This paper provides a computationally efficient and novel four-step methodological approach for predicting volatility estimators derived from bitcoin prices. In the first step, open, high, low, and close bitcoin prices are transformed into volatility estimators using Brownian motion assumptions and logarithmic transformations. The second step determines the optimal number of time-series lags required for converting the series into an autoregressive model. This selection process utilizes random forest regression, evaluating the importance of each lag using the Mean Decrease in Impurity (MDI) criterion and optimizing the number of lags considering an 85% cumulative importance threshold. The third step of the developed methodological approach fits the Elastic Net Regression (ENR) to the volatility estimator’s dataset, while the final fourth step assesses the predictive accuracy of ENR, compared to decision tree (DTR), random forest (RFR), and support vector regression (SVR). The results reveal that the ENR prevails in its predictive accuracy for open and close prices, as these prices may be linear and less susceptible to sudden, non-linear shifts typically seen during trading hours. On the other hand, SVR prevails for high and low prices as these prices often experience spikes and drops driven by transient news and intra-day market sentiments, forming complex patterns that do not align well with linear modelling. Full article

The current investigation aims to underline the impact of salicylic acid or calcium chloride seed pre-treatments on mineral status and oxidative stress markers, namely levels of electrolyte leakage (EL) and lipid peroxidation levels, measured as thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS), and the activity of some antioxidant enzymes in roots and leaves of plants in two barley species grown under various salt treatments. Overall, our results revealed that salinity inhibits essential nutrient absorption such as iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium and stimulates the absorption of sodium. Also, this environmental constraint induced oxidative stress in plants in comparison with the control conditions. This state of oxidative stress is reflected by an increase in TBARS content as well as the stimulation of EL values. In addition, salinity induced disturbances in the activity of antioxidant enzymes, which were mainly dependent on the applied salt concentration and the species. In addition, Hordeum marinum maintained high antioxidant enzyme activity and low levels of oxidative stress parameters, which reinforces its salt-tolerant character. Importantly, salicylic acid or calcium chloride seed priming alleviated the mineral imbalance and the oxidative damage induced by salinity. Moreover, seed priming improves iron, calcium magnesium and potassium content and limitsthe accumulation of sodium. Also, both treatments not only decrease TBARS levels and limit EL, but they also stimulate the antioxidant enzyme activities in the leaves and roots of the stressed plants as compared with stressed plants grown from non-primed seeds. Interestingly, the beneficial effects of the mentioned treatments were more notable on Hordeum vulgare species. Full article

The Upper Hunter Valley is a major coal mining area containing approximately 40% of the currently identified total coal reserves in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Due to the ongoing increase in mining activities, PM10 (airborne particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 micrometres) pollution has become a major air quality concern in local communities. This paper summarises the spatial and temporal variability modes of PM10 pollution in the region, based on long-term multi-site monitoring data and the application of the rotated principal component analysis (RPCA) and wavelet analysis techniques. RPCA identified two distinct air quality clusters/subregions in the valley: one in the west/northwest and the other in the southeast. Wavelet analysis revealed the annual cycle to be the most persistent temporal mode of PM10 variability in both subregions, with intermittent signals also observed at time scales of around 120, 30~90, and under 30 days. How these variation modes are related to the effects of local PM10 emissions and the influence of meteorology at different time scales deserves further attention in future work. The findings will be used in air quality reporting and forecasting in NSW. The methodology and results can also be useful for air quality research in similar regions elsewhere. Full article

