Search Results (3,415)

Sonneratia ovata is an important tree species for ornamental, economic, ecological, and medicinal value and is identified as an endangered species. There are very few studies on the reproductive traits, genetic diversity, and population structure of S. ovata. Therefore, it is urgent to accurately understand its genetic background and reproductive status in order to better conserve and manage S. ovata. S. ovata has a mixed mating system, is partially self-compatible and needs pollinators, according to the outcrossing index, pollen–ovule ratio, pollination treatment results and outcrossing rate. Natural populations maintained high outcrossing coupled with inbreeding and low genetic diversity (H_e = 0.215), and the population DC was regarded as the center of genetic diversity. The Mantel test showed that there existed a positive correlation between geographic and genetic distance among populations, which was in line with the IBD model. Molecular variance was largely confined to within-population differences (75.4%), while inter-population differences accounted for 24.6%. Structure and PCoA analysis supported the UPGMA cluster. This study is the first to investigate reproductive traits, genetic diversity, and population structure through SSR. The results provide a scientific basis for cross breeding, conservation, and management of this species. In future, it is necessary to increase relevant research (human, environment, habitat factors, etc.) to better protect and utilize this species. Full article

Problematic Internet use is an emerging concern in adolescent mental health and is closely linked to psychological distress and emotional regulation. This cross-sectional study analyzed self-reported data from 1550 adolescents aged 11–19 years in South Tyrol, a linguistically and culturally diverse region in Northern Italy. Problematic Internet use was measured using the validated Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2 (GPIUS-2), along with standardized instruments for depressive symptoms (PHQ-2) and anxiety (SCARED-GAD). Multivariable regression analysis revealed that depression and anxiety symptoms were the strongest independent predictors of higher GPIUS-2 scores. In contrast, demographic factors such as gender, family language, urbanization, migration background, and parental education were not significantly associated with PIU. Modest associations were observed between GPIUS-2 scores and both perceived economic burden and parental use of digital control tools. Perceived family support showed a small protective effect. These findings underscore the central role of emotional vulnerability in adolescent PIU and suggest that interventions should focus on supporting mental health and adaptive coping rather than solely targeting screen time or structural family characteristics. Full article

Surface coatings have proven highly effective in addressing the critical challenges of friction, wear, and corrosion on steel substrates, which are responsible for over 80% of mechanical failures in industrial applications. Recent research highlights that advanced coatings—such as ceramic carbides/nitrides, high-entropy alloys, and metal-matrix composites—significantly enhance hardness, wear resistance, and environmental durability through mechanisms including protective oxide film formation, solid lubrication, and microstructural refinement. Moreover, these coatings exhibit robust performance under combined tribological-corrosive (tribocorrosion) conditions, where synergistic interactions often accelerate material degradation. Key developments include multilayer and composite architectures that balance hardness with toughness, self-lubricating coatings capable of in situ lubricant release, and active or self-healing systems for sustained corrosion inhibition. Despite these advances, challenges remain in predicting coating lifetime under multifield service conditions and optimizing interfacial adhesion to prevent delamination. Future efforts should prioritize multifunctional coating designs, improved tribocorrosion models, and the integration of sustainable materials and AI-driven process optimization. This review consolidates these insights to support the development of next-generation coatings for extending the service life of steel components across demanding sectors such as marine, aerospace, and energy systems. Full article

Musical performance anxiety (MPA) is a common phenomenon among conservatory students that has direct effects on their academic performance and psychological well-being. This study examines the impact of MPA on students at the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Canarias, employing a multidimensional approach that integrates psychological variables, coping strategies, physical activity, and entertainment habits. The K-MPAI, DPAA, and MLTPAQ questionnaires were applied using descriptive analysis, nonparametric tests, correlations, and a mediation model. Cognitive anxiety was identified as the main component of MPA, while self-confidence acted as a protective and mediating factor against motivation. Visualization was associated with motivation and coping with differences by specialty (pedagogy and interpretation), and no links were found between physical activity and MPA. The results indicate the need for MPA to be addressed comprehensively, incorporating technical training, psychological support, and wellness strategies. Full article

