Search Results (25,277)

Light-emitting diode or LED lighting often faces challenges with color rendering due to its unique spectral characteristics compared to natural light. While efforts to enhance the color rendering index (CRI) have typically focused on improving light source elements, there has been less attention on optimizing the software aspects, such as the combination of light sources and spectral composition. Notably, there has been no efficient method proposed specifically for enhancing R9 and R12, which are critical for improving overall color rendering in LED lighting. This paper presents an optimization control method based on the spectral ratios of LED lighting to achieve color rendering similar to natural light. By analyzing the wavelength characteristics of both natural and artificial light, a high CRI light was realized through reinforcement of deficient wavelength bands. Experimental results showed an average CRI of 97, with R9 and R12 values around 93 and 98, respectively, demonstrating that LED technology can achieve color renderings comparable to natural light. Full article

This study evaluates the mechanical performance and predictive modeling of fine-grained soils stabilized with crushed aggregate residue (CAR) or crushed limestone waste (CLW) and Portland cement by integrating the porosity–binder index ($\eta /C_{\mathrm{i}\mathrm{v}}$) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques. Laboratory testing included unconfined compressive strength (q_u) and small-strain shear modulus (G_o) measurements on mixtures containing 15% and 30% CAR and 3% and 6% cement, compacted at dry unit weights between 1.69 and 1.81 g·cm⁻³ and cured for 7 and 28 days. Results revealed that strength and stiffness increased significantly with both cement and CAR contents. The mixture with 30% CAR and 6% cement exhibited the highest mechanical performance at 28 days (q_u = 1550 kPa and G_o = 6790 MPa). When mixtures are compared within the same curing period, the role of CAR and cement becomes evident. At 28 days, increasing CAR from 15% to 30% led to a moderate rise in q_u (from 1390 to 1550 kPa) and G_o (from 6220 to 6790 MPa). Likewise, at 7 days, increasing cement from 3% to 6% at 15% CAR produced significant gains in q_u (207 to 693 kPa) and G_o (2090 to 4120 MPa). The porosity–binder index showed strong correlations with q_u (R² = 0.94) and G_o (R² = 0.92). The ML models further improved accuracy, achieving R² values of 0.99 for q_u and 0.97 for G_o. Although the index already performed well, the additional gain provided by ML is meaningful because it reduces prediction errors and better captures nonlinear interactions among mixture variables. This results in more reliable estimates for mix design, confirming that the combined use of $\eta /C_{\mathrm{i}\mathrm{v}}$ and ML offers a robust framework for predicting the behavior of soil–cement–CAR mixtures. Full article

To understand the pulmonary function and main influencing factors of homemakers in rural Xi’an, a representative city in Northwest China, 72 housewives (61 ± 9 years old) were randomly selected from the rural area of Lantian, Xi’an. The questionnaire survey and pulmonary function test were performed on the subjects in winter and summer, respectively. The general linear model and variance analysis were used to analyze the influencing factors of pulmonary function. Key lung function indices included Vital Capacity (VC: 2.06 ± 0.48 L), Forced Expiratory Volume in First Second (FEV1: 1.91 ± 0.52 L), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC: 2.23 ± 0.59 L), and the FEV1/FVC ratio (0.86 ± 0.07). Several factors were found to cause impairment of pulmonary function. Age has the greatest effect on various indicators of lung function (Eta: 22.3%); the effect of indoor ventilation, season, and second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure on pulmonary function was comparable (3.2–5.9%). There were significant differences on most pulmonary function indices between four age groups (p = 0.000–0.005), and the age of <57 years old displayed the highest lung function index values. The lung function of the ventilation group was better than that of the non-ventilation group. And the lung function of the non-SHS exposure group was better than that of the SHS exposure group. No clear seasonal pattern of pulmonary function was found in this study. Aging, SHS exposure, and poor ventilation showed negative effects on most pulmonary function indices. It is recommended to actively publicize the harm of smoking and strengthen house ventilation to improve lung function in local homemakers. Full article

