Search Results (4,406)

This study explores the health status of veteran Zelkova serrata trees (average age 300 years) in the Pohang region in the context of long-term climatic trends and local environmental variability. Eleven nationally designated veteran trees were monitored using physiological indicators Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) values and live crown ratio (LCR), internal structural assessment (sonic tomography-derived decay ratio), and environmental parameters including meteorological records and Landsat-derived Land Surface Temperature (LST) data from 2000 to 2025. While recent years showed localized heat-extreme events, most sites displayed spatially heterogeneous yet gradually increasing LST trends, with 2024 recording the highest values at more than half the locations. Tree vitality differences were more strongly associated with site specific microclimatic conditions than with uniform long-term climate shifts: trees in cooler or less urbanized zones showed higher SPAD values and lower decay levels, whereas those in warmer, edge-influenced sites exhibited signs of physiological stress. The results indicate that rising summer surface temperature—and their interaction with atmospheric drying—intensify water-stress impacts, but the actual tree responses are modulated by local land-cover and soil stability contexts. These findings underscore the need for integrated, multi-scale assessment of veteran tree health and suggest that conservation practices should incorporate microclimate-based intervention strategies. Full article

Personality assessment has long been recognized as a valuable tool for understanding individual differences with implications for self-understanding and growth-related processes. Building on the development of the Personality Spectrum Analysis (PSA), the present study evaluated the SOLACE Spectrum, a revised and expanded measure designed to provide a reliable and accessible framework for understanding personality in therapeutic and relational contexts. Data were collected from 1021 adults through online administration, and exploratory factor analysis revealed six components: Stability, Optimism, Leadership, Achievement, Compassion, and Extroversion. The instrument demonstrated strong internal consistency (α = 0.91) and robust test–retest reliability (0.851–0.922), indicating stability over time. Findings support the SOLACE Spectrum as a psychometrically sound measure that can inform understanding of personality traits, relationship processes, and personal growth processes. Its application may assist professionals in therapy, counseling, and educational or organizational settings by providing descriptive feedback on personality dimensions, highlighting areas of strength, and identifying potential areas for reflection and personal insight. Full article

Bellows compensators are critical components in pipeline systems, designed to absorb thermal expansions, vibrations, and pressure reflections. Ensuring their operational reliability requires accurate prediction of the stress–strain state (SSS) and stability under internal pressure. This study presents a comprehensive mathematical model for analyzing corrugated bellows compensators, formulated as a boundary value problem for a system of partial differential equations (PDEs) within the Kirchhoff–Love shell theory framework. Two numerical approaches are developed and compared: a finite difference method (FDM) applied to a reduced axisymmetric formulation to ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and a finite element method (FEM) for the full variational formulation. The FDM scheme utilizes a second-order implicit symmetric approximation, ensuring stability and efficiency for axisymmetric geometries. The FEM model, implemented in Ansys 2020 R2, provides high fidelity for complex geometries and boundary conditions. Convergence analysis confirms second-order spatial accuracy for both methods. Numerical experiments determine critical pressures based on the von Mises yield criterion and linearized buckling analysis, revealing the influence of geometric parameters (wall thickness, number of convolutions) on failure mechanisms. The results demonstrate that local buckling can occur at lower pressures than that of global buckling for thin-walled bellows with multiple convolutions, which is critical for structural reliability assessment. The proposed combined approach (FDM for rapid preliminary design and FEM for final verification) offers a robust and efficient methodology for bellows design, enhancing reliability and reducing development time. The work highlights the importance of integrating rigorous PDE-based modeling with modern numerical techniques for solving complex engineering problems with a focus on structural integrity and long-term performance. Full article

