Urban sprawl is a significant phenomenon that emerges from the growth process of settlement areas, which has evolved over time. The historical background and geographical characteristics of a city directly influence its sprawl process. Additionally, the changing sectoral structure of the city, population growth, technological advancements, and economic fluctuations can indirectly affect the direction, speed, and extent of urban sprawl, potentially leading to adverse outcomes. Therefore, it is essential to monitor this process and implement spatial and temporal modeling to keep urban sprawl under control. This study simulates urban sprawl in Konya, a city with valuable agricultural lands, for the year 2040 using two scenarios based on expert knowledge and artificial intelligence. The first scenario combines the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for weighting sprawl criteria with Cellular Automata (CA), while the second scenario employs Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) with CA to predict future land use changes. Both models used six spatial datasets (DEM, slope, aspect, distances to streams, roads, and protected areas) and CORINE land use maps (2000, 2018), with the 2023 map obtained from Konya GIS data. Model performance was evaluated by comparing simulated and actual 2023 maps using accuracy, Kappa, precision, recall, and F1-score; AHP-CA achieved 96.13 % accuracy and 0.94 Kappa, whereas ANN-CA reached 92.13 % and 0.89, indicating both models reliably capture urban dynamics, with AHP-CA performing better. Both scenarios predict inevitable urban expansion, but the expert-based AHP-CA scenario better preserves agricultural lands and natural vegetation. Based on these results, the study discusses the directions and factors influencing urban change and provides spatial planning recommendations for urban managers

Stimulated by the experimental observation of fullertube [Journal of the American Chemical Society. 2020, 142, 15,614-15,623], a systematic density functional study of the structures and the growth pathway of [6] fullertube C36+36+12n series is performed. Starting from D6d(1)-C72, D6h(24)-C84 can be described as consisting of two end-caps (half of D6d(1)-C72) attached to a C12 carbon ring. Potential energy surface calculations reveal that the optimal pathway for this growth process proceeds via six sequential and directional C2 insertions involving metastable heptagonal-ring intermediates and avoiding high-energy-barrier Stone-Wales rearrangements. These findings offer critical insight into the self-assembly mechanism of fullerene-based nanostructures and establish a theoretical basis for the rational design of tunable carbon nanomaterials.

Pyrolytic technology was developed to grow Zn-based nano- and microstructures. It was based on the application of a mixture of ammonium chloride, Zn and ZnO powders as source materials. Two temperature profiles were used for the synthesis. In the first and second growth processes, the maximum substrate temperatures of 250 and 410°C were reached, respectively. The granular layer of micrometer range ZnO crystals was produced in the first process. By depleting the source with NH 4 Cl, the Zn polyhedra, and layered spheres were produced within 50–65 min in the second process. By increasing the NH 4 Cl content in the source to 0.9 g, the Zn/ZnO core–shell spheres were synthesized. The further increase of process duration led to the out-diffusion of Zn from the core, its oxidation, and the formation of a thick, dense ZnO spherical shell. Even further annealing in residual gases caused the increase of the Zn vapor pressure inside the shell. As a result, at a certain Zn vapor pressure, the shell bursts, causing the formation of a hollow ZnO microsphere.

Trends represent systematic intra-individual variations that occur over slower time scales that, if unaccounted, are known to yield biases in estimation of momentary change patterns captured by time series models. The applicability of detrending methods has rarely been assessed in the context of multi-level longitudinal panel data, namely, nested data structures with relatively few measurements. This paper evaluated the efficacy of a series of two-stage detrending methods against a single-stage Bayesian approach in fitting multi-level nonlinear growth curve models with autoregressive residuals (ml-GAR) with random effects in both the growth and autoregressive processes. Monte Carlo simulation studies revealed that the single-stage Bayesian approach, in contrast to two-stage approaches, exhibited satisfactory properties with as few as five time points when the number of individuals was large (e.g., 500 individuals). It still outperformed alternative two-stage approaches when correlated random effects between the trend and autoregressive processes were misspecified as a diagonal random effect structure. Empirical results from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Kindergarten Class (ECLS-K) data suggested substantial deviations in conclusions regarding children’s reading ability using two-stage in comparison to single-stage approaches, thus highlighting the importance of simultaneous modeling of trends and intraindividual variability whenever feasible.

