigrithorax pressure on hives, evaluating trap selectivity is equally crucial to minimize the capture of non-target insects, such as honey bees and native hornets like Vespa crabro, which exist in a delicate balance with the honey bees. During autumn 2024, five combinations of commercially available mechanical traps, tested with both a homemade and a commercial bait, were evaluated in Spain and Italy to determine the most effective and selective option against V. v. nigrithorax. The mean daily capture rate was significantly lower in Italy (0.19 ± 0.07) than in Spain (1.82 ± 0.39). Significant differences were observed among the five trap–bait combinations (p < 0.0001), with the VelutinaTrap^® (BeeVital GmbH, Vienna, Austria) associated with a homemade bait (sugar, yeast, and water) being the most effective. When trap design was considered independently of bait, VelutinaTrap^® remained the most effective option (p < 0.0001). In contrast, no significant differences were detected between bait types when analyzed irrespective of trap design (p = 0.524). Concerning selectivity, even though all tested traps showed positive results against A. mellifera, the combination VelutinaTrap^® associated with the homemade bait significantly outperformed in V. crabro selectivity. Further research is needed to develop more effective traps for capturing V. v. nigrithorax and to investigate environmental factors that influence variations in the attractiveness of the same trap and bait combinations across different seasons and geographical areas. Full article

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) provide low-cost, liquid access to broad equity and fixed-income exposures, including rapidly growing Asian and Asia-focused markets. Yet the academic evidence on Asian ETF portfolio construction remains fragmented, often limited to narrow country samples and centered on mean–variance trade-offs and standard performance statistics, with comparatively less emphasis on downside tail risk and on implementable long-only versus long–short designs under leverage constraints. This study examines the performance and risk characteristics of 29 Asian and Asia-focused ETFs over 2014–2025 and evaluates whether optimization using variance-based and tail-sensitive risk measures improves portfolio outcomes relative to a simple, implementable benchmark. We construct Markowitz mean–variance and conditional value-at-risk (CVaR) efficient frontiers and implement six optimized portfolios at the 95% and 99% tail levels under long-only and long–short configurations with leverage up to 30%. Performance is evaluated relative to an equally weighted Asian ETF benchmark using the Sharpe ratio and tail-sensitive measures, including the Rachev ratio and the stable tail adjusted return (STARR), complemented by fat-tail diagnostics based on the Hill tail-index estimator. The empirical results show that optimization improves efficiency relative to equal weighting in risk-adjusted terms and that moderate leverage can increase returns but typically amplifies volatility, dispersion, and drawdowns. Taken together, the evidence indicates that risk-measure choice materially affects portfolio composition and realized outcomes, with tail-based optimization generally producing more robust allocations than mean–variance approaches when downside risk is a primary concern. Full article

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNSs) are immune-mediated disorders caused by an antitumor response that cross-reacts with the nervous system, leading to severe and often irreversible neurological disability. Once considered exceedingly rare, PNSs are now increasingly recognized owing to the identification of novel neural autoantibodies, wider use of commercial testing, and the emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-related neurotoxicity that phenotypically overlaps with classic PNS. In this narrative review, we performed a structured search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, without date restrictions, to summarize contemporary advances in the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of PNS. Population-based data show rising incidence, largely reflecting improved ascertainment and expanding indications for ICIs. Pathogenetically, we distinguish T-cell-mediated syndromes associated with intracellular antigens from antibody-mediated disorders targeting neuronal surface proteins, integrating emerging concepts of molecular mimicry, tumor genetics, and HLA-linked susceptibility. The 2021 PNS-Care criteria are also reviewed, which replace earlier “classical/non-classical” definitions with risk-stratified phenotypes and antibodies, and demonstrate superior diagnostic performance while underscoring that “probable” and “definite” PNS should be managed with equal urgency. Newly described antibodies and methodological innovations such as PhIP-Seq, neurofilament light chain, and liquid biopsy are highlighted, which refine tumor search strategies and longitudinal monitoring. Management principles emphasize early tumor control, prompt immunotherapy, and a growing repertoire of targeted agents, alongside specific considerations for ICI-associated neurological syndromes. Remaining challenges include diagnostic delays, limited high-level evidence, and the paucity of validated biomarkers of disease activity. Future work should prioritize prospective, biomarker-driven trials and multidisciplinary pathways to shorten time to diagnosis and improve long-term outcomes in patients with PNS. Full article

