Search Results (9,656)

Food addiction is characterized by compulsive consumption and impaired control over highly palatable foods, with neurobiological mechanisms analogous to substance use disorders. The Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (YFAS 2.0) is the most widely used instrument to assess these symptoms; however, its psychometric properties have not been validated in Mexican adults. To perform the cross-cultural adaptation of the YFAS 2.0 and validate its psychometric properties for the identification of food addiction in the Mexican adult population. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 500 Mexican adults aged 20 years or older. Participants completed the cross-culturally adapted YFAS 2.0. Exploratory and hierarchical factor analyses were conducted. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and omega coefficients, and model fit was evaluated through global fit indices. The scale showed high internal consistency (α = 0.88; ωt = 0.87; ωh = 0.89). The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin index was 0.815 and Bartlett’s test was significant (χ² = 4367.88; df = 595; p < 0.001). Exploratory factor analysis supported a unidimensional structure, with the first factor explaining 21.3% of the total variance. In the hierarchical model, all items loaded substantially onto the general factor. Fit indices indicated excellent model fit (CFI = 0.99; TLI = 0.98; RMSEA = 0.001; RMR = 0.004). The YFAS 2.0 is a valid and reliable instrument for identifying food addiction symptoms in Mexican adults. It may be useful in clinical practice and research on eating disorders. Full article

The digital business environment is rapidly evolving with advancements in information technology (IT), increasing the risk of information security incidents. Grounded in the resource-based view and in contingency theory, this study adopts a different approach from prior research by conceptualizing security management activities not as mere risk control mechanisms, but as strategic innovation drivers that can enhance corporate performance (sales revenue and operating profit). The authors develop a research model with six independent variables, including internal and external security management activities, CISO role configuration (independent or dual-role with CIO), and investment levels in IT and information security. The dependent variables include sales revenue and operating profit, with ISMS or ISO certification as a moderating variable. Using information security (IS) disclosures and financial data from 545 Korean firms that have reported their security management activities to the Ministry of Science and ICT, multiple regression and moderation analyses reveal that high IT investment negatively impacts performance, but this effect is mitigated when formal security systems, like ISMS or ISO, are in place. The results suggest that integrating recognized security frameworks into management strategies can enhance both innovation and financial outcomes, encouraging a proactive approach to security management. Full article

Cities serve as the primary arenas for achieving the strategic objectives of “carbon peak and carbon neutrality”. This study employed the LMDI method to systematically analyze the evolution trend of energy-related carbon emissions in Hong Kong and their influencing factors from 1980 to 2023. The main findings are as follows: (1) Hong Kong’s energy consumption structure remains dominated by coal and oil. Influenced by energy prices, significant shifts in this structure occurred across different periods. Imported electricity from mainland China, in particular, has exerted a promoting effect on the optimization of its energy consumption mix. (2) Economic output and population concentration are the primary drivers of increased carbon emissions. However, the contribution of economic growth to carbon emissions has gradually weakened in recent years due to a lack of new growth drivers. (3) Energy consumption intensity, energy consumption structure, and carbon intensity are the primary influencing factors in curbing carbon emissions. Among these, the carbon reduction impact of energy consumption intensity is the most significant. Hong Kong should continue to adopt a robust strategy for controlling total energy consumption to effectively mitigate carbon emissions. Additionally, it should remain vigilant regarding the potential implications of future energy price fluctuations. It is also essential to sustain cross-border energy cooperation, primarily based on electricity imports from the Pearl River Delta, while simultaneously expanding international and domestic supply channels for natural gas. Full article

