Browse Articles

A finite element reliability analysis platform for damage index-based fragility assessment of RC bridges

Putrescine reprogram phytochemical, oxidative and osmolyte status of Satureja rechingeri Jamzad exposed to salinity stress

Reliability and state-dependency of EEG connectivity, complexity and network characteristics

Abstract Resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) metrics are influenced by task instructions and momentary factors such as cognitive state, complicating their use as biomarkers. We assessed how strongly three classes of resting-state EEG metrics depend on time and state: functional connectivity (FC; amplitude-envelope correlation, AECc, and phase-lag index, PLI), signal complexity (inverted joint permutation entropy, JPE INV , and permutation entropy, PE) and network topology derived from minimum spanning trees (MST). Sixty-four-channel EEG was recorded in healthy adults during two sessions six weeks apart (n = 42) and during semi-resting-state epochs embedded in a P50-gating task (n = 24). Reliability for repeated-resting recordings and resting-state versus semi-resting-state comparisons was quantified with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) at sensor and source level. PE showed consistently good-to-excellent reliability (ICC > 0.75–0.90). FC metrics ranged from poor to excellent, and MST metrics from poor to good. Across analyses, theta and alpha bands outperformed delta and beta bands. Alpha and theta PE and alpha PLI were the most robust, whereas MST and AECc require caution, especially outside theta and alpha bands. Our results identify theta and alpha PE and alpha PLI as robust measures suitable for biomarker development, while urging caution for MST and AECc due to their limited stability across time and state.

Accurate AQI forecasting in a high-altitude city using a simulated CVOCA-BiLSTM hybrid model: a case study of Lhasa, Tibet

Grid aware electrification for decarbonising port logistics based on a case study from Sweden

Abstract Electrification is emerging as a key strategy for decarbonisation of shore-side energy demand at ports. However, this electrification, particularly involving electric shore-side vehicles (ESVs), has a significant impact on the local electricity grid. A key research gap pertains to the specific challenges of ESV load integration into the grid and the effectiveness of mitigation strategies like smart charging and renewable energy integration at the operational level within ports. This study directly addresses this gap through several key contributions: firstly, by quantifying the impact of ESV loads on a localised port electricity grid; secondly, by introducing and evaluating smart charging strategies coupled with solar photovoltaic (PV) integration; and thirdly, by providing practical insights derived from a real-world case study at the port of Oskarshamn. Key findings include: (i) an impact analysis demonstrating that unmanaged (‘dumb’) ESV charging imposes the highest stress on the local grid, necessitating costly immediate upgrades; (ii) the demonstration that optimized charging significantly reduces grid stress, effectively deferring the need for substantial infrastructure investment; and (iii) the confirmation that solar PV integration further aids in managing peak loads and enhancing overall grid stability and energy independence. These results underscore the efficacy of smart charging and renewable integration in managing ESV loads and improving grid resilience. Furthermore, the study highlights potential pathways for future energy efficiency enhancements and even the possibility of energy export within port systems.

An intersectional approach to examine low birthweight by migration status in Sweden using register data

Abstract This study aimed to compare differences in low birthweight (LBW, < 2500 g) between the offspring of Swedish-born women and migrant women from the Global North and Global South, while simultaneously considering the role of other social factors. We used total population registers to study resident women who gave birth in Sweden between 1997 and 2016, representing a total of 1,917,171 live births. Logistic regression analyses were performed using two analytical approaches: (1) a standard approach, applying regression models to assess the association between region of birth and LBW while adjusting for social factors; and (2) an intersectional approach, with an additive combination of region of birth, income, and parental support variables. Both approaches yielded odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and were adjusted for year of birth, maternal age, and parity. Results from both approaches showed differences in the odds of LBW according to maternal background. Importantly, findings from the intersectional approach demonstrated that women from the Global South had consistently higher odds of LBW across income levels, but with risks amplified among those living alone. These findings show that maternal migration background is a strong determinant of LBW, and that its impact is differentially compounded by social factors.

Quadratic response assessment of gypsum and elemental sulphur on the yield and S use efficiency for soybean

Effects of parental burnout and psychological intrusion on adolescent resilience

A personalized federated learning-based glucose prediction algorithm for high-risk glycemic excursion regions in type 1 diabetes

Innovative isotopic modeling and risk assessment of PTEs and PAHs in urban soils

Abstract This study investigates the health and environmental risks associated with Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in urban soils of Sanandaj City, Iran, using an innovative isotopic modeling approach. A total of 53 surface soil samples were systematically collected, revealing elevated concentrations of Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Arsenic (As), and Lead (Pb), with Cd posing a significant ecological risk. Ecological risk assessments indicated low risk for most elements, except for Cd, which showed a notable environmental threat. Non-carcinogenic risk assessments, based on ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure, revealed no significant risks for both children and adults, although children exhibited higher risks, particularly in ingestion. However, carcinogenic risk assessments demonstrated that metals like Cr, Ni, Pb, Cd, and As exceeded the acceptable risk thresholds for both populations, highlighting a severe health concern. PAH concentrations ranged from 126.44 to 2460.87 µg/kg, with a dominance of high molecular weight PAHs, suggesting significant pyrogenic sources. A novel isotopic modeling method, based on 206 Pb/ 207 Pb and 208 Pb/ 207 Pb ratios, effectively traced lead contamination sources, identifying industrial emissions and vehicular exhaust as the primary contributors. This study offers valuable insights into urban soil contamination and provides a robust framework for environmental management and policy-making to mitigate risks from PTEs and PAHs.

