Search Results (123,278)

Background/Objectives: Perfectionism is a personality trait characterised by the setting of extremely high and unrealistic personal standards, accompanied by critical self-evaluations. The literature indicates that perfectionism may develop as a learned behaviour, shaped by parent–child interactions, highlighting the influence of parental, individual and environmental factors. This quantitative study examines how parental perfectionism/practices and child temperament contribute to early perfectionism. Methods: The sample comprised 32 first-grade children (9 girls) from Faro district, aged between five and seven, and their parental figures. Parental perfectionism was assessed using self-report questionnaires, while children’s characteristics were evaluated through a combination of parent-report measures, direct observation, and interview-based methods. Results: Children self-rated higher perfectionism than parents attributed, with modest cross-informant agreement for socially prescribed and negligible agreement for Self-Oriented Perfectionism. Direct parent–child associations were small and method-dependent. Coercive/intrusive parenting corresponded to higher child Socially Prescribed Perfectionism, with convergence between observed intrusiveness and self-reported coercive practices. Temperament showed modest, patterned covariation with parenting and child perfectionism. Notably, Effortful Control attenuated the association between parental and child Socially Prescribed Perfectionism, whereas Surgency/Extraversion and Negative Affect did not; no temperament dimension moderated Self-Oriented Perfectionism. Conclusions: Findings indicate a complex interplay between dispositional and environmental factors in early childhood and underscore the value of multi-informant, multi-method assessment. As a pilot study, these findings provide initial insights into the intergenerational transmission of perfectionism in small children and serve as a basis for generating hypotheses and guiding future research, emphasising longitudinal designs and diverse samples to strengthen validity and clarify intergenerational processes. Full article

Sustainability has become a primary focus on a global scale. However, there is a threat to sustainable development due to the substantial generation of waste from urbanization and industrialization. Particularly, the accumulation of mine tailings is a problem, an industrial waste by-product from the mining sector. To support sustainable development and promote circular economy, it is imperative to utilize the materials in the production of asphalt mastics. This review examines the performance of mining waste-modified asphalt binder–mastic to create an idea of what tailings might be used for in subsequent studies. This review contributes to knowledge by consolidating research efforts on mine tailing-modified asphalt binder–mastics, tailings characteristics for intended usage and the possibility of improved blends. The findings show that the mine tailings improve the physical and rheological properties of asphalt binder–mastic compared to conventional fillers, thereby contributing to more durable and sustainable pavements. Also, the mine tailings are environmentally friendly and economically viable, making them a potential alternative filler to substitute the traditional fillers. The review concluded by outlining the limitations of using tailings and suggested future directions for large-scale utilization of tailings in asphalt binder–mastics. Full article

With the large-scale integration of single-phase distributed photovoltaic systems into distribution grids, issues such as mismatched generation and load, overvoltage, and three-phase imbalance may arise in the distribution network. A multi-objective optimization method for flexible distribution networks incorporating a four-leg soft open point (F-SOP) is proposed based on fuzzy chance constraints. First, a mathematical model for the F-SOP’s loss characteristics and power control was established based on the three-phase four-arm topology. Considering the impact of source load uncertainty on voltage regulation, a multi-objective complementary voltage regulation architecture is proposed based on fuzzy chance constraint programming. This architecture integrates F-SOP with conventional reactive power compensation devices. Next, a multi-objective collaborative optimization model for distribution networks is constructed, with network losses, overall voltage deviation, and three-phase imbalance as objective functions. The proposed model is linearized using second-order cone programming. Finally, using an improved IEEE 33-node distribution network as a case study, the effectiveness of the proposed method was analyzed and validated. The results indicate that this method can reduce network losses by 30.17%, decrease voltage deviation by 46.32%, and lower three-phase imbalance by 57.86%. This method holds significant importance for the sustainable development of distribution networks. Full article