High-titanium steel contains an elevated titanium content, which promotes the formation of abundant non-metallic inclusions in molten steel at high temperatures, including titanium oxides, sulfides, and nitrides. These inclusions adversely affect continuous casting operations and generate substantial internal/surface defects in cast slabs, ultimately compromising product performance and service reliability. Therefore, stringent control over the size, distribution, and population density of inclusions is imperative during the smelting of high-titanium steel to minimize their detrimental effects. In this paper, samples of high titanium steel (0.4% Ti, 0.004% N) casting billets were analyzed by industrial test sampling and full section comparative analysis of the samples at the center and quarter position. Using the Particle X inclusions, as well as automatic scanning and analyzing equipment, the number, size, location distribution, type and morphology of inclusions in different positions were systematically and comprehensively investigated. The results revealed that the primary inclusions in the steel consisted of TiN, TiS, TiC and their composite forms. TiN inclusions exhibited a size range of 1–5 µm on the slab surface, while larger particles of 2–10 μm were predominantly observed in the interior regions. Large-sized TiN inclusions (5–10 μm) are particularly detrimental, and this problematic type of inclusion predominantly concentrates in the interior regions of the steel slab. A gradual decrease in TiN inclusion number density was identified from the surface toward the core of the slab. Thermodynamic and kinetic calculations incorporating solute segregation effects demonstrated that TiN precipitates primarily in the liquid phase. The computational results showed excellent agreement with experimental data regarding the relationship between TiN size and solidification rate under different cooling conditions, confirming that increased cooling rates lead to reduced TiN particle sizes. Both enhanced cooling rates and reduced titanium content were found to effectively delay TiN precipitation, thereby suppressing the formation of large-sized TiN inclusions in high-titanium steels. Full article

Background: Patient care following botulinum toxin injections has long been guided by anecdotal instructions, often based on theoretical considerations. This study evaluates the necessity of extended post-treatment instructions by analyzing outcomes and satisfaction in patients who followed only a 10 min precaution protocol. Materials and Methods: A retrospective, multicentric study was conducted across six Italian centers, analyzing 5014 patients treated with botulinum toxin for upper facial wrinkles between 2015 and 2020. Outcomes included adverse effects—particularly upper eyelid ptosis—and patient satisfaction. Follow-up was performed at two weeks. Results: No cases of upper eyelid ptosis were observed. Among 4000 patients who attended follow-up, adverse effects occurred in only 5.99%, notably lower than rates reported in the literature. Of the 2010 patients who completed the satisfaction questionnaire, 90% reported being very satisfied. These findings support the safety of limiting post-treatment instructions to 10 min. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that omitting extended post-injection instructions does not negatively impact patient satisfaction or complication rates. Given the toxin’s rapid internalization and localized effect, extended behavioral restrictions may be redundant. However, the absence of a control group and lack of statistical analyses limit the strength of these conclusions. In addition, this is a short-term study. Future prospective, randomized trials are needed to develop evidence-based post-care protocols to optimize esthetic outcomes, patient safety, and long-term efficacy. Full article

Promoting social equity is a global issue, and common prosperity is an important goal for human society’s sustainable development. This study is the first to examine climate risks’ impacts on common prosperity from the perspective of corporate employees, providing micro-level evidence for the coordinated development of climate governance and social equity. Employing data from companies listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges from 2016 to 2023, a fixed-effects model analysis was conducted, and the results showed the following: (1) Climate risks are positively associated with the common prosperity of corporate employees in a significant way, and this effect is mainly achieved through employee guarantees, rather than employee remuneration or employment. (2) Climate risk will increase corporate financing constraints, but it will also force companies to improve their ESG performance. (3) The mechanism tests show that climate risks indirectly promote improvements in employee rights and interests by forcing companies to improve the quality of internal controls and audits. (4) The results of the moderating effect analysis show that corporate size and performance have a positive moderating effect on the relationship between climate risk and the common prosperity of corporate employees. This finding may indicate the transmission path of “climate pressure—governance upgrade—social equity” and suggest that climate governance may be transformed into social value through institutional changes in enterprises. This study breaks through the limitations of traditional research on the financial perspective of the economic consequences of climate risks, incorporates employee welfare into the climate governance assessment framework for the first time, expands the micro research dimension of common prosperity, provides a new paradigm for cross-research on ESG and social equity, and offers recommendations and references for different stakeholders. Full article