Background/Objectives: Parental stress is caused by the accumulation of difficulties related to raising children and is directly related to the educational functioning of a family and family dysfunction. The PSI (Parental Stress Index) is an assessment instrument and is considered the gold standard for measuring parental stress; however, there is no official Spanish version of this tool. Methods: Both the PSI-4 long form and short form were administered to a sample of 828 parents of children between 0 and 12 years of age. Results: The discrepancy between the scores of the original typification sample and the Spanish sample necessitates the establishment of specific normative values. Regarding internal consistency, test–retest stability, and construct validity, the results demonstrate consistency with the original study and other adaptation studies. The validity of the theoretical structure of the instrument was studied using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The CFA fit indices in the overall PSI-4 LF model (101 items distributed across 13 first-order factors and two second-order factors) are not satisfactory. Therefore, the methodology used by the author in constructing the PSI-4 was employed, which involved performing two exploratory factor analyses (EFA). The domains of both parents and children exhibit partial replication of the theoretical subscales of the PSI-4. The analysis of the short form of the PSI-4 SF (comprising 36 items distributed across three subscales and a total score) yielded results similar to those of the long form. Conclusions: These results suggest the potential for developing specific standards for the Spanish population and conducting criterion validity studies for the clinical use of all dimensions of the PSI-4 in its two forms (LF and SF). Full article

The purpose of this study was to assess workers’ perceptions, experiences, and strategies related to financial health, with the goal of identifying and validating a model of financial resilience aligned with theoretical and empirical fit criteria. A sequential quantitative approach was employed, combining exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to uncover latent dimensions, followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to validate the resulting structure. This dual methodology was designed to ensure both empirical robustness and theoretical coherence. The study used a non-experimental, cross-sectional design and drew on survey data from 311 employees of a sugar company in San Juan Bautista Tuxtepec, Oaxaca, selected through a non-probabilistic self-selection sampling method. The instrument, based on existing models was administered electronically. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha (α), McDonald’s omega (ω), composite reliability (CR), and average variance extracted (AVE), while multivariate normality was also examined. Findings reveal that financial resilience encompasses not only recovery from financial shocks but also proactive financial behaviors such as budgeting, long-term saving, and responsible debt management. Respondents emphasized the role of credit history, insurance access, and perceived financial autonomy in promoting both financial stability and emotional well-being. These results contribute to the theoretical conceptualization of financial resilience and have practical implications for policy and financial education with a preventive and mental health-oriented perspective. Full article

Background: The increasing incidence of spondylodiscitis and its potentially severe consequences when not promptly diagnosed highlight the need for further research to improve treatment guidelines, reduce mortality and morbidity and improve the quality of life in patients who suffer from persistent physical limitations. Methods: We collected data from 103 patients, with 8 patients lost to follow-up, who were diagnosed with vertebral osteomyelitis, disk infection or discitis between 2009 and 2018. The primary outcome was the 1-year mortality rate in patients treated with either conservative or surgical intervention, with both groups receiving antibiotic treatment. A standardized questionnaire was used to assess health-related quality of life after treatment by evaluating the European Quality of Life 5 Dimension 5 Level version (EQ-5D-5L) and the European Quality of Life Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS). In addition, we used the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Parker Mobility Score to identify backpain-related limitations after treatment. Results: The group receiving surgical treatment had a significantly lower 1-year mortality rate (22%) than did those who were treated conservatively, who had a 4-fold greater risk for death after a year following first diagnosis of SD and treatment. With respect to quality of life, 39 patients answered the standardized questionnaires during follow-up, and the questionnaire results revealed no significant difference in limitations in daily life or in health-related quality of life, with a median Parker Mobility Score of 9 for the conservatively treated patients compared with 7.5 for the surgically treated patients. This difference between the groups was not statistically significant, with a p value of 0.216 > α. A similar result was obtained in the evaluation of the ODI, with a medial index of 30% in the conservatively treated group compared with 24% in the surgical group, which was not statistically significant as indicated by a p value of 0.360 > α. Conclusions: The early surgical approach when treating spondylodiscitis is advantageous for identifying the underlying infection and initiating appropriate antibiotic therapy, therefore reducing mortality and resulting in a greater likelihood of full recovery than the conservative treatment does. Full article

