Search Results (422)

This paper creates a global similarity network between city-level dialects of English in order to determine whether external factors like the amount of population contact or language contact influence dialect similarity. While previous computational work has focused on external influences that contribute to phonological or lexical similarity, this paper focuses on grammatical variation as operationalized in computational construction grammar. Social media data was used to create comparable English corpora from 256 cities across 13 countries. Each sample is represented using the type frequency of various constructions. These frequency representations are then used to calculate pairwise similarities between city-level dialects; a prediction-based evaluation shows that these similarity values are highly accurate. Linguistic similarity is then compared with four external factors: (i) the amount of air travel between cities, a proxy for population contact, (ii) the difference in the linguistic landscapes of each city, a proxy for language contact, (iii) the geographic distance between cities, and (iv) the presence of political boundaries separating cities. The results show that, while all these factors are significant, the best model relies on language contact and geographic distance. Full article

High-rise construction presents heightened safety risks due to vertical complexity, spatial constraints, and workforce variability. Conventional safety management often proves insufficient, especially in rapidly urbanizing or resource-limited settings. This study proposes a hybrid methodological framework to systematically identify and prioritize the critical factors influencing occupational safety in Vietnamese high-rise construction projects. Based on 181 valid survey responses from construction professionals, 23 observed variables were developed through extensive literature review and expert consultation. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was employed to empirically group 23 validated indicators into five key latent dimensions: (1) Safety Training and Inspection, (2) Employer’s Knowledge and Responsibility, (3) Worker’s Competence and Compliance, (4) Working Conditions and Environment, and (5) Safety Equipment and Signage. These dimensions were then structured into an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) model, with pairwise comparisons conducted by industry experts to calculate consistency ratios and derive factor weights across three high-rise project case studies. The findings provide actionable insights for construction managers, safety professionals, and policymakers in developing and underdeveloped countries, supporting data-driven decision-making for safer and more sustainable urban development. Full article

The arid-hot valleys of Sichuan Province contain extensive engineered gravel deposits, where ecological restoration has become the predominant remediation strategy. Accelerating vegetation recovery and continuously improving productivity are important prerequisites for the protection of regional biodiversity. We employed fertilization and sowing cultivation to facilitate ecological restoration. We have conducted continuous ecological experiments for two years using the following experimental treatments, covering indigenous soil, adding organic fertilizer, and applying compound fertilizer and organic fertilizer, with six types of sowing established under each soil treatment: monoculture and pairwise mixed cropping utilizing Elymus dahuricus (EDA), Dactylis glomerata (DGL), and Medicago sativa (MSA). Through the analysis of variance and the calculation of effect factors, our results indicated that compound fertilizer and organic fertilizer adding significantly improved vegetation cover and increased aboveground biomass, and the highest productivity was observed in the mixed sowing treatment of EDA and MSA. The effect coefficient model analysis further showed that the combination of EDA and MSA resulted in the highest selection and compensation effects on aboveground productivity. Two potential mechanisms drive enhanced productivity in mixed grasslands: the strengthening of the selection effect via increased legume nitrogen fixation, and the enhancement of the compensation effect through niche differentiation among species. Full article

Background: Intermittent fasting (IF) can improve inflammatory status, but its effects may be dependent on the mode of fasting. Objectives: We performed a systematic review with pairwise and network meta-analyses to investigate the effects of different modes of IF on inflammatory markers in adults. Methods: Three database searches were conducted, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, from inception to June 2024. The searches used two keyword groups: “intermittent fasting” and “inflammatory markers”. Randomized and non-randomized trials investigating any IF mode on inflammatory markers, including interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, C-reactive protein (CRP), leptin, and adiponectin, were included. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated using random effects models for both analyses. Results: A total of 21 studies (839 participants) were included. Compared with controls, IF reduced TNF-α [SMD: −0.31, p = 0.009], CRP [SMD: −0.19, p = 0.04], and leptin [SMD: −0.57, p = 0.005] but did not significantly affect IL-6 or adiponectin. Among the IF modes, time-restricted feeding (TRF) showed the largest reduction in TNF-α [−0.39, p = 0.001]. TRF had the highest probability ranking for changes in IL-6, TNF-α, leptin, and adiponectin; however, the effects on IL-6 and adiponectin were not statistically significant. The 5:2 diet ranked highest for CRP. Conclusions: IF may be an effective dietary therapy for improving some inflammatory markers, with effects potentially influenced by the mode of IF. TRF had the highest rankings across multiple markers, though the findings were not uniformly significant. Additional longer-term trials are needed to fully elucidate the anti-inflammatory potential of IF. Full article