To enable accurate evaluation of satellite laser communication terminals under solar outage interference, this paper presents the design and implementation of a solar radiation simulation system targeting the 1540–1560 nm communication band. The system reconstructs co-propagating interference conditions through standardized and continuously tunable output, based on high irradiance and spectral uniformity. A compound beam homogenization structure—combining a multimode fiber and an apodizator—achieves 85.8% far-field uniformity over a 200 mm aperture. A power–spectrum co-optimization strategy is introduced for filter design, achieving a spectral matching degree of 78%. The system supports a tunable output from 2.5 to 130 mW with a 50× dynamic range and maintains power control accuracy within ±0.9%. To suppress internal background interference, a BRDF-based optical scattering model is established to trace primary and secondary stray light paths. Simulation results show that by maintaining the surface roughness of key mirrors below 2 nm and incorporating a U-shaped reflective light trap, stray light levels can be reduced to 5.13 × 10⁻¹² W, ensuring stable detection of a 10⁻¹⁰ W signal at a 10:1 signal-to-background ratio. Experimental validation confirms that the system can faithfully reproduce solar outage conditions within a ±3° field of view, achieving consistent performance in spectrum shaping, irradiance uniformity, and background suppression. The proposed platform provides a standardized and practical testbed for ground-based anti-interference assessment of optical communication terminals. Full article

With the increasing integration of renewable energy sources (RESs) into power systems, batteries are playing a critical role in ensuring grid reliability and flexibility. Among them, vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) have emerged as a promising solution for large-scale storage due to their long cycle life, scalability, and deep discharge capability. However, achieving optimal control and system-level integration of VRFBs requires accurate, real-time modeling and parameter estimation, challenging tasks given the multi-physics nature and time-varying dynamics of such systems. This paper presents a lightweight physics-informed neural network (PINN) framework tailored for VRFBs, which directly embeds the discrete-time state-space dynamics into the network architecture. The model simultaneously predicts terminal voltage and estimates five discrete-time physical parameters associated with RC dynamics and internal resistance, while avoiding hidden layers to enhance interpretability and computational efficiency. The resulting PINN model is integrated into a modulated model predictive control (MMPC) scheme for a dual-stage DC-AC converter interfacing the VRFB with low-voltage AC grids. Simulation and hardware-in-the-loop results demonstrate that adaptive tuning of the PINN-estimated parameters enables precise tracking of battery parameter variations, thereby improving the robustness and performance of the MMPC controller under varying operating conditions. Full article

Unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) course control research constitutes a vital branch of ship motion control studies and serves as a key technology for the development of marine critical equipment. Aiming at the problems of model uncertainties, external marine disturbances, performance optimization, and actuator constraints encountered by the autopilot system, this paper proposes a composite disturbance cancellation optimized control method based on fuzzy reinforcement learning. Firstly, a coupling design of the finite-time disturbance observer and fuzzy logic system is conducted to estimate and reject the composite disturbance composed of internal model uncertainty and ocean disturbances. Secondly, a modified backstepping control technique is employed to design the autopilot controller and construct the error system. Based on the designed performance index function, the fuzzy reinforcement learning is utilized to propose an optimized compensation term for the error system. Meanwhile, to address the actuator saturation issue, an auxiliary system is introduced to modify the error surface, reducing the impact of saturation on the system. Finally, the stability of the autopilot system is proved using the Lyapunov stability theory. Simulation studies conducted on the ocean-going training ship “Yulong” demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. Under the strong and weak ocean conditions designed, this algorithm can ensure that the tracking error converges within 7 s. Full article

Background: Pancreas and pancreas–kidney transplantation are well-established therapeutic options for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), offering the potential to restore endogenous insulin production and kidney function. It improves metabolic control, quality of life, and long-term survival. While surgical techniques and immunosuppressive strategies have advanced considerably, graft rejection and limited long-term graft survival remain significant clinical challenges. Method: To better understand these risks, the genetic and immunological factors that influence transplant outcomes are examined. Beyond traditional human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching, non-HLA genetic variants such as gene deletions and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have emerged as contributors to alloimmune activation and graft failure. Result: Polymorphisms in cytokine genes, minor histocompatibility antigens, and immune-regulatory pathways have been implicated in transplant outcomes. However, the integration of such genomic data into clinical practice remains limited due to underexplored gene targets, variability in study results, and the lack of large, diverse, and well-characterized patient cohorts. Initiatives like the International Genetics & Translational Research in Transplantation Network (iGeneTRAiN) are addressing these limitations by aggregating genome-wide data from thousands of transplant donors and recipients across multiple centers. These large-scale collaborative efforts aim to identify clinically actionable genetic markers and support the development of personalized immunosuppressive strategies. Conclusions: Overall, genetic testing and genomics hold great promise in advancing precision medicine in pancreas and pancreas–kidney transplantation. Full article

