Search Results (873)

Trachypteris picta (Pallas, 1773) is a significant pest that can cause serious damage to poplars and willows. To assess the impact of climate change on the suitable habitats of T. picta, this study conducted a comparative analysis of its global suitable habitats using climatic factors, global land use type, and global vegetation from different periods, in combination with the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model. The results indicate that the annual mean temperature (Bio01), mean temperature of the coldest quarter (Bio11), precipitation of the coldest quarter (Bio19), and isothermality (Bio03) are the four most important climate variables determining the distribution of T. picta. Under the current climate conditions, the highly suitable areas are primarily located in southern Europe, covering an area of 2.22 × 10⁶ km². Under future climate scenarios, the suitable habitat for T. picta is expected to expand and shift towards higher latitudes. In the 2050s, the SSP5-8.5 scenario has the largest suitable area compared to other scenarios, while the SSP2-4.5 scenario has the largest suitable area in the 2090s. In addition, the centroids of the total suitable areas are expected to shift toward higher latitudes under future climate conditions. The results of this study provide valuable data for the monitoring, control, and management of this pest. Full article

Corydalis yanhusuo W. T. Wang, commonly known as Yanhusuo, is an important and rare medicinal plant resource in China. Its habitat integrity is facing severe challenges due to climate change and human activities. Establishing an integrative quality zoning system for this species is of significant practical importance for resource conservation and adaptive management. This study integrates multiple data sources, including 121 valid distribution points, 37 environmental factors, future climate scenarios (SSP126 and SSP585 pathways for the 2050s and 2090s), and measured content of tetrahydropalmatine (THP) from 22 sampling sites. A predictive framework for habitat suitability and spatial distribution of effective components was constructed using a multi-model coupling approach (MaxEnt, ArcGIS spatial analysis, and co-kriging method). The results indicate that the MaxEnt model exhibits high prediction accuracy (AUC > 0.9), with the dominant environmental factors being the precipitation of the wettest quarter (404.8~654.5 mm) and the annual average temperature (11.8~17.4 °C). Under current climatic conditions, areas of high suitability are concentrated in parts of Central and Eastern China, including the Sichuan Basin, the middle–lower Yangtze plains, and coastal areas of Shandong and Liaoning. In future climate scenarios, the center of suitable areas is predicted to shift northwestward. The content of THP is significantly correlated with the mean diurnal temperature range, temperature seasonality, and the mean temperature of the wettest quarter (p < 0.01). A comprehensive assessment identifies the Yangtze River Delta region, Central China, and parts of the Loess Plateau as the optimal integrative quality zones. This research provides a scientific basis and decision-making support for the sustainable utilization of C. yanhusuo and other rare medicinal plants in China. Full article

Introduction: Despite the key role of healthcare workers (HCWs) in tuberculosis (TB) prevention and control, there is a lack of regional data on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) regarding the disease in Atlantic Canada. Objectives: To assess the KAPs of HCWs and identify targets for educational interventions to enhance TB care and control. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs in Atlantic Canada aged $\ge$19 years from October 2023 to February 2024. Participants were recruited via multiple channels such as social media, collegiate email lists, and snowball sampling. Survey data were collected using an online platform and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics v29. KAPs were assessed using Likert-type scales and internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha. Results: A total of 157 HCWs participated in this study (age range: 19 to 69 years); most were women (n = 145, 92%), born in Canada (n = 134, 85.4%), with nearly three-quarters (n = 115, 73.2%) who had never lived outside of Canada. Study participants demonstrated moderately high knowledge (M = 29.32, SD = 3.25) and positive attitudes (M = 3.87, SD = 0.37) towards TB and strong practices (M = 4.24, SD = 0.69) in TB care; however, gaps were identified in HCW abilities to recognize less common TB symptoms (e.g., rash and nausea), as well as inconsistent practices in ventilation and pre-treatment initiation. Internal consistency analysis indicated suboptimal reliability across all three KAP domains, with Cronbach’s alpha values falling below 0.7, thwarting further planned analyses. Conclusions: This study found overall moderate-to-strong TB-related KAPs among HCWs in Atlantic Canada; however, critical gaps in knowledge and practice were noted. This new information can now guide future educational initiatives and targeted training to enhance TB preparedness and ensure equitable care for patients in the region. Full article

