Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and debilitating condition that affects a significant number of individuals worldwide. Unfortunately, the currently available therapeutic approaches often yield unsatisfactory results and may be accompanied by harmful side effects. A medicinal plant called Psidium glaziovianum Kiaersk has potential benefits in the treatment of this condition due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. In this study, our objective was to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of P. glaziovianum essential oil (PgEO) in alleviating arthritis symptoms in mice induced by Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA). The effect of P. glaziovianum essential oil was evaluated in mice with Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis. Edema sizes, macroscopic and radiographic images, cytokine levels, and oxidative stress were evaluated. Administration of PgEO at dosages of 50 and 100 mg/kg effectively prevented CFA-induced osteoarticular changes in arthritic mice, resulting in a significant reduction in joint damage. Additionally, the PgEO treatment exhibited the ability to minimize edema, a common symptom associated with arthritis. Furthermore, PgEO can modulate the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress, both of which play crucial roles in the progression of the disease. In conclusion, our study suggests that PgEO holds great potential as a natural therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis. Full article

Multiplex sampling, so far mainly used as a tool for S/N ratio improvement in spectroscopic applications and separation techniques, has been investigated here for its potential suitability for time-resolved monitoring where chromatograms of transient signals are recorded at intervals much shorter than the chromatographic runtime. Different designs of multiplex sample introduction were developed and utilized to analyze lithium-ion battery degradation products under normal or abuse conditions to achieve fast and efficient sample introduction. After comprehensive optimization, measurements were performed on two different GC systems, with either barrier discharge ionization detection (BID) or mass spectrometric detection (MS). Three different injector designs were examined, and modifications in the pertinent hardware components and operational conditions used. The shortest achievable sample introduction time was 50 ms with an interval of 6 s. Relative standard deviations were lower than 4% and 10% for the intra- and inter-day repeatability, respectively. The sample introduction system and column head pressure had to be carefully controlled, as this parameter most critically affects the amount of sample introduced and, thus, detector response. The newly developed sample introduction system was successfully used to monitor volatile degradation products of lithium-ion batteries and demonstrated concentration changes over the course of time of the degradation products (e.g., fluoroethane, acetaldehyde and ethane), as well as for solvents from the battery electrolyte like ethyl carbonate. Full article

Over the past several decades, there has been a growing prevalence of entomology-themed outreach events, which seek to educate the public about insects and other arthropods, fostering a greater appreciation and understanding of these often misunderstood organisms. In 2016, a comparative analysis was initiated to identify science institutions across the United States engaged in providing annual entomology-themed outreach events to the public. Utilizing literature reviews and online searches, several science institutions were identified and subsequently contacted to partake in a survey regarding their events. The survey received a response rate of 93%. Results from the survey offered valuable insights into these entomology-themed outreach events, including records of attendance, event structures, funding sources, popular exhibits, and the impacts on attendees, hosting institutions, and local communities. While the majority of these events have remained in place since the survey, many have experienced significant disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting some to adapt to innovative online formats and virtual experiences. Despite these challenges, the commitment to entomological outreach continues today, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of the entomology community. Full article

The recent emergence of generative AI (GenAI) tools such as ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Gemini have introduced revolutionary capabilities that are predicted to transform numerous facets of society fundamentally. In higher education (HE), the advent of GenAI presents a pivotal moment that may profoundly alter learning and teaching practices in aspects such as inaccuracy, bias, overreliance on technology and algorithms, and limited access to educational AI resources that require in-depth investigation. To evaluate the implications of adopting GenAI in HE, a team of academics and field experts have co-authored this paper, which analyzes the potential for the responsible integration of GenAI into HE and provides recommendations about this integration. This paper recommends strategies for integrating GenAI into HE to create the following positive outcomes: raise awareness about disruptive change, train faculty, change teaching and assessment practices, partner with students, impart AI learning literacies, bridge the digital divide, and conduct applied research. Finally, we propose four preliminary scale levels of a GenAI adoption for faculty. At each level, we suggest courses of action to facilitate progress to the next stage in the adoption of GenAI. This study offers a valuable set of recommendations to decision-makers and faculty, enabling them to prepare for the responsible and judicious integration of GenAI into HE. Full article