The long-term corrosion protection of copper surfaces modified with self-assembled hydrophobic layers (SAHLs) based on stearic acid (SA) and two fat-soluble vitamins, vitamin K₃ (menadione) and vitamin E (E307), was investigated in simulated acidic urban rain (pH 5) over 7 days. The SAHLs were characterised by SEM, contact angle goniometry, ATR-FTIR, potentiodynamic polarisation, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Surface modification was achieved by immersing copper samples in ethanolic SA solutions containing 2.0 wt% of fat-soluble vitamins. Variants included individual additives, (SA + 2.0 wt% K₃) and (SA + 2.0 wt% E307), as well as mixtures with a constant total additive content of 2.0 wt%: (SA + [1.5 wt% K₃ + 0.5 wt% E307]) and (SA + [1.0 wt% K₃ + 1.0 wt% E307]). The (SA + 2.0 wt% K₃) modification produced needle-like microstructures with strong short-term inhibition but poor long-term stability, while (SA + 2.0 wt% E307) formed smoother, more stable films. The mixture containing equal mass fractions of vitamins, (SA + [1.0 wt% K₃ + 1.0 wt% E307]), exhibited a synergistic effect, yielding hierarchically structured, flower-like morphologies with high polarisation resistance and stable impedance over 7 days. These results show that combining K₃ and E307 with stearic acid provides robust, environmentally friendly, and durable protection for copper surfaces. Full article

Background: Although teriparatide is efficacious, its once-daily subcutaneous injections cause local adverse events, inconvenience, and higher cost, limiting long-term adherence. Therefore, this research aims to engineer a pH-responsive oral formulation of teriparatide for osteoporosis therapy. Methods: A layered silicate nanocomplex was obtained by spontaneous self-assembly of teriparatide (Teri) with 3-aminopropyl magnesium phyllosilicate (AC). The nanocomplex (AC-Teri) was then coated with a 1:1 blend of two polymethacrylic acid derivatives (Eudragit^® L100 and Eudragit^® S 100) to provide pH-triggered drug release along the gastrointestinal tract. Results: AC-Teri and the coated nanocomplex (EE/AC-Teri) displayed high encapsulation efficiency (>90%) with narrow size distributions. In a stepwise buffer transition system, EE/AC-Teri demonstrated pH-dependent release, with less than 25% drug liberated at pH 1.2, approximately 54% at pH 6.8, and 74% at pH 7.4 over 24 h. Particle size and ζ-potential of EE/AC-Teri shifted in parallel with dissolution of the outer polymer shell. EE/AC-Teri also protected the peptide against enzymatic degradation, preserving the secondary structure of encapsulated teriparatide in simulated intestinal fluids. Compared with free drug, EE/AC-Teri enhanced transcellular drug permeation 2.7-fold in Caco-2 cells. In dexamethasone-induced osteoporotic rats, oral EE/AC-Teri significantly stimulated bone formation while suppressing resorption; micro-CT and histology confirmed recovery of trabecular architecture. Conclusions: EE/AC-Teri represents a promising oral teriparatide formulation for the effective management of osteoporosis. Full article

Previous research has primarily examined pro-environmental behaviors, yet how citizens understand the policies that shape such actions remains underexplored. Guided by Protection Motivation Theory, this study investigates the relationship between pro-environmental worldviews and environmental policy understanding in China. Using nationally representative data from the 2021 Chinese General Social Survey (N = 1855), regression analyses revealed that pro-environmental worldviews were positively associated with policy understanding (β = 0.114, p < 0.01), and this link was partially mediated by environmental self-efficacy (β = 0.063, p < 0.001). The positive association between worldviews and self-efficacy was stronger among respondents who perceived climate change as highly severe (interaction β = 0.083, p < 0.05). These findings highlight the cognitive pathways connecting environmental values and policy literacy, positioning policy understanding as an important aspect of sustainable citizenship alongside behavioral engagement. Practically, they suggest that enhancing citizens’ understanding of sustainability policies requires communication that resonates with values, strengthens confidence, and conveys credible information about climate risks. Full article