Micro-nano bubbles (MNBs), typically characterized by diameters ranging from tens of micrometers to hundreds of nanometers, have gained significant attention in recent years due to advancements in nanotechnology and related characterization methods. This technology has shown great promise in the field of petroleum engineering. Among the various applications, the integration of MNBs with gel technology plays a critical role in enhancing drilling safety. This paper aims to systematically review the current status, challenges, and optimization strategies for the application of MNBs in petroleum engineering, with a particular focus on their combined use with gel technology in oilfield applications. The paper first introduces the preparation methods and physicochemical properties of MNBs tailored for oilfield applications. It then systematically reviews the use of MNBs in the following three key areas of petroleum engineering: drilling, enhanced oil recovery (EOR), and oil–water separation. The paper also compares domestic and international technological approaches, highlighting the challenges associated with the large-scale application of MNBs in China. Notably, in the areas of drilling and enhanced oil recovery, the synergistic use of MNBs and gel technology has demonstrated significant potential. The gel–MNB combined technology demonstrates particular promise for China’s special reservoirs, as gel’s high molecular weight compensates for MNBs’ sedimentation defects, while their synergistic effects on interfacial tension reduction and drilling fluid stabilization provide an eco-efficient approach for extreme conditions. Additionally, focusing on the combined application of gel and MNB technology, along with adjustments in gel stability and MNB size, could offer a promising solution for the efficient and sustainable development of special reservoirs (such as those with high temperature, pressure, and salinity) in China. Full article

Lubricants significantly influence the performance and durability of internal combustion engines (ICEs), yet fresh oils seldom represent in-service conditions. To replicate realistic end-of-life scenarios, lubricants were artificially degraded in sufficient quantities for experimental investigation. This study introduces a methodology to evaluate the impact of altered lubricants on turbocharger dynamics under controlled laboratory conditions. A comparative analysis was performed on turbochargers operating with fresh and aged oils of varying compositions to establish correlations between lubricant properties and vibrational response. Particular attention was given to sub-synchronous phenomena and their implications for rotordynamic stability. Variations in damping and stiffness were assessed under constant pressure and temperature to support mathematical modeling of lubricant degradation and viscosity evolution. Experiments were conducted on a cold turbocharger test bench equipped with acceleration, speed, and displacement sensors, while a mobile oil control unit ensured precise regulation of inlet oil pressure and temperature. Full article

Korean melon (K-melon, Cucumis melo L. var. makuwa) is a key horticultural crop in the Republic of Korea, but its short shelf life restricts long-distance export. This study evaluated the modified atmosphere (MA) films of varying oxygen transmission rates (OTR) at controlled atmosphere (CA) storage under real maritime export conditions to Vietnam. In the non-permeable OTR 0 (Control) treatment, internal O₂ rapidly declined below the anaerobic compensation point (1.67% at 10d and 0.47% at 10+3d) while CO₂ accumulated to 32–36%. This ultra-low oxygen environment induced anaerobic metabolism, evidenced by strong accumulation of fermentative metabolites such as lactic acid, acetoin, and 2,3-butanediol, along with glucose/fructose retention and increases in alanine and γ-Aminobutanoic acid (GABA). These changes disrupted glycolysis and the Tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), consistent with CA shock, and were accompanied by rind blackening, elevated weight loss, and hue angle shifts toward yellow-orange. By contrast, OTR 10,000 and OTR 30,000 films significantly suppressed weight loss and color changes. Partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) identified volatile organic compounds, namely acetoin, 2,3-butanediol, and hexanal, as key discriminant metabolites, with OTR 30,000 clearly separated from other treatments at 10+3d, indicating minimal fermentation and oxidative stress. Microbial assays revealed a dose-dependent reduction in bacterial counts with increasing OTR, while fungal growth was most strongly suppressed under OTR 10,000. Overall, OTR 30,000 maintained the lowest and most stable levels of stress-related metabolites, minimized microbial proliferation, and preserved metabolic stability throughout shipping. This study provides the first quantitative evidence of anaerobic metabolic transition and primary metabolite accumulation in K-melons under actual export trials. The findings demonstrate that optimizing MA film permeability, particularly OTR 30,000 films, offers a practical and cost-efficient strategy to extend shelf life, maintain quality stability, and enhance the global export potential of K-melons. Full article

The surface quality of high-performance electroformed components, such as the matrix material of the rocket thrust chamber wall, is critical to the overall performance of the devices. However, under high current density and elevated cathode rotation speeds, excessive internal stress often leads to layer detachment, compromising coating adhesion and stability. This study introduces an improved electroforming process termed microbead fusion flexible friction-assisted electroforming (MF³AEF) and examines its effect on the surface roughness of electroformed copper layers. By comparing conventional direct current electroforming (DCEF), abrasive-assisted electroforming (AAEF) with free ceramic beads, and the proposed MF³AEF process, this work investigates the variations in surface quality and roughness under different current densities and cathode rotation speeds. The results indicate that at a current density of 6.8 A/dm² and a cathode rotation speed of 90 rpm, the surface roughness of the MF³AEF-produced layer is reduced to Ra0.24 µm, representing a 98.2% reduction compared to the Ra13.35 µm achieved by DCEF. This demonstrates that MF³AEF significantly enhances surface properties and markedly reduces the surface roughness of electroformed layers. Full article

