Search Results (59,052)

While artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the healthcare sector, it is important to assess readiness for AI integration to properly prepare healthcare professionals, particularly in countries where clinical AI systems have not yet been implemented in primary healthcare. This qualitative study explores healthcare professionals’ perceptions of the future use of Artificial Intelligence in Greek Primary Healthcare settings. Two focus groups were conducted with 18 Primary Health Care professionals working in a health center and a local primary healthcare unit (TOMY) in Greece. Thematic analysis identified six major themes: potential uses, challenges and risks, ethical concerns, readiness and training needs, trust factors, and AI impact on professional roles and skills. Future research should focus on developing training programs, establishing ethical and regulatory frameworks, and examining the long-term impact of Artificial Intelligence on professional roles, skills, and interprofessional collaboration in Primary Healthcare. Full article

Soil biological activity integrates microbial processes involved in organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling, yet its long-term response under agricultural systems in Paraguay remains poorly documented. This study evaluated soil biological activity in a 32-year field experiment in the Eastern Region of Paraguay, comparing cropping systems differing in tillage intensity and crop rotation diversification. Soil samples from the 0–20 cm layer were analyzed for microbial biomass carbon (MBC), β-glucosidase (BG), urease (URE), acid phosphatase (AP), arylsulfatase (ARS), soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), and pH. Our results revealed that BG, URE, and AP increased under no-tillage, particularly in the most diversified no-tillage rotation, with 71%, 90%, and 51% higher activities, respectively, than conventional tillage. MBC and ARS were not significantly affected by cropping systems. Principal component analysis, Spearman correlations, and Mantel analysis indicated that enzymatic responses were associated with SOC, TN, P, S, and pH, linking soil biological activity with chemical attributes related to nutrient cycling. These findings show that diversified no-tillage strengthens soil biological functioning under representative Paraguayan grain-production conditions, providing long-term local evidence to guide soil-health management, crop diversification strategies, and more sustainable agricultural systems in the region. Full article

Global warming has become a core challenge for human society. This study adopted the global surface temperature anomaly dataset from 1891 to 2023 released by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). Multiple quantitative methods, including Sen’s slope estimation, Modified Mann–Kendall (MMK) test with pre-whitening, Pettitt test and GIS spatial analysis, were comprehensively applied to investigate the long-term climate change trends and regional response characteristics across the globe and China. The results indicated that the global warming rate reached 0.0802 °C per decade, while the warming rate of China was 0.1139 °C per decade, which is 42.0% higher than the global average level. Both global and Chinese temperature changes experienced three evolutionary stages, namely slow growth period, stagnation period and accelerated warming period, with an abrupt turning point occurring during 1979–1980, which was closely linked to the phase transition of Pacific Decadal Oscillation and atmospheric circulation adjustment. Obvious spatial differentiation characteristics of climate warming were identified in China, with a more rapid warming trend in northern and inland regions and a relatively slow warming rate in southern and coastal areas. Since 1980, regional accelerated warming has been driven by both anthropogenic activities and natural climate variability. The research findings can provide solid scientific support for formulating regional climate adaptation strategies and promoting collaborative global climate governance. Full article

The increasing demand for sustainable energy and efficient wastewater treatment has driven interest in single-chamber microbial fuel cells (SCMFCs) as integrated systems for bioelectricity generation and waste remediation. This study evaluates untreated agro-industrial byproduct olive mill wastewater (OMW) as a substrate in SCMFCs. It investigates the performance of activated biochar derived from olive pomace coated on stainless-steel mesh (ACB/SSM) as a low-cost cathode material. A synthetic media was used as a control. Electrochemical performance was assessed using voltage profiles, polarization analysis, power density, chemical oxygen demand (COD%) removal, and coulombic efficiency (CE%). The synthetic media achieved higher peak voltage (0.647 ± 0.026 V) and power density (46.05 mW m⁻²), whereas OMW showed more stable voltage output and lower internal resistance. OMW exhibited superior initial COD removal (74%) and a gradual increase in CE% up to 63% over successive cycles. In contrast, synthetic media exhibited a consistent COD% of 64%; its CE% removal improved to 61%. These results demonstrate that, despite lower peak power, OMW provides a more stable and sustainable substrate for long-term SCMFC operation. The use of waste-derived biochar cathodes further enhances system feasibility by reducing cost and supporting circular economy principles. This study highlights the potential of OMW-based SCMFCs as a practical approach for simultaneous wastewater treatment and renewable energy recovery. Full article