Background/Objectives: Preterm birth (PTB), defined as birth before 37 completed weeks of gestation, is a major global health challenge and a leading cause of neonatal mortality. PTB is broadly classified into spontaneous and medically indicated (iatrogenic), which have distinct etiologies. While prediction is key to improving outcomes, there is a lack of models that specifically differentiate between spontaneous and iatrogenic PTB subtypes. This study aimed to develop and validate predictive models for the prediction of spontaneous and iatrogenic PTB at <32, <34, and <37 weeks’ gestation using medical history and readily available second-trimester data. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study on singleton pregnancies from a single tertiary institution (2012–2025). Predictor variables included maternal characteristics, obstetric history, and second-trimester ultrasound markers. Four algorithms, including multivariable Logistic Regression and three machine learning methods (Random Forest, XGBoost, and a Neural Network), were trained and evaluated on a held-out test set (20% of the data). Model performance was primarily assessed by the Area Under the Curve (AUC). Results: In total, 9805 singleton pregnancies were included. The models performed significantly better for iatrogenic PTB than for spontaneous PTB. For delivery <37 weeks, the highest AUC for iatrogenic PTB was 0.764 (Random Forest), while for spontaneous PTB it was 0.609 (Neural Network). Predictive accuracy improved for earlier gestations; for delivery <32 weeks, the best model for iatrogenic PTB achieved an AUC of 0.862 (Neural Network), and the best model for spontaneous PTB achieved an AUC of 0.749 (Random Forest). Model interpretation revealed that iatrogenic PTB was primarily driven by markers of placental dysfunction, such as estimated fetal weight by ultrasound scan and uterine artery pulsatility index, while spontaneous PTB was most associated with a history of PTB and a short cervical length. Conclusions: Models using routine mid-gestation data demonstrate effective prediction for iatrogenic PTB, with accuracy improving for earlier, more severe cases. In contrast, performance for spontaneous PTB was modest. Traditional Logistic Regression performed comparably to complex machine learning algorithms, highlighting that the clinical value is rooted in the subtype-specific modeling approach rather than in algorithmic complexity. Full article

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is considered a rich source of bioactive compounds with high antioxidant activity; however, information on cultivars grown in Korea remains limited. This study aimed to compare the physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant compound contents, including lycopene content, and radical scavenging activities of five guava cultivars (‘Gihyun gold no. 2’, ‘Gihyun gold no. 3’, ‘Gihyun green’, ‘Gihyun red’, and ‘Redlee’) cultivated in Eumseong, Korea, during the 2022 season. Significant differences were observed among cultivars in soluble solids, acidity, firmness, and color, as well as in their organic acid, sugar, and polyphenol profiles. Lycopene was detected only in red-fleshed cultivars, with ‘Gihyun gold no. 2’ showing the highest content (5.21 ± 0.20 mg/100 g FW), while ‘Redlee’ exhibited the highest levels of total phenolics (474.92 ± 9.37 mg GAE/100 g FW), ascorbic acid (292.38 ± 4.40 mg/100 g FW), and radical scavenging activities in both assays (432.16 ± 13.37 mg VCE/100 g FW for DPPH and 640.59 ± 50.44 mg VCE/100 g FW for ABTS). In contrast, ‘Gihyun gold no. 2’ consistently showed the lowest antioxidant values. Correlation analysis revealed that total phenolics and ascorbic acid were strongly associated with both DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities. These findings indicate that guava cultivars grown in Korea possess high nutritional and functional value, and highlight ‘Redlee’ as a promising source of vitamin C, polyphenols, and lycopene with potential applications in health-promoting foods, nutraceuticals, and value-added product development. Full article