A new hybrid forecasting model of the number of freight trains is proposed in this paper. This forecasting is performed by combining classification analysis and the use of Histogram-based Gradient Boosting Regressor (HGBR). The freight trains were classified into categories according to the transportation parameters and the train’s structure. A total of 100,441 freight trains with a constant number of wagons have been studied. The trains were ran over a 3-year basis period. The forecasting was performed using train categories for a forecast period lasting 1 year. The results obtained in this study have been validated by comparing them against real data from the trains that ran during the forecast period. The adequacy of the forecasting model was assessed using standard indicators, with the value of the Coefficient of Determination equal of 0.805. The results show the high level of accuracy of the model, despite discrepancies in the data of the base period concerning the train parameters for 34% of the trains. Full article

This paper presents a dataset developed to characterize the citizens’ perceptions of urban resilience applied to the Veracruz—Boca del Río Metropolitan Area (VBMA) in Mexico. The data were obtained by conducting online surveys, which were administered to a total of 147 subjects, including 89 from the municipality of Veracruz, 35 from Boca del Río, 15 from Medellín de Bravo, and 8 from Alvarado, with ages ranging from 16 years to over 61 years. The survey was designed to estimate the population’s perception of the Urban Resilience Index (URI) and the Urban Resilience Profile (URP). It was developed derived from a methodology based on IMPLAN and enriched with questionnaires from Villada and SEDATU, resulting in a final questionnaire comprising 10 axes, 33 indicators, and 156 variables. A novel contribution was implemented as a significant study case, which uses the dataset to estimate the URI and URP to the VBMA applying the Entropy Method, considering three criteria: age, gender, and municipality. Here, citizens’ perceptions about urban resilience have been estimated in an URI equal to 0.4571, resulting in a moderate level of resilience. Moreover, this perception could be improved by conducting a full-scale survey with substantial financial investment. Full article

Japanese modern irrigation management is considered a successful model of water governance worldwide. However, debates continue over whether this success is due to natural water abundance or to water management practices. This study evaluates pre-modern water scarcity risk for six irrigation schemes, developed during that period in the Kinu River Basin (1603–1868); a period without large reservoirs, canal systems, or modern regulatory technologies. As the methodology, pre-modern river flows were reconstructed by removing the effects of four modern dams from the present-day river discharge, adjusting the conveyance efficiency, changes in paddy field area, rainfall input, and return flows. Water demand was assessed using Japanese irrigation standards of 5 mm/d (minimum water demand corresponding to evapotranspiration) and 20 mm/d (easy management), and risk was evaluated under both the prior appropriation and Equal Water Distribution rules. Results show that modern flow in the dry season is approximately 25 m³/s, whereas reconstructed natural flow during drought years declines to 10–18 m³/s, and about 15 m³/s after rainfall adjustment. Under the 20 mm/d demand scenario, scarcity occurred in four schemes (2 of 17 years in the third scheme and 7 of 17 years for the sixth scheme), while no scarcity occurred under the minimum-demand scenario (5 mm/d), even during low-flow conditions. This indicates that the available water in these schemes was at a level where drought damage could occur under extensive irrigation management, but could be avoided by intensive irrigation management to supply the minimum necessary water to all paddy fields. Full article

Effective water resource management in agriculture is a pivotal challenge for environmental sustainability and the economic viability of crop production. The present study, conducted at the CREA research station (Monterotondo, Italy), analyzed a precision irrigation strategy based on an automated drip irrigation system with soil moisture sensors, applied to a 15-year-old high-density poplar plantation for energy production. Five treatments were compared: a non-irrigated control (T0) and four irrigation levels based on soil moisture thresholds (T1 ≤ 20%, T2 ≤ 30%, T3 ≤ 40%, T4 ≤ 50%). The aim of this study was to assess the economic feasibility of irrigated poplar plantations, considering expected increases in biomass production and related environmental impacts. The economic evaluation used the Life Cycle Costing (LCC) method, while the environmental assessment applied Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with the AWARE indicator to quantify the water scarcity footprint. Finally, an integrated assessment using the TOPSIS multi-criteria method was performed to identify the most sustainable treatment. Over the 15-year period, T0 (no irrigation) was the preferred option (Preferred Index Pi = 1.000), followed by T3 (Pi = 0.637) and T4 (Pi = 0.586), considering equal weighting of economic and environmental impacts. Conversely, the low irrigation treatment (T1) was the least sustainable (Pi = 0.379), followed by T2 (Pi = 0.486). While irrigation appears unviable if environmental impacts are prioritized, higher biomass value can improve the economic sustainability of treatments with greater water use (T3 and T4) when economic factors dominate. Full article