The development of highly efficient, stable, and cost-effective non-precious metal electrocatalysts to replace conventional platinum-based materials holds profound significance for accelerating the commercialization of advanced energy conversion devices, such as zinc–air batteries (ZABs). Herein, we propose a facile and highly efficient strategy to prepare a defect-rich, highly active nitrogen-doped porous carbon-based electrocatalyst (denoted U-Fe-N-C, urea-assisted iron–nitrogen–carbon material), via high-temperature co-pyrolysis of heme with urea. Our results demonstrate that urea not only serves as an excellent nitrogen source during pyrolysis, introducing abundant topological defects and heteroatom doping sites, but also induces the carbon substrate to form a hierarchical sponge-like porous structure with a high specific surface area. This unique microenvironment effectively prevents the agglomeration of iron species at high temperatures, achieving enhanced dispersion of iron species stabilized within the nitrogen-rich carbon matrix. Electrochemical evaluations reveal that under the optimal synthesis conditions (a precursor mass ratio of 1:3, calcination at 900 °C), U-Fe-N-C exhibits excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalytic performance, delivering a half-wave potential of 0.731 V vs. RHE, and shows long-term operational durability that significantly surpasses that of commercial Pt/C. Furthermore, liquid rechargeable zinc–air batteries assembled with U-Fe-N-C as the air cathode deliver remarkable cycling stability, operating for up to 270 h of charge–discharge cycling without noticeable performance degradation. This study not only provides useful insights into the mechanisms of pore formation and assistance but also offers a practical perspective for the rational design and scalable synthesis of high-performance metal–nitrogen–carbon (M-N-C) electrocatalysts. Full article

The molecular coordination between the central nervous system and peripheral organs is fundamental to euryhalinity. This study elucidates the distinct adaptive strategies of the brain and gills in the four-finger threadfin (Eleutheronema tetradactylum), an aquaculture species of growing importance, during long-term (30-day) acclimation to low salinity (5 versus 25 control). A profound dichotomy in tissue-specific plasticity was uncovered: while the brain maintained remarkable transcriptional stability with only 10 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), the gills underwent extensive remodeling with 702 DEGs. Gill DEGs were functionally enriched in ion transport and metabolic remodeling, highlighted by the significant upregulation of the Na⁺-Cl⁻ cotransporter (slc12a10) and the prolactin receptor (prlr), coupled with a profound downregulation (log2FC = −5.97) of aquaporin-1 (aqp1). This indicates a concerted strategy to enhance ion uptake while minimizing water permeability. In contrast, the brain’s subtle response was dominated by the upregulation of key neuroendocrine hormones, including growth hormone (gh), prolactin (prl), and pro-opiomelanocortin (pomc). This suggests a top-down regulatory cascade. Integrative pathway analysis identified the PI3K-Akt and JAK-STAT signaling pathways as the primary conduits linking central hormonal signals to peripheral physiological adjustments. These results demonstrate that the euryhalinity of E. tetradactylum is achieved through a highly efficient strategy: a transcriptionally stable brain provides precise endocrine commands that orchestrate robust peripheral remodeling in the gills. This study deciphers the molecular basis of the brain–gill axis in osmoregulation and provides a rich repository of candidate genes for the genetic improvement of low salinity tolerance in aquaculture. Full article

In response to the current limitation where conventional constant volume combustion apparatuses are generally confined to pressure ratings of 5–20 MPa, insufficient for the demands of ultra-high-pressure combustion fundamental research, this study designs and verifies a high-pressure-resistant constant volume combustion apparatus with a rated working pressure of 250 MPa. The strength design and safety factor calculation for the combustion chamber main body were conducted based on the Lame thick-walled cylinder elastic theory. A finite element numerical simulation method was systematically employed to perform static analysis, transient impact response analysis, and high-cycle fatigue-life assessment of the key components of the apparatus. The results indicate that under a 250 MPa design internal pressure load, the maximum circumferential stress at the inner wall of the combustion chamber main body is 328.0 MPa, with a safety factor greater than 1.5, complying with relevant safety codes for high-pressure vessels. Under transient loading simulating combustion impact, the maximum equivalent stress of all structural components is below the material yield strength, with a maximum elastic deformation of less than 0.06 mm, demonstrating excellent structural stiffness and impact resistance. Fatigue assessment with a design-life target of 1.0 × 10⁶ pressure cycles shows that the cumulative damage values for all components are significantly less than 1.0, meeting the reliability requirements for long-term cyclic service. This apparatus integrates functional modules such as high-pressure precision gas mixing, high-energy reliable ignition, high-speed transient parameter acquisition, and safe product collection, providing a stable, controllable, and safe experimental platform for in-depth research on the combustion mechanisms of gaseous fuels under ultra-high-pressure conditions. Full article

