Search Results (22,919)

Flood disasters are common events in Malaysia, particularly during the monsoon seasons. Hence, disaster management in Malaysia is based on the framework following “Directive 20” by the National Security Council (MKN). This study gathered qualitative information in Shah Alam Municipality through informal interviews with 20 informants following the quadruple-helix multi-stakeholders model in 2023 for flood disaster management (FDM). Thematic analysis of the qualitative information was conducted following the four main priority of action themes of the Sendai Framework for United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030) using the Taguette software. This study found coordination and inter-agency data sharing are two major issues in Shah Alam that require immediate attention for FDM. Thus, this study suggests improving district-level flood management guidelines, especially the involvement of the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA). The NADMA should have a close look at the flood management plan, which acts as Malaysia’s main disaster management coordinator, as they are usually the first agency on the scene when a disaster occurs. Hence, to prevent and lessen flood disaster impact, disaster risk preparedness and individual management through customized training are crucial in combining non-structural and structural measures for FDM. Full article

This paper explores the integration of UAV-based hyperspectral imaging and advanced AI algorithms for soil texture mapping and stress detection in agricultural settings. The primary focus lies on leveraging multi-modal sensor data, including hyperspectral imaging, thermal imaging, and gamma-ray spectroscopy, to enable precise monitoring of abiotic and biotic stressors in crops. An innovative algorithm combining vegetation indices, path planning, and machine learning methods is introduced to enhance the efficiency of data collection and analysis. Experimental results demonstrate significant improvements in accuracy and operational efficiency, paving the way for real-time, data-driven decision-making in precision agriculture. Full article

In Namibia, informal settlements are usually upgraded by a participatory process aimed at providing inhabitants with land tenure security through the Flexible Land Tenure Act (FLTA), followed by the provision of basic services. The pilot FLTA implementation case is the upgrading of the Freedom Square settlement in Gobabis, which was a woman-led process. This research analyzes both the experiences of the women participating during the process as well as the immediate and long-term perceived impacts on their social and economic conditions. The empirical data were collected through interviews and a focus group discussion with experts and key participants in the development process. The findings highlight socio–economic challenges faced by the participating women, including insufficient support from family and limited economic opportunities. Throughout the process, stakeholders shifted their aims. This shift influenced the involvement of women, changing their roles from active participants to service recipients. While the main goals of receiving land tenure and service provision were partially fulfilled, the long-term impact of the process on women is varied from how it was initially envisioned. This was largely due to the absence of a comprehensive plan to improve their livelihoods. The results show that for participatory land tenure processes to become inclusive, a stronger gender-mainstreaming agenda becomes necessary. It also emphasizes holistic development planning as a key factor for long-term success. Full article

In high-energy physics, resistive plate chamber (RPC) detectors operating in avalanche mode make use of a high-performance gas mixture. Its main component, Tetrafluoroethane (C₂H₂F₄), is classified as a fluorinated greenhouse gas. The RPC EcoGas@GIF++ collaboration is pursuing an intensive R&D on new gas mixtures for RPCs to explore eco-friendly alternatives complying with recent European regulations. The performance of different RPC detectors has been evaluated at the CERN Gamma Irradiation Facility with Tetrafluoropropene (C₃H₂F₄)-CO₂-based gas mixtures. A long-term ageing test campaign was launched in 2022, and since 2023, systematic long-term performance studies have been carried out thanks to dedicated beam tests. The results of these studies are discussed together with their future perspectives. Full article

Ecosystem service value (ESV) represents the benefits that people obtain directly or indirectly from ecosystems. Based on the land use/land cover (LULC) data of Qinghai Province in 2000, 2010, and 2018, combined with the equivalent factor method, land use dynamic degree, land use transition matrix, and coefficient of sensitivity (CS), the ESV of Qinghai Province is calculated. This study found that ESV in Qinghai Province exhibited significant variations. It has increased from CNY 750.77 billion to CNY 772.4 billion from 2000 to 2018. The results show that grassland and unused land are the main land use types, with a total coverage of more than 88% in the study area. The land use dynamic degree result demonstrates that the dynamic degree of built-up land is the highest. The CS analysis found that the CSs of the ESV of each land use type in Qinghai Province were less than 1 during 3 periods, 2000–2010, 2010–2018, and 2000–2018, indicating that the ESV in the area lacks elasticity and the result is reliable. This study can provide scientific support for the sustainable development of ecosystems and land use planning in Qinghai Province under global climate change. Full article

