Search Results (1,755)

Digital technology is profoundly transforming the experiential landscape of tourism. However, its application does not necessarily produce cultural experiences, creating a critical bottleneck that constrains the sustainable development of the cultural tourism industry and broader societal culture. To address this gap, this study introduces psychological ownership theory as an overarching explanatory framework. It constructs and validates an integrated model that examines how digital technology characteristics (interactivity and innovativeness) influence cultural experience through three parallel mediating pathways: cognitive evaluation (perceived usefulness and ease of use), scenario construction, and flow experience. Based on 540 visitor questionnaires, structural equation modeling validated the theoretical model. Findings reveal that the interactivity and innovation of digital technology jointly stimulate visitors’ psychological ownership through three parallel pathways. Specifically, technological innovativeness exhibited the strongest effect on perceived ease of use (β = 0.387, p < 0.001), while the indirect effect via the flow experience path was also significant (effect size = 0.036). This process stimulates visitors’ psychological ownership, ultimately leading to cultural experiences. The study systematically reveals the pathways through which digital technology empowers cultural experiences across three dimensions: as a rational tool, an emotional narrative medium, and an intrinsic psychological catalyst. It highlights that strategically allocating technological resources to cultivate visitors’ psychological ownership is crucial for driving high-quality industrial development. Furthermore, the research offers significant implications for cultural sustainability, suggesting that such internally motivated identification provides a more effective foundation for the living transmission of culture and socio-cultural sustainability than external regulations or imposed norms. Full article

Ascaris lumbricoides is one of the most epidemiologically significant soil-transmitted helminths, and the environmental persistence of its eggs is largely attributed to their robust structural architecture. The search for ovicidal alternatives capable of overcoming this barrier has increasingly focused on metallic nanoparticles obtained through biological synthesis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to evaluate the ultrastructural effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) biosynthesised by the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans on A. lumbricoides eggs. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the synthesis of AgNPs, revealing predominantly spherical, well-dispersed particles with an average diameter of 9.22 ± 4.9 nm. Cytotoxicity assays indicated an IC₅₀ of 7.7 µg/mL. SEM analyses showed that eggs in the control group maintained intact morphology, with no apparent deformities. In contrast, exposure to AgNPs induced pronounced structural alterations, including marked wrinkling, surface erosion and shell collapse, suggesting disruption of multiple layers. Albendazole alone produced deep linear fissures consistent with internal metabolic failure, though with minimal external erosion. The combined treatment with AgNPs and albendazole resulted in severe degradation. These findings demonstrate that AgNPs exhibit significant ovicidal activity and may serve as effective adjuvants to enhance the action of conventional anthelmintics against highly resistant helminth eggs. Full article

This study employs numerical simulations to analyse current densities in modelled human organs originating from extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields emanating from a 110 kV single-circuit high-voltage transmission line. Exposure to these ELF fields gives rise to both conduction and displacement currents within the human body, potentially perturbing endogenous bioelectric currents and raising concerns of health risks. Using CST Studio Suite 2018 software, a three-dimensional multipart ellipsoidal anatomical model is developed to analyse these phenomena. Although displacement currents have lower magnitudes than conduction currents, they contribute significantly to the total current density and must therefore be included in rigorous safety assessments. Simulation results indicate that the current density values remain below the basic restrictions of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. Full article

To address the pronounced issue of noise and vibration within the combine harvester cab, this study proposes a hybrid simulation and experimental validation approach that integrates the pivot noise transfer function (NTF) with a finite element method (FEM)-based vibroacoustic coupling analysis. A coupled finite element model combining the cab structure and its internal acoustic cavity was developed, with the excitation path characteristics explicitly defined. The coupled interaction between structural and acoustic modes, along with its influence on noise transmission, was systematically examined. The analysis revealed a significant transmission peak near 18 Hz at critical pivot Point D under specific excitation directions, indicating strong directional sensitivity in the excitation–response relationship. Experimental validation showed that the discrepancy between simulated and measured responses, including the NTFs, remained within 15%, confirming the accuracy and applicability of the proposed method. This research offers a reliable analytical framework and practical reference for noise and vibration reduction in agricultural machinery cab design. Full article