Agrivoltaic (Agri-PV) systems face the critical challenge of balancing photovoltaic energy generation with crop productivity, yet systematic approaches to quantifying the trade-offs between these objectives remain scarce. In this study, we identify nine essential design indicators: panel tilt angle, elevation, photovoltaic coverage ratio, shading factor, land equivalent ratio, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) utilization, crop yield stability index, water use efficiency, and return on investment. We introduce a novel dual matrix Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to evaluate their relative significance. An international panel of eighteen Agri-PV experts, encompassing academia, industry, and policy, provided pairwise comparisons of these indicators under two objectives: maximizing annual energy yield and sustaining crop output. The high consistency observed in expert responses allowed for the derivation of normalized weight vectors, which form the basis of two Weighted Influence Matrices. Analysis of Total Weighted Influence scores from these matrices reveal distinct priority sets: panel tilt, coverage ratio, and elevation are most influential for energy optimization, while PAR utilization, yield stability, and elevation are prioritized for crop productivity. This methodology translates qualitative expert knowledge into quantitative, actionable guidance, clearly delineating both synergies, such as the mutual benefit of increased elevation for energy and crop outcomes, and trade-offs, exemplified by the negative impact of high photovoltaic coverage on crop yield despite gains in energy output. By offering a transparent, expert-driven decision-support tool, this framework enables practitioners to customize Agri-PV system configurations according to local climatic, agronomic, and economic contexts. Ultimately, this approach advances the optimization of the food energy nexus and supports integrated sustainability outcomes in Agri-PV deployment. Full article

The global push for sustainable development has intensified the need for innovative tools to assess and enhance sustainability in the built environment. This study explores the role of materials efficiency (ME) within a nature-inspired sustainability assessment framework, focusing on green building projects in South Africa. Using a nature-based (biomimicry) approach, this study identifies and prioritises key ME criteria such as eco-friendly materials, local sourcing, and responsible processing. The methodology employed the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), with input from 38 carefully sampled construction experts, to rank ME criteria through pairwise comparisons. The findings revealed that eco-friendly materials (29.5%) and locally sourced materials (25.1%) were the highest-weighted factors, with strong expert consensus (CR = 0.01). The study highlights how nature-inspired principles like closed-loop systems and minimal waste can guide sustainable construction aligned with global goals such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The conclusion advocates for integrating ME criteria into green certification systems, industry collaboration, and further research to scale the framework globally. This study bridges biomimicry theory with practical sustainability assessment, offering actionable insights for the built environment. Full article

This study investigates the mechanical properties of LiCoO₂ (LCO) cathode materials under varying states of charge (SOCs) using both an empirical Buckingham potential model and a machine learning-based Deep Potential (DP) model. The results reveal a substantial decrease in Young’s modulus with decreasing SOC. Analysis of stress factors identified pairwise interactions, particularly those involving Co³⁺ and Co⁴⁺, as key drivers of this mechanical evolution. The DP model demonstrated superior performance by providing consistent and reliable predictions reflected in a smooth and monotonic stiffness decrease with SOC, in contrast to the large fluctuations observed in the classical Buckingham potential results. The study further identifies the increasing dominance of Co⁴⁺ interactions at low SOCs as a contributor to localized stress concentrations, which may accelerate crack initiation and mechanical degradation. These findings underscore the DP model’s capability to capture SOC-dependent mechanical behavior accurately, establishing it as a robust tool for modeling battery materials. Moreover, the calculated SOC-dependent mechanical properties can serve as critical input for continuum-scale models, improving their predictive capability for chemo-mechanical behavior and degradation processes. This integrated multiscale modeling approach can offer valuable insights for developing strategies to enhance the durability and performance of lithium-ion battery materials. Full article

