Search Results (35,656)

Comprehending the spatial–temporal transformation of urban resilience (UR) is fundamental for promoting sustainable urban growth in the Chinese context. In this study, a multi-dimensional index framework is developed to cover economic, social, ecological, and infrastructural aspects of resilience, assessing urban resilience across 282 prefecture-level cities between 2005 and 2022. By integrating the Time-Varying Entropy Method (TEM) with the Two-Stage Nested Theil Index (TNTI), we quantify the intensity and origins of spatial disparities in UR. Furthermore, spatial econometric models are employed to examine β convergence across regional and temporal dimensions. Additionally, the research adopts an Optimal Parameter-based Geographical Detector (OPGD) approach to explore and quantify the major determinants affecting urban resilience. The results reveal that (1) UR has significantly improved nationwide, with higher levels concentrated in eastern and southern China; (2) intra-provincial disparities are the dominant source of spatial differences, and continue to expand; (3) UR shows robust β-convergence nationally and regionally, although σ-convergence is limited to specific periods; (4) savings deposits per capita, ratio of employees, per capita fiscal expenditure and market size are identified as the core factors driving UR. The findings offer new insights into urban spatial governance under multi-dimensional constraints and challenges and serve as empirical guidance for narrowing resilience gaps and promoting balanced regional development. Full article

Parental psychological control has emerged as a significant risk factor for mental health challenges in young adults. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between parental psychological control and depression, with a specific focus on the chain mediating role of self-compassion and emotion regulation difficulties among Chinese university students. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 363 university students (aged 17–24, 43.3% males, 56.7% females), who completed measures of parental psychological control, emotion regulation difficulties, self-compassion and depression. Findings revealed a significant positive relationship between parental psychological control and depression. Both self-compassion and emotion regulation difficulties independently mediated this association. Furthermore, the chain mediation of self-compassion and emotion regulation difficulties was significant, indicating that parental psychological control was linked with increased depression through decreased self-compassion and increased emotion regulation difficulties. This study sheds light on the significance of minimizing parental psychological control and cultivating a positive family atmosphere to alleviate depression. Parental psychological control has been identified as a potential risk factor for depression, hindering the development of self-compassion, increasing emotional regulation difficulties, with the diminished self-compassion also aggravating emotion regulation difficulties. Despite the cross-sectional design limiting causal inferences, our findings still highlight potential targets for interventions aimed at reducing depression. Full article

Accurate prediction of the internal corrosion rate is crucial for the safety management and maintenance planning of oil and gas pipelines. However, this task is challenging due to the complex, multi-factor nature of corrosion and the scarcity of available inspection data. To address this, we propose a novel hybrid prediction model, GM-Markov-PSO, which integrates a gray prediction model with a Markov chain and a particle swarm optimization algorithm. A key innovation of our approach is the systematic incorporation of symmetry principles—observed in the spatial distribution of corrosion factors, the temporal evolution of the corrosion process, and the statistical fluctuations of monitoring data—to enhance model stability and accuracy. The proposed model effectively overcomes the limitations of individual components, providing superior handling of small-sample, non-linear datasets and demonstrating strong robustness against stochastic disturbances. In a case study, the GM-Markov-PSO model achieved prediction accuracy improvements ranging from 0.93% to 13.34%, with an average improvement of 4.51% over benchmark models, confirming its practical value for informing pipeline maintenance strategies. This work not only presents a reliable predictive tool but also enriches the application of symmetry theory in engineering forecasting by elucidating the inherent order within complex corrosion systems. Full article

Amid global efforts toward carbon neutrality, carbon emission accounting in the construction sector has become essential for sustainable design. Public buildings, with complex energy systems and high operational loads, are major carbon emitters. However, early design stages often provide only low-dimensional parameters—such as floor area, number of floors, and location—limiting conventional regression methods. This study develops a lightweight prediction framework using a multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network. Feature engineering constructs composite indicators—layers per unit area (LPA) and height-to-area ratio (HAR)—to quantify spatial compactness and vertical density. A three-layer MLP with Swish activation, adaptive L2 regularization, and Dropout reduces overfitting and improves generalization. Tests show the model achieves a mean absolute error of 4160 tCO₂ and R² of 0.966, reducing prediction error by 54.7% compared to linear regression. For high-rise buildings (>15 floors), error remains below 8.1%. SHAP analysis highlights floor area as the dominant factor (51.2%), while HAR and LPA jointly improve accuracy by 5.8%. A Python-based tool is developed for rapid emission estimation during design. Using 150 samples and 10-fold cross-validation, this work demonstrates the potential of deep learning in low-dimensional carbon prediction, offering a practical reference for early-stage green building design, though generalizability requires further validation with larger datasets. Full article