Almond hull, a substantial byproduct comprising more than half of almond fresh weight, has recently gained attention due to its functionality and sustainability benefits. Despite heightened interest, information regarding its toxicity remains limited. In order to assess its genotoxic potential, we conducted Good Laboratory Practice-compliant in vitro and in vivo studies following Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines. No evidence of toxicity or mutagenicity was observed in a bacterial reverse mutation assay using five tester strains, evaluating almond hull at concentrations up to 5 mg/plate, with or without metabolic activation. Almond hull did not induce chromosome structural damage in a chromosome aberration assay using Chinese hamster ovary cells, nor did it cause any spermatogonial chromosomal aberration in tested male BALB/c mice. To evaluate its ability to induce DNA damage in rodents, a combined micronucleus assay was conducted in KM mice of both sexes. Almond hull was administered at doses of 1250, 2500, and 5000 mg/kg/day via gavage once daily for 2 days. No adverse effects of almond hull were observed in the micronucleus assay. Our results indicate no evidence of the genotoxic potential of almond hull administered up to the maximum concentrations of 5 g/kg, as recommended by OECD guidelines. Full article

Soil salinization is one of the main hazards affecting the sustainable development of agriculture in the Hetao Irrigation District (HID) of Inner Mongolia. To grasp the water and salt transport patterns and spatial–temporal distribution characteristics of the HID at the regional scale, the improved Soil and Water Assessment Tool with a salinity module (SWAT-Salt) model was used to establish the distributed water and salt transport model for the watershed in this study. The results demonstrated that the modified model could more accurately represent the process of water and salt changes in the HID. The coefficient of determination (R²) in the simulation of streamflow and discharge salt loading was 0.83 and 0.86, respectively, and the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) was 0.80 and 0.74, respectively. Based on this, different hydrological processes (surface runoff, lateral flow, groundwater, soil seepage) as well as spatial–temporal distribution characteristics of water salinity in groundwater and soil were analyzed in the HID. Differences in groundwater and soil salinity in different land uses and soil types were also compared. Of these, surface runoff and lateral flow salt discharge loading are concentrated in the southwestern portion of the basin, while groundwater salt discharge loading is concentrated in the eastern as well as southwestern portions of the basin. The salt discharge loading from groundwater accounts for about 98.7% of the total salt discharge loading from all hydrological pathways and is the major contributing part of salt discharge from the irrigation area. Soil salinity increases gradually from west to east. Groundwater salinity (2946 mg/L) and soil water electrical conductivity (0.309 dS/m) were minimized in the cropland. Meanwhile, rational allocation of irrigation water can appropriately increase the amount of salt discharge loading. In conclusion, the model could provide a reference for the investigation of soil salinization and water–salt management measures in irrigation areas. Full article

Berberis amurensis var. latifolia Nakai is a plant native to the Ulleung Island in Korea. In this study, we aimed to identify seed dormancy-breaking and germination requirements of this species using water imbibition experiments, gibberellic acid (GA₃) treatment (0, 10, 100, or 1000 mg/L), cold stratification (0, 2, 4, 8, or 12 weeks at 5 °C), move-along experiments, and phenological studies. In the water imbibition experiment, the seed weight increased by more than 120% after 24 h. Analysis of the internal morphological characteristics of the seeds revealed that the embryo in freshly matured seeds was fully grown and did not grow thereafter. The final germination percentages after 12 weeks of cold stratification at 5 °C were 49 ± 6.4% and 63 ± 3.4% under light and dark conditions, respectively. In move-along and phenological studies, a longer cold stratification treatment period resulted in a higher germination percentage; however, the warm stratification treatment did not affect germination significantly. The GA₃ treatment had little effect on seed germination. Therefore, we concluded that B. amurensis var. latifolia seeds have intermediate physiological dormancy, and pre-treatment with cold stratification for 12 weeks and incubation in the dark are required for effective seed propagation. Full article