Background/Objective: A growing body of international research continues to show evidence of worsening youth mental health since the beginning of the COVID-19 global pandemic, yet very little research in this area has included young children under 6 years. Given the potential impact of early life stress during this critical period of development, it is crucial to better understand the effects on this age group. The objective of this study was to better understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the emotional health of very young children. Methods: This study utilized retrospective chart review of primary care records to compare the prevalence of markers of stress in two cohorts of children under the age of 6 years, comparing children presenting for care prior to the pandemic (1 April 2019–31 March 2020; control period) with those presenting for care during the first year of the pandemic (1 April 2020–31 March 2021; study period) in a large pediatric primary care clinic in Washington, DC, USA. Based on power calculations, charts of 200 patients from each cohort were reviewed and prevalence of stress markers were summarized using counts and percentages and compared between groups using chi-squared tests. Multivariable logistic regression models were also conducted for each domain adjusting for age, gender, and insurance type. Results: Overall, sleep difficulties were significantly more prevalent during the pandemic period compared to the control period (14% vs. 6.5%, p = 0.013). In addition, signs of stress presented differently across age groups. For example, during the pandemic period toddlers (13–35 months) were 13 times more likely (OR = 13, 95% CI [2.82, 60.4], p < 0.001) and preschool-aged children (36–71 months) were 18.5 times more likely (OR = 18.5, 95% CI [4.0, 86], p < 0.001) than infants to present with behavior problems, indicating substantially higher risk of externalizing symptoms in older children compared to infants. Toddlers were less likely than infants to present with mood changes (e.g., fussiness or crying) (OR = 0.15, 95% CI [0.03, 0.65], p = 0.011). In addition, toddlers (OR = 0.55, 95% CI [0.31, 0.97], p = 0.038) and preschool-aged children (OR = 0.15, 95% CI [0.06, 0.4], p < 0.001) were also less likely to present with feeding difficulties compared to infants. Conclusions: One of the very few studies of young children under 6 years (including infants) during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study found that even very young children experienced stress during the pandemic. Signs of emotional stress were identified in a primary care office during routine care, highlighting an important opportunity for early intervention and/or prevention, such as counseling and resources for caregivers, in settings where young children are already presenting for routine care. Full article

Ultra-high-temperature and pressure downhole environments pose challenges for conventional electronic instruments to adapt to high-temperature formations, thereby restricting the application of downhole electronic tool technology in deep and ultra-deep wells. Given the aforementioned limitation of electronic inclination measurement systems, specifically their poor temperature resistance, this study proposes a novel shunt flow control method. This method employs a mechanical structure to overcome temperature constraints: gravitational torque generated by the mechanical structure is utilized to control valve opening and regulate flow rate. By converting sensed well inclination information into changes in flow rate, this approach enables the transformation of well inclination sensing and its associated signals. In this study, a kinetic analysis model of the shunt-regulating valve spool was established. Using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, the flow characteristics of the regulating spool were analyzed under varying valve openings. The structure of the flow control valve was optimized with the goal of maximizing internal flow. Finally, the reliability of the designed structure for well deviation sensing and flow control was verified using simulation experimental studies and theoretical analyses. Full article

