Search Results (5,820)

Ensuring the safe, efficient, and economically viable operation of irrigation and drainage infrastructures is essential for long-term system resilience. This field-based study presents a comparative evaluation of the semi-quantitative William T. Fine (WF) method and a simplified probability–consequence (SM) approach applied in the Lis Valley Irrigation and Drainage Association (Leiria, Portugal). Monthly on-site observations of routine maintenance and conservation activities were conducted between January 2023 and December 2024, covering eight main operation types and resulting in 87 distinct occupational risk scenarios (N = 87). The mean Hazard Risk Score (HRS) was 88.9 ± 51.1, corresponding predominantly to “Substantial” risk levels according to the William T. Fine classification (HRS = 70–200). Both methods consistently identified the highest-risk activities—tractor rollover, work at height, and boat-based removal of aquatic plants. Quantitative differences emerged for medium and chronic hazards; WF produced a wider dispersion of risk scores across tasks, while the SM aggregated most hazards into a limited number of intervention classes (74% classified as Intervention Level II and 26% as Level III). These differences reflect complementary methodological limitations; WF requires greater data input and expert judgment but offers finer prioritization, whereas SM enables rapid field application but tends to group ergonomic and low-intensity hazards when consequences are not immediately observable. Based on these findings, a combined assessment framework is proposed, integrating the discriminative capacity of WF with the operational simplicity of SM. Recommended mitigation measures include targeted personal protective equipment, task rotation, focused training, and technology-assisted monitoring to reduce worker exposure. The methodology is readily replicable for Water Users’ Associations with similar operational contexts and supports evidence-based decision-making for sustainable irrigation management. From a sustainability perspective, this integrated risk assessment framework supports safer working conditions, more efficient maintenance planning, and informed policy decisions for the long-term management of irrigation and drainage infrastructures. Full article

We present a mixed-signal front-end ASIC designed for compact Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) sensor interfaces, implemented in the AMS 0.35 µm CMOS technology. The chip integrates two independent analog channels, each composed of five custom second-generation current conveyors (CCII⁺), a fast zero-crossing discriminator, and a peak-and-hold stage based on a tailored operational amplifier. The CCII⁺ and discriminator blocks were designed in-house, based on literature designs and adapted to the technology to ensure low input impedance and fast current-mode signal propagation. This architecture enables precise detection of small signals with reduced pile-up, important for time-resolved photon detection. Bias and threshold control are provided by programmable current mirrors and SPI-configurable DACs, including a 10-bit current-mode DAC based on a current-splitting structure with approximately 200 nA resolution. A custom SiPM behavioral model was developed in the Cadence environment to support design and simulation, reproducing realistic pulse shapes and recovery dynamics for timing applications. Circuit-level simulations confirm correct analog functionality and stable operation across the intended dynamic range, with a per-channel consumption of about 5.9 mA at 3.3 V (19.5 mW), reflecting a tradeoff between speed and robustness. The system is compatible with external timing architectures, while internal CCII⁺ stages ensure low-impedance current reception, fast discrimination, and accurate current-to-voltage conversion for peak detection. Full article

The increasing volume of produced water (PW) generated by oil extraction activities has intensified the need for environmentally sustainable strategies that enable its reuse and valorization. Biotechnological approaches, particularly those involving the microbial production of value-added compounds, offer a promising route for transforming PW from an industrial waste into a useful resource. In this context, bacterial exopolysaccharides (EPS) have gained attention due to their diverse functional properties and applicability in bioremediation, bioprocessing and petroleum-related operations. This study evaluated the potential of Lelliottia amnigena to synthesize EPS using oilfield PW as a component of the culture medium in stirred-tank bioreactors. Three conditions were assessed: a control using distilled water (dW), PW diluted to 25% (PW25%) and dialyzed PW (DPW). Batch experiments were conducted for 24 h, during which biomass growth, EPS accumulation and dissolved oxygen dynamics were monitored. Post-cultivation analyses included elemental and monosaccharide composition, scanning electron microscopy and rheological characterization of purified EPS solutions. EPS production varied among treatments, with dW and DPW yielding approximately 9.6 g L⁻¹, while PW25% achieved the highest productivity (17.55 g L⁻¹). The EPS samples contained fucose, glucose and mannose, with compositional differences reflecting the influence of PW-derived minerals. Despite reduced apparent viscosity under PW25% and DPW conditions, the EPS exhibited physicochemical properties suitable for biotechnological applications, including potential use in fucose recovery, drilling fluids and lubrication systems in the petroleum sector. The EPS also demonstrated substantial adsorption capacity, incorporating salts from PW and contributing to contaminant removal. This study demonstrates that PW can serve both as a substrate and as a source of functional inorganic constituents for microbial EPS synthesis, supporting an integrated approach to PW valorization. These findings reinforce the potential of EPS-based bioprocesses as sustainable green technologies that simultaneously promote waste mitigation and the production of high-value industrial bioproducts. Full article