Hydrogen water, characterized by a high concentration of unionized hydrogen molecules, is being presented as a new alternative in agriculture. This study focused on the application of hydrogen water to leaves and its effects on crop yield and quality, especially on leaf lettuce, through foliar fertilization (twice a week at 25 L per 330 m²) experiments with hydrogen water with dissolved hydrogen of more than 300 ppb and control water with dissolved hydrogen close to 0 ppb. The experimental group that received foliar fertilization showed significant advantages over the control group in leaf thickness and stem thickness characteristics that affected post-harvest distribution quality. Area growth rate analysis revealed a consistently higher average area growth rate (up to 0.86%) in the group treated with hydrogen water compared to the control group (0.1%). The results of an independent-sample t-test of spectral indices showed that the experimental group showed a significance level above the critical value (p < 0.05) compared to the control group in the analysis results of NDVI in soil cultivation and NDRE in hydroponic cultivation. Although other spectral indices did not show differences between the experimental and control groups at the significance level, the average of all samples was higher in the experimental group than in the control group. Overall, the findings suggest that foliar application of hydrogen water positively influences the growth of lettuce crops, as evidenced by comprehensive trait, area growth rate, and spectral index analyses. These results underscore the novelty of hydrogen water as an efficient foliar treatment that enhances crop performance with minimal system changes. Its potential to improve yield quality while reducing chemical input demands suggests clear economic and environmental benefits. Full article

Blossom-end enlargement (BEE) is a physiological disorder in cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.) that affects postharvest quality and results in commercial loss due to reduced product value. Pre-cooling using modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) has been encouraged as a preventive method of BEE; however, BEE can still be observed under actual distribution conditions. This study reexamined the process from harvesting in midsummer to arriving at the market (550 km) and storage, while considering the impact of packaging materials, packaging methods, and human factors on BEE occurrence. More than 18 h were required from harvest to delivery at the pre-cooling warehouse at the common shipping site; however, despite using a refrigerated truck, the temperature inside the packaging increased again during transportation. The temperature then dropped during 24 h of pre-cooling; however, it did not reach 10 °C, the appropriate storage temperature for cucumbers. MAP suppressed the occurrence of BEE compared to conventional film packaging; however, the BEE index varied greatly between individuals who performed the packaging. We determined that tying both ends of the packaging film increases the degree of airtightness as individual differences decrease and is more effective at suppressing BEE. Porous mineral-containing film (PM) packaging, which generates a modified atmosphere (MA), significantly suppressed BEE compared to conventional perforated film (C). In 2019 transport trials, the BEE index at 6 DAH for C film was 77.3, while for PM film it was only 12.0. Furthermore, we found that the effectiveness of PM film was significantly affected by human-related operational factors. The novel packaging method of tying both ends of the film (PM-T) provided the most consistent BEE suppression and lowest BEE index regardless of the packaging worker, demonstrating its superior potential in standardizing airtightness and minimizing human-related operational variability. Full article

Concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) columns are composite structural elements preferred in various engineering structures due to their superior properties compared to those of traditional structural elements. However, fire resistance analyses are complex due to CFST columns consisting of two components with different thermal and mechanical properties. Significant challenges arise because current design codes and guidelines do not provide clear guidance for determining the time-dependent fire performance of these composite elements. This study aimed to address the existing design gap by investigating the fire behavior of circular long CFST columns under axial compressive load and developing robust, accurate, and reliable design models to predict their fire performance. To this end, an up-to-date database consisting of 62 data-points obtained from experimental studies involving variable material properties, dimensions, and load ratios was created. Analytical design models were meticulously developed using two advanced soft computing techniques: artificial neural networks (ANNs) and genetic expression programming (GEP). The model inputs were determined as six main independent parameters: steel tube diameter (D), wall thickness (t_s), concrete compressive strength (f_c), steel yield strength (f_sy), the slenderness ratio (L/D), and the load ratio (μ). The performance of the developed models was comprehensively compared with experimental data and existing design models. While existing design formulas could not predict time-based fire performance, the developed models demonstrated superior prediction accuracy. The GEP-based model performed well with an R-squared value of 0.937, while the ANN-based model achieved the highest prediction performance with an R-squared value of 0.972. Furthermore, the ANN model demonstrated its excellent prediction capability with a minimal mean absolute percentage error (MAPE = 4.41). Based on the nRMSE classification, the GEP-based model proved to be in the good performance category with an nRMSE value of 0.15, whereas the ANN model was in the excellent performance category with a value of 0.10. Fitness function (f) and performance index (PI) values were used to assess the models’ accuracy; the ANN (f = 1.13; PI = 0.05) and GEP (f = 1.19; PI = 0.08) models demonstrated statistical reliability by offering values appropriate for the expected targets (f ≈ 1; PI ≈ 0). Consequently, it was concluded that these statistically convincing and reliable design models can be used to consistently and accurately predict the time-dependent fire resistance of axially loaded, circular, long CFST columns when adequate design formulas are not available in existing codes. Full article

This paper develops and applies an ex-ante methodological framework to assess the societal optimisation of eBRT innovations within the Horizon Europe eBRT2030 project, using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and the PROMETHEE method. The study evaluates 11 eBRT innovations to be deployed in five demonstration sites in Europe and one in Colombia. Twenty social parameters, including 10 risks and 10 benefits, were weighted and scored through expert and stakeholder engagement, to calculate the Societal Optimisation Index (SOI). Positive SOI values indicate that societal benefits outweigh risks, and negative values indicate the opposite, while close-to-zero values indicate socially neutral or ambiguous options requiring case-specific judgement. The results indicate that innovations such as Adaptive Fleet Scheduling and Planning, Intelligent Driver Support Systems, and IoT Monitoring Platforms provide strong societal benefits with manageable risks, while charging-related innovations are associated with social concerns. The study emphasises the importance of social impact assessment prior to implementing innovations, to enable inclusive decision-making for policymakers and transport planners and enable the development of socially optimised eBRT systems. Embedding experts’ perspectives and social criteria ensures that technological innovations are aligned with societal needs, assisting the transition towards more equitable, low-carbon transport systems. Full article

Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is the standard axillary staging procedure in clinically node-negative breast cancer but remains invasive, non-therapeutic and increasingly questioned in contemporary de-escalation algorithms. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), however, the safety of omitting SLNB solely on the basis of a negative axillary ultrasound (AUS) is uncertain, particularly across molecular subtypes with heterogeneous chemosensitivity. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of preoperative AUS after NACT and explored clinicopathological and biological factors associated with SLNB positivity in ultrasound-negative axillae. Methods: In this single-centre retrospective cohort, 135 women with invasive breast cancer who received NACT followed by surgery (2022–2024) were analysed. To avoid spectrum bias, 77 patients with clipped, cytologically or histologically proven node-positive disease at baseline were excluded from the main analysis. All patients underwent preoperative AUS and definitive axillary staging. Ninety-six women with ultrasound-negative axillae who proceeded to SLNB constituted the primary study population. Oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), HER2, Ki-67 and immunohistochemistry-based molecular subtype were recorded. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and uni/multivariable logistic regression were used as exploratory tools to identify factors associated with SLNB positivity. Results: In the overall cohort, AUS sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and false-negative rate for axillary metastasis were 47.8%, 90.9%, 62.5% and 52.2%, respectively. Among ultrasound-negative axillae, SLNB was positive in 37.5%. Compared with SLNB-negative patients, those with SLNB metastases more frequently harboured an intratumoural ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) component, showed higher ER/PR expression and lower Ki-67, and were predominantly luminal A or luminal B/HER2−, whereas AUS performance appeared more favourable in HER2-enriched and triple-negative tumours. ROC-derived cut-offs for ER (82.5%), PR (25.0%) and Ki-67 (17.5%) provided only moderate discrimination (area under the curve 0.68–0.70). In multivariable analysis, absence of a DCIS component and low PR expression were independently associated with reduced odds of SLNB positivity, suggesting that DCIS and high PR may act as indicators of residual nodal risk in ultrasound-negative axillae. All estimates are limited by sample size and wide confidence intervals and should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating. Conclusions: Preoperative AUS alone cannot reliably exclude sentinel lymph node metastasis after NACT, particularly in luminal A and luminal B/HER2− tumours with strong hormone receptor expression and a low proliferative index. Until prospective, biology-stratified trials confirm the safety of omission, SLNB should not be withheld solely on the basis of a negative AUS in these subtypes. Axillary management after NACT should systematically integrate both imaging findings and tumour biology when considering further de-escalation of surgery. Full article

