Search Results (2,161)

This study explores the complex interaction between the Internet of Things (IoT) and the new energy sector and analyzes how their integration can catalyze a transition toward a sustainable low-carbon economy. Through the full-sample and rolling sub-sample methods, we empirically examine the dynamic interrelationship between China’s IoT index (IoT) and the New Energy Index (NEI). Quantitative analysis reveals significant time-varying characteristics and bidirectional causal complexity in the interaction between the IoT and new energy. The IoT has a dual-edged impact on the development of new sources of energy. In the long run, the IoT plays a dominant role in incentivizing new energy, helping to enhance its stability and economic value. However, during stages characterized by technological bottlenecks or resource competition, the high energy consumption of IoT infrastructure may suppress the investment returns of new energy. Simultaneously, new energy has both positive and negative impacts on the IoT. On the one hand, new energy provides low-cost, sustainable power to support the IoT, driving the construction of the IoT ecosystem. On the other hand, it may threaten the continuity of IoT power supply, and the complexity of standardization and regulation in the sector may constrain the development of the IoT. This study provides a fresh perspective on promoting the integration of digital technology and green energy, uncovering nonlinear trade-offs between innovation-driven growth and carbon reduction goals, and offering policy insights for cross-sectoral collaboration to achieve sustainability. Full article

In recent years, the biomedical startup industry has flourished, and yet, it still faces challenges in adapting to changing market demands. Meanwhile, the widespread use of single-use medical devices generates significant waste, posing threats to environmental sustainability. Addressing this issue has become a critical challenge for humanity today. The study aimed to delve into the specific difficulties faced by Taiwanese biomedical entrepreneurs during the innovation and development of medical devices from a sustainability perspective and to explore solutions. This study collected first-hand experiences and insights from Taiwanese biomedical entrepreneurs through a literature review and expert questionnaires. It employed Interpretive Structural Modeling to analyze the development stages and interrelationships of biomedical device startups for building sustainable biomedical innovation. The Clinical Needs Assessment is revealed as the most influential factor, shaping Regulatory Feasibility Evaluation, Clinical Trial Execution, and Market Access Compliance. Our findings provide a structured problem-solving framework to assist biomedical startups in overcoming challenges while incorporating energy-saving and carbon reduction processes to achieve environment sustainability goals. The results of this study show that biomedical innovation practitioners should prioritize integrating sustainability considerations directly into the earliest stage of a Clinical Needs Assessment. Full article

The structure and interpersonal interactions of traditional residential communities have also been impacted and recreated as a result of the fast development of urban space and related communities. This study explores the interrelationship between neighborhood social cohesion and the life satisfaction of urban adult residents through the mediating effect of place attachment. A comprehensive theoretical model was constructed to analyze the action mechanism among these variables. Data were collected through an online questionnaire platform (n = 301), and structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed for analysis. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between neighborhood social cohesion and residents’ place attachment. Place attachment appeared to play a mediating role between neighborhood social cohesion and life satisfaction, in which place dependence was also a potential effective mediator between the three dimensions of neighborhood social cohesion (neighborliness, sense of community, and neighborhood attractiveness) and life satisfaction. The results suggest that enhancing community cohesion may contribute to urban adult residents’ well-being by strengthening their functional dependence on the community. Full article

Background/Objectives: Motor creativity is a vital component of preschoolers’ growth and development. However, its underlying determinants remain largely underexplored. This study investigates the interrelationship among playful behavior, social profile, and motor creativity in preschool children, emphasizing its implications for holistic health and development. Methods: A total of 200 children and their kindergarten teachers from Greece participated in the study. The Children’s Playfulness Scale (CPS) was employed to assess the children’s playfulness, while a sociometric test was used to evaluate their social standing within peer groups. Motor creativity was measured through TCAM, a performance-based test focusing on fluency, imagination, and originality. Results: The findings revealed that the dimensions of playful behavior, particularly motor and social playfulness, significantly and positively influenced motor creativity, a core component of physical and mental health in early childhood. Conversely, certain aspects of social behavior had a negative association with imaginative capacities. Conclusions: The study underscores the critical role of movement-based playful activities in fostering children’s physical, emotional, cognitive, and social health. It highlights the need for educators to design developmentally appropriate motor play activities that cultivate creativity and social integration, promoting a balanced and health-oriented early education framework. The results contribute to educational policy and practice by reinforcing the importance of structured motor play in supporting preschoolers’ well-being and comprehensive development. Full article