The stability of aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) droplets is a key requirement for extending their utility beyond conventional applications, particularly as minimal models of biological cells and reaction compartments. However, the mechanisms by which their dynamic process in droplet size growth remain poorly understood. In this study, lecithin is demonstrated to effectively stabilize ATPS droplets by modulating two fundamental processes that determine their size evolution: 1) approaching migration driven by thermal motion and inter-droplet attraction and 2) the coalescence initiation time, defined as the delay between first contact and the onset of merging. Using dextran-rich droplets dispersed in a polyethylene glycol phase, significant suppression of both processes is shown that occurs only when lecithin concentrations exceed its critical micelle concentration. The findings indicate that lecithin coats droplet surfaces spontaneously to form a membrane-like layer, thereby reducing inter-droplet attraction and strongly inhibiting coalescence. This stabilization strategy offers a simple yet powerful means to control droplet dynamics, thereby opening up new possibilities for engineering ATPS droplets as versatile platforms for biochemical reactions and synthetic cell research.

Magmas erupting in arcs range in composition from MgO-rich basalt to MgO-poor rhyolite. This broad compositional range is due to the sequential crystallization and separation of minerals with different chemical compositions from the cooling magma (a process known as fractional crystallization), to mixing between magmas that have undergone different degrees of fractional crystallization, and to the assimilation of rocks, in which high temperatures allow magmas to partially melt and assimilate them. Although the roles of fractional crystallization and mixing in arc magmas have been addressed on a large scale, the role of crustal assimilation has mostly been assessed at local to regional scales and not at the global scale. Using published whole-rock geochemical data on 18 modern arcs of variable crustal thicknesses (∼10–∼65 km), this study highlights that correlations of elements (MgO and Co), which are the indices of fractional crystallization, with Nd and Sr isotopes, which are the tracers of assimilation, change systematically in magmatic rocks with the crustal thickness of the arc. These correlations indicate the occurrence of assimilation–fractional crystallization (AFC) processes in arcs of different crustal thicknesses. Based on the results of geochemical modeling, the systematics of the correlations between Sr–Nd isotopes and MgO–Co suggest that the rate of crustal assimilation during fractional crystallization of the magmas increases as the thickness of the arc crust becomes greater, which is a consequence of both these processes occurring at deeper and hotter crustal levels in a thick crust compared to a thin crust. In addition, the rocks that are assimilated by arc magmas in increasingly thick arcs are isotopically more evolved, suggesting that the process of crustal growth, refining, and maturation in arcs results from a continuous reworking of previously formed crust through time by subsequent arc magmatic events.

Follicles comprised of oocytes and surrounding cells are essential for reproductive function. They are fixed before birth and decrease thereafter through a process of activation, growth and apoptosis. The advent of ovarian tissue cryopreservation is critical for fertility preservation and has allowed us to evaluate follicle numbers and folliculogenesis in humans. However, current histopathological assessments are labor intensive and subject to interobserver variability. We developed an AI-based method that integrates deep learning segmentation and object detection to automate follicle counting in whole-slide images (WSIs) of ovarian tissue. Using 1,857 WSIs from 47 patients and 8,300 annotated follicles, our method employs DeepLabV3+ for segmentation and Faster R-CNN for object detection. Predictions from both models are merged, and performance metrics (Dice coefficient, sensitivity, and positive predictive value) were calculated pre- and post-failure analysis. The segmentation model achieved a Dice coefficient of 0.4939, while the object detection model achieved a COCOmetric score 0.27. The merged results of both models performed with a sensitivity of 0.92 and PPV of 0.95, after manual correction of annotations. Our AI-driven approach enhances follicle quantitation accuracy and reproducibility, representing a promising tool to support research and clinical decision-making in fertility preservation.

Through employing WO3 as a precursor, we successfully deposited a complete and continuous WC coating onto the surface of diamond particles by means of the salt bath method. Initially, a tungsten (W) layer forms on the diamond surface, which gradually transitions to a tungsten carbide (WC) coating as either the temperature is elevated or the duration of the process is prolonged. A thorough thermodynamic analysis was conducted to investigate this phase transition mechanism. At a lower synthesis temperature of 1000 °C, significant differences were observed in both the thickness and phase composition of the coatings formed on the (100) and (111) crystal planes of diamond. Specifically, the coating on the (100) plane exhibited earlier growth compared to that on the (111) plane, with WC phases appearing sooner within the coating’s composition. However, as the synthesis temperature increases, these differences in both thickness and phase composition between coatings on different diamond crystal faces tend to diminish, leading towards convergence. Furthermore, a detailed kinetic analysis of the coating growth process was conducted. It was found that the reduction reaction of carbon on WO3 led to the formation of the W coating, and the diffusion of carbon in the W coating resulted in the formation of the WC coating. The diffusion of carbon in the coating ensured its continuous growth, providing deeper insights into the mechanisms governing the deposition and transformation processes.