Past research has predominantly focused on personality traits and psychological–cognitive factors as isolated predictors of safety behavior, while their interactive effects in shaping safety behavior remain underexplored. The gap constrains mechanistic understanding of safety behavior and limits the effectiveness of individualized interventions. Therefore, this study developed a theoretical framework linking personality traits, psychological–cognitive mediators (safety awareness, safety attitude, safety motivation, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control) and safety behavior (safety compliance and safety participation). Quantitative data were collected from 431 frontline construction workers and managers using paper-based questionnaires. Structural equation modeling was used to test direct and indirect relationships among variables. The results reveal differentiated psychological–cognitive pathways through which personality traits shape safety behavior. Extraversion suppressed safety compliance through all psychological–cognitive factors except perceived behavioral control, and diminished safety participation via safety attitude and safety motivation. Agreeableness enhanced safety compliance through all psychological–cognitive factors except perceived behavioral control, whereas conscientiousness promoted safety compliance through all mediators. Agreeableness and conscientiousness strengthened safety participation via all mediators except safety awareness. Openness facilitated safety compliance through safety awareness but simultaneously inhibited it through other psychological–cognitive factors, and reduced safety participation via all mediators except safety awareness. Neuroticism undermined safety compliance via safety attitude, safety motivation, and subjective norm, and suppressed safety participation through safety attitude and safety motivation. These findings underscore the critical mediating role of psychological–cognitive factors in personality–safety behavior linkages and offer implications for individualized safety management. Recommended strategies include integrating personality and psychological–cognitive assessments to optimize work allocation and team collaboration, employing immersive and contextualized training to stabilize safety behavior, and developing an artificial intelligence–enabled safety management framework centered on psychological–cognitive regulation. Full article

In recent decades, significant efforts have been devoted to constructing energy-efficient buildings, providing comfortable indoor environments. However, measures such as enhanced airtightness, while reducing infiltration through the building envelope, might consequently reduce natural ventilation. This reduction is a critical concern because natural ventilation is an essential factor in controlling indoor air quality (IAQ), and its diminution could therefore worsen IAQ. Sick building syndrome has emerged as a term used to describe health hazards linked to the time spent indoors but with no particular cause. Since people spend most of their time indoors, the demand for continuous and real-time IAQ management to reduce human exposure to pollutants has increased considerably. In this context, low-cost sensors (LCS) for IAQ monitoring have become popular, driven by recent technological advancements and increased awareness regarding indoor air pollution and its negative health impacts. Although LCS do not meet the performance requirements of reference and regulatory equipment, they provide informative measurements, offering high-resolution monitoring, emission source identification, exposure mitigation, real-time IAQ assessment, and energy efficiency management. This perspective article proposes a general model for LCS systems (and subsystems) implementation and presents a prospective analysis of their strengths and limitations for IAQ management, reviews the literature regarding sensor system technologies, and offers design recommendations. It provides valuable insights for researchers and practitioners in the field of IAQ and discusses future trends. Full article

This review analyzes current research on short-term culture of sea urchin from barrens through formulated feed, addressing the need for sustainable aquaculture practices and ecological restoration of kelp forests. We compare the results of multiple studies to identify the optimal feed composition to induce gonad growth and coloration. Our analysis suggests that macroalgae are the best feed ingredients to improve gonad growth and coloration; however, environmental and economic challenges persist in expanding sea urchin production with these types of ingredients. Plant-based protein sources like soy have emerged as a potential cost-effective alternative to fish products; nevertheless, the presence of antinutritional factors in soy products limits their inclusion in formulated feed. Regarding the composition and amount of lipids, we found that they are critical macronutrients in gonad development. The review also explores the potential of sea urchin aquaculture in mitigating urchin barrens and restoring kelp forests, highlighting the interplay between ecological and economic factors. We identify key knowledge gaps and propose future research directions, including large-scale economic viability assessments, novel feed additives, and integrated multitrophic aquaculture systems. These findings have significant implications for developing sustainable and economically viable sea urchin aquaculture, potentially transforming urchin barrens into productive ecosystems while meeting market demand for roe. Full article