Background and Objectives: Resilience and perceived social support are crucial factors influencing the psychological well-being among breast cancer survivors. Understanding their levels and interrelations can inform psychosocial interventions aimed at improving survivorship outcomes. This study aimed to examine the relationship between resilience and perceived social support, evaluate the psychometric properties, and explore their associations with key sociodemographic factors among breast cancer survivors. Materials and Methods: A total of 253 women in clinical remission, at least six months post-primary treatment, were recruited from the University Clinical Center of Vojvodina. Participants completed sociodemographic and clinical questionnaires, the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-25), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Results: Participants reported moderate levels of resilience (Mdn = 75, IQR = 19). Among resilience domains, Hardiness (Mdn = 22, IQR = 7) and Coping (Mdn = 14, IQR = 4) scored highest, while Optimism (Mdn = 6, IQR = 3) was the lowest. A significant positive correlation was found between resilience and fertility-related quality of life (ρ = 0.454, p < 0.01), while a negative correlation was observed between resilience and fertility-related stress (ρ = −0.275, p < 0.01). Adaptive coping strategies, particularly from the Practical Management Branch of the CIQ, were positively associated with resilience and quality of life, while avoidance coping was linked to higher stress and lower well-being. Conclusions: Breast cancer survivors in this Serbian cohort reported moderate resilience and social support, with a strong interrelationship between the two. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening social support networks as a potential pathway to enhance resilience and psychological well-being in cancer survivorship care. Full article

Accurate quantification of soil organic matter (SOM) is crucial for improving soil fertility and maintaining ecosystem health. The content of SOM affects soil nutrient availability and is closely linked to the global carbon cycle. The use of an electronic nose to detect SOM contents has the advantages of rapidity, accuracy, and low pollution to the environment. This study proposes a method for obtaining SOM contents via pyrolysis coupled with an artificial olfaction system. To improve the accuracy of SOM content determination, the effects of three parameters (pyrolysis temperature, pyrolysis time, and soil sample mass) related to the pyrolysis process on the distinguishability of pyrolysis gases were investigated. Firstly, single-factor experiments were conducted to determine the optimal values of three parameters that can improve the differentiation of pyrolysis gases. Secondly, a regression model based on the Box–Behnken experiment was established to analyze the interrelationships between the three parameters and the discrete ratio. The experimental results showed that the three parameters exerted significant influences on the discrete ratio, with pyrolysis time having the greatest impact, followed by soil sample mass and pyrolysis temperature. The optimal discrimination and minimal dispersion ratio of the pyrolysis gases were achieved at a pyrolysis temperature of 384 °C, with a pyrolysis time of 2 min 41 s and a soil sample mass of 1.68 g. Finally, the Back-Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) and Partial Least-Squares Regression (PLSR) algorithms were used to establish an SOM prediction model after obtaining soil pyrolysis gases under the optimal combination of pyrolysis parameters. The experimental results demonstrated that the SOM prediction model based on PLSR achieved the best accuracy and the highest generalization capability, with R² > 0.85 and RMSE < 7.21. This study could provide a theoretical basis for the prediction of SOM contents via pyrolysis coupled with an artificial olfaction system. Full article