The rapid digitalization of financial services in the European Union (EU) has not only enhanced convenience and inclusion but also increased exposure to sophisticated online financial fraud. Digital financial literacy (DFL) is widely promoted as a key tool for empowering consumers and reducing fraud victimization. However, the empirical and conceptual landscape linking DFL to fraud reduction within the specific sociolegal context of the EU remains fragmented. This study uses bibliometric analysis to map the research area, define major themes within the field, and determine the role of DFL in reducing online financial fraud in the EU. Peer-reviewed journal articles were targeted to ensure academic rigor, with a publication window of 2010–2025 reflecting key fintech and regulatory developments. After adhering to PRISMA principles, 87 peer-reviewed publications were chosen out of a total of 568 records identified through OpenAlex and Web of Science, coauthorship, keyword co-occurrence, citation, temporal, and density representations were analyzed using VOSviewer. Findings indicate an increasingly diffuse research field with new clusters concentrating on macroeconomic policy, business technology, social psychology, and interdisciplinary foundations. Results demonstrate that successful implementation of DFL interventions combines behavioral insights, technological protection, and non-discriminatory policy considerations. The study concludes by identifying major gaps in research and providing a path forward for future evidence-based policy efforts toward enhancing consumer protection in the EU digital financial market. Full article

Creating an optimal light environment for different crops is crucial for achieving high yields under controlled environment agriculture conditions. Currently, there are no optimal technologies, including lighting technologies, for growing root crops (in particular radish) in CEA (Controlled Environment Agriculture). This study examined the effects of HPS (High-pressure sodium vapor lamps) and three original sunlike full-spectrum LED lamps on the morphophysiological characteristics and the diffuse reflectance indices of the leaves of two contrast radish cultivars. It was found that a higher blue light content (24%) in the spectrum of the LED 3 lamp contributed to the formation of radish plants with a more compact leaf rosette and maximum yield of roots (up to 19%) compared to the other two types of LED lamps. When treated with LED 3, photosynthesis efficiency was probably higher compared to LED 1 and LED 2, which led to a significant decrease in reflected radiation, especially in the blue and red ranges (by 5–143% and 32–86%, respectively). It was found that the genotype had a significant effect on all morphophysiological parameters of radish, while lighting treatment only affected the integral parameters (Pr—proportion of root crop, and Ai—attraction index) and leaf thickness. However, lighting treatment exhibited a greater impact on leaf reflection indices compared to the genotype, especially those related to chlorophyll content. The results of the study indicate that LED 3 lamps, simulating natural light at midday, are suitable for the production of radish root crops under CEA conditions. Full article

The development of functionality in wound dressings has progressed since the discovery by Winter that moist wounds heal more rapidly. Approaches to incorporate functionality on several fronts of wound healing have been targeted. Here, we consider three functional features that have received increased attention for their role in promoting healing in hard-to-heal wounds: control of protease levels, hydrogen peroxide generation, and antibacterial efficacy against multidrug resistance bacteria, the ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) pathogens. We review some clinically employed dressings used to treat chronic and burn wounds that have been characterized by their functional protease-modulating activity and contrast one well-studied analog with a cotton-based technology. Similarly, hydrogen peroxide generation profiles were obtained for dressings in different moist wound healing categories and contrasted with a modified form of a known hemostatic cotton-based technology. We examined ascorbic acid-modified forms of a cotton-based technology used for bleeding control in an ESKAPE antibacterial assessment using the AATCC 100 TM. The results for the cotton-based technology were significant protease uptake, hydrogen peroxide generation capacities at proliferative and antimicrobial levels, and >99.99% efficacy against ESKAPE pathogens. These results reflect the importance of considering new forms of cotton fiber technology for incorporation in advanced wound dressing approaches. Full article

Mobile Global Positioning System (GPS) data offer a promising approach to inferring mental health status through behavioural analysis. Whilst previous research has explored location-based behavioural indicators including location clusters, entropy, and variance, persistent GPS measurement errors have compromised data reliability, limiting the practical deployment of smartphone-based digital phenotyping systems. This study develops and validates an algorithmic preprocessing method designed to mitigate inherent GPS measurement limitations in mobile health applications. We conducted comprehensive evaluation through controlled experimental protocols and naturalistic field assessments involving 38 participants over a seven-day period, capturing GPS data across diverse environmental contexts on both Android and iOS platforms. The proposed preprocessing algorithm demonstrated exceptional precision, consistently detecting major activity centres within an average 50-metre margin of error across both platforms. In naturalistic settings, the algorithm yielded robust location detection capabilities, producing spatial patterns that reflected plausible and behaviourally meaningful traits at the individual level. Cross-platform analysis revealed consistent performance regardless of operating system, with no significant differences in accuracy metrics between Android and iOS devices. These findings substantiate the potential of mobile GPS data as a reliable, objective source of behavioural information for mental health monitoring systems, contingent upon implementing sophisticated error-mitigation techniques. The validated algorithm addresses a critical technical barrier to the practical implementation of GPS-based digital phenotyping, enabling the more accurate assessment of mobility-related behavioural markers across diverse mental health conditions. This research contributes to the growing field of mobile health technology by providing a robust algorithmic framework for leveraging smartphone sensing capabilities in healthcare applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Palliative care education is a core component of undergraduate nursing preparation; however, many nursing students report limited exposure and confidence in providing end-of-life care. Digital and web-based educational approaches have increasingly been adopted to address gaps in palliative care training and to provide flexible, scalable learning opportunities. This mixed-methods systematic review examined the use of digital and web-based approaches in palliative care education for pre-registration nursing students. The aim was to synthesize existing evidence on educational outcomes, confidence development, practice preparation, and acceptability to guide future design and implementation of technology-enhanced learning in this field. Methods: The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework. The search was conducted across Medline (Ovid), Embase, CINAHL, Scopus and PsycINFO in October 2025. Studies employing qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods designs were eligible if they evaluated fully digital or web-based palliative care educational interventions for nursing students. Screening, quality appraisal, and data extraction were undertaken independently by multiple reviewers. Methodological quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Extracted data were synthesized narratively to integrate qualitative and quantitative findings. Results: The search yielded 1826 records; after removing duplicates and applying eligibility criteria, 12 studies were included in the final synthesis. Considerable heterogeneity in design and outcomes was observed. Most included studies reported improvements in students’ knowledge, self-efficacy, and reflective capacity, alongside high levels of acceptability. Conclusions: Digital and technology-enhanced learning appears feasible and acceptable for palliative care education; however, the current evidence base is limited by methodological heterogeneity, reliance on self-reported outcomes, and predominantly short-term evaluations. Further rigorous, large-scale studies with objective outcome measures are required to determine sustained educational and practice impact. Full article

The overall knowledge structure, developmental context, and research frontiers in the field of bronze cultural relic corrosion and protection are lacking. This study employs bibliometric methods to comprehensively analyze 2614 relevant publications from 1906 to 2025 in the Web of Science Core Collection, utilizing the software Citespace 6.2.R3 to construct a knowledge map. The research results based on the number of publications and keyword statistics indicate that the research in this field has undergone a temporal evolution of research trends. Since 2010, the annual number of publications has grown rapidly, peaking in 2024, which reflects the continuously increasing academic attention given to the subject. Globally, China, Italy, and the United States are the leading contributors, forming a closely knit international cooperation network. Among these, China leads in total publications, though there remains room for improvement in its centrality within the collaborative network. Major research institutions are primarily large scientific organizations, such as the National Research Council of Italy and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Keyword analysis demonstrates that research hotspots have long centered on “corrosion mechanisms and control” and “innovative protection materials and technologies”. Temporal evolution analysis further indicates that the research paradigm is shifting: from the early investigations of mechanisms, through a middle phase focused on material development, to the current emphasis on the development of preventative and intelligent protection systems via multidisciplinary integration. This study systematically reviews the field’s evolutionary trajectory, collaboration networks, and thematic dynamics, providing a comprehensive reference for research planning and future development. Full article

The concept of a digital twin has become a key driver of industrial transformation, enabling a seamless connection between physical systems and their virtual counterparts. The growing need for adaptability has accelerated the use of advanced technologies and tools to maintain competitiveness. In this context, the article introduces the concept of a hierarchical digital twin and illustrates its operation through a practical example. Production resource structures and timing data were generated in the KbRS (Knowledge-based Rescheduling System), which will serve as the Level II digital twin in this article. The acquired data is transferred via Excel to the FlexSim simulation environment, which represents the Level I digital twin responsible for modeling the flow of production processes. Because a digital twin must accurately reflect a specific production system, the study begins by formulating a general mathematical model. Algorithms for product ordering and for constructing the digital twin of the production processes were developed. Furthermore, three implementation scenarios for the hierarchical digital twin were proposed using the KbRS and FlexSim tools. The implementation of the hierarchical digital twin concept facilitated the development of the more comprehensive virtual model. At the same time, the integration of data between the two software environments enabled the generation of more detailed and precise results. Traditionally, a digital twin created solely within a single simulation platform is unable to represent all the structural components of a production system—an issue addressed by the hierarchical approach presented in this study. Full article

Ormosia henryi, a rare and endemic timber tree in China, possesses exceptional economic and ecological value, but it has experienced a critical decline in wild populations. We integrated PacBio HiFi and Hi-C technologies to generate a superior, chromosome-level genome assembly, establishing a more robust genetic foundation than existing draft sequences. The resulting assembly (2.64 Gb; Contig N50 = 39.17 Mb; and Scaffold N50 = 338.40 Mb) exhibits high continuity and completeness, effectively overcoming the assembly challenges associated with high heterozygosity (1.37%) and repetitive sequence content (83.89%). Comparative genomic analysis revealed that O. henryi diverged from Lupinus albus approximately 53.82 million years ago and underwent two independent whole-genome duplication events. The historical accumulation of evolutionary resilience is reflected in the significant expansion of 276 gene families enriched in photosynthesis and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, alongside 122 genes under positive selection involved in DNA repair and proteostasis. These genomic signatures elucidate a stable genetic foundation. While wild populations have sharply declined in recent decades, this suggests that this status underscores the overwhelming impact of intense external anthropogenic pressures, such as overexploitation and habitat fragmentation, which may have overridden the species’ inherent adaptive capacity and slow life-history strategy. This high-quality genomic resource identifies key candidate loci, such as the PIF1 helicase for growth regulation, and provides a critical framework for screening elite germplasm for population restoration. Consequently, this study establishes a theoretical and molecular basis for transitioning from fundamental research to the precision conservation and sustainable industrial application of this high-value woody species. Full article

As genomic technologies continue to evolve, understanding the scope and limitations of available prenatal testing methods is essential for accurate diagnosis and counseling. Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and exome sequencing (ES) have emerged as key complementary tools in this setting. This review aims to outline the technical principles underlying CMA and ES and to compare their diagnostic capabilities and limitations in the prenatal context. This narrative review includes a literature search, with additional relevant articles identified through manual screening of reference lists from key publications and review articles. Due to the narrative nature of this review, no formal inclusion or exclusion criteria or quantitative synthesis were applied. Special focus was placed on clinical indications, variant interpretation challenges—particularly uncertain and incidental findings—gene selection strategies, and implications for prenatal counseling. Indications for both tests have increased over time but differ substantially. CMA is becoming the standard prenatal genetic test, particularly in the evaluation of fetal structural anomalies, whereas ES remains restricted to selected fetal structural anomalies. Interpretation of molecular results remains a major challenge, especially for variants of uncertain significance and incidental findings with unclear or unexpected implications for pregnancy management. For ES, agnostic gene selection strategies showed superior diagnostic yield compared with phenotype-driven approaches, likely reflecting the limited characterization of prenatal phenotypes. Continuous refinement of clinical indications, bioinformatic pipelines, variant classification criteria, and gene curation strategies is critical to ensure that prenatal results are accurate and clinically meaningful. Together, ongoing improvements in technology, interpretation, and clinical integration have the potential to transform prenatal genomics into a more precise, informed, and ethically responsible field. Full article

The underrepresentation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields has been a longstanding issue. Traditionally, research on sex differences in cognitive abilities has focused on mean scores, which are often trivial and do not appear to explain sex disparities in STEM participation. Recently, intraindividual strengths have been proposed as a more relevant factor; they reflect an individual’s relative advantage in one skill (e.g., literacy) compared with a set of related skills (literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving). Previous studies have primarily examined younger cohorts, and intraindividual strengths remain unexplored across the lifespan. In this study, we employed data from the second cycle of the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) including 157,525 individuals from 30 countries to assess sex differences in literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving as intraindividual strengths across five age groups (16–24, 25–34, 35–44, 45–54, and 55+ years). Consistent with previous research, women outperformed men in literacy, while men outperformed women in numeracy. These patterns were observed universally across countries and age groups. In contrast, no sex differences were observed in problem-solving. Future research should move beyond mean scores to focus on intraindividual strengths, as they may be more relevant for understanding sex disparities in STEM. Full article

Airborne iodine-131 plays a pivotal role in both nuclear medicine and nuclear safety due to its radiotoxicity, volatility, and affinity for the thyroid gland. Although the total exhaled activity after medical I-131 therapy is minimal, over 95% of this activity appears in volatile organic forms, which evade standard filtration and reflect metabolic pathways of iodine turnover. Our experimental work in patients and mice confirms the metabolic origin of these species, modulated by thyroidal function. In nuclear reactor environments, both under routine operation and during accidents, organic iodides such as [¹³¹I]CH₃I have also been identified as major airborne components, often termed “penetrating iodine” due to their low adsorption to conventional filters. This review compares the molecular speciation, environmental persistence, and dosimetric impact of airborne I-131 across clinical, technical, and accidental release scenarios. While routine reactor emissions yield negligible doses (<0.1 µSv/year), severe nuclear incidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima have resulted in significant thyroid exposures. Doses from these events ranged from tens of millisieverts to several Sieverts, particularly in children. We argue that a deeper understanding of chemical forms is essential for effective risk assessment, filtration technology, and emergency preparedness. Iodine-131 exemplifies the dual nature of radioactive substances: in nuclear medicine its radiotoxicity is therapeutically harnessed, whereas in industrial or reactor contexts it represents an unwanted hazard. The same physicochemical properties that enable therapeutic efficacy also determine, in the event of uncontrolled release, the range, persistence, and the potential for unwanted radiotoxic exposure in the general population. In nuclear medicine, exhaled activity after radioiodine therapy is minute but largely organically bound, reflecting enzymatic and metabolic methylation processes. During normal reactor operation, airborne iodine levels are negligible and dominated by inorganic vapors efficiently captured by filtration systems. In contrast, major accidents released large fractions of volatile iodine, primarily as elemental [¹³¹I]I₂ and organically bound iodine species like [¹³¹I]CH₃I. The chemical nature of these compounds defined their atmospheric lifetime, transport distance, and deposition pattern, thereby governing the thyroid dose to exposed populations. Chemical speciation is the key determinant across all scenarios. Exhaled iodine in medicine is predominantly organic; routine reactor releases are negligible; severe accidents predominantly release elemental and organic iodine that drive environmental transport and exposure. Integrating these domains shows how chemical speciation governs volatility, mobility, and bioavailability. The novelty of this review lies not in introducing new iodine chemistry, but in the systematic comparative synthesis of airborne radioiodine speciation across medical therapy, routine nuclear operation, and severe accident scenarios, identifying chemical form as the unifying determinant of volatility, environmental transport, and dose. Full article

The paper presents a comparative economic and environmental assessment of high-temperature steam turbine technologies (subcritical, supercritical, ultra-supercritical, and advanced ultra-supercritical cycles) within the energy transition. The research employs a model-based analysis to evaluate the cost of electricity production across countries with divergent environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies, reflected in their carbon pricing mechanisms. The developed model estimates the economic feasibility and optimal timing for the transition to high-efficiency technologies, based on the projected fuel cost dynamics. Within the framework of the model, the optimal energy transition timings for implementing advanced ultra-supercritical steam turbine technologies were established: 2031 for the energy transition model in the Russian Federation (a country with developing ESG principles) and 2018 for the model in the Czech Republic (a country with an emerging ESG strategy). The results indicate that while carbon pricing mechanisms influence economic feasibility, hydrocarbon fuel costs remain the predominant factor. The study concludes that the enhancement of conventional generation technologies aligns with all three pillars of the ESG framework and facilitates the transition to a sustainable development model for the energy sector and the national economy. Full article