Background: Intracellular delivery of high-molecular-weight proteins is limited by the cell membrane. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) offer a potential solution, but effective cytosolic delivery remains hindered by endosomal sequestration. Pas2r12, a CPP-derived peptide, facilitates cytosolic delivery of proteins including immunoglobulin G. Because Pas2r12 internalization occurs via caveolae-dependent endocytosis, we hypothesized that cell-surface receptors contribute to uptake. Methods: HEK293 cells were treated with Pas2r12 alone or complexed with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). Phosphorylation of insulin receptor (INSR), insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R), and extracellular signal–regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) was analyzed by Western blot. Linsitinib was used to inhibit INSR/IGF1R kinase activity. Cytosolic delivery was assessed by confocal microscopy, and receptor involvement was evaluated using siRNA-mediated knockdown and receptor overexpression. Results: Pas2r12 alone transiently increased INSR/IGF1R phosphorylation at 2 min (6.6-fold), which was suppressed by linsitinib (1.3-fold), and strongly increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation (6.2-fold), which was not inhibited by linsitinib. Pas2r12–EGFP did not induce detectable INSR/IGF1R phosphorylation in parental cells but increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation (3.4-fold). Linsitinib markedly reduced cytosolic EGFP delivery to 16% of control. INSR knockdown decreased delivery to 13–16%, and IGF1R knockdown to 19–65%. In INSR-overexpressing lines, Pas2r12–EGFP induced INSR/IGF1R phosphorylation (6.0-fold) and enhanced delivery (230–270%). In IGF1R-overexpressing lines, Pas2r12–EGFP did not induce phosphorylation, and delivery decreased to 60–69%. Conclusions: Pas2r12-mediated cytosolic delivery involves both INSR and IGF1R, with INSR contributing more prominently. These findings, including the largely INSR/IGF1R-independent ERK1/2 activation, provide mechanistic insight into Pas2r12-mediated protein delivery. Full article

This review study promotes the sustainability of civil infrastructure by advancing the materials science of alternative cementitious materials. Supported by extensive global research and industrial trials, geopolymer cement has emerged as a promising approach to reducing the ecological impact of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) due to its superior engineering properties and eco-friendly benefits from industrial waste utilization. Geopolymers are inorganic polymers formed by the polymerization of aluminosilicate precursors, such as fly ash (FA), slag, and metakaolin, in the presence of alkaline activating solutions. This work integrates findings across multiple domains, including precursor chemistry, microstructural evolution, mechanical and durability performance, and sustainability metrics like carbon footprint and energy consumption. A key contribution of this review is the comparative evaluation of FA-based and slag-based GPC systems against OPC concrete, emphasizing the factors influencing their mechanical and durability properties, while also distinguishing differences in environmental impact, microstructural development, and overall performance. The findings highlight that slag-based systems generally exhibit lower environmental impacts, especially in energy demand and emissions, while regional differences in precursor availability constrain how widely the LCA and economic results can be applied. Building on previous reviews that have considered these topics, this study jointly examines technical performance and sustainability indicators and identifies regional variations that influence feasibility. The synthesis provides a balanced, evidence-based assessment of the potential and limitations of GPC as a lower-carbon alternative to OPC, supporting efforts to reduce the climate impact of future concrete construction. Full article

Background: Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly of vitamin D, vitamin B12, and iron, are prevalent worldwide and contribute significantly to morbidity. In Saudi Arabia, these deficiencies are increasingly recognised as public health challenges, yet comprehensive data on prevalence, risk factors, and public awareness remain limited. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of laboratory-confirmed deficiency and testing for vitamin D, vitamin B12, and iron among adults in Saudi Arabia; to identify associated sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical factors; and to assess public knowledge and attitudes regarding micronutrient status. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2025 among adults residing in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire covering demographics, lifestyle, chronic disease history, laboratory testing and supplementation, and knowledge and perceptions regarding micronutrient deficiency. Descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and network analysis were used to identify associations and patterns. Results: A total of 1652 participants were included (52.6% female; mean age 41.3 ± 10.2 years). The prevalence of laboratory-confirmed deficiency was 7.6% for vitamin D, 5.5% for vitamin B12, and 7.0% for iron. Most participants had never been tested for these micronutrients. Vitamin D deficiency was significantly associated with gender, age, education, marital status, physical inactivity, and the presence of chronic conditions. Similar patterns were observed for vitamin B12 and iron. Public knowledge was primarily sourced from social media and internet sites; 38.1% of participants considered vitamin deficiency a public health concern, and 96.4% supported awareness campaigns. Conclusions: Micronutrient deficiencies remain common and under-recognised among adults in Saudi Arabia. There is a critical need to improve public awareness, expand routine laboratory testing, and develop targeted interventions to address identified risk groups and knowledge gaps. Our study is the first study to investigate the status of three key micronutrients (vitamin D, vitamin B12, and iron) in a single large sample. We also employed network to explore the complex factors associated with micronutrient deficiencies. Full article