This study aimed to develop a Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) to visualise how urban environment factors impact dementia and cognitive decline, and potential causal mechanisms. In Group Model Building workshops with 12 researchers, a CLD was created to identify factors contributing to cognitive decline, and the dynamic interrelationships between these factors. The factors were classified in nine main themes: urban design, social environment, travel behaviours, urban design by-products, lifestyle, mental health conditions, disease/physiology, brain physiology, and cognitive decline outcomes. Five selected feedback loops illustrated some dynamics in the system. The workshops helped develop a shared language and understanding of different perspectives from an interdisciplinary team. The CLD creation was part of a comprehensive modelling approach based on experts’ knowledge which informed other research outputs such as an evidence gap map and an umbrella review, helped the identification of environmental variables for future studies and analyses, and helped to identify future possible systems-based interventions to prevent cognitive decline. The study highlights the utility of CLDs and Group Model Building workshops in interdisciplinary research projects investigating complex systems. Full article

Background: Motor performance in childhood predicts physical fitness, cognitive capacity, socio-emotional development, and academic success. Parenting styles are especially important to such performance in the preschool period, as children’s gross motor abilities are shaped in part by their interactions with parents. Young children’s physical activity is also declining as they spend more time on screens. Methods: This quantitative survey-based study examined the relationships among 252 preschoolers’ gross motor skills, their tendency to become addicted to digital games, and their parents’ parenting styles. Results: The sampled preschoolers’ gross motor skill development and game addiction tendencies were both low, while the participating parents reported high levels of democratic and overprotective parenting attitudes, low levels of authoritarian ones, and moderate levels of permissive ones. Motor skills were not associated with children’s addiction tendency or parents’ democratic (also known as authoritative), authoritarian, or permissive styles. However, overprotective parenting was positively and significantly associated with gross motor skill scores. While no significant relationship was found between children’s digital game addiction tendencies and their parents’ adoption of a democratic parenting style, such tendencies were positively and statistically correlated with the authoritarian and permissive parenting styles. One dimension of such tendencies, constant gameplay, was also positively and significantly correlated with overprotective parenting. Conclusions: Although the participating children’s digital game addiction tendencies were low, the findings indicate that parents and carers should guide children to reduce their screen time and promote increased interaction with their surroundings and other people to mitigate screen time’s known negative effects on gross motor coordination. Full article

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous lung condition marked by persistent airflow limitation and is currently the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 3.5 million deaths in 2021. While its physical manifestations such as dyspnea, chronic cough, and sputum production are well known, its psychological impact, particularly the high prevalence of depression among patients, remains under-recognized. Objectives: This narrative review aims to summarize the existing data on the association between COPD and depression, analyze their pathophysiological connections, explore treatment possibilities, and highlight the interrelationships between these conditions. Methods: A non-systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Studies, reviews, and key publications addressing the relationship between COPD and depression were selected based on clinical relevance. Findings were synthesized thematically to provide a comprehensive and critical overview. Results: Depression in patients with COPD is linked to worse quality of life, increased functional impairment, higher suicide risk, and poorer adherence to treatment. Contributing mechanisms include chronic systemic inflammation, hypoxemia, oxidative stress, and psychosocial risk factors such as low educational level, socioeconomic disadvantage, and comorbidities. Despite evidence of this strong association, treatment strategies remain limited and underutilized, and no unified approach has yet been established. Conclusions: Depression represents a major comorbidity in COPD that exacerbates both disease burden and patient suffering. Further research is essential to clarify the underlying mechanisms and to develop integrated therapeutic approaches. Enhancing our understanding and management of this comorbidity holds promise for significantly improving patient outcomes and overall quality of life. Full article