Against the backdrop of rising farm household incomes alongside a widening internal income gap in rural China, investigating the impact of peer effects in ecological assistance (PEEA) on farmers’ policy satisfaction is crucial for formulating more targeted support policies and mitigating rural income inequality. Utilizing 2023 survey data from designated assistance counties of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA) of China, this study employs methods such as Oprobit and moderation effects to examine the factors and mechanisms through which peer effects in ecological assistance affect farmers’ policy satisfaction. The results indicate that PEEA exert a negative influence on farmers’ policy satisfaction, a finding that remains robust after endogeneity checks using the conditional mixed process (CMP) model and residual analysis. The information transmission mechanism can strengthen the suppressive effect of these peer effects on satisfaction, whereas the social interaction mechanism exhibits a substitution effect with the peer effects. The peer effects are asymmetric, with a more pronounced negative impact on policy satisfaction among farmers over 50 years old and those with lower human capital. Furthermore, the peer effect is most significant for forestry property income, followed by forestry wage income and forestry operating income. Farmer groups with low-to-medium forestry income are more significantly affected by PEEA. Furthermore, among these, the medium forestry income cohort demonstrates the highest sensitivity to the influence of PEEA on policy satisfaction. Therefore, ecological assistance policies should be further optimized, and forestry income should be distributed equitably to enhance the sense of policy benefit and well-being among farmers. Meanwhile, information channels should be improved to guide rational interpersonal expenditure, target groups with strong peer demonstration effects, explore diversified forestry management projects, and broaden income-increasing channels through ecological assistance. Full article

With the growing consumer demand for enhanced driving dynamics in vehicles, optimizing powertrain configurations to balance performance, energy efficiency, and cost has become a critical challenge. Traditional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) suffer from significant energy consumption and cost penalties when improving acceleration performance. This study systematically evaluates the trade-offs between dynamic performance, energy consumption, and direct manufacturing costs across six powertrain configurations: ICEV, 48 V mild hybrid (48 V), hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), range-extended electric vehicle (REV), and battery electric vehicle (BEV). By developing a comprehensive parameterized model, we quantify the impacts of acceleration improvement on vehicle mass, energy consumption, and costs. Key findings reveal that electrified powertrains (PHEV, REV, BEV) exhibit superior cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency. For instance, improving 0–100 km/h acceleration time from 9 to 5 s reduces direct manufacturing costs by only 5.72% for BEV versus 13.38% for ICEV, while PHEV achieves a balanced compromise with 3.40% lower fuel consumption and 10.43% cost increase compared to conventional counterparts. Mechanistic analysis attributes these advantages to higher power density of electric motors and simplified energy transmission in electrified systems. This work provides data-driven insights for consumers and automakers to prioritize powertrain technologies under dynamic performance requirements, highlighting PHEV with driving range of 50 km as the optimal choice for harmonizing driving experience, energy economy, and affordability. The results of this study assist automakers in optimizing the technology pathways of vehicle powertrain, within the consumer demand for dynamic performance. This plays a crucial role in advancing the automotive industry’s overall fuel consumption and energy consumption, thereby contributing to sustainable development. Full article

Foodborne pathogens remain a global public health concern, and antimicrobial resistance increases their impact. In mass-gathering cities such as Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, contaminated ready-to-eat (RTE) fast foods can contribute to both local transmission and international spread. In this study, 300 RTE fast food samples, including shawarma, burgers, fried chicken, sandwiches, and salads, were collected from international franchises, local restaurants, and street vendors. Pathogens were identified using conventional culture combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing followed CLSI guidelines, and real-time PCR confirmed species identity and screened resistance determinants. Principal component analysis (PCA) and dendrogram clustering were used to assess diagnostic discrimination. Among the 300 samples, 129 (43.0%) were culture positive. The most common pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (14.3%) and Escherichia coli (13.0%), followed by Salmonella spp. (9.0%) and Acinetobacter baumannii (6.7%). About 35% of S. aureus isolates were methicillin resistant (MRSA), and 85% of A. baumannii carried OXA-type carbapenemase genes. MALDI-TOF MS achieved 96.1% score-based identification and, with PCA, showed strong interspecies separation. PCR confirmed species identity and detected widespread resistance genes, with genotype–phenotype concordance of at least 80%. Overall, 60.5% of isolates were multidrug resistant. RTE fast foods in Al-Madinah represent reservoirs of MDR pathogens, including carbapenemase-producing A. baumannii. The combined use of MALDI-TOF MS and real-time PCR established a rapid and scalable workflow that provided reliable identification and resistance profiling in less than 24 h, compared with 48 to 72 h for conventional methods. This approach supports One Health surveillance in high-risk food settings and strengthens preparedness for mass gatherings. Full article