Across the world, LGBT and queer lives and values have gained increasing amounts of visibility and recognition, thus sparking the inclusion of queer people into mainstream capitalist society. In Singapore, the lack of action from the state has instead prompted queer and trans Singaporeans to turn to capitalism and consumption as one avenue and source of empowerment and affirmation. This visual essay uses images printed on receipt paper to provide an account of the everyday ways in which queerness can be reaffirmed through engaging in commodities, and how the meanings of queerness are remade through this exchange. The selected images and the captions/accompanying text are used to render visible the personal experiences of the author who lives through these processes of transformative growth with their identity.

Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo is a typical alpine medicinal plant. However, the mechanism underlying its adaptation to high altitudes remains incompletely understood. In this study, we integrated transcriptome and metabolome analyses. Specifically, we used third-generation sequencing for building a reference transcriptome and second-generation sequencing for differential gene expression analysis. Our findings revealed that the activation of the hydrogen sulfide signaling pathway and the reprogramming of amino acid metabolism are probable adaptation mechanisms. Different from previous reports, the hydrogen sulfide signaling may regulate the activity of cellulose synthase in addition to enhancement of antioxidant capacity and accumulation of osmolytes. By altering the agronomic traits of plants in a cell wall remodeling-dependent manner, it enables L. rotata to adapt to alpine stress. The accumulated amino acids not only store energy-efficient organic nitrogen as precursors for the synthesis of secondary metabolites but also act as signaling molecules to activate defense responses. Additionally, we propose a potential link between the hydrogen sulfide signaling pathway and amino acid metabolism. Overall, this study systematically explores the adaptation mechanism of L. rotata to high-altitude environments, offering a novel perspective for understanding the growth, development, stress responses, and secondary metabolic processes of alpine plants.

In the semi-desert aeolian sand areas of Northern China, surface deformation monitoring with SAR is challenged by loss of coherence due to mobile dunes, seasonal vegetation changes, and large-gradient, nonlinear subsidence from underground mining. This study utilizes PALSAR-2 (L-band, 3 m resolution) and Sentinel-1 (C-band, 30 m resolution) data, applying InSAR and Offset tracking methods combined with differential, Stacking, and SBAS techniques to analyze deformation monitoring effectiveness and propose an efficient dynamic monitoring strategy for the Shendong Coalfield. The main conclusions can be summarized as follows: (1) PALSAR-2 data, which has advantages in wavelength and resolution (L-band, multi-look spatial resolution of 3 m), exhibits better interference effects and deformation details compared to Sentinel-1 data (C-band, multi-look spatial resolution of 30 m). The highly sensitive differential-InSAR (D-InSAR) can promptly detect new deformations, while Stacking-InSAR can accurately delineate the range of rock strata movement. SBAS-InSAR can reflect the dynamic growth process of the deformation range as a whole, and SBAS-Offset is suitable for observing the absolute values and morphology of the surface moving basin. The combined application of Stacking-InSAR and Stacking-Offset methods can accurately acquire the three-dimensional deformation field of mining-induced strata movement. (2) The spatiotemporal process of surface deformation caused by coal mining-induced strata movement revealed by InSAR exhibits good correspondence with both the underground mining progress and the development of ground fissures identified in UAV images. (3) The maximum displacement along the line of sight (LOS) measured in the mining area is approximately 2 to 3 m, which is close to the 2.14 m observed on site and aligns with previous studies. The calculated advance influence angle of the No. 22308 working face in the study area is about 38.3°. The influence angle on the solid coal side is 49°, while that on the goaf side approaches 90°. These findings further deepen the understanding of rock movement and surface displacement parameters in this region. The dynamic monitoring strategy proposed in this study is cost-effective and operational, enhancing the observational effectiveness of InSAR technology for surface deformation due to coal mining in this area, and it enriches the understanding of surface strata movement patterns and parameters in this region.