Recognizing the interrelationship among variables becomes critical in genetic breeding programs, where the goal is often to optimize selection for multiple traits. Conventional multi-trait models face challenges such as convergence issues, and they fail to account for cause-and-effect relationships. To address these challenges, we conducted a comprehensive analysis involving confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Bayesian networks (BN), structural equation modeling (SEM), and genome-wide selection (GWS) using data from 195 arabica coffee plants. These plants were genotyped with 21,211 single nucleotide polymorphism markers as part of the Coffea arabica breeding program at UFV/EPAMIG/EMBRAPA. Traits included vegetative vigor (VV), canopy diameter (CD), number of vegetative nodes (NVN), number of reproductive nodes (NRN), leaf length (LL), and yield (Y). CFA established the following latent variables: vigor latent (VL) explaining VV and CD; nodes latent (NL) explaining NVN and NRN; leaf length latent (LLL) explaining LL; and yield latent (YL) explaining Y. These were integrated into the BN model, revealing the following key interrelationships: LLL → VL, LLL → NL, LLL → YL, VL → NL, and NL → YL. SEM estimated structural coefficients, highlighting the biological importance of VL → NL and NL → YL connections. Genomic predictions based on observed and latent variables showed that using VL to predict NVN and NRN traits resulted in similar gains to using NL. Predicting gains in Y using NL increased selection gains by 66.35% compared to YL. The SEM-GWS approach provided insights into selection strategies for traits linked with vegetative vigor, nodes, leaf length, and coffee yield, offering valuable guidance for advancing Arabica coffee breeding programs. Full article

Background: Treatment of metastatic cancer remains a challenge, because cancer cells acquire resistance even to the most contemporary therapies. This study analyzed the role of the phosphoprotein Stathmin 1 (STMN1) in regulating cancer cell growth and metastatic potential. Methods: Public datasets with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and breast cancer (BC) were analyzed to determine the interrelationship between STMN1, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and MET proto-oncogene (MET) expression, overall survival, and response to chemotherapy. Site-directed mutagenesis, cell cycle analysis, proliferation, and migration and invasion assays determined the impact of STMN1 phosphorylation on proliferation and metastatic potential. Results: Increased STMN1 associates with HGF and MET gene expression in mCRPC, and taxane chemotherapy further increases HGF expression. STMN1 and HGF are highest, and overall survival is poorest in mCRPC in the liver compared to other sites, implying the metastatic site influences their expression levels and potentially the pattern of metastatic spread. Increased STMN1 and MET also predict taxane responsiveness in BC patients. Analysis of STMN1 serine (S)16, 25, 38, and 63 determined that total (t) STMN1 and STMN1 S16 phosphorylation (pSTMN1^S16) are co-regulated by HGF/MET during cell cycle progression, pSTMN1^S16 alone can promote cell proliferation, and pSTMN1^S16 shortens the cell cycle similar to HGF treatment, while STMN1^S16 dephosphorylation lengthens the cell cycle to arrest cell growth in G2/M, similar to HGF plus the MET inhibitor AMG337. Importantly, STMN1^S16 does not promote metastasis. Conclusions: Selectively inhibiting STMN1^S16 phosphorylation may provide an alternative strategy for inhibiting MET-mediated cell growth to eliminate metastatic cancer cells and inhibit further metastasis. Full article

Background: Patients with obesity seeking bariatric surgery often display high rates of depressive symptoms, which are linked to worse clinical and surgical outcomes. A comprehensive evaluation of depression-related features in this population is lacking. Therefore, this study investigated clinical and psychopathological factors associated with depressive symptoms’ severity in 946 outpatients with obesity undergoing pre-surgical evaluation. Methods: The sample (45.1 ± 12 years) was subdivided according to Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) into ‘absent’, ‘mild’, and ‘moderate-to-severe depression’ groups, which were compared for sociodemographic characteristics, childhood trauma, and emotional dysregulation. Assessments included the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short-Form (CTQ-SF) and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scales (DERS). Inflammatory levels were evaluated through the Systemic Immune-inflammatory Index (SII). Multinomial logistic regression and correlations were performed to evaluate predictors of depression severity and their interrelationship. Results: Beyond sociodemographic and clinical differences, patients with moderate-to-severe depression displayed higher childhood trauma, emotional dysregulation, and inflammatory levels. Logistic regression with 95% confidence intervals showed that higher CTQ-SF scores were significantly associated with moderate-to-severe vs. absent depression (p = 0.005, 95% CI: 1.02–1.09), while elevated DERS scores were a risk factor for both moderate-to-severe vs. mild (p < 0.001, 95% CI: 1.04–1.11) and vs. absent depression (p < 0.001, 95% CI: 1.11–1.18). Additionally, PHQ-9 was significantly correlated with CTQ-SF, DERS, and SII. Conclusions: A worse clinical picture was observed in patients with moderate-to-severe depression, and significant interactions were found between psychopathology and inflammatory indexes. Emotional dysregulation was primarily associated with depression severity. These preliminary results support the implementation of rigorous pre-operative screening to identify and deliver targeted psychotherapeutic/pharmacological interventions aimed at improving clinical and post-surgical outcomes. Full article