Intensive post-war migrations and mtDNA variation based on Poland case

Fungal-derived ZnO nanoparticles functionalized with riboflavin and UDP-GlcNAc exhibit potent nematicidal activity against M. incognita

Surface chemistry–driven CO2 activation and conversion on V2C MXenes

Mitigating security flaws in Baptista’s chaotic cryptosystem through superior and alternated logistic map approaches

Abstract This research delves into the concerns raised by numerous researchers regarding the security of Baptista’s chaotic cryptosystem. The paper scrutinizes two fundamental issues in the Baptista algorithm: the imperfect distribution of chaotic data and the constraints of a single attractor. To address these issues, we propose a novel approach that leverages Parrondo’s paradox to switch between two chaotic attractors and integrates a more robust logistic map into the Baptista algorithm by introducing additional parameters to the secret key. The two innovative methods, Superior Baptista and alternated Superior Baptista cryptosystems, are proposed to yield improved chaotic data or two new chaotic attractors. Therefore, the security features of the cryptosystem are enhanced by increasing the number of system iterations used for encryption. Experimental evaluations show that the Superior Baptista Algorithm required iteration counts up to 2,823, while the Alternated variant reached 86,556 iterations for specific characters, significantly improving randomness and diffusion. Furthermore, the entropy values of these algorithms are calculated 67.35% and 42.86% higher than those of the Baptista algorithm, respectively. These findings demonstrate the superiority of the proposed cryptosystems over the base algorithm.

Electrocatalytic performance of PdNi bimetallic alloys on CNFs for glucose oxidation

Improving real-time emotion recognition system in assistive communication technologies for disabled persons using deep learning with equilibrium algorithm

Performance of marine gravity anomalies extracted from SWOT KaRIn data of science phase in the Gulf of Mexico

Research on the requirement characteristics and differentiated service design of home-based elderly care service in China using the candy model

Abstract In response to the escalating aging population in China, this study undertakes a comprehensive requirement analysis and differentiation exploration of home-based elderly care (HBEC) services. 46 HBEC service items across five dimensions are designed by adopting Grounded Theory, including life services, intelligent services, health services, security services and spiritual services. In terms of methodology, an optimized questionnaire based interval Kano model, namely Candy model is proposed and verified. The newly proposed model changes the way requirements are classified and identifies a new category of requirements: critical requirement. By conducting questionnaire surveys, 5 Critical (C), 7 Must-be (M), 21 One-dimensional (O), 6 Attractive (A), and 7 Indifferent (I) requirements are analyzed. The analysis result of importance shows that the importance order of the five kinds of requirements is: C > M > O > A > I. The correlation coefficients between importance and satisfaction/dissatisfaction are both bigger than 0.9, indicating a strong positive correlation between the importance and satisfaction sensitivity. Furthermore, the differentiation analysis is conducted considering factors such as income level, relationship with children and self-care ability. The differentiation of requirements often occurs in the upstream and downstream requirements within the dynamic change pattern “I → A → O(C) → M”. This study offers valuable results for addressing the challenges associated with population aging.

Dismantlable adhesive using coordination polymer/metal organic framework

The association between whole-blood lead concentration and all-cause or cardiovascular disease mortality in hypertensive patients

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between whole-blood lead levels and mortality in a hypertensive population in the United States. In our study, 8364 subjects aged 20 years and older were included. We used a weighted COX proportional risk regression model to calculate risk ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for blood lead and mortality. The relationship between whole-blood lead levels and mortality was described by a restricted cubic spline curve. Kaplan Meier curves were used to describe the relationship between survival time and survival in study subjects, and all-cause mortality was analyzed in subgroups. Using the lowest quartile (Q1) as a reference, the HRs for all-cause mortality in model 3 (Q2, Q3, and Q4) were 1.05 (95% CI 0.84–1.32), 1.10 (95% CI 0.89–1.36), and 1.44 (95% CI 1.16–1.79), respectively. For cardiovascular mortality, they were 1.03 (95% CI 0.62–1.52), 1.30 (95% CI 0.77–2.21), and 1.97 (95% CI 1.31–2.97), respectively. Weighted restricted cubic spline regression confirmed a positive correlation between whole-blood lead levels and risk ratio (HR) (P-overall < 0.001). Weighted Kaplan–Meier curves showed a significant downward trend in survival in the hypertensive population with increasing whole-blood lead levels. ( P  < 0.0001 for all log-rankings). Subgroup analysis of all-cause mortality showed a strong positive association between whole-blood lead levels and all-cause mortality in different populations. Whole-blood lead concentration showed a non-linear positive correlation with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in hypertensive patients.