The lymphocystis disease virus (LCDV) is a widespread disease in Mediterranean aquaculture and could lead to losses in fry as well as prevent the sale of adult gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), affecting both hatchery and on-growing stages. Although LCDV infections are often considered self-limiting, they can lead to severe outcomes due to skin microbiome alterations that promote secondary infections, while also reducing growth and marketability, causing substantial economic losses. Basic biosecurity measures are not successful, and there is no available commercial vaccine. This study evaluated diets supplemented with Origanum vulgare and Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oils (1% and 2%) in gilthead seabream experimentally infected with LCDV. Preventive feeding (90 days before infection) and therapeutic feeding (initiated at infection) were compared across 11 experimental groups, including infected, recovered, and control groups. Results showed that essential oils were more effective prophylactically than therapeutically, highlighting their protective role when incorporated into diets. Cinnamon-supplemented groups consistently exhibited lower prevalence and mortality than oregano groups. High DNA damage values linked to reduced mortality, particularly in the CIN90.1 group, demonstrated that viral dissemination was most restricted. In conclusion, essential oils modulated LCD progression by influencing viral interactions with DNA damage repair mechanisms, supporting their potential for disease control in intensive aquaculture. Full article

(1) Background: With the continuous expansion of graduate education, the mental health of postgraduates has become a growing concern for both academia and society. Understanding how family and institutional resources influence psychological outcomes is critical for developing effective support strategies; (2) Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 3998 postgraduate students across China, including 3393 master’s students (51.78% female, M = 24.21, SD = 1.521) and 605 doctoral students (37.19% female, M = 27.77, SD = 2.841). Multi-group structural equation modeling was employed to examine how family functioning and supervisor–postgraduate relationships influenced mental health, research self-efficacy, and suicidal tendencies; (3) Results: The findings showed that although most structural relationships were consistent across groups, two critical pathways were nonsignificant at the doctoral stage, providing evidence of partial structural invariance; (4) Conclusions: The study suggests that while family and school support generally play a protective role, their influence varies across educational stages. Tailoring psychological interventions to the distinct needs of master’s and doctoral students is essential, offering both theoretical insights into the dual role of contextual resources and practical guidance for targeted mental health support in graduate education. Full article

Understanding the reproductive biology of orchids is essential for evaluating population viability and guiding conservation strategies, as their persistence often depends on complex interactions between ecological, physiological, and environmental factors. Govenia capitata, a threatened orchid endemic to the montane forests of central Mexico, had not previously been studied in this regard. We examined flowering phenology, floral longevity, stigmatic receptivity, natural and experimental pollination success, seed viability, and asymbiotic germination in two wild populations. Flowering was synchronous, with inflorescences lasting up to 57 days and individual flowers persisting for an average of 20 days. Stigmatic receptivity was detectable from the first day of anthesis and remained evident for at least eight days. Natural fruit set was very low (16.6%), while assisted self- and cross-pollination reached 100% success, demonstrating self-compatibility despite the inability for autonomous selfing due to floral structure. Seed viability differed significantly among treatments, being lowest in selfed capsules (11%) and highest in cross-pollinated ones (32%), representing a 65% reduction and reflecting severe inbreeding depression that extended to germination performance. In vitro germination success also varied, with the L-arginine medium yielding the highest values (46% for cross-pollinated seeds and 44% for naturally pollinated seeds), though post-germination survival requires optimization for conservation applications. Despite the conspicuous floral display, floral visitation was extremely rare and the pollinator identity remains unknown, with only one potentially effective visitor observed during 144 h of monitoring, and most floral visitors were non-pollinating arthropods such as crab spiders, weevils, hymenopterans, and thrips. Population density varied dramatically (26-fold) between sites separated by less than 1 km, indicating pronounced sensitivity to local environmental conditions. These findings reveal that reproduction in G. capitata is constrained by both extrinsic (pollinator limitation) and intrinsic factors (reduced seed viability), which collectively jeopardize long-term population persistence. From a conservation perspective, protecting montane forest remnants and pollinator communities is essential, while the demonstrated potential of asymbiotic germination provides a complementary tool for ex situ propagation and management of this endemic orchid. Full article