Background: Perioperative care is an integral part of the procedure of a surgical operation, with strictly defined rules. The need to upgrade and improve some individual long-term processes aims at optimal patient care and the provision of high-level health services. Therefore, preoperative care is drawn up with new data resulting from the evolution of technology to upgrade the procedures that need improvement. According to the international literature, a factor considered to be of major importance is high preoperative anxiety and its effects on the patient’s postoperative course. High preoperative anxiety is postoperatively responsible for prolonged hospital stays, increased postoperative pain, decreased effect of anesthetic agents, increased amounts of analgesics, delayed healing of surgical wounds, and increased risk of infections. The use of Virtual Reality technology appears as a new method of managing preoperative anxiety. Objective: This study investigates the effect and effectiveness of Virtual Reality (VR) technology in managing preoperative anxiety in adult patients. Methods: A literature review was performed on 193 articles, published between 2017 and 2024, sourced from the scientific databases PubMed and Cochrane, as well as the trial registry ClinicalTrials, with a screening and exclusion process to meet the criterion of investigating VR technology’s effectiveness in managing preoperative anxiety in adult patients. This systematic review was conducted under the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines. Results: Out of the 193 articles, 29 were selected. All articles examined the efficacy of VR in adult patients (≥18) undergoing various types of surgery. The studies represent a total of 2.354 participants from 15 countries. There are two types of VR applications: distraction therapy and patient education. From the studies, 14 (48%) used the distraction VR intervention, 14 (48%) used the training VR intervention, and 1 (4%) used both VR interventions, using a range of validated anxiety scales such as the STAI, VAS-A, APAIS, and HADS. Among the 29 studies reviewed, 25 (86%) demonstrated statistically significant reductions in preoperative anxiety levels following the implementation of VR interventions. VR technology appears to manage preoperative anxiety effectively. It is a non-invasive and non-pharmacological intervention with minimal side effects. Conclusions: Based on the review, the management of preoperative anxiety with VR technology shows good levels of effectiveness. Further investigation of the efficacy by more studies and randomized controlled trials, with a larger patient population, is recommended to establish and universally apply VR technology in the preoperative care process as an effective method of managing preoperative anxiety. Full article

Host genetic variability is relevant to understanding how parasites modulate natural selection in wild fish populations. Coastal lagoons are transitional ecosystems where knowledge lacks on relationships between genotypic diversity with parasitism. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of genetic diversity on host health and parasitological traits in fish inhabiting a Mediterranean lagoon. Black-striped pipefish Syngnathus abaster were collected in August 2023 and 2024 from the Mar Menor (Iberian lagoon, SE Spain). Genetic diversity was measured as Internal Relatedness (IR: a homozygosity index from microsatellite markers). Population frequency was lower for the medium IR level. For this same category, both health indices (external body condition and internal organs) indicated a worse status. Parasite prevalence, abundance and an index of life-cycle complexity (heteroxenous species) were greater for the medium level of genetic diversity. Such results are explained under a scenario of parasite-mediated disruptive selection: a higher disease pressure against the phenotypically intermediate individuals. Two contrasting strategies were detected to better control parasitism at the host genotypic level: (1) high homozygosity, and (2) high heterozygosity, which probably reflects better immuno-competence as a phenotypic trait. From an evolutionary perspective, parasites play a crucial role in shaping genetic diversity within host populations. Full article

Canadian sawmills commonly use chipper-canters to process softwood logs into squared lumber and wood chips for pulp mills. However, the declining demand for newsprint and print paper has led to an oversupply of wood chips, resulting in economic losses and environmental concerns. To address this issue, a strander-canter capable of producing both softwood cants and strands for oriented strand board (OSB) presents a promising alternative. This study evaluates the feasibility of using jack pine strands generated by a novel strander-canter equipped with a cutterhead for OSB strand production. Strands were generated from frozen and unfrozen logs under varying cutting parameters and incorporated in the core layer of the panels. Industrial aspen strands were used for the surface layers. OSB panels were assessed for mechanical and physical properties following the CSA O325:21 standard. Strand size distribution and vertical density profiles were also analyzed. The results indicated that panels made from jack pine strands demonstrated bending and internal bond properties that were either comparable to or superior to those of the control panels. However, including jack pine strands in the core layer increased the thickness swelling of the panels. Full article