In line with UNESCO’s Historic Urban Landscape approach, this study highlights the need for integrative tools that connect heritage conservation with broader urban development dynamics, balancing preservation and growth. While several machine-learning models have been applied to analyse the drivers of urban change, there remains a need for comparative analyses that assess their strengths, limitations, and potential for combined applications tailored to specific contexts. This study aims to compare the predictive accuracy of three land-use change models (Random Forest, Logistic Regression, and Recursive Partitioning Regression Trees) in estimating the probability of land-use transitions, as well as their interpretative capacity to identify the main factors driving these changes. Using data from the Bellavista neighborhood in Tomé, Chile, the models were assessed through prediction and performance metrics, probability maps, and an analysis of key driving factors. The results underscore the potential of integrating predictive (Random Forest) and interpretative (Logistic Regression and Recursive Partitioning Regression Trees) approaches to support heritage planning. Specifically, the research demonstrates how these models can be effectively combined by leveraging their respective strengths: employing Random Forest for spatial simulations, Logistic Regression for identifying associative factors, and Recursive Partitioning Regression Trees for generating intuitive decision rules. Overall, the study shows that land-use change models constitute valuable tools for managing urban transformation in heritage urban areas of intermediate cities. Full article

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has revolutionized the management of early upper gastrointestinal (GI) carcinomas. While technically demanding, it offers, in experienced hands, definitive local therapy for early GI neoplasia by allowing complete En bloc resection of mucosal and superficially invasive neoplasms, thus enabling precise histopathological risk stratification and organ preservation. Appropriate patient selection relies on meticulous endoscopic assessment using high-definition and image-enhanced endoscopy to define lesion boundaries and predict invasion depth. The principal indications include high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and early carcinomas without endoscopic evidence of deep submucosal invasion or lymph node metastasis risk factors. Pathological analysis of the resection specimens includes histological typing and grading per WHO classification and precise assessment of invasion depth—in case of submucosal invasion measurement in micrometers—and evaluation of margin status and lymphovascular invasion. The presence of risk factors such as deep invasion in the submucosa, poor differentiation, or lymphovascular invasion may require additional surgery, guided by validated risk scores such as the eCura system. This narrative review summarizes current clinical and pathological practices for ESD in upper GI lesions. This includes the discussion of technical and biological challenges and the need of accurate assessment of risk factors for systemic metastatic spread and local recurrence as a limitation for this sophisticated but highly effective therapeutic method. Full article