Background/Objectives: The precise staging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) determines its initial treatment and provides more accurate prognostic information for patients. The aim of this cohort study was to determine pre- and post-operative mediastinal nodal staging agreement and its effect on 2-year survival. Methods: A retrospective multi-centre cohort study was performed, using prospectively collected and pre-defined data from weekly lung cancer multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings in 11 hospitals. Consecutive patients who underwent surgical resection of NSCLC between 2015 and 2017 were eligible. Pre-operative under-staging was defined as a lower pre-operative than post-operative nodal stage, and pre-operative over-staging as a higher pre-operative than post-operative nodal stage. Disparities between pre-operative nodal staging established at MDT and post-surgical nodal staging were determined and associations with subsequent lung cancer-specific 2-year mortality were identified using univariate and multivariate regression. Results: A total of 973 patients fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Concordant pre- and post-operative nodal staging was observed in 783/973 (80%), 123/973 (13%) were under-staged pre-operatively and 67/973 (7%) were over-staged. In 173 patients with clinical N1 or N2 disease (in whom invasive mediastinal staging was indicated), staging EBUS was performed in 55/173 (32%). In these patients, younger age and use of staging EBUS were independent predictors of concordant pre- and post-operative staging. In all patients, pre-operative under-staging was independently associated with increased lung cancer-specific 2-year mortality. There was no increased mortality associated with pre-operative nodal over-staging. Conclusions: Invasive mediastinal staging with EBUS was independently associated with more accurate pre-operative staging. Pre-operative nodal under-staging was associated with increased lung cancer-specific mortality. Nodal staging accuracy in potentially curable NSCLC is of fundamental importance to ensure patients receive the correct first-line treatment and to improve survival. Full article

Background: The risk of dying from chronic liver diseases (CLDs) is two to three times higher for patients with diabetes (DM). Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the primary cause of this increased risk, which has an etiology unrelated to alcohol or viruses. Previous research reported that diabetes and CLD are related, since they influence each other. Aim: Estimation of the impact of diabetes (DM) on liver diseases (LD), and of the impact of liver diseases on DM among Egyptian and Saudi patients. It is a descriptive and prospective analytical study design. The investigation was carried out in Saudi Arabia and Egypt at gastroenterology outpatient clinics. Methods: Prospective data were collected through face-to-face patient interviews during clinic visits between June 2021 and June 2023. The interviews covered the patients’ basic characteristics and information on DM and LD. Certain laboratory tests were conducted on these patients, such as liver function, glucose level, lipid profile, INR, and prothrombin time. Results: The total of 2748 participants in this study included 1242 diabetic patients of both genders from Saudi Arabia and 1506 from Egypt. Most Saudis had between 10 and 20 years’ duration of DM (35.5%), with HbA1c (7–10%) values of 47.8%, while the Egyptian patients had >20 years’ duration of DM (39.8%), with HbA1c (7–10%) values of 49.8%. Regarding the impact of DM on the development of liver diseases, about 35.5% (Saudis) vs. 23.5% (Egyptians) had liver diseases due to DM, a significant difference (p-value = 0.011). Liver enzymes were increased in many of the Egyptian and Saudi patients (41.4% vs. 33%), while the presence of fatty liver (28.2% vs. 35.7%) and hepatocellular carcinoma (13.7% vs. 6.1%) were also significantly different (p-value = 0.047). While the impact of liver diseases on DM was observed more among Egyptian (59%) than among Saudi (46.4%) patients because of liver cirrhosis (HCV or HBV), known to be a reason for diabetes in Egyptians (27.9%) vs. Saudis (8.0%), a higher incidence of fatty liver leading to DM was observed in Saudis than in Egyptians (15.9% vs. 11.6%) (p-value = 0.000. Obesity was more prevalent among Saudi patients (63.8%) than among Egyptian patients (48.6%) (p-value = 0.019). Fewer Egyptians (about 65%) suffered from dyslipidemia than Saudis (about 80%). Higher INR and longer prothrombin times were observed in Egyptians (29.9% and 29.1%, respectively) than in Saudis (20.3% and 18.8%, respectively), with a significant difference between the two nations (p-value < 0.050). Conclusions: We may conclude that diabetes in most patients has a negative impact on the development of liver diseases (particularly fatty liver in Saudi patients). In addition, most liver diseases (liver cirrhosis) have a negative influence on the development of DM (more so in Egyptian patients). There is a link between DM and liver disease. In particular, liver cirrhosis and diabetes were found to influence each other. Therefore, correct medication, adherence to treatment, lifestyle modifications, successful cirrhosis control (in patients with liver diseases), and diabetic control (in diabetic patients) could lead to effective management of both diseases. The negative fallouts in the two cases were prompted by obesity, morbid eating, and poor quality of life. Full article