Liu Yiming, a Daoist priest of the Quanzhen Longmen sect during the Qing Dynasty, lived during the Qianjia period, a time marked by the overall decline of Daoism. To correct the vulgarization of theories surrounding Neida 內丹 (internal alchemy), he constructed a Neidan system based on the metaphysical foundations of the cosmological theories of the Book of Changes (易經) and the philosophy of Laozi. Liu argued that “the path of alchemy is the path of the Book of Changes,” and he extensively employed graphical tools such as figures of the Book of Changes and alchemical symbols to transform the abstract theories of Neidan into intuitive visual expressions. These images are concentrated in works of his such as Zhouyi chanzhen (周易闡真) (True Explanation of the “Changes”) and Xiangyan poyi (象言破疑) (Resolving Doubts through Images and Words). The study reveals that Liu Yiming’s reliance on imagery constituted a creative strategy to address the rigidity of Neidan theory and the crisis of its transmission. His iconography was not merely an interpretive technique but a crucial theoretical practice that revitalized the orthodoxy and vitality of Neidan during its period of decline. Full article

In the face of increasingly severe global environmental challenges, corporate environmental information disclosure (CEID) has become a critical link connecting national ecological governance goals with firms’ green development practices. From the perspective of green signaling, this study examines whether government environmental concerns (GEC) in China incentivize CEID and the mechanisms underlying this effect. We theoretically elaborate the transmission pathways and moderating effects of GEC, and measure GEC and CEID indicators using text analysis of local government work reports and corporate annual reports. Based on a series of empirical tests on Chinese A-share listed firms from 2008 to 2023, we find that: (1) GEC can significantly enhance CEID by attracting green investors and fostering greater media scrutiny. (2) Green technological innovation exhibits a masking effect, which reveals a counterintuitive mechanism whereby stringent environmental regulation may divert innovation resources toward pollution control investments. (3) The impact of GEC is positively moderated by external volatility such as climate policy and market uncertainty and internal capabilities such as firms’ digital transformation. (4) Further heterogeneity analysis shows that GEC has a more significant impact on non-state-owned enterprises, enterprises in heavily polluting industries, and those in the mature or declining stage. This study provides a new theoretical lens for understanding the dynamic interplay between institutional pressure and corporate behavioral responses, and offers empirical insights for calibrating the intensity of GEC to maximize incentives for firms to engage in sustainable practices. Full article

In this paper, a series of iron thin films were prepared using the direct current magnetron sputtering method at different deposition times. By means of characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), the structure, surface morphology, and magnetic properties of the iron thin films prepared at different deposition times were systematically investigated. The XRD results indicate that all the iron thin films exhibit a polycrystalline body-centered cubic structure, with an obvious preferred orientation in the (110) direction. As the deposition time increases, the average grain size of the iron thin films gradually increases. This is mainly because the post-sputtered atoms can provide the energy required for the formation, movement, and growth of the already deposited grains or clusters. When the deposition time is too long, factors such as elastic effects and size constraints will limit the growth of grains and clusters. Therefore, for the thin films deposited after 120 s, the average grain size gradually stabilizes. When the deposition time is short, the thin films usually grow in the form of island-like accumulation. Grains and clusters of uneven sizes accumulate on the substrate, so the roughness gradually increases. This also implies an increase in the density of defects such as internal stress and vacancies within the thin film. As the deposition time increases, the thin films gradually transform to grow in a layered and flat manner, and the grain size gradually stabilizes and becomes relatively uniform. Therefore, the roughness of the thin film samples decreases and tends to be stable. The magnetic property test results show that all the iron thin films exhibit ferromagnetism. The iron thin film prepared at a deposition time of 120 s has the best comprehensive performance, with a saturation magnetization M_s of 1567 emu/cm³, a coercivity of 92 Oe, and a remanence ratio of 0.86. Full article

Seasonal influenza continues to pose a substantial and recurrent public health challenge in Queensland, driven by annual variability in transmission and uncertainty in climatic, demographic, and behavioural determinants. Predictive modelling is constrained by data limitations and parameter uncertainty. In response, this study developed a Bayesian network (BN) model to estimate the probability of influenza epidemics in Queensland, Australia. The model integrated diverse inputs, including international and local influenza surveillance data, demographic health statistics, and expert and stakeholder insights to capture the complex multifactorial causal relationships underlying epidemic risk. Scenario-based simulations revealed that Southeast Asian viral origin, severe global influenza seasons, peak season timing, increasing international travel, absence of control measures, and low immunisation rates substantially elevate the likelihood of influenza epidemics. Southeast Queensland was identified as particularly vulnerable under high-risk conditions. Model evaluation demonstrated good discriminative performance (AUC = 0.6974, accuracy = 70%) with appropriate uncertainty quantification through credible intervals and sensitivity analysis. Its modular design and capacity for integrating various data sources make it a practical decision-making support tool for public health preparedness and responding to evolving climatic and epidemiological conditions. Full article

