Urban lighting systems contribute significantly to energy consumption and light pollution, raising environmental and societal concerns. This paper explores the potential of Artificial Intelligence (abbreviation: AI)-driven adaptive urban lighting as a sustainable solution, framed within a multi-level perspective on socio-technical transitions. At the landscape level, increasing urbanization and global sustainability targets exert pressure for energy-efficient practices, while traditional street lighting regimes remain largely rigid and resource-intensive. At the niche level, we propose a novel adaptive lighting system integrating real-time Internet of Things (abbreviation: IoT) sensor data and machine learning algorithms to dynamically adjust illumination based on traffic, pedestrian activity, weather conditions, and ambient light. Studies demonstrate that the proposed approach can significantly reduce energy use while minimizing light pollution, without compromising safety or visibility. The results indicate that such niche innovations, supported by AI and renewable energy integration, have the potential to influence broader regime change and contribute to sustainable urban development. This research highlights the importance of combining technological innovation with socio-technical frameworks to address pressing urban environmental challenges, offering insights for policymakers, urban planners, and energy managers seeking to balance efficiency, safety, and ecological impact.

The introduction of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in urban environments where cycling activity is present has raised the need to investigate potential modifications to urban roads, not only from the perspective of AVs but also from the perspective of cyclists. This study aims to investigate the effect of different road design characteristics and varying traffic penetration rates of AVs, using a bicycle simulator study. 50 participants assessed their perceived level of safety, comfort and stress in 11 randomized scenarios. The scenarios involve a design with sharrows and four designs with separated cycling lanes (with two different cycling lane width and two pavement painting options), with 3 AV traffic penetration rates (TPR): 0 %, 50 %, and 100 %. A series of cumulative link mixed models (CLMM) was estimated to analyze the impact of design characteristics and TPRs on cyclist perceptions. The results revealed that the implementation of AVs in shared road scenarios did not improve cyclist safety. On the contrary, it has significantly reduced the perceived level of comfort and has significantly increased the perceived level of stress. However, in separated cycling lane designs, the presence of AVs was found to positively affect cyclist perceptions, although this impact was not significant. Furthermore, the study revealed that the most important factor that affects perceptions of safety, comfort, and stress is the separation between traffic and cycling lanes.

Background: Chronic respiratory diseases are an important global issue, particularly in Asia, where burden patterns vary widely across countries. With more than half the world's population living in Asia, understanding the national and regional burden of chronic respiratory diseases is essential; however, research on this area remains inadequate. We aimed to investigate the burden of chronic respiratory diseases in Asia at national and regional levels, and to identify key risk factors. Methods: The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2023 provides estimates for assessing the burden of chronic respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumoconiosis, interstitial lung disease (ILD), and pulmonary sarcoidosis. We focused on 34 countries in Asia, encompassing the high-income Asia Pacific region and central, east, south, and southeast Asia. Estimates for age-standardised prevalence and disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) rates per 100 000 population, including 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs), were extracted by location, sex, year, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI). The average annual percentage change was calculated and presented as a percentage with 95% CIs. Estimates of modifiable attributable risk factors for DALYs and mortality were also included. Findings: In Asia, the age-standardised prevalence and DALY rates for chronic respiratory diseases generally declined from 1990 to 2023; however, the trend varied substantially by disease and country. In 2023, the age-standardised prevalence rate of COPD was highest in south Asia (3044·18 [95% UI 2748·67–3303·04] per 100 000 population), while the age-standardised asthma prevalence rate was highest in the high-income Asia Pacific region (4870·24 [4046·70–5962·78] per 100 000 population) and southeast Asia (4778·18 [3970·25–5735·61] per 100 000 population). Despite southeast Asia and the high-income Asia Pacific region having a similar age-standardised asthma prevalence rate, southeast Asia had a higher age-standardised DALY rate (508·67 [95% UI 394·89–669·92] per 100 000 population) compared with the high-income Asia Pacific region (204·40 [129·23–290·41] per 100 000 population). A decrease in the age-standardised DALY rate for chronic respiratory diseases was observed with increasing SDI, contrasting with its prevalence patterns. Age-standardised DALY rates of COPD decreased in all Asian countries except for Georgia (average annual percentage change 1·37 [95% CI 1·26–1·48]) and Kazakhstan (0·73 [0·55–0·93]), and age-standardised DALY rates of asthma decreased in all countries. Smoking and ambient particulate matter pollution were identified as leading attributable risk factors for chronic respiratory diseases across Asia. Household air pollution from solid fuels was a regionally pronounced risk factor for chronic respiratory diseases, particularly in south Asia (age-standardised DALY rate 657·58 [95% UI 485·04–880·45] per 100 000 population). Although smoking was a major risk factor in males, ambient particulate matter pollution and secondhand smoke emerged as important attributable risk factors for chronic respiratory diseases in females. Interpretation: Countries with lower SDI had markedly higher DALY rates, highlighting the need to address socioeconomic and health-care inequities. Household air pollution from solid fuels continues to impose a substantial but preventable burden in south Asia, calling for clean energy adoption and improved ventilation. Funding: Gates Foundation.