Background and Objectives: Lobectomy has traditionally been the gold standard for surgical treatment of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, recent randomized trials suggest anatomical segmentectomy may offer comparable outcomes for selected patients with small, peripheral tumors. The role of segmentectomy in stage IA3 tumors remains less apparent in the context of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 232 patients with pathological stage IA NSCLC who underwent uniportal anatomical segmentectomy (n = 160) or lobectomy (n = 72). Clinicopathological characteristics, recurrence rates, and overall survival (OS) were compared, with subgroup analysis for IA1–IA3 tumors. Results: The 5-year OS was 76.9% for segmentectomy and 87.5% for lobectomy (p = 0.105). Recurrence occurred in 15.8% of segmentectomy patients and 11.3% of lobectomy patients. In IA3 tumors, recurrence rates were higher after segmentectomy (23.5% vs. 18.2%), though not statistically significant. Lymphatic invasion was an independent predictor of mortality. No significant differences were found in tumor size, histologic subtype, or nodal involvement between groups. Conclusions: Uniportal anatomical segmentectomy may be a feasible alternative to lobectomy for stage IA NSCLC, especially for tumors ≤ 2 cm. For IA3 tumors, caution is advised given a trend toward worse outcomes. Careful patient selection and adherence to oncologic principles are essential. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cirrhosis is an irreversible state of chronic liver disease. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a severe complication and significantly contributes to lethal outcomes in cirrhotic patients. We studied a group of cirrhotic patients with SIRS admitted to our centre, assessing the relationship with in-hospital outcomes. Methods: The study population included 102 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and SIRS. Laboratory biomarkers, the model for end-stage liver disease, the model for end-stage liver disease—natrium, the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, CLIF-C organ failure, the systemic immune-inflammation index score (S II), and the Cirrhosis Acute Gastrointestinal Bleeding (CAGIB) score were tested in relation to the mortality risk using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: Our results demonstrated that values of sodium, chlorides, and albumin significantly correlated with 7-day survival. The area under the curve’s (AUCs) values for sodium, chlorides, and albumin were 0.542, 0.627, and 0.610, respectively, for 7-day mortality prediction. The CAGIB score significantly correlated with 7-day mortality, with the cut-off value of −7.86 (AUC: 0.674, 95% CI (0.555–0.794)). For the assessment of 28-day mortality, the AUC values for sodium, chlorides, and albumin were 0.630, 0.654, and 0.661, respectively. Additionally, the cut-off value of the CAGIB score was found to be −7.84 (AUC: 0.625, 95% CI (0.509–0.740)) in 28-day mortality prediction. Conclusions: Sodium, chlorides, albumin, and the CAGIB score are reliable predictors of 7-day and 28-day in-hospital mortality in patients with advanced alcoholic liver disease and SIRS. Full article

Background/Objectives: Menopause is a significant, universal hormonal transition, with symptoms impacting ~80% of women. Research shows that menopause can be professionally disruptive, contributing to decreased productivity, absenteeism, and early exit from the workplace. The objective of this study was to describe the landscape of menopause among Canadian women physicians and explore its potential impact on work performance, job satisfaction, and absenteeism. Methods: In this exploratory cross-sectional study, Canadian physicians self-identifying as women and peri-menopausal or menopausal were invited to participate in an online survey between May–September 2023. Demographic and practice characteristics data were collected. A modified Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) was used to quantify symptom burden. Qualitative data describing the menopausal experience were collected as well. Primary outcome was self-reported work performance. Secondary outcomes included perceived impact of menopause on promotional opportunities, absenteeism, and job satisfaction. Multivariable regression was used to examine associations between MRS scores and outcomes of interest. Results: Among 217 respondents, 47.7% reported a severe menopausal symptom burden; 40% felt menopause negatively impacted work performance, and 16.1% expressed job dissatisfaction. However, fewer than 10 respondents (4.6%) ever took time off for menopausal symptoms. Increasing MRS scores were significantly associated with negative perceived work performance (p < 0.001), fewer promotional opportunities (p < 0.001), and lower job satisfaction (p = 0.006) when controlling for confounders. Qualitative responses were provided by 43 participants, 6 of whom reported positive aspects of the menopausal transition, whereas 20 elaborated on the challenges. Conclusions: Canadian women physicians can experience severe menopausal symptoms, often without support. This needs assessment highlights an important occupational health issue and suggests that opportunities remain for medical institutions and employers to formally recognize and study this life stage of women physicians to improve well-being for this valuable workforce. Full article

A prescribed-performance-based sliding mode control method with feed-forward inverse compensation is proposed in this study to improve the micropositioning accuracy and convergence speed of a piezoelectric actuator (PEA). Firstly, the piezo-actuated micropositioning system is described by a Hammerstein structure model, and an inverse Prandtl–Ishlinskii (PI) model was employed to compensate for its hysteresis characteristics. Then, considering modelling errors, inverse compensation errors, and external disturbances, a new prescribed performance function (PPF) with an exponential dynamic decay rate was developed to describe the constrained region of the errors. We then transformed the error into an unconstrained form by constructing a monotonic function, and the sliding variables were obtained by using the transformation error. Based on this, a sliding mode controller with a prescribed performance function (SMC-PPF) was designed to improve the control accuracy of PEAs. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the error can converge to the constrained region and the sliding variables are stable within the switching band. Finally, experiments were conducted to verify the speed and accuracy of the controller. The step-response experiment results indicated that the time taken for SMC-PPC to enter the error window was 8.1 and 2.2 ms faster than that of sliding mode control (SMC) and PID, respectively. The ability of SMC-PPF to improve accuracy was verified using four different reference inputs. These results showed that, for these different inputs, the root mean square error of the SMC-PPF was reduced by over $39.6\%$ and $52.5\%$, compared with the SMC and PID, respectively. Full article