Due to social and psychological factors, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted international trade, dampened consumption globally, and resulted in conservative investment and spending. To stimulate economic recovery while promoting the establishment of a positive consumption awareness among people, enterprises endeavor to enhance competitiveness and expand market share through various means, such as advertising and discounting. With more attention paid to environmentally friendly products, there are greater challenges encountered by green supply chain management. In this study, a green supply chain network problem is analyzed, involving a manufacturer and a retailer. In addition to the construction of centralized and decentralized decision models, two cost-sharing contracts are adopted to reduce promotion costs for the retailer and improve the level of greenery in products. With the help of game theory, equilibrium decisions can be made by solving the models. According to the results of numerical experiment, cost-sharing contracts can effectively improve the level of greenery in products and the profitability of the supply chain, despite the inability to achieve a win–win situation. Full article

The tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) is a usable tuber and edible oil plant. The size of the tubers is a key trait that determines the yield and the mechanical harvesting of tiger nut tubers. However, little is known about the anatomical and molecular mechanisms of tuber expansion in tiger nut plants. This study conducted anatomical and comprehensive transcriptomics analyses of tiger nut tubers at the following days after sowing: 40 d (S1); 50 d (S2); 60 d (S3); 70 d (S4); 90 d (S5); and 110 d (S6). The results showed that, at the initiation stage of a tiger nut tuber (S1), the primary thickening meristem (PTM) surrounded the periphery of the stele and was initially responsible for the proliferation of parenchyma cells of the cortex (before S1) and then the stele (S2–S3). The increase in cell size of the parenchyma cells occurred mainly from S1 to S3 in the cortex and from S3 to S4 in the stele. A total of 12,472 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were expressed to a greater extent in the S1–S3 phase than in S4–S6 phase. DEGs related to tuber expansion were involved in cell wall modification, vesicle transport, cell membrane components, cell division, the regulation of plant hormone levels, signal transduction, and metabolism. DEGs involved in the biosynthesis and the signaling of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and jasmonic acid (JA) were expressed highly in S1–S3. The endogenous changes in IAA and JAs during tuber development showed that the highest concentrations were found at S1 and S1–S3, respectively. In addition, several DEGs were related to brassinosteroid (BR) signaling and the G-protein, MAPK, and ubiquitin–proteasome pathways, suggesting that these signaling pathways have roles in the tuber expansion of tiger nut. Finally, we come to the conclusion that the cortex development preceding stele development in tiger nut tubers. The auxin signaling pathway promotes the division of cortical cells, while the jasmonic acid pathway, brassinosteroid signaling, G-protein pathway, MAPK pathway, and ubiquitin protein pathway regulate cell division and the expansion of the tuber cortex and stele. This finding will facilitate searches for genes that influence tuber expansion and the regulatory networks in developing tubers. Full article

The object of the upgrade presented in this paper was an older analogue-based universal testing machine preferably designed for tensile testing. The objective of the upgrade was to create a new digitized measurement chain capable of also operating in the mode of simple fatigue tests with cyclic tensile stresses. The upgrade of the equipment mainly included the processes of calibration, creation of related calibration jigs, creation of transformation dependencies and digitization, creation or completion of missing parts of chain-signal conditioning modules, A/D converters, special jigs, etc., as elements of the experimental hardware. The degree of correctness of the calibration and of the transformation dependencies created was verified by regression analysis, and this was verified by simple correlation analysis. The correctness of the proposed modifications, was verified on the basis of the fatigue tests performed for cyclic loading. Thus, it was possible to design, develop and functionally verify a new measurement chain based on an older universal testing machine. Thus, a partially digitized pulsator was created for the possibility of fatigue testing in a technically or functionally limited mode, mainly for educational purposes as a temporary replacement for the order of magnitude more expensive commercially produced test systems. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is characterized by a multitude of underlying causes, treatment modalities and prognostic outcomes. Our aim was to evaluate the underlying causes, comorbidities and survival rates of CTEPH patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted regarding the evolution of CTEPH patients confirmed by right heart catheterization under treatment with specific vasodilator medication in our centre between 2008 and 2023. Results: We treated 14 CTEPH patients, 78.57% female, 52.79 ± 13.64 years at inclusion, representing 11.29% of our pulmonary arterial hypertension registry. Initially, the distribution of patients’ NYHA class was II-14.28%, III-71.42% and IV-14.28%. In total, 71.42% of these patients were technically operable due to the central location of the thrombus, but 42.85% presented severe comorbidities and 28.57% refused the surgery or it was financially inaccessible. Only four patients were operated on by pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA). Unfortunately, all the post-PEA patients had persistent pulmonary hypertension and had to continue vasodilator treatment. Overall, 64.28% of patients had monotherapy, 21.42% double therapy and 14.28% triple therapy. Regarding underlying causes and comorbidities, we found the following incidences: 78.57% chronic venous insufficiency, 42.85% obesity, 35.71% thyroid disease, hypertension and hyperuricemia, 21.42% thrombophilia and ischemic heart disease, 14.28% atrial fibrillation, vasculitis and lung disease, and 14.28% neoplastic history and diabetes. Seven patients died (50%), six of whom were unoperated and one of whom was lost (abandoned the program). The survival rates at 1, 3, 5 and 7 years for unoperated patients were 100%, 58.3%, 29.2% and 29.2% versus 100%, 75%, 75% and 75% in post-PEA patients. Conclusions: CTEPH, marked by delayed diagnosis, multiple comorbidities and limited intervention options, requires proactive screening and comprehensive multimodal therapies, including PEA, to improve survival rates. Full article