Background Breast cancer is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity among females worldwide. As part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2023, we provided an updated comprehensive assessment of the epidemiological trends, disease burden, and risk factors associated with breast cancer globally, regionally, and nationally from 1990 to 2023. Methods Breast cancer incidence, mortality, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) were estimated by age and sex for 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2023. Mortality estimates were generated using GBD Cause of Death Ensemble models, leveraging data from population-based cancer registration systems, vital registration systems, and verbal autopsies. Mortality-to-incidence ratios were calculated to derive both mortality and incidence estimates. Prevalence was calculated by combining incidence and modelled survival estimates. YLLs were established by multiplying age-specific deaths with the GBD standard life expectancy at the age of death. YLDs were estimated by applying disability weights to prevalence estimates. The sum of YLLs and YLDs equalled the number of DALYs. Breast cancer burden attributable to seven risk factors was examined through the comparative risk assessment framework. The GBD forecasting framework was used to forecast breast cancer incidence and mortality from 2024 to 2050. Age-standardised rates were calculated for each metric using the GBD 2023 world standard population. Findings In 2023, there were an estimated 2·30 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 2·01 to 2·61) breast cancer incident cases, 764 000 deaths (672 000 to 854 000), and 24·1 million (21·3 to 27·5) DALYs among females globally. In the World Bank low-income group, where a low age-standardised incidence rate (ASIR) was estimated (44·2 per 100 000 person-years [31·2 to 58·4]), the age-standardised mortality rate (ASMR) was the highest (24·1 per 100 000 [16·8 to 31·9]). The highest ASIR was in the high-income group (75·7 per 100 000 [67·1 to 84·0]), and the lowest ASMR was in the upper-middle-income group (11·2 per 100 000 [10·2 to 12·3]). Between 1990 and 2023, the ASIR in the low-income group increased by 147·2% (38·1 to 271·7), compared with a 1·2% (–11·5 to 17·2) change in the high-income group. The ASMR decreased in the high-income group, changing by –29·9% (–33·6 to –25·9), but increased by 99·3% (12·5 to 202·9) in the low-income group. The increase in age-standardised DALY rates followed that of ASMRs. Risk factors such as dietary risks, tobacco use, and high fasting plasma glucose contributed to 28·3% (16·6 to 38·9) of breast cancer DALYs in 2023. The risk factors with a decrease in attributable DALYs between 1990 and 2023 were high alcohol use and tobacco. By 2050, the global incident cases of breast cancer among females were forecast to reach 3·56 million (2·29 to 4·83), with 1·37 million (0·841 to 2·02) deaths. Interpretation The stable incidence and declining mortality rates of female breast cancer in high-income nations reflect success in screening, diagnosis, and treatment. In contrast, the concurrent rise in incidence and mortality in other regions signals health system deficits. Without effective interventions, many countries will fall short of the WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative's ambitious target of achieving an annual reduction of 2·5% in age-standardised mortality rates by 2040. The mounting breast cancer burden, disproportionately affecting some of the world's most vulnerable populations, will further exacerbate health inequalities across the globe without decisive immediate action. Funding Gates Foundation, St Jude Children's Research Hospital.

A communication-focused drama-based program was delivered over a period of 1 year to 10- to 11-year-olds in Hungary. The aim of the program was to develop participants’ social problem-solving, coping strategies, and assertive communication. Outcomes were measured by the Assertiveness Questionnaire (Gaumer Erickson et al., 2016), the Social Problem-Solving Inventory–Revised (D’Zurilla et al., 2002), and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (Folkman & Lazarus, 1988). N = 18 children received the intervention, and N = 28 children formed a control group. The 1-year program consisted of 18 sessions, each lasting for 90 min; they took place every 2 weeks and resulted in significant changes across three areas in the intervention group. Contrary to our hypothesis, rationality was not strengthened, but impulsivity and avoidance-escape were significantly reduced, and confrontation increased in frequency. In all three areas, assertive communication has significant explanatory power. This program was a suitable way to address some of the problem-solving styles and coping strategies that the research (e.g., Zsolnai, 2013) suggest may cause a range of life management difficulties (e.g., conflict, managing emotions) in adolescence.