Given the world’s complex and pressing environmental and social challenges, businesses must effectively represent their approach to sustainability by informing stakeholders about how they have decided to mitigate the effects of their actions and capitalize on sustainability-related opportunities. Stakeholders put pressure on businesses to make responsible decisions by upholding high environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards and minimizing their impact on society and the environment. The board of directors is responsible for aligning corporate conduct with the needs of all stakeholders and steering the firm toward long-term growth processes. The purpose of this paper is to look into how some corporate governance variables affect ESG disclosure in Italian listed companies. More specifically, the paper looks into how board composition affects ESG disclosure and whether gender diversity on boards has a positive impact on ESG disclosure. To fulfill the research goal, the sample investigated is all firms registered on the Italian stock exchange, excluding financials, from 2018 to 2022. In terms of methodology, a basic linear regression model that takes into account numerous properties of the board of directors was performed. The ESG score was obtained using the Refinitiv database, while the other statistics were obtained from the individual corporations’ corporate governance reports. The research findings allow us to highlight the impact of diversity on boards in ESG disclosure, confirming that there is a positive and significant relationship. As a result, the research contributes to a better practical and theoretical understanding of the critical role that gender diversity plays in boosting corporate governance and ESG best practices through increased corporate openness and accountability. The study’s findings may serve as a motivation for policymakers and social regulators to continue to push initiatives and changes that promote gender equality on corporate boards. All because a diverse board of directors fosters better sustainable governance, leading investors to view companies engaged in ESG activities as a safer investment.

Purpose The study aims to explore the role of social capital in creation and growth of women-owned enterprises in a patriarchal context. In particular, the study seeks to examine what kind of bonding and bridging social capital are used by women-owned enterprises across the various stages of creation and growth of the enterprise and with what resources these social capitals help women-owned enterprises at each stage. Design/methodology/approach The study uses the frameworks of Kleinhempel et al. (2020) and Churchill and Lewis life cycle model (1983) to identify the various stages of enterprise creation and growth. A mixed method approach (Concurrent parallel design) is used to explore the role of social capital in creation and growth of women-owned enterprises located in Deoria district of Uttar Pradesh state of India. The study combines surveys (n = 152) and interviews (n = 53) and uses a thematic approach that considers women’s narratives as the primary source of knowledge construction. Findings The findings from questionnaires and in-depth interviews reveal that in the initial stage of business creation, bonding social capital, especially, the spouse plays vital role by providing ideas, emotional support and financial resources to the women entrepreneurs. However, bridging social capital plays a relatively more important role in the growth of enterprise. Customers play a pivotal role in marketing and product innovation in survival, success and take off stages of the growth process and assists in providing business links, marketing and innovation. Moreover, the young venture is considered as the most difficult phase during the creation and growth of firm, though support from social capital plays crucial in curtailing this issue. The findings further suggest that owing to the patriarchal social values women have limited reach to other forms of bridging capital such as government institutions, peer entrepreneurs and mentors. Originality/value The role of social capital at every stage of women-owned enterprise’s creation and growth is yet to be understood comprehensively in the developing economies with patriarchal social values. This study not only conducts this investigation in an under researched patriarchal context of India but also improves on the methodological rigor of the existing literature by combining a quantitative and qualitative approach.

Aim: The professional growth and development of counselors is a continuous and lifelong process. Accordingly, this study aimed to elucidate the process of growth and development among family counselors. Methods: This qualitative study employed a qualitative meta-analysis approach. The study population consisted of Persian and English qualitative articles related to the growth and development of family counselors. A total of 107 qualitative studies were reviewed, of which 18 were identified as fully relevant. Relevant articles were selected through comprehensive searches in databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, SID, NoorMagz, and Magiran. Data were analyzed using a systematic review method and the inductive thematic analysis approach proposed by Thomas and Harden, encompassing three stages: open coding, organizing codes into descriptive themes, and generating analytical concepts. Findings: The thematic analysis of the qualitative studies resulted in the identification of four main themes, 13 subcategories, and 230 sub-subcategories. The main themes were: Initiation and Orientation; Activity and Exploration; Transition and Follow-up; and Integration and Synergy. The subcategories included: Non-professional Assistance; Beginner Student and Self-Doubt; Understanding Philosophy and Enhancing Professional Knowledge; Basic Level Performance; Entering the Internship Path and Receiving Supervision; Labeling Oneself as a Professional Specialist; Novice Professional Performance; Contextual Understanding of the Professional Community; Experienced Professional Performance; Deepening Personal and Professional Reflection; Integration of Personal and Professional Self; Self-Transcendence and Self-Enhancement; and Mission-Centricity. Conclusion: The findings indicate that cultivating responsibility and self-confidence during training enables counselors to discover their unique professional voice and achieve a meaningful integration between their personal and professional selves.