Background/Objectives: Blood loss can be a serious complication in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Various methods are used by surgeons to achieve hemostatic control in these patients. Complications are associated with perioperative blood loss. In this systematic review, we examined the efficacy of using bone wax to control bleeding in patients undergoing THA and TKA. Methods: The PRISMA model was used to systematically identify and aggregate articles for this study. The PubMed and EMBASE databases were used to search individual studies that examined the use of bone wax in THA or TKA. After applying the search term “bone wax”, 2478 articles were initially identified. After inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, three articles were aggregated for this systematic review. Results: The use of bone wax in THA and TKA decreased blood loss in patients undergoing these operations. Postoperative blood loss following surgery was lower in the bone wax groups compared to the control groups as well. Patients in the bone wax groups also required fewer blood transfusions than those who did not receive bone wax. Conclusions: Bone wax appears to be another modality that can be used by physicians to maintain hemostatic control in THA or TKA patients. Reduced blood loss and transfusion rates in surgery can increase patient outcomes. More studies are needed to examine the efficacy of bone wax in comparison with other hemostatic tools. Full article

Background: We investigated treatment outcomes and post-treatment stability in 10 patients with an anterior open bite and nonsurgical orthodontics. Methods: The patients underwent maxillary molar intrusion using temporary anchorage devices (TADs) to deepen the overbite due to mandibular autorotation. Lateral cephalograms and dental cast models were obtained before treatment (T0), immediately after it (T1), and >1 year after it (T2). Skeletal and dental cephalometric changes and three-dimensional movements of the maxillary dentitions were evaluated. Results: At T0, cephalometric analysis indicated that patients had skeletal class I with tendencies for a class II jaw relationship and a skeletal open bite. During active treatment (T0 to T1), the maxillary first molar intruded by 1.6 mm, the mandibular first molar extruded by 0.3 mm, the Frankfort-mandibular plane angle decreased by 1.1°, and the overbite increased by 4.1 mm. Statistically significant changes were observed in the amount of vertical movement of the maxillary first molar, Frankfort-mandibular plane angle, and overbite. Three-dimensional (3D) dental cast analysis revealed that the maxillary first and second molars intruded, whereas the anterior teeth extruded, with the second premolar as an infection point. In addition, the maxillary molar was tipped distally by 2.9° and rotated distally by 0.91°. Statistically significant changes were observed in the amount of vertical movement of the central incisor, lateral incisor, canine and first molar, and molar angulation. From T1 to T2, no significant changes in cephalometric measurements or the 3D position of the maxillary dentition were observed. The maxillary and mandibular dentitions did not significantly change during post-treatment follow-up. Conclusions: Maxillary molar intrusion using mini-screws is an effective treatment for open bite correction, with the achieved occlusion demonstrating 3D stability at least 1 year after treatment. Full article

Microplastics are tangible particles of less than 0.2 inches in diameter that are ubiquitously distributed in the biosphere and accumulate in water bodies. During the east-coast hot summers (23–29 °C) of 2021 and 2022, June through September, we captured copious amounts of the jellyfish Chrysaora chesapeakei, a predominant species found in the Patuxent River of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland on the United States East Coast. We determined that their gelatinous bodies trapped many microplastics through fluorescent microscopy studies using Rhodamine B staining and Raman Spectroscopy. The chemical nature of the microplastics was detected using gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy headspace (SPME-GC-MS) and solvent extraction (GC-MS) methods through a professional commercial materials evaluation laboratory. Numerous plastic-affiliated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from diverse chemical origins and their functional groups (alkanes, alkenes, acids, aldehydes, ketones, ethers, esters, and alcohols) along with other non-microplastic volatile organic compounds were observed. Our findings corroborate data in the available scientific literature, distinguishing our finding’s suitability. Full article