This study focuses on developing a novel clinker-free cement, specifically comprising phosphorus slag-based cementitious materials (PSCMs), by utilizing lime and industrial byproducts, including granulated electric furnace phosphorus slag and fluidized bed combustion bottom ash. The optimal composition of PSCM was determined by investigating the effects of different proportions of activators (water glass and sodium sulfate) and retarder (potassium fluoride) on the setting time and the mechanical strength of PSCMs. Performance evaluations demonstrated that the compressive and flexural strengths of the optimal PSCM formulation at 28 days were 64.1 MPa and 7.5 MPa, respectively. Notably, concrete prepared with the optimal PSCM exhibited superior freeze–thaw resistance and sulfate resistance compared to Portland cement concrete of equivalent strength grades. The comprehensive characterization of selected PSCM compositions, conducted using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscope–energy-dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS), provided in-depth insights into the interrelationship among mechanical properties, durability, and microstructural characteristics. SEM-EDS analysis confirmed that calcium aluminosilicate hydrate and sodium aluminosilicate hydrate are the predominant hydration products of PSCMs. FTIR and TG analyses elucidated the continuous hydration behavior of PSCMs during the curing process, while SEM observations revealed a densely compact microstructure in the hardened PSCM paste. Full article

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an emerging information technology tool and management concept in the construction industry, enabling the transition from traditional 2D drawings to 3D models. It helps improve efficiency and promote industrial upgrading in the construction sector. However, in actual project practices, the effectiveness of BIM application has not been as expected, and the return on investment (ROI) may even be negative. Through a literature review, we found that risk identification, correlation analysis, and risk assessment related to BIM implementation require further research. To better promote the application of BIM in the construction industry, this study employs relevant methods to analyze the risk factors of BIM implementation. Through the literature review, 31 BIM implementation risk factors were identified, and 24 major risk factors were extracted using the AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) method. The ISM (Interpretative Structural Modeling) method was then used to determine the interrelationships among these major risk factors, establishing a hierarchical model with seven levels. Through MICMAC (Matrices Impacts Corises-Multiplication Appliance Classment) analysis, the BIM implementation risk factors were categorized into three groups, and three-tiered response strategies were proposed at the industry, organizational, and project levels. By analyzing the main risk factors of BIM application in China’s construction industry and formulating corresponding response strategies to promote its successful application, this study contributes to the knowledge system. The findings also provide a reference for other countries and regions to clarify major risk factors and their interrelationships, thereby improving the effectiveness of BIM implementation. Full article

The complex chemical composition of certain color stains on textiles requires an optimal proportion of thermal and chemical action in the Sinner cycle of the washing process. In this study, both factors were analyzed by varying the composition of the liquid detergent, bleach, and ozone at temperatures of 30 °C, 40 °C, 60 °C, 75 °C, and 90 °C. Standard cotton fabrics stained with tea, red wine, and blood/milk/ink were selected as monitors, which were evaluated before and after the washing process by spectral parameters. The data sets and their interrelationships were evaluated by a cluster analysis (CA) and ANOVA. An unstained standard cotton fabric was selected as a reference for qualification of the sanitation effect. The stain removal effects showed a selective influence of ozone in the washing processes under the investigated conditions, including the synergy of standard materials—stain monitors and different Sinner cycle factors. The most effective sanitation was achieved in processes using formulations with higher concentrations of liquid detergent (D) and bleaching agents (BA) across all tested temperatures. A lower ozone concentration in combination with lower concentrations of detergents and bleaching agents in washing processes at 30 °C and 40 °C also contributed positively to the effect on sanitation. Full article