In the classic energy sector, as well as in the manufacturing and process industries, Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) systems are used for electrical substation control. However, PLCs frequently do not support the communication protocols defined on the standard International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61850. Therefore, this paper presents a vendor-independent method for the integration of Protection and Control (P&C) Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs), components of the substation bay level, in PLCs from the substation station level. The method can be used with legacy and modern controllers that offer an open communication interface, where the use of Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is supported. Since many legacy systems offer an open communication interface, this method makes it possible to reuse PLCs, bringing cost efficiency and ecological benefits. The method can be used in a single or redundant way since redundancy is always required in power distribution control. A prototype was developed for the integration over IEC 61850 Manufacturing Message Specification (MMS), and its functional validation is presented in this paper. This solution, besides reducing hardware and software acquisition costs, also contributes to a reduction in electronic waste (E-Waste) and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Full article

Fano resonance sensors based on metal–insulator–metal (MIM) waveguides often face the challenge of balancing high sensitivity (S) and a high figure of merit (FOM). In this work, a high-performance refractive index sensor is proposed, consisting of a straight MIM waveguide side-coupled to a novel ring–bridge–rounded square (RBS) resonator. The transmission characteristics and the formation mechanism of Fano resonance are systematically analyzed using the finite element method (FEM). The results demonstrate that the synergistic introduction of rounded square units and an internal bridge structure significantly enhances electromagnetic field localization and optimizes the coupling strength. The optimized device achieves a remarkable refractive index sensitivity of 3268 nm/RIU (refractive index unit, RIU) and a high FOM of 55.4. Furthermore, by employing ethanol as the filling medium, the proposed configuration functions as a temperature sensor, exhibiting a high linear sensitivity of 1.644 nm/°C over the range of −70 °C to 70 °C. The proposed RBS resonator holds promise for compact and high-precision nanophotonic sensing applications. Full article

The surface morphology of lithium metal electrodes evolves markedly during cycling, modulating interfacial kinetics and increasing the risk of dendrite-driven internal short circuits. Here, we infer this morphological evolution from direct-current (DC) signals by analyzing open-circuit voltage (OCV) transients after constant current interruptions. The OCV exhibits a rapid initial decay followed by a transition to a slower long-time decay. With repeated plating, this transition shifts to earlier times, thereby increasing the contribution of long-term relaxation. We quantitatively analyze this behavior using an equivalent circuit with a transmission-line model (TLM) representing the electrolyte-accessible interfacial region of the electrode, discretized into ten depth-direction segments. Tracking segment-wise changes in resistances and capacitances with cycling enables morphology estimation. Repeated plating strongly increases the double-layer area near the current collector, while the charge-transfer-active surface shifts toward the separator side, showing progressively smaller and eventually negative changes toward the current-collector side. Together with the segment-resolved time constants, these trends indicate that lithium deposition becomes increasingly localized near the separator-facing surface, while the interior becomes more tortuous, consistent with post-mortem observations. Overall, the results demonstrate that DC voltage-relaxation analysis combined with a TLM framework provides a practical route to track lithium metal electrode surface evolution in Li-metal-based cells. Full article

To investigate the molecular characteristics of H3N2 canine influenza viruses circulating in Jiangsu, China, we isolated a H3N2 strain (A/Canine/Nanjing/CnNj01-2025) from a dog presenting with respiratory signs at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Nanjing Agricultural University. All eight gene segments were sequenced and compared with those of two human H3N2 strains and five avian H3N2 strains. Antigenicity and receptor-binding properties were also assessed. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the canine isolate descended from the avian lineage and formed an independent evolutionary clade, while the human strains were more distantly related to the avian lineage. Glycosylation analysis of the HA protein revealed that the canine strain carried seven N-glycosylation sites, including a unique site at residue 97/81 (HA/H3 numbering), which serves as a molecular signature of the canine strain. Several amino-acid substitutions were identified in major antigenic sites, including D97/81N, A176/160T, N204/188D, V212/196I, and W237/222L. Analysis of internal genes showed that the canine strain harbored PB2 292T and 590S mammalian adaptation mutations, which are also present in human strains. Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays of the canine strain indicated moderate serologic cross-reactivity with a human H3N2 antiserum (16-fold reduction), whereas avian strains showed no cross-reactivity. Receptor-binding assays demonstrated that the virus retained predominant α-2,3 sialic acid binding, comparable to that of avian influenza viruses, and gained a modest affinity for human-type α-2,6 sialic acid receptors. Therefore, the canine H3N2 virus has undergone significant antigenic drift, developed partial serological cross-reactivity with human strains, and acquired detectable but limited binding affinity for human-type receptors. Overall, our findings suggest that the current canine H3N2 influenza virus exhibits distinct genetic and antigenic variations from human and avian strains. Continuous molecular and serological surveillance of canine influenza viruses is therefore warranted to monitor their evolutionary trends and assess the potential for cross-species transmission. Full article