This research examines the potential impact on the procurement sustainability of replacing steel rebars with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) rebars in the construction industry, focusing on screed pre-cast hollow core topping in a project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) is conducted using One Click LCA (Version 0.26.0) software for cradle-to-grave analysis. The assessment covers various stages, including raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, usage, and recycling. The comprehensive LCA highlights GFRP rebars as a more sustainable alternative to steel, emitting 17% less CO₂ equivalent (2e) per kilogram throughout its life cycle. Additionally, GFRP requires substantially less mass compared to steel, resulting in a dramatic reduction in CO_2e emissions ranging from 77.89% to 85.26% across different spacing configurations in real-world construction scenarios, as presented in this research case study. These findings suggest that GFRP rebars offer a promising solution for reducing the environmental impact of construction activities while potentially yielding significant cost savings over the project’s life cycle. Integrating environmental considerations into material selection processes can prioritize sustainability without compromising performance or safety, contributing to a more sustainable future for the construction industry globally. Full article

In order to solve low recognition of corn kernel breakage degree and corn kernel mildew degree during corn kernel harvesting, this paper proposes a real-time detection method for corn kernel breakage and mildew based on improved YOlOv5s, which is referred to as the CST-YOLOv5s model algorithm in this paper. The method continuously obtains images through the discrete uniform sampling device of corn kernels and generates whole corn kernels, breakage corn kernels, and mildew corn kernel dataset samples. We aimed at the problems of high similarity of some corn kernel features in the acquired images and the low precision of corn kernel breakage and mildew recognition. Firstly, the CBAM attention mechanism is added to the backbone network of YOLOv5s to finely allocate and process the feature information, highlighting the features of corn breakage and mildew. Secondly, the pyramid pooling structure SPPCPSC, which integrates cross-stage local networks, is adopted to replace the SPPF in YOLOv5s. SPP and CPSC technologies are used to extract and fuse features of different scales, improving the precision of object detection. Finally, the original prediction head is converted into a transformer prediction head to explore the prediction potential with a multi-head attention mechanism. The experimental results show that the CST-YOLOv5s model has a significant improvement in the detection of corn kernel breakage and mildew. Compared with the original YOLOv5s model, the average precision (AP) of corn kernel breakage and mildew recognition increased by 5.2% and 7.1%, respectively, and the mean average precision (mAP) of all kinds of corn kernel recognition is 96.1%, and the frame rate is 36.7 FPS. Compared with YOLOv4-tiny, YOLOv6n, YOLOv7, YOLOv8s, and YOLOv9-E detection model algorithms, the CST-YOLOv5s model has better overall performance in terms of detection accuracy and speed. This study can provide a reference for real-time detection of breakage and mildew kernels during the harvesting process of corn kernels. Full article

Attribute reduction is a core technique in the rough set domain and an important step in data preprocessing. Researchers have proposed numerous innovative methods to enhance the capability of attribute reduction, such as the emergence of multi-granularity rough set models, which can effectively process distributed and multi-granularity data. However, these innovative methods still have numerous shortcomings, such as addressing complex constraints and conducting multi-angle effectiveness evaluations. Based on the multi-granularity model, this study proposes a new method of attribute reduction, namely using multi-granularity neighborhood information gain ratio as the measurement criterion. This method combines both supervised and unsupervised perspectives, and by integrating multi-granularity technology with neighborhood rough set theory, constructs a model that can adapt to multi-level data features. This novel method stands out by addressing complex constraints and facilitating multi-perspective effectiveness evaluations. It has several advantages: (1) it combines supervised and unsupervised learning methods, allowing for nuanced data interpretation and enhanced attribute selection; (2) by incorporating multi-granularity structures, the algorithm can analyze data at various levels of granularity. This allows for a more detailed understanding of data characteristics at each level, which can be crucial for complex datasets; and (3) by using neighborhood relations instead of indiscernibility relations, the method effectively handles uncertain and fuzzy data, making it suitable for real-world datasets that often contain imprecise or incomplete information. It not only selects the optimal granularity level or attribute set based on specific requirements, but also demonstrates its versatility and robustness through extensive experiments on 15 UCI datasets. Comparative analyses against six established attribute reduction algorithms confirms the superior reliability and consistency of our proposed method. This research not only enhances the understanding of attribute reduction mechanisms, but also sets a new benchmark for future explorations in the field. Full article