Population ageing is a growing global trend. It was estimated that by 2050, people over 60 years of age will represent 35% of the population in industrialised countries. This context demands strategies that incorporate technologies, such as fall detection systems, to facilitate remote monitoring and the automatic activation of risk alarms, thus improving quality of life. This article presents a scoping review of the leading technological solutions developed over the last decade for detecting falls in older adults, describing their principles of operation, effectiveness, advantages, limitations, and future trends in their development. The review was conducted under the PRISMA^® methodology, including articles indexed in SCOPUS, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, PubMed, IEEE Xplore and Taylor & Francis. There is a predominance in the use of inertial systems that use accelerometers and gyroscopes, valued for their low cost and wide availability. However, those approaches that combine image analysis with artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms show superiority in terms of accuracy and robustness. Similarly, progress has been made in the development of multisensory solutions based on IoT technologies, capable of integrating information from various sources, which optimises decision-making in real time. Full article

Objectives: To assess retinal microvascular changes in patients with Grade II and III obesity before and after bariatric surgery using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA), and to compare these metrics with age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Methods: Prospective, consecutive, longitudinal cohort study with a 12-month follow-up. Grade II and III obese patients scheduled for bariatric surgery underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examinations, including OCTA imaging, prior to the surgery and postoperatively at 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months post-surgery. Results: A total of 43 eyes from 43 patients with obesity (one eye per patient) were included at baseline. At 12 months post-surgery, there was a significant increase in vessel density (VD) (16.70 vs. 17.68; p < 0.01) and perfusion density (PD) (0.406 vs. 0.433; p < 0.01), reaching values comparable to those of the control group (17.73 and 0.434, respectively). Significant reductions were also observed in body mass index (BMI) (43.74 vs. 29.53; p < 0.01), body weight (122.44 kg vs. 81.90 kg; p < 0.01), and intraocular pressure (IOP) (15.72 mmHg vs. 14.16 mmHg; p < 0.01). Conclusions: This study demonstrates a compelling association between obesity and retinal microvascular impairment, highlighting the efficacy of bariatric surgery not only in achieving substantial weight loss but also in improving the retinal perfusion of these patients, achieving metrics at 12 months comparable to age- and sex-matched healthy controls at baseline. These findings raise the hypothesis of the potential utility of OCTA as a monitoring tool for tracking the microvascular status in patients with obesity undergoing bariatric surgery in a longitudinal manner. Full article

