Browse Articles
Discover research articles across all indexed journals
The perception gap in school commuting: explaining the mismatch between objective conditions and travel behavior in a Sprawled city: Najran, Saudi Arabia
Abstract Active commuting to school is an important contributor to children’s daily physical activity, yet it has declined significantly in many urban contexts. While previous research has examined environmental and social influences on school travel behavior, less attention has been given to how individuals interpret these conditions and how such interpretations shape behavior. This study addresses this gap by introducing the concept of the “perception gap,” defined as the mismatch between objective environmental conditions and how these conditions are perceived by individuals. Using data from 1,218 respondents in Najran City, Saudi Arabia, this study integrates objective indicators of the built environment with perception-based and social factors within a unified analytical framework. Descriptive analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation, and binary logistic regression modeling were employed to examine the relationships between objective conditions, perception-based variables, and the likelihood of active commuting behavior. The results indicate that distance remains the most influential structural constraint, while perception-based factors—particularly social conditions and perceived safety—play a significant role in shaping travel decisions. In addition, objective factors such as long distance and traffic accidents were found to significantly reduce the likelihood of active commuting. Importantly, the findings suggest that individuals may respond not only to objective environmental conditions but also to how those conditions are perceived and interpreted. This study contributes by proposing the perception gap as a conceptual perspective for understanding potential discrepancies between objective environmental conditions and how those conditions are interpreted by individuals, building upon previous perception-based approaches that often examined environmental and behavioral factors separately. The findings underscore the importance of pairing infrastructure improvements with perception-oriented and policy-based interventions to promote active commuting in sprawling, car-dependent urban environments.
A state of charge (SOC) estimation method for lithium-ion batteries based on an adaptive strong-tracking Kalman filter
Terrain-vegetation interactions regulate carbon storage heterogeneity in the rapidly urbanizing Chaoshan coastal region
Abstract Land use/cover change (LUCC) alters vegetation structure and carbon sequestration capacity, thereby reshaping regional carbon cycling. However, the mechanisms driving the spatial heterogeneity of carbon storage (CS) in rapidly urbanizing coastal regions remain insufficiently understood. In this study, the relationship between land use and CS was quantified using land-use data from 2000, 2010, and 2020 for the Chaoshan region. Future land-use patterns were simulated under three development scenarios using the PLUS model, CS dynamics were evaluated with the InVEST model, and the dominant drivers of CS spatial heterogeneity were identified using the Geographical Detector. The results indicate that between 2000 and 2020, artificial surfaces expanded significantly (889.23 km²), while cultivated land decreased substantially (782.98 km²), and wetlands nearly disappeared. Spatially, CS exhibited a pattern of low storage in the southeast and southwest and high storage in the central and north, a distribution primarily influenced by NDVI, DEM, and Slope. Notably, a strong interaction between DEM and NDVI (q = 0.62) highlights a critical terrain-vegetation synergy in shaping CS patterns. By 2030, CS is projected to decline under all three development scenarios, with the lowest reduction under the low-carbon development (LCD) scenario, emphasizing its significant advantage in mitigating carbon loss. This study proposes spatially targeted strategies integrating forest enhancement in high-carbon mountainous regions, compact urbanization with cropland protection in southeastern areas, and coastal-riparian wetland restoration, underpinned by carbon compensation mechanisms to balance development with ecological conservation.
Deuterated water and the formation of the satellites of Uranus
The satellites of Uranus orbit in a low-eccentricity, equatorial plane that is tilted by 98 ° relative to the solar system—a geometry that mirrors Uranus’s extreme axial tilt. Although a giant impact could have tipped Uranus, how the satellites came to share this orientation remains uncertain. Proposed formation pathways include primordial accretion followed by reorientation, formation from debris generated by the tilting impact, and reaccretion from a massive ring produced by the tidal disruption of passing bodies from the outer solar system. Current observations do not discriminate among these scenarios. Using the James Webb Space Telescope, we measured the deuterium-to-hydrogen (D/H) ratio in the water ice of the five regular satellites of Uranus. We find an average D/H ratio of 2.1 ± 0.2 × 10 − 4 , nearly five times higher than that of Uranus and comparable to values measured in comets. This enrichment is inconsistent with any formation scenario in which substantial Uranian material was incorporated into the satellites, thereby excluding models that require significant mixing in an impact-derived vapor disk. The observed D/H ratios are instead compatible with models in which the satellites accreted from material that remained largely separate from Uranus, such as debris from a disrupted preexisting satellite system or from a tidally captured outer solar system body. The innermost regular satellite, Miranda, exhibits a marginally elevated D/H ratio (2.8 σ above the average of the outer satellites), potentially indicating a distinct formation history or source of water and offering an important clue for distinguishing among competing models.