Endothelial dysfunction is a crucial event in the early pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases and is linked to magnesium (Mg) deficiency. Indeed, in endothelial cells, low Mg levels promote the acquisition of a pro-inflammatory and pro-atherogenic phenotype. This paper investigates the mechanisms by which Mg deficiency promotes oxidative stress and affects endothelial behavior in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). Our data show that low Mg levels trigger oxidative stress initially by increasing NAPDH oxidase activity and then by upregulating the pro-oxidant thioredoxin-interacting protein TXNIP. The overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) activates NF-κB, leading to its increased binding to the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) promoter, with the consequent increase in iNOS expression. The increased levels of nitric oxide (NO) generated by upregulated iNOS contribute to disrupting endothelial cell function by inhibiting growth and increasing permeability. In conclusion, we provide evidence that multiple mechanisms contribute to generate a pro-oxidant state under low-Mg conditions, ultimately affecting endothelial physiology. These data add support to the notion that adequate Mg levels play a significant role in preserving cardiovascular health and may suggest new approaches to prevent or manage cardiovascular diseases. Full article

Due to the overlap of initial traveling wave signals, the traveling wave propagation process in hybrid distribution lines is complicated to analyze. The most significant challenge posed by the traditional passive traveling wave-locating method for hybrid distribution lines lies in identifying the fault section and distinguishing the reflected wave from the fault point or the hybrid connection points. Based on this approach, with the application of the aerial-mode component of the pulse signal generated at the fault point, a fault-section-identification and fault-locating scheme for hybrid distribution feeders with active pulse injection is proposed. When power in a line is cut after a single-to-line ground (SLG) fault occurs, the same pulse is injected into the three phases from the neutral point of the coupling capacitor bank to construct the zero-mode component, which propagates to the SLG fault three-phase asymmetrical point, producing an aerial-mode component that is reflected back to the first end of the line. With the application of the arrival time of an aerial-mode wavefront, it is simple to locate the SLG fault for arbitrary forms of hybrid lines. The simulation results confirm the feasibility of the fault-locating scheme under different feeders, different fault locations, and fault resistances. The results of the experiments confirm the high practical value of the proposed method. Full article

Renewable energy communities (RECs) around photovoltaic systems on public buildings are optimal solutions to counter energy poverty, ensuring all stakeholders access to cheap, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy systems. As the neighborhood is the minimum suitable unit for the implementation of highly sustainable settlements, this article discusses the potential and criticality of RECs at this scale in southern Italy. Starting with the concept of RECs, this study presents a methodology to size sustainable urban communities around school buildings. It integrates practical energy indicators with those defining performance in vegetation and water management. The impact of these factors is analyzed to identify the ideal community size in terms of energy efficiency, economic value, and social cohesion. An interactive scorecard ranks high school sites suitable for transformation into community hubs, taking into consideration the scale of substation distribution. The findings provide empirically validated operational guidelines and best practices to support the transition to smart, efficient, and socially inclusive communities. At the urban scale, the analysis evaluates different urban morphologies, microclimates, characteristics and density of buildings, and population around each assumed community hub. The study provides valuable guidance to local designers, planners, and administrators for the implementation of sustainable technologies by preparing a map of potential RECs. Full article

A set of novel Donor-Acceptor-Donor (D-A-D) benzoselenadiazole derivatives has been synthesized and crystallized in nanocrystals in order to explore the correlation between their chemical structure and the waveguided luminescent properties. The findings reveal that all crystals exhibit luminescence and active optical waveguiding, demonstrating the ability to adjust their luminescence within a broad spectral range of 550–700 nm depending on the donor group attached to the benzoselenadiazole core. Notably, a clear relationship exists between the HOMO-LUMO energy gaps of each compound and the color emission of the corresponding optical waveguides. These outcomes affirm the feasibility of modifying the color emission of organic waveguides through suitable chemical functionalization. Importantly, this study marks the first utilization of benzoseleniadiazole derivatives for such purposes, underscoring the originality of this research. In addition, the obtention of nanocrystals is a key tool for the implementation of miniaturized photonic devices. Full article