In intensive farming systems, broilers are exposed to various stressors that trigger immune stress. Reduced glutathione is known to play a crucial role in modulating immune function. This study investigated the effects of different doses of reduced glutathione on the growth performance, intestinal immune function, and gut microbiota of broilers under immune stress. One-day-old broilers were randomly assigned to five groups: group K (control), group L (lipopolysaccharide), and three glutathione supplementation groups, Y1 (50 mg/kg), Y2 (100 mg/kg), and Y3 (200 mg/kg). Each group had four replicates, with 11 broilers per replicate. On days 16, 18, and 20, broilers in groups L and Y1-Y3 received intraperitoneal injections of 0.5 mg/kg of lipopolysaccharide, while group K received an equal volume of saline. On day 16, the average daily weight gain and final body weight of group Y3 were significantly higher than those of groups K and L, whereas on day 21, the average daily weight gain of group Y3 was still significantly higher than that of group L. On day 21 broilers were slaughtered, and samples were collected. In the jejunal mucosa, group Y3 showed significantly reduced levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-1β, and TNF-α compared to group L. Additionally, group Y3 exhibited reduced relative expression levels of NF-κB, TLR4, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-4, TNF-α, and IL-2 mRNA; a decreased abundance of Enterococcus, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria; and a restored abundance of Ligilactobacillus, Turicibacter, and Firmicutes to normal levels. These findings suggest that 200 mg/kg of reduced glutathione is the optimal dose for improving the gut microbiota composition and mitigating gut damage caused by immune stress by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Full article

Background: Studies comparing systemic and salivary antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 between children and adults show conflicting results. Furthermore, it is still unclear whether salivary antibody testing could be a non-invasive approach to evaluate the humoral immune response. Methods: anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were measured in blood and saliva sample pairs from vaccinated adults to investigate whether salivary antibody response could be a non-invasive assessment of immune response. Salivary antibody levels were also compared between vaccinated children and adults to investigate local antibody responses. Results: Salivary IgG antibody response against SARS-CoV-2 largely reflects the systemic response in vaccinated adults. Salivary and systemic antibody concentrations were higher in vaccinated adults who had been infected, received schemes including mRNA-based vaccines, had more exposures, and a shorter time from last exposure. Salivary antibody detection was associated with schemes including mRNA-based vaccines, time from last exposure, and systemic antibody concentrations. Vaccinated children showed higher salivary antibody concentrations than adults. This difference remained when comparing antibody levels between children and adults under equal conditions (vaccination schemes, number of exposures, time from last exposure, COVID-19 history). Younger age, number of exposures, schemes including mRNA-based vaccines, and shorter time from last exposure were associated with salivary antibody levels in a multivariable linear regression analysis (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Salivary antibody determination against SARS-CoV-2 could be a non-invasive assessment of the short-term immune response in adults with multiple exposures. Furthermore, the stronger salivary antibody response in children suggests that local immune protection may differ between children and adults, contributing to different outcomes. Full article

Money laundering poses a serious threat to financial stability and requires effective national frameworks for prevention. This study investigates how the quality of legal and institutional frameworks affects the effectiveness of national anti-money laundering (AML) systems and their implications for financial risk management. We conducted an empirical analysis of 132 jurisdictions in 2024 using the Basel AML Index (AMLI) and the WJP Rule of Law Index (RLI). The Random Forest method was employed to model the relationship between rule-of-law indicators and AML risk levels. Findings reveal a significant inverse relationship between rule-of-law indicators and AML risk levels, with an overall classification accuracy of 69.6%. The model performed best for low-risk countries (precision 75%, recall 92.31%), moderately for medium-risk countries (precision 65.22%, recall 78.95%), but failed to identify high-risk jurisdictions, suggesting a legal institutional “threshold” necessary for effective AML functioning. Key predictors included protection of fundamental rights and mechanisms for civil oversight, with strong negative correlations between AML risk and criminal justice impartiality (−0.35), civil justice fairness (−0.35), and equality before the law (−0.41). These results show that legal factors strongly affect AML risk and can guide regulators in improving risk-based standards, enhancing regulatory certainty, and managing financial risk. Full article