The Volga is the largest river in Europe and its headwaters comprise reference or least disturbed conditions. In the headwaters of the Volga (445 km) upstream of Tver, 27 diatom samples (18 from the Volga and nine from selected tributaries) were collected in shallow water along the banks from different habitats, wherefrom 270 taxa (244 pennate and 26 centric) were identified. Most benthic taxa were found within Naviculaceae (40 taxa), Fragilariaceae (29 taxa), Bacillariaceae (27 taxa), Achnanthaceae (23 taxa), Gomphonemataceae (19 taxa), Cymbellaceae (17 taxa), and 16 taxa belong to the Amphora-complex. Species richness in the Volga and its tributaries was comparable; the mean value was 46 in the Volga and 50 in the tributaries. Regarding the saprobic index, the source region (reach R1) was characterized by a large proportion of xeno- and oligo-saprobic species, with the proportion of oligo-beta and beta-meso-saprobic species increasing along the continuum. This study provides a first comprehensive checklist of benthic diatoms for the Volga headwaters and analyzes longitudinal changes as well as the interplay between abiotic parameters and the diatom community in the headwaters of the Volga. Full article

The aim of this work was to propose an objective parameter to define the acceptability of fresh sea bass and sea bream among concentrations of formaldehyde, formic acid, and TVB-N. As indicated, TVB-N appeared to be the most appropriate index. The formaldehyde value cannot be used because it increased until day 6 and then decreased because it was transformed into formic acid. The decrease was observed at all of the times tested. Nevertheless, formic acid also cannot be considered as a valid parameter because in both of the tested fish, it reached values of less than 7.2 mg/kg at 15 days of storage, even though the sensorial analysis indicated the loss of acceptability. In addition, this value is 4–7 times lower than the concentration present in other fresh fish. Consequently, TVB-N represents the only parameter of interest for defining acceptability for both fish species and it can be accepted as the freshness index. Considering the results of the microbial, physico-chemical, and sensory analysis, a level of TVB-N less or equal to 35 mg N/100 g of product was observed up to 12 days of storage. Then, at 15 days, TVB-N reached values over 40 mg N/100 g and both the fish were no longer acceptable, as demonstrated by sensory analysis. For this reason, this value can also be proposed as the limit of freshness for sea bass and sea bream, stored either in VP or in MAP at 4 ± 2 °C. Considering the microbial, physico-chemical, and sensorial analysis of both fish species, a shelf-life limit of 12 days was proposed. Full article

Background/Objectives: Iodine plays a central role in thyroid hormone synthesis and neurodevelopment. Its deficiency and excessive intake have been identified as risk factors for thyroid diseases and their consequences. The objective of the study was to analyze dietary iodine intake (dIi) and the factors that determine its intake among post-primary school students from northern Poland, specifically those from coastal areas and lake districts. Methods: The study was conducted on a sub-national sample of 3102 adolescents (1751 females and 1351 males) aged 14–20 years, recruited from schools located in the Northern (N) and North-Western (N-W) macroregions of Poland. Dietary iodine intake was assessed using the Iodine Dietary Intake Evaluation-Food Frequency Questionnaire. Based on the data obtained, the adequacy of the intake of this micronutrient was assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using the Shapiro-Wilk, U Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests and Spearman’s correlation analysis. Results: The median dIi was 66.83 µg daily, including 53 µg from natural sources. This value was below the recommended dietary allowance of 150 µg and below the estimated average requirement of 95 µg of iodine in 85% and 68% of the study participants, respectively. Milk and dairy products provided the highest iodine intake (26.4%). Iodine-enriched salt (16.2%) also significantly impacted iodine intake. However, 60% of respondents did not use iodized salt. The median iodine levels from natural sources were found to be low (dairy products: 15.02 µg, fish and fish products: 2.38 µg, and eggs: 2.10 µg). Dietary iodine intake was significantly lower in adolescents from the N than N-W macroregion of Poland (median: 65.63 vs. µg daily, 74.2 p < 0.001). However, dIi did not depend on sex (p = 0.10), age (p = 0.80), school location (p = 0.80), body mass index classification (p = 0.76), or iodine supplementation (p = 0.90). Conclusions: The study results indicate that insufficient iodine intake among adolescents in northern Poland can be attributed to a limited intake of iodine from natural food sources. A pressing need exists to closely monitor iodine intake and status among Polish adolescents and to implement nutritional education, focusing on the role of iodine, potential risks associated with iodine deficiency, and dietary sources of iodine. Full article