Background/Objectives: Aseptic loosening is the leading cause of late revision in total hip arthroplasty, primarily due to degenerative oxidation of polyethylene components, leading to wear particle formation and periacetabular osteolysis. This study aimed to analyze the oxidation levels in polyethylene liners and cemented cups retrieved from revision surgeries using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and to explore the correlation between oxidation levels and factors such as head size, head material, fixation method, and implant survival time. Methods: Polyethylene liners and cups were analyzed post-revision surgery to assess oxidation levels, which were then compared to periacetabular bone loss measured by the Paprosky classification. This study evaluated the impact of head size (28 mm vs. 32 mm), head material (ceramic vs. metal), and fixation methods on oxidation. The relationship between the mean oxidation index (OI) and implant survival time was also investigated. Results: There was a significant positive correlation between the mean oxidation index of the polyethylene components and the severity of periacetabular osteolysis according to the Paprosky scale. While the mean OI for samples articulating with ceramic heads was lower than for those with metal heads, and the mean OI for samples with a 32 mm head size was lower than for those with a 28 mm size, these differences were not statistically significant. Furthermore, the fixation method did not affect the oxidation index, and no correlation was found between OI and the survival time of the implants. Conclusions: This study confirms a direct correlation between polyethylene oxidation and periacetabular osteolysis in hip replacements, highlighting the importance of material choice and design in potentially reducing the risk of aseptic loosening. Despite the lack of significant differences in oxidation levels based on head material and size, these factors may still play a role in the long-term outcome of hip arthroplasty, warranting further investigation. Full article

This study reported a multi–functional Co_0.45Fe_0.45Ni_0.9–MOF/NF catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and overall water splitting, which was synthesized via a novel shape–preserving two–step hydrothermal method. The resulting bowknot flake structure on NF enhanced the exposure of active sites, fostering a superior electrocatalytic surface, and the synergistic effect between Co, Fe, and Ni enhanced the catalytic activity of the active site. In an alkaline environment, the catalyst exhibited impressive overpotentials of 244 mV and 287 mV at current densities of 50 mA cm⁻² and 100 mA cm⁻², respectively. Transitioning to a neutral environment, an overpotential of 505 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² was achieved with the same catalyst, showing a superior property compared to similar catalysts. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that Co_0.45Fe_0.45Ni_0.9–MOF/NF shows versatility as a bifunctional catalyst, excelling in both OER and HER, as well as overall water splitting. The innovative shape–preserving synthesis method presented in this study offers a facile method to develop an efficient electrocatalyst for OER under both alkaline and neutral conditions, which makes it a promising catalyst for hydrogen production by water splitting. Full article

Forecasting construction spending is important for civil engineering practitioners to make business decisions. Currently, the main body of forecasting literature pertains exclusively to aggregate construction investment, such as total construction spending (TTLCON), private construction spending, or residential construction spending. But type-specific construction spending, such as that for education, healthcare, and religion, had yet to be explored using forecasting techniques. This case study presents a viable procedure by which aggregate and type-specific non-residential construction can be forecasted. The procedure that involves the use of the Granger causality test and the Vector Autoregression (VAR) model proved to be able to provide an accurate forecast pre-COVID-19, with some accuracy even during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Lessons learned include the following: (1) effort should be diverted towards model interpretation, as the impulse–response trial yields results conforming to current well-established empirical evidence; (2) a type-specific approach should be adopted when analyzing construction spending, as different types of construction spending react differently to potential indicators; and (3) complex models incorporating multiple indicators should be used to generate a forecast, as a complex model has a higher chance of containing parameters explanatory of the target variable’s features during the testing period. Full article

The dependence of body stability on the distance between the optical centers of VR-device lenses and the refractive error status of users during VR viewing was investigated. Participants included 31 adults, and their postural-control ability was measured using a BTrackS device. The optical conditions were (1) COCD (comfortable optical center distance), (2) COCD+2D (comfortable optical center distance with 2D myopia), (3) COCD-2D (comfortable optical center distance with 2D hyperopia), (4) DOCD (uncomfortable optical center distance), (5) DOCD+2D (uncomfortable optical center distance with 2D myopia), and (6) DOCD-2D (uncomfortable optical center distance with 2D hyperopia). Posture was assessed under these six optical conditions while the participants were wearing a VR device and watching a 3D roller-coaster video. The sway-path length was significantly increased under the COCD-2D, DOCD, DOCD+2D, and DOCD-2D conditions compared to the COCD condition (p < 0.05). In the case of maximum sway velocity, the results showed significant increases under the DOCD, DOCD+2D, and DOCD-2D conditions compared to the COCD condition (p < 0.05). The analysis revealed that when users are viewing VR displays, optimization of the distance to the optical center of the VR-device lenses and correction of the refractive errors for individual users was a significant factor in minimizing body instability. Full article