Monetary policy plays a key role in guiding and stabilizing the economy in North Macedonia. This study aims to analyze the impact of monetary policy on economic growth. The main focus of this paper will be on the effects of monetary policy instruments on economic growth in North Macedonia. In order to achieve this, the extent to which monetary policy has influenced economic growth processes in the period 2006-2023 will be assessed, examining key variables such as the balance of payments, money supply and inflation. Using econometric methods and statistical data from the National Bank of North Macedonia and other relevant institutions.

Growth in pediatric heart transplantation

Altered osteoblast populations dynamics underlie myeloma progression from precursors diseases in bone microenvironment

Abstract. Organosulfate (OS) surfactants can influence cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activation and hygroscopic growth by reducing the surface tension of aerosol particles. We investigate the surface tension and hygroscopicity of aerosols containing short- and long-chain OSs in supersaturated aqueous droplets using an electrodeformation method coupled with Raman spectroscopy. For droplets containing short-chain OSs, the surface tension decreases as relative humidity (RH) decreases, even under dry and highly viscous conditions. Sodium ethyl sulfate (SES) lowered surface tension to approximately 30 mN m−1, a value lower than that of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) at its critical micelle concentration. We also studied ternary systems containing OSs with citric acid (CA) or sodium chloride (NaCl). Even small amounts of SDS, with a molar ratio of 10−3 relative to CA, reduce surface tension by up to 40 % at low RH compared to CA alone. Despite strong surface tension reduction, ternary OS–CA–water systems show hygroscopicity nearly identical to binary CA–water systems, suggesting that surface tension does not influence water uptake under subsaturated conditions. Ternary systems containing NaCl and OS undergo efflorescence at 47 % RH, but the crystallized NaCl becomes partially engulfed. If the RH is subsequently increased, the particle takes up water. At the deliquescence point (72 % RH), the particle becomes homogeneous again. These findings improve our understanding of particle growth and cloud drop formation processes, which influence cloud properties like albedo and lifetime.

The article presents a biochemical analysis of cage aquaculture of rainbow trout contained in the Angara River that has been carried out for the first time. The tested individuals were kept in cages on the Angara River, within the city of Irkutsk, at a temperature of 12-15. We received the feed Appens GROWER EF in the amount of 2% of the fish weight. Determination of the LC content in extracts of the lipid fraction of fish tissues (white muscles) have been performed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric and flame ionization detection methods. The interrelationships of the feed composition and the physiological and biochemical processes of growth and development of trout aquaculture have been revealed. Lipids of white muscles of mature Parasalmo mykiss individuals kept in cages of the coastal pelagic river have been studied. Docosahexaenoic and oleic acids dominated in the total lipids in the muscles of the studied individuals. The role of w-3 and w-6 fatty acids in the body of fish and their ratio has been discussed. The article considers the value of consuming rainbow trout as a source of polyunsaturated acids. A high content of physiologically significant ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids has been found in the muscles of rainbow trout from the Angara River cage aquaculture. It is indicated that it is better to use fish meat as full-fledged food than its fat. The data obtained characterize the fish studied as a high-quality aquaculture product containing a high percentage of essential fatty acids against the background of a good adaptation of fish to the conditions of their maintenance, including feed .

As global concern for food security continues to grow, modern monitoring technologies are playing a pyramidally crucial role in the agricultural sector. However, in the face of complex and fluctuating light requirements during crop growth, the further development of environmental monitoring technology is constrained by both the complexity and variability of environmental conditions and the limited accuracy and functionality of current light sensors. Herein, a self-powered all-inorganic tin-lead (Sn-Pb) perovskite photodetector (PD) is reported, and a novel all-in-one engineering approach utilizing benzenesulfonyl hydrazide (BSH) is incorporated to effectively enhance the photodetection performance of the PD. The BSH molecule plays a pivotal role in balancing and mitigating crystallization and grain growth processes of Sn-Pb perovskite, while also inhibiting the oxidation of Sn2+ and the formation of Sn vacancy defects in perovskite film. Consequently, the optimized champion PD reaches a responsivity of 0.36 A W-1 and a detectivity of 1.74 × 1013 Jones at 650 nm. Benefitting from its excellent performance, the prototype of a light sensor employing PDs achieves specific detection of red and blue light in a simulated lighting environment required for plants development. This research not only presents a feasible strategy to improve photodetection performance of Sn-Pb perovskite PDs but also provides novel insights for designing monitoring and feedback systems in intelligent agriculture applications.