Background/Objectives: Altered bone metabolism and oxidative stress are features of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Pentosidine, an advanced glycation end-product and a marker of oxidative stress, has been proposed as an indicator of impaired bone health. This study aimed to evaluate whether pentosidine levels are altered in ADPKD and whether they are associated with bone characteristics in comparison with other chronic kidney disease (CKD) etiologies and healthy individuals. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of three cohorts comprising 554 adults. Participants were categorized by CKD etiology and stage (G1–G5). ADPKD stages were classified according to the Mayo Imaging Classification (MIC). Plasma pentosidine was analyzed by HPLC and ELISA. Bone material strength index (BMSi) was assessed using a microindentation technique (OsteoProbe^®). Results: Plasma pentosidine was higher in ADPKD compared with other CKD etiologies in CKD stages G1–G4 (p = 0.023) and CKD 5D (p < 0.0001). Pentosidine was not associated with conventional bone biomarkers. However, in ADPKD individuals with preserved kidney function, higher pentosidine was associated with bone mineral density at the 1/3 radius and with BMSi. Conclusions: Pentosidine levels are consistently elevated in ADPKD compared with other CKD etiologies. Associations between pentosidine and measures of cortical bone properties suggest that pentosidine may contribute to skeletal alterations in ADPKD. These findings highlight a novel pathway linking oxidative stress and bone health. Full article

Building archetypes are essential for advancing architectural theory and energy modeling, providing a foundation for scalable assessments of building performance and sustainability worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, educational buildings, especially those in public universities, are predominantly constructed using standardized and repetitive design templates, such as courtyard and prototype models, which have significant implications for energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and sustainability outcomes. Despite their prevalence, there is a notable lack of systematic research on the classification and distribution of these archetypes within the Saudi context, particularly regarding their impact on energy consumption and sustainable campus planning. This study addresses this gap by systematically collecting and analyzing data from 29 public universities across Saudi Arabia, employing GIS mapping to document building characteristics including age, region, urban context, masterplan typology, and architectural design. A cumulative weighting factor was applied to quantify the representativeness of archetypes, while chi-square tests and effect size metrics assessed the statistical concentration and significance of observed patterns. The results reveal a pronounced dominance of a small number of archetypes, especially standardized courtyard and identical design models, across the national stock, with the top 10% of archetype ranks accounting for the majority of buildings. This high degree of standardization enables efficient modeling, benchmarking, and targeted energy interventions, while also highlighting the need for greater contextual adaptation in future campus planning. While this study does not directly simulate building energy performance, it establishes a national-scale typological foundation that can support future simulation, benchmarking, and policy design. The developed GIS-based framework primarily serves managerial and planning objectives, offering a standardized reference for facility management, retrofitting prioritization, and strategic energy-efficiency planning in Saudi public universities. Full article

Particle migration can affect the ore bodies stability of weathering crust elution-deposited rare earth ores during leaching. It may trigger geological disasters such as landslides. Therefore, direct shear tests, microstructure characterization tests, and numerical simulation tests were adopted. The mechanical behavior characteristics of ore samples with different burial depths were explored. Simultaneously, the evolution characteristics of their microstructure, mineral composition, and failure modes were also studied. The results showed that after leaching, the cohesion (c) initially rose and then dropped as the proportion of −0.075 mm particles increased. The internal friction angle (φ) initially dropped, then increased, and finally stabilized. When its proportion was greater than 20%, the c of the middle-upper part of the ore sample was greater than that of the upper part. Meanwhile, the φ was smaller than that of the upper part. Especially when its proportion was greater than 30%, the c increased gradually with depth. XRD analysis revealed that illite and kaolinite were the main mineral components for the fine particle migration. Simulation experiment results revealed that in ore samples with 10% fine particles, there was noticeable migration and deposition in the upper part. However, it was the least in the upper middle and lower parts. Contact number and coordination number sharply decreased with depth, then increased, and finally gradually reduced. As deposition increased, the shear zone tilt angle grew larger. More secondary shear zones formed. The cracks became more evenly distributed. Full article