Background and Objectives: Cancer survival poses significant challenges in oncology, with lifestyle modifications increasingly recognized as crucial in modifying patient outcomes post-diagnosis. This meta-analysis aims to systematically evaluate the impact of various lifestyle interventions on cancer survival across different types of cancer. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane was performed to identify relevant studies up to 30 November 2024. Relevant studies were chosen and data were extracted and analyzed using SPSS Version 29.0 software. Results: Our systematic review included data from 98 studies involving a total of 1,461,834 cancer patients to evaluate the impact of lifestyle factors on cancer survival. Out of these, 64 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Our meta-analysis demonstrates that adherence to specific dietary patterns significantly improves cancer-specific outcomes. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) diet was associated with a reduction in cancer-specific mortality (pooled log HR: −0.22; 95% CI: [−0.32, −0.12]; p < 0.001). Similar benefits were observed with the Mediterranean diet (aMED), which also reduced cancer mortality and recurrence (pooled log HR: −0.24; 95% CI: [−0.40, −0.07]; p < 0.001), and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet (pooled log HR: −0.22; 95% CI: [−0.33, −0.12]; p < 0.001). Additionally, general dietary improvements were beneficial for breast cancer-specific mortality across 17 cohort studies (pooled log HR: −0.15; 95% CI: [−0.25, −0.06]; p < 0.001). Engaging in any form of physical activity post-diagnosis was associated with significant improvements in cancer-specific mortality or recurrence (pooled log HR: −0.31; 95% CI: [−0.38, −0.25]; p < 0.001). Participants who ceased smoking after diagnosis exhibited more favorable cancer outcomes (pooled log HR: −0.33; 95% CI: [−0.42, −0.24]; p < 0.001), with smoking cessation notably reducing cancer-specific mortality among lung cancer survivors (pooled log HR: −0.34; 95% CI: [−0.48, −0.20]; p < 0.001). Additionally, reducing alcohol intake post-diagnosis significantly improved cancer outcomes (pooled log HR: −0.26; 95% CI: [−0.33, −0.19]; p < 0.001). Alcohol moderation in gastrointestinal tract cancer survivors specifically decreased both cancer-specific mortality and recurrence (pooled log HR: −0.22; 95% CI: [−0.29, −0.15]; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Lifestyle modifications after cancer diagnosis significantly improve cancer-specific outcomes. Specific dietary patterns, increased physical activity, smoking cessation, and reduced alcohol intake are all associated with lower cancer-specific mortality. Integrating these lifestyle changes into oncology care may enhance patient survival and quality of life. Full article

This study investigated the combined effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (Nano-Zn) and moringa leaf extract (MLE) on squash plants grown under water stress conditions in saline soil during 2021–2022. The research compared full irrigation (100% ETc) with water deficit conditions (60% ETc). While water deficit negatively impacted plant growth, yield, and various physiological parameters, the sequential application of Nano-Zn (at 50 or 100 mg L⁻¹) with MLE (3%) significantly mitigated these adverse effects. The combined treatment proved more effective than individual applications, enhancing growth parameters, photosynthetic efficiency, and antioxidant systems. The treatment particularly improved stress tolerance by increasing protective compounds like soluble sugars and amino acids while reducing harmful H₂O₂ levels. The study concluded that sequential application of 100 mg L⁻¹ Nano-Zn with MLE was optimal for enhancing squash performance under drought stress, with 50 mg L⁻¹ Nano-Zn plus MLE as the second-best option. Full article