As rapid urbanisation accelerates in Global South cities, regulatory upzoning is widely promoted as a tool to expand supply and foster compact growth. Yet the interaction between permissive rules, market valuation, and institutional capacity remains underexplored. This article examines Hyderabad’s near two-decade experiment with Floor Space Index deregulation, introduced through Government Order Ms. No. 86 (2006), which eliminated citywide density caps and allowed premium-based flexibility. Using a geocoded dataset of over 9200 projects matched with government circle rate tables, spatial accessibility measures, and a subset of 2500 properties for regression analysis, this study evaluates how rules, price signals, and institutional arrangements shaped development outcomes through a rules–prices–institutions analytical framework. Results reveal that deregulation produced highly selective verticalisation, with high-rise projects concentrated in the western IT corridor while most of the city retained low-to-mid-rise form. Regression estimates demonstrate that FSI and height are capitalised in market prices but remain statistically insignificant in government valuations, reflecting a systematic undervaluation of high-intensity development in official pricing schedules. Institutional fragmentation and valuation inertia thus created a “capture gap,” where fiscal returns failed to match private value increments. The findings underscore that effective densification requires dynamic alignment of regulatory latitude, real-time valuation, and integrated governance. Hyderabad’s case illustrates broader lessons for Global South cities: the analysis demonstrates that the proposed framework is transferable beyond the empirical setting, and that blanket deregulation without fiscal and institutional reform entrenches inequality and weakens the public dividend from urban growth. Full article

Objectives: This cross-sectional observational and epidemiological study aimed to collect data on the oral health conditions of the prison population in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Methods: The Penitentiary Moniz Sodré, part of the Penitentiary Complex of Bangu, houses 1385 male inmates of different nationalities. They were divided into groups according to age: Group 1, prisoners aged 18 to 27 years; Group 2, from 28 to 37 years; Group 3, from 38 to 47 years; and Group 4, from 48 and older. A survey was performed, and the Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) index was applied. A statistical analysis was conducted, considering a p-value of less than 0.05 as significant. Then, multiple linear regression was implemented to verify correlations among the studied parameters, to adjust for confounders, and to examine predictors of DMFT scores. Results: The average age was 26.95 ± 6.72 years, with 57.7% smokers (n = 720) and 7.7% (n = 96) former smokers. Lung diseases were also relatively common (20.9%). The most frequently reported oral issue was bleeding on probing (37.7%, n = 470), with 100% presenting visible dental plaque and 71.3% dental calculus. Oral hygiene habits showed moderate adherence, with 20.1% brushing their teeth at least once daily and 20.3% flossing; however, only 10.3% reported using fluoride mouthwash. The average DMFT score progressively increased across age groups: Group 1 (age: 18–27): 6.89; Group 2 (age: 28–37): 10.87; Group 3 (age: 38–47): 16; and Group 4 (age ≥ 48): 22.5 (p < 0.0001). Decayed (D) teeth scores showed a moderate increase: Group 1: 2.94 ± 2.74; Group 2: 3.38 ± 2.65; Group 3: 3.11 ± 2.56; Group 4: 3.75 ± 3.1 (p = 0.0029). Missing (M) teeth scores demonstrated a significant increase with age, from 2.74 (±2.84) in group 1 to 18.12 (±7.71) in group 4 (p < 0.0001), whereas Filled (F) teeth scores were highest in group 3 (mean 1.92 ± 4.13), followed by a decline in the oldest group (mean 0.62 ± 1.18) (p < 0.0001). These findings indicate a strong age-related increase in the total DMFT score, primarily driven by the number of missing teeth. Conclusions: High levels of caries and its sequelae exist, demonstrating a correlation with age, as well as a low level of previous periodontal treatment or intervention. As the treatments performed did not manage to reduce the incidence of caries and periodontal diseases, a high number of extractions were observed in patients in confinement. Full article