Rangelands form the ecological and economic backbone of Namibia, yet the woody plant dynamics that sustain these landscapes remain sporadically quantified across the semi-arid interior. We investigated the characteristics (stand structure, regeneration, richness, diversity, composition, ecological importance, and indicator species) of woody communities along a pronounced south-to-north rainfall gradient (85–346 mm yr⁻¹) at five representative sites: Warmbad, Gibeon, Otjimbingwe, Ovitoto, and Sesfontein. Field sampling combined point-centered quarter surveys (10 points site⁻¹) and belt transects (15 plots site⁻¹). The basal area increased almost ten-fold along the gradient (0.4–3.4 m² ha⁻¹). Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) arranged plots in near-perfect rainfall order, and Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance (PERMANOVA) confirmed significant site differences (F_3,56 = 9.1, p < 0.001). Nanophanerophytes dominated hyper-arid zones, while microphanerophytes appeared progressively with increasing rainfall. Mean annual precipitation explained 45% of the variance in mean height and 34% of Shannon diversity but only 5% of stem density. Indicator value analysis highlighted Montinia caryophyllacea for Warmbad (IndVal = 100), Rhigozum trichotomum (75.8) for Gibeon, Senegalia senegal (72.6) for Otjimbingwe, and Senegalia mellifera (97.3) for Ovitoto. Rainfall significantly influences woody structure and diversity; however, other factors also modulate density and regeneration dynamics. This quantitative baseline can serve as a practical toolkit for designing site-specific management strategies across Namibia’s aridity gradient. Full article

Since the end of the Civil War, Cambodia has pursued economic development to enhance livelihoods, particularly in rural areas, where land is a critical resource. Previous studies have indicated that the country has changed land use and land cover. However, they have not explained how these changes can improve the livelihoods of local communities, thereby mitigating their negative impacts through an asset-based approach. Battambang Province, in the northwestern region, was the battleground until political integration in 1996. Since then, the province has been home to immigrants exploring the lands for livelihood. Thus, this study aims to examine agricultural livelihoods in the villages of Dei Kraham and Ou Toek Thla, located west of Battambang Town. These were selected because of their common characteristics. Adopting a quantitative approach and a sustainable livelihood framework, this study employed stratified random sampling to select 123 families for interviews across three population subgroups: old settlers, new settlers, and young settlers. In situ information was collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis tests to assess the livelihood assets underlying the physical, natural, human, financial, and social capital. The statistical analysis results reveal no significant differences (p-value = 0.079) in livelihood assets between the strata at the village level. Meanwhile, significant differences were observed in physical, human, and financial capital between old and young settlers when examining the subgroups (p-value 0.000). The extent of the land resources held by old settlers was associated with household income and livelihoods related to agriculture. Based on livelihood asset scores, nearly half of the new settlers (0.49–0.5) and a quarter of the young settlers (0.47) are vulnerable groups requiring support. The youth will soon face an uncertain future if they do not prioritize education. Full article

High-titanium steel contains an elevated titanium content, which promotes the formation of abundant non-metallic inclusions in molten steel at high temperatures, including titanium oxides, sulfides, and nitrides. These inclusions adversely affect continuous casting operations and generate substantial internal/surface defects in cast slabs, ultimately compromising product performance and service reliability. Therefore, stringent control over the size, distribution, and population density of inclusions is imperative during the smelting of high-titanium steel to minimize their detrimental effects. In this paper, samples of high titanium steel (0.4% Ti, 0.004% N) casting billets were analyzed by industrial test sampling and full section comparative analysis of the samples at the center and quarter position. Using the Particle X inclusions, as well as automatic scanning and analyzing equipment, the number, size, location distribution, type and morphology of inclusions in different positions were systematically and comprehensively investigated. The results revealed that the primary inclusions in the steel consisted of TiN, TiS, TiC and their composite forms. TiN inclusions exhibited a size range of 1–5 µm on the slab surface, while larger particles of 2–10 μm were predominantly observed in the interior regions. Large-sized TiN inclusions (5–10 μm) are particularly detrimental, and this problematic type of inclusion predominantly concentrates in the interior regions of the steel slab. A gradual decrease in TiN inclusion number density was identified from the surface toward the core of the slab. Thermodynamic and kinetic calculations incorporating solute segregation effects demonstrated that TiN precipitates primarily in the liquid phase. The computational results showed excellent agreement with experimental data regarding the relationship between TiN size and solidification rate under different cooling conditions, confirming that increased cooling rates lead to reduced TiN particle sizes. Both enhanced cooling rates and reduced titanium content were found to effectively delay TiN precipitation, thereby suppressing the formation of large-sized TiN inclusions in high-titanium steels. Full article