Background and Objectives: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury rates remain high and have a significant impact on female football players. This study aims to evaluate knee kinematics and lower limb muscle activity in players at risk of ACL injury compared to healthy players through three side-cutting tests. It also investigates how the amplitude of a change in direction influences stabilization parameters. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional case–control study was conducted with 16 second division female futsal players (23.93 ± 5.16 years), divided into injured (n = 8) and healthy groups (n = 8). Injured players had a history of non-contact knee injury involving valgus collapse, without undergoing surgical intervention. Three change of direction tests, namely the Change of Direction and Acceleration Test (CODAT), Go Back (GOB) test, and Turn (TURN) test, were used for evaluation. The peak and range of knee joint angles and angular velocities across three planes, along with the average rectified and peak envelope EMG signals of the Biceps Femoris (BF), Semitendinosus (ST), Vastus Medialis (VM), and Lateral Gastrocnemius (LG), were recorded during the preparation and load phases. Group differences were analyzed using two-factor mixed-model ANOVA with pairwise comparisons. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Injured players demonstrated lower external tibial rotation angular velocity and a greater range of motion in tibial external rotation compared to healthy players. Additionally, the injured group showed significantly higher average rectified muscle activity in VM and LG both increased by 4% during the load phase. The CODAT and TURN tests elicited higher BF and VM muscle activity, compared to the GOB test. The TURN test also showed greater extension angular velocity in the sagittal plane. Conclusions: The results revealed differences in knee kinematics and muscle activity between players at risk of ACL injury and healthy players, influenced by the amplitude of directional changes. Players altered transverse plane mechanics and increased VM and LG activation during LOAD may reflect a dysfunctional motor pattern, while the greater sagittal plane angular velocity and VM and BF activation from the CODAT and the TURN test highlight their higher potential to replicate ACL injury mechanisms compared to the GOB test. Full article

Background/Objectives: The clinically validated multiplex Oncuria bladder cancer (BC) assay quickly and noninvasively identifies disease risk and tracks treatment success by simultaneously profiling 10 protein biomarkers in voided urine samples. Oncuria uses paramagnetic bead-based fluorescence multiplex technology (xMAP^®; Luminex, Austin, TX, USA) to simultaneously measure 10 protein analytes in urine [angiogenin, apolipoprotein E, carbonic anhydrase IX (CA9), interleukin-8, matrix metalloproteinase-9 and -10, alpha-1 anti-trypsin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, syndecan-1, and vascular endothelial growth factor]. Methods: In a pilot study (N = 36 subjects; 18 with BC), Oncuria performed essentially identically across three different common analyzers (the laser/flow-based FlexMap 3D and 200 systems, and the LED/image-based MagPix system; Luminex). The current study compared Oncuria performance across instrumentation platforms using a larger study population (N = 181 subjects; 51 with BC). Results: All three analyzers assessed all 10 analytes in identical samples with excellent concordance. The percent coefficient of variation (%CV) in protein concentrations across systems was ≤2.3% for 9/10 analytes, with only CA9 having %CVs > 2.3%. In pairwise correlation plot comparisons between instruments for all 10 biomarkers, R² values were 0.999 for 15/30 comparisons and R² ≥ 0.995 for 27/30 comparisons; CA9 showed the greatest variability (R² = 0.948–0.970). Standard curve slopes were statistically indistinguishable for all 10 biomarkers across analyzers. Conclusions: The Oncuria BC assay generates comprehensive urinary protein signatures useful for assisting BC diagnosis, predicting treatment response, and tracking disease progression and recurrence. The equivalent performance of the multiplex BC assay using three popular analyzers rationalizes test adoption by CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) clinical and research laboratories. Full article