This article examines the medium to long-term enrollment patterns of an AI-based platform designed to support children in learning robotics and participating in a national robotics competition in Romania. Drawing on registration and participation data covering students and teachers across urban and rural schools between 2020 and 2025, the study documents a consistent pattern: an initial period of high enrollment and rapid adoption followed by a steady decline over time. A key feature of the initiative is that hardware, platform access, and learning resources were provided entirely free of charge, allowing cost-related explanations for the decline to be set aside and structural and human factors to be examined directly. The paper makes two primary contributions. First, it proposes a System Dynamics framework grounded in innovation diffusion theory as a first-generation calibration model for understanding AI-enabled educational robotics adoption in a resource-constrained national context. The model is designed to be progressively tested and refined as anonymized aggregate data accumulates, and it relies exclusively on anonymized aggregated public data in accordance with GDPR requirements. Second, it advances the hypothesis that an AI-based educational platform, even one from which all financial barriers have been removed, will experience sustained enrollment decline in the absence of adequate human teacher involvement. The empirical trajectory and model outputs are consistent with this hypothesis and motivate further investigation. This represents a hypothesis-generating and framework-building paper. The framework reveals pronounced urban-rural disparities and differential outcomes by age of entry. All findings are presented as model-generated hypotheses rather than empirically demonstrated conclusions. The paper invites researchers gathering comparable data from similar initiatives in other countries to collaborate in testing and refining the model. The central conclusion is cautiously optimistic: AI may support robotics education adoption, but it is not a substitute for dedicated teachers, and without sustained investment in human capital, even a financially accessible platform is insufficient to maintain long-term enrollments. Full article

Introduction: The goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of combined artificial aging protocols on the surface roughness and Vickers microhardness of bulk-fill resin composites, compared with a nanofilled composite used as a reference. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 cylindrical specimens were prepared from three bulk-fill composites (Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill, Filtek One Bulk Fill, Venus Bulk Fill) and one nanofilled composite (Filtek Supreme Ultra). Specimens were allocated into three aging conditions: mechanical wear (A), mechanical wear combined with pH-cycling (B), and mechanical wear combined with thermocycling (C). Surface roughness (Ra) and Vickers microhardness (VHN) were evaluated at two time points (T1: 120,000 cycles; T2: 240,000 cycles). Non-parametric statistical tests were applied (α = 0.05). Results: Aging protocols significantly influenced both Ra and VHN (p < 0.05). Overall, higher surface roughness and lower Vickers microhardness values were observed after cumulative aging, with material-dependent variations between T1 and T2. The greatest post-aging differences were observed under combined mechanical wear and pH-cycling (subgroup B), whereas mechanical wear alone showed the lowest changes. Filtek One Bulk Fill and Filtek Supreme Ultra showed more favorable post-aging Ra and VHN values, whereas Venus Bulk Fill showed less favorable post-aging surface properties. No significant correlation was found between Ra and VHN (rho = −0.009; p = 0.958). Conclusions: Combined aging conditions significantly affected the surface roughness and Vickers microhardness of resin composites, with the greatest post-aging differences observed under acidic challenges. Bulk-fill materials exhibit variable resistance depending on composition, emphasizing the importance of material selection for long-term clinical performance. Clinical relevance: Composite restorations exposed to combined mechanical and acidic challenges may show altered surface roughness and microhardness, highlighting the need for materials with enhanced resistance in high-risk oral environments. Full article