The purpose of this investigation is to explore in depth a duct flow that incorporates the Al2O3/H2O nanofluid while it is subjected to an external field impact. The duct is made up of two opposing fins that are joined to the walls that are opposite each other. The temperature may be considered to be uniform at the cross-sectional plane of the duct. Additionally, the heat flow at the border is not variable. The finite volume approach was chosen because it offers a satisfactory balance between computing efficiency and the accuracy of its solutions. Importantly, our results indicate that the slowness of flow that is caused by increased Rayleigh numbers may be efficiently regulated by introducing an external magnetic field that has been carefully measured. The significance of this study demonstrates how magnetic-field modulation can be strategically employed to control thermal-hydraulic behavior in internally finned duct systems. The results provide valuable guidance for designing advanced cooling channels, energy devices, and thermal management systems where enhanced heat transfer and flow stability are required under magnetic field environments. The installation of an external magnetic field of moderate strength resulted in a drop of about 75 % in both the maximum velocity and temperature across the duct. Further, a jump of approximately 66 % in the average Nusselt number has been brought about by 25 % increase in the fin height. Through the use of this study framework, a link between thermal-hydraulic behavior and the application of magnetic force is established. The involvement of the Lorentz force, which offers resistance to the motion of the fluid by operating in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction in which the fluid is flowing, and the magnetic force, is brought about as a consequence of the magnetic forces. Consequently, it is possible to draw the conclusion that a larger Nusselt number is the result of both a higher Rayleigh number and a higher magnetic parameter.

Abiotic stresses including drought, salinity, heat, cold, and heavy metal toxicity severely constrain plant productivity worldwide. Nitrogen (N), beyond its fundamental nutritional role, has emerged as a central regulator of plant stress responses through its involvement in metabolic reprogramming, osmotic adjustment, antioxidant defense, and hormonal signaling. This review synthesizes current advances in understanding how nitrogen availability and form influence plant tolerance to major abiotic stresses. Particular emphasis is placed on nitrogen-mediated modulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging systems, nitrogen–carbon metabolic coordination, phytohormonal crosstalk, osmoprotectant biosynthesis, and regulation of stress-responsive gene expression. Recent molecular insights highlight the role of nitrogen transporters, nitrate signaling pathways, and nitrogen-use efficiency in stress adaptation mechanisms. Furthermore, agronomic and biotechnological strategies aimed at optimizing nitrogen management to enhance stress resilience are discussed, including precision fertilization, integrated nutrient management, and genetic approaches targeting nitrogen-responsive regulatory networks. By integrating physiological, biochemical, and molecular perspectives, this review provides a comprehensive framework for understanding nitrogen-driven mitigation strategies under abiotic stress conditions and outlines future research directions for sustainable crop production in changing environments.

Performance differences between female youth handball players selected for national teams and non-selected peers are often linked to strength, speed, and power. This study aimed to compare the conditioning capacities and body composition of national and non-national youth handball players. The sample included 36 female players (17.13 ± 1.75 years), 18 national and 18 position-matched non-national players. Anthropometry, sprint and change in direction ability, vertical jump, upper- and lower-body strength, aerobic capacity, and body composition were assessed using standard tests and bioimpedance analysis. For normally distributed variables, an independent-samples t-test was applied, while for variables that did not meet the normality assumptions, the Mann–Whitney U test was used. Cohen’s d was used to assess effect size. National team players showed significantly greater jump height (p < 0.001, d = 1.408), higher relative peak power (p < 0.001, d = 1.644), and faster 20 m sprint times (p = 0.004, d = −1.037). No significant differences were found in body composition or the other measured parameters, although a moderate Yo-Yo IRL1 effect size suggests a potential practical advantage in aerobic capacity for national team players. These results indicate that explosive power and linear speed are key discriminators for youth national-team selection.

Romania joined the UNESCO Convention in 1990. The fortified church of Biertan was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1993, followed by six additional Transylvanian fortified church villages in 1999. An interesting feature of this heritage landscape is that settlements with different demographic and development trajectories share the same World Heritage designation. In our research, we collected demographic and tourism data from these seven municipalities. Subsequently, a standard questionnaire was sent to municipal decision-makers (mayors) in 2023 to map tourism development in their municipalities. The communication activities of the municipalities were analysed using a content analysis method, which was observation-based and based only on online content. In our experience, there is no common strategy to turn this heritage into a tourist attraction; each of the seven municipalities has faced this challenge separately. The main result of the research was to explore how heritage tourism works in municipalities with different demographic, linguistic-cultural heritage and with different levels of management.