Vpr, a virion-associated accessory virulence factor of HIV-1, promotes virus replication in both T cells and macrophages. Although Vpr’s early activity—antagonism of preintegration silencing and host restriction factors—has been documented, the relative contribution of virion-associated versus de novo expressed Vpr to HIV-1 replication fitness remains unclear. Here, we developed a T cell-based system that genetically separates early and late Vpr functions by combining tetracycline-inducible Vpr expression in CEM.SS T cells with vpr-deficient HIV-1 constructs and Gag p6 mutations that block Vpr packaging. CEM.SS T cells have been shown to recapitulate the positive effect of Vpr on HIV-1 replication observed in activated primary T cells. Using pairwise replication fitness assays under spreading infection conditions, we demonstrate that de novo synthesized Vpr exerts the dominant effect on HIV-1 replication in T cells, while virion-associated Vpr plays a lesser role. Somewhat unexpectedly, our findings reveal that antagonism of preintegration HIV-1 silencing by virion-associated Vpr is unlikely to be the major driver of enhanced HIV-1 replication in proliferating T cells. Instead, this function may play a more prominent role in the infection of non-dividing T cells and/or other cell types. Full article

Floral ontogeny in soybean (Glycine max) is governed by multilayered regulatory hierarchies that integrate phytohormonal cues with precisely choreographed gene-expression programs. Yet, the transcriptomic architecture underpinning this continuum remains only partially resolved. Here, we generated a strand-specific, high-depth temporal transcriptome atlas of soybean inflorescences spanning four morphologically defined stadiums (Stadium 0–Stadium 3). We detected transcriptional activity for 60,889 loci; pairwise stadium contrasts revealed 4000–7000 differentially expressed genes, with the most extensive reprogramming coinciding with the onset of anthesis (Stadium 2). Unsupervised clustering delineated ~600 genes peaking at the pre-anthesis phase (Stadium 1), a cohort enriched for transcriptional regulators and floral organ-identity determinants. Stadium-resolved gene-set enrichment and KEGG mapping uncovered dynamic modulation of canonical hormone-signaling pathways—including auxin, cytokinin, gibberellin, abscisic acid, ethylene, jasmonate, and salicylate circuits—reflecting shifting developmental priorities. Forty-five MADS-box transcription factor genes were expressed; notably, JOINTLESS was strongly induced at anthesis, while the root-predominant factor GmNMH7 exhibited unexpected floral expression, implicating a hitherto unappreciated role in reproductive development. Quantitative RT-PCR of representative loci corroborated RNA-seq measurements. This high-resolution atlas refines our understanding of the hormonal and genetic circuitry of soybean floral morphogenesis, furnishing molecular targets for engineering flowering time and inflorescence architecture under fluctuating environmental conditions. Full article

Malawi’s Blantyre City faces escalating waste management challenges due to increased urbanization and inadequate waste collection services. This research utilized remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) techniques to map potential illegal dump sites (PIDSs). MODIS and Sentinel-5P satellite imagery and GPS locations of dumpsites were used to extract environmental and spatial variables, including land surface temperature (LST), the enhanced vegetation index (EVI), Formaldehyde (HCHO), and distances from highways, rivers, and official dumps. An analytical hierarchical process (AHP) pairwise comparison matrix was used to assign weights for the six-factor variables. Further, fuzzy logic was applied, and weighted overlay analysis was used to generate the PIDS map. The results indicated that 10.27% of the study area has a “very high” probability of illegal dumping, while only 2% exhibited a “very low” probability. Validation with field data showed that the GIS and RS were effective, as about 89% of the illegal dumping sites were identified. Zonal statistics identified rivers as the most significant contributor to PIDS identification. The findings of this study underscore the significance of mapping PIDS in low-resource regions like Blantyre, Malawi, where inadequate waste management and illegal dumping are prevalent. Future studies should consider additional factors and account for seasonal variations. Full article