Particulate emerging contaminants (PECs) pose increasing ecological risks due to their widespread occurrence and complex environmental behaviors, yet their heterogeneous toxic mechanisms remain poorly understood, especially under environmentally relevant conditions and concentration gradients. Here, Chlorella vulgaris was used as a model organism to systematically compare the effects of polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNPs), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂NPs) across environmentally relevant and elevated concentrations (100 μg/L and 10 mg/L). Distinct toxicity pathways were identified among PEC types. PSNPs primarily induced chronic interference via particle–cell interactions, heteroaggregation, sedimentation-driven shading, and extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) regulation, rather than ROS-dominated toxicity. In contrast, AgNPs exhibited transformation-driven toxicity, undergoing intracellular speciation into Ag₂S, AgCl, and Ag⁺, which triggered oxidative stress, membrane damage, and lipid peroxidation. TiO₂NPs showed relatively high bioavailability and persistent oxidative stress effects. These results demonstrate that PEC toxicity evolves with particle type and concentration. Importantly, oxidative stress alone is insufficient to capture PEC ecotoxicity, which also involves the long-term impacts on algal behavior, sedimentation dynamics, and energy metabolism. This study provides mechanistic insights into PEC-induced algal toxicity and supports the source-oriented management of particulate pollutants in aquatic environments, particularly in hotspot scenarios such as wastewater discharge and sediment resuspension. Full article

Climate models suggest that longer dry periods and heavier rainfall events may occur in arid and semiarid regions, which may greatly affect plant growth and propagation in these regions. Numerous studies have documented the relationship between grassland productivity and precipitation. However, the interactive effects of rainfall amount and rainfall frequency on the growth of perennial grasses with rhizomatous propagation, especially on clonal growth, have not yet been studied. In this study, the effects of three rainfall amounts and two rainfall frequencies on the vegetative traits and clonal growth traits of Leymus chinensis, a perennial rhizomatous species, were examined. Rainfall amount and rainfall frequency exhibited a significant interaction only for the root biomass ratio between the 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm soil layers. All traits (including height, aboveground biomass, root biomass, rhizome number, rhizome length, bud bank size, and daughter shoot number) increased markedly with increasing rainfall amount but showed little response to rainfall frequency. Only the root biomass in the 20–40 cm soil layer increased with an extended dry period between two rainfall events, resulting in a lower root biomass ratio between the 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm soil layers under the medium and high rainfall amount treatments. The size of the belowground bud bank was positively correlated with the daughter shoot number as well as the aboveground biomass, and the positive relationship between the bud bank size and daughter shoot number was strengthened with increasing rainfall amount, but was not sensitive to rainfall frequency. However, lower rainfall frequency significantly decreased the rhizome number per plant. These results highlight that summer rainfall amount is more important than rainfall frequency for the population growth of L. chinensis at medium and high rainfall amounts, and that lower rainfall frequency may reduce the long-term clonal growth ability of L. chinensis in the future. Our findings reveal the response mechanisms of L. chinensis productivity to climate change from the novel perspective of bud banks, which provides practical management insights for artificially established L. chinensis grasslands. This study also offers important implications for elucidating the contributions of belowground biomass production to soil carbon sequestration in grassland ecosystems. Full article

Using data from the 41 companies listed on the Borsa Istanbul Sustainability Index between 2020 and 2024, this study examines the relationship between board characteristics, concentrated ownership structure, shareholder activism and sustainability transparency. Reports published on a voluntary basis were subjected to content analysis based on criteria selected from the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, and a sustainability disclosure score was calculated. The relationship between board characteristics, concentrated ownership structure, shareholder activism, financial metrics identified as control variables, and sustainability scores was evaluated via robust random effects (static) and System Generalized Method of Moments (System GMM) (dynamic) panel data estimators. According to the static estimation results, board meeting frequency and the ratio of female members serve as positive drivers for sustainability transparency. In the dynamic model estimates, these governance mechanisms lose their explanatory power and show no statistically observable effect. However, across both methodological approaches, firm size, which was integrated as a control factor, consistently demonstrates a robust positive correlation with levels of disclosure. These findings reveal that governance mechanisms such as the percentage of female members and meeting frequency have a short-term and marginal effect, but structural factors such as company size are the main determinants for a long-term and sustainable level of transparency in Türkiye. Consequently, market regulators should deploy policy frameworks that incentivize disclosure trajectories aligned with international frameworks while fostering voluntary reporting. Concurrently, corporate managers should look beyond mere statutory compliance and continuously embrace extensive global reporting standards. Full article