Once-weekly semaglutide is a widely used glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D). In clinical trials, semaglutide improved glycemic control and obesity, and reduced major cardiovascular events. However, the reports are limited on its real-world efficacy relating to various metabolic factors such as dyslipidemia or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in Asian patients with T2D. In our retrospective longitudinal study, we selected patients with T2D who were given once-weekly semaglutide and compared metabolic parameters before and after the start of semaglutide. Seventy-five patients were eligible. HbA1c decreased significantly, by 0.7–0.9%, and body weight by 1.4–1.7 kg during the semaglutide treatment. Non-HDL cholesterol decreased significantly at 3, 6 and 12 months after the initiation of semaglutide; LDL cholesterol decreased at 3 and 6 months; and HDL cholesterol increased at 12 months. The effects on body weight, HbA1c and lipid profile were pronounced in patients who were given semaglutide as a first GLP-1RA (GLP-1R naïve), whereas improvements in HbA1c were also observed in patients who were given semaglutide after being switched from other GLP-1RAs. During a 12-month semaglutide treatment, the hepatic steatosis index (HSI) tended to decrease. Moreover, a significant decrease in the AST-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) was observed in GLP-1RA naïve patients. Our real-world study confirmed the beneficial effects of once-weekly semaglutide, namely, improved body weight, glycemic control and atherogenic lipid profile. The beneficial effects on MASLD were also suggested. Full article

Background: Conflicting data exist on the occurrence and outcome of infective endocarditis (IE) after pulmonary valve implantation. Objectives: This study sought to assess the differences between transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation (TPVI) and surgical pulmonary valve replacement (SPVR). Methods: All patients ≥ 4 years who underwent isolated pulmonary valve replacement between 2005 and 2018 were analyzed based on the data of a major German health insurer (≈9.2 million insured subjects representative of the German population). The primary endpoint was a composite of IE occurrence and all-cause death. Results: Of 461 interventions (cases) in 413 patients (58.4% male, median age 18.9 years [IQR 12.3–33.4]), 34.4% underwent TPVI and 65.5% SPVR. IE was diagnosed in 8.0% of cases during a median follow-up of 3.5 years. Risk for IE and all-cause death was increased in patients with prior IE (p < 0.001), but not associated with age (p = 0.50), sex (p = 0.67) or complexity of disease (p = 0.59). While there was no difference in events over the entire observational time period (p = 0.22), the time dynamics varied between TPVI and SPVR: Within the first year, the risk for IE and all-cause death was lower after TPVI (Hazard Ratio (HR) 95% CI 0.19 (0.06–0.63; p = 0.006) but increased over time and exceeded that of SPVR in the long term (HR 10.07 (95% CI 3.41–29.76; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Patients with TPVI appear to be at lower risk for early but higher risk for late IE, resulting in no significant difference in the overall event rate compared to SPVR. The results highlight the importance of long-term specialized care and preventive measures after both interventions. Full article

This study considers an application of the first-order Grey Markov Model to foresee the values of Italian power generation in relation to the available energy sources. The model is used to fit data from the Italian energy system from 2000 to 2022. The integration of Markovian error introduces a random element to the model, which is able now to capture inherent uncertainties and misalignments between the Grey Model predictions and the real data. This application provides valuable insights for strategic planning in the energy sector and future developments. The results show good accuracy of the predictions, which could provide powerful information for the effective implementation of energy policies concerning the evolution of energy demand in the country. Results show an improvement in the performance of more than 50% in terms of Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) when the Markov chain is integrated in the analysis. Despite advancements, Italy’s 2032 energy mix will still significantly rely on fossil fuels, emphasizing the need for sustained efforts beyond 2032 to enhance sustainability. Full article

Despite many advances in surgical repair during the past few decades, the majority of tetralogy of Fallot patients continue to experience residual hemodynamic and electrophysiological abnormalities. The actual issue, which has yet to be solved, is understanding how this disease evolves in each individual patient and, as a result, who is truly at risk of sudden death, as well as the proper timing of pulmonary valve replacement (PVR). Our responsibility should be to select the most appropriate time for each patient, going above and beyond imaging criteria used up to now to make such a clinically crucial decision. Despite several studies on timing, indications, procedures, and outcomes of PVR, there is still much uncertainty about whether PVR reduces arrhythmia burden or improves survival in these patients and how to appropriately manage this population. This review summarizes the most recent research on the evolution of repaired tetralogy of Fallot (from adolescence onwards) and risk factor variables that may favor or delay PVR. Full article