A low-cost calcium silicate hydrate with an exceptionally large sequestration capacity for aqueous divalent nickel
Abstract Nickel (Ni) is a high-value resource in industrial economies with essential uses in ferrous and non-ferrous alloys, electric-vehicle batteries, magnets, and catalysts, but has acute supply-chain risks and is classified as a critical material (or mineral). Here we show that large-scale spontaneous sequestration of nickel occurs in a low-cost calcium silicate hydrate material (CS) under mild conditions. CS takes up Ni 2+ ions rapidly from aqueous solution to achieve loadings as high as 440 kg Ni per tonne CS. This chemistry brings new opportunities in nickel recycling, recovery and environmental clean-up. The Ni sequestration reaction of CS is similar to that previously described (A Hamilton et al., Scientific Reports (2024) 14:7052) for cobalt, although it is about four times faster. Full kinetic and reaction product data are reported. The reaction provides an easy synthesis route to a new Ni-phyllosilicate with a high metal loading, one of a class of materials in active development as catalysts for process-scale water-splitting and reforming reactions.
Predicting anaerobic power status of taekwondo athletes from anthropometric and biomechanical features: a multi-branch attention deep network with SHAP and LIME interpretability
Feasibility and safety of a novel activated leukocyte adsorption device during cardiopulmonary bypass: a first-in-human pilot study
Abstract Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) induces inflammation partly via leukocyte activation. We conducted a first-in-human pilot study assessing the feasibility and perioperative safety of a novel activated leukocyte adsorption device during CPB. The leukocyte adsorber was integrated into the CPB circuit of adults undergoing cardiac surgery. Numbers of CD11b⁺ neutrophils were measured by flow cytometry from baseline until 48 h after surgery. The primary endpoint was the rate of CD11b⁺ neutrophil removal between before and immediately after adsorption. Secondary outcomes included inflammatory biomarkers, hemostasis indices, safety events and SOFA score at 24 h after surgery. Six patients completed follow-up. The removal rate varied widely (mean, − 15.8 ± 43.4%; range, − 79.4% to 18.6%; median, 4.0%). IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 peaked at 6 h and declined by 24–48 h after surgery. Peak temperature was 37.6 ± 0.3 °C and organ dysfunction was mild (SOFA score 3.83 ± 0.75). One patient developed acute kidney injury, but none suffered stroke, respiratory failure, major cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events, or device-related adverse events. Our novel leukocyte adsorption during CPB appears feasible and safe. No conclusions regarding efficacy can be drawn. Further larger controlled studies are required. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2500109580).
Competing models of hominin body size evolution
The evolutionary trajectory of hominin body size remains contested, with prior studies suggesting a gradual increase or lineage-specific shifts. Here, we apply Bayesian phylogenetic generalized linear mixed models to a dataset of 386 specimens across 21 taxa and find strong evidence for a marked body mass increase in non- habilis or later-occurring Homo , with moderate support for a general increase over time. Contrary to some existing hypotheses, we find less support for a distinct size increase across all Homo . By accounting for phylogenetic nonindependence, intraspecific variation, and multiple sources of uncertainty, our analysis examines competing views in a single framework, supporting a more complex explanation for hominin body size evolution and clarifying key transitions in Homo .
Effects of functional endoscopic sinus surgery on olfactory and trigeminal function in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps
Abstract Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with and without nasal polyps has a prevalence of around 10%, being one of the most common chronic diseases in Europe. It is characterized by a wide range of symptoms leading to a high individual, clinical and socioeconomic burden due to loss of productivity of individual patients and challenging therapeutic processes. This study aimed to investigate the effects of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) on olfactory function and associated quality of life of CRS patients, particularly regarding postoperative differences in neuronal processes. Using psychophysical and electrophysiological tools, the goal was to quantify postoperative changes to predict the neuronal functions related to olfactory improvements after FESS and ultimately provide better therapeutic recommendations in the future. Twenty-five CRS patients with nasal polyps aged from 30 to 64 years (CRS group) and 20 healthy controls aged from 23 to 54 years (control group) participated in this study. Both groups were tested twice (interval 3 to 6 months), with the first examination of the patients taking place a few days before surgery. Testing included questionnaires (medical history including self-ratings of olfactory function and nasal breathing, SNOT-20 questionnaire), psychophysical methods (Sniffin Sticks for olfactory function [TDI score], Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow) and electrophysiological methods (olfactory and trigeminal event-related potentials). CRS group patients were also subjected to preoperative clinical examination and preoperative CT-scans. While the CRS group improved in terms of self-ratings of the sense of smell and TDI scores, as well as nasal breathing and quality of life, the control group did not show major longitudinal differences. In addition, electrophysiological measures suggested that trigeminal sensitivity decreased after surgery. CRS patients showed benefits from surgery in terms of olfaction, nasal breathing and quality of life, at least 3–6 months after the intervention. Interestingly, electrophysiological measurements suggested a postoperative decrease of trigeminal sensitivity.