Background: A key barrier to realizing the full potential and long-term collection of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) is the limited understanding of user experience (UX) factors that influence sustained patient engagement with digital PRO tools. Most existing research focuses on disease-specific or country-specific solutions, leaving a gap in identifying shared UX determinants that could inform scalable, cross-disease European digital health frameworks. This fragmentation hinders interoperability and increases development costs by requiring separate tools for each context. This case study aims to address this gap by identifying key UX features that optimize PRO collection across diverse chronic conditions in Europe within the Health Outcomes Observatory project, enhancing continuous (primary use) and large-scale (secondary use) data collection. Objective: This study aimed to identify and analyze key UX factors that support adoption and sustained use of PRO collection tools among patients with chronic diseases across multiple European countries. Methods: Patient focus groups were conducted in four chronic disease areas: cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and diabetes (type I and II) across six European countries. Participants were recruited purposively through national patient advisory boards to ensure diversity in age, gender, and disease type. Sessions were moderated by trained qualitative researchers following a standardized guide, and discussions were transcribed verbatim and coded in researcher pairs to ensure intercoder reliability through iterative consensus. A modified thematic analysis, guided deductively by the UX Honeycomb model and inductively by emergent themes, was used to identify cross-disease UX determinants. Results: In total, 17 patients and patient representatives participated (76% female; 4 diabetes, 6 IBD and 7 cancer). We identified six core UX factors driving patient engagement for all disease groups: compatibility with other technologies, direct communication with the care team, personalization, ability to share data, the need for educational material and data protection were identified as key aspects of PRO technologies. However, the customizability of the app is crucial. Not all disease groups had the same needs, and participants specifically requested that the app provide information relevant to their own condition. Disease-specific needs, like T1D patients desiring glucose monitoring integration, were identified. IBD patients highlighted flare detection abilities and cancer patients especially sought side-effect comparisons. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that a unified yet customizable PRO platform can address shared UX needs across diseases, improving patient engagement and data quality. Incorporating features such as seamless data transfer, personalization, feedback, and strong privacy measures can foster trust and long-term adoption across European contexts. In addition to some disease-specific issues, most needs for the backbone of the app were shared among the disease areas. This shows that a shared app between diseases might be preferable and, in case of comorbidities, could ease self-management for patients. Last, to ensure full potential for every user and every disease, customization is crucial. Full article

The gut microbiota plays an essential role in human health through its contributions to immune regulation, metabolism, pathogen defence and disease susceptibility. Despite this significance, most gut microbiome research remains disproportionately focused on high-income countries, resulting in a limited and underrepresented view of global microbial diversity. This bias is evident in Africa, where populations, including those in South Africa, show unique combinations of genetic variation, dietary patterns and environmental exposures that are insufficiently captured in current datasets but offer opportunities to uncover novel insights into microbial evolution and its influences on health across diverse settings. In response to this gap, this review synthesises global patterns in gut microbiota composition and diversity while situating South African findings within this broader context. We examine evidence across microbial domains, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, archaea, protozoa and helminths, and highlight the impact of dietary transitions and environmental exposures on microbial community structure. Although still emerging, research on the gut microbiome of South African populations consistently reports contrasts between rural and urban populations, with rural groups enriched in fibre-fermenting and anti-inflammatory taxa, whereas urban communities often exhibit reduced diversity and features of dysbiosis linked to Westernisation. However, limited sample sizes, heterogeneous methodologies and absence of multi-omic approaches constrain robust interpretation. These lacunae in current knowledge emphasise the urgent need for large-scale, longitudinal studies that reflect South Africa’s demographic and geographic diversity. Strengthening this evidence will not only help identify microbial signatures linked to modifiable lifestyle factors but will also guide nutrition, prevention and screening programmes to improve health in African populations. Full article

Background: The widespread use of antibiotics in dentistry has become a significant driver of the global rise in antibiotic resistance, posing serious risks to both oral and overall health. Objectives: This study aims to review antibiotic use in dentistry, elucidates the mechanisms of resistance development, identifies contributing factors, and discusses strategies to mitigate this growing global health threat. Methods: This narrative review examines current patterns of antibiotic prescribing in dentistry and evaluates evidence showing that antibiotics, although essential for preventing and managing odontogenic infections, are often prescribed unnecessarily or inappropriately. Results: The analysis highlights the growing resistance of key oral pathogens such as Streptococcus spp., Enterococcus faecalis, and Porphyromonas gingivalis, which increasingly limits the effectiveness of conventional treatments. Factors contributing to this trend include inconsistent adherence to clinical guidelines, patient pressure, and insufficient awareness of antibiotics stewardship among dental professionals. To address these challenges, the review emphasizes the importance of evidence-based prescription, strengthened stewardship programs, and the development of alternative therapies, including host-modulating agents and bacteriophage applications. Ongoing education and professional development are equally vital to enhance clinical judgment and promote responsible prescribing habits. Conclusions: Overcoming antibiotic resistance in dentistry requires coordinated effort among clinicians, researchers, educators, and policymakers. Expanding surveillance, enforcing stewardship-driven policies, and supporting innovation in therapeutic research are key to reducing antibiotic misuse and preserving their effectiveness. Through collective commitment and informed practice, the dental profession can play a crucial role in protecting antibiotic efficacy and promoting sustainable, high-quality patient care. Full article