Since we aim to test new options to find medication for cognitive disorders, we have begun to assess the effect of semaglutide and to conduct a review gathering studies that have attempted this purpose. This systematic review focuses on the cognitive effects of semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), in the context of neurological and cognitive impairment. Semaglutide, a synthetic GLP-1 analog, showcased neuroprotective effects beyond metabolic regulation. It mitigated apoptosis and improved cognitive dysfunction in cerebrovascular disease, suggesting broader implications for neurological well-being. Also, studies highlighted GLP-1 RAs’ positive impact on olfactory function in obese individuals with type 2 diabetes, on neurodegenerative disorders, multiple sclerosis, and endotoxemia. In order to analyze current studies that assess the impact of semaglutide on cognitive function, a literature search was conducted up to February 2024 on two online databases, MEDLINE (via PubMed) and Web of Science Core Collection, as well as various websites. Fifteen studies on mice populations and two studies on cell lines were included, analyzed, and assessed with bias-specific tools. The neuroprotective and anti-apoptotic properties of GLP-1 and its analogs were emphasized, with animal models and cell line studies demonstrating enhanced cognitive function. While promising, limitations include fewer studies, highlighting the need for extensive research, particularly in the human population. Even though this medication seems promising, there are significant limitations, one of which is the lack of studies on human subjects. Therefore, this review aims to gather current evidence. Full article

This paper presents a first-order noise-shaping (NS) successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with a process, (supply) voltage, and temperature (PVT)-insensitive closed-loop integrator and data-weighted averaging (DWA). The use of a cascode floating inverter amplifier (FIA)-type dynamic amplifier with high gain enables an aggressive noise transfer function while minimizing the power consumption associated with the use of an active filter. In the proposed ADC, the residue is generated by a capacitive digital-to-analog converter (CDAC) employing DWA, which is made possible by employing a second CDAC, which operates after the SAR operation is completed. The proposed ADC is designed with a 28 nm CMOS process with 1 V power supply. The simulation results show that the ADC achieves the SNDR of 71.2 dB and power consumption of 228 μW when operated with a sampling rate of 80 MS/s and oversampling ratio (OSR) of 10. The Schreier figure-of-merit (FoM) is 173.6 dB, and Walden FoM is 9.6 fJ/conversion-step. Full article

This study explores STEM students’ perspectives on service-learning and story-telling activities to enhance community engagement and advance gender equality, investigating their impact on students’ perceptions, experiences, and understanding of gender dynamics within rural communities. Through qualitative analysis of interviews, reflective journals, and participatory videos, this study explores the transformative potential of service-learning and storytelling initiatives in empowering rural women, challenging traditional societal roles, and advocating for equal opportunities, particularly in STEM disciplines. Findings reveal the multifaceted benefits of these activities, including the development of empathy, cultural awareness, leadership skills, and a commitment to social justice among participating students. This study highlights the importance of integrating service-learning and storytelling into STEM education to cultivate inclusive practices, promote community development, and advance gender equality in rural settings. Full article

Considering the emergence and adoption of various innovative technologies, the construction industry has undergone transformation into a more secure, highly efficient, and ecologically sustainable landscape. An increasing number of studies uses the structural equation modeling (SEM) method to explore the dynamics of technology adoption and use within the construction sector. Previous studies have mainly focused on qualitative analysis using the SEM method to analyze technology adoption and usage in the construction industry. This study, however, distinguishes itself from previous research by focusing on the SEM method itself and conducting a systematic analysis using scientometric methods. Based on a total of 140 relevant journal articles, this study adopts a scientometric analysis approach to conduct a holistic review encompassing sources, researchers, keywords, and highly cited documents. The research findings are as follows: (1) the primary focus of the current research topics is on BIM technology; (2) most studies employ cross-sectional SEM instead of longitudinal SEM; (3) there is a deficiency in the theoretical foundation for designing SEM in current research; and (4) the selection of either reflective or formative measures lacks sufficient rigor. Qualitative analysis is used to examine prevailing issues in research design and address the intricate technicalities and potential challenges inherent in the SEM method. Three research gaps and future directions are presented: diversifying regions of study and research topics, incorporating theoretical support for research design, and carefully choosing reflective or formative measures. The findings provide a comprehensive roadmap and valuable reference for future research in this field. Full article