Changes in habitat suitability are critical indicators of the ecological impacts of climate change. Syndiclis Hook. f., a rare and endangered genus endemic to montane limestone and cloud forest ecosystems in China, holds considerable ecological and economic value. However, knowledge of its current distribution and the key environmental factors influencing its habitat suitability remains limited. In this study, we employed the MaxEnt model, integrated with geographic information systems (ArcGIS), to predict the potential distribution of Syndiclis under current and future climate scenarios, identify dominant bioclimatic drivers, and assess temporal and spatial shifts in habitat patterns. We also analyzed spatial displacement of habitat centroids to explore potential migration pathways. The model demonstrated excellent performance (AUC = 0.988), with current suitable habitats primarily located in Hainan, Taiwan, Southeastern Yunnan, and along the Yunnan–Guangxi border. Temperature seasonality (bio7) emerged as the most important predictor (67.00%), followed by precipitation of the driest quarter (bio17, 14.90%), while soil factors played a relatively minor role. Under future climate projections, Hainan and Taiwan are expected to serve as stable climatic refugia, whereas the overall suitable habitat area is projected to decline significantly. Combined with topographic constraints, population decline, and limited dispersal ability, these changes elevate the risk of extinction for Syndiclis in the wild. Landscape pattern analysis revealed increased habitat fragmentation under warming conditions, with only 4.08% of suitable areas currently under effective protection. We recommend prioritizing conservation efforts in regions with habitat contraction (e.g., Guangxi and Yunnan) and stable refugia (e.g., Hainan and Taiwan). Conservation strategies should integrate targeted in situ and ex situ actions, guided by dominant environmental variables and projected migration routes, to ensure the long-term persistence of Syndiclis populations and support evidence-based conservation planning. Full article

Basketball referees play a crucial role in game management, yet the physical and physiological demands placed on them during a game remain understudied. This study analyzed the workload of 35 group 1 referees during a U-18 Spanish championship, examining the effects of refereeing technique (two referees vs. three referees) and competition sex (male vs. female) across game quarters. Physical and physiological demands were measured using inertial devices and heart rate monitors during 37 matches (18 men’s and 19 women’s). The results revealed that 2-referee teams experienced significantly greater physical demands, covering approximately 25% more total distance and demonstrating higher values in high-intensity running compared to 3-referee teams. Female competition elicited higher demands in specific variables, particularly in the distance covered above 16 km/h and average speed. Analysis across quarters showed distinct temporal patterns, with the first and third quarters presenting the highest demands, especially for 2-referee teams. These findings suggest that basketball referees’ physical preparation should be tailored to the officiating technique and competition sex, with a particular emphasis on developing specific conditioning programs for the 2-referee technique and implementing targeted recovery strategies between quarters to maintain optimal performance throughout the game. Full article

One of the goals of Agenda 2030 is to increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. In this context, photovoltaic systems play a key role in the transition to clean energy. According to the International Energy Agency, in 2023, solar photovoltaic alone accounted for three-quarters of renewable capacity additions worldwide. Designing a performing photovoltaic system requires careful planning that takes into account various factors, both internal and external, in order to maximize energy production and optimize costs. In addition to the technical characteristics of the system (internal factors), the positions and the shapes of external buildings and surrounding obstacles (external factors) have a significant impact on the output of photovoltaic systems. However, given the complexity of these environmental factors, they cannot be treated accurately in manual design practice. For this reason, this paper proposes a Building Information Modeling-based workflow for the design of a photovoltaic system that can guide the professional step-by-step throughout the design process, starting from the embryonic phase to the definitive, and therefore more detailed, one. The developed methodology allows for an in-depth analysis of the shading, the photovoltaic potential of the building, the performance of the photovoltaic system, and the costs for its construction in order to evaluate the appropriateness of the investment. The main aim of the paper is to create a standardized procedure applicable on a large scale for photovoltaic integration within Building Information Modeling workflows. The methodology is tested on two case studies, characterized by different architectural features and geographical positions. Full article

Monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forests (MEBFs) represent one of the most species-rich and structurally complex vegetation types, and one of the most widely distributed forests in Yunnan Province, Southwest China. However, they have yet to undergo a comprehensive analysis on their community diversity, spatial differentiation patterns, and underlying drivers across Yunnan. Based on extensive field surveys during 2021–2024 with 548 MEBF plots, this study employed the Unweighted Pair Group Method for forest community classification and Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling for ordination and interpretation of community–environment association. A total of 3517 vascular plant species were recorded in the plots, including 1137 tree species, 1161 shrubs, and 1219 herbs. Numerical classification divided the plots into 3 alliance groups and 24 alliances: (1) Castanopsis–Schima (Lithocarpus) Forest Alliance Group (16 alliances), predominantly distributed west of 102°E in central-south and southwest Yunnan; (2) Castanopsis–Machilus (Beilschmiedia) Forest Alliance Group (6 alliances), concentrated east of 101°E in southeast Yunnan with limited latitudinal range; (3) Castanopsis–Camellia Forest Alliance Group (2 alliances), restricted to higher-elevation mountainous areas within 103–104° E and 22.5–23° N. Climatic variation accounted for 81.1% of the species compositional variation among alliance groups, with contributions of 83.5%, 57.6%, and 62.1% to alliance-level differentiation within alliance groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Precipitation days in the driest quarter (PDDQ) and precipitation seasonality (PS) emerged as the strongest predictors of community differentiation at both alliance group and alliance levels. Topography and soil features significantly influenced alliance differentiation in Groups 2 and 3. Collectively, the interaction between the monsoon climate and topography dominate the spatial differentiation of MEBF communities in Yunnan. Full article

The global urgency to mitigate climate change by reducing transport-related emissions drives the accelerated electrification of road freight transport. This paper presents a comprehensive meta-study forecasting the development and corresponding power demand of electric trucks and tractor units in Hamburg up to 2050, emphasizing the shift from conventional to electric vehicles. Utilizing historical registration data and existing commercial and institutional reports from 2007 to 2024, the analysis estimates future distributions of electric heavy-duty vehicles across Hamburg’s 103 city quarters. Distinct approaches are evaluated to explore potential heavy-duty vehicle distribution in the city, employing Mixed-Integer Linear Programming to quantify and minimize distribution uncertainties. Power demand forecasts at this detailed geographical level enable effective infrastructure planning and strategy development. The findings serve as a foundation for Hamburg’s transition to electric heavy-duty vehicles, ensuring a sustainable, efficient, and reliable energy supply aligned with the city’s growing electrification requirements. Full article

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), also referred to as nosocomial or hospital-acquired infections, are a significant cause of death worldwide, with hand hygiene being the most powerful means to tackle them. The present study had a twofold aim: first, to assess the level of knowledge and the degree of compliance with hand hygiene practices based on healthcare workers’ self-reports; second, to evaluate whether behavioral economics techniques, specifically a poster combining an image and an informational message, designed according to the published literature, can increase the level of healthcare workers’ compliance with hand hygiene. Factors that potentially affect compliance were also examined. This study involved distributing a questionnaire to healthcare workers in Greek public hospitals, from which 314 completed responses were collected during the last quarter of 2023. Participants were randomly and evenly assigned to an intervention group that received a nudging poster or to a control group, which did not. Self-reported compliance with hand hygiene practices was high, based on two latent variables derived through exploratory factor analysis, although knowledge of germ transmission was moderate, as reflected in the relevant knowledge question scores. However, nudging had no statistically significant effect on hand hygiene behavior. Compliance was associated with several factors, including gender, age, work experience, profession, perceived adequacy of available hygiene-related resources, and perceived consequences of nosocomial infections on patient outcomes. Full article