Delays in road construction projects pose significant challenges in the Philippines, resulting in increased costs, project overruns, and unmet infrastructure goals. Common causes include poor financial management, inadequate subcontractor performance, deficient planning, and regulatory bottlenecks. This study aims to develop a comprehensive and data-driven framework to mitigate construction delays using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The methodology integrates literature review, expert surveys, and pairwise comparisons to identify and prioritize critical delay factors. Experts from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), private contractors, and academia contributed to the AHP model. The results highlight seven major factor groups: client-related, contractor-related, consultant-related, materials, labor and equipment, contractual issues, and external influences. AHP analysis identified financial management, planning and scheduling, and regulatory coordination as the most impactful causes. Based on these findings, a strategic framework was developed and visualized using a Fishbone Diagram to present mitigation strategies tailored to each factor. While environmental engineering principles—such as material efficiency, energy use optimization, and impact assessments—are acknowledged, they serve as guiding themes rather than formal components of the framework. The study offers practical, stakeholder-validated recommendations for both pre- and post-construction phases, including real-time monitoring, risk anticipation, and improved multi-agency coordination. This framework provides a scalable tool for DPWH and related agencies to improve infrastructure delivery while supporting long-term sustainability goals. Full article

Vertebral Heart Score (VHS) is one of the commonly used methods for detecting cardiomegaly in dogs. However, this method has diagnostic limitations due to factors such as breed variations, orthopedic disorders, anatomical anomalies, and operator-dependent subjectivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of the Manubrium Heart Score (MHS) as an alternative to VHS in the assessment of cardiomegaly in dogs. A total of 490 dogs were classified and grouped based on body weight and cardiac health status. On the right lateral thoracic radiographs, MHS was calculated as the ratio of manubrium length (ML) to the sum of the long-axis heart length (cLAL) and short-axis heart length (cSAL). Similarly, VHS was determined. A positive correlation between VHS and MHS, as well as between ML and cSAL/cLAL, were observed in all groups except for the group of medium sized dogs with heart diseases. No correlations were found between MHS and LA or the LA/Ao ratio. In pairwise comparisons of VHS and MHS between heart-diseased and healthy dogs, the mean VHS showed a statistically significant difference in heart-diseased dogs (p < 0.001), and not across all groups (p > 0.05). MHS may not consider a useful method as an alternative to VHS. Full article

Hydrogen is a potential source of imminent clean energy in the future, with its transportation playing a crucial role in allowing large-scale deployment. The challenge lies in selecting an effective, sustainable, and scalable transportation alternative. This study develops a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework based on the intuitionistic fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (IF-AHP) to evaluate land-based hydrogen transportation alternatives across Canada. The framework includes uncertainty and decision-maker hesitation through the application of triangular intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (TIFNs). Seven factors, their subsequent thirty-three subfactors, and three alternatives to hydrogen transportation were identified through a literature review. Pairwise comparison was aggregated among factors, subfactors, and alternatives from three decision makers using an intuitionistic fuzzy weighted average, and priority weights were computed using entropy-based weight. The results show that safety and economic efficiency emerged as the most influential factors in the evaluation of hydrogen transportation alternatives, followed by environmental impact, security, and social impact and public health in ascending order. Among the alternatives, tube truck transport obtained the highest overall weight (0.3551), followed by pipelines (0.3272) and rail lines (0.3251). The findings suggest that the tube ruck is currently the most feasible transport option for land-based hydrogen distribution that aims to provide a transition of Canada’s energy mix. Full article