Food-security issues remain essential for decision-makers at all levels in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and youth-oriented food-security policies in Ghana are no exception. While there are no “one-size-fits-all” policy pathways to eradicate poverty and hunger, various governments, civil society, youth groups, and citizens can afford to ignore the present food policies’ status quo. This paper examines the perspective of sustainability when collaborative and open governance approaches are adopted by central governments and their sub-national departments, institutions, and agencies in youth-oriented food-security policymaking, implementation, and evaluation. The extent to which active stakeholder participation and collaboration, or the lack thereof, has either negatively or positively impacted food-security policies is another tangent this paper explores, including the sustainability of the youth-centered food-security policies in Ghana. Using qualitative documentary analysis technique through collaborative and open governance frameworks and drawing on the literature on multisectoral governance and youth-focused food-security policies, this paper identifies several disjointed youth-focused food-security intervention policies in Ghana with hazy institutional arrangements that have failed to ensure adequate implementation and assessment to promote cooperation, accountability, and transparency. The paper suggests the need for collaborative governance, effective policy monitoring, and evaluation strategies that involve government institutions, departments, agencies, civic societies, youth organizations, and citizens’ commitments to food security. This research finds that collaborative strategies and active youth participation in all food-security-related policies are essential for Ghana to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 and 2. Full article

The recent energy crisis has renewed interest in forecasting crude oil prices. This paper focuses on identifying the main drivers determining the evolution of crude oil prices and proposes a statistical learning forecasting algorithm based on regression analysis that can be used to generate future oil price scenarios. A combination of a generalized additive model with a linear transfer function with ARIMA noise is used to capture the existence of combinations of non-linear and linear relationships between selected input variables and the crude oil price. The results demonstrate that the physical market balance or fundamental is the most important metric in explaining the evolution of oil prices. The effect of the trading activity and volatility variables are significant under abnormal market conditions. We show that forecast accuracy under the proposed model supersedes benchmark specifications, including the futures prices and analysts’ forecasts. Four oil price scenarios are considered for expository purposes. Full article

In this study, a perovskite-based mixed cation/anion ultraviolet photodetector with an added halide material is fabricated using perovskite combined with an ABX_3 structure. Mixed cation/anion perovskite thin films of MAPbI₃/FABr are manufactured through a relatively simple solution process and employed as light-absorption layers. In the produced thin film, SnO₂–sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate acts as an electron transport layer and spiro-OMeTAD acts as a hole injection layer. Compared to a single cation/anion perovskite, the fabricated device exhibits phase stability and optoelectronic properties, and demonstrates a responsivity of 72.2 mA/W and a detectability of 4.67 × 10¹³ Jones. In addition, the films show an external quantum efficiency of 56%. This suggests that mixed cation/anion films can replace single cation/anion perovskite films. Thus, photodetectors based on lead halides that can be applied in various fields have recently been manufactured. Full article

The oxidative stability index (OSI) and fatty acid (FA) composition of extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) are key parameters in the characterization of new varieties in breeding programs. Their determination through traditional methods (Rancimat and gas chromatography, respectively) is expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, there is a need to develop rapid and cost-effective analytical procedures. This study aimed to evaluate the potential use of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for analyzing OSI and FA composition in EVOOs. A total of 318 samples sourced from different origins were evaluated using both FT-NIR MPA and MicroNIR instruments in transmittance mode, with wavelengths ranging from 1100 to 2500 nm and 908 to 1676 nm, respectively. Different accuracies were obtained in the models developed for the different evaluated traits, with simpler models (using a lower number of latent variables) for the MPA analyzer in all cases. Additionally, consistent results between instruments for the partitioning of the variance and heritability estimation, and the reliable ranking of genotypes were obtained from one of the sample sets tested. In summary, models derived from PLS regression using spectroscopic data of both instruments demonstrated promising results in determining these EVOO traits, facilitating their evaluation and selection of genotypes, particularly in breeding programs. Full article