This study presents a data-driven analysis of navigator stress and workload levels in simulated ship encounters within restricted waters, leveraging real-world automatic identification system (AIS) data from Makassar Port, Indonesia. Six close-quarter scenarios were recreated to reflect critical encounter geometries, and 24 Indonesian seafarers were evaluated using heart rate variability (HRV), perceived stress scale (PSS), and task load index (NASA-TLX) workload assessments. The results indicate that crossing angles, particularly 135° port and starboard encounters, significantly influence physiological stress levels, with age being a moderating factor. Although no consistent relationship was found between workload and HRV metrics, the findings underscore key human factors that may impair navigational performance under cognitively demanding conditions. By integrating AIS-derived traffic data with simulation-based human performance monitoring, this study supports the development of intelligent maritime training frameworks and adaptive decision support systems. The research contributes to broader efforts toward enhancing navigational safety and situational awareness amid increasing automation and traffic densities at sea. Full article

Understanding morphological descriptions of plants documented by ancient peoples over 1000 years ago and identifying the species they described are critical for reconstructing the natural geographic distribution of plant taxa, tracking taxonomic variations, and inferring historical climate dynamics. Analyzing shifts in plant communities and climatic conditions during this period is essential to unravel the interplay among floristic composition, climate fluctuations, and anthropogenic impacts. However, research in this field remains limited, with greater emphasis placed on plant taxa from hundreds of millions of years ago. Investigations into flora and climate during the last two millennia are sparse, and pre-millennial climatic conditions remain poorly characterized. In this study, a historical text written 1475 years ago was analyzed to compile plant names and morphological features, followed by taxonomic identification. The research identified three gymnosperm species (one in Pinaceae, two in Cupressaceae), 1 Tamaricaceae species (dicotyledon), and 19 dicotyledon species. However, three plant groups could only be identified at the genus level. Using textual analysis and woody plant coexistence methods, the climate of 1475 years ago in western Henan Province, located in the middle-lower Yellow River basin in East Asia, was reconstructed. Results indicate that the mean temperature of the coldest month (MTCM) was approximately 1.3 °C higher than modern values. In comparison, the mean temperature of the warmest month (MTWM) and mean annual temperature (MAT) were lower than present-day levels. This suggests slightly cooler overall conditions with milder seasonal extremes in ancient Luoyang—a finding supported by contemporaneous studies. Furthermore, annual precipitation (AP), precipitation of the warmest quarter (PWQ), and precipitation of the coldest quarter (PCQ) in the Luoyang region 1475 years ago exceeded modern measurements, despite the area’s monsoonal climate. This suggests significantly higher atmospheric moisture content in ancient air masses compared to today. This study provides floristic and climatic baseline data for advancing our understanding of global climate variability at millennial scales. Full article

Electromagnetic absorbers combining ultrathin profiles with robust absorptivity across wide incidence angles are essential for applications such as stealth applications, wireless communications, and quantum computing. Traditional designs, including Salisbury screens, typically require thicknesses of at least a quarter-wavelength ($\lambda /4$), restricting their use in compact systems. While metamaterial absorbers (MMAs) offer reduced thicknesses, their absorptivity generally decreases under oblique incidence conditions. Here, we introduce an adjoint optimization-based inverse design method that merges the ultrathin advantage of MMAs with the angle-insensitive characteristics of Salisbury screens. By leveraging the computational efficiency of the adjoint method, we systematically optimize absorber structures as thin as $\lambda /20$. The optimized structures achieve absorption exceeding 90% at the target frequency (7.5 GHz) and demonstrate robust performance under oblique incidence, maintaining over 90% absorption up to 50°, approximately 80% at 60°, and around 70% at 70°. Comparative analysis against particle swarm optimization further highlights the superior efficiency of the adjoint method, reducing the computational effort by approximately 98%. This inverse design framework thus provides substantial improvements in both the performance and computational cost, offering a promising solution for advanced electromagnetic absorber design. Full article