Complex operating conditions, such as low temperature, can affect the degradation and safety stability of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This paper conducts research on the aging evolution and safety characteristics of LIBs under low-temperature conditions (−20 °C), to reveal the change laws of battery degradation and the trends of thermal parameters of aging LIBs. Cycling and charging/discharging experiments under low temperatures were conducted to collect realistic battery data. Various factors such as temperature, cycle number, charging/discharging rate, and depth of discharge/charge (DOD/DOC) are taken into consideration to test the battery cycling and thermal performance. With collected experimental results, basic electrical states of LIBs such as open-circuit voltage (OCV), internal resistance, and capacity are presented. Then, the capacity loss and internal resistance growth are also described and analyzed under various charge/discharge rates and DODs/DOCs. The experimental results show that low temperatures cause an almost 30% increase in polarization resistance, with nonlinear changes in total internal resistance. Moreover, the battery capacity and internal resistance also have extreme points with different charge/discharge rates under −20 °C, which may demonstrate that the charge/discharge rates of LIBs can be optimized under low temperature. Thermal runaway (TR) experiments were also conducted, and the self-heating rate and other indices are presented to show that an aging battery under low temperature still holds large energy to develop TR. The aging trends of LIBs under low temperatures are summarized, and battery safety is clarified to provide a reference for battery lifetime and safety management under low-temperature conditions. Full article

Different resources of energy are unevenly distributed around the world. Not every country has energy resources of its own. Those that have, may experience inadequacy in meeting domestic demand. Countries have to import the needed energy regardless of the size of worldwide price fluctuations and crises that come into existence in the global marketplace, which works in favor of energy-exporting countries. Foreign dependence on energy negatively affects the current account balance. Energy importation has an important share in the current account deficit of non-oil-exporting countries, such as Türkiye, in which as a developing country with a young and growing population, energy demand is increasing, and new natural gas and oil reserves as well as renewable energy sources are sought in order to remove foreign dependency. This study aims to determine the effect of making use of renewable energy sources on the current account deficit for a selected sample of countries which consist of 12 European Union (EU) and International Energy Agency (IEA) members including Türkiye. A balanced panel data regression analysis was conducted using the data of these countries for the period of 2000–2022. As a result of the analysis with the Driscoll–Kraay estimator, it was observed that as the share of renewable energy sources in total energy consumption increases, a reducing effect is achieved in terms of current account deficit. As renewable energy technologies develop, countries will have access to energy. This will reduce their foreign exchange expenditure, decrease their current account deficit, and strengthen price stability and growth performance. Full article

Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) differential code bias (DCB) and topside ionosphere vertical electron content (VEC) can be estimated using onboard data from low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellites. These satellites provide the potential to make up for the lack of ground-based stations in the oceanic and polar regions and establish a high-precision global ionosphere model. In order to study the influences of different LEO-topside VEC processing methods on estimates, we creatively analyzed and compared the results and accuracy of the DCBs and LEO-topside VEC estimates using two topside VEC solutions—the SH-topside VEC (spherical harmonic-topside vertical electron content) and EP-topside VEC (epoch parameter-topside vertical electron content) methods. Some conclusions are drawn as follows. (1) Using GRACE-A data (400 km in 2016), the monthly stabilities (STDs) of GPS satellite DCBs and LEO receiver DCBs using the EP-topside VEC method are better than those using the SH-topside VEC method. For JASON-2 data (1350 km), the STD results of GPS DCBs using the SH-topside VEC method are slightly superior to those using the EP-topside VEC method, and LEO DCBs using the two methods have similar STD results. However, the root mean square (RMS) results for GPS DCBs using the SH-topside VEC model relative to the Center for Orbit Determination in Europe (CODE) products are slightly superior to those using the EP-topside VEC method. (2) The peak ranges of the actual GRACE-A-topside VEC results using the SH-topside VEC and EP-topside VEC methods are within 42 and 35 TECU, respectively, while the peak ranges of the JASON-2-topside VEC results are both within 6 TECU. Additionally, only the SH-topside VEC model results are displayed due to the EP-topside VEC method not modeling VEC. Due to the difference in orbital altitude, the results and distributions of the GRACE-topside VECs differ from those of the JASON-topside VECs, with the former being more consistent with the ground-based results, indicating that there may be different height structures in the LEO-topside VECs. In addition, we applied the IRI-GIM (International Reference Ionosphere model–Global Ionosphere Map) method to compare the LEO-based topside VEC results, which indicate that the accuracy of GRACE-A-topside VEC using the EP-topside VEC method is better than that using the SH-topside VEC method, whereas for JASON-2, the two methods have similar accuracy. Meanwhile, we note that the temporal and spatial resolutions of the SH-topside VEC method are higher than those of the EP-topside VEC method, and the former has a wide range of usability and predictive characteristics. The latter seems to correspond to the single-epoch VEC mean of the former to some extent. Full article