Preparation and application of sweet flavorings using green tea powder via Maillard reaction
A nonlinear viscoelastic 3D bellows microspring fabricated with two-photon polymerization
Abstract In the past decade, two-photon polymerization (TPP) based 3D printing has gained popularity for prototype fabrication of micro and nanoscale structures and mechanical metamaterials. However, practical considerations including response uniformity, nonlinear behaviors, and material aging effects remain challenges for device maturation and are seldom reported. In this work, a pair of cylindrical microscale bellows springs (~ 100 μm diameter), fabricated with a commercial TPP 3D printer, are shown to exhibit nonlinear stiffness profiles under compression (up to ~ 7%), with distinct linear and nonlinear regions, that change significantly after ~ 9–10 months of open air exposure in ambient lab conditions. Under constant loads (2–10 mN) the springs exhibit a consistent drift (“creep”) response (-143 nN/nm) with displacement rates increasing with load and decreasing with dwell time. A viscoelastic response is evident under cyclic subresonant (0.5–1.5 Hz) low amplitude (0.5–1.5 mN) loading with the spring loss angle increasing with frequency. While some of these characteristics can be attributed to the spring design, the results offer compelling motivation for deeper consideration of nonlinear material properties in two-photon polymer resist development.
Prospective evaluation of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis after one anastomosis gastric bypass using transient elastography
The deubiquitinase USP25 contributes to stemness and malignant progression of breast cancer by stabilizing C1ql4
Bird swarm optimized chaotic lattice framework for parallel multi image encryption
Abstract The exponential growth of multimedia communication demands secure, efficient, and scalable image encryption frameworks capable of handling high-dimensional correlated data. Existing chaotic and hybrid encryption schemes demonstrate strong nonlinearity but often suffer from redundant computations, weak inter-channel coupling, and limited adaptability in multi-image settings. In this work, we propose BLINK (Bird Swarm Optimization (BSO)-Hypertuned Lattice-Based Image eNcryption Kernel), a novel entropy-preserving multi-image encryption framework integrating chaotic lattice dynamics, eigen-coupled channel interaction, and optimization-driven parameter tuning. The proposed approach introduces a PSI-based amortized eigen-coupled chaotic lattice mechanism that enables efficient reuse of invariant chaotic structures while maintaining non-deterministic behavior. BSO is employed for adaptive hyperparameter tuning and secure seed generation, with cryptographic safeguards ensuring randomness quality. Furthermore, the framework aligns with post-quantum security principles through lattice-based constructs inspired by learning with errors. Experimental evaluations demonstrate superior entropy, reduced pixel correlation, and enhanced resistance to statistical and differential attacks compared to existing schemes, making BLINK suitable for secure multi-image encrypted transmission.
Evaluating the role of the understory mangrove fern Acrostichum aureum in mangrove sediment organic matter and carbon dynamics
A novel cluster-based multinomial logit modeling for crash severity analysis in collisions involving automated ev-only manufacturer (AEVOM) vehicles
Theoretical insights into the adsorptive removal of nitrate ion as a detrimental pollutant using Mo-decorated rG material through DFT calculations
Heterogeneity, longitudinal decline, and metabolic risk in MRI-based quantification of 20 individual hip and thigh muscles
Abstract Quantifying muscle health at scale has been limited by the difficulty of segmenting individual muscles on MRI. We developed an automated 3D deep-learning framework that segments 20 bilateral hip and thigh muscles from Dixon MRI, enabling muscle level quantification of volume and relative fat fraction (rFF). Applied to 10,840 baseline and 2766 longitudinal UK Biobank scans, this framework supports population-scale phenotyping across demographic, metabolic and treatment exposures. Segmentation accuracy was robust, and increased with muscle size. Men had greater muscle volumes, whereas women showed consistently higher rFF. Fat infiltration was highest in postural and pelvic-stabilising muscles and lowest in the quadriceps, revealing pronounced anatomical heterogeneity. Over two years, most muscles showed small but consistent volume declines, with losses more uniform in men and more heterogeneous in women; rFF increased more prominently in women, suggesting early compositional deterioration. In type 2 diabetes, men showed widespread volume loss and elevated rFF, whereas women showed minimal volume loss and heterogeneous fat changes, revealing sex-specific disease signatures. Automated muscle-specific MRI phenotyping resolves structural and compositional changes obscured by compartment-level measures and provides a scalable platform for population-level studies of musculoskeletal ageing, metabolic disease, and therapeutic response.