Superhydrophobic materials offer promising prospects for utilization in energy, environmental, and related fields. However, their long-term stability in natural environments is constrained by factors such as mechanical wear and aging, which compromise their practical effectiveness and service life. While notable experimental results have been obtained worldwide, scalable application remains limited by the complexity of the requisite fabrication processes. In this study, a durable superhydrophobic coating was developed through a facile one-step process, utilizing a polyaspartic ester (PAE) matrix reinforced with a composite of self-synthesized fluorinated silica (F-SiO₂) and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) micro-/nano-structures. This strategy effectively enhanced filler dispersion within the resin matrix and promoted hydrophobicity, yielding a stable superhydrophobic surface. The resulting coating exhibits significant potential for scalable application. The optimized coating demonstrated a water contact angle of 161.2° and a roll-off angle of 7.6°, showing excellent repellency to water, corrosive liquids, and fluids across a wide pH range, along with remarkable self-cleaning performance. Benefiting from the synergistic enhancement of h-BN and F-SiO₂, the coating also exhibits superior mechanical durability, maintaining a contact angle of 144.4° after 1000 abrasion cycles. Furthermore, in low-temperature anti-icing tests, the coating significantly delayed ice formation on its surface. Notably, after 1000 h of UV aging tests, the F-SiO₂@BN/PAE coating retained its intact superhydrophobic structure, with the water contact angle only slightly decreasing from 159.6° to 152.8°, still within an excellent superhydrophobic state, demonstrating outstanding weather resistance. By integrating surface functionalization with mechanical reliability through a facile one-step fabrication process, this study provides significant insights for the large-scale application of hydrophobic materials in the energy and transportation sectors. Full article

This study assessed the level of service quality satisfaction among customers of carpentry technicians in Cabadbaran City, with emphasis on ten service dimensions: craftsmanship, timeliness, communication, durability, price transparency, customer service, design collaboration, reputation, and after-sales service. Employing a descriptive research design, data were collected through a self-constructed questionnaire administered to customers who had previously availed of carpentry services in the city. Results indicated that overall satisfaction across all dimensions was generally positive, as reflected in customers’ agreement ratings. However, notable gaps were identified that suggest areas for improvement. Craftsmanship and timeliness emerged as the most critical concerns, with respondents citing inconsistent job quality and delays in project completion. Issues of customization and durability were also highlighted, as some customers reported limited flexibility in design options and doubts about the long-term sturdiness of products. Communication shortcomings, particularly in providing project updates and explaining processes, further affected satisfaction. Design collaboration raised concerns as several customers felt excluded from important design decisions. After-sales service received mixed evaluations, with limited follow-up once projects were completed. Price transparency was another issue, with participants expressing the need for clearer cost breakdowns and greater value for money. Reputation was considered moderately satisfactory but inconsistent due to varying customer experiences. Overall, the study emphasizes the need for carpentry technicians to strengthen critical service quality dimensions to better meet customer expectations, improve satisfaction, and enhance the sustainability of their services. Full article

Introduction: The Melody transcatheter pulmonary valve (TPV) was the first percutaneous bioprosthetic valve approved for transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation (TPVI). We report our single-centre experience with Melody TPV implantation in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods: This retrospective observational single-centre study included all patients evaluated in the catheterization laboratory for Melody TPV implantation. Early outcomes included procedural failure, life-threatening adverse events, and mortality. Long-term outcomes assessed during follow-up included infective endocarditis, transcatheter reintervention, and surgical reintervention. Results: Between 2015 and 2025, 50 consecutive patients were evaluated for TPVI with the Melody TPV at our institution. In four patients (8%), the procedure was aborted because of coronary artery compression detected during balloon interrogation of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). One patient (2%) died of septic shock following acute pulmonary oedema in the immediate post-procedural period. The remaining 45 patients (90%) underwent successful Melody TPV implantation and were discharged from hospital. In six patients, the Melody TPV was implanted off-label: in the tricuspid position (n = 2) and in small conduits (<16 mm) (n = 4). Mean follow-up duration was 5.8 ± 3.6 years. One patient was lost to follow-up. Among the remaining 44 patients, seven (15.9%; 2.7% per patient-year) developed infective endocarditis, seven (15.9%; 2.7% per patient-year) underwent transcatheter reintervention (six balloon dilatations of the Melody valve and one valve-in-valve implantation), and four (9.1%; 1.5% per patient-year) required surgical replacement of the Melody TPV. Conclusions: Transcatheter implantation of the Melody TPV is an effective treatment for RVOT dysfunction. At mid-term follow-up, the majority of implanted Melody valves demonstrated satisfactory function, and only a minority of patients required surgical valve replacement. Full article