Background/Objectives: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction stabilizes the knee and treats associated lesions. Control of rotational laxity can be optimized by an extra-articular plasty, historically known as the Lemaire plasty or tenodesis at the fascia lata. The risk of iterative rupture is reduced, by stabilising anterior translation and tibial internal rotation. In the literature, many different technical details are described, for example regarding the position and the method of femoral fixation. Although these parameters are fundamental to achieving graft isometry and avoiding overconstraint, no consensus or standardized recommendations have yet been established. The aim of the study was to summarize the position of fixation of a lateral tenodesis to the fascia lata, the degrees of flexion and rotation during fixation, its mode of fixation and its passage in relation to the lateral collateral ligament (LCL). Methods: In April 2024, a systematic review was conducted by two independent authors to identify studies describing lateral tenodesis with fascia lata with details about femoral fixation position, method of fixation, the graft’s passage relative to the lateral collateral ligament and flexion/rotation during fixation. From 111 records initially identified, 22 studies met the inclusion criteria. Results: Most authors described passing the graft beneath the LCL to achieve controlled anisometry. The preferred femoral fixation point was proximal and posterior to the lateral epicondyle, with fixation performed at approximately 30° of flexion and neutral tibial rotation. Various fixation methods have been reported, including staples, screws, cortical buttons, and anchors, but no biomechanical evidence demonstrated the superiority of one technique over another. Conclusions: Lateral tenodesis at the fascia lata is a well-established adjunct to ACL reconstruction, providing additional control of rotational laxity. While consistent trends are emerging regarding graft passage and femoral fixation landmarks, technical heterogeneity persists, and no definitive guidelines currently exist. Standardization of these parameters through high-level clinical and biomechanical studies is warranted to optimize outcomes and reduce variability in surgical practice. Full article

Background: Cryptococcosis, a systemic mycosis, remains a neglected disease in Brazil due to the absence of systematic national surveillance. This study developed an interactive dashboard to analyze cryptococcosis-related deaths (2000–2022) and forecast trends through regional ARIMA modeling. Methodology: The Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining framework was employed to extract mortality data from the Brazilian Mortality Information System, utilizing the microdatasus package in R Studio software, with R version 3.4.0. The records were then filtered using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes (B45 series) to identify primary and associated causes of death. After data extraction, a series of data preprocessing steps was implemented, including deduplication, variable recoding, and the management of missing values. The Shiny framework was employed to construct an interactive dashboard, incorporating Plotly and DT packages, with time-series visualizations, demographic variables, and multilingual support (Portuguese/English). Results: Among 12,308 deaths (2227 primary; 10,081 associated causes), most occurred in males aged 21–60 years. Data completeness was high for age/residence (100%) but lower for education (82%). The dashboard enables dynamic exploration of trends, demographic patterns, and open-data downloads. Regional ARIMA models revealed heterogeneous forecasts, with the Southeast projecting a decline (193 deaths in 2025; 95% CI: 146–240) and the South showing stability (141 deaths; 95% CI: 109–173). Conclusions: This tool bridges a critical gap in cryptococcosis surveillance, enabling dynamic mortality trend analysis, identification of high-risk demographics, and regional forecasting to guide public health resource allocation. While the absence of HIV serostatus data limits etiological analysis, the dashboard’s open-source framework supports adaptation for other neglected diseases. Full article