Available reviews of the literature have failed to adequately address research on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) that has been conducted in developing countries, with the aim of this study being to systematically review empirical research on NSSI that has been conducted among adolescents and young adults living in countries located on the African continent. Guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for mixed methods systematic reviews, searches were conducted in six databases—PubMed, Scopus, PsychINFO, African Journals Online, African Index Medicus, and Sabinet African Journals—with searches being conducted from inception to 31 December 2024. These searches identified 33 unique records published in peer-reviewed journals or presented in postgraduate theses during the period 1985 to 2024; with the process of data synthesis identifying three broad analytic themes: the nature of NSSI, risk/protective factors associated with NSSI engagement, and the functions of NSSI. Key findings in relation to these themes: (1) highlight the value of an ethnomedical perspective in cross-cultural research on NSSI, and (2) suggest that the conventional focus on intrapersonal and proximal interpersonal influences on NSSI (in relation to both risk/resilience and NSSI functions) could usefully be extended to include influences emanating from the broader sociocultural context in which individuals are embedded. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for future research. Full article

Background/Purpose: Teeth prepared for fixed dental prostheses are subject to various types of insults in the oral cavity. Therefore, to protect the tooth, the pulp, and supporting structures, provisional restorations are mandatory. Our study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and clinical practices regarding provisional fixed dental prostheses (PFDPs) among dental professionals in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study based on a self-administered online survey was conducted among 312 dentists (general practitioners and specialists) across Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire assessed participants’ knowledge (11 items) and clinical practices (9 items) related to PFDPs. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Only 46.5% of respondents demonstrated adequate knowledge of PFDPs. Knowledge was significantly higher among specialists than general practitioners (57.4% vs. 41.7%, p = 0.011), and specialists were more likely to recognize the influence of PFDPs on treatment outcomes. Clinical practice patterns indicated that even though 94.2% of respondents frequently placed PFDPs, only 66.0% always did so. Moreover, 21.2% of respondents rarely or never disinfect PFDPs. Public sector dentists and specialists were more likely to use custom-made PFDPs. Key gaps in knowledge were observed regarding the materials and equipment used in the fabrication of PFDPs, particularly concerning CAD/CAM technology. Conclusions: Although most dentists in Saudi Arabia provided PFDPs to their patients, significant gaps remain in their knowledge, particularly regarding fabrication materials and techniques. Targeted educational interventions, especially for general practitioners, are needed to enhance clinical outcomes. Full article

This study systematically investigates the corrosion inhibition mechanism of imidazoline (IM) and gallic acid (GA) within boron nitride-reinforced epoxy-phenolic composite coatings (GIBE) for subsea crude oil pipelines. Microstructural characterization via field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirms the formation of a molecularly dispersed system in acetone, wherein IM promotes interfacial passivation through amino-metal coordination bonding with the substrate. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) demonstrates a strong positive correlation between IM content and corrosion resistance. GA facilitates self-healing capacity by forming Fe³⁺-chelated barriers at localized defects (as verified by X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis of Fe³⁺–GA complexes); however, its inherent hydrophilicity introduces microchannels, as evidenced by a 28.6% reduction in the water contact angle, which ultimately compromises the barrier performance at elevated concentrations. The optimized formulation (5 wt.% IM with 2 wt.% GA) exhibits protective performance in simulated seawater at 60 °C: after 7 days of immersion, the low-frequency impedance modulus (|Z|_0.01Hz) reaches 6.28 × 10¹⁰ Ω·cm² with no visible corrosion at scribed regions; after 28 days, |Z|_0.01Hz remains above 10¹⁰ Ω·cm², surpassing the service durability threshold of conventional epoxy coatings under high-temperature saline conditions. This work proposes a novel engineering approach for designing anti-corrosion coatings tailored to marine extreme environments. Full article