In this paper, the aim is to optimise the hydrodynamic performance of the novel fin-ring horizontal axis hydrokinetic turbine (HAHK). The original unique fin-ring turbine is an unconventional marine current turbine that comprises seven concentric rings with 88 connecting cambered fins and a solid centre hub. To begin with, the hydrodynamic performance of the benchmark turbine is evaluated using CFD simulations and is validated against sea-test data available in the literature. Subsequently, three of the turbine design parameters, namely, the fins’ pitch angle, the fins’ camber length, and the fins’ aspect ratio, are optimised for maximum power generation. Further test simulations illustrated the existence of a laminar region of flow in the turbine flow field. The K-kL-ω transition-sensitive turbulence model is adopted to capture the influence of transition on the flow field with results compared against those of the fully turbulent K-ε turbulence model. A final fine-tuning in the turbine design is carried out by increasing the number of fins per ring in the outermost rings to further maximise the generated power. The turbine hydrodynamic performance is assessed by comparison against other conventional hydrokinetic turbines available in the literature. Very satisfactory results are obtained with an increase of about 35% in the turbine-generated C_P as compared to that of the benchmark turbine. The turbine performance compares very well with other conventional turbines, especially in terms of higher peak C_P values, wider operating TSR range, and less sensitivity to variations in the inflow current speeds. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a vast corpus of online conversations regarding vaccines, predominantly on social media platforms like X (formerly known as Twitter). However, analyzing sentiment in Arabic text is challenging due to the diverse dialects and lack of readily available sentiment analysis resources for the Arabic language. This paper proposes an explainable Deep Learning (DL) approach designed for sentiment analysis of Arabic tweets related to COVID-19 vaccinations. The proposed approach utilizes a Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) network with Multi-Self-Attention (MSA) mechanism for capturing contextual impacts over long spans within the tweets, while having the sequential nature of Arabic text constructively learned by the BiLSTM model. Moreover, the XLNet embeddings are utilized to feed contextual information into the model. Subsequently, two essential Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) methods, namely Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations (LIME) and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), have been employed for gaining further insights into the features’ contributions to the overall model performance and accordingly achieving reasonable interpretation of the model’s output. Obtained experimental results indicate that the combined XLNet with BiLSTM model outperforms other implemented state-of-the-art methods, achieving an accuracy of 93.2% and an F-measure of 92% for average sentiment classification. The integration of LIME and SHAP techniques not only enhanced the model’s interpretability, but also provided detailed insights into the factors that influence the classification of emotions. These findings underscore the model’s effectiveness and reliability for sentiment analysis in low-resource languages such as Arabic. Full article

This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the pivotal role that nanomaterials, particularly graphene and its derivatives, play in advancing hydrogen energy technologies, with a focus on storage, production, and transport. As the quest for sustainable energy solutions intensifies, the use of nanoscale materials to store hydrogen in solid form emerges as a promising strategy toward mitigate challenges related to traditional storage methods. We begin by summarizing standard methods for producing modified graphene derivatives at the nanoscale and their impact on structural characteristics and properties. The article highlights recent advancements in hydrogen storage capacities achieved through innovative nanocomposite architectures, for example, multi-level porous graphene structures containing embedded nickel particles at nanoscale dimensions. The discussion covers the distinctive characteristics of these nanomaterials, particularly their expansive surface area and the hydrogen spillover effect, which enhance their effectiveness in energy storage applications, including supercapacitors and batteries. In addition to storage capabilities, this review explores the role of nanomaterials as efficient catalysts in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), emphasizing the potential of metal oxides and other composites to boost hydrogen production. The integration of nanomaterials in hydrogen transport systems is also examined, showcasing innovations that enhance safety and efficiency. As we move toward a hydrogen economy, the review underscores the urgent need for continued research aimed at optimizing existing materials and developing novel nanostructured systems. Addressing the primary challenges and potential future directions, this article aims to serve as a roadmap to enable scientists and industry experts to maximize the capabilities of nanomaterials for transforming hydrogen-based energy systems, thus contributing significantly to global sustainability efforts. Full article

Agrocybe cylindracea is an important mushroom highly valued as a functional food for its nutritional and medicinal benefits. Many bioactive extracts from A. cylindracea have been found to exhibit antitumor and antioxidant activities. This research investigated the distinct substrates that affected the physicochemical and biocomponent properties and biological efficiency of A. cylindracea. The substrates used were 48% giant juncao grass mixed with 30% Dicranopteris dichotoma grasses, 48% wasted tea leaves mixed with 30% sawdust, and 78% cottonseed hulls, all supplemented with 20% wheat bran and 2% lime. The findings indicated that A. cylindracea grown in the cotton seed hulls had a significant biological efficiency, at 35.8%, followed by the GD + DD (31.5%) and WTL + SD (28.7%). The ash content peaked in the fruiting bodies grown on giant juncao grass and D. dichotoma, while the fat content was highest in those grown on giant juncao grass and D. dichotoma, followed by wasted tea leaves and sawdust. The protein content was significantly higher in the fruiting bodies cultivated on wasted tea leaves and sawdust, followed by cottonseed hulls. The carbon dioxide emissions varied across substrates, with the highest emissions observed during the maturity stage of the fruiting bodies grown on giant juncao grass with D. dichotoma and wasted tea leaves and sawdust. Emissions decreased sharply 110 days after cultivation. Essential metabolites, such as dopamine and caffeine, were enriched in the fruiting bodies grown on wasted tea leaves, sawdust, and cottonseed hulls. In contrast, tyramine and uracil were enriched in those grown on cottonseed hulls. Full article