The reason for this examination is today’s wide usage of chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF) among researchers worldwide to measure photosynthetic efficiency. Although the instructions of the ChlF measuring device clearly emphasize the need for methodology adjustments, depending on the specific plant species, many researchers use the usual 30 min of dark adaptation before measurement. Namely, before any ChlF measurement, it is necessary to determine the specific duration of the leaf adaptation to the conditions of darkness of each plant tissue. Because of the numerous uses of the ChlF measurements, we decided to conduct this research to determine whether the appearance of the curves and parameter values depend on the time of sunflower leaf tissue adaptation to dark conditions. Therefore, this research aimed to examine the optimal adaptation time of sunflower tissue to dark conditions to obtain timely precise measurements and credible appearance of ChlF transient curves as well as accurate parameter values. The research was carried out on the sunflower hybrid Luka with 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 min of dark adaptation in the vegetative, budding and flowering stages in the field conditions. According to the analyzed transient curves and parameters, it was determined that sunflower leaves should be kept in dark conditions for at least 15 min before the measurement of ChlF, which leads to the complete oxidation of PSII and the electron transport chain prior to a saturating pulse of light. Full article

In industrial manufacturing, bearings are crucial for machinery stability and safety. Undetected wear or cracks can lead to severe operational and financial setbacks. Thus, accurately identifying bearing defects is essential for maintaining production safety and equipment reliability. This research introduces an improved bearing defect detection model, YOLOv8-LMG, which is based on the YOLOv8n framework and incorporates four innovative technologies: the VanillaNet backbone network, the Lion optimizer, the CFP-EVC module, and the Shape-IoU loss function. These enhancements significantly increase detection efficiency and accuracy. YOLOv8-LMG achieves a [email protected] of 86.5% and a [email protected]–0.95 of 57.0% on the test dataset, surpassing the original YOLOv8n model while maintaining low computational complexity. Experimental results reveal that the YOLOv8-LMG model boosts accuracy and efficiency in bearing defect detection, showcasing its significant potential and practical value in advancing industrial inspection technologies. Full article

The present research builds on the psychology of sustainability and sustainable development and on research demonstrating the contribution of perceived organizational support for strengths use (POSSU) to the quality of employees’ work life. Specifically, we focus on teachers, whose training and development in schools often aim to narrow competence gaps and correct deficits. We propose that focusing on the development of their strengths may more positively impact their engagement, satisfaction, and sense of meaning at work. A total of 47 school principals (30 women; M_age = 48.37, SD = 7.31) and 235 of their teachers (197 women; M_age = 40.73, SD = 7.78) reported perceptions of their schools’ organizational support for strengths use (POSSU), and of their school support for deficit correction (POSDC). In addition, teachers completed measures of their strengths use, sense of meaning at work, work engagement, and job satisfaction. Teachers’ POSSU was associated (more strongly than POSDC) with teachers’ strength use and positive work-related well-being. Teachers’ strengths use mediated the associations of POSSU with the other variables. Principals’ POSSU was not associated with teachers’ POSSU or with teachers’ strengths use, but was associated with teachers’ sense of meaning and satisfaction at work. The findings highlight the potential benefits of a strengths-supporting school culture to teachers’ work-life quality. Full article

This study aims to explore additional fluids beneficial for coastal thermal energy converter (CTEC) operation. Ammonia’s thermodynamic properties, characterized by higher condensation temperatures and pressures, demand significantly elevated operating pressures, resulting in a substantial energy load for efficient operation. Thus, exploring alternatives such as R134a becomes crucial, particularly considering its potential as a better working fluid for power generation in a Rankine cycle. The research methodology involves employing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations alongside experimental investigations to examine the performance of an axial turbine concept under different working fluids. The results obtained indicate that R134a is the most appropriate working fluid for an axial turbine within a CTEC, outperforming ammonia, thereby implying significantly better operational efficiency. Full article