Despite the recognized social and economic importance of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), the average grain yield is far below the productive potential of cultivars. This situation is explained by several factors, such as the large number of diseases and pests that affect the crop, some of which cause significant damage. It is estimated that approximately 200 diseases can significantly affect common beans. These can be bacterial, viral, fungal, and nematode-induced. The main bean fungal diseases include anthracnose, angular leaf spot, powdery mildew, gray mold, Fusarium wilt, dry root rot, Pythium root rot, southern blight, white mold, charcoal rot and rust. This review provides a comprehensive overview of eleven major fungal diseases affecting common bean, describing their associated damage, characteristic symptomatology, and the epidemiological factors that favor disease development. It further synthesizes current knowledge on host resistance mechanisms that can be exploited to develop molecularly informed resistant genotypes. The compilation includes characterized resistance genes and mapped quantitative trait loci (QTLs), with details on their chromosomal locations, genetic effects, and potential for use in breeding. Moreover, the review highlights successful applications of molecular breeding approaches targeting fungal resistance. Finally, it discusses conclusions and future perspectives for integrating advanced genetic improvement strategies—such as marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, gene editing, and pyramiding—to enhance durable resistance to fungal pathogens in common bean. This work serves as both a reference for forthcoming resistance-mapping studies and a guide for the strategic selection of resistance loci in breeding programs aimed at developing cultivars with stable and long-lasting fungal resistance. Full article

Background: Sacral and pelvic insufficiency fractures (SIFs and PIFs) are increasingly recognized yet frequently underdiagnosed complications after adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery, particularly in patients undergoing long-segment spinal fusion to the sacrum or pelvis. Methods: We present a representative case of sacral and pelvic insufficiency fractures following extensive spinal fusion, highlighting diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. In addition, a systematic review of the literature was performed according to PRISMA guidelines through PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus databases, including studies up to December 2024. Data regarding demographics, risk factors, diagnostic modalities, management strategies, and outcomes were extracted and narratively synthesized. Results: A total of 21 studies comprising 89 patients were included. The majority were elderly postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and additional risk factors such as chronic corticosteroid therapy or high body mass index. Diagnosis was frequently delayed due to low sensitivity of plain radiographs, whereas computed tomography was the most reliable modality. Management was surgical in 49 patients (55%)—most commonly extension of fixation to the pelvis or use of S2-alar-iliac screws—with favorable fracture healing reported in most cases. Conservative treatment, employed in 40 patients (45%), included bracing, restricted activity, and bone health optimization, also leading to healing in the majority of cases. Conclusions: Sacral and pelvic insufficiency fractures represent an underrecognized but clinically significant complication after ASD surgery. Early recognition through cross-sectional imaging (CT/MRI) is crucial, and both surgical and conservative approaches can be effective if tailored to patient and fracture characteristics. Full article

The geometric content of chaos in nonlinear systems with multiple stabilities of high order is a challenge to computation. We introduce a single algorithmic framework to overcome this difficulty in the present study, where a parametrically forced oscillator with cubic–quintic nonlinearities is considered as an example. The framework starts with the Sparse Identification of Nonlinear Dynamics (SINDy) algorithm, which is a self-learned algorithm that extracts an interpretable and correct model by simply analyzing time-series data. The resulting parsimonious model is well-validated, and besides being highly predictive, it also offers a solid base on which one can conduct further investigations. Based on this tested paradigm, we propose a unified diagnostic pathway that includes bifurcation analysis, computation of the Lyapunov exponent, power spectral analysis, and recurrence mapping to formally describe the dynamical features of the system. The main characteristic of the framework is an effective algorithm of computational basin analysis, which is able to display attractor basins and expose the fine scale riddled structures and fractal structures that are the indicators of extreme sensitivity to initial conditions. The primary contribution of this work is a comprehensive dynamical analysis of the DM-CQDO, revealing the intricate structure of its stability landscape and multi-stability. This integrated workflow identifies the period-doubling cascade as the primary route to chaos and quantifies the stabilizing effects of key system parameters. This study demonstrates a systematic methodology for applying a combination of data-driven discovery and classical analysis to investigate the complex dynamics of parametrically forced, high-order nonlinear systems. Full article