Background: Depression, anxiety, and stress are increasingly prevalent among university students, raising concerns about the role of video gaming behaviors, social support, and academic factors in mental health. Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), recognized in international classifications, has been linked to psychological distress but remains underexplored in Portuguese higher education students. Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationships between IGD, social support, academic performance, and mental health outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with Portuguese university students, collecting sociodemographic information, gaming habits, academic performance, social support, and mental health indicators. Data analyses included non-parametric tests, Spearman correlations, and multiple linear regression models to explore group differences, associations, and predictors of mental health outcomes. Results: No significant gender or age differences were observed in social support or mental health. Students living with parents, engaging in multiplayer gaming, and exercising regularly reported higher social support. Social support correlated negatively with depression, anxiety, and stress, whereas IGD correlated positively with these symptoms. Regression analyses identified academic performance, IGD, and intimacy as predictors of depression; family satisfaction as a predictor of anxiety; and family satisfaction and academic performance as protective factors against stress. Conclusions: Findings highlight the interplay of behavioral, social, and academic factors influencing students’ mental health. Effective interventions should reinforce family support and students’ academic self-efficacy, alongside fostering responsible gaming practices. Limitations include cross-sectional design and self-reported measures, indicating the need for longitudinal studies. Full article

The central purpose of this study is to develop and validate an advanced numerical model capable of simulating the vibrational behavior of the operator’s seat in a tractor-type agricultural vehicle designed for operation in protected horticultural environments, such as vegetable greenhouses. The three-dimensional (3D) model of the seat was created using SolidWorks 2023, while its dynamic response was investigated through Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in Altair SimSolid, enabling a detailed evaluation of the natural vibration modes within the 0–80 Hz frequency range. Within this interval, eight significant natural frequencies were identified and correlated with the real structural behavior of the seat assembly. For experimental validation, direct time-domain measurements were performed at a constant speed of 5 km/h on an uneven, grass-covered dirt track within the research infrastructure of INMA Bucharest, using the TE-0 self-propelled electric tractor prototype. At the operator’s seat level, vibration data were collected considering the average anthropometric characteristics of a homogeneous group of subjects representative of typical tractor operators. The sample of participating operators, consisting exclusively of males aged between 27 and 50 years, was selected to ensure representative anthropometric characteristics and ergonomic consistency for typical agricultural tractor operators. Triaxial accelerometer sensors (NexGen Ergonomics, Pointe-Claire, Canada, and Biometrics Ltd., Gwent, UK) were strategically positioned on the seat cushion and backrest to record accelerations along the X, Y, and Z spatial axes. The recorded acceleration data were processed and converted into the frequency domain using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), allowing the assessment of vibration transmissibility and resonance amplification between the floor and seat. The combined numerical–experimental approach provided high-fidelity validation of the seat’s dynamic model, confirming the structural modes most responsible for vibration transmission in the 4–8 Hz range—a critical sensitivity band for human comfort and health as established in previous studies on whole-body vibration exposure. Beyond validating the model, this integrated methodology offers a predictive framework for assessing different seat suspension configurations under controlled conditions, reducing experimental costs and enabling optimization of ergonomic design before physical prototyping. The correlation between FEA-based modal results and field measurements allows a deeper understanding of vibration propagation mechanisms within the operator–seat system, supporting efforts to mitigate whole-body vibration exposure and improve long